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UBS news
UBS's second-quarter 2014 result
Quarterly report
* This version of the document has been amended to omit information included in error.
UBS second-quarter profit before tax CHF 1.2 billion
Net profit attributable to UBS shareholders CHF 792 million; diluted EPS CHF 0.21
Wealth Management net new money CHF 10.7 billion
Fully applied Basel III CET1 ratio at 13.5%
Fully applied Swiss SRB leverage ratio at 4.2%
Resolution of German cross-border tax matter with Bochum authorities
Zurich/Basel, 29 July 2014 – All UBS's business divisions and regions delivered strong second-quarter operating performances enabling the firm to achieve an adjusted1 profit before tax of CHF 1.2 billion despite muted client activity. On a reported basis, profit before tax was also CHF 1.2 billion. The firm continued to build its industry-leading capital position with its fully applied Basel III common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio increasing to 13.5%. The bank's fully applied Swiss SRB leverage ratio increased to 4.2%, meeting its expected fully applied requirement four years early. Results in UBS's wealth management businesses, Retail & Corporate and Global Asset Management were affected by charges for provisions for litigation, regulatory and similar matters, which totaled CHF 254 million for the Group.
Excluding the abovementioned provisions, and considering market conditions, all business divisions delivered resilient performances. Excluding these provisions, Wealth Management achieved an adjusted¹ profit of CHF 684 million on stronger recurring income driven by its strategic initiatives to grow mandate sales and lending. The business attracted very strong net new money at CHF 10.7 billion. Wealth Management Americas delivered record revenues, and invested assets passed USD 1 trillion for the first time. Excluding provisions, Retail & Corporate delivered a performance on par with the strong prior quarter with solid net new business volume growth. Global Asset Management's net new money was again very strong at CHF 11.6 billion excluding money market flows. The Investment Bank delivered higher profits, with an adjusted1 return on attributed equity of 30%.
UBS overall demonstrated again that its strategy works in a variety of market conditions.
Resolution of German cross-border tax matter with Bochum authorities
UBS resolved its cross-border tax matter in Germany with the authorities in Bochum in July. The settlement, which includes a payment of approximately EUR 300 million, concludes the Bochum proceedings. The resolution of this matter is a significant step allowing UBS to move forward in this important market. As a result of significant efforts by the bank, over 95% of its German clients have either provided UBS with evidence of tax compliance or completed the voluntary compliance program. UBS continues to target 100% by year-end.
Group highlights
- Adjusted1 profit before tax CHF 1.2 billion
- Net profit attributable to UBS shareholders CHF 792 million; diluted earnings per share CHF 0.21
- Adjusted1 operating income CHF 7.0 billion
- Fully applied Basel III CET1 ratio at 13.5%
- Fully applied Swiss SRB Basel III leverage ratio at 4.2%, in line with expected 2019 fully applied requirement
Business division highlights
- Wealth Management's adjusted1 profit before tax CHF 393 million; net new money strong at CHF 10.7 billion; net new money growth rate at upper end of target range; gross margin on invested assets 84 basis points; adjusted1 cost / income ratio above target range
- Wealth Management Americas' adjusted1 profit before tax USD 246 million; net new money outflows USD 2.5 billion mainly due to client withdrawals associated with seasonal income tax payments; adjusted1 cost / income ratio and gross margin on invested assets maintained within target ranges
- Retail & Corporate's adjusted1 profit before tax CHF 367 million; continued strong net new business volume growth; net interest margin within target range
- Global Asset Management's adjusted1 profit before tax CHF 107 million; very strong net new money of CHF 11.6 billion excluding money market flows; annualized net new money growth rate, excluding money markets, well ahead of target
- Investment Bank achieved an increased adjusted1 profit before tax of CHF 563 million; fully applied RWA and funded assets within limits; adjusted1 cost / income ratio within target range; adjusted1 return on attributed equity 30%
External recognition of UBS's success included:
- Euromoney named UBS Best Global Bank, and Best Bank in Switzerland for the third year running
- UBS recognized as the largest wealth manager in the world for the second year running by Scorpio Partnership's influential Global Private Banking Benchmark²
- UBS's standing as a leading brokerage house and research provider again confirmed as it gained the top position in several categories in the annual pan-European Thomson Reuters Extel Survey, including Leading Pan-European Equity House for the eleventh consecutive year
- UBS won the international Contactless & Mobile Customer Experience award for its mobile banking authentication systems, and its mobile banking apps placed in the top three overall of 40 leading retail banks by MyPrivateBanking Research.
Commenting on UBS's second-quarter results, Group Chief Executive Officer Sergio P. Ermotti said, "We delivered strong underlying results in a market environment that remained challenging for our clients and the industry. We also continued to actively address litigation matters, reduce our non-core and legacy assets and execute on our strategic initiatives."
Group overview
For the second quarter of 2014, we reported a net profit attributable to shareholders of CHF 792 million and diluted earnings per share of CHF 0.21. We recorded an adjusted Group profit before tax of CHF 1.2 billion. The result included net charges of CHF 254 million related to provisions for litigation, regulatory and similar matters which affected the results of several businesses as well as Corporate Center. Despite this, and the muted client activity levels experienced in the quarter, we delivered a strong underlying performance that again demonstrated our discipline, client focus and the strength of our franchise.
We continued to build on our industry-leading capital position as we increased our fully applied Basel III common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio to 13.5%. Our fully applied total capital ratio was 18.1% at quarter-end, surpassing our expected 2019 regulatory requirement of around 17.5%. In May, we issued USD 2.5 billion of low-trigger, loss-absorbing, Basel III-compliant subordinated notes, bringing our total low-trigger tier 2 capital above the 2019 expected progressive buffer requirement of around CHF 9 billion. As a result, our fully applied Swiss SRB leverage ratio improved to 4.2%, in line with our expected fully applied requirement.
Wealth Management reported an adjusted1 profit before tax of CHF 393 million. The result included charges for provisions for litigation, regulatory and similar matters. Excluding these charges, and considering market conditions, Wealth Management's performance was resilient at CHF 684 million. Lombard lending, mandate sales and invested assets all rose, but were offset by lower transaction-based income on low volatility and volumes. The gross margin on invested assets was down 3 basis points to 84 basis points. The adjusted¹ cost / income ratio was above our current target range. Net new money remained very strong at CHF 10.7 billion and we achieved an annualized net new money growth rate at the upper end of our target range.
Wealth Management Americas reported an adjusted1 profit before tax of USD 246 million while delivering record revenues, and invested assets that exceeded USD 1 trillion for the first time. Operating income increased reflecting continued growth in managed account fees and higher net interest income. Operating expenses included charges of USD 44 million related to provisions for litigation, regulatory and similar matters. Net new money outflows of USD 2.5 billion were mainly due to client withdrawals associated with seasonal income tax payments. The business maintained both its adjusted1 cost / income ratio and its gross margin on invested assets within target ranges.
Retail & Corporate achieved an adjusted1 profit before tax of CHF 367 million. Excluding charges for provisions for litigation, regulatory and similar matters of CHF 48 million, the business delivered a performance on par with the strong prior quarter. Operating income increased mainly on higher net interest and transaction-based income, partly offset by net credit loss expenses. Net new business volume growth remained solid and was comfortably within the target range. The business's net interest margin was within the target range. Our investment in e-banking, mobile banking innovation and security continued to receive critical acclaim, as we won the international Contactless & Mobile Customer Experience award for our mobile banking authentication systems, and our mobile banking apps placed in the top three leading retail banks by MyPrivateBanking Research.
Global Asset Management's adjusted1 profit before tax was CHF 107 million. Operating income rose on higher net management fees, mainly in traditional investments and global real estate. This was more than offset by a CHF 33 million charge related to provisions for litigation, regulatory and similar matters, resulting in an adjusted1 cost / income ratio above the target range. The gross margin on invested assets was in line with the prior quarter and was slightly below the target range. Net new money, excluding money market flows, remained very strong at CHF 11.6 billion and included significant net inflows from both third parties and UBS's wealth management clients. The annualized net new money growth rate, excluding money markets, was well ahead of target.
The Investment Bank delivered on all its targets and recorded an increased adjusted1 profit before tax of CHF 563 million reflecting a strong performance from debt and equity capital markets. This was partly offset by lower revenues both in equities, and FX, rates and credit, mainly on lower client activity levels. Our expertise and focus on sustaining long-term client relationships and developing successful financing solutions is evident in the key roles we played in landmark deals in each region this quarter. At the same time as growing profits, the Investment Bank continued to operate within its limits for fully applied risk-weighted assets and funded assets. Cost control continued to be robust and the business's adjusted1 cost / income ratio decreased and remained within the target range. Adjusted1 return on attributed equity was 30%. Our standing as a leading brokerage house and research provider was again confirmed as we gained the top position in several categories in the annual pan-European Thomson Reuters Extel Survey, including Leading Pan-European Equity House for the eleventh consecutive year.
Corporate Center – Core Functions recorded a profit before tax of CHF 25 million, which included a release of provisions for litigation, regulatory and similar matters. The loss before tax in Corporate Center – Non-core and Legacy Portfolio was CHF 412 million. Operating income declined mainly due to a loss as we exited the majority of our correlation trading portfolio. Fully applied RWA decreased by CHF 8 billion to CHF 52 billion at the end of the quarter and balance sheet assets were CHF 6 billion lower. We expect to make further progress in exiting our Non-core and Legacy positions during the remainder of 2014.
Outlook – At the start of the third quarter of 2014, many of the underlying challenges and geopolitical issues that we have previously highlighted remain. The mixed outlook for global growth, the absence of sustained and credible improvements to unresolved issues in Europe, continuing US fiscal and monetary policy issues, increasing geopolitical instability and the seasonal decline in activity levels traditionally associated with the summer holiday season would make improvements in prevailing market conditions unlikely. Despite these ongoing challenges, we will continue to execute on our strategy in order to ensure the firm's long-term success and to deliver sustainable returns for our shareholders.
1 Unless otherwise indicated, second-quarter 2014 "adjusted" figures exclude each of the following items, to the extent applicable, on a Group and business division level: own credit gain of CHF 72 million, gains of CHF 1 million on sales of real estate, a gain of CHF 43 million from the partial sale of our investment, held as a financial investment available-for-sale, in the financial information services company Markit following its initial public offering and net restructuring charges of CHF 89 million. For the first quarter of 2014, the items we excluded were an own credit gain of CHF 88 million, gains of CHF 23 million on sales of real estate and net restructuring charges of CHF 204 million. 2 The Scorpio Partnership Private Banking Benchmark 2014 – banks with assets under management of over USD 1 trillion.
UBS's Second Quarter 2014 Report, letter to shareholders and slide presentation will be available from 06:45 CEST on Tuesday 29 July 2014 at www.ubs.com/investors.
UBS will hold a presentation of its second quarter 2014 results on Tuesday 29 July 2014. The results will be presented by Sergio P. Ermotti, Group Chief Executive Officer, Tom Naratil, Group Chief Financial Officer and Group Chief Operating Officer, Caroline Stewart, Global Head of Investor Relations, and Hubertus Kuelps, Group Head of Communications & Branding.
Audio webcast
The presentation can be followed live on www.ubs.com/quarterlyreporting with a simultaneous slide show.
An audio playback of the results presentation will be available from 12:00 CEST on 29 July 2014 at www.ubs.com/investors.
Investor contact
Switzerland: +41-44-234 41 00
Media contact
Switzerland: +41-44-234 85 00
Americas: +1-212-882 58 57
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements | This media release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements", including but not limited to management's outlook for UBS's financial performance and statements relating to the anticipated effect of transactions and strategic initiatives on UBS's business and future development. While these forward-looking statements represent UBS's judgments and expectations concerning the matters described, a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors could cause actual developments and results to differ materially from UBS's expectations. These factors include, but are not limited to: (i) the degree to which UBS is successful in executing its announced strategic plans, including its efficiency initiatives and its planned further reduction in its Basel III risk-weighted assets (RWA) and leverage ratio denominator (LRD); (ii) developments in the markets in which UBS operates or to which it is exposed, including movements in securities prices or liquidity, credit spreads, currency exchange rates and interest rates and the effect of economic conditions and market developments on the financial position or creditworthiness of UBS's clients and counterparties; (iii) changes in the availability of capital and funding, including any changes in UBS's credit spreads and ratings, or arising from requirements for bail-in debt or loss-absorbing capital; (iv) changes in or the implementation of financial legislation and regulation in Switzerland, the US, the UK and other financial centers that may impose more stringent capital (including leverage ratio), liquidity and funding requirements, incremental tax requirements, additional levies, limitations on permitted activities, constraints on remuneration or other measures; (v) uncertainty as to when and to what degree the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) will approve reductions to the incremental RWA resulting from the supplemental operational risk-capital analysis mutually agreed to by UBS and FINMA, or will approve a limited reduction of capital requirements due to measures to reduce resolvability risk; (vi) the degree to which UBS is successful in executing the announced creation of a new Swiss banking subsidiary, a holding company for the UBS Group (including the announced offer to exchange shares of UBS AG for shares of such holding company), a US intermediate holding company, changes in the operating model of UBS Limited and other changes which UBS may make in its legal entity structure and operating model, including the possible consequences of such changes, and the potential need to make other changes to the legal structure or booking model of UBS Group in response to legal and regulatory requirements, including capital requirements, resolvability requirements and the pending Swiss parliamentary proposals and proposals in other countries for mandatory structural reform of banks; (vii) changes in UBS's competitive position, including whether differences in regulatory capital and other requirements among the major financial centers will adversely affect UBS's ability to compete in certain lines of business; (viii) the liability to which UBS may be exposed, or possible constraints or sanctions that regulatory authorities might impose on UBS, due to litigation, contractual claims and regulatory investigations; (ix) the effects on UBS's cross-border banking business of tax or regulatory developments and of possible changes in UBS's policies and practices relating to this business; (x) UBS's ability to retain and attract the employees necessary to generate revenues and to manage, support and control its businesses, which may be affected by competitive factors including differences in compensation practices; (xi) changes in accounting or tax standards or policies, and determinations or interpretations affecting the recognition of gain or loss, the valuation of goodwill, the recognition of deferred tax assets and other matters; (xii) limitations on the effectiveness of UBS's internal processes for risk management, risk control, measurement and modeling, and of financial models generally; (xiii) whether UBS will be successful in keeping pace with competitors in updating its technology, particularly in trading businesses; (xiv) the occurrence of operational failures, such as fraud, unauthorized trading and systems failures; and (xv) the effect that these or other factors or unanticipated events may have on our reputation and the additional consequences that this may have on our business and performance. The sequence in which the factors above are presented is not indicative of their likelihood of occurrence or the potential magnitude of their consequences. Our business and financial performance could be affected by other factors identified in our past and future filings and reports, including those filed with the SEC. More detailed information about those factors is set forth in documents furnished by UBS and filings made by UBS with the SEC, including UBS's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2013. UBS is not under any obligation to (and expressly disclaims any obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Rounding | Numbers presented throughout this release may not add up precisely to the totals provided in the tables and text. Percentages, percent changes and absolute variances are calculated based on rounded figures displayed in the tables and text and may not precisely reflect the percentages, percent changes and absolute variances that would be derived based on figures that are not rounded.
Tables | Within tables, blank fields generally indicate that the field is not applicable or not meaningful, or that information is not available as of the relevant date or for the relevant period. Zero values generally indicate that the respective figure is zero on an actual or rounded basis.
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© UBS 1998 - 2015. All rights reserved.


