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Is paper dead?
For retailers, predicting customers' future wants and needs is crucial – especially in this era of disrupted supply chains. I hope you won't recognize this story as something that might happen in your business, but it demonstrates how soon retailers of all sizes could find themselves in a new future. I bought a blouse recently from a traveling vintage clothes seller. Picture several racks of bright retro outfits set up under a caravan awning with a changing room crafted from tie-dyed blankets. Incense hangs in the air, as does the ringing of tiny bells attached to the seller's impossibly long hair, jingling as she wanders around after customers, straightening coat hangers. To pay, I offer cash, but she instead presents me with a beautifully calligraphed sign showing her bank account details. Given the riskiness of this practice, I offer a moment of security education. She tells me she's in the habit of giving out her bank details because it means more sales, and keeping enough change around is hard when you're always on the road. Even those on the fringes are moving towards electronic payment for its convenience and customer preference, albeit sometimes not in ideal ways. When it comes to meeting customer expectations in how your transactions happen, are you ready for a future where paper money, receipts, plastic cards are a thing of the past? Could your retail business work in a world where all money is changing hands by smartphone? Among Kaspersky researchers' privacy prediction for 2023 is that we'll keep seeing smartphones and other smart devices encroaching on activities once dominated by paper and plastic cards. A future where all we'll need is a smartphone seems close when we're paying by near-field communication (NFC) like Apple or Samsung Pay or QR code like Swish, or using apps to show COVID-19 testing and vaccination status. What does this mean for paper and plastic transactions? And what privacy and security issues should business consider when it comes to doing it all by smartphone? Environmental reasons to stop using paper and plastic Some might say the sustainability drive to eliminate paper and plastic in business transactions is overplayed. While both have significant environmental impacts, business transactions are not a major source. Meanwhile, electronic transactions can be responsible for much energy use and the equipment used will ultimately become resource-heavy and hard-to-recycle ewaste. Gen Z, Millennials and those younger will do much to avoid adding more plastic and paper to the world. Regardless of environmental impact, consumer demand for more convenient paperless and cardless transactions will only grow. Processes likely to move to smartphone apps Digitized identity documents look set to be the next big frontier for smartphones. It's already been a common approach to declaring COVID-19 testing and vaccination status worldwide, but soon passports, driver licenses, student IDs and more will be made available through apps. Germany started using app-based ID cards in 2021. Around the same time, Apple announced several US states would make digital identity cards and driver licenses available using Apple Wallet. ID stored on phones brings convenience and risk. A well-implemented system would let stores verify customers' age without seeing personal details they don't need, like home address – also known as 'zero trust' security. Digitized IDs could also speed up know-your-customer (KYC) procedures when applying for a loan with a smartphone. But using a smartphone to store growing amounts of personal data introduces 'single point of failure' security risk. Those who develop and commission smartphone software like apps must ensure top-notch device security and privacy-preserving data storage. Cardless cash withdrawal at ATMs is taking off around the world, especially where bankcard fraud is more common, like India. Smartphone apps enable cardless withdrawals, for example, scanning a QR code on the ATM screen with a payment app like Google Pay, or using near-field communication (NFC.) Again, these transactions aren't without risk. Speaking to price-comparison service Bankrate, Ricardo Pina, founder of personal finance blog The Modest Wallet, said, "Since bank cards are being replaced by phones, criminals will now be more enticed to target and hack your phone to mine your data, information and even change your phone and bank app settings." When will paper and card transactions become history? Those who run businesses that experience higher overheads thanks to processing cash, cards and printed receipts may dare to dream of a world where these go the way of the 'check.' Ubiquitous throughout most of the 20th century, many banks have stopped issuing and accepting these. Check payment is expected to be extinct by 2026. Those old enough to remember when checks were commonplace might think they'd disappeared years ago. But sometimes these methods strongly persist in parts of an economy that need them for specific reasons. A few years ago, a friend and I hiked the five-day South West Coastal Path in Cornwall, UK – and yes, it was glorious. This part of the UK is far from any major city. We were surprised to notice most bed-and-breakfasts accepted only cash or check. Once we understood the area's geography, we paid by check wherever we could. Traveling on foot and far from towns, it seemed unwise to part with cash we might need. These businesses told us they didn't take card payments because they only had customers in summer, making point-of-sale machines uneconomic. Similarly, can smartphones – and reliable access to affordable data to operate apps – be all things to all people in all places? While access to mobile technologies has certainly enabled greater economic participation from marginalized people, we can easily overestimate how many can and will use these technologies if we use them or see them used around us often. Pew Research estimates around 85 percent of the US population owns a smartphone, but in China and India, it's lower at 70 percent. While China leads the world in mobile payment adoption, smartphone ownership numbers don't tell us how many people could use their smartphone for payments – for example, successfully download and register to use payment apps, and access data when needed. Cash transactions still account for far more business than many people think – in 2021, customers used cash for over 20 percent of point-of-sale transactions globally, according to the International Currency Association. Many businesses wouldn't survive losing 20 percent of their sales. There is also the inevitable backlash against smartphones because of negative mental health impacts, seeing some choose to quit or radically reduce how much they use them. It seems paper- and card-based identity and payment options will be with us much longer than we think, if the lifecycle of check payment is anything to go by. For small business, alternative point-of-sale card payment providers are fast making accepting cards more affordable, making paying by card even more ubiquitous without reducing security. When it comes to taking payment, it 'pays' to be flexible and listen to what your customers want, rather than focusing on what suits your business. Meanwhile, keep an eye on evolving technology making retail transactions simpler and more affordable.
Five business cyberthreats taking center stage in 2022
Every year, businesses face a changing threat landscape. It pays for leaders to know what the experts think will come next. If you're upgrading your cybersecurity or looking for a new vendor, knowing what attacks are likely in 2022 will help you make the right choice. It turns out our predictions for 2021 were on the money. So what should you and your colleagues plan for this year? We're forecasting these four events that could have flow-on effects for other industries. 1. Financial organizations will face more threats around cryptocurrency Cryptocurrency keeps growing, and people will keep investing in it for many reasons, including its anonymity, which also makes it attractive to cybercrime groups. In the scramble for cryptocurrency investment opportunities, cybercriminals will use social engineering campaigns, fabricating and selling rogue devices with backdoors to steal financial assets. More financial industry cyberthreats we'll see in 2022 2. Fake medical documentation will trouble healthcare We saw the trade in faked medical documents like COVID-19 vaccination passports and test results in 2021. Fake vaccines were even spotted for sale on the dark web. As more countries roll out privileges alongside vaccination or test documentation, criminals will roll out more fakes. Medical-themed bait has long featured in cybercrime. With the pandemic triggering increased use of online medical services, patients watch for notifications about test results and messages from doctors. More healthcare cyberthreats likely in 2022 3. Governments will conflict and compromise with big tech Governments are wary of big tech's growing power and data hoarding. As states build more digital infrastructure for delivering services and deeper insights into their population, they'll show more interest in what citizen data big business holds. We'll see more regulation, such as privacy and data localization laws, and regulation around how law enforcement can access data. Apple's new system that scans devices for child abuse images shows the challenges of balancing user privacy against stopping crime. More privacy predictions for 2022 4. Industrial attacks will become more focused In many parts of the world, a rapidly snowballing trend is laser-focused attacks, particularly on Industrial Computer Systems (ICS.) We've seen increasing theft of authentication data using spyware, with each attack directed at only a handful of targets. We think these kinds of attacks will make up an even greater portion of the threat landscape in 2022, and we'll see the tactic used more widely. These attacks show why industrial shop floors must be protected. Industrial internet of things (IIoT) devices are easily overlooked and often vulnerable. More predictions for industrial cybercrime in 2022 5. Ransomware attacks will get more targeted 2021 was a big year in ransomware, with a 30 percent growth in Ransomware 2.0, also known as double extortion. These attacks go beyond demanding a ransom to de-encrypt systems to using stolen sensitive data as leverage to pressure victims to pay up. In November 2021, the US FBI warned ransomware actors are "using significant financial events, such as mergers and acquisitions, to target and leverage victim companies for ransomware infections." At these times, any leaked information could have devastating consequences, making victims more inclined to pay ransoms. In 2022, this type of extortion will become more common. Regular, high-quality cybersecurity training for all staff is one of the best ways of avoiding falling victim to ransomware. Kaspersky is one of several organizations behind the No More Ransom initiative, providing free decryption tools and advice for ransomware victims. More on ransomware activity in 2021 As your strategic plans for 2022 take shape, improving cybersecurity will no doubt be among them. Your business must adapt as cybercriminals' ways and means change. These predictions will help you and your team be forewarned and forearmed.
INFOGRAPHIC: How GDPR changed the world, and privacy regulation's future
