First Lady fashion: A guide to style from Jackie Kennedy - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is known by many names, but is always remembered as a wife, mother, and graceful First Lady who championed the arts while also embodying a timeless fashion icon. Now, in the year she would've turned 89, check out this gallery for a closer look at her chic style and legendary pieces.
Oversized sunglasses - Jackie incorporated these enormous glasses into her standard wardrobe likely for a sense of privacy, but they also lent her an air of understated stardom.
Headscarves - The easiest way to make casual outfits look chic is by pairing those huge sunglasses with a headscarf.
Jackie popularized this style of hat, often designed for her specifically by American fashion designers.
Check out these surprising little-known facts about life in the White House.
The pillbox hat - She famously wore a pink suit and a pillbox hat on the day her husband was assassinated.
Monochromatic looks - Jackie taught the fashion world that white on white makes a more powerful visual statement than nautical stripes.
Perfectly coiffed halo of hair - Her voluminous hairdo was inseparable from her signature look.
She was having a really great hair day - And she knew it.
Color-blocking with different pieces - Instead of a traditional gown, the First Lady opted for a black square-neck top and a marigold yellow floor-length skirt, accented with bright white gloves.
Elbow-length gloves - The First Lady loved finishing off her formal attire with a pair of long white gloves, which also made an appearance in her more casual outfits as well.
Strapless gowns - A bit of a daring move in the 1960s, Jackie pulled off demure strapless gowns with grace.
The off-the-shoulder trend is still going strong - She matched the White House's royal guests with ease.
She even pulled off the single-shoulder dress - Her state dinner gowns were showstoppers every time.
Sticking to the basics - She looks effortlessly chic in a ribbed turtleneck paired with no-frills jeans.
Stylish coats - Long before Meghan Markle, Jackie's seemingly endless array of smart coats captured the public's attention. Check out more of Meghan Markle's fashion here.
Stylish coats - The First Lady had many coats that made a statement while requiring minimal effort on her part. And who doesn't want maximum effect with minimal effort?
The trademark collar - Not quite a turtleneck or a crew neck, Jackie favored the elegant and elevated cut on dresses, blouses, and jackets.
Playing with patterns - She could go from sharp presidential looks to playful patterned cocktail dresses without batting an eye.
Experimenting with shapes - Though the A-line was a popular choice for her and many others at the time, Jackie played with boxy tops and shaped skirts, and vice versa.
Dialing up the contrast - By using standout colors or juxtaposing light and dark, Jackie threw outfits together that would be remembered for years after her passing.
A bold woman needs a bold cape - She had some dramatic pieces in her wardrobe, and the cape was one of them.
A bold woman needs a bold cape - Long or short, plain or patterned, she tried them all.
The mature use of bows - Jackie often used bows to either add some femininity to more masculine outfits or to accentuate her waist.
The mature use of bows - She showed that bows don't have to be left to young girls' ponytails, but that they can be used with class and style.
Equestrian-inspired aesthetic - With an extensive past in horseback riding, Jackie popularized the casual equestrian style of high collars, fitted jackets, and high boots.
Mystery-chic - If you ever want to look like a woman who has a great depth beneath her surface, model your outfit after this one.
Having confidence in your basics - She could wear a very simple all-black outfit but pair it with items of her own unique style, whether it was loafers and white gloves or pearls and a mile-high hairdo.
Endowed with a characteristic slim waist, Jackie knew how to make her wardrobe work for her own shape.
Embracing the dynamism of a belt - She showed that an ornate belt can both shape your waist and draw attention to it, and that it can also break up too much of the same color.
Keeping up with your decade - In her 40s, Jackie was still embracing the times and rocking styles of the '70s.
She passed her style on - Like a good mother, Jackie was often seen coordinating the First Family's outfits as soon as they could walk.
And finally, the invisible accessory - She had a signature fragrance that she wore almost daily, called Lovely Patchouli 55. It mixed notes of bergamot and amber with a musky patchouli.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is known by many names, but is always remembered as a wife, mother, and graceful First Lady who championed the arts while also embodying a timeless fashion icon. Now, in the year she would've turned 89, check out this gallery for a closer look at her chic style and legendary pieces.


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The year 2025 will be like 2019, only more so
13 Jun 2019|Peter Jennings
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This is an edited version of remarks delivered by ASPI's executive director at the opening session of ASPI's 'War in 2025' conference this morning.
For ASPI's 2019 conference, 'War in 2025', I was asked to identify the geopolitical realities that will shape the world of that year. Here I outline some of the strategic constants which—barring major catastrophes—will still most likely be in place in six years' time.
In 2025, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin will likely still be in power. They are young enough and secure enough to anticipate having a decade or more time at the top. Donald Trump won't be. If Trump wins a second term it will end in a handover to a new president in January 2025. But it's likely that the Trump effect will still be a powerful factor in America's international engagement. I don't see the United States swinging back to liberal internationalism and multilateral engagement in five or six years.
In Asia across the democracies, I would judge that by 2025 we will have seen a substantial number of leadership changes. For reasons of age or politics or constitutional limits, it's very unlikely that we'll see Abe, Modi, Widodo, Mahathir, Duterte and Prime Minister Lee of Singapore leading their parties and countries in that year.
In Australia there are some political certainties too. There will be at least two federal elections between now and then: most likely in 2022 and in 2025. The historical record suggests that we'll see significant changes of personality. If you cast back six years to the first Abbott ministry sworn in in September 2013, only four of the 19 cabinet ministers are still in office—Morrison, Dutton, Cormann and Hunt. We change leaders quickly.
Overall, the key message is that the political leaderships of the autocracies will probably look more stable. By contrast, the democracies will look like revolving doors, even where politics is working well. In many of the consequential democracies, including Canada, France and the UK, we are seeing a succession of one-hit wonders and, in Germany, the end of a stable long-term government.
Politics is likely to continue to fray in the democracies. In the last decade and a half, the trend away from mainstream political parties focused on managing the centre has given way to splinter groups on the more extreme edges of politics. This tends to weaken centrist consensus politics and makes it harder for governments to keep coalitions and stay in power.
On the other hand, over the next five years I see oppression increasing in authoritarian regimes like Russia and China. They can do this because new technology enables more centralised control and more intrusive reach into people's lives. Applying more control is how oppressive regimes survive when their populations start to have rising expectations of wealth and better access to information.
That means we'll see a growing risk to political stability in areas around the borders of authoritarian states, particularly areas in which those states in past eras had some political sway over what happened on their peripheries. Hong Kong, Taiwan, the East and South China Seas, Ukraine, the Baltic States, and the former Soviet states—as well as Syria and Iran— will be the regions and countries where the authoritarian states with growing military power will be testing the boundaries of their coercive influence.
Why should authoritarian states bother to encroach on their neighbours? Because nearby democracies of similar people are threatening and because nationalism and military overconfidence tend to win out against pragmatism.
The questions for distracted and internally riven democracies will be to what extent they care about such developments and whether they are prepared to step in to underwrite the security of these states on the boundaries.
Another feature that's likely to become more pronounced in the next half decade will be the closing of a technology gap and a related but separate military capability gap between authoritarian regimes and the developed democracies.
Technology in areas such as 5G immediately, but also artificial intelligence and machine learning, autonomous systems, quantum computing and the rest, are rapidly emerging as the new cold war fault line in global politics. To put it bluntly, in the time frame we are talking about, the future cooperation of the Five Eyes partnership—and a handful of extra countries that one might call the 'consequential democracies'—will really be determined by separate national decisions on 5G and associated technology.
One shouldn't underestimate how painful this technological divide will be for countries and companies that right now straddle that fault line. But ultimately countries will gravitate to promote their core national security interests rather than, for example, cheap technology.
On defence policy more specifically, my surmise is that the democracies, without any real coordination, will become more pressured to speed up defence equipment acquisitions and to increase defence spending. We are certainly seeing this in the Scandinavian countries, for example.
This will increasingly be a question for Australia. As a result of decisions over the past few years, the design of the 'future' Australian Defence Force is largely known. There will be incremental adjustments and improvements over time, hopefully harnessing emerging technologies, but the broad outline of platform numbers and designs has been determined.
But the future force is precisely that: in the future, sometime in the late 2030s for many key platforms. Where strategic developments will force more urgent thinking is in the readiness, shape and capabilities of the current force, the ADF that we may have to use for our security at any point over the coming few years.
In summary, over the next five years what I see are a series of continuing trends that don't really help those countries wanting to promote an international rules-based system. The rise of powerful authoritarian states with growing military power; the drift of weakly led and fragmenting democracies, forever looking the other way when it comes to resisting the bad behaviour of revisionist powers; and the search for technology that confers a decisive strategic advantage—these trends irresistibly suggest a global situation that looks similar to the second half of the 1930s.
Could this analysis be wrong? Absolutely! I very much hope that I'm misreading the signals. But for a different scenario to eventuate in 2025 we must identify forces that point to a reversal of the fundamental strategic forces in operation right now. Perhaps ASPI's conference will identify some points of light, but it would be foolish to assume that more positive trends will simply emerge out of nowhere to prevent the drift to conflict in coming years.
Peter Jennings is the executive director of ASPI. Illustration by Wes Mountain.
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Jokowi on track for a second term, but can he deliver?
New security reality demands new Australian policy
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LTTS Exclusive: The Second Annual Celebrity Soccer Challenge
By Delinda Lombardo on January 19, 2009
Look To The Stars reporter Delinda Lombardo attended Mia Hamm's massive celebrity soccer game during the weekend and caught up with some of the stars that took part.
The second annual Celebrity Soccer Challenge at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles was a big success as Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra were joined by a slew of celebrity friends who helped raise nearly $200,000 for the Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Mia Hamm Foundation.
Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra at Mia Hamm Soccer 2009
Credit/Copyright: Delinda Lombardo
The event also encouraged fans in attendance to register for the National Marrow Donor Program Registry, a cause close Mia Hamm's heart after she lost brother Garrett to bone marrow disease.
Sign at Mia Hamm Soccer 2009
"My foundation started about 1999 and was motivated from my relationship with my brother who passed away in 1997 after complications from a bone-marrow transplant," she said prior to the game. "For us, we shared a love of sport and I also saw first hand what my parents and his parents had to go through, not just financially, but struggling to find a bone-marrow match, so [the proceeds from] my foundation go to help families find bone-marrow transplants and also to encourage and empower young female athletes."
During halftime, patients suffering from leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases were introduced for the first time to their bone marrow donors.
Fans Inspired by Mia Hamm
"The more the world becomes a melting pot, the more important it is for people to be registered, it's a gift that you can continue to give," Hamm said. "My brother was adopted, he was a minority and that was one of the big struggles. Nomar [her husband] is Mexican and that's another message we're trying to get out there, we're trying to get more minorities entered into the bank. Last years game we almost got 200 people and a match was found for someone who registered at the event, so it's so important to keep spreading the importance and raising money."
While Nomar Garciaparra earned bragging rights for scoring in overtime to give his team, Nomar United, an 8-7 win over Hamm's team, FC Mia, he never lost sight of what the event was really about. "We're here to have fun," Garciaparra said, "but the biggest thing is raise money for the children's hospital and to get people typed and registered for the bone marrow bank. To be able to save a life is priceless."
Both celebrities and athletes took the field to help Mia's cause – including "Desperate Housewives" actress Andrea Bowen, C. Thomas Howell, Josh Hutcherson, Mark Consuelos, Jimmy Jean-Louis of NBC's "Heroes," Angus Jones of CBS's "Two and a Half Men," "Lipstick Jungle/Las Vegas" actor James Lesure, Josh Henderson of the CW's "90210," Good Charlotte's Benji Madden, skateboarders Tony Hawk and Ryan Sheckler, and several of Hamm's teammates from the U.S. National Team including Brandi Chastain, Kristine Lilly, Joy Fawcett, Tisha Hoch and Abby Wambach. Other current and former male soccer players who participated included Cobi Jones, Chris Seitz, Matt Reis, Brian Dunseth and Alexi Lalas.
Ryan Sheckler at Mia Hamm Soccer 2009
Skateboarding sensation and 'Life of Ryan' star Ryan Sheckler was a definite crowd pleaser as he participated in the event for the first time. "This is actually the first time I've ever played soccer," he told me. "It feels great, it's going to be a great day. Hopefully I make a goal, my goal is to make a goal today, just one and I'll go home happy."
Mark Consuelos at Mia Hamm Soccer 2009
Actor Mark Consuelos was also playing soccer for the first time: "I doubt I'll score any goals. But it's for a great cause so I'm really excited to be here."
One of the youngest players and first time participant, actress Andrea Bowen, took a few minutes to speak with us before signing autographs for the throngs of young fans lining up to meet her. "This is my first game and I'm pretty excited that I get to play with all these people," she said, Sharpie in hand. "They're definitely going to have to pull extra weight because I really don't know what I'm doing but it should be fun and its all for a really good cause."
Mia Hamm and Andrea Bowen at Mia Hamm's Soccer 2009
Tony Hawk: "This is my second time playing soccer, if you get one goal out of me you'll be lucky."
Tony Hawk at Mia Hamm Soccer 2009
'Heroes' actor Jimmy Jean-Louis couldn't hide his excitement for the game. "It is a beautiful day and we are going to have a great time today," he told me prior to kick-off.
Jimmy Jean-Louis at Mia Hamm Soccer 2009
As a regular player for Los Angeles celebrity-soccer team Hollywood United, Jean-Louis is no stranger to using celebrity to raise awareness.
"I've been busy doing a lot of charity work. I started my own organization Hollywood Unites for Haiti, " he explained, "What I've been doing is collecting used (soccer) equipment and going to Haiti to give it to them because they really need this-that's really how the whole idea of Hollywood Unites for Haiti started," he smiled, "About a month ago some of us from Hollywood were invited to Haiti – including Josh Brolin and Diane Lane. That was for the opening of a hospital for handicapped, so that was nice and I plan to bring more awareness to Haiti because they really need help."
Copyright © 2009 Look to the Stars
Jimmy Jean-Louis
James Lesure
Josh Henderson
Ryan Sheckler
Brandi Chastain
Charities:
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Mia Hamm Foundation
Spider-Man: Far From Home Stars Visit Children's Hospital Los Angeles Jul 5, 2019
Spider-Man: Far From Home stars Tom Holland, Zendaya and Jake Gyllenhaal visited sick kids at Children's Hospital Los Angeles this week. More →
Children's Hospital Los Angeles to Hold Third Annual Walk and Play L.A. Jun 10, 2019
Stars Attend Inspiration Awards Benefiting Step Up Jun 4, 2019
Chris Pine Helps Launch Make March Matter For Children's Hospital Los Angeles Mar 6, 2019
#DefyTheName | A PSA by Monica Lewinsky
It's On Us: One Thing
Hunger Games Cast Takes On Ebola
Tony Hawk Grants Skate Wish for Adam | Kids Wish Network


