Distance between Queenstown and Pukerua Bay. How many miles from Queenstown to Pukerua Bay.
The straight distance between Queenstown (Otago) and Pukerua Bay (Wellington) is 418.08 mi, but the driving distance is 586.63 mi.
It takes 14 hours 6 mins to go from Queenstown to Pukerua Bay.


The apostle Paul told us physical training is of some value; however, our chief goal at GCC is to develop godliness. We use physical training and group athletic activities to help build a purpose much higher than simply improving the quality of this present life. Instead, we use them to help draw participants closer to God.


I was asked to make a large Puerto Rican flag as a secret birthday present that would have to go outdoors (although that might not be true anymore).
The coolest one I could find was this one with the outline of the island.
Since straight lines on the flags is a very common thing - I decided it needs something some wave.
It was a bit tedious to make the wave right - the flags are normally 3x5 feet, but the island shape is flatter and longer (more like 3x6.5 in my case). I just ended up stretching some stuff a bit and kept the star shape regular to not look odd.
Fired up the projector and got going.
Pressure treated exterior plywood was used since the original plan was for the piece to be hung outdoors.
The outer shape all cut out.
I cut everything into separate pieces to make it easier to paint as well as create nice lines. The star was cut out as well.
Mocking up after the paint before putting the backing boards on to hold everything in place.
Starting the dry brush process - adding a little weathering. It always shows more in person so it's something to go easy on.
My original plan was to have an insert for a star, but it ended up not looking right and I scrapped the idea.
Instead I just made a backer board and painted it white. Turned out much better.
Sprayed it with several layers of clear coat on my medieval chic painting rack to withstand the elements, however the birthday girl loved it so much that it will unlikely see the elements and will hang under a covered porch or overhang instead.
All dry and finished. Awesome looking and fun piece to make!


Little kids ceiling fans with lightss sometimes can cause you to feel crowded especially little ceiling lights with small lights. When you've got little ceiling, choose cool colours to create a bigger impression. Avoid warm colours because they just create..
Don't put an excessive amount of contrasting colour as it will produce the design quite hefty. Rather, choose one primary color, preferably something bright and light like white, black, blue or yellow. Add some more compact accents to spruce up..
Various kinds of sink and process of installation from the hunter low profile ceiling fan is found. Some people think that installing the above counter hunter ceiling vanities will not be a good choice for small ceiling but in actuality,..
Clean white is the other choice you may try to find drop ceiling projector mount. However, you need to pair it with heavy color like grey or black. Brown is going to be excellent for the white pair or favorite..
You can get the appearance of natural stones such as granite and quartz with a low cost by having laminate ceiling fans no lights countertops. Laminate ceiling light countertops have a whole lot of patterns. To receive a traditional look..
Bathroom sinks and countertops will be the most necessary furnitures to have in your 72 inch ceiling fans with lights. The materials which are utilised to earn ceiling light sinks and countertops are various. Mostly, materials which are resistant to..
Contemporary what size ceiling fan for room can't be separated by the ceiling fan counter. Other terms are employed for ceiling counter tops such as ceiling vanity or ceiling cupboard. There are some reasons that make people will need to..


Student Government (SG) approved separate resolutions to create an advisory board to the University Community Service Center (UCSC) and to analyze the charter of the Independent Review Committee (IRC) at its General Assembly meeting last night.
The UCSC resolution was passed due to student complaints over UCSC's recent restructuring. Earlier this year, UCSC administrators made several changes to the organization's operating structure that some students believed did not adequately take student opinion into account.
The resolution describes the board's objective as "advis[ing] the UCSC staff and directors on matters relating to its overall mission." To this end, the board will convene on a regular basis to discuss UCSC's current and future programs, as well as its hiring processes. While the board holds no veto power over any administrative decision, such as which candidates for jobs within the UCSC are hired, it will issue recommendations to the UCSC.
Some SG representatives, including second-year Holly Rapp, agreed with Chan's line of logic.
"It doesn't make sense to make two committees for the same purpose… Perhaps our political capital could be best used elsewhere," Rapp said.
Second-year representative Mark Sands helped draft the resolution and spoke in favor of it.
"The whole point of us making an advisory board is to make sure that UCSC receives input that is student-driven and free from outside influences. In making its own advisory board, UCSC is making a body of unknown composition," Sands said.
The resolution passed, 17 to 5, with one abstention. The resulting advisory board will be composed of one SG representative, three Community Service Recognized Service Organization (CSRSO) leaders, three student association members, and four faculty members.
The other major agenda item was the creation of an internal SG working group to evaluate the validity of administrative assertions that impartiality is a necessary condition for one to become a member of the IRC. Ninth-year history Ph.D. student Toussaint Losier was recently rejected for the IRC because the administration questioned his impartiality. The resolution to create the group was passed via voice vote, with second-year Mike Viola being the only SG member to vote against the proposal.
SG nominated Losier for a position on the IRC, which reviews complaints against UCPD policing practices, in early October. Last year, UCPD officers arrested Losier during a protest calling for the creation of an on-campus adult level-1 trauma center.
On Thursday, Losier received an e-mail from Eleanor Daugherty (A.B. '97), associate dean of the College, which cited his arrest as a reason why he would be less than impartial toward the UCPD, a characteristic which she considered to be a principle embedded in the charter of the IRC.
The newly created group will not review the specific rejection of Losier from IRC, but rather attempt to evaluate whether impartiality is a logical criterion for IRC membership.
During the meeting, Losier questioned whether impartiality is the best criteria for IRC members to be held to, and what relationship between the interests of students and police impartiality implies.
"Attempting to be impartial makes a lot of sense for an organization that is attempting to maintain good relations with the police. But if there is a question of [UCPD] accountability, it stands to reason that partiality, in respect to the views of IRC members, could produce a body that is truly independent from the police department," Losier said.


