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Simpson aims to repel Smith to maintain House seat
Mike Simpson
By Associated Press - Wednesday, May 14, 2014
BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Making the word "liberal" stick to eight-term Congressman Mike Simpson in deeply conservative Idaho is no easy task.
So when challenger Bryan Smith applies a term that is as radioactive in Idaho's 2nd Congressional District as anything produced at a federal nuclear facility in the region, he's careful to qualify it by saying Simpson is "too liberal for Idaho."
"I believe that Congressman Mike Simpson is out of touch," said Smith in a variation on the theme in a recent interview with The Associated Press. "I am a true conservative who believes in smaller government and smaller spending and lower taxes."
The GOP primary on Tuesday is in one of the most conservative areas of the nation. The eastern half of Idaho contains the district that is home to farms and ranches, the Idaho National Laboratory nuclear facility, and the churches and temples representing a strong presence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which the two candidates are members.
"I understand the game he's playing," said Simpson, 63, who has endorsements from the National Rifle Association and Idaho Sen. Jim Risch, one of the U.S. Senate's most conservative members. "If you say something long enough and often enough, some people will believe it. But anyone who knows my record and knows me knows I'm anything but liberal."
Simpson cites as evidence of his conservatism, as well as the value of his seniority in the U.S. House, the budget rider he inserted in April 2011 that stripped wolves of federal protections. The measure marked the first time since the passage of the Endangered Species Act in 1973 that Congress forcibly removed protections from a plant or animal.
But Smith, 52, frequently cites two votes in particular he says make Simpson too liberal for the state.
One of them is Simpson's October 2013 decision to end the 16-day partial government shutdown Republicans attempted to use to force an end to the federal Affordable Care Act. Smith notes that the three other members of Idaho's delegation, U.S. Sens. Risch and Mike Crapo, as well as Rep. Raul Labrador, all Republicans, voted against a plan to restart government that kept in place President Barack Obama's signature health care law.
"Those three fought against Barack Obama, and Mike Simpson raised the white flag of surrender," said Smith, who is backed by the conservative groups and tea party favorites the Club for Growth, the American Conservative Union and FreedomWorks. "I would have likewise voted with the rest of the Idaho delegation."
Labrador, from the 1st Congressional District, doesn't have to worry about losing the votes of some 5,000 workers at the Idaho National Laboratory who were about to be laid off because of the shutdown.
"That would have devastated the economy in southeast Idaho," said Simpson, adding he could have voted with the rest of the Idaho delegation without changing the outcome. "But that wouldn't have been honest with the people of Idaho about what had to happen."
He also said the shutdown started jeopardizing the party's chances of taking control this November of the U.S. Senate, currently held by senators in Obama's party.
"Shutting down the government is never good policy, and it's never good politics," said Simpson, who often notes he has voted to defund the Affordable Care Act some 50 times.
The other vote Smith often frequently cites is Simpson's 2008 vote for the Troubled Asset Relief Program put forward under the Bush administration.
"Everybody in the district knows that he voted for the $700 billion bailout," said Smith. The vote is also used in an ad against Simpson.
Simpson defends the vote, saying it helped prevent a 1930s-type depression.
"That was a vote that nobody wanted to make, but everybody felt we had to do something," he said. "In the end, this will all be paid back and we will have avoided the financial collapse everybody predicted."
The U.S. Treasury Department has said it eventually allocated $474.8 billion to the Troubled Asset Relief Program to bail out banks, insurers, auto companies and others during the financial crisis. In April, the agency said it had so far recovered $438.4 billion.
Ads for Simpson target Smith for his work collecting debts from people who have unpaid medical bills. Smith, a fierce attorney by most accounts, is unapologetic, noting the ads don't address the issues.
"Instead he throws mud on me and does it with false attack ads," Smith said. "This is what happens when someone who is liberal attacks someone who is conservative."
Simpson fires back.
"He criticizes a lot of my votes and takes them out of context, and some of them are just flat lies," Simpson said. "I have questions about anyone who would do that. He wouldn't be the kind of representative I am who seeks solutions, conservative solutions."
The Congressional seat that represents the heavily Republican district is considered safe in November for the candidate who wins the GOP primary.


Rainbow Dash is almost ready for the first school day. The last thing to do is to choose the best outfit for this important and responsible day. Help Rainbow Dash choose strictly and stylishly clothes in accordance with the school dress code.


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Home / Shop / History & Archaeology / History of the Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire (1880)
History of the Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire (1880)
Title: History of the Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire (5 vols, complete)
Author: Edward Gibbon, with notes by HH Milman
Publisher: Porter & Coates, 1880. Scarce edition.
Condition: Hardcover, brown cloth with gilt on spine. In very good condition fo
SKU: history-decline-fall-roman-empire-gibbon-1880 Categories: Ancient & Medieval World, History & Archaeology, All Rare Books
Condition: Hardcover, brown cloth with gilt on spine. In very good condition for its age. Tightly bound, clean, and well-preserved.
Widely considered to be the best history books ever written.
Had a huge influence on very many important Western politicians and historians of the past two centuries.
About the book (from wikipedia):
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire was written by English historian Edward Gibbon and published in six volumes between 1776 and 1789. It is an exceptionally well written book on history.
The work covers the history of the Roman Empire, Europe, the Catholic Church, the Byzantine Empire, the rise of Islam, the Crusades, etc etc from 98 to 1590 and discusses the decline of the Roman Empire in the East and West. Because of its relative objectivity and heavy use of primary sources, at the time, its methodology became a model for later historians. This led to Gibbon being called the first "modern historian of ancient Rome."
Edward Gibbon (27 April 1737 – 16 January 1794) was an English historian and Member of Parliament.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Cleaning Hobs Birmingham Although home housewives love to wash windows in the summer, however, summer storms and gale are conducive to dirty windows and the formation of various streaks on them.
This is because the heating season is conducive to the creation of more or less smoke in the house and the deposition of dust on various home appliances. Also curtains and window curtains do not look very good after winter.


