text:
KPARTXSection: Linux Administrator's Manual (8)
Updated: July 2006
Index Return to Main Contents
NAMEkpartx - Create device maps from partition tables
SYNOPSISkpartx [-a | -d | -l] [-v] wholedisk
DESCRIPTIONThis tool, derived from util-linux' partx, reads partition tables on specified device and create device maps over partitions segments detected. It is called from hotplug upon device maps creation and deletion.
- -a
- Add partition mappings
- -d
- Delete partition mappings
- -l
- List partition mappings that would be added -a
- -p
- set device name-partition number delimiter
- -f
- force creation of mappings; overrides 'no_partitions' feature
- -g
- force GUID partition table (GPT)
- -s
- sync mode. Don't return until the partitions are created
- -v
- Operate verbosely
SEE ALSOmultipath(8) multipathd(8) hotplug(8)
AUTHORSThis man page was assembled By Patrick Caulfield for the Debian project. From documentation provided by the multipath author Christophe Varoqui, <[email protected]> and others.
This document was created by man2html, using the manual pages.
Time: 05:34:26 GMT, December 24, 2015


text:
Wailea-Makena, Hawaii facts for kids
|Wailea-Makena, Hawaii
|Former CDP
View from Upcountry Maui
Location in Maui County and the state of Hawaii
|United States
|• Total
|26.8 sq mi (69.5 km2)
|• Land
|22.6 sq mi (58.6 km2)
|• Water
|4.2 sq mi (10.8 km2)
|Population (2000)
|• Total
|• Density
|250.6/sq mi (96.7/km2)
|Time zone
|Hawaii-Aleutian (UTC-10)
|Area code(s)
|FIPS code
Wailea-Makena was a census-designated place (CDP) in Maui County, Hawaiʻi, United States, during the 2000 census, at which time its population was 5,671. The area was split into two CDPs, Wailea and Makena, for the 2010 census.
Wailea-Makena was located at 20°41′24″N 156°26′21″W / 20.69°N 156.43917°W (20.690104, -156.439108).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 26.8 square miles (69 km2), of which, 22.6 square miles (59 km2) of it is land and 4.2 square miles (11 km2) of it (15.62%) is water.
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,671 people, 2,520 households, and 1,522 families residing in the CDP. The population density is 250.6 people per square mile (96.8/km²). There were 5,099 housing units at an average density of 225.3 per square mile (87.0/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 75.70% White, 0.79% African American, 0.51% Native American, 10.53% Asian, 2.10% Pacific Islander, 1.02% from other races, and 9.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.01% of the population.
There were 2,520 households out of which 20.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.68.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 16.7% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 34.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 103.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.9 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $56,806, and the median income for a family was $66,923. Males had a median income of $36,788 versus $30,884 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $35,342. About 5.8% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under the age of 18 and 8.8% of those 65 and older.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
It makes sense: the two titans of business information, Thomson Reuters and Bloomberg, competing for a great news brand
Let me follow a rumor in real time …
My lunch companion, a senior executive at Thomson Reuters – where, it seems, just about every journalist of a certain age and experience is going to work, or wants to go to work – drops a passing remark about how, at Thomson Reuters, they might use the Financial Times. Then, this is contrasted with how the FT might be used at Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters' great rival, and the other place where all out-of-work, or worried-that-they-soon-will-be-out-of-work, journalists want to be.
Then, it trips out, according to my friend – said quite unselfconsciously, rather as though it should be obvious to all; for a moment, I actually think I've somehow missed the story – that the FT, having flirted with and then turned down an acquisition offer from Bloomberg, is now talking to Thomson Reuters.
I should qualify my source: he or she is not from the deal-making side (where they keep their mouths shut or, at least, more carefully confide), but someone likely to be consulted by the deal-making side. My source, by the way, has been usefully loose-lipped before, when in the woe-is-me-what's-going-to-happen-to-us mood of so many media people.
Thomson Reuters and Bloomberg, at least on their media sides, generate, in my experience, a disproportionate amount of woe-is-me-talk. This is because they are among the last places where people of a certain generation can still find adult offices and reliable pay checks, creating an island or survivor mentality. There is a sense, too, of small-timeness, of everybody understanding the random luck of being hired by a rich man. (David Thomson and Michael Bloomberg, both worth about bn, regularly vie with each other in the net worth sweepstakes.) For many, this is what it seems to have come to: the uncertain ambitions of Thomson Reuters and Bloomberg are perhaps the only hope for traditional journalism.
For good measure, my lunch companion also says that at Thomson Reuters, they believe that the Wall Street Journal's parent, News Corporation, will sell the Journal in two years, give or take – an actuarial (New Corp Chairman Rupert Murdoch, who protects the money-losing WSJ, will shortly be 81), as much as a business analysis.
True, my companion clearly wishes for an FT or WSJ acquisition by Thomson Reuters to be true; so wishfulness may be coloring his sense of corporate ambition and the likelihood of a transaction. After all, the Thomson company, which owned papers in Canada in London, is one of the few newspaper companies – perhaps, the only one – to have mostly exited the business, reinventing itself, at great profit, as a modern, specialized, high-value, information company.
Even when Thomson bought Reuters in 2007, it bought it not for its legacy news operation, but for its much greater business information assets. Bloomberg, for its part, generates the overwhelming share of its revenues from its terminals and financial data products. Journalists work for Thomson Reuters and Bloomberg only at some sufferance – they aren't really needed.
And yet both companies seem to have dreams of boosted brand greatness. Both have invested heavily in their news operations – even to uncertain, or dubious effect (there have been recent reports that Bloomberg is unhappy with the lackluster results of its television expansion and may shrink the business).
At Bloomberg, its founder and controlling shareholder, the mayor of New York, is coming to the end of his political career and, by all reports, looking for new worlds to conquer. Several years ago, when the New York Times was at its financial nadir, he was urged by many to grab it – and seemed tempted. And if not the Times, the mayor himself is said to have asked, what about the FT – the favorite paper of globe trotting businessmen? (Rupert Murdoch openly speculated to the people around him, including me, about whether it would be more worrisome for him and the Wall Street Journal if Bloomberg did own the Times or the FT; better, he concluded, for Bloomberg to own the Times.)
At Thomson Reuters, there are, evidently, grander impulses, too. The Thomson family, which sold the Times of London and the Sunday Times to Rupert Murdoch in 1981, has let it be known that it might consider buying them back if News Corp is compelled by the British phone-hacking scandal to sell them. (Murdoch recently tweeted: "Ignore Thomson Reuters. Thomsons chickened out of GB decades ago, except for oil money. Now control Reuters and no idea what bias they push.")
Of course, there is the FT to consider – and the hopes and ambitions of its parent, Pearson. The best source I know with a view into the high corporate levels of Pearson, whom I call immediately after lunch, demurs: "The FT will be sold. But she won't sell it." She being Marjorie Scardino, the present, seemingly-always-embattled CEO, and former newspaper editor, who has repeatedly defended ownership of the FT, even as Pearson has turned ever more into an education company.
Back to my original source, now settled in at the office: "How solid is this?" After the sinking sensation of realizing that foot may have been put in mouth, the source shuts the office door and says: "Solid. Solid. Really. Still at an informal level of conversation …" – a slight retreat – "but in clear discussions." In other words, even if true, it could be a business lifetime until an agreement. Still. The logic of a deal can almost be as good as a deal.
There are four companies that dominate the brand name financial information business: Pearson with the FT, News Corp with the WSJ, and Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters with their myriad assets. The latter two make their money and vast margins in this business. The former make their money in other businesses and maintain a foothold in financial information and news for mostly extra-business reasons. It is certainly true that neither Bloomberg nor Thomson Reuters need a newspaper – and yet it is true, too, that it could change the game were one of them to get a major financial news organ (so much so that each would probably do what is necessary to try to prevent the other from getting one – vastly enhancing the value of both the FT and WSJ). Indeed, while neither Pearson nor News Corp are ever going to turn the FT or WSJ into significant earners, Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters, with their back-end financial information resources, might be able to build a powerful and profitable financial news front end.
What's more, even before the recession, the terminal business was slowing for Bloomberg. So there may even be logic in seeing the media business, at least for last-man-standing players, as a growth business. If there is not a deal here, surely there is a dance.
And there is, too, a pleasing and – especially for rich men – perhaps irresistible counter-version of events. The news business, historically the province of organizations with big brands and big reach and big budgets, has been bitch-slapped by the digital upstarts. But here are two players distinguished by their establishment credentials, sound business footing, and vast resources – which, if they choose to act, could change things up, and, as well, allow many news journalists of my generation to breathe again.
I believe it: the game's afoot. Of course, never underestimate the glacial pace of the inevitable.


