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Home » Night Vision Scopes » Pard NV008 Digital Night Vision Riflescope Review
Pard NV008 Digital Night Vision Riflescope Review
December 31, 2020 by Simon Cuthbert
As a new player on the block, Pard Technology has most definitely made an impression on the night shooting crowd.
The NV008 is relatively new to market, but it has seen some upgrades that decks out its digital capabilities and is why it's been coined the NV008 Plus.
This model is consistently being compared to ATN's X-Sight and Sightmark's Wraith night vision scopes.
What's so great about it that it can be compared to big-brand scopes?
Let us hunt it out.
Quick Overview...
Who is the Pard NV008 Plus 6.5-13X Best Suited to?
How Does the Pard NV008 Plus 6.5-13X Perform?
Day & Night Modes
Close-Range Detection
Varmint Hunting Night Vision Scope
Poor QD Mount
What We Like: Day & night modes
What We Don't Like: Poor QD mount
Best Uses: Night Shooting, Day Shooting, Tactical Use, Hunting, Scouting, Varmint Control, Digital NV, Close-Range Detection
Sensor: CCD 1080P HD
Magnification: 6.5-13x
FOV: 40-degrees
Display Resolution: 1024x768
Eye Relief: 35 mm
Color Modes: Day & Night
Battery: 6-8 hours
Dimensions: 6.4 x 2.1 x 2.7"/1 lb
Image Credit - Optics Planet
Our Verdict: If you're prepared to deal with shimming the QD mount that comes with the Pard NV008, you'll be more than pleased with it. Its performance, price point, and additional features outweigh the tediousness of its inherent mount design. If you have a varmint rifle that is perfect for the NV008, this is a must-have.
The Pard NV008 Plus is an excellent night vision scope for beginners, rimfire rifle shooters, and varmint hunters.
With its price point of Under 1K, it's also an affordable night vision scope that puts it right within budget.
If you want the bells and whistles of digital night vision that includes multiple reticles, One Shot Zero, high resolution photo and video, and dual color modes, Pard has kept up with the digital trend in the NV008.
Budget night vision that actually works! That about sums up the Pard NV008. It's a fantastic, little scope that is well-priced for its features and performance.
It's a favorite of the masses that beats out ATN according to critical shooters, and it even comes in lighter than the new ATN X-Sight LTV with its 1 lb weight! It's extremely compact and yet rugged with its waterproof and 300G shock-proof build.
While it can handle recoil up to a .308, its design is more for rimfire rifles as it's essentially a zero eye relief scope. It also needs to clear the action of a bolt action rifle because the mount puts this scope rearward a good distance.
It provides excellent detection for nighttime hunting, and since it's a digital, it's suitable for daylight shooting in color. The new Pard NV008 underwent upgrades in 2019, so newer models will be slightly different to previously released versions hence the new 6.5-13x magnification.
It also has an internal battery that is rechargeable and provides 6-8 hours of operation.
Pard isn't very transparent on the type of sensor that is used for the NV008 Plus, but it's apparent that it's a color sensor that allows for both Day and Night modes and is advertised by some as having a CCD camera.
To achieve a color display for daytime shooting and hunting, light filters through pixels that can filter wavelengths through three subpixels to provide a color display, essentially red, blue, and green. You can sight in for 50-100 yards and take advantage of the wide 40-degree FOV (Field of View).
Come low-light, switch into Night mode which is a Black/White display. Imaging is a little grainier at max magnification, but for the close-range distances you need within 200 yards, it will more than do. The reticle is illuminated and thin and allows for high visibility and accurate POIs (Point of Impact).
With no IR on a half-moon light, you can see out to a solid 100-150 yards. With the built-in 850 nm IR illuminator, you can stretch those distances to an effective 200 yards. If you were to equip your own more powerful IR, you can likely get out to 250 yards.
With the on-board IR, there is little white-out, and it performs adequately for the job since it can also be adjusted for focus and intensity. For the low price of this scope, the Pard digital day/night scope offers superb performance and value.
The Pard NV008 is excellent for varmint hunting from squirrels to foxes and is great for coyote hunting. It's a great scope for rimfire rifles and can possibly be mounted to bolt actions up to .308 if you can get it seated to allow the action to clear.
While it may be able to handle the recoil of popular hunting rounds such as the .223, .270, and .308, they seem overkill for this little scope. It also has extremely unforgiving eye relief, so it's better suited to air and rimfires anyway.
For varmint hunting, you may even be using an AR and the NV008 would make an excellent night vision scope for an AR-15. You can save up to five zeros.
The digital scope also allows for WiFi connectivity for footage transfer to a device. It records video and automatically records audio. When you use the NV008 for photos, it takes very high resolution still images with 2592x1944 resolution.
Not only is it good for transferring footage, it also provides essential benefits such as firmware updates and access to additional digital features.
You also have an integrated Picatinny mount for attaching a laser rangefinder or external IR flashlight.
The night vision scope is also IPX7 rated, so it's fully waterproof and protected up to 1 m for 30 minutes when submersed.
The Pard is likely one of the most compact and lightweight night vision scopes in the industry for a standalone model. It's only 6.4" in length and weighs a featherlight 16 oz.
To be completely honest, the included Quick Detach mount needs redesigning. It's high off the rail and the scope points too high above the barrel. You will need to shim the scope as it will shoot low. This is an interesting point because shims are included with the buy.
If you have a dovetail with adapters, shimming will be straightforward. For Picatinny rails, you will definitely need adequate shimming devices to lift the back-end up. But seeing as that is a temporary fix and not an ideal method, you may want to replace or add a higher quality one that also provides additional mechanical elevation and windage adjustment.
You also don't want to over-torque the mount as it will snap under too much tightening. Once you have mount issues squared away, it will be a breeze to zero.
What is the Magnification of the Pard NV008?
The Pard NV008 has always had 6.5-12x magnification, but recently Pard released a new firmware update that upgrades the magnification to an effective 13x to provide both 1x and 2x zoom.
What is the Difference Between the Pard NV007 VS NV008?
The primary difference between the two models is that the NV007 is a rear-sight night vision clip-on that mounts directly to the eyepiece bell of the daytime scope. The NV008 is a standalone scope and functions alone without use of a daytime scope.
How to Zero the Pard NV008 Plus?
The Pard NV008 Plus has a One Shot Zero feature with reticle adjustments via X/Y axes like any other One Shot Zero on a comparable digital scope. It really should be called 2-Shot Zero because you should always confirm you have zero with a follow-up round or two after saving the adjusted coordinates. Simply aim for the bull's-eye, adjust the X and Y axes for the POI, save the adjustments, and shoot bull's-eye to confirm.
Can the NV008 Scope be used as a Monocular?
It's extremely lightweight and can be used as a handheld monocular. It's lowest magnification of 6.5x also makes it appropriate for handheld use as it's easy to steady and stabilize the image. The reticle can be switched off for monocular viewing.
Does the Pard Technology NV008 Have a Warranty?
Pard Technology provides no warranty information or online manual to retrieve any information. It's known that Pard Tech provides a 1-year warranty on their NV007 model, so the same can be assumed for the NV008.
It would be wise to purchase a protective coverage plan from your vendor of choice or ensure they have some sort of return/refund window.
For those who have bought the NV008, they've learned the system, figured out its tweaks, and they are ecstatic with the finished result and its performance.
For an underdog brand, Pard Tech has brought some decent competition to the big boys like ATN, Yukon, and the rest. For a new scope, it's attracted a lot of attention and is well-deserving of it.
There's no doubt that it's a high-performing scope for the money and is perfect for standard nighttime hunting distances.
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Categories Night Vision Scopes


