Tommy Wooldridge prides himself on being the King of Awkward. In his latest video he approaches lovely young ladies with a rose pretending to be showing up for their blind date. The only problem is...there was no blind date planned. Bring on the awkwardness! See the RTM hosts react here.


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Terminal Modernization: Why Bother? Community Connection (Part IV)
Wilson Rayfield, AIA, LEED AP
Why bother with complicated, sometimes messy terminal upgrades if your airport is not facing capacity issues? In this last post we explore airports as drivers for and representations of the local community. Click here for Part III of the series.
Airports provide a gateway for and to communities and so are significant pieces of civic architecture. Therefore it's important to develop design solutions that represent the region and are as unique as the community the airport services. For the final post in my "Why Bother?" series, I chatted with our Director of Architectural Design, Jeff Kuhnhenn, AIA, LEED AP, about how terminal modernization projects can help airports better represent – and even market – the region they serve.
Wilson Rayfield (WR): Before we dig into contextual design, let's talk about the various approaches to airport design.
Jeff Kuhnhenn (JK): Frequently you'll see two approaches to airport design: a facility designed as a processing machine or a purely artistic expression, often of flight. In the former function completely outweighs form – think of much of the brutalist architecture still seen at airports today – while in the latter aesthetics are extremely important. A purely functional airport is not inspiring and probably doesn't provide the best passenger experience. A purely artistic building might not provide optimal processing, which also negatively impacts the travel experience. Every airport should be designed for flow, for functionality, but that's just a starting point and simply not enough. As designers, we should create spaces, particularly civic buildings, that are inspirational and uplifting.
WR: Agreed. So, if airports are an important part of a region's "brand" then terminal design should result in a functional airport that also features an artistic interpretation of local iconography. I started a discussion of this in my last post. Reno-Tahoe International Airport is a good example, as well as our work at Richmond International Airport. When we designed improvements at Richmond we thought about how to create a modern airport – that optimizes passenger flow – while also reflecting Jefferson's Virginia.
Columns and red brick combined with modern, clean lines at Richmond International Airport nod to Virginia's rich colonial and Jeffersonian architecture.
WR: What are some of the other reasons why creating a connection to the region is so important?
JK: Airports are often the first and last places travelers visit, so that impression is crucial. And beyond the first impressions airports provide, they play an important role in supporting and portraying a region's brand. And while community pride is beneficial, airports are also critical to business—connecting people.
WR: Airports are economic drivers that provide access to and from a place. They facilitate business but can also help attract business whether it's tourism or as a selling point to businesses considering investing in a region. For businesses, that consider convenient, frequent and cost-effective air travel when deciding where to locate, airport access is important. And there's value in the airport reflecting the community qualities and characteristics that attracted the business there—it creates a cohesive, consistent message, it more fully integrates the airport into the community.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport plays a vital role in supporting the city's growth. The design will expand the terminal lobby and optimize circulation to help the airport accommodate growth while also reflect the character and heritage of the Queen City.
WR: How do you design a functional building for moving people and goods in a way that also reflects the community?
JK: Any statement of architectural character has to derive from and enhance the function of the facility. But communities are complex, diverse entities that resist distilling their essential character into a single driving idea. Too many points of inspiration can muddy the message. As designers, our task is to find that balance between function and identity; To identify that one quality that meshes with the needs and nature of airport transportation and which locals will experience and say "This is US!"
Gresham Smith's terminal modernization project at Tampa International Airport brought in local imagery, including photos of local flowers, into the updated restrooms.
WR: Typically, we think about terminal modernization as a way to increase capacity. In this series, we also delved into the operational, financial and passenger experience benefits these projects can garner. However, terminal modernization projects also provide a significant opportunity to create a connection to and serve as a beacon of the communities they serve. This connection can help shape and promote a region's brand and enhance the passenger experience, further supporting an airport's role as an imperative economic driver.
Architecture, Aviation, Interior Design, Terminal Modernization: Why Bother?, Terminal Refurbishment

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Partly cloudy skies. Low around 35F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..
Partly cloudy skies. Low around 35F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.
Fifth-grader Ilan Adil, foreground, and his classmates learned about their new hydroponics kit at PS 54 on Friday.
Photo By Sean Okula
Hydroponic handout across District 29
by Sean Okula, Associate Editor
The next generation of scientists received new materials for cultivating their interests last Friday.
Councilmember Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills) in partnership with New York Sun Works, distributed 600 hydroponics kits at three schools in her District 29 on Friday. Students at PS 54 in Richmond Hill, PS 99 in Kew Gardens and PS 144 in Forest Hills will have the chance to participate in a 10-lesson curriculum as they watch their plants grow.
"I'm looking forward to creating it," Ilan Adil, a fifth-grade student and student council advisor at PS 54, said. "I want to see how you build it. Because I'm just looking at a model and a picture. I want to do it by hand."
The students will take the materials from their kits and use them to grow plants without soil. The growing medium in which the seeds will be contained is made from coconut fiber.
"A lot of our students and families live in dwellings where they really don't have the space outside to plant their own gardens," PS 54 Principal Patricia Hanley said. "This is 21st-century learning. This is the future. We want our students to be able to engage with this kind of thinking, learning and growing."
"Twenty-first century skill sets go far beyond just hands-on technology," School District 28 Superintendent Tammy Pate said. "It's really about conditioning our students to think differently about how they engage the world. These events, like a hydroponic lab, are really helping them to use inquiry as their mold for learning."
The kit distribution was made possible through funding secured by Schulman. NY Sun Works introduced the "Science in a Box" hydroponic kit program in Sept. 2020 in an effort to promote hands-on science and sustainability teaching in a time when many students were learning in remote or hybrid settings during the pandemic. Since the start of the initiative, the group has donated 12,500 kits to students from 79 schools.
"We use the farming technology to teach the science of sustainability, the how, the why," NY Sun Works Director of Program Development Megan Nordgren said. "It's a wonderful hands-on way for kids to experiment, and explore, and connect with nature."
"It's important for students, no matter where they are, to have this education," Schulman said.
Hanley hopes that the taste of a hydroponics program could lead to a lab dedicated to the growing method sometime in the future.
"We would love, love that," she said. "It is a hope and a dream for our 100-year-old building."
QueensChronicle.com
Schulman


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How should the international community deal with the migrant situation that is currently overwhelming Hungary, Austria and Germany?
Sep. 9, 2015 05:50 am JST Sep. 8, 2015 | 01:52 pm JST
Upgrayedd
Sep. 9, 2015 10:40 am JST
My question is, why aren't any of the Arab countries not trying to take in many of these refugees? They have a lot of resources, money, food. They could relieve a lot of this burden that is overwhelming the Europeans and yet, nothing. Why is that?
Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq are all housing millions of refugees among themselves.
The other rich gulf nations (Saudi, Kuwait, Bahrain, etc) are not taking refugees because racism and tribalism.
Alistair Carnell
Not bombing their countries, would be a start.
katsu78
Calling them what they are - refugees - instead of words that let us pretend we're superior to them would be a good start.
Pretty much every government that mucked around in the Middle East this last couple of decades has a duty to take in a portion of these people. You can't create instability in a region and then quietly walk away when that instability gets too hard to deal with. Our governments played around with Middle East adventurism like it was a game, now it's time to deal with the consequences.
They should provide immediate short-term humanitarian relief to these refugees.
They should pressure rich islamic nations UAE, Bahrain, Saudi, Kuwait to contribute funds each fiscal year to these hosting countries.
They should ask Jakarta to accept a few thousand refugees as well.
The international community should quit talking and take action, unite, against radical islam and it's seeds. (Ironically, some of these seeds will be soon planted in Eastern Europe as they settle down.)
ever heard of the church of england
Can you tell us how the COE "rules" England? I'm genuinely curious.
Morally I think countries should have to take care of them based on the fatness of the finger they used to poke about in the Middle East. Looking at you first America. Then the UK and other assorted poodles.
samwatters
The UN should take the lead and set up and pay for refugee camps for these people. While my heart goes out to people fleeing Syria, we must remember that it is not Hungary, Germany nor Austria's responsibility to solve this catastophe.
Meiyouwenti
Build 10 meter-high walls along the borders, perhaps?
kawabegawa198
most brits are clamoring to go work in Dubai
I would rather hack off my own arm, personally. Some things are important to me, you know, things like women's rights, not having religion ruling my country....small things like that.
pointofview
The tax payers from the countries dealing with the migrants should decide to what extent they are willing to help. Illegal immigration, Immigration and refugee programs in countries like Canada, The US, Australia and many European countries are out of control. It`s slap in the face to hard working tax paying citizens.
Spanki
People truly fleeing danger should be sheltered, priority given to families with young children. However, there are huge numbers of economic chancers in the mix, who's families remain in their home country and no one should be allowed to simply walk in and demand this n that. I don't care if they are protesting that they want to go to Germany or wherever, they need to do what they are told to do and go where they are told to go. There are a few countries that I too wouldn't mind walking into, be accommodated in and set up by the local government but that simply is not realistic and you won't catch me screaming and shouting about it. The reason why these people are protesting is that many of them have paid money to smugglers who have sold them promises of being set up in Europe without much issue. Any people given shelter should only be accommodated on a temporary basis with a view to resettling them as the earliest chance. .
kayumochi
Yes, the migrants/refugees will have to be resettled in Europe but sooner or later the EU will have to get to the root of the problem which means intervention in the ME.