Your golden anniversary dream vacation.Graduation or retirement celebration.A quick family getaway or a multigenerational family reunion, we can do it all.
The Vaishali Residency offers single & double rooms with up to date facilities expected of a contemporary 4 star hotel. The Vaishali Residency is a Business Class Hotel provides so many seating arrangements like Theater, Class room, Cluster, Boardroom, U-Shaped, V-Shaped, etc that can accommodate more than 400 guests. Our Conference Halls are well furnished air-conditions, Wi-Fi enable zone offers high quality business Facilities like audio visual equipments, LCD Projectors, with complimentary white board, Note Pads & Pens,Tea/Coffee, Projection Screen & Podium.


PBS news series "Frontline" showed a side of Syria that Americans have never seen.
The documentary, "Inside Assad's Syria," opens with young Syrians drinking and dancing at a rooftop bar in Damascus, which seems unfathomable with the contrasting footage of constant bombing and tank fighting going on in the capital city. It also shows lavish resorts, wealthy Syrians enjoying the Mediterranean beach, and regime loyalists attending the national symphony.
You can watch the full episode on PBS.


Asher Angel Fan / Asher-Angel.com » Updates coming!
A contemporary coming-of-age story about a girl who's trying to determine where she fits in, when her free-spirited older sister returns with a revelation that changes everything, it sends Andi on an uncharted course of self-discovery.
This fansite is currently paparazzi free. We respect Asher's privacy. What does this change? Images that include him walking along the streets, hiking, shopping, visiting family, vacationing, dining out, etc cannot be found on this fansite. On set images, filming images and behind the scenes of his projects can be found on this fansite. Anything that invades Asher's privacy cannot be found here. In addition to paparazzi free, we are also GOSSIP free.
"One Thought Away" Lyrics Video!
Blind Date with a Superfan!
"One Thought Away" feat. Wiz Khalifa Out Now!!


The Mission at Kern County holding their 6th Annual Top Sirloin BBQ tonight. All proceeds help fund programs that help people in need.
Summer is almost here, and what better way to enjoy the season than with the barbecue. The Mission at Kern County is holding its 6th Annual Top Sirloin Barbecue on Friday.
The purpose of this event is to raise money and grow community awareness of the services offered to Kern County's homeless population.
It's happening on June 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mission at Kern County E. 21st Street.
Guests will enjoy a top sirloin steak dinner with sides for $20.
There will also be live music by the Tommy Hays Band.
Limited tickets are still available. Call The Mission at (661) 325-0863 to purchase them.


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British soldiers 'killed and mutilated the bodies of Iraqi victims in 2004,'
Graphic photographs of the Iraqis that British soldiers are said to have 'tortured and murdered' in cold blood were shown to an inquiry into alleged war crimes yesterday.
On the opening day of the long-awaited Al-Sweady Inquiry, film footage of ambulances taking the bodies of the dead from a British base to a nearby hospital and mortuary – and of distraught relatives identifying their loved ones – was also played.
Retired High Court judge Sir Thayne Forbes is examining claims that UK troops executed up to 20 prisoners, including a 14-year-old boy, and abused nine others after a battle at an Army checkpoint in May 2004.
Iraqi death certificates for some of the victims documented signs of torture, including mutilation with several having missing eyes, broken bones and one man's penis had been removed.
The inquiry was told that one Iraqi witness said he saw one of the dead men have his eyes gouged out by a soldier with a bayonet. Full story...
54 countries helped CIA to kidnap, detain and torture...
Ex-CIA officer: Torture great way to get false confessions...
Britain's shameful complicity in Sri Lanka's torture...
British soldier's torture video...
British army doctor failed to spot 93 separate injuries on Iraqi beaten to death...


