A ground breaking ceremony for Laos-China railway project on December 2, 2015 to also commemorate 40th anniversary of Lao, PDR.
AS BANGKOK EMBARKS ON ITS HIGH-SPEED TRACK TO THE NORTHEAST, THE LAOTIAN GOVT IS STEAMING AHEAD WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS TO BUILD A CHAIN OF EXTENSIVE, BENEFICIAL RAIL NETWORKS SNAKING INTO THAILAND, VIETNAM, CAMBODIA AND CHINA.
VIENTIANE--LAOS is embarking on one of its most ambitious projects yet – a series of rail networks which will link the country with dominant seaports in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.
With a population of about 6.7 million, Laos aims to lift itself from the status of least-developed nation to a middle-income country by 2030 by strengthening international economic partnerships, Savankhone Razmountry, Vice Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, told Asia News Network news editors recently.
In partnership with China, the strategically designed networks are part of the Beijing-inspired One Belt and One Road Initiative, which Laos hopes will help turn it from a land-locked nation into one which effectively links various countries.
The beneficial rail networks will serve both passengers and freight, particularly from China's adjacent southern-most province of Yunnan. Merchandise will have global market access with the development of not only seaports in Vietnam and Cambodia but also primarily |connecting Thailand's already well-established Laem Chabang deep-sea port, which lies 670 kilometres south of Vientiane.
Thailand itself is developing a railway network with Laos via two rail projects in the Northeast. The first is to double the existing track for freight, in which the terms of reference for construction will be issued by the Thai Transport Ministry this month.
Another is a parallel new high-speed train project in partnership with China. During the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Summit last week in Xiamen, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha witnessed the signing of the design and supervised draft contracts for the first phase of the railway project, according to Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith.
This first phase is a 253-kilometre-long railway track, which will allow trains to hit speeds of up to 250 km per hour, linking the capital Bangkok to the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima.
In the second phase, the line will run from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai on the border with Laos, where it will connect with the China-Laos railway presently under construction.
After the whole project steams to completion, Bangkok and Kunming – the capital of Yunnan province in China's southwest – will be connected by the modern railway.
"The railway will be an artery linking Thailand and Laos, China and other countries through China. It will upgrade Thailand's role as regional transport hub and contribute to economic growth in the region," Huang Bin, head of the Chinese department at Kasikorn Research Centre, was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying.
Laos currently has just 3.5km of track linking Vientiane with Thailand's rail network in Nong Khai. But this is set to change radically.
Work on the Lao-China Rail is already on track, from the Lao border town of Boten.
More than 8 per cent of the work on the 414km route to Vientiane has been done. When completed in 2021, the rail lines will link up with the 3.5km line to Nong Khai. From there, goods can be transported |by Thailand's own rail network on the 670km journey to Laem Chabang.
This deep-sea port is the 15th largest in the world.
With the new railway from Laos via Thailand's northeast, the intake of merchandise by rail is projected to increase to 30 per cent from the current 9 per cent.
Deputy director-general of the Lao Railway Department Sengtha-visay Malivanh said Laos hopes to commence the freight rail journey to Laem Chabang by the end of this year.
"We want to start now and not have to wait for 2021. An MoU has already been signed with the Thai Transport Ministry. This will cut transportation costs by trucks, and will be more efficient," he remarked.
Laos is building a container yard at its Thanalaeng Railway Station on the outskirts of Vientiane as an extension of the Laos-Thailand railway. This will extend the track from Thanalaeng Station to Vientiane city centre – a distance of 7.5km – and is expected to be ready by July 2020.
This is one of the six rail network projects in Laos, which has taken on the initiative with a geographical strategy in mind. The others are the Laos-China Railway Project, Savannakhet-Lao Bao to the Vietnamese port of Dongha, Vientiane-Thakhek-Mu Gia to the Vietnamese port of Vung Anh, Thakhek-Savannakhet-Pakxe-Vangtau, and Pakxe-Veunkham (Laos-Cambodian border).
The prized Laos-China Railways project is proving a challenge as Laos has little experience in building, let alone managing, railways. Up to 47 tunnels have to be constructed with the help of 17,000 Chinese workers to accommodate trains from Yunnan. The number is set to rise in the coming years.
The US$6.1-billion (Bt202 billion) investment is slated as a public-private partnership under a build-operate and transfer agreement. Lao has a 40 per cent stake in the venture and is forking out $730 million in cash. China, which has the bulk of 60 per cent, is helping to organise a syndication of bank loans. The joint venture operates on a government-to-government basis with special incentives. These include rights for commercial developments alongside the stations to make the project more commercially viable.
The passenger trains will be able to reach speeds of up to 200 km per hour on flat land and 160 km/h through mountainous terrain; freight trains will travel at 120 km/hour. The trains will go through 32 stations across five Laotian provinces.
A construction consortium of six Chinese companies has been |specially selected based on their experience as the "hi-tech" nature of the project leaves no room for |mistakes, Lao officials assert.
The land to be expropriated on each side of the track is 50 metres on flat land. Negotiations with the owners of land where trains will pass began nine months ago.
Pothong Ngonphachanh, another official from the Lao Railway Department, said construction would not begin until compensation to landowners is settled. He also said more than 100 families near Luang Prabang will have to be moved out to make way for the rail lines.
The Lao government is bringing in some 2,500 personnel to operate the train networks on completion. The initial lot of 200 people are being trained now.


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December 10, 2020 - Field Level Media
Steelers put leading tackler LB Williams on COVID list
The Pittsburgh Steelers put linebacker Vince Williams on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, knocking their leading tackler out of this week's game against the Buffalo Bills.
Per NFL protocols, Williams needs to be on the list for at least five days, even if he hasn't tested positive for COVID-19. It's Williams' second stint on COVID reserve; he was deemed a high-risk close contact of tight end Vance McDonald earlier this season.
It's another blow to the Steelers' linebacking corps, already without Devin Bush (out for season) and Robert Spillane (knee), who's expected to miss time. Further, outside linebacker Bud Dupree tore his ACL last week and was put on injured reserve.
Williams leads the Steelers in tackles with 63 to go with three sacks. He ranks fourth in the NFL in tackles for loss (14) and has two fumble recoveries in 12 games, all starts.
The Steelers (11-1) visit Buffalo on Sunday to take on the AFC East-leading Bills (9-3). The Steelers are coming off their first defeat of the season, a 23-17 loss to Washington (5-7).

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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One person in California has died over an E.coli outbreak speculated to have been caused by romaine lettuce, food officials confirmed May 2.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three more states have been ravaged by this outbreak, bringing the total number to 25, with 121 people reported sick.
The current romaine lettuce situation is being hailed as the worst E.coli outbreak since 2006 when illnesses linked to spinach took three lives and made over 270 people sick.
With the numbers increasing every week, this outbreak is fast approaching the aforementioned 2006 fiasco. The CDC says more than half of those who have become ill have been hospitalized.
The strain of E.coli linked to romaine lettuce produces a toxin called Shiga that induces diarrhea and other potentially severe symptoms, including kidney failure in some cases. The CDC confirms that so far, 14 people have this kidney damage called hemolytic uremic syndrome, which puts them at risk of death.
All the contaminated romaine lettuce has been traced to farms in Arizona.
"Do not eat or buy romaine lettuce unless you can confirm it is not from the Yuma, Arizona growing region," the CDC cautions. "Restaurants and retailers should ask their suppliers about the source of their romaine lettuce."
Health officials warn that washing lettuce doesn't cut it.
This bacteria can actually get inside the lettuce leaf," says Ian Williams, the chief of CDC's Outbreak Response and Prevention Branch. "Washing it doesn't make it safe."
E.coli typically lives in animal intestines such as cows and pigs. In fact, in the 1990s, most E.coli illnesses were linked to contaminated hamburger products. Improvements in the livestock industry have lowered the number of meat-related E.coli outbreaks but conversely, E.coli contamination of leafy vegetables have been rising.
On average, people get sick three to four days after first ingesting the bacteria, according to the CDC. Most people experience diarrhea — often bloody ones, including vomiting, and severe stomach cramps. Most people recover within a week, while some cases last longer and can be more severe, requiring hospitalization.
California is the state with the most hospitalizations at 24, followed by Pennsylvania with 20, then Idaho with 11. The most recent case was reported April 21. The person in California who died over the outbreak has not been identified.
The California Department of Public Health has confirmed the death to CBS News but did not provide any more details, citing patient privacy laws.


