Outrigger Aina Nalu welcomes you to the heart of Lahaina town, just steps from world famous Front Street. In the early 1800s, Lahaina was the busiest whaling port in the Pacific. Today, visitors and locals alike gather for fun at this charming historic waterfront. From stylish bistros serving sophisticated Hawaiian cuisine, to world-class galleries filled with eclectic art, to the lively nightlife, Lahaina is one of Maui's most delightful destinations.
Air conditioned accommodations are beautifully accented with natural stone, tropical woods, and colors of russet and bronze that effortlessly combine to create an atmosphere of comfort and ease. High speed internet access is available (fee).
Studio: 252 square feet. 1 BR: 515 square feet. 2 BR: 772-846 square feet.
One-and two- bedroom units offer a full kitchen with clean modern lines, while studios are equipped with a microwave and executive refrigerator. Outrigger Aina Nalu Resort is an excellent choice for travelers wanting to be near Front Street in Lahaina where there are many shops and restaurants. A swimming beach is about 1 mile away.


The 2016 Mercedes-Benz G class SUV goes on sale this month.
FRANKFURT -- Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon expects sales of the G-class SUV to jump, due to a new base engine and a second AMG version for 2016.
"We're going to sell more Gs this year than we ever have in the U.S. market, and we'll sell more next year than we have this year," Cannon said on the sidelines of the Frankfurt auto show. The 2016 models go on sale this month.
G-class sales totaled 3,090 in 2014, the second highest since U.S. sales began in late 2001. Through September, G-class sales were 2,438, up 11 percent.
The G class, a military-style SUV that dates to 1979, has few visible changes for 2016. Most notable are a new front bumper, updated instrument cluster design and bright paint colors such as purple, orange and "alien green."
Bigger changes are under the hood. The base G550 gets a downsized engine: a new 4.0-liter V-8 that produces 416 hp, but consumes 17 percent less fuel than the former 5.5-liter, 382-hp V-8. The 2016 G550 starts at $120,825, including shipping, up about 4 percent from the prior model.
The G class also gets a second AMG high-performance model, the G65, with a 6.0-liter, V-12 engine that puts out 621 hp. Prices start at $218,825, including shipping.
Cannon called the G65 the "big daddy" of Mercedes' SUV lineup, and predicted, "We'll have demand for it." Mercedes will be cautious about the volume "because dealers don't like having a $200,000 car sitting on their lots."
The G63, the nameplate's continuing AMG model, keeps its 5.5-liter V-8 for 2016 but gains power, now producing 563 hp.
The G class has the highest AMG mix in Mercedes' lineup: about 60 percent of U.S. sales. Cannon said that mix could skew higher.


I can taste it just looking at it...yum!!!
Patricia, they look evily delicious!
I'm forwarding this recipe to my fudge-loving husband right now!
Wow, those look so rich- What a great gift idea!
They look like ultra-condensed brownies.
Your fudge looks great. Made fudge earlier this year and was surprised how easy it was since I had never made it before.
So lovely! Pat, I love this recipe. It will make such a beautiful Xmas present.
Looks delicious! Homemade gifts are always better for the holiday season.
Patricia, I've been trying to think of gifts to give to the other teachers around Christmas time, and this fudge looks perfect!
What a wonderful gift! It looks great. Sounds like it would be good too. I'm not always a fan of fudge as I find it not very smooth and too sweet but this one looks perfect. :) Lucky friend!
Yummy! This quick fudge looks so decadent and chocolatey. I love that it doesn't have a ton of high fructose corn syrup and junk. Just real ingredients. Your friend is very lucky to be receiving gifts like these. Thanks for the inspiration!
You've done it yet again with the sweetened condensed milk, Patricia. Those are deeply dense and decadent, and for five minutes of effort! Candy can be tricky, but this is to die for.
Patricia...WOW!! With the season of giving right here...what could be better. I always believe that food-as-a-gift & home-made can't be a better combination. Must post it to 'Spoonful of Christmas'. I've done iced cookies & a lemon cake for the season, and truffles too.
It's just a lovely thing to do to give home-made food to friends, and some gorgeous fudge like this too! MMMMMMM!
The fudge looks great. I am definitely adding this to my to try list.
Yummmmmmy! Love homemade gifts, especially the edible variety.
This looks like fabulous fudge (I'm drooling a bit here) and I'm sure your friend was thrilled to get such a sweet gift from such a sweetie.
Oh - fudge always reminds me of the holidays. This looks fantastic!
Condensed milk fudge is the best!!! Thanks for the recipe, Patricia!
Ohhhhhhh what are you doing to my waistline!!! That looks sooooooo yummy!!!
Anything that looks that good and takes so little time to make is a must-have. I can't wait to try it out!
Wow, your friend is so lucky to have a nice friend like you, the fudge looks so delicious.
What a lucky friend you have. Those are just sinful.
Five minute fudge? Now that is a great idea. It looks fabulous - I wish I could reach into the screen and take a piece!
Now I remember something. I tried to make fudge when I was a little girl and alone at home. Milk, sugar, cacao powder and butter went into a saucepan. Need I tell you what happened? Well, my mother wasn´t too happy when she had to clean the burned saucepan.
Lydia, I hope he enjoys it!
Graeme, I'm glad you like them! And they do look like brownies, you're right.
Hi! Fudge is not common here in Brazil, so it was only my second time around!
Kelly, tks for stopping by!
Pam, let me know what you think of it, sweetie?
Hey, dear, I want to make some cookies as gifts, too!
Bri, a few ingredients and one Brazilian favorite - sweetened condensed milk!
Susan, I'm a Brazilian and sweetened condensed milk is such a big part of our food culture!
No thermometer needed here, darling!
Hi, Passionate Baker - thank you for your kind words and happy birthday to you, too!!
Kelly-Jane, I love making these for my friends!
Hi, Anonymous, I think that Xmas breakfast in your house must be delicious!
Lynn, I was so glad to count on you on this!
