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Strictly-Extrusion
– Energy Savings in Extrusion & Injection –
PEAL: Patented screw for foam extrusion
Friday, October 31st, 2003
James D. Fogarty, chairman of Plastic Engineering Associates Licensing, USA, recently obtained a U.S. patent relating to his Turbo-Screws technology for thermoplastic foam extrusion. According to a statement by the company, the patent grants exclusive rights to Fogarty for the manufacture and use of any type of aperture other than a perfectly round hole in the flights of a screw for foam extrusion. "Field tests have confirmed my own calculations that perfectly round holes in the flights of feed screws do not work in foam extrusion. They do not promote cross-channel flow like Turbo-Screws technology. www.turboscrews.com
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DuPont: Production of Elvax® EVA and Bynel® adhesive resins in Europe
DuPont Packaging and Industrial Polymers (P&IP), a worldwide leader in specialty ethylene copolymers, announce plans to add capacity in Europe to manufacture Elvax® ethylene vinyl acetate resins and Bynel® adhesive resins. Production will begin in early 2004, following conversion of an LPDE tubular reactor at the Specialty Polymers Antwerp (SPA) facility in Antwerp, Belgium.
DuPont will manufacture a wide range of its Elvax® and Bynel copolymer resins in Antwerp. This expansion gives DuPont both autoclave and tubular facilities to supply the broadest range of products to customers globally. Typical applications for these products include flexible packaging, adhesives, footwear and wire and cable. The speciality copolymers include grades used for blown film, extrusion, lamination, foaming, injection molding, and compounding. The resins are inherently flexible, resilient, and tough. Some Elvax® EVA grades can also be stabilised for applications requiring resistance to sunlight or weathering with little or no sacrifice of clarity.
"This investment reinforces our pledge to a strong global ethylene copolymers business and also demonstrates our will to further meet our growth objectives by continuing to deliver value to our customers world-wide," says Craig Binetti, President of DuPont Packaging and Industrial Polymers.
David McFall, Director DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers Europe, adds, "The developments in Belgium reflect DuPont's commitment to the European market. With these steps we expect to further improve service levels and provide a tailored offering for our European customers."
In October 2000, DuPont and Borealis established Specialty Polymers Antwerp N.V. as a manufacturing joint to manufacture ethylene-acrylate copolymers for the parent companies. Previous modifications at the Belgian plant in 2002 saw DuPont broaden its range of acrylate polymers with the launch of Elvaloy® AC acrylate copolymers, offering high melt strength and new levels of heat resistance in easy-processing olefin-based materials. Applications for Elvaloy® AC include industrial extrusions, extrusion coating, polymer modification, PVC replacement, soft touch, and cast and blown films. This next phase of investment by DuPont further expands their global capacity for specialty ethylene copolymers and supports the continued growth of their Elvax® and Bynel® product lines.
Verbruggen: New Multi-layer adapters
Verbruggen has presented its new multi-layer adapters MA-CARR and MA-CAFR. The Belgian manufacturer of flat dies and multi-layer adapters has developed a new concept of extremely flexible coextrusion adapters. The principle of the configuration cassettes and the rotating restrictor bars has been kept. The improvement is to be found in the heart of the adapter. Due to an ingenious system of sliding elements, one and the same adapter can perfectly be used for a wide range of coextrusion configuration. The system allows much bigger variations in thickness and viscosity than it ever did before, according to the company. Due to the modular concept, a total flexibility for future products is guaranteed. The more than thirty MA-CARR and MA-CAFR adapters with up to seven layers, delivered up to now, have proven their reliability and extreme flexibility.
Kuhne: Large Orders for flat film and sheet line
Kuhne, Germany, will deliver a flat film line to an unnamed French sheet manufacturer next month. The customer will use the line to produce thermoformable sheet for the food industry. The order, worth around Euro 3m, has helped Kuhne to increase sales to around Euro 50m. The line can co-extrude up to three layers to produce PS, polyester and PP sheet, in thicknesses of 0.2 to 2mm. The line is 1,400mm wide and has an output of 1,000kg/hour. For the first time, Kuhne will incorporate downstream coating and laminating into the line, allowing a PE or barrier layer to be added to the co-extruded sheet.
Kuhne has also supplied a sheet line to a customer in the Ukraine, which is producing 10mm thick polycarbonate sheet for construction panels. The PC sheets will also be used to make separation panels in trains.
Macro Engineering: PVDC film extrusion lines to China
Macro Engineering & Technology Inc., USA, will deliver late this year four more biaxially oriented PVDC barrier-film extrusion lines to a Chinese customer in Shandong Province. These lines, can produce 1200-mm-wide biax monolayer film from 32 to 70 microns thick. The film is extruded as a horizontal bubble. It is used mainly for heat-shrinkable, retortable sausage casings. That customer already has two Macro biax PVDC film lines that were delivered three years ago. With the delivery of the four new lines, Macro will have shipped 25 biax PVDC film lines to China.
PolyOne and Nanocor: New Nanoblend™ Concentrates Improve Stiffness and Flame Retardance
Nanoblend™ concentrates are high-performance materials based on nanocomposite technology. The new concentrates replace traditional mineral or glass reinforcements and flame-retardant additives in a wide variety of resin compounds. Development of the Nanoblend concentrates product family is the first outcome of the strategic alliance between PolyOne and Nanocor Inc., the largest supplier of nanoclays for plastics and a wholly owned subsidiary of AMCOL International Corp.
The Nanoblend concentrate range contains approximately 40% nanoclays in different polymer carriers. This concentrate assists the incorporation and dispersion of the clay to form the nanocomposite structure during final processing. The use of the Nanoblend concentrate helps to overcome some of the earlier difficulties experienced by processors in trying to incorporate nanoclays directly into their compound. By producing a concentrate, PolyOne offers a product that can be used in a wide variety of processes without compromising process parameters.
Nanocomposite technology principally improves stiffness and retains the impact resistance. Enhanced flame retardancy can also be achieved, with the capability to reach UL94 V-0. Nanocomposites have been shown to improve a polymer's physical properties and can reduce the amount of filler needed to achieve a specific property. For example it can be demonstrated that approximately 1% of nanoclay gives a stiffness equivalent to that obtained with 10% of typical fillers, such as talc. Lighter plastics are attractive in many consumer areas, especially automotive parts, electronic components, appliances and office furniture.
Typical applications of these Nanoblend concentrates are small appliances and electrical enclosures where increased fire resistance, improved physical property retention, reduced relative heat release and non-dripping properties are advantageous. They are also effective for both interior and exterior automotive applications and are typically designed for demanding light and stiff applications, and have improved surface quality and toughness. Other Nanoblend concentrates applications include film, sheet, and wire and cable.
Davis-Standard: Extruder for polyurethane elastomer stretch belt
With a focus on quality and ingenuity, Pyramid Incorporated of Newton, Iowa, has carved out a global niche in the polyurethane elastomer stretch belt market. For more than 35 years, Pyramid has been a leading innovator and manufacturer of belts used in low and fractional horsepower drive applications as well as in transport devices for film, currency, mail and other small items. Vital to this success has been the reliable performance of the company's five 1.5-inch (40mm) Davis-Standard Killion extruders. The extruders process a cumulative average of 100,000 pounds (45,360 kg) of resin annually, manufacturing round and flat belts sold throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Pyramid purchased its first Killion extruder in 1968, which is still in operation today, used for resin blending, recycling purposes and material homogenization.
"A Davis-Standard Killion extruder is like a Model T car; it runs forever," said Tom Tripp, president of Pyramid, Inc. "We used our first machine for 15 consecutive years and then took it out of service. Then last spring, some 16 years later, we needed an extruder for a new idea, so we pulled this old machine out of storage. It started up with no trouble and we are using it daily as a blending machine and to re-process out-of-dimension extrudate with good physical properties. This has made our operation even more efficient because our blending process was taking away production time from our four other extruders."
In addition to reliability, Tripp appreciates the accuracy and versatility of
Davis-Standard Killion extruders. Accuracy is essential as Pyramid manufactures round belts in cross-sections of .062 to .562 inches (1.6 to 14.3mm) and flat belts in a thickness range of .030 to .187 inches (.8 to 4.8mm) with widths up to
1.5 inches (40mm). Both belt types have a minimum length of 3.75 inches (95mm) but have no maximum length limitation. Additionally, all belts must be able to withstand a temperature range of -10 to +150°F. Extruder versatility for quick product changeovers is another necessity because Pyramid processes seven variations of urethane for its Pyrathane® product range. Pyrathane is a Pyramid innovation, replacing rubber with polyurethane to manufacture belts that are extremely durable without compromising elasticity. This superior abrasion resistance improves belt performance and the elasticity provides significant cost savings as it eliminates the need for tensioning devices.
"In addition to quality extruders, we appreciate how Davis-Standard services their equipment," Tripp added. "Not long ago Paul Banks of
Davis-Standard's aftermarket department provided technical advice that prevented us from spending more money than necessary on components we didn't need. Paul immediately identified the problem and we were pleased. We will only purchase Davis-Standard Killion extruders in the future."
Pyrathane belts are used in several commercial and household devices such as live roller conveyors, postage meters, copier paper transports, silicon wafer transports, key cutters, humidifiers, microwave oven deflectors, vacuum cleaners, laundry appliances, computer printers, floor care equipment and personal whirlpools. For more information about Pyramid's belt capabilities, visit www.pyramidbelts.com. For more information about the Davis-Standard Killion product line, contact Simon Dominey at [email protected]
Spartech: Acquisition of TriEnda's sheet business
Spartech Corp. has acquired the sheet extrusion business of Portage, Wis.-based Wilbert Inc.'s TriEnda Division for about US$5.5 million. The company said the acquired business manufactures extruded sheet primarily for the TriEnda line of reusable shipping and material handling containers, and represents more than 40 million pounds of growth for Spartech. It becomes Spartech's 22nd plastics facility.
The deal also includes a five-year agreement for Spartech to supply certain products to TriEnda and the purchase of four extrusion lines and supporting equipment.
Spartech said 'practically all' of the current employees working in the sheet extrusion division of TriEnda wold become Spartech employees, effective immediately.
St. Louis-based Spartech Corp.produces engineered thermoplastic materials and molded and profile products.
Dalian Shide: Further major expansion of profile capacity
Thursday, October 23rd, 2003
China's Dalian Shide Plastic Industry has placed a huge order for extrusion machinery with Krauss-Maffei. The Chinese firm has purchased 264 extruders and 100 profile extruders from the German supplier. The machinery will be shipped in four phases throughout next year, to Dalian Shide's production sites in Dalian and Shanghai. The order comprises co-extruders, model KMD 50K conical extruders and model 32D parallel extruders. In 2001, the company acquired 40 profile extruders from Krauss-Maffei. Dalian Shide, founded in 1992, is undertaking an ambitious expansion in China. The company also bought 165 extruders from Cincinnati Extrusion.
Shakespeare Monofilament: Expansion of fibre production
Shakespeare Monofilament UK is set to almost double production of polymer fibres following its acquisition of the monofilament business of EMS-Griltech. The company has bought the order book, machinery and technical know-how from the Swiss EMS-Chemie group for an undisclosed sum. It will expand its site in Fleetwood, Lancashire, by 1,000 sq metres to accommodate four extrusion lines arriving from Switzerland.
Managing director Roger Evans said: "We've had a business here with four extrusion lines for some time. We were looking to expand the business to create momentum and critical mass." The first of the lines will arrive in the UK next month and the transfer will be complete by July 2004. During the transition period EMS-Griltech will supply Grilon Monofilament products under a toll manufacturing agreement.
Shakespeare has capacity to produce 1,200tpa of fibre, mainly in polyethylene, polyamide and PPS. The four new lines will add 800tpa, bringing the total capacity to 2,000tpa. The company plans to recruit 16 workers to operate the machines, as well as three or four staff in other areas.
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[S4939] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. II, p. 447, notes; Burke's Peerage, 1938, p. 1909. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4940] Unknown author, Europaische Stammtafeln by Isenburg, chart 711, Vol. 3. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4941] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. I, p. 417; Ancestral Roots of 60 Colonists by F. L. Weis, p. 225. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4943] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. I, p. 417; Wallop Family, p. 54. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4944] Unknown author, Ancestral Roots of 60 Colonists by F. L. Weis, p. 225. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4945] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. I, p. 418; Europaische Stammtafeln by Isenburg, chart 193; Wallop Family, p. 54. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4946] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. I, p. 418; Europaische Stammtafeln by Isenburg, chart 193, 190; Wallop Family, p. 54; Encyclopedia Britannica (1960), Vol. 20, p. 25. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4947] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. IV, p. 27; Plantagenet Ancestry of 17th Century Colonists, by David Faris, p. 45; Wallop Family, p. 247. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4948] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. IV, p. 27; notes; Wallop Family, p. 247. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4949] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. I, p. 147; Magna Charta Sureties, 1215, 4th Ed., by F. L. Weis, p. 120; Pedigrees of Some of the Emperor Charlemagne's Descendants, Vol. I, p. 108. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4950] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. II, p. 160; Stemmata Robertson, p. 159. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4952] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. VI, p. 338; Wallop Family, p. 411. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4953] Unknown author, Fifty Great Migration Colonists, by John Brook Threlfall, p. 351. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4954] Unknown author, Lindesie and Limesi, p. 180. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4957] Unknown author, Journal of Ancient and Medieval Studies, Vol. X, 1991, The Octavian Society, p. 16. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4959] Unknown author, Collection of Mrs. Claude Vallette; Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. 5, p. 781. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4960] Unknown author, Royal Highness, Ancestry of the Royal Child, by Moncreiffe, p. 10. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4961] Unknown author, Ancestry of My 3 Children by Vallette; Ancestral Roots of 60 Colonists by F. L. Weis, p. 1. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4962] Unknown author, Ancestry of My 3 Children by Vallette; 162 Allied Families by Hoagland; Genealogy of Helen Campbell. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4963] Unknown author, Genealogy of Helen Campbell; 162 Allied Families by Hoagland. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4964] Unknown author, 162 Allied Families, by Hoagland in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4966] Unknown author, Ancestral Roots of 60 Colonists by F. L. Weis, p. 185; The Ancestry of Dorothea Poyntz, by Ronny O. Bodine, p. 115. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4967] Unknown author, Ancestral Roots of 60 Colonists, by F. L. Weis, p. 221; Royal Highness, Ancestry of the Royal Child, by Moncreiffe, p. 11. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4968] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. XI, p. 395-398; Plantagenet Ancestry of 17th Century Col., by David Faris, p. 194. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4969] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. V, p. 429; Ancestral Roots of 60 Colonists by F. L. Weis, p. 79; Plantagenet Ancestry of 17th Century Colonists, by David Faris, p. 39. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4970] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. V, p. 428/9; Ancestral Roots of 60 Colonists by F. L. Weis, p. 79; Plantagenet Ancestry of 17th Century Colonists, by David Faris, p. 39; Stemmata Robertson, p. 164. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4971] Unknown author, Ancestral Roots of 60 Colonists by F. L. Weis, p. 33; Plantagenet Ancestry of 17th Century Colonists, by David Faris, p. 55. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4972] Unknown author, Ancestral Roots of 60 Colonists by F. L. Weis, p. 59; Ancestry of Dorothea Poyntz, by Ronny O. Bodine, p. 23;. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4973] Unknown author, Ancestral Roots of 60 Colonist by F. L. Weis, p. 130; OFHS Newsletter, Sept. 1995, p. 58. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4975] Unknown author, Burke's Guide to the Royal Family, p. 326. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4976] Unknown author, Wallop Family, p. 638; Burke's Guide to the Royal Family, p. 326. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4977] Unknown author, Wallop Family, p. 239. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4981] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. II, p. 160. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4982] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. I, p. 146; Pedigrees of Some of the Emperor Charlemagne's Descendants, Vol. I, p. 108. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4983] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. I, p. 146. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4984] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, Vol. I, p. 146; Magna Charta Sureties, 1215, 4th Ed., by F. L. Weis, p. 120; Pedigrees of Some of the Emperor Charlemagne's Descendants, Vol. I, p. 108. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4986] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. II, p. 415, Vol. 5, p. 270. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
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[S4989] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. II, p. 414, Vol. V, p. 418, Vol. VIII, p. 267, notes. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
[S4991] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. VI, p. 172, notes. in unknown series (n.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date).
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Another thing that you are going to want to look at when you are trying to find the best tree company in the area is whether or not they have the right kind of insurance that is necessary. You want to be sure that the prospective tree company that you are looking at and considering hiring has the proper insurance that is needed to work on your property without exposing you to any liability on your behalf. A reputable tree removal company is going to have the necessary liability insurance that is needed to provide you with a risk-free job.
Another major thing that you are going to want to consider when it comes to narrowing down your options and finding the right one to hire is to look at the Better Business Bureau and make sure that you are going to be hiring a company that has a solid rating. It's not necessary to be accredited, but having a profile with the BBB is hugely important. That way, you know that they are going to be a reputable hire and are not going to do a poor job.
Another major consideration that you are likely going to want to find when it comes to hiring the right company is a high level of experience. You not only want to check to see how long the company has been providing the service, but you also want to be sure that you will choose the business that has the best overall experience levels in order to maximize the chances of getting good work completed on your tree removal service.
Another major area to consider when it comes to narrowing down your options and finding the right company is their reputation in the marketplace. The good thing about finding information regarding their reputation is the ease of accessing it nowadays. Because there are a variety of review websites that you can check out to find information about the status of the service in question, you should be able to find all kinds of information and review scores that can help you make a well-informed decision regarding which one to hire.
At the end of the day, it is going to come down to whatever company you think is going to offer you the most experience and best reputation for the best price. After all, no one is going to want to pay a significantly more amount of money if they are not getting a significant return on that. Therefore, you want to weigh the overall experience and reputation of the company with the price that they are charging to get the best value for your money.


