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The Puerto Rican relief effort on Long Island got started Friday with the first few contributions trickling in from area residents moved by the Caribbean island’s struggles after Hurricane Maria caused severe damage and left widespread flooding.
The local effort was underway as the first delivery of emergency supplies was shipped Friday from New York, with Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo visiting the island.
The San Juan airport restored some operations.
American Airlines said that it had five flights out of San Juan with five round trips, four connecting to Miami and one to Philadelphia. The planes also would deliver supplies and fly personnel to restore operations, the company said.
Delta, which announced a $250,000 donation to Hurricane Maria relief efforts, planned to restart flights from Kennedy Airport to San Juan on Saturday. JetBlue said that current operations are limited to special humanitarian relief. Southwest said limited service to San Juan would resume Saturday but did not offer more details.
Harry Stumme, the first resident to show up at a collection center in Central Islip, said he had stopped many times in Puerto Rico when he was best known as “Captain Harry” and docked ships full of containers there.
Stumme, 73, an Islip resident, saw the island’s residents struggle after Hurricane Hugo struck in 1989 as a Category 3 storm. This Category 4 storm was unthinkable.
He delivered four cases of bottled water for the effort.
“I saw what it was like to be there without power,” Stumme said. “It’s terrible. To me, I see the pictures . . . and it’s crushing to see what people are going through.”
Others were going to Puerto Rico to help.
Just back from helping Texans pummeled by Hurricane Harvey, Miguel Moreno of North Babylon will fly to San Juan this weekend with other Red Cross volunteers, all firefighters, to aid and comfort those afflicted by the storm.
“That’s what my mother taught me, to help everybody who feels down and out. You give them hope that they can come back and live a normal life,” the retired New York City firefighter said.
The team of 30 former and active firefighters from the Greater New York area expects to distribute and organize food and supplies, possibly also assessing damaged homes — and brightening spirits.
“The toughest part is watching the children, watching them have fun when there’s a disaster like this, and they don’t know exactly what’s wrong, yet they do know they’ve been displaced from their homes, and they do want to go back, and go back to school,” he said.
Moreno, like many New Yorkers who have family members in Puerto Rico, has not spoken with relatives on the island since the day before Maria struck.
Neela Lockel, CEO of the American Red Cross of Long Island, said the New York region has sent about 150 volunteers to help the storm-ravaged, from Texas to Florida, and now Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“They make a lot of sacrifices to go there; it’s not a vacation deployment,” she said. “The work we do is tangible, it’s real, it matters to people.”
Only a small number of people had contributed to the Long Island relief effort by Friday afternoon, though organizers were optimistic that more would support the charity drive over the weekend. They are seeking monetary donations or goods such as baby formula and diapers, nonperishable food, bottled water, batteries of all sizes, flashlights and first-aid kits.
“What we are hoping for is to gather a load of essential items for basic necessities,” said organizer Margarita Espada, director of the Teatro Yerbabruja nonprofit.
The group will collect donations at 63 Carleton Ave. in Central Islip from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The charity drive will be supported by a radiothon at Spanish-language radio station La Nueva Fiesta WBON/98.5 FM on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a drop-off site during the broadcast at 3075 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Suite 201, in Ronkonkoma.
With Joan Gralla


A report in the Evening Standard has claimed that Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is "dejected" and "frustrated" after the club's pre-season tour.
The Blues suffered two defeats in Singapore, losing 3-2 against Bayern Munich before a 2-1 loss against Inter.
Conte and his players now face Arsenal in the Community Shield next Sunday, ahead of the start of the Premier League campaign the following weekend.
And the Standard have reported that the Italian coach has grown increasingly frustrated by his side's performances and the club's struggles to add more players to his squad.
Chelsea have signed Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Alvaro Morata, but Conte is believed to have been targeting at least four additions.
With the new season on the horizon, any new signings will struggle to fully integrate with the squad, and Conte is reportedly not satisfied with the depth of his squad as they look to challenge in four competitions.
The former Juventus coach recently stressed the need for Chelsea to avoid a "Mourinho season".
"Two years ago Chelsea finished 10th; that cannot happen again," Conte said, quoted by the BBC.
"We know the difficulty and for sure we want to avoid the Mourinho season with Chelsea. The coaches of the previous two champions [Chelsea and Leicester] both lost their jobs [the next season] and we are working very well to find the best solutions and use them.
"We have a lot of young players and it is necessary to try and develop them."


ROYAL BABY: BBC SACKS PRESENTER OVER CHIMP TWEET.
Popular radio broadcaster, Danny Baker has been fired by the BBC over his racist tweet about he youngest royal baby of the Windsor.
The duke and duchess of Sussex on Monday welcomed their first baby.
In the now deleted tweet, which has been circulated on social media, showed an image of a couple holding hands with a chimpanzee dressed in clothes with the caption: “Royal Baby leaves hospital”.
The 5 Live presenter was accused of mocking the duchess’s racial heritage.
A BBC spokesperson said: “This was a serious error of judgement.”
The 61-year-old presented a weekend show on the network.
The corporation added Baker’s tweet “goes against the values we as a station aim to embody.
“Danny’s a brilliant broadcaster but will no longer be presenting a weekly show with us.”
After tweeting an apology, calling his tweet a “stupid unthinking gag pic”, Baker tweeted about the BBC’s decision, saying: “The call to fire me… was a masterclass of pompous faux-gravity.”
“Took a tone that said I actually meant that ridiculous tweet and the BBC must uphold blah blah blah,” he added. “Literally threw me under the bus. Could hear the suits’ knees knocking.”
Speaking to the media outside his house, he told reporters: “I do not, not understand all of this, I get it. But for 5 Live to chuck us under the bus like this, dear lord.”
When quizzed on what he would do next, he added: “I’m annoyingly ebullient and if you’re accused of the kind of grotesque racism but you’re not, you don’t wring your hands. Ill advised, ill thought out and stupid but racist? No, I’m aware how delicate that imagery is.”
Harry and Meghan, whose mother Doria Ragland is African American, revealed on Wednesday their new son was named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
After the initial backlash on social media on Wednesday, Baker said: “Sorry my gag pic of the little fella in the posh outfit has whipped some up. Never occurred to me because, well, mind not diseased.
“Soon as those good enough to point out its possible connotations got in touch, down it came. And that’s it.”
Just before he was sacked, he told his followers on twitter, he was doorstepped by reporters at his home, saying he was asked: “Do you think black people look like monkeys?”
His tweet added: “No mate. Gag pic. Posh baby chimp. Alerted to circs. Appalled. Deleted. Apologised.”
In a following tweet, he added: “Would have used same stupid pic for any other Royal birth or Boris Johnson kid or even one of my own. It’s a funny image. (Though not of course in that context.) Enormous mistake, for sure. Grotesque.
“Anyway, here’s to ya Archie, Sorry mate.”


