There are approximately 500,000 abandoned mines across the U.S., which pose a considerable, pervasive risk to human health and the environment due to possible exposure to the residuals of heavy metal extraction. Historically, a variety of chemical and biological methods have been used to reduce the bioavailability of the metals at abandoned mine sites. Biochar is emerging as a novel soil amendment for agriculture and environmental applications that can be used to increase soil carbon, adjust soil pH, supply and retain nutrients, reduce heavy metal bioavailability, improve soil water holding and infiltration, sequester carbon, and provide refugia for soil organisms.
Biochar is a charcoal-like, carbon-rich, porous byproduct of thermal pyrolysis or gasification. What makes biochar unique is that its properties are tunable, meaning that they can be manipulated or adjusted to optimize the benefits of using it as a soil amendment. It has the potential to complex and immobilize heavy metals to reduce bioavailability in situ. Simultaneously, biochar can improve soil conditions for plant growth and promote the establishment of a soil-stabilizing native plant community to reduce offsite movement of metal-laden waste materials.
Because biochar properties depend upon feedstock selection, pyrolysis production conditions, and the activation procedures used, they can be designed to meet specific remediation needs and specific soil remediation situations. However, techniques are needed to optimally match biochar characteristics with metals contaminated soils to effectively reduce metal bioavailability Ongoing research at Formosa Mine in Oregon and other sites to immobilize heavy metals from tailings and revegetate the soil will be presented."
Mark Johnson has a Ph.D. in Soil Chemistry from Cornell University (1985) and has worked at EPA since 1985. The goal of Dr. Johnson?s work as an EPA Research Soil Scientist is to conduct world-class, state-of-the-science research in support of the mission of the EPA. His research at EPA has covered a wide range of topics including the effects of acid rain on soil, managing soil carbon, understanding the belowground effects of climate change, nanoparticles in the environment, and biochar as a soil amendment. He is the author/co-author of more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and reports.
In 2009, EPA launched an initiative to explore the use of bio-energy to combat greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and as a potentially sustainable and renewable source of energy. To support this Agency need Dr. Johnson began investigating pyrolysis (heating biomass in the absence of oxygen), using waste biomass, as one such energy source and as a potential source of very stable carbon (i.e., biochar) that could be used for carbon sequestration. This led to research on producing and characterizing biochar to improve the fertility and water holding capacity of well-used, sandy, coastal plain soils in the southeastern U.S. that have been in agriculture for more than 150 years.
Dr. Johnson?s current biochar research is on designing and evaluating biochars for use as a soil amendment for improving soil quality, preventing water pollution, sequestering carbon and for soil restoration, revitalization and remediation. He also conducts research on the effects, fate and movement of manufactured nanoparticles in the environment.


Portfolio mix, stocks, bonds… what does it all mean? You're probably heard the terms on the business news — stock prices up or down — but with a lot more colorful language than that. Our brokers demystify share trading and investment for inexperienced investors as well as providing resources that explain investment jargon and concepts in plain language.
To start investing you need to know your risk level, your time frame, and your financial goals. This is when you're best advised to secure the skills, professionalism and expertise of someone else – usually a broker – to do the managing for you. The dynamic nature of markets and the immutable nature of particular goals demand that our investment advisors adopt a more adaptable approach to investing. If you're seeking specific solutions to add diversification to your portfolio, our income strategies draw on our deep and long-tenured research team. This combination of fundamental research and experience guides us as we look for opportunities to increase yield and provide diversification for our clients.
An expertly managed portfolio was once reserved for the few.


Silent Roof Systems provides a revolutionary alternative to conservatory conversions in Belfast.
We provide a cost-effective, revolutionary conservatory conversion system in Belfast and surrounding areas, including Dundonald, Carryduff, Finaghy, Dunmurry, Andersonstown, Hannahstown, Botanic, Stranmillis, Malone, Castlereagh, Lambeg, Ormeau Road, Ravenhill, Springfield, etc.
We supply and fit the innovative Silent Roof System in Belfast. This helps reduce noise, glare, heat build up in summer and helps insulate your conservatory in winter.


The Navy is scheduled to begin providing free tuberculosis testing today for people who may have been exposed to the disease over the last six months at Naval Base Point Loma.
The testing is scheduled to be held at the base's Old Town complex, where people might have been exposed to TB between October 1st of last year and January 31st in building OT3.
County health officials said more potential exposures could have taken place between February 1st and April 7th at building 40. Testing there is scheduled for May 15 and 16.
County public health officials say it's important to find out who has been exposed because treatment can minimize the chance of developing active TB.