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Book Review: Alien Archives: Eighteen Stories Of Extraterrestrial Encounters By Robert Silverberg
By FunWithDeadTrees | @ | November 19th, 2019 at 4:00 pm
Alien Archives: Eighteen Stories of Extraterrestrial Encounters
Written by Robert Silverberg
Publisher: Three Rooms Press
Alien Archives: Eighteen Stories of Extraterrestrial Encounters is a career-spanning collection highlighting some of the best science fiction short stories and novellas from celebrated author Robert Silverberg. With all-new forwards from the author himself, readers are given greater insight into the motivations and process behind each story.
There is quite the variety of tales being told here, too. Some of these stories are humorous slices of life while others trend to darker tales of survival. Some are told from an alien point of view while others focus on the human beings affected by their encounters. But, despite these differences in style and theme, all the stories are believably written with sympathetic protagonists with whom you can easily relate, regardless of species.
Tags: Alien Archives, alien encounters, Aliens, Anthology, Collection, novellas, Robert Silverberg, Science Fiction, Short Stories
Blu-ray Review: The House That Dripped Blood
By Adam Frazier | @ | May 8th, 2018 at 2:00 pm
The House That Dripped Blood
Director: Peter Duffell
Screenwriters: Robert Bloch, Russ Jones
Cast: Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Ingrid Pitt, Denholm Elliot, Jon Pertwee, Nyree Dawn Porter
Rated PG | 102 Minutes
Release Date: May 8, 2018
"Vampires! Voodoo! Vixens! Victims!"
The 1971 horror anthology film, The House That Dripped Blood, promises more than just alliteration. In addition to the vixens and vampires, there's a lot to appreciate about this portmanteau production, namely Hammer horror icons Peter Cushing (The Curse of Frankenstein), Christopher Lee (The Satanic Rites of Dracula), and Ingrid Pitt (The Vampire Lovers). And if that isn't enough, it also features Denholm Elliott (Raiders of the Lost Ark) and Jon Pertwee (Doctor Who).
Written by Russ Jones and Robert Bloch, the author of Psycho, The House That Dripped Blood comes to us from Amicus Productions, the purveyor of horror anthologies like Tales from the Crypt (1972), Asylum (1972), and Vault of Horror (1973).
Topics: Blu-ray, Blu-ray Review, Movies, Reviews
Tags: Amicus Productions, Anthology, Christopher Lee, Denholm Elliot, Ingrid Pitt, Jon Pertwee, Peter Cushing, Scream Factory, The House That Dripped Blood
Book Review: Iraq + 100: The First Anthology Of Science Fiction To Have Emerged From Iraq
By Waerloga69 | @ | September 12th, 2017 at 10:00 am
Iraq + 100
The First Anthology of Science Fiction to Have Emerged from Iraq
Edited Hassan Blasim
Anytime the opportunity arises to experience something new and unique, I advise you to embrace it. But I must warn you, not all of these will be easily categorized. As a matter of fact, sometimes the experience will not just be enlightening, but also challenging. Iraq + 100: The First Anthology of Science Fiction to Have Emerged from Iraq is more than an anthology of new voices in science fiction. It is a testament to mankind's willpower and tenacity even in the face of certain destruction. But, and this is a huge but, it is far more than even that. This book defies contemporary concepts of what sci-fi is by adding additional layers of history, laced with emotional turmoil.
Tags: Ali Bader, Anoud, Anthology, Diaa Jubaili, Hassan Abdulrazzak, Hassan Blasim, Ibrahim Al-Marashi, Iraq, Iraq+100, Jalal Hasan, Khalid Kaki, Mortada Gzar, Ra Page, Tor Books, Zhraa Alhaboby
Kickstarter Spotlight: 'Bizarre New World' Graphic Novel and Anthology
By Waerloga69 | @ | May 7th, 2015 at 11:00 am
Whether it's through popular songs like Foo Fighters' "Learn To Fly" or Leonardo DaVinci's prototype aviation machines, mankind has been enamored with flight. We have watched birds take to the air for millennia and we have attempted to mimic them for almost as long. Even mythology speaks of Icarus and his ill fated flight to freedom. Many fictional characters throughout the years have, through gadgets or superpowers, taken to the blue skies for one reason or another.
But what if the majority of people, rather than a few, gained just such an ability? What if, instead of walking, you could fly across the room? This is the scenario that Bizarre New World is bringing to the masses. At least that's the plan, provided the good citizens of this planet help its Kickstarter campaign get off the ground. See what I did there? Yeah, I probably only amuse myself. *sigh*
Continue below for more info and to see the Kickstarter video.
Topics: Comics, Features, Kickstarter Spotlight
Tags: Anthology, Bizarre New World, Graphic Novel, Joey Cruz, Kickstarter, Kickstarter Spotlight, Skipper Martin, The Morning After
Exclusive: First Look At 'Bizarre New World' Anthology From Kickstarter
By Waerloga69 | @ | April 29th, 2015 at 8:00 am
Hello and welcome to our exclusive look at a great upcoming graphic novel & anthology entitled Bizarre New World! Created by Skipper Martin, Bizarre New World brings together more than fifty creators from all across the globe. The entire process is Martin's brainchild which he's spent countless hours and money from his own pocket over the last nine years to bring to life.
We are privileged to have the opportunity to reveal the first of 28 all-new stories created exclusively as part of a Kickstarter campaign whose goal is to collect the entire nine-year arc of Bizarre New World into a hardcover edition, and finally get it into the hands of the public.
The best part about the story we are debuting here is that one of our own is responsible for scripting it! This little eight-page tale is called The Morning After — quite the appropriate name once you read it. So here we are offering you the chance to read this exclusive story for free! How cool is that? Just keep on reading and I'll give you more information!
Tags: Anthology, Bizarre New World, Ed Brisson, Graphic Novel, Joey Cruz, Kickstarter, Mado Pena, Skipper Martin, The Morning After
Blu-Ray Review: From A Whisper To A Scream
By Adam Frazier | @ | April 28th, 2015 at 9:00 am
From a Whisper to a Scream
Blu-ray Edition
Director: Jeff Burr
Screenwriter: C. Courtney Joyner, Darin Scott, Jeff Burr
Cast: Vincent Price, Susan Tyrrell, Clu Gulager, Terry Kiser
Rated R | 99 Minutes
Directed by Jeff Burr (Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III), From a Whisper to a Scream – also known as The Offspring – is a low-budget 1987 horror anthology film starring Vincent Price and Clu Gulager.
On the night his niece is executed for committing a string of murders, historian Julian White (Price) reveals the sinister secrets of her hometown, Oldfield, Tennessee. White regales a local reporter (Susan Tyrrell) with four chilling tales that expose the town's horrific legacy.
Tags: Anthology, Clu Gulager, From a Whisper to a Scream, Horror, Scream Factory, The Offspring, Vincent Price
By Adam Frazier | @ | June 6th, 2013 at 3:15 pm
Director: Simon Barrett, Adam Wingard, Eduardo Sanchez, Timo Tjahjanto, Gareth Huw Evans, Jason Eisener
Screenwriter(s): Simon Barrett, Timo Tjahjanto, Gareth Evans, Jamie Nash, Jason Eisener, John Davies
Cast: Adam Wingard, Lawrence Levine, L. C. Holt, Kelsy Abbott, Hannah Hughes
Magnet Releasing
In 2012, Bloody Disgusting and Magnet Releasing collaborated on V/H/S, a horror anthology of found-footage short films directed by some of the genre's up-and-coming filmmakers including Adam Wingard (You're Next) and Ti West (House of the Devil).
The film's central narrative involves a group of young criminals who take a job from an anonymous third party who is willing to pay them a large sum of money to burglarize a home and steal a single VHS videotape. After breaking into the house, the criminals find an old man dead in front of a bank of television sets and VCRs playing white noise. They dig through boxes and boxes of VHS tapes, playing each one, looking for the million-dollar tape.
V/H/S suffers from an overall inconsistency in quality between the found-footage shorts; two are pretty good, one is so-so, and two fail to impress. Despite a weak wrap-around and some not-so-great segments, V/H/S introduces a really interesting premise worth exploring: the power of the VHS tape.
V/H/S/2 (originally titled S-V/H/S) is an across-the-board improvement, with a framing narrative that follows two private detectives as they investigate the disappearance of a college student. Upon entering the kid's house, they stumble upon a collection of VHS tapes and a makeshift shrine of TVs and VCRs. There are stacks of spiral notebooks; a laptop is nearby, recording video. The investigators discover a video diary from the missing college kid who appears to be a connoisseur of rare VHS tapes.
Topics: Movie Reviews, Movies, Reviews
Tags: Adam Wingard, Anthology, Eduardo Sanchez, Gareth Huw Evans, Horror, Jason Eisener, Magnet, Simon Barrett, Timo Tjahjanto, V/H/S/2
Watch This Red Band Trailer For Upcoming Horror Anthology 'V/H/S/2'
By Adam Frazier | @ | May 17th, 2013 at 2:00 pm
From the demented minds that brought you last year's V/H/S comes V/H/S/2, an all-new anthology of horrific found-footage vignettes. This installment features segments from the makers of Hobo with a Shotgun, You're Next, The Raid: Redemption, and The Blair With Project.
You can check out the brand-new red band trailer below!
Searching for a missing student, two private investigators break into this abandoned house and find a collection of mysterious VHS tapes. In viewing the horrific contents of each cassette, they realize there may be terrifying, unspeakable motives behind the student's disappearance.
Topics: Movies, News, Trailers
Tags: Adam Wingard, Anthology, Eduardo Sanchez, Gareth Huw Evans, Gregg Hale, Horror, Jason Eisener, Simon Barrett, Timo Tjahjanto, V/H/S/2


Job related skills / software : Software Tricks Plus Multimedia Animation & Video Editing, Adobe Photoshop,Adobe Aftereffects,Flash,Adobe Premire, Final Cut Pro, Avid, Canopus Edius ,Combustion,Adobe premire.
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Ability to deal with people diplomatically Team work, Hardworking and Video editing related works & Dedication.
Playing Crcket , Football, Reading ,Gaming& Internet.
1 Year worked in Choice Studio Thrissur .
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I Heared by solemnly declare that the above furnished details are true to the best of my knowledge.


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Q: epoll IO with worker threads in C I am writing a small server that will receive data from multiple sources and process this data. The sources and data received is significant, but no more than epoll should be able to handle quite well. However, all received data must be parsed and run through a large number of tests which is time consuming and will block a single thread despite epoll multiplexing. Basically, the pattern should be something like follows: IO-loop receives data and bundles it into a job, sends to the first thread available in the pool, the bundle is processed by the job and the result is passed pack to the IO loop for writing to file.
I have decided to go for a single IO thread and N worker threads. The IO thread for accepting tcp connections and reading data is easy to implement using the example provided at:
http://linux.die.net/man/7/epoll
Thread are also usually easy enough to deal with, but I am struggling to combine the epoll IO loop with a threadpool in an elegant manner. I am unable to find any "best practice" for using epoll with a worker pool online either, but quite a few questions regarding the same topic.
I therefore have some question I hope someone can help me answering:

*

*Could (and should) eventfd be used as a mechanism for 2-way synchronization between the IO thread and all the workers? For instance, is it a good idea for each worker thread to have its own epoll routine waiting on a shared eventfd (with a struct pointer, containing data/info about the job) i.e. using the eventfd as a job queue somehow? Also perhaps have another eventfd to pass results back into the IO thread from multiple worker threads?

*After the IO thread is signaled about more data on a socket, should the actual recv take place on the IO thread, or should the worker recv the data on their own in order to not block the IO thread while parsing data frames etc.? In that case, how can I ensure safety, e.g. in case recv reads 1,5 frames of data in a worker thread and another worker thread receives the last 0,5 frame of data from the same connection?

*If the worker thread pool is implemented through mutexes and such, will waiting for locks block the IO thread if N+1 threads are trying to use the same lock?

*Are there any good practice patterns for how to build a worker thread pool around epoll with two way communication (i.e. both from IO to workers and back)?

EDIT: Can one possible solution be to update a ring buffer from the IO-loop, after update send the ring buffer index to the workers through a shared pipe for all workers (thus giving away control of that index to the first worker that reads the index off the pipe), let the worker own that index until end of processing and then send the index number back into the IO-thread through a pipe again, thus giving back control?
My application is Linux-only, so I can use Linux-only functionality in order to achieve this in the most elegant way possible. Cross platform support is not needed, but performance and thread safety is.

