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Koza Mostra and Agathonas Iakovides are gearing up preparations for the Greek National Final 2013 on February 18 along with the song presentation on February 6th. On February 13 though they will meet their fans in Thessaloniki (Ladadika area) at Rover Bar for a farewell party, a bar in which the band took their decision to enter the Eurovision Song Contest.
The band will be joined by Agathonas Iakovides of course and the lyricist Mr Stathis Pachides discussing the project at around 19:30 local time. Around 22:00 local time the band will perform live their Eurovision bidding entry and part of their upcoming album (which will also be presented at Block33 on February 22nd).
After 23:00 local time band’s leader Elias Kozas will join Rover Bar team in the music will lead the party which is expected to last till the next morning – as Greeks know how to party!


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Play the new and improved version: Sensou 1.5 – http://www.kongregate.com/games/Akirasan/sensou-1-5 Sensou is a fun world domination board game where your objective is to conquer the whole world. Play over 6 levels of pure strategy to eliminate your enemies and conquer the [...]
You’ve just found yourself on a quiet space station….a space station that’s a little too quiet. Figure out what secrets it holds before you head back to your ship in this retro action game.
Outer space is hard to navigate! Fly in between satellites and collect the stars to make your journey a safe and productive one! Head for the portal once you’ve gotten all the stars. Zipping through the obstacles will be tricky, though. Once you’ve gained momentum, it [...]
Let us introduce a new 2 players game when it comes to driving cars and parking them onto the right spot. Featuring 12 super fancy, futuristic and quite challenging parking missions, the objective of this 2 players parking game is to drive the car onto the right parking spot. Onc [...]
In this free online game everything revolves around juicy berries and how to collect them. Following the much-loved match3 gameplay you have to look for at least three berries of the same color lying next to each other and tap on them to harvest the berries. To collect even more [...]
CycloManiacs 2 by SuperVillains LongAnimals and robotJAM. Cyclo King is back, this time with a quest to save Princess Jennifer from all the original CycloManiacs who have become ninjas in a ninja theme park. 39 new tracks, 50 riders, mini games and lots of hidden stuff. X or Spac [...]
Silly Ways To Die: Party
These little monsters are ready to rock! Unfortunately, the stage they’re dancing on is incredibly dangerous. Can you help them keep the beat while they avoid getting zapped in this rhythm game?
Klondike Solitaire is a HTML5 Game. Enjoy this stylish version of the classic Klondike Solitaire!

domain: entertainment


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Secretary of Army the Eric Fanning, who recently took over the post in May, said one of his top priorities is to further streamline the bureaucratic machine responsible for fielding new Army gear and equipment.
Complicated acquisition policies and redundant levels of oversight are challenges that have long plagued service secretaries and their chiefs of staff, he said.
“It is an enormous process; there is lots of institutions, processes and people vested in it staying the way that it is,” Fanning told an audience at a breakfast organized by the Association of the United States Army, an advocacy group based in Arlington, Virginia.
“I think we have to loosen it up. We are just not fielding capabilities as fast as we should, and we are spending a lot of money in the process of fielding it that we could be using for resource rather than process.”
To combat this challenge, Fanning plans to stand up a new Rapid Capabilities Office.
“This was something I spent a lot of time on in the Department of the Air Force,” the former acting secretary of the Air Force said.
The Army already has a Rapid Equipping Force that harnesses current and emerging technologies to provide immediate, material solutions to soldiers in the field.
The new Rapid Capabilities Office would focus on identifying “capabilities that we are seeing in the adversaries that maybe we didn’t realize” they possessed, Fanning said.
“It really is meant to focus on capabilities and to try and get things out to the field as quickly as possible,” he said.
He is the first openly gay person to lead one of the nation’s military service branches.
Fanning also spoke of the need to ensure that soldiers are prepared for multiple contingencies, a significant challenge for a service that has been mainly focused on one type of mission in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001.
Read more at military times
Image courtesy of metroweekly.com

domain: politics


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Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: NWBO), a biotechnology company developing DCVax® personalized immune therapies for solid tumor cancers, has completed an underwritten public offering of 4,895,834 units at a public offering price of $4.80 per unit, resulting in gross proceeds of $23,500,000. Northwest also announced today that the underwriter has exercised in full its option to purchase an additional 734,374 units to cover over-allotments. Exercise of the over-allotment option increases the gross proceeds to the Company to $27,025,000.
Each unit consists of one share of common stock, and a warrant to purchase 0.5 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share. The warrants are immediately exercisable and expire on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance. The shares of common stock and warrants are immediately separable and will be issued separately.

domain: news


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Attorney at Law Magazine sat down with family district court Judge Rhonda Hunter of the 303rd District Court of Dallas County. She was appointed to the bench in 2021 and it has “been quite a journey.”
AALM: How did your upbringing prepare you for a legal practice?
RH: I started practicing law when there were not many African Americans in the Dallas legal community. My parents made sure their five children were prepared for any situation or environment. I was the first African American in my junior high school. I integrated my high school. Then, I got the opportunity to transfer to this innovative high school that taught everything from computers to Swahili. The students were multi-ethnic and creative and super-intelligent. It was a great place having come from being the only person of color in school. After that experience it is not surprising that I was one of only five African Americans in my law school class. So, walking into the bar association building years later and seeing no one that looked like me, was familiar.
AALM: Tell us about your mentors and the lessons they taught you.
RH: My initial legal mentors were Fred Finch, a Harvard educated lawyer who hired me as his law clerk (who was the first Black member of the Dallas Bar); L.A. Bedford, who walked me through dealing with the politics of bar associations; Katherine Reed, who pushed me to get board certified; Louise Raggio, who was my example of causing fear in the courtroom and showing grace outside of it; and Adelfa Callejo, who taught how to be an advocate, a great family lawyer, and an entrepreneur while being unconcerned about popularity.
AALM: What career achievement are you most proud of accomplishing?
RH: I was an associate in an oil and gas firm where I met Katherine Reed, the mentor that steered me into family law. Three years after I went to the firm the oil and gas industry imploded and I found myself in private practice as a solo. I wanted to have a lawyer referral-based business so I started going where I would find a gaggle of lawyers, the Dallas Bar headquarters. I was encouraged to run for the entry level position of secretary-treasurer of the board, a position that had not had a contested election in a decade. Of course, when I ran, the election became contested. I won that election and became the first person of color to be elected to a seat on the Dallas Bar board of directors. After many attempts, I would eventually get on the leadership track by becoming vice-chair of the board. In 2004, I became the first African American and the first person of color to be elected president of the Dallas Bar Association.
AALM: What do you miss about being a lawyer?
RH: I was a trial lawyer, a litigator. That was my passion and what I loved to do. I developed that passion trying termination of parental rights cases to a jury. I became known for the wild ideas I used in front of those juries to get my point across. Those are very serious cases. When I transitioned from lawyer to judge, I realized that there are things a judge can do to prevent having to try what amounts to a death penalty for a parent in the family law arena. It is rewarding to be able to impress alternatives on all the parties before having them face the ultimate decision of keeping or losing their child. Family law is emotional and not everyone can do it. It is often touted as being more dangerous than criminal law. There are many dedicated professionals not only lawyers, but social workers, psychologists, volunteers as well as the court staff who work to help people maneuver the legal system. They are my inspiration.
AALM: Are there any current projects you’re excited to be involved with?
RH: I am on a task force that is re-writing the Juvenile Justice standards for the nation. The way we view children in the justice system is being re-written and I am one of 10 people in the nation that is a part of that. The very idea is daunting. Having worked in juvenile justice and in the child welfare system, I know we need to change how children are treated in court.
When I took the bench, I started a special docket to deal with children and parents at high-risk of failure in some aspect of their lives. Children or individuals caring for them could have severe educational deficiencies, medical disabilities, drug addiction, human trafficking history, suicidal thoughts and other situations that are subjecting families to trauma. The high-risk specialty court is a collaboration of professionals led by three judges – me and two associate judges, who help these families with the resources they need to deal with the trauma they are going through. This is rewarding work and I am proud of what we are doing and proud of the people we are working with.
AALM: How are you involved in the local community?
RH: I am fortunate to be able to continue my “extracurricular” activities. I represent the Dallas Bar Association in the American Bar Association House of Delegates; I serve as immediate past chair of the State Bar of Texas child protection law section; my court is the only Dallas county court partnered as a trauma-informed court with the Supreme Court of Texas children’s commission; and I have convened a court trauma team that is working on improving the experience of litigants that come to the courthouse.
AALM: Who inspires you?
RH: My parents did amazing things, and they raised their children to do amazing things. I know they were proud. Charles and Ann Hunter are my inspiration. They inspire me to greatness, and I aspire that those lawyers who come to me for mentoring and advice understand the need to be the very best person they can be while understanding that we live in this world during unprecedented times.
AALM: Tell us about yourself outside the courtroom.
RH: Spending time with friends and family, traveling the world and coming up with ideas for improving systems that change lives is what makes me happy. And I enjoy having people join me on this incredible journey.