text:
Welcome to 'Talking Economics', the blog of the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), Sri Lanka's apex socio-economic policy think tank.
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South-South Investment: A Necessary Synergy with Development Finance
Kithmina Hewage Sep 12, 2017
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Article to mark International Day for South-South Cooperation on 12 September 2017
Even though 35 developed countries pledged to provide 0.7% of its Gross National Income (GNI) to foreign aid, only six nations – the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, and Sweden – currently fulfil this obligation. In fact, the failure to adequately financially assist developing countries is considered one of the foremost failings of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As a result, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have looked at alternate means of financing development, including the potential expansion of South-South cooperation (exchange of aid, technology, and other forms of cooperation from one developing country to another). With developing countries left to their own devices, it is becoming increasingly important that countries find feasible and sustainable means of finance that do not potentially affect the macroeconomic stability of the country. Consequently, developing countries are increasingly looking towards creating outward oriented economies that are more suitable for foreign direct investment and export promotion.
South-South Investment
Investment flows from developing economies to other developing economies are commonly referred to as South-South investment. These investments are mostly due to the emergence of Emerging Market Multinational Enterprises (EMNEs). The share of South-South Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of total world FDI has risen from 3% at the beginning of the century to around 17% in 2016. Crucially, while FDI from developed economies fell by approximately 57% between 2007 and 2012 due to the global recession, South-South FDI rose by 15%. Companies based in the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in particular, are increasingly contributing to shape the South-South FDI landscape, while acquiring close to $100 billion worth of assets globally in 2016. These trends clearly demonstrate the growing influence of South-South investment within the realm of the global economic sphere.
Aid and Investment
Beyond the growth of the private sector in developing economies, the respective governments are also playing a more prominent role in international political economics. Rapid economic growth among these nations and the consequent increase in political power, combined with the rise of anti-globalist sentiment in developed countries, have allowed emerging economies to play a more prominent role on important issues such as trade and investment. For example, US' withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and its collapse will allow the likes of China, India, and other East Asian nations to determine the future of international trade, if the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is successfully negotiated. Similarly, these emerging economies have also increased their engagement with other developing countries in terms of increasing South-South cooperation, especially in improving infrastructure and capacity building. State Owned Enterprises, in particular, are playing a more active role in South-South investment, since the introduction of South-South economic initiatives such as China's Belt and Road initiative.
Notably, these countries appear to align South-South cooperation with the interests of their respective private sector investment decisions. China's Belt and Road Initiative is one such example, where the government has engaged in a network of infrastructure investments to facilitate the relocation of Chinese investments to these partner nations in the future. Other emerging economies such as India are also pursuing similar strategies in terms of using South-South cooperation to complement the flow of South-South FDI, albeit at a lesser scale than of China. India's growing partnership with Afghanistan that integrates both development aid and private investment is one such example.
Sri Lanka: Leveraging the Policy Space
In addition to the emergence of EMNEs, rising production costs in developing economies such as China have also led to the increase of South-South investment. Consequently, many Chinese firms are relocating to smaller economies such as Bangladesh and Vietnam due to cost advantages. In addition, companies are also moving to locations that provide easy access from its source to final markets. Given Sri Lanka's location between Africa and East Asia, it is ideally placed to attract South-South FDI seeking efficient host markets. However, the island nation has failed to attract South-South FDI from China and other emerging economies. In fact, Chinese investment in the country has been largely in the construction and tourism sector, rather than in the manufacturing sector.
Even though Sri Lanka is unable to compete on wages with its counterparts in the region, the country has also failed to effectively attract investment that warrants a more skilled labour force. Inconsistent, and at times protectionist economic policies over the years have become a severe hindrance in attracting FDI from around the world, let alone from other developing countries. Furthermore, EMNEs in particular, look towards investment destinations that can easily integrate into their regional value chains. Sri Lanka's complex tariff and para-tariff structure undermines the country's potential to do so. Therefore, even proposals such as the Hambantota Industrial Zone are unlikely to generate the intended benefits, unless the economy reforms its trade and investment policies at a more holistic level.
The issue of development finance garners considerable debate, and requires policies that are tailored to the needs of a country and global economic conditions at the time. Nevertheless, it is vital that developing economies such as Sri Lanka adopt policies that are able to sustainably finance its development, rather than seek short-term gains through debt-led development strategies. Therefore, a greater emphasis on South-South investments is likely to provide an adequate alternative to traditional means of development finance such as external loans and dependence on foreign aid by developed countries. That said, high volumes of borrowing by developing countries, such as Sri Lanka, could simply lead to a mere shift of debt exposure from traditional finance sources (e.g. IMF), to those from developing countries (e.g. China). The synergy between South-South cooperation and South-South investment, on the other hand, provides an impetus towards filling capacity deficiencies while also providing a sustainable means of development finance geared towards an outward oriented economy. Therefore, the emphasis should be on attracting South-South FDI.
Tags: Developing Countries Development Finance FDI South-South Cooperation South-South Investment Sustainable Development
Opening Up the Skies: Benefits of Air Services Liberalization - What We Can Learn from the India-Sri Lanka Experience
Trade Facilitation: Breaking Down Barriers to International Trade in Sri Lanka
'Come Together': Raising Standards in the Sri Lankan Pepper Industry
Renewal of US GSP: What It Offers Sri Lankan Exporters
Kithmina Hewage
Kithmina Hewage was a Research Economist at IPS, with research interests in international political economy including WTO issues, trade and development, export competitiveness, and foreign direct investment. He holds an MSc in International Public Policy from University College London (UCL) and a BA with university and departmental honours from the Johns Hopkins University, USA.
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Employer-supported Childcare in Sri Lanka: A Solution to Labour Shortages? | Southern Voice:[…] This is a re-publication from IPS-Talking Economics. […]
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The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) reaches a new milestone as Western Australia becomes the final state to officially join the federally administered Scheme.
From 1 July 2018, the National Disability Insurance Agency will assume responsibility for the delivery of the NDIS in WA, as is the case in every other state and territory.
WA NDIS participants will transfer to the federally administered NDIS between 1 April 2018 and 31 December 2018. People receiving state or Commonwealth disability supports, as well as new participants, will continue to transition to the NDIS from 1 July 2018.
Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan said the Commonwealth and WA Governments would fully cooperate to implement the transition to the NDIS.
"The NDIS will be life-changing for Western Australian participants, by supporting people with disability, their families, and carers to play a greater role in their communities," Mr Tehan said.
WA Minister for Disability Services Stephen Dawson said the NDIS was expected to support about 39,000 people in WA with permanent and significant disability by July 2020.
"This will mean a significant increase in funding and services, and will deliver an unprecedented availability of support for people, many of whom have not been able to access anything of this kind before," Mr Dawson said.
"I remain engaged at all levels of this transition with good working relationships with the Disability Reform Council, the Federal Social Services Minister Dan Tehan, the National Disability Insurance Agency Chief Executive Officer Rob De Luca, local leaders in the sector, and people with disability.
For more information on the WA rollout, including timeframes, visit the NDIS website.