text:
What is Stonegrill
The 5 Concepts
Find a Stonegrill
We designed the STONEGRILL® concept and proudly launched it to the world in 1985, though it all started in the 1950s.
Officially launched in 1985...
After more than 30 years of the Verwey family cooking on stones, and further years of exhaustive research and development, the STONEGRILL® dining experience was born and launched in the mid-80's.
In 1985 the first STONEGRILL® Restaurant, opened in Australia by the company founders, the Verwey family. The company, Stonegrill International Pty. Ltd. and the STONEGRILL® brand was established in 1991 by the family as a private company, and proudly remains so today.
Since it's introduction, STONEGRILL® has captured the interest of diners, restaurateurs and entrepreneurs throughout the world, and has been incorporated into hundreds of restaurants, cafes, international hotels, clubs and resorts with outstanding success.
The company's launch on the international market in the 90's was met with rapid global expansion. This expansion is reflected by the concepts' success amongst operators internationally, ensuring strong continued growth of the company, and the brand name in a world-wide market.
The past decades has seen the company, and the STONEGRILL® brand expand throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific, United Kingdom and Europe, becoming a dominant force globally.
Stonegrill® has hundreds of operations
We are now poised to expand even further
STONEGRILL® now has hundreds of operations throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific, the United Kingdom, Europe and the Middle East and has recently begun to expand its operations into the U.S.A. and Canada.
The Team at STONEGRILL® are launching an even stronger presence in the USA with 'THE STONEGRILL® EXPERIENCE' this is the latest evolution of the concept as the team with over 100 years combined hospitality experience offers an exciting collection of concepts perfect for re-branding and redevelopment of any food and beverage operation.
'THE STONEGRILL® EXPERIENCE' offers complete turn key solutions, menu graphics, full recipes and processes from a team who own and operate multi-venue chains. This innovation from industry leaders is ground breaking and offers extraordinary insight into developing successful STONEGRILL® concepts.
With our clients – our 'Rockstars' – developing new sites all the time the growing network of licensed STONEGRILL® operators continue to expand world-wide into new countries and markets, building upon its proven success and international reputation for quality.
Our Head Team
Tony Wheeler
Sales and Development
Tony Wheeler has nearly 40 years' experience with sales and service in the hospitality industry in New Zealand and the USA.
Since 1999, as Managing Director Raising the Bar Consulting, he has worked with hundreds of craft bars, taverns, theme bars, clubs, gastro bars & restaurants across NZ and the USA, investing passion and expertise into changing the dynamics of global hospitality. Tony promotes innovative yet critical thinking; he offers statistics, tactics and information along with an engaging energy to assist businesses to improve their brand and operation. His ability to positively influence the core culture of an operation has been pivotal in the turn-around of a huge number of failing bars and restaurants.
Tony is also the owner and developer of the Jimmy Jacks Rib Shack & Craft Bars and the co-owner of Orange Door Music Video USA. Orange Door is the 3rd biggest music video system producer in the USA and Canadian markets, with over 500 US clients. In New Zealand, Tony is the driving force in brand development and marketing of CBK Group: Craft Bar & Kitchen; a fast-growing restaurant brand that is currently in the middle of a multi-property roll-out across the country.
Multi-property and brand development has become Tony's main focus in recent years, investing insight and expertise gained from his extensive work throughout the US in recent years. However, he continues to support operators large and small to develop the best in music video, sports media and digital media marketing, food and beverage programs and venue rituals right across the spectrum of bar and restaurant development.
Following successful careers in Management and Financial Planning, Tony Scott established the New Zealand flagship Stonegrill restaurant in 1996. Such was his confidence in the brand and his vision for the way it could be tailored to a global market, Tony purchased the Stonegrill Master License for NZ, and then later for the UK. Under Tony's expert eye, financial savvy and ability to turn innovative ideas into profitable and unique solutions, Stonegrill restaurants are now well-recognised, high-performing operations across the length and breadth of each country.
His many years in the hospitality industry have honed Tony's ability to read the market and capitalise on current trends, while ensuring that ideas are implemented in a way that ensure business sustainability and longevity. In 2014 he designed and developed CBK Craft Bar and Kitchen – a concept operation that he successfully launched in the tourist hub of Rotorua. The concept immediately took hold and Tony has been successfully rolling CBK out throughout the country as a thriving multi-outlet brand. There are now six CBK locations in NZ, and more in the pipeline.
Continuing to utilise his talent of developing an innovative idea or current trend into a successful business, Tony is currently well underway with developing his most recent business – the Sidecar Brewing Company. Sidecar will produce a range of craft beers and cider to be initially sold exclusively in CBK/Stonegrill locations, further enhancing the image of uniqueness and desirability for both brands; before being rolled out to other hospitality sites nationwide.
In addition, a new craft concept called the Sidecar Craft Pizza Bar & Eatery, offering Sidebar craft beers, Stonegrill and stone-cooked pizza, is about to be launched in the market.
Tony's creative, big picture vision coupled with his focus on detail and finding practical solutions is a huge asset in an industry where it is vital to stand out from any competitors and to offer quality, interesting products to customers. He continues to be excited about supporting new and existing operators to get the most out of their businesses by thinking boldly and producing a quality product and service.
Gain the competitive edge - join the Stonegrill® revolution...
tony-wheeler@stonegrill.co.nz
© Copyright 2021 - Stonegrill NZ - All Rights Reserved. a slightly different website
Order Replacement Stock Online

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Archer School Expansion
Brentwood School Expansion
Mount St. Mary's University
California Incline
Caruso Palisades Village
View Sunset Traffic
Mount St. Mary's Perpetuates Decades of Permit Violations
by Community Organizer —	April 23, 2019
BRENTWOOD COMMUNITY DEMANDS ANSWERS
The Brentwood residentially-zoned community surrounding Mount St. Mary's has long been suffering from the significant negative impacts of the University's illegal and unpermitted activities. Over the years, MSM has far exceeded its approved enrollment numbers and benefited from leasing out its facilities for commercial events in violation of its long-held City permits. This out-of-control growth has compromised the community's quality of life with crippling traffic conditions and increased fire danger. A long-time Bundy Canyon resident laments, "We have seen the traffic to and from Mount St. Mary's College grow year after year. Students, supply trucks, buses, MSM trucks, employees and staff of the College drive carelessly through our streets."
MSM now proposes a 38,000 sq. ft. 2-story Wellness Pavilion and Events Center, which is actually a Trojan Horse for a massive increase in enrollment, traffic and parking, leased and rented events including summer camps, conferences, workshops, seminars, speaker series, retreats, filming and sports activities with hundreds of attendees per event. This proposed expansion is currently under environmental review by the LA Department of City Planning.
The narrow windy Bundy Canyon roads were not designed to handle the thousands of car trips MSM's increased student population and events would bring. In fact, MSM's current operations generate over 2,000 daily vehicle trips speeding up and down Bundy Canyon. As retired LA City Traffic Engineer Allyn Rifkin warns, "These substandard roads in a high fire area are inadequate for the amount of current and future traffic generated by Mount St. Mary's University." Fire expert Peter M. Bryan amplifies these serious concerns, "The narrow streets in the area significantly limit the ability of emergency fire apparatus to respond quickly to the University and surrounding homes. Construction traffic only serves to increase the difficulty of emergency apparatus response."
This is why Sunset Coalition along with Brentwood Residents Coalition submitted a letter of Revocation in May, 2018 to the City requesting an investigation and possible revocation of the University's current permits. The substantial evidence sourced from the City's and MSM's own archives, documents a decades-long pattern and practice of violations, self-serving attitude and disregard for the safety of the surrounding community.
The Coalition facilitated several meetings with Councilmember Bonin's office and the Department of City Planning, in order to address the long-simmering traffic and other safety issues. While the City is working on responding to our request, we recently followed up with an additional letter giving the City the opportunity to correct the fundamental errors in MSM's environmental documents. According to attorney Doug Carstens, the City has a responsibility to provide the public with accurate information in its environmental documents. Failure of the City to correct the serious errors makes a mockery of the public process.
Please join us in this request and click here to send a message to the City.
Click here for more information about the proposed expansion and a list of relevant documents and letters
Click here to send a Message to the City Council
Please Help With Donations
Support our mission to reduce traffic and protect the safety and quality of life for the Brentwood Community along the Sunset Corridor. We are grateful for all the contributions that we receive and we will continue to work hard on your behalf. All donations are welcome – no donation is too small (or too big)!
Or mail a check directly to the law firm representing the Coalition:
Chatten-Brown & Carstens
2200 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 318
In the "Pay to the order of" please put "Chatten-Brown & Carstens" and in the memo area, please put "Sunset Coalition".
Sign Up & Keep Informed:
Archer Halts Massive Expansion
Brentwood School Construction Continues
Mount St. Mary's Out of Control Growth
Koretz Loosens Restrictions for Hillside Development
Copyright © 2019 The Sunset Coalition. All Rights Reserved.


