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Transocean Ltd. Reports Third Quarter 2021 Results
Total contract drilling revenues were $626 million, compared to $656 million in the second quarter of 2021 (total adjusted contract drilling revenues of $683 million, compared to $713 million in the second quarter of 2021);
Revenue efficiency(1) was 98.1%, compared to 98.0% in the prior quarter;
Operating and maintenance expense was $398 million, compared to $434 million in the prior quarter;
Net loss attributable to controlling interest was $130 million, $0.20 per diluted share, compared to $103 million, $0.17 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2021;
Adjusted EBITDA was $245 million, compared to $255 million in the prior quarter; and
Contract backlog was $7.1 billion as of the October 2021 Fleet Status Report.
STEINHAUSEN, Switzerland, Nov. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) today reported a net loss attributable to controlling interest of $130 million, $0.20 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2021.
Third quarter 2021 results included a net unfavorable item of $8 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, related to discrete tax items. After consideration of this net unfavorable item, third quarter 2021 adjusted net loss was $122 million, $0.19 per diluted share, compared to $109 million, $0.18 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2021.
Contract drilling revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2021 decreased sequentially by $30 million to $626 million, primarily due to reduced activity for two rigs that went idle and one rig that commenced a planned shipyard stay during the third quarter, partially offset by higher revenue efficiency, and one rig that returned to work following a shipyard stay.
A non-cash revenue reduction of $57 million was recognized in both the third and second quarter as a result of contract intangible amortization associated with the Songa and Ocean Rig acquisitions in 2018.
Operating and maintenance expense was $398 million, compared with $434 million in the prior quarter. The sequential decrease was primarily the result of reduced activity due to rigs that became idle and lower COVID-19-related costs, partially offset by shipyard and contract preparation activities.
General and administrative expense was $40 million, up from $39 million in the second quarter of 2021. The increase was primarily due to legal and professional fees.
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, was $110 million, compared with $115 million in the prior quarter. Interest income was $4 million, which is in line with the second quarter of 2021.
The Effective Tax Rate(2) was (26.1)%, down from (4.6)% in the prior quarter. The decrease was primarily due to the discrete tax impact of jurisdictional ownership changes of certain assets, lower earnings before tax and releases of uncertain tax positions related to settlements. The Effective Tax Rate excluding discrete items was (18.1)% compared to (10.2)% in previous quarter.
Cash flows provided by operating activities were $141 million, compared to $153 million in the prior quarter. The third quarter decrease was primarily due to the timing of interest payments and increased income tax payments, partially offset by annual insurance prepayments made in the second quarter of 2021.
Third quarter 2021 capital expenditures of $37 million, compared to $41 million in the prior quarter, were primarily related to the company's newbuild drillships under construction.
"I would like to thank the entire Transocean team for their continued dedication to delivering safe, reliable, and efficient operations for our customers. We once again produced strong financial results," said President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeremy Thigpen. "Notably, our strong uptime performance during the quarter drove an impressive revenue efficiency of 98%, resulting in adjusted revenues of $683 million."
"Furthermore, during the quarter, we were excited to secure the maiden contract for Deepwater Atlas, solidifying Transocean's position as the undisputed leader in the 20,000 psi deepwater drilling market. As you know, Transocean has a history of firsts in the most technically demanding environments; and, we look forward to enhancing that legacy upon delivery of Deepwater Atlas and Deepwater Titan in the coming year."
"Further demonstrating our technical leadership, we recently announced our commitment to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions intensity 40 percent by 2030 as compared to 2019. Our industry plays an important role in the ever-growing global demand for energy; and, we are proud to continue to employ our operational and technical expertise to support our customers in the delivery of efficient energy to the world, while simultaneously reducing our impact on the environment."
Thigpen concluded, "We grow increasingly encouraged as we observe continuously improving market fundamentals and the resulting strength exhibited in oil prices. With tightening utilization for high-specification ultra-deepwater and harsh environment assets, and longer tender durations across multiple markets, dayrates are steadily increasing, which bodes well for the offshore drilling industry, and Transocean."
We present our operating results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP"). We believe certain financial measures, such as Adjusted Contract Drilling Revenues, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income, which are non-GAAP measures, provide users of our financial statements with supplemental information that may be useful in evaluating our operating performance. We believe that such non-GAAP measures, when read in conjunction with our operating results presented under U.S. GAAP, can be used to better assess our performance from period to period and relative to performance of other companies in our industry, without regard to financing methods, historical cost basis or capital structure. Such non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
All non-GAAP measure reconciliations to the most comparative U.S. GAAP measures are displayed in quantitative schedules on the company's website at: www.deepwater.com.
About Transocean
Transocean is a leading international provider of offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells. The company specializes in technically demanding sectors of the global offshore drilling business with a particular focus on ultra-deepwater and harsh environment drilling services and believes that it operates one of the most versatile offshore drilling fleets in the world.
Transocean owns or has partial ownership interests in and operates a fleet of 37 mobile offshore drilling units consisting of 27 ultra-deepwater floaters and 10 harsh environment floaters. In addition, Transocean is constructing two ultra-deepwater drillships.
For more information about Transocean, please visit: www.deepwater.com.
Transocean will conduct a teleconference starting at 9 a.m. EDT, 2 p.m. CET, on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, to discuss the results. To participate, dial +1 323-994-2093 and refer to conference code 2585978 approximately 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
The teleconference will be simulcast in a listen-only mode at: www.deepwater.com, by selecting Investors, News, and Webcasts. Supplemental materials that may be referenced during the teleconference will be available at: www.deepwater.com, by selecting Investors, Financial Reports.
A replay of the conference call will be available after 12 p.m. EDT, 5 p.m. CET, on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. The replay, which will be archived for approximately 30 days, can be accessed at +1 719-457-0820, passcode 2585978, pin 4459. The replay will also be available on the company's website.
The statements described herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements could contain words such as \"possible,\" \"intend,\" \"will,\" \"if,\" \"expect,\" or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions, and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, actual results could differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, estimated duration of customer contracts, contract dayrate amounts, future contract commencement dates and locations, planned shipyard projects and other out-of-service time, sales of drilling units, timing of the company's newbuild deliveries, operating hazards and delays, risks associated with international operations, actions by customers and other third parties, the fluctuation of current and future prices of oil and gas, the global and regional supply and demand for oil and gas, the intention to scrap certain drilling rigs, the success of our business following prior acquisitions, the effects of the spread of and mitigation efforts by governments, businesses and individuals related to contagious illnesses, such as COVID-19, and other factors, including those and other risks discussed in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and in the company's other filings with the SEC, which are available free of charge on the SEC's website at: www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize (or the other consequences of such a development worsen), or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the company or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur, or which we become aware of, after the date hereof, except as otherwise may be required by law. All non-GAAP financial measure reconciliations to the most comparative GAAP measure are displayed in quantitative schedules on the company's website at: www.deepwater.com.
This press release, or referenced documents, do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and do not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act ("FinSA") or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of Transocean and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of Transocean.
(1) Revenue efficiency is defined as actual contract drilling revenues, excluding revenues for contract terminations and reimbursements, for the measurement period divided by the maximum revenue calculated for the measurement period, expressed as a percentage. Maximum revenue is defined as the greatest amount of contract drilling revenues the drilling unit could earn for the measurement period, excluding revenues for incentive provisions, reimbursements and contract terminations. See the accompanying schedule entitled "Revenue Efficiency."
(2) Effective Tax Rate is defined as income tax expense divided by income before income taxes. See the accompanying schedule entitled "Supplemental Effective Tax Rate Analysis."
Analyst Contact:
Pam Easton
TRANSOCEAN LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(In millions, except per share data)
Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
Contract drilling revenues $ 626 $ 773 $ 1,935 $ 2,462
Costs and expenses
Operating and maintenance 398 470 1,267 1,535
Depreciation and amortization 185 190 558 592
General and administrative 40 45 118 133
623 705 1,943 2,260
Loss on impairment — — — (597 )
Loss on disposal of assets, net (3 ) (64 ) (61 ) (64 )
Operating income (loss) — 4 (69 ) (459 )
Interest income 4 6 11 19
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized (110 ) (145 ) (340 ) (458 )
Gain on restructuring and retirement of debt — 449 51 396