Is that the best you can come up with?!
bruinfan
The removal of Saddam in Iraq and others in Libya, etc. has contributed greatly and we are seeing the results. What to do ...what to do?
savethegaijin
It's really bothering me that I can't easily pick a side with this issue. On one side I think we in the west should do all that we can to help these poor people... I can't imagine the horrors they're fleeing from and to turn our backs would be a crime against humanity... but on the other hand I can also recognize that it's unsustainable for any country to take in thousands and thousands of refugees regularly without a serious negative impact on the host country. I imagine if the world pooled it's resources and spread around the responsibility it could work but that kind of cooperation is a fantasy. Honestly I just don't know, and I'm ashamed of it.
skinnee
As for Japan keeping its hands clean of this mess - great idea. Nothing wrong with clean hands.
How to fix the problem?
End the civil war in Syria.
That's the real problem. I think the Arab nations should do a lot more because Europe just can't keep taking on more and more refugees, this is really reaching critical mass.
sf2k
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/09/syrias-refugee-crisis-in-numbers/
According to Amnesty Int'l, Turkey has taken in 1.9 million
Iraq 249,463
Egypt 132,375
Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain ZERO
Germany and Sweden received 47% of the refugee applications, the remaining EU... 0.2%
Germany has pledged 35,000 spaces but that's likely to go up.
Refugees need to be embraced and not blamed for wanting to stay alive. This is the result of international inaction on the Syrian war so where did you think people would go? For now it's all about humanitarian aid and absorbing some new friends into what must be strange lands. Who knows, maybe the next Steve Jobs among them (yeah, his parents were Syrian immigrants to the USA)
The point is not to fear differences but help out where one can and not be afraid of getting to know people
JaneM.
Are you one of the people paying taxes or contributing, my guess is N0 or your contribution is small .
I donated over 1000USD I had saved for a Motorcycle.i
that's priceless considering most brits are clamoring to go work in Dubai. what hypocracy!
The key word here is "work". Not "suckle off the taxpayers' teat" and then call the rest of us a bunch of rooster suckers for not believing in Islam.
Everyone looking at America to do more can stuff it. Japan takes next to no one.
And my god, America has taken in millions and millions and millions of immigrants and refugees, some legal a ton illegal. That is all we do is taken in people. Forget about Mexico, the Dominican, the Bahamas, Cuba, the Chinese, Indians, and everyone else?
You think 800,000 is bad try taking in 11 million.
I'm just wondering why all of the migrants flocking to Europe don't seek asylum in someplace closer? Why not Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Dubai or even Turkey itself? There is plenty of oil money in the Middle East to take care of them.
Where is Saudi Arabia and all the other oil rich countries whose leaders have 100 Rolls Royce's, 200 wives, gold bathrooms? Jordan, Qatar, Oman all these oil rich countries? They have the means to take all these people in.
Now we see that many of the migrants are destroying their identification cards and adopting new identities. Europe has no idea what they are letting into their countries.
Don't be fooled by the carefully selected photographs of struggling families and crying children.
This is an invasion.
tinawatanabe
camnai, Why Japan? How about China? Russia? Those UN Permanent Member countries but not paying enough contribution. They have lots of space..
Triring
coskuriSep. 10, 2015 - 03:07AM JST
It's a short term thing
Oh so you wish. The fact is it's going to take another five to ten years and by then the refugee will have had developed their basis of life in the nation they had taken refuge and will be reluctant to move back knowing all the things they had left behind is not going to be where they had left so they will have to rebuild their basis of life all over again. At this point the refuge nations would start wanting for the refugees move back and the refugees would be fighting back stating they had made their base of living in Europe.
They will also not be willing to change to fit the ways of European life style or culture so permanent miniture Islamic community like China town starts cropping up all over Europe and once that becomes the norm, the new residents will start demanding more Islamic rules to be supported within their refuge nations.
Chinese didn't have any set of unique religious laws they had to follow so development of china town was over looked. Korean town in the US was similar but local communities like Glendale started developing their own statues that had nothing to do with US heritage and/or history which became a political incident between Japan.
nigelboy
Most of these people aren't considered "refugees" under the current U.N. Convention. Just because your country is under civil war does not entitle them to be refugees automatically.
Once again you show that you don't actually confirm that what you are saying is true before you say it.
Strange, as usual, you're not getting the point, but it's ok, I'm used to it.
But there are still ways they could lighten up the burden and do more to help, that's all I'm saying, if there's a will, there's a way.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/uniformed-men-accost-refugees-leave-them-adrift-at-sea/
Looks like Greece's Elite Coast Guard is taking action. (above link)
You made a point that was incorrect.
Actually, no.
http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-09-04/why-don-t-gulf-states-accept-more-refugees-
Which I feel they could do more.
So yes, I'm not getting your wrong point.
You mean, you didn't get the point at all.
Many Arabs are turning to social media in anger at their countries' reluctance to open their doors. A hashtag, "receiving refugees is the people's demand," was started by people in Saudi Arabia and features a number of harrowing photos and powerful cartoons, according to Arab spring activist Iyad El-Baghdadi.
http://qz.com/494682/arabs-are-calling-out-their-governments-for-not-doing-enough-to-help-refugees/
I'm pretty used to that too
Then please focus on what I was trying to say.
if you wouldn't make blatantly incorrect statements, we wouldn't have this issue.
But I didn't.
Add to that the conflict that is tearing Iraq and Syria apart and people being dispersed everywhere.
'Deport every single one of them. If we let them keep coming it will be the end of Europe, European cultures and Christianity within 30 years. I don't know why all the leftwing morons don't realise that. VOTE UKIP!'
Calling people morons and then telling them to vote UKIP?
'that's priceless considering most brits are clamoring to go work in Dubai'
Who? Jim Davidson?
Kinkz
@Savethegaijin
Let me help you make up your mind =). The fact is, many countries actually need more people. For example, the population of Germany is in fact shrinking. They can take in many many refugees and give them a new life. We can easily absorb many many thousands of refugees without ill effect.
As for my opinion on this topic:
Take a few minutes to imagine how life is when you are literally, and justifiably, scared for your life every minute of every day. How would you want other people to treat you if you left that place in search of a better life? If you can honestly say "I wish they would turn me away and force me to wander forever, even though I am an intelligent and smart professional" then please, make a case to not help them. If you think actually, maybe it would be nice to be helped, then find ways to help them. We can easily help them, it does not take much if we do it together, the problem is that these are "Other People's Problems". The majority will not do a thing and just complain. Shameful really.
If you are Christian, or even just a decent person of any religion or belief, I think the words "treat others as you wish them to treat you" apply in all cases.
I myself am an Atheist, I also live abroad (as I suspect many people reading this also do). I did not give up on my own culture, or beliefs. I took that with me. Just as these people will. Just as we ALL will. And the fact is, we will still have our own cultures and beliefs regardless of our neighbors beliefs.
Using words such as "Islamification" is just a way to justify your own bigotry. People are people. Who cares if we believe different things, eat different foods or dress differently. You treating them different because of their cultural beliefs is exactly what can cause extremism and hatred in the shunned. This isn't a religious reaction, it is a human one (albeit obviously misguided and terrible). Extend a hand and maybe help someone.
serendipitous
If daily or weekly bombs and death had been all around you almost non-stop for four or five years, most would take any chance they could to get away. Keeping your family alive is a pretty strong motivator. Not sure what the solution is but Europe and other countries need to help until things settle down, even if that means 5-10 years or more. One would think that eventually people would hope to return to their own country in peaceful times.
genjuro
Deport every single one of them. If we let them keep coming it will be the end of Europe, European cultures and Christianity within 30 years.
This is exactly what's going to happen. France, Sweden, Amsterdam, and other European countries as well as the U.K. are already experiencing societal problems as a result of their loose immigration policies of letting Muslims into their nations. Have these countries that are taking these refugees (not migrants) not learned any lessons from their neighboring countries?
The pressure should be on these rich, Arab states to help out. Ironically, or should I say not surprisingly, it's Saudi Arabia that is funding Wahhabism, a fundamentalist form of Islam that breeds extremism, and sends imams to preach it in mosques in Europe. Incidentally, these same mosques that are cropping up all over Europe are also built and financed by Saudi money. Surprise. One can pretty much figure out what the endgame is here.
Wake up, Europe, before it's too late.
GalapagosnoGairaishu
We are witnessing the creation of Europe's newest social underclass. Those sweet little children we see in the news clips will grow up alienated and victims of discrimination. In about 15 years they'll be shooting up magazine offices and throwing grenades at kosher butcher shops.
That article is regarding gulf states. Let's review your original comment.
http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-why-rich-arab-gulf-states-wont-welcome-syrian-refugees-2015-9
But if social media are bristling over the fact the rich Arab Gulf states do not offer the same welcome, there seems little likelihood the situation will change. The reason is the Gulf Arab states' aversion to granting refugee status, not just to Syrians but to anybody.
http://www.france24.com/en/20150907-gulf-arab-states-under-fire-not-accepting-syrian-refugees-migrants
"The bottom line is that in terms of resettlement, the Gulf states have not stepped up in accepting refugees," said Geoffrey Mock, the Syria specialist for Amnesty International USA, told USA Today. "They have offered zero resettlement places ... and this is shameful."
