OKUMA, Fukushima Prefecture--The 1,533 nuclear fuel assemblies were lined up in neat rows in the storage pool of the No. 4 reactor building amid new equipment and a clean environment.
But in stark contrast was the scene around the No. 4 reactor building at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
Concrete walls were still missing from the third and fourth floors of the No. 4 reactor building, raising questions among onlookers if the structure could withstand a huge earthquake.
On the sea side of the building, a piping system and metal rods were exposed behind collapsed walls of a former boiler building.
A truck swept up by the 2011 tsunami remained upside down by the side of the turbine building.
Amid these surroundings, Tokyo Electric Power Co. plans to start removing the nuclear fuel assemblies from the No. 4 storage pool as early as next week. The work would represent a new stage in the overall plan to end the nuclear crisis that started 32 months ago.
"It is a big step in the process to decommission the reactor," Nuclear Regulation Authority Commissioner Toyoshi Fuketa said.
The entire decommissioning plan for the plant is expected to take 30 to 40 years to complete, and the strategy could change at any moment.
Workers still do not know the location of melted nuclear fuel in the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 reactors. High radiation levels are preventing entry to some areas. And contaminated water leaks continue to plague the site.
And removing the nuclear fuel from the No. 4 pool will require delicate procedures, considering the state of the building and the dangers involved.
NRA Chairman Shunichi Tanaka told TEPCO President Naomi Hirose to use extreme caution in removing the assemblies.
TEPCO on Nov. 6 allowed reporters to see the spent fuel storage pool of the No. 4 reactor building and other areas of the stricken nuclear plant.
An elevator took the reporters to the top floor of the five-story building. A steel frame had been assembled near the pool, and a new fuel hoist and a new crane had been installed.
The No. 4 reactor building itself was covered by a canopy to replace the roof that was blown off in an explosion on March 15, 2011.
TEPCO plans to transfer the 1,533 nuclear fuel assemblies to a "storage pool for common use" 100 meters west of the No. 4 reactor.
The removal and transfer is expected to be completed at the end of next year.
The assemblies contain both spent and unused fuel. Some bundles were moved to the pool from the reactor core because the No. 4 reactor was undergoing a regular safety check when the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami struck the plant on March 11, 2011.
The disaster knocked out the cooling system for the storage pool, sparking fears that it would dry up, leaving the fuel exposed and allowing huge amounts of radioactive substances to spew into the air.
That didn't happen. However, the explosion four days after the tsunami left large chunks of debris in the storage pool.
Those chunks have been cleared, but a number of smaller pieces remain in the storage pool.
The fuel removal process will use a cask receptacle that is 5.5 meters long, weighs 91 tons and can hold 22 fuel assemblies. It will be submerged in the pool and receive one fuel assembly at a time to prevent a nuclear reaction from occurring.
A crane will lower the receptacle to the ground, where a vehicle will pick it up and take it to the common-use storage pool.
TEPCO plans to use two receptacles to speed up the transfer process and finish removing all the fuel in just over a year.
In addition to uranium, spent nuclear fuel contains highly toxic plutonium and other radioactive substances, which could be released if the fuel assemblies are damaged during the removal or transfer process.
TEPCO has taken measures to check for deformed fuel assemblies and to prevent the remaining debris from causing damage when the fuel is pulled out.
The company has also decided to use double wires to ensure the receptacles are not dropped by mistake.
The canopy covering the No. 4 reactor building is designed to contain radioactive materials in the event of an accident. The bottom of the storage pool has also been strengthened with concrete and other materials.
The reinforced storage pool could withstand shaking as strong as the magnitude-9.0 Great East Japan Earthquake, TEPCO officials said.
The government and TEPCO announced the three-stage road map for decommissioning the Fukushima reactors in December 2011.
The first stage involves preparatory work, such as clearing debris, followed by the second-stage program that includes the removal of nuclear fuel from the pool in the No. 4 reactor building.
According to the road map, work to remove spent nuclear fuel from the pool in the No. 3 reactor building should start in the first half of fiscal 2015. But high radiation levels have prevented workers from approaching the No. 3 reactor, meaning that remote-control equipment will be needed to assess the situation.
The road map does not specify when the removal work will be completed there.
Removing the melted nuclear fuel from the No. 1 to No. 3 reactors is part of the third stage, and it is expected to start in fiscal 2020 at the earliest.
Engineers will first study methods to deal with the melted fuel, followed by the installation of equipment for the task. Currently, remote-control robots are being developed to study the situation and reduce workers' exposure to radiation.
The locations and the condition of the melted fuel for these reactors remain a mystery. It apparently dropped to the containment vessels through the inner pressure vessels housing the reactor cores.
In addition, TEPCO has not determined the extent of damage to the pressure and containment vessels.
TEPCO plans to insert a small remote-control device equipped with a camera into the suppression pool in the bottom part of the containment vessel of the No. 1 reactor on Nov. 13 at the earliest to get an idea of the internal situation.
The road map for decommissioning work could drastically change depending on the conditions of the melted nuclear fuel and the damage to the containment vessels.
One obstacle in the decommissioning plan is the continuous leaks of water contaminated with radioactive materials.
The Alps system that can remove 62 types of radioactive materials, including strontium, from water is scheduled to be put into full operation within this month.
It is considered a key piece of equipment to cut down the workers' risk of exposure to radiation.
On Nov. 6, the Alps system was still not operational.
Under a tent the size of a gymnasium, where the Alps equipment is stored, workers were inspecting tanks and piping while using cranes hanging from ceilings to relocate containers.
Test runs of Alps started in March. But the operations were suspended in June after water was found leaking from some of the tanks in the system.
On Sept. 27, Alps operations were restarted, only to be shut down the same day due to a different problem.
Contaminated water is increasing by about 400 tons every day at the plant due to the continuing cooling of the reactors and groundwater entering cracks in the buildings and mixing with radioactive water.
TEPCO has removed only cesium from about 380,000 tons of contaminated water so far. And since even the Alps system cannot remove tritium, TEPCO has no choice but to store the radioactive water at the site.
In April, radioactive water was found to have leaked from an underground storage tank. In August, 300 tons of highly contaminated water had spilled from a tank and likely reached the ocean.
Other leaks have also taken place, spreading soil contamination in the plant's compound.
Workers on Nov. 6 were seen heightening barriers and embankments to prevent radioactive water from spilling over the encasements surrounding tanks holding contaminated water.
About 200 workers have been assigned to monitor the tanks for possible leaks.
"The division to deal with contaminated water is different from the one to remove nuclear fuel. So we will be able to sufficiently carry out work for the two issues," said Akira Ono, director of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
However, TEPCO Vice President Zengo Aizawa was not so optimistic.
"From the mid- and long-term perspective, I have concerns," Aizawa said.


text:
#include <linux/slab.h>
#include <linux/module.h>
#include <linux/platform_device.h>
#include <linux/mtd/mtd.h>
#include <linux/mtd/nand.h>
#include <linux/mtd/partitions.h>

#include <asm/io.h>
#include <asm/sizes.h>

#include <asm/hardware.h>
#include <asm/arch/board.h>
#include <asm/arch/gpio.h>

struct at91_nand_host {
	struct nand_chip	nand_chip;
	struct mtd_info		mtd;
	void __iomem		*io_base;
	struct at91_nand_data	*board;
};

/*
 * Hardware specific access to control-lines
 */
static void at91_nand_cmd_ctrl(struct mtd_info *mtd, int cmd, unsigned int ctrl)
{
	struct nand_chip *nand_chip = mtd->priv;
	struct at91_nand_host *host = nand_chip->priv;

	if (cmd == NAND_CMD_NONE)
		return;

	if (ctrl & NAND_CLE)
		writeb(cmd, host->io_base + (1 << host->board->cle));
	else
		writeb(cmd, host->io_base + (1 << host->board->ale));
}

/*
 * Read the Device Ready pin.
 */
static int at91_nand_device_ready(struct mtd_info *mtd)
{
	struct nand_chip *nand_chip = mtd->priv;
	struct at91_nand_host *host = nand_chip->priv;

	return at91_get_gpio_value(host->board->rdy_pin);
}

/*
 * Enable NAND.
 */
static void at91_nand_enable(struct at91_nand_host *host)
{
	if (host->board->enable_pin)
		at91_set_gpio_value(host->board->enable_pin, 0);
}

/*
 * Disable NAND.
 */
static void at91_nand_disable(struct at91_nand_host *host)
{
	if (host->board->enable_pin)
		at91_set_gpio_value(host->board->enable_pin, 1);
}

#ifdef CONFIG_MTD_PARTITIONS
const char *part_probes[] = { "cmdlinepart", NULL };
#endif

/*
 * Probe for the NAND device.
 */
static int __init at91_nand_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
{
	struct at91_nand_host *host;
	struct mtd_info *mtd;
	struct nand_chip *nand_chip;
	int res;

#ifdef CONFIG_MTD_PARTITIONS
	struct mtd_partition *partitions = NULL;
	int num_partitions = 0;
#endif

	/* Allocate memory for the device structure (and zero it) */
	host = kzalloc(sizeof(struct at91_nand_host), GFP_KERNEL);
	if (!host) {
		printk(KERN_ERR "at91_nand: failed to allocate device structure.\n");
		return -ENOMEM;
	}

	host->io_base = ioremap(pdev->resource[0].start,
				pdev->resource[0].end - pdev->resource[0].start + 1);
	if (host->io_base == NULL) {
		printk(KERN_ERR "at91_nand: ioremap failed\n");
		kfree(host);
		return -EIO;
	}

	mtd = &host->mtd;
	nand_chip = &host->nand_chip;
	host->board = pdev->dev.platform_data;

	nand_chip->priv = host;		/* link the private data structures */
	mtd->priv = nand_chip;
	mtd->owner = THIS_MODULE;

