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Eight SARS measures that you may soon see in Singapore to fight novel coronavirus
Chances are you've already seen people on the streets of Singapore wearing surgical masks to protect themselves from airborne germs. Fears that the novel coronavirus would lead to a SARS-like pandemic has changed our way of life virtually overnight and overshadowed the Lunar New Year long weekend.
Here are eight measures last seen during the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that are likely to make a comeback (some already have).
1. Contactless greetings
The 2003 fight against SARS popularised contactless greetings where people acknowledged one another without shaking hands. A nod and a smile, palms pressed together were all widely-accepted substitutes that prevented inadvertent cross contamination. We didn't have wide screen smart phones and clever memes back in 2003. Probably won't take long for some creative minds to think of something people could flash digitally to say Hi or Bye.
2. Threat velocity
SARS struck suddenly and caught many Singaporeans unprepared. I covered my first SARS story one quiet weekend when I was asked to interview passengers from a Singapore Airlines flight that was quarantined in Frankfurt, Germany, after reports that some passengers were stricken by a mysterious illness. I remember the gaggle of Singaporean reporters at Changi Airport Terminal 2 joking that we should interview the passengers from behind the arrival terminal glass panels by writing questions on pieces of paper or using an extra long boom mike (the kind used by TV studios that hang a microphone on a long pole). Seventeen years on, I don't recall ever having met those passengers as they were taken for checks by health authorities. From a slow start, SARS soon turned deadly in Singapore. Looking at the novel coronavirus, we must be prepared for a steep escalation in threat velocity.
3. SARS deaths
The first SARS patient was hospitalised on 1 March 2003. On 25 March, Singapore had its first SARS death - Patient Number 1's father. Singapore reported its first Wuhan novel coronavirus case on Thursday 23 Jan 2020. We pray for a good outcome (25 days from 23 Jan is 17 Feb 2020).
4. Split office
Business continuity was the buzzword during SARS. Companies did so by splitting the workforce and having staff work from separate locations. I was one of the journalists who covered the SARS crisis in 2003. Our newsroom was separated into three teams: work from News Centre in Toa Payoh North, work from the SPH office in Genting Lane and work from home. You can imagine the news editor's utter dismay when she learned that journalists from different papers who worked from Toa Payoh North and Genting Lane inevitably met one another at press conferences. Worst, some continued to meet after work - which defeated the whole idea of preventing the spread of the SARS virus by isolating the work force.
5. Travelling with windows down
During SARS, some commuters who travelled in taxis did so with windows wound down for better ventilation. When I saw a taxi on the way to Changi Airport last Saturday with a window half down, it brought back memories of SARS 2003 when people wound down taxi windows to avoid breathing in recycled air-conditioned air inside enclosed car cabins. In today's context, you might see private hire vehicles moving around with windows slightly down too.
6. Dialects made a comeback
Ever since the Speak Mandarin Campaign took root, one hardly heard local dialects on national television in Singapore. SARS changed this. I recall local celebrities on TV translating health advice to dialects like Hainanese, Teochew and Hokkien to maximise the effectiveness of public health messages. We may soon need to do the same again. Oh, and we had a SARS Hotline too.
7. Sticky problem
Some places like hospitals and government buildings gave coloured stickers to visitors to indicate that the walk-ins had been checked for signs of fever (which could indicate SARS). Pedestrains could tell they were near a place with SARS checks as traffic lights and lamp posts were plastered with dozens of discarded stickers, making them look measle-like especially when round red stickers were used. Some of the stickers that indicated the wearer was OK were nicely done. I might have kept a sheet or two of these SARS stickers. I hope my collection will not expand in 2020.
8. South Korea and Japan
Proving that SARS wasn't an Asian disease, South Korea and Japan were relatively untouched by SARS. My colleagues and I wondered why. Kimchi? Wasabi? Genetics? Who knows? Those who had been to these countries believed that good hygiene may be a reason why they beat SARS. [I had yet to visit S Korea and Japan in 2003. Only did so in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Yes, the Koreans and Japanese generally practice very good hygiene.]
#StandTogether
Confirmed imported case of Novel Coronavirus in Singapore
Same but different: SARS 2003 versus Singapore's preparations against coronavirus 2020
This week's news of the flu-like illness caused by the coronavirus has rekindled memories of the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic, which was also caused by a pathogen from the coronavirus family.
Many things have changed in Singapore since 2003 that make this island better prepared if we have to endure another SARS-like fight. Here are five key changes:
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, WhatsApp and more. These social media platforms didn't exist in March 2003 when Singapore reported its first SARS case. In an emergency, such platforms can be used to spread information in an instant across the community in near realtime. Remember how call tree reporting was done in 2003 and how you would do it today? An app like WhatsApp can hook up an entire office or school or community, allowing people to stay in touch in ways never imagined during our first fight against SARS.
2. Information access
We had handphones in 2003. But back in the day, state-of-the-art meant being able to SMS on your Nokia without looking at the key pad. Today's touch screen mobile devices are not only smarter and more capable. Hooked to the internet, your smart phone gives you access to a lot of information should you need it.
Knowing what we're up against is an important first step in conquering one's fear of the unknown. But social media plus smart devices is a double-edged sword. One should expect false alarms with fake news spread either unwittingly or maliciously, which brings to mind why Digital Defence was added as the sixth pillar of Total Defence.
3. Seasoned population
People over the age of 20 are likely to remember their personal experience during the SARS crisis 17 years ago. Whether it is something simple like temperature checks in primary school, it doesn't matter. What is valuable is Singapore's collective experience having been through a pandemic and learning hard lessons from the episode, which killed 33 people in 2003. While it was hard to Keep Calm and Carry On when we first met SARS, Singaporeans should be more assured now that we have had the collective experience and SOPs for dealing with epidemics.
4. Tested SOPs
The SARS-like scenarios tested during business continuity exercises may sound like preparations to fight the last war. They are indeed scripted for the possible re-emergence of SARS-like situations. Precisely such a scenario looms near. Compared to 2003 when we were caught off guard, Singapore is better prepared thanks to years spent testing, refining and investing in drawer plans for nation-wide medical emergencies.
5. WOG
As a system, the whole of government resources (WOG) are more tightly integrated and well-oiled compared to 2003. Remember that we didn't even have the Cabinet post of Coordinating Minister, which was relatively new in 2003. It started (after the SARS crisis) with the Coordinating Minister for National Security post in August 2003 to spearhead counter terrorism efforts and has since matured and evolved.
Singapore now has three Coordinating Minister posts to improve the way civil service and national resources are harnessed - for National Security, for Infrastructure, and for Economic and Social Policies. Incidentally, the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, played a key role in the SARS fight as Health Minister in 2003.
The WOG machinery has been set in motion, so let's see how this coronavirus episode plays out.
Singapore's defence innovations during the 2003 SARS crisis. Click here
Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and DSTA defence innovations during the 2003 SARS crisis
A respiratory illness in Wuhan, China, has raised concerns that it might spark another worldwide pandemic like the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) crisis in 2003.
SARS killed 33 people in Singapore in 2003. The crisis, which lasted from March to July 2003, forced upon Singaporeans behavioral changes like temperature taking in schools and work places, decentralised work arrangements and saw shopping centres emptied out as people stayed home and tourists stayed away.
Senang Diri recalls three homegrown defence innovations that made an impact in Singapore during the SARS crisis.
Innovation 1: Infrared Fever Scanning System (IFss)
Asked for a sensor that money couldn't buy, defence engineers from the Sensor Systems Division, Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) and Singapore Technologies Electronics (ST Elec) created a fever scanner from scratch. One week after the request by Singapore's Ministry of Health, the DSTA and ST Elec team had their prototype fever scanner ready. It was the world's first infrared-based system for screening large groups of people.
DSTA engineers designed this unique sensor, which was developed and made in Singapore, using radar principles.
A DSTA paper on the IFss said: "Screening a large group of people for fever is similar to the radar detection problem. In the case of the radar, it has to scan a large surveillance space for very few targets. The radar must be able to distinguish RF echoes of real targets from clutter noise. One way is to narrow down probable targets in two steps. Like the Radar Double Threshold Detection Scheme, the IFss uses a two-tier detection concept to screen a large group of people for fever. The first decision point is the detection of individuals with high skin temperatures and the second decision point is the confirmation that the subject has an elevated body temperature using conventional clinical thermometers."
Pressed for time as the SARS crisis was a national emergency, the sensor lacked a sexy name and was simply called the Infrared Fever Scanning System (IFss).
Innovation 2: Unique test material
Speaking of sex... when I received a tipoff about a feel good story for National Day 2003, I thought it was a hoax. A normally reliable source who telephoned yours truly claimed that defence engineers at Singapore Technologies Electronics were using condoms to test and calibrate microchips for use in temperature sensors. Apparently, plastic coverings were not as effective as thin, skin-like latex condoms that were better at allowing heat transfer to fever monitoring microchips during the testing process.
After extensive lab trials, ST Elec engineers chose a particular brand of condom from among dozens for their thermal and tactile properties. The sheaths also had to be non-lubricated. This was all true (see story above) and the defence engineers reduced testing time of the fever monitoring "Glowcard" chips by months. I hope they earned official recognition from MINDEF/SAF for all that hard work testing condom after condom in the name of national defence. Any volunteers for intensive condom testing in 2020 if needed?
Innovation 3: Contact tracing centre
The Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH), Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and DSTA worked jointly to set up and run a contact tracing centre from scratch with no mission rehearsal. MOH could handle the task of tracking down people who might have been in close contact with suspected SARS cases when the numbers involved were in the hundreds. This process is called contact tracing. But when the problem involved more than 2,000 people who were at a SARS hot spot, the Pasir Panjang Wholesale Market, the ministry needed more firepower.
Former Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General (NS) Neo Kian Hong, who was then a colonel who was Commander 9 Singapore Division, helped set up the contact tracing centre using division scouts. DSTA built the computer systems and rapidly set up process for what evolved into the National Contact Tracing Centre.
Writing in an MOH journal on SARs, Professor Chee Yam Cheng, recalled the Singapore Army's contributions: "They worked in shifts from 7 am to 11 pm, and their sole objective was to trace within 24 hours (and this is vitally important) of receiving the name of a SARS patient, everyone who had been in close contact with him. This meant every name (and address – in order to serve the Home Quarantine Order) of every person that the SARS patient (be he highly suspect or probable) could remember having met from the time he took ill (and maybe even while he was incubating the illness the previous 10 days, unless we can be very sure when the infectious period started in each case).
"The army came to the rescue when MOH realised its battle against time to trace the 2,000 people affected by the Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre closure could not be won without reinforcements. For once SARS spreads through the community, we risk losing control of it, and will not be able to isolate and contain it."
Probing the David Boey enigma: Love-hate relationship with the defence ecosystem
Many men and women in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and NSmen have heard of me but have never met me in person. You may be one of them.
Over in Malaysia, many warga Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM, Malaysian Armed Forces) do not know my name or face as I'm no celebrity. But curiously enough, my blog seems to be a useful calling card as many ATM officers have read it. On more than a few occasions up north, I'd mention Senang Diri to an ATM officer and see the Malaysian's face light up with recognition, glad to match a face to a name. Interestingly enough, some ATM officers continue calling me Senang Diri even after being properly introduced, which I find quite charming but in a good way.
My wife told me recently that a former BG finds me "okay" and that his personal impressions of my recent newspaper op-eds do not match the Gombak canteen gossip. Am unsure if I should feel flattered or concerned.
Truth be told, in situations where there is no right of reply or chance to clarify or provide context, the enigma that is me can take many forms. Sentiments run the full spectrum of human emotions. Over the years, yours truly has been shouted at, admonished, obstructed, tailed (as in followed) and investigated while at the same time praised, treated, congratulated, befriended and engaged (in a positive way). It is indeed an enigmatic love-hate relationship.
Admittedly, many negative episodes took place during my younger, gung-ho days. But impressions linger in the ever thickening P-file and gossip circuit. It does not help that security awareness talks in years long past mentioned yours truly's notorious exploits (if staking out air base flight paths counts as notorious. But plane spotters were rare in the early 1990s) and the junior officers who attended those talks have risen up the chain of command.
Over decades, one learns to live with it because people who genuinely want to know you better for a balanced world view will make that effort.
On several occasions at business meetings that have nothing to do with defence, small talk with complete strangers has led to surprising outcomes. They start with the usual Singaporean business protocol. Hand shake, exchange of name cards then light conversation on safe topics.
A number of you caught me by surprise when midway in the conversation, with completely no relevance to whatever was being discussed, you'd bring up the blog.
This has happened at a number of Singapore Armed Forces events too. The host of whatever weapon platform or exhibit would deliver his/her briefing completely poker faced. Then when nobody is looking, the officer would come over and whisper almost conspiratorially, "I read your blog", which is always sweet to hear because the effort writing stuff meant something to somebody.
A number of ministers and MPs drop by occasionally too.
It's always nice to meet readers firsthand. It's great to hear your feedback and listen to your opinions. It beats staring at dashboard analytics wondering who is behind all the numbers. So thank you all.
This blog, now past its tenth year, also serves as a platform for me to engage you directly, typing my thoughts on my side of the screen and having you read and scroll on your side.
