text:
Update: This story was updated at 2 p.m. Thursday.
City leaders don’t like a planned quarry near Umstead Park but will hold off on a potential lawsuit.
At least for now.
The Raleigh City Council voted Tuesday to issue a statement saying it opposes 105 acres of Raleigh-Durham International Airport property being used as a quarry and “believes the RDU Airport Authority should have obtained the city’s permission before entering into the quarry lease.”
But the city will wait for a judge’s decision in a lawsuit filed by the Umstead Coaltion and others against RDU and Wake Stone Corp. before deciding “if and what legal steps it may take going forward,” the statement says.
The vote was 7-0 during a two-hour closed session.
Council member Dickie Thompson was not at the Tuesday meeting. He is one of the city’s two appointments to the RDU Airport Authority and voted for the lease.
The Airport Authority voted in March to lease 105 acres to Wake Stone for a quarry for about $24 million over the 25-year lease. The Umstead Coalition, the Triangle Off-Road Cyclists and three individuals sued the authority and Wake Stone claiming the four governments that own the airport need to approve the lease. The land is owned by Raleigh, Wake County, the city of Durham and Durham County.
The lawsuit also argues the airport authority violated the state’s open meetings law. The case is set to be heard in Wake County Superior Court on Thursday morning, though a decision isn’t expected that day.
The decision Tuesday comes months after some council members tried to get the council to intervene in the proposed quarry.
Debate at council
At a recent City Council meeting member Stef Mendell asked City Attorney Robin Currin if the city had “standing to intervene in the lawsuit.”
Before Currin could answer, Mayor Nancy McFarlane interjected, saying she didn’t feel it was “appropriate” to discuss a pending legal action during an open meeting. State law gives the council the right to go into a private closed session to talk about lawsuits involving the city.
“I don’t think we should be talking about anything pertaining to a lawsuit in an open session,” McFarlane said. “We have never done it.”
Council members David Cox and Kay Crowder said they disagreed.
“This is about governing, not politicking,” McFarlane began, before she was interrupted by Cox.
“This is about governing,” Cox said. “This is about governing transparently in front of the people of this city.”
The city attorney did eventually jump in, at the request of Crowder, saying she did not want to talk about anything “covered by the attorney-client privilege.”
“Your name is on the deed as has been pointed out,” Currin said. “There is a lawsuit going on that is trying to determine what rights the city has because you’re on the deed. Now, under the intervention rules, you would have, in my opinion the right to ask the court to come in and give a position.”
“That is as far as I can go in open session,” Currin said. “But again that’s not an answer of whether we should or shouldn’t or what the merits would be.”
Mendell also tried to get the council to talk about joining the lawsuit against the authority and Wake Stone, but that attempt failed.
It has nothing to do with joining the lawsuit, McFarlane said, but that she needed time to catch up on the discussion after being out for recent back surgeries.
“What we all know for sure, without a doubt, is there will be an enormous environmental destruction by this 100-acre quarry,” Council member Russ Stephenson said. “Likewise no one disputes that it will be impossible to undo the environmental damage caused by the long-term negative impacts of the quarry.”
That late August discussion came months after the proposed quarry was first brought up in March, almost immediately after the airport authority made its decision.
At that meeting, Cox asked for several things including a letter from the council asking the authority to reconsider its vote on the lease. But his effort failed.
At the time, the city attorney said the city can’t prevent the lease from moving forward.
“You don’t have any authority to stop it or change it,” Currin said. “There is nothing illegal about stating an opinion or making some sort of request.”
The proposed quarry has become an election issue. Some candidates, including Cox, Stephenson, Mendell and Crowder, have actively campaigned on the issue even though some of their opponents agree the city should join the lawsuit.
Stephenson, in particular, has sent mailers on the topic to residents and has sponsored social media ads with his stand on the quarry.
Quarry opponents have packed some forums, occasionally wearing “Anti-RDU Quarry” stickers.
At a recent District E forum, they interrupted the moderator after he announced the last question for the candidates and the quarry had not been addressed. District E makes up Northwest Raleigh and is closest to the quarry.
“We want to hear about the quarry,” called out Donna Bailey, the Hillsborough-Wade Citizens Advisory Council chairperson.
After the forum, David Knight, an environmental consultant who is challenging Mendell for the District E seat, was approached by Bailey and others demanding he announce his support for the city joining the Umstead Coalition lawsuit.
He did, and reaffirmed his position in The News & Observer’s District E questionnaire.
“I’ve spent my whole career creating and preserving public lands and open space, and given the chance on council I would vote for a park and against the quarry,” he wrote.
The rift between city leaders over the proposed quarry has spilled into even the more routine work of the council.
At nearly every council meeting city leaders nominate and vote on members for boards and commissions. The appointments are often noncontroversial, but not for a recent appointment to the airport authority.
The city of Raleigh, along with Wake County, Durham County and the city of Durham, all appoint two members to the airport authority.
For months the council members have split 4-4 on whether to reappoint Sepideh Saidi, founder of Septi Engineering and Construction, or appoint Nancy Pekarek, an Umstead Coaltion board member and former GlaxoSmithKline executive.
Every member of the airport authority, including Saidi, voted for the lease with Wake Stone. Pekarek is against the proposed quarry and local activist groups have rallied around her nomination.
If the city is split on its appointment, the incumbent keeps serving until a decision is made. And that’s not likely until a new council takes office.


text:
- 1 Who invented bowling first?
- 2 Where was bowling first invented?
- 3 What was the first bowling ball made of?
- 4 When and where was bowling invented?
- 5 Who is the most famous bowler?
- 6 Where is bowling most played?
- 7 What country is bowling popular?
- 8 What were the first bowling alley called?
- 9 What are the 5 types of bowling?
- 10 What is inside of a bowling ball?
- 11 Why are bowling balls so heavy?
- 12 Are rubber bowling balls still made?
- 13 What are 5 strikes in a row called?
- 14 What is bowling called in England?
- 15 When did bowling first start?
Who invented bowling first?
The earliest form of bowling known to exist has been traced back to ancient Egyptian time, around 5,000 BC. The ancient Egyptians rolled stones at various objects with the goal of knocking them over. Over time, various varieties of bowling emerged from the Ancient Egyptian game.
Where was bowling first invented?
The modern sport of bowling at pins probably originated in ancient Germany, not as a sport but as a religious ceremony.
What was the first bowling ball made of?
Centuries and decades ago, bowling balls were made from a durable wood called Lignum vitae. However, in 1905, the first rubber band ball, called the Evertrue, was made. Almost a decade later, a company called Brunswick Corporation created a Mineralite rubber ball.
When and where was bowling invented?
The earliest known forms of bowling date back to ancient Egypt, with wall drawings depicting bowling being found in a royal Egyptian tomb dated to 5200 BC and miniature pins and balls in an Egyptian child’s grave about 5200 BC.
Who is the most famous bowler?
The Top 5 Greatest PBA Bowlers of All Time
- 1) Pete Weber: 37 career titles, 10 major championships, 6 PBA 50 titles.
- 2) Walter Ray Williams Jr: 48 career titles, 8 major championships, 9 PBA 50 titles.
- 3) Earl Anthony: 43 career titles, 10 major championships.
Where is bowling most played?
The United States isn’t the only place where bowling is popular. The World Tenpin Bowling Association oversees millions of bowlers around the world. There are three major divisions, the Pan American Bowling Confederation, the Asian Bowling Federation, and the European Tenpin Bowling Federation.
What country is bowling popular?
Some of the countries where bowling is famous both as a sport and entertainment include England, USA, Finland, Australia, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Germany, Colombia, and Korea.
What were the first bowling alley called?
In 1840, the first indoor bowling alley opened— Knickerbocker Alleys in New York City. Instead of wood, this indoor alley used clay for the bowling lane.
What are the 5 types of bowling?
Did You Know There Are 5 Types of Bowling?
- 10-Pin Bowling. Known to most Americans simply as “bowling,” 10-pin is the most ubiquitous style of the game.
- 9-Pin Bowling.
- 5-Pin Bowling.
- Candlepin Bowling.
- Duckpin Bowling.
What is inside of a bowling ball?
In general, though, the inner core is made of powdered metal oxides such as calcium or iron oxide mixed with a resin and catalyst to harden the mixture. This is the heaviest part of the ball, and its shape—whether symmetric like a sphere or asymmetric like a lightbulb—influences how the ball rotates down the lane.
Why are bowling balls so heavy?
It will carry harder. Bowling balls are now designed/engineered based on 15 lbs. They do this so not as much hitting power is lost if you drop down to a 14 or go up to a 16. Since 15 lb balls are way more popular now a days this makes sense.
Are rubber bowling balls still made?
Re: Rubber Bowling Balls They are legal, but a lot of shops HATE drilling them because of the strong burnt rubber odor. Some bowling centers don’t like them being used due to the black marks they sometimes leave behind on the lane, or the issues they can cause with certain types of ball return systems.
What are 5 strikes in a row called?
Strikes & Spares Two strikes in a row are called a double, three strikes in a row are called a Turkey, while four and five strikes in a row are called four/five-bagger(s) and so on and so forth. A strike is commonly indicated with an “X”.
What is bowling called in England?
Skittles, game of bowling at pins, played primarily in Great Britain. Skittles was played for centuries in public houses or clubs, mostly in western England and the Midlands, southern Wales, and southeastern Scotland.
When did bowling first start?
A British anthropologist, Sir Flinders Petrie, discovered in the 1930’s a collection of objects in a child’s grave in Egypt that appeared to him to be used for a crude form of bowling. If he was correct, then bowling traces its ancestry to 3200 BC.