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2015/09/refugee-crisis-gulf-countries-150905085458691.html
You weren't talking about the gulf states, you were talking about Arab countries. As a "journalist", I would expect that you would know the difference. Arab countries are taking in more of the refugees than anywhere else. So again, your statement was incorrect
incorrect? Hardly. Strange, forget about the semantics and euphuisms you know exactly what I was talking about. Has nothing to do with journalism or are you saying journalists are above making mistakes, if you think so, we could be talking about msnbc all day. So there you go. As I said, they're not doing enough. Humanitarian aid is not the only things that they can do.
Fair enough, but I am more outraged that countries like Qatar and Bahrain have more than enough resources and they literally haven't taken in a single refugee. I find it outrageous that many of these oil rich nations just sit on their rear ends and would allow the slaughter and persecution of these people! It's just mind blowing!
'Fair enough, but I am more outraged that countries like Qatar and Bahrain have more than enough resources and they literally haven't taken in a single refugee. I find it outrageous that many of these oil rich nations just sit on their rear ends and would allow the slaughter and persecution of these people! It's just mind blowing!'
I fully agree. I'm sure as a citizen of the US, you'd be prepared to accept people on the receiving end of slaughter and persecution. After all, the actions of the US and its allies are partly to blame for the utter mayhem in this part of the world.
basfunk
countries like Qatar and Bahrain have more than enough resources and they literally haven't taken in a single refugee.
Not Bahrain. It's not rich and is a mess with a majority population one sect and the ruling an (the) other. It's a puppet state of Saudi. If you include Saudi, the UAE and Kuwait along with Qatar as nations that should take in refugees, I agree with you.
Joshua Degreiff
Could be more easier start a WW3 with a lot allies and end once at all this religious groups leaders and terrorize the world if you're not with them your against them. What kind of religion is this? This reminded me about Adolfo Hitler if you wasn't aria race you need to be exterminated. Even ISIS is conquer all Middle East and more they should exterminate them and bring peace in Middle East like they did in Europe in WW2, millions will die but the future of humanity will be better. I'm advocate of peaceful development talk but sometimes war is justified? In this case it's.
Citizen2012
makes the world a better place to be so people do not need to leave their countries.
SenseNotSoCommon
Deport every single one of them... end of Christianity within 30 years
Precisely what Jesus would say.
If we let them keep coming it will be the end of Europe, European cultures and Christianity within 30 years.
I couldn't care less about the end of Christianity, but otherwise I agree with you. This is yet more Islamification via the backdoor. Many of these people (mostly young men, by the way) have nice clothes, cellphones etc....they are not "refugees". The left-wingers are too blinkered to see what is really happening. This is good for UKIP though, as more and more "ordinary" people are forced to live with these Muslims in close proximity, and thus will soon get sick of pandering to all their "human rights".
NZ2011
Funny first thing that pops up of course religion, which of course is not solely to blame in the situation in the middle east or anywhere but sure makes it easier to act like a barbaric moron doesn't it.
Then talks of the end of christianity and islamafication.. and so on and so forth.. don't care.. both as bad as each other depending on the interpretation of the week/century.
JaneM
@its me
I paid taxes there and made donations when donations were needed when I lived and worked in Europe. I pay taxes in Japan now as I live and work here. My relatives and friends, who still live and work there would appreciate everybody who tries to contribute to their community. I am sure that hospitality has limits and if you want to continue to be welcome you have to learn to deserve to be appreciated. What is your point??
No bickering please.
Many of these people... have nice clothes, cellphones etc....
How dare they!
Wakarimasen
Bet the likes of hungary and Austria that had nothing to do with the trigger for all this (i.e. removing Saddam and Gaddafi) see this as yet another reason to regret being part of the EU. Tragic it clearly is and many countries are douing what they can (including middle Eastern ones) but no amount of "humanitarian relief" can solve this issue.
ThePBot
The coalition bombing of Syria, based on a UN resolution, was intended to protect the civilian population, by hitting ISIL and other bad local people who are slaughtering their own neighbors.. But I agree, the west should have never intervened. The MIddle East would still be a murderous horror show, probably worse than now, but at least it would dispel the outrageous narrative that Mideast hatred and violence is the work of the West.
Are you kidding me? You think this was really to protect civilian population to begin with? The fact is, all the US-led interventionism in the Middle East was never about "freedom and democracy". They opened a can of worms going into Iraq, and now the mess has spread to other parts of the region. It wasn't a "murderous horror show" before the intervention. Now you seem to imply that people of the Mideast are a bunch of wild animals to begin with. Typical. Before they tried to hit ISIL, they supported ISIL through training, equipment, and recruitment. Makes you wonder what the true intentions are/were. The US and the Gulf States should take a huge amount of refugees. Turkey should take in more too. They're largely responsible for this mess and they should be taking them in because they "care about the people", right?
Todd Topolski
The world should wipe out the violent thugs and so called governments who are causing refugees to flee. There is no place in the world for a culture that thinks keeping little girls as rape slaves, whipping those girls to death for being raped, slave auctions genocide, burning people alive, murdering everyone not following their religion all of it they justify with holy books, tradition and at the command of so called holy men. This idea of legitimacy that violent animals like that get to exist because the world cringes and says we can't do anything, it's their country, it is all cowardice. These people are fleeing animals and the world is justified to put animals like that down. Kill off the islamo psycho leaders, militias and warlords, the refugee problem disappears.
Again, not the point, the point is MOST of the Arab nations are not doing enough when they clearly could.
And again, that wasn't the point you made. The point you made was incorrect. You may have intended to make the point above, but you didn't.
I wasn't wrong on the Arabs lack of responsibility for taking in more refugees.
Except that you were, and you are again. There isn't a lack of Arab responsibility, as can be seen by Lebanon and Jordan. There is a lack of responsibility among some Arab nations, but the statement cannot correctly be made as a blanket statement about all Arab nations. Yet you've incorrectly stated it in the first point that I've been pointing out as being incorrect, and you are doing it again in the quote here.
You think so? Sorry, I think you're wrong.
I guess we have to review once again:
Your claim:
why aren't any of the Arab countries not trying to take in many of these refugees?
You questioned why there wasn't even a single Arab country taking in refugees (you do understand the meaning of 'any', correct?). Lebanon and Jordan, both Arab countries, have taken in many refugees.
As you can see, you were wrong, not me.
bass4funk and Strangerland, please do not address each other any further on this thread. You are just going around in circles.
It's kind of difficult for the refugees to cross the dessert ala Lawrence of Arabia style to reach the Persian gulf.
Kaerimashita
how about we bomb the neighbouring Arab and Turkish and Kurdish states until they agree to take more refugees?
'This is exactly what's going to happen. France, Sweden, Amsterdam, and other European countries'
Your knowledge of Europe needs a bit of work.
Well it seems my idea of indentured servitude did not go over well. But has anyone offered a solution besides deport the lot? You cannot just take thousands of displaced people into your country without consequences you know. If they have no homes and no jobs they will turn to criminal behavior to obtain cash, building materials and food and become homeless people living on our sidewalks and parks.
I would happily take in a small family if they earn their keep for a few years doing things around the house. As I am not the type of person to renege on a deal or attempt to become a slave master, I don't see the problem with that. It seems to me to be a much higher form of charity than sending a few bucks to UNICEF. These people really do need help, not just an open border.
You didn't answer my question. I'll try again. Seeing as the US and its allies are partly responsible for the current chaos, do you think the US should take in some of those in danger of persecution or even slaughter?
Yes, but very carefully and methodically with certain conditions.
@jefflee
The British and French went into the region around 1915 because the Ottoman empire was collapsing, and the great Muslim empire was reacting by instigating three (three!) genocides against infidels: Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks.
Assyrians? Your sense of history differs from mine. Modus vivendi Is this OK moderator?
I find it more than coincidental that there should be so many conflicts in or near oil producing states....
kabukideath
According to the U.N. refugee agency, the vast majority of those fleeing are Muslim, seventy-two percent are men, only 13% women and 15% children. Not all are fleeing war. Some are fleeing poverty.
72% Muslim men? What could possibly go wrong?
"Not bombing their countries, would be a start."
The coalition bombing of Syria, based on a UN resolution, was intended to protect the civilian population, by hitting ISIL and other bad local people who are slaughtering their own neighbors..
But I agree, the west should have never intervened. The MIddle East would still be a murderous horror show, probably worse than now, but at least it would dispel the outrageous narrative that Mideast hatred and violence is the work of the West.
Aly Rustom
The coalition bombing of Syria, based on a UN resolution, was intended to protect the civilian population,
Jeff, wanna protect them? Then offer them asylum. After all, if you burn my house down, the least you can do is offer me a room in yours
not having religion ruling my country....
dcog9065
European countries should let them in but work on an international resettlement program for countries like the US and Japan to take up some of the pressure off Europe. There should also be more programs in mid-income countries and developing ones too. I can easily see the world going to hell if the migration issue spirals out of control, so rich countries should sanction others to force them to open up.