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Interesting facts about New Year's Eve
In the Gregorian calendar (today mostly in use), New Year's Eve, the last day of the year, is on December 31.
New Year's Eve is all about numbers. Indeed, we spend the entire day counting down the hours until 11 p.m., when we start counting the minutes, which we do until 11:59 p.m., when we start counting the seconds.
December 31, 2017 and January 1, 2018 – New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are on a Sunday and Monday.
The International Date Line, located at 180 degrees longitude and on the exact opposite side of the Earth of the prime meridian, denotes the passage of a calendar date from the day before. The countries west of the line move into a new day first, and other countries (moving westward) follow.
Samoa and parts of Kiribati are the first places to welcome the New Year while American Samoa and Baker Island in the United States, are among the last.
Many cultures celebrate the event in some manner.
Common traditions include attending parties, eating special New Year's foods, making resolutions for the new year and watching fireworks displays.
The earliest recording of a new year celebration is believed to have been in Mesopotamia, c. 2000 B.C. and was celebrated around the time of the vernal equinox, in mid-March.
A variety of other dates tied to the seasons were also used by various ancient cultures. The Egyptians, Phoenicians, and Persians began their new year with the fall equinox, and the Greeks celebrated it on the winter solstice.
The early Roman calendar designated March 1 as the new year. The calendar had just ten months, beginning with March.
In 1582, the Gregorian calendar reform restored January 1 as New Year's Day.
In present day, with most countries now using the Gregorian calendar as their de facto calendar, New Year's Day is probably the most celebrated public holiday, often observed with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the new year starts in each time zone.
A New Year's resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western Hemisphere but also found in the Eastern Hemisphere, in which a person resolves to change an undesired trait or behavior.
"Auld Lang Syne" is traditionally sung at midnight on New Year's Eve. It was written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788. He may have based it on a folk song. The words auld lang syne mean "times gone by".
Popping champagne corks at the stroke of midnight is a mainstay on New Year's Eve, whether at swanky parties or home celebrations.
Each New Year's Eve 1 million people gather in New York City's Times Square to watch famous ball drop. Another 1 billion people from around the world will watch the famed ball drop on TV.
Every year Berlin hosts one of the largest New Year's Eve celebrations in all of Europe, attended by over a million people. The focal point is the Brandenburg Gate, where midnight fireworks are centered. Germans toast the New Year with a glass of Sekt (German sparkling wine) or Champagne.
The celebration in London focuses on Big Ben (Westminster Clock Tower) the bell and by association the clock housed in the clock tower at the Palace of Westminster. These celebrations are aired by the BBC and other networks.
The largest celebration in Australia is held in its largest city: Sydney. The "Midnight Fireworks" are regularly watched by approximately 1.5–2 million people at Sydney Harbour. As one of the first major New Year's celebrations globally each year, Sydney's Midnight Fireworks are often broadcast throughout the world during the day of 31 December.
In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, New Year's fireworks are set off from Jumeirah Beach (including Burj Al Arab) and the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa. The New Year fireworks display at Burj Khalifa is among the world's most expensive.
At midnight on December 31, Buddhist temples all over Japan ring their bells a total of 108 times to symbolize the 108 human sins in Buddhist belief, and to get rid of the 108 worldly desires regarding sense and feeling in every Japanese citizen. A major attraction is The Watched Night bell, in Tokyo.
Mexicans celebrate New Year's Eve, by eating a grape with each of the twelve chimes of a clock's bell during the midnight countdown, while making a wish with each one.
In some cities of Colombia, Cuba and Puerto Rico, there is a tradition of making a male doll that is stuffed with memories from the past year, all dressed with the clothes of the outgoing year and is called Mr. Old Year. At midnight, the doll is set on fire symbolizing erasing of the bad memories.
There is a music festival every New Year's eve in the Antarctic called 'Icestock'
In Italy, people wear red underwear on New Year's Day to bring good luck all year long.
Until 2006, the Space Shuttle never flew on New Year's day or eve because its computers couldn't handle a year rollover.
Interesting facts about bronze
Interesting facts about cellos
Interesting facts about cameras and photography
Interesting facts about rubies
Interesting facts about zircon
Interesting facts about violins
Interesting facts about sugar beets
Interesting facts about wild boars
Interesting facts about flutes
Interesting facts about Rotterdam
Interesting facts about candy canes
Interesting facts about white tigers
Interesting facts about the oboe
Interesting facts about Salt Lake City
Interesting facts about beef
Interesting facts about pocket gophers
Just Fun Facts Copyright © 2021.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Google, Inc. plans to release a report about the diversity of its workforce, in light of Jesse Jackson's recent efforts to draw attention to the lack of minorities and women in the technology world.
The company previously resisted sharing the data but it is expected to be released next month, the Associated Press writes.
"Many companies in [Silicon Valley] have been reluctant to divulge that data, including Google, and, quite frankly, we are wrong about that," David Drummond, an African-American executive at Google said Wednesday at their annual shareholders meeting.
In March, Jesse Jackson called attention to the lack of diversity by leading a delegation at a Hewlett-Packard's annual shareholders meeting. He urged for the top tech giants to increase their efforts to hire African-Americans, Latinos and women.
Only 7 percent of tech workers are Black and Latino nationally, according to the Associated Press.


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Q: I'm getting "SyntaxError: Missing initializer in const declaration" while writing a discord bot I'm trying to write m first discord bot and while coding an embed I get this:
SyntaxError: Missing initializer in const declaration
    at Module._compile (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:891:18)
    at Object.Module._extensions..js (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:991:10)
    at Module.load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:811:32)
    at Function.Module._load (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:723:14)
    at Function.Module.runMain (internal/modules/cjs/loader.js:1043:10)
    at internal/main/run_main_module.js:17:11

Here is my code:
const Discord = require('discord.js');
const bot = new Discord.Client();

const token = "I've hidden it";

bot.on('ready', () =>{
    console.log('This bot is online');
})

const exampleEmbed = new Discord.MessageEmbed()
    .setColor('#0099ff')
    .setTitle('Map')
    .setImage('Hidden')
    .setTimestamp()
    .setFooter('Bot by MuffinLover42'),

channel.send(exampleEmbed);

bot.login(token);

I'm using node.js and discord.js
What's wrong with it?
I'm using the code provided by discord with a slight modification.

A:
const token = 'I've hidden it';

Try escaping the second ` in your declaration. Right now the compiler is seeing
const token = 'I'
with a bunch of garbage after it.
Additionally,
const exampleEmbed = new Discord.MessageEmbed()

.setColor('#0099ff')

.setTitle('Map')

.setImage('Hidden')

.setTimestamp()

.setFooter('Bot by MuffinLover42'),

should likely be terminated by a semicolon rather than a comma.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


This current version of Bigma offers the largest (10X) ratio in any telephoto zoom. It allows the convenience of pulling the action close to your camera, whether you are sitting in the spectator stand or press box.
This lens is in excellent condition and has original caps, hood (FF+DX extension), 95-86mm step down ring, instruction pamphlet & box. I also include an extra authentic Pentax rear lens cap, which is more convenient than Sigma's.
Please note small tripod in the photos is not included, neither recommended for actual use. This is a heavy lens (net 1.97 Kg) and shipping weight will be ~ 4 Kg (9 lbs).
Depends on location & choice of services, will quote.
Canada Post or courier of your choice.
No returns please - items as described & pictured.
Last edited by MJL; 08-05-2014 at 05:49 PM.
And... GONE, Thanks! Hopefully it will serve me well once in the Arctic and to the North pole.


Regarding "Mission Moon" (Front page, March 10): I believe it is important to push the boundaries of space. Russia and China, two of the world's super powers and our largest geo-political threats, almost certainly will.
We should establish a presence again on the moon and work toward NASA's goal to succeed in terraforming Mars. The benefits are far-reaching and include strengthening an important part of our national defense, making new scientific discoveries to advance technology and expanding the economy with the participation of private sector companies.
I hope our Texas senators and representatives will support future policies and legislation in this regard.
Regarding "Democrats launch probe into state decision to decline NASA help after Harvey" (Chron.com, March 11): It is scandalous that Texas officials would reject NASA's help to monitor air pollution in Houston after Hurricane Harvey. There are so many unanswered questions about the storm's toll on our health and environment.
I am glad that U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher and the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology have opened an investigation to find answers. I want to know why Michael Honeycutt, director of the toxicology division of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, seems to favor the protection of industry over the health of my children and all Texans.
It seems to me the only reason to reject science is willful ignorance. This is a pivotal issue for all Houstonians and the surrounding areas. We cannot ignore the reality of our need for clean air.
Regarding "107-point win may have critics, but Yates will press on" (HoustonChronicle.com, Feb. 19): When Jenny Dial Creech writes a commentary defending a coach and team for running up the score on an opponent on several occasions, than I have seen it all. Having coached for more than 30 years, I have been on the losing end of a lopsided score. The same excuses by coaches for running up the score have been said in the past.
As a coach I'm wondering what a coach is working on when playing against an obviously less-talented opponent and using a full-court press with a 50-point lead. I'm trying to figure out what student-athletes are learning by beating another team by 100 points.
One of the things that has been universal in coaching is, you don't embarrass your opponent. It's not something that is written as a rule, it is just understood.
Regarding "O'Rourke stumps in Iowa, stumbles with approach" (Front page, Sunday): For the upcoming election season and all those to follow, those who put children and climate first will get my vote. Without this shift in priorities, nothing else will matter.


Our 2.3m fixed leg pedestrian barrier is generally used to segregate areas at events.
This one piece barrier stands 1.2m high from the ground and interlocks with hooks and eyes to produce a solid fencing line. The panels have offset feet making them easy to stack when not in use. They are designed specifically to be erected and dismantled quickly and to make handling easier.
For further information about our 2.3m fixed leg pedestrian barrier, contact us on 0844 870 9802.


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Red Notice, a True Crime Financial Thriller by Bill Browder
By Bella Wright on March 8, 2018 in Crime Thriller Books, New Book Releases, Thriller Book Reviews, Thriller Reviews
The Bottom Line: A titan among financial thrillers, this mind-blowing expose of corruption, fear and greed is an absolute must-read.
Although it's been out since 2015, Red Notice is back in the limelight due to the investigations into the connection between Russia and the Trump campaign. If you're looking for a smoking gun in this excellent novel, don't bother, because it's not there. Read this instead for a one-of-a-kind look into how a real empire was built in the ashes of the Soviet Union in the face of great personal peril.
Before he went to become the CEO of the wildly successful hedge fund Hermitage Capital, Browder grew up the son of American academics, and the grandson of Earl Browder, the leader of the US Communist Party in the 1930s and 40s. As a boy at a private boarding school, he was bullied mercilessly, but managed to emerge stronger for the experience.
After a series of early-career ups and downs, Browder manages to convince a billionaire to fund his effort to cash in on wildly undervalued preferred stock in privatized Russian companies. Long story short, he eventually became Putin's arch-enemy, and barely escaped with his life.
As a narrator, Browder communicates the pure awe he feels as he navigates the wider world in search of his fortune, and the fear that nearly becomes his undoing as he takes one calculated risk after another. Red Notice will be a great read 100 years from now, but it's never been as timely.
Bella Wright
Bella Wright blogs about books, film and media.
More Posts - Google Plus
Silent Victim, a Dark Psychological Thriller by Caroline Mitchell
Do Not Ask, a Sexy Legal Thriller by Elaine Williams Crockett