You are at:Home»Inspiration»Chelsea Flower Show: Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
Chelsea Flower Show: Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
Chelsea Flower Show 2018 officially kicked off with Press Day today but even before attending I'd seen a few confused social media comments off the back of the BBC TV coverage on Sunday: "That's not a garden, it's got concrete blocks everywhere again!", "These aren't gardens, who has a giant popping steamer in the middle of their lawn?" It begs the question, once asked by Queen (not THE Queen… although she does love Chelsea too and who knows… maybe it did cross her mind) "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?". Some people do seem puzzled.
Of course, the gardens on display at Chelsea are not entirely practical within a traditional 1970s 'path + lawn +washing line + Snapdragon border' design sense but can you imagine how boring it would be if they all were? As flower shows go, Chelsea is about showing unusual concepts, some more fantastical than others. Chelsea's designs challenge ideas about features or planting combinations, colours and shapes. Yes, there is a cross over between art and gardening here and yes, gardens that illustrate a single issue, culture or cause are not the norm for the majority of us in our two-up two-downs and small outdoor spaces. I'm not sure I'd introduce anybody to my own terraced garden with a "this garden represents my period of anxiety and panic attacks and my uphill struggle" (although it actually does). However, the garden designs of Chelsea challenge our preset gardening beliefs and make us reassess our own garden plans – be they balcony boxes, allotments or two acre estates. If you pay attention, Chelsea should make you a better garden designer.
What should first time visitors expect?
To those visiting Chelsea for the first time (whom I've come across rather a lot this year) remember that the gardens of Chelsea flower show are there to inspire but not necessarily as a whole take-away. Perhaps you'll see a garden you love in an instant or perhaps a single flower that makes you desperately seek it out. Maybe you simply come away thinking that you need a 'water feature' or 'a sculpture' as a focal point. It's possible that you'll detest a garden that you see and 'poo poo' it but hey, at least that helps you know what you love by comparison! Try to remember that a lot of work has gone into all of these gardens, sometimes years of planning and much back-breaking work, judging a garden and instantly dismissing it out loud might, just might, cause offence to the designer. Designers are creative people and not always that thick skinned, so maybe save your critique for Sloane Square tube station when they are out of earshot!
Chelsea influences plant fashion (this year Lupins are definitely the must have flower again, I can hear the snails cheering that on already). I was pleasantly surprised to find a couple of my allotment beauties growing within show gardens today. Firstly I came across a sea of Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum) which is a green manure crop that we use to fix nitrogen to the soil. Only this week I remarked on how beautiful a flower it was at my allotment and how it should be in a garden and hey presto I find it growing in the Seedlip Garden (One of the new 'Space to Grow' gardens). I also noticed Comfrey growing within some displays at the David Harber and Savills Show garden on Main Avenue, bravo to that decision, one person's weed is another's gorgeous bee-friendly flower.
Best Main Avenue Garden – The David Harber and Savill Garden – I love this garden, designed by Nic Howard, for its slightly cottage style perennial planting and colour scheme but mainly its multiple changing views from different sides which work so well in combination with its 'Aeon Nucleus' sculpture and mirrored water features. If this doesn't win Gold I'll be amazed. I would love to have been able to get inside this garden to see it from different perspectives.
Best Artisan Garden – The Claims Guys – A Very English Garden – I couldn't help thinking of Hestercombe when looking at the half dome drystone wall in this garden. In combination with box balls and hedges, purple, pinks and foxgloves it ticks all my boxes for what I love in a garden. One might say I've been brainwashed by my own walled terraces.
Best Space to Grow Garden – The Seedlip Garden & The Myeloma UK Garden – I struggled to chose between these two 'Space to Grow' show gardens but they are very different. The Seedlip Garden celebrates the pea, and my last name 'Peskett' means 'seller of peas' (in medieval times), so it seems only right that this garden spoke to me. I also loved the use of that Crimson Clover and the 'Peavilion' building. The perspex sculpture of The Myeloma UK Garden, is stunning, it looked best when sitting down on the floor in front of it but good luck doing that on a public visiting day!
Below are some other photos from around Chelsea Flower Show 2018 – I must be honest and say that I am so grateful for getting in on Press Day because it made photography so much easier without the crowds. It was a little weird being surrounded by so many celebrities but in the end you become quite desensitized. I had a brief chat with Adam Frost (of Gardeners World), bumped into Fergus Garrett (who I know from Great Dixter), and spoke with Nigel Slater (TV chef) – a really delightful chap. My Press Day access came about through the RHS Volunteer Scheme. I shall be at Chelsea again on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, in the Great Pavillion at the Weston Garden (central) – possibly outside on the Feel Good Garden on Thursday. Feel free to come and say hello, I'll be the good looking tall chap in RHS purple.


