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Quick Scroll: Symbol Worship Advocates Deity Plane
NE Greater Deity
Aliases: The Ninth Calamity, The Burner of Refuge, The Carmine Fist, Slayer of Veils (derogatory), The Final General, Thepa's Defender (reserved for a very few deities)
Portfolio: Wrath, Total War, Conquest, Systematic Destruction, Ruthlessness, Aggressive Tactics
Favored Weapon: greatsword
Domains: Air, Artifice, Evil, Strength, War, Weather
Tenets: Arcane, Conquest, Death, Humility, Obstinacy, Ruthlessness, Strength, Systematic Destroyer, Terror, Wrath
Divine Symbol
As the source of all harmful channeling, it comes as no surprise that the very symbol of Rai is also magical in nature. This magic is stored in a precious or semi-precious stone, preferably a ruby. The remainder of the symbol's makeup is trivial.
To form the divine bond, a ritual sacrifice of a living creature is required. Accounts of captured horses being slaughtered to create entire armories of Rai's symbols for war have been documented, though more powerful symbols demand sacrifices of truly sentient beings. The legend of a dragon meeting a priest's sword to anoint a true artifact is easily recalled even by non-believers.
Near the apex of the formality, the blood from the offered creature spills onto the symbol-to-be, spontaneously reshaping the gemstone into the infamously known fist. The red, armored fist signifies the universal declaration of an army's intent to give and ask for no mercy.
Finally, at the completion of the ritual, something of the blood's vitality seeps into the new symbol; the stained crest becomes continuously wet with blood, and whenever worn afterward, the symbol's cruor rubs off on the priest's clothing. These clerics of the Burner of Refuge appear as warriors who have either completely ignored a wound or have walked away from a fresh kill, a truly frightening visage.
Worship (often)
Rai has a surprising amount of followers for a being who is shamelessly judgmental. Part of his momentum lies in the fact that he is the oldest of all the other deities and has been gathering followers since his descension. Part is the fact that his judgment swings both ways, and those who impress him are lavishly rewarded. But mostly, it is because the Ninth Calamity is the deity most concerned with direct warfare.
Deities of combat and death exist elsewhere, even within the elohim; but Rai is the only one who directly supports the very concept of an army and military tactics. Hence his first title the "Ninth Calamity". In ancient texts of the Eluen-cuthpar his name refers to warfare gone wild, out of the control of anyone, even its generals. And while popular use of the so-called 13 Calamities is lost to history, Rai embodies such perfect intentional disaster absolutely, wearing the name with pride.
Popular worship of Rai tends to be done by militaristic nations and armies. Even the forces of Zenaket, his most stalwart enemy, have been known to utter a prayer or two to Rai in times of great need, though Rai never answers prayers for protection alone.
In many ways, Rai is also a deity of magic. He is a master of all forms of war, mystical artillery among them. He is also quite skilled in the use of magic and is willing to teach, rather patron the teaching to any mage that desires bloodshed and violence. No small amount of arcane traditions or schools of thought relating to combat claim him as a patron, though most do not directly worship him.
Advocates, Direct Followers, and Minions
common: kel, human
uncommon: drow
rare: amoraq, fenodyree, goblin
Given his vast array of worshipers, it comes as no surprise that Rai's advocates are similarly diverse and cosmopolitan. Most tend to be soldiers and warriors of some sort or another, and a few even choose him purely to become better warriors. Rai also enjoys the service of a vast number of highly-destructive monsters attracted to the carnage and chaos that his battlefields provide.
Above all others is his true cult, the kel. These monastic marauders live war. Rai is foremost among their pantheon. It's regarded as an alarm to kelian society when a cleric serves a deity other than Rai, but these incidents are rare.
Kel clerics of Rai are sometimes known as "Red Priests". They paint themselves with sacrificial blood, going to war wearing nothing but the liquid of life. The sights of these zealots have been known to break enemy morale even before the first casualty. This practice is the only exception to the studious cleanliness that most kel practice; their fascination with blood as a holy substance.
Red priests are also famous for being the most competent undead hunters in Thepa. Rai's servants fear and hate those crushed under their heels since many of the slain have risen as vengeful undead whose only purpose is to stop the war march. A particularly outstanding incident of this phenomenon took place when an entirely destroyed city rose as ghosts and decimated a surprised host of giants that had attacked Tamarack. The memories of this moment gave rise to his somewhat insulting epithet, the Slayer of Veils, specifically the veil between life and death.
Thus the red priests ensure the undead never subverts a kelian army. Given the attitudes of most undead toward the living, it is not unknown for advocates of the elohim to help the kel in this duty, most notably when no other option is available. Alliances quickly dissolve when the undead scourge is dealt with, though the kel are honorable enough not to immediately attack their former allies.
Closely following the kel in numbers are evil-inclined humans, especially soldiers. Combatants of all sorts offer prayers to him; however, only true advocates who actually enjoy war and embrace violence join his clergy. The average human worshipers that do fall embody this aspect as crazed berserkers, assassins, and generals seeking glory rather than duty. Most human countries have significant cults to Rai, whether acknowledged or persecuted. Many are found in its armies and to a lesser extent organized crime. Violence is often the only dialogue criminals are able to grasp. The only exception is Tamarack, which primarily uses undead as its forces.
Drow pursue Rai as one of their lesser religions, primarily by males, but uniquely, not for unhappiness with one's low station. On the contrary, the drow advocates think of themselves as the unseen backbone of society, noble and just, the dutiful soldiers of the larger culture. The added benefit of their faith allowing them to cheerfully bully and oppress lesser creatures without censure from the ruling matriarchs is not overlooked either.
These drow regard the art of war and combat as the highest of all artistries. It not only possesses a savage, feral beauty, but also becomes a rather practical art form. As a result of this belief, small detachments of his dark elf devotees have become subjects of fear and awe across all of Thepa for both their serene efficiency and brutal grace in combat.
The demographics of the remaining advocates become more varied and somewhat rare. Amoraq are one of these rarer races. Their fury serves them well in his armies. Amoraq clerics simply let go. They embrace the fury of the beast, learn to channel it in battle, and release it in bloody devastation carving holes in the defenses of enemy armies.
Goblins are infrequent as well. Those that do join Rai's ranks feel that their forests are threatened and wish to destroy those who impinge upon their homelands. These goblins do not meet their opposition head on, rather they service the Last General by epitomizing the shadowy and tactical aspects of warfare by becoming master guerillas and trappers.
The rarest of Rai's devout are the fenodyree. While all good-inclined races are capable of being gripped by the Carmine Fist, the fenodyree find themselves embracing the path of Rai's divinely sanctioned and empowered violence at an alarming rate. A closer examination of their history reveals why; these merchant storytellers have a culture and a general instinct toward live and let live, yet there is a slight undercurrent of bitterness and ideation for the past.
Their homeland, uninhabitable and turned to ash, was lost in the Cataclysm. Most recognize their ancestors were at fault, though more than a few view themselves as victims. These fenodyree grow so enthralled with not only reclaiming their homeland, but with the glory they once had that they begin to think…Rai was a giant, a born enemy of dragons and a fey embodiment of primal civilization. Perhaps they can enlist his help in reconquering the old country.
Before one learns the character and history of Rai, one needs to learn the character and history of the giants as both subjects are integral to his descension to become the Final General, the king of the daeva. Like dragons, giants are children of the Feywyld, creatures that embody an aspect of Thepa. In this case, the giants held the twin principles of culture and tool use for their civilization created the mechanics that built all other civilizations and Thepa's basic implements. One of these implements was the weapon.
Unfortunately without mortal ideals of restraint or social altruism, the first giants used their instruments of death to build great cities on the backs of slaves. But as the dawn of the primordial races brightened, something changed. The primitive humanoid tribes founded their first settlements; new ideas about the concepts of civilization and nature began to creep into the Feywyld. While nature was regarded with love and fear (resulting in a vast array of alignments among dragons), civilization was regarded as an inherently good thing. In time, Thepa's primal architects began to die out and were replaced with new breeds of giants, those exhibiting restrain and refinement.
Recognizing that their tendency to seize through raw strength still existed in their blood lines, the giants sequestered themselves to avoid being hunted down. However, not all took to heart the warnings of the mortals adaptability and proliferation. A storm giant, whose original name even he has forgotten, was one that embraced his dark origins, which is somewhat odd as he wasn't always a giant.
Indeed, the very fact that Rai was once a dwarf is quite possibly the most obscure fact in all of Thepa's mythology, yet Rai was never of the opinion that it mattered. Every last trace of that dwarf was cast aside in his mortal life as he willed his anger to break the natural order of existence to form the perfect warrior. He looks like a giant; he thinks like a giant; he's functionally a giant. Rai's primary motivation is to prove that he is the strongest in all of existence. To that end, he formed a great kingdom meant entirely to support his war machine in the image of the primal giants.
Eventually, he was struck down in battle and with such overwhelming magic that the very earth beneath him cracked and collapsed into Thepa's mantle, but his death was not the end for him. Breaking reality out of sheer fury was only his first divine act. Altering reality a second time was not nearly as hard. Rai claims to be the first deity altogether and that he blazed the path for other deities to arise. Even his main rival for that title, Iteff, is uncertain of the truth to Rai's boast.
Rai's true form appears much as he did after his transformation, a massive storm giant towering over 23 feet in height. His form is mostly concealed by a dark thundercloud, though the first feature most tend to notice is his great two-handed sword Dyrnwyn. Dyrnwyn is a molten blade of meteoric iron that, against all normal laws of physics, never loses its shape or sharpness; and hanging from his belt a hilt of dragon ivory crackling with the lightning from his vapory garment. Rai's great red beard is streaked with jagged grays. His eyes glow maroon, aside from the black scleras.
Rai's avatars are not much different. When Rai heeds a champion's call the battlefield's sky suddenly changes into one of Saliga's many hurricanes. Its eye centered above his vessel. Cloaked in a thundercloud, his or her eyes change to those of Rai and whatever weapon the vessel possessed reshapes into Dyrnwyn, resized to fit the vessel's size. Rai take direct control over his champion.
In either body, Rai charges directly into the fray, pausing only to relay orders to his forces or cast a spell at a distant adversary. He attacks with a combination of gleeful abandon and expert poise, Dyrnwyn leaving naught but smoking corpses and melted weapons. Often, the wounds sustained by his tactics are more than what a vessel can handle. The vessel's flesh is not hardened to Dyrnwyn's electrical hilt or heat. Neither champion nor worshipers care as dying in this process is considered a glorious privilege and sacrifice.
Ironically, in the odd case that someone does manage to defeat his vessel before Rai has finished with his hapless servant, he will resurrect the slain champion. He does, however, give the revived vessel a quest to defeat the slayer by any means. An enemy capable of defeating a deity, even a weakened form of one, is obviously an enemy worthy of respect, and he respects those who at least attempted to stand in their way.
If his champion proves that he or she is the stronger, Rai will recognize that his first assessment was mistaken. Let it be noted that his recognition is not "forgiveness" as Rai does not forgive. He only identifies his initial impression of an apparent failure as a mistake. And if the slayer proves the ultimate victor over his champion once again, the worst parts of Saliga await.
Anything without restraint is deadly. The daeva embody this axiom as they embody the overpowering nature of the emotions they govern. Beauty, desire, joy – none of those matter when taken without limits or respect.
Saligia is beautiful, yes, but it has a feral, edged beauty: the beauty of a gently spinning hurricane, an erupting volcano, or the great rifts of Thepa's oceans. But, Saliga is also an awful place. There is no grander destructive artistry in all the planes that associate with Thepa. Saligia is a realm lacking restraint of any sort, which is why it is often called the Punishing Hell. And unlike most planes, it has always been this way. Rai wouldn't be able to overcome its challenges otherwise, and he couldn't exist without them.
It is often said that a plane's ruler reflects his land. In this instance, that statement is never more true. Two of Rai's unrestrained qualities are his willpower and diligence. Rai deliberately seeks challenges worthy of himself so he can properly overcome them through hard work. He bolsters himself by proving to the world and himself that he is stronger than everything in existence. Combined with his remarkable self-honesty, one can see why he opted to not change Saligia's fundamental nature.
What Rai has affected, however, are Saligia's inhabitants. Driven out to the fringes of Saligia are the daemons. They were judged too unpredictable and destructive in the long term even for Rai's tastes. The asuras, youngest of the fiend races, have found an eager landlord in the Carmine Fist. He admires their dedication to an aesthetic lifestyle and enjoys matching wits with them. The plane is also home to a few colonies of evil giants who have immigrated from the Feywyld to dwell in their paragon's domain.
Saligian souls, the petitioners, have been slowly but surely filtered down into only the most selfish and evil. The very environment of the plane sours their already infernal dispositions. These petitioners resemble nothing so much as humanoid outlines containing various raging elemental forces. Their former appearances have been lost in the descent to the Realm of Purification.
While these beings may be more talkative and less openly hostile than the true fiends who dwell in Saligia, they are still quite dangerous. They continually plot to rid themselves of any living interlopers, whether through selling them to a fiendish contact or simply abandoning them near the eye of a new storm – which is unfortunate for any who desire the petitioners help as they are some of the finest craftsmen in all of the planes.
Rai is aware of his limitations when it comes to fueling his war machine, thus he has instituted a system by which the Saligian souls learn to use the forces contained within them as their own internal forges. Metalwork, pottery, and even architecture are but a few master crafts. Most of what passes for Saligan petitioner society is based around these expertise.
The elemental souls organize themselves into small "smithies" specializing in a particular element to outfit Rai's armies. Needless to say, competition between smithies is frequent and vicious, sometimes almost as violent as the mock wars the Last General has his armies perform. Rai wishes to keep his troops sharp and ready for actual invasions, whether from other daeva or, occasionally, Zenaket.
As with all Hells, Saligia is designed to remove the chance of corruption to Quah through the alignment of the souls returning to it. In this case, the last and most deeply rooted. To have reached Saligia, all traces of concern for consequences that would lead to a Lawful or Chaotic alignment are gone as to focus on the more hedonistic side of Evil. Only self-interest and a lack of sympathy for others remains.
To fulfill its purpose, Saligia subtly drills the idea that pure self-interest is ultimately self-destructive. This concept is executed through creating an existence where everyone's primary motivation is for themselves yet the environment makes selfishness a losing proposition. Sooner or later, most petitioners embrace this truth by developing an appreciation for compassion and trust, thus balancing their natures for reunion with Quah.
One might expect that Rai, being witness to Quah's process, is a direct enemy of Quah. One would be wrong. Rai understands the lifecycle of the soul and Quah's existence, yet they are not enemies, hardly. Rai is clear-headed enough to understand that Quah is integral to the survival and continued existence of Thepa. He has no desire or plan to destroy the world, or to starve it of new souls. He has far too much fun destroying various parts of it. Indeed, one may call him Thepa's Defender as he would happily lend his strength against any existential risk to the cosmos, which explains his hatred of Eadiac.
Artwork provided by Sandara
Return to Daeva