Temporary shelter and aid should be provided for those who have reached any point in Europe. Job training and other educational programs should be put in place to ensure that the people (be they economic migrants or war refugees) get the necessary qualifications to find work. It has to be made very clear that once the initial period for job training is over, they have to become tax payers, contributors to the welfare of the country they eventually settle in. I believe that those who contribute to the community they live in will be always welcome regardless of faith, cultural background, etc.
camnai
Japan should take in a lot more refugees than the handful it does.
coskuri
Today, we can only welcome them. It's a short term thing, a no brainer, they are all homeless without food nor shelters, crowds in need, just like after any disaster. The questions are about future actions. That's not so much about the refugees but the others. Half of Syria fled, ok, but the biggest issue is the other half. That will become a new hell like North-Korea (and not so long ago. Vietnam, Myanmar...) ? How many zones like that can the planet bear ?
it's Saudi Arabia that is funding Wahhabism,...Wake up, Europe, before it's too late.
Do what ? You think we can do air strikes on the best buddies of America without getting nuked "à la Hiroshima" over Paris ? The world is not thanking the US, for sure. Their stupid wars, starting in Cold War era (when they transformed mountain goat farmers into Islamic warrior just to p... off USSR) till their partnership with the Gulf countries were the biggest factor of development of these escalating chaos and fights.
The US and the Gulf States should take a huge amount of refugees.
I'd prefer if they started taking their responsibilities and stopped playing the apprentice wizards that created Ben Laden and co.
So we can gain 30 years. Because if we let them die (at war, in deserts, in the sea...), that means Europe, cultures and Christianity have already ended.
That article is regarding gulf states. Let's review your original comment:
You weren't talking about the gulf states, you were talking about Arab countries. As a "journalist", I would expect that you would know the difference. Arab countries are taking in more of the refugees than anywhere else. So again, your statement was incorrect.
You used very clear language and that language was very clearly incorrect.
Actually it wasn't
I see we need to review once again. Your claim:
So you were very clearly incorrect with your premise that no Arab countries are taking in refugees, as some Arab countries are most definitely taking in refugees.
But the fact of the matter is, the Arabs aren't doing enough and they could and should do more, bottom line.
My main point was not as many.
Really? Because here was your comment:
I don't see any references to 'not as many'. I see the premise that none of them are taking in refugees. So I have to disagree with the above quote that that was your point. Your point was that no Arab nations were taking in refugees, when clearly some are.
As I have pointed out multiple times, you were wrong in your premise.
There was a great idea way back when called indentured servitude. It got a bad name because of the selfishness and greed of some people.
But it could bridge a lot of gaps, and find these people shelter and food. It could save a lot of lives.
Who among us could not use a cheap nanny and grounds keeper? Who among them would not be grateful to do those things to escape famine and death?
@ThePBotS
You are right on.
Or...why not go back further to the Sykes Picot agreement that was the real underlining reason for all the Chaos that the Brits and the French caused.
'Or...why not go back further to the Sykes Picot agreement that was the real underlining reason for all the Chaos that the Brits and the French caused.'
The Brits and the French are accepting these people.
"The question many are asking is should the colonial powers that drew up the borders"
Turkey, yes. Europe no.
No, the Europeans didn't take any colonies despite the common belief by the PC apologists. Instead they worked with the most reasonable and rational local leaders like King Faisal to try to get a semblance of administration, so the Ottoman collapse wouldnt be an even more horrific orgy.
It didnt go perfectly as planned, but nothing in the hate-filled region ever does. Religion and tribalism are the causes of Middle Eastern misery. The West cant do anything about that, and after a century should realize that by now.
Your knowledge of making a witty response needs more than a bit of work.
In other news, more surprises lay in the future for European countries accepting these refugees with open arms.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/555434/Islamic-State-ISIS-Smuggler-THOUSANDS-Extremists-into-Europe-Refugees
@dcog: There should also be more programs in mid-income countries and developing ones too. I can easily see the world going to hell if the migration issue spirals out of control, so rich countries should sanction others to force them to open up.
First it is the world going to spiral out of control because rich countries cannot deal with the crisis. Yet, you think that developing countries will be more adept at solving it? And why do rich countries have the right to sanction the not-so-rich ones given the fact that the "rich" ones were the ones who poked their finger into the region's affairs and created the crisis many years ago in the first place?
You made a point that was incorrect. So yes, I'm not getting your wrong point. I'm pretty used to that too - if you wouldn't make blatantly incorrect statements, we wouldn't have this issue.
What you said:
My question is, why aren't any of the Arab countries not trying to take in many of these refugees?
The truth: http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-migrants-scorecard-20150908-story.html
@JaneM: I never said anything about anyone being adept at solving it. What I said was that rich countries need to sort out a proper relocation program for all these asylum seekers and a program for migrants too. I can see the situation spiraling out of control if it's only rich countries having to take in everyone as you 'll see a backlash that would make this world much bleaker than it is today. If mid-income and developing countries want to be part of the system, they should be made to contribute to its stability the same way as rich countries do, is what I'm saying.
There's no point whatsoever in appropriating blame for "who poked their fingers in first", there's a situation now to deal with, so governments need to deal with it on a global scale, and not just the Europeans who have always been very welcoming.
Strange, forget about the semantics and euphuisms you know exactly what I was talking about.
Yes, I know exactly what you were talking about, because you wrote it:
As I have pointed out, and you refused to acknowledge, this statement is incorrect, as Arab countries are taking in more refugees than anywhere else.
There are no semantics or euphemisms here. You used very clear language and that language was very clearly incorrect.
Yes, I know exactly what you were talking about, because you wrote it.
Again, the Arab countries as a whole have not been doing as much as they could.
They are not.
!There are no semantics or euphemisms here. You used very clear language and that language was very clearly incorrect.
Actually it wasn't, but you may think whatever you wish.
Except that you were, and you are again. There isn't a lack of Arab responsibility, as can be seen by Lebanon and Jordan.
But they could do a lot more and haven't.
There is a lack of responsibility among some Arab nations, but the statement cannot correctly be made as a blanket statement about all Arab nations.
I think it can and has been established by the entire Western media, now if you want to say, they are all wrong, be my guest, but it's not a coincidence.
Yet you've incorrectly stated it in the first point that I've been pointing out as being incorrect, and you are doing it again in the quote here.
Idiot John Kerry & Obama admin have suggested taking in 10,000 refugees. Oh great.
Hope congress can stop this or reduce that burdensome figure.
Meanwhile those islamic refugees shout out 4-letter profanities and "Allahu Akbar" as they march to either of their western country destinations.
The # 10,000 makes me sick to my stomach.
pantherpg
I see some religious concerns listed in the comments. A quick Bing search tells me that 10% of Syria is Christian, first off -- and my impression is that it's a Christian's imperative to extend warmth and hospitality to those in need. Jesus fed the five thousand, right?
It's not like we're on different teams. We are the human race. We love our families. We want the ability to live reasonably safe, productive, fulfilling lives. When we try drawing lines in the sand to divide people, we are making ourselves feel unsafe (by turning other people into villains) and we are wasting productivity that we could spend on fruitful, fulfilling pursuits that benefit everyone.
Been to many cities in ME . . . good and bad. Rather hack off my arm too.
Japan as usual should do absolutely nothing except throw a few millions and keep clean hands.
Ah, the ole' checkbook policy. Perhaps Japan should let in a couple thousand refugees. Isn't there some sort of future labor shortage? I've crossed paths with middle easterners here, they're here already.
Ah! People who donate to charity and then brag about it...! How gracious!
'Don't be fooled by the carefully selected photographs of struggling families and crying children.
This is an invasion.'
This isn't the first time I've heard this on this site. Is there as source telling us the age, family and gender make-up of these people? I honestly haven't come across it and I'd honestly like to see it if it's there. It may help in this debate. Drawing conclusions from 'carefully selected' photos which show fit 20-something men striding along with smartphones or other photos with doe-eyed babies sounds a bit dodgy to me.
If anyone has this source, please post a link.
@bass4funk
The French and British plans to carve up the Ottoman empire's lands before WW1 ended showed their colonial mentality, their cynical desire to add to their own empires. So many of the global problems today can be traced back to Ottoman, British, French, Russian, Austrian-Hungarian etal colonialism. Those powers invaded and occupied lands throughout the Middle East North African regions (plus other places), taking resources and killing off opposition.
Then the Germans and Austrians (later joined by the Ottomans) started the military action which brought WW1, which led to WW2, pretty much ending colonialism but leaving behind the messes we're seeing now.
WW2 ended 70 years ago. The Allies drew up borders for states in MENA without regard for ethnic composition (just like the colonial powers had done).
The question many are asking is should the colonial powers that drew up the borders and got richer off the MENA states be obligated to take in refugees (and migrants) because of their invasion of these states. Posters say the refugees won't fit in, they'll alter the culture. But didn't the colonial powers alter cultures they invaded and occupied?
On another note, I definitely think the US should methodically and carefully take in refugees. The US invasion of Iraq was a catalyst to the mess.