text:
POP CULTURE.
POP CULTURE.
Jay-Z Gives a Master Class on How to Headline a Music Festival at #MeadowsNYC (Video)
Day 1 of the Meadows Music and Arts Festival is in the books and there was no doubt who the people came to see on Friday night. NYC's (Brooklyn) own Shawn Carter (Jay-Z, HOV, HOVA, Iceberg…) gave a master class on how to headline a music festival. This should come as no surprise to anyone, Hov has been in the game for 22 years, has 13 solo albums, and hits for days. When headlining a festival an artist like Jay-Z will obviously have die hard fans in attendance who love the "B sides" but there will be a large contingent of people who only know the singles. Hov performed for roughly 90 minutes and left everyone walking away satisfied after watching a master craftsman at work.
At this stage of his career, we don't even need any new music from Hov. But don't get it twisted '4:44' was, as the kids say, lit. The best project the rapper has released in years. However his catalog is so expansive he can just rake in hundreds of millions over the rest of his life doing a greatest hits tour with the "appropriate" amount of "B sides". Last night, that was kind of what we got.
The Marcy Projects native opened the set with "Run This Town" "No Church in the Wild" and "Lucifer." The first song, one of his stadium "bangers", got the crowd hyped with the opening piano chords and the sounds of Rihanna singing the chorus. Once Hov grabbed the mic and uttered "We are…" the excitement level of the crowd jumped another level and everyone began rapping along with the God MC. It was a tremendous opening to the set. He led with a song all level of Hov fans know, and it's a collaboration with the biggest names in music. Followed it with another single from the Watch The Thrones album and concluded with a "B side" from The Black Album.
The assembled crowd is now in full lather, waiting for the next song. While Hov is talking to his tour DJ and longtime producer Guru, I overhear a conversation from a group of twenty somethings. The crux of the conversation is, who they think Hov will bring on stage. Special/surprise guests have been a thing in live shows forever and many people often attend shows with that hope. Personally, it doesn't much matter to me but I was curious to see if any of their guesses would be proved correct. They weren't. Hov begins "Bam", a serious smoker off the afore mentioned '4:44', and in typical Hov fashion he stops it, and talks to Guru about the crowd being so hyped that they need to come correct. When he restarts "Bam" none other than Damian "Junior Gong" Marley appears on stage. The youngest child of the global cultural icon, Robert Nesta Marley aka "Tuff Gong". The crowd lost their collective shit as the reggae beats pulsated from the speakers, Marley and Hov were effortless in their performance showing great on stage chemistry. Hov then gave Marley the stage and let him perform his classic "Welcome to Jamrock" to keep the reggae vibe going. Hov then followed with "Where I'm From" another "B side".
From here on out Hov alternated between his many hits and classics, sprinkled in with the new material from '4:44', which is quickly moving up the ranks as one of my favorite Jay albums. From his flow on "Marcy Me", "Family Feud", "Moonlight" and "The Story of OJ" this is high level Hov. "Marcy Me" in particular on Friday night had a special sound to it when Hov said:
"Streets is my artery, the vein of my existence
I'm the Gotham City heartbeat
I started in lobbies now, parley with Saudis
Sufi to the goofies I could probably speak Farsi
That's poetry read a coca leaf from my past"
Not one for a lot of long drawn out talk sessions during his concerts Hov did pay homage to a few people. He dedicated "The Story of OJ" to Colin Kaepernick, the late comedian Dick Gregory and "to anyone that was held back and you overcame." Hov also performed "Numb/Encore" in its entirety and dedicated it to the late Chester Bennington of Linkin Park.
Something I've noticed about Jay as he's gotten past the "Young Hov" stage, he's quick to let people know that he's still got it. During Friday night's performance of "Heart of the City" he did a mean a cappella outro. Yes, if there was any doubt, Hov's still got it.
We are long past the point of Hov dropping a fire album every year or eighteen months. But we don't need that. The hip hop master and God MC is a husband, father of three, and CEO (well maybe co-CEO. What you got on that Bey?) of a billion dollar enterprise. He is a master performer with decades in the game. He understands and knows how to deliver every time it is required. Friday night's performance was a de facto dress rehearsal for his upcoming North American tour in support of '4:44', and if that was an indication of what to expect, Hov fans are in for a tremendous show.
See Hov at Meadows performing classics like "Izzo" "PSA" "Empire State of Mind" and more.


text:
Murkowski Unveils Legislation Authorizing President to Set Oil Spill Liability and Expedite Compensation to Gulf Residents
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today proposed legislation to address a number of concerns raised by the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, including a provision to expedite payments to those most impacted by the spill.
The bill would authorize the president to set liability on offshore oil and gas projects on a case-by-case basis at time of lease using a set of criteria, including a company's safety record and the depth and pressure of the reserve being developed. Responsibility for claims in excess of an individual cap would be shared by all offshore operators in U.S. waters.
"There are areas where we know the risks of drilling for oil are higher and it's appropriate that operators in those areas have higher liability limits," Murkowski said. "My goal with this legislation is to ensure that we set an appropriate level of liability to protect our oceans and coastlines without damaging our ability to produce the resources our economy depends on."
To speed payment to those affected by the oil spill, Murkowski's bill would establish an administrative process - with an administrator named by the president and confirmed by the Senate - to approve compensation claims without requiring a prolonged court battle. It would also limit attorney fees related to the Gulf spill to 5 percent of compensation.
"There is real concern out there about the prompt payment of claims," Murkowski said. "People are looking for a level of assurance that they will be made whole. An independent administrator assures Gulf residents they're not up against Big Oil all alone."
The bill would also increase the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to $10 billion by raising the fee paid by the oil industry to 21-cents for each barrel of oil produced in or imported to the united States. Increasing the total amount in the fund, which currently has a balance of $1.6 billion, would ensure funding is available to respond in case of future spills.
Under the bill, the U.S. Coast Guard would receive a substantial increase in research and development funding and authority to bring oil spill response technology into the 21st century.
The bill restrict oil transportation in Arctic waters to pipelines rather than tankers to reduce the potential for spills.
The legislation also acknowledges the clear and present risks and impacts to coastal states which elect to participate in oil and gas development off of their shores by directing 37.5 percent of the federal revenues to states and affected communities.
"States that host offshore drilling bear a greater share of the risks and therefore deserve a fair share of the economic benefits," Murkowski said.
Murkowski, the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is crafting the legislation with input from Gulf-state senators and groups such as Oxfam, working on behalf of oil-spill victims,.
"The oil spill in the Gulf is a very emotional issue for all of us," Murkowski said. "I want to make sure we enact legislation based on good, sound policy that will benefit the residents of the Gulf and not simply try to score political points based on partisanship."
Murkowski said she plans to add language, before introducing the bill later this week, that would create regional advisory councils for the Gulf of Mexico region modeled after a system put in place in Alaska after the Exxon Valdez spill.
Murkowski urged the Senate leadership to take up the Oil Spill Compensation Act of 2010 quickly and not try to combine it with broader energy and climate legislation.
"If these measures get mired in the debate over cap-and-trade, then I'm afraid we'll have failed the people of the Gulf in their time of greatest need," Murkowski said. "The efforts we've seen so far to push cap-and-trade legislation on the backs of the victims of the Gulf spill have been unconscionable."
The full text of the Oil Spill Compensation Act of 2010 is attached, along with a sectional overview.