Other, net 3 21 26 (23 )
(103 ) 331 (252 ) (66 )
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) (103 ) 335 (321 ) (525 )
Income tax expense (benefit) 27 (24 ) 10 4
Net income (loss) (130 ) 359 (331 ) (529 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — — 1 1
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest $ (130 ) $ 359 $ (332 ) $ (530 )
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic $ (0.20 ) $ 0.58 $ (0.53 ) $ (0.86 )
Diluted $ (0.20 ) $ 0.51 $ (0.53 ) $ (0.86 )
Weighted-average shares outstanding
Basic 653 616 630 615
Diluted 653 702 630 615
(In millions, except share data)
September 30, December 31,
Cash and cash equivalents $ 900 $ 1,154
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $2 at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 507 583
Materials and supplies, net of allowance of $148 and $143 at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively 433 434
Restricted cash and cash equivalents 576 406
Other current assets 165 163
Total current assets 2,581 2,740
Property and equipment 23,102 23,040
Less accumulated depreciation (5,886 ) (5,373 )
Property and equipment, net 17,216 17,667
Contract intangible assets 223 393
Deferred income taxes, net 9 9
Other assets 947 995
Total assets $ 20,976 $ 21,804
Accounts payable $ 215 $ 194
Accrued income taxes 10 28
Debt due within one year 575 505
Other current liabilities 551 659
Total current liabilities 1,351 1,386
Long-term debt 6,773 7,302
Deferred income taxes, net 358 315
Total long-term liabilities 8,358 8,983
Shares, CHF 0.10 par value, 891,379,306 authorized, 142,363,356 conditionally authorized, 685,676,456 issued and 651,155,650 outstanding at September 30, 2021, and 824,650,660 authorized, 142,363,647 conditionally authorized, 639,676,165 issued and 615,140,276 outstanding at December 31, 2020 63 60
Additional paid-in capital 13,659 13,501
Accumulated deficit (2,198 ) (1,866 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (261 ) (263 )
Total controlling interest shareholders' equity 11,263 11,432
Noncontrolling interest 4 3
Total equity 11,267 11,435
Total liabilities and equity $ 20,976 $ 21,804
Net loss $ (331 ) $ (529 )
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
Contract intangible asset amortization 170 158
Depreciation and amortization 558 592
Share-based compensation expense 21 24
Loss on impairment — 597
Loss on impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliate — 59
Loss on disposal of assets, net 61 64
Gain on restructuring and retirement of debt (51 ) (396 )
Deferred income tax expense 43 28
Other, net 29 42
Changes in deferred revenues, net (87 ) (45 )
Changes in deferred costs, net 8 10
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net (31 ) (484 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 390 120
Capital expenditures (137 ) (218 )
Proceeds from disposal of assets, net 8 15
Investment in loans to unconsolidated affiliate (33 ) —
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates — (17 )
Net cash used in investing activities (162 ) (220 )
Repayments of debt (423 ) (1,135 )
Proceeds from issuance of shares, net of issue costs 141 —
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issue costs — 743
Other, net (30 ) (27 )
Net cash used in financing activities (312 ) (419 )
Net decrease in unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents (84 ) (519 )
Unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1,560 2,349
Unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 1,476 $ 1,830
FLEET OPERATING STATISTICS
September 30, June 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
Contract Drilling Revenues (in millions) 2021 2021 2020 2021 2020
Contract drilling revenues
Ultra-deepwater floaters $ 428 $ 424 $ 490 $ 1,288 $ 1,654
Harsh environment floaters 198 232 283 647 796
Midwater floaters — — — — 12
Total contract drilling revenues $ 626 $ 656 $ 773 $ 1,935 $ 2,462
Average Daily Revenue (1) 2021 2021 2020 2021 2020
Ultra-deepwater floaters $ 351,900 $ 363,500 $ 329,300 $ 362,100 $ 319,500
Harsh environment floaters 401,600 379,900 372,500 385,700 334,400
Midwater floaters — — — — 111,400
Total fleet average daily revenue $ 367,100 369,400 $ 343,500 $ 370,100 $ 321,800
Utilization (2) 2021 2021 2020 2021 2020
Ultra-deepwater floaters 50 % 48 % 60 % 49 % 61 %
Harsh environment floaters 60 % 73 % 75 % 66 % 72 %
Midwater floaters — % — % — % — % 37 %
Total fleet average rig utilization 53 % 55 % 65 % 53 % 64 %
Revenue Efficiency (3) 2021 2021 2020 2021 2020
Harsh environment floaters 103 % 98 % 96 % 100 % 94 %
Total fleet average revenue efficiency 98 % 98 % 97 % 98 % 96 %
(1) Average daily revenue is defined as contract drilling revenues, excluding revenues for contract terminations, reimbursements and contract intangible amortization, earned per operating day. An operating day is defined as a calendar day during which a rig is contracted to earn a dayrate during the firm contract period after commencement of operations.
(2) Rig utilization is defined as the total number of operating days divided by the total number of rig calendar days in the measurement period, expressed as a percentage.
(3) Revenue efficiency is defined as actual contract drilling revenues, excluding revenues for contract terminations and reimbursements, for the measurement period divided by the maximum revenue calculated for the measurement period, expressed as a percentage. Maximum revenue is defined as the greatest amount of contract drilling revenues the drilling unit could earn for the measurement period, excluding revenues for incentive provisions, reimbursements and contract terminations.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS
YTD QTD YTD QTD YTD
09/30/21 09/30/21 06/30/21 06/30/21 03/31/21
Adjusted Net Loss
Net loss attributable to controlling interest, as reported $ (332 ) $ (130 ) $ (202 ) $ (103 ) $ (99 )
Loss on disposal of assets, net 60 — 60 — 60
Gain on retirement of debt (51 ) — (51 ) — (51 )
Discrete tax items (25 ) 8 (33 ) (6 ) (27 )
Net loss, as adjusted $ (348 ) $ (122 ) $ (226 ) $ (109 ) $ (117 )
Adjusted Diluted Loss Per Share:
Diluted loss per share, as reported $ (0.53 ) $ (0.20 ) $ (0.33 ) $ (0.17 ) $ (0.16 )
Loss on disposal of assets, net 0.10 — 0.10 — 0.10
Gain on retirement of debt (0.08 ) — (0.08 ) — (0.08 )
Discrete tax items (0.04 ) 0.01 (0.06 ) (0.01 ) (0.05 )
Diluted loss per share, as adjusted $ (0.55 ) $ (0.19 ) $ (0.37 ) $ (0.18 ) $ (0.19 )
YTD QTD YTD QTD YTD QTD YTD
12/31/20 12/31/20 09/30/20 09/30/20 06/30/20 06/30/20 03/31/20
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest, as reported $ (567 ) $ (37 ) $ (530 ) $ 359 $ (889 ) $ (497 ) $ (392 )
Restructuring costs 5 (1 ) 6 5 1 1 —
Loss on impairment of assets 597 — 597 — 597 430 167
Loss on disposal of assets, net 61 — 61 61 — — —
Loss on impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliates 62 3 59 — 59 59 —
(Gain) loss on restructuring and retirement of debt (533 ) (137 ) (396 ) (449 ) 53 (4 ) 57
Discrete tax items (91 ) (37 ) (54 ) (45 ) (9 ) 10 (19 )
Net loss, as adjusted $ (466 ) $ (209 ) $ (257 ) $ (69 ) $ (188 ) $ (1 ) $ (187 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per share, as reported $ (0.92 ) $ (0.06 ) $ (0.86 ) $ 0.51 $ (1.45 ) $ (0.81 ) $ (0.64 )
Restructuring costs 0.01 — 0.01 0.01 — — —
Loss on impairment of assets 0.97 — 0.97 — 0.97 0.70 0.28
Loss on disposal of assets, net 0.10 — 0.10 0.09 — — —
Loss on impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliates 0.10 — 0.10 — 0.10 0.10 —
(Gain) loss on restructuring and retirement of debt (0.87 ) (0.22 ) (0.65 ) (0.65 ) 0.09 (0.01 ) 0.09
Discrete tax items (0.15 ) (0.06 ) (0.09 ) (0.07 ) (0.02 ) 0.02 (0.03 )
Diluted loss per share, as adjusted $ (0.76 ) $ (0.34 ) $ (0.42 ) $ (0.11 ) $ (0.31 ) $ — $ (0.30 )
ADJUSTED CONTRACT DRILLING REVENUES
EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION AND RELATED MARGINS
(In millions, except percentages)
Contract drilling revenues $ 1,935 $ 626 $ 1,309 $ 656 $ 653
Contract intangible asset amortization 170 57 113 57 56
Adjusted Contract Drilling Revenues $ 2,105 $ 683 $ 1,422 $ 713 $ 709
Net loss $ (331 ) $ (130 ) $ (201 ) $ (103 ) $ (98 )
Interest expense, net of interest income 329 106 223 111 112
Income tax expense (benefit) 10 27 (17 ) 4 (21 )
Depreciation and amortization 558 185 373 186 187
EBITDA 736 245 491 255 236
Adjusted EBITDA $ 745 $ 245 $ 500 $ 255 $ 245
EBITDA margin 35 % 36 % 35 % 36 % 33 %
Adjusted EBITDA margin 35 % 36 % 35 % 36 % 35 %
Contract drilling revenues $ 3,152 $ 690 $ 2,462 $ 773 $ 1,689 $ 930 $ 759
Contract intangible asset amortization 215 57 158 57 101 53 48
Adjusted Contract Drilling Revenues $ 3,367 $ 747 $ 2,620 $ 830 $ 1,790 $ 983 $ 807
Net income (loss) $ (568 ) $ (39 ) $ (529 ) $ 359 $ (888 ) $ (497 ) $ (391 )
Interest expense, net of interest income 554 115 439 139 300 149 151
Income tax expense (benefit) 27 23 4 (24 ) 28 32 (4 )
Depreciation and amortization 781 189 592 190 402 196 206
EBITDA 1,009 345 664 721 (57 ) (67 ) 10
Adjusted EBITDA $ 1,201 $ 210 $ 991 $ 338 $ 653 $ 418 $ 235
EBITDA margin 30 % 46 % 25 % 87 % (3 )% (7 )% 1 %
Adjusted EBITDA margin 36 % 28 % 38 % 41 % 36 % 43 % 29 %
SUPPLEMENTAL EFFECTIVE TAX RATE ANALYSIS
(In millions, except tax rates)
Income (loss) before income taxes $ (103 ) $ (99 ) $ 335 $ (321 ) $ (525 )
Restructuring costs — — 5 — 6
Loss on impairment of assets — — — — 597
Loss on disposal of assets, net — — 61 60 61
Loss on impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliate — — — — 59
Gain on restructuring and retirement of debt — — (449 ) (51 ) (396 )
Adjusted loss before income taxes $ (103 ) $ (99 ) (48 ) $ (312 ) (198 )
Revenues recognized for the settlement of disputes — (157 )
Adjusted loss before income taxes for determining effective tax rate $ (48 ) $ (355 )
Income tax expense (benefit) $ 27 $ 4 $ (24 ) $ 10 $ 4
Restructuring costs — — — — —
Loss on impairment of assets — — — — —
Loss on disposal of assets, net — — — — —
Loss on impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliate — — — — —
Gain on restructuring and retirement of debt — — — — —
Changes in estimates (1) (8 ) 6 43 25 54
Revenues recognized for the settlement of disputes — — 2 — —
Adjusted income tax expense (2) $ 19 $ 10 $ 21 $ 35 $ 58
Effective Tax Rate (3) (26.1 )% (4.6 )% (7.0 )% (3.2 )% (0.8 )%
Effective Tax Rate, excluding discrete items (4) (18.1 )% (10.2 )% (45.6 )% (11.2 )% (16.4 )%
(1) Our estimates change as we file tax returns, settle disputes with tax authorities, or become aware of changes in laws and other events that have an effect on our (a) deferred taxes, (b) valuation allowances on deferred taxes and (c) other tax liabilities.
(2) The three months ended September 30, 2021 included $7 million of additional tax expense, reflecting the cumulative effect of an increase in the annual effective tax rate from the previous quarter estimate.
(3) Our effective tax rate is calculated as income tax expense divided by income before income taxes.
(4) Our effective tax rate, excluding discrete items, is calculated as income tax expense, excluding various discrete items (such as changes in estimates and tax on items excluded from income before income taxes), divided by income before income tax expense, excluding gains and losses on sales and similar items pursuant to the accounting standards for income taxes related to estimating the annual effective tax rate.
Transocean Ltd.
Senior Manager, Investor Relations
Manager, Legal Projects and Communications