	/* Set address of NAND IO lines */
	nand_chip->IO_ADDR_R = host->io_base;
	nand_chip->IO_ADDR_W = host->io_base;
	nand_chip->cmd_ctrl = at91_nand_cmd_ctrl;
	nand_chip->dev_ready = at91_nand_device_ready;
	nand_chip->ecc.mode = NAND_ECC_SOFT;	/* enable ECC */
	nand_chip->chip_delay = 20;		/* 20us command delay time */

	if (host->board->bus_width_16)		/* 16-bit bus width */
		nand_chip->options |= NAND_BUSWIDTH_16;

	platform_set_drvdata(pdev, host);
	at91_nand_enable(host);

	if (host->board->det_pin) {
		if (at91_get_gpio_value(host->board->det_pin)) {
			printk ("No SmartMedia card inserted.\n");
			res = ENXIO;
			goto out;
		}
	}

	/* Scan to find existance of the device */
	if (nand_scan(mtd, 1)) {
		res = -ENXIO;
		goto out;
	}

#ifdef CONFIG_MTD_PARTITIONS
	if (host->board->partition_info)
		partitions = host->board->partition_info(mtd->size, &num_partitions);
#ifdef CONFIG_MTD_CMDLINE_PARTS
	else {
		mtd->name = "at91_nand";
		num_partitions = parse_mtd_partitions(mtd, part_probes, &partitions, 0);
	}
#endif

	if ((!partitions) || (num_partitions == 0)) {
		printk(KERN_ERR "at91_nand: No parititions defined, or unsupported device.\n");
		res = ENXIO;
		goto release;
	}

	res = add_mtd_partitions(mtd, partitions, num_partitions);
#else
	res = add_mtd_device(mtd);
#endif

	if (!res)
		return res;

release:
	nand_release(mtd);
out:
	at91_nand_disable(host);
	platform_set_drvdata(pdev, NULL);
	iounmap(host->io_base);
	kfree(host);
	return res;
}

/*
 * Remove a NAND device.
 */
static int __devexit at91_nand_remove(struct platform_device *pdev)
{
	struct at91_nand_host *host = platform_get_drvdata(pdev);
	struct mtd_info *mtd = &host->mtd;

	nand_release(mtd);

	at91_nand_disable(host);

	iounmap(host->io_base);
	kfree(host);

	return 0;
}

static struct platform_driver at91_nand_driver = {
	.probe		= at91_nand_probe,
	.remove		= at91_nand_remove,
	.driver		= {
		.name	= "at91_nand",
		.owner	= THIS_MODULE,
	},
};

static int __init at91_nand_init(void)
{
	return platform_driver_register(&at91_nand_driver);
}

static void __exit at91_nand_exit(void)
{
	platform_driver_unregister(&at91_nand_driver);
}

module_init(at91_nand_init);
module_exit(at91_nand_exit);

MODULE_LICENSE("GPL");
MODULE_AUTHOR("Rick Bronson");
MODULE_DESCRIPTION("NAND/SmartMedia driver for AT91RM9200");

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Man pleads guilty to intimidation, battery
A Muncie man who told a judge he was mentally ill pleaded guilty this week to battering a local woman and threatening to kill her with a knife.
Man pleads guilty to intimidation, battery A Muncie man who told a judge he was mentally ill pleaded guilty this week to battering a local woman and threatening to kill her with a knife. Check out this story on thestarpress.com: https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/crime/2020/01/01/man-pleads-guilty-intimidation-battery/2785599001/
Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press Published 10:20 a.m. ET Jan. 1, 2020 | Updated 12:18 p.m. ET Jan. 1, 2020
Ryan Bauer (Photo: Photo provided)
MUNCIE, Ind. – A Muncie man who told a judge he suffers from mental illness pleaded guilty this week to battering a local woman and threatening to kill her with a knife.
Ryan Keith Bauer, 37, had been accused of attacking the 49-year-old woman in her apartment in Gillespie Tower, 701 W. Jackson St., in October.
His accuser said Bauer, who had been "drinking throughout the day," both struck and kicked her.
Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Ramirez said the woman also suffered a cut behind one of her ears that required stitches. She was taken to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital after being attacked.
In Delaware Circuit Court 2 on Monday, Bauer pleaded guilty to intimidation, a Level 5 felony carrying up to six years in prison, and domestic battery, a Level 6 felony with a maximum 30-month sentence.
Judge Kimberly Dowling took the guilty pleas under advisement and tentatively set sentencing for Feb. 13.
►Muncie man gets 10 years for tavern beatings
►Muncie man faces charges stemming from police chase
Bauer's record includes convictions for attempted theft, battery (twice), criminal trespass, dealing in cocaine, forgery, intimidation (twice), possession of marijuana, public intoxication (18 times) and theft.
Most of those convictions took place in Allen and Marion counties.
His only prior conviction in Delaware County, for attempted theft, was recorded in September.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
Read or Share this story: https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/crime/2020/01/01/man-pleads-guilty-intimidation-battery/2785599001/
Texas Roadhouse to remain open during construction
Muncie basketball referee benched over drug allegations
Deputies: Man driving farm tractor drunk, caused crash
New Castle women accused of manufacturing meth
Tyler attorneys want theft trial moved to August
Tensions rise between Mayor and MSD

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Have you diminished it, as a result?
RY: I can say that originally, some of the stuff in there was way too controversial to include and it had to be cut. I can't talk about what it was, but it was very overt and very direct, much moreso than any other games.
That's a shame, because actually with BlackSite, when I was talking to Harvey Smith, it's incredibly overt, insanely overt. The U.S. government is making soldiers turn into monsters, and they're not taking care of them, and now you have to go kill them. I think it's interesting that some of these things are happening right now, but it's also interesting that there's a backlash.
RY: Haze, more than that, is a commentary on games themselves. In a game, you obey your orders without exception. That's what you do. And as a soldier, you obey your orders. There's no exception, and that's what you do. There are definitely parallels that can be drawn.
But more than that, it's a commentary on violence in video games. As a Mantel guy, it makes sense that you play it like a game, because you're absolved from responsibility. It's weird that our entertainment is founded on shooting people in the face! The truth is that I enjoy it as much as anyone else, but I find myself weird for liking it so much. That's less than a big political statement; it's much more about, "What are we, as people who are entertained by this?"
Yeah. I think inherently in our culture -- especially in masculine culture -- we have the exaltation of the hero, and warrior myths and things like that have always been intriguing to us. It makes sense. It's very ingrained in our culture. But do you think that games are a way you can do that without actually having to go through with that?
RY: How do you mean?
I mean, a way to live out a power fantasy without actually...?
RY: Oh, absolutely. That's where the kick comes from. Look at pretty much any high-concept movie; it's basically "ordinary person in extraordinary circumstances." It's no different for this. It's being able to do the things that you would want to be able to do if there were no consequences.
What was the impetus for the writing of the script? What was the node of the idea?
RY: Right back at the very beginning, the template for it was Apocalypse Now, but in the end, we became too overt and just too controversial to approach the marketplace. It's a 20-odd million dollar production, and it's a very risky thing to try and push it down that avenue too far. That stuff is still in there for the people who want to find it, but at the same time, the most important thing about Haze -- and this is the most important thing about any game! -- it doesn't matter how interesting your political commentary or story is. If a game isn't fun to play, you've wasted your time.
Well, certainly I'd imagine that if a game is fun to play, it'd surpass any type of political expectations that people may have, because people will skip the cutscenes or whatever.
RY: And by the way, there are no cutscenes in Haze.
RY: It's all first-person perspective in-game and it's a single streaming experience. There are no levels, and once you load up the game, if you bought it on the day of purchase and loaded it up, you could play the entire single-player campaign ten to fifteen hours without ever seeing a loading screen.
But there's probably a heavy loading screen at the beginning if you're streaming off the hard drive, right?
RY: No. It's all done on a stream.


no warhammer today, but all packed up for western smash tomorrow.
we swung into mind games on our travels, and i stumbled upon a couple of beauties on the 2nd hand table there. old metal version vampress, not badly painted either, although you wouldnt believe it from the photos lol. also got a new plastic banshee, both for a total of $20! so whoever over here put them on that table, chur bro!
squirreling away vc bargains for future use. sweet as.
Treat her well. That Stank and I have some fond stanky memories.


