text:
harveyblackauthor
Cold War, Military & Apocalyptic Fiction
Books by Harvey Black
GDR Border Guards
The Cold War Years. A Hot War in reality. Part 3
by harveyblackauthor	on 20/02/2014 15/07/2018
I have just sent the third novel of my new 'Cold War' series, The Blue Effect, to my Editor. On target for a May publication. This will be the final book in the trilogy, covering the hypothetical invasion of West Germany, the Federal Republic of Germany, by the Warsaw Pact in the mid 1980's. Book 1, 'The Red Effect', encompasses the intelligence build up leading to the Warsaw Pact strike against the NATO forces lined up against them. The Black Effect takes it to a new level. The Blue Effect? Well you will have to read it to find out.
The Cold War era started very soon after the end of the second world war, when the communist east, led by the Soviet Union, and the Western world, led by the United States and its NATO allies, faced each across what became known as the 'Iron Curtain'.
The capital of Germany, Berlin, was divided into four Sectors. The consequence being, that the three Western Allied Powers now controlled territory deep within the Soviet Union Zone of Germany.
Over time, the tensions between the four Allied powers increased, eventually resulting in the Berlin blockade in 1948, when the Soviets attempted to starve West Berlin into submission and force the other three Allied powers out. This failed and the Soviets eventually relented, but an ever-increasing number of East Germans fled to the West; between 150,000 and 300,000 a year during 1951-1953. As a consequence restrictions were placed on movement between the divided country. From 1961, the border was closed and Berlin completely encircled, first by barbed wire, then bricks and finally a concrete wall, along with the infamous 'death strip'.
Access was now restricted between Berlin and the West. A wall, 124 mile miles in length, was placed around the three sectors of West Berlin, cutting off the city from the rest of the world.
Remains of the Berlin Wall. Berlin 2012.
An Iconic picture of the face-off between the West and the East. The Cold War continues – October 1961
Another iconic picture of a GDR Border Guard fleeing across the barbed wire to the West -Berlin 1961.
I believe that this soldier has since died. May he rest in peace.
I shall cover various aspects of the two opposing forces, providing the backdrop and background information in preparation for the release of my third Cold War novel. In the meantime, you could always read my WW2 series, Devils with Wings. 🙂
In 1984/85, the Warsaw Pact was already a significant force, the Soviet Union in particular.
The majority of the Strategic Nuclear forces for both NATO and the Warsaw Pact were very much land or submarine based. Although I need to cover the Strategic Airforce for both sides, for this post i want to cover another element of the nuclear arsenal available. During the 80's another nuclear delivery means came into being, the Intermediate Range Nuclear Missile and the Tactical Nuclear Missile.
The Soviet Union had 378 x SS-20 (Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles, IRBM)
SS-20 IRBM.
SS-20 was deployed from 1976 to 1988.
NATO reporting name was SS-20, Sabre. Range of 3,400 miles and carried a warhead of 3 x 150 kiloton MIRVs.
IRBM's in NATO forces were attached to their ground forces rather than held back as a strategic force. Saying that, the decision to use them would sit with the highest political levels as the use of tactical nuclear weapons could well escalate to a full scale nuclear exchange.
United States – 4 x Pershing I/II SSM (Surface to Surface Missile) battalions and 8 x Lance SSM battalions.
United Kingdom – 1 x Lance SSM Missile Regiment (12 Lance)
Federal Republic of Germany – 4 x Lance SSM Battalions.
France – 18 x S-3 IRBM's and 5 x SSM Regiments with Pluton.
Netherlands – 1 x SSM Battalion (4 x Lance).
Belgium – 1 x Lance SSM Battalion (4 x Lance).
Italy – 1 x Lance SSM Battalion (4 x Lance).
Turkey – 4 x SSM Battalions with Honest John.
Greece – 2 x SSM Battalions with Honest John (8 x missiles).
Pershing I, carried on its own TEL (Transporter, Erector and Loader). Range of 460 miles, it was very much a theatre nuclear weapon. It carried a range of nuclear warheads from 60 to 400 kilotons.
Pershing II. This weapon was developed as there was a requirement for a smaller warhead, but with greater accuracy. Theatre, or Tactical, nuclear weapons were coming of age. It had a range of 1,100 miles and a 5 to 80 kiloton warhead. For the first time there was a real risk of nuclear weapons being used on a conventional battlefield.
MG-52 Lance was a mobile, tactical surface-to-surface missile.
Although the United States and Britain would arm it with nuclear warheads,
it could also be used with conventional warheads.
Range of 75 miles, a true tactical weapon.
Carried a variety of warheads up to 100 kilotons.
Honest-John was the first nuclear capable surface-to-surface missile in the United States arsenal.
Honest-John, M-31, had a range of just over 15 miles and could carry a 20 kiloton warhead. It was also capable of carrying a Sarin nerve gas, cluster munitions.
The S-3 was a two-stage, solid propellant Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile. A range of 3,500 kilometres carrying a warhead of 1.2 megatons. It couldn't function well as a battlefield tactical weapon.
With its own TEL, Pluton was a Short-Range tactical Ballistic Missile (SRBM). A conventional, or a 15 or 25 kiloton nuclear warhead. It had an operational range of 80 miles.
There were also the conventional forces lined up along the Inner German Border, the visible barrier between the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR), or better known as West and East Germany. I shall be covering their organisation and equipment over the coming months.
Leopard C1 Tank.
Leopard 1, the Canadian variant.
Leopard C1, Main Battle Tank. They had a 105mm, L7 gun, developed by Britain's Royal Ordnance Factories.
Multi-fuel, 10 cylinder engine, 830 hp. 10-70mm of RHA armour, this tank was used by the Canadian Army.
42.5 tons, crew of 4 and a top speed of 40mph.
A 105mm gun was its main weapon, supported by 2 x 7.62mm MGs
105mm rifled barrel.
This was the preferred replacement for the British Centurion as the new Chieftain was seen as too powerful for anything other than a global conflict
A great tank.
Leopards on the move.
My intention is not to portray a particular message, but just share some of my research and experiences with you. This is the first of my new 'Cold War' series, supporting the writing of my new 'Cold War' series of novels, covering the hypothetical invasion of West Germany by the Warsaw Pact in the 80's. 'The Red Effect'.
I have already started on the first of my Apocalyptic novels, based in the UK. Based on the aftermath of a strategic nuclear exchange, it will be hard hitting and realistic. I have also started the research for the fourth book in my Devils with Wings series, placing Max and Paul in ever more dangerous situations.
For those that have read my novels I tank you very much for your support. It is that support that encourages me to continue writing.
Photographs and Blog are copyrighted to Harvey Black
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The Cold War. A Hot war in reality. Part 1
I have completed the second novel of my new 'Cold War' series. There will be three books in total, covering the hypothetical invasion of West Germany, the Federal Republic of Germany, by the Warsaw Pact in the mid 1980's. Book 1, 'The Red Effect', will encompass the intelligence build up leading to the Warsaw Pact strike against the NATO forces lined up against them. The Black Effect follows on……
The badly damaged Reichstag. Berlin 1945
An Iconic picture of the face-off between the West and the East. The Cold War starts – October 1961
Another iconic picture of a GDR Border Guard fleeing across the barbed-wire to escape to West -Berlin (1961)
The Reichstag, showing the Berlin Wall in place behind it. – West Berlin 1981.
I shall cover various aspects of the two opposing forces, providing the backdrop and background information my Cold War trilogy.
In 1984/85, the Warsaw Pact was already a significant force, the Soviet Union in particular. For this, and the next Post, I will cover the Soviet and NATO strategic inventory, which was being modernised by both the Warsaw Pact and NATO.
SS-19. In 1984/5, the Soviet Union had some 360 of these ICBM's (Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles), most of them of the mod. 3 variety, with 6 MIRV's (Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicles), basically multiple nuclear warheads.
The SS-19, deployed in 1982, was 27 metres in length, 2.5 metres wide and weighed in excess of 100,000 kilograms. It had a two-stage liquid fuel propulsion system with a PBV (Post-Boost Vehicle for a hot launch) which gave it a range of up to 10,000 kilometres. Mod 3 would carry a 550 kiloton yield (MIRV), whereas the Mod 2, would carry a 5 megaton yield warhead.
Apart from the SS-19's, the most modern ICBM in their armoury, the Soviet Union had 520 x SS-11, 60 x SS-13, 150 x SS-17 (many being deployed with 4 MIRV's) and 308 x SS-18 (Being upgraded to carry 10 MIRV's).
Minuteman III missile inside its Silo, 60 miles from Grand Forks Air Base, late 1980.
NATO too, in particular the United States, modernised their nuclear arsenal in the race to reach a state of 'mutual assured destruction'. NATOs strategy was dependent on the Soviet Union believing that NATO would respond with an all out, devastating nuclear response to any aggressive moves they might make, whether Nuclear or Conventional. The focus very much on the Iron Curtain hot spot that stretched along the Inner German Border. There were many incidents that came close to inciting a nuclear exchange.
NATO's strategic forces (I shall cover bombers and submarines at a later date) were underpinned by the United Staes, United Kingdom and France. The US had 450 x LGM-30F (minuteman II), 550 x LGM-30G with 3 MIRV (minuteman III) and 37 x Titan 2, phasing out by the end of 1987.
A minuteman III missile being launched. An ICBM, with a three-stage power plant, consisting of three solid-propellant rocket motors; first stage – Thiokol; second stage – Aerojet-General; third stage – United Technologies Chemical Systems Division.
With a height of 18 metres, diameter of just under 2 metres it weighed significantly less than the SS-19, at 36,000 kilograms. But it still had a range of over 6,000 miles and could travel at a speed in excess of 15,000 mph, Mach 23! It carried a warhead of 170 kilotons, 350 kilotons or up to 450 kilotons. With three MIRV's, this was capable of a significant punch.
The British and French nuclear forces were very much submarine and air launched (apart from tactical nuclear weapons), I will cover those at a later date.
The T-62 might be an old tank, but in the early days it was the mainstay of the Soviet Army.
Weighing in the region of 40 tons, it could still travel at a top speed of nearly 50mph with its V-12, 38 litre engine.
This one, on display in the Bovington Tank Museum, was captured from the Iraqi forces during the 1991 Gulf War.
Infrared searchlight on the right of the turret, next to the 115mm main gun.
These days the Infrared could easily be detected by modern equipment.
A Soviet T-62 in East Berlin. – East Berlin, 1984
t-54/55 on parade – East Berlin 1984
Although it can be classed as an insignificant tank, and maybe not even referred to as a Main Battle Tank, when up against T-64's, T-72's and T-80's, it is still very much in use across the world. One thing I would like to point out, in 1984/5, the Soviet Union had 35,000 T-54/55/62's in service. The British Army at that time had less than a 1,000 MBTs. Quality versus quantity? Would we have had enough ammunition?
The Cold War Years. Part 4.
The Cold War Years – Part 4.
I am 18,500 words into the first novel of my new 'Cold War' series. There will be three books in total, covering the hypothetical invasion of West Germany, the Federal Republic of Germany, by the Warsaw Pact in the mid 1980's. Book 1, 'The Red Effect', will encompass the intelligence build up leading to the Warsaw Pact strike against the NATO forces lined up against them.
An Iconic picture of the face-off between the West and the East. The Cold War starts – October 1961.
I shall cover various aspects of the two opposing forces, providing the backdrop and background information in preparation for the release of my three novels. In the meantime, you could always read my WW2, Devils with Wings series.
Although the key strategic Nuclear Forces of the Soviet Union and NATO, were either land based or submarine launched, supported by Tactical, Theatre, Nuclear weapons, they also had the use of the Air Force to deliver a nuclear strike.
Soviet Union.
Long Range Bombers – 100 x Tu-95 (Codename Bear). Unknown number of Bear H in production, capable of carrying an air-launched cruise missile.
Medium Range Bombers – 220 x Tu-16 (Codename Badger), 125 x Tu-22 (Codename Blinder) and 130 x Tu-22M (codenamed Backfire).
Tu-160 (Codenamed Blackjack).
Tupolev Tu-95. (NATO Code Name: Bear). Claimed to be a reverse engineered B-29, Super-fortres. A long wingspan of 164 feet.
Maximum speed of 575 mph with a range of 9,400 miles. Armament of 2 x 23mm AM-23, radar-controlled auto-cannon. 15,000 kilogram payload. The Tu-95MS variant carried the Kh-55, air-launched strategic cruise missile family, one with a 200 kiloton warhead.
Tu-22 Blinder. A supersonic, swing-wing, long range strategic and maritime strike bomber.
Tu-22. Speed of 1,240 mph with a combat radius of 1,500 miles. 1 x 23 mm GSh-23, remote-controlled cannon in tail turret. The Kh-55 nuclear cruise missile has been tested on this aircraft, but no confirmation that it is in service.
Tu-160 (Codename Blackjack). Swing-wing, with a max speed 1,380 mph and a range of 7,600 miles, without in-flight refuelling. Can carry 12 x Raduga Kh-55, nuclear cruise missiles or 12 x Raduga Kh-15 short-range nuclear missiles.
Kh-55 Cruise Missile.
Long Range Bombers – 90 x B-52H and 84 x B-52G
Medium Range Bombers – 56 x FB-111A
On order – 18 x B-1B bombers (100 planned.)
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, with underslung drones.
Lower deck of the B-52, dubbed the battle-station.
B-52H. Payload of 31,500 kilograms of mixed ordnance. 1 x 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon mounted in remote-control tail turret. The B-28 nuclear bomb could be set for an air or ground burst with a yield of up to 1.45 megaton.
Maximum speed of 650 mph, with a range of 3,980 miles.
FB-111A, long range bomber. It could carry the AGM-69 SRAM, Short Range Attack Missile (Nuclear). Speed of 1,650 mph with a range of 1,160 nautical miles.
Rockwell B-1 Lancer, a four engined, variable-sweep winged strategic bomber. The planned replacement for the B-52. Maximum speed of 830 mph, with a range of 7,456 miles. Can carry 24 x B61 (Max 340 kilotons) or B63 (Max 1.2 megatons) nuclear gravity bombs.
B-28 nuclear bomb.
Strategic Long Range Bombers – 130 x Avro Vulcan.B2
Delta Wing Strategic Bomber
Armament: 21 x 454 kilograms of conventional bombs or 1 x free-fall nuclear bomb/1 x Blue Steel missile (1.1 megaton).
Maximum speed of 607 mph with a range of 2,600 miles.
Blue Steel – Air Launched Cruise Missile.
Supersonic Strategic Bombers – 28 x Mirage IVA
Maximum speed of 1,454 mph and a range of 775 miles. Carries 1 x AN-11 or 1 x AN-22 nuclear bomb (70 kilotons).
AN-11 Nuclear Bomb
M-60, or Patton Tank.
Maximum speed of 30 mph
A first generation Main Battle Tank.
Main armament is the British 105mm, M68 gun.
45 tons with an armour thickness of 155.6mm.
V-12, air-cooled Twin-turbo diesel engine.
Top speed of 30mph.
Introduced in 1960.
Saw service in the Gulf War.
M-60 Patton, over 15,000 built.
Carries a .50 calibre gun
Berlin Air Safety Centre controlled all aircraft in and out of Berlin, including the Air Corridors that transited East Germany.
My intention is not to portray a particular message, but just share some of my research and experiences with you. This is the first of my new 'Cold War' series, supporting the writing of my new 'Cold War' series of novels, covering the hypothetical invasion of West Germany by the Warsaw Pact in the 80's. 'The Red Effect'. so keep your eyes peeled.
The Red Effect
The Cold War becomes a Hot War - Kindle and Paperback
The Black Effect
Second in my Cold War trilogy. Kindle and Paperback
Frozen Sun: Devils with Wings 3
Silk Drop: Devils with Wings 2
Devils with Wings
Force Majeure (2) -Paralysis
Force Majeure (1) – Purgatory
Nuclear Apocalypse. Is survival an option?
Deception (Cold War Redux – 2
Duplicity (Cold War Redux-1)
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 02/2020 – What is China up to?
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 01/2020 – Russian Long Range Aviation (LRA)
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 07/2019 – MQ-9 Reaper squadron to Poland
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 06/2019 – Hypersonic and Direct Energy weapons
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 05/2019 – Russian Lotos 120mm SPG
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 04/2019 – Flight test of Russian Avangard HGV
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 03/2019 – Belarus upgrades APCs
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 02/2019 -Spanish Army's Pizarro combat engineer vehicle.
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 01/2019 – Despite Brexit….Anglo-French bilateral defence…..
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 05/2018 – Challenger 2 MBT LEP.
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 04/2018 – Russia's new maritime doctrine.
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 03/2018 – Ukraine unveils new support vehicle.
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 02/2018 – What can China see?
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 1/2018 – North Korean Missile Threat.
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 02/2017 – Russian Satellite capability in decay?
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 01/2017 – South China Sea.
Deception (Cold War – Redux – 2).
British Army on the move Part 6 – Tankfest 2016.
The Cold War – Redux (Duplicity). Ukraine – Part 7.
British Army on the move 5 – Tankfest 2016.
British Army on the Move 2- Tankfest 2016.
British Army on the move – Tankfest 2016.
Leopard's on the move – Tankfest 2016.
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 08/2016 – Russian Roulette
The Cold War – Redux (Duplicity) KOBO interview London Book Fair.
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 07/2016 – Russia plans new divisions.
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 06/2016 – Ukraine develops Mi-8 helicopter Upgrade.
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 05/2016 – Islamic State plans further attacks on European cities.
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 04/2016 – Russian Kornet-D SPATGMs on order.
Military/Intelligence Bulletin 03/2016 – Iskander TEL spotted in Syria
Military Bulletin 02/2016 – UK Aircraft Carrier Progress
Military Bulletin 01/2016 – Russia's anti-tank multicopter concept
Duplicity (Cold War – Redux Book 1).
Cold War Berlin – February edition of Wargames Illustrated.
The Cold War – Redux (Duplicity). Cover Reveal.
Vulcan's last flight at Bournemouth 2015
Red Arrows. Bournemouth 2015
Force Majeure (2) – Paralysis.
Military Bulletin 09/2015 – Ukraine's laser-guided artillery projectile.
Military Bulletin 08/2015 – NATO's Baltic Sea exercise
'Force Majeure 2- Paralysis', Cover reveal.
Military Bulletin 07/2015 – Russian nuclear missile drills
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postmilitarywifesahmlife – Snarky. Witty. Real. Wife to a former military man. Mama to 1 girly girl. Steelers fan til the end!!!!
Snarky. Witty. Real. Wife to a former military man. Mama to 1 girly girl. Steelers fan til the end!!!!
Today is THE DAY. Today is the day my daughter goes in for brain surgery. My mini me is the most important thing in my life. She's the reason I breathe. She's my miracle.
You see, she's adopted. We got to start being her mommy & daddy before she was even born. People say that there is nothing more important than the bond between a parent & the child they GIVE BIRTH TO. The same goes for my daughter. I never knew what true, pure love was until I got to hold her for the 1st time @ 3 days old. We have rarely spent the occasional night apart. It's always been me & her against the world. Her dad was military & was generally always gone except for the occasional birthday or Christmas that he was lucky enough to be home for. There wasn't anything she & I couldn't do together. We felt like we could conquer anything thrown at us. Me & her against the big, bad world. Today is a challenge on that. I'm terrified she will have problems. I'm scared she may not make it through. I'm scared she will suffer from damage or other issues. This is her brain we're talking about. She is extremely intelligent & kind & sweet & beautiful. I don't want to lose any of what makes her, her. She's unique. The only daughter I will ever have or want. She's my saving grace. Without her the world would cease to exist. So, if anyone reads my blog or just happens upon this please say a word of prayer to the deity you worship. We need all of the positive thoughts and prayers we can get on this day.
My beautiful daughter who is 11 & so full of life & sunshine had a neurologist appt today. She was diagnosed with a brain cyst 18 months ago. Every time we do our check ups she's the same. Today, not so much. Her brain cyst has grown. It is causing spinal fluid to collect in her brain. So, the Doctor said emergency surgery. She will be admitted into the hospital @ 9 am tomorrow & have testing done. From there we will have to have her surgery either Wednesday or Thursday. At this point I am having a hard time finding a way to be "happy" & pretend like it will all be alright. My baby is sick. And I can't make it better.
My DH is in a PTSD inpatient therapy center for 8 weeks. He's at the halfway mark. He got to come home from the center for Independence day. We had a decent visit. I took him back on the Sunday after the 4th. He calls several times a day and texts more than that. It's always the same song and dance. "I hate it here. I want to come home. I miss home." Well, today I didn't hear from him ALL day. No texting, no facebooking, no phone calls. I call him several times and nothing. FINALLY, after trying to contact him 7 hours I get a phone call. It's him. He says, "Don't be mad." Now I don't know how many wives hear this and think okay whatever. With me it has become a, Oh GOD what has he done now? Then he follows with, I accidentally overdosed today. I reply with, "you what?!?!" Then he starts telling me the story. He had a bad headache. He took several Tylenol 3 because he "assumed" they were like regular Tylenol. He went to his class he has to go to. His head is spinning and his speech is slurred. They make him stay in the class to keep an eye on him. Then he ends up in the Emergency Room. With an IV in his arm. And NOBODY called me. I mean nobody as in his center people, him, the doctor, his therapist, his nurse, or HIM. Now ALL of his medicine is under lock and key and he has to ask for it if he wants it. I don't understand how a center who is suppose to help with PTSD isn't monitoring his medications more. I don't understand why I wasn't called. I apparently don't understand much these days.
My DH got to come home for the weekend from the hospital. It was so he could be with us for Independence day. It may have been better for him to have stayed at the hospital. The reason I say that is that fireworks really bother him. He was in his shop this afternoon and someone was shooting fireworks early and he didn't expect it. I heard the firecrackers going off so I ran out to make sure he was okay. He kind of had a wild look in his eyes and said that's just fireworks right? I reassured him that was what was going on. I told him how our big dog ran in the house and hid. He made the statement that he almost followed our dog. Normally, I hate that he has to wear hearing aids because he can't hear, even with them in he has a hard time hearing. Today is one of those days we are grateful that he cannot hear without them. He said that he turned them way down and turned the television way up just to block the sound out of the popping fireworks. This is yet another side effect of his PTSD. Not dealing with fireworks well.
This morning he was sitting on the couch crying and saying what's wrong with my brain. This is hard for me as a spouse to sit and hear him say this and not sure what to do with him or how to take care of it. Sometimes, life hands us challenges. We have to accept those challenges and do our best.
I hope that all had a safe and fun Independence day. Remember what we are truly celebrating today.
My husband is in an inpatient PTSD program. He has been gone for two weeks so far. He is so depressed right now. He wants to come home and I have to be strong and for him and make him understand that this is in his best interest. He told me he is missing his father today. He doesn't want to leave his room. I told him he needs to get out. Go to the commissary and maybe go outside. When I told him to go outside he got extremely upset. He said, "No, no I can't go outside. I can't do that." I said, "Why?" He replied, "Because it isn't safe out there. I'm safe inside. I can't go outside." This is yet another view of the cold, harsh reality that is PTSD. Yesterday, he got lost going from the pharmacy back to his room. This is another view of it. He forgets and gets lost and this is upsetting to him. Watching an independent soldier downgrade to a needy male. A man who has to have a wheelchair to get around if he's going very far and is afraid to go outside. I live with this. More importantly, HE lives with this, or should I say, he survives like this.
I got to go see my husband on Sunday for Father's Day. I was afraid it was going to be like going to visit someone in prison because I had never dealt with inpatient therapy. I was pleasantly surprised when I got there and we got to take him out and do things in the town together. unfortunately, with his bad health we couldn't do a whole lot because he can't walk very well. the VA has yet to get him a kind of help other than a quad cane. I am thankful that he is getting the help he needs for his PTSD, but we miss him around here. it feels like when he was deployed the four times he was deployed. except, I don't have to worry about him getting shot at, blown up, or KIA. Our daughter is taking it better than I thought she would. for that I am grateful. I hope that he gets the help he needs because he truly needs it.