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Here is a list of the Best Art Galleries in Nairobi. Nairobi hosts the majority of the Art Galleries found in Nairobi. Art galleries are places where upcoming and established artists can exhibit or perform their visual art and artistic performances. Such locations sell or display artwork.
For years, the Nairobi art scene has been thriving. When in Nairobi, here are the top galleries to visit for contemporary and traditional art you should visit.
List Of Best Art Galleries In Nairobi
1. Banana Hill Art Gallery
Banana Hill Art Gallery is one of the most prestigious art galleries in the city and the country. The famous art gallery is located just 10km from Red Hill Art Gallery, and you can access it via Limuru Road and Ndenderu-Banana Links Road. The art gallery was established in 1995 by Rahab and Shine Tani to support artists in Kenya. Banana Hill Art Gallery now hosts over 70 artists from all over Africa and has more than 20-priced pieces. They sell sculptures and paintings by both upcoming and established artists. The space strives to bring artists and clients together, ensuring that talented artists have a place to showcase and benefit from their talent. The art gallery is open from Monday to Saturday (10 am to 6 pm) and Sundays (12 pm to 6 pm).
Contacts: 0711 756 911, 070 080 7362, 0733 882 660
2. Polka Dot Gallery
Polka Dot Art Gallery is a gallery located in the leafy suburbs of Karen. It showcases art from East African artists and selects international artists. This newcomer to the art scene debuted in 2016 and has since become a great space for both local and international contemporary artists. The space aspires to be more than just another exhibition space where art is hung, but also a place where educational and inspiring conversations begin as a result of the pieces on display. You can apply to exhibit photography, sculpture, painting, or any other form of art. Polka Dot Art Gallery exhibits all kinds of art pieces including photography, paintings, sculptures and prints. The gallery is open on Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm.
3. The GoDown Art Centre
The GoDown Art Centre was established in 2003. Over the years, it has transformed into a multidisciplinary centre for contemporary art that nurtures East Africa’s creative potential. The centre has housed some of Kenya’s most renowned artists, including Peterson Kamwathi. They host exhibitions that range from photography to paintings and sculptures. The space is well-known for the Kenya Burning photographic exhibition, which demonstrated to the world the extent of the country’s violence following the contested 2007 presidential elections. The GoDown Art Centre has also hosted local events such as Dunda Mtaani and Nai Ni Who and the GoDown Gig, which are great at showcasing artists’ skills. The GoDown Art Centre is located at Khayawe Rd in Kilimani. Regular shows and cultural nights are usually held at the gallery. It is open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays.
Contact: 0726 992 200
4. Circle Art Gallery
Visit Circle Art Gallery to enjoy Kenyan art if you are ever along Riara Road. It is Lavington’s top gallery. The centre was established in 2012 with the main goal of promoting contemporary art from East Africa. Circle Art Gallery in East and Central Africa’s home for contemporary art. East African art is breaking into the global art scene, and the term Circle Art has come to represent this process. The gallery’s curated and exhibited art is most thought-provoking and demanding. The Circle Art Gallery is open from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.
Contact: 0790 289 991
5. Red Hill Art Gallery
The gallery is along Julian’s Road, Gatatha Road, Redhill, Red Hill Art Gallery was built to be light and airy, tucked away in a beautiful garden with views of the Nairobi skyline. It’s open daily from 11 am to 5 pm. The gallery provides a stunning and wholly appropriate space devoted to a passion for African Art. The gallery owns a large collection, amassed over 25 years by the owners, that amounts to a very astutely selected cross-section of the finest modern and contemporary African artwork, including paintings and sculptures. This collection provides the foundation of the exhibition program.
Contacts: 0700 108989, 0700 108 626
6. One Off Contemporary Art Gallery
Carol Lees, an art enthusiast, established One-Off Gallery in 1994. It features work by both local and international artists with ties to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Sudan. Some of the many artists whose work you’ll see featured as you walk around the gallery include Peterson Kimathi, Peter Ngugi, Lisa Milroy, Anthony Okello, Elias Mung’ora, Ehoodi Kichapi, and Harrison Mburu. One-Off Contemporary Gallery was named to Departure Magazine’s list of the best things to do in Nairobi in 2011. If you want to visit this magnificent place, it is located at 16 Rosslyn Lone Tree Estate off Limuru Road. It is open from 11 am to 5 pm from Tuesday to Sunday.
Contact: 0722 521 870
7. Matbronze Art Gallery and Foundry
Matbronze was founded in 1987 by Mathews Denis to make African wildlife timeless. It depicts the beauty of Africa’s wildlife through handcrafted bronze sculptures. Animals, plants, accessories, and home items are among the sculptures available. The Art Gallery is located on Kifaru Lane in Nairobi on the Karen Blixen property in the Karen suburb and is open daily from 8 am to 5.30 pm.
Contact: 0721 762 855
8. Upepo Photography Gallery
Upepo is a Swahili word for wind. It was founded in 2017 by Cyril Villemain and is located in Artists Collective Kilimani, Nairobi. Upepo is unique in that all of its artefacts are of Kenyan origin. The gallery exhibits original photographs as works of art, each with a limited edition of 50 prints. The photographs are developed in Kenya, and the frames are handcrafted by local artisans. The majority of the pieces are also signed by the photographers (owners) and are available for sale in both the local and international markets. Upepo is temporarily closed.
9. Nairobi Art Gallery
The Nairobi Art Gallery, which is located on Kenyatta Avenue, first opened its doors in 2013. It is part of Kenya’s National Museums and houses some of Africa’s most valuable treasures, such as jewellery, paintings, tapestries, trinkets, and other items. The gallery is small, but don’t be surprised if you fall in love with a new piece of art every time you visit. Aside from housing works of art, the Nairobi Art Gallery is a historic site because it was formerly the Provisional Commissioner’s Office, where birth, marriage, and death certificates were issued, hence the nicknames “hatches, matches, and dispatches.” It also houses the zero point from which all distances in Kenya are measured. It is open daily from 8.30 am to 5 pm.
Contact: 020 3742 131
10. Karen Village
One of Nairobi’s top art museums, Karen Village takes pride in being a hub for African artists. The gallery is situated along Ngong Road and is crammed with the best pieces of artwork. Karen Art Village boasts of being a haven of creativity, music, heritage, and peace. It hosts painters, glass artists, artisans, framers, sculptors, art galleries, and event agencies. While at the gallery, you can also visit their restaurant, bar and grill, or get accommodation services.
Contact: 0708 652 624
11. Art Space Kenya
Opened in 2015, The Art Space has evolved from a commercial art gallery based in Kenya, into an online space (https://theartspace.co.ke/) with regular pop-ups in popular and sometimes unusual spaces around Nairobi. Here, you will get numerous contemporary arts from Africa. The online centre also links artists with the contemporary art market, locally and internationally. They also offer art advisory services for new collectors and assist current collectors to curate and catalogue their existing collections.
Contact: 0790 498 848
12. Nairobi Railways Museum Art Gallery and Centre
Educultural Artists Kenya (ECAK) established the Nairobi Railways Museum Art Gallery and Center to display and promote artists’ works as well as to mentor up-and-coming artists. The centre also offers studio space to regional artists at discounted rates. One of the few places in Nairobi where you can enjoy street art is the art gallery. In addition, a mural painted by one of Nairobi’s top artists adorns each train carriage. Kenya Railways runs the Nairobi Railways Museum Art Gallery and Center, which chronicles the development of rail travel in Kenya.
Contact: +254714 140 028
13. The Collective Restaurant and Art Gallery
Nairobi’s ultimate hidden gem. It’s barely visible from the outside – a nondescript door in a nondescript corner of Nairobi CBD. But once inside, you’ll find yourself in one of Nairobi’s best fine-dining restaurants and fine art galleries. Take a seat and admire the beautiful artwork on the walls around you, or spend some time exploring the restaurant’s two levels to soak in the art and atmosphere. Then prepare yourself for some delectable food and expertly prepared drinks.
Mondays 12:00 Noon – 11:30 pm
Tuesday – Saturday 7:00 am – 11:30 pm
Sundays 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Contact: +254 20 514 760 00
14. Kuona Artists Collective
Kuona Artists’ Collective is located on Likoni Close off Denis Pritt Road. The artists’ collective is still located where the former Kuona Trust used to be. But the name, style of organisation and artists’ vision for its future is very different. Kuona Trust was launched back in 1995 and it has been a space where countless Kenyan artists have worked together and developed their creative skills. Several artists in residence work in a variety of disciplines at Kuona Artists Collective. Although there is no formal art gallery on the premises, you can walk around and meet the artists in their workshops. Kuona Artists Collective hosts its famous ‘Satos’ once a month, bringing together artists, performers, and independent designers for a day of events, music, and food. Kuona Artists Collective is open every day from 9 am to 8 pm.
Contact: 0733 742752
15. Kioko Mwitiki Art Gallery
Kioko Mwitiki, a renowned Kenyan sculptor, owns the gallery. It is located in Lavington and features a mixed exhibition of paintings, sculptures, macrame, and prints by various artists. As one of Nairobi’s oldest art galleries, it’s a popular venue for both emerging and established artists to exhibit their latest works. Kioko Mwtiki is still at the forefront of contemporary art in Kenya and East Africa after more than two decades. If you want to understand the pieces better, the friendly staff will gladly show you around and explain them to you. If you’re feeling inspired to make something, you can pick up some art supplies in the gift shop.
Contact: 0746 844 025
16. Zanji Art
Zanji Art store is located in Muthaiga Mini Market. Zanji Art is a small workshop run by the delightful art dealer and jewellery maker Njee Muturi. Njee specialises in antiques and traditional African artwork, displaying beautiful works of art that you can buy and take home. The art store has stocked a collection of masks, statues, headrests, trinkets, and oddities.
Contact: 0721 454820
17. The Golden Eagle Art Gallery
Golden Eagle Art Gallery was pioneered by Mr Sebastian M. Mutinda and is located along Lang’ata South Road in Nairobi. The art gallery has played a major role in growing the Nairobi artistic space. Its main art pieces include sculpture, African attire, jewellery, antiquities, paintings, and other works. The works, created by both local and international artists, Nature, culture, creativity, innovation, and imagination inspire the creation of reality.
Contact: 0758 958 548
18. Photizo Art Gallery
Photizo was founded in 2013 by its Director and Curator, Lydia. Photizo is located at the Valley Arcade Shopping Center in Lavington, Nairobi. It features artwork from established and emerging local and international artists. Although the artists are mostly from Eastern and Central Africa, their works can be shipped anywhere in the world. Photizo Art Gallery is open from 9 am to 5 pm every Monday to Saturday.
Contact: 0721 323 406
19. Shifteye Art Gallery
Shifteye began as a modern art gallery and quickly grew into a popular creative space. While their focus has shifted to photography services, Shifteye continues to support Nairobi’s creative community through regular art exhibitions, cultural events, and other activities. It is found in Hurlingham’s Priory Place. It is open on weekdays from 10 am to 5 pm.
20. Uweza Art Gallery
The Uweza Art Gallery is located in Kibera’s Olympic Estate. It gives young artists space and materials to create and market their original art, which is sold online, at the gallery, and events and exhibitions.
Contact: 0714 371 964
Other Art Galleries in Nairobi include,
- Kinuthia galleries
- Brush Tu Art
- Bobea Art Centre Kenya
- Kaloki Nyamai Studio
- Adoko Art Gallery
- Noir Gallery
- Gallery Watatu
- Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute (NCAI)
- Kuona Artists Collective, Centre for the Visual Arts
- Graffiti Wall
- Bonzo Art Gallery
- Roweinay Works of Art
- Tribal Gallery
- U.M Gallery
- Datom Tribal Art Gallery

domain: artistic


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30 Days - Sesong 2 (DVD - SONE 1)
Sendes vanligvis innen 5-10 dager
After the enormous success of his 2004 documentary SUPER SIZE ME, Morgan Spurlock expands upon his concept to explore social issues in his FX TV series, 30 DAYS. Each episode sees a participant living for 30 days in an unfamiliar situation, experiencing life in someone else's shoes and gaining insight into a very different way of living. In this second season, Spurlock himself goes to jail to see what it's like to be deprived on his freedom, and an outsourced computer programmer moves to Bangalore to live with Indians working for an American call center. Illegal immigration, atheism, and abortion are only a few of the issues addressed in this collection of six episodes.
|Antall disker||2||Spilletid||4 timer 48 minutter|
|Lydformater||Stereo 2.0 (Engelsk)||Bildeformater||Fullscreen 4:3|

domain: library


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A kayaker ventures into otter territory in Morro Bay on Sunday, June 30.
Pickup vs. green-waste container in Santa Margarita: Looks like the green-waste container won this one.
Looking down from the Cayucos pier.
Photographer Rick Evans says, "I call this the Super 'Shell' Moon!"
A view of the supermoon from Paso Robles.
The supermoon shines behind a utility pole on Sunday, June 23, during a widespread power outage.
Siblings, from left, Racquel and Amelia, both 4 years old, and Aidric, 5, celebrate the end of the school year.