text:
Caught in the Act! Popular Mechanics Reader Photos
Ever since we asked readers to send us photos of themselves or someone they know perusing Popular Mechanics, we've been overwhelmed by the response. We've gotten mail from astronauts, businesspeople, mechanical engineers, world travelers, scientists, teachers and even a robot. We've received photos from all over the United States and such far-flung places as China, Germany and Finland. The pics are always fast to make the email rounds among the PM staff; we find them fun, funny, enlightening, touching and inspiring. And we hope the stream of photos keeps coming.
1 Caught in the Act! Popular Mechanics Reader Photos
"PM is my favorite magazine and the only one that I subscribe to. I look forward every month to seeing all the new gadgets and tech toys and articles concerning energy savings, usage and upcoming green technology. As a former renovator, all the articles on tools interest me as well. Let's face it, I love the whole magazine."
Name: Steve Goodacre
Hometown: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Reading his PM in: the early-morning sun in Maputo, Mozambique, one of the stops on his winter-break (he teaches 7th grade) safari trip through Mozambique and Kruger Park, South Africa
"I've loved Popular Mechanics since the fourth grade. Our school library had a copy of the original Boy Mechanic, circa 1912-15, and I have since obtained the four-volume set. (It sure did take a long time to find them.) Also, today's magazine looks great."
Name: Ken Schulz, creator of the robot pictured here
Hometown: Dearborn, MI
Reading his PM in: Well, actually, it appears our reader Ken has generously handed this issue over to his android companion. Ken tells us he's been working on building the robot pictured here for 20 years. It stands about 5'9", weighs 300 pounds and can lift 50 pounds per arm. Now that's a mechanical marvel!
"I travel quite often for business, and Popular Mechanics is always in my backpack."
Name: Steve Royce
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Reading his PM in: Yllas, Finland at the Snow Village hotel, where guests bundle up for the night inside igloo rooms and "furnished" ice suites.
"Popular Mechanics inspires us while we're developing better ways to produce parts in the shop. We all love your magazine. Keep up the great work staying at the forefront of a changing world."
Name: Thomas Montgomery
Hometown: Houston, TX
Reading his PM in: The Houston, TX-based water-jet machine shop he works at. Thomas works to develop and manufacture parts for military and commercial aviation and land-based power generation—the details of which we promised not to unveil.
"PM's the only magazine that I read cover to cover. All the articles are so interesting to me."
Name: Scott Haun, father of 16-month-old son Luca
Hometown: Centreville, Virginia
Reading his PM in: His car outside the grocery store, where he waits with his son while shopping is done. Note: Scott's not idling away any more gas than necessary, he tells us, as he drives his Toyota Prius.
"Why do we love PM? PM brings real life inspiration and ideas to the classroom so students can say: 'Hmmmm. Maybe I'll be a pilot, engineer or one of those crazy technicians fixing wind turbines 360 feet in the air! We study the magazine in class daily!'"
Name: David Rautenberg (and his 11th- and 12th-grade high school class)
Hometown: Waterloo, NY
Reading his PM in: His Transportation and Energy classroom with his students at Waterloo High School.
"Your magazine covers some of my major interests. Thanks for a great publication."
Name: Dave Herbert
Hometown: Sibley, Iowa
Reading his PM in: His office, where he's enjoying the February 2011 story "The Resurrection of XZ439," about a former U.S. Marine Corps test pilot who recruits and leads a team of volunteer mechanics to renovate and fly the first civilian-owned Harrier jump jet.
"PM is a great mix of the past, present and future, and keeps us dreaming. Always looking forward to the next issue!"
Name: Robert Vega
Hometown: North Canton, OH
Reading his PM in: His seat on a plane 35,000 feet in the air on a flight to Nevada.
"My 17-month-old son, Joshua, loves flipping through PM and calling out the large letters at the beginning of the articles. He really enjoys the New Cars section"
Name: Eric Dees
Hometown: Saginaw, TX
Reading his PM in: The comfort of a big armchair, where he loves to check out the magazine's technical articles and the DIY sections.
Name: Roger Ostrovecky
Hometown: Bolingbrook, IL
Reading his PM in: Front of the Great Wall of China
Name: Benedikt Heim
Hometown: Kempten, Germany
Reading his PM in: The sunshine atop Reuterwanne, a 5059-foot mountain in the Bavarian Alps.
"We read Popular Mechanics at the Martz Observatory in Frewsburg, NY, where we built much of the 0.6-meter telescope, building, dome and facilities."
Name: John Anderson
Hometown: Jamestown, NY
Reading his PM: While he installs controls in the observatory's dome, where temperatures approached zero degrees.
"I keep a plastic-sleeved binder of my favorite projects. PM is the best magazine on the working-man newsstand."
Name: Chris Hawken
Hometown:Flint, Texas
Reading his PM: next to the oil rig he operates, which is drilling 8000 feet down.
"I have been reading PM while living overseas for the past seven years. Your magazine has kept me entertained and informed in my hometown of Okotoks, Canada and now here in Doha, Brazil. I have used it a lot in my classroom while teaching the sciences and always have old copies available for the students to read."
Name: Barry G. Leslie
Hometown: Okotoks, Canada
Reading his PM: in the "Singing Dunes" in Qatar. He says that the dunes got their name from the noise the sand makes when people slide down. "It sounds like the hum of a turbo prop plane flying overhead," he says.
"My husband, Jimmy Moon, is an avid Popular Magazine reader. On our safari to the Serengeti he brought along a few copies of your magazine. The kids are really into the magazine as well."
Name: Barbara Moon and her family
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Reading their PMs: at Lake Burunge in Tanzania, Africa.
"My dad, a retired electrician and math professor, gave me my first issue of PM 25 years ago. After that day I got addicted to PM! While being away from my family is tough, having access to PM makes things little bit easier."
Name: Eduardo Castillo
Hometown: Comayagua, Honduras
Reading his PM: Djibouti, Africa, where he is a contractor working with the U.S. military.
"Love the magazine all the way from Korea!"
Name: Cory Gautereaux
Reading his PM: at Camp Humphreys in South Korea, where he is crew chief on a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter.
"I'm three issues in on a first-time subscription, and I'm already wondering how I lived without PM! Shouldn't be surprised...Dad's a chemist, grandfather patented the first Flue Gas Desulfurization System—guess you can't escape your blood!"
Name: Dano Weir
Hometown: Santa Rosa, CA
Reading his PM: in the studio of KFGY 92.9 FM, where he's a DJ.
"This is only magazine that drives my curiosity and inspires me."
Name: George Savitsky
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Reading his PM: Sailing around St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
"I'm always the first to read Popular Mechanics at my house. I hide it until I am finished." Name: Gerry Bradfield
Hometown:Santa Ana, CA
Reading her PM: at the Dumont Sand Dunes near Death Valley, California. Here at Comp Hill Gerry likes to tool around in her V8-powered dune buggy where she says there can be 50 bikes and dune buggies driving on it at one time.
"I've enjoyed PM for many years and I always try to take a copy when I'm traveling. I remember my dad and I building a boat when I was a kid from PM plans. It worked great. Lots of good memories."
Name: James Dorsey
Hometown: Ardrossan, Alberta, Canada
Reading his PM: in Pongola, South Africa, on a safari trip this past March.
"I love PM for giving me the heads-up on new tools that may not have landed in Australia yet."
Name: James Harvey
Hometown: Samford, Queensland, Australia
Reading his PM: in front of "PlanetSolar," the largest solar-powered boat built to date, which was docked Brisbane as it continues its expedition around the globe.
"I love PM because it has been a part of my life since I was a little boy. I can still remember helping my grandfather with projects inspired by Popular Mechanics. Seeing the magnificent craftsmanship in these temples and buildings made me think that PM would have been popular even in ancient Japan!"
Name: Ryan Evans
Hometown: Fairborn, OH
Reading his PM: while walking the grounds of Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, Japan.
"Popular Mechanics is right on target for discussing new technologies and professions related to the world of science and invention. I look forward to every new issue to see just how I can incorporate it into my class."
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Hometown: Alcoa, TN
Reading his PM: in his 8th grade science classroom at Alcoa Middle School in Tennessee.
"Fashion mags? No thanks. PM is the only magazine I subscribe to. I love to read how things work."
Name: Laura Curtis
Hometown: New York, NY
Reading her PM: in the Bulgari store in New York. If she wasn't selling some of the most exquisite jewelry in the world, she says, she'd probably be a helicopter pilot or mechanic.
"I read Popular Mechanics for the new cutting-edge ideas in engineering, technology and science. Also, I like to check out your car spy photos to see if they are correct."
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Hometown: South Lyon, MI
Reading his PM: in Arjeplog Sweden, just about 60 miles from the Arctic Circle. He comes up here for a month each year (during which time the average temperature is -30 degrees F) to test the ABS, traction control and stability control systems for prototype cars on Sweden's frozen lakes.
"Working as a concrete mixer mechanic, some days get pretty hectic, so I love when I get a quiet moment to read my favorite magazine—PM, of course. I curl up in the surprisingly comfortable chute of a truck and enjoy this great magazine, including my favorites: the tech tips in the back, product comparisons and the new car articles."
Name: Tim Jackson
Hometown: Sturgis, MI
Reading his PM: in the chute of a concrete mixer.
"PM is a constant source of inspiration for innovation and problem solving. I work on the F-35 Lightning II development program, which is very complex and presents us with challenging design issues every day. PM is a great source for lateral thinking."
Name: Chris Ashford
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Reading his PM: At the ATK Rocket Motor Exhibition, Utah
"I've been a reader of Popular Mechanics for decades and have always loved the practical advice that comes packed in each issue. Although, when you play Commander Montgomery Scott "Scotty" on the most popular fan film in internet history, Star Trek: Phase 2, reading Popular Mechanics on the set takes on a whole new meaning."
Name: Charles Root Jr.
Hometown: Underhill, VT
Reading his PM: On set inside the USS Enterprise
"I subscribe to many magazines but yours is the only one I anxiously await, and the only one that I read cover to cover. Each issue improves my quality of life, and my family's, just a little bit more as I learn some little tidbit of information to help make technology work better for us."
Name: Dan Miller
Hometown: Ontario, Canada
Reading his PM:in the Land of the Lakes, Ontario
"This is a picture of my Herc and me, up on Baffin Island, North of the Arctic Circle, at 1:30 in the morning. We were delivering some much needed supplies and heavy equipment."
Name: Burton Freitag
Hometown: Saskatchewan, Canada
Reading his PM: on Baffin Island in Nunavut, Canada
"I can't wait to get my Popular Mechanics magazine. My favorite part is all of the new gadgets and technology. The first chance I get to read it, I'm there."
Name: Mary-Ann Dirocco
Hometown: Boston, MA
Reading her PM: On her lunch brea
"Popular Mechanics has such a wonderful variety of interesting subject matter! There's practical down-to-earth advice freely mixed with the dreaming edge of new technology. I read it cover-to-cover when it arrives. I can see why PM appeals to a wide range of people. Even the fish!
Name: Bruce Bennett
Hometown: Chardon, Ohio
Reading his PM: Underwater
"My wife, Karen, and I just returned from a cycling tour of the Tuscany region of Italy. We took four issues of PM with us to Italy - and for the long flights."
Name: Ralph and Karen Mayer
Hometown: Lexington, SC
Reading their PM: in Talamone, Italy
"I love Popular Mechanics because it keeps me up-to-date with the new technology."
Name: David Williams
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Reading his PM: in Oahu, HI
"That's me with my Popular Mechanics in front of the cathedral in Cologne, Germany. I got it in the mail as I was leaving for Europe, so I took it with me to read on the airplane. A good thing: When I got back I had my new one!"
Name: James Sullivan
Hometown: Brentwood, CA
Reading his PM: in Cologne, Germany
"I have been reading your magazine since 1985 and have saved each issue. I thoroughly enjoy the articles. It keeps me up-to-date with what's new in the world."
Name: Leo Blaskowski
Hometown: Winona, MN
Reading his PM: Somewhere along Route 66
"I have been reading Popular Mechanics since 1978, when I graduated from college and started my career as a mechanical engineer for the US Navy. I enjoy the wide variety of information and the technical details that each month's issue brings."
Name: Jeffery Craighead
Reading his PM: in the Philadelphia Naval Yards
"Popular Mechanics has definitely become the travel magazine of choice - it can even engage my 9-year-old son! Before we drag out the trailer for another excursion, the latest edition of PM gets packed in!"
Name: Marcus and Brad Cambell
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Reading their PM: in Dinosaur Provincial Park
"Besides Angry Birds (which really needs to have a safety feature so pilots don't play constantly while flying) your iPad app is a great way to pass the time while George, the three-axis autopilot, is flying the airplane."
Name: Joe Matthews
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Reading his PM: 10,000 ft in the air
"I was lucky enough to have my boss send me to Inuvik for some work. When I say "up here" that's a bit of an understatement!"
Name: Rick Day
Reading his PM: in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, two degrees north of the Arctic Circle
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According to the Commission's decision, to be published in tomorrow's Official Journal, as of 18 January the European Union will reinstate the normal customs duty on this product of €175 per tonne in year one, progressively reducing it to €150 per tonne in year two, and €125 per tonne in year three.
During the investigation launched in March 2018, the Commission found that imports of Indica rice from both countries combined have increased by 89% in the past five rice-growing seasons. At the same time, the investigation found that the prices were substantially lower than those on the EU market and had actually decreased over the same period. This surge in low-price imports has caused serious difficulties for EU rice producers to the extent that their market share in the EU dropped substantially from 61% to 39%.
Cambodia and Myanmar are beneficiaries of the EU's Everything But Arms (EBA) trade scheme, which unilaterally grants duty-and quota-free access to the world's least developed countries (apart from arms and ammunition). This is one pillar of the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) tariff-reduction scheme for developing countries. Today's action is being taken using the safeguards mechanism of the GSP Regulation.
The decision will be published in the EU's Official Journal on 17 January and will enter into force the following day.


