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The most intriguing aspect of the early mayoral election in Moscow is its complete lack of suspense. Almost two weeks have passed since pro-Kremlin Mayor Sergei Sobyanin unexpectedly resigned. He then called for a new election in three months, effectively eliminating any possible competition in the process. The election will be held according to the standard scenario of Russia’s “managed democracy” — that is, by preventing the strongest rivals to Sobyanin from running in the race, guaranteeing low voter turnout and applying the Kremlin’s massive propaganda and administrative resources to manipulate the vote. Civil Platform party leader and billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov was expected to have been Sobyanin’s main rival. During his bid for the presidency in March 2012, Prokhorov received nearly 8 percent of the vote nationally and more than 20 percent among Muscovites.
The Kremlin-backed mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin Wednesday put his job on the line by calling snap elections two years before his mandate expires, in an apparent bid to outmanoeuvre the opposition after protests rocked the Russian capital. Sobyanin told President Vladimir Putin he was resigning but would himself stand in the elections which would be expected to take place on September 8 when other local polls are held nationwide. The election could set up an intriguing clash between Sobyanin, a technocratic stalwart of the ruling United Russia party, and virulently anti-Kremlin figures like the protest leader and anti-corruption crusader Alexei Navalny.
Vladimir Putin has submitted legislation to change the way the Russian parliament is elected, a move he says will advance democracy but critics say is aimed at bolstering his United Russia party. The bill calls for half of the 450 seats in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, to be filled by voters choosing individual candidates in districts. Currently all seats are filled by voting for parties. The legislation is expected to pass. The United Russia party, loyal to Putin, has a majority in parliament despite losing seats in the December 2011 election that set off the biggest protests of his 13-year rule.
The Kremlin said on March 13 that the author of a report that claims the ruling United Russia party actually lost the 2011 elections to the Communist Party of the Russian Federation thanks to fraud needs “psychiatric help.” The report is surprising and extremely embarrassing, as its conclusions are not in dispute: it is widely accepted that the Duma elections were fixed, which engendered the widely publicized protests in December that year. And it is surprising because the institute, the Governance and Problem Analysis Center (GPAC), is a state-run body that is chaired by state-owned Russian Railways (RZhD) and by its CEO Vladimir Yakunin. While it is highly unlikely that this is a political play by Yakunin to embarrass his masters in the Kremlin — Yakhnin is a consummate politician and former ambassador to the EU — it is interesting that a prestigious state controlled institution has had the shariki to come out with this sort of claim in public. The deputy head of United Russia’s executive committee, Konstantin Mazurevsky, said in a statement on his party’s website that Sulakshin’s report was based on data “snatched out of thin air.” And a senior Russian Railways representative told Interfax that Yakunin, a Putin loyalist, had nothing to do with the report and said his boss could give up his role at the think tank in light of its conclusions.
Russia’s parliamentary majority said it may be possible to reintroduce party blocs to the Lower House if a law is created that prevents the reorganization of these unions following the elections. At present only separate parties are allowed to run in parliamentary elections, but before the New Year holidays the Russian President ordered his administration together with the Central Elections Commission prepared a bill introducing changes to the Lower House elections system. The new elections rules must allow for the mixed parliamentary structure as they bring back the single constituency candidates and also, possibly, the election blocs – unions of smaller parties that could compete with the large and established ones. Putin also promoted the idea of election blocs in his address to the Federal Assembly delivered on December 12.
Russian regional elections have tightened Vladimir Putin’s grip on power and underlined opposition failure to build street protest into an effective challenge at the start of the president’s six-year term. Ten months ago, suspicions that fraud propelled Putin’s ruling United Russia party to victory in a parliamentary election brought tens of thousands of people into the streets of Moscow for the biggest protests of his 12 years in power. As United Russia celebrated victory on Monday in local and regional elections that its foes alleged were just as dirty as the December vote, one opposition leader tweeted that nationwide protests were imminent. “The authorities leave the people no choice!” opposition lawmaker and protest leader Dmitry Gudkov wrote on Twitter. The tweet sounded more like a plea than a prediction.
In local and regional elections marked by low voter turnout and fresh allegations of polling fraud, Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party claimed a landslide victory on Sunday. Putin’s allies preserved their seats in all five of the regional governor’s jobs up for a vote. And United Russia won most of the 4,848 local legislative seats and referendums up for a vote in 77 regions, according to preliminary returns. Some observers called the results a political comeback for the Kremlin party after a poor showing in the national parliamentary election held last December, when it won less than 50% of the vote amid widespread accusations of massive electoral manipulation. Putin thanked voters on Monday. “For me, the results of the vote are not unexpected,” he said in televised remarks. “I think it one more step confirming the voters’ intent to support the current authorities and the development of the Russian statehood.”
Scandals at the recent parliamentary and presidential elections in Russia failed to discourage the authorities from meddling with the polls, with Sunday’s regional elections fraught with violations, an independent watchdog said Monday. About 850 violations were reported by vote monitors at the regional polls that took place in 77 of 83 Russian regions on Sunday, electoral watchdog Golos said. Main electioneering tricks include obstructing the work of vote monitors, abuse of absentee ballots and multiple voting, the group’s deputy executive director, Grigory Melkonyants, told a press conference in Moscow. These vote rigging tactics are “shamelessly used wherever needed in a blatant and explicit way,” he said. United Russia carried all five gubernatorial polls and won majorities in all seven regional legislatures to undergo a revamp on Sunday.
President Vladimir Putin’s ruling party decisively swept regional elections, according to results tabulated Monday, paradoxically confronting his top-down authoritarian system with a serious challenge. Since December’s parliamentary vote, when large numbers of demonstrators unexpectedly began protesting rigged elections, Putin and his allies have been trying to regain what had been an undisputed grip on power. Sunday’s election would appear to confirm they had done so. The United Russia party won all five governorships at stake and dominated all six regional legislatures up for election, along with a host of municipal councils and mayoralties. Yet political observers called it an illusory victory because serious challengers were kept off the ballot, either through the inventive use of election laws or by secret deals. That meant Putin opponents found no outlet at the polls for their anger. “If the party of power continues playing games with imitation elections,” said Boris Makarenko, an independent political analyst, “the opposition will have to challenge them on the streets instead of at the polls.” Makarenko, chairman of the board of the Center for Political Technologies, said it was in United Russia’s interest to work for political pluralism, to determine the country’s direction through elections. But he was unsure, he said, whether authorities understood that.
Russians are electing regional and municipal leaders today in the first electoral test for President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to reassert control after the largest protests in more than a decade. In Russia’s first gubernatorial elections in eight years and about 5,000 other polls, contenders backed by the ruling United Russia party may suffer setbacks in at least 10 mayoral and local legislative elections, the Carnegie Moscow Center projects. Governing-party candidates are leading by double-digit margins in all five gubernatorial races, according to the Civil Society Development Fund. Putin, who handed the chairmanship of the United Russia party to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev a year ago, is struggling to reverse a slump in approval ratings that are near the lowest level since mass protests broke out in December. A crackdown has since ensued, including prosecution of opposition activists and leaders, increased fines for unsanctioned rallies and tightened controls over the Internet.
The ruling United Russia party won elections around the country on Sunday, early results showed, but opponents alleged widespread violations in the voting that will preserve President Vladimir Putin’s dominance. The first big elections since Putin began a new six-year term in May will do little to appease opponents who say he has used election fraud and suppression of dissent to maintain his grip on power. Results from contests from the Baltic Sea to Kamchatka on the Pacific Ocean showed United Russia had won or was heading for victory in all five provincial governorship races, and in several votes for provincial and city legislatures.
Kremlin-backed candidates dominated Russia’s first gubernatorial elections in eight years, which were reinstated by President Vladimir Putin to quell the discontent that fueled the biggest protests in a decade. The ruling United Russia party’s candidates won all five races for governor and six local legislative contests, according to preliminary results announced today by officials from local election commissions on state television channel Rossiya 24. Voter turnout was low, dipping below 8 percent in the Primorsky region on the country’s Pacific coast. The election was the first major electoral test for Putin since he reclaimed the presidency in May and thousands of protesters took to the streets following a December parliamentary ballot the opposition said was rigged. The Kremlin winnowed the contenders in gubernatorial elections by using a so-called municipal filter to screen candidates, while the heads of at least 20 of Russia’s 83 regions were replaced or reappointed before legislative changes went into effect.
Russians on Sunday voted to elect governors and mayors in the first such polls since President Vladimir Putin’s return to the Kremlin, as observers complained of numerous and egregious violations. The government was quick to dismiss claims of voting irregularities, with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev late Sunday saying the polls had been carried out in a “civilised manner”. “As far as I know, nobody found any serious irregularities,” Medvedev said. “This gives hope that in the future, elections will be held in the same civilised and democratic manner.”
Three candidates running for mayor in the Moscow region town of Khimki announced Tuesday that they will withdraw from the high-profile race, one of dozens of local and regional elections slated for Sunday that include the first gubernatorial elections since 2005. Igor Belousov, a former Khimki deputy mayor who became an opposition supporter, said he has decided to quit the race and back acting Mayor Oleg Shakhov, who is supported by the ruling United Russia party. Also exiting the race is Yury Babak, a candidate from the obscure Cities of Russia party who said he would also support Shakhov. The third person to abandon his candidacy Tuesday was Alexander Romanovich of the Just Russia party. Without elaborating, Romanovich said actions by the regional administration were preventing him from running a proper campaign, the party said in a statement.
Widespread ballot-box stuffing and fraud likely occurred in the 2012 Russian presidential election that returned Vladimir Putin to the office, according to a new statistical model. The analysis, published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, also identifies Uganda as a site of widespread election tampering. There have been rumors of election fraud in Russia for the past several elections, and they reached a fever pitch this year. But election fraud is difficult to prove. Past approaches looked for examples of something called “Benford’s law,” which looks for regularities in the numbers reported in elections– like the presence of too many zeros because someone rigging the election prizes multiples of ten. But that approach has been difficult to apply, because it requires that analysts know just how many of each digit are likely to occur in the results of a fair election. The new model, created by a team of Austrian scientists, takes a much more rigorous statistical approach, but it relies on a relatively simple idea: If an election has areas that have extremely high voter turnout — close to 100% — where that turnout is mostly for one candidate, the fix is likely in.