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US indicts former security chief to Colombia's ex-President Uribe on drug charges
BOGOTA, Colombia — A retired Colombian police general who was security chief for former President Alvaro Uribe from 2002 to 2005 betrayed international counternarcotics operations for nearly a decade while on the payroll of major drug traffickers, according to a newly unsealed U.S. indictment.
Ex-Gen. Mauricio Santoyo Velasco is charged with conspiracy to export cocaine to the United States in collusion with far-right paramilitary bosses and with a collection agency of sorts run by drug traffickers that hired assassins and kidnapped and extorted, chiefly to collect debts.
Santoyo's alleged crimes were committed from about 2000 to November 2008, according to the indictment, which details an alleged wholesale betrayal of counterdrug operations by Colombian, U.S. and British law enforcement.
Santoyo's whereabouts could not immediately be determined. A senior official in Colombia's chief prosecutor's office said no arrest warrant has been issued for Santoyo. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.
Uribe said in a statement posted on his website Monday evening that he "rejects, with pain and indignation, whatever illegal activity" Santoyo might have engaged in.
He said the police and Defense Ministry had put Santoyo in charge of his security "without any intervention on my part."
Uribe, who left office in 2010, was immensely popular for security gains during his government, but has been plagued by corruption and domestic spying scandals involving close associates.
The May 24 indictment handed up by an eastern Virginia grand jury and unsealed last week alleges that Santoyo received "substantial bribes" in exchange for:
—Tipping off the traffickers to ongoing drug-trafficking investigations as well as wiretaps targeting them.
—Promising to "facilitate the transfer of corrupt police officers, who would further assist these drug-traffickers in their business."
—Notifying traffickers of upcoming arrest operations, including joint Colombian investigations with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
—Conducting unauthorized wiretaps on behalf of the traffickers.
—Provide intelligence collected by Colombian law enforcement to drug traffickers, including on people later targeted to be murdered by the traffickers.
A spokesman for U.S. Attorney Neil MacBride declined to comment on the indictment Monday.
Santoyo was chief of anti-kidnapping police in Medellin from 1996-1999. Uribe was governor from 1995-1997 of Antioquia, of which the city, Colombia's second-largest, is state capital.
From 2000-2002, Santoyo commanded an elite anti-terrorism task force. In 2008-2009 he was police attache to Italy.
Santoyo's alleged betrayal coincided with a huge influx of U.S. aid under Plan Colombia to fight drug traffickers and leftist rebels and included Uribe's decision to make peace with the far-right paramilitaries represented by the United Self-Defense Forces, known by its Spanish initials AUC.
The AUC was classified as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States in September 2001. Colombian authorities blame it for thousands of killings.
Most of the AUC's top leaders were extradited to the United States by Uribe in 2008 and a number of them have recently been cooperating with U.S. prosecutors in hopes of obtaining sentence reductions.
A former close adviser to Uribe, Jose Obdulio Gaviria, said the allegations against Santoyo could be revenge against Uribe from paramilitary warlords for having them extradited.
But Uribe's critics say the former president owes Colombians an explanation for why he stood by Santoyo when the police officer came under question a decade ago as a scandal broke over illegal wiretapping of human rights activists by members of the Medellin anti-kidnapping unit he had led. Two activists had disappeared and were feared killed.
Then-Col. Santoyo was never accused of involvement in the disappearances but the public prosecutor later deemed him responsible for the illegal wiretapping and ordered him fired.
Santoyo appealed to a high court and had the order overturned.
His promotion to general was recommended by then-police director Gen. Teodoro Campo, the defense minister at the time, Marta Lucia Ramirez, tweeted on Saturday.
"His superiors in the police guaranteed to me that (Santoyo) was an upright and ethical person," she said.
In 2008, four former members of the Medellin anti-kidnapping unit were sentenced to 11 years in prison each for hundreds of illegal wiretaps from late 1997 until early 2001.
Medellin court rejects ex-mayor's demands for re-election
An Ex-President Who Won't Keep Away


If Republicans opposed to Donald Trump's presidential nomination can't slow him down by mid-March, they'll have one final, desperate card to play.
By the time the Sunshine State holds its GOP primary March 15, Trump still won't have the 1,237 delegates needed to lock up the nomination. Even if he wins every nomination contest over the next two and a half weeks — in 19 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia — he'll be more than 200 delegates short.
Florida is the largest of five prizes up for grabs on March 15. (Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio also hold primaries that day.) A total 358 delegates are at stake that day, with Florida accounting for 99. Whichever GOP candidate finishes first gets all 99.
Such a sweep would give Trump an aura of inevitability that would create its own momentum, said Ford O'Connell, a Republican strategist in Washington who has a house in Naples, Fla.
"The more Trump wins, the more likely he is to be the nominee (because) the more psychologically people are going to think he's going to win," O'Connell said.


China plans to create a special economic zone near a bridge across the Amur River that will connect Russia's Far Eastern city of Blagoveshchensk with the northeastern Chinese city of Heihe, Russia's Amur region government said on Tuesday.
The construction of the Amur River bridge between Blagoveshchensk and China's Heihe has begun in Blagoveshchensk area, a representative of the Russian regional government said Saturday.
A fireball disintegrates into a number of pieces with a dazzling flash. The glaring white tail remains for two hours and is captured on film by a number of residents.
A woman rammed an armored military vehicle in eastern Russia, regional traffic police said Wednesday.
A cache of thousands of rare animal parts, minerals and Siberian mammoth bones suspected of being prepared for illegal shipment to China has been found in Russia's Far East, according to the security services.
Federal Security Service (FSB) agents have discovered an unlicensed oil refining operation in Russia's Far East that had produced an estimated 100 million rubles ($3 million) in revenues, an FSB spokeswoman told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
Rescuers have airlifted to safety two brown bears from a flooded tourism resort in Russia's Far East, a local Emergencies Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
As Russian officials put the finishing touches on a new pension plan that would peg Russian citizens' retirement money to their labor record and wages, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Wednesday that he was pleased to learn his future pension size was more than $2,000 a month.
A bust of Soviet leader Josef Stalin, one of the 20th century's most brutal dictators, was unveiled in the northeast Siberian city of Yakutsk on Wednesday, a Communist Party official said.
A couple living in a large barrel-shaped fuel tank have been stripped of the parental rights to their ten-month-old child, local prosecutors said on Wednesday.
A court in the Amur Region in Russia's Far East, has annulled a sentence handed down by a judge who fell asleep during a trial last year, a defense lawyer said on Monday.
Police in Russia's Far East Amur Region have seized some 600 kilograms (1,320 pounds) of mammoth tusks from residents of the neighboring Republic of Yakutia, the regional interior affairs department said on Monday.
The Russian forces should hand over maintenance and support services to suitably-experience commercial enterprises, and will consider buying equipment abroad if local suppliers fail to come up to scratch, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Saturday in an interview with the Rossiya TV channel.


» Megha Akash in Nithin – Hanu's movie!
In a sudden twist Nithin announced a movie in the production of Pawan Kalyan and Trivikram Srinivas. This prompted many to think that his other movie in the direction of Hanu Raghavapudi with 14 Reels Entertaintments as producers is stalled. Truth is that the movie has not dropped off. It is very much on and director Hanu Raghavapudi is currently in USA to scout locations for the movie.
Young hero Nithin, is basking in the success of his recent hit A…Aa starring Samantha, and directed by the magician of words Trivikram Srinivas. After a brief hiatus, though the actor has now signed yet another flick with reputed director Hanu Raghavapudi. Earlier Hanu Raghavapudi delivered massive hits such as Andala Rakshasi and "Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha.
The upcoming film was officially launched some time ago. The makers are planning to shoot the most of the film in the U.S.A and the unit is currently in Americ to scout locations for the film. The movie is expected to hit the floors in January.
Recently, they finalized a new actress, Megha Akash. She is going to make her debut in Telugu withn this film. In fact, she has only one film experience in Kollywood which is currently in its post-production stages. Before releasing her first movie in Tamil, she was flooded with many offers in Telugu. No official information has been made from the filmmakers whether the heroine is cast or not. We await for the announcement to be made.
On the other hand, Nithin, Pawan Kalyan and Trivikram Srinivas are teaming up for their upcoming venture which was officially launched yesterday in Hyderabad.


Anyone care to speculate as to when this pub will be open for business?
P.S. It already feels quite familiar, working in this new app. Hope to stop seeing those "Don't use this for serious stuff—or else!" warnings soon.
Hear! Hear! The difficulty is in trying to test out Publisher, a document is created (and yes, I have some attachment to it). If the builds aren't on auto-update, then there is no problem at all. But when I went back in to work on a document after being away for two weeks, it was pretty much unworkable. Still, I'm all in on this, so thank you for giving us the opportunity.
You seem really close now.
What are the key features you plan to add before you leave Beta?
The "key features" are the ones, which are already built in. Don't expect more — especially, because it is much more rich and elaborated as we all expected, before the beta finally was launched.
Be aware, that it can't be expected and isn't possible to integrate all features, which are incorporated in 2 decades old publishing apps, in an initial version of a completely new programm.
Well.... oh no that would be a spoiler. There are some important ones still to come some soon. They will need to pass internal testing. Whether they make it into the release of Affinity Publisher 1.7, I expect they will be in the release before too long.
You know that those who have not followed this beta process (the majority of the world) will look at the 1.7.0 release and pick on one 'missing' feature they are used to in a 20+ year old product and dismiss the whole program without an understanding of where we are going with this suite, or that 1.x free updates can include new features as well as fixes. We may depend upon social media followers and forum regulars who undestand how far we have come, how quickly and our ambitions, to suggest to doubters that a little patience will be rewarding.
I understand but _assuming_ your pricing strategy is constant with your other products, then your comparisons are really the free products no?
...then your comparisons are really the free products no?