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PDP Gives Fani-Kayode's Wife Appointment
TickerNewsPolitics
By John Ogunsemore Last updated Oct 2, 2018
Fani-Kayode and estranged wife, Precious Chikwendu
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has offered Precious Chikwendu, the wife of former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, an appointment.
The fair-complexioned lady was appointed into the PDP Convention Sub-Committee on Welfare.
The National Convention of the party is scheduled for Friday, October 5.
Her husband took to his Instagram page to make the announcement on Tuesday evening.
Fani-Kayode said, "Congratulations to my beautiful wife Precious Chikwendu Fani-Kayode on her appointment as a member of the PDP Convention Sub-Commitee on Welfare.
"You are a politician now my dear! Welcome to the club. May God guide and protect you."
See post:
Congratulations to my beautiful wife Precious Chikwendu Fani-Kayode on her appointment as a member of the PDP Convention Sub-Commitee on Welfare. You are a politician now my dear! Welcome to the club. May God guide and protect you. 😍😍😍❤❤❤💋💋💋
A post shared by Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK) (@real_ffk) on Oct 2, 2018 at 11:48am PDT
The 29-year-old Precious is an indigene of Awka, Anambra State and a graduate of Environmental Science from the University of Calabar.
She is a model, actress and former beauty queen.
She is the mother of Fani-Kayode's four boys – Joshua, Ragnar, Aiden and Liam.
Read Also: Why APC National Leadership Cancelled "Lagos Guber Primary"
Fani-KayodePrecious Chikwendu
John Ogunsemore
I'm a University of Lagos-trained journalist. I've read almost every novel written by Chinua Achebe, Jeffrey Archer and Dan Brown. I'm an expert Scrabble and draughts player who is also excellent at swimming.
Female aspirant wants cancellation of Imo PDP governorship primaries
UN Bars Nigerian Police Officer from Peacekeeping Missions over Sexual Assault on Congolese Woman


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Lidl turns out the lights to get people tasting wine in the dark at Chateaux Noir
We've all been there, stood in the wine aisle, looking at the labels and weighing up whether you should go for the fancy bottle, the one with the biggest discount or simply stick to that trusty Argentinian Malbec.
As a nation, recent reports suggest we're now drinking 108 bottles of wine per year each, the most in Europe.
However, many will admit we're far from connoisseurs.
How many of us at some point have been guilty of choosing the 'second-cheapest' option at a restaurant?
In 2018, Lidl began its campaign to win over wine lovers across the nation with the launch of its chat-bot that paired wine to menu choices, removing the guesswork for shoppers.
After its success, the retailer has continued to try and assert its dominance over the wine market with the launch of wine-tasting events in the dark called Chateaux Noir.
Chateaux Noir is designed to challenge shoppers' perceptions, taking them out of their wine-drinking comfort zone.
Responding to research which showed 35% of British consumers choose a wine based on bottle design, and 27% based on the label, Lidl launched Chateaux Noir in three locations across the country, Glasgow, London and Manchester.
The blind wine-tasting events secured a flurry of media coverage in titles such as Metro, Mirror, The Grocer, The Sun and a raft regional press, as news outlets reported on the research findings and the opportunity to take part in this unique drinking experience.
Generating even further media coverage, the brand enlisted the help of reality 'stars' Fearne McCann and Sam Faiers for the launch of the London bar, which was featured in the likes of the Mail Online.
The events, which are held over two days at each location, turned down the lights on drinkers and they challenged the senses and retrained people's perception of wine.
Before drinkers were treated to the full in-the-dark experience they first had to pass through the 'Discombobulation Chamber', which was designed with clever tricks to mess with the senses.
With the senses all messed up, the lights go down, the waiters put on the night vision goggles (yes, seriously) and it's time to taste the wine.
Personally, I wasn't lucky enough to attend one of the events, and apparently sitting in my darkened lounge sipping last Christmas' leftover Chateuneuf du Pape didn't quite have the same effect. But, plenty of people did get to enjoy the experience with all six days selling out… fast.
The idea of challenging the senses isn't entirely new, but Lidl gave it a unique twist with the wine bar concept.
The insights highlighted the shopper problem and revealed how clueless many Brits are when it comes to choosing wine. With the aim of educating consumers, breaking down wine-snobbery and ultimately highlighting Lidl's range of wine, positioning it as the go-to discount retailer, this campaign did get people talking and offered a solution to the problem.
However, running for less than a week and only in three cities meant that for a lot of people conversation is all it generated.
By extending the activity to more cities or even for a longer time Lidl could've forged these important relationships with even more wine lovers, and potential customers.
Also, (as I type) only London has been lucky enough to enjoy its dark drinking experience, but I haven't seen anything on social media either from the brand (apart from a highlight story when I started digging). With so many Insta-worthy moments it seems a waste not to maximise this across social media platforms.
Make it longer.
Knowing the pain, sweat and tears that goes into events, and seeing the sell-out success, it's a shame not to connect with even more customers and build that relationship with even more people.
Also, drinkers interested in attending the event had to sign up for tickets for Eventbrite, which is of course one of the easiest ways logistically, however I feel that Lidl missed a trick by not running this via its own website. If all of the media coverage was directing people to the Lidl website this volume of live links would've had a significant impact on the website's SEO.
So yes, it would've taken a bit more effort, but I think it would've really paid off.
Published on: 21st November 2019
Rick Guttridge
Smoking Gun PR
Read Rick Guttridge's bio and content


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Home music Maini Sorri
Maini Sorri
Today our guest is Maini Sorri singer and songwriter. Her new single: Never Said Goodbye is out and we conducted a short interview with her.
You wrote in your bio that ''Maini writes music and lyrics under a strong inspiring spirit". How did you feel to be under such a strong inspiring spirit and which are your favorite 3 songs that you have ever written?
My songs come to me when I get a very strong feeling that just must come out. Something sad or hurtful has happened. It is not a good situation to be in but I know that it can lead to another song. I sit down at my piano and look through poems that people have sent to me, to choose the one that touch my heart in that moment. When I have written the song, I am happy again.
I have many favorites among my songs. I think that I like the latest recorded songs best, "Never Said Goodbye" and "Lost Love". Another favorite is my techno single "Let Me Do Your Time". I also like "Blue Song" that I recorded with the American rapper Magneto Dayo. But there are many other favorites among my recordings, and I have many songs that are not recorded yet.
What awards did you win for your newest rock single "Never Said Goodbye"?
My single "Never Said Goodbye" won Akademia Music Award in Hard Rock Best Song category in Los Angeles in October.
Who inspired you the most when co-producing on "Lost Love"?
I was very happy to be found by the producer Brian Lanese from Los Angeles in January. It has been very inspiring and a great pleasure to work with Brian Lanese and Orlando Mestre, both from 5 time 1st ballot round Grammy nominated band Permanent Ability. We made 2 versions of Lost Love, the hard rock single and a dance version "Lost Love (Dance Remix)". I usually pick lyrics by Gary Cornman from USA when I write a song, his lyrics are very inspiring and touch my heart. Both singles won Akademia Music Awards in Los Angeles in June.
How many different genres have you worked with? Which new genres have you not tried and would like to try in the near future?
So far I have released pop, techno, rock, hard rock, dance and Christian music. As I already told you, I have teamed up with Magneto Dayo, the rapper from The US. And I have a band "Sorriso" with John Baumann from Milan, Italy in pop/Christian genre. On my first album I was accompanied by jazz musicians. Maybe I would like to try reggae or country sometimes in the future, even if it feels right to record rock just now.
In your opinion, what kind of music is the most difficult to write?
When writing the songs I don't think in which genre they are going to be released. When they are ready, I let my song coach listen to them to find out in which genre the song should be recorded. So therefore the songs could be in any of the genre.
Maini Sorri Reviewed by JaamZIN on 6:33:00 AM Rating: 5