This is good for UKIP though, as more and more "ordinary" people are forced to live with these Muslims in close proximity
Rick Shinjuku
Deport every single one of them. If we let them keep coming it will be the end of Europe, European cultures and Christianity within 30 years. I don't know why all the leftwing morons don't realise that. VOTE UKIP!
What's the best onsen facility you have been to in Japan?
Tech giants Google, Twitter, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook parent Meta and others have laid off tens of thousands of staff in recent months. What sort of a future do you see for these companies?
What can be done to deal with the increasing problem of stalking?


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G(U)ESS WHO!
"I really enjoy the multinational working and research environment with highly qualified and open-minded fellow students from all over the world." Behnaz Gholami, CDSB
CDSB Area Seminar
Himani Singh
Karin Hoisl
Himani Singh was born in Delhi, India. She pursued her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi. Having graduated top of her university class in Bachelor's, she went on to attain her Master's degree, also in Psychology, from Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi. During her studies, she worked as a student research associate for an interdisciplinary project on conflict management and peace building, as well as a curriculum developer and trainer for a project on community capacity-building. She was also a research intern at the Defence Institute of Psychological Research in Delhi, where she designed psychometric instruments for screening applicants to the Indian armed forces and undertook research on the coping and well-being of armed forces personnel. Since graduating from her Masters, she has worked as an assistant manager for an Indian-origin, big data-driven digital advertising start-up, overseeing organisational research and analytics. As part of her responsibilities, she designed, implemented and evaluated several organisation-wide research, analytics, culture-building, and learning and development initiatives.
Emotion and Thought
Routinisation and Disruption
Why I chose the University of Mannheim and in particular the GESS
The University of Mannheim is internationally renowned not only for its excellence in the business, economic and social sciences, but also for its willingness to provide opportunities to learners of all nationalities who wish to produce cutting-edge research insights of international relevance. Advanced curriculum, interdisciplinary exposure and comprehensive infrastructural support for research make the GESS doctoral programs a significant opportunity for researchers such as myself, who are driven to accelerate their learning and produce research insights of the highest standards. In addition, the rich cultural and historical roots of the university also allow students to ground themselves in an intellectual tradition that has withstood the test of time. Perhaps most significantly, having the opportunity to be mentored by the CDSB's faculty, whose expertise is uncontested and who have had tremendous impact on management research, is an invaluable experience for developing the perspective and ingenuity I need to make substantial academic and professional contributions.
The best part of being a doctoral student here
The interdisciplinarity and research-centrism of the GESS ensure an excellent academic environment for students, particularly in terms of the people we get to work with. Faculty and colleagues from several disciplines, housed within the three centers, welcome the opportunity to discuss, review and help develop my skills, research ideas and academic projects in several ways.
A description of my fellow students
Intelligent, insightful and helpful – my fellow students are some of the most engaged, collaborative and friendly researchers I've come to know. They enrich the learning experience provided by the program.
My most challenging experience within the program
Finding the balance between managing research and coursework is often challenging. The GESS offers several great theory and method courses, which can be quite demanding, particularly if they're offered by a different disciplinary area. However, these also tend to be the courses I learn a lot from, and the demands of the program prepare me for the self-management necessary as a doctoral researcher.
My advice for prospective students
If you find a good match between your own interests and the research areas represented within the GESS, don't hesitate to apply! The GESS programs offer several opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills you'll need to be a successful researcher. As long as you're motivated and willing to collaborate with others, the GESS programs can be a transformative experience.
SCANCOR PhD Workshop on Institutional Analysis
Place: Mannheim, Germany


The unique setting of The Mill makes it a superb place to visit… or stay. Our prayer is that God will use this place, ourselves, and our partners to bring people together… around food, ideas, work, humanities, conversation, understanding and addressing of basic human needs. Our current vision is to be able to facilitate event-based interactions as well as provide for 8-12 persons to be ongoing (or rotating) residents of The Mill Community.
Our prayer is that those who visit and stay with us will be able to find or recover a healthy rhythm of life in community, that emphasizes the contributions of each individual, to participate in a community committed to stewardship, where relationships, fresh encounters, knowledge, experience, and new perspectives are valued and shared. We envision a wide variety of people interacting in an atmosphere that respects and nurtures diversity, seeing it as a source of inspiration. Ideally, The Mill will be a place where people "belong," both in their concrete experience here, as well as to the community tied to it. We pray that visitors and residents will gain a fresh appreciation of God's design and purpose in our lives and world… and see the need to be trusting in God (not systems, structures, or status).
If you would like to contribute to the Bakers' ministry fund, click here for secure online giving.


Combine stock or water, aminos, honey, scallions, sesame oil, ginger root and garlic in large baking dish. Add flank steak. Marinate, covered, in refrigerator about 1 hour, turning at least once. Remove beef from marinade; discard marinade.
On top rack of preheated oven broiler or low rack of charcoal grill over hot coals, cook meat to desired doneness. Slice diagonally to serve.


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Toll Free: 1800-258-7332
Eco-Friendly Traveller The Need of the Hour
Anil Singh
It is time that we realise that small changes of today will be making the big differences of tomorrow. And if millions of people start making small changes, the results would be remarkable. People travel around to admire the mountains, feel the flow of waters, and discover amazing nature. However, travellers or tourists are also responsible for ruining nature. Many popular tourist destinations are dealing with the problem of waste and trash. The enthusiasm behind travelling is gradually getting dampened.
But things shouldn't be like that. We must improvise and alter our habits to let nature thrive and flourish. In doing so, we have to develop into an ecofriendly traveller.
Travel green means using transportation that would help to reduce carbon emissions. Instead of travelling around to the destination by cab or taxi, hire a bicycle or try walking. You can even consider using a hybrid rental car. Opting for public transportation is also helpful. Sharing a ride with other travellers brings down your expenses and lessens pollution. Try to book non-stop flights which contribute to a lesser carbon footprint. Travelling in trains has a reasonably low impact on the environment. They are one of the eco-friendlier modes to travel long distances.
Appreciate Wildlife
Every tourist destination has its own distinctive flora and fauna. It plays a crucial role in harmonising the ecosystem of that place. Do make sure that the natural habitat isn't damaged in any way while you explore your favourite destination. Similar to the animals on land, it is better to view marine life from some distance. Causing distress to underwater creatures is also not acceptable.
Use Biodegradable Travel Items
Another way to begin your travelling in an eco-friendlier approach is by using sustainable products. Instead of using disposable bottles, bags, wipes, razors etc use the recycled or reusable alternatives. Plastic bottles are turning out to be a big hazard throughout the world. Similarly, using plastic bags while travelling isn't that wise. You can always carry reusable travel or tote bags. At times it can be very helpful.
Support Local Businesses
Try to use the products and services of local businesses and artisans. Try to abide by the customs and guidelines when you visit a new place. Contributing to something good will always make you feel delighted. Providing support to the locals is a big initiative. Do eat and drink the local delicacies the place has to offer. Opt for locally grown fruits and vegetables which would be encouraging for the local farmers.
Don't Litter
Trash is not a part of nature. It pollutes not only soil and water but the environment too. Trash or garbage you leave behind is very much responsible for destructing nature. Dispose of the trash in a sensible manner. Go by the rules that prevail in the tourist destinations you visit. If every tourist puts in their own tiny yet significant effort, we can achieve a lot.
Prefer Eco-Accommodation
On your visit to a destination make an effort to stay in eco-hotels or eco-resorts.Such eco-friendly accommodations are conscious of the environmental footprint. Therefore, they attempt to reduce trash or misuse of water, etc. They put into use recyclable alternatives rather than plastic or other disposable items. These types of the workplace also offer employment opportunities for the natives. You can find many eco-accommodations through an online search.
Avoid Disgraceful Animal Experiences
It is very much true that more than often animals are not treated properly in tourism. In many famous tourist destinations, animals are mishandled for earning money. Many wild animals are kept drugged so that tourists can click photographs with them. Even the majestic elephants have to go through a tremendous amount of pain and sufferings. It is time we should stop visiting such places and stop these disgraceful acts. However, you can still locate decent animal attractions. Whenever you're in any doubt regarding mistreatment of animals for entertainment purpose, do avoid such interactions.
The ultimate goal of an eco-friendly traveller is supposed to diminish negative impact wherever they travel. It is extremely important for us to know how to be a conscious traveller. Only then can we be able to reduce the impact on the environment we come into contact with.
Posted on July 30, 2021 July 30, 2021 Categories UncategorizedLeave a comment on Eco-Friendly Traveller The Need of the Hour
THE 4 ILLS
"Resentment", "Criticism", "Guilt" & "Fear" – KEEP THEM AT BAY
Human beings are destined to grapple with life's problems. The range of problems is vast, their complexities varying from individual to individual. With neither discrimination nor any standardisation; the mighty nature remains a mute witness to the show. Look around yourself; everyone is exposed to this phenomenon. If only one would know, what causes problems; probably the solutions could be at hand. Social scientists have given through this issue for ages. After extensive research, they have honed-on to the undermentioned "4 Ills" which are responsible for human miseries. Louise-L-Hay; the renowned metaphysical motivator (author of the iconic book "YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE" – translated into 25 different languages in 33 countries) says on the subject:
4 ILLS
Guilt & · Fear
They cause more problems than anything else. One must try hard to keep them at bay. Neither one should inflict them on others, nor be the victim. Let us elaborate:
RESENTMENT: It is human nature to blame others for one's own lapses. Everyone wishes to come clean when a "fault-fixing" exercise is on. Is it the streak of in-built cowardice which makes a person tilt towards manipulations? If one is innocent and labelled guilty; he/she will sulk and suffer from bouts of resentment. Since, not a fair deal – the one who has inflicted 'injury', too will suffer by living in regrets. After all, resentment is a two-way street. Both parties suffer equally.