Manggy, thank you, my dear friend!
Everything... - thank you! She's a sweetie, she deserved something nice!
I like homemade gifts much better than store bought ones. This fudge looks like such a wonderful gift!!
What a perfect recipe for gifting. Your photos are gorgeous...make me want to lick the screen.
I better not let my husband see this! It looks incredible.
Everyone needs a tried and true holiday fudge recipe and yours looks like it can beat out the rest. Yum!
Elle, you are far too generous, my dear friend!
Aimée, I'm so glad you like it!
Joey, you are so right - that issue is beautiful, there are a couple of recipes there I want to make to give as Xmas gifts!
just gorgeous, and it can't get simpler. thanks for this recipe. my mom used to make it, but she's no more, and i didn't have her recipe. now i'll use yours.
Wow, this is really a popular post, 40 comments!! I was just curious, based on ur experience, are there any postal laws on food that can be sent be mail? I've never sent food by mail before and I was just wondering. Also, are there ants in the post office? This is such a great idea!
My girlfriends grandmother made me a batch of this 5 minute fudge and I could not get over how rich, creamy and dense it was, it was wonderful.
Fudge in five minutes?! Can't beat that. Thanks for this recipe Patricia.
Patricia.... wow i know i'm late for commenting on these , but they look yummm !
Yes, I really liked the recipe Patricia! Now it's translated into swedish on my blogg! I used chocolate with 70% of cacoa so I tried to add some more condensed milk and I really liked the result! It's a great together with a Café Latte!
This is great! I've got to try it!
I just made this, Patricia.
and a great blog to come back to for more...see ya soon!!
Jimmie, I hope you like it!


Cana Village is located in the galilee just 10 km from Nazareth.
In the village you can visit the church where our Lord Jesus performed his first miracle at the wedding.
you will also find many souvenir stores where you can purchase wine as a symbol to the miracle.
John 2:1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there.
What to see at the Church of the Wedding in Cana?
According to the Bible it's the spot where our Savior made his first miracle in the wedding. You will also find the stone water jar from the wedding.
It's a 15 minute drive by bus or taxi from Nazareth.
When is the best time to visit Cana Village?
Also in Autumn during (October, November and even in December) when temperatures are on average 15's-22's and perfect for travel.


Richard E Geis, novelist and publisher of the fanzine Psychotic and the long-running semiprozine of sf criticism, opinion and controversy, The Alien Critic (both also known at different times as Science Fiction Review), died in Portland, Oregon on 4 February 2013; this sad news did not reach sf circles untl March. Geis won six Hugos for best fanzine and seven (one tied) for best fan writer. He continued to publish, latterly online, until 2010: see the link below.


EU Law Analysis: The Case of the Administrative Arrangement on Asylum-Seekers between Greece and Germany: A tale of "paraDublin activity"?
The Case of the Administrative Arrangement on Asylum-Seekers between Greece and Germany: A tale of "paraDublin activity"?
* Reblogged from the EDAL blog. An earlier version of this article was published in Greek on immigration.gr blog. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Médecins du Monde – Greece. Special thanks go to Evangelia Tzironi, PhD Candidate at the Law School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens for proofreading the article.
In mid-August 2018, Germany, Greece and Spain agreed on the sketchy details of the initial migration compromise deal that was reached on the sidelines of the EU Summit in Brussels in late June 2018. In this context, the Ministers on Migration of Germany and Greece reaffirmed their commitment by exchange of letters, to work towards common European solutions and to avoid any unilateral measure with respect to migration and asylum.
In particular, both countries underlined their support for concluding the revision of the Common European Asylum System by end of 2018 "with the aim of achieving the goal of fair sharing of responsibility and solidarity". In the event of a crisis – defined as a situation where asylum applications have surpassed a certain percentage e.g. 140% of a State's fair share of asylum applications based on objective criteria (total population and GDP) – Germany committed to support Greece in the Council (of the European Union), especially on the adoption of additional support measures at European Union level. Germany agrees also that further supportive and development measures need to be adopted on the five Greek islands of Eastern Aegean, where the hotspot approach is implemented, in order to assist local communities. Finally, Germany affirms its commitment to increase the human resource capacity in Greece, through the EU Asylum Support Office (EASO), with the aim to strengthen the asylum system.
The final operational details of the aforementioned political agreement were annexed to the letters, under the Title "Administrative Arrangement". This blog post aims to outline the key points of this "Arrangement", to examine its legal nature arguing that argue that this document is a bilateral treaty whose scope extends beyond the Dublin Regulation, and to critically assess its impact on the EU asylum policy.
The Administrative Agreement is comprised of 15 articles and divided into three sections. The first part includes arrangements for the readmission to Greece of persons identified in the context of temporary checks at the German-Austrian border, having previously applied for asylum in Greece. The second part includes provisions for concluding pending Dublin cases of family reunification from Greece to Germany, and finally, the third section includes provisions on the review of the implementation of the "agreement", the mutual dispute settlement and beginning and ending of the aforementioned cooperation between the two countries.
Germany will return to Greece, any adult third-country national who has been identified during a check at the German-Austrian border and wishes to apply for international protection if he/she has already applied for asylum in Greece i.e. when an entry in Eurodac (the EU system of exchanging fingerprints of asylum-seekers) indicates that the person has already requested protection in Greece, and such entry is dated from July 1st, 2017 onwards. Unaccompanied children (under the age of 18) at the time of the identification are excluded from readmission to Greece.
The German Authorities will provide notification of the refusal of entry to the Greek responsible authority using the form annexed to the Agreement via fax or email. The return should be initiated no more than 48 hours after the person has been apprehended, unless the Greek side objects to the return within six hours from the automatic confirmation of the receipt of the notification of the refusal of entry, demonstrating why the conditions of the administrative agreement have not been met. Within 7 days of the readmission, if the Greek authorities demonstrate that the above conditions had not been met (refusal of entry in error), Germany will readmit the person concerned without delay.
