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Interview With Bill Gates
Aired May 30, 2010 - 13:00 ET
FAREED ZAKARIA, HOST: This is "GPS" the global public square. I'm Fareed Zakaria, welcome to all of you in the United States and around the world. Lots of news this week from the never ending oil spill to North Korea's latest round of naughtiness. But I think the most worrying thing we saw last week was the return of fear to the global economy. See, over the last year, it had seemed as if everything was getting better, slowly but surely. Then came the troubles in Europe. And over the last two weeks, markets have been seesawing between despair and recovery. So the question is are we in really deep trouble? Well, for Europe, this is the moment of truth. The European Union cannot really let Greece default now in an atmosphere of panic and despair. It will surely cause a run on Europe's banks and an unraveling of parts of the whole European project. It has to stabilize the situation, which means doing all the kinds of things that the Federal Reserve and the U.S. administration did after the collapse of Lehman Brothers and it has to do them fast and massively. Now, for the United States, strangely the troubles in Europe make Washington look good. Washington's shock and awe, after all, worked. Europe's has not so far. Money that was in Europe is flowing into America. People around the world now seem perfectly content to lend the U.S. government money without even getting much of an interest on it. What they are getting, I suppose, is safety and security. The dollar is strengthening. The loose talk about the euro replacing the dollar as the world's currency is history. The American recovery, while still fragile, is getting more broad-based. So in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. But in the long run and maybe even in the medium run, America has huge fiscal problems of its own. Health care costs will explode the federal budget and cripple the economy. Our entitlements, immigration, tax policy, regulation all need a massive overhaul. And politicians seem deeply unwilling to tackle these hard issues. There's an old saying, god protects fools, drunkards and the United States of America. And events have conspired once more to give the United States some breathing room. So politicians in Washington should take this time to begin the retooling of the American economy to restore its competitiveness for a new globalized world with many emerging challengers. Otherwise even divine protection might not be enough to stop the U.S. from certain decline. Those are my views. Now we will hear from the richest man in the country as to what he thinks about all these issues, Bill Gates. And then the picture that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad does not want you to see. And finally, a terrific panel, Martin Wolf, Richard Haass and Chrystia Freeland will talk about the world this week. Let's get started. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ZAKARIA: Bill Gates, thank you for joining me. BILL GATES, CHAIRMAN, MICROSOFT: It's great to be here. ZAKARIA: Let's talk about innovation. There are many areas where it seems as though the U.S. advantage in innovation historically is slipping. Do you worry about that? GATES: Well, it's a great thing if the whole world gets more involved in innovation. Our portion of the world's innovation is going to go down. Now, we should minimize that, but that's partly because the rest of the world wasn't that engaged in innovation. You know, China didn't have many research universities. Now they are trying to enter into that. IIT in India was more about training good engineers and less about doing research. Now they're trying to change that. It's an amazing, fantastic thing. My foundation looks around the world for vaccines and we love the fact that now it's not just Europe and the U.S., it's also India and China. Some of the lower cost approaches are being pioneered there. So the world should want innovation to be more equally balanced. Most people don't get up and think what share does my country have of something. ZAKARIA: But when you look forward, this is -- we're going into a world where the cheap commodity labor is going to be done by very low wage countries, India, China and many others, Vietnam, Bangladesh, so the only path for the American economy, I imagine you would agree, is a value-added path that involves knowledge and innovation and expertise, making complicated stuff, engaging in knowledge creation and knowledge application. So in that context, you know, if our lead in innovation becomes smaller and smaller, isn't it a problem for the American economy? GATES: Well, let's say overnight everybody in the world was equally rich as the U.S. so everybody was like the U.S. and we'd be 5 percent of the world's population, we'd be 5 percent of the world's innovation, 5 percent of its energy use, 5 percent of its food use. The total amount of innovation in the world would be dramatically higher, so we'd get Parkinson's drugs, cancer drugs, new technologies faster. Now it turns out the world doesn't have enough resources in terms of energy and materials and things like that, so we've got to be a lot more efficient before we can have that world. But it's not -- the game is not a relative game because it's not a zero sum game. When somebody invents a new drug in China, it is not bad for the United States. The fact that the Japanese showed us how to make high- quality cars when it took us awhile to learn that, that was a wonderful thing for everybody. And so you want more people participating. It does change the political balance, but that's going to be decades, decades from now. You know, the Chinese economy doesn't match ours in per capita even if they keep up their amazing streak until close to 2050. So we have many decades to get used to the fact that our relative position is not going to be as unique in some things and yet the world will be richer. It is an amazing system and people are copying the good parts of it. But they won't get there overnight. Great cars, great medicines, those are essentially global problems and we are getting more smart people around the world engaged in those problems and so we are going to have to shift our framework a little bit and not encourage our politicians to engage in games of saying, OK, China now is sort of the bugaboo. China and the U.S. need each other very badly. Yes, we should argue about some things, but it's not an us versus them, it's an us and them type scenario. ZAKARIA: Let's talk about energy and climate change. If you listen to some of the advocates of kind of alternate energy for the United States, you would think that there are all these technologies out there and if not for the stupid political process in Washington we would have the kind of alternate energy powering the entire American economy. Yet when you look at wind, when you look at solar, they are very small, intermittent because they can't be used continually. So while it's a good idea of course to fund innovation, what are we going to do for the next 20 or 30 years when there does not seem to be an alternate energy future that can be easily deployed for the American economy? GATES: We need to see some huge breakthroughs. You're absolutely right that there is nothing that can be scaled out today that's even close to the economics, reliability of those systems that we have. So why innovate if the policy isn't going to be there where the country says that's OK. Well, once you get rid of nuclear and clean coal, then you're totally talking about intermittent sources that are quite expensive today. Wind is the only one that's even close, even that has to be subsidized and that's only when it's at a fairly modest level, so we need a lot of breakthroughs. That's why the research part is key. ZAKARIA: So you're really looking for miracles. GATES: Absolutely. But miracles, remember, the lifestyle we have today is based on miracles. You know, you go back 150 years, you didn't have electricity's and cars and ships and global shipping and steel making and aluminum making. The technology richness that we benefited from, that innovation the last 150 years really is quite incredible. Now, the energy economy takes time to change. So if you invent for 10 years and pilot for 10 years, then in terms of broad deployment your best case is 2030, and that assumes that all these policy issues and cost issues and transmission issues get solved. The U.S. is lucky if it turns out that it's wind or solar, best we have that within our country. Many countries, take Germany, they would have to depend on foreign countries for all their energy supply. So they are very tough questions that have to be answered. I'm backing companies in a number of these areas. I'm backing a nuclear design that's somewhat different and might substantially improve the economics. But they're all risky things. The world does need one or a few of them to pan out in a mind-blowing way. ZAKARIA: You've heard the lists of solar companies and wind companies and people point out that there are very few American companies on those lists. Do you worry that we're losing out in the race for the kind of alternate energy revolution? GATES: No, there's a lot of great American companies involved in these things, whether it's solar thermal, solar PV. Wind is one where a lot of the manufacturing has moved outside the United States. There's still some, GE, in the United States. ZAKARIA: There's one. GATES: But, you know, you're going to compete in all these different things. Because in the information technology business and the biotech business we were so strong and our universities were part of that, our risk-taking was part of that. When you name the leading companies, you have to go pretty far down the list and you'd get Microsoft, Google, Apple and a whole bunch. Eventually you'd get to SAP, which is a fine company. Then you'd go a long ways before you'd get to the next non-U.S. company in the IT space. Likewise in the drug space, even the so-called foreign firms do a lot of their R&D here. So you'd expect us to be pretty strong in these energy things. It could be that you're going to invent ideas here and that the permitting to build something is going to be available elsewhere. So hybrid things like that aren't necessarily bad. We shouldn't be purely nationalistic about this thing. But a lot of the value added should be here or else you have to say, geez, what are we doing wrong? We're not funding energy R&D at nearly the level we should. It's actually down, way down from its peak about 30 years ago. It's about a quarter of what it was at its peak. And no doubt as we put in some carbon revenue, the first thing, the first 10 billion per year of that should go to substantial increase, and that would be about four times as much, to taking the current three or four billion and adding that on top of it so that we could get a decent level of R&D so both from the U.S. point of view and from a global point of view these next 10 years will be a time of big breakthroughs. ZAKARIA: And we will be back with Bill Gates in a moment. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GATES: To see things that are still headwinds and if those puncture the mood, you could actually stop the recovery. (END VIDEO CLIP) (COMMERCIAL BREAK) ZAKARIA: We are back with Bill Gates. The last time we talked, American economy, the global economy seemed like it was in pretty bad shape, and you were not as -- you were not optimistic in the short term that things would recover fast. Have you been surprised at how quickly the American economy in particular turned around? GATES: No, I think the American economy has a lot of dynamism and an ability to reallocate resources. And I still think there's some fragility. But in the last four months, there are good signs, even sectors that are weaker had started to come back. But you see in Europe and you see in our state budgets that still don't really account for all their liabilities, you see things that are still headwinds and if those puncture the mood, you could actually stop the recovery. ZAKARIA: You know, I have to ask you just because we haven't talked for over a year, the big thing that's happened in the United States is the health care reform. What did you think of the bill? GATES: Well, the health care bill is an effort to increase coverage, and it will do that. But people sure spent a lot of time on health care without getting at the other big issue, which is the health care cost inflation going way ahead of the growth of the economy. And that's a terrible thing, whether it's the health costs that hit the government budgets or that hit the private sector, it's making the U.S. less and less competitive. So there's a huge thing in health care that -- some painful things, some big things need to be done and I'm worried now that everybody is kind of tired of the topic. Some people declared victory, some people are sore, it's a very complex area. I worry that we're going to just let medical cost inflation continue ahead and that will create huge, huge problems. ZAKARIA: But you don't buy the argument that many people made, and we've heard it just recently from Tim Geithner, that within the health care bill there are all kinds of cost containment measures and, you know, we're going to see how they work and then ramp them up. You don't see the beginnings of this bending of the cost curve? GATES: No, absolutely not. Congress said they were going to cut reimbursement rates. That was not realistic. But in health, the idea of saying what shouldn't we spend on is very tough politically. And I didn't see anything in that debate about, oh, if you're going to cut back, that's a death penalty. I didn't see anything in there that showed a willingness to get at the core of the issue. If every insurance plan has to stay the way it is, if you always get to choose your doctor, if nothing can be done about end of life trade-offs there, you're not going to change this cost increase. But the thing that really makes it look bleak fiscally is that this medical inflation -- that we have not changed it. And no, the stuff in the bill I don't think is up to that task at all. ZAKARIA: And the only thing that would really change it, isn't it fair to say, is -- you can call them what you will, but some kind of panels that look at procedures and say these ones will not be paid for by the insurance. GATES: That's right. If somebody is 83-years-old and wants a knee replacement, that would have to be paid for privately. Or if the effect of proton therapy is very modest in terms of the extra months you get to live, that would have to be paid for privately. Those are tough decisions. European countries have done better at making those decisions. They have avoided the huge number of specialists that our system has that creates difficulties. Right now, it's as rewarding for a company to invent a chemotherapy drug that costs $200,000 a year and only gains months of life for the people involved. That is as profitable as something that keeps people healthy. And so we have to reorder the priorities of the innovation system to get it working on our behalf, and that's the only way I see us making a change. ZAKARIA: But this is a pretty dire situation then, because health care costs are by far the biggest driver of the federal budget. They are going to produce, as you say, a kind of essentially unsustainable fiscal condition. GATES: Yeah, democracies, and particularly the U.S. democracy, has dealt with tough problems in the past. And how acute does it have to become, how do you take the complexities of it, particularly where you have many groups that love the current way the money is spent, how do you get that out in front of people when it's a very emotionally charged subject? And if you layer on that that the number of centrist politicians or technocratic politicians really take the time to learn an issue in depth, we have less of those today than in the past, you can get worried about this one. But this is going to rise to the top of the list of important issues. And in the past everything that's risen like that, the country has come up with a way of dealing with it. ZAKARIA: Let's talk about another aspect of American innovation that you've talked a lot about and your foundation does a lot of work, education in America. Do you think that we are finally turning the corner on education policy? Over 25 years of intense scrutiny of education policy, massive new funding, the system has not improved at all. GATES: Whenever you get discouraged, you can go and visit an Aspire or Yes, or Kit or Green Dot school, there's many of these that are replicating and adding new schools. They're achieving the miracle. They're taking the kids from the toughest environments and getting over 95 percent of them to go to a four-year college. So when you see that working at the same cost as being spent on the dropout factory across the street, then you go, OK, there's a lot of pieces that have to come together here. But it is within reach. And if you had one wish for the country, I think there's no doubt you'd use it on this improvement in the education system. ZAKARIA: But make that wish specific. If you had one wish, if you had a magic wand and you could change something, what would you change in current education policy? GATES: I would change the system that helps teachers get better, how they're evaluated, how they're given a chance to improve, how they can see different metrics, how they can go online and see the very best teachers in the world. I think that's at the center of this thing. We can add a lot of charter schools and get them up to -- there are only about 4 percent today and the really good charter schools are closer to 1 percent of the system capacity. So we can increase that. But unless those best practices find their way into the mainstream of the public schools, which means that people in the unions feeling good about these things, seeing that they actually work, then it's hard to see that we'll achieve the goals. So you've got to get a new approach, including the learning. The best teachers are incredibly good. In a public school system, there are people who are absolutely fantastic. And they haven't even been identified and even given verbal praise for the miracles they achieve. Now we want to say, OK, what is it you're doing. Why is it on any measure, class engagement, class test scores, class attendance, why are you doing so much better than all the other practitioners who are being paid the same as you are? ZAKARIA: Bill Gates, a pleasure. GATES: Thank you. ZAKARIA: And we will be back. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) ZAKARIA: Now for our "What In The World" segment. Take a look at this picture. You probably recognize the man on the right, of course, Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. It's a picture Iranian authorities didn't want anyone to see. And it almost cost a reporter 180 days in prison. Many of you will remember the story of my friend and colleague, Maziar Bahari, "Newsweek's" man in Tehran. He was arrested after covering the aftermath of the Iranian elections. He was then imprisoned, put on a show trial. Then after 118 days in prison, released on bail and finally allowed to leave the country. Well, he was recently sentenced in absentia of course and the judgment against him was 13 years and six months in prison, plus 74 lashes. Yes, 74 lashes. Those were for reporting on a clash between paramilitary forces and protesters. So I was wondering what the six months were for, why not an even 13 years or, I suppose, 14 years. Well, it turns out those six months were for this picture. One of Maziar's friends had posted it on Maziar's Facebook wall. Iranian authorities say Maziar was insulting their dear leader by implying he was gay. Maziar says his attempts to explain to Iranian authorities that he didn't post the picture fell on deaf ears. Now this may seem funny, but countless innocent Iranians remain behind bars for supposed crimes like these during the post-election protests. According to human rights groups, 27 political activists remain on death row in Iran. The first anniversary of the disputed elections is in just two weeks and in an apparent effort to discourage protests, 11 people were hanged in a single weekend early this month. Sometimes the Iranian regime seems odd or weird or even funny. But it's repression of the basic rights of thousands of Iranians continues and is surely no laughing matter. And we will be right back. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The ill will it has created across country, among countries and the tension it's creating within countries is very profound. (END VIDEO CLIP) (COMMERCIAL BREAK) ZAKARIA: North Korea stirring the pot again, Europe wringing its hands over Greece. It has been a busy week. And here to help make sense of it all, three star panelists -- Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations and the author of a book that is out in paper book, "War of Necessity, War of Choice." Martin Wolf, the chief economics commentator at the "Financial Times," and Chrystia Freeland, global editor in chief of Reuters. Welcome all. Martin, Europe has been trying mightily to assuage everyone's nervous jitters over Greece. It doesn't really seem to have worked. The market is still seesawing up and down. What do you make of it? MARTIN WOLF, FINANCIAL TIMES: Well, it's pretty clear that what they did was a set of half measures. Everybody could see that at best all they have done is buy some time, maybe a couple of years at most. Everybody who looks at the numbers still believes that Greece is going to have to restructure its debt, i.e. default, and maybe that will be followed by others. It's also become increasingly clear as time has passed how deep the divisions are among the major European countries. So what you have is a weakening of the European economy, real doubts about the solvency of a number of countries, and an obvious perception of deep and profound disagreements between the two most important players. Apart from that, everything is fine. ZAKARIA: But you wrote a piece in the "FT" about the fact that this highlighted, among other things, the lack of European leadership. Do you think there's also something particular about the lack of German leadership, because what's striking here is unlike during Helmet Kohl's era, during German unification, unlike during Schroeder's era, the German public seems to have said effectively, enough. We've paid these bills for a long, long time, and we're not going to pay the bills of weaker European countries, you know, which was done in Germany really out of post-war guilt in a sense that Germany had to pay reparations in a sense. RICHARD HAASS, COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS: Well, this is in some ways had -- the face of this is a Greek crisis, but in many ways it's really a German crisis, and the Germans were very slow to respond in part because of what you just said, internal politics. As is always the case when you're slow to respond, the bill gets much bigger, so they paid an enormous price for their dithering. But more broadly, Germany's relationship with the rest of Europe has become extraordinarily uncomfortable. Germany will not really expand its own economy in terms of stimulus. It's not willing to do its share. Instead they seem to be haranguing the rest of Europe for being profligate and irresponsible, and by the way, the Germans allowed them to do that for many years. No one ever disciplined anybody. What I think we're seeing are the real fault lines in Europe. We're seeing not just north-south fault lines again, but the gap between the idea of Europe politically and the reality of Europe. And I say this without any sense, to use a German word, of schadenfreude. This is bad. It's bad for the global economy, it's bad for Europe. It's also bad for the United States. Europe as a partner is far weaker than we would want it. So it means as we face all the crises I expect we'll be talking about here, the ability of Europe to pull its weight, to be a real partner of the United States is much reduced, and that is not good news. ZAKARIA: You know, Andrew Morowshik (ph) has a piece in "Newsweek" where he argues, look, at the end of the day, what's going to happen is this is going to force the Greeks to do some reforming, the Portuguese to do some reforming. It will bring Europe a little bit closer together, and they will buy themselves some time and they will finally deal with the bank restructuring. So while it looks like this is all bad news, it is pushing Europe in the right direction. Is that fair? CHRYSTIA FREELAND, REUTERS: Well, I think you have to make your bets. Personally, I actually disagree a little bit with Richard in terms of the Germans. Because if I had to make a bet, I think at the end of the day, the Germans care enough about Europe and have enough of a commitment to the European experiment, which it still is. But I think at the end of the day, you'll see them sort of pitching in. And there was an interesting piece by the editor of "Handlesplat" (ph) basically arguing this. HAASS: But don't you think there's tension, though, between the Europe -- the German commitment to Europe and the German commitment, if you will, to tight money. And these two great principles of 20th century Germany are now coming into conflict. FREELAND: Right. And what they are hoping is that they can push the profligate southern Europeans into being a little more committed to tight money, but what they've realized is, it's going to cost them a lot. WOLF: What you're seeing is, I think, the beginning of what could be a very, very big set of conflicts, particularly in Germany, but not only in Germany, between the elites and, as it were, the people. Now, the elites in Europe don't really care very much about the people. Germany is not profoundly committed to allowing the people to decide things like that. They have been there and they have got the t-shirts. So they will try to suppress this. But it makes politics very difficult. My own bet at the end is that they will cobble this together, but the ill will it has created across countries, among countries, and the tension it's creating within countries is very profound. And if the economy doesn't really get to work again, and it looks very bad, this can only get worse. ZAKARIA: Well, this is an interesting kind of exit question, as they say on panels, which is how would you rate this? I mean, my own sense is 80 percent of the chance, I think Martin Wolf is right, they will cobble something together, buy themselves some time. But 20 percent, which is a significant and large number, the whole thing collapses. How would you place this? HAASS: Well, I think they're likely to cobble it together, but it will not be a great success. We are looking at a decade or perhaps even longer of probably anemic European growth, which means it's bad for Europeans but it's bad for the rest of the world. One-quarter of the world now will not be able to be an engine for the rest of the world. This is not good. ZAKARIA: But no collapse of the euro. HAASS: I think you'll have actually some breakdowns. I end up where you began. I think you will have some selective suspensions or defaults. I don't think you can simply have a smooth path ahead. FREELAND: Yes, I think ultimately I would buy your 80-20 chance. I think Europe probably does hold together. I think the euro does remain a currency. I think the other interesting issue is what the impact is on the fringe countries, on Eastern Europe, on the Baltic republics. Do you have them still go ahead with wanting to join Europe? And what's the political impact there? ZAKARIA: And we will discuss that and its impact on America and its challenges when we come back. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) HAASS: They're beginning to get it, that standing on the sidelines and saying, oh, don't ask too much of us, we've got to focus on our internal development, won't wash. (END VIDEO CLIP) (COMMERCIAL BREAK) FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Here's what's happening right now. BP will soon be trying a new strategy to stop that gushing oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico after its top kill technique failed. The new option will involve cutting off part of a broken pipe that leads out of the well, and then capping the leak with a custom-built containment device. BP says the device won't be ready for another four to seven days. It also says the oil won't be completely shut off until a relief well is up and running, and that won't happen until August. The economic impact of the spill is mounting. So far, more than 26,000 workers and businesses along the Gulf have filed claims with BP for lost income. BP has cut checks for about half those claims, paying out a total of $35 million. But some fishermen say the money they have received is just a fraction of what they would normally earn. And those are the top stories. More "Fareed Zakaria: GPS" in a moment. And then join me at the top of the hour in the "Newsroom." We'll go live to the Gulf region for the latest on the oil spill. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) ZAKARIA: And we are back with our panel of stars, Richard Haass, Chrystia Freeland and Martin Wolf. Richard Haass, you are just back from South Korea. What do you make of what the North Koreans are doing? Because now you're at a stage where North Korea and South Korea have both taken stances over this alleged sinking of this South Korean ship, where they have suspended relations. They have almost gone on a cold war footing all over again. Tough to see how you deescalate from here. HAASS: Well, it is. And you used the phrase "Cold War." This is the last vestige of the Cold War. This June we celebrate or mark, rather, the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. This is this anachronism. It's an anomaly. The South Koreans responded with the few options they had. There's so little you can take away from North Korea, because we've already taken away everything, so they have added a little bit more sanctioning, they have cut off what little trade there was. There's going to be an effort in the United Nations. The real question is what role China plays. But I think all of this is likely about North Korea's succession. It's quite possible that what North Korea did was linked to its succession. Perhaps the son of the current leader, Kim Jong-Il, trying to do something, perhaps not. We don't know. It's the most opaque country in the world, as you know. But my view is that the line of U.S. and South Korean policy for the last 15 years has essentially been to negotiate with North Korea to get them to give up their nuclear weapons. It hasn't worked. It won't work. And this is a reminder, I think, of how dangerous it is to live with these guys. ZAKARIA: So what do you do? HAASS: Well, I think what's happening now is you saw the South Korean president talk for the first time about the desirability of a change in regime in North Korea. I think the conversations have to begin with China, which by the way has the preponderance of influence here. Almost all of North Korea's energy and trade goes through China. Its financial links to the world are through China. The real question is whether China now finally sees North Korea for what it is, a liability. The only silver lining in this cloud is it makes China so uneasy with North Korea that it begins to use its influence that it's been reluctant to use. ZAKARIA: Broadening this out, in a sense, Martin, to China and its broader world role. If you look at Copenhagen, if you look at currency issues, if you look at Iran, if you look at North Korea, China is in this kind of uneasy moment where it knows it has power, it knows it is sort of expected to play this broader role regionally or globally, but it doesn't seem entirely comfortable with it. WOLF: Yes, it's very difficult to interpret this, but my sense of it is that first China has found itself, as it were, a great world power rather sooner than it expected, and it hadn't really worked out what its policies are, what its aims are for the world system. And it's treating these as individual events, individual problems, and what it wants to do is as little as possible. It doesn't want to be disrupted internally, of course. It wants to preserve good relations with the United States for sure, there's no doubt about that. But it doesn't want to do anything that will shake very uneasy consensuses that exist in China. It's not ready for this. But because of the crisis, the economic crisis, which has changed its role in the world economy, because of the events that are carrying all over the world, it's constantly being asked to do things. And I think this -- we see this constant tension in the way that the Chinese respond. And their basic response is, I think, a very passive one. It makes it very frustrating for the Americans. I suspect this will last. ZAKARIA: It seems as though the Chinese basic response to all these crises, can you please go away and let us keep growing at 9 (ph) percent a year? FREELAND: The world's reluctant imperialist, right? Everyone wants China to play a role apart from the Chinese. WOLF: The U.S. was isolationist in the '20s and '30s when everybody was desperate for it to be involved. And what a catastrophe that was. So yes, I think that's part of what's going on. (CROSSTALK) WOLF: I'm not (inaudible) isolationist, but they don't want to take responsibility. ZAKARIA: And they don't have a worked-out sense of what their policies are. The United States when it entered World War II was still entirely unsure what its positions, its interests were around the world. You remember a commission, the Council on Foreign Relations to produce a series of papers telling it, what are our interests in the eastern Mediterranean? HAASS: This debate is beginning in China. On the same trip I went to Korea, I was in both Beijing and Shanghai. Chinese intellectuals who are obviously very connected to the government, people in the government are beginning to have these conversations. Their old principles of nonalignment, of noninvolvement in other people's internal affairs are woefully inadequate for exactly what Martin said, for the world in which they're being asked to step up as a major power. They can't hide behind the fact they're a developing country, even if they want to, because what happens in North Korea, what happens in Iran, like it or not, will affect China. So they've got to step up, and they're trying to figure out how. My hunch is over the next one or two years, we're going to see both the articulation of a new Chinese, if you will, strategic doctrine about the world, and we'll begin to see a slightly more active Chinese foreign policy. They're beginning to get it, that standing on the sidelines and saying, oh, don't ask too much of us, we've got to focus on our internal development, won't wash. So it's really interesting what's going on there. FREELAND: The big question is to what extent that kind of greater engagement with solving the world's problems extends to the economic scare and whether we see the Chinese really engaging with Martin's favorite subject, which is global financial imbalances. Are the Chinese going to be prepared to say, actually we are now a big global economic player and we are going to have to behave in ways that make the whole system sustainable, even if that means we can't keep on growing in the same way that we have been? ZAKARIA: Does Russia have a role on North Korea, on things like that? HAASS: Not a big one, to be perfectly honest. Russia is still more of a spoiler, if you will, than a great power in lots of ways, so its ability to influence the trajectory, say, in North Korea I really think at the margins. It is very much still China, and Chrystia's point is spot on. For a country like China, which is how it balances these things, and it wants to maintain the political prominence of the Communist Party. It needs to maintain high economic growth and high employment to keep stability, at the same time it has to begin to tackle these international challenges. The word "dilemma" is overused. This is a dilemma for the Chinese leadership. ZAKARIA: I'm going to China on -- this weekend. The big sort of unknown right now economically in the world is, is there going to be a dramatic drop in Chinese growth? You know many people believe it's overheated. The stimulus money, Chinese stimulus is 12.5 percent of GDP, huge stimulus. Property markets are overheaded. Do you worry that you could imagine some kind of dramatic decline in Chinese growth, which would have a huge impact around the world? WOLF: It depends I think what one means by dramatic. They have done incredibly well in this crisis. If the external demand does not pick up very strongly, which they would clearly like, and isn't really on a net basis doing so, then there is a limit to which they can forego the stimulus package. But they do control this. I think it's very, very important to understand that. I think the idea that the Chinese government doesn't have the levers to sustain demand is wrong. Unfortunately, the levers allow them also to waste an enormous amount of resources. But I do expect growth to slow. I think they will be quite happy with some declining growth, but I think they can certainly prevent anything catastrophic like 5 or 6 percent growth, which everybody else would be very happy with. So I'm not terribly concerned about this. I'm more concerned that they might -- and this is not what's happened so far -- actually be hoping to keep going like this, and hope that the external demand will come back. But I believe they are also slowly getting away from that idea, but I'm not that pessimistic about China in the short run, which for China of course is the next 10 years. ZAKARIA: On that note, Martin Wolf, Chrystia Freeland, Richard Haass, thank you very much. We will be right back. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) ZAKARIA: Now for a question of the week. Here's what I want to know. Do you think Europe's problems will derail the American recovery? How worried are you? Let me know what you think. Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. That way you'll never miss a show, and you can't beat the price. It is free. Some of you might have gone to the website last weekend hoping to buy a GPS mug only to find that the store was sold out. As soon as I announced it on the show last weekend, there was a run on them. But the CNN store is restocking and you can order yours right now. Go to CNN.com/gps for details and a link. Now as I do every week, I want to recommend a book. I'm off to China, and one of the things I will re-read on the plane is Simon Winchester's fascinating book "The Man Who Loved China." That man is Joseph Needham, a British scientist who stumbled into studying China. He wrote 17 volumes trying to answer the question, why did China, which for centuries was the country of innovation and invention, fall behind the West by the 16th century? As China now rises, that question is still very relevant. I'm going to stay in China for "The Last Look." Who says white men can't jump? This basketball game you're looking at was played last week in Beijing. What is remarkable about it? Well, you might notice one player who doesn't look like the others. First of all, he's wearing a dress shirt and slacks. That is of course U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner playing against some Beijing high school students. We can't be sure, but it looks like the 5'8 Geithner is actually the shortest man on the Chinese court. But he still hit a couple of very nice baskets, including this one, an expertly executed drive to the hoop, and then it's in for two. As you know, I'm always worried about American competitiveness, but it looks like we've still got it. Now before we go, two anniversaries to remark upon quickly. It is CNN's 30th birthday and GPS's second birthday. We thought each celebration deserved its own cake. May there be many more. Now the crew is going to eat this and my staff is going to eat this. None for you guys. Thanks to all of you for being part of my program this week. I will see you next week.


