Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Comcasts reputation has never been the greatest, but in its foray into the Wi-Fi 6 universe, it should be applauded for setting the bar high with the xFi Advanced Gateway.

This particular Gateway, now in pristine white (previous generation was black), can support Wi-Fi 6 (synonymous with 802.11ax), which has been shown to achieve wider coverage and eye-opening wireless transfer speeds as high as 1,500 Mbps, or 1.5 Gbps -- about 60 percent faster than Wi-Fi 5.

But what Wi-Fi 6 really excels in is its ability to handle multiple devices. Today, with the constant use of an array of smartphones and tablets to laptops and home security systems, many of the older routers have a hard time keeping up.

Enter the xFi Advanced Gateway. This new router features four dual-band antennas that can fully support 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (faster than 2.4 but shorter range) bands, one 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, three 1 Gbps Ethernet ports and Bluetooth LE and Zigbee radios that can connect to all-important IoT devices.

Moreover, if you choose to utilize xFi Pods, this setup can build a mesh network that provides stronger Wi-Fi signals all throughout a home.

It hasnt, however, been all smooth sailing for Comcasts new router. Such as in this particular review(from our very own Executive Editor), some customers have complained that they have lost all semblance of consistency when it comes to download speeds. Even on a gigabit plan with Xfinity, you can get 800 Mbps on some days and 300 to 500 Mbps on others. Interestingly, some pointed out that the older routers did not suffer from such issues.

In addition, wireless connectivity took a big hit, especially if you live in a multi-floor home. Smart TVs and cell phones would take seconds to connect and streaming in high-end quality was nearly impossible. Even toggling between 2.4 and 5 GHz bands did little to assuage the problem.

Yes, hiccups are expected in newer generations of devices, and what matters now is how to smooth out these hiccups. If that can successfully happen, there is no reason why the xFi Advanced Gateway cant compete with other Wi-Fi 6 routers out there.

On a more positive note, if you lease a Gateway, youll also receive at no extra charge Comcasts xFi Advanced Cybersecurity, which offers additional security protections for your network. Its indeed a nice perk because as we all know, you can never be too careful when accessing the internet via Wi-Fi.

Ethen Kim Lieser is a Tech Editor who has held posts at Google, The Korea Herald, Lincoln Journal Star, AsianWeek and Arirang TV.

More here:
Don't Sleep on Comcast's New Wi-Fi 6 Router - The National Interest

ANNAPOLIS, Md. Gov. Larry Hogan issued a 'Stay at Home' order for the state of Maryland in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

"We are no longer asking or suggesting for Marylanders to stay home. We are ordering them to do so," Hogan said during a news conference on Monday.

Here is a list of what's open, what will be closed and what you can legally leave your house to do:

For more guidance on essential and non-essential businesses, click here.

Only essential businesses are allowed to remain open in Maryland, and those businesses must make every effort to scale down their operations in order to reduce the number of required staff, to limit interactions with customers, and to institute telework for as much of the workforce as is practical.

Here is a list of those businesses considered essential and that will remain open:

Here is the full list of essential businesses, as outlined by Maryland's Office of Legal Counsel

The Chemical Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Pharmaceutical manufacturers.

ii. Chemical manufacturers.

iii. Distributors of chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

The Commercial Facilities Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Lodging.

ii. Building and property maintenance companies, including without limitation plumbers, electricians, HVAC service companies, roofers, environmental services companies, exterminators, arborists, and landscapers.

iii. Janitorial firms.

iv. Companies that sell supplies and materials for maintenance of commercial and residential buildings, including big box home improvement supply stores, plumbing distributors, electrical distributors, and HVAC distributors.

v. Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry services.

vi. Commercial and residential construction companies.

vii. Self-storage facilities.

RELATED: Gov. Hogan issues order to close all nonessential businesses in Maryland

The Communications Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Broadcasting companies and stations.

ii. Cable TV companies.

iii. Telephone (cellular and landline) companies.

iv. Internet service providers.

