text:
The White House President George W. Bush |
Print this document |
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 2, 2005
Press Briefing with National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
MR. HADLEY: Good afternoon. Tomorrow the President and Mrs. Bush will depart for Argentina, where the President will participate in the 4th Summit of the Americas. The President and Mrs. Bush will make subsequent visits to Brazil and Panama.
At the summit, the President will join 33 other democratically elected leaders in the Western Hemisphere to address common 21st century challenges. In particular the summit will focus on creating job opportunities especially for the hemisphere's poor, creating conditions to achieve sustained economic growth through greater trade and development, fighting poverty, and strengthening democratic governance and institutions.
The President was pleased to accept President Lula's invitation to visit Brazil. This is a return visit for President Lula's visit to Washington in June of 2003. Brazil, obviously, is an important regional and global democratic partner of the United States, and the two countries have a shared commitment to democratic principles.
The President is also looking forward to his visit to Panama, a strategic partner of the United States. We share with the Panamanians the goal of creating a hemisphere that is democratic, secure and prosperous.
Let me outline briefly the President's schedule, and then I'll be happy to take some questions. As I noted earlier, the President and Mrs. Bush will depart Washington tomorrow, Thursday, November 3rd, for Mar del Plata, Argentina.
On Friday, November 4, the President will meet in the morning with the leaders of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. The leaders will discuss the recently approved Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement.
The President will then meet with the host of the Summit of the Americas, President Kirchner of Argentina. The two Presidents will participate in a joint press availability after the meeting. On the conclusion of the press availability, the President will then meet jointly with the leaders of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. And that will be followed by a bilateral meeting with President Lagos of Chile.
On Friday afternoon, the President will participate in the opening ceremony of the summit, followed by a group photo and the first plenary session. That evening, the President and Mrs. Bush will join other summit leaders for a formal dinner.
On Saturday, November 5, the President will begin the day by participating in the 2nd and 3rd plenary sessions, followed by a closing ceremony and lunch for the heads of state and government.
After lunch, the President and Mrs. Bush will depart Argentina for Brasilia, Brazil.
On Sunday, November 6, the President will have breakfast with Brazilian business leaders, followed by a roundtable with young Brazilian leaders from a variety of walks of life. The President will then meet and have lunch with President Lula. After lunch, the President will deliver remarks at the Blue Tree Park Hotel. His remarks will focus on democracy and its link to economic growth.
After his remarks, the President and Mrs. Bush will depart Brazil for Panama City, Panama.
On Monday, November 7, the President will begin by meeting with President Torrijos. After their meeting, both Presidents will participate in a joint press availability. Later in the morning, the President and Mrs. Bush will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Corozal American Cemetery. There are nearly 5,200 people interred at that cemetery, individuals who served either in the U.S. Armed Forces or contributed to the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Panama Canal.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the President and Mrs. Bush will tour the Miraflores Locks, the first set of locks on the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. The President will then participate in a roundtable on Panama's future, followed by lunch with President Torrijos. Prior to departure, the President will join Panamanian youths to talk a little baseball.
The President and Mrs. Bush will depart Panama on Monday morning, arriving back at the White House that evening. If the schedule changes, we will, obviously, notify you through the press office. And I'd be pleased to take any questions.
Steve, please.
Q What's the U.S. position on Hugo Chavez using oil revenues to make friends in the region, while at the same time talking about having a nuclear reactor built in his country?
MR. HADLEY: Well, he's raised the issue of the nuclear reactor in a number of different forms and with a number of different countries. So far he hasn't done very well in terms of getting any takers, and I think that's because people recognize that it would be problematic for Chavez to be in the nuclear business, if you will.
In terms of his efforts to gain favor and support by using his oil revenues, he's made a number of different proposals. So far they haven't gotten a lot of traction. There are a lot of business and technical reasons for that. I think the thing that's important, though, is to look at what is going on within his country. And one of the concerns we have is both economically what is happening to Venezuela, which at a time of record high oil prices, one would expect to see a lot of progress against poverty and a lot of increased prosperity. We're not seeing that. We're actually seeing some deterioration in the economy. And also, of course, we're concerned about what Chavez is -- the status of democracy within his country. So we have -- we, obviously, have these concerns.
Q Why is his economy deteriorating like that?
MR. HADLEY: That's a good question, and it has to do in some sense by his own stewardship, his attitude towards foreign investment, his attitude towards private property. There's obviously been some confiscation of property and the like. But, look, this -- I think the thing I want to say is this trip, this summit is not about Hugo Chavez. I mean, you ask me these questions -- we've had some longstanding concerns about the policy for his government. This is not new news.
The purpose of the summit is for democratically elected leaders to get together and reaffirm the fact that there is really a shared vision for the hemisphere that is based on democracy and free markets and free trade as the best way to get the benefits of those principles down to enhance the prosperity and the livelihoods of the people of the hemisphere.
There's a common commitment to those principles, and the message the President will bring is there's time to convert that commitment into concrete action, to take the kinds of steps that will enhance the well-being of the hemisphere, and that is good government, fighting corruption, investing in people in terms of education and health care, and then using the power of free markets, free trade and private investment to really enhance prosperity.
That's the focus of this trip; that's the focus of this summit. It's, for the President, an opportunity to engage with the hemisphere and reaffirm the common commitment to that vision. And that's why the President is going, and that's what he hopes to accomplish while he's there.
Q Can I ask you a quick one on another subject? Why does the administration feel it's necessary to maintain a network of secret detention centers around the world, out of sight of the Congress and the American people, and out of reach of American law and values?
MR. HADLEY: There have been some press reports this morning that have touched on that subject. And as you can appreciate, they raise some issues about possible intelligence operations. And as you know, we don't talk about intelligence operations from this podium.
Q Don't they also raise issue of our values and our reputation in the world?
MR. HADLEY: Right, and I think the President has been pretty clear on that, that while we have to do what we -- do what is necessary to defend the country against terrorists attacks and to win the war on terror, the President has been very clear that we're going to do that in a way that is consistent with our values. And that is why he's been very clear that the United States will not torture. The United States will conduct its activities in compliance with law and international obligations.
And in some of the issues involving detainees and the like, as you know, where there have been allegations that people have not met the standard the President has set, there have been investigations, and they have been of two forms. There are over a dozen investigations that have been done in the Department of Defense to find out what has been going on. Two things have happened as a result. There have been revisions of procedures and practices to ensure that the standard the President set is met; and then there have been investigations, prosecutions, and people punished for the failure to meet those standards. So we think that, consistent with the President's guidance, we are both protecting the country against the terrorists and doing it in a way that is consistent with our values and principles.
Q If I could just press you on that, how do those self-correcting mechanisms that affirm our values and our laws, how do they work if the sites are secret to begin with?
MR. HADLEY: Well, the fact that they are secret, assuming there are such sites, does not mean that simply because something is -- and some people say that the test of your principles are what you do when no one is looking. And the President has insisted that whether it is in the public, or is in the private, the same principles will apply, and the same principles will be respected. And to the extent people do not meet up, measure up to those principles, there will be accountability and responsibility.
Q Can we go back to what you were talking about with a nuclear reactor in Venezuela? You said it might be problematic. That wasn't what the President said yesterday. In fact, he said, maybe it makes sense to have a nuclear reactor there. Can you expand a little bit on why that might be problematic, and why the President didn't bring those concerns up yesterday?
MR. HADLEY: I didn't hear it the same way you did. I mean, look, this is something that President Chavez has pursued with a number of his neighbors. It's not a matter of -- he hasn't asked us for it. Obviously, our view, of course, has been well-expressed, and it's not particular to Chavez, that nuclear power is a very useful way, in a way that is economically sound and environmentally sound, to deal with energy challenges. That's the position of the administration; that's the position of the President.
Obviously, there are also proliferation risks associated with nuclear power. That's one of the things we have concerns about with respect to the Iranian program. And we would expect that any kind of nuclear power program, for any country, would be done in such a way to respect those proliferation concerns. That's all I was trying to say. That's the framework in which we view.
Nuclear power programs, peaceful nuclear power programs, are something in which the President obviously has been very clear and he supports. On the other hand, we are also very clear on the issue of proliferation, that we want to make sure that nuclear power is handled in a responsible way and does not contribute to concerns about proliferation and ultimate nuclear weapons. That's the framework in which we look at it, and that's the framework we would hope other people look at it.
In terms of Chavez approaching his neighbors, that's obviously an issue that -- with he and his neighbors. It is interesting that while there have been press reports, it is an issue that is still in debate and there's been some concern.
Q But can I follow up on something he also said yesterday?
MR. HADLEY: Sure.
Q He said that -- he acknowledged that the FTAA has stalled. And I'm wondering if you consider that it's completely dead, or if there will be efforts to revive it in Argentina?
MR. HADLEY: It's still something we'll work on. Obviously, it has not moved as quickly as we would have liked. And that's one of the things the President will talk with President Lula, because the United States and Brazil, in some sense, are co-leading that effort.
But I think the point the President made, which is the right one, is, we have a bold free trade agenda, and it's something we pursue on a bilateral basis, on a regional basis, and in terms of a global basis. And we pursue all three of those at once. Obviously, we would like to move forward on the FTAA. It has not moved as quickly as we would like. And the President was pointing out there, of course, is another opportunity which also ought to be a priority, and will be a priority in the President's conversations with President Lula and the other leaders, which is the opportunity at the end of 2006 to conclude the Doha Round.
The President has made some bold proposals in the area of eliminating agricultural tariffs and trade-distorting subsidies. He's challenged the Europeans to join us in that effort, because if we can make progress on the agricultural issues, then we can go to other countries and say, we need, now, progress and freer trade in terms of services and non-agricultural industrial products. And the result of that will be greater trade, not only among the parties to Doha, but, of course, one of the great beneficiaries will be the less developed countries who can use the opening of markets, particularly for agricultural products, to enhance their own economy.
So as I said, we're -- the President has a bold free trade agenda. We pursue it bilaterally, regionally, and on international basis. And Doha is an important opportunity, and the President will be talking to people about it during this trip.
Q Follow-up.
MR. HADLEY: Can we limit it to one follow-up? Because I want to try and get -- I'd like to get through everybody if I could. It would be a first, but -- sir.
Q On September 9th, 2002, you met in Washington with Nicolo Pollari, the head of the Italian Intelligence Agency, SISMI. According to the Italian daily, La Republica, Mr. Pollari came to the meeting to discuss an alleged attempt by Iraq to purchase uranium from Niger. Is that claim false?
