Dark Dragon, Grogen: [Tweak] - Awakened bonus from +25% resistance to +15% critical rate, leader skill from increases resistance of ally monsters by +41% to increases attack of ally monsters +33%.
Details: this is a very rare monster that is supposed to "decimate" his enemies, he's slow, so these changes are needed.
Details: this is, in my opinion, a necessary change, she does not fullfil any good role, just a stall monster in toah, never seen an Akroma in RTA. She could have a place there, she is immune to one of the strongest things in there, CC. This will also open a slot if his second skill is changed.
Valkyrja, Akroma: [Rework] Seal of Light - Attack damage depends on defense, from 440% atk and 11% enemy max health to 500% def, silence from 2 to 3 turns.
Details: due to self defense buff, she is now able to dish some great damage, she is a defense type monster that is immune to the broken debuff, big synergy for this rare monster.
Details: this is an extremelly powerful monster that has great impact, offers bomb damage, strips and stuns, the built-in additional turn from the bomb provides a way to make use of error too easily, cooldown nerf is necessary.
Dragon Knight, Ragdoll: [Tweak] Tooth for a tooth - Increases the attack bar of all allies except you by 10% if an ally receives a critical hit then increase self attack bar by 20%.
Details: I've made this to make him more aggresive whereas his team will be less dangerous as how it is now. 20% of attack bar on himself will let him cycle turns very fast, similar to Artamiel, however, Arta does gain stats and immediately attacks you, which also means he can strip.
Archangel, Artamiel: [Tweak] - Awakened bonus from +25% resistance to +15% critical rate.
Details: this is a very tanky unit that gets tankier as the battle goes, one of his weakness is being def broken or if his passive gets turned off, so one way to tone him down a bit is to remove this powerful awaken.
Details: longer time to build up makes him less dangerous at the start of the battle, I think this will help a bit to tone him down.
Details: this trick is by far the weakest in the whole family, in which Ritesh is the strongest and by far, all the BM place debuffs that are harmful from the very beginning, def break, silence, slow and glancing, whereas anti buff depends on the enemy using buffs after you place this on them, since Rahul is very slow, this will never happen, this synergy is catastrophic. Also both, light and dark BM have the lowest hit points in the family, which does not make sense since they are rarer.
Details: this change is to strengthem the shield's BMs, fire and light one and to tone down a bit Ritesh, which has the best debuff, and stats in the whole family.
Details: this change will make him stronger and deadly against buff spammers, also improved cooldown is a must for him.
Pioneer, Nigong: [Buff] Heavenly protection - Revives all dead allies with 30% HP, cleanses everyone and casts Soul Protection upon all allies that are alive for 3 turns. If the ally with Soul Protection dies, that ally will be revived automatically with 30% HP.
Details: this change is made to improve Nigong since he is rather weak compared to Amarna who is a four star, which does not make any sense.
Ifrit, Veromos: [Buff] Conversion of Magic [Passive] - All allied units recover HP, instead of only Veromos.
Details: current situation of Vero is bad, he's in need of an urgent buff, he fell behind his brothers too hard, and has proven to be not too strong against Jeanne as we have seen in the last tournament.
Details: Vivachel is outstandingly strong due to the ability to easily reduce your health to zero due to her strong skill, this will at least provide an opportunity against her if she procs a turn.
Feel free to add your opinion with respect.
Nigong is not weak at all and comparing him to Amarna isn't the best way to look at him. Amarna only has 9885 base HP compared to Nigong's 12840 which is one of the highest in the game and he has a 33% universal HP lead.
Its true that Amarna has a really strong kit, but it's base stats are terrible which balance it. Nigong's kit might not be as versatile as Amarna but it's base stats are way better. If I had a choice to pick one to use in my RTA teams and AD, I'd pick Nigong any day over Amarna.
Last edited by Bluemoon_45; 02-20-2019, 07:56 AM.
Yay! I agree with most of them but some really bug me.
Like leo, he is not supossed to be exclusively an attacker unit, they should both provide some kind of utility. If ragdoll only increases his own atk bar then you would take that away from him. Why not just make his passive increase allies atk bar 15% on the first hit of an attack instead of each individual atack. This way multi hitters will have a chance against him.
So you would give Rahul the exact same third skill that Kumar has but with an added strip?
His cooldown is way too long for a stripper and that is all he really does. He should have -1 cd on his third and that would be enough in my opinion.
Kumar is very powerful now, since he can aoe silence and strips with his basic attack, on the other side, Rahul anti buff does not provide any kind of cc, neither utility because by the time he uses it, his enemies are buffed, for sure, and his basic hit is a branding hit that of course is weaker than Chandra' stun, Ritesh's provoke, Kumar's strip and even Shazam def break. And let's not forget that both, Shazam and Rahul are the rarest in the family.
NeosDany Rahul with aoe strip would be really good, and the with the 2 turn block beneficial it would be OP. I'd say strip plus 1 turn block beneficial effects. Also I think shazam should def break for 2 turns with his first skill instead of 1.
Last edited by IgnitusUmbra; 02-13-2019, 11:37 AM.
+1 Literally all of these seem good and reasonable (unless I misread something). The only ones I'm iffy on are Ragdoll and Arta as I think you're being a bit soft on them. Also, why no Phoenixes or Nepthys? Geldnir could probably be in here too, but considering he's still relatively new I can understand leaving him out.
Overall, this would be an amazing balance patch to have.
Edit: So I thought for Akroma you were giving two potential options, but based on Qbert's comment those are supposed to be one buff. That is way too much.
Last edited by immatx; 02-14-2019, 10:41 PM.
-1 ... Akroma is not as bad as some forum posters want you to believe, and you just buffed the %$&@ out of her. Twice. With these buffs a Vamp Akroma would be virtually unkillable.
+1 ... only because her S1 gives her a ton of ATB letting her cycle cooldowns too fast.
+1 ... but I would also remove the atb gain. He doesn't need that.
-1 ... but only because you added the buff block. A MAX HP scaling nuke is a premium skill, an AOE strip is a premium skill ... that combo alone would be crazy good, especially without a chance to glance ....adding a buff block on top of that would be crazy.
-1 ... this sounds good in theory for the times it's used perfectly; sure, yes, at those times its super strong ... but a lot of times its used it's only a minor swap or used on allies with a worse effect than Chasun. So you'd be penalizing her ALL times she uses it just to nerf her ability to combo into a kill at the most opportune times. As a lucky owner of Vivachel, sure I'm a bit biased, but that also means I have a lot more experience with her and not just anecdotal memories of the times she did crazy stuff. It's definitely one of the more reasonable nerf ideas I've heard though. A more appropriate nerf would be to give the target like +10% hp or a shield after use.
Last edited by Qbert; 02-13-2019, 12:59 PM.
Looks like Chow, toxic like Chow, doesn't read more than a few words like Chow ... definitely not Chow.
Going on ignore like Chow though.
I don't think they're repeating a lead skill in the dragons family cuz that is one of the two things the dragons have as unique: all 5 different leader skill and all 5 different second skills. Then if Grogen's getting a new leader skill what we have available is def and accuracy lead, wich is not that bad if they add something in his third skill and considering that he has stun on second skill.
I was looking at his transmog S2 and it looks as if he is applying a lot of debuffs. So, can it change to random application of debuffs to enemies? Something like Desert Queen's Curse of the Beautiful, except that the debuffs are random.
Leader and awakening changes - Yes.
S3 maybe add something like dealing additional x% damage for a certain condition, e.g. for each buff on enemy target, or, if enemy target has no buff.
With your buffs she would be unkillable and almost one hit everyone ^^.
She's already strong and doesnt need a buff.
I went to gather information from the wikia before posting her buff, she has lower base def compared to Verad, and the multiplier I propose is the same as Verad's absolute zero, which is an aoe skill, now the difference would be that she self buffs her defense and provides anti crit, now now, considering Artamiel self boosts his defense up to +100% which is more than a permanent defense buff on him, plus counter attacks with a striping skill that also increases attack bar, I see a possibility for this to be a good way to buff her, let's not forget that she is a light nat five, a very rare monster.
Artamiel's passive is based on base defense. Defense buffs are based on total defense. Any well runed defense based mon would already have well over +100% defense, making Artamiel's passive much less valuable than a def buff.
Han is a solid damage dealer... and that's about it. He's not hard to kill like perna, theo, laika, odin; he's not a bruiser like Chow, Diana, Artamiel; he's not good at helping or synergizing with his teammates (either with debuffs or cc and heal/buffs) like Aegir, ethna, Tesa, Shi hou and etc.
NeosDany So does that mean that you got all the knowledge on the monsters you want to buff/nerf because you have them? No right?
Naw. Grogen is okay. Not epic. Not the best but not the worst either.
Akroma. Fast + tanky + vamp or a fast and tanky healer and Akroma is annoying and can catch you out. The buffs you suggest would not only make her almost unbeatable without ignore defense, but would make Akroma floors of ToaH near impossible.
Giana. Just remove the stun from the strip. Juno and Praha don't have it and neither have the ability to nuke.
Ragdoll. Meh. Ownere would scream. Those who face him a lot will scream. Sounds like a logical suggestion.
Beast Monks. NO. Hell NO! Your suggestion to make Rahul meta is to nerf Ritesh and Kumar? NO. Chandra is already extremely OP when used right. Shazam doesn't need s3 to def break. Tweeking s1 to be 2 turn would be sufficient. Rahul when used right is OP as well. Of course he is no good against immunity! NOT A SINGLE DEBUFFER IS! But he blocks those buffs like a champion, he shields an ally and revenges. Mayhe maybe tweek s1 so it is relevant. Maybe change it to stun and give Chandra freeze on s1. 1 turn of course.
Woonsa. No. Just no. Reduce cooldown of s3 by 1-2 turns and double the HP steal. Make it so strip comes BEFORE HP steal. If only 1 turn CD and no increase to HP steal or change to order of HP steal/strip make it so HP stolen AoE heals all allies.
Ningong. NO. he is already incredibly good. A good tanky Ningong can single handedly keep his entire team alive without issue. His heal, soul protect AND AoE revive makes him a serious threat if you can't either nuke him in one turn or keep his skills reset, which on vio is near impossible. Most I have come across have over 50k HP(Hp Hp Hp) 200+ speed, many breaking 250 vio. Just no.
Vero. Sure. Why not. Still won't make him useful for anyone beyond newbie. The heals too small to be relevant. The cleanse to random. Would only be used in very rare circumstances. Even then immunity units would be chosen over Vero pretty much every time.
Vivachel. Put a cap on the switch. 50% HP lost/gained or 70%. That would balance her.
Nerfing Ritesh and Kumar is unjust. They have limited use already. They are explicitly HP tanks that don't do altogether that much damage. Their ability and use comes from their tanking ability. You take that away they loose what little use they have. Chandra, Rahul, Shazam all have higher defense stats, to make up for the lower HP. They are meant to be tankier. Chandra and Rahul especially need to be tankier because their shield means they can protect the nuke or support leaving them often as the priority target.
Valkyrja, Akroma[/U]: [Rework] Seal of Light - Attack damage depends on defense, from 440% atk and 11% enemy max health to 500% def, silence from 2 to 3 turns.
Dragon Knight, Ragdoll[/U]: [Tweak] Tooth for a tooth - Increases the attack bar of all allies except you by 10% if an ally receives a critical hit then increase self attack bar by 20%.
Archangel, Artamiel[/U]: [Tweak] - Awakened bonus from +25% resistance to +15% critical rate.
Pioneer, Nigong[/U]: [Buff] Heavenly protection - Revives all dead allies with 30% HP, cleanses everyone and casts Soul Protection upon all allies that are alive for 3 turns. If the ally with Soul Protection dies, that ally will be revived automatically with 30% HP.
Ifrit, Veromos[/U]: [Buff] Conversion of Magic [Passive] - All allied units recover HP, instead of only Veromos.
+1 - For me, Seara should get the same nerf, either on 2nd or 3rd skill.
+1 but Shazam should get a buff too. Maybe glacing on enemies + anti-crit on allies.
-1 Nigong is too powerfull already. His stats are way higher than amarna, and Amarna's 3rd skill cd can get too long. No need to buff him.
Great man..I'd rly like to see those changes there.
Hello all. 1. Mods cannot ban. 2. The admins had decided, and we have publicly stated that it was going to be a temp ban. All cases thus far, except for spam bots, have been temp bans. Including DaReal, it was a temp ban. Which is why I was so vexed when I got accused of "oh, getting him banned" to which I explained that for both the above reasons, it wasn't the case.


