text:
Target Murder Suspect Used Antique Gun Purchased Online
Donald Wayne Bricker Jr. was denied bail after prosecutors told the judge that the gun that Bricker used to allegedly shoot and kill Mariam Folashade Adebayo in the parking lot of the Target store in Germantown had arrived in the mail to his home only that morning.
The 27-year-old Bricker who is charged with First Degree Murder, appeared in court via video monitor for a bond hearing before Judge John C. Moffett in District Court in Rockville Friday afternoon. Other than saying his name, Bricker only said one word, "Yes," when Judge Moffett asked if he understood that he could hire his own attorney.
Senior Assistant State's Attorney Deborah W. Feinstein asked Judge Moffett to continue holding Bricker without bond due to the violent nature of the crime. She said that Bricker is believed to have shot and killed Adebayo in a crowded shopping center parking lot and the incident was captured on surveillance cameras.
Feinstein further outlined that violent nature of Bricker telling the court that the gun which Bricker is said to have used had arrived in the mail at his residence in Hagerstown on the morning of the day of the murder. She said that because Bricker, a convicted sex offender and could not legally purchase a firearm, use a loophole in the law to order a replica antique "black powder" gun online and had it delivered through the mail. The purchase of antique firearms and replicas of antique guns is not regulated.
While prosecutors would not go into too many details about the gun, they did say that it was a handgun, not a long gun. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, an antique firearm is "any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; or any replica of any firearm… [that] is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition."
Feinstein told the court that Bricker had previously purchased 100 rounds of ammunition for the antique and practiced firing it at least once before going to meet Adebayo in the parking lot on Monday evening.
Aubrey Dillon, with the Maryland Public Defender's office, asked Judge Moffett to allow Bricker to post some amount of bond, arguing that the defendant has been employed as a home improvement contractor. "He likes to work on houses," Dillon told the court, "he likes seeing the results of his work."
Based on the severity of the crime and its violent nature, Judge Moffett denied bail for Bricker. He reminded Bricker that if he wanted to hire an attorney he must do so well before his next court appearance which would be a status hearing scheduled for June 26.
After Bricker's court appearance, Montgomery County States Attorney Spokesperson Ramon Korionoff said the only reason the prosecutor's brought up the type of firearm that was used was that "it shows that he has a propensity to be able to get weapons to commit the crime."
Prosecutors said that they did not yet know that make and model of the gun, but said that is "very old fashioned looking gun." Korionoff said that the States Attorney's Office was still awaiting the ballistics and autopsy reports in this case.
At 7:33 pm, Monday evening on June 1, police received multiple calls for a shooting in the parking lot in front of the Target located at 20908 North Frederick Road in Germantown. Officers responded to the area and located the victim.
At the scene, multiple witnesses observed an altercation in a vehicle between Adebayo and Bricker. Witnesses stated that at some point during the altercation, Adebayo exited the vehicle to get away from Bricker. The suspect then exited the vehicle holding a handgun. Bricker fired the gun in the direction of Adebayo and she fell to the ground. Bricker was then observed walking up to Adebayo and shooting her again. Bricker then fled from the scene in a white, older model, Ford Ranger pickup truck.
According to police, at approximately 7:42 pm, an officer located Bricker's vehicle in the area of Comus Road and Old Hundred Road in Dickerson. Officers then initiated their cruisers' emergency lights and sirens. When the suspect failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated.
Bricker then led police on a high-speed chase on the rural roads in far western Montgomery County, according to police reports heard over a police scanner. In Dickerson, the suspect began heading south on Rt. 28 with officers in pursuit. Pursuing officers communicated over the radio that the suspect reached speeds of 80- or 90-miles per hour as he sped eastbound on Rt. 28 before crashing.
At approximately 8:12 pm., according to police, in the area of the 15800 block of Darnestown Road, the Bricker's vehicle was involved in a single-vehicle collision between Black Rock Road and Whites Ferry Road. At that time officers arrested Bricker and he was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries he sustained in the collision. A handgun was recovered at the collision scene. Officers seized the vehicle which contained evidence related to the crime.
Interviews with the victim's family and friends revealed that Adebayo and Bricker had been dating for approximately six months and had recently ended the relationship.
Bricker is a registered sex offender after a 2008 conviction for Sexual Offense in the Third Degree in Washington County, which means sexual contact without the consent of the victim, along with an aggravating factor, like causing or putting in fear of serious physical injury. A Third Degree Sexual Offense also includes sexual contact with mentally disabled victim or victim under age 14 with the perpetrator being four years older, or a sexual act with victim 14- or 15-years old.
Bricker has had other run-ins with police, in December 2007 he plead guilty to disorderly conduct for an incident which took place in on July 25, of 2007 in Washington County. He was arrested and charged with other crimes in association with that incident but was not prosecuted, according to court records.
This remains an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this event is asked to call the Department at 301-279-8000 (24 hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.
Captions:
Top: Police crime scene tape at the Target parking lot on Monday night.
Photo by Germantown Pulse.
Next: The defendant Donald Wayne Bricker, Jr.
Photo of suspect from the Maryland State Sex Offender Registry.
Next: A photo of a Colt Dragoon Mod 1848 revolver. An example of a black powder revolver which may have been used in this case. This model is widely available from online gun sellers.
Photo by Hmaag, via Wikimedia Commons
#germantown #murder


text:
If you would like to delete a kubernetes cluster, there are a few tools available to you:

* [Kops](#using-kops-to-delete-a-cluster)

## Using Kops to delete a cluster

To see a list of the resources that will be deleted:

```kops delete cluster --name <ClusterName> --region <Region>```

That will show you a list of resources that will be deleted; please double
check them before passing `--yes` to actually perform the deletion:

```kops delete cluster --name <ClusterName> --region <Region> --yes```

More information on kops can be found at the [main repo](https://github.com/kubernetes/kops)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Eastern Drilling was an offshore drilling contractor headquartered in Grimstad, Norway. In May 2007, Seadrill acquired the company.

History
The company was founded in 2004.

In 2005, Smedvig acquired a 10% stake in the company.

In November 2006, the company signed a $558 million contract for use of its to-be-constructed drilling rig by Total S.A. The rig was being constructed by Samsung Heavy Industries.

In May 2007, Seadrill acquired the company.

References

Companies disestablished in 2007
Defunct companies of Norway
Norwegian companies established in 2004
Non-renewable resource companies disestablished in 2007
Non-renewable resource companies established in 2004