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Chinese 'Muslim re-education camps' in spotlight at Kazakh trial
Secretive "re-education camps" allegedly holding hundreds of thousands of people in a Muslim-majority region in western China are the focus of an explosive court case in Kazakhstan, testing the country's ties with Beijing.
On trial is Sayragul Sauytbay, an ethnic Kazakh Chinese national who is accused of illegally crossing the border to join her husband and two children in Kazakhstan. But it is the 41-year-old's testimony about her forced work in the camp system in the Xinjiang region that has drawn the most attention.
Beijing has stepped up a crackdown in Xinjiang against what it calls separatist elements.
At a public hearing, Sauytbay said she was granted access to classified documents that shed light on the sprawling network of re-education centres.
China's predominantly Muslim ethnic minority groups are believed to make up the majority of the camps' populations. Chinese authorities have denied the existence of such facilities despite mounting evidence from both official documents and testimonies from those who have escaped them.
Asked under oath about a so-called "camp" where she worked as an employee of the Chinese state, court spectators gasped when Sauytbay replied it held some 2,500 ethnic Kazakhs.
"In China they call it a political camp, but really it was a prison in the mountains," she said.
Sauytbay said authorities had told her she would never be allowed to enter Kazakhstan, where her family had obtained citizenship.
"That I am discussing this camp in an open court means I am already revealing state secrets," said Sauytbay, who asked Kazakhstan not to send her back to China.
Sauytbay is one of many ethnic Kazakhs separated from relatives over the border after a crackdown in Xinjiang, where authorities cite separatist and extremist threats as justification for repressive policies.
There are about 1.5 million ethnic Kazakhs in Xinjiang. They had however avoided extreme state repression suffered by Uighurs, another mostly Muslim Turkic group that forms a demographic majority in many parts of the region.
China's Uighur heartland turns into security state
China says it faces a serious threat from Islamist extremists in its Xinjiang region. Beijing accuses separatists among the Muslim Uighur ethnic minority of stirring up tensions with the ethnic Han Chinese majority. By Nadine Berghausen
Economy or security? China routinely denies pursuing repressive policies in Xinjiang and points to the vast sums it spends on economic development in the resource-rich region. James Leibold, an expert on Chinese ethnic policy says the focus on security runs counter to Beijing's goal of using the OBOR initiative to boost Xinjiang's economy, because it would disrupt the flow of people and ideas
China's far western Xinjiang region ramps up security: three times a day, alarms ring out through the streets of China's ancient Silk Road city of Kashgar and shopkeepers rush out of their stores swinging government-issued wooden clubs. In mandatory anti-terror drills conducted under police supervision, they fight off imaginary knife-wielding assailants
One Belt, One Road Initiative: an ethnic Uighur man walks down the path leading to the tomb of Imam Asim in the Taklamakan Desert. A historic trading post, the city of Kashgar is central to China's "One Belt, One Road Initiative", which is President Xi Jinping's signature foreign and economic policy involving massive infrastructure spending linking China to Asia, the Middle East and beyond
China fears disruption of "One Belt, One Road" summit: a man herds sheep in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. China's worst fears are that a large-scale attack would blight this year's diplomatic set piece, an OBOR summit attended by world leaders planned for Beijing. Since ethnic riots in the regional capital Urumqi in 2009, Xinjiang has been plagued by bouts of deadly violence
Ethnic minority in China: a woman prays at a grave near the tomb of Imam Asim in the Taklamankan Desert. Uighurs are a Turkic-speaking distinct and mostly Sunni Muslim community and one of the 55 recognised ethnic minorities in China. Although Uighurs have traditionally practiced a moderate version of Islam, experts believe that some of them have been joining Islamic militias in the Middle East
Communist Party vows to continue war on terror: Chinese state media say the threat remains high, so the Communist Party has vowed to continue its "war on terror" against Islamist extremism. For example, Chinese authorities have passed measures banning many typically Muslim customs. The initiative makes it illegal to "reject or refuse" state propaganda, although it was not immediately clear how the authorities would enforce this regulation
CCTV cameras are being installed: many residents say the anti-terror drills are just part of an oppressive security operation that has been ramped up in Kashgar and other cities in Xinjiang's Uighur heartland in recent months. For many Uighurs it is not about security, but mass surveillance. "We have no privacy. They want to see what you're up to," says a shop owner in Kashgar
Ban on many typically Muslim customs: the most visible change is likely to come from the ban on "abnormal growing of beards," and the restriction on wearing veils. Specifically, workers in public spaces, including stations and airports, will be required to "dissuade" people with veils on their faces from entering and report them to the police
Security personnel keep watch: authorities offer rewards for those who report "youth with long beards or other popular religious customs that have been radicalised", as part of a wider incentive system that rewards actionable intelligence on imminent attacks. Human rights activists have been critical of the tactics used by the government in combatting the alleged extremists, accusing it of human rights abuses
Unlike Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs had long moved freely between China and their historic homeland. About 200,000 of them became Kazakh citizens since the Central Asian country's independence in 1991.
That freedom disappeared, however, after a Chinese official known for his aggressive surveillance and population control measures in Tibet took charge of the nominally autonomous region in 2016, overseeing mass detentions and programmes of re-education for Muslims.
In late 2016 authorities took the unprecedented step of calling in Muslim minorities' passports, forcing anyone needing to leave the country to file official requests.
Sauytbay's husband Wali Islam testified that for several months the family lost contact with her, after she was reassigned to a re-education centre from a state kindergarten. Sauytbay told the court she had been tricked into working at the camps by authorities.
The family was reunited only after she crossed the border this April. Kazakh security services arrested her on 21 May.
Sauytbay's lawyer Abzal Kuspanov said the testimony of his client – who briefly consoled her 13-year-old daughter as she was ushered into the dock by police – was a sufficient indicator as to what will await her if she returns to China.
"We are not saying that she has not committed a crime by violating state borders using false documents. We have admitted that to the court and we are prepared to accept punishment," Kuspanov told journalists. "What we are saying is – don't give her back to China. If we do send her back, this person will simply disappear," said Kuspanov.
The situation of ethnic Kazakhs in Xinjiang is embarrassing for Kazakhstan, which is China's leading economic partner in Central Asia.
While the government is hesitant to confront Beijing, it is under growing pressure to speak out against the repression. China has enlisted oil-rich Kazakhstan as a key partner in its trillion dollar Belt and Road initiative aimed at improving overland trade routes between Europe and Asia.
So far Beijing has kept silent on the allegations: two Chinese diplomats present at the hearing refused to answer questions from activists and journalists.
Under public pressure, Kazakhstan's foreign ministry has called for "an objective and fair review" of detentions of Kazakh citizens in the region. But Kazakhstan, which is seeking massive investments from China, is in a poor position to lobby for the rights of Chinese citizens like Sauytbay.
Her trial is a test "of the maturity of Kazakhstan-China relations", said Serikzhan Mambetalin, a Kazakh political activist. But if Kazakhstan hands a member of the diaspora back to China, "people will say the government cannot protect its own people," he said. (AFP)


text:
Public interest disclosure management program, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service
A Public Interest Disclosure (PID) means the disclosure of information specified in the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010 (sections 12 and 13) and made to an appropriate public sector entity that has the responsibility or power to take appropriate action about the information disclosed or to provide an appropriate remedy.
- Public Interest Disclosure Management Procedure [PDF, 362KB]
Example of PIDs
Any person (including members of the public) can make a disclosure about:
- A substantial and specific danger to the health or safety of a person with a disability
- A substantial and specific danger to the environment
- The commission of an environmental offence (see Schedule 2 of the PID Act 2010)
- The conduct of another person that could, if proven, be a reprisal.
Employees of the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (or other public sector agencies) can make a disclosure about:
- Suspected official misconduct, as defined in the Crime and Misconduct Act 2001
- Maladministration that adversely affects a person's interests in a substantial and specific way
- A substantial misuse of public resources
- A substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.
How to make a disclosure
A person can make a PID to the following:
- Your manager or supervisor (if you are a staff member)
- Director, People and Culture Services
- Phone: (07) 5470 5927
- Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
- Post: PO Box 547, Nambour West QLD 4560
- The Health Service Chief Executive, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service
- Post: PO Box 547, Nambour West QLD 4560
Disclosures can additionally be made externally to:
- the Crime and Misconduct Commission if it concerns official misconduct
- the Queensland Ombudsman if it concerns maladministration
- a member of the Legislative Assembly
Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service's commitment
The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service is committed to ensuring the highest level of ethical behaviour in all aspects of our activities. We strongly support and encourage the reporting of PIDs.
All our staff have a responsibility to disclose wrongdoing and to ensure and any disclosure is in accordance with the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service's ethical culture and in particular, acting with integrity.
This responsibility is reinforced by the provisions of Section 9 of the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 places an obligation on all Health Service employees to disclose fraud, corruption and maladministration. Additionally, the obligation to report wrongdoing is reflected in Principle 1 of the Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service.
Frequently asked questions
|What will happen after I disclose this information?
|The information you have provided will be assessed and you will be notified of the outcome of that assessment in writing, and advised of your rights in that regard.
The assessment will include an assessment of the risk to you as a result of having made the disclosure and any recommended actions to provide protection will be implemented. The information you have provided will be notified to the Crime and Misconduct Commission and any other appropriate entity, which could include the police.
Your information will be stored securely and you will be contacted to discuss what protections or support you may require. In most instances the matter will be referred back to the Health Service to deal with, in which case appropriate action will be taken to make enquiries or conduct an investigation in relation to the disclosed information. In some instances it may be decided that no action will be taken but this will largely depend on the nature of the complaint and what information is available or able to be obtained in support of the disclosed information.
|What protections will I have under the PID Act?
The protections will include –
|Will I be identified as the person making the disclosure?
|We cannot guarantee your identity will not be disclosed, but careful consideration will be given before this occurs and all reasonable steps will be taken to advise you prior to disclosing this information.
|What will be done if I believe reprisal is being taken against me?
|You should immediately report any reprisal action you believe is being taken or has been taken. The information you provide will be considered and, if appropriate, reported to the Crime and Misconduct Commission and possibly to the police (depending on the seriousness). Appropriate investigation/enquiries and action will then be taken and this could include disciplinary action or prosecution. In the interim you will be contacted to discuss any further steps that can be taken to minimise further risk to you with respect to reprisal.
|Will I have to leave the workplace?
|You will be consulted in relation to appropriate steps to be implemented to minimise risk to you from reprisal action. It is unlikely that a decision will be made to move you from your workplace to protect you from reprisal action without your agreement.
|Can I make an anonymous complaint?
|You can make an anonymous complaint and your complaint does not need to be in writing to amount to a public interest disclosure. It is preferable that you provide some way of contacting you so that further information can be sought and so that you can be provided with updates as the matter progresses but this is not essential.
|What evidence do I need, or what investigation should I undertake?
|You are not required to have proof of the matter you are reporting and you are not required (in fact, you are requested not) to conduct any type of investigation in relation to the matter you are reporting.
|What if I don't agree with the PID assessment?
|You can seek a review of the assessment by contacting the Health Service Chief Executive within 28 days, and if you are still dissatisfied with the decision you can seek review via the Queensland Ombudsman.
|Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service Policy [PDF, 183KB]
|Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service Procedure [PDF, 362KB]
|Further Frequently asked questions and their answers
|Further generic information
|Complaint Form
|Authority Form