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September 2023 M T W T F S S « Jan 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
DARPA awards Phase 2 SBIR contract for HEV motorcycle prototypeJanuary 20, 2015 By Neville
Report: Hyundai to cut price of FCV in Korea to compete with ToyotaJanuary 20, 2015 By Neville
Nissan LEAF is best-selling EV in Europe for fourth year in a rowJanuary 20, 2015 By Neville
Ford of Europe designer Stefan Lamm joins VW's Seat brandJanuary 20, 2015 By Sean
Ford's German production to raise as demand reboundsJanuary 20, 2015 By Sean
SpeedART SP81-CR Based on New Porsche Cayman Coming to Geneva
Porsche tuner SpeedART has released first details about the SP81-CR, ahead of its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.
Based on the new Porsche Cayman, the SP81-CR features a new body kit that includes a new hood, a front spoiler, new rear bumper, a rear diffuser, fixed rear spoiler and carbon fibre accents.
Other updates include adjustable sports suspension, a center-mounted dual exhaust system and 21-inch LSC-FORGED wheels.
Of course customers can also customize the interior with fine leather and Alcantara upholstery.
SpeedART also offers engine tuning for the flat six engine with three power outputs: 345bhp, 360bhp and 400bhp.
As a reminder, the new 3.4-litre flat six in the Cayman S produces 325bhp, enabling it to reach 0.62mph in 4.7 seconds with Sport Chrono package.

