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HomeIran News NowWorld News IranA Complaint Filed Against Iran's Regime President Ebrahim Raisi in New York
Iran News NowWorld News IranEbrahim RaisiPublicationsSpecial ReportsIran 1988 Massacre
A Complaint Filed Against Iran's Regime President Ebrahim Raisi in New York
Written by Mansoureh Galestan
At a press conference in Washington D.C., the National Council of Resistance of Iran announced its firm resolve to hold Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian regime's President, to account for crimes against humanity and genocide for his key role as a member of the Death Commission during the massacre of political prisoners in the summer of 1988 inside Iran.
Today, August 25, at a press conference in Washington D.C., the National Council of Resistance of Iran announced its firm resolve to hold Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian regime's President, to account for crimes against humanity and genocide for his key role as a member of the Death Commission during the massacre of political prisoners in the summer of 1988 inside Iran.
In light of Ebrahim Raisi's scheduled trip to the United States to attend and address the U.N. General Assembly in September 2022, lawyers representing the NCRI and a group of victims of atrocities committed by Raisi have filed a complaint against him in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
The plaintiffs are all supporters of the Mujahedin e-Khalq Organization (PMOI/MEK) and the National Council of Resistance of Iran. They are former political prisoners, survivors of the 1988 massacre, and families of MEK martyrs. More plaintiffs are inspected to join the complaint in the coming days.
Former United States Attorney General Michael Mukasey and Mr. Steven M. Schneebaum, Counsel for Plaintiffs, also joined the press conference to share professional insight on the lawsuit and the legal mechanism of the U.S. judicial system's jurisdiction to try Ebrahim Raisi for his crimes.
At the conference, NCRI representative in Washington DC, Ms. Soona Samsami, stated: "the Iranian regime's President, Ebrahim Raisi, is planning to visit the U.N. and address the United Nations General Assembly in September. It is our contention and many others that instead of hosting Raisi, the U.N. must hold him accountable for crimes against humanity and genocide. Anything less would be an affront to the very principles and values that constitute the foundation and the charter of the U.N."
Soona Samsami, US Rep, NCRI: "Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian regime's president was a member of the Death Commission in Tehran and therefore personally responsible for sending thousands of MEK prisoners to the gallows."#ProsecuteRaisiNow#NoVisa4Raisihttps://t.co/86bSvD0cnq
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) August 25, 2022
"Ebrahim Raisi, the current Iranian regime's President, was a member of the Death Commission in Tehran and was therefore personally responsible for sending thousands of MEK prisoners to the gallows in Tehran and the city of Karaj, west of the capital. As the Judiciary Chief, he personally oversaw the murder of at least 1,500 protesters crying for freedom during the November 2019 uprising."
"His record since last year once again proves his criminality. 582 executions, including 22 women and eight juvenile offenders since August 2021 when he took office show an almost 100 percent increase in executions compared to the previous year."
"It is time to hold Ebrahim Raisi and other senior officials of the regime, including Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader, accountable for their crimes against humanity and genocide."
81st Attorney General of the United States, Judge Michael B. Mukasey, said in the conference: "In 2019, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, known as OFAC, imposed sanctions on Ebrahim Raisi based on his participation in what has become known as the 'Death Commission', ordering the execution of thousands of political prisoners – including thousands of members of MEK, in 1988. In 2021 the U.S. State Department imposed immigration restrictions on him based on a finding that he was a senior Iranian official involved in the commission of serious human rights abuses."
1. US Atty. Gen. Michael Mukasey: "Raisi has been sued as an individual but the acts he committed were in his official capacity as someone exercising powers given him by the government of #Iran."#ProsecuteRaisiNow#NoVisa4Raisihttps://t.co/pMvtpnLqpX
"It is anticipated that if Raisi comes to the United States, as he has said he will in September to attend the U.N. General Assembly, he would be subject to the jurisdiction of United States courts and could be served with the complaint in this case, which presents claims under two federal laws – the Torture Victim Protection Act and the Alien Tort Statute. These laws are similar in that they allow for the filing of civil rather than criminal claims in U.S. courts – claims that allow plaintiffs to affix civil liability on individuals who act in an official capacity, for any foreign nation, to commit torture or extrajudicial killing of victims of any nationality, including victims who are of the same nationality as the perpetrators."
"Raisi has been sued as an individual, but the acts he committed were committed in his official capacity as someone exercising powers given him by the government of Iran – indeed, powers he exercised in carrying out a 1988 fatwa by the ayatollah Khomeini himself. Although these acts were committed abroad, in the exercise of official powers, there should be little doubt that such acts come within reach of the statutes cited in this complaint. It is the United States Congress that has explicitly granted to federal courts in the United States the jurisdiction to hear such actions and to grant the civil relief they provide for."
"Raisi has not denied his participation and in 2018 was quoted as saying that the murders committed at the direction of the death commissions were "one of the proud achievements of the system."
"If Raisi claims diplomatic status, he asserts diplomatic immunity from being sued. The United States is a party to the 1961 Vienna convention on diplomatic relations. Because the United States is a party to it, that convention is a treaty and has the force of law in this country.
"However, it should be stressed that it is far from clear that Raisi is eligible for the status of a diplomat. The convention itself defines a diplomat as the head of a diplomatic mission or a member of the mission. Raisi is certainly not the head of Iran's mission to the U.N., and, so far as we know, is not designated as a member of the mission. Also, the special treaty-based immunity of representatives of U.N. member states from civil suits is limited to acts done by them in their capacity as representatives. That is not what we have here."
"The U.S. State Department should consider is that according to a complaint filed by the justice department, it was in October 2021 – two months after Raisi took office – that the Iranian government solicited
people to murder former National Security Advisor John Bolton and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and perhaps a third official, apparently in retaliation for the attack in January 2020 that killed Qassemi Soleimani, former head of Iran's IRGC Quds Force, an agency designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. That murder was to be carried out on U.S. soil. Based on the structure of the Iranian government, that plot likely would have had the approval of Raisi as Chair of the Supreme National Security Council, one of two bodies involved with authorizing foreign terrorist operations, the other being the special affairs office of the supreme leader Ali Khamenei."
Steven M. Schneebaum
Mr. Steven M. Schneebaum, P.C., Counsel for the Plaintiffs, stated: "In 1988, as many as 30,000 individuals, guilty of nothing but principled resistance to the mullahs' oppression, were hanged at Evin and Gohardasht Prisons in Tehran that summer. I say that these facts are beyond doubt because they are: the massacre has been reported on and denounced by Amnesty International, by various agencies of the United Nations, and by our own Department of State."
1. Steven Schneebaum, P.C. Plaintiffs' Counsel: "In 1988, as many as 30,000 individuals, guilty of nothing but principled resistance to the mullahs' oppression, were hanged at Evin and Gohardasht Prisons in #Tehran." #ProsecuteRaisiNow #NoVisa4Raisihttps://t.co/Fsi1ZoYgz8
"The Death Commission was no court, of course: there were no lawyers present, and no defense and no appeal was permitted. It was constituted for the sole purpose of providing legal cover for a planned mass murder. It is also beyond doubt that in his capacity as Deputy State Prosecutor for Tehran Province, Ebrahim Raisi was a member of the Death Commission. This, too, has been amply and widely documented. He has on his hands the blood of those who were killed, as well as of those who somehow escaped death, only to be tortured. And he has never been held accountable for his involvement in that massacre."
"The plaintiffs, in this case, are survivors of the massacre and family members of some of the men and women who were murdered. They are now citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Switzerland. They have harrowing stories to tell, and this lawsuit will allow them to tell those stories in a court of law. Two U.S. statutes are the bases for the action. One of them dates from the earliest days of the Republic (in fact, it was signed into law by President George Washington in September of 1789). The Alien Tort Statute empowers federal courts to hear cases alleging injuries done to foreign citizens in violation of the law of nations. The second basis is of somewhat more recent vintage. The Torture Victim Protection Act of 1991 opens the courthouse doors to U.S. citizens who were, or whose loved ones were, tortured or illegally executed under color of foreign law."
"Raisi will be personally served with the process when he arrives in New York City in September to attend the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Once he is served, he will have 21 calendar days to respond to the complaint. If he fails to do so, the plaintiffs will seek a default judgment enforceable against Raisi or his assets. The Judge assigned to the case has scheduled a preliminary hearing for November 15. It is likely that Raisi, or someone acting on his behalf, will contend that he cannot be sued in the United States because he is entitled to immunity: either diplomatic immunity or personal immunity as a sitting head of state. But neither proposition is correct. Raisi is not a diplomat and is not eligible for the privileges extended under the Vienna Convention. Nor is he, in fact, a head of state. Although he carries the title of President, it is the Supreme Leader who is the head of state of the Islamic Republic, as the country's own Constitution makes clear."
"Whether or not it ultimately proceeds to trial, through the filing of this case, the plaintiffs have already won some measure of vindication. They have invoked the rule of law, and they have invited their tormentor to respond to their charges in a court of law."
"For a crime of this magnitude, there has to this date been no justice. This lawsuit in the United States, brought by these plaintiffs against this defendant, to be heard by a federal judge, is a small step toward that goal. My clients hope that it will be some solace to others around the world who were, or whose loved ones were, victims of the regime's lawlessness, crimes against humanity, and terrorism, to know that, here in America, the rule of law is still alive and well, and that no one, no matter his title, stands above it."
As one of the plaintiffs, Ahmad Hassani, a supporter of the MEK who lives in Canada, said: "My brother Mahmoud who was born in Iran in 1960, was a student at Tehran University when he was arrested in 1981, at the age of 21, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison for expressing support for the main Iranian opposition group, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK)."
Ahmad Hassani, Plaintiff: "Raisi is directly& personally responsible for the execution of my brother. I join the tens of thousands of families of the victims and those who survived the massacre to demand accountability."#ProsecuteRaisiNow #NoVisa4Raisihttps://t.co/wvTvOaNSsL
"Raisi is directly and personally responsible for the execution of my brother because he was a member of the death commission in Tehran, which ordered the execution of political prisoners in Evin Prison and Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, west of the capital."
Sheila Neinavaie, another MEK supporter from San Francisco (C.A.), said: "I was arrested three times and spent a total of 8 years in various Iranian prisons. I was first arrested in November 1981 by the Iranian regime security forces when I was barely 15 years old at my home in Tehran and taken to the notorious Evin prison simply for distributing the literature of the main Iranian opposition movement, the MEK. After months of torture with no due process, I was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment in a trial that lasted less than 3 minutes."
Sheila Neinavaie, Plaintiff: "I was arrested 3 times and spent a total of 8 years in various Iranian prisons. I chose to join the legal complaint as a witness and victim of Raisi's #CrimesAgainstHumanity and genocide."#ProsecuteRaisiNow #NoVisa4Raisihttps://t.co/Bn9Tntbcl4
"I was among the very few survivors. After months of returning to my solitary confinement, I realized that most of the people I knew in prison had been hanged, and the prison, which was full when I entered it, seemed deserted and empty."
"Now, every time I hear the name of Ebrahim Raisi, I totally forget about myself and remember the pregnant women who I saw being beaten when children as young as two years old running around and looking for their mother or crying because they were hungry. I remember the innocent faces of young girls who never made it out of prison."
"For this reason, I chose to join the legal complaint as a witness and victim of Raisi's crimes against humanity and genocide. Now is the time for justice and accountability."
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Screaming Beast – Our new narrative of hate
Label: Independant release
Formed from the depths of the much revered Manchester (UK) metal scene, "Screaming Beast" fuse heavy metal and the swagger of the deep south to bring you groovy and bluesy melodic metal. Influences of the band include: Black Label Society, Pantera, Lamb of God, Strapping Young Lad, Machine Head, In Flames, Dream Theater, At the Gates, The Haunted…. to name just a few.
The band began as the project of vocalist Anton War and drummer Daniel Mucs in the summer of 2013.
Once songs took shape, the band released the first Ep "Blistering Lies" in February of 2014, followed by a second Ep "To Assail and Conquer" in September 2015.
Soon after these releases, sights for the stage were set, and the bands line-up was solidified.
Having each individually forged their own creative paths over the years, and with a lifetimes worth of combined musical experience,
all five of these rather talented and handsome chaps are connected by their love for creating and playing the best music possible, and having jolly good fun in the process !
Lyrically, the band draws on a healthy mix of personal experience and outward commentary. While not wishing to preach or force a particular message upon anyone,
the listener is taken on a journey through the mind-set of the songs protagonists.
After a successful live outing with the full line up in November 2017, Screaming Beast brings you their debut album "Our New Narrative of Hate" in march 2018.
The band promises ten tracks of groovers, shakers, bruisers and head banging neck-breakers.
Watch the video for the song "Despair" here !
01 – This Dawn This Day
02 – World With Fate
03 – Giving Into Fear
04 – Silent Submission
05 – Despair
06 – Lost and Betrayed
07 – This Fray
08 – Society of Slaves
09 – The Nameless
10 – Reborn
PreviousAustralian hard rock band "Greystone Canyon" announce release of their debut album in march.
NextItalian folk metal band "Shadygrove" announce release of their debut album in april.
Virtuose keyboard player "Mistheria" announce release of his new album in december.
Greek symphonic folk band "Chrysilia" release debut album in october.
New metal band "Follow the Cipher" announce release of their debut album in may.
USA hard rock band "American Mafia" announce new album in september.

