text:
Our masks offer great everyday, basic protection, but please note these are not N95 masks. For CDC guidance on fabric masks, click here
SLP I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU Mask
You save $2.96 (17%)
SLP I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU Mask
You save $2.96 (17%)
Campaign details
Buy 2 or more to SAVE on SHIPPING
Designed, printed & shipped directly from the U.S.A to anywhere in the world (including APO/FPO bases).
Men&Women's tees, long-sleeve also available, check out the drop boxes.
This Limited Edition shirt will only be available until our campaign ends
So don't miss out and order now!**
Product details
- Single layer, durable polyester cloth face covering
- Finished size: 7" X 3.5"
- Elastic ear loops
- Pleated covering that adjusts based on size of face
- Machine washable in hot water, can be bleached and dried
All products are made to order and printed to the best standards available. They do not include embellishments, such as rhinestones
Keywords & Tags


text:
(visited by Alan Morris, Kathy Morris, Richard Plumpton, Jane Plumpton, Abu al-Naga H. Gabrail and Salim)
13-Aug-2004 -- We'd passed this way before! Last year on a 3-day trip out of Luxor, we had toyed with the idea of the 26N 28E confluence - but time was short and distances long. This year, though, it looked more of a goer! Firstly, we didn't have the rather odd Aussie we had travelling with us last year, and secondly, we had the help and support and 2 of our close friends.
We had started from Cairo on Wednesday, 11th of August via Baḥariyya where we picked up the 4x4 and spent the first night in the White Desert - what a wonderful place! We hadn't gone far on the 12th before we had an hour of digging to free up the 4x4. Through Farāfira and on to the Sea of Sands for our second night. It was dark when we finally found a spot to sleep. I could have happily died after seeing the sky that night.
We awoke to a stunning vista of huge dunes running N-S into the distance. Now back on the road, I watched as the K's came down on the GPSr. Heart in mouth, I shouted, "STOP!" as we approached the closest point on the road, "Eh, Gabrail (our guide), how do you fancy a trip over there about 3 km to find this, em, eh, imaginary cross on the ground?" Gabrail just said, "Salim (our driver), turn off here! Mr Alan, tell him which way to go!" Hey, that easy...
Easy till now. The surface of the ground was a thin skin of gypsum covering soft sand. After pushing the vehicle for the 6th time in 300 m, we gave up. Too much weight. The girls would ride (I may have had this the wrong way round). Gabrail, Richard, and I would walk the 3 km. The 4x4 shot off into the distance. I kind of expected that they would go ½ km, then wait, give us some water, and then go on.
They disappeared. They also had the GPSr, another bright idea! Anyway, we trudged on following the 4x4 tracks and rather ominously another set of tracks going the same way. Why were they there, had we been piped in the last few days? We climbed out of the wādiy we had been in, hoping for a sight of the girls. Finally we caught sight of them way off in the distance and out of the vehicle. Had they found it, or perhaps they couldn't get to it? There was the ominous scarp slope behind them.
They got back into the 4x4 and were coming back for us, why? We met them half way and after some water Kathy gave me the GPSr. They had had trouble getting our driver to go where they wanted him to! I looked at the receiver: 92 m. They had over shot and we were almost on it. Were we the first? Certainly there were vehicle tracks and footprints around, though not a lot. But most importantly, there were none near the point...
Wow, elation and no small amount of relief, I can tell you. As for the 26N 28E degree confluence: It is 3 km from tarmac, and in the bed of a small wādiy, mostly sand with a bit of gravel and lots of small fossil corals. There is the ever-present cliff to the north. To the east, the slope of the wādiy is close and masks almost everything; to the south the wādiy curves to the right and opens out. Finally in the west, the wādiy side is lower and more open.
Well, that was that - almost! Just 3 final items:
1. Near the degree confluence was a pair of human and camel tracks heading southeast. Our guide said this area was a common place to replen camel treks by vehicle. Why didn't he tell us that from the beginning, it would have saved a lot of worry?
2. We took a different route back to the road, much firmer and no pushing.
3. Finally we had a little trouble getting back on to the road. Last year they were relaying the tarmac. Looking for an easy lip to cross, Gabrail walked into a sand-covered tar pit! One foot completely covered in liquid tar, he lost his flip-flop. We now call this Flip-Flop Corner. Waste not want not, he tried to rescue it 3 days later when we passed on the way back north!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Why a QE3 won't be good for bonds
As the above chart of 10-yr Treasury yields shows, the bond market's enthusiasm for past episodes of quantitative easing was short-lived. The first phase of QE1 was announced Nov. 25, 2008, and it consisted of up to $100 billion in Agency securities and $500 billion of MBS. In the early stages of QE1, 10-yr yields declined almost 100 bps, but only for 5-6 weeks. (I think Fed purchases were overwhelmed by the widespread fears of a global financial collapse.) By late January, when the Fed announced the purchase of more Agency and MBS debt, and the expectation of the purchase of long-term Treasuries, yields had jumped back up. On March 18, 2009, the FOMC formally announced the expansion of the program to total $1.25 trillion of MBS and $300 billion of longer-term Treasuries. Despite these massive and unprecedented purchases, 10-yr Treasury yields marched steadily higher, and didn't peak until the end of QE1 in late March, 2010. Yes, that's right: yields rose until the time the Fed stopped purchasing bonds.
The idea of QE2 was first floated by Bernanke in late August 2010, when 10-yr yields were around 2.65%. By the time QE 2 became official, with the FOMC announcement of Novermber 3, 2010, 10-yr yields had fallen by a about 15 bps, to 2.5%. As QE 2 was implemented over the next six months, with the Fed purchasing an additional $600 billion of Treasuries, not only did yields fail to decline, they actually rose by 100 bps.
In short, the anticipation and the reality of two major rounds of Fed purchases of MBS and Treasuries only served to depress yields temporarily. The major impact of QE1 and QE2 was to drive yields higher, even though the Fed justified its efforts by asserting that Quantitative Easing would drive yields lower, and that in turn would stimulate the economy. Furthermore, this short history of aggressive Fed intervention provides no evidence whatsoever to support the notion that the Fed has artificially depressed Treasury yields. If anything, two rounds of QE only pushed rates up.
So why did massive bond purchases not only fail to drive bond prices higher and yields lower, but produce exactly the opposite of the Fed's intended result?
The short explanation is that QE1 and QE2 pushed yields higher because they were just what the markets and the world needed. The first two rounds of quantitative easing helped address deep-seated issues that were creating a scarcity of dollar liquidity, which in turn was holding back the economy and threatening deflation. Note in the chart above how QE1 and QE2 followed periods in which core inflation fell to very low levels—a sign of a shortage of money—and the Fed was very determined to avoid the threat of deflation. The demand for money was intense, and the Fed's aggressive provision of bank reserves satisfied that demand. (Bank reserves, since they now pay interest, are functionally equivalent in the eyes of banks to 3-mo. T-bills, universally regarded as the world's safest and most liquid asset.) Quantitative easing provided much-needed liquidity to the economy and to the markets, and it was a stronger economy and the reduced risk of deflation that in turn boosted yields.
But will QE3 work the same way? 10-yr yields are down almost 150 bps since the end of QE2. Some of that decline could be due to Operation Twist (which involved the sale of short-term Treasuries and the purchase of longer-term Treasuries), but I think it's more likely that yields have declined because economic growth has slowed. However, today core inflation is not unusually low, and inflation expectations, such as the 5-yr, 5-yr forward breakeven rate embedded in TIPS and Treasury prices, have been rising for most of the past year, currently standing at 2.75%.
Conditions today are quite different from what they were leading into QE1 and QE2. The economy is weak, as before, but this time the threat of deflation is quite remote. Swap spreads are very low and credit spreads are relatively low, which suggests that the economy is not suffering from a shortage of liquidity. Although gold and commodity prices are off their highs of last year, they are still way above the levels of 10 years ago, when deflation fears first surfaced, and far above the lows of late 2008 when deflation was a again a real threat. If anything, commodity prices have risen so much more than the general price level in the past 10 years that they are probably contributing to inflation.
So if the Fed proceeds with QE3 later this year, it won't be because the economy is suffering from a shortage of liquidity, or because deflation is a real threat. It will simply be because the Fed thinks—or hopes—that additional purchases of bonds will help strengthen the economy. Long-time readers of this blog will know that I don't believe that monetary stimulus can result in stronger growth. Monetary policy can remove barriers to growth, as we have seen with QE1 and QE2, but it can't create growth out of thin air. So if we do see a QE3, then this time I think its effects will be mainly to push inflation higher. And of course, higher inflation is very likely to drive bond yields higher.
So if we do get QE3, don't expect bond yields to decline—expect them to rise.
10 comments:
This was almost sickening reading both the FOMC minutes, and market reaction to it. Bernanke himself has said twice in testimonies to congress the past year, that even he admits the effects of QE2 were up for debate. If Bernanke himself has said QE2's effects were debatable, why does anyone think QE3 will arrive at the drop of a hat? And the markets are dumb enough to think the mere changing of wording from "some" to "many" means anything? If they had really wanted to do anything, they would have done it at the last meeting while this "many" though more easing might be needed.
What will be the reaction if the data continues to improve, and the Fed does not do a QE3? The problem with the Fed doing things so often, is that after a while market participants come to expect it at the slightest suggestion, even if that suggestion turns out to be just idle talk. It would be great if the markets could focus on things like, say ... projected forward earnings, no? It's disappointing, to put it mildly, to see the markets become little more than people trying to game the Fed. The Fed should be a side-show, not the central focus.
- August 22, 2012 at 7:06 PM
- McKibbinUSA said...
If Dr Bernanke and the Fed undertake some form of QEIII, the effort will be limited to checking deflation in order to hold inflation at around 2% or lower -- the Fed fears deflation and depression, and the Fed will only undertake sufficient monetary actions to ensure that deflation does not go wild -- the chances of the Fed undertaking monetary expansion in order to spawn growth or raise employment is none -- none at all...
- August 22, 2012 at 7:23 PM
Here's my fantasy FOMC statement for their September meeting. They would start out with the first couple paragraphs of background discussion, and then:
"To support a stronger economic recovery and to help ensure that inflation, over time, is at the rate most consistent with its dual mandate, the Committee expects to maintain a highly accommodative stance for monetary policy. In particular, the Committee decided today to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent and currently anticipates that economic conditions--including low rates of resource utilization and a subdued outlook for inflation over the medium run--are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the federal funds rate at least through late 2014.
The Committee also decided that in the best interests of stable market and economic functioning, no further easing measures beyond the pledge for exceptionally low interest rates through 2014 will be enacted. The Committee decided it is unhealthy for markets and the economy to pay undue attention to the actions of the Committee, so to inject a degree of certainty and predictability into FOMC actions, we have decided to introduce a mention of actions the Committee will not undertake."
But as the Billy Joel song said, "It's just a fantasy. It's not the real thing."
- August 22, 2012 at 7:29 PM
- Benjamin Cole said...
If the effects of QE2 are debatable, then we should definitely go ahead with QE3.
Are you kidding? We can monetize national debt without any consequences? We know inflation is dead, and the movements int he bond market are microscopic.
Andy shrewd, or even mediocre business guy with this opportunity--wipe out debt without consequence--would seize it.
But, we don't have even mediocre business guys running the federal government.
Has anyone noticed? Taxpayers now own $2 trillion in bonds, that can be used to offset taxes. Oh, gee, how terrible this is.
Maybe Romney would seize this chance. Somehow i doubt it.
Orthodoxy often trumps initiative.
- August 22, 2012 at 7:43 PM
- Jim said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- August 22, 2012 at 8:25 PM
- Jim said...
Brillian analysis as always. If they implement QE3 and the Bush tax cuts are allowed to expire look out below.
- August 22, 2012 at 8:26 PM
- Mark Gerber said...
Scott, thanks for that very clear, convincingly argued post. If the Fed does anything more than a token QE3 in the face of the facts you cited, they would be not only be hurting the economy, but damaging the reputation of the Federal Reserve as an independent institution possibly putting its very survival at risk.
- August 23, 2012 at 5:58 AM
- Donny Baseball said...
I seems that growth and/or inflation is what is going to send treasuries higher, not any concern over creditworthiness. With the recent CBO announcement of a fourth straight year of $1+ trillion deficit and Obama even in the polls, do you have any thoughts as to if or when a bond market vigilante mentality could creep into the treasury market? Will the bond market ever penalize us for our fiscal policy? What might trigger that? Thanks.
- August 23, 2012 at 8:56 AM
- Public Library said...
Inflation or even hyper-inflation cannoy last long enough to make a dent in the unfunded liabilities in this country. The government does not have the luxury of retiring debt early. Therefore, inflation or hyper-inflation only mitigates the interest costs for as long as the public is willing to endure the pain. After the collapse from such an egregious effort, deflation will resume with the liabilities unchanged.
Similar situations all around the globe. At some point, governments will start defaulting on promises. There is no way around it. The debts are too large to ever payoff.
Bernanke understands this but it is generally human nature to intervene. Some times the best trade is the one never made. However, Bernanke is not a trader and he has proven to be a terrible forecaster. It is anyones guess as to what he willl do and why...
- August 23, 2012 at 10:43 AM
- Scott Grannis said...
Donny: re "will the bond market ever penalize us for our fiscal profligacy." Japan has had a much worse fiscal deficit than we have had for a long time without being penalized. Our situation is not all that terrible in any event, with the deficit as a percent of GDP falling.
- August 24, 2012 at 6:05 PM