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ClearPoint Diagnostic Laboratories offers physicians more than 80 routine tests, and over 1,400 anatomic and reference tests. This is achieved through a collaborative effort with Pathologists Bio-Medical Laboratories (PBM) and med fusion, our local reference laboratory. Over 95% of all patient diagnostic testing is performed at ClearPoint. Our increased service levels helps physicians improve the episode of patient care by:
- Avoiding out-of-network services
- Eliminating redundant testing
- Saving time with integrated data
- Helping our clients facilitate treatment
- Maintaining reasonable "in network rates"
Reasons to Keep It Local
- Rapid turnaround time
- Reduces chance of samples getting lost, delaying test results
- Reduces exposure of test samples to the elements (heat, cold, etc.) which can impact specimen integrity, improving the quality of results
- Reduces chances that a specimen will have to be recollected, including those that are painful or difficult-to-obtain
- Reduces stress on patients who are anxiously awaiting results
- Keeps medical testing within the community
The end result; more accurate, more timely results for more informed treatment.
Core Lab Services
The ClearPoint core lab performs more than 80 routine tests. A complete list of our common lab tests is available on the ClearPoint test requisition form and by searching the online test menu
Reference Lab Services
ClearPoint, through its affiliation with med fusion, offers the following clinical laboratory services:
Anatomic Pathology Lab Services
Through our collaboration with Pathologists Bio–Medical Laboratories (PBM), ClearPoint provides anatomic laboratory testing services.
Extensive Tracking and Courier Systems
From the time a specimen is picked up by our courier service, everything we do is designed to help ensure the accuracy of the testing performed. We are focused on safe and efficient protocols to reduce the handling, transport and turnaround time of tests. ClearPoint's local, GPS–based tracking and courier solutions include:
- Convenient, flexible courier pickup 7 days a week
- Optimal temperature stability monitored with TurboTag® RFID technology
- Triple container system for each frozen, ambient, refrigerated and microbiological sample (each housed in separate BSL-2 compartments)
- Polyurethane lock-boxes with new-in-class windows for better temperature control and visual confirmation of samples
- STAT requests for time sensitive needs
Improved Quality and Reduced Overall Costs
ClearPoint is dedicated to optimizing care for patients and reducing costs for our customers, through fast turnaround times, improved specimen preservation and tracking protocols, and integrated information systems. Fast and accurate results help doctors deliver care to their patients more quickly and more accurately, without sacrificing quality.
Even though Quality may be in a sense "invisible", it is always present. Running in the background. 24/7. Never stopping. Never giving up. With many benefactors. Incorporated within our patient-centric culture.
Monitoring multifaceted metrics, from our Patient Service Centers (collection time) to result reporting (turnaround time), is all an integral part of our quality spectrum. Providing quality service to our clients and their patients is our #1 goal.
Advanced Technology
ClearPoint offers electronic connectivity solutions to best fit the needs of your practice. ClearPoint's connectivity options provide flexibility and range from using web-based applications to full interfaces with your existing system.
Dedicated Client Services
Client Services is always available to provide full remote support including add on tests, results, supplies, and direct access to our scientific and medical leadership. Client Services can:
- Facilitate access to medical and scientific consultation
- Arrange for specimen transport and other special requests
- Provide issue resolution and management
- Supply reports and requisitions
Live support is available 24/7/365