And I guess the engagements with curious SAF and ATM personnel who make the effort to unveil the enigma have worked well, despite occasional atmospherics.
Among the successful engagements is my wife. Like some of you, she heard of me before she met me. Not all the stuff was flattering though I must say it speeded up the get-to-know-you process when we dated and both had our IFF interrogators on and ESM antennae finely tuned.
Am happy that despite the 15-year age gap, it has worked out. So as much as I have an aversion to military security minders, I have them to thank for life's surprising turn. [Confession: A small, teeny weeny paranoid part of my brain did ask if she was a MINDEF/SAF plant as it was too good to be true. Anyway she now has the free run of my library, files etc.]
The Wife says I never write about her, which should be the case because I firewall family privacy closely. But am making an exception today because today marks our fifth wedding anniversary.
So happy anniversary sweety if you're reading this =)
Some defence & security highlights in Singapore 2020
The year 2020 will be a banner year in Singapore for several defence and security-related fields. Here's Senang Diri's list of highlights for the year.
30th year of People's Republic of China and Singapore diplomatic ties
Last October, China and Singapore signed the Agreement on Defence Cooperation and Security Exchanges. As both countries mark three decades of diplomatic ties, it is likely that defence cooperation will feature in activities to toast this important anniversary year. Port calls by PLAN warships to Singapore this year will obviously take on added significance. Stay tuned for more from Senang Diri (kementah.blogspot.com).
55th year of Singapore's independence
Singapore will celebrate its 55th birthday on 9 August 2020. The National Day Parade returns to the Float@Marina Bay, with men and women from the 3rd Singapore Division leading the planning and execution of the event. We wish 3 Div a safe, successful and joyous journey as NDP EXCO.
55th anniversary of the People's Defence Force (PDF)
Formed in 1965, the People's Defence Force turns 55 in 2020. The formation commands 2 PDF/Island Defence Task Force, which is the domain expert for island-wide military security operations.
Fighter 50
This year is the Golden Jubilee for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) fighter community. In 1970, Singapore received her first Hawker Hunter fighter/ground attack planes from the United Kingdom. The Hunters served with 140 Squadron. The Hunterians set the groundwork for the expansion of, and enhancements to, the Republic's fighter community.
Hunters flew for more than three decades, eventually standing down in the early 1990s. This this day, the Hunter holds the RSAF record for the heaviest gun armament among RSAF fast jets - four 30mm ADEN cannon.
30th year of F-16 operations
The Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16 community will mark 30 years of F-16 operations. The F-16A/Bs acquired under Peace Carvin I are long gone but their legacy lives on with RSAF F-16C/D/D+s forming the backbone of Singapore's fighter force as the most numerous fighter type.
10th year of S-70B Seahawk operations
Introduced in 2010 under the Peace Triton programme, our Seahawk community commemorates 10 years of Seahawk operations. Time flies doesn't it?
Singapore Airshow 2020
The Asia-Pacific's largest aviation and defence event will take place from 11 to 16 February 2020. The flying display by the United States Air Force F-22 Raptor demonstration team, which is due to fly at the airshow for the first time, will be one of the highlights.
On 18 Feb 2020, Singapore will unveil its Budget Statement for Financial Year 2020/21, which begins on 1 April 2020. Last year, Singapore's Ministry of Defence was allocated a S$15.47 billion budget, a 4.8% increase. It will probably top S$16 billion this year.
Pukul Habis - Total Wipeout
And finally, we'll release this book this year by 16 September. Stay tuned for more. I enjoyed this project and walk away with a healthy respect for the Angkatan Tentera Malaysia and am grateful for the friendships forged. Please visit my Twitter account @SenangDiri to up vote the video pinned to the Profile if you'd like to see the Prologue in full. Thank you.
Six Singapore Armed Forces and ST Engineeringg project to ponder at the Singapore Airshow 2020
The biennial Singapore Airshow, held every even-numbered year, offers a fascinating shop window for Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) watchers keen to know what platforms the SAF might acquire. Exhibits at the pavilion for homegrown defence company, Singapore Technologies Engineering, have traditionally proven a crowd magnet for military nuts.
With the Singapore Airshow 2020 a month away (11 to 16 Feb 2020), here's a list of projects (not in order of importance) you might want to have in mind as you walk through ST Engg's exhibits. Happy crystal ball gazing.
1. Endurance 160
ST Engg's LHD proposal, the Endurance 160, was unveiled 10 years ago at the Sing Airshow 2010. Yes, it's been in the works for more than a decade! The 14,500 tonne warship is the first one designed by ST Engineering Marine with a full length flight deck. Specifications for the 2010 version gave the ship an overall length of 163.7m, with the flight deck estimated at around 146m long by 25.6m wide with five helicopter deck landing spots.
Following the US announcement this week that Singapore wants to buy four F-35B STOVL fighters with another eight options, people naturally want to know what's going on with the Joint Multi-Mission Ship (see image below, SEA assets, top row right). We look forward to seeing if the Endurance 160 design will be updated or will ST Engineering simply blow the dust off the decade-old Endurance 160 model for public display yet again?
2. Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV)
A new class of Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) warship called the Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV, see top image, SEA assets, bottom row right ) is due to be delivered by ST Engg Marine from 2025 with full delivery around 2030. The MRCVs are due to replace sixVictory-class Missile Corvettes (MCVs), which entered service in 1989 and are the oldest RSN surface combatants (the oldest RSN boats are the former Royal Swedish Navy Sjöormen-class SSKs). We've yet to see definitive specifications on the MRCV and eagerly await her vital statistics. Ship models on display may provide telling signs of the MRCV's design evolution.
3. MBT-capable landing craft
To many people, landing craft aren't sexy. But a naval asset that doesn't grab people's attention is still worth tracking. There's been a requirement for a fast landing craft that can ferry MBT-type assets for some time. A water-jet propelled, enlarged Fast Craft Utility with a drive-thru design and offset wheelhouse said to be based on ST Engg Marine's Brave series, could fit this requirement. Scale models on display are worth checking out.
4. Self-propelled 155mm gun
The Singapore Artillery is due to unveil a replacement for its FH-2000 52-cal 155mm howitzers this year. Dubbed the Next Generation Howtizer (please see SAF 2030 graphic, LAND assets, second row second from left), this mobile gun is said to consist of a fully automated, unmanned 155mm turret mated with a self-propelled chassis, quite possibly from the German-made MAN 8x8 High Mobility Truck System family.
5. Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV)
This edition of the Singapore Airshow will be the first since the Hunter AFV was officially named and commissioned by Singapore's Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, last June. At previous air shows, the AFV was simply called the Next Generation AFV. It will be nice to see if the Hunter will be shown with all the bells and whistles, or will it remain in the "fitted for but not with" configuration? Hrmmm....
6. Singapore-made 5.56mm assault rifle
Every edition of the Singapore Airshow has seen ST Engineering Land Systems (previously ST Kinetics) unveil a new 5.56mm assault rifle. In 2018, we saw the BR18 bullpup rifle - Bullpup Rifle 2018 - make its public debut. This weapon was developed from STK's Bullpup Multirole Combat Rifle (BMCR), which first appeared at the 2014 airshow. Will there be a "BR20"? Stay tuned for more.
Singapore's BR18 5.56mm bullpup assault rifle.[From the Sing Airshow 2018] Click here
A look at the world's shortest bullpup rifle. [From the Sing Airshow 2014] Click here
Posted by David Boey at 11:56 AM 6 comments
Commentary on Singapore's F-35B deal
My commentary on the F-35B announcement, What the F-35B fighter jet deal says about Singapore's defence purchase planning, appears in The Straits Times today. Click here for the full commentary.
The extract above discusses the Joint Multi Mission Ship and Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles.
Singapore seeks up to 12 F-35Bs for US$2.750B
Singapore – F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) Aircraft
WASHINGTON, January 9, 2020 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Singapore of up to twelve (12) F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.750 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Government of Singapore has requested to buy up to twelve (12) F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft (four (4) F-35B STOVL aircraft with the option to purchase an additional eight (8) F-35B STOVL aircraft); and up to thirteen (13) Pratt and Whitney F135 Engines (includes 1 initial spare). Also included are Electronic Warfare Systems; Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence/Communication, Navigation and Identification (C4I/CNI) system; Autonomic Logistics Global Support System (ALGS); Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS); F-35 Training System; Weapons Employment Capability and other Subsystems, Features and Capabilities; F-35 unique infrared flares; reprogramming center access and F-35 Performance Based Logistics; software development/integration; aircraft transport from Ft. Worth, TX to the CONUS initial training base and tanker support (if necessary); spare and repair parts; support equipment, tools and test equipment; technical data and publications; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics support. The total estimated cost is $2.750 billion.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Singapore is a strategic friend and Major Security Cooperation Partner and an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Asia Pacific region.
This proposed sale of F-35s will augment Singapore's operational aircraft inventory and enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capability, adding to an effective deterrence to defend its borders and contribute to coalition operations with other allied and partner forces. Singapore will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this aircraft and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractors will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Fort Worth, Texas, and Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Connecticut. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contactor representatives to Singapore.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.
Singapore Army, DSTA and ST Engineering gain valuable experience testing big & small UGVs
Trials of an armed Milrem Robotics THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) in Singapore suggest that the Singapore Army is considering a hi-low mix of big and small combat robots of various sizes and capabilities.
Testing UGVs that differ markedly in size, weight, armament options and computing power will give Singapore's land forces and its defence engineers a firsthand look at the spectrum of capabilities and limitations of big and small unmanned platforms. Such field trials and battle experiments are invaluable. The trials reward operators from the Singapore Army and engineers from the technical evaluation teams - the ops-tech interface - with experience operating UGVs in Singapore's climate and operational conditions.
With such experience, the Singapore Army can work with engineers from the Defence Science & Technology Agency and homegrown defence company, Singapore Technologies Engineering, to jointly conceptualise UGV force structures with big and small platforms, the so-called hi-low mix. The teams can also think about how combat robots can be integrated with manned units.
Hi-end: The unmanned Hunter unmanned ground vehicle is the largest and most heavily armed combat robot the Singapore Army is known to have tested.
At the high end lies the Hunter UGV (above), designed and made in Singapore. This tracked vehicle, which is based on the Hunter armoured fighting vehicle, was developed as a private venture by ST Engg. The vehicle made its public debut in July 2019 when Singapore's Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, toured the company's Land Systems arm. At 29.5 tonnes in weight and 6.9m in length, the 3.4m tall and 3.4m wide UGV is the largest, most heavily armoured and most powerfully-armed combat robot the Singapore Army is known to have tested.
The tracked THeMIS from Estonia is at the low end of the size spectrum. Its name means Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (maybe the "e" can mean electronically-controlled?). This fully-tracked, wirelessly controlled UGV is designed for use as a transportation system or remote weapon platform, and more. Measuring 240cm by 200cm and weighing 1.6 tonnes, THeMIS is about as small as you can make a combat robot while giving it a useful speed (25km/h) and payload (750kg).
Low-end: An Estonian-built Milrem Robotics THeMIS combat robot undergoing trials in Singapore. Note the size of the THeMIS compared to the operator and the Singapore-made 8x8 Terrex in the background.
The remote-controlled CIS 50 12.7mm heavy machine gun seen on the THeMIS as it trundled around ST Engg's test track gives the UGV a useful capability against infantry and light vehicles. Use of 12.7mm saboted light armour penetrator (SLAP) rounds give it the ability to punch through light armoured vehicles with around 10mm armour plate. And if the remote controlled weapon station (RCWS) can accommodate a Singapore-made heavy machine gun, it is likely the same RCWS can take a belt-fed CIS 40 40mm automatic grenade launcher as alternative armament.
Despite the armament options and the ability to engage the enemy from afar remotely, individual UGVs - big and small - are not invulnerable.
Both types of UGVs can be defeated by infantry anti-tank teams with the agility and battle sense to move faster than the UGV sensors/weapons can slew.
As the field of view of UGV sensors is narrow, commanders of AT teams can exploit their knowledge of terrain to stalk UGVs to bring them within range of light anti-tank weapons. Even near misses by low velocity 40mm grenades can cause a mission kill if the 40mm projectiles succeed in disrupting, degrading or destroying the sensors and electro optics on combat robots.
Unmanned vs Autonomous
As progress is made in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), one should expect combat robots to operate more autonomously. In time to come, UGVs would go into action programmed with AI algorithms that enable the combat robots to navigate and survive in contested environments.
We are possibly less than 10 years away from seeing a smart AI-enabled UGV that is able to conduct fully autonomous combat operations, perhaps supported by resupply robots that can rearm and recharge/refuel the UGVs to sustain the tempo of land warfare operations round-the-clock (or as long as the resupply bots do their job).
At the rate at which AI is evolving, one must recognise that the major limitation to fielding autonomous UGVs isn't technical. The go/no-go decision concerning autonomous UGVs will be a moral and philosophical conundrum. Policy makers must eventually decide how much autonomy to give swarms of armed robots programmed to hunt and kill human beings on their own.
Concept of operations
The drafting of concept of operations (CONOPS) for UGVs in combat, and the harmonisation of these new CONOPS with military ethics and the laws of armed conflict must move ahead of, or at the very least in tandem with, technological advancements in UGV test labs.
Imagine a scenario where UGVs are used en masse. A wave of smaller THeMIS-type armed UGVs employing swarm tactics form the vanguard. These scour the ground to flush out enemy positions with machine gun fire and grenades as larger Hunter-type UGVs form the main unmanned strike force, bringing 30mm cannon and wire-guided ATGMs into play.
Then comes the armoured battle group with main battle tanks and 120mm mortars in overwatch positions as the (manned) Hunters and (manned) Bionix 2 infantry fighting vehicles advance in combat order to mop up and occupy terrain.