domain: news


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Baby Girl Racing Crib Bedding Set, Hot Pink Nursery
This Baby Girl Racing Crib Bedding Set includes a checkered blanket, check crib skirt, check rail cover, and hot pink crib sheet, all designed to fit standard cribs (52"x28") and toddler beds. These pieces create a unified, stylish look for any baby's nursery.
2-PIECE SET - Hot Pink Sheet & Cotton or Minky Blanket
3-PIECE SET - Hot Pink Sheet, Check Crib Skirt & Cotton or Minky Blanket
4-PIECE SET - Hot Pink Sheet, Check Crib Skirt, Rail Cover & Cotton or Minky Blanket
5-PIECE SET - Hot Pink Sheet, Check Crib Skirt, Rail Cover, Changing Pad Cover & Cotton or Minky Blanket
Fitted Crib Sheet
Changing Pad Cover - Fits up to 16" W x 32" L x 4" D. Changing pad sold separately.
Crib Rail Cover - Long side, 11" wide, Hot Pink ribbon ties
Crib Skirt - 3 sided (Front and two short sides), 14" Drop, Flat
Blanket - 35" x 52", Cotton Blanket, Cotton with hot pink minky on the back. Minky Blanket - Minky with hot pink minky on the back
For optimal results, launder in cold water with similar colors and no bleach or fabric softeners, tumble dry on low and remove promptly. Do not iron the product tag or minky, as the heat may melt the fibers and dots will no longer be visible.

domain: design


Kolo Yusuf, the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, has promised to put a stop to the insurgency in the region in three months.
Kolo made this commitment during a meeting on Thursday with a range of stakeholders, including journalists, civil society organizations, religious leaders, and organized labor unions, .
Alongside his statement, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) called for a postponement of their planned nationwide protest, which was set for February 27 and 28.
The CP said that all issues relating to the insurgency will be resolved within the next three months and blamed the planned demonstration on President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s elimination of fuel subsidies.
“This government did not initiate the removal of fuel subsidies, which is the main issue involved in this,” Yusuf said.
He emphasized the need for tolerance and backing for the government as it works to resolve the insurgent problem.
The state’s chief of police asserts that the federal and state administrations have taken action against the insurgency and are confident that things will be resolved in the allotted time.
Kolo warned the parties involved of the potential consequences of their conduct, urging them to reevaluate their position on the demonstration.
“The state will come to its knees by the time all of you here don’t work.” There are bandits there, and they won’t let anyone farm.
“I no longer get any sleep. To remedy the issue, I keep contacting DPOs and area commanders,” he said.
In response, Saidu Mudi, the Chairman of the TUC in Zamfara State, said that the organisation was unable to call off the demonstration because they had not received instructions to do so from their national headquarters.
“You were there, you saw the session,” he continued.
In his capacity as the CP, he expressed his desire for the labour unions to moderate their strike actions.
However, since the national leadership has not given us any orders, we are unable to postpone our planned strike. Unless an agreement is made, we are moving forward with it.
A two-day statewide demonstration was staged by organised labour in response to the high cost of living, inflation, unpredictability, and suffering experienced by the population.
In an unexpected turn of events, the TUC withdrew from the scheduled demonstration, claiming that neither union decided to protest on the designated dates.


text: QUETTA: Armed men opened fire on two containers on the outskirts here Monday. No casualty was reported. According to details two containers were on their way to Afghanistan from Karachi today. Miscreants sprayed bullets on these containers near Hazarganji market in the suburb here today. Two containers were partially damaged. However there was no report of any human loss. Miscreants escaped. Police rushed to the scene along with fire brigade.


LG Uplus taps Nokia to supply indoor small cell 5G
Nokia has announced a new agreement with South Korean telecom carrier LG Uplus to expand the company’s indoor 5G coverage throughout the country using its portfolio of AirScale products.
The next generation 5G equipment will be integrated into LG Uplus’ national 5G network over the coming months, partially in response to complaints leveraged against it and Korea’s other major telecom operators, SK Telecom and KT, that existing indoor 5G coverage has exhibited poor performance and been plagued by “not spots”.
The deployment of Nokia’s AirScale portfolio will, hopefully, address some of those issues for LG Uplus. The agreement is reportedly the first of its kind in Korea and will see Nokia install “its cost-effective, next-generation small cell AirScale Indoor (ASiR) systems in a range of indoor locations including shopping malls and office buildings.”
The AirScale line is composed of Nokia’s Digital Baseband unit and ASiR-pRRH solution (pico Remote Radio Head) and features “multi-operator and multi-band support” that “will enable LG Uplus to provide 5G connectivity.”
AirScale’s compact form factor will, hopefully, allow LG Uplus to quickly roll out the technology across its network.
“Nokia’s AirScale system will help provide seamless 5G connectivity in indoor locations and environments. Its cost-effective, flexibility and compact design enables us to enhance our 5G offering,” said DaeHee Kim, Senior Vice President and Head of Network Infra Technology Group at LG Uplus.
The announcement comes just a few days after LG Uplus, along with KT and SK Telecom, announced its potential solution to the other major criticisms levied against its network: poor rural coverage.


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The Hawks are September veterans and will head into the grand final as favourites.
We go under the microscope to see what teams needed to do in order to defeat Hawthorn.
Richmond, round 18: Pressure and defence
This match saw a role reversal that was no doubt dissected by every team still in finals contention at that stage of the year. For once, it was Hawthorn who had to deal with unrelenting pressure and difficulty getting their hands on the ball from the opening bounce.
The Tigers beat the Hawks for disposals, clearances and contested possessions, while Hawthorn’s 19 more tackles demonstrated how they were reduced to defending for most of the night.
Alex Rance and Troy Chaplin were superb as ever in defence, too, keeping Roughead, Hale and Breust goalless. Hawthorn managed only seven goals and four goalkickers where usually they push a dozen a game, the depth of talent in their forward half having limited supply and never really looking in control.
The point about defence will be the big issue for Simpson here. The Eagles have struggled to find match-ups for forwards big and small since losing Brown and Mackenzie early in the season, and the space afforded to Waite, Brown and Petrie in the first quarter last week shows they still haven’t figured out how to limit scoring opportunities.
Port Adelaide, round 21: Don’t fear the comeback
Port’s first win against the Hawks this year in round six, saw them pummel the scoreboard in the first half, a lesson in beating the Hawks at their own game by scoring early, quickly and frequently.
But this more recent match at Etihad was arguably even more instructive in beating the Hawks. The Power capitulated in round six, saved from being overrun by the Hawks only by the final siren. This time, after the Hawks cut a 23 point deficit to one in 10 minutes of the third term, the away team responded.
The young stars proved key to the result. Wingard and Robbie Gray lifted as required, but it was the newer names Sam Gray and Brendon Ah Chee that kicked crucial goals late to seal the 23-point win, Ah Chee’s coming minutes after he turned the ball over to Gunston for a goal.
West Coast’s coaching staff will no doubt be emphasising to their younger players like Cripps and McGovern the importance of holding on to self-belief even after errors and when the Eagles, as will surely happen, start to feel overwhelmed by Hawthorn’s might as a team.
West Coast, qualifying final: Gritty over pretty
For the sixth time this year, the Hawks kicked under 100 points, and for the sixth time this year, they lost.
When Simpson revisits this match during the week, as he surely will, he’ll be reassured by the defensive press his midfield put on the Hawks forward 50 early that stifled Hawthorn’s chances to score early.
Though they went into quarter time one point down, the Eagles had by then worn down the Hawks’ confidence in their scoring ability, and it showed in the second quarter when they slammed on five goals to none.
Nic Naitanui and Callum Sinclair’s ruck duo proved too good for the Hawks on this occasion too, winning 59 hit outs to 46, and given Hale and McEvoy also lost the ruck battle to Sandilands last week Simpson will be looking to exploit the Hawks’ inferiority once again.
The challenge for the Eagles will be to replicate their press on the Hawks’ home ground rather than theirs. While Eagles players are putting on a confident veneer for the media, the Eagles hierarchy will secretly be splitting hairs over how to establish a defensive press on a ground 20 metres wider, in front of a crowd far more hostile, than three weeks ago.
Some other observations
- The Eagles scored 10.20 in their preliminary final, the Hawks 15.4. Simpson will want to make sure the likes of Kennedy (2.3) and LeCras (0.3) straighten up before Saturday, as bad kicking against the Hawks will cost you even when they’re off-target aswell.
- Recent history is on Hawthorn’s side for this match. The last team to win a three-peat, Leigh Matthews’ Lions in 2003, also made it to the grand final after losing in the first week, and in winning the cup that year they beat the team they lost to in the qualifying final (Collingwood).