The Critical Manufacturing Sector includes, but is not limited to, manufacturing of:

i. Steel, iron, and aluminum products.

ii. Engines, motors, turbines, generators, and power transmission equipment.

iii. Earth-moving, mining, agricultural, and construction equipment.

iv. Parts for water, electric, and telecommunications utility infrastructure.

v. Land, air, and water vehicles, and related parts.

vi. Medical equipment.

vii. Personal protective equipment.

viii. Cleaning and sanitation equipment and supplies.

The Defense Industrial Base Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Companies that research, develop, manufacture, or integrate weapons, defense, or intelligence systems or assets.

ii. Private contractors that support defense and intelligence agencies.

The Emergency Services Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Law enforcement.

ii. Emergency medical services.

iii. Emergency management.

iv. Fire and rescue services.

v. Private ambulance companies.

The Energy Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Companies engaged in electricity production (excluding hydroelectric and nuclear, which are included in other sectors).

ii. Companies engaged in the production, refining, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of oil, gas, and propane products, including gas stations and truck stops.

iii. Companies that provide utility maintenance services.

The Financial Services Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Banks and credit unions.

ii. Non-bank lenders.

iii. Payroll processing companies.

iv. Payment processing companies.

v. Armored car companies.

vi. Insurance companies.

vii. Securities and investment companies.

viii. Accounting and bookkeeping firms.

The Food and Agriculture Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Grocery stores.

ii. Farmers markets.

iii. Convenience stores.

iv. Alcoholic beverage stores and distributors, distilleries, and wineries.

v. Institutional food service and supply companies.

vi. Farms.

vii. Food manufacturing and processing.

viii. Pet supply stores.

ix. Veterinary hospitals, clinics, and kennels.

x. Companies that manufacture, maintain, and sell agricultural equipment.

xi. Companies that manufacture, or support the manufacturing of paper products.

Please note: Restaurants and bars are required to close except for carryout, delivery, and drive-through sales.

RELATED: 'Now is not the time' | Ocean City beach, boardwalk closes amid coronavirus concerns

The Government Facilities Sector also encompasses private persons and entities that support the judicial system including, but not limited to:

i. Lawyers and law firms.

ii. Court reporters.

iii. Bail bondsmen.

The Healthcare and Public Health Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Hospitals.

ii. Healthcare systems and clinics.

iii. Offices of health care providers, including physicians, dentists, and pharmacists.

iv. Physical, occupation, and speech therapists.

v. Behavioral health facilities and professionals, including psychologists, mental health counselors, and substance abuse counselors

vi. Rehabilitation facilities.

vii. Diagnostic facilities, including radiology, imaging, and laboratory facilities.

viii. Health plans, payers, and billing companies.

ix. Funeral homes and crematoriums.

x. Senior living facilities, including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing.

xi. Manufacturers and distributors of medical equipment and supplies.

xii. Medical cannabis growers, processors, and dispensaries.

xiii. Home health care companies.

xiv. Pharmacies.

The Information Technology Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Companies that design, develop, distribute, host, sell, and support information technology software and hardware.

ii. Companies that provide network routing, access, and configuration services.

The Transportation Systems Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Airlines and operators of commercial aircraft (manned and unmanned).

ii. Airports, air strips, heliports, and seaplane bases.

iii. Railroads.

iv. Motor carriers.

v. Carriers of marine freight, including ocean carriers and inland carriers.

vi. Marine, rail, truck, and intermodal terminals, and operators thereof.

vii. Stevedores, longshoremen, baggage handlers, and others who handle cargo at transportation hubs.

