Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Monday, March 21, 2022
Sunday, February 6, 2022
Monday, September 28, 2015
NASA's Revolutionary Discoveries On Mars and What They Mean for Manned Exploration
In the past,Mars was basically regarded as a vast red desert with little likelihood of ever having hosted life,let alone presently harbouring it.Now,though,recent observations of Mars by the HiRISE,or High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment,aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter,have changed the picture drastically.A number of scientists gave a press briefing Monday morning on the epochal findings,including Jim Green,Director of Planetary Science at NASA headquarters in Washington;Michael Meyer,Lead Scientist,NASA Mars Exploratory Program;Lujendra Ojha,Georgia Institute of Technology,Atlanta;Mary Beth Wilhelm,NASA Ames Research Center,Moffett Field,California and Georgia Tech;and Alfred McEwen,Principal Investigator,HiRISE,Univrsity of Arizona,Tucson.Also contributing to the NASA Science Update was John Grunsfeld,5-time NASA Astronaut and Associate Administrator.
The scientists indicated that we're starting to put together a much more interesting,dynamic and complex picture of Mars.Our journey to Mars is a science-led mission right now,but it's even more important to send planetary biologists and geologists to Mars.It really is a fascinating planet that once had salty seas,freshwater lakes and snowy peaks,with a water cycle like earth's.Did life arise on Mars once,and can we find out did any survive?Is there life on Mars today?The new data suggests it would be possible there is life today on Mars.Three billion years ago,Mars had an extensive atmosphere;a huge ocean up to a mile deep;but something happened.Mars suffered a major climate change and lost its surface water,yet Mars soils are moist and hydrated,full of water,and there is much more humidity in its atmosphere than was previously believed.Mars is not the dry,arid planet that we thought.Under certain circumstances,liquid water has been found on Mars,the HiRISE data show,in a feature known as Recurring Slope Lineae,which are dark streaks that form in late spring,grow through the summer and disappear in the fall.The broader distribution and more expansive latitudes of the RSL than expected are evidence of flowing water on Mars,as revealed by multiple spacecraft and observations,as set forth in the new article "RSL:Spectral Evidence for Hydrated Salts in RSL on Mars" in Nature Geoscience 28 September 2015.*
An animated sequence of the RSL cycle was shown at the update.HiRISE has observed this in the last four years or so.The RSL form at different times and temperatures and latitudes on Mars.They are seeps of water and seep through the surface layer and darken it.The seeps have been noted in three regions:
1.the southern mid-latitudes;
2.Valles Marineris;
3.Acidalia Planitia.
They occur in craters.The key evidence was missing until now:their chemical identity.This has been ascertained by the CRISM instrument on the MRO.It can observe the surface in various wavelengths;the interaction of light with the surface material indicates if there is any evidence of flowing water.We found that salt crystals composed of salt and chlorine when hydrated show the presence of molecular water in their crystal structure;molecular water is trapped inside the salt structure.The source of the water is either RSLs or some other processes-regardless,these crystals are formed by contemporary flowing water on Mars.These hydrated salts in the slopes means contemporary flowing water is forming them.Pure liquid water is highly unstable on the surface of Mars;but salty water doesn't evaporate as quickly until there is a higher temperature.*
RSLs are formed by flowing liquid briny water on the surface of Mars.The broader implications are:
more habitable conditions on the surface of Mars than previously thought.Further astrobiological and chemical analysis may show the water to be an important resource for human explorers on Mars,decreasing the cost of manned expeditions as a source of drinking water and oxygen.In principal,you could even make solid rocket fuel from the hydrated salt.
On earth,everywhere we find water,there is life.We now have great opportunities to be in the right locations to investigate that.We now are at a point technologically to go there,ask the question,and answer it.With HiRISE,we can make a better,more methodical search for life.Is there an aquifer network on Mars?It's very likely there is life in the Martian subsurface,microbial life.A number of upcoming NASA and ESA/Russia missions will help with our search.*
Mars is looking more and more habitable;the resources are there.A very methodical approach and rigorous scientific program will enable the setting of parameters and the design of manned missions.It is more feasible for missions than ever before.These are huge steps for us to plan the right resources to support human explorers in the future,NASA believes.
The scientists indicated that we're starting to put together a much more interesting,dynamic and complex picture of Mars.Our journey to Mars is a science-led mission right now,but it's even more important to send planetary biologists and geologists to Mars.It really is a fascinating planet that once had salty seas,freshwater lakes and snowy peaks,with a water cycle like earth's.Did life arise on Mars once,and can we find out did any survive?Is there life on Mars today?The new data suggests it would be possible there is life today on Mars.Three billion years ago,Mars had an extensive atmosphere;a huge ocean up to a mile deep;but something happened.Mars suffered a major climate change and lost its surface water,yet Mars soils are moist and hydrated,full of water,and there is much more humidity in its atmosphere than was previously believed.Mars is not the dry,arid planet that we thought.Under certain circumstances,liquid water has been found on Mars,the HiRISE data show,in a feature known as Recurring Slope Lineae,which are dark streaks that form in late spring,grow through the summer and disappear in the fall.The broader distribution and more expansive latitudes of the RSL than expected are evidence of flowing water on Mars,as revealed by multiple spacecraft and observations,as set forth in the new article "RSL:Spectral Evidence for Hydrated Salts in RSL on Mars" in Nature Geoscience 28 September 2015.*
An animated sequence of the RSL cycle was shown at the update.HiRISE has observed this in the last four years or so.The RSL form at different times and temperatures and latitudes on Mars.They are seeps of water and seep through the surface layer and darken it.The seeps have been noted in three regions:
1.the southern mid-latitudes;
2.Valles Marineris;
3.Acidalia Planitia.