text:
Sometimes when I move a task with subtasks, the subtasks are lost. Chrome, Windows 7
I tried to reproduce the issue with a test project and could not get it to lose any taks. But it has happened several times with projects with subtasks when some of the subtasks are completed and some not. After this happened in Chrome I logged in with IE and the subtasks were missing there as well.
All responses
Hi Thomas,
Are you able to provide any details as to when this happens, are you within a Project, a date based view? Are you some how archiving, or deleting the task, instead of moving?
Does this only happen with Chrome? Anything you can provide will help us troubleshoot the issue.
Thanks for the response Brendon,
I am within a project. I am dragging a task with subtasks. I place the cursor to the left of the task until it becomes a 4 way arrow and drag it to a new spot within the same project. I think it has only happened when I dragged the task higher above another task with subtasks. Then the one I was moving just disappears. I only use chrome. I have typically not have problems moving tasks and am sure I am not archiving or deleting as I am using a left-click not a right-click.
Unfortunately I am not able to reproduce this issue, which we need to properly fix it. If you can think of anything else that you might be doing when this happens would help us resolve it.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Cover of the Older Pedestrians at Risk report by the Tri State Transportation Campaign. (TSTC) [ Ocean County And Senior Pedestrian Deaths By Jason Allentoff August 17, 2012 A new report from the Tri-State Transportation Campaign shows an alarming statistic. The Garden State's older pedestrian fatality rates are higher than the national average and with Ocean County being home to more seniors than any other in the state, officials are very concerned. Read More|Comment Category: News, Ocean County News Tags: WOBMAM Send to a friend! Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Pin it! Reddit This! Share on Tumblr!