The introduction of UGVs opens many possibilities to land forces facing a manpower crunch either from declining enlistment rates or falling recruitment numbers. Unmanned platforms, big and small, will become increasingly capable and reliable as technology matures. Better reliability, availability and maintainability will make the UGV a realistic option for making up for shortfalls in defence manpower.
While it remains to be seen if the Singapore Army will adopt the unmanned Hunter and THeMIS, the field trials are necessary for Singapore's defence eco-system to stay updated with the latest trends and potential that combat robots might one day bring to land battles.
If we don't engage in this arena, other armies will.
SAF's Hunter provides a glimpse into the world of unmanned tanks. Click here
Singapore unveils unmanned Hunter AFV. Click here
Upcoming book on fictional Malaysia-Singapore war scenarios. Click here
New home for South Vietnam Air Force C-130 that landed at Singapore's Paya Lebar Airport in 1975
You call, we haul: Never thought a C-130 could be moved by truck? Well now you know it can - with major disassembly! Former VNAF C-130A (serial HCF 460), the same Hercules that landed in Singapore in April 1975, being moved by truck in August 2019 from Dulles International Airport to its new home in New York state.
Some happy military news for a change in this mad start to 2020.
The South Vietnam Air Force C-130A Hercules, nicknamed Saigon Lady, that landed suddenly at Paya Lebar Airport in April 1975 will receive a new lease of life at the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, New York.
The transport aircraft is due to be unveiled in mid-2020 as a memorial to the Vietnam War. Saigon Lady is now being restored at the museum and will be repainted in her original VNAF camouflage colours.
After the C-130 landed in Singapore 45 years ago, the aircraft was handed to the United States as the Republic of South Vietnam had fallen. It eventually joined the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's collection at Dulles International Airport, just outside Washington D.C. The four-engine turborprop remained in open storage at Dulles, minus her propellors, until the Geneseo museum acquired her in 2017.
Here are some pictures of her 547 km (340 mile) road trip, courtesy of Pham Quang Khiem. He was the pilot who flew the C-130 to Paya Lebar.
Read an account of the air intrusion here: Interview with Vietnamese pilot who beat Singapore's air defences in 1975. Click here
With her tail fin removed, Saigon Lady waits at Dulles before she was disassembled for her long 547 km road trip to New York state.
Engine Number 4 is hoisted off the wing.
Close ups (top and bottom pix) of the main under carriage wheel hubs.
The C-130A fuselage is gently loaded on a low-boy trailer.
For truck nuts, that's a Western Star low-boy tractor-trailer.
Flashback April 1985: A poignant moment for Khiem as he touches Saigon Lady for the first time in 10 years. Khiem maintains fond memories of the transport aircraft, which was one of the last planes to leave South Vietnam, as it saved his family and crew.
Pukul Habis: Upcoming fictional Malaysia-Singapore war story by David Boey
Hi, Happy New Year milnuts!
This blog has been quiet for awhile as I have been writing a fictional story based on the Mersing Line scenario. The book, which will be in English, is titled Pukul Habis - Total Wipeout. I am finalising the last chapters and aim to publish it this year. Do check in with this blog from time to time for updates or follow me on Twitter @SenangDiri.
If you have enjoyed reading this blog, then I think you will like the book. The story attempts to answer a question that has fascinated me since childhood: What might happen if the unthinkable happened and Malaysia and Singapore went to war?
Nothing says fiction better than having a decommissioned Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) MiG-29N Fulcrum as the centrepiece of the book cover. The MiGs may be gone but TUDM maintains CONOPS for deploying and operating its air assets from austere airstrips such as the fictional plantation crop duster airstrip used by the MiGs in the story. Writing a fictional story allows one's imagination to take flight when describing other fictional wartime scenarios.
There are no central characters in the story, no love interests, no complicated story arcs. I wrote it like a post-battle report and imagined interviewing dozens of participants to piece together an account of the war. A big thank you to the Malaysians who wrote to me after Defending the Lion City was published to voice your thoughts on the book's Mersing Line invasion scenario. Over time, I felt the story would be more compelling if it was told from the Malaysian perspective.
I have three goals for the book:
a) That it is worth your leisure time
b) You learn something from the story
c) That you find the storyline credible and is nicely written
I thank those involved for helping me understand ATM better and for the trust and friendship. Thank you Divisyen Ketiga Infantri Malaysia for the catch up and demo, and for the souvenir book.
Here are extracts from various chapters:
(From the Prologue, which describes Rejimen ke-52 Artileri Diraja (52 RAD, 52nd Royal Artillery Regiment) deploying to Johor during the Period of Tension.)
Kem Lapangan Terbang, Kedah
It was time for the King's gunners to prove their worth.
Determined to demonstrate strength and resolve during the period of tension, Malaysian leaders ordered Markas ATM to send Regiment 52 to Johor. The 600km journey to firing sites in Johor could be easily done overnight as the regiment had practiced the trans-peninsula movement many times during Eksesais Jengking Selatan (Exercise Southern Scorpion). Confident of executing this show-of-force, the gunners were eager to get going.
In Sungai Petani, the deserted streets around the iconic four-storey tall clock tower on Jalan Ibrahim in the heart of SP showed why the place was seen as a sleepy backwater. SP's sparse night life had gone to bed and traffic was light. As the hands on clock face of the gilt-domed tower crept towards midnight, Jengking Selatan swung into action.
At Block 16 Kem Lapangan Terbang, Koperal Adam Aziz, a 28-year-old driver with "A" Bateri Regiment 52, waited inside the covered Alpha Bateri garage in the armoured cab of his Astros rocket launcher, tense with excitement with his vehicle commander and two other gunners. With hands on the steering wheel and keys in the ignition, Adam couldn't wait for the order to start the engine and prayed that the reliable Mercedes-Benz engine would not let him down.
As the regiment prepared to leave camp, Adam sensed a feeling of excitement stir within him right after the gunners completed a group prayer for a safe deployment. Follow orders and drive. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. The vehicle commander will do the rest. It is that simple.
Adam's parking bay at Block 16 was the first one in the row of 18 covered bays assigned to Bateri Alpha. Behind the windowless red doors of the beige concrete building lay the sharp end of Regiment 52, six mobile rocket launchers, the battery's mobile command posts and ammunition resupply vehicles, all manned, fully fuelled and ready to move.
Jengking Selatan was timed for midnight.
The departure was coordinated so that doors to the garages for batteries A, B and C and Markas Bateri (Headquarters Battery) opened at the same time. As electric motors whirred and cables strained, the garage doors at Block 16 folded up simultaneously. The sheltered parking bays for each individual rocket launcher or support vehicle were unveiled, and Bateri Alpha was ordered to move out.
Regiment 52 gunners were eager to live up to their motto, Tangkas Gempur (Agile Strike).
(From Chapter 5: Eyes in the Sky which looks at mission planning using satellite recon and countermeasures)
EYES IN THE SKY
Downgraded to desk-bound duty after injuring his back while attempting to lift artillery shells, Kapten Muhammad Hamzah Hilmi was reassigned to the serve the Malaysian army as a keyboard warrior. The strapping 32-year-old paratrooper from the elite 10th Briged (Para) Rapid Deployment Force hated his cushy posting at KEMENTAH. He would rather be in the field commanding a battery of six OTO Melara 105mm L5 Pack Howitzers, practicing shoot-and-scoot techniques with TUDM Nuri transport helicopters that ferried the guns into action underslung. That was what soldiering was all about.
The Rejimen Artilery Diraja (Royal Artillery Regiment) battery commander joined the army because he could never imagine himself slogging behind a desk. Hamzah's temporary assignment in a comfortable air-conditioned office with normal 8-to-5 working hours with regular coffee breaks might appeal to some people. But this was not the kind of military career he signed up for. He resented being there. It did not help that Hamzah had to report to a female civilian who was technically his superior. To make matters worse, his mentor wasn't even from the military.
A few days in his new posting left Hamzah thankful he had a patient and formidably professional mentor who knew her trade and was willing to share it. She was Cik Zurina binte Mohd Ismail from JUPEM, the Malaysian survey and mapping department. Cik Ina was as generous with her time and advice as she was knowledgeable in her niche expertise: earth observation using remote sensing technology. Put simply, she was an expert at reading satellite imagery.
A few tutorials under Cik Ina convinced Hamzah of the value and lethality of information in the sensor-to-shooter cycle. Instead of hurling 105mm shells at the enemy, Hamzah's new weapon was information. He was determined to weaponise information by learning as much as he could about the art and science of satellite imagery.
The chatter from computer key strokes and clicks of a mouse replaced the sound and fury of the gun line. The main "weapon" for Hamzah-the-keyboard-warrior was a computer-based military intelligence system known as the Remote Sensing Defence Intelligence Application System or RSDIAS for short (it was pronounced R-S-Dias). Kor Risik Diraja intelligence staff used the system to study pictures taken from space. The department that ran RSDIAS was called Bahagian Aplikasi Perisikan Pertahanan or BAPP – the department for defence intelligence applications.
RSDIAS gave Malaysian intelligence staff the ability to look beyond the Federation's borders at any time. Hamzah was amazed by the clarity of pictures taken by optical satellites with less than one-metre resolution, astonished by satellites whose infrared sensors could see in the dark and awe-struck by SAR (synthetic aperture radar) imagery that could see beneath thick vegetation. The gunner made a mental note that camouflage drill for his beloved 105mm guns would never be the same again once he got back to the battery.
(From Chapter 22: Battle of the Lighthouses)
ABU BAKAR MARITIME BASE, SINGAPORE STRAIT
Tied up alongside the operational pier at the Abu Bakar Maritime Base, the Malaysian navy offshore patrol vessel, KD Pahang, continued to ride the swell in the Singapore Strait. Mooring lines stretched and slackened, the steel gangway clattered noisily as it rolled back and forth, rubber fenders creaked as the 1,800-tonne warship brushed against the pier. Despite being secured by mooring lines from bow to stern, strong waves made Pahang roll gently from side to side. It was typical monsoon weather at the entrance to the strait, which led to the South China Sea, and it was no surprise Pahang's crew of 80 were mostly ashore with a skeleton crew left aboard the 91-metre vessel.
Pahang was on standby to shadow any Republic of Singapore Navy breakout into the South China Sea. Her location off Johor at the eastern end of the Singapore Strait was strategic as it straddled the sea lanes that led to Singapore. No ship could slip past without Pahang noticing.
The word "ashore" takes some imagination when applied to Abu Bakar Maritime Base. There was no dry land at the base, which was built over a cluster of granite in the middle of the strait called Batuan Tengah (Middle Rocks). The conical pagoda-like concrete structure of the base headquarters, painted a pale green, was topped by a prominent cylindrical steel control tower whose broad red and silver stripes made it visible for miles. The base sat on piles driven into the granite with a concrete pier connecting it with a helipad and another cluster of rocks 250 metres away, with the operational pier used by warships branching off perpendicular to the main pier. Facilities at the wind-swept base were austere. But to Pahang's crew, being there allowed them to eat without plates sliding off the table, pray in a spacious surau, take a nice shower and sleep on a rock steady bed. Compared to time at sea, the base was five-star luxury.
From Chapter 24: Steel Shark. This chapter describes the Malaysian navy submarine, Tunku Abdul Rahman, using her SUBTICS integrated combat management system to plan and execute an anti-surface strike with a salvo of 21-inch Black Shark heavyweight torpedoes and SM.39 Exocet sea-skimming anti-ship missiles.
ABOARD THE SUBMARINE, KD TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
Rising from the dark depths at night after her passive sonar indicated no surface ships in the vicinity, the Malaysian navy hunter-killer submarine (SSK), KD Tun Abdul Rahman, poked her thin ESM mast through the ink black South China Sea to check for radar emissions from warships or planes that might be looking for her. The ride at periscope depth at six knots was unpleasantly rough. Strong surface currents rolled the streamlined boat from side to side with a nauseating rhythm, a reminder to the Malaysian submariners that the north-east monsoon season had arrived. After the thimble-shaped ESM sensor showed it was safe to proceed, a skinny broomstick that marked the tip of the DIVESAT submarine SATCOM antenna was raised above the choppy sea. The satellite communications antenna was sent up every hour for sitreps that kept the Scorpène-class diesel-electric submarine informed of the state of play during the Period of Tension. A burst of encrypted signals sent from Tun Sharifah Rodziah was duly received by a compact 40cm-wide satellite dish inside the DIVESAT antenna's waterproof dome. The submarine retracted both masts and made for calmer water below to digest the message. The masts had stayed up for less than a minute.
Kapten Imran bin Mohamed Nor, the 44-year-old commanding officer of the Tunku Abdul Rahman, was in the submarine control room to receive the signal. Many of the seats in the submarine's nerve centre were vacant as Tunku Abdul Rahman was sailing on a peacetime routine with only nine of her 31 crew on duty. Imran could tell from the troubled look on the face of the petty officer who passed him the decrypted signal that something was wrong. Terribly wrong. The young enlisted man concealed his emotions poorly and the rest of the watch crew could also sense it. Imran read the signal silently with his 34-year-old executive officer, Leftenan Komander Joseph Gamato Baranting ("JB"), at his side. Rigged for night, the eerie red lighting that bathed the control room and dimmed lighting in the narrow passageways matched Imran's sombre mood.
"So, it has begun. The torpedo room will earn their pay today. See this," said Imran as he passed the slip of paper to his Exec.
Deleted SUBTICS planning sequence for surface attack
Deleted launch of VSM and Black Shark heavyweight torpedoes
The stage was set for an unprecedented naval battle fought with main weapons that were built by the same military contractor. French shipbuilder DCN sold its Scorpène-class SSK to Malaysia and designed Singapore's Formidable-class stealth frigates. Italian underwater warfare weapons maker Whitehead made the Black Shark torpedoes as well as the C310 anti-torpedo countermeasures. Somewhere in the high stakes multi-million dollar defence tenders, someone had over-promised. And the customers had believed the marketing spiel.
On the firing line off the LST landing beaches, the clash between attacker and defender, offensive weapon and defensive countermeasure, the proverbial sword and shield would produce results that would rock the naval industry.
END of extracts
Hope you like it! 😊
Posted by David Boey at 11:59 PM 10 comments
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Walkerdine, Matthew, Higgins, Jessica, Lynch, Nicholas and Roeder, David (2016) That's Life! Good Press.
Using the banner of Good Press, Walkerdine, Higgins, Lynch and Roeder collectively organised and facilitated a vast new commission of contemporary audio works from local and international practitioners. Offering visitors to the art space the chance to listen to audio and operate the machinery to duplicate and purchase audio works on cassette for their collection, the project questioned and utilised community, labour, buyer and the role of music in publishing and small scale consumerism.