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CISS Pakistan
Center for International Strategic Studies
Executive Director's Message
CISS Team
Book and Report Launch
CISS Insight Journal
Special Issue on Tenth Anniversary
Special Issue on Pulwama-Balakot Crisis
Special Issue on Youm-e-Takbeer
CISS Outreach
About CISS Outreach
1st CISS Outreach Workshop
Press Release/Photo Gallery
You are here: Home / Annual Reports / CISS Annual Report 2015
CISS Annual Report 2015
In 2015, CISS held a wide range of activities; conferences, workshops, round table discussions, research and publications. An eventful year for CISS, during 2015 we continued the partnership ventures with the International Institute of Strategic Studies, London, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington, we also organized events with our local af3iliate organizations. Besides, our researchers participated and contributed in a number of forums abroad on international level. Five years in a row, CISS has been striving to contribute its best to creative and analytical national discourse every year.
Please click on the download link to view the complete report or download to your computer.
Filed Under: Annual Reports,
2nd CISS Workshop (Virtual)
Introduction to Pakistan's Nuclear Policy Date to be announced later
CISS Journal
Scope of the Journal
Editorial/Advisory Board
Journal's Archive
Plagiarism Guidelines
Open Access/Open Archiving Policy
ED CISS gave comments on "Pakistan's Foreign Policy Challenges" on PTV World
ED CISS participated in discussion on "India Chronicles and EU Disinfo Lab Findings" on Roze TV
ED CISS met Swiss Ambassador to Pakistan, Ambassador Benedict de Cerjat
ED CISS gave comments on PTV News program Badalti Raey
ED CISS gave comments on Pressure on Pakistan to Recognise Israel on GTV
Importance of Shaheen Exercises for Pakistan Air Force and Indian Concerns
Managing the Economy
Indo-US Foundational Agreements: Contributing to India's Military Capabilities
Exercise Mavi Balina and Pakistan Navy's Submarine Warfare Expertise
Shifting Foreign Policy
July - September 2020
January - March 2020
March - September 2018
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Tooba Ghaffar
toobaghaffar@gmail.com
+92-51-2722343 +92-51-8315410-423
Ms. Tooba Ghaffar is an Assistant Researcher at the Center. She holds a B.A.(Hons) in International Relations. Her primary interest area is Indo-Pak security relations with a special focus on the nuclear deterrence. Her undergrad research involved exploring nuclear deterrence with the lens of stability-instability paradox. She frequently writes on her subject for prominent newspapers.
Maimuna Ashraf
maimunawrites@gmail.com
Ms. Maimuna Ashraf is working as a Research Officer at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad, Pakistan. She is a former Visiting Fellow at South Asian Voices (SAV), the Stimson Center in Washington D.C. Previously, she was associated with an Islamabad based think-tank, Strategic Vision Institute (SVI), Islamabad as Senior Research Associate. Ms. Ashraf has been participating in national as well as international certificate courses/trainings on areas of her research that includes nuclear nonproliferation, arms control, weapons of mass destruction and nuclear doctrines/postures with special reference to South Asia. She presented her research work at international workshops/seminars including Atlantic Council, Stimson Center and European Union Nonproliferation and Disarmament Consortium. She also has been a coordinator and contributor for various national conferences/seminars. She holds an M.Phil. in International Relations from Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Her M.Phil. dissertation focused on Nuclear Disaster Management in Pakistan. Her writings have appeared in The National Interest, South Asian Voices, CISS Strategic Insight, International Policy Digest, The News International and various dailies on issues of her interest.
Iftikhar Uddin Hasan
idhasan84@yahoo.com
Iftikhar Uddin Hasan is the Editor of biannual journal of the center CISS Insight. He is also the Research Coordinator at the center. Apart from his editorial responsibilities, he also supervises and guides researchers to ensure that work done by the research team meet the necessary requirements.
He has an experience of working as the Editor of Pakistan Army Journal and Pakistan Defence Review, published by Pakistan Army for over three years. Hasan has a long teaching experience in Pakistan's military institutions spread over several decades. He also has to his credit the establishment and management of a school system for low-paid industrial workers in the KPK.
Brigadier (Retired) Dr. Naeem Salik
naeemsalik@gmail.com
Brigadier (Retired) Dr. Naeem Salik is a Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Western Australia. He holds a Master's in International Politics and Strategic Studies from the University of Wales, UK and a Master's in History from the Punjab University. He has been a visiting fellow at the Stimson Centre, Stanford University, Brookings Institution and School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.
He has served in the Pakistan Army in a variety of assignments for 33 years including a fairly long tenure as Director Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs at the Strategic Plans Division. He has taught post-graduate courses at the Department of Defence & Strategic Studies at the Quaid-i-Azam University from 1994 to 2005. He also taught Masters and M Phil courses at the Strategic & Nuclear Studies Department at National Defence University, Islamabad.
He has attended numerous international conferences and track-2 initiatives and has published over 30 research articles and book chapters on strategic and security issues. His book 'Genesis of South Asian Nuclear Deterrence' was published by the Oxford University Press in 2009. His second book on "Learning to Live with The Bomb – Pakistan 1998-2016" came out in 2017 and is a valuable addition to the subject. He is working as a Senior Research Fellow at CISS, Islamabad.
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Dr. Syed Javaid Khurshid
sjavaidk@gmail.com
Dr. Syed Javaid Khurshid, Ph.D. is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS). Dr. Javaid worked for Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) for 39 years in different capacities as Consultant/Advisor/Director General/Director of Planning, Development & Projects Coordination, Director Biosciences & Executive Secretary, Abdus Salam International Nathiagali Summer College. His expertise is in Mitigation and Control of WMD and CBRN. His special interest is in Nuclear Knowledge Management, Nuclear Energy & Climate Change and Nuclear Techniques for achieving SDGs, Science Communication & Science Diplomacy. He is Technical Committee Member of Higher Education Commission-Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Internal Compliance Committee on Export Control Laws. He was a member of Inter-ministerial committee of Biological Weapon Control, MoFA, Government of Pakistan. Presented Pakistan 4 times as technical expert of delegation to UN on Biological Weapon Control (BWC) meetings. Participated 3 times as a member of State Party to UN on BWC meeting & helped in making the legislation on dual-use products. Dr. Javaid is, President Pakistan Nuclear Society, comprising of 3500 Nuclear Scientists, Engineers & Professionals. He is Secretary National Member Organization, IIASA Laxenburg, Austria. Adjunct Faculty Member of Department of Communication & Management Sciences, PIEAS where he delivers lectures on Leadership and Project Preparation, Implementation, Monitoring & Evaluation. He is Director at Large of Planning Management Institute, PA, USA (Islamabad Chapter). He is an expert on Project Preparation, Management, Monitoring & Evaluation. Dr. Javaid's research activities are mainly concentrated on health related topics. His passionate research and excellent presentation skills resulted in about 50 publications in international/national journals, 12 international proceedings, 02 National Guidelines, 15 research reports, 25 articles, 44 presentations, he is listed as Productive Scientists of Pakistan with an Impact Factor of 117. Dr. Javaid is Fellow of Chemical Society of Pakistan. He Associate Editor JPMS, USA, Editor at Large and referee to many international and national journals. He is Member Advisory Council of "Global Affairs", a magazine circulated in 19 countries.
Dr. Javaid is an approved Ph.D. supervisor of Higher Education Commission (HEC). Worked as visiting faculty member of Biochemistry at Muhammad Ali Jinnah University (MAJU) & Hamdard Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (HIPS), Islamabad. His specialized topics are Bio-Safety, Bio-Security, Bioterrorism, Code of Ethics and Conducts. Adjunct Faculty member of National Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Faisalabad. Dr. Javaid utilizing his administrative skills & passion for education worked as an Executive Secretary of prestigious Abdussalam International Nathiagali Summer College 2006-2016. He helped disseminating knowledge & motivating research teams by arranging College every year on Cutting Edge Technologies with the support of AbdusSalaam International Centre of Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, US-National Science Foundation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Centre of European Nuclear Research (CERN).
Zawar Haider Abidi
zawarabidi@live.com
Mr. Zawar Haider Abidi is a former military officer. He has served in Pakistan Army for over 26 years on various assignments. He has also served in Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs Branch Strategic Plans Division, secretariat of the Pakistan National Command Authority from October 2001 to Nov 2012. He has been a visiting fellow at the Henry L. Stimson Center, Washington D.C, USA (2003), and a visiting fellow at the James Martin Center for Non-proliferation Studies, Monterey, California, USA. (2010).
He has been an expert consultant supporting United Nation Security Council (UNSC) 1540 Committee for a period of five years from November 2012 to Nov 2017 to monitor the implementation of UNSC resolution 1540 by the UN Member States.
While in Pakistan Army he has been on the faculty of number of training institutions. In Arms Control and Disarmament Branch SPD he has worked on issues related to non-proliferation, arms control, strategic trade management, research and outreach. He has been part of inter-agency groups responsible for, drafting Pakistan's Export Control Act 2004, designing and establishment of Strategic Export Control Division of Pakistan, compilation of Pakistan's National Control List and an inter-agency group developing the architecture for deployment of Radiological Portal Monitors on all land, air and sea border crossing for exercising effective border control. Zawar Haider Abidi has served as visiting faculty at the Defence and Strategic Studies Department at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad (2008). He has participated in number of international conferences, seminars and workshops on non-proliferation and strategic trade management.
Due to his stay at United States as an Expert Consultant supporting UNSC 1540 Committee he has a unique experience in implementation of WMD non-proliferation in general and UNSC resolution 1540 in particular, at the global level. He has participated in number of international conferences, seminars and workshops on non-proliferation and strategic trade management. He has an in-depth understanding and knowledge of implementing laws and regulations with regard to CWC, BWC, NPT and their means of delivery of twenty-three UN Member States of Asian Region including the SAARC Member States.
Dr. Mansoor Ahmed
mansoor.dss@gmail.com
Dr. Mansoor Ahmed is a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad, Pakistan. He is a former Stanton Junior Faculty Fellow (2015-16) and Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2016-18) with the Managing the Atom Project/International Security Program at the Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center. He was also an MTA Associate for 2018-2019.
Previously, he was a Visiting Research Scholar at the Cooperative Monitoring Center, Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M., USA in 2013.
He has also served as a Lecturer in the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DSS), Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad from 2011 to 2015, and as Visiting Faculty in the Department of Strategic and Nuclear Studies, National Defence University, Islamabad from 2009-2011.
Before joining the academia, he worked in the Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service from July 2003 to January 2011.
Dr. Ahmed holds a PhD in International Relations from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. His research interests include various aspects of Pakistani and Indian nuclear programs and policies; fissile materials, non-proliferation, arms control and strategic stability issues with special reference to South Asia. His research work has been published by the Belfer Center, the Stimson Center, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
Syed Muhammad Ali
smali.ndupk@gmail.com
Syed Muhammad Ali is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad. Pakistan. He is widely published, interviewed and quoted on geopolitical, strategic, nuclear and security issues, both nationally and internationally. He is a frequent participant in various international Track-2 engagements and regular commentator at policy forums, thinks tank and universities on strategic and nuclear issues. Earlier, he has taught Dimensions of Modern Strategy, Foreign Policy Analysis and Comparative Politics at the National Defence University and served as a Course Coordinator and member of the NDU disciplinary committee. He designed and introduced over 30 new courses, which are currently being taught at M.Sc, M.Phil and PhD levels and also reviewed Higher Education Commission's curriculum of International Relations. He also teaches at the Foreign Service Academy of Pakistan and has a rich and diverse international exposure of both government and multinational organizations. Earlier, he has served as a correspondent at the Voice of America at its Washington, D.C headquarters and Pakistan Television Ltd., Islamabad, respectively. He has also served as Controller at the Cross Media Ltd., a London-based Japanese media company and auditor/consultant at the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), world's largest consultancy firm. His diverse portfolio at the PwC included some of the world's leading energy giants like Shell, Schlumberger, OMV, Premier Oil, large telecom companies such as Ericsson, PTCL and private organizations such as Agha Khan Foundation and GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology.
Ms. Saima Aman Sial
saimasial@gmail.com
Ms. Saima Aman Sial is working as a Senior Research Officer and expert in strategic issues at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad. She is also the associate editor of CISS Insight, a biannual journal of the Center. Aman is a former Nonproliferation Fellow the Center for Nonproliferation Studies Monterey California, Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Education Center, South Korea and Sandia National Laboratories, USA. She has an M.Phil in Strategic Studies from National Defence University. Her dissertation related to "Evolution of Pakistan's Naval Strategic Thought: For an assured second strike Capability". She has participated in several national as well as international certificate courses/trainings on nuclear science and technology, safety and security of radioactive sources, nonproliferation and arms control, Chemical weapons Convention (assistance and protection) and nuclear disarmament.
Previously, she served as a research coordinator and Senior Research Associate in Center for Pakistan and Gulf Studies and Strategic Technology Resources respectively. She has an experience of working with Pakistan's Strategic Plans Division as an Assistant Director – Research in its Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs Directorate for some years. She has conducted research on a variety of subjects including nuclear strategy, doctrines, safety and security, command and control systems, multilateral export controls, Indian Ocean geostrategy, arms control and nonproliferation policy with special reference to South Asia.
She is a frequent contributor in national and international conferences relating to strategic issues, including being a part of India-Pakistan Track II engagements. She also contributes in national dailies on South Asian deterrence, nonproliferation, export control and nuclear policy issues and has been adjunct faculty at Bahria University Islamabad.
Ms. Huma Rehman
Senior Research Officer/Program Coordinator
humarehman.ciss@gmail.com
Ms. Huma Rehman is currently working as a Senior Research Officer/Program Coordinator at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad, Pakistan, where she works on various aspects of Strategic security issues; International Security, Nuclear/Missile Proliferation, WMD Terrorism, Arms Control/Disarmament, Conflict management and Resolution. Among her academic degrees, she holds M.Phil degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. She has also completed her fellowship at Monterey Institute International Studies (MIIS) on Nuclear Non-Proliferation Studies, California-US. She also worked as a research fellow at Sandia National Laboratories Albuquerque-New Mexico-US. She has received a certificate on Nuclear Safeguards Policy Middlebury Institute International Studies (MIIS) on Nuclear Non-Proliferation Studies, California-US. She has also taught Strategic Studies courses as a Visiting Lecturer in Islamabad University. Ms. Rehman has been part of internationally arranged track two programs between Pakistan and India. She contributes articles, and book reviews in 'CISS Insight' on South Asian and international strategic issues. She also writes in Newspapers and participates in Television Talk Shows.
Mr. Muhammad Sarmad Zia
sarmad.ciss@gmail.com
Muhammad Sarmad Zia is a Research Fellow at the Centre of International Strategic Studies (CISS). He is also the Assistant Editor of the Center's Bi-annual Journal CISS Insight. He holds an M.Phil. Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University. His areas of interest include foreign and defence policies of global and regional powers, nuclear strategy and stability, arms control and nonproliferation policy. His MPhil thesis is titled 'Russia's Defence Policy: A case-study of Putin Era (1999-2016)'. He has previously interned at the Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs Directorate of Pakistan's Strategic Plans Division, worked at Dawn News as a trainee sub-editor and interned at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA) at the National Defence University (NDU). He writes opinion pieces in newspapers and runs an online blog on regional and international strategic issues. He can be reached at sarmad.ciss@gmail.com
Ms. Ayesha Abbasi
Ayesha Abbasi is working as a Research Officer at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad. Her fields of interest include geopolitics (with a special focus on U.S. foreign policy), international security, nuclear politics, nuclear strategy, arms control/disarmament, environmental security, and climate change. Previously, she has worked with Pakistan's Strategic Plans Division as an International Relations Analyst at the Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs Branch. She continues to contribute to national dailies on issues of her interest. Abbasi holds an M. Phil degree in Strategic and Nuclear Studies from National Defence University, and a Bachelors of Science degree in Environmental Science from Bahria University, Islamabad.
Mr. Sufian Ullah
sufianullah@gmail.com
Sufian Ullah is currently working as a Research Fellow at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). He holds an M.Phil degree in Strategic & Nuclear Studies, from National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad. His areas of interest include the nuclear policies of various nuclear weapons States and the geo-politics in the Indian Ocean Region. His current work investigates the developing naval competition among regional States and also the emerging dynamics of sea-based nuclear deterrence in South Asia.
Mr. Sajid Aziz
Sajidazizbaloch@gmail.com
+92-51-2722343 | +92-51-8315410-423
+92-321-809-5623 | +92-332-133-3918
Mr. Sajid Aziz is working as a Research Officer at CISS. He holds a Master's degree in Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) from Quaid-I-Azam University. His Master's seminar paper was "Oslo Accords: Prelude to a Durable Peace or Palestinian Capitulation?" His areas of interest include the politics of Middle East, security, strategic and foreign policy issues.
Afeera Firdous
Associate Research Officer
afeerafirdous@yahoo.com
Ms. Afeera Firdous is a Associate Research Officer at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad. She holds an M. Phil degree in Strategic Studies from National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad. Her M. Phil thesis was on "Counter-terrorism in Cyberspace: Comparative Analysis of Pakistan and India". Her research interests include counter-extremism, counter-terrorism, cyber and information warfare.
Riaz A. Khokhar
riazkhokhar11@gmail.com , khokharR@eastwestcenter.org
+92-331-521-3964 +1-202-476-9677
Mr. Riaz A. Khokhar is a Research Assistant at the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad. He was also an Asia Studies Visiting Fellow at the East-West Center, Washington D.C., from April to June 2019. His research interests are Pakistan and India's foreign relations; strategic and security issues; nuclear policy and proliferation politics; cyberspace policy and politics; and U.S. China power politics in South Asia. He was a speaker on U.S.-Pakistan relations in a public seminar at East-West Center in Washington in June 2019. His analysis has featured in CISS Insight, East-West Center's Asia Pacific Bulletin, The National Interest, Newsweek Pakistan, Pakistan Politico, Express Tribune and Daily Times.
Samran Ali
samranali2222@gmail.com
Mr. Samran Ali is a Research Assistant at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). His areas of interest include the arms control, non-proliferation and strategic issues of South Asia. He has published his research in the CISS Insight, a biannual journal of CISS. In addition, his analysis has published in Arms Control Today, The National Interest, Express Tribune, The Nation, Pakistan Politico, Global Village Space, and Strategic Foresight for Asia. He has graduated from the Department of Defense and Strategic Studies, Quaid-i-Azam University.
Syed Sadam Hussain Shah
syedsadampak@gmail.com
Syed Sadam Hussain Shah is working as a Research Assistant at CISS. His research focuses on International Cyber, Technology and Nuclear Policy issues. He has participated in a Track-2 dialogue on South Asian Strategic Stability in Istanbul. His research has been published in leading international journals and think tanks including the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, CSIS Washington D.C., and Anthology Series for Strategic Studies Canada. He has presented papers at the Shanghai University in China and Karadeniz Teknik University in Turkey. He is currently working as a review editor for the Journal of Politics and Sustainability. He graduated from National Defence University, Islamabad with an MSc in International Relations.
Maryyum Masood
Assistant Research Program Coordinator
mariyam60@live.com
Ms. Maryyum Masood is a Assistant Research Program Coordinator at the Center. She holds a B.Sc. degree in Defense and Diplomatic Studies from Fatima Jinnah Women University. Her seminar paper was titled "Geopolitics of South China Sea." Her research interests are nuclear policy and development in South Asia. She regularly publishes on contemporary issues in prominent newspapers and magazines.
Sabeen Malik
sabeen.malik1@outlook.com
Ms. Sabeen Malik is a Research Assistant at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). She holds an M. Phil degree in International Relations from National Defence University, Islamabad. Her research interests include Pakistan's Foreign Policy Affairs, Geopolitics in Indian Ocean, Non-traditional Security, and Climate Change. Her M. Phil's dissertation was on "Climate Change Policy Responses: A Comparative Analysis of India and Pakistan". She also contributes opinion articles in prominent newspapers and magazines.
Yasir Mehmood
G.M Finance & Administration / H.R Coordinator
yasir.mehmood@ciss.org.pk, yasirmah85@yahoo.com
Mr. Yasir Mehmood is Administrative and Accounts Manager at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad, Pakistan, where he deals with administration matters, human resource and financial reports and responsible for audit, monitoring, upgrading and tax compliance. He has experience of different projects as research associate, an organizer of SME and Entrepreneurship, Participated as a presenter in Marketing Presentation Gala (MPG) and also organized 3rd National Universities of Modern Languages (NUML) job fair.
Mr. Mehmood holds Masters in Business Administration. His career appointment includes Soneri Bank Limited, as an Operation Officer, Askari Bank Limited as a Personal Financial Consultant. His areas of specialization are: Branch Banking, Commercial Banking, Credit Analysis, Risk Management, Employee Orientation, Operational Excellence, Organizational Charts management, Employee Relations, Development & Implementation of Accounts, Administration and HR Policies and Procedures. He is currently pursuing his M.Phil in Management Sciences.
Saadain Gardezi
saadaingardezi@outlook.com
Mr. Saadain Gardezi is a Research Intern at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). He is a student of Bachelors in Strategic Studies at National Defence University, Islamabad. His research interests include Traditional and Non-Traditional Security Paradigms and the strategic implications of the rise of China and Russia in Eurasian and the Global World Order.
Tooba Rizwan
Tooba_rizwan1997@hotmail.com
Ms. Tooba Rizwan is a Research Intern at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). She is a student of Bachelors in Strategic Studies at National Defence University, Islamabad. Her research interests include the Global Non-Proliferation Regime & US-China geopolitics with special focus on their implications on South Asia.
Amna Saqib
aamansaqib89@gmail.com
Ms. Amna Saqib is a Research officer at the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad. She holds an M.Phil degree in International Relations from National Defense University (NDU), Islamabad. She has worked as Visiting Faculty member at SPIR, QAU Islamabad, and NDU, Islamabad and she has also been an intern at Arms Control Disarmament Affairs, Directorate of Pakistan's Strategic Plan Division. Her area of interests include Foreign Policies of Major Powers, International Security, Global Nuclear Politics and Nuclear Strategies. She contributes articles to the National dailies on issues of her interest.
Dr. Farooque Ahmed Leghari
Visiting Research Fellow
farooque.leghari@usindh.edu.pk
Dr. Farooque Ahmed Leghari is presently serving as a Visiting Research Fellow at Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). He has recently finished his PhD in Strategic and Security Studies on "The role of nuclear deterrence in Pakistan's strategic policy towards India" from School of History, Politics and Strategy, National University of Malaysia. He is presently serving as a lecturer at Department of International Relations at University of Sindh, Jamshoro, since April, 2010. Before joining the university, he had worked with Dawn News and SAMAA TV. He has various publications in international and Pakistani research journals to his credit. He frequently appears on electronic media and shares his analysis on international issues.
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Amb. Ali Sarwar Naqvi
Executive Director CISS
sarwarnaqvi@yahoo.com
In a long diplomatic career of thirty six years, from 1970 to 2006, which culminated in senior Ambassadorial positions, served at the United Nations, both in New York and Vienna, and in Washington D.C, London, Paris and Brussels. In the course of professional work, he delivered lectures and speeches on various current affairs issues in many institutions. He has also participated in discussions on various national and international issues and questions on TV and electronic media, both in Pakistan and abroad. After serving as Pakistan's Ambassador to Austria and the IAEA, was appointed Member (Chairman's Advisory Council) in the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), and functioned as Adviser to the Chairman PAEC on International Affairs, with particular focus on IAEA matters.
Ambassador Naqvi is presently serving as the founding Executive Director of the Center. Established in October 2010 the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) as an independent and autonomous think-tank for research and analysis of current regional and international strategic issues from a Pakistani perspective, to contribute to the national and international discourse, and thus create greater understanding between Pakistan and other countries.
Other Engagements:
Serving as Distinguished Visiting Fellow (DVF) in the National Defence University, Islamabad since August 2010.
Associated with other Pakistani Research Institutes since November 2009.
Appointed Expert on the Technical Committee of the Department of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) of the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad in April 2009.
Appointed Examiner of the Federal Public Service Commission for International Relations in June 2008.


