He first made his international mark at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in 1970 when he was the only athlete who could foot it with the great Kenyan, Kip Keino, in the 1500 metres, and won the silver medal.
Injury and form lapses dogged Quax's career but all came right for him in 1976 and 1977 when he was second to Lasse Viren in the 5000 metres at the Montreal Olympics and in Stockholm in 1977, he set a world 5000 metres record.
Quax had also taken time out from the track to help New Zealand win the world cross-country team title in 1975 and later in his career, turned to the road to run a debut marathon in 2h 11min 13sec, the fastest in the world for a first-timer.
He had also combined for two other world records, the four by one mile relay (the last to be recognised for the distance) and the four by 1500m relay (which wasn't recognised because one of the opposing runners ran a leg without the baton).
Quax continued his involvement in athletics as a successful coach and promoter.


A girl who can travel through time meets a man who lives a torpid life. Kim Hye Ja is a bright and positive 26-year-old woman who wishes to become an announcer. One day, she gains the ability to exploit time and from there, is involved in a complicated timeline as a 70-year-old. Lee Joon Ha is a man who wishes to become a reporter. He worked hard to reach his goal, but now throws away his time and lives lethargically. When the two opposites meet in a complicated time, a love story begins to unfold.


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Board of Directors Team
Technology Digital Media and Media Consumer, Retail, E-commerce and Leisure Healthcare Industrials and Industrial Technology Business Services
Mergers & Acquisitions Debt Advisory and Financial Restructuring Equity Capital Markets
Sector Reports & Market Updates
News Press Contacts Newsletter
Consumer, Retail, E-commerce and Leisure
Deal Value
Deal Team
Dr. Martin Kühner, Madeleine Jahr, Fabian Lautenschlager, Nicolas Borchard, Ann-Sophie Bauwens-Adenauer
GCA Altium advises The Corner Berlin on its sale to Lampe Privatinvest
GCA Altium acted as exclusive financial advisor to the shareholders of The Corner GmbH in Berlin, a leading European luxury multi-brand concept store, on its sale to Lampe Privatinvest, a subsidiary of Bankhaus Lampe, part of the German Oetker Group.
The Corner Berlin operates concept stores in Berlin and distributes its high-end fashion and lifestyle products online via Farfetch. Its exclusive range of products comprises renowned luxury fashion brands such as Céline, Dior, Gucci and Balenciaga and focuses on bestselling pieces from first line collections as well as carefully selected lifestyle items to create an inviting and inspiring shopping atmosphere. Furthermore, The Corner Berlin is the exclusive dealer for outstanding products such as the Apple Watch, which was initially only available in The Corner Berlin and five other stores worldwide. Between 2012-2016, the company's sales growth of 31% p.a. and a strong EBITDA margin of over 20% significantly outperformed the market.
Lampe Privatinvest Management GmbH is an investment company specializing in growth capital and buyout investments. The firm invests in small and medium-sized companies that are headquartered in German-speaking countries. The investment in The Corner Berlin represents an opportunity for Lampe Privatinvest to participate in the continuation of an exceptional growth story together with the founding shareholders.
Josef Voelk, CEO and Founder of The Corner Berlin, said: "We thank GCA Altium for their valuable support during this intense transaction. GCA Altium's unique sector expertise and skilled execution helped to achieve an outstanding result for all parties."
This is the latest in a series of major fashion and luxury transactions advised on by GCA Altium, which includes advising Breitling on the sale of an 80% majority stake to CVC, KICKZ on its sale to Zalando, Tamedia on the sale of FashionFriends to Schustermann & Borenstein, CVC on its acquisition of Douglas from Advent International, mytheresa.com/THERESA. on its sale to the Neiman Marcus Group and Ulysse Nardin on its sale to Kering.
Related Transactions
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GCA is a trade name for GCA Corporation and its subsidiaries and other affiliates which include:
• GCA Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, registered broker-dealer and FINRA (www.finra.org) and SIPC member firm (www.sipc.org). GCA Advisors, LLC provides independent financial advice on matters related to Mergers & Acquisitions, Debt Capital Markets, Recapitalization & Restructuring, Cross Border and Strategic Alliances, Special Committees, Private Funds, Private Placements and Venture Support. Check the background of GCA Advisors, LLC on FINRA's BrokerCheck (brokercheck.finra.org).
• GCA Altium Limited, a company providing financial advisory services in the UK, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Israel and incorporated under English law, is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom and provides independent financial advice on matters related to Mergers & Acquisitions, Debt Capital Markets, IPOs, Recapitalization & Restructuring, Cross Border and Private Placements.
• GCA Corporation, a company incorporated in Japan which provides financial advisory services on matters related to Mergers & Acquisitions, Cross Border, Private Placements & IPOs, Growth Strategy Services, and Post-Merger Integration.
• GCA China Company, Limited, a company incorporated in Shanghai which provides financial advisory services in China on matters related to Mergers & Acquisitions, Cross Border, Mezzanine Financing, Growth Strategy Services, Due Diligence and Post-Merger Integration.
• GCA India Company, Limited, a company incorporated in Mumbai which provides financial advisory services in India on matters related to Mergers & Acquisitions, Cross Border, Mezzanine Financing, Growth Strategy Services, Due Diligence and Post-Merger Integration.
• AMPLIA, a subsidiary of GCA Corporation in Japan, provides Venture Support services in Japan and the US.
• GCA FAS, a subsidiary of GCA Corporation in Japan, provides Due Diligence advisory services and M&A transaction services.
• MCo Corporation, a subsidiary of GCA Corporation in Japan, provides Mezzanine Financing in Japan.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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LaBonge is being remembered for a life of dedication to the city he loved. His passion and familiarity with L.A. culture and history had earned him the nickname "Mr. Los Angeles."
Before joining the Council, he was Director of Community Relations at the Department of Water and Power and Special Assistant to Mayor Richard Riordan. Even after he retired from public office in 2015, he remained a champion of preservation efforts in the Hollywood Hills and Griffith Park.
"From the revitalization of Hollywood to the preservation of Silver Lake, there was no better friend or partner I ever had," said L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti. "No one knew more Angelenos, no person gave more waking hours to our city, no one was a greater cheerleader for our town than Tom."
Read more about LaBonge's life and passing at the Los Angeles Times.