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My Philosophy and Approach to Wellness
As a Sports Medicine Fitness Specialist, Master Trainer, Elite Trainer, Fitness Coach and holder of over 14 Subspecialties in advanced fitness, recovery, and corrective exercise for more than 20 years, I want to bring my patience and love of fitness and wellness to each patient and client encounter. The most important tool in preventing injury and fighting disease and promoting healthy living is the trainer-client/patient relationship. Spending quality time with patients should be a necessity, not a luxury. In today’s challenging fitness environment where time is becoming increasingly scarce, I can give my patients and clients the personalized care and service they need and deserve. Making time for you and putting you first are top priorities in my practice of Sports Medicine and Fitness.
After a 1×1 Kick Off call, The Virtual Fitness Plan provides updated programming to ensure each client is improving and having their questions and concerns answered. It also provides a monthly self-care fitness program via the Fusionetics APP that will have an individualized fitness plan for each client’s needs and compensations and help develop fitness levels and overall health progressively through the year. BodyMap is also a new and innovative design that helps the user identify and correct improper body mechanics and poor movement.
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domain: health


text:
This is a place where I ramble and write. I am a mother of two, but I hope you won’t find much parenting advice here. This is just a place for me to do the things my mind finds to do when it feels the urge to put things down on paper. I often have the urge to create…and my chosen form of artistic expression is words. Words built up in me and they must come out. This is one place where that happens.
The thing about motherhood is that it is varied and beautiful. It’s hard one moment and glorious the next. And it’s full of different seasons. But being a mother can be more than having children of your own. The calling on my life, the name “Mother” that the Lord gave to me (and actually my given name is a form of “mother”), has come to mean so much more than being a mom to my kids. Yes, I am their mom first, but I see that I am a mother to all the women and young women around me. You are, too.
One of the things I’ve been called to as a mother is the ministry of encouragement. So this is where I write to encourage others and myself.
Wander, dream, and enjoy…

domain: sociology


Northrop Grumman has won a task order under the GSA's Alliant vehicle to provide the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center with its combat simulator system.
Northrop Grumman has won a contract to provide the Army with a data exploitation system that will be used on Army vehicles and by dismounted troops.
Northrop Grumman has won a contract with the Air Force to modify and install two Airbus planes with Large Infrared Countermeasures System.
Northrop Grumman has won a contract modification with the Navy to upgrade the operating system on its MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system.
Northrop Grumman has named Christine McGlade and Andrew W. Reynolds vice presidents of manufacturing operations. They will each run an aircraft integration center of excellence.
Northrop Grumman has signed an agreement with the DHS to expand cybersecurity protections for the nation's critical infrastructure.
Northrop Grumman has wins contract to modernize its Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle for the U.S. Air Force, including program and business management and other engineering efforts.
A GAO decision has reopened the competition for a lucrative contract to maintain and secure U.S. nuclear weapons after the losing bidders filed protests.
Northrop Grumman has won a contract to operate and maintain the Army Knowledge Online - Enterprise Services.
Northrop Grumman has named Andrew Tyler, a former Siemen's exec, as the new CEO of its business in the United Kingdom and Europe, effective July 1.
Northrop Grumman has won an option with the U.S. Navy to finish the development of the Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Electronic Warfare system.
Northrop Grumman has won a contract modification which increases the value of the contract and extends it by three years. The company will deliver electronic surveillance kits under the contract.


text:
Discharge before noon: An achievable hospital goal.
J Hosp Med. 2014 Jan 20;
Authors: Wertheimer B, Jacobs RE, Bailey M, Holstein S, Chatfield S, Ohta B, Horrocks A, Hochman K
BACKGROUND: Late afternoon hospital discharges are thought to contribute to admission bottlenecks, overcrowding, and increased length of stay (LOS). In January 2012, the discharge before noon (DBN) percentage on 2 medical units was 7%, below the organizational goal of 30%.
OBJECTIVE: To sustainably achieve a DBN rate of 30% and to evaluate the effect of this intervention on observed-to-expected (O/E) LOS and 30-day readmission rate.
DESIGN: Pre-/post-intervention retrospective analysis.
SETTING: Two acute care inpatient medical units in an urban, academic medical center.
PATIENTS: All inpatients discharged from the units.
INTERVENTION: All staff helped create a checklist of daily responsibilities at a DBN kickoff event. We initiated afternoon interdisciplinary rounds to identify next-day DBNs and created a website for enhanced communication. We provided daily feedback on the DBN percentage, rewards for success, and real-time opportunities for case review.
MEASUREMENTS: Calendar month DBN percentage, O/E LOS, and 30-day readmission rate.
RESULTS: The DBN percentage increased from 11% in the 8-month baseline period to an average of 38% over the 13-month intervention (P = 0.0002). The average discharge time moved 1 hour and 31 minutes earlier in the day. The O/E LOS declined from 1.06 to 0.96 (P = 0.0001), and the 30-day readmission rate declined from 14.3% to 13.1% (P = 0.1902).
CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that increased DBN is an achievable and sustainable goal for hospitals. Future work will allow for better understanding of the full effects of such an intervention on patient outcomes and hospital metrics. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine.
PMID: 24446232 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]


High and New Industrial Zone, Kexue Revenue, Zhengzhou, China
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text:
Guwahati: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council on Friday slashed tax on over 200 items, reduced the levy on restaurants to 5 per cent, left only 50 products under the highest 28 per cent slab, and increased the composition limit for small businesses, as it undertook a comprehensive overhaul of the new tax regime.
These changes will benefit consumers and businesses alike, as products ranging from perfumes to chocolates to fans become cheaper, and help douse some of the criticism that has dogged the four-month-old tax system. The economy will get a boost from the likely consumption boost and better compliance due to simpler and less-taxing scheme.
“We have been reviewing the 28 per cent slab in the last three meetings. In last meetings, we had cut it on 30-40 items... It was being felt that optically some items should not be in 28 per cent and then there were some items that were manufactured earlier by the those that enjoyed excise duty exemption,” finance minister Arun Jaitley told reporters after an eight-hour meeting of the GST Council.
ET had, on November 1, reported about the deliberations to cut tax rate in the highest slab.
The rate cut is prospective and will be applicable from November 15 after the Centre and states issue notifications.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the recommendations made by the GST Council will further benefit the people and add strength to the tax regime.
“These recommendations are in spirit of the continuous feedback we are getting from various stakeholders on GST,” the prime minister tweeted.
The ruling National Democratic Alliance has been under pressure from various quarters, including traders, political parties and industry, to simplify and rationalise the GST framework. Chocolates, condensed milk, mayonnaise, curry paste, refined sugar and sugar cubes, pasta, chikki, idli-dosa batter, frozen fish, chewing gum, washing powder, shaving cream, blade, shampoo, deodorant, cosmetics, marble, granite, mattress, toothpaste, fire extinguisher, watches and nutritional drinks should become cheaper with the cut in GST rates.
The rate on 13 items will be lowered from 18 per cent to 12 per cent , on 6 items from 18 to 5 per cent , 8 items from 12 to 5 per cent and 6 items from 5 per cent to zero.
Only 50 items have been left in the 28 per cent bracket that include products in luxury and sin goods category and some with large revenue implications such as tobacco products, automobile, washing machine and air-conditioners. The slab had 228 items earlier.
“In order to benefit small businesses and consumers, the council has decided to keep only limited items in the 28 per cent tax slab,” Jaitley said. The issues of including real estate in GST and incentivising digital transactions were deferred.
The council decided to go beyond the recommendations of the fitment committee that had suggested reduction in rates on fewer items, Jaitley said.
Friday’s rejig will have a revenue implication of about Rs 20,000 crore, a government official said. West Bengal finance minister Amit Mitra said the move will cost the Centre Rs 60,000 crore and cause a loss of Rs 30,000 crore to states.
Traders supplying goods from ecommerce platforms will now not be required to register if their turnover is below Rs 20 lakh, just like their offline peers. The move will ensure a level playing field.
TAX RATE SLASHED FOR RESTAURANTS
Eating out is set to get cheaper with the council deciding to slash GST rate for the sector to 5 per cent without any input tax credit. Restaurants, at present, face three rates depending on the category they are in.
Air-conditioned restaurants face 18 per cent tax with input credit while non-air-conditioned ones pay 12 per cent .
The group of ministers looking into the taxation for the sector had recommended 12 per cent tax rate with input tax credit. But some states and the Centre were not in favour of allowing input tax credit.
“The council had a long discussion on the issue… Everyone agreed that restaurants that got input tax credit have not passed it on to consumers,” Jaitley said. Restaurants inside hotels with room rates above Rs 7,500 per night will face 18 per cent GST with input tax credit and those below this threshold will face 5 per cent without input tax credit.
REVAMP OF COMPOSITION SCHEME
The council also approved a revamp of the composition scheme to give relief to small and medium enterprises.
The threshold of the scheme will now be Rs 2 crore, up from Rs 1crore, which was raised at the previous meeting. This will be a cap provided in the law, but the immediate increase would be to Rs 1.5 crore.
Tax rate for those availing the composition scheme will now be 1 per cent irrespective of whether they are traders or manufacturers.
Composition scheme for restaurants will remain with 5 per cent rate. Nontaxable goods will not be counted towards payment of tax under the scheme. The scheme offers lower compliance and less paperwork.
Composition scheme has been opened up for the services sector, but it can be availed of only by those who provide services up to Rs 5 lakh.
Companies with turnover up to Rs 1.5 crore have been allowed quarterly filing of returns. The simple form GSTR 3B has been extended till March 31, 2018.
Generate customized GST compliant invoice for Free. Click Here.
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- Adani Group Stocks Rally, Close Off Day’s Highs
Adani Group stocks rallied in early trade on Tuesday after the promoters said they had repaid ₹9,250 crore ($1.1 billion) of debt backed by shares in three companies.MHA, IT Min to Talk App Ban with RBI
The home and IT ministries, along with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), will hold discussions over the next few days to decide on the next steps after the government blocked 94 online lending apps earlier this week, multiple people aware of the developments said.Health Info-with-Price Norm likely for Ecomm
India’s food safety regulator is likely to mandate online marketplaces to prominently display key health and nutritional alerts alongside the retail price for packaged items sold on their platforms, multiple people aware of the matter told ET.
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domain: finance