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BJP leaders meet Advani; request to continue as Oppn leader
Bharatiya Janata Party top brass led by party president Rajnath Singh on Sunday held series of meetings with senior leader L K Advani to persuade him to become leader of opposition in the new Lok Sabha.
Singh, accompanied by senior party leaders M Venkaiah Naidu, Arun Jaitley, Ananth Kumar, Ram Lal and S S Ahluwalia, held a long meeting on Suunday evening with Advani to convince him to reconsider his decision to quit.
Party sources said Advani was adamant and "stood firm" on his decision. The issue is also expected to figure in the National Democratic Alliance meeting scheduled for Monday.
BJP, however, maintained that the issue of Leader of Opposition did not come up for discussion during Sunday's meetings.
"This was more of an informal gathering. We discussed the meeting of NDA Chief Ministers and senior NDA leaders to be held tomorrow," Ahluwalia said.
He added that since the BJP Parliamentary Board has turned down the offer made by Advani, it was upto the Board to take a formal call. At the meeting of the Board on Saturday, Advani had expressed his desire not to continue as Leader of Opposition in the new Lok Sabha after the BJP suffered a severe drubbing in the elections.
BJP leaders had requested Advani to reconsider his decision and asked party president Rajnath Singh to make him change his mind. NDA chief ministers would hold a meeting with Advani and other senior leaders on Monday. Another meeting of NDA partners will be also held.
Earlier in the day, senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leaders Madan Das Devi, Suresh Soni and Bhaiyyaji Joshi had met Advani to discuss the poll results and the future course of action.
Former BJP leader and Bhartiya Janshakti Party President Uma Bharti also visited the senior leader. After these leaders left, senior BJP leaders V K Malhotra and Najma Heptullah also called on Advani.
Varun Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi, who won the elections from Pilibhit and Aonla respectively also met the leader. BJP election in-charge for Uttar Pradesh Kalraj Mishra also met Advani and gave him a report on the party's performance in the state.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