domain: sociology


Ka Shui was invited to attend the 7th International Conference on Magnesium (ICM7)
ARTICLE OF 2020.11.23
On 19-22 Nov, 2020, the 7th International Conference on Magnesium (ICM7) was successfully held in Shenyang, the PRC. This conference was hosted by Chinese Materials Research Society (C-MRS) and Journal of Magnesium and Alloy, and was co-organized by International Magnesium Society (IMS), Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing University and Magnesium Committee, Chinese Materials Research Society etc. The conference was held through both online and offline, and for those offline meetings, they were held in two locations, Shenyang and Chongqing. More than 1,200 participants from 15 countries, including China, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia and other countries, attended the meeting, and more than 120,000 persons listened or viewed the presentations through online or offline. The conference has arranged 13 report presentations, and set up 6 parallel sessions including cast alloys, wrought alloys, processing, performance & application, modeling & simulation, corrosion & protection, and also 5 forums on lightweight, advanced technologies, standardization, material journal and industry-academy cooperation.
The conference focused on the frontier research of magnesium alloy which has covered number of fields related to magnesium alloy research and application. It also provided a platform for various information exchange and discussions on magnesium alloy smelting and casting, phase transformation, simulation calculation, alloy design, metal forming, production application, corrosion and protection, application of magnesium and magnesium alloy and environmental protection.
More than a guest of IMC7, it was the first time for Ka Shui to be a guest speaker in one of the parallel sessions named “Performance and Application”. The theme of the speech was “Application Development of High Thermal Conductivity Magnesium Alloy in Die Casting for Consumer Electronics Industry”. At present, 3C products, communications, automotive electronics and other fields are facing increasing demand on lightweight. At the same time, many parts have higher level standards on thermal conductivity of materials so as to ensure and improve the service life and working stability of products. The density of magnesium is 1.74g/cm3, which is about 2/3 of aluminum and 1/4 of iron. The thermal conductivity of magnesium is 156W/(m·k) at room temperature, which is inferior than copper and aluminum, and the specific thermal conductivity (i.e. the thermal conductivity per unit mass) is equivalent to that of aluminum. However, the mechanical properties of magnesium are not strong enough to be directly used as structural materials and magnesium alloy is commonly used instead. Although the mechanical properties of magnesium alloys are significantly improved, the thermal conductivity is reduced drastically at the same time. For example, the yield strength of AZ91D, the cast magnesium alloy, is about 150MPa (magnesium is about 21MPa), but the thermal conductivity is only 51.2 W/(m·k)(only about 1/3 of magnesium). With the rapid development of electronics, computers, 5G communications, aerospace and LED lighting and other industries, the requirements for heat dissipation materials not only need high thermal conductivity performance, but also concern about heat resistance, corrosion resistance and cost. Thus magnesium alloy can be widely used in the field of thermal conductivity. Die casting has many features of high production efficiency, high dimensional accuracy, excellent mechanical properties, and can form thin-walled deep cavity castings with complex shape and clear contour. It is suitable for the integrated design and integrated molding of heat conduction and heat dissipation devices. With the above advantages, there is an urgent need to develop some international leading new materials and technologies with independent intellectual property of high thermal conductivity magnesium alloy in order to achieve the new die-casting magnesium alloy materials with thermal conductivity above 100W/(m·k).
Currently, the High Thermal Conductivity and Heat Dissipation Rare-earth Magnesium Alloy (KSHTCM-1) developed by Ka Shui has good conductivity, mechanical property and corrosion resistance that can fulfill the parts with higher required standard on thermal conductivity. Ka Shui has successfully applied this kind of high thermal conductivity and heat dissipation rare-earth magnesium alloy on the bottom case of notebook. In order to improve the heat dissipation efficiency, we have tried to use KSHTCM-1 for the notebook case instead of AZ91D, because the mold of part can be well filled because of fluidity of the material, which leads the passivation and secondary processes can better fulfill customer’s requirements.
The 7th International Conference on Magnesium (ICM7) has successfully held and effectively promoted the cooperation among enterprises, universities and research institutions and provided an international exchange and cooperation platform for the development and application of magnesium and magnesium alloy science and technology. As a leading enterprise in magnesium alloy die casting industry, Ka Shui proactively works with many universities and scientific research institutions to conduct research on innovative projects, and strives to promote magnesium alloy new materials application innovation as well as to build a leading platform for the light alloy industry.


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Fleet Foxes have announced a second show at Iveagh Gardens after their first gig sold out.
The initial date was June 23 and the indie rock outfit will now play a July 24 set as well.
Their self-titled debut album received critical acclaim in 2008 and their second 'Helplessness Blues' was just as successful in 2011.
They've been quiet since then while they work on their next album but they still have a cult following hence the sell out.
Tickets for the intimate gig are now available from Ticketmaster.


Equifax recently announced the total auto loan balance as of December 2014, in which the credit bureau reported an all-time high auto loan balance of $975 billion, showing a 9.3 percent increase from the same time a year before. all in all, there are about 71 million outstanding auto loans — about 6.5 percent more compared with the December 2013 data.
In the year-to-date October 2014 record for new loans, about 21.2 million were recorded, the highest in eight years. And in that month alone, auto loan balance amounted to $434.1 billion or an equivalent increase of 7.1 percent from October 2013. In addition, the October 2014 balance for new auto loan report for nonprime borrowers (individuals with risk scores of up to 640) amounted to $434.1 billion. That’s an equivalent 7.1 percent increase from October 2013 data.
As for auto loan delinquencies as of December 2013, 1.1 percent of the total auto loans balance represent serious delinquencies or a 6 percent decrease from December 2013 data. However, there was an increase in annualized write-offs — about 5.3 percent more from December 2013 records.
So what does this mean to brand-new and used-car dealers? It seems consumers are willing to spend more on vehicles in the recent years. And that news could never be more welcoming given the fact that we’ve just emerged from the economic recession.


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Fernando Alonso recently discussed the use of team orders by Mercedes in Russia, commenting on the critics of the decision.
Alonso has suggested that there is possibly an underlying reason for people to be critical of the decision, and that is jealousy of the team's current position and good standing in Formula One.
The Russian Grand Prix saw a rather controversial request made by Mercedes.
Valtteri Bottas was asked to move over to allow Lewis Hamilton to get through, a request that led to a lot of debate and discussion by fans of Formula One.
Ultimately, the decision did allow Hamilton to obtain a 50-point gap over Sebastian Vettel, still with five races to go.
The decision was defended by the team, including boss Toto Wolff commenting that he'd rather be the "baddie" during the season, as opposed to the "idiot" at the end of it.
A decision from Mercedes to not allow its drivers to race was always going to be met with critical opinions.
Alonso, however, has recently come out with his own thoughts on people's critical opinions.
"Every team responds differently, but when you do are first and second, you are world champion four times in a row, both drivers' and constructors' and this year you are leading the world championship, all they say about Mercedes is jealousy."
Brushing off discussing the actual situation at hand, Alonso cited pure jealousy as being the only reason for Mercedes' decision being controversial.
Discussing the achievements that the team have had, including multiple world championship reigns, Alonso is pretty adamant in his belief that jealousy is reigning supreme.
"They are not doing things wrong when they are the great dominators of this sport.
"For them, what people say goes in one ear and out the other. It seems they are not doing badly, what they are doing."
Alonso, who is scheduled to leave Formula One at the end of the year continued, suggesting that the dominance presented by Mercedes was a clear indicator that what the team is doing is correct and not wrong.News Now - Sport News


As promised, this week, Chimera Nutrition from the popular fitness influencer Tristyn Lee and his brothers Tyler and Braedon Lee, officially launched its first two supplements through its online store. The fresh new brand made sure fans and followers knew what they were getting into by revealing the formulas behind its products over the past couple of weeks.
For those that haven’t been following Tristyn Lee’s Chimera Nutrition has kicked off its journey in the supplement industry with a stimulant pre-workout and a stimulant-free pump pre-workout. They can be taken separately or stacked together to combine the energy, focus, and performance of Chimera Pre-Workout and the powerhouse pumps of Chimera Pump.
Directly through Chimera Nutrition’s online store, Chimera Pre-Workout and Chimera Pump will cost you the same $44.95 each, and that is for a full-size tub of 30 servings. There is no additional discount if you purchase the two products together, although with the brand only just launching this week, we imagine stacks and other features will come later.


Maintain Control of Wildfires: OroraTech Launches Global Thermal Intelligence Service
Munich, Germany – June 12th, 2023 – OroraTech, the global leader in space-based thermal intelligence, has successfully deployed the next thermal sensor of a commercial orbit-based network. By continuously monitoring the Earth’s temperature, customers, like fire-fighting agencies, forestry, and utility companies are provided with real-time detection capability, continuous situational awareness as well as predictive insights to maintain control of wildfires.
With its Early Access Programme, customers can already now get ultra-fast fire detection of bush-size fires and precise fire perimeter location within minutes to mobile and desktop devices. In addition, tasking services covering the crucial afternoon periods will allow customers to monitor crisis zones on demand. Ultimately, OroraTech’s service will provide movie-like monitoring of fires and instantaneous predictions, on a global scale in real-time.
OroraTech has successfully operated a precursor sensor in orbit for 15 months. Initially intended as a technology demonstration, it exceeded all expectations and is now serving as an active fire monitoring instrument for customers across the globe. Currently, the sensor is actively assisting SOPFEU, the fire agency of the province of Quebec, Canada, in managing more than 150 ongoing fires. Quebec currently relies on 21 fire observation planes to cover the area three times a day when satellite observations are unavailable. However, they eagerly anticipate the switch to satellite observation, which will eliminate operational effort, reduce pilot risk and ensure enhanced situational awareness.
The precise location of the hotspots of an emerging fire, detected in Saddle Hills County, Alberta, Canada on May 15, 2023, in the long-wave infrared (LWIR) and mid-wave infrared (MWIR) band, and the fire progression as of May 16, 2023. More about the fire here: LinkedIn
From proprietary real-time data through its own sensor network to AI-driven analytics and actionable insights, OroraTech offers a complete Thermal Intelligence suite. These valuable services can be accessed via the existing Wildfire Solution platform which is already used by customers across six continents today, or specific APIs.
OroraTech provides this data to various industries and use cases. In addition to wildfire-related applications protecting forests and powerlines, thermal data provides valuable insights for food security, drought mitigation, insurance, and other applications. It is also accessible through geospatial data platforms.
Read the German version here.