People are more original than they think—this is suggested by a literary text analysis method of stylometry proposed by scientists from the Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences. The author's individuality can be seen in the connections between no more than a dozen words in an English text. It turns out that in Slavic languages, authorship identification requires even fewer words, and is more certain.
"The conclusions of our research are, on the one hand, encouraging. They indicate that the individuality of any person manifests itself clearly in the way they use a surprisingly small number of words. But there is also a dark side. Since it turns out that people are so original, it will be easier to identify individuals by their statements," says Professor Stanislaw Drozdz of Cracow University of Technology.
"In the case of English texts, we identified the authors correctly in almost 90 percent of cases. In addition, in order to achieve success, it was necessary to trace the connections between only 10 to 12 words of the examined text. Contrary to naive intuition, a further increase in the number of words studied did not significantly increase the effectiveness of the method," says Stanisz.
"In comparison with English, Polish seems to give greater possibilities of revealing the style of the author. We think that the other Slavic languages are characterised by similar features. English is a positional language, which means that the order of the words in a sentence is important. This sort of language leaves less room for an individual style of expression than the Slavic languages, in which inflection, or variation, determines the role of a word or phrase in a sentence. This allows for greater freedom to organize the order of words in a sentence, while its meaning remains unchanged," says Prof. Drozdz.


text:
EFFector - Volume 18, Issue 39 - Are You Infected with Sony-BMG's Rootkit?
EFFector Vol. 18, No. 39 November 11, 2005
A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation ISSN 1062-9424
In the 355th Issue of EFFector:
Are You Infected with Sony-BMG's Rootkit?
Sony-BMG Rootkit: EFF Collecting Stories, Considering Litigation
News Website Can Keep Domain Name After Trademark Fight
PATRIOT Alert: A Battle Won, but Urgent Action Still Needed
Passing the Buck: or, the Printer as a Fine French Wine
Anti-Cell Phone Tracking Judicial Revolution Spreads to NYC
Non-Profit Coalition Wins Challenge to Federal Watch-List Policy
miniLinks (9): DRM This, Sony!
EFF Confirms Secret Software on 19 CDs
San Francisco - News that some Sony-BMG music CDs install secret rootkit software on their owners' computers has shocked and angered thousands of music fans in recent days. Among the cause for concern is Sony's refusal to publicly list which CDs contain the infectious software and to provide a way for music fans to remove it. Now, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has confirmed that the stealth program is deployed on at least 19 CDs in a variety of genres.
The software, created by First 4 Internet and known as XCP2, ostensibly "protects" the music from illegal copying. But in fact, it blocks a number of legal uses--like listening to songs on your iPod. The software also reportedly slows down your computer and makes it more susceptible to crashes and third-party attacks. And since the program is designed to hide itself, users may have trouble diagnosing the problem.
"Entertainment companies often complain that fans refuse to respect their intellectual property rights. Yet tools like this refuse to respect our own personal property rights," said EFF staff attorney Jason Schultz. "Sony's tactics here are hypocritical, in addition to being a security threat."
If you listened to a CD with the XCP software on your Windows PC, your computer is likely already infected. An EFF investigation confirmed XCP software on 19 titles, but it's far from a complete list. Sony-BMG continues to refuse to make such a list available to consumers.
Consumers can spot CDs with XCP by inspecting a CD closely, checking the left transparent spine on the front of the case for a label that says "CONTENT PROTECTED." The back of these CDs also mention XCP in fine print. You can find pictures of these and other telltale labeling at http://www.eff.org/IP/DRM/Sony-BMG/.
"Music fans should protect themselves from this stealth attack on their computer system," said EFF Senior Staff Attorney Fred von Lohmann.
For EFF's list of CDs with XCP:
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/archives/004144.php
The "legalese rootkit" - Sony-BMG's EULA:
For this release:
http://www.eff.org/news/archives/2005_11.php#004146
EFF is collecting stories from EFF members and supporters who have purchased Sony-BMG CDs that contained the rootkit copy protection software. We're considering whether the effect on the public, or on EFF members, is sufficiently serious to merit EFF filing a lawsuit.
If you satisfy the following criteria, we would like to hear from you:
You have a Windows computer;
First 4 Internet's XCP copy protection has been installed on your computer from a Sony CD (for more details, see our blog post referenced above or the SysInternals blog, http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/2005/10/sony-rootkits-and-digital-rights.html);
You reside in either California or New York; and
You are willing to participate in litigation.
We have not made a final decision about filing any legal action, but we would like to hear from music fans who have been harmed by the Sony-BMG rootkit copy protection technology. Please contact allison@eff.org for more information.
AcompliaReport.com Settles Fair Use Dispute with Drug Company
San Francisco - A medical news website, with the assistance of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), settled a dispute with a French pharmaceutical giant over using the name of a trademarked medication, Acomplia.
The settlement came after EFF filed suit on behalf of the AcompliaReport.com, an independent online newsletter devoted to reporting about a drug called Acomplia. Acomplia may help consumers lose weight and quit smoking, but is not yet approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since March 2004, AcompliaReport.com has published original news and commentary about Acomplia's clinical trials, the drug approval process, and anti-obesity drugs in general--all aimed at helping consumers make more informed decisions about their health.
To emphasize the newsletter's impartiality, every page has always included the subheading "your independent source of news and reviews about the new diet drug Acomplia." Nevertheless, drug maker Sanofi-Aventis claimed that the use of the term "Acomplia" in the AcompliaReport domain name created a "risk of confusion." Sanofi asked an international arbitrator to order the domain name transferred, alleging that the publisher of the AcompliaReport, Milton R. Benjamin, was a cybersquatter. Benjamin promptly sought a declaration from a U.S. district court protecting his right to the domain name, claiming both fair use and First Amendment rights to the name as an online publisher.
"Sanofi's tactics threatened to quash free and accurate speech," said EFF staff attorney Corynne McSherry. "The website uses the Acomplia mark solely to refer to Sanofi's product. That use is a textbook fair use. And basic First Amendment principles barred Sanofi from using trademark law to shut down an independent news site."
Under terms of Tuesday's settlement, AcompliaReport.com keeps its domain name, as long as there is a disclaimer stating that the website is not associated with Sanofi-Aventis.
"We are happy to have this absurd dispute behind us, enabling us to focus on independent coverage of the regulatory process and further development of a novel drug that appears to have the potential to be of considerable benefit to many people," said Benjamin. "A news site needs to be able to use a trademarked name in order to report on a trademarked product."
Over the next few days, select members of the US House and Senate will be haggling in conference over the wording of a new bill to renew the USA PATRIOT Act.
Thanks in part to your calls and lobbying, the House of Representatives has already instructed its conferees to attach shorter four year "sunset" provisions to some of the act's more outrageous surveillance powers. But there are plenty more checks and balances that still need to be added.
That's why we're asking everyone to call your Representative and Senators and urge them to tell the conference members to support the Senate version of the bill, which contains new safeguards lacking in the House version.
Now is your last best chance to influence the debate over PATRIOT before the renewal bill reaches the President's desk. Find out the phone numbers of your Representative and Senators by clicking below. You'll find more information on the PATRIOT bill and a suggested phone script for you to use.
Don't hesitate -- call today!
https://action.eff.org/site/Advocacy?alertId=177&pg=makeACall
Xerox responded to our research on how printers made by Xerox and other companies track the origin of documents you print. Its new "Xerox Statement on Counterfeit Detection" contains some bizarre suggestions. The most prominent of these is that Xerox's invasions of privacy are OK because other privacy invasions are worse.
"Unlike much of the computer spy-ware prevalent on the internet today, the yellow dots do not 'contact' Xerox or the government and send user content or location," the statement reads. "In a world where your cell phone gives your location, all your phone calls are logged and available on the net, your credit card transactions compiled and your network browsing stored, the 'yellow dots' are innocuous and they give considerable protection against specific criminal behavior, such as counterfeiting."
That's right: Xerox defends its decision because it's not as big an intrusion as spyware, wiretapping, or spying on you through your cell phone. It's the everybody-else-is-doing-it excuse. The company seems to be channelling Sun CEO Scott McNealy, who told a group of journalists in 1999 that "[y]ou have zero privacy anyway. Get over it."
EFF and other privacy advocates have been fighting for years to reverse the trends Xerox mentions, or to enhance the tools available to the public for defending themselves. This month, we won major victories as courts, agreeing with our legal arguments, restricted the government's ability to use cell phones to track individuals' movements. We also fought for the public's right to use encryption to send private e-mail and make private telephone calls, and we supported the development of Tor to help users browse the Internet without identifying themselves. We argued for computer users' rights to remove spyware from their own computers and to teach others how to do so. EFF fought and won court cases protecting the anonymity of on-line critics. Through these cases, we helped extend the U.S. tradition of legal protection for anonymous pamphleteers firmly into the on-line world.
Xerox goes on to say that we should actually be reassured by the tracking, since it's for our own protection. "Many products--cars, food, medicines, computers, toys and many more, have such features for the protection of customers. French wines put this proudly on their label."
While it's comforting to know that our office equipment has something in common with a fine wine, our privacy is threatened in a particular way by tracking systems embedded in our communication technologies, in a way that it is typically not threatened by toys or beverages.
For the full Xerox statement:
http://www.eff.org/Privacy/printers/?f=xerox-statement.html
For more analysis:
One more magistrate judge refused to allow the government's practice of secretly using cell phones to track people without probable cause--this time in the Southern District of New York (Manhattan). The magistrate judge declined to grant the government's request "without further briefing from the Government concerning the propriety of issuing these orders."
The SDNY judge sought further briefing due to an August decision from a magistrate judge in the Eastern District of New York (Long Island) denying a similar government request. The government provided a letter brief in support, and, upon the court's request, the SDNY Federal Defender's Office responded last week with an amicus brief in opposition.
The US Attorney for the SDNY faces an uphill battle: Two courts (the EDNY and the Southern District of Texas) considered the government's arguments so far, and both found them completely unpersuasive. Recognizing the importance of this decision, both magistrate judges urged an appeal in order to allow a Circuit Court to rule on this pernicious practice.
Nevertheless, the US Attorney's Offices in those jurisdictions elected not to appeal the adverse decisions. This has not prevented the SDNY US Attorney from moving forward here, however. Distressingly, the government's brief reveals that US Attorneys offices all over the country have "routinely applied for and obtained court orders [compelling] cellular telephone companies to report...cell site data, for a particular cell phone on a prospective basis."
EFF applauds those judges and magistrates who care enough about your rights to challenge the government when it makes these unsubstantiated requests for cell site data.
For more on government cell phone tracking:
http://www.eff.org/legal/cases/USA_v_PenRegister/
Nonprofit Coalition Wins Challenge to Federal Watch-List Policy
EFF and 12 other national nonprofit organizations won their battle against a government fundraising policy that required checking employees against terrorist government watch-lists. It's a big victory for free speech and privacy--not to mention the nonprofits and the federal employees who want to support them through the Combined Federal Campaign, or CFC.
CFC allows federal workers to donate to charities with automatic payroll deductions, and it raises hundreds of millions of dollars every year for thousands of organizations. But CFC rules put in place last year would have forced us to check all of our employees and expenditures against several anti-terrorism "black lists" of people and organizations that the government suspects are linked to terrorism.
EFF withdrew from the program in protest. We knew that those watch-lists are created by the government with secret information that is notoriously unreliable and we refused to violate the privacy of our clients and employees. But now that the federal government dropped the list-checking requirements, EFF will join the CFC again. We hope that our members will support us and the new policy by donating to EFF through the CFC.
Press release from the ACLU:
http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=16239&c=206
miniLinks features noteworthy news items from around the Internet.
DRM This, Sony!
CNET's Molly Wood lays the smack down on Sony and their deceptive DRM.
http://www.cnet.com/4520-6033_1-6376177.html
Forrester Grieves for the Music Industry
Suggests they're passing through denial, anger, bargaining, depression--and hopefully, one day, acceptance.
http://www.forrester.com/Research/Document/Excerpt/0,7211,36036,00.html
DRM Crippled CD: A Bizarre Tale
Market strategist Barry Ritholtz fumes at the idiocy of copy- restricted CDs.
http://bigpicture.typepad.com/comments/2005/10/drm_crippled_cd.html
DRM and Universities
A sad, first-hand account of academics demanding DRM for their own lectures.
http://ono.cdlib.org/archives/shimenawa/000198.html
Computer HDTV tuners down to $150
In a market that would have been eliminated by the broadcast flag, competition works its magic.
http://www.fusionhdtv.co.kr/eng/Products/HDTV5usb.aspx
The Hole Truth From Wendy Seltzer
Brooklyn Law prof and EFF alumni deconstructs last Thursday's broadcast flag hearing.
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/home/home?wid=10&func=viewSubmission&sid=846
Microsoft Reverse-Engineers iPod
Wants to provide iPod to Xbox 360 compatibility.
http://news.com.com/2100-1041_3-5931847.html
Orphaned Works in our Neighborhood
Bookfinder's founder discovers even his local pasta shop is affected by copyright's problems.
http://journal.bookfinder.com/archives/entry/000225.html
Loose Lips Infringe Trademarks
The New York Metro is attempting to trademark the security warning "See Something, Say Something."
http://www.nysun.com/article/22550
No entries this week.
EFFector is published by:
The Electronic Frontier Foundation
454 Shotwell Street
San Francisco CA 94110-1914 USA
+1 415 436 9333 (voice)
http://www.eff.org/
Rebecca Jeschke, Media Coordinator
rebecca@eff.org
Membership & donation queries:
membership@eff.org
General EFF, legal, policy, or online resources queries:
information@eff.org
Reproduction of this publication in electronic media is encouraged. Signed articles do not necessarily represent the views of EFF. To reproduce signed articles individually, please contact the authors for their express permission. Press releases and EFF announcements & articles may be reproduced individually at will.
Current and back issues of EFFector are available via the Web at:
http://www.eff.org/effector/


