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Breathe life into cities
In December of 1952, a period of cold weather in London, coupled with burning of coal for heat, no rain and windless conditions led to pollution accumulating in the environment and forming a blanket of smog smothering the city. Most of the pollutants came from the burning of coal, which was used to heat homes and power factories. The official mortality once the fog dissipated after 5 days was 4,000 at that time, however more recent reports rank the death toll at 12,000. Majority of deaths were caused by exacerbation of existing respiratory conditions especially among the elderly. The crisis resulted in great rethink of the dangers of air pollution.
Peering through the mists of time, everyone is well aware of the cataclysmic events that follow Mr Churchill's young assistant being run down by the bus due to zero visibility on the roads. This was followed by the famous speech on air pollution by Winston Churchill which led to the environmental legislation like the City of London act of 1954 and Clean Air Act of 1956.
Lahore and its adjacent cities are no different. The thick smog is gradually encompassing the rest of the country. Due to no visibility on the roads, schools, colleges and offices have been closed. Airports are either shut down or airplanes are being redirected to land in other cities. Daily life is on a stand still. The number of fatal road side accidents and hospital admissions due to respiratory complaints and eye infections is on a rise. It is pertinent to understand here that this is not an "Act of God" but the causes are anthropogenic in nature. Lahore is now considered among the most polluted cities in Asia, hence air pollution is an issue that needs to be urgently addressed.
New estimates from the Global Burden of Disease project and the World Health Organization states that between 5.5-7 million people die from air pollution every year. That's more than those that die from malaria and HIV/Aids put together. Air pollution is the fourth-highest risk factor for death globally and by far the leading environmental risk factor for disease. Air pollution contributes to heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, bronchitis, emphysema and acute infections.
6% of all global deaths occur due to prevalent air pollution with 7 million deaths occurring every year. Around 1.4 million deaths occur in China, followed by India with 645,000 deaths occurring annually, due to their dependence on coal as a fuel and their fast growing economies.
Following these two most polluted countries in the world is Pakistan, with 111,000 total deaths every year due to pollution. Pakistan ranks 3rd for most premature deaths due to air pollution. Karachi is rated as the fifth most polluted city in the world
According to a World Bank report on Pakistan, outdoor air pollution alone causes more than 80,000 hospital admissions per year; nearly 8,000 cases of chronic bronchitis, and almost five million cases of upper respiratory infections in children under the age of five. The fragile health system of Pakistan is ill-equipped in dealing with this additional burden of disease due to air pollution. The losses attributed to air pollution, in terms of health care costs, are around 500 million dollars a year.
Highly inefficient energy use, accelerated growth in vehicle population and vehicle kilometers traveled, increasing industrial activity without adequate air emission treatment or control, open burning of solid waste including plastic, and use of ozone depleting substances (ODSs) are some of the major causes of deterioration of ambient air quality.
The household sector is the largest single energy-consuming sector in Pakistan. Biomass fuel, wood, crop residue and dung account for 95% of energy consumed by households in rural areas, with the share dropping to 56% in urban areas. Biomass combustion is a major source of indoor air pollution.
For a developing country like Pakistan, urbanization has been one of the significant factors contributing to environmental degradation in general and air pollution in particular.
The beautiful city of Lahore is choking under a thick veil of soot, dust and carbon particles. The smog in Lahore has crossed the international benchmarks. The levels of PM 2.5, which is a hazardous particle in air most damaging to health has reached 450-500ug/m3, against the standard measure of 35ug/m3 per day. In any other developed city in the world, this would be declared an emergency and remedial actions and legislations would be announced by the government. However, the silence of the concerned authorities to implement remedial action plans to tackle this emergency does not bode well for the future of the country. Worldwide there are a growing network of cities committed to cleaning the air and protecting the health of their citizens from air pollution by becoming a part of the Breathelife city Network. For becoming a part of the beathelife cities network, local governments in the respective cities pledge to putting their city on the journey to meet the WHO air quality guidelines by 2030.
Air pollution is one of those complex environmental problems where control through point source reduction is considered most desirable, and the only way to prevent adverse health and other damaging impacts. Once emitted into the atmosphere, unlike other matrix/media, the recycling or re-use of the emitted products from the atmosphere is almost impossible. We have the relevant laws to divert such emergencies, however we lack the will and capacity to implement and enforce these laws.