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Afghanistan parliament attacked by Taliban suicide bomber and gunmen
Two killed and 40 injured in suicide and gun attack
All attackers killed by security forces
Taliban claims responsibility
Read the latest summary
Video from a TV station in Afghanistan shows the moment the parliament building in Kabul came under attack. A woman and child were killed and 40 civilians were wounded in the attack and according to the UN. The Taliban claimed responsibility.
Matthew Weaver
Mon 22 Jun 2015 06.28 EDT First published on Mon 22 Jun 2015 02.55 EDT
5.47am EDT 05:47 Two killed, says UN
5.44am EDT 05:44
4.56am EDT 04:56 Police secure the scene
4.17am EDT 04:17 More than 30 people injured
4.11am EDT 04:11 All attackers killed
4.06am EDT 04:06 Six gunmen killed
3.37am EDT 03:37 More than 20 injured
Newest Newer
Older Oldest
Sune Engel Rasmussen
Today's attack is a sign of divisions within the Taliban insurgency, writes Sune Engel Rasmussen in Kabul.
While some leaders might be open to reconciliation, others are less convinced that opting for a role in the established political system is the way to go.
While recent attacks have been intensifying on the ground in Afghanistan, high-level Taliban leaders based in Qatar, have been meeting informally with people close to the Afghan government in attempt to restart peace talks.
At a meeting in early May in Qatar, Taliban delegates promised to uphold women's rights to education and work, were they to regain political power. A few weeks later, a Taliban delegation met with Afghan women's rights activists in Oslo.
Updated at 3.56am EDT
Ehsanullah Amiri, from the Wall Street Journal, has this photograph of a chaotic and dusty scene inside the parliament after the attack.
Ehsanullah Amiri (@euamiri)
The parliament hall covered with dust after a huge blast outside of the compound. #Kabul #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/t33vNMyR1Q
More than 20 injured
More than 20 people were injured in the attack according to Tolo News, citing health officials.
TOLOnews (@TOLOnews)
KABUL - 21 civilians injured in Parliament attack - incl 5 women and 3 children: health officials
The attack comes at a time when the northern province of Kunduz has been under heavy Taliban siege for weeks, writes Sune Engel Rasmussen.
Over the weekend, according to a ministry of defence spokesman, Taliban forces took control over Chardara district in Kunduz. The province has become the epicentre of the Taliban's spring offensive, and fighting there has displaced at least 6,000 families, according to humanitarian organisations.
The parliament attack also follows several recent attacks, which have rattled the Afghan capital. On 14 May, gunmen killed 14 people, including 9 foreigners, when they stormed a guesthouse in central Kabul.
Two weeks later, on 26 May, gunmen attacked another guesthouse, housing dozens of foreign contractors, albeit without killing any of them.
Afghanistan's rolling news channel Tolo News, has footage of parliament being evacuated. One MP was shown taking video, or images, on her iPad before being ushered away
Kabul chief of police Abdurrahman Rahimi, told Guardian reporter Sune Engel Rasmussen that a car bomb exploded close to the parliament.
After the blast a group of armed militants attacked from the east side of parliament where they climbed onto an empty building under construction and started firing, according to Rahimi's account.
"Senators and members of lower house are all safe. We took them out," Rahimi said, adding that a clearing operation was now underway.
An Afghan security officer stands guard at the entry gate of the Afghan parliament after an attack by the Taliban, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, June 22, 2015. Photograph: Rahmat Gul/AP
MP Harif Rahmani, who was inside parliament at the time of the explosions, confirms that MPs were evacuated to safety with no serious injuries.
He told Tolo News that gunmen did not enter the building after a 20-minute battle outside. He also parliament was warned of the attack.
KABUL: Rahmani says no gunmen were able to enter Parliament due to heavy security presence
KABUL - Rahmani says that Parliament was warned a few days ago that they would come under attack
KABUL: Rahmani says Parliament security fought attackers off for more than 20 minutes before security forces arrived
Suicide bomber and gunmen attacked building
A Taliban suicide bomber and several gunmen attacked the parliament building, according to Reuters.
The attack shattered windows and forced MPs to flee the building, it said. Afghan security officials said all the politicians were safe.
"A suicide bomber blew himself up just outside the parliament building and several fighters took positions in a building close to parliament," Ebadullah Karimi, spokesman for Kabul police, told Reuters.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility.
"We have launched an attack on parliament as there was an important gathering to introduce the country's defence minister," he said by phone.
Reuters points out that the attack came after a second district in two days fell to the Taliban in the north. It adds this context:
Violence has spiralled in Afghanistan since the departure of most foreign forces at the end of last year and the fall of the second district raises questions about the Nato-trained Afghan security forces' ability to fight the Taliban.
Insurgents are pushing to take territory more than 13 years after the US-led military intervention that toppled the Taliban from power.
The withdrawal of foreign forces and a reduction in US air strikes have allowed Taliban fighters to launch several major attacks in important Afghan provinces.
The second district to fall to the Taliban on Monday was in the northern province of Kunduz.
The Taliban captured Dasht-e-Archi district a day after hundreds of militants fought their way to the centre of the adjacent district of Chardara.
"The Taliban managed to take it over this morning as the area has been surrounded for days," Nasruddin Saeedi, the district governor who escaped to the provincial capital, Kunduz city, told Reuters by telephone.
"They are many foreign fighters with heavy machine guns. We have asked for reinforcements, but none arrived."
The fall of the second district within a day underlines questions about Afghan forces' ability to quell the Taliban. Afghan soldiers were preparing a counterattack to retake both districts, another local official said.
There were chaotic scenes after the attack as the security forces struggled to cope, Fawzia Koofi, a lawmaker who was in the parliament building at the time of the attack, told Sune Engel Rasmussen in Kabul.
"The parliament ceiling fell down, including the lights and everything. Then shooting started from here and there," she said. There was a "huge lack of coordination" on part of the security forces, she added. "
We went to the basement but we didn't see any security forces. We went to the basement ourselves," she said. After thirty minutes, she said, she and other parliamentarians were able to get inside their armoured vehicles to drive to safety.
"The enemies of Afghanistan would like to harm our democracy. We are not armed people we are just talking," Koofi said.
Sune Engel Rasmussen (@SuneEngel)
Parliament under attack in Kabul as new Minister of Defense was being introduced for approval. Taliban claims responsibility. #Afghanistan
Welcome to live coverage of the aftermath of an attack on the parliament building Kabul.
A loud explosion and gunfire has occurred outside the Afghan parliament building in the western part of Kabul.
The attack happened as the Afghanistan's new defence minister, Massoom Stanekzai, was due to be vetted in parliament, according to reports.
The Taliban is reported to have claimed responsibility for the attack, which is believe to involve rocket propelled grenades.
Usman Sharifi (@usharifi)
Attack on Afghan Parliament live boradcast: Sounds like insurgents are positioned in a building outside the parliament compund, firing RPGs.
Television was broadcasting live from parliament when the explosion struck
The head of parliament was shown on TV speaking when an explosion occurred. He initially tried to carry on speaking even after the blast shook the building. But he was then quickly ushered away by security men.
MPs were later reported to have been moved to safety, as the security forces surrounded the area.
KABUL: MPs have been moved to a safe area. Security forces have surrounded area and cordoned it off pic.twitter.com/k4ky6xH6Ll
Mohammad azad (@moh_azad)
Inside #Parliment Photo: #Hamedhaidary pic.twitter.com/naNmAVislc