They occur in craters.The key evidence was missing until now:their chemical identity.This has been ascertained by the CRISM instrument on the MRO.It can observe the surface in various wavelengths;the interaction of light with the surface material indicates if there is any evidence of flowing water.We found that salt crystals composed of salt and chlorine when hydrated show the presence of molecular water in their crystal structure;molecular water is trapped inside the salt structure.The source of the water is either RSLs or some other processes-regardless,these crystals are formed by contemporary flowing water on Mars.These hydrated salts in the slopes means contemporary flowing water is forming them.Pure liquid water is highly unstable on the surface of Mars;but salty water doesn't evaporate as quickly until there is a higher temperature.*
RSLs are formed by flowing liquid briny water on the surface of Mars.The broader implications are:
more habitable conditions on the surface of Mars than previously thought.Further astrobiological and chemical analysis may show the water to be an important resource for human explorers on Mars,decreasing the cost of manned expeditions as a source of drinking water and oxygen.In principal,you could even make solid rocket fuel from the hydrated salt.
On earth,everywhere we find water,there is life.We now have great opportunities to be in the right locations to investigate that.We now are at a point technologically to go there,ask the question,and answer it.With HiRISE,we can make a better,more methodical search for life.Is there an aquifer network on Mars?It's very likely there is life in the Martian subsurface,microbial life.A number of upcoming NASA and ESA/Russia missions will help with our search.*
Mars is looking more and more habitable;the resources are there.A very methodical approach and rigorous scientific program will enable the setting of parameters and the design of manned missions.It is more feasible for missions than ever before.These are huge steps for us to plan the right resources to support human explorers in the future,NASA believes.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Investment Ideas February 2015
American Express scored a double beat on its Q4 earnings report.The financial services titan reported earnings of 1.39 a share versus the estimate of 1.38;it had revenue of 9.11 billion versus the 8.53 billion estimate.CEO Ken Chenault attributed the company's success to the gain from the sale of AmEx's stake in Concur Inc;higher card member spending;increased loan balances;tighter control of expenses;and return of profit to shareholders.
There was an eight percent increase in spending by cardholders.*
We like dividend payers,said Doug Sandler,CFA of RiverFront Investment Group in Richmond,Virginia.They'll do fewer stupid things if they have to pay out.We like companies that cater to the middle class-retailers like drug stores,and homebuilders.*
The price of gold has increased this year,according to William Rhind,CEO of World Gold Trust Services.We've seen Russia going into the market buying more gold.I absolutely would agree investors should have 2-10% gold in a well-balanced portfolio.
We're seeing the paradigms of the last couple of years start to be questioned.Gold miners did well during the Great Depression.*
Biotech titan Amgen also reported a double beat.It reported earnings of 2.16 a share versus the estimate of 2.05;and revenue was 5.33 billion versus the estimate of 5.20 billion.The company reaffirmed its full year guidance.Its success was bolstered by drug price increases.*
Rite Aid Corp(RAD),iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF(ITB),Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF(GDX),Amgen(AMGN),American Express(AXP)
There was an eight percent increase in spending by cardholders.*
We like dividend payers,said Doug Sandler,CFA of RiverFront Investment Group in Richmond,Virginia.They'll do fewer stupid things if they have to pay out.We like companies that cater to the middle class-retailers like drug stores,and homebuilders.*
The price of gold has increased this year,according to William Rhind,CEO of World Gold Trust Services.We've seen Russia going into the market buying more gold.I absolutely would agree investors should have 2-10% gold in a well-balanced portfolio.
We're seeing the paradigms of the last couple of years start to be questioned.Gold miners did well during the Great Depression.*
Biotech titan Amgen also reported a double beat.It reported earnings of 2.16 a share versus the estimate of 2.05;and revenue was 5.33 billion versus the estimate of 5.20 billion.The company reaffirmed its full year guidance.Its success was bolstered by drug price increases.*
Rite Aid Corp(RAD),iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF(ITB),Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF(GDX),Amgen(AMGN),American Express(AXP)
Monday, September 8, 2014
Words of the Day:Cybersecurity,Antitrust and Alibaba
I'm paranoid enough that I get a new credit card every three months,said Ken Westin,Tripwire security researcher.I'm guessing at least one or two retailers a week are going to be coming out with an announcement.I'm expecting to see more shoes drop.
I think the Home Depot hackers are a much more sophisticated group than those that hacked Apple's iCloud accounts of celebrities.Odds are,they're operating outside the US.Once those credit cards get exfiltrated out of the US to Russia or Eastern Europe,it's almost impossible to follow up on the investigation.*
Microsoft has an antitrust law problem in China.Their office was raided by Chinese authorities in July.This is pretty serious for Microsoft,said David Evans,Vice President and Chairman of Global Economics.It's not clear what exactly the allegations are.The full array of claims I don't think we know at this point in time.I think the point is,it's a law that was passed in 2008.This is a baby antitrust law.It's really a very new thing in China.This is actually very quick for China to be taking the law so seriously and acting so aggressively.*
Alibaba,the Chinese Internet titan,has valued itself at 162.7 billion dollars prior to its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange later this month.Alibaba will announce share pricing on September 18 and go public the following day.Its publicity roadshow begins at the Waldorf Astoria in New York today,followed by two weeks of meetings with prospective investors.
Alibaba has spent 4.6 billion dollars on 2014 deals.There will be questions about this M&A strategy,as profit margins are crimped when a business expands too rapidly.The company also has an ownership structure that is not investor-friendly.Investors have less of a say in big company decisions than they would like.
It does concern me,says Jeff Sica,founder and president of SICA Wealth Management,because transparency is clearly one of the clouds on their horizon.The top question is,is Alibaba going to be able to operate under the standards of the NYSE?*
Microsoft(MSFT,Home Depot(HD),Apple Computer(AAPL)
I think the Home Depot hackers are a much more sophisticated group than those that hacked Apple's iCloud accounts of celebrities.Odds are,they're operating outside the US.Once those credit cards get exfiltrated out of the US to Russia or Eastern Europe,it's almost impossible to follow up on the investigation.*
Microsoft has an antitrust law problem in China.Their office was raided by Chinese authorities in July.This is pretty serious for Microsoft,said David Evans,Vice President and Chairman of Global Economics.It's not clear what exactly the allegations are.The full array of claims I don't think we know at this point in time.I think the point is,it's a law that was passed in 2008.This is a baby antitrust law.It's really a very new thing in China.This is actually very quick for China to be taking the law so seriously and acting so aggressively.*
Alibaba,the Chinese Internet titan,has valued itself at 162.7 billion dollars prior to its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange later this month.Alibaba will announce share pricing on September 18 and go public the following day.Its publicity roadshow begins at the Waldorf Astoria in New York today,followed by two weeks of meetings with prospective investors.