text:
Our build
China is still a major player in the Australian Property Market.
Despite Beijing's recent restrictions on offshore company investment China's presence in Australia's property market remains very strong, accounting for a third of national development sites.
A recent study by Knight Frank exposed Chinese investment in Australia to the tune of $2.02 billion worth of development site sales, across 2017, with the average site measuring 21,785 sqm.
More stringent mortgage lending by local banks, plus tighter controls by the Chinese Government to stem the flow of capital fleeing offshore,
has cooled Chinese demand for Australian property over the last 12 months.
According to Michelle Ciesielski, Knight Frank head of residential research, Chinese buying had tripled in size since 2013, to reach 38% in 2016. The figure has since decreased to 33%.
The Chinese interest has lessened only slightly. With so much capital in play it's not surprising the Australian and Chinese Governments have kept a close watch on accompanying lending regulations.
In Australia APRA (Australian Prudential Regulation Authority) has encouraged stricter controls by local financial institutions, while the Chinese Government and China's Central Bank have applied new rules to companies making Yuan denominated loans to entities overseas.
Melbourne and Sydney still the target
Chinese investors continue to target Sydney and Melbourne and for any new Chinese developers entering the market, transactions will be dependent on being able to transfer their funds.
But in mid 2017 this was relaxed a little, producing a boost in investor confidence and activity. The Chinese dominate foreign investment in Australian residential development sites and many Chinese companies are now firmly established.
Chinese developers are diversifying
As Chinese developers gain experience in Australia there is more diversification – besides higher-density projects many developer portfolios are including medium and lower density sites as well.
Lower density developments have also become more popular with local Australian developers, particularly in New South Wales with the release of the Medium Density Design Guide draft having been released, encouraging this section of the market. According to Dominic Ong, Head of Knight Frank Asian markets, "This style of project tends to have fewer hurdles with the imposed lending restrictions, and overall, lowers deliver-risk for the developer".
What are smaller Chinese investors buying now?
The average Chinese investor knows little about Australia and Australian property. They rely heavily on marketing groups and agents to steer them through the complex regulations to the types of Australian property they want. And this has become a branch industry in itself. At the start of the Chinese surge into the Australian market several years ago it was mostly 1 and 2 bedroom off-the-plan apartments in Sydney and Melbourne that were most popular, priced under $500,000.
By 2018, despite the marketing of Brisbane, Perth and Gold Coast and other cities, Melbourne and Sydney still dominate. Now Chinese investors are showing growing interest in house and land packages. Townhouses are being increasingly sought after – because of the land component and larger living areas. There's high-level interest from Chinese selling agents in quality projects in blue-chip locations, especially near good schools or universities.
Once congregating in more limited conclaves, Chinese investors and immigrants are transforming entire middle class suburbs in Melbourne, with the wave of investment and arrivals.
Local bank lending restrictions and tighter offshore buyer regulations put some downward pressure on demand in 2017, but the buyers are resilient and demand remains strong. Many Chinese investors are cash buyers, with a full 82% of Chinese buyers having enough capital in hand to settle their property purchase without needing finance at all.
In Australia, the Chinese market is big and it's growing. With an overall population of 1.4 billion people, there are 74 million residents in China's 4 biggest cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Tianjin alone.
The burgeoning middle classes there are constantly increasing their wealth and targeting offshore strategies to secure their families' future financial security with investments outside China.
'Fast Tracked' policy push brings more medium density homes to NSW
Developing the new trend: How townhouses are evolving across Melbourne
Melbourne property market cools – auction clearance rates drop across suburbs.
NSW government gets medium density housing approvals back on-track
Melbourne has to choose a future: Spread like LA, or go up like Manhattan?
Urban Melbourne turns to Townhouses
Factory 6/ 19-25 Duerdin Street,
Notting Hill, Victoria, 3168
© Saw Constructions


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STS vs Bush - DVD - in support of Splitting the Sky: the man who tried to arrest George Bush
Joe Wed, 12/02/2009 - 6:15am
http://www.splittingthesky.net/
Tue, December 1, 2009
Dear fellow Truth, Peace and Justice activists,
as you may know, on March 17th, 2009 Splitting the Sky (aka John Boncore) was arrested and charged with obstruction (as he fully expected) when he tried, peacefully, to serve George W. Bush with a citizen's warrant, and to arrest him to stand trial for war crimes and torture. In doing so, he sacrificed himself for ALL of us who are concerned with Truth, Peace and Justice, and who want accountability for what has been done in our names in Iraq and Afghanistan.
STS will stand trial beginning March 8th, 2010. He has been granted a 5 day trial to present evidence of war crimes and torture, as well as the involvement of the Bush regime in the events of 9/11, to justify his actions under the legal principle of "Civil Resistance". This has NEVER been done in Canada before and could set an important legal precedent.
He has an excellent legal team that includes for US Attorney General Ramsey Clark, Charles Davison and Gail Davidson (Lawyers Against the War)
He has the full support of former Congress Woman and Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney, as well as Dr. David Ray Griffin, Prof. Peter Dale Scott, Prof. Anthony J. Hall, Prof. Kevin Barrett, and many other notables too.
This case will, however, be costly!
You can help STS by helping to raise donations for his Legal Defence Fund by downloading, burning and offering this DVD to the public during your street actions or public events. And please be sure to give this case a mention whenever possible in public, as it is not receiving the attention it deserves.
Info page:
http://www.archive.org/details/STSvsBush-DVD-Image
DVD image (2.8 GB) (free download)
STSvsBush.iso
STSvsBush-DVD-cover.pdf
We suggest a $10 donation for each DVD.


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Organic farming is sustainable, meets the needs and standards of the modern consumer, and also supports small and cooperative farming enterprises that place an emphasis on fair working conditions.
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The 2018 Honda Odyssey is available now at Rossi Honda. It offers many features that keep passengers comfortable and connected, check them out here!


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Three aspects of the US system
While the world remains riveted on the US election process, friction in the wheels of the smooth transfer of power leaves questions arising as to the health of the American polity
Abdel Moneim Said , Tuesday 24 Nov 2020
I hope readers don't get turned off by the ongoing commentary and analysis of the American question. Bear in mind that an element of fatigue is the counterpoint to the extreme excitement and concern stirred by the US presidential elections and sitting for hours on end switching back and forth between CNN and Fox News to follow what is happening on the other side of the Atlantic, despite the time lag.
There has been no sleight of hand in the explanations of the legal and constitutional rules and no hyperbole in repeated and now actualised predictions that Trump would not leave the White House peacefully, and that he would cast aspersions on the integrity of the elections, accuse his Democratic adversaries of fraud and stay in the White House as long as the law permits.
By the way, this is not the first time this phenomenon has occurred in US history. The precedent was set by the second president, John Adams (1798-1801), who had served as George Washington's vice president for eight years. His sole term was also characterised by bitter hatred, rancour and polarisation between his Federalist Party (the equivalent of the Republican Party today) and the then Republican Party (the equivalent of the Democratic Party today), led by Thomas Jefferson who would become the third president (1801-1809).
The reasons for the differences between the two sides are not of concern here. What matters is that the final days of Adams' term occasioned intense litigation, debate and mutual mudslinging which culminated in Adams' departure from the White House (which he was the first to inhabit) at the last moment and his return to Boston with no farewell and without attending the inauguration of his successor.
But when I say that a similar scenario is playing out today, my point is not "the more things change the more they remain the same," but rather that the US political system could probably use some reform. The abovementioned problem with Adams gave rise to the 12th amendment in order to make the electoral process smoother and easier to validate. Given that the world has changed quite a bit since then, is a new amendment in order?
There is an obvious legal/constitutional aspect to this matter that is not as straightforward as it may appear. On the surface, there is no question of the legitimacy of the process, as Joe Biden has won both the popular vote and a majority of Electoral College votes. However, Trump's charges of electoral fraud are not entirely unfounded.
The Democrats' claim that the instances of dead people voting or forged signatures on mail-in ballots are too few to have made a significant difference in the outcome is a practical argument, not a legal one. Calling Trump stubborn and ignorant because he has been unable to furnish evidence of major fraud that would have had a significant impact on the results does not refute the existence of the crime per se, in what Biden supporters and even defectors from the Trump camp have called the "most honest" electoral process.
Around 3,000 pro-Trump ballots (reported variously at 2,700 and 3,301) had initially been eliminated and then suddenly discovered in the recounts. That this could have happened in the land of Apple, Microsoft and Silicon Valley gives a face to some legal and constitutional flaws, one that runs counter to the general trend elsewhere in the world. In other countries, it is those in power who commit the electoral fraud whereas in this case it was the opposition.
The political aspect of the problem seems more fundamentally American. In the case of Adams versus Jefferson, the two sides locked horns over the Anglo-French conflict at the time of the French Revolution and, domestically, over the Alien and Sedition acts. Today, the Trump and Biden camps have locked horns over the US's transactions with the world abroad and over immigration and the media at home. Yet, Trump is not Adams and Biden is not Jefferson. Also, Americans today are sharply divided over almost all vital issues that concern their country, from the US's world leadership to healthcare.
Alongside these is the old tug-of-war over federal versus state powers. Equally old are the disputes over Black (former slaves) and other minority rights, even though the Declaration of Independence states that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." They say the devil lurks in the details. Here he lurks in the laws that translate the constitution into practice. These are governed by votes, Supreme Court rulings and, more importantly, the times in which the votes are cast and the Supreme Court rules.
Which brings us to the third aspect of the problem, which is ideological. In large measure this, too, dates back to the founding of the republic and the contradiction between the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. The contradiction has affected approaches to legislation and legal actions involving such grand concepts as equality, freedom and even the pursuit of happiness, a concept with a long and complex philosophical history even if advances in media technology have lent it the taint of a predatory marketplace.
In those distant days when the printed press was the sole news outlet, Adams used the media as much as his successor in the White House today, fighting journalists and adversaries whom he called "traitors" and "enemies of the people". Democrats, today, had spent much of Trump's term in the search of a direct link between him and Russian interference in the 2016 elections.
Their accusations were grounded in ideological judgements over what is moral and immoral, in which framework the Evangelicals had an important part to play in the processes of demonising the opposing camp. But what made this year's electoral battle so bloody was not just the skirmishes that erupted in major US cities after the murder of George Floyd, but also the political rift that paralysed the US legislature to the dismay of the American people and the amazement of the rest of the world.
The three aforementioned aspects of the current American question do not exclude the existence of others. Some of these are shaped by current socioeconomic conditions while others are as old as the republic and, to judge by the recent electoral experience, will grow much, much older.
Yet other facets have to do with the geography of industry and technology in the US. It is no coincidence that the blue states are the coastal industrial ones where there are high concentrations of advanced technology centres and higher levels of education, while the red states are located the rural, agricultural and oil producing southern and inland parts of the country. Given the electoral climate that occasioned the largest turnout in US history, with about 150 million votes cast, the divide in the US is not just legal, political and ideological, but consummately demographic and geographic.
When all is said and done, Americans can feel happy that the whole world is still riveted on their elections. What they do not know or prefer to ignore or, like their president, do not even care about is that the rest of the world might reach conclusions that many in the US would rather not contemplate. Such conclusions would have to do with a long list of issues, beginning with the question as to whether democracy is the best system of government, as many generations of Americans wanted the world to believe, and not ending with the question as to the centrality of the US in a world where rivals are converging on the helm.
*The writer is chairman of the board, CEO and director of the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies.
*A version of this article appears in print in the 26 November, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
Abdel Moneim Said