domain: history


text:
Bulgarian Police Look into Suspected Money Laundering Scheme in Plovdiv
Police in Bulgaria’s Plovdiv have launched an investigation into a suspected money laundering scheme involving close to USD 1 M, the Prosecutor’s Office of Bulgaria announced on Wednesday.
A 53-year old man has been detained in police custody for 24 hours in connection with the investigation supervised by Plovdiv Region Prosecutor’s Office.
The man is a former manager of a bank branch in Bulgaria’s second largest city, according to BNR public radio broadcaster.
The name of the bank wasn’t disclosed.
The investigation has found that bank transfers to China, Netherlands, USA and Malta had been made using false documents. More than 25 transactions had been carried out between March 2015 and January 2016, BNR said citing police sources.
A 29 year-old man from Plovdiv who made the transfers has been detained on charges of using false documents in the transactions. He was released on a BGN 10,000 bail after he explained his own actions as well as the actions of possible accomplices and agreed to cooperate with the investigation, the Prosecutor’s Office said.
The investigation also looks into other money transfers totalling more than USD 1 M to establish the origin of the funds and decide whether to press money laundering charges for that sum as well.
- » Nearly BGN 10 000 were Stolen from a Shop in Sofia
- » Cyberattack on Singapore Health Database Steals Details of 1.5 Million, Including PM
- » EUR 17,000 were Stolen from a Man in a Train Traveling from Sofia
- » Record for Bulgaria: Family Gave EUR 40,000 to Phone Scammers
- » Vandals Cut 29 Newly Planted Trees on Sofia's Ring Road
- » Bulgaria Uncovers Skimming Equipment, Fake Documents Workshop

domain: news


text:
Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari has reportedly travelled out of the country to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirate for undisclosed reasons.
Although the office of the First Lady could not confirm the reason for her trip, SaharaReporters reported that Mrs Buhari may be receiving medical attention in the western Asian country.
The First Lady who was last seen in public during the Eid-el-Kabir prayers with her family at the villa reportedly left the country after the celebration.
She was said to have gone on 14 days isolation after visiting the Lagos home of Mrs Florence Ajimobi, the wife of former Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi who died of COVID-19 complications.
However, after the isolation, the president’s wife reportedly continued to experience the pains, prompting the Dubai trip. This is not the first time the First Lady has seeked medical attention abroad. Back in 2019, she attributed her long stay outside the country to “doctor’s instruction.”
For more News, follow us on Instagram @OnoBelloMedia @OBStreetStyle | Twitter: OnoBello | Facebook: OnoBello Magazine
Leave your views in comments box below


text:
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- EuropebyAir expands to include Expedia into its product offerings.
Bill Wolf, President of EuropebyAir stated, "Continuing forward with our plans to add resources to better serve our customer's travel needs, EuropebyAir is delighted to announce its cooperation with Expedia as a hotel affiliate.
Wolf further stated, "Not only will our customers be able to travel to, within, and beyond Europe for some of the lowest prices in the industry, they will now have access to a huge selection of hotels worldwide at incredibly low prices."
Customers can book hotels directly on line from the EuropebyAir.com website or by calling 1 800 780 5733, using Promo Code 326417.
The well-established EuropebyAir FlightPass program was founded in 1998, and is a unique product that combines the route structures of geographically dispersed airlines into a vast, pan European network of hundreds of destinations. Further information and a Route Map are also available at EuropebyAir.com, via travel agents or direct-no-menu phone calls to 888-387.2479.


text:
I feel awful right now.
I don't want to explain it. It's my blog, so what I say goes.
I just felt like telling someone that I feel like shit in every way possible.
Maybe I'll explain if my mood ever improves and I don't have a test to cram for.

domain: psychology


Seven-year-old Chase Piotrowski of Beacon was awarded an honorary fire helmet from Beacon City Fire Department officials on Saturday, April 23. Two days earlier, Piotrowski had discovered a forest fire and made sure the fire department was notified.
Photo by Jeff Simms
Free News Updates
Sign up to receive updates by email (no spam).
You will receive an email shortly asking you to confirm your subscription.


text:
The never ending love of chocolate.
This makes a great gift for the sweet ones in your life!
The Bundle contains:
1. The Chocolate Hazelnut Granola packet (250gm)
2. Chocolate hazelnut & Seasalt barks
3. Chocolate oatmeal cookie box of 8
More than bakers, we're artisans who infuse heartfelt dedication in every creation. With each piece we handcraft, we pour in that extra pinch of love, ensuring every bite becomes an immersive experience
Our culinary ethos is built on the foundation of authenticity. We're committed to crafting soulful delights using natural, preservative-free ingredients. Every recipe is a testament to our pursuit of the purest, most wholesome flavors
We appreciate the unique preferences of our discerning customers. That's why we've curated a diverse range of vegetarian offerings to cater to every palate. We believe in celebrating choice.
Waiting is an old-fashioned concept, and we're here to honor your craving for on-demand decadence. We take pride in offering same-day delivery services, ensuring that the indulgence you desire arrives right at your doorstep.

domain: food


text:
Page Waterman, Gallery & Framing in Wellesley Square has moved, expanded, and is open for business at 592A Washington Street. The move kicks off the gallery’s 101st year of custom framing and Fine Art sales and restoration as Page Waterman looks forward to the next 100 years of serving their customers. The free parking right at the front door is a nice touch, too.
“One room is specifically for our custom framing services; another is the new Fine Art Gallery, and our restoration work will be performed in a third room,” owner Sturdy Waterman said. “This new location provides space indoors and outdoors where we can add to our list of events which includes the art exhibitions, spotlights on young artists in our NEXT UP! art contest for high school students, plus free appraisal events with Bonhams.”
New Event: “Paintings of New England”
This event features works by well-known Rockport, MA artist T.M. Nicholas. It begins Saturday, September 15 and continues through September 22.
Going forward, Page Waterman will continue the celebration with a full line-up of events you won’t want to miss — a Boston-themed art show; a Japanese prints show; and the Wellesley Square Art Gallery Walk are just a few things on the calendar.
Stop in and check out their new space.
Page Waterman hours:
- Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm
- Closed Sundays
Or make an appointment with their new online reservation system.

domain: artistic


text:
Fluffy Coconut Flour Pancakes: Paleo
CHOCOLATE WAFFLES | gluten-free & paleo
Ultimate Low-Carb, Gluten Free, Dairy Free Pancakes / Panqueques Bajos en Carbohidratos
The BEST Quick & Fluffy Low Carb Waffles!
Protein Pancakes | Low Carb, Gluten Free + Dairy Free
Paleo Pancakes: Gluten-Free, Low-Carb Recipe | Nuts.com
EASY Keto Bread Recipe // Low Carb Pancakes, Waffles, & Tortillas
Low Carb PANCAKE BATTLE – The BEST Keto Pancake Recipe! – Coconut, Almond, Cream Cheese & Carbquick!
Recipe: Grain-Free Fluffy Pancakes | Danielle Walker
Amazing Low Carb Waffles
Amazon Price: $8.99 $8.99 (as of 2018-01-19 17:00 –
Easy to make Gluten Free, Grain Free, Paleo Waffle or Pancake mix. Simply mix bag with water and coconut oil or grass fed butter (Primal option). Ingredients: Almond Flour, Dried Egg Whites, Vanilla Extract (Pure & Unsweetened), Potassium Bicarbonate, Stevia, Cinnamon, and Sea Salt.
- Product Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 10 inches ; 9 ounces
- Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
- ASIN: B00JORKWPS
- UPC: 813926002511
Things that are good for you are not usually very tasty.. But this pancake cooked in butter … was good. . I made one giant pancake and did not eat the whole thing. for the first time in my life…..half was was filling.. unlike most batter.. The package is rather small for the price.. but unfortunatelky healthy food is more expensive.. which explains the dilemma of choosing to diet.
knowing that I really enjoyed them and will buy them again
the texture is NOT flour pancakes… knowing that I really enjoyed them and will buy them again. I wish they were cheaper.
I will buy them again.
These make great pancakes. They come out nice and thick and hold together, unlike many paleo pancake recipes. Like all paleo pancakes they are a bit dry and bland but these are very good and definitely worth a try. They are fantastic if you are going to use some syrup. They are a bit expensive especially if you are feeding more than two people.
these were delicious and easy to make
The only reason I didn’t rate this 5 stars is because of the amount you get for the price you pay. It doesn’t quite make as many pancakes as it states it does. However, I’ve made Paleo pancakes, and it’s not cheap to do. Almond flour is expensive. Other than that, these were delicious and easy to make. They were truly like real, regular pancakes. I topped mine off with real whipping cream and fresh fruit, then drizzled a little agave over it. SOOOO GOOD. One other thing, my last order from Amazon which included this Paleo pancake mix took FOREVER to get here! Not sure why or what happened, but I couldn’t believe how long I waited for my order this last time. Maybe because I had so many different items?
Worked great and tasty but next time I make them
Worked great and tasty but next time I make them, I will use a little more liquid than stated on the package.
Great transaction! Amazing product!
A great low carb alternative!
Great texture! Added some pumpkin spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and coco powder. Topped with nut butter and raspberries. My new Sunday pancakes! THANK YOU!


Sprite, a brand of The Coca-Cola Co., launched a search for undiscovered and “uncontainable” basketball players from around the world, the brand says. Twenty-four amateur players will be chosen to represent either Team Sudden or Team Intense in the Sprite Uncontainable Game at the 2013 NBA All-Star game in Houston. The soft drink brand’s program is in partnership with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James of the Miami Heat in addition to NBA players hailing from around the world. U.S. players interested in joining a team can try out for the first round by uploading a video at sprite.com. Global contestants from the 27 countries listed on the Sprite Uncontainable game roster can show off their moves at local tournaments and events.


text:
Battenberg And Point Lace Book by Nellie Clarke Brown
Battenberg lace utilizes a premade tape in this popular needle lace technique. This republication of the 1912 Priscilla Battenberg and Point Lace Book is the most complete Battenberg Lace book currently available with a full description of over 100 stitches and a catalog of over 100 traditional lace designs from the 1900's, all currently available. Includes collars, handkerchiefs, curtains, table linens, tie ends and decorative motifs.
FAST 'N FREE Postage Australia Wide with Tracking
In stock - ready to post today
AUTHOR: Nellie Clarke Brown
Brand new: A new, unread, unused book in perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages.