text: 06 JULY 2016 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A Muslim girl buys candy from a street vendor in front of Ton Son Mosque in the Thonburi section of Bangkok before Eid services at the mosque. Eid al-Fitr is also called Feast of Breaking the Fast, the Sugar Feast, Bayram (Bajram), the Sweet Festival or Hari Raya Puasa and the Lesser Eid. It is an important Muslim religious holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Muslims are not allowed to fast on Eid. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting Muslims do during the month of Ramadan. Islam is the second largest religion in Thailand. Government sources say about 5% of Thais are Muslim, many in the Muslim community say the number is closer to 10%. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZAdd to Lightbox Download


text:
MLB Network Showcase Games Feature New York Yankees Against AL East-Leading Boston Red Sox On September 5 & 13
Secaucus, N.J., August 27, 2013 – With the path to the Postseason underway, MLB Network will feature a Labor Day tripleheader and intra-divisional battles as part of its live game schedule from September 2 – 14. The Labor Day action on Monday, September 2 begins with an NL Central showdown as the Cincinnati Reds host the first-place St. Louis Cardinals at 1:00 p.m. ET. Viewers in select markets will see the Chicago White Sox take on the New York Yankees at 1:00 p.m. ET. Following the Cardinals at Reds, the AL West-leading Texas Rangers visit the second-place Oakland Athletics at 4:00 p.m. ET. Viewers in select markets will see an AL Wild Card battle featuring the Cleveland Indians hosting the Baltimore Orioles at 4:00 p.m. ET. MLB Tonight follows the game and will lead viewers into the finale of the tripleheader, which features the Tampa Bay Rays, who trail the Boston Red Sox by one game and a half games in the AL East, taking on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at 9:00 p.m. ET.
The MLB Network Showcase schedule continues in September with the New York Yankees matching up against the AL East-leading Red Sox on Thursday, September 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET, live from Yankee Stadium, and again on Friday, September 13 at 7:00 p.m. ET, live from Fenway Park. Matt Vasgersian and Jim Kaat will call both games with Tom Verducci serving as the on-field reporter. Led by Alfonso Soriano and Robinson Cano, the Yankees have moved within four and a half games of the Rays and Athletics in the AL Wild Card race.
The Pittsburgh Pirates, who trail the Cardinals by a half-game in the NL Central, face St. Louis on Saturday, September 7 at 7:00 p.m. ET, live from Busch Stadium. Miguel Cabrera, who leads MLB with a 1.137 OPS and 130 RBI's, and the Tigers host the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m. ET, live from Comerica Park.
MLB Network's game schedule through September 14, which continues the lead up to MLB Network's exclusive telecasts of two Division Series games this Postseason, is available here. Games will be blacked out in each team's home television territory unless otherwise announced. Viewers in areas subject to blackouts will be provided with an alternate game telecast or other programming.


text:
Have you ever thought about how our lives would look like without toilets? It would be gross, disgusting, unhygienic, many diseases would spread and we'd all go 'ewwww'. If you look back in history the very first toilets were buckets and holes in a brick-structure. The bodily waists were simply thrown onto the streets. The precursor of our modern flush toilet was invented in 1596 by John Harington, but it only widespread in use in the late 19th century. Even ancient civilizations of America had better toilets than Spanish ,British and French .
Here are a few examples of different types of toilets: flush toilet, squat toilet, urinal, female urinal and the chemical toilet.
Here's a little vid to get you into the mood: link
Now, back to the contest. It's time to draw a toilet. Yes, you heard us, a TOILET. We want you to be as creative possible and to simply have fun while drawing spiffy looking toilets. Make your toilet rainbow colored, give it ears, put fish in it or draw a toilet made from candy! Go crazy and spam theO with toilets! >:D
Here are the rules:
1. It must be your own art.
2. You must follow the site rules (keep it PG-13, etc)
3. Traditional and digital artwork allowed.
4. Your entry can be either a line art, black-and-white or colored.
5. Max 2 entries allowed
6. You are not allowed to add characters – only small animals/creatures are allowed to be added as long as they do not divert too much attention away from the toilet.
The deadline is in two months: 3rd of November. If you have any questions feel free to ask :)
This contest was brought you by: AngelBest Dream, just.me, Pantalaimon1467 and SaxGirl.