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Living with Lupus: A story of personal triumph inspired by ancient history
Karen Irvine shares her personal experience of living with Lupus and her disabilities, by sharing how the study of ancient historical figures inspired and encouraged her to keep kicking goals and realise her immense human value
What is Lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system in the body attacks its own tissues and organs. The increased inflammation caused by Lupus can have devastating effects on a wide range of the sufferer's body including brain, heart, lungs, joints, blood cells, kidney function and skin. Lupus is not curable, but is managed by a wide variety of treatments. Some people are born with Lupus, while others may have had a genetic predisposition that was triggered late in life by an illness, medication and in rare cases – exposure to sunlight. A more in-depth medical overview of can be read here.
What are the signs and symptoms of Lupus?
Because of the nature of Lupus and its wide ranging effects, the symptoms can be varied and could present in a number of different ways depending on the individual. No two cases of Lupus are identical, they're modified by each individual's genetics and lifestyle factors. Lupus symptoms could be mild or severe, and be either prolonged or happen suddenly for short periods in what are commonly referred to as 'flare ups'.
This has led to many Lupus sufferers being misdiagnosed due to their symptoms mimicking a different illness, and can make the struggle for many of getting the correct diagnosis that much more difficult.
Common symptoms of lupus include, but are not limited to:
Inflammation of the joints, including pain, stiffness and swelling
Headaches, confusion or memory loss
Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when cold, or during times of stress – also known as Raynaud's Phenomenon
Skin lesions that can appear and/or worsen with sun exposure
A signature symptom of Lupus is a facial rash that appears across both cheeks and nose, often referred to as 'butterfly rash'
An introduction to Karen Irvine and her journey with Lupus
This World Lupus Day we have the great pleasure of sharing with you the personal thoughts and journey of Karen Irvine, who graciously contributed her quirky story to help others struggling with their Lupus and remind them that they do not struggle or triumph alone. Karen is a successful Business Development Manager of a web development company, and in spite of – or perhaps partly because of – her Lupus diagnosis, is a funny, inspiring and utterly gracious individual.
How Lupus inspired a love affair with ancient history: We Are Not Alone – By Karen Irvine
I have always had a secret wish to travel back in time – you see, I am a major history buff. Most of the people who motivate me lived a very long time ago and every single one had an illness or disability.
I first started to discover these courageous people after I was diagnosed with Lupus. I was 14 years old and it was 1979. My prognosis was gloomy and my future unsure.
A total ban on sporting activities was put in place, and this left me with a lot of spare time. I gleefully immersed myself in the past, and I found I had opened a Pandora 's Box and it was filled with famous people just like me.
I was no longer alone.
Inspiring figures of ancient history who triumph despite illness and disability
I find it comforting to know that people with illnesses and disabilities have been carving out successful lives for the past three and a half thousand years of recorded history. Let me introduce you to a few of them –
· Hephaestus
One of the oldest references I found was about one of the Greek gods. His name was Hephaestus. He was the son of Zeus and Hera and was the God of the Forge and Metalworking. He was disfigured and lame. Hera was so repelled by his physical disability that she threw him from Olympus. He was later invited back after word of his divine metalworking skills reached Olympus. He went on to marry Aphrodite, Goddess of Love. The ancient Greeks were an enlightened people. First we have a god who isn't perfect and he gets the girl!
· King Phillip II of Macedon
Now we move along to the fourth century BC and to the time of King Philip II of Macedon. His injuries were acquired on the battlefield, but as a warrior he was immune to fear and all but impervious to pain. An arrow landed in his right eye as he was besieging a city state in 355BC. He must have been in torture, but he went right on directing the operation to a successful conclusion. Later injuries were to include a shattered shoulder, mutilated hand and successive lance thrusts to the leg left him lame.
As quoted by Demosthenes, after reminding his countrymen of Philip's injuries, "… he jettisons whatever part of his body fate wants to take away, just so long as he can live with honour and glory with what is left."
· Julius Caesar
The next name on the list is a very famous one: Julius Caesar. He lived from 100BC to 44BC. During his lifetime Caesar went from being an extraordinary soldier in the roman army to being the dictator of the Roman Empire. Caesar personally annexed Gaul and Egypt for the empire. Julius Caesar was deified and worshipped as a god from 42BC and he also suffered from epileptic fits.
· Akenhaten
I'd now like to plunge back into the distant past to the land of Egypt. The religion of ancient Egypt embraced a pantheon of gods, but in 1364BC a pharaoh came to the throne who introduced the worship of only one god – Aten.
The new religion was revolutionary, exalting universal harmony, the beauty of nature and love among all mankind (sounds familiar doesn't it, and Moses is still 200 years into the future). This new Pharaoh changed Egypt's religion, built a new capital at Armana and married Nefertiti. This woman is acknowledged as one of the ancient world's most beautiful – another one who gets the girl! This pharaoh is shown with all of his imperfections. His face is elongated, thick-lipped and heavy jawed – So striking are these features that scholars believe he suffered from a glandular disorder called Froehlich's Syndrome. Like most things Egyptian, this last character comes with a curse. It is said that merely mentioning his name aloud brings great misery and misfortune. In the interest of completeness, and remember you have been warned, the Pharaoh's name is "Akhenaten".
· King Yasovarman I of Cambodia
I'd like to introduce you to my personal favourite. His name is Yasovarman I. He was the King of Angkor (Cambodia) from 889 to 900 AD and he was a prolific builder. In honour of his father, he constructed a funerary temple in the middle of a lake. Then he went on to erect a stone pyramid to himself as well as a baray (an artificial lake) to the east of the royal city nearly 13 square kilometres in size. Irrigation from this baray allowed for three harvests per year instead of one – no small accomplishment!
Yasovarman I suffered from leprosy. Every sculpture shows his affliction on the face, shoulders and arms. When Henri Mouhot discovered Angkor just over a century ago, he asked the local people who had built the astonishing city, and many claimed it was created by the "Leper King".
· King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem
More than 250 years into the future we visit the life of Baldwin IV. Baldwin was King of Jerusalem from 1174 to 1185 AD. His greatest adversary was the Muslim leader Saladin, who had extended his influence from Egypt to Syria.
In November 1177 Saladin marched from Egypt to attack Ascalon. Baldwin rushed to the aid of the city. Trapped within its fortifications, he broke out and defeated Saladin near Mont Gisard.
Baldwin, like Yasovarman, also suffered from leprosy. During his reign Baldwin's health steadily deteriorated, requiring the periodic appointment of regents.
Not only did Baldwin defeat Saladin but he also knew when to stand aside and accept the help of those around him (something many of us find difficult to do).
· King George III of England
Now we move on to England to visit the life of George III. George was King of England from 1760 to 1820 AD (although the last 9 years he was assisted by his son George, the Prince Regent). George was devoted to his wife Charlotte and they were married for over 50 years. The union produced 15 children (an achievement in itself).
During his reign George's armies were victorious against French revolutionary forces in 1797 and 1801. Further victories came against Napoleon's forces in 1814 and 1815. George was responsible for the abolition of the slave trade in England in 1807 and he presided over the great social and economic changes resulting from the industrial revolution.
George was afflicted with Porphyria, a maddening disease which began to disrupt his reign as early as 1765. George III died blind, deaf and mad at Windsor castle on January 29 1820.
· Ludwig Van Beethoven
Elsewhere in Europe the German composer Ludwig Van Beethoven, (1770 to 1827 AD), was making his presence felt in the world of music. Beethoven's musical career began in 1789 when he became a court musician. His major output consisted of: 9 symphonies, 7 concertos, 17 string quartets, 47 sonatas for various instruments, an opera, 2 masses, several overtures and numerous sets of piano variations.
Beethoven first noticed his hearing impairment in 1798 and it grew steadily worse as time passed. In 1802 he expressed his agony over his growing deafness in a letter to his two brothers. By 1818 Beethoven was totally deaf and relied on small "conversation books" in which visitors wrote their remarks to him. Despite this he continued to compose until 1826. Beethoven's 9th symphony, composed in 1824, begins with "void music", which may have originated in the silence and gloom of his own deafness, then explodes with a wonderful array of sounds. One of the most beautiful pieces of music ever composed, the 9th symphony concludes with a choral rendition of the German poet Friedrich von Schiller's "Ode to Joy".
Adopting an attitude of gratitude and curiosity
I explained my early diagnosis with Lupus at age 14 and how that diagnosis and a sombre prognosis left me feeling very confused and alone. Thankfully, I grabbed for my history books, and that's when I discovered some extraordinary people. Each one led a successful life despite suffering from an illness or disability – they were just like me and I felt that I was no longer alone.
A lot of time has passed since then. For 12 of the intervening years I worked for the same company, and then moved on to an even more challenging role with a new one. I was lucky enough to marry my childhood sweetheart and I managed to plan and go on my dream holiday in England and Scotland; this was no small achievement considering I am claustrophobic and afraid of heights. The motivation for many things I have done in my life has come from my love of history and the people I found there.
To all my fellow Lupus sufferers, on this day and every day – remember, we are not alone.
P.S. I'd like to leave you all with this excellent question:
Q: Why is a person living with a chronic illness like Alice in Wonderland?
A: They both manage to do six impossible things before breakfast.
How changing your perspective can change your life
There is absolutely no doubt that the effects of Lupus on those diagnosed, and still waiting for a diagnosis can be severely difficult to live with and navigate.
It can attack from any angle, any time – sometimes all at once. But what all people who suffer from any form of illness or disability will tell you, is that this suffering often gifts a greater sense of gratitude, clarity and happiness for all the things you do have in your life.
Karen's inspiring story and insights highlight just one way in which changing your perspective on how you see yourself and your illness can be life-saving, and ignite passions that last a lifetime as well as how to celebrate the achievements and goals you reach over time – those wins are much sweeter because of the obstacles that tried to get in the way.
So this World Lupus Day, celebrate yourself. Take stock of what you want to achieve, and reach out to those that can help you get there – they might be anyone from your family, friends, doctor, counsellor or support coordinator.
Make sure to glory in all that you have achieved, not in comparison to others, but in comparison to how hard you worked to get there.
If you are struggling this World Lupus Day or any other day, know that there are people there to support you but most of all remember that you are not alone with your illness. Thousands of others are in this with you, and with the combined help of our community – we're all in this together.
ConnectAbility is proud to support its clients living with Lupus on this day and remind them to contact us if there is anything they need or want to discuss with us to help continue making their lives better and reaching goals.
Lupus resources and further reading
Lupus Association of NSW – https://lupusnsw.org.au/
World Lupus Day –https://worldlupusday.org/
World Lupus federation – Support groups in Australia – https://worldlupusfederation.org/countries-beginning-with-a/
The Lupus Academy –https://lupus-academy.org/
The Lupus Library – A reading list by Lupus LA – https://lupusla.org/about-lupus/lupus-library/
Lupus Foundation of America: National Resource Center on Lupus – https://www.lupus.org/resources#
Lupus Research Alliance –https://www.lupusresearch.org/understanding-lupus/resource-center/
Garvan Institute of Medical Research –https://www.garvan.org.au/research/diseases/lupus/resources
ASCIA – Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy – https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/autoimmunity/systemic-lupus-erythematosus-sle
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text:
Imaging of the foot and ankle: Summary and update
Donald J. Flemming, Mark D. Murphey, Kevin McCarthy
Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to highlight recent advances in foot and ankle imaging including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, nuclear medicine, and navigational systems. Recent findings: Advances in technology have improved the ability to visualize and conceptualize abnormalities through three-dimensional presentation of data, most notably when applied to helical multidetector computerized tomography. These advances have made possible submillimeter image resolution, multiplanar image reconstruction, improved visualization of metallic hardware, high-quality angiographic studies, and precise physical three-dimensional modeling for the surgeon. Increased magnet strength has resulted in faster, higher resolution musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging. Image quality in open magnetic resonance imaging systems has improved, and some of these units offer the possibility of weight-bearing foot and ankle imaging. Developments in the field of nuclear medicine with new radiotracers may lead to techniques for imaging of synovial abnormalities and inflammatory arthropathy. Exciting advances in computer-assisted surgery are being made that may significantly shorten operating time, reduce radiation exposure to the surgeon and the patient, and improve the accuracy of hardware placement. Summary: The orthopedist of today must understand these myriad new technologic advances, including their pitfalls, to most efficiently apply them for maximum patient benefit.
Current Opinion in Orthopaedics
https://doi.org/10.1097/01.bco.0000154176.29585.8b
Computer-Assisted Surgery
Magnetic Resonance Angiography
Flemming, D. J., Murphey, M. D., & McCarthy, K. (2005). Imaging of the foot and ankle: Summary and update. Current Opinion in Orthopaedics, 16(2), 54-59. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.bco.0000154176.29585.8b
Flemming, Donald J. ; Murphey, Mark D. ; McCarthy, Kevin. / Imaging of the foot and ankle : Summary and update. In: Current Opinion in Orthopaedics. 2005 ; Vol. 16, No. 2. pp. 54-59.
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title = "Imaging of the foot and ankle: Summary and update",
abstract = "Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to highlight recent advances in foot and ankle imaging including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, nuclear medicine, and navigational systems. Recent findings: Advances in technology have improved the ability to visualize and conceptualize abnormalities through three-dimensional presentation of data, most notably when applied to helical multidetector computerized tomography. These advances have made possible submillimeter image resolution, multiplanar image reconstruction, improved visualization of metallic hardware, high-quality angiographic studies, and precise physical three-dimensional modeling for the surgeon. Increased magnet strength has resulted in faster, higher resolution musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging. Image quality in open magnetic resonance imaging systems has improved, and some of these units offer the possibility of weight-bearing foot and ankle imaging. Developments in the field of nuclear medicine with new radiotracers may lead to techniques for imaging of synovial abnormalities and inflammatory arthropathy. Exciting advances in computer-assisted surgery are being made that may significantly shorten operating time, reduce radiation exposure to the surgeon and the patient, and improve the accuracy of hardware placement. Summary: The orthopedist of today must understand these myriad new technologic advances, including their pitfalls, to most efficiently apply them for maximum patient benefit.",
author = "Flemming, {Donald J.} and Murphey, {Mark D.} and Kevin McCarthy",
doi = "10.1097/01.bco.0000154176.29585.8b",
journal = "Current Orthopaedic Practice",
Flemming, DJ, Murphey, MD & McCarthy, K 2005, 'Imaging of the foot and ankle: Summary and update', Current Opinion in Orthopaedics, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 54-59. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.bco.0000154176.29585.8b
Imaging of the foot and ankle : Summary and update. / Flemming, Donald J.; Murphey, Mark D.; McCarthy, Kevin.
In: Current Opinion in Orthopaedics, Vol. 16, No. 2, 01.04.2005, p. 54-59.
T1 - Imaging of the foot and ankle
T2 - Summary and update
AU - Flemming, Donald J.
AU - Murphey, Mark D.
AU - McCarthy, Kevin
N2 - Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to highlight recent advances in foot and ankle imaging including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, nuclear medicine, and navigational systems. Recent findings: Advances in technology have improved the ability to visualize and conceptualize abnormalities through three-dimensional presentation of data, most notably when applied to helical multidetector computerized tomography. These advances have made possible submillimeter image resolution, multiplanar image reconstruction, improved visualization of metallic hardware, high-quality angiographic studies, and precise physical three-dimensional modeling for the surgeon. Increased magnet strength has resulted in faster, higher resolution musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging. Image quality in open magnetic resonance imaging systems has improved, and some of these units offer the possibility of weight-bearing foot and ankle imaging. Developments in the field of nuclear medicine with new radiotracers may lead to techniques for imaging of synovial abnormalities and inflammatory arthropathy. Exciting advances in computer-assisted surgery are being made that may significantly shorten operating time, reduce radiation exposure to the surgeon and the patient, and improve the accuracy of hardware placement. Summary: The orthopedist of today must understand these myriad new technologic advances, including their pitfalls, to most efficiently apply them for maximum patient benefit.
AB - Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to highlight recent advances in foot and ankle imaging including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, nuclear medicine, and navigational systems. Recent findings: Advances in technology have improved the ability to visualize and conceptualize abnormalities through three-dimensional presentation of data, most notably when applied to helical multidetector computerized tomography. These advances have made possible submillimeter image resolution, multiplanar image reconstruction, improved visualization of metallic hardware, high-quality angiographic studies, and precise physical three-dimensional modeling for the surgeon. Increased magnet strength has resulted in faster, higher resolution musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging. Image quality in open magnetic resonance imaging systems has improved, and some of these units offer the possibility of weight-bearing foot and ankle imaging. Developments in the field of nuclear medicine with new radiotracers may lead to techniques for imaging of synovial abnormalities and inflammatory arthropathy. Exciting advances in computer-assisted surgery are being made that may significantly shorten operating time, reduce radiation exposure to the surgeon and the patient, and improve the accuracy of hardware placement. Summary: The orthopedist of today must understand these myriad new technologic advances, including their pitfalls, to most efficiently apply them for maximum patient benefit.
U2 - 10.1097/01.bco.0000154176.29585.8b
DO - 10.1097/01.bco.0000154176.29585.8b
JO - Current Orthopaedic Practice
JF - Current Orthopaedic Practice
Flemming DJ, Murphey MD, McCarthy K. Imaging of the foot and ankle: Summary and update. Current Opinion in Orthopaedics. 2005 Apr 1;16(2):54-59. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.bco.0000154176.29585.8b
10.1097/01.bco.0000154176.29585.8b