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Bad days: we've all had them. What starts as a simple irritation can grow into an overwhelming amount of stress, which in turn can cause further complications in our lives.
For someone with mental illness, the presence or lack of stress can be a major component of how their day will go. Fortunately, with the help of our smartphones, we are only a few clicks away from apps that can help relieve stress and reduce anxiety to provide for a healthier life.
A general search for mental health apps can turn up a surprising number of apps, and it can be hard to know which ones may be the right ones for you.
Thankfully, Pinterest lists can serve as great guides to finding the perfect combination of apps to help you lead a stress-free life.
Happify is an app that is focused on emotional health and well-being and makes use of what the developers describe as "positive psychology, mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy." This app is used to help boost the happiness of its users, reduce anxiety and relieve stress.
Happify's philosophy revolves around the idea that emotional well-being and happiness can be measured by figuring out where the individual's happiness level is currently at, and from there they can work to improve it through the features the app provides.
Happify includes stress relieving games, community support and tracks that are specialized for your needs.
Like Happify, SuperBetter brings a positive mindset front and center in an app where your challenge (whether it's anxiety, depression, stress, etc.) becomes a part of your journey to a better state of mental well-being.
In SuperBetter, bad habits become "bad guys," and you can find Allies to help you along the way while gaining skills through games and activities that you can translate into your everyday life.
SuperBetter encourages its users to accomplish their goals while increasing their personal resilience.
If you are new to meditation, Headspace is a great guide for how to get started.
Headspace provides a space that allows for its users to relieve stress and become more focused through the simple process of meditation. This app breaks down what can be seen as a complex subject into bite-sized lessons for individuals with a busy schedule.
Headspace's meditation tracks range from multiple topics, from stress to sleep, and provide exercises in case a user needs help while having a panic attack.
Pacifica is an app that provides tools to help reduce anxiety and release stress in our daily lives.
Features include guided self-help plans, mood tracking, relaxation techniques, a welcoming community and a way to view your progress over time.
Grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy, Pacifica offers a day by day plan for the future in order to help cope with your stress and anxiety.
This is a different app than the rest on this list. Dancing Line is a game focused on music and rhythm in which you guide your cube through the map with only the guidance of the beat of the background music.
True to its nature, the easiest way to play this game is with headphones on, which creates an altogether different experience. It's like shutting yourself off from the world, which, when days get stressful, this app is a miracle.
Dancing Line goes to prove that almost any app can be a "mental health" app when that tool can help provide stress relief.
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'High Life' in a black hole
Image credit: Science Photo Library
By Tim Fryer
Published Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Black holes are enormously powerful, but could they offer an energy source that we could tap into? That is the premise behind 'High Life'.
'High Life' doesn't feel like a science-fiction story, in as much as the science fiction forms only the backdrop rather than troubling the actual storyline too much. Instead, it is a drama based around a group of predominantly young adults that find themselves thrown into long-term coexistence in the confines of a space ship.
Not surprisingly there is considerable sexual tension in the group – not helped by the decidedly saucy Dr Dibs, who is driven to prove that reproduction is an option when you are on the unnatural side of the Earth's atmosphere. All bar one of such experiments come to unfortunate ends as the radiation in the space ship proves too much for the embryonic space travellers.
It is also worth pointing out that this is a motley crew made up of convicts destined for a life in imprisonment – this trip being offered as a way out, a way to give something back in service to science. I'm not going to lie, and without giving away anything that is not entirely predictable, it doesn't end well for many on board.
The purpose of this eight-year quest is to sidle up to a black hole and assess if it is possible to tap into its energy, potentially providing a source of energy that could fuel Earth forever, and this is what Big Screen is turning its attention to this month.
An obvious point here is that the nearest black hole (V616 Monoceros) is 3,000 light years away. Even though our space ship in 'High Life' attained the admirable speed of "99 per cent the speed of light", this clearly means that the nearest black hole would take just a fraction more than 3,000 years to reach. Which is considerably more than eight. A far more convincing story about the speed of travel in space is needed.
Just on the subject of speed, it is claimed that the gravitational effect on board is created by constant acceleration. In my mind that only works if you are accelerating at the same rate as the gravitational force that you are trying to replicate (presumably 9.8m/s2), and when you reach 99 per cent the speed of light you run out of acceleration room. My rule of thumb is that there should either be a convincing scientific explanation or no attempt at one (e.g. turning on gravity by pressing the gravitational field button).
Putting all that aside, are black holes a useful source of boundless energy? Instinctively it feels that the Sun has more than enough energy to satisfy our needs and it does have the advantage of being relatively local. But let's run with the black hole idea.
Probably the first useful thing to know about black holes is that we don't know that they really exist. We can observe places where no light is emitted or able to pass through and witness events that demonstrate a destructive pulling power of these dark spaces, but black holes are the theoretical explanation. They are the only explanation that currently makes sense, and as E&T was going to press a remarkable image was released that further supports the theory.
Dr Paola Amico, instrument physicist at the European Southern Observatory, explains further: "We cannot, of course, observe black holes in a 'conventional way', since they do not emit light, but we observe their gravitational effects. Einstein's General Theory of Relativity has passed (very recently) two direct tests that are linked to the very existence of black holes: according to the theory, gravitational waves of the magnitude we have observed in 2015 can only be generated by black holes 'merging events'."
Black holes possess gravitational energy from the fact that they have mass; also, if spinning, they have kinetic energy. It is difficult to see how either energy source could be usefully harvested given the hostility of the environment. But there is another possibility in the radiation theorised by and subsequently named after Stephen Hawking.
Dr Amico continues: "In theory one could capture the emitted particles [Hawking radiation] at the event horizon – very difficult to do it though, given the enormous gravitational pull." To counter this pull the energy-harvesting device would need to orbit the black hole very, very fast to maintain a stable position not too far away from the event horizon – the line beyond which nothing can escape the gravitational pull and where Hawking radiation is created. For reference, our fastest planet is Mercury at a speedy 107,000mph, and they slow down the further they are away from the Sun – the Earth proceeds at a stately 67,000mph while Neptune dawdles at a mere 12,000mph.
Our radiation-gathering device, therefore, needs to be built for incredible speed, be able to withstand phenomenally destructive gravitational forces and then collect the energy and put it in a useful form ready to be transmitted 3,000 light years back to Earth. It sounds like an expensive way of keeping the lights on.
The transmitting of energy would presumably be using a technology that goes under the name of power beaming (and various others). The notion of having solar energy-harvesting satellites – beaming the energy back down to Earth – is something that has been experimented with at some length, initially by the Americans in the 1970s and 1980s, before deciding that the cost of getting the necessary materials into orbit made the idea uneconomic. However, China announced earlier this year its intention to build power satellites. So this is a technology that has potential, albeit unproven, for near-space applications, harvesting the energy from our own Sun. Beaming power across 3,000 light years seems to be stretching even wild imaginations.
I had other issues with this movie, both from a technology point of view and also a strange timeline – not that it jumped around in confusing fashion in the way that so many films have done since 'Pulp Fiction', but that time spans between the significant events just didn't seem to add up. Normally I am quite happy to suspend belief and enjoy the story but in this case, for me, the story didn't warrant the excessive amounts of belief that needed to be suspended.
'High Life' is released in the UK on 10 May 2019
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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #188186
Title: Prevalence, Distribution and Characterization of Ceftiofur Resistance in Salmonella enterica Isolated from Animals in the U.S. from 1999 to 2003
Frye, Jonathan
Cray, Paula
Submitted to: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Citation: Frye, J.G., Cray, P.J. 2007. Prevalence, Distribution and Characterization of Ceftiofur Resistance in Salmonella enterica Isolated from Animals in the U.S. from 1999 to 2003. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. 30(2):134-142.
Interpretive Summary: Extended-spectrum cephalosporins are used to treat systemic Salmonella infections in children. Salmonella resistant to these antibiotics are found in humans and animals; however the impact that animals have on resistance in human infections is unknown. To investigate this, Salmonella enterica animal isolates from 1999 to 2003 were analyzed. Of 34,411 isolates, 3,749 (10.9%) were resistant and percent resistance rose steadily from 4.0% in 1999 to 18.8% in 2003. Cattle (17.6%), horses (19.2%) and dogs (20.8%), were higher than average, but turkeys (6.8%), chickens (7.1%), eggs (3.6%), and swine (4.6%) were lower. Clinical isolates were also higher at 18.5% while on-farm (3.4%) and slaughter (7.1%) isolates were lower than average. Characterization of 125 isolates showed that 82% of the cephalosporin resistance was due to a gene encoded on large, self transmissible plasmids. This information helps determine the impact of cephalosporin use in animals on pharmaceutical, agricultural and the human heath industries.
Technical Abstract: Resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins is potentially serious in the treatment of systemic Salmonella infections. Resistant isolates have been found in humans and animals; however the role that agricultural practices play in the development of resistance and spread to humans is unknown. To help determine this, 34,411 animal isolates collected from 1999 to 2003 were analyzed. Resistance to cephalosporins over that time rose steadily from 4.0% in 1999 to 18.8% in 2003, with an average of 10.9%. Animal sources with greater resistance included cattle (17.6%), horses (19.2%) and dogs (20.8%), but turkeys (6.8%), chickens (7.1%), eggs (3.6%), and swine (4.6%) had less resistant isolates than average. Clinical isolates were also much higher (18.5%), while on-farm isolates (3.4%) and slaughter isolates (7.1%) were less resistant. Seventy-six serotypes had cephalosporin resistance but five serotypes (Newport, Typhimurium, Agona, Heidelberg, and Kentucky) accounted for 80% of resistant isolates. Analysis of a subset of isolates showed that 82% of the cephalosporin resistance was due to the blaCMY-2 gene encoded on large (120-200 kb), self transmissible plasmids. These data suggest that the level of Salmonella cephalosporin resistance is increasing due to the spread of plasmids carrying resistance genes to a range of serotypes in several host animals.