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Libya: Satellite image of central Tripoli
Tripoli Port Notes – OpEd
August 24, 2011 July 27, 2017 Franklin Lamb 0 Comments
By Franklin Lamb
This observer's tentative appraisal of Tuesday's events along the North Tripoli Port area as of late afternoon 8/23/11 is that the "65,000 well trained and well-armed troops" hyped Sunday by the Gaddafi government don't in fact exist and that the pockets of government troops here in Tripoli and across Libya that do, will continue to resist what it views as NATO aggression designed to usurp the country's oil and add Libya to Africom. NATO is widely viewed as having violated the three main terms of UNSCR 1973, to wit, NATO did engage in regime change, it did take sides in a civil war, it did arm one side, and it did refuse to allow a negotiated diplomatic settlement which many here and internationally believe could have been achieved by early April, thus saving hundreds Libyan lives. NATO's more than 160 days of bombing are seen as egregious violations of UNSCR 1973, Article 2 (7) of the UN Charter and numerous provisions of international law, all part of its campaign to secure Libyan oil and this rich countries geopolitical cooperation for the US, UK, France, Italy and their NATO allies.
I am advised that some Gaddafi loyalists are headed to the colonel's home town of Serte to prepare to defend it. Some of my reasons for these tentative conclusions include the no show government troops, the intensifying NATO bombings of Tripoli, which is the only reason the rebels have not negotiated an end to this conflict last April, and my tentative conclusion that there is no reason for massive numbers of government troops, if they existed, not to challenge the increasing numbers of NATO rebels who appear to be sitting ducks as they tool around Tripoli's troops. According to journalists who arrived at this hotel yesterday from the west, south and east, there appear to be no government forces moving toward Tripoli to join in an Alamo type last stand battle. Obviously, I could be very mistaken but subject to correction I expect a "rebel victory" without defining that term, late this week.
During the early afternoon of 8/23/11, power and Internet were cut from our hotel and again the sealed windowed rooms heated up fast and had to be essentially vacated unless one stayed in the bathtub filled with tepid tap water. We currently have no local or international phone service or information from outside Libya or any knowledge of what is being reported internationally about Libya.
On Monday night August 22, 2011 this observer met with Saif al Islam. He was not captured and he is not dead. At least not as of 11 p.m. 8/22/11 or roughly 24 hours after the NTC and the ICC claim he was captured and was being prepared for transport to The Hague. Saif was defiant and he gave assurances that his family was safe and that NATO would be defeated politically for its crimes against Libyan civilians.
Saif took western camera man and reporter on a short tour of Tripoli showing them that NATO was not in control—not 95% in control of Tripoli as the NTC rep in London has been claiming since Sunday night and not 80% in control of Tripoli as the White House & NATO's "Operation protect the Libyan civilians" CEO, Rasmussen, has claimed. But the rebels do appear to currently control large swatches of Libya's capitol. A journalist named "Kim" S. from the UK Independent who has been with the rebels for the past more than two months and who seemed to literally sort of stumble into our hotel yesterday told me this morning that NTC claims made during the period he was with them were "complete bullshit."
Saif, Colonel Gaddafi's onetime heir apparent, was in good spirits and exuded confidence. In conversation with one Yankee who he knew earned his PhD at the London School of Economics, that contrary to media reports last spring that Saif bought his PhD from LSE, that it's not true and he in fact worked hard for nearly three years researching and writing his doctoral dissertation on community development. He was offended by reports than he did not. I tend to believe him because I found the LSE academically tough and my advisor Professor David Johnson and his Thesis Examination Committee trio, to my chagrin, went over my dissertation, Pollution as a Problem of International Law, for nearly three hours, paragraph by paragraph during my oral Thesis defense, more than two decades ago. I am thinking and assuming that LSE has not lowered its academic standards since the days of Harold Laski and David Johnson.
My new "office" is located in the outside patio area above the swimming pool and gardens of the "7 star" Corinthia hotel. Wonderful sea view overlooking Tripoli harbor to the north and the old city of Tripoli to the south. When a bomb hits or sustained gunfire erupts the office quickly moves just inside the glassed in restaurant which features the ONLY 'hot' electric plug among the more than 6000 currently dead ones in this hotel. Nobody knows when the hotel generator will crash ending the last of the wattage here and exhausting laptop and mobile phone batteries.
The inside of the hotel is sweltering having had no A/C for more than 48 hours. Wanting some fresh air, I prop open a door to the former Japanese Sushi Bar on the outside patio, but Miss Lorraine, the hotel manager, scolds me. "You bloody American", she seethed at me yesterday. "First your bloody government brings NATO to bomb us to pieces and now you fill my hotel with birds! Damn all of you!"
It's true that Lorraine sometimes gets a little upset when a bomb goes off and some of the birds from the hotel garden fly into the hotel's two level grand lobby complete with lots of plants and palm trees where the poor frightened birds seek safety. They seem to like it inside our hotel.
Concerning the outdoor hotel garden, for some reason the garden lights are always on (last night the only ones in all of north Tripoli that I could see) and the garden fountains continue pumping which of course uses up quite valuable generator fuel oil. Lorraine laments: "As you know Mr. Lamb, the staff has abandoned me and I don't know where the switch is—I would be ever so grateful if you could find it. I think it's out there in the garden somewhere, and turn it off. Really I would!" Well, I did find the switch, turned off the fountains and the garden lights and Lorraine suddenly likes me again. Would that all women were so easy to please.
Yesterday one of the few staff people around here offered me the leaders framed picture (way too big to transport!) and a green flag that had been removed from outside the hotel's main entrance. Miss Lorraine became distressed because she thought if I was caught with a green flag I could be in trouble. So as not to cause her more stress I declined with the knowledge that I already have a few packed away as gifts for friends.
The green flags and the gold frame picture of Gaddafi that were removed two nights ago suddenly returned overnight. There had been a heated discussion by remaining senior hotel management staff— numbering two it appears– about the wisdom of removing them. For now they are back where they were.
9:25 a.m. Two NATO bombs blast nearby. Three "security guys" from resting on a lobby couch run outside to see what happened. More birds come in and I again move my table away from the patio door.
9:43 a.m. Anti-aircraft gun fire hits the side of the hotel chipping the concrete siding near the garden entrance so I move one flight downstairs to the lobby.
10:20 a.m. A very long convoy of 237 rebel pickups, some with mounted anti-aircraft guns and filled with young fighters with RPG's and AK-47's and heavier guns, pass within 100 yards of me and the hotel balcony above the swimming pool and the seaside road– driving east along the sea front. They passed in front of the Marriott and Bab al Bahar ("gate to the sea") hotel complex of five tall buildings, apparently unaware that yesterday at about the same time 22 truckloads of government troops turned right into that same complex and at least some of them went underground. Last night there was gunfire from the government troop location but as of this moment the government troops are undiscovered (if they did not redeploy overnight) and did not fire on the passing rebel convoy although the rebels slow moving convoy must have presented an attractive target. Again one wonders if the government's troops are laying an elaborate trap for their enemies or if they have decided to sit out this phase and wait to learn whether Gaddafi's regime can hang on. Of if they even exist in significant numbers.
The three "battle hardened journalists" who just arrived at this hotel are debating if the rebel's convoy was in retreat or was advancing. My own two cents worth is that they were advancing toward the Bab al Azizya ("splendid gate") Gaddafi barracks which as of this morning NATO has bombed a reported 144 times. I base my view on the serious looks on the rebel's faces, their evident adrenalin, the fact that their advance is slow and fairly ordered including five ambulances bringing up the rear and the fact that some of them seem to be checking their weapons and ammunition belts as if preparing for a firefight. Some fighters eye us sternly seemingly unsure whether we are friend or foe. We wave at them and some wave back. However, moments later we hear gunfire from our rear and it appears that someone is firing at us thinking we are supporting the rebels. Kim and I duck into the hotel foyer but he goes back out.
10:40 a.m. heavy gunfire is heard from the direction of Bab al Azizia Kaddafi barracks.
10:55 a.m. 20 minutes of heavy small arms and mortar rounds erupt and appear to be fired toward Gaddafi's compound. Maybe it is from the rebel's convoy that just past but the three battles hardened journalists, including the UK Independent's Kim, who I have joined up with for the time being, are debating the subject. Very close AK-47 gunfire. We come back inside.
12:35 p.m. two "rebel representatives" arrived at the main entrance of our hotel and caused a stir inside the lobby at the front desk. This hotel has zero security now, the last two uniformed security guys left early yesterday. The two "rebel" guys offered protection for the handful of us here. There was shouting as the front desk guys refused their offer. Eventually the "rebels" left. The hotel guys said the visitors were indeed local rebel "criminals" and that they had come to loot the hotel and not to protect it. However, there are exactly 8 rooms currently being occupied and one of the journalist's claims he was already robbed on route from Zawiyeh yesterday just in front of the hotel. His laptop and his cash were stolen. Front desk hotel staff claims that today the "rebels" stole one car, tried but failed to hot wire two others, and stole ten computers from the hotel office. They also reportedly set up a rebel checkpoint at Gate Two outside our hotel and replaced the green flags with rebel tricolors. I declined to go check.
The AP's man, Martin, who also arrived yesterday, just told me that the rebels now control the North Tripoli port area where our hotel is situated. My thoughts move to the 22 truckloads of government fighters who I saw disappear yesterday morning among the seaside hotels near our hotel. Meanwhile, the UK Independent's men Kim reported that visas are no longer required to enter Libya from Tunisia.
12:50 p.m. a shorter convoy of 47 rebel vehicles passed the hotel. Maybe part of the earlier group on a victory lap or just patrolling or flaunting their control or perhaps it was a new group. They did not appear in a hurry or very anxious. We photographed them without their objection as they waved and drove into West Tripoli.
1:30 p.m. three rockets hit near what appears to be Bab al Azizia. Heavy gunfire and two more rockets or mortars follow. AP's Martin and the Independent's Kim go out to look. Two more mortars appear to hit in the direction of Bab al Azizia. Kim reported that for some reason no one seems to need a visa to enter now from Jerba, Tunisia and he also thinks that perhaps the Kaddafi regime may have set a trap and will close it when his forces see the whites of rebel's eyes.
One rebel media representative who re-defected back to the Gaddafi regime from the rebels is being interviewed by a journalist this afternoon. He told us that the NATO office in Naples is writing or vetting all NTC communications and that they have on their staff Israel Defense Ministry of Information psych-warfare specialists who are producing "panic causing leaflets & mobile phone messages" as well as putting out false claims at key moments for maximum impact on international and local public opinion.
This observer is not sure if NATO recalls how during the July 2006 war in Lebanon, Hezbollah took IDF and US Israeli lobby psych-war propaganda and wrapped it around Israel's neck during the 33 day war. However, it appears from here that the West is gobbling up the fake NTC (NATO) "media advisories" being regurgitated by "Libya experts" interviewed ad nausea on CNN, BCC, FOX and other MSM outlets who pontificate about the NTC's democrats stunning achievement.
The above noted interviewee also claims that he heard rumors that NATO has dropped hit teams to control the messages coming from non MSM reporters who depict NATO and rebel activities in a negative light. Time may tell.
4:14 p.m. it appears that the hotel generator crashed so there is currently no power whatsoever at the hotel including no elevator. I am not relishing the 18 floor hike up to my room especially given my throbbing right leg.
6:15 p.m. The young man who let me borrow his bicycle rushed into the Corinthia hotel to tell us that Gaddafi's compound at Bab al Azizia has been taken by "NATO rebel" forces following the nearly 9 hour battle. A high ranking Gaddafi official advised me last night that he expected Gaddafi's compound would be taken and that the Colonel will not be easy to locate and will continue to galvanize a counter revolution in the coming days. He also told me that during the night of Saturday August 20, 2011 Kaddafi issued orders for his troops and supporters not to bomb and fire tanks inside Tripoli for fear of killing civilians and destroying civilian houses.
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Franklin Lamb, a former Assistant Counsel of the US House Judiciary Committee at the US Congress and Professor of International Law at Northwestern College of Law in Oregon, earned his Law Degree at Boston University and his LLM, M.Phil, and PhD degrees at the London School of Economics. Following three summers at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Lamb was a visiting fellow at the Harvard Law School's East Asian Legal Studies Center where he specialized in Chinese Law. He was the first westerner allowed by the government of China to visit the notorious "Ward Street" Prison in Shanghai. Lamb is doing research in Lebanon and works with the Palestine Civil Rights Campaign-Lebanon and the Sabra-Shatila Foundation. His new book, The Case for Palestinian Civil Rights in Lebanon, is due out shortly.