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I am James W. Jarrett, President of Intel-China. I am pleased today to provide Intel Corporation's views on the impact of export controls from the standpoint of global business, technology trends, and corresponding national interests.
My experience with Intel stretches over a long period. I joined Intel in 1979 and have served in various positions, including Vice President of Corporate Communications and Vice President of Investor Relations. In my current position, I am responsible for development and implementation of Intel's strategy in the Peoples' Republic of China.
My testimony will focus on the mainstream of information technology - that which can be characterized as "mass market." This segment spans a range of products across control categories in the Commerce Control List. It includes microprocessors (aka "processors"), the basic building blocks of the information technology industry and the principal product of Intel.
In my testimony, I will:
I. Intel's Business
Intel is a major supplier of information technology building blocks to the global computer and communications industries. We provide our customers with chips, printed circuit board assemblies and software that are the "ingredients" of personal computers ("PCs"), servers and workstations. Our flagship business involves the mass production and sale of the Pentium® family of processors and other microprocessors, which are frequently described as the "brains" of a computer because they control the central processing of data in computers. In 1998, our sales exceeded $26 billion.
Like most information technology companies, Intel's business model is global in scope. The bulk of our production takes place in the United States, but substantial manufacturing facilities exist in Ireland, Israel, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Malaysia and China. Our products are sold worldwide to original equipment manufacturers of computer systems and peripherals, PC users who make purchases through various distribution channels including the internet, and other manufacturers who produce a wide range of industrial and telecommunications equipment.
Upwards of 60% of Intel's revenues are generated by sales outside the United States. Roughly 20% of our total revenues are derived from Asian sales alone (excluding Japan). Big emerging foreign markets are particularly important to continued revenue growth. For example, it is estimated that within two years China will be the second largest market for computers in the world.
II. Distinguishing Features
Today's information technology industry presents new and fundamentally distinct challenges for the export control system. The decentralized nature of this industry - characterized by mass production and wide distribution of products - is at odds with the centralized nature of the United States export control system. This is especially true in the components sector of the industry, where Intel's microprocessors provide a compelling example of mass market products. Yet, the same attributes apply to other electronic components, such as memory and digital signal processors. They also apply to products at higher levels of integration, including motherboards, PCs, and cellular telephones.
Several key features of mass market information products that have emerged in recent years are worthy of attention.
Greatly Accelerating Product Performance. Semiconductor technology development and innovation move at an incredibly rapid pace. The semiconductor industry has achieved a 25-30 percent annual cost reduction since its inception. The continual shrinking and multiplication of features on the face of the chip result in ever more powerful and faster microprocessor products. Transistors are the basic element of the microprocessor - serving as the electronic pumps and valves that govern electricity's flow through the maze of circuitry on the chip. As the number of transistors per chip grows, greater amounts of data can be processed at greater speeds. It is anticipated that by 2000, a single microprocessor will contain 50 million transistors - with the number jumping to perhaps 1 billion by 2012 - this would be up from just 275,000 fifteen years ago.
Higher performance at lower cost means that technology advances are occurring at an even faster pace. The MTOPS (millions of theoretical operations per second) level for the Pentium® III, introduced in February 1999, is twice that of the Pentium® II, introduced less than two years earlier. By the second half of this year, the Pentium® III will have nearly tripled the MTOPS level of the top of the line Pentium® II.
Commoditization. Over the last twenty years, the information technology industry has migrated to a horizontal model in which many companies throughout the world produce the building blocks (e.g., semiconductors, printed circuit board assemblies, interconnects, power supplies, etc.) that are used by systems integrators to make finished products. This model encourages innovation, is driven by cost reduction, and rides on global standards. It is also dependent upon multinational manufacturing and the easy flow of products across borders. The effect of this model has been to diffuse technological and manufacturing capabilities widely throughout the world.
This has come to mean that practically any semiconductor or other building block of information technology systems is capable of being produced on a worldwide basis. Differences in the success or global market share for individual microprocessors have come to be dictated by product features, price, and marketing dimensions, rather than sheer technological capability. Thus, just because the United States leads the market in microprocessors does not mean that it alone has the ability to build these products.
Indeed, new investment in semiconductor production is expanding on a global basis to countries like China. The United States, while leading in some areas of semiconductor manufacturing technology, faces stiff competition from abroad. For example, Japan has a 57% market share (vs. 9% for the United States) in supplying the worldwide market with lithography equipment, a core semiconductor manufacturing tool.
Mass Volumes. The evolving information age has resulted in a global embedded infrastructure of semiconductor devices. Chips are found in a vast range of products, including computers, consumer electronics (televisions and VCRs), home appliances (microwave ovens and washing machines), computer peripherals (printers and disk drives), automobile engines, and other "smart products". Intel's microprocessors are aimed at the worldwide PC market.
Intel ships worldwide roughly 2 million microprocessors every week and is increasing capacity to support worldwide demand for its products. This represents a small portion of total worldwide semiconductor sales, which amounted to 58.7 billion units in 1998 alone. This volume translates to an average of over 1 billion semiconductors sold worldwide each week. Volumes will increase significantly in the years ahead, given projections of world semiconductor market growth of over 10 percent annually for at least the next 5 years.
Broad/Global Distribution. The global distribution of components for computers is massive. It has been estimated that there are up to 100,000 distributors and dealers worldwide who buy components and assemble and sell computers. Even though small dealers in less developed countries may only build 10 computers a month, the total volume for such outlets is at least Ľ million systems a week and well over 10 million per year. Exact numbers are not available because the network of distributors and dealers is large and diffuse. For example, a major computer builder in Europe could sell excess inventory of microprocessors to a broker in Asia who then resells the parts in smaller quantities to dealers in other countries in Asia. Tracking the volume flowing in the network has become so difficult that true volume forecasts are difficult.
Intel microprocessors and the Intel Insideâ brand are popular with computer buyers. A large number of dealers (perhaps half of the 100,000 total mentioned above) buy Intel microprocessors from distributors and brokers on a regular basis so they can quickly build computers without keeping a large inventory. Dealers are a popular source of Intel based PCs throughout Asia, including China. It is known that dealers in China regularly buy Intel processors from this worldwide distribution network.
Connectivity and Ubiquitous Computing. Computing power, residing primarily in the microprocessor, is becoming increasingly distributed, dispersed, and accessible. Unlike the past, the global networking of computer systems enables far-flung use of previously captive computing and communications capabilities. The character of technology development has been to push the power of the system directly into the hands of the user.
The rapid growth of the internet is generating huge global demand for high-volume, commodity-level components and computer platforms. Indeed, the number one reason for buying a PC today is the drawing power of the internet, which is empowering individuals and increasing productivity in areas ranging from commerce to education to health. Dataquest statistics reveal that the number of worldwide connected business and home PCs is expected to reach about 200 million in 1999 and roughly 300 million in 2001. Internet usage, moreover, is fueling demand for commercial, multi-processor workstations and servers to expand the worldwide information infrastructure. As Intel chairman Andy Grove points out, we are headed toward "a world of one billion connected computers."
General Purpose. The benefits and value that mass market information products provide are inherently general in nature and are not specific to any one use or any one sector. Microprocessors therefore are not a unique differentiator of military performance. Intel's products are designed and marketed for commercial consumption; they are not designed nor adapted for use by the military. This is consistent with the pattern found in the United States semiconductor industry at large, where non-military sales are approximately 99% of the total market.
III. Implications for the Export Control System
Microprocessors. Intel's microprocessor products are controlled on the Commerce Control List according to various performance parameters, most notably MTOPS. The threshold MTOPS level for export licensing purposes has been adjusted upward over the years to accommodate new generations of mass produced commercial microprocessor products. In recent years, this process has turned into a constant struggle to reset the MTOPS level for chips so as to stay just ahead of the latest mass marketed product.
Intel watches this MTOPS adjustment with much interest and anxiety. For many years, while riding close to the threshold, export license requirements have stayed beyond massive export shipments of the latest generation of microprocessors. But the timing is becoming increasingly precarious as the MTOPS threshold level has begun to collide with mass market shipments.
This phenomenon began to pose a major challenge to Intel in 1998, when the performance of Pentium® processors started to exceed the 500 MTOPS licensing level then in effect for civil end-use exports to primarily China and the former Soviet Union. Beginning in June of that year, Intel proceeded to file numerous license applications for Pentium® processor exports to these two regions. The exports were intended for the usual mix of customers – that is, a category of distributors and users to whom Intel could export on a license-free basis before the 500 MTOPS level was exceeded. Despite Intel's responses to four sets of detailed questions about the proposed exports, the license applications were never approved (save one). Intel could export the processors as intended only when the government decided in late December of last year to raise the MTOPS level from 500 to 1,200.