The formation of party blocs, which proved efficient in the elections of 1999, may resume with the weakening of the United Russia position, Nezavisimaya Gazeta said on Monday. “The law on election blocs may become a part of Russian politics again in the next election cycle. The Presidential Administration is considering this initiative. The reason is the weakening position of United Russia,” the newspaper said. “The party rating is down, which leads to the downgrading of the national leaders,” it said. “The United Russia bureaucratic foundation is unchanged, and All-Russia People’s Front bound to back up the United Russia authority increasingly separates itself from the party.”
Russia: Outrageous candidates bring excitement to Russian regional elections | Russia Beyond The Headlines
Elections will be held in Russia this year on Oct. 14 and the races promise to be interesting – not necessarily for political reasons, but because of the personalities who have registered to run for regional office. For example, United Russia’s electoral list for state council in the Republic of Udmurtia includes Envil Kasimov, who is currently a local legislator representing the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, and is notorious for his controversial ideas. For instance, in February 2011, he wrote quite earnestly on his Facebook page that he wanted to become a woman – for the reason that women can retire at 55. Those who know him say Kasimov can come up with a new idea of this sort a couple of times a week, but joining United Russia will likely put a damper on his fertile imagination. While shocking statements are the norm for a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, they are inexcusable coming from a member of the ruling party. “If I become a member of the United Russia faction, I will naturally be bound by party discipline,” Kasimov said, and he has promise to run a campaign based around the preservation of national culture.
In a stinging rebuke to the authorities and United Russia, election observers said Monday that weekend municipal elections in a provincial town had been too tarnished by fraud to be considered legitimate. The Ryazan region town of Kasimov had turned into a key battleground for the political opposition ahead of Sunday’s vote for the municipal legislature, and activists had hoped to ensure a fair election in this corner of the country following disputed national elections in December and March. According to preliminary results, United Russia won nearly 50 percent of Sunday’s vote, matching its local result in State Duma elections in December, and secured 13 seats in the 20-seat legislature. But monitors said they witnessed numerous offenses, including ballot stuffing, at the town’s 22 polling stations. “There were nearly two serious violations at every station. … The number of violations per voter was unprecedented,” said Sofia Ivanova, regional coordinator of the election watchdog Golos. Pro-United Russia ballot stuffers were caught in the act in at least two polling stations, and observers discovered stacks of votes for the ruling party at several others, she said by telephone.
Roughly 17 percent of the complaints registered with Russian election officials over the March presidential contest were confirmed, authorities said. Vladimir Putin secured a third non-consecutive term in office during March presidential elections. Sergei Danilenko, a Russian election official, said Friday 268 of the 1,564 complaints registered by the Central Election Commission “were confirmed,” reports Russia’s state-run news service RIA Novosti.
Russia: Kremlin bill restoring gubernatorial elections passes in parliament, but barely | The Associated Press
The Russian parliament on Wednesday passed a Kremlin bill restoring gubernatorial elections, with opponents saying the new law will still allow the president to screen out undesirable candidates. The 450-seat State Duma, the elected lower house, approved the bill with 237 votes, just above the simple majority required. President Dmitry Medvedev submitted the bill in response to massive protests against his mentor Vladimir Putin in the run-up to the March election that gave Putin a third presidential term. Putin had scrapped direct elections of provincial governors during his presidency as part of a systematic rollback of democratic freedoms.
Russian lawmakers approved legislation on Wednesday that will revive elections of regional leaders, but Kremlin opponents said the bill will give President-elect Vladimir Putin and his allies too much power over who is allowed to run. Putin abolished elections of provincial leaders as part of what critics called a rollback of democracy during his 2000-2008 presidency, appointing them instead to give him greater control over far-flung corners of the world’s biggest country. Restoring regional elections is part of a bid to please Russians fed up with their lack of political power and appease foes who staged the biggest opposition protests of Putin’s 12-year rule in recent months. But the bill, passed by a narrow margin in the lower house of parliament where the ruling United Russia party has a slim majority, requires candidates to have support from local legislators or government officials to run.
Elections chief Vladimir Churov raised opposition hopes of overturning Astrakhan’s mayoral election by announcing widespread procedural violations, a claim made by candidate Oleg Shein and his supporters. Video footage revealed procedural violations at 128 of the city’s 202 polling stations during the March 4 vote, although there was no evidence of falsification, Churov told journalists Friday. The announcement was greeted with jubilation by Shein, whose refusal to concede the election to the ruling party candidate and a dramatic hunger strike have turned him into an opposition hero. “Our chances of success in court have been significantly improved,” he wrote on his blog. “Now I’m confident that the court will annul the election in Astrakhan.” Shein says he defeated United Russia’s Mikhail Stolyarov in districts with electronic counting machines as well as in exit polls, sparking allegations that the vote was rigged. Officially, Shein lost the election to Stolyarov by more than 30 percentage points.
In an election that has been intensely watched as a marker for the future direction of Russian politics, an outsider running for mayor of Yaroslavl appeared to be headed for a landslide win Sunday night over the candidate backed by the ruling United Russia party. A victory would give the opposition here a huge, national lift, just three weeks after the election of Vladimir Putin to the presidency demonstrated the continuing durability of the system he has constructed over the past 12 years. And it presents the authorities — in Yaroslavl, a city of 600,000 about 160 miles northeast of Moscow, and in the Kremlin, as well — an unmistakable reminder that politics in Russia has become considerably more challenging since street protests broke out in September. Late Sunday, Yevgeny Urlashov, 44, who ran against corruption and official arrogance, had 67 to 69 percent of the vote, with at least 60 percent counted. His opponent, Yakov Yakushev, the owner of a paint factory, trailed with about 29 percent — virtually the same percentage he polled in the first round of the elections on March 4. Urlashov got 40 percent in that round; two other candidates split the rest.
Russia: Anti-corruption crusader wins Russian mayoral election in victory for opposition | The Washington Post
An anti-corruption crusader has won a landslide victory in a mayoral election in a major Russian city, dealing a painful blow to the powerful pro-Kremlin party and energizing the beleaguered opposition. Yevgeny Urlashov won 70 percent of Sunday’s vote in Yaroslavl, a city of about 590,000 some 250 kilometers (150 miles) east of Moscow, easily defeating the acting mayor, who was the candidate of president-elect Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party. Urlashov’s victory reflects growing public irritation with official corruption and social inequality. And it gives new hope to Russia’s opposition, which has struggled to maintain momentum after Putin won a third presidential term last month. Opposition leaders have urged their supporters to focus on local elections, and Urlashov’s victory in Sunday’s poll will likely bolster that strategy.
Russia’s presidential elections were “clearly skewed” in favour of the winner, Vladimir Putin, monitors with the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) have said. Preliminary results showed that Mr Putin, who is currently prime minister, won more than 63% of votes. There have been widespread claims of fraud and vote violations, and the OSCE said the result was “never in doubt”. Opposition groups have called for mass protests against Mr Putin’s win. In a statement, the OSCE said while all candidates had been able to campaign freely, there had been “serious problems” from the start, conditions were “clearly skewed in favour of one of the contestants, current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin”.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Wednesday warned against the use of “dishonest” political tricks ahead of the March presidential elections.
“It’s very important to fight against dishonest methods of political combat, especially when the elections are already labeled unfair and illegitimate before they even took place,” Putin said during a meeting with young lawyers in Moscow. Putin, who held the presidential post from 2000 to 2008, is widely predicted to win the March vote, however, analysts suggest growing discontent could see him forced into a runoff. Claims of vote rigging during December’s parliamentary elections sparked mass street protests against the prime minister and his United Russia party.
Council of Europe election observers have said that Russia needs real political change following the country’s disputed general election. Thousands gathered on Saturday for an anti-Putin protest outside the Kremlin. Speaking ahead of a presentation of its final report in Strasbourg on Monday, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly delegation said Russia needs real political change, not a “survival mechanism” for the current regime. The group, which observed last month’s controversial parliamentary elections, was speaking in Moscow as thousands gathered near the Kremlin to demand fair presidential elections on March 4.
Vladimir Churov, the head of the Russian Election Commission who was put in the unsavory spot of being labeled the “wizard” of alleged voter fraud in the Dec. 4 Parliamentary elections, looks to be free and clear from impropriety. Churov asked election commission officials to consider a vote to remove himself from his position, but only four out of the 15 commission members voted in favor of even considering the issue in the first place, Ria Novosti reported on Thursday. As a result, without any political pressure from the top at the Kremlin, Churov is safe and sound.
Tens of thousands of people have rallied in central Moscow in a show of anger at alleged electoral fraud. They passed a resolution “not to give a single vote to Vladimir Putin” at next year’s presidential election.
Protest leader Alexei Navalny told the crowd to loud applause that Russians would no longer tolerate corruption. “I see enough people here to take the Kremlin and [Government House] right now but we are peaceful people and won’t do that just yet,” he said.
Demonstrators say parliamentary elections on 4 December, which were won by Mr Putin’s party, were rigged. The government denies the accusation.
Tens of thousands of Russians are expected to take to the streets on Saturday despite Kremlin efforts to ease tensions over disputed elections and Vladimir Putin’s expected return to the presidency. More than 50,000 people have indicated their intention to attend a protest on Moscow’s Sakharov Prospect, named after the late leading Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov. Thousands more have signed up via social networking sites for protests in more than 80 Russian cities.
The protesters are hoping to capitalise on the momentum launched earlier this month, when up to 50,000 people turned out in Moscow alone demanding the Kremlin overturn parliamentary election results that saw Putin’s United Russia take a majority in the Duma despite widespread accusations of fraud.
The former Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev, the novelist Boris Akunin, the anti-corruption activist Alexey Navalny and Ksenia Sobchak, the Russian “It Girl” and daughter of Putin’s mentor, are among those expected to address the crowd. Protesters will don white ribbons to symbolise their opposition to the election results, which they say are a sign of their country’s lack of democracy. The oligarch Mikhail Prokhorov, who is running against Putin, also said he would address the rally.