Read more:
LIST: Here's what's open and closed in Maryland, and the reasons you're allowed to leave your house - WUSA9.com

Human Rights, Migration & Refugees

Rohingya refugee children attend an open-air Arabic school at Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Cox's Bazar. Because of the pandemic, such gatherings are no longer possible. Photo: Reuters

Mar 31 2020 - All around the world, the numbers are climbing. Each day registers thousands of new cases and lives lost. In Europe, now the epicenter of the pandemic, governments know that the worst is yet to come and are implementing increasingly restrictive measures to enforce social distancing and isolation. In Coxs Bazar, we have been watching the world and holding our breath for the first confirmed case of Covid-19. With reports of the first confirmed case in the local community in Coxs Bazar, its just a matter of time until the virus reaches the vulnerable population living in cramped conditions in the largest refugee settlement on earth. Thousands of people could die.

One million Rohingya refugees, half of whom are children, have been sheltering in sprawling camps in Coxs Bazar since August 2017, when they were forced to flee their homes in the face of horrific violence. For almost three years, Rohingya refugees have been telling us they want to go home and resume normal life. They want their children to go to school and for families separated by the conflict to be reunited. So far, international attempts to hold Myanmar accountable for alleged crimes against the Rohingya and improve conditions in Rakhine state have failed spectacularly. In short, it will be years until the Rohingya see justice.

As global life grinds to a halt in a bid to contain the coronavirus, we must remember that for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, their lives have already been in limbo for years; it is their status quo, and it will not end with the containment of coronavirus.

If there is one lesson for refugees that we must take away from this crisisit must be that refugee camps, and a life in limbo, should never be considered an acceptable long-term solution. We must challenge perceptions that because the Rohingya in Coxs Bazar escaped Myanmar with their lives, they are safe. The coronavirus is a warning to us that there is not endless time to resolve the issues in Myanmar that would finally allow the Rohingya to return home. While the people and Government of Bangladesh have generously continued to shelter the Rohingya for years, life in the camps is not safe.

Children, in particular girls, are at a high risk of exploitation, violence and trafficking. Rohingya refugees do not have access to livelihood opportunities to help them support their families.

We are now witnessing the impact that coronavirus is having in communities that can social distance, wash hands and have access to strong healthcare systems, yet this virus has still brought them to their knees. In the densely packed camps of Coxs Bazar, options of social distancing or self-isolation are remote, with many refugees living in cramped conditions in makeshift shelters made of bamboo and tarpaulin. Even simple hygiene practices such as regular hand washing become complicated feats of logistical planning when access to clean water is severely limited.

The Government of Bangladesh and humanitarian agencies have sprung into action. Rohingya refugees are included in the Governments national plan to respond to Covid-19, food distribution agencies are developing new ways to distribute food that minimises close person to person contact. Rohingya volunteers are mobilising throughout the camps to spread hygiene and prevention messaging that will protect their families and loved ones. Volunteers from the host community are being trained too, supporting everything from delivering awareness trainings to implementing referral mechanisms and medical treatment. The humanitarian agencies in Coxs Bazar have already stripped back to essential-only services like healthcare and food distribution. This is a necessary step to ensure we are reducing the chances of transmission and minimising the impact of this disease on the Rohingya community, but, this decision too, will come at a cost. Just two months ago, the Bangladeshi Government approved the use of the Myanmar school curriculum in the camps, but childrens education will now have to be suspended to contain the coronavirus. Our child-friendly spaces are closed and may be repurposed for medical use if the need arises. Rohingya children are now not only at risk of Covid-19 but will have to face this challenge without access to their regular support systems or safe spaces to play.

We will do whatever we can to work with the Government of Bangladesh and Rohingya refugees to protect them from Covid-19. But the fact remains, Rohingya children should not be living in these camps. They should not have to fight a global pandemic with the bare minimum needed to survive. They should be at home, at school; playing and learning. At a time when there are more displaced people around the world than ever beforethe coronavirus has exposed how our systems fail the most vulnerable. Our global mechanisms for accountability and the protection of human rights have failed the Rohingya so farit is absolutely essential that we do not fail them again. This is a global pandemic and the virus is now hitting the most vulnerable communities. We must come together. Only a global response will stop the spread of the virus everywhere. This means the international community must step up to offer medical support, testing kits, share data and provide much needed funding to support the response. But stepping up also means so much more than that. When the dust settles, when planes start flying again and the borders re-openwe cannot go back to business as usual, we cannot assume we have endless time to resolve this crisis, that Rohingya children can wait. Rohingya children must be afforded a future of hope and opportunity, like every child deserves. We may not have the power to safeguard against another pandemic. But we do have the power to ensure it isnt the most vulnerable that end up paying the heaviest price.