MR. HADLEY: We'd looked at this issue. We had both looked at our documentary record -- I have -- we have talked -- I've searched my own recollection; we have also talked to other people on the NSC staff at the time who might have a recollection of that meeting. I can tell you what that canvassing has unearthed. There was a meeting in Washington on that date. I did attend a meeting with him. It was, so far as we can tell from our records, about less than 15 minutes. It was a courtesy call. Nobody participating in that meeting or asked about that meeting has any recollection of a discussion of natural uranium, or any recollection of any documents being passed. And that's also my recollection. I have very little recollection of the meeting, but I have no recollection there was any of that discussion, or that there was any passing of documents. Nor does anybody else who may have participated in that meeting. That's where we are.
Q Can you say what you did discuss with Mr. Pollari?
MR. HADLEY: I told you I have very little recollection of the meeting, and it was in the order of a courtesy call, getting to know a person who is going to be a colleague going forward. And you can tell that from the relative briefness of the meeting. And I think what the Italian authorities have said is very consistent with what I just said.
Q This is the President's first foreign trip since your counterpart in the Vice President's office was indicted on charges stemming from the outing of a CIA agent and his alleged lying about it to federal prosecutors. I wonder if you can tell us how that impacts U.S. credibility abroad, and the ability of the administration to press its foreign policy initiatives in international fora like this summit?
MR. HADLEY: Look, the President -- sorry, let me begin again. Scooter Libby is a fine person and he has served the President and the Vice President well. There is now an indictment, and he is entitled to the benefit of the presumption of innocence.
At President, in any administration, makes foreign policy, and it's particularly true in this administration, the President makes foreign policy. And it is the President who is going on this trip, and he will be bringing his foreign policy with him and will be talking about it with countries in the region. So we who staff him are privileged to do so, but there have been staff changes before; I'm sure, in the normal course, with attrition, there will be staff changes in the future. What matters is the President's foreign policy continues to go forward, because he continues to carry it forward. And that will be the case, and that's what people will see in this upcoming summit.
Q Was there any consideration given to meeting with President Fox, a bilateral meeting? If so, why didn't that happen? And will immigration and border issues sometime, somehow, come up in the discussions on the sideline, with Mexico?
MR. HADLEY: There's a limited time on these things to do bilaterals, and a lot of considerations go into who you do a bilateral with and when -- things like when was the last time the President had an opportunity to sit down with the person; is the President going to have an opportunity in the future to sit down with the person. You sort of take all of that. Are there issues that need to be worked on a more urgent basis. You sort of put all of that in the mix, coming up with a decision about who you have a bilateral with, or not. I wouldn't put much stock in it, since it does reflect the kind of considerations I described.
The issue of immigration, obviously, is an issue that's on the minds of the President. As you know, he's been talking about some proposals he has in mind to try and strengthen the border to the south, but also to pursue some kind of temporary worker program. There's been discussions about that. But I think the focus of the summit, which is really going to drive the agenda, is this issue of jobs -- jobs, and the issue of that is the way it can alleviate poverty and advance economic well-being. And I think that's going to be the issues that are going to dominate the summit.
Argentina is the host; Argentina has taken a strong hand in forming the agenda, and we will, obviously, want to support that. And the President will make a contribution on those topics.
Q The President is going to meet with President Kirchner. Would you tell us which are the issues the President would like to discuss with him?
MR. HADLEY: Well, we'll see when the two men get together. There's a lot of staff memos saying, Mr. President, you should raise this, that, and the other, but in the end of day, these are two strong leaders and they will talk about what they want to talk about. There's a lot of talk about -- in terms of Argentina. People forget Argentina is the one non-NATO ally in the hemisphere. We do very good work with Argentina in terms of counterterrorism, counternarcotics. They are with us in the war on terror. There are a lot of issues that can be addressed. And the other course is the main focus of the summit, which will be talking about how we can work together, Argentina and the United States, to advance a common agenda of democracy, free markets, and alleviating poverty. And I think that will probably be the focus of their discussions.
Q -- free trade?
MR. HADLEY: I'm sure that will be -- the issue of trade, obviously, as I mentioned before is going to be a subject, I think, at all the stops.
Q Have you or any member of your staff met with Italian intelligence officials elsewhere, outside the White House, or at any other time, when the question of Niger and uranium was discussed? And if not, can you tell us how the fake documents came into the possession of the U.S.?
MR. HADLEY: I would, obviously, in answering a question like that, want to check records and all the rest. I can tell you my recollection. My recollection is, no, not here, not anyplace else. I asked that question on the documents to refresh my own recollection. My understanding is that they came to the State Department after the NIE of October 2002. But again, I don't want to mislead you; that's the answer I got from a staff person a few minutes ago to refresh my memory.
There is -- suffice to say they didn't come to me -- they didn't come to the NSC. And we can try and get a more precise answer. But my understanding is that they came to the State Department. They were then shared with the CIA, and I think it's pretty much in the public record as to what happened with respect to those documents.
Q Came via -- how did they come to the State Department?
MR. HADLEY: We can try and get you an answer on that. I mean, I think this is actually quite out in the public record, but let me see if we can get an answer for you on that.
Q Do you have a readout on the President's conversation with Prince Charles and whether the subject of Islam came up?
MR. HADLEY: I have not talked to the President since he had lunch with His Royal Highness, so I don't know the answer.
Q Is the President going to be carrying with him any financial packages that he might be offering to the -- at the summit that would help the economies of the countries involved?
MR. HADLEY: Well, obviously, there's ongoing assistance that we provide. I think the big focus of this, and the big opportunity to enhance prosperity in the region, of course, is the trade agenda, because, as you know, through free trade and private investments, the leverage you get in terms of economic growth and enhancing prosperity really dwarfs the impact of specific aid programs. So I think the President will focus on the big opportunity which we have to contribute to prosperity, which is advancing the trade agenda, bilaterally, regionally, and also with respect to the Doha Round, which is, as you've heard the President on this, he believes is an enormous opportunity to try and advance the well-being of the hemisphere and the globe as a whole.
Q Do you know -- President's speech on democracy -- as you know, a lot of the democracies in South America have -- they have not delivered the economic prosperity that people had hoped a decade or so ago. Is he going to address that in his speech? Is he going to acknowledge that there's been some failures here?
MR. HADLEY: I think what you'll hear him say is what the facts show, that there has been -- the commitment to these principles has resulted in fairly sustained economic growth. That's the good news, expansion of GDP and the like. But it is also the case that poverty levels in many of these countries are unacceptably high. And one of the things he will be talking about is what are the combination of policies that can ensure that these principles get translated into better -- more prosperity and welfare for the people.
And I think one of the things he will bring with him is the formula that he has developed that is reflected in the Millennium Challenge Account, that concept. That is, we kind of know what the formula is that works. It is good government, non-corrupt government, investing in people in terms of health care and education, and then being open to the power of free trade, free markets, and private investment. That's the formula that works. And one of the things he will do is to talk with his counterparts in the hemisphere about how we can take these principles and turn them into practical measures that will, in fact, not only enhance growth, but also will reduce poverty and result in a better life for the people in the hemisphere, because that's -- these are the right principles, but they need to be turned into action. And the vehicle of that are the kinds of principles and programs I mentioned.
Q Can I follow up on a leak investigation question? You worked very closely with Scooter Libby for almost five years. He vanished on Friday -- he was gone. How has that affected your job and changed what you do? I mean, you obviously worked very closely with him on foreign policy, hand-in-hand.
MR. HADLEY: He -- as I said, he's a --
Q I mean, you, specifically, the substance of what you do every day.
MR. HADLEY: I worked with Scooter very closely. He served the President well, he served the Vice President well, and I will miss him as a colleague and as a friend. He -- the Vice President has appointed David Addington to be his Chief of Staff and John Hannah to be his National Security Advisor. These are people that I have had the privilege of working with over the last four or five years -- David Addington in a prior incarnation. These are people who I know well, who are very capable at their jobs, and who will step forward and serve the Vice President in the way he needs to be served. And I look forward to working with them as colleagues.
Q I'm from Russia, so obviously I'm interested in your recent -- to Russia and the development in the cooperation with Russia. Basically to focus on the subject of this briefing, though, I may ask you whether you cooperate with the Russians in dealing with some of the -- in the Latin America? The Cubans, for instance, or maybe the Venezuelans that we've just heard references to. And also, if you could say anything about today's meeting between the Vice President and the visiting Ukranian Prime Minister, since you work so closely with the Vice President's office?
MR. HADLEY: I did not sit in on the meeting with the Vice President. I generally don't sit in on his meetings. And I have not -- members of our staff usually do -- and I have not received a report from them about how the meeting went.
We have a lot of issues with respect to Russia, issues with respect to the war on terror, and proliferation and all the rest. We have had occasion to talk about other issues with respect to the hemisphere, but those issues were not the subject of my recent trip.
Q The U.S. agenda seems to be quite different from the Latin American agenda. -- to improve relations with Latin America in the Summit of the Americas, any unofficial initiatives to improve relations with Venezuela?
MR. HADLEY: Well, I think the agenda actually is pretty well shared, in terms of the objectives -- democracy, freedom, economic prosperity, and alleviating poverty and advancing the welfare of the people of Latin America. That's a terrific agenda. And it is going to be the subject of the conversations the President has. And the President believes there's some opportunities to move that agenda forward in the way that I've described. And that's what he'll be talking to the leaders of the country about.
Q I'm sorry to bring up the unpleasant fact that the last President who went to Panama was in 1992, the first President Bush, and the meeting ended badly when there were street demonstrations. Now street demonstrations have been announced again in Panama, and in Brazil, and in Argentina. And I wonder if concern about that has been part of your planning for this trip?
MR. HADLEY: Not concern -- particularly with respect to big meetings like the Summit of the Americas, we have learned to expect that big meetings tend sometimes to attract big crowds of demonstrators. The issues vary. Sometimes it's issues about globalization, issues about large international financial institutions, and sometimes bilateral issues such as activities in Iraq. This has become a feature of the landscape. So I think it's not a surprise. And I don't think it's going to get in the way of the conversations among the leaders and the addressing of the agenda that I just described. I think the President is enthusiastic about going and about sitting down with the leaders of these countries, and working what he believes is a very bold agenda to work together to advance the cause of prosperity in the hemisphere.
MR. JONES: We have time for one last question.
MR. HADLEY: Yes, ma'am, last question.
Q Actually, I have a question about the next visit to Asia, and especially China. You know the Hong Kong Chief Executive visited the White House last week, and right now -- inaudible -- What is your comment on the political reform in Hong Kong, both in Hong Kong and mainland China?
MR. HADLEY: Well, we will have an opportunity to talk about this more going to the trip to Asia. The President, obviously, as you know, has a broad commitment to the advance of freedom and democracy, for all the reasons you've heard him say; that it is over the long-term what human beings deserve and expect, and it is the route in the end to stability and prosperity and the success of a society. Those are the principles that he's articulated. And that's a message that he's -- he takes everywhere he goes.
Thank you very much.