Information once of limited availability is now on the internet. Some are free, some for sale. Overhead satellite photos, court documents, historical archives, social media that inadvertently shows significant features.
Non-governmental organizations can check up on government claims. Here is a report analyzing overhead photos of a North Korean missile base. An interactive website tours the Russian nuclear test site on the Novaya Zemlya island chain, far above the Arctic Circle. A Twitter thread outlines the project.
The Bellingcat group has investigated the two GRU agents who probably carried out the poisoning of Sergey and Yulia Skripal by nerve agents and the incident between Russian and Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait. Emptywheel has mined court and other documents to understand the Mueller investigation of Russian influence on the 2016 elections.
These investigations are of as high a quality as can be achieved by national intelligence organizations. But typically the national intelligence organizations would keep their investigations secret.
There are two major reasons for that secrecy: to keep others from knowing the information, and protection of sources and methods. The others from whom the information is kept may be other nations, but they may also be the citizens of the agency's own nation. Both Lyndon Johnson and George W. Bush lied about bringing the United States into wars. That becomes more difficult with open-source intelligence to check the claims.
For example, Trump has claimed that North Korea has ended its nuclear weapons programs, but satellite photos show that missile emplacements are still operating and even expanding.
The intelligence agencies may well collect similar information and come to similar conclusions. They watch the open-source version make its way across the internet, independent of their actions. Inadvertent acquisition of this information on computers may require that the computers be scrubbed.
And then there's the possibility that the open-source investigators will beat the agencies to a conclusion. The agencies have been reluctant to use open sources. I'm not sure how they feel about that these days.
Conversely, excessive requirements of secrecy can make governing harder. The nature of the Russian violation of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty has just been made public, after several years of American claims denied by the Russians. There is no obvious reason why the information on which the claims are based could not have been made public, and the impasse might have been solved.
Governments have always used declassification or leaks to make selected information public. Turkey is currently releasing information, a bit at a time, about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi to confound both the United States and Saudi Arabia. Turkey has managed to keep the story in the headlines in this way and can be expected to continue until President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan feels he has accomplished his goals or is dissuaded from them.
"Information conflict" might be a better descriptor of what is commonly called "cyberwar." An analogy with dropping bombs and shooting is misleading. Cyberweapons have a liability that physical weapons do not: once they are used, the opponent can develop defenses against them.
On the one hand, that makes secrecy about capabilities and intentions in information conflict more important than in conventional warfare, and on the other, it makes those weapons much more transient. New ones must constantly be developed.
Breaking secrecy can become a counter. US Cyber Command is sending messages directly to known Russian operatives and is making their code public. This is as destructive as, say bombing a factory. It is also a tool that can be used more than once, so it is much more powerful than operations carried out purely with code.
Casting governance as an information system may give insight into better ways to defend from the social-media sabotage aimed at the 2016 US election.
The internet is changing intelligence gathering and information warfare. We need entirely new ways of thinking that are only beginning to develop.


text:
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates (left) and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Peter Pace in press conference.
There is great tension between Iran, that wants to continue its nuclear enrichment programme & America that wants to abandon it. As far as United Nations Organisation is concerned, it has also imposed sanctions against Iran in December 2006, for not stopping its nuclear enrichment programme. America has been accusing Iran that it has been secretly continuing its nuclear enrichment programme for making its nuclear armaments. But Iran has been refusing the same by saying that its nuclear enrichment programme is not for military objectives & it is for meeting its needs relating to the required energy.
As the tension on the above issue was going on between America & Iran, in the meantime America has expressed over Iran its anger for putting on it the responsibility of fuelling the extreme activities in Iraq. America feels that the American soldiers being killed by the Shia extreme groups are the groups supported by Iran. Now the American president George Bush has ordered, to the extent, to his soldiers deployed in Iraq, to face all the dangers openly being felt from Iran. Surprising the America supported Iraq leadership between Iraq and Iran whereas America is blaming Iran for the violence happening in Iraq and its warning Iran for it. America says that it has been watching Iranian activities in Iraq for the last two years.
In fact, regarding the circumstances in Iran, the Bush administration is feeling itself in a fix. In spite of the great opposition in the American parliament the Bush administration has decided to send twenty thousand American soldiers to Iraq. President Bush has felt that if America is not successful in Iraq, that will prove very pernicious at the same time, American policy regarding Iraq is being opposed in the world. According to a survey 71% people of the world do not agree to American policy whereas 57% of the American population do not agree to it. At present, the Iraq policy in America is being criticised in the world but it is also being doubted that America may be finding new excuses to start war against Iran. The entire world seems worried because of the doubt full behaviour of George Bush, over Iran.
This perplexity can be visualized in the American senate also. In the last days, a parliamentarian Walter Jones from George Bush's Republican Party with the support of ten other parliamentarians put a bill in the American congress. The purpose of this bill was that President Bush should not be allowed to attack Iran without the permission of parliament. Regarding a question about this bill, a democrat parliamentarian said that the need of this was felt because the Bush administration has already told a lie, many a time, before the Iraq war. The vice president of America Dick Cheney also said the same by starting — from by its efforts of supporting the Islamic fundamentalist and by its atomic weapons is increasing the tension in the area. As a result of it the communal violence in Iraq is on the increase. It is also important to remember that last year, during the war between Israel & Hezbollah, America has blamed from of helping Hezbollah.
There tense circumstances between America & Iran got a new turn when on the last February 4th the second secretary Jalal Sharafi, working in Iranian embassy in Baghdad was kidnapped in Baghdad. Iran has directly held America responsible for this kidnapping. A spokesman from Iranian foreign ministry, Mohammad Ali husaini has said that — Sharafi has been kidnapped by a group that belongs to Iraqi defence ministry and they worked under the supervision of American forces. According to the Iranian spokesman- Irani Islamic republic has held American forces, present in Iraq, responsible for the life and security of its Ambassador. On the other hand American defence spokesman has refused the involvement of the American or Iraqi soldiers in the kidnapping of Sharafi. Undoubtedly such incidents in this atmosphere of tension between America & Iran worsen the situation. Before this, in the last December the American forces have arrested many employees of Iranian commercial embassy. Iran had given formal information to America about this. About the reaction of the arrest of these Iraqi persons, Iran had stated that this work of arrests in an attack on the supremacy of Iraq and is an insult to Iraqi people. Iran also told these arrests as breaking of international treaties. And more surprising is that a minister of Iraqi government has been arrested because of helping the extreme organisation. He is accused if having secret relations with Iran. This arrest has been made by American and Iraq armies.
These circumstances clearly reveal that the controversy, between Iran & America, on the basis of nuclear enrichment is taking a dangerous turn on the pretext of law & order in Iraq. Day by day, the increasing incidents of extremist in Iraq are making common Iraqi population as its prey and now even the American soldiers. The bad to worse turning circumstances have compelled America to put pressure on Iran at many points. America states that it has some Iranian people under the custody of his army, who are doubted for supplying arms and arms technology to the Shia extremists in Iraq. Iran is also deeply watching the warnings given by America. Iranian president Ahmadi Nejad is always there to reply all the warnings issued by America. In the last days Ayatollah khameini, the supreme religious leader of Iran has challenged to the extent, by saying that — if America dares to attack Iran, there will be a world wide reaction against the enemy and the American interest in world will be aimed at. It is to be noted that Ayatollah khameini has deep say in the Iranian society and he is seen as the supreme religious leader and spiritual guide in Iran. Khameini is respected in the Shia society in the entire world including Iran.
America too has not denied the use of defence power against Iran in future. Obviously, it is natural for the people of world to be worried over these tense circumstances. It is being felt that if America and Iran indulge in war, the instability and anarchy in the Middle East will increase. There can be a great scarcity of oil in the world, and the world may have to face new economic problems. If America attacks Iran, Iran will have a sound pretext for getting nuclear armaments for the security of his country.
Now the present circumstances are that the Bush administration has lost the faith in the world because of false excesses of attacking Iraq. Now the people of the world as well as the American people believe that the present American president is taking these baseless steps which are not proper. As America has attacked Iraq on the pretext of nuclear armaments that are not good for humanity, is it not so that the Bush administration is finding some excused to attack Iran? As Iran is also refusing all allegations levelled against it by America as was in the case of Saddam Husain. These allegations may be of nuclear enrichment programme or if helping violent activities in Iraq. Iran has been telling that these allegations are baseless and made up. Iran says that it is desirous of establishing peace in his neighbour country Iraq. The motive of Iran is not to spread instability and anarchy in Iraq. It argues if there is anarchy in Iraq, its adverse effect will be on Iran because Iraqi refugees will enter Iran in large number. That will be a great problem for Iran. But America after ignoring all these arguments of Iran is sticking to previous anti Iranian statements. These circumstances compel to say that an indirect war or a cold war has started between America & Iran and this war is in the territory of Iraq.