text:
Monday 21 November 2022 4:38 pm
National Grid: Is it ready for the green revolution?
By: Nicholas Earl
Jeremy Hunt's £55bn tax grab last week marked the death knell for Liz Truss' ill-fated mini-budget, but many of the energy policies and goals promoted by her predecessor Boris Johnson remain intact.
Not only did the Chancellor reinforce Johnson's funding pledge for Sizewell C, but the Energy Security Strategy from April has stayed in place, alongside its highly ambitious targets for renewable generation.
This includes vast plans for offshore wind and solar power, with the Government aiming for 50GW and 70GW of both power sources by 2030 and 2035 respectively, to boost the country's energy independence and meet its environmental goals.
However, without reform, National Grid faces zombie projects stuck in development limbo – unable to progress through the planning system, alongside huge bills to turn off operating turbines to prevent the UK's creaking network from breaking down.
There is also the looming prospect of a lack of power distributed to key population hubs hundreds of miles from future energy sources like offshore wind and solar farms.
This raises the question of whether National Grid, the UK's energy motorway network for domestic power supplies, is prepared for such a mammoth task.
Brits set for painful hikes to energy bills despite more support, warn analysts
National Grid: Fail to plan, plan to fail
Ben Wilson, chief strategy officer for National Grid, told City A.M that to meet Downing Street's targets, it would need to connect the grid to a further 40GW of renewable power over the next eight years – a sixty percent boost on current capacity.
In his view, there were three things National Grid needed to push for: anticipatory investment, planning reform, and updating the connections process.
But such a scale-up will be highly dependent on National Grid building the necessary power lines, storage facilities and interconnectors to distribute power across the country, including shifting historic amounts of offshore wind power from the North Sea to the south of England.
Wilson called for developers of energy projects and the National Grid to work in concert to ensure new sites were connected to the grid more quickly, and improve how and where it spends money to make improvements.
"When we see these developments coming, such as offshore wind leases, we need to be able to start planning to reinforce the grid – and construct that reinforcement in parallel with developers working on their projects and before the connection request," Wilson said.
He was also in favour of financial support for communities facing inconvenience from new projects to reduce opposition to vital infrastructure
Wilson said: "If you are impacted by local infrastructure that is only right that there should be community investment to come hand in hand with that."
He expected the Government to be consulting on the prospect of financial compensation in the new year.
This follows comments from National Grid chief executive John Pettigrew earlier this month, when he told City A.M. the Government should consider how it can provide "benefits to local communities that are hosting infrastructure."
Barnaby Wharton, director of future electricity systems at industry body Renewable UK, believed National Grid had to be ready for the shift from fewer generators set up close to demand at fossil fuel plants, to lots of renewable generators being built hundreds of miles from British households.
He suggested this meant there will be an increasing need to build more transmission infrastructure, such as power pylons or underground copper cables, quickly.
"The regulatory structures we have in place don't allow for that pace of deployment," warned Wharton, adding that the regulatory regime is too focused on "minimising cost today rather than seeing the long-term value in the network."
Speeding up the planning process for rolling out transmission infrastructure seems like a no-brainer for Downing Street, which is aiming to shave three years off the planning cycle for renewable projects, with offshore wind turbines, for example, taking up to seven years to complete under the current planning system.
Exclusive: Reform stamp duty to boost energy efficiency, urges Kingfisher
Going National: Planning reforms essential
National Grid also noted one of the key influences on planning for the country's green future were National Policy Statements (NPS) – which are used to shape energy developments.
While the government has a new strategy in place, the latest NPS was established under the former Energy and Climate department back in 2010-11.
"It's very important that NPS is updated and reflects the amount of renewable generation that is required, but also references the network required to connect it – and the current ones don't do that," Wilson said.
"They focus on generation; they do not focus on networks."
National Grid has also made some of its own adjustments to steps to make the development pipeline for energy projects more efficient.
As things stand, proposed new renewable energy projects enter the Transmissions Entry Capacity queue, which are approved on a first come first serve basis, rather than whether they are fully funded and ready to go.
But if projects want to exit the queue, due to issues with funding or planning, they face financial penalties. This system has led to viable renewable energy projects being delayed – with nervous project managers in the queue fearing losses if they step aside.
To address this, National Grid has set up a temporary amnesty – providing companies with the ability for people to exit the queue if they feel the project is not going to go ahead without having to suffer financial penalties.
Wilson conceded, however, that the queue process might need some further tweaking in order to get more renewable projects up and running, and connected, quicker.
The Government has been approached for comment.
National Grid will trial discounts for households to cut peak-time electricity use
Monopoly: The Grid's dominant status
Despite National Grid's recent reforming zeal, the group is not without its critics.
Octopus Energy's boss Greg Jackson argued last month National Grid is "not fit for purpose" and was the biggest challenge to building more renewable energy sources.
He argued there should be more options for developers looking to connect their projects to the UK's energy grid – questioning its monopoly status.
At the Times Earth Business Summit last month, he called on the UK to follow the example of other countries such as India and Brazil with "contestable grids" where connections can be fielded by competing contractors.
Rachel Fletcher, director of regulations and economics at the energy firm, argued that it was simply taking too long for new renewable energy projects to get grid connections.
She said: "If you know best place for your wind farm and the place that people want it – that is good for birds and good for catching wind – if it is on a bit of the network that is already at capacity, then you have to wait a very, very long time to get to get a connection to get to get an upgrade."
The energy expert also questioned whether National Grid should maintain its monopoly status – with the organisation showing too much reliance on settled ideas at the risk of lacking innovation.
Fletcher said: "For example, putting storage next to a wind farm might be a more effective and cheaper way of dealing with the impact of that wind farm on the grid, than putting more copper in the ground. But the network companies – clues in the name – are hardwired to think about particular solutions."
She warned there was a risk in defaulting "to the same old same old solutions", which might not be the most cost effective.
These remarks reflect the daunting challenge ahead for National Grid – which will have to meet such criticisms with actions rather than words, as the UK seeks to transform its entire energy sector.
Over 10m people at risk of exposure to record energy bills if Treasury cuts support
London hydrogen fund looks Stateside as UK falls behind on green subsidies
A tale of two industries: Government will regret saving steel over Britishvolt
NICHOLAS EARL
Technology costs and inflation could drive up price of wind power
SSE hikes profit expectations powered by oil and gas prices
PROFIT HIKE
Energy bills: Octopus tops Which? survey with SSE and Scottish Power trailing behind amid calls for more customer support
WHICH SUPPLIER?
UK and EU at risk of losing green energy projects to US unless investment matched, renewable firms warn
National Grid pays wind farm operators £82m to turn off fans amid calls to ramp up battery plans
FULL POWER?
Fresh vote of confidence in North Sea oil and gas industry with bumper licensing round