For the past two weeks, we've looked at the responsibilities of the Brandon University Students' Union (BUSU) Council Directors. Today, we'll have a look at the Vice President positions.
BUSU Council has two Vice Presidents: the Vice President Internal, and the Vice President External. The Executive positions are salaried, which means the lovely individuals who occupy them are paid for their efforts. According to BUSU.ca, this equates to roughly $14/hour (which is more than I, personally, make at my part-time job), with the President working 40 hours per week and the Vice Presidents working 20 to 30 hours per week.
The VPE deals primarily with clubs and collectives. According to BUSU.ca, the VPE is responsible for: electronic communications and newsletters, serving as a liaison between BUSU and student groups, overseeing services specific to student groups and councils, overseeing the Union's events and activities and ensuring they cater to the academic, cultural and social interest of the Members of the Union while also overseeing promotion of Union events at the University and off campus. The current VPE is Mohammed Agavi and he can be reached at VPE@BUSU.ca.
The VPI has many responsibilities, including but not limited to: overseeing the financial management of the Union, including preparing and maintaining the budget (in conjunction with the General Manager), acting as Chair of the Finance Committee, overseeing various BUSU services (in conjunction with Office & Services Manager), advising students on academic and disciplinary appeals and related matters, and acting as the official Student Advocate Caucus. Maintaining all the BUSU bylaws, policies and standard procedures, including implementation of the rules with the President, advocating the Union's best interests in University meetings, Board of Governors, Senate, KDC Board, Alumni and other committees. The current VPI is Emily Simon, and she can be reached at VPI@BUSU.ca.
Next week, we'll talk about the President!


First off, Happy New Year to you! Coming into the New Year I thought it only fitting to discuss the concept of perspective. I was asked by a fellow reader if I could touch upon the topic of how my mental perspective has changed over the last eight years since breaking my neck�... A change of perspective may indeed change your life. I remember when I struggled with burnout, depression and money problems. I was on sick leave and pitied myself.
A good book has the power to change our lives, unlike any other thing. But with the rapid advancement of technology, people seem to have forgotten the simple joys a good book could bring.... Life can be a bear sometimes. It can be hard, and ugly, and just downright miserable. Especially in today�s world, where news is right at our fingertips, it seems like we�re just constantly swimming in bad news, horrible stories and awfulness at every turn.
Mindfulness brought awareness back to the present moment, taking me out of my head and into my body. This place is exactly where we need to be so that we can feel, not think, our decisions.... A good book has the power to change our lives, unlike any other thing. But with the rapid advancement of technology, people seem to have forgotten the simple joys a good book could bring.
Reflection is a huge part of my day to day life. I reflect on choices I make, feelings I have, and lessons I teach. I reflect on how I treat people, what kind of quality time I spend with my son, and overall how to be a person who serves others well.
Well, I suppose the title is self-explanatory. Till now school was just about settling in, getting used to and having fun in general, with the occasional game or two in between.


You there pants. Served it to you faithfully more months or even years. And here suddenly it breaks. what to do in such situation? In general, about this problem you learn from article.
Mending Trouser - enough not simple employment. Some users enough strongly wrong, underestimating difficulty this business. Only not should unsettle. Overcome this problem us help zeal and care.
Possible my advice you seem unusual, but sense wonder: whether repair out of service pants? may more correctly will purchase new? Think, sense though learn, how is a new pants. it make, necessary just make appropriate inquiry rambler.
If you decided own perform repair, then the first thing necessary grab info how practice mending Trouser. For this purpose has meaning use finder, eg, google or bing, or hang out on forum or community.


text:
A Brief History of AI
AI-Alerts
AI Magazine
AAAI Conferences
NeurIPS
AITopics
An official publication of the AAAI.
Updated May-25-2019, 18:16:20 GMT
Volkswagen partners with Nvidia to expand its use of AI beyond autonomous vehicles
#artificialintelligence Jun-27-2017, 07:05:05 GMT
Volkswagen is working with Nvidia to expand its usage of its artificial intelligence and deep learning technologies beyond autonomous vehicles and into other areas of business, the two companies revealed today. VW set up its Munich-based data lab in 2014. Last year it pushed on with the hiring of Prof. Patrick van der Smagt to lead a dedicated AI team that is tasked with taking the technology into areas such as'robotic enterprise,' or use of the technology in enterprise settings. VW wants to use AI and deep learning to power new opportunities within its corporate business functions and, more widely, "in the field of mobility services." As an example, the German car-maker said it is working on procedures to help optimize traffic flow in cities and urban areas, while it sees the potential for intelligent human-robot collaboration, too.
deep learning, neural network, nvidia, (11 more...)
North America > United States (0.36)
Europe > Germany > Bavaria (0.36)
Transportation > Ground > Road (1.00)
Information Technology > Robotics & Automation (1.00)
Automobiles & Trucks > Manufacturer (1.00)
Information Technology > Artificial Intelligence > Robots > Autonomous Vehicles (0.98)
Information Technology > Artificial Intelligence > Machine Learning > Neural Networks > Deep Learning (0.83)
By concept tags
At the Mercedes museum, your rental car parks itself
Engadget Jul-24-2017, 17:15:14 GMT
The concept of a self-parking car certainly isn't new, but Daimler is about to take the next logical step on that front. It's partnering with Bosch to launch an Automated Valet Parking service at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. When it launches at the start of 2018, anyone (not just museum guests) can rent cars that will not only drive themselves out, but park themselves upon return. You just need a smartphone app to both make the reservation and the virtual handover when you're done. The key is the combination of Mercedes' self-driving tech with Bosch's smart car park grid.
artificial intelligence, car park, ground transportation, (6 more...)
Country: Europe > Germany > Baden-Wuerttemberg (0.37)
Transportation > Passenger (1.00)
Technology: Information Technology > Artificial Intelligence > Robots > Autonomous Vehicles (1.00)
Volkswagen's self-driving cars are about to hit a new city
Mashable Apr-3-2019, 23:40:46 GMT
Germany is taking on the U.S. (and China) when it comes to autonomous vehicles. On Wednesday, Volkswagen and Hamburg announced a self-driving pilot program on the city's streets. While many cities and states in the U.S. have been testing robo-cars for years, Germany only recently approved testing. Munich has been an autonomous hot spot thanks to BMW's research center, but now a nearly 2-mile stretch of Hamburg will allow a fleet of five e-Golf vehicles to drive the streets. SEE ALSO: Microsoft partners with BMW to build car systems in'smart factories' There will be safety drivers behind the wheel testing out Level 4 automation, which is almost fully autonomous, but still requires a human in some rare instances, such as unplanned street closures or severe weather.
artificial intelligence, ground transportation, self-driving car, (9 more...)
Europe > Germany > Hamburg (0.49)
Automobiles & Trucks (1.00)
Veteran German auto boss joins board of U.S. self-driving software startup - Reuters
#artificialintelligence May-25-2019, 18:16:20 GMT
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A company working to make open-source self-driving software reliable enough to be used in commercially available vehicles said it had hired a former German car boss as it seeks to expand its reach. Palo Alto, California-based Apex.AI has added Karl-Thomas Neumann, an industry veteran who in the past served as the chief executive of Continental AG and led Volkswagen AG's China business, to its board. "Karl-Thomas is a great fit for us as we're trying to learn off what worked in the past and reach out to more industry players," Apex.AI co-founder Jan Becker told Reuters in an interview this week. The U.S. firm is expanding to Europe, opening an office in Munich, Germany in July. Founded by Becker and Dejan Pangercic, two longtime self-driving car engineers formerly at automotive technology supplier Bosch Corp, Apex.AI plans to make a safer and more reliable version of the so-called Robot Operating System, or ROS.
artificial intelligence, ground transportation, software, (6 more...)
North America > United States > New York (0.36)
North America > United States > California > Santa Clara County (0.36)
Intel Is Playing Catch Up With Nvidia And Qualcomm In $15 Billion Mobileye Acquisition
Forbes - Tech Mar-13-2017, 23:15:04 GMT
Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, BMW CEO Harald Krueger, and Mobileye CTO and cofounder Amnon Shashua pose after a press conference in Munich on July 1, 2016. Intel started making lots of noise about the autonomous car market last year. But it's a long slog getting into a market like automotive, where it can take years to get designed into a vehicle. On Monday, the chip giant announced it would just buy its way into the market with a $15.3 billion acquisition of Mobileye, a leading provider of advanced driver assistant systems based in Israel. A massive consolidation spree is sweeping the semiconductor industry.
deep learning, information technology hardware, neural network, (19 more...)
Forbes - Tech
Asia > Middle East > Israel (0.35)
Semiconductors & Electronics (1.00)
(3 more...)
© 2020, i2k Connect, Inc All Rights Reserved.
This is i2kweb version 4.5.0. Logged in as aitopics-guest.
Logged in from Fairfield
aitopics.org uses cookies to deliver the best possible experience. By continuing to use this site, you consent to the use of cookies. Learn more »

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The earrings feature full-cut diamonds weighing a total of 0.86 carat, set in 18k gold. Gross weight 15.03 grams.
Condition Notes: This bold yet beautifully balanced pair of earrings is certain to attract attention. They are easy to wear and oh so chic.


text:
<?php

/* @var $this yii\web\View */
/* @var $form yii\bootstrap\ActiveForm */
/* @var $model \frontend\models\ContactForm */

// use yii\helpers\Html;
// use yii\bootstrap\ActiveForm;
// use yii\captcha\Captcha;
use yii\helpers\Url;
use yii\bootstrap\BootstrapAsset;
$this->registerCssFile("/statics/style/style-894e3466.css", [BootstrapAsset::className()]);
$this->title = '联系';
$this->params['breadcrumbs'][] = $this->title;
?>