text:
Valero Rivera may refer to:
Valero Rivera López (1953-), Spanish former handballer and current coach handballer.
Valero Rivera Folch (1985-), Spanish handballer, son of the previous.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


ACW is the first network providing policymakers in cities across the world with sufficient knowledge, insights and ideas to transform the physical activity profiles of their cities.
ACW is built on big data, driven by advanced analytics, and led by the very policymakers responsible for harnessing physical activity.
Led by the three Founding Cities of Auckland, London, and Singapore, and supported by international experts, ACW is a global network of like-minded cities to share and learn.
The starting point is the collection of raw data. This data is then cleaned, organised, normalised and turned into a Master Database for each city. We conduct detailed statistical analysis of what drives physical activity to ascertain the relative importance and impact of different factors in determining a given individuals' propensity to be active. We can then build this into a picture of different demographic segments: by age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status or geographical location. We then conduct in-depth modelling of the outcomes of physical activity building on a meta-analysis of existing academic literature and primary research to create a full picture of the holistic value generated by physical activity beyond activity itself – both monetary and non-monetary.
Every year, we conduct benchmarking across various metrics for all participating cities. The primary purpose is to help cities understand what is being done elsewhere – by generating best-in-class metrics, providing comparative models, uncovering trends and anomalies, and tracking progress across the ACW cohort. The benchmarking also enables analysis across global populations, meta-segments, and in time, big data analysis of individual behaviours. All participating cities have access to the benchmarking dataset through the ACW portal and dashboard, enabling them to immediately inform decisions in their city.
ACW is a global network of likeminded, aspirational cities that believe in the power of sport and physical activity to transform their cities for the better. Through the annual conferences and informal connections, ACW cities can share best practices, support each other in collaboration, and together develop solutions that benefit everyone. It is a network led by the cities, for the cities.
The ACW network is animated by a multidisciplinary team of data experts, public policy specialists and sport and physical activity consultants. Our offices are based in London.


There are sneaking, creeping, crumpling noises coming from inside the walls.Lucy is sure there are wolves living in the walls of their house--and, as everybody says, if the wolves come out of the walls, it's all over. Her family doesn't believe her. Then one day, the wolves come out.But it's not all over. Instead, Lucy's battle with the wolves is only just beginning.


Throughout the year the Department works alongside a range of Government Departments, strategic groups, associations, event organisers and travel organisers. Through these partnerships we are able to provide any key contact details we think may be of use to you in this section.
We would therefore encourage you to view the following sections of available contacts or submit the feedback form with any website suggestions, areas of interest or additional contact details you would like to see in this section.


The Southeast Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians (SESAH) seeks nominations for the Best of the South: Preserving Southern Architecture Award. This annual award honors a project that preserves, rehabilitates, or restores a historic property – including a building, a structure, or a complex of buildings and/or structures – in an outstanding manner and that demonstrates excellence in research, documentation, design, and execution. Projects with a public interpretation component are encouraged, but not required. Projects in the twelve-state SESAH region (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia) that were completed in 2015 or 2016 are eligible.
Email the nomination as a single PDF or as a link to a single PDF posted on Google Drive/Dropbox to the 2017 "Best of the South" award committee chairperson, Blake Wintory at lakeport.ar@gmail.com.


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Does Social Media Have an Impact on Women's Sports?
Monday, October 19, 2009 , Posted by Christopher Byrne at 1:54 PM, under Social Media
There surely must be some impact from social media on women's sports. How much is anybody's guess. But the topic will be front and center tonight as the University of Minnesota's Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport hosts a lecture entitled Facing Off Over Facebook: The Impact of Social Media on Women's Sports.
For those readers who may be interested but are too far away from Minnesota, you can watch the presentation live on the Tucker Center web site. You can also download the flier for the event.
Here is information on the lecture and the participants.
Facing Off Over Facebook:
The Impact of Social Media on Women's Sports
Monday, October 19 • 7:00-9:00 PM CST
Hubert H. Humphrey Center • West Bank Campus
About the Panel: Over the past 30 years, scholars have documented numerous ways in which traditional sport media marginalize and sexualize female athletes. Into this vast—and influential—media landscape appears the recent and exponential explosion of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Will this technological paradigm shift challenge or reproduce the ways in which female athletes are traditionally portrayed in mainstream sport media? Will the unprecedented popularity of social media—and the alternative "ways of knowing" it provides to traditional media—fundamentally alter how we view women's sports? Panelists with diverse experiences and perspectives will "face off" and take on these important and largely unexplored questions as we move into the Age of New Media.
About the Panelists
Marie Hardin: Associate Professor of Journalism and Associate Director of the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State University, Professor Hardin's research explores diversity, ethics and professional practices in sports media. She has published extensively in Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, Sociology of Sport Journal, and Sex Roles. In 2006, Hardin received the Mary Ann Yodelis Smith Award for Feminist Scholarship from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Her recent research focuses on social attitudes of sports journalists and bloggers, as well as career paths of women in sport journalism.
Rachel Blount: Sports reporter and columnist for the Star Tribune, Blount has covered a wide range of sports including the NHL, NBA, WNBA, college hockey, and the last six Olympic Games. One of the few female sports columnists in the country, Blount has won numerous journalism awards including national recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors and state-wide honors from the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists for her sports features and columns. Blount graduated from the University of Notre Dame and has a Master's degree from the University of Missouri's prestigious School of Journalism.
Angela Ruggiero: One of the most accomplished women's hockey players in the world, Ruggiero is a three-time Olympic medalist and World Champion, leader of the 2010 U.S. Women's Hockey National Team, record holder for most games played for Team USA, and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee. Ruggiero graduated cum laude with a degree in government from Harvard University, where she was an NCAA First-Team Academic All-American. She is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Sports Management at the University of Minnesota. Ruggiero uses multiple social media platforms to promote her individual career as well as women's hockey.
Related Posts : Social Media


Today is your Birthday. No longer a 'teenager' but all grown up.
Have a wonderful, happy and fulfilling life.
For our special day, I made your favourite Italian dish here, lol.
Boil Spaghetti in plenty of water until al dente.
Drain, but do not rinse, and keep aside.
In a pan heat olive oil, add chopped garlic and on medium heat let them brown lightly.
When colour changes, add salt, red chilly flakes and some finely chopped parsley, let slowly cook for a couple of minutes more.
Now add your Spaghetti, switch off heat, and with 2 forks toss the pasta in your 'sauce' and serve straight away.
Remember, re. measurements it all depends really on how hungry you and your friends are. 1 lb of Spaghetti is normally good for 4 people. And with the rest add as much or as little as you like – after all, everybody has a different taste and a different need for spices.
One more thing, since this is a Roman dish, remember we were told by Chef in that beautiful Trattoria near our Hotel, NEVER to use any cheese for this dish.
Another little favourite of yours, Vanilla Icecream with Nutella, delicious!


Why Join The Rotary Club Belize?
Like Paul Harris and his fellow professionals who formed the first Rotary club in 1905, the main reason most Rotarians join is to serve their communities.
There are, however, many other reasons to join Rotary in addition to the motivation to serve.
Joining Rotary provides excellent opportunities to network and make friends both within Belize and outside the country.
Rotarians visit clubs worldwide and are made welcome by their fellow members.
Joining Rotary means becoming part of a community of 1.2 million people with similar interests to yours.
Because of the fellowship shared at the club level and beyond, service projects are often more easily facilitated, and the lasting friendships formed mean that you also have fun!!
Rotary is a little different from the usual service clubs in that it is a fellowship formed for the purpose of providing service. What this means is that the fellowship aspect of any Rotary club is the key to its success. As a result, we encourage people who are interested in Rotary to express their interest to a Rotarian of their acquaintance. The Rotarian can then invite them to a few meetings as his/her guest in order for the club members and the interested person to get to know each other. If there is a fit, the person can be invited to become a member, but this invitation is not automatic.
One way to get to know Rotarians, if you don't already know any, is to join our Rotary Community Corps, which is a newly-formed associate body of non-Rotarians who wish to serve, but aren't too sure about meeting the attendance and expense obligations of being a full-time Rotarian without experiencing the service part first. Rotary Community Corps members work alongside Rotarians to accomplish service goals, and the Community Corps is a good way to get to know Rotary and its ideals before committing fully to Rotary fellowship.
please don't hesitate to email our Membership Chair at membership@rotarybelize.org for more information.