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Q: Windows 8 won't boot via GRUB after installing Ubuntu with boot-repair I've just purchased a new Acer Aspire V3-771G laptop which came pre-installed with windows 8.
I shrunk the main windows partition and installed Ubuntu 12.10. I then had to run boot-repair to be able to boot to Ubuntu. Here's the pasted report.
This worked and I could now boot Ubuntu and it provided me with 3 other entries which should supposedly allow me to boot back to windows 8. However when trying these menu entries I get the following errors:
Windows UEFI bkpbootmgfw.efi
/EndEntire
file path: /ACPI(a0341d0,0)/PCI(2,1f)/UnknownMessaging(12)
/HD(2,c8800,96000,fe030bf1430a6047,9a,9a)/File(\EFI\Microsoft\Boot)
/File(bkpbootmgfw.efi)/EndEntire
error: cannot load image.

Windows Boot UEFI loader
/EndEntire
file path: /ACPI(a0341d0,0)/PCI(2,1f)/UnknownMessaging(12)
/HD(2,c8800,96000,fe030bf1430a6046,9a,9a)/File(\EFI\Boot)
/File(bkpbootx64.efi)/EndEntire
error: cannot load image.

EFI/OEM/Boot/bootmgfw.efi
/EndEntire
file path: /ACPI(a0341d0,0)/PCI(2,1f)/UnknownMessaging(12)
/HD(2,c8800,96000,fe030bf1430a6046,9a,9a)/File(\EFI\OEM\Boot)
/File(bootmgfw.efi)/EndEntire
error: cannot load image.

I have looked in the /boot/efi partition and the .efi files listed in grub are there but I always get this error.

A: You can try this:

*

*Run Boot-Repair --> Advanced Options --> tick Restore EFI backups --> Apply.

*Then in your BIOS, in the Boot order menu, select the Windows entry. It should boot Windows. To boot Ubuntu, you then need to select the Ubuntu entry in your BIOS.

A: I had this problem after installing Ubuntu 14.04 alongside windows 8.1 on my nice new lenovo thinkpad t540p laptop.
However, all I had to do was disable the secure boot option in the bios. Having done that, the grub menu allows me to boot either Ubuntu or Windows from the options.
I did not need to do anything else.

A: I had this problem. Just ignore all of this and go back to your bios boot menu. Put Windows on the top of the list. When you wan't to go back to Ubuntu, then put Ubuntu on the top of the list.