text:
AllSides Balanced Search reveals information and ideas from all sides of the political spectrum so you can get the full picture.
Jan 21 2021
On Wednesday, three Democrats were officially sworn in as Senators, giving Democrats a majority in the Senate.
The Senate is now split 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris being the tie-breaking vote when needed. Procedurally, Senate Majority Leader Chick Schumer (D-N.Y.) will confer with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in coming weeks to decide how Senate business will beHuffPost The Daily Caller CNBC
Jun 22 2022
In the opening salvos of their campaign, Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Rep. Val Demings zero in on crime as a central issue of this year’s U.S. Senate race.
It’s not unusual that candidates try to out-tough each other on law and order. Voters are rightly worried about public safety, their fears amplified by a steady stream of news stories about muggings and murders. And thisTallahassee Democrat
Aug 08 2022
Senate Democrats passed their massive spending package on Sunday in a party-line vote using budget reconciliation.
The so-called “Inflation Reduction Act,” passed the Senate via a simple majority with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote. Democrats used the budget reconciliation process, which allows a measure to pass with a simple majority rather than needing toNational Review
Jul 25 2022
Senator Joe Manchin, the West Virginia Democrat who has thwarted many of Joe Biden’s most ambitious policy goals, has tested positive for Covid.
The 74-year-old senator is fully vaccinated and said on Twitter on Monday he was experiencing mild symptoms.
Manchin’s positive diagnosis comes as Biden himself is recovering from Covid-19. After four days of taking the antiviralThe Guardian
May 12 2022
Every day, it seems, brings another reminder of the severe limitations of Democrats’ illusory majority in a 50-50 Senate.
First Democratic leaders tossed Covid relief from a Ukraine aid bill at the behest of Republicans who were threatening a filibuster. Then the party entertained giving the GOP a politically volatile vote on reversing the Biden administration’s border policy. AndPolitico
Jul 15 2022
First, he killed a plan that would have forced power plants to clean up their climate-warming pollution. Then, he shattered an effort to help consumers pay for electric vehicles. And, finally, he said he could not support government incentives for solar and wind companies or any of the other provisions that the rest of his party and his president say are vital to ensure a livable planet.New York Times (News)
Jul 14 2021
Senate Democrats, led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, unveiled a plan Wednesday to federally decriminalize marijuana. The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act would remove marijuana from the federal list of controlled substances and create a tax system for sales of the substance; it would also allow appeals for those in prison for marijuana charges, and expunge federal nonviolentCNN (Online News) The Hill Reason
Aug 09 2021
Senate Democrats released a framework resolution for their $3.5 trillion federal budget plan on Monday, hoping to pass it by the end of the week after the Senate’s final vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill. The framework would be built upon by Senate committees this fall and does not include a provision to raise the debt ceiling. Democrats’ plans for the final bill include largeNew York Post (News) CNN (Online News) CNBC
Jun 22 2021
Republican senators unanimously blocked Democrats' election legislation, known as the For the People Act, on Tuesday. The bill would loosen voter ID requirements, allow registration on election day, and expand early voting dates; it passed the House in March, but fell 10 votes short of the 60 needed to pass the Senate. On Tuesday, Senate Rules Committee Chairman Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said ofFox News (Online News) The Hill CNN (Online News)
Jul 14 2021
On Tuesday night, Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee agreed to a budget reconciliation bill of $3.5 trillion. The bill would include an expansion of Medicare, climate change initiatives, and funding for racial justice programs.
Whether everything in the bill adheres to rules governing the reconciliation process remains to be seen as more details emerge. Senate Majority LeaderReuters Politico Washington Times