        Oozou

<a href="<?= Url::to(['site/work'])?>">工作

<a href="<?= Url::to(['site/contact'])?>">联系

<a href="<?= Url::to(['site/blog'])?>">象记

联系我们

感谢您对我们的欣赏,相信我们会友好与对彼此交谈

    <form class="contact-form" method="post" action="https://formkeep.com/f/c30087e3952a">

        还请您递上联络方式

            <input class="js-required" name="first_name" id="contact-form--first--name" placeholder="姓" type="text">

            <input class="js-required" name="last_name" id="contact-form--last--name" placeholder="名" type="text">

            <input class="js-required" name="email" id="contact-form--email" placeholder="邮箱" type="email">

              <input class="js-required" name="phone" id="contact-form--phone" placeholder="手机号码" type="tel">

        您需要什么样的帮助?
        <textarea class="js-required" name="message" id="contact-form--idea" placeholder="您想要我/我们帮您做点什么?"></textarea>

        您的费用预算是?
        <select name="budget" id="contact-form--budget">
          <option value="$20k to $50k">$200 USD or ¥1000 RMB</option>
          <option value="$50k to $100k">$400 USD or ¥2500 RMB</option>
          <option value="$100k to $200k">$600 USD or ¥3888 RMB</option>
          <option value="$200k or more">$800 USD or more</option>
        </select>

        您是从哪里知道我们?
        <select name="source" id="contact-form--source">
          <option value="Google">谷歌</option>
          <option value="Baidu">百度</option>
          <option value="Sina">新浪</option>
          <option value="Linkedin">领英</option>
          <option value="Qzone">QQ空间</option>
          <option value="yiwan">弈万网络</option>
          <option value="lofter">网易lofter</option>
          <option value="Other">其他</option>
        </select>

        <button class="contact-form--submit-button" type="submit">发送</button>

    </form>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Rather than worshiping a single deity, some clerics – often called shamans – recognize and commune with the spiritual presences in all things, living and inanimate. Barely perceptible spiritual presences enact their spells. The cleric serves the spirits, and the spirits serve the cleric; neither is master over the other. Yet one spirit is always closest to the cleric's heart and joins her in battle: a bear, eagle, snake, or wolf spirit.
At 1st level when you choose this Domain, gain proficiency with the herbalism kit, and gain the spirit claw cantrip. Gain proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Nature, or Survival.
At 1st level when you choose this Domain, you gain a spirit companion that takes the form of a bear, eagle, snake, or wolf. Once you choose the form of your companion, you may change that form only when you gain a cleric level. You may call your spirit companion from the Ethereal Plane with a bonus action. The spirit remains until you fall unconscious or it ends your turn more than 60 feet away from you.
The spirit can occupy your space, but cannot otherwise share space with other creatures. Your allies can pass through its space freely, while anyone it recognizes as your enemy treats its space as difficult terrain.
As part of any action, you can command your spirit companion to move a distance equal to your current speed; it possesses movement modes appropriate to its creature type. The spirit companion is immune to all damage except for force damage, and it is dispersed if it takes 10 points of force damage in a single round.
Otherwise, it heals all damage it has suffered at the start of your turn. If dispersed, you may not call it again until you complete a short rest. It shares your Armor Class and saving throws.
At the end of any turn in which you do not make an attack or cast a spell other than cure wounds, healing word, or mass cure wounds, your spirit companion makes a melee weapon attack against an enemy adjacent to it, unless you command it not to do so.
On a hit, it deals bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage, based on its creature type, equal to 1d6 + your Wisdom modifier. Maintaining concentration on a spell, even a spell that deals damage or requires you to make an attack roll, still allows your spirit companion to make this attack. It is also able to attack if you are conscious but unable to take actions, such as when you are paralyzed, petrified, or stunned.
Starting at 2nd level, you can use your Channel Divinity to allow your spirit companion some power in the world. The effect of this is based on its creature type.
Bear. As a reaction, you or one ally within 60 feet of you gains resistance against a single damaging effect. As part of this reaction, your spirit companion teleports to a space adjacent to the affected creature.
Eagle. As a bonus action, your spirit companion teleports to a space adjacent to you or an ally within 60 feet of you, lifts him or her into the air, and moves itself and him or her to any space within 60 feet of that origin. The transported creature imposes disadvantage on any opportunity attacks it provokes in this move.
Snake. As an action, your spirit companion teleports to a space adjacent to you or an ally within 60 feet of you. Choose one creature adjacent to its destination space. That creature heals damage equal to your cleric level, or thrice your cleric level if the target's current hit points are less than half of its maximum hit points.
Wolf. Channel this effect as an action. For 1 minute, any melee weapon attack that your spirit companion makes that hits a creature also forces that creature to pass a Strength saving throw against your spell DC or be knocked prone. This effect requires Concentration.
Starting at 6th level, you can use your Channel Divinity to allow your spirit companion further power in the world. The effect of this is based on its creature type.
Bear. As an action, you and all allies within 60 feet of you gain 10 temporary hit points that last for up to 1 minute. While these temporary hit points remain on a creature, it also gains advantage on all Strength ability checks and saving throws.
Eagle. As a bonus action, you and all allies within 60 feet of you gain darkvision, +5 to passive Perception, advantage on all Perception checks, and a 10-foot increase to their speed. This effect lasts for 1 minute.
Wolf. Channel this effect as an action. Up to two allies within 60 feet may spend their reactions to make a melee weapon attack.
Starting at 8th level, when you deal damage to a creature that is adjacent to your spirit companion, your spirit companion makes a melee weapon attack against the same enemy.
On a hit, it deals bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage, based on its creature type, equal to 1d6 + your Wisdom modifier.
Starting at 17th level, you achieve a new measure of oneness with all natural things.
You gain resistance against acid, cold, fire, lightning, poison, and thunder damage.
Further, as a bonus action, you may gain proficiency with any one language, saving throw, skill, or tool. This ability lasts until you take a short rest. Once you use this ability, you may not do so again until you complete a long rest.


text:
– anime wydane w 2003 roku przez studio BONES i Bandai Visual. Niedługo potem rozpoczęto wydawanie mangi, która z początku bazowała na serii, jednak potem zupełnie odbiegła od fabuły znanej z anime.

Informacje o serii
 Reżyser: Morikawa Atsushi; Okamura Tensai
 Producent: Bandai Entertainment
 Scenariusz: Nobumoto Keiko
 Muzyka: Kanno Yoko
 Studio: Bandai Visual; Bones
 Design: Aramaki Shinji; Kawamoto Toshihiro; Okada Tomoaki; Takeba Shingo
 Tłumaczenie na język angielski: Agnieszka Frankowska; Julka Kacperczyk; Olimpia Gołota

Wprowadzenie do fabuły
Ponura rzeczywistość 200 lat po bliżej nieokreślonej katastrofie. Ludzie wiodą podłe życie w nielicznych miastach. Próżno tutaj szukać dzikich zwierząt – lasy są spalone, a one same zdziesiątkowane. Panuje skrajny klimat – od upalnych pustynnych piasków, po mroźne śnieżne lodowce. W tej szarej rzeczywistości wiele dawnych wspomnień zostało uznanych za legendy podsycane przeczuciem o zbliżającym się końcu świata. Jedna z tych legend jest opisana w zakazanej Księżycowej Księdze. Mówi, że gdy nadejdzie koniec świata, otworzą się bramy Raju, jednak tylko wilki będą wiedziały gdzie on się znajduje.

W takich realiach osadzona jest historia Wolf's Rain. Biały wilk – Kiba – dochodzi do miasta. Wilcza duma nie pozwala mu na zniżanie się do poziomu ludzi i przybierania ich postaci, więc kroczy zuchwale przez miasto, rzucając się w oczy. Natrafia na Quenta i jego suczkę Blue, zostaje postrzelony i zabrany do głównego laboratorium w mieście. Tam spotyka wilka Hige, któremu udaje się go nakłonić do zmiany postaci. Razem uciekają z laboratorium, napotykając po drodze arystokratę Darcię z Córką Kwiatu. Potem przypadkiem spotykają nieporadnego, młodego wilka Toboe, który postanawia przyłączyć się do nich. Na koniec odnajdują szarego wilka Tsume, z którym Kiba miał wcześniej utarczkę. Po ostrej i krótkiej wymianie zdań, wszyscy razem uciekają pod gradem ludzkich kul z miasta i wyruszają w podróż do Raju.

Z losami wilków oraz Córki Kwiatu splatają się losy także innych bohaterów. Poznajemy Cher Degre i jej byłego męża inspektora Hubba Lebowskiego. Ona ma obsesję na punkcie Chezy, on nie wierzy w wilki. Kiedyś byli szczęśliwym małżeństwem, jednak praca naukowa całkowicie pochłonęła Cher, co doprowadziło do rozwodu. Wydawałoby się, że osoby o tak różnych osobowościach nie mogą już być razem. Kiba i reszta niejednokrotnie spotykają podczas swojej wędrówki Quenta Yaidena ze swoją suczką Blue, który obrał sobie za życiowy cel wybicie wilków co do sztuki, w ramach zemsty za śmierć swojej rodziny (żony i córki Ruth).