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Body as well as Mind-Sex as well as Tension
Have you ever wondered that the duty of testosterone in improving libido as well as boosting erections in males can not be its only role? There are lots of other functions and also biological results of testosterone apart from its known existence in bodily liquids. It has actually been criticized for excess loss of hair (medical name-Androgenetic alopecia) although the molecular actions of hair loss in ladies and also men are not completely recognized.
This hormone is secreted in the testes of males as well as the ovaries of ladies, although males generate even more of it. Various kinds of mental behavior are not only subject to influence by atmosphere as well as genetics however likewise daily hormone adjustments. Anxiety could likewise prevent testosterone synthesis as well as for this reason lead to reduced degrees of it secretion.
Some products news has just recently emerged. Recent research studies have actually revealed that to maintain stress away you must regularly take part in penetrative penal-vaginal sex. Lots of individuals from all walks of life find that under stress and anxiety, they do not have the wish to have sex as well as also produces undesirable side effects such as sexual disorder.
A brilliant research (Biological Psychology, volume 71, web page 214) showed that sex yet more preferably sexual intercourse is much extra efficient in combating stress after that other sex-related activity such as self pleasure. As some of us are nervous about speaking in public or stage shock as its typically called are being suggested to have sex (not on the stage of program) for the tension relaxing effect.
When a pair makes love the neurotransmitter oxytocin launched unwinds the body and also reduces blood stress thus additionally avoiding stress, it is believed. Oxytocin is produced by the brain and also other body organs consisting of the ovaries as well as testes. It is thought that oxytocin is dramatically decreased throughout the stress as well as mixture of the hormonal agent eases anxiety in pet models consequently recommending a role in regulating some physiological reactions to stress and anxiety.
In the light of such classy researches and lack of public tension programmes such site here as screening by government companies focused on enhancing recognition, treatment, as well as minimizing anxiety and also clinical depression key avoidance has actually ended up being needed. As stress and anxiety and also clinical depression has actually ended up being a typical condition with major numerous unwanted adverse effects both in women and men, penetrative penal-vaginal sex could be a primary stress avoidance approach.
A brilliant study (Biological Psychology, quantity 71, web page 214) showed that sex see this but more preferably intercourse is a lot more effective in combating stress then various other sex-related task such as self pleasure. It is believed when a pair makes love the natural chemical oxytocin released lowers as well as unwinds the body blood pressure therefore likewise avoiding tension. It is believed that oxytocin is dramatically reduced during the stress and also mixture of the hormone relieves stress and anxiety in pet models thereby recommending a function in regulating some physical reactions to stress.

domain: health


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Sri Anandamayi Ma was an Indian saint from Bengal. Swami Sivananda (Divine Life Society) described her as “the most perfect flower the Indian soil has produced.”
Anandamayi Ma was born on 30 April 1896 to the orthodox Vaishnava Brahmin couple Bipinbihari Bhattacharya and Mokshada Sundari Devi in the village of Kheora, Brahmanbaria District, now in present-day Bangladesh.
Anandamayi Ma never prepared discourses, wrote down, or revised what she had said. People had difficulty transcribing her often informal talks because of their conversational speed.
Precognition, faith healing, and miracles were attributed to her by her followers.
A central theme of her teaching is the supreme calling of every human being is to aspire to self-realization.
Anandamayi Ma welcomed and conversed with devotees of different religions from Shaivaite, Vaishnavs, Tantric, or from Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism. Everyone was welcome and she was equally at ease while giving guidance to all practitioners of different faiths.
Her style of teaching included jokes, songs, and instructions on everyday life along with long discourses, silent meditation and recommended reading of scriptures.
Anandamayi Ma died on 27 August 1982 in Dehradun, and subsequently, on 29 August 1982, a Samadhi (shrine) was built in the courtyard of her Kankhal ashram, situated in Haridwar in North India.
Anandamayi Ma Quotes:
1. “Whether you worship Christ, Krishna, Kali or Allah, you actually worship the one Light that is also in you, since It pervades all things.”
2. “He who has created the universe is Himself present in all circumstances and conditions.”
3. “Joys and sorrows are time born and cannot last. Therefore, do not be perturbed by them. The greater the difficulties and obstructions, the more intense will be your endeavor to cling to His feet and the more will your prayer increase from within.”
4. “I find one vast garden spread out all over the universe. All plants, all human beings, all higher mind-bodies are about in this garden in various ways, each has his own uniqueness and beauty. Their presence and variety give me great delight. Every one of you adds with his special feature to the glory of the garden.”
5. “Perfect resignation gives the deepest joy of all. Accept it as your sole resource”
6. “Ever afterward, though the dance of creation change around me in the hall of eternity, I shall be the same.”
7. “Family life, which is the Ashrama of the householder, can also take you in His direction, provided it is accepted as an asrama. Lived in this spirit, it helps man to progress towards Self-realization.”
8. “Without loving God you will not get anywhere. Remember this at all times .”
9. “In water and on land, in trees, shrubs, and creepers-everywhere in the whole universe abides my Beloved. Further, all the various forms and modes of being that we behold, are they not expressions of my Beloved? For there is none save Him. He is smaller than the smallest and greater than the greatest.”
10. “When in spite of all efforts one fails to catch a train, does this not make it clear from where all one’s movements are being directed? Whatever is to happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time, is all fixed by Him… His arrangements are perfect”
11. “By doing service heart and mind are purified — be convinced of this.”

domain: literature


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This time of year is my favorite in the law library. Whereas January 1st marks the beginning of a new year for many people, August 1st marks my new year. This is the time of year when, after a slow summer of brainstorming and planning, new projects comes to fruition, new students arrive, new employees settle in, AALL committees and sections see new leadership, and with all of these new faces and projects come new opportunities for growth and development. It’s a hectic time, but it’s fun and invigorating. And after one full year of being a law librarian, I have the very new experience of having experience.
With this new-year our library has expanded its offerings and redesigned several programs. We started providing more direct outreach to the clinics, revised and expanded our role with the Legal Research and Writing Courses, and are going into our second semester of offering legal research certificate classes. I am most excited about our new approach to LRW instruction. In the past we were invited into some, but not all, of the LRW classes for a few class periods. The classes were often combined and we would find ourselves in front of 50-60 students at a time covering case law research, administrative law research, statutes, and other introductory topics. While we enjoyed the opportunity to present to these classes, all of the librarians felt that there had to be a better way to instruct.
We wanted the students to be more engaged in the topics by encouraging active inquiry and participation in the class rather than the passive learning that sometimes occurs in large lecture sessions. We also wanted some means of assessment for our own records and class development. Over the summer we proposed a new course of action to the LRW faculty. Instead of coming to their classes, we would offer training sessions in the library. The training sessions would be limited to 16 students per session. In the fall semester we would provide the following 50 minute trainings: 1) Secondary Sources +library tour 2) Researching Statutes 3) Researching Case Law, and 4) Citators. One topic would be covered per week running through the month of September. Included in each session would be a quiz, interactive assignment, or poll questions. Training would take place outside of the normal LRW class time, so professors would not lose any time with their students. The LRW faculty accepted our proposal, and all of them are participating.
For each topic, we have scheduled 13 sessions that students signed up for via TWEN. The sessions are scheduled around the other 1L classes. Though we planned to cover one topic per week, in order to accommodate the various LRW faculty syllabi some of the sessions are broken up over several weeks. Needless to say, scheduling as been one of the most difficult aspects of implementing this program. We also had to accept that other projects and responsibilities may have to wait during the month of September. With the smaller class sizes, we are able to incorporate more opportunities for student participation. One of the tools we are using is an online based Audience Response System, LiveClass tech, which functions as a web based clicker system without the hardware to keep track of and its associated costs. (More to come on this tool in future blog postings).
While this approach to LRW is not practical in many academic law libraries, the basic instructional concepts are useful in any type of library offering instruction, whether it is to the public, new associates, long-time practitioners, or students. With smaller classes and opportunities to interact students become an active part of the learning process and tend to retain more. In smaller settings students also tend to feel more comfortable asking questions and participating. As the year progresses I will update you on the outcome of our new LRW structure and if it we are correct in our assumptions about instruction.
What is new in your library this “year?”