subset: commoncrawl


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'Mask Diplomacy' a Boost for Taiwan
With U.S.-China relations showing scant improvement, Taiwan may bolster its global standing.
The coronavirus pandemic, which has already infected more than 1.6 million people around the world, has transformed the value of basic medical supplies. In many countries, vital gear such as face masks, swabs, gloves, and gowns has dwindled to dangerous lows. Countries are imposing export bans on personal protective equipment (PPE) precisely as governments are scrambling to import record numbers of the same items. International supply chains for medical supplies have never been so dysfunctional—and the countries that produce them have never been so powerful.
The coronavirus pandemic, which has already infected more than 1.6 million people around the world, has transformed the value of basic medical supplies. In many countries, vital gear such as face masks, swabs, gloves, and gowns has dwindled to dangerous lows. Countries are imposing export bans on personal protective equipment (PPE) precisely as governments are scrambling to import record numbers of the same items. International supply chains for medical supplies have never been so dysfunctional—and the countries that produce them have never been so powerful.
Taiwan—one of the world's biggest suppliers of medical-grade masks and one of the few places to have successfully battled back COVID-19—is a case in point. It now has a rare opportunity to leverage this moment to make political gains against its long-running antagonist, China. Taipei will have to play its cards carefully, however—especially in Washington.
Taiwan, with a population of just 23 million people, is now the second-largest global producer of face masks after China. It produces 15 million masks each day, according to Taiwan's economic affairs minister, Shen Jong-chin. As more factories join forces to churn out medical-grade masks, the government expects to raise production to 17 million masks a day by the end of the month. In March, Taipei relaxed an export ban on masks imposed on Jan. 24.
The United States, which now has the most coronavirus cases in the world, stands to benefit. Last month, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu pledged to donate 100,000 surgical face masks per week to the United States. The United States, in return, would agree to send 300,000 hazmat suits to Taiwan.
[Mapping the Coronavirus Outbreak: Get daily updates on the pandemic and learn how it's affecting countries around the world.]
On April 1, Taiwan announced it would donate 10 million masks to the world's neediest countries—this includes an additional 2 million masks to the United States in an expanded collaboration effort. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs this week handed 400,000 masks over to the United States for the month of April.
In recent weeks, Taiwan also shipped masks and PPE to its diplomatic allies, as well as hard-hit European countries such as Italy, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Already Taipei and Washington have mapped out areas of collaboration, including research and development of tests, vaccines, and medicines. They also expect to exchange expertise, cooperate on medical supplies and equipment, work on contact-tracing techniques and technology, and protective and preventative measures, according to a joint statement by the American Institute in Taiwan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The level of cooperation stands in stark contrast to that of the United States and China, which have traded some aid but made little progress on substantive scientific cooperation.
About $5 billion worth of medical goods were caught up in the trade war initiated by the Trump administration in July 2018, which at the time accounted for over a quarter of U.S. imports of those items. After Washington raised tariffs, the import of such products fell sharply by 16 percent, or nearly $200 million, between 2017 and 2019. U.S. imports of these products from the rest of the world rose by 23 percent. The decrease in imports, in turn, has hampered the United States' ability to contain the outbreak, according to Chad P. Bown, the Reginald Jones senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Low tariffs in general enable medical facilities and patients access to medical supplies at the highest quality and lowest price, Bown added.
Last month, the Trump administration quietly reduced tariffs on medical supplies from China. But such actions are likely too little too late.
China, criticized for its delayed response to the initial outbreak and lack of transparency to the international community ever since, has been trying to rewrite the narrative. It has been especially keen to demonstrate its ability to be a better ally than the United States to Europe and other virus-stricken countries. As part of the effort, Beijing has been shipping medical equipment, protective gear, and medicine across Europe. Chinese companies are backing their government's plans. The Chinese billionaire Jack Ma, the co-founder of the e-commerce giant Alibaba, pledged to send 1.8 million face masks and 100,000 test kits to European countries. And the Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturer Huawei also followed with similar relief packages to countries in Europe devastated by the outbreak, donating millions of masks (before halting the program in late March to dispel claims of quid pro quo). Some regional governments and big businesses in China have sent the United States medical supplies, but their efforts seem minimal compared with the mass deployment of aid in Africa and donation packages being shipped to European countries.
"China is using its relatively effective response to the crisis to boost its global soft power, at a time when U.S. leadership is completely absent," said Joshua Kurlantzick, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
While China has been on a humanitarian propaganda tour across Europe (albeit with mixed reviews), it hasn't offered nearly as much largesse to the United States. Indeed, face mask export bans are already being dangled as a stick with which to punish a misbehaving Washington. In one example, China's state-run mouthpiece Global Times published an article last month warning that if the United States restricted Huawei's sales, Beijing "may stop supplying much-needed face masks." In early March, an article published by Xinhua suggested that China would impose strategic control on the export of medical products to the United States in addition to a travel ban if Washington decided to retaliate. If Beijing decided to go down this path, then United States "would be caught in the ocean of coronaviruses."
If China does indeed cut off its mask supply, it would be in good company. According to Global Trade Alert, 54 governments have implemented curbs on the export of medical supplies and medicines associated with COVID-19 as of March 21. So far, the United States' main supplier, Mexico, hasn't placed a ban on exports, but that may change in the future as the outbreak worsens.
If Taiwan can step in and fill the breach, it stands to gain more than an economic boost. Taipei has long sought to strengthen ties with the United States and build its soft power.
And the supply chain gap of medical supplies may be wide. Cracks are starting to show in China's mask diplomacy. Some countries question the quality of China-made medical equipment and supplies. The Netherlands has recalled tens of thousands of masks imported from China and put on hold the rest of the shipment as they haven't met quality standards when inspected. Other countries, including Spain and Turkey, complained about defective rapid testing kits ordered from Chinese companies.
With the backing of the United States, Taiwan is presented with a unique opportunity of strengthening its international standing—particularly with regard to its exclusion from the World Health Organization (WHO), from which it has been left out due to Chinese pressure. WHO membership is offered only to countries that are members of the United Nations, which does not recognize Taiwan. Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Canada, the European Union, Japan, and the United States have called for WHO to allow Taiwan's participation but to no avail. The island has been shut out from emergency meetings and important briefings on COVID-19.
WHO, in repeatedly praising China's outbreak response, also drew the ire of some countries that accuse the organization of bias toward China, a major financial contributor to the organization. In a White House media briefing this week, President Donald Trump lashed out at WHO for being "China-centric" and threatened to pause U.S. funding to the organization. In response, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of WHO, urged Trump not to "politicize this virus." In the same briefing, Tedros accused Taiwan's leaders of spearheading racist attacks and death threats on him. Taiwan has rejected the claim.
The relationship between the United States and Taiwan was already strong under the Trump administration, which is arguably one of the most pro-Taiwan in U.S. history. But the coronavirus crisis stands to bring the two even closer.
Amid escalating U.S.-China tensions, Trump signed the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act into law on March 26, which sends a clear message of the United States' support for Taiwan's standing in the international arena.
The COVID-19 pandemic demands cooperation between countries. As Beijing and Washington struggle to work with one another, Taipei finds itself in an improved position. No longer simply a pawn between the two countries, Taiwan is becoming a power in its own right.
Nicole Jao is a journalist based in Taiwan. She writes about technology, business, and the environment. Twitter: @nicole_i_jao
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Equatorial Guinea has undergone significant economic and social changes since the discovery of oil in the mid-1990s. From being a poor, mainly agricultural country, it has become the foremost oil producer of the franc zone. Oil income has helped to improve basic infrastructure, including roads, schools, hospitals and social housing.
Equatorial Guinea's main trading partners are the US, China, Spain, Italy and France. Oil and gas are the country's main exports, with natural gas expected to provide half of total hydrocarbon resources by 2016.
As part of the government's economic diversification strategy, foreign investors are encouraged to look to the agricultural sector as a new area of growth. Farmers are being trained in the latest techniques and technology to modernise and expand the sector.
According to the African Economic Outlook report of 2013, GDP grew 5.5% in 2012 and 4.9% growth is forecasted for 2013. Equatorial Guinea is among the fastest growing economies on the African continent due to the growth of its domestic industry since the mid-1990s.1 The 2012 budged showed considerable improvement in the management of public resources, and the high cash inflows from oil have brought about deep structural changes in Equatorial Guinea in recent years that are expect to continue over the next decade.
Equatorial Guinea's GDP growth from 2000-2010:2


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#HigherEd Conferences We're Attending Summer 2019
Every year, we make time while serving our partners to join our higher education colleagues at conferences and conventions. This helps us stay in touch with our current clients in person, meet new partners, and – of course – share as much as we can to help meet the goals of our mission.
The fear of managing student loan debt after graduation is having a serious impact on enrollment decisions and LRAP has been shown to help colleges and universities prove they have "skin in the game" and empower students to enroll.
While we are there, we often hold special learning sessions and events, so make sure to tune into find out more. Will you be attending any of the conferences below? Make sure to stop by our booth and say "hi", we love meeting new folks in higher education. We'll also be participating in online conversations using Twitter, so make sure to follow us there too.
Conferences we'll be attending this summer:
2019 Super Conference (PNACAC, RMACAC, and WACAC combined)
May 20 – 22, 2019
Phoenix, Arizona
NACCAP 2019 (North American Coalition for College Admissions Professionals)
May 29 – June 1, 2019
Cleveland, Tennessee
NSCEC 2019 (National Small College Enrollment Conference)
July 22-24, 2019
Raleigh, North Carolina
RNL 2019 (Ruffalo Noel Levitz National Conference)
July 24-26, 2019
Nashville, Tennessee
NACAC 2019 (National Association for College Admission Counseling)
September 26-28, 2019
Louisville, Kentucky


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South African songstress, Lazy Zamar has been revealed as the headlining act for the sixth Lobatse International Beef Festival (LIBF).
The vibrant and dynamic SAMA Best Dance Album winner will warm the chilly night at the celebrated beef festival with her vocal dance music on June 30 at Lobatse Town Park.
Along with Botswana artistes and DJs, this year's beef festival promises to be a good one for the revellers.
In an interview, one of the organisers, Rebatho Tumagole said the event would have a lineup of Botswana renowned artistes like Motlha of Mmamotse fame and DJs as well as upcoming artist and/or DJ from Lobatse. However, she indicated that a slot for a Lobatse performer would be accorded through a competition dubbed 'Lobatse's Sauce Dj'.
She explained that the competition was open to all upcoming DJs from Lobatse.
Traditional meat favourites like mokoto, mokwetjepe, and serobe will be part of the delicacies to be served on the day.
Tumagole stated that whether a food lover in search of tasty and hearty feast or just out for fun with friends and/or family, LIBF was sure to exceed expectations as the event promises revellers a culinary adventure coupled with premium entertainment.
Tumagole further said VIP guests would be offered food prepaped by local chefs.
She added that guests could also treat themselves to the bevy of beverages on offer from displaying suppliers on the day.
"LIBF is also a networking opportunity whilst enjoying premium food and entertainment on offer," she said.
Tickets are already on sale at all Webtickets for P250, and P550 for VIP.
Source : BOPA
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text: Ever wanted to learn how to weld? Want to impress your friends, your older brother and that cute bartender? It's easier than you think! In three evenings you will learn how to lay a bead, and handle all sorts of sharp and dangerous tools. You will be able to complete a small project and leave with lots of ideas and know-how for other projects. This class will teach you the basics of welding, metal work and design, joining, bending and finishing. And you will get dirty!