Muscle relaxant drugs are drugs designed to reduce muscle tone that can get rid of pain and effectively counter the inflammatory process. One of the brightest representatives of this group is baclofen.
Baclofen is a derivative of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a brain neurotransmitter, which inhibits the action of excitatory neurotransmitters. It works by stimulating GABA receptors. The main effects of baclofen are related to its ability to remove the painful muscle spasms, which facilitates the patients mobility, thus allowing him to be more independent. It is absorbed within a half hour after being taken.
As noted above, Baclofen is a centrally acting muscle relaxant, which effectively reduces muscle tone and reduces motor activity. Nerve impulse transmission is suppressed by intermediate neurons that reduce the excitability of sensory fibers and extremities. This is why baclofen is used in the case of existing neurological diseases in which it is necessary to stop pain, spasms or convulsions. It helps to improve joint mobility, thereby making it subsequently possible to apply other treatments (physiotherapy, massage, manual therapy).
In addition, baclofen is often used in pathologies of the spinal cord from various origins, including traumatic (fracture, dislocation), degenerative (pathological process in the body), infection (in infectious inflammation). Baclofen is used to relieve spastic states, cramps and rigidity, which are observed in multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. It is also used in serious situations such as stroke, traumatic brain and spinal injuries.
Tablets can be taken even when eating. In the beginning, baclofen should be taken as doses of 5mg three times a day. At the same time every three days, a single dose should be increased by 5mg until an optimal therapeutic effect occurs. This typically occurs at a daily dose of 30 to 75mg. In any case, the maximum daily dose should not exceed 100mg. The duration of the course is defined only by a specialist. Treatment of children with this drug should also be started with a dosage of 5mg three times a day. For infants at 2 years old the dosage does not increase, 2-6 years old kids daily dosage can be increased to 30mg, and kids 6-10 years – 60mg.
With care, this drug is used in such cases as atherosclerosis, gastric ulcer disease, cerebrovascular insufficiency, and for ages 12+.
If the use of Baclofen causes chest pain, skin rashes, depression, vomiting, shortness of breath, collapse, hallucinations, visual disturbances or seizures, you should immediately contact your doctor. Abolition of the drug should be carried out gradually. The use of the drug may have a negative impact on concentration, so for the period of treatment, the patient should not drive a car.


The ISPC fully supports ICANN in its efforts to ensure that the stability and reliability of the Internet is not challenged through the addition of new generic Top level Domains. As stated previously this principle is considered to be of paramount importance to the ISPC.
Against that background ICANN is urged to adopt a stable framework against which their evaluation of the applications can take place in a coherent manner. Whilst the constituency does not see it is their role to offer comment on individual applications, in an effort to assist in advancing the very difficult task facing ICANN it would like to suggest some top level principles which would assist.
1. In keeping with the earlier debates and conclusions drawn, regardless of the number of applications received as few as possible gTLDs should be introduced this time around.
2. Every effort must be made to substantiate that all new Registries involved in the domain name space are viable. If any level of doubt exists, ICANN should not consider the matter further without concrete evidence to dispel those concerns.
4. Public benefit must be a prime consideration and this lends itself to the development of a framework which would classify the new gTLD space into categories, under which different entities could then sit e.g. garages, car sales, car repairs etc could all exist under .car. As well as aiding public understanding, this approach would also greatly assist browser functionality.
5. In the initial phase, with a limited number of gTLDs being introduced, no organisation should be considered for the delegation of more than one gTLD.
6. The full scope of each assignment should be clearly articulated in order to avoid subsequent confusion and infringement.
7. In advance of any new domain name registrations, clear guidelines should be developed regarding the registration of second level domains.
8. Applications should be assessed against a benchmark test of expanding the growth of the Internet for the overall good of the community.
9. No preferential treatment should be given to any applicant who has been involved in pre-registration activities. On the contrary such activities should be frowned upon as an act of bad faith as this clearly went against ICANN advice.
In addition to the above points the ISPC also endorses the joint statement made by the Business and Intellectual Property Constituencies covering registrar and registration procedures, UDRP and the WHOIS database.


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Comparative ReligionMonotheismArabian Peninsula
Why is it that all the main monotheistic religions were born in the Arabian Peninsula?
Jerrmein Abu Shahba,
Jerrmein Abu Shahba is originally from Egypt and has a bachelor's degree in Biology and a masters in Chemistry from Rutgers State University in the US. She is actively involved in many Islamic projects that include organizing annual youth camps, teaching Islamic subjects, writing articles and translating texts from Arabic.
Greg Sowden,
Ali Mahdi Greg Sowden studied world history at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Since then he has been a student at Al-Mustafa International University in Qom, in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Shahid Pradhan,
Shahid Pradhan is a graduate of Al-Mustafa International University, Qum. He is an activist and interested in Indian and international political and social issues.
Nour Tessie Jørgensen,
Nour Tessie Jørgensen has an MA in Islamic studies from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark and a degree in Philosophy of Ethics at Al Mustafa International University in Qum, Iran. She works as an Islamic Studies teacher and a counselor in spiritual and female-related issues.
Berak Hussain,
Berak Hussain is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) in Canada. She has a BA in Psychology and a Masters in Educational Counseling from the University of Ottawa. She speaks on a variety of Islamic and psychological issues bridging the connection and misconceptions around Islam and mental health and Islam and women. She has worked locally and internationally on a variety of mental health initiatives working tirelessly to break the stigma around the topic within the community.
Abolfazl Sabouri,
Abolfazl Sabouri is based in New Zealand and has an MA in Jurisprudence and Islamic Studies. He is a graduate of Elmiyeh seminary in Qom with more than 15 years of study and research where he has also taught Tafsir, Theology and Jurisprudence.
Shyrose Jaffer Dhalla,
Zakira Shyrose Jaffer Dhalla is a graduate of York University in Canada from where she obtained a BA in Psychology and Sociology and a Masters in the field of Education. She lectures on Islam at mosques, universities, churches and interfaith gatherings and also recites majalises in Urdu, English and Gujarati. A published freelance writer, playwright, motivational speaker and Anti-Racist Educational Counsellor by profession, she conducts workshops on Race and Cultural sensitivity and often appears on TV program panels and radio talk shows to speak on Race Relations.
Nasim Walji Pirmohamed,
Nasim Walji Pirmohamed is a religious lecturer and a teacher in Islamic Religious Education, Holy Qur'an and Arabic language. She has translated works from Persian to English, and has been very active in working for the improvement of women's condition and their mental health across many countries.
Amir De Martino,
Amir De Martino is of Italian origin and has an MA in Islamic Studies from the Islamic College and a combined BA degree in Persian Language and Studies of Religion from SOAS in London. He has also obtained a PGCE in Social Research Methods from the Department of Education at Roehampton University as part of his preparation for doctoral studies, and is a member of Westminster's Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education.
Al- Ka'ba in Makkah was the first house put by Allah (SWT) for all human beings (Aal Imran ; 96), that is why many prophets were born and lived in or near that area. It is also the place of the world gathering of Hajj. People come from all over the world to Makkah for Hajj and Umra. Prophets used to teach and guide them in every possible way.
The Arabian Peninsula is the central area of the whole world.