subset: commoncrawl


text: Hi On Wed, Sep 21, 2011 at 9:39 PM, Kulkarni Shantanu <linux at shantanukulkarni.org> wrote: > * Nar Kumar Chhantyal <nkchhantyal at gmail.com> [110921 21:31]: >> Hello Friends >> >> I want to buy few Oreilly books (Unix and Python). I tried google search and >> asked all the friends in my circle. I didn't get any information on it. flipkart.com


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The Museum is currently rated in the top three visitor attractions in Cornwall by Tripadvisor. Come visit us and find out why we're so popular!"
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Exciting Donation
While in New York, Simon received a very exciting donation from the author, Elizabeth Guerra, who wrote the biography of Stewart Farrar, 'Writer on a Broomstick'. Two pieces from the sale of Gerald Gardner's items from the 'Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum' will take their place next to our other pieces of Gardner's collection. We are unsure as to whether the Seal of Solomon is actually 14th century but as an object which could have been created by Gardner himself, it is hugely interesting. Even more to see when we re-open on March 25th.
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Monthly Archives: October 2016
Benefits of Exercise For Body
Do you want to be smarter in your office? Free of fatigue in the house? Being able to spend some quality time with your family? Getting a lower stress level? All these desires can be met through exercise.
That's what the experts say about the benefits of exercise. In short, exercise is not only to tighten the muscles and improve stamina. There are many other benefits such as the psychological effects caused thereby, and this proves that exercising have multiple benefits. To get a loan tips, you can see it in http://www.bestratedbadcreditloans.com/about-bad-credit-loans/quick-overnight-loans/
The following facts demonstrate the truth of the benefits of exercise; and hopefully by presenting these facts we will realize that there is no reason for you not to exercise.
Unlike the engine will be damaged if used continuously, your body will be more healthy even when used for movement and activity for not excessive. One way to …
Top Reasons to Enroll Kids in Soccer Programs
Getting kids out and moving about is a great way to avoid the common health concern of obesity. According to Soccer Garage, one of the best ways to ensure that your kids are active is through a local soccer program. Here are some good reasons to get your children started.
The needed soccer supplies are pretty minimal. A ball and a field that's already set up are all that are needed to get a league going. This is one of the biggest reasons that soccer is the most popular sport on a worldwide basis. Compare this with American football and all of the gear that players need. A ball is not that big of an expense.
There is also the great opportunity to learn how to interact with other people on a team while working toward a common goal. Kids love putting on their soccer jerseys before their rec league …
How to Choose Badminton Racket
Here's How to Choose Badminton Racket
Many people who love to play badminton do not understand how to choose a racquet that is suitable for him. Most of them try to find out the racket brand and types what is used by the world's top shuttlers, such as: Lee Chong Wei, Lin Dan, Simon Santoso, Tommy Sugiarto, Taufik Hidayat and others. Finally, many of them are stuck with the brand and type of racket that is identified with the top players of the world. People like one found kind of racket used by Lee Chong Wei would have been appropriate if it is used by them as well.
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Each person has unique characteristics and different from each other. Even children are identical twins still have differences. This also applies to the sport of badminton. Each player certainly has a …


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Chesterton, in Orthodoxy:
THE real trouble with this world of ours is not that it is an unreasonable world, nor even that it is a reasonable one. The commonest kind of trouble is that it is nearly reasonable, but not quite. Life is not an illogicality; yet it is a trap for logicians. It looks just a little more mathematical and regular than it is; its exactitude is obvious, but its inexactitude is hidden; its wildness lies in wait. I give one coarse instance of what I mean. Suppose some mathematical creature from the moon were to reckon up the human body; he would at once see that the essential thing about it was that it was duplicate. A man is two men, he on the right exactly resembling him on the left. Having noted that there was an arm on the right and one on the left, a leg on the right and one on the left, he might go further and still find on each side the same number of fingers, the same number of toes, twin eyes, twin ears, twin nostrils, and even twin lobes of the brain. At last he would take it as a law; and then, where he found a heart on one side, would deduce that there was another heart on the other. And just then, where he most felt he was right, he would be wrong.
It is this silent swerving from accuracy by an inch that is the uncanny element in everything. It seems a sort of secret treason in the universe. An apple or an orange is round enough to get itself called round, and yet is not round after all. The earth itself is shaped like an orange in order to lure some simple astronomer into calling it a globe. A blade of grass is called after the blade of a sword, because it comes to a point; but it doesn't. Everywhere in things there is this element of the quiet and incalculable. It escapes the rationalists, but it never escapes till the last moment. From the grand curve of our earth it could easily be inferred that every inch of it was thus curved. It would seem rational that as a man has a brain on both sides, he should have a heart on both sides. Yet scientific men are still organizing expeditions to find the North Pole, because they are so fond of flat country. Scientific men are also still organizing expeditions to find a man's heart; and when they try to find it, they generally get on the wrong side of him.
Now, actual insight or inspiration is best tested by whether it guesses these hidden malformations or surprises. If our mathematician from the moon saw the two arms and the two ears, he might deduce the two shoulder-blades and the two halves of the brain. But if he guessed that the man's heart was in the right place, then I should call him something more than a mathematician. Now, this is exactly the claim which I have since come to propound for Christianity. Not merely that it deduces logical truths, but that when it suddenly becomes illogical, it has found, so to speak, an illogical truth. It not only goes right about things, but it goes wrong (if one may say so) exactly where the things go wrong. Its plan suits the secret irregularities, and expects the unexpected. It is simple about the simple truth; but it is stubborn about the subtle truth. It will admit that a man has two hands, it will not admit (though all the Modernists wail to it) the obvious deduction that he has two hearts. It is my only purpose in this chapter to point this out; to show that whenever we feel there is something odd in Christian theology, we shall generally find that there is something odd in the truth.
C.S. Lewis, from Miracles:
At every point Christianity has to correct the natural expectations of the Panteist and offer something more difficult, just as Schrodinger has to correct Democritus. At every moment he has to multiply distinctions and rule out false analogies. He has to substitute the mappings of something that has positive, concrete and highly articulated character for the formless generalities in which Pantheism is at home. Indeed, after the discussion has been going on some time, the Pantheist is apt to change his ground and where he before accused us of childish naivety now to blame us for the pedantic complexity of "cold Christs and tangled Trinities". And we may well sympathise with him. Christianity, faced with popular "religion", is continually troublesome. To the large well-meant statements of "religion" it finds itself forced to reply again and again, "Well, not quite like that", or "I should hardly put it that way". This troublesomeness does not of course prove it to be true, but if it were true it would be bound to have this troublesomeness. The real musician is similarly troublesome to a man who wishes to indulge in untaught "musical appreciation"; the real historican is similarly a nuisance when we want to romance about "the old days" or "the ancient Greeks and Romans". The ascertained nature of any real thing is always at first a nuisance to our natural fantasies-- a wretched, pedantic, logic-chopping intruder upon a conversation which was getting on famously without it.