Sassha is a pretty, elegant mare that brings both type and ability to the hunter ring. This mare has show experience winning on the flat and over fences with a child rider. She is perfectly matched for the amateur rider. She is kind, honest and easy to ride. This mare is simple to get in a frame and consistent on course. We had planned on adding her to our broodmare band after her performance career. Now that we are retiring from breeding, we hope that she will find a show home where she continues to put in great hunter rounds.
Sassha's sire, VDL ARCTIC was a champion jumper whose father is none other than the great Indoctro. This Preferrant stallion is one of the great producers of our time. Sassha's dam's pedigree contains the grandest of the great Thoroughbred sport horse bloodlines: Round Table/Princequillo, Bull Lea/Teddy, and the French Grey Tourbillon.
VDL ARCTIC is an elegant black KWPN jumper stallion imported from VDL Stud in Holland and originally trained and ridden by Jim Ifko. He placed at the top of his jumping classes, including Twin Oaks, Thunderbird, Brandon Del Mar, and Spruce Meadows. Artic's sire INDOCTRO, a Preferent stallion, was champion of his stallion test, receiving a mark of 9 five times for the jumping components. VDL ARCTIC's dam line descends from the Holsteiner stallion Olympic AHORN, a son of NIMMERDOR. In the World Federation book for sport horses, ARCTIC's pedigree combines very strong jumping lines with international competitors numbering over 230. VDL ARCTIC is an excellent jumper, and a good mover. He has a super work ethic and proves his prepotency as a sire by passing along these traits to his offspring.
Caro's Choice' pedigree contains the grandest of the great Thoroughbred sport horse bloodlines: Round Table/Princequillo, Bull Lea/Teddy, and the French Grey Tourbillon. These sires dominated in producing both the hunters and show jumping champions of the last quarter century as documented by Dr. Birdsall.