Bohaterowie
 Kiba (Kieł) – biały wilk o złotych oczach. Czasem zdarza mu się działać zbyt pochopnie, ponieważ najpierw słucha serca, a potem rozumu. Gdy był mały, las, w którym się urodził spłonął, a wraz z nim wszyscy jego krewni. Zostaje znaleziony i wychowany przez szamana. Na początku wilcza duma nie pozwala mu na przybieranie ludzkiej postaci, lecz później zdaje sobie sprawę z tego, że jest to niezbędne, by przeżyć. To on został wybrany do odnalezienia Chezy i otworzenia bram Raju. Bardzo troszczył się o Chezę.
 Hige (Wąs) – bury, puszysty wilk z obrożą z wygrawerowanym "X". Ma ją, ponieważ sprzedał się dla Jagary. Po spotkaniu Kiby postanawia udać się z nim do Raju, lecz nie okazuje takiego zapału. Ma najlepszy zmysł węchu ze wszystkich wilków w grupie. Wie, jak najlepiej funkcjonować w społeczeństwie ludzkim. Obroża, którą nosi w rzeczywistości jest  nadajnikiem, który pozwala mu wędrować przez miasto i jest zawsze pod nadzorem. Sprawia wrażenie kobieciarza. Podoba mu się Blue. Ginie wraz z Blue. Został dobity przez Tsume.
 Tsume (Pazur) – szary wilk. Nie okazuje swoich uczuć i udaje że wszystko jest mu obojętne. Na początku nie wierzył w istnienie Raju. Początkowo mieszkał we Freeze City, gdzie prowadził życie ludzkiego złodzieja. Później przyłącza się do niego Toboe, który także mieszkał w tym mieście, choć Tsume twierdził, że nie potrzebuje przyjaciół. Jest pewny siebie, a czasem arogancki, trzyma się z dala od swoich sojuszników. Często kłóci się z Kibą. Wywodzi się ze stada, które zostało zdziesiątkowane przez wojska Jagary, polujące na wilki, jedynie Tsume udało się uciec, lecz po tym wydarzeniu pozostała mu wielka blizna na piersi w kształcie litery X. Spośród wszystkich najbliżej trzyma się go Toboe, którego nazywa "dzieciakiem". Gdy młody wilk został zabity przez Quenta, Tsume płacze nad jego ciałem. Został zabity przez Darcię.
 Toboe (Wyjący, Krzyczący) – rudy młody wilk z bransoletą na przedniej prawej łapie. Mieszkał ze starą kobietą, która się nim opiekowała. Przypadkowo doprowadził do jej śmierci w trakcie zabawy. To właśnie od niej dostał bransoletę. Po jej śmierci przyłącza się do Kiby, aby szukać Raju. Toboe jest bardzo przyjazny w stosunku do ludzi i walczy tylko gdy jest to konieczne i aby chronić przyjaciół. Został nieumyślnie zastrzelony przez Quenta Yaidena, gdy próbował bronić go przed Darcią.
 Cheza – dziewczyna zrodzona z Księżycowego Kwiatu. Jest potrzebna wilkom do otworzenia bram Raju. Potrafi wprawiać wilki w kojący sen poprzez swój śpiew lub dotyk. Ma czerwone oczy z różowymi tęczówkami. Poświęciła swe życie, by ocalić ginącą planetę.
 Blue (Niebieska) – gdy była szczenięciem została znaleziona i przygarnięta przez córkę Quenta - Ruth. Po śmierci żony i córki Quenta towarzyszy mu w wędrówce. W tym czasie nie zdaje sobie sprawy, że ma w sobie wilczą krew, żyje jak normalny pies, tropi wilki dla Quenta. Chodzi w metalowej obroży z kolcami, prowadzana jest na smyczy. Gdy odkryła, że oprócz psiej krwi ma w sobie krew wilczą, opuszcza Quenta. Po spotkaniu z Chezą budzi się w niej ta dotychczas uśpiona wilcza natura. Jest wyjątkowo bliska dla Hige. Dla przyjaciół jest oddaną towarzyszką, dla wrogów zaś jest nieustępliwa, ma ostry temperament, pragnie akceptacji i szuka swojego miejsca w świecie. Zostaje zagryziona przez Darcię, ginąc wraz z Hige.
 Quent Yaiden – szeryf z Curious nienawidzący wilków, ponieważ uważa, że wilki zabiły jego rodzinę. Ginie postrzelony przez Darcię.
 Cher Degre – doktor badająca Chezę na zlecenie lorda Oakuma. Ginie z powodu rozległych obrażeń powstałych po upadku z wysoko położonej lodowej półki, która nie wytrzymała ciężaru pojazdu i oberwała się.
 Hubb Lebowski – były mąż Cher, jest inspektorem i ma uczulenie na sierść. Popełnił samobójstwo, rzucając się z kamiennej półki na której wisiał, gdyż stwierdził, że nie jest w stanie dojść do Raju.
 Darcia III – główny zły charakter. Jest on arystokratą, jego rodzina została przeklęta, ponieważ Darcia I zginął w Raju. Darcia nie urodził się jako człowiek, lecz jako wilk i nauczył się zmieniać w człowieka. Jako wilk jest ciemnofioletowy, prawe oko ma niebieskie, a lewe złote. Zabił wiele wilków, aby odnaleźć bramy Raju. Zginął otruty trucizną Chezy.
 Hamona – była miłością Darcii. Hamona nie potrafiła zmieniać się w wilka. Zmarła na Rajską Chorobę, która zabierała kawałek po kawałku jej duszę.
 Jaguara – siostra Hamony rezydująca w Wiecznym Mieście; jest zakochana w Darcii. Jagara próbowała za pomocą Chezy otworzyć Raj dla arystokratów, lecz próba ta zakończyła się niepowodzeniem, a ona sama została zabita przez Darcię.
 Orkham – lord, który wykradł Chezę i zlecił nad nią badania.
W anime występuje też wiele innych postaci.

Manga
Manga (która stanowi alternatywną wersję historii przedstawionej w anime) została napisana przez Nobumoto, a zilustrowana przez Toshitsugu Iidę. Kolejne rozdziały ukazywały się w czasopiśmie Magazine Z.

W Polsce manga została wydana nakładem wydawnictwa Japonica Polonica Fantastica.

|}

Przypisy

Bibliografia

Linki zewnętrzne

Bones
Mangi wydawane w Polsce
Seinen

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


North Carolina medical license profile, with list of disciplinary actions against Andrew John-Edward Cracker.
North Carolina medical license and CRIMINAL CONVICTION. On Feb 13, 2018, Dr. Cracker was convicted of driving while impaired. The board fines him $100, and puts him on 12 months of unsupervised probation.
The FL Dept of Health disciplines Dr. Andrew Cracker after he botched a surgery and left two sponges in the patient's abdomen. Dr. Cracker is fined $500 and required to completed 10 hours of Continuing Medical Education. See pages 2 & 8.
Pennsylvania disciplines Dr. Andrew Cracker in response to Cracker's discipline in Florida. Cracker must pay a $500 penalty to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a botched surgery in Florida, where he left two sponges in a patient's abdomen. See pages 1-3.
Dr. Andrew Cracker receives a reprimand & $5000 fine from the North Carolina Medical Board for violating laws regarding drug prescription and illegal fee-splitting with non-physicians. See pages 2-5, and 7.
North Carolina relieves the consent order obligations on Dr. Andrew Cracker.


text:
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd">

<title>Uses of Package java.awt.im.spi (Java Platform SE 7 )</title>
<meta name="date" content="2014-12-18">
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../../../../stylesheet.css" title="Style">

JavaScript is disabled on your browser.

Overview

Package

Class

Use

Tree

Deprecated

Index

Help

Java™ Platform
Standard Ed. 7

Prev

Next

Frames

No Frames

All Classes

Uses of Package
java.awt.im.spi

Packages that use java.awt.im.spi

Package
Description

java.awt.im.spi

Provides interfaces that enable the development of input methods
that can be used with any Java runtime environment.

Classes in java.awt.im.spi used by java.awt.im.spi

Class and Description

InputMethod

Defines the interface for an input method that supports complex text input.

InputMethodContext

Provides methods that input methods
 can use to communicate with their client components or to request
 other services.

Overview

Package

Class

Use

Tree

Deprecated

Index

Help

Java™ Platform
Standard Ed. 7

Prev

Next

Frames

No Frames

All Classes

 Submit a bug or feature
For further API reference and developer documentation, see Java SE Documentation. That documentation contains more detailed, developer-targeted descriptions, with conceptual overviews, definitions of terms, workarounds, and working code examples.
 Copyright © 1993, 2015, Oracle and/or its affiliates.  All rights reserved.


In October 1881, John McKechnie sold this property to building contractors Thomas and Michael Kelly. The following year, Michael Kelly began building a home for himself on it. The two-storey, 20 foot by 30 foot building was completed at a cost of $2,200. Kelly resided there, alone or with other family members, until 1894 when he moved to 424 Notre Dame Avenue but retained ownership of the building. From 1897 to 1901, it was the home of James H. Cadham. During this time, the residential character of the neighbourhood began to change as the city's warehouse district expanded to include the area. Eventually, the house would be the only remaining residential structure in the area. In 1908, Thomas Kelly became the home's sole owner, holding it until the property was seized by the City of Winnipeg due to Kelly's default on tax payments. The City later sold the property, which went through several changes of ownership until falling vacant.
In 2010, the municipally-designated historic site was renovated extensively and became the home of the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. In 2011, the building was recognized with a Heritage Winnipeg Preservation Award.
Kelly House (88 Adelaide Street), Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, January 1979.


text:
Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson, britanski general, * 15. april 1881, † 23. maj 1956.

Glej tudi

 seznam britanskih generalov

Zunanje povezave
 Generals.dk

Britanski generali
Britanski vojaški pedagogi
Veterani prve svetovne vojne
Veterani druge svetovne vojne
Častniki Kraljeve artilerije
Generali Britanske kopenske vojske
Nosilci reda svetega Mihaela in svetega Jurija
Nosilci Distinguished Service Order
Nosilci reda kopeli


This entry was posted on July 24, 2013 at 11:15 am and is filed under EPM, Hyperion Planning, Kscope 13, ODI Architecture, ODI Architecture with tags Architecture, EPM, Hyperion, Hyperion Planning, Integration, Kscope13, Loading Metadata, Loading Planning, Loop Application, ODI Architecture, ODI Expert, odi interface, ODI Modelless, Planning.	You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


vegetarian or Indonesian or Ethiopian in Portland?
I will be visiting Portland this coming weekend. Can anyone recommend any particularly good restaurants for vegetarians? They don't need to be stricly vegetarian, just include good vegetarian options.
Also, what about any Indonesian, Ethiopian, or other good ethnic restaurant recommendations?


"Fiat money is backed by men with guns; Bitcoin is not. So why should this thing have any value?"--Uber statist economist Paul Krugman.
The DSP actually held hearings and went through the process to throw a bad cop off the force, only to be over-turned by Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security Louis J. Schiliro.
I want you to stop and think for moment, in a state where indiscriminate use of tazers and head-stomping are considered acceptable police work, how bad does it have to be for the Delaware State Police to get rid of one of their own?
And let's not forget that Mr. Schiliro has now had nearly five years of watching the DSP operate under his supervision to figure out that something is not quite right.
Maybe the trooper in question did not need to go, but Mr. Schiliro certainly does.
Didn't read through. Was he bad in tha he broke the code? They seem to think they are above the law and can discipline their own.
Glad you got a story out.


MANISTEE — While catamaran racing is a competitive event, many participants agree that they enjoy the camaraderie just as much.
Caesar Santana, of Grand Rapids, said participating with CRAM (Catamaran Racing Association of Michigan) is a good mix of competition and fun.
Santana was one of about 10 taking part in CRAM races on Saturday and Sunday near First Street Beach in Manistee.
CRAM is in its 53 season, according to James Derck, CRAM marketing officer. He said this weekend's turnout was a little low, but it's their second time back in Manistee.
The group camped in the grassy area near First Street Beach and launched their catamarans from the beach between the breakwater.
Walter Elsner, of Coloma, has been racing for about a year. He said he started out with his uncle in another fleet in the Kalamazoo area, and he eventually found his own boat.
Derck said Manistee has a unique set of features that the group looks for in a location for hosting races.
Two weeks ago, the group was racing in Muskegon and their next race is set for two weeks from now in Port Sanilac.
CRAM is a nonprofit organization of beach catamaran sailors who organize 8 to 10 regattas a year, and who work to provide an atmosphere conducive to fun for the whole family and to sailors of any skill level. For more information, search for Catamaran Racing Association of Michigan on Facebook.
Santana said it doesn't have to be an expensive sport.


text:
Q: Functions on generic arrays I would like to use more functional programming in Swift. Some of the functions I write could work well on Arrays of various types. I don't want to rewrite the same function with different types (or typealiases.) The pattern how the function would work is often the same, just with different types. So, I tried something like this:
// Add indeces to an array of any type. I.e., returns an array of tuples of the array index and the original element.
func addIndeces<T: AnyObject>(toArray: Array<T>) -> Array<(index: Int, value: T)> {
    var arrIndex: [Int] = []
    for index in 0...toArray.count {
        arrIndex.append(index)
    }
    return Array(Zip2(arrIndex, toArray))
}

When I call this function
// Note: reminderList is of type [Reminder]
let indexedReminderList = addIndeces(reminderList) as! [(index: Int, reminder: Reminder)]

I get a runtime error: "fatal error: can't unsafeBitCast between types of different sizes"
What am I doing wrong?