Stamp duties to be collected by the stock exchanges or their authorised clearing corporations and the depositories on behalf of various State Governments.
No more stamp duty waivers on transfer of securities and mutual fund units in dematerialised form.
Stamp duty considerations are important for any commercial or business transaction, especially when some States impose high stamp duties on documents to shore up their revenues, as compared to others. The Constitution of India, vide the Seventh Schedule, empowers the Union Government and the State Governments to legislate provisions regarding stamp duties as per their competence.
By virtue of the power vested in the Union Government, the Hon'ble Minister of Finance Shri Arun Jaitley had, during the budget speech of 2018-2019 announced, that reform measures with respect to stamp duty regime on financial securities transactions will be taken in consultation with the States and accordingly necessary amendments shall be made to the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 ("Stamp Act"). Consequently, the Finance Bill, 2019 ("Finance Bill"), tabled before the parliament post the budget speech of 2019-20 by the acting Hon'ble Minister of Finance Shri Piyush Goyal, introduced certain amendments to the Stamp Act that proposes to streamline the stamp duty regime on financial securities transaction in India.
In recent times, the process of financial securities transactions has evolved significantly and thus the need for the Stamp Act to keep up became imperative. Today majority of financial securities transactions are done electronically through the stock exchange or their authorised clearing corporations and the depositories. This has led to development of new and advance modes of issue or exchange of financial securities. In order to address the ambiguities and uncertainties in the stamp duty regime consequent to such technological changes, the Union Government has proposed some important reforms along with necessary clarifications. We have discussed below some of the key reforms proposed under the Finance Bill.
(a) Allotment list means a list containing details of allotment of the securities to allottees that the issuer is required to intimate to the depository, before their names are recorded as the beneficial owner of the security as per Section 8(2) of the Depositories Act, 1996.
(b) Clearance list is a list of transactions of sale and purchase relating to contracts traded on the stock exchanges. It is to be submitted to a clearing corporation in accordance with the law.
(c) The definition of Instrument, is expanded to include any document, electronic or otherwise, created for a transaction in a stock exchange or depository by which any right or liability is, or purports to be, created, transferred, limited, extended, extinguished or recorded; and any other document mentioned in Schedule I of the Stamp Act. However, the definition for the purpose of Stamp Act may not include such instruments that may be specified by the Government, by notification in the Official Gazette.
As per Section 8A (c) (ii) and (iii) of the Stamp Act, transfer of beneficial ownership of securities and the beneficial ownership of units, such units being units of a Mutual Fund including units of the Unit Trust of India established under Unit Trust of India Act, 1963, that are dealt by a depository, are not liable to stamp duty under the Stamp Act or any law for the time being in force.
The Finance Bill seeks to amend Section 8A of the Stamp Act to remove the waiver of stamp duty allowed on transfer of beneficial ownership of securities and the beneficial ownership of mutual fund units that are dealt by a depository.
Analysis: The above said waiver under the Stamp Act incentivised share transfers and investment in mutual fund units in dematerialised form due to reduced cost. However, the proposed change while at one hand will shore up revenues of the State Governments, on the other it is likely to increase the cost of commercial transactions and mutual fund investments.
Stamp Act imposes stamp duty to be paid on a note or memorandum sent by a broker or agent to its principal intimating the sale or purchase on account of such principal of any stock or marketable security. Similar provisions have also been iterated in various State stamp laws having either similar or varied rates of stamp duty. However, with the advent of proprietary trading in the Indian markets by the SEBI-registered brokers, where there is no exchange of note or memorandum between a broker and its principal and broker trades on its own account, there were uncertainties in the markets as to whether broker turnover stamp duty applies on proprietary trading.
To overcome these issues, various States including, among others, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka and West Bengal amended their respective stamp laws to levy stamp duty on any record of transaction (electronic or otherwise) effected by a trading member through a stock exchange. Consequently, all proprietary trades were made subject to stamp duty in these States.
Now, under the Finance Bill, the Union Government in consultation with the State Governments has decided to remove the requirement of broker turnover stamp duty which was payable to the State Government on any note or memorandum or any other document, electronic or otherwise, associated with transactions done through the stock exchange, and replace it with stamp duty payable on each sale or purchase of securities, whether delivery based or otherwise, through a stock exchange and consequently listed in the clearance list. The stamp duty on each such sale or purchase in the clearance list shall be collected on behalf of the State Government by the stock exchange or a clearing corporation authorised by it, from its buyer, on the market value of such securities at the time of its settlement, as per the rates specified in Schedule I of the Stamp Act (refer to the table below). Further, the clearance list shall be regarded as the principal instrument for the purpose of payment of stamp duty and no stamp duty shall be levied upon any other instrument (subject to stamp duty otherwise) involved in the above said sale or purchase.
Analysis: Upon notification of above said amendments, the stamp duty shall be applicable on the sale or purchase listed in the clearance list and not upon exchange of a note or memorandum as it currently is. Further, the onus of stamp duty payment is on the buyer in such transaction. Thus, it is likely that the position of proprietary trades may now be clear and such activities going forward may fall within the scope of stamp duty payable on stock exchange based transactions.
Section 8A of the Stamp Act requires an issuer of securities, through one or more depositories, to pay stamp duty in respect of such securities on the total amount of the security issued by it and such securities need not be stamped. This requirement under the Stamp Act has been the basis for levying stamp duty on shares/securities issued by a company in the dematerialised form.
In relation to issue of securities, the Finance Bill states that if such issue of securities leads to any creation or change in the records of a depository, the stamp duty on the list containing details of allotment of the securities (i.e. allotment list) shall be collected on behalf of the State Government by the depository, from the issuer of securities on the total market value of the securities contained in such list.
The Finance Bill further lays down the provisions for levy of stamp duty in case where the transfer of securities for a consideration, whether delivery based or otherwise, is made by a depository and such transaction is not a stock exchange based transactions. In this regard, the Finance Bill states that the stamp duty on such transfers shall be collected on behalf of the State Government by the depository from the transferor of such securities on the consideration amount specified therein.
Analysis: Issue of shares in dematerialised form has been subject to payment of stamp duty since the introduction of Section 8A of the Stamp Act, despite such issue not being accompanied by an instrument, such as a share certificate in case of physical issue of shares. However, to further streamline the process, the Finance Bill introduces the concept of allotment list in the Stamp Act and further delegates the responsibility for collection of related stamp duties on the depository through which such issue of securities shall be done.
Further, in relation to the stamp duty imposed on transfer of dematerialised securities upon removal of the exemption discussed in the section above, the Finance Bill also lays down the mode of levying stamp duties on such transfer through the depositories.
As per Section 4 of the Stamp Act, in the case of any sale, mortgage or settlement, where several instruments are employed for completing the transaction, it is only the principal instrument that shall be chargeable with stamp duty as per the prescribed rates and each of the other instruments shall be chargeable with a duty of one rupee instead of the duty (if any) specifically prescribed for such other instrument.
The Finance Bill has now proposed that in case of stock exchange or depository based transactions discussed in the sections above, it is only the instrument on which stamp duty is chargeable under the respective heads that shall be regarded as the principal instrument for the purpose of levying stamp duty and no stamp-duty shall be charged on any other instruments relating to any such transaction.
In light of the above mentioned changes introduced by the Finance Bill, the next obvious question is that who shall bear the brunt of newly introduced stamp duties. To address this, the Finance Bill further seeks to amend Section 29 of the Stamp Act that sets out responsibility of relevant party to a transaction for payment of stamp duty applicable under the Stamp Act.
A new Section 62A has been proposed to be inserted in the Stamp Act to prescribe penalties for default by the stock exchange or a clearing corporation or the depository in collecting the stamp duties or transferring the same to the respective State Governments within 15 days of the expiry of the specified time. Failure to collect or transfer the stamp duty within the specified time will attract a penalty of not less than one lakh rupees, and which may extend up to one per cent of the collection or transfer amount so defaulted. Further, any failure to submit information, or submission of false document or declaration by the above mentioned entities, shall be penalized with a fine of one lakh rupees (approx. USD 1400) for each day during which such failure continues or one crore rupees (approx. USD 143,000), whichever is less.
Analysis: Section 62A has been introduced in furtherance of Section 9A. Section 9A prescribes the (i) method and (ii) amount of stamp duty to be collected by the stock exchanges, clearing corporations or depositories, for transactions undertaken on stock exchanges or depositories. Penalizing such non-compliance by these entities will thus help in stopping of leakages. Since stock exchanges, clearing corporations or depositories already have the details of the person undertaking such transactions, it will be easier to directly credit the stamp duty to the concerned State, although it will be an additional administrative burden. Further, provisioning of a timeline will also ensure that timely transfer of funds takes place. Additionally, this will discourage non-submission of details or submission of fake documents. The section therefore, warrants that the Government receives funds, information and documents all on time.
After several unsuccessful attempts to amend the Stamp Act over the past several years, the Union Government has finally managed to convince the States to streamline the stamp duty regime for financial securities transaction and accordingly the above discussed reforms have been introduced by the Finance Bill. These amendments once notified, will remove the uncertainties pertaining to applicability of stamp duties on proprietary trades or transfer of shares of a company in dematerialised form.
Further, it is important to note that while the Union Government, pursuant to the Finance Bill, has bestowed the responsibility of collection of stamp duties in specified cases on the stock exchanges or their authorised clearing corporation or the depository on behalf of the State Government, the detailed process for the same would also have to be separately notified by the Government by introducing necessary rules in this regard.