They trusted The Process, but after putting in most of their remaining chips to acquire Tobias Harris, the Philadelphia 76ers run a not-small risk of getting processed if their gamble doesn't pay off.
The deal that sent Harris, Boban Marjanovic, and Mike Scott to Philly for Landry Shamet, Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, and two first and second-round picks each, represents almost everything the 76ers have left in their warchest from the Sam Hinkie era, and while the deal undoubtedly improves Philadelphia's roster overall, the move could prove a fateful one.
With Tobias, Boban, and Scott all free agents at the end of the season, the entire trade could, in theory, walk at the end of the season. With a core of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons locked up, that would not be so bad, but after investing so heavily in a deal all of which could have been signed outright in a few more months, red flags start to pop up.
1. Road just got a lot tougher at the top of the Eastern Conference.
2. With LAC probably missing the playoffs, their 2019 1st rounder won't convey to BOS this year. Rolls over to 2020 (lottery protected) for one more shot, then a 2nd.
Add in the fact that this team did much the same to land star wing Jimmy Butler - who has already clashed with Embiid over touches - himself a free agent this summer, and much of The Process' war chest could depart of its own accord should the desired results (or personal opinions) lend their hand at shaking up the roster, a situation not aided by the fact sharpshooter JJ Redick is also a free agent this summer.
The roster, from a strategic standpoint, is obviously built to capitalize on the present - and the present may be just the time to go all-in, given the lack of defined favorites to come out of the East, and the Golden State Warriors showing signs their dominance may finally be on the decline.
But if they cannot find ways to add to their depth, even the reduced rotations of the postseason will be ill-equipped to face likely opponents in the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors, both of whom have similarly-supercharged starting units with much deeper benches. Oddly enough, the 76ers might be luckiest to draw the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round.
Whatever the outcome, new GM Elton Brand is swinging for the fences to win for a franchise that has spent much of the last decade turning losing into an art from. If it's truly possible to pivot from calculated failure to skillful success, he will have a long future as an executive in this league. But if this experiment fails - and the odds are not low for that outcome - he may find himself a footnote in 76ers history, one spoken of in hushed tones by their fans, at that.