Please remove all outdoor shoes before entering the studios.
WHY? The Broadway Arts Centre studio floors have a very special marley and sprung flooring. They can easily be damaged by sand, dirt, salt, or mud. Students often work in bare feet or roll around on the floor, therefore, we strive to keep the dance studio clean so we can focus on performing our best!
Students' belongings and costumes should be marked with their name.
WHY? Students have the same attire for classes, so it is easy to confuse one another's belongings. Label your belongings to avoid misplacing them.
Place belongings in a cubby or on the coat racks.
WHY? Who likes a messy room? Plus, it will help in keeping track of your belongings and avoid tripping over things left on the ground.
We ask that all students/parents clean up after themselves.
WHY? So we can focus on our dancing, singing, or acting and not cleaning. Please put garbage in the bins provided. Please put recycling in the bins provided. Please wash your dishes.
WHY? The change room and common area are not supervised by BAC staff.
Students should arrive 15 minutes before their class and be ready 5 minutes before their class start time.
WHY? Find a parking spot, take off shoes, hang up coat, use the washroom, get a drink, have a snack, put your hair in a bun or ponytail, put on your class attire, review your lines or choreography, stretch, and say hi to your friends. How long did that take? If you are not early, you are late. If you miss even the first minute of class you are behind and missing out.
Parents should always supervise any children under 8 years old.
Follow the dress code. That means your hair too! And wear small pieces of jewelry only!
WHY? The dress code has specific attire because it will help you learn and work your best. In the right attire, the teacher can see your alignment and train you in proper alignment. Looking professional says you respect yourself, your teachers and BAC.
Only water in the dance studio please. Please enjoy any nut free snacks in the common area.
WHY? Remember the floors are special? We don't want any critters moving into the studios! And we don't want to harm anyone with allergies!
Studios can only be entered upon the invitation of the teacher.
WHY? Injuries can happen with simply running around a studio without supervision.
Please do not hang on the barres.
WHY? They are not meant for hanging on and you will seriously injure yourself.
WHY? Smudge marks are distracting and take a long time to clean.
Parents please do not enter a dance studio in the middle of a class.
WHY? We are up to some exciting dancing, singing, and acting here at BAC. Please don't disrupt the flow and concentration of a class. If you must enter please talk to the administration staff first.
Please call the Broadway Arts Centre if you are going to be late or miss a class.
WHY? We will miss you and be concerned.
Please do not miss any classes, rehearsals or performances. Familiarize yourself with the BAC yearly schedule.
WHY? Because you will miss out on exciting classes, choreography, staging, and direction.
WHY? If you think you can, you can!!!
Showing up to class every week.
Being on time and ready to work and have fun.
Come to class dressed in the proper attire.
Ask to leave the class to use the washroom.
Finishing every exercise with the best of their ability.
Practice throughout the week between classes.
• Strive to reach your potential.