Germany commits to swiftly concluding family reunifications from Greece in the framework of the Dublin III Regulation by the end of 2018, with respect to "take charge" requests already accepted by the German Dublin Unit before 1 August 2018. It should be noted that due to the high number of Dublin transfers from Greece to Germany over the last year, asylum seekers entitled to be transferred to Germany under the relevant provisions of the Dublin III Regulation, were "blocked" in Greece for periods exceeding the six-month deadline provided by art. 29 of the Regulation. Germany also undertakes to examine all pending "take charge" requests that have been submitted before 1 August 2018 that have not been examined yet within two months of the beginning of the cooperation between the two parties based on this Administrative Agreement. The number of people to be transferred from Greece to Germany is capped at 600 people per month and family reunifications should be completed by December 2018.
At the same time, the German authorities will examine and reply "without undue delay" to all requests for re-examination submitted before 1 August 2018. To this end, the Greek authorities will provide a relevant sortable list with case numbers and submission dates. Passports and ID cards, marriage and birth certificates, family booklets, as well as the transcript of the interview with the person concerned, will be considered as evidence, when submitted in relation to a currently pending request for re-examination. These documents will be submitted in their original language. A translation in English will be also submitted, if available. It is explicitly envisaged that the submission of documentation in its original language (without translation) may not be used as a justification for rejecting the request for re-examination.
The cooperation between the two countries based on the Administrative Arrangement starts from the day of its acceptance by the Greek Minister on Migration Policy (dated 18.8.2018). The two parties will review the implementation of the agreement on a three-month basis. Each Party may withdraw from the Agreement by notifying the other Party in writing at least three weeks in advance. Lastly, it is explicitly envisaged that the agreement will discontinue upon entry into force of the revised Common European Asylum System.
"Administrative Arrangement" or international treaty?
The first issue raised by this so-called "Administrative Arrangement" concerns its actual legal nature.
Based on the public statements made so far and the title given to the document, it could be argued that the latter could be understood to be an informal non-treaty instrument - an arrangement on operational issues and actions in line with EU law. According to this argument this text seems to be in conformity with Article 36 of the Dublin III Regulation, which stipulates that Member States may, on a bilateral basis, establish administrative arrangements between themselves concerning the practical details of the implementation of this Regulation, in order to facilitate its application and increase its effectiveness. Such arrangements may relate to exchanges of liaison officers and the simplification of the procedures and shortening of the time limits relating to transmission and the examination of requests to take charge or take back applicants.
However, taking as a point of departure that negotiating States have the autonomy to choose between complex or simplified forms of express consent to be bound by a treaty (in the present case by exchange of instruments under Article 13 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT), and given its content, it could also be argued that the "Agreement" could be perceived as an international treaty concluded in simplified form. This agreement in fact sets forth the "technical" modalities of the earlier political agreement between Chancellor Merkel and Prime Minister Tsipras in Brussels last June, in the sidelines of the EU Summit. International treaties in simplified form are concluded without the need for ratification by the State, nor the consent of the parliament. They are usually signed by Ministers or any other body authorized under national law and are related to technical or administrative issues of cooperation, military pacts concluded on a battlefield or arrangements for the application of a binding ("typical") international treaty.
In order to draw a safe conclusion on the nature of the "administrative arrangement", all the circumstances around the exchange of letters should be meticulously examined. "Treaty" means an international agreement concluded between States in written form and governed by international law, whether embodied in a single instrument or in two or more related instruments and whatever its particular designation (Article 2(1)(a) of the VCLT). Whatever its designation (convention, accord, protocol, exchange of letters, agreed memorandum, memorandum of understanding), the intention of negotiating parties to create binding legal obligations marks the difference between treaties and informal instruments. To wit, even an exchange of letters could be considered as an international treaty.
A closer look on the actual content of the "Arrangement" suggests that this is not just an informal international non-binding agreement or arrangement on technical details of cooperation between the two Parties for the implementation of the Dublin Regulation, but rather a legal instrument setting forth "new" binding rules whose scope moves beyond the obligations established under the Dublin III Regulation.
In fact, the first part of the "Arrangement" contains clauses that are usually included in readmission agreements. No such an agreement has been ever signed between Germany and Greece. In particular, the clauses of the Arrangement lay down, among others, the specific conditions for readmission, the competent authorities of each State, the procedure to be followed, the responsible State in terms of costs etc. A standard template form is also included so as to facilitate the return. In reality, the "Arrangement" does not establish simplified and streamlined procedure for "Dublin transfers" (the wording "transfer" in not used in the text) but rather a fast-track readmission procedure for persons refused entry at the German-Austrian borders, likewise in any other case of an irregular migrant refused an entry in Germany.
Another crucial element regarding the legal nature of this "Arrangement" lies with the specific clauses on family reunification that undoubtedly enumerate commitments to which the Parties have consented and their intention to create legal rights and obligations that go beyond those already provided for in the "Dublin III" Regulation. Namely, assuming the obligation to accept a transfer of an asylum seeker from Greece to Germany upon expiry of the 6 months' time-limit under Article 29 of the Regulation – where the respondent MS is relieved of its obligations to take charge or to take back the person concerned – is a "new" obligation for Germany enshrined in the "Administrative Arrangement".
The same also applies for the obligation to re-examine all rejected requests for "take charge". To avoid any confusion, one should make a clear distinction between the potential responsibility of Germany for the infringement of the time-limits and conditions laid down in the Dublin III Regulation, e.g. for breaching EU law, and the legal obligation of Germany to actually accept transfers for which its responsibility has already ceased under "Dublin". These obligations are now explicitly assumed by the aforementioned "Administrative Arrangement".
It is worth mentioning that last year the competent Ministers of Greece and Germany had reached to a similar informal arrangement by which Dublin transfers to Germany were capped at 70 persons per month for a certain period of time. This informal agreement, however, was rather a "gentleman's agreement" between the two states without creating clear binding obligations for both parties. In any case, the conformity of this agreement to the Dublin Regulation is open to discussion, since the Dublin Regulation does not foresee such caps on relevant transfers for administrative convenience reasons.