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Hayom Yom Today in Judaism
Learning & Values Daily Study
Daily Study: Hayom Yom
Monday, 11 Adar II 5782 / March 14, 2022
Classes on Hayom Yom
Manis Friedman (02:54)
Moshe Steiner (1:38)
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Thursday Adar Sheini 11 5703
Fast of Esther, advanced. Selichot (p. 359), Avinu malkeinu (p. 277). Half-shekel.
Torah lessons: Chumash: Vayikra, Chamishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 60-65.
Tanya: Later, however, (p. 167)...of the world..." (p. 167).
Chassidus contains two fundamental principles:
(a) Understanding every halacha (Torah law) on its spiritual plane, in its root and ultimate source, namely in the Sefirot and planes in every World1 according to that World's character, as explained in Chassidus.
(b) Comprehending the subject of every halacha in avoda; meaning, although the halacha is an expression of G‑dly wisdom and intelligence and is a law in Torah, nevertheless one must discover in it an avoda - concept to guide man's conduct in his life here in This World.
Compiled and arranged by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, in 5703 (1943) from the talks and letters of the sixth Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory.
Briefly, the Sefirot refer to G‑d's attributes, intellectual and emotive, that are paralleled in man. The term "World" refers to the Four Worlds that are stages in the progression downward from the Infinite to the finite universe. The Sefirot exist on each of these Worlds, progressively more concrete and less abstract, and each World in turn comprises countless strata or planes. Thus in the physical World tefillin are understood in simple material terms, while in higher Worlds the term "tefillin" indicates spiritual parallels, progressively more spiritual, less amenable to man's material understanding. (See Tanya II, Ch. 1, note 3; On Learning Chassidus. Also, Translator's Notes).
יום חמישי יא אדר שני (תש"ג)
תעניצ אסתר מוקדם. סליחות, אבינו מלכנו. מחצית השקל.
שיעורים: חומש: ויקרא, חמישי עם פירש"י.
תהלים: ס-סה.
תניא: רק שאח"כ - ארצך וגו'.
חסידות כוללת שני ענינים עקרים: א) הבנת כל הלכה בשרשה ומקורה העצמי ברוחניות, היינו בספירות ומדריגות בכל עולם ועולם לפי ענינו כמבואר בדא"ח [בדברי אלקים חיים]. ב) הבנת ענין כל הלכה בעבודה, היינו שהגם שהיא חכמה ושכל אלקי ודין התורה, מ"מ [מכל מקום] צריך למצוא בזה ענין בעבודה בהנהגת האדם בחיי עולם זה.
HaYom Yom »
Compiled by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, in 1942, upon the instructions of his father-in-law, the Previous Rebbe, Hayom Yom is an anthology of Chasidic aphorisms and customs arranged according to the days of the year. It has since become a beloved classic work and a source of daily inspiration.
Kehot Publication Society »
Kehot Publication Society and Merkos Publications, the publishing divisions of the Lubavitch movement, have brought Torah education to nearly every Jewish community in the world, and are the world's largest publisher of Jewish literature.
Chumash with Rashi
Tehillim - Psalms
3 Chapters Rambam
1 Chapter Rambam
Daily Mitzvah
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All of Torah. All of Us.


text:
Thirty-second plenary session: Statement on the interoperability of contact tracing applications, statement on the opening of borders and data protection rights, response letters to MEP Körner on laptop camera covers and encryption and letter
During its 32nd plenary session, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) adopted a statement on the interoperability of contact tracing apps, as well as a statement on the opening of borders and data protection rights. The Board also adopted two letters to MEP Körner - on encryption and on Article 25 European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - and a letter to CEAOB on PCAOB arrangements.
The EDPB adopted a statement on the interoperability of contact tracing applications, building on the EDPB Guidelines 04/2020 on the use of location data and contact tracing tools in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak. The statement offers a more in-depth analysis of key aspects, including transparency, legal basis, controllership, data subject rights, data retention and minimisation, information security and data accuracy in the context of creating an interoperable network of applications, that need to be considered on top of those highlighted in the EDPB Guidelines 04/2020.
The EDPB emphasises that the sharing of data about individuals that have been diagnosed or tested positively with such interoperable applications should only be triggered by a voluntary action of the user. Giving data subjects information and control will increase their trust in the solutions and their potential uptake. The goal of interoperability should not be used as an argument to extend the collection of personal data beyond what is necessary.
Moreover, contact tracing apps need to be part of a comprehensive public health strategy to fight the pandemic, such as testing and subsequent manual contact tracing for the purpose of improving effectiveness of the performed measures.
Ensuring interoperability is not only technically challenging and sometimes impossible without disproportionate trade-offs, but also leads to a potential increased data protection risk. Therefore, controllers need to ensure measures are effective and proportionate and must assess whether a less intrusive alternative can achieve the same purpose.
The EDPB adopted a statement on the processing of personal data in the context of reopening the Schengen borders following the COVID-19 outbreak. The measures allowing a safe reopening of the borders currently envisaged or implemented by Member States include testing for COVID-19, requiring certificates issued by health professionals and the use of a voluntary contact tracing app. Most measures involve processing of personal data.
The EDPB recalls that data protection legislation remains applicable and allows for an efficient response to the pandemic, while at the same time protecting fundamental rights and freedoms. The EDPB stresses that the processing of personal data must be necessary and proportionate, and the level of protection should be consistent throughout the EEA. In the statement, the EDPB urges the Member States to take a common European approach when deciding which processing of personal data is necessary in this context.
The statement also addresses the GDPR principles that Member States need to pay special attention to when processing personal data in the context of reopening the border. These include lawfulness, fairness and transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation, storage limitation, security of data and data protection by design and by default. Moreover, the decision to allow the entrance into a country should not only be based on the automated individual decision making technologies. In any case, such decisions should be subject to suitable safeguards, which should include specific information to the data subject and the right to obtain human intervention, to express his or her point of view, to obtain an explanation of the decision reached after such assessment and to challenge the decision. Automated individual decision measures should not apply to children.
Finally, the EDPB highlights the importance of a prior consultation with competent national supervisory authorities when Member States intend to process personal data in this context.
The EDPB adopted a response to a letter from MEP Moritz Körner on the relevance of encryption bans in third countries for assessing the level of data protection when personal data are transferred to countries where these bans exist. According to the EDPB, any ban on encryption or provisions weakening encryption would seriously undermine compliance with GDPR security obligations applicable to controllers and processors, be that in a third country or in the EEA. Security measures are one of the elements the European Commission must take into account when assessing the adequacy of the level of protection in a third country.
A second letter to MEP Körner addresses the topic of laptop camera covers. MEP Körner highlighted that this technology could help comply with the GDPR and suggested new laptops should be equipped with it. In its reply, the Board clarifies that while laptop manufacturers should be encouraged to take into account the right to data protection when developing and designing such products, they are not responsible for the processing carried out with those products and the GDPR does not establish legal obligations for manufacturers, unless they also act as controllers or processors. Controllers must evaluate the risks of each processing and choose the appropriate safeguards to comply with GDPR, including the privacy by design and by default enshrined in Article 25 GDPR.
Finally, the EDPB adopted a letter to the Committee of European Auditor Oversight Bodies (CEAOB). The EDPB received a proposal from the CEAOB, which gathers the national auditor oversight bodies at EU level, to cooperate and receive feedback on negotiations of draft administrative arrangements for the transfer of data to the US Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). The EDPB welcomes this proposal and indicates that it is available to hold an exchange with the CEAOB to clarify any potential questions on data protection requirements related to such arrangements in light of the EDPB Guidelines 2/2020 on Art. 46 (2) (a) and 46 (3) (b) GDPR for transfers of personal data between EEA and non-EEA public authorities. The exchange could also involve the PCAOB if the CEAOB and its members deem it beneficial for their work on these arrangements.
The agenda of the 32nd plenary is available here
Please note that all documents adopted during the EDPB Plenary are subject to the necessary legal, linguistic and formatting checks and will be made available on the EDPB website once these have been completed.
EDPB Link:
https://edpb.europa.eu/news/news/2020/thirty-second-plenary-session-statement-i…


text:
Bryan Justin Marks has been tapped to serve as the new Executive Director of the Love Stanislaus County nonprofit organization. Photo Contributed
Love Stanislaus County has named former Executive Director Jeff Pishney CEO of the organization. Filling the role of executive director will be Bryan Justin Marks, who formerly served as Director of Program Services for Love Stanislaus County.
Love Stanislaus County is a non-profit organization that was born out of the very successful event Love Modesto. Love Stanislaus County still hosts Love Modesto in addition to the programs Love All Our Kids, Love Our Neighbors and Love Our Schools.
Pishney is the founder of Love Stanislaus County and Love Our Cities. He splits his time between the two non-profits. Pishney has been overseeing the efforts of Love Modesto and later Love Stanislaus County for 12 years.
"I love our community and how we have come together these past 12 years to meet each other's needs and better our community. I'm grateful for all that has been accomplished, but loving and serving our community is needed now more than ever," said Pishney. "I'm so proud of our team that has been put together to face the current and future challenges."
Marks came to Love Stanislaus County just over a month ago. He was originally tasked with overseeing the three component programs of Love Stanislaus County. Prior to his work with Love Stanislaus County, Marks worked at Modesto Junior College for 16 years, most recently as the Dean of Student Services and Public Relations.
"It is an honor to be a part of the Love Stanislaus County family. I am looking forward to the growth, evolution, and long term planning of Love Stanislaus County and our continued collaboration and work with the community," said Marks.
Environmental Justice Report Highlights EPA Progress
Oakdale Hair Salon Plans Grand Opening