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Strawberries have been on sale for the last couple of weeks and since it is probably the lowest price of the season in our area, I bought several pounds. We have been enjoying them sliced over our cereal, in pancakes and as a snack. I think they will also be delicious in this Raspberry Oatmeal Casserole recipe and I think the boys will love these Strawberry Popsicles for a special treat this week.
Much to my surprise, canned tuna fish and macaroni was on sale which will make a very inexpensive tuna casserole. They are both on sale again this week so I will buy more to stock up. I also have lots of shredded chicken in the fridge that I need to use up and I was able to get a fairly good price on ground beef last week. I froze the ground beef by the 1/2 pound and often when a recipe calls for a pound of ground beef, I will only use a half pound to make it stretch farther.
Here's our meal plan for the week:
Cereal, Bananas
Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets
Strawberry Pancakes (from freezer)
Strawberry Oatmeal Casserole (Subbing strawberries for raspberries. I don't have nuts so I am going to add a little bit of coconut in place of the nuts.)
Scrambled Eggs, Toast
Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks
Graham Crackers w/SunButter, Strawberries, Yogurt
Pasta w/Butter, Parmesan Cheese & Peas, Carrot Sticks
Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Applesauce, Carrot Sticks
Baked Whole Wheat Parmesan-Herb Tortilla Chips w/salsa for dipping, Carrot Sticks, Grapes
Dinner Leftovers
Chicken Stir-Fry, Super Easy Whole Wheat Biscuits
Tuna Casserole, Leftover Biscuits
Chicken Ranch Pasta, Tossed Salad
Chicken Cacciatore, Veggies
Leftover Night
Spanish Rice w/Ground Beef, Veggies
Bean & Rice Burritos made w/leftover Spanish Rice
$5 Dinners has a wonderful grocery shopping list with meal plan form and a few other printable planners that you might find helpful in meal planning {not to mention some great money-saving recipes!}.
Get more menu planning ideas at Menu Plan Monday.


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Hello everyone, Vicky here today with a Wedding Card using the gorgeous dies & papers from Noor Design.
All links at the bottom to items used on this card.
I have used the yummy 'Pretty Floral Paper Pad', machine stitched all around the edges, including the heart ;-)
On the 'Just Married Wedding' text die I cut the bottom out & then dry embossed it with the Dutch Dubadoo 'Mask Art Flowers' stencil...........yes these can be used for embossing as well, which brings a whole new dimension to these............I'm even gonna buy more now ;-)
On the 'Wedding' text bit I heat embossed it with Aged Rose Fran-Tage as it matched the papers beautifully. I lurve it that I've used 2 embossing effects on the one die & it still remain soft looking.
Behind it I placed a 'Vintage Flourishes Swirl' die, again heat embossed with the same fran-tage.
On the heart I heat embossed the paper with the 'There Are No Little Dreams' stamp in white embossing powder, using the pattern part of the stamp. I then cut it out using a heart shaped die & matted it onto the scalloped heart shape.
In the bottom right corner I used a Corner die, the 'Fleur De Lys' die.
Of course with a wedding card I added lots of flowers. I also used my favourite Noor Design die the 'Vintage Border Embossing Swirl Leaf' die, I also gave this the fran-tage treatment.
I added 3 different Noor Design leaf dies amongst these flowers.
I decorated the inside to compliment the front as always. The 'Wedding' sign I placed on foam pads to give it a 3D effect.
Hope you like my wedding card today.
Why not pop on over to Tracy's store here, there are LOTS of fabulous products & if there isn't the item in stock Tracy will get it in for you. What's more is the really fast postage..........us crafters strive for fast postage & believe me Tracy is really efficient there.
Take care & enjoy your day lovelies, thank you so much for stopping by & supporting the Noor Design store & team ;-)


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Pact is the highly successful and influential trade association operating on behalf of the UK's Feature Film, Television, Animation and Digital Producers. Pact delivers a range of business services as well as being an effective political lobby on behalf of its members.
The Head of Member Development, Out of London is a key post at Pact, working with members across the UK to help them develop their business opportunities by addressing any barriers such as skills, access, investment and international opportunities.
Embedded in the heart of everything that we do is a strong but practical UCD approach. Real world, real use is our focus. We are looking for an experienced UX Designer/ Researcher with strong insight delivery and presentation skills. You will be involved with all aspects of the user experience lifecycle, from business discovery, user research and planning through development and initial usability testing of site architecture and wireframes. You will be working with both creative and interface teams to create stunning interaction design patterns and champion continuous improvement with user research and testing.
We're looking for either an experienced Account Manager or Senior Account Manager to join our Leeds office. The Senior/Account Manager position is an important client management position accountable for supporting client relationships, development and revenues.
Our city centre office offers an inspiring state of the art working environment and facilities, which along with support and focused learning and development opportunities surrounded by experienced digital experts, you can build and excel within your career.
We are looking for a 1st Line Support Technician to provide administrative support within the IT Department and wider IT support team. As an experienced 1st line technician you will be expected to support the implementation of new IT processes, deal with end-user incidents and resolve IT infrastructure issues for internal and remote users across an estate consisting of Microsoft and Apple desktop and server technologies
Typical working hours are between 9-5.30pm, Monday to Friday but support may be required outside of these hours. The role will involve some UK travel to our other offices therefore a full UK driving licence and owning your own vehicle is a prerequisite.
How about working somewhere where culture matters above all else? Founded just 2 years ago, Journey Further is a performance marketing agency working with the world's leading brands. The now 30-strong team calls a brand new office on Leeds Dock home. Think you know your Google Ads? Apply now.
We're an agency that's constantly growing and we need an experienced Account Director to manage our work in our Leeds or Amsterdam office. We're looking for someone who's confident managing teams, supervising their work and helping them grow. Able to manage each account efficiently, liaising with clients and ensuring we deliver the highest level of service. You'll also play a major role in the pitching, winning and development of new business opportunities.
The retail world is constantly changing and we need a confident Account Manager to help us continue producing fantastic work for our retail clients. As the face of the agency, you need to be able to deliver excellent client service at all times. Helping to manage and develop strong relationships with clients, and ensuring the day to day running of accounts is as smooth as can be.
Our Leeds HQ is looking for someone to head up a group of accounts. You'll ensure clients receive an exceptional level of service and deliver outstanding strategic and creative thinking. As well as be accountable for setting and hitting budgets, leading account growth and taking an active role in new business opportunities.
Fancy joining a Sunday Times Top 100 Best Small Company to Work For? We are a global award-winning digital marketing agency with offices in Leeds, London, New York and Singapore. We are passionate about digital and experts in marketing. We deliver indispensable creative and commercial thinking that connects brands to consumers online.
This award winning Leeds based PR agency is on the look-out for a either a PR Senior Account Executive looking to move up or an established an Account Manager to work on a variety of property and healthcare clients.


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I now have a new client application form online. This should expedite the personal training signup process, cut down back & forth emails, and ultimately save a good 10 minutes or so during consultations. In some scenarios I may be able to eliminate the consultations all together and jump right into the training.
This will be required prior to booking a consultation. From my perspective if a potential client does not take the 3-5 minutes to fill out these essential questions I cannot imagine they would diligently log their food, prep their meals, hit all their workouts, etc…First impressions are everything!