text:
Youth Football: Two sent off in tense gameWednesday, December 23, 2015, 11:57
APS Bank Under-17 Section C 1
Two sent off in tense game
Rabat 1
Melita 2
Victor Ciangura
Referee Andre' Psaila had a difficult game to control, which he did very well, as it turned out to be a tense affair after the change of ends. Melita are now on 8 points from 4 games while Rabat have a point less also from 4 games. The first period was a balanced affair and Rabat created more actions after the resumption.
Melita created the first action as Gianluca Distefano releaed Timothy Zammit in the area and Rabat keeper Damian Borg foiled him with a timely sortie while at the other end a perfect cross by Mark Asciak from the right flank found no takers in Melita's are to apply the killer touch.
In the 6th minute Melita opened the score as they won a corner kick on the right flank which was well-taken by Andrew Galea. The ball was partly cleared outside the area and after a rebound shot by Andrew Borg Hedley was partly blocked Timothy Zammit scored with a hard grounder from the edge of the area.
Rabat then created three actions. Aleandro Brincat served Asciak with a square pass and Melita keeper Isaac Mousu saved his shot from the edge of the area. Brincat was fouled outside the area and Mousu saved in two attempts the free kick shot by Asciak and Asciak then releaed Gianluca Bugeja in the area and he missed the upright with his high shot.
In another action by Melita Andrew Thake floated a perfect high ball in the area from a free kick and Borg turned the ball to a corner from a shot by Borg Hedley, and Rabat created the last two actions before the break. Asciak received the ball on the left flank from a long drop-kick by Borg and after entering the area Mousu partly saved his shot and the ball was cleared away and Mark Borg square –passed the ball to Bugeja in the area and Mousu denied him as he saved his shot in two attempts.
Two minutes after restart Rabat equalised as Mark Borg served Asciak with a through ball in the area and he scored with a hard low drive.
Rabat kept pressing and mounted two more actions. Asciak was fouled on the left flank and from the free kick by the same player Mousu was forced to fist the ball away to safety and and the same player then dribbled past an opponent and the ball was cleared away following his low cross from the edge of the area.
In the 55th minute Zammit committed the miss-of-the-match when he drove out with an open goal at his mercy after being served with a perfect cross by Borg Hedley, but he made amends six minutes later when he scored with a tap-in after a perfect square pass by Borg Hedley to make it 2-1.
In the 67th minute Rabat came close an equaliser when Christian Farrugia was fouled on the left flank and Mousu had to dive and save the free kick shot by Asciak.
Rabat were reduced to ten men in the 73rd minute when Leone Ellul was shown a second yellow card and three minutes later they were further reduced to nine men as Lincoln Micallef was shown a straight red card for foul language.
- Rabat; D.Borg, L.Micallef, M.Bonavia, L.Ellul, K.Camilleri, G.Bugeja, M.Borg, C.Farrugia, A.Brincat, M.Asciak, A.Micallef
- Melita: I.Mousu, G.Distefano, A.Thake, L.Padovani, T.Zammit, A.Galea, A.Borg Hedley, M.Pellgrine Petit, K.Ferry, R.Grima, A Randon.
- Referee: Andre' Psaila
- Player of the match: Mark Asciak (Rabat)


text:
@article{Olkuski_Tadeusz_Trends_2017, author={Olkuski, Tadeusz and Stala-Szlugaj, Katarzyna}, address={
More info at Journal site:https://min-pan.krakow.pl/wydawnictwo/czasopisma/zeszyty-naukowe-instytutu-surowcami-mineralnymi-i-energia-pan/
Observing the situation in the power industry it is easy to see that there are very deep changes in it. They rely primarily on moving away from conventional energy to renewable energy. This is particularly the case for energy in the European Union. Europe strives to be a forerunner in renewable technologies and a leader in the fight against global warming. The mining industry is being abolished and coal-fired power stations are being displaced by renewable energy sources. This situation is not only a result of EU directives but also of grassroots social initiatives inspired by environmental groups. The new lignite openings are being blocked, due to the lack of public acceptance, and the construction of conventional power plants. They do not help economic arguments for the development of energy based on coal, lignite, fuel that is significantly cheaper than the other, or to provide potential investors with the creation of new jobs. Also, coal investments are suspended in other regions of the world. CoalSwarm coal research shows that 2016 saw a dramatic fall in the amount of coal investment in the world. Even in China and India, where most of the coal industry has developed in recent years, about 100 investments have been suspended. The situation in the US is unclear. Although Barack Obama signed the Paris Agreement, current United States President Donal Trump has spoken out about this agreement and in numerous speeches and is eager to return to the dominant role of coal in the American economy. Poland still maintains the carbon structure of the power industry, but the Minister of Energy has announced that the new block at the Ostrołęka power plant will be the last coal-fired power plant to be built in Poland. This statement allows us to believe that there may be a return to Poland's energy policy in the nearest future, and the long-awaited document, Poland's energy policy until 2050, will determine the direction of change for the coming years.}, type={Artykuły / Articles}, title={Trends of change occurring in the world power industry}, number={Nr 98}, pages={187-198}, journal={Zeszyty Naukowe Instytutu Gospodarki Surowcami Mineralnymi Polskiej Akademii Nauk}, publisher={Instytut Gospodarki Surowcami Mineralnymi Polskiej Akademii Nauk}, keywords={energy, coal, trends, energy policy}, }


text:
THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING (Nathaniel Kahn, 2018)
Quad Cinema
34 West 13th St. between Fifth & Sixth Aves.
Opens Friday, October 19
On October 4, a framed painting titled "Girl with Balloon" by British street artist and provocateur Banksy began shredding itself upon being sold for $1.4 million at a Sotheby's auction, shocking and delighting the art world. Was Banksy, whose very name evokes cold, hard cash, making a sly comment on the art market, on auctions, on the intrinsic value of a work of art? In the immediate aftermath, there was general confusion about just what the buyer had purchased and whether she had to keep it at all. In many ways that stunt exemplifies what Nathaniel Kahn's highly artistic documentary, The Price of Everything, is all about. Kahn, who was nominated for Oscars for his 2003 film, My Architect: A Son's Journey, which explored the legacy of his father, Louis Kahn, and his 2006 short, Two Hands, about pianist Leon Fleisher, this time trains his camera on the volatile global art market. "Art and money have always gone hand in hand," superstar auctioneer Simon de Pury says. "It's very important for good art to be expensive. You only protect things that are valuable. If something has no financial value, people don't care. They will not give it the necessary protection. The only way to make sure that cultural artifacts survive is for them to have a commercial value."
Traveling to art fairs, galleries, museums, and studios, Kahn gets a wide range of opinions on the subject, from such art-world denizens as Amy Cappellazzo of Sotheby's, who savors the chase and the deal and has her own definition of "money shot"; collectors Inga Rubenstein, Holly Peterson, and, primarily, husband-and-wife Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson, with Edlis getting a lot of screen time showing off his vast collection and discussing various pieces and artists in detail ("There are a lot of people who know the price of everything and the value of nothing," Edlis says. "The art world is capricious."); curators Paul Schimmel and Connie Butler; art historians Alexander Nemerov, who talks about the "pricelessness" of Old Master paintings at the Frick, and Barbara Rose, who compares art on the auction block to pieces of meat; gallerists Mary Boone, Jeffrey Deitch, and Gavin Brown (who sees art and money as Siamese twins); and ever-philosophical and acerbic New York magazine art critic Jerry Saltz, who laments the prospect of great works of art being sold to private collectors, perhaps never again to be seen by the public.
Kahn also speaks with numerous artists who give their own views on what constitutes value, including Jeff Koons, who is in his busy studio, where his large team is creating his Gazing Ball series, intricate copies of classic canvases, each adorned with a reflective blue ball; octogenarian Larry Poons, who is working on dazzling paintings at his home in the woods of Upstate New York; Gerhard Richter at the opening of his exquisite 2016 painting and drawing show at Marian Goodman Gallery, explaining, "Money is dirty"; Njideka Akunyili Crosby, the rising Nigerian-born, LA-based artist who works in photo-collage and reaching new levels of success; critical and popular favorite George Condo, who exuberantly puts the finishing touches on a painting; and photorealist painter Marilyn Minter, known for her glittery pieces.
Kahn is building up to the hotly anticipated Sotheby's auction "The Triumph of Painting: The Steven & Ann Ames Collection," where each of the above artists has a work for sale, although they will not be profiting from it since they don't own the pieces. There's terrific archival footage of the 1973 Scull auction, which changed the art world forever, where Robert Rauschenberg approaches Robert Scull after a work of his just sold for an exorbitant price and Scull embraces the artist, claiming that it was good for both of them, even though Scull is the one who pockets the cash. Kahn is ever-present in the documentary, never seen but often heard asking questions, trying to get to the bottom of the beguiling relationship between art and money in the twenty-first century, concluding with a beautiful Michael Snow–like shot that in many ways sums it all up. An HBO Documentary Films presentation, The Price of Everything opens at the Quad on October 19, with Q&As and introductions featuring Kahn, producers Jennifer Stockman, Debi Wisch, and Carla Solomon, and editor Sabine Krayenbühl taking place at select screenings through October 25. Let's leave it to Poons to have the last word: "There are no rules about what is going to be good and what is gonna be bad. Art doesn't give a shit. It never has."
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In an act of defiance against the UK Government's proposed Trade Union Bill, SNP MEPs Alyn Smith and Ian Hudghton have added their support to an EU-wide campaign to promote trade union rights as human rights.
The campaign, organised by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), cites the UK's Trade Union Bill as one of the many attacks faced by the trade union movement.
It comes in the wake of Alyn's discussion with the Independent Labour Office (ILO) regarding a formal investigation on whether the UK's proposed changes to the right to strike are compatible with ratified ILO conventions.
Alyn said:
"Brave men and women fought for the right to organise, bargain collectively, and take industrial action where required.
"We cannot – we will not – spit on their memory by allowing these rights to be eroded by a government that has made no secret of its desire to put workers in their place.
"As I said before, the Conservatives' desire to erode the right to strike is not acceptable, and the SNP will continue to challenge it domestically and in Europe."
Ian said:
"The UK Government's Trade Union Bill is absolutely unacceptable, and the SNP stands strong in opposition to the Bill in Westminster, at home in Scotland, and in Strasbourg as Alyn and I have shown today.
"I hope this sends a clear signal to David Cameron that the very nature of the Bill is an attack on fundamental human rights and civil liberties".
The text of the pledge reads:
"The European Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Trade union rights are human rights. Trade union rights are described in various ILO Conventions, are recognised in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and are among the fundamental rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.
"By signing this pledge, I commit to respect and promote trade union rights in all my work on EU legislation and policy initiatives.
"I [NAME] pledge to support the respect for trade union rights in Europe."