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9.5mm Cine films differ from 8mm and 16mm Cine Film by two distinct characteristics. The first and most obvious is the width of film, but the second, is the fact that rather than running along the edge of the film, the sprocket holes run along the center of the film. All reel sizes of film can be transferred and we will be able to offer discount for larger quantities.
In addition to 9.5mm, we also transfer 8mm, Super 8 and 16mm Cine Film.
HD (High Definition 1920×1080) 9.5mm Cine Film Transfer
If required, we can also scan your 9.5mm cine film transfer in High Definition. Please contact us to discuss your requirement. The pricing for HD 9.5mm Cine Film Transfer starts from as little as £12.99 per reel. Full prices can be found on the Pricing page.
The Process
The difference between Cinefilm2dvd.com and other service providers is that we care about your films. Rest assured that your 8mm Cine Film Transfer is treated with the utmost care. Most of all, nobody knows how precious these films are, more than ourselves. Please do not assume that because of our highly competitive prices, you are going to get a substandard product. You are not. The transfer will be done digitally and involves no analogue sources whatsoever and therefore giving a sharper image.
Finally, many people ask if we use a projector and project onto the wall and film the image. This is not the case. We use frame by frame scanning which eliminates flicker. Flicker is caused by the shutter blades on the projector. Because we scan the film frame by frame, it eliminates the use of a projector, the projectors shutter and therefore the flicker. Your films are pre treated before transfer with a film preserver/cleaner which also serves to give the film extra sparkle. If you wish to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about any part of the process of the 9.5mm Cine Film Transfer, please do not hesitate to visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us.
Please visit our Ordering page for detail on how to order, or return to our Home Page.
9.5mm Cine Film Characteristics
9.5mm film would normally be silent but could be colour or black and white. For home movies, the most commonly used format was black and white and silent.
Normal projection speed for 9.5mm Cine Film is 16fps
The reel sizes are as follows; 50ft, 200ft, 400ft, 600ft, 800ft, 1200ft & 1600ft
To determine the size of reel you have, simply measure the diameter of the reel itself across from side to side in inches
A 3" reel holds approximately 50ft and has a running time of approximately 2 minutes
A 5" reel holds approximately 200ft and has a running time of approximately 8 minutes.
A 7" reel holds approximately 400ft and has a running time of approximately 15 minutes
A 8" reel holds approximately 600ft and has a running time of approximately 22 minutes
A 9" reel holds approximately 800ft and has a running time of approximately 30 minutes.
A 12" reel holds approximately 1200ft and has a running time of approximately 45 minutes.
Got a question? Why not use our contact form below.


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The Fives in Playa Del Carmen Mexico Sky Deck Wedding Film
The Fives in Playa is an amazing hotel that is always upgrading so we have something new to work with when we are lucky be at the hotel. We were lucky to be invited to this Canadian couples wedding to work with them both on a film and photos.
Please enjoy !
Here is what the bride had to say
"Hi ladies!
My husband and I were married in April 6, 2016, on the Sky Deck!!! We just received this breathtaking video from our amazing photographers Derek & Lorena from Photos in Cancun and I had to share it with you!!! Such a fantastic day and I am so grateful for everyone from the brides in this group who answered all my questions, to the staff on-site, Katy HK for allowing me to rent her beautiful decor, and of course our photographers & videographers! Our special day was the best day of my life, I wish we could do it all over again!!"
Azul Fives -Sky Deck Ceremony Wedding Video from PhotosInCancun on Vimeo.


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|In stock
|Delivery time:
|5-7 Business Days
From Old World Christmas, our favorite creator of traditional glass ornaments designed in Germany!
Barbecue sauce (BBQ sauce) is used to flavor, marinate, baste and top meats. This popular condiment varies widely in spiciness, sweetness and tang. Even the base for the sauce varies from vinegar and mustard to tomato. Either way, a good barbecue sauce can add amazing flavor to a backyard barbecue.
4.5 X 1.5 X 1.5 (HxLxW)


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Today's sandwich is the Turkey "Saladsandwich" - sliced, roasted turkey breast, sprouts, cucumbers, red onion and dressing on a toasted ciabatta sub roll.
I'm going to be doing some testing on the website in the next few day so please excuse any unusual content or bizarre formatting changes.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday Special
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INFINITE's Sunggyu speculated to guest host BTS' "Weekly Idol" episode
With Jung Hyung Don temporarily vacating his spot on Weekly Idol due to health issues, the program is seeking alternative measures as they search for the host to replace him.
On November 24th, Weekly Idol confirmed that recording for the program will resume as they use alternative ways to fill in their vacated MC spot. Currently, Weekly Idol will continue with INFINITE's Sunggyu as the idol with the most memorable episodes on the pgoram are invited back to act as guest hosts until Jung Hyung Don is well enough to resume his role.
It was later on speculated that Sunggyu will be hosting the episode featuring BTS, while the rest of the guests hosts are to be confirmed soon. Super Junior's Heechul, on the other hand, will join Defconn for the Christmas episode of the program.
The episode with Sunggyu is scheduled to air on December 2nd.
Source: MKCulture


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Hooray! Springtime has finally arrived. In celebration of this great season, we put together these free spring posters, which are perfect for your school or classroom. There are six spring posters in all, and each one should help foster sunshiny attitudes throughout the halls of your school.
Here's a preview of the spring posters.
When we learn, we grow.
Bloom where you are planted.
No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.
Spring into reading.
Hello, spring!
My favorite weather is bird-chirping weather.


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Polish video game maker CD Projekt SA said it sold more than 13 million copies of its Cyberpunk 2077 game through December 20, below analyst forecasts, hurt in part by refunds demanded by players who complained it was littered with bugs.
A futuristic role-playing game featuring Hollywood star Keanu Reeves, Cyberpunk 2077 was widely seen as one of the biggest premieres this year.
"This figure represents the estimated volume of retail sales across all hardware platforms (factoring in returns)," CD Projekt said.
The company had not given sales forecasts and did not disclose how many refund requests it had received but the sales fell short of market expectations of 16.4 million, said analyst Piotr Bogusz at mBank brokerage.
"While the number ranks Cyberpunk as one of the top-selling titles this year, it implies lower PC sales or higher refunds on consoles than we anticipated after launch, likely due to the various bugs and performance issue on PCs other than the high-performance ones," Jefferies analysts said in a note.
The game, released on December 10, got off to a rocky start after a backlash over technical glitches led Sony Corp to pull it from its PlayStation Store and Xbox maker Microsoft Corp to offer refunds.
The game's troubled roll-out sent CD Projekt's shares tumbling 40 per cent from a record touched before its release.
The shares were down 5 per cent as of 0805 GMT on Wednesday, after opening higher.


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With the popularity and continuing success of their Mandalay design Burch Fabrics decided it was time to a follow up. Utilizing the same fabric construction as Mandalay they created Opus and Melody which both merge traditional design with a modern color palette to create a contemporary statement. Chorus is a versatile texture with intricate weave details and multi-color flair that works well with their entire catalog. Crypton's superior fabric and moisture barrier technology offers exceptional protection from stains, odors, moisture and mildew.
CHORUS – An intricate texture with variegated color transitions. Chorus is available in a palette of nine with a focus on neutrals and mid tones in both warm and cool options.
MELODY – A fluid scroll pattern in a perfect scale. The crisp definition between ground and motif allows for a clean aesthetic. The traditional motif is counterbalanced by a palette of eight on trend colorways.
OPUS – A mid-scale medallion with balanced repetition. Textural weave effects withing the outline provides depth and dimension. Opus is offered in eight high impact shades ranging from complex neutrals to jewel tones.
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High performance professionals are the key success factor for any company, it is a tall order to ensure employee motivation and consequent employee retention. At British Counsel, we specialise in developing the knowledge, capabilities and motivation of your people and enable them to achieve your business targets.
Corporate Training
British Counsel undertakes Corporate Trainings in the fields of :
- Spoken English
- Accent Neutralisation & Communication Skills
- Business Communication
- Team Building
- Negotiation skills
- Multitasking
- Problem Solving & decision making Skills
- Crisis Management
- Conflict management
- Positive Attitude
- Motivational Workshop
- Personality Development & Grooming
- Communication Skills
- Managerial Training
- Public Speaking
- Presentation Skills
- Behavioral training
- Time Management
- Stress Management
British Counsel undertakes Corporate Trainings in the fields of :
- Specialized training methods.
- Result oriented modules
- Fluency in English
- Enhancement of Lexical power
- Difference between Verbal and Non-Verbal communication
- Art of Conversation
- Business English
- Voice Modulation
- Special emphasis on pronunciation
- Business etiquette and grooming
- Soft skills


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A dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin. Set at the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past, it explores a world in which every human appetite, no matter how noble or depraved, can be indulged.
MediaView all media
ReviewView all reviews
Creator:Lisa Joy, Jonathan Nolan
Fist Air Date:2016-10-02
Episode Runtime:60m
Production Companies:Warner Bros. Television, Jerry Weintraub Productions
Genres:Science Fiction Western
Season 1
10 Episodes
Air Date: 2016-10-02
Season 2
1 Episodes
Air Date: 2018-04-22


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[email protected] customers may purchase products with major credit card or PayPal.
[email protected] accepts major credit cards and/or debit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and JCB. Simply fill your shopping cart with your products of choice, click checkout, and provide your credit card information as requested. The credit card that you specify will be charged when the order is shipped
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To make a purchase using PayPal® as your payment option, simply use the standard [email protected] checkout, select PayPal® as your payment option when prompted, and you will be given the option to use an existing PayPal® account if you already have one or to create a new PayPal® account if you do not yet have one.