Madeleine is a Georgia based blogger and traveler who believes in quality over quantity in life, fashion, food, and travel. She is a military wife, wellness enthusiast, and mama to five kitties, chickens, and three dwarf goats. Madeleine loves to serve women by helping them save time and money by sharing her favorite experiences and travel spots at the best prices.
Demographic data for @madeleineraifordholland's audience is available for free to influence.co users.


text:
REWIND: Elastica - 'Line Up'
Posted on the 07 February 2014 by Rw/ff @rwffmusic
Today's Track Of The Day comes from Elastica. At first I only knew this group as "that band whose singer is Damon Albarn's girlfriend", but after hearing them on the excellent 'True Brit' compilation from 1996, as well as on the 'Trainspotting' soundtrack, I decided to rent out a copy of their self titled debut from the local library. In fact, for a while it was rumoured that Albarn wrote many of the tracks on that album, which was of course a lie. However he does appear on the LP playing keyboards, and is credited as 'Dan Abnormal'. A jagged but tuneful mixture of post-punk fueled earworms, it was always going to be difficult for them to follow their brilliant first album, which at the time was the fastest selling debut ever. Five years on, and with Britpop a thing of the past the group returned to a very different musical climate that wasn't very accepting, and the long-awaited second LP 'The Menace' flopped. It's doubtful we'll ever see this lot back on the same stage again, but for those who remain unaware of their brilliance there is always time to explore their superb work. Here is the classic 'Line Up', which was their second single, released in 1994. It spent three weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at #20 on 12 February 1994 and earning them their first chart entry.
https://www.facebook.com/Elastica.Fans?fref=ts
Rw/ff 10713 shares View profile
Listen to the RW/FF 2020 #7 Mixtape
MIX: Dance Like It's 1990 #6 Mixed by Ben P Scott
MIX: Dance Like Its 1990 #4 Mixed by Ben P Scott


Wills Grangers and guests traveled to Bedford County for their surprise September mystery trip. The day's excursion was planned by Jim and Esther Mowry and Helen Handwork.
With bright sunny weather, the tour group traveled to Shawnee State Park for their first stop. Fishermen and boat riders were observed taking advantage of the beautiful day at Shawnee Lake.
Shawnee State Park was named for American Indians who migrated westward in the early 1700s. The park is comprised of 3,983 acres. The focal point of the park is the 451 acre Shawnee Lake.
Shawnee State Park Camp grounds serve as a popular camping area with swimming, hunting, biking and walking trails too. The camp ground is opened the second Friday in April until the end of antlerless deer season in December.
Passing through Schellsburg, the next destination was Sleek Orchards. The acres of apple trees were laden with 30 different varieties of fruit. Sleek Orchards is a family owned and operated business, beginning with Joseph Sleek more than 50 years ago. Family member, Jackie Sleek, related her 27 years of experience in the operation with the younger generation now helping too. There are 50 acres of trees with peaches, sweet cherries, pears and apples grown. Strawberries, pumpkins, and other garden vegetables are newer items that are part of the orchard produce.
Leaving the orchard, the group continued to Gravity Hill. With very little advertisement and markings, this landmark is easily missed. Gravity Hill is a phenomenon. Cars roll uphill and water flows the wrong way. The laws of gravity have gone haywire and why it happens no one knows for sure.
Passing through New Paris and on to Fishertown, the group shared special remembrances of Glen and Barbara Handwork at the Fishertown Cemetery. In their memory, a mum was planted at their grave marker. Chaplain, Erma Jacobs, lead everyone in prayer.
The Handworks belonged to Wills Grange, Barbara - 42 years and Glen - 30 years, where they served as officers and shared their special talents. They also took part in numerous county and state grange activities. Mr. Handwork served as Pomona Grange Master in 1971 when the county hosted Pennsylvania State Grange. Their children, Robert and Helen, are members of Wills Grange - each belonging 35 years.
The tour concluded with a meal at The Apple Bin Restaurant.
The next meeting of Wills Grange will be held Oct. 20 at the Somerset Rural Electric Community Room at 7 p.m. Guest speaker will be Jill Durrant of the Next Step Center. The food pantry item of the month is a brownie or cake mix.