Parker was up there doing all kinds of Parker stuff.
Four years ago this weekend, I set a personal record—one that still stands today—for most money spent on a wine event, when I attended the Robert Parker dinner on the Great Wall of China. I spent rmb10,0000 for a seat—roughly USD1600—which is quite a bit for me. No plans on breaking that one any time soon.
Anyway, it was the first visit to Beijing by Parker. It came during intriguing times, right on the heels of a Customs crackdown that had a major impact on ASC, which organized the dinner, and right ahead of the Olympics that had a major impact on Beijing. And it remains the sole occasion when I have heard "My Way" played on a harp.
I wrote a post in which, Parker-style, I gave the dinner a score out of 100 points, breaking it down by five categories—The Venue, The Wine, The Food, The Parker, and The Details. You can read that one here.
I also wrote a post called "The Secret of Big Bob", which includes a conversation between me and the world's most famous wine critic that might or might not have happened, and that might or might not explain his power over the wine industry. (OK, it didn't happen, but it still makes complete sense to me.) You can read that one here.
Finally, on the Monday after the big dinner, Parker led a wine tasting and then answered questions from the media and trade. Despite all the negativity I had heard from some in the business about Parker, people were conspicuously quiet when given the chance to confront him. That was fine for me and a few others, though, as we got to ask what we wanted. You can read my wrap up of that session here.
This all happened only four years ago but it seems, well, to be honest, it seems like a dozen years ago. We were all so much younger then.
Sign up below for my China wine newsletter. Check out these wine books and gifts. And take a look at sibling sites World Baijiu Day, Beijing Boyce and the China Wine Directory.