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Thank you for you kind note. We will certainly let you know when the website is ready to begin accepting members.
Just a shout out on the star wars subject. I don't like star wars either. You are so right, and furthermore are so right about those people being morons!!Just keep on doing what you do, there are those of us that DO know that a lot on TV is ENTERTAINMENT, and not a total reflection of a person that we see on that same TV. Hope life stays great for you.


The study describes the assessment of mobile phone based agricultural voice messages disseminated to farmers of Cauvery delta zone in Tamil Nadu, India, during September, 2012 to June, 2013. The present study was conducted in July, 2013 for about 20 days period through telephonic interview using a well structured questionnaire with randomly selected 200 farmers across five districts (Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Thiruchirapalli, Thiruvarur and Cuddalore of Cauvery delta zone in Tamil Nadu, India). The survey results showed that majority of the farmers have adopted the agricultural information disseminated through their mobile phone. In addition, Chi square analysis showed that the farmers with irrespective of socio economic characteristics such as gender, age, education, land holding and farming experience have adopted the agricultural information. More than half of the farmers had expressed that either all or most of the agricultural information were useful. Majority of them had expressed the information received on their mobile phone were trust worthy. With reference to satisfaction level of farmers, almost all the farmers were very satisfied with audio quality, simplicity of language and contents of voice messages. Majority of the farmers' have indicated that the mobile voice messages were of better as compared to other sources of information that they were accessing.


Artstripe no 12 is an ironic commentary on the relationship between the office and the world, order and chaos, vitality and routine.
With a gesture which is as confident as it is playful, the artist Marlene Hausegger transforms the over-scaled artstripe into a huge and quasi-public desk onto which she piles those classic office accessories which, according to current office guidelines, should remain hidden.
This deliberate breach of the office's "Clean Desk Policy" sheds light upon the quality of these relics and signs of use which are normally eliminated.
Marlene Hausegger studied at the University of Applied Arts and the École des Beaux Arts in Montpellier. She is particularly interested in the hidden limitations and restricted possibilities of social situations, which she primarily discovers in the public realm and highlights with the use of such simple media as coloured film, sticky tape and chalk. The results of this work are often temporary interventions and installations - as well as the accompanying drawings which are notable for their formal lightness, cryptic humour and visual power.
Marlene Hausegger features constantly in exhibitions and festivals in Austria and abroad.


Rebel coalition begins lightning conquest of last city in Idlib province on Turkish border still held by government.
A rebel coalition led by Al Qaeda's Syrian affiliate edged into the last remaining government-held city in the northwest province of Idlib on Thursday, a monitoring group said.
"The march of lions has begun...Let Allah liberate Ariha," the Army of Conquest's official Twitter account posted.
The coalition, which includes Al Qaeda branch Nusra Front, has won a series of victories in Idlib, including the provincial capital on March 28 and the key town of Jisr al-Shughur on April 25.
Many government forces retreated from these areas to Ariha, which Abdel Rahman said was heavily defended by fighters from Iran and its Lebanese Shi'ite terror proxy Hezbollah.


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Danielle Waterman
20th Jan 1985 1.65m/64kg Fullback
Waterman plays for England rugby union and sevens teams. Winning multiple 6 Nations championship, becoming world champion in 2014.
Danielle is the daughter of Jim, who played for Bath. At Palmerston North High she was one of the few girls to play with the boys.
She played for the South West regional squad when she returned to England ans was selected to the England Senior Academy at the age of 15.
Danielle made her Test debut in 2003 against Ireland. At the time, 18-year-old, Waterman became the youngest girl to represent her country.
She won England's Most Promising Player Award in 2006 and was the national sides vice-captain when England won the 2012 Women's European Championship.
After winning silver medals at the 2006/2010 World Cup, she became World Champion at the 2014 Womens World Cup, scoring a try in the final against Canada.
She was a member of the team that received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. Waterman holds a Level 3 Rugby Union coaching certificate. In 2014, she signed a professional contract with the England 7's to prepare for the 2016 Olympics.
Following some concerns with injury, she returned to the field in April 2016 at the Canada 7's scoring a try in her first game in the pool.
She went on to win the series tournament with her being selected in the team of the series.
Waterman was selected for the 2017 6 Nations squad before being called in to the squad that would represent England at the 2017 Women's World Cup.
In May 2018, Waterman announced her retirement from international rugby with immediate effect at the age of 33.
She retired at sixth on the all-time list of England Women's appearances with her 82 caps. She is also one of the leading Red Roses try scorers, having crossed the line 47 times.
(LS May 1, 2018)
Great Britain Women 7's
Fullback 2016 - present
Wasps Ladies
Fullback 2014 - 2019