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How to Keep a Futon Mattress in Place
A futon is a decorative, affordable and contemporary sofalike furnishing that coverts to a bed. To ensure that your futon mattress doesn't slip out of position, you can secure it to the metal or wooden frame with foam or rubber grip strips. Foam grip strips have adhesives that permanently stick to the frame, making removal difficult, so rubber, mesh-like grip strips are a better option. However, thick mattresses may require stronger, more durable foam strips to ensure a secure hold. Futon mattress grip strips can make your rest time comfortable and relaxing.
Take all pillows, cushions and linens off the futon mattress. Remove the futon mattress from the frame and place it on the floor. Fold the futon frame into the flat bed position.
Measure the length of the seat deck, using a measuring tape. Measure a slat or the edge of the frame closest to the front of the futon for the best gripper placement. When the seat slat is narrower than the rubber grip strip, measure the width of the slat.
Cut the rubber grip strip to the length and width of the seat slat. Place the rubber strip in position on the futon frame. Resistance holds the rubber strip against the frame, alleviating the need for sticky adhesives. Make sure the rubber grip strip doesn't fall between the slats, or it may become visible under the frame.
Convert the futon to the sofa position, and place the futon mattress back on the frame. Leave the futon mattress folded in half, so you have easy access to the back deck of the futon frame.
Measure and cut a rubber grip strip to fit the length of the back deck. Many futons don't have horizontal slats on the seat back, so the rubber grip strip will likely cover a series of vertical slats. Place the rubber grip strip near the top of the back deck, unfold the mattress and press the top against the rubber strip.
Things Needed
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Futon mattress grip strips, rubber
- Do not leave infants unattended on a futon mattress in case the mattress doesn't hold its position and folds in half.
- Installing a rubber grip strip on the bottom seat deck may provide enough resistance without the need for a seat-back strip. This is especially important when the backside of the futon isn't against a wall and is readily visible.
Photo Credits
- Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images


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Self-efficacy is the belief that you can succeed in the life challenges presented to you. The greater your self-efficacy, the greater your chances of succeeding in everything you attempt to accomplish. What you believe about yourself makes a difference. You can cultivate and strengthen your self-efficacy skills. Here is how I personally have worked on […]
Video: Self-Efficacy, Wellbeing, and Mastery—My Personal Experience
Video: State of Mind Can Improve State of Health
Norman Cousins had been an editor of the Saturday Evening Post and later went on to help UCLA start what, after his death, became known as the Norman Cousins Institute for Psychoneuroimmunology. This became one of the first centers for serious research into the interplay between mind and body. After his experience of recovering from […]
Video: Belief Becomes Biology
Norman Cousins helped create the psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) Program at UCLA. He is most known for his book: Anatomy of An Illness, in which he described his personal experiences overcoming a life-threatening illness by increasing his level of happiness. "Belief Becomes Biology" is one of his notable quotes. He had read the work of Dr. William James. […]
Empowered Patients Make Things Happen
The hundreds of studies I reviewed and explain in my book all point to certain specific behaviors and activities that consistently correlate with wellbeing and better health outcomes. The first is autonomy, which refers to courageously taking action to make things happen. Empowered patients have an internal locus of control; in other words, their motivation […]
Video: Can the Mind Cure Disease?
One night in 1991, chills, body aches, fever, and pathologic fatigue descended on me like a freight train. It was the peak of the flu season and I knew what I had. Despite the symptoms, the karate tournament I was watching energized me to the point where I felt as if I was competing in […]
Chronic Illness Q&A with Dr. B.
The purpose of this blog and the entire website is to provide evidence-based information on how to live a vibrant, meaningful life while living with chronic health challenges. I had been posting to this blog three times per week for the last three years. Monday posts were mindfulness research articles, especially as they relate to health. […]
How Your Thinking Affects Your Health Part 3 of 3
Part 3 of 3 Increased emotional distress results in the release of catecholamines (substances allowing us to respond to stressors), which is damaging to the intimal endothelium (inner-most lining) of the coronary arteries. That, in turn, leads to release of free fatty acids, which results in increased platelet aggregation and lipid deposition at the site […]
Cancer and Social Support
Social Support and the Immune System Psychoneuroimmunology researchers have consistently found a positive correlation between social support and the immune system. Medical researcher Dr. Janice Kiecolt-Glaser has proven that social support improves immune function and can reverse the damaging physiological effects of emotional distress. She found that social support improved leukocyte cell counts and immune function. […]
Social Support Improves Health
Most behavioral medicine studies involving heart patients focus on the efficacy of lifestyle changes to reduce atherosclerosis and reverse ischemic heart disease. World-renowned cardiologist Dean Ornish's behavioral medicine program includes weekly psychoeducational group participation, which was initially instigated as a way to promote the healthy lifestyle changes he advocates, especially adherence to a very strict […]
Authentic Self-Expression and Health Part 3
Expressive Writing and Immune Function Research psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky found in her psychotherapy practice that those who write are happier. Adopting the creative writing exercises of psychoneuroimmunology researcher James Pennebaker, she found that, for many people, it's much easier to authentically self-express by writing in a private journal than to do that in psychotherapy sessions. […]
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Gu Roctane Energy Gel - Cold Brew Coffee
Gu Roctane Energy Gel - Cold Brew Coffee
Unisex Accessories
Created for demanding training and racing, Roctane Energy Gel packs more of the good stuff in the same 100 calorie packet as the original GU Energy Gel: more sodium to aid in hydration, and more amino acids to reduce mental fatigue and help promote muscle repair.
Now available in this special Cold Brew Coffee flavor to get you out the door and across the finish line.
Product Details
Benefits Include:
- Dual source carbs for faster and lasting energy
- Packed with electrolytes to help maintain water balance
- Boosted amino acids to reduce muscle damage
- Primary caffeine benefits: For athletes, caffeine is more than just a morning pick-me-up. Strategically adding caffeine to your nutrition plan before and during exercise can help keep your mind sharp, decrease perceived effort, boost your endurance, and delay fatigue
- Flavor description:
- Cold Brew Coffee, the newest addition to the ROCTANE Energy Gel line, packs in 70mg of caffeine (which is double the amount in other caffeinated Roctane Energy Gels) along with the electrolytes and amino acids delivered by all Roctane Energy Gels.
- Cold Brew Coffee ROCTANE Energy Gel delivers the bitter yet smooth taste you expect from a refreshing cup of cold brew coffee.
- As with all our Energy Gels, we recommend eating one five minutes before you start and every 45 minutes along the way. (To avoid over loading on caffeine, we recommend limiting your daily consumption to five Cold Brew Coffee Roctane Energy Gels per day.)
- Style: 124612-BOX