A: The function you are writing already exists – kind of.  enumerate "return a lazy SequenceType containing pairs (n, x), where n\ s are consecutive Int\ s starting at zero, and x\ s are the elements of base"
This means you can write your function as:
func addIndices<T>(toArray: [T]) -> [(index: Int, reminder: T)] {

    // if you want to label the tuple elements index: and reminder:,
    // you still have to use map:
    return map(enumerate(toArray)) {
        (index: $0, reminder: $1)
    }

}

Note, you don't need to write T: AnyObject unless you specifically want to prevent this function from accepting anything other than arrays of classes (as that's what AnyObject is - the protocol that only classes, not structs or enums, conform to).
Note, enumerate only works for integer-indexed collections.  To make it more general, you could write zip(indices(someCollection),someCollection)).  indices returns a range of all the indices of any collection, so is equivalent to someCollection.startIndex..<someCollection.endIndex.

A: You want to cast the tuple Array of type [(index: Int, value: T)] where T is of type Reminder to a tuple Array of type [(index: Int, reminder: Reminder)]. So you can see that the tuples have different element names (value and reminder) where both have different byte sizes - therefore the error.
So you should take the same element names for both tuples.
If you want to change the element names:
let newTupleArray = oldTupleArray.map{ (newElementName0: $0.0, newElementName1: $0.1) }

A: The range 0...toArray.count consist all elements form 0 to the count of toArray, including the count value, and in your case arrIndex will always have one more element then toArray. Thats what is causing different size error. To fix it replace your range with this one 0..<toArray.count

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Man thanks iPhone's 'Siri' for saving his life in explosion
He says he somehow asked his iPhone's voice-controlled virtual assistant Siri to call 911, believing he was going into shock.
Man thanks iPhone's 'Siri' for saving his life in explosion He says he somehow asked his iPhone's voice-controlled virtual assistant Siri to call 911, believing he was going into shock. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/2qIG5LG
Associated Press Published 8:04 a.m. ET May 15, 2017
Photo by: Alexander Heinl/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images A man talking on 25/05/2016 in Berlin in his smartphone.(Photo: file dpa/AP Images)
WILMOT, N.H. — A New Hampshire man who was injured in a house explosion is thanking "Siri" for saving his life.
Christopher Beaucher says he was checking on his mother's vacant cottage in Wilmot on May 1 when he saw something suspicious and went inside.
He tells WMUR-TV (http://bit.ly/2pNoixW ) when he switched on a light, the house exploded into flames.
Beaucher's face and hands were badly burned. He grabbed his cellphone, but was unable to dial due to his injuries. He says he somehow asked his iPhone's voice-controlled virtual assistant Siri to call 911, believing he was going into shock.
Beaucher is still undergoing treatment for his injuries, but says he hopes to return to his job as a cook and tend to his farm.
Authorities are still investigating the explosion.
Information from: WMUR-TV, http://wmur.com
Read or Share this story: https://usat.ly/2qIG5LG


text:
Brookman, William Gordon
Prospect, SA
Place of Burial
North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth
Arrived in South Australia (date/ship etc.)
Lived in Prospect (dates)
From birth 1863 to June 1893. Returned 1904.
Addresses in Prospect
"Kelvin Lodge", 3 Daphne St, Prospect (parents' home)
Names of houses (if any)
Third son of Benjamin Brookman, government stamp-printer and Jane, née Wilson
Anne Kinder, née Flynn
Date(s) of Marriage(s)
Place(s) of Marriage(s)
Foodstuffs manufacturer
General merchant
Goldminer and Goldmine owner
Liberal/conservative politician
Mayor of Perth WA 1900-1901
MLC Perth WA 29 Aug 1900 - 15 Dec 1903
Public servant 1875-1880
Religion/Churches
Member of the Young Men's Society, Brougham Place Congregational Church
Notes (points of interest etc.)
Educated at Whinham College.
Although securing the investment of £35 million and fifty-two mines in Western Australia, was declared bankrupt, lost his Lord Mayor of Perth seat (the only capital city mayor omitted from the honours list on the opening of the Federal parliament) with his last appearance in the Legislative Council on 29 September 1903.
R. O. Giles, 'Brookman, William Gordon (1859–1910)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/brookman-william-gordon-5376/text9097.
Kristina Barnett


To find the free keyless entry remote fob programming instructions for your car, truck or suv: click on your vehicle make from the menu on the left side of your page.
Many key and keyless entry programming procedures allow you to do the programming yourself, however there are some that require a Locksmith to hookup special equipment to program the key or keyless entry remote to your vehicle. If you find that your vehicle requires a Locksmith to program your key, smart key, flipkey, remote head key or your regular keyless entry remote, Call Toll Free 844-674-1652 to find a Locksmith in your area to program your key or keyless entry fob.


I bought the 5-license upgrade to Snow Leopard and it arrived today. I installed it on two systems (one more to go). The install goes pretty quickly and mine took just over 45 minutes each. On one system I did not install Rosetta. When I tried to start an Office 2004 app, which requires Rosetta, the system told me it needed Rosetta and asked if it should go and find a copy to install. I said OK and it was done in about 4 minutes. On the second system, my main home system which has all of my email, I use Mail. After the install, I was informed that I needed to convert my old Mail account to work with the new Mail app. Again, I said OK, but this time things didn't go perfectly. Mail fumbled the hand-off of my account settings, specifically the settings for the outgoing SMTP authentication. I had to edit the settings so Mail would use a username and password. Not hard to fix if you know where to find the controls, but I do not understand why Apple missed such a fundamental setting. Other than that, Snow Leopard saved at least 7.5GB of disk space. Unfortunately, only Parallels version 4 works with Snow Leopard. iStat menus also does not work. Those are the only two things I have found that do not work with Snow Leopard.


text:
show and tell Sept. 17, 2012
Peter Pilotto Spring 2013: Loved by Some
By Hattie Crisell
Photo: Stuart Wilson/Getty Images
There was a minor disagreement at London Fashion Week this morning. Not over how uncomfortable the seats are at the Topshop Show Space or how great it is to discover (alas, on day four) that there's a press bus shuttling journalists between shows — we were in total agreement on those important points. But while my companion made a "meh" expression at the end of the Peter Pilotto show and dropped the D-word (yes, derivative), I loved every minute of it.
Perhaps I was dazzled into submission, but the intricate digital patterns rendered in sequins immediately got my vote, and by the end of the show, I was near-drooling over bias-cut mid-calf dresses lavishly embellished with beads and mirrors. The cotton jumper knits felt wearable and chic, while the cropped, psychedelically printed jackets would be a perfect statement purchase for spring.
In the midst of a week crammed with print-loving designers, sometimes it's hard to get a handle on what's fresh and what isn't; however, at a certain point, you simply have to focus on whether you'd feel happy in the clothes. So, would you be overjoyed to put on one of Pilotto's geometric print dresses, with their waist-sculpting silhouettes and surfaces glittering with reflective color? Personally, I'd climb over elderly relatives for one. And that's enough gushing for now.
See the complete Peter Pilotto spring 2013 collection here.


text:
Xiaomi Mi A1 brings back Android One in India: Check out the Price, Specs, Features and more
September 7, 2017 by Jayson John
Google's Android One which was launched in 2014 is back in India. This time the company has teamed up with one of the top online smartphone brands in the country that is Xiaomi and launched the Xiaomi Mi A1. This phone is different from the starting Android One phones such as Micromax Canvas A1, Karbonn Sparkle V and Spice Dream UNO.The new Xiaomi Mi A1 has few higher-end specifications.
Image: andro4all.com
Xiaomi partnering with Android One means Xiaomi Mi A1 users will receive regular updates from Google, similar to the time when they are rolled out to Nexus and Pixel devices. Google on its website said "With the latest version of Android installed, monthly security updates, and a guaranteed OS upgrade, Android One phones get the latest technology and security measures. Android One phones ship with the latest version of Android installed, Android Nougat, and come with one guaranteed OS upgrade. And since Android One users are among the first to get new OS upgrades when they're released, you'll have access to the latest features and innovations even sooner." Though for services and other product related issues, customers will need to contact Xiaomi.Google says with Google Play Protect and timely updates, users will have a safe and smooth experience. Google also announced that Android One is no longer just about entry-level smartphones. It will be available in a broad range of devices.
About the Specifications, Xiaomi Mi A1 is a dual-SIM (Nano-SIM) smartphone that runs Android 7.1.2 Nougat out of the box. It features a 5.5-inch full-HD (1080×1920 pixels) display with Corning Gorilla Glass.It runs on an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoC coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB internal storagethat is expandable up to 128GBusing a microSD cardin a hybrid dual-SIM.Speaking about the camera, Mi A1 comes with a dual rear camera setup, ithas two 12-megapixel sensors, with one featuring a wide-angle lens with a 1.25-micron pixel sensor and f/2.2 aperture, and the other sporting a telephoto lens, 1-micron pixel sensor, an f/2.6 aperture, and capable of delivering 2x optical zoom. The front facing camera is a 5-megapixel shooter with a real-time beautification mode. Now about the connectivity features of the device, Xiaomi Mi A1 offers 4G VoLTE, dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11ac, GPS/ A-GPS, USB Type-C port, and 3.5mm headphone jack. Xiaomi M A1 Sensor department includes an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyroscope, infrared, magnetometer, and proximity sensor. The smartphone is powered by a 3,080mAh battery and also comes with a fingerprint scanner, located on the back.
The Xiaomi Mi A1 available in India at a price of Rs 14,999,the smartphone is said to be available online via Flipkart and Mi.Com and also available across the Mi offline retail stores from September 12.
Reliance Jio Phone 2 with QWERTY keypad and Popular apps launched
Vivo Y75 Launched: Check out for the Specs, Availability & More
Vivo Y83 With Launched in India: Check out for its Specs, Features & more
Nokia 5 with 3GB RAM launched: Check out for the Price, Specs & More