Make a statement on your project by choosing Marvin or Integrity Windows and Doors.
Relationship focused and service driven. Our team can help you from first measure through warranty and service. Windows and doors are intricate with endless options. Our team ensures the right application is chosen for the space and project. Let us show you what makes us different.
Visit our showroom in person.
There is nothing like seeing it in person. Visit our showroom to see and feel the difference in quality, design, and craftsmanship.
Our showroom is open Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm. Come see us!


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Can AI be free of bias?
Studies have shown that artificial intelligence can reflect the very prejudices humans have tried to overcome. As AI becomes "truly ubiquitous," rights groups have called on decision-makers to address algorithmic bias.
Due to the way artificial intelligence (AI) is trained, such systems can reflect human prejudices and, consequently, have an adverse impact on lives. The phenomenon is known as algorithmic bias.
For example, since 2012, the Metropolitan Police Service (Met) in London has used a system called Trident Gangs Matrix to tackle gang-related crime.
However, a study published by Amnesty International last month showed that the system, which claimed to identify gang members, produced discriminatory results by predominantly profiling and tagging minority communities, especially black people.
"Many of the indicators used by the Met to identify 'gang members' simply reflect elements of urban youth culture and identity that have nothing to do with serious crime," Anna Bacciarelli, artificial intelligence and technology adviser at Amnesty International, told DW.
As AI becomes increasingly adopted in the public and private sphere, rights groups have called for measures to protect humans from the potential fallout.
Read more: What good is AI for UN development goals?
Last week, Amnesty International and Access Now unveiled the Toronto Declaration, a document they hope can give guidance on a way forward, on issues arising from algorithmic bias, especially at a time when the industry is witnessing substantial growth.
"Discrimination in AI is already quite visible even though the technologies are still developing," Estelle Masse, senior policy analyst at Access Now, told DW.
Reinforcing discrimination
One of the most notorious cases involving algorithmic bias concerned the use of software to predict the likelihood of a defendant repeating an offense in the US. But the software's results, used to inform a judge's sentencing decision, were overwhelmingly biased against black defendants.
In 2016, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated report by ProPublica found that the software, called the Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS), suggested that black defendants would commit a second offense at a rate "nearly twice as high as their white counterparts."
In one example, Bernard Parker, a black defendant whose first offense was resisting arrest without violence, received a risk score of 10, the highest possible score. That suggested he had an extreme likelihood of committing a second offense. However, he never went on to commit another offense, according to the report.
Dylan Fugget, a white defendant whose first offense was an attempted burglary, was considered low-risk, receiving a risk score of 3. He later went on to re-offend at least three more times. The comparison is just one example out of thousands documented in the report.
"If we collectively decide to develop and use AI and machine learning technologies, we must acknowledge and address the risks of these technologies reinforcing or even institutionalizing inequalities and discrimination, if safeguards are not put in place," Masse told DW.
'De-biasing'
Researchers and developers are well aware of the problem, and some have been working on it for years.
For Tomas Kliegr, assistant professor at the information and knowledge engineering department at the University of Economics, Prague, there are several ways to approach "de-biasing" AI.
Such measures include the use of interpretable machine learning models and the right to explanation as found in the EU's GDPR and further education about the issue, Kliegr told DW.
Increasing awareness and knowledge for data scientists could lead "to better selection of training data and tuning of the models to handle imbalanced problems, where the bias is the result of one class being under or overrepresented in the training data," Kliegr said.
Read more: AI to gobble up fewer jobs than previously thought - OECD
Earlier this month, Facebook announced a new measure to counteract bias in a similar fashion. The social media giant said it now uses a software called Fairness Flow to measure, monitor and evaluate potential biases in its products.
"Now we're working to scale the Fairness Flow to evaluate the personal and societal implications of every product that we build," said Isabel Kloumann, a data scientist working on computational social science at Facebook, at the company's developer conference.
Kloumann noted that the technology could be used by "any engineer" to "evaluate their algorithms for bias" to ensure that they "don't have a disparate impact on people" before they're launched.
But Kliegr told DW that other challenges remain, including better defining bias. "When some piece of knowledge is supported by data, but is considered 'politically' incorrect, is it a bias?"
Although AI poses some risks, it has tremendous potential to positively impact life, including by streamlining health care and ensuring food security
The 'black-box' question
Another issue raised by industry leaders stems from the lack of transparency about how some of these systems come to their end result.
Roughly speaking, so-called "black-box" AI is a machine learning system in which the input and output are understood, but the manner in which it processes the data is unclear.
AI Now, an institute comprising leading researchers and developers, has called for government agencies to stop the use of this type of AI until the technology is better understood and made "available for public auditing, testing and review, and subject to accountability standards."
"There is a lot of discussion about the need for transparency and accountability in machine learning systems at present, and human rights laws and standards do this – they are universal, binding and actionable," Amnesty's Bacciarelli told DW.
Arshak Navruzyan, chief technology officer at Sentient Technologies, agrees that transparency is one way to tackle the problem. He also believes that the "suitability of black-box AI algorithms depends heavily on the application to which they're applied."
"In high-stakes settings like diagnosing cancer from radiologic images, an algorithm that can't 'explain its work' may pose an unacceptable risk," Navruzyan told DW. "In such settings, black-box algorithms can still provide great benefit as long as they're part of a human-in-the-loop decision-making system rather than acting as autonomous agents."
'Impact many aspects of our lives'
Earlier this year, Microsoft Asia President Ralph Haupter said he believed 2018 would be the year AI becomes mainstream and "begins to impact many aspects of our lives in a truly ubiquitous and meaningful way."
AI has a tremendous potential to positively impact all manner of life, from industry to employment to health care and even security. But addressing the risks associated with the technology needs to be a priority, especially for decision-makers, Janosch Delcker, Politico Europe's artificial intelligence correspondent told DW.
"I don't think AI will ever be free of bias, at least not as long as we stick to machine learning as we know it today," said Delcker. "What's crucially important, I believe, is to recognize that those biases exist, and that policymakers try to mitigate them."
Machine learning: Autonomous software
Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/2iqrK
DW editors send out a selection of the day's hard news and quality feature journalism. You can sign up to receive it directly here.
Does technology threaten democracy?
From radio to the internet, technological innovations have left their mark on democracy. At the Munich Security Conference, politicians and tech leaders warned of the latest threats — and those yet to come. (16.02.2018)
What good is AI for UN Development Goals?
The United Nations may have a reputation for being a talking shop. But when it comes to artificial intelligence and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, it's trying to get ahead of the conversation. (16.05.2018)
Conference debates how AI can shed its 'black box' image
The Aspen Institute's two-day conference on artificial intelligence raised several interesting points. Among them was a need to energize the public — and German investors — on the benefits of AI. (16.03.2018)
Report: Crime prediction software less accurate than random people
A popular program called COMPAS claims it can predict if criminal defendants will commit more crimes, and has been used by judges across the US. However, a new study has found the algorithm to be no better than a human. (19.01.2018)
AI to gobble up fewer jobs than previously thought, says OECD
Artificial intelligence is likely to destroy significantly fewer jobs than previously suggested, an OECD study says. But the report finds that teenagers may have a reason to be wary of the onslaught of robots. (04.04.2018)
Machine learning to help doctors predict the success of epilepsy brain surgery
Researchers in Germany have developed a technique, which allows them to predict the chances of success for a surgical procedure to treat epilepsy. It could prevent unnecessary surgery. (02.08.2013)
Top researchers fear malicious use of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence could soon be misused by criminals to launch hacking attacks in a number of critical areas, a fresh report by top researchers has said. So far societies seem unprepared to prevent such activities. (21.02.2018)
'We must make sure artificial intelligence doesn't increase inequality'
With increasing developments in artificial intelligence, fear of the unknown is growing. DW has spoken to Professor Zoubin Ghahramani who works with AI - and knows all about its pros and cons. (23.11.2017)
Multicultural robots and racist machines
Is it possible for computers to become racist and act upon stereotypes? Maybe it is better to understand computers, robots and machine learning to understand their limitations and possibilities. (07.03.2017)
What is GDPR, the EU's data protection law?
Have you received dozens of emails about updates to your favorite online services' privacy policy? The reason is the EU's data protection law, and it has global implications. DW examines how it might affect you. (24.05.2018)
WWW links
DW Newsletter
Audios and videos on the topic
Author Lewis Sanders IV
Related Subjects Facebook, The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Human Rights, Artificial intelligence
Keywords artificial intelligence, human rights, deep learning, machine learning, Facebook, AI, Robotics
Feedback: Send us your feedback.
Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/2yFCm
Artificial intelligence creates perfumes without being able to smell them 31.05.2019
Noses are overrated: In June, a perfume created by a computer system will be launched on the Brazilian market. The artificial intelligence involved combined ingredients in a manner unthinkable to most humans.
Can artificial intelligence in the energy sector help solve the climate crisis? 14.05.2019
Artificial intelligence conjures fears of job loss and privacy concerns — not to mention sci-fi dystopias. But machine learning can also help us save energy and make renewables better.
Artificial intelligence: The EU's 7 steps for trusty AI 08.04.2019
Do you trust AI? If not, what would it take? The European Commission says there are seven steps to building trust in artificial intelligence. It's published the latest findings from a high-level expert group.


All of our frosted/natural and white lotion bottles are a royalty style. The size of neck on this style is 24/410.The natural bottles are a very squeezable MDPE plastic, whites are HDPE plastic. Lids for lotion bottles are sold separate.
Choose a size 24/410 lid.


4-1/8 inch fat figure in a black tuxedo wearing a black top hat with red trim, white waist coat & white gloves. 3 holes in his back. 1 in the middle to attach the umbrella launcher & the other 2 holes for a coat tails to attach to. 2-1/2 inch umbrella missile. The canopy is red with black & white panels. The cane is black. 1 inch black missile launcher. A red umbrella logo on side. 2 clips on bottom to attach to arm of figure. Black lever to launch spring loaded umbrella missile. Peg sticking out of the side.