5 Best Things To Do in Osaka – Unveil Some Ancient Discoveries!
Osaka is a very well-known city in the Kansai region. It is also known to be the second largest metropolitan in Japan and is surrounded by a moat and some great looking park with plum, peach, and sakura trees.
Try these 5 best things to do in Osaka that are all instagram worthy and absolutely life-changing experience!
Traditional Japanese architecture with super romantic park. This place is like fairy-tale miracle in industrial and mostly grey Osaka. The Osaka Castle itself is beautiful. The inside of the castle is more of a museum where you can learn the history of the castle. At the highest floor, you can get a nice view of the surrounding. Entrance is free with the Osaka Amazing Pass.
Make sure to come in early as it becomes overcrowded even before the operating hours start. Don't be terrified with the walk you won't even feel it as the surroundings make things easier!
Massive aquarium with things from all over the world! There is a decent selection of aquatic creatures in this aquarium including whalesharks, mola mola (sun fish), Penguins, dolphins, seals and manta rays (to name but a few).
The aquaruim is in the Tempozan complex so it is easy to spend the whole day in this area. There were many seating area for those who need to rest. There were many bathrooms around as well. Main tip here would be to walk through the first few levels as quick as you can as the most interesting sights are lower down and the space opens up a bit so its less claustrophobic.
Osaka used to be called "Naniwa" and is known as the birthplace of sueki pottery, from which many subsequent types of Japanese pottery evolved. Maishima Pottery Village opened in Osaka's manmade island in 1998 for the education and promotion of naniwazuyaki, made from the vast amounts of unwanted marine clay resulting from the construction of Kansai International Airport. The main building has studios with electric and momentum potter's wheels, rooms for preparing clay and glazes, a gallery, a noborigama climbing kiln and an anagama tunnel kiln. There are also studios for visitors to experience Electric Potter's Wheel,hand-building and painting.
There is a wide range of practical courses that can be selected according to purpose. These include the 3-month long "ippan kobo" for beginners, "chukyu kobo" and "kenkyuka" for the intermediary and advanced, and "naniwazu kobo," which is open to professional ceramic artists as well.
Savor drinks, desserts, and light meals served in original pottery at Café Maido, located within the museum.
The bridge looked average but it is popular with tourists. It is a pedestrian bridge and is a main thoroughfare in the Dotonbori area. From the bridge you can get a good view of the Dotonbori River as well as the famous Glico Osaka Running Man Sign.
The bridge is quite wide and it is packed with tourists most times of the day, particularly at night. Get there early in the morning if you want to see the bridge without too many people on it.
Universal Studios Japan is a fantastic way to spend a day in Osaka. Anyone you travel with is guaranteed to find something they will enjoy and make their day. The wait times for rides and attractions are understandably long so if you can afford to budget it in, I'd opt for the express pass. Harry Potter World was a highlight, no detail was missed!
Unfortunately, there are no English subtitles on a lot of things which is completely understandable but something that foreign visitors need to be prepared for. Well worth the effort!


1 – I have three children that equally challenge, frustrate, and delight me every day.
2 – Almost twenty years ago, I married my best friend, and I have never regretted the decision for a moment.
3 – My parents are exactly a foot apart in height, and my husband and I are exactly a foot apart in height.
4 – I have no lenses in my eyes. I developed cataracts when I was very young and had the lenses in my eyes removed so I could see.
5 – Since childhood, I have not liked the texture of meat. Because of this, I have been a vegetarian since I was allowed to prepare my own food.
6 – I started publishing my books because I feared I would never have children. Now, I am homeschooling three children and fitting my writing and publishing around their educational needs. I've wondered more than once if the Lord did that so that I would continue to write. Otherwise, I might've waited until they were all raised and grown.
7 – I have naturally curly hair that refuses to stay straight or in place.
8 – My kids are some of my biggest fans despite the fact they have read none of my books.
9 – I post silly stories on FB about the things my kids say and do, not because I want everyone to be impressed with them, but so I will remember them later.
10 – My first crush was on Spock from Star Trek. So, when my husband comments that I am part Vulcan (meaning highly analytical and logical), I consider it quite the complement.
I see Gal Gadot playing my heroine. Zezilia Ilar is tall and athletic in build. She carries herself well, with an elegance to her stride and demeanor thanks to the watchful guidance of her strong-willed mother. However, she has a playful, active side which stems from growing up with six older brothers. Not inclined toward the more feminine duties of housework and cooking, she tends to enjoy the outdoors, nature, and activity. Even though this is her desire, she still takes to studying easily and proves herself to be quite and eager learner as she learns to master her new found talents in sending (telepathy) and mass moving (telekinesis) abilities.
My hero could easily be played by Luke Evans. Hadrian Aleron is an intense young man of purpose. He tends toward kindness when not distracted by weighty concerns. As a youngest son groomed from young age for public office, he doesn't have all the usual self-preservation skills of his elder brothers, but he makes up for that by being very proficient at his job, which is overseeing and supporting all the talent users in the peninsular nation of Pratinus.