text:
More frequent hurricanes not necessarily stronger on Atlantic coast
Active Atlantic hurricane periods, like the one we are in now, are not necessarily a harbinger of more, rapidly intensifying hurricanes along the U.S. coast, according to new research performed at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
In fact, the research — published Wednesday (Jan. 4, 2017) in the journal Nature by James Kossin, a federal atmospheric research scientist based at the UW — indicates that hurricanes approaching the U.S. are more likely to intensify during less active Atlantic periods. During more active periods, they are more likely to weaken.
The relationship between the number of hurricanes that develop in the Atlantic basin and the number of major hurricanes that make landfall is a weak one, says Kossin, and one that has not yet been well explained. The new study accounts for at least part of that relationship.
Historically, notes Kossin, researchers (including himself) have focused primarily on the tropical Atlantic — the main hurricane development region —without distinguishing how hurricane-producing conditions may vary outside of it.
They knew a combination of warm ocean temperatures in the tropics and low vertical wind shear (changes in wind speed relative to altitude) results in favorable conditions for hurricane formation, while cooler than average sea surface temperatures work in tandem with higher than average wind shears to produce quieter hurricane seasons.
Scientists also knew that environmental conditions, primarily ocean temperatures and wind shear, determine whether Atlantic hurricanes intensify or weaken as their natural track pushes them northwesterly toward the U.S. coast.
But Kossin, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Centers for Environmental Information scientist working out of UW–Madison's NOAA Cooperative Institute, wondered "what other patterns there might be." His study took a step back and looked for related patterns over the entire basin.
Kossin analyzed two datasets gathered over three 23-year periods from 1947 to 2015. The first dataset, from the historical record of hurricane observations maintained by the U.S. National Hurricane Center, supplied observations taken every six hours and included information on location, maximum winds and central pressure.
The second, an environmental data set from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, provided a benchmark for sea surface temperatures and wind shear for the period of interest.
Overall, when the tropics generate many hurricanes — during periods of low wind shear and high ocean temperatures in the tropical Atlantic — they also create a situation where those hurricanes lose energy if they approach the coast, as they encounter a harsh environment of higher wind shear and cooler ocean temperatures.
"They have to track through a gauntlet of high shear to reach the coast and many of them stop intensifying," Kossin says. "It is a natural mechanism for killing off hurricanes that threaten the U.S. coast."
What are the implications for U.S. coastal regions? "It is good news," says Kossin. "Greater activity produces more threats, but at the same time, we increase our protective barrier. It's pretty amazing that it happens to work that way."
The data suggest we may be moving into another quieter period in the basin, however, where less activity works hand in hand with lower wind shears along the coast, eradicating the protective barrier. As a result, says Kossin, while there may be fewer hurricanes approaching the coast, those that do may be much stronger, in the range of Category 3 to Category 5.
The threat of rapid strengthening is highly relevant to society, in particular to those who live along densely populated coastlines where the warning times for evacuation may already be short.
"Knowing the relationship between tropical activity and coastal conditions that either protect the coast or make it more vulnerable may help us better prepare for future landfalls," Kossin says.
Like any research study, the results raise more questions. For instance, how might climate change affect this relationship? Other studies, says Kossin, have documented a rise in sea surface temperatures — a shift attributed to anthropogenic climate change. But the sea surface trend does not seem to be having a large effect on hurricane activity in the coastal region, at least over the past 70 years or so.
Kossin says this could fall under the heading of a "climate surprise" if the environmental conditions responsible for the protective barrier during active periods are compromised by climate change.
"There is no reason to think that this is a stationary mechanism," says Kossin. "It's entirely possible that changes in climate could affect the natural barrier and thus significantly increase coastal hazard and risk."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Shaker Vine Swords
Shaker Vine Swords
The official app & game
Distributed by UptoPlay
Use UptoPlay to play online the game Shaker Vine Swords.
Do you love to order food online from our restaurant? Use this app to personalize your experience and benefit of the easiest, fastest way to order your favorite food.
- Online food ordering optimized for your mobile device.
- The checkout details are pre-filled, so you can order with just a few clicks.
- Save multiple addresses and pick the preferred one at checkout.
- Real time confirmation of the order - meaning that the restaurant staff confirms your order right away, with the estimated ready-time.
Enjoy with UptoPlay the online game Shaker Vine Swords.
Developer: GlobalFood - an Oracle company
Page navigation:


text:
How sweet it is! And how excited mom will be when she receives this bouquet filled with alstroemeria, Matsumoto aster, solidago and Monte Casino blooms in a pink frosted gathering vase. A wondrous and thoughtful way to say Happy Mother's Day.
Order by 3:00 PM PST for same day pickup or delivery!
* Fee charged in addition to the Standard Delivery Fee
Enter full name. We'll ask for delivery information at checkout.
Box of Assorted Chocolates.
Add a cute plush from our plush selection. Selected plush will vary.
18" Happy Birthday Mylar Balloon. Styles may vary.
18" Happy Anniversary Mylar Balloon. Styles may vary.
18" I Love You Mylar Balloon. Styles may vary.
Huggable, adorable and ready to cuddle. Our Lotsa Love teddy bear wears a checkered brown bowtie to match his cream-colored, plush fur. This lovable friend is ready to deliver warmth to someone you care about. Plush bear wearing brown checkered bowtie Measures overall approximately 18′′H


text:
Kam's Movie Kapsules for 9-21-12
Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
by Kam
movies opening September 21, 2012
Dredd 3-D (R for profanity, sexuality, drug use
and graphic violence) Karl Urban assumes the title role originally played by
Sly Stallone in this reboot of the futuristic, sci-fi franchise which finds America
an irradiated wasteland patrolled by a formidable judge/jury/executioner
committed to cleansing the country of undesirables with the help of an attractive
rookie sidekick (Olivia Thirlby). Supporting cast includes Lena Headey, Wood Harris
and Jason Cope.
End of Watch (R for sexual references, drug use,
graphic violence, disturbing images and pervasive profanity) Grisly crime saga
about a couple of LAPD cops (Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena) who land on a
drug cartel's hit list after confiscating a cache of guns and money during a
routine traffic stop. With America
Ferrara, Anna
Kendrick and Natalie Martinez.
House at the End of the Street (PG-13 for
profanity, terror, intense violence, teen partying, mature themes and brief
drug use) Haunted house horror flick about a recent divorcee (Elisabeth Shue)
whose hopes for a fresh start after relocating with her daughter (Jennifer
Lawrence) to a quaint rural town are dashed by the creepy recluse (Max Theriot)
living next-door. Ensemble includes Gil Bellows, Eva Link and Jon McLaren.
17 Girls (Unrated) Baby mama drama set in
Lorient, France but inspired by actual events which transpired in a
Massachusetts town where a clique of bored high school coeds entered a pact to
get pregnant after one of them (Louise Grinberg) was accidentally knocked up.
Cast includes Juliette Darche, Roxane Duran and Esther Garrel. (In French with
About Cherry (R for sexuality, nudity, profanity
and drug use) Coming-of-age drama, set in San
Francisco, revolving around a troubled teen (Ashley
Hinshaw) introduced to the adult entertainment industry by a sleazy attorney
(James Franco) and a washed-up porn star (Heather Graham). With Dev Patel, Lili
Taylor and Diane Farr.
Dear Mandela (Unrated) Dream deferred
documentary highlighting the efforts of a trio of activists spearheading a revival
of the South African civil rights movement on behalf of the black masses yet to
benefit from independence. (In English and Zulu with subtitles)
Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (PG-13 for
nude images) Reverential retrospective takes a fond look back at the life and
times of fashionista Diana Vreeland (1903-1989), the influential editor of
Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.
Head Games (PG-13 for mature themes) Brain
trauma documentary explores the oft-devastating consequences of concussions
suffered while playing football, hockey, soccer and other sports.
How to Survive a Plague (Unrated) AIDS
documentary chronicling the efforts of ACT UP and other gay organizations which
successfully pressured the federal government to fund the research that turned
the epidemic from a death sentence into a manageable medical condition.
Featuring file footage of Larry Kramer and Presidents Bill Clinton and George
H.W. Bush.
Knuckleball! (Unrated) Baseball documentary
deconstructing the mechanics of the knuckleball with the help of such
proponents of the unorthodox pitch as Tim Wakefield, R.A. Dickey, Charlie Hough
and Phil Niekro.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (PG-13 for mature
themes, profanity, and teen sexuality, fighting drug use and alcohol abuse) Screen
adaptation of the Steven Chbosky novel of the same name about a lonely freshman's
(Logan Lerman) attempt to adjust to high school while simultaneously struggling
to cope with a crush on a classmate (Emma Watson), a friend's suicide and his
own mental illness. With Paul Rudd, Ezra Miller and Dylan McDermott.
They Call It Myannar: Lifting the Curtain
(Unrated) Bamboo Curtain expose' offering a rare peak at Burma via interviews
conducted secretly with over a hundred of the repressive regime's political
dissidents, including recently-released, Nobel Peace Prize-winner Aung San Suu
Three Stars (Unrated) Delightful gourmet
documentary delineating the culinary philosophy of nine of the world's greatest
chefs. Featuring Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Yannick Alleno and Olivier
Roellinger. (In Dutch, English, German, Japanese, Italian and Spanish with
Trouble with the Curve (PG-13 for profanity,
smoking, mature themes and sexual references) Clint Eastwood stars in this minor
league diamond drama about an aging baseball scout with failing eyesight who grudgingly
agrees to make one last road trip prior to retiring after his daughter (Amy
Adams) agrees to accompany him on the trek. Cast includes Justin Timberlake,
John Goodman and Scott Eastwood (Clint's son).
You May Not Kiss the Bride (PG-13 for sexuality,
coarse humor and violence) Romantic comedy about a mild-mannered pet
photographer (Dave Annable) forced to marry the daughter (Katharina McPhee) of the
Croatian mobster (Ken Davitian) who wants his little girl to become an American
citizen. With Mena Suvari, Kathy Bates, Rob Schneider, Tia Carrerre and Vinnie


text:
Add to Cart Add to Lightbox DownloadLondon, May 26th 2017. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson bids farewell to the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson meeting at his official London residence. The visit comes in the wake of British fury over the leaking of sensitive images related to the Manchester bombing by US security services to the New York Times.
- Filename
- 2017-05-26-Tillerson-Johnson-012.JPG
- Copyright
- ©Paul Davey. All Rights Reserved. All moral rights asserted
- Image Size
- 3500x1944 / 1.5MB
- www.pauldaveycreative.co.uk
- Contained in galleries
- 2017-05-26 British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson meets US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson


text:
Surfer Sets World Record by Riding 78-Foot Wave
Pro surfer Garrett McNamara recently set a world record for the largest wave ever surfed after catching a gargantuan 78-footer off the coast of Portugal. Dude, gnarly!
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, McNamara broke a 2008 record by more than one foot. In the video below, McNamara nimbly surfs down the face of a gigantic wave that dwarfs him in size, somehow managing to survive a monster break and emerging from the wave's tube as the swell dies out.
But, the surfer said, he almost didn't ride the waves that day, having endured a pummeling in the waters of Praia do Norte previously. "I was really beat-up that morning," he said. "This day, I did not want to get out of bed." (We bet he's glad that he did.)
While McNamara said he knew the wave was big, he had no idea he was in the process of setting a world record. "I knew it was big, but I didn't know how big," he said.
Later, he sent footage of his epic ride to Guinness officials who used the length of his shin bone to determine the relative size of the wave. After that, a new world record was born. Cowabunga!