With the recent release of CDH3b2, many users are more interested than ever to try out Cloudera's Distribution for Hadoop (CDH). One of the questions we often hear is, "what does it take to migrate?".
If you're not familiar with CDH3b2, here's what you need to know.
RPM and Debian packages for simple installation and management.
Clean integration with the host operating system. Logs are in /var/log, common binaries in /usr/bin, and configuration in /etc.
A Cloudera support-ready distribution. As Hadoop becomes a mission critical component of your production infrastructure, you'll want the option of engaging Cloudera for support or consulting services. Running CDH makes this process simple.
A complete platform with smooth integration of popular projects such as Hive, HBase, Pig, Zookeeper, Flume, Sqoop, Oozie, and HUE. HDFS and Hadoop Map Reduce are only two parts of a larger system. CDH3b2 brings together tools frameworks to get data in and out of HDFS, coordinate complex processing pipelines, as well as process and analyze your data. Learn more about this.
Based on Apache Hadoop 0.20.2 with 320 patches worth of feature back ports, stability enhancements, and bug fixes.
The migration process does require a moderate understanding of Linux system administration. You should make a plan before you start. You will be restarting some critical services such as the name node and job tracker, so some downtime is necessary. Given the value of the data on your cluster, you'll also want to be careful to take recent back ups of any mission-critical data sets as well as the name node meta-data.
Backing up your data is most important if you're upgrading from a version of Hadoop based on an Apache Software Foundation release earlier than 0.20. There were changes in the open source HDFS implementation prior to 0.20 that force this upgrade. See the section below on compatibility for more details.
One of the first questions you should ask yourself is what level of stability versus new features you require from Hadoop. If you're managing a production Hadoop cluster with jobs with SLAs, you need a rock solid, production-proven Hadoop distribution. This is Cloudera's stable or production branch. At the time of this writing, this is CDH2 based on Hadoop 0.20.1+169.89. In certain cases, features may be of greater priority, in which case, CDH3 0.20.2+320 is appropriate.
It's important to note that both CDH2 and CDH3 pass all functional and unit tests at Cloudera. The real difference between them is that CDH2 has been in the field longer. We generally promote a release to stable when we've seen it running production workloads for a substantial period of time, and when the rate of issues opened against the distro in our support group tails off. We have customers running in production today on both CDH2 an CDH3.
Before we dive into the installation process I'll highlight some points on compatibility. When upgrading to CDH from an older version or another distribution of Hadoop, it's possible that HDFS data needs to be taken through an upgrade process. This is relatively simple, but as with any upgrade of critical data, it is absolutely necessary to back up your data.
Currently, it is not necessary to perform an HDFS upgrade if you're upgrading to CDH3 from CDH2 or Apache Hadoop versions 0.20.0 or later. In fact, any distribution of Hadoop based on Apache 0.20.0 is likely to be a clean transition without an update to HDFS required, but you should always check with the distributor.
During RPC operations, all Hadoop daemons will check to ensure they are speaking to the same exact version as themselves. This means that you cannot, at present, perform a rolling upgrade of CDH. There has been some discussion about relaxing this requirement so compatible versions of Hadoop can communicate, but this has not yet been implemented.
CDH is available in three forms: RPMs, debs, and tarball distributions. The preferred method of installation is usually the RPM or deb packages as they automate a lot of the work required to get CDH up and running quickly. Tarballs of CDH are useful for users on systems that do not use yum/rpm or apt/dpkg, or where you do not have root access to the host operating system.
When installing CDH from from RPMs or Debian packages you will definitely want to take advantage of Cloudera's yum or apt repository support. If you're on a system that is not rpm or deb format packages, you can still use Cloudera's binary tarball packages.
You should follow the normal process for installing CDH on your systems. The CDH packages should be installed on all nodes in the cluster. The rpm and deb packages of CDH will automatically create a hadoop user and group as well as SYSV init scripts as part of the install process. The CDH tarballs do not contain the init scripts and obviously do not create the hadoop user and group.
Detailed installation instructions for all formats of CDH are available.
After the packages are installed, you'll want to make sure you set the proper daemons to start on the proper machines upon boot. There is a separate init script for each Hadoop daemon so only what is necessary is started.
% update-rc.d hadoop-0.20-namenode start 80 3 .
Make sure you specify the correct run level. While run level 3 is common for multiuser Linux servers, this may not be the case in your installation. You can use the runlevel command to find the currently active run level.
For now, do not start any of the Hadoop daemons.
If you're coming from older version of CDH, your configuration should already be setup with alternatives. If not, now is a good time to bring your configuration layout in line with CDH by moving your conf directory to /etc/hadoop-0.20/conf.mycluster. You should also configure alternatives to know about your new configuration. The CDH documentation covers this in detail. For now, register your new configuration with alternatives and set it to be the preferred configuration.
Users who are on systems that don't have alternatives or who are installing CDH from tarballs should simply update the configuration files in $HADOOP_HOME/conf. Normally, $HADOOP_HOME is /usr/local/hadoop-$VERSION or /opt/hadoop-$VERSION but you can put it wherever it makes sense. This includes running CDH from your home directory if you don't have root access.
Now that CDH is installed and you've migrated your cluster configuration it's time to fire up a few nodes and make sure everything is working as expected. Rather than bring up all the daemons at once, let's focus on the name node first.
Start by logging on to the name node machine. You may want to manually rotate the log file just to minimize the noise during testing. You can do this by simply moving today's log file to a different name.
Next, start the CDH name node daemon using the provided init script. If an HDFS upgrade is required, you can use the upgrade argument in place of start below. This will be your last chance to grab a backup of the name node's metadata prior to starting the daemon.
Note that the CDH init scripts require you to be root whereas the Apache Hadoop start-all.sh / stop-all.sh scripts should not be run as root.
It's a good idea to check the contents of the name node log file now to ensure it has come up cleanly. You should see a warning about the name node being in safe mode due to missing blocks. This is OK because we haven't brought up any data nodes yet. If something doesn't look right, jump ahead to the getting help section before proceeding.
Before you start any of your data nodes, you'll want to place the name node in safe mode manually. This will prevent the name node from "panicking" and trying to repair missing block replicas as data nodes begin to register themselves. You'll need to run this command as the hadoop user.
Next start one of the data nodes and watch its logs as you did for the name node.
If everything is setup correctly, you should see the data node start up, register with the name node, and start its periodic block scanner thread. You should also check the name node logs to confirm you see the data node registration message there as well. Once you've confirmed that things look good, you should move on to starting additional data nodes checking them in batches as you go.
After all data nodes are up and running, you can use the Hadoop fsck tool to confirm that the file system is healthy.
Your cluster should still be in safe mode. If the file system is healthy, you can go ahead and take it out of safe mode.
Follow this with a quick test of HDFS by copying a file into the file system.
Congratulations! You now have HDFS running on CDH.
If you had to upgrade the HDFS data – that is, you started the init script with the upgrade option – you should do some more extensive testing of your data. Once you've confirmed everything is working as expected, finalize the HDFS upgrade.
Starting and testing the map reduce daemons follows a similar procedure but is a bit simpler. Start the job tracker daemon on the proper machine and monitor the logs as you did with the name node. Once you've confirmed the job tracker is running, proceed with starting the task tracker daemons in groups checking the job tracker UI as you go. You should see the map and reduce task capacity increasing with each node you start. Don't panic if the job tracker doesn't see the nodes immediately; it can take a few seconds.
Don't forget to start the secondary name node daemon as well. It's usually a good idea to wait an hour or so and check the modification time on the files in the configured fs.checkpoint.dir. You should see that the files have been updated within the last hour. You can also check the secondary name node logs; you'll see an indication things are working there as well in the form of some log messages about performing the checkpoint.
In addition to the community articles and blog posts on Hadoop, Cloudera provides CDH-specific documentation at docs.cloudera.com. Here you can find information on CDH including all of its components like Hadoop, Hive, Flume, Sqoop, HUE, and others.
There are a number of ways to get help if you run into trouble during your migration or if you just have questions.