I, [2019-04-15T13:52:47.914387 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[end] "rm -f .revision.time" exit with 0.
I, [2019-04-15T13:52:47.914480 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[beg] make update-download DEFS="-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2"
I, [2019-04-15T13:52:57.790511 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[end] "make update-download DEFS=\"-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2\"" exit with 0.
I, [2019-04-15T13:52:57.790673 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[beg] make update-rubyspec DEFS="-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2"
I, [2019-04-15T13:52:57.818996 #21380] INFO -- : make: Nothing to be done for 'update-rubyspec'.
I, [2019-04-15T13:52:57.819743 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[end] "make update-rubyspec DEFS=\"-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2\"" exit with 0.
I, [2019-04-15T13:52:57.819852 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[beg] make update-src DEFS="-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2"
I, [2019-04-15T13:52:58.300231 #21380] INFO -- : At revision 67565.
I, [2019-04-15T13:52:58.314920 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[end] "make update-src DEFS=\"-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2\"" exit with 0.
I, [2019-04-15T13:52:58.315116 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[beg] make after-update DEFS="-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2"
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:07.738800 #21380] INFO -- : make: '/tmp/ruby/src/trunk-vm-asserts/enc/unicode/data/12.1.0/ucd' is up to date.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:08.698093 #21380] INFO -- : make: Nothing to be done for 'srcs'.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:08.819707 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[end] "make after-update DEFS=\"-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2\"" exit with 0.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:08.820022 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[beg] make miniruby DEFS="-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2"
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:08.838285 #21380] INFO -- : Copyright (C) 2017 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:08.838374 #21380] INFO -- : warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:08.959242 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[end] "make miniruby DEFS=\"-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2\"" exit with 0.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:08.959599 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[beg] make ruby DEFS="-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2"
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:08.976324 #21380] INFO -- : Copyright (C) 2017 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:08.976403 #21380] INFO -- : warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:09.104998 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[end] "make ruby DEFS=\"-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2\"" exit with 0.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:09.105505 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[beg] make all DEFS="-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2"
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:09.122577 #21380] INFO -- : Copyright (C) 2017 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:09.122693 #21380] INFO -- : warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:09.507407 #21380] INFO -- : make: Nothing to be done for 'srcs'.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:10.754715 #21380] INFO -- : Could not be configured. It will not be installed.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:10.755660 #21380] INFO -- : Check ext/dbm/mkmf.log for more details.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:10.767400 #21380] INFO -- : *** Fix the problems, then remove these directories and try again if you want.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:10.784127 #21380] INFO -- : make: Nothing to be done for 'enc'.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:10.838141 #21380] INFO -- : make: Nothing to be done for '/tmp/ruby/src/trunk-vm-asserts/enc/trans'.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:10.920599 #21380] INFO -- : make: Nothing to be done for 'encs'.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:10.926247 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[end] "make all DEFS=\"-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2\"" exit with 0.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:10.926601 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[beg] make install DEFS="-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2"
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:11.073975 #21380] INFO -- : Copyright (C) 2017 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:11.074104 #21380] INFO -- : warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:11.360256 #21380] INFO -- : make: Nothing to be done for 'srcs'.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:12.589756 #21380] INFO -- : Could not be configured. It will not be installed.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:12.590948 #21380] INFO -- : Check ext/dbm/mkmf.log for more details.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:12.603126 #21380] INFO -- : *** Fix the problems, then remove these directories and try again if you want.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:12.620121 #21380] INFO -- : make: Nothing to be done for 'enc'.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:12.678308 #21380] INFO -- : make: Nothing to be done for '/tmp/ruby/src/trunk-vm-asserts/enc/trans'.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:12.741811 #21380] INFO -- : make: Nothing to be done for 'encs'.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:13.803255 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[end] "make install DEFS=\"-DVM_CHECK_MODE=2\"" exit with 0.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:44.534845 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[end] "make yes-btest TESTS='-j6'" exit with 0.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:44.557381 #21380] INFO -- : Copyright (C) 2017 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:44.557452 #21380] INFO -- : warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
I, [2019-04-15T13:53:45.275014 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[end] "make yes-test-basic TESTS='-j6'" exit with 0.
I, [2019-04-15T13:56:28.639709 #21380] INFO -- : Finished tests in 163.043437s, 129.3152 tests/s, 32108.8668 assertions/s.
I, [2019-04-15T13:56:28.643951 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[end] "make yes-test-all TESTS='-j6'" exit with 0.
I, [2019-04-15T13:58:19.341391 #21380] INFO -- : $$$[end] "make yes-test-rubyspec TESTS='-j6'" exit with 0.


"In Visuals we will accelerate the moves already underway to create a single unified team of visual journalists," John Pullman (photo), global head of visuals, wrote in a message to staff.
"Many of our photographers already shoot video - and videographers produce pictures. This mode of working is becoming normal throughout the industry as video and photo technologies grow closer. We will be taking a structured approach to merge our pictures and video teams. We will look at technology, training and workflow - and introduce single leadership where appropriate.


I busted out an old friend, the Dado Jig. I created him way back in the first couple of months I was doing woodworking. He didn't have a name until today. I also received a very nice comment from the gentleman who commissioned Henry the tiny walnut box. It was a good day.


Payday Loans Vista Santa Rosa, CA. A directory of lenders.
Are you in Vista Santa Rosa, CA searching for Payday Loans with Instant Approval? Here is a list of payday loan providers, some of those might be direct lenders (please inquire with a lender), who might offer online same day 24 payday loans and serve residents of Vista Santa Rosa, California.
Vista Santa Rosa is a CDP that has a population of 3775 people. There are 878 households with a median income of $48,125. Local payday loan companies in Vista Santa Rosa have the following area codes 760. Some companies advertise "No credit check payday loans Vista Santa Rosa", but in fact you have to check with the lender before applying for a loan. Some lenders do run credit checks, while others do not. As well as some provide payday loans with bad credit, while others do not. Make sure that you check with a lender first.
There are some cash advance companies in Vista Santa Rosa who also advertise "No checking account payday loans Vista Santa Rosa". You can apply for a loan with a saving account with those (contact lender first).
Here is a map of the Payday Loans companies in Vista Santa Rosa, California. The list with maps are provided by Google. Please read reviews, find special deals & coupons.


Computers and related products such as monitors, modems, routers and networking equipment, printers, and backup power supplies.
Cameras and surveillance monitors. This can also include wiring and connectors, housing and brackets.
Gates and access control equipment such as gate-arms, magnetic loops, tag-readers, control boards, and relays/switches.
Reordering of tags, cards and bar-code decals.
Scanners or card readers can be replaced or repaired.
Wiring, network cards, antennas, transmitters, routers.


An impressive effort, bringing the compositions of Paganini, Wieniawski, Vivaldi, Bach, Sarasate, and Rimsky-Korsakov from the realm of violins, string quartets, and orchestras to the world of the solo electric guitar – well, almost solo. Ferguson is from the Portland, Oregon area, and plays his '74 Stratocaster live with only synth orchestrations backing him up. Amazingly, he has tackled Paganini's complete violin concerto #1 – all three movements, no small feat by any means. His choice of material on the other tracks is equally compelling: Bach's violin concerto no. 1, part of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," and "Zigeunerweisen" by Pablo Sarasate are among the album's eighteen tracks. At first listen I was a little annoyed by the orchestrations, and found myself wishing for some bass and drums, but after a few listens it became clear that Ferguson is not trying to take the music out of a classical context and into a rock format (a la Mastermind), but instead retaining the classical identity and merely substituting his stratocaster for the solo violin. With that he has succeeded impressively. Maybe next time he'll tackle Offenbach's Gaîté Parisienne. I'm waiting!


text:
Getting Started
===============
Creating your first :mod:`helper` application is a fairly straightforward process:

#. Download and install helper via pip::

    pip install helper

#. Create a helper controller:

    """
    Helper Example
    ==============

    """
    import logging

    import helper
    from helper import controller, parser

    DESCRIPTION = 'Project Description'
    LOGGER = logging.getLogger(__name__)

    class Controller(controller.Controller):
        """The core application controller which is created by invoking
        helper.run().

       """

        def setup(self):
            """Place setup and initialization steps in this method."""
            LOGGER.info('setup invoked')

        def process(self):
            """This method is invoked every wake interval as specified in the
            application configuration. It is fully wrapped and you do not need to
            manage state within it.

            """
            LOGGER.info('process invoked')

        def cleanup(self):
            """Place shutdown steps in this method."""
            LOGGER.info('cleanup invoked')

    def main():
        parser.description(DESCRIPTION)
        helper.start(Controller)

    if __name__ == '__main__':
        main()

#. Extend the :meth:`Controller.process <helper.controller.Controller.process>` method to put your core logic in place.