One piece of regulation has never before had such global impact as the EU Global Data Protection Regulation (GDPR.) It's firmly established data privacy in the public mind, giving extensive and unassailable rights and affecting behavior well beyond the EU's borders. GDPR legislation was a pioneer that other regions followed. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) came into force in 2020. The more expansive California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) will replace it in 2023. While there is no federal nationwide data protection law in the US, all fifty states have regulated data safeguarding, disposal and breach disclosure. US data privacy is pointing towards giving consumers more rights. Africa and Asia, with few exceptions, have a way to go in privacy regulation. It may be fair to say data protection regulation follows economic and political development. But China has a different focus. Having enacted strong privacy regulation, it's regaining control of local Big Tech, starting with corporate dismemberment of Alibaba. It aims to control the massive amounts of data held by Chinese companies that may list overseas. New consumer expectations of data privacy GDPR and other regulations worldwide have raised awareness of privacy issues. There's a gap between what customers want and what businesses think customers want in their digital experience. Businesses think it's profiles (for example, offering relevant suggestions,) live help and price-matching. But consumers prioritize rewards, free shipping and data protection. Forced innovation is also good innovation Data protection is now front of mind for everyone. Many once saw security regulations as an innovation inhibitor adding friction to the customer experience, but now they're customer experience's new best friend. With today's cybercrime landscape, data protection has never had so much focus, driving the need for strong authentication. 3-D Secure is a great example. Ecommerce businesses saw the first version of 3-D Secure as an important tool for tackling fraud, but also the main culprit for customers not completing checkout. But the same businesses are finding the latest version, which includes new security features like biometrics, highly attractive for easier authentication across the whole customer experience. 3-D Secure's latest iteration links with new EU regulation's authentication requirements. Privacy expectations impact on cybercrime The COVID-19 pandemic has sped up changes in digital consumer behavior like never before. Security and fraud risk increased, triggering more stringent regulation. Ransomware gangs try to extort money from victims by encrypting their data, but also releasing it if the ransom isn't paid, adding data privacy insult to injury. Nations are stepping up to address ransomware, now the world's biggest cyberthreat. But it's early days. Attempts to reduce ransomware risk are sometimes surprising with little consensus on how to address it, like US proposals to make ransomware payments tax-deductible or, conversely, making paying a ransom illegal. Once a profitable niche, cyber insurance now struggles to stay afloat with increasing ransomware and skyrocketing demands. Emerging trends in data regulation and oversight Data protection and privacy regulations are now part of life. We also see several emerging trends. For example, increased data protection and privacy oversight; in the three years since GDPR, nearly half of UK businesses have been reported to the Information Commissioner's Office over breaches. With longstanding data breach disclosure laws in the US, a new bill could force businesses to report breaches faster. India has long deliberated its Personal Data Protection Bill (PDP.) We're also seeing financial and security regulations aligning. Financial services regulations now include extensive obligations overlapping with security. Penalties are no longer the sole domain of national data protection authorities but could come from any regulator. UK's Financial Conduct Authority fined Tesco Bank 16.4 million pounds sterling for failing to protect customers' accounts and not doing enough to prevent financial crime. And we see increased desire to control Big Tech. The most notable example started in China with Alibaba in 2019. New Chinese data protection regulation has more scope for oversight, as we saw with the crackdown on ride-hailing service Didi and others. China perhaps sees its companies listed overseas as a national security risk because foreign governments could scrutinize the massive amounts of data they hold. But there are other risks: Several shareholders sued Didi since their share price fell after regulatory crackdown. It's not just China wanting to rein in Big Tech and their data – security concerns led to Germany's data protection commissioner telling government organizations to shut down their Facebook pages. UK's draft Online Safety Bill proposes a new Big Tech oversight body to help tackle illegal and harmful online content. Another trend is increasing regulatory oversight of start-ups, especially in fintech. Stock trading app Robinhood must pay 30 million US dollars to the New York State regulatory body for cybersecurity and anti-money laundering failures. The Swedish financial regulator is investigating buy-now-pay-later firm Klarna for data privacy breaches. Coming soon: The data regulation to prepare for Data regulation laws are often challenged. In Europe in 2020, the Schrems II judgment invalidated Privacy Shield, the data-sharing mechanism between the EU and the US. Austrian activist Max Schrems scored a major win as his case questioning Facebook's legal basis to collect data was referred to the EU Court of Justice. Trump's US attempt to ban TikTok and WeChat shows this isn't confined to the EU. India's Reserve Bank banned Mastercard from issuing new credit and debit cards for not keeping to local data storage rules. Three years since GDPR came into force, regulators aren't standing still. In April 2021, the EU Commission published a draft proposal to regulate artificial intelligence in line with GDPR. With increased automation globally, this is one area to watch.
Why aliens might be the next big cyber-hackers
On Earth, we depend on what we've put into space. And like all critical infrastructure, space infrastructure needs cybersecurity. It's a vital backbone for sensitive systems and tasks that support economies, communication and science. Increased technology in critical infrastructure means improved service, but it also means more ways for intruders to attack. We use satellites to communicate and monitor weather, but also to explore space. Increasing space missions also bring new ways to attack. And whenever a new technology emerges, it attracts hacktivists, organized state cybercriminals and cyber mercenaries. We must learn from past mistakes and put cybersecurity front and center while expanding space operations. Layers of space infrastructure Like typical critical infrastructure, space infrastructure has three main layers. Corporate network or user segment Typical critical infrastructure has a corporate network that hosts email, file servers, digital services and so on. In space infrastructure, it's called the 'user segment,' and it's where administrators and systems operators process data from all segments. Field layer or space segment Space probes, sensors, satellites and other things that collect data from the environment are the 'space segment.' In traditional critical infrastructure, it's the field layer. The space segment facilitates long-range communication and monitoring services to the ground segment. Supervisory or ground segment We need a layer between connecting field devices with the corporate network for monitoring and processing data. It's called the supervisory segment in critical infrastructure or the 'ground segment' in space. The ground segment receives space communications, and monitors and controls spacecraft like satellites, telescopes and probes. Each segment hosts systems, networks and devices and provides a set of services to other segments. When a service or device is network-connected, it's exposed to cyber threats. Cyberthreats in space Cyberattacks can enter space infrastructure through corporate networks (the user segment,) satellites, satellite communication and any system that connects to the space network. As early as 2022, 4G towers on the moon could be another entry point. We don't often hear about cyberattacks on space infrastructure, but they happen, which is why some countries are expanding their space cyber defense. In 2019, the US government established the Space Force as its sixth armed force. The Space Force protects US interests in space, including cyber operations. In the same year, NASA found a rogue device, a Raspberry Pi, stealing sensitive information undetected for 10 months. Cyberattacks affect space agencies like all big organizations. Cybercriminals target their networks for many reasons. As well as targeting space networks' user segment, threat actors target communication between ground stations and satellites, eavesdropping and spying. We also see an arms race in space warfare. Global powers are establishing space units within armed forces, while others are taking it to the next level with kamikaze satellites. But seriously, alien cyber-hackers So far, we've discussed human-generated threats. But there are also non-human and unintentional threats like space junk, solar flares and thunderstorms that affect space infrastructure and cause disruptions on Earth. Future of space exploration More countries than ever are launching missions to space. In 2020 alone, China, the United Arab Emirates and the US launched missions to Mars while China's rover has been exploring the Martian surface. NASA's Artemis program aims to place the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024, to study and collect information for planning a base camp on its south pole for the next giant leap – sending humans to Mars. Once, only governments were in space, but private companies are now taking over the space race. Here are my predictions for the future of space exploration. We'll fly by rocket instead of airplane We're always looking for the fastest way to travel. On the ground, the proposed Hyperloop could reach speeds of 760 miles an hour – 50 percent faster than commercial jets. Meanwhile, Elon Musk wants to fly people in rockets instead of airplanes, avoiding friction and air resistance to make speeds up to 17,000 miles per hour, or London to Dubai in under 30 minutes. Space tourism will be a norm Space tourism is right around the corner. We'll see hotels in orbit as our newest 'getaway' on a whole new level. Gateway Foundation announced plans to open the first space hotel, Voyager Station, as early as 2027. As we learn how to survive in conditions different from Earth, we'll also see vacation destinations on the moon and Mars. Robots are the new astronauts Artificial Intelligence is prominent in our lives today. It's just a matter of time before we have robots capable of doing anything humans can do, including becoming astronauts. We can design robots to withstand harsh conditions on different planets. There are already semi-autonomous machines like Perseverance on Mars, but their computational intelligence is limited. As technology advances, we'll send robots powered by supercomputers to discover the unknown. Human colonies on planets and moons Humans will venture into space and start colonizing solar system planets and moons. We're already planning bases on the moon and Mars, so it's just a matter of time until we see sustainable colonies hosting thousands, if not millions, of people. Infrastructure will also progress to host hospitals, farms and schools. We'll mine space resources To settle on a planet, we'll need to mine its raw materials. Water could be highly valuable on other planets because it can be broken down to hydrogen for rocket fuel and oxygen to breathe. Space mining will be one of the most crucial industries for humans going interplanetary. This space future, or any other we imagine, will need IT infrastructure and communication, and like space infrastructure today, will have ways for cybercriminals – alien or human – to attack. We must remember space infrastructure is already crucial to life on Earth and protect it accordingly. Cybercriminals have already shown they can hide a Raspberry Pi from NASA, and they'll have many more tricks up their sleeves. Let's make sure we explore the solar system and the universe in the safest way we can.
How we can make sure AI benefits everyone