text:
And One – Back Home
Review by: Guillermo Urdapilleta
Produced by: And One
Label: SPV – Synthetic Symphony
Steve Naghavi: vocals
Joke Jay: music, vocals, live-drums
Rick Schah: music, live-keyboards
Nico Wieditz: Additional (live) member
1. Back Home (Club Mix)
2. Wounds
3. Rick
4. High (live in Peine, The Original)
5. Back Home (Mixed Conditioner)
6. Back Home (Berlin Mixer)
7. Missing Track
This is a new EP from German synth-pop And One, the band created and led by singer Steve Naghavi, who after the departure of Chris Ruiz and Go Van Oli, called his old friends Joke Jay and Rick Schah and made a reunion that also included Nico Wieditz as the additional concert member, so now the band has four members but the same power and enthusiasm. In this early 2012 they decided to release an EP which would mark the return of the band and those old members.
Here, what they offer are seven songs that make a total time of 39 minutes. Three of them are alternate versions of the title-track, one is a live performance and the other three songs are unreleased material. Of course, the album had to open with one of the versions of "Back Home" (Club Mix).You know, since the beginning we can appreciate that beat of the synth-pop music; the tune will make you at least move your head, but I bet you will also want to dance a little bit. Keyboard feast and electronic music can be appreciated here, with great vocals, a catchy rhythm and lyrics that let us know that And One is back home. Later a female voice appears adding some cadence and sensuality to the music. The purely instrumental passage is also cool, worth enjoying.
"Wounds" is a calmer song with a very cool, soft, even ballad-like tune. The vocals have that delicate style that perfectly complements the different textures and nuances created by keyboards. Here, I cannot help but remembering Depeche Mode and some other 80s and 90s synth-pop bands, however, And One style is very peculiar and can be appreciated as a unit. "Rick" is much closer to the pop side of the electronic music. The music has a tendency to the 80s disco and 90s techno. The rhythm is catchy, with lyrics to sing (a catchier chorus included) and music to enjoy and dance.
"High" leaves the studio and takes us to the stage, because this is a live performance recorded from a show in Peine. Here, the 80s feeling is back again, but what I like of this track is that it is easily attractive, so one who like this musical style, can feel caught by the sound since the first moments, and of course, learn and sing the lyrics. The second version of "Back Home" (Mixed Conditioner) is now. It has some different arrangements, new elements and one minute more, but in essence, is the same.
The Berlin Mix of "Back Home" comes next. If you are not actually into this kind of music (like me), then you may be bored after three versions of the same track, honestly, this happened to me here. But well, fortunately the EP finishes with a different song, entitled "Missing Track" which also happens to be the longest track here. This is actually a cover of The Missing Band, and by far, is the closest track to rock, I mean, it is not a rock song, but at least it has drums and bass that gives it a brief rockish tendency. I am saying this, because I am reviewing for a site called The Rocktologist, so at least some part of the music has to be related with it.
Well, this is a nice EP, nice for a not-frequent listen, unless you are fan of this kind of music or fan of And One. If you don't tolerate this genre, then please stay away from it. I like it, but I've heard better And One stuff. This is better for fans, 6 out of 10.
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After getting began with Memoji in iOS 12, you may be questioning tips on how to go additional with the enjoyable function. Follow alongside for tips on how to edit, duplicate, and delete Memoji on iPhone X, XS, and XR.
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text:
Ben and Kate - Episode Guide
Episode: 1x01 | Airdate: Sep 25, 2012
When Ben Fox discovers that his ex-girlfriend, Darcy, is getting married, he sets out to crash the wedding. Meanwhile, Kate gets advice from her friend BJ on how to obtain more sex appeal on her first date with her new boyfriend, George (Jon Foster). As a result, their first date is disastrous. Ben then finds out that George is cheating on her. Ben rushes to tell Kate about George's infidelity. George makes up a lame excuse on why he is with another woman; shortly after, Kate breaks up with him. Elsewhere, Ben only has fifteen minutes to crash the wedding, but he is too late. In the end, Ben moves in with Kate and her daughter Maddie.
Bad Cop/Bad Cop
Episode: 1x02 | Airdate: Oct 2, 2012
Ben finishes settling in Kate's home. Meanwhile, Kate lies about her residence to get Maddie into a better school district, but when her plan falls apart, she must admit the truth to Maddie's principal (Alan Ruck). Additionally, Katie tells Ben that he needs to be more strict when disciplining Maddie.
The Fox Hunt
Ben and Kate discover an unopened envelope from 15 years ago that contains the yearly scavenger hunt their dad used to organize for them when they were kids. The find prompts them to complete the unfinished hunt, but raises old issues of sibling rivalry. Meanwhile, the scavenger hunt takes an unexpected detour for Kate when BJ enlists her to help get belongings back from an old fling.
Episode: 1x04 | Airdate: Oct 16, 2012
When Ben decides to throw a birthday party for Kate against her wishes, her frustration soon turns into excitement when she realizes that Ben invited Molly, Kate's wild friend from high school, to her party. Meanwhile, Ben finds out that Darcy, the only woman he truly cared for, is moving into what used to be his and Darcy's dream home with her new husband, and Tommy comes clean to Kate about why he hates Molly.
Now that Ben is living with Kate and Maddie, Kate wants Ben to be more responsible and prepared for potential emergencies, where Maddie is concerned. Of course, Ben thinks there isn't a plan for everything. Meanwhile, Ben's crazy ex-girlfriend Louise makes a surprise visit and BJ might actually be developing real feelings for her boss, bar owner Buddy.
Scaredy Kate
Kate gets invited to her hot neighbor's Halloween party, so BJ tries to help Kate break free and be someone completely out-of-character for the night. Meanwhile, Ben and Tommy decide to stay home and hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters in hopes that they'll meet some hot moms, but the night takes a turn when Tommy unknowingly eats some of BJ's "candy" from Amsterdam, and Kate bonds with Will (guest star Stults), a single father.
Episode: 1x07 | Airdate: Nov 13, 2012
With Career Day at Maddie's school coming up, Ben wants to find an actual job so he can make his niece proud. Meanwhile, Kate starts to develop a crush on her neighbor Will, and BJ face backlash from a co-worker at the bar for getting a raise.
When a high school reunion is held on the eve of Thanksgiving, Will (guest star Geoff Stults) encourages Kate to attend and stand up to the high school bully, Anna (guest star Amber Stevens) for giving her an unforgettable nickname. Meanwhile, in the midst of the holiday season, Ben doesn't think he can keep much longer the huge secret that he and BJ have been hiding from Kate.
Guitar Face
When Kate sees the face that Will makes while playing guitar during his cover band's performance, she gets turned off and unable to take him seriously. Meanwhile, Tommy gets Ben a job at the country club which soon backfires for both of them, and BJ attends a support group where she gets good advice about her friendship with Kate.
Episode: 1x10 | Airdate: Dec 4, 2012
Although Ben, BJ and Tommy disapprove, Kate and Will take their relationship to the next level when they go on a romantic camping trip together. Of course, the trip quickly goes awry when some unwelcome guests decide to tag along. Meanwhile, BJ makes it her mission to help Tommy move past his feelings for Kate.
B-Squad
Episode: 1x11 | Airdate: Jan 8, 2013
When Maddie fails the test to get into the gifted program at her school, she becomes part of "The B-Squad." Kate, who blames herself for Maddie's failure, decides to take matters into her own hand and gives The B-Squad an unforgettable experience. Meanwhile, Ben runs into an old pal from college who stole one of his business ideas, and BJ's mother, Wendy, comes to town and gets a surprising introduction to Buddy.
Girl Problems
Episode: 1x12 | Airdate: Jan 15, 2013
Tommy finally brings around his new girlfriend, Lila, to meet the gang. But when Kate suggests the two women get to know each other, things don't go as planned. Meanwhile, Ben moves forward with his "Rail Mall" business plan.
Ben continues to expand his "Rail Mall" idea with his new business partner, Vera, but when she brings in more associates to help expand their plan, Ben doesn't like the direction in which it's heading. Meanwhile, after finding out that Will has been dating since their break-up, Kate goes on a date with a baker she met at Will's party. Also, BJ and Maddie pose as mother and daughter for a commercial audition.
Episode: 1x14 | Airdate: Mar 11, 2013
When Ben and Kate's father, Randy, pays an unexpected visit, chaos ensues. Kate starts asking big questions about herself and her life trajectory, causing a big fight between her and BJ. Meanwhile, Ben confronts his dad about all the things they never did together, as they search, with Tommy, to finally find and accost Maddie's dad for running out on Kate.
Father-Daughter Dance
The siblings' dad Randy closes a business deal with Kate's help, leaving Ben feeling sidelined. Ben tries to upstage Kate by volunteering to organize the annual father-daughter dance at Maddie's school.
Ethics 101
Kate returns to college, determined to focus on her studies instead of boys this time around. Ben is excited to celebrate his two-month anniversary with girlfriend Vera.