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Mudfish and a Bear Called 'Hoss
Posted 22nd August 2010 at 06:46 PM by Sam@Cult Labs
Year: 1970
AKA: Grizzly at the Wheel / Keep on Truckin' Grizzly Bear!
Mudfish McCollins - Good ol' boy, interstate arm wrestling champion, roadhouse Casanova - is a trucker with a difference. He's got 1200 lbs of North American Grizzly sitting in his cab. Meet 'Hoss ("Barnard" - Grizzly Makes a Bet / Grizzly Makes a Deal / Grizzly Saves Christmas) a bad tempered bear with a heart of gold.
Together they cruise the Southern states, entering arm wrestling contests, delivering the sometimes illegal goods and staying one step ahead of the law, particularly Sheriff Harrington, a small town law man with a big chip on his shoulder.
When a shipment of dolls turns out to contain illegal Cuban cigars, Mudfish and his furry companion find themselves in deep stew. They've got the State Troopers, the National Guard and that weasel Harrington burning rubber trying to catch them.
Their only hope is ride through the night and reach Piston County, a little patch of Kentucky where Truckers run the town and the law of the road rules supreme. The Mayor of Piston is Old Jake (Clem Caboose - The Poisoned Moustache / The Cranberry Plot / Tarzan of the Third Reich) and if Mudfish and 'Hoss can get to him in time, the law won't be able to touch them.
And so begins a rootin' tootin' hell ride across state lines, as Mudfish puts pedal to the metal, sending Motorcycle Police careening off cliffs, Helicopters into the sides of mountains (or more accurately and conviently, behind some trees, seconds before the explosion...) and Sheriff Harrington's cruiser crashing into a series of road side signage, chicken coops and fruit and veg stands.
Along the way, Mudfish and 'Hoss draw the ire of the Black Emeralds, a low down mob of dirty Biker scum who chase them across three states after 'Hoss sends their parked Hogs tumbling to the Asphalt like chrome Dominos.
Another highlight is the Arm Wrestling scene, in which 'Hoss accidentily tears a bartenders limb from it's socket, sending it through the front window. This triggers a bar brawl which has entered the Guiness Book of Records as the longest ever filmed. It's a drunken bust-up of such epic proportions that director Hal Manciano had to call in a favour from an old friend at the Texas State Penitentiary. So many prisoners escaped during the shoot that the real National Guard had to be called in.
Clem Caboose - Selected Filmography
1946 Stick 'Em Up... Your Majesty!
1946 Crawdaddy Cop
1947 Abbot & Costello Meet the Cretins
1948 Baloon Ride to Laramie
1949 Hollywood Regicide
1950 The Whispering Werewolf
1951 The Goodtime Gals Get Gotten
1953 Zorro Unfettered
1954 Hercules and the Leper
1955 Hercules and the Undead Concubines
1956 Hercules Goes Bananas
1957 Tarzan of the Third Reich
1958 Dead Men Can't Walk
1960 Ugly Jake and the Naked Indians
1961 Secrets of the Suburban Love Hotels
1962 Teenage Wigwam
1963 Two-Wheel Frankenstien
1965 Boy Slaves of Neptune
1967 Blood on the Paisley
1970 The Poisoned Moustache
1974 The Cranberry Plot
1978 My Boss, The Monkey
1985 Mudfish & a Bear Called 'Hoss
Posted in UncategorizedViews 2603 Comments 4
Total Comments 4
Posted 23rd August 2010 at 12:49 AM by pedromonkey
Posted 23rd August 2010 at 06:51 PM by Sam@Cult Labs
Posted 28th August 2010 at 09:53 AM by Stephen@Cult Labs
Posted 29th August 2010 at 02:32 PM by pedromonkey
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Advocates push to bring prisoners home
by Emily Harris, Californians United for a Responsible Budget
Sacramento – Yesterday's ultimatum by the three-judge panel puts Gov. Brown and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on notice to present a plan for further reductions in the state's unconstitutionally crowded prisons within the next three weeks.
"The propaganda that Gov. Brown and Secretary Beard have been feeding Californians didn't cut the mustard with the court," said Misty Rojo, program coordinator for the California Coalition for Women Prisoners. "Conditions inside continue to be terrible, and in women's prisons the situation is getting worse."
Advocates who have criticized the governor's criminal justice realignment plan as inadequate were quick to praise the court decision.
"Realignment itself, no matter how it was implemented, was never going to produce an adequate reduction in the prison population," said Diana Zuñiga, field organizer for Californians United for a Responsible Budget. "It has been clear for years that a serious solution to the prison crisis would require serious sentencing reforms and changes to parole and compassionate release policies."
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Households must have a minimum monthly income of two times the rent. Households must earn no more than the gross monthly income listed below: Applications and more info available on DAHLIA San Francisco Housing Portal: housing.sfgov.org
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Income and other restrictions apply. Section 8 welcome. Equal Housing Opportunity.
The court ordered the CDCR and governor to "identify prisoners unlikely to re-offend" and reduce the population by 9,000 before the end of the year. The court threatened the governor and other state officials with contempt of court if they fail to comply. Groups led by those who are members of Californians United for a Responsible Budget have worked for years to convince Sacramento to institute common sense changes already in place successfully in other states, including:
- Expand medical parole, discharge prisoners who are permanently medically incapacitated
- Use compassionate release for the terminally ill
- Create parole eligibility for elderly prisoners
- Expand use of the alternative custody program
- Parole eligible term-to-life prisoners
- Reform drug sentencing laws
- Restore conduct credits for those in SHU and expand credits for others.
"This is a historic opportunity for the governor," said Debbie Reyes of the California Prison Moratorium Project.
"Gov. Brown put California on the disastrous road to mass incarceration during his second term in the 1980s. During his current term, he can begin the process of turning California away from a prison-first mindset. The sorts of real changes the court demands will require changes to California's dysfunctional sentencing laws. Those changes should, as the court suggests, be applied both prospectively and retrospectively."
"Will Gov. Brown and Secretary Beard continue to dig in their heels to defend an indefensible prison system? Or will they demonstrate that they have the courage, vision and leadership we need to make meaningful changes to our super-sized prison system?" asked Zuñiga.
CURB's message to advocates: This is one of those game-changing moments
Late yesterday, the three-judge panel overseeing the California prison population cap issued a stinging rebuke to Jerry Brown's foot dragging and showmanship. They didn't buy his claim that everything is just fine in California and instead made their most pro-active ruling yet.
In effect, the judges said:
- Stop playing games.
- Create a list of true prison population reduction strategies,
- Do it within 21 days.
This is a huge opportunity – but the administration is going to fight back as hard as ever. It's an all-hands-on-deck moment: and the most important thing we need to do today is win the media cycle.
Jerry Brown and the rest of the obstructionists aren't going to spin this just as a policy issue. They're going to try to scare Californians to death about the fact that people will actually have a chance to come home.
It might be subtle and it might be scandalous, but you can bet your bottom dollar that they are going to try to mobilize fear against the long-overdue reforms we all want.
Please click here now and send a letter to the editor to a paper near you showing our support for the court's new, more aggressive stance – and for bringing people back to our families and communities.
The court set a tight 21-day timeline for the administration to present a new plan to come into compliance with their order. We're ready to push the policies we know will work – and there's no question we're going to need everyone's help backing those up.
But first thing first. We absolutely have to control the story on this one. Help us send 100 letters to media outlets up and down the state right now – and make sure our side of the story is told.
Let's do this!
Emily Harris, who heads Californians United for a Responsible Budget, can be reached at email@example.com.