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Contact for the resource
NOAA NODC
CAFF (3)
NOAA NODC (3)
83457e67-4095-4de6-a011-f80408b76318 (3)
Update frequencies
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Arctic Regional Climatology – Summer Surface Salinity
A set of mean fields for temperature and salinity for the Arctic Seas and environs are available for viewing and downloading. Area: The area encompassed is all longitudes from 60°N to 90°N latitudes. Horizontal resolution: Temperature and salinity are available on a 1°x1° and a 1/4°x1/4° latitude/longitude grid. Time resolution: All climatologies for all variables use all available data regardless of year of measurement. Climatologies were calculated for annual (all-data), seasonal, and monthly time periods. Seasons are as follows: Winter (Jan.-Mar.), Spring (Apr.-Jun.), Summer (Jul.-Aug.), Fall (Oct.-Dec.). Vertical resolution: Temperature and salinity are available on 87 standard levels with higher vertical resolution than the World Ocean Atlas 2009 (WOA09), but levels extend from the surface to 4000 m. Units: Temperature units are °C. Salinity is unitless on the Practical Salinity Scale-1978 [PSS]. Data used: All data from the area found in the World Ocean Database (WOD) as of the end of 2011. For a description of this dataset, please see World Ocean Database 2009 Introduction Method: The method followed for calculation of the mean climatological fields is detailed in the following publications: Temperature: Locarnini et al., 2010, Salinity: Antonov et al., 2010. Additional details on the 1/4° climatological calculation are found in Boyer et al., 2005, from: NOAA Reference: Boyer, T.P., O.K. Baranova, M. Biddle, D.R. Johnson, A.V. Mishonov, C. Paver, D. Seidov and M. Zweng (2012), Arctic Regional Climatology, Regional Climatology Team, NOAA/NODC, source: NOAA
Arctic Regional Climatology – Winter Surface Temperature
A set of mean fields for temperature and salinity for the Arctic Seas and environs are available for viewing and downloading. Area: The area encompassed is all longitudes from 60°N to 90°N latitudes. Horizontal resolution: Temperature and salinity are available on a 1°x1° and a 1/4°x1/4° latitude/longitude grid. Time resolution: All climatologies for all variables use all available data regardless of year of measurement. Climatologies were calculated for annual (all-data), seasonal, and monthly time periods. Seasons are as follows: Winter (Jan.-Mar.), Spring (Apr.-Jun.), Summer (Jul.-Aug.), Fall (Oct.-Dec.). Vertical resolution: Temperature and salinity are available on 87 standard levels with higher vertical resolution than the World Ocean Atlas 2009 (WOA09), but levels extend from the surface to 4000 m. Units: Temperature units are °C. Salinity is unitless on the Practical Salinity Scale-1978 [PSS]. Data used: All data from the area found in the World Ocean Database (WOD) as of the end of 2011. For a description of this dataset, please see World Ocean Database 2009 IntroductionMethod: The method followed for calculation of the mean climatological fields is detailed in the following publications: Temperature: Locarnini et al., 2010, Salinity: Antonov et al., 2010. Additional details on the 1/4° climatological calculation are found in Boyer et al., 2005, from: NOAA Reference: Boyer, T.P., O.K. Baranova, M. Biddle, D.R. Johnson, A.V. Mishonov, C. Paver, D. Seidov and M. Zweng (2012), Arctic Regional Climatology, Regional Climatology Team, NOAA/NODC, source: NOAA
Arctic Regional Climatology – Winter Surface Salinity


Zalans came into the action painting scene as a part of his exploration process, as a painter, and since year 2007 travels the world with his performances, which, as of now, were done in 33 countries around the globe (watch videos of some of them here).
Action painting, "healing for the soul" (c), is a mix of both public performance with an element of a show and very intimate self-actualization process of an artist. For Zalans, this is "reaction to the world as it is now", this is the way how an artist in a modern world can explore the connection of art with society in a way, where the accent and attention is shifted from an end product (painting, art-work) to the process itself (movement, documentation, being in a role).
The format Zalans uses in his action painting performances is characterized by the publicly accessible environment, where show takes place, audio background of 7 specific music tracks, altogether 22-minutes long, and acryl paints and 3m x6m paper as a medium.
Please, contact us to order the action painting performance in your city or during your event.
Action painting is also used by Zalans in his practical workshops.


text:
Steam Generator Tube Integrity Program Semiannual Report: October 1999 – March 2000 (NUREG/CR-6511, Volume 9)
NUREG/CR-6511, Volume 9 (PDF - 10.01 MB)
Manuscript Completed: October 2001
Date Published: June 2002
D. R. Diercks, S. Bakhtiari, K. E. Kasza, D. S. Kupperman,
S. Majumdar, J. Y. Park, W. J. Shack
9700 South Cass Avenue
Argonne, IL 60439
J. Muscara, NRC Project Manager
NRC Job Code W6487
This report summarizes work performed by Argonne National Laboratory on the Steam Generator Tube Integrity Program for the period October 1999 through March 2000. The program is divided into five tasks: (1) Assessment of Inspection Reliability, (2) Research on ISI Technology, (3) Research on Degradation Modes and Integrity, (4) Development of Methodology and Technical Requirements for Current and Emerging Regulatory Issues, and (5) Program Management. Under Task 1, progress is reported on the round-robin analysis of the steam generator tube mockup, in which a total of seven teams have participated to date. The format for the tables necessary to carry out the statistical analysis of the round-robin data has also been established. Activities under Task 2 were concerned primarily with multiparameter analysis of eddy current NDE results. Calculations were performed on the applicability of pseudoinverse filters for improving the spatial resolution of rotating probes, analytical procedures for the elimination of unwanted signals were explored, the conversion of data analysis results into calibrated profiles for more direct deduction of estimated flaw size and extent was examined, and inspection data obtained from laboratory-degraded tubes were analyzed. Under Task 3, the production and characterization of laboratory-degraded tubes continued. Further testing of tubes with electro-discharge machined and laser-cut notches, as well as laboratory-degraded tubes, was carried out in the High-Pressure Test Facility, and an exploratory test was conducted to evaluate the potential for erosion resulting from a jet of water from a leaking tube impinging on an adjacent tube, Finally, a model was developed to calculate crack-opening area as a function of time for axial cracks under severe-accident conditions, and the ligament-rupture behavior observed in laboratory tests on tubes with EDM and laser-cut notches was modeled.
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, May 04, 2016