The 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid launches in May at a time the big sedan market and the hybrid market both are in trouble.
But with the Avalon, Toyota has a chance to boost its presence in the shrinking big car segment and increase its dominance in the moribund hybrid space.
The five-passenger sedan is re-engineered and redesigned for the 2019 model year, and the engineers and designers did a nice job of it.
Perched on a new platform that also underpins the Camry, C-HR and Prius, the 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, like its gas-only siblings, is quicker, more responsive, more sure-footed and more comfortable than its predecessor.
The hybrid gets a substantial 10 percent fuel efficiency boost over the 20198 version, for an EPA estimated 44 mpg combined city-highway rating. Not bad for a big sedan.
Non-hybrid models have a 301-horsepower V6 and 8-speed automatic while the hybrid gets a new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine coupled with two electric motor-generators and an electronic CVT.
The 2019 Lexus ES hybrid sedan, due in showrooms in September, shares the the Avalon hybrids' powertrain, fuel efficency ratings, underpinnings and much of its sheetmetal.
The average Avalon buyer is 66 – two years older than the segment average of 64 – and Toyota hopes that the 2019 version will bring a younger buyer into the fold without alienating the core audience. To that end, it has blended improved performance with comfort, added technology upgrades that won't befuddle most users and modernized the interior and exterior to attract previously Avalon-averse customers without doing much of anything that would upset its core audience.
TheGreenCarGuy had an opportunity at a recent Avalon press event to sample both and, green-car bias aside, preferred the hybrid's handling. One big improvement in all Avalon models over 2018 is the addition of a new multi-link independent rear suspension.
On the looks side, the only potential flaw is the 2019 Toyota Avalon's gaping maw.
Toyota not only adopted the massive "cow-catcher" grille styling it has introduced on other new models recently but expanded it into Lexus-like proportions for the Avalon, and added narrow side intakes as well. Thankfully the scoops are functional, reducing front-end wind resistance and funneling cooling air to the front brakes.
Offsetting the front view is what has to be one of the most pleasing sedan profiles in years. The designers managed to pull together all the elements – curves, character lines, tire to wheel-well proportions and hood, trunk and roof lines – for a smooth, unified, sporty and, yes, slightly sensuous look.
The 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, along with the gas-only versions – is longer, lower, wider and a tad roomier than its predecessor, with a wider stance and longer wheelbase for less front and rear overhang.
The only visual differences between hybrid and standard versions of the 2019 Avalon are the hybrids' badges and exhaust treatment – the hybrid gets a single, hidden exhaust outlet while the gas-only versions get multiple chromed exhaust tips.
Sharp-eyed observers might also notice that the hybrid's grille hides active air intake shutters that close for increased aerodynamics when the electric drive is working and the gas engine doesn't need the extra cooling.
The 2019 Avalon hybrid also benefits from the relocation of the hybrid battery to beneath the floor from its previous position behind the rear seats. The new design gives the hybrid the same trunk size – 16.09 cubic feet – as the standard model. That's up from 14 cubic feet in the 2018 Avalon hybrid.
In all, Toyota's done good with the 2019 Avalon, which comes in three hybrid and four gasoline-only trims.
From here on, it's all about the hybrid.
The 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid carries a scant $1,000 premium over the standard models, with prices starting at $37,350 – including handling and delivery – for the base XLE HV (hybrid vehicle) trim. That's an impressive $1,000 less than the 2018 LXE Plus hybrid.
In the mid-range sport version, the 2019 Avalon XSE HV starts at $39,000, while the top-of-the-line Limited HV, starts at $42,800.
2019 Avalon redesign displays character the 2018 (below) can't match.
While slightly heavier and a tad slower to accelerate on straightaways than corresponding all-gas versions, the 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid in each of its three trim levels was noticeably more nimble than on corners and curvy roads, where driving still can be a pleasure rather than a chore.
The hybrid system produces a peak 215 horsepower, 86 fewer ponies than the V6 standard models, but its packaging seems to provide better weight distribution than the gas-only versions, with the hybrid battery placed under the floor to give the Avalon hybrids a nice low, road-hugging center of gravity.
There is some body roll at speed when cornering and on rough stretches of road the suspension transmitted some of the bumpiness into the cabin, but overall ride quality was always pleasant and comfortable.
Toyota was lavish with noise dampening materials so the interior is quite quiet, even when the 2019 Avalon hybrid is running in all-electric mode – something it can do for very short periods and low speeds when the small hybrid battery is fully charged.
Because of slight weight and equipment differences, the Avalon hybrids get two slightly different fuel efficiency ratings from the EPA.
The base 2019 Avalon XLE hybrid is rated at 43 mpg city, 44 mpg highway and 44 mg combined.
The Avalon XSE and Avalon Limited hybrids are rated at 43 mpg across the board – city, highway and combined.
All Avalon hybrids use unleaded regular gasoline.
All 2019 Toyota Avalon hybrids come with blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and Toyota's Safety Sense P and Star Safety systems.
Safety Sense P includes Toyota's pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams and dynamic radar cruise control.
Star Safety includes stability and traction control, 4-wheel anti-lock braking with electronic brake force distribution, braking assist and Smart Stop, a system that overrides the accelerator and stops the car when both brake and accelerator are applied at the same time.
All three Avalon hybrids get Toyota's newest hybrid system.
It couples a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine with a pair of electric motor generators and delivers power to the wheels via an electronic continuously variable transmission, or CVT.
The gas engine can produce 176 horsepower and 163 lb-ft or torque at peak output; the electric drive system produces 118 horsepower at peak and the combined output of the two systems working in tandem is 215 horsepower.
Toyota's hybrid system uses one of the motor generators as the starter motor, generator and to charge the nickel-metal hydride battery. The second motor generator drives the front wheels – sometimes alone and sometimes in tandem with the gas engine – and generates power during braking that's used to help charge the hybrid battery.
The system provides four driver-selectable power modes.
Three of them – Eco, Normal and Sport – alter accelerator pedal and steering input response.
The fourth, EV mode, locks the system into electric drive when there is sufficient power in the hybrid battery. Typically, the 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid with a fully charged battery can travel in EV mode for no more than a few miles at speeds of up to 25 mph.
The base 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid is the XLE. It comes with 17-inch low rolling resistance tires an alloy wheels, LED headlamps, taillights and daytime running lamps, heated manually adjustable side mirrors with integrated turn signal and blind-spot warning indicators. Interior features include dual-zone climate control system with rear seat vents, backup camera, tilting and telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio and infotainment system controls; synthetic leather and fabric seating; heated, eight-way power adjustable front seats; 60/40 split folding rear seats, and Toyota's Entune Plus 3.0 audio system with 8-speakers, a 9-inch touchscreen, USB 2.0 port, iPod connectivity, voice recognition, Bluetooth, satellite radio capability, Apple CarPlay and Scout GPS compatibility, free Entune App suite access, Toyota safety and service connect with three-year free trial subscriptions, Toyota remote connect with three-month complimentary subscription and Verizon WiFi Connect with a six-month free subscription.
It is also worth considering the safety of the Avalon, Common Neck and Back injuries from Car Accidents are something to consider when buying a new car. You want to make sure that the ergonomics of the seating line up with you well to avoid additional damage during an accident. Sacramento personal injury law firm are worth looking into. A friend recommended I get a free consultation and they were really helpful, talking me through the process if I were unfortunate enough to become involved in a car accident and develop neck and back injuries.
Toyota updated the 2019 Avalon Hybird's interior to emphasize technology and luxury, but didn't go full-Tesla, leaving functioning switches and knobs for key functions.
The Avalon XSE trim adds 18-inch tires and dark gray painted alloy wheels; specially designed headlights and taillights; a Qi wireless charging for smartphones and other Qi-compatible electronic equipment. Unique to the XSE trim level are ultra-suede seat inserts; paddle shifters; aluminum interior trim; and a piano black grille surround with mesh insert, piano black rear spoiler and piano black mirror caps, rear diffuser and badges.
The Avalon Limited hybrid adds low profile 18-inch tires with chrome-plated alloy wheels; power side mirrors; power moon roof; leather seating; a front seat memory system; heated and coled frnt seats, a heated steering wheel without paddle shifters; 10-inch color head-up display with customizable settings; heated rear seats; wood interior trim, and the Entune 3.0 Premium JBL audio system with 14 speakers and real-time navigation with a three-year subscription.
There are two options packages for the XLE hybrid: a JBL audio upgrade and a power moon roof package that includes Qi wireless charging.
The XSE hybrid has one package, the JBL upgrade.
The Avalon Limited hybrid also has a single option, the advanced safety package that includes a bird's eye view camera for a 360-degree view around the car, and "intelligent sonar clearance" obstacle sensing and alert with rear cross-traffic braking.
If luxury appointments aren't all that important, the Ford Fusion, Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata hybrids, all with 2.0 liter engines and 42 mpg (combined) fuel effiiciency ratings are worth looking at. The Hyundai and Kia hybrid sedans have slightly more passenger space than the Avalon – we're talking a few cubic feet – while the Ford is several cubic feet smaller. All have smaller trunks than the 2019 Avalon Hybrid.
To facilitate this report, TheGreenCarGuy attended an event at which Toyota provided meals and accommodations.


