text:
Computer security can be a scary thing. If you just have a quick question, feel free to drop Dan a line.
Covering the IoT Security Bases: Device Identity, Anti-Tampering, and Key Management
By Dan In Four Pillars, Internet of Things, TPM /	No Comments
I've written before about the universality of The Four Pillars of Endpoint Security and the Four Tenets of Security. It's important to stick to these basic principles when protecting critical data assets in new technology domains. Otherwise, we keep making the same mistakes, and data breaches are the inevitable outcome.
IoT (Internet of Things) security holds no exception to the rule that those who don't study history are doomed to repeat it. An example is the DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack on French internet hosting provider OVH, which exploited compromised IoT devices (including internet-connected video cameras) and set a new record for malicious traffic volume.
The sample code discussed below is based on the High-Integrity Internet-Scale Device Authentication model that we published last year.
Let's get tactical
The focus of this discussion, and the sample source code that accompanies it, relates to deployments that involve large numbers of low-power devices distributed in remote locations. You must consider:
Device Identity: Whether devices connect back to a network edge appliance or to the internet, it's important to know that each device is a trusted unit. Otherwise, bogus data are allowed to flow upstream and sensitive data, such as proprietary firmware, can be stolen by imposters.
Anti-Tampering: Likewise, if a device has been maliciously modified, it can be used to manipulate upstream processes as well as to steal information.
Key Management: Always a challenge, key management can be particularly difficult when a large number of unattended devices, all produced by an external manufacturer or integrator, must be provisioned with cryptographic keys and those keys protected once provisioned.
Hardware root of trust: the gift that keeps on giving
It's possible to use the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), an open standard for hardware root of trust and cryptography-based device protection, for strong IoT device identity and secure messaging.
We created the TpmForIot sample code to demonstrate how to use TPM to effectively address each of the above security challenges.
Technically, the TpmForIot source code builds a single-threaded command-line program that compiles and runs equivalently on any TPM 2.0-equipped Linux (kernel 4.4 or later) or Windows (version 8 or later) host. TpmForIot implements the client, or device, side of a remote platform attestation protocol.
The cryptography-related server-side operations are also implemented, but are executed client-side as a stateless simulation of what would be required of a full-featured production attestation service. In other words, until the provided code is refactored into separate client and server packages, this is not a production-ready tool. We have demonstrated the part that requires the most specialized expertise.
While the data flow suggested by TpmForIot is inspired by lessons learned from our commercial TPM-based enterprise endpoint security solution, StrongNet, it is in no way proprietary, and can be layered over any of the common IoT messaging protocols.
Sample Code Walkthrough
Using the command-line/console output, let's walk through the TpmForIot sample code step-by-step.
The first step is to open a handle to the TPM Endorsement Key (EK). The TPM specification calls for a unique EK to be burned onto each TPM at the time of manufacture. The EK plays the role of Device Identity in the IoT security checklist above.
The EK is usually a 2048-bit RSA key pair. The private component of the EK cannot be exported from its host TPM. The EK is a powerful tool, since it allows us to bootstrap all subsequent identity and key distribution scenarios: all we need to do is keep a record, or whitelist, of the EK public keys that we know to belong to the devices and TPMs that belong in our deployment. That whitelist can take the form of one or more third-party-issuer X.509 certificates, a private certificate chain, or a database of key hashes.
>TpmForIotTst.exe
Client: open a handle to the TPM Endorsement Key (EK)...
A TPM has multiple key hierarchies, including one for endorsement, described above, and one for storage. We next open a handle to the Storage Root Key (SRK).
Client: open a handle to the TPM Storage Root Key (SRK)...
Once we have the SRK, we can create a special-purpose or restricted key in the storage hierarchy. The purpose of the restricted key is attestation. The attestation key is used to digitally sign objects and registers in the TPM.
Client: create a restricted key: 000409dd acc549c7 cded5924 128392a2 46c58921 1f13
The only assumption that the server makes about device identity is based on TPM Endorsement Keys. But we also want to perform attestation and application-tier cryptographic operations with trusted TPM keys. Therefore, for each new TPM key, we establish a binding back to an EK. That assures the server that the downstream keys are also hardware-protected (otherwise, the client device could spoof the server by creating a software-protected key, which could then be exported to other devices). Activation is the TPM operation that binds an EK and another key to the same TPM.
The next three steps show the server creating an activation challenge for the client device. Please note that, in the first step, the server in this example is assuming that an EK whitelist has already been consulted elsewhere in the business logic.
Server: assume Endorsement Key is trusted: 00040dda 694b64b9 3a49286d ef6be3f6 04ffdc9b 52ed
Server: secret is: e46e7b8c 9543e63b 21f9d702 126305a9
Server: creating activation challenge for this key: 000409dd acc549c7 cded5924 128392a2 46c58921 1f13
In the next step, the client receives the activation challenge back from the server and attempts to decrypt it using its EK. If the client software doesn't provide the expected EK handle, along with the expected handle to the child key being activated, the TPM will refuse to perform the decryption operation.
If activation is successful, the TPM returns the decrypted secret that was sent by the server. For IoT integration purposes, this mechanism can be used to distribute public cloud API keys or application-tier passwords that don't support asymmetric cryptography. (As an aside, the TPM 2.0 standard supports symmetric cryptography. However, due to concern about international import/export restrictions, TPM manufacturers tend to exclude symmetric algorithms from their firmware.)
Client: decrypted secret: e46e7b8c 9543e63b 21f9d702 126305a9
For applications that only require distribution of a shared secret, the above sequence is sufficient. But for applications that require device anti-tampering protection, and/or general-purpose PKI integration, the next several steps are also necessary.
The client device continues by creating a general-purpose (RSA) signing key on the TPM. (The code can be modified to make the key support decryption, too.) The client then uses the restricted key, created several steps previously, to attest to two TPM data objects. The first TPM data object that we attest to is the thumbprint (i.e., cryptographic hash) of the new signing key. By attesting to that key, we allow the server to chain it back to a trusted EK and know that the new key is TPM protected. Importantly, the key is created in such a way that it is bound to the boot state of the host—see the next step. This general-purpose key, and its binding to its host, are (part of) the solution to the Key Management requirement in the security checklist above.
The second TPM data object that we attest to is the thumbprint of a Platform Configuration Register (PCR). For example, the Linux IMA kernel writes cumulative boot measurements into PCR 10. Therefore, by requiring Linux devices to attest to PCR 10, we can assert with a high degree of certainty whether the device has booted into a known-good configuration. Proper PCR selection and whitelisting are the solution to the Anti-Tampering requirement in the security checklist above. Stream processing applications can use that information as a weighting metric, for example. Devices that have attested to a secure boot state are more reliable data sources and more trustworthy repositories than other devices. The TPM is uniquely able to provide this capability as an open standard.
Client: create a general purpose signing key on the TPM...
Server: assume quoted PCR is correct: 0b34fb38 e564ae46 d2dd635f 40cca6ba a6cf00dc
Server: assume restricted key matches previous activation: 000409dd acc549c7 cded5924 128392a2 46c58921 1f13
Server: PCR quote is valid
Server: PCR digest for new key is correct
Server: quote is valid for this key: 0004f7af 46eb5255 a6c1a2fc 3aa8a9c4 c242cbb1 09d7
The server now knows that the device has booted in a healthy state. The server also knows the identity of a key that is bound to that device. A wide variety of cryptographic and PKI-related use cases can now be supported using that keyset, but with a much higher level of assurance than can be achieved with software-protected keys (or even HSMs, depending on the app).
In this example, the client sends a digitally signed application-specific message. By verifying the signature of the message, and checking the identity of the signing key using the (simulated) attestation server, the recipient can assert that the sender was healthy, in a trusted configuration, at the time the message was sent.
Client: message hash: c93ee7a5 2c78653c c5836f5b 5db1fe53 b9f3219e
Server: assume previous registration of this key: 0004f7af 46eb5255 a6c1a2fc 3aa8a9c4 c242cbb1 09d7
Server: message received and verified
Testing on Linux
This test output is from 64-bit Ubuntu, running within Microsoft Hyper-V 2016, with its vTPM (the "v" is for virtual; it's not a simulator) device enabled. Hypervisor TPMs aren't a likely client-side solution, of course, but they are of great interest for mutual authentication between a device and its gateway.
dan@UBA:~/TpmForIOT/TpmForIotTst$ uname -a
Linux UBA 4.4.0-36-generic #55-Ubuntu SMP Thu Aug 11 18:01:55 UTC 2016 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
dan@UBA:~/TpmForIOT/TpmForIotTst$ ./TpmForIotTst
FAMILY_INDICATOR: 2.0
REVISION: 115
DAY_OF_YEAR: 163
MANUFACTURER: MSFT
VENDOR_STRING_1: IoT
VENDOR_STRING_2: Soft
VENDOR_STRING_3: ware
VENDOR_STRING_4: TPM
RSA: asymmetric | object
SHA1: hash
SHA256: hash
Client: create a restricted key: 0004987b a77f777f 0fd5ffe0 0c4ff6fa 73d79cdc 57ed
Server: assume Endorsement Key is trusted: 0004e9bc 6f42742c 0f58439a dad26534 ea31f9d3 d3c7
Server: secret is: e84b1658 42f32665 eef11ce0 adea8ae2
Server: creating activation challenge for this key: 0004987b a77f777f 0fd5ffe0 0c4ff6fa 73d79cdc 57ed
Client: decrypted secret: e84b1658 42f32665 eef11ce0 adea8ae2
Server: assume quoted PCR is correct: 37d09cb9 5a000ba0 436ac41c 2694f25a a1aa63a3
Server: assume restricted key matches previous activation: 0004987b a77f777f 0fd5ffe0 0c4ff6fa 73d79cdc 57ed
Server: quote is valid for this key: 0004bd58 52e77c28 d394ea3f 2061ba2e 4d76b196 421e
Server: assume previous registration of this key: 0004bd58 52e77c28 d394ea3f 2061ba2e 4d76b196 421e
Testing on Windows 10
This test output is from my 64-bit Lenovo laptop which has a firmware TPM from Intel.
MANUFACTURER: INTC
VENDOR_STRING_1: Inte
VENDOR_STRING_2: l
Client: create a restricted key: 0004508d 18975891 8193b8e0 d8365441 01709c9b 1d4a
Server: secret is: 4228c286 acfc846e 83d98720 22c6b8cb
Server: creating activation challenge for this key: 0004508d 18975891 8193b8e0 d8365441 01709c9b 1d4a
Client: decrypted secret: 4228c286 acfc846e 83d98720 22c6b8cb
Server: assume restricted key matches previous activation: 0004508d 18975891 8193b8e0 d8365441 01709c9b 1d4a
Server: quote is valid for this key: 0004cff1 639bf16b f8acfd8c 4b5e1749 a2b24b17 529d
Server: assume previous registration of this key: 0004cff1 639bf16b f8acfd8c 4b5e1749 a2b24b17 529d
In summary, the use of platform independent C++ to implement a practical and useful attestation protocol make TpmForIoT a unique contribution to the community. We credit open-source developers at Intel and Microsoft for making it possible.
How to protect high-value network assets:
By Dan In Four Pillars, Microsoft, Military, Security, StrongNet /	No Comments
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
Your high-value assets need protection now.
Enabling business success is the ultimate aim of Enterprise IT security personnel. They want to ensure the right data is available to the right people at the right time—every time. Use cases, authorization rules and security group management all play a part, but planning for success doesn't stop there.
You can do more.
The standard enterprise security toolkit consists of The Four Tenets of Security: Auditing, Authentication, Access Control, and Authorization. In order to achieve the right mix, IT security must also have a continuous, candid dialogue with business stakeholders. That dialogue makes the difference between a lack of security controls, security controls that are present but ignored or undermined, and security controls that protect the business from data loss.
Prioritization and transparency are what separate strong from inadequate defense. For example, does the enterprise want to deter passive, opportunistic attackers? What about dedicated, focused attackers? By analogy, there are several levels of protection for your home:
Leaving the front door of your house wide open
Closing the door and drawing the shades
Locking the doors and windows
Advertising a security system with a sign out front
Actually installing a security system and using it consistently
Sophisticated threats abound.
Even with an enterprise security system in place, complacency is dangerous. Conscientious practitioners continually review the state of their IT defense in light of the latest threats to changing business needs. Sophisticated threats are constantly emerging and evolving, and every day can push organizations further behind in their ability to defend against state-of-the-art remote attacks.
The Mandiant APT1 report details the sustained efforts of the Chinese military to penetrate firms in intellectual property–intensive industries. Prime targets include Manufacturing, Information Technology and Professional Services. The attackers' goal is data exfiltration, and their success has been staggering. Evidence points to terabytes of valuable data stolen over periods of months, and even years, from compromised firms.