domain: sociology


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domain: entertainment


Mitsubishi is going to be revealing one of their most famous models from the past that has been brought into the present. The company is going to be revealing the all-new Mitsubishi Delica at this year’s show. The new Delica comes in two trims: Standard and Urban Gear. Upfront, you get the Dynamic Shield grille, slim LED headlights with big, rectangular foglamps underneath.
In the rear are thin taillights that run horizontally across the width. The Standard gets plain five-spoke wheels, while the Urban Gear receives sculpted, bicolor rims. Powering up the Japanese version of the Delica is a 2.2-liter turbodiesel mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and will come with an optional four-wheel-drive system


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When I started out this series of posts, I was thinking about the different parts of an artist's statement. What, I asked myself, needs to come together in order to give the reader and viewer an insight into the work that I've constructed?
That mode of working has it's downside. I realized that after many years of working this way, I don't stop to figure out what the story is that I've told. "Oh my goodness," I thought to myself, "there lies undiscovered riches." I mentioned compost in the last entry. I think that unless I stop to reflect on the finished piece of art work, I'm missing the valuable "compost" for the next.

domain: artistic


By Joey Roulette and Steve Gorman
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) – Ground crews at Kennedy Space Center prepared for a second test launch of NASA’s massive next-generation moon rocket on Saturday on its maiden flight, hoping to having resolved the engineering issues that thwarted the initial countdown five days earlier.
The 32-story Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and its Orion capsule were scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 2:17 p.m. EDT (1817 GMT), kicking off the ambitious Mars moon program from NASA’s Artemis program 50 years after the last Apollo lunar mission. (Graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/3PPRsbN)
The previous Monday launch bid ended with technical issues forcing the countdown to stop and the uncrewed flight postponed.
Tests indicated that technicians have since repaired a leaking fuel line that contributed to Monday’s canceled launch, Jeremy Parsons, deputy program director at the space center, told reporters on Friday.
Political cartoons about world leaders
Two other key issues on the rocket itself — a faulty engine temperature sensor and some cracks in the foam insulation — have been resolved to NASA’s satisfaction, Artemis Mission Manager Mike Sarafin told reporters Thursday. evening.
Weather is always an additional factor beyond NASA’s control. The latest forecast called for a 70% chance of favorable conditions during Saturday’s two-hour launch window, according to the US Space Force at Cape Canaveral.
If the countdown was interrupted again, NASA could reschedule another launch attempt for Monday or Tuesday.
Dubbed Artemis I, the mission marks the first flight of the SLS rocket and the Orion capsule, built respectively under NASA contracts with Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp.
It also signals a major shift in direction for NASA’s post-Apollo human spaceflight program, after decades focused on low Earth orbit with space shuttles and the International Space Station.
Named after the goddess who was Apollo’s twin sister in ancient Greek mythology, Artemis aims to bring astronauts back to the surface of the moon as soon as 2025.
Twelve astronauts walked on the moon during six Apollo missions from 1969 to 1972, the only spaceflights to still place humans on the lunar surface. But Apollo, born out of the US-Soviet space race during the Cold War, was less science-driven than Artemis.
The new moon program has enlisted commercial partners such as SpaceX and space agencies from Europe, Canada and Japan to eventually establish a long-term lunar operating base as a springboard to even more ambitious human journeys to Mars. .
Getting the SLS-Orion spacecraft off the ground is a key first step. Its maiden voyage is meant to put the 5.75 million pound vehicle through its paces in a rigorous test flight pushing its design limits and hopefully proving the spacecraft is fit to fly astronauts.
If the mission is successful, a crewed flight of Artemis II around the moon could take place as soon as 2024, followed in a few years by the first lunar landing of the program of astronauts, including a woman, with Artemis III.
Considered the most powerful and complex rocket in the world, the SLS represents the largest new vertical launch system the US space agency has built since the Apollo-era Saturn V.
Barring last-minute difficulties, Saturday’s countdown is set to end with the rocket’s four main R-25 engines and two solid rocket boosters firing to produce 8.8 million pounds of thrust, that’s about 15% more thrust than the Saturn V, sending the spacecraft hurtling skyward.
About 90 minutes after launch, the rocket’s upper stage will propel Orion out of Earth orbit on course for a 37-day flight that will take it within 60 miles of the lunar surface before traveling 40,000 miles (64,374 km) beyond the moon and back to Earth. The capsule is scheduled to land in the Pacific on October 11.
Although no humans are on board, Orion will carry a simulated crew of three – one male and two female mannequins – equipped with sensors to measure radiation levels and other stresses that real astronauts would experience.
One of the main objectives of the mission is to test the durability of Orion’s heat shield during its re-entry as it slams into Earth’s atmosphere at 24,500 miles (39,429 km) per hour, or 32 times the speed of sound, on its return from lunar orbit – much faster than the more common reentries of capsules returning from Earth orbit.
The heat shield is designed to resist re-entry friction that is expected to raise temperatures outside the capsule to nearly 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 Celsius).
Over a decade of development with years of delays and budget overruns, the SLS-Orion spacecraft has so far cost NASA at least $37 billion, including design, construction, testing and ground facilities. NASA’s Office of Inspector General has projected total Artemis costs to reach $93 billion by 2025.
NASA champions the program as a boon to space exploration that has generated tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in trade.
(Reporting by Joey Roulette in Cape Canaveral, Florida and Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Copyright 2022 Thomson Reuters.


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Why Home Performance Sales Needs a Deep Retrofit
There are approximately 134 million single-family homes in the United States today. According to experts at Home Performance with Energy Star, since 2002 through June of 2016, only 559,260 of these homes have been retrofitted for performance through the ...
Many contractors have heard of the energy-efficient mortgage (EEM)--a government-sponsored financing tool that allows home buyers to roll the cost of retrofitting their homes with cost-effective, energy-efficient features into a mortgage. [continue reading]
Faster than you can caulk a windowsill, California is restructuring its electric industry. In the process, the state is radically changing the way efficiency services are funded and delivered. [continue reading]
When considering installing solar in your home, it can be difficult to decide who to trust. There are many companies ...
Last year was a great year for HPXML, the open data transfer standard for the residential energy efficiency industry. We ...

domain: news


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The intention is to weigh anchor today from Punta de Mita and head to the Marquesas. The next series of blog updates will be done over our high frequency radio so no photos for awhile (The HF/Pactor combo gives us at best about 2 kbaud - for those that remember dialup that was at 56 kbaud).
We had intended to leave weeks ago but there just has not been a good weather window until now to get off the Mexican coast and get out to the trade winds. It does look today so we will leave once the sea breeze picks up and sail on looks like it will be a close reach in 9 to 12 kts of wind to just north of the Socorro Islands (about 325 nm) and then head towards what is our best guess of an entry point for the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) at 5N 130W.
Provisioning is done and then redone as the delays mounted. Diesel and gasoline topped up. We now sit a few inches deeper in the water.
We took the time to sort out some plumbing issues, get Tony at Morelli sails to modify our mainsail and we put in a new starter battery. Also, we had a chance to be tourists for a change and went to the zoo, did some surfing and such.
|Sailing with my Dad just before we had a humpback whale surfaces less than a boat length away.|
|Baby in a bucket|
|Johnathan and I heading out to do some surfing|
|Jump, jump, jump !|
|The continued adventures in Mexican bureaucracy|
|Benjamin and I studying an old Heavy Weather book we found in the Cruisers Lounge.|
|Oh my says Benjamin, where are we going to put all this food|
|Immunization time with the nice ladies in Bucerias|
|Victoria helping us organise the ditch bags|
|Some snoozing and reading time too.|
|Back from the Mar y Sol market|
|Monkey Business 1|
|Monkey Business 2|
|More jumping around|
|Potatoes and Carrots will advance in review order, by the center, quick march !|
|Debugging our GFCI plug - turns out this is where our new bug friends had been living.|
|Apples, form up !|
|Packaged up and ready to stow.|
|Kids sleep over at Punta de Mita|
|One of new shiny solar panels with La Cruz in the background.|
|Merle on the foredeck at sunrise in Punta de Mita|
|Surf Training for Benjamin|

domain: geography


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Sim Taxi London Description
This is a great Taxi Simulator game. How about to work as an iconic black cab driver in the capital and largest city of the United Kingdom? Drive around the big city, keep an eye out for passengers, which you should pick up and transport them to their stated destination.
Try to earn as much money as possible so you can upgrade your car or buy a new one. Try not to damage your cab.
Use arrows to drive.
Have fun with this Sim Taxi London free flash online game at Brightest Games.