text:
In my last post I explored the various liveCD creation methods out there, and I really wanted to try one of the others for openSUSE.
Thus I did so today in less than two hours.
I used Debian's liveCD as basis and replaced the userspace with an openSUSE-11.4-GNOME-liveCD one (later ones likely do not work as systemd is not compatible with old 2.6.32 kernels).
And it worked like a charm. If you want to try it yourself, you need openSUSE and an empty directory with 5GB free space. Then you do as root:
zypper -n in clicfs squashfs cdrkit-cdrtools-compat
wget -O Makefile http://lsmod.de/bootcd/Makefile.aufslive.11.4
This will take a while to download the two isos and then at least another 3 minutes for the processing.
If that seems too hard for you, you can just download the finished iso and try it with qemu-kvm -m 1000 -cdrom xxx.iso
Do not let the debian logo in the bootloader confuse you. Just press enter there.
When running in KVM from RAM, this boots up in 18 seconds, while the original iso took 33 (measured from pressing enter in bootloader to the time the CPU load goes down). However, with physical media the difference will be less pronounced. Some of the difference comes from the faster gzip decompression. Unfortunately debian's kernel does not support squashfs-xz, so I could not try that.
I hope in the future, we will have aufs patches in our normal openSUSE kernels and add an aufs-live mode to kiwi. That would help with the problems we hit with clicfs when memory runs out (and it can not be freed by deleting files either).


text:
Still trying to get that spill from last night out of your rug? Get rid of a stubborn wine or berry stain by pouring boiling water through the stained material.
You'll be praised for having the best party trick and for saving the day. Just be sure to act fast so the stain doesn't set in.
Here's a visual of how it works:
Boiling water won't necessarily work for other stains — it all has to do with the stain's chemical content.
"The way you digest bread is different than you would digest bacon grease," says Sunny Escobar, who is a senior scientist for Procter & Gamble, the company behind laundry detergents like Tide and Downy. According to Escobar, you can apply the same logic to breaking down stains that you would to breaking down food.
It can be hard to remember what method works for each stain, so here's a bonus tip: Keep a "stain kit" with a cheat sheet and some basic household items like baking soda and bleach handy to tackle your most common blemishes.
Check out this complete guide to removing stains.
22 tips for 2022 is edited and curated by Dalia Mortada, Arielle Retting, Janet W. Lee, Beck Harlan, Beth Donovan and Meghan Keane. This tip comes from an episode of Life Kit hosted by Elissa Nadworny and produced by Sylvie Douglis.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


text:
The Single Block Classic is now underway! Lars was disappointed not to hear a starting gun and a "symphony of chainsaws" at 9:00 AM. I guess this sort of thing starts slowly. A little over an hour into the event, we are still waiting for the zoom boom to get around to our site (#17) and re-orient our ice block to our specifications. We placed some timbers on the ground last night and leveled them this morning so that the block will be mostly level but leaning just slightly away from the side we will cut. We're hoping this will minimize the chance of having 450 pound slabs fall on us!
I'm typing this on a PC in the Ice Art warming hut. It is a good way to exercise my fingers out of the -13°F outside air. It's a shame I don't know how to type with my toes.


text:
The Standard Architecture of France
Medieval architecture
This kind of architecture is reputed to possess been the very first kind of architecture that was replicated within the entire Europe. Probably the most impressive structures of the style would be the Saint Denis Basilica, Notre Dame de Chartres and Notre-Dam de Reims where French nobleman were topped. Additionally to those places of worship, religious castles were also constructed with the Palais plusieurs Papes as being a surviving monument.
Like several of The European Union, except The country and Portugal, who made a decision to adopt the Mooresqure architecture, France also adopted the Romanesque style architecture, a combination of old Medieval and Roman architecture. The most crucial surviving token of the style is Saint Sernin Basilica in Toulouse, the biggest Romanesque church in Europe.
Architecture within the Dark Ages
It was the age of prepared castles in which the lords from the manor worked out their authority over their serf subjects. Prepared metropolitan areas eventually developed and the majority of the French castles fell into ruins. Castles like Richard the Lionheart's Château Caillard was destroyed as was the Château de Lusignan, the large Château de Vincennes and also the Cather Castles.
Following the a century War ushered within an era of further architectural transition, it had been time from the French Renaissance when architects from Italia and The country added their style to French architecture inside a type of architecture referred to as Baroque style mainly within the Loire Valley. The design and style flourished mainly within the Loire Valley where impressive residential castles like the Château de Chambord, the Châtaeu de Chenonceau and also the Châtaeu d'Amboise were built. The architecture also flourished within the secular domain using the Palace of Versailles and also the dome of L'ensemble des Invalides.
Publish revolution architecture
Neoclassicism was the primary feature of publish revolution France, even though the style had existed prior to the revolution in structures like the Parisian Pantheon and also the Capitole de Toulouse. Probably the most representative structures of the type are based in the Arc de Triomphe and Sante Marie-Madeleine.
Under Napoleon III
When Napoleon's nephew ascended in france they throne as Napoleon III throughout the Second Empire, a brand new wave of urban architectural design and renovation taken the nation. Extravagant structures known as Second Empire architecture, like the neo-baroque Palais Garnier, started to look while Haussmann began the renovation of Paris. Concurrently, there made an appearance an upsurge from the Medieval style across both Europe and France graced with the existence of architects for example Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and also the famous Gustave Eiffeil whose resourcefulness produced the legendary Eiffel Tower.
twentieth century architecture.
A mix of both modern and traditional architectural styles was utilized by French architects from the period that was exemplified within the Louvre Pyramid. Due to the unique and various kinds of architectural structures existing in the united states, in addition to getting low profiles, it had been hard to blend skyscrapers with traditional structures. Because of this, just one area, the financial district of los angeles Defense accommodates a lot of skyscrapers. Large bridges also present a forbidding structure to integrate in to the architectural atmosphere.


text:
ABS-CBN pays tribute to the good qualities of Filipinos through the "One Love, One Pinas" campaign launched on June 12 as the nation celebrated its 120th year of independence.
The Kapamilya network unveiled its on-air and digital campaign during its annual flag-raising ceremony with a special video showing people from around the Philippines who spread love and positivity in their own ways. These include entrepreneur Kim Obiso of Cebu, who brings joy to passengers with a "videoke" machine on board his jeepney; a fisherman from Miag-ao, Ramon Montalbo, who supports his family; Silay farmer Bonifacio Villarena, who refuses to let difficult circumstances break his spirit; and Jimmy Conil, a Palau'an tribe member who found his calling as an educator in the remote areas of Palawan.
According to ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez, "One Love, One Pinas" hopes to inspire Filipinos to celebrate what truly makes the Philippines beautiful, which are its people and the values they possess.
"We want to be able to help shed light on the Filipino values that truly make our country rich through our news and entertainment programs," said Lopez. "Through our talent reality shows and sports programs, we also hope to help develop the talents and fighting spirit of Filipinos everywhere."
The ABS-CBN chairman also underscored the network's continuing goal of spreading the Philippine cultural heritage through ABS-CBN Regional, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with 33 stations around the country.
Netizens may take part in the "One Love, One Pinas" campaign by posting stories, photos or videos that highlight Filipino values, culture, scenery and food on social media using the hashtag #OneLoveOnePinas. (Story/Photo by: Kane Choa)