That's about all there is to it. If you don't want to use the sleep/wake/process pattern but want to use an IOLoop,
instead of extending :meth:`Controller.process <helper.controller.Controller.process>`,
extend :meth:`Controller.run <helper.controller.Controller.run>`.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: How to add a special row to ``? I'd like to add a special row at the bottom of <asp:GridView>. The template of this row is different from the rows above. How can I make this?

A: You could use the footer template if you always want your 'add' row to be at the bottom of the table:
<asp:TemplateField>
    <HeaderTemplate>
    </HeaderTemplate>
    <ItemTemplate>
    </ItemTemplate>
    <FooterTemplate>

    </FooterTemplate>
</asp:TemplateField>

A: Thanks to @Alan and @lzzy. I made it using <FooterTemplate>.
<!-- ASPX -->
<asp:GridView ID="UserGridView" runat="server" AutoGenerateColumns="False" ShowHeaderWhenEmpty="True" OnRowDeleting="UserGridView_OnRowDeleting"
            OnRowCommand="UserGridView_OnRowCommand" ShowFooter="true">
            <Columns>
                <asp:TemplateField HeaderText="Username" ItemStyle-Width="70">
                    <ItemTemplate><asp:Label ID="Username" runat="server" Text='<%# Bind("Username") %>'/> </ItemTemplate>
                    <FooterTemplate>
                        <asp:TextBox runat="server" ID="NewUsername"></asp:TextBox>
                    </FooterTemplate>
                </asp:TemplateField>
                <asp:TemplateField HeaderText="Gender" ItemStyle-Width="70">
                    <ItemTemplate><asp:Label ID="Gender" runat="server" Text='<%# Bind("Gender") %>'/></ItemTemplate>
                    <FooterTemplate>
                        <asp:DropDownList ID="NewGender" runat="server" >
                            <asp:ListItem>Male</asp:ListItem>
                            <asp:ListItem>Female</asp:ListItem>
                        </asp:DropDownList>
                    </FooterTemplate>
                </asp:TemplateField>
                <asp:TemplateField>
                    <ItemTemplate>
                        <asp:Button runat="server" Text="Delete" CommandName="Delete"/>
                    </ItemTemplate>
                    <FooterTemplate>
                        <asp:Button ID="AddUserButton" runat="server" Text="Add" CommandName="Add"/>
                    </FooterTemplate>
                </asp:TemplateField>
            </Columns>
        </asp:GridView>

// CSS
protected void UserGridView_OnRowCommand(object sender, GridViewCommandEventArgs e)
{
    if (e.CommandName == "Add")
    {
        TextBox newUsername = (TextBox) UserGridView.FooterRow.FindControl("NewUsername");
        DropDownList newGender = (DropDownList)UserGridView.FooterRow.FindControl("NewGender");
        AddUser(newGender.SelectedValue, newUsername.Text);
        BindUserData();
    }
}

protected void UserGridView_OnRowDeleting(object sender, GridViewDeleteEventArgs e)
{
    string username = e.Values["Username"].ToString();
    string gender = e.Values["Gender"].ToString();
    DeleteUser(gender, username);
    BindUserData();
}

Some other problem I met along the way and keys to them. In case someone need them.

How to bind data to <asp:Label>?
Use <%# Bind("DataFieldName") %>.
Example:
<ItemTemplate><asp:Label ID="Username" runat="server" Text='<%# Bind("Username") %>'/> </ItemTemplate>

Why isn't the footer showing?
Set ShowFooter="true" in <asp:GridView>.

How to get the reference to controls in footer?
Example:
TextBox newUsername = (TextBox)UserGridView.FooterRow.FindControl("NewUsername");

How to bind the AddUserButton as the default button?
Example:
MainForm.DefaultButton = UserGridView.FooterRow.FindControl("AddUserButton").UniqueID;

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Were you tasked with creating a new website for a museum or updating an existing one, but need to add some extra flair to it? That's what some WordPress plugins can help you with.
We monitor and analyze over 73,000 unique museum websites, ~22% of which are powered by WordPress.
Here are the Top 100 Most Used WordPress Plugins on museum websites from all around the world. We hope that this ranking of plugins will help you identify some of the most common features of museum websites.
One such example is WPML (Sitepress Multilingual CMS), a paid plugin that lets you create a multilingual WordPress website. This plugin has an unusually high ranking (#6), even if it's a paid plugin. But it can be easily explained. Museums are usually important tourist attractions, so it makes sense to have these websites translated into multiple languages, hence the increased popularity of WPML.


TECHNIA (formerly Intrinsys) provide SmarTeam implementation, training and design support world-leading aluminum and composite component manufacturer.
Data management with SmarTeamThe customer is one of the world's leading suppliers of aluminum and composite superplastically formed components, supplying parts to leading companies such as Boeing, Airbus Industries, British Aerospace, Siemens, Aston Martin and many others across the globe.
Over the past 25 years, they have developed a range of unique forming processes to meet their customer's requirements. They have two manufacturing sites that offer solutions for materials ranging from medium strength aluminum alloys to high strength airframe alloys and composites.
Superplastically forming is a hot forming process in which a sheet of aluminum is heated to 450-500°C then forced onto or into a single surface tool to create a complex three-dimensional shape.
A range of sophisticated processes are available in-house including DIN rated welding, 5 axes trimming and CMM inspection. Using their CATIA based CAD systems, their tooling engineers work with customers to develop components specifically to suit the forming process.
The customer has been using CATIA V5 for a number of years for the design of form tools and the associated jigs and fixtures. They receive surface data in various formats from their clients and the control of the data and the ability for staff to view the data has previously required multiple independent applications. Now all this information can be controlled and viewed within one product, namely SmarTeam, in the same format that the customer originally delivered the data.
Prior to the implementation of SmarTeam, each project had its own network directory along with associated sub-folders. Any common components would be copied into each folder set, thereby replicating data. Since the deployment of SmarTeam this is no longer necessary, standard components can be re-used by just creating a link to the current project, eliminating wasted server space and the risk of using out of date models.
The customer operates co-located functional teams in order to improve internal efficiency, improving communications and allowing them to constantly stay on top of developing situations. All new projects are now started in SmarTeam, initiated by a clients request for quotation, right through to production. Everybody uses SmarTeam to access CAD data and can either browse the relevant SmarTeam project tree or run searches to rapidly locate the information. This speeds up the process of data acquisition for the whole company, reducing the time to turnaround projects.
The entire process is supported by TECHNIA, a Dassault Systemes Value Added Reseller (VAR). TECHNIA installed and configured SmarTeam and trained everyone involved with the SmarTeam project. As always with a change to working practices of this nature, success depended on a close working relationship with input from both parties.
The SmarTeam implementation is based on the TECHNIA "I-SDE" template database. TECHNIA have taken all the best functionality from the Design Express product (created by Dassault Systèmes) and industrialised it for robust operation and rapid deployment.
"We have incorporated functionality which we have developed within our sister company, Integral Powertrain and this has proven to be of real benefit to our clients. As a result, I-SDE now forms the foundation for our new SmarTeam implementations and allows us to rapidly deploy SmarTeam offering an open platform that can be tailored to the exact needs of a client by our experienced staff", says Darren Cairns, Director of TECHNIA.
Customer and supplier initially came together through an engineering project on which TECHNIA engineers provided subcontract design support. This close support gave TECHNIA insight into the needs and working practices of the customer which aided the PLM system implementation.
The customer recognised the added benefit of working with a supplier that had customer project experience of actually using the product, and could relate the system to everyday engineering issues.
One of the primary benefits that SmarTeam has given the customer is the ability to hold live design reviews using the SmarTeam viewer. This has eliminated the need for creating drawing prints that are invariably thrown away after the review has finished. SmarTeam has also provided a secure mechanism for users to share data, ensuring that everyone is accessing the correct revision and managing product structures.
The next step in the PLM roadmap is to integrate the data held within SmarTeam with other company systems such as quality documentation and MRP in order to aid the seamless transfer of information throughout the business.


Cubase 7, with its new look and tons of new and powerful features, is truly revolutionary. That's why we brought in Steinberg Product Specialist, Matthew Hepworth, to create this 53-tutorial exploration. Learn how you can collaborate with other musicians from across town or across the globe with VST Connect. This feature lets you set up and produce a live, synched session online! Cubase 7's new mixer, the MixConsole, has also been completely redesigned. Routing your signal and accessing your plug-ins has never been more intuitive and elegant. Matthew also explores all the great new effects, Chord Track and Hermode tuning and shows how you can apply these cool features to your projects.
Another great course by Mathew, he really is so precise in his description. This has helped me a lot with my knowledge of Cubase.
Terrific tutorial. Just 10 Video-Tutorial over all and i'm so happy to say that he is great. I'm looking forward to continue to learn! =) Thanks Ask video.
A pretty comprehensive overview of what's new in Cubase 7. At times a little too verbose (particularly spelling out all of the key shortcuts) but definitely well worth watching even if you have a more recent version of Cubase and just want to see what features of Cubase 7 you've not yet discovered or used, as I do.
Absolutely a must for Cubase users! Clear, well organized content, delivered by an excellent narrator. I will be watching every single course. Thank you so much MPV for these tutorials! I will now be able to use Cubase for all it's worth and then some. Keep up the great work.
Very useful course, it's what you are looking for, but maybe sometimes it can be unnecessarily repetitive.
This is the first course I watched on macProVideo and I must say that the quality of content and the presentation were both outstanding. Very informative, and exactly what I was looking for. My sincere appreciation to the author for a highly professional job. Well done.
Helpful and forward.... Mr. Hepworth is my favorite teacher.
With every new release there are so many new features in Cubase. This is the quickest and best way to learn them.
Another great course by Matthew! I am learning a lot! I hope he will come back and do tutorials on mixing and in depth use of Cubase plugins.
Very good tutorial that goes very in depth. Wish it where moving a little faster, but overall very good.