It is encouraging to know that the Lahore High Court, on directives of the chief justice has sought to declare a public health emergency over the issue of smog. However, the reluctance of the provincial environment department to find remedial measures to tackle the situation is baffling. A reliable and robust air quality monitoring system, weather forecasting system are essential to chalk out policies in order to combat the public health hazards of smog. In addition, there's a need for health system strengthening and data sharing between relevant authorities and ministries to gain wide dissemination of information to people for them to take preventive actions.
The writer is a freelance consultant on environmental health issues.
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Interviews are, in my opinion are the adult equivalent of sitting an exam, but they're designed to find the best candidate for the job and not to catch you out! Our blog will help you deal with them.
Dealing with a Career Setback.
Winston Churchill once said, "when you're going through hell, keep going" Career setbacks can come in many guises, being made redundant, not getting promoted or the feeling your stuck.


Not enough people have seen this video, so I decided to post it here. Â Harvard professor Rebecca Henderson is the Co-Director of their Business and Environment Initiative.
Can one make money while making a difference? Is it easy? Can business be a leader for change? All wonderful and important questions. Professor Henderson believes that business potentially has a significant role to play. Â Business could unleash the power of the private market to address problems in climate – reducing carbon emissions faster than we can possibly believe.
Professor Henderson believes that business must look at this as the next great transition. If business , one day, Â comes to the conclusion that there is a need for a decarbonized economy the impact on job growth would be enormous. Professor Henderson presents some large corporations that are already taking advantage of opportunities. I hope you enjoy the following video.


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© Nick Harvey
Did you know Brooklyn Beckham was a photographer?
par Nicolas Icard 28 juin 2017
The oldest child of David and Victoria Beckham has found a passion for photography and has just released his first book, 'What I See', published by Penguin Random House. Everything you need to know.
Brooklyn Beckham in Polo Ralph Lauren for the launch of his book
At Christie's on 103 New Bond Street in London, Brooklyn Beckham unveiled his exhibition for the launch of his photography book 'What I See' in partnership with Polo Ralph Lauren. The exhibition will be on show until July 7, 2017, before heading for Los Angeles.
It all started with a Leica camera which Brooklyn used to photograph the members of his family, often catching them by surprise, to "capture a real emotion". The guest star of the exhibition has to be his little sister, Harper, who he watched grow up through his camera lens, becoming his first model. The story that runs through the exhibition is the story of a family one, and even more so as it was his father, David who bought him his first camera and sparked his passion. As for influences, he prefers natural light and cites Steven Meisel as one of his favorite photographers. 'What I See' collects 300 photographs by Brooklyn Beckham, expressing his travels, family and friends. But the young man isn't stopping there: he's just announced that he's been accepted onto a course and a prestigious art and design university in New York thanks only to his work, with no help from his parents. He's one to watch.
'What I See' published by Penguin Random House, June 27, 2017 Exhibition at Christie's on 103 New Bond Street in London until July 7, 2017
Brooklyn Beckham in Polo Ralph Lauren for the launch of his book "What I See"
"What I See" on sale at Christie's, £16.99
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Brooklyn Beckham in Polo Ralph Lauren with David, Romeo and Victoria Beckham What I See vogue
Brooklyn Beckham in Polo Ralph Lauren with David, Romeo and Victoria Beckham for the launch of the book "What I See"
Brooklyn Beckham in Polo Ralph Lauren What I See vogue

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When I planned this four day Summer School, I had no idea it would coincide with the exhibition at the Foundling Museum, curated by Cornelia Parker: Found. What perfect timing.
Every item, object or thing in the world is made with a purpose, serves a function and is part of story. Take away that purpose, stop that function and that something is lost. Starting with a hoard of the discarded and broken, the members of the group breathed new life into these objects. Strange and exciting relationship were forged from the eclectic detritus. Histories and narratives were discovered and invented, and by the end of the four days the shedio was full of exciting drawings, pairings, medals and tools. Such great work ... well done all!


A.C. Lighting Inc. Celebrates 15th Anniversary! | A.C. Lighting Inc.
Home ▸ News ▸ A.C. Lighting Inc. Celebrates 15th Anniversary!
A.C. Lighting Inc. Celebrates 15th Anniversary!
A.C. Lighting Inc. is excited to be celebrating our fifteenth anniversary as the leading distributor of world-class lighting, rigging and video technologies in North America.
A.C. Lighting Inc. began operations in 2003 to support the growth of UK-based parent company's business plan to meet the specific needs of dealers and end users in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The company is the exclusive distributor in North America of world-class lighting and associated rigging and video technologies, including; Chroma-Q® LED lighting, Jands Vista lighting and media control, LumenRadio wireless lighting controls, ArKaos Pro media servers, and Prolyte staging and trussing.