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Al-Omari Great Mosque - Downtown Beirut
It is the largest mosque in Beirut. She took the name Al-Omari in honor of the Caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab. She was also known by the Futuh al-Islam Mosque (the conquests of Islam) or the Prophet's Mosque Yahia. Under the reign of the Crusaders, it was transformed into a church before it was converted into a mosque by Saladin in 1187 (583 AH). The Crusaders resumed again and turn it into Cathedral 1197-1291 (593-690 AH), before it was finally conquered and converted into a mosque in 764 AH. by Emir Sunjur under the reign of Sultan Ashraf Khalil Muhammad son of Qalawun.
As-Saraya Mosque - Downtown Beirut
Also known as the Mosque of Emir Mansour Assaf, whose emirate extended from Nahr al-Kalb to Hama (1552-1580) - or As-Saraya Mosque, due to its proximity to the inner circle of the Emir Assaf. As its name Mosque Dar Al-Wilaya (Governor's Palace), it is because of its proximity to the palace built by the Emir Fakherdine II, Governor of Beirut and Mount Lebanon to serve as a seat of government. Yet some references are more reasonable to attribute it to the Emir Turkmen Muhammad son of the Emir Mansour Assaf.
This mosque is located in central Beirut, east of the Great Mosque Al-Omari at the entrance of the souk Sursock, facing the south-east corner of the municipal palace.
Mosque of Emir Mounzer (An-Naoufara) - Downtown Beirut
Located in central Beirut in western al-Omari Mosque, opposite Bab Idriss and Souk Al-Tawile, it was built in 1620 (1056 AH) by the Emir Ibn Mounzer Suleiman Al-Tanoukhi the reign The Emir Fakherdin II. This mosque is also known as the Mosque An-Naoufara because of the fountain that was in his court. And as is the case in other mosques, a number of emirs and governors were buried in the mosque. Tomb of the Emir Mounzer, its founder, was murdered in the massacre of 1633, was north of the door before it was destroyed in 1860 (1277 AH). The Emir Haydar Al-Melhem Shihabi was buried there in 1762 (1175 AH), as well as his brother Mansour in 1775 (1188 AH). Now there is no trace of the graves, and the fountain which has completely disappeared.
Zaouiyah Al-Imam Al-Ouza'I - Downtown Beirut
Located at Souk Al-Tawile in central Beirut to Western Zaouiyah of Sheikh Ibn Arraq (whose ruins are rediscovered in 1991), the school is named after Imam Al-Ouza'i who lived Beirut and turned his home into a school of Islamic theology. In 1529 (935 AH), a fountain was built next to the school in memory of the Imam. But do not confuse this with Zaouiyah Al-Ouza'i mosque built in the suburbs of Hantous later known as the Ouza'i. It should be noted that Imam Al-Ouza'i died in his school in 774 (157 AH) in the last years of the reign of Caliph Abi Jaafar Al-Mansour and the inhabitants of Beirut had followed the procession carrying his mortal remains downtown to the southern suburbs, sandy and wooded area, known as the Hantous. The Zaouiyah held in the middle of Souk Al-Tawile until the outbreak of the Lebanese war in 1975 that turned it into ruins. A project is preparing to rebuild in the same location it occupied.
Al-Dabbaghah Mosque - Downtown Beirut
(Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him)
Also known as the Holy Mosque Al-Omari (Not to be confused with the great Al-Omari Mosque) because it was built during the reign of Caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab, as mentioned by the famous traveler Sheikh Abdul Ghani Al-Nabulsi. It was also called the Mosque of the sea because of its proximity to the coast. As its name Al-Dabbaghah (tannery), it is due to its proximity to the neighborhood with this name and reserved for tanning. This mosque is located on the east side of the port of Beirut is home to warehouses in his basement, and is accessed by a staircase because of its elevation. Its construction date back to 1294 (693 AH) or 1343 (743 AH) in other references. At the time of the French mandate, the municipality of Beirut was destroyed under the pretext of road widening. But it was rebuilt in 1932 and took the name of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque. It was damaged during the Lebanese war (1975-1990), before it was restored and opened for prayer in 1999.
Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque - Downtown Beirut
Located in the center of the Place des Martyrs which is connected to the Riad El-Solh Square, it is distinguished by an Ottoman architectural style and Arabic. It contains a central void completely covered with a dome (with an area of 9778 m2 which includes the lower floors and mezzanines). It has three entrances on the sides, north and west. It is accessed through the outdoor seating next to the Place des Martyrs or the north side by an axial inlet in the direction of the Qubla, which also included the ablution facilities. The mosque has 4 minarets with a height of 65 m. The ceiling is high and about 16 m to 20 m in the central dome. It can accommodate up to 6250 worshipers and ground floor can accommodate up to 4200 people.
The mosque contains the grave of former Prime Minister Martyr Rafic Hariri (assassinated February 14, 2005).
Al-Majidiyyeh Mosque - Downtown Beirut
This mosque was originally one of the most important strongholds in Beirut. Built on the coast, it is an extension of Souk Al-Tawile side that overlooks the sea. His basement was used as a warehouse for marketers, including timber trade. Between 1257 and 1260 AH. Muslims in Beirut, lively zeal, had collected and added to the fortress a pavilion on the west side before converting it into a mosque, and in gratitude to the Sultan Abdul Majid (sultan between 1839 and 1861) which granted them support they gave to the mosque in 1844 (1260 AH) the name of Al-Majidiyyeh. Later, they built the inner courtyard and the ceiling and opened a door that gives access to the harbor road with a stone staircase.
A report in 1840 and during the siege of Beirut, the ships of the allied armies (Britain, Russia, Austria) in their war against the Egyptian army shelled the fortress that was not converted into a mosque in time. Traces of these bombings were still visible in the early twentieth century on the north facade. During the Lebanese war that had lasted from 1975 to 1990, the mosque was destroyed and rebuilt by the Directorate General of Islamic Pious Foundations (Endowments) who added near the old minaret another higher.
Ain Al Mrayssé Mosque
As indicated by the inscription above the entrance porch of the north facade, this mosque was built in the late nineteenth century, 1887-1888 (1305 AH), by Bayham and Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah Al-Habari, the land is a gift from Sheikh Muhammad Alaya, later appointed Mufti of the Lebanese Republic. Islamic religious foundations have restored the mosque and his court in 1951, and installed water pipes for ablution. An arched doorway was moved to the Mosque of Emir 'Assaf and placed in the wall. A report was also a fountain in the East corner of the courtyard overlooking the North Sea side.
In recent years, the mosque was renovated, while preserving its historic character, and finally the main entrance was moved to the north side of the sea, when the Coast Highway was drawn by the municipality of the city.
Mosque and Mausoleum of Imam Al-Ouza'I
The suburb Al-Ouza'i, formerly called Hantous is located 4km south of Beirut; its mosque was known by Hantous Mosque. The name change is due to the fact that Imam Abou Amrou Abdul Rahman Ibn Amr Al-Ouza'i who had lived in his Zawiya in Souk Al-Tawile in central Beirut and turned his home into a school of Islamic studies, was buried in 774 ( 157 AH) in a corner inside the Hantous Mosque.
The mosque built Ouza'i consists of two sections, the old one, and the new one added at the eastern side of the old one. The new mosque was built nearby in 1954 (1375 AH) under the name of El-Imam Al-Ouza'i. The General Directorate of the Islamic Waqfs has restored the old mosque and its historical minaret and made some improvements.
Al- Msaytbeh Mosque
Located in the district of Msaytbeh near the residence of President Saeb Salam, it was built in 1884 (1302 AH) during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. The governor of Syria Ahmed Hamdi Pasha had partly contributed to the building cost, in addition to the contributions collected from the people of Beirut. Some refurbishments and renovations were made in 1973 (1393 AH) and lasted until February 1975 (Safar 1395 AH).
Ras Al-Naba' Mosque
This mosque was built by the deceased Omar el-Ghazawi in Beirut in 1299AH/1882AC. Some old people of Beirut reported that this building previously contained a fountain in the northern part of the outer courtyard. Many reparations and additions were done to this building during the year 1397AH/1977AC.
OTHER MOSQUES
Mosque Basta Tahta Basta Fawqa Mosque, Mosque Bourj Abi Haydar Al-Sidani in Ras Al-Naba 'Mosque' Alam Al-Sharq in Ashrafieh, Al-Birjaoui, Al-Hurj (Al-Halbouni and Houri), Mosque of Imam Ali Al-Tariq Jadide Mosque Al-Raml Zaydanieh Al-Qassar Mosque, Mosque 'Aisha Bakkar, Zouqaq Al-Blat, Mrayssé Mosque Al-Ain, Al-Hamra Mosque Al Ashrafieh-Hassanein Mosque Qraytem Mosque Makkaoui (Hamad Street) Mosque Shatila Shehab Mosque, Al-Daouq Al-Khalia Al-Saoudiah Khaled Ibn Al-Walid Mosque in Krantinah, Al-Khodr, Mosque Martyrs Al-Khashoukji, Al-Houri, Ammash Mosque, Gamal Abdel Nasser Mosque, Al-Dana Mosque Mosque. However it should be noted that the date of construction of some of the mosques above mentioned last is relatively recent, after the Ottoman era, whether it was in a few years.


Archaeological Museum is an Art and archaeological museum situated in Thrissur District in Kerala State of south India.The archaeological museum was Established in the year 1938 as Sree Mulam Chithrasala under the auspices of the Government of Cochin.The Trichur Archaeological Museum is famous for all its collection of murals and relics from almost entire Kerala. The museum also has big life-size statues of famous and eminent personalities of the past. The museum also has models of ancient temples, monuments, etc. One of the most important features of this museum is manuscripts written on dry palm leaves that are generally known as the "Olagrandhangal". It is worth place to understand the cultural and artistic heritage of Kerala.
One among the most attractive belongings of this Archeological Museum in Thrissur can be a rare collection of Veerakallu or stone engravings as well as carvings of figures and weapons utilized by brave warriors of this region discovered at forests of Wayanad and Thrissur. Other items that are displayed include temple designs created using plaster of Paris a variety of megalith collection having of clay pots, Urn burials black and red wares, black wares russet coated wares, stone age weapons, excavated resources from Indus Valley Civilization and Harappa, excavated equipment from megalithic sites like beads, iron implements, excavated materials from Cheraman Parambu stone sculptures starting from 10th century to 7th century, bronze sculptures starting from 12h century to 18h century.
Railway Station – The Trichur railway station is around 2 kilometers from this museum.
Airport– The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport, which is located at a distance of 57 kilometers.
Bus – The museum is easily accessible by roads as Trichur is well connected by a wide network of motorable roads.


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This stone tower in the middle of ocean was part of a lost continent
Description: What's the deal with this lone mountain in the middle of the ocean?
Hawaii's lava skylights look like a "portal to hell."
America has a road that sings when you driver over it
There's a stretch of road in New Mexico that sings "America the Beautiful" wh...
Daily Escape: Dog goes kayaking in Vancouver, Canada
Check out our daily escape video.
This is the world's most beautiful drive - would you go?
This is said to be the world's most beautiful drive.
The world's most beautiful pool was carved by lava
There are some truly stunning manmade pools, but it's tough to beat the ones ...
Psst, we found heaven on Earth
Nothing says heavenly paradise quite like blue waters, white sand, and pink f...
Ever Heard Of Sea Cows? You Can Swim With Them In Florida
There's a place in Florida where you can swim with manatees.
Koala Mating Call Is Something Else
Check out our daily escape for today.
This tiny hotel touches the sky
Have you ever wondered what happens to mountain climbers when bad weather hit...
There's A Hidden Underwater Park In California Full Of Sunken Boats And Barges
There's a great underwater park in California.
Daily Escape: Cycling in Moab, Utah
Malaysia's Crystal Mosque redefines what a mosque should look like
Malaysia's spectacular Crystal Mosque is regarded as one of the most unique i...
Stunning Northern Lights in Iceland
Check out these stunning northern lights.
Puerto Rico's Shores Are Inhabited By Psychedelic Jellyfish But You Can't Visit Them
Puerto Rico's shores are home to some incredible creatures.
These Danish circular suburbs look like alien bases
There's a place in Denmark where people live in circular garden communities.
This airport runway is also a public park
There's a tiny airport that doubles as a playground.
The $5.5M floating mansion
There's a $5.5 million mansion in Miami that floats.
You'd never guess who creates these mysterious underwater circles in Japan
You'd never guess who created these mysterious circles.