text:
Where the Germs Are: New Study Finds Office Kitchens and Break Rooms are Crawling with Bacteria
ROSWELL, Ga. - May 23, 2012 - If you thought the restroom was the epicenter of workplace germs you don't want to know about office break rooms and kitchens.
The place where U.S. workers eat and prepare their lunch topped the list of office germ "hot-spots," with sink and microwave door handles found to be the dirtiest surfaces touched by office workers on a daily basis.
The findings are from a study carried out by Kimberly-Clark Professional* and is believed to be one of the most detailed and comprehensive studies ever conducted on identifying workplace hotspots where germs can lurk. Hygienists from Kimberly-Clark Professional* The Healthy Workplace Project* collected nearly 5,000 individual swabs from office buildings housing more than 3,000 employees. The participating office buildings represented a broad cross-section of office "types" including manufacturing facilities, law firms, insurance companies, healthcare companies and call centers.
According to the study, which was carried out in consultation with Dr. Charles Gerba, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Arizona, the percentage of the office surfaces tested and found to have high levels of contamination (an ATP count of 300 or higher), includes:
- 75 percent of break room sink faucet handles
- 48 percent of microwave door handles
- 27 percent of keyboards
- 26 percent of refrigerator door handles
- 23 percent of water fountain buttons
- 21 percent of vending machine buttons
In addition, half of all computer mice and desk phones were found to have ATP levels above 100, suggesting that while people appear to be taking more responsibility for the cleanliness of their personal spaces, there is still a need for increased awareness of the importance of hand and surface hygiene in the office.
The bottom line? Office workers are potentially being exposed to illness-causing bacteria right in their own lunchrooms, as well as elsewhere around the office.
"People are aware of the risk of germs in the restroom, but areas like break rooms have not received the same degree of attention," said Dr. Gerba. "This study demonstrates that contamination can be spread throughout the workplace when office workers heat up lunch, make coffee or simply type on their keyboards."
The results reinforce the crucial role of contract cleaners, whose services go a long way in successfully disinfecting office common areas at the end of every day. However, because kitchens and personal work spaces can become instantly re-contaminated, employers need to arm their employees with the knowledge and tools necessary to reduce the spread of germs. Simple solutions, like placing sanitizing wipes in kitchens and providing employees with easy access to hand sanitizers, underscored by education in hand and surface hygiene, can serve as the impetus to engage employees in maintaining a healthy office environment.
"This study demonstrates that contamination is all over the workplace and has the potential to reach people where they eat and prepare food, as well as elsewhere," said Brad Reynolds, North American Platform Leader, The Healthy Workplace Project*, Kimberly-Clark Professional. "No one can avoid it entirely, but by washing, wiping and sanitizing, employees can reduce their rates of cold, flu and stomach illness by up to 80 percent."
The Testing Methodology and Complete Results
Using a Hygiena SystemSURE II™ ATP Meter, a device commonly used to monitor sanitary conditions in industry, hygienists swabbed the objects to measure levels of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). ATP is present in all animal, vegetable, bacteria, yeast and mold cells. Detection of ATP indicates the presence of contamination by any of these sources. Everyday objects with an ATP reading of 300 or higher are considered to have a high risk for illness transmission. Objects with an ATP reading between 100 and 300 suggest room for improvement in the cleanliness level.
About The Healthy Workplace Project*
The Healthy Workplace Project* is a multi-faceted program designed by Kimberly-Clark Professional to help companies provide their employees with a healthier and more productive office environment. It offers a unique approach to hand and surface hygiene that helps employees understand how germs are transmitted to help stop their spread throughout the workplace. The program provides educational materials in conjunction with hand and surface hygiene products to employees, arming them with the tools and knowledge necessary to break the cycle of germ transmission in the office. By reinforcing the importance of "washing, wiping and sanitizing" through The Healthy Workplace Project*, employers can help reduce that impact.
For more information on Kimberly-Clark Professional and The Healthy Workplace Project* visit www.healthyworkplaceproject.com.
About Kimberly-Clark Professional
Kimberly-Clark Professional partners with businesses to create Exceptional Workplaces*. Kimberly-Clark Professional helps transform workplaces making them safer, healthier, and more productive. Key brands in this segment include: Kleenex, Scott, WypAll, Kimtech, and Jackson Safety. Kimberly-Clark Professional, located in Roswell, Ga., is one of Kimberly-Clark Corporation's four business segments and can be visited on the web at www.kcprofessional.com.
About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Every day, nearly a quarter of the world's population trust K-C's brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in more than 80 countries.


text:
Osama's Son Pissed at Wedding Reax
When your dad is the internationally loathed terrorist Osama bin Laden, most anything you do is going to make news. But for some reason, Omar bin Laden was shocked at the media coverage of his marriage to a woman nearly twice his age. Death to the infidel media!
Little O told Saudi newspaper al-Watan that he was "stunned and outraged" by publicity surrounding his wedding to a 51-year-old grandmother. Jane Felix-Browne, who herself has been married and divorced five times, is actually bin Laden's second wife -- in addition to his first wife!
Polygamy isn't just for HBO anymore.