The second webinar in NLIHC's 2016 Voterization series, "Educating Voters and Candidates on Housing Issues," will be held on Monday, April 18 at 2:00pm ET. The webinar will provide detailed information on creating voter guides, participating in candidate forums, and getting candidates to take positions on issues through candidate questionnaires. If you missed the first webinar in our series covering voter registration and voter suppression, you can find a recording of the presentation and a copy of the slides at http://nlihc.org/library/voterization.
Throughout 2016 election season, NLIHC will offer webinars and resources to train advocates and service providers on how to carry out non-partisan voter engagement efforts with low income residents and their allies.
For questions, contact the field team at outreach@nlihc.org.


text:
'Unapologetically pro-life': Southern Baptists' rocky road to Roe's reversal
This article was written by Baptist Press Senior Writer Diana Chandler and was originally published by Baptist Press.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (BP) – Michael Hamlet's first sermon as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of North Spartanburg 38 years ago was on the sanctity of human life.
"I told my church then that we were going to be unapologetically pro-life and that abortion was going to be a major issue," he told Baptist Press days before the U.S. Supreme Court's historic June 24th reversal of Roe v. Wade. "This is something we thought, prayed about and I along with millions of others have thought and prayed, so it's a very, very exciting possibility."
Hamlet chaired the Resolutions Committee at the 2003 SBC Annual Meeting, the first time messengers approved a resolution calling for Roe's reversal.
An earlier 1982 resolution On Abortion and Infanticide called for legislation and constitutional amendments outlawing abortion except to save the life of the mother, but never before 2003 had messengers called for a reversal of the 1973 Supreme Court decision.
While Southern Baptists expressed as early as the 1971 Resolution on Abortion "a responsibility to affirm through the laws of the state a high view of the sanctity of human life, including fetal life;" the same resolution encouraged legislation "that will allow the possibility of abortion under such conditions as rape, incest, clear evidence of severe fetal deformity, and carefully ascertained evidence of the likelihood of damage to the emotional, mental, and physical health of the mother."
In 1974, in the year immediately after Roe v. Wade, Southern Baptists affirmed their 1971 stance with the resolution on Abortion and Sanctity of Human Life, vowing to continue to seek "God's guidance through prayer and study in order to bring about solutions to continuing abortion problems in our society."
Richard Land, president of the SBC Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) from 1988-2013, calls the earliest resolutions pro-choice. They came under the leadership of the Christian Life Commission, the precursor to the ERLC.
"At the time, the Christian Life Commission (CLC) staff, including President Foy Valentine, was all pro-choice, as was James Wood and James Dunn at the Baptist Joint Committee. Paul D. Simmons, who was radically pro-choice, was teaching ethics at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. That's when we got the 1971 pro-choice SBC resolution," Land said in a February interview with ERLC Content Editor Jill Waggoner.
"It came about in 1971 because some states were making their abortion laws more liberal, as part of the feminist movement," Land told Waggoner. "Southern Baptists were beginning to think about the issue, and the pro-life movement was beginning to make headway into SBC life.
"The CLC wanted to head it off at the pass. They used that resolution to support the Roe. v. Wade decision. They were anticipating the liberalization of abortion laws. They would file amicus briefs with this resolution as an attachment."
In 2003, Southern Baptists apologized for and repented of earlier resolutions that affirmed abortion.
Hamlet recalls the changing climate of the SBC that allowed the turnabout to take place through the submission and approval of the 2003 resolution On Thirty Years of Roe v. Wade.
"You saw a greater commitment to the Bible and the conservative resurgence that happened there in the '80s and '90s, because we couldn't have gotten that passed in the '70s, probably," Hamlet told Baptist Press, adding, "I don't know that."
In the early years after the passage of Roe v. Wade, Hamlet believes, Southern Baptists did not have a good grasp of what would occur under the ruling, nor a concept of its being overturned. But as time passed, and especially by 2003, the issue became clearer.
"There had to be a lot that happened in the Supreme Court, there had to be the right cases, etc., and now we see it. And I think we started to see it then," Hamlet said. "We had seen the election of presidents and senators and congressmen that were saying, willing to take the stand that they were pro-life.
"The more we learned, the more we see that Roe v. Wade was a wrong decision."
And then in 2003, Southern Baptists said unequivocally that Roe v. Wade was wrong.
"We reaffirm our belief that the Roe v. Wade decision was an act of injustice against innocent unborn children as well as against vulnerable women in crisis pregnancy situations, both of which have been victimized by a 'sexual revolution' that empowers predatory and irresponsible men and by a lucrative abortion industry that has fought against even the most minimal restrictions on abortion," the resolution reads in part.
"We humbly confess that the initial blindness of many in our Convention to the enormity of Roe v. Wade should serve as a warning to contemporary Southern Baptists of the subtlety of the spirit of the age in obscuring a biblical worldview," 2003 messengers affirmed. "We pray and work for the repeal of the Roe v. Wade decision and for the day when the act of abortion will be not only illegal, but also unthinkable."
Hamlet doesn't recall who submitted the 2003 resolution to the committee, but is confident it was a submitted resolution that did not originate in the committee.
"The way the system works, the resolutions committee sometimes receives a lot of resolutions," he said. "And then some we will choose to address and then some we will choose not to, and it's really up to the resolutions committee that year. And that is only the expression of that convention at that moment."
The preceding conservative resurgence and the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message helped set the climate for the 2003 resolution.
"When we passed that resolution in 2003, I think there were several factors. One, the Conservative Resurgence had caused a stronger commitment not just to life, but to the Word of God and conservative issues, and making an impact on our culture," Hamlet said. "Secondly, we had unapologetically made a stronger commitment in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and thirdly, I think that … as a Convention, we began to see much more how life was becoming, and abortion was becoming, a major issue in our country and that in order for us to address that, it was going to take a long time to do it, it was going to take some major changes, and that it was the view of the Convention in adopting that resolution, that we wanted to take a strong stand and we did not mean to be uncertain in any shape, form or fashion."
The 2003 resolution expressed repentance for earlier Southern Baptist resolutions on abortion.
"We had had some times that were a little confusing, some things that we regretted, so we wanted to be clear about where the Convention stood," Hamlet said, "and that's why that resolution had some of the stuff in it that it had about the historical perspective and really repenting of some decisions that we'd taken before.
"The 30th anniversary gave us an opportunity to go back and reexamine what we'd done before and on the basis of that, chart a new path, a much stronger path which I think, since that time, we have never done anything but to be strongly pro-life in anything that we did as a Convention."
Hamlet said the committee deserves no praise for the work.
"We were privileged to be part of the process of Southern Baptists in taking a stand for the Word of God in trying to be salt and light in our culture," he said. "I believe that in those years we were strengthening, because we knew it was going to take a while to overcome Roe v. Wade, because it was now obvious, even at that time, what was going to happen and what had to happen at the Supreme Court in order for that to take place, which is what we're seeing now."
Hamlet said he has long had hope of Roe's reversal, but "just didn't think we'd see it in our lifetime."
Southern Baptist advocacy for life doesn't end with the Supreme Court's latest ruling on abortion, Hamlet said.
"We will begin to contend for life in the states. What it says to me is that this is a way that Christians and that Southern Baptists as a denomination can seek to be salt and light in our culture."
PrevPrevious ArticleSupreme Court overturns Roe abortion decision
Next ArticleThreats of violence loom following SCOTUS decisionNext


The study is called PRIDE and stands for population research in identity and disparities for equality. Researchers will collect data for the study using an iPhone app and will sync the app with Apple's ResearchKit, which was first announced in early March.
When the study first launched, researchers will ask participants to express their health concerns so that researchers can then crowdsource health topics that are important within the LGBTQ community. Six to nine months after crowd-sourcing topics, researchers will start releasing questionnaires annually that take 30 minutes to complete. The app will also collect sensor data from HealthKit.
"Lesbian women are twice as likely to be obese than straight women, and we don't know why," PRIDE study co-director Juno Obedin-Maliver said in a statement. "That makes lesbian women susceptible to all kinds of health risks. It's the mission of The PRIDE Study, to research and get to the bottom of these kinds of LGBTQ health issues, and The PRIDE Study iPhone app will give us access a much wider population than previously possible." The PRIDE Study will launch in early 2016.