A: In my tests, one epoll instance per thread outperformed complicated threading models by far. If listener sockets are added to all epoll instances, the workers would simply accept(2) and the winner would be awarded the connection and process it for its lifetime.
Your workers could look something like this:
for (;;) {
    nfds = epoll_wait(worker->efd, &evs, 1024, -1);

    for (i = 0; i < nfds; i++)
        ((struct socket_context*)evs[i].data.ptr)->handler(
            evs[i].data.ptr,
            evs[i].events);
}

And every file descriptor added to an epoll instance could have a struct socket_context associated with it:
void listener_handler(struct socket_context* ctx, int ev)
{
    struct socket_context* conn;

    conn->fd = accept(ctx->fd, NULL, NULL);
    conn->handler = conn_handler;

    /* add to calling worker's epoll instance or implement some form
     * of load balancing */
}

void conn_handler(struct socket_context* ctx, int ev)
{
    /* read all available data and process. if incomplete, stash
     * data in ctx and continue next time handler is called */
}

void dummy_handler(struct socket_context* ctx, int ev)
{
    /* handle exit condition async by adding a pipe with its
     * own handler */
}

I like this strategy because:

*

*very simple design;

*all threads are identical;

*workers and connections are isolated--no stepping on each other's toes or calling read(2) in the wrong worker;

*no locks are required (the kernel gets to worry about synchronization on accept(2));

*somewhat naturally load balanced since no busy worker will actively contend on accept(2).

And some notes on epoll:

*

*use edge-triggered mode, non-blocking sockets and always read until EAGAIN;

*avoid dup(2) family of calls to spare yourself from some surprises (epoll registers file descriptors, but actually watches file descriptions);

*you can epoll_ctl(2) other threads' epoll instances safely;

*use a large struct epoll_event buffer for epoll_wait(2) to avoid starvation.

Some other notes:

*

*use accept4(2) to save a system call;

*use one thread per core (1 for each physical if CPU-bound, or 1 for each each logical if I/O-bound);

*poll(2)/select(2) is likely faster if connection count is low.

I hope this helps.

A: When performing this model, because we only know the packet size once we have fully received the packet, unfortunately we cannot offload the receive itself to a worker thread. Instead the best we can still do is a thread to receive the data which will have to pass off pointers to fully received packets.
The data itself is probably best held in a circular buffer, however we will want a separate buffer for each input source (if we get a partial packet we can continue receiving from other sources without splitting up the data. The remaining question is how to inform the workers of when a new packet is ready, and to give them a pointer to the data in said packet. Because there is little data here, just some pointers the most elegant way of doing this would be with posix message queues. These provide the ability for multiple senders and multiple receivers to write and read messages, always ensuring every message is received and by precisely 1 thread.
You will want a struct resembling the one below for each data source, I shall go through the fields purposes now.
struct DataSource
{
    int SourceFD;
    char DataBuffer[MAX_PACKET_SIZE * (THREAD_COUNT + 1)];
    char *LatestPacket;
    char *CurrentLocation
    int SizeLeft;
};

The SourceFD is obviously the file descriptor to the data stream in question, the DataBuffer is where Packets contents are held while being processed, it is a circular buffer. The LatestPacket pointer is used to temporarily hold a pointer to the most resent packet in case we receive a partial packet and move onto another source before passing the packet off. The CurrentLocation stores where the latest packet ends so that we know where to place the next one, or where to carry on in case of partial receive. The size left is the room left in the buffer, this will be used to tell if we can fit the packet or need to circle back around to the beginning.
The receiving function will thus effectively

*

*Copy the contents of the packet into the buffer

*Move CurrentLocation to point to the end of the packet

*Update SizeLeft to account for the now decreased buffer

*If we cannot fit the packet in the end of the buffer we cycle around

*If there is no room there either we try again a bit later, going to another source meanwhile

*If we had a partial receive store the LatestPacket pointer to point to the start of the packet and go to another stream until we get the rest

*Send a message using a posix message queue to a worker thread so it can process the data, the message will contain a pointer to the DataSource structure so it can work on it, it also needs a pointer to the packet it is working on, and it's size, these can be calculated when we receive the packet

The worker thread will do its processing using the received pointers and then increase the SizeLeft so the receiver thread will know it can carry on filling the buffer. The atomic functions will be needed to work on the size value in the struct so we don't get race conditions with the size property (as it is possible it is written by a worker and the IO thread simultaneously, causing lost writes, see my comment below), they are listed here and are simple and extremely useful.
Now, I have given some general background but will address the points given specifically:

*

*Using the EventFD as a synchronization mechanism is largely a bad idea, you will find yourself using a fair amount of unneeded CPU time and it is very hard to perform any synchronization. Particularly if you have multiple threads pick up the same file descriptor you could have major problems. This is in effect a nasty hack that will work sometimes but is no real substitute for proper synchronization.

*It is also a bad idea to try and offload the receive as explained above, you can get around the issue with complex IPC but frankly it is unlikely receiving IO will take enough time to stall your application, your IO is also likely much slower than CPU so receiving with multiple threads will gain little. (this assumes you do not say, have several 10 gigabit network cards).

*Using mutexes or locks is a silly idea here, it fits much better into lockless coding given the low amount of (simultaneously) shared data, you are really just handing off work and data. This will also boost performance of the receive thread and make your app far more scalable. Using the functions mentioned here http://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc-4.1.2/gcc/Atomic-Builtins.html you can do this nice and easily. If you did do it this way, what you would need is a semaphore, this can be unlocked every time a packet is received and locked by each thread which starts a job to allow dynamically more threads in if more packets are ready, that would have far less overhead then a homebrew solution with mutexes.

*There is not really much difference here to any thread pool, you spawn a lot of threads then have them all block in mq_receive on the data message queue to wait for messages. When they are done they send their result back to the main thread which adds the results message queue to its epoll list. It can then receive results this way, it is simple and very efficient for small data payloads like pointers. This will also use little CPU and not force the main thread to waste time managing workers.

Finally your edit is fairly sensible, except for the fact as I ave suggested, message queues are far better than pipes here as they very efficiently signal events , guarantee a full message read and provide automatic framing.
I hope this helps, however it is late so if I missed anything or you have questions feel free to comment for clarification or more explanation.

A: I post the same answer in other post: I want to wait on both a file descriptor and a mutex, what's the recommended way to do this?
==========================================================
This is a very common seen problem, especially when you are developing network server-side program. Most Linux server-side program's main look will loop like this:
epoll_add(serv_sock);
while(1){
    ret = epoll_wait();
    foreach(ret as fd){
        req = fd.read();
        resp = proc(req);
        fd.send(resp);
    }
}

It is single threaded(the main thread), epoll based server framework. The problem is, it is single threaded, not multi-threaded. It requires that proc() should never blocks or runs for a significant time(say 10 ms for common cases).
If proc() will ever runs for a long time, WE NEED MULTI THREADS, and executes proc() in a separated thread(the worker thread).
We can submit task to the worker thread without blocking the main thread, using a mutex based message queue, it is fast enough.
Then we need a way to obtain the task result from a worker thread. How? If we just check the message queue directly, before or after epoll_wait(), however, the checking action will execute after epoll_wait() to end, and epoll_wait() usually blocks for 10 micro seconds(common cases) if all file descriptors it wait are not active.
For a server, 10 ms is quite a long time! Can we signal epoll_wait() to end immediately when task result is generated?
Yes! I will describe how it is done in one of my open source project.
Create a pipe for all worker threads, and epoll waits on that pipe as well. Once a task result is generated, the worker thread writes one byte into the pipe, then epoll_wait() will end in nearly the same time! - Linux pipe has 5 us to 20 us latency.
In my project SSDB(a Redis protocol compatible in-disk NoSQL database), I create a SelectableQueue for passing messages between the main thread and worker threads. Just like its name, SelectableQueue has an file descriptor, which can be wait by epoll.
SelectableQueue: https://github.com/ideawu/ssdb/blob/master/src/util/thread.h#L94
Usage in main thread:
epoll_add(serv_sock);
epoll_add(queue->fd());
while(1){
    ret = epoll_wait();
    foreach(ret as fd){
        if(fd is worker_thread){
            sock, resp = worker->pop_result();
            sock.send(resp);
        }
        if(fd is client_socket){
            req = fd.read();
            worker->add_task(fd, req);
        }
    }
}

Usage in worker thread:
fd, req = queue->pop_task();
resp = proc(req);
queue->add_result(fd, resp);

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
220315-baumkronenausstellung
Recognising and preserving habitat diversity
University of Jena creates a new permanent exhibition at Hainich National Park's canopy walkway
The exhibition is shown in the observation tower of the canopy walkway.
Image: Hydrogeologie/Universität Jena
AquaDiva Outreach
Published: 15 March 2022, 12:00 | By: Vivien Busse | Source article
A new exhibition at the canopy walkway in Thuringia's Hainich National Park sets out the complex connections and interdependencies between ecosystems, biodiversity, and human actions.
It is well-known that humanity has an impact on nature and the environment. But how do they influence their surroundings? This is explained in the new permanent exhibition designed by the Chair of Hydrogeology at Jena's Friedrich Schiller University, housed in the observation tower of the national park's famous canopy walkway. Entitled "Diversity of the life and habitats under our feet. The role of biodiversity in the functioning and performance of ecosystems, their significance for human beings and the threats from climate change", the exhibition explains these tensions using Hainich National Park as an example.
Display boards in the exhibition room inform guests about various topics. Image: Robert Lehmann/Universität Jena
Demonstrating interactions
"Together with our partners, we want the exhibition to invite people to take a different perspective on the natural environment of the 'Hainich'," says hydrogeologist Prof. Dr Kai Uwe Totsche of the Institute of Geosciences at the University of Jena. The permanent exhibition in the trail's observation tower combines various elements: display boards inform visitors about "Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services", "Forest, Water & Change", "Life in the Subsurface – Hidden Diversity", "Long-term Research in the Hainich – Exploring & Explaining", as well as "Geology & Construction History". Video installations give insights into the long-term research carried out with, in, and around Hainich National Park. There are also exhibits, such as drill cores from the construction of the observation tower and further temporary exhibits. The exhibition focuses on the interactions between life above and below ground and hidden habitats in soil, rocks, and groundwater. The presentation shows the complex connections in the natural world and between humans and the environment, and the resulting threats to nature and humankind, explains Totsche. The head of the National Park, Manfred Großmann, adds: "I'm happy that this exhibition makes the subject of biodiversity – which is more topical and more important than ever – more tangible for visitors to the Hainich UNESCO World Heritage Site."
Opening to mark several special days in March 2022
The exhibition is a joint project of the canopy walkway's operators, the KTL Kur und Tourismus Bad Langensalza GmbH; the Hainich National Park Administration; and the University of Jena. It will open at 11:00 a.m. on 21 March, on the occasion of the International Day of Forests. The opening of the exhibition is also dedicated to the other nature-related days of action in March – World Water Day on 22 March, and World Meteorological Day on 23 March – and each day's central theme, such as World Water Day's topic, "Groundwater – Making the Invisible Visible".
The exhibition can be seen during the opening times of the canopy walkway in Hainich National Park near Bad Langensalza. The canopy walkway is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (November to March) and 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (April to October). The ticket price includes entry to the exhibition.
Kai Uwe Totsche, Prof. Dr
Chair of Hydrogeology
kai.totsche@uni-jena.de
+49 3641 9-48650 +49 3641 9-48652
Room H 104
Google Maps site plan
To website