The best way to deal with a grudge is not to find a scapegoat. Accept slippage(s) and get on the job to find an amicable solution. Do not allow escapism to dictate your conscience.
CRITICISM: There is nothing wrong with criticism provided it is done objectively. It is easy to criticize than to repair its consequences.
Our students may recall, in the aviation world, we have the term "CABIN FEVER". It means, one is dissatisfied; he/she is restless, easily irritable and bored beyond redemption.
Such situations are common in our lives. Treat them as trivials. They are not like "Black Swans" – the ones which are unexpected and have wide-ranging impacts
In fact, such a phase too will pass!! Keep your cool. Remaining calm and non-critical; yet staying vigilant is the key to working one's way through any
There is an axis of "good behaviour" in return for "bad behaviour'. Good behaviour in return for bad behaviour touches the conscience of others. It is difficult to go against conscience
American President ABRAHAM LINCOLN's life-story "WITH MALICE TOWARDS NONE" – His biographer Stephen Boates gives a detailed account of his set-backs in his long political career. LINCOLN accepted them in their stride and never criticized anyone. This saved him from self-anguish and unwanted hurt to others. No wonders "Lincoln's ability to stand up to stronger advertises earned him the aura of a hero out of an epic poem."
As the wise counsel says – in your work-life, never indulge in an unhealthy and unsavoury criticism. It remains embedded in the sub-conscience of the individual(s). It is neither forgiven nor forgotten. Its life-span is very long. Avoid criticizing lest it results in cold-shouldering. And says Clemenceau "There is nothing harder for the "Human Spirit" to bear than being cold-shouldered"
GUILT: The Random House Dictionary defines "GUILT", "as the feeling of responsibility for some real or imaginary offence".
Remaining under the constant shadow of guilt can cause a person partial amnesia – it can rob him/ her of peace and equanimity.Individuals struck with guilt-feelings become 'numb' with loss of capacity for anticipation. In extreme cases, they may turn a blind eye to the forthcoming challenge and prefer to lie low than to "face" it.
Once awakened from the slumber they realise that the hybernation has hurt them in terms of "missed opportunities". Too late to mend the fences; they feel guilty of the poor show enacted by
FEAR: Former senior diplomat Sh. K. Natwar Singh once wrote about fear, "No fear is worse than the fear of the unknown; the fear of nature's forces, which man can neither channel nor comprehend".
True! But we live in an age of duality; I would rather say "Do not fear the winds of adversity; the kite rises against the wind – rather than
with it".
Posted on July 30, 2021 July 30, 2021 Categories UncategorizedLeave a comment on THE 4 ILLS
IRCTC & FHRAI unite to offer hotel accommodations to tourist
The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) unite to offer hotel accommodations to tourists. The collaboration will allow hotel members of the FHRAI and its Regional Associations to provide their inventory for sale as online Accommodation Partners through the IRCTC tourism website and its associate portal.
As part of the special partnering offer, a discount of 2 per cent on the commission payable to IRCTC is offered to the hotel or chain of hotels in the 3-star category or with equivalent facilities. The hotels are required to be affiliated to FHRAI and its regional Associations. Founded in 1955, the FHRAI is India's apex and the world's 3rd largest Hospitality Association.
Commenting on the initiative, Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President, FHRAI said, "India's apex Hospitality Association and IRCTC, a Government of India enterprise are coming together to offer tourists quality hotel accommodations in the country. This will offer IRCTC's users the option to choose their preferred stay from over 55000 hotels across India."
"The empanelled hotels or hotel chains are in the 3-star or above category with all basic amenities and, international standards of hygiene and safety. This will give users of the IRCTC the convenience of booking quality rooms anywhere in India while booking their travel through the IRCTC website. This is a win-win situation for everyone and we are glad to be partners with the IRCTC in this venture," he added.
The partnership entails empanelment of accommodation partners for a period of three years and is extendable every 3 years without any charges on mutually agreed terms. Besides this, it also provides a one-time waiver of integration charges as applicable for all new applications received up to 31st July 2021.
Posted on July 30, 2021 July 30, 2021 Categories UncategorizedLeave a comment on IRCTC & FHRAI unite to offer hotel accommodations to tourist
Airbus launches new Sustainable Aviation Fuel Trial
A team of aerospace specialists has launched the first in-flight emissions study using 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on a wide-body commercial passenger aircraft.
Airbus, German research centre DLR, Rolls-Royce and SAF producer Neste have teamed up to start the pioneering 'Emission and Climate Impact of Alternative Fuels' (ECLIF3) project looking into the effects of SAF on aircraft emissions and performance.
Findings from the study – to be carried out on the ground and in the air using an Airbus A350-900 aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines – will support efforts currently underway at Airbus and Rolls-Royce to ensure the aviation sector is ready for the large-scale use of SAF as part of the wider initiative to decarbonise the industry.
Fuel-clearance engine tests, including a first flight to check operational compatibility of using 100 per cent SAF with the aircraft's systems, started at Airbus' facilities in Toulouse, France, this week. These will be followed by the ground-breaking flight-emissions tests due to start in April and resuming in the Autumn, using DLR's Falcon 20-E 'chase plane' to carry out measurements to investigate the emissions impact of using SAF.
Meanwhile, further ground tests measuring particulate-matter emissions are set to indicate the environmental impact of SAF-use on airport operations.
Both the flight and the ground tests will compare emissions from the use of 100 per cent SAF produced with HEFA (hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids) technology against those from fossil kerosene and low-sulphur fossil kerosene.
The SAF will be provided by Neste, a leading worldwide supplier of sustainable aviation fuel. Additional measurement and analysis for the characterisation of the particulate-matter emissions during the ground testing will be delivered by the UK's University of Manchester and the National Research Council of Canada.
"SAF is a vital part of Airbus' ambition to decarbonise the aviation industry and we are working closely with a number of partners to ensure a sustainable future for air travel," said Steven Le Moing, new energy program manager, Airbus.
"Aircraft can currently only operate using a maximum 50 per cent blend of SAF and fossil kerosene; this exciting collaboration will not only provide insight into how gas-turbine engines function using 100 per cent SAF with a view to certification, but identify the potential emissions reductions and environmental benefits of using such fuels in flight on a commercial aircraft too."
Posted on July 29, 2021 July 29, 2021 Categories UncategorizedLeave a comment on Airbus launches new Sustainable Aviation Fuel Trial
More Routes proposed Under UDAN 4.1
On the commencement of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (India@75)' launched by Government of India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has proposed about 392 routes under UDAN 4.1 bidding process. The Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) envisaged to make air travel affordable and widespread in the country. The scheme intends to boost inclusive national economic growth, employment opportunities, and air transport infrastructure development across the nation. Till date, 325 routes and 56 airports including 5 heliports and 2 Water Aerodromes have been operationalised under the UDAN scheme.
The UDAN 4.1 round is focused on connecting smaller airports, along with special helicopter and seaplane routes. In addition to these, some new routes have been proposed under the Sagaramala Seaplane Services in consultation with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Usha Padhee, Joint Secretary, MoCA said, "Following the four successful rounds of bidding, the special UDAN 4.1 bidding round invites bids for priority routes which have not been covered under UDAN so far. This bidding round also includes routes specially requested by the State governments/UT administrations and earlier cancelled/ terminated routes. We have observed great demand on many Tier-2 & Tier-3 UDAN routes attesting the necessity along with essentiality & criticality of these regional routes. We aim to equip our country with one of the strongest air connectivity networks".
Some of the operational flexibilities are extended to Airlines under the UDAN 4.1 to ensure suitable operation models to connect smaller cities/airstrips. Additionally, operations under NSOP will be allowed for seaplane, fixed-wing aircraft, Helicopters for RCS Routes awarded under UDAN 4.1.
The Bid Document is uploaded on the Central Procurement portal of the National Informatics Centre inviting the bids from interested airlines. The bidding process is expected to be completed by 6 weeks.
IndiGo Expands Regional Presence, announces Rajkot as its New Destination
In its bid to strengthen regional connectivity, IndiGo announced Rajkot as its next destination on the 6E network. The airline will operate direct flights from Rajkot to Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad as part of its summer 2021 schedule, w.e.f March 28, 2021. These new connections will strengthen connectivity between Rajkot and the key metro cities in the country, while fulfilling the demand for enhanced connectivity.