text:
In my last post, I wrote that the game plan was to post by Dec. 10 on changes in data mining and DMX in the upcoming version of SQL Server. As usual, I got behind the curve for a variety reasons, including taking some time out to learn about the upcoming versions of Windows 8 and Visual Studio. Once I got around to the documentation for SQL Server 2012 Release Candidate 0, I noticed some similarities between the way Microsoft is handling its next operating system and its next version of Analysis Services – but I wish I had not. To explain why I will need to fill up a few paragraphs on the whole Windows 8 debacle, but first let me get around to the simplest part of my argument. I don't need any paragraphs at all to explain what's missing in the new version of Analysis Services. Without further ado, this is what I have been able to glean thus far from the Help documentation:
This is a list of all of the new data mining algorithms added in SQL Server 2012:
Here's a handy guide to all of the exciting upgrades to the DMX language:
MDX is slated to receive the following new functionality:
A quick scan of the Breaking Changes, Behavior Changes and Discontinued Functionality sections of the documentation for RC 0 revealed no serious modifications. There are a couple of minor deprecated features for the next version such as a change to the SQL Server 2000 version of Predictive Model Markup Language (PMML) and the replacement of the InsertInto and CreateCube connection string properties with CREATE GLOBAL CUBE. The CalculationPassValue and CalculationCurrentPass functions, which are already handled by the OLAP engine, will be removed in a future edition along with a couple of other lesser MDX syntax changes, but that's it. As far as an MDX or DMX aficionado is concerned, there is no new version of Analysis Services.
MDX vs. DAX: A Rivalry Between Forks and Spoons
What concerns me is that DMX and MDX themselves seem to be slated for eventual deprecation themselves, since we haven't had any major upgrades to their functionality since at least SQL Server 2008 or earlier. Since a Release Candidate is supposed to be feature complete, we can't expect any upgrades to data mining, DMX or MDX until the next version of SQL Server, somewhere between 2014 and 2016. Regardless of what Microsoft has said about both technologies being preserved in future releases, it is a bad omen when competing technologies receive the lion's share of upgrades and the established ones receive nothing; just as Deep Throat told Woodward and Bernstein to "follow the money" rather than listening to politicians, it is a good idea to follow the upgrades when tracking software, rather than listening to corporate propaganda.
All of Microsoft's energy is going into DAX, which is a fine complement to MDX but can never replace it. It is another tool in the DBA's belt, one that can be used to bridge the gap between Excel and some of the lower-end functions of MDX, like retrieval of simple cubes. I haven't used it much yet, but DAX seems as if it is (and always will be, no matter how many language upgrades it gets) completely unwieldy for performing the more complex retrieval and data mining operations of MDX and DMX. One of the most important pitfalls on the road to learning both languages is the point at which you're tempted to believe that there ought to be an easier way to perform the same functions with a simpler syntax, but there really isn't. The problems they are designed to solve are irreducibly complex. We are very fortunate to have geniuses like Moshe Pasumansky who were able to design languages for us to express these multi-dimensional problems in the most succinct way possible. The human mind is simply designed to think of problems in a few dimensions, not several dozen, which makes the development of languages that can express these multidimensional problems in human terms nothing short of miraculous. Unfortunately, when I see DAX getting the entire share of upgrades in the new release, it makes me wonder if some of the top brass at Microsoft succumbed to the same temptation I did when learning MDX and DMX, to look for a quick and simple solution to problems that just can't be expressed any simpler than they already have been. It seems as if they are groping for a way to use DAX to eventually replace MDX, even if they have no roadmap in mind yet, but it can't possibly work. If this constitutes Microsoft's whole future strategy with Analysis Services then we can safely say years in advance that it is doomed to failure, just like Windows 8 in its current form. It would be a bit like calling a fork an upgrade to a spoon, then trying to eat a bowl of soup with it. That analogy doesn't even express the dilemma adequately, because DAX is designed to solve a lower class of problems than MDX and really can't be retooled to handle anything more complex.
Tablet Panic and the Coming Windows 8 Debacle
As a novice who has yet to be paid for a data mining project, I probably have a lot less experience than many of the critics who may rightly point out holes in my argument I don't even perceive yet. There are Analysis Services gurus out there who know these topics far better than I do and my advice is to listen to them first. On the other hand, I don't think my concerns are that far off the mark, because Microsoft is making the exact same critical errors in its current design of Windows 8, except to a catastrophic degree. Desktop computers aren't being displaced by tablet devices like the iPad, but complemented by them; computing technology is fanning out into a range of devices of different size, all of which have their own distinct advantages in every home or office. Yes, tablets might perform a few of the same functions as desktops and thus eat into their market share a little, but they're not going to replace them, any more than cell phones or MP3 players have. One of the real weaknesses I've noticed in the whole computing industry is a tendency to look at technology in an unbalanced, almost maniacal way, with each device or programming language or whatever being hailed as either the greatest thing since the invention of the wheel, or derided as obsolete and thus completely worthless. That leads to a lot of bandwagon jumping, which sometimes becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, as new technologies are adopted simply because everyone else is adopting them, not because they're necessarily more productive. New technology is not automatically always good and in fact can often represent a step backwards. Old technology is not necessarily worse, and can sometimes solve classes of problems more efficiently than rivals that receive all of the hype. If Windows 8 succeeds in its current form, it will be solely because of hype and monopoly power on Microsoft's part, not because it offers much of anything to the end user. Normally I wouldn't criticize a product I haven't tried, just like I normally wouldn't criticize a book I haven't read, but Windows 8 is so bad that it stands as an exception. Not only have the scores of reviews I have read by fellow developers been completely negative, but one needs only to look at the feature list to see that the Window 8 team has put almost zero effort into designing new functionality for desktop users.
We can always count on Microsoft to deliver style over substance, so expect a few cosmetic changes and eye candy like a little rearrangement of the artwork on the startup screen or whatever. Perhaps it will use less memory or start up faster, but problems like that can be solved more cheaply by just installing more RAM. All of the real improvements, (if you want to call them that) have gone into making Windows 8 run on tablets, but to do so they have to sacrifice backwards compatibility with existing applications. The Number #1 factor driving the whole success of Windows since the '90s has not been because it is any better than its competitors, but because of the bandwagon effect of millions of developers writing third party programs that were compatible only with Windows. Whether I liked it or not, I had to give up tinkering with Macintosh development back in the early '90s for that very reason. Now, for the first time since the days of Windows 95, Microsoft is voluntarily putting that single unassailable advantage up for grabs by creating an operating system that doesn't run all of those third party applications. Even if the end user can shut off the Metro interface on their desktop to run standards Windows apps, there is no advantage to the Metro user of buying Windows 8 either since those same apps won't run on their tablets. Moreover, they are counting on us to write a whole new generation of third party programs for them, under the watchful eye of Big Brother at the new Microsoft app store, without us being able to count on a guaranteed market the way we can with Windows on desktops. The I-Pad, Droid and the rest already have that market carved up, at least at present. If Microsoft were smart, it would imitate the way the SQL Server team has so successfully developed editions to deal with different gradations of tasks, ranging from Express all the way up to the Datacenter Edition, which are entirely interoperable. They might have some success if they were to make stripped-down editions of Windows that can at least run a few existing third party applications on smaller gradations of devices, as tablets, then cellphones and the like, but even then certain third party apps simply aren't going to work on smaller devices. That small degree of portability between devices would be better than the zero portability Windows 8 has now and thus salvage something for Microsoft. Even with a sound strategy like this, the company isn't going to be able to dominate tablets or smaller devices the way it does with desktops and servers, but it could grab more market share than it has. In the attempt to dominate both desktops and tablets, Microsoft may very well lose both, because they aren't going to please the users in either market. Before Microsoft loses its shirt on this, the top brass needs to learn the meaning of the old German warning against "sitting between two stools." The end users of desktops aren't getting any new features, while the end users of tablets aren't getting any incentive to switch to Windows since they can't port their third party Windows apps over anyways. Nor is Microsoft giving developers any incentive to write a new generation of programs, with their adoption of Apple's high-handed tactic of establishing a centralized software store and the retooling of Visual Studio to embrace Windows 8 Metro apps, Java and HTML 5. They seem to be counting on their monopoly power and the manic reaction of some tech buffs to anything labeled "new" to force all of this through, whether the users or developers like it or not, regardless of whether the technology works well or not.
Does Microsoft Grasp the Concept of Technological Fan-Out in Analytics?
Thankfully, the same arm-twisting tactics that threaten to ruin the Windows operating system and Visual Studio are not being applied to SQL Server 2012. As a server product, it seems somewhat better insulated from these poorly thought-out changes. Personally, I can't wait get my hands on the new windowing functions and FileTable. On the other hand, I am troubled that some of the same logic that has ruined Windows 8 may be spilling over into Analysis Services. Just as computing technology is fanning out into different gradations of devices that complement each other, ranging from MP3 players to tablets to desktops to home servers (and perhaps someday even higher, to personal data warehousing appliances within the home) so too are the needs of data warehouse users. As technological improvements make further fanning out possible, DAX might fit nicely in the gap between Excel and low-end data warehouse retrieval operations, but it can't take over the same functions of MDX, let alone DMX. Any attempt to mix the two functions would be as disastrous as confusing the roles of the tablet and desktop the way the Windows 8 team has so badly. If Microsoft can misunderstand the fanning out of technology in operating systems, it is entirely possible that they are tempted to miss its significance in the field of database analytics by turning DAX into a replacement rather than a complement for DAX. I know they are making that mistake with Windows 8, but I am not taking a definitive stand on Analysis Services 2012; I am just asking the question because it is an important one to ask.
I wouldn't worry so much about such a future fiasco if some upgrades to MDX and DMX had been offered this time around, but we got nothing, which is a clue that Microsoft doesn't plan on giving us anything more in the future. I'm too much of a novice even to specify which upgrades I would want most for either language, beyond some major additions to the neural network algorithm and columnar indexes in multidimensional mode, but I can say for certain that if there are none at all in one of the most lucrative and open frontiers in computing, that it is a bad sign. The importance of data mining and high-end data retrieval is only going to increase drastically in the years to come and we're going to need a better class of tools to address them. DAX can't do that today and it isn't going to be able to do it in the future. Microsoft already has the best tools for the job sitting on a shelf, collecting dust when they ought to be frantically upgrading them to keep ahead of their competition. MDX is so good, in fact, that it has become the industry standard even among Microsoft's own competitors. The longer I use these tools, the more I appreciate them for how good they truly are, especially now that I am trying out competitors like DB2 and Oracle for the sake of comparison. I hope to post a little on what I have learned about data warehousing in future columns, in part because the whole exercise of writing on the topic keeps me disciplined, so that I actually retain something when learning these products. So far, my little experience with them has only served to underline how good Microsoft's existing tools already are and how the company could still use this big advantage to dominate the whole BI market a decade from now, if it plays its cards right. In SQL Server 2012, it seems to have folded with a royal flush. Hopefully the team behind Analysis Services will recognize the worth of their own tools as well and give them the attention they deserve in the future.


text:
This has appeared in the current issue of SWISS MAG, which some of you must have read on SWISSAIR flights. While I like my own quotes ( considering the interview was indeed conducted in my car, since I really didn't have time to spare during the journo's limited stay in Mumbai), her representation of me is definitely OTT and wildly exagerrated. The picture was clicked in under three minutes by the Swiss photographer accompanying her... it's not as good as Manoj Kesharwani's, but chalega!
Watched Sangakkara ( I'd run into him at the Colombo Hilton , a few months ago), the dishy captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team as he hit an impressive ton at the World Cup match last afternoon ( the redone Wankhede Stadium is pretty good - but why no fans??). I may have been the only Indian supporter waving a Sri Lankan flag each time those guys hit a four or a six. Why everybody was supporting the New Zealand team, I dunno! Perhaps, it had a lot to do with the math involved in getting India through to the finals. But going by our team's dheela attitude, we'll be lucky to make it to the semis. The weather was totally beastly ( it has been the hottest March in 53 years - and post-Holi tomorrow, it will get hotter still).Malinga and the others added to the heat - they are HOT! The security seemed top class if menacing ( far too many guns floating around). Will I go to the Finals and risk my life? You bet!
Tonight is reserved for 'Ishqiya'. Somehow, it wasn't on my radar all this while - but now that it is, I have to watch it! Let's hope the absolutely scrumptious 'baigan bharta' made by our eldest, Radhika, last night, is still in the fridge. I get the feeling it will go perfectly with the movie! Verdict on both, tomorrow!!