The Vickers Vimy was a British heavy bomber aircraft developed and manufactured by Vickers Limited. Developed during the latter stages of the First World War to equip the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), the Vimy was designed by Reginald Kirshaw "Rex" Pierson, Vickers' chief designer.
|First flight||30 November 1917|
|Primary user||Royal Air Force|
Only a handful of Vickers Vimy aircraft had entered service by the time the Armistice of 11 November 1918 came into effect, so the type did not serve in active combat operations during the war, but the Vimy became the core of the Royal Air Force (RAF)'s heavy bomber force throughout the 1920s. The Vimy achieved success as both a military and a civil aircraft, the latter using the Vimy Commercial variant. A dedicated transport derivative of the Vimy, the Vickers Vernon, became the first troop-transport aircraft operated by the RAF.
During the interwar period the Vimy set several records for long-distance flights, the most celebrated and significant of these being the first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, performed by John Alcock and Arthur Brown in June 1919. Other record-breaking flights were made from the United Kingdom to destinations such as South Africa and Australia. The Vimy continued to be operated until the 1930s in both military and civil capacities.
Design and developmentEdit
Throughout the First World War both the Allied Powers and the Central Powers made increasingly sophisticated use of new technologies in their attempts to break through the effective stalemate of trench warfare. One key advance made during the conflict was in the use of fixed-wing aircraft, which were at that time rapidly advancing in capability and ability, for combat purposes. On 23 July 1917, in response to a bombing raid by German bombers on London, the Air Board, having determined that existing projects were not ambitious enough, decided to cancel all orders for experimental heavy bombers then underway. A week later, following protests from the Controller of the Technical Department, the Air Board placed an order for 100 Handley Page O/100 bombers, which was accompanied by orders for prototype heavy bombers being placed with both Handley Page and Vickers Limited. On 16 August 1917 Vickers was issued with a contract for three prototype aircraft and Rex Pierson, chief designer of Vickers' aviation division, started designing a large twin-engine biplane bomber, to be powered by either a pair of RAF 4d or 200 hp (150 kW) Hispano Suiza engines. Pierson discussed the proposed aircraft with Major J. C. Buchanan of the Air Board to establish the rough configuration of the aircraft, which was expected to meet the requirement for a night bomber which could attack targets within the German Empire.
The Vickers F.B.27 Vimy is an equal-span twin-engine four-bay biplane, with balanced ailerons on both upper and lower wings. The engine nacelles were positioned mid-gap and contained the fuel tanks. It has a biplane empennage with elevators on both upper and lower surfaces and twin rudders. The main undercarriage consists of two pairs of wheels, each pair carried on a pair of tubular steel V-struts. There is a tail-skid and an additional skid mounted below the nose of the fuselage to prevent nose-overs.
The aircraft was designed to accommodate a three-man crew and a payload of 12 bombs. In addition to the pilot's cockpit, which was positioned just ahead of the wings, there were two positions for gunners, one behind the wings and the other in the nose, each with a pair of Scarff ring-mounted Lewis guns; the rear cockpit mounting was commonly not fitted during the interwar period. Provision for a maximum of four spare drums of ammunition were present in the nose position, while up to six drums could be carried in the rear position.
The majority of the Vimy's payload of 250 lb bombs were stowed vertically inside the fuselage between the spars of the lower centre section; a typical load consisted of 12 bombs. In some variants further bombs could be stowed externally for a total of 18 bombs, if the particular engine used provided enough power. For anti-surface warfare in the maritime environment, the Vimy could also be armed with a pair of torpedoes. To improve bombing accuracy, the Vimy was equipped with the High Altitude Drift Mk.1a bombsight. Standard equipment also included two Michelin-built Mk.1 flare carriers.
The Vimy was powered by a range of different engines. Owing to engine supply difficulties, the prototype Vimys were tested with a number of different engine types, including Sunbeam Maoris, Salmson 9Zm water-cooled radials, and Fiat A.12bis engines, before production orders were placed for aircraft powered by the 230 hp (170 kW) BHP Puma, 400 hp (300 kW) Fiat, 400 hp (300 kW) Liberty L-12 and the 300 hp (270 kW) Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines, with a total of 776 ordered before the end of the First World War. Of these, only aircraft powered by the Eagle engine, known as the Vimy IV, were delivered to the RAF. Due to the number of engine types used there are multiple conflicting official reports on the production numbers of each sub-variant of the Vimy.
Design and production of the prototypes was extremely rapid; the detailed design phase of what had become internally designated as the Vickers F.B.27 and the manufacture of the three prototypes was completed within four months.
By the time the first prototype had been completed the RAF 4D was not sufficiently developed, so it was fitted with the alternative Hispano Suiza engine. On 30 November 1917 the first prototype, flown by Captain Gordon Bell, made its maiden flight from Royal Flying Corps Station Joyce Green, Kent. In January 1918 the first prototype was dispatched to RAF Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, for the official trials of the type. Reportedly, the F.B.27 quickly made a positive impression: it was able to take off with a greater payload than the Handley Page O/400 despite having about half the effective engine power. The engines proved to be unreliable during these trials, leading to the aircraft's return to Joyce Green on 12 April 1918.
The first prototype was extensively modified, receiving new Salmson water-cooled aero-engines in place of the Hispano Suizas; other changes included the adoption of an alternative exhaust stack configuration, a 3-degree dihedral on the mainplanes, and a modified tail unit. Following these modifications, the prototype was used for several years, surviving the war and being allocated a civil registration. In August 1919 the prototype was flown from Brooklands to Amsterdam in the Netherlands as part of Vicker's exhibit at the Eerste Luchtverkeer Tentoonstelling Amsterdam.
During early 1918 the second prototype was completed. Unlike the first, it had plain elevators and ailerons which had an inverse taper; the tops of the wings and tailplanes also differed. The defensive armament was increased, giving the rear gunner two separate guns; these changes would be standardised on production aircraft. The second prototype was powered by a pair of Sunbeam Maori engines, which were found to have an unreliable cooling system during initial testing at Joyce Green. On 26 April 1918 the aircraft was dispatched to RAF Martlesham Heath for official tests, but testing was interrupted by its loss in a crash following an engine failure.
During the first half of the 1918 the third prototype was also completed. It was powered by a pair of 400 hp (300 kW) Fiat A.12 engines, and had a redesigned nose section and nacelles which were similar to production aircraft. On 15 August 1918 the third prototype was sent to RAF Martlesham Heath for performance tests; testing was delayed by the need to replace a cracked propeller. On 11 September 1918 it was lost when its payload of bombs detonated owing to a hard landing, the result of a pilot-induced stall.
It was decided to construct a fourth prototype to test the Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engine. On 11 October 1918 this was flown from Joyce Green to Martlesham Heath to conduct official trials. Aside from being powered by the Eagle engine, it was identical to the earlier prototypes except for having a greatly increased fuel capacity and reshaped and enlarged rudders. By the time the fourth prototype commenced flying trials, mass production of the Vimy had already begun.
Since the performance of the first prototype was satisfactory it was decided to start production before the evaluation of either of the other prototypes. On 26 March 1918 the first production contract, for 150 aircraft, was issued; these were built at Vickers' works in Crayford in the Bexley. Production of the type by additional manufacturers was envisaged early on; in May 1918 follow-up contracts were issued to Clayton & Shuttleworth, Morgan & Co, and the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE), in addition to a separate production line at Vickers' Weybridge complex. At one point over 1,000 aircraft had been ordered under wartime contracts. The type had received the official name of Vimy, after the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
By the end of 1918 a total of 13 aircraft had been completed by Vickers; 7 at Crayford and 6 at Weybridge. Production continued after the signing of the Armistice of 11 November 1918, which led to Vickers ultimately completing 112 aircraft under wartime contracts. The majority, if not all, of Vimys ordered from Morgan & Co were completed, while Westland Aircraft manufactured 25 of the 75 units that they were contracted for. The numbers produced by the RAE are obscured by changes in serial number allocation and the apparent adoption of a piecemeal approach to manufacturing, which came into effect shortly after the end of the war; in February 1920, the RAE completed their final Vimy.
Production aircraft used several different types of engines, leading to various mark numbers being applied to the Vimy to distinguish between the emerging subtypes. The use of different engines was often because of availability; relatively few engines from Rolls-Royce Limited were used in the Vimy during 1918 owing to low output levels from that manufacturer, while other manufacturers also struggled to keep up with engine demand that year. At one point, there was considerable enthusiasm for powering the Vimy with American Liberty L-12 engines, because of their plentiful supply at the time, but all orders for the Liberty-equipped Vimy were terminated in January 1919 and no examples were ever completed. The BHP Puma was also intended for use on the Vimy, but it was cancelled without any aircraft being fitted with the engine.
Use of the Vimy extended beyond its original use as a bomber. A model with greater internal space was developed, known as the Vimy Commercial within the civil market. It saw service with the RAF; known as the Vickers Vernon, it became the first dedicated troop transport to be operated by the service. The Vimy was also used as an air ambulance for transporting wounded troops to medical facilities, while some examples were configured to perform record-breaking long-distance flights. From 1923 to 1925 limited production batches of the Vimy were manufactured by Vickers. Between 1923 and 1931, at least another 43 early production aircraft were reconditioned to extend their service lives; at least one Vimy was reconditioned four times.
By October 1918 only three aircraft had been delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF), one of which had been deployed to France for use by the Independent Air Force. It had been envisioned that the Vimy would be able to conduct long-range bombing missions into Germany, having the ability to reach Berlin from bases in France, but the Armistice of 11 November 1918 brought an end to the conflict before the Vimy could be used on any offensive operations. After the war, the RAF rapidly contracted in size, which slowed the introduction of the Vimy. The Vimy only reached full service status in July 1919 when it entered service with 58 Squadron in Egypt, replacing the older Handley Page 0/400.
On 12 June 1918, according to Flight International, the Air Board were to initially deploy the first production Vimy units as maritime patrol aircraft, equipped for anti-submarine warfare, and once this requirement had been satisfied, subsequent aircraft would be allocated to performing night bombing missions from bases in France. This had been due to a recently introduced policy under which the number of land-based aircraft allocated to anti-submarine patrols was to be vastly expanded, from 66 landplanes in November 1917 to a projected force of 726 landplanes, in which the newly available Vimy would be a key aircraft due to its long-range capabilities. During August 1918, the application of floats to the Vimy was studied, but it is not known if any aircraft were ever so fitted.
Throughout the 1920s, the Vimy formed the main heavy bomber force of the RAF; for some years, it was the only twin-engine bomber to be stationed at bases in Britain. On 1 April 1924, No. 9 Squadron and No. 58 Squadron, equipped with the Vimy, stood up, tripling the home-based heavy bomber force. On 1 July 1923, a newly formed Night Flying Flight, based at RAF Biggin Hill, equipped with the Vimy, was formed; during the general strike of 1926, this unit performed aerial deliveries of the British Gazette newspaper throughout the country. Between 1921 and 1926, the type formed the backbone of the airmail service between Cairo and Baghdad. The Vimy served as a front line bomber in the Middle East and in the United Kingdom from 1919 until 1925, by which point it had been replaced by the newer Vickers Virginia.
Despite the emergence of the Virginia, which numerous Vimy squadrons were soon re-equipped with, the Vimy continued to equip a Special Reserve bomber squadron, 502 Squadron, stationed at Aldergrove in Northern Ireland until 1929. The Vimy continued to be used in secondary roles, such as its use as a training aircraft; many were re-engined with Bristol Jupiter or Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar radial engines. The final Vimys, used as target aircraft for searchlight crews, remained in use until 1938.
The most significant of the Vimy's many pioneering flights was the first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, made by Alcock and Brown in June 1919. An example was specially constructed for the attempt, with additional fuel tanks to extend its range and a revised undercarriage. Only one such aircraft was built; it is preserved and displayed in the London Science Museum.
In 1919, the Australian government offered £10,000 for the first All-Australian crew to fly an aeroplane from England to Australia. Keith Macpherson Smith, Ross Macpherson Smith and mechanics Jim Bennett and Wally Shiers completed the journey from Hounslow Heath Aerodrome to Darwin via Singapore and Batavia on 10 December 1919. Their aircraft G-EAOU is preserved in a purpose-built, climate-controlled museum in the grounds of the airport in Smith's home town Adelaide, Australia; "The trip from Darwin to Sydney took almost twice as long as the flight to Australia." Vickers Vimy Reserve in Northgate, a suburb of Adelaide, is named in honour of the place the plane landed on its return to South Australia in 1920.
In 1920 Lieutenant Colonel Pierre van Ryneveld and Major Quintin Brand attempted the first England to South Africa flight. They left Brooklands on 4 February 1920 in Vimy G-UABA, named Silver Queen. They landed safely at Heliopolis, but as they continued the flight to Wadi Halfa they were forced to land due to engine overheating with 80 miles (130 km) still to go. A second Vimy was lent to the pair by the RAF at Heliopolis, and named Silver Queen II. This second aircraft reached Bulawayo in Southern Rhodesia, where it was badly damaged when it failed to take off. Van Ryneveld and Brand then used a South African Air Force Airco DH.9 to continue the journey to Cape Town. The South African government awarded them £5,000 each.
The Vimy Commercial was a civilian version with a larger-diameter fuselage (largely of spruce plywood), which was developed at and first flew from the Joyce Green airfield in Kent on 13 April 1919. Initially, it bore the interim civil registration K-107, later being re-registered as G-EAAV.
In 1919, the Chinese Government placed a large order for aircraft with Vickers, including 100 Vimy Commercials, which was cut to 40 Vimy Commercials when the final contract was signed in 1920. A Chinese order for 100 is particularly noteworthy; forty of the forty-three built were delivered to China, but most remained in their crates unused, and only seven were put into civilian use.
Five Napier Lion-powered air ambulance versions of the Vimy Commercial were built for the RAF as the Vimy Ambulance. Fifty-five more bomber-transport versions of the Vimy Commercial were built for the RAF as the Vickers Vernon.
Role in the Second Zhili–Fengtian WarEdit
During the war these bombers were initially highly successful due to the low-level bombing tactics used, with the air force chief-of-staff of the Zhili clique, General Zhao Buli (趙步壢) personally flying many of the missions. However, on 17 September, returning from a successful bombing mission outside Shanhai Pass, General Zhao's aircraft was hit by ground fire from the Fengtian clique in the region of Nine Gates (Jiumenkou, 九門口) and had to make a forced landing. Zhao made a successful escape back to his base, but the bombers subsequently flew at much higher altitude to avoid ground fire, which greatly reduced their bombing accuracy and effectiveness.
After numerous battles between Chinese warlords, all of the aircraft fell into the hands of the Fengtian clique, forming its First Heavy Bomber Group. These were in the process of being phased out at the time of the Mukden Incident and therefore were subsequently captured by the Japanese, who soon disposed of them.
- F.B.27 Vimy
- Prototypes; four built, powered by two 200 hp (150 kW) Hispano-Suiza 8 piston engines..
- F.B.27A Vimy II
- Twin-engine heavy bomber aircraft for the RAF, powered by two 300 hp (220 kW) Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII piston engines.
- Vimy Ambulance
- Air ambulance version for the RAF.
- Vimy Commercial
- Civilian transport version, powered by two 300 hp (220 kW) Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII and later 360 hp (270 kW) Rolls-Royce Eagle IX piston engines.
- A.N.F. 'Express Les Mureaux'
- Vimy Commercial No.42 re-engined with 2x 370 hp (280 kW) Lorraine 12Da V-12 engines.
- Royal Air Force (Vimy, Vimy Ambulance & Vernon).
- The Government of China (Vimy Commercial).
- Grands Express Aériens (Vimy Commercial).
- One aircraft.
- The Government of Spain (Vimy).
- United Kingdom
A replica transatlantic Vimy cockpit section was built by Vickers for the London Science Museum in the early 1920s, and three full-size replicas have also been built. The first was a taxiable replica commissioned by British Lion Films from Shawcraft Models Ltd of Iver Heath, Bucks; the planned film about Alcock & Brown's transatlantic flight was never made, but the model was completed and paid for. Its fate remains a mystery although it appeared on static display at the Battle of Britain air display at RAF Biggin Hill in 1955 and may have been subsequently stored dismantled in East London until at least the late 1980s. The engine nacelles appear in the mine scene from the film 'Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.', so it may not have been in good condition by then.
In 1969 an airworthy Vimy replica (registered G-AWAU) was built by the Vintage Aircraft Flying Association at Brooklands; this was first flown by D. G. 'Dizzy' Addicott and Peter Hoar. It was badly damaged by fire and was displayed until February 2014 at the RAF Museum, Hendon, London). It is currently stored dismantled at the RAF Museum storage facility in Stafford.
A second flyable Vimy replica, NX71MY, was built in 1994 by an Australian-American team led by Lang Kidby and Peter McMillan, and this aircraft successfully recreated the three great pioneering Vimy flights: England to Australia flown by Lang Kidby and Peter McMillan (in 1994), England to South Africa flown by Mark Rebholz and John LaNoue (1999) and in 2005, Alcock and Brown's 1919 Atlantic crossing was recreated by Steve Fossett and Mark Rebholz. The aircraft was donated to Brooklands Museum in 2006 and was kept airworthy in order to commemorate the 90th anniversaries of the Transatlantic and Australian flights, then retired in late 2009. Its final flight was made by John Dodd, Clive Edwards and Peter McMillan from Dunsfold to Brooklands on 15 November 2009 and four days later, in 18 hours, the aircraft was dismantled, transported the short distance to the museum and reassembled inside the main hangar by a dedicated volunteer team. Two days later a special Brooklands Vimy Exhibition was officially opened by Peter McMillan, and this unique aircraft is now on public display there.
- Crew: 3
- Length: 43 ft 7 in (13.28 m)
- Wingspan: 68 ft 1 in (20.75 m)
- Height: 15 ft 8 in (4.78 m)
- Wing area: 1,330 sq ft (124 m2)
- Empty weight: 7,104 lb (3,222 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 10,884 lb (4,937 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII water-cooled V12 engines, 300 hp (220 kW) each
- Maximum speed: 100 mph (160 km/h, 87 kn)
- Range: 900 mi (1,400 km, 780 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 7,000 ft (2,100 m)
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Bruce 1965, p. 3.
- Jarrett 1992, p. 9.
- Bruce 1965, p. 10.
- Bruce 1965, pp. 6, 10.
- Mason 1994, p. 96.
- Bruce 1965, p. 5–6.
- Mason 1994, p. 95.
- Bruce 1965, p. 4.
- Bruce 1965, p. 6.
- Bruce 1965, pp. 6–7.
- Bruce 1965, p. 7.
- Bruce 1965, pp. 4–5, 7.
- Bruce 1965, p. 5.
- Bruce 1965, pp. 7–8.
- Bruce 1965, p. 12.
- Bruce 1965, p. 9.
- Thetford 1992, p. 32.
- Bruce 1965, p. 8.
- Andrews & Morgan 1988, p. 90.
- Mason 1994, p. 98.
- Andrews & Morgan 1988, p. 93.
- Bruce 1965, pp. 9–10.
- Jackson 1988, p. 201.
- "Aviation Heritage". Adelaide Airport Limited. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
- Jackson 1988, p. 202.
- Bruce 1965, pp. 10–12.
- "Vickers Vimy." Discover Collections: State Library of NSW. Retrieved: 4 December 2012.
- Eichler, Kurtis (10 February 2015). "Shilling fund set up to help honour Semaphore aviator Sir Ross Smith". Adelaide Now. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- Andrews & Morgan 1988, p. 95.
- Andersson 2008, p. 14.
- Andrews & Morgan 1988, pp. 37–98, 510.
- Andrews & Morgan 1988, pp. 98, 511c.
- "我國最早航運機隊主力 －商用維美運輸機"(Vickers Vimy Commercial in Chinese language) sinaman.com. Retrieved: 15 March 2008.
- Lumsden 1996, pp. 185–6.
- "The Vickers Vimy-Commercial Ambulance Machine." Flight, Volume XIII, Issue 11, No. 638, 17 March 1921, pp. 187–188.
- "History". Adelaide Airport. 5 March 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
- Ellis 2016, p. 161.
- Aeroplane magazine, May 2010
- "Vickers Vimy replica due to leave RAF Museum". Pilot. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
- Jackson 1988, p. 203.
- McMillan 1995, pp. 4–43.
- Bruce 1965, pp. 10, 12.
- Andersson, Lennart (2008). A History of Chinese Aviation: Encyclopedia of Aircraft and Aviation in China until 1949. Taipei, Taiwan: AHS of ROC. ISBN 978-957-28533-3-7.
- Andrews, C.F.; Morgan, Eric B. (1988). Vickers Aircraft since 1908 (Second ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-815-1.
- Bruce, J.M. (1965). Profile Publications No. 005: Vickers F.B.27 Vimy. Leatherhead, England: Profile Publications Ltd.
- Ellis, Bruce (2016). Wreck and Relics 25th Edition. Manchester, England: Crecy Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-191080-9037.
- Jackson, A. J. (1988). British Civil Aircraft 1919–1972: Volume III (revised second ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-818-6.
- Jarrett, Philip (November 1992). "By Day and By Night: Part Six". Aeroplane Monthly. Vol. 20, no. 11. pp. 8–14.
- Lumsden, Alec (1996). British Piston Engines and their Aircraft. Shrewsbury, Shropshire: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-294-6.
- Lynch, Brendan. Yesterday We Were in America - Alcock and Brown - First to fly the Atlantic non-stop. Yeovil, England: Haynes Publishing, 2009 ISBN 978 1 84425 681 5
- Mason, Francis K. (1994). The British Bomber Since 1914. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0-85177-861-5.
- McMillan, Peter (May 1995). "The Vimy Flies Again". National Geographic. Vol. 187, no. 5. pp. 4–43.
- Sims, Charles. "Talkback". Air Enthusiast. No. 13, August–November 1980. p. 79. ISSN 0143-5450
- Thetford, Owen (December 1992). "By Day and By Night: Part Seven". Aeroplane Monthly. Vol. 20, no. 12. pp. 30–38.
- "The Vickers "Vimy-Commercial" Biplane". Flight. Vol. XI, no. 29. 17 July 1919. pp. 936–941. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
- Winchester, Jim, ed. "Vickers Vimy." Biplanes, Triplanes and Seaplanes (Aviation Factfile). London: Grange Books plc, 2004. ISBN 1-84013-641-3.
- The Vickers Vimy-Commercial at Hendon, 1919
- Vickers Vimy preserved at Adelaide, South Australia
- RAF Museum
- Alcock and Brown's Vimy at the Science Museum London - archived article
- Vickers Vimy online collection – State Library of NSW
- Alcock and Brown's Vimy in the collection of the Science Museum London
- National Geographic record of the 2005 re-enactment on the Atlantic flight
- The Brooklands Vickers Vimy Replica Video List