text:
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Signed Into Law – Includes Important Covid Relief Programs for Individuals and Businesses
(Click here for printable PDF)
On December 27th, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the "Act") was signed into law. The Act funds $2.3 trillion in federal government spending over the next year; $900 billion of which is specifically directed to pandemic relief for individuals and businesses. The following is a summary of some of the COVID-related funding included in the 3,000+ page Act.
Pandemic Relief for Individuals
In the coming days, certain qualifying individuals will receive $600 stimulus checks from the United States Treasury. These direct stimulus payments are limited to $1,200 for married taxpayers filing jointly and an additional $600 is available for qualified dependents. (While the President has indicated a desire for $2,000 stimulus checks and the House has approved a bill increasing stimulus checks to that amount, its fate in the Senate is uncertain.) In addition to stimulus checks, the Act funds numerous programs including:
$300 supplemental jobless benefits ("Enhanced UI") for workers – including those self-employed and in the "gig economy" – displaced due to the pandemic.
$25 billion to states to administer rental assistance programs and housing stability services (with a priority toward low-income households and households with unemployed individuals).
A 15% increase to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ("SNAP") benefits.
Pandemic Relief for Businesses – Paycheck Protection Program and Second Draw Paycheck Protection Program Loans
Title III of the Act ("Continuing the Paycheck Protection Program and other Small Business Support") provides $325 billion in assistance for small businesses impacted by Covid and, of that, $284 billion is being made available to fund Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans, including new "second draw" loans ("Second Draw PPP Loans") as detailed below. The Act makes numerous material changes to the PPP including:
Who can receive PPP loans – The Act expands eligibility for the PPP and Second Draw PPP Loans to 501(c)(6) entities and "destination marketing organizations" having less than 300 employees and not receiving more than 15% of their receipts from lobbying activities, as well as local newspapers, TV and radio stations.
What borrowers can use the money for – The Act expands the permitted (and potentially forgivable) uses of loan proceeds. Previously, PPP borrowers were limited by the CARES Act and Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act to utilizing PPP loan proceeds to fund payroll costs and certain qualified expenses such as utilities and rent payments. Borrowers may now use loan proceeds for expenses relating to the following categories (although it should be noted that 60% of proceeds must still be used toward payroll costs to maximize loan forgiveness):
– Operational Expenditures – costs incurred to deploy technology, accounting and human resources to support the operations of the entity, including the expansion of remote workplace operations.
– Property Damage – expenditures and repairs related to property damage and vandalism due to public disturbances not otherwise covered by insurance.
– Supplier Costs – expenditures for contractually purchased goods that are essential to the current operations of the borrower.
– Worker Protection – items such as personal protective equipment necessary to prevent the spread of the COVID virus and comply with health and safety guidelines.
– Payroll Costs – employer-provided group insurance coverages are now specifically included as eligible costs.
When borrowers can use the money – The Act allows PPP borrowers to select a covered loan period between 8-24 weeks following loan origination.
How to obtain loan forgiveness – Title III of the Act significantly eases the loan forgiveness process by allowing borrowers who received less than $150,000 to submit a one-page certification in support of loan forgiveness. Loans over $150,000 would remain subject to the current loan forgiveness application process and audit requirements. Nothing in Title III or elsewhere in the Act addresses the loan forgiveness questionnaires required by the SBA for loans in excess of $2 million.
How to maximize loan forgiveness – $10,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loans will no longer be deducted from an applicant's loan forgiveness amount.
With respect to the new Second Draw PPP Loans, qualifying business entities that have used the full amount of their initial PPP loan for permitted purposes under the CARES Act and Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act may apply for a subsequent additional loan. In order to do so, they must show a 25% (or greater) decline in revenues for any quarter in 2020 when compared to the same quarter in 2019. The criteria for these loans are generally more restrictive than the original PPP. Some important items to note regarding these new Second Draw PPP Loans:
Eligible borrowers are limited to those entities having less than 300 full-time employees that were in business prior to February 15, 2020 and were eligible for the initial round of PPP loans.
The maximum amount of a Second Draw PPP Loan is $2 million (but not more than $10 million when combined with the initial PPP loan). However, individual borrower loan amounts are again capped at 2.5 times the average total monthly payroll costs for the one-year period prior to the date the loan is made or calendar year 2019 (at the election of the borrower).
Borrowers must wait 90 days between spending their initial PPP loan and receiving Second Draw PPP Loan proceeds.
Second Draw PPP Loan recipients are eligible for loan forgiveness should they utilize loan proceeds for the expanded list of eligible PPP loan purposes set forth above. To qualify for full forgiveness, however, at least 60% of the loan must be used to fund payroll expenses.
In addition to providing direct appropriations for the PPP, $20 billion has been allocated under the Act to fund additional Economic Impact Disaster loans administered by the Small Business Administration.
The Act also provides industry-specific pandemic relief funding including:
Grants totaling $15 billion for shuttered entertainment venues (movie theaters, concert halls, museums etc.) are being made available to operators, promoters, producers who demonstrate a 25% reduction in revenues.
$16 billion is being made available for passenger air carriers and aviation contractors.
Certain eligible providers of transportation services (including bus and ferry operators) can benefit from $2 billion in assistance.
$11.2 billion is being set aside to support agricultural producers, growers and processors.
Of note, the Act does not provide direct financial relief to states, counties or towns, but it does extend the deadline by which certain monies made available through the initial CARES Act must be spent.
As stated above, the Act is 3,000+ pages and is designed to fund federal government operations throughout the next year while providing relief to individuals and business impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. In the coming days and weeks, Archer attorneys will continue to evaluate the bill and provide updates on programs that may benefit our clients.
Should you have any questions in the meantime, please reach out to your Archer attorney or any member of Archer's COVID-19 Task Force.
DISCLAIMER: This client advisory is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute legal or tax advice, and may not be used and relied upon as a substitute for legal or tax advice regarding a specific issue or problem. Advice should be obtained from a qualified attorney or tax practitioner licensed to practice in the jurisdiction where that advice is sought.


Madison Shakespeare Company's first full-length comedy, As You Like It, will be performed this June at the Edgewood College Amphitheater. To audition for a role in the production, see the notice.
Watch the trailer and book now for Richard the Second!