Masterpieces are about to head to the streets in a big way with the upcoming 'Art Everywhere' outdoors exhibit! In an initiative led by museums and billboard agencies, over 50,000 displays across America, ranging from signs, bus stops, and electronic billboards, will be taken over by a variety of artwork from the nation's leading museums, including pieces from big American artists like Roy Lichtenstein, Edward Hopper, Jasper Johns, and many more. With the popularity of smartphones and the Internet in recent culture, large-scale advertising billboards and other signage has gone unused across the nation as ad agencies look to digital advertising.
The movement is scheduled to take place staring on August 4th, 2014, and there is a poll going on the exhibit's official website where fans can vote for their favorite paintings. The top 50 images selected from this poll will be reproduced across America for millions to see. The exhibit is similar to an initiative in Britain last summer, also titled 'Art Everywhere', and hopes to exceed the expectations set by Britain's successful show. So make sure to head to http://arteverywhereus.org/ to cast your vote, and keep your eyes open this summer. Maybe you'll see one of your favorite pieces in a much bigger way!


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GENERAL PATRAEUS TESTIMONY IN FULL
September 11, 2007 / WhoDaresWins / American Intelligence News, Dept. of Defense
Report to Congress on the Situation in Iraq
General David H. Petraeus
Commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq
Mr. Chairmen, Ranking Members, Members of the Committees, thank you for the opportunity to provide my assessment of the security situation in Iraq and to discuss the recommendations I recently provided to my chain of command for the way forward.
At the outset, I would like to note that this is my testimony. Although I have briefed my assessment and recommendations to my chain of command, I wrote this testimony myself. It has not been cleared by, nor shared with, anyone in the Pentagon, the White House, or Congress.
As a bottom line up front, the military objectives of the surge are, in large measure, being met. In recent months, in the face of tough enemies and the brutal summer heat of Iraq, Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces have achieved progress in the security arena. Though the improvements have been uneven across Iraq, the overall number of security incidents in Iraq has declined in 8 of the past 12 weeks, with the numbers of incidents in the last two weeks at the lowest levels seen since June 2006.
One reason for the decline in incidents is that Coalition and Iraqi forces have dealt significant blows to Al Qaeda-Iraq. Though Al Qaeda and its affiliates in Iraq remain dangerous, we have taken away a number of their sanctuaries and gained the initiative in many areas.
We have also disrupted Shia militia extremists, capturing the head and numerous other leaders of the Iranian-supported Special Groups, along with a senior Lebanese Hezbollah operative supporting Iran's activities in Iraq.
Coalition and Iraqi operations have helped reduce ethno-sectarian violence, as well, bringing down the number of ethno-sectarian deaths substantially in Baghdad and across Iraq since the height of the sectarian violence last December. The number of overall civilian deaths has also declined during this period, although the numbers in each area are still at troubling levels.
Iraqi Security Forces have also continued to grow and to shoulder more of the load, albeit slowly and amid continuing concerns about the sectarian tendencies of some elements in their ranks. In general, however, Iraqi elements have been standing and fighting and sustaining tough losses, and they have taken the lead in operations in many areas.
Additionally, in what may be the most significant development of the past 8 months, the tribal rejection of Al Qaeda that started in Anbar Province and helped produce such significant change there has now spread to a number of other locations as well.
Based on all this and on the further progress we believe we can achieve over the next few months, I believe that we will be able to reduce our forces to the pre-surge level of brigade combat teams by next summer without jeopardizing the security gains that we have fought so hard to achieve.
Beyond that, while noting that the situation in Iraq remains complex, difficult, and sometimes downright frustrating, I also believe that it is possible to achieve our objectives in Iraq over time, though doing so will be neither quick nor easy.
Having provided that summary, I would like to review the nature of the conflict in Iraq, recall the situation before the surge, describe the current situation, and explain the recommendations I have provided to my chain of command for the way ahead in Iraq.
The Nature of the Conflict
The fundamental source of the conflict in Iraq is competition among ethnic and sectarian communities for power and resources. This competition will take place, and its resolution is key to producing long-term stability in the new Iraq. The question is whether the competition takes place more – or less – violently. This chart shows the security challenges in Iraq. Foreign and home-grown terrorists, insurgents, militia extremists, and criminals all push the ethno-sectarian competition toward violence. Malign actions by Syria and, especially, by Iran fuel that violence. Lack of adequate governmental capacity, lingering sectarian mistrust, and various forms of corruption add to Iraq's challenges.
The Situation in December 2006 and the Surge
In our recent efforts to look to the future, we found it useful to revisit the past. In December 2006, during the height of the ethno-sectarian violence that escalated in the wake of the bombing of the Golden Dome Mosque in Samarra, the leaders in Iraq at that time – General George Casey and Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad – concluded that the coalition was failing to achieve its objectives. Their review underscored the need to protect the population and reduce sectarian violence, especially in Baghdad. As a result, General Casey requested additional forces to enable the Coalition to accomplish these tasks, and those forces began to flow in January.
In the ensuing months, our forces and our Iraqi counterparts have focused on improving security, especially in Baghdad and the areas around it, wresting sanctuaries from Al Qaeda control, and disrupting the efforts of the Iranian-supported militia extremists. We have employed counterinsurgency practices that underscore the importance of units living among the people they are securing, and accordingly, our forces have established dozens of joint security stations and patrol bases manned by Coalition and Iraqi forces in Baghdad and in other areas across Iraq.
In mid-June, with all the surge brigades in place, we launched a series of offensive operations focused on: expanding the gains achieved in the preceding months in Anbar Province; clearing Baqubah, several key Baghdad neighborhoods, the remaining sanctuaries in Anbar Province, and important areas in the so-called "belts"? around Baghdad; and pursuing Al Qaeda in the Diyala River Valley and several other areas.
Throughout this period, as well, we engaged in dialogue with insurgent groups and tribes, and this led to additional elements standing up to oppose Al Qaeda and other extremists. We also continued to emphasize the development of the Iraqi Security Forces and we employed non-kinetic means to exploit the opportunities provided by the conduct of our kinetic operations – aided in this effort by the arrival of additional Provincial Reconstruction Teams.
Current Situation and Trends
The progress our forces have achieved with our Iraqi counterparts has, as I noted at the outset, been substantial. While there have been setbacks as well as successes and tough losses along the way, overall, our tactical commanders and I see improvements in the security environment. We do not, however, just rely on gut feel or personal observations; we also conduct considerable data collection and analysis to gauge progress and determine trends. We do this by gathering and refining data from coalition and Iraqi operations centers, using a methodology that has been in place for well over a year and that has benefited over the past seven months from the increased presence of our forces living among the Iraqi people. We endeavor to ensure our analysis of that data is conducted with rigor and consistency, as our ability to achieve a nuanced understanding of the security environment is dependent on collecting and analyzing data in a consistent way over time. Two US intelligence agencies recently reviewed our methodology, and they concluded that the data we produce is the most accurate and authoritative in Iraq.
As I mentioned up front, and as the chart before you reflects, the level of security incidents has decreased significantly since the start of the surge of offensive operations in mid-June, declining in 8 of the past 12 weeks, with the level of incidents in the past two weeks the lowest since June 2006 and with the number of attacks this past week the lowest since April 2006.
Civilian deaths of all categories, less natural causes, have also declined considerably, by over 45% Iraq-wide since the height of the sectarian violence in December. This is shown by the top line on this chart, and the decline by some 70% in Baghdad is shown by the bottom line. Periodic mass casualty attacks by Al Qaeda have tragically added to the numbers outside Baghdad, in particular. Even without the sensational attacks, however, the level of civilian deaths is clearly still too high and continues to be of serious concern.
As the next chart shows, the number of ethno-sectarian deaths, an important subset of the overall civilian casualty figures, has also declined significantly since the height of the sectarian violence in December. Iraq-wide, as shown by the top line on this chart, the number of ethno-sectarian deaths has come down by over 55%, and it would have come down much further were it not for the casualties inflicted by barbaric Al Qaeda bombings attempting to reignite sectarian violence. In Baghdad, as the bottom line shows, the number of ethno-sectarian deaths has come down by some 80% since December. This chart also displays the density of sectarian incidents in various Baghdad neighborhoods and it both reflects the progress made in reducing ethno-sectarian violence in the Iraqi capital and identifies the areas that remain the most challenging.
As we have gone on the offensive in former Al Qaeda and insurgent sanctuaries, and as locals have increasingly supported our efforts, we have found a substantially increased number of arms, ammunition, and explosives caches. As this chart shows, we have, so far this year, already found and cleared over 4,400 caches, nearly 1,700 more than we discovered in all of last year. This may be a factor in the reduction in the number of overall improvised explosive device attacks in recent months, which as this chart shows, has declined sharply, by about one-third, since June.
The change in the security situation in Anbar Province has, of course, been particularly dramatic. As this chart shows, monthly attack levels in Anbar have declined from some 1,350 in October 2006 to a bit over 200 in August of this year. This dramatic decrease reflects the significance of the local rejection of Al Qaeda and the newfound willingness of local Anbaris to volunteer to serve in the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police Service. As I noted earlier, we are seeing similar actions in other locations, as well.
To be sure, trends have not been uniformly positive across Iraq, as is shown by this chart depicting violence levels in several key Iraqi provinces. The trend in Ninevah Province, for example, has been much more up and down, until a recent decline, and the same is true in Sala ad Din Province, though recent trends there and in Baghdad have been in the right direction. In any event, the overall trajectory in Iraq – a steady decline of incidents in the past three months – is still quite significant.
The number of car bombings and suicide attacks has also declined in each of the past 5 months, from a high of some 175 in March, as this chart shows, to about 90 this past month. While this trend in recent months has been heartening, the number of high profile attacks is still too high, and we continue to work hard to destroy the networks that carry out these barbaric attacks.
Our operations have, in fact, produced substantial progress against Al Qaeda and its affiliates in Iraq. As this chart shows, in the past 8 months, we have considerably reduced the areas in which Al Qaeda enjoyed sanctuary. We have also neutralized 5 media cells, detained the senior Iraqi leader of Al Qaeda-Iraq, and killed or captured nearly 100 other key leaders and some 2,500 rank-and-file fighters. Al Qaeda is certainly not defeated; however, it is off balance and we are pursuing its leaders and operators aggressively. Of note, as the recent National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq explained, these gains against Al Qaeda are a result of the synergy of actions by: conventional forces to deny the terrorists sanctuary; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets to find the enemy; and special operations elements to conduct targeted raids. A combination of these assets is necessary to prevent the creation of a terrorist safe haven in Iraq.
In the past six months we have also targeted Shia militia extremists, capturing a number of senior leaders and fighters, as well as the deputy commander of Lebanese Hezbollah Department 2800, the organization created to support the training, arming, funding, and, in some cases, direction of the militia extremists by the Iranian Republican Guard Corps' Qods Force.
These elements have assassinated and kidnapped Iraqi governmental leaders, killed and wounded our soldiers with advanced explosive devices provided by Iran, and indiscriminately rocketed civilians in the International Zone and elsewhere. It is increasingly apparent to both Coalition and Iraqi leaders that Iran, through the use of the Qods Force, seeks to turn the Iraqi Special Groups into a Hezbollah-like force to serve its interests and fight a proxy war against the Iraqi state and coalition forces in Iraq.