The success of the APT1 attacks highlights the challenges that enterprise IT security teams face in mitigating sophisticated, well-funded, remote adversaries. Slow software patching cycles allow known vulnerabilities to be exploited using "watering hole" and phishing strategies. By compromising a frequently visited industry-specific website, and/or sending convincing-looking emails with malicious web links and attachments, persistent attackers are highly likely to gain a foothold in the targeted enterprise.
And their tactics work very well.
According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report 2015, p. 12, phishing campaigns of as few as ten emails yield a greater than 90% chance that at least one user will click. Once a user computer has been compromised, the attacker installs Command and Control (C2) malware that calls out to a remote server for instructions. To perimeter defenses, this looks like a legitimate outbound user web query. The C2 server returns instructions, such as: Create an archive of all Outlook emails received by the user during the past week and copy that archive to a remote website. If the attacker uses HTTPS, the outbound traffic is difficult to distinguish from legitimate behavior from the perspective of IT perimeter defense and Data Loss Prevention solutions.
While the APT1 report is frightening enough, it's important to remember that the Chinese military is only one of many remote adversaries that employ similar measures to target US companies. Dozens of recent headlines cite organized crime organizations in Russia and the Eastern bloc as culprits in data theft from Fortune 500 companies and even the IRS.
What's your plan?
How can you mitigate these threats? According to the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report Volume 18, p. 8, "promptly installing security updates remains one of the best ways to defend against newly discovered threats." But, according to Verizon DBIR 2015, p. 15, 99.9% of exploits occur more than a year after formal public disclosure of the vulnerability. Clearly, most organizations are not keeping up with patching in a timely manner.
JW Secure's StrongNet™ Secure Admin solution helps mitigate this threat by enforcing patching at the time of authentication so that only fully patched systems can reach sensitive enterprise network resources. A wide variety of policy enforcement options are configurable in the StrongNet policy server, allowing IT managers to find the perfect balance between security and usability. StrongNet allows less sensitive assets to be accessed by devices with a more typical security profile, while enforcing stringent security policies for high-value assets.
Optimizing security ROI.
No organization has an infinite security budget, so achieving the optimum return on investment for IT security expenditures is as vital as it is challenging, all while responding to shifting business needs and the evolving threat landscape. This is where proper planning pays off with the implementation of a complete IT security portfolio model.
One example is the JW Secure Four Pillars of Endpoint Security, which includes:
Endpoint Hardening
Endpoint Reliability
Network Prioritization
Network Reliability
The Four Pillars model does not focus on product categories. Instead, it focuses on the capabilities that IT security can use to support and protect the business. Capabilities broadly refer to licensed products, in-house tools, and IT staff experience and training.
Start planning to succeed.
Mandiant, Microsoft and Verizon have all published sobering reports that point to the importance of staying vigilant: keeping patching up to date, fixing security bugs in Internet-facing web apps, reducing the impact of phishing, slowing lateral movement of intruders on your network and responding quickly to attacks once they occur. StrongNet solves a piece of each of those problems by ensuring that a broad range of policies are actually enforced at the time of authentication.
Contact JW Secure at sales@jwsecure.com to learn more about protecting business-critical systems using a portfolio-based approach to IT security planning.
The Value Proposition of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Security
By Mark McLaren In BYOD, Four Pillars /	No Comments
A major component of cloud computing strategy is the support of service-connected devices in a variety of scenarios, including entertainment (e.g. the Apple App Store and Netflix) and productivity (e.g. Microsoft Office 365). The intersection between elastic cloud computing services and widely available, sophisticated smartphones and tablets is the origin of the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend.
While there is an ostensible cost savings to be had in capital expenditure, and businesses can realize productivity in making it as convenient as possible for employees to always be connected, BYOD is mostly just a response to an external reality: as smartphones become more capable, consumers use them for almost all computing tasks aside from heavy content creation. BYOD allows employees to increase their decision making velocity by offering an anytime/anywhere scenario, and enables them to keep up with the latest technology like SMS, Facebook, and Twitter.
Is there any doubt that cloud computing is having a real impact on the bottom-line of major companies in the technology industry? Check out what's happening with some of the big names in IT:
Amazon—absolutely killing it in cloud services; employs more than 80,000 people now
Dell and HP—getting killed; commodity hardware is a service opportunity now. Most businesses would rather acquire computing capacity as an operational expense rather than a capital expense. Cloud computing lets them do that.
Google—on track to be the biggest market capitalization ever. Google is all about service-connected devices: look at Android, web search, and the app store.
Microsoft—yet another record quarter, partly based on their server OS and on their system management software
BYOD Productivity Scenarios
The same technologies that enabled the success of Angry Birds and the Netflix video streaming service are being used to enable around-the-clock mobile productivity for the workforce. Some of these areas include:
Collaboration and federation—just as Netflix uses the Amazon cloud to efficiently scale-up and scale-down with demand, Microsoft Office 365 allows companies to grow without having to buy their own Exchange email services. Other examples of these subscription-based, configurable computing services include Salesforce.com and QuickBooks Online.
Mobile data access—with smartphones and tablets widely available, now you have always-connected mobile devices with high-resolution screens.
Developer tools—scalable web services, such as SharePoint and Salesforce.com, natively support a variety of client browser configurations. In other words, regardless of what kind of smartphone or tablet you're using, the top-tier web applications have figured out how to make their offerings both extensible to 3rd party developers and seamless to end users. This level of multi-device browser support is unprecedented.
Cloud data—user conditioning, including the expectation of low-friction data access and rapid decision making.
Governments are also recognizing the need to support BYOD securely. The US Executive Branch, including both the White House and the National Security Agency (for example, see the NSA Brief "Mobile Device Management: Capability Gaps for High-Security Use Cases" – PDF file), has made significant investments in responding to this trend.
Risks and Mitigations
There's a balance to be struck, and it's unlikely to be the same for any two businesses. On one hand, you have to support the latest communication, collaboration, and information exchange modalities if you want to attract and keep the best people and stay ahead of your competitors. On the other hand, there is a fiduciary obligation to deploy security control systems that protect critical assets.
Some of the risks associated with BYOD include advanced persistent threats, insider threats, and data loss. But by applying authorization and encryption, these risks can be mitigated.
Advanced persistent threats—including unsafe email attachments, worm-like viruses that propagate over the network, and related threats to your web browsers. Ensuring that the latest technologies are being used, such as anti-malware software, can help mitigate these attacks.
Insider threats—including security breaches and data theft. To help prevent this, every mobile devices should require a unique password and PIN to unlock it.
Data loss—mobile devices can be lost or stolen, there's no way around that. But if data is encrypted at rest and in transit, then the threat of data ending up in the wrong hands is reduced. For more information about protecting your devices from data loss, see the blog post How to Protect Your Data with Attribute-Based Authorization.
For companies with valuable intellectual property to protect, and in particular those that do business overseas, the value proposition for BYOD security is significant and can mean the difference between survival and extinction. State-sponsored hackers in many parts of the world are targeting enterprise content including government documents, clothing designs, and blueprints, and stealing those data in an attempt to short-circuit competitive costs and get ahead. In recent months, the U.S. government has had to defend itself against the resumption of hacking efforts by a cyber-unit of China's People's Liberation Army, which has targeted companies like Coca Cola and Lockheed Martin.
At JW Secure, we believe that authorization should be based on the current state of the device, as well as on the identity of the user. To keep your data safe and secure, we developed a product called StongNet, which allows only sensitive content to be accessed by known, trustworthy users and devices. We don't just ensure that the user is authenticated, but we also ensure that the device is secure and the data on the device is encrypted. For more about the StrongNet mobile device security solution, click here.
Covering the Security Basics
My latest book, The Four Pillars of Endpoint Security: Safeguarding Your Network in the Age of Cloud Computing and the Bring-Your-Own-Device Trend, explains in detail how to secure your mobile devices for corporate data access.
The four pillars include:
Endpoint hardening—protect the endpoint (e.g. smartphone or tablet) from attack by ensuring that network assets are using the latest technologies to defend against threats.
Endpoint resiliency—make the endpoint self-healing by ensuring that health information on devices and applications is continuously gathered and monitored. That way failed devices or applications can be automatically repaired, thus allowing operations to continue.
Network prioritization—guard network bandwidth by ensuring that your infrastructure can always meet application bandwidth needs. This consideration applies not only at well-known peak demand times, but also when there are unexpected surges on network loads and distributed external and internal attacks.
Network resiliency—make the network self-healing and allow for seamless automatic recovery. Techniques in this area ideally afford reconfiguring the network in real-time as performance degrades.
By combining the four pillars of endpoint security with the four basic security tenets—identity, authentication, access control, and authorization—you can safely and securely adopt the BYOD trend to ensure happy employees and satisfied customers!
My new book is out: "The Four Pillars of Endpoint Security"
By Dan In BYOD, Cloud Computing, Four Pillars, Security /	No Comments
My second book, The Four Pillars of Endpoint Security: Safeguarding Your Network in the Age of Cloud Computing and the Bring-Your-Own-Device Trend, is now available on Amazon.
What are the four pillars of endpoint security? In short, a framework for analyzing and prioritizing security technology investment in the enterprise. The pillars are:
To learn more about the Four Pillars, safeguarding your network, and the BYOD trend, click here.
Get ready – The Four Pillars of Endpoint Security is coming
By Dan In Cloud Computing, Four Pillars, Security /	No Comments
I just posted about The four tenets of security. My next book, The Four Pillars of Endpoint Security, puts a new twist on those security basics. The Four Pillars of Endpoint Security, listed next, complement the four tenets:
The four pillars are timely. Take, for example, the recent distributed denial of service attacks by Iran on several US banks. The attacks made use of large botnets, or compromised internet-connected computers, from all over the globe. In that context, Endpoint Hardening should entail, primarily, making client operating systems harder to compromise and incorporate into botnets. Secondarily, one hopes that server operating systems can be made more capable to resist DDoS attacks.
Regarding Endpoint Reliability, compromised botnet hosts should self-heal. Why not? The bot behavior is anomalous, and hardware enforcement of known-good system software is available.
The third pillar, Network Prioritization, should be employed to throttle hosts that don't have authorization to send certain traffic to certain servers. For example, there are countries from which network traffic destined for US banks should be completely and permanently blocked as a matter of national security. That doesn't mitigate the risk from compromised US-based hosts, but it reduces the effective size of the botnet.
Finally, Network Reliability plays a couple of roles. Networks themselves, including dedicated firewall equipment, must continue to perform in the face of brutal traffic spikes. In addition, network reliability is an important consideration for user-friendly mobile and web application design. Good mobile app design, using techniques such as data caching and tiered access, can make outages feel more seamless.
BYOD + 4 Pillars Strategy = security wins
By Dan In Four Pillars, Newsletter /	No Comments
Looking for a fresh approach for classifying and prioritizing IT investment in security technologies? Check out our Four Pillars of Endpoint Security for BYOD in the September edition of the JW Secure Informer newsletter.
Dan Griffin's Books:
The Four Pillars of Endpoint Security
(CreateSpace – June, 2013)
Cloud Security and Control
(CreateSpace – May, 2014)
Implementing Platform Protection for Linux February 7, 2017
Enterprise IT Security Unlocks the Potential of Hybrid Cloud December 1, 2016
Covering the IoT Security Bases: Device Identity, Anti-Tampering, and Key Management October 7, 2016
Archives: Select Month February 2017 December 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 March 2016 February 2016 November 2015 October 2015 August 2015 June 2015 April 2015 March 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 September 2014 July 2014 May 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006
JW Secure, Inc.
sales@jwsecure.com
Copyright 2017 JW Secure, Inc. All rights reserved. Site design by Page 3 Design.