I don't look for that to change any time soon, but I do think there are still thousands of churches out there that would identify as pro Israel. Obviously, that would almost require a pro Israel pastor (since they are the gatekeepers for better or worse), but some might consider themselves pro Israel even if the pastor isn't necessarily on fire for Zion.
There are some good organizations that support Israel, but I'm not really aware of any entity that is exclusively dedicated to networking among churches.
I've heard from speakers that in each congregation, about 10 percent of the members are really engaged with Israel. Some will listen politely, some will be angry, and some will find their hearts moved toward the Jewish people. The latter is the end-goal.
So, if a congregation of 500 hears a pro Israel/Bible prophecy speaker, about 50 will be real allies. Wish it were more, but that's a good and precious start. Those 50 are very important to the cause. Things are helped immeasurably if the pastor is engaged.
Of the, say, 4.1 million members of CUFI, how many are from pro Israel churches? Are the majority individuals who love Israel and the Jews? I don't know, but it's an interesting question.
The churches are the funnels for all sorts of information going to the public, to the evangelical community specifically. For at least 15 years, much of that information has been toxic. By that I mean Rick Warren's man-centered wisdom, Andy Stanley's assaults on the integrity of Scripture, Stephen Furtick's me-centered theology, etc.
I simply wish there were more pro Israel churches networking together, and I'd like to help do that.
If you belong to a pro Israel church, anywhere, please email me and I'll enter that into a database. I don't want anything from you, other than to compile a database. It would be fascinating to know just how many of you there are out there.
Let's keep this going; send to your lists and help compile the premier pro Israel church database!