The problem is repeating itself in 1999. Already, Intel's recently introduced Pentium® III processor is rapidly overtaking the recently adopted level of 1,200 MTOPS. Many Intel license applications for these products have been pending before the government since January. In the case of some of these applications, the government has proposed end-use and other licensing conditions that are unworkable in the context of a mass market distribution system. Even so, all of the applications remain unapproved and are migrating to a higher level of review within the interagency process.
Computers. The 2,000 MTOPS threshold that triggers high-performance computer controls is also being outrun by the performance of commodity computer systems as well as the motherboards contained in such systems. Motherboards and PCs containing just two 500MHz Pentium® III processors are exceeding this trigger level today. This trend will compel Intel to satisfy high-performance computer export controls – including export approvals and end-use reporting requirements – on what are commodity-level products. In fact, recent requests by Intel to export lower-end servers to China under the standard 10-day prior notification procedure have been declined. Intel must now apply for export licenses for these systems, which are rated at just 2,100 MTOPS.
Rapidly Growing Impact. As indicated, Intel has been unable over the last nine months to obtain favorable government action on a large number of license applications. These applications collectively cover unit volumes in the low hundreds of thousands. If current trends continue, we would expect millions of units to become subject to highly disruptive licensing requirements by the first of next year.
In the next 18 months, the performance of individual microprocessors will continue to increase rapidly, overtaking the 2,000 MTOPS level for high-performance computers. During the second half of the year 2000, Intel processors for PCs should exceed 2,600 MTOPS and processors aimed at commodity servers and workstations should exceed 5,600 MTOPS. Many of these processors will be used in commodity systems that contain 2, 4 or 8 of these components. The prospect of inadequate MTOPS adjustments in the future is cause for tremendous concern.
What we face is nothing less than a major collision between mass market products and the dual-use export licensing system. A whole class of commodity products not subject to government export approvals in recent years is now entering the realm of export restriction. The result: Exports of commodity processors, motherboards and computers are perversely falling victim to the very technological advances that have helped bring prosperity to the United States.
The adverse impact of this collision would resonate far beyond Intel and its export operations. It would derail the incredible technological advances of the information technology sector and affect a vast group of end-users, from business to education. A significant portion of the efficiency, productivity, economic growth, and overall openness that our sector engenders around the world would be put at risk.
This imminent breakdown of the export control system leads to several fundamental conclusions:
Intel, for example, increasingly needs the capability to deploy strong encryption in its internal operations and product development. This need plays into a number of company requirements, including the ability to ship products on a global basis, properly secure internal networks, conduct secure e-commerce, and manufacture products on a multinational basis. The Congress should remove barriers to encryption deployment by enacting measures that facilitate the export and use of strong encryption products in both hardware and software.
IV. The Benefits of Information Technology Dissemination
Dispensing with controls on mass market information devices such as microprocessors would be in the best interests of the United States and of the world. United States leadership in the development of semiconductors and their dissemination throughout the world will provide major political, economic, and ultimately security benefits.
Political Benefits: The United States greatly benefits politically from the dissemination of information technology worldwide. The expanded access to information and knowledge facilitated by various forms of information technology promotes democracy and free markets. Information technology was critical to the demise of the Soviet Union and is now playing a pivotal role in changes within China.
The internet began spreading beyond the academic and scientific realms in China in the mid-1990s and is expected to encompass 7 million users by 2000 -- up from a mere 60,000 in 1996. Despite attempts by Chinese authorities to restrict the use of and content on the internet, electronic communications is having a significant impact on free expression and thought within China. One study points out that a recent graduating class from Beijing University - the first class to have had broad access to e-mail and the internet - has a markedly different outlook on freedom and expression than did its predecessors. Under Secretary for Commerce William Reinsch recently explained: "Our goal should be to bring not only our products but our ideas and values to China, but we cannot do that if they do not have the technological tools to receive them."
Information technology can be a liberating, self-empowering and democratizing force. Restricting access to critical informational tools, such as computers and semiconductors, is counterproductive and not in the interests of the United States.
Economic Benefits: America would accrue major economic benefits from a streamlining of export restrictions on information technology, which has come to contribute over one-third of all real economic growth in the United States. The United States is a leading global supplier of many key information technology products, including semiconductors. Opportunities will be very promising for many years to come if United States exporters of these and other products are free to compete abroad and market their products without disruptive and unnecessary export restrictions.
Some of the most promising markets are those for which the United States maintains the strictest export controls. China, for instance, will present enormous opportunities in many areas, including electronic commerce. Despite the Chinese government's concerns over the internet, it is rapidly expanding its internet infrastructure, including a massive restructuring of its internet backbone using high access servers and routers. It has been noted that the pace of electronic commerce development in China will be measured not in years, but in months and weeks.
The ability of the United States to meet the future global demand for information technology products and set the standard in many evolving new product markets will be critical to the competitiveness of Intel and many other United States companies, and to the nation's overall economic health.
National Security Benefits: Unlike the past, the United States military sector today accounts for a minute portion of total consumption of information technology products. For semiconductors, United States military consumption has fallen below one percent. Information technology has come to be dominated by the civilian sector. This has resulted in a growing reliance by the United States military on commercial suppliers of information technology.
United States industry's ability to keep pace with innovation and therefore remain a reliable source of critical technology to the United States military is directly correlated to its ability to produce and market its products on a global scale. Removing costly and unnecessary export controls on information technology is crucial to achieving this end.
The balance has shifted so that together, the political, economic, and national security benefits of diffusing information technology worldwide outweigh any potential risks. In sum, the national interest is advanced by promoting information technology exports, rather than by restricting them.
V. Summary and Recommendations for Renewal of the Export Administration Act
The Export Administration Act (EAA), the primary statute underlying dual-use export controls, is rooted in the necessities and priorities of the Cold War. It is designed to address the military threat of the now defunct Soviet Bloc. Intel strongly supports an updated EAA designed to usher in an export control regime based on today's technology and information-based world.
A major step in achieving a refocusing of export controls is the removal of restrictions on mass market products. Mass market products, by their very nature, are not susceptible to effective control and can contribute to strategic military capability in only the most generalized way. They are sold in very high volumes through a multitude of distribution channels and are not uniquely designed for individual applications.
A provision in the EAA providing a license exemption for commodity information products would be a significant and valuable improvement. Eligibility for the exemption could be based on the following broad indices: high volume; general purpose application; wide availability; and commodity-like characteristics (e.g., no particular installation or maintenance required). Intel understands that the American Electronics Association, the Semiconductor Industry Association, and the Computer Coalition for Responsible Exports all support this general concept.
Such an exemption would remove burdensome and unnecessary controls on products that are uncontrollable and not worthy of export restrictions. A thoughtfully crafted and properly implemented exemption should result in no significant national security risk and would bring tangible benefits to the United States and the world.
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Optec Lepus Reducer
The first of its kind, Optec brings you a reducer for your corrected SCT. Compatible with both the Meade ACF, this accessory will allow you to shorten the exposure time of your astro shots. Built with a huge 100mm of back focus, Optec has left plenty of room to accommodate any CCD and filter wheel combo or DSLR with room to spare! If you want to purchase a reducer for a Celestron EdgeHD scope, please purchase the specific reducer for your size EdgeHD telescope.
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I have mentioned in a few posts that I've lived in the SF bay area for more than 40 years but first 21 years were in Maine before the draft & USMC called me away. Roots run deep so I am a Boston Teams fan first but it's difficult to not have enjoyed Montana, Rice, Young etc. so I like the 49ers too.
I wanted a Pats-Niner Super Bowl 2 years ago but 2 bonehead fumbles let the Giants(I hate NY teams) tie & win in OT with field goals the NFC title game I hoped Pats would get me some revenge & they lose to Giants(did too 2 years earlier).
Now, last year, the Ravens knock out the Pats in the AFC title game & I look for the 49ers to get some revenge in the Superbowl & Kapernick( he went wild in previous 2 playoffs) fails to run once from the 5 yard line missing 4 passes. Harbaugh is at fault too & I don't care if Balt had him scouted for the run, he should have tried once.
Pats & 49ers are probably long shots with many fans probably wanting a Seahawk/Bronco superbowl but with a New England/SF matchup I can't lose whoever wins. Please don't ask whom I favor.