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Party announces departure of ministers from the assembly
CAMBODIAN People's Party lawmakers who hold both government posts and seats in the National Assembly will resign their parliamentary positions and concentrate on their ministerial responsibilities, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced Thursday.
"If we keep them in two positions it will be difficult for them to stand with one leg in the National Assembly and the other one in the government," Hun Sen said during a speech to scholarship students at the National Institute of Education.
"I have already signed off on [a letter] to the National Election Committee (NEC) regarding the replacements."
Hun Sen named the resigned parliamentarians as Minister of Rural Development Chea Sophara, Minister of Information and government spokesman Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Im Sethy, Minister of Environment Mok Mareth, and Minister of Social Affairs Ith Sam Heng.
NEC Secretary General Tep Nytha said that he had not yet received a formal letter from Hun Sen outlining the resignations.
Nguon Nhel, the first deputy president of the National Assembly, said that a total of 40 CPP parliamentarians holding dual positions or being considered for fresh government posts were in line to be replaced.
"Such replacements are the strategy of Hun Sen," he told the Post Thursday. "We have already approved the names of the candidates." However, he could not reveal how many ministers were on this list.
Kek Galabru, president of local rights group Licadho, said that according to the Constitutional Council's law, the legislative, executive and judicial institutions had to be separated in a properly functioning democracy, and that government officials should not simultaneously hold parliamentary seats.
"It is a conflict of interest when they hold two positions at the same time," she said. "All officials who have government positions should resign their parliamentary seats."
The three HRP parliamentarians who boycotted the September 24 swearing-in of the new Assembly will have the chance to be sworn-in in a separate session with the replacement CPP parliamentarians.


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It doesn't take one long to notice when they walk into my home what day of the week it is. There are calendars everywhere — the kitchen, my kids' bedrooms, my bedroom and so forth. So with the Christmas presents unwrapped and new calendars galore put up around the house it just reminds me how quickly 2012 flew by.
Zip. It was here and then it was gone.
I certainly can't remember a year coming and going as fast as the last one did. And, rest assured, 2013 will be just as fast, if not faster. I am getting older after all.
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Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.
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Volkswagen launches new Vento TSI for Indian market at Rs. 9.99 lakh
FE Online | Chennai | Updated: Oct 10 2013, 13:24 IST
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Volkswagen, Europe's largest carmaker, on Thursday announced the launch of the new Vento TSI, priced at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex showroom Delhi).
The new Vento TSI has a fuel-efficient 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 105 PS of power @ 5000 rpm and a maximum torque of 175 Nm. It also gets a high-tech 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox for outstanding acceleration and ease of driving, without compromising on fuel economy, the company said in a statement.
Volkswagen's critically acclaimed forced-induction TSI engines are compact, powerful, and use less fuel when compared to bigger, normally-aspirated engines. TSI engines also deliver higher torque output at relatively lower engine speeds, which makes these engines responsive as well as fuel-efficient in a wide range of operating conditions, said the carmaker.
Commenting on the launch of the new Vento TSI, Arvind Saxena, Managing Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Group Sales India said, "With the new Vento TSI, Volkswagen takes the lead with producing cars that are high-tech, powerful and fuel-efficient. With a turbocharged petrol engine and 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox, the Vento TSI provides excellent performance and fuel economy,"
The car is also equipped with a host of safety features like anti-lock brakes, an electronic stabilization program, hill-hold function, dual frontal airbags, 3-point seatbelts at the front and an electronic engine immobilizer with floating code.
Sales of the New Volkswagen Vento TSI will start from October 10, 2013. The car will initially be available in selected cities across India.
Volkswagen offers the Polo, Vento, Jetta, Passat and the Touareg in India.


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Our theatre bars open one hour before the performance, so come in and enjoy a glass of bubbly and soak in the beautiful harbour views from our Dress Circle balcony.
Enjoy pre-show or interval drinks and cocktails as well as snacks and confectionery in one of our four modern bars. During interval you can even purchase our famous choc-tops from our roaming ice-cream vendor right from your seat or from our Stalls Candy Bar located inside the auditorium.
For that extra touch of luxury, order a 'Royal Box' with a selection of freshly made savoury or sweet treats. Food allergies may be accommodated by emailing firstname.lastname@example.com. Royal Boxes come in three tempting options:
A selection of delicious cheese and antipasto served pre-show.
One box of cheese and antipasto and two glasses of Veuve Clicquot wine served pre-show.
One box of dessert treats and two glasses of Veuve Clicquot served pre-show.
Order a Royal Box online when you purchase your ticket from Ticketmaster.
If you already have your tickets email email@example.com to order your Royal Box.
For group purchases please call our Sydney Lyric Events team on (02) 9509 3611.
Be first to know
Pre-sale bookings
Member only offers


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This picturesque village is set in the valley by the Owentocher River. Visitors can see the weaving centres where the world famous Donegal tweed is spun, and enjoy other crafts such as hand-knitting and embroidery. There are many excursions to go on in the immediate vicinity. Narin and Portnoo villages have world-class beaches; Iniskeel island can be reached by foot at low-tide and two ancient ring forts can be seen from Dunmore Head, west of Portnoo.
On this page you can see a map of Ardara, see what's on in Ardara, find out how to get to Ardara, find things to see and do in Ardara, visit local websites for Ardara, find Hotels in Ardara, find Guesthouses in Ardara, find Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs) in Ardara, find Self-Catering Accommodation in Ardara, browse restaurants in Ardara.
Tell us about any upcoming major events in Ardara and we can add to our website!
Ardara, Co. Donegal, Ireland
Ardara Heritage Centre tells the story of Donegal tweed from the shearing of sheep to the manufacture and completion of the beautiful woven cloth.
Carn, Ardara, Co. Donegal
Art Gallery of professional artist Stephen Bennett
See all Places to Visit in Ardara > >
The Diamond, Ardara, Co. Donegal
This family-run hotel is located in the centre of Ardara just 1 km from the coast, offering a bar/bistro, a restaurant and bright rooms with en suite bathrooms.
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Wood Road, Ardara, Co. Donegal
Surrounded by beautiful tranquil countryside and well-kept gardens, this charming family-run country house offers comfortable accommodation, tasty fresh food and a traditional Irish welcome.
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Ardara, Donegal, Co. Donegal
Situated on the outskirts of Ardara, the family-run Gort na Mona Bed and Breakfast offers unique views of the surrounding countryside. It features free Wi-Fi throughout and free secure parking.
Beagh, Ardara, Co. Donegal
Beagh Cottage is a traditional thatched cottage in Ardara, on the Wild Atlantic Way, set amidst spectacular scenery. The property offers free parking and has its own private garden/ The accommodation will provide you with a seating area.
Monargan Glebe, Ardara, Co. Donegal
Located in Ardara along the Wild Atlantic Way, Jim Paddy Beag's Holiday Home offers self-catering accommodation with a garden and free WiFI throughout. The property provides guests with on-site private parking free of charge.
Sandfield, Ardara, Co. Donegal
Oitir Cottage is a detached holiday home situated in Ardara in the Donegal County Region and is 2.5 km from Kilclooney Portal Dolmen. The property is 2.8 km from Stephen Bennett Artist Studio/Gallery and features views of the sea.
Main Street, Ardara, Co. Donegal
West End, Ardara, Co. Donegal
Charlie's West End Café is a family owned and managed Restaurant in Ardara. It was set up by "The Whyte's" in 1994, and is reknowned throughout Donegal and Ireland not only for its famous Fish and Chips, but also for its friendly
Dawros Bay House, Rosbeg, Ardara, Co. Donegal
Situated in Rosbeg, the most spectacular part of Donegal, fresh local seafood, a good pint of Guinness, and great live bar music.
Front Street, Ardara, Co. Donegal
This famous family owned pub is a cosy, welcoming place with five or six small rooms packed with bric a brac and plenty of tables and chairs for the comfortable consumption of wholesome home-made food, especially seafood
The Diamond, Ardara, Co. Donegal
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Series: Superlatives #2
Release date: January 13th 2015
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Purchase: Amazon
In this second book in The Superlatives trilogy from Endless Summer author Jennifer Echols, Harper and Brody think they're an unlikely match, but the senior class says they belong together.As yearbook photographer, Harper is responsible for those candid moments that make high school memorable. But her own life is anything but picture perfect. Her parents' bitter divorce left her wondering what a loving relationship looks like. And ever since the senior class voted her and star quarterback Brody 'Perfect Couple That Never Was', her friends have been pushing her to ask Brody out.Brody doesn't lack female admirers, but Harper can't see herself with him. He's confused about the match too. Yet they find themselves drawn together; first by curiosity about why the class paired them, then by an undeniable bond.The trouble is, though they're attracted to each other, they have a hard time getting along or even communicating well. If they're the perfect couple, this shouldn't be so difficult! Soon it becomes clear their class was wrong, and they throw in the towel. But they feel so changed from making the effort, they can't forget each other. What if this match made in hell is the perfect couple after all?
So we're already in the second installment of The Superlatives series by Jenn Echols! And as you know, I loved the first one: Biggest Flirts so I was very excited to start Perfect Couple. And as always, Jennifer delivered an awesome story.
It was as fun as you would expect from a story that promises an unlikely, different, "opposite" couple that then realize maybe they aren't as unlikely as it would seem. I liked Brody and Harper, they are both good kids and to me they made sense ince the beggining. I was team Harpy all the way.
I also really liked that Harper grew so much through the story. She starts off as the naive, slightly depressing friend that kinda blends into the background. But she pleasently surprised me by growing a backbone and becoming this sexbomb that exuded confidence. Although she might have taken things too far with the cheating and all that. But still, she was more likable at the end that she was at first.
And her chemistry with Brody was off the charts. I really think I can see why they were named Perfect Couple ;) every scene they were together sparks really flew.
Another awesome thing was that I got to see the characters from the previous novel (and the next one) and it just makes me moe invested in their stories. I just love to check on them and how their lives are going.
So really, if you liked the first you cannot miss the second one. Perfect for fans of fun, light stories with a touch of sexy.
And just because I am generous I will share some of my fave quotes with you:
While playing co-ed flag football on the beach:
"I don't know," I spoke up. "If you manage to get somebody's bathing suit off, I think you should gain a yard, because that would be pretty difficult and you should get a prize."
"Harper," Brody said with laughter, "you're my kind of girl. You're on my team, by the way."
One that involves Tia, who was the MC in Biggest Flirts and who I love:
The image was tiny, but I ran my eyes over hs shinning muscles and his smeared race number, and looked forward to viewing the enlarged versión on my computer.
"Watcha looking at?" Tia asked, peering over my shoulder. "Got a Pullitzer prize winner? You seem very intent even for you." [...]
I handed the camera over to her and watched her look at the camera view herself. "I feel like a pervert." I said.
"You should. That is disguting. Be sure to email me a copy."
Jennifer Echols was born in Atlanta and grew up in a small town on a beautiful lake in Alabama—a setting that has inspired many of her books. She has written nine romantic novels for young adults, including the comedy MAJOR CRUSH, which won the National Readers' Choice Award, and the drama GOING TOO FAR, which was a finalist in the RITA, the National Readers' Choice Award, and the Book Buyer's Best, and was nominated by the American Library Association as a Best Book for Young Adults. Simon & Schuster will debut her adult romance novels in 2013, with many more teen novels scheduled for the next few years. She lives in Birmingham with her husband and her son.