text:
Craig Ebert
• Immigration Law
• Criminal Defense
• Civil Litigation
Craig is an Associate Attorney at Anderson & Benson. He represents clients before federal immigration courts, district courts, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Craig is passionate about serving the community and deeply enjoys working with people from across the globe.
Prior to joining Anderson & Benson, Craig worked as a commercial litigation attorney at Larsen & Rico, as a law clerk at a personal injury law firm, Dewsnup, King, & Olsen, and served as a judicial extern for Judge John Pearce of the Utah Court of Appeals.
Craig received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law with High Honors. During law School, Craig received CALI awards (highest grade in the course) in: Constitutional Law II, Land Use Control, and Adoption Law. He also published an article in a law journal: Drones on the Horizon: Using New Technology to Monitor Conservation Easement Compliance, 45 Real Est. L.J. 6 (2016). Prior to law school, Craig earned two bachelor's degrees from the University of Utah in Spanish and Political Science.
Craig is a fluent spanish speaker, having lived in Andalucia, Spain for two years. He loves language and learning more about foreign cultures. Craig is a member of the American Immigration Lawyer Association and is admitted to the Utah State Bar and U.S. federal courts.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Guerillascope has joined over 4,300 UK businesses as a voluntary Living Wage Employer.
The initiative, led by the Living Wage Foundation, campaigns for businesses to pay the Real Living Wage, which unlike the Minimum Wage and National Living is based on actual living costs. This equates to £8.75 per hour for people outside of London, and £10.20 for those living in the Capital. But, unlike the Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, there is no statutory obligation for businesses to comply.
So, why have we become a Living Wage Employer? Fundamentally, we think it's the right thing to do. At a time when people across the UK are toiling under the weight of rising food, travel, energy and housing costs, we believe businesses have a responsibility. Specifically, employers should ensure their staff are paid a wage that allows them to enjoy a standard of living their hard work deserves. Consumers certainly agree, with 90% believing wages should reflect living costs.
Of course, it would be disingenuous of us to ignore the business advantages that come with looking after your staff. We know that without our dedicated and talented team, we could not exist. Our employees are the beating heart of the company, going above and beyond to ensure their clients are happy. Yet, if their lives outside of work are fraught with financial pressures and anxieties, their morale within the office will inevitably drop.
Committing to the Real Living Wage enables us to keep staff turnover low and motivation high. It means young talents taking their first steps in the industry can progress and flourish without the millstone of everyday life stresses slowing them down. People function at a higher level when they know they have a strong support network behind them; as employers, it's our job to unlock that potential.