The Volvo is all set to launch a brand new Volvo XC60 2017. The XC60 series came into the global market in the year 2014. The Swedish automaker is planning to launch 9 cars by 2020. Out of them, the most recent one, in news, is a super stylish car. Lined under the XC90 models of Volvo SUV, this carriage is expected to please car lovers more than anything else. A major facelift is on the offering by Volvo. Cars from Volvo have always been safe and huge. Although their position in the SUV sector is going down the slope, they are trying to come back in the market with their new and improved Volvo XC60 2017 version.
The latest offering from 2017 Volvo XC60 is going to turn heads in terms of its design. Based on second generation automobile, a sporty look is going to make it more attractive. Side profiles have been kept short. The revamped headlights (Thor's Hammer's design, most probably), aggressive anterior bumper, wave cut tail-lights and larger grille are going to give the SUV an athletic feel.
There will be a thin line between models of Volvo XC60 2017 and XC90 which will definitely be something positive for SUV fans. The chiseled look, up swept belt line and smooth curves of Volvo XC60 2017 makes it set apart from its big brother, the Volvo XC90.
Grille is being made smoother and is lower than its previous models. The length of the car makes it easy to keep a good amount of luggage at its rear. The famed "iron badge" of Volvo makes it even more elegant. Right now it will be available only in one color: silver.
The overhauled headlamps will be able to detect tunnels; wipers will be able to auto-sense rainfall. They will react instantly and clean the glass.
Tradition is being rightly amalgamated with modernity in new Volvo XC60 2017. An enhanced styling makes it more spacious. It provides seating arrangement of 5 passengers comfortably with ample free space. You can navigate inside freely. The high-class black colored Subaru dashboard comes with an upgraded designs sloping towards the chauffeur for easy access. It has a display of Thin-Film Transistor of all virtual devices in the collection.
There will be a USB connection port, Satellite television stereo, wireless system, huge roof, power doors and vacation management. Even the seats at the front are power chairs. Appropriate cooling and heating system will make the ride highly enjoyable. Car Play feature of Apple makes this automobile super classy. It is being predicted that there might be an enhanced routing program installed in the car. Some of the features may be even customized to suit the buyer's needs.
There are no solid updates about an engine of Volvo XC60 2017. As of now, it is being speculated that a gasoline 4-cylinder engine based on Volvo's SPA platform might be used. This will offer around 240 horsepower for FWD only.
It is also being expected that a hybrid engine can also take a place in this brand new wagon. In that case, the engine with improved efficiency will come from Volvo's Drive-E clan. According to rumors, a 2.0 liters Drive-E four chamber engine with 302 hp might be equipped with it. Electrification system within the engine will take his car a notch higher than its contemporaries. The engine of 2.5 liters will generate a power of 250 hp. Also, two engine displacement of 3.0 liters turbocharged inline-6 will be in circulation one of the 300 hp and the other of 325 hp.
Current models of XC60 are sold in India with a price tag of approximately $37,500. They are imported through CBU route and are sold in R-Design and regular guises. It is being guessed that the Volvo XC60 2017 will cost around $38,000. This Volvo luxury SUV is going to hit the market in somewhere between late 2016 to the fall of 2017. SUV lovers will have to wait sometime for the official announcement from the Swedish manufacturer. Through an XC series, Volvo is trying to regain its lost position in the global market. Some of the main competitors of its recent release are BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes M-Class.