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It is becoming clear that U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre will keep his lead in the 7th Congressional District after this week's recount.
With one county – Duplin – still recounting ballots on Wednesday, the new tally in the district's other 11 counties has stretched the Democrat McIntyre's lead over Republican David Rouzer by 8 votes.
The margin now stands at 663 votes.
New Hanover and Johnston counties finished their recounts Tuesday evening, and McIntyre picked up votes in both counties after Rouzer had added votes in some counties earlier Tuesday.
Jessica Wood, a spokeswoman for the Rouzer campaign, said the campaign likely would release a statement about the race when the Duplin County recount is over.
"I believe the plan is still to release a statement later today, but that will depend on when we hear from Duplin," Wood wrote in an email.
The Duplin County Board of Elections, which began its recount at 9 a.m. Wednesday, has roughly 20,000 ballots to feed through machines. That effort could take all day and into the night.
If the recount ends with Rouzer still trailing, he has options under state law, although his campaign has given no indication of what he would do.
He could concede the race to McIntyre. Within 24 hours, he could request a hand counting of ballots in a small sample of precincts in each county in the district.
Would a hand count change the outcome of the election? Likely not, elections officials said.
Marvin McFadyen, New Hanover County elections director, said the first recount led to only minor changes in vote totals throughout the district. Elections officials in counties with slight variations chalked them up to different machines reading ballots differently.
"You could do that all day long," McFadyen said of additional recounts. "What are you going to end up with, another one or two vote difference?"
Here's an excerpt from state law with details on how a second recount would work:
The rules promulgated by the State Board of Elections for recounts shall provide that if the initial recount is not hand‑to‑eye, and if the recount does not reverse the results, the candidate who had originally been entitled to a recount may, within 24 hours of the completion of the first recount, demand a second recount on a hand‑to‑eye basis in a sample of precincts. If the initial recount was not hand‑to‑eye and it reversed the results, the candidate who had initially been the winner shall have the same right to ask for a hand‑to‑eye recount in a sample of precincts.
That sample shall be all the ballots in three percent (3%) of the precincts casting ballots in each county in the jurisdiction of the office, rounded up to the next whole number of precincts. For the purpose of that calculation, each one‑stop (early) voting site shall be considered to be a precinct. The precincts to be recounted by a hand‑to‑eye count shall be chosen at random within each county. If the results of the hand‑to‑eye recount differ from the previous results within those precincts to the extent that extrapolating the amount of the change to the entire jurisdiction (based on the proportion of ballots recounted to the total votes cast for that office) would result in the reversing of the results, then the State Board of Elections shall order a hand‑to‑eye recount of the entire jurisdiction in which the election is held. There shall be no cost to the candidate for that recount in the entire jurisdiction.
4 Comments
Ha Ha Ha you bible-thumping nimrod. Go sell "crazy" someplace else.
It's time you woke up and smelled the coffee…..you LOST, now move on.
Love it. Maybe Rouzer will ask for not just a re-count but a re-vote in Duplin County, just to be certain. And if he still doesn't win, maybe another re-count of the re-vote. And by hand for good measure.
The people who bought tons of political Ads for the Rouser need to warn him that wasting our tax money re-counting a tail kicking will cost him and them even more the next time he tries to distort a true conservatives record.
Seems like he could see the writing on the wall himself without Carl Rove having to tell him.


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All Films.All Above Board.NOW INCLUDES TV SHOWS & TV LISTINGS
Malayalam-language drama following the life of a young revolutionary in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The story of Kunjunni (Vishwanathan)'s life in many ways reflects and represents the story of Kerala as a whole. With little input from his parents, Kunjunni falls under the influence of an uncle (Narendra Prasad) who was formerly a disciple of Ghandi but now considers himself a Marxist. Drawn increasingly towards left-wing ideas, Kunjunni eventually participates in violent protest and is thrown in jail. Upon his release he attempts to start a normal family and to reconcile his dreams with the reality around him. Will he succeed?


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Train Ecuador
Train Tours, Tickets. The Train Ecuador tour will take you on an exceptional trip across different ages and periods of Ecuadorian history. Its convoy features four different coaches, each one with its own style reflecting Ecuadorian history and culture.
Upon your arrival, a professional crew will await you with the warmest welcome. The crew will join you throughout the journey, offering unmatched service.


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Nam: Home-Grown And Hip
Art of the Meal
Being a restaurant critic in Atlanta is a little like being a professional traveler. In the first years after I moved here from New York, I was delighted to find some of the more esoteric treats I enjoyed there and on globe-trotting jaunts - peasant French and Italian cooking, Chinese dim sum, Japanese yakitori, Indian thali.
In more recent years, Atlanta's international dining scene has exploded. I've visited Thai, Malaysian, Indonesian, Somalian, Slovakian, West Indian, Peruvian and Eritrean restaurants.
Of all the cuisines I've sampled, I have one enduring favorite: Vietnamese. I envy those who've never tried it, because tasting it for the first time is an unfolding surprise. Any country's cuisine is a literal oral tradition, relating its history and agriculture, and Vietnam's is no exception.
Generations of French colonization left an indelible imprint; the most notable twist on this Chinese-influenced food is its delicate French flair.
Until recently, Atlanta's Vietnamese restaurants were mostly limited to inexpensive pho (noodle soup) shops, many of them near Buford Highway. But second-generation Vietnamese restaurateurs have opened some stylish new places, like Saigon Cafe in Duluth, Panasia in Roswell, Viet Chateau in Decatur and now Nam, in midtown.
Brothers Alex and Chris Kinjo first took the city by storm with their tiny, whip-smart MF Sushibar (the "MF," they said, stood for "magic fingers").
Nam was the logical next step for the half-Japanese, half-Vietnamese brothers, who wanted to showcase their mother's cooking as much as their father's culinary heritage. Taking over a small, former ice cream parlor on Monroe Drive, the brothers made bold statements in color (stark white, deep reds, black and chrome) and softened the feel with big murals and tall-stemmed sprigs of bamboo on every table.
While bowing to the traditional noodle dishes, Nam also pays tribute to the depth and diversity of Vietnamese cooking, with Cornish hen, clay pot shrimp, sweet-spicy caramel sauces and "shaking" filet mignon. The imperial rolls, or cha ghio, are hands down the best in town. These lighter, smaller, more varied versions of the Chinese egg roll are wrapped in crisp rice paper and twice-fried, the first time in a light egg wash to cast them faintly ochre. You wrap these shrimp, pork, glass noodle and mushroom-packed missiles, still hot, in cool lettuce and cilantro. Double-dip to your heart's content in fish sauce, a vinegary, sugary, salty concoction with julienned carrot.
The rice flour tamales pull Nam miles ahead of its closest competitor: Banana-leaf envelopes open to reveal a postcard-sized panel of steamed, rice-flour pabulum, topped with minced pork, shrimp and scallion. You top it with more potent, saline sauce, flecked with Thai peppers, eating it with a large spoon. If you like dim sum, you'll like these grown-up baby food textures and flavors.
Among the salads, I love the tart, shredded sour green mango with grilled shrimp, fresh mint, purple-tinged Vietnamese basil and crushed peanuts. Nam's small but thoughtful wine list includes my favorite crisp-floral viognier, Pennautier ($8 by the glass).
A few less-than-stellar dishes remain on the menu, like clay pot shrimp (too dry) and grilled beef and shrimp (just fine, but lacking the signature authority of many of Nam's best dishes). But once you've had something like the "shaking" filet mignon - cubed and flash sauteed with garlic, onion, with a subtle sweetness - or the tiny, delectable grilled Cornish hen, or the bubbling clay pot of mildly nuanced caramel-sauced catfish, you'll want to come back. The grilled Japanese eggplant is the best I've ever had anywhere - you scoop the beautifully white, ginger-scented soft flesh from the collapsed purple skin onto your plate. If you're after dessert, you'll probably want to go elsewhere - Nam stays true to tradition and offers nothing fancier than coconut ice cream.
Nam reminds me why Atlanta is such an exciting place to live right now - we get to witness the birth of the next generation's American dream.
Krista Reese is Georgia Trend's restaurant critic. Contact firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Hold on Tight
(Sea Breeze - Book #8)
by Abbi Glines
Kindle Edition, 187 Pages
Source: Ebook - Own
Six years ago, Dewayne Falco's life changed. He lost someone he never expected to lose. Resigned to punish himself for something he felt he could have prevented, he goes through life without getting too close to anyone.
What he didn't expect was for the girl across the street to move back home and remind him of what they both lost: Dewayne's younger brother Dustin. However, when a miniature version of Dustin opens the door to greet him, Dewayne realizes he might not have lost everything after all.
Sienna Roy loved Dustin Falco most of her life. He was the boy next door, the high school basketball star and her best friend. But when his life was cut short, she realized he left a part of himself behind.
Now, she's back in Sea Breeze, thankful to have a home for her and Dustin's son, but not sure if she can ever forgive the people across the street who abandoned her when she needed them the most — The Falcos.
Betrayal, lies, and forbidden attraction might end Dewayne and Sienna's story before it's even begun.
Dewayne wanted Sienna when she was only 14 years old. Dewayne knew that was a mistake, so he pushed Dustin (his little brother) towards her. Dustin and Sienna are best friends and it seemed like a logical answer for Dewayne. Dustin would keep Sienna safe and cherish her.
Sienna felt Dustin forgot her and left her behind as they entered Freshman year of high school. Dustin was always hanging with the basketball team and his new friends. She felt abandoned. Then Dewayne helped her with her locker dilemma and helped her transition to high school more bearable.
Dewayne is stunned when he finds out the Dustin is cheating on Sienna and has been for awhile. Dewayne gives Dustin an ultimatum to tell her or he will. Dustin races to find Sienna before Dewayne can and dies in a car accident because he was driving drunk. Dewayne feels responsible. Sienna is locked in her room after Dustin's death because she finds out she is pregnant. Her parents ship her off to her Aunt and tell everyone that she went to a mental institution due to Dustin's death.
Sienna is expected to give up her baby but decides since everyone in her life abandoned her that she would keep her baby and the small part of Dustin that still remained with her.
5 Years Later: Sienna moves out of her Aunt's and back to Sea Breeze with her son Micah. Sienna gets a good job cutting hair in a high class salon and her mother gives her the house. Her father past away 2 months ago and her mother moved to a retirement community. Now Sienna must confront Dewayne Falco and his parents. She sent numerous letters about Micah but in the end no one wanted them in their lives.
After a misunderstanding with the Falco's, Sienna agrees to let Micah be part of their lives and Dewayne's feelings become more real then he wants to admit. Sienna wants Dewayne but not on his one-night-stand terms. She wants Dewayne in a relationship with her. But Dewayne does not DO RELATIONSHIPS. But Dewayne cannot deny he wants one with her as well.
When Sienna learns the truth about Dustin and that everyone knew he was cheating on her including Dewayne it could be the end of the relationship. Dewayne does not let her push him away now that he knows he has been in love with her since high school. Sienna cannot deny the same thing and she gives the relationship a go.
This was a little strange in the fact that I thought Dewayne should never have pushed Dustin to be with Sienna. They belonged together day one. But I understood the age difference and Dewayne wanting her watched over. I guess with his brother he was keeping her close to him as well.
I love Sienna's character and the way she was able to accept the Falco's into Micah's life and she did not feel so alone once back in Sea Breeze. And I like that Sienna did not let Dewayne touch her unless they wanted the same thing and not just a quick roll in the hay. She wanted commitment and knew she was worthy of love and knew she needed to be treated right or she was fine alone. Sienna was a good mother figure as well. The love you see between Sienna and her son Micah is precious and rare. I think that Abbi Glines truly captured that loving relationship of a single mother and son.
Rating: 3 1/2 Stars
Happy Reading!