text:
Analogplanet's Best Reissues of the Decade!
Michael Fremer, Malachi Lui | Mar 1, 2020
Here are our choices for the best reissues of the past decade. They include individual LPs, box sets and ongoing series. We decided to omit from the list re-mixes such as Abbey Road, because they are not strictly "reissues" as well as "newly found" older recordings such as John Coltrane's Blue World. Obviously, over the long decade—and one where vinyl again became the reissue format of choice—there were far too many worthwhile records than we could manageably list—Analogue Productions and Mobile Fidelity alone produced dozens of list-worthy reissues. Here are the ones we decided were most important and most worthy of your attention. Please contribute yours in the comments!
The Beatles In Mono (Apple/UMe box set)
This all analog mono box was almost cut using the mono CDs, but Apple thought better of it and instead sourced directly first gen tapes. These records sound closer to the original tapes than any other mono versions, especially the original pressings where the bottom end had to be attenuated so they'd play on the kiddie phonographs of that time. Some top end "tubey" pleasantries lost, but overall, easily the decade's most significant reissue (unless you hate The Beatles), presented in mono, as said to be preferred by The Beatles themselves. (OOP).-Michael Fremer
David Bowie - Live Nassau Coliseum '76
While there are seemingly endless reissues of David Bowie (Space Oddity), Ziggy Stardust, and Aladdin Sane, Bowie's 1976 masterpiece Station To Station wasn't touched until 2010, when EMI issued an extensive box set with a new album remaster, producer Harry Maslin's remix, the 1985 RCA CD mastering, single edits, and most fascinating of all, a March 23, 1976 live performance at Long Island's Nassau Coliseum. (Parlophone repressed the latter as part of the Who Can I Be Now? 1974-1976 box set and as a standalone double LP.) Bowie, at the time in the midst of a near-fatal cocaine dependency, was elusive, unpredictable, and often erratic, but the performances on this 2LP set are tight, energetic, and as entertaining as can be. Backed by a stellar band consisting of guitarists Carlos Alomar and Stacey Heydon, keyboardist Tony Kaye, bassist George Murray, and drummer Dennis Davis, Bowie works his way through live favorites including "Suffragette City" "Panic In Detroit," "Rebel Rebel," and "The Jean Genie," along with four Station To Station songs and an excellent cover of "Waiting For The Man." Not only was the Isolar tour musically great, but it also artistically strayed from the norm; instead of being greeted with an elaborate stage set a la 1974's Diamond Dogs/Philly Dogs tour, the audience sat down before Bowie's performance for a screening of Salvador Dali's art film Un Chien Andalou. The sound - captured on the Record Plant Mobile, mixed by Maslin, and cut at Abbey Road Studios - isn't that of an "audiophile" recording in the traditional sense but it accurately captures the show's vibe; you can feel the excitement as Bowie prepares to sing a few minutes into "Station To Station"'s intro. Live Nassau Coliseum '76 is the definitive document of Bowie at this time; a genius nearly completely insane, with barely the control to act normal enough for a 90 minute show. - Malachi Lui
Axis: Bold As Love (Analogue Productions UHQR box mono & stereo)
This AAA reissue of Hendrix's most psychedelic and solid songfest in either mono or stereo cut by Bernie Grundman from the original tapes sounds better than every other version to which it was compared including U.K. original Track and other reissues. The closest was original Reprise "Tri-color Steamboat" label but this UHQR 200g "flat profile" reissue was still notably superior sounding and the RCA Soria series-like slip-case packaging is first-rate.-Michael Fremer
Big Star - Complete Third
No matter their aspirations and efforts, Big Star unfortunately never reached commercial success. Maybe that's historically for the better; their lean discography left an indelible mark on indie rock and to this day sounds relevant. Still, this lack of a visible, immediate breakthrough mentally crippled Big Star's remaining songwriter (and therefore, creative leader) Alex Chilton, who during Third's creation spiraled into a deep depression. Recorded in 1974 but until 1978 not released in any form, Third (also known as Sister Lovers) is a downbeat album about self-hopelessness and romance (Chilton's girlfriend of the time, Lesa Aldridge, is the subject and collaborator of many Third songs) often recorded after excessive drink- and drug-fueled nights. The album, which never had a confirmed tracklist or even an intention for release, found itself available in a slew of variations throughout the years, but Omnivore Recordings' 2016 box set is by far the best. Thanks to Omnivore's Cheryl Pawelski and the team at Memphis' Ardent Studios, this 6LP, triple-volume set (also in a 3CD digipak) rounds up every last demo, session take, rough mix, and final master known to exist. Paired with insightful liner notes from those involved with Big Star and Third as well as musicians influenced by it, this is by far the best-produced Third set imaginable. The sound albeit not the absolute best, is decent, and while Rainbo's pressing is merely passable, don't let that deter you from buying this near-essential box set. - Malachi Lui
Mobile Fidelity Ultradisc One-Step Series
These double 45rpm single-step AAA boxed set pressings are as good as vinyl records get. If they don't sound good on your system, it's your system (with the exception of Bridge Over Troubled Water, which was cut from a "tired" tape, though it sounds as good as that tape can today sound). You may question some of the musical choices, but there's no doubt about the superior sound quality. Though most are listed as "sold out", some remain for sale in stores.-Michael Fremer
The White Stripes - Third Man album reissues
Shortly after Third Man Records' 2009 launch, Jack White and co. reissued the White Stripes' studio catalog as high-quality, affordable LPs with reasonable price tags ($21 for single LPs, $27-30 for double albums), great all-analog sound, and tip-on jackets with properly reproduced artwork. Even the usually mediocre United Record Pressing did a mostly good manufacturing job, and while I haven't done a direct comparison between any of the TMR presses and older Sympathy For The Record Industry, V2, or XL pressings, the TMR's absolutely obliterate their digital counterparts. Occasionally, TMR's Vault record subscription releases stunning expanded editions/counterparts to the core albums (specifically, the Icky Thump X box with demos and b-sides, and The White Stripes XX set with previously unreleased studio session and live material). Even without those accompaniments, for introducing younger audiences to vinyl these reissues are the template. - Malachi Lui
Blue Note "Tone Poet" Series and Music Matters Jazz
Music Matters set the standard for Blue Note reissues some years ago and the label still does. However, these moderately priced "Tone Poet" Blue Notes (and associated labels now in the Blue Note stable) curated by Joe Harley and cut from the original analog tapes by Kevin Gray, pressed at RTI and packaged in gatefold "tip on" Stoughton press jackets are as wildly popular as they are great sounding and they exist in great part due to the Music Matters jazz series with which Joe Harley is or was also involved. RVG was forced to cut the deep bass (and compensate by "bumping up" around 90 Hz) and dynamically compress what was on the tape so the originals would play on the budget turntables original BN purchasers mostly had. No need any more to do that and the solid bottom and wide dynamics on the tape are now on the vinyl. Added bonus: the new metal parts will outlast the tapes so future generations can enjoy these albums in mostly AAA sound (a few deserving titles are sourced from original digital recordings). -Michael Fremer
Neu! - Neu!
Often regarded as one of krautrock's defining albums, Neu!'s 1971 self-titled debut became hard to find until Gronland reissued it in 2010, bringing it, for $23, to every good new record store in the world. While I haven't heard any other pressings, this one sounds great; while obviously sourced from hi-res digital, with clarity it highlights every propulsive motorik rhythm and dynamic shift. Further, Optimal's standard weight white vinyl pressing is dead quiet, leaving the many quiet passages uninterrupted. For anyone who appreciates art rock's evolution over the past 50 years, Neu! is essential in any form, and this pressing in particular (save for the grainy inner gatefold scan) doesn't disappoint. - Malachi Lui
The Electric Recording Company Reissues
Costly, limited edition reissues cut using original master tapes, featuring "old school" typeset printed "fold-over" laminated jackets and all tube cutting using restored Lyrec T818 tape console, Lyrec SV8 lathe-Ortofon all tube cutting amplifiers (separate ones for mono and stereo) and mono and stereo cutter heads represents the vinyl world's most serious attempt at reissue authenticity. The label began with reissues of in-demand classical titles featuring legendary artists like Leonid Kogan and Johanna Martzy, original pressings of which still go for many thousands of dollars. ERC has now expanded to jazz and blues titles from the Prestige and Riverside catalog among others. While most titles immediately sell out a few are still in print including the sublime Elgar's Cello Concerto with Jacqueline Du Pre and Sir John Barbirolli conducting the LSO. ERC jackets feature paper stock similar if not identical to the original and the printing is done old school "hot lead" style.-Michael Fremer
Stereolab - 2019 reissue campaign
Dissatisfied with the 1972 label's CD-sourced reissues of their Elektra catalog, 90s avant-pop band Stereolab finally regained the rights to their music and properly reissued it. Indeed, it was worth the wait. While the master tapes are deteriorating, these digitally restored reissues nonetheless sound as great as they probably can given that these aren't necessarily hi-fi recordings, and the bonus content (mostly demo and alternate mixes) gives listeners insight into the albums' creative processes. Compared to the 1972 pressings, these new ones sound like actual music rather than thick sludge. The packaging for each set, while not faithful to the originals' layouts, consists of a capacity gatefold to hold the three LPs as well as a double-sided 24"x24" poster with the album cover on one side and lyrics, notes, and credits on the other. Optimal's pressing of the LPs, whether on black or clear vinyl, as expected is dead quiet. As $30 3LP sets, these offer stunning value, good sound, carefully curated bonus discs, and thankfully makes the Stereolab catalog available on high quality vinyl once again. - Malachi Lui
SAM Records Reissues
French mono jazz titles from the '50's featuring mostly American artists (John Lewis, Clark Terry, Donald Byrd, Chet Baker, etc.) either traveling through or "self-exiled" in Europe at an even more difficult time in American race relations. All-analog production using original master tapes, with high quality laminated "fold over" jackets using original cover and label art, and each containing a high-quality photographic print of the artist generated from original negatives. Well pressed and presented and the mono sound is up there with the best. Available in America through Acoustic Sounds.-Michael Fremer.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band - Trout Mask Replica