domain: game


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Railworkers’ industrial action ends in Austria
On November 14, railworkers in Austria ended a three-day strike in a dispute over government plans to sell off the state-run rail network.
The strike affected an estimated 1.2 million commuters. It was the first open-ended industrial action in Austria since the Second World War. Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel welcomed the end of the action, which he attributed to “the firm stance of the government.”
The government and the rail unions are currently holding talks.
The government intends to divide the Austrian Federal Railways into nine private companies run by a holding company. This will involve the sacking of up to 12,000 of the network’s 48,000 workers by 2010 and the eradication of working conditions and benefits, including making it easier for management to fire employees.
Following the dispute, Transportation Minister Hubert Gorbach stated that the government would continue with its privatisation plans but had not finalised what workers’ conditions and contracts would be. The privatisation is expected to be sanctioned by parliament in December and to come into force on January 1.
Polish miners strike in Silesia to oppose pit closure plans
Polish coal miners in the southern region of Silesia began a 24-hour strike on November 17 in an ongoing dispute over pit closures. The government announced plans to close four mines as part of a restructuring of the industry before the country joins the European Union next May.
The closures will result in the loss of 8,500 miners jobs in a region that already has 30 percent unemployment.
During the day, miners held rallies or changing-room sit-ins at pits in the region. Miners’ union leaders announced that a general strike could be held if the government does not reverse its plans. The workers have held a series of protests and demonstrations this year, including a September demonstration in the capital city of Warsaw. The unions have not opposed closures outright, but have called for the merger of the collieries or a partial closure. The restructuring will see 25,000 of the industry’s 140,000 jobs lost.
Electrical workers’ union in Finland calls strike
This week, the Finnish Electrical Workers’ Union announced that it was calling on its members to participate in either a half-day or one-day strike to protest job cutbacks and attacks on pension rights by companies.
The union has submitted a resolution to the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) calling on all other trade unions to join any stoppage.
On December 5, the Finnish Confederation for Salaried Employees (STTK) will hold a protest to oppose personnel cutbacks and has called on affiliated unions to support it. The SAK has yet to back that action, and is to hold a delegate meeting next weekend to decide on the matter.
Car workers at Nissan, Sunderland, to ballot on strike action
Car workers employed at the Nissan plant on Wearside in northeast England are to ballot over plans to redeploy some 60 jobs.
The strike ballot will be the first at the plant since it opened in 1986. Employing 4,500 people, the plant has been rated as the world’s most efficient car factory.
The ballot follows a company announcement that it intends to switch its purchasing department from Sunderland to Bedfordshire, about 240 miles south.
Youth workers in England set to strike over pay and conditions
The Community and Youth Workers’ Union in England (CYWU) is to hold a ballot in a dispute over pay and new contract conditions.
The youth workers are employed to assist and help adolescents and teenagers. The union has rejected a pay offer of 3 percent from the Employers’ Organisation (EO), their local authority employers who have also demanded the introduction of a new qualification scheme.
Maggie Foster, a neighbourhood youth worker for West Sussex council, said this week, “I’m really angry at the way our profession is being undervalued and undermined. Everybody wants our skills but local authorities aren’t prepared to pay for it. Some young people who attend my youth club are earning more filling supermarket shelves than my part-time staff.”
French temporary art workers and technicians continue dispute
For four months, French temporary art workers and technicians, members of the Confédération générale du travail (CGT) and Force Ouvrière (FO) trade unions, and their own “Coordination” organisation, have been campaigning against an agreement negotiated between the employers’ organisation Medef and minority unions. The agreement has also been agreed and sponsored by the government.
On November 13, some 2,000 demonstrated in front of the headquarters of the “Unedic” teachers’ union federation where the minority unions signed the final agreement with the employers’ representatives. Further protests took place in the cities of Lyon, Marseille and Nantes.
The CGT and FO denounced the agreement as “machinations” and “wheeling and dealings,” demanding “a real reform that is negotiated by all concerned parties,” including new rights for the temporarily employed that would avoid demotion and precarious living conditions.
Midwives’ strike continues in France
Since November 5, 12 of the 14 midwives at the hospital of “parc de Chambray” near Tours have struck for increased wages and better working conditions. The management of the hospital tried to implement compulsory service at a Tours law court, forcing midwives to work, but did not succeed.
The prefect (representative of the government for the department Indre-et-Loire) signed a November 14 edict obligating the women to work for eight days. This edict is based on a new legal order of March 18, 2003, known as “loi pour la sécurité intérieure” (law for interior security), also called “law Sarkozy”.
This is the first time the ruling has been applied during a conflict between workers and a private employer. The prefect said that the serious difficulties would justify this measure, whereby he would defend “the right to life” of the mothers and their babies.
The midwives have denounced the actions of the employers and pointed out that the necessary staff are usually not available and that this was the real threat to life. They said that 50 percent more staff are needed.
Banking sector on strike in Guinea
Bank workers throughout Guinea began indefinite strike action this week over demands for salary increases and better conditions of work. Banks were shut down throughout the country, with customers unable to withdraw or deposit money.
Negotiations between the Association of Professional Bankers—the umbrella union covering all bank workers—and government representatives broke down after nearly a year of negotiations. “We will only go back to work once our conditions are met and it is left with the government to determine how soon that will be,” said Ibrahima Fofana, the union’s official spokesman.
The unions are also complaining that expatriates head virtually all the banking institutions in the country. Guinea, already one of the poorest countries in the world, has suffered a sharp decline in its economy over the last year with inflation now running at more than 30 percent.
Kenya university lecturers continue strike
The strike at Kenya’s six state universities continued into a second week after officials of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) walked out of a meeting called by the government-appointed arbitration panel. They rejected the panel’s return-to-work formula as a tactic to buy time without making any proposals for salary increases that are the main reason for the lecturer’s action.
The government side claimed that salary negotiations couldn’t begin, as the union at five out of the six universities had failed to sign recognition agreements with the employers. In addition, the panel claimed that the UASU should have given the government an additional seven days’ notice after the mandatory 21-day notice had expired. The panel was reflecting the official stance of the Kenyan government—that salary negotiations would only begin after the lecturers returned to work.
After the panel meeting collapsed, Education Minister George Saitoti held direct talks with UASU officials this week. Saitoti only repeated earlier government pledges that the lecturers would be offered a pay rise after they returned to work, but failed to make a concrete offer. “By the look of things, the strike may continue for long because the government is not giving any tangible promise,” one of the UASU officials is reported as saying. The officials pointed out that their members were growing impatient as the discussions with the government were taking too long.
The lecturers are asking for salaries ranging from Sh159,000 a month for the lowest paid to Sh895,000 for professors, compared to current levels of Sh17,000 to Sh31,000 (Sh1,000 = US$13).
Kenyan textile workers tear-gassed by police
Police threw tear gas canisters to disperse 2,000 striking textile workers at Kenya Knit Garments (EPZ) Ltd. The workers were demanding to be recognised as members of the Kenya Tailoring and Textile Workers Union. Workers at the factory situated in Kilifi district, near Mombasa, had begun their day holding a peaceful protest outside the plant, calling for the resignation of some of the management. Management responded by calling in the police.
Zimbabwe: government arrests trade unionists
Seven leaders of the Zimbabwe doctors’ strike, now in its third week, were arrested last weekend. Their strike action was declared illegal by the Labour Court, contravening the Labour Relations Act that prohibits those working in essential services from taking industrial action.
Four of the seven are executive members of the Hospital Doctors Association (HDA). Their lawyer said that they had been released after questioning and would appear in court this week. Dr. Elias Phiri, the vice-president of the HDA, warning that the doctors’ arrests would only worsen the situation in country’s health service, said, “They can only arrest us at their own peril, as that will only exacerbate the situation.”
The doctors are asking for an 8,000 percent pay rise to bring their monthly salary to Z$30 million (about US$36,407 at official exchange rate levels, but in reality worth far less). Many doctors have left Zimbabwe for jobs in the West—18 more have left since the strike began.
On November 18, leading members of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), as well as opposition politicians, were arrested for holding a protest demonstration over price rises and state harassment. Police stated they had arrested 88 people, but the ZCTU said that more than 360 were arrested in the capital Harare and towns throughout Zimbabwe. Among those arrested is ZCTU chairman Lovemore Matombo. The ZCTU has called a two-day general strike for November 20 and 21 to protest the arrests. This is timed to coincide with the government’s budget statement.
Zimbabwe’s economy is now in a state of collapse, with official inflation at running at 526 percent and unemployment at 70 percent. A BBC report says that response to the strike call is “patchy.” It cites state repression and the government’s now total control of the media as the reason, but it is also the case that the ZCTU, allied with the pro-IMF opposition Movement for Democratic Change, has lost much of its support over the last period, as its policies failed to offer a way forward for working people and the landless poor.