Mr Sanjay Kumar, Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer, IndiGo said, "We are pleased to announce Rajkot as our new domestic destination to strengthen regional connectivity. Rajkot, known for its casting and forging industries, is one of the prime
Posted on July 29, 2021 July 29, 2021 Categories UncategorizedLeave a comment on More Routes proposed Under UDAN 4.1
Aviation X Lab to Reinvent Next Era of Air Travel
Aviation X Lab, the ambitious aviation-specific incubator that brings some of the largest global pioneers under one umbrella, was unveiled at AREA 2071, recently. Aviation X Lab was founded in October 2017 with an MoU signed in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Aviation X Lab establishes a long-term partnership between Emirates and Airbus, Collins Aerospace, GE Aviation and Thales intending to enhance the travel experience. Telecom provider du (company) has signed on as its Digital Innovation Partner.
In partnership with Dubai Future Foundation, Aviation X Lab aims to innovate and create the next era of aviation with its bold vision to positively impact the lives of one billion people.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline & Group said, "Aviation is a cornerstone of the UAE's economy, supporting around 800,000 jobs and contributing US$47.4 billion to the economy, which is set to increase nearly three-fold by 2037. Dubai is looking to mitigate the challenges in the aviation ecosystem, and we have a laser-sharp focus on the evolution of technology and innovations that impact the industry, communities, future generations, and our planet. We want to look far beyond aviation as it exists today and embrace the innovations waiting to happen, the next set of Big Ideas in the aviation space. Aviation X Lab will identify, support, fund and make these innovations accessible globally. We aim to transform human mobility."
Aviation X Lab announced it's first-ever challenges with the deadline for submissions set in early 2020:
Challenge 1 – Carbon Negative Aviation Industry:
Although the aviation industry is responsible for just 2% of the world's carbon emissions, the challenge is based on the premise that airlines produce 115 gm of CO2 per passenger, which is 859 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. The challenge is to reduce this by 100gm or 87% to 15gm of CO2 per passenger-km by 2030.
Challenge 2 – Airports to AirPortal's:
While the travel industry is projected to double in the next 15 years, adding 3.4 billion new travellers, the current model of airports is a barrier to passenger growth. The challenge is to rethink the airports' model to achieve metrics of 10 passengers per m2 of airport infrastructure with a 10-minute maximum transition time between landside and airside.
Aviation X Lab is inviting and reaching out to start-ups, innovators, academics, NGOs, activists, and corporates globally to participate in the challenges. The incubator will select teams and bring them to Dubai to co-create experiment and develop prototypes at their premises in Area 2071. In the next phase, up to four teams will be shortlisted and invited to pitch to investors and venture capitalists for additional funding.
Later CRM models followed similar teachings but also incorporated better overall decision-making skills. Error management became the focus of the more advance CRM training modules. CRM further evolved into teaching pilots risk management strategies, focusing on workload management, recognising hazardous attitudes or patterns, maintaining situational awareness, and communicating effectively in order to operate efficiently and safely in all aspects of flight.
Aviation X Lab is inviting and reaching out to start-ups, innovators, academics, NGOs, activists and corporates globally to participate in the challenges. The incubator will select teams and bring them to Dubai to co-create experiment and develop prototypes at their premises in Area 2071. In the next phase, up to four teams will be shortlisted and invited to pitch to investors and venture capitalists for additional funding.
The opening event witnessed demos of three key products – two from Emirates, and one from Thales.
Emirates demonstrated two ground-breaking solutions incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. One supports an important sustainability goal – reducing food waste. The technology provides real-time predictions and recommendations that ensure customers get their first choice in-flight while minimising quantities of unconsumed food. Bahja, an app created by a team of UAE Nationals, incorporates facial recognition technology to help measure employee happiness and provides real-time feedback. The app encourages employees to share their motivations with the user community, contributing to a happier workplace, and therefore happier customers.
Thales showcased how Solo, its virtual assistant powered by Thales True AI (Transparent, Understandable, and Ethical AI), could help increase safety and support the pilot in every decisive moment during flight. In the demo, Solo leveraged every available data to permanently provide the crew with the most efficient trajectory to optimise flight efficiency and passenger comfort.
Aviation X Lab will work in cycles of 12 months with five key active phases: launching challenges; sourcing start-ups globally; validating concepts; exploring rapid feasibility, and sourcing funding. Through this journey, X Lab will offer hands-on logistics support, research, resources, peer feedback, mentorship, and close collaboration to bring a change in the aviation ecosystem.
Posted on January 23, 2021 February 8, 2021 Categories UncategorizedLeave a comment on Aviation X Lab to Reinvent Next Era of Air Travel
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Can laneway homes take the pressure off Toronto's real estate market?
As aspiring first-time homebuyers lose hope in this insanely competitive market, architects and planners are looking at laneways as a possible solution to the rental housing shortage. NOW surveys the history of the strategy, the challenges facing builders eyeing a new source of land – and one fabulous laneway house that shows what's possible.
By Richard Trapunski
Photography by Tanja-Tiziana
If Toronto is going to solve its affordable housing crisis, we're going to have to get creative.
As new condo developments soar all over the city and owners cram basement apartments into their houses, a new movement uniting community members, developers, architects and city councillors is unlocking one answer that's been right under our noses – or rather, behind our houses.
Toronto has approximately 2,400 laneways stretching about 300 kilometres through downtown corridors between city streets. Laneway houses – small dwellings built above lane-facing garages, houses behind houses – have been floated as an inventive opportunity for over a decade. But a report commissioned by then city councillor Adam Giambrone all but killed the impetus for widespread laneway construction in 2006 by drowning such efforts in red tape.
As it stands right now, building a laneway house in Toronto involves a complicated process of getting a one-off approval doled out on a case-by-case basis. Only the lucky few with the time and money to navigate the system (architects or those able to hire them) can afford to own one of these sleek and desirable little buildings.
That's going to change soon. Ontario Housing Minister Chris Ballard sent a memo last fall to every municipality in Ontario demanding implementation of secondary suites across the province, and efforts have redoubled in Toronto to make that happen in laneways.
Advocacy group Lanescape has teamed up with sustainable city-building non-profit Evergreen and Councillors Ana Bailão and Mary-Margaret McMahon to draft a set of performance standards that would amend our bylaws to allow a new ease in developing laneway houses.
If all goes well, thousands of rental units could be added, largely in desirable downtown neighbourhoods where there's otherwise very little space for low-rise development.
Tanja-Tiziana
"Now that it's possible, we need to figure out exactly how we do it, not if we do it" says Lanescape's Craig Race. "It must happen and it will happen, so we need to make sure it gets done right."
The group looked to Vancouver, which, facing a similar affordability and density crisis, changed its bylaws in 2009 to allow laneway suites. Now as trendy as pot dispensaries, several hundred have been built and the city publishes official how-to guides for building them. Similar developments are happening in Ottawa and Regina.
The key in Toronto, like Vancouver, is a change in definition. Where elsewhere a laneway "house" is its own severable (and often quite ostentatious) infill property, a Toronto laneway "suite" is a detached secondary unit that gets all its services from the main house.
Changing the conversation from "houses" to "suites" removes many of the logistical and technical problems of running new services like garbage and mail to a new property in the laneway by attaching them to an already existing one. Think of it as a basement apartment, but instead of getting tucked into an often dark and claustrophobic underground setting, it's above a garage on a laneway.
"If you call the ambulance or the pizza delivery," explains Race, "they go to the address on the main street and just walk through the side yard to get to your place in the laneway."
Ward 18 councillor Ana Bailão says we need to have a discussion about "gentle intensification," especially when property values are going up 27 per cent aannually and rent increases by 30 per cent.
"It's devastating for families trying to rent or get into the market, for people who want to live in the city," she says. "Salaries are not going up at this rate.
"It's so unaffordable that people are looking at different ways of being able to continue to live in their communities," she adds, noting that high-rise condos are not an attractive option for everyone trying to get into the market.
"People are talking about that missing middle. Is this something that could help us to tackle a little bit of that issue?"
The key phrase here is "little bit." While people in Toronto have a tendency to go from 0 to 100 real quick, laneway suites aren't going to single-handedly solve the housing crisis. At most they'll add thousands of rental units. That's pretty major for property owners looking for an extra revenue source to pay their mortgage, and for renters who don't want to be pushed out of the downtown core.
But compared to the hundreds of thousands of buildings that could be built by implementing a new set of mid-rise guidelines, it's relatively small potatoes.
That's why the city has recruited Lanescape and Evergreen to help. And they've done so by engaging the community. In a series of public consultations, they've helped citizens of Toronto envision what laneway housing might look like in the near future, using workshops (co-facilitated by Crazy Dames), walking tours, discussions, games and art. They've even literally shaped houses out of clay.
It's easy to feel powerless in a housing market that's nearly impossible to break into, so letting people have a say is an easy way to make them feel like they're helping determine their own fate.
"All the enthusiasm and interest from the public on this has shown that Torontonians want to be thinking about their housing," says Evergreen's Jo Flatt. "Residents want to be having these conversations."
Indeed, in a city notorious for its NIMBYism, everyone interviewed for this story has been surprised by people's enthusiasm. That might be because so far everything is still theoretical: what's being built are the guidelines, not the suites. Once a house is under construction, people might have questions about whether it fits the character of their neighbourhood, impinges on its neighbours' privacy reduces parking spaces or blocks access to services. And if laneway suites take off, will they further inflate property values? What will they mean for gentrification in neighbourhoods with laneways?