Upon its release, Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band's Trout Mask Replica immediately took on a life of its own. Its odd blend of blues, rock, free jazz, and purely avant-garde ideas make it sound more like a work of visual art than a conventional collection of musical songs, and makes you wonder if an album this strange can even be performed. In spite of the cult-like sessions, Trout Mask Replica really is a masterpiece for the ages; Beefheart's compositions on a piano he couldn't play truly question the boundaries of music, and each song warps your mind. This Third Man reissue is done 100% correctly: cut by Chris Bellman from hi-res digital files (the original master is unusable and the safeties from which much of this is sourced are incomplete), plated at Pallas, pressed at Third Man Pressing, housed in a Stoughton tip-on gatefold faithful to the original, and all for the price of $25. Currently, this reissue is backordered due to high demand, but you can likely expect a repress fairly soon.
Mobile Fidelity Miles Davis Columbia Records Reissues
Mo-Fi's Miles reissues keep coming. Porgy and Bess another atmospheric Miles-Gil Evans collaboration dropped early 2020. While all of these Miles albums are musically significant and many are sonically excellent on both original pressings and on these reissues, the biggest sonic surprise was how much better the reissued quintet (Shorter, Hancock, Carter, Williams) recordings sound compared to the originals. Whatever happened in the original mastering has been vastly improved on Nefertiti, Miles in the Sky and Filles De Kilimanjaro. If you have originals and think, you're covered, you're not! Get these while you can. -Michael Fremer.
NEXT: AnalogPlanet's Best Reissues of the Decade Part II! »
AnalogPlanet's Best Reissues of the Decade Part II!
Why so bad?
Submitted by culturcide on Sun, 2020-03-01 20:37
I just got my 10LP super deluxe version. Could you explain why the new Bernie Grundman cut of the main double LP could sound so 'muffled' compared to my original 1982 pressing (also BG)? Switching from the old to the new is like wrapping 10 pairs of sexy black stockings around my head and ears (although it doesn't sound sexy anymore). It even sounds shite compared to my original 1985 CD. How does that even happen in 2020?
No regrets though... wanted it for the Vault and live discs... and its oh so sexy mirrored box.
Best from Down Under.
Was referring to Prince's 1999 above.
Completely agree w/Culturcide re:1999.
Submitted by Cello High End Audio on Mon, 2020-03-02 10:30
The sound on the new release is easily the worst of any of the versions I have. Not even all the way thru the 1st side I pulled out the original American pressing and a mid-80s Italian pressing, both of which crushed the new one. Not that either of those are great. Even the songs that appear on The Hits/The B-Sides CD are immeasurably better. "Muffled" points you in the right direction.
Totally agree with...
Submitted by mraudio on Sun, 2020-03-01 20:41
...ALL of the UD1S MOFI's and will add ALL of the 45RPM MOFI Dire Straits reissues.
...ALL of the UD1S MOFI's and
...ALL of the UD1S MOFI's and will add ALL of the 45RPM MOFI Dire Straits reissues!
Good list. I would add that
Submitted by ArcAudio on Mon, 2020-03-02 04:01
Good list. I would add that Capitol did a nice job with Birth of The cool. The Craft jazz box sets (Coltrane, Chet Baker, etc) are really nice.
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Mon, 2020-03-02 04:11
Is awful sounding! Nice packaging tho. Check out our review and listen to what's wrong..
I do have the Capitol CD set
I do have the Capitol CD set from the 90's or early 2000's. I'll have to compare. The late 50's Capitol reprint seems to be a sweet spot for price. I just added it (along with the Classic records version) to my Discogs want list. I'm in the planning stages of an audio video channel, I'll do a comparison down the road of the different versions down the road. Thanks for your comments and referring me to your earlier review
Grundman Zappas come
Submitted by Pretzel Logic on Mon, 2020-03-02 07:16
Grundman Zappas come immediately to mind. Burrito Bros Gilded Palace...(question, are the Kinks lps in the mono box any different than the 2015 Sanctuary's?)
Grundman Zappas et.al
Yes, those are great too....all of the Intervention Records reissues are worthy....the Kinks box was mastered by Kevin Gray from the tapes post 2015 so I don't know what they used for those records or how they sound....
https://www.analogplanet.com
https://www.analogplanet.com/content/best-ever-face-face
I believe this was a "Sanctuary"...
Live at monterey
Submitted by sunderwood on Mon, 2020-03-02 07:21
Thanks for the heads up on the Jimi Hendrix Live at Monterey album. I did some checking and found that you can get it for 16.72 at Walmart.
Thank's !!
Submitted by ChrisM on Mon, 2020-03-02 12:06
Great stuff, thank you guy's ! I've already got half, I'll check the other half :)
Submitted by 2_channel_ears on Mon, 2020-03-02 16:39
Great teamwork. Could we see more collaboration?
Submitted by MalachiLui on Mon, 2020-03-02 18:15
we've tossed around the idea of posting a conversation about mach-hommy's $3000 album, we'll probably do a video of it in a few weeks.
Great List! I wood ad...
Submitted by Bill1986I on Mon, 2020-03-02 20:25
Radiohead's OKNOTOK Special Edition is awesome sounding and beautifully packed.
OKNOTOK
actually had an entry for that ready, because the packaging is amazing and i love the bonus content. HOWEVER, once i compared the main album to the 2008 uk press (discussed in the recent vinyl reports feature i did), i felt the need to remove it from an audiophile website's list. but i concur regarding the packaging.
Submitted by Domino Joe on Tue, 2020-03-03 01:50
Why commenting the albums reissues there's written: 1972 label's CD-sourced reissues of their Elektra catalog??? 1972??? and then repeated:Compared to the 1972 pressings… in 1972 Stereolab didn't exist...
1972 label
Submitted by MalachiLui on Tue, 2020-03-03 07:54
there is a record label called 1972 which did those cd-sourced stereolab reissues earlier in the decade. 1972 is basically another label like plain, which reissues 90s recordings unfortunately cut from cd.
Dylan Test Pressing
Submitted by john75 on Tue, 2020-03-03 02:47
"Surprisingly, the RSD edition is cut from a digital transfer of an original test pressing, even though it sounds as if cut from a digitized tape." This is the first time I read about this as a fact. Was this confirmed by Sony and/or the producers?
confirmed by an insider source.
Comments and Thanks!
Submitted by avanti1960 on Tue, 2020-03-03 09:44
The Tone Poet series is incredible and a true Godsend for Jazz fans. Thanks for the explanation why they sound so good- they sure do!
While I love the Miles Davis' "Sketches of Spain", "Seven Steps to Heaven" gets my nod as the slightly better sounding LP.
Speaking of David Bowie, the Neu! LP had a heavy influence on his work- Chant of the Ever Circling Skeletal People" on Diamond Dogs and the intro to "Station to Station" are nearly direct copies of some tracks on the Neu! LP. Pretty cool stuff. Peace and keep 'em coming!
So much to choose from!
Submitted by Happy Will on Thu, 2020-03-05 02:24
Who would have predicted the sheer volume of vinyl re-issues that we have seen over the last 10 years, and can you remember them all? All shades of quality too!
Here are my top 11 picks (in excess of some of those those already noted above). My choice is based on a combination of musical enjoyment (overriding criteria) backed with excellent to very good SQ (IMO) recognising sourcing originals in pristine condition is a pipe dream. It also includes less than a handful that I wonder if they could have sounded better if they had been re-issued by others, but that is unlikely to happen in my lifetime and are of a SQ that still allows me to really enjoy the listening.
1) The Beach Boys AP series and in particular "Smiley Smile" - I just love the divine sound of some of these tracks. Please can we have Wild Honey, Friends, 20/20 and Carl and The Passions too?
2) Eric Dolphy "Musical Prophet" (RSD)
3) Roy Haper "Flatbaroquebeserk" one of a number of Roy Haper rereleases on his own label.
4) Sound of Music soundtrack (Analogue Spark)
5) Neil Young "On The Beach" (NYA)
6) John Martyn - Numerous early titles (Island/UMC)
7) David Lindley "El-Rayo X" (Speakers Corner)
8) Buffalo Spingfield "Whats that Sound" (Rhino/Atco)
9) Aretha Franklin "I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You" (Vinyl Me, Please/Atlantic)
10) Ornette Coleman "Tha Atlantic Years" (Rhino)
11) Tim Buckley "Dream Letter - Live in London" (Demon)
Some of My Best Sounding Records Discussed In These Ken Micallef Produced and Edited Videos
"The New Orleans Collection"— Newvelle's Crescent City Excellent Adventure
Andover Audio's Super-Versatile, High Performance Model-One Turntable Music System
Preaching And The Blues: The Folk Blues Career of Son House
Two Months With Widex's Moment 440 mRIC R D Hearing Aids
Vinyl Reports: Yung Lean and Charli XCX
Schiit's $199 Modius DAC Is Total Schiit
My Physics Teacher Was a New York Record Producer and I Had No Idea
Block Audio's C-Lock Solves Wall Jack Woes
William Stead's "The Flip Side" Was Official 2019 Festival de Cannes Short Film Corner Selection
Vinyl Reports: Real Life Record Shopping Returns!
A Week In The Past---David Jones In New Orleans 1961
The Great Cable "Unmasking"
Diving Into the Quality, Reasoning, & Ethics Behind Modern Vinyl Bootlegs
Cascade Record Pressing Tour
AnalogPlanet Visits Turntable Manufacturer Acoustic Signature
Craft Recordings Launches "Small Batch" Series With One-Step AAA John Coltrane Lush Life
Hegel Music Systems Debuts V10— Its First Ever MM/MC Phono Preamplifier
Craft Recordings To Launch Exclusive "Small Batch" LP Series
"Nothing Can Stop the Vinyl Resurgence"—AnalogPlanet's Making Vinyl Video Opener
Gem Dandy's PolyTable Signature And Sorane TA-1L Tonearm
Ortofon Introduces 2M Black LVB Cartridge
"The State of The Vinyl Industry" Webinar With Michael Fremer Today at 5PM EST
Black Friday Was Green Friday As 1.253 Million Records Sold the W/0 11/27-12/3
Hagerman Audio Labs Introduces Trumpet MC-Vacuum Tube Phonostage
Channel D's Seta L Comes Out as Transimpedance
Phono Box RS2 Is Pro-Ject's Newest and Most Sophisticated Phono Preamplifier
VMP's The Story of the Grateful Dead Anthology Is Worth Considering
SME Introduces New Model 6 Turntable With M2-9 Arm
High End Munich Moves Show Dates To September 2021
Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB Turntable—Born of Frustration
The Schiit SOL Turntable (Updated 10/26/2020)
iFi's iPhono 3 MM/MC Phono Preamplifier Takes A Giant Sonic Leap Forward
Everything You Know About Skating Is Wrong!
WAM Engineering's New, Improved WallySkater V2.1
Thorens TD 1601 Turntable—It Might As Well Be Sprung
New Limited Edition Technics SL-1210GAE Looks and Sounds Great
It's Just Wire (REVISED FILES)
Cambridge Audio's Alva—A Serious Plug'n'Play Direct Drive Turntable
WallyTools Are Back From The New WAM Engineering
High Performance, High Value Hana ML and MH Cartridges (Reversed Channels Fixed)
Easy to Warm Up to ELAC Alchemy's $1250 PPA-2 Phono Preamp
Parasound Z Phono XRM MM/MC Phono Preamp Offers A lot For $595
"sittin' in"—Jazz Clubs of the 1940s And 1950s (2 photos added)
Blue Note Announces Classic Vinyl Reissue Series
Vinyl Review Explosion: Spiritualized, Bob Dylan, and Carly Rae Jepsen
Verve/UMe Readies Two Nina Simone Albums For Third Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series Installment
Jethro Tull's Aqualung Gets Analogue Productions Double 45 RPM UHQR Release
Electric Recording Company To Reissue Cluytens Conducts The Complete Orchestral Works of Maurice Ravel
RSD Review Explosion, Part 1: John Lennon, Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, and Denzel Curry
Blue Note Revises "Tone Poet" Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series Schedule