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In Negotiating Trade After Brexit, the Tories Missed a Key Opportunity to Accelerate Climate Goals by Miriam Brett and Katie Gallogly-Swan
In Negotiating Trade After Brexit, the Tories Missed a Key Opportunity to Accelerate Climate Goals
by Miriam Brett and Katie Gallogly-Swan
@MiriamBrett
@GalloglySwan
The impact of the pandemic has forced us to face fundamental questions around the operation of the economy: how it is run, who benefits from it, and who does not.
Covid-19 has sent shockwaves across the global economy, with supply and demand disruptions upending international trade. The pandemic response generated almost 100 export restrictions in key supply chains worldwide, leading to shortages in medical equipment, among other things. Yet even before the coronavirus crisis, global trade was facing a multiplicity of problems against a backdrop of sluggish economic recovery, concerns about the distributional consequences of global value chains, World Trade Organisation (WTO) governance gridlocks, and heightened trade tensions between global powers.
Amid these crises sits Brexit. Having gone from being part of the world's largest single market to navigating trade deals alone, the UK will have a significantly weakened negotiating hand. And far from a simple exchange of goods and services, trade and investment encroach on domestic policy space for everything from public services to labour rights and climate regulations, coded in legal frameworks that can deepen global imbalances: between wealthy and poorer countries, and between multinational corporations and workers in their supply chains and on the frontline of climate breakdown.
Despite Brexit dominating headlines, and despite the UK's rhetorical ambition to become a global leader in tackling climate change, climate and environmental justice have been largely absent from the public debate on future trade. This is even more surprising considering the current trajectory for post-Brexit trade strategy: a deregulated race-to-the-bottom for social, labour, climate and environmental standards in the name of 'attracting investment'. The domination of the free trade paradigm has weakened critical engagement with conventional wisdom, with debate on future trade locked between a choice of accelerating or protecting the status quo. The reality is that making a 'success' of Brexit in the interests of workers and climate here and around the world requires us to break out of this false choice to urgently advocate for an overhaul of trade and investment regimes.
The existential threat of climate breakdown must accelerate what many leading voices in the Global South, feminists, and indigenous groups have been calling on us to do for decades: to transform trade in the interests of people and planet. Having contributed to the majority of current and historic carbon emissions, including through colonial exploitation and resource extraction, there is an enhanced onus on wealthy states like the UK to rapidly decarbonise and build a reparative agenda of climate and economic justice.
A systemic response to a systemic crisis: Reimagining UK trade.
In a recent report by Common Wealth, we recommend a new approach to help secure a just, sustainable and thriving future for UK trade. The first step is to accelerate our national commitment to net-zero before 2035, explicitly orienting trade policy as a tool to deliver a rapidly decarbonised economy and more equal society. Such a commitment must be accompanied by the creation of a UK independent trade monitoring body to fundamentally shift how we measure our success in trade, no longer only considering export deficits and 'competitiveness', but prioritising the number and quality of jobs created, the labour share of GDP and emissions reductions.
Following this is the urgency to secure policy space to respond to the pandemic and advance the ambitious scope of a comprehensive Green New Deal. It is indefensible that governments are unable to take necessary actions to protect people for fear of WTO disputes and corporate lawsuits. As immediate steps, the UK should advocate for a 'peace clause' on trade and investment rules on pandemic-related actions to overcome barriers to emergency measures, and support a climate waiver at the WTO for targeted exemption from trade rules for action commensurate with the Paris agreement. Additionally, future UK bilateral trade agreements must have a climate carve-out that prevents disputes on climate justice policies, freeing up policy space to take bold and ambitious climate action.
The post-Brexit trade strategy has largely focussed on barrelling ahead with free trade agreements (FTAs) with economies multiple times our size. In this unchartered territory, there remains a danger that securing trade deals will be regarded as more important than the details in them. Instead, the UK should seek temporary continuity agreements to ensure a smooth transition while preparing a more robust strategy of how trade and investment will be utilised to achieve domestic and international goals.
The UK must carry out a systemic climate retrofit of trade policy in service to a Green New Deal, but the design is key. For example, while there is a growing consensus from the EU and the incoming Biden administration to explore a border carbon adjustment (BCA), any such measure must recognise the role of wealthy nations in locking poorer nations into trade deals and other economic relationships that facilitate fossil fuel exploitation, like the EU-Mexico modernised FTA. Further, initiatives from wealthy states on a just global transition must be connected to a mechanism of climate reparations, which can provide a means of adequately financing mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage for those already at the sharp end of both an unequal economic system and the climate crisis.
As demonstrated by the dossier showing the US seeking "total market access" to parts of the NHS, trade and investment can impact public services, for example by limiting governments' ability to use public procurement and opening up services to privatisation. Protecting public services against trade liberalisation means excluding them from trade deals, which will entail bold but necessary action, like not joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
One of the central ways trade the trading system has safeguarded corporate interests is through the investor state dispute mechanism (ISDS), which enables investors to legally challenge countries for perceived violations of their rights to profits, resulting in the watering down of climate and environmental regulation, and foreign companies suing governments. The UK should follow the lead of countries such as South Africa to revise bilateral investment treaties and exclude ISDS, as well as follow Italy in withdrawing from the Energy Charter Treaty altogether. At the same time, we should create new mechanisms that rebalance power in the interests of workers rights, supporting exploitation-free supply chains by, for example, energising the United Nations Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights.
The pandemic has further revealed how the intellectual property rights (IPRs) upheld by the WTO delivers monopoly rights for pharmaceutical giants. Instead, the UK should immediately support the waiver on IPRs for the Covid-19 vaccine, as proposed by South Africa, India and other low and middle-income countries at the WTO, as well as seek further reform for these rules.
Guiding all of our trade and investment approach should be a green industrial strategy to decarbonise our economic activities, change consumption to reduce emissions, scale green jobs and industries across the UK, and root out intersectional inequalities with stronger social protections and rights. While the UK Government recently announced a 'Green Industrial Revolution', critics recognised it as lacking the scale of ambition needed to rapidly and justly decarbonise our economy. As we have learned from the pandemic, we must protect and expand our health and care workforce – disproportionately staffed by women and migrants – where millions of green jobs are to be found, while a new deal for workers can root out insecurity in our labour market and strengthen our industrial strategy.
The UK should harness an independent trade policy as one part of an integrated Green New Deal agenda, reframing trade and investment as tools for climate justice; building a green industrial strategy; safeguarding and enhancing public services; reining in corporate power to achieve climate justice, and retrofitting multilateral trade and investment architecture to create the conditions for a global green and just transition. It is time now to demand a transformative trade regime that secures a climate-just world where everyone can thrive.
Miriam Brett is director of research and advocacy for Common Wealth.
Katie Gallolgy-Swan is policy coordinator for the UNCTAD and Boston University GDP Centre partnership on a Global Green New Deal.
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In the Covid-era, our economy and society have become more reliant on low-paid migrant workers than ever before. But rather than recognising the integral role they play, policymakers are complicit in their exploitation. Sophie K Rosa reports.
London Into Tier 3 Lockdown
As cases surge, London is entering a Tier 3 lockdown. But with schools staying open, is time running out to prevent carnage this Christmas?
Deal or No-Deal
Boris Johnson has said a no-deal Brexit is now "very, very likely." Is the prime minister just bluffing or is Britain about to go over the Brexit cliff-edge? With Michael Walker and Dalia Gebrial.
Brexit's Last Chance Saloon
As they meet for dinner in Brussels, can Ursula Von Der Leyen and Boris Johnson break the deadlock on a Brexit deal? With Michael Walker and Aaron Bastani.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Pain management is a complex and lifelong challenge for many people. The most obvious answer to the pain problem is painkillers right? Pain meds often come with some nasty side effects and can be highly addictive. I'm not saying pain killers are all bad (they aren't) and I'm not saying everyone who uses them will get side effects and become an addict (they won't) but maybe, pills aren't always the answer.
As many of my regular readers will be aware, I have chronic pain. I actually thought constant pain was normal until I was 19, it's the only 'normal' I've ever known. This post will be written from the dual perspective of pain patient and Occupational Therapist. Most of these suggestions are safe for everyone but please check with your healthcare provider before making drastic changes to your pain management regime.
So, how else can we deal with pain? Here are my top suggestions for pain relief, many of which can be done at home or on the go!
Prevention is always better than cure. Pacing is a fantastic way to minimise daily pain and prevent flare-ups1. In short pacing involves taking regular little breaks, fidgeting and avoiding long blocks of repetitive activity. Pacing can be used very effectively to help prevent pain from 'over doing it'. Learning to pace can be a little tricky and it does take some work to get used to but stick with it!
Poor posture leads to pain2, I think a lot of chronic pain patients learn this the hard way! Improving posture is not a quick fix, it can take weeks, months or even years of hard work to fully correct wonky posture but it's definitely worth the work! Improved posture can reduce pain, prevent injuries, improve digestion and as an added bonus it can make you look a little thinner3.
This one can be a little controversial. I know all too well how hard it can be to exercise with pain but getting moving can actually be very effective pain relief. If the pain is caused by functional problems like low muscle tone, wonky joints or muscle imbalances exercise can be great in the long run. In the short-term, exercise produces all sorts of happy hormones and endorphins which can reduce pain significantly.
Simply put; doing something fun, meaningful or relaxing can help take your mind off pain. I particularly enjoy reading. If you are prone to getting caught-up in exciting activities then maybe set yourself a timer, pacing is important with fun stuff too!
Crutches, walking sticks, wheelchairs and scooters can all be used to pace yourself and rest painful joints. Just because you start the day on wheels doesn't mean you have to stay on wheels. I often wheel around and sit in my wheelchair because it's much more comfortable and supportive than standard public seating. Sitting in my wheelchair helps me avoid back pain but I can't sit in it all day without needing to fidget, so I walk around in breaks and just leave my chair behind. You can get some odd looks for simply abandoning mobility aids but in all honesty, who cares?! I've often explained the way I use mobility aids to 'normal' people and after a brief conversation most people think it makes perfect sense.
Most people know that you apply ice to an acute injury like a sprained ankle5 but you can do it for chronic injuries too6. Most people will have a preference for either heat or cold to ease pain so it's worth experimenting a little to see what suits you. Generally speaking, ice reduces inflammation and swelling6. Heat eases muscle cramps and soothes stiffness7. I personally find liquid heat much more effective, a bath works better than a heat pack but that's not quite as convenient if you're at work or on the go!
Tens units are funky little devices that use electrical impulses to block pain signals, basically you stick little electrodes either side of the bit that hurts and adjust the electricity to suit you. TENS usually feels tingly or a little like pins and needles, I personally prefer this to pain but some people simply don't like the way it feels. Many pain clinics and some GP practices and pharmacies will rent out TENS units for you to try so it's worth asking about.
Massage can sometimes be done all by your lonesome (especially if you're hypermobile) but if you're looking for back pain relief you might need to recruit a friend or family member. I find massage releases the tension in my muscles and the heat generated by massage is wonderfully relaxing. Massage can also help relieve puffy ankles (Healthcare professionals can teach you how to do this) which eases leg pain. If you can't reach and there's nobody available to help there are all sorts of knobbly squiggly gadgety things on the market available to do the job. I have a trigger point foam roller and a small battery-powered massage thingie too.
These are my most often used methods of pain relief, I'm sure there are more and I'd love to hear from you if you have any other techniques..
Remember, these techniques can all be combined including the use of pain killers. I might use my TENS while pacing myself and using mobility aids. I can distract myself with a good book while soaking in a hot bath. Since learning and implementing these techniques regularly I've found myself reaching for pain killers much less often. I usually try some or all of these techniques before deciding that pills are needed.
I hope some of you have found this useful and I'd love to know what you think.
Common posture mistakes and fixes. NHS Choices. http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Backpain/Pages/back-pain-and-common-posture-mistakes.aspx. Accessed March 26, 2017.
"Wow. A pleasant, compassionate and very knowledgeable lady. Very quick to respond to messages. Listened without judging me or making me feel like I was a problem. Nothing was too much trouble. Suggested a variety of options for my problem. Would definitely recommend and use again."