Erich Berghammer, also known as Odo7 [homepage, myspace] is an aroma jockey or AJ for short. He blows scents over his audience with huge fans and has stocked up a pantry with exotic spices, roots, leafs, oils, extracts and herbs. The smells are vaporized using hot water. This video from Roskilde gives you an idea of the set up (but no smells unfortunately).
From what I can see from his webpage Odo7 has been AJ'ing at clubs, parties, concerts, fashion shows, movie theaters and product presentations. But why hasn't Odo7 been invited to a restaurant yet? Considering the fact that taste (as used in everyday terms) is 20% taste and 80% smell I could imagine some very interesting eating experiences with an AJ present. Think of it as a way of adding aroma to your food!
I wonder what smells you would use with the different dishes? Perhaps recreate the smell of sea for the starters (seafood). Then the smell of pine, moss and wood for the main dish (wild boar, elk or reindeer) and finish up with orange blossom for the dessert (strawberries).
The two last pairings are based on something I recall from the last International workshop on molecular gastronomy in Erice in 2004. Hervé This mentioned that strawberries combined with orange blossom extract, lemon and sugar are reminiscent of wild strawberries! At the same meeting Jack Lang suggested that branches of pine or juniper be placed around the rim of a large serving plate in front of each person. To speed up aroma extraction and vaporization one would pour hot water over the branches and then serve the food (dark meat/wild game) on a smaller plate placed between the branches. This brings us right back to the flavour pairing principle discussed earlier. But now – instead of combining two foods – we can combine a food ingredient or a dish with the appropriate aromas.
Perhaps at a restaurant experience in the not to distant future you could expect not only a waiter and a sommelier to come to your table, but also an aroma jockey!
I should also mention that the idea of using essential oils in cooking explored in great detail in the book "Aroma: The Magic of Essential Oils in Foods and Fragrance". I justed received a copy and haven't had much time to look at it. The fact that recipes for food and bath foam can be found on the same page might be disturbing for some, but I like the whole concept – simply because it takes the science of taste, eh.. aroma, seriously!


A light, lively, entertaining daily look at the horse world and the people in it, including a weekly Horse Health segment on Wednesdays with TheHorse.com. Hosted by Glenn the Geek and Jamie Jennings and produced by Jennifer H. The show will include entertaining conversation, out-of-the-ordinary guests, numerous regular horse related segments, listener call in, contests, giveaways and so much more. Monday-Friday from 9-10:30 a.m. Eastern, Horse Health segment Wednesdays at about 9:45 a.m.
One entertaining look at new, different and fun horse related items every week. Listen in as Helena and Glenn, self professed horse product junkies, chat about all sorts of horse related goodies; some good, some bad and some downright silly. If it goes on a horse, on you or in your barn we will talk about it!


This is a used flipper assembly pulled from an Eight Ball Deluxe that is being refurbished with custom flipper assemblies before heading to the Ottawa Pinball Arcade. It was working perfectly and even has some new parts from the recent partial rebuild completed by the previous owner. Included is the correct working AQ25-500 coil.
Bally flipper assemblies can be reversed and as such this assembly is suitable for either left or right applications, though the flipper pawl on this unit is for the right side only. Check our Flea Market for more matching units if you need more than one for your game!
This product has not been cleaned and is sold as is. This is an actual picture of the item described here.


Have you ever seen a person with both talent and beautiful features?
Such a person is described as the four-character idiom 'saishoku kenbi' (才色兼備).
It can also mean a person having both brains and beauty.
Note that this idiom is usually used to women.


text:
Reforestation is not necessarily about planting more trees January 19, 2020
Tags: Environment & Natural Resources, mother nature, Reforestation
A much less costly way to regenerate our forests and decrease carbon levels is to assist nature to do its job.
by Nikola Alexandre, Al Jazeera 18 Jan 2020
Cattle graze next to a fragment of the Atlantic Forest in Silva Jardim, Brazil on April 18, 2019 [File: AP/Leo Correa]
Last year, the journal Science published a study that made a bold – and elegantly simple – claim: To mitigate climate change, plant a trillion new trees.
Authored by a team of scientists from various research institutions in Europe and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the study attracted considerable mainstream media coverage.
Soon after, tree-planting initiatives across the globe bloomed. Ethiopia announced it would plant 350 million trees in a single day and India promised to plant 220 million. The US unveiled a plan to establish forests in Asian and African cities. Companies ranging from Biocarbon Engineering to EasyJet to Warner Music turned the spotlights on their tree-planting initiatives.
The excitement was understandable. The idea that we could negate the effects of centuries of deforestation and keep the planet cool enough to survive simply by planting some trees sounded really good.
The study found that a trillion new trees could store 205 billion metric tonnes of carbon – the equivalent of 25 percent of the current atmospheric carbon pool and enough to help keep us under a 1.5-degree Celsius global temperature rise. Climate action, meet your magic bullet.
Yes, we need to plant trees. Close to one billion hectares (2.5 billion acres) globally is estimated to be available for some kind of forest restoration. If only it were that simple.
To succeed in the fight against climate change we have to do two big things: Stop emitting carbon dioxide and remove the excess carbon dioxide we have already emitted. Restoring forests is the best way to do that second part – but not all restoration is created equal.
In the buzz surrounding the study published in Science, what got scant attention was the cost of planting a trillion trees. With conservation needs already facing a $350bn annual gap between what we are spending and what is needed to secure ecosystems, planting and stewarding a trillion new trees will require mobilising huge amounts of money – something the world does not seem brave enough to do. According to the paper, we would have to reforest approximately 0.9 billion hectares (2.2 billion acres) of land – an area the size of China – to reach their magic number, and at an average cost of $3,000 per hectare, the invoice for this gardening project is prohibitively expensive.
But there is a more realistic way to replace the trees we have destroyed: Help nature run its course.
It is a real, science-based strategy known as assisted natural regeneration. It is low-tech, high-yield, highly scalable, and 70 percent cheaper than planting new saplings.
The premise of assisted natural regeneration is that the most economical way to restore and protect forests is to acknowledge nature's resilience, remove barriers to natural regeneration and – where necessary – accelerate it. Given time, trees regrow and forests come back. Assisted natural regeneration simply supports and accelerates the process. What does it look like in practice?
Examples include stopping fires from burning young trees that are naturally regrowing, dispersing seed mixes in degraded areas close to intact forests, and developing national policies that incentivise intensifying agriculture in some areas in order to let others naturally regenerate.
One of the most exciting assisted natural regeneration strategies is called applied nucleation, also known as "tree islands", which involves planting only a very small number of trees that attract birds and other seed dispersers, which can spread seeds around the tree islands. Gradually, these tree islands turn into intact forests.
If it is such an obvious and effective tactic, why has it not caught on yet? First, it does not have the PR appeal of a person lowering a young sapling into the ground. Second, until recently, assisted natural regeneration was not seen as a solution that could work on a large scale. But advances in our ability to model and predict natural processes – and an unlikely and unexpected test case in Brazil – showed otherwise.
Brazil's Atlantic Forest stretches across 34 million hectares (84 million acres) of the country's coastal southeast. As large as it is, it is a fraction of what it used to be, having lost nearly three-quarters of its original extent to deforestation.
Over the past two decades, though, rural populations there thinned, with people in farming communities abandoning their land to move to cities to find work, while well-organised local groups ensured enforcement of a Brazilian law aimed at curbing deforestation.
What happened next was remarkable: Between 1996 and 2015, nearly three million hectares (7.4 million acres) of the area was found to have regenerated naturally – without a single sapling being planted.
This did not escape the notice of conservationists. Researchers from the International Institute of Sustainability (IIS) in Rio de Janeiro analysed this regeneration and found that one-third of the degraded Atlantic Forest – some 21.6 million hectares (53.4 million acres) – could eventually be restored if assisted natural regeneration is applied. It was the first real evidence that this method could be scaled up.
Seizing on these findings, Conservation International launched what is on track to be the largest tropical restoration project in history in the Brazilian Amazon. Working with local and international partners, the organisation helped protect and nurture a portion of the Amazon rainforest so it could rebound without interference – and it has started to do so.
Now, Conservation International and IIS are leading efforts to identify other areas of the world where assisted natural regeneration is likely to be ecologically and socially feasible, and it is now estimated that, of the billion or so hectares of forest around the world that have been destroyed or degraded, fully one-third is suitable for assisted natural regeneration.
What that means is that all that land, if protected around the edges from logging, fires, farming and grazing, then left to its own devices, could come back to life – bringing with it all the benefits that forests provide, from water filtration to biodiversity to climate regulation. And that is without threatening food security – critical to our exploding world population – or sticking a single (expensive) sapling in the ground.
So what needs to happen now?
First, the research community must pay closer attention to what nature has been doing for millennia to focus its efforts on actions that support that process.
Second, science and indigenous knowledge must be brought together to show governments where assisted natural regeneration is possible, and inform policies to unlock it.
Third, banking and development communities need to create financial incentives to spur investment in reforestation.
Fourth, corporate actors should put protection above profit so that mistreated land is given space to recover – which in the long run is good for their bottom line.
Let us be clear: Assisted natural regeneration is not the only way forward. We still need to plant new trees where it is necessary, and in ways that respect local ecology and local cultures.
But if we can see to all of the above, Mother Nature will have a much easier time doing what she does best – naturally.