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India records 10,197 new COVID-19 infections; active cases decline to 1,28,555
The daily rise in new coronavirus infections has been below 20,000 for 40 straight days and less than 50,000 daily new cases have been reported for 143 consecutive days now.
A healthcare worker collects a swab for a rapid antigen test for COVID-19 from a farmer in his field in Banaskantha district in the western state of Gujarat. (Representative image: Reuters)
India's COVID-19 tally rose to 3,44,66,598 on November 17 with 10,197 fresh cases, while the active cases have declined to 1,28,555, the lowest in 527 days, according to the Union Health Ministry's data.
The death toll climbed to 4,64,153 after 301 more fatalities were reported in the last 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.
The active cases have declined to 1,28,555 comprising 0.37 percent of the total infections, the lowest since March 2020, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.28 percent, the highest since March 2020, the Health Ministry said.
A decrease of 2,238 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
How does a vaccine work?
A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine.
How many types of vaccines are there?
There are broadly four types of vaccine — one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine.
What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind?
Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time.
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The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.82 percent. It has been less than 2 percent for the last 44 days.
The weekly positivity rate was also recorded at 0.96 percent. It has been below 2 percent for the last 54 days, according to the ministry.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 3,38,73,890, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.35 percent.
The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive have exceeded 113.68 crore.
India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20 lakh-mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one crore-mark on December 19.
India had crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23.
The 301 new fatalities include 210 from Kerala and 34 from Maharashtra.
Of the 210 deaths, 39 were reported over the last few days and 171 were designated as COVID-19 deaths after receiving appeals based on the new guidelines of the Centre and the Supreme Court directions, a Kerala government statement had said on Tuesday.
A total of 4,64,153 deaths have been reported so far in the country, including 1,40,636 from Maharashtra, 38,153 from Karnataka, 36,311 from Tamil Nadu, 36,087 from Kerala, 25,095 from Delhi, 22,909 from Uttar Pradesh and 19,333 from West Bengal.
The Health Ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.
"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.
Tags: #coronavirus #Current Affairs #Health #India
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Traditional festival of culture, food and customs of Zadar region. On the night of the full moon in midsummer night, the Riva of Zadar is illuminated by torches and candles. Ships are converted to floating booths which offer everything, from the best tuna and sardines from famous fishermen from Kali, up to famous Novigrad mussels. Old temporary taverns serve diverse traditional dishes from Nin falcon to figs, cheese, brandy and other delicacies. If you are not able to visit the surrounding area of Zadar and Zadar islands and meet local folklore and customs, be sure to visit the Night of the Full Moon.
Night of the Full Moon occurs during the night of the full moon and this year it means from July 26th to 28th. The central celebration will take place on July 28h 2018 on the city promenade, Riva.