domain: library


text:
Dungeons and Dragons – Mystara
Organisations – Followers of the Steam
- Source Material: Magic the Gathering
- Who are the Followers of the Steam
- Background – Faction Agent
- Followers of the Steam in Mystara
- Content Updates
Also known as the Jeskai Dragon Clan or Raugrin.
This is a post relating to the creation of various organisations associated with the elements, genasi, pantheons and nations of the setting.
Who are The Followers of the Steam
The Followers of the Steam are an organisation based on the Worship of the combination of Air, Fire and Water the Immortals of the Sphere of Energy, Thought and Time.
- Cult of the Jeskai – Jeskai Dragon Clan
- Cult of the Steam
- Time Immortals – Hymir (tba), Tiresias (tba)
Background – Faction Agent
The Followers of the Steam are dedicated to the beliefs of the Sphere of Energy, Thought and Time and the superiority of the combination of Air, Fire and Water over other elements.
Followers of the Steam in Mystara
They are spread wherever there are groups of air, fire and water aspected races coexist.
- Elementalologist (3rd Circle)
- Necrologist (3rd Circle)
- Also used the Tri Element Aspected class feature.
These organizations are requirements for entry into this organisation. You must belong to one of these before you can join this organisation.
- Followers of the Fog (Fire and Water)
- Followers of the Radiant (Air and Fire)
- Followers of the Storm (Air and Water)
Followers of the Fog
Followers of the Radiant
Followers of the Storm
A character who belongs to this organisation can choose to advance their knowledge of elements and their connections by joining one of the following organisations.
- Followers of the Celestials (Air, Earth, Fire and Water)
- Followers of the Exfoliating Steam (Air, Dark, Fire and Water)
Followers of the Celestials
Followers of the Exfoliating Steam
- 2021-08-27 – Updated the menu.
- 2020-09-30 – Added in the four element organisations.
- 2020-09-29 – Added in logo based on Ravnica and associated organisations.
D&D 5E in Mystara
D&D Menu – Adventures, Artefacts, Backgrounds, Classes, Dominions, Downtime, Feats, Gazetteers, Gods, Magical Items, Monsters, Organisations, Pantheons, Races, Ranks & Titles, Rune Magic, Secret Crafts, Settlements, Spells, Timeline, Weapons Mastery
Game Management – Annotated Stat Block, Character Creation, Choosing a New Campaign, Gaming over Skype, GM’s Luck Roll, Tracking Experience
Class Builds –
Artificer – Bombardier (Tinkerkin),
Barbarian – Totem Warrior (Plamin, Camdu),
Bard – College of Valour (Sunfey),
Druid – Circle of Dreams (Woodfey), Circle of the Tree of Life (Seasonfey),
Fighter – Battlemaster (Seashire), Eldritch Knight (Kerendan), Weapons Master (Lani), Weapons Master (Stonebound),
Monk – Way of the Elements (Tidal),
Paladin – Oath of Radiance (Sunfey), Oath of Vengeance (Firechild),
Sorcerer – Wild Magic (Shadowfey),
Warlock – Celestial (Llewell),
Wizard – Bladesinger (Nerye),
Dragon – White (Calcryx).
Multiclass – Cleric/Wizard (Xhall), Rogue/Cleric (Dracnomir), Rogue/Sorcerer (Yodrey), Wizard/Rogue (Traladaran)
Floorplans – Thyatian
Session Recordings – Campaign Journals
Library of Books
B5, d20 System, Pathfinder, SW
This site is currently undergoing migration to www.thedarkelf007.com website due to needing a different set of tools that I had available to me on here.
Basic Links: Who Am I?, Home, Game Tools, Game Session Videos, My Campaigns, My Library, Site Map, Subscription Information
Game Systems: Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder 1 & 2, Shadowrun, Star Wars. Other Game Systems
Site sponsored by the author AS Hamilton (my wife) with her books available on amazon kindle.

domain: hobby


text:
Presentation on theme: "Hi, I’m Dave Vellequette, CFO of Avaya"— Presentation transcript:
1 Avaya Q1 2015 Financial Results Goldman Sachs TMT Leveraged Finance Conference Hi, I’m Dave Vellequette, CFO of AvayaThis is my quarterly video review of our financial results for the our fiscal 1st quarter of 2015Let’s start by looking at our performance, and how it reflects our continued ability to execute against our strategy …March 11, 2015
2 Forward - Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this presentation are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our future financial and operating performance, as well as statements regarding our future growth plans and drivers. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "should" or "will" or other similar terminology. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. For a list and description of such risks and uncertainties, please refer to our filings with the SEC that are available at and in particular, our 2014 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on November 26, We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.This presentation should be read in conjunction with our Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 9, Within this presentation, we refer to certain non‐GAAP financial measures that involve adjustments to GAAP measures. Reconciliations between our non-GAAP financial measures and GAAP financial measures are included in the appendix of this presentation.These slides, as well as current and historical financial data are available on our web site at None of the information included on the website is incorporated by reference in this presentation.Historical amounts presented reflect the sale of ITPS.
3 Avaya Private Cloud Services Avaya NowPortfolio Position ($ / Seat)Customer EngagementTeam EngagementFabricHighRevenue Category (# of seats)LowCompany relevance has moved to higher value and higher growth outcomesNow have well positioned offerings in all 6 revenue streams with opportunities to grow these areas of our businessAvaya= open mobile enterprise engagement platformPortfolio Position (Value / Seat)Customer CareAvaya Private Cloud ServicesProfessionalServicesNon-RecurringRecurring (3 year)Recurring (5 year)Revenue Category (term)
4 Fiscal Q1 2015 Financial Highlights (Amounts are non-GAAP) Revenue of $1,079 million down $47 million from the prior quarterIn constant currency, down 3% sequentially and year-over-yearIn line with low end of historical sequential patternPrivate cloud and managed services business and our leading edge contact center solutions grew both sequentially and year-over-yearRevenue from products focused on the midmarket was up 5% sequentially and up 2% year-over-yearNetworking product revenues grew 15% sequentially and 2% year-over yearIn constant currency, EMEA revenue was up 3% year-over-year and AI was up 2%Product bookings were up year-over-year, while product book-to-bill was below 1.0Gross margin reached new record of 60.1%Increased 40 basis points sequentially and 200 basis points year-over-yearOperating income of $193 million and 17.9% operating marginAdjusted EBITDA of $239 million and 22.2% of revenueCash increased sequentially and year-over-year to $328 millionReflects $19.5M debt reduction from $10M paid against Cash Flow revolver and $9.5M in term loan principalFree Cash Flow positive for the quarterNOTE: Historical amounts presented reflect the sale of ITPS44
5 Products & Services* (% of Total Avaya Revenue) Financial Summary($M)Non-GAAP4Q14Actual1Q15Business ModelRevenue$1,126$1,079$1,100 – $1,150Gross Margin %59.7%60.1%58.5% – 59.5%Oper Expense %40.9%42.3%38.5% – 39.5%Oper Income %18.8%17.9%19% – 20.5%Adj EBITDA $$253$239$250 – $275Adj EBITDA %22.5%22.2%22.7% – 23.9%Q1 Revenue: $1,079M; down $47M sequentially$13M currency impact$19M due to sales executionPrivate cloud & managed services up 7% YoYNetworking product revenue up YoYGross Margin 60.1%Operating Income 17.9%Adjusted EBITDA 22.2% of revenueAll 3 are fiscal Q1 record levels on an as reported basisFor a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP financial information, please see.Products & Services* (% of Total Avaya Revenue)FY 11FY 12FY 13FY 141QF144QF141QF15Flagship32%35%39%43%44%45%Core48%49%47%This gives you a comparison of our performance relative to last quarter, and in comparison to our model rangesOf the $47M sequential revenue decline, $13M was due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates which cause our dollar denominated revenues to be lowerYou can see we have improved our gross margin % as an outcome of our successful cost reduction efforts which enable us to run the business efficiently, including improvements in:our supply chain efficiencycost reductions and surgical restructuringincreased focus on automation of our web based support which lowers cost while improving performanceOur model is designed to generate sufficient EBITDA and cash to meet our annual requirements, even on a relatively modest quarterly revenue levelNext, let’s look at our capital structure …We have structured our model such that, assuming quarterly revenue between $1.1 billion and $1.15 billion dollars, our operational performance should generate adjusted EBITDA in the range of $250 and $275 million* Flagship includes Video, Avaya Aura®, IP Office, leading edge Contact Center, Wireless LAN, SBC, Ethernet/fabric switching, Avaya professional services, Avaya cloud and Avaya managed servicesCore includes phones, gateways, servers, core contact center, and other managed and maintenance support servicesLegacy includes legacy Nortel and Tenovis, excluding NetworkingFor a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP financial information, please see our most recent SEC filings and the tables at the end of this presentationNOTE: Historical amounts presented reflect the sale of ITPS
6 Overall Average Portfolio Interest Rate 6.9% Avaya Debt Maturity Profile($ in Billions, by calendar year)Overall Average Portfolio Interest Rate 6.9%$2.0$1.4$1.3$1.1Today3/11/15$0.12Reduced debt by $19.5M in Q1 FY ’15$10M against Cash Flow revolver and $9.5M in term loan principalAdditional liquidity available through Asset-Backed & Cash Flow revolversAnnual cash needs for Pension, Interest, Restructuring, CapEx, and Cash taxes expected to be below $900M in FY 15Long Term Debt (net of $0.3B cash) totals $5.6BNOTE: Amounts shown are expected balances at maturity date; 2017 & 2018 are net of principal payments which total approximately $9.5M quarterlyAs you can see, we have continued to manage our capital structure to create flexibility in the near-term while enabling us to invest strategically in our areas we see as growth opportunities.We have reduced our debt by $19.5M, with the first maturity not due until October 2016We’ve brought down our cash requirements by $100M per year (to $900M)We completed a number of refinancing actions in 2014 to reduce our overall average interest rate on the debt portfolio to 6.9% and have additional liquidity availableWe will continue to focus on cash generation.So, let me close at this point …66
7 A Software and Services Company FQ1’15 Results Avaya NowNet Promoter Score50New Customer Acquisition*17%Software and Services69%Revenue / Headcount$343KGross Margin60%Operating Income18%Adjusted EBITDA %22%New Metrics portray a company that evidences a:New business modelNew momentumNew basis of work and market engagement*As of Q4FY14For a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP financial information, please see
8 As I hope you have seen, while sales execution and timing of deal closings constrained Q1 revenue, our progress on executing on our strategy continues- Operational performance metrics remain solid- We are managing our debt with both a ST and LT view- We are continuing to invest in serving our customers and delivering quality, innovative solutions that enable them to engage their teams and their customers for new levels of productivity and service.Thanks for listening today.We look forward to continuing to partner with you.