Alibaba has spent 4.6 billion dollars on 2014 deals.There will be questions about this M&A strategy,as profit margins are crimped when a business expands too rapidly.The company also has an ownership structure that is not investor-friendly.Investors have less of a say in big company decisions than they would like.
It does concern me,says Jeff Sica,founder and president of SICA Wealth Management,because transparency is clearly one of the clouds on their horizon.The top question is,is Alibaba going to be able to operate under the standards of the NYSE?*
Microsoft(MSFT,Home Depot(HD),Apple Computer(AAPL)
Monday, March 17, 2014
Monday Newsline:Ukraine and Market Risk
Overnight,the Asian markets reflected anxiety over the Ukraine crisis as shares dropped in Japan and Hong Kong,along with US stock futures,and gold crested to a six month high.Oil rose as well.Now the vote for Crimea's annexation by Russia-totally dismissed by the West as a charade-has gone Moscow's way,unresolved issues both within Crimea itself and in Eastern Ukraine could rivet the attention of global markets in the days ahead.
The Crimean vote went 95% for seceding from Ukraine and joining Russia in an atmosphere of haste and armed intimidation by Russian troops,who were posted in armoured personnel carriers outside polling places.Anti-Putin activists and even some journalists were harassed,beaten and branded as traitors in the days leading up to the election.It was only safe for peaceful protestors on the outskirts of town,fearful of club-wielding toughs inspired by the Kremlin.
Largely unreported on TV news,the tension between Ukraine and Russia over Eastern and Southern Ukraine could make Crimea look like a picnic,with concentrations of troops on both sides mobilising in recent days.In Southern Ukraine,80 Russian troops occupied a village with a natural gas station over the weekend.The Eastern cities of Donetsk,Kharkiv and Lugansk are also potential flashpoints,threatening to become the biggest challenge to market sentiment since the dark days of the Eurozone crisis,as Nicholas Spiro of Spiro Sovereign Strategists put it.
A Russian invasion of Eastern Ukraine could raise geopolitical strife to a new high and ripple strongly through the global markets.
With worries around certain emerging markets,notably China and Ukraine at present-2014 is already shaping up as a more volatile year for shares,said Shane Oliver,head of investment strategy and chief economist at AMP Capital.
Investors may be looking over their shoulders at these exogenous events for the foreseeable future.
The Crimean vote went 95% for seceding from Ukraine and joining Russia in an atmosphere of haste and armed intimidation by Russian troops,who were posted in armoured personnel carriers outside polling places.Anti-Putin activists and even some journalists were harassed,beaten and branded as traitors in the days leading up to the election.It was only safe for peaceful protestors on the outskirts of town,fearful of club-wielding toughs inspired by the Kremlin.
Largely unreported on TV news,the tension between Ukraine and Russia over Eastern and Southern Ukraine could make Crimea look like a picnic,with concentrations of troops on both sides mobilising in recent days.In Southern Ukraine,80 Russian troops occupied a village with a natural gas station over the weekend.The Eastern cities of Donetsk,Kharkiv and Lugansk are also potential flashpoints,threatening to become the biggest challenge to market sentiment since the dark days of the Eurozone crisis,as Nicholas Spiro of Spiro Sovereign Strategists put it.
A Russian invasion of Eastern Ukraine could raise geopolitical strife to a new high and ripple strongly through the global markets.
With worries around certain emerging markets,notably China and Ukraine at present-2014 is already shaping up as a more volatile year for shares,said Shane Oliver,head of investment strategy and chief economist at AMP Capital.
Investors may be looking over their shoulders at these exogenous events for the foreseeable future.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Sochi Winter Olympics:Gold in the Winter Sun
The final medal count is as follows:
1.Russia 33
2.USA 28
3.Norway 26
4.Canada 25
5.Netherlands 24
6.Germany 19
7.Austria 17
8.France 15
8.Sweden 15
9.People's Republic of China 9
Italy won 8 medals,including 6 silver and 2 bronze.Russia won the most gold medals(13).Ukraine,which had been in severe political unrest during the Games,won 2 medals,1 gold and 1 bronze.*
It was a final triumph for Team Russia on Sunday,a full restoration of national pride,when they swept the medals at the last skiing event of the Games,the 50km cross country race.Alexander Legkov won the gold;Maxim Vylegzhanin the silver;and Ilia Chernousov the bronze.This is priceless,Legkov said.It is more valuable than my life.I can't express how I feel.I've been trying for this result for 15 years.*
Likewise,Team Canada went out of the games with a flourish by sweeping the ice hockey gold as the Canadian men blanked Sweden 3-0.Team USA was also pleased to win a bobsled medal on Sunday,taking the four-man bobsled bronze behind Russia and Latvia.
On the whole,Team USA had a very good Games,winning five alpine skiing medals,but was disappointed by taking only one speedskating medal,and having to go home with a men's ice hockey goose egg.*
Overall,the Games were a positive event on the global calendar.This blog congratulates Russia for its excellent athletic and security effort.The Games were definitely a high point in their history.*
As for Sochi itself,it was clearly transformed by the sprirt and success of the Olympic Games.It is looking ahead to the Winter Paralympics March 7-16 and a Formula One Grand Prix motor race in October.
__________________________________________
Gold in the Winter Sun
Where it shines on Sochi town.
For two weeks,the world with its eyes
Absorbed every win,and the sighs
Were gathered in as well.We heard "Kalinka,"
The Russian birch still well,
The swell of the sea and the people
Magnificent Slavic emotion
With soft snow on the mountain.