Continuing with their growth trend, in 2017 A.C. Lighting Inc. announced the addition of three new brands to their brand portfolio. Follow-Me, remote follow spot control system, and ProLights manufacturer of high value and high-performance range of lighting, video and effects products and Luminex Network Intelligence manufacturers of data distribution equipment for professional lighting, audio and video applications, all of which provide new technology and innovative products to the North American market.
A.C. Lighting Inc. services the theater, film, television, worship, exhibition and commercial markets. Their vast choice and stockholding of products, accessories and consumables, coupled with in-house cable manufacturing facilities, provide a complete 'one-stop' service to meet all your lighting needs.
A.C. Lighting Inc. has been growing at record speed over the past few years and to accommodate the growth they have recently acquired a 100,000-square foot warehouse and office space located a short distance from their current home.
To commemorate this special anniversary, A.C. Lighting Inc. will host an open house to be scheduled at their new home in the fall.


As Foxygen hone their performative chops while supporting Of Montreal on their latest North American tour, Rado, in particular, feels strongly about the stride they've hit in perfecting the fabric of Peace & Magic in a live setting. Foxygen is unclassifiable in that they speak to the shoegazing set while whetting a psych rock palette, but this grey area isn't something the band's concerned about for the time being. Given that they've dropped two full-length records in a six-month period, they're capitalizing on their momentum while morphing into a marathon man of a band — and though 2012 was a productive, formative year for the pair, they've made it clear that 2013 is about to get real busy. We caught up with Rado before Foxygen sets down at Webster Hall tomorrow night.
So, I've seen a few adjectives thrown around when it comes to describing your sound. What's the weirdest genre you've been pegged with?
I've seen a couple of people say we're a lounge pop act or something, like, lounge jazz [laughs]. Somebody tweeted last night that we were "literally psychedelic" and I really like that! I think that's a great genre for us, to be a literally psychedelic band.
How has your understanding of genre changed as you've grown and changed as a musician?
Very, very early on, Sam and I were into Beck and the Flaming Lips. We were into spacey music with hip-hop elements. We're constantly wanting to make new records that sound like different things, and I can see the progression of how we've changed, but I really don't know where it'll go. I think it'll be pretty amazing.
Sounds rad to me. How's it going with Of Montreal so far?
We've only been at it for one day, and yesterday, we played the biggest room we've ever played. We didn't really know what to do with our bodies, being so far apart on that stage! [laughs] We're a bit tighter and the lineup's a little bit different. We've just gotten a lot tighter and better.
The last time I saw you, it was definitely more than just you and Sam onstage — I think you guys had something like five or six people up there.
What's been the biggest change for you and Sam, adjusting to a touring schedule that's more demanding while working with a bigger band?
We're the best when we're writing, and we've been writing records forever, but we're getting good at playing live now. I know that bands have to pay their dues or whatever by playing live. I think that we definitely did that, but we just wrote a lot.
When it comes to collaborating together, what do you think are the more complimentary traits you two share as songwriters?
I think that Sam writes really beautiful songs, kind of raw, Lennon-y sort of ideas. I hate to compare us to Lennon and McCartney, but I think that Sam has this raw aspect to him, and I like all this ragtime, big band stuff. I think that's sort of what our sound is, a mix of the two, a little bit, and our different qualities work together very well. We very, very rarely disagree. When it comes to what we're listening to, we don't even really need to talk about it — we live in different places, Sam's in Connecticut and I live in New York — and we're always listening to the same record without talking to each other. Having known each other for so long and worked with each other, we know what the other person wants.
It sounds like you've got this weird secret musical twin language going on, or something.
Even if they weren't necessarily frustrations pertaining to each other, did you hit any hurdles while working on Broadway and Peace & Magic?
With Broadway, I think Sam and I had this really grand vision for it –I still think there's stuff there that isn't complete, that we want on there that never made it the cut. With Peace & Magic, we made it pretty much exactly the way we wanted to. It sounded exactly like I thought it would in my head.
What's the takeaway from Broadway and Peace & Magic? What would you say you've learned from releasing these two records?
I don't know — they were such different processes. I think we learned how to work efficiently and make a record with Broadway the way we wanted to. We made the records that we wanted to make, and Peace & Magic was a completely new experience, where we worked with a producer that we really loved.