text:
require 'spec_helper'

describe Api::V1::TaxonConceptsController, :type => :controller do
  context "GET index" do
    it " logs with Ahoy with different parameters" do
      expect {
        get :index, {
          :taxonomy => 'cites_eu',
          :taxon_concept_query => 'stork',
          :geo_entity_scope => 'cites',
          :page => 1
        }
      }.to change { Ahoy::Event.count }.by(1)
      expect(Ahoy::Event.last.visit_id).to_not be(nil)

      expect {
        get :index, {
          :taxonomy => 'cites_eu',
          :taxon_concept_query => 'dolphin',
          :geo_entity_scope => 'cites',
          :page => 1
        }
      }.to change { Ahoy::Event.count }.by(1)
      expect(@ahoy_event1).to eq(@ahoy_event2)
    end
  end
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
The State of Democracy in Latin America
Latin America has been buffeted by economic crisis, soaring crime rates, major corruption scandals, and a devastating pandemic. These crises have threatened democracies across much of the region. DRCLAS has assembled four prominent scholars of Latin American politics to evaluate the state of democracy in the region. How serious are contemporary threats to Latin American democracies? What are the...
Read more about The State of Democracy in Latin America
U.S. Policy Towards Latin America Under Biden
This event is part of a virtual series. To view the recording, click here.
Speakers: Laura Chinchilla, Co-chair of the Inter-American Dialogue, President of Costa Rica (2010-2014); Arturo Valenzuela, Emeritus Professor, Georgetown University; former Assistant Secretary of State for WHA; Jorge...
Read more about U.S. Policy Towards Latin America Under Biden
Federalism and COVID Responses
Speaker: Agustina Giraudy, Associate Professor of Political Science, American University
Discussant: Kent Eaton, Professor of Politics, University of California, Santa Cruz
Moderated by: Alisha Holland, Associate Professor of Government, Harvard University
Presented in collaboration with ...
Read more about Federalism and COVID Responses
How COVID has Changed Latin American Economics
To view the recording, click here.
Speakers: Andres Velasco, Dean of the School of Public Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science; former Finance Minister of Chile; Ana Maria Ibanez, Professor of Economics, Universidad de los Andes; Economics Principal Advisor for the Interamerican Development Bank; Daniela Campello, Associate Professor, Brazilian School of Business and Public Administration;...
Read more about How COVID has Changed Latin American Economics
Populist Coalitions in Latin America
Speaker: Rodrigo Barrenechea, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University
Discussants: Thea Riofrancos, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Providence College; Aaron Watanabe, PhD Candidate in Government, Harvard University
Read more about Populist Coalitions in Latin America
Central America & the Caribbean (3)Apply Central America & the Caribbean filter
(-) Remove Brazil Studies filterBrazil Studies
Cuba Studies (2)Apply Cuba Studies filter

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This design is screen printed and is approx 14 inches wide x 19 inches high. This design is currently available as a limited edition with glow in the dark eyes and logo.
This design is currently a pre-order scheduled to ship approx 11/19.


New York City is comprised of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island commercial real estate submarkets. These are also the five boroughs of New York City, and make up the entire NYC region. Demand for office space in New York City is among the strongest in the world.
The most recent report from the Office of the New York State Comptroller shows that, as of 2016, there was approximately 550 million square feet of office space in New York City. The commercial real estate market in New York City sees tremendous demand from a variety of business sectors, including the finance, real estate, and healthcare industries.
With office employment in New York City accounting for about one-third of the 4.3 million jobs in the City, it may come as no surprise to learn that the amount of office space in just the Midtown and Downtown Manhattan business districts of New York City is three times larger than Chicago and twice as large as London. Class A office space in New York City comprises almost 66% of the total office inventory in NYC, bringing over 350 million square feet of Class A or A+ office inventory to New York City's commercial real estate market.
With over 1,500 office buildings in New York City larger than 50,000 square feet, it's difficult to choose favorites. Some of the more notable office properties in the City include 270 Madison Avenue in the Murray Hill neighborhood, Forty One Madison in the NoMad neighborhood, and Brookfield Place - 200 Vesey Street in the Battery Park City area of New York.
In a commercial real estate market this large, the amount of green office space in New York City is strong and growing. There are over 1,200 LEED Green, Silver, Gold, or Platinum certifications, including those that are just recently registered. The 2017 National Green Building Adoption Index reports that, across the top 30 U.S. office markets, the percentage of green office space has grown from less than 5% in 2005 to about 38% by 2017. That growth is an astounding seven-fold increase in just 12 years.
One of the many examples of LEED-certified office buildings in New York City is the One World Trade Center. Located in the Manhattan Financial District commercial real estate submarket, this office building was completed in 2014 and brings 3 million square feet of Class A LEED Gold-certified office space to the New York City green office market.
The New York City commercial real estate and Class A office markets see both national and international demand for office space from the top office-using sectors in New York City of the financial services, high technology, real estate & insurance, and healthcare industries.
Financial Services – The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are two of the many representative industry institutions that generate a significant amount of white-collar office employment in NYC.
High Technology – Google is just one of the high-tech companies that have offices in the Silicon Alley section of New York City.
Real Estate – Some of the most expensive real estate in the U.S. is located in New York City, with commercial real estate brokerages such as CBRE Midtown Manhattan and Colliers International generating demand for white-collar office space in New York.
Healthcare – this is NYC's second-largest employment industry sector, with Bristol Myers Squibb, ImClone Systems, Pfizer, and Regeneron being just a few of the businesses that help drive the commercial real estate market in New York City.