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Elizabeth Chambers: Top Facts About Armie Hammer's Wife
Find out everything there is to know about Elizabeth Chambers and her life as an actress, and about her life as the wife of actor Armie Hammer!
Who is Elizabeth Chambers?
Elisabeth chambers is an American actress born in San Antonio, Texas in August of 1982. As a child, Chambers was a Girl Scout with an impressive record. Chambers credits her dad with securing the state record in Colorado for selling the most Girl Scout cookies when she was in second grade which is impressive for such a young age. Chambers says that her dad taught her everything about sales and used his time as a volunteer Girl Scout cookie mom to teach Chambers his sales tactics. Chambers took the quota that her dad set to heart and sold Girl Scout cookies in the rain, sleet and snow. Because her dad was in the wine business, Chambers also set up shop in front of local liquor stores to sell her cookies even at her young age. An entrepreneurial spirit emerged and a life of baking and hard work for was set in motion for Chambers.
Wife of Actor Armie Hammer
In May of 2010 Elizabeth Chambers married her then boyfriend Armie Hammer. Armie, short for Armand, is an actor himself. Armie Hammer is known for his role in several movies, including The Social Network and the beloved Prince Charming from the movie Mirror, Mirror. Armie Hammer also starred as the title character in The Lone Ranger and in 2016's Mine. Not only is Chambers' husband an actor, he also made his voice acting debut in 2017's Cars 3, a film produced by Disney-Pixar. Additionally, Armie Hammer's role in The Social Network as the Winklevoss twins was produced so well that viewers actually thought there were two Armie Hammer's in the world, when in fact there's only Armie Hammer playing the role of both twins with lots of creative producing and animation.
When Armie Hammer decided that Elisabeth Chambers was the woman he wanted to marry, he told his wife-to-be that he didn't want to wait. In the August 2013 issue of Town & Country, Chambers told the magazine that Armie Hammer said to her, "Look, we don't have to do this. We could just go our own ways, and then one day you'll be 40 and divorced and we'll run into each other, and we'll laugh and go out to dinner and have this same connection, and we'll wonder why we wasted all of that time. Or we could just do it now and enjoy the ride." Chambers decided to believe Armie Hammer and become his wife sooner rather than later. The two had a beautiful wedding with friends and family and have recently celebrated their seventh year wedding anniversary. Armie Hammer notoriously says that sex with his wife is different after they exchanged vows due to his respect and love for her. Armie Hammer is a romantic in real life, not just on the silver screen!
Motherhood hasn't been a cake walk for the Food Network star. Chambers has suffered from a host of pregnancy ailments, including Placenta Previa. Chambers reported that her first pregnancy with daughter Harper was a "dream" where morning sickness and fatigue didn't exist and Chambers was able to work up until the day she gave birth. Chambers even walked seven miles the day she went into labor with her daughter. Although the pregnancy went 16 days past its due date, Chambers said "I don't know if it's because I'm taking more supplements and more focused on nutrition (drinking green smoothies and protein shakes in place of red wine!), but I have to say, I feel best when I'm pregnant." Chambers opted for a natural hypno-birth and labored for 18 hours. Doting father Armie Hammer was right by his wife's side the entire time. Once she accepted her doctor's recommendation of a walking epidural, she relaxed and gave birth to her daughter within a few hours.
As rewarding and amazing as her first birth was, Chambers says that her second pregnancy was a complete 180. While her husband Armie Hammer was always supportive, she needed his assistance and support even more during the pregnancy with their son. Even though Placenta Previa plagued the pregnancy, Armie Hammer and Chambers still welcomed a healthy baby boy.
Before meeting Armie Hammer and later becoming his wife, Chambers was a television personality with a promising career of her own. Chambers played a few roles in several movies, including The Game Plan and Rolling Kansas. Since her marriage to Armie Hammer, Chambers has also served as a judge on Food Network's Cupcake Wars in addition to Sugar Showdown. Chambers gets to cut her cake and eat it too.
Elizabeth Chambers isn't just an ordinary wife to Armie Hammer and mother to their two children, Harper and Ford Douglas Armand Hammer. Chambers is also co-owner of their family bakery, BIRD Bakery located in San Antonio with her husband Armie Hammer. Clearly Chambers is putting her years as a Girl Scout selling cookies in front of liquor stores to good use.
Armie Hammer encouraged his wife to take her passion for cooking and turn it into something that could be shared with the world. In 2012, the couple opened BIRD Bakery in the glamorous Highland Park Village area. At Bird Bakery you can find pecan pie and other delicious treats. Armie Hammer and his wife also opened a second location in Dallas soon after. Even though Chambers credits her own mother with cooking every meal and being a real life example of a super mom, Chambers admits that both she and Armie Hammer have to work diligently to keep family time focused on the family.
Being the owner of two businesses, the wife of an actor and the mother of two beautiful children isn't easy, but Elisabeth Chambers makes it look like a cake walk…or a pan of brownies.
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Gaia Coordination Unit 6 responsible for the spectroscopic reduction at their last meeting in December 2017 in Paris (France). Picture taken by Steve Baker.
The premises of CU6 were laid in the late 90's, when the early Gaia concepts were being developed and a spectrometer, the Radial Velocity Spectrometer (RVS), was incorporated into the payload. Gaia was originally intended to be an astrometric mission, akin to its predecessor Hipparcos, but one of the lessons learned from Hipparcos was the importance of radial velocity to complement astrometric information and collect 3D-motion information to help understand the kinematics of our Milky Way.
As soon as the RVS concept was born, a small group of people started to work independently on instrumental requirements and simulations. When Gaia was announced as a "cornerstone" mission by ESA in 2000, making the RVS dream become true, more people joined. The RVS Working group was created in 2001, with the main task of refining the scientific objectives and supporting the industry to convert the scientific specifications into technical specifications. Much work was dedicated to proto-typing the RVS and simulating data to assess the performances that could be achieved with this instrument.
Gaia feasibility was accepted in 2006, leading to the creation of the Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC). On this occasion, the RVS Working group was renamed Coordination Unit 6 (CU6). The task of CU6 was to prepare the treatment of the RVS data, with as main objective the extraction of radial velocities. The development of the appropriate scientific codes was entrusted to science teams from several institutes in Europe (Meudon Observatory, MSSL, AIP, Universities of Antwerp, Bordeaux, Brussels, Liege, Ljubljana, Montpellier) and one in Africa (as one scientist moved to the University of Algiers). The responsibility of Data Processing was entrusted to CNES in Toulouse, together with the responsibility of producing the spectroscopic pipelines and of integrating the scientific codes in a specific infrastructure able to treat a large amount of data.
The development of sophisticated algorithms required hard work by the science institutes for several years, in the same way as the development of the pipeline infrastructure at CNES. Interestingly, the development of sophisticated algorithms to treat the complex RVS data was not the most difficult task of CU6. The biggest challenge was to make all software work together in the pipeline infrastructure and to understand the real nature of the input data, which result from treatment by the upstream Coordination Units.
The expertise of the people involved was fundamental to make the complex pipeline system work, but what also turned out to be a crucial element for overcoming the obstacles involved was efficient communication. Indeed, the fact that the integration and the science teams were not collocated could have been an obstacle to CU6 achievements. The two teams speak different languages, and what is obvious for the science team is not necessarily so for the technical integration team, and vice versa. Also, as expected, the two teams have different priorities: the science team would like to continuously develop/improve/alter their codes, while the technical team requires a stable code to integrate. The time dedicated to efficient communication and adapting to each other's needs was salutary from this point of view.
In the end, thanks to the hard work of the entire CU6 team and the 'body and soul' dedication of a small group of people, the pipeline became operational. Operations started on July 2016 and the processing, re-processing and validation of Gaia Data Release 2 data for over a year led to the amazing results we are publishing in Gaia DR2.
The Gaia DR2 radial velocities are the result of years of hard work by the CU6. Thank you CU6!
This is only the first step, as Gaia DR2 focused on the "easy" part of RVS data, corresponding to bright stars. Much work remains to be accomplished to enable the pipeline to process data for fainter stars. The CU6 team will continue to strive together to reach the goals of future releases.