text:
Golden Jubilee Beginnings
Fabrics of Heritage
The heritage of Bengal is intertwined with the fame of the majestic Muslin and the intricate weaves of the floral Jamdani. Scrolling down the pages of history, we can identify the glorious period when the famous weaves were collecting accolades from the courts of the mighty Mughals to the blueblood Europeans. Anybody who had an upper-class upbringing was familiar with the exquisite garb that was so fine, that it could be magically stored inside a matchbox. Today, it is hard to imagine, that we had such gifted artisans, who could make such unique fabric, just with their bare hands.
Mehrin Mubdi Chowdhury
Wed Feb 17, 2021 12:00 AM Last update on: Wed Feb 17, 2021 12:01 AM
Farfetched as it may sound, this is the truth — this is history. Eventually with time, our grandeur subsided. Maybe there were forces acting against us or maybe it was our own short-sightedness that led to the demise of an incredible craft.
However, today, a few centuries later, in a sovereign Bangladesh we are trying to build a link with our lost heritage. With the announcement of GI (Geographical Indication) for Jamdani — that it is our own, the announcement that Sonargaon be considered as World Craft City by The World Craft Council and the intense research into reviving the wonder cotton — karpash, we are getting closer to the idea, of reviving a lost culture. But can we say the same about all the other textiles that also took a part in writing the story of our nation?
What about the Tangail taant or even the Rajshahi silk?
Here, in this article, which has been divided in a three-part series, we delve into the lives of the fabric artisans throughout our nation. Trying to understand the standpoint of heritage fabrics in today's Bangladesh. Where the country has been successful and where it is on the verge of trailing behind.
The magnificence of the nakshi kantha
On the way to the borders of Meghalaya from Dhaka, we are faced with miles of scenery within the national borders. With small hills and forests filled with timber, the depiction is close to the definition of tranquillity. Amidst these very green laden forests are tiny mud huts and modest single storied brick houses where the women are busy taking care of their families.
It's a typical lifestyle for these women from the Jamalpur and Sherpur region, except for the fact they are also regarded as a national asset with their exceptional talent in crafting art such as Nakshi Kantha, on a daily basis.
Daluara Begum, proprietor of Dipto Kuthir in Jamalpur Sadar, used to be one of these ladies. Today, she runs an industry providing employment opportunities to other people, both female and male, in her area. Begum gets excited upon meeting us and proudly shows us all her trophies, especially the one she was personally gifted by the Prime Minister.
She speaks of a brighter future, especially with the establishment of the proposed Sheikh Hasina Nakshipalli project, in Jamalpur involving an expansive budget of Tk 722 crores. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) there are some 261 handloom families living in Jamalpur and Sherpur districts while there are also some 76 Nakshi entrepreneurs and 3,985 Nakshi artists in Sherpur only.
And this very project approved by ECNEC with a possibility of 1st phase completion by December 2021 will further patronise the crafts and encourage more to join the trade. In an era when handicrafts are valued globally and many countries of the world are using handicrafts as one of their main items of trade, this is certainly a valuable move that sees a profitable future.
Nargis Khatun from Krishno Nagar, Jessore agreed. "I got involved with the trade because of my mother. I learnt the craft and the fine skills from her and today, I take pride in training other girls, get involved with Nakshi, as it brings prosperity and pride to those who know the craft. There are so many girls who work under me today. I just give them the tracing, the fabric and the matched thread and they do the fine work," said Khatun.
Upon further discussion Khatun opened up to this correspondent that once upon a time, especially at the beginning when women started doing the Nakshi business, the men were slightly sceptical because of existent, and archaic culture of patriarchy.
"But things have changed today," said Khatun adding on to depict a clearer picture, "Today, the men of the households encourage their ladies to do such kind of crafts because they can easily do it, while staying at home – and do not need to go out of their houses. Additionally, it also brings in extra money allowing the women to make economical contributions in their 'united household' income," said Khatun.
Upon inspection we discovered that each Nakshi artisan earned around, Tk 4000-5000 per month on an average in a good month, and around Tk 2000-3000 when the sales were low. And additionally, with the Nakshipalli to be set in motion, things were about to get better for the residents of the region.
Maybe with increased patronisation from our end, we might one day be able to finally give the Nakshi its due respect and the fame that it deserves.
On the trails of the Rajshahi silk
Strolling down 2/7 Sir Syed Road, it is hard to overlook the antiquated silk shop that goes by the name of M/S Mollah Silk. The marquee silently beckons every passer-by to get inside and explore, and thankfully we had done the same because once inside we met the man who had built the organisation from scratch. The proprietor of the shop, Mohammad Safiul Islam was getting ready to call it a day, when we met him with myriad questions related to the famous Rajshahi silk. What came about from our conversations was completely unanticipated.
Islam had entered the silk trade back in the early '80s, along with his friend, Taimur, who was already settled in the trade. Originally hailing from Chapainawabganj, this was an industry that Islam had seen thrive right in front of his eyes. And naturally he became interested in the business.
"Everything was going well till the early '90s, when the then government removed the imposed 30 percent import tax on Chinese silk. The imported fabric was already subsidised by the Chinese government and a further deduction of import tax made it more lucrative to the traders compared to local silk.
"Pure, deshi silk failed to compete and businessmen eventually lost interest because customers became more inclined towards the foreign material," revealed the businessman.
What came about was a plethora of obstacles in the years to come, as farmers rearing the Silk Moth – bolur chaash, stopped producing it, and replaced the mulberry trees –tuunt gach — used to feed the moth, with mango trees instead, as they were much more profitable.
"Yes, those were the dark days for the Rajshahi silk industry, when production declined drastically. That's the time when businessmen including myself, shifted completely towards the Chinese variant of the thread, which is smoother — being machine produced. With those thread we used to make handloom fabrics and supply it to big organisations like Aarong, Aranya Crafts, Kumudini etc., even the businessmen residing in Sadarghat used to procure 1000s of meters of our handmade fabric to make panjabi and fatua and supply it to the rest of the nation," said Islam.
To the reader, this might seem to be a gloomy revelation, to know that the silk saris proclaimed to be pure Rajshahi silk, are actually spun with Chinese silk, but they are still handloom. Sadly, the confessions do not end right there, because according to Islam, even this format of survival, by the silk artisans of our nation, discontinued.
Today, there's a cheaper synthetic copy of the thread, imported from a neighbouring country that is way below the price of the Chinese variant.
"The synthetic variant is termed as 'reshom' in our country," said Islam. He added on to explain, "It is nothing close to the original reshom, but is a cheaper copy that customers find affordable." And with a syndicate playing with the prices of the Chinese thread, we are all at crossroads and nothing else.
"A 1 kg thread costs around Tk 5000-6000 which makes it Tk 500per yard and at retail price it goes around Tk 600-680 (balaka silk), additionally that means the cost price for a single panjabi would be something close to Tk 2000-3000, while with the cheaper reshom variants, an average panjabi can be made within Tk 500-600, which can easily be sold in the market at Tk 1000-1500 retail rate. How can we ever compete with that?" questioned Islam.
During our rendezvous, we also learned that the government'ssericulture board was operating at a much smaller scale than anticipated, rearing the Bombyx-Mori, (the scientific name for the silk moth) at a limited quantity. But according to the veteran silk enthusiast and trader, there was a lot of opportunity to contribute and help revive the industry.
"To encourage revival of the lost industry, the government can grow tuunt gach on its khaas lands, helping to revive the bolur chaash culture as a primary step to revival and then it can train the new generation artisans with the knowledge of silk-making process from the still existent experts in the field," said Islam.
And right he was, for this is a creative job that requires finesse, where the knowledge of the craftsmanship can only be passed down from the master craftsman to his apprentice. And this culture has already stopped for a long time now. To revive— it would mean learning the trade from the still surviving artisans and if they are all gone then it will only be 'too late' to turn back.
Islam concluded with few haunting words, "You can't blame the artisans from leaving their traditional job. Every other job including a rickshaw puller's pay around Tk 500 for a day's work (mojuri) and our artisans don't even get that. If we cannot value their gift, why will they stay?" he said, in a regretful tone.
The explanation was heartfelt and logical, on the other hand the benefits of reviving the industry also pose to be extremely lucrative, because that would mean, traditional silk artisans from the Rajshahi belt, including those who were involved with the sericulture, mulberry tree rearing etc., would get an opportunity to earn their living via an age-old method that was unique to the culture of their region, and we as a nation would earn the pride of wearing our nation's 'very own silk' and maybe even export it to other nations.
Not imported, not mill processed but made with pure 'khat khati kath' as the experts call it. Pure, handcrafted, Rajshahi silk, made with pure love and excellent craftsmanship of the skilled artisans of Bangladesh— almost as valuable as gold, if not more!
Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Model: Nobel
Wardrobe: Vegetable dyed silk from Aranya
Blouse: Zabin Iqbal
Make-up: Md. Hossen
Hair: Gazi
Styling: Zabin Iqbal
Location: Bengal Carpet Mill, Ford Nagar, Dhamrai


"Everybody scream!" Jack Skellington, Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, and other character puppets and set pieces from The Nightmare Before Christmas, return to the McNay in an immersive new installation of works from the Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts. The product of Tim Burton's B-movie–steeped imagination, this 1993 tour de force of stop-action animation has been a cult favorite for two generations.
Like Burton, who originally sketched the film when he was an alienated teenager living in the shadow of Disney Studios, many Museum visitors will identify with the lanky antihero. Echoing Burton's own creative impulse, Jack attempts to make his gloomy, gothic-towered world brighter; the result is a mash-up of holidays, complete with tombstones and tinsel.
The exhibition provides a rare opportunity to discover how camera crews shot 24 stills for each second of film. The trick-or-treating Lock, Shock, and Barrel have removable heads for different expressions. Holes in the Clubhouse floor indicate the positions of the bathtub that carries the three on a mission to kidnap Sandy Claws.
Full of human warmth, verbal and visual wit, and technical virtuosity, Behind the Screen should win new fans for Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas and for the McNay's theatre arts collection.