We're at a tipping point in history, but the potential in our situation is also palpable. Smart technology has been disruptive. Artificial intelligence (AI) is growing exponentially, creating radical change in how we live, work and play. Every country and industry feels its reverberations. Whole systems of production, management and governance are changing while we face huge challenges like climate change and a global pandemic. Add ongoing issues like fake news, wealth inequality and bias to the mix. We need visionary leadership and action to ensure humanity goes in the right direction as we unlock AI's potential. If we navigate this era wisely, AI will be good for society. Max Tegmark, President of Future of Life Institute, says, "Everything we love about civilization is a product of intelligence, so amplifying our human intelligence with artificial intelligence could help civilization flourish like never before – as long as we keep the technology beneficial." AI is a purpose for humanity My recent book Democratizing Artificial Intelligence to Benefit Everyone examines the smart technology era, how AI affects every part of our world and how it could benefit everyone. I also introduce Sapiens – a human-centered AI-driven platform that puts us in control as individuals. It could monetize the data and services of individuals, companies and even countries. Sapiens addresses a big gap: There is no large-scale solution helping us make the most of our lives. The Sapiens AI Assistant helps you optimize your life, get money for data and services and learns from your behavior. It supports lifelong learning, relationships and wellbeing. It gives guidance, makes recommendations and even helps you build character strengths. Why do we need this? Imagine living in a thriving, uplifting and compassionate society that creates beneficial outcomes for everyone. Smart technology helps this society solve problems and create opportunities. Cities are greener, work is low stress and living more meaningful. Jobs are well-paid, your community is rich in activities and you can easily learn throughout your life. You can focus on quality of life and work with others to further improve society, rewarded for your active participation and positive contributions. I'm developing Sapiens with that future in mind. How business leaders should respond to AI AI is progressively disrupting and changing most sectors and business models. It's activating new markets and future industries. Global management consultancy McKinsey estimates AI will add 13 trillion US dollars to the global economy over the next decade. In my experience developing AI software over two decades, business is getting better at gathering and responding to data, transforming customer retention, productivity and quality. Increased computing power, data storage and processing capability have all helped. Markets are evolving. We see faster, scalable marketplaces, more informed consumers and leaner operations. Advances in AI are birthing new industries and customer segments. Senior executives must make fast, strategic shifts to monetize new opportunities and adapt models as AI adoption spawns new industries. Early examples of new AI-driven market segments include recommendation-driven entertainment streaming and GPS-driven ride-sharing. We've seen tremendous increase in start-ups using AI, with investment growing 18-fold in six years. AI applications today mainly optimize business processes in existing industries like customer support, logistics and supply chain management. But the biggest economic benefits of AI will be in solving complex problems that could start new industries. Business leaders must keep track of machine learning developments to spot trends and react. AI in cybersecurity Cyberattacks can target all businesses, with aims ranging from customer data theft to corporate espionage. IT security economics research by Kaspersky saw the average cost in 2020 of resolving a data breach for an enterprise exceeds $1 million, and more than $100k for small- to medium-sized businesses. Large data breaches can leak the data of millions of people, opening the door for further cybercrime and fraud. AI will play an increasingly important role in protecting businesses from cyberthreats, with security tools analyzing data from millions of threats and using it to identify threats like ransomware and phishing as they become more sophisticated. Staying up to date with AI-based cybersecurity tools and using them to assist security teams helps keep businesses safe from increasingly potent cyberattacks. AI-driven cybersecurity learns how humans react, helping a business become better prepared to face future threats. Personalized engagement for consumer-facing businesses Consumer-facing businesses must offer personalized customer experiences at scale. Tech giants like Amazon, Google and Alibaba have led the way. Machine learning can accurately predict customer needs by building rich, real-time profiles as we interact with websites and virtual assistants. Accenture says investment in AI and human-machine collaboration could boost retail revenue by 38 percent. As we flick through Netflix recommendations or search on Google, AI calculations happen in data centers, with our devices communicating their results to us. This will change as machine-learning algorithms become more efficient and capable of running on low-power devices at the 'edge' (known as edge computing.) Future AI applications in money and finance AI has already had an enormous impact on the financial services sector. Mordor Intelligence estimated AI in fintech was worth nearly 8 billion US dollars in 2020, predicting its value will triple by 2026. AI-automated processes are reducing costs, increasing productivity and preventing fraud. AI could offer personalized engagement for the growing number switching to mobile, in-app transactions. It would provide another possible route for cyberattack and financial fraud, but AI can help address these risks too. Intelligent virtual assistants for banking, powered by messaging platforms, mobile devices or voice assistants, could give convenient, easy customer service for everything from account balances to loan inquiries. My company, South African AI business Cortex Logic, envisages major banks using AI-driven models to optimize home loan prices in a dynamic and personalized way. In this industry, slight increases in market share are of high value. US residents take out 4.4 trillion US dollars in home mortgages each year. By mining structured and unstructured data, banks can better segment and personalize home loan price positioning. AI-powered stock and share trading could use new data sources like satellite imagery relevant to commodity prices and social media sentiments around brands. These could complement established market signals like company performance and news sentiments to optimize investment portfolios. AI-enabled education, healthcare and wellness AI ultra-personalized solutions present a way to use smart tech for a fairer world. McKinsey estimates in the US AI-powered solutions could save 300 billion US dollars a year in healthcare costs. While in the UK, AI-driven preventive care could save 3.3 billion pounds yearly in decreased hospital admissions. These preventative care solutions also forecast disease spread and identify high-risk groups. Developing one new drug costs around 2.6 billion US dollars, but almost 90 percent of proposed therapies fail between first-phase trials and regulatory approval. AI-based solutions are helping speed up developing treatments and making them more cost-effective. AI's impact on society, government and the public sector AI is transforming the public sector with improved delivery, efficiency and safety. Many governments see AI as a game-changer and are putting policies in place to smooth its way. Professional services giant Deloitte's Center of Government Insights report examines how AI can redesign public sector work. For the US federal government alone, task automation could mean savings of 3.3 to 41 billion US dollars (depending on the type of task being sped up and to what extent). Debates around AI's future AI's progress and future direction are hotly debated. Everyone wants to ensure its path is ethical, transparent and beneficial. We're getting better at understanding the complexity and inner workings of AI. We must now develop a thorough understanding of where it's going. How will AI affect our ability to exercise free will? How will it impact our evolution and long-term survival? There are concerns about using AI for surveillance, including tech giants, corporates and governments using it to control, manipulate or profit. Other concerns center around how bias in data can make AI unreliable. Solutions to potential negative impacts include developing policies to ensure AI is directed at the common good. Skills for a human-centered AI-driven workplace OECD's Future of Education and Skills 2030 report recommends students develop three competencies they'll need to shape a healthy and sustainable future: Creating new value, reconciling tensions and dilemmas, and taking responsibility. University of Phoenix's Institute of the Future outlines ten work skills crucial for success in the future workplace in their Future Work Skills 2020 report, including sense-making: finding deeper meaning and significance in information and novel and adaptive thinking: coming up with solutions and responses beyond rules. AI is a vital companion to support people to thrive in the future of work. Democratizing AI is a multi-faceted problem. It's not only dependent on the progress of tech and policy making, but excellent collaboration between the public and private sector, academia and global organizations. We need a strategic plan to ensure we use AI for good outcomes. We must democratize AI throughout the lifecycle starting with its development before deployment and use. We must build human-compatible, ethical and trustworthy AI and address bias and discrimination. With the accelerating pace of AI-driven automation and its impact on work, we must become lifelong learners. We need to make proactive choices as opportunities shift and target areas where we can make meaningful contributions. That way, we'll shape a better future together in the smart technology era.
How working from home is changing the future of cities
The switch to working from home that accompanied the pandemic is accelerating underlying trends in urban living and improving quality of life in cities. The pandemic isn't over, and no one knows what's next, but trend-spotters in marketing, research and other disciplines are noting change in how we live. I agree with them: Our environment is changing thanks to the influence of remote work, new technology and interacting physical and virtual worlds. Here are some of the big shifts to watch out for. How homes will change Never before have people around the world found themselves living in such similar ways at the same time. For the second year running, we're seeing remote working en masse. The change has boosted some sectors. E-commerce has thrived as visiting bricks-and-mortar stores became more complicated. We've seen higher shipping parcel volumes and evidence of expansion in delivery services. People are getting used to spending more time at home, so in commerce 'dark stores' (local stores being converted into fulfilment houses for online orders,) food delivery and digitalization will keep growing. Contactless payments will be the norm. COVID-19 has accelerated intelligent buildings and smart home technologies already being implemented. Keyless entry, voice-activated elevators and digital room service have become more valuable as consumers embrace hands-off technology at home. For smart homes, essential security includes correctly configuring Wi-Fi networks and protecting devices and control panels with strong, unique passwords. But consumers have a way to come to adopt good security practices widely. Kaspersky's recent research found only 48 percent protect their Wi-Fi network with a password, and just 58 percent use security software beyond what their devices have as standard with their operating system. There's encouraging news in emerging 'cyber immune' technologies bringing greater security by design to the new fusion of digital and physical worlds. How the office will change Millions of employees working from home have felt the need for a virtual office. The hybrid work model is coming to the fore for many businesses, which means heading to the office just two or three days a week. This 'pop-up' workspace paradigm means virtual work will become more widely available. The need to organize IT support adds a burden for employees. Simple advice: Always use a virtual private network (VPN) at home or on public Wi-Fi – it will protect your data, hide your IP address and ensure no one intercepts your online communications. How urban living will change Demographers and sociologists have trotted out the 'death of the suburbs' narrative many times over the years. COVID-19 caused a return to suburban and country life: Millions changed out downtown apartments for green places with less human contact. "First there were boom towns. Now there are Zoom towns," said Lilly Smith in Fast Company, describing vacation destinations turning into real estate hot spots. My study of economic sociology tells me people will find a middle ground between Zoom towns and big cities. The pandemic has blurred the boundaries between suburban living and metropolitan life. Improved rural infrastructure means country living is an option for people who have never considered it before. More than ever, people can choose their lifestyle, mixing and matching living arrangements according to family and seasons. I think Zoom towns are here to stay, but the way people use them will evolve. But another thing the pandemic has taught us is, we want to meet face to face. It's human nature to communicate and live together. People want to go to bars and restaurants, and they need eye contact in meetings and to feel connected to teammates to be productive. All this is why we'll always want to live in cities. Urban trends triggered in 2020 include 15-minute cities, where citizens can get daily needs within a short walk or fresh air while teleworking. Malls have made way for local grocery stores, and we're favoring getting around on bicycles rather than driving or by public transport. In Fast Forward audio series episode Cities of the Future, filmmaker and vice-chair of Women in Architecture Sarah Akigbogun predicts the flight from downtown to suburbia may be good for tackling inequality. It might empower talented people in marginalized communities recently shut out by inner-city gentrification. These may be long-lasting urban tendencies. Post-pandemic habits will shape the look of future neighborhoods, providing a more family-friendly environment for those who enjoy city living. When planning a living environment, developers must create opportunities for communication and leisure, enhance sense of community and prioritize health. Technologies that sanitize public spaces, allow contactless entry or enable stay-at-home virtual and augmented reality tourism will bring us closer to a future of smart and secure homes and cities. In the past, cities grew through planning decisions and municipal visions of the future, but we're entering a time when technology is giving many the flexibility to choose where and how they live and work. As global challenges like pandemics and climate change demand fast, decisive change, this growing flexibility in our lives could be a valuable asset.