Since 1993, BroadVision has been a pioneer and consistent innovator of e-business solutions. We deliver a combination of technologies and services into the global market that enable customers of all sizes to power mission-critical web, cloud and mobile initiatives that ultimately deliver high-value to their bottom line. Our offering consists of a robust framework for personalization and self-service, modular applications and agile toolsets that customers use to create e-commerce, portal solutions, Enterprise Social Networking (ESN), and collaboration and knowledge management solutions. Most recently, we have added mobile and cloud capabilities to our platforms to enable our customers for rapid deployment of robust, secure, and scalable solutions.
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On November 14, 2008, BroadVision (Delaware) LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("BVD"), which was then our wholly owned subsidiary, entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with CHRM LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, that is controlled by Dr. Pehong Chen, our CEO and largest stockholder. We and CHRM LLC then entered into an Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of BroadVision (Delaware) LLC dated as of November 14, 2008 (the "BVD Operating Agreement"). Under these agreements, CHRM LLC received, in exchange for the assignment of certain intellectual property rights, 20 Class B Shares of BVD, representing the right to receive a portion of any distribution of "Funds" from "Capital Transactions" (as such terms are defined in the BVD Operating Agreement), with the exact amount to be determined based on our and CHRM LLC's capital account balances at the time of such distribution. A "capital transaction" under that agreement is any merger or sale of substantially all of the assets of BVD as a result of which the members of BVD will no longer have an interest in BVD or the assets of BVD will be distributed to its members. Class B Shares do not participate in any profits of BVD except for net profits related to a "capital transaction," in which case the net profits are allocated to the owners of Class A and Class B Shares in proportion to their respective number of shares. To the extent BVD's losses do not exceed undistributed net profits accumulated since the date of issuance of Class B Shares, such losses are allocated to Class A Shares. To the extent net losses exceed the undistributed net profits accumulated since the date of issuance of Class B Shares, such excess is allocated to the owners of Class A and Class B Shares in proportion to their respective cumulative capital contributions less any return of capital, until allocation of such losses results in having the capital account balances equal to zero. Then, net losses are allocated to the owners of Class A and Class B Shares in proportion to their respective number of shares. Upon liquidation the net assets of BVD are distributed to the owners of Class A and Class B in proportion to their capital account balances.
BVD is the sole owner of BroadVision (Barbados) Limited ("BVB") and BVB is the sole owner of BroadVision On Demand, a Chinese entity ("BVOD"). We have invested approximately $9.0 million in BVOD (directly and through BVD and BVB) from 2007 through 2016. In 2014, we began making payments directly to BVOD for certain labor outsourcing services and expect to continue to pay BVOD for such services at the rate of approximately $550,000 per quarter for the foreseeable future. We made aggregate payments to BVOD of $2.3 million and $2.0 million (based on the RMB to USD exchange rates on the applicable dates of payment) for such services in the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These payments in part covered services rendered outside of the applicable twelve month periods. We have a controlling voting interest in BVD. Pursuant to the terms of the BVD Operating Agreement, the Class B Shares held by CHRM LLC have no voting rights.
The 20 Class B Shares of BVD represent a non-controlling interest. We allocate profits and losses of BVD to the non-controlling interest under the Hypothetical Liquidation Book Value ("HLBV") method. Under this method the profits and losses are allocated by reference to the profit sharing provisions in the BVD Operating Agreement assuming liquidation of BVD at its book value at the end of each reporting period. Profits and losses allocated to the balance of such interest under the HLBV method have not been material.
In April 2015, we executed a renewal contract with SINA Corporation of which Dr. Pehong Chen, our CEO and largest stockholder, is a board member through December 2015, pursuant to which we provided HR information management hosting service, including software subscription, system upgrade and technical support, to SINA Corporation. The total license revenue that we were entitled to receive under that contract through its expiration in March 2016, was $184,000. We recognized $0 and $46,000 of license revenue related to that contract for the fiscal years 2017 and 2016, respectively.
See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption and expected impacts on the results of operations and financial condition, which is incorporated herein by reference.
This management's discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In preparing these financial statements, we are required to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to receivable reserves, stock-based compensation, investments and income taxes, as well as contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates using different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following critical accounting policies reflect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our revenue consists of fees for licenses of our software products, maintenance, consulting services and training.
Our revenue recognition policies for the periods presented comply with Accounting Standards Codification ASC 985-605, Software: Revenue Recognition, and Staff Accounting Bulletin SAB 104, Revenue Recognition. In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) amended the accounting standards in Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2009-13 (an update to ASC 605-25) ("ASU 2009-13") for certain multiple deliverable revenue arrangements to: 1) provide updated guidance on whether multiple deliverables exist, how the deliverables in an arrangement should be separated, and how the consideration should be allocated; 2) require an entity to allocate revenue in an arrangement using best estimated selling price ("BESP") of deliverables if a vendor does not have vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") of selling price or third-party evidence ("TPE") of selling price; and 3) eliminate the use of the residual method and require an entity to allocate revenue using the relative selling price method.
We qualify the second of the above listed criteria differently for different types of revenues, as follows.
Delivery of non-subscription and non-hosted software products is considered to have occurred when title to the physical media and risk of loss have been transferred to the customer, which generally occurs when media containing the licensed programs is provided to a common carrier. In case of electronic delivery, delivery occurs when the customer is given access to the licensed programs. For products that cannot be used without a licensing key, the delivery requirement is met when the licensing key is made available to the customer. We do not grant a right of return for non-subscription or non-hosted software products. We recognize revenue upon the delivery of our software.
Although we make our software available to the customer at a particular point in time, the delivery of subscription software products (such as QuickSilver) and hosted software products (such as Vmoso, Clearvale and Clear) is considered to have occurred ratably over the duration of the contract. We recognize revenue ratably.
Consulting services revenues and training revenues are recognized as such services are performed. These services are not essential to the functionality of the software. We record reimbursement from our customers for out-of-pocket expenses as an increase to services revenues.
Maintenance revenue, which includes revenue that is derived from software license agreements that entitle the customers to technical support and future unspecified enhancements to our products, is recognized ratably over the related agreement period, which time period is generally twelve months.
Occasionally, our customers experience financial difficulty after we recognize the sale but before payment has been received. We maintain receivable reserves for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. Our normal payment terms are generally 30 to 90 days from the invoice date. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make the contractual payments, additional reserves may be required. Losses from customer receivables in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017, have not been significant. If all efforts to collect a receivable fail, and the receivable is considered uncollectible, we would write it off against the receivable reserve.
ASC 985-20, Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased, or Marketed ("ASC 985-20"), requires capitalization of certain software development costs subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility. Based on our product development process, technological feasibility is established upon the completion of a working model. To date, costs incurred by us between the completion of the working model and the point at which the product is ready for general release have been insignificant. Accordingly, we have charged all such costs to research and development expenses in the period incurred.
Income taxes are computed using an asset and liability approach in accordance with ASC 740-10, Income Taxes ("ASC 740-10"), which requires the recognition of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements or tax returns. The measurement of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on provisions of the enacted tax law; the effects of future changes in tax laws or rates are not anticipated. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by the amount of any tax benefits that, based on available evidence, is not expected to be realized.
We analyze our deferred tax assets with regard to potential realization. We have established a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets to the extent that management has determined that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized based upon the uncertainty of their realization. We consider the effects of estimated future taxable income, current economic conditions and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the amount of the valuation allowance. Because we have a full valuation allowance against our U.S. net deferred tax assets, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or Tax Act, will not materially impact our balance sheet or statement of operations. See Note 5 - Income Taxes in the Notes to Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K) for the Tax Act's impact to our net deferred tax assets.
We account for share-based payment arrangement in accordance with ASC 718-10, Compensation - Stock Compensation ("ASC 718-10"), using the modified-prospective transition method. Under ASC 718-10, share-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense, net of estimated pre-vesting forfeitures, ratably over the vesting period of the award.
Further details related to our Stock Benefit Plans and our adoption of ASC 718-10 are provided in Note 7 - Stockholders' Equity in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table sets forth certain items reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss expressed as a percent of total revenues for the periods indicated.
Revenues. License revenue from the sales of software licenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $3.5 million, down $0.7 million, or 17% from $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Services revenues consist of maintenance revenues and consulting services revenues. Maintenance revenue, which is generally derived from maintenance contracts sold with initial customer licenses and from subsequent contract renewals, for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $1.7 million, down $0.5 million, or 23% from $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Consulting service revenue, which is generally related to services in connection with our licensed software, for the year ended December 31, 2017, was $1.2 million, down $0.3 million, or 20% from $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Total 2017 revenues of $6.4 million were lower compared to total 2016 revenues of $7.9 million, with the decrease mainly resulting from the decline of our legacy business. We expect our revenues to continue to decrease due to the decline of our legacy business, where customers have reduced their spending across licenses, maintenance and consulting services.
Cost of software revenues. Cost of software revenues includes the cost of our cloud hosting operation, net costs of product media, duplication, packaging, and other manufacturing costs as well as royalties payable to third parties for software that is either embedded in, or bundled and sold with, our products. Cost of software revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $178,000, up $6,000, from $172,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to increases in usage of our cloud hosting operation.
Cost of services. Cost of services consists primarily of employee-related costs, third-party consultant fees incurred on consulting projects, post-contract customer support and instructional training services. Cost of services for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $3.0 million, down $0.2 million, or 6% from $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This decreases were mainly due to decrease in third-party consultant fees incurred on consulting projects..
Research and development. Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries, employee-related benefit costs and consulting fees incurred in association with the development of our products. Research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017, were $6.6 million, down $0.3 million, or 4% from $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in employee-related benefit costs as a result of headcount turnover.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries, employee-related benefit costs, commissions and other incentive compensation, travel and entertainment and marketing program-related expenditures such as for collateral materials, trade shows, public relations, advertising and creative services. Sales and marketing expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $3.7 million, down $0.4 million, or 10% from $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in employee-related benefit costs as a result of headcount deduction.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, employee-related benefit costs, provisions and credits related to uncollectible accounts receivable, professional service fees and legal fees. General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017, were $3.7 million, up 0.1 million, or 3% from $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to increases in bad debt expenses.
Interest income, net. Net interest income includes interest income on investment funds. We generated $129,000 and $86,000 in interest income for the year ended December 31, 2017, and 2016, respectively. This increase was primarily due to the interest income resulting from the accrued short-term investment in bonds in 2017.
Other income, net. Other income, net during the year ended December 31, 2017, was $0.6 million compared to other income, net, of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to gains from the remeasurement of the foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation on our Euro assets.
Benefit (provision) for income taxes. The benefit for income taxes was $112,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the provision of ($48,000) for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase to the benefit for the year ended December 31, 2017 was primarily due to refundable Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) credits as a result of the repeal of AMT by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The provision for the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily due to foreign income tax expense.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, we had a net loss of $9.9 million and negative cash flow from operations of $9.6 million, and at December 31, 2017, we had working capital of $7.6 million. At December 31, 2017, we had $8.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and $1.0 million in short-term investments. Our combined cash, cash equivalents and short-term investment balances as of December 31, 2017 declined by $10.1 million compared to such balances as of December 31, 2016. This decrease was mainly due to net cash used for operating activities, as described in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for 2017. Our cash, cash equivalents and investment balances may fluctuate during the remainder of fiscal 2018 due to various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks detailed in Part I, Item 1A titled "Risk Factors".
Based on our current business plan, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and investment balances will be sufficient to meet our working capital and operating resource expenditure requirements for the next twelve months. However, we could experience unforeseen circumstances, such as an economic downturn, difficulties in retaining customers and/or employees, or other factors that could increase our use of available cash and require us to seek additional financing. We may find it necessary to obtain additional equity or debt financing due to the factors listed above or in order to support a more rapid expansion, develop new or enhanced products or services, respond to competitive pressures, acquire complementary businesses or technologies or respond to unanticipated requirements.
services, the introduction of new and enhanced products or services, features and functionality, and our ability to control expenses generally. We have implemented cost reduction plans since the second half of 2017 and expect to reduce the cost of our operations by approximately $2 million in 2018 to cover our cash needs through the next twelve months. Management may implement further cost reductions in 2018 or seek financing from third parties as needed to ensure that our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments are sufficient to fund operations for the next twelve months. However, further cost reductions may result in voluntary departures of highly skilled technical and managerial personnel from our company, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, internal controls, financial condition and results of operations. We expect to opportunistically seek to raise additional funds through private or public sales of securities, strategic relationships, bank debt, financing under leasing arrangements or otherwise. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, the percentage ownership of our current stockholders will be reduced, stockholders may experience additional dilution or any equity securities we sell may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of the holders of our common stock. We expect that obtaining additional financing on acceptable terms would be difficult, at best. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to pay our debts as they become due, develop our products, take advantage of future opportunities or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and future operating results. The outcome of these matters cannot be predicted . . .