text:
package co.yiiu.pybbs.exception;

public class ApiException extends RuntimeException {

    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
    private int code;
    private String message;

    public ApiException(String message) {
        this.code = 201;
        this.message = message;
    }

    public ApiException(int code, String message) {
        this.code = code;
        this.message = message;
    }

    public int getCode() {
        return code;
    }

    public void setCode(int code) {
        this.code = code;
    }

    @Override
    public String getMessage() {
        return message;
    }

    public void setMessage(String message) {
        this.message = message;
    }
}


text:
package hugolib

import (
	"path/filepath"
	"strings"

	"github.com/bep/gitmap"
	"github.com/gohugoio/hugo/config"
	"github.com/gohugoio/hugo/resources/page"
)

type gitInfo struct {
	contentDir string
	repo       *gitmap.GitRepo
}

func (g *gitInfo) forPage(p page.Page) *gitmap.GitInfo {
	name := strings.TrimPrefix(filepath.ToSlash(p.File().Filename()), g.contentDir)
	name = strings.TrimPrefix(name, "/")

	return g.repo.Files[name]
}

func newGitInfo(cfg config.Provider) (*gitInfo, error) {
	workingDir := cfg.GetString("workingDir")

	gitRepo, err := gitmap.Map(workingDir, "")
	if err != nil {
		return nil, err
	}

	return &gitInfo{contentDir: gitRepo.TopLevelAbsPath, repo: gitRepo}, nil
}


text:
Just the Facts?: Russell Crowe's UFO -- FAA Investigates JFK Airport Drone Report -- 'Ghost Marriage' Corpse Bride Trafficking
Russell Crowe's UFO
Russell Crowe has sparked a furore after claiming to have photographed a UFO outside the window of his office.
The Hollywood megastar posted a video on YouTube which he says could show a spaceship moving across the night sky.
The actor seems to have anticipated that some would be sceptical of his supernatural claims, as the clip was captioned 'THESE ARE REAL'.
Mr Crowe, star of blockbusters including Gladiator and Les Misérables, put the video online yesterday.
He titled it: 'UFO? Time Lapse Photos Outside RC's Woolloomooloo Office (THESE ARE REAL!)'
The clip is a montage of five photographs apparently taken seconds apart, with a flash of red and yellow light moving across the screen.
The source of the light appears to be suspended in the sky above the trees which are the main focus of the images.
Mr Crowe later added: 'A friend and I set camera to capture fruit bats rising from Botanic Gardens, this was a big surprise'.
In a response to fans who suggested that the spooky effect came from the camera itself, he wrote: 'Canon 5D, no flash, can't be a lens flare because it moves, camera is fixed'.
A number of his online followers responded with ridicule, with one writing: 'Please never post anything online again Russell. It's just embarrassing.'
One even made fun of the star's past, saying: 'It's probably a telephone, flying past the window at someone's head.'
But some were more constructive, offering explanations for the phenomenon including suggestions the light came from a nearby mobile phone or car headlights.
Mr Crowe took to Twitter again today to refute suggestions that the photographs were manipulated in some way.
He wrote: 'I will grant you at the time the music wasn't playing, also, yes, we have pushed in on the frame... this is three photos in order, nothing added'.
The 48-year-old Australian came to international fame in LA Confidential, and went on to win an Oscar for his role in 2000's Gladiator.
He has also appeared in hits such as A Beautiful Mind, American Gangster and most recently Les Misérables.
His latest role is alongside Mark Wahlberg in Broken City, which has just been released in the UK and Australia, prompting rumours the UFO video could be nothing more than an attempt to drum up publicity. - Daily Mail
L.A. Exposed : Strange Myths and Curious Legends in the City of Angels
Stargazing: Celebrity, Fame, and Social Interaction (Contemporary Sociological Perspectives)
Take a Walk on the Dark Side: Rock and Roll Myths, Legends, and Curses
African bush banging....not a good idea!
A woman was mauled to death by a lion as she made love to her boyfriend outdoors in Zimbabwe, it was reported today.
Sharai Mawera died yesterday after the big cat pounced while she was enjoying a romantic moment in the bush with her unnamed partner.
The My Zimbabwe news website reported that the predator attacked the couple at a secluded spot in the bush near the northern town of Kariba.
Ms Mawera's boyfriend, who has not been identified, is believed to have jumped up and fled in the nude when the lion lunged forward.
A source told the newspaper the young woman died at the scene.
He said: 'Unfortunately the woman was mauled to death by the lion, but her boyfriend managed to escape naked.'
The friend said: 'He is a fisherman and he used to often meet at the same spot with his girlfriend, who is now deceased.
'The two were romping when the incident occurred. The lion came from behind and roared.
'The guy managed to escape before stopping at a distance where he witnessed his companion being attacked.
'He later rushed to the road seeking help.'
My Zimbabwe reported that the terrified man managed to raise the alarm.
Local police and armed rangers from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rushed to the scene.
The source said: 'Cops and officers attended the scene and fired a single shot before getting to the spot.
'The woman had already been killed. She had bloody bruises all over her body. Her neck and tummy had been mauled.'
Rangers launched a hunt for the lion following the tragedy, amid concern the same animal may have killed a local man who disappeared at the weekend.
The remains of the victim were found yesterday on the outskirts of the town, which lies near the Zambezi river.
Police believe the man, who has not been named, was mauled by a lion as he walked home from a nightclub.
Zimbabwe's state-controlled Herald newspaper reported that officers believed the fact the woman killed yesterday was mauled rather than eaten suggested the same lion could have been responsible for both attacks and not regained its appetite since devouring part of its first victim.
The newspaper added: 'Residents of the town are now living in fear as the lions are still roaming freely as there are yet to be caught.' - Daily Mail
FAA investigating report of drone spotted near NYC
Was that a drone flying over metro New York Monday?
That's what a pilot for Italian carrier Alitalia reported seeing from the cockpit of a flight landing at New York's JFK Airport. The pilot informed the air traffic control tower, and now his spotting has drawn the attention of both Federal Aviation Administration and counter-terrorism officials.
"The FAA is investigating a report... he saw a small, unmanned or remote-controlled aircraft while on final approach to Runway 31 Right," FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown says in a statement quoted by CNN. "The sighting was approximately four to five miles (from) the airport at an altitude of approximately 1,500 feet."
New York's Joint Terror Task Force also is investigating, according to both ABC News and the New York Post report. Both cite unnamed sources.
"He was very clear as to what he saw," a source tells the Post about the pilot's account of "a black drone."
Other than the pilot's sighting, the Alitalia flight landed at JFK without incident.
An aviation expert tells the Post it's possible the unverified flying object was an enthusiast's model aircraft. However, the expert – also unnamed – said he couldn't recall any other incidents in which such a model veered so close to a commercial aircraft.
Even if it was a remote-controlled recreational model, FAA guidelines say such objects may only fly to 400 feet high and must alert air traffic control if they are going to fly within three miles of an airport, according to CNN.
The object reported by the Alitalia pilot was at about 1,500 feet, ABC News' sources say.
CNN adds that "flying unmanned aerial vehicles is illegal for most business purposes; however, governments and public entities such as police departments can apply for permission to operate them." - USA Today
China imprisons four men for 'ghost marriage' corpse bride trafficking
A county court in central China has sentenced four men to prison for digging up and selling corpses on the black market to enable "ghost marriages", a millennia-old custom of burying deceased bachelors alongside newly deceased wives so that they will not grow lonely in the afterlife.
On Saturday, the Xi'an Evening News reported that the Yanchuan county court in Yan'an City, Shanxi province, sentenced each of the men to more than two years in prison for stealing 10 female corpses, cleaning them up and counterfeiting their medical records to boost their prices, and selling them on the black market for a total of £25,000.
Ritual ghost marriages, which may date back to the 17th century BC, are increasingly rare in contemporary China – Mao Zedong tried to eliminate them when he assumed power in 1949 – but they are still practised in rural parts of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Hebei and Guangdong provinces. Families often employ a matchmaker to help find a suitable spouse for their deceased loved ones.
The four men, with surnames Pang, Bai, He and Zhang, exhumed the corpses in the winter of 2011 from a smattering of arid, coal-rich counties in Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces.
The state-run Global Times newspaper reported in 2011 that an influx of coal money to parts of northern Shaanxi province bolstered the area's underground corpse trade, with a newly wealthy but superstitious demographic suddenly being able to afford high prices for desirable postmortem mates. Some are known to purchase their corpse brides straight from hospitals, where they cut deals with grieving families.
This is not the first time that ghost marriage intermediaries have fallen on the wrong side of the law. One woman died over the lunar new year in February 2012 and was sold by her family to the family of a recently deceased young man for about £3,700; soon afterwards, police caught a graverobber selling her twice-exhumed body to another family for slightly less.
In 2009, a grieving father in Xianyang City, also in Shaanxi province, paid a team of graverobbers £2,700 to find a suitable bride for his son, who had died in a car crash. They were arrested for exhuming the remains of a teenage girl who had killed herself not long after failing her college entrance exams.
According to the Global Times, less affluent families who desire ghost marriages may use a non-human proxy for the corpse bride, such as a silver statuette or a doughy human-shaped biscuit with black beans for eyes. Some may buy an old, rotten corpse at a discounted price, dress it in clothing and reinforce its skeleton with steel wire.
The tradition has its own set of customs and rituals, including postmortem marriages with sumptuous feasts and dowries, according to the report. - Guardian
NOTE: I posted an article about this a few years ago - 'Ghost Bride' Practice Continues in China...Lon
Funerals to Die For: The Craziest, Creepiest, and Most Bizarre Funeral Traditions and Practices Ever
Tales of Lights and Shadows: Mythology of the Afterlife
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text:
Aerosmith: Video of Steven Tyler and Joe Perry in the Studio Available
Aerosmith are currently holed up in their Pandora's Box studio working on their fourteenth studio album with producer Jack Douglas. You can check out some footage of Joe Perry and Steven Tyler in the studio, including some tasty guitar licks from Joe Perry, below.
Jack Douglas is no stranger to the Aerosmith camp, having previously worked with the band on 1974's Get Your Wings, 1975's Toys In The Attic, and 1976's Rocks. He also collaborated with the band on its 2004 collection of blues standards Honkin' On Bobo.