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Альдрінґен () — прізвище німецького походження. Відомі носії:
 Йоган фон Альдрінґен — імперський фельдмаршал
 Манфред фон Кларі унд Альдрінґен — австро-угорський державний діяч

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


One of the biggest advantages to staying in vacation rentals is having a kitchen. Some offer gourmet kitchens with the latest high-end appliances and utensils. But at the very least, you'll have a stove, refrigerator, microwave and a grill, so you'll be able to cook your own meals instead of eating out all the time. Here are three tips for getting the most out of cooking in your kitchen.
First, don't assume you're going to eat a lot different on vacation than you do at home. While local cuisine and the availability of certain foods will certainly play a part, you'll more than likely be drawn to the kinds of foods you normally enjoy. If your lunches generally consist of sandwiches and chips, then assume you'll eat in a similar fashion at your vacation rental. Having this mindset will allow you to branch out to new and interesting foods in a way that you'll enjoy.
Before you leave on your trip, go online and scope out the grocery stores and farmers' markets in the area you're visiting. Become familiar with the kinds of fruits and vegetables available. Then create a grocery list that you'll use when you first arrive. Ask the property manager or owner if any shopping services are available. You might be able to have some of your groceries waiting for you when you arrive. Also, resist the temptation to buy too much when shopping. While you want enough food around to keep you from eating out every meal, you don't want spend a lot of money on groceries and then leave them behind. Be sure to ask what kind of appliances are available as well, and if there are any restrictions on grilling.
Purchase some easy-to-pack staples before departing. Everyday spices will almost certainly be cheaper at home (though stay open to local spices if they're unique and fresh). If you know a recipe calls for flour, bring some in a baggie. The same goes for baking soda, sugar, chocolate and other staple ingredients.
Along with staple foods, bring along small specialty cooking utensils you know you'll need. A garlic press, an extra spatula, a pair of high-quality kitchen scissors are all excellent bring-along items. Resist the temptation to pack your food processor, however. You'd be better off packing a favorite kitchen knife or two and asking for help in the kitchen from your travel buddies.
Once you've researched the food availability in the area you're traveling to, you'll have a great idea about what kind of meals you should plan. First, don't schedule yourself for a full day in the kitchen. Any recipes you make should be quick and easy. If you're traveling with a large or diverse group of people, now's not the time to get creative either. Try to come up with meals that will please everyone. Do include local produce, meats, fish and breads. There's nothing like going to Italy and enjoying some locally made prosciutto and cheeses. Ask if anyone in your group has special dietary needs or is trying to lose weight.
While you might be the main cook in the group (and you probably like it that way), try to share the work with others. Perhaps ask someone else to prepare a lunch, and another to take on a dinner. You'll feel less like the burden's all on you. And by all means, ask everyone to help in the clean up.
Lastly, stay flexible. While you want to have a plan going in, if a meal out a night or two makes your vacation more enjoyable, then by all means eat out. Remember, whether it's a lake vacation rental, a ski vacation rental, or a beautiful place in a charming neighborhood, you're on vacation and are supposed to have fun.
For today's post, we're featuring an article written by Dinu Mendrea, owner of the Casa Heidi vacation rental in Transylvania. Dinu is an accomplished photographer, writer, artist and host. Read more about Casa Heidi and the wonders of Transylvania from Dinu, a true expert on the region.
I could (should) write about Transylvania's ethnically colorful history. Or I could elaborate on its well-preserved German (Saxon), medieval cities and villages, about some of their incredible fortified churches (part of which appear on UNESCO's World Heritage List), or about the organ concerts you can still enjoy in Brasov's spectacular Black Church.
Of course, I could write about the impressive castles and palaces (Dracula's Castle for example being just 1 km away from Casa Heidi), all the museums, parks, National Parks, the original Bear Park. Or I could describe the great traditional restaurants tempting you with the area's German, Hungarian, Romanian and Jewish cuisine. Then there are the more recently created and highly affordable attractions such as paragliding, ATV and Jeep tours, horse riding, mountain biking, skiing, swimming, Spas with great massages and more. But I won't write about these.
I prefer to emphasize THE most striking feature of this area and THE reason for which I decided to have this dream-vacation-house built here and not anywhere else. It's the breathtaking landscapes – and I will let my pictures speak. While you look at them, try to imagine the smell of hay meadows full of flowers mown by hand, the scent of endless fir tree forests, the sound of the mountain creeks, the chirps of crickets and the bleating of the sheep. The nostalgic farming scenes which we in the west remember only through fairy tales and movies are all still here, waiting to be experienced.
Transylvania offers a special opportunity: to smoothly oscillate between 21st century leisure, comfort and the beauty of nature and life, as they used to be. The fact that the British "Guardian" newspaper considered Casa Heidi to be one of Europe's best 20 self-catering vacation homes was probably thanks to this combination. There is no guarantee that the next generation of travelers will still be able to feed their nostalgia in this part of Europe.
After an exhilarating day walking along the village's stunning hills, forests and rivers, filled with wild flowers, forest mushrooms and wild strawberries, enjoy sliding into the hot double Jacuzzi tub, up in villa's roof attic, still with a magnificent view of the imposing Carpathian peaks in front of your eyes. You are certain to enjoy the time of your life!
If you're looking for a great, uncrowded beach experience, consider the Topsail Island communities of Surf City, Topsail Beach and North Topsail Beach. Tucked away off the beaten path, Topsail Island offers 26 miles of barrier island beach. We've recently added 20 Beach Place Realty North Carolina vacation rentals to Perfect Places.
It's a surfer's haven, and you can either join in or watch as they cruise the water looking for the perfect wave. Or, you can join the fishermen and cast a line of one of the piers. It's always a treat taking your fresh catch back to your vacation rental for a delicious meal.
After surfing, fishing or just enjoy endless hours of beach time, be sure to check out the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Topsail Beach. There are also the fascinating Missiles and More Museum, which displays items from the islands history as a secret missile launch site during World War II.
On the north end of the island is North Topsail Beach. In the middle is Surf City, and at the southern end is Topsail Beach.
The name of the island dates back to the era when Pirates like Blackbeard ruled the waves and hid their ships between the island and the mainland. Merchant ships eventually started looking for the pirates' topsails peeking over trees on the island.
If you're looking for a little shopping and other non-beach activities, you'll find shops and restaurants in Surf City and Topsail Beach. Wilmington, Jacksonville and USMC Camp Lejeune are just a short drive away.
Visiting Topsail Island is all about feeling your toes in the sand, the gentle breeze, and enjoying the refreshing waves. You'll have quite beaches and gorgeous sunrises and sunsets.
than just a bathing suit.
More and more people are staying in vacation rentals. One of the first questions they have is, "what do I need to bring?" Here are packing tips you can use as you plan your stay in a vacation rental.
This is a basic packing tip for travel, and it's one to keep in mind when for vacation rentals. But it has less to do with how you pack your suitcase and more to do with knowing how where you're going resembles what you're used to at home.
First, find out as much about the area you're traveling to as possible. This will be fun, as you'll quickly become familiar with area attractions, restaurants, beaches, national parks, etc. You'll also become familiar with area grocery, department and drug stores. For example, you might be tempted to bring food for your vacation rental's kitchen when you first arrive. A little research might tell you that a 24-hour grocery store is right around the corner. Some parents like to pack over-the-counter medications for their kids, just in case. You can save that space and possibly unnecessary expense if you find your vacation rental is near a corner drug store. Conversely, you might find that neither is near your vacation rental. In which case, you might want to pack a few extra things so you have what you need upon your arrival.
Also, be sure to understand local customs and proper dress. For example, if you're planning a trip to Rome, you might want to make sure you have appropriate clothing for a trip to the Vatican. If you're planning a trip to India, you wouldn't want to offend anyone with western styles considered inappropriate in their culture.
All this information is easily obtainable either by doing a quick search on Google, or by asking the property manager or owner.
Towels are also provided at vacation rentals, though daily maid service probably won't be. If you're near the beach or plan on trips to a lake, you might want to bring a couple of beach towels along. However, some vacation rentals will even provide these, so be sure to check with the owner or property manager. Most kitchens will be stocked with essential items: a roll of paper towels, coffee filters, garbage bags, etc. Depending on how long you stay, you may need to replenish these kinds of items.
When it comes to equipment needed for activities, you'll definitely want to speak with the owner or property manager. Many vacation rentals have equipment available for you to use, such as fishing poles, bicycles, tennis rackets, golf clubs, etc.
If you're staying at a vacation rental, chances are you're going to be there for a week or more. It's a good idea to get a complete understanding of what the weather's like where you're going. You can put up with wearing your husband's sweatshirt on one cold night for a short weekend trip--but you probably won't want to wear it all week. Talk to the owner or property manager about weather and pack accordingly. Be sure to ask about variances in the weather--is it hot one time of day and cold another? Some travelers to some parts of Florida are surprised to find out that there's a daily rainstorm, usually in the afternoon. Should you bring and umbrella or buy one there?
Of course, you may decide not to pack heavy items such as jackets with the intent of buying them as souvenirs. Just remember to leave room in your suitcase for the return trip for any "day to day" items you buy on your trip. And should you find yourself with too much to bring back, consider shipping it back to yourself via UPS.
to relax after a day of spring skiing.
The base is deep and set, bluebird days abound, and the temperatures are sure to rise. Spring is the favorite time to ski for many ski bums and mountain folk. And with 5 to 7 feet of new snow predicted for the Lake Tahoe/Squaw Valley region, you're sure to find great skiing -- and great ski vacation rentals -- at one of the world's best ski areas.
Squaw features several black diamond areas and is known among skiers for its steep slopes. Since it's spring and the days are longer, you'll be sure to enjoy the High Camp Lagoon and Spay for après-ski. There's a heated outdoor pool with waterfalls, four bars and restaurants on multi-level decks, lockers, showers and towel service. Now that's skiing.
There's a deep base at Mammoth and with a peak elevation of over 11,000 feet you can ski through June some years. You'll also find lots of sunshine as Mammoth averages 300 sunny days a year. After April 18, lifts run out of the higher elevation Main Lodge, open early and run through the early afternoon.
Whistler offers incredibly diverse terrain and outstanding accommodations. You'll find 5,000 vertical feet of skiing pleasure, 3 glaciers and 12 alpine bowls. In fact, glacier season runs from early June through late July. Since Whistler was the site of the winter Olympics in 2010, you'll be treated to first-class ski facilities.
What's the first thing you do when you arrive in a vacation rental, hotel, motel or resort? Well, right after putting down your bags, you probably go to the nearest window and check out the view. While no one expects snow-peaked mountain or endless ocean panoramas every time they travel, there's still nothing like an incredible view to make your stay more enjoyable. Here are three picturesque locations with stunning views.
Located at the base of the Eiger-Monch-Jungfrau mountain range. No cars have been allowed in the village for over 100 years, so you'll need to park in Lauterbrunnen and take a 15-minute train ride to get to this picturesque Alpine village (it sits at an altitude of almost 4,200 feet). Skiing's popular in the winter in Wengen, while the summer you can enjoy unforgettable hiking and mountain climbing in the summer. A Switzerland vacation rental is a great way to see this beautiful area.
Incredible views of the Mediterranean and medieval charm make Eze one of the most popular spots on the French Riviera. It sits atop a cliff and near Nice. Besides soaking in the incredible views and romance of this magical place (it was one of Walt Disney's favorites), you can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, sailing and cultural and sporting events from April to December. Eze enjoys a year-round warm climate, as evidenced by an abundance of tropical vegetation such as bananas, dates, carob, and citrus trees. You'll have easy access to beaches as well. Check out this stunning Eze vacation rental.
Founded around the year 1253, Cesky Krumlov is surrounded by rolling hills and sites along the Vltava River. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's famous for it's old town, which features cobblestone streets and 300 protected medieval buildings, a castle, and the second largest church in the Czech Republic. You'll find a dozen museums and galleries, beautiful castle gardens, as well as historic and modern theaters. Cesky Krumlov is a retreat for artists, writers and musicians. The 5-Petalled Rose Celebration turns Cesky Krumlov into a Renaissance-era town every year, with dances, concerts, theatrical performances, knights, noble men and women and more. It runs for 3 days in mid-June. Here's a large Czech vacation rental perfect for an extended trip to this beautiful area.
Get ready for a great spring by entering the Perfect Places $250 Spring Break VISA® Gift Card Sweepstakes. Just Like us on Facebook to enter.
You can use the Gift Card anywhere VISA® is accepted, so you can spend it just like cash on airline tickets, meals, entertainment, souvenirs, even to book your vacation rental.
The sweepstakes ends March 21, so don't delay--Like us on Facebook today!
Stay in a jewel of a vacation rental in Cabo san Lucas on the Baja California peninsula. If you're looking for cooler climes by the ocean, try Pacific Beach, Washington. You can enjoy the waves and an ancient northwest rain forest.
Looking for a little late season skiing? Then head to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. They got a ton of sno recently. Or, head the Great Smokies to kick back and relax on a big, private deck and enjoy the sights and sounds of a blossoming spring.
Whatever your vacation destination, we've got a property where you're going. Take a look at our March deals now and save.