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Three long years after its CES 2017 reveal, and two years after its beta debuted on PCs, Nvidia's GeForce Now game-streaming service is finally launching on PCs Tuesday. The wait was worth it. GeForce Now obliterates Google Stadia's value proposition in every way, from game selection to pricing. It's available in both free and paid forms, with a "Founders" premium tier costing just $5 per month.
While Google Stadia will eventually offer a "free" tier, it's currently available only if you plunk down $129 for Stadia Founders Edition, then pay $10 per month for a Stadia Pro subscription. That Pro subscription gives you access to Destiny 2 and a couple of other games, but you'll need to pay full price to stream any other titles in Stadia's paltry library. Even if you own a game on another service, you can't bring it over to Stadia. It's like a locked-down console in the cloud.
GeForce Now, on the other hand, is essentially a powerful gaming PC on Nvidia's servers that you can play anywhere.
How GeForce Now works
Nvidia's service doesn't sell you any games. Instead, GeForce Now taps into your existing game libraries from Steam, Uplay, the Epic Games Store, and the like, letting you play games you already own anywhere you want by signing into the service you own it on. That means the free tier can be truly free, unlike Stadia's eventual "free" version. Nvidia's service supports numerous popular free-to-play PC games like Fortnite, League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, Apex Legends, Warframe, Path of Exile, and the free Destiny 2 base game—the crown jewel of Stadia's launch lineup.
GeForce Now officially supports around 400 games, which you can find via the service's search bar. That tally includes most of the more popular titles being played today, and Nvidia says it adds four or five new games every week or so. PUBG, Witcher 3, Skyrim, Borderlands 3, Dishonored 2, XCOM 2, and many, many more triple-A games work with GeForce Now, as do indie gems like Battletech, Stardew Valley, and Disco Elysium.
Supported games install almost instantly, appearing in your GeForce Now library bar, and launch just as quickly after that. Your save data persists between sessions with supported games, and they play nice with cloud saves when available, so you can hop between Doom on your proper gaming PC and Doom on GeForce Now on your laptop seamlessly. Nvidia keeps supported games updated with no effort on your end.
GeForce Now can also work with about 1,000 more "single-session" games. These haven't been officially optimized for the service yet, and they aren't permanently stored on Nvidia's servers, so you'll need to download and install them every time you want to play one. Fortunately, Nvidia's blazing-fast servers download games in the blink of an eye. Here's how Nvidia's Jordan Dodge describes single-session games:
"The single session installs are games that you can play after launching Steam, but ones that we haven't had a chance to on-board yet (typically older games that you already own). The way it works is you log in to GeForce Now, and search for/click Steam as the "game" you want to play. Once connected, you can go into your Library and can try installing those games. These installs don't persist from session-to-session (hence calling them single-session installs) but if the game supports cloud saves, you will be able to pick up where you left off during your next session."
There's bound to be some games you can't run on GeForce Now, but between the supported and single-session games, there's a huge chunk available.
How GeForce Now runs
Nvidia offers GeForce Now clients for PC, Mac, Android phones, and Android TVs (including its own excellent Nvidia Shield console). Soon, it'll launch a WebRTC-based client so you can bring the power of PC gaming to Chromebooks, too. Apple's mobile devices aren't supported, however, with Nvidia representatives simply saying "ask Apple," when I asked if iPhone or iPad support is in the works.
The games look incredible, as we noted in our impressions of the GeForce Now beta. Nvidia optimizes GeForce Now games to run well at 60 frames per second at 1080p resolution. (Unlike Stadia, there's no 4K resolution support.)
The service offers a variety of streaming quality presets. Balanced uses 10GB of data per hour and offers the best blend of image quality and responsiveness. Data saver only uses 4GB per hour, which requires some compromises, but still promises "good image quality and gameplay." Competitive uses 6GB and focuses purely on lowering latency, sacrificing visual quality for responsiveness when it needs to. You can also custom-configure your streaming settings, adjusting resolution, bitrate, V-Sync, and whether you want to stream at 60 fps or 30 fps.
Nvidia ensures you're running the company's latest and greatest Game Ready drivers, too.
GeForce Now played games like a champ in beta, assuming you met the modest system requirements, but will Nvidia be able to keep up once the floodgates open at the service's proper launch? That's the real question. Nvidia says that once you're up and running in a game, the quality should stay consistent, but if the servers are full, you may need to wait for a few minutes before you're able to boot into your gaming PC in the cloud.
That's where GeForce Now's subscription tiers come in.
GeForce Now: Free vs. Founders subscriptions
The beta version of GeForce Now was free throughout its lifetime, and the full launch continues that tradition. GeForce Now beta testers will automatically get converted to the free plan. Free users get standard access to Nvidia's servers, and their play sessions end after an hour. You can hop back in immediately after—there is no limit to how many sessions free users get—but you can't just play games endlessly without interruption. That should help keep the queue for the service moving smoothly.
Mentioned in this article
GeForce RTX 2060 KO
The GeForce Now "Founders" tier lets you play for up to six straight hours, as often as you want, with priority queue access that should get you into your games immediately. GeForce Now Founders can also enable real-time ray tracing in games that support it, so if you can't afford a $300 EVGA GeForce RTX 2060 KO, you can subscribe to Nvidia's streaming service for cheap and try out the cutting-edge lighting technology for yourself. Not all ray-traced games are officially supported—Control, Battlefield V, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider are noticeable no-shows—but Metro Exodus is there with Wolfenstein Youngblood and Deliver Us to the Moon, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is available in single-session mode. (Metro Exodus is the one to try if you're just interested in ray tracing's eye candy.)
Nvidia's going for Stadia's jugular with pricing, too. The GeForce Now Founders edition only costs $4.99 per month for 12 months, and you'll get a free 90-day introductory period before your subscription timer kicks in. The pricing will increase sometime later, Nvidia says, so give the introductory period a try now and lock in the cost if you're interested.
So to sum it up: Nvidia's GeForce Now launches in full today, giving you the power of a full kick-ass gaming PC on almost any Internet-connected device. It's a lot cheaper than Google Stadia, plays vastly more games than Google Stadia, runs cutting-edge ray tracing effects that Stadia doesn't, and even offers no-cost access to Destiny 2, the big draw of Google's pricey Stadia Pro subscription. What's not to like?
We'll see how Nvidia's servers hold up once the grubby gaming hordes descend upon them, but on paper, GeForce Now looks like the cloud gaming service we've been waiting for—the opposite of Google Stadia's stunning disappointment.


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- Store Category List
- >
- 5 1/2" Yu Ping (Ruby Red Galleria)
- >
- Touchdown!/Basic Tee
Touchdown!/Basic Tee
per item
1 available
- One Tee shirt as shown in first picture
- Cupcake print shirt shown on my doll in second picture is to modelfit only.
Fits 6" Nikki Britt BJD Jinny/Ellemenno/Ellabella/UNISEX as well as 5 1/2" Ruby Red Galleria Yu Ping
All seams are serged, zig zagged or otherwise professionally finished.
Top is unlined and closes in the back with sewn in snaps.
I create all of my doll clothes in my smoke-free and pet-free home sewing studio. My doll, shoes, socks and other props and accessories shown are not included unless noted.
Please note:
In the interest of safety, my doll clothes and accessories
are intended for the adult collector!


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2019 Lexus GX 460 Luxury SUV Colors, Release Date, Redesign, Price – In the mid-size luxury crossover class, it will likely be difficult to get greater off-road SUV than 2019 Lexus GX 460 Luxury SUV. Filled with the greatest features premium section of Toyota, the GX is producing its way by way of this section. For the after that period, it will probably be better still. Three toned ranges are the selection for 2019, with Luxury possessing far more features than other two.
Changes on the 2019 Lexus GX 460 Luxury SUV would include a couple of new information on the exterior and update of systems inside the car. The company will boost safety and comfort to new amounts. Specs are not receiving any boost and hybrid model might be the delight.
2019 Lexus GX 460 Luxury SUV Engine
Beneath the bonnet of 2019, Lexus GX 460 lays a V-8 unit. More than 300 horses are popping out of this 4.6-liter displacement. Moreover, the engine provides 330 lb-ft of torque by way of a full-time 4WD. It improves traction and stability, which drivers enjoy in off-road problems. Two-speed move circumstance and a six-pace auto transmission option the power to rims.
The 2019 Lexus GX 460 Luxury SUV is gonna have its disadvantages also. One of them is gas usage. Thanks to the potent AWD, the engine is eating a good deal of gasoline. With 15 mpg for city drive, we hesitation customers trying to find inexpensive crossover will think about the GX 460. On the contrary, that is the charge of the remarkable off-road capabilities and towing capacity. You can haul watercraft, cars, or another subject less than 6,500 kilos.
2019 Lexus GX 460 Luxury SUV Review
It is challenging to visualize hybrid vehicle giving a great deal of power. But, the 2019 Lexus GX 460 Luxury SUV will need to have a bigger appearance. Fuel economy is one of the definitive specifics. A hybrid could boost the probabilities of the vehicle, and the expense will be much less power, towing capacity, and torque. Also, the company has to decide what to set up below the bonnet of 2019 GX 460, as it is challenging to merge 4.-l mill by having an electric motor.
The 2019 Lexus GX 460 Luxury SUV will receive an additional space under the body. Soil clearance provides an ". Exceptional off-road crossover is being much better. Also, you will find a number of other new information on the body. Spy shots are not available nevertheless, which implies the SUV is not emerging so shortly. At the exact same time, Lexus is establishing new models. The GX could reveal a few things in normal with UX and NX, that can initially see the new editions.
Lexus has other main concerns. The GX 460 mid-size crossover is not will be the initially 2019 model to show up. Alternatively, the company can save it for the commencing of the following period. Then, we will have the total offer you of the 2019 Lexus GX 460 Luxury SUV. The commencing price is still extremely high. Following access-stage model, consumers can decide among Premium and Luxury editions. Each of these is hauling a whole lot of exclusive features and changes, so everyone is able to discover the proper settings. We nevertheless anticipate information about a hybrid model. This one will surely show up the most recent.
2019 Lexus GX 460 Luxury SUV Colors
- Black Onyx
- Claret Mica
- Hearth Agate Pearl
- Nebula Grey Pearl
- Dusk Mica
- Silver Liner Metallic
- Starfire Pearl


text: Kaplan's selection of big book sets provides informative lessons for storytime reading. The colorful illustrations will help students develop their listening comprehension skills as they gather around the reading rug. From captivating stories of adventure to classic tales of animals and humans alike, you'll find the books you need to mesmerize the whole classroom. Infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children will enjoy the interactive, award-winning books that spur creativity and invite dramatic play.