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28 April 2011 12:36
Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck in Berkshire came fifth in a list of the best restaurants in the world
Moss, lichen and bone marrow are among the dishes on offer at the world's best restaurant, it has been revealed.
The Noma restaurant in Denmark, run by chef Rene Redzepi, has topped the S Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list for the second year running.
The list, billed as the 'Oscars' of the restaurant world, also features Heston Blumenthal's restaurant in Bray, Berkshire.
The Fat Duck, famed for its mustard ice cream and snail porridge, dropped two places to number five.
Food lovers keen to sample the world's best dishes might need to consider taking out a
worldwide travel insurance policy - the list also includes restaurants in Peru, Russia and Brazil.
Closer to home, The Ledbury in Notting Hill, West London, run by Australian Brett Graham, is the highest new entry at number 34.
Claude Bosi's Hibiscus, Mayfair, central London, was ranked at 43, up six on last year, and Fergus Henderson's St John, central London, was ranked at 41, up two places.
Spanish restaurants El Celler de Can Roca and Mugaritz were ranked second and third in the world.
El Bulli, the restaurant in Catalonia which has been given the top ranking five times and came second to Noma last year, does not appear after chef Ferran Adria announced a two-year closure.
The list was drawn from the votes of 800 industry experts worldwide.
21 March 2017
The effects of being in skyscrapers, at concerts or even walking on wobbly bridges could help scientists understand the experiences of dementia sufferers, researchers are claiming.
18 March 2017
A young actor has released pictures of a lump on her throat that turned out to be thyroid cancer, with hopes the image will raise awareness and alert others who may be suffering from the disease.
17 March 2017
A "promising treatment" for aggressive blood cancer needs more evidence of its effectiveness before NHS doctors will be able to prescribe, a watchdog is warning.
16 March 2017
Millions of Brits are opting for coach holidays over jet-setting and cruises, new research indicates.
15 March 2017
Thousands of flights to and from America's north east have been cancelled in preparation for a "life-threatening" storm poised to hit the country.
14 March 2017
Seniors who experience weight loss should not put it down to the normal ageing process, experts are warning.
11 March 2017
Gatwick Airport is insisting it is still a "credible and deliverable" expansion option, as the airport experienced its busiest ever February.
08 March 2017
Strikes by French air traffic controllers (ATCs) are leading to delays and cancellations across the UK.
10 March 2017
Waiting times for kidney transplant patients have fallen significantly, health officials have said.
09 March 2017
A Dutch snowboarder has been fatally injured in the second avalanche to hit the French Alps in 24 hours.
07 March 2017
The risk of developing a deadly form of breast cancer can be cut by 40% by following a Mediterranean diet, new research has found.
04 March 2017
Researchers have warned that people who eat an excessive number of takeaways and ready meals every week could face an increased risk of developing cancer.


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At least 200 breast cancer patients at the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) were reportedly wrongly diagnosed with a more aggressive form of the disease that they actually had.
Some of the patients were consequently given unnecessary treatments that had likely cost each of them tens of thousands of dollars.
Following that, Senior Minister of State for Health Koh Poh Koon said in Parliament on Monday (4 January) that the amount charged for the unnecessary treatments will be refunded to the affected patients.
“The portion of the bills which arose from the unnecessary treatment will be fully refunded,” said Dr Koh, adding that the refunds will likely total millions of dollars.
On 11 December last year, the KTPH revealed that about 180 patients had been wrongly diagnosed with HER-2 positive breast cancer, a less common form of breast cancer and normally affects 15-20 percent of such patients.
It added that it was also reviewing test done since 2012.
In order to treat this particular form of cancer, there are a number of drugs used, and the first and most commonly used one is Herceptin.
During Monday’s Parliament session, several MPs asked on side effects patients may have suffered.
Dr Koh responded that among the common side effects are diarrhoea, chills and fatigue.
About 3-4 per cent of patients may suffer from heart problems.
Dr Koh added that doctors are getting in touch with affected patients so they will be able to help them and assess any side effects caused by the drug.
MP Cheryl Chan (East Coast GRC) asked why it took such a long time for the error to be detected.
As a reply, Dr Koh said that 6 per cent of patients globally are wrongly diagnosed with HER-2 positive breast cancer, adding that the test is extremely complex has no definitive answer.
He went on to explain that a trained pathologist is required to make a judgement on the test result.
However, this could be affected by multiple steps that need human intervention, like the concentration of stains and how the tissue was handled.
Dr Koh added that a fairly large number of results will be required to trigger an alert on the possibility of a disproportionate number of patients being diagnosed with this form of breast cancer.
He also said that “institutional process” was the reason how the mistakes were spotted.
The KTPH’s tumour board flagged the error after it discovered that the number of HER-2 positive cases were higher than usual, leading to the review.
He went on to note that reviews were carried out on patients diagnosed with HER-2 positive breast cancer since 2012 given that it was when the hospital first started doing such tests, and not because errors had occurred then.
Following that, Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang GRC) and Tan Wu Meng (Jurong GRC) questioned the additional cost incurred by affected patients.
Dr Tan, who is a cancer specialist, suggested that compensation should also include the time taken from work by a patient or caregiver for the unnecessary treatment.
Dr Koh replied that it was difficult to provide a figure since the cost varies for each patient. If that’s not all, he also noted that not all the 200 patients who were wrongly diagnosed were given Herceptin.
The hospital had earlier stated that “about half of these patients may have received unnecessary treatment for HER2, usually the drug Herceptin”.
The Straits Times (ST) reported that Herceptin costs S$3,000 to S$4,000 per cycle in public hospitals, and about S$5,000 in private hospitals.
As for the duration of the treatment, patients are generally treated for a year and undergo 17 to 18 cycles. This means that it will cost a patient an average of S$50,000 to S$70,000 in the public sector.
Eight of the wrongly diagnosed patients were treated in private hospitals.
Over on social media, netizens expressed their anger towards the hospital for making such a big error.
Penning their thoughts in on ST’s Facebook page, they said that it is one thing to wrongly diagnose one or two patients, but it is “unacceptable” when the number is as high as 200.
One user noted that KTPH should be grateful as this happened in Singapore and none of the patients had filed a lawsuit against the hospital for medical negligence.
Others pointed out that a refund an inadequate form of compensation compared to the stress and trauma that the affected patients went through.
They added that the hospital appears to lack empathy, as they did not issue an apology and seems to be offering money to put the case behind the patients.
One user slammed Dr Koh’s response in Parliament and said that he should bear “all the responsibilities that a good doctor should do”.
“Your excuse is way too much for a layman to swallow, you completely show no remorse for your silly mistakes,” the user added.
Another user pointed out that the hospital should also compensate the patients and their families for “unnecessary anxiety, pain, inconvenience”.


Harley-Davidson Unveils Project LiveWire Electric Motorcycle
Wisconsin-based motorcycle company Harley-Davidson this week revealed Project LiveWire, a concept for an all-electric motorcycle. Although many concept vehicles never leave rotating display stands, Project LiveWire is heading into the real world. This summer, Harley-Davidson will take the motorcycle to 30 cities around the country so potential customers can ride it and offer feedback.
Harley-Davidson chief engineer Jeff Richlen says that nearly every part of Project LiveWire is new, starting with the exposed, one-piece aluminum frame that weighs just 14 pounds. The cast-aluminum wheels are new, too, and are some of the lightest wheels Harley-Davidson has ever produced. The entire motorcycle weighs just 460 pounds. Lithium-ion batteries, which are said to offer a riding range of about 53 miles per charge in this prototype, are mounted snugly within the frame and under the seat. "We didn't want it to look like a box of batteries that has two wheels attached," Richlen says.
The motorcycle's electric motor was developed with a partner company and is mounted in the low-slung chrome area at the bottom of the bike. The motor is mounted longitudinally -- its output shaft is in aligned with the bike's overall length -- so that Harley-Davidson could install larger, more powerful motors without making Project LiveWire excessively wide. There is no transmission or clutch between the engine and the belt drive. Without the need to pause to shift gears, Richlen says, Project LiveWire offers a totally different Harley-Davidson riding experience: "You can go from zero to top speed from just rolling on the throttle, without any interruption at all."
The Harley-Davidson Project LiveWire has LED headlights, and uses a touchscreen in place of a normal instrument cluster. The touchscreen works with gloves and, among other information, allows riders to pick between a Range mode that reduces motor torque -- and is recommended for experienced riders -- and a Power mode for riders who want the full experience.
As is evident in the video embedded below, the motorcycle emits very different type of noise than traditional Harleys. "It sounds like a jet coming by," Richlen says. "As you hear this motorcycle, it's amazing how it evokes a whole new set of emotions."
This year, Harley-Davidson will take Project LiveWire to 30 cities, starting with New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, giving fans and riders a chance to test the bike and offer feedback. There are no confirmed plans for production so far, and Richlen admits LiveWire, "is a bit of a departure from what customers might expect from Harley-Davidson." He says the company is not abandoning its core, traditional bike model, but wants to explore possibilities for the future. "It is a balance between what our customers expect and our legacy," Richlen says. "It's one of those rare opportunities when you have a clean sheet of paper and start from the ground up.
Harley-Davidson isn't the first company to conceive of an all-electric motorcycle; riders can already buy battery-powered bikes from companies like Brammo, Mission Motorcycles, and Zero Motorcycles.