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June 25, 2009 News » Metro
OKC attorney, activist undergoes gender reassignment transformation
By Jenny Coon Peterson
Brittany Novotny was born and raised a boy, but from the time she was little, knew she was different. The 29 year old is transgendered, or someone whose internal gender identity doesn't match the outside.
TRANSITION DECISION
TRANSWOMAN IN OKLAHOMA
TRANSGENDER TERMINOLOGY
"The first time I really can recall a moment "¦ there was something different, I was, I'd like to say, (in) kindergarten. It was at a time in the 1980s when girls were tying their shirts into little knots on one side "¦ and I did that at school one day, being like the other girls "¦ and thinking, 'Oh, yeah, I identify with them,'" Brittany said.
Her teacher, however, didn't approve, and told her boys didn't "act like that."
"She made me feel really ashamed."
From that point on, Brittany worked hard to fit in with boys. Even at home, she kept her feelings to herself, only acting like the girl she knew she was when alone.
"If I had a moment where I was alone, I would try to "¦ be myself. Those were some of the happiest times in my childhood, where I was able to just be me without fear of any kind of outside pressure or repression."
When she was 8, she was able to attach a word " transsexual " to what she was feeling, but she said that moment was both scary and enlightening.
"The way it was written in the dictionary at the time "¦ it was put in there as some kind of mental disorder, something kind of shameful. But, on the other hand, seeing that there was a word in the dictionary that seemed to explain what I was going through,"¦ clued me in that, 'OK, I'm not the only person on the face of this planet going through this.'"
Entering Westmoore High School, Brittany became friends with an alternative group of girls, people who wouldn't look askance if she painted her nails and wore eye shadow in that mid-'90s alt style. That persona of existing somewhere between genders carried her through undergrad at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and on to law school at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
With graduation approaching and the prospect looming of entering the professional world, Brittany decided she could no longer live as a male.
"I felt that if people met me as a female, they'd expect the right things out of me, they would kind of get who I am," she said. "If I kept putting it off, I was going to become even more unhappy, even more depressed."
Dawn Singleton, who holds a doctorate, is a private practice psychologist in Oklahoma City who has worked with transgendered people in the metro. She said transgendered people often have body issues because they feel a disconnect between their mental and physical selves. The decision to transition can be transformative on many levels.
"Mentally, once they make that decision," Singleton said, "they feel a sense of euphoria, even though it's very difficult. When they get to express on the outside who they are, it is a relief, and all of the mental anguish they've been going through is greatly relieved."
After graduating in May 2005, Brittany sent a letter to her family explaining her decision. She moved home to Oklahoma and, after beginning hormone replacement therapy in August, went from William to Brittany.
"Frankly, I didn't really look all that feminine yet," she said. "But, I was just like, 'Too bad. I can't keep putting this false self forward.' I was done with that person."
Lisa Price, who had first met Brittany as William at USAO in 1998 and remained a close friend, supported her through the transition.
"Seeing her go through the changes "¦ I was glad I could be there for her," Price said. "After the adjustment, she was much happier, a more positive person and happy to be becoming who she felt she should be."
Singleton said people who have the courage to make the transition are heroes to her. "They are risking everything to be the person they authentically are. Even those of us who are what the world would call normal, it's very hard for us sometimes to be authentically ourselves."
Although the transition process from one gender to another can be completed without surgery, Brittany decided to undergo reassignment surgery in May 2007.
The procedure is commonly called gender reassignment, but Brittany likes to call it genital reassignment.
"It's not changing your sex, I feel like your sex and gender is up here," she said, pointing to her head. "All they're doing is moving around the external stuff that doesn't really make who you are."
Brittany's acceptance in Oklahoma sometimes surprised Price, who is also from Oklahoma. "I was like, 'Is this Oklahoma, are you sure?' It's definitely a nice surprise."
But, she said, "people know her, they see that's she's a person, and that makes a difference to people here."
While Brittany claims a "vocal minority" exists that doesn't think the GLBT community belongs in the state, her experience being a transwoman in Oklahoma has been positive.
"I have a belief in my fellow Oklahomans. Having grown up here, I know that "¦ even when I was breaking gender roles, I had friends who considered themselves conservative Christians "¦ that didn't ever not befriend me," she said.
Brittany has become involved in the GLBT movement in Oklahoma. She believes she can be a positive role model.
"I know that I could live my life without addressing this, but I'm not ashamed, nor do I think I should be, nor do I think anyone else should be," she said. "The fact that you're trans or lesbian or gay doesn't have to be something that stops you from having a dream. You can do that right here at home in Oklahoma. You can be yourself right here, and by doing that, we can help bring the rest of the community along in recognizing "¦ that we are productive members of society who bring a good valuable diversity to the city."
Brittany also has political aspirations. Last Saturday, she was elected as national committeewoman for Young Democrats of Oklahoma, the first transwoman to hold a post in Young Democrats of America.
At only 29, that's a pretty big list of accomplishments for anyone, man or woman.
"I have a great life ahead of me."
"The first thing people say to us when we're born is, 'You're a boy, or you're a girl,'" said Dawn Singleton, a private practice psychologist in Oklahoma City. "With transgendered people, the inside of their body doesn't match the outside."
The term "transgender" is an umbrella term for a wide group of people whose genetic make-up doesn't necessarily match their psychological make-up.
According to the American Psychological Association, transgendered people can be transsexuals, or biologically male or female people who consider themselves the opposite sex; transvestites, the most numerous transgender group; and drag queens or drag kings.
The transgendered umbrella term does not dictate sexual orientation.
"Gender is not about sexuality," Singleton said. "It's not about who you are sexually attracted to. Gender is how you view yourself psychologically as a male or a female." "Jenny Coon Peterson
More: Culture Chic highlights gender roles in other countries.
Speaking of Community;News
The modern streetcar not doing it for you? We've got alternative modes of transportation lined up
Fox News host Glenn Beck commended an OKC crowd's conservatism, claimed liberals destroying country
Eleven males are vying to replace Mary Fallin in Congress
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The recipient of the 2019 Irish Construction Excellence Award in the Civil Engineering Category was Glan Agua Ltd., with the Kerry Central Water Treatment Plant, the award was presented in association with ICE Awards Sponsor, Diatec.
& John O'Connor (Kerry County Council). Image copyright: ICE Awards/Conor McCabe.
Civil Engineering Project of the Year Award 2019.
Announced at Irish Construction Excellence Awards ceremony which took place on Friday evening, March 29, the Kerry Central Regional Water Treatment Scheme won the Civil Engineering Project of the Year Award 2019.
The prestigious awards ceremony took place in the Round Room of the Mansion House, Dublin. The Irish Construction Excellence Awards provide an opportunity for the industry to showcase and reward best practice across the full range of construction disciplines and project categories.
The project by Irish Water, in association with Kerry County Council, and undertaken by Nicholas O'Dwyer Ltd, TOBIN Consulting Engineers and Glan Agua Ltd, was chosen as the winner by an expert panel of judges from the construction world.
This is the second national award for the Kerry Central Regional Water Treatment Scheme, having won the Engineers Ireland Engineering Project of the Year Award 2018 in November.
The project is also in line for an international award. The Kerry Central Regional Water Supply Scheme has been shortlisted for the global Water Project of the Year. The Kerry project is one of four finalists, along with projects from Saudi Arabia, Russia and America. Previous winners include Perth Groundwater Replenishment Scheme (Australia), Mujib Dam Water Supply Project (Jordan) and Abuja water supply project (Nigeria). The 2019 Global Water Awards will be presented at the Natural History Museum, London on 9 April 2019, as part of the 2019 Global Water Summit.
The Kerry Central Regional Water Treatment Plant was officially opened on November 5th 2018 by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin and Cllr Norma Foley, Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council. The €30 million project provides a safe and secure water supply for over 62,000 residents as well as industry and agriculture in the region, and serves the more than 1.2 million tourists who visit the region annually across Tralee, Killarney, Castleisland and Castlemaine.
The scheme's new water treatment plant is amongst the largest in the country and provides over 50 million litres of drinking water every day. As a result of the upgrade and investment by Irish Water, the scheme has been removed from EPA's Remedial Action List - RAL is the list of 'at risk' water supplies.


Technology previews are about feedback. We make them available for free and ask that project participants share their thoughts. We need affirmation of the technology before it takes the next step. It's not a done deal. If that were the case, we'd go straight to beta and forego the technology preview process. That's why trying a technology, liking it but not telling us, is the same as not trying it. Project participants are quick to share when something does not work but less inclined to speak up when it does. Truthfully, we want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Project Scandium is one of those technology previews where Moldflow Insight 2017 users apply for participation, and the team approves the applications based on their needs. The technology preview extends simulation capabilities by offering new capabilities to try out and provide feedback. Moldflow users can have this technology preview installed next to their commercial products.
Yesterday I posted a new build that extends the technology preview to August 1, 2017. This gives participants plenty of time to complete their evaluations and share their thoughts.
Extended simulation is alive in the lab.


Umami Burger, an upscale Southern California-based chain with locations in San Francisco (2184 Union Street), Oakland (2100 Franklin) and Palo Alto (452 University), has created a hamburger in honor of legendary guitarist Slash of Guns N Roses fame.
What does Slash taste like? In this case, strangely like Umami's signature burger, but crowned with braised shiitake mushrooms, caramelized onions, American cheese, avocado spread, and wasabi aioli, served with a Parmesan cheese crisp.
This isn't Umami's first foray into musical territory. A Mayer Hawthorne burger with cognac-infused parsnip puree, cognac fondue, Hatch chiles and crispy Hatch chile straws was served back in July.
The Slash Burger costs $15, with one dollar going to Los Angeles Youth Network. It is available at all locations from September 26 to November 27.


has anyone ever put out a clean base image?
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KDE 3.1 mini-cd or Full Knoppix release featuring KDE 3.1?
Switch to Debian stable for KDE3.1?
how to force knoppix to read the floppy at boot ?
First time in Linux and Woooooow!!
New Linux magazine in India - LinuxForYou - with Knoppix!
What's with the nifty mount & read/write items?
Any one play with MORPHIX?
How do you pronounce Knoppix?
linux in general and obvious things missing.
Firewalls, Gateways, DNS, DHCP, VPNs & Routers OH MY!
Knoppix saved our day - thanks Klaus and team!
Linux equivalents to windows proggies.
What's it like being a newbie?
What is needed to make the Knoppix HD install better?
Shareaza on Knoppix 3.1 ??
Anyone built a Knoppix cluster?
Hmmm- desktop is compiling Gentoo- what can I do?
Free - as in out of captivity!
Hey- I just found xman !
Compliments : Forum Web Site : Nice New Look!
anyone tried using Red-Carpet (Ximian)?
RFP: Docs "banner" on frontpage/page-header?
Any good performance test applications that have nice GUI?
Microsoft Office on Knoppix runs fine!
A better CD encoder- you absolutely must try it.
How to keep up with updates to testing and unstable?
The baddest download manager in the world.
Best alternatives to Excell file formats?
How did you get your knoppix CD?
Anyone tried SourceMage Linux yet?
Does Knoppix comply with the GPL licensing terms?
So what are the other distros doing wrong?
ZDNET,DOWNLOAD.COM,etc Stopped Linux Downloads! WHY?
Read This :"Is this The End Of Free Linux?"
Why didn't someone tell me this sooner?!
Is L2 cache size important?
where to find Simplified Chinese Version Knoppix?
Download: md5sum on a Mac with OS9?
Debian is 10 years old!!!