domain: finance


text:
At Medical Eye Center, we prioritize transparency, especially when it comes to the costs associated with routine vision exams, glasses, and contact lens coverage. Let’s dive into the details of our pricing structure, shedding light on the factors that contribute to the expectations of costs for our patients. Our commitment is to help you understand the financial aspects of your care and make the best choices for your eye health.
Routine Vision Exam:
At Medical Eye Center, we understand the significance of routine vision exams in maintaining optimal eye health. We have designed our pricing model for routine vision exams to be clear and straightforward. Patients can expect a comprehensive examination to assess their vision needs without the burden of deductibles.
Glasses and Contact Lens Coverage:
We believe that clear vision should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we accept many vision coverage plans for both glasses and contact lenses. Patients with standard contracted vision plans, including most VSP Visions Care plans, Medicaid Vision for children, and Superior Vision, can benefit from our services. However, it’s crucial to note the variations in coverage, such as plans requiring a same-day purchase of glasses to cover the exam. Typically the contact lens measurements and fit are a separate portion of an exam and would be a different cost depending on insurance coverage usually $65 for ad refit and $135 for a new fitting and Medical contact lenses such as specialty scleral fittings can range from $285-$1232.
Additional Measurements and Exams:
For patients requiring contact lenses, we go beyond the standard vision exam to include separate measurements/exams. This ensures that our patients receive personalized and accurate prescriptions tailored to their unique needs. The refraction or general exam charge is covered, providing a comprehensive approach to eye care.
VSP Vision Care Benefits:
Our association with VSP brings extra benefits to our patients. From a $10 Optos Discount to potential coverage of an entire Optos exam, for those of you that may not know an Optos Retinal exam is an in-depth ultra-wide scan of almost the entirety of the eye, that can help detect early signs of disease and retinal damage. Where traditional scans can see just a portion of the eye the Optos Retinal Scan can see a wider range of the back of the eye improving this scan from just 15% to 82%. A standard out-of-pocket expense is usually $69, but VSP typically costs $60 out of pocket but may be covered entirely with not out-of-pocket costs, depending on your specific plan.
A patient that holds VSP coverage may expect to only pay their co-pay out of pocket which would vary depending on their coverage and if the VSP plan is one requiring a co-pay. VSP plans that allow coordination of benefits even provide payment on refraction for a medical exam if the medical plan denies coverage. A refraction test is usually given as part of a routine eye examination and is often referred to as called a vision test. This test tells your eye doctor exactly what prescription you need for your glasses or contact lenses. VSP also offers a robust coverage of medical scleral lenses if determined necessary by your provider. Some VSP plans cover the entire cost of scleral contact lenses fittings while others allow a 15-20% discount, while the patient pays the remainder.
Refraction Charges and Insurance Coverage Differences
While a refraction is essential for a comprehensive eye exam, the charge for a refraction is only covered by some insurances but not all. Medicare does not cover refractions because the test is considered to be a part of a routine exam and not a medical need. Traditional Medicare does not cover most routine procedures, but rather health-related vision expenses, although in 2024 coverage for Medicare Advantage has changed and may have more benefits, and it’s important to know whether you have one version or the other. At Medical Eye Center, a standard refraction or eye exam may cost $60 if no other insurance benefits can be applied. VSP benefits will also provide a 15% discount on LASIK surgery, which is deemed an elective procedure and not typically covered by insurance benefits. This allows the cost for LASIK surgery to drop from $5500 to just $4675 for VSP covered patients.
If not going the LASIK route and sticking with contacts, VSP coverage allows for patients with astigmatism who need a corneal scleral lens and significant benefit of coverage on $1000 for a contact lens fitting and exam and often hundreds towards the lenses themselves.
- Here is a helpful link to verify your coverage with VSP – https://bit.ly/3vOsCEQ
- Here is a helpful link to verify your coverage with Medicare Advantage – https://bit.ly/3vC6HRw
While we have affiliations with various vision plans, we must note the plans we are not contracted with, including Spectera Vision, Davis Vision, Jackson Care Connect, EyeMed, and Medicare DMERC for post-op glasses. However, patients with these plans may still enjoy a 20% discount on most optical purchases if they decide to buy from Medical Eye Center. If you have non-contracted insurance providers, you may be able to submit paperwork independently as a patient and get reimbursed for your optical purchases. It’s worth checking with your insurance company to see if this is an option for you
Exceptions to coverage:
Medical Eye Center accepts most major medical plans, and we understand the nuances of deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. At the same time, many medical plans cover some or all of the refraction charge, exceptions exist, such as Regence BCBS Commercial plan, Wellcare MedAdvantage, and certain Medicare plans as mentioned earlier. Additionally, a few other plans that often do not cover refractions are HealthNet of OR, Blue Cross Government, Anthem, MODA Advantage, and PacificSource Medicare. When used as secondary insurance or Tricare For Life and some other plans, the Oregon Health Plan covers refraction costs or a portion of it.
Addressing Plan Denials:
When a patient’s plan denies coverage for the refraction charge, we offer a $9 discount, ensuring that our patients receive fair and transparent pricing. Our commitment to transparency extends to our interaction with Veteran PGBA contracted providers.
At Medical Eye Center, we believe transparent pricing is fundamental to building trust and ensuring our patients understand their financial responsibilities. By providing detailed information about our pricing structure, we empower our patients to make informed decisions about their eye care, fostering a positive and open healthcare experience. “If you ever have any confusion regarding what expenses are covered and what are not during your visit, feel free to ask our staff without any hesitation.

domain: medical


Aside from a new high-end X9 gaming notebook, Aorus has also unveiled two more affordable laptops, the X5 MD and X7 DT v7. The most interesting one is the X5 MD, which comes with latest Intel Kaby Lake i7 processors and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Max-Q graphics card.
Gigabyte's premium notebook brand Aorus launched two new laptops at Computex 2017. The Aorus X9 concept was shown back at CES 2017, but it is now official. It comes with pretty much everything a high-end gaming notebook needs, including both design and performance.
At Computex 2017, AMD and ASUS unveiled the first Ryzen-powered laptop, the Asus ROG Strix GL702ZC. Although the new architecture has been out for around 3 months, we are still missing support from companies, as there were only three laptops at the trade show - the aforementioned
Due to some possible problems with battery, Gigabyte recalled its latest Aero 15 gaming laptops last month. At Computex 2017, the company showcased updated model, featuring nearly bezel-less display and is among the thinnest 15.6-inch notebooks according to Gigabyte.
Gigabyte unveiled a host of new devices at Computex 2017 and one of the new products is also the P56XT, a high-end gaming notebook. The laptop comes with a plastic chassis that has a swappable Optical Disk Drive bay, meaning users can remove the optical disk drive and put
Besides all these new Windows 10 gaming laptops and convertibles, ASUS has also unveiled something bit different - a new Chromebook. The new Chromebook is a successor to a relatively inexpensive Chromebook Flip C100, which was unveiled way back in 2015.
During the first day of Computex 2017, ASUS unveiled its first Max-Q laptop called ROG Zephyrus. While the laptop was showcased at the trade show, not many details were revealed by the company. Eventually, ASUS gave up and revealed the notebook's specifications.
We have heard that Microsoft and Qualcomm are working together to allow Snapdragon 835 chipset to run Windows 10 operating system. At least three top-tier companies, including Asus, HP, and Lenovo will have its products ready by the end of the year.
Just like other top-tier companies, Aorus has also jumped on the Max-Q bandwagon and released a new slim gaming notebook. Called the Aorus X5 MD, the 15.6-inch notebook features NVIDIA's latest Max-Q GeForce GTX 1080 graphics card with 8 GB of VRAM.
Thanks to a partnership with Qualcomm, Microsoft finally brought ARM support with Windows 10 operating system. At Computex 2017, the software giant confirmed that three top-tier companies are planning to launch Windows 10 ARM-powered computers this year.
Most of the Chromebooks out there are powered by MediaTek processor and have entry-level specs. For those that want a more powerful Chromebook, Acer has now showcased a new Chromebook that packs up 8 GB of RAM as well as a powerful Intel processor under the hood.
At Computex 2017, Samsung has announced a new Notebook 9 Pro models, the 13.3-inch and 15-inch. Both models are very similar and also differ in the amount of RAM, display size, and graphics card. The new Samsung Notebook 9 Pro comes in Titan Silver colors but there is
Alongside Dell, who announced the world's first AiO computer powered by AMD Ryzen, ASUS has unveiled ROG Strix G702ZC, the world's first Ryzen-powered notebook. The pricing information is not yet available, but the laptop should be very competitive performance-wise.
Desktop gaming computers are not very compact and if you need to travel, it is hard to pack all the stuff and take them with you. While high-end gaming notebooks aren't very compact, it is still much easier to travel with them than with desktop computers and MSI has now unveiled
If you were hoping to see a thinner MSI gaming laptops then you'll be disappointed to learn that MSI's thinnest gaming notebooks won't be getting any thinner any time soon. However, the company has decided to make the same design more interesting with faster GPU options and
One of the first notebooks with NVIDIA's new low-power GTX 1080 Max-Q GPU is ASUS Zephyrus, which features a completely new design. The final specifications are still unknown, but the company promised to update the official page shortly after the Computex.
High-end gaming laptops are very powerful nowadays, but compared to ultrabooks, they are extremely thick and heavy, and very often loud or have problems with heat. To put an end to that, NVIDIA has just officially announced the rumored "low-power Pascal".
Although it's been on a downward trend for years, the PC market may experience growth by 2019. IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker anticipates the market is going to do better as a result of detachable tablets, notebook computers, and mobile workstations.
Back at Consumer Electronics Show 2017, Samsung introduced two new notebooks that are powered by Google's Chrome OS. Dubbed the Chromebook Plus and Chromebook Pro, the laptops were expected to launch shortly after the trade show and although the Plus variant was released
To cover all segments, ASUS has also unveiled something for high-end users. Those that are looking for a premium 15.6-inch laptop can take a look at ASUS ZenBook Pro UX550. The laptop features an all-aluminum unibody design and diamond cut edges that is just 18.9 mm thin.