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Femme It Forward Honors Ciara, Muni Long, And More At Give Her FlowHERS Gala
We caught up with a host of artists, executives, and tastemakers for an unforgettable evening of honoring women in music.
Femme It Forward, the revolutionary female-led music and entertainment company empowering creative and accomplished female visionaries, hosted its inaugural Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala, which recognized trailblazing women in entertainment who empower, uplift, and inspire change.
Convening a host of notables, artists, influencers, executives, and tastemakers for an unforgettable evening, the star-studded red-carpet ceremony was held at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on Friday, November 11, 2022.
The Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala celebrated an illustrious group of women who represent all facets of the Culture and who have made the biggest impact in their respective areas.
We caught up with some of the nominees on the red carpet, including R&B star Jozzy, who reflected on being the first signee to Diddy’s Love Records, saying, “It’s really dope. Diddy is someone I looked up to. My brother used to play his music. I’m a huge Diddy fan. For him to see me–he knows what it is. I appreciate that.”
We also spoke with some respected veterans in the industry, such as Baroline Diaz, VP of A&R, Interscope Records, who has some inspiring career advice for young women in the music industry.
This year’s Special Awards other honorees included:
Hip hop star Latto (The Big Femme Energy Award shines a light on a woman who is making a tremendous impact in music for this generation)
Actress, social media personality, and entrepreneur Tabitha Brown (The Self-Love Award honoring an inspirational multihyphenate who is the embodiment of self-love and confidence)
Multi-platinum songwriter and artist Jozzy (The Pen It Forward Award recognizing a trailblazing hitmaker who is known for their “pen game” and creating some of music’s biggest hits)
R&B singer-songwriter Muni Long (The Bloom Award spotlighting a breakthrough artist who has kicked through the door to success)
Mother of rapper Lil Baby Lashon Jones (Moms I’d Like to Follow (M.I.L.F.) Award in celebration of Queens who raise Kings)
Renowned singer-songwriter Victoria Monet (The Visionary Award highlighting a multi-dimensional creative who is changing the game for the future of women in music)
Powerhouse couple Ciara and Russell Wilson (The Black Love Award celebrating a union that encapsulates the true essence of Black Love)


Housing Development Finance Corporation’s (HDFC) Chairman, Deepak Parekh, has urged regulators to allow one-time restructuring of certain real estate projects — particularly for stuck projects where building approvals have been delayed. Speaking at the Second India Mortgage Leadership Conclave on Wednesday, Parekh said: “If these restructured accounts are considered as standard assets for a period of, say, 12 months, lenders will stop being so diffident. This is not a new suggestion. An exceptional regulatory treatment was permitted by the RBI in 2008, which helped revive sentiment.”
Pointing to the fact that the Indian realty market was facing pressing issues and timeliness of action was key to prevent further haemorrhage, he added that one could not sugar coat the fact that there was pain, and the trust deficit was clogging the flow of liquidity to where it was most needed.
“There are developers who genuinely need last-mile funding. Many are being denied their rightful funding in an environment that has become wary of lending to the sector,” he added.
Parekh said builders had erred in the past by over-leveraging and going on a land-buying spree. In addition, they misjudged market demand built homes that customers could not afford. Further, they could not find timely solutions for excessive unsold inventory. However, he emphasised that it would be unfair to pin all the blame on developers.
“However, my stance is that real estate loans are different. The value of land is always there,” he said. Delay in granting building approvals is not always in the hands of the developer, and we still don’t have a single-window mechanism for such approvals.
He highlighted a few key trends that had emerged of late, which would boost the sector. For example, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ Draft Model Tenancy Act, 2019, had balanced interests of both the tenants and landowners.
A formalised rental market will reduce skewness and lead to higher occupation of vacant homes.
The irony is that on one hand, India is facing huge shortage of housing, but on the other, over 11 million homes are lying vacant in urban India alone.
Another interesting trend to have emerged is in student housing. “It is estimated that at present, only one in five students enrolled in higher education is fortunate to get accommodation in an institutional setup, leaving most to seek alternatives such as rental accommodation. Student housing needs high-speed connectivity, entertainment facilities, and smart devices, besides other basic living facilities. Real estate investors have found that student housing can offer good returns on investments,” said Parekh.
He added that India was catching up with the western trend of co-living spaces, designed to suit the needs of young, single working individuals who don’t want the hassle of house maintenance. Demand for serviced apartments, too, is gaining ground, Parekh said.


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BAGUIO CITY – A 47-year old laborer died after he was stabbed on the different parts of his body by a security guard during a drinking session at Purok 12, Irisan, here, shortly before New Year.
Senior Superintendent Ramil L. Saculles, City Director of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), identified the fatality as Buenvenido Dimasuway, 47, construction worker while the suspect was named as a certain Polo Martin, of legal age, security guard and both residents of Purok 12, Irisan, Baguio City.
Initial police investigation showed that the victim and the suspect, together with some companions, were allegedly having a drinking session while awaiting the coming of the New Year when a heated altercation between the duo suddenly erupted that eventually escalated prompting the latter to get a knife and repeatedly stabbed the former on the different parts of his body before fleeing towards an undisclosed direction.
The victim was rushed by his relatives and friends to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) for medical treatment but he was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians due to multiple fatal stab wounds on the different parts of his body while the suspect is now the subject of a manhunt operation for him to face possible murder charges that will be filed against him.
By Dexter A. See


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KINGSTON, R.I. -- March 28, 2001 -- Lisa Norling, professor of history and womens studies at the University of Minnesota, will bring her knowledge of the New England whaling industry in the 18th and 19th century to the University of Rhode Island next month.
Norling, a Visiting Scholar at URI, will give an illustrated lecture on "Captain Ahab Had a Wife: New England Women and the Whalefishery" on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Kirk Auditorium. She will also take part in a roundtable discussion of the humanities and maritime studies with URI faculty called "Humanities Afloat and Ashore." The discussion will take place Thursday, April 19 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the Galanti Lounge, Library. Both events are free and open to the public.
Norling has published a variety of materials on seafaring life. Her most recent book, "Captain Ahab Had a Wife: New England Women and Whalefishery, 1720-1870," was published in 2000 by the University of North Carolina Press. The book traces the New England whaling industry throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and reconstructs the lives of the "widows" left behind by the thousands of men whose voyages to distant seas sometimes lasted for up to five years. Norling also authored Iron Men, Wooden Women: Gender and Seafaring in the Atlantic World, 1700-1920 and numerous articles published in The New England Quarterly and other scholarly publications.
She earned her doctorate from Rutgers University and is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships.
Her work connects to the scholarship of URI faculty in history, womens studies, marine affairs, sociology and oceanography. Norling will also speak to URI history classes during her visit to URI.
Norlings visit to URI is sponsored by the URI Center for the Humanities.
For Information: Karen Markin, 401-874-5576, Jan Sawyer, 401-874-2116, Jennifer Smith, 401-874-2116

domain: history


Mar 15, 2010, 9:25 PM EDT
It may be nothing more than that, but according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, the Marlins were among teams in attendance to check out Mike Lowell’s exhibition debut against the Orioles on Monday.
According to Spencer, the Marlins have at least discussed the idea internally, though reacquiring the 36-year-old would likely be a backup plan. The Marlins are currently weighing if Logan Morrison or Gaby Sanchez are ready to play first base, or if Rule 5 selection Jorge Jimenez is a possibility to start at third base. If recovered from December thumb surgery, Lowell could be a reasonable alternative at third, with Jorge Cantu moving back to first.
Lowell, of course, played seven years in Florida and is the franchise’s all-time leader in home runs (143).
The Red Sox will likely have to eat the majority of Lowell’s remaining $12 million salary in any deal.
- Phillies acquire No. 1 international signing slot for 2015-2016 from the Diamondbacks 7
- Orioles activate Jonathan Schoop after 10-week absence 6
- Settling the Score: Saturday’s results 28
- Video: Kris Bryant hits a grand slam as part of a two-homer, six-RBI night 8
- Stephen Strasburg exits start with tightness in left side 10
- In the wake of the Miguel Cabrera injury the Tigers have few good options 20
- Mets general manager Sandy Alderson says Terry Collins’ job is safe 11
- Calf injury sends Miguel Cabrera to the disabled list for the first time in his career 7
- Settling the Scores: Sunday’s results (99)
- Mike Scioscia says Josh Hamilton should apologize to Angels owner Arte Moreno (90)
- What Yasiel Puig being a pain in the butt means. And what it doesn’t mean. (78)
- Report: Jerry Dipoto “definitely out” as Angels GM (77)
- Brian Dozier is the best second baseman in baseball (72)


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- wallclimber109If the video link on this page isnt working you can check the video out on youtube. www.youtube.com/...
- Alex FritzJacob, George has been establishing stuff in McClellan for a very long time, he is out there all the...
- JacobNot all of these lines are FA's strong people have been bouldering at mcclellen for at least 6 years...
- MeliThank you to Veephoto for the climbing picture!
- haveronglad u had a great trip!
Music: Medison - Harry feat. Skrein (bare noize remix) Selbz: I couldn't do as much as I would have liked to. As good as this factory looks, its actually awful for parkour. Everything was slippery and dusty and just way to messed up to use, but I tried my best to adapt to the environment, and this is what we got. I hope you guys like the video!
- Added Date: Sep 21 2010
- Length: 04:34
- Views 1365
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domain: hobby


text: Sweet Lilly had only been with her new adoptive mom for one month when she was injured so severely that she couldn’t walk. Lilly’s mom had been disabled for the last 20 years, and she had recently gotten Lilly to help her cope with stress. In a letter to us, Lilly ‘s mom expressed how much she already loved Lilly, and that it was so painful to watch her struggle. She reached out to us at FACE as a last hope. We immediately fell in love with this adorable pair and knew we had to help them! We are happy to report that some our staff actually got to meet Lilly and her mom this week, and they are doing better than ever!