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Tell us a bit more about yourself - you can share as much or as little as you want and as a visitor to our site, we will never share your information with other vendors.
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text:
£500,000 investment in European scholarships enable joint PhDs at Warwick, Paris and Brussels
Banning plastic straws - a step in the right direction?
Media Centre Services
University of Warwick Podcast
Independent External Review
Scholarships worth over half a million pounds available to fund up to eight PhD candidates who will be jointly supervised at the University of Warwick and l'Université Paris Seine or Vrije Universiteit Brussel
The three institutions are also members of EUTOPIA – a new teaching and research alliance of six universities across Europe
"Being an active partner in a truly Europe-wide teaching and research network such as the EUTOPIA alliance gives us the opportunity to internationalise the university experience" – Prof Seán Hand
Promising PhD candidates will have the opportunity to carry out their research and training in both the UK and mainland Europe, thanks to a new £500,000 joint investment in scholarships from the University of Warwick, l'Université Paris Seine (UPS) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).
The 'Co-tutelle PhD Scholarships' will enable up to eight PhD candidates to spend twelve months of their course at Warwick, and at least twelve months in either Paris or Brussels.
The scholars will benefit from joint support between two of the institutions to help them complete their PhD projects – with one academic supervisor at Warwick and another at either UPS or VUB.
The scholarships will cover the PhD candidates' tuition fees and living costs for four years, as well as reasonable travel and research expenses.
Warwick, UPS and VUB are also founding members of EUTOPIA, a new alliance of six European universities established to deliver open, innovative and inclusive higher education across the continent.
EUTOPIA is formed by Warwick, UPS, VUB, the University of Gothenburg, the University Pompeu Fabra – Barcelona, and is led by the University of Ljubljana.
The EUTOPIA alliance launched its mission in Brussels in February 2019. Read more here.
Professor Seán Hand, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Europe) at the University of Warwick, commented:
"I am delighted to announce these Co-tutelle PhD Scholarships, and I look forward to seeing the ambitious collaborative research which this partnership will undoubtedly foster."
"Being an active partner in a truly Europe-wide teaching and research network such as the EUTOPIA alliance gives us the opportunity to internationalise the university experience, and expand our community, more swiftly and dynamically.
"Establishing these scholarships for PhD projects - which will be undertaken and supervised across different countries - demonstrates the commitment of both Warwick and its EUTOPIA partners to sharing ideas and expertise, transforming educational practices in Europe, and building global opportunities for students and staff."
All are welcome to apply for the Co-tutelle PhD scholarships between Warwick and UPS, however PhD candidates with interests in Arts, Humanities and Cultural Heritage, Complexity Science and Business and Management are particularly encouraged.
Co-tutelle PhD scholarships between Warwick and VUB are open to candidates focusing on Social Sciences (e.g. criminology, law and privacy, communication and political sciences, sociology and international collaboration), Complexity Science (including photonics) and Reproductive Medicine.
If you have any questions about applying for the Co-tutelle PhD Scholarships, please contact WarwickinEurope@warwick.ac.uk
The scholarship application deadline for is 23:59 (GMT) on Wednesday 29th May 2019. Full info here.
Image 1: EUTOPIA logo
Image 2: Professor Seán Hand at the EUTOPIA launch in Feb 2019
Luke Walton,
International Press Manager
L.Walton.1@warwick.ac.uk
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Page contact: Kim Ingram
Last revised: Thu 9 May 2019


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U.S. military deaths continue to decline in Iraq, hitting a 14 month low. That is good news. More good news comes from the World Tribune:
The U.S. military is eliminating Al Qaida's chain of command in Iraq.
Officials said several leading aides to Al Qaida network chief Abu Ayoub Al Masri have been killed by the U.S.-led coalition. They said two out of the four foreign aides of Al Masri remain alive.
Shortly before he died, [aide] Al Tunisi wrote a letter that warned of a threat to Al Qaida operations in Karkh. The lettter, found by the U.S. military, sought guidance from Al Qaida leaders amid coalition operations that hampered Al Tunisi's network.
"We are so desperate for your help," the letter read.
That's what I like to hear.
Labels: Terrorism, War


FAIRBANKS, Alaska — In parts of Alaska, the ground is sinking so much that trees are growing almost horizontally. It's an area scientists refer to as a "drunken forest."
Researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory are only beginning to understand the severity of the situation. They're awaiting the results from their second yearly flight over the boreal forests of northern Alaska to look for changes in the layer of frozen soil at the root of the problem: melting permafrost.
A change in the depth of the permafrost could have frightening consequences for the climate.
Massive stores of carbon — in the form of ancient flora and fauna — are frozen in the Arctic ground. As the ice in the permafrost melts, microbes in the soil consume that carbon and convert it into carbon dioxide and methane, two major greenhouse gases, which rise into the atmosphere.
Recent studies, including last week's alarming United Nations climate report, have suggested the amount of green house gases released into the atmosphere from permafrost thaw has been rising as the planet warms.
"We've seen over the last 30 or 40 years, long-term records, that the temperature of the permafrost is rising dramatically," Miller said. "That can signal that we're seeing the onset of what could be widespread permafrost thaw across the Arctic."


Chemistry - Ryerson University - StudyinCanada.com!
Chemistry plays a leading role in our world and our lives. Focused on understanding matter and energy and their interactions with each other, this essential science is a part of everything we do, from creating new, useful materials and products to protecting the environment and fighting disease. Ryerson graduates in this dynamic field are involved in a range of exciting research areas and applications, from synthesizing new organic and inorganic materials, to pursuing a variety of opportunities in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, computational chemistry, proteomics and molecular biology.
ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English. The minimum grade(s) required in the subject prerequisites (normally in the 65-70% range) will be determined subject to competition. Completion of all three science courses is recommended. Chemistry (SCH4U) is strongly recommended.


This has to be a joke. Brazil in 1994 were not entertaining. And Portugal in 2006 ? Surely FIFA are having a laugh at our expense. Apparently this award is voted for by the public on FIFA's website, and basically seems to involve members of the public from the tournament's most criticized team, sitting at home and hitting the poll's submit button time after time.


Fertiliser use: Per 100 litre water between 200 and 300 ml Original Bloom Soil, depending on the desired EC level. Never mix components in pure form with each other, always first component A, water and then component Bin equal parts. (Always rinse measuring cup well.) Adjust pH level if necessary with pH- Bloom or pH up from Dutch Pro. Optimum pH level ranges between 5.8 - 6.5.
Dosage: 200-300 ml per 100 litres.