National Taiwan University Library Intercampus Document Delivery Service is a fee-based document delivery service. Through it, full-time faculty members can request copies of journal articles from the Main Library (including the department and college libraries) and the Medical Library.
Only full-time faculty members are eligible for this service.
2 to 4 working days after request.
B. Pick up the document at your department office.
If you choose this method, please go to this website, log in with your NTU account/password, and fill in your information. Then go to the Circulation Service Desk of your campus library, and make a deposit of 100-3,000 NTD. Please set up your deposit before making a request. The fee for your request will be deducted from this deposit.
If you are on the Main Campus, fill out the request form here; if you are on the Downtown Campus, fill out the request form here.
3. Wait until a pickup notice is sent to your email account.
4. Pick up your document at the requested location within 7 days.


2014 had a lot of big stories including high-profile scandals, political drama and economic upheaval.
2014 had a lot of big stories including high-profile scandals, political drama and economic upheaval. From the fight against the Ebola epidemic, the #BringBackOurGirls hashtag movement, to China emerging as the world largest economy, the Malaysian airline disappearance etc.
As we reflect on 2014 and prepare for 2015, we would like to thank you all for your tireless support and loyalty.
We say Happy New Year and it's our prayer that 2015 will be a great and successful year for us all.


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Home Solar Off Grid & Roof Tops SCR comes up with innovative solar roof at Kamareddy Railway Station
January 6, 2020 Anand Gupta 0
SCR comes up with innovative solar roof at Kamareddy Railway Station
January 6, 2020 Anand Gupta
As part of this initiative, the roof of the facility is fully made up of solar panels, which has proven to be economical compared to conventional RCC roof.
Hyderabad: As part of its attempts to adopt energy conservation measures at workplaces, stations and other areas, the South Central Railway (SCR) integrated solar roof with pre-fabricated concrete walls at newly constructed booking office building at Kamareddy Railway Station.
As part of this initiative, the roof of the facility is fully made up of solar panels, which has proven to be economical compared to conventional RCC roof. The roof of the building is a pre-fabricated structure with polycrystalline silicon solar photovoltaic (SVP) panels fitted on mild steel structure instead of constructing conventional RCC structure, SCR officials said.
The average cost per square metre of a pre-fabricated roof is Rs 13,750 whereas the cost per square metre for RCC structure is around Rs 25,000. A total of 18 SVP panels each with a capacity of 320 Wp (Watt peak) totalling to 5.76 kWp (kilo Watt peak) are incorporated as the roof of the building while 5 kWp inverter is made operational for converting solar power into 3-phase AC supply.
Switch gears with necessary protections such as surge protection device and lightning arresters were arranged along with earthing provisions. Approximate energy generation from this structure is around 6,000 electrical units per annum resulting in saving of Rs 60,000.
This concept of prefabricated structure with SPV panels can be constructed within a reasonable time and cost covering more plinth area as compared to regular RCC structures. The roof assembly is lightweight and has the flexibility of dismantling and shifting to some other place, a press release said.
Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, SCR, appreciated the efforts of officers and staff of Hyderabad division for adopting this innovative concept to conserve the energy while promoting a green environment.
Source: telanganatoday
tags: Kamareddy Railway Station SCR SOLAR ROOF
previous School gets solar panel, kicks off major project
next 300 govt houses to get solar panels in Crest's Rs 15cr project
300 govt houses to get solar panels in Crest's Rs 15cr project
School gets solar panel, kicks off major project
Telangana's Kamareddi Railway booking office gets solar roof