2. Another issue with perforated window film (PWF) is water. Because the surface is covered with small holes, rain tends to collect in the holes and reduce vision considerably. In some cases, vision can be reduced to a blur so that nothing can be clearly seen through the film – a situation that defeats the purpose of one-way vision film. Make sure to always install an optical clear laminate in these cases.
3. (PWF) that does have a laminate to prevent the water issue curls up over time mainly on the corners, so trimming 5 to 10mm rounded corners is a good idea. Personally, I think it's better to have a long-lasting graphic and just accept the loss of vision when water or window cleaning is required.
4. Important information for installation: It is recommended that the application temperature be between 15 degrees c to 25 degrees c and it is very important for the installer not to touch the corners when installing as this can also cause curling at a later date. We always make sure we have well trained staff for all installation requirements.
5. The last issue I have with (PWF) is vandalism. Since it only mounts to less than 50% of the glass area, when mounted at street level, kids love to vandalize (PWF) by picking off the film. This can be prevented with optical laminate or again a long lasting graphic and just accept the loss of vision.
I am not saying I refuse to use (PWF), as we have had many situations with good outcomes. It is important that you, as my client, are aware of the problems that may arise. Each (PWF) application needs to be researched on its individual circumstance; Lighting, water, curling, installation and vandalism risk.
Please don't hesitate to call one of Advance Visual's team members to organise a site meeting to discuss your window application options further. We have developed many different sample/alternatives, these can also be viewed at our showroom.


Symptoms Accessing SQL reports locally on the server hosting SQL Reporting Services works however when attempting to access them remotely the a Webpage not found or Webpage Unavailable message is received.
Cause This can happen because the account used to run SQL Reporting services is not the Network Service account.
Resolution In order to change the account running SQL Reporting services to the Network Service account please perform the following.
4) On the right hand side choose the Use built-in account: radio button.
6) Restart the SQL Reporting Service running on this server.


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                Nome
                <input type="text" class="u-full-width" placeholder="Nome" id="name" ng-model="formCtrl.form.name" ng-class="{'error': formCtrl.formError.name}"/>

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                <input type="text" class="u-full-width" placeholder="E-mail" id="email" ng-model="formCtrl.form.email" ng-class="{'error': formCtrl.formError.email}"/>

        <input ng-show="!formCtrl.loading" class="button-primary" type="submit" value="Enviar" />
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


To Poloniex - are you planning to hold our money hostage?
And there it is - Poloniex just released a press release saying they will require everyone to verify.
I obviously have problems with exchanges collecting tons of KYC and AML personal info for hackers to peruse as they see fit. Bitcoin exchanges are prime targets for hacking and if Bitcoin exchange hasn't been hacked, it's likely it wasn't around for long. Poloniex has been here for some time, and they have been hacked before.
I do understand their position and have no problem with them following regulations. Personally, I'm a shareholder in one of the major Bitcoin exchanges, with full KYC&AML including full tax reporting to my government, but I don't leave my KYC&AML info even to the exchange I own.
The issue with Poloniex is that they insist on relatively small withdrawal limits ($2k daily) for ALL currencies including crypto, as this basically leaves anyone with crypto holdings above $2k * days-until-deadline in a position to either verify or leave money on Poloniex.
Poloniex - let us take our money and leave. Remove withdrawal limits for crypto, at least until the deadline.
P.S. I'd contact Poloniex directly, but my last support ticket from them took few months to resolve.
...leaves anyone with crypto holdings above $2k * days-until-deadline in a position to either verify or leave money on Poloniex.
Seems you misunderstood the post. No one will be forced to verify or abandon funds.
I have submitted all my info for account verification over 5 times and everytime nothing happens and I receive no emails or notifications explaining why. The first time my account was frozen for almost 2 weeks and after that my daily withdrawal limit dropped from $7000 a day to $2000 a day. Again no explanation. Ticket #604807 - "Being processed since 8 days 22 hours"
Look my sentence you quoted again. As long as they have a withdrawal limit on crypto, the amount of money you can get out before the deadline is limited. For example, if they set the deadline on January 1st, and say that the deadline is 1 week, everybody who has more than 2000 * 7 = $14000 equivalent in crypto is forced to verify or have their funds frozen on Poloniex.
Maybe the deadline will be more reasonable and the limit will be higher. But why have limit on crypto withdrawals whatsoever?
I think what he's saying is that you have misread, and that after the deadline the withdrawals will remain enabled at the same daily withdrawal limit as they were before.
Ah - I get it, I indeed misread. My apologies to /u/Mike-Poloniex - but still, this means my funds are stuck in a certain currency until I manage to get them out. Why not simply disable withdrawal limits, even if bigger withdrawals have to be checked manually?
but still, this means my funds are stuck in a certain currency until I manage to get them out.
They have not announced the date for the deadline yet, you have plenty of time to trade into whatever currency you wish to withdrawal in.
Why not simply disable withdrawal limits, even if bigger withdrawals have to be checked manually?
Because they're trying to be as compliant as they can with these unverified accounts, and lifting the 2k withdrawal limit would seem to be the exact opposite of their intent.
Besides, if you aren't happy with submitting personal info to verify... I can't see you being all that happy being asked to submit info in order to manually approve your larger withdrawal.
How do withdrawal limits prevent money laundering?
Yes, sure, but how does laundering money work if you use exchange to deposit and withdraw crypto? Money laundering involves depositing or withdrawing fiat. And that doesn't work without verification. Look at Bitfinex - no limits for crypto withdrawals. Why don't they bend the hose?
Withdrawal limits can be something that banking partners require in order to work with a cryptocurrency exchange and as far as I am aware, they don't make a distinction between crypto and fiat.
I don't see how banking partners can be involved with crypto deposits and withdrawals. That's like bank setting the limits how much merchandise the business can sell, just because that business has bank account. I certainly hope bank doesn't dictate withdrawal limits to Poloniex.
Both this and insider trading is a "non-crime"!
But why have limit on crypto withdrawals whatsoever?
Because it's in the best interest of wealthy people in the USA to have that be the case. And they control people with guns and tanks and they will make sure it is done.
BANKERS not wealthy people. the friggen PRIVATE monopoly banking cartel!
Yes, that's mainly who I was talking about.
5 months later: on a Sunday morning, Poloniex freezes unverified accounts without warning, emails customers afterwards and refuses to let customers withdraw their funds without verification.
Would you provide some information about how your verification system was improved recently? The only reason I haven't gotten verified is issues with your system (blurry webcam & inability to upload images, process timing out) & being discouraged by numerous reports of issues (withdrawal limits being dropped to zero while verification is pending, and delayed response from support).
I assume that the reports of issues represent a tiny fraction of your users, and are mostly a vocal minority, but like many others I just don't want to get tangled in problems while the $2k withdrawals are working fine. So any comments, from you or other commenters who have been verified recently, would be greatly appreciated.
Can you please help with a complete:error on poloniex?
Sorry for this but I'm waiting 2 months already, and no replies to my ticket. Please /u/Mike-Poloniex, solve my ticket #637941. It's just a simple problem: I lost my 2FA access so I can't login to my account.
I heard stories about users who got locked out of their account because of failed verification. Will I still have access to the daily limit if failed verification?
It took you guys 6 months and 3 replies later to resolve anything in my ticket. And the ticket isn't even solved 100%, more like 95%.
Why don't you close user signups if you are backlogged for months in tickets? Or do you just want to continue treating your customers poorly, as well as holding your future customers' money hostage?
In hindsight, this was 100% a lie.
Except that is exactly what you're doing now.
Your exchange has the worst reputation.
This is a wake-up call for why we should use p2p exchanges like bisq.
Bisq does not know the traders. No data is stored on who trades with whom.
Bisq does not require registration. This means privacy is maintained, there are no "approval" wait times, and identity theft becomes impossible.
Bisq is not a company. It is an open source project organized as a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO).
Duh, it's so stupid. If it has connections to the outside world it must comply with KYC and AML rules. Doesn't matter if it is P2P or whatever.
Perhaps, I guess it depends on what bank you are using and whether you have a false identity for your overseas bank accounts or not.