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Scientists develop glowing plants they hope will replace street lights
- From: news.com.au
- May 09, 2013
- Scientists raising money for glowing plant project
- Hope they'll be bright enough to replace street lights
- Robot insect takes first flight
IMAGINE roads at night, not lit by street lights, but by glowing trees.
Scientists trying to develop glowing plants hope that their luminescent blooms will one day replace electric street lights, and even replace reading lamps in the home.
The Stanford-educated scientists are raising money for the project on crowd-sourcing fundraising site Kickstarter, and have already raised more than $US280,000 - well over the $US65,000 they were aiming for.
Project manager Antony Evans says the DNA sequences for the glowing plants have already been developed - the money raised will be used to print the sequences, insert them into a small plant and then grow it in their California laboratory.
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Comments on this story
SG of Melbourne Posted at 2:22 PM May 09, 2013
It's much harder to turn off a tree...
Comment 1 of 32
Martin of Sydney Posted at 3:01 PM May 09, 2013
Many animals and insects rely on the protection of darkness in order to survive. By alterning the genome of plant in this way, we are removing their natural protection. There will be ramifications to this. Incredibly short sighted.
Comment 2 of 32
KK Posted at 3:35 PM May 09, 2013
I think this had already been done. I saw it in Avatar.
Comment 3 of 32
Elizabeth Posted at 3:49 PM May 09, 2013
Will the tree be powered by 96 batteries?
Comment 4 of 32
Chris of Melbourne Posted at 4:30 PM May 09, 2013
@Martin of Sydney, They would like to replace street lights with glowing trees, not replace every entire tree on our planet.
Comment 5 of 32
Cymek Posted at 4:44 PM May 09, 2013
Martin of Sydney Don't street lights already remove the protection of darkness? They may be additional trees to just replace street lights and not planted here, there and everywhere, which would have a dramatic effect on the night time environment.
Comment 6 of 32
Ken of Sydney Posted at 4:45 PM May 09, 2013
Avatar here we come.
Comment 7 of 32
Justin Posted at 4:47 PM May 09, 2013
Do you know the kind of energy a tree would have to output to light a street? Or even a couple of metres around if it you use multiple trees. Sure, you can get them to glow, but unless you've found a way around the conservation of energy or made a tree that sucks solar energy during the day, it just won't work at that scale.
Comment 8 of 32
SG of Melbourne Posted at 4:48 PM May 09, 2013
I wonder if they could also alter the DNA to include legs... You know, so the trees can jump out of the way of cars - that would save lives, too!
Comment 9 of 32
Realist Posted at 4:48 PM May 09, 2013
It's the same as street lights. Are you stating that street lights give those animals the cover of darkness? Stop trying to ruin people's fun.
Comment 10 of 32
John Wyndham of geelong Posted at 4:56 PM May 09, 2013
I love the concept of mixing animal and vegetable DNA. It's clearly the machinery behind Triffids although it is difficult to see how this would turn out so badly (unless the trees start flying away LOL).
Comment 11 of 32
Meph Posted at 5:17 PM May 09, 2013
@Justin "a tree that sucks solar energy" You mean like photosynthesis?
Comment 12 of 32
dan of brisneyland Posted at 5:34 PM May 09, 2013
YESSS!!!!! I am getting on these!
Comment 13 of 32
Liz Posted at 5:56 PM May 09, 2013
If you have to introduce animal DNA into a plant's DNA to get an outcome, sorry, but that sounds just fishy. Wouldn't trust it. Besides, this is Earth, not Pandora.
Comment 14 of 32
Think of the possums of Hobart Posted at 5:57 PM May 09, 2013
I hope the glow diminishes once the tree is dead. Otherwise all manner of things would glow in the dark: wood chip, toilet paper, ikea furniture...
Comment 15 of 32
jim of Australia Posted at 6:08 PM May 09, 2013
Greenpeace Alert Greenpeace Alert!!!! Time to hit to hit the eco-terrorism button and vote against genetically modified plants!
Comment 16 of 32
Melissa Posted at 6:18 PM May 09, 2013
@Justin, trees do use solar energy.... Thats sort of their whole thing. Y'know, photosynthesis?
Comment 17 of 32
alex Posted at 6:23 PM May 09, 2013
Pretty cool concept but there are some issues I can think of that would need to be addressed. If you run into a street light i'm sure they are made to sheer off, so you're not hitting an immovable object. Secondly, if the tree is going to be bright enough to replace a street light then there would have to have some way of focusing the light on the road, otherwise the poor houses behind would be flooded with the light. So would the drivers approaching the 'tree'. You can't have the tree emitting street light in all directions. Maybe this sort of thing would see applications in parks or people's yards - at a reduced luminescence. Now THAT would be awesome and I don't see a problem with that.
Comment 18 of 32
Tricky of Country SA Posted at 6:30 PM May 09, 2013
Not in Adelaide I am afraid. We remove trees in Adelaide. Give them away to pensioners and the homeless so that they may read a book without using electricity.
Comment 19 of 32
Dan of Sydney Posted at 6:33 PM May 09, 2013
they would have to somehow make sure that animals don't distribute any seeds or else there'll be glowing trees everywhere
Comment 20 of 32
Darren of Melbourne Posted at 6:35 PM May 09, 2013
Let me guess.... These trees are being grown at Fukushima?
Comment 21 of 32
Uhhh Posted at 6:37 PM May 09, 2013
That'll come in handy next war...imagine trying to blackout a city full of glow in the dark trees...
Comment 22 of 32
adam of Melbourne Posted at 6:41 PM May 09, 2013
@Martin of Sydney - I like your comment, particularly the part about being short sighted.
Comment 23 of 32
Rupert Thistlethwaite Posted at 7:40 PM May 09, 2013
@Justin, I'm sure everyone would be shocked if it were found that trees already suck solar energy during the day. We would have to coin some crazy word for the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy by plants, maybe... photosynthesis? Kooky I know.
Comment 24 of 32
True of Brisbane of QLD Posted at 9:49 PM May 09, 2013
avatar anyone?
Comment 25 of 32
Glen Posted at 12:24 AM May 10, 2013
I tried to buy these off kick starter but they won't ship to Australia which sucks. It's only $40 bucks
Comment 26 of 32
Mick of Liverpool Posted at 5:00 AM May 10, 2013
Roads and trees are a deadly mix in Australia and we have seen the deadly mix too many times. Better to use any money raised to replace wooden telegraph polls with the softer metal poll that does'nt cut a car in half.
Comment 27 of 32
Martin of Sydney Posted at 6:38 AM May 10, 2013
@Chris of Melbourne & Realist. Provided they genetically alter the genome so that it no longer produces SEEDS and is capable of propagation then there's no probolem. If it is caplable of producing seeds which can germinate, then they will proliferate themselves all over the place uncontrollably.
Comment 28 of 32
Ferret of Sydney Posted at 8:35 AM May 10, 2013
Interesting, though I wonder if the anti-GM food people will protest this as well since we are altering the plants DNA for our puposes. Would be delightfully hypocritical of them to support glowing trees but burn crops of plants with increased fungal resistance or fruitfly immunity.
Comment 29 of 32
Practical Posted at 8:51 AM May 10, 2013
Here we go again, scientists playing god. Leave those plants which will be used in the experiment alone. Somehow I feel this is just the start, glowing plants now the next will be a glowing person or animal.
Comment 30 of 32
Chris Posted at 9:40 AM May 10, 2013
I think there is also a company in France using bioluminescent algae to light up areas in your home or streets that also act as CO2 capture sites. On a side note I don't think the output of the tree would go anywhere near the output of a street light.
Comment 31 of 32
james Posted at 9:47 AM May 10, 2013
isn't this really just a form of greenwash?
Comment 32 of 32