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Misery (1990): A Chapter of Terror by The Number One Fan
Misery (1990)
Casts: Kathy Bates, James Caan
Directed by: Rob Reiner
Duration: 107 minutes
Based on: Misery by Stephen King (1987)
# # #
It's been a year or more since I last watched a horror movie. I don't remember what it was, but I think I stopped watching that genre since I often spend my time alone at the apartment and I don't want to have any nightmares when my housemates are not around. So I watched thriller or psycho movies instead, they still give me chills down my spine. At least, I know they are just made-up characters so I will be okay after watching it.
I recently watched Misery (1990), based on Stephen King's novel of the same name. The whole movie will mainly revolve around two characters, a novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan) and the author's fan Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates). Sheldon was saved by Wilkes after a car accident that happened in the middle of the snowstorm when he was on his way to send his finished new novel manuscript to his literary agent. Wilkes, a nurse, rescued the unconscious writer and brought him home and treated his wounds and fractures.
At first, everything was fine. Wilkes, claimed to be his number one fan, provided a comforting treatment; feeding him and giving him the medicine he needed. The two began to talk and Sheldon let her read his unpublished novel. Awkwardly, Wilkes disapprove the new novel because of the profanity in it. She then read his last romance novel with her favorite heroine Misery Chastain in it. When she reached the end of the novel, terror and brutality began a new chapter in Sheldon's life.
# # #
There's nothing new under the sun. Yet, some writers are able to recreate things into something new from different perspectives. Stephen King said that he was inspired by a short story by Evelyn Waugh called "The Man Who Loved Dickens". And then he fell asleep on New York – London flight and after that he couldn't stop thinking about his new inspiration for the novel Misery.
In Waugh's story, there's a man who was held prisoner by a chief who loved Charles Dickens and he made him read the stories. I couldn't help wondering… Did King position himself in that possibility? What if a writer was held captive by someone who really admire him? By his obsessive number one fan, maybe? Then Annie Wilkes came to his mind.
Misery was smooth in the beginning and gradually increases the horror by showing what an emotional roller-coaster that Wilkes could be. Who would have thought that a God-fearing woman who loves reading romantic novels could turn brutal and do inhumane things? King definitely did and his novel was well-transformed into this movie.
Kathy Bates' performance in this movie was brilliant. I couldn't think of any other actress who could do it better than her. One time she looked innocent and cheerful. Another time, she would appear out of nowhere with a burning rage in her eyes and scare the shit out of me.
The wobbling scene where the author Paul Sheldon was trying to get back into his room was the part that got me half screaming. James Caan convincingly translated every fight-or-flight scene in this movie as if we really witnessed his sufferings before our eyes.
Misery is a movie you must watch if you are in need of adrenaline rush that don't involve people wearing masks or invisible creatures whose appearances are signalled by shocking background music.


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Works of Longtime Tampa Artist Carolyn F. Heller Acquired by Tulane's Newcomb Art Museum
Longtime Tampa Artist Carolyn F. Heller Will Have Her Works Included in Exhibition of Noted Newcomb College Alumnae June 3-July 24
New Orleans, LA, June 03, 2016 --(
)-- Carolyn Heller Art (carolynhellerart.com) and the Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University today announced that dozens of the popular Florida artist's drawings and paintings will be acquired by the place that helped shape her style as a painter for nearly 60 years.
To honor the Newcomb College legacy and commemorate the museum's 20th anniversary, the museum will present an exhibition of nearly 20 of these works, alongside recent acquisitions by other noted Newcomb College artists including Mary Alice Peak Reiss, Louise Grosz, Ida Kohlmeyer and Stephanie Hirsch. Ida Kohlmeyer, Louise Grosz & Stephanie HirschIda Kohlmeyer, Louise Grosz & Stephanie HirschIda Kohlmeyer, Louise Grosz & Stephanie HirschIda Kohlmeyer, Louise Grosz & Stephanie Hirsch.
"Women of Newcomb, Recent Acquisitions," opens with a reception the evening of June 3 and runs through July 24. The event and exhibition are free and open to the public. At the conclusion of the show, many of Heller's pieces will enter the university's permanent collection.
"It's an honor to have her early work back on campus," says Fran Heller, the artist's daughter who created carolynhellerart.com in her mother's memory. "We recently found many pieces she'd drawn while she was studying at Newcomb. She would be thrilled to know her work is being shown with other great alumnae, and it's our family's pleasure to share some of her pieces with the university's permanent collection."
About Carolyn F. Heller
Carolyn F. Heller was a Florida artist who created works of bold shape and vivid color. She was influenced by abstract expressionism early in her 60-year career, yet her style evolved to embrace an unambiguous and playful vitality that mirrored her personality. She started drawing and painting in the 1950s at Newcomb College in New Orleans. Beginning with printmaking, wood-cuts and acrylics on canvas, she expanded into mixed-media on fabric, decorative art and furniture. In every context, her work was sensual and full of energy. Passionate about public art, she was a long-serving member of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County. She also helped establish the county's Public Art Committee, which selects and purchases artwork for public display. The Carolyn F. Heller Grant, an award supported by a fund initially created by donations to Hillsborough Arts, is presented annually to the top-scoring artist in the Council's Individual Artist Grant Program. The program funds accomplished artists or those with promising potential, providing support for specific projects that would further advance the artists' professional growth. Carolyn's daughter, Fran Heller has recently pledged that the award will become a permanent gift to the Hillsborough Arts Council. Past winners of the award are: 2016 – Laura Waller, 2015 – Susan Gott, 2014 – Michael Covello, 2013 – Michael Parker and 2012 – Arnolkis Turro. Visit www.carolynhellerart.com for opportunities to view and purchase works from Heller's private collection. See more of her work at www.facebook.com/carolynhellerart.
About The Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University
The Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University builds on the Newcomb College legacy of education, social enterprise and artistic experience. Presenting inspiring exhibitions and programs that engage communities both on and off campus, the museum fosters the creative exchange of ideas and cross-disciplinary collaborations around innovative art and design. The museum preserves and advances scholarship on the Newcomb and Tulane art collections.
The academic institution for which the museum is named was founded in 1886 as the first degree-granting coordinate college for women in America. Out of the school's famed arts program, the Newcomb Pottery—today considered one of the most significant American art potteries of the twentieth century—was born. The museum pays tribute to its heritage through shows that recognize the contributions of women to the fields of art and design.
Free and open to public, the museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. For general information, please visit http://www.newcombartmuseum.tulane.edu or call (504) 865-5328.
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Staycations have become so common in Singapore, it is surely a regular date night idea for many couples. If you are planning a surprise staycation for your special someone on Valentine's Day, you would want the hotel and the room to be unique and surprising, because normal rooms won't do as they can still be dull even with the addition of rose petals on the bed and a bottle of wine and champagne.
Instead on splurging all of your money on a glorious suite, why not just pick one of these dreamy hotels with one-of-a-kind rooms, and is guaranteed to give you something beautiful to remember?
From sleek new hotels with an edge to swanky boutique hotels with reasonable prices, there is something for everyone. Here are 14 Valentine's Day Staycation Ideas in Singapore For A Perfect February The 14th!
Image: Amara Hotels
Located on Sentosa island, Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa is exactly what it claims to be – a sanctuary. The rooms are both modern yet boasting a resort-like feel to it. An upgrade or two will get you a huge room with a separate living room if you must.
You can also treat your date to a well-deserved spa day here for the full resort-esque experience. This is sure to win you brownie points!
Rates start from S$540 a night.
1 Larkhill Road
Singapore 099394
Nearest Station: Harbourfront
If you are tired of the city areas and would prefer a hotel that is quiet and far, far away from the hustle and bustle of the busy central areas of Singapore, we might just have the hotel for you. Capri by Fraser is located at Changi Business Park, just a stone's throw away from Singapore Expo and the MRT Station.
This rather 'ulu' location is great if you just want to cuddle up in bed with your partner, order in some food from room service and catch a rom com or two. Sometimes, simplicity wins.
Rates start from S$161 a night.
3 Changi Business Park Central 1
Singapore 486037
Nearest Station: Expo
Image: Asiawebdirect
This boutique hotel has a certain rustic charm to it that we have really taken a liking to. While the rooms are not massive, it is certainly intimate and cosy, with most rooms having an open shower or bathtub concept.
Prices here at Hotel 1929 are also relatively lower than your average hotel. Conveniently located at Keong Saik Road, you can always go out for a drink or two at a bar along the road.
Rates start from S$155 a night.
50 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089154
Nearest Station: Outram Park
This spanking new hotel needs no introduction – Hotel Jen Tanglin is a hip and stylish hotel for people of all ages. Strategically located in the vicinity of Orchard Road, food options are aplenty and you can even do some midday shopping.
The rooms boast very warm and soothing tones to promote comfort and relaxation. For a no-frills and affordable 4-star hotel, Hotel Jen Tanglin is our pick.
Rates start from S$240 a night.
1a Cuscaden Road
Singapore 249716
Nearest Station: Orchard
Klapsons, The Boutique Hotel is quite the perfect fit for Valentine's Day setting with its sexy velvet carpeting and dim lights. Even so, the room still manages to retain its class and style.
Since it is a boutique hotel, each room is different so be sure to call in advance (we suggest doing it right now) to enquire if the room you desire is available.
Rates start from S$294 a night.
15 Hoe Chiang Road
Singapore 089316
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar
Image: The Australian
Naumi Hotel is undoubtedly one of the unique hotels in Singapore in terms of design. The open air pool that reflects the skyline of the surrounding Marina Bay district is such a sight to behold.
Worry not about the rooms as they are just as good as the view. Modern and edgy, the rooms inside differ from one to another so it is always a surprise.
Rates start from S$311 a night.
41 Seah Street
Singapore 188396
Nearest Station: Esplanade
Image: Design Hotels
Think an open concept twin bathtub situated right in the center of the room, with large art murals plastered on the walls. That is what awaits at New Majestic Hotel.
What we loved most about the hotel is the perfect marriage of oriental and modern designs.
Rates start from S$198 a night.
31-37 Bukit Pasoh Road
Singapore 089845
Nearest Station: Outram Park
This relatively new establishment is located right beside the first ever IKEA store in Singapore at Alexandra. Park Hotel Alexandra has the most stunning rooftop pool that you can definitely chill at over a nice cocktail or two from the bar with your special someone.
If you prefer a hotel that is fuss-free and nice to cosy up with your partner, we believe you have your answer. Best part? Its affordability.
Rates start from S$160 a night.
323 Alexandra Road
Singapore 159972
Nearest Station: Queenstown
The beautiful pool on level 5 of Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel has been given a makeover. Think resort vibes with relaxing poolside cabanas, revamped pool terrace rooms.
Be amazed by an atypical city experience and the new pool area, while you take in a picturesque view of Singapore's most bustling shopping district, and enjoy a sumptuous meal by the pool.
310 Orchard Road
Singapore 238865
Nearest Station: Orchard
Think elegance and class – that is The St. Regis Singapore. With European-inspired interior completed with posh furniture, it is one place in Singapore that will never fail you.
The prices here certainly justifies itself with the impeccable service, stunning rooms and great dining options within the property itself. The St. Regis Singapore will be worth the splurge.
Rates start from S$351 a night.
29 Tanglin Rd
Singapore 247911
Nearest Station: Orchard
Overlooking the Singapore skyline, we can only say one thing about the hotel – perfect. And by perfect, we mean that you will have a perfect romantic night with your partner while gazing out of your room, taking in the beauty of Singapore.
The Fullerton Bay Hotel is our all-time favourite hotel in Singapore and we make it a point to do a staycation here once every year!
Rates start from S$580 a night.
80 Collyer Quay
Singapore 049326
Nearest Station: Raffles Place
The Scarlet is an enchanting hotel with an interior that looks like it came straight out of a Wes Anderson movie; we kid you not. Velvet furnitures, chandeliers, and dim lighting; how romantic!
The Scarlet Hotel is a boutique hotel that is out to impress. We suggest going right for the suites as they are all uniquely themed, sexy and lavish.
Rates start from S$176 a night.
33 Erskine Rd
Singapore 069333
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer
Image: South Beach
You know those two new, tall and futuristic looking buildings along Beach Road? Well, they are the newly launched The South Beach Hotel – and we are loving every bit of it.
The hotel has 2 infinity pools, and the rooms are nothing short of modern and trendy. If your date loves anything chic yet not over-the top, The South Beach Hotel it shall be for V'day.
Rates start from S$450 a night.
30 Beach Rd
Singapore 189763
Nearest Station: Promenade
Image: W Singapore
W Hotels are always a great idea. And the one in Singapore sits within Sentosa Cove; think resort-style getaway in luxurious serenity.
You can always stroll to the nearby Quayside Isle for food and drinks, take a dip in the gorgeous pool, or simply cosy up in your luxurious room – all equipped with a stunning view of the Quayside marina.
Rates start from S$437 a night.
21 Ocean Way Sentosa
Singapore 098374
Nearest Station: Harbourfront
Image: Wangz Hotel
Located in Tiong Bahru, Wangz Hotel might be unassuming at first glance, but it has a sophisticated and tasteful interior that will impress. The hotel also has a rooftop bar!
We highly recommend the Wangz Hotel Soak Room. Yes, you heard that right – it is an actual hotel room designed for maximum comfort with the most romantic ambience. There is a free-standing tub overlooking the city lights, which you can enjoy with your partner over a glass of champagne or two.
Rates start from S$196 a night.
231 Outram Rd
Singapore 169040
Nearest Station: Outram Park/Tiong Bahru
For more recommendations, read our guide to 20 Hotels in Singapore Under S$300 That You Can Go For A Staycation.