HIS SWEET SURPRISE is the musical project created by former Green Party TD Paul Gogarty after he lost his seat in the 2011 general election.
… inspired by the MDMA/ecstasy spat between Madonna and Deadmau5 following Madonna's "how many people in this crowd have seen Molly" comments.
The song, called Molly is a Liar, is a warning to people of the dangers of MDMA (known in some American circles as 'Molly').
According to the lyrics, Molly is 'a succubus who'll screw and screw you blind' among other things.
Of course, His Sweet Surprise is not the first musical act to sing about MDMA and ecstasy. Miley Cyrus refers to it in her recent hit We Can't Stop, in the 90s The Shamen song Ebeneezer Goodee was essentially all about it, and of course there's She's a Naughty Girl which you may remember from Summer Heights High.
Molly is a Liar will be released on Friday but can be pre-ordered now.
Email "Former TD releases pop single about the dangers of MDMA".
Feedback on "Former TD releases pop single about the dangers of MDMA".


text:
Resource Property Management Celebrates 30 Years of Service to Tampa Bay Community Associations
SEMINOLE, Fla., July 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Resource Property Management, a leader in the community management industry, is marking their 30th Anniversary with a year-long celebration. Every month for the next year Resource Property Management will honor historic milestones and the contribution of their loyal, hard-working team members by offering perks like additional paid time off, company sponsored social events and much more. The year of celebration will culminate with a grand celebration in June of 2022 and will include team members and their families.
Awarded the prestigious Top Workplaces by the Tampa Bay Times two years in a row, Resource Property Management employs over three hundred and seventy team members with many of them serving twenty years or more. RPM has earned the reputation as an industry leader in the management of condominium, homeowner, and manufactured home communities.
CEO and Founder Debbie Reinhardt states: "In 1991 we started with a small office managing 12 community associations. Today we have four offices throughout the West Coast of Florida and manage a portfolio to over 350 community associations, encompassing over 40,000 individual homeowners. We remain committed to maintaining the highest levels of customer service, operating with honesty and integrity, promoting ongoing industry education and adhering to stringent ethical standards. Our team members are like family and our success is a testament to their commitment. We're proud of our ever growing Resource Family and we dedicate this year of celebration to them."
Media Contact: Cindy Freda, [email protected], 727-796-5900, www.ResourcePropertyMgmt.com
SOURCE Resource Property Management
http://www.ResourcePropertyMgmt.com
« Pending home sales surge higher, but economists warn that the housing market could 'soon hit bottom' Mastering The Actual Property Itemizing Presentation »