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The powder kegs of unmet expectations in our midst
- Jay Naidoo
- 04 Nov 2011 07:36 (South Africa)
Kibera sits like a huge sprawling mushroom of shacks on the outskirts of Nairobi. No-one knows how many people live there and not many want to be counted in official statistics, but unofficially many claim it is more than a million. It is a teeming bustling place which is now part of a familiar sight on the African landscape.
It is an inevitable fact of life that nothing is going to stop this massive migration to cities in Africa. It's driven by young people who believe cities hold the magical aspirational goals of jobs, wealth and success.
Kibera shows little evidence of public investment. The streets are crowded with little children scrambling over the running drains and uncollected refuse.
Yet in the midst of the poverty and squalor beats a vibrant heart of entrepreneurialism. Everyone seems to be making and selling something. From cow dung fuel bullets to buckets of coal, from rocks that are calcium rich for pregnant mothers to tailors, micro-hammer mills, vegetable stalls, electronic shops and even Internet cafes. This is a thriving eco-system.
MPesa is a widespread and visible system of electronic money banking which allows money to be transferred by mobile phone. This is the poor at the bottom of the pyramid often living on less than $1.25 a day harnessing the most cutting edge technologies. It's estimated that close to 10% of country's GDP is held at any one point in the MPesa, with a maximum at $2,000. Today the poor can pay many of their purchases on the MPesa platform. They are not powerless anymore.
We visited a clinic for children. It was crowded with mothers and infants. The health care volunteers and nutritionist spoke about the challenges facing Kibera. Close to 43% of children are stunted and close to 15% are wasted.
They do a simple test of the circumference of a child's arm to determine nutrition status. A fortified flour is distributed to mothers to feed the malnourished children.
Often this food in a settlement with high levels of unemployment is shared by the whole family. So in many cases, nutrition status does not improve. Health workers are trying to improve breast feeding rates, which stand at only 6%, but they are stretched too thin to be effective.
It is estimated that in a decade 60% of Kenyan people will live in cities. An integrated strategy is needed to combine public investment in water, sanitation, roads, boosting the entrepreneurialism that is so evident today and combining with access to health, education and nutrition services.
Africa's future success is going to be measured by how its cities are transformed into dynamic powerhouses of development. Bold decisions are needed to blend public, private and donor capital investment with the social capital of such communities to accelerate densification of housing, opportunities and basic services.
Otherwise these informal settlements will become a powder keg of unmet expectations that will ignite social instability and threaten our social fabric.
The choices African leaders will make will determine our future trajectory and ability to deliver on the hopes of our people.
There is much that SA can learn from Kenya and the rest of Africa.
Hopefully we can summon the political will to invest in our Diepsloots, Khayelitshas and Mthathas to improve governance and accountability, and to ensure that we encourage dynamic grassroots civil society again that drove our struggle for freedom in the eighties.
It will threaten the unquestioning loyalty and obedience that local political leaders demand from citizens. But it will disrupt the strong patronage networks that strangle the hopes of people.
To tolerate corruption, mediocrity and demand blind party loyalty will factionalise our political structures and communities. Ultimately ownership of delivery by local people is our guarantee of democracy. We should never forget that simple fact. DM
- A journey with the San
- Africa Generation 2030: What does the future hold?
- Olivio Dutra: A politician rich in values, not money and ambition
- The cost of hatred: Tomorrow will be too late
- South Africa, say it loud and clear: NO to Xenophobia!
- The workers' dream of unity, assassinated: A eulogy to Cosatu
- Apartheid 2.0: The Gospel according to the 1% super rich
- International development: Murder, one log frame at a time
- Blood, Power and Betrayal
- The night of the long knives
- The global food system is broken; here's how to fix it
- Africa's tomorrow depends on empowering its people today
- Ebola: Fear, Paralysis, Solidarity, Justice
- The UN General Assembly week, New York: A cacophony of noise and hope
- Hiking the roof of Africa; my journey to the depths of myself
- Visualising the end of inequality – a new path to negotiation
- After the platinum strike: We dare not fail now
- Letter to the next generation
- Formal vs. informal economy: Bridging the gap
- Connecting the dots: Building workers' unity and workers' power
- Democracy in distress: Are our elections bought and our votes sold?
- May Day 2014: Cosatu's tough choice of the politics of workers unity or politics of political parties
- COSATU: In the eye of the storm
- Twenty years of SA democracy: A new fight must begin
- Kibera: Hope and human dignity rising in the slums of Africa
- The rise and fall of Cosatu: From vanguard to sacrificial lamb
- A leader I would vote for: Botswana's former president Festus Mogae
- A leader I would vote for: President Pedro Pires of Cape Verde
- Op-Ed: A giant stumbling through the minefield of political division – my appeal to the Cosatu workers
- A leader I would vote for: Joaquim Alberto Chissano
- A leader I would vote for: President Mujica of Uruguay
- That Lula Moment: A question of leadership and integrity
- Following the money: Work with citizens to make our money work for all
- Checkmate: The rise of radicalism
- Lords of the Niger Delta: The Shell legacy of profit before people
- Protests, police and cowardice – our State of the Nation
- New stones for my Madiba rosary
- The final journey and the legacy that will always live in our hearts
- After the tears, the hard work of building the world that Mandela believed in
- Mandela's gone. But he will be with us, forever.
- Bekkersdal: The turning point in SA municipal politics – time for a line in the ground
- Africa Rising? Whose Africa?
- The scramble for the Arctic and the dangers of Russia's race for oil
- Africa's future is clear: Youth, Technology & Broadband
- Child mortality is our human rights failure of the 21st century
- Technology can wipe out the cancer of corruption
- My open letter to South Africa
- Amputating the soul of our children
- The vision of the Invisible Children
- A humble billionaire, asking tough questions
- Cry, the beloved country; cry, the beloved federation
- Humanity at a crossroads: Fighting for climate justice
- Wanted: Ancient wisdoms to heal our planet
- The taste of power: its sanctity and its perversion
- When the town I loved burned down, or, when Heaven was visited by Hell
- As our Constitution lives, so does Mandela
- Bangladesh: Losing some battles, but winning the war
- Rana Square – the Ground Zero of workers' rights
- Small-scale farming: simple, successful, sustainable
- A global debate needs local voices
- When will Africa be led by the needs of its people?
- The faultlines in our society: Why are we so angry?
- Nigeria: Africa's best hopes and worst fears
- Our ancient African heritage holds the key to our future
- To build a better world for all, we need a new narrative, new energy, new commitment
- A culture of service and tolerance: Lessons from Chris Hani
- Open data platforms: a tool to revolutionise governance
- Aluta continua: Why the fight for quality healthcare can't be over
- 'I raped her because she belongs to me'
- Would Hani and Slovo today be accused of Neo-liberalism and Counter-revolution?
- An open letter to my fellow South Africans: I am ready. Are you?
- A trip to Limpopo: The Forgotten Land
- 'I have a right to a toilet - it's human dignity'
- Matric pass rate: On the road to Nobody
- The challenges of today are South Africa's opportunities of tomorrow
- India: The ongoing tyranny of the caste system
- To my generation: Listen. Listen very carefully.
- The Lula moment and this country of ours, South Africa
- African youth: Fulfilling the potential
- Africa's 'leadership crisis' - we have more agency than we think
- Think climate change isn't your problem? It will be when you can't eat
- The wuthering heights of disenchantment
- An open letter to Cosatu
- Democracy for all: Marikana signals our second chance
- Can't you hear the thunder?
- A new age, a new role for foundations: redefine development
- Video series - great women of SA: Emma Mashinini (I)
- Mother love: Time to add decency and respect to women's hard-won rights
- GAINing ground: The beauty of one good idea
- Education: a morass of mediocrity
- Madiba week: The lessons his sacrifice taught us, part V
- Madiba week: The lessons his sacrifice taught us, part IV
- Madiba week: The lessons his sacrifice taught us, part III
- Madiba week: The lessons his sacrifice taught us, part II
- Celebrating Madiba week: The lessons his sacrifice taught us
- Mandela day: time for the next generation to take control
- The school of sexual predation
- Rio+20: We're not colonies anymore
- Prayers to the rain gods
- Our foreign policy gets more foreign as time goes by
- Not a moment to Spear: Why, in a time of crisis, that painting is irrelevant
- Ma Emma: The true spear of the nation
- Araku - the truth, the inspiration
- An infinite vision - The story of the Aravind eye hospital
- Get up, stand up South Africa!
- Our future lies in the mothers of nature
- There's a Light in the Get Kony Campaign
- Empowerment lies in women in Indian villages talking to those in African villages
- Dear President Zuma
- Adequate food is essential component of social justice
- Durban to Rio could be our Road to Damascus
- The Grinch who stole hope
- The Grinch who stole hope
- iMaverick, Monday 28 November
- Africa at the crossroads: Let's talk Brazil
- The secrecy bill: Welcome back, Magnus Malan & Adriaan Vlok
- The powder kegs of unmet expectations in our midst
- iMaverick, Wednesday 19 October
- Finding one's humanity where little else remains
- Food security: A matter of war and peace