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Nalzaro: Corruption, immorality at the Capitol
IS the Provincial Women's Commission (PWC) still investigating the sexual harassment case filed by a female Capitol employee against Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Baltazar Tribunalo? Or is it just sitting on it? The public deserves to know as it is a serious matter.
The incident happened sometime last June during a mid-year assessment and budgeting session by Capitol's officials in one of the hotels in the city. The girl, who represented the task force, claimed that Tribunalo grabbed her butt and inserted his hand inside the back of her pants while telling her, "ka-sexy gyud nimo day uy."
After months of silence, the girl executed an affidavit and filed a complaint last month before the PWC headed by Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale. But before the PWC could start its investigation, Gov. Hilario Davide III defended Tribunalo. He dismissed the allegation saying that politics was behind it. He even questioned the girl's motive for coming out only now when the incident happened five months ago.
Is Magpale sitting on the case because of this? We want to know the development of the case, Madam. You are known to be an advocate for the welfare and protection of women and children against abuses. But how come you are not interested in pursuing this case? Just asking.
Another case against Tribunalo was his accepting appliances (two air conditioning units and a big flat TV screen) donated (kuno) by an unknown donor. Actually, the appliances were personally given to Tribunalo by a man engaged in sand and gravel business. But these were reportedly mis-delivered to his office at the Capitol instead of to his residence in Balamban. Tribunalo was the former officer-in-charge of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro).
As a result, he was forced to use the items in his office.
I have already challenged Tribunalo to reveal the identity of the items' donor and present the acknowledgement receipt. Until now, he refused to reveal the donor. If Governor Davide is "clean" as he projected himself in public, why can't he impose disciplinary action against Tribunalo?
Another issue that the governor should look into is the alleged immorality at the Provincial Health Office. Two doctors assigned at the office have an "illicit affair." The man is married but he bore a child from his paramour. Despite the warning by the doctor's legal wife, who already knew of the affair, the "lovebirds" continued their relationship.
This is common knowledge among employees in that office because of the openness of their display of love and affection. Former Bantay Dagat chief Loy Madrigal was fired by the governor when his photo with his girlfriend, who was his secretary, went viral in social media. Nganong kini wala man lagi aksiyoni sa gobernador? Kay walay photo?
And who is this Capitol department head who is also having a love affair with his job-order employee? Worse, his "paramour" is now poking her fingers into the internal affairs of the office. Mao na kunoy manghawod. Moapil na kuno og interview sa mga aplikante. Naunsa na man intawon ning Kapitolyo ron uy.


It was less than a week ago since the 4th Anniversary of the legalization of SSB radio in the United Kingdom and the activate all counties network. Below we've a video from Tim who was co chair of one of the networks and the video is now online. Take a look and listen to hear if anyone is on who you know.


A renovation between the Fall of 2006 and Spring of 2008 included restoring the facade to its 1950s appearence.
The building origionaly ended at the alley, but in 1901 an addition was built so that the alley actually crosses through the building.
This is one of the three large commercial structures built before the turn of the century in Lansing, the other two being the Oakland Building, which burnt down in 1923 and the Downey Hotel which burned in 1912, and was torn down to build the Knapp's Centre Building in 1936.


This leather shoulder tote holds a variety of personal and professional essentials.
Elegantly adorned with a gold keychain and studded feet for stability.
Zippered main compartment is fully lined and includes wall pockets on each side.
1 interior wall features an open top pocket sized to hold a standard tablet. The other wall offers a secure zipper pocket and 2 leather reinforced accessory slip pockets.
Tote exterior back with 1 easy access zipper pocket.


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Preneed Information
Understanding Grief
Donald O. Armstrong
Recommend Donald's obituary to your friends
Plant A Tree for Donald Armstrong
Obituary of Donald O. Armstrong
Cornwallville - Donald O. Armstrong (88) of Cornwallville, NY passed away at his home on Feb. 22, 2011. He was born in East Durham on May 15, 1922 son of the late William & Mary (Murta) Armstrong. He was educated in the one room school house in Cornwallville, NY. A long time farmer he also worked as an equipment operator for the Town of Durham Highway Dept. & the Greene Co. Highway Dept. retiring when he was 62. Well known as a family man he was also a member of the National Campers & Hikers Assn. He was predeceased by his wife Norma (Poultney) Armstrong, a daughter Roberta Armstrong and a brother Walter Armstrong. Surviving is his son Donald P. Armstrong of East Durham, NY, four daughters; Mary Winters (Ron Cole) of Ruby, NY, Elaine Turner (Robert) of Lakeland, FL, Marie Holland (Kevin) of Cornwallville, NY & Doris Vedder (Frank) of Norton Hill, NY his 10 grandchildren; Robert Winters, Melinda King, Kenneth Winters, Christopher Merritt, Jamie Merritt, Jennifer Olivett, Angela Multari, Christopher Holland, Lisa Vedder & Mike Holland also 9 great grandchildren & several nieces, nephews & cousins. Funeral service will be 11AM Mon. Feb. 28 at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR81, Greenville, NY 12083. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sun. from 3 to 6pm. Spring interment will be in the Cornwallville Cemetery. Those who would like to remember Donald in a special way may contribute in his memory to Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene, The Columbia-Greene Humane Society, the Durham-Oak Hill U.M. Church or the Town of Durham Ambulance Squad. Light a Candle at ajcunninghamfh.com.
A.J. Cunningham Funeral Homes,Inc.
4898 SR81, PO Box 146
Greenville, New York, United States
Our family owned funeral home has been serving Southern Albany County & Northern Greene County for over 115 years.
A J Cunningham Funeral Home - Greenville
A J Cunningham Funeral Home - Ravena
Tel: (518) 756-3313
We have a new owner!
A. J. Cunningham Funeral Homes, Inc. has expanded!
We now have a branch office located at 9 Main St. in Ravena!


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Cyberpunk 2077 has sold more than 13 million copies, despite launch disaster and refunds
The game had more than 8 million preorders
By Nick Statt / @nickstatt
Dec 22, 2020, 7:54 PM UTC |
Image: CD Projekt Red
Cyberpunk 2077 has already sold more than 13 million copies since its launch two weeks ago, according to the parent company of developer CD Projekt Red.
The sales milestone, revealed in an investor note from CD Projekt S.A. on Tuesday, is a remarkable one considering it accounts for some digital and physical refunds resulting from the game's messy launch. That metric is counting sales between the game's release on December 10th through December 20th, the note says. It's about half of the 12-month sales forecast analysts projected for the game shortly after launch but before digital storefronts said they would begin accepting refunds, Bloomberg reports.
Selling 13 million copies makes Cyberpunk 2077 one of the bestselling games of the year, though it still lags far behind the top 50 bestselling games of all time and CD Projekt Red's last big hit, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which has sold more than 28 million copies across all platforms. Still, few games ever sell more than 10 million copies, and to break into the top 50 of all time you need only sell more than 19 million copies (to beat out NES classic Super Mario Bros. 3).
It's likely Cyberpunk 2077 sales could soar far higher once the studio fixes more of its bugs and the game is rereleased on the PlayStation Store. Sony pulled the game last week and began processing digital refunds for unsatisfied buyers.
The financial success of the roleplaying game stands in stark contrast with its public perception as a multifaceted failure, a fact that has only intensified criticism of CD Projekt Red and also raised the possibility of a class action lawsuit. That something can be that successful while also being considered a deeply compromised product is also a stunning indictment of the current video game industry and its marketing and preorder model.
Because the studio promised the game would run well on current-generation consoles, it was able to accumulate more than 8 million preorders for Cyberpunk 2077, effectively covering the costs of the game's nearly decade-long development cycle in single-day sales. Meanwhile, the studio took efforts to allegedly hide the performance of the game on those systems from media outlets ahead of time, according to a report from The New York Times.
Unlike other forms of media, which can often be easily assessed in a standardized format, video games require extensive first-hand experience on a variety of platforms for the full extent of a product's overall quality to become clear. Without that knowledge ahead of time, millions of people purchased Cyberpunk 2077, only to discover its flaws later once players began posting clips online and assessing the game's various bugs and performance issues on message boards.
Hence the refund campaign, which was its own whirlwind of controversy after CD Projekt Red revealed it had not hammered out formal refund agreements with its retail partners before advising customers ask for their money back.
But if there's any silver lining here, it's that a project as huge and ambitious and, ultimately, over-hyped as Cyberpunk 2077 is now a teachable moment for customers and developers alike about treating major game releases with more skepticism and requiring more transparency around the quality of a product before placing a preorder.
Best Buy is accepting Cyberpunk 2077 returns through December 21st, even if you played it
CD Projekt Red promises Cyberpunk 2077 refunds 'out of our own pocket if necessary'
Sony is pulling Cyberpunk 2077 from the PlayStation Store and offering full refunds
Microsoft offers Cyberpunk 2077 refunds for all digital sales, but it's not pulling the game