text:
Info to Know
How do I find the Psychology Department Graduate Student Handbook?
The handbook can be downloaded here: Graduate Student Handbook
What's the difference between a core area and an interdisciplinary area?
Students are admitted into one of the 4 core areas (clinical, CNS, developmental, social), which have their own course and prelim requirements (see the handbooks associated with each area). Interdisciplinary areas can have a set of recommended courses to take (e.g., health has a required set), which are often accomplished via the seminar electives in each area. Students in interdisciplinary areas frequently attend collaborative research groups, comprised of multiple faculty and students.
What if I already have a Master's?
If your master's thesis is comparable to a master's thesis completed at Utah, you begin work on coursework and on your prelims or qualifying exams. If not, then you might be asked to do another research project or complete a master's thesis.
Can I get a clinical degree, but have a research advisor in a different area?
Some students who are getting a clinical degree elect to have their research advisor from a different area. These students also have a clinical advisor who supervises the student's clinical training. Such joint students are frequently in interdisciplinary areas (e.g., health, child clinical) and the clinical and research advisor collaborate in guiding the student's training.
What is a Ph.D.?
A Ph.D. is a research intensive degree which allows the individual to be involved in research and academia as well as possibilities for counseling or therapeutic processes. The psychology graduate program at Utah is exclusively a Ph.D. program.
Do you offer a standalone Master's degree?
The psychology program is exclusively a doctoral program and does not offer a stand-alone Master's degree.
What if my bachelor's degree was not in Psychology?
You can still apply to our program. Depending on your previous coursework, you might be advised to take a course in statistics or research methods prior to beginning the graduate program.
How do I find out about the type of research being conducted by your faculty?
Visit the department's Faculty page and examine specific faculty members that you might be interested in working with in graduate school. You may also search Faculty by Research. You may visit our Newsletter Website for the most recent work occurring in the department.
What do students typically do after graduating?
Our graduate students are employed in a range of psychology-relevant settings: professors in academia, policy professionals, private industry, survey research firms, hospital settings, and private practice.
How many people are in the program?
- 40 Faculty
- 5 Postdoctoral Researchers
- 59 Graduate Students
- 6 Core Staff
(Approximately 2 students for every 1 faculty member.)
If I am an international student, do I need to submit a TOEFL?
The Graduate School requires proof of English language proficiency from international students, which may be demonstrated by TOEFL, IELTS, or DUOLINGO scores. Please see Admissions Policy for more information.
Clinical Psychology vs. Counseling Psychology
Clinical psychologists assess and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. These range from short-term crises, such as difficulties resulting from adolescent rebellion to more severe, chronic conditions such as schizophrenia. Some clinical psychologists treat specific problems exclusively, such as phobias or clinical depression. Others focus on specific populations: youngsters, ethnic minority groups, gays and lesbians, and the elderly, for instance.
Counseling or other Specialty Areas
Counseling psychologists help people to accommodate to change or to make changes in their lifestyle. For example, they provide vocational and career assessment and guidance or help someone come to terms with the death of a loved one. They help students adjust to college, and people to stop smoking or overeating. They also consult with physicians on physical problems that have underlying psychological causes.
Developmental psychologists study the psychological development of the human being that takes place throughout life.
Educational psychologists concentrate on how effective teaching and learning takes place.
Engineering psychologists conduct research on how people work best with machines.
Forensic psychologists apply psychological principles to legal issues.
Health psychologists are interested in how biological, psychological, and social factors affect health and illness.
Industrial/organizational psychologists apply psychological principles and research methods to the work place in the interest of improving productivity and the quality of work life.
Neuropsychologists explore the relationships between brain systems and behavior.
Quantitative and measurement
Quantitative and measurement psychologists focus on methods and techniques for acquiring and analyzing psychological data.
Rehabilitation psychologists work with stroke and accident victims, people with mental retardation, and those with developmental disabilities caused by such conditions as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism.
School psychologists work directly with public and private schools.
social psychologists study how a person's mental life and behavior is shaped by interactions with other people.
Sports psychologists help athletes refine their focus on competitive goals, become more motivated, and learn to deal with the anxiety and fear of failure that often accompany competition.
How long does the Ph.D. program take?
Graduate students in the program generally complete the program in 5 to 6 years.
State Requirements for Licensing
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws that require psychologists to be licensed or certified by a state board in order to engage in the independent and unsupervised practice of psychology.
Before enrolling in a graduate program, any student planning to seek licensure after graduate school should contact the State Examining Board for Psychology in the state where he/she intends to practice. Prior to taking the licensing exam in psychology, the licensing board reviews students' educational backgrounds carefully; having a doctoral degree does not make a person automatically eligible to take the exam. More information regarding licensure and a list of state licensing boards can be obtained by contacting the APA.
Do you have a language requirement?
Do you have qualifying exams?
Each area has a different preliminary examination that a student begins once the master's thesis is completed. Most of the areas have a preliminary project (e.g., a comprehensive literature review) that is required in place of an exam. See the handbook associated with each core area for specifics regarding what is required for the qualifying exam.


text:
Semaxin - effective men's reproductive stimulator
Most often, the male factor of infertility is caused by the influence of negative factors, and in most cases, the situation can be changed with timely and proper treatment.
The main active Semaxin substance - N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine stimulates sexual desire and enhances male sexual function. In addition, it acts as a general tonic. The drug also contains a complex multi-vitamin matrix and numerous natural supplements that have a positive effect on the patient's health, increases libido and strengthens the immune system.
Semaxin helps to eliminate the causes of men's infertility
From a medical point of view, most often the male factor of infertility is associated with an insufficient number or immobility of spermatozoa. Also, the cause may be a defective structure of spermatozoa and insufficient production of seminal fluid. If you can't find a clear cause of the problem, it's about idiopathic infertility, that is, infertility for unknown reasons.
And if in the case of genetic or endocrine problems, doctors begin to eliminate the cause, at least in the first stages, then with idiopathic infertility it is impossible to influence the cause, but it is possible to improve the overall quality of sperm.
The quality of seminal fluid is not related to the potency of a man, so "male strength" is not a guarantee of the ability to conceive. Deviations from the norm can only be detected using a spermogram, which allows you to determine:
- the number of spermatozoa capable of fertilization;
- total number and motility of spermatozoa;
- other parameters: volume of ejaculate, its viscosity, presence of inflammatory processes, etc.
Semaxin generally improves the semen fluid quality, thus we offer You a unversal solution for a large number of men's health problems cases.
Semaxin components and recommendations of use
Semaxin contains vitamins, minerals have a positive effect on male fertility. And some are also antioxidants that play important role in the reproductive system.
- Iodine is part of the thyroid hormones, an imbalance of which leads to a decrease in testosterone levels. Magnesium is involved in spermatogenesis, seminal fluid production, and blood flow to the genitals. Manganese deficiency reduces the number of spermatozoa.
- Selenium and zinc are key minerals for maintaining male reproductive health. Lack of selenium can result in poor sperm quality, decreased libido, and even infertility. Selenium has powerful antioxidant properties, especially in combination with vitamins E and A. as an antioxidant, it protects the cell membranes of spermatozoa from oxidation, as well as improves their mobility and affects the volume of seminal fluid.
- Zinc is one of the essential substances for the production of testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone. For men preparing to become fathers, it is especially important to maintain normal levels of zinc in the body, since it can take more than a year to restore the deficiency of this substance.
To get the desired effect, you should use Semaxin following the instructions-twice a day, by 1 capsule, between meals.
Buy Tablets for men's strength Semaxin in Los Angeles at a discount ✅ at a promotional price of $49. To get a discount ⭐ 50%, order now! ✌ Get a discount from HotPolkaDot.com!


text:
Coens to shoot their next film in Minnesota
Lucinda Winter is pretty darn excited and pretty darn relieved. She's executive Director of the Minnesota Film and Television Board.
Her phone has been ringing off the hook for months, with people wondering if the Coens were really coming back to Minnesota to make a film. "You know there had been so many rumors about where this movie was going to shoot," she said."
"A Serious Man" is the story of a college professor and his dysfunctional family set in the Minneapolis suburb of St Louis Park. It will be the first film the Coen's have made here since "Fargo" in 1995.
While Joel and Ethan Coen have always said they wanted to make "A Serious Man" in Minnesota, the realities of financing movies meant this was no guarentee.
Grow the Future of Public Media
MPR News is supported by Members. Gifts from individuals power everything you find here. Make a gift of any amount today to become a Member!
The exchange rate in Canada's favor drew "Juno" which was set in the Twin Cities and St Cloud to Vancouver. Even the Jesse Ventura TV bio-pic went north of the border.
Many states, including Minnesota, give tax credits to movie makers. But Winter says Minnesota lags in the rebate race.
Michigan currently writes off 40 percent of movie-making tax bills. Wisconsin also made a strong play for the Coens. But then last weekend the Minnesota Legislature, in the waning hours of the session, approved a half million dollar package which could be put towards "A Serious Man."
"They are already doing some secondary casting in the Twin Cites. They have someone working on that And then in mid-ish June they'll move into a production office here."
What will the state get in return? "A lot" says Winter. She says the film is budgeted for between $12 and $15 million, much of which will go straight into the Minnesota economy.
"I would feel very safe saying, and this would be conservative, that it will mean in the period of time they are here which would be June until november, December, they'll probably finish shooting in November, that will bring in a direct sense $6-to-8 million," Winter said.
Indirectly, just with the cast and crew spending money, she says it will likely be much more.
Lucinda Winter says despite the uncertainty of whether the film would actually shoot in Minnesota, preparations are well underway.
"They are already doing some secondary casting in the Twin Cites. They have someone working on that And then in mid-ish June they'll move into a production office here," she said.
That office will scout locations, hire the Minnesota crew and complete all the other tasks necessary before shooting begins. That will be September 8th.
The start date gives a couple of days after the Republican Convention wraps up in St Paul. It also gives time for the Coens to travel to the Venice Film Festival for the world premier of their latest movie "Burn After Reading."
For Lucinda Winter landing "A Serious Man" is a serious prize.
She sees it as just the start of her campaign to rebuild feature film making in Minnesota. She hopes to use the Coen film as to encourage other films to shoot here. Ideally she'd like to have a production ready to go when the Coens wrap up.
"And I have two right now on my horizon line, that I honestly think with a less competative incentive in terms of a percentage there are enough other good reasons for them to shoot here that I might be able to sell them into the state," she said.
And if those dominos fall she says, she'll be back at the Minnesota Legislature arguing for more film subsidy money as an economic incentive tool.
"I need need $5-to-10 million to really make our program viable to draw the big films that really do have a big impact on our economy," she said.
Winter says she senses growing support at the Capitol for such subsidies, but she realizes that the next budget cycle is likely to be tough.