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Welcome to our Website
Shabari tours and travels was inaugurated on 2005. With a vision to provide good hospitality and one stop solution to all you travel needs. We provide quality services for all type of budget travelers. Our drivers are very professional with good knowledge of major routes in south India.


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I'm only writing this up because I wanted to search for pictures of Salma Hayek and Carla Gugino. Let's just take a moment to look at the above side-by-side.
Don't rush me!
Alright. Gugino is replacing Hayek in the role she bailed on back in January in the revenge thriller Faster. Dwayne "I'm Still Calling Him The Rock" Johnson plays an ex-con on a mission to avenge his brother's murder. A DEADLY mission. Conflict abound! Gugino will play the detective hot on his trail, looking to pin a decade-old case on the people's eyebrow. Hopefully The Rock will pin Carla to a decade-old headboard. Right before they do it sexually on a slightly vintage bedframe. Musty smells turn me on. (Variety)
Consider posting a comment.


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Nov. 1, 2011
MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin men's hockey head coach Mike Eaves appeared at his weekly Monday news conference in the Camp Randall Media Room. A full transcript follows. Eaves spoke on what he learned about the team this past weekend, goaltending and the penalty kill, among other topics.
Watch the archived video
QUESTION #1: Mike, based on a comment you made after the game, are you, has this team exceeded your expectations up to this point?Mike Eaves: I really think that with a young team it's hard to put expectations on a team, Andy. I think that it's better to have an open mind, don't limit them, and don't put low parameters on them. So I think as we go along, we'll see how they grow and maybe for the second half the season, once we have a feel, we can set better parameters.QUESTION #2: What do you think you learned about your team this past weekend? EAVES: Well, one thing that came up with the coaching staff the last two weekends is that we can put the puck in the net, so that's been fun to see. I think that our penalty killing is an area that still needs improvement. We talked about it again this morning. We looked at the reasons as to why. I think we're in a little bit of a funk. I've never seen so many blocked shots end up on their sticks with open net shots before in my life.
We basically had two guys returning that had killed penalties, so we're trying a lot of different people. We may have found something with 9 and 7, with Zengerle and Barnes. But it's an area that we know we need to get better. We're doing some good things. We just need to shore it up a little bit. I think we'll have some very good penalty killing. Our power play seems to find a little bit of a rhythm. We'd like our second group to get a little bit more continuity and get some ice time to score some goals as well. So little stuff like that is starting to peek out.QUESTION #3: Over the last two weekends, Mike, would you say that probably your scoring, your ability to score, the vision of your young players has been one of the things that you, as coaches, have really started to hang your hat on, because that was something that you weren't too sure about leading into the season.EAVES: No, we weren't. We said at the beginning, as kind of a projection, that we'd have to have scoring by committee because we didn't have anything really proven coming back to a high degree, and we found some nice things. We scored some big time goals this Saturday. Line rushes, I thought that Ryan Little goal on Saturday in the second period looked like a big time effort by Mr. Mersch cutting in and around the defenseman, driving to the net. Those are things you see at the next level. So we're seeing some things that we really like and things that we can build on.QUESTION #4: Mike, have you seen any separation in your goaltenders to this point? EAVES: The only thing that's different, Andy, really is the record. One is 1-3, and one is 3-1. So they're both giving us a chance to win. They both had a situation happen this weekend they'd like to have the puck back on a wraparound or a puck dumped in, but they're still head to head in terms of what we're seeing in practice and in games and performance.QUESTION #5: You were talking about expectations before. Tyler Barnes, is this about what you expected out of him in his next year in his growth and development, and what stands out most to you and impresses you most about his play?EAVES: Well, if we can get Tyler Barnes to play Saturday like he does Friday, we'll have something special. On Friday, he's been dynamite. He leads our team in stats and in production. Saturday night, he still hasn't gone to that next level of consistency. We're going to continue to push. We pointed that out. I think Tyler has aspirations of playing at the next level. One of the definitions of being a professional athlete, other than being paid, is the fact that you're consistent day in and day out, and that's something that, I think, Tyler is aware of and we're going to continue to push him to get there.QUESTION #6: Besides kind of baptism by fire in games, how do you teach a young team to hold on to a lead, to preserve a lead? How do you do that, whether it's during the week in practice or do you just have to wait for games to come? EAVES: In practice situations, we can create drills or situational scrimmages that will lead us into those type of things, but it's really an emotional thing. It's about playing with poise and confidence and understanding what the situation of the game is and how to execute and that. So a little bit in practice in helps, but, ultimately, it has to come down to games.QUESTION #7: Mike, of all the systems that you teach and areas of the game that, with the young team that you're trying to impart knowledge on, where's penalty kill fit in there? Is that the most difficult one to teach guys positioning, fundamentals, that type of thing?EAVES: It is. It truly is. And one of the reasons is the fact that you can't simulate the game feel or the game talent for what you're trying to create in practice. Like usually, when you're simulating the opponent's power play, you're not using your top-end offensive guys. You're using guys that don't see a lot of power-play time. And so they don't get that top-end talent to play against in practice, and it really does come down to what we can do in games. We can create fundamental stops and start situation leading with the stick, having those type of things, but it truly comes in game situation.
Interesting enough, this past weekend, we prepare for Nebraska Omaha based on video of what they did in the power play. They did nothing like they did. So we were kind of shooting from the hip, although it was very similar to what North Dakota was doing, and we handled it pretty well. Again, we gave up goals, but there was growth there for us, which is very encouraging.QUESTION #8: Mike, is your team still kind of naïve of how young they are, that they're not putting a lot of stock into who they're beating? They're just kind of taking what they get on the weekend and just kind of put it forward no matter who the opponent is? EAVES: I think so. I think they just, they're still trying to get their feet underneath them in so many areas, and they're just going out there playing as hard as they can and hoping the things that they do are the right things to do.QUESTION #9: Has effort ever been a question for you the last couple of weekends?EAVES: Not at all. Not at all. I think, and that was an indication that we got from our strength coach, Jim Snider, from what he said this summer. He felt he never had to kind of go to the whip in terms of what a horse rider will do with a horse going down the stretch. He said these guys just naturally push themselves.
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Basildon Park
Forest Schools
Forest School is a Scandinavian concept from the early 20th century where children learn to build beneficial relationships with nature.
As the name suggests, it's schooling in the woods, but the children lead the way, with supervision. Children build dens, cook on fires and learn to use tools whilst developing social and physical skills.
Get in touch
If you're interested in bringing a learning group to Basildon Park please call 0118 9767 360 or email us.
Bring a group to Basildon Park
School groups
We welcome school groups and aim to be flexible to accommodate your needs.
The University of the Third Age
We often have visits from U3A groups who come to share enjoyable learning experiences.
Foreign groups
With written guides available in a number of languages, your group can enjoy discovering Basildon Park.


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BPL Community Profile
Johnny Gish (jtgish) - BPL Forum Member
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All Forum Posts by Johnny Gish
Petzl e+lite ?
When someone finally gets ahold of one of these would you mind testing the ball joint? This seems like a weak point in the design. I can see the light swiveling on its own or even coming off the ...
SUL Biking Overnighter
any report from your trip? How did you pack all your gear on your bike?
I just transformed an older specialized hardrock into a commuter, but seeing this thread has got me thinking about touring.
BA Seedhouse SL2 and Mountainsmith Cypher
Brand new BA Seedhouse SL2 for $200 Mountainsmith Cypher (REG) for $200
FS: Micropuff, Puffball and Jam
Patagonia micropuff pullover Large. Slightly used but still in new condition. Asking $70. Patagonia Puffball Vest XL. Brand new, has two logos on it. Asking $30 Golite Jam size Me...
Finished Reflectix Cozys
weight is 1.1-1.2oz, some weighed in at 1.1 and others at 1.2.
Finished Reflectix Cozys
I bought one roll of reflectix, one roll of aluminum foil tape, and one roll of velcro and this is what turned out. I was able to make 25 cozys that will house a quart size bag. The mater...
MH Phantom 32* reg.
Bought it last month and used on one trip for four nights. Still in perfect condition. Asking $185 shipping included. email for questions. email@example.com Also have a Kelty Shadow 4500 br...
chicago basin
sorry about that, these are from chicago basin and windom peak. i keep meaning to write a trip report.
Congrats Brian
Brian, sounds like an amazing experience. Allowing your mind to completely take over and then put those thoughts into action is a wonderful feeling. I hope this newest epiphany is half as rewardi...
All Reader Reviews by Johnny Gish
Showing 1 - 10 of 11 | Page: 1 2
Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2
At only 2lbs. 14ozs. this is a very light double wall tent. I loved the all mesh walls which helps with ventilation and I never experienced condensation, but there were a few problems I had. Unless ...
Therm-A-Rest Pro Lite 3
The prolite3 short fits my pad sleeve perfect because thats what my sleeve was designed for. Thats about the only positive attribute for this pad. Even with seam sealer on bottom it slides around ...
Gossamer Gear Nightlight Torso
I love my nightlight torso, but I wish it folded similar to the z-rest. I only use two of the three sections because I use it as hip padding and not so much for insulation. I use a thinlight pad for...
Headsweats Race Cap
At under 2.0 oz. this is a great cap for above freezing temps. Coolmax material breathes and wicks away sweat at the same time. The terrycloth headband absorbs almost all of the sweat and is very so...
Patagonia R1 Balaclava
This is the best balaclava that I have found so far. It weighs 2oz's which may be heavy to some but it is far worth its weight. I have used it not only on backpacking trips but everyday in winter...
Klearwater Klearwater
I used Klearwater on my trip this past summer in the Weminuche and was very impressed. It is very foolproof (no mixing) to use as it takes 1ml of Klearwater to purify 1 liter of water. Twice while p...
Backpacking Light Ti Esbit stove
I love this little stove. It fits my SP Trek 700 pot perfectly and I was suprised to find it is very stable. I have had no issues with the rivet. It gets great looks when you pull it out.
Snow Peak Trek 700
As has been mentioned in the forums the lid on the SP 700 is very heavy. Other than that , it fits perfectly in my Firelite Ti esbit stove. The 26oz capacity is plenty and lets me boil water for my ...
Patagonia MicroPuff Vest
I agree with all the great qualities others have mentioned about the Micropuff Pullover, but one thing to know is the cut is rather large. I wear a size Large in all other Patagonia gear but when I g...
ULA Equipment
In late July, days after Brian stopped taking orders before his break, I called him and asked if I could still order a Conduit. He told me no problem and shortly after my M/L Conduit arrived. Small ...


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Gigaom5 questions with Readdle, which means business on the iPad
Igor Zhadanov, 27, is CEO of Ukraine-based Readdle, known for iPad and iPhone apps like PDF Expert and Scanner Pro. As Readdle is about to open its first U.S. office, we… Read more »
Igor Zhadanov, 27, is CEO of Ukraine-based Readdle, known for iPad and iPhone apps like PDF Expert and Scanner Pro. As Readdle is about to open its first U.S. office, we… Read more »
The upcoming showdown between Google Wallet and soon-to-be competitor Isis is just one of many interesting story lines that will take hold this year as companies ratchet up their mobile wallet… Read more »
Path has enacted a dramatic redesign with the newest version of its app, "Path 2." Path has expanded beyond photo sharing and now aims to be a "smart journal" that helps… Read more »
Redbeacon, the web marketplace that connects people with professional home service providers such as plumbers, painters, and yard workers, has launched its first native app for the iPhone(s AAPL). The company,… Read more »
Even with all the expert and amateur reviews available on the web today, people still like to get recommendations the old-fashioned way: asking their friends for advice — aka, polling the… Read more »
Waddle, the San Francisco-based startup that makes a group photo sharing app for the iPhone, is preparing to get a bit bigger: The company has landed seed funding from Chinese Internet… Read more »
Quora, the crowdsourced question-and-answer website, has come a long way in the 15 months since it launched to the public. Quora says it has fostered that growth mostly just by getting… Read more »
What if five years into your startup, you decided to move from a revenue-generating consumer business to sell the same product to enterprises for ten times the price? That's exactly what… Read more »
It's been a busy summer for the founders of Parse, a new startup making a software platform that adds a cloud component to any mobile app. Part of Y Combinator's summer… Read more »
Startup Flixmaster is making it easier for video creators to make interactive applications. Its platform provides a drag-and-drop interface for creating branching relationships between videos and publishing them online. The platform… Read more »


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Jerome Groopman
The Quackish Cult of Alternative Medicine
October 19, 2013
Think the government should allow people to medicate themselves and their children however people want to? Think again.
Against Despair
December 08, 2010
Partner to the Poor: A Paul Farmer Reader Edited by Haun Saussy (University of California Press, 660 pp., $27.50) On a hot August afternoon a decade ago, one of my patients collapsed at a café in Boston. She was in her early sixties and had been treated successfully with chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer, but had suffered side effects from the intensive therapy, with damage to her heart and lungs. Her husband called 911, and EMTs arrived in short order. She was resuscitated and sped by ambulance to the Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Job's Doctors
July 02, 2001
Saving Milly: Love, Politics, and Parkinson's Disease by Morton Kondracke By Morton Kondracke (PublicAffairs, 275 pp., $25) Narratives of illness have deep roots in our culture. For millennia, interpretations of disease--the reasons for the malady and the source of its solution--were grounded in the Bible. Miriam, in the Book of Numbers, develops leprosy after voicing resentment and disseminating doubt about Moses's leadership. Leprosy, a disease of relentless physical decomposition, is measured recompense for a sin that dismembers the cohesion of the community.