Welcome to 161 west Bridge st. Located close to the college right next to Friendly's this property has always been a favorite for many tenants. It has 4 bedrooms and 1 bathroom totaling over 1600 Square feet. For more information on this property please contact Chic or Cindy Caruso at 315-343-6564.


The Indian money in Swiss banks had fallen by 45 per cent in 2016, marking their biggest ever yearly plunge, to CHF 676 million (about Rs 4,500 crore) -- the lowest ever since the European nation began making the data public in 1987.
In comparison, the total funds held by all foreign clients of Swiss banks rose about 3 per cent to CHF (Swiss Franc) 1.46 trillion or about Rs 100 lakh crore in 2017, according to the official annual data released on Thursday by Swiss National Bank (SNB), the central banking authority of the Alpine nation.
These figures stood at CHF 664.8 million and CHF 11 million, respectively, at the end of 2016.
Since those record levels, this is only the third time when there has been a rise in Indians' money in Swiss banks -- in 2011 (12 per cent), 2013 (43 per cent) and now in 2017 by 50.2 per cent -- the maximum increase since 56 per cent way back in 2004.
The tax department had detected suspected black money running into thousands of crore of rupees post investigations on global leaks about Indians stashing funds abroad and has launched prosecution against hundreds of them, including those with accounts in the Geneva branch of HSBC.


text:
Didaco Philetari (fl. 1645) was an Italian composer, presumably active in Germany, whose works are preserved in the Düben collection in Uppsala University Library. His Salve Rex Christe was recorded in 2009 by Anna Jobrant.

References

Italian male classical composers
Italian Baroque composers

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


I hate admitting the crap I put out there on the internet in the 2000's. But one piece of crap I need to avail myself of is Stefan Molyneux.
Molyneux was/is a Market Anarchist who had crowd-sourced podcasts that bordered on guruship. Stefan and his followers. Now, Francois is not a follower of anyone, but they did become internet acquaintances. We had him on the Hellbound Alleee show, and later on we would have these epic long conversations with him.
And that's where my relationship with him ended. I don't know what he said, but I was so angry it made me sick to my stomach. I told Francois I didn't want to be associated with him anymore, and after that, Franc disavowed him–well, actually, he got banned from his show. Then market anarchy became socialism and feminism, and then Molyneux started doddering on about how feminism destroys everything, and so do women. I don't know why and I don't care.
So please, forgive my trespasses. Forgive my trespassers, or whatever. I compromised my own values for that of my husband who, Thank "Bob," has mostly come around. I'm too old to be playing those kinds of games. You would forgive me if you lived with him. That man is a gem, a treasure, a husband whom when you come home from work and see a mess, says "no, no, you lie down here on the couch. I'll take care of it." That's the kind of guy you wanna keep, even if he changes his political views now and then.
Previous Entry: Mondo Diablo 381: Hack or Genius? Why Can't it be Both?
Next Entry: Mondo Diablo 382: But Who Will Save Thanksgiving?


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October 22nd, 2016, 03:39 PM #1426
Having helped the SO through a bit of surgery and 6 months of chemotherapy has lessened both opera and posting. Since all seems well, we jumped back into opera a couple of days ago. She has greatly enjoyed watching the (not so) historical series on both the Borgias and the Tudors while she was on the mend so we wallowed in Lucrezia Borgia, courtesy of the SFO, and all three of the Donizetti Tudor queens, from the Met. The historical accuracy may be questioned, but the operas are dandy!
One last thing: regular colonoscopies save lives!!
Very happy for you that your wife is better and you are both enjoying the good things in life.
Amfortas
Absolutely! Here's to many more years of history, opera, or both.
October 23rd, 2016, 06:10 AM #1429
Excellent news JohnGerald!
October 23rd, 2016, 12:34 PM #1430
Watched this again yesterday evening, chiefly for JK's Johnson/Ramerrez. While the updated setting generally works, I do have a few problems with it (aside from that hideous red wig that Nina Stemme is required to wear). In Act II, Minnie is angered by Ramerrez' deception because she has fallen in love with him and his lies are more painful to her as a result. In particular, she refers to the fact that he has given and received her first kiss. That would be entirely believable in an 1850s setting, but would any modern woman really be that inexperienced? (And Stemme's Minnie is no young girl.) I can understand a director's desire to avoid what I'd call "cowboy kitsch" with this opera, and that's a challenge since Belasco's original play included plenty of it -- i.e., that "doo-da day" business. The character of Minnie is typical of the heroines of the late 19th/early 20th centuries: the virtuous young woman of modest means who reforms a ne'er-do-well with her love, and lives happily (and in many cases, very wealthy) ever after. It would be interesting to see a production left in 1850s Gold Rush California that reflects the impoverished, hardscrabble existence most of the prospectors lived. It could keep the kitsch to a minimum and still have the gritty reality that modern directors and audiences would like.
Opera Lively Staff Member Top Contributor Member
Great to see you back, JG, and happy to hear that your wife is doing well!
Thanks to all who responded.
Now as to that new Norma with Radvanovsky ... stay tuned!
This turns out to be quite a nice production, very traditional though set in a more modern time than the composer had envisioned. Wikipedia says L'elisir d'amore is set in the end of the 18th Century, but his one has a telegraph pole suggesting a later time. A reviewer on Amazon says it is set in the 1930s. Other than that is is old fashioned/traditional in dress and staging, except that while all the women are wearing dresses, Adina wears pants for the first half of Act 1.
A surprise blooper occurs at 1:26:46 right after the music and singing stop and there is dead silence with Giannetta the center of attention, she hiccups. She reflexively throws her hand over her mouth and pauses like that. There is slight laughter but quickly applause follows. She recovers beautifully as if it never happened and goes on with the opera.
Last edited by Soave_Fanciulla; January 5th, 2018 at 01:03 AM.
The barber had to do his opening number twice because the audience loved it so much:
Macbeth from La Monnaie, set in a hotel for some obscure reason (as Annie says, it's Regie innit), Distinctly uninvolving despite some spectacular Rocky Horror Show type witches.
Samson et Dalila with from Paris; pretty violent stuff and the take being that Dalila is somehow coerced into tricking Samson (who cuts off his own hair)
October 31st, 2016, 04:16 PM #1436
November 1st, 2016, 07:00 AM #1437
Don Giovanni from the Met with Simon Keenlyside. I think Simon has lost a bit of beauty of tone since his illness, but he was absolutely brilliant in terms of acting.
November 3rd, 2016, 11:20 AM #1438
Conductor: Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Director: Des McAnuff
Cast: Jonas Kaufmann Faust), René Pape (Méphistophélès), Marina Poplavskaya (Marguerite), Russell Braun (Valentin), Jonathan Beyer (Wagner), Michèle Losier (Siébel), Wendy White (Marthe)
We're a little past both Halloween and All Souls' Day/Dia de los Muertos, but the scenes in the church and on the Brocken (Walpurgisnacht) in the second act of Faust can be quite spooky. In this case, Gounod's music is more atmospheric than Des McAnuff's staging, which for me sometimes works and sometimes doesn't so much. But what a cast, especially der Jonas and Pape!
November 3rd, 2016, 05:55 PM #1439
That wonderful Veau d'Or - best staging and singing ever! Pape's dance moves at the end are such fun.
November 6th, 2016, 05:20 AM #1440