Brest vs PSG | LIGUE 1 HIGHLIGHTS | 8/20/2021 | beIN SPORTS USA
Another 4-2 score for the Parisiens, this time after their visit to Brest, at the Stade Francis Le-Blé thanks to Ander Herrera (23′), Kylian Mbappe (36′), Idrissa Gueye (73′) and Angel Di Maria (90′). Franck Honorat (42′) and Steve Mounie (85′) scored the two goals for Brest.
#Ligue1 #Brest #PSG
Catch the latest highlights of Ligue 1🇫🇷, Turkish Süper Lig🇹🇷,
Copa Libertadores🏆, Copa Sudamericana🥇 on our YouTube channel.
Follow the latest news on beINSPORTS.com and stream all their games on our app beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
Download beIN SPORTS CONNECT on Apple devices: https://tinyurl.com/y4bd3osh
Download beIN SPORTS CONNECT on Android devices: https://tinyurl.com/yxlst4vj


What you need to know
- Apple just announced the stunning new Mac Studio.
- It looks like a Mac mini, but is larger and more powerful.
- It's a desktop computer with M1 Max and M1 Ultra.
Apple has just unveiled its stunning new Mac Studio desktop computer, featuring M1 Max and M1 Ultra with even more power.
It includes Apple's brand new M1 Ultra Apple silicon chip, announced today
The new Mac Studio features 2 USB-C ports and an SD slot on the front, housed in its 7.7" square by 3.3" housing. It has a double-sided blower fan system to keep its M1 Max and M1 Ultra chips cool.
It has four thunderbolt ports on the back as well as ethernet, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, a pro audio jack, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, and more.
The new Mac Studio can power four Pro Display XDRs and a 4K TV at the same time. The M1 Max version is 2.5 times faster than the 27-inch iMac, and 3.4x faster in terms of graphics. The M1 Ultra version is 3.8 times faster than the same iMac, and 60% faster than the Mac Pro with 28 cores.
The GPU performance is 4.5 times faster than the 27-inch iMac and 80% faster than the MacBook Pro (2021). It also features up to 128GB of video memory for the M1 Ultra version, and can handle 7.4GB/s SSD performance, with up to 8TB of capacity.
It can handle up to 18 streams of 8K Pro REs video with the M1 Ultra.
The Mac Studio is free of lots of harmful elements and uses 1,000 fewer kilowatt-hours compared to other desktops.
Master your iPhone in minutes
iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!
Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design.
Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9


text:
Newbury: Sizing Tennessee leads Tizzard one-two in £250,000 Ladbrokes Trophy - local interest Dingo Dollar is third
It may have rained for much of the afternoon on day two of Newbury's 2018 Ladbrokes Winter Carnival (Saturday, December 1), but the feature race - the £250,000 G3 Ladbrokes Trophy - turned into a Tizzard blizzard - led by Sizing Tennessee.
Sizing Tennessee won an impressive victory over Elegant Escape as trainer Colin Tizzard recorded a memorable first and second in Britain's second-richest handicap chase. Another Tizzard trained entry came in fifth.
Ladbrokes Trophy Day drew a crowd of just over 16,000 which was marginally down on 2017, while the two day Ladbrokes Winter Carnival saw over 23,000 racegoers at Newbury Racecourse.
Despite the previous week's rain and another 8mm between 5am and gates open at 10.00am the ground stayed soft on the hurdle course and soft, good to soft in places on the chase course.
The Colin Tizzard-trained Sizing Tennessee (12/1) produced a scintillating performance to capture the Ladbrokes Trophy - over three miles and a furlong with twelve runners starting.
Ridden by Tom Scudamore, the 10-year-old son of Robin Des Champs travelled menacingly into contention approaching the home straight and took the lead four fences from home. Sizing Tennessee went clear and sealed a tremendous victory with an excellent leap at the last to run out a convincing 10-length winner.
Tizzard, who is based on the Somerset/Dorset border, also saddled Elegant Escape (Harry Cobden, 4/1), who ran on in the closing stages to finish second, seven lengths ahead of Dingo Dollar in third (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson, 10/1), who was prominent throughout.
Local punters were keen for the Barbury Castle trained Dingo Dollar to take the race - hoping Alan King would repeat his Hennessy win with Smad Place in 2015, also under Wayne Hutchinson. Dingo Dollar jumped well and was with the leaders throughout, but could not get up to challenge the two Tizzard horses. Still, one to watch as the season progresses.
The third Tizzard trained horse home was West Approach (Adam Wedge, 25/1), who came fifth.
Reflecting on his second Ladbrokes Trophy victory following on from Native River in 2016, Tizzard called it '...a brilliant performance from Sizing Tennessee': "It was fantastic to win and it's an unreal day. We haven't run this horse since he bolted up at Fontwell in October."
"We wanted to give him one race before Christmas and he delivers that performance. Sizing Tennessee had leg trouble before he came to me and he was a horse who had low mileage."
"Sizing Tennessee strode away today and obviously it does surprise you with the manner in which he won. I thought he would run a big race and he was travelling well on the way into the straight. He was the horse in the home straight that if he didn't clobber one, he was going to win.
"His jumping has become very good. This horse is in the Welsh National and that is something we might look at. To have three in the first five in a race of this nature is incredible."
An emotional Tom Scudamore, successful for the second time in the Ladbrokes Trophy after Madison Du Berlais in 2008, commented: "I lost my grandad two weeks ago, my mother's father, and it was his funeral yesterday, but I wasn't able to go."
"Those are the sacrifices you make and I was so sorry that I wasn't able to be there, but he was with us today. He was a tremendous man, a legend in the Ledbury area, and he helped a lot of people. This one is for him."
In the opening race of the second day of the Ladbrokes Winter Carnival, Paul Nicholls-trained Posh Trish (11/8 favourite), owned by a Highclere Thoroughbred Racing syndicate, produced a smooth performance from the front to make all of the running to win the £25,000 Listed Ladbrokes Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
Ridden by Harry Cobden, the five-year-old daughter of Stowaway jumped with aplomb throughout the two-mile event and despite being challenged by Lust For Glory (Nicky Henderson, Nico de Boinville, 6/4), Posh Trish knuckled down after the last to fend off the Henderson trained horse and win decisively by three and a quarter lengths.

domain: sports


Visit the Park that Inspired the Lion King Film
Have you watched the recent Lion King movie? If so, how was it? I recently watched it and compared to the original one, the cinematography was amazing. The animals and the landscape appeared life-like. Interestingly, the creators of the film travelled to Hells Gate National Park in Kenya and drew inspiration from it. When you visit the park, you'll notice the distinguishing feature that is the Pride Rock.
Although the park doesn’t have the usually Big Five animals, ironically including the Lion (Simba, Mufasa, Scar & Nala), it is nevertheless a gem. Lots of wildlife can be seen here including zebras, the African buffalo, eland, hartebeest, Thomson's gazelle and baboons among others.
Photo Credit: flickr.com/photos/gizmo_bunny
It’s a beautiful landscape. It features spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa.
Photo Credit: kws.go.ke
Hell’s Gate is a great venue for a day trip from Nairobi where you can enjoy thrilling mountain bike rides, rock climbing and hiking. The park is also a spectacular spot for bird watching, with over 100 species recorded. Whether you visit Hells Gate on its own or include it as part of your safari itinerary, you’ll have a memorable adventure.


text:
Authors: Murillo, Javier; Spetale, Flavio; Arce, Débora; Tapia, Elizabeth; Guillaume, Serge; Bulacio, Pilar.
Resumen: Electronic protein annotation is traditionally performed by similarity searches against databases of protein sequences and functional domains. Though robust, these methods usually leave a great portion of unannotated sequences which may be solved by supervised machine learning methods and corresponding training datasets. But the creation of training datasets requires protein sequence characterization by a suitable set of physiochemical attributes. In principle, an almost unlimited number of attributes can be used. However, this may lead to to machine learning methods of unwieldy complexity. To tackle this problem, attribute selection methods must be considered. Standard attribute selection methods provide rankings based on individual scores ignoring attributes relationships. We note, however, that the support of an individual attribute may be small but its collective contribution may be high. New proposals for attribute selection aim at selecting subsets of attributes based on their collective behavior. Under this baseline, collective attribute selection based on Choquet Fuzzy Integral (FI) is proposed. Briefly, FI is a trained aggregation method w.r.t. a fuzzy measure. The fuzzy measure is a set function that characterizes coalitions contributions (n attributes entail 2n coalitions and coefficients). Coalitions can then be aggregated by the FI towards protein-sequence classification (annotation). In this work, fuzzy measure identification is performed through the HLMSr algorithm considering coalitions of up to 3 attributes. Regarding the interpretation of fuzzy measures, the generalized Shapley index (gindex) is used. As a result, relevant, redundant and complementary physiochemical protein attributes can be recognized and used for robust protein-sequence annotation. The proposal is evaluated with attributesfrom Arabidopsis data and the biological interpretation of results is discussed.
Meeting type: Congreso.
Type of job: Resumen.
Production: Subset selection of protein attributes by Fuzzy Integrals.
Scientific meeting: 4to Congreso Bioinformática 4CA2B2C / 4SoIBio ? Rosario 2013.
Meeting place: Rosario.
Organizing Institution: CIFASIS.
It's published?: Yes
Publication place: Rosario
Meeting month: 10

domain: biology


text:
Spiced Apple Chutney
5 red onions chopped
4lbs peeled and cored apples chopped
4 cloves of garlic finely chopped
4 green chillies finely chopped
6 oz raisins
1 tbsp Worcester Sauce
1 tbsp mustard seeds
1 1/2 pints vinegar
3 lbs sugar
I use my whizzy machine to do all the chopping. Put everything except the sugar in a jam pan or large saucepan and warm it as you give everything a good stir. Add the sugar and continue to stir occasionally until all the sugar has dissolved - do not let the mixture come to the boil until all the sugar crystals are gone! Then bring it to the boil and simmer gently until the chutney has changed colour and lost most of it's liquid - when you run your spoon through it the channel should not fill with liquid. Pack into sterilised jars and store in a cool dark place for at least 6 weeks. After that the chutney goes really well with cheese or cold meats, and is also a useful addition to such things as Shepherd's Pie.
I used a mixture of malt and white wine vinegar, and a mixture of caster and dark brown sugar on this occasion. What you use will effect the end result, but I enjoy the experiment!
But the picture is clearly of Raspberry Jam! Yes I know, but it is so much prettier than the jar of chutney, and I did make that yesterday too. Chutney always takes longer than I'm expecting, so on this occasion I rustled up some jam.
I used 500g of raspberries from our allotment and 500g of preserving sugar (the sort that has pectin in it). Put them in a large bowl in the microwave. Cook on HIGH for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep going until all the sugar has dissolved. Bring the mixture to the boil and continue to cook until setting point is reached. This is surprisingly fast so be careful or you'll end up with jelly. Leave to stand for 10 minutes then stir and pot into warm sterilised jars. Eat it warm on fresh bread straight away!