Grind the chia seeds in a coffe grinder, mix with the whole grain flour, vanilla sugar, cinnamon, plant based milk, and give them cca. 10 minutes.
Toast the bread slices at low heat just for 1-2 minutes to be a bit harder.
You can use a deep fryer as we, or heat oil in a frying pan, in this case fry both sides of the breads until golden brown.


You can't run? Join the start2run group, we'll take you over the finish line!
You can run? Go for 5km, or maybe 10km, or even 15km?
You ask your family and friends for a reward in case you achieve your challenge. Because the goal of this event is to raise money.
The goal is to raise €1000 for Villa Rozenrood. 'De Warmste Week' is an initiative from Studio Brussel (radiostation) and they invite everyone to raise money in their own way. So, we as Merkator are organizing the Merkator Run. During the week before Christmas, there is a heartwarming event at Puyenbroeck, Wachtebeke that brings all the money together.
Which initiative are we supporting?
We are running for Villa Rozenrood. This charity is a holiday destination for families with a disabled child. Villa Rozenrood not only offers the specific needs and care for the child, but also creates the environment so the whole family can recharge their batteries.
If you want to learn more, visit www.villarozenrood.be.


The ultimate one piece baselayer for cold conditions' made from super soft' stretchy Pontetorto fabric' treated with Polygiene for odour control. The soft' natural feeling fleece' flatlocked seam construction' and two way zipper access make it so comfy you'll never want to take it off.
Italian fleece specialists Pontetorto make warm, supple fabrics renowned for their soft, natural feel, and for being both highly elastic and resistant to snagging and pilling. Pontetorto's Tecnostretch waffle fleece is Bluesign certified.
Waffle fleece has air channels to allow excellent breathability and ventilation within the fabric, while remaining well insulating.


text:
> forked from [ceph/s3-tests](https://github.com/ceph/s3-tests)

Run Tests:

Add your IP of host in `test4zgw.conf` to `/etc/hosts`

Then:

```bash
./bootstrap
source virtualenv/bin/activate
./test4zgw.sh
```

To gather a list of tests being run, use the flags:

```bash
./virtualenv/bin/nosetests -v --collect-only
```

You can specify what test(s) to run:

```bash
./test.sh s3tests.functional.test_s3.test_bucket_list_empty
```

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Welcome to the Mushroom at Two Lights! This two bedroom, two bathroom cottage was built in 1910. It has been in our family for over 100 years, and we would like to make it available to families, couples, and individuals looking for a quiet, quaint coastal getaway in beautiful Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
Located 200 yards from Cape Elizabeth's Dyer Cove and the Two Lights Lighthouse, the Mushroom sits on three and a half acres of forest. The property's next door neighbor is Two Lights State Park. This location couldn't be better if you are looking to be near the water, scenic beaches (Cresent Beach, Kettle Cove, Higgins Beach, Scarborough Beach), and everything Southern Maine has to offer!
Imagine starting your day with the sound of the surf crashing on the rocks, as you look out over the woods and enjoy your first cup of coffee. In the evening, reading a book by the fire in the huge fireplace is the best way to wind down after an exciting day.
Visitors to the Mushroom consistently comment on one thing: its character. We've worked hard to preserve the history of the Mushroom, while keeping it comfortable with modern amenities. A washer and dryer are available, as well as High-Speed Internet (wi-fi), a television, a Wii, and a DVD player.
Interested in renting the Mushroom? It is available for as a vacation rental from June thru October. Weekly rentals only, please (Saturday to Saturday). Contact us to book your Maine vacation today!


[cvsnt] CVS/CVSNT archive format compatibility ?
Previous message: [cvsnt] Is it possible to run an update using a cgi script Apache/PHP running as LocalSystem using sspi on Win2000.
Next message: [cvsnt] Re: CVS/CVSNT archive format compatibility ?
used by CVSNT so different as to be incompatible with "plain" CVS ?
I have tried to find any info on this on the cvsnt.org site, but failed.
- Efficient storage of binary files using binary deltas.
is more important than performance).
This makes me believe that the formats are indeed incompatible.
Is that really the case ?
authoritative info on this archive file format issue.


I need a book – a book about birdsong. (Number 7 on the list of sentences I thought I would never write) You see most mornings I walk Fruit of Womb 2 through to the bus stop with the hounds and then walk back through the park. It's been quite dark for the last couple of months. (Well pitch black actually. Found myself wondering how dumb I was walking through park at this time and if two Jack Russells would be enough to ward off your average serial killer) However as the mornings have been getting a bit lighter I have found myself captivated by early morning birdsong. (Number 8 on above list. This is definitely old age) I don't know anything about birds but I can hear how different they all sound. The only one I recognise really is the robin which is very feisty and sings so loudly at us I keep expecting it to explode like the bird from Shreck. Other than that there are lots of shapes and sizes and various noises which I am struggling to match up to the birdies themselves. I would love to know about them. I'm not really a bird person as you can probably see.
I saw something once that said that most people's favourite bird was a penguin. Well obviously.
New life's ambition – to tickle a baby penguin. So penguins are top bird but they are not the only bird. Imagine if there were no other birds but penguins. How big would your bird table have to be? And your garden would smell of fish because that's what you would have to hang out for them in the winter. And what if your Nana still wanted to keep a birdy in the living room? How bad tempered would her penguin be having been stuffed into that little cage? Of course, penguins don't fly so if they still went south in the winter, would we have to charter special boats for them? Lets not even start on the problems they would have filling in for chickens.
Diversity is the key. The Biblical model of a body made up of many parts is a perfect picture of this. This works itself practically in two ways. Firstly, you are very valuable. No-one brings to this party what you do. You are a beautifully crafted, precious individual. Each one of us needs to get hold of that, accept it and lift your delicious Christian chin a little. Secondly, if only you can do what you can do and you are not doing it then it's not being done. (keep up at the back) Are we doing the things only we can do in our churches, our families – just our lives really? If something isn't working properly, is it because I'm not pulling my weight? We have to get hold of both sides of this. I am indeed a special individual but with that comes things that will not get done properly unless I get involved. Someone else might have a go at it but they may not be able to bring to the task what I could have brought and it also stops them doing what they are supposed to be doing. We all have an individual part to play. To quote an old Bolton proverb (sort of) "When the penguins are laying eggs in the chicken coop who will be starring in the David Attenborough documentaries?" And I think we can all relate to that.
Very smart post! I love a good point made wittily. Looking forward to reading more!