text:
Q: Are there nice functions for which $\sum\limits_{n\geq 1} f(n) = \int\limits_{\mathbb{R}_+}f(t)dt$? What can we say about the class of functions for which $$\sum\limits_{n\geq 1} f(n) = \int\limits_{\mathbb{R}_+}f(t)dt$$
Are there any good examples of such functions?
Edit: You may prefer different summation/integration bounds like $n \geq 0$ or $t \geq 1$, doesn't really matter.

A: By the Abel-Plana formula, if $f$ is an entire even function whose modulus does not grow too fast on the right half-plane,
$$ \sum_{n\geq 0} f(n) = \frac{f(0)}{2}+\int_{0}^{+\infty}f(x)\,dx. \tag{1}$$
Folklore: Growth conditions are a bit tricky, though. You might be induced to think that, by this principle,
$$ \frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{\pi^{1/4}}{\Gamma(3/4)}+1\right)=\sum_{n\geq 0} e^{-\pi n^2} \stackrel{\color{red}?}{=} 1 $$
but the difference between the LHS and the RHS, albeit small, is not zero. It is $\approx 0.04322$.
On the other hand $(1)$ works like a charm for computing series like
$$ \sum_{n\geq 1}\left(\frac{\sin n}{n}\right)^k\quad\text{or}\quad \sum_{n\geq 1}\left(\frac{1-\cos n}{n^2}\right)^k$$
or for series involving values of Bessel functions.

A: If $f(x) = \lfloor{x\rfloor}$, an example would be
$$\int_{0}^{n}f(x)dx = \sum_{k=0}^{n-1}f(k)\ =\frac{n\left(n-1\right)}{2},$$
or equivalently,
$$\int_{0}^{n}\lfloor{x\rfloor}dx = \sum_{k=0}^{n-1}k\ =\frac{n\left(n-1\right)}{2}.$$

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


If you want to pay for less energy use, think about installing an HVAC-particular solar panel system. Such an installation harnesses the power of the solar straight for your heating and air-con. Don't be concerned though; you can have a change put in that automatically connects to the ability grid the times there is not enough solar. Before calling somebody to repair your system, be sure to know what sort of HVAC system you actually have. Learn the model, model, and in case you have it, the maintenance historical past. This makes certain your contractor will probably be sufficiently ready.
Understanding how HVAC programs work can actually save a home-owner some huge cash. The last you need is to come back home someday and find that it isn't working properly. That only leads to distress, which I'm sure most have us have experienced at one time or another due to a defective HVAC system. Great recommendations on sustaining your HVAC system is within the following article, so maintain studying!
Ask your neighbors who they have fixing their HVAC techniques. Neighborhoods are sometimes built at the same time and may have the identical set-ups for heating and cooling. Which means if somebody did a good job on their unit, they need to provide you a similar top quality service as nicely. There are some people who find themselves lucky enough to dwell in temperate climates where the weather is all the time good. For the remainder of us, we need good HVAC systems that hold us cool in the summer and heat in the winter. For help discovering such a system, learn the next article.
Purchasing an HVAC unit isn't easy. Nevertheless, you at the moment are armed with the information it's good to make it an easy choice. Use the ideas shared here and make sure your property is a place of comfort all 12 months. Who would want to come house to discover a malfunctioning HVAC system ready for them? Because the HVAC system in your house is essential to the consolation of your loved ones, it's essential to look after it correctly. Use the suggestions below as a part of your method to maintaining your HVAC system.
Hiring a more recent contractor may be taking a considerable risk.
Be sure to be particular about every thing that is written in your contracts. It should detail the work that's being completed, the supplies getting used and the period of time it would take to finish the job. Leaving anything out can provide the contractor an exit if something goes wrong. You need to do your research earlier than hiring anyone to return to your house to complete any HVAC initiatives. Watching residence enhancements shows could be deceiving since things hardly ever go as smoothly as they do on television. It is vitally necessary that you know what to anticipate before issues get started.
Keep away from permitting your own home to ever get exceedingly hot. An air conditioner can only cool your home by 20ºF quickly. If your own home's inside temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you would solely be capable to cool it down just above eighty levels. Depending on the degrees of humidity, that isn't a safe temperature in the case of sleeping or escaping from the heat of summer time. Examine your HVAC unit shortly for blockage in case you change into away of any clicking sound. There may be particles of particles which are touching the fans. You just must take out the obstruction and the issue is solved. See if you are able to do it your self before getting a professional.
The vitality effectivity of a unit ought to be considered when buying a new heating and cooling system. Although you should be involved in regards to the worth of a unit, the effectivity of the unit will prevent 1000's over the lifetime of the heating and cooling system and will weigh closely on your buying resolution. Choose an HVAC contractor who know what he is doing and works quickly. Dependable corporations maintain a detailed eye on their technicians and guarantee they honor their appointments. They should be capable of diagnose points shortly. As soon as the issue is recognized, fixing it must be fast and easy.
The knowledge shared right here will help. Verify this out earlier than calling a repairman. For help finding such a system, read the next article. If so, it could be time to search for a new HVAC system.


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This is a beautiful 13 piece set of hand cut Tiffany Petals in Pure White and green art glass. In this package you receive 7 White Petals that form the flower, 1 optic drop for the flower center, and 5 green petals that form the leaves. These pieces make beautiful mosaic pieces or they can be incorporated into stained glass designs.