The central portion of the car could be the most critical area for 2014 with the new power units putting a revised emphasis on cooling. Packaging and internal airflow structures therefore will become even more important as the teams battle with creating an efficient cooling package whilst also creating as little drag as possible.
In terms of packaging, the design teams will have to consider the impact of the new power units which comprise of additional components they haven't had to account for in some time. Starting from the bottom and working our way up, the floor plays a pivotal role in how downforce is generated by a Formula One car.
The exhaust blowing of the floor the sport has featured since 2010 is all but ruled out with the new regulations. With not only the singular exhaust exiting in a much higher centreline position the turbo that it's attached to will have most of it's energy absorbed by the MGU-H that draws wasted energy from it.
This will have an effect on the design of the diffuser itself as the 'sealing' effect that running the exhaust in the optimum position to blow between the Diffuser sidewall and the tyres edge will be lost. I'll cover Diffuser design more expansively in the next piece, what we need to know here is that 2 design principles will likely be taken into consideration ahead of it. A reduction in the level of Rake run by the teams is inevitable, without the exhaust gases expanding the Diffuser's outer channels and sealing it's edges, the airflow dissipated by the tyres will 'squirt' into the diffuser laterally. This disrupts the airflow and makes the diffuser perform less consistently.
Tyre Squirt is something that you'll have undoubtedly heard me talk about in the past if you're an avid follower of my blog and is something that affected teams even with their 2012/13 exhaust solutions.
The image above is a basic explanation of how tyre squirt can influence the diffusers performance with Yellow representing the airflow moving over the cars floor to the rear tyre, blue represents the airflow moving under the car and through the Diffuser, whilst red indicates the intended target of the exhaust plume.
As we can see from the left hand picture, airflow is pushed laterally into the Diffuser's path reducing it's ability to create downforce. For 2012/13 teams employed tyre squirt slots ahead of the rear tyres in an attempt to minimise the effects of tyre squirt as the driver came off throttle and thus blowing and sealing of the diffuser lessened.
Each team as always has it's own way of designing this area to further manipulate the airflow and strengthen the vortex at the outer portion of the Diffuser. The use of the vertical guide strakes inbound of the slots are also crucial in how the airflow rolls up on the edge and into the Diffuser. As we can see all three teams (Red Bull, Lotus, Mercedes) have utilised either painted floor treatment (Red Bull) or metallic sections to stop the floor from warping (Lotus & Mercedes). The reason for this is these teams are also harnessing the exhaust plume and utilisng it's energy to increase the intensity of the vortex being generated. If the the floor were left untreated it would lead to a breakdown in efficiency over a sustained period. Obviously this won't be an issue for 2014 as the exhaust won't be placed any where near this section of floor but I suspect the area will still be proliferated with slots and strakes trying to move and vorticise airflow.
We must also consider the leading edge of the floor as after all this too plays a pivotal role in how downforce is extracted from the car. Often overlooked but several items are placed here in order to make the flow into and around the Sidepods more efficient.
Bargeboards have been around F1 for decades and although their size, placement and orientation has altered with the prevailing regulations their function remains roughly the same. Both shield and enhance the airflow that is distributed by the Splitter around the front of the Sidepod. It shields the airflow from the front wheels tyre wake but through it's interaction also sets up airflow structures for the underside of the floor.
The edge of the floor also see's teams adding additional vortex generating elements with strakes and cascades adorning the section just ahead of where the teams run their Airflow Conditioners.
When the FIA looked to clear up areas in the previous regulations (pre 09) that allowed all sorts of aero 'flick ups' this area was left unviolated and as such development has continued in the area. Although some teams didn't start 2009 with them by the end of the season they were applied to all the cars. They haven't altered in their design drastically since then but moreover adapted to suit their surroundings. Their purpose is to protect the airflow that feeds around the front corner of the Sidepod, whether that be through the undercut or across the top of the Sidepod into the downwash toward it's tail end. The protection I refer to is the airflow dispensed by the rotating tyre ahead of it, especially in yaw. 2012 and 2013 saw the proliferation of extensions to the airflow conditioners, with teams extending and arc'ing them to meet with the shoulders of the Sidepod or in front of the leading edge. The shaping of the Sidepod's to enable the 'Coanda' exhausts (and before this the shaping required to maximise flow into the coke bottle region) means that the area creates lift at certain speed thresholds. Vortex Generators and the Airflow Conditioner extensions mentioned above help to reduce the problem of lift over a wider speed threshold, these devices are likely to continue to appear throughout 2014.
The core of the car runs along the centreline of the car with the Chassis being the load bearing structure that everything else bolts to. For 2014 most of the focus will be placed on the new power units and understandably so, however we must also play close attention to the ancillary components that must be packaged alongside it.
The fuel cell will be reduced in size for 2014 with 100kg fuel limit per race coming into effect, whereas the current V8's use around 150kg's per race.
You'd also expect that the physical dimensions of the V6 unit would be smaller than that of the current V8's however due to the additional ancillary components of the Turbo and ERS it will likely have a slighter larger footprint.
One of the biggest concerns for both the engine manufacturers and teams will be cooling, with the necessity to cool the charge air a probable concern. Supercharging by means of an exhaust driven or mechanical turbine was outlawed by Formula One in 1989 and since then we have seen the decline of engine capacity from 3.5 litre V12's down to the outgoing 2.4 litre V8's we waved off in Brazil this year. The FIA know that engine development is crucial in terms of both it's environmental impact but also in providing a worldwide rationale that things can be done more efficiently. I won't go on too much in this article about the power units directly, as I'll cover these more extensively in their own article.
Suffice to say though that since their use in Formula One 25 years ago the associated technology that 'Supercharging' brings to the table has increased exponentially. Furthermore the designers grasp on internal aerodynamics has increased rapidly too. The largest challenge facing the designers is the scope needed for intercooling the turbocharged air. The initial tentative diagram released by Renault showed a singular IC (obviously not to scale) and the idea was enforced when Renault released further pictures at the power units official launch.
Although Mercedes have released some tentative images they are being more coy in terms of establishing whether there is a need for an IC. Both manufacturer's show a singular outlet on the Turbo which would suggest an asymmetric design within the Sidepod to house the IC, however in terms of aerodynamics this would have be a no-no with one Sidepod creating more internal drag than the opposing side. So this suggests to me one of two rationales, either the ICE doesn't require as much cooling and will run with a singular radiator in one Sidepod with the Intercooler placed in the other. Or the Intercoolers size parameters are small enough for it to be housed underneath the exhaust outlet.
I would strongly suggest that the teams will use a single pass intercooler too as their need to retain or keep latent cooled air in the intercooler is limited.
The size and shaping of the intercooler(s) and radiator(s) are of course essential when considering the shape and design of the Sidepods. I suspect we shall see teams edging back toward the type of sculpted design seen on the RB6, with an aggressive undercut to the front of the Sidepod and a tapered tail end clearing maximum area into the coke bottle region.
The efforts made by Sauber in the design and layout of the radiators and other components of the C32 may also stand them in good stead, whilst also highlighting the merits to other teams. Once the 2013 tyres were switched for 2012's construction it became apparent that although some had pointed to their radical Sidepods as an issue, they were not the root cause of their early season slump.
Often overlooked but this area of the car is one that each team has it's own unique take on, during the last rule set we even saw teams trying on blade style, a trend started by Mercedes (2010) and subsequently mimicked by Team Lotus (now Caterham) and Force India (2011). The area is a battle between aero and safety as the designers try to carve away as much space around the structure as possible to aid in airflow. The structures intent however is of course to prevent the drivers head from impacting with the ground in the case of the car rolling over and so safety is paramount. The airbox inlet therefore is the secondary function of the area but nearly as important as it provides a much needed breathing apparatus to the engine.
The last great turbo car the McLaren MP4/4 and it's predecessors did away with the airbox inlet above the drivers head and instead simply employed a roll hoop to protect the driver. In the case of the MP4/4 it was powered by a twin turbo V6 and so the turbo's were packaged in either Sidepod. This of course allowed the team to isolate the inlets outboard instead (Periscopes atop of the Sidepods in this case). The new regulations stipulate that the singular turbo must be placed along the centreline and so this arrangement might not be pertinent as it would increase the pipework length and complexity of the aero structures around the Sidepod. I only bring up the matter from both it's historical context and the fact the airbox does create a certain level of blockage that impedes the rear wings performance. It's a necessary evil of course as the engine cover also has to be designed with dimensional criteria in mind and allowances are made to cater for the airbox in the rear wings aerodynamic design.
More recently we have seen the 'Ears' that were attached to the Lotus E20/21 airbox of which their primary function was to facilitate DRD. The fact that the team bonded these to the chassis however says more about the fact that the airflow structure created at the airbox/roll hoop doesn't have a mass effect on the Rear Wing. DRD was only run competitively once by Lotus on Kimi Raikonnens car at Silverstone and so if the effects were dramatic they would have removed the appendages.
Here's a question maybe you can answer. Can the turbo charger pull enough air that it would have an aero effect on the car?
The simple answer is yes, quantifying these effects is difficult however especially as each design will differ and moreover we rarely see the internal pipework of the airbox.
The complexity of the power unit far out weighs any research I have either conducted myself on my own turbo/supercharged track car and/or I have read in any research documentation. The unit is effectively being compound charged much like the 80's Group B Lancia Delta with the MGU-H playing the part of the Supercharger.
Any simulation of flows contained within the engine cooling or lubrication systems, air, air/fuel mixtures, combustion process or products of combustion from a boundary commencing at the engine air intake duct, passing through the engine and finishing at the exit of the exhaust tailpipes will be classified as an Engine Simulation.
I'm quite sure this is something that I'll look into as the 2014 season progresses.


At the 2016 World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab asserted that the world is entering the fourth industrial revolution. Since then, the impact of digital technologies like the mobile internet, automation, and AI has only accelerated. This WSJ report visualizes many of the trade-offs between the new and the old economy while highlighting many of the surprising ways that the digital economy is growing.
Few companies have had a greater impact on the internet than Google, and few people have had a greater impact on Google than Jeff Dean and Sanjay Ghemawat. This is the story of the deep collaboration and friendship between Google's only two Senior Fellows, and how they developed many of the technologies that allowed Google to grow into the dominant company that it is today.
After soaring to new heights in 2017, the price of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies plummeted in 2018. This in-depth analysis looks beyond the speculative crypto market and argues that architectural breakthrough behind Bitcoin could replace the internet as we know it with something more decentralized and egalitarian.
Jeff Bezos has built Amazon into one of the world's most valuable companies, becoming the world's richest person in the process. In this wide-ranging interview with Forbes - which recently ranked Bezos the most innovative business leader in the country - the Amazon founder shares his approach to innovation and his roadmap for Amazon's future growth.
For decades, America has guided the growth of the internet and indeed, technological advancement as a whole. However, the days of US dominance may be limited, as China has outlined plans to transform into a cyber-superpower. This report examines the domestic regulation, technological innovation, and foreign policy that China is perusing, as well as how the US can respond.
Peter Thiel's data-mining company Palantir is one of the most valuable startups in the world. It is also perhaps the most secretive. This in-depth profile looks at the massive, legally gray data-collection efforts by the company, the detailed profiles they create and sell to law enforcement, the military, and large employers, and how the need to generate a profit has outweighed privacy concerns.
In what is perhaps the most comprehensive account to-date of the NotPetya cyber attack, which ultimately caused more than $10 billion in damage, Wired takes an in-depth look at the technology behind the attack, the context surrounding it, and how Maersk, the world's largest shipping firm and the company that was hit hardest, responded.
This thoughtful cover story from The Atlantic explores the rapidly evolving relationship between humans and increasingly popular virtual assistants such as Amazon Echo. The article not only provides a good overview of the current state of voice-controlled virtual assistants, but also of the legal, ethical, and moral questions they pose.
Thanks to Brandon Metzger for his help in aggregating this list.