text:
Kanape Brook – rzeka w stanie Nowy Jork, w hrabstwie Ulster, dopływ rzeki Bush Kill. Zarówno długość cieku, jak i powierzchnia zlewni nie zostały oszacowane przez USGS.

Uwagi

Przypisy

Rzeki w stanie Nowy Jork
Dorzecze Hudson

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Yemeni rial bounces back as central bank restructured
Yemeni rial bounces back as central bank restructured /node/1982466/business-economy
https://arab.news/2hz9g
Saeed Al-Batati
AL-MUKALLA: The Yemeni rial recovered on Tuesday by roughly 30 percent hours after the Yemeni president reshuffled the country's central bank board in a bid to rein in the rapid currency devaluation.
Local moneychangers told Arab News that the Yemeni rial began bouncing back on Monday night when President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi dismissed the governor of the Aden-based central bank and his deputy.
By Tuesday morning, the Yemeni currency rose from 1,700 to 1,100 against the dollar before dropping again to 1,250 in the afternoon.
The rial has rapidly tumbled during the past couple of weeks, reaching a historic record low of 1,750 this week, compared to 215 in early 2015.
Yemen's president appointed Ahmed bin Ahmed Ghaleb as the new governor and head of the central bank's administrative board. Mohammed Omer Banaja was appointed his deputy.
The official news agency reported that the president authorized the Central Agency for Control and Accountability to monitor the bank's current and previous financial activities.
Four previous central bank chiefs, all appointed Hadi, failed to prevent the rial's plunge despite their expertise and strong educational backgrounds.
The central bank had closed dozens of exchange firms and shops that violated the bank's monetary rules and were involved in speculative activities on foreign currency. The central bank also ordered banks in the Houthi-controlled areas to move offices and operations to Aden, or face punitive measures and provided fuel and food importers with dollars. The rial continued losing value against the dollar, as several blacklisted firms and banks continued operations in the Houthi-controlled Sanaa.
Mustafa Nasr, director of the Economic Media Center, has urged local and international support to the bank's new administration to succeed in putting into place economic policies and also demanded resuming the flow of oil and gas exports and reviving money-generating state bodies. "
Richard Oppenheim, British ambassador to Yemen, said the reshuffle of the bank's administrative board would help the Yemeni government carry out vital reforms to steady the economy.
Topics: Yemeni currency Central Bank
Yemen replaces central bank governor, deputy governor amid currency collapse
Singapore suspends crypto ATMs despite investor appetite: Crypto Moves /node/2007531/business-economy
RAYANA ALQUBALI
RIYADH: Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency internationally, traded lower on Wednesday, falling by 0.46 percent to $41,515 at 12:07 p.m. Riyadh time.
Ether, the second most traded cryptocurrency, was priced at $3,074, down by 2.60 percent, according to data from Coindesk.
To curb Singapore's growing appetite for digital tokens, crypto ATMs are shutting down, as the city-state moves to significantly reduce consumer marketing of cryptocurrencies.
Daenerys & Co, the largest machine operator in Singapore has suspended its services to comply with the Monetary Authority of Singapore's request, the company said on Tuesday.
Another company, Deodi Pte, shut down its sole machine on Tuesday, the company said on its website.
"The Monetary Authority of Singapore's new guidelines regarding ATMs were an unexpected surprise," Daenerys said in a reply to questions from Bloomberg.
The machines, which are mostly located in malls across Singapore, provide people with a convenient way to buy cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether using fiat currencies, Bloomberg reported.
However, the notion of a fast and easy way into crypto trading for retail investors didn't sit well with regulators, who explicitly mentioned the ATMs in guidelines released Monday.
Such offerings could encourage people to trade on impulse, the MAS said.
Meanwhile, Crypto.com said it has suspended all deposits and withdrawals while it investigates unauthorized activity on some accounts, according to Bloomberg.
The crypto wallet provider and trading platform said in a Twitter post that the measure was temporary to allow it to improve security and it would resume activity once the update was complete. The company added that all funds are safe.
Several users on social media have reported that their cryptocurrencies, sometimes worth tens of thousands of dollars, had disappeared from their Crypto.com accounts in recent days.
Technical issues on crypto trading platforms have become commonplace as the hype surrounding digital assets grows.
Providers such as Coinbase, Binance and Kraken have all suffered widespread outages at times of peak demand in the last year, causing trouble for investors who were prevented from making withdrawals or liquidating their positions amid volatile trading periods.
Rio de Janeiro allocates 1% of its funds to invest in cryptocurrency
South Korea's LG Energy's $10.8bn IPO draws record demand from retail investors /node/2007521/business-economy
Updated 9 min 16 sec ago
South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution has set a new record for IPO demand with retail investors bidding for shares worth about 114 trillion won ($95.62 billion),adding to the frenzy for a piece of the biggest public offering in the country.
As a result of the strong demand, the retail portion of LGES initial public offering was oversubscribed nearly 70 times and attracted about 4.4 million subscription accounts at the end of the two-day bidding period on Wednesday, according to KB Securities, one of the main bookrunners on the LGES deal.
LGES' retail bidding volume beats the previous record of battery material maker SK IE Technology Co Ltd's, which drew 81 trillion won in public subscription last year.
Last week, the company priced the offering at top of the indicative marketing range to raise $10.8 billion, making it South Korea's biggest and Asia's third-largest IPO.
"We will continue to put efforts to complete the listing process," LGES said in a statement.
LGES continues the trend of robust demand for IPOs from South Korean retail investors - known as "Ants" as government stimulus efforts to bolster the economy after the coronavirus crisis have flooded markets with cash.
Topics: economy IPO South Korea LG LG Energy Investors
World needs to invest $3trn-plus in renewables in 10 years: UAE minister /node/2007516/business-economy
The world needs to invest at least $3 trillion in renewable energy in the next 10 years, state news agency WAM quoted United Arab Emirates (UAE) Industry Minister Sultan al-Jaber as saying on Tuesday in Dubai.
The minister, who is also the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) chief executive, added that the UAE remains committed to providing reliable supplies of oil and gas with less carbon emissions.
The minister was attending a session at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit at the Expo 2020 site in Dubai.
Topics: economy renewables UAE GCC MENA
Saudi Arabia plans to generate over 15,000GW/h from renewables by 2024
France sees fourfold jump in rooftop solar installations: NRG matters /node/2007511/business-economy
RIYADH: As Europe continues to fight soaring energy costs and pursue transition to cleaner fuel sources, countries such as China are either curbing electricity shortages or investing in green energy.
Looking at the bigger picture:
European power costs for February are forecast to decline as favorable weather conditions are set to boost renewable energy output via wind power generation, Bloomberg reported. This fall in power prices is expected to ease the pain of rallying energy prices on households and small businesses across the continent.
France recorded a fourfold increase in new rooftop solar installations last year as demand for solar panels and extra insulation in Europe surged. The drive has been sparked by people attempting to curb soaring energy bills, Bloomberg reported, citing Rystad, an energy research and business intelligence firm.
Additionally, governments of EU members such as Italy and Spain dedicated $13.7 billion and $3.9 billion respectively to enhance energy efficiency in households up until 2026, Bloomberg reported, citing figures from the Bruegel think tank.
China's record coal spree, which pushed annual production in 2021 to over four billion tons, is capable of averting energy supply crisis and electricity shortages, according to Bloomberg. This comes as the country has secured enough fuel supply to cater to local needs.
Through a micro lens:
Chinese state-owned power firm China Three Gorges Corporation is set to spend $6.5 billion on three off-shore wind farms in the Guangdong province amid a scheme to diversify its portfolio, the Financial Times reported. While the hydropower giant has a current capacity to generate up to 26 gigawatts of electricity from solar panels and wind turbines, it aims to push this figure to 70 or 80 gigawatts by 2025, according to Bloomberg.
Belgium based metal supplier Eurometaux has turned to EU policymakers for help as it seeks the support of member states in boosting local productions of aluminium, zinc, and silicon amid energy transition efforts, Reuters reported. This comes in line with the Union's 2050 net zero plans which include electric vehicles requiring aluminum as well as renewable energy that call for zinc and silicon.
Topics: solar panels Renewable Energy
European EV sales outnumber combustion engines; Green hydrogen to hit $36bn in 30 years: NRG matters
Italy plans energy package; US Sixth Street Partners potential acquisition of Italy's Eni's could value it at $1.4bn: NRG Matters
Australia's consumers' sentiment drops slightly despite omicron worries /node/2007501/business-economy
Australian consumers appear to have fewer concerns over the omicron variant compared to other COVID-19 strains, according to a recent report by an Australian bank.
Australia's Westpac-Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment went down by only 2 percent in January, in what was deemed as a "surprisingly solid" result.
The delta variant prompted a higher 5.2 percent drop during the first month of its spread.
The latest result was also much lower than the 17.7 percent slump experienced when the pandemic started, according to a report by Westpac.
The January decline in the index was attributed to worries about the economy and family finance's outlook for the next 12 months, which decreased by 9.6 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively.
This is despite a noticeable improvement in actual family finances relative to a year ago, with its sub-index rising by 7.5 percent in January, the bank said.
Looking at the state breakdown, the data showed that Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia all faced worsening sentiment. On the other hand, confidence brightened in New South Wales and Victoria.
The report added that consumers who lived in states that were previously affected by the delta variant lockdowns were less worried about the omicron outbreak when compared to citizens of states who are facing their first major wave of the pandemic.
Topics: Australia economy
US consumer confidence brightens; UK business growth falters: Economic wrap
South Korea, GCC discuss potential partnerships


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During the process of the Reconquest developed by the Kings of León that lead the small advance towards the river Duero's border and even further on, towards South, the County of Castilla accumulated an own identity and a feeling of independence from the Leónese Crown. At the end of the Xth Century, Fernán González unified all the Castilian counties under his control and he was recognized by his brother-in-law, the king Ramiro II, as Count of the whole Castilla ("Comes totius Castellae").
The last Count of Castilla, prince García, was killed in 1029 and left no descendants. The County turned into his sister's inheritance. Her husband, Sancho III de Navarra, chose his son Fernando as the heir of Castilla. Fernando took the power in 1035 and he turned the ancient County into a Kingdom. Therefore, Fernando turned out to be the first King of Castilla and the first King of Castilla and León, last kingdom that he came to rule after marrying Sancha, the heir of the Leónese Crown.
Fernando I and Sancha decided to build a Royal Mausoleum to bury themselves and their heirs. As many other places in León, the one chosen by the Royal Family had an ancient architectonic history that came from the Roman time: in the IXth Century a church devoted to San Juan Bautista was built over a pagan temple devoted to Mercury. The relics from San Pelayo, the martyr child from Córdoba, where brought in 966 and a monastery was built to keep them safe. When Almanzor destroyed León in 988, the monastery was completely devastated and it was Alfonso V who rebuilt it in the middle XIth Century. The church's new name was Nuevo Templo de San Juan Bautista and San Pelayo.
Fernando I succeeded in bringing to León San Isidoro's body from Seville by asking this honour to the Moorish king Almotadid after defeating him. The temple was consecrated in December 22nd 1063 under the name of San Juan Bautista y San Isidoro, who was the patron Saint of the former kingdom Reino de León.
The oldest part of the ancient Basilica corresponds to the church door that Fernando I ordered to build during the XIth Century. The construction went on in the following century under the direction of the architect Pedro Deustamben, buried in the church. During the XVth-XVIIIth Centuries some renovations were operated in the basilica, which was sacked by NapoLeón's troops in 1808.
The Romanesque is the main artistic style in San Isidoro, although we can also find Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. The church, with a latin cross floor, has three naves and three apses. The front door, Puerta del Cordero, is a beautiful Romanesque jewel, with a tympanum and a sculpture representing Isaac's sacrifice. There are also remarkable columns, with filigrees and capitals, and also the statues of San Pelayo and San Isidoro. Over this group, there is a second sculpture, dated on the XVIIIth Century, with San Isidoro's image riding a horse. A second Romanesque door, also on the south side, called Puerta del Perdón, includes sculptures of San Pedro and San Pablo and very interesting relieves. There is a third door on the North side, covered by the chapel of the Quiñones.
The Royal Mausoleum has a striking beauty. It is a squared floor room which is 8 metres long in each side. Two huge columns placed in the middle introduce six different parts with vaults painted in the second part of the XIIth Century. The extraordinary beautiful and captivating paintings at the Mausoleum are considered the best ones from the Spanish Romanesque. They represent scenes of the New Testament, The Annunciation, the Via Crucis and Stations of the Cross, the Visitation, the Birth, the Last Supper… Apart from Fernando I and his wife Sancha, whose body stays uncorrupted, in the Royal Mausoleum were also buried Alfonso V, Vermudo III, Doña Urraca and don García, the last Count of Castilla.
The mural paintings from the chapel Capilla de Quiñones, dated on the XIIIth Century, are also remarkable, and so are the chapel of Santo Martino, a mingled of the Spanish and Flemish styles, the chapel capilla de la Trinidad, and both cloisters, one from the XVIth Century and the other one, Baroque style, from the XVIIIth Century.
In the museum Museo de San Isidoro is kept a treasure with pieces of an inestimable,such as Doña Urraca's chalice, from the XIth Century, the (s. XI), the Marble's Ark (arqueta de los marfiles) from the XIth Century, the Relics' Ark (Arca de las Reliquias) from San Bautista and San Pelayo, and the one from San Isidoro, also from the XIth Century, the Enamel's Ark or Arca de los Esmaltes, from the XIIth Century, and medieval codices, a Mozarab bible, hispano- moslem textiles, jewels and Gothic objects, and many Roman pieces, amongst them the memorial tablet from the creation of the Legio VII.