text:
How to use a MVC area in multiple applications
ASP.NET MVC Areas can be very useful not only for organizing code or separating an application into smaller modules but also we can reuse the same area in multiple applications. As you can see from below solution structure, Blog is a separate web application which is used as an area in Main Application 1 and Main Application 2. This design gives us a scope for cleaner separation of code, reusability and maintainability. If you are new to Areas in MVC please refer to walkthrough for creating an Area in ASP.NET MVC and If you are not a beginner you can directly jump to step 13.
To implement the above, lets begin by creating the blank solution as follow:
1. Open Visual Studio > File > New Project. In the new project window, expand Other Project Types > select Visual Studio Solutions > select Blank Solution.
2. Right click on the solution, click Add and then select New Project.
3. Create a Blog Application by expanding Visual C# > select Web > select ASP.NET MVC Web Application > enter Name > click OK.
4. Select an Empty template and click on OK.
5. In the Blog App, you can delete App_Data, App_Start and Global.asax as the BlogApp is an Area these files are not required.
6. Now again right click on the solution, click Add and then select New Project.
7. Create a Main Application 1 by expanding Visual C# > select Web > select ASP.NET MVC Web Application > enter Name > click OK.
8. Select an Empty template and click on OK.
9. Similarly create Main Application 2, your solution should look like below.
10. Right click on Main Application 1 > select Add > click on Area.
11. Enter the Area name and click on Add.
12. Similarly add BlogApp area in Main Application 2, your solution should now look like below.
13. Now create HomeController and Add View for Index action all the three applications i.e. BlogApp, MainApplication1 and MainApplication2.
14. Right click on MainApplication1 > click Add > click Reference.
15. In Reference Manager > select Solution > select BlogApp and click on OK.
16. Similarly Add BlogApp as reference to MainApplication2.
17. Build the solution hitting Ctrl + Shift + B, set MainApplication1 as Startup Project and then hit Ctrl + F5 to run it. As I have controller with same name HomeController it will throw the below server error
Multiple types were found that match the controller named 'Home'. This can happen if the route that services this request ('{controller}/{action}/{id}') does not specify namespaces to search for a controller that matches the request. If this is the case, register this route by calling an overload of the 'MapRoute' method that takes a 'namespaces' parameter.
The request for 'Home' has found the following matching controllers:
18. To fix the above go to RouteConfig.cs in MainApplication1 > App_Start and Add the namespace as shown below.
public static void RegisterRoutes(RouteCollection routes)
name: "Default",
url: "{controller}/{action}/{id}",
defaults: new { controller = "Home", action = "Index", id = UrlParameter.Optional },
namespaces: new string[] { "MainApplication1.Controllers" }
19. Similarly go to BlogAppAreaRegistration.cs in MainApplication1 > Areas > BlogApp and add namespace as shown below.
public override void RegisterArea(AreaRegistrationContext context)
new { action = "Index", id = UrlParameter.Optional },
new string[] { "BlogApp.Controllers" }
20. Similarly add namespace to both RouteConfig and BlogAreaRegistration of MainApplication2.
21. Build solution and Run MainApplication1. You should see the below output.
22. Now try to navigate to BlogApp Home by typing http://localhost:<port>/blogapp/home in the address bar of the browser. You see that it runs fine but the view rendered is still MainApplication > Views > Home > Index.cshtml.
23. From the above we can observe that BlogApp Controllers are added as reference to MainApplication1 and MainApplication2 but BlogApp Views still need to be copied into both MainApplication1 and MainApplication2 to make it work.
24. Using xcopy we can copy the views inside BlogApp into both MainApplication1 and MainApplication2, to do that you can create a batch file copy.bat.
25. In the copy.bat of MainApplication1 paste the below. The below lines is for copying views in BlogApp and pasting it in MainApplication1 > Areas > BlogApp > Views.
xcopy /C /E /F /R /Y /I "C:\Arun\Demos\ReusingMVCAreaDemo\BlogApp\Views" "C:\Arun\Demos\ReusingMVCAreaDemo\MainApplication1\Areas\BlogApp\Views"
26. Similarly in the copy.bat of MainApplication2 paste the below. The below lines is for copying views in BlogApp and pasting it in MainApplication2 > Areas > BlogApp > Views.
xcopy /C /E /F /R /Y /I "C:\Arun\Demos\ReusingMVCAreaDemo\BlogApp\Views" "C:\Arun\Demos\ReusingMVCAreaDemo\MainApplication2\Areas\BlogApp\Views"
27. Now to make this copy.bat run, Right click MainApplication1 > click on Properties.
28. Select Build Events > Pre-build event command line > paste C:\Arun\Demos\ReusingMVCAreaDemo\MainApplication1\copy.bat. That will make copy.bat run when we build/rebuild application and do not forget to save the solution.
29. Similarly add pre-build event command line argument to MainApplication2 by pasting C:\Arun\Demos\ReusingMVCAreaDemo\MainApplication2\copy.bat.
30. Now Rebuild the solution.
31. When you rebuild the solution, you should the files being copied in the Output window.
32. As you can see in the below the Home in Areas > Views is in excluded state. This will not stop it from running.
33. Now run MainApplication1 then navigate to /blogapp/home, now you should see view rendering from MainApplication1 > Areas > BlogApp > Views.
33. Similarly set MainApplication2 as startup project, run it and then navigate to /blogapp/home and you see the below.
34. Add Actions links to navigate.
In BlogApp > Views > Home > Index.cshtml
ViewBag.Title = "Index";

Blog Application

@Html.ActionLink("Home", "Index", "Home", new { area = "" }, null)
In MainApplication1 > Views > Home > Index.cshtml
ViewBag.Title = "Index";

Main Application 1

@Html.ActionLink("Blog App", "Index", "Home", new { area = "BlogApp" }, null)
In MainApplication2 > Views > Home > Index.cshtml
ViewBag.Title = "Index";

Main Application 2

@Html.ActionLink("Blog App", "Index", "Home", new { area = "BlogApp" }, null)
BlogApp application is reused as an Area in MainApplication1 and MainApplication2. The two important things we have to do to achieve that is add BlogApp as a reference to the MainApplication1 and MainApplication2 then using copy.bat as a prebuild event we can copy the views into both the Areas.
You can get the source code from https://github.com/arunendapally/ReusingMVCAreaDemo


text:
Image Source: https://www.irena.org/
Competitive power generation costs make investment in renewables highly attractive as countries target economic recovery from COVID-19, new IRENA report finds.
Renewable power is increasingly cheaper than any new electricity capacity based on fossil fuels, a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) finds. Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2019 shows that more than half of the renewable capacity added in 2019 achieved lower power costs than the cheapest new coal plants.
The report highlights that new renewable power generation projects now increasingly undercut existing coal-fired plants. On average, new solar photovoltaic (PV) and onshore wind power cost less than keeping many existing coal plants in operation, and auction results show this trend accelerating – reinforcing the case to phase-out coal entirely. Next year, up to 1 200 gigawatts (GW) of existing coal capacity could cost more to operate than the cost of new utility-scale solar PV, the report shows.
Replacing the costliest 500 GW of coal with solar PV and onshore wind next year would cut power system costs by up to USD 23 billion every year and reduce annual emissions by around 1.8 gigatons (Gt) of carbon dioxide (CO2), equivalent to 5% of total global CO2 emissions in 2019. It would also yield an investment stimulus of USD 940 billion, which is equal to around 1% of global GDP.
"We have reached an important turning point in the energy transition. The case for new and much of the existing coal power generation, is both environmentally and economically unjustifiable," said Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA. "Renewable energy is increasingly the cheapest source of new electricity, offering tremendous potential to stimulate the global economy and get people back to work. Renewable investments are stable, cost-effective and attractive offering consistent and predictable returns while delivering benefits to the wider economy.
"A global recovery strategy must be a green strategy," La Camera added. "Renewables offer a way to align short-term policy action with medium- and long-term energy and climate goals. Renewables must be the backbone of national efforts to restart economies in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. With the right policies in place, falling renewable power costs, can shift markets and contribute greatly towards a green recovery."
Renewable electricity costs have fallen sharply over the past decade, driven by improving technologies, economies of scale, increasingly competitive supply chains and growing developer experience. Since 2010, utility-scale solar PV power has shown the sharpest cost decline at 82%, followed by concentrating solar power (CSP) at 47%, onshore wind at 39% and offshore wind at 29%.
Costs for solar and wind power technologies also continued to fall year-on-year. Electricity costs from utility-scale solar PV fell 13% in 2019, reaching a global average of 6.8 cents (USD 0.068) per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Onshore and offshore wind both declined about 9%, reaching USD 0.053/kWh and USD 0.115/kWh, respectively.
Recent auctions and power purchase agreements (PPAs) show the downward trend continuing for new projects are commissioned in 2020 and beyond. Solar PV prices based on competitive procurement could average USD 0.039/kWh for projects commissioned in 2021, down 42% compared to 2019 and more than one-fifth less than the cheapest fossil-fuel competitor namely coal-fired plants. Record-low auction prices for solar PV in Abu Dhabi and Dubai (UAE), Chile, Ethiopia, Mexico, Peru and Saudi Arabia confirm that values as low as USD 0.03/kWh are already possible.
For the first time, IRENA's annual report also looks at investment value in relation to falling generation costs. The same amount of money invested in renewable power today produces more new capacity than it would have a decade ago. In 2019, twice as much renewable power generation capacity was commissioned than in 2010 but required only 18% more investment.
Read the full report Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2019