text:
Published By Testbook |19th May 2023
National Anti-Terrorism Day is to be observed on May 21, 2023.
The National Anti-Terrorism Day is observed to commemorate the death anniversary of India's seventh Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated on May 21, 1991, by a terrorist group.
National Anti-Terrorism Day is celebrated to raise awareness among people about the dangers of terrorism and the importance of peace and harmony in the country.
This occasion homage is paid to the innocent lives lost due to terrorist activities
The objective of National Anti-Terrorism Dayis to ensure peace and harmony in the country.
The day serves as a reminder that terrorism is a threat to the sovereignty of the nation

domain: politics


A hospital in Kentucky is the latest healthcare facility to be targeted in a ransomware attack, according to security analyst Brian Krebs. Methodist Hospital in Henderson, Ky. confirmed that some of its IT networks were hit by a strain of ransomware that encrypts files in the hopes that the owners will pay to regain access.
The attackers are demanding four bitcoins in exchange for a key to unlock the encrypted files, which amounts to $1,675 at today's exchange rate. Not all of the hospital's computers are infected, and administrators followed an emergency plan developed specifically for ransomware attacks to deactivate servers and desktop PCs before the malicious software reached them.
"[W]e essentially shut our system down and reopened on a computer-by-computer basis," the hospital's attorney, David Park, told Krebs.
Still, Methodist has not ruled out paying the ransom to regain access to the computers that were affected. It's working with the FBI to determine whether or not that's feasible, Park said. The choice comes down to efficiency: it may require fewer resources to pay the ransom than it would to clean and restore the affected computers.
Local media reports that the ransomware "locked patients' files," but Krebs said Park told him no patient data was affected. Either way, the fact that a healthcare facility with strong data protection can still fall victim to ransomware is concerning.
"It's a fair bet that as ransomware attacks and attackers mature, these schemes will slowly become more targeted," Krebs wrote. "I also worry that these more deliberate attackers will take a bit more time to discern how much the data they've encrypted is really worth, and precisely how much the victim might be willing to pay to get it back."
If it does pay the ransom, Methodist would not be the first hospital to do so recently. In February, Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in California paid attackers 40 bitcoins (approximately $17,000) to free its systems from ransomware. That attack affected the hospital's medical records database, though it said no data was compromised.


text:
Shashi Tharoor former Union Minister is now ready for the marriage with Sunanda Pushkar.
According to the sources the news is that the marraige date is fixed on 22nd august.
Recently Tharoor and Sunanda made a visit to the Shirdi temple and also performed ‘abhishek’ (offering) at the Shani temple.
Shashi Tharoor with Sunanda Pushkar Photos :
Shashi Tharoor (wiki) is a member of the Indian Parliament from the Thiruvananthapuram constituency in Kerala. He previously served as the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information and as the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs.
He is also a prolific author, columnist, journalist and a human rights advocate.


Our tester admits he is used to a cab and the demo unit arrives without one. It seems noisy, but in many other ways this tractor has a lot going for it.
There’s a choice of manual or automatic transmission, the manual featuring John Deere’s PowrReverser — a dash-mounted lever for easy forward-to-reverse-shifting without clutching. We are testing the eHydro version. This has Twin-Touch pedals that work with the natural motion of the foot, rather than being treadle-like. They are comfortable and effortless to operate.
Fitted with a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-charged common rail diesel injection engine, the 4520 keeps going when the going gets tough. It is designed to generate an impressive torque rise so that as the RPM drops under heavy load, the torque output increases. What’s more, the eHydro version features LoadMatch — a “construction style” electronic power management system that further maximises available torque by automatically adjusting the transmission speed under load. There’s no stalling this one.
LoadMatch is adaptable and makes this tractor suitable for a wide variety of jobs. It can be used in quick-response mode for loading work or in a slower mode for continuous operations, such as grass cutting. It can also be set to work as an infinitely adjustable creeper for spraying and aeration tasks. What’s more, the speed you choose is maintained on slopes. Top speed is 30km/h.
The tester quickly gains confidence using the 4520. “It’s a big tractor but it’s nippy to drive — it turns well and has a good speed,” he says. The controls are easy to use and all switches and levers are within easy reach. Even the PTO knob is well positioned on the right of the dash. To the right of the driver is a loader joystick. We are using a JD loader today, but it has a mind of its own and seems to do its own thing. An important point is that the implement and the power steering hydraulic systems are separate. The power steering takes the strain out of manoeuvring without robbing the implements of power.
Evidently, a lot of thought has gone into the 4520. The hood and mudguards are made of polymer. They are high strength and totally rustproof. This tractor is comfortable and a pleasure to drive – but we reckon it would be even better with the optional cab.
Have you registered with us yet?
Register now to enjoy more articles and free email bulletinsSign up now


text:
February 17, 2021 |
Mexican petrochemicals company Alpek has hired banks to lead investor calls for the sale of new 10-year, dollar-denominated bonds starting on Wednesday, according to a source involved in the deal.
Bank of America, Citi and JPMorgan are the global coordinators and joint active bookrunners in the sale, while BBVA, BNP Paribas, HSBC, MUFG and SMBC are the passive bookrunners, the source said.
Alpek announced an offer on Wednesday morning to buy back any or all of the $650 million in outstanding 4.5
Mexican petchem company pitches new 10-year notes to repurchase 2022 bonds

domain: economics


text:
January 23, 2018
Government needs to reverse decision to close Moora Residential College
The State Opposition is again calling on the McGowan Government to reverse its flawed decision to close Moora Residential College.
Yesterday, Shadow Minister for Education and Training Donna Faragher MLC and Liberal Agricultural Region MLC Jim Chown met with representatives from Moora Council including Shire President Ken Seymour, the Central Midlands Senior High School Parents and Citizens Association and its School Council to discuss their concerns and the impact this decision will have on Moora and the surrounding regional communities.
“The meeting highlighted once again that Minister Ellery and the McGowan Government have made the wrong call to close Moora Residential College,” Mrs Faragher said.
“Moora is a growing regional centre and the College is a key part of the community.
“The closure of Moora Residential College would significantly impact student numbers at the school. A key community concern is that the decision would put in jeopardy the school’s senior high school status and the ability to provide ATAR subjects to Year 11 and 12 students.
“It is quite clear that the negative impact arising from its closure would be felt across the entire region.
“The Minister met the same delegation and heard the same concerns.
“She would have heard first-hand what the closure would mean for students and the wider school community. She must have heard the economic and social impacts that would also inevitably follow from such a poorly thought-out decision,” Mrs Faragher said.
“Minister Ellery and Premier McGowan cannot delay any longer. The Liberal Opposition again calls on the State Government to step up, listen and reverse this decision.
“They need to listen to the concerns of those affected and reverse this decision immediately,” Mrs Faragher said.


text:
UK slaughterings continue to be well down year-on-year
20th Mar 2017 / By Alistair Driver
UK clean pig slaughterings continue to be well down year-on-year, supporting a stable price in the early months of 2017.
In February, slaughterings were 12% lower than the same month in 2016, at 769,000 head, according to latest figures from Defra.
This continues the trend seen over the past few months on the back of an assumed contraction in the UK breeding herd last year, according to AHDB Pork.
For more on this story, see Pig World


text:
Manchester United have sometimes in the past shown much interest in players who graduated from the club’s academy but the hiring of José Mourinho in 2016 seemed to have brought that trend to a less effective one.
Since Mourinho took charge from Ryan Giggs two seasons ago, only three players — of which two were sent out on loan to La Liga — has been given the opportunity to feature for the first-team squad.
Joel Pereira and Axel Tuanzebe were handed their first-team debut by the Portuguese manager but they were eventually sent out to lower teams for more game-time.
Only Scott McTominay was able to end the season at Old Trafford, though he only spent 360 minutes on the pitch throughout the campaign. It is all but certain that the 21-year-old Scottish midfielder will be sent out on a loan deal when the summer transfer window officially begins.
However, another player from the club’s Under-23 side, Joe Riley, has officially left Old Trafford for the Northern Commercials Stadium, where he would team up with Bradford next season.
The 21-year-old defender failed to get any first-team appearance under Mourinho this term and he decides to join the League One side so as to be fully involved in regular first-team actions.
Riley featured in two matches for the Red Devils’ main squad under Louis Van in 2016. Ever since then, the youngster didn’t get another chance with the team.