domain: library


"Once you hit bottom the only one way to go is up," said John Bair, 23, a photographer and filmmaker from Pittsburgh. "Everybody that I come in contact with seems to be on the upswing. I consider that a pretty good thing."
That anecdote qualifies as a mesofact moment. Attitude and perception are instrumental to any recovery. Anything is possible in Pittsburgh, including growth. The rose colored glasses suit the film industry. From Variety:
Tim Iacofano, a producer on Fox's "Locke & Key" pilot that filmed in Pittsburgh, says location selection is often driven by the best financial deal. "We only seriously looked at locations with tax incentives," he says, noting that "Locke & Key" is set in an old, haunted mansion. "Pittsburgh was chosen because the architecture we needed for this house was found there." ...... Iacofano, a Cleveland native, says he's impressed by the Midwestern work ethic of crews when he's shot in Chicago and Pittsburgh. "The workforce in Pittsburgh is a very motivated group, which is not to say they aren't in Los Angeles, which has some very talented professionals who are also motivated. But when you work in a place like Pittsburgh and realize the future of the industry in your town is at stake, it's different," he says. "It's a little extra something."
Emphasis added. The word about the Pittsburgh scene is getting around. Outsiders are moving in. It's a cool place to be:
Jeremiah Clark was weaned on sad contemporary Christian songs. But now that's he secular? ''[A sad song] doesn't have to be Jesus on a cross anymore,'' he laughs.Clark was only 16 when he started writing songs in his bedroom. Last year, after years spent in more traditional employment, Clark, now 26, committed to becoming a full-time musician, a move spurred on by touring in support of D.C.'s popular gay rocker Tom Goss. This Saturday, May 14, Clark stops by Black Fox Lounge on Connecticut Avenue for a show to promote his self-released debut album, Just Another Sad Song.Clark turned away from becoming a contemporary Christian musician soon after graduating from his Memphis-area high school. ''My beliefs changed a lot when I accepted who I was, as a homosexual,'' he says. ''I became much more spiritual. I found faith in the people around me more so than any holy text.''Now a practicing Taoist living in Pittsburgh, Clark grew up the youngest of two boys in a family nominally Southern Baptist. ''My parents have accepted me for who I am, they embrace that,'' he says. ''I'm very thankful."
I'm interested to know how Clark ended up in Pittsburgh. Even if there is a native connection, he hasn't bolted for New York or some other big city with a better community of musicians. Like any other boomtown, Pittsburgh will transform into a destination for talent before anyone notices. That moment has come to pass. "Steel City" oozes irony.


For several years, Nathalie Munyampenda has campaigned for education and technological innovation in Africa. A former Director General of the Next Einstein Forum (NEF), an initiative to promote scientific research and highlight young African scientists, the Rwandan has since 2020 been leading Kepler, an international organization focused on education, coaching and preparation for the professional world.
In recent years, Nathalie Munyampenda has become known around the world for her commitment to the promotion of African scientific talent, notably by heading the Next Einstein Forum (NEF). Although she has a degree in communication, this has not prevented her from spearheading the promotion of scientific research in Africa. As the Executive Director of NEF from 2018 to 2020, she has been an advocate for innovation and the transformation of Africa through science, mathematics and technology, a vector for job creation in Africa, in the largest panels bringing together heads of state, governments, scientists and African entrepreneurs.
It was in Canada that the Rwandan, who graduated in Political Economy, and then in communication in the United States, began her career. For four years, she worked with the Canadian government, notably within the Ministry of Public Works and Government Services as assistant to the Director General. Convinced that she could not have any added value by staying in Canada, she decided to return to Rwanda in 2013. She worked for two years for the Rwandan government, in particular as a coordinator in the office of the spokesperson of the government and was responsible for coordinating government communications.
This experience opened her eyes to the challenges facing Africa and convinced her that science was the most appropriate means to ensure Africa’s socio-economic transformation.
In 2014, she joined the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) at the origin of the Next Einstein Forum as communication and media manager. She subsequently became « Associate Director, Partnerships and Public Engagement », and worked to build partnerships for the NEF. In 2018, she became Director General of the NEF. An initiative that has a network of nearly 2,000 science graduates across Africa.
She was also in charge of communications for the AIMS group and was the editor-in-chief of NEF’s public magazine, a scientific African Magazine, which aims to democratise access to science.
Created in 2013, this initiative aims to bring together scientists and the business and political world to highlight scientific innovations in Africa and their contribution to Africa’s transformation.
In 2020, she left the NEF and joined Kepler as CEO, a Rwanda-based nonprofit higher education program that offers scholarships to the best secondary education graduates in Rwanda to pursue university studies. Its pedagogy combines online courses, with face-to-face animation and professional training.
Nathalie Munyampenda strongly advocates for skills-based education as a condition for improving youth access to employment in Africa.


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Made out of one of our most popular Winter fabric, Roubaix Light, the Milano is a durable and luxurious mid season top with simple aesthetic, designed for tough performances. Comparable with a medium weight thermal fabric, Roubaix Light provides excellent insulation with less weight making this a perfect form-fitting jersey for seasonal rides with dropping temperatures.
- slim fit
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- fully divisible Camlock zipper
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- content: Polyammide (80%), Elasthan (20%)
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Burroughs: The Movie explores the life and times of controversial Naked Lunch author William S. Burroughs, with an intimacy never before seen and never repeated. The film charts the ... See full summary »
William S. Burroughs,
Jack Kerouac was a Beat Generation writer who took the nation by storm upon the publication of his novel On the Road. Kerouac's legacy and influence are explained via interviews with ... See full summary »
Traces the Beats from Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac's meeting in 1944 at Columbia University to the deaths of Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs in 1997. Three actors provide dramatic ... See full summary »
William S. Burroughs: featuring never before seen footage as well as exclusive interviews with his closest friends and colleagues. Born the heir of the Burroughs' adding machine estate, he ... See full summary »
Milo is a railroad brakeman, his wife a painter. They have some poet friends who spend a good bit of time hanging out at their apartment. When Milo and his wife are visited by their bishop,... See full summary »
I was in the US in 1984 when I got wind of a party Allen Ginsberg was planning to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the publication of 'On The Road'. Allen was, at that time the head of the Jack Kerouac School Of Disembodied Poets at the Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado under the spiritual guidance of Chogyam Trungpa. I realized that this might well be the last occasion that what remained of the Beat Generation would be in the same place at the same time. In LA I enlisted the help of poet/journalist Lewis McAdams to pull together a little cash and a sympathetic crew to go and film the party. This we did. I was the Producer, Lewis conducted the interviews. After the shoot, Lewis and I collaborated on the script, copies of which I still have, sharing the credit. Try as we may,we were unable to raise the $100,000 to finish what we had started. Despite having all the interviews in the can, a robust script and Lionsgate Films as Executive Producer we couldn't raise a dime. That's how it was when I and my wife left for Europe. I was contacted by Richard Lerner, the DOP on the shoot. His father had died and left him a lot of money and he wanted to finish the Kerouac film. He and Lewis were going to do it themselves and I was not wanted. As Producer I had collected all the releases to the interviews which I sold to him. It's never pleasant when one's own idea and work is usurped by others but it happens in our industry. The boys were good enough to give me a credit buried in a long list as an Associate Producer. No mention of being the original Producer and co writer. Richard and Lewis were Kerouac sycophants. I think the movie would have been the better for my less sanctimonious, English curiosity.
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domain: artistic


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OnPoint Community Credit Union Boosts Financial Wellness Education with New Online Platform and iGrad Partnership
Portland, Ore. June 5, 2019—OnPoint Community Credit Union, the largest credit union in Oregon, has partnered with the financial wellness technology company iGrad to offer OnPoint members personalized financial wellness education. In addition to making Enrich available to its more than 370,000 members, OnPoint will offer the award-winning online platform to the public free of charge through the Financial Education section of its website.
Founded in 1932 by 16 school teachers, OnPoint is committed to advancing financial education and wellness for its members, local schools and students, and the communities it serves.
“At OnPoint, we are passionate about financial education,” said OnPoint President and CEO Rob Stuart. “We are thrilled to add Enrich’s incredible platform to the lineup of tools, resources and partnerships we harness to improve the financial wellness of our members and community.”
Enrich’s adaptive, personalized and interactive online financial literacy platform received the 2019 Eddy Award for Financial Wellness by Pensions & Investments for its Enrich platform. Used by more than 300 employers and financial institutions nationwide, Enrich offers resources and educational content on topics relevant for teenagers through retirement-age people including paying for college, student loan debt management, budgeting, mortgages, long-term health care and more.
Designed around a proprietary behavioral algorithm, Enrich personalizes financial education for each user’s situation and needs. It also offers tools, quizzes, videos, articles and a library of multimedia content.
“OnPoint Community Credit Union has made an important and commendable commitment to the financial education of its members, as well as the general public,” said iGrad founder and President Rob LaBreche. “We are excited to be an integral part of that commitment.”
About OnPoint Community Credit Union
OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving more than 370,000 members and with assets of $5.5 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint
Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works
in one of 13 Oregon (Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson,
Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill) and two Washington
counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. More
information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932.
iGrad is a San Diego-based private company that offers financial wellness solutions to colleges and universities, employers and financial institutions. iGrad recently received the 2019 Eddy Award for Financial Wellness by Pensions & Investments for its Enrich platform. Its platform for higher education, also called iGrad, has been named Education Program of the Year three times by The Institute for Financial Literacy, is a three-time winner of the Best Product Award from University Business Magazine and has won the Outstanding Consumer Information Award from the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education. The company’s Enrich financial wellness platform is used by more than 300 employers and financial institutions nationwide to provide comprehensive financial wellness education and action plans to employees and customers. For more information about the iGrad platform, visit http://schools.igrad.com. For more information about the Enrich platform for employers and financial institutions, visit www.enrich.org.
Go to press releases