text:
|From left: Brandon Sherrod, Austin Johnson, Josh Haynes
An innovative class pairs engineering students with business students to design and commercialize marketable solutions. A wheelchair that toddlers can control with a joystick and an affordable home wheelchair weight scale are two of the six outcomes from this collaboration.
"Every year, School of Engineering seniors design products that are able to impact lives immediately," said Alan Eberhardt, PhD., professor of the engineering class and associate dean, School of Engineering. "It only makes sense to involve School of Business students and have them engineer a plan to bring these products to market."
The class is a two-semester project. Semester one combines both groups of students. They meet with, and analyze lists of needs from Birmingham-based businesses. The engineers looked at which products could be expanded upon; the business students looked at which products could be marketed. Semester two has the students split up with the engineers building the prototype, and the business students draft a business plan.
The two schools share the same building with business housed in the west wing and engineering in the east wing. Students recognize that they are divided by more than the Business-Engineering Complex (BEC) lobby.
"I learned quickly that engineers think and speak a different language," said Cliff Goolsby, a senior from Florala, Ala., majoring in management with a concentration in business administration. "But the diversity of the two schools is also what makes this class special. My team worked hard together so we could understand each other and make the dysfunctional, functional; so I have learned more in this class than any other at UAB."
"I gained a new respect for the business side because we didn't walk in thinking about how much it costs to build a wheelchair scale or the dollars the product could potentially earn; we just wanted a functioning prototype," said Brandon Sherrod, a senior biomedical engineer from Florence, Ala.
The class, which is part of the new UAB Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, provided teams the opportunity to pitch their product to potential investors at the beginning of the second semester. With prototype in hand, the students faced a team of veteran commercial experts including Terry Bray, Ph.D., a senior licensing associate with the UAB Research Foundation (UABRF) and Dennis Leonard, an innovation consultant also with the UABRF.
Joel Dobbs, Pharm.D., MPH, executive in residence in entrepreneurship at the UAB School of Business, worked with both groups of students.
"This class is our way of investing in UAB students and society at large because there is no benefit to anyone if these ideas die when the semester ends," said Dobbs. "I recognize that some of these designs are commercially viable now."


text:
Uncertainty over Islamic State leader's fate after airstrike
BEIRUT (AP) — Uncertainty and confusion surrounded the fate of the head of the Islamic State group Friday as Russia announced it may have killed him in an airstrike targeting a meeting of IS leaders just outside the group's self-declared capital in Syria, but U.S. officials said there was no definitive proof of his death.
The demise of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi would be a severe blow to the extremist group as it fights to hang on to its strongholds in Syria and Iraq, although it was not clear how much operational control he retains over the organization whose capabilities keep evolving on the battlefield and beyond.
Apart from Moscow's claim that he may have been killed in the May 28 airstrike along with more than 300 militants, there was not much else to back it up. The Russian Defense Ministry said the information about his death was still "being verified through various channels."
Asked about that claim at a Moscow news conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said: "I don't have a 100 percent confirmation of the information."
A spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State said he would welcome such news but urged caution.
"There have been several past claims of this kind that have been proven false, and we have seen no definitive proof that this report is true either," U.S. Army Col. Ryan Dillon said. Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, also said there was no information to corroborate the report.
Al-Baghdadi, believed to be in his mid-40s, last released an audio message Nov. 3, urging his followers to keep up the fight for Mosul as they defended the Iraqi city against a major offensive that had begun weeks earlier.
The latest report of his death comes amid major setbacks for IS, having lost significant territory on both sides of its so-called caliphate in Syria and Iraq. The group is fighting for survival in a few remaining neighborhoods in western Mosul and is now under attack in Raqqa, its self-styled capital.
The battle for Raqqa was launched a few days after al-Baghdadi's supposed killing, at a time when most of the group's commanders have relocated to Mayadeen , a remote town in the heart of Syria's IS-controlled, Euphrates River valley near the Iraqi border. The relocation could extend the group's ability to wreak havoc in the region and beyond for months to come.
Most recently, the group claimed responsibility for attacks in Iran's parliament and at the tomb of revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran, killing at least 17 people and injuring more than 50. It also claimed responsibility for a June 3 attack in London that killed eight people. Both took place after the Russian airstrike.
On Monday, IS released an audio message from its chief spokesman, Abu al-Hassan al-Muhajer, urging supporters to carry out attacks in the United States and Europe during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. There was no mention al-Baghdadi.
At the news conference, Lavrov noted that if al-Baghdadi's death is confirmed, its importance mustn't be overestimated. He said that "past examples of similar actions to strike the leadership of terrorist groups were presented with much enthusiasm and pomp, but the experience shows that those structures later regained their capability."
Still, the death of al-Baghdadi would be a major military and propaganda success for Russia, which has waged a military campaign in support of Syrian President Bashar Assad since September 2015. Moscow has a strong interest in showing that it is also fighting IS in Syria — something that has been questioned in the West.
That is partly why the news was met with skepticism.
"Russia has a long track record of issuing fake claims and deliberate misinformation during its campaign in Syria," said Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute.
He said the claims should be taken "with a heavy grain of salt," adding that "there's no logical reason imaginable" why al-Baghdadi would have risked staying in a surrounded, sitting target with U.S.-led forces only days away from launching their final assault on Raqqa.
The claim comes nearly three years to the day after al-Baghdadi declared himself the leader of IS from a historic mosque in Mosul, the largest city the group has ever held. Since then, it has horrified the world with mass killings and other atrocities in areas it controls, as well as claiming attacks around the world that killed hundreds.
Al-Baghdadi is a nom de guerre for a man identified as Ibrahim Awwad Ibrahim Ali al-Badri al-Samarrai. The U.S. has a $25 million bounty for information leading to his death or capture.
It is not clear who would succeed al-Baghdadi. The group has lost many of its top commanders in U.S.-led airstrikes, including Fadhil Ahmad al-Hayali, said by U.S. officials to be the second in command.
The group's current No. 2 is believed to be Ayad Abdul-Rahman al-Obeidi, also known as Abu Saleh Haifa, a former Iraqi army officer under Saddam Hussein. But according to Hisham al-Hashimi, an Iraqi expert on IS who advises the Iraqi government, he is not likely to succeed al-Baghdadi as "caliph," since that title is reserved for members of the Prophet Muhammed's Quraish tribe, according to some Muslim scholars. Al-Obeidi is not a member.
Al-Hashimi predicted that al-Baghdadi's death could splinter the organization into three groups: One will return to the mother al-Qaida group and form its arm in Iraq; another will join al-Qaida's branch in Syria known as Fatah al-Sham Front; and the third group, which is the weakest, will remain loyal to al-Baghdadi's ideology.
The May 28 air raid targeted an IS meeting in Raqqa's southern outskirts and killed about 30 midlevel militant leaders and about 300 other guards, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
It said the IS leaders were discussing the group's withdrawal from Raqqa, with the military planning the airstrike after hearing that the leadership would be meeting.
Drones were sent to monitor the area, followed by Su-34 bombers and Su-35 fighter jets to carry out the attack, the ministry said.
"According to the information that is being verified through various channels, IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi also attended the meeting and was killed in the airstrike," the military said in a statement.
The Defense Ministry added that it had warned the U.S. of the coming strike.
Syrian opposition activists reported airstrikes May 28 south of Raqqa that killed more than a dozen people.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which tracks Syria's war, said airstrikes on the road linked the villages of Ratla and Kasrat killed 18 people, while the activist-operated group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said 17 civilians were killed in the airstrike on buses carrying civilians.
The Observatory said the dead included 10 IS members.
Isachenkov reported from Moscow. Associated Press writer Bassem Mroue in Beirut and Lolita C. Baldor and Robert Burns in Washington contributed.