(C)2014 Andrew K Taylor
1.Russia 33
2.USA 28
3.Norway 26
4.Canada 25
5.Netherlands 24
6.Germany 19
7.Austria 17
8.France 15
8.Sweden 15
9.People's Republic of China 9
Italy won 8 medals,including 6 silver and 2 bronze.Russia won the most gold medals(13).Ukraine,which had been in severe political unrest during the Games,won 2 medals,1 gold and 1 bronze.*
It was a final triumph for Team Russia on Sunday,a full restoration of national pride,when they swept the medals at the last skiing event of the Games,the 50km cross country race.Alexander Legkov won the gold;Maxim Vylegzhanin the silver;and Ilia Chernousov the bronze.This is priceless,Legkov said.It is more valuable than my life.I can't express how I feel.I've been trying for this result for 15 years.*
Likewise,Team Canada went out of the games with a flourish by sweeping the ice hockey gold as the Canadian men blanked Sweden 3-0.Team USA was also pleased to win a bobsled medal on Sunday,taking the four-man bobsled bronze behind Russia and Latvia.
On the whole,Team USA had a very good Games,winning five alpine skiing medals,but was disappointed by taking only one speedskating medal,and having to go home with a men's ice hockey goose egg.*
Overall,the Games were a positive event on the global calendar.This blog congratulates Russia for its excellent athletic and security effort.The Games were definitely a high point in their history.*
As for Sochi itself,it was clearly transformed by the sprirt and success of the Olympic Games.It is looking ahead to the Winter Paralympics March 7-16 and a Formula One Grand Prix motor race in October.
__________________________________________
Gold in the Winter Sun
Where it shines on Sochi town.
For two weeks,the world with its eyes
Absorbed every win,and the sighs
Were gathered in as well.We heard "Kalinka,"
The Russian birch still well,
The swell of the sea and the people
Magnificent Slavic emotion
With soft snow on the mountain.
(C)2014 Andrew K Taylor
Friday, February 14, 2014
Sochi Winter Olympics Medals;Noelle Pikus-Pace
Total medals count as of Thursday night:
1.Norway 13
2.Netherlands 12
2.USA 12
3.Russia 11
4.Canada 10
4.Germany 10
5.Sweden 5
5.Austria 5
6.Switzerland 4
6.Slovenia 4
Germany had the most gold medals(7).*
The USA continued its success in freestyle skiing and snowboarding as the US men swept the slopestyle skiing medals,led by Joss Christensen.Most of the American medals so far were from these freestyle disciplines.This fact may put extra pressure on alpine skiers and gold medalists Ted Ligety and Bode Miller as they compete for the USA in Friday's men's Super Combined event,which couples a downhill race with a slalom.*
Another chance for a USA traditional discipline medal is in the final heats of the women's skeleton Friday,where Noelle Pikus-Pace,31,was in second place behind Great Britain's Lizzy Yarnold,one of the few medal contenders for her country,after the first two heats.Russia's Yelena Nikitina was in third and American Katie Uhlaender
close behind her in fourth.
Pikus-Pace,a mother with a cheerful demeanor,has had a frustrtating Olympics career.In 2006,she had to withdraw when she was sruck by a bobsled during a training run,which broke her leg.At Vancouver 2010,she missed a bronze medal by 0.10 of a second.She says she intends to retire regardless of the results this time.*
Also of note on Thursday,Italy's Arianna Fontana won the silver medal in the women's 500 meter short track speedskating event when Great Britain's Elise Christie was disqualified for an illegal pass that caused a crash.
1.Norway 13
2.Netherlands 12
2.USA 12
3.Russia 11
4.Canada 10
4.Germany 10
5.Sweden 5
5.Austria 5
6.Switzerland 4
6.Slovenia 4
Germany had the most gold medals(7).*
The USA continued its success in freestyle skiing and snowboarding as the US men swept the slopestyle skiing medals,led by Joss Christensen.Most of the American medals so far were from these freestyle disciplines.This fact may put extra pressure on alpine skiers and gold medalists Ted Ligety and Bode Miller as they compete for the USA in Friday's men's Super Combined event,which couples a downhill race with a slalom.*
Another chance for a USA traditional discipline medal is in the final heats of the women's skeleton Friday,where Noelle Pikus-Pace,31,was in second place behind Great Britain's Lizzy Yarnold,one of the few medal contenders for her country,after the first two heats.Russia's Yelena Nikitina was in third and American Katie Uhlaender
close behind her in fourth.
Pikus-Pace,a mother with a cheerful demeanor,has had a frustrtating Olympics career.In 2006,she had to withdraw when she was sruck by a bobsled during a training run,which broke her leg.At Vancouver 2010,she missed a bronze medal by 0.10 of a second.She says she intends to retire regardless of the results this time.*
Also of note on Thursday,Italy's Arianna Fontana won the silver medal in the women's 500 meter short track speedskating event when Great Britain's Elise Christie was disqualified for an illegal pass that caused a crash.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Sochi Winter Olympics Medals;Hannah Kearney;Women's Slopestyle Final
Total medals at the Sochi Winter Olympics as of Sunday night:
1.Norway 7
2.Netherlands 4
2.USA 4
2.Canada 4
2.Russia 4
3.Austria 2
4.Germany 1
4.Poland 1
4.Switzerland 1
4.Slovakia 1
Norway also has the most gold medals(2).This does not include the women's slopestyle snowboarding medals for some reason,perhaps becuase they weren't official yet or just hadn't been tallied by presstime.*
This blog does not pick favourites.This is an unhelpful practice,as there is no reliable way to forecast an athlete's performance on just one day or even over an entire Games.Sometimes the favourites win at the Olympics;sometimes they do not.It is a pointless media exercise to speculate like that.