domain: finance


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Noella Kélya Coloring Pages, 2021-05-04 06:26:41. Surely, early education is vital, but in different situations toddlers just don’t like studies because it can be monotonous. However using computer games features in learning completely resolves that very common problem for children as well as their moms and dads.
Francoise Mélya Coloring Pages, 2021-04-27 22:54:58. Hee Hawww! Yahoo! Giddy Up! What kid hasn’t imagined themselves King (or Queen) of the rodeo? Can’t you picture it? A western landscape…hot and dusty…sunny and smokey. And who arises from this scene? None other than the fastest-firing-gunslinger in all the west! This kid epitomizes what a cowboy should be. Decked out like the cowboys of cowboys in a: vest and tie, cowboy boots, rodeo jeans covered by chaps, gun and holster, with the coolest cowboy hat to complete the look. Now that’s a cowboy! And that’s just what your kids are imagining that they are REAL cowboys and cowgirls!
Parnella Éléonore Coloring Pages, 2021-05-24 04:47:09. It is important to understand that color by number books and e-books are designed for kids, who have particular difficulties with learning and also attentiveness. Lots of adults have appreciated the advantages that these coloring pages offer. The key advantage of color by number books is that they actually turn the whole process of learning in to an exciting gameplay. Therefore your child will study maths basics whilst having a great time with various images.
Domenique Rose Coloring Pages, 2021-04-18 07:30:26. It’s always wise to follow the manufacturers directions, but don’t always assume that your hair needs to process for the full amount of time written on the box. People with gray or resistant hair need the full amount of time to process. If you have fine hair with very little gray, the general rule is 30-35 minutes. Fine hair is like a sponge and the ends might turn out darker then the rest. When the color is left on your hair too long, it can process darker!
Jacquenette Mellina Coloring Pages, 2021-04-18 07:23:20. Cowboy coloring book pages take every play time activity of cowboys and cowgirls and puts it on paper. It’s fun and exciting to see kids unleash all their creativity with just a drawing and some crayons. And with a cowboy theme, there’s nothing better! There are tons of printable cowboy coloring pages on the internet. Download pages and color in a saddle, a chuck wagon, or a pair of cowboy boots and you’re just getting started. Enjoy hours and hours of fun with your kids coloring cowboy pages.
Prunellie Eva Coloring Pages, 2021-04-18 07:28:04. Self Esteem and Confidence Improvement, Kids give themselves a huge boost when they successful start and complete any task or assignment. The same goes for educational coloring pages. As they regularly complete each coloring page, it builds positive self-esteem in them and their confidence level, causing them to increase with each coloring pages to print completed.
Dixie Mélina Coloring Pages, 2021-04-18 07:25:42. There are many coloring page themes and subjects to choose from but nothing tops cowboy coloring pages! Boys love cowboys and little girls love them too. Children have been playing cowboys and Indians since the beginning of time. Or how about shoot em’ up? What about a game of ”pow, pow, pow”? It doesn’t matter what you call it. It’s all about being a cowboy. And for every kid who pretends to be a cowboy, you’ll find a lot of hooting and hollering, running around, play toy guns and rifles, rope, and who knows what else. Your child’s imagination is wide open, creative, and bound by nothing. And that’s the beauty of a child.
Destiny Rachel Coloring Pages, 2021-04-18 07:24:31. The time to open the lines of communication with your child is when they are young. A two or three year old may not be able to have an hour long conversation and tell you everything that is running through their mind or that may be bothering them, but if you take the time to pull out some coloring pages and sit with them for some creative play you will find that they do have their own ways of communicating with you.
Parnella Éléonore Coloring Pages, 2021-04-18 07:26:53. In today’s world children and kids constantly require innovative things in order to explore out their creative ability. Moreover, parents love to see their child preoccupied in such creative activities. They show a great interest towards building such habits in their children. One such way to keep children busy is indulging them into the art of coloring pages. The best part is that these pages are very easy on the pocket and almost everyone can try them. Moreover the emergence of internet has made possible to obtain such pages for free.
Francoise Mélya Coloring Pages, 2021-04-18 07:31:37. Internet is used to find the free printable coloring pages of your requirement. There can be lots of varieties of coloring pages over internet like the Disney pages or the Spiderman’s or any other cartoon character’s. All such pages can also be looked over specific web sites. You can also try through Google search images option to locate numerous of beautiful images which would be loved by kids too. What all you need here is just internet connection. All thanks to the widespread and easily accessible internet. Parents can also try offline resources like bookshops which carry a bunch of such books having color pages inside. At the end parents should never give up while selecting the correct and best printable pages for their kids.
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Full-stack used car retailing platform Spinny has raised over $100 million in its Series D round led by Tiger Global. The fresh round has come after a small gap of three months for the Gurugram-based company which scooped up $65 million in its Series C in April.
The board of Spinny has approved the allotment of 83,754 Series D preference Shares and 20 equity shares at an issue price of Rs 92,122.93 per share to raise Rs 771 crore or $105 million, regulatory filings show.
Tiger Global has invested around $75 million followed by Avenir Growth and General Catalyst which invested $17 million and $10 million respectively. FJ Labs and GC DF Ventures have put in the remaining amount.
Apart from primary money, investors also picked up stakes through a secondary transaction. “Avenir has bought shares worth $3 million from a few early angels and Simile Ventures,” said one of the sources requesting anonymity.
With this, the six-year-old company has raised over $220 million from the likes of General Catalyst, Think Investments, The Fundamentum Partnership, Accel Partners and Elevation Capital.
Founded by Niraj Singh, Mohit Gupta and Ramanshu Mahuar, Spinny has built an entire value chain for its used car buying platform and its Online-to-Offline (O2O) model allows customers to discover cars online on its website and make the final purchase offline at its hub.
The company claims to eliminate all layers of intermediaries and dealers to provide the right price for the car.
Spinny operates in eight cities including Delhi-NCR, Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune, and it indirectly competes with CarDekho, Cars24 and a few others who have started full-stack used car retailing in the recent past.
Investors are pouring money into the used car space. Cars24, which entered the unicorn club last year, is in talks with Yuri Milner’s DST Global and other investors to raise around $250 million at a $2 billion valuation.
Last week, Cars24 had raised over $13 million in a debt round from Trifecta Capital. Entrackr had exclusively reported the development. Jaipur-based CarDekho is also evaluating a $150 million round to enter into the coveted club of unicorns.
Update: The post has been updated with additional info of secondary round in Spinny.


WASHINGTON — Rep. Nancy Pelosi and fellow Democrats who had tried to derail her bid to become House speaker announced they’d come to an agreement Wednesday that would all but ensure her election to the post.
As the price for winning decisive support from her opponents, Pelosi, a California Democrat, announced she was “comfortable” with a proposal for term limits on leadership positions within the Democratic caucus.
The deal will provide a clear path to victory for Pelosi to become the most powerful Democrat in government. That would give her a top role in confronting President Donald Trump during the 2020 presidential and congressional campaigns and put a woman at the helm of next year’s diverse crop of House Democrats.
Source: Nancy Pelosi set to become House Speaker after deal with Democrats


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This is a series to look at how the Wizards stack up against their opponents in the East, where they finished 44-38 last season for a No.
The Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs essentially made the same starting lineup change for the exact same reason during their respective conference finals. The to-date results, also similar.
The Wizards aren't very good at home, but the Heat pose the type of challenge that will make them have to focus in quick or risk getting humiliated.
MIAMI (AP) Dwyane Wade scored 22 points on 10 for 14 shooting, LeBron James finished two assists shy of a triple-double and the Miami Heat improved to 4-0 at home for the first time in franchise


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From Our Editors
Good Friends II in Schenectady does a Chinese dumpling justice, and diners come here to enjoy a five-star meal. It serves everything including gluten-free and low-fat options.
No need for a wardrobe change when you hit Good Friends II ? it's strictly casual. For those in a rush, the restaurant lets you take your food to go.
Easy parking is accessible for Good Friends II's diners.
At Good Friends II, guests can save their cash and indulge all at the same time - food here is high in taste and low in cost. For upscale and delicious fare with a Chinese twist, look no further than this restaurant.

domain: food


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Firstly, I owe my thanks to Michael Gerlisher who is the creator of the XPLDirect.
We use and take these advantages of XPLDirect: No extra setup/driver, stable, easy to update, and just Plug and Play.
The plug-in only works with the X-Plane 11 or X-Plane 12 and Win10 or Win11 (64bit).
As a simmer, you can just download the plugin and locate it in your “…X-Plane 11/resources/plugins” or “…X-Plane 12/resources/plugins” folder. That’s it.
The products in the store have adjustable and synced backlight functions with your sim. As an example, you can adjust the backlight of the MCP by turning the “Main Instrument Brightness Knob” on the Captain Side. Also, if you use Radio Panels, they’re synced with the brightness of the Pedestal Panel. So, you need to turn on the “Panel Brightness Knob” on the Pedestal Panel.
Advance Users Only: Modules firmware are available on GitHub.
Have so much fun and fly!
Any questions about installation, feel free to contact us via Facebook or e-mail [[email protected]].

domain: hobby


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When muru-D co-founder Annie Parker first visited one of Israel’s biggest accelerators she knew it would be an ideal partner.
More than two years later muru-D has grown its portfolio to more than 40 startups and alumni and the Parker says the time has come to partner with the Junction.
The Telstra-backed accelerated has officially teamed up with its Tel Aviv counterpart to connect muru-D entrepreneurs in Australian and Singapore with the world-leaders in Israel’s startup ecosystem.
Parker says The Junction is located in one of the most important areas for startups.
“Israel is recognised worldwide as being a startup nation, for us to be able to tap into that is amazing,” Parker tells StartupSmart.
The partnership means muru-D has now established an international network with major bases in Sydney, Singapore, Silicon Valley, Senhzhen, Shanghai and Auckland.
“We are truly global now,” Parker says.
It is also Israel’s first accelerator for startups.
The partnership will put muru-D startups directly in front of Israel-based leading entrepreneurs and investors.
“They will get hands on advice and hands on access to people who have built extraordinary global businesses,” Parker says.
The Junction manager Amir Gelman says the partnership will open the gateway for ongoing mentorship and access to their facilities.
“We share muru-D’s philosophy of developing people and entrepreneurs first,” he says in a statement.
The partnership is about much more than just capital, Parker says.
“The Junction is not into this to make money, it’s about transferring knowledge and they’ve had enormous success,” she says.
One of the key aims of their international partnerships, she says, is to help local startups build their networks in a meaningful and manageable way.
“We help broker those relationships and conversations at the time it’s most relevant,” Parker says.
Facilitating access to international networks provides fundamental value to the entrepreneurs they help, she says.
“That’s global knowledge and experience that we can transfer to our startups,” Parker says.
This includes being mentored face-to-face by world leading entrepreneurs like Silicon Valley 500 Startups founder Dave McClure.
Parker is excited about muru-D’s global presence because it means they can help startups build world-class businesses right here in Australia.
“It’s important to think global from day one,” she says.

domain: economics


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The album-by-album rundown of my top picks of 2013 continues with – JF Robitaille’s Rival Hearts.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
This is simple, really. Jean-Francois Robitaille is an incredible songwriter and I love incredible songwriters. Great melodies, great lyrics, and great Euro N.D.G. style.
When we played this on Daybreak for my top ten column, someone texted in to say Leonard Robitaille. Or was it JF Cohen? Well you get the idea. This is what Lenny would sound like if we was four decades younger and was hanging in the west end today.