text:
We Accept: |
Customers | Best Contacts | Manufacturers |
We no longer carry Alcon or Johnson & Johnson products. Thank you.
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only. Always have your eyes examined regularly and follow your eye care professional's instructions for the proper use and care of your contact lenses. If you are having any unexplained eye discomfort, vision change, or redness, remove your lenses immediately and consult your eye care professional before wearing your contact lenses again. BestContacts.ca is a contact lens store and can only sell you contact lens which you have a valid and current prescription. All discount and promotion are applied for future purchases only and cannot applied to previous purchases.
© Copyright 2024 - BestContacts.ca - All rights reserved. Toll Free: 1-888-980-LENS


text:
Panavision, the world-class provider of end-to-end solutions that power the creative vision of filmmakers, will return to BSC Expo (Feb. 1-2) with a demonstration of the company's comprehensive and expanding ecosystem for feature film, television and commercial productions. Along with Panalux and LEE Filters, the array of integrated technologies – ranging from lenses, camera systems, and accessories, to filters and lights – illustrates the extent to which Panavision is committed to giving filmmakers the most versatile and creative storytelling tools possible.
"Panavision is excited to exhibit our latest innovations at BSC Expo and, in particular, to share how our products and services are designed to work together to help creatives tell their stories," says Kim Snyder, president and CEO of Panavision. "We are delighted to demonstrate the full extent of this growing ecosystem to filmmakers at BSC Expo."
BSC Expo attendees were among the first in the world to get up close and personal with the DXL2 in 2018, and this year visitors can look forward to discovering a host of new options for the large format camera system. New to the DXL2 this year is an integrated C-Motion F.I.Z. module to allow the use of Arri WCU4 wireless lens control handsets with full lens mapping support. This important development broadens the DXL2 ecosystem for the European market.
D2E version 1.0 gave DITs the ability to wirelessly control the LUT and CDL directly in the DXL2 camera. New to the DXL2 ecosystem being shown at BSC Expo is the Comtek Audio Module, which is the basis for the D2E 2.0 enhancement. In addition to the LUT and CDL from D2E 1.0, DXL2 now has the ability to receive audio feeds from the sound mixer via the industry standard Comtek transmitter, turning DXL2 in camera proxies into D2E dailies with colour and sound.
Further advancing the popularity of the DXL camera system is the DXL-M Module and accessory kit for Red's DSMC cameras, which includes expansive power and communication ports, the DXL menu system and LiColor2. Also included is an additional SDI output path giving users two independently controlled outputs as well as clones. Notable to the DXL-M package is the Panavision Primo HDR viewfinder and motorized cinema lenses, which create a unique option for filmmakers not found anywhere else.
Cinematographers keen to infuse distinct looks into their storytelling will be eager to see and handle the company's proprietary portfolio of optics. Panavision's team will be available at BSC Expo to offer tips and guidance on the large-format lenses on display, which include:
Panaspeed, a large format update of the classic Primo look, offering the fastest option @ T1.4; Ultra Vista large format anamorphic optics with a 1.65x squeeze; H Series spherical lens set created with vintage glass for a classic portrait look; and the Primo X, the weather-proof compact and aerodynamic drone and gimbal solution.
"Panavision's array of camera and glass options are meeting the demand for large-format filmmaking and illustrate the unmatched creative agility available to filmmakers," adds Snyder.
Additionally, wireless or wired control of DXL2 and DXL-M is now available for Android alongside iOS devices. The Android DXL Control app allows users the option of wired control in situations where wireless is not ideal, such as aerial, underwater, and for Techno cranes.
LEE Filters will be present at BSC Expo to highlight their range of next-generation filters, including the latest Zircon gels for essential fine-tuning LED control and ProGlass CINE IRND, the ultimate in precision Neutral Density filters for cinema.
Panalux will present a diverse range of products on practical display lighting the booth. In addition, there will be demonstrations of the Cine Reflect Lighting System by The Light Box illustrating how any light source can be shaped by diffusion reflectors to produce natural looking light and shadows.
"As a camera and lens manufacturer that also serves filmmakers as a trusted equipment and service provider, Panavision is uniquely positioned to respond to the needs of the community," notes Jeff Allen, managing director, EAME, Panavision. "All the technologies displayed at BSC Expo, including gels and lights, can be integrated in any combination and for any type and style of production to help creatives tell their stories with maximum control from the moment of capture through delivery and display."


text:
14th November 2023 | 00:00-23:59
Join us at Smokestack for the best of the Cocktail Charts
We've rounded up the Top 10 Movers & Shakers from what you've been drinking at Smokestack
& created the list of all cocktail lists, which you can get 2 for 15 pounds, every day until 7pm!
So what's on the line up?
- Espresso Martini
- Old Fashioned
- Long Island Ice Tea
- Porn Star Martini
- Negroni
- White Russian
- Amaretto Sour
- Margarita
- Aperol Spritz
- Daiquiri
No need to book a table, just head on down to grab yourself a couple of well deserved favourites
Or if you would like to book a table in advance book here


text:
Do You Support a Manned Flight to Mars? — Survey of the Day
Mars is in the news these days thanks to the Curiosity rover which recently landed on the red planet. The goal of the six-wheeled robot is to find signs of life on Mars, and NASA also hopes that its 23 month mission will increase public awareness of the space program.
But will it rekindle interest in sending a manned mission to Mars?
According to a poll of 1,000 adults from Rasmussen Reports, which was taken right after the Curiosity landing, 36 percent think one of the current goals of the space program should be sending someone to Mars. Thirty eight percent don't think that should be a goal, and 27 percent are not sure.


text:
Cookie Policy
This website uses cookies. Cookies are small files that are saved to the users hard drive that allow the website to provide users with a tailored experience within this website and monitor usage of the site to provide analytical data from which technical improvements to the site can be made.
No personal information is ever stored or saved.
You can change your browser settings to disable cookies but it may affect your experience of this website. Click here to find out more about cookies and how to control them – http://www.aboutcookies.org/


text:
This is a section all about looking after ourselves, nurturing our Mental well-being and taking time to relax. You can chat about all sorts here, ask questions and share tips and techniques that are relevant to looking after you Body and Soul.
Only members may read and reply to posts.
Use this control to limit the display of threads to those newer than the specified time frame.
Allows you to choose the data by which the thread list will be sorted.
Order threads in...
Note: when sorting by date, 'descending order' will show the newest results first.
Forum Rules


text:
Choose your artwork
Over five hundred of Eugene's best photographs over the last fifteen years
Select a size and frame
Looking for a piece to put the finishing touches on a room in your home? We've got framing options to suit every space and budget.
Your frame gets hand-made
Aquabumps framing is hand-made in Sydney for every order. Our custom framing typically takes 2-3 weeks from placing your order. Unframed prints take 2-3 working days to prepare before shipping.
Bondi Pickup or Worldwide Delivery
Pickup your print from our Bondi gallery or have it delivered worldwide via FedEx.