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Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
Police officers remove a refrigerator that was used to block the road after a shooting incident at 95 Mountain View Avenue in June last year. National security remains the number one concern for Jamaicans.
The following is an edited version of a speech given by Opposition spokesman on national security, Dr Peter D. Phillips, at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Kingston.
Any organisation, and indeed any country, must from time to time take stock of itself to determine what it has accomplished and what remains to be accomplished, and how it measures against other similar organisations or countries. Indeed, this is particularly appropriate for Jamaica now as we approach the 45th anniversary of independence and as we approach the 63rd year of Universal Adult Suffrage.
There is, of course, a particular and added significance for the People's National Party (PNP), which launched the project to achieve Universal Adult Suffrage and independence, and which will this year commemorate 70 years of existence.
Looked at over the long sweep of historical time, there is much that we can feel positive about as far as Jamaica's history over the last 70 years is concerned. To begin with, Jamaica has successfully established itself as an independent member of the community of nations, and consolidated durable and effectively functioning democratic institutions and traditions.
Since 1944, for example, we have had six transfers of power by means of elections, and even in circumstances of extremely close parliamentary majorities, such as exists currently, the transfers of authority have been essentially non-violent. The essence of our democracy is not merely to be found in the smooth transfer of power, however.
Our electoral arrangements are widely recognised within the Caribbean and worldwide as being first-rate. Moreover, we have maintained an independent judiciary and civil service. Our press is free almost to the point of endemic contentiousness with established political authority, and we have sustained a network of representative trade unions, as part of a vibrant yet essentially orderly industrial relations scene.
Beyond that, the culture of the Jamaican people, as manifest in our music, our drama and literature, and our prowess on the sports fields has been indelibly established as a visible and highly esteemed part of world culture.
Record of accomplishments
Against the backdrop of this record of accomplishments, the proclamation of Norman Washington Manley of "Mission accomplished" by his generation still rings true some 40 years after he made the declaration at his final address as leader to the PNP's annual conference in 1969. And yet, despite these accomplishments which set us apart from so many other countries which achieved independence at around the same time, but which have not had the same salutary successes in establishing viable democratic traditions, there are signs that all is not well, and that substantial challenges remain in the task of constructing the viable and equitable Jamaican nation which was the dream of our forbears in the national movement.
Evidence of a mounting social and economic crisis abounds despite the many gains that have been made. The most visible manifestation of the growing social crisis is to be seen in the fact that we have among the highest rates of murder and of violent crimes in the world. This has not developed overnight, but rather the increase in the rates of violence, murder and general public disorder and violent confrontation with the state has been a constant during the entire post-independence period.
During every decade of this period (with the exception of 1980) we saw the doubling of the murder rate. Moreover, from the late 1970s onwards, Jamaica emerged as a major platform of organised criminal activity centred on the illegal trade in narcotics.
Other measures of our social crisis are to be seen in the steady deterioration of family life, high-rates of teenage pregnancy, and the growing alienation of our young people trapped in an underperforming educational system and unable to find a place of worth in the economic and social life of the country.
The statistical record tells a stark tale. Twenty per cent, that is, one in five of all children born in Jamaica, is born to a teenager hardly able or prepared to meet the weighty responsibility of parenthood. Some 70 per cent of all the children leaving the secondary school system leave without any certification whatever. Only slightly more than 30 per cent of the nation's children grow up in households with both biological parents.
No wonder then that our young people are being disturbingly and disproportionately drawn into networks of criminal and antisocial activity, constituting more than 70 per cent of the victims of violent crime, and are in equal proportion the main perpetrators.
Participation in elections
It is not surprising, in the face of this reality, that opinion polls regularly show that a majority of Jamaicans feel that the country is headed in the wrong direction. Similarly, it is not surprising that we are witnessing a long-term decline of popular participation in elections.
The heart of the dilemma faced by the political system is two-fold, however. On the one hand the very excesses of politics, evident in excessive political tribalism; political violence; the harbouring of corrupt officials and the like, serve to deter citizens' confidence in the political system and limit their desire to actively participate.
Second, and connected with the first point: the greatest negative resulting from the deficiencies of our political system is our inability to achieve a consensus on any fundamental national issues. Nothing demonstrates this more than the fact that after 30 years of discussion of constitutional reform, we still have not been able to achieve sufficient consensus to more us forward to a new Constitutional Order.
All of this leads to one simple conclusion: we need a fundamental change in the approach to politics in Jamaica if we are going to confront the developmental problems with confront us as a nation. This veritable rebirth of the political order, which is so urgently needed, will once again have to put national interest before narrow partisan interest, and it will have to put consensus building before petty political point-scoring.
Most of all, it will have to be rooted in integrity not only in its care of public funds, but manifest also in the candor and honesty that it brings to public debate.
The issues that immediately demand common purpose and the united effort of the Jamaican people and their political representatives are virtually self-evident, and the urgency of the needed solutions is universally recognised and accepted.
The number one issue of national concern for all Jamaicans is the issue of national security. Here, the path to be taken is relatively clear-cut. On the legislative side action is urgently needed to establish an Independent Investigative Authority to focus on corruption and its links with organised crime. Draft legislation had been prepared prior to the elections. We trust that an appropriate bill will be brought to Parliament soon.
A Port Security Act was also already drafted and needs to be enacted. Vital police reforms need to be implemented, including a further roll-out of the anti-corruption plan within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
There is, moreover, the need more widely to tackle corruption in the public sector as a whole. In this regard the review and strengthening of the Corruption Prevention Act which has been mandated by law needs to be urgently undertaken. It is difficult to understand the government's failure even to appoint a select committee to undertake this review.
With respect to education, the critical challenge for a long time will be the mobilising the necessary financial and human resources necessary to bring about the transformation of the educational system which is required. The needs are enormous, amounting to $22 billion per annum over 10 years.
Equally, if we are to get greater value for the society's efforts new systems of accountability will have to be developed for those who work in the educational sector. Performers must be given extra reward. Equally, non-performers must face sanctions.
All this, as well as the issues of constitutional reform and the difficult fiscal choices which are needed if we are to manage the deficit and reduce our national debt, could benefit from some basic national consensus, including the two parties. Unhappily, however, if we are to go by the current indications, we are getting mixed signals.
While the Vale Royal talks represent a potential basis for building a real consensus, we still see too many signs of a government intent on petty political points scoring, and mired in the settling of past scores rather than building for future possibilities.
The mooted Commission of enquiry into finsac and the financial sector collapse of the 1990s is a case in point. Definitive academic studies have been done on this issue. We need to move on to deal with the difficult decisions of the present; like containing the deficit and a runaway inflation so that we can return interest rates to their downward trend, and prospects of economic growth renewed.
Rather than spending energy and pointing fingers we need once and for all to settle an agenda for constitutional reform which takes advantage of agreements already reached about a new constitution, and which would strengthen parliamentary control and weaken excessive concentration of prime ministerial and executive authority.
Jamaica has huge potential. The fact that this potential has not been fully realised is mainly a consequence of the failure of our political system. The last time we seriously reached a national consensus was some 45 years ago, when there was bipartisan agreement with regard to the Independence Constitution. Now, leaders of a new generation face new challenges in an increasingly competitive and difficult world economic and political environment.
If we are to be equal to these challenges, we will need political leadership that is able to put nation-building priorities before narrow partisan interest and leadership that is adept at consensus-building and committed to it. Without this calibre of leadership, we will miss out on the exciting possibilities of the new world of the 21st century.