text:
After reading news of India’s first quarter GDP for FY 23, which showed little sign of a base effect despite the fact that in FY 22, we had grown 20.1% in the same quarter, we are likely to think that base effects don’t matter anymore. It would be unwise to think so, however, because this recent quarter’s growth was attributed to a strong recovery in the services sector, especially in the financial services sector as well as the public administration and government-related services sector.
The fact is that services are staging a comeback around the world, which is good news, but manufacturing too ought to stay strong and resilient. That is not something we can take for granted, though, because as central banks hike interest rates, consumption demand is likely to slow and that will also slow investment demand to a certain extent. Which is why everyone from the IMF to the World Bank, and many economists expect a slowdown in 2023.
We must continue to pay close attention to the cyclical as well as the more long-term secular and structural changes in the economy, and make policy decisions accordingly. The economy also responds to policy decisions, so it makes sense to focus on the recovery that is cyclical as well as more enduring. One of the biggest factors in determining the trajectory of the economic recovery in countries around the world is inflation. It was caused by the surge in consumer demand that took place after Covid-related lockdowns were lifted, to which supply took a while to adjust. This led to supply chain problems and shortages, which fueled inflation as well. This was most felt in consumer goods that depended on semiconductors and microprocessors as their manufacturing and supply were hit, with strict lockdowns imposed in most of East Asia after the Delta wave of Covid. However, it was also felt in services later, as countries opened their borders to travel and labour supply was inadequate to deal with the surge in travel bookings, leading to the cancellation of thousands of flights.
Most of the initial inflation that was felt in the early days of economic recovery was in commodities, due to the demand-supply imbalance, and while some of it has cooled down in recent months, it is likely to stay at elevated levels as I have written in a previous blog post. The World Bank, in its latest report on commodity prices, does seem to indicate the same trend in commodity prices; that while some like crude oil and food have seen a downtick globally, many like certain metals and chemicals are still rising. The biggest factor in inflation and commodity shortages is the war in Ukraine, which will continue to keep inflation high and it will be a challenge for central banks to control it.
For example, in Europe, inflation is undoubtedly being fuelled by higher energy costs, contributing to as much as 38% of the inflation, and it would be safe to assume that almost all of it is being caused by Russia’s gas supply, given how dependent Europe is on Russian gas. If we look at how European countries plan to respond to the energy crisis that is also fuelling a cost-of-living crisis, they are considering a slew of measures, from reducing energy demand by 15% (household consumption, I would imagine), to capping energy prices and imposing windfall taxes on energy producers.
In the meanwhile, G-7 countries have also agreed to cap the price of Russian oil, as part of their efforts to hit Russia’s oil and gas revenues, and they claim that it will not affect the international price of crude. From what I have read, it appears that they plan to do this through trade, finance and insurance services relating to Russian oil, most of which the G-7 countries control.
Fortunately, at the most recent EU summit held to discuss energy policy, it was decided to drop the idea of capping the prices of Russian gas since there was no agreement among all member countries, which is just as well. Some central and east European countries that are more dependent on Russian gas were not in agreement with this idea, and Russia also issued threats to cut gas supply entirely, were EU to take such a decision. It is not clear how the price-capping policy will help solve EU’s more pressing problem, which is to find alternative sources of energy to replace Russian gas, as well as to keep energy prices affordable and stable. Besides, subsidizing consumption through price caps or higher taxes is quite at cross-purposes with reducing demand by 15%.
So much of energy policies are to do with geo-politics, as the world has known for decades. And if the G-7 decision does not go according to plan, it could destabilise global energy markets and prices, in a repeat of the oil-shock of the 1970s. Because it is not just Russia’s oil and gas industry that matters, but the OPEC that decides global oil and gas prices by determining production. And although OPEC had agreed to increase production to bring down prices a tad, they are now planning to cut production on lower demand projections, because of an economic slowdown expected everywhere. If the low and discounted price of Russian oil forces OPEC to also lower prices by producing more crude oil, the world would benefit. However, it is a risky strategy to pursue, a political game of who will blink first and it could impact most of the oil-importing, developing countries adversely.
The pressures of the Ukraine crisis impact Europe most immediately and the rest of the world in an indirect way. The world will be grappling with questions of how to grow their economies in the short term as well as manage issues to do with the long term. The energy pressures on the one hand, and the zero-carbon commitments to mitigating climate change on the other, for example. The prospect of EU countries having to resort to WFH once again as the norm, or even cutting back production in order to save on energy. The even more unthinkable prospect of EU being forced at some point in the near future to consider shale gas exploration and fracking in order to be more self-sufficient in oil and gas, an idea that European countries have shunned for environmental reasons. The real test is in managing the short-term, without compromising long-term commitments.
Ideally, we should be finding concrete solutions to the war in Ukraine, by trying to end it as soon as possible, as I have written before. I don’t see any concerted effort being made in that direction, and the sanctions against Russia are clearly not effective. The world’s leading powers must do this, not only for the sake of energy security, but for the sake of human lives and livelihoods. As I had written in one of my earlier Owleye columns, this war is different from previous ones of the past many decades, because it impacts the entire world. There were huge wheat and other foodgrain shortages at the start of the war, whose impact is felt most in developing countries in Africa. The prices of chemicals and fertilisers shot up, forcing the Indian government to raise its fertilizer subsidy, and I am sure many other countries had to resort to similar measures.
Cyclically, it appears that much of the developed world will be slowing down considerably, even going into a brief and shallow recession as rate hikes take hold and demand is reduced. What next? How do we restart growth, once inflation has cooled? And will they cool very much when the war in Ukraine is still raging? How do we also create investments that will generate new employment, let alone absorb those unemployed today? These are the questions that will occupy the minds of policymakers and businesses around the world over the coming months and years.
The animated owl gif that forms the featured image and title of the Owleye column is by animatedimages.org and I am thankful to them.


Introduction to POS-GRIP®
POS-GRIP Technology was invented by Plexus' founder and CEO, Ben van Bilderbeek, an accomplished engineer and successful entrepreneur with over 35 years' industry experience, and a track record of developing and commercialising specialised wellhead and drilling equipment.
Its first application in the oil and gas industry was through the introduction of an adjustable rental wellhead system for jack-up exploration drilling.
The benefits demonstrated by the POS-GRIP jack-up drilling system, used in conventional field applications, led to the development of proprietary, specialised high pressure and high temperature (HP/HT) HG Production Wellhead systems, which are key to the industry as it shifts to more extreme operational environments in response to increasing global demand for oil and gas products.
The operational and cost saving benefits delivered by the original POS-GRIP standard pressure exploration jack-up drilling system led to the development of proprietary, specialised high pressure and high temperature (HP/HT) jack-up drilling systems as well as HG Production Wellhead systems, and Connectors


text:
History and Origin Story
The origins for Domestica began in the late 1980s when the founder, Maire Kennedy, experimented with decorating her teenage bedroom. Using brightly-colored house paint she splatter-painted coordinating curtains and base mouldings a la Jackson Pollack, hung scratched vinyl records as a mobile from the ceiling, and hot glued shards of broken mirrors directly to the wall, all to the horror of her parents (she says it was well worth the ensuing grounding). Multiple posters of New Wave bands on the remainder of the walls completed the look and without knowing it, started a trend she would continue with every incarnation of home she would live in from then onwards.
Domestica Interiors | 226 Green Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222 | 773.620.2308 | email@example.com

domain: design


text:
- Unbeliebable: White House turns Bieber petition response into immigration screed
- Obama signs law denying Iran ambassador’s visa, but says law is ‘advisory’
- Mich. judge to laughing convicted killer: ‘I hope you die in prison’
- Man charged in Kansas City-area highway shootings
- Keystone XL pipeline still on hold after State Dept. decision
- Fla. man charged with killing 16-month-old son to play Xbox undisturbed
- Drones from the deep: Pentagon develops ocean-floor attack robots
- Michigan mayor slaps back atheists’ try to erect ‘reason station’ at city hall
- PHILLIPS: Where is the conservative establishment?
- 7.5-magnitude earthquake shakes southern Mexico
Giants receiver Steve Smith out for rest of season
An orthopedic surgeon told The Associated Press the surgery requires a very long rehabilitation process, but it is possible Smith might be ready for training camp.
Smith, who set a team record with 107 catches last season, was hurt on the opening play of the fourth quarter when he was tackled from behind on a 12-yard reception, his 48th of the season. The game was his first since partially tearing a pectoral muscle in practice on Nov. 11.
“I feel bad for Steve,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “He fights his way back, he gets back on the field, he gets a little bit acclimated to game conditions again, and then is injured.”
Smith is the fifth Giants’ receiver to be knocked out since minicamp, and the third since the season started, joining Ramses Barden and Victor Cruz.
The bottom line is the Giants (9-4) will now face the Philadelphia Eagles (9-4) on Sunday in the showdown for first place in the NFC East with Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham being Manning’s prime targets, and Derek Hagan, Michael Clayton and Devin Thomas filling in when the team uses three- or four-receiver packages.
Nicks returned to the lineup on Monday after missing three games with a lower leg injury and said he was sore on Wednesday. Manningham had to leave the game with a hip injury. While Manning called Smith’s injury unfortunate, he said the other receivers have to step up.
“We have Hakeem back and Mario, those guys are playing well,” Manning said. “Hagan has been here for a month and is playing well and Michael Clayton. We have numbers now, where we can put guys in different positions and they can go out there and play well.”
“I don’t feel like it puts more pressure on me,” he said. “I just have to rise up to the occasion. Mario Manningham will step up, Derek Hagan will step up. I’m just going to continue to hold it down on my part.”
“I’ll be all right,” he said. “Trust me. I’ll be good to go.”
Hagan, who has caught 13 passes since re-signing with the Giants four games ago, said it’s all hands on deck for the injury-ravaged wide receiver corps.
“It’s almost like every year there is one position which is always hurt on any team,” said Hagan, who was cut at the end of training camp. “It was the DBs last year. It’s unfortunate, but injuries happen in this game and you have to have guys who can come in and play right away. Obviously, the team brought me back for a reason, to help this team win and I got to do what I got to do to get this victory.”
Women losing coverage under Obamacare, too
- Scalia to students on high taxes: At a certain point, 'perhaps you should revolt'
- Former Ranger breaks silence on Pat Tillman death: I may have killed him
- Special Forces' suicide rates hit record levels casualties of 'hard combat'
- Feds approve powdered alcohol; 'Palcohol' available later this year
- Justice at last: 'Evil woman' outed for grabbing girl's game ball
- EDITORIAL: Mark Warner running scared?
- Hillary swoons at admitted illegal immigrant: 'Wow,' you're 'incredibly brave'
- U.S. Navy to turn seawater into jet fuel
- Army goes to war with National Guard, seizes Apache attack helicopters
- CHARLES: Holder's undermining of the law deserving of contempt
Top 10 handguns in the U.S.