Jana moved to Lake Tahoe in 1989 to raise her daughter in a smaller community environment. She has been involved in real estate since 1994 in the capacity of home builder and California and Nevada Realtor. In December 2015 the real estate company Jana had worked with for 8 years was acquired by Sierra Sotheby's International Real Estate. The exposure, support and integrity of Sierra Sotheby's are extremely valuable to Jana and her clients. Jana listens carefully to her client's needs, and enjoys consulting with buyers and sellers, providing them with current valuable real estate information. Her clients comment how they appreciate the extensive customer service Jana delivers. Please click here to Jana's Reviews. Jana follows the Golden Rule; she treats others how she wants to be treated – with respect and utmost care. Jana enjoys the great outdoor activities that Lake Tahoe offers like golfing, boating, hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and bicycling.
Jana really takes the time to actually listen to what we are looking for and shows us homes accordingly. She's very organized, patient and obviously loves what she is doing.
I have found Jana through another RE website when I was looking for an agent in Tahoe to sell my house. I have spoken to 2 other agents before her. I found them unprofessional since they have never followed up with my request and needs or basically did not return my calls when they said they would! I had to move on and look for different agent. Jana was the one who was very professional, trustworthy, hard worker, knowledgeable and caring. I could see this quickly and decided to work with her now and in the future. I really recommend her. Betty R.
I purchased a condominium in the Tahoe Keys in late 2015. My real estate agent was Jana Nelson. I rarely post reviews, but working with Jana has been one of the best experiences I've ever encountered in real estate dealings. This was a stressful and obviously atypical purchase and closure (a bank foreclosure with an unforeseen legal suit pending), but Jana handled everything with aplomb. It was very comforting to have her as an advocate through the entire process. She is a stellar communicator and client advocate, always able to be reached at a moment's notice. Jana immediately allayed any feelings of angst or worry that I might have had moving forward through this ordeal. I could go on about the many other issues that she has helped me with as well, several outside her realm of responsibility for any client, including helping me set up utilities, muddle through city ordinances for rental, and even arranging a construction company to assist me with refurbishments after the sale. I just want Sierra Sotheby's Real Estate to know what a wonderful business partner and person that they have working for them. I truly cannot express how much I appreciate all of Jana's diligence and dedication to seeing this deal through on my behalf. Best wishes for the New Year, Jana, and thank you again!
We chose Jana to list our So Lake Tahoe house. She proved to be an excellent choice as our realtor! A friend had recommended Jana to us, saying, "Jana is on it!" That statement rang true. She was attentive to detail & constantly on the move, exposing our house to as many people as possible. Our house moved quickly, plus escrow closed ahead of schedule due to Jana's efficiency. We highly recommend trusting Jana Nelson with one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make…your real estate investment.
Jana was recommended to me by a relative. Even though she lives in the South Lake Tahoe neighborhood I was impressed with her knowledge of the area and its neighborhoods. She did a great job of giving us idea and suggestions we didn't even know to think about. She was really quick and responsive to all forms of communication. She also did a fantastic job with negotiating with the seller to get us a great deal on our property. Thank you for all of your help! We will be in touch for our next property!
My wife and I starting looking for a vacation / disconnect from business life home in February 2015. I was looking at homes here in South Lake Tahoe on Zillow and had no references to an ahem so I trusted Zillow and reviewed a few different agents and Jana was the first called and I left a message. It was a Saturday afternoon and Jana returns my call within 15 minutes. We had a 10 minute conversation and within those10 minutes, she had sent potential homes for us to review and we had set up an appointment for the next weekend. We toured 8 homes that next weekend (Sunday) between 8 am and 1:30 pm. We made another trip up the next weekend, made an offer with Jana's assistance. The closing was a 21 day close and Jana arranged all the inspections and additional paperwork backup based on disclosures. Jana was very patience and provided instance feedback to our inquiries throughout the process. With the travel time to get to the Tahoe Basin, Jana was extremely flexible with meeting times for the final walk through. She also provided references for other services that we needed. All her references have been great to work with. We consider Jana a good friend and we continue to keep in contact. We were extremely lucky to have selected Jana as our agent and I hope you find the same success with her as well.
Jana went above and beyond for my husband and me. We live in Florida so it was important to find a Realtor that cared. She was available for all of our questions, via email, text and phone. We signed all of our documents via email. I highly recommend Jana Nelson, especially if you do not know the area. We have had the experience to purchase a home through her and the experience to sell through her. She has exceeded our expectations on both accounts.
Jana is very professional…friendly… And knowledgeable… Helps you through every detail and complicated steps. Highly recommended for buying or selling property.
This review is long overdue, as we purchased our vacation home in 2011. Ours was a short-sale as well. Jana was our agent, and I don't think we could have chosen a person as knowledgeable about the local market, the flavors of the different neighborhoods, the realistic home values at that time, and the short-sale process. In addition, she was infinitely patient with us, as we were looking for a very specific property type, in a very specific price range, in a very limited time frame. We ended up putting a backup offer on a place we thought we liked at the time, but we knew our chances on that were fairly slim. Jana continued looking for us after we went back to our hometown. She knew exactly what we wanted, because she uncovered a new listing and sent it over to us. She visited the property, emailed us a hundred photos, and answered my thousand questions. We were so confident, we put an offer on the home without ever seeing it in person, thanks to Jana's expert work and communication. The short-sale process was a little bumpy, but Jana held it all together for us. We moved in Christmas Eve 2011. Thanks so much Jana!