Every New Year's I have plans to smoke a rare cigar or a pipe tobacco that I have, but every year I end up just smoking something I am in the mood for. I have a problem smoking a cigar that is rare or a tin that I have cellared for years. So every year I start thinking about my New Year's smoke in early December. I was going through my tins and I came across an old tin of McClelland Navy Cavendish from 1999 and I decided that is going to be my New Year's smoke. I have already opened the tin to let the tobacco breath and I am looking forward to a nice bowl or two to ring in 2015.
Leave a comment and tell me what you will be smoking when the ball drops.
I have a hard time opening an old tin as well, maybe if i wait just one more year it will be soooooo much better haha. I'm thinking of opening a McCranie's Red Flake/Ribbon 1983 crop tinned in 1999. I just can't bring myself to opening one of my 1992 Christmas Cheer tins yet. Maybe next year…. hmmm….
Great suggestion, I have quite a few tins of Red Ribbon/Flake put away. I just look at my tins of the 1983 crop and drool. One day I will bring myself to crack a tin.
Kevin I will more than likely be bringIng in the New Year out doors after all the toasting kissing and stealing smooches from those I normally wouldnt get away with. So, since its expected to be around 30* that night I am looking at something and to the point. BURLEY FLAKE #1 or FIVE BROTHERS. Davinci would be nice but with other fussy cigarette smokers its just as simple to hold on latakia for the time being.
I will be outside myself. I think the Navy Cavendish will hold up well against the cold weather we will have. Thank you for the comment.
Wish I could stay awake and enjoy a bowl, but working two retirement jobs, and that's past my bedtime – I know, SAD…. Suggestion to a youngster like yourself – never use credit cards, cash only, and don' give grandkids everything!!! OK, give them pipes…..
It will be a struggle to stay up that late. I may be tired when I have my pipe, but I am going to do my best to stay awake for the first few minutes of 2015. Then I will go to bed. Thanks for the advise.
Shortly after the clock strikes midnight, I will be enjoying a blend that I have created myself. I call it "Pete's Best Blend" and it contains equal parts of Five Brothers, Stokkebye's Virginia, vanilla flavored black cavendish, and a touch of latakia. I get a great nic-hit, and it has a pleasant aroma for everyone to enjoy.


Every two weeks Ahmed Sedeeq follows a well-worn routine. As a PhD candidate from northern Iraq with permission to study at Sheffield University, he is duty bound to register with the Home Office and quickly answer some basic questions - name, address, phone number - before carrying on with his day.
The morning of December 18 was no different. He dressed casually, went to the Government offices on Millsands and sat down with an officer to run through the normal checks - but the atmosphere suddenly changed.
"Another officer came and said 'Can you come with me to fill in some forms?' I went with him, we went into a room, he locked the door and said 'Today you are detained, your deportation is imminent from the UK'."
Because of complications with his visa, Ahmed, aged 30, was held and taken to Morton Hall, a controversial immigration removal centre in Lincolnshire where four people have died within the last year, some in suspected suicides. Campaigners are calling for the facility to be shut down and a committee of MPs has mounted an inquiry.
Ahmed spent 10 days at Morton Hall over Christmas in difficult conditions, aware he could be deported to his home city, Mosul, at any moment. The jihadist group Isis declared Mosul its capital four years ago and would likely try to kill Ahmed, he fears, because of his non-religious views.
Friends organised a petition which attracted thousands of signatures, and Ahmed was released temporarily. Sheffield University, which briefly locked his email account and other privileges, has allowed him to resume his studies, but the threat of being sent back to Iraq remains.
"I'm allowed to study as long as the Home Office gives me permission," he says. "If the Home Office decided to refuse my application, I won't be able to study. Even if I had the perfect thesis, I won't be able to submit it. That's why I'm working with the lawyer to get hold of all the paperwork I can get my hands on, so I can save this PhD. It's very tricky."
Ahmed first came to the UK in 2011 to take a masters in advanced software engineering at the university, returning to Mosul afterwards. He then gained a PhD position at Sheffield's department of computer science, and came back to Britain again in 2013 after applying for a student visa.
He tried to claim asylum in the UK in 2014, but was rejected multiple times until he eventually obtained a shortened student visa which, he says, he exceeded mistakenly.
Ahmed expresses surprise that he was detained. Talking in a city centre café, he says he was advised to carry on reporting until he had finished his course, in the hope the situation could be resolved.
"I wasn't prepared at all. I didn't see it coming, to be honest. I didn't know what to do, I was in shock. I followed exactly what they told me."
Intelligent and persuasive, he speaks quietly and gently. It's a struggle to imagine him posing any danger to national security. "I'm not a violent guy who would go off to fight or anything," he says.
After being detained, Ahmed told only his solicitor and an uncle in London about his predicament. At first he avoided telling his mother, Dura; Ahmed's father Ayad died last March and she is still struggling with losing her husband.
"She only learned about it when the petition went viral. She was very sad, she cried. But what can I do."
Ahmed holds Isis responsible for his father's death. Ayad had lung disease but was forced to leave his home when jihadist fighters commandeered it. Ahmed, who has two brothers, is convinced his health wasn't robust enough to survive being uprooted.
"He couldn't handle it," he says. "They didn't care."
At Morton Hall, Ahmed was kept on a wing with 24 rooms, where detainees shared two toilets and a bathroom.
"I was sleep deprived for the entire 10 days," he says. "In the early morning they 'checked on us' - they came and shone a flashlight in our faces, or they would just barge in with their radios on and suddenly be in your face. I had no clue what was going on, whether I was being deported."
It was a tense environment. Ahmed was held alongside people of various nationalities - some were Lithuanian and Albanian, he remembers, and many had been convicted of serious crimes. At one point he was shown how to make a lethal weapon out of a biro pen.
"I tried to stay away from any gatherings and just do my paperwork."
Internet access was limited to 50 minutes a day and meals were 'mostly curries'. When Ahmed felt ill with flu symptoms, he was given two paracetamol - if he wanted anything more, he would have to book a doctor's appointment, for which there was a long waiting list.
Staying positive was challenging but vital, he says.
"I was lucky to be surrounded by people - friends, family - who care about me. I didn't let my brain wander. Maybe people just wasted five minutes of their time signing a petition, but those five minutes meant a lot to me. I received postcards from people I'd never met in my life telling me stay strong.
"But, no matter how many people love you or care about you, you are in a different place. There are the fences, the guards, the terrible place itself, but you are completely isolated - you're completely detached from everything else. If you stay there you will be forgotten forever. It's very scary. You see men, proper men, cry - and they take their own lives. There is something fundamentally wrong if people are taking their lives."
He felt a huge sense of relief on being released. "Small things we take for granted were taken away from me. I was looking at the train station café and thinking 'I can actually buy my own food when I want'."
Ahmed is applying for a discretionary visa, in addition to making a fresh claim for asylum.
"Because we don't have anything in hand we're trying all the routes. Maybe one of them will work. My case doesn't seem that strong, for some reason. But I'm trying to save this PhD, because once I get it no-one can take it away from me."
He reports to the Government again this Friday, when he could potentially be detained further. Ahmed emphasises his belief that his life would be at risk in Iraq.
"But according to the Home Office, Iraq is safe and there's nothing wrong. It doesn't make sense. It's really difficult to move on with your life when you're living under constant threat."
In a short statement issued after Ahmed was released, the Home Office said applications were considered 'on their individual merits and in accordance with the immigration rules'.
In return the university said higher education should foster 'diverse, inclusive communities of international scholarships'.
Ahmed describes himself as an open-minded atheist, who opposes radical Islamism. "I know there are some people, idiots with guns, who won't accept that. They could use any picture on social media - 'Look at him, he's holding a pint, he's with a girlfriend, he's doing this or that'."
At the time of writing the petition is nearing 70,000 signatures. Ahmed is unsure whether his case is a one-off or if other students have fallen foul of the visa rules. "I didn't meet any students there, as far as I know. I hope no-one else would face this."
But he adds: "They are following rules, regardless of whether it's fair or not. If it's legal then that's it."


It's safe to say that Josh Brolin has completed his penance for Jonah Hex, in full.
Now that fans can see his performance as Cable in the freshly debuted Deadpool 2, alongside his acclaimed portrayal of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, Brolin can sit back and enjoy what should be a fun summer watching his salary quote rise with each report of the box office for these films. Next up for the actor? Prepping for X-Force, the next film in which he'll play Nathan Summers, aka Cable. It's the second film in his four-film contract to play the fan favorite, and marks a major career departure.
Brolin has largely avoided repeating himself during his long career. Sure, he's appeared in movies like Men In Black 3, but that was his first appearance in the franchise. So why would he commit to playing Cable in four films? Turns out he was fascinated by the character, confusing backstory and all. He also enjoyed the witty banter he and Ryan Reynolds established this time around.
"I thought it was really funny and irreverent," Brolin told SYFY WIRE during this recent interview in New York City. "Now that we have this volley established, this kind of Nick Nolte, Eddie Murphy volley, I can't wait to see it germinate and grow."
Brolin is of course referring to Nolte and Murphy's 1982 buddy-cop hit, 48 Hrs. He also told us he's excited to work with Drew Goddard, who's writing and directing the upcoming X-Force movie. Watch the interview to hear more from Brolin on why he's avoided sequels in the past, including numerous overtures to do The Goonies 2. His answer actually makes a lot of sense.
Enjoy the interview below then let us know what you think. And don't forget to keep checking back here on SYFY WIRE all weekend for more on Deadpool 2.


text:
Josep Lluís Sert's letter to Pablo Picasso, dated 20 November 1939
Cambridge, Massachusetts, 20 November 1939
Josep Lluís Sert (the architect who designed, with Luis Lacasa, the Spanish Pavilion at the Paris International Exhibition of 1937), writes to Pablo Picasso from New York to talk about the reception of the exhibition Picasso: Forty Years of His Art at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and its impact, given the opening was attended by Alexander Calder and the Larreas.
Josep Lluís Sert
Musée National Picasso-Paris, Fonds Picasso
515AP/C/159/5/4
Guernica according to Picasso The Endurance of the Pavilion of 1937 Guernica as a political symbol
Picasso: Forty Years of His Art Museum of Modern Art, New York New York
Personal correspondence Josep Lluís Sert Guernica according to Picasso
Mexico, 21 December 1939 - Personal correspondence
Juan Larrea's letter to Pablo Picasso, dated 21 December 1939
Milan, 6 October 1953 - Institutional correspondence
Paolo D'Ancona's letter to Pablo Picasso
April, 1977 - Press release and communication
Roland Dumas's communiqué on Guernica
Roxbury, 22 November 1955 - Institutional correspondence
Alexander Calder's letter to Willem Sandberg, dated 22 November 1955


A taxi driver may be unable to transport you due to conditions on their licence, such as areas where they may pick up passengers. They also must obey National Safety Code rules, such as hours of service, which could impact whether they are available for a long trip. Should the driver tell you it's too close to the end of their shift, you may ask the driver to contact dispatch to send another taxi.
or if you need help to store items, ask your driver.
If you need assistance with heavy or overweight luggage or packages, consider pre-arranging your trip to ensure the taxi and driver can accommodate you.
You have the right to travel with an assistance dog that sits on the floor and is held by a leash or harness. Taxis can also accommodate portable mobility aids, designed to collapse for easy transport, without the need for a specialized accessible taxi.
Municipalities have vehicle bylaws to protect the health of the driver and passengers. Smoking is not permitted in taxis, as they are considered enclosed workplaces.
When indicating your destination, let your taxi driver know if you would prefer to be driven by a specific route; otherwise the driver will determine the most economical route, taking into account current road and traffic conditions.
You have the right to travel without listening to music or news on the car's radio, although the driver must be able to hear and respond to dispatch as needed.
If you would like a receipt, ask your driver. You may also ask that the company name, taxi number and driver's name appear on the receipt.
It's important to remember that your driver must obey all applicable laws, including the conditions of the licence to operate as a taxi.
To provide assurance that the fare will be paid, the driver may ask you for a deposit up to the estimated amount of the fare. You can provide the deposit in any manner that is normally accepted by the company.