Athena Rayburn is Save the Childrens Humanitarian Advocacy Manager, based in Coxs Bazar.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

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Covid-19 and the Rohingya refugee crisis - Inter Press Service

Ruhr Area, Germany (March 24, 2020) -- Kemper today announce the immediate availability of theKEMPER Kabinet as well as the KEMPER Kone replacement speaker.

The KEMPER Kabinet is a lightweight, powerful speaker cabinet with an exclusive speaker design developed exclusivelyfor the KEMPER PROFILER. The KEMPER Kabinet with the KEMPER Kone offers to guitarists the choice of 19 differentspeaker characters (aka imprints) with their KEMPER PROFILER PowerRacks or PowerHeads.

The KEMPER Kabinet is specially designed for the PROFILER. The KEMPER Kabinet is a combination of the KEMPER Koneloudspeaker and an exclusive and unique speaker tone mining technology developed by KEMPER, making it possible todigitally imprint various speaker characteristics onto one single cabinet.

The KEMPER Kone is a 12 full-range speaker which is exclusively designed in cooperation with Celestion for KEMPER.The Kone is controlled and driven by the KEMPER PROFILERs DSP to an ultra-linear (full range) frequency response,using a dedicated DSP algorithm. In contrast to the conventional idea of a full-range system, the radiation patternof the KEMPER Kone has been narrowed towards the physics of a classic guitar speaker chassis, so that even the fullrange sound carries a distinct guitar speaker character, unlike regular PA speakers or monitor speakers. To seasonthe speaker behavior to the players individual taste KEMPER offer the unique "sweetening and "directivityparameters for detailed adjustment.

The 19 included speaker imprints offer the finest choice of well-known guitar speakers from Celestion, and manyrenowned other classic brands, and even rare and particular speakers. More speaker imprints may be added via futuresoftware updates.

The KEMPER Kabinet can be driven by the power amp of a PROFILER PowerHead or PowerRack, as well as by utilizing anyexternal power amp. When using external stereo amplifiers, driving two Kabinets in stereo is possible. The unpoweredPROFILER models like Rack, Head, and Stage require also external power amps for dring the Kabinet.

The KEMPER Kone speaker is also available as a replacement speaker for existing guitar cabinets. The KEMPER Kone isavailable as a single unit and 2 and 4 speaker sets for 2 x 12 and even 4 x 12 guitar cabinets. Request from 3rdparty cabinet manufacturers are welcome.

Pricing and availability

The KEMPER Kabinet is available from the Kemper Online Store and at dealers for Euro 400,- USD 480,- and GBP 443,90.

The KEMPER Kone replacement speaker is available exclusively from the Kemper Online Store for Euro 150,- USD 180,-and GBP 136,60,- (also available as 2, and 4 packs)!

SPECIFICATIONS

KEMPER Kabinet

KEMPER Kone

About SPEAKER IMPRINTS

By simply activating the PROFILERs well-known Monitor CabOff function the KEMPER Kone is switched from full-rangemode to the Speaker Imprint Mode, which then exactly mimics one of 19 classic guitar speakers. The sound of theseimprints should not be mistaken with the miced cabinet simulations of a Profile. They rather bring back the goodold "amp-in-the-room" sound. Since the intelligence of the speaker lies in the DSP of the PROFILER, you will be ableto switch individual speaker imprints along with your favorite rigs, without needing to do extensive editing.Whenever you switch to a full-range sound, for an acoustic guitar, for example, the KEMPER Kone will switch tofull-range mode automatically.

Music that is fed into the PROFILER through the Aux Input will be played back in full-range mode, even when you playyour amp with a Speaker Imprint, both at the same time.