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What Is Astigmatism and Why Does it Make Your Vision Blurry?
Astigmatism, for a relatively common eye condition, is not an especially well-understood term. Simply put, it's a condition that results when your cornea is irregularly shaped. Because of this condition, light can't focus on the retina in the back of the eye, making it harder for you to focus on … Read More


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NPR : National Public Radio : News & Evaluation, World, US, Music & Arts NPR delivers breaking nationwide and world news. The Australian delivers main coverage and analysis of Australian and international information. Take a look at the High 20 cities in Georgia with probably the most violent crimes previously year. State lawmakers said Tuesday that they are going to maintain hearings to investigate the spike in assaults on staff members at the state's largest psychiatric hospital, after The Baltimore Sun detailed the increase.
Disturbed by the idea that the world is getting worse because white people are losing their place, George Clooney dug deeper. Please enter your email below under, and we'll ship you a new code to reset your password. SMS Alerts Get breaking information tales via SMS. Each week, Information thirteen brings you the most recent news in native and state politics. Choose to have last say on plea deal that can see accused drug mule launched in as little as two years.
The loved ones of six women converse of their anguish, as Victoria Police offers an unprecedented $6 million price of rewards to help discover a Eighties Melbourne serial killer. Police charge a 22-yr-outdated man who allegedly drove his automobile into one among their officers at 121kph to flee a speeding tremendous, with CCTV displaying the senior constable leaping and rolling over the top of the automobile.
Please enter a legitimate email address. DreamHack, the world's largest digital gaming pageant, acknowledged at National Western Complicated in Denver. The fifth annual Contact a Truck occasion is Saturday at the Albany Museum of Art. An Albany man arrested and charged in last week's capturing that killed an harmless Dollar Normal customer remains in jail. Albany Police say it's been a long week, but they'll sleep slightly better now knowing the households of the two most recent homicide victims have some closure.
Professional gamer Eric ESAM" Lew spends hours every day enjoying Smash Bros. On Friday, he is in Denver to compete for the $10k prize in the well regarded DreamHack egames competition. A number of other games are holding tournaments and the three-day occasion open 24 hours a day is predicted to attract a big viewers – especially online. We've despatched an e-mail with instructions to create a brand new password.


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Thematic Groups offer you the chance to get more involved in our work. The Groups meet regularly, and you'll have the option to undertake further project work between meetings. They offer an excellent opportunity to expand your legal knowledge and to get involved in an issue that interests you.
Once you have joined Lawyers Against Poverty, you are welcome to join any of the Groups, whether or not you have existing specialist knowledge of that Group's subject area. Interest and a commitment to improving access to justice for developing communities is ultimately what we ask of our Thematic Group members.
You'll find below details of our existing Thematic Groups. They tend to meet via telecon and occasionally face to face. Groups get involved in supporting Lawyers Against Poverty events and some hold events, meetings and training to attract new members.
If you have an interest in a particular area of access to justice which isn't covered by an existing Thematic Group, please email us. We'd be delighted to discuss the possible creation of a new Group.
Current themes
- Legal Education
- Refugees
- Twinning
- In-House Lawyers
- Land
- Women's Rights
- Fundraising groups
- Lawyers Against Poverty week
Junior Lawyers' Group
- Nottingham, KCL, Bristol, Oxford Brookes, Oxford, LSE, Manchester, Exeter, UCL and Warwick universities


text: Warwick and Leamington Spa Group is a long-standing, friendly group with a very varied programme of discussion meetings and activities. We meet every 2-3 weeks during school termtime. Currently we have 22 members, average age probably late sixties, but we would especially like some younger members. Our average meeting attendance is probably 10. We have several NWR-only satellite groups e.g. Reading Group and a Lunch Group plus less exclusive groups e.g. Scrabble, and Book Group; we also get together in smaller, informal and less regular groups for Rummikub, walking and purely social activities over coffee etc. We are all very actively involved with our families as well as various other, more local, things such as U3A, Ramblers, theatre (active and passive), music, genealogy, other book groups and some serious travel/ holidays. Now that almost all our members are retired, we really are embracing as many extra-mural activities and interests as we can. We do attend regional and national events from time, combining forces so we can share transport and accommodation as required.


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Search results for "kde"
Plasma Color Schemes by guilmour
White base with very yellow accent. I made this one, according to the color scheme of the company I work.
gold beige nude white linux unix theme kde plasma colorscheme
6 .5
Aug 14 2020
Plasma Color Schemes by guilmour
Light-rose base, with soft-green accent.
rose pink green softgreen linux unix theme kde plasma colorscheme
5 .8
Aug 14 2020
Dark Blue Horizon
Plasma Color Schemes by flatus
Based on Dark Obsidian with improved Contrast and more Blue
color scheme kdeplasma kde linux unix theme plasma colorscheme
5 .0
Aug 08 2020
Sleek and Futuristic
You don't have to be neon blue/pink to look cyberpunk. :-)
linux unix theme kde plasma colorscheme dark breeze cyberpunk green gold
5 .0
Jul 02 2020
Eye Pleasing
With this color schemes I tried to maximize readability of text and desktop widgets. For this reason, the title bars have a distinctive color that doesn't blend with the window color and the focused window have always a colored titlebar. Same with the buttons, that have a different color than...
linux unix theme kde plasma colorscheme breeze pastels
5 .6
Jun 24 2020
Blue Orange Contrast
This is a new iteration of my previous Blue Orange https://store.kde.org/p/1377925
linux unix theme kde plasma colorscheme breeze blue orange contrast
5 .0
Jun 05 2020
Soft Blue and Red
I wanted a not too dark, readable and colorful color scheme. Plasma Theme: https://www.pling.com/p/1395651/ Konsole Color Scheme: https://www.pling.com/p/1395653/
dark blue red breeze linux unix theme kde plasma colorscheme
5 .0
Jun 19 2020
A mod of Accento Light Orange https://store.kde.org/p/1241082/, with more variety and contrast
breeze orange blue amiga workbench linux unix theme kde plasma colorscheme
6 .0
May 03 2020
Fading To Black
Plasma Color Schemes by cant-get-right
Dark but not quite black. This is a modification of the blackstone-oxygen theme.
linux unix theme kde plasma colorscheme black dark steam gray
5 .0
Dec 03 2019
TERRA 1 Plasma Color Scheme Dark.
Plasma Color Schemes by charlie-henson
TERRA 1 Plasma Color Scheme. A well colored and matched darker theme with soft hovers. Not without it's flaws I am sure of this as it's my third scheme built. The idea was to match the wallpaper in the background and this is how I chose my colors. Built from Breeze dark with no other themes...
dark plasma color scheme linux unix theme kde colorscheme
5 .0
Oct 08 2019