text:
Q: Problemas con mensajes de alerta en python selenium webdriver Al ingresar a una página web con selenium webdriver me aparece siempre esta ventana de alerta, para ingresar mi usuario, contraseña e ingresar:

Este mensaje no permite seleccionar el "inspeccionar", así que he estando intentando interactuar con este cuadro emergente a través de estas funciones:
alert = driver.switch_to.alert
alert.send_keys('Some text to send')
alert.accept()

Pero Python siempre me muestra el mismo error: Message: no such alert
Como si no fuera un mensaje de alerta lo que aparece en la ventana, entonces como puedo hacer entonces para rellenar este cuadro emergente con mi usuario y contraseña, y luego darle aceptar?

A: Esta ventana de login se produce por culpa del .htaccess, al intentar acceder a una zona restringida. Esta ventana se genera mucho antes de que el navegador genere el código HTML, por eso Selenium no puede actuar dado que aún no se ha cargado la página.
Una posible solución sería crear un Thread con selenium y usar un time.sleep(3 seg) y seguidamente ejecutar otro Thread con pyautogui para el registro.
1.- Crear el main y crear los dos Threads.
2.- Crear un Thread con selenium que incluya un Time.sleep() #Con esto le dará tiempo a que el pyautogui pueda ejecutarse y simular el registro#
3.- Crear un Thread con pyautogui
4.- Run del Thread del selenium y seguidamente el Run del Thread con pyautogui
Espero que funcione. Ya nos contarás.

A: Si utilizar selenium y pyautogui es una solución (como se explica en la respuesta anterior), pero sigue siendo un problema no poder ejecutar pyautogui en segundo plano, lo único que se me ocurre es ocultar el navegador posicionándolo fuera de las dimensiones del monitor:
from selenium import webdriver
import pyautogui

x_size, y_size = pyautogui.size()

chrome_options = webdriver.ChromeOptions()

chrome_options.add_argument(f'--window-position=-{x_size},-{y_size}')
chrome_options.add_argument(f'--window-size={x_size},{y_size}')

driver = webdriver.Chrome(executable_path='chromedriver.exe', chrome_options=chrome_options)

De esta manera el navegador tiene las mismas dimensiones que el monitor pero se encuentra en una posición tal que es invisible al usuario.
Sigue apareciendo el icono del navegador en la barra de tareas, y si quieres introducir datos en el prompt que muestra la página tendrías que mover el cursor a dicha posición.
NOTA:
Después de realizar el loggin podrías ocultar el icono del navegador de la barra de tareas listando los procesos activos y usando la utilidad cmdow.
No se si te servirá. Un saludo.


CLEOCIN T (clindamycin topical) Topical Solution and CLEOCIN T Topical Lotion contain clindamycin phosphate, USP, at a concentration equivalent to 10 mg clindamycin per milliliter. CLEOCIN T Topical Gel contains clindamycin phosphate, USP, at a concentration equivalent to 10 mg clindamycin per gram. Each CLEOCIN T (clindamycin topical) Topical Solution pledget applicator contains approximately 1 mL of topical solution.
The chemical name for clindamycin phosphate is Methyl 7-chloro-6,7,8-trideoxy-6-(1- methyl-trans-4-propyl-L-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamido)-1-thio-L-threo-?-D-galacto- octopyranoside 2-(dihydrogen phosphate).
What are the possible side effects of clindamycin topical (Cleocin T, Clindagel, ClindaMax, ClindaReach Pledget, Evoclin)?
What are the precautions when taking clindamycin topical (Cleocin T)?
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: chronic asthma or hay fever (atopic conditions), intestinal diseases (e.g., ulcerative colitis, enteritis).
SIDE EFFECTS: Burning, itching, dryness, redness, oily skin or skin peeling may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
A small amount of this medication may be absorbed into your bloodstream and may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea) due to a resistant bacteria. This condition may occur while receiving treatment or even weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if you have the following symptoms because these products may make them worse. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, or blood/mucus in your stool.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using clindamycin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to lincomycin; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
What is clindamycin topical (Cleocin T)?
What are the possible side effects of clindamycin topical (Cleocin T)?
What is the most important information I should know about clindamycin topical (Cleocin T)?
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using clindamycin topical (Cleocin T)?
How should I use clindamycin topical (Cleocin T)?
What happens if I miss a dose (Cleocin T)?
What happens if I overdose (Cleocin T)?
What should I avoid while taking clindamycin topical (Cleocin T)?
What other drugs will affect clindamycin topical (Cleocin T)?
Clindamycin is an antibiotic. Clindamycin topical prevents bacteria from growing on the skin.
Clindamycin topical (for the skin) is used to treat severe acne.
Clindamycin topical may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Use clindamycin topical exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Using more medicine or applying it more often than prescribed will not make it work any faster, and may increase side effects. Do not use this medication for longer than your doctor has prescribed.
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If it does get into your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water.
Although this medicine is applied to the skin, your body may absorb enough clindamycin to cause serious side effects. You may not be able to use this medication if you have inflammation of your intestines (also called enteritis), ulcerative colitis, or if you have ever had severe diarrhea caused by antibiotic medicine.


text:
Going platinum
Applying an ancient Egyptian technique to fuel-cell cars
Image caption: Platinum is difficult to mine and refine, but it is an extremely useful metal, catalyzing reactions between other molecules without being affected itself. This makes it a key ingredient in the production of electronics and fuel—particularly fuel cell-powered cars.
Image credit: Harry Campbell
By Julie Scharper
/ Published Spring 2018
It sounds almost too good to be true—an electric car powered by hydrogen gas, emitting not exhaust but a cloud of harmless water vapor. Without a battery to charge, these fuel cell–powered vehicles are more convenient than traditional electric cars. But the fuel cells are made with platinum, one of the rarest and most valuable metals on earth. The cars are being manufactured but are simply too expensive for most drivers.
A Johns Hopkins team led by Chao Wang, an assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, has come up with a technique to make these fuel cells cheaper and more effective: coating inexpensive cobalt with a layer of platinum atoms just one nanometer thick—about 100,000 times thinner than a strand of hair. Wang says he was inspired by a book he read as a child, which described how the ancient Egyptians would coat masks, jewelry, and sarcophagi made from inexpensive materials with a thin layer of gold.
Platinum is difficult to mine and refine, but it is extremely useful. A nonreactive metal, it works as a sort of matchmaker, catalyzing reactions between other molecules without being affected itself. This makes it a key ingredient in the production of electronics, fuel, medications, and more. And, of course, its sheen and durability make it desirable for jewelry. In a fuel cell–powered car, platinum speeds up a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen from the air, producing electricity and water. "Precious metals are precious not only due to their rareness but also because of their unique properties and capabilities," Wang says. "A lot of industrial processes rely on precious metal catalysts. We couldn't apply precious metals to every surface in which we'd like to use them."
Wang wasn't the first to try plating precious metals onto less-expensive metals at the nanoscale, but previous attempts had failed because the nonprecious metal would oxidize, undergoing a chemical change in the presence of oxygen. Wang's team experimented with flooding the cobalt with carbon monoxide. It worked—the CO gas prevented oxidation, freeing the cobalt to bind with the platinum.
After the carbon monoxide treatment, platinum atoms were wrapped around a core of cobalt nanoparticles, completely covering the nonprecious metal. But the hybrid metal did not behave exactly like pure platinum; it actually proved to be 10 times more effective as a catalyst than platinum alone. The close proximity of the two metals' atoms enhances platinum's power as a catalyst. "We save money and get better performance, which is the whole goal," Wang says.
"There are still a lot of questions to answer: Could we make it even better by using different metals? Can we generalize this approach to other catalysts?" Wang says. Another hurdle, he adds, is how to scale up the manufacturing. Since his team's initial experiments with cobalt, they have moved on to bonding platinum to copper, which they find to be an even more effective combination. The team expects to publish this research later this year. Wang's group is also exploring other applications for the technology, including in solar panels. Wang is hopeful that the technique could be used in electric car fuel cells within the next five years. "My goal has always been to drive a car with my own fuel cell technology," he says.
Posted in Science+Technology
Tagged chemical engineering, biomolecular engineering
More from the Spring 2018 issue
Efficient electricity
Gilded age of electric cars?
Technique makes electric cars more efficient and cost-effective, helping accelerate movement away from fossil fuels