Due to the digital features, the KEMPER Kone and KEMPER Kabinet work exclusively with a PROFILER.

About the KEMPER PROFILER

The Kemper Profiling Amplifier represents a radical new approach to the guitar sound. For decades, the electricguitarist has effectively been shackled to the tube amplifier as the only solution for getting that sound. Thiscombination may indeed be glorious, but it is far from ideal; achieving consistent results between practice, studio,and touring situations continues to challenge the guitarist, just as it has since the early 1930's. With the adventof the Kemper Profiling Amplifier, everything has changed. For the first time in history, guitar players are free tocreate the most unique and individual tones that reflect the very essence of the individual player, and then capturethese exact sounds into the digital domain with Kemper's unique technology.

For more information:Kemper Amps

Read more:
Kemper Releases the Kabinet and Kone Replacement Speaker - Premier Guitar

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a home, and the design of your cabinetry can really set the mood of the space. If youve lived in your home for many years, and your taste in design has changed, consider replacing or updating the cabinets to meet your new vision for your kitchen. Here are 3 things you should know about making changes to your kitchen cabinetry:

1. Remember that simply repainting your cabinets is an option. If the cabinets are a dark cherry, consider painting them white to give the room a larger feel. If the cabinets are a light oak, painting them black or gray will give the space a more trendy look. Repainting cabinets is a much less ambitious project than a full replacement, and will be easier on your budget. If you like the style of your cabinets but just dont care for the color anymore, painting them is a great option.

2. If you decide that you want a different cabinet style, or want to add glass doors or other interesting visual effects, another option is to keep the overall cabinet structure and just replace the doors. You can update the hinges so they disappear when the doors are closed, and you can also add the soft-close option if you prefer those conveniences.

3. If a total kitchen cabinet replacement is necessary because youre doing a full scale remodel, remember that a big project takes proper planning and budgeting. Its crucial that you hire a professional for the job to ensure you get a lasting and satisfying result. Talking to your local Mr. Handyman representative about your cabinet replacement needs is the best way to kickstart your investment in new kitchen cabinetry.

For more information about replacing or updating kitchen cabinets, or about other kitchen renovation ideas, please contact:

Mr. Handyman of Wheaton-Hinsdale

245 W. Roosevelt Road #69

West Chicago, IL

630-318-6882

http://www.mrhandyman.com

Here is the original post:
3 Things to Know About Replacing or Updating Kitchen Cabinets - Suburban Life Publications

The day is coming when Offutt Air Force Bases giant Doomsday planes will fly off into the sunset.

The Air Force has started a program to replace the four E-4B Nightwatch jets also known as the National Airborne Operations Center within 10 years. The Doomsday moniker is because their primary mission is to take off and maintain control of nuclear weapons in the event of nuclear war. They also frequently are used as a transport plane for the secretary of defense.

In December, the Air Force posted a notice about the proposed replacement aircraft, which will be called the Survivable Airborne Operations Center, or SAOC. An industry day informational session for potential contractors was held in February.

In case of national emergency or destruction of ground command control centers, the SAOC will provide a highly survivable command, control and communications (C3) platform to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders, and coordinate actions by civil authorities, said the Air Forces notice.

Congress budgeted $20 million in 2019 and 2020 to begin looking for a replacement for the E-4B and two other types of military aircraft, the E-6B Mercury and the C-32A. The Trump administration is seeking $76.4 million in its 2021 budget, and is looking to spend more than half a billion dollars over the next five years developing the new plane.

The new planes would start joining the fleet in the late 2020s.

The big, white E-4s have been a familiar sight in Nebraska skies since they were introduced at Offutt in the mid-1970s. They are a military version of the civilian Boeing 747-200, which first flew in 1968. Production ended in 1991, and the last passenger airline retired the model in 2017 (though later versions are still in use).

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Theyre the oldest 747s in the fleet, said Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., who oversaw their operation when he commanded the Offutt-based 55th Wing in 2011-12. Logistically, its a real challenge to find spare parts and maintain them.