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Head coach Rex Ryan had to field questions about a nonexistent quarterback controversy for a third straight day Wednesday. And for a third straight day, Ryan reiterated support for second-year quarterback Geno Smith, even with the Jets sitting at 1-3 and the young quarterback struggling.
The idea Smith will be replaced by veteran backup Michael Vick appears to be all smoke, as the Jets are intent to ride with their second-round draft pick.
"It's about wins and losses, winning more games. Ultimately, that's the only thing," Smith said. "I don't think it's about anything other than that. We just have to win. That's a team effort, not just myself. It's every single guy in the building working towards that. And we are, and we are getting better. But obviously we have to win and there's a sense of urgency when it comes to that."
Quarterback controversy is nothing new for Ryan and the Jets. First-round pick Mark Sanchez was named starter over Kellen Clemens in 2009 despite a lackluster preseason. Then in 2012, the team traded for Tim Tebow and began another year of controversy. Last season, the drafting of Smith led to another camp battle at the position, cut off by a season-ending shoulder injury to Sanchez in the third preseason game.
Now Vick is garnering more attention as Smith continues to struggle with untimely turnovers. It spilled over into the stands on Sunday when fans heckled Smith as he left the field following the Jets 24-17 loss to the Lions. Smith twice shouted "F—k you" to fans as he exited to the locker room. He apologized for the outburst in his postgame press conference.
"I think he will finish the game," Ryan said on Wednesday. "I think we'll play well. I think Geno will play well, I think the whole team will play well."
Sunday's opponent, the Chargers, are currently No. 11 in pass defense and giving up a healthy 7.2 yards per passing play.
During his locker room scrum with the media on Wednesday, Smith was asked if the insertion of Vick into a game — for a series or even a whole quarter — would be beneficial to the team. The answer from Smith left little room for interpretation.
"What team do you see doing that?" Smith said. "It's not a question."
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.