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Afghanistan: 500,000 jobs lost since Taliban takeover
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Tonga: The UN stands ready to provide support after volcano eruption and...
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Forensic lab aids crack down on illegal wildlife trade in Viet Nam
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UN urges restraint in Kazakhstan, with dozens reportedly killed
Cambodia: Arrests of strikers may be breach of human rights law
UNESCO condemns killing of journalist in Myanmar
Harsh winter fuels ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan
Bangladesh: Fire rips through COVID treatment centre for Myanmar refugees
Pakistan: Smartcard registration drive for Afghan refugees ends
People of Myanmar face 'unprecedented' crisis in 2022
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Sustainable Cities for Climate Resilience
26 Oct By UN India Hindi
Urban October presents an opportune moment to focus on the post-pandemic future of our cities and highlight the necessity for accelerating progress towards carbon-neutral cities. Today, half of humanity lives in cities and this number is set to grow in the coming years, exponentially so in developing countries. It's no wonder that cities have an outsize carbon footprint, responsible for 80% of global CO2 emissions, and at the frontlines of all climate crises.
According to the recent IPCC report, urban climate adaption is essential to building climate resilience and achieving sustainable development goals. Recognizing the centrality of cities as key climate actors, the United Nations has long espoused a strong emphasis on building "inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities", with UN-Habitat at the helm directing various projects to build capacities in urban environmental planning and management.
As cities grow, and we become an increasingly urban species, there is an integral need to balance between the human and natural systems at play. It's tough to evaluate the impact of urbanization on communities, climate, and the environment, and identify future needs and focus areas without a standard assessment framework. The Urban Sustainability Assessment Framework (USAF) developed under the Sustainable Cities Integrated Approach Pilot (SCIAP) project, implemented by UNIDO and UN-Habitat, is an important first step in this direction. Piloted in the cities of Bhopal, Guntur, Jaipur, Mysuru, and Vijayawada, urban diagnostics were conducted through application of USAF, covering sectors such as public space and safety, housing and property, water, sanitation, solid waste management, transportation, social facilities, and services, environment and ecology, clean energy, disaster risk management, governance and data management and finance and economy. Leveraging the complex network of interdependent systems and multilevel governance at play in these cities, the SCIAP aims to develop engagement and long-term ownership in urban planning.
The city diagnostic reports produced under the project have proved to be instrumental in informing policymakers, partners, and communities of the sustainable city strategies and related actions and interventions. A glance at the USAF fact sheet for the pilot cities serves as a reminder of the varying needs and issues to be addressed. For instance, take Jaipur, a UNESCO world heritage site built in 1727 and one of India's first planned cities, and Guntur, a city in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Situated in the northern and southern regions respectively, both Jaipur and Guntur are growing at a rapid pace, and with it, a mounting list of urban and environmental issues that need immediate attention and institutional remediation.
In Guntur, a formerly agricultural region, urban sprawl has led to a significant loss in cultivated land, and city dwellers suffer from lack of open spaces and inadequate water supply. Similar issues have been in Jaipur too. Besides, master plans or zonal development plans of both cities have not been updated in a decade, and they do not have GHG monitoring systems. However, there is a large divergence in other issues such as, low level of sewage connectivity to access to healthcare facilities in close vicinity within these cities; 21% of properties in Guntur are connected to a sewage network compared to 86% of properties in Jaipur, and on the other hand, while 91% of population in Guntur have access to healthcare services within 800 m, there are several under-serviced pockets in Jaipur. Solid waste management is a severe problem in Guntur where more than 4 lakh metric tons of waste has accumulated in the city's dumping site over the years. For Jaipur, improvement of urban mobility is the highest mid to long term priority of the government. Hence, such a quick comparison makes apparent the gargantuan differences in issues faced within urban centres, and the pervasiveness of threats to the quality of life and nature across the board.
Cities must be at the nexus of climate change interventions. For this to happen, there needs to be an immediate decoupling of economic growth from environmental degradation, and mobilization of resources towards planning, investment, and development of technologies for sustainable cities. Sustainable cities can serve as hubs of innovation for climate action, creating green-value chains and new employment opportunities, all the while offering a greater quality of life and a quicker pathway to the realization of the SDGs. As we celebrate this Urban October, amidst the recovery from pandemic-issued shutdowns, there is a generational opportunity to put climate action, clean energy, and sustainable development at the heart of cities' strategies and policies.
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Welcome to the Global Ageing Network Research Clearinghouse, an online repository of evidence-based practices, models and interventions that providers of long-term services and supports worldwide can apply to the daily work of their care settings. The Clearinghouse continues to grow and upload new research on a regular basis.
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In the early morning trade, June gold is currently trading at $1235.5 which is a change of negative $15 overnight. Gold broke some major support overnight and with a number of spec and fund long positions we could be due for an even more aggressive sell-off back down to the $1,200.0 an ounce level. Also, it will be difficult for the shiny one to get any kind of buying down at these levels due to the US dollar making fresh new highs overnight. Furthermore, with the Feds "Hawkish" tone on interest rates last week and with speculation of a 32% chance of an interest rate hike in June makes it even more difficult for traders and investors a like to step in and buy this market. Below is a daily June gold chart, which clearly shows gold breaking through strong support and indicates the bears are currently in control of this market.
Is the bull run still alive for silver?
Front month July silver futures is down about 17 cents to 16.285. The technical damage done on the silver chart since the May 2 high of $18.05 has to be discouraging to some bulls. Since I wrote the last eView, the dollar has been materially stronger. Please see the first chart I attached below that shows an overlay of the silver chart on the US dollar index just to show you visually how the turn in silver coincides with the turn in the US dollar.
Since the last COT (commitment of traders with options) report showing a record high in silver longs of non-commensals and non-reportable positions, it is not a surprise that the strength in the dollar resulting in liquidation type of trades.
In my view, although it is not impossible, it's premature to assume that the highs are in for silver. The second chart shows that the bull run for silver is still very much alive and well even if silver pulls back all the way down to $15.70 trend line support. Also, look for the highlighted yellow area to show you where silver could still pull back even further into what market technicians call "the box" 50-60% retracement from the Jan 2016 low of $13.73 to the May 2016 high of $18.05 could still be very well alive.
By aware of economic reports for the rest of the week. I will be watching Durable Goods orders, jobless claims and GDP reports closely to see how silver reacts to it all. Over all, positive economic reports have given the bears a technical edge. For example, last week's Fed minutes signal a possible June rate hike has been a catalyst of strength in the US dollar. All in all, positive economic news going forward will further justify Feds intention to raise rates either in June or shortly after.
Energy prices are firmer, EIA data showing another build.
RJO Futures Senior Market Strategist Mike Sabo discusses the energy futures markets. Energy prices are firmer, EIA data showing another build. Feel free to contact Mike here to leave a question or comment on his video.
Natural gas futures are once again selling off despite some solid attempts to rally towards the beginning of the month. While overall US weather has been mostly normal for this time of year, demand for natural gas is still weak. On Thursday the EIA will release weekly domestic storage levels. If an injection to supplies is seen, this will be the sixth week in a row of inventory growth. Unless there is a very hot start summer that will keep air conditioners on full blast and demanding energy, the natural gas market is going to have a very hard time trending higher with such a large supply still on the table.
Although the market remains generally weak, there is no denying that support is incredibly strong around the 2.08 level in the July contract. Just last week the market tested this support and immediately bounced over 18 cents in the following three days. Though impressive, this move had little long-term significance as April and May's highs remain unbroken and extremely resistive. The market may be simply revisiting the 2.22 – 2.08 range that held prices for over four weeks through the end of March and beginning of April. If key support at 2.08 is broken and the market holds below that level, a strong argument can be made for a revisit to contract lows (1.939). Closes above 2.26 will put 2.31 and 2.42 back into question, though the trend will still be pointing lower until all of these levels are broken. I do not expect to see a major bullish reversal at this time of year unless supply and demand circumstances dramatically change.
Trend is up. Overbought and rolling over or gathering steam for move over 17.50?