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text:
Santa School is real, and the training is tougher than you think
By: Annie Taylor
You can go to school for just about anything these days and that includes Santa School!
Mark Gebhart is a sound engineer, but during the holidays, he's Santa Clause.
"It's a feeling of service I get to give to people," Gebhart says. "It's like ingrained in my being. It's something I have to do."
To become the best Santa, and to get better pay to play Santa, Gebhart went to Santa School.
"It's really intense," he says. "We learn a lot and we learn how to be Santa Claus."
In Santa School, it's not all about makeup, reindeer and practicing your "Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!" The classes involved much more, including learning about child psychology, undergoing active shooting training and understanding what to do if there's an unruly crowd.
The Santa Claus performers began school in January, and it takes 9 months to graduate.
"We are each others' brothers," Gebhart says of his fellow Santas. "We help each other, we study together, we work together; we are really a brotherhood."
When the Santas graduate, they take an oath and are given a diploma for all their hard work.
They have three months to land a job, whether at the mall, private parties or corporate events.
"I actually have an agent that I go through, and my agent gets me jobs," Gebhart says. "Other Santas use things like GigSalad ; they go out and market themselves."
Of course, it's not just about the money. They all agree it's the smiles on kid's faces when they see Santa that makes them get into character each year.
While a lot of people love the holidays, some look at Santa School and think it's all a little crazy.
"It is crazy. It's a great kind of crazy, and I love it," Gebhart says. "And I wouldn't do anything else."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Big O Hike
Nine days, 109 miles: that's the circuit around Lake Okeechobee to complete a walk around the second largest lake inside American borders on the Big O Hike.
Held by the Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association annually, the Big O Hike has drawn more than a thousand participants to the shores of Lake Okeechobee to experience a walk with expansive views across the lake and its marshes.
** IMPORTANT ** The 2019 Big O Hike has been CANCELLED. It may resume in 2020, when the Army Corps of Engineers says that all segments of the dike should be open again.
Until 2019, it set the record as Florida's longest-running annual hiking event.
2016 was the 25th Anniversary of the Big O Hike. Although only half of the trail is accessible due to the Army Corps of Engineers rebuilding portions of the dike, this annual gathering still goes on as a place to camp, hike, bike, and spend a week outdoors along the vastness of Lake Okeechobee.
The hike is held during Thanksgiving Week. Details are always posted on the FTA Loxahatchee Chapter website a few months in advance.
For 6 to 9 days (depending on the schedule), hikers gather each morning to shuttle to a drop-off point and walk from 7 to 14 miles per day on the Florida Trail. That's the traditional Big O. For some of us who've hiked around Lake Okeechobee numerous times, there are plenty of alternatives to the daily routine. Self-shuttle with your friends and do shorter or longer miles. Bring a bicycle and ride the paved sections around the lake. Hike on other nearby trails, like the Rafael Sanchez Trail and the Taylor Creek STA.
Camping and afternoon activities are typically centered at the KOA campground in Okeechobee, with campsite assignments and group rates coordinated by the Loxahatchee chapter. Tents, campers, and RVs are welcome. Not a camper? There are plenty of motel and hotel options nearby.
Part of the camaraderie of the hike comes from going out to dinner with friends every evening, relaxing at the hot tub, enjoying the pool, and kicking back at the daily happy hour. You'll make lots of new friends. In fact, the Big O Hike is where we met! And we're not the only couple who ended up getting married after walking along Lake Okeechobee together.
What's it like to hike the Big O?
Read our articles from our many years of attending the Big O Hike. Sandra joined the hike for the first time in 2002 and managed to loop the lake on the Florida Trail three times before it was no longer possible to do so due to closures. John showed up for his first hike in 2011 and finished the loop the next year. One of the most delightful parts of attending the Big O Hike is removing yourself from your everyday routine to spend day after day walking, and afternoons and evenings relaxing with friends.
What it's like to hike the Big O Hike
June 11, 2019 // by Sandra Friend
Nine days of walking around Lake Okeechobee is a unique experience that can change your life. Learn what it feels like to join the Big O Hike in these three sets of journals to the day-by-day journey.
Okeechobee Wind
November 26, 2015 // by Sandra Friend
Atop the Herbert Hoover Dike, looming nearly forty feet above Lake Okeechobee, you expect wind – headwinds and tailwinds – as you hike the Florida Trail. A shallow basin of 730 square miles, the lake plays with the weather.
Okeechobee's Last Wild Shore
Hiking Lake Okeechobee's ancient shoreline is a surprise and a delight. The trail bobs. It weaves. It curves around naturally scoured waterways, and tunnels deeply through a tropical understory.
Primrose and the Big O Hike
January 22, 2015 // by John Keatley
Our first outing with Primrose this hiking season was a trip to the Big O Hike. It rained, of course, in both directions to and from Okeechobee. But we had a splendid road trip in our VW camper.
A Year with Primrose
January 6, 2014 // by John Keatley
It's been a year since we purchased Primrose, our 1982 VW Vanagon. Here's a recap of where we've been and what we've seen.
The Big O, Differently
December 3, 2013 // by Sandra Friend
After a dozen years of attending, the Big O Hike had become a welcome routine, a time to gather with friends. This year was very different. Being in charge meant having to worry about both the big picture and the details.
Fellowship of the Key Rings
December 11, 2012 // by Our Readers
"You are gonna get blisters," a veteran hiker told us, "Everyone does." I remember hearing his words standing in the small town of Pahokee, Florida, my heart wildly beating, waiting for the hike to begin.
Seminole Reflections
Returning to the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation for the first time in a decade, I remember my visits of the past and celebrate the present with John with a panther sighting.
When a sudden dental problem threw our hiking plans awry, we kicked into research mode and went wandering around Lake Okeechobee in search of information for our new guidebook.
A moment of Deja vu: discovering a scene that Bart Smith had captured in Along the Florida Trail at the 4Es trailhead.
It isn't rare for winds to streak across the surface of Lake Okeechobee, picking up speed as they travel. But some mornings are windier than others, and this was one of them.
Notes From a Small Space
Although we're writing a Florida Trail hiking guide, we decided to come to the Big O Hike since we met here last year, and it's time to try out the new TravLite!
What makes the Big O Hike stand out from all other hiking events is the friendships that you make – good, deep friendships born out of traveling together at a walking pace for nine days around Lake Okeechobee.
Breaking away from the everyday for nine days to immerse yourself in the goal of walking around Lake Okeechobee brings on a certain sense of calm, a time out of the normal pace of time, despite time framing each day.
Everglades, Interrupted
When you're traveling at the speed of feet, it's easy to spend hours reflecting on the Everglades that once was, the vast wilds erased by the agro-industrial complex that brought sugar cane to Lake Okeechobee.
Turtle Time
In hiking and in life, there are tortoises and hares. On the Big O Hike, the Loxahatchee – "River of the Turtles" – Chapter participants walk at all speeds, but the speediest of our hikers are known as rabbits.
O Okeechobee
It's a tradition at the Big O Hike to share your talent at Thanksgiving Day dinner. Mine is a poem commemorating the hike and our friends who've gone before us.
Braising Cane
As I hike the Florida Trail past Moore Haven, a sugar cane field bursts out in flame after my discussion with my friend Steve, a sign from above that he's along for the walk.
Okeechobee's history runs deep. Today's walk slips past many ghosts, of fish camps and fish canneries, an early Florida toll road and more shoreline where the lake waters once lapped.
Sweep of Blue
At Port Mayaca, the shape of Lake Okeechobee is obvious, even at dawn, the curvature extending off to the horizon line at the only place in Florida with horizon to horizon views.
Pounding Pavement in Pahokee
For the first time since the Big O Hike started in 1992, the Army Corps of Engineers denied our hikers access to the dike. So to kick off the 2011 Big O Hike, it's a roadwalk through Pahokee.
Back from the Big O
During the 2007 Big O Hike, Ocala resident Cliff Moody set a new bar for future hikers by walking all the way around Lake Okeechobee at age 90.
Day Nine: Pelican Bay
The final day of the 2007 Big O Hike sweeps us around the curve of Pelican Bay into Pahokee as the details sink deep into my memories.
Day Eight: Torrey Island
After a moonlight walk the night before with fellow hikers, I arise early for a walk to Torrey Island on Day 8 of the Big O Hike.
ALL Big O Hike Articles
The Florida Trail Guide
The comprehensive mile-by-mile guidebook to planning section and thru-hikes along the entire length of the Florida Trail. 356 pages, $18.95 + tax and shipping. Order here
Florida Trail Hikes
Our new guide to the best day hikes, overnighters, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail. Full hike narratives and maps. 376 pages, full color. $24.95 + tax and shipping. Order here.
The Florida Trail App
Comprehensive logistics and offline maps all in one: The Florida Trail Guide is now also an interactive map-based mile-by-mile app by Guthook Guides.
Florida Trail Updates
Get periodic recaps of changes to the Florida Trail, which we accumulate between editions of our guidebook. Find all official Trail Closures & Notices here.
Hiking the Florida Trail
Florida Trail Overview
Best Backpacking Trips
Florida Trail in South Florida
Florida Trail in Central Florida
Florida Trail in North Florida
Florida Trail in Northwest Florida
Florida Trail for Scouting
Florida Trail Adventures
Florida Trail by Section
Florida Trail, Apalachicola
Florida Trail, Big Bend
Florida Trail, Big Cypress
Florida Trail, Blackwater
Florida Trail, Central Panhandle
Florida Trail, Eglin
Florida Trail, Kissimmee
Florida Trail, Northeast Florida
Florida Trail, Ocala
Florida Trail, Ocean to Lake
Florida Trail, Okeechobee
Florida Trail, Orlando
Florida Trail, Seashore
Florida Trail, Seminole
Florida Trail, Suwannee
Florida Trail, Western Corridor