text:
Wycombe in the Prem or getting a Christmas number one? Gareth Ainsworth on the festive tune he is on
Gareth Ainsworth and Petr Cech team up for Christmas charity single
By James Richings James_BFP Community reporter
Gareth Ainsworth and Petr Cech (PA)
Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth hopes fans and residents across the town will be able to purchase the new Christmas charity single he is on.
'Drawing Straws', which features the gaffer as a joint-vocalist with former Chelsea and Arsenal keeper Petr Cech on drums, was written by singer-songwriter Ian Wills (Wills & The Willing).
READ MORE: Gareth Ainsworth and Petr Cech team up for Christmas charity single
It looks back at what 2020 has brought to the world, with all the proceeds going to Dementia UK.
Speaking after the 1-0 defeat against Stoke City on December 2, Ainsworth said: "It is a really great tune.
"I am loving the tune and hopefully people will start listening to it.
Gareth Ainsworth and Petr Cech
"I'm going to say you're a bad person if you don't buy it!
"It has got the NHS in it, it has got Captain Tom, Marcus Rashford, and all that sort of stuff and it is a catchy tune."
Finally, when asked if he would rather have Wycombe in the Premier League or achieve a Christmas number one, Ainsworth quickly responded back with: "Oh come on, Wycombe in the Prem!"
If you would like to listen to the tune, click here.
READ MORE: 'They deserve to be Championship fans' - Ainsworth on supporters being back at Adams Park
The song will be released on December 18.
For more information, visit www.willsandthewilling.com.


Rather than creating a new dwelling which is essentially an object placed on the land, might it not be possible to create a new dwelling whose primary formal role is to engage with the land, connecting with adjacent hedges, ditches, trees, walls, footpaths, meadows and with the topography in order to create places around the new dwelling? Sensing that much of the resistance to new dwellings arises from their almost inevitable 'objectness', we set ourselves that challenge. The resultant scheme has four completely different faces, each seeking to contribute to a different existing landscape. This crinkle-crankle wall (an East Anglian 'speciality') is one of those faces, providing a new edge to an existing wild flower meadow. Between the four faces, is a single storey dwelling with internal courtyards, many roof lights and more windows than you might expect. The proposal has recently been submitted for Planning.


text:
import { Get, JsonController } from 'routing-controllers'
import { SettingService } from '../services'

@JsonController()
export class SettingsController {
  constructor(private settingService: SettingService) { }

  /**
   * @swagger
   * tags:
   *   - name: settings
   *     description: operations on the application's settings
   */

  /**
   * @swagger
   * /api/settings:
   *   get:
   *     tags: [settings]
   *     description: get the site settings
   *     produces:
   *       - application/json
   *     responses:
   *       200:
   *         description: success
   */
  @Get('/settings')
  get() {
    return this.settingService.settings$.take(1).toPromise()
  }
}


Get Connected! – Rolling Without Limits: Your mobility may be limited. Your voice, boundless.
Have you ever stopped to wonder if each person we meet in life has a purpose? That people come into our lives for a reason? That there are no coincidences?
In a world full of smart phones and being constantly "connected," it's easy to become "disconnected" from every day interactions that could lead to opportunity. Sure there are people we pass on the street every day and we might not give those interactions a second thought. But what if we took time to unplug and consider that each person we come into contact with might just have something to offer us, if we just take the time to interact?
Not all interactions are positive.... not all interactions inspire us.... what if there was something to learn from all of them? Many people with disabilities have faced discrimination, inaccessibility, ignorance and dismissal. These can be a very real part of our reality. The lessons we learn from these interactions however, are the kinds of experiences that may allow us to create change. Think about what our communities could be like if we took advantage of these "negative" interactions and turned discrimination into an opportunity to educate; inaccessibility into an opportunity to petition for equal access; ignorance into education; or dismissal into acknowledgement.
Below is a quote that I think speaks very well to the idea of keeping an open mind for the people that we meet and that we never know what opportunities may lie with each one.
"We have three types of friends in life: Friends for a reason, friends for a season, and friends for a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person."
Let's keep our hearts and minds open. People come and go, but we never know when we might bump into someone for a reason who can learn from us or who we can learn from. They may even leave us better than before!
Thanks for the vote, Lil Nana!
This is such a true quote. I hope that I can have friends for a lifetime and keep them close to me.
Oh my Mrs WheelerWife what an amazing story you have told her. This is wonderful and I believe in what you have said. I believe we are there for a reason and yes not all in counters are negative or positive but we can learn from them all. Thank you so much for these words they are an inspiration to all who read them.


text:
<?php

namespace Matrix;

use Matrix\Operators\Addition;

/**
 * Adds two or more matrices
 *
 * @param     mixed[]    $matrixValues   The matrices to add
 * @return    Matrix
 * @throws    Exception
 */
function add(...$matrixValues)
{
    if (count($matrixValues) < 2) {
        throw new Exception('This operation requires at least 2 arguments');
    }

    $matrix = array_shift($matrixValues);
    if (!is_object($matrix) || !($matrix instanceof Matrix)) {
        $matrix = new Matrix($matrix);
    }

    $result = new Addition($matrix);