What would you say is the biggest musical risk you took in 2012?
I think training ourselves to be a live band was a big hurdle. We wanted our live set to be like the record. We realized that getting the sound that close was kind of impossible, and through that we created something new. Our live thing is completely different from the record, and that's something we didn't expect.
Looking back on the year you've had and the one ahead, what would you say is your proudest accomplishment to date?
I think that Peace & Magic was a big moment for us. Working with Richard Swift — who's a hero of mine, and Sam — that was pretty mindblowing for us. We made a pop record, almost, which is an achievement, making something that we wanted that's still kind of commercial and good. I think that's maybe the biggest moment for us.


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Provide a visibly appealing and easy to navigate web-based application for streaming media.
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Ryan's creativity, efficiency, and knowledge is always refreshing to work with. Project after project, he demonstrates his ability to create not only brilliant design but systems and processes that exist for the long-haul. He never stops teaching. You simply can't do your next project without Ryan.


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Home / Linux / Russia's Microsoft Knockoff Gets Security Upgrade
Russia's Microsoft Knockoff Gets Security Upgrade
May 29, 2019	Linux, Tech News Leave a comment 46 Views
A bespoke flavor of Linux may replace the ubiquitous Microsoft OS a sign of Russia's growing IT independence.
For the first time, Russia has granted its highest security rating to a domestically developed operating system, deeming Astra Linux suitable for communications of "special importance" across the military and the rest of the government. The designation clears the way for Russian intelligence and military workers who had been using Microsoft products on office computers to use Astra Linux instead.
"There is hope that the domestic OS [operating system] will be able to replace the Microsoft product. Of course, this is good news for the Russian market," said German Klimenko, former IT advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin and chairman of the board of Russia's Digital Economy Development Fund, a venture capital fund run by the government. Klimenko spoke to the Russian newspaper Izvestia on Friday.
Although Russian officials used Windows for secure communications, they heavily modified the software and subjected Windows-equipped PCs to lengthy and rigorous security checks before putting the computers in use. The testing and analysis was to satisfy concerns that vulnerabilities in Microsoft operating systems could be patched to prevent hacking from countries like the United States. Such evaluations could take three years, according to the newspaper.
A variant of the popular Linux open-source operating system, Astra Linux has been developed over the past decade by Scientific/Manufacturing Enterprise Rusbitech. In January 2018, the Russian Ministry of Defense said it intended to switch to Astra Linux as soon as it met the necessary security standards. Before that, the software had been on some automated control systems, such as the kind sometimes found on air defense systems and some airborne computer systems.
It's another example of Russia's self-imposed IT exile, along with the efforts to disconnect the country from the global Internet by 2021 and to create its own domain name service.
"The Russian government doesn't trust systems developed by foreign companies to handle sensitive data, due to fears of espionage through those systems," said Justin Sherman, Cybersecurity Policy Fellow at New America. "Using domestically produced technologies to manage sensitive data is just another component of the Kremlin's broader interest in exercising more autonomy over the digital machines and communications within its borders."
Sam Bendett, research analyst with the Center for Naval Analyses' International Affairs Group, said, "One of the main sticking points for the Russian government was the fact that imported operating systems had vulnerabilities and back doors that Moscow thought could be exploited by international intelligence agencies…This is essentially Russia ensuring its cybersecurity against potential intrusions."
It's unsurprising that Moscow distrusts Microsoft software, given that Russian-developed malware, like the NotPetya virus used against energy targets in Ukraine, exploits vulnerabilities in Windows.
Sherman says that while the Russian government may find Astra Linux a suitable substitute for Windows, it's not a serious competitor anyplace else. There's no particular reason for others to use this bespoke variant of Linux. Also suspicion of Russian software has been rising internationally. The country's most successful and recognized software company, Kaspersky, can no longer sell its wares to the U.S. government. Last May, the cybersecurity firm opened a "transparency lab" in Switzerland in an attempt to assuage jittery European customers.
"If this operating system were to be marketed outside of Russia, the prospects likely aren't great," Sherman said. "Astra Linux doesn't exactly have worldwide foothold compared to the systems it's 'replacing' within Russia, and this is only compounded by the fact that just as the Russian government has security concerns about software made in other countries…Other countries may very well have security concerns about using software made in Russia and endorsed by the Russian government."
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Hello from Murray State University!
Hello, all from the bucolic hills of far western Kentucky where the men are manly, women are beautiful, and the horses are RACERS!