Jeanette Jäger is a digital pioneer of Sweden. She is still passionate about internet and the digital revolution, 20 years after having launched the first Internet bank in Sweden. Presently Ms Jäger is holding the position as CEO of Bankgirot, the most experienced fintech in Sweden. Her executive management team is numbered 5 women and 5 men, stating that gender is not an issue if you focus on competencies. The gender numbers totalling Bankgirot is 53% women and 47% men. At her previous employer, Tieto she was part of the team that attained an Edge assessment, the Global Business Certification for Gender Equality.


text:
Cost to rebuild Offutt after the flood now estimated at $420 million
Floodwaters from the Missouri River overtook a large portion of the airfield at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on March 17. At least nine aircraft were evacuated. (Air Force)
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. — The Air Force is raising its cost estimate to $420 million to repair and rebuild at Nebraska's Offutt Air Force Base following severe flooding that forced officials to scramble to save munitions and move aircraft to higher ground.
More than 130 structures were damaged by the Missouri River flooding at the base that houses the U.S. military's Strategic Command. Roughly 60 of those structures were damaged beyond repair and will need to be demolished, said John Henderson, assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and energy.
"It wasn't just the water, it was what was in the water," Henderson told the Omaha World-Herald. The floodwaters ran as deep as 9 feet (2.7 meters) in some places and left behind a toxic sludge.
The Air Force is spinning toward a $4 billion financial disaster
On May 1, Tyndall Air Force Base will be unable to pay for any new hurricane relief projects at the base. That's just the start.
Valerie InsinnaandJoe Gould
The latest estimate is $70 million more than the initial estimate issued last month as part of the Air Force's $4.9 billion federal funding request for disaster relief. The call for emergency funding would also cover damage from Hurricane Michael nearly leveling Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida last fall.
Henderson said $300 million would be designated to design and build new structures at the Offutt Air Force Base, while $120 million will go toward cleanup and the repair of structures that can be saved.
Most of the new facilities will be built on higher ground, if possible, Henderson said.
The two levees protecting Offutt that were overwhelmed by floodwaters this spring are slated to be raised through a $30 million project by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District.
Offutt runway gets clean bill of health after flooding, limited operations resume
It remains unclear when the nine aircraft that were evacuated as floodwaters closed in might be able to return to the Nebraska base.
Henderson said it's important for the two-year project to move forward. Construction was expected to begin this spring, but it's been pushed back because of flood damage to the levees.
John Winkler, the district's general manager, said they're working with the Army Corps of Engineers to assess the damage. Winkler said crews will need dry weather and lowered river water levels to get started.
About The Associated Press


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text:
WORLD FUSION TACOS
Homemade Corn Tortilla (Small)
Sodium 65 mg
Total Fat 2 g
Potassium 95 mg
Saturated 0 g
Total Carbs 18 g
Polyunsaturated 0 g
Monounsaturated 0 g
Trans 0 g
Vegan YES
Nuts NO
Dairy NO
Weight Watcher Point 2
Beef Short Ribs Vandaloo
Vegetarian NO
Vegetarian Indian Samosa Filling
Total Carbs 0 g
Malaysian Thai Chicken Curry
The origins of the taco are not precisely known, and etymologies for the culinary usage of the word are generally theoretical.[1] According to the Real Academia Española, publisher of Diccionario de la Lengua Española, the word taco describes a typical Mexican dish of a maize tortilla folded around food.[2] This meaning of the Spanish word "taco" is a Mexican innovation, but in other dialects "taco" is used to mean "wedge; wad, plug; billiard cue; blowpipe; ramrod; short, stocky person; [or] short, thick piece of wood." In this non-culinary usage, the word "taco" has cognates in other European languages, including the French word "tache" and the English word "tack (nail)."[citation needed]
According to one etymological theory, the culinary meaning of "taco" derives from its "plug" meaning as employed among Mexican silver miners, who used explosive charges in plug form consisting of a paper wrapper and gunpowder filling.[1]
Indigenous origins for the culinary word "taco" are also proposed. One possibility is that the word derives from the Nahuatl word "tlahco", meaning "half" or "in the middle,"[3] in the sense that food would be placed in the middle of a tortilla.[4] Furthermore, dishes analogous to the taco were known to have existed in Pre-Columbian society—for example, the Náhuatl word "tlaxcalli" (a type of corn tortilla).[3]
The taco predates the arrival of the Spanish in Mexico. There is anthropological evidence that the indigenous people living in the lake region of the Valley of Mexico traditionally ate tacos filled with small fish. Writing at the time of the Spanish conquistadors, Bernal Díaz del Castillo documented the first taco feast enjoyed by Europeans, a meal which Hernán Cortés arranged for his captains in Coyoacán.[5][6]
Traditional tacos
There are many traditional varieties of tacos:
Tacos al pastor made with adobadameat.
· Tacos al pastor/de adobada ("shepherd style") are made of thin pork steaks seasoned with adobo seasoning, then skewered and overlapped on one another on a vertical rotisserie cooked and flame-broiled as it spins.
· Tacos de asador ("spit" or "grill" tacos) may be composed of any of the following: carne asada tacos; tacos de tripita ("tripe tacos"), grilled until crisp; and, chorizo asado (traditional Spanish-style sausage). Each type is served on two overlapped small tortillas and sometimes garnished with guacamole, salsa, onions, and cilantro (coriander). Also, prepared on the grill is a sandwiched taco called mulita ("little mule") made with meat served between two tortillas and garnished with Oaxaca style cheese. "Mulita" is used to describe these types of sandwiched tacos in the Northern States of Mexico while they are known as Gringa in the Mexican south and are prepared using wheat flour tortillas. Tacos may also be served with salsa.[7][8]
· Tacos de cabeza ("head tacos"), in which there is a flat punctured metal plate from which steam emerges to cook the head of the cow. These include: Cabeza, a serving of the muscles of the head; Sesos ("brains"); Lengua("tongue"); Cachete ("cheeks"); Trompa ("lips"); and, Ojo ("eye"). Tortillas for these tacos are warmed on the same steaming plate for a different consistency. These tacos are typically served in pairs, and also include salsa, onion, and cilantro (coriander) with occasional use of guacamole.
· Tacos de camarones ("shrimp tacos") also originated in Baja California in Mexico. Grilled or fried shrimp are used, usually with the same accompaniments as fish tacos: lettuce or cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado and a sour cream or citrus/mayonnaise sauce, all placed on top of a corn or flour tortilla.
· Tacos de cazo (literally "bucket tacos") for which a metal bowl filled with lard is typically used as a deep-fryer. Meats for these types of tacos typically include Tripa ("tripe", usually from a pig instead of a cow); Suadero (tender beef cuts), Carnitas and Buche (Literally, "crop", as in bird's crop; here, it is fried pig's esophagus.
· Tacos de lengua (beef tongue tacos), which are cooked in water with onions, garlic, and bay leaves for several hours until tender and soft, then sliced and sautéed in a small amount of oil. "It is said that unless a taqueria offers tacos de lengua, it is not a real taqueria."
Two fish tacos in Bonita, California
· Tacos de pescado ("fish tacos") originated in Baja California in Mexico, where they consist of grilled or fried fish, lettuce or cabbage, pico de gallo, and a sour cream or citrus/mayonnaise sauce, all placed on top of a corn or flour tortilla. In the United States, they were first popularized by the Rubio's fast-food chain, and remain most popular in California, Colorado, and Washington. In California, they are often found at street vendors, and a regional variation is to serve them with cabbage and coleslaw dressing on top.
· Tacos dorados (fried tacos; literally, "golden tacos") called flautas ("flute", because of the shape), or taquitos, for which the tortillas are filled with pre-cooked shredded chicken, beef or barbacoa, rolled into an elongated cylinder and deep-fried until crisp. They are sometimes cooked in a microwave oven or broiled.
· Tacos sudados ("sweaty tacos") are made by filling soft tortillas with a spicy meat mixture, then placing them in a basket covered with cloth. The covering keeps the tacos warm and traps steam ("sweat") which softens them.