The key to delivering sustainable business value is to create a flexible development and deployment BI environment that enables BI teams to respond rapidly to new business requests and minimizes the temptation for business users to build their own analytical shadow systems. But creating a nimble and adaptable BI environment is not easy. It requires organizational and technical strategies, ranging from governance programs and super user networks to rapid development techniques and service oriented architectures. This Webinar will present a practical framework for creating agile BI environments that can drive your BI program to the next level.


I just wanted to let you know we had a lovely time at the breakfast. Your location is so convenient for us, and the food and service was outstanding! We'll be bringing staff together again a few times throughout this next year, so we'll have additional opportunity to use your facilities again. keep reading... - Cheri P.
Our Denver conference facility can accommodate groups up to 420 people. We have 10,000 square feet of event space, featuring the 6,500 square foot Rocky Mountain Grand Ballroom that is sub-dividable in to as many as four meeting rooms. In addition, our Denver meeting facilities have two 1,250 square foot meeting rooms for smaller groups. We can easily accommodate a banquet room with breakout rooms or a trade show configured with seminar rooms. If you would like a unique room configuration, or just want to make sure it all fits in, we can create a meeting room layout map for you. Similar to the ones you see below, your meeting room map can be created in a matter of minutes.
Size: 73' x 90' 6570 Sq. Ft.
Size: 36.5' x 90' 3285 Sq. Ft.
Size: 28' x 44' 1232 Sq. Ft.
Size: 36' x 30' 1080 Sq. Ft.
The staff at the Summit can provide you with all the AV equipment needed to make your meeting or conference a success. Our in-house capabilities range from a simple sound system to a multi-screen video presentation with amplified sound, driven from your laptop. All at pricing that will beat by any hotel or AV provider in town. For complete AV pricing contact one of our seasoned event planners. See below.
Wired Microphones are idea for use in a podium or at a panel table. We feature microphones from Shure and Sennheiser.
Wireless lapel microphones are ideal for the speaker that likes to wander. A wireless handheld microphone is an ideal way to take questions from the audience. Our wireless handheld and lapel mics are by Shure and Sennheiser.
We offer LCD projectors by Optoma and Viewsonic. These machines feature automatic signal detection, which makes initial setup or switching sources a breeze. If you have a large group, we can split the video signal so it appears on two screens. Our largest meeting room features 2 ceiling mounted 3500 lumen projectors. Ceiling mounted projectors offer several benefits. There are no wires or carts on the floor, so your room is less cluttered. Also, you will have fewer shadows caused by people walking in front of the projector.
Both wireless internet access and hardwired access via a LAN are available. If you have special networking needs, please let us know.
All of our meeting rooms have phone lines available. We can provide a speakerphone if needed.
We offer multi-input mixers by Mackie. These mixers accept up to 6 microphone inputs, and can also accept audio signals from laptops, I-Pods, or DVD/CD players. These mixers are included with basic sound systems, and we always have staff on hand to make any adjustments needed.
We offer portable easels that can be used for your own signage or easel pads, or we can provide the easel pads if you like. We also can provide portable whiteboards.


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Eat The Cookie With Two Hands
You ever have the feeling you are being watched by a ghost dog looking for ghost dog treats?
Searching for Glory
Hunter J. Keane
Genre: Contemporary Fiction | Women's Fiction | Romance
Gloria Star is rich and famous. She's on a hit television show and engaged to one of the most desired men in Hollywood. Her life is perfect. But then she gets a letter in the mail that changes everything. The past she has been trying to forget for so long has finally come back to haunt her.
Gloria Star hasn't always been an A-list celebrity. She used to be just a regular Midwestern girl named Glory Stark. Now she is forced to reconcile her two lives because Johnny Carter, the only man she ever loved, has asked her to return to her hometown, and she can't say no. Ten years ago, one night changed everything for Gloria and Johnny. Not only did Gloria lose Johnny, but she also lost herself.
Now she's headed back to Princeton, Missouri, to reconnect with her sister and make amends with Johnny. She quickly realizes that returning to Glory Stark's life isn't going to be easy. As she faces painful truths about her past and an uncertain future, Gloria learns that forgiveness is essential, family is everything and love is forever.
(also available from Amazon. CO.UK DE FR IT ES CA )
The Scythe (The Mafia Trilogy Book Three)
Jonas Saul
*Warning: Graphic Violence
In Book One, The Kill, the Italian Mafia go after the wrong man.
In Book Two, The Blade, the Gambino Family do it again.
In Book Three, The Scythe, the Russian Mafia have different plans. They want to take over Toronto, a territory so large it was previously thought to be too big for one family. But Darwin Kostas and his wife, Rosina, stand in the way. As a peace offering to the Italians and the Chinese, the Russians intend to execute Darwin. First, they have to catch him, but using his wife as bait is not enough.
While the Russians attempt to organize a meeting of rival families where Darwin will be terminated, something the Italians tried twice and failed, Darwin realizes he is on his own.
With the FBI not able to help and his wife in the hands of the Mafia, Darwin decides the only way to win this war is to kill them all.
Darwin fights the Russians in the biggest Mafia war Toronto has ever seen in The Scythe, Book Three of the Mafia Trilogy, the final installment.
Mancaine (Book One)
Elizabeth Cane
Genre: Health, Fitness & Dieting | Humor
Meet Elizabeth Cane, a woman addicted to the highs and lows of misunderstanding man.All drawn from personal experience, this crude and sometimes rude collection of essays introduces the reader to a world of a more hilarious, tomboy version of Sex and The City. "Lizzy" is okay with not always understanding the opposite sex, and explicitly documents her journey through humor and wit.Following her adventures is a guaranteed laughing experience that won't be forgotten.
NOON The Rise to Power (sci-fi political thriller)
Zackary Richards
Genre: Action & Adventure
In an America where the government is at the mercy of multinational corporations, where drug gangs terrorize entire cities, where only the wealthy receive police protection, and where the poor toil in cold and damp underground tunnels not for money, but for temporary relief from the draconian interest rate on their ever increasing debt.
One man comes forward.
And with the help of a media wizard, a genetic engineer, a renegade computer hacker and a deeply troubled military genius, incites a revolution that propels him into the national spotlight and changes the face of America forever.
That man's name? NOON!
Ms America and the Villainy in Vegas (Beauty Queen Mysteries No. 2)
Diana Dempsey
Genre: Humor & Entertainment | Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
"Superfab fun mystery" … "A giggle a minute" … "Happy might be the next Stephanie Plum!"
So say readers of the debut mystery in the Ms America series, MS AMERICA AND THE OFFING ON OAHU. Now beauty queen and budding sleuth Happy Pennington returns, this time to gaudy, garish Las Vegas …
When Happy pulls bridesmaid duty for pageant-wear purveyor Sally Anne Gibbons, the last thing she expects to find at the altar is a corpse. But at these over-the-top nuptials that's what she gets: a dead best man and a groom who just might be the killer.
Sometimes it seems everybody in Sin City has a secret, from the cocktail waitress trying to land a reality-show gig to the silver-haired cougar with a penchant for blackjack dealers. Maybe hunky pageant emcee Mario Suave is hiding something, too: like the hots for everybody's favorite beauty queen …
Blood is Pretty (A Fixxer Adventure)
Steven Paul Leiva
Genre: Action & Adventure | Contemporary Fiction | Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Meet the Fixxer – with wit and aplomb he works the fruitful fields of Hollywood fixing the sins and correcting the stupidities of the denizens therein. In Blood is Pretty he comes to the rescue of "the most beautiful woman I have ever seen" to extricate her from the grip of the soul-sucking sexual desires of a producer born in slime, and takes on the task of buying off with money and muscle a film geek who won't cooperate with a director of minuscule talent who simply wants to claim "V" — the geek's "Holy Grail" of a film treatment — as his own.
When the film geek is discovered dismembered, the Fixxer is compelled to know why and finds worlds of evil, both real and virtual, centering around a computer program called Veritas, which has the potential of making its owner the richest and most powerful human on Earth.
With the aid of Roee, his friend, companion and cook who can kill quickly and silently in several different ways; the Captain, officially with the Los Angeles Police Department, unofficially with the Fixxer; Petey, extraordinarily brilliant and comically strange; and "the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," the Fixxer goes forth to do battle.
PreviousSunday Sunshine And Chicken Coops
NextSo This Is Monday