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This month's issue of V magazine takes a page out of Interview's book and has the ever headline-worthy Kate Moss interviewing Hong Kong and London-based entrepreneur Sir David Tang in a delightfully friendly piece that covers everything from crossword puzzles to the physical location of Timbuktu. Whether that's because Kate's been hiding some serious journalism skills or merely a product of her congeniality is up for debate, but one thing's for sure: the awesomeness of their exchange about the late Elizabeth Taylor certainly isn't.
When Kate asks David which celebrity he'd love to meet, he answers Liz Taylor, which prompts Kate to recall the time they almost shared a red carpet at a past Met Gala.
I remember I was in the lineup for the Met Ball and Elizabeth Taylor was in front of me. I told everyone, We have to sit back in the car until she's gone past. We can't be on the carpet with her, she deserves it all to herself.
Honestly, if there's a better reason to refuse to walk a red carpet with Dame Taylor, we can't think of it. Second best exchange goes to Kate's cluelessness regarding the real-life African city of Timbuktu.
DT: I've always wanted to go to Timbuktu. First of all I think it is the best name of anywhere in the world.
KM: I thought it was a made-up place!
DT: No, no. It is a day's camel ride from the edge of the Sahara desert. It is actually in Mali.
KM: I'd love to come along!
DT: Yes, we shall go together. We will fly to Marrakech and spend the weekend looking at the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, sunbathing in the olive gardens. Then we drive to the western part of the Sahara desert, to Ouarzazate, the last oasis in the Sahara.
KM: I've never been to an oasis. With palm trees and everything?
DT: Palm trees, a spring, and incredibly red sandstone. Here we shall get a couple camels and ride south across Algeria. As we see the sunset over the dunes and dusk falls, we'll come to Timbuktu.
KM: That sounds amazing!
DT: We must allow time at the border of Mali. You'll write supermodel on the immigration form and I'll write super-CEO, or chairman of the board.
And we'll write "Super Jealous Bloggers" on ours.
Escape Artists [V Magazine]


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For flowers that make memories...Hafner Florist
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For flowers as unique as you are, call the only Ohio Certified Florist in Toledo!
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Mention this add for a free toss bouquet with booking of a $500 or more wedding.
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Seung Hyeon (Sarah) Ko, Gregg M. Gallatin, and J. Alexander Liddle
For the last two decades, DNA has been used to generate various nanostructures with molecular precision, and those nanostructures have been utilized as templates for the assembly of other nanoscale components to build more complex, functional devices. DNA origami is a particularly attractive vehicle for this purpose, being readily configurable into different geometries and easily functionialized to provide a diverse set of binding sites. Organizing metallic nanoparticles in a controlled manner is of great interest in nanoelectronics and nanophotonics/plasmonics. In recent years, conjugates of nanoparticles and DNA origami have been used to build a variety of nanoarchitectures, but still with limited success. To achieve reliable yields of such nanostructures, however, it is important to understand the interplay of factors affecting the binding of nanoparticles to DNA origami.
Here we show that the speed and the yield of streptavidin-coated quantum dots binding to biotinylated DNA origami is controlled by valency at the binding location, biotin linker length, and the organization and spacing of the binding locations on DNA template. In addition, we have determined forward and backward reaction rate coefficients through analysis of time course data, and it provides us physical insight into these types of self-assembly processes.


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Heceta Head to get 'a top-to-bottom restoration'
FLORENCE, Ore. (AP) — The Heceta Head Lighthouse may capture the eye of more photographers than any other lighthouse on the Oregon coast. There's just something about its solitary setting in the midst of so much rugged terrain that seems to beckon all who pass by.
But as photographed as it may be, the 118-year-old tower isn't winning any beauty contests. Its corbels are cracked, the metal rusted, its layers and layers of paint chipped. And, as one historic preservationist put it, the poor thing can't breathe.
That's why the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is about to embark on a $1.3 million do-over.
That's the upside in this tale. >>> Photo Gallery
The not so good news: The light is about to go out on this iconic tower, and it will stay out for some time.
Work will begin on Aug. 1, closing the entire area for about one to two months. The trails, parking lot and oil house will reopen at about the end of September or possibly sooner. The 56-foot lighthouse itself could be closed for up to two years.
"This project is a top-to-bottom restoration, inside and out," said Sue Licht, the Parks and Recreation Department's preservation architect. "It will involve restoring all the metalwork, all the masonry, all the interior finishes, including the windows and doors. The windows are going to go back in, and then the workroom will be restored on the interior as well."
The first task workers will undertake is to cover up the Fresnel lens. Made in Great Britain by the Chance Brothers, the lens is the only one of its kind on the Oregon coast and one of only two in the country. Most of the other Fresnel lenses on the coast come from France.
"The lens is the workhorse," said Licht. "Everything has to do with protecting the lens. It will be completely enclosed and covered in foam and plywood so nothing can happen to it during construction."
Money for the project is coming from the federal Transportation Department. It will kick in about $1.1 million, with the state's share at about $217,000.
While the elements can be blamed for much of Heceta's poor shape, people and their good intentions are equally at fault. It seems when preservationists previously went in to remedy problems, they did more harm than good.
"I've been in preservation 25 years, and one of the things I learned is an awful lot of what I do is to undo a lot of the latest and greatest things people were trying on historical buildings in the '60s and '70s," said Licht.
"One of the things you will see is up at the top there is a ring of stone. They decided those stones were either cracked or something was wrong up there. Too much water was getting in, so they took a material called Gunite, a type of spray-on cement, and sprayed around the stone so they disappeared. One of the things they didn't anticipate was there was water constantly leaking in, and it trapped the water and accelerated deterioration of all the metal that was up there."
Likewise, the brick tower.
When the lighthouse was built in 1893, the brick tower was whitewashed. But only one year later, so much water had leaked in, builders returned to cover the brick in stucco.
"That was fine," Licht said. "But as years went by, more and more waterproof layers of paint were put on. There was no water penetration, but also no ability to allow the brick to breathe. The brick gets wet and stays wet, but it needs to breathe, to dry out."
Workers will take off the stucco by hand, then replace it with a natural stucco and waterproof coating that will protect the brick but also allow moisture to escape. They'll also replace the glass around the lens with safety glass, install a new vent ball (the round metal fixture on the top) and new railings.
"It will be slow going, a lot of handwork and a lot of careful work," said Licht. "It's kind of like working on an artifact. You want to do the right thing for the building. You want to get another 100 years down the road, but you want to be sure what you are doing is not going to accelerate the deterioration."
The public will be able to follow the restoration work through exhibits in the oil house next to the lighthouse, and when work is complete, the parks department will host an unveiling of the gussied-up tower.
As Florida visitor Pat Mahar put it, "It will be interesting to see what it will look like with the windows, lintels and new paint, so it's not so ugly outside."
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.


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The Washington State Patrol says a motorcyclist survived a lightning strike as he rode on Interstate 5 in Chehalis. The close call was part of a day of intermittently dramatic weather for Washington. Witness Martin Zapalac tells KOMO-TV the motorcyclist had just passed him when the man and his bike "lit up" Thursday morning. The biker managed to pull over on the highway shoulder and the witness drove with him to a nearby gas station. KOMO says the 59-year-old Tenino, Wash., motorcyclist doesn't remember what happened. The man was treated locally for burns to his ears, then taken to a Seattle hospital where he was in satisfactory condition. Rain and lightning hit areas of Western Washington early Thursday and more storm pockets produced rain and more lightning Thursday afternoon and evening. Flood watches were issued for many areas of the state.
September 6, 2013/AP


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Angela Merkel Hosts Open-House Day At Chancellery
German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks out at visitors during the... Photo d'actualitéAllemagne,Angela Merkel,Berlin,Bâtiments de la Chancellerie allemande,Cadrage à la taille,Gouvernement,Horizontal,Jour,Politique,Regarder,Visiter,Événement annuelPhotographer Sean GallupCollection: Getty Images News 2013 Getty ImagesBERLIN, GERMANY - AUGUST 25: German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks out at visitors during the annual open-house day at the Chancellery on August 25, 2013 in Berlin, Germany. Germany is facing federal elections scheduled for September 22 and so far the CDU has a substantial lead in polls over the opposition. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)