text:
Having achieved fifth place in the U18 Men's National Championships, Exeter Storm were invited to the Volleyball England U18 Grand Prix event, for the top eight teams in the country.
At the first of two weekends in Kettering, Exeter Storm made a respectable start to the campaign. Their first match was against a very strong Wessex LeAF side. Storm knew they would need to play at a high tempo and keep errors to a minimum, to have any chance of winning. The setter, Kyle Mitchell, linked up well with his middle hitters, Dom Garside and Rowan Jeffries-Tolksdorf, to blitz LeAF with devastating quick attacks.
After taking an early three point lead, it was point for point. Whichever team edged this first set would have a big advantage going into the second, in this extremely psychological sport. Exeter Storm clung to their narrow lead right until the closing stages, but at 23-21 up, they couldn't quite kill off their opponents. LeAF's experience showed as they won the decisive points, to pinch the set 26-24. Unable to maintain such a high level of performance, Storm fell to a 3-0 defeat.
Not letting their earlier loss affect them, Storm were brimming with confidence against their next opponents, Black Country. It was a comfortable 3-0 win, with Storm never really needing to produce their best volleyball. Black Country had two big hitters, who did their fair share of damage, but not much else in their locker. The West Country boys outclassed their opponents in all quarters, to finish the weekend in second place in their group.
Exeter Storm arrived for the second weekend needing a win against Nottingham Rockets, group leaders and finalists in the National Championships, to qualify for the semi-finals.
Nottingham Rockets had already beaten Wessex LeAF 3-1 and boasted multiple England U21 players in their line-up, but Storm showed no signs of nerves as they stepped on court.
They met their toughest opponents yet with an inspired performance, to yield the most captivating match of the competition, so far. With the Rockets captain, Ieuan Lamb, dominating the back of the court, while Leon Chambers rifled the ball down the line, Storm had to produce their best volleyball for every point.
Storm found themselves in a familiar position of 23-21 up in the first set, and once again threw away their lead, to go down 23-25. Having learned from their defeat to LeAF, Storm returned for the second set with real determination and shifted up to another gear, which perhaps even they didn't know they had.
Both sides played out of their skins, but Storm deservedly took the set 25-23. There could have been few complaints had the Exeter side been 2-0 up, but at 1-1 they still had a long battle ahead. A succession of errors early in the third set gifted Nottingham a substantial lead, which proved to be insurmountable. Although Storm didn't go out without a fight, they were unable to maintain the intensity they had previously displayed, and lost 18-25 in the fourth set.
The 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Rockets meant they missed out on a place in the semi-finals and would face Richmond in a 5th/6th place playoff. Richmond proved to be a well organised opposition, with incredible defensive capabilities, so this was another tight match. Storm were always in control of the first set, but only just edged it 30-28. A more commanding offensive performance made easier work of the second set, which finished 25-14. The long rallies began to take their toll as the match progressed, with Storm having to expend a lot of energy to break down Richmond's resolute defence. A weary Storm were unable to close out the match in straight sets, dropping the third 23-25, and Richmond would now fancy their chances. Exeter Storm dug deep for one final big push, before their involvement in the competition came to an end, and were rewarded with a 25-19 win.
Nottingham Rockets and Wessex LeAF will meet in the final next month, after semi-final wins against Boswells Blaze and Chadwell Heath, respectively.
Exeter Storm's boys have now finished fifth in both the U18 National Championships and the U18 Grand Prix, against opposition that train five to ten times as much, receiving plaudits from match officials, spectators and opposition coaches throughout both competitions. With the national junior competitions over for the season, some of Exeter Storm's players still have the Inter Regional Championships to look forward to, where they will be representing the junior SW team.


text:
DriveHQ offers a variety of branding and private cloud options for business customers. For most businesses, our regular cloud service (which is based on public cloud) can meet all of the requirements. We offer "Custom Logo and Logon Page" service, co-branded and white label service to enterprise customers and resellers.
For large enterprises that require the highest level of security, DriveHQ offers Private Cloud service. Our cloud IT service can be deployed in your company's facility and managed by your own staff. This can meet all security rules. However, the cost will also be higher.
Enterprise customer can also choose to deploy their private cloud service in the same DriveHQ data center using dedicated servers or virtual machines. This will not save cost on hardware and software, but may significantly reduce our support cost.
Compared with private cloud service, Enterprise customers can also consider "Virtual Private Cloud" service. "Virtual Private Cloud Service" refers to our "Enterprise White Label Service". It can dramatically reduce the hardware and software cost by sharing the same hardware and software platform with DriveHQ. To the end users, there are very few differences: they both use the company's domain name; both can customize the branding and website look and feel.
If your organization requires all data storage to be on premise, or if your government requires all data storage to be hosted by a local service provider.


text:
This July has been a month all about literal movement – an adventure in LA, seeing family in Fresno, showing my brother Arizona and even starting to really launch a big idea (after a lot of time just thinking about it). Then August turned out to be a month of life movement including big changes in my daily life and little but promising changes in my professional world (hello, freelancing!). There's been so much movement, in fact, that it's been a little tricky to pause and record all of it.
But one of the cool things about having people visit is that you get to play host – you may end up looking at where you live with new eyes, a traveler's eyes and end up seeing, hearing or even tasting things about a familiar place that you never knew were there. We got two great examples of that in the last few months.
This July was my brother's first visit to Phoenix since I moved here to start graduate school. If there's one thing my brother is always up for, it's a good sports event so we took him to see the Diamondbacks take on the New York Mets – and ended up literally right next to the Mets bullpen. While I'd briefly been to Chase Stadium once before for a company party, experiencing it filled with baseball fans, the sounds of the game and tempting food smells was a brand new experience and surprisingly comfortable for the triple digit heat thanks to the stadium cover. It's something we probably never would have done without my brother and made the day an adventure instead of a regular weekend in town.
The same thing happened when Steven's sister and nephew visited earlier in the summer. We hit the Desert Botanical Gardens with an active, inquisitive toddler. Once I got over my fear that he would run headlong into a cactus, I got the chance to see the desert through his eyes which made me so much more aware of details at ground level – and especially excited each time we saw a rabbit, chipmunk or lizard.
And no matter who they are or how long they're here, we've kept our streak of getting all our guests to Rosita's alive and well.
So it's been crazy and interesting and I've gotten behind, but there's a few more summer adventures I have to share that will be showing up here soon and hopefully new ones to come this fall, because even if I disappear for a bit, I always have my eyes open for what to share when I make it back…


text:
american car spares
But buyers need to be careful
The parts for American cars and uk, american cars parts form Topspeed Automotiv in UK can be purchased from a reliable source. But buyers need to be careful when reading the specifications and determining whether or not a part will work in their car.
This is a good opportunity for you to buy the best parts in the US without having to worry about them being incompati


text:
Larry the owl was excited. It was almost Christmas, his favorite holiday. He loved Christmas because of the pretty evergreen tree he decorated with his family, the cozy feeling of being around the owls he loved, & making Christmas cookies. He loved making Christmas pictures & gifts for his family, & playing in the snow with his friends. But what excited him most of all was the idea of Santa Owl visiting him & all the other owls. When the bully owls at school tell Larry that Santa isn't real, Larry comes up with a kind-hearted plan to save Christmas & make sure everyowl has a nice holiday no matter what.
Publish Date :: November 24, 2017
Paperback 48 Pages
Genre :: Juvenile Fiction


text:
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 1 (HealthDay News) — Many children who suffer a stroke had some sort of an infection in the days leading up to the stroke, a new study says.
However, childhood stroke is rare and parents shouldn't be unduly alarmed by these findings, the researchers noted.
The researchers analyzed data collected from 2.5 million children enrolled in a health plan in California between 1993 and 2007 and identified 126 cases of childhood ischemic stroke, which is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. These cases were compared with a control group of 378 children of similar age who didn't suffer a stroke.
The study found that 29 percent of the children who suffered a stroke had an infection in the two days before the stroke, compared with 1 percent of the control group children.
Thirteen percent of the children who suffered a stroke had an infection three to seven days before their stroke, compared with 2 percent of the control group children.
The increased risk of stroke did not continue after the first month of infection, according to the study slated for Wednesday presentation at the American Stroke Association meeting in New Orleans.
The children in the stroke group ranged from infants to adolescents. The average age was 10.5 years and the oldest child was 19. The researchers found no difference in stroke between girls and boys or among ethnic groups.
The researchers did find that acute infections were more likely to trigger stroke than chronic infections.
"These were predominantly minor acute infections and represented a variety of infections, including upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections and ear infections. No particular type of infection predominated," principal investigator Dr. Heather Fullerton, director of the Pediatric Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease Center at the University of California, San Francisco, said in a stroke association news release.
In the United States, the incidence of stroke in children is about five per 100,000 per year, the release noted.
"Childhood infections are exceedingly common, while childhood strokes are uncommon," Fullerton said. "Parents should not be alarmed at the findings of this study. We suspect that there are rare genetic factors that may place some children at risk for this uncommon effect of common infections."
Infection is a known risk factor for ischemic stroke in adults.
Because this study was presented at a medical meeting, the data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
More information
The Nemours Foundation has more about childhood stroke.