Theyre also the Air Forces most expensive planes to operate. The magazine Business Insider calculated in 2016 that the E-4Bs cost just less than $160,000 an hour to fly. Thats almost $30,000 an hour more than the next-highest, the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, which is equipped to carry StratComs nuclear gravity bombs into battle.

In 2017, two E-4Bs were damaged when a tornado struck the Offutt flight line. Both were stored in a hangar at the time, but with their tails exposed. The tails, which stand six stories high, acted like giant sails and moved the planes inside the building. The planes sustained a combined $8.3 million worth of damage and were out of service, one for four weeks and the other for eight.

An E-4B in its hangar at Offutt Air Force Base. The planes cost almost $160,000 an hour to fly.

The Navy E-6Bs, although based in Oklahoma City, are also frequently on call at Offutt. Their primary job is to communicate with Trident ballistic-missile submarines through VLF (very low frequency) communications systems, which involve flying in tight circles above the ocean while trailing a 5-mile-long antenna.

The 22 E-6Bs are military versions of the civilian Boeing 707-320. They were the very last of that type built, in the late 1980s.

The six C-32As are Boeing 757-200 narrow-body jetliners configured for use as executive transports for the vice president, first lady and members of the Cabinet. They were built in the late 1990s and are based at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.

When they are carrying the vice president, they are called Air Force Two.

Despite their age, the E-4Bs are newer and have a better service record than the C-135-variant reconnaissance jets flown by the Offutt-based 55th Wing on critical missions around the world.

Those planes were built in the early 1960s. A 2018 World-Herald investigation showed the C-135-variants had break rates far higher than the E-4Bs.

Only a handful of those aircraft are scheduled to be replaced before the 2040s.

The area now known as Offutt Air Force Base was first commissioned as Fort Crook, an Army post to house cavalry soldiers and their horses. This photo, circa 1905, shows mounted officers and infantry troops assembling on the parade ground. The officers' quarters in the background still stand today, but the closing of Offutt's stables in 2010 ended the base's equine tradition.

The World's Fair of Aviation was held at Offutt Air Force Base, including a race between a 1912 airplane and 1912 automobile. The 1912 airplane easily won, but provided sharp contrast to the sleek, modern "600-mile-per-hour aircraft" on display at the fair.

Painter Frank Anania places the final bolt in the SAC emblem, newly placedon the command building at Strategic Air Command headquarters. After the command was created in 1946, SAC headquarters were moved from Andrews Field, Maryland, to Offutt Air Force Base. SAC's high-flying reconnaissance planes and bombers would go on to play a global role from the onset of the Cold War through the last bomb of the Persian Gulf War.

The Strategic Air Command "nerve center" gets a new headquarters building at Offutt Air Force Base.

Even since the late 1950s, Strategic Air Command has been holding open house events at Offutt Air Force Base to display and demonstrate aircraft for civilian visitors.Each year, the open house and air show at Offutt features aerial acts or reenactments, static displays, and booths showcasing military history and capabilities.

The first SAC museum consisted of a section of abandoned runway near the north edge of Offutt Air Force Base outside of Bellevue. However, the outdoor display left the aircraft vulnerable to the elements.

A Royal Air Force bomber crashes at Offutt Air Force Base. Beginning in the late 1950s, the RAF maintained small detachment and service facility for Vulcan bomber planes at Offutt, often participating in defense exercises and demonstrations at the base until their retirement and deactivation in 1982. Thisplane crashed at take-off at the northwest end of the main runway and then slid across Highway 73-75. All seven passengers survived.

Just weeks after the Cuban missile crisis, President John F. Kennedy visits Offutt Air Force Base, accompanied by Gen. Thomas Power of Strategic Air Command, right.

Actor Rock Hudson receives a B-52 bomber briefing during a visit to Omaha and Offutt Air Force Base. He began filming "A Gathering of Eagles" in May of that year.