    foreach ($matrixValues as $matrix) {
        $result->execute($matrix);
    }

    return $result->result();
}


In Episode 27, we will discuss the amazing subject of grace. Just like the love of God can be both over-emphasized and under-emphasized, so too the grace of God is often both over and under-simplified. Today, I will be discussing the various ways the Koine Greek word charis (grace) is used in Scripture, and highlight a few ways the early Christians used charis in their writings.
By way of housekeeping, at the end of every episode of RTF, I include an original song. I pray those have been a blessing to you. A few months ago I began recording a 7 song EP of original songs I've written over the last 5 years. This can be quite a costly endeavor, so to help cover the cost of production, I've created a GoFundMe Campaign. For those who contribute $20, you will receive a hard copy of the 7 song EP, plus a demo CD of acoustic versions of 5 additional songs. For those who contribute $30 or more, in addition to the EP and demo, I will include a copy of my book, New Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ.
My book New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christcan be found on Amazon, and if it's a blessing to you, please leave an honest review there.
This week we're wrapping up my 4-part interview with Dan Enright about how Christians evangelized in the first century. In Episode 26, we discover how the early Christians used the Prophets, and particularly the book of Isaiah, to demonstrate the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the prophesied Messiah. Dan is a professor at The Bible Seminaryin Houston, TX, and is also the Community Groups Pastor at my church. This is an inspirational and educational interview that you don't want to miss!
I recently had the honor to conduct a 4-part interview with Dan Enright about how Christians evangelized in the first century, with episode 23 being part one of this eye-opening series. Dan is a professor at The Bible Seminaryin Houston, TX, and is also the Community Groups Pastor at my church. This is an inspirational and educational interview that you don't want to miss!
In Episode 22, A Call to Arms, I'll be discussing how Christians, who are called priests of God in 1 Peter 2, are commanded to fight according to 1 Peter 4. This message will undoubtedly challenge many American traditions, so I want to ask you to prayerfully value the words of God above all other words you've ever heard. I want to be clear that this is not an anti-gun message, but rather, it is a call to be a Pro-Life priest of the kingdom of God.
In Episode 21 I'll be covering the Great Deception that the Apostle Paul says God is going to bring upon certain people in the last days. We will not only look at who those people are, but we will also cover several current distortions to the Gospel that are deceiving the Church today. And finally, I'll address a simple, yet challenging step you can begin to take today that will help you feel secure when God's great deception finally comes upon the world.
In Episode 20 I'm going to be getting back into my book, New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ. As with chapters 1-4, I'll be giving you an audio version of Chapter 5, which is called Judas & Jesus. And here in chapter 5, I discuss how if it was prophesied that Judas would betray Jesus, did he really have a shot at having faith in Jesus and receiving eternal life? If not, what does that say about God, who supposedly so loves the world? You will discover that the early Christians' view on the issues of God's sovereignty and mankind's free will are neither Calvinistic nor Arminian, yet they are absolutely biblical.
You can find this book on Amazon, and if it's a blessing to you, please leave an honest review there.
Similarly, if you're blessed by this episode, I'd really appreciate it if you'd leave an honest review on my iTunes channel, Reclaiming the Faith. Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at my website, reclaimingthefaith.podbean.com. Or email me at emailphilsbaker@gmail.com.
I'm blessed to be a part of Justen Faull's 4thWatch Radio Networkalong with BDK of Omega Frequency, who I do a monthly Q&A show with called Ready with an answer. In addition to our own channels, you can find each of our podcasts at http://www.fourthwatchradio.comor on the 4thwatch radio podcast.
This is a modified version of an illustration given by David Bercot in "What the Early Christians Believed About Predestination and Free Will," Scroll Publishing, accessed May 25, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXbXadet10k.
Ignatius, cited in Maxwell Staniforth, Early Christian Writings (New York: Dorset Press, 1986), p. 103.
Irenaeus, cited in David Bercot, ed., A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998), p. 629.
Clement of Alexandria, Ibid., p. 629.
Justin Martyr, Ibid., p. 285.
Perhaps the best example of a non-Christian being able to perform good works by God's grace is found in the story of Cornelius in Acts 10, particularly in verses 1-4 where unregenerate Cornelius is told by an angel from God that his prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial before God. These good deeds were clearly pleasing to God, yet Cornelius's righteous acts could not save him.
Bible Hub, δουλεύοντες, accessed March 2, 2015, http://biblehub.com/greek/douleuontes_1398.htm.
Bible Hub, douleuó, accessed March 2, 2015, http://biblehub.com/greek/1398.htm.
David Bercot, "What the Early Christians Believed About Imputed Righteousness," Scroll Publishing, accessed May 25, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58p0iLmUrDE.
To see what I believe is Paul's own testimony of this processes taking place in his life as a child, read Romans 7:7-12.
C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (New York: Collier Books, 1970).
Bercot, A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, p. 295.
Origen, cited in The Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 2, 756-757 [CD ROM (Henderson, TX: Scroll Publishing).
The Epistle of Barnabas, cited in Staniforth, Early Christian Writings, p. 220.
In Episode 19 I discuss recent reports that Pope Francis denied the existence of hell, and how the media has tried to spin his remarks. I also examine the doctrine of hell from a New Testament perspective, and highlight what the early Christians believed about it.
I'm blessed to be a part of Justen Faull's 4thWatch Radio Networkalong with BDK of Omega Frequency, who I do a monthly Q&A show with called Ready with an answer. You can contact BDK and at Omegafrequency.com, and you can send in questions for that Q&A show there. In addition to our own channels, you can find each of our podcasts at the 4thwatch radio website (fourthwatchradio.com) or on the 4thwatch radio podcast.
Episode 18 is the fourth and final installment of my series on genuine, historic revivals, where I interview my podcasting partner, BDK, of Omega Frequency. In part 4, we ask the question: If a revival happens amongst a body of believers, how does it maintain itself? Also, what are a few things that can quench revival?
I'm blessed to be a part of Justen Faull's 4th Watch Radio Network along with BDK of Omega Frequency, who I do a monthly Q&A show with called Ready with an answer. You can contact BDK and at Omegafrequency.com, and you can send in questions for that Q&A show there. In addition to our own channels, you can find each of our podcasts at the 4th watch radio website or on the 4th watch radio podcast.
Episode 17 is the third installment of my four-part series on genuine, historic revivals, where I interview my podcasting partner, BDK, of Omega Frequency. In part three, we discuss various hallmarks of true, biblical revival. This is an awesome episode that you may want to listen to a few times to make sure you really soak up all that is discussed.
Episode 16 is the second installment of my eye-opening, four-part series on genuine, historic revivals with my podcasting partner, BDK, of Omega Frequency. In part two, we look at both Scripture and history to determine a few key things that precede revival. This is an awesome episode that you may want to listen to a few times to make sure you really soak up all that is discussed.
Episode 15 is the first of an awesome, four-part series on genuine, historic revival with my podcasting partner, BDK, of Omega Frequency. In part one, we explore the question: What is Revival? The word 'revival' means so many different things to so many people, so we take the time to nail down what a genuine revival looks like from a historic perspective.
I'm blessed to be a part of Justen Faull's 4th Watch Radio Network along with BDK of Omega Frequency, who I do a monthly Q&A show with called Ready with an answer. In addition to our own channels, you can find each of our podcasts at the 4th watch radio website or on the 4th watch radio podcast.
In Episode 13 I'm diving back into my book, New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ. This is an audio version of Chapter 4, which is called Hyperbolic Jesus. In the previous chapter, I began to discuss how the earliest Christians took Jesus' words very simply and seriously, even when it came to loving their enemies. Now in chapter 4, I continue to examine that approach to reading the Bible, specifically as it pertains to Jesus' command to cut off our hands and pluck out our eyes if they cause us to sin.
In Episode 12 I'm going to be discussing what the Apostle Peter meant in chapter 2:12 of his first letter when he commanded us to keep our behavior excellent among the gentiles. I'll also be hitting on the influence Jesus had on Peter making that statement, and shedding some light on the way the early Christians behaved in the world. Much emphasis is given on being attractional in today's Western Church, but what would attractional Christianity look like to Peter?
Episode 11 is a special episode, where I'm give the listener an audio version of chapter three of my book, New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ. The title of this chapter is: John Wayne and Jesus, where I examine the way our various traditions and preferences that filter our view of Jesus and His teachings affect the way we approach Jesus' command to love our enemies. I also discuss how using the game of Telephone backwards can help us determine what the orthodox position of the Church actually was concerning this command of our Christ.
In Episode 10, I'm going to be discussing the vital need for Christians to believe in the power of regeneration. It's one thing to say we're born again, but what does that mean for us in a practical day-to-day sense. I'll also touch on the subject of homosexuality and Jesus' interaction with a disabled man in John 5.
In 2016 I wrote a book called, New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ. If you'd like to get a copy, you can purchase it on Amazon, and again, if it's a blessing to you, please leave me an honest review there.
In Episode 9, I'm joined by one of my best friends, Adam Hawks, to have a discussion about evangelism, discipleship, and our calling to imitate Jesus Christ. Adam is currently the Student minister at Sugar Land First United Methodist Church and has a Masters in Youth Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary.
Episode 8 is a special episode, where I give the listener an audio version of chapter two of my book, New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ. The title of this chapter is: Sepia Jesus because I believe that every Christian comes to faith in Jesus with various traditions and preferences that filter his or her view of Jesus and His teachings. Jesus, however, calls us to make Him the lens by which we view everything else.


text:
Rebuilding a Tesla Model S with a Chevy Camaro engine
By Business Insider
Published : Jan 14, 2022 - 11:19 Updated : Jan 14, 2022 - 11:19
YouTuber Rich Benoit is known for fixing and rebuilding Teslas. For his latest creation, he built a Model S with the engine from a Chevy Camaro. Besides installing a V-8 engine, he built an exhaust system, a manual transmission system, and more.


text:
Outriders Transmog System is so Impressive, That More Loot-Based Games Should Take Notes From It
Outriders is one of those games where some people love it, whilst others don't. I recently started playing it myself as it's now on PC Game Pass, and have been enjoying it. Thankfully, it's looking to get even better with a much-needed feature!
The upcoming New Horizon update will come with brand new expeditions, skills, and more. My favourite addition, however, is the Transmog system which I feel the game will really benefit from.
For those of you who are unaware, Transmog systems in gear/loot-based games allow you to change the look of your equipment/armour to match something else, whilst keeping the base attributes. Ever had a gear that you did not like the look of, but were stuck with it due to its awesome stats? The Transmog system helps solve that.
It is something that Far Cry 6 and AC: Odyssey have done well in my opinion, making it so that you can switch the look at a low cost, as long as you have unlocked the required gear.
Odyssey was especially fantastic, as it allowed you to change the look easily from your gear menu, something that Valhalla could have benefitted from, as currently you are forced to travel to a blacksmith to do so, killing moments of impulsiveness when you are roaming around.
What makes Outriders' Transmog system even better is that not only can you change the look of your gear for free, but will be able to do it cross-character. RPG games such as this tend to have gear exclusive to different classes, oftentimes keeping you from some really stylistic looks that you might like.
Outriders does away with these limitations, so now you can Transmog your gear into another class' set. You still have to find the gear as that class, but it opens up the possibility for some unique looking builds, unrestrained by what you play as. The stats and attributes aren't affected, of course, so the class-based balancing doesn't suffer. Changing the look of your weapon will also change how it sounds, based on the visuals of your gun, whilst keeping its attributes.
What impresses me the most is that the developers have stayed away from convoluted requirements or needless costs (looking at you Destiny 2), making the system as user friendly as possible. In fact, all of this can be done in your inventory, wherever you are, without any cost or cooldowns.
Other than user-friendliness, a highly approachable and transparent Transmog system can further encourage you to look for gear that you normally wouldn't, bolstering your loot engagement. There have been countless times where players have disappointingly skipped getting something, just because it doesn't mesh with their playstyle but regrettably looks cool.
I really hope that more gear based RPG games will look into creating transparent and convenient Transmog systems, and not bog them down with arbitrary costs or requirements. In my opinion, that initial journey of acquiring a gear itself is the cost, so you've already worked for it, and so it should be available for you to use both vanilla and as a Transmog.
Outriders is currently available at no extra cost for Game Pass members on PC and XBOX Series X, as well as Playstation 4 and Playstation 5. The New Horizon update will be available later today!
Posted in Opinion Piece, PC, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series XTagged Google Stadia, Headline, Opinion Piece, Outriders, PC, People Can Fly, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Square Enix, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Prev The Legend of Tianding Is A Kung Fu Side-Scrolling Action Game
Next Journey Into The Insane Mind Of Vaas – Far Cry 6 DLC Now Available


It's Back! Gosford Quarries will have an impressive display at this years' HIA Home Show in Melbourne from Thursday 21st April - Sunday 24th April.
If you're planning on building or renovating, come past and chat with our friendly team of knowledgeable staff who will be able to recommend the right product for your project.
With a vast array of paving, cladding, capping, walling, pools and building applications Aussie Sandstone is a natural choice for home owners and renovators.
Come past our Australian Sandstone display at the Convention Center, Southbank and check out how we can help make you house a home with the warmth of our natural 100% Australian sandstone.


Viperidae was a gas giant in the Psi Serpentis system. Red in color, the planet's tightly compressed atmosphere consisted of helium and hydrogen. Its mass was thirteen times that of Jupiter. Viperidae's gravity was nearly able to crush and fuse the hydrogen in its atmosphere.
Viperidae was the location of Admiral Preston Cole's "Last Stand." Battlegroup India engaged a massive Covenant armada in orbit. The planet was destroyed by the one hundred Shiva-class nuclear missiles Cole launched onto its surface, igniting the super-pressurized hydrogen in its atmosphere and briefly turning the gas giant into a brown dwarf. The nuclear blast that followed obliterated the entire Covenant fleet, well over 300 ships, and led to the presumed death of Preston Cole.
The Viperidae, or the vipers, are a family of venomous snakes found throughout the world.