We measured noise levels 1" from the SN25P's front, side, and rear using an Extech Model 407727 Digital Sound Level Meter. Measurements were taken after 10 minutes at idle, and then after another 10 minutes of a Folding@home CPU load. We also measured noise levels with Shuttle's XPC SB95P V2 and SB86i for comparison. Those systems were equipped with a Pentium 4 520 2.8GHz processor and Radeon X600 XT graphics card, but otherwise had similar hardware to our SN25P. The SN25P and SB95P V2 used their default Smart Fan setting, but the SB86i requires its Mid fan speed setting to maintain stability under load.


To celebrate National Coming Out Day (October 11th 2019), rising pop artist HERDD is set to release his brand new single ‘I Got You’ accompanied by a bold and unapologetically queer video.
Ask Canadian born, UK raised, queer pop artist HERDD who he is and he will likely show you the small, scribbled tattoo on his inner right wrist that reads only ‘I am HERDD’. Ask him what this means and he’ll explain that HERDD is a celebration of life and love and that through his music he feels heard. And the music stands as a testament to this.
It is unapologetic and proud, brimming with brash beats, grand vocal harmonies and hooky melodies that will have you humming for weeks to come. In prior musical projects, HERDD has played shows to crowds supporting major acts such as Example, Tinchy Stryder and the KaiserChiefs (DJSet), he’s performed at festivals such as Bestival and Blissfields and received national BBC Radio 1 airtime courtesy of DJ and supporter Rob Da Bank.
Featuring choreography from Sebastian ‘Bash’ Hirtenstein, who has danced with the likes of Ariana Grande and Bebe Rexha and garments designed by up-and-coming queer designer Kennie Mas, the video is a celebration of what it means to be yourself. A message that is close to artist HERDD’s heart.
“The single is as much about my journey towards self-love as it is about my promise to stand with those persecuted for their identity,” explains HERDD.
‘I Got You’ will be released on all platforms on Friday October 11th 2019. The video will be simultaneously released on Youtube on this day.


Episode 34: Bulletproof Water, 360 Swing
- Water stops bullets: confirmed
- You can do a full 360 on a swingset: mythbusted
The surprising thing about the bulletproof water was how poorly the high-powered rifles did. The full metal jacket bullets for the high-powered rifles came apart upon hitting the water. Even the dreaded .50 caliber rifle was only able to penetrate about 3 ft of water.
I didn't think the 360 swing set myth was that interesting, but if you were patient through the whole episode you got to see them strap rockets on to a dummy in a swing set -- rockets are always good fun on the show. According to host Adam Savage, "Well hopefully that's our job, to strap rockets onto everything"
Myth: Water will protect you from being shot by bullets
They know that water will eventually stop a bullet, so they want to test to see how deep you have to dive to avoid being shot.
The various guns they tested during the myth were:
- 9mm pistol
- M1 Garand/.30-06
- Replica Civil War black powder rifle
- .50 cal rifle
Regarding the .50 cal ammunition:
Adam: "That's what this thing fires?"
Jamie: "It's smaller than my head, it's alright"
Water tank tests
They built a 'ballistic tank' out of 1" thick acrylic and iron girders. They stuck a block of ballistics gel into the tank that could be raised up and down to different depths.
- 9mm @ 6ft: the bullet went straight through the ballistic gel -- fatal
- 9mm @ 7ft: the bullet went straight through again -- fatal
- 9mm @ 8ft: the bullet only went 1/2" into the gel -- non-fatal
- 3" deer slug + Shotgun @ 6ft: As one might have expected, firing a shotgun into a narrow tank of water shattered the tank and sent everyone running to turn off all the lights to prevent short circuits. The slug shot went through the ballistics gel -- fatal
The shotgun test was the end of that particular test setup.
A vertical rig was a worst-case scenario. In order to make it easier to test and also to make it correspond better with a real-world scenario, they decided to make their new rig be at a 30 degree angle. At a 30 degree angle with an 8 ft penetrating bullet, you would only have to be 4ft underwater.
Someone strangely agreed to allowing Adam and Jamie to shoot off guns in their pool. Adam made a new 20 ft railway for the ballistics gel target and they mounted it at a 23 degree angle.
For the first test they used a replica Civil War black powder rifle shooting Jamie's homemade bullets at 1000 ft/s.
- Replica Civil War rifle @ 15 ft: The bullet veered way off target.
- Replica Civil War rifle@ 5 ft: they couldn't find the bullet and the ballistics gel was still intact -- nonfatal
- Replica Civil War rifle @ 3 ft: The bullet went through the gel -- fatal. At this distance, though, the gel was only 2 ft underwater because of the angle.
They switched to a .223 rifle, which shoots at 2500 ft/s
- .223 rifle @ 10 ft: the full metal jacket bullet shattered into tiny bits upon hitting the water -- nonfatal
- 223 rifle@ 3 ft: once again the bullet broke up. The tip of the bullet was resting on the ballistics gel -- nonfatal (myth confirmed)
The next gun up was the M1, which shoots at 2800 ft/s. In their Bulletproof Glass mythbusting, the M1 was capable of penetrating 2.5" of bulletproof glass.
- M1@ 10 ft: tiny bullet fragments once again
- M1@ 2 ft: the bullet only pierced the gel 4", which would be enough to just pierce the skin.
They finally broke out the big gun, the .50 cal with armor-piercing rounds, which are shot at 3000 ft/s.
Adam: "Hopefully we'll be gone before the pool fully drains"
- .50 cal @ 10 ft: even though the water exploded, the ballistics gel was intact. Water made it all the way up to the ceiling. As it was with the previous guns, the bullet round came apart on impact. It lost all of it's energy within the first 3 ft. You would be safe 14" underwater at a 23 angle from a .50 cal.
confirmed: you can protect yourself from a bullet by diving underwater. If the shooter were directly overhead, you would probably be safe from most guns at 8 ft. At a 30 degree angle, you would only have to be 3 ft underwater to be safe.
360 Swing Set
Myth: If you go fast enough, you can swing all the way around a swing set in a 360 arc
Jamie: "Yet another common everyday item turned deadly"
They placed a scale behind a swing set so they could measure the speed of the swing using a high-speed camera.
Kari under her own strength: Kari was able to make it 11ft high (just over horizontal) with a top speed of 23.5 ft/s
Tory under his own strength: Tory cracked his butt as the swing broke under his weight. Earlier they showed Tory reading the warning label on the swing that said it was for kid's use only. Tory didn't make it as high as Kari and only went 22.4 ft/s
Grant in the red safety suit, pushed by Tory and Kari: Tory and Kari were able to get Grant up to 22.9 ft/s and 11.5 ft high
Simulaid Susie (65 lbs) with half-length chain: They shortened to chain to make it easier to flip her over. Grant and Tory tried to flip her over using ropes to pull Susie but were unsuccessful. Tory called in some biker friends and all four of them pulling were able to get Susie over. Even though they got Susie over the bar, it wasn't a full 360 -- closer to 300 before she came crashing down.
The Circus Tests
They did a scale model test with swing set and found that you needed to go 36 ft/s to make it over in a 360. However, if you used a rigid-arm swing instead, you only needed to go 10 ft/s.
Grant, Kari, and Tory went to Trapeze arts in Oakland, where they have a full-size rigid arm swing. Eric Braun, circus acrobat, helped each of them try out the rigid arm swing. One by one they got on the swing and Eric jumped on behind to get it going higher:
- Eric + Grant: Eric and Grant got up to 230 degrees before Grant asked for him to stop, lest he hurl.
- Eric + Kari: Eric and Kari up to 240 degrees before she asked for him to stop.
- Eric + Tory: Eric and Tory made it to 280 degrees but they just didn't have enough energy to make it over.
- Eric alone: Eric made it easily around
Rocket Susie Tests
They still wanted to get a 360 degree swing on a non-rigid-arm swing, so they decided that they were going to strap rockets onto the back of Simulaid Susie to get her over the swing. They first did some scale model tests to figure out the best way to mount the rocket onto Susie:
- horizontal (max velocity): Scale-model Susie was sent tumbling and lost her hand.
- vertical: Pretty useless in getting Scale-model Susie over the bar
- 40 degrees: Scale-model was sent over the bar four times
With their scale model tests done, they got the full-size Simulaid Susie setup for a real attempt at doing a 360 on a swing set. Despite the results of their scale model tests, they decide to attach four rockets to Simulaid Susie for the actual test for 400lbs of thrust.
First firing: Only one side of the rockets ignited, sending Susie into a spin
They decided to take two of the rockets off so that less could go wrong
Second firing: One side fired off before the other, sending Susie bouncing around and twisting.
They dropped down to a single rocket so that they wouldn't have to worry about simultaneous ignition. They also set the angle at 60 degrees because they were worried about Susie's weight.
Third firing: Susie barely swung back and forth as the angle of the rocket was too steep
They set the angle back to 40 degrees, which meant that they were finally back at the original parameters their scale model said they should have used.
Fourth firing: Simulaid Susie made it over in a full 360