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These 6 Jaw-Dropping Charts Show Just How Much Rich People Will Gain From the GOP Tax Bill
The top 1 percent get a $51,000 tax cut next year.
DeanDrobot/iStock
On Friday, President Trump signed into law a sweeping $1.5 trillion tax bill that's deeply unpopular among Americans. Recent analyses by the Tax Policy Center and Joint Committee on Taxation agree: The Republican tax plan will undoubtedly fill the coffers of America's wealthiest.
In 2018, 80 percent of American households across all income levels are expected to get an average tax cut of about $2,100, according to an analysis by the Tax Policy Center. (Another 5 percent would get a tax increase.) But there are stark differences in how much taxpayers take in, depending on their income. Households earning less than $25,000, for instance, would get an average tax cut of $60, and middle-class households would get $900. Meanwhile, the top 1 percent of households would receive a cut of $51,000. Over time, that disparity gets even worse.
At the end of 2025, most of the individual tax cuts expire while corporate tax cut provisions remain. That year, the top 1 percent would still receive a larger share of tax benefits than the bottom 60 percent of Americans combined. In 2027, low-income households will see their taxes rise by $30 in 2027 as compared to what they'd pay under current law. The top 1 percent, on the other hand, would still get a tax cut of $20,660.
Tax Policy Center
Tax cuts for all, then for some
In 2027, the top 1 percent would receive 83 percent of total benefits, while 53 percent of taxpayers will see a tax hike. That year, people making less than $75,000 in income would see tax hikes, including a 26 percent tax average increase for those who make between $20,000 and $30,000.
Pass-through tax benefits America's wealthiest
The final Republican tax plan includes a 20 percent deduction on so-called "pass-through" income, a win for business owners, particularly real estate developers. The complex provision would effectively lower the top tax rate from an already-reduced 37 percent to 29.6 percent, allowing certain businesses with substantial income to take advantage of the tax benefits. Howard Gleckman, a senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center, wrote in mid-December that under the Senate plan, which allowed pass-through business owners to deduct 23 percent of their income, business owners could receive an average tax cut that's three times larger than workers who rely on wages for income. And tax scholars warn that the pass-through write off could incentivize workers to reclassify their income in order to exploit this new loophole. "This violates a basic rule of good tax policy: that taxpayers with similar situations should be treated similarly," Gleckman wrote at the time.
Most of the income that flows into pass-through businesses comes from upper-income households that make more than $200,000 per year, such as doctors, lawyers, and hedge fund partners, according to the Tax Policy Center.
Corporate cuts help the rich
While the individual tax cuts expire at the end of 2025, the corporate tax cuts are permanent, providing a windfall of tax benefits to businesses for the foreseeable future. An analysis of an earlier Republican tax plan, which proposed cutting the corporate tax rate to 20 percent, down from 35 percent today, found that 34 percent of benefits would go to the top 1 percent of earners. The final Republican tax plan would slash the corporate tax rate to 21 percent. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities pointed out that, at most, a quarter of the corporate tax cut benefits would reach workers.
Even though Republicans didn't kill the inheritance tax, they managed to double the threshold at which the tax kicks in, allowing ultra-wealthy Americans to pass on up to $22 million in assets to their heirs tax-free. Doubling the exemption means that just 1,800 estates could receive a tax cut of $4.4 million for each person in a married couple, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The think tank projected that, taking into account changes to the estate tax, households with more than $1 million in income could see a tax cut of more than $25,000 in 2025. Meanwhile, middle-class households would receive smaller tax cuts.
This post has been updated to reflect that the bill has been officially signed into law.
Most Americans Don't Believe Trump's Biggest Lie About the Tax Plan
The GOP Tax Bill Takes Aim at Victims of Natural Disasters
Amy Thomson
The United States Is Now as Unequal as Russia. And That's Before the Tax Bill.
Noah Lanard


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Enter the Emotive World of guardin With 15 BTS Photos [TOUR DIARY]
At the intersection of alternative, lo fi, emo, and hip-hop, stands guardin. The latest in a new generation of artists, the New York-based artist is creating a tangible relationship with listeners from the confines and innermost isolation of his bedroom, all by way of his laptop. Touching upon often hushed about subject matter - suicidal thoughts, depression, introversion, growing pains, and heartbreak - in his heart-rending evocative style, guardin is a sad boy or girl's dream come true. And while it is all too easy to imagine guardin hunched over in his bedroom, letting his inner demons and aspirations run wild to create yet another piercing project, this winter has seen him taking his emotive music on the road.
From a fall tour with Oliver Francis to a three-show run with Family Pet, 93FEETOFSMOKE, and Shinagami, guardin has been making his talents known on the east coast. And it's not even close to over yet. Currently on an expansive North American tour alongside Mallrat and gnash, we caught up with guardin before setting out yet again to take some time to reflect on life on the road thus far.
rough trade with some rough boys (brooklyn 12/1)
goodbye, so long (buffalo 12/9)
my new dysfunctional family (buffalo 12/9)
on the road again (washington d.c. 11/26)
my home away from home (brooklyn 11/30)
first night of the best week of my life (lakewood 12/5)
dressed to kill (chicago 12/7)
they knew more words than i did (chicago 12/7)
one big happy family (chicago 12/8)
i always resort to this pose when i don't know what to do (chicago 12/7)
mid sentence (chicago 12/7)
i got demons in my orbit that i'm trying to rid (chicago 12/7)
friendships like these last a lifetime (lakewood 12/5)
new character unlocked (philadelphia 11/28)
i wouldn't trade this for the world (chicago 12/7)
Be sure to catch guardin on tour with Mallrat and gnash.
guardin
lo fi
Meet AntsLive, the North London Horse-Riding Rapper Trending Worldwide
January 31, 2023 Is there anything better than a gold-toothed Brit majestically riding a horse through the Italian Alps?
Author: Tatum Van Dam
antslive
44phantom's "cherry cigarettes" Is a Habit We Just Can't Kick
January 23, 2023 44phantom is establishing himself as one of the most promising up-and-coming artists in the alternative scene.
44phantom
cherry cigarettes
Phoneboy Explore Pitfalls Of Fame On New Single "Ferrari"
January 19, 2023 New Jersey indie rock band Phoneboy are kicking off their new album cycle in style and with a dash of existential dread with the release of their latest single, "Ferrari."


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Agios Amvrosios is the name of two settlements in Cyprus:

Agios Amvrosios, Kyrenia, a town east of Kyrenia
Agios Amvrosios, Limassol, a small village northwest of Limassol

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


It was no surprise that a recent meeting concerning the Walk Bridge — the swing bridge that carries commuter trains and other train traffic over Norwalk Harbor — focused heavily on the challenges that are ahead as the bridge is replaced.
The failure of the span to operate twice last year prompted efforts to replace it. The subject of the debate was the schedule of openings, vital to businesses and marinas that operate up river. Building materials, fuel oil, and sand and gravel are among some of the cargoes carried upstream.
We imagine that this recent debate is but a skirmish compared to what will take place when the state reveals its replacement and construction plans, expected to begin in 2016 and be done by 2020.
We wonder how the rail system will continue to operate during this period. Last year, 30.6 million passenger trips were logged in on one of the busiest commuter lines in the country.
Historians tell us of a disaster that befell the rail line on May 3, 1853, when an engineer, trying to make up for lost time, took the curve just before the bridge at 20 miles per hour, unaware that the bridge was in the open position.
The engine and five passenger cars, plunged into the river. A total of 45 passengers died and 25 were injured. According to reports, South Norwalk residents opened their homes to tend to the survivors.
Incensed by the accident, the General Assembly passed a law requiring trains to come to a full stop before crossing the span.
The span is 118 years old, and the cost of replacing it has been estimated at $500 million. It will create disruption on both sides of the river and require much patience on the part of businesses and residents during the construction period.
The new bridge will be a bascule bridge, abandoning the swing bridge style now in use. The new bridge will rise vertically between two towers, one on each side of the river.