Looking forward to our post Thanksgiving tilt and just wanted to offer myself as an information source on Murray State basketball, our current team, the city of Nashville or just about anything else you may want to know.
Good luck to the Pilots in the upcoming season, save one game in November, and here is to hoping we see the Pilots called soon after my Racers in March.
Re: Hello from Murray State University!
Admit it, who else had to look up "bucolic" ?
• 1. of or relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.
• 1. a pastoral poem.
RacerJoeD wrote: Hello, all from the bucolic hills of far western Kentucky where the.......women are beautiful, and the horses are RACERS!
Deaner, you forgot part 2. of the noun: a farmer or shepherd; a rustic (a rural person).
Thank goodness. I thought it was a form of Ebola.
If she is Im on the plane to that game!
Still interested in the trip?
RacerJoeD wrote: Still interested in the trip?
Actually, there were a number of us interested in heading to Nashville for the Music City Tournament, but as it is Thanksgiving, the airfares and hotel rates are outrageous , and sticking to family commitments now are a trade-off for Las Vegas later.
I'm quite sure this tournament was not UP's first choice due to the amount travel and finals just around the corner, but scheduling is more art than science...I guess.
I note that Murray State has quite a basketball history . . .six NCAA appearances since the Pilots berth in 1996. CIT champions last year. Favorites in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Even with a few of its faithful there to cheer them on, I think the Pilots will be challenged by more than the distractions of your bucolic setting.
Good luck and an early happy Thanksgiving to you folks.
I hope the Pilots acquit themselves well.
Basketball is our sport. We have amassed 38 conference championships and 15 NCAA tourney appearances total. ESPN has ranked us twice in the top 30 programs in the nation, with varying criteria and Street and Smith's had us at 52 in theirs. We have an NBA Hall of Famer, and the player highest career scoring record of any school in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Also, we have had 26 straight winning seasons.
I have no doubt that the Pilots will acquit themselves well in the upcoming season, and the tourney as well. Murray State is not putting on this tournament, but it is a great idea. I hope that there is a loud Pilot section, despite the holiday. Nashville is a very nice city and the basketball should be top notch.
RacerJoeD wrote: I hope that there is a loud Pilot section, despite the holiday. Nashville is a very nice city and the basketball should be top notch.
Six weeks ago when I was considering being an "unofficial host" to Pilots fans, I checked on how many UP Alums were within 75 miles of Nashville....and came up with close to 70, but of the 15 or so that I checked with, NONE were planning to attend.
Unlike supporters of the Racers, Pilots' fans are pretty laid back about supporting athletics.....except, perhaps, women's soccer.....winners of two NCAA Division I National Championships.
UP opponent SIU-Edwardsville was picked to finish third in the OVC West.
SIUE is a sneaky good team, though I do not know the specifics of the game with you all i.e. home team etc.
SIU-E plays at UP on Nov. 22. Two days later they play across town at Portland State.
Murray State plays Xavier tomorrow night on Fox Sports One, if you Portland-area folk get that channel there.
DeanMurdoch wrote: Murray State plays Xavier tomorrow night on Fox Sports One, if you Portland-area folk get that channel there.
Yup, we do get FS1 in the Portland area, and I'm sure we won't be the only ones scouting Murray St.
Looking forward to seeing one more good Canadian girl!
RacerJoeD wrote: I have no doubt that the Pilots will acquit themselves well in the upcoming season, and the tourney as well. Murray State is not putting on this tournament, but it is a great idea. I hope that there is a loud Pilot section, despite the holiday. Nashville is a very nice city and the basketball should be top notch.
Thanks for starting this thread and strengthening our interest in Murray St. and the Nashville tournament, RacerJoeD.
The audio guys said Riley's parents were there, but that was about it for UP fans.
Too bad the travel options were so limited and very pricey... this would have been a fun Thanksgiving trip!
Just watched the 28-5 Racers wallop UTEP....next they play Tulsa.
Murray St. was a shoo-in for the NCAA until they were upset by Belmont in the Ohio Valley Conference Final by 1 point.
Prior to that loss they had won 25 straight (including 16-0 in league play) after losing to UP and Valpo in Nashville.
The Racers are done for the year after losing on the road to ODU.
Great game though. They lost on a running 3-pointer that banked in with less than a second left in the game from half way between the arc and the mid-court line.
Fun to watch....ODU now heads to Madison Square Garden for the Final Four of the NIT.
Murray St. finishes the year at 29-6. Thirty would have been magic!!