domain: politics


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Since its introduction to the marketplace, ISASMELT™ has had the highest adoption rate of any base metals smelting process. The ISASMELT™ process has made a significant impact on the global metals industry allowing new operations to reach production quickly and cost-effectively and making it possible for brownfield operations to improve profitability and meet high environmental standards. Especially in the copper industry, ISASMELT™ has been rapidly accepted in recent years, with the total capacity of operating ISASMELT™ plants being more than 9,000,000 tonnes per year of copper-bearing feed material.
For new greenfield plants ISASMELT™ has made entry into the mineral processing and smelting marketplace a straightforward, less expensive decision. ISASMELT™ requires much less upfront capital than its alternatives, and is simpler to install and operate. It also requires much less real estate and can be installed, operating and producing to design capacity rapidly. As an investor in the industry this means a notably faster time to profitability.
Perhaps the biggest adopters to date of ISASMELT™ technology though have been existing brownfield operations who have chosen to install ISASMELT™ to improve production capacity, reduce operating costs or improve environmental performance. These operations have recognised the superior results delivered by ISASMELT™ in copper and lead smelters around the world.
The ISASMELT™ technology is now well established as one of the standard technologies for copper and lead smelting. The ISASMELT™ process was developed by Mount Isa Mines Limited (now owned by Glencore) in the 1980s. It is based on the top-submerged Sirosmelt lance, developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO – an Australian government research organisation) in the early 1970s, and involves using a lance to inject air or oxygen-enriched air into a slag bath contained within a stationary, vertical furnace. The potential of this novel smelting concept was soon recognized and resulted in a development program that has been ongoing for more than 35 years.
Pilot plants, demonstration plants and commercial plants have processed a wide range of materials over this time and ISASMELT™ is now recognised by many as the most economically attractive copper and lead smelting processes in the world.
A key to the development success and the subsequent commercial success of the ISASMELT™ process is the deliberate involvement of operating personnel in operation and maintenance of early plants. Their insistence on keeping the process operation and equipment design as practical as possible is a key factor contributing to the overall success.
The first demonstration scale lead ISASMELT™ furnace was commissioned in Mount Isa, Australia in 1983. This was followed in 1987 with a demonstration scale copper ISASMELT™.
Commercial scale ISASMELT™ plants for lead and copper were commissioned in Mount Isa in the early 1990's. Since proving the viability of these two processes, commercial plants have been constructed throughout the world.
Glencore Technology develops, markets and supports technologies for the global mining, mineral processing and metals extraction industries. They have offices in Australia, South Africa, Canada and Chile, and are a wholly owned subsidiary of Glencore, an international group listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges. For further information please visit Glencore Technology's main website.

domain: economics


Robbie Rivera “In the Morning” (Juicy NY Remix)
Robbie Rivera recently brought his house beats to NY for a juicy weekend. He dropped a beautiful remix of his new track "In The Morning" feat Wynter Gordon – out now on Beatport. The remix has a more melodic bassline than the original track, taking you on an emotionally-driven journey that tugs on the heart strings a bit. Combined with the harmonic vocals of Wynter Gordon, this house music explosion will leave you feeling blissfully intoxicated with happiness. Check out the remix here. Also, check out our "Quickie With a DJ: Robbie Rivera".


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SAP S/4HANA®: Automating Data For Tax Provisioning And Transfer Pricing With Longview Tax [On demand] has been saved
SAP S/4HANA®: Automating Data For Tax Provisioning And Transfer Pricing With Longview Tax [On demand]
(Aired 13 October 2021)
Host: Tom Picton-Turbervill
Presenters: Kunal Shah, Stacey Knevitt, Kathryn Abate (Longview), Jamie Eagan (Longview)
When it comes to tax provisioning and transfer pricing many organisations face
challenges with gathering, organising, and managing source financial data (such
as SAP). A lack of integration with finance systems often leads to inefficient,
error-prone manual data manipulation. However, using a purpose-built solution
to automate your organisation’s tax and transfer pricing data collection not
only reduces operational costs and improves confidence in your data, it also
frees up time to focus on more proactive and strategic initiatives. What should
your organisation be thinking about when automating tax and transfer pricing
data collection? We’ll discuss:
- Common data wrangling and integration challenges.
- Streamlining processes for different data types.
- How to remain agile while improving controls, reducing risk, and improving your day-to-day capabilities.
Learn more about SAP S/4HANA® and automating data collection with Longview Tax.


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Geotab announced that it has been awarded a contract to sell telematics solutions to the State of Minnesota. Under the contract, state and local government agencies across Minnesota can purchase Geotab’s telematics technology to improve vehicle utilization, maintenance and sustainability, among other state objectives.
“The State of Minnesota’s decision to select Geotab as a telematics provider is a testament to the quality of our solutions and our commitment to empowering government agencies to make data-driven decisions about their fleets,” said Neil Garrett, Associate Vice President of Business Development, Government at Geotab. “Our telematics solutions are tailored to meet unique challenges that government fleets face and we are thrilled to help the State of Minnesota achieve their goals for fleet optimization, better serve their local constituents, while also improving their sustainability footprint.”
Agencies using Geotab's platform will be able to manage features such as mixed fleet data management, salt and plow tracking, and access to the Electric Vehicle Suitability Assessment (EVSA). Using the EVSA, customers can assess current fleets and determine which vehicles are suitable for replacement with electric models. Additionally, government agencies will have access to Geotab Keyless, which enables multiple drivers to share vehicles.

domain: geography