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Uganda hands over Nile leadership baton to Ethiopia
Uganda's unsung benefits from Nile Cooperation
As Eskom opens excess water gates at Jinja dams, communities along the Nile are put on alert
Jailed Egyptian ex-president Morsi dies in court
Forging unity through bridging knowledge gap
Henry Lutaaya
Kebede Gerba, Ethiopia's Assistant Water and Electricity Minister hands a courtesy gift to his counterpart Sam Cheptoris
Uganda this week handed over the leadership of the Nile Council of Ministers' meeting to Ethiopia. The rotating leadership of the Nile Council of Ministers – which follows an alphabetical order, was supposed to have gone to Burundi, and later Egypt, but it was agreed that Ethiopia takes up the mantle after Burundi expressed unpreparedness to lead. Egypt's lack of full participation in Nile discussions in recent years, meant that it could not take up leadership of the regional body's top policy making body.
Ethiopia's State Minister for Water, Irrigation and Electricity Kebede Gerba, who represented Dr. Eng. Sileshi Bekele, took up the instruments of power on Thursday in Entebbe, Uganda during the 25th Nile Council of Ministers meeting.
Uganda's Minister of Water and Environment Sam Cheptoris, who has held the chair over the past one year, handed over the NBI flag in a symbolic peaceful transfer of power.
In his handover speech, Cheptoris reflected on the unsuccessful bid by Uganda to woo Egypt back into full participation as having been the highlight of his leadership. Several high-level meetings involving Heads of State or their representatives of all 10 Nile Basin Countries were held in Uganda
Uganda's efforts to have Egypt endorse the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) that was developed and endorsed by most member countries that share the Nile, stem from the core understanding that there are far greater benefits from cooperation in the utilisation of the river's resources as opposed to pursuing individual projects.
Egypt's insistence on using colonial-era un-negotiated pact that gave it and Sudan full rights over the Nile's water's is at variance with the CFA's underlying philosophy of equal rights and hence the need for cooperation as well as the need for sustainable utilisation.
Egypt's refusal to appreciate the rights of other countries in the basin over the waters of the Nile, appears to have diverted the rest of the countries' attention only temporarily.
The endorsement by the Nile-Com of the NBI secretariat's 10-year Strategic Plan, is testament to the determination by member countries to use the Nile's resources to meet the enormous development challenges facing the basin countries, but also through a cooperative basis.
The strategy is anchored on six goals; I.e
1. Increasing hydro power development and power trade,
2. Improving food security
3. Protecting and restoring water related ecosystems
4. Improving resilience to climate change
5. Strengthening trans boundary water governance in the basin
6. Enhancing the availability and sustainable management of trans boundary water water resources.
Innocent Ntabana, the NBI Executive Director hailed the endorsement of the 10 year strategy as a result of team work and Cooperation among technocrats from member countries:
"This is a culmination of a long process we went through, right from the identification in understanding of the challenges of the basin challenges, consultations with countries on how these challenges can be addressed."
Still mired in poverty while at the same time facing rapid population growth, the Nile Basin Countries are facing daunting challenges in the coming ten years. For example, in Uganda alone, the country's population expected to have increased nearly 20 million to 56m people in 2030.
Without increasing land for agriculture amidst climate change, food and water are forecast to come in short supply.
Related Topics:Egypt, featured, Nile Basin
Museveni pardons 79 prisoners
By Sunrise Reporter January 17, 2022
President Yoweri Museveni has pardoned 79 prisoners including one Venezuelan woman who jailed in 2018 for...
Over 100 die on roads, in fire in 5 days; a grim statistic as Uganda reopens economy
At least 94 people died in road accidents alone in just five days between January 10...
Bishop's ban on pregnant learners triggers stormy debate
Bishop James Ssebaggala of Mukono Diocese has attracted ire from different corners of Uganda's society for...
Police to charge owners of Kawempe school with 'causing death' of four kids
The police has opened a case of causing death of four children who perished in a...
150 Days in Parliament: Rwampara's Molly Asiimwe tops Ankole list
The Rwampara woman Member of Parliament, Molly Asiimwe Musiime has emerged the best performing among district...
Alur culture promoting conflict, violence – RDC
Call for partnerships dominates international agricultural meet


The mission of the Rhyme Comp Carbon 6Fattie/29 is pretty simple—give female riders the best performing trail bike out there. And to make sure of it, we gave it our proprietary trail shock tune for women, Women's Rx Tune, that's tailored to give you the best suspension performance possible.
It features our FACT 9m carbon fibre for the bulk of the construction in order to provide an ultra-lightweight, strong, and stiff frame. The carbon moulding process also allowed us to revolutionize how you carry your trail essentials with the revolutionary SWAT™ Door found at the down tube. This compartment will fit a tube, a tool, and pump without rattling or compromising the structural integrity of the frame.
And when you factor in a build spec that has SRAM's 11-speed GX one-by shifting, powerful Guide R hydraulic disc brakes, a RockShox Revelation RC fork with 150mm of travel, and a whole host of women's-specific components, from the saddle to the custom-tuned RockShox Monarch RT shock, you have a bike that will have you never looking back—unless it's to see the girls eating your dust.
FACT 9m carbon fibre Trail Chassis with Rhyme FSR M5 alloy rear end blends stiffness with light weight to form the pinnacle of efficiency, while fully enclosed cable routing and an integrated SWAT™ Door create exceptional handling and zero-hassle storage.
FRONT TIRE Butcher, GRID casing, Gripton compound, 2Bliss Ready, 27.5 x 2.8"
REAR TIRE Slaughter, GRID casing, Gripton compound, 2Bliss Ready, 27.5 x 2.8"


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North Korea and the Threat of Chemical Warfare
Sábado, 28/Oct/2017 Theo Emery The New York Times
The war of words between President Trump and the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un over Pyongyang's nuclear program has rattled nerves around the world. But the trial of two women in Malaysia for using the nerve agent VX to kill Mr. Kim's half brother is a reminder that North Korea's lethal arsenal isn't limited to nuclear weapons. The North's chemical weapons pose a grave risk to South Korea and to regional stability.
Experts say chemical munitions have long been deployed along the demilitarized zone that separates the North and South. In the event of a military attack against the North, analysts say, the regime sees chemicals as an option for a first response. Seoul and its 10 million inhabitants could be hit immediately.
Estimates of casualties are staggering. Images from Syria of children gassed with sarin in recent years have horrified the world; imagine a death toll in South Korea a thousand times larger.
In a June article in Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the military historian Reid Kirby used the term "sea of sarin" to describe such an attack. Accounting for sarin's toxicity, the types of artillery along the DMZ, and vulnerability of children and the elderly, he estimated that a sarin attack could kill as many as 2.5 million people in Seoul and injure millions more. There are about 24,000 United States military personnel in South Korea, along with their families, and thousands of American expatriates.
No one outside of the North Korean government knows with certainty the composition of the country's chemical stockpile, but intelligence from defectors and the South Korean government suggests that Pyongyang has 2,500 to 5,000 metric tons of some 20 chemical warfare agents.
Experts have long suspected that the North's arsenal includes VX, which is far more toxic than sarin. The gruesome murder in February of Mr. Kim's estranged half brother, Kim Jong-nam — a brazen killing in a Malaysian airport that prosecutors say was carried out by two women, trained by North Korean agents, who rubbed the victim's face with VX — has dispelled any doubts that the North has the chemical. Unlike sarin, VX is "persistent," meaning it lingers in the environment rather than disperses. The mustard gas that drenched World War I battlefields is the original persistent chemical.
Kim Jong-nam's murder also raises the specter of new proliferation of chemical arms. The fact that VX made its way out of North Korea undetected to another country could indicate that Mr. Kim would use the North's extensive criminal smuggling networks to secretly assist other nations, or nonstate actors, in obtaining or producing it.
The chemical menace from North Korea recalls a time when chemical weapons posed far more of a global threat than they do today. The doctrine of strategic deterrence — maintaining stockpiles of powerful weapons to keep a similarly armed adversary in check — didn't begin with nuclear weapons; rather, it emerged from gas warfare in World War I.
In the war's aftermath, the Geneva Protocol of 1925 banned chemical warfare but not chemical weapons. The rationale for that apparent contradiction was that rogue nations might disregard international law and use chemical arms to attack cities and civilian populations in much the way North Korea threatens to do today. The way to deter such attacks, the logic went, was to maintain a stockpile. If signatory nations suffered a chemical attack, they could then retaliate in kind.
The United States Senate, convinced that the agreement was folly in a dangerous world, refused to ratify the pact. Many nations developed sophisticated chemical weapons programs, as well as biological weapons. By the 1990s, the United States had an arsenal of 27,700 metric tons of chemical agents, and Russia had at least 40,000.
The threat of chemical warfare diminished because of the far greater power of nuclear weapons, but also because of the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, which outlawed the weapons altogether. The United States and South Korea are among the 192 nations party to the agreement, and they agreed to destroy their chemical arsenals. North Korea did not join.
After President Bashar al-Assad of Syria was accused of using sarin in 2013, he joined the convention. He promptly violated it with more chemical barrages, including the sarin attack in Khan Sheikhoun in April that spurred President Trump to retaliate with a missile strike.
A similar show of force against Mr. Kim's regime could have catastrophic consequences for South Korea. The North's nuclear arms are one layer of deterrence against attack; the chemical arms are a second. Many experts say that Mr. Kim, if attacked with conventional weapons as a warning or a pre-emptive strike, could see chemical weapons as a way to retaliate without escalating to nuclear weapons.
After the Syrian sarin attack in April, Mr. Trump used unusually emotional terms in his speech about his decision to launch the missile strike. "Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack," he said. "No child of God should ever suffer such horror."
Let's hope that the president's memory of those searing images will make him think twice before attacking Kim Jong-un. The fate of millions of South Koreans within range of Mr. Kim's chemical arsenal may depend on it.
Theo Emery is the author of the forthcoming Hellfire Boys, a history of the United States Chemical Warfare Service.
MundoAsiaArmas químicas, Corea del Norte
Otros artículos de Theo Emery, de The New York Times o del 28/10/2017.
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