Specifically designed to target and clean surfaces of live plants, driftwood, decorations, rocks and tank walls, removing stains, loosening and softening debris for easy vacuuming and providing a cleaner, more pristine environment.
Made from over 99% pure pressed garlic. Particularly recommended for fish that are finicky eaters as garlic is a strong attractant.
Essential lipid and vitamin complex provides essential Omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA for growth and health of all fishes.
Discus Elements T mineral complex replenishes crucial minor and trace minerals lost to filtration and plants in Discus and other soft water habitats.
Designed to raise the alkalinity (carbonate hardness (KH) or buffering capacity) of freshwater and planted aquariums at a pH of 7.8 or lower.
A broad spectrum mixture of all mineral ions including General Hardness (GH), alkalinity (KH) and all major, minor and trace minerals required for optimum health and longevity of freshwater fish, invertebrates and plants.
Exxodus•BAC is an extremely porous filtration medium designed to be used in all aquariums and aquatic systems with a pH of 7.5 or higher, for bio-filtration.
The revolutionary new Laguna Bio-Brick is made out of fire kilned clay helps to house beneficial bacteria and to remove toxic waste such as ammonia, nitrite and nitrate from pond water.
A maximum strength ionic calcium solution designed to safely raise the calcium level in marine aquariums.
Specifically designed to target and clean surfaces of live rock, coral decorations and tank walls, removing stains, loosening and softening debris for easy vacuuming and providing a cleaner, more pristine environment.
A stabilised, safe iodide supplement, designed to nourish organisms that require iodine. It is particularly useful for soft corals of all kinds, particularly xenia, as well as gorgonians, hard corals, tunicates, marine worms such as feather dusters, sponges, macroalgae, and crustaceans, particularly shrimp.
A high quality, multi-component blended true buffering system designed to raise the alkalinity or buffering capacity of marine fish and reef aquariums and automatically regulate the pH.
With is sold construction and molded fiberglass handles, the AquaBlade looks beautiful and works beautifully.
Basis KH Liquid Buffer is a true buffering system, designed to raise the alkalinity or buffering capacity of marine fish and reef aquariums and automatically regulates pH.
Ocean Snow provides an excellent means of supplying both organic and inorganic nutrients to filter feeding invertebrates of all types.
Constructed of 316 stainless steel, the AquaBlade metal blade is both strong and rust resistant.
Zoo Blast is a nutritious complex of several naturally occuring zooplankton in a wide range of sizes from 200 to 2,000 uM.
A supreme quality high activity synthetic filtration resin particularly selected for sensitive aquarium environments. It is regenerable over and over again for a minimum of 2 years in normal use.


text:
Scott Halperin is a Canadian immunologist, professor of pediatrics, microbiology, and immunology at Dalhousie University, the head of Pediatric Infection Diseases at IWK Health Centre, and the director of the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology.

Biography
Halperin received a B.Sc. from Stanford University, and an M.D. from Cornell University. He did his postdoctoral research in pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Virginia and University of Minnesota.

Career
Halperin's research focuses on pertussis and other vaccine-preventable diseases. In 2020, the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology at Dalhousie University was approved by Health Canada to begin clinical trial for a potential COVID-19 vaccine, led by Halperin. Halperin's research also focuses on public health policy in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awards
From 2004 to 2009, Halperin held the CIHR/Wyeth Pharmaceuticals clinical research chair in vaccines. He received a certificate of merit from the Canadian Paediatric Society in 2009, as well as the Max Forman Senior Research Prize from the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation, also in 2009.

References

Living people
Canadian immunologists
Stanford University alumni
Cornell University alumni
Academic staff of the Dalhousie University
Vaccinologists
Year of birth missing (living people)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Jesus did not defend us for our sins before the Father in heaven – HE died and rose for it! Nothing else bring us before God as redeemed, justified, sanctified and filled with wisdom. My repentance of sin is worthless without the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:14-17). Jesus' death on the cross leads to my own sin-death through faith – only that is the saving faith which sets us free from the righteous judgement of God. If there had been another way to accomplish this heavenly work it would have been different. If it were possible for us to become righteous, worthy and holy without the shed blood of the Son of God – would the eternal God not then have spared His beloved Son? God proves His love through sacrificing His only Son – at the hands of sinners (Romans 5:6-9). His blood made us righteous! Whoever rejects this, through moral and ethical reasons, has no part in the salvation and is eternally lost – even if he calls himself a Christian. All we need for a life as a Christian in this world, we receive through His divine power and His grace. His divine power has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, whereby we also have become partakers of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-4). All that therefore qualifies us as children of God and followers of Jesus is the precious blood of Jesus, which was shed for the remission of sins on the cross (Matthew 26:28). This is fundamental and has a deep meaning – we are heirs of God! God's covenant with His people (Israel), His heirs and the children of God through all times and nations, only becomes valid when death accomplishes its work – only then the inheritance comes into effect (Hebrews 9:15-17). One cannot inherit anything whilst the bequeath-er is still alive, just as there is no remission without the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22).
What transpired at Calvary over 2000 years ago, was a unique, unrepeatable sacrifice, which was symbolized in the Old Testament through the many different sacrifices. It is not about rituals, but that the evil and its power, and with it sin is overcome and justice prevails – also justice against the evil. Satan accuses humans before God day and night (Revelation 12:10). Through Jesus, he has no more authority – the price has been paid! Christ was sacrificed once to pay for the sins of many and to reverse and eradicate the sin forever. That was the reason for His first coming. By one sacrifice Christ has perfected forever those who are sanctified (Hebrews 9:28 and 10:14). There is therefore no other Name (Jesus Christ) and also no other sacrifice (the cross at Calvary) or law, whereby one can be saved (Acts 4:12). Anyone who claims otherwise, or alleges that the sacrifice of Jesus is insufficient, or should be repeated, makes a mockery of the Son of God (Hebrews 6:6). I do not want to be in the man's shoes who does not accept God as full and complete and thus mocks Him (Hebrews 10:29) – God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7). The Word of the cross is also a word of blood and we cannot claim God's grace and love without also mentioning what it cost God to redeem us through His Son. His wounds and suffering is our salvation and thereby we are dead to sin once and for all (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus lives and is risen and so are we. His blood cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).


text:
Hello Tampa
Tampa Photos
Tampa Videos
Tampa Florida
Located in the center of a growing metropolis of more than 1.5 million people, Tampa is an ideal place to work, play, relax, and indulge, with a culture steeped in art, music, food, and entertainment wherever you look. Tampa itself has over 1,000 restaurants, bars, shops, and hotels, as well as a variety of entertainment options.
Tampa is home to some of the best beaches in Florida, making it the perfect destination for a day, a week, a month, or even an extended vacation.
Visit the TECO Manatee Viewing Center to see the manatees' refuge filled with gentle giants huddling in warm water. Rent a kayak or stroll along the trails to meet some of the largest and most beautiful manatees in the world.
Whether hiking, biking, paddling, or bird watching, Busch Gardens in Tampa is a popular destination for everyone. It is one of Florida's most popular wildlife parks with more than 100 species of birds, reptiles, and amphibians. It also boasts the world's largest roller coaster.
Gatorland in Orlando is one of Florida's oldest attractions, home to thousands of alligators, thrilling sky rides, and more. There's also the quirky Gasparilla Pirate Festival, which has been conquering the shores of Tampa for more than a century.
Downtown Tampa's brick streets and iron balconies recall the days when the city earned its nickname "Cigar City." Today, you can explore the history in a number of museums in the area or take a stroll through the historic downtown area, home to some of Florida's most famous landmarks. Just a few blocks from Florida State University's campus, this fun-filled hangout is one of the city's trendiest spots.
The University of Tampa as well as the Tampa Bay Hotel are like a museum, displaying the furnishings of the first guests to visit. On the hotel's second floor, there is a living history museum, which presents historical artifacts and objects from the past.
The Children's Museum of Tampa, which opened in 1986, is a mandatory stop if you're traveling with younger ones, or you can check out the Museum of Science & Industry, the Tampa Bay History Center of the SS American Victory, which is a former WWII ship now used as a museum.
If you want to take in the entire city in one outing, jump on a taxi boat, as it makes 15 stops along the Downtown Tampa Riverwalk. The pedestrian-only Riverwalk connects you to downtown hotels, restaurants, parks, and shops, making it a great place to cool off with a drink at a waterfront bar and then take a sightseeing tour of the bay. The 2.4-mile trail is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.
www.HelloSafetyHarbor.com
www.HelloPinellasPark.com
www.HelloSaintPetersburg.com
www.HelloClearwater.com
www.HelloSeminole.com
www.HelloTarponSprings.com
© 2021 Hello Tampa - All Rights Reserved.