text:
RD.COM Travel Vacations Attractions
12 Hidden Beach Dangers You Need to Take Seriously
Lindsay TigarUpdated: Nov. 29, 2019
Many look forward to their annual tropical getaway, with the email notifications turned off and the sunscreen lathered on. But while a relaxing vacation is a must, it's important to be mindful of possible hidden beach dangers that lurk between the sand and ocean floor.
iBrave/Shutterstock
Kids love to dig in the sand, but the sinkholes they make aren't as innocent as they first seem. David Greuner, MD, head surgeon and co-founder of NYC Surgical Associates, explains that when holes are dug at the shore, but not filled in completely, a sunset stroll can lead to a potentially painful twisted ankle…or worse. "Sinkholes are extremely unexpected, and, to make matters worse, the sand can fill the hole immediately after somebody collapses," he tells Reader's Digest. "This can feel like concrete being dumped on you and can lead to injuries and potentially death from suffocation." To keep yourself safe, follow the tried-and-true practice of watching where you step.
nayladen/Shutterstock
It's important to be wary of jellyfish, especially if you're splashing in a part of the ocean where they're rampant. "Contact with a jellyfish's tentacles can result in a range of painful injuries, such as burns, rashes, or even neurological damage," Dr. Greuner says. How to avoid them? Jellyfish typically follow the motion of the current and prefer shallow waters. "If there's an abundance of them, lifeguards usually flag the area to avoid any injuries for swimmers." When it comes to animal stings and snake bites, not taking injuries seriously can have consequences. Pay heed.
Kalinina Alisa/Shutterstock
The harmful bacteria E.coli 0157 can be found in certain bodies of water, particularly lakes and streams, and is extremely dangerous, especially for children under five years old, says Erica Steele, DNM, ND, CFMP, BCND. In addition to severe stomach cramping and bloody stools, extreme cases can also cause kidney disease or brain damage. "So far, we have not seen documented cases domestically, but for those traveling abroad, care should be taken when swimming in foreign bodies of water," she adds. E.coli 0157 has also been found in swimming pools. Find out the other hidden pool dangers you need to know about.
Carolina K. Smith MD/Shutterstock
It is not exactly a pleasant topic, especially when you'd rather be chatting about beachside massages or surfing lessons. However, depending on which part of the world you're exploring, beach sewage may be a big concern. While plenty of areas are clean and safe, regions of Asia and South America can be more contaminated than you realize. As Dr. Greuner explains, "Any sort of runoff or untreated sewage via humans and animals [enterococcus bacteria] can make beachgoers extremely sick." To keep yourself—and your family—safe, stick with beaches on the beaten path.
wk1003mike/Shutterstock
Ear and eye infections
Even if you've been frequenting the same beach for decades, various conditions impact the water quality at any given moment. Dr. Greuner says many people contract swimmer's ear (otitis externa) or an eye infection (conjunctivitis) after spending many hours in the sea. Though there isn't a surefire way to avoid this, as it can be unpredictable, invest in eye and ear washes to reduce your risk and always pay attention to signs cautioning about water quality. Don't miss these other tips for having your healthiest summer ever.
Janelle Lugge/Shutterstock
There are thousands of microorganisms and communities in the ocean. While most of these are safe—and beautiful!—Dr. Steele says some pose a threat; algal blooms are naturally produced toxins that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and GI distress. Much like bacteria, it can be difficult to avoid these if the water you're swimming in is ripe with them, but you can do your best to stay safe by not swallowing the water and always showering after a swim. Check the NOAA Harmful Algal Bloom forecast before taking a dip to be on the safe side.
Yana Gershanik/Shutterstock
When vitamin D is shining down on you, it's easy to get distracted from your daily routine. While you might usually down plenty of H20 while you're firing off emails at the office, on the beach, you may not bother to get a refill or, instead, reach for a beer more often than your water bottle. Some dehydration is to be expected during the summertime, but Dr. Steele encourages beachgoers to pay attention, as excessive drought can be dangerous: "Heat exhaustion and heat stroke cause more deaths than floods, lightning, hurricanes, and tornadoes combined." Look out for these unexpected signs of dehydration.
Photopictures/Shutterstock
Because sea urchins are often hard to detect—they look like coral, after all—it's all too easy to brush up against these small creatures as you're splashing about, Dr. Greuner cautions. Even if you didn't know what they were when you saw them, you'd definitely understand after you make contact. When they sting you, they leave behind tiny black shards that must be removed with tweezers or via a vinegar soak, according to the Merck Manual. Left untreated, the stings can cause joint and muscle pain and rashes.
Volodymyr Matskevych/Shutterstock
Shells and rocks can do a number on your feet, causing scrapes and cuts. While salt water can be healing, you could contract an infection from bacteria present in the water, says Tania Elliott, MD, allergist, internist, and chief medical officer. "I always suggest wearing snug-fitting water shoes to protect your feet."
amfroey/Shutterstock
An undertow, also called a rip current, can be extremely dangerous if you don't pay attention, especially right before hurricane season in September and October. Wear a life jacket if you're not a confident swimmer, and ensure children are safe, too. If you find yourself caught in one, swim parallel to the beach, not toward the shore, until you're out of it. Here are more life-saving safety tips from beach experts.
Haoka/Shutterstock
Okay, so this isn't exactly a surprise, but it's an important danger to be mindful of. A really bad burn on day one of your beach vacation can ruin all of your adventures of the week. Remember to buy quality, trusted sunscreen and reapply every hour. You can never wear too much, so when in doubt, reapply. These are the 18 sunscreen mistakes you didn't realize you were making.
Brian Holm/Shutterstock
Food spoilage
Packing snacks for the beach is an easy way to save money on vacation, but that hot sun can be unforgiving. That's why you should pack your food in a cooler and avoid leaving it out in the sun for 30 minutes or more. If you worry about anything overheating, don't nibble and hope for the best. When in doubt, toss it out. Next, look out for these summer health dangers you're probably ignoring.
Originally Published: July 17, 2018
Lindsay Tigar
Lindsay Aurora Tigar is an experienced digital editor and blogger in NYC. Her blog, Confessions of a Love Addict, has a large following around the world, thousands of subscribers and hundreds of thousands of unique visitors a year. A book project based on her blog is under development and represented by theJames Fitzgerald Agency.The New York Post named her New York City's most eligible single in January 2014. She was also selected as one of New York's most desirable singles by the lifestyle dating website, Rachel & Chris, and has partnered with several popular dating blogs to create viral content. She is part of the HerCampus Blogger Network and spoke at their summer conference in New York on "How to Be a Powerhouse Blogger." She's a social media and digital media guru with big followings on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.She freelances for several sites, including Shape.com, eHarmony.com,AskMen.com, Engagement 101 and more. She's also the resident dater forWomen'sHealthMag.com, writing weekly about her dating adventures in her 'Dater Diary' column.


Russia's second largest bank, VTB, has posted a FY 2009 net loss of 59.6 billion roubles under IFRS.
The bottom line compares with a FY 2008 Net Profit of 4.6 billion roubles, with Net Interest Income up 34% year on year to 152.2 billion roubles, customer deposits rising from 1.1 trillion roubles and the end of 2008 to 1.568 trillion roubles at the end of 2009, and VTB's loan portfolio shrinking from 2.555 trillion roubles at the end of 2008 to 2.309 trillion roubles at the end of 2009.
The bank noted a 33% year on year rise in core income, with net fee and commission income up 29%, but said the FY result was largely attributable to the increase in provision charges to 154.7 billion roubles, with the NPL ration rising to 9.8%.
Despite the net loss, VTB President and Chairman of the Management Board, Andrei Kostin, was upbeat about the banks underlying performance and said an efficient funding structure was helping VTB cope through the economic downturn and position it well for an economic rebound.