Finally, one could hardly argue that during Merkel and Tsipras΄ meeting in Brussels, where a common political agreement was reached on migration, the two leaders concluded a formal treaty under international law with the subsequent "administrative arrangement" serving as a treaty in a simplified form, laying down modalities for the application of the treaty concluded by the two heads of state.
For all these reasons, the "administrative arrangement" should not be considered as a "gentlemen's agreement", nor as an administrative arrangement under Article 36 Dublin III Regulation but rather as a binding bilateral treaty whose provisions establish obligations that go beyond the scope of obligations established under the Dublin III Regulation. The agreement thus is governed by international law; an international treaty between Greece and Germany. This contravenes EU law which does not allow legislation at national level or bi/multilateral inter-se agreements in policy areas of shared competence, to the extent that the EU has exercised its competence, as it did through the adoption of the Dublin III Regulation (see TFEU Art 2(2); TEU Art. 4(3), third indent, and Protocol 25 to the TFEU).
Another key point of concern is the impact of this bilateral agreement on EU's asylum policy.
Could this "Administrative Arrangement" be seen as a new, enhanced and adapted to current developments, version of the Dublin rules, that is to say a bilateral agreement between two Member States that aims at strengthening the Dublin rules and principles or just another agreement beyond the scope of Dublin Regulation governed by international law?
One could argue that such bilateral agreements are rather symbolic in nature. They indicate that compromises at European Union level are feasible. As talks on the revision of the Dublin III Regulation stall, the establishment of interim measures among those Member States willing to move ahead collectively at European Union level ("enhanced cooperation") seems indeed to be the only possible way to actually make progress in this area. However, that enhanced cooperation should to be done under the framework of EU law, i.e. following the procedures of EU law and not bilaterally as an inter-se agreement.
But is this "administrative arrangement" actually such a measure of European Union cooperation? Although the responsible Ministers expressly commit to continue working towards common European Union solutions and avoiding unilateral measures in relation to asylum and migration, this agreement is in fact just another – deeper – derogation from/violation of the European Union acquis. In fact, through such agreements, Germany cooperates with Member States serving as a key point of entry in EU by creating a "Quasi-Dublin" system / a Dublin-like system creating obligations that go beyond the scope of the Dublin III Regulation (i.e. extension beyond the 12 month period for the responsibility for irregular entry) and limitations that are not foreseen in the Regulation (such as caps on the numbers of transfers under the family reunion clauses). A system which, on the one hand, follows the general philosophy of the Dublin Regulation (application of the first country of entry criterion), but, on the other hand, is "free" from all "obstacles" that could jeopardize swift returns – namely clauses and safeguards provided for asylum seekers by the Dublin Regulation, such as family unity criteria, right to appeal against the application of Dublin criteria and deadline to appeal against the transfer decision etc.
Undoubtedly, Southern Member States serving as the main gateways to Europe for third country nationals are in absolute need of European Union solutions on the basis of solidarity and fair responsibility sharing. In this context, the revision of the Dublin III Regulation and the introduction of a permanent allocation mechanism among European Union states is a key issue for Greece. One can hardly wonder why Germany would then be interested in reforming the Dublin Regulation if a more flexible "Quasi-Dublin" system- tailored to its needs- has already being established. Bilateral agreements, such as this, with one of the most prestigious EU countries, could draw away any possibility of a positive revision of the Dublin Regulation for Southern Member States in the near future.
In any case, this "administrative arrangement" marks an alarming development in the context of Greece's migration policy. To date, Greece has signed and ratified a number of agreements on the readmission of persons irregularly entering or staying in its territory. For all these agreements, the usual process of concluding international treaties was followed: Signing of an agreement, protocol, or treaty and its ratification by the Parliament, according to Article 36 of the Greek Constitution. On the contrary, in the present case, it is the first time that a readmission agreement is concluded by Greece through an exchange of letters between Ministers. Though such an agreement is totally valid and binding under international law, the fact that it not only deals with international relations and migration policy but ultimately with human rights, is concluded away from parliamentary scrutiny and procedures – without even being published in the Government Gazette – raises important concerns on transparency and the rule of law.


The California Chafee Grant Program gives money to foster youth and former foster youth to use for college courses. You do not have to pay this money back as long as you are in school and you can use it for things like child care, transportation and rent.
The Chafee Grant Program, also known as the Education and Training Voucher (ETV), is a federally funded program and is subject to the availability of federal funds each year.
To be eligible you must have financial need and plan to enroll at least half-time. The financial aid office is required to report your financial need to the California Student Aid Commission to confirm your eligibility. The Chafee Grant can be renewed until your 23rd birthday. Renewal requires completion of the FAFSA.
For detailed information about the Chafee Grant, please click here.


text:
Oracle's TikTok and Zoom deals won't move cloud market share needle significantly
October 1st, 2020 John Anderson
While the overall cloud infrastructure market is booming having reached $30 billion last quarter worldwide, Oracle is struggling with market share in the low single digits. It is hoping that the Zoom and TikTok deals can jump start those numbers, but trying to catch the market leaders Amazon, Microsoft and Google, never mind several other companies ahead of it, is going to take a lot more than a couple of brand name customers.
By now, you know Oracle and TikTok were joined together in unholy acquisition matrimony last month in the acquisition equivalent of a shotgun wedding. In spite of that, Oracle founder and chief technology officer Larry Ellison gushed in a September 19 press release about how TikTok had "chosen" his company's cloud infrastructure service. The statement also indicated that this "choice" was influenced by Zoom's decision to move some percentage of its workloads to Oracle's infrastructure cloud earlier this year.