The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, additionally, the Annual Conference supports this mission by equipping its local churches for ministry and proving a connection for ministry beyond the local church; all to the glory of God.
yearns to lead others to become disciples.
As a Conference, we will be a connection of vibrant congregations with fruitful leaders and faithful disciples transforming the world by doing no harm, doing good, and staying in love with God.


Gutted! We planned to go an exhibition today. We said we'd go out and have lunch, and then go to the exhibition at 2 p.m. This would give us plenty of time as it closed at 5 p.m.
What happened in reality was that my friend needed a haircut. He didn't really factor it in or tell me about it so we didn't get to the exhibition until about 4:00 p.m. The man that was staffing it needed to close early so we were asked to leave at 4:40 p.m. No treat in terms of lunch. Exhibition not completed! Disappointment.
There are so many things that people don't have, yet I'm bothered about this. Well…it's all about expectation of course! I'd wanted to go and see it for over 2 weeks, when will I go now? etc. etc. etc.
Then comes the comparison. When my mate wants to do something he makes sure it happens. I try and make sure I don't let him down. If something means a lot to him I'll make sure I attend. This goes for my close friends in general actually, not just this one!
So this time it was something I wanted to do, something I planned, something I was looking forward to! But it didn't happen. The thing is, I don't usually have any preferences re doing stuff. I don't usually get my hopes up about doing specific things. Also after you remove the things I struggle to do because of my back, there's less choice anyway and then; I just don't mind! The day you do then want something, you expect it to happen because you usually don't express a preference! It doesn't work that way does it?
So it's better to not want, to not hope, to not expect. Then you can't be disappointed right?
Can you think of any other examples of expectations that most of us have?
Others saying thanks for things that we do. Should we expect it or just accept it if it's given?
For friends and family to be pro-active if something is wrong with their health. Find out what it is, ask questions, and seek treatment.
Humans are so complex and want so much. Do we make our own lives difficult?
Hey Heena! So impressed with all the stuff you are involved in, keep up all the good work!
Thanks darling! Very kind of you.
Feel free to comment any time OK?


text:
Konica Minolta Acquires Largest Copier/Printer Supplier in Wichita, Kansas Region
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. today announced that it has acquired Business Systems, Inc. (BSI) and its affiliate, BTW Services, Inc. (BTW), the largest suppliers of digital office equipment in the Wichita, Kansas area.
RAMSEY, N.J. - April 11, 2005 - Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) today announced that it has acquired Business Systems, Inc. (BSI) and its affiliate, BTW Services, Inc. (BTW), the largest suppliers of digital office equipment in the Wichita, Kansas area. The companies, focused on providing and supporting network services and document management and workflow analysis, are transitioning from Canon to Konica Minolta products. Founded in 1970, BSI and BTW service many of the state's largest organizations in the aircraft, legal and manufacturing industries.
Konica Minolta purchased BSI and BTW from owners Alan and Roberta Whetzel, longtime residents and respected business people of the Wichita community. Alan will continue to provide consultation and assistance in the growth and success of the companies, and 28-year veteran and general manager, Steve Finley, will oversee the day-to-day operations. The companies have a combined 43 employees, with an average tenure of over 15 years.
"To remain a world-class leader in the industry, we are continually seeking opportunities to increase our market share across all regions," said Jun Haraguchi, president and CEO, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. "BSI and BTW share Konica Minolta's vision and commitment to deliver quality, excellence and ongoing technological leadership to its customers, and are well established in their market."
"Our customers and employees will benefit immensely from this acquisition," said Steve Finley, general manager, BSI and BTW. "As a global industry leader, Konica Minolta will provide BSI and BTW access to valuable resources and assets, while broadening our presence. This will allow us to be more competitive and serve our customers better."
About Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
By bringing together the strengths of its two founding companies, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc., headquartered in Ramsey, New Jersey, is dedicated to providing its customers with complete solutions for their document creation, production, and management needs. Konica Minolta provides the essentials of imaging to companies and organizations ranging from the small office/home office to large production operations with its full line of digital color and black & white printers/copiers, multifunctional peripherals, desktop laser printers, plain-paper facsimile machines, software and network solutions, and professional services.
An industry leader in image capture, output and management, Konica Minolta provides world-class service through its extensive network of direct sales offices, authorized dealers, resellers and distribution partners in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America. For more information, please visit Konica Minolta on the World Wide Web at www.kmbs.konicaminolta.us .
All terms, product and company names used in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners, and are hereby acknowledged.


Hotel Negritella*** is a comfortable hotel on the delightful Tonale Pass, in Val di Sole (Trentino).
Owned and managed directly by two ski instructors, in close contact with nature and convenient for the runs of the nearby Adamello Ski area, the hotel is the ideal place to relax, have fun and enjoy a pleasant holiday in Trentino.
Whether you're keen on winter or summer sports activities or just fancy sampling the delicious local cuisine, Hotel Negritella – elegantly furnished in typical mountain style - is perfect for a relaxing, comfortable stay. Wi-Fi access available throughout the hotel, as well as information on the Tonale Pass Ski School straight from the owners. Guests are also entitled to discounts on ski equipment hire.
Confident of being able to meet your every need, we look forward to meeting guests looking to discover – or rediscover - the delights the Trentino area offers. In our hotel, your wish is our command.
PACCHETTO 27 JAN / 03 FEBBR.


text:
Handbag Designer Gucci – About the Bag Designer
Like many other high-fashion companies, Gucci began as a small, family-owned saddlery and leather goods store. Guccio Gucci was the son of an Italian merchant from the country's northern manufacturing region. As a young man, he quickly built a reputation for quality, hiring the best craftsmen he could find to work in his atelier. In 1938, Gucci expanded and a boutique was opened in Rome. Guccio was responsible for designing many of the company's most notable products. In 1947, Gucci introduced the bamboo handle handbag, which is still a company mainstay. During the 1950s, Gucci also developed the trademark striped webbing, which was derived from the saddle girth, and the suede moccasin with a metal bit.
Guccio and his wife Aida Calvelli had a large family, six children in all, though only his sons-Vasco, Aldo, Ugo, and Rodolfo-would play a role in leading the company. After Guccio's death in 1953, Aldo helped lead the company to a position of international prominence, opening the company's first boutiques in London, Paris and New York. Even in Gucci's fledgling years, the family was notorious for its ferocious infighting. Disputes regarding inheritances, stock holdings, and day-to-day operations of the stores often divided the family and led to alliances. As Gucci expanded overseas, board meetings about the company's future often ended with tempers flaring and luggage and purses flying. Gucci targeted the Far East for further expansion in the late 1960s, opening stores in Hong Kong and Tokyo. At that time, the company also developed its famous GG logo (Guccio Gucci's initials), the Flora silk scarf (worn prominently by Hollywood actress Grace Kelly), and the Jackie O shoulder bag, made famous by Jackie Kennedy, the wife of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
Gucci remained one of the premier luxury goods establishments in the world until the late 1970s, when a series of disastrous business decisions and family quarrels brought the company to the verge of bankruptcy. At the time, brothers Aldo and Rodolfo controlled equal 50% shares of the company, though Aldo felt that his brother contributed less to the company than he and his sons did. In 1979, Aldo developed the Gucci Accessories Collection, or GAC, intended to bolster the sales for the Gucci Parfums sector, which his sons controlled. GAC consisted of small accessories, such as cosmetic bags, lighters, and pens, which were priced at considerably lower points than the other items in the company's accessories catalogue. Aldo relegated control of Parfums to his son Roberto in an effort to weaken Rodolfo's control of the overall operations of the company.
Though the Gucci Accessories Collection was well received, it proved to be the destabilizing force that brought the Gucci dynasty crashing down. Within a few years, the Parfums division began outselling the Accessories division. The newly-founded wholesaling business had brought the once-exclusive brand to over a thousand stores in the United States alone with the GAC line, deteriorating the brand's standing with fashionable customers. "In the 1960s and 1970s," writes Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, "Gucci had been at the pinnacle of chic, thanks to icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Jacqueline Onassis. But by the 1980s, Gucci had lost its appeal, becoming a tacky airport brand."
It didn't take long before counterfeiters ravaged the company's pomp by flooding the market with cheap knockoffs, further tarnishing the Gucci name. Meanwhile, infighting was taking its toll on the operations of the company back in Italy: Rodolfo and Aldo squabbled over the Parfums division, of which Rodolfo controlled a meager 20% stake. By the mid-1980s, when Aldo was convicted of tax evasion in the United States by the testimony of his own son, the outrageous headlines of gossip magazines generated as much publicity for Gucci as its designs.
Rodolfo's death in 1983 caused a major shakeup in the company when he left his 50% stake in Gucci to his son, Maurizio Gucci. Maurizio allied with Aldo's son Paolo to gain control of the Board of Directors and established the Gucci Licensing division in the Netherlands for tax purposes. "This action would later have a drastic impact on the outcome of the company's dispute with the world's largest luxury goods company, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.) Following the decision, the rest of the family left the company and, for the first time in years, one man was at the helm of Gucci. Maurizio sought to bury the fighting that had torn the company and his family apart and turned to talent outside of the company for Gucci's future.
source: www.wikipedia.com


A dashboard on the PC screen enables to set up the attenuator. It can also be programmed by a DLL included with the equipment. Standard model "A" is supplied by mains, version "B" is supplied by rechargeable 15VDC battery.