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Expert Picks for Opening Weekend of NHL Playoffs
By Larry Henry Jr Jul 30, 2020
The long and excruciating wait is over for NHL Fans around the country.
Five months after the last competitive action, 24 teams will return to the ice looking to lift the Stanley Cup by summer's end. 10 games take place this weekend in Toronto and Edmonton respectively with qualifying round series and round robin seeding tournaments both occurring.
Both Saturday and Sunday will see five games taking place with the Philadelphia Flyers' date with the Boston Bruins the headliner. Alain Vigneault's team saw its nine-game winning run snapped by the Bruins in the last competitive action for both teams back in February. Boston finished the regular season with the most points in the NHL (100) and will be a major favorite to claim the title later this summer.
Eight qualifying round series begin this weekend as well with all 16 teams seeking a strong start. Hosts Toronto and Edmonton will face tough opponents in the best-of-five series and cannot afford to let up on home ice.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, and Vancouver Canucks headline the top teams in the qualifying round.
Fox Sports The Gambler Flyers and NHL analyst Larry Henry Jr gives his best plays for the opening weekend of games. As always, our odds come courtesy from DraftKings SportsBook.
Onto the picks!
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins
The Philadelphia Flyers face off with the Boston Bruins on Sunday, coming in as underdogs in Toronto.
Alain Vigneault's team were 3-2 against the Bruins this regular season, picking up one of those victories in overtime. Travis Konecny and Claude Giroux lead the attack for the Flyers while Carter Hart will get the nod in goal.
Boston has owned this rivalry in the past, picking up 43 wins compared to 26 losses. MVP snub David Pastrnak eclipsed 45 goals and 90 points this regular season and will be key to the B's offense.
The Flyers may be underdogs, but overall has more depth offensively than the Bruins. These meetings have averaged 5.6 combined goals per game, another play I like on Sunday.
Pick: Flyers (+112), Over 5.5 goals (+177)
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Edmonton Oilers
The Chicago Blackhawks snuck into the playoffs due to the expanded format and ultimately have a daunting task in the qualifying round.
Chicago will look to pull the upset on hosts Edmonton, despite relying on plenty of veteran players on both ends of the ice. Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Duncan Keith remain valuable pieces of the Blackhawks roster and will need to have strong opening games to set the tone early and avoid an early hole.
Edmonton is lead by the star power of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who both put in masterclass regular seasons. Both players are young and ready for the spotlight the playoffs bring and should have plenty to prove on home ice.
Chicago won both of the head-to-head meetings this season, but I gotta go with the home team who are miles better.
Pick: Oilers (-148)
Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames
One of the more intriguing series is the only battle between two Canadian teams.
Winnipeg and Calgary were neck-and-neck in the regular season, finishing only one point from each other. The Jets are +110 to the series, but pose one of the league's top offensive units. Kyle Connor (38 goals), Mark Scheifele (29 goals), and Patrik Laine (28 goals) are just three members of a deep forward group, who all can carry the load in the playoffs.
Calgary is led by some young talent as well with Matthew Tkachuk, Elias Lindholm, and Johnny Gaudreau being the marquee names. All three had over 50 points in the regular season and will be keen to do more of the same in the playoffs.
While Calgary has been a nice sight this season, my money is with Winnipeg to get an early jump on this series. Connor Hellebyuck is a top goaltender in the NHL and is more reliable than Cam Talbot or David Rittich.
Pick: Jets (-104)
Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
It is a David vs. Goliath matchup in the Eastern Conference with the Pittsburgh Penguins facing off with the Montreal Canadiens.
Pittsburgh bring plenty of playoff experience to the table with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang remaining from past cup successes. Added to the mix is star forward Jake Guentzel who is back to full health after a major injury this season and young defender John Marino. Mike Sullivan will have a tough decision to make in goal though with Tristan Jarry and Matt Murray both earning 20 wins in the regular season.
Montreal is a team who also snuck into the playoffs due to the new format, but will have a tough time with the Penguins. Tomas Tatar is the lone star in the Canadiens attack, while Shea Weber is a key veteran on the backend. Carey Price may have a busy series in goal for the Habs, who are major underdogs in this series.
My money is with the Pens to start strong in Toronto.
Pick: Penguins (-162)
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
For the Toronto Maple Leafs to advance into the next round, they will have to get the better of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Led by Coach of the Year finalist John Tortorella, Columbus made the most of their regular season which saw star forward Cam Atkinson miss plenty of time due to injury. Atkinson is back for the Jackets and looking to lead his team past the Eastern Conference hosts.
My eyes will be on Toronto though with Auston Matthews having a first crack to add to an impressive season. Matthews scored 47 goals in the regular season and is easily the top player on the Maple Leafs offense.
With the extra edge of being on home ice, I like Toronto to claim Game No. 1
Pick: Maple Leafs (-152)


My AOS was sent on the 9th of April and accepted on the 25th of April .. yay!! Waiting for my DS-230 to be accepted, this was sent on the 16th of April!
Yes even I am curious to know if an email is sent stating the AOS acceptance.


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Farms get incentives to protect bobolinks
May 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
ADDISON COUNTY — Spring has finally arrived, and across the region wildlife species are returning to their seasonal habitats, including flocks of migratory birds. But while there may seem to be an abundance of chirping birds returning to the area, the populations of Vermont's seven grassland songbird species have, in fact, plummeted in recent years.
This year, an innovative project at the University of Vermont aims to restore habitat for one of those specie: bobolinks.
The Bobolinks Project, a collaboration UVM Extension, UVM's Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources and the University of Connecticut, is collecting community donations to pay farmers not to harvest their hay fields during the bobolink nesting season. Changes to farm management practices in past decades allow dairy farms to harvest hay several times a year — and the end of their first cut or beginning of their second often coincides with the bobolink's nine-week nesting period.
So far, nine farms in Addison and Chittenden counties have signed on.
"In Vermont, birds like the bobolink that nest in tall grass depend heavily on those managed hayfields," said Allan Strong, a wildlife biologist with the Rubenstein School. "But harvests during the nesting season destroy nests or expose fledglings to predation with mortality near 100 percent."
Once the most populous species of grasslands songbird in North America, bobolink populations have dropped by 40 percent in recent decades. The birds, which have the longest migration path of any North American songbird, face habitat destruction from their winter home in the grasslands of Brazil and Argentina, all the way up the Atlantic seaboard to the grasslands of Canada, where they spend their summers. They have been exterminated as pests in South America.
New England is an important stop for the birds because they are most vulnerable when raising their chicks. While nesting habitat destruction only accounts for part of the reason why bobolink populations are declining, it is a significant part.
The Bobolinks Project is designed to allow farmers to think of habitat preservation as a commodity, one that can be sold the same way as hay bales or dairy products.
"There's really a variety of needs," Strong said. "One of our challenges has been to assess the needs across this very diverse group (of dairy farmers). The conversation with every farmer is different."
PAYMENTS TO FARMERS
Farmers "bid" their hayfields to the project, and are reimbursed by the acre for not cutting hay during the nesting period (usually early June to early August). Each field must be within suitable bobolink nesting grounds, as mapped by the Rubenstein School's researchers, and not already home to predatory invasive species.
Project organizers encouraged farmers to be up front about what they considered reasonable compensation per acre, and that monetary figure is declared when they submit their application.
"We're really trying to stress, 'Bid the price that works for your budget,'" Strong said.
Bidding will close on May 15. "After that, it's just a matter of cutting checks," Strong said.
Organizers say that the Bobolinks Project is a pilot of potential habitat preservation models for other species. Strong said the project had begun with bobolinks because it seemed manageable — unlike other birds, bobolinks don't require too many acres for nesting, so it was financially feasible to compensate farmers for their acreage. And though bobolink populations are declining, the situation is not so dire that a conservation project faces a low chance of success.
The community-financed model itself, Strong said, could also be used to preserve wetlands birds or species in a number of habitats.
"The project is not only about conservation," said Lisa Chase, UVM Extension natural resources specialist. "(It) is also university research into the most effective ways of capturing the public's value for habitat protection."
For Orwell farmer Elizabeth Frank, participation in the Bobolinks Project was a no-brainer.
"It really fits what I'm trying to do here," said Frank, whose 54-acre farm in Orwell uses permaculture principles to grow crops.
Frank stressed that she is in a different situation from most Addison County dairy farmers, since she doesn't have a dairy herd that needs feeding.
"I think it's the financial piece that's going to be persuasive," Frank said of the Bobolinks Project. "(Participation) causes a gamble, so of course there has to be an assurance that there won't be a financial loss.
"But I'd encourage people to think about the overall importance of ecosystems and habitat," Frank added. "We've got an excess of milk happening, and an under excess of land. If someone has the opportunity to preserve habitat by waiting it out (on cutting hay) it's worth it."


text:
MLAs must stand up for LGBTQ Students
AFL calls on legislature to approve bill to promote Gay-Straight Alliances
Edmonton – The Alberta Federation of Labour is calling on MLAs from across all parties to support Bill 202, a private-members bill that would require school boards to accommodate students seeking to form gay-straight alliances in their schools.
Edmonton-Centre MLA Laurie Blakeman's bill, the Safe and Inclusive Schools Statutes Amendment Act, which is expected to hit the legislature today, will help build healthier communities for Alberta students and could save lives.
"The Alberta Federation of Labour proudly stands by the LGBTQ community and supports all measures that help to make this province a more inclusive and safe place to be for all Albertans," Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan said. "When Bill 202 comes up for debate, I encourage all MLAs to support it to help make our schools safe spaces for all students, regardless of gender or sexual orientation."
A recent report funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) found that Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) can contribute to the reduction of suicidal thoughts and attempts among both LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ students. Suicidal thoughts amongst LGBTQ students were reduced by more than half and non-LGBTQ boys were half as likely to attempt suicide when schools had GSAs.
"Gay-Straight Alliances are proven to deter bullying, promote positive communities for all students—now there's evidence to suggest they even save young lives," McGowan said. "There is simply no good reason for our elected representatives to restrict students from organizing themselves into more positive and inclusive communities. Albertans are accepting and supportive of the LGBTQ community. It's time for provincial representatives to reflect those values."
The University of British Columbia's press release on the CIHR-funded report can be downloaded here:
http://news.ubc.ca/2014/01/20/gay-straight-alliances-in-schools-reduce-suicide-risk-for-all-students/
Olav Rokne, Communications Director, Alberta Federation of Labour at 780.218.4351 (cell)
afl Press Release CIHR


text:
8601 W. 135th Street,
Open (Showing movies)
16 screens
B & B Theatres (Official)
Operated by: B & B Theatres
Previously operated by: Dickinson Theatres
Firms: Gould Evans Associates
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Previous Names: Palazzo 16 Theatre
Phone Numbers: Box Office: 913.814.7469
AMC Dine-In Prairie Fire 18
South Quality 12
AMC Town Center 20
Leawood Drive-In
AMC Studio 28 with IMAX and...
News About This Theater
Feb 27, 2009 — RealD Projectors Debut at Six Dickinson's on Friday
The Palazzo 16 was opened by Dickinson Theatres on December 3, 2004. It contains two 'Gem' theatres and one auditorium that has 3D capability. In November 2014 it was taken over by B & B Theatres.
JoelWeide on February 28, 2009 at 9:17 pm
This theatre, I believe, was John Hartley's first theatre construction after he assumed control of the Dickinson Circuit.
SanduvallBlack on June 25, 2012 at 11:13 am
This theatre converted to digital presentation in December of 2011. It features 16 digital screens, with four 3D capable auditoriums.
Joe Vogel on March 7, 2014 at 10:04 pm
A 2004 press release about the Pallazeo 16 Tehatre can still be seen on this page of Dickinson Theatres' web site. The multiplex was designed by the architectural firm Gould Evans Associates.
sunflower62 on November 12, 2014 at 9:35 pm
This theater was acquired by B&B Theaters in November 2014, as part of their purchase of the Dickinson theater chain.
The name is now listed as Overland Park 16. Information can be found at their official website bbtheaters.com
rivest266 on November 14, 2020 at 12:16 am
The Dickinson Palazzo 16 opened on December 3rd, 2004. Grand opening ad posted.
Press release: at https://web.archive.org/web/20050210165259/http://dtmovies.com/latest_news.htm 5/3/04 Dickinson Theatres Breaks Ground on Johnson County's Most Extravagant Movie Theatre
Overland Park, Kans. – Wednesday, March 3, 2004 – Dickinson Theatres, in cooperation with Midwest Cinema Group, broke ground on what is expected to be Johnson County's most luxurious movie theatre… the Palazzo 16.
Dickinson cut ground early on March 3, 2004 at the SW corner of 135th and 69 Highway in the Village Pointe Shopping Center in Overland Park, Kans. for what will be the gem of Johnson County's movie-going options.
A plush 16-screen theatre lavished in Italian villa decor, the Palazzo is expected to be Dickinson's newest and most premiere movie venture. A concept in creation with Dickinson Theatres since the luxurious Glenwood theatre opening in the 1960's—the Palazzo hopes to exceed Johnson County movie-goers' expectations for quality, comfort and experience.
The architectural plans include towering white columns, rich colors and greenery, Italian-imported working fountains and detailed marble furnishings.
"It's been a dream of mine for a while now, to build a beautiful building that services our guests with quality presentations, above-quality service in an awe-inspiring environment," says John Hartley, president and CEO of Dickinson Theatres. "We've taken the concerns of our customers from the last 40 years and we've applied them to the Palazzo. From bathrooms to parking, we plan on building a theatre that becomes more to the customer than just a movie-viewing, it'll be a one of a kind movie-going experience…where elegance and fun meet the magic of movies."
The Palazzo – envisioned by Dickinson Theatres, conceived by Darrin Ingram of Gould Evans architectural design firm and constructed by Luke Draily – is expected to open to the public in November 2004.
Dickinson Theatres owns and operates 39 movie theatres in the Midwest with 357 screens in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. A privately owned organization, Dickinson Theatres is headquartered in Overland Park, Kans. and employs over 885 staff members including 22 full-time corporate office employees.