text:
As democratic protests broke out in Bahrain in the spring, medical personnel found themselves at the center of events in the Salmaniya Medical Complex in Manama. Tending to the wounded that arrived at the hospital they found themselves under siege as government security forces took over the hospital. Disregarding the principle of medical neutrality, the government then charged 24 doctors and 23 nurses with attempting to topple the al-Khalifa monarchy. On Thursday, 20 doctors were found guilt by a military court.
The full facts pertaining to the sentences have been released by Bahrain’s 24x7 News
. It reports the Information Affairs Authority (IAA) says 13 doctors have received sentences of 15 years, two of 10 years, and five of five years. The sentences were issued by Military Prosecutor Yussef Rashid Flaifel. The doctors were found guilty of abusing the hospital for political purposes; forcefully taking over the hospital; possession of weapons; and fabricating stories to disturb public security. An IAA spokesman said
“Nobody is above the law.”
The doctors may appeal their sentences in the higher Court of Cessation.
The Islamic Republic News Agency
reports that Amnesty International has called the verdict a “travesty of justice.” Middle East director Philip Luther said
“These are simply ludicrous charges against civilian professionals who were working to save lives amid very trying circumstances” adding "The ruling government clearly wants to send a message that anybody perceived as advocating political reforms will be dealt with severely.”
Members of Physicians for Human Rights
visited Bahrain in April and spoke directly with accused doctors. They reported
“systematic attacks include abductions of physicians, some of whom were taken from their homes in the middle of the night, handcuffed and blindfolded, by masked security forces.” They further reported “we gathered evidence about these and other egregious abuses against patients and detainees including torture, beating, humiliation, and threats of rape and killing.”
The official line from the Bahraini administration bears no resemblance to the accounts of events described by the medical personnel. The official line is that the medics took control of the hospital but doctors and patients have stated that Bahraini security forces took control, refused to allow medics to leave, and dragged wounded patients from their beds to prison cells to torture them. The al-Khalifa regime found them guilty of disseminating false information whilst the reality is they did not want the facts about the injured and tortured protestors becoming public knowledge at a time when their main concern was the loss of the Formula One Grand Prix.
The lack of any independent press in Bahrain, coupled with the Gulf state being home to the US Fifth fleet and a convenient ally to America, and the West’s fear of Iranian involvement in the country, left the West remaining largely silent regarding the violent suppression of protests in Bahrain. Repeated calls by human rights groups who drew attention to the plight of medics, journalists and protesters were largely ignored. Reports
of torture and disappearances were unheard as the West turned its attention to bombing Libya to protect civilians. Saudi troops arrived to suppress protests and ensure the al-Khalifa family remained in absolute power.
Bahrain was primarily concerned with maintaining its image of a country which is good to do business in and was relieved to lift the state of emergency on June 1. It even engineered an online loyalty campaign
giving citizens the opportunity to express their love and gratitude for King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa.
On the surface the Bahrain authorities are desperate to show that Bahrain is safe and free of any dissent. Protests still continue despite the severe punishments meted out to those who are caught. Bahraini authorities have shown they can act in any way they choose as the world will stand by in the face of torture, disappearances and unjust prison sentences for doctors who were simply doing treating the wounded.


text:
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) — The Towson community will celebrate 125 years of tradition at their annual Fourth of July parade on July 3.
The year’s parade is dedicated to soldiers and first responders. The celebration will begin at the intersection of Towsontown and Bosley Ave. It will continue down Bosley, Allegheny and Washington Ave.READ MORE: ‘I’m Terrified’ At Least 20 People Shot This Week In Baltimore; Police Identify Victim of Deadly Mass Shooting
The Towson Fourth of July Parade will consist of costume characters, local dance groups, fire trucks, antique vehicles, floats and other fan favorites.
The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. and run until 12:30 p.m. The 4 on the 4th Race will begin at 8:15 a.m. Participants can register online here.READ MORE: 12-Year-Old Girl Hospitalized After Baltimore Hit & Run
The Bike Rush will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of York Road and Burke Ave.
For more information, you can visit the Towson Parade site or call 410-825-1144.MORE NEWS: America To Observe Juneteenth For The First Time As A Federal Holiday


text:
Free inflight Wi-Fi to U.S. bound passengers from Istanbul who hand in their tablets or laptops at the boarding gate
Turkish Airlines, Europe’s Best Airline for six consecutive years according to recent Skytrax results, presents adjustments in order to further ensure a pleasant travel to the United States. Turkish Airlines now extends Business Class free on-board internet services to economy passengers in exchange for their tablets or laptops while boarding their flights to the United States.
For passengers that prefer not to stow their electronic devices in checked-in baggage during the flight, Turkish Airlines offers a special service that gives travellers to the United States and United Kingdom a safe and secure method of carrying their electronics in a special area in the cargo hold of the airplane. The devices may be used at the gate until boarding.
By continuously aiming to increase the passenger satisfaction, Turkish Airlines additionally offers high quality headphones to economy class passengers on long-haul flights. This new service will be effective immediately in all U.S. flights, and for all other long-haul flights of Turkish Airlines as from May 2017. The passengers will feel more comfortable with this high quality headset, specially designed for long flight hours.
Turkish Airlines continuously improves its in-flight entertainment system – amongst other services – in order to make its passengers feel special throughout the entire flight. The comfortable headphones with much higher sound quality will allow the passengers to uninterruptedly enjoy our award-winning inflight entertainment system, Planet, that delivers thousands of hours of music and film experience.
About Turkish Airlines:
Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines is a 4-star airline today with a fleet of 337 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 298 destinations worldwide with 249 international and 49 domestic. According to the 2016 Skytrax survey, Turkish Airlines was chosen as “Europe’s Best Airline” for the sixth and “Best Airline in Southern Europe” for the eighth consecutive time. Having won in 2010 the world’s “Best Economy Catering Service”, in 2013 and also in 2014 the world’s “Best Business Catering Service”, and “Best Business Class Lounge Dining”, “Best Business Airline Lounge” awards in last year’s survey, Turkish Airlines was awarded again the world’s “Best Business Class Dining Lounge” and “Best Business Class On-Board Catering” prizes in this year’s survey. More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on its official website www.turkishairlines.com or its social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Linkedin, and Instagram.
About Star Alliance:
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Avianca Brasil, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 18,450 daily flights to 1,300 airports in 190 countries.

domain: travel


text:
Man United currently sport the best form in the league, recording four straight wins since Jose Mourinho was dismissed following their early December loss to Liverpool. A win would take them level with Arsenal in fifth place.
Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham side, meanwhile, have registered four wins out of their last five games and will be eager to complete the double over the Red Devils after their 3-0 win at Old Trafford early on in the season.
|Game||Tottenham vs Man United|
|Date||Sunday, January 13|
|Time||4:30pm GMT / 11:30am ET|
|Stream (US)||fubo TV (7-day free trial)|
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).
New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.
|US TV channel||Online stream|
|NBCSN||fubo TV (7-day free trial)|
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on Sky Sports or livestreamed with Sky GO Extra.
|UK TV channel||Online stream|
|Sky Sports||Sky GO Extra|
Squads & Team News
|Goalkeepers||Lloris, Vorm, Gazzaniga|
|Defenders||Rose, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Walker-Peters, Foyte, Aurier, Davies|
|Midfielders||Son, Winks, Wanyama, Nkoudou, Dier, Sissoko, Alli, Eriksen, Moura|
Eric Dier is nearing a return to the XI after missing out on the last month of action due to appendicitis recovery, while Mousa Dembele is available for selection following a return from an ankle injury – though he may not feature depending on the status of a potential move to China.
Victor Wanyama is unavailable as he returns from a long-term knee injury, while Jan Vertonghen (thigh) returns to the squad and starts alongside Toby Alderweireld.
Lucas Moura (knee injury) will be assessed ahead of the game.
Confirmed Tottenham XI: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Winks, Sissoko, Eriksen, Dele, Son, Kane.
Bench: Gazzaniga, Rose, Sanchez, Fouth, Skipp, Lamela, Llorente.
|Position||Man United players|
|Goalkeepers||De Gea, Grant, Romero|
|Defenders||Jones, Dalot, Shaw, Young, Valencia, Darmian|
|Midfielders||Pogba, Mata, Matic, McTominay, Herrera, Lingard, Pereira, Fred, Fellaini, Gomes, Hamilton|
|Forwards||Lukaku, Rashford, Martial, Chong, Bohui|
Paul Pogba missed the FA Cup win over Reading due to the thigh injury after a challenge involving Newcastle's Jonjo Shelvey, but has returned to full fitness ahead of the clash in north London after he joined up with his teammates in Dubai for a warm-weather training camp over the New Year period.
Alexis Sanchez hobbled on Saturday but should be available for selection but has been left out of the squad, while Eric Bailly is still suspended for the Red Devils following his red card against Bournemouth.
Chris Smalling (ankle) is a doubt, however, with Marcos Rojo still unavailable.
Confirmed Man United XI: De Gea; Young, Lindelof, Jones, Shaw; Herrera, Matic, Pogba; Lingard, Rashford, Martial.
Bench: Romero, Dalot, Andreas, Fred, Mata, McTominay, Lukaku.
Betting & Match Odds
Spurs are priced at odds of winning 11/10 according to bet 365, while a draw is available at 27/10. A win for United is priced at 13/5.
Following consecutive straight wins against mid-tier Premier League sides Cardiff, Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Newcastle, Solskjaer will be given his first challenge when his side travel to north London to take on a Tottenham side who are contenders for the title and sit third in the Premier League table.
It will be an interesting match-up as Pochettino remains Man United's number one target to fill in the role as permanent manager following the dismissal of Mourinho, though Solskjaer is giving the Red Devils board a run for their money as he has enjoyed a winning streak since assuming the interim role in mid-December.
The club legend and fan favourite has been successful in lifting spirits and the mood of the fans since Mourinho's exit having won five of their games in all competitions. Though Pochettino remains first on Man United's managerial wishlist, a win against the Spurs boss for the former Norway international could put him in good stead to turn his interim role into a permanent one.
Lilywhites superstar Harry Kane has the opportunity to emerge as the outright Premier League top-scorer should he score against the Red Devils, sitting alongside Mohamed Salah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on 14 goals apiece.
Spurs will be flying high following their 7-0 win over Tranmere in the FA Cup and their 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final. A win against Man United will buoy their status as title challengers – sitting just one point behind runners-up Manchester City heading into the game – though still face the tough task of catching up to a Liverpool side sitting pretty at seven points above Pep Guardiola's side.
A victory over Solskjaer would take the north Londoners to second place temporarily, as Man City play on Monday.