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As part of our Care o' Clock campaign to help raise awareness about the issues faced by young adult carers, young carers from Swindon Carers Centre recently put some questions forward to their MP Robert Buckland, to give him the opportunity to tell us about why he thinks young carers and young adult carers should be supported and what can be done to make a positive difference to their lives.
Robert Buckland MP has been working with Carers Trust to help ensure that the Government changes the law for young carers so that they stronger rights to assessment and support.
Young carers: What do you think are the biggest issues for young carers and their families in your area (Swindon) and across the country?
Robert Buckland MP: The recognition of their needs is the most important issue facing young carers and families in England. We know that the…
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Monday, May 19, 2014
Book 20/50: Cave Women Don't Get Fat!
Cave Women Don't Get Fat was my initiation to the paleo diet/lifestyle/way of eating. I know that I don't eat as well as I should, but who does, really? I don't enjoy cooking and so I eat a lot of the same things over and over, things that are easy and quick to prepare, things that my kids will eat, and straight-up convenience foods.
I've read about other diets, most recently the gluten-free diet, but there is nothing I've read that has changed me. Nothing that has stirred enough inside of me to get me to do anything differently. Until this book. The paleo diet, explained in this book, makes sense to me. Because of that, I would recommend this book. It's a quick look at the paleo diet and how it relates to women, packed full of information with lots of support cheering you on. If you're going to read a book about paleo, make it this one. Unless you can get your hands on one of the great cookbooks out there....
Up next: Paper Towns
Labels: book review, books, reading
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Hi lovelies!
When I found out about the new Lime Crime Velvetine Collection. Dubbed the Clueless Witch Collection I couldn't decide between the three shades, so I finally I got the Wicked shade. I am in love with this shade it's a deep rose burgundy colour, goes on liquid and dries completely matte, its touch-proof, transfer-proof, long-wearing.
I've previously reviewed other Lime Crime Velvetines shades here and here if you want to have a look. It's a really different collection for Lime Crime. The previous shades were fairly bright but these are vampy and dark. With a black, a deep red rose burgundy and a warm brown.
The formula and wear time of this lipstick is generally good.
At the end of the day I coat my lips with Almond oil and then wipe away with a damp cotton pad.
I think I will definitely getting the most wear out of Wicked it is super intense and definitely my favourite lipstick of this Month!


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1st United Credit Union
- Banks, Credit Unions & Finance
1st United Services Credit Union has a long history of service in the Bay Area and has the distinction of being one of the first credit unions in the State of California. The credit union was originally founded in 1932 as City & County Employees' Credit Union in order to serve Alameda County Employees. The field of membership was expanded shortly thereafter to include employees of cities and school districts located within Alameda County.


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2016 Mortgage Insurance Report: FHA vs. PMI
Private mortgage insurance was hard to come by in the years following the housing market collapse, as issuers incurred significant losses, with several even going bankrupt. As a result, FHA loans became the primary option for low-down-payment consumers, and their volume grew by more than 355% from 2007 to 2009.
But FHA loans have also grown significantly more expensive in recent years, as the housing market has rebounded in many respects. This, in turn, has led to the resurgence of private mortgage insurance, once again a viable option, as well as a dramatic reversal in FHA-loan growth, as originations actually fell by 39% from 2009 to 2015.


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By completing your order, you understand that the products(s) you are purchasing are U.S. models and may have power / voltage requirements different from that of your country.
Prices shown in currencies other than US Dollars are estimates based on current exchange rates. We will charge your credit card in US Dollars on the day your order is shipped, and the conversion to your local currency will be done at the prevailing rate by your credit card issuer.
ProSound and Stage Lighting will not mark your parcel as a "gift", declare a value lower than the actual price paid, or otherwise prepare false customs information.
Based on the classic T.C. Electronic delays, the truly musical D-TWO features not only tempo, but actual rhythm patterns that can be tapped directly or quantized according to a specific tempo and subdivision. The delays and rhythm patterns can be up to 10 seconds each. Control the exact number of repeats with absolute repeat control.Features:


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Have you tried?
Our Crunchy Fruit Free Nutty Muesli blend, a delicious and crunchy blend of toasted rolled oats with roasted almonds, cashews and seeds, oven baked with our signature vanilla recipe.
Available in Coles, Woolworths and independent supermarkets. It's delicious topped with fresh berries or bananas and served with our Probiotic natural Kefir. We know you'll love it!


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Some of the most powerful supercomputers in the world are also the most power efficient, according to Erich Strohmaier, head of the Future Technology Group at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).
The average power consumption of a TOP10 system is 4.09 MW (down from 4.56MW six months ago). By comparison, the average power consumption of a TOP500 system is 671.3kW (up from 634kW six months ago and 543kW one year ago).
Speaking at the International Supercomputing Conference in Hamburg, Strohmaier said that in November 2011, many of the TOP10 supercomputers were using old technology that was less power efficient. Many of these old systems have now been replaced by new systems, bringing the average power consumption down.
"As an average, the TOP50 was actually more up-to-date than the TOP10 six months ago, but that has changed. The TOP10 now has the new technology, which shows that supercomputing is very much a market where innovation comes from the top and trickles down," said Strohmaier.
"The new stuff, as soon as we have confidence that it works, it's going to get introduced in a very large system. That's why the large systems have higher efficiency than the small systems."
Overall, only 40 systems on the list are confirmed to use more than 1MW of power. The number one system, Sequoia, an IBM Bluegene/Q system, reports the second highest total power consumption of 7.89MW, but is deemed to be one of the most energy efficient systems on the list.
Strohmaier said that, by the end of the decade, all of the top 10 systems will consume around 8-9MW of power – a significant step down from LBNL's prediction six months ago of 13-14MW. For this to happen, however, there will need to be dramatic improvements in technology at regular intervals.
"We can't just sit back and say everything's good, we're going to be fine in 10 years. That's not the case. There is a lot of work needed to arrive there," he said.
The power consumption of supercomputers is one of the major issues facing the industry, because as clusters get bigger and more powerful, there is often not enough energy to keep them running. At the European Nuclear Research Organisation (CERN) near Geneva, for example, scientists often complain that power limitations are having a knock-on effect on the performance of their experiments.
Many chip manufacturers are now working to tackle this issue. Today's most energy-efficient supercomputers include:
- An Intel cluster with SandyBridge and MIC technology installed at Intel with 1176 MFlops/watt (number 150 on the list)
- An Appro Xtreme-X SandyBridge-based cluster installed at Los Alamos National Laboratory with 1050 MFlops/watt (number 73)
- A Chinese system called Mole-8.5 with nVidia accelerators with 919 Mflops/watt (number 21)
- The Fujitsu K Computer at RIKEN with 830 Mflops/watt (number 2)