A beautiful, hand thrown stoneware ramekin dish in a rustic snow white glaze.
Ideal for baking individual portions of dishes such as macaroni cheese or sponge cakes. Also a useful bowl for for serving condiments, sauces, or snacks such as olives.


Set up in 1929, the Hatch End Association is a non-political and non-sectarian association. Its aims are to work for its members and help create a vibrant local community. Any resident or local business is entitled to become a member and we extend a warm welcome to new members.
Our website will keep you up to date with the work carried out by the committee, including planning applications, parking charges, environmental issues, liaison with our councillors and Harrow Council, tree planting, memorial plaques, clean up days and Christmas lights. We also publish our Bulletin three times a year where you can read about Hatch End past, present and future.


text:
Kinder Foundation contributes $7.5 million lead gift to HSPVA Friends capital campaign
October 17, 2016 School NewsBy hspvaadmin
In an unprecedented partnership, a private donor and a non-profit organization are collaborating for the benefit of a Houston Independent School District (HISD) public school. HSPVA Friends, the non-profit dedicated to raising funds for Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, launched a $10 million Build the Extraordinary. Inspire Dreams. capital campaign to ensure that the school's long-awaited downtown campus opens with its essential core arts curriculum features. The Kinder Foundation, a supporter of HSPVA Friends since 2008, offered a lead gift of $7.5 million.
The school project received substantial funding of $80.2 million from the 2012 HISD bond election, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in December 2014. Construction began in February 2016 with the understanding that additional funding would be required.
In accordance with HISD naming policy and the Board of Trustees approval on October 13, 2016, in recognition of the Kinder Foundation's lead donation, upon opening, the new downtown school will be named the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts or Kinder HSPVA.
HSPVA Friends Executive Director Alene Haehl Coggin said, "HSPVA Friends extends heartfelt thanks to the Kinder Foundation for its continued commitment to students. We also thank the HISD Board of Trustees for approving the gift. We are thrilled that the school will open with complete arts facilities. We hope that many more HISD schools receive impactful support in the future."
Kinder Foundation Chairman Rich Kinder said, "We hope these joint and cooperative efforts preserve the long-term future of one of Houston's most acclaimed and diverse schools and forges a new path through public/private partnership to support future HISD schools."
Download the Houston Chronicle article.
Download the Houston Chronicle op-ed.
Download a letter of thanks from Cynthia Ogden, Theatre Department chair.
Download Gregory McDaniel's letter to the editor in support of the $7.5 million gift.
Download a rendering of the school.
Alumni: We want to hear from you!
Kinder HSPVA Celebrates Grand Opening
With unprecedented philanthropic support secured, the completed Kinder HSPVA campus will open January 7
See what your gift makes possible!


Thousands of properties in Gloucester were without power tonight after an outage in the GL2 area.
Western Power Distribution said they were aware of the failure at 6.05pm.
It was initially reported that it would take more than hour for power to return.
Some 3,868 properties were without power due to a faulty underground cable carrying 11,000 volts.
The main areas that were affected were the GL1 and GL2 areas of the city.
Shoppers in Gloucester Quays were also affected.
Power was restored moments after the fault was detected and power to the cable was isolated.
It will be repaired later.
A spokesman for Western Power Distribution said the faulty cable has been isolated and will be repaired later.
All the properties affected should now have power restored.
Shoppers in Gloucester Quays were affected by the outtage.
Doors wouldn't open and tills stopped working.
At Gloucestershire Live the phone line and internet is down.
What was the cause of the fauit?
A high voltage underground power cable was the cause of the problems.
The cable was carrying electricity with 11,000 volts.
A spokesman from Western Power Distribution has said the more than nearly 4,000 properties were affected by the power cut.
A total of 3,868 properties across Gloucester were momentarily without power.


Semester 1 and full year students: we will let you know from June onwards whether your module choices have been accepted. In the summer we will email you a module enrolment report, which lists the modules you have been enrolled in or rejected from and those which are still pending a decision.
Semester 2 students who have applied after mid-May: you will receive your module enrolment report by email, about a month after your acceptance to the University.
Please see our guide to module enrolment for further information.
You will be able to make changes to your modules after you have received your module enrolment report by email. We strongly recommend that you finalise your modules as soon as possible after you receive your module enrolment report, particularly if you are interested in taking modules in high-demand areas. You are generally able to make changes to your modules until the second week of teaching.
A total of 50-60 credits per semester is a full workload. If you are enrolled in less than 50 credits you will need to add new modules (using the module catalogue) or if you enrolled in more than 60 credits you will need to drop some to bring your credit total to 60.
To add, drop, or change a module, email the study abroad coordinator in the relevant school.
an explanation of whether you want to add, drop or change a module. If you want to change a module to a different module taught within the same teaching school also include the new module code and title.
You will be allocated a parent school which will be responsible for the administration for your studies at the University of Leeds.
If you are an Erasmus+ student you will be allocated a parent school dependent on which school your home university has its Erasmus+ agreement with. It won't be possible to change parent school whilst you are studying at Leeds.
All other students will be allocated the most appropriate parent school for you based on your application programme of study. If you change your modules considerably then it is sensible to change your parent school to the one in which you are taking the majority of your modules. The Study Abroad Office can do this for you before or when you arrive.


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Travel South Yorkshire is behind the 'Little Big Changes' campaign - which aims to encourage people across the region to choose to go by bus, train, tram, bike or on foot when travelling this summer.
"By just making a little change to their usual journey, people can make a big difference to their own lives as well as the environment - whether that's getting fit, saving money or burning fewer fossil fuels," said Tim Taylor, Director of Customer Service at South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE).
"Leaving the car at home, even if it is just one day a week, and getting on board public transport, or cycling or walking, can make so much difference, and we are encouraging everyone to make a little change which could have big benefits.
"Now the summer holidays have arrived, we want to encourage families to try something different this year and make a little change when they are out and about. Instead of jumping in their car, it would be great to see families creating their own little adventures by exploring more on foot, on bikes or by hopping on a bus, tram or train. By choosing a more active way to travel people could have more fun, save money and even get fitter. It will also help get more cars off the road in South Yorkshire contributing to cleaner air and making journey times quicker for everyone", added Tim.
The benefits of active travel to health and wellbeing, as well as the environment and the bank balance, are well known. Walking as part of a return bus trip can provide half of a person's recommended daily exercise, for example. SYPTE also wants the campaign to highlight some of the health and wellbeing benefits of active travel.
"The benefits of making a 'Little Big Change' this summer are endless and this sunny weather is a great reason to make a start. Any change you make now will have a lasting impact long after the summer days are behind us. Just 20 minutes' walking a day is sufficient to reduce long-term health risks associated with inactivity, and a person who is active every day reduces their risk of Alzheimer's disease by 20-35 per cent, and depression by 20-30 per cent.
"Another thing people often don't consider is the effect that your chosen mode of transport can have on your mental health. Research shows that 83 per cent of people feel less stressed when travelling by public transport instead of driving, and this is one of the messages we really want to drive home to the public", explained Tim.
As well as making pledges themselves, Travel South Yorkshire's employees will be encouraging local community groups to get involved by pledging to make a 'Little Big Change' as a group. This could see local youth centres choosing to walk every day instead of driving, or pupils from a local primary school taking the bus instead of being driven to school.


text:
Brass Fever is the debut album by American jazz/R&B group Brass Fever, recorded in 1975 and released on the Impulse! label.

Reception
The AllMusic review states: "Brass Fever is unapologetically funky, and this very enjoyable LP (which is the band's most essential release) is strictly for those who like their jazz laced with lots of R&B".