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Helen Adamopoulos: First, get into a comfortable position. Keep your spine erect, but don't get tense. Close your eyes. Now breathe. Concentrate on the air filling your lungs.
If your mind wanders, note the thought (with a label such as "last night's dinner") and then return your focus to your breathing.
That is how to practice basic mindfulness, a meditation technique that can help people cope with conditions including depression, anxiety and chronic pain, according to Chicago social worker Georgia Jones.
She teaches clinicians the fundamentals of mindfulness and its relevance to psychotherapy and covered the basics at a lecture Wednesday at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital.
Jones works for the Community Counseling Centers of Chicago and also has a private practice. She said she practices mindfulness meditation herself. She saw the lecture at the hospital as a good opportunity to spread the word about how it relates to psychotherapy.
"I've always been interested in how those two practices intersect and inform each other," Jones said.
She defines mindfulness as "being where you are in the moment." She said people are generally happier when they keep their minds on what they are currently doing instead of letting their thoughts wander.
Mindfulness has several components, aside from living in the moment, she said. One involves people who practice mindfulness creating a slight distance between themselves and the situation they are currently in by observing their thoughts and feelings.
"It gives you a little bit of space, a little bit of time," she said. "The mindfulness allows that break in the automatic reactivity."
This aspect of mindfulness can help people end negative behavior patterns.
Another key part of mindfulness is acceptance. Practitioners must approach their thoughts with a kind, compassionate and open attitude. They need to simply accept negative emotions and thoughts without seeking to change them, Jones said.
As an example of how that can help people in therapy, she described a client she saw on Tuesday night. The client had recently gone through a break-up and was anxious about being alone. She didn't think she could live without her former significant other.
To calm the anxious woman down, Jones said she asked her to focus on the immediate moment: the state of her body, her feelings and her thoughts. This exercise in mindfulness made the client realize she was getting along just fine at that moment on her own.
"She could experience for herself that she could survive without that person," Jones said.
Mindfulness also helps people cope with common annoyances, such as getting stuck in traffic, she said. Instead of trying to avoid those experiences, people should accept them as unavoidable and work to control how they react to these events.
"You can allow that experience to destroy you, or you can learn from that experience," she said.
People suffering from depression can also benefit from mindfulness. Jones described another client who hated his job. He spent most of his time at work thinking about how he didn't want to be there. Jones encouraged him to practice mindfulness while he worked, and he discovered that he actually enjoyed some aspects of the job, such as riding around in a van.
"He was able to experience a few moments of not being depressed on the job," Jones said.
However, she noted that mindfulness may have drawbacks for some clients. Those recovering from traumatic physical experiences might have memories or flashbacks surface when they try to focus on their breathing. She said these individuals might benefit from concentrating on something outside their body, such as tactile sensations.
Jen Rude, a youth outreach minister who attended the lecture, said she intended on incorporating mindfulness into her work at The Night Ministry, a non-profit organization that offers supportive services to homeless and at-risk people in Chicago.
"I felt like there were some really practical ideas that you could use right away," she said.
She said she intended on teaching the young adults she works with to concentrate on their breathing and note their feelings.
Tom Delegatto, hospital director of business development, said the psychiatric facility decided to address mindfulness because clinicians can use it to stay centered themselves as well as using it in therapy.
The lecture was part of the hospital's Lunch-n-Learn series, which allows clinicians to learn more about behavioral health issues and earn continuing education units. For information about future programs, visit www.chicagolakeshorehospital.com/events.


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President Pranab Mukherjee conferred with highest civilan award of Ivory Coast.
He has been awarded the highest civilian award of Ivory Coast, 'the National Grand Crois'.
The award was bestowed upon Pranab Mukherjee during his two days visit to Ivory Coast on the second leg of his three-nation African tour.
His visit is the first ever high-level visit from India to Ivory Coast.
He was invited by Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara.
Union Cabinet approves merger of subsidiaries of SBI into State Bank Group.
This is the first move to consolidate the country's struggling public sector banks.
The merged entity will create a banking giant, which can compete with the largest in the world with an asset base of almost Rs 37 lakh crore, with 22,500 branches and 58,000 ATMs as on December 2015.
Banks to be merged with SBI are : State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Travancore- and Bharatiya Mahila Bank Ltd
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SBI alone has close to 16,500 branches, including 198 foreign offices spread across 36 countries.
India to provide financial assistance of Rs. 48 mn for college building in Nepal.
India has pledged a financial assistance of Rs 48.84 million to Nepal for the construction of a college building in the capital Kathmandu.
This Koteshwor Multiple Campus was established in 1990.
Jal marg Vikas Project on river Ganga to enable commercial navigation.
It will cover a distane of around 1620 Kms between Allahabad and Haldia.
The project is being implemented with technical and investment support from World Bank and would be completed over a period of six years at an estimated cost of 4200 crore rupees.
Union Govt launched Scheme for 1000 MW CTU connected Wind Power Project
CTU stands for "Central Transmission Utility".
Objective : To facilitate the supply of wind power to the non-windy states at a price discovered through the transparent bidding process.
An agreement signed by Railway ministry with Odisha Govt for railway infrastucture development.
A K Mittal, member engineering, Railway board presided over the signing function.
The agreement was signed by V. P Dudeja, ED/Works on behalf of Ministry of Railways and Sanjay Rastogi, Pr. Secretary/ Transport, Govt. of Odisha.
Haryana Govt gaves it approval for an agriculture project worth Rs. 25 Crore
The project will benefit around 75000 farmners in state.
The decision has been taken by the state level steering committee, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary D S Dhesi.
Aadhar enables ATM launched by DCB Bank in Bengaluru
It is first such ATM that accept Aadhar number and Aadhar fingerprint (biometric) instead of ATM/Debit Card and PIN to dispense cash.
The "cardless and PIN less" ATM was launched by former Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India, Nandan Nilekani.
Florida Bank issues first US credit card for use in Cuba
Until now, Americans have generally had to bring cash to Cuba and change it either at state institutions that impose a 10 percent penalty on the dollar or in informal exchanges with locals.
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But now, with the help of this card, no one has to use cash every day, which is dangerous too.
DBS Bank India appointed Niraj Mittal as MD and Head of institutional Banking for the country
Prior to this appointment, he was working with the Royal Bank of Scotland NV (RBS), where he served as its Managing Director and Head of institutional banking business (North India).
Peter Thomson elected as President of 71st session of UN General Assembly
In the secret ballot election for the post, Peter Thomson defeated Andreas Mavroyiannis of Cyprus by 94 to 90 votes, with one abstention.
With this, Peter Thomson becomes the first representative from the Pacific island states to get elected for the largely honorific post in the UN's 71-year history.
Gunit Chadha quit Deusche Bank as Asia Chief Executive.
He would leave the company on 17th of July next month.
At present, he is handling 16 countries which include, India, China in Asia Pacific.
Renowned hindi writer Mudrarakshasa passed away. He was 82
He was the editor of Anuvrata, a Calcutta-based magazine.
He worked as Editor at All India Radio from 1962 to 1976.
India all set to make debut in U17 Fustal World Cup
The competition, among futsal's biggest global events, is to be held from July 11-20 in Paraguay, with India one among a total of 12 competing countries.
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The team which will take part in U17 Futsal World Cup will be chosen through a selection process which will be organised by Futsal Association of India (FAI) which is the AMF-accredited governing body for futsal in the country.