American freestyle skier Hannah Kearney,who won a bronze in Saturday's women's moguls final,felt a lot better about her bronze after the warmth of the medals ceremony,where Canadian sisters Justeine and Chloe Dufour-Lapointe were awarded the gold and silver,respectively.Kearney,who won gold in the event at Vancouver in 2010,had declared she was retiring after her defeat,but on Sunday said she now feels proud of the bronze and seemed open to reconsidering the decision to retire.*
Russia is back:the old Russian dominance of figure skating,in which they had won 51 medals,and which ended at Vancouver when they were shut out of the medals,got a new lease on life as Russia took the first gold in the new team figure skating event.Seasoned veteran Yevgeny Plushenko,31,and newcomer Yulia Lipnitskaya,15,skated without obvious flaws to secure the top spot as President Vladimir Putin looked on,basking in their success.Canada won silver and the US took the bronze.*
Team USA completed its sweep of the first gold medals in the new snowboard slopestyle event as Sage Kotsenburg was joined by Jamie Anderson,23,of South Lake Tahoe,California.Anderson earned her gold as she impressed with big air,soaring above the huge manufactured slopes of the course.
Finland's Enni Rukajarvi garnered silver,and Great Britain's Jenny Jones,33,reached a milestone for her country with her bronze,the first ever medal for GB in a snow sport.
1.Norway 7
2.Netherlands 4
2.USA 4
2.Canada 4
2.Russia 4
3.Austria 2
4.Germany 1
4.Poland 1
4.Switzerland 1
4.Slovakia 1
Norway also has the most gold medals(2).This does not include the women's slopestyle snowboarding medals for some reason,perhaps becuase they weren't official yet or just hadn't been tallied by presstime.*
This blog does not pick favourites.This is an unhelpful practice,as there is no reliable way to forecast an athlete's performance on just one day or even over an entire Games.Sometimes the favourites win at the Olympics;sometimes they do not.It is a pointless media exercise to speculate like that.
American freestyle skier Hannah Kearney,who won a bronze in Saturday's women's moguls final,felt a lot better about her bronze after the warmth of the medals ceremony,where Canadian sisters Justeine and Chloe Dufour-Lapointe were awarded the gold and silver,respectively.Kearney,who won gold in the event at Vancouver in 2010,had declared she was retiring after her defeat,but on Sunday said she now feels proud of the bronze and seemed open to reconsidering the decision to retire.*
Russia is back:the old Russian dominance of figure skating,in which they had won 51 medals,and which ended at Vancouver when they were shut out of the medals,got a new lease on life as Russia took the first gold in the new team figure skating event.Seasoned veteran Yevgeny Plushenko,31,and newcomer Yulia Lipnitskaya,15,skated without obvious flaws to secure the top spot as President Vladimir Putin looked on,basking in their success.Canada won silver and the US took the bronze.*
Team USA completed its sweep of the first gold medals in the new snowboard slopestyle event as Sage Kotsenburg was joined by Jamie Anderson,23,of South Lake Tahoe,California.Anderson earned her gold as she impressed with big air,soaring above the huge manufactured slopes of the course.
Finland's Enni Rukajarvi garnered silver,and Great Britain's Jenny Jones,33,reached a milestone for her country with her bronze,the first ever medal for GB in a snow sport.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Asia This Day:Indian Prime Minister Departs for Russia,China
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has embarked on a five day journey to Russia and China.While in China,he will be discussing the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement the two countries have been negotiating to avoid clashes over extensive sections of their 4,000 kilometer border.Mr.Singh will also attempt to improve trade with both Russia and China,including energy and defence projects.*
The scope of our relationship with Russia is unique,the Prime Minister said,encompassing strong and growing cooperation in areas such as defence,nuclear energy,science and technology,hydrocarbons,trade and investment.*
India and China have historical issues and there are areas of concern,Mr.Singh continued.The two governments are addressing them with sincerity and maturity,without letting them affect the overall atmosphere of friendship and cooperation.I will be discussing some of these issues as part of strategic communication between leaders with a forward-looking and problem-solving approach.*
Besides arms purchases from Russia,while in Moscow he will also discuss completion of a nuclear reactor Russia has been building on India's southern coast that has caused safety concerns.*
In April,Indian and Chinese troops faced off for three weeks in a remote Himalayan desert region,when India accused Chinese soldiers of intruding 20 kilometers/12 miles into Indian territory.Another standoff occurred in August.*
China's Fosun International is buying 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza in New York City for 725 million dollars.It is the largest ever NYC purchase by a Chinese buyer.JP Morgan Chase will relocate most of its employees from the iconic 60 storey tower,which has 2.2 million square feet of office space,to other sites in the city.The US is China's number one choice for real estate investing;Canada is second.*
In golf,South Korean Jin Jeong won the European Tour's ISPS Handa Perth International in Australia Sunday,defeating England's Ross Fisher in a playoff.Australians Brody Ninyette and Dimitrios Papadatos,along with Englishman Danny Willett,tied for fifth place.*
JP Morgan Chase(JPM)
The scope of our relationship with Russia is unique,the Prime Minister said,encompassing strong and growing cooperation in areas such as defence,nuclear energy,science and technology,hydrocarbons,trade and investment.*
India and China have historical issues and there are areas of concern,Mr.Singh continued.The two governments are addressing them with sincerity and maturity,without letting them affect the overall atmosphere of friendship and cooperation.I will be discussing some of these issues as part of strategic communication between leaders with a forward-looking and problem-solving approach.*
Besides arms purchases from Russia,while in Moscow he will also discuss completion of a nuclear reactor Russia has been building on India's southern coast that has caused safety concerns.*
In April,Indian and Chinese troops faced off for three weeks in a remote Himalayan desert region,when India accused Chinese soldiers of intruding 20 kilometers/12 miles into Indian territory.Another standoff occurred in August.*
China's Fosun International is buying 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza in New York City for 725 million dollars.It is the largest ever NYC purchase by a Chinese buyer.JP Morgan Chase will relocate most of its employees from the iconic 60 storey tower,which has 2.2 million square feet of office space,to other sites in the city.The US is China's number one choice for real estate investing;Canada is second.*
In golf,South Korean Jin Jeong won the European Tour's ISPS Handa Perth International in Australia Sunday,defeating England's Ross Fisher in a playoff.Australians Brody Ninyette and Dimitrios Papadatos,along with Englishman Danny Willett,tied for fifth place.*
JP Morgan Chase(JPM)
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
The Russian Proposal:Real or Smokescreen
Even as the entire US Senate was in a classified briefing by the president's national security team,the talk in Washington and the news media swirled around a Russian proposal,welcomed by Syria,that the Assad regime's chemical weapons be placed under international control.It is being taken so seriously that a procedural vote in the Senate on military action against Syria slated for Thursday was postponed while the proposal is checked out.