WE ARE # 1 IN CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED. WHY SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS, THIS IS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE WITH A 7 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES POWERTRAIN LIMITED WARRANTY: (whichever comes first) from original in-service dateCALL US FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION @ (909) 906-0852ParkView Rear Back-Up Camera, Bluetooth Streaming Audio, Remote Start System, Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Controls, BlackTop Package, 3rd Row Stow 'N Go with Tailgate Seats, SiriusXM Satellite Radio Ready.Certified. FCA US Certified Pre-Owned Details:* Warranty Deductible: $100* Vehicle History* Roadside Assistance* Limited Warranty: 3 Month/3,000 Mile (whichever comes first) after new car warranty expires or from certified purchase date* Transferable Warranty* Powertrain Limited Warranty: 84 Month/100,000 Mile (whichever comes first) from original in-service date* Includes First Day Rental, Car Rental Allowance, and Trip Interruption Benefits* 125 Point InspectionClean CARFAX. CARFAX One-Owner.**Dealer Serviced**, **Freshly Detailed**, **Vehicle Includes 5 Gallons of Fuel**, **Vehicle Sold As Equipped Including One Key. Additional Equipment Will Be At Purchasers Expense**, CALL US AT 888-531-5511.


Financial Modeling is an integral part of the business decision-making process. The Financial model allows companies to explore the impact of different scenarios like operational or financial scenarios for the business i.e. in Merger and acquisition, Project finance, DCF Modeling and so on. Financial Modeling is widely used by Investment Banks, Credit Rating Agencies, Equity Research, Mutual Funds, Financial KPIs and Project Finance companies.
Most of our students ask the following question?
Also, many of us looking for jobs in investment banking because of a high learning curve in investment banks, high salary/bonuses, lifestyle/culture at investment banks or for some other reasons.
Financial Modeling skills will be helpful for you to get entry into an investment bank. For an entry-level job in financial modeling for investment banking, equity research firms, credit research firms, brokerage houses or analytic firms; you will need to know about financial Modeling.
Investment bankers heavily ask questions on financial modeling. Having skills like financial modeling as a fresher candidate will determine a learning attitude and helps to differentiate you from others. If you look at any job advertisements for financial modeling, Investment Banking, Corporate Finance or Equity Research roles, you will find that this kind of jobs required financial modeling skills.
For example, if we searched "financial modeling" as a keyword in an Indian job portal, and the results were as per below – 22,354 financial modeling jobs!
Most investment banks hire new candidates/entry level for analyst positions. In case of equity research, an analyst is responsible for researching and gathering data about markets performing an industry analysis, building a financial model and then provide recommendations based on the model to managers and his associates.
Fitch Ratings India Private Ltd.
Learn fundamental financial analysis of companies. Forecast future financials of the business. Perform financial valuation to decide a buy/sell call on public company shares.
Here are some articles that will help you to get more detail about the Financial Modeling Job so just go through the link.


Hello and greetings to all! In this episode, Mike and Ken both share about recent missions opportunities they had as a way to encourage others about how easy it is to take small steps toward the Great Commission!
Mentioned in this podcast: Restoration Outreach and China Resource Center . Visit their websites to find out more!


Although this collection is inspired by the poet's childhood on a Pennsylvania goat farm, it has nothing to do with hypnotizing goats. In fact, the stark images of goat biology, behavior, and disease engage the reader so much that we experience humor, irony, and sorrow—real human emotions—while reading the poet's elegant and precise writing. It is anything but farcical. The publisher ought to redesign the cover to encourage and inspire, rather than risk comic misinterpretation of the graceful, evocative, and serious content.
Now open the book. Divided into three sections, there is a careful autobiographical progression from childhood through adulthood, complete with reflections on the poet's Armenian family history, with each section composed of the poet's memories. That is the genesis of almost all poetry: reflections on past images.
Here are some from "First Kidding": "When it is time, your doe will heave herself / and murmur to an absence felt behind her." Take note of the words "your doe" here. The author embodies the doe in this poem, takes possession of it, and uses the birth of its kid as a metaphor for human birth, implying the birth of the poet and his connection to the farm. This metaphor is reinforced by the first two lines of the third stanza: "Here is the ancient scent of fruit and wet; / it is where you come from…" These lines instill the all-too-crucial sense of place in the poem, the clear place of birth from within a goat's voluptuous womb.
The strong sense of place continues in the poem, "To the Fields". Observe the first stanza: "On the oldest maps, a township lane. / On the topographical, a set of dashes. / The road climbs the ridge behind our farm . . ." The poet uses clear mapping images here to outline the poem's landscape, also defined in the third stanza, "This road traverses my own history:" What history? That is exactly what the book is about, experiencing a unique life history in bountiful, clearly defined, landscapes, from Pennsylvania to Armenia, to learn how a diverse, multicultural background empowers one's self.
Another favorite is "Famous Painting," in which the poet describes a painting at the Yale University Art Gallery. The poet is not afraid to criticize the painting, writing the following on the first line: "This is Outrageous. There is nothing here." The poet goes on to describe pedestrian images until the turn in the poem, in the third stanza, in which the poet dares the reader to question where they might be if they sailed into the horizon presented: " . . . Iceland or Portugal, / Madagascar, Zanzibar, or merely // Long Island. Or somewhere we will never be. / Here then. Taste some of the sea." The poet offers salvation, a new view of a mundane work of art; he offers a sense of wonder and desire, a desire to seek out and harness emotional satisfaction from something inane.
"Halcyon Days" is an anomaly. It doesn't quite fit with the tenor of the collection. It is about drug use and utilizes a list of drugs (Seroquel, Abilify, Xanax, etc.), weaved into the poet's daily activities, to create a metaphor for depression, and how we overuse drugs to compensate. The landscape here is not nature or farmland, but rather the poet's own body.
It seems as though this poem would work best in a confessional poetry collection, rather than one derived from nature. Also of note is the interlocking end-rhyme scheme; it creates a sense of whimsy and nonchalance, to mimic the effect of the drugs. The combination on container and content constitute a successful poem. Most contemporary poets avoid metrical and rhyming poetry, as they consider it antiquated and constrictive; however, Najarian takes a risk, breaks with conformity, and succeeds.
The Goat Songs is new. It is an inspired collection rooted in cultural heritage, introspection, and nature. It offers cultural history and identity, all stemming from a unique childhood on a goat farm, a farm which proves that life can be absurd, yet always fulfilling.


text:
Thu, 21 Jun 2012 | Pressure Drop
*Brink, Can. J. Chem. Eng., 41, 134 (1963). Based on spherical water particles in air at 21°C and 1 atm.
is important because particles in the range of 2.0 to around 0.2 |m are the ones which penetrate and are deposited in the lung most efficiently. Hence, particles in this range constitute the largest health hazard.
Fiber Mist Eliminators These devices are produced in various configurations. Generally, randomly oriented glass or polypropylene fibers are densely packed between reinforcing screens, producing fiber beds varying in thickness usually from 25 to 75 mm (1 to 3 in), although thicker beds can be produced. Units with efficiencies as high as 99.9 percent on fine particles have been developed (see Chemical Engineers' Handbook, 5th ed., p. 18-88). A combination of mechanisms interacts to provide high overall collection efficiency. Particles larger than 2 to 3 | m are collected on the fibers by inertial impaction and direct interception, while small particles are collected by brownian diffusion. When the device is designed to use this latter mechanism as the primary means, efficiency turndown problems are eliminated as collection efficiency by diffusion increases with residence time. Pressure drop through the beds increases with velocity to the first power since the gas flow is laminar. This leads to design capability trade-offs. As pressure drop is reduced and energy is conserved, capital increases because more filtering area is required for the same efficiency.
Three series of fiber mist eliminators are typically available. A spray-catcher series is designed primarily for essentially 100 percent capture of droplets larger than 3 | m. The high-velocity type is designed to give moderately high efficiency on particles down to 1.0 | m as well. Both of these types are usually produced in the form of flat panels of 25- to 50-mm (1- to 2-in) thickness. The high-efficiency type is illustrated in Fig. 14-131. As mist particles are collected, they coalesce into a liquid film which wets the fibers. Liquid is moved horizontally through the bed by the gas drag force and downward by gravity. It drains down the downstream retaining screen to the bottom of the element and is returned to the process through a liquid seal. Table 14-29 gives typical operating characteristics ofthe three types of collectors. The application of these devices to sulfuric acid plants and other process gases has been discussed by Brink (see Chemical Engineers' Handbook, 5th ed., pp. 18-89, 18-90).
Solid particulates are captured as readily as liquids in fiber beds but can rapidly plug the bed if they are insoluble. Fiber beds have frequently been used for mixtures of liquids and soluble solids and with soluble solids in condensing situations. Sufficient solvent (usually water) is atomized into the gas stream entering the collector to irrigate the fiber elements and dissolve the collected particulate. Such fiber beds have been used to collect fine fumes such as ammonium nitrate and ammonium chloride smokes, and oil mists from compressed air.
FIG. 14-131 Monsanto high-efficiency fiber-mist-eliminator element. (Monsanto Company.)
Electrostatic Precipitators The principles and operation of electrical precipitators are discussed in Sec. 17 under "Gas-Solids Separations." Precipitators are admirably suited to the collection of fine mists and mixtures of mists and solid particulates. Tube-type precipita-tors have been used for many years for the collection of acid mists and the removal of tar from coke-oven gas. The first practical installation of a precipitator by Cottrell was made on sulfuric acid mist in 1907. Most older installations of precipitators were tube-type rather than platetype. However, recently two plate-type wet precipitators employing water sprays or overflowing weirs have been introduced by Mikropul Corporation [Bakke, J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc., 25, 163 (1975)] and by Fluid Ionics. Such precipitators operate on the principle of making all particles conductive when possible, which increases the particle migration velocity and collection efficiency. Under these conditions, particle dielectric strength becomes a much more important variable, and particles with a low dielectric constant such as condensed hydrocarbon mists become much more difficult to collect than water-wettable particles. Bakke (U.S.-U.S.S.R. Joint Work. Group Symp.: Fine Particle Control, San Francisco, 1974) has developed equations for particle charge and relative collection efficiency in wet precipitators that show the effect of dielectric constant. Wet precipitators can also be used to absorb soluble gases simultaneously by adjusting the pH or the chemical composition of the liquid spray. The presence of the electric field appears to enhance absorption. Wet precipitators have found their greatest usefulness to date in handling mixtures of gaseous pollutants and submicrometer particulate (either liquid or solid, or both) such as fumes from aluminum-pot lines, carbon anode baking, fiberglass-fume control, coke-oven and metallurgical operations, chemical incineration, and phosphate-fertilizer operations. Two-stage precipita-tors are used increasingly for moderate-volume gas streams containing nonconductive liquid mists which will drain from the collecting plates. Their application on hydrocarbon mists has been quite successful, but careful attention must be given to fire and explosion hazards.
Electrically Augmented Collectors A new area for enhancing collection efficiency and lowering cost is the combining of electrostatic forces with devices using other collecting mechanisms such as
TABLE 14-29 Operating Characteristics of Various Types of Fiber Mist Eliminators as Used on Sulfuric Acid Plants*


Two stories made me sit down and write these words. The first, a contemporary one. Roma on the verge of signing Brazilian standout Malcom, only to see him snatched away at the last moment by Barcelona, with Bordeaux being the real villains in the story.
The other is a reminder of a football that is gone and might not return. The story of Verona winning the Serie A in 1985. Something along the lines of Leicester winning the Premier League in 2016, only more bizarre and rare. A highly recommended write up by the highly recommended site 'These Football Times'.
But what do these things have to do with each other? They remind us of how much has changed in the sport over the years. Money isn't evil. It's good that money flows into the sport. Good for the clubs. Some clubs at least. Money, and also the radical change the Bosman ruling in the mid 90's pushed forward, have created a widening gulf that may never be bridged.
This isn't another rant about the good old days. It simply an ode to different football. Footballers changed destinations at the last moments in the past. Alfredo di Stefano. Eusebio. S*** happens sometimes, and redirected the course of history. Making it impossible, or almost, for clubs like Verona to challenge the dominance in their leagues ever again.
Malcom is the story of power shifting in football. Agents creating chaos in a club from the moment they can. The Brazilian has been distablizing things at the club for almost a year. He changed his mind in the last minute, the last second. Roma fans were already waiting for him at the airport. Barcelona coming in during injury time reeks of agent tampering, and more money switching hands. Jorge Mendes de facto controlling a Premier League club as a football agent is another worrying sign about one side of this game.
The Champions League becoming an elitist club. The elimination of the Cup Winners Cup. Seemingly irrelevant decisions and actions by the controlling powers of football, but in the end, these things leave their marks on world football, creating a chasm not just between the big clubs and the small ones, but also between the legacy and history of the sport and its slightly cold, corporate future.