Enigmatic R&B singer Frank Ocean is releasing his first new tracks in years. His album, Boys Don't Cry, will live exclusively on Apple Music for two weeks starting Friday, after which it'll become more widely available, according to the New York Times (paywall).
Yet the musician's most dedicated fans will still have to head to the store. But not a record store. An Apple store.
A feature of the deal is that Boys Don't Cry will be accompanied by a printed publication of the same name that will only be distributed at Apple stores. A photo on Ocean's website shows a heap of glossy, none-too-cheap-looking magazines. The singer has also hinted in the past that he'd personally edited a publication related to the record.
It's reminiscent of when bands like Pearl Jam released albums on vinyl before the CD came out, when "real fans" would search for limited editions and hard-to-find Japanese versions of albums. In many ways, it's closer to what sneaker releases are nowadays.
That this printed accompaniment will only be available through Apple's physical stores means that serious Ocean fans will not only have to download Apple Music for a listen of the new album, they'll have to venture into an Apple store as well—a throwback in the era of pure digital consumption that streaming has set up thus far and a reward to the faithful.
Ocean's Apple Music deal is otherwise similar to the exclusivity windows for albums that Apple and others have negotiated in the past, such as with Drake's Views earlier this year.
Of course, it's a smart ploy on Apple's part—using exclusive artist deals to usher people into a place where they'll be sold more and more Apple products, as well as urging them to sign up for the company's $9.99 subscription music service in the first place.
Consumers may be less enthused. They might even opt to get their fix the old-fashioned way—illegally.


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But still Sir John delayed; no tomb replaced them. I had no doubt their art had considerably more achievement, originality, intelligence and depth than the art that was being mass-marketed as the leading brand, sorry - art, of our times. Rhyme and metre helped the poets to keep the tumult of their perceptions in order.
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When, after the long voyage, the ships dropped anchor in the great river of the Plate and the men went exploring through the undulating lands, startling grazing herds of deer, write my theology paper the limbs of savages between the trees, they filled their pockets with pebbles that might be emeralds or sand that might be gold; or sometimes, rounding a headland, they saw, far off, a string of savages slowly descending to the beach bearing on their heads and linking their shoulders together with heavy burdens for the Spanish King.
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When I had jumped back, barely two seconds ago, the glass doors of the cabinet had shattered. Instead, she thanks him profusely for his published works. A popular arrangement was to build the chapel two stories high, with the nave divided horizontally; the family sat in the upper part, reached from their chamber, while the servants occupied the lower part. But they remain, something that has been stated and must eternally endure.
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She now describes herself as 'an independent London artist', and is currently painting prolifically.Send Message. Jeannette still wanted to believe that her father would soon give her a life that her and her siblings deserved. History A Gothic Story Movie Analysis: Chicago Citation Generator. Food Origins Jeannette truly believed that this time would be different than all the other times he tried to quit, because it was for her.
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She captured the absolute comfort and safety of a home. No matter where she is she always keeps her parents in the back of her mind. She learned to have hope for a brighter future. Although Walls's childhood gushes with heartbreaking tales of searching through dumpsters for food, she remains as unbitter as possible and �show more content�.


less than downtown. MOONBEAM 230 • SHOPPING CENTER BUSINESS • May 2018 Cushman & Wakefield estimates that up to 1,000 department stores will close this year. "You have to be flexible in to- day's environment," says Maksin. "And you've got to be able to change the REAs," adding that the Moonbeam companies do not carry debt, which gives them flexibility as landlords to reuse mall space. "This gives us a competitive edge over traditional mall owners who are stuck with the quintessential REA that is only retail-related," Maksin says. "If you are lev- eraged, bankers may not understand what you are doing, and they may not allow you to change the uses." PREPARING FOR FUTURE USES MCI's work to bring in alternative users and non-traditional retailers to the malls in its portfolio is laying the groundwork for a new strategy for the company. "The days of the old cookie-cutter ways of putting in apparel-based retailers are gone," Maksin says. "You need to come in and, for example, look at the ceiling height. Maybe you can do a trampoline center." MCI is adapting to the new nor- mal in retail by exploring such diverse tenants. "We recognize that American malls are struggling these days," says Shawl Pryor, MCI's senior vice president. "Converting retail centers to office space is gaining mo- mentum, particularly for specialized uses. Landlords have been left with 50,000 to 200,000-square-foot vacant boxes on their properties. We have begun to think out- side of the proverbial box by expanding relationships with office and industrial brokers and doing conversions from re- tail space to alternative uses. We have the amenities at our properties for quick, convenient shopping, dining and enter- tainment. Also, you can look at the infra- structure already in place not only within the building but entire property — water, sewer and fiber optics. So there are a lot of benefits for the traditional office user that would otherwise lease downtown to consider converting vacant anchor space at the mall for office use." Pryor adds that most of the malls in MCI's portfolio are located near major highways. Not only are the locations con- veniently accessible, the rents also cost "A 40-story building would cost ap- proximately $7 to $10 per square foot to operate, whereas most malls would be half the price, $3 or $4 per square foot at most," says Pryor. "Not only is such a lease economically viable to the landlord and tenant, the proximity to restaurants and the ability to have ample parking space are what really attracts the office tenants to the mall sites." Existing retailers and restaurants are unanimously enjoying the new big-box oc- cupiers, Maksin says. "They welcome the conversion of a separate structure, which may have formerly been a Belk or Sears building that sat vacant for years," Maksin Visit us at ICSC RECon 2018 • Booth S4610 P Street To schedule a meeting at RECon, email RealEstate@SportClips.com www.SportClips.com Expanding in all 50 states and Canada Requirements: • Typical Store is 1,000-1,400 sf with 15-20 ft. average frontage. • Minimum population 30,000 in a 3 mile radius. • Targeting medium to higher income households. • In-line with major anchors, out-parcels or strong retail strip centers – all work for us. • National co-tenants preferred. • Good visibility with access and ample parking. NOW WITH OVER 1,750 LOCATIONS! Moonbeam recenlty purchased a marina in Brooklyn, New York, from the National Park Service. The company plans to redevelop the property.