Experts pointed out that reliably emptying Syria of its vast stockpile of chemical weapons would require a ceasefire in the civil war,and a long period for inspectors to go in and document the weapons and remove them.
Deputy National Security Adviser Tony Blinken said we'll talk to the Russians about it and see where it goes.Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich said this is a shaky moment,and a fascinating moment about how this turns out.The challenge for the president is,the American people aren't there.
President Barack Obama himself said we're gonna run this to ground to see if we can arrive at something that is enforceable and serious.We don't want just a stalling and delaying tactic.It may be Assad is under pressure from his allies.If we don't maintain a credible threat,I don't think we will get the type of agreement we want to see,Mr.Obama warned.
Senator Bob Corker,R-Tennessee,said if it's real,and if Syria is willing to make immediate concrete steps,that's certainly worth looking at.But it's very difficult to tell if it's that,or just a way of creating a fog around the whole issue.
That view was echoed by Senator Lindsey Graham,R-South Carolina.
The Russians know that their proposal will at least slow down the decision-making process in Washington,giving Syria extra time to prepare for an attack;they also know that,at the most,it could sap the will of Congress to endorse the president's mililtary action plan;and if the Russian proposal were accepted,the Syrians could drag their feet the whole way,while squirreling away a significant part of their stockpile.
Experts pointed out that reliably emptying Syria of its vast stockpile of chemical weapons would require a ceasefire in the civil war,and a long period for inspectors to go in and document the weapons and remove them.
Deputy National Security Adviser Tony Blinken said we'll talk to the Russians about it and see where it goes.Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich said this is a shaky moment,and a fascinating moment about how this turns out.The challenge for the president is,the American people aren't there.
President Barack Obama himself said we're gonna run this to ground to see if we can arrive at something that is enforceable and serious.We don't want just a stalling and delaying tactic.It may be Assad is under pressure from his allies.If we don't maintain a credible threat,I don't think we will get the type of agreement we want to see,Mr.Obama warned.
Senator Bob Corker,R-Tennessee,said if it's real,and if Syria is willing to make immediate concrete steps,that's certainly worth looking at.But it's very difficult to tell if it's that,or just a way of creating a fog around the whole issue.
That view was echoed by Senator Lindsey Graham,R-South Carolina.
The Russians know that their proposal will at least slow down the decision-making process in Washington,giving Syria extra time to prepare for an attack;they also know that,at the most,it could sap the will of Congress to endorse the president's mililtary action plan;and if the Russian proposal were accepted,the Syrians could drag their feet the whole way,while squirreling away a significant part of their stockpile.
Friday, September 6, 2013
The Syria Crisis:Insights and Policy
Senator John McCain,R-Arizona,said on Thursday that the President of the United States shared with him and Senator Lindsey Graham,R-South Carolina,his goals for military action against Syria:
1.To degrade Assad's chemical weapons capabilities.
2.To lend greater support to the Free Syria Army and those who seek to prevail.
3.To achieve a change in the battlefield to switch the momentum,which is thanks to Russian and Iranian equipment being flown in and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
Unless Bashar al-Assad believes he is going to lose,it will be impossible to get him to negotiate.*
The classified briefing we got on Wednesday was excellent and answered many questions.*
The reason the American people are so opposed to miltary action against Syria is:
1.Americans are very sceptical because of Iraq.
2.The President mishandled it.
Americans don't understand this is a regional war.It's not confined to Syria.*
It's understandable there is oppositon to military action in Congress.There's no more important vote a Member of Congress will cast,Senator McCain pointed out.*
The Pentagon is developing a more intense option for an attack on Syria.This would involve strategic bombers such as the B-52 and B-2 stealth bomber,as well as cruise missiles launched from warships.Strategic bombers can fly from bases in the US and fire missiles at a distance from the target,so they would not have to fly over Syria itself.No final decision has been made.*
According to the BBC,the G20 summit in St.Petersburg,Russia has revealed a split among the nations attending over military action against Syria,which Russia itself strongly opposes.Taking Obama's side,British Prime Minister David Cameron said it would send an appalling message to Assad and others if the US failed to act.German Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to wait until the UN weapons inspectors deliver their report,which could take weeks.
1.To degrade Assad's chemical weapons capabilities.
2.To lend greater support to the Free Syria Army and those who seek to prevail.
3.To achieve a change in the battlefield to switch the momentum,which is thanks to Russian and Iranian equipment being flown in and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
Unless Bashar al-Assad believes he is going to lose,it will be impossible to get him to negotiate.*
The classified briefing we got on Wednesday was excellent and answered many questions.*
The reason the American people are so opposed to miltary action against Syria is:
1.Americans are very sceptical because of Iraq.
2.The President mishandled it.