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B2B Cross border payments aggregator-Fairexpay
B2B Cross border payments are more expensive and Businesses continue to loose $150 b yearly of fees and Fx margin, it can take longer to process than domestic payments due to the increased number of parties involved. Typically, international payments take two to five working days to clear, depending on the number of intermediary banks the funds need to pass through,
Does the businesses know who is giving the best exchange rate for cross-border payments?
Every Provider claims to give the best Fx rate and offer savings compared to Bank rate, but how does any business know who is the best Fx rate provider? How long will the Cross-border payments take to be delivered to beneficiaries? Is there a single portal which can give answers to all the above questions? Do the Businesses explore possibilities for Savings on such transfers?
Well, Fairexpay has the answers to all the above questions, it is a B2B Cross border aggregator platform available in Web app and API with Integration to SAP/any ERP which can integrate with any financial application. It has Top 10 Global Providers on its platform and covers payments to 200 countries and 130+ currencies. Fairexpay also provides transparent rates, savings, bidding options which helps businesses for their Vendor Payments, Intercompany payments, Cross border E Commerce settlements, Global Payroll etc
Fairexpay has "be one solutions" as its Global SAP Deployment partner. Please visit www.fairexpay.com or email our savings expert [email protected] for a 120day free trial access to realize the savings & efficiencies.
This is a Sponsored Feature.
The value of digital identity in payments
By Vince Graziani, CEO, IDEX Biometrics ASA
In ever more challenging times, the payments industry needs to maintain trust by finding a way to protect consumers from the constant threat of payment fraud and theft. Consumer's wishing to limit physical contact during the current pandemic has led to the popularity of contactless payments which has accelerated in multiple territories.
In the US, one in five shoppers have made a contactless payment for the first time during the pandemic according to research published in August by the National Retail Federation and Forrester. The bad guys have unfortunately taken note. This has led to a real need for the industry to fight back with enhanced security.
At the 2019 Money2020 Europe conference, there was a universal call for a comprehensive form of digital identity (ID) to enable digital payments. A form of digital identity that would make cashless payment interactions – secure, intelligent, efficient and private. The feeling was unanimous: without functioning digital ID, the payments revolution will stall.
Unlocking the payment ecosystem
In an increasingly connected world, consumers find themselves needing to authenticate their identity daily. Whether that be with financial institutions, retailers, government departments or healthcare providers. Yet, it is rarely known where consumer data is stored, how secure it is or how it may be traded. Privacy regulations such as the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) have attempted to restore some trust, but the industry still has a way to go.
Currently, authentication is fragmented and unwieldy. It requires a mix of hardcopy documents, online login credentials and digital wallets. This is not only frustrating for consumers but leads to the reuse of passwords and PINS that make the user vulnerable to fraud. Mastercard believes there is a clear need for a verified identity that is accepted globally and across multiple digital touchpoints and doesn't involve aggregating more information in potentially vulnerable data stores, but instead gives the individual control over their identity data.
An integrated digital ID scheme would enable the payments industry to fight fraud on a global scale. It would also meet the pressing need for a payment authentication system that consumers can access anytime, anywhere, and on any device. This joined-up approach is vital to ensure no consumer is left behind as the world continues its digital transformation.
Providing access to a singular, unified digital ID will not only streamline the identity process, but also unlock new and enhanced consumer experiences during this digital transformation. Particularly in the new breed of smart buildings and cities, where everything from travel to payment systems will be connected to a user's identity.
What form should our digital ID take?
While the need for digital ID is well established, the form it will take is less clear. There are two main challenges that payment providers need to overcome with a potential new identity solution: onboarding new users and ensuring the digital ID is compatible with all transactions.
Placing individual consumers at the centre of their own digital interactions will ensure confidence and broader adoption of new technology payments and services. Yet, for this to be successful, the payments industry must adopt a process that is simple, familiar and easy to understand.
Fingerprint biometrics as a digital identity
The use of fingerprint authentication to unlock a smartphone is now deeply entrenched. As far back as 2016, 89 percent of users with compatible iPhones were using fingerprints to unlock their devices. The solution for a frictionless onboarding has been at our fingertips the whole time.
Payment providers can incorporate fingerprint biometric sensors directly into their new breed of smart payment cards. A biometric payment card may be a new concept, but payment providers and retailers across the world are already using contactless card technology in the payment process, so it is the next logical step. Consumers are now used to carrying a card and tapping it for contactless payments. Plus, as we have seen, consumers are used to using their fingerprint as an authentication mechanism. Perhaps biometric cards could be the catalyst for financial inclusion desired by the World Bank, as they don't require the ownership of expensive smartphones in developing nations.
Building a chain of trust with biometrics
Continuous developments in payment regulation mean that secure authentication is imperative. Under the second Payment Service Directive (PSD2) European banking regulation, all payment transactions will soon require Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) to validate users at the point of transaction to reduce fraud and increase security for customers. SCA requires two forms of authentication for every transaction above the contactless limit. While one is generally something you have like a smart card, the second can be something you are like a fingerprint. Using a fingerprint means that it can be used across multiple platforms and is always at hand. There should be no trade-off between convenience and privacy and fingerprint biometrics delivers on that expectation.
Biometrics can play an essential role in digital ID, significantly limiting exposure to potential fraud and criminality. The addition of a biometric sensor onto a payment card creates a secure 'chain of trust' that indelibly connects the user to the card. Furthermore, digital ID has the scope to be extended far beyond payments and used as a unique identifier in areas such as access, government ID and even across IoT devices.
Securing the future of the payments industry
While the world is becoming ever more cashless, commentators and analysts all agree – without a fully functioning digital ID, the payments revolution will stall. As Tony McLaughlin, Emerging Payments and Business Development at Citi put it recently: "If we fix digital identity, we fix payments". I couldn't agree more. Both consumers and the payments industry need a user-centric digital ID that is owned and managed by the individual, so they can unlock the full advantages of a transformative digital payment ecosystem.
Using fingerprint biometrics as a digital ID in a payment card will transform the way people authenticate transactions. This integration would enable consumers to confirm their identity wherever they are, on any device, and across every transaction. It will change the face of digital identity as we know it.
We believe that digital interactions should be privacy-enhancing, secure, intelligent, and efficient. To facilitate this, consumers require a user-centric digital identity that is owned, managed, and controlled by the individual. It is time to place individuals at the heart of their digital interactions globally.
It's time to press 'reset' on travel and expense processes
By Rudy Daniello, EVP of Corporations, Amadeus
Travel & Expenses(T&E) is a large spend category for companies across the globe. In fact, for many firms, T&E is the second largest indirect spend category. While we all know the inherent value personal, face-to-face meetings bring, it's important to quantify and manage the cost, especially in today's climate.
While business travel has slowed due to COVID-19, many companies have accelerated their digital transformation during this period, especially in the way their teams work. One area that is under the spotlight as organisations look to transform digitally and control costs and processes better, is T&E.
Poor business travel spend management can frustrate staff, and lead to cost and productivity inefficiencies. Within the context of COVID-19, controlling T&E spend is likely to be even more important, so companies need a clear strategy around their travel and expenses.
To understand how organisations were assessing their T&E at this extraordinary time, Forrester Consulting conducted research on behalf of Amadeus, surveying more than 550 key decision makers involved in T&E solutions at large organisations worldwide.
The report, titled Digital Transformation For Travel & Expense: Balancing Process Efficiencies, Compliance, And Employee Experience highlights the challenges organisations face as they assess their T&E systems and processes before business travel picks up again.
The good news is that nearly three quarters (74%) of respondents agree that the improvement of T&E management processes and tools is critical to reducing costs, increasing efficiency, improving employee engagement, and forms part of their digital transformation.
All of these factors are key business objectives, so how can organisations address their T&E?
Focus on Systems
The research found that a lot of organisations are still relying on outdated systems to manage their travel and expenses. More than one in five (22%) of centralised companies still use spreadsheets to track expenses and just 15% of organisations use a cloud-based T&E solution.
Many decentralised companies also still rely on manual processes – either fully or partly – for their T&E. These outdated processes and systems add pressure on staff, managers, auditors and accountants. Reassess T&E Processes
Having the right systems in place will help rethink T&E processes, from researching hotels and appropriate transport, to making expenses claims post-trip. Travel managers surveyed difficulties around compliance-related expense tracking, reconciliation and auditing as a key challenge.
Three quarters (74%) of travel management leaders want to increase automation to reduce their reliance on manual processes. However, one in five (20%) organisations do not feel they are getting the analytical and reporting capabilities they need, despite data being a core priority.
The research shows that Human Resources (HR) and IT have key roles to play in redefining their organisations' T&E processes.
Enable Smarter Booking
The research also finds that T&E leaders want to be able to manage the huge amount of content out there so that they can make clear decisions when making travel bookings. Multinational organisations need a global solution so that they can access the best deals and make more informed business travel booking decisions.
Integrated T&E solutions deliver cost and efficiency benefits
According to the research, those organisations that use an integrated T&E tool are much less likely to receive complaints from their traveling staff. More than a quarter (27%) of organisations that use an integrated T&E solution reported zero complaints from employees.
Integrated T&E solutions are essential for companies as they help their employees, take advantage of the best offers for the business trip. They also streamline expense processes, making it quicker and easier to claim and have their expenses approved and paid back.
Firms that do not have integrated T&E solutions report a 29% increase in delays in reimbursing expenses. Almost all (96%) of organisations interviewed that use integrated tools are satisfied with their T&E processes. Nearly three quarters (73%) of them even plan to expand or upgrade further.
Improving T&E is a team effort
What the Forrester Consulting research demonstrates clearly is that there is consensus across the board that T&E systems and processes can be improved.
Three quarters (74%) of IT leaders are focused on improving end-to-end experience of T&E processes, and 73% are committed to improving integration between T&E tools and other systems (73%).
And it's not just IT leaders who see the value in integrated T&E solutions. More than four out of five procurement managers see improvement of T&E tools and processes as a key part of their organisation's digital transformation, the highest of any group interviewed by Forrester.
While online conferencing has become the norm for many organisations, nothing can replace the value of face-to-face meetings. When business travel picks up again, companies with integrated T&E systems and processes will quickly see the benefits.
Covid-19 and the rise of remote payment fraud: how do we catch a digital thief?
By Evgenia Loginova, co-founder and co-CEO of Radar Payments
Covid -19 is finding different ways to hurt our finances – and like the virus, the threat is invisible.
Each time we tap our payments cards or make a purchase online, there's always a risk of getting caught out by a digital fraudster. Yet during the global pandemic, the issue has not only escalated, but the ways in which people are conned have changed to reflect new social distancing and lockdown behaviours.
Indeed, the crisis has transformed the way we buy and shop – and those that are being targeted most are the millennial generation.
What are we doing differently?
It's all down to the way we are interacting with service providers.
Lockdown behaviour
Since the World Health Organisation issued a pandemic in March, global payment fraud went up 5% with 100 million suspected fraud attempts from the period between March – April.
According to TransUnion, the firm analysing the data, billions of people around the world have been forced to spend time at home, which has led to industries such as financial services, ecommerce and healthcare to experience disruption in ways that have not been seen for generations.
This is due to the spike in online transactions, as more people adjust to the new normal of spending less time at the shops and more time doing everything on their digital devices. And with so many transactions shifting online – fraudsters are spending more time there too. These culprits are fully remote and are always on the lookout for vulnerable victims – as well as vulnerabilities within the payment systems.
Digital savvy criminals
Businesses that come to grips with the problem will manage to stay afloat – but they won't be able to do it without fraud prevention tools that can identify suspicious activity without adding friction to the customer payment experience. In other words, customers must be protected from theft – as well as the truth. They shouldn't even know that they're under attack in the first place. It's all about prevention- or at least as much as what technology can provide.
Without some technological intervention, there won't be prevention, as companies simply cannot keep up with the proliferation of digital thieves. Culprits are operating individually or in criminal gangs or both – and usually in countries that are often forgotten by global leaders. For example, the telecommunications sector witnessed a 76% increase in card fraud a month after the global pandemic was declared – and the top country for suspected fraud origination was Timor-Leste – how many people even know where that is? (East Timor – formerly part of Indonesia, if you must ask!). Financial services saw an 11% increase in identity theft that same period – with most suspected culprits based in war torn Syria.
Exploiting vulnerabilities
Despite their location, fraudsters are quickly adapting to consumer behaviour, and finding ways to attack. With less in-person transactions taking place, criminals are doing things like infecting online points-of-sale with malware that enables them to skim credit card details of previous customers.
From our experience with our fraud detection networks the numbers point out that missing card fraud, in particular, has shot up by 70% over the past few months. This is where people's card details are being used by criminals to make purchases, when they are not in possession of the card. They've just stolen the numbers and additional critical security information such as expiry date and CVC2/CVV2.
Identity theft is also on the rise, as well as phishing and social engineering attacks. For example, in the UK alone there's been a rise in criminals impersonating trusted organisations like the NHS or HMRC to trick people into going online and paying for services that are fake or giving away their money and information to charities and other organisations that are fake.
Local councils in Britain have noted a 40% increase in reported scams since the start of the pandemic, while Citizens Advice believes one in three people have been targeted by a Covid scammer.
This is a problem that is too big to ignore. The moment the fraudsters have your payment details – whether they've stolen it or you've given it to them under false pretences, the problem leads to losses for the victim and the businesses and organisations too.
With Covid and lockdown, fraud has gone fully remote and everything from e-commerce and digital banking has been a target for abuse.
In this 'new normal' world we find ourselves, the prevention of suspicious transactions through customer profiling and enhanced analytics, use of AI and machine learning models becomes very important.
Fortunately, digital theft is now being taken seriously. Spending on security has skyrocketed in recent years, and the sector supplying protection predicted to grow by $6 Trillion by 2021.
Businesses that survive the pandemic must be able to anticipate and strive to block 100% of the digital theft they encounter. But to win the war against these online criminals they require a robust security strategy.
Here are some tips to consider.
Security policies should be enforced internally and across payment channels and distributed networks. This includes the core and cloud networks as well.
Security gaps should be closed. A lot of risk can be mitigated by performing regular checks and plugging security holes, settling on a unified security framework based on interoperability, centralising visibility and control, segmenting the network to restrict the fluidity of malware and high performance, and deep integration.
Invest in AI capabilities. Artificial intelligence possesses the sophisticated power to replicate the analytical behaviour of human intelligence, as well as enable decision-making in real time and offer predictive security notifications.
Investing in AI based security systems can significantly reduce digital attacks and spot suspicious activity. The best ones are integrated with artificial neural networks (ANN), which combined with deep-learning models, can speed up data analysis and decision-making. It also enables the network to nimbly adapt to new information it encounters in the network.
Prevent fraud in online and then investigate. It is crucial to stop fraud before it happens. As most of the payments became remote, reaction should be super fast: high-risk transactions should be declined, low-risk passed with no friction and suspicious challenged. This raises the importance of finding the balance between customer experience and risk mitigation as never before. And even with AI and enhanced analytics for complex cases an expert with natural intelligence should be equipped with all needed information for relevant and adequate decision-making.
Lingering problem
Digital crime won't disappear as long as there's an opportunity that criminals can exploit. As the world braces for a new wave of lockdown measures, businesses operating in the online sphere must remain vigilant and prepare for more attacks – or face losses that could be impossible to recover from during these challenging economic times.
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The summer squash programme has been designed to provide coaching to all levels. Our professional coach Adam Odering is based at the Christchurch Football Club Squash Club, where one hour of coaching takes place on Tuesdays.
Students who learn quickly can progress from summer squash to winter inter-school competition games, which are run on Wednesdays after school.
South Island and National competitions can also be entered during the winter season.


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These reports are via live reports from Mark Vale. The full video is available below.
If you prefer to read you can continue below.
With all the action taken place outside of the live broadcast we touch base with our floor reporters Martin Boam and Steve Harwood who have been busy speaking with MVPs, sponsors and attendees. We will find out what we have missed and the announcements from the days events.
From <https://three65.blog/ucday17/>
Martin Boam about today.
Mark Vale is host.
V: How was your day?
B: Working with many partners. Talking with attendees. Lots of discussions around Teams. Graham Hoskins has a demo around teams.
V: What's feedback?
B: Everyone really eager. Lots of interest in Azure and Cloud tracks in general.
V: More people here than last year.
B: Microsoft here this year. More attendees, interest, sponsors.
V: Teams feedback?
B: Mixture of why now, where it's going.
V: Out of all videos which was most interesting?
B: Demo on Teams. Devices. Yamaha speaker. Organizing UC Day.
V: Couple days to add on to YouTube. Release as one big playlist.
B: We'll see. Will need a bit of editing. Logitech and Skype Room System recordings on phone.
V: Between 50-60 people watching throughout day. Livestream is compliment to UC Day. Will chop into sections.
B: Huge credit to everyone involved in organizing.
V: Great to be here. Second year here. Will be back next year in some capacity. Thanks for watching. Hope you found it useful.
B: Shout out to Microsoft User's Group Manchester Event.