text:
Time to Lock in High Yields
We’re standing at the precipice of change. Inflation and interest rates are soaring, for now. But the embarrassed and well-behind-the-curve Fed is hell-bent on driving this economy into recession to remedy the problem they helped create.
The Fed has raised the Fed Funds rate six times this year to combat inflation and the last four times at a 0.75% clip. The current 4% rate is the highest in well over a decade. In addition, GDP contracted in the first two quarters, and it has been a bear market all year. But all that has been insufficient to even budge inflation. It will take more pain to get that inflation genie back in the bottle.
At the November meeting, the Fed Chairmen stated that the previous 4.5% to 5.0% Fed Funds goal no longer applies. It will have to go higher. How much higher? He didn’t say. He only alluded that it will have to rise sufficiently to tame this inflation, which six rate hikes, a contracting economy, and a bear market has yet to even slow.
The U.S. economy is resilient. GDP managed to grow over 2% in the second quarter, employment remains strong, and earnings have been better than feared. But the economy will eventually give way to the forces aligned against it. It is almost a certainty that there will be a recession in 2023.
Meanwhile, for the first time since forever, you can get investment-grade, fixed-rate investments that pay 5% or even 6%. But the economy is almost certainly headed towards a recession. Recessions put downward pressure on longer interest rates as loan demand dries up.
Sure, interest rates could still go higher from here. And the principle may decline on an unrealized basis in the near term. But fixed-rate securities tend to be longer-term investments. And it is far less likely that interest rates remain this elevated over the next five years. In the meantime, there is a rare opportunity to lock in a high fixed rate and add that balance to the portfolio. Let’s not miss it.
What to Do Now
The late summer selloff that drove the market to new lows didn’t account for recession. It focused instead on the current rising interest rates and inflation, which the inevitable recession should subdue. Meanwhile, some of the very best recession stocks were crushed.
As interest rates spike to the highest level since 2007, conservative dividend stocks took a beating. Higher rates mean that fixed-rate investments become more competitive and dividend stocks pay the price. But, as I mentioned above, a recession pressures interest rates lower and some of the most defensive stocks fell near the 52-week lows.
The best recession stocks got dirt cheap ahead of an inevitable recession. While the market indexes probably haven’t bottomed yet, interest-rate-sensitive stocks may well have. It’s premature to invest for recovery overall, but the recovery may have begun in certain utility stocks.
Over the past month, the utility stocks in the portfolio including NextEra Energy (NEE), Excel Energy (XEL), and Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (BIP) were upgraded from “HOLD” to “BUY.” There’s probably no bad time to buy these stocks. But near the 52-week low ahead of a time when relative performance thrives is a conspicuously good time.
It’s also a good time to buy the midstream energy stocks; Enterprise Product Partners (EPD), ONEOK (OKE), and The Williams Companies (WMB). These stocks also got hammered during the recent selloff but have been recovering strongly since. They all pay huge dividends, sell at cheap valuations, and have recession- and inflation-resistant businesses.
There will also be a time to buy the other portfolio stocks. But not yet. While the selling may not be over, they have the propensity to rise a lot over the longer term.
Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (MPW) – SELL 1/2Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) – Rating change “BUY” to “HOLD”Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) – Rating change “BUY” to “HOLD”Buy U.S. Bancorp 4.5% Depository Shares Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (NYSE: USB-PS)
NextEra Energy (NEE) – Rating change “HOLD” to “BUY”Excel Energy (XEL) – Rating change “HOLD” to “BUY”
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (BIP) – Rating change “HOLD” to “BUY”
Buy Invesco Preferred ETF (PGX)
Featured Action: Buy Invesco Preferred ETF (PGX)
This preferred stock ETF is similar to last month’s preferred stock recommendation, USB Depository Shares (USB-PS), and I like it for similar reasons. Interest rates are at the highest level since 2007 and are likely to be pressured downwards in the looming recession.
Bonds and other fixed-rate securities add balance and reduce risk in a portfolio while providing a dependable income. In markets like this, investors that own fixed securities in a portfolio tend to see their investment portfolios fall less in value and are more likely to stay invested ahead of the next bull market.
But the fixed-rate element has been sorely lacking in recent years. Bonds were low paying and treacherous with interest rates near an all-time low after a forty-year bull market in bonds. You got practically no interest while taking on significant risk if interest rates rose. Indeed, that turned out to be the case. This has been one of the worst years for bonds ever. Many bonds have lost 20% or even 30% of value as interest rates spiked higher.
But the recent spike in interest rates and decline in the price of fixed-rate securities creates a rare opportunity ahead of an almost certain recession in 2023.
The PGX portfolio is based on The BofA Merrill Lynch Core Plus Fixed Rate Preferred Securities Index which tracks the performance of fixed-rate U.S. dollar-denominated preferred securities issued in the U.S. domestic market. The portfolio currently consists of 295 different issues.
A fund like this has several advantages over an individual issue. With so many different securities, you diversify away from the risk associated with any one company or issue. There is also no risk that the fund, like an individual issue, can be called away. But perhaps the biggest benefit is that it pays dividends every single month and can make a great addition to your investment cash flow.
The fund invests in preferred securities almost exclusively in the U.S. (95.62%). Issues are overwhelmingly rated investment grade with the following percentages: A (4.04%), BBB (75.97%), BB (17.65%). The rest are rated B, not rated, or in cash. All the securities have a maturity greater than five years from now.
The holdings comprise mostly banks. Top holdings include Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and AT&T.
PGX is a great way to lock in high monthly income and add balance to your portfolio ahead of a likely recession.
Invesco Preferred ETF (NYSE: PGX)
Security type: exchange-traded fund (ETF)
Industry: preferred stock
52-week range: $11.01 – $15.19
Profile: The fund is comprised of U.S. dollar-denominated fixed preferred securities.
- The yield is at the highest level in over a decade.
- Recessions tend to drive these rates lower.
- Preferred stock has low correlation to other investments and helps diversify a portfolio.
- Preferred stocks, like bonds, will lose value if rates continue to rise.
- Even if rates fall, they could rise again in the next recovery.
- It’s possible that a recession is avoided and rates continue higher.
Invesco Preferred ETF (PGX)
Next ex-div date: November 19, 2022, est.
Portfolio at a Glance
|High Yield Tier|
|Security (Symbol)||Date Added||Price Added||Div Freq.||Indicated Annual Dividend||Yield On Cost|
|Total Return||Current Yield||CDI Opinion||Pos. Size|
|Enterprise Product Partners (EPD)||02-25-19||28||Qtr.||1.90||8.30%||25||19%||7.6%||BUY||1|
|Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (MPW)||09-14-22||14||Qtr.||1.16||8.4%||12||-14%||10.00%||HOLD||1/2|
|ONEOK Inc. (OKE)||05-12-21||53||Qtr.||3.74||6.00%||60||26%||6.2%||BUY||1|
|Realty Income (O)||11-11-20||62||Monthly||2.98||4.2%||62||10%||4.80%||BUY||1|
|The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB)||08-10-22||33||Qtr.||1.70||5.3%||33||3%||5.20%||BUY||1|
|Current High Yield Tier Totals:||6.4%||8.8%||6.8%|
|Dividend Growth Tier|
|Broadcom Inc. (AVGO)||01-14-21||455||Qtr.||16.40||2.6%||468||9%||3.5%||HOLD||1|
|Brookfield Infrastucture Ptrs (BIP)||03-26-19||24||Qtr.||1.44||3.6%||37||71%||3.9%||BUY||2/3|
|Eli Lily and Company (LLY)||08-12-20||152||Qtr.||3.92||1.3%||353||140%||1.1%||HOLD||2/3|
|Intel Corporation (INTC)||03-09-22||48||Qtr.||1.46||3.1%||28||-39%||5.1%||HOLD||1|
|Visa Inc. (V)||12-08-21||209||Qtr.||1.50||0.7%||207||0%||0.90%||HOLD||1|
|Current Dividend Growth Tier Totals:||2.5%||40.3%||3.0%|
|Safe Income Tier|
|NextEra Energy (NEE)||11-29-18||44||Qtr.||1.66||1.7%||78||91%||2.2%||BUY||1/2|
|U.S. Bancorp Depository Shares (USB-PS)||10-12-22||19||Qtr.||1.13||6.1%||19||-1%||6.1%||BUY||1|
|Xcel Energy (XEL)||10-01-14||31||Qtr.||1.95||2.8%||66||176%||3.0%||BUY||2/3|
|Current Safe Income Tier Totals:||3.5%||88.7%||3.8%|
Enterprise Product Partners (EPD – yield 7.6%) – The midstream energy partnership reported strong earnings. Cash flow from operation was up 13.2% and distributable cash flow rose 16% for distribution coverage of a sensational 1.8 times. Enterprise also reported record volumes of throughput of oil and gas, the main driver of profits. But the market yawned. EPD is still well off the high of June. It seems to have gotten somewhat caught up in a more inclusive market malaise. But with decent price performance and that amazing distribution yield, EPD is a huge winner in this environment. I expect the same or better going forward. (This security generates a K1 form at tax time). BUY
Enterprise Product Partners (EPD)
Next ex-div date: January 28, 2023, est.
Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (MPW – yield 10.3%) – Earnings continue to be solid for this unloved and neglected hospital property REIT. Earnings grew at about 30% for the quarter and the stock has risen about 12% over the past month. Results strongly indicate that the stratospheric dividend should be safe. The stock had been beaten to a pulp with shares down about 50% YTD. It’s been an unforgiving market where negative sentiment stays entrenched. But fundamentals should win in the end. HOLD
Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (MPW)
Next ex-div date: December 14, 2022, est.