text:
using System.Collections.Generic;

namespace Twitterizer2.TestCases
{
    using System;
    using System.IO;
    using System.Linq;
    using System.Reflection;
    using System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary;
    using NUnit.Framework;
    using Twitterizer;

    [TestFixture]
    public class CoreTests
    {
        [Test]
        [Category("ReadOnly")]
        public static void Serialization()
        {
            Assembly twitterizerAssembly = Assembly.GetAssembly(typeof(TwitterUser));
            var objectTypesToCheck = from t in twitterizerAssembly.GetExportedTypes()
                               where !t.IsAbstract &&
                               !t.IsInterface &&
                               (
                                t.GetInterfaces().Contains(twitterizerAssembly.GetType("Twitterizer.Core.ITwitterObject")) ||
                                t.IsSubclassOf(twitterizerAssembly.GetType("Twitterizer.Entities.TwitterEntity"))
                               )
                               select t;

            var interfacesToImplement = new List<Type>();
            interfacesToImplement.Add(twitterizerAssembly.GetType("Twitterizer.Core.ICommand`1"));
            interfacesToImplement.Add(twitterizerAssembly.GetType("Twitterizer.Core.ITwitterCommand`1"));

            var baseClassesToInherit = new List<Type>();
            baseClassesToInherit.Add(twitterizerAssembly.GetType("Twitterizer.Commands.PagedTimelineCommand`1"));

            var commandTypesToCheck = from t in twitterizerAssembly.GetTypes()
                                      where
                                     (
                                      interfacesToImplement.Intersect(t.GetInterfaces()).Count() > 0 ||
                                      baseClassesToInherit.Any(t.IsSubclassOf)
                                     )
                                     select t;

            var objects = objectTypesToCheck.Union(commandTypesToCheck).ToList();

            foreach (Type type in objects)
            {
                Console.WriteLine(string.Format("Inspecting: {0}", type.FullName));

                // Check that the object itself is marked as serializable
                Assert.That(type.IsSerializable, string.Format("{0} is not marked as Serializable", type.Name));

                // Get the parameter-less constructor, if there is one
                ConstructorInfo constructor = type.GetConstructor(Type.EmptyTypes);

                if (constructor == null)
                    Assert.Fail(string.Format("{0} does not have a public ctor", type.FullName));

                // Instantiate the type by invoking the constructor
                object objectToSerialize = constructor.Invoke(null);

                try
                {
                    using (MemoryStream ms = new MemoryStream())
                    {
                        // Serialize the object
                        new BinaryFormatter().Serialize(ms, objectToSerialize);
                    }
                }
                catch (Exception) // Catch any exceptions and assert a failure
                {
                    Assert.Fail(string.Format("{0} could not be serialized", type.FullName));
                }
            }
        }

        [Test]
        [Category("ReadOnly")]
        public static void SSL()
        {
            TwitterResponse<TwitterUser> sslUser = TwitterUser.Show("twitterapi", new OptionalProperties { UseSSL = true });
            Assert.That(sslUser.RequestUrl.StartsWith("https://"));

            TwitterResponse<TwitterUser> user = TwitterUser.Show("twitterapi", new OptionalProperties { UseSSL = false });
            Assert.That(user.RequestUrl.StartsWith("http://"));

            TwitterResponse<TwitterStatusCollection> timeline = TwitterTimeline.HomeTimeline(Configuration.GetTokens(), new TimelineOptions { UseSSL = true });
            Assert.That(timeline.RequestUrl.StartsWith("https://"));
            Assert.That(user.RequestUrl.StartsWith("https://"));
        }

        [Test]
        [Category("Distribution")]
        public static void CheckAssemblySignature()
        {
Assembly asm = Assembly.GetAssembly(typeof(TwitterUser));
if (asm != null)
{
    AssemblyName asmName = asm.GetName();
    byte[] key = asmName.GetPublicKey();
    Assert.That(key.Length > 0);
}
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


BYOD, the familiar acronym for the "bring your own device" phenomenon, is increasingly gaining support in many industries in the US. Many companies are allowing employees to choose their laptops and use their own smart phones and tablets at work in support of bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs.
Tons of organizations are beginning to see the benefits BYOD has to offer and have already embraced or are considering BYOD implementation. With the many benefits as described in 7 Benefits of BYOD on Enterprise Wireless Networks it's easy to see why the welcoming of BYOD in the workplace will only continue to accelerate.This infographic below illustrates research conducted by SAP and NetBase revealing some of the pros and cons of BYOD. Some of these stats will definitely surprise you!
So, are you for or against BYOD policies?
The demand for mobile devices on enterprise wireless networks will continue to accelerate and organizations will continue to be faced with increasing pressure to allow BYOD (bring your own device) or corporate-liable devices on their secure wireless network. Wireless network security and the overload of mobile devices on the wireless network system are some of the main concerns for many companies. That's where we can help.
Here at SecurEdge Networks, we are experts in building completely secure enterprise wireless networks and always plan for the future of mobile devices. If you have any questions or would like a free consultation contact us here or download one of our free resources. Good luck!