Those questions are informing the development of guidelines, but the real test will be in the implementation.
That's why, for the next couple of years, watchful eyes will be on the University of Toronto. This month, the university announced plans for a pilot project to build a pair of small laneway houses (800 and 950 square feet) across the street from Robarts Library. Christine Burke, director of campus and facilities planning, says it's a test for the institution, which sees the potential for 40 to 50 new laneway houses on its property.
The campus stands as a unique case in many ways. Burke forecasts a need for 2,300 beds by 2020 on the St. George campus for faculty, graduate student and student family housing, and these are being tested to meet that specific demand. But the process has been very similar to that in the rest of the city. It's been a group effort involving the Huron-Sussex Residents Organization, urban planning and design consultants and the ward councillor, envisioning the project as "a case study looking at livability, sustainability, replicability, affordability and also 'Is it well integrated into the neighbourhood?'"
"What's really great about the U of T pilot happening in tandem with this is, if we can use some of the performance standards that we're developing with city staff in the U of T site, people can see what the vision is," enthuses Evergreen's Flatt, who's working on both projects. "People can totally understand it."
The enthusiasm isn't coming just from the public, but also from architects who see laneway housing as a distinct opportunity for a new Toronto style.
"I think [it's] going to be a kind of revolution for housing in Toronto," says Lia Maston of Lia Maston Architect/FIRMA, one of the pioneering offices setting up as a design build for laneway houses. "Building in laneways involves its own set of conditions. They're a little bit surgical. It's a challenge to build something that's really compact, that includes everything you'd need to be comfortable."
Proudly showing off a 3D-printed prototype, Maston enthuses over how laneway houses "look into the future." They're boxy, symmetrical, minimalist, very open, and they often integrate rooftop gardens and patios. That's mostly out of necessity, but it feels very contemporary.
They also have to be sturdy (in case they get knocked by a car) and sustainable (in respect to city planning). The future of energy, she predicts, will be solar and integrated, which means houses will be connected to each other and live on their own sort of grid.
Maston says design will always be case-by-case, because each lot has its own characteristics, but there is the possibility for modular, not-quite-prefab structures that can be assembled quickly so as not to disturb the neighbours. (Maston's firm will be presenting Lane Homes: Think Outside The Tower – an argument for gentle density in Toronto – at Doors Open in May at their 60 Beverley office.)
Michelle Senayah of the Laneway Project says, "Until now, laneways have been a blank spot in the planning policy." The Project is a parallel initiative that aims to "rethink what those spaces could be." LP turns laneways into community spaces with public art interventions, laneway greening and even a series of laneway crawls with live music. In community consultations, people were interested in more than just laneway housing, but also laneway offices, studios, cafes, parkettes and daycares. If we unlock laneway housing, people might wake up to the potential of these largely unused and ignored spaces and use them as community hubs. Back lanes will be made safer and more walkable with increased lighting. Neighbours might actually welcome them into their backyard.
Bailão says she'll have the reports in hand by late spring or early summer to present to East York Community Council. It's yet to be seen whether other city staff will be as excited as she is, and implementation will involve departments from fire and water to waste management. It's moving at the speed of city council – which is to say not very fast.
Until then, you can make your voice heard by contacting your councillor or filling out Lanescape's survey.
richard.trapunski@gmail.com | @trapunski
Laneway Light
You might assume that a laneway living space would feel tiny and dark, but one visit to 54 Croft and I got over that – fast.
The first thing you notice is all the outside light captured by the large mirror running the length of the front hall, which draws your eye straight through to the back of the house, where the seductive flame in a fireplace beckons you into the modest backyard. It doesn't feel airy – you're conscious of how carefully these rooms and spaces have been carved out – but it does feel playful and bright.
There are no fewer than three bedrooms tucked into the main floor of this upside down home, which used to be a tiny cottage – technically making this project, designed by Kohn Shnier Architects, a renovation rather than a new-build laneway home.
But this small footprint includes four: a master, two kids' rooms for short stays during the week and one larger bedroom with an ensuite bathroom for an older guest. The latter is tucked into the basement, inside the old cottage foundation that foundation is disguised by bench seating around the perimeter of the main-floor room above it.
This house was all about "a game of inches," architect Martin Kohn repeatedly says as we tour the space. But those careful calculations yield inventive results: the bookcases in the kids' bedrooms double as ladders to bunks, and the neighbours' sight lines have been so carefully measured that a soaker tub, shower and day bed in the tiny backyard can all be enjoyed in complete privacy as the birds chirp above.
Climb the stairs to the second floor and the space opens up into one large living-dining-kitchen space with a little patio on the side for barbecuing. Up here, among but above the surrounding garages, you feel part of the city once more, with the CN Tower and Aura buildings in full view. Now, this is airy.
The cherry on top? Another shower en plein air, this time on the rooftop patio hidden within a wooden spiral wall. Presumably, after a cold shower in the summer, you flop onto a lounge chair or the day bed surrounded by gardens in full bloom to soak up the sun.
KATE ROBERTSON
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Richard Trapunski
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Logistics vary by study abroad program. Each UR program has its own brochure page with cost and date information, as well as information about academics, housing, and eligibility requirements.
Note that cost estimates on the study abroad program page do not include the student's personal recreational travel and entertainment. Recreational travel is the single greatest discretionary expense for most study abroad participants.
In most cases, Richmond programs charge Richmond tuition, but not room and board, for the semester abroad. Financial aid applies. Housing fees are usually paid directly to the institution or landlord abroad. Most universities abroad do not have meal plans, so students "pay as they go" in university dining facilities or they prepare their own meals in shared kitchens in dormitories or apartments. Cost estimates for each UR semester abroad program can be found on that program's brochure page.
Why do I pay UR tuition for the semester my student will be abroad?
The policy of charging home tuition for study abroad is standard among the University of Richmond's peer universities around the U.S. Like other highly selective institutions, Richmond carefully chooses and monitors its study abroad programs, linking only with top tier institutions and programs abroad. Richmond charges home tuition because students on study abroad continue to earn credit towards a Richmond degree. Students going abroad remain Richmond students and thus retain many of the services that they would normally receive on campus (such as IT, counseling, advising, online library and research services, etc.) as well as additional specialized services particular to study abroad. All Richmond financial aid may be applied to Richmond semester or year abroad programs.
What if I use the Tuition Managment Services installment plan to pay my student's tuition at Richmond?
You may use the monthly installment plan through TMS (Tuition Management Systems) to pay your UR tuition. To enroll for your semester charges, please contact them at 1-800-722-4867 or online at https://richmond.afford.com.
Can tuition insurance be purchased for a semester abroad program?
Yes. Please see the tuition insurance plan information on the Student Accounts website for details.
Yes. The same types of financial assistance for which students may be considered during enrollment at Richmond also are available for a UR study abroad program during the fall and/or spring terms. Additional scholarships also are available. Check with the financial aid office for more information on applying financial aid to study abroad.
What are the unbilled and discretionary costs?
Students should anticipate pre-departure costs for luggage, ID photos, vaccines (when required), and travel items such as travel alarm clocks, money pouches, converters, etc.
While abroad, most program participants spend $2,500 to $4,000 per semester above and beyond living costs. These expenses include entertainment, souvenirs, and cultural events, but the biggest single category of discretionary expense is recreational travel beyond the student's host city. Students considering study abroad should be encouraged to start saving early if they plan to travel extensively while abroad. Expenses can be reduced by traveling to nearby cities as well as visiting local sites. We suggest students not travel too much outside of their host city or else they will not be able to develop relationships with local students and persons and will not really know the city or town where they are spending the semester.
How do I send money to my student while s/he is abroad?
Most students use an ATM card to withdraw cash in the local currency while abroad. See the "Money Matters While Abroad" section of the UR Study Abroad Handbook for more details. There is often a fee charged by both the U.S. bank and the foreign bank for using a U.S. ATM card to withdraw cash abroad. Students should check with their individual US banks to find out what these fees will be and if there is any way to have them reduced or waived.
It is recommended that when students withdraw cash from an ATM that they withdraw the maximum daily amount and then carry around a small portion of it, keeping the rest safely hidden and locked in their rooms. This will help keep withdrawal fees to a minimum.
Students should be aware that credit cards may work differently abroad than in the United States. Information is available regarding how credit cards work differently and how chip & PIN cards work. As with ATM cards, U.S. banks often charge foreign transaction fees for credit card purchases at foreign vendors.
Some students may choose to open a local bank account in order to get a regional debit card and avoid fees from the U.S. bank. If this option is taken, it should be done soon after arrival, as it can take a couple of weeks to open the account, receive the details such as the PIN number and debit card, and set up online banking. Depending on the bank and country, this option may only be practical for students who will be abroad for the entire academic year.
If the student purchases a tuition insurance plan prior to study abroad and withdraws from the study abroad program early due to an illness or injury, the student may be eligible for a full or partial tuition refund. The health costs may be covered through the ACE Travel Assistance (AXA) insurance policy if the student notifies the insurance company, files a claim and has an injury/illness that is not listed in the exclusions section of the policy.