Americans don't understand this is a regional war.It's not confined to Syria.*
It's understandable there is oppositon to military action in Congress.There's no more important vote a Member of Congress will cast,Senator McCain pointed out.*
The Pentagon is developing a more intense option for an attack on Syria.This would involve strategic bombers such as the B-52 and B-2 stealth bomber,as well as cruise missiles launched from warships.Strategic bombers can fly from bases in the US and fire missiles at a distance from the target,so they would not have to fly over Syria itself.No final decision has been made.*
According to the BBC,the G20 summit in St.Petersburg,Russia has revealed a split among the nations attending over military action against Syria,which Russia itself strongly opposes.Taking Obama's side,British Prime Minister David Cameron said it would send an appalling message to Assad and others if the US failed to act.German Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to wait until the UN weapons inspectors deliver their report,which could take weeks.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Shop Talk:Syria
Dear Readers,
I am trying to keep you informed about the Syria crisis across my family of blogs,providing facts perhaps the mainstream media have missed.Tonight I have published a story in my "Extra Content" blog that may interest you,"Russians Shadow US Navy Ships Near Syria."It details which US Navy ships are near Syria now and what the Russians are doing in the area.You may access the story by clicking on the "Extra Content" link in the link list right.
I have also revised my story "French President Stands By Obama" in this blog.Thank you for your interest.
Sincerely,
Andrew Taylor
Publisher
I am trying to keep you informed about the Syria crisis across my family of blogs,providing facts perhaps the mainstream media have missed.Tonight I have published a story in my "Extra Content" blog that may interest you,"Russians Shadow US Navy Ships Near Syria."It details which US Navy ships are near Syria now and what the Russians are doing in the area.You may access the story by clicking on the "Extra Content" link in the link list right.
I have also revised my story "French President Stands By Obama" in this blog.Thank you for your interest.
Sincerely,
Andrew Taylor
Publisher
Friday, June 28, 2013
US-Saudi Talks Focus on Syria
US Secretary of State John Kerry continues his journey to the Middle East and Asia this weekend.The trip began June 21 and extends through July 2.On Tuesday 25 June,Mr.Kerry held talks with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister,Prince Saud al-Faisal,in Jeddah,Saudi Arabia.
In remarks following their meeting,His Royal Highness described the talks with John Kerry as having been a fruitful,constructive discussion,transparent and open-minded.At the top of their agenda was the crisis in Syria.
Perhaps the most ominous development is the involvement of foreign forces,Prince Saud noted,foremost of which is the motions of Hezbollah with support from Iran's national guard in the mass murder of Syrians,with unlimited military support from Russia.This critical turn of events cannot be overlooked.
Over and above the regime's genocide against its own people,this adds an even deadlier element in the form of an all-out foreign invasion that breaks every international law,protocol and principle.This violates the Syrian land and turns it into a battleground for global and regional conflicts and puts it under the mercy of sectarian struggles.
Syria can only be considered an occupied land.This requires a firm stand and speedy action from the international community.
I would like to commend the US decision to send military aid to the Free Syrian Army,and express my relief for what I heard today from the US Secretary of State concerning both changing the balance of forces on the ground and maintaining the legitimacy of the Syrian National Coalition as the sole representative of the Syrian people,Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud said.
Mr.Kerry is currently meeting in Amman,Jordan and Jerusalem with Jordanian,Israeli and Palestinian officials on advancing the Middle East peace process.From there,he will travel to Brunei for ASEAN meetings.
In remarks following their meeting,His Royal Highness described the talks with John Kerry as having been a fruitful,constructive discussion,transparent and open-minded.At the top of their agenda was the crisis in Syria.
Perhaps the most ominous development is the involvement of foreign forces,Prince Saud noted,foremost of which is the motions of Hezbollah with support from Iran's national guard in the mass murder of Syrians,with unlimited military support from Russia.This critical turn of events cannot be overlooked.
Over and above the regime's genocide against its own people,this adds an even deadlier element in the form of an all-out foreign invasion that breaks every international law,protocol and principle.This violates the Syrian land and turns it into a battleground for global and regional conflicts and puts it under the mercy of sectarian struggles.
Syria can only be considered an occupied land.This requires a firm stand and speedy action from the international community.
I would like to commend the US decision to send military aid to the Free Syrian Army,and express my relief for what I heard today from the US Secretary of State concerning both changing the balance of forces on the ground and maintaining the legitimacy of the Syrian National Coalition as the sole representative of the Syrian people,Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud said.
Mr.Kerry is currently meeting in Amman,Jordan and Jerusalem with Jordanian,Israeli and Palestinian officials on advancing the Middle East peace process.From there,he will travel to Brunei for ASEAN meetings.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Asia This Day:Russian Advances at Australian Open;Reliance India
At the Australian Open,the Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific,Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova upset Dane Caroline Wozniacki 2-6,6-2,7-5 to advance to the quarter finals.Victoria Azarenka of Belarus also advanced,defeating Russian Elena Vesnina 6-1,6-1.
On Sunday,Serb Novak Djokovic defeated Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in a 5-hour marathon match 1-6,7-5,6-4,6-7,12-10.It is being called one of the best Australia Open matches in history.
American Serena Williams will be playing Russian Maria Kirilenko for another quarter final berth today.
All US men and Australians have been eliminated from singles competition.
The tennis tournament is being sponsored by KIA Motors,ANZ Bank,Rolex,IBM and Jacob's Creek Winery.
India's Nifty Fifty futures were up in early Monday trading as Reliance Industries Ltd reported better than expected earnings.
The Australian housing market is more affordable than New Zealand's,a survey shows.
Gold and silver prices were up,and oil rose as well in early Monday trading.
Update:Serena Williams defeated Maria Kirilenko 6-2,6-0.She must now play fellow American Sloane Stephens,who is 19 years old and the top-ranked teenager in the world.
iShares Australia Index Fund(EWA)
On Sunday,Serb Novak Djokovic defeated Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in a 5-hour marathon match 1-6,7-5,6-4,6-7,12-10.It is being called one of the best Australia Open matches in history.
American Serena Williams will be playing Russian Maria Kirilenko for another quarter final berth today.
All US men and Australians have been eliminated from singles competition.
The tennis tournament is being sponsored by KIA Motors,ANZ Bank,Rolex,IBM and Jacob's Creek Winery.
India's Nifty Fifty futures were up in early Monday trading as Reliance Industries Ltd reported better than expected earnings.
The Australian housing market is more affordable than New Zealand's,a survey shows.