Instant Holidays offer cheap Crete Holidays, book online or call a Crete holiday expert to book your cheap holidays in Crete.
Crete is one of the greatest Islands in the Mediterranean. It is the largest Greek island, with lots of lovely places and interesting landscapes. The whole island has a unique charm and atmosphere, as well as distinct culture. The northern part of Crete is more populated and mostly known to the tourists. Southern part of Crete is less visited due to the harsher terrain, but it has some very nice villages and hidden coves. The capital city of Crete is Heraklion, which serves as a main point for entrance to the Island. The capital has its own charm and many interesting spots. It is also a home of a great archaeological museum. Heraklion is close to some amazing Minoan historical sites like Phaestos, Ayia Triadha and Knossos further south.
When it comes to climate, Crete has a perfect weather throughout the year. Summers here are the longest, and you can swim and sunbath starting from April until November. Sometimes there are seasonal winds that have a cooling effect, but the average summer temperatures are around 30 C. August is the warmest month and most visited by the tourists.
Due to its large lands, Crete has many quality vineyards and many local people work in the agriculture. The land is very rich and fertile, which makes Crete one of the rare islands that can survive and fully support itself without solely relying on tourism. However, tourism is a very important branch and it is mainly exploited on the north coast, where there are lots of great beach resorts attracting tourists from all over the world. On the western part of the island are the quieter and less advertised villages and resorts. In the middle of the island there are great high mountains that are still unspoiled by mass tourism.
Want to book your cheap Crete Holidays?
Instant Holidays offers cheap Crete Holidays, book securely online or call 0800 810 8392 to book a cheap hotel for your next Crete Holidays.
On the western side of Crete you will find the nice town of Réthymnon, famous for its amazing beach and the beautiful old town. Haniá located on the far west is a very stylish and attractive town, offering great atmosphere. Both Réthymnon and Haniá are designed with distinct influence from the Venetian culture. On the eastern side of Crete you will find the major and one of the most popular resorts called Agios Nikolaos. It is a typical holiday resort with plenty of things to attract the tourists, but it still has kept some of its original character. There you will find numerous sophisticated and exclusive hotels and restaurants. Also on the eastern side is the nice and quiet town of Sitia, which can serve as a nice base for exploring the wider eastern region.
Crete`s interior is famous for the beautiful White Mountains. They are around couple of thousand meters high, and there you will find some excellent hiking trails. There are many white windmills on the mountains and some parts offer great views on the island.
In general, Crete has everything to offer to the travelers – starting from its rich Minoan history and beautiful palaces, amazing beaches, impressive mountains, fertile and vast valleys, as well as great gastronomy.


The other day I was talking to my boss Rich Gladstone AKA The Ticket Man about how I was having trouble coming up with new blogs for the same shows week in and week out. Now those of you who read my blogs every week know how much I love In The Heights. I could write about that show every day of the week if I had too. Anyway I some very exciting news about the show that I would like to share with all of you. It was recently announced that the producers of In The Heights have teamed up with Clear Channel NY to offer a $16,000 scholarship to help one deserving individual fulfill their dream of going to college. The idea is based on Nina Rosario, a character in the show who herself is struggling to come up with the funds to return to college and finish her degree. In all the years that I have been in this business I have never heard of something like this and I think the producers and well as Clear Channel NY should be commended for this wonderful opportunity. If any of you are interested in applying for the scholarship I have attached the link.
We Make Booking Tickets E A S Y!!!!!!!
Try us! You'll Like us!!!!!!
Customer Service at its Best!!!!!
Need to buy a New York Hotel Theater Package?
Need help booking a show? Give Applause a call.
The 60's Are Back-Hair Is A Hit!
Need Broadway Show tickets? Why pay more?
Give The Gift of Rock of Ages!!!!! We Did!!!!


text:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<doc>
  <assembly>
    <name>Synthetic.Core</name>
  </assembly>
  <namespaces>
    <namespace name="Synthetic.Core">
      <category>Synthetic.Core</category>
    </namespace>
    <namespace name="Autodesk.Revit.DB">
      <category>Synthetic.ΦNotUsed</category>
    </namespace>
    <namespace name="Synthetic.Experimental">
      <category>Synthetic.Experimental</category>
    </namespace>
  </namespaces>
</doc>


text:
Posted on January 31, 2019 by David Wright
No early release for Hillsboro crossbow shooter
News, Top Stories
Cluxton says he is reformed; Judge denies judicial release
By David Wright - dwright@timesgazette.com
Cluxton
A man who shot his girlfriend with a crossbow last spring was recently denied early release from prison after writing a letter to the court saying he is reformed.
Ian Cluxton, 38, Hillsboro, said in the letter that he had been attending work and therapeutic programs while incarcerated, and that he was prepared to re-enter society as a changed man.
As previously reported, Cluxton shot his girlfriend in the chest with a crossbow last March at a home on East Walnut Street in Hillsboro. The injury sent Kelley Boucher to Miami Valley Hospital in critical condition, where she underwent surgery to remove the bolt from her heart and other organs.
Cluxton was indicted in May and later pled guilty to felonious assault, a second-degree felony. He was sentenced in July to two years in prison.
Cluxton requested judicial release in a motion filed Jan. 25 in Highland County Common Pleas Court.
In a letter filed with the motion, Cluxton said "the good Lord does everything for a reason. He's laid a better path out for me and my family in the long run by providing this time to reflect and realize the true blessings I possess in life."
Cluxton said he hoped to return to work, as well as attend church and volunteer at local food ministries. He said he would stay at his parents' home and replace the roof.
Cluxton said he was "positive I will eagerly embrace my role as a father and good Samaritan in the community. I will continue to work on myself as a whole, and strive to better myself in every way."
Judge Rocky Coss denied the motion on Jan. 28, saying in an entry that Cluxton has "an extensive criminal history," including felony convictions for breaking and entering and drug trafficking in Highland County, as well as several prior violent offenses in other jurisdictions.
"The offense in this case was committed with a crossbow which is a deadly weapon," Coss said in the filing. "Further, the Defendant received the minimum sentence possible for the offense."
Coss said he will deny all future motions for judicial release.
As previously reported, Boucher appeared in November in a promotional video for Premier Health/Miami Valley Hospital, with doctors and others involved in the incident describing how they helped her survive her injuries.
Promotional material released with the video said the shooting was accidental, although police said in March that it was intentional.
Pam Cluxton, Ian Cluxton's mother, said in the video that after Cluxton shot Boucher, he "was just dumbstruck… he couldn't even move, he couldn't even speak. He was just sitting there staring."
Boucher said doctors were surprised at how well she recovered.
"I didn't really know where I got hit in all my organs until after I did the visit when he took my staples out of my stomach," Boucher said. "I'm grateful that I had a team that worked on me and removed it and sewed me up. If it weren't for all these people, my son would have no mother right now."
Cluxton is incarcerated at Chillicothe Correctional Institution. According to court documents, he was granted 120 days of credit for jail time already served. He will be released March 5, 2020, according to online jail records.
Reach David Wright at 937-402-2570.
http://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2019/02/web1_f-ian-cluxton-mug-odrc-1.jpgCluxton
By David Wright
dwright@timesgazette.com
Hi! A visitor to our site felt the following article might be of interest to you: No early release for Hillsboro crossbow shooter. Here is a link to that story: http://www.timesgazette.com/news/34837/no-early-release-for-hillsboro-crossbow-shooter