text:
Sale of shares in a French entity by two other French Entities to a fourth French entity is not taxable in India
Sanofi Pasteur Holding SA vs Department of Revenue,Ministry of Finance (Andhra Pradesh High Court-W.P. NOS. 14212 of 2010 and 3339 & 3358 of 2012 dated 15th February 2013)
ISSUES INVOLVED :-
1. Whether ShanH, a French Company and investment vehicle of two other French companies (MA and GIMD), a vehicle of tax avoidance, a sham entity with no commercial substance, and meant to conceal the real, effective and beneficial ownership of SBL?
2. In continuance of Issue 1, whether the corporate veil of ShanH must be lifted and the transaction (of the sale of the shares of ShanH by MA/GIMD to Sanofi, another French Company) be treated as a sale of shares of Indian Company,SBL ?
3. Is the transaction liable to tax in India ?
4. Whether the retrospective amendments to the Income Tax Act by the Finance Act,2012 alter the trajectory of the DTAA and render the transaction liable to tax in India?
5. Whether in light of above the petitioner , Sanofi, was liable to deduct tax from payments made to MA and GIMD as per the provisions of Section 195 of the Act?
DTAA INVOLVED :-
INDIA FRANCE DTAA
FACTS OF THE CASE:-
A) MA and GIMD are two French Companies. ShanH is another French company which is a JV between MA and GIMD.
B) SBL is an Indian Company in which controlling interest is held by ShanH. Infact ShanH is an investment vehicle through which MA and GIMD has made investment in SBL.
C) Sanofi is another French Company, which has acquired shares of ShanH from MA and GIMD as a result of which it acquires controlling interest in SBL through ShanH.
D) On an application filed with AAR , the AAR held that capital gains on transaction of transfer of shares of ShanH by MA and GIMD to Sanofi is taxable in India because what Sanofi in actual acquires is an Indian Company.
E) Sanofi was also held liable for non deduction of tax under Section 195 of the Income Tax Act 1961.
REVENUE'S CONTENTIONS :-
a) That since transaction in issue involved transfer of shares and the control, management and business interests as well as the value of underlying assets of SBL in favour of Sanofi, it was necessary to lift the corporate veil of ShanH to decide the taxability of capital gains income.
b) That transaction was taxable in India under Article 14(5) of DTAA as the capital assets which had been transferred were in India and capital gains on transaction also had accrued to MA/GIMD in India.
c) That Article 14(5) of India France DTAA deals with the alienation of shares representing a participation of at least 10 percent in a company which is a resident of contracting state and the right to tax is allocated to that contracting state in which the company is resident.
d) In other words gain on alienation of shares representing participation of more than 10% in capital, control and management of SBL (an Indian Company) was chargeable to tax as source country had right to tax capital gains from alienation of shares within its territory whether it was realized from disposal of asset or deemed disposal of asset.
e) That ShanH is a sham and nominal entity with no business or commercial purpose and is a device contrived to avoid liability to Indian Tax.
f) The residuary clause i.e Article 14(6), which gives that sate of residence of the alienator the right to tax capital gains is not applicable since Article 14(5) applies to the transaction.
g) The revenue further contended that consequent to the retrospective amendments in law the capital gains transaction was taxable in India.
ASSESSEE'S CONTENTIONS :-
a) That ,as per facts of present case, under Article 14(5) of DTAA tax on capital gains is allocated to France as transaction involved alienation of shares representing a participation of at least 10% in a company which is resident of France.
b) That lifting of corporate veil was not permitted under Article 14(5) of DTAA as it does not accommodate a "see through" situation. The "underlying assets" theory is far fetched and creative and would not apply to present case and even if this was considered the chargeability to tax is allocated to France under Article 14(6) of DTAA.
c) That ShanH had commercial and business substance and was not conceived for avoiding capital gains tax liability under the provisions of the Act. In fact higher rate of capital gains tax is payable and has been remitted to revenue in France.
d) That retrospective amendments are inapplicable where tax treaties operate alongside domestic legislation. That as per FM speech in Parliament retrospective provision to tax indirect transfer of shares would not apply to the countries with whom India had entered into DTAA but would only apply to low/nil tax jurisdictions. Even otherwise retrospective amendments in the Act does not override DTAA.
HELD:-
Hon'ble Andhra Pradesh High Court discussed the provisions of Income Tax Act,1961 and Articles 3(2) ,14 of Indo-France DTAA and observed and held as under :-
a) That it is not the case of revenue that in year 2006 itself ShanH was conceived as a pre-ordained scheme to avoid tax in India.
b) That independent and holistic analysis of the transactional documents and surrounding circumstances indicate that ShanH was not conceived for avoiding capital gains tax liability under the provisions of the Act.
c) That commercial and business purpose of ShanH as a special purpose investment vehicle constituted its business operations in India, and even post the transaction in issue, the commercial and business purpose as an investment vehicle continued to exist.
d) That ShanH was not gossamer, sham or conceived only for avoidance of tax in India. The revenue failed to establish lack of commercial substance or business purpose or that ShanH was interposed only as tax avoidance device, there was no case for piercing or lifting the corporate veil.
e) ShanH is an investment vehicle; FDI in SBL being its commercial purpose and substance. That the uncontested assertion by petitioners, that a higher rate of capital gains tax is payable and has been remitted to Revenue in France , lends further support to the inference that ShanH was not conceived, pursued and persisted with to serve as an India tax-avoidant device.
f) That transaction in issue clearly and exclusively was one of transfer of the entire shareholding in ShanH, by MA/GIMD in favour of Sanofi and transfer of SBL shares in favour of Sanofi was neither the intent nor the effect of transaction.
g) That there is no "look through" provisions in Article 14(5) unlike in Article 14(4) which contains the term "directly or indirectly". Article 14(5) is concerned only with a participation of at least 10% in a company which is itself a resident of contracting state.
h) That the transaction in issue is for alienation of 100 percent ShanH shares held by MA,GIMD in favour of Sanofi (falling within Article 14(5) of the DTAA); and constitutes neither the transfer nor deemed transfer of shares or of the control , management , or underlying assets of SBL.
i) That the consequent tax on capital gain accruing to MA and GIMD, is undoubtedly allocated to France under the provisions of Article 14(5) of the DTAA.
j) That retrospective amendments to provisions of the Act per se do not operate to deflect, modify; or subject DTAA provisions to provisions of the Act. Thhat the transaction in issue falls within Article 14(5) of the DTAA; and the tax resulting therefrom is allocated exclusively to France.
k) That hence the transaction in issue is not liable to tax in India, under the provisions of the Act read in conjunction with the provisions of the Act.
Comments :-
This case is being considered as a case, as big as that of Vodafone's in terms of law being laid by the Hon'ble Court against the Revenue Authorities in respect of indirect transfer of shares. However there is difference between the facts and judgement in case of Vodafone and Sanofi. In Vodafone case ,revenue was on much strong footing as India has no DTAA with Cayman Islands and decision was based on interpretation of Section 9 of the Income Tax Act.Further in that case the government stand was that Cayman Island was Tax Haven and hence tax has been avoided by the assessee by transfer of shares of Cayman Island Company. Whereas in present case there is a well laid out DTAA between India and France and assessee has also paid tax in France which is not less than the tax leviable in India.
It is not a case of tax avoidance as was there in case of Vodafone, as contended by the Revenue. Though the Revenue tried to contend in this case also that ShanH is a colourable device to avoid payment of taxes in India but it was really a far fetched contention which was liable to be rejected.
This is a case wherein two French companies own another French Company as JV and sells of the shares of JV company to fourth French Company. Indian connection comes in picture in shape of Indian Company being owned by the French company whose shares have been sold. Article 14(5) and Article 14(6) of the DTAA are clear and principles therein have been clearly spelt out. There was no need to apply the concept of indirect transfer , "see trough" approach or "lifting of corporate veil" in the present case. Had it been the case of involvement of some Tax Heaven which would have resulted in non payment of taxes in any tax jurisdiction and with which India has no DTAA , then retrospective amendments would have come into play. But in the present case authority of DTAA has been challenged which has been put to its logical fate by the Hon'ble High Court.
CA.Vipin Verma (Partner S N Verma & Co.,Chartered Accountants)
EX-CHAIRMAN DELHI BRANCH
info@snvca.com
www.snvca.com


text:
Why Global Citizens Should Care
The scale of suffering in Venezuela resembles a war zone, as the country copes with a humanitarian crisis that has triggered one of the fastest growing refugee crises in the world. You can join us in taking action on this issue here.
Flanked by members of the military, self-declared president of Venezuela Juan Guaidó called on his supporters to protest in the capital Caracas on April 30 until President Nicolas Maduro stepped down from power.
Guaidó was hoping that the high-ranking military officials would defect once the scale of the uprising became clear, the New York Times reports.
But that didn't happen.
Now the country stands at its latest standstill, as Maduro and his supporters denounce Guaidó's "coup attempt," and opposition leaders scramble for an opening with the support of more than 50 countries around the world.
An anti-government protester holds up the Spanish message: "Venezuela free" near La Carlota airbase in Caracas, Venezuela, May 1, 2019.
An anti-government protester holds up the Spanish message: "Venezuela free" near La Carlota airbase in Caracas, Venezuela, May 1, 2019. Opposition leader Juan Guaidó is calling for Venezuelans to fill streets around the country Wednesday to demand President Nicolás Maduro's ouster. Maduro is also calling for his supporters to rally.
Image: Ariana Cubillos/AP
Amid this geopolitical turmoil, the country's humanitarian crisis, which began nearly a decade ago, continues to deteriorate.
Take Action: Help Kids Facing Conflict and Crisis Stay in School
Here are seven things to know about the state of Venezuela.
1. Poverty Affects 90% of the Population
An elderly woman is offered cash as she begs at a wholesale food market in Caracas, Venezuela, Jan. 28, 2019.
Image: Rodrigo Abd/AP
Nearly 9 in 10 Venezuelans live in poverty. The country's economy has tanked so extensively that the industries that once enabled a broad social safety net have mostly collapsed. As a result, inflation in Venezuela reached an astronomical 10 million percent this year, and prices of basic goods doubled every 19 days on average, putting everyday necessities like bread essentially out of reach for the majority of the population.
Read More: Wars Are Getting Longer, Trapping People in Starvation: Report
2. Hunger Is Pervasive
Customers hold their shopping bags of newly bought corn flour and toilet paper as they line up outside a private supermarket in Caracas, Venezuela, Jan. 16, 2015.
Image: Fernando Llano/AP
Widespread food insecurity was one of the primary factors behind the massive protests that roiled the country in 2015, and since then, access to food has become far worse.
A recent report by the United Nations found that 3.7 million Venezuelans are undernourished, and a 2017 survey found that 75% of the population had lost a dangerous amount of weight.
3. Health Care Has Become Hard to Access
As the economy declines, hospitals have run out of supplies and health care professionals have fled the country en masse. NGOs have had to fill in the growing medical gaps and a roaring black market now supplies desperate patients with everything from cancer drugs to insulin, according to IRIN. More than 85% of pharmacies are facing medicine shortages, the UN report notes.
Read More: There Are Now More Than 3 Million Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants
Rates of infant and maternal mortality rates have dramatically climbed, and infectious diseases like malaria are spreading.
4. The Education System Is Failing
The broader humanitarian crisis has imperiled Venezuela's school system. More than 3 million children are missing all or some of their classes, thousands of teachers have fled the country, and the schools that do remain open often operate on a reduced schedule, according to Reuters. The UN's report found that school attendance declined from 78% in 2014 to 70% in 2018.
5. Access to Water & Sanitation Worsens
Wealthy families have been able to drill private wells to cope with the lack of water flowing from their faucets, but for the vast majority of Venezuelans, water availability has slowed to a trickle, according to AP. The UN's report reports that just 29% of households had daily access to water.
Although Venezuela is rich in water sources, government mismanagement has caused taps to run dry for decades and the ongoing crisis has worsened the problem as infrastructure breaks. To make matters worse, the military has turned water access into a mafia-like racket.
Read More: Desperate Pregnant Women Flee Venezuela to Find Lifesaving Health Care
6. Refugee Crisis Continues to Grow
Venezuelan migrants line up for free bread and coffee, donated by a Colombian family from their car, at a gas station in Pamplona, Colombia on Aug. 31, 2018. Millions have fled Venezuela's deadly shortages and spiraling hyperinflation.
Venezuelan migrants line up for free bread and coffee, donated by a Colombian family from their car, at a gas station in Pamplona, Colombia on Aug. 31, 2018. Millions have fled Venezuela's deadly shortages and spiraling hyperinflation in an exodus that rivals the European refugee crisis in numbers.
All of the factors above, and more, have triggered one of the fastest-growing refugee crises in the world. Since the country began to decline in 2015, more than 3.4 million people have fled to neighboring countries, primarily to Peru and Colombia, according to the UN.
7. Human Trafficking Is on the Rise
As Venezuela unravels and people flee the country, women and children have become highly vulnerable to human trafficking. Child refugees are often being forced to beg and do unpaid domestic work, while many women are being pushed into the illicit sex industry, according to a report. Oftentimes, people are forced into exploitative situations because of a desperate need to earn money to send back to their families in Venezuela, underscoring the urgent need to find a regional solution to the country's crisis.
UPDATE: May 1, 11:20 a.m. ET: This article was originally published on Jan. 29 and has been updated to further reflect unfolding events in Venezuela.
TopicsCurrent eventsPovertyEducationHealthHungerExplainerMedicineChildrenVenezuelaHealth careRefugeesEconomyFood & hungerHumanitarian CrisisCrisisNicolas MadurorefugiadospobrezaHuman traffickingJuan Guaidocrisis humanitaria en venezuelahambresituacion actual en venezuela
7 Things You Should Know About the Crisis in Venezuela
By Carmen Singer, Joe McCarthy and Erica Sánchez