In surprise choice, Zoom partners with Oracle for growing infrastructure needs
The mechanics of the TikTok deal aside, the question is how big an effect will these two customers have on the company's overall cloud infrastructure market share. We asked a couple of firms who closely watch all things cloud.
John Dinsdale, chief analyst at Synergy Research Group, wasn't terribly optimistic that they would have much material impact on moving the market share needle for the database giant. "Oracle's cloud infrastructure services growth has been consistently below overall IaaS and PaaS market growth rates so its market share has [actually] been nudging downward. Zoom may be a good win but it is unlikely to move the needle too much — and remember Zoom also buys cloud services from AWS," Dinsdale told TechCrunch.
As for TikTok, Dinsdale, like the rest of us, wasn't clear how that deal would ultimately play out, but he says even with both companies in the fold, it wasn't going to shift market share as much as Oracle might hope. "Hypothetically, even if Zoom/TikTok helped Oracle increase its cloud infrastructure service revenues 50% over 12 months, which would be a real stretch, its market share would still be nearer to 2% than 3%. This compares with Google at 9%, Microsoft 18% and AWS 33%," Dinsdale said.
He did point out that the company's SaaS business is much stronger. "Broadening the scope a little to other cloud services, Oracle's SaaS growth is running roughly in line with overall market SaaS market growth so market share is steady. Oracle's share of the total enterprise SaaS market is running at around 6%, though if you drill down to the ERP segment it is obviously doing much better than that," he said.
Canalys, another firm that follows the cloud infrastructure market says their numbers tell a similar story for Oracle. While it's doing well in Saas with 7.8% market share, it's struggling in IaaS/PaaS.
"For IaaS/PaaS, Oracle Cloud is at 1.9% for Q2 2020 and that isn't moving much. The top three providers are AWS, Azure and Google Cloud, who have 30.8%, 20.2% and 6.2% respectively," Blake Murray from Canalys told TechCrunch.
It's worth keeping in mind that Google hired Diane Greene five years ago with the hope of accelerating its cloud infrastructure business. Former Oracle exec Thomas Kurian replaced her two years ago and the company's market share still hasn't reached double digits in spite of a period of big overall market growth, showing how much of a challenge it is to move the needle in a significant way.
Google and IBM still trying desperately to move cloud market-share needle
Another big company, IBM bought Red Hat two years ago for $34 billion with an eye toward improving its cloud business, and while Red Hat has continued to do well, it does not seem to have much impact on the company's overall cloud infrastructure market share, which has been superseded by Alibaba in fourth place, according to Synergy's numbers. Both companies are in the single digits.
Image Credits: Synergy Research
All that means, even with these two clients, the company still has a long way to go to be relevant in the cloud infrastructure arena in the near term. What's unknown is if this new business will help act as lures for other new business over time, but for now it's going to take a lot more than a couple of good deals to be relevant — and as Google and IBM have demonstrated, it's extremely challenging to gain chunks of market share.
Oracle boots out Microsoft and wins bid for TikTok, reports say
« Latin America's digital transformation is making up for lost time
What if the kernel is corrupt? »

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Bulgarian Personality of Novinite.com 2009
Who are the most successful Bulgarian politicians of 2009 – the year when Bulgaria elected new MEPs, a new National Parliament, a new Sofia Mayor, and a new government was inaugurated?
Irina Bokova - UNESCO Director-General
(Bokova, a career diplomat, launched her campaign for the UNESCO Director-General post from her positions as Bulgaria's Ambassador to Paris and UNESCO. In September, she triumphed in the toughest UNESCO race ever after winning against the Egyptian candidate in the fourth runoff at the UNESCO Council. Bokova has thus become the first woman and the first Eastern European to chair one of UN's key institutions.):
547 votes.
Boyko Borisov - Prime Minister
(Borisov led his party GERB to a staggering win in the July Parliamentary elections, defeating the ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party. He formed the new government, backed by rightist allies, which quickly moved to cut the budget deficit, investigate the former cabinet, and to restore EU funding for Bulgaria. In September-October, Borisov's public support reached unprecedented levels. His party GERB also won the EP Elections in June and the Sofia Mayor Elections in November.):
Meglena Kuneva - EU Comissioner
(By popular opinion Kuneva has been regarded as one of the most successful EU Commissioners, and her consumer protection measures have been acclaimed. In the June 2009 EP Elections, Kuneva ran for MEP attracting an unexpectedly high number of votes for her party NMSP even though she later chose to remain a EU Commissioner. Even though she was not nominated for a second term by PM Borisov, Kuneva is completing successfully the first team of a Bulgarian EU Commissioner.):
Post your opinion | All opinions
RESULTS FROM PREVIOUS POLLS
Is Bulgaria's ruling majority going to impeach President Parvanov over the release of the transcript of his conversation with Finance Minsiter Djankov?
(12 March 2010 - 20 March 2010)
Should Bulgaria aspire to adopt the euro as quickly as possible?
(1 March 2010 - 12 March 2010)
Bulgaria's request for EUR 2 B loan for the construction of the Belene Nuclear Plant is:
(22 February 2010 - 28 February 2010)
The special police operation "Octopus" in which former Bulgarian secret agent Aleksei Petrov was arrested among others is
What is the sweetest gift you can give your sweetheart for Valentine's Day?
(9 February 2010 - 11 February 2010)
The "temporary withdrawal" of INSEAD Professor Ilian Mihov from becoming Bulgaria's Deputy PM:
(31 January 2010 - 8 February 2010)
The nomination of World Bank Vice President Kristalina Georgieva as Bulgaria's new EU Commissioner Designate:
(24 January 2010 - 31 January 2010)
The dismal performance of Bulgaria's EU Commissioner-Designate Rumiana Jeleva during her EP hearing resulted from:
Compared to 2009, for Bulgaria 2010 will be:
(5 January 2010 - 14 January 2010)
The special operation of the Bulgarian police against the high-profile kidnappers' gang codenamed "The Impudent" is:
(21 December 2009 - 28 December 2009)
Should Bulgaria accept Guantanamo prisoners as the US government has requested?