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Feb 25 2009
The Magic Is Wearing Off President Obama
I missed the speech last night. I could not stomach listening to someone promise everything in the world as if he had a magic wand. It is not so much the wild, fantasy promises – but the fact Americans are buying them that really turns me off.
Anyway, I am not sure how well this is all going over. I don't believe in the tooth fairy and I know that all those TV shows and movies where they pull a hat out of a rabbit is not real life. And I think (though I cannot know for sure) most people are realistic enough to know when they are being snowed.
Polls are starting to show more degradation in Obama's support – which is now on par with George W Bush. Obama is not instilling confidence. In fact, America is more and more bleak on our future as a result of the liberal democrats run amok:
A new national poll indicates that nearly three out of four Americans are scared about the way things are going in the country today.
Seventy-three percent of those questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Monday say they're very or somewhat scared about the way things are going in the United States. That's six points higher than in an October poll.
It seems they have lost HOPE with all this radical and reckless CHANGE we have seen. And there is a backlash rising:
Bailouts, bailouts everywhere, and not an end in sight.
So what do Americans think about all these bailout requests?
Given the choice between federal bailouts for the auto companies, the finance industry and financially trouble homeowners or no bailouts for any of them, 54% say no bailouts period.
Just 26% support bailouts for all three, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty percent (20%) aren't sure which course is better to follow.
The problem is DC is not bailing out those who kept their nose clean, their expectations reasonable and their greed in check. They are bailing out the fat cats, not America. The Santelli revolution is still building steam. And in modern day politics, where it takes years to see a shift in attitude (or a calamitous event), we are seeing a surprising fast slide in support for Obama:
For the first time since Gallup began tracking Barack Obama's presidential job approval rating on Jan. 21, fewer than 60% of Americans approve of the job he is doing as president.Â
This may be nothing, but to be not even 100 days in and seeing the country upset with the direction of the country and starting to lose support of all that HOPE and CHANGE is impressively bad. That 10% point drop means 14% of his supporters bailed on him already. If he has a similar month going forward he will be down below 50% with nearly a 3rd of his supporters gone. It could be nothing, and it could be a real disaster in confidence coming.
Obama will get a delay in the bottom dropping out because of the denial factor – the refusal of Americans who supported him to admit they were wrong. But as the economy continues to slump (it doesn't have to get worse, just not get any better) the patience will wear out and that denial will turn to righteous anger.
It will be an interesting 4th of July around DC.
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Built like an alpine chateau, with two graduated levels to offer an unimpeded view for every patron, the main restaurant at The Edgewood Tahoe boasts tables which look directly out across the lake, with the unparalleled view framed by sweeping wooden archways and vaulted ceilings. Diners have only a few dozen feet of white sand between their tables and the lake water. Executive Chef Frank Stagnaro is the artist behind this top notch restaurant which is conveniently located in the heart of South Lake Tahoe.
Appetizers like the Seared Diver Scallops in a lobster sauce and the Tian of Marinated Ahi push diners in exciting new directions, while everyday specials make resourceful use of local produce and seafood. Dishes like fresh Cypress Island Salmon with sweet dungeness crab or Fresh Ahi Tuna with wasabi crème illustrate the restaurant's range.
The property is most known for its golf course, anniversaries and private parties and hosts conferences and events as well. Edgewood Tahoe has a long tradition of being the premier special event venue in the area as well, which our host noted on a couple of occasions.
Since our trip was finalized last minute, we ended up dining here for lunch, rather than dinner, and opted for the Brooks Bar & Deck, which given that it is adjacent to the main restaurant, it also has stunning views, whether you sit inside or out.
The outside patio at Brook's Bar & Deck is the place to be at if the weather cooperates, which it did during our visit. It was beautiful and sunny with crisp blue skies, which couldn't have been a more perfect day to lounge outside for a long lunch, especially given the fabulous views from all sides. Ahhh, bliss!
The luncheons are simple but delicious and range from delicious salads and sandwiches to pastas and burgers. The chicken skewers are to die for! And, as you can see, the portions are quite generous!
One other things to note is that you can rent a private luxury home on-site. "Twin Pines" is a 4,000 square foot, luxury lakefront home with it's own 180 yards of private beach and a private pier and features an expansive back yard lawn and a shaded terrace for warm lazy afternoons.
For those that need to stay connected, high-speed wireless internet is available throughout the property. The main house has three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and two wood burning fireplaces.
Designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan, this classic 2 1/2 acre Lake Tahoe estate is great for company retreats or families in need of a deluxe escape, Twin Pines is a dream come true for any visitor to South Lake Tahoe. We do not allow weddings or other large events at this property. Twin Pines is located on the south shore of Lake Tahoe, just behind the casinos at the state line and adjacent to the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.
Note: We were hosted by the local tourism board and restaurant, but all opinions expressed here are entirely our own.


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Drop in April's private homes resale price
Private homes resale prices tumbled 0.1 per cent month-on-month in April, with small units seeing a 0.4 per cent price increase. This according to figures in the Singapore Residential Price Index (SPRI), released by the National University of Singapore's Institute of Real Estate Studies. Other figures showed a 0.1 per cent fall in prices of central residential properties excluding small units; prices remained the same as the previous month for non-central residential properties excluding small units.
Vacant homes attributed to increasing launches and declining prices
The residential vacancy rate in Singapore will likely soar in 2016, up to 9.8 per cent, when almost 21,000 new private residential units will be released. Barclays projects that new home completions will increase to 20,900 by the end of next year, more than the 19,900 units to be completed this year. More public housing is also slated to be completed in the coming quarters, putting further pressure on occupancy rates. Private home rents are now five per cent below the peak in Q2 2013. Barclays noted that prices tend to dip substantially when the vacancy rate surpasses eight per cent.
On the executive condominiums (EC) front, a startling 2,446 units are unoccupied, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) first-quarter report. This consists of EC units that have yet to be sold and those bought but left vacant. Almost 50 per cent of EC buyers are HDB homeowners seeking a home upgrade. Declining HDB resale prices have hindered the sale of their HDB flats. This has ultimately prolonged the period their newly bought ECs sit vacant. Under HDB rules, upgraders have six months to sell their existing flats upon key collection of their EC units. In the first three months of this year, 29 extension requests to HDB have been made. The total was 56 last year. Apart from HDB homeowners, vacant EC units are also likely to belong to investors who have no intention to move in.
2,000 applications for 156 five-room units in Clementi for recent BTO exercise
The number of applicants for five-room units in a Clementi Build-To-Order (BTO) project, Clementi Crest, reached 2,000 as of 5pm on 2 June. On average, that is about 13 applicants for each five-room unit. Four-room flats in Clementi Crest were equally popular, drawing nearly 1,900 applications for 229 units. The flats at Clementi have emerged a frontrunner in the recent Housing and Development Board's (HDB) round of flat sales. This is despite its premium price tag, almost S$200,000 more than the other five-room units on sale under the current BTO exercise. A five-room HDB flat at Clementi Crest is priced at S$576,000 to S$725,000.
The demand for Clementi has been associated with its lack of new flats and prime location, as it is also near to an MRT station and the town centre. Its neighbouring estate, Jurong East, also promises a new regional centre and HSR (High-Speed Rail), which has created a ripple effect to estates nearby. The Sembawang project was the next most popular, with about four applications for each four-room unit, followed by Tampines with three applications for each four-room unit, and lastly Punggol Northshore with two applications for each four-room unit.
Jurong West EC sells 120 units on first day
A quarter of the 480 units were sold in the newest executive condominium (EC) project on the first day of booking. 120 units at Westwood Residences, located at Jurong West, were snapped up by buyers by 7pm on 30 May. Prior to the booking date 500 booking applications were made. Prices for the EC project range from S$620,000 for a two-bedroom unit to S$1.1 million for a five-bedroom unit. Developers confirmed that this averages about S$783 per square foot, slightly less than the given price of S$800 per square foot. Westwood Residences is also the first EC to be altered by resale levy rules. EC buyers who have formerly bought HDB flats or ECs are also affected by the new changes.
Savills report: slow supply growth expected to pick up
Singapore's rental market picked up 3.1 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) and 13.5 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in Q1 2015; 15,229 leasing transactions were recorded. Homes in the core central region (CCR) and the rest of the central region (RCR) enjoyed an increase of 4.6 per cent and 5.6 per cent respectively, while those in the outside central region (OCR) faced a 0.9 per cent decline. Demand for the OCR is still strong as YoY growth was 19.1 per cent. This comes despite the saturated employment market and sluggish economic growth.
In terms of rent, the URA rental index recorded a 1.8 per cent decline in non-landed private residential properties. The decline is reflected in all regions, with the CCR leading with a 1.9 per cent QoQ decrease, closely followed by the OCR (1.8 per cent) and the RCR (1.6 per cent). Likewise, Savills observed that rents for high-end non-landed residential properties have dropped by 1.5 per cent QoQ. Additionally, Savills noted that individual landlords, unlike institutional or corporate landlords, are ready to adjust their rental expectations to guarantee a tenant.
With larger projects receiving Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP), the leasing market in the CCR is seeing more competition. High profile projects include OUE Twin Peaks, RV Residences and Stellar RV, which contribute an additional 830 units to the existing stock. With a further shortening of rental budgets, expatriates are now turning to seek rentals in non-CCR areas. Vacancy rates of private homes prove a huge opportunity cost with a stagnant number of about 22,346 residential units.
First freehold property up for collective sale
Fairhaven, located at Sophia Road in District 9, is up for collective sale by public tender. Over 80 per cent of the owners provided consent to the sale of the 15-unit residential development. The owners are looking at offers above S$45 million for the freehold development that comes with an approximate land area of 16,660 square feet. Taking the ten per cent bonus balcony into account, this would translate to about S$1,169 per square foot per plot ratio. Jones Lang Lasalle's (JLL) National Director of Capital Markets, Ms Yong Choon Fah, suggested for potential buyers to consider constructing smaller apartments. This is to capitalise on the site's central area location, where residential units are not restricted by new minimum size guidelines imposed by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Fairhaven is the first development site to be put up for sale in the vicinity since URA released a Mount Sophia site in 2013 that drew a fair number of bids. Ms Yong expects the site to attract owner-occupiers, investors and families with school-going children.
Fairhaven's proximity to educational clusters and the Dhoby Ghaut interchange station are further selling points. Public tender for Fairhaven closes on 1 July 2015 at 3pm.