Armytrix is the ultimate exhaust upgrade for the 991 Turbo S. Stainless steel fabrication delivers incredible weight reduction, at no expenses of losing quality and performance. Top craftsmanship protects the integrity and functionality of the system. The free flowing X-Pipe ferries a high capacity of exhaust volume, heightening the overall performance capacity. Expect significant amplification and resonance of the exhaust note across the entire range, a fiercer, more menacing persona to follow.


text:
The Addicted Tour was the third headlining concert tour by American pop singer Kelly Clarkson. It was a United States tour beginning on June 30, 2006, in West Palm Beach, Florida and ended on August 6, in Auburn, Washington. The tour was in support of her second studio album, Breakaway (2004), following The Breakaway Tour (2005–06) and Hazel Eyes Tour (2005).

Show synopsis
The show begins pitch black with the music of "Addicted" being played, then there is a silhouette of one of the band members on violin. After a few measures of him playing, a silhouette of Clarkson appears. When the violinist stops playing Clarkson begins to sing "It's like I can't breathe" and the curtain comes up in one swift motion. She then goes into the rest of the chorus and finishes the rest of the song. Clarkson ended the night with "Since U Been Gone"

The tour's set list includes songs that would later appear on Clarkson's third studio album My December (2007).

Opening act
Rooney

Setlist
"Addicted"
"I Hate Myself For Losing You"
"Behind These Hazel Eyes"
"Maybe"
"Gone"
"Anymore"
"Shelter"
"Because of You"
"Thankful"
"Home"
Miss Independent"
"Go"
"Beautiful Disaster"
"Hear Me"
"Yeah"
"Walk Away"
Encore
"Breakaway"
"Since U Been Gone"

Tour dates

Box office score data

References

External links

2006 concert tours
Kelly Clarkson concert tours

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Other People's Cars
Car reviews, news, opinions and more
COLUMN: It's tough being a motoring journalist
Here's the thing. If you've ever met a motoring journalist, chances are that you came away disappointed by the experience. We're rarely as well articulated in person, never as entertaining, and the last car we drove probably wasn't a product of Mr Horacio Pagani, rather something small and scrappy from Mr Lee, and as riveting an experience as watching paint dry. In a paint tin. So don't be too disappointed when we fail to regale you with a recent entry into motoring nirvana, substituting that with a story on how Chinese cars are getting better instead. Subsequently, we come across as being absolutely, positively, incomparably dull people. But in our defense, it's only because we're so disconnected from reality. You see, once every week or so we get to be James Bond. We fly business class to exotic locations, check into lavish five star hotels and have disproportionally bodied, unrealistically tanned, overly-attractive women fawn over us while handing over keys to very expensive machinery which we're meant to drive very quickly. Oft from the wrong side of the car, on the wrong side of the road. But then we come back home, so for the rest of the time we're living in the same suburbs you do, shopping at the same Spar and avoiding the same over-populated malls as you. The delusion doesn't end there. You complain to us about the increase in the price of petrol. We respond with 'has it?' When asked for advice on your next car, we'll almost certainly suggest vehicles that are about R100 000 above your budget, despite us being unable to afford them ourselves. There's a collective term for the vehicles that your average car journo possesses. And it's called 'entry level'. We're the humble media after all. Not international men and women of mystery, no matter how many posh hotel lounges we swill gin and tonics in, no matter how many times we don the solitary and somewhat manky dinner jacket hanging in our closets. The foreign lingo we try to impress you with seldom goes beyond 'hello', 'thank you' and 'complementary mini-bar?' But you cannot sympathise, because ha! We have the most unpitiable profession on the planet. When conversation around a table of friends and family turns to the nuisances and burdens of their normal (real) jobs, we will typically shrink silently into the corner and try not to be noticed. You see, nobody ever feels sorry for the motoring journalist that has too many test cars to drive, or too many flights to take. Oh no, when we have bad days at our offices, you couldn't find a violin tiny enough for our woes. Also, we are well aware that we're not terribly smart either. I mean we drive cars for a living. So does the guy who delivers our pizza and collects our kids – it's not rocket science and we're not saving lives. On top of this, being a South African derivative of the species has its own challenges. Our tolerance for other cultures and nations extends only with great effort beyond our borders as an Arab man almost found out on a recent trip to South Korea. Let me explain.
For each day that passes without an international skirmish, you should thank a South African motoring journalist for keeping his or her head cool. South Africans in general are quite pleasant and accommodating, as long as we're in our own country. Take us beyond these borders and it's as if a timer has activated inside us, a threshold limit with which we are governed when dealing with the rest of the world's inhabitants. All those stigmas, those clichés about the Germans, the Italians, French, Korean, Americas and so on… ALL TRUE. Stereotyping works, people. Get to know them.
At a recent international drive, us simple Zaffers had to share the Taebaek Korean Racing Circuit with all manners of foreigners, and it's here that we encountered the man from the Middle East, just before he lost his mind. We were all in convoy, slowly stalking a terminally lethargic pace driver when said individual decided that if there was a pole position, he had to have it. This was not a race, mind you – rather a gradual meander in some fairly attractive luke-warm Korean coupes. So imagine our surprise when wild swerving, rampant overtaking and an almost forced meeting of metal (a de-mirroring session at least) followed as said journo proceeded to go Gran Turismo on our arses. What followed this moment was glorious because the South African stereotype is also a very, very real thing. Somebody was going to get moered. As the contingent of test cars regrouped in the pits, Mr UAE's car was immediately surrounded by uppity South Africans that had an opinion they wanted to forcibly share with him about his behaviour. This terrified our South Korean hosts, who acted in their own stereotypical manner which was to pretend nothing had happened, get everyone off the circuit immediately and stuff us with enough food to invoke a comatose-like afternoon nap. This is a trick employed internationally in kindergartens and crèches. Not James Bond movies. But you don't want to hear about our problems, do you? Cue the tiny violins.
Tags: calvin, column, fisher
Driving Cape Town's Toyota AE86 Trueno
COLUMN: A Spanner Too Far
Driven: Mazda CX-5
Driven: VW T-Cross 1.0 TSI Comfortline
Driven: The Hyundai Staria
Driven: VW Tiguan 1.4 TSI R-Line
Driven: The New BMW X3
Watch it on Youtube
Driven Videos
Epic Drive: Audi R8 V10+ in Portimao
Driven: New Hyundai Kona N-Line
10 free ways to shoot better car videos!
The Best Drive of my Life
Copyright © 2022 Other People's Cars


text:
Q: New Haans-G monitor show a flickering black screen I bought a Haans-G HZ201 monitor last week at Newegg during their Black Friday sales. It just came on Friday and my parents suggested that I test it out on my laptop to see if there's anything abnormal.
Things I saw/heard/tried:

*

*After the screen turns off for idling more than 20 mins, chances are that it'll show nothing but a black flickering screen. I have to set the resolution to something lower like 1024 x 768 or 800 x 600 and then set it back up to 1600 x 900 for it to work again

*There's a slight buzzing sound coming out of it (It's not from the built in speakers)

*Auto adjusting the monitor doesn't work

Laptop specs (HDX16-1155CA):

*

*Intel P7450 2.13 GHz

*4 GB DDR2 RAM

*Dedicated 9600M GT 512 MB

*The desktop is extended to both monitors

*The monitor is connected via VGA port

A: Check the one egg reviews.  Sounds like you've got a lemon.  Newegg will take care of you since it's only been a week, get that RMA opened.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Coimbatore News
Tourist from Madurai commits suicide at Ooty lodge
TNN | Updated: Feb 20, 2019, 11:49 IST
Picture used for representational purpose only
UDHAGAMANDALAM: A 26-year-old man from Madurai committed suicide at a private lodge in Ooty on Tuesday.
Police identified the deceased as Ilayasurian, a wage worker. "He came to the hill town with his girlfriend on Monday. They were staying in a private cottage. They picked up a quarrel on Tuesday. Ilayasurian went to another room and committed suicide by hanging," a police officer said.
They sent the body to the Ooty Government Hospital for postmortem and registered a case. After postmortem, the body was handed over to family members.
Further investigation is on.


text:
Q: Angularjs: Setting a class on an element within ng-repeat based on a property of the current item I am trying to apply a class on an element within ng-repeat and more importantly I want to decide which class is applied based on a property of the member of the model that is currently being iterated on. To illustrate, I have a list of buildings that I'm obtaining from a REST endpoint and then rendering them in the table.

......

          {{building.elevator}}

The issue is that I'm failing to set the class on  element based on the value of the elevator property of the building that is being rendered.
For the record, {{building.elevator}} renders as true or false based on what came in the response.
I have also tried using a ternary operator in the class attribute with no luck.
Also tried using:

building.elevator == 'true'/'false'

instead of just:

building.elevator

with no result.
Please let me know what I'm missing here.
Thanks
EDIT
The issue was in the faulty class for Font Awesome, I have probably picked up a class that no longer exists while searching for something that looked like check/no check solution.
For reference, here is the code that works:

and the relevant part of the server response I was getting:
[{..., "elevator":false, ...}]

Thanks Nikhilesh Shivarathri & user3273700 for your responses. You've helped me with alternatives and pointers which led me to suspect the faulty class in the end.
What do I do with my question now when the final answer wasn't even related to the code I presented here for inspection?