The portfolio assigned to Bulgaria's new EU Commissioner, Rumiana Jeleva - "International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid, and Crisis Prevention" - is:
(30 November 2009 - 7 December 2009)
The case in which all money in the bank account of the Bulgarian Presidency was suddenly withdrawn by the Finance Ministry is
(24 November 2009 - 29 November 2009)
International Politician with the Greatest Contribution to Bulgaria in 2009
(18 November 2009 - 3 January 2010)
Bulgarian News Story in Novinite.com 2009
Bulgarian Champion of Novinite.com 2009
What is the most important conclusion from the Sofia Mayor elections on November 15, 2009?
VOTE for the New Mayor of Sofia HERE
(1 November 2009 - 15 November 2009)
The withdrawal of German energy giant RWE from the Bulgaria's Belene Nuclear Power Plant project is:
(29 October 2009 - 31 October 2009)


Pictured: Manon Fiorot (left) and Leah McCourt (right) weighed in yesterday, Cage Warriors President Graham Boylan (center).
In what is a pro super-fight between former amateur standouts, IMMAF world championship gold medalists Leah McCourt and Manon Fiorot weighed in yesterday ahead of their Cage Warriors 94 bout in Antwerp, Belgium, taking place today, June 16.
McCourt, who won IMMAF gold medals for Northern Ireland at the 2015 European Open and 2016 World Championships, weighed in at 137.4lbs for the 138lb catch-weight contest.
Now set to make her second professional appearance with Cage Warriors, McCourt took the IMMAF platform by storm, first winning the European title at Lightweight followed by gold at the Las Vegas World Championships as a Featherweight.
Throughout her amateur tenure, McCourt exhibited development of rangy striking, but it was her background as a black belt judoka that was showcased through hip tosses, top control and submission victories.
France's Fiorot, weighing in at 137.4lbs for her professional debut, competed in the Women's Bantamweight division under IMMAF, taking silver at the 2016 Euros before she triumphed to become a 2017 World Champion.
Opposite to McCourt, it is Fiorot's ground game that is in development having transitioned to MMA as a national karate champion. It was this evasive, precision striking that took her all the way to the world title in Bahrain.
McCourt vs. Fiorot can be viewed live via the official Cage Warriors Facebook page, 6pm BST, 7pm CET.
The post McCourt vs. Fiorot, IMMAF world champions set for pro super-fight appeared first on IMMAF.


Impressionism began in the 1870's in France and is still influential and relevant today for the simple reason that it is still probably the most popular of the pictorial arts. It is appropriate that a course on Impressionism should be here in Constable Country because it was Constable's paintings of the Stour Valley that inspired Monet and Pissarro. This course explores how the impressionists painted; we look at the new approach they took to colour, drawing, composition and subject with simple demonstrations and explanations on how they achieved their effects, with students then exploring techniques, working in oil and acrylics. See also 9-12th August if you would like to join Pat for a full week and enjoy a 10% discount on the fees.
Pat Gavin studied Painting, Illustration, History of Art and Interior Design at Hornsey College of Art. Painting has always been central to his work during his career as an illustrator, graphic designer and animator, in television for which he has won several Baftas, film and advertising.


The true incidence of nonaccidental inflicted neurotrauma is unknown because of the difficulty collecting statistical data. An estimated 1300 children in the United States experience fatal head trauma from child abuse annually (JAMA, 2003). The findings of nonaccidental inflicted neurotrauma involve repetitive, violent, unrestrained, acceleration-deceleration, head and neck movements. Neurotrauma can occur without blunt head trauma. Cases primarily occur in children under 3 years old, usually during the first year of life. Typically, patients present with fracture and intracranial or intraocular hemorrhages; not all findings are required to establish the diagnosis. An ophthalmologic consult should be obtained for all patients with suspected nonaccidental inflicted neu-rotrauma, with carefully documented retinal drawings or preferably fundus photography. Approximately 20% of cases are fatal within the first few days of presentation. Traumatic retinoschisis, if present, is highly specific for nonaccidental inflicted neurotrauma, particularly if the child is younger than 5 years.


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In this quick changing world of competition and advancement, it has been a proven fact that people hardly get enough time to spend at their homes, taking care of on their own. It is obligatory for us that people spend at least half of the days time in workplace, performing our responsibility. When the workplace does not have in proper equipments and amenities for that employees, the workers get serious health problems. Similarly, the decorum and the tools from the workplaces are supplied enormous importance. Nowadays, almost all the equipments are selected inside a cautious manner so as to make sure the workers comfort and ease. One particular important product in the office is the ergonomic desk workplace seats. As most of the workplaces have ended up being smart, which means they rely more about machine than manual labor, ergonomic workplace seats are especially created for this kind of offices. Those are the chairs employed for using the workplaces getting computer workstations. These have been developed specifically seats that help within the reduction of demands around the several anxiety of the spine wires, thereby restricting the risk of muscle and neural diseases. Also they help in maintaining the correct body posture. It lines up the forearms, wrists, back, neck and the mind within the appropriate jobs, therefore decreasing back pain, function associated bone and joint disorders and other such illnesses. And if you just looking for a seat to unwind, then think about among the recliner chair from our list. In the following paragraphs we will talk about the top 15 best ergonomic seats in order to supply the readers with the accurate knowledge to ensure that once they purchase this kind of chairs, it becomes simple to allow them to select the correct one.
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This sofa is worked with the gong-formed shape along with the higher armrest of the cushion. Additionally, the top is based on blocked part edges. The legs, however, have became a member of the phony wood covering. The sofa gives a comfortable and lavish sensation. This is the immediate result of extremely versatile padding inside the polyester furniture. You are able to take a seat easily for the moment to unwind. Each of the shades provided for this sofa demonstrates its significant element, Versatile design. The red sculpt could be well suited for each subjects with mild and dark shades. That remains continuous for different shades it offers too. The sofa is located in space. Whether or not its Thanksgiving holiday or perhaps a large loved ones gathering, you can rely on it. Marathon-watching while at the same time falling apart on your couch together with your buddies is really a legitimate choice.