Thirsty Thursdays are back at the SAQ (ok they're not officially called that) and I had a good enough window of time to be able to attend. 4 whiskys for 15$ even if you fall in a dud line-up it's still a great way to expand your palate.
By now even the casual whisky drinker will know of Auchentoshan's triple distillation. Usually they will go on about how it's more it an Irish thing to do, although I've come to learn that isn't necessarily the case.
It's core expressions are usually affordable, making them a maintain of those top 10 lists, you know the ones, top 10 whiskys for beginners, top 10 gifts for fathers day under 75$.
What is certain is that in its OB format 'Toshan tends to be very polarizing, it's a supple spirit that is often presented at anemic proofs and can be botoxed to excess by oak manipulation. This will be the first time I have an older version.
It's a mix of bourbon & sherry casks no specific vatting info.
Nose: Pastry dough, or let's make that cinnamon buns, apple, some guava. I get a good bit of the grain coming through, powdered sugar, a little latex. It's pretty delicate, with time develops some fruitiness, jujubes. A smidge of pineapple.
Palate: Milk chocolate, cashews, candlewax, raisins, I get a bit of sulfur, powdered ginger, lemon rind, there is a surprising amount if grip for 43%.
Finish: light, grassy barley, a little bit if fruits but it suffers the most here, it loosens it's hold fast, leaving little impression after you've swallowed.
There are some nice aspects to this whisky, I like the attack on the palate, where the grain notes are holding their own against the sherry. Sadly the texture is so limp that the finish fails on the promise. One of the better versions I've had but still good, not great.
As discussed in my previous review, the next two reviews are whiskys that were tasted blind as part of the same session.
This is from a recent batch with the new livery and bottle shape. Deanston has been receiving a lot more attention of late. I believe that much like Bunnahabhain a few years ago owners Burns Stewart injected a good amount of capital in their operations. In order to implement a better cask management policy as well as diverting better quality casks to their OB's rather than selling off a big proportion to brokers.
This release is aged in ex-bourbon casks and then finished in virgin oak. Sadly little info exists about age and length of maturation.
Nose: Starts of with a bit of pineapple, creamy yogurt & pears. There's a sweet transition to Starburst candy & vanilla, rising pastries or bread dough. It's pleasant and almost bourbon like until it moves towards a slightly green profile, almost like angelica or rhubarb.
Palate: Sweet and slightly fizzy/nippy bite of alcohol, brown sugar, sultanas and loads of milk chocolate/cafe latte. There's a smidge of tropical fruits, in the vein of rhum or Pina colada sitting in a base of sweetened porridge.
Finish: malty, sweet and oaky a bit of a burn and that lingering milk chocolate.
I took a shine to this whisky, it's easygoing but has enough little twists to make it interesting, delivered at a proper abv too. In our little group this performed on par with a Benriach 15 which was the one "non-budget" whisky inserted in the group.
I wanted to demonstrate how much of an impact blind tasting could have with our whisky club. The idea being to try 4 whiskys blind, 3 of them would be bottles purchased for 50$ or less and the 4th a Benriach 15 yrs old, which would be the outlier. No one knew what I was buying in advance.
*Just a note concerning the color of this particular Scotch, it was like a washed out red that really immediately drew a lot of attention to itself. Perhaps the best blind tasting would also find a way to obscure the glass as well.
Nose: Metallic, gumdrops, jam still hot from the stove, bay leaf. A herbal edge almost like vermouth,a bit sharp, rose jelly, powdered sugar.
Palate: A bit hot,sweet and tannic at first, it veers sharply into malty territory, cooked barley and potatoes. The roller coaster continues into, boiled sweets, apple skins and then all sharp, green branches, grassy a little bit of blackcurrant.
Finish: This persistent bitter note, like conifer or juniper, earthy, malty and a touch of jam. The finish is mercifully short and the texture very watery.
Despite this being the worse scored of the night, it was actually not as terrible as I anticipated (I have had budget Glen Moray before) but that's faint praise. It had some interesting things happening but was hampered by the thin texture and messy and unbalanced palate, like a bad cover-up.
Even at 39$ CAN there are still better options for your whisky budget than this.
I'm always impressed when I see photos of the tasting events put on by spirit companies. They run the gamut from low-key to lavish. I promise I don't turn green with envy when I see Tobi in one of his photo spreads balling out with the Ardbeg reps (I kid Mr. Barleymania).
Well I can't complain any longer, two weeks ago I noticed an email from Friends of Laphroaig inviting the Montreal members to a event.
The chosen location turned out to be a cute little basement bar called "Le Royal", the bars decor goes in for the speakeasy type vibe but it's was nonetheless very nice. It had been decorated in Laphroaig's current marketing swag for the event.
There were canapés aplenty (beef tataki, ceviche, foie gras macarons, parmesan crisps and more), we were offered two drink coupons as well. I was hoping they would be introducing a new expression or offering us tastes of the 2017 Cairdeas, sadly this would not be the case.
We were offered Laphroaig select or Quarter cask and also two cocktails created specifically from the event containing these same whiskys.
I was joined by fellow EBWC member Brewsie and we opted to start with the "Symphony of numb" cocktail, the composition included ginger juice and Marsala and a healthy dose of Quarter cask seemed intriguing. Kudos to the bartender who told us he was the originator of the recipe and explained to us his creation.
The cocktail managed to soften the attack of the whisky, the fortified wine being the initial flavor leading the way into the iodine and smoky burst that paired well with the spiciness of the ginger.
We chatted with Sam one of the reps who was really friendly and offered us a sneaky taste of select (Laphroaig lite) and who was nice enough to introduce me to one of his fellows in marketing.
I inquired about the status of the Cairdeas on our shelves. He confirmed it arrived at the SAQ warehouses but they have no control on when it hits the shelves, the price should be about 100$. If so it means the expression hasn't experienced an increase in over 3 years, a rarity in the current market.
With our tickets gone I offered Brewsie a dram for the road, I spied a bottle of Ardbeg 10 and thought it would be an interesting contrast since he had never tried it. Upon leaving we were presented with gift bags containing a Laphroaig Glencairn. It was a fun night it felt more like being invited to their office Christmas party than an actual event, since everyone was kind of left to their own devices. I can't complain it was a much appreciated invitation.
This summer took a long time to settle in, it made up for the delay by providing us with crushing humidity, hot nights and unpredictable storms that annoy more than provide respite.
This heat has fueled my desire for something that I can crush and still have the willpower to do the dishes before going to bed…adult life *sigh*.
I've started dipping my toes back into the beer scene since I've had a cracking few this winter (Harricana 138 call me, I can't stop thinking about you).
In order to add some variety I'll throw in a few beer reviews. I am by no means an expert, my reviews are unlikely to make you swoon with anticipation and delight.
Enter Berliner Melon Weisse. I was trolling some stores for the limited release of Dunham's Berliner passion Weisse to no avail (after reading an empassionned review by Noah @ Beerism) but I did come across this funky yellow labeled stable mate and the price was right for this cheapskate that is 8$.
The beer pours out with a light body, a bit cloudy but a pretty chunky foam.
Nose: Immediately lemon, unripe melon, some hay and a mild amount of funk. The nose isn't all that expressive.
Palate: Oh that baby is sour, homemade OJ and lemonade, a bit of hoppy sharpness, I'm not getting much melon. It's very dry and the finish drops off a cliff at the end.
Infinitely refreshing, would probably make a good beer cocktail (ah sacrilege!) I dig some of these low alcohol beers. I want beer but I don't want to feel like I ate an entire loaf of bread.
My colleague Charles had the pleasure of visiting Scotland last summer. The nature of his trip did not allow him the leisure to do much whisky related tourism but while in Glasgow the opportunity arose and he headed to Glengoyne to soak in as much as he could (pun sadly intended). From his pictures it seemed to be quite the experience as he booked a warehouse tasting.
I imbibed as vicariously as I could from his re-telling of this visit. He also generously offered a taste of some samples he brought back and his newly opened bottle of the cask strength release.
Glengoyne is a distillery that doesn't get much love although it seems the older expressions are well reviewed. I know at one time they exclusively used golden promise barley (much like Macallan) but there seems to be little emphasis on that lately and leads me to believe they might have abandoned that practice. They do natter on endlessly about being peanut free…wait oh they meant peat free… Ok well they also run their stills super slow I'm guessing it looks something like this maybe?
The cask strength is unchillfiltered and uncoloured, it is purported to be a combination of 30% first fill and 70% refill sherry casks (a mix of American and Spanish oak).
I have tried a few Glengoyne expressions before and it sometimes reminds me a little bit of Arran malt but with less of those nice funky and coastal notes. Nothing has bowled me over so far but I did enjoy the 15yr old which seemed to take really well to the proportion of sherried malt contained within.
Nose: milk chocolate, dusty cumin, cooked barley and oats, quite a nip of alcohol, damp oak and a caramel made of Demerara sugar. It's not very expressive at first.
Palate: Glossettes, pepper, lots of oak and a slight touch of banana. Dried fruits and sherry sweetness give way to sulfur and a slight astringency and bite.
The finish is long and drying, more raisins, the sweetness and black pepper lingers, there is less burn on the mouth than the nose but that bitterness starts to build up after a while.
There isn't a lot of variety to this dram it finds it's s groove and sticks to it. It's not a contender for the usual big muscled sherry bombs, it doesn't have the fruits and oaky punch of A'bunadh for example.
Ok another Thursday, another tasting session at the SAQ, this time around the focus would be on world whisky.
The line-up would consist of 1 whisky from Glenora in Canada, 2 Breton single malts from Distillerie Warenghem and lastly some good old sourced American rye from MGP by way of High West…let's go!
Glen Breton Ice: This is a 10 year old single malt from Canada's Glenora distillery, it's finished (or aged sources differ) in icewine casks from Jost Vineyards…there seems to be different versions of this, 10,14 & 17 years old and some at cask strength, this is the 40%.
Nose: soapy, sour, wet wood, sharp, violets?? it's not very expressive.
Palate: Bitter, oaky astringence, the texture is so watery it washes away from your tongue so fast. The finish has a slight, lychee and plum feel but it's so faded and it's too late to rescue this malt.
Next Armorik is produced by Distillerie Warenghem in Britanny. They are some of the few French whisky producers who actually use Scottish style pot stills (made in Italy actually) rather than the Cognac style stills that many other houses use. They have been around for a while and in the last few years have really improved the quality and types of casks used. They have also gone against the current trends and gone completely unpeated, which I think they we're using the first few years..my hopes are high.
Armorik Sherry Finish: 46%ABV NAS, Initial unknown ageing in ex-bourbon casks and then finished in Oloroso Sherry casks no mention of how long.
Nose: Sharp, lactic/acetone tang, cumin, wormwood, brown raisins, a bit of melting brown sugar. With water the nose opens up , you get more dark dried fruits and leather a bit, the alchohol vapour recedes.
Palate: Bitter, oak overload, the alcohol dominates, ginger, barley, grain alcohol. With water the palate is…worse! Grainy, bitter herbs, burnt spices, splenda or artificial sweetener…agh! I've never had the palate of a whisky get so violent with water…I'm speechless.
Armorik Double Maturation: 46% ABV, non chill filtered and NAS, first aged for an unspecified period of time in new Breton oak casks and then secondary maturation in Sherry casks.
Palate: Rye, caraway,dill then red licorice, lacto-fermented vegetables, toffee, red pepper, Thrills chewing gum…the one that tastes like soap, coriander seeds. Sweet, oaky and a bit waxy but not cloying. Oh I really like this.
Verdict, this sessions was bust also in a way really fun, some would say i'm a masochist…yes but I also feel that it's good to have these train wreck of a session, it really helps you re-set your gauge. There is a lot of average whisky out there but when you get something truly mediocre, it helps you re-align yourself. It allows you to become more in tune to how whisky is constructed and appreciate a truly outstanding malt. For what it's worth that High west rye would have stood out among a strong roster of whiskies as well.
For the 3 readers of my blog if you are in Montreal (I just cut that down to 1 reader…hi mom!) the SAQ Signature branch is sadly closing it's doors on April 15th 2017, inventory and services will be split among the Atwater market and Maisonneuve (city concillors) locations. I believe the new Signature downtown location is being build but won't be ready until next year…or the following this is Québec after all.


text:
Crewe, 16 November 2020 – UK Fuels has expanded its nationwide fuel card network to 3350 sites following the addition of 307 Sainsbury's fuel station locations in November. UK Fuels believes it has now become the largest independent fuel card network in the UK and by Christmas, the company expects a total of 3,500 fuel stations will be accepting UK Fuels' cards.
Crewe headquartered UK Fuels is part of Radius Payment Solutions one of the UK's fastest-growing companies and a major player in the fleet sector with telematics, telecoms and insurance divisions growing strongly through recent acquisitions and organic growth. UK Fuels is also celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and offers the largest range of fuel cards in the UK with more than half a million fuel cards actively being used by its customer base each year.
With the addition of Sainsbury's, UK Fuels' cards are now widely accepted at a range of supermarket fuel stations, including Tesco, Morrisons and the Co-op. Over the last 12 months, additional fuel stations have been added to the UK Fuels network including a range of additional motorway service stations and over 80 new independently-owned fuel stations. UK Fuels also has a particularly strong presence in the HGV sector with its cards accepted at most UK truck stops and HGV friendly fuel stations.
"The team at UK Fuels has been working exceptionally hard over the last year to expand the network and we always had our sights set on becoming the largest network in the UK. With hundreds more supermarket fuel stations being added in recent months – giving us 83 per cent coverage of the UK supermarket fuel station network – we have reached our goal with flying colours," said UK Fuels Regional Director, Jonathan Haseler.
By postcode area we now have 96 percent of the UK covered with fuel station locations that accept our fuel cards, which during a tumultuous 30th anniversary year, is a significant milestone in UK Fuels history."
Martin Braisby, Head of Marketing – UK Fuels, +44 (0)7734 368418, martin.braisby@ukfuels.co.uk
Robert Peel (PR), Editorial Contact, Tel: +44 (0)1666 823306, robert@spatiallyaware.co.uk