ONEOK Inc. (OKE – yield 6.2%) – ONEOK reported earnings that beat estimates for the third quarter and expected a more than 10% increase in net income for 2023. Demand and volumes for natural gas continue to be resilient and are expected to remain so as demand in Europe and Asia remains huge. The stock has been trending consistently higher since the low of late September. Earnings rose even during the pandemic and this company should be solid in a recession. Plus, ONEOK has automatic inflation adjustments built into its contracts. The high dividend and resilient business should make OKE a strong holding going forward. BUY
ONEOK Inc. (OKE)
Next ex-div date: January 28, 2023, est.
Realty Income (O – yield 4.7%) – Earnings for this legendary income REIT surpassed estimates as it declared its 100th consecutive quarterly dividend increase. Revenue soared 80% as results continue to reflect the merger with VEREIT that was completed a year ago. Normalized funds from operations per share rose 9% compared to last year’s third quarter and 7.7% from the last quarter. Realty’s typical tenants of drug stores, convenience stores and supermarkets enabled it to continue raising the dividend through the pandemic and should prove resilient in this recession. BUY
Realty Income (O)
Next ex-div date: November 30, 2022, est.
The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB – yield 5.1%) – This midstream energy company has quietly been on fire. It’s up over 40% from the low of late September and not that far from the 52-week high. Williams reported earnings that topped estimates with earnings growth of 15% over last year’s quarter. A big reason for the strong earnings is resilient natural gas demand, something that is likely to endure through the recession based on shortages overseas. The stock is getting a bump and the good times should continue. BUY
Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB)
Next ex-div date: December 8, 2022
AbbVie (ABBV – yield 4.1%) – Healthcare is a great place to be right now as a recession looms in the near future. People get sick and take medicine regardless of the economy, and the sector is among the best to own when the economy goes south. And ABBV consistently significantly outperforms the sector. ABBV has a positive return YTD, which makes it somewhat of a superstar in this crummy market. Of course, ABBV is still way off the high of last spring. It is probably Humira concerns due to the U.S. patent expiration next year. But I believe those fears are well overblown. HOLD
AbbVie Inc. (ABBV)
Next ex-div date: January 13, 2023, est.
Broadcom Inc. (AVGO – yield 3.5%) – While the chipmaker and infrastructure software provider continues to deliver on an operational basis, it’s getting creamed by this market. Broadcom doesn’t report earnings until next month, but it has typically been stellar in past reports. Last quarter it delivered 40% earnings growth and a 25% revenue increase and raised guidance for the rest of the year. But that seems to matter very little in a year when the whole technology sector continues to get crushed. Things may get worse before they get better for the stock, but AVGO should have significant upside longer term. HOLD
Broadcom Inc. (AVGO)
Next ex-div date: December 21, 2022, est.
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (BIP – yield 4.0%) – The infrastructure partnership reported terrific earnings last week. It soundly beat expectations with funds from operations (FFOs) growth of 24% for the quarter. That’s impressive considering BIP has fallen more than 20% from the high over the past couple of months. Rising interest rates soured investors as fixed-rate alternatives became more attractive. But the selling is likely overdone because its crucial assets will continue to deliver steady earnings through a recession, it has inflation adjustments built into its contracts, the dividend is solid, and the stock is cheap now. BUY
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (BIP)
Next ex-div date: November 29, 2022
Eli Lilly and Company (LLY – yield 1.1%) – What bear market? LLY just hit a new all-time high. Healthcare is a great place to be in a slowing economy and LLY is the best of the best. It beat expectations on earnings last week but lowered yearly guidance. The market was a little disappointed for a day or so but then LLY started rising again because the main story is the pipeline. It has two potential mega-blockbusters pending approval.
Its diabetes drug Mounjaro is pending fast-track approval for weight loss. Studies so far have made the drug one of the most promising ever seen in a country where nearly 2 in 5 adults are considered obese. Some analyst estimates the drug could have annual sales of $25 billion. There’s also the Alzheimer’s drug that could be huge. HOLD
Eli Lilly and Company (LLY)
Next ex-div date: November 14, 2022
Intel Corporation (INTC – yield 5.1%) – This stock may well have bottomed. Earnings were terrible again but that’s probably already baked into the stock. The near term is ugly, but the dividend is safe, and the future could be very bright. INTC currently sells near book value. It also has significant promise in its growing foundry business that should be further aided by government subsidies. The company isn’t at risk of bankruptcy and the dividend is significant with a low payout ratio. Hopefully, the bottom is in on a stock that should perform well over the long term. HOLD
Intel Corporation (INTC)
Next ex-div date: November 4, 2022
Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM – yield 2.8%) – Qualcomm delivered earnings last week that disappointed the market. The current quarter met expectations with 22% revenue growth and 23% earnings growth but reduced expectations for next year sunk the stock about 8% on the day of the report. QCOM fell to a new 52-week low but has since been recovering.
The main issue is that smartphone sales are falling as it gets later in the upgrade cycle and the economy deteriorates. Analysts now expect just 5% revenue growth and 2% earnings growth in 2023. It’s taking the brunt of the cyclical nature of the business. But slowing phone sales have already been anticipated and hitting the stock all year. QCOM now sells at just nine times forward earnings. Things stink now but the stock is also setting up for massive returns when the cycle turns. HOLD
Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM)
Next ex-div date: November 30, 2022
Visa Inc. (V – yield 0.9%) – Visa reported earnings last week that once again killed it. Revenue spiked 22% and earnings were up 27% from last year’s quarter. The payments processing giant continues to benefit from the end of covid restrictions despite the slower economy. V got a nice bump after earnings. But the situation is murkier going forward as the U.S. and global economies continue to deteriorate and the dollar continues to rise in value. HOLD
Visa Inc. (V)
Next ex-div date: November 9, 2022
NextEra Energy (NEE – yield 2.2%) – The alternative energy utility continues to rebound since being upgraded to a BUY. This is one of the best utilities on the market with reliable revenues in any economy and growth from its huge clean energy business. The stock was decimated in the recent selloff because of spiking interest rates. But the evolving recession is likely to knock rates down in the months ahead. And NEE should be a stellar relative performer in a recession. Also, management is anticipating that subsidies and incentives from the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act will be significant. BUY
NextEra Inc. (NEE)
Next ex-div date: November 23, 2022
U.S. Bancorp Depository Shares (USB-PS – yield 6.1%) – Interest rates have spiked to the highest level in more than a decade. This investment-grade, fixed-rate investment is something that income investors have missed for many years, a sizable yield on a safe income investment that is diversified from the stock market. Interest rates may go higher. But they are less likely to average higher over the next several years as a recession will put negative pressure on rates. BUY
U.S. Bancorp Depository Shares (USB-PS)
Next ex-div date: January 15, 2023, est.
Xcel Energy (XEL – yield 3.0%) – Xcel reported a slight miss in earnings last week. But the stock has been trending higher anyway because it was oversold in the September market plunge. XEL is up 16% since the low in mid-October. This stock does tend to bounce around a lot on a longer-term upward trend. It should also benefit from new legislation from Washington that will reduce costs on its considerable clean energy production. The stock should be solid in a recession. BUY
Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL)
Next ex-div date: December 14, 2022, est.
Interest Rate Clarification
It’s a good time to add clarity about interest rates to avoid possible confusion. I keep talking about the Fed raising rates higher and higher. Then, at other times, I make the point that a recession is likely to drive interest rates lower. What gives? Are they going up or down?
The rate that the Fed is currently raising is called the Fed Funds rate. That is the interest rate banks charge each other to borrow and lend excess reserves overnight. It has a strong influence over short-term rates charged on consumer loans and credit cards and is considered the benchmark for short-term rates in the country. The Fed has direct control over this rate.
But that is different from longer-term rates. The 10-year Treasury rate is considered a benchmark for these. Longer-term rates apply to mortgages and most loans and bonds. The Fed has far less control over these rates and the market is the primary determinant. The short- and longer-term rates can move in different directions. In fact, during recessions, they often do.
For example, the inflation rate may be around 8% for now. But the market may not want to factor inflation that high for 10 years or longer. Also, the longer rates are driven by demand, which tends to decrease during a recession as demand for loans dries up. Typically, longer-term rates fall during a recession. And that may be the case this time even if the Fed leaves the Fed Funds rate at a high level.
Ex-Dividend Dates are in RED and italics. Dividend Payments Dates are in GREEN. Confirmed dates are in bold, all other dates are estimated. See the Guide to Cabot Dividend Investor for an explanation of how dates are estimated.
The next Cabot Dividend Investor issue will be published on December 14, 2022.