The Reading Cafe has graciously reviewed The Endangered Series, you can read their write-up here. Additionally, you can read my article "How The Endangered Became a Series" on their site.
Huge thanks to The Reading Cafe for their kind words & support!
Books 1 & 2 of The Endangered Series are both now available in paperback with new covers to compliment the new editions!


The California environmental movement today declared its unanimity in calling on Gov. Jerry Brown to halt fracking in the state. Environmental leaders sent a letter signed by more than 70 environmental and health organizations to the governor urging him to be a true climate leader and place a moratorium on dangerous and extreme oil extraction processes. The letter's signatories include national organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club, Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment and 350.org, as well as statewide groups including the California Nurses Association and Californians Against Fracking, a coalition of about 200 organizations.
A statement by Daniel Jacobson, Legislative Director of Environment California and member of Californians Against Fracking.
"Fracking is an environmental nightmare for California. This dirty drilling pollutes our air and water, turns beautiful places into industrial zones, and threatens California's leadership towards solving global warming. While I am encouraged by EPA's attention to this issue, these new disclosure rules are only a first step towards protecting California from fracking.


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PAMSA Blue Sky Awards
Latest News & Features Berlin, Blue Sky Award, CEO Roundtable, ICFPA, innovation, PAMSA, sustainability
FORESTRY SOUTH AFRICA EDITORIAL South African forestry research claims fame in the international Blue Sky Young Researchers and Innovation Award The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) announced three global winners of the 2018-2019 Blue Sky Young Researchers and Innovation Award. Among them was Martin Wierzbicki, an MSc graduate from University of Pretoria […]
Earth Day and World Book Day: Unplug and Read a Paper Book
Latest News & Features book, PAMSA, Paper, phones, reading, world
We are well into the age of technology, living an always-on, always-connected lifestyle. But just as we still have bicycles among motor vehicles and pencils in our pen holder, paper will always be close to our computers and smart phones. With Earth Day on 22 April and World Book Day on 23 April, the Paper […]
PAMSA's Jane Molony named President of the International Council of Forest and Paper Associations
Latest News & Features ICFPA, Jane Molony, PAMSA, Paper, plantations, sustainability
The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) announced Jane Molony as its new president. Molony, executive director of the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA), will serve in this capacity for the next two years.
Sustainability at the centre of paper manufacturers' inaugural report
Latest News & Features cellulose, Corruseal, forestry, Huhtamaki, Kimberly-Clark, literacy, Lothlorien Recycling, Mondi, Mpact, Neopak, PAMSA, papermaking, pulp, RecyclePaperZA, Sappi, SIG Combibloc, Tetra Pak, Twinsaver, wood
"Paper, in its countless forms, touches our lives every day and it's a relationship that often goes unnoticed. We use it without a second thought – from our first cup of coffee and morning ablutions, to eating yoghurt, popping our vitamins or putting on lipstick." So says Jane Molony, executive director of the Paper Manufacturers […]
Global forest products industry meets in Australia
Latest News & Features DADA, Ibá, ICFPA, New Forest, PAMSA, Planet Ark
The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) – global forum of the forest products industry – will hold its annual meeting in Sydney, Australia, July 4-5. Jane Molony, executive director of the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) and vice president of ICFPA, will reunite with her industry peers from across the […]
Recycling: Good for The Economy – The Paper Story (PAMSA)
Latest News & Features climate changer, empowerment, entrepreneurship, PAMSA, paper recycling, photosythesis, plantations, recovery, RecyclePaperZA, renewable, training, trees
Recovered paper fibre has been used in South Africa as a raw material since 1920 and is a well-established waste stream with a recovery rate of over 60%. The Paper Recycling Association of South Africa (RecyclePaperZA), operating as a subsidiary of the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA), has for the past 13 years […]
Policy Statement on Climate Change – The Paper Story (PAMSA)
Latest News & Features, Member Releases climate change, COP21, emission, ICFPA, PAMSA, sequestration
Johannesburg – The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) has released its statement on climate change as part of its involvement in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change meeting (COP21) in Paris, France. The statement presents the contributions of forests and the forest products industry to the mitigation of global climate change […]
CEOs Discuss Future – The Paper Story (PAMSA)
Latest News & Features forests, ICFPA, PAMSA, Paper, sustainability
The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) seventh biennial International CEO Roundtable today took place in Washington, D.C. More than 20 forest and paper industry CEOs and association leaders from around the world met to discuss industry innovation and opportunities for the future.
Policy Statement on Paper Recycling – The Paper Story (PAMSA)
Latest News & Features fibre, ICFPA, PAMSA, Paper, RecyclePaperZA, recycling
The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) released its policy statement on paper recycling. The statement was approved at the ICFPA's annual meeting held on May 5th in Washington, D.C.
Global Forest and Paper Industry Makes Progress on Sustainability Commitments
Latest News & Features biomass, energy, forests, ICFPA, PAMSA, Paper, renewable, sustainability
The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations' (ICFPA) 2015 Sustainability Progress Report shows improvements on a range of sustainability indicators and focuses on the industry's contributions toward a green economy.


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int qtc_QDialogButtonBox_unSetHandler(void*,void*);
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int qtc_QDialogButtonBox_event_h(void*,void*);
int qtc_QDialogButtonBox_setHandler2(void*,void*,void*,void*,void*);
void qtc_QDialogButtonBox_actionEvent_h(void*,void*);
void qtc_QDialogButtonBox_closeEvent_h(void*,void*);
void qtc_QDialogButtonBox_contextMenuEvent_h(void*,void*);
int qtc_QDialogButtonBox_devType_h(void*);
int qtc_QDialogButtonBox_setHandler3(void*,void*,void*,void*,void*);
void qtc_QDialogButtonBox_dragEnterEvent_h(void*,void*);
void qtc_QDialogButtonBox_dragLeaveEvent_h(void*,void*);
void qtc_QDialogButtonBox_dragMoveEvent_h(void*,void*);
void qtc_QDialogButtonBox_dropEvent_h(void*,void*);
void qtc_QDialogButtonBox_enterEvent_h(void*,void*);
void qtc_QDialogButtonBox_focusInEvent_h(void*,void*);
void qtc_QDialogButtonBox_focusOutEvent_h(void*,void*);
int qtc_QDialogButtonBox_heightForWidth_h(void*,int);
int qtc_QDialogButtonBox_setHandler4(void*,void*,void*,void*,void*);
void qtc_QDialogButtonBox_hideEvent_h(void*,void*);
void* qtc_QDialogButtonBox_inputMethodQuery_h(void*,long);
int qtc_QDialogButtonBox_setHandler5(void*,void*,void*,void*,void*);
void qtc_QDialogButtonBox_keyPressEvent_h(void*,void*);
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void qtc_QDialogButtonBox_tabletEvent_h(void*,void*);
void qtc_QDialogButtonBox_wheelEvent_h(void*,void*);
int qtc_QDialogButtonBox_eventFilter_h(void*,void*,void*);
int qtc_QDialogButtonBox_setHandler9(void*,void*,void*,void*,void*);

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Mishawaka officers help deliver a baby in police department's parking lot
By: Karla Rodriguez
Posted: Nov 15, 2018 10:37 PM EST
NOW: Mishawaka officers help deliver a baby in police department's parking lot
Mishawaka officers help deliver a baby in police department's parking lot
MISHAWAKA, Ind. – Two Mishawaka police officers helped deliver a baby boy into the world, right in the department's parking lot.
Officers Franklin Ennis and Donald Siders were both at the police headquarters on Wednesday night when a family drove into the parking lot.
In the car was Lakota Bulter and she was in labor.
Officers helped Bulter deliver a healthy baby boy and while they waited for paramedics to arrive.
"Right when the baby came out he let out a cry and I said thank god, that's the best sound in the world," said Siders.
The baby was named Ma'Leek Swanson and he was born at 6 pounds 9 ounces.
"In our job we deal with so much that is negative. To get to actually help with something that is actually positive thing, Bringing life into the world, is a very nice thing to be involved with," said Ennis.
Both the mother and baby were taken to St. Joseph Medical Center safely and both officers are planning to visit them soon.
Contributions to this story also made by: Becca Davila