The summer is here, sun is shining, so the women are beautiful! It's cherry and a perfect's heaven to play with with a game. So, let us cut melonwaters using a bokken (a wooden katana) with this particular addicive hot game. Actually, let that girl in bikini cut melonwaters. Here the principles: to triumph, the melonwaters, maybe not the melonwaters must be cut on by her with a face. 1 point two points for an ideal cut, for a simple cut. You ought to reach point to place the counter. Beware! A time limit is there. Ultimately, the level is rather easy to finish, however, the second means no mistake whatsoever with just a perfect cut! The worst thing is to start from the start of the game each single time you lose. A challenge to the players!


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42nd Cairo International Film Festival in jeopardy amid coronavirus lockdown
If the festival is not canceled or postponed, other options include reducing activities, having minimal attendance, and online streaming
Eslam Omar , Monday 1 Jun 2020
Venice Film Festival: A 'sign of hope' for Cinema amid coronavirus pandemic
Amid global lockdown measures caused by the coronavirus pandemic and with only a few months left till the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), organisers are facing a tough decision that will determine the fate of the 42nd edition of the festival.
With the spread of the virus obstructing filming globally, top cinema festivals have been forced to postpone or cancel this year's editions, including Cannes, which was cancelled in May. However, some festivals will proceed, including the Venice festival, whose planners announced days ago that they will hold minimal activities in their upcoming edition in September, despite the tough conditions in Italy.
The CIFF director Mohamed Hefzy has announced that a detailed press release will be issued by the festival's board this week to address enquiries regarding the future of the CIFF's 42nd edition.
The board of the festival, which is scheduled for November, has been in ongoing meetings and discussions since the crisis broke out, but the final decision still has not been made given that is it unclear how long the crisis will last and when travel will resume.
On Sunday, the CIFF's artistic director Ahmed Shawky told a radio station that "all scenarios are still possible amid the current situation."
"We have been in discussions over the past two months. Circumstances could force cancelation, but the most agreed upon plan so far is to prepare normally for the next edition while taking into consideration all possible expectations," explained the Egyptian film critic.
While other festivals have been suspended in Egypt, ideas like reducing activities, holding the festival without public attendance or turning to online streaming platforms are possible options for the CIFF as well.
"I think we must plan for it to be held as scheduled in case changes happen," prominent Egyptian critic Tarek El-Shennawy, a member of the CIFF consultancy panel, told Ahram Arabic news website earlier on Monday.
"But from my point of view, I believe we can't present a final decisive vision before August," added El-Shennawy, explaining that Egyptians should look to the Venice festival preparations.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture in Egypt and sponsored by many public and private entities, the 41st edition of the CIFF, named after former longtime artistic director Youssef Cherif Rizkallah, was quite successful, screening over 150 films from 63 countries and holding various parallel activities.
Under the helm of prominent filmmaker Hefzy, new categories have been added to the competitions and various panels and workshops have made a big part of the prestigious festival, with side events like Cairo Industry Days proving to be a success.
Currently, all movie theatres are closed in the 100-million-strong country, same as all cultural, sports and entertainment venues, with the number of recorded infections surpassing 25,000 and with almost 1,000 dead.
With airports closed, Egypt has applied stricter precautionary measures this week in addition to the 8pm-to-5am curfew, including obligatory facemasks at public venues and on transportation.
So far, the coronavirus has infected over 6.1 million globally and caused the death of over 370,000 people.
For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture
Cairo International Film Festival
Mohamed Hefzy
Ahmed Shawky
Tarek El-Shennawy
Cannes Venice
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Mr. and Mrs. R.U.A. Client are 36 and 32 respectively, and they have two children. They're both planning to retire when Mr. Client turns 65 years old, and hope to enjoy many years of retirement.
Right now, they have a household income of $85,000 (pre-tax) and they'd like to maintain that standard of living at retirement, which means receiving 75 percent of their current income. The couple do not have company pension plans, but they anticipate receiving CPP upon retirement as well as OAS at the age of 65. They currently have $30,000 saved in RSPs and are both contributing $150/month to an RSP. They have some non-registered funds and are contributing $4,000/year to an RESP, but they anticipate using these funds for their children's education.
If they continue their current annual savings, their retirement funds will grow to $1,011,219 (wiith an anticipated 8% return on investment). This will leave them with a shortfall of $74,209.
The couple still has close to 20 years to prepare for retirement, so they have time to make changes to their plan to attain their goals. For example, if they increase their RRSP contributions by only $50 to $200/month they would meet their plan – with a surplus. This example shows you how important it is to start planning for your retirement early.
Our financial planning software graphs retirement investments required with shortfalls/surpluses, wealth accumulation and income needs during retirement.


Vast pipeline systems in Mexico crucial to delivering U.S. natural gas production to thirsty markets in Mexico remain stalled with little clarity as to when they might come online.
The 2.6 Bcf/d Sur de Texas-Tuxpan marine pipeline, stretching from South Texas to Veracruz in Mexico, set to start for months now, is the most visible of these projects.
Now, Energy ministry Sener said in its latest development update the project should be online this month. But reports in Mexico this week said environmental agency Semarnat has yet to sign off on the use of coastal zones for the project, while the Secretaría de Communicaciones y Transportes (SCT) hasn't rubber-stamped the construction of docking stations and piers in Río Tamiahua, in Veracruz.
An industry source told NGI's Mexico GPI that June is a more likely date for operations to start, echoing the projection given this week by Miguel Reyes, the director general of CFEnergía, which is the fuel marketing arm of Mexican state power utility Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE).
"We hope that it goes into operation this quarter," TransCanada Mexico's Rolando Martínez D Meza, business development and marketing manager, told NGI's Mexico GPI.
The good news is that the 500 MMcf/d interconnection to the main Sistrangas network is complete, which means immediate market access to receive gas imported from the United States when the pipe is up and running.
During a "consulta publica" roadshow that is still ongoing, pipeline operator Cenagas said the Cempoala compressor station had completed the initial phase of its reconfiguration, allowing for gas from the marine pipeline to reach gas-deprived Southeast Mexico, which suffers from recurring gas shortages and power outages.
The pipeline eventually is to connect to the 886 MMcf/d Tuxpan-Tula and Tula-Villa de Reyes pipelines, allowing U.S. gas to flow to industry and power generators in Central Mexico, but both projects are stalled because of community objections and ongoing consultations with government agencies; the exact startup of each remains uncertain.
Originally slated to come online in late 2017, the Sener document has Tula-Villa de Reyes and Tuxpan-Tula online by the end of the year.
The delays are particularly frustrating given absurdly cheap and at times negative natural gas prices in Texas, as well as the fact that cross-border capacity is abundant. Shippers are simply waiting on the start-up of Mexican projects to proceed.
For example, Valley Crossing Pipeline, the U.S. system that feeds the Sur de Texas-Tuxpan line, issued a nomination notice on its electronic bulletin board in early February.
Meanwhile just this week, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission gave the go-ahead to the Kinder Morgan Inc. compression project Sierrita, which is to expand cross border capacity allowing for more Permian Basin gas to get into Northwest Mexico.
On the Mexican side of the border, another pipeline system that has seen long delays is the Wahalajara pipeline being built by privately held Mexican developer Fermaca. Once completed, Wahalajara would connect the Waha hub in West Texas to the city of Guadalajara in west-central Mexico.
This is particularly urgent given that the Waha hub saw negative natural gas prices last week, and producers were paying consumers to offtake their gas.
Wahalajara is set to come online in May, according to the Sener document, though permitting issues continue to hold back progress meaning that the speed at which red-tape advances will ultimately determine the progress of this and other pipeline projects in the country.