domain: pet


1936 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic, world’s most expensive car now on display in California
About 3 months ago, history was made as Dr. Peter D. Williamson’s foundation sold the late car collector”s 1936 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic to the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, Ca., for between $30 million and $40 million. The vehicle is known to be the world”s most expensive car ever and is now on display at the Museum for a limited time only.
“Over the past four decades, the Bugatti Atlantic has seldom been seen publicly, so its presence at the Mullin Automotive Museum will provide a rare insider’s view at the legendary vehicle for generations of enthusiasts,” the museum said in a statement.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to display the Bugatti Atlantic at our Art Deco museum,” said Peter Mullin, founder of the Mullin Automotive Museum. “The Art Deco Movement was driven by people who were fascinated by invention and innovation – by the exotic nature of new technology and materials, by art and design, by speed and by the machine – no automobile captures this spirit more than the Bugatti Atlantic. In the historic pantheon of automobiles the Atlantic is without peer.”
While there were only three Atlantic built, this very car (chassis #57374) is the first in the series, widely believed to be the most original and correct in form. The car’s first owner Lord Victor Rothschild of London, ordered the car in light blue, with dark blue interior.
1936 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic at Mullin Automotive Museum:
– By: Omar Rana


These are the best monitors for your MacBook Pro. Whether you just started working from home or simply want to upgrade your productivity, adding an external monitor is something we recommend. You can quickly turn your MacBook Air into an entire work station or just enjoy a larger screen experience.
The displays below will work with all the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models from 2016 and beyond thanks to USB Type-C or Displayport.
The screen on Apple’s MacBook Pro is nice, but if you’re still using something like an older MacBook Pro 13-inch, you’ll want a bigger screen. I use a single 34-inch widescreen monitor instead of two monitors side-by-side, that way there aren’t any bezels in the way of my content. However, others might just want one huge screen so we’ve gathered some great options below.
Best Monitors for the MacBook Pro (2020)
- LG UltraFine 4K Display – $699
- Lenovo L24i IPS Display – $165
- LG 34-inch Ultrawide IPS Monitor – $379
- ViewSonic 27-inch USB-C Monitor – $350
- Dell U3419w Ultrasharp 34-Inch Curved Monitor – $877
- Samsung 850 Series 4K Work Monitor – $399
- LG 34-inch Curved Ultrawide IPS Display – $796
1. LG UltraFine 4K Display (24 or 27-inch)
If you don’t want to just upgrade to a bigger device like the new MacBook Pro 16 your best bet is an external monitor like the LG UltraFine 4K. Which, by the way, is the display that Apple recommends you pair with your Mac. With a 3840 x 2160 4K resolution your photos, videos, or games will come to life.
This monitor comes with a Thunderbolt 3 cable that provides up to 85W of charging power to your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, not to mention three USB-C ports. Additionally, there are two Thunderbolt ports you can use to hook-up a second screen so you have dual external monitors for your MacBook Pro. These screens have beautiful accurate colors, great sound, but they’re not cheap. If you want to go even bigger, Apple and LG offer a 27-inch 5K UltraFine monitor if you’d like.
2. Lenovo L24i IPS Display (24-inch)
The Lenovo L24i is an elegant, affordable, and slim monitor you can easily put almost anywhere to expand the desktop real estate of your MacBook. This is perfect for those that have limited space or a limited budget, yet don’t want to compromise too much. It still gives you a large 23.8-inch IPS monitor, but it’s only 1080p HD at this price point. However, the IPS panel should deliver accurate colors, great viewing angles, and it’ll even be good for gamers with a 4ms response rate.
Or, you could just get a 27-inch iMac and call it a day.
3. LG 34UM69G-B Ultrawide IPS Monitor (34-inch)
These days ultrawide monitors are all the rage and with good reason. They deliver tons of screen real estate that’s perfect for gaming or business users, all without taking a crazy amount of space up on your desk. And while I wish I waited for a fancy curved screen, the LG 34UM is the monitor I’m using to this day.
This is a big, wide, 34-inch Ultrawide IPS screen that looks simply stunning from any angle. I ditched my dual monitors turned upright into portrait mode, and oped for a widescreen and never looked back. You’ll love connecting this to your Mac thanks to HDMI, Displayport, USB-C and more. It’s a full-featured, fully wide monitor that won’t break the bank.
4. ViewSonic VG2755-2K Tilt USB-C Monitor (27-inch)
If you’re looking for an external monitor for your MacBook that’s the perfect middle ground of size, specs, and price this ViewSonic is for you. The ViewSonic VG2755 packs a decently large 27-inch 2k resolution screen and it’s under $400. It’s not too big, not too small, and still has a high resolution. You’re getting USB 3.1, USB-C, HDMI and DisplayPort options, so it’s highly versatile. Plus, it has a 40-degree tilt option that’ll help with ergonomics making it perfect for your office, or working from home.
5. Dell U3419w Ultrasharp Curved Monitor (34-inch)
Dell makes some of the best monitors around, and if you love the idea of the ultrawide screen from LG but want something that’s better quality for work AND play, get this. The Dell U3419 is a fully curved 34-inch Ultrawide screen that’s part of the Dell high-end “Ultrasharp” family of displays. Better yer, the U3419 has a USB-C out that delivers 90w of power, that way you can fully charge your MacBook safely right from the monitor and cut down on unnecessary cables.
It’s still an IPS display, so everything looks great, but the curve helps deliver better viewing angles, sharp crisp colors, less glare, and is just better overall. If you can afford you’ll love everything this display has to offer.
6. Samsung 850 4K Series Work Monitor (28-inch)
We can’t recommend a display for your MacBook without suggesting at least one Samsung. The company has a premium 850-series monitor that’s built for business users and will pair great with any Mac. The Samsung 850 packs a stunning 4k UHD resolution, USB-C, and tons of connectivity options. It even works with VESA mounts, too, if you want to buy more than one.
Not only does the Samsung 850 has a USB hub with HDMI, DisplayPort, and Mini DisplayPort inputs for peripherals and accessories, but we love the rotate function. This monitor works regularly, but can also turn completely up/down in portrait mode, perfect for reading documents. If you scroll a lot and don’t need a widescreen, give this a try. It’s also one of the best TAA compliant monitors for the Mac.
7. LG 34WL85C Curved Ultrawide IPS Display (34-inch)
Last but not least we wanted to recommend one more awesome ultrawide monitor, and this is the one I wish I waited for myself. The LG 34WL85C is a little more than LG’s other ultrawide screens, but that’s because this has a curved screen, tilt, and HDR10 with a beautiful 3440 x 1440 resolution. The edges wrap around your field of view delivering the best colors and picture quality, plus reduces glare all at the same time. It’s truly a wonderful monitor for gaming or doing heavy video editing.
LG added a neat Reading Mode for heavy workdays to go easy on your eyes, not to mention a “Black Stabilizer” option for when you switch from work to play and start watching Netflix movies with dark scenes. Basically, it can do a little bit of everything and it looks great doing it. Get this monitor for your Mac and enjoy all that it has to offer. Or, if money is no object try this 38-inch curved widescreen display.
In closing, find a monitor size, specs, and features that are right for you. If you plan on using your MacBook and the extended monitor for work or video editing, get a good IPS screen with great colors. If you’re a college student that wants to game and enjoy movies, that cheap LG widescreen would be a great choice. Choose what’s right for you and your budget.


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But the group wasn’t totally pessimistic: It pointed to strengthening tourism as one bright spot. And economists are still counting on Honolulu’s rail project to lift construction jobs next year.
UHERO said parts of the local economy are healthier than the U.S. mainland as a whole, but that the state is similarly facing a weak jobs market, limited income growth and lack of construction. The economists called the slowed recover “disappointing, but not particularly surprising.”
One of those healthier sectors is the tourism industry. Economists are projecting a boost from the APEC events this month as well as a rebound in visitors from Japan after substantial drop-offs following the natural disasters in March. In September, visitor arrivals from Japan were up nearly 1 percent over last September.
Offsetting a drop in visitors from the U.S. mainland are increases in visitors from Australia, Canada and Korea.
“We anticipate relatively strong visitor numbers in the final quarter of the year,” the report said. “For the year as a whole, we expect arrivals to rise 2.1 percent compared with 2010.”
The state’s construction industry, on the other hand, “remains in the deep doldrums.”
“Permits for new construction are languishing at low levels,” the report said. “Adjusted for inflation, real building permits for both residential and nonresidential construction are at levels not seen since the early 1980s.”
Public sector construction projects are no better: “The $63 million dollars of public contracts in the second quarter was the lowest level of government
contracting since the first quarter of 1984!” The report notes several planned government projects — sewer construction and Gov. Neil Abercrombie‘s New Day Work Projects — should help add jobs in coming months.
UHERO said it doesn’t expect the city’s rail project to contribute to the construction industry anytime soon, saying federal dollars aren’t anticipated until next fall. It also cited uncertainty over the legal challenge to the project.
“Still, by late next year we expect rail to be making a substantial contribution to the state construction industry,” UHERO said. “Much of this will be on Oahu with a more tepid construction upturn expected for the Neighbor Islands.”
UHERO described the state’s jobs recovery as “disappointing,” with statewide unemployment at 6.4 percent, or 40,250 people out of work.
The state did see year-over-year gains in the following sectors: private education, administrative services, and professional and business services. Meanwhile, the following sectors saw decreases: wholesale trade, finance, and transportation and warehousing.
UHERO projects real personal income growth of 0.9 percent for 2012, down from 1.3 percent for the current calendar year. It’s expected to increase to 2.1 percent in 2013.
Those estimates are more pessimistic than Thursday’s forecast by the state Council on Revenues. The group is projecting 4.5 percent real income growth for calendar year 2011, and 4 percent growth for 2012. Council on Revenues member Carl Bonham, who also is UHERO’s executive director, said the council’s forecast should be taken “with a big grain of rock salt.”
The group cited cuts in federal payroll taxes, which are expected to sunset at the end of the year, as providing a one-time boost in personal income. It also estimates inflation will drop in 2012 from 3.2 percent to 1.7 percent, which should boost purchasing power.
Housing prices and home sales are down year-to-date on Oahu. On the neighbor islands, sales volumes are up, but prices are down compared to last year.
“On Maui and to a lesser extent the Big Island, there is still a clear downward trend with no sign of price stabilization,” the report said. “There continues to be a substantial foreclosure overhang, equal to at least two months of resale inventory.