Whilst the rear of this sofa shows the Chesterfield, with its series of tufting, a tuxedo couch has solution, more angular lines. It is stated to have been the bellwether more modern designs within the 20's. Although some say this sofa style takes a title from Tux Recreation area in New York, it's also considered named after the traditional extravagant men's suit. You can identify a tux sofa by its arms that are identical height because the back. The tufting on the rear of the couch and its rectangular silhouette will also be traditional qualities. Cushions include comfort and ease for this higher-equipped style. Also, as the couch over from Upcountry is upholstered in leather-based, this well-liked design is usually done in fabrics of all types, such as the really trendy purple velvet.
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Buschur Racing Shifter Bushings for Evo 8/9 Buschur Racing Shifter Bushings for Evo 8/9 | STM Tuned Inc.
The stock, rubber bushings can tear and wear, leaving you unable to put the car in gear! These BR bushings are made of hardened aluminum, they are cheaper and half the weight of competitor's bushing sets.
What we have listed in stock is what we have on hand. Once they are gone, these will no longer be available.


Please call our office at 701-288-5180 or NDSU.McIntosh.Extension@ndsu.edu if you are interested in a presentation of one or more of the topics or if you would like more information on the program.
As we age, we may not be as active as we used to be. Maybe we have put on a few extra pounds, or we've developed health issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
The North Dakota State University Extension has developed Nourishing Boomers and Beyond, a program to provide North Dakotans age 50 and older with information and strategies to eat more nutritiously and be more physically active so they can reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases.
Extension agents will hold monthly classes in many rural North Dakota counties beginning in October, 2015. Each month's class will focus on one topic, such as how to keep your eyes healthy. Other topics include how to keep your heart, brain, muscles, digestive system, skin, bones and joints healthy; how to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet; how to sort fact from fiction in claims for health products or services; where to go for reliable health and nutrition information; and how to deal with stress and mental health issues.
You may also sign up for the free monthly newsletter and check out the self-paced online content.
Classes will include hands-on activities and time for discussion. Participants will receive material such as handouts and healthful recipes to take home.
If you aren't able to attend a class or want more information on the topic covered in a session, you can visit the program's website at www.ndsu.edu/nourishyourbody. Anyone can sign up for the free monthly newsletter by visiting the website or contacting your local Extension office. Participating county Extension offices also will have Facebook pages to interact with their clients.
"Our goal is to provide nutrition and overall wellness education and online support to help adults sustain a healthy lifestyle," says Julie Garden-Robinson, Extension food and nutrition specialist and project director.
The January lesson will focus on nutrition tips and physical activities to nourish and exercise your muscles. The website will include a workout guide with easy-to-follow strength, balance, and flexibility exercises that you can do anytime, and recipes that are good sources of protein and the nutrients you need for good health.
The site also will have SuperTracker, a program to help you find out what and how much to eat; track foods, physical activities and weight; and personalize your food and fitness plan with goal setting, virtual coaching and journaling.
The project was supported by the Rural Health & Safety Education Competitive Grant Program of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), grant number 2013-46100-21467.


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25 Oct 2016 on privacy | w3c | WoT | bluetooth
Web Bluetooth API Privacy
Web Bluetooth - a web API under development, and will be one of the core components of Web of Things, the application layer of Internet of Things. It will enable sensors, beacons and user devices to communicate with each other. But at first: it will enable a web browser to contact the user's connected devices such as smartphones, kettles, toasters, TVs, thermostats, heart rate monitors, and so on. Imagine a world where every web site can connect to devices near you - or on you.
It's imperative to design this layer with security and privacy in mind. We currently experience some of the cheers related to widely distributed Internet of Things devices used as massive attack tools.
First, let's start on this Google's Web developer page says:
What if I told you websites could communicate with nearby Bluetooth devices in a secure and privacy-preserving way?
I would tell answer: buzz-wording aside, but please be more elaborate. Perhaps accidentally, but security and privacy is only present in the first sentence of that tutorial.
I was asked to have a look at proposed Web Bluetooth API. I am very happy to provide my input. Web Bluetooth specification is long, complex, and should be analyzed thoroughly. The Web Bluetooth specification provides a telling example:
To discover and retrieve data from a standard heart rate monitor, a website would use code like the following (...)
Really? This immediately highlights the main concern. Can we realistically assume that average users will be able to understand the qualitative difference between pairing two local devices, and pairing a local device with a remote web server? No, we can't.
Let's put some of the key points of this note upfront:
Web Bluetooth API will deal with personally-identifiable information
Web Bluetooth API will be providing detailed information about user's motion, position and movement
This is meant only as a general overview note, not getting into all the details of Web Bluetooth security and privacy. The specification is considerably large, introducing a very powerful feature, and it would require many qualified eyes looking at it. While elements of Web Bluetooth API's threat model are addressed by Google's Jeffrey Yasskin, I believe it is necessary to review the privacy side of the API even more thoroughly, I would be happy to receive more feedback (e.g. via e-mail: lukasz.w3c at gmail.com).
Web Bluetooth
Web Bluetooth API allows web sites to communicate (read, write) with external devices in the user's surrounding.
An example code to connect with all nearby iPhones or devices with their device names starting with 'i' could look as follows:
navigator.bluetooth.requestDevice({
filters: [{
namePrefix: 'i'
optionalServices: ['battery_service']
.then(device => {console.log('ok'); Q = device })
.catch(error => { console.log(error); });
This code will result with a prompt where the user will see a list of bluetooth-enabled devices - perhaps smartphones, TVs, toasters, toothbrushes, heart monitors or implants. This of course applies to all devices in the vicinity - whether they belong to the user (privacy analysis is in the next section) or to someone else (I'm writing about offensive capabilities later on).