The most significant development in the past six months likely has been the increasing emergence of tribes and local citizens rejecting Al Qaeda and other extremists. This has, of course, been most visible in Anbar Province. A year ago the province was assessed as "lost"? politically. Today, it is a model of what happens when local leaders and citizens decide to oppose Al Qaeda and reject its Taliban-like ideology. While Anbar is unique and the model it provides cannot be replicated everywhere in Iraq, it does demonstrate the dramatic change in security that is possible with the support and participation of local citizens. As this chart shows, other tribes have been inspired by the actions of those in Anbar and have volunteered to fight extremists as well. We have, in coordination with the Iraqi government's National Reconciliation Committee, been engaging these tribes and groups of local citizens who want to oppose extremists and to contribute to local security. Some 20,000 such individuals are already being hired for the Iraqi Police, thousands of others are being assimilated into the Iraqi Army, and thousands more are vying for a spot in Iraq's Security Forces.
As I noted earlier, Iraqi Security Forces have continued to grow, to develop their capabilities, and to shoulder more of the burden of providing security for their country. Despite concerns about sectarian influence, inadequate logistics and supporting institutions, and an insufficient number of qualified commissioned and non-commissioned officers, Iraqi units are engaged around the country.
As this chart shows, there are now nearly 140 Iraqi Army, National Police, and Special Operations Forces Battalions in the fight, with about 95 of those capable of taking the lead in operations, albeit with some coalition support. Beyond that, all of Iraq's battalions have been heavily involved in combat operations that often result in the loss of leaders, soldiers, and equipment. These losses are among the shortcomings identified by operational readiness assessments, but we should not take from these assessments the impression that Iraqi forces are not in the fight and contributing. Indeed, despite their shortages, many Iraqi units across Iraq now operate with minimal coalition assistance.
As counterinsurgency operations require substantial numbers of boots on the ground, we are helping the Iraqis expand the size of their security forces. Currently, there are some 445,000 individuals on the payrolls of Iraq's Interior and Defense Ministries. Based on recent decisions by Prime Minister Maliki, the number of Iraq's security forces will grow further by the end of this year, possibly by as much as 40,000. Given the security challenges Iraq faces, we support this decision, and we will work with the two security ministries as they continue their efforts to expand their basic training capacity, leader development programs, logistical structures and elements, and various other institutional capabilities to support the substantial growth in Iraqi forces.
Significantly, in 2007, Iraq will, as in 2006, spend more on its security forces than it will receive in security assistance from the United States. In fact, Iraq is becoming one of the United States' larger foreign military sales customers, committing some $1.6 billion to FMS already, with the possibility of up to $1.8 billion more being committed before the end of this year. And I appreciate the attention that some members of Congress have recently given to speeding up the FMS process for Iraq.
To summarize, the security situation in Iraq is improving, and Iraqis elements are slowly taking on more of the responsibility for protecting their citizens. Innumerable challenges lie ahead; however, Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces have made progress toward achieving sustainable security. As a result, the United States will be in a position to reduce its forces in Iraq in the months ahead.
Two weeks ago I provided recommendations for the way ahead in Iraq to the members of my chain of command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The essence of the approach I recommended is captured in its title: "Security While Transitioning: From Leading to Partnering to Overwatch."? This approach seeks to build on the security improvements our troopers and our Iraqi counterparts have fought so hard to achieve in recent months. It reflects recognition of the importance of securing the population and the imperative of transitioning responsibilities to Iraqi institutions and Iraqi forces as quickly as possible, but without rushing to failure. It includes substantial support for the continuing development of Iraqi Security Forces. It also stresses the need to continue the counterinsurgency strategy that we have been employing, but with Iraqis gradually shouldering more of the load. And it highlights the importance of regional and global diplomatic approaches. Finally, in recognition of the fact that this war is not only being fought on the ground in Iraq but also in cyberspace, it also notes the need to contest the enemy's growing use of that important medium to spread extremism.
The recommendations I provided were informed by operational and strategic considerations. The operational considerations include recognition that:
"¢ military aspects of the surge have achieved progress and generated momentum;
"¢ Iraqi Security Forces have continued to grow and have slowly been shouldering more of the security burden in Iraq;
"¢ a mission focus on either population security or transition alone will not be adequate to achieve our objectives;
"¢ success against Al Qaeda-Iraq and Iranian-supported militia extremists requires conventional forces as well as special operations forces; and
"¢ the security and local political situations will enable us to draw down the surge forces.
My recommendations also took into account a number of strategic considerations:
"¢ political progress will take place only if sufficient security exists;
"¢ long-term US ground force viability will benefit from force reductions as the surge runs its course;
"¢ regional, global, and cyberspace initiatives are critical to success; and
"¢ Iraqi leaders understandably want to assume greater sovereignty in their country, although, as they recently announced, they do desire continued presence of coalition forces in Iraq in 2008 under a new UN Security Council
Resolution and, following that, they want to negotiate a long term security agreement with the United States and other nations.
Based on these considerations, and having worked the battlefield geometry with Lieutenant General Ray Odierno to ensure that we retain and build on the gains for which our troopers have fought, I have recommended a drawdown of the surge forces from Iraq. In fact, later this month, the Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed as part of the surge will depart Iraq. Beyond that, if my recommendations are approved, that unit's departure will be followed by the withdrawal of a brigade combat team without replacement in mid-December and the further redeployment without replacement of four other brigade combat teams and the two surge Marine battalions in the first 7 months of 2008, until we reach the pre-surge level of 15 brigade combat teams by mid-July 2008.
I would also like to discuss the period beyond next summer. Force reductions will continue beyond the pre-surge levels of brigade combat teams that we will reach by mid-July 2008; however, in my professional judgment, it would be premature to make recommendations on the pace of such reductions at this time. In fact, our experience in Iraq has repeatedly shown that projecting too far into the future is not just difficult, it can be misleading and even hazardous. The events of the past six months underscore that point. When I testified in January, for example, no one would have dared to forecast that Anbar Province would have been transformed the way it has in the past 6 months. Nor would anyone have predicted that volunteers in one-time Al Qaeda strongholds like Ghazaliyah in western Baghdad or in Adamiya in eastern Baghdad would seek to join the fight against Al Qaeda. Nor would we have anticipated that a Shia-led government would accept significant numbers of Sunni volunteers into the ranks of the local police force in Abu Ghraib. Beyond that, on a less encouraging note, none of us earlier this year appreciated the extent of Iranian involvement in Iraq, something about which we and Iraq's leaders all now have greater concern.
In view of this, I do not believe it is reasonable to have an adequate appreciation for the pace of further reductions and mission adjustments beyond the summer of 2008 until about mid-March of next year. We will, no later than that time, consider factors similar to those on which I based the current recommendations, having by then, of course, a better feel for the security situation, the improvements in the capabilities of our Iraqi counterparts, and the enemy situation. I will then, as I did in developing the recommendations I have explained here today, also take into consideration the demands on our Nation's ground forces, although I believe that that consideration should once again inform, not drive, the recommendations I make.
This chart captures the recommendations I have described, showing the recommended reduction of brigade combat teams as the surge runs its course and illustrating the concept of our units adjusting their missions and transitioning responsibilities to Iraqis, as the situation and Iraqi capabilities permit. It also reflects the no-later-than date for recommendations on force adjustments beyond next summer and provides a possible approach we have considered for the future force structure and mission set in Iraq.
One may argue that the best way to speed the process in Iraq is to change the MNF-I mission from one that emphasizes population security, counter-terrorism, and transition, to one that is strictly focused on transition and counter-terrorism. Making that change now would, in our view, be premature. We have learned before that there is a real danger in handing over tasks to the Iraqi Security Forces before their capacity and local conditions warrant. In fact, the drafters of the recently released National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq recognized this danger when they wrote, and I quote, "We assess that changing the mission of Coalition forces from a primarily counterinsurgency and stabilization role to a primary combat support role for Iraqi forces and counterterrorist operations to prevent AQI from establishing a safe haven would erode security gains achieved thus far."?
In describing the recommendations I have made, I should note again that, like Ambassador Crocker, I believe Iraq's problems will require a long-term effort. There are no easy answers or quick solutions. And though we both believe this effort can succeed, it will take time. Our assessments underscore, in fact, the importance of recognizing that a premature drawdown of our forces would likely have devastating consequences.
That assessment is supported by the findings of a 16 August Defense Intelligence Agency report on the implications of a rapid withdrawal of US forces from Iraq. Summarizing it in an unclassified fashion, it concludes that a rapid withdrawal would result in the further release of the strong centrifugal forces in Iraq and produce a number of dangerous results, including a high risk of disintegration of the Iraqi Security Forces; rapid deterioration of local security initiatives; Al Qaeda-Iraq regaining lost ground and freedom of maneuver; a marked increase in violence and further ethno-sectarian displacement and refugee flows; alliances of convenience by Iraqi groups with internal and external forces to gain advantages over their rivals; and exacerbation of already challenging regional dynamics, especially with respect to Iran.
Lieutenant General Odierno and I share this assessment and believe that the best way to secure our national interests and avoid an unfavorable outcome in Iraq is to continue to focus our operations on securing the Iraqi people while targeting terrorist groups and militia extremists and, as quickly as conditions are met, transitioning security tasks to Iraqi elements.
Before closing, I want to thank you and your colleagues for your support of our men and women in uniform in Iraq. The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen with whom I'm honored to serve are the best equipped and, very likely, the most professional force in our nation's history. Impressively, despite all that has been asked of them in recent years, they continue to raise their right hands and volunteer to stay in uniform. With three weeks to go in this fiscal year, in fact, the Army elements in Iraq, for example, have achieved well over 130% of the reenlistment goals in the initial term and careerist categories and nearly 115% in the mid-career category. All of us appreciate what you have done to ensure that these great troopers have had what they've needed to accomplish their mission, just as we appreciate what you have done to take care of their families, as they, too, have made significant sacrifices in recent years.
The advances you have underwritten in weapons systems and individual equipment; in munitions; in command, control, and communications systems; in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities; in vehicles and counter-IED systems and programs; and in manned and unmanned aircraft have proven invaluable in Iraq. The capabilities that you have funded most recently – especially the vehicles that will provide greater protection against improvised explosive devices – are also of enormous importance. Additionally, your funding of the Commander's Emergency Response Program has given our leaders a critical tool with which to prosecute the counterinsurgency campaign. Finally, we appreciate as well your funding of our new detention programs and rule of law initiatives in Iraq.
In closing, it remains an enormous privilege to soldier again in Iraq with America's new "Greatest Generation."? Our country's men and women in uniform have done a magnificent job in the most complex and challenging environment imaginable. All Americans should be very proud of their sons and daughters serving in Iraq today.