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Dream Construction Co. has helped restaurateurs revitalize their businesses by overseeing full-scale restaurant remodels in Las Vegas for years. We are one of Nevada's leading commercial general contractors. Our team of architects, construction professionals, and interior designers work with every one of our clients to execute a restaurant remodeling plan that will facilitate the re-creation of their restaurant. In doing so, we will present an inviting atmosphere, and an unforgettable dining experience for customers while optimizing the efficiency of the operation.
Whether you are in the market for a kitchen upgrade, a facelift or a complete redesign, Dream Construction can help you. We offer a variety services to meet any need, including complete restaurant remodels, tenant improvements, appliance installation, and dining area design. We can help with every aspect of a restaurant remodeling project including a storefront, custom features, parking options, and easy access for patrons. We can help to create an ambiance that matches your desired theme and menu offerings. We even assist with the design and installation process from lighting and sound systems to sign boards and decor. Our client portfolio includes fine dining establishments, commercial chains, family dining, cafes, coffee shops, and fast food restaurants throughout Las Vegas.
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Nick Saban Is Preparing For A Georgia Defense That Is Looking To Cause Havoc On Bryce Young
in NCAAF, OKTC, Sports
by Trey Wallace December 1, 2021, 8:30 am updated December 1, 2021, 10:48 am
Alabama has gone through the season playing only one defense that would come anywhere close to how Georgia is playing right now, that would be Texas A&M. But the Aggies obviously don't have the type of defensive line that the Tide is about to face on Saturday.
So, as the Dawgs prepare for Alabama's offense, Nick Saban should be worried about how to find time for Bryce Young in the pocket. This game presents the opportunity for Kirby Smart to release the hounds and pressure Bryce Young into mistakes that could cost the Tide. When Nick Saban was asked about the Dawgs' defense, it was clear he knows how much trouble they can cause.
"I think the fact that they've got like nine different players that have 4-1/2 tackles for a loss. One guy has 8 1/2. They've got five different players that have multiple sacks. There's nine different players that have at least two sacks. So, there's a lot of issues. They're well-coached. They've got a good scheme. The players do a good job of executing it. They've got good linebackers. They've got good front people. They're aggressive in the secondary. This is not a one-man wrecking crew. This is a really, really good group of players who play well together. There are multiple players that have ability to make plays."
But we haven't even mentioned nose guard Jordan Davis, who is looked at as the best defensive lineman in the country. You won't find many open gaps when Davis is on the field, so Alabama will have to look for open space on the edges. But to even get to that point, the Tide will most likely have to double-team the massive lineman, who has wreaked havoc on every opponent he's faced this season. Nick Saban can appreciate how good of a player Davis is. He even called him "one of most dominant players" in the country.
"I mean, I think the guy is one of the most dominant players in college football. Any defensive lineman, I guess you can look at a lot of things, but the No. 1 thing is how hard are they to block? And he's really hard to block," Saban said. "He's got great size. He's very powerful, but he's got really good initial quickness, short-area quickness, and can push the pocket and pass rush. He's about as good a player as I've seen for a long time as an inside player on any college football team."
We all witnessed Alabama struggle to find any kind of balance on offense against Auburn, though they ended up winning in four overtimes. The Tide struggled to score points. Their first touchdown came with under a minute to play. Even though Bryce Young threw for 317 yards, he did so on 51 attempts. The Tide were also held to 71 total rushing yards, which won't win them a game like this against a tough Georgia defense. But the biggest thing might be the pass rush and how the Dawgs can find different ways to make a quarterback miserable. For Alabama to win this game, they'll need to find a balance on offense and keep their quarterback upright, and Saban made that very clear.
"To me, they've got some really good rushers up front. They do a great job of pressuring the quarterback. They've got really good scheme in terms of how they pressure the quarterback. They mix up the coverages in the back end quite a bit. They've been very effective with the way they play pass defense all year long. So, it's going to be very challenging for us. It's not just about throwing the ball. It's about protecting, whether it's man-to-man, zone, reading it, throwing the ball to the right guys. There's a lot of things that go with that."
Either way, Alabama is in for one hell of a fight on Saturday afternoon, as they look to sustain some type of offensive consistency. But with the way Georgia has been playing this season, I'll have to see it to believe it from the Crimson Tide. They haven't seen a defense like this one in a very long time, a fact which should frighten the Alabama coaches behind the scenes.
alabamaAtlantaBryce YoungDawgsDefenseGeorgiaJordan DavisKirby SmartNick SabanSEC Championship


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2018 clean energy scorecard
How we developed the scorecard
We're Environment Victoria, a charity dedicated to speeding up the shift to clean energy and protecting our environment in Victoria. And it's our job to make sure all parties do the right thing by our environment and our future.
Independent and not for profit, we've been campaigning to look after Victoria's environment since 1969. With more than 40 grassroots member groups and 150,000 individual supporters, we're a growing community of Victorians standing up for a safe climate, nature protection and a sustainable future.
OUR ROLE IN ELECTIONS
Why are we involved in this election?
This election is vitally important for Victoria. We're building real momentum in the transition to renewable energy and supporting communities to move away from coal, which we need to do to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. We are also facing critical decisions about how we protect our precious natural world.
The decisions we make at this state election will have implications for years to come. Therefore, it is important that voters are given clear, fact-based information about major parties' positions on these vital issues.
Environment Victoria has met with all parties contesting the Victorian Election to encourage them to have strong environmental policies. We have also worked with volunteers from across Victoria to disseminate information about the parties' policies, so that every Victorian has the opportunity to understand where the parties stand on major environmental issues.
To assess their positions, Environment Victoria asked all parties to complete a policy survey. This survey was based on our policy agenda, and asked parties to detail their environmental policies. Parties have been encouraged to update the survey throughout the election as they release further policies.
To date we have received submissions from:
Fiona Patten's Reason Party (PDF)
Health Australia Party (PDF)
Sustainable Australia (PDF)
The Australian Greens (PDF)
The Australian Labor Party (PDF)
Victorian Socialists (PDF)
The policy survey and research of the parties' policies and voting record were used to create a detailed scorecard which assesses each party's policies. This information was also used to create a simple scorecard, which highlights key issues. If you think you've spotted inaccuracies or inconsistencies in the scorecard, please email us immediately at policy@environmentvictoria.org.au.
What role does Environment Victoria play in elections?
Environment Victoria is a registered charity, which means we're an independent organisation that exists to pursue our charitable purpose of protecting the environment. While we advocate strongly for environmental sustainability, we do so in a strictly non-partisan way. We regularly comment on and analyse environment policies, however we will not and cannot endorse, support or favour any political candidates or parties. We do issue scorecards, analysis and summaries throughout the election campaign, but these are limited to analysing environmental policy and never aim to support a particular party.
We have held many governments and Oppositions to account over our 50-year history, and while remaining non-partisan, we do not shy away from calling it as we see it on political parties environmental policy, whether good or bad.
As a campaigning organisation, we work to make sure every party goes to polling day with the strongest set of commitments to act on climate change and improve environmental protection. Better commitments during elections means better outcomes in government, because parties can be held to account on their own commitments.
Occasionally, some political parties are reluctant to announce positive policies for climate or environment issues, or they may release policies that are actively damaging on these issues. In this situation, we apply as much pressure to those parties as possible to first encourage them to announce better plans and, secondly, if that fails, to ensure that Victorians are aware of these damaging policies.
How does Environment Victoria develop its scorecard?
Our scorecard and associated material was developed on the basis of our policy surveys, research of announced policies and our assessment of each party's track record in the last term of Parliament (2014-2018).
What will Environment Victoria be doing on election day?
On election day, at pre-polling booths and via email and social media, we will be distributing scorecards to Victorians across the state. This scorecard does not tell people how to vote, but provides information about each party's policies for protecting the environment. It focuses on climate change, clean energy and cutting pollution in particular, as these are our longest-running campaigns and areas of greatest policy expertise.
How have you engaged minor parties?
Environment Victoria has taken a number of steps to provide all parties a chance to have their policies analysed. Firstly, we have invited all parties to respond to our policy survey. Secondly, we will be producing a comprehensive scorecard in the final fortnight of the campaign. Finally, we regularly meet with all parties to ensure we maximise opportunities to deliver ambitious environmental policy.
Environment Victoria is located on Wurundjeri land and works across many Aboriginal nations. We pay our respects to Aboriginal elders past and present, recognise their continuing contribution to caring for country, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.
Email: repower@environmentvictoria.org.au
Authorised by Mark Wakeham, CEO Environment Victoria, 60 Leicester Street Carlton 3053.


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Dubai Tourism News Jul 23, 2017
Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum Airport wins top 'green' award
Dubai Airports has scooped a leading international 'green' award for its air traffic control (ATC) facility at Dubai World Central (DWC) – Al Maktoum Airport.
The company, which operates both DWC and Dubai International (DXB), was awarded the gold standard according to the requirements of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for the operation and maintenance of ATC buildings.
The facility, which is spread across 19,880 square metres at Dubai's second airport, comprising the control tower, technical block and surrounding grounds, achieved a LEED score of 68, placing it solidly in the Gold category, which starts from 60 points.
The Gold certification was recently awarded by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The facility was assessed on its performance in five categories including sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation in operations and regional priority.
The LEED programme aims to ensure all processes are sensible and appropriate for the building, as well as being sustainable.
During the study, it was found the building is currently using 40 percent less water than the LEED baseline and 100 percent of irrigation is being conducted with treated water. High scores were also given by virtue of a sustainable purchasing policy for maintenance and operations consumables and durable goods in the form of electric and IT equipment, furniture, cleaning products and materials.
"Due to the unique challenges presented by the functionality of an ATC tower, particularly the requirement for large reflective glass surfaces, very few globally have achieved the gold standard," said Omar Binadai, vice president, Engineering Services at Dubai Airports.
"We are pleased to have achieved this rating and thankful for the close cooperation of Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS) and Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP). "Managing efficient and environmental-friendly buildings is in line with Dubai Airports' commitment to grow and manage our business in a sustainable manner and to limit our carbon footprint."
LEED is the internationally-accepted certification for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance (LEED EBOM) Certification promotes a whole-building approach to sustainable operations and maintenance based on efficiency, resource conservation, cost reduction, and continuous improvement.
Discover more about the thriving Tourism in Dubai. Let us be your guide! .
Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central
Dubai Airports