A: I've created a sample application of your requirement please check if you're missing anything in your application from below example.
Change the value.booleanField !== 'true' to value.booleanField !== true if
your data contains boolean fields not as strings.

var app = angular.module('sample', []);

app.controller('samplecontroller', function($scope) {
  $scope.values = [{
    booleanField: 'true',
    name: 'Jospeh'
  }, {
    booleanField: 'false',
    name: 'John'
  }]

});
.test-false {
background-color: red;
}

        {{value.name}}
        {{value.booleanField}}


text:
Home » Headline, News, Video
Wigneswaran becomes last escape route for New Delhi
[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 November 2014 09:33 No Comment]
While it increasingly becomes clear that genocide on Eezham Tamils was committed not because of 'terrorism' or of anything else, but just because of a stubborn stand motivated by the greed of imperialisms, especially of New Delhi that independence to Eezham Tamils would spoil their chances of eating the cake in full; and after New Delhi's ridiculous failure of 13A with the genocidal Sinhala State for well over quarter a century, the NPC chief minister C.V. Wigneswaran now talking of federal and 'internal' self-determination seems to be the last trump of New Delhi to contain Tamil Nadu, slip away from indictment in genocide, but at the same time to come out with further deceptions, commented Tamil activists for alternative politics in Eezham.
Further comments by Tamil activists for alternative politics:
Addressing K.G. Kannabiran Memorial Lecture in Chennai last Sunday, Wigneswaran revealed that New Delhi had agreed to the way the war ended, because of certain promises given to it by Colombo.
In his written speech he said: "The military, political and intelligence assistance given by India to Sri Lanka during the final stages of the War, were clearly based on the premise and/or promise that there would be a meaningful political solution."
But after reading the above sentence, and off the written text, he verbally said the following: "That is why India helped. That is what the Indian government thought, that the government of Sri Lanka would help to bring about a settlement, if they helped the end of the war."
This statement coming from a former Supreme Court Justice is crucial evidence on war crimes, genocide crime and crimes against humanity that goes against New Delhi.
The question comes whether one State could decide the fate of a nation of people in another State, by helping that State to end the war (the way the war ended in the island), just based on some 'promises' that served the interests of the former.
If the promise was the rotten 13A, unless New Delhi claims it a confirmed fool or that it has gone off in its head (a plea accepted in criminal procedures), it cannot escape investigation on the other 'promises' it received in secret protocols and has to be indicted for premeditated genocide of Eezham Tamils.
It also now becomes clear why New Delhi vehemently opposes any international investigation.
"Not only was that promise made to India, on more than one occasion, but it was also the solemn undertaking issued to the international community of nations as represented by the Secretary General of the UN," Wigneswaran further said, citing the UN Secretary General in May 2009 referring to Rajapakse's resolve to implement 13A.
The UN Secretary General is specifically answerable whether the 13A was worth the genocide.
This is why the 'international community' and the UN are not prepared to take up investigation on the genocide or on-going genocide, but harp on LLRC and 13A.
Standing on Indian soil, the NPC chief minister has categorically declared the unworkability of the Indian designed 13A – kudos for that. This is the second time an Indian-installed chief minister has said that, but now there is no LTTE to blame for the failure.
But Wigneswaran talking of federal constitution and self-determination within 'united Sri Lanka' is another impracticability and prolongation of misery. It is folly to expect them working under a congenitally genocidal State that is not willing to implement even the 13A.
Federal works only when there is mutual consensus and willingness. It will not work because outsiders want it. Who knows, federal may come eventually and spontaneously. But first there should be separation –Separation for Unity. The international actors, especially New Delhi has to be categorically told of the fundamentally wrong and failed premise that has been taken for a long time, and enough is enough.
However, Wigneswaran could be excused for his limitations. He was open about the consequences of even the limited ones he has said. But there is no excuse for New Delhi or other international actors who might use the limitations set on him for further deceptions.
Wigneswaran was also talking about directing Tamil voters in the forthcoming 'presidential' elections of Colombo.
With a seemingly naïve praise, Wigneswaran was introduced to the gathering at Chennai that it was his choice that his first foreign visit as CM should be non-governmental, i.e., not invited by any government. But it seems that he was made to come out with the political choice of visiting Chennai, when Ms Jayalalithaa who had been demanding genocide investigation, referendum etc., was not in office.
Wigneswaran was invited to deliver the Memorial Lecture by People's Union for Civil Liberties. Prof Saraswathy in solidarity with the US-based TGTE introduced him to the gathering. A former constitutional court justice of South Africa also addressed the event. The Asian College of Journalism, closely connected to Mr. N. Ram and The Hindu, was actively involved in the event.
M.A. Sumanthiran and Maavai Senathiraja also have come for the address and the following day there was a closed-door meeting of select invitees.
PDF: Full text of Wigneswaran's Kannabiran Memorial Lecture


text:
Mecyna albalis är en fjärilsart som beskrevs av Hans Georg Amsel 1961. Mecyna albalis ingår i släktet Mecyna och familjen Crambidae. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Fjärilar
albalis


text:
House approves $40B in Ukraine aid, beefing up Biden request
Date: May 11, 2022Author: Nwo Report 1 Comment
Source: Fox 61
The measure was backed by every voting Democrat and by nearly 3 out of 4 Republicans. It will now go to the Senate.
WASHINGTON — The House emphatically approved a fresh $40 billion Ukraine aid package Tuesday as lawmakers beefed up President Joe Biden's initial request, signaling a magnified, bipartisan commitment to thwart Russian President Vladimir Putin's bloody three-month-old invasion.
The measure sailed to passage by a lopsided 368-57 margin, providing $7 billion more than Biden's request from April and dividing the increase evenly between defense and humanitarian programs. The bill would give Ukraine military and economic assistance, help regional allies, replenish weapons the Pentagon has shipped overseas and provide $5 billion to address global food shortages caused by the war's crippling of Ukraine's normally robust production of many crops.
Trending: 2000 Mules | Watch the full movie
The measure was backed by every voting Democrat and by nearly 3 out of 4 Republicans. House debate reflected a perspective, shared broadly by both parties, that the U.S. has even more at stake than standing by Ukraine.
"The Ukrainian people, they need us, they are in desperate need of our support," said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., chair of the House Appropriations Committee. "Vladimir Putin and his cronies must be held responsible. This bill does that by protecting democracy, limiting Russian aggression and strengthening our own national security."
RELATED: Russian ambassador to Poland hit with red paint
"As China, Iran and North Korea watch our response, we must show the world that America stands firm with its allies and will do what is necessary to protect our interests abroad," said Rep. Kay Granger of Texas, top Republican on that committee.
The new legislation would bring American support for the effort to nearly $54 billion, including the $13.6 billion in support Congress enacted in March. That's about $6 billion more than the U.S. spent on all its foreign and military aid in 2019, according to a January report by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, which studies issues for lawmakers. It's also around 1% of the entire federal budget.
The measure was released as Washington has become increasingly assertive about its goals and its willingness to help Ukraine with more sophisticated weapons. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said recently the U.S. wants a "weakened" Russia that can't quickly restore its capability to attack other countries.
Russian attacks on Ukraine's southern port of Odesa have intensified in what seems an attempt to hamper deliveries of Western arms. Those weapons have helped Ukraine hold its own surprisingly well against its more lethal foe, but the grinding war is taking its toll.
Senate approval of Ukrainian aid seems certain, and members of both parties have echoed the need for quick action. "As Putin desperately accelerates his campaign of horror and brutality in Ukraine, time is of the essence," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
But it was unclear when the Senate would act, and changes there were possible, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., insisting that the measure be narrowly focused on the war.
"I think we're on a path to getting that done," McConnell told reporters. "It needs to be clean of extraneous matters, directly related to helping the Ukrainians win the war."
Some Republicans used the election-season debate to accuse Biden of being unclear about his goals.
"Honestly, do we not deserve a plan?" said Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas. He said he agrees that Western countries must help Ukraine stand up to Russia but added, "Does the administration not need to come to us with where we are going with this?"
Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S., attended Tuesday's separate Democratic and Republican Senate lunches and expressed gratitude for the support they've received. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said Markarova told them her country has depleted its stockpiles of Soviet-era weapons and said continued NATO support is vital.
Coons said the Ukrainian's message was: "Thank you, do more. We have a hard fight ahead. With your support, we can win."
The new measure includes $6 billion to arm and train Ukrainian forces, $8.7 billion to restore American stores of weapons shipped to Ukraine and $3.9 billion for U.S. forces deployed to the area.
There's also $8.8 billion in economic support for Ukraine, $4 billion to help Ukraine and allies finance arms and equipment purchases and $900 million for housing, education and other help for Ukrainian refugees in the U.S.
To enhance the measure's chances in Congress, the House bill dropped Biden's proposal to ease the pathway to legal permanent residency for qualifying Afghans who fled to the U.S. after last summer's American withdrawal from that country. Some Republicans have expressed concerns about the adequacy of security screenings for applicants.
In their biggest concession, Biden and Democrats abandoned plans Monday to include additional billions of dollars to build up U.S. supplies of medicines, vaccines and tests for COVID-19. Republican support for more pandemic spending is waning and including that money would have slowed the Ukraine measure in the 50-50 Senate, where at least 10 GOP votes will be needed for passage.
Democrats hope to produce a separate COVID-19 package soon, though its fate is unclear.
Biden met in the White House Situation Room Tuesday with Pelosi and six other House Democrats who traveled recently to Ukraine and Poland. Afterward, Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., a member of that delegation and a former Army Ranger, said the Ukrainians need advanced drones and longer-range weapons like artillery, rockets and anti-ship missiles that will help them push back the Russians.
$40B in Ukraine aid
Previous Previous post: Joy Reid says 'white Christian* nationalism' has consumed the GOP
Next Next post: Why The Democrats' Double Duplicity Will Fail
One thought on "House approves $40B in Ukraine aid, beefing up Biden request"
papasha408 says:
The inmates really do run the asylum!
Forgiving the Medically Brainwashed in the Post-COVID Era January 26, 2023
Kevin McCarthy announces subcommittee team to investigate government social media censorship January 26, 2023


> > description of what software IS and IS NOT export controlled.
> you might be able to use it to build a Beowulf and design nuclear missiles?"
NASA grant money held up on this and I foresee more of it.
to us to help keep our work FREE!