These Baily Bow Ugg Boots will provide you with an ultimate level of comfort.
Made from an A-grade Australian sheepskin, these boots have a lightweight EVA sole making them the most comfortable everyday footwear.
The thick fleece that traps warmth and provide supreme cushioning around the entire foot.
The sole is lightweight hard wearing (EVA) for indoor and outdoor wear.Reinforced suede heels ensures durability.


text:
#pragma once

extern const GUID IID_FxMessageDispatch;
extern const GUID IID_FxMessageDispatch2;

class FxMessageDispatch;

class FxMessageDispatch :
    public FxStump,
    public IFxMessageDispatch2
{
    //
    // Manager functions.
    //
private:
    FxMessageDispatch(
        _In_ FxDevice* Device
        ) :
        m_cRefs(1),
        m_Device(Device)
    {
    }

public:
    ~FxMessageDispatch()
    {
    //    SAFE_RELEASE(m_Device);
    }

    static
    NTSTATUS
    _CreateAndInitialize(
        _In_ PFX_DRIVER_GLOBALS DriverGlobals,
        _In_ FxDevice* Device,
        _Out_ FxMessageDispatch ** ppWudfDispatcher
       );

    //
    // IUnknown
    //
public:
    HRESULT
    __stdcall
    QueryInterface(
        _In_ REFIID     riid,
        _Out_ LPVOID*   ppvObject
        );

    ULONG
    __stdcall
    AddRef();

    ULONG
    __stdcall
    Release();

    //
    // IFxMessageDispatch
    //
public:
    virtual void __stdcall
    DispatchPnP(
        _In_ IWudfIrp *  pIrp
        );

    virtual void __stdcall
    CreateFile(
        _In_ IWudfIoIrp *  pCreateIrp
        );

    virtual void __stdcall
    DeviceControl(
        _In_ IWudfIoIrp * pIrp,
        _In_opt_ IUnknown * pFxContext
        );

    virtual void __stdcall
    ReadFile(
        _In_ IWudfIoIrp * pIrp,
        _In_opt_ IUnknown * pFxContext
        );

    virtual void __stdcall
    WriteFile(
        _In_ IWudfIoIrp * pIrp,
        _In_opt_ IUnknown * pFxContext
        );

    virtual void __stdcall
    CleanupFile(
        _In_ IWudfIoIrp * pIrp,
        _In_ IUnknown * pFxContext
        );

    virtual void __stdcall
    CloseFile(
        _In_ IWudfIoIrp * pIrp,
        _In_ IUnknown * pFxContext
        );

    virtual
    VOID
    __stdcall
    GetPreferredTransferMode(
        _Out_ WDF_DEVICE_IO_BUFFER_RETRIEVAL *RetrievalMode,
        _Out_ WDF_DEVICE_IO_TYPE             *RWPreference,
        _Out_ WDF_DEVICE_IO_TYPE             *IoctlPreference
        );

    virtual void __stdcall
    FlushBuffers(
        _In_ IWudfIoIrp * pIrp,
        _In_opt_ IUnknown * pFxContext
        );

    virtual void __stdcall
    QueryInformationFile(
        _In_ IWudfIoIrp * pIrp,
        _In_opt_ IUnknown * pFxContext
        );

    virtual void __stdcall
    SetInformationFile(
        _In_ IWudfIoIrp * pIrp,
        _In_opt_ IUnknown * pFxContext
        );

    virtual NTSTATUS __stdcall
    ProcessWmiPowerQueryOrSetData(
        _In_ RdWmiPowerAction Action,
        _Out_ BOOLEAN *QueryResult
        );

    //
    // We should remove these methods from this interface.
    //
    virtual WUDF_INTERFACE_CONTEXT __stdcall
    RemoteInterfaceArrival(
        _In_    LPCGUID pDeviceInterfaceGuid,
        _In_    PCWSTR  pSymbolicLink
        );

    virtual void __stdcall
    RemoteInterfaceRemoval(
        _In_    WUDF_INTERFACE_CONTEXT RemoteInterfaceID
        );

    virtual BOOL __stdcall
    TransportQueryID(
        _In_    DWORD  Id,
        _In_    PVOID  DataBuffer,
        _In_    SIZE_T cbDataBufferSize
        );

    virtual ULONG __stdcall
    GetDirectTransferThreshold(
        VOID
        );

    virtual void __stdcall
    PoFxDevicePowerRequired(
        VOID
        );

    virtual void __stdcall
    PoFxDevicePowerNotRequired(
        VOID
        );

    //
    // Additional public functions.
    //
public:
    //
    // Returns the Dispatcher object from the given interface without
    // incrementing the refcount.
    //
    static
    FxMessageDispatch*
    _GetObjFromItf(
        _In_ IFxMessageDispatch* pIFxMessageDispatch
        );

    //
    // Returns the specified interface from the given object without
    // incrementing the refcount.
    //
    static
    IFxMessageDispatch*
    _GetDispatcherItf(
        _In_ FxMessageDispatch* pWudfDispatcher
        );

    //
    // Returns a weak ref to the embedded user-mode driver object.
    //
    PDRIVER_OBJECT_UM
    GetDriverObject(
        VOID
        )
    {
        return m_Device->GetDriver()->GetDriverObject();
    }

    MdDeviceObject
    GetDeviceObject(
        VOID
        )
    {
        return m_Device->GetDeviceObject();
    }

    //
    // Data members.
    //
private:
    //
    // Reference count for debugging purposes. The lifetime is managed by
    // FxDevice.
    //
    LONG                    m_cRefs;

    //
    // Device object associated with this dispatcher object.
    //
    FxDevice *           m_Device;
};


text:
Hiab MEWP makes heavy lifting look easy
CARGOTEC CORPORATION, TRADE PRESS RELEASE, 25 JUNE 2012 AT 16:00 P.M. (EEST)
In Örebro, a city of some 110,000 people and a two-hour drive west of the capital, Stockholm, there is a surprisingly high demand for a crane fitted with a personnel basket; in fact, more than the city's technical department had expected when they decided to acquire one last August.
Sebastian Söderlund has quickly become one of the most popular crane operators in Örebro. Not only is he good at what he does, but he is also behind the wheel of a truck equipped with a Hiab HiPro crane and the MEWP, Hiab's Mobile Elevating Work Platform.
"We have different kinds of assignments all the time, from setting up signs to helping out at a construction site to jobs in city parks. The MEWP gives us a lot more flexibility that renting a skylift would," Söderlund says.
The Hiab XS 144 reaches 14 meters and the XS 166 up to 20 meters at a boom angle of 70 degrees. This means that at one point heavy loads can be delivered far out, and the next maintenance work can be done 20 meters up in the air.
The cranes comply fully with the EN 12999 standard used for loader cranes. The safety requirements for the basket are set by EN 280.
"A typical customer is an entrepreneur who is looking for a way to add more flexibility to his operations. These are often smaller companies but even a bigger fleet would benefit from having a truck equipped with the MEWP," says Bengt Söderholm, Product Manager at Cargotec Sweden.
"With Hiab MEWP crane, we wanted to offer a multifunctional service. Our clients' needs are expanding to new territories. To best support those we now offer cranes that can even be used to install glass windows, streetlights, power lines, etc", continues Söderholm.
A Hiab HiPro crane is still a crane, first and foremost, and it is optimised for that. But when it is transformed into a mobile elevating work platform, certain changes occur.
"When used in the MEWP mode, the normal crane speed is reduced and the crane moves at a vertical speed of 0.4 meters per second, the maximum speed allowed by EN 280," says Söderholm.
The MEWP has been designed with safety in mind. It includes an automatic horizontal levelling of the basket, external safety rails to protect it from crushing, a battery charger and a back-up battery mounted in the basket, vertical and rotational speed controls, and a separate push button emergency stop in the personnel basket.
It also has a system that ensures that when the basket is in use, its stabilisers and their extensions are fully extended and in the right position. It has swivelling support plates on the stabilisers for maximum ground contact, and an emergency lowering facility and a manual emergency pump in case, for instance, of a loss in power.
"Should the vehicle run out of power or something else unexpected happens, I can always lower the basket manually by pumping it down. It has never happened to me, though", Söderlund says.
For further information please contact,
Christine Holmström
Marketing Manager, Load Handling
christine.adland.holmstrom@cargotec.com
Cargotec improves the efficiency of cargo flows on land and at sea - wherever cargo is on the move. Cargotec's daughter brands, Hiab, Kalmar and MacGregor are recognised leaders in cargo and load handling solutions around the world. Cargotec's global network is positioned close to customers and offers extensive services that ensure the continuous, reliable and sustainable performance of equipment. Cargotec's sales totalled EUR 3.1 billion in 2011 and it employs approximately 10,500 people. Cargotec's class B shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki under symbol CGCBV. www.cargotec.com


Sometime back, I wrote an article about various Tivoli Provisioning Manager products and their functionality. However, that was not enough. Now there is another product called Tivoli Provisioning Manager for OS Deployment Embedded Edition and there seems to be some confusion about what it does and the manuals do not seem to address this question. This article addresses the difference between TPMfOSD and TPMfOSD Emebedded Edition.
TPM for OS Deployment product line is based on the acquisition of Rembo Technology. And Rembo had two products, viz. Rembo Auto-Deploy and Rembo-Toolkit. IBM rebranded them as TPM for OS Deployment and TPM for OS Deployment Embedded Edition respectively.
Auto-Deploy is a complete product that provides easy to use functionality. It has a graphical user interface to perform all the OS management functions interactively.
Rembo Toolkit is meant for power users. It has APIs that will let you do OS management programatically and customize it suit your environment. Toolkit does not have any GUI. The Rembo toolkit aka TPM for OSD Embedded Edition is now installed as a component of Tivoli Provisioning Manager to natively perform OS management functions.
To sum up, to perform stand-alone OS management via GUI, use TPM for OS Deployment. If you are a power-user and want to perform stand-alone OS management programatically, use TPM for OS Deployment Embedded Edition. If you want to use OS management with in TPM, go with Tivoli Provisioning Manager (TPM).
Here is an interesting thread that discuss more about Auto-Deploy and Toolkit.