Mike Trout. Andrew McCutchen. Ryan Braun. We've broken down the 50 most valuable trade assets in baseball, a list stuffed with MVP candidates and colossal bargains.
Unfortunately, many teams aren't lucky enough to have blue-chippers signed to wildly favorable contracts. Worse, some of those teams are carrying players signed to deals that are so miserable, you couldn't give them away for free. We've brought you Grantland's MLB Trade Value Rankings. Time for the Negative Trade Value Rankings.
The players you'll find on this list aren't uniformly bad. In fact, several of them would be great assets to all 30 teams; that is, if their contracts weren't so terrible for their employers. But all of them would attract little to no interest if they were made available for trade tomorrow. In many cases, you'd have to pay the other team just to take these players off your hands (see the sidebar for a full list of Trade Value rules).
1. Contracts matter. Per FanGraphs, Alfonso Soriano and Josh Willingham were both worth about four Wins Above Replacement in 2012. Debate the specifics of WAR if you wish, but the two players posted similar numbers if you use traditional stats too. But the Twins owe Willingham $14 million over the next two seasons, while the Cubs have committed $36 million to Soriano over that same span. One can debate whether or not $36 million over two years constitutes a big overpay in the current market. But let's just say Soriano was considered for this Negative Trade Value list, while Willingham, by any reasonable standard, is a bargain.
3. A contract that's expensive is not necessarily undesirable. Matt Kemp and Evan Longoria are both owed well more than $100 million for the duration of their deals. They'd still be huge gets for any other team.
4. We're excluding generic replacement-level players. Sure, no one's going to offer much, if anything, for Greg Dobbs. But you can also cut a player like that with little to no financial repercussions. For a player to have Negative Trade Value, he needs to be a burden on his team's payroll and be unattractive to the rest of the league.
5. Deferred contracts don't count. There are players no longer in Major League Baseball who'll collect big chunks of change from their former employers in 2013. Manny Ramirez will make $8.3 million from the Dodgers in 2013 per Baseball Prospectus's excellent Cot's team-and-player-salary tool. Even long-gone stars like Bobby Bonilla, Ken Griffey Jr., and Gary Sheffield have years of paychecks coming to them. We'll leave those guys alone. Same with players who've been dropped from their former teams with a bunch of cash still owed. So Jason Bay doesn't make the list even though the Mets owe him about $21 million (so the Mariners, paying next to nothing, could theoretically find a trade partner for him), and Chone Figgins doesn't either, because his next employer will also pay him very little, with the Mariners picking up the $8 million left on his tab.
Let's start with the usual arguments against paying big bucks for closers. They have a limited impact on the game, throwing one-third or even one-quarter as many innings as top starters; they have a high attrition rate, whether due to injuries, diminished performance, or both; and good closers usually come from humble beginnings and can thus be had cheap. Eric Gagne was an amateur free agent and a failed starter before he became an elite closer, while Fernando Rodney looked washed up before the Rays signed him for next to nothing and turned him into the 2012 version of Mariano Rivera. Still, with Rivera's season-ending injury last season, Papelbon owns the longest uninterrupted track record of health and success for any closer in baseball, with a seven-year run that includes a 2.32 ERA, a best-in-baseball 2.52 FIP, and a strikeout-to-walk rate of about 5-to-1. If you're a team with money to spend, and you've got a dominant relief pitcher in your sights, giving him a lucrative long-term deal isn't the end of the world.
So what's the problem with the three years and $39 million left on Papelbon's contract (four years, $52 million assuming he hits some very reachable performance markers and sees his 2016 salary vest)? It's the rigid way that managers use closers, with Charlie Manuel one of the game's worst offenders. Whether due to fear of being second-guessed, fear of using pitchers in anything but the most predictable circumstances, or simple inertia, closers get used far more often in easy-to-manage, up-two, bases-empty, ninth-inning situations than they do in tie games with runners on and the game actually on the line. Crashburn Alley ran an excellent post documenting the times Manuel could have and should have used Papelbon in high-leverage situations, only to see the manager save his closer for a save situation and have the Phillies go on to lose instead. This happened seven times. Publication date of that post? June 10.
Until the Phillies start using him in situations where he's actually needed, rather than almost exclusively in spots that nearly any pitcher with a pulse can handle successfully 85–90 percent of the time, Papelbon will remain the $200,000 Aston Martin that never leaves the garage. The reason Papelbon merits only honorable mention is because someone, somewhere, might use him properly if the Phillies ever traded him. In a way, this is more of a tragic waste of resources than an untradeable contract.
Sort of like Papelbon in terms of overpaying a pitcher with a limited role, except the Cubs are only on the hook for one more year at a shade less than $10 million. That and unlike Papelbon, Marmol is not a good pitcher, and has more trouble finding the plate than just about anyone else in the big leagues. Even teams who believe in the mystique of the Proven Closer probably wouldn't touch Marmol at this point.
Now that we're down to the final two years of Soriano's hideous-from-day-one eight-year, $136 million contract, you can close your eyes, squint, and make out a not-that-terrible ending. Soriano cranked 32 homers and was a four-win player in 2012; given the going rate for a win on the open market lies somewhere between $5 million and $6 million, you could theoretically argue that Soriano might be a bargain with two years and $36 million left on his deal. Of course two of Soriano's prior three seasons resulted in numbers barely above replacement level. Moreover, this offseason has featured a glut of available corner outfielders: If Jason Kubel is available for $7.5 million a year (and not exactly attracting an army of suitors), what chance does Soriano have at two and a half times that number?
It might be that Yankee Stadium's short porch has goaded Teixeira into more of an uppercut swing from the left side. Perhaps the leaguewide trend toward defensive shifts has led to more outs, whether due to better defensive positioning or Teixeira overcompensating with a different approach. (Teixeira's batting average on balls in play since 2007: .342, .316, .302, .268, .239, .250 — so either defenses have figured him out, or he's on a hellaciously bad streak.) Or maybe age has slowed his bat, leaving the soon-to-be-33-year-old switch-hitter headed in the wrong direction with four years and $90 million left on his deal. There might be another guy on this team getting a lot more grief for his declining skills and terrifying contract. But the Yankees are stuck with Teixeira at this point, almost as much as they are with that other guy.
if Pujols raises concerns over signs of decline, what do we make of Gonzalez? The worst full season of his career was 2012, with Gonzalez hitting just .299/.344/.463. As with Pujols, Gonzalez's power numbers and walks tailed off last season. But in Gonzalez's case, the dropoff was more extreme, with career lows of 18 homers and 42 walks; consider that he played most of his career in the tough hitter's environment of Petco Park and those numbers look even more troubling. He fared no better in L.A. than in Boston following The Trade, hitting just three homers and posting an underwhelming .785 OPS over 36 games with the Dodgers. Gonzalez struggled with a shoulder injury in 2010 and claims it sapped him of some power in 2011. That might be, but that's hard to square against the 151-point drop in OPS from 2011 to 2012. This might be a simple aberration. Or it might be the start of yet another early-thirties decline for yet another first baseman making a ton of money. The Dodgers absorbed two other questionable contracts to get their hands on Gonzalez, figuring with fewer and fewer elite players making it to free agency, it made sense to overpay to get one via trade. At just 30 years old, there is at least a chance that Gonzalez might never be an elite player again. Which would make the six years and $127 million left on his contract — plus the remaining big outlays for Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett — hurt a lot. Or it would for the 29 teams who are not the Dodgers, all of whom aren't trading for any of these guys.
Another entry for the Dodgers, because when you're owned by a team with $160 billion in assets under management, with a GM whose track record includes heartily supporting a multiyear deal for Neifi Perez, why not make every day Spearmint Rhino Day? League is a groundball pitcher with below-average strikeout rates who struggled to find the plate last season, evoking memories of the younger, wilder version of himself. But because he's saved a bunch of games over the past two seasons, and because the Dodgers give exactly zero F's, they tossed $22.5 million over three years to League. We're not going to say there's absolutely, conclusively nothing to the notion that a pitcher having closing experience lets us better evaluate whether he's up for the job in the future. But when you've got established, superior-skilled setup men in the Grant Balfour mold going for barely more than one-third what League's making (with numerous other closers being paid millions or even tens of millions more for closing experience), maybe we're overrating the intangibles just a smidge. No one's knocking down Ned Colletti's door to trade for Brandon League any time soon, let's put it that way.
It's been talked about in board room strategy sessions and huddles with managers, written on by stat mavens and beat writers. Now the notion that teams are emphasizing defense at the expense of offense has turned from intriguing theory to an actual, verifiable trend. Witness the modest contracts doled out to solid-offense, lousy-defense/minimal-positional-value players like Josh Willingham, Jason Kubel, and others. If you're going to pay an offense-only player $15 million a year in that climate, he'd better be Babe Ruth crossed with Rickey Henderson crossed with a St. Bernard puppy who brings you neck-barrels of Cristal.
Adam Dunn is not that guy. He's not quite a full-time DH yet but he might as well be, costing his team two to three wins a year when he was a full-time outfielder and remaining a net negative when shifted to first base. And while the 33-year-old slugger regained his power in smashing 41 homers last year, he still hit just .204/.333/.468. Of course that's a marked improvement over Year 1 of Dunn's four-year deal, when he "hit" .159/.292/.277 and offered his usual negative baserunning and defensive value; FanGraphs calculated that Dunn made his team lose three more games than your typical replacement-level player that year, making his 2011 season one of the worst recorded by any player in the game's history. At least we're down to the final two years of Dunn's anachronistic deal.
We can debate whether, say, Ethier is truly that tough to trade given multiple teams reportedly showed interest in the should-be-platooning corner outfielder when a mere whisper of a rumor started floating around; if players like Young and Bell are that unmovable since their former employers are picking up big chunks of their salaries; if Lincecum and Romero are really so far removed from their former glory or if 2012 was simply an ugly aberration, etc. But the main point is to note the large number of contracts for starting pitchers that have the potential to blow up in teams' faces, with many of those deals being difficult or impossible to swallow for some hypothetical trading partner.
Given the money being paid to some truly mediocre pitchers over the next few years, we can't go too nuclear on the four years and $57 million left on Danks's deal. In Danks, the White Sox also have a 27-year-old lefty starter who averaged about four Wins Above Replacement per season from 2008 through 2011. On the other hand, Danks got hammered for a 5.70 ERA over nine starts last season, didn't throw a single pitch in a major league game after May, and had shoulder surgery in August. The White Sox are saying he'll be ready for Opening Day, but we've heard plenty of similar promises for pitchers coming off shoulder surgeries in the past, many of them later broken. The hope is that we're overrating the recency effect here, that Danks will rebound to career norms shortly, and that a year from now, this ranking will look ridiculous. And that the words "Carl Pavano" and "Yankees" will never be uttered at New Comiskey.
With all the Kevin Correias and Jeremy Guthries out there making real money, it might seem nuts to jump on a one-year commitment for a pitcher who just a few years ago might've been better than anyone else on earth. But Santana's not the pitcher he once was, his fastball now topping out in the high 80s and his numbers nowhere near where they once were. He can still be useful if he can stay healthy, but back problems and a $31 million tab for his 2013 performance (plus 2014 buyout) will make Santana tough to shop this summer, unless the Mets pick up a ton of salary.
Roberts has had his career ravaged by injuries, playing in just 115 combined games over the past three seasons. He's finally back to at least lifting weights, running, and hitting off a tee. But that's about all the good news we can muster for the former All-Star second baseman. That and the fact that his four-year, $40 million deal mercifully comes to an end this year.
Dodger no. 3. We said that we wouldn't pick on the Greg Dobbses of the league for this list, and you could argue that Dobbs might actually offer more value to a major league club as a lefty pinch-hitter and occasional spot starter than Uribe does with … whatever it is that he does. But unlike your typical 25th man on a roster, Uribe's making real money, with one year and $8 million left on the three-year deal he never should have landed in the first place. That contract was really just an extension of the two-year, $22 million deal Aubrey Huff got that same offseason, with both deeply flawed veteran players getting rewarded for big random seasons that coincided with the Giants winning their first World Series in 56 years. Just as Giants GM Brian Sabean saw the Huff era end with a benchwarmer who offered no real on-field value, so too will Sabean's former top lieutenant likely see that end with Uribe in L.A. Of course the Dodgers can always hope for a similar team result, given the Giants went on to win a second World Series in three years with Huff cheering from the pine. So hey, maybe overpaying for past performance in the afterglow of a championship will turn out to be the new market inefficiency.
Yes, Red Sox fans, your nightmare is three-fifths over. The final two years of Lackey's contract offer a stark reminder of how Theo Epstein's tenure in Boston ended: with a burst of extravagant spending and no success to show for it, with the Sox now entering Year 4 since their last playoff berth, and all the big-money players from that mini-era gone save for the one most directly linked to the team's recent failures. We're told that Lackey's decline into punching bag status is a result of not being able to hack the rigors of playing in Boston after years of coddled bliss on the West Coast. In reality, this was simply about a pitcher with good-but-not-great stuff moving to a much tougher ballpark, actually faring pretty well in Year 1 of the grand experiment, then having his arm give out like tens of thousands of pitchers in many other cities did before. As things stand, the Sox are paying $15.25 million a year to a pitcher who didn't throw a single inning in the big leagues in 2012 and will open 2013 as the team's no. 5 starter if everything breaks perfectly.
There are plenty of Sox fans who've been critical of management's moves this offseason, wondering if the team is wasting money by offering multiyear deals to thirtysomething, past-prime players like Ryan Dempster and Shane Victorino. The rebuttal here is simple: Boston fielded a truly terrible team last year, filled with high-priced talent that couldn't stay healthy and replacements who were the living embodiment of replacement level. Basically, if you want to know why the Sox spent real money to get competent-if-unspectacular players this winter, look no further than John Lackey.
Counting the $7 million buyout they'll hand out the second this season ends, the Giants owe Zito a staggering $27 million for one more year of service as their fifth starter. Of course it's not Zito's fault that Brian Sabean mistook a friendly home ballpark, some good luck, and an off-the-charts win-loss record for seven years of guaranteed future dominance. Now, the Giants couldn't get a bag of beans for $27 million worth of Zito. Instead, they're left with an innings eater who's made 32 or more starts in every full season of his career but one, but isn't particularly good at getting hitters out. Still, every once in a while, his seductive curveball will baffle the opposition. If only he'd ended his Giants career like this.
Someday, hundreds of years from now, our highly evolved, gigawatt-obsessed successors will occupy their daily lives trying to answer the one unanswerable question of the universe: What could have possibly possessed Tony Reagins to trade Mike Napoli for $84 million worth of Vernon Wells? The tab is down to half that. Actually, not exactly half that. There's still the matter of a $100,000 bonus if he gets the most All-Star Game votes in the league.
Werth isn't Juan Uribe or Vernon Wells. He's still a good hitter with superior on-base skills who can be a serious asset for his team if he can shake off the injuries that chopped his 2012 season in half. But while the masses are often wrong, they got it right here: There was no way the Nats were going to get their money's worth when they threw a seven-year, $126 million contract at a late bloomer on the wrong side of 30. Even if this was a statement signing, the deal has missed its mark to date. That the Nationals head into 2013 as one of the favorites to win it all isn't because Werth's payday opened free agents' eyes to the allure of playing in D.C. The homegrown products — Ryan Zimmerman, Jordan Zimmermann, Ian Desmond, Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, and the prospects who got converted into Gio Gonzalez — have done that almost entirely by themselves.
This is one of the worst extensions of its kind — it's an overpay in both years and dollars. Howard is one of the last guys in the middle of the lineup I'd give that kind of money, too. He's 30, has a bad body, is not a good defender, and has struggled to make contact versus lefties — he's gone backwards in that area over the past couple of years. If you were locking him up through age 31, it's not so bad. How happy are you if you're Albert Pujols? If Howard is worth $25 million, Pujols is worth $50 million a year.
Other than that Pujols bit, that's pretty damn spot-on. Howard did get in better shape not long after signing the extension. He also suffered a brutal Achilles injury at the end of the Phillies' 2011 playoff run, which combined with a late-2012 broken toe and other ailments cost Howard 91 games and limited his season numbers to a hideous .219/.295/.423. Year 2 of the megacontract is in doubt, too, with Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. saying he doesn't expect Howard to fully heal from his torn Achilles until some point during the season. This was the worst-case scenario, to be sure. Still, the Howard contract, which has four years and $105 million left on it (counting a $10 million 2017 buyout), was yet another in a long line of deals signed more on the basis of past performance than realistic future expectations. It was also a case of overrating power hitting above all other skills. As much as we've learned about the value of defense and baserunning — of being a well-rounded player, really — it's the Ryan Howards of the league who still rake in the biggest bucks. Unfortunately, this particular example isn't as good as the others, and is damaged goods. The Phillies wanted a long-term commitment. They've got one now, whether they still want it or not.
When a player goes from a signature offseason pickup to a poison pill tacked onto a massive, multi-player deal in a span of less than two years, something has clearly gone terribly wrong. That the Dodgers willingly took on more than five years and $100 million worth of Crawford, when an elbow injury had already knocked him out for the year and raised questions about his future health, was bad enough. Another major drawback can be filed under opportunity cost. With Guggenheim Partners at the helm, the Dodgers have been delighted to overspend on all manner of players — you'll note that Crawford is the fourth Dodger on this list, and that L.A. gladly forked over another $147 million to reel in Zack Greinke. Problem is, a baseball team only has so many lineup spots available to be filled. It's possible that Crawford's fully healed by Opening Day and spends the next half-decade playing like the championship-level player he was at the end of his time in Tampa Bay. But despite his often questionable batting eye and checkered past, wouldn't you rather bet on Josh Hamilton for an extra $5 or $6 million a year? It's possible that Crawford can't stay healthy and effective in L.A., the Dodgers declare him a sunk cost, and they sign the next big-ticket outfielder to hit the market. But for now, the Dodgers are stuck with second-best … at best.
You've probably sensed a pattern with many of these players by now. You could easily argue that John Lackey and Ryan Howard and Carl Crawford and others on this list would be highly overpaid and tough to move even if they were perfectly healthy. But these players' injuries have turned them into statues, at least for the foreseeable future.
So it is with Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod took a ton of grief for the quarter-billion deal he signed to join the Texas Rangers 12 years ago. But if any player has ever earned his keep on anything close to that enormous a contract, it's Rodriguez. In his seven years under that contract, he hit .304/.400/.591. Even adjusting for his home park's extraordinarily hitter-friendly environment, A-Rod was a reasonable MVP candidate in each of his three years in Arlington; from 2001 through 2007, he ranked right there with Albert Pujols and Barry Bonds as the most valuable player in baseball over that stretch. Of those seven seasons, A-Rod could make a reasonable argument for AL MVP in five of them. At the end of the 2007 season, Rodriguez exercised an opt-out clause in his contract, making him a free agent. He'd just completed a season in which he hit a ridiculous .314/.422/.645, with 54 homers and his third MVP trophy. Given the player they had on their hands, they had to ante up. Given the records he was sure to topple, they had no choice.
But here's the thing. By the time he signed a new 10-year, $275 million deal in December 2007, Rodriguez was already 32 years old. With or without enhancements, A-Rod likely would have gone down as one of the 10 or 15 best position players of all time. Players with that kind of talent tend to have more in the tank well into their thirties or even approaching 40 than do your typical really good players. But that doesn't mean there wasn't plenty of risk attached. You make the deal, you live with the consequences. Especially if you're the Yankees. Welcome to the consequences. A-Rod's numbers dropped steadily over the next four years.1 Many wondered if his world-beating days ended as soon as he admitted to PED use in early 2009, though he maintained he only used from 2001 through 2003. The latest PED scandal suggests A-Rod might have still been using far more recently. The evidence is hardly conclusive at this point, but it's another potential negative to add to the pile.
Whatever Rodriguez did or didn't use, at whatever time, this is also a player suffering from that most universal of performance-stomping causes: aging. He has missed a couple dozen games a year from 2008 through 2010, but still managed to put up strong, if not quite MVP-caliber numbers. The past two seasons have proven much harsher. He has missed a total of 103 games during that time. His latest, most serious injury may well be the one that derails his record-breaking ambitions for good. By the time A-Rod's 2012 season ended, he looked like a shadow of his former self, a debilitating hip injury drastically curtailing his once otherworldly power, and turning him into a cipher at third base.
We don't know when he's going to play next. Estimated recovery time after his mid-January surgery is four to six months, but that's a wide range, and he might need a while to regain his timing even after the injury heals. As with Howard and Crawford, we can't yet write off A-Rod as a good player, maybe even a very good one. But his best days are surely behind him, even as five years and $118 million2 are still owed. In any other year, the Yankees could handle a former star spending months on the DL, even one making as much as A-Rod will. But this season, the one in which Hal Steinbrenner has decided that fiscal restraint is finally in order, we might see the Yankees miss the playoffs for just the second time in 19 years. If that happens, the most untradable contract in baseball will be one of the biggest reasons why.
Rodriguez's wOBA by year, starting in 2007: .445, .409, .401, .365, .362.
Plus $6 million bonuses for home runs nos. 660, 714, 755, 762, and 763.