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Luxembourg Herald
Fresh News from the heart of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Blockchain technology for enhanced transparency
1st January 2022 Finance 144
While there have been plenty of innovative developments in banking and finance, there are also challenges, from know-your-customer automation to cybersecurity. This section reflects on this rapid evolution, beginning with a discussion with HSBC's Luxembourg country CISO, Krystina Gray.
Digitalisation of the economy and big data are constantly reshaping the organisational design of the financial sector. As 4.6bn people regularly interact via social media, businesses are now creating data via media services while digitalised government-to-citizen services multiply, and data is steadily growing.
Furthermore, the Internet of Things (IoT) regularly produces swathes of data which, if effectively harnessed, can allow businesses to provide added value, generate adaptive responses, give insights into finance trends and possibilities, deliver deep analytics and customise the user experience in real time.
Soon machine-learning tools will interrogate big data platforms and assess patterns and trends, track developments, identify market opportunities or risks, or predict consumer preferences. In the financial sector, digitalisation uses advanced analytic systems, machine learning (ML), optimal character recognition, artificial intelligence (AI), robotic process automation and distributed ledger technology.
Blockchain technology (BT) is considered one of the pillars of industry 4.0, and one which allows for novel business models. In finance, BT is referred to as distributed ledger technology, allowing users to add to the ledger without liaising with a centralised authority. Blockchain can be applied to numerous recordkeeping tasks, and as more agents manage their documents via blockchain applications, it will provide for enhanced transparency, as select users can trace the information to the source, altogether reducing time and paper inefficiencies.
HSBC is one such company investing in and developing BT in a bid to improve efficiency, transparency and security across established networks. As its Luxembourg country chief information security officer (CISO) and head of resilience risk Krystina Gray explains, since May 2018, the bank "has completed trade transactions involving millions of dollars" through a platform of which it was a founder.
BT has also been the modus operandi for letters of credit, as this is a fast and secure alternative, "reduc[ing]… processing time from between five and 10 days to a matter of hours." HSBC is also a part of eTradeConnect, the first blockchain trade finance platform in Hong Kong, and is one of the 12 banks participating in we.trade, a European-based joint venture providing a blockchain platform for open account trade transactions.
Automation and artificial intelligence
Robotic process automation (RPA) implies the use of software robots programmed to enter into applications, retrieve data, undertake calculations and instructions and, once the task is complete, they log out. RPA is intelligent automation, where machines perform tasks and make decisions on their own, can be coupled with ML software for client management.
Moreover, new generation RPA systems incorporate learning capabilities, entering the realm of AI. ML is operated by algorithms that increase organisational performance by processing structured data, recognising patterns and generating auto-corrective behaviour. Deep learning focuses on unstructured data and abstract data coming from exchanges between communications platforms and devices, such as the IoT. AI covers everything from business operations, customer service, marketing and risk management.
Gray stated that in Hong Kong, AI and ML technologies are used to ensure ATM replenishments, reducing the number of delivery journeys and CO2 emissions. 96.7% of payments made in the first six months of this year were processed without any manual intervention, allowing its personnel to focus on excellent customer service.
AI systems can process big data in real time, and organisations engaged in big data can perceive huge benefits. Learning algorithms allow advanced analytics with mathematical models embedded in software and sensitised to data patterns to forecast future trends.
HSBC's Luxembourg country CISO, Krystina Gray Photo: HSBC
HSBC has a particular advantage, as it owns the information on its more than 40m customers worldwide. "Using tools such as artificial intelligence, we can analyse customers' behaviour, compare it with that of similar customers and identify anomalies for review." Gray argues that systemic biases in the data or any other concerns are dealt with immediately, as "HSBC reviews findings and passes on the right information to the right people in a timely way–both at the bank and in law enforcement agencies."
Cybersecurity, essential at HSBC
Businesses are increasingly connected to the internet and digital systems, implying exposure to cyberattacks. Aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information, extorting money from users, or interrupting the business processes, cyberattacks are the 5th top-rated risk and have become the new norm across public and private sectors. According to US-based insurance broker Embroker, by 2025, cybercrime will cost companies worldwide an estimated €9.04trn annually.
Cyberattacks' consequences can impact business for weeks, months, and even years, leading to financial losses, loss of productivity, reputation damage, and legal liabilities. Banks and financial institutions are prone to cyberattacks, as they gather credit card information, bank account information and personal customer or client data.
Gray, whose role requires working closely with cyber and IT teams, admits that the financial services industry faces increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity threats. HSBC has a robust cybersecurity structure and resourcing models built around key cyber capabilities with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Its security operations centre provides proactive 24/7 monitoring, technical analysis support and threat responses.
She explains that the bank strongly invests in technical controls designed to prevent, detect and respond to cybersecurity risks, including participating in working groups and industry bodies sharing information on new tactics and approaches.
Moreover, "we operate a regular internal threat-led testing, continuous vulnerability scanning and assurance regime to continuously test our cyber control environment in line with the latest threats. During 2019 and 2020, we completed several cyber-related simulation exercises… Additionally, our cyber control maturity is assessed annually by an appointed external auditing body." HSBC periodically informs its customers, runs cyber awareness campaigns and even has a dedicated training programme.
"Over the span of my career, I have been involved in preventing unauthorised access, exercising the 'need-to-know' and 'least privilege' security principles, creating secure communication channels, encrypting data, preventing attackers from intercepting, through 'man-in-the-middle' attacks and making data inaccessible if obtained. Nowadays, I am responsible for ensuring risks identification and applying the proper controls, which in itself is an important solution to preventing potential cyber threats."
A force for empowerment
Gray also serves as vice president of Women4Cyber, which promotes women professionals and facilitates their access to professions in the field, raises awareness on the subject through conferences and training, creates networking opportunities with domestic and foreign entities and supports the EU's gender strategies.
In Luxembourg and across the EU, Gray constantly advocates for the cybersecurity profession, especially for women. "I strive to provide women and my children with examples of women in leadership roles and removing gender biases. I'm very fortunate that I can do this through Women Cyber Force and Women4Cyber Luxembourg," Gray says. "We want to create long-lasting career choices for women, either via mentoring and empowering or via keeping a network for future work opportunities within the field and by helping each other."
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