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The deal--which involves less than one-third of the $6.5 billion shelled out by Ford when it bought Volvo in 1999--is expected to be completed by the third quarter of the year.
"Volvo is a great brand with an excellent product lineup. This agreement provides a solid foundation for Volvo to continue to build its business under Geely's ownership," Ford president and chief executive Alan Mulally said in a statement. He added that the sale of Volvo will allow Ford to focus on the Ford brand.
The deal between Ford and Geely was signed at the Volvo headquarters in Sweden on Sunday afternoon. Signatories were Ford financial director Lewis Booth and Geely chairman Li Shufu.
"We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Ford, enabling us to safeguard and strengthen Volvo's renowned brand heritage," Li said in a statement on Volvo's website. "This famous Swedish premium brand will remain true to its core values of safety, quality, environmental care and modern Scandinavian design."
The Chinese car magnate has revealed plans to establish a Volvo factory in Beijing, AutoNews.com said, while saying production lines in Europe will remain.
"I have a deep belief that the manufacturing footprint in Gothenburg and Belgium will be preserved in the longer term," Li said. "We want to stabilize and enhance the traditional markets in Europe and North America, and at the same time develop the other Volvo business in emerging markets, including China."
Geely joined China's auto industry in 1997 and is currently producing more than 30 car models. The Chinese carmaker aims to produce 42 models by 2015.
(In photo: Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd. chairman Li Shufu [left] and Ford Motor Co. financial director Lewis Booth.)

domain: economics


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When I first heard byelian's new single I immediately thought of Two Feet. The German producer, artist and newcomer is one to be excited about when it comes to blending indie and pop futuristic sounds.
After first learning to play the piano at the age of 6, he then spent years after whilst growing up trying out different styles, until he finally managed to find an authentic way to create art, but staying always close to his beloved piano. With his first single "C’est l’Hiver" in February 2021, he now delivers a confident dark-pop single with his third and upcoming single "Thud".
byelian shares, "Thud' is a cry for help - a call to reach out to one's closest counterpart and believe with all one's might in something different, something better. The daily increasingly dull pain blurs into a feeling of disorientation with the only desire to escape it once and for all."
The visuals are stunning!


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Craig Claxton isn’t overly imposing, at 5-foot-10. And, generously listed at 175-pounds, one wouldn’t think his modest shoulders could carry that much. But for the last three years, they’ve carried an incredible burden; they’ve carried the weight of an entire basketball program.
Three years ago, the young man known as “Speedy” was one of New York’s most exciting – and most productive – point guards. But instead of leaving for warmer climes like so many others, the Hempstead native decided to stay home and help build his neighborhood team. He decided to build Hofstra from a moribund program into a winner.
Claxton, bruised thigh and all, led Hofstra against Big East foe Rutgers last night in the first round of the NIT Tournament. And, like any city kid, Claxton dreams of playing in The Garden, the site of the NIT Final Four. But the junior knew that win or lose last night, he has the Dutchmen flying in the right direction, with a 22-9 record and their first postseason berth in 22 years.
‘It feels good. This is like another step up for our program,” Claxton said of the NIT bid. “Every year we keep getting better and better. This is just another stepping stone.”
Claxton played at Christ The King, which by definition means he knows about winning basketball. He was named all-state after leading the Royals to a 26-1 record and into the city CHSAA title game against Rice.
But he decided to stay “home,” and Hofstra came out the winner.
‘It was close to my home,” Claxton said. “And when I came out the coaching staff was very good, and I wanted to be a part of it.”
Not many prospective recruits were saying that at the time; Hofstra wasn’t something many schoolboys wanted any part of unless they were coming to get Jet autographs.
Claxton was committing to a 9-18 team his senior year at Christ The King. As a matter of fact, the Flying Dutchmen never lost less than 18 games in Claxton’s four years of high school, and were 37-74 in that span.
But coach Jay Wright has rebuilt the program, and he’s done it largely because of Claxton. They went 19-12 last year, and this year earned their first-ever NIT bid. Claxton wasn’t even born the last time Hofstra played in the postseason, a 1977 first-round NCAA loss to Notre Dame. But this year he leads the team in assists (5.3) and steals (2.3) and is second in scoring at 13.3 per game.


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The inspiration behind Chicago designer Ashley Zygmunt’s collections? Jeans and a t-shirt. “They’re the two staples that any woman in any social class has,” she says. And while Zamrie’s line may not focus on these simple classics, all of the online-based designer’s pieces can easily be paired with either of the two.
Ashley’s background in the high fashion world of Zac Posen and Peter Som is balanced with corporate experience designing several lines for Walmart. Zamrie, created in 2009 with the help of the Chicago Fashion Incubator, is a combination of both sides of the industry. “We want staples that will be in your closet for years, not months. But we still want some of those high fashion, semi-trendy, fashion forward qualities.”
So basically, Ashley designs based on what her customers want for their everyday lives. This is exemplified by her wash and wear garments and her Morgan Vegan Leather Jacket, a beautiful blazer-esque number designed with moms in mind. “If you have a little kid and they throw up on your leather jacket, it’s ruined… But with the fabric that we use you can just wipe it off.”
Likewise, her customers were the inspiration behind her decision to shut down her wholesale brand and move everything online. After noticing many of her sales were coming from the coasts, she realized an online brand would allow her “to speak to the customers more.”
And speak she did. Beginning with customers’ questions of how to style, she created a page that offered four ways to wear every piece. “Every color of every style, I can tell you at least four, probably ten, different ways to wear it. Give me an occasion, I’ll tell you how to wear it.”
She also responded to consumers’ tendency to stop at the check out and never place an order. Her try and buy program allows customers to order garments and to keep them for 10 days before receiving a charge. “It’s very difficult to shop online with a brand that’s relatively unknown…[I wanted to] allow them to put the clothing in their hands [so] they can feel the quality, they can feel the fabric, they can understand the item.”
Not to mention, on her “What’s Next” page, you can actually vote for the pieces to be featured in next seasons collection. “Why not have our customers tell us what they want? It makes them feel like they’re part of our company.”
So join in on the fun and let Ashley know your thoughts at Zamrie.com!


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That sums up the vernissage (opening reception) for the Beauford Delaney: Resonance of Form and Vibration of Color exhibition that took place at Columbia Global Centers | Paris at Reid Hall on February 3, 2016.
Over 300 people came out for the event over the course of the evening. Art aficionados enjoyed refreshments in the Salle de Conferences, where many works are displayed. They flowed back and forth between this room and the Grande Salle, where more paintings and works on paper punctuate the rich wood paneling found there.
(1966) Oil on canvas
Among the notables in attendance were sculptor, poet, and novelist Barbara Chase-Riboud, photographer Florence Gruère, documentary filmmaker Louis Messiah, and author Jake Lamar.
Brune Biebuyck, administrative director of Reid Hall, opened the evening by welcoming attendees to the exhibition and introducing me. She spoke warmly about the collaboration between Columbia Global Center Paris, the Wells International Foundation, and Les Amis de Beauford Delaney, and expressed her pleasure at being able to host the exhibition in the magical place that is Reid Hall.
For my part, I told the story behind Les Amis de Beauford Delaney and shared how the idea for the exhibition was born. I welcomed a contingent of eleven (11) persons from Knoxville, TN — Beauford's hometown — who were among the crowd to honor Knoxville's native son. Several of them were from the Knoxville Museum of Art.
Then the Wells International Foundation's two strategic partners for education / study abroad came to the podium to explain the projects that they had conceived in conjunction with the exhibition.
Jacqueline Cofield, founder of J Rêve International, spoke passionately about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) and the Global Educator Program that she has organized for February 15-20. Eight teachers will explore ways to incorporate the arts into their teaching practices for their respective disciplines with a focus on Beauford's life and art.
Professor Bryan Carter and six students from the University of Arizona introduced themselves and their Augmented Reality project. One of the students, Tripp Twyman, demonstrated the process of downloading the Blippar application from the App store onto smart devices and then scanning paintings to activate the app so that attendees could view the video augments and access Web links associated with roughly half of the paintings in the exhibition.
Watch the video of the presentation here.
Once the demonstration was over, attendees went around the exhibition rooms to test the app for themselves.
The atmosphere was exceptionally convivial and attendees were present until closing time.
The Blippar app also works for images in the exhibition catalog, which sold "like hotcakes" in the vestibule outside the Grande Salle. Come back next week to learn why this publication is the first of its kind!