text:
Heraklion Airport
Chania Airport
Chersonissos
Georgioupolis
Paleochora
Minivan Transfers < 8 pax
Minibus Transfers < 18 pax
Bus Transfers < 52 pax
Vip Transfers
Wheelchair Taxis
Wedding Transfers
Flight Crew Transfers
Chania to Chania Airport
How Far is Chania to Chania Airport?
by Best Crete Transfer
March 20, 20222 minutes
If you're in Chania and want to know the best way to get to the airport or vice versa, read on for all the information you need.
Chania airport is about 14.0 km from the city center. By car, the journey from Chania city to Chania Airport will take about 14 minutes. The cost is approximately €26.
Get to Chania Airport with a Private Transfer
Booking a private transfer is one of the most popular and convenient ways to get from Chania to the airport. A private transfer in Chania is great if you're short on time or don't want to deal with the hassle of driving a car. Of course, prices vary depending on the company and number of people at your party, but this is generally a very affordable and stress-free way to get to the airport.
Take a Cab
Another way to reach the airport is by taking a taxi. Taxis are readily available in Chania and can be found at most hotels and resorts. The suggested fare from Chania to Chania airport is usually €15–16 and the trip will also take around 14 minutes, depending on traffic. You can easily hail a taxi from the street or ask the hotel you're staying in to call one for you.
Oneway Date 00:3001:0001:3002:0002:3003:0003:3004:0004:3005:0005:3006:0006:3007:0007:3008:0008:3009:0009:3010:0010:3011:0011:3012:0012:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:0021:3022:0022:3023:0023:30
Return Date 00:3001:0001:3002:0002:3003:0003:3004:0004:3005:0005:3006:0006:3007:0007:3008:0008:3009:0009:3010:0010:3011:0011:3012:0012:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:0021:3022:0022:3023:0023:30
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - 18 19 - 52
Return?
Free Cancellation Door-to-Door Service 24/7 Customer Support
Take the bus from Chania to Chania Airport
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, taking the bus is a great choice. The public bus system in Chania is reliable and efficient, making it easy to get around the city. There is a direct bus service between Chania and Chania Airport. Services run every two hours and are available every day. The journey takes about 30 minutes. A ticket will cost you between €2-3.
› How to get from Heraklion Airport to Chania?
› How Far is Heraklion Airport to Heraklion City?
› Taxi scams in Chania
› How to get around Chania?
› Is Lyft available in Chania?
About Chania
Chania is one of Crete's best-kept assets. This beautiful city is located on the northwest coast of the island and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle. With over a dozen amazing beaches, delicious food, and stunning architecture, it's easy to see why this city is a tourist hot spot.
Request a real time price quote for a shuttle transfer in Crete. We serve more than 60 locations all around Crete Island.
How to get from ...
Heraklion Airport to Chania
Heraklion Airport to Rethymno
Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos
Heraklion Airport to Ierapetra
Heraklion Airport to Elounda
Heraklion Airport to Makrigialos
Heraklion Airport to Gouves
Heraklion Airport to Chersonissos
Heraklion Airport to Georgioupolis
Best-in-class customer service
24/7 - 365 days a year support
Elite drivers - Professional & experienced
Well-maintained, regularly serviced, squeaky clean car fleet
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Free cancellation and flexibility
Arrive to your destination well-rested
Transfer from / to
from €14 oneway
from €145 oneway
Best Crete Transfer L.P. 93, Ikarou Avenue & Terpsichoris Str, Heraklion Airport, Crete, Greece, 71601
info@bestcretetransfer.com Facebook Twitter Instagram Google Maps Tripadvisor
Best Crete Transfer is fully licensed and accredited by the GNTO (Greek National Tourism Organisation), registered number 1039Ε81000114100
DE RU


text:
<!doctype html>

<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="../src/css/graph.css">
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="css/lines.css">
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="../src/css/detail.css">


Presser-song was first performed by the small theater company of Verebes. They were 17 and dreamed about having their own theatre. That song was written to a poem by Karinthy, which did not become too famous, unlike its composer.
Few years later Presser showed a few songs on the piano of the Omega group in the Eötvös Club, behind him the curious band, which took in the song writer with the glasses. Between 1968 and '71 he was the main composer and organist of three classical Omega LP: Trombitás Frédi és a rettenetes emberek, 10000 lépés, Éjszakai országút.
Besides the most entertaining/funniest character of the band beyond the approach "everybody is doing it different", is "the everybody is remembering it different" (See the movie Volt 1×1 zenekar). The things to remember are too many and too many folded and some time has passed since as well. But what is more important than that: their songs have never lost much.
Our composer in the line of (in) (with) (in between) LGT composed songs, albums, series of albums, radio plays, ballets and a small band of lyrics.
The assignment to compose his first "official" play (from the novel Képzelt riport egy amerikai popfesztiválról by Déry Tibor) came from Vígszínház in 1972. Since then he composed several musicals, musical plays, only in Hungary he has "sold" nearly two million theatre tickets. A few titles: Képzelt riport egy amerikai popfesztiválról (1973), Harmincéves vagyok (1975), Jó estét nyár, jó estét szerelem (1977), A sanda bohóc (1981), A próba (ballet, Állami Operaház Erkel Színháza, 1982), A padlás (1988), Szent István körút 14. (1998), Túl a Maszat-hegyen (Budapest Bábszínház, 2005), Magyar Carmen (2007) and again Túl a Maszat-hegyen (Pesti Színház, 2010). From 1978 he is the musical director of Vígszínház, where he was the musical screenwriter of many of their plays.
In addition to theater directors, film directors have found him as well, he is the composer of more than thirty Hungarian and international movies.
The Amadinda Percussion Group asked him to compose Drum Street Blues in 1989, which was staged the same year in the Zeneakadémia. Since then they have been making music together often, in the meantime their New Year's Eve concert became tradition.
Presser was discovered by BMG Ariola in 1992, and just in two years it squeezed out of him the solo CD Csak dalok which has later became platinum selling CD. In 1995 he is giving nine concerts in the overcrowded Vígszínház, after which he does not give a concert until 2001. But then he gives 50 of them. From the "orchestral" concert series Dalok régről és nemrégről a DVD was made as well. In 1996 he recorded the CD Kis történetek, again with famous Hungarian and international artists. It also became platinum seller. In November 2000 the Angyalok és emberek Presser CD was finished which became gold on the day of its publication and later on a platinum seller.
In between to our big surprise LGT happened to release the new 424 – Mozdonyopera, more than that in 2002 an LGT festival was organized with more tens of thousands of people in attendance, and up until the present day the latest LGT album was released with the title A fiúk a kocsmába mentek. In 2007 the band gives another concert again in front of several tens of thousands of people on the Sziget.
In 1998 in the edition of BMG Ariola songs of Gábor Presser are released on the compilation CD, A zeneszerző, which was followed by two more CDs released every second year. On that last CD which was released he is the author for both music and words.
His latest solo CD by BMG/Sony with the title t12enkettő which was released in 2006 contains 12 brand new songs.
In 2004 Presser stages his solo performance Dalok a színházból in Vígszínház Háziszínpad, where he plays songs from the last nearly four decades, he tells stories about theater, artists, directors, writers, and about everything what is theater.
After many-many years in August 2008 finally Gábor Presser's dream comes true: the Magyar Dal Napja (Day of the Hungarian Song). In front of several ten thousand people on day 0 of Sziget in a more than 7 hours long concert, representatives of different decades and styles of the Hungarian pop music played partly their own songs, partly songs of others. Since then on every second Sunday of September, on increasingly more locations, among them many small towns, give home to musical events, and more and more people can enjoy this initiative building up from bottom.
On January 24, 2009 Gábor Presser gave 1koncert, a solo performance in the sold out Budapest Sportaréna. From this concert a CD had been released with the title: 1 óra az 1 koncert-ből.
In November 2009 he gave a charity concert in the Synagogue of Dohány utca on benefiting the foundation Élet Menete. A DVD has been published from the concert as well.
In 2011 Locovox published Presser Gábor – Parti Nagy Lajos: Rutinglitang (Egy zenemasiniszta) CD/book, which includes 36 (!) newly composed songs of the composer and two adaptations (Pancsoló kislány, Gloomy Sunday).
Our composer wrote songs – sometimes lyrics as well – among others for Katona Klári, Zorán, Demjén Ferenc, Révész Sándor, Kentaur, Malek Andrea, Kaszás Attila, Kulka János, Kern András, Kovács Kati, Király Linda, Oláh Ibolya and Rúzsa Magdi.
His awards are: Erkel Ferenc award (1977), Érdemes Művész (1990), Huszka Jenő award (1996), Artisjus award (1999), Kossuth award (2003), Prima Primissima award (2004), Pro Urbe Budapest award (2009), he is honorary citizen of Budapest XIII. district (2010), Radnóti award (2011).


Adoptees have two sets of parents. This can be confusing to a young adoptee. An adoptive parent shares how her adopted son reacts to seeing pictures of his birth parents.
At an early age, I introduced both of my kids to pictures of their birth parents. I talked about adoption at birth, but I held off on the pictures until they could hold on to them without damaging the pictures. My son is 19 months and I have shown him his pictures 3 times. The first two times he just stared and was mesmerized before trying to rip them. They were put away for a few months and then I tried again.
This time he was excited to look at them, and took time to carefully look at each picture. It was very cute and interesting to watch his face as he carefully examined each picture of his birth parents. I narrated each picture, "That is baby C with your birth mother K. That is you as a baby with your brother J. That is you as a baby with your brother J. L. That is your birth father, S, holding you as a baby." He sat still, but babbled away until we got to the picture of him with his birth father. He immediately started pointing at the picture and shouting, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!" I was shocked! I didn't tell him he was wrong, of course, because it is his biological dad. I just told him that was S is his birth father. However, he was insistent on calling him "Daddy" and would not put that picture down. I was flabbergasted that he was making the connection at such a young age. After this, I continued showing him the rest of the pictures.
The last picture included his birth parents, two of his half siblings, my daughter, my husband, my son, and me. I was holding my daughter. My son's birth mother was holding him. Upon seeing the picture, my son instantly pointed to me and shouted, "Mom!" This made my heart swell! Then he slowly pointed to everyone else waiting for me to narrate. I was waiting for him to call his birth mother "Mom" but surprisingly, he didn't. When I told him his birth mother's name, he responded with "Keees," which is close enough for a child his age. When he came to my husband, he said, "Daddy" and "Nenna" (what he calls his sister) for his sister. He waited with his finger pointed at his birth father for me to go on. It was almost like he was confused seeing both of his fathers in the same picture. He just kept pointing to his birth father but didn't call him "Daddy" in that particular picture. Then he quickly picked up the picture of himself and his birth father and again exclaimed, "Daddy!" He lay down on the floor with that picture and the one of both his birth and adoptive family. He laid there for about 5 minutes quietly staring at the pictures. How I wished I could've heard his thoughts!
As I thought about this, I realized that my son's confused expression when faced with both of his fathers in one picture probably illustrates how a lot of adoptees feel about having birth parents and adoptive parents: confused. I know many adoptees have told me that having two families can be confusing, and even painful, because they don't want one family to feel like they love the other family more. I don't want my kids to feel that way. It may be hard for us to hear our children call another "Mom" or "Dad", titles that we hold so near and dear to our hearts. However, that is their right if they choose to do so. They have two sets of parents. They didn't ask for that, but that is what they were given.