text:
Canadian Border Guards - Dear Hanzy
Related Video
Mein Hanzy:
As so often happens this time of year, the call of the open road beckoned and I found myself sailing the asphalt seas to the northern territorial waters of Canada in the good ship 944. Despite the deep suspicion I apparently aroused at Niagara Falls concerning the purchase of a "stout wooden barrel of ample proportions and adequate fastening," the voyage proved most rewarding. So after a week of cow-tipping and sightseeing we made our way back to the American border after a dubious and lengthy romp through the duty-free shop.
As I approached the checkpoint I could see that our presence was creating something of a stir, as the border guards began gesturing toward my car in a menacing manner clearly calculated to cause me to ruin my leather seat. I thought of that extra bottle or two of single-malt scotch carefully tucked into my fuming luggage, and wondered if learning a new skill set such as license plate fabrication would look good on my resume in three to five years, assuming good behavior.
"We are going to have to deduct 50 points for that non-Porsche radiator cap you have installed... And there's enough grime in that engine compartment to constitute a fire hazard."
They quickly gathered around my car and began scrutinizing it with a diligence I would have thought impossible of government employees, making notes on their clipboards and clearly unimpressed with what they were seeing. One of them sternly ordered me to pop the hood and I heard a collective gasp as they went from examining my engine compartment to examining me—with clear disgust on their official faces. One of the guards came over to my window, frowning. "We are going to have to deduct 50 points for that non-Porsche radiator cap you have installed," he said. "And there's enough grime in that engine compartment to constitute a fire hazard," he added while checking some boxes on his clipboard.
Now I was really worried. If a non-stock radiator cap was worth 50 points, what would my illicit bottles of single-malt cost me? I looked over at my traveling companion, Dr. Linda, and she seemed to instinctively sense my desperate thoughts. "Don't even think about trying to pin this one on me, Jughead. And since you're in the mood for creative thinking, why do you suppose they are counting points?"
I was still scratching my head when the guard returned and said, "My boys and I have tallied 22 dead bugs on the front of your car—and a particularly gory one on your windshield—three stone chips on the front valance, and four of the filthiest Fuchs wheels we've ever seen. I'm sorry sir, but we require a minimum of 200 points to enter the United States in a Porsche, and you have only 198."
Now, my dear Hanzy, I'm not sure if I was more astonished to learn that customs conducts a concours d'elegance as a condition of admission, or to discover that my beloved and antique 944 no longer cut the Yankee mustard. I felt indignant that my car could be insulted so freely, so openly. I imprudently forgot all about that tasty contraband carefully stashed with my moldering skivvies as my blood pressure whacked the rev limiter. I burbled to the guard, "A hundred and ninety-eight points, huh, huh? You were still suckling at your momma's teat when this car was 10 years out of warranty!"
He clicked his pen and made another notation. "Did I say 198?" he petulantly replied. "I think it's more like 195. I hope you can develop a fondness for the Toronto Blue Jays, sir."
"OK," I said, turning to the Canadian official at his side. "But I have to tell you, my knees are killing me and I have very bad teeth. I'm not really sure what's going on back there. And my back is ailing me too, real bad, and I used to be an inch taller. Any idea where, as a new citizen of Canada, I can sign up for some basic health care?"
He stared at me for a long moment as I fixed him with my best deadpan. With a grin he motioned to one of his underlings, who held a bottle of Windex and a roll of paper towels, and in a moment my windshield was free of its gore.
"All right," the American said, clicking his pen. "You have 201. You're free to go."
MotorTrend Recommended Stories
Trending Pages
2024 Ford Mustang 0-60 MPH and 1/4-Mile Times: Dark Horse, GT, and EcoBoost Tested
Was the Next Toyota Camry Just Caught in Plain Sight?
2024 Volkswagen Atlas First Test: Comfortable Commutes Are the Top Priority
Hyundai and Kia's Free Locks to Thwart "Kia Boys" Theft Sprees Are Junk
Record Breaking! The Best HOT ROD Drag Week Performances of All Time


text:
Neste signs algae oil offtake agreement with US-based RAE
Neste Oil and Renewable Algae Energy (RAE), a U.S.-based algae biomass producer, have signed a contingent commercial algae oil offtake agreement. Algae oil is one of the alternatives being researched by Neste Oil for use as a feedstock for producing NEXBTL renewable diesel in the future.
Cooperation with RAE is intended to secure Neste Oil's access to a cost-effective supply of industrial volumes of algae oil in the future. Implementation of the agreement will require RAE to increase its algae oil production capacity and to comply with the requirements of biofuel legislation with strict sustainability criteria in the U.S. and the EU throughout the production chain. RAE anticipates that it will be able to produce commercial-scale volumes of algae oil from 2016 onwards.
The agreement between the two companies is nonexclusive and Neste Oil is actively looking for other partners that are aiming to begin commercial algae oil production.
"Algae oil is well suited for producing Neste Oil's renewable products," said Lars Peter Lindfors, Neste Oil's senior vice president of technology. "The agreement we have just signed is yet another step in our constant work to support the commercialization of the algae industry and to take part in research on new, sustainably produced feedstocks."
"We are honored to partner with Neste Oil," said Jeffrey S. Kanel, CEO of RAE. "Neste Oil is known worldwide as the industry leader, and they are committed to producing a sustainable energy source. This commitment aligns perfectly with RAE's mission and values, and we look forward to assisting Neste Oil to produce renewable fuels that will benefit the world."
Neste Oil is continuing research on new feedstocks and extending its feedstock base in line with its strategy; and is currently the world's only biofuel producer capable of producing premium-quality renewable fuel on a commercial scale from more than 10 different inputs. With NEXBTL renewable diesel capacity of approximately 2 million tons annually (more than 600 MMgy), Neste Oil is the world's largest renewable diesel producer.
Neste Oil has previously announced an offtake agreement with another algae producer and is also a partner in various university-led algae research projects under way in Australia and in Europe that are testing a range of methods for cultivating algae outdoors.