text:
Experts say China's low-level cyberwar is becoming severe threat
Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor
Thursday, 23 Sep 2021
# Aukus
# China
# Cyberwar
# Defence policy
# Espionage
# Hacking
# Surveillance
Activity more overt and reckless despite US, British and other political efforts to bring it to a halt
Chinese state-sponsored hacking is at record levels, western experts say, accusing Beijing of engaging in a form of low-level warfare that is escalating despite US, British and other political efforts to bring it to a halt.
There are accusations too that the clandestine activity, which has a focus on stealing intellectual property, has become more overt and more reckless, although Beijing consistently denies sponsoring hacking and accuses critics of hypocrisy.
Jamie Collier, a consultant with Mandiant, a cybersecurity firm whose work is often cited by intelligence agencies, said the level of hacking emerging from China in 2021 was "a more kind of severe threat than we previously anticipated".
That culminated, in July, with the US, the EU, Nato, the UK and four other countries all accusing Beijing of being behind a massive exploitation of vulnerabilities in Microsoft's widely used Exchange company server software in March. In some cases they blamed China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) for directing the activity.
It affected about 250,000 organisations worldwide, allowing hackers from a group, which Microsoft has named Hafnium, to siphon off company emails for espionage, with the help of an easy to use "web shell" tool allowing anybody with the right password to hack into a compromised Exchange server.
Once Microsoft was publicly alerted to the activity, attacks were rapidly stepped up on organisations that had not patched Exchange. Criminals, now aware of what was happening, were able to exploit the web shells, and in some cases they were booby-trapped if deleted – a brazen aspect of the hacking that surprised experts.
Ciaran Martin, the chief executive of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre until last year, said: "What you saw here was real recklessness. The Hafnium attack on Exchange was in complete contrast to the Russian exploitation of SolarWinds software for espionage purposes.
"In that case there was no collateral damage – but as for Hafnium when they realised they had been caught, the hackers booby-trapped the software on the way out."
China, however, consistently denies being involved in hacking despite the attempts by the US and others to embarrass it. In July, China's foreign ministry accused Washington of "ganging up with its allies" and engaging in "smear and suppression out of political motives".
It said the US was "the largest source of cyber-attacks in the world", underlying the lack of agreement on the topic and touching on a genuine source of frustration in Beijing – that the US and other western allies have long engaged in traditional political espionage against countries like it.
Yet it was not meant to be like this: in September 2015, Presidents Barack Obama and Xi Jinping jointly announced a cybersecurity agreement.
"Both government will not be engaged in or knowingly support online theft of intellectual properties," Xi said during a visit to the White House following similar language from Obama. An almost identical agreement was signed between the UK and China one month later.
At first the agreement had a deterrent effect, at least on the Chinese side, with reports of hacking emanating from the country sharply reduced from what experts describe as "loud, noisy" attempts to steal intellectual property previously.
But the situation changed after the 2016 election of Donald Trump, who adopted a more overtly combative tone towards Beijing. China, meanwhile, reorganised its hacking activities, taking away global operations from the People's Liberation Army and switching them to the MSS.
In the west, the penny slowly dropped as security agencies began to understand the impact of Operation Cloud Hopper, the name given to a sophisticated espionage campaign conducted against third-party IT services providers, with the aim of infiltrating them to steal secrets from a wide range of corporates such as the Swedish telecoms equipment maker Ericsson.
The campaign may have run throughout the 2010s but by 2017 had become increasingly visible to western intelligence, revealing, as Martin observed, that "it was clear with the deterioration of Sino-American relations China no longer felt bound by the agreement with Obama".
A year later, in December 2018, the US and the UK named a Chinese group known as APT10 or Stone Panda as behind the Cloud Hopper hacking. It was the first time the British had accused the Chinese government as being responsible for a cyber campaign, saying that the MSS was directing, or operating behind the hackers.
"In the past, Chinese groups were very sensitive to indictment, to the name and shame of public attribution," said Collier. "Effectively when governments called them out, you'd see relatively quickly after those things happened, the activity would drop off. But what we are seeing is that is no longer the case any more."
Industrial espionage efforts from Chinese actors often closely follow goals announced in Beijing's five-year plans, Collier added, although British and other intelligence agencies said there was a notable and unsurprising shift in focus to targeting vaccine development secrets at the early stage of the pandemic.
Another common tactic is to pose as recruiters on LinkedIn. A typical profile is a female trying to lure civil servants and executives in key industries into revealing more about their work in exchange for what turns out to be a bogus job offer.
The British domestic spy agency MI5 estimated that 10,000 people had been targeted over the past five years, in April describing the activity as taking place on an "industrial scale". Spy chiefs did not directly accuse Beijing, but the view among the Five Eyes intelligence agencies is that this technique is dominated by Chinese actors.
The rhetoric continues to step up. Gen Patrick Sanders, Britain's most senior cyber general, the head of strategic command, last week accused China and Russia of engaging in "the expansion of warfare into the novel domains of space and cyber" in a speech to a UK defence industry conference.
It was, the general argued, part of a wider ideological struggle that amounts to "an approach that seeks to win without fighting", a long way, in effect, from the rhetoric of internet cooperation espoused six years ago.
Dan Sabbagh
Dan Sabbagh is the Guardian's defence and security editor
The Guardian view on cyberwar: an urgent problem | Editorial
Editorial: The internet is now used as a low-level weapon of war. How should Britain best defend itself?
Is China stepping up its ambition to supplant US as top superpower?
Analysis: Joe Biden has cleared the decks to focus on China. But how imminent is the danger?
Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor
China planted chips in Apple and Amazon servers, report claims
Both firms deny report they found chips giving backdoor access to computers and data
Samuel Gibbs
Hostile states pose 'fundamental threat' to Europe, says MI6 chief
Although Alex Younger does not name specific country, he makes clear that Russia is target of his remarks
Ewen MacAskill Defence and intelligence correspondent
David Cameron challenges China to be more open about cyber-security
Prime minister seeks talks on 'issue of mutual concern' amid western fears that Beijing is behind most aggressive online attacks
Nicholas Watt in Shanghai
UK and allies accuse Chinese state-backed group of Microsoft hack
British foreign secretary says Beijing will be held to account if it does not stop 'systematic cyber sabotage'
Dan Sabbagh, Jennifer Rankin and Peter Walker
At least 13 phone firms hit by suspected Chinese hackers since 2019, say experts
LightBasin hackers were able to obtain subscriber information and call metadata, says CrowdStrike
US and UK blame Russia for 'malicious' cyber-offensive
Security officials issue alert directly blaming Kremlin for attack as US warns Moscow it is 'pushing back hard'
Ewen MacAskill Defence correspondent
Malicious forces creating 'perfect storm' of coronavirus disinformation
Russia and China among state and other actors spreading fake news and disruption, say experts
Peter Beaumont, Julian Borger and Daniel Boffey
EU to run war games to prepare for Russian and Chinese cyber-attacks
Ministers to be put in fictional scenarios after series of hacking incidents
Daniel Boffey in Helsinki
27, Jun, 2019 @12:48 PM