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Compliance Pipeline Staff
Tizor Debuts Activity Monitoring Appliance
Mantra is a passive, network-based appliance that provides real-time analytics to do things including detect patterns in user activity that signal malicious activity.
Tizor, Maynard, MA, recently unveiled its Mantra activity-auditing appliance for policy-driven, real-time insight into mission critical applications and data in multi-vendor environments.
Supporting Oracle, Sybase, SQL Server and Windows File Servers, Mantra is managed centrally from the Tizor Management Console via a web-based interface and monitors what individual users are doing with mission critical applications and data.
Mantra is a passive, network-based appliance offering real-time analytics capabilities such as behavioral fingerprinting, which detects patterns in user activity that signal malicious activity, including information theft. It allows enterprises to check their compliance posture at any moment and receive alerts of noncompliance risks as they happen, according to Tizor.
The device comes with Mantra Compliance Policy Templates for key regulations including Sarbanes-Oxley, The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, CA 1386/1950 and HIPAA. English-like policy language allows for the easy creation of custom policies, the company said.
The web-based Tizor Management Center console enables provisioning, policy management, audit reporting, analytics and data management archiving.
"Activity Auditing is the only solution that can connect user activity to the integrity and security of data," said Tizor CEO and founder Prat Moghe, in a prepared statement. "With the ability to monitor a multi-vendor data center environment in real-time, Mantra fills an unmet need to provide the functionality and performance enterprises need to comply with regulatory mandates, reduce the risk of large volume information theft and better manage business processes."
Achieving Complete Security and Compliance Visibility in Public Cloud Environments


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Ronnie O'Sullivan is the world number 2 who has won 6 world snooker championships, the only player to win the world snooker title in 3 separate decades. He has also won 7 masters titles and a record 7 UK championships.
The Fan Cave is the only exclusive Ronnie O'Sullivan memorabilia supplier. Grab a piece of snooker history from our Ronnie collection.
We also supply a large range of snooker memorabilia, ranging from snooker balls to signed snooker displays.
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