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Title: 25U Signal Support Systems Specialist
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Here's something to wrap your head around: when astronaut Scott Kelly went into space and his slightly older twin brother Mark stayed on Earth, the age gap between them increased, thanks to Scott's time in orbit.
Bizarre, right? And it's all down to Einstein's revolutionary theory of relativity.
What Einstein's theory suggests - and what evidence has since backed up - is that time moves more slowly for objects in motion than it does for a stationary observer. It also moves more slowly the closer you are to a gravitational mass like Earth.
In other words, we're not all experiencing time at the same rate.
The faster you move and accelerate, the more time slows down, and because Scott Kelly has been zooming up to and down from space, and orbiting the planet at around 28,200 km/h (17,500 mph), his brother Mark has lived through five extra milliseconds.
The brothers were born six seconds apart back in 1964, and now that gap is six seconds and five milliseconds.
This warping of time is known as time dilation, and the Kelly brothers qualify for both aspects of it: how fast they've been moving in relation to one another; and their relative proximity to a gravitational mass.
The latest video from MinutePhysics addresses a famous conundrum known as the Twin Paradox, where both an observer on Earth and an observer on a rocket would consider time to be going more slowly, because each would believe the other person to be doing the relative movement.
In the example of a rocket flying out and returning to Earth, it's the rotation of time as the rocket turns that solves the paradox, as well as the acceleration and deceleration of the returning traveller (the charts in the MinutePhysics video help explain this principle more clearly).
These ideas have been backed up by some solid scientific experiments - including flying atomic clocks above Earth's surface on planes, where, sure enough, the recorded times are different to those logged on Earth.
Of course, the fact that Mark and Scott Kelly are twins is significant for reasons other than examining time dilations while out in space. NASA scientists want to use the pair to assess all the ways that space travel can affect our bodies.
The reality is that Mark - the brother who's aged a few milliseconds longer, as far as time is concerned - could end up better off in the long run if Scott's extended time in space causes his body to deteriorate faster.
As Mark joked when his brother returned from orbit: "If 10 years from now, I look like I'm 60 and he looks like he's 80, you'll know what happened."


text:
Construction begins on Silversea's second Nova-class ship
Martinoli also took the opportunity to set a new launch date for Silver Nova, which, due to the global situation, is now expected to join Silversea's fleet on Aug. 14, 2023, sailing roundtrip from Venice on its maiden voyage. Silversea has informed affected guests and travel advisors of Silver Nova's revised launch date, offering travellers a savings of 10% when booking an alternative voyage before Nov. 30, 2022; a Future Cruise Credit, valued at 100% of the total booking amount paid; or a cash refund option.
"As part of Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea has long stood at the forefront of innovation when it comes to environmentally conscious cruising. The launch of the Nova class represents a giant leap forward in this regard and we are introducing pioneering technologies. Given the worldwide issues that have affected the construction of Silver Nova, it has been decided to amend her launch date by approximately one month—in order to uphold the signature level of experience that our discerning guests have come to expect when travelling with Silversea," said Martinoli.
Silversea's Nova-class ships are set to become the world's first low-emissions cruise ships with advanced hybrid technology that utilize fuel cells, batteries, and dual-fuel engines that use liquefied natural gas, emitting zero local emissions while in port. A first for Silversea, each will incorporate a horizontal layout and an innovative asymmetrical design, with public spaces and suites spanning the entire length of each ship.


text:
Once upon a time relationships were completely different. According to Amanda Chatel, a freelance journalist, described the dating style of the pre-19th century as "void of touching and sexual thoughts."
In the early 1900s dating emerged. This new style of courtship brought about a sense of freedom but still kept with more conservative views. Often times a man would take the role of a "gentleman caller," and the dates were most certainly chaperoned.
In the 1920s dating became even less conservative with young couples moving away from their parent's supervision with the emergence of movie theaters and prom. Prohibition also played a part in the expansion of freedom, and dating multiple people became acceptable, according to Chatel.
During the 1940s and 50s World War II consumed the dating landscape. Dating was more focused on finding a husband and someone to settle down with versus someone to have fun with.
In the 1960s and 70s dating was all about enjoying, as Shakespeare would say, "the pleasures of the flesh." Premarital sex became the norm, said Chatel, and the rise of feminism, including the availability of contraception and abortion, also increased the appeal of sex.
In the 1990s dating was no longer entirely about love, rather "hooking up". No-strings-attached relationships and "hanging out" were popular. But soon this "hanging out" led to more confusion about what really constitutes as a date.
In today's world of dating, a first date is more likely to happen online than in person, and "hooking up" is still very much a part of the courtship process, said Chatel.
The meaning and purpose behind dating and love are constantly changing, but the differences between relationships then and now aren't night and day.
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Radhakishan Damani walks into the BSE ahead of the listing of Avenue Supermarts. (Photographer: Vijay Sartape/BloombergQuint)
Radhakishan Damani's Been On A Three-Year Cement Chase
Nickey Mirchandani@onlynickey
In the last three years, while most of Dalal Street was watching the rise in Radhakishan Damani's retail fortune, the veteran investor was already eyeing his next big venture. And it couldn't be more different than DMart, the supermarket chain that catapulted Damani from investor to successful entrepreneur and the fifth-richest Indian.Damani now has his eye on cement.That's evident from the large shareholding he's built in India Ceme...
In the last three years, while most of Dalal Street was watching the rise in Radhakishan Damani's retail fortune, the veteran investor was already eyeing his next big venture. And it couldn't be more different than DMart, the supermarket chain that catapulted Damani from investor to successful entrepreneur and the fifth-richest Indian.
Damani now has his eye on cement.
That's evident from the large shareholding he's built in India Cements Ltd. in the last 10 months. It's an opportunity he's been in pursuit of since 2017.
In February 2006, the Damani family incorporated GSD Metals Pvt. with its registered office in Maharashtra. It dealt in metals with Damani's wife, Shrikantidevi Damani, and his younger brother, Gopikishan Damani, as directors. Radhakishan Damani was appointed as an additional director in 2017 and towards the end of that year, the company's name was changed to GSD Cements. In early 2018, the articles of association were altered to change the company's business objective to manufacture and deal in cement and related products. Its trademark was registered as 'Damani Cement'.
The same year, Damani teamed up with billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala to bid for insolvent Binani Cement Ltd. While UltraTech Cement Ltd. won that bid, Damani's interest in cement didn't stop there.
What Is GSD Cements?
According to the 2018-19 annual report filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, GSD (or Gopikishan Shivkishan Damani) Cements, has an authorised share capital of Rs 1 crore and paid-up capital of Rs 3 lakh. It reported losses in 2017-18 and 2018-19. And it has a negative net worth.
For 2018-19, according to the filings, the company paid Rs 14.5 lakh regarding preliminary geology feasibility, legal and paralegal advisory fees, stamp duty and charges for a bank guarantee. These payments were related to its failed bid for coal mines auctioned by Rajasthan through MSTC Ltd.
To be sure, coal is also a fuel for cement plants.
The creation of GSD Cements, the bid for Binani Cement, the interest in coal mines, and now the 20% holding in India Cements make Damani's interest in the cement sector quite evident.
A reclusive man, Damani rarely has done an interview or discussed his investment interests publicly. Despite repeated efforts, BloombergQuint's queries remained unanswered.
BloombergQuint reached out to Jhunjhunwala, Damani's partner for Binani Cement bid. "Radhakishan Damani is a very smart investor. I wouldn't like to comment on his recent preference, but at this point of time I don't have any exposure in the cement space," he said over the phone.
The India Cements Bet
The Damani family have been buying shares of India Cements for several months, raising their stake from 1.3% in September to nearly 20% in March. The Damanis are the largest shareholder in the southern cement maker after N Srinivasan, whose family founded the company before India's independence in 1946.
If the Damani family's stake or voting rights exceed 25%, they would have to make an open offer for 26% of the outstanding public shares under India's takeover. Even a moderately successful offer would put the Damani shareholding above that of Srinivasan, a third of whose shares are pledged. That could make for a hostile takeover of one of India's oldest cement makers.
Also read: Why Damani Family Is Betting On India Cements When Analysts Aren't
Bloomberg reported that Damani has informally reached out to Srinivasan to explore a takeover. He requested a friendly change in the management and Srinivasan is exploring other investors as well to ward off any hostile bids, the report said.
India Cements, in an exchange filings, however, called reports of Damani considering taking control of the company as "factually incorrect".
What Makes India Cements Attractive
India Cement offers the cheapest alternative to setting up a greenfield factory.
Its replacement cost is $63 a tonne. That's not only lower than larger counterparts such as UltraTech, ACC Ltd. and Ambuja Cements Ltd., but also less than southern peers like Ramco Cement Ltd. And because of its large debt pile, India Cement trades at a 50% discount to industry's weighted average replacement cost.
Of the 12 analysts tracked by Bloomberg, eight have a 'Sell' rating on Indian Cements, while the remaining four suggest 'Hold'. None recommends 'Buy'. The average of 12-month targets implies a potential downside of more than 43%.
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