Description "24 [age] ; Surveyor ; 800 [value of personal estate] ; Tennessee [place of birth]."
Source Includes data from the 1860 Census Population Schedules, Angelina County, Texas, Series: M653, Roll: 1287, p. 98 (stamped), entry 210.
Artisan or Artist Gann, George.


text:
import logging
import os

from flask import Flask
from flask_socketio import SocketIO
from werkzeug.middleware.proxy_fix import ProxyFix

from dino import environ
from dino.config import ConfigKeys

__author__ = 'Oscar Eriksson <oscar@gmail.com>'

logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
logging.getLogger('amqp').setLevel(logging.INFO)
logging.getLogger('kafka.conn').setLevel(logging.INFO)
logging.getLogger('kafka.client').setLevel(logging.INFO)
logging.getLogger('kafka.metrics').setLevel(logging.INFO)

class ReverseProxied(object):
    """
    Wrap the application in this middleware and configure the
    front-end server to add these headers, to let you quietly bind
    this to a URL other than / and to an HTTP scheme that is
    different than what is used locally.

    In nginx:
    location /myprefix {
        proxy_pass http://192.168.0.1:5001;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
        proxy_set_header X-Scheme $scheme;
        proxy_set_header X-Script-Name /myprefix;
        }

    :param app: the WSGI application
    """
    def __init__(self, app):
        self.app = app

    def __call__(self, environ, start_response):
        script_name = environ.get('HTTP_X_SCRIPT_NAME', '')
        if script_name:
            environ['SCRIPT_NAME'] = script_name
            path_info = environ['PATH_INFO']
            if path_info.startswith(script_name):
                environ['PATH_INFO'] = path_info[len(script_name):]

        scheme = environ.get('HTTP_X_SCHEME', '')
        if scheme:
            environ['wsgi.url_scheme'] = scheme
        return self.app(environ, start_response)

def create_app():
    _app = Flask(
            import_name=__name__,
            template_folder='admin/templates/',
            static_folder='admin/static/')

    # used for encrypting cookies for handling sessions
    _app.config['SECRET_KEY'] = 'abc492ee-9739-11e6-a174-07f6b92d4a4b'
    _app.config['ROOT_URL'] = environ.env.config.get(ConfigKeys.ROOT_URL, domain=ConfigKeys.WEB, default='/')

    message_queue_type = environ.env.config.get(ConfigKeys.TYPE, domain=ConfigKeys.QUEUE, default=None)
    if message_queue_type is None and not (len(environ.env.config) == 0 or environ.env.config.get(ConfigKeys.TESTING)):
        raise RuntimeError('no message queue type specified')

    message_queue = 'redis://%s' % environ.env.config.get(ConfigKeys.HOST, domain=ConfigKeys.CACHE_SERVICE, default='')
    message_channel = 'dino_%s' % environ.env.config.get(ConfigKeys.ENVIRONMENT, default='test')

    logger.info('message_queue: %s' % message_queue)

    _socketio = SocketIO(
            _app,
            logger=logger,
            engineio_logger=os.environ.get('DINO_DEBUG', '0') == '1',
            async_mode='eventlet',
            message_queue=message_queue,
            channel=message_channel)

    # preferably "emit" should be set during env creation, but the socketio object is not created until after env is
    environ.env.out_of_scope_emit = _socketio.emit

    _app.wsgi_app = ReverseProxied(ProxyFix(_app.wsgi_app))

    return _app, _socketio

app, socketio = create_app()
environ.init_web_auth(environ.env)

# keep this, otherwise flask won't find any routes
import dino.admin.routes


text:
'Our home, your sanctuary' - new tourism campaign touts Seychelles as safe destination
Tourism |Author: Sharon Ernesta | September 23, 2020, Wednesday @ 11:05| 5398 views
The board revealed that the campaign, amidst times of uncertainty, aims to give travellers worldwide hope and the prospect of escaping the harsh COVID-19 realities by calling them to submerge themselves in the natural allure of Seychelles as a pristine paradise. (Gerard Larose, Seychelles Tourism Board)
(Seychelles News Agency) - A new campaign with the tagline 'Experience Seychelles; our home, your sanctuary' launched by the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) on Tuesday aims at boosting visitor confidence in the island nation as a safe destination.
The board revealed that the campaign, amidst times of uncertainty, aims to give travellers worldwide hope and the prospect of escaping the harsh COVID-19 realities by calling them to submerge themselves in the natural allure of Seychelles as a pristine paradise.
'Experience Seychelles; our home, your sanctuary' - highlighted in a series of videos - follows STB's digital campaign 'Dream now, Experience Seychelles Later' launched in April this year.
STB's chief executive Sherin Francis told a press conference that the campaign is paving the way for the destination to present various markets and segments with other marketing initiatives that are to come.
"We are aware that in these uncertain times and in a competitive environment, the conversion of this campaign to actual sales of holidays will not be immediate. This is why we feel it is important for us to remain visible to our potential clients."
Seychelles and its economy has been hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and global travel downturn, but not by the virus itself. Seychelles has seen no deaths from the virus and for now there are seven active cases.
According to Francis the timing for the release of the campaign has been chosen purposely as it is focusing on a long-term visibility strategy to reboot travel in the islands.
The hotelier explained the word sanctuary offers visitors a safe place to come and where they can extend their stay up to three months and work as well while waiting for things to improve. (Fregate Island Private) Photo License: All Rights Reserved
"After much preparation with the help of our government and local industry partners, we have seen that the destination is ready to welcome visitors to our islands. Whilst the campaign's main aim is to remind visitors that there is a secluded paradise awaiting their arrival, it also highlights the safety measures and procedures were taken by tourism establishments to ensure travellers can experience Seychelles without worries" added Francis.
Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association chairperson (SHTA), Sybille Cardon, said that the association and the private sector have welcomed and supported this new campaign.
"It is important like the CEO has said that Europe, in general, does not forget Seychelles. If they want to, they can dream they can always see images, the beaches and all that we have here, which makes them want to come and take refuge here in Seychelles," said Cordon.
(The Seychelles Islands, Facebook)
Seychelles – 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean – reopened its borders on June 1, for leisure boats, chartered and private flights. Two months later on August 1, the airport reopened for commercial flights to restart the tourism industry. Since then up to the first week of September, some 2,600 tourists have travelled to Seychelles. But this is a far cry to what the islands were used to before COVID -19 when this was the daily number of visitors who arrived here.
Tags: STB, Seychelles Tourism Board, COVID-19, 'Experience Seychelles; our home, your sanctuary', 'Dream now, Experience Seychelles Later'


text:
See Medalist
UAAP-MENS
Karim Abdul not yet 100 percent post surgery, but expects to be in top form by Final Four
by Reuben Terrado
He has yet to hit top form, but Karim Abdul is doing fine and is averaging almost 10 points. AP
KARIM Abdul admitted he is still not a hundred percent healthy after knee surgery, and probably won't be in top form until the UAAP Final Four.
That's still quite a while, with the first round of eliminations just about to finish, but UST's Cameroonian import vowed to keep fighting especially on defense as the Tigers battle vie for a place in the playoffs.
"By the Final Four, hopefully I'm 100 percent healthy," said Abdul.
Despite playing hurt following surgery to remove bone spurs in his left knee, Abdul is averaging 9.7 points and 8.3 rebounds for the Tigers.
He has posted a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds for UST in its 77-61 win over La Salle for a share of the lead Far Eastern Uiversity at 5-1.
"I still haven't recovered from the surgery I had with my knee. I'm still working on it," said Abdul.
Progress has been fine, although Abdul revealed the medical team didn't see the real problems at first.
"It was bone spurs last April but I still have tight muscles. I'm working on strengthening and releasing, and those stuff," said Abdul.
"Actually, the problem is we were kinda slow to detect what was wrong so when our strength and conditioning coach realized what's wrong. That's where he changed my workouts and all that stuff. We are getting into it," said Abdul.
In his effort to conserve energy, Abdul said he has been focusing more on defense more so since the team already has a lot of scorers this season in Kevin Ferrer, who is averaging 18.5 points, and Ed Daquiaog, who contributes 17 points per outing.
"I'm focusing on defense since we have scorers like Kevin, Ed, and Embons (Bonleon). They can shoot the threes. I don't want to waste my energy. I want to focus on defense," said Abdul.
Abdul, with renewed optimism, is now also much different than the player that had been calling out teammates for failing to step up.
The Cameroonian believes the Growling Tigers, who last won the UAAP crown in 2006, can still fight for the championship in his final year with the team.
"I still believe in this team. I still believe that we can win the championship. That's why we are doing our best to realize it," said Abdul.
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ust ,
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