Track listing
 "Lady Marmalade" (Bob Crewe, Kenny Nolan) - 5:58
 "Djingi" (B. Branynon) - 6:51
 "Sunshine Superman" (Donovan Leitch) - 6:28
 "Back at the Chicken Shack" (Jimmy Smith) - 7:26
 "Bach Bone" (Johann Sebastian Bach) - 7:40

Personnel
Buddy Collette - flute
Oscar Brashear - trumpet
George Bohanon, Garnett Brown, Charlie Loper, Frank Rosolino - trombone
John Handy - alto saxophone
Lee Ritenour - electric guitar
Sonny Burke - electric piano
Phil Wright - piano, organ, clavinet
Scott Edwards - electric bass
Shelly Manne - drums
Eddie "Bongo" Brown - percussion
Wade Marcus - conductor, arranger

References

Impulse! Records albums
Brass Fever albums
1975 debut albums
Albums arranged by Wade Marcus
Albums produced by Esmond Edwards

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Qatar is Downgraded by Fitch as Blockade Takes a Toll
By Nicolas ParasieDow Jones Newswires
Confidence in Qatar's creditworthiness took another hit Monday, as Fitch Ratings downgraded the country's debt, citing concerns that the economic blockade imposed by Arab neighbors was unlikely to be lifted soon.
The move is the latest sign of worry from credit ratings firms that a diplomatic dispute between Doha and a Saudi Arabia-led bloc of countries has taken a toll on Qatar's economy, and that the situation could continue to deteriorate.
Fitch lowered the energy-rich Persian Gulf nation's long-term issuer rating by one notch, to AA- from AA, noting that the negotiating positions between Qatar and its adversaries "remain far apart" as international efforts to resolve the diplomatic standoff make little progress.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt accuse Qatar of promoting extremist groups and meddling in their domestic affairs, charges Doha denies. Qatar's adversaries also issued a list of 13 demands, including shutting down news broadcaster Al Jazeera and curbing ties with Tehran.
Doha has refused to agree to the demands. Last week, tensions rose further when Qatar restored full diplomatic relations with Iran. Majority Shiite Muslim Iran is the Sunni kingdom's main rival for power in the Middle East.
Qatar's policy amounts to "crisis management of burning bridges," U.A.E. minister of state for foreign affairs Anwar Gargash said following that move. "The wisdom we wished for is completely absent."
Fitch and the other leading ratings firms, Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's, worry that the conflict will pressure Doha's finances. Lower credit rates could push up Qatar's borrowing costs.
Monday's downgrade underlines the mounting costs for Qatar since the diplomatic crisis erupted in early June, when the Saudi-led bloc severed diplomatic ties and closed all air, land and sea borders shared with Qatar.
A flurry of diplomatic efforts has failed to break the impasse between the countries--all of which are U.S. allies in the region.
S&P said Sunday that the continuing boycott will slow down Qatar's economy, keeping its AA- rating and negative outlook on the country's long-term prospects despite removing Qatar from negative CreditWatch. Moody's last month lowered its Qatar rating outlook to negative.
Until now, Qatar has weathered the initial impact of the blockade by tapping its vast reserves, accumulated in large part due to the export of natural gas. Doha also sought to establish new sea and air routes through Iran and countries including Oman.
But there are signs of the toll it has taken on Qatar's economy. Food prices have risen and domestic banks have been hit by two successive months of deposit outflows. Fitch said it expects those outflows to continue, but at a slower pace.
For this year, Fitch predicts Qatar's gross domestic product will grow at 2% and at 1.3% in 2018 and 2019, compared with 2.2% in 2016. Tourism and transport are likely to be the worst-hit sectors, it said, estimating Qatar's national airline has lost 10% of its passengers since June.
Write to Nicolas Parasie at nicolas.parasie@wsj.com
August 28, 2017 08:49 ET (12:49 GMT)


Sivu 138 - National Organization (UMNO), the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA), and the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC).
Sivu 135 - Rakryan mahamantri i hino. A study on the highest court dignitary of Ancient Java up to the 13th century AD Journal of the Historical Society, University of Singapore, 1967/1968, 10.
Sivu 161 - I am sure our reputation on the Continent, as a feature of strength, power, and confidence, is of more real moment to us than an acquisition thus made.
Sivu 159 - The interest of the king of England is to keep France from being too great on the continent ; and the French interest is to keep us from being masters of the sea. — The French have pursued their interest well.


I scored 33%; discerning artistic intent is not a strength of mine.
To illustate the logistical and psychological impediments to bicycle commuting, and how they can be overcome by even the most unprepared new commuter.
When I started commuting by bike 2.5 yeras ago, I hadn't ridden a bike in almost 25 years. I was intimidated and very out of shape, but I found ways to adapt which didn't disrupt my life.
Potential bicycle commuters and transportation infrastructure authorities.
I'm planning for a static digital map or map series, viewed primarily on the desktop. The challenge will be to present the different routes over time and the obstacles which shaped them in an uncluttered way.


We are now accepting scholarship applications for the 2019-2020 academic year. Please fill out the application and return before the deadline of April 1, 2019.
Applications are to be turned in by April 1, 2019. The scholarship committee will review the applications and notify the winners by May 3, 2019. Recipients will be awarded the scholarships at the annual golf outing. The annual golf outing will be held Thursday, June 20, 2019 at Fox Hollow Golf Club in St. Michael, MN. Recipients are expected to attend the golf outing.
Awards will be between $750 and $1,500 each.
Questions? Please contact the scholarship committee chair, Angela Kokesh at 763-323-4517 or angela.kokesh@lifefitness.com.


text:
Q: Why is the derivative of $x^2$ equal to $2x$ rather than $4x$? Between 2m26s and 4m36s of this YouTube video, the teacher explains the power rule using the area of a square.

*

*But why isnt the square or cube increasing its area or volume on all sides?

*If square increases its area by all 4sides, shouldnt the derivative be 4x dx ?? whats the argument behind this???
Thanks.

A: That's because the core thing which is happening is not that the square / cube is padded on one side, but that the side lengths of the square / cube are increasing by $dx$. We could have it expand in both directions, but then each padding would be $\frac12dx$ thick. You would get the same result.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


At Kennel Zeigler LLC, we have guided numerous clients through the process of filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Ohio. Our Dayton attorneys are here to help you. Whether you want to save your home from foreclosure or you simply don't qualify for Chapter 7, we will listen carefully to your goals and help you develop a plan of action that is tailored to finding you the relief you need.
How might Chapter 13 bankruptcy benefit you?
It can allow you to catch up on past-due mortgage payments and car payments, helping you save your home and avoid car repossession.
It will put an immediate stop to creditor harassment, wage garnishment and sheriff's sales.
It can enable you to repay state or federal tax debt without interest.
It can allow you to keep more personal property and assets than with Chapter 7.
It can provide peace of mind, knowing that you are repaying your debts instead of simply eliminating them.
With Chapter 13, you will create a manageable debt repayment plan for repaying as much as you can over a three- to five-year period. Once the repayment plan is complete, any remaining debts will be discharged.
Many people don't realize we can help you find relief within days of filing for bankruptcy. The court will issue an automatic stay on your behalf as soon as you file, which will put an immediate stop to creditor calls, debt-related lawsuits and other actions against you.
We encourage you to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our knowledgeable lawyers. We will sit down with you and discuss your debt-relief options in detail. Call Kennel Zeigler LLC at 937-356-3735 or email our Dayton office.


Turner, M & Rack, J.
Theories of developmental dyslexia: insights from a multiple case study of dyslexic learners. Accessed online in full.
An informative text on working memory is by Gathercole, S.E. and Alloway, T.P. 'Understanding Working Memory: A Classroom Guide' . Available to download.


Taking golf lessons from a PGA Professional is the best way to improve your game. A PGA Professional is uniquely skilled & can help you hit the ball longer & straighter as well as improve your finesse on the green & improve your competence throughout all aspects of the sport.
Custom packages are also available, took book or for further information please contact the golf shop, T: 028 9185 2706 or E: info@theblackwoodgc.com.


Yes the earths crust shifts every 12,500 years or so. Many advanced civilizations have come and gone. Nothing new under the sun!!
I don't think this has anything to do with pole shift, just continental drift. So that could possibly make this human settlement millions upon millions of years old. There is actually plenty of evidence to suggest humans have been around a lot longer than the establishment wants to admit.


Science and research news service Phys.org recently published a preview of Scripps Health's 35th annual Hematology and Oncology Conference, planned for Feb. 14 through Feb. 17. The event will bring together experts from the nation's leading cancer centers to explore ways to bring the latest research advances to cancer patients.
Read the Phys.org article Scripps Hematology and Oncology Conferences Set for Feb. 14-17.


He played 11 of his 12 NFL season with the Ravens and proved to be a dynamic player from his first day. Overall, Reed made the Pro Bowl nine times and was a five-time first-team All-Pro selection and was the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
He also finished with 64 career interceptions – seventh-best in NFL history – and his 1,590 return yards on those picks rank first. Reed also has the record for the two longest interception returns in NFL history: 107 and 106 yards.


Moonroof, Power Liftgate, Remote Engine Start, iPod/MP3 Input, Satellite Radio, TRANSMISSION, 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC. FWD Premium Luxury trim, CRYSTAL WHITE TRICOAT exterior and JET BLACK interior. FUEL EFFICIENT 30 MPG Hwy/24 MPG City!
SUNROOF, POWER, DUAL PANEL GLASS, TILT/SLIDING, COLD WEATHER PACKAGE includes (KA1) heated driver and front passenger seats, (KA6) heated rear outboard seating position seats and (KI3) automatic heated steering wheel, DRIVER AWARENESS PACKAGE includes (UHY) Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking, (UKJ) Front Pedestrian Braking, (UE4) Following Distance Indicator, (UEU) Forward Collision Alert, (UHX) Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning and (TQ5) IntelliBeam, 9-SPEED AUTOMATIC electronically-controlled (STD), ENGINE, 2.0L TURBO, 4-CYLINDER, SIDI (237 hp [177 kW] @ 5000 rpm, 258 lb-ft of torque [350 N-m] @ 1500-4000 rpm) (STD).


text:
Not intended for U.S. and UK Media -- Bayer and PeptiDream to identify new active substance candidates through novel peptide-based screening technology
Bayer - Thursday, November 16, 2017.
Bayer press release - Not intended for U.S. and UK Media -- Bayer and PeptiDream to identify new active substance candidates through novel peptide-based screening technology
Continue reading at the original source >>
About Bayer
For when you can't "bayer" the pain, Bayer Corporation makes your medicine. The US subsidiary of pharmaceuticals and materials giant Bayer AG (or Bayer Group), the company operates through three divisions and an internal services company. Bayer Corporation handles Bayer Group's US operations in three segments: Bayer HealthCare (pharmaceuticals, animal health, and over-the-counter medicines), MaterialScience (plastics, coatings, and polyurethanes), and Bayer CropScience (herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides). The internal services unit, Bayer Corporate and Business Services, handles administrative, technology, human resources, legal, and procurement functions for the Bayer Group's US operations
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