text:
A: Our bangers are a delicious blend of pork, rusk (wheat), and spices in a natural casing. The base spice blend has been in our family for decades. The blend includes salt, pepper, ginger, mace, and a few other spices - we can't give away all our secrets!
A: What is not in our bangers is equally as important to us as what is in our bangers. We are commited to making our products as all-natural as possible, and in the upcoming year will be taking steps to certify our bangers as "All Natural". We use natural casings for all our products, do not add any nitrites, nitrates, or MSG, and we use 72% lean pork that meets USDA guidelines of being free of any growth hormones (pigs don't need much help in this area!).
A: Traditional British bangers contain rusk, which is a wheat product that resembles ground breadcrumbs. All of our bangers contain 10% rusk, which adds to the unique flavor and texture of our sausages, acting as a bonding agent between the meat, spices, and casing.
A: Our bangers are steamed before being vacuum sealed, and this has several advantages. First, food safety is extremely important to us, and this ensures the highest level of food safety. Second, this increases the shelf life of the product. Third, convenience - you never have to second guess whether or not the bangers are cooked thoroughly - simply brown the bangers and they are ready! Fourth, this makes for a great, quick meal if you are in a hurry or have unexpected dinner guests.
A: We suggest grilling or pan-frying in a little oil. As the bangers are fully cooked, you simply need to brown them 5-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like the casings. If frozen and you forget to thaw, you can thaw the package quickly in hot tap water. Do not microwave to thaw or cook. Please see the recipes section for more ideas.
A: We make our bangers at a USDA certified facility in the Midwest U.S. The 72% lean pork that we use in our bangers is sourced in the Midwest as well.
A: Our bacon is Traditional back bacon, also known as English, Irish, Danish, Scottish, or Welsh bacon. We source our loins from the highest quality hogs fed on a mixture of barley and corn. As opposed to the streaky American "belly bacon", our bacon is a very lean cut. We follow a cure method that has been in the Balson family for several generations. We then hand trim the rhind completely off and leave just a small "tail" on the loin "eye".
A: Slightly smoked ... After we cure our bacon, we briefly place the loins over a real applewood log fire. This subtle smoke application creates the unique flavor to our bacon that we consider to be desireable, as opposed to "smoke flavorings", heavily smoked bacon, or completely unsmoked bacon. Our bacon is well received by fans of smoked and unsmoked bacon alike.
A: Our bacon is professionally packaged in 8 oz. packaging, 9-10 slices per package. While our slice thickness does not vary, pork loins come in various sizes, which accounts for the variation in slice count.
A: We suggest pan-frying our bacon at medium-low temperature, dry or with just a little oil. The cook time is short, as traditional back bacon is not meant to be cooked until "crispy" like American bacon. The hotter and longer the bacon is cooked, the saltier it will taste, as more of the cure is released at hotter temperatures.
A: We can ship our bangers and bacon to any physical address in the U.S (but no APO's or PO Boxes). See pricing questions for shipping and handling rates. These rates apply to the 48 continental U.S. states. For orders to Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico, please fill out the Contact form and we will generate a price quote for you.
A: Our bangers and bacon are shipped out every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, depending on the amount of transit days to your location. We schedule coolers to arrive by Friday. Any orders that would arrive after the Friday will bump to the following shipping week so as not to be delayed or stalled out over the weekend. Transit times are 1-3 days, depending on your location. Feel free to ring (803)979-2000 if you have delivery time questions or to arrange for expedited shipping (additional charges apply).
A: Your bangers and bacon will be shipped in a specially form-sealed cooler that is then shrink-wrapped. We use a combination of freezer packs and dry ice, which allows us to safely ship products without the expense of "overnight" shipping. The careful detail we put into our handling procedures allows us to pass the shipping savings onto our customers.
A: To take advantage of our "FREE SHIPPING OFFER" the minimum order is 6 lbs. This enables us to recoup shipping costs. We are capable of fulfilling any size order, from a few pounds to thousands of pounds. For any order exceeding 36 lbs or for wholesale information, please send details through Contact Us or call our Customer Service department at (803)979-2000.
A: Your products will be delivered to your door at standard refrigerated temperature (38F) or colder. At that point, our products may be safely stored in a freezer for up to 6 months after you receive them. Alternatively, they may be safely stored in a refrigerator for up to 45 days. As our products are not technically "raw" products and all are professionally sealed with "Cryovac" packaging, they can safely transition between refrigerated and frozen temperatures. Once a package is opened, unused product may be safely refrigerated for up to 7 days.
A: We at Balson's Butchers are committed to making our products available at an affordable price. To this end, we cover the shipping expense to most states, typically resulting in a $30-$50 savings per order. To make this possible, we do have a small handling fee based on your cooler size for each order. This covers our cost of the reusable insulated cooler, dry ice, and packaging materials.
*Due to the numerous delays and damages that we are experiencing related to Covid-19, we are now using 2-Day Air, Expedited shipping to the western-most states of CA, OR, WA, ID, NV, UT, and AZ. To help us defray these expenses, an expedited shipping surcharge applies in the amount of: Small Cooler $30 (6-12 lbs), Medium Cooler $40 (13-19 lbs), Large Cooler: $50 (20-36 lbs).
The Handling fee per cooler is as follows:
Small Cooler: $19 (6-12 lbs), Medium Cooler: $24 (13-19 lbs), Large Cooler: $29 (20-36 lbs)
A: We accept Visa/Mastercard/AMEX and the easiest way to place an order is through our website's online store. You can also place an order over the telephone. For further inquiries or to place an order by phone, call our customer service department at (803)979-2000.
A: As the Shipping charges are covered by RJ Balson and Son, there are only two factors that go into the final cost of our products: the price per lb. and the handling fee(depending on cooler size). We also offer an online discount of $30 off if you fill our large cooler (36 lbs).
Back to top
A: Yes. If you are a shop, pub, or restaurant and are interested in carrying our products, please email us through our Contact Us link or call our Customer Service department at (803)979-2000 to discuss further.
A: The Balson Guarantee: Your complete and total satisfaction is our first priority. Any purchase from RJ Balson & Son comes with a 100% unconditional guarantee.
If you have any problem with your order (product condition, defective packaging, non-delivery, etc.), contact our Customer Service Department within 48 hours of the scheduled delivery. Check your order confirmation for scheduled delivery date. Call our Customer Service department at (803)979-2000, email email@example.com or Contact Us.
A: Our Commitment To Privacy: RJ Balson & Son, Inc. respects the privacy of every customer. We consider the information you choose to share with us personal and confidential. We do not share any of your information (name, email address, physical address, phone number, etc.) with other companies, agencies, etc. Any information that you voluntarily provide is used for the sole purpose of communicating with you, which includes but is not limited to: responding to a comment or question, fulfilling an order, or verifying details or an order.
Our Commitment to Security: Your information protection is extremely important to us. When you place an order, it is placed through a secure server which meets current industry standards. This server encrypts all information you input before it is sent. Once we receive your information, we protect it against unauthorized use. If you prefer, you may place your order by phone at (803)979-2000.


text:
Hawaiians simply have a way with words. Direct but gentle, and often spoken with a good dose of humor, every statement seems to come with a built-in smile at the end. Said in Pidgin with island inflection, "broke da mout" ("break the mouth") is in fact a compliment to the chef. Not nearly as painful as it may let on, the phrase suggests that you've eaten something so unfathomably delicious, or eaten such vast quantities of it, that you simply couldn't stand to take another bite. Ergo, your palate has been thoroughly spoiled, in the most satisfying way. I can report without hesitation that I thoroughly broke my own mouth to the fullest extent of the definition while in Honolulu.
Lured out by the familiar urge to discover new ono grindz (good eats), every step of my two mile walk to reach Greens & Vines was worth the effort. Born of the 100% raw vegan catering company Licious Dishes, this dine-in outpost is only a few months old, still glistening with that new restaurant shine. Glowing like a beacon on a dark night, the neon sign out front is quite arresting, especially for the unprepared. Already on my hit list, it was a sight I was unprepared for as I gazed blankly out the bus window.
"Oh, that's the restaurant right there!" I exclaimed in spite of myself, to no one in particular. It would clearly require a more thorough exploration at a later time, especially without those lovely people sharing public transit who were now convinced of my mental instability.
After miscalculating the distance from my hotel rather drastically, it ended up being a later meal than anticipated, but gave me plenty of time to work up an appetite. Good thing too, since just one plateful of Kaffir Miso Pad Thai, composed of kelp noodles and topped off with a generous handful of crunchy cashews, left me feeling quite stuffed. Taking my time to luxuriate in every slippery strand, the effusively friendly staff made me feel more than welcome to linger, as opposed to so many other establishments that saw the single vegan diner as a burden. One gets a real sense of community here, proof positive that veganism is alive and thriving in all pockets of the world.
Although I already broke da mout on my main dish, the temptation of the dessert menu was too much to bear. Wrapping up a petite wedge of Tangerine Cheesecake to go, it became a most decadent midnight snack just a few hours later. Flawlessly smooth, creamy, and sparkling with citrus zest, its small size belied immense flavor. More than enough to satisfy even my voracious sweet tooth, what initially seemed like a scant portion turned out to be just right.
The raw movement may still be in its infancy in Honolulu, but endless other clean, green options can be readily found hidden in amongst the puka dog and saimin stands. Peace Cafe serves up well-balanced meals with a macrobiotic sort of slant, featuring otherwise obscure flavors like matcha and kinako to create vegan treats found no where else.
Speaking of which, the Iced Matcha Latte is an absolute must for any hot day, which is pretty much every day on the island. Lightly sweetened just to cut the bitter edge of the powdered green tea, soy milk lends body to the beverage, making it both refreshing and wholly satisfying. If only I had ventured out to this part of town sooner, I'm certain I would have found many excuses to return for a second and third refill.
Mochi brownies displayed alluringly on the counter did look like an awfully attractive lunch option, but the savory dishes are worth holding out for. Before ever setting foot in the shop, I already knew that I wanted the Heart and Seoul entree: Inspired by Korean bibimbap, a power plate of greens, both raw and cooked, beansprouts, shredded carrots, and either fresh tofu or TVP over a bed of brown rice. Ever indecisive, I stood there hemming and hawing at the counter, until the cashier helpfully broke my strained silence. "I could get you a little bit of both, too- How about that?" she asked sweetly. Yes, please; I felt like I really could have it all in that moment. Both were utterly delightful, but being the tofu-lover that I am, I would spring for a full portion of only that silky-soft bean curd next time. Topped off with a healthy dollop of very mild gochujang to mix and mash at will, the diner has the freedom to mix in as much of that salty paste as their heart desires. Naturally, I devoured every last smudge.
What's most telling about how vegan-friendly a city is, however, is not the number of specialty shops or isolated outposts. Rather, it's what one can scavenge in the everyday eateries, even the mundane or most unpromising locations. While the Ala Moana Mall is no average shopping center, boasting hundreds of stores spread out for what seems like miles, the above platter is still an incredible testament to how open and accessible Honolulu is to the compassionate visitor or resident. Grylt Ala Moana, located in the Makai Food Court, is one of three locations within Honolulu. In true cafeteria style, you're encouraged to build your own plate, picking between proteins, sides, and sauces. Grilled Tofu is the way to go to avoid animal protein, and incredibly, you can actually choose Olive Oil Mashed Cauliflower over plain white rice, if desired. For just 50 cents more, it's more than worth the upgrade. Grilled Veggies are already so expertly seasoned with balsamic vinegar and black pepper, it seems a shame to cover them with any additional sauce, despite how bright and vivacious the Citrus Herb Oil was. Request it on the side to dip the tofu in, and you'll have the perfect complement to all components.
Next, we're jetting off to another island… The Big Island, in fact, for a stop in Hilo. Still more photos are being uploaded everyday, so please keep checking in to see all of my adventures!