Web Bluetooth API can also search for specific services (list is here) or names.
I set up a small demonstration of Web Bluetooth API on my site.
So first of all, when a site wants to access Web Bluetooth, a pairing prompt pops out:
The user can then choose whatever device is in range, for example, your neighbour's Smart TV. Then, some basic information are accessible:
Afterwards, a connection attempt may be made, perhaps resulting with reading and writing capabilities.
The examples are tested on Chrome 54 browsers. If you're having issues, perhaps turn on the experimental Web Bluetooth API feature in Chrome flags.
That said, I had a mixed experience in using Chrome's Web Bluetooth API under my OS. I also did not find the time to play with enough Bluetooth devices.
Chrome requires user's gesture to perform Bluetooth-related operations. I chose mouse movements for this task. Mouse movement causes a web script to connect and disconnect to/from device.
Privacy analysis of Web Bluetooth
Web Bluetooth API is a powerful API. It's important to be aware of the related privacy aspects.
First things first. Access to Web Bluetooth API will be subject to permissions and it will only work in secure contexts. To simplify, this means that aside working only on HTTPS sites. Additionally, it's not that, like every web site on the internet will be able to interact with user's devices without user consent or awareness.
However, just introducing permissions is not addressing all of the security and privacy issues when an API is sensitive. The use of Web Bluetooth API touches multiple sensitive areas and users, web developers and web owners must be aware of them.
I would argue that the sole introduction of Web Bluetooth API should be clearly advertised to users. How many users are aware that browsers are capable of using Bluetooth? How many users expect this?
One approach could simple. The browser could literary track that the API has been used for the first time, in general (i.e. first time after a browser is installed or updated to a version supporting Web Bluetooth API), and then inform the user about the existence of this feature and explaining its nature. Explaining the nature of Web Bluetooth API is another thing.
Let's ask upfront. Can we realistically assume that users in general will know the distinction between pairing a local smartphone/kettle/beacon with a local laptop, and pairing a smartphone/kettle/beacon/toothbrush with a remote site? I don't think so. Don't take me wrong. But most of the people don't even get the true nature of cloud computing/storage.
This is an invitation to unexpected. surprises.
Information leaks
If a user grants a web site access to Bluetooth devices, and later grants another web site access to Bluetooth devices, user could become subject to cross-site tracking via device identifiers or device names. Let's imagine a user naming his kettle "John Smith's kettle". A web site with permissions to access Bluetooth device will be to learn this name. I emphasize again: pairing user's computer with user's device happens locally. We can say that identifiers or unique names stay close to the user.
However, pairing user's device with a remote web site is something qualitatively different. Now you could blame the users for using similar naming conventions, but if it's their habit, technology should not expect users to change. Recall how Mirai Internet of Things botnet was formed. Users did not change the default passwords, because, well, they did not. They acquired a product, turned it on, that's it. Discussing whether it was their fault misses a point, because the design was bad.
Behavioral monitoring
Web sites could potentially query for certain types of services, with requests such as "return all devices capable of doing reporting battery level" (or "heart rate monitorin level", etc.). This means that the data accessible to web sites will often be of very sensitive nature. This data will allow to profile the users, detect their lifestyles, genders, etc. Web site designers, developers and owners must be aware of this. It's not difficult to imagine scenarios where this can result in unexpected surprises.
Motion monitoring, distance tracking
Using Web Bluetooth API, web sites will be able to monitor user's movements and location changes in real-time. This will be possible thanks to the rssi property reflecting the power at which the advertisement was received, measured in dBm. In simple words, it reports the signal strength. This property can be directly used to detect the user location from a device, to detect user movement. Just use this relationship between the distance and signal's strength. The more devices, the more precise readout is achievable. So, web sites will be able to monitor user movement at home, or beyond. This particular feature is not exactly advertised at the moment.
One approach is to remove rssi or txPower, or both - from the specification and implementations. Currently there are no viable use cases for those parameters existence.
Profiling potential
The last point tells a lot about profiling potential. Patterns of movement analysis is possible. Additionally, web sites might discover the type and models of certain beacons and possibly indirectly reason about the user's financial situation and interests.
Legal aspects of Web Bluetooth API
Now it's get non-standard. Remember the last time when you named your device based on your real names? I also didn't. But many people do. So you can find "John Smith's Kettle" or similar. Those are personally-identifiable information. And due to the fact that pairing of a device is made with a remote web site, this web site will then obtain this personally-identifiable information. In Europe and many other places, it will make the web system a data controller. This data will need to be protected properly. For example, under EU's General Data Protection Regulation, an organization might receive a fine up to 20 million euros. So let's hope that organizations will be aware of this.
Web Bluetooth in Web Application Hacker's Toolset
Another interesting issue is also apparent.
I expect that a framework making it easy to test, tamper or penetration testing of Bluetooth/IoT/WoT devices will become reality, sooner or later. In fact, I would be very open for participation in making such a project (please reach out if you're interested).
One side consequence is also that Web Bluetooth API will decrease the entry barrier for people with malicious intentions, who so happens aren't very technically versed. Soon, everyone with a web browser will be able to potentially become an attacker targeting Internet of Things and Web of Things devices.
Finally, if user's browser is hijacked in some way, they might even become channels for attacks directed by someone else.
A basic example of using the API is also displayed on my site.
It's necessary to think whether Web Permissions for Web Bluetooth are enough.
Web Bluetooth API will open new possibilities of tracking and profiling users, their behaviour, as well as their movement, location data. It will become one of the most sensitive APIs. It will have to be subjected to significant scrutiny at W3C, once it transitions from its current development phase.
I am expecting it can also open a number of unexpected problems. Sole use of permissions is not enough.
Every system wanting to use the Web Bluetooth API should undergo a rigorous web risk privacy assessment - privacy impact assessment. This especially applies to systems and sites based in EU, or ones dealing with users based in EU, a consequence of the General Data Protection Regulation.