Gold and silver prices were up,and oil rose as well in early Monday trading.
Update:Serena Williams defeated Maria Kirilenko 6-2,6-0.She must now play fellow American Sloane Stephens,who is 19 years old and the top-ranked teenager in the world.
iShares Australia Index Fund(EWA)
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Shop Talk:Christmas Eve
In observance of Christmas Eve,the normal business post for Monday nights will not be published.
Northern Maryland received about 2 inches of snow Monday afternoon and evening,ensuring a relatively rare White Christmas-considered highly desirable by many Americans.More wintry weather is expected for Christmas night through Wednesday night.
Liberty Mountain Resort in Southcentral Pennsylvania had been making snow Sunday night,and Monday's natural snow will greatly enhance the opening of their ski trails.
Christmas Eve highway traffic was light to moderate.
Retailers reported brisk bargain hunting on the final day of the shopping season.
Happy Christmas,dear readers,if you are celebrating.Russia will celebrate Christmas on January 7.
Northern Maryland received about 2 inches of snow Monday afternoon and evening,ensuring a relatively rare White Christmas-considered highly desirable by many Americans.More wintry weather is expected for Christmas night through Wednesday night.
Liberty Mountain Resort in Southcentral Pennsylvania had been making snow Sunday night,and Monday's natural snow will greatly enhance the opening of their ski trails.
Christmas Eve highway traffic was light to moderate.
Retailers reported brisk bargain hunting on the final day of the shopping season.
Happy Christmas,dear readers,if you are celebrating.Russia will celebrate Christmas on January 7.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The Outlook For Gold
Central banks turned net purchasers of gold in 2010,and that trend has continued,said Natalie Dempster of the World Gold Council.Stimulative policies are pushing investors into gold,along with the fiscal cliff.Concerns over credit have stopped the trend of investing in eurobonds.
Strong economic growth has been underpinning jewelry and central bank gold reserves demand from countries such asThailand and Russia.It's really been very broad-based.
At the moment,gold is a very good inflation hedge.It's a much better diversifier than other commodities because they are linked to industrial applications.
Monday New York gold closed at 1728.80 an ounce.
Strong economic growth has been underpinning jewelry and central bank gold reserves demand from countries such asThailand and Russia.It's really been very broad-based.
At the moment,gold is a very good inflation hedge.It's a much better diversifier than other commodities because they are linked to industrial applications.
Monday New York gold closed at 1728.80 an ounce.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Should You Buy International Paper Shares
International Paper is a cash flow story,said CEO John Faraci.We just invested 100 million dollars in a West Virginia factory.The dividend isn't at the expense of other things.We've repositioned all our businesses.We're quite confident in our cash flow even in a tough environment.
We've got positions in paper and packaging in the emerging markets.
I think we'll have an agreement on the budget in at the 11th hour and the 59th minute because everyone knows what the fiscal cliff would mean.The economy is going sideways.We're seeing the US basically flat.
Our business is actually up in Russia and Eastern Europe.
China feels to us like 2-3% growth.Brazil is like the US.I do think China will come back,though,the International Paper CEO John Faraci indicated.
International Paper shares closed up 0.79 at 37.59 in Monday trading.
International Paper(IP)
We've got positions in paper and packaging in the emerging markets.
I think we'll have an agreement on the budget in at the 11th hour and the 59th minute because everyone knows what the fiscal cliff would mean.The economy is going sideways.We're seeing the US basically flat.
Our business is actually up in Russia and Eastern Europe.
China feels to us like 2-3% growth.Brazil is like the US.I do think China will come back,though,the International Paper CEO John Faraci indicated.
International Paper shares closed up 0.79 at 37.59 in Monday trading.
International Paper(IP)
Monday, October 10, 2011
Exxon Mobil's Access Challenge
Demand has certainly been sluggish,off 2-2.5%,Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson observed.Globally,demand is about where we expected it to be.Part of what we're seeing is,the supply fundamentals are very strong now.
Our move into XTO Energy was recognition on our part of how significant unconventional resources are.We have to go out,have access to acreage and drill so we can support the economy.We spend in operating costs over a billion dollars a day.
Two-thirds of the remaining oil and 40% of natural gas lies under federal land we have no access to.The key issue is,the government controls access.
All we're looking for is tax treatment that's equal across all industries.Loopholes and subsidies are patches to fix a defect in the tax system.Let's clean all that up.
I'm not as optimistic as I was six months ago.I think the economy is gonna be sluggish in this country.Globally,we're gonna have positive growth,but it's not gonna be as robust as we had hoped.
Other governments also control access to resources.The difference is,they ask how can we get this drilling done,Rex Tillerson remarked bitterly.
Exxon Mobil recently signed an agreement with Russian oil titan Rosneft on a joint venture for exploration and production in Russia and globally.The Strategic Cooperation Agreement was signed on August 30 in Sochi,Russia in the presence of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Mr.Tillerson.The two companies have been working together for at least 15 years.
Exxon Mobil(XOM)
Our move into XTO Energy was recognition on our part of how significant unconventional resources are.We have to go out,have access to acreage and drill so we can support the economy.We spend in operating costs over a billion dollars a day.
Two-thirds of the remaining oil and 40% of natural gas lies under federal land we have no access to.The key issue is,the government controls access.
All we're looking for is tax treatment that's equal across all industries.Loopholes and subsidies are patches to fix a defect in the tax system.Let's clean all that up.
I'm not as optimistic as I was six months ago.I think the economy is gonna be sluggish in this country.Globally,we're gonna have positive growth,but it's not gonna be as robust as we had hoped.
Other governments also control access to resources.The difference is,they ask how can we get this drilling done,Rex Tillerson remarked bitterly.
Exxon Mobil recently signed an agreement with Russian oil titan Rosneft on a joint venture for exploration and production in Russia and globally.The Strategic Cooperation Agreement was signed on August 30 in Sochi,Russia in the presence of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Mr.Tillerson.The two companies have been working together for at least 15 years.
Exxon Mobil(XOM)
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