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Reina Sofía Museum Tour: Crash Course
Connect with Dalís and Picassos (including Guernica) in Spain's foremost contemporary art museum
Explores highlights of the museum including Picasso's masterpiece, Guernica
Led by a local art historian
Reina Sofia Museum
The Reina Sofía is one of Madrid's most important museums and houses a fascinating collection of over 21,000 pieces. The main focus here is Modernist 20th century art, including seminal works by Miró and Salvador Dalí, as well as Picasso's world-changing Guernica. On this 2.5-hour Reina Sofía tour, we will join a local art historian with skip-the-line tickets to explore this fascinating collection. Beyond simply appreciating each work on its own we will look closely at the political and social events that shaped this period of Spain's history and attempt to contextualize the art within its time.
Reina Sofía Tour: Understanding the Avant-Garde
We'll begin with an introduction to Spain and the art world at the turn of the 20th-century, considering the important role played by Spanish artists in the wave of avant-garde movements that became emblematic of the period. We'll examine work from Picasso and Juan Gris in relation to Cubism, to Dalí and Miró's contributions to Surrealism.
Guernica in Context
Undoubtedly the most imposing and emblematic work found in the Reina Sofia is Picasso's haunting masterpiece Guernica, the museum's centerpiece, chronicling the artistic response to the Spanish Civil War (for more on this era and the rise of fascism in Spain, try our Spanish Civil War tour). As we marvel at sheer scale of the painting, our docent will explain the bombing that inspired it, talk us through the different elements and the myriad of interpretations that have been applied to them, discuss the painting's journey through Europe and beyond, and consider how it has become an allegory for the horrors of war. We will also examine the other works exhibited alongside it in Paris in 1937, and how art was used by the Republican government as a means of drawing international attention to the bitter conflict that had erupted in Spain in 1936 whose effects are still profoundly felt in art and society today.
Art in a Divided World
We will then move on to the post-war period (both the Civil War and WWII), addressing the increasing prominence of American art as well as how the climate of the Franco dictatorship influenced the development of artists in Spain and led to the formation of artistic collectives such as the El Paso group and the Dau al Set.
We'll conclude our visit on the lower floors of the museum, where the most modern works in the collection can be found, to see how Spanish art has evolved across the second half of the 20th-century into the present day, branching out into other mediums and experimental techniques.
Our goal is for participants to come away with a more robust knowledge of Spanish artists of the 20th-century, along with an insight into their influences and evolution within the wider sociocultural context of when they operated, and an appreciation of the continued relevance of their work today.
If you are interested in exploring Madrid's rich artistic landscape further, we also offer tours of a number of other museums and art-related sites, like our Sorolla Museum tour or our Goya Madrid walking tour.
Can you focus in-depth on a specific theme?
We can organize this walk, privately, on a special theme such as Picasso, Surrealism or the post-war period.
Will you purchase skip-the-line tickets for me?
Yes, though we will still need to wait in the small security line which is required of all visitors to the museum.
Is this tour wheelchair-accessible?
The museum is fully wheelchair accessible throughout. Please contact us to discuss in more detail your mobility concerns so that we can best advise.
Is this tour appropriate for children?
This walk is not a part of our official family program. That said, we may be able to arrange a visit with a family-friendly docent. Please contact us.
I am interested in taking your City Under Siege: Madrid in the Spanish Civil War and the Rise of Fascism tour, which I see also visits the Reina Sofia. Will there be overlap?
Our Civil War tour does indeed visit the Reina Sofia, to discuss Guernica in the context of the war. There will be overlap in that respect. Should you like to book either privately, we can adjust the content so that there is no overlap.
Andrea Van Houtven received her Ph.D. in art history at the University of Maryland. Her dissertation was on the relationship between art and humanism at the Spanish court in the early 17th century, which inevitably led her to Madrid. She has lived in Madrid for 12 years where she has been teaching art history and art-related courses at various universities and private centers. She also participates in special events at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
Originally from Equatorial Guinea, Clara moved to Spain when she was 2 years old. She holds degrees in geography and history and a Master's in art history from Sorbonne University in Paris. With more than fifteen years experience in museum education and public programs, Clara has worked at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice (Italy), the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C, and a number of institutions within the cultural department of the Ministry of Culture in Spain. She also has designed art and cultural tours for groups for more than 10 years. At present Clara works as a Public Programmes and Communication Coordinator at the Museo del Traje (Costume Museum) of Madrid, organising events, lectures, group visits and educational programmes. An avid traveller, she has lived in Seville, Bilbao, New York City, Washington, D.C., Venice, Florence, London and Paris. Interested in different aspects of Spanish cultures, she also has been developing her other passion: food. She has certificates in wine tasting from the Spanish School of Wine Tasting and the Basque Culinary Center and in Gastronomy from the Complutense University. At the present she enjoys combining her research in Spanish Art History and Spanish Museums with her passion about food in Madrid and in the Basque Country.
Itziar Mesanza obtained her first degree in tourism in the Spanish city of Bilbao, famous for its wonderful Guggenheim Modern Art Museum. She continued her studies with a Masters in History and has been living and guiding in Madrid. Passionate about travel, Itziar lived in Dublin for one year and shares Spanish history and culture on specialized tours around Spain.
Fatima was an excellent guide, putting the art in historical and art historical context. She also had us interact with her, using our thoughts and feelings to elaborate.
Great guide-poor collection
Fatima was incredible... from start to finish, the tour was cohesive, interesting and very family friendly. We clicked w/ her immediately.
Prado Museum Tour: Crash Course
Prado Museum
$90/pp
Thyssen Bornemisza Museum Tour: Crash Course
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Madrid Night Tour: Mapping la Movida in Chueca and Malasaña
Museo Chicote
Chueca neighborhood
Malasaña neighborhood


or Tonkey is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Business Management last 2009. He is currently employed in Australian International School of Bangkok (Thailand) as an Administration Officer/Accountant. His responsibility includes managing the after school activities of the students and coordinate with the parents and private contractors. He is also tasked to prepare financial reports and monthly summary payments. Prior to this, he worked for a Christian Non-Government Organization in the Philippines for 5 years.
Actually, there are many great highlights of my college days. I used to be the President of the highest governing body of PSCC for a year back to back as the Associate Editor In-chief of the Calypsean. I am also proud to say that I am one of the founders of SALAKNIB Club, a student volunteer organization for Community Service during our time at the same time the Pioneering President of the said organization. In addition, the most important memory of my college days is when God was introduced to me – when I met God personally and accept Him as my Lord and Savior through a good friend from a Christian Church.
Did you have a favorite subject? Why was it your favorite?
It is English. However, it is not my major subject but I saw the importance of it in my future career, especially we are living in a very competitive world and English is a universal language.
Did you have a favorite teacher? How did he/she influence you?
Yes, Ms. Maribel De Guzman. She is my English Teacher and my Thesis Adviser. She is the first one who believed that I will be a good teacher. I saw her passion and strong desire in helping the students achieve their purpose in life through her profession as a teacher. She is the epitome of a good and a genuine teacher touching the lives of her students and the community.
To be a good steward of the skills, abilities, time, resources and wisdom that God entrusted in me. I always believe in passing the button, that is why I love coaching and training individuals and groups. Sharing the skills and learning that I gained from my experiences as far as job is concerned.
Having a dominant personality and being a planner and perfectionist in terms of work, it is hard for me to trust someone and delegate a certain responsibility. As long as I can do it by myself, I won't delegate a task to someone. I end up finishing a task, but exhausted and failed to trust the capability of my colleagues. Then, I learned the value of delegation and trusting someone's capability, believing that God entrusted us different skills and strengths.
I trust God, believing in Him that He is always in control of the situations. He is faithful enough to help us to solve a problem. Asking for wisdom from Him.
A man who value time.
Do you have a personal hero? This can be anyone, not necessarily someone famous.
It may not be possible today, it is possible tomorrow.
Persevere, everything happens for a reason. Go achieve your goals in life.
Is there something you want me to ask you? Or, what question do you want people to ask you?
What is success to you? How do you achieve it?