An early photograph of the Ehrling Bergquist military medical clinic in Bellevue. The clinic has served Offutt Air Force Base since 1966 and was remodeled in 2013, including a grand staircase, largerphysical therapy and mental health areas, and a more private mammography waiting area.

The world's largest aircraft at that time, the C5 Galaxy was displayed as part of the open house for civilian visitors at Offutt Air Force Base.

A conference room in the SAC underground command post at Offutt Air Force Base. Strategic Air Command would be formally disestablished in 1992, but Offutt would remain the headquarters for the new United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).

The Strategic Air Command Memorial Chapel holds a Sunday morning service as a reminder of those who have given their service and those who have died during the Command's 46-year history. Founded in in 1946, the command was dissolved in a ceremony at Offutt Air Force Base.

OPPD worker Craig Azure of Ashland holds a power line up across Platteview Road near Highway 50 so that an Albatross airplane can fit under it. After SAC was dissolved, the museum moved into a new indoor facility in 1998. Airplanes were moved from their old location at Offutt Air Force Base to their new and current home near Mahoney State Park off I-80.

The parade grounds gazebo at Offutt is dedicated in honor of Airman 1st Class Warren T. Willis, who was killed in an aircraft accidentthe previous December.

President Bill Clinton speaks at a rally at Offutt Air Force Base.

More than 300 anti-nuclear protesters gather outside Kinney Gate at Offutt Air Force Base. The rally was part of a weekend of protest against nuclear weapons, and was organized in response to an extensive nuclear arsenal review being held at the base.

Vice President Dick Cheney greets service men and women following a speech at Offutt Air Force Base's Minuteman missile in Bellevue.

Dignitaries clap along to an armed forces medley as ground is broken for the new U. S. Strategic Command Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base. From left: Neb. Rep. Adrian Smith, Rep. Lee Terry, Neb. Governor Dave Heineman, General C. Robert Kehler, Commander USStratcom, Sen. Ben Nelson, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, and Mayor of Bellevue, Rita Sanders.

Chris Shotton created this thank you message to the airmen and troops flying in and out of Offutt Air Force Base. Employees of area Walmart stores have been writing giant messages in fields near Highway 370 for years.

Senior Airman Kevin Chapman works the desk at the new Public Health Clinic located in the Ehrling Bergquist military medical clinic.

The new MERLIN SS200m Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar System, with the control tower in the background, photographed at Offutt Air Force Base. The system was moved here from Afghanistan in order to help detect large flocks and prevent damages to aircraft from bids, which cost the Air Force millions of dollars each year.

An aerial photo from late February of the construction site for StratCom's new $1.2 billion headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base. Despite numerous delays and setbacks, the building would be completed in 2018, six years after construction began. StratCom would then spend the next year outfitting the structure with more than $600 million worth of high-tech communications and security gear.

President Barack Obama arrives in Omaha after landing at Offutt Air Force Base. While in Omaha, Obama met with the family of Kerrie Orozco, visited a local teacher, and addressed a crowd of about 8,000 at Baxter Arena.

This year, U.S. Strategic Command unveiled a new Command and Control Facility located at Offutt Air Force Base. The "battle deck," shown here, features computer workstations, soundproofing, and the ability to connect instantly to the White House and Pentagon.

Luke Thomas and Air Force Tech Sgt. Vanessa Vidaurre at a flooded portion of Offutt Air Force Base. In March, historic flooding included breaches of two levees protecting the base from the Missouri River.

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Pentagon seeks $76 million next year to start replacing Offutt-based 'Doomsday' jets - Omaha World-Herald

Mehmet Barlas, the lead writer for the daily Sabah, on his weekend column, suggested that President Recep Tayyip Erdoan has been troubled with two recent developments at a moment when his government has been intensely trying to tackle the spread of the coronavirus.

One of them, Barlas argued, was an initiative by the head of the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), Ali Erba. Although the mosques were shut down and Friday prayers were all suspended as part of massive measures to curb the spread of