This week's eView commentary for July sugar futures finds the market squarely in bullish territory. The trend is up. The fundamental narrative remains bullish and the market is holding up relatively well as we cycle through risk on/risk off. Hightower Group research this morning highlights what has been a common theme in years past: Asian demand trumps South American production. The global deficit number has been shrinking as South American production has grown. It does not appear at this time that this increased production can alleviate the deficit to a degree required to stall or change the trend from up to sideways or down. There are two levels on the chart that will help traders assess the strength of the uptrend in the days ahead. The first is 16.51, the 18-day moving average. The second, 15.83, the 50-day moving average. In the last 3 months the July sugar futures contract has shown a reluctance to trade below these levels for long, if at all. The fund trader, who takes on risk in order to potentially profit, typically using longer term models to capture a trend move when and if they occur, is record long. This can leave pockets of air under the market if the fund trader is not there to support the market on moves lower. So far we have not seen this occur and the July sugar futures contract has been well supported. The last aggressive sell-off in sugar was answered with new highs for the move just five trading sessions later. Bearish, aggressive traders can take a shot from the short side and not have to be wrong for long if the market starts to rally again. But at this time that trade would be predicated more on the idea that July sugar futures are due to correct than any real change in the supply or demand situation. For traders who are prone to trade with the trend and not yet involved on the long side look for pull backs to the 16.50 area to establish 17.50 -18.50 call spreads in the October contract.
Cotton managed to produce a noteworthy rally this spring, rallying from early March through the end of April before topping out just shy of 65.00. From there, the market has pulled back a bit off the tops, but appears to have sustained the intermediate-term positive momentum. Price appears to be in a holding pattern between 60.00-63.00 and further consolidation within this range looks to be a real possibility. Participants should key in on the 63.00 area near-term for a "tell" as to whether or not the market is ready for another leg higher, or if price action will revert back to the previous range and perhaps slip back to 60.00 – 60.50 support. Continue to watch for momentum divergence signals at the range-extremes as these signal could serve as potential clues on the market's next move.
Technically July cocoa is looking very similar to what we saw in early April. Support was hit and the market recovered – today long traders are hoping for some follow-through. 2885 held for support and oversold levels have helped the cocoa market recover the past few sessions. A break and close above the 9-day moving average also helps the bulls in the short-term. 3018 was touched today as the high was put in early, putting 3020 back in the picture as resistance again in the contract. After almost three weeks of negative cocoa trading and a hit of around 10% on prices, a bottom seems to have been put in. Look to the outside markets for guidance. Lighter volume should be anticipated heading into the holiday weekend.
July coffee prices have taken a major plummet since May 17, failing to reach the March highs and break above those critical resistance areas. Almost as soon as this failure took place we've seen six consecutive days of follow-through selling, which likely has July coffee aiming at the major support level of 119. Most of this volatile sell-off action is related to fundamentals surrounding the large Brazilian harvest and sluggish demand. In addition, the second largest producer, Vietnam has seen consistent rain in major growing areas, which is also bearish for coffee prices. The Hightower Group has also reported there is "talk that funds will liquidate their net long position built up over the past several weeks". The key area to monitor will be the 119 level, as it is the last corrective low. A violation of this area could have coffee quickly selling back off to the 115 area. A bearish short-term position to 119 should be the play.
Equity markets are very strong and the US dollar received a boost from a reported 8-year high in new home sales this morning. Crude oil is up today, trading at $48.55.
Grains are also bullish in spite of dollar strength. July corn ($4.02, +4.4), wheat ($4.68, +6.2) and soybeans ($10.67, +8.4) have each shown positive strength, trading up to near level technical resistance. Global weather and demand for US grains remain the primary market factors.
Weather in the United States is overall bearish for the next 7-10 days. Temperatures will be more seasonal, leading to a moist/warm near-term outlook. Favorable news now will inevitably lead to dryness/heat concerns later in the growing cycle, but for the next few weeks, bulls may be starved of favorable news.
Export sales yesterday (week ending 5/19) were as expected/lower, with corn alone meeting analysts' expectations. US soybeans were a marketing year low at 77k tonnes, below market expectations. Wheat came in at 301k tonnes, laying at the bottom of forecasters expectations. Within the expectation range was corn, reported at 1.076 MM.
US corn planting is 86% complete vs. 88% expected (75% last, 85% average). Soybeans were 56% done vs. 55% expected (36% last, 52% average). Spring wheat planting is nearly complete at 95% and winter wheat conditions were 62% good/excellent.
The next US grain report is on June 10, with crop production and USDA supply/demand released at 11 am CST. An FOMC meeting will wrap the following Wednesday, June 15, with a current 35% chance of rate increase.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the markets further, please feel free to contact me at 866-373-5470 or jkennedy@rjofutures.com.
Live cattle futures sold off sharply Monday morning and continues to trade technically weak today following Friday's Cattle on Feed report. The surprise on Friday was an unexpected 107.5% YOY for April Placements. The market had already been pricing seasonal weakness past June and even June futures has been trading $8-9 under last week's cash trade.
The live cattle charts provide some technical value at current levels which have slightly violated Fib support levels from April/May lower range. There is also technical value around 112.25-113.25 on a weekly continuation chart and a weekly "washout" price on a daily down at 107.00.
I believe the structure of the LC futures market currently is incentivizing feedlots to market more COF and recent placements indicate supply is ample through 3rd and 4th quarters. Feeders are appropriately selling off in line with live cattle. I do believe future placements will not continue to surprise as a good part of the increase was regional.
The question mark is demand and whether wholesalers/retailers will bring back strong demand for beef and encourage store/restaurant traffic? Exports might get trumped later this year so hopefully beef marketers take advantage of healthy margins to rebuild domestic demand.
If you are a prospective client and would like direct access to RJO's extensive in-house and independent insight, contact me directly for a live two-week trial.
All eyes are on the US Dollar Index as it attempts to carve out its fourth straight week of gains. Recent jibber jabber of higher interest rates by the Fed come June (32%) and or July (more probable at 50%), is creating this euphoric run higher in the USD. A close above trend-line resistance at 95.30, could set the stage for a run to 96.65 to 96.90, where more resistance could come in the form of the 200-day MA. Inversely, the Euro has been under fire from both extreme gains higher in the USD as well as a steady flow of softer than expected economic data. Also weighing on the Euro Currency is the upcoming Brexit vote in June as the future of Great Britain hangs in the balance. At the moment forecasters are telling us that it is "too close to call" which is largely contributing to Euro currency anxiety.
The scheduled release of economic data for the US this week is back loaded to Thursday and Friday. On Thursday we'll see a release of April Durable Goods Orders, expecting a month over month drop to 0.3% from 0.8% in March. We'll also see on Friday our second estimate for Q1 GDP expected in at 0.9%, from a prior reading of 0.5%. The uptick perhaps coming from our most recent reading on Retails Sales (+1.3%). Janet Yellen is set to speak at Harvard University at 10:30 am EST on Friday, which you can bet that traders and investors alike will be cluing in on hints towards interest rate increases over the next few months.
The interest rate landscape has changed since last reported. Whereas the probability of a June rate hike was in the low single digits just a couple weeks ago, now the chances stand at better than 30% as a number of Fed officials have signaled that a rate hike isn't off the table. A December hike stands at 84%, up from 46% a month ago. However, consensus dictates that the Fed will not risk a June hike ahead of the Brexit vote and uncertain growth.
Keep an eye on the yield curve. The market is telegraphing a rate hike or two before the end of the year. This is most apparent in the flattening of the curve, with the yield on the short end rising in relation to the long end of the curve. The Wall Street Journal reports that "Selling short-term debt and migrating to longer term bonds has picked up momentum over the past week as investors adjusted their portfolios to the risk of a near-term tightening act by the central bank." In fact the spread between the 2-yr and 10-yr note stands at .93 percentage points, the tightest since 2007. Typically, a flattening curve portends slowing growth as the Fed tightens money supply, however the buoyancy of the long end of the curve (10-yr - 30-yr) could be a result of attractive yields in relation to the rest of the developed world. The Treasury bond is King among bonds, as Europe and Asia continue to languish in a negative rate environment.
On the technical front, focusing on the June 30-yr Treasury bond futures, the predominant range is 16100-16700. That is a 6 point range, or $6000 on one contract. It has been a very tradable range for the past three months. I believe the path of least resistance in the near-term points down to the lower end of the range. If there is an uptick in inflation, we could quickly break the lower end of that range and move swiftly to the 15800 mark.
Dates to keep in mind are the June 14-15 FOMC meeting. Prior to that, the May Jobs report will be released on June 3, and Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen will speak on June 6 before the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia.
Despite weaker Asian equities overnight, European and S&P futures have started out on positive footing. While the Brexit vote remains too close to call those in favor of staying are pouring on the reasons to stay ahead of the government imposed commentary black out that starts on Friday. At least to start today there isn't much in the way of anxiety in place and the market doesn't appear to be focused on the impending flow of US data.
While the E-mini S&P managed a somewhat impressive bid into new highs yesterday and the market is showing very positive action early today, the June E-mini remains below resistance at 2071. Low volume yesterday and the inability to hold the probe higher suggest that the markets might have shifted into a position where good economic news is bad for prices. In other words, the focus on the June Fed decision is creeping into the equation and could soon be dominating the trade. In short, the bulls might be able to foster periodic short covering but without a definite improvement in global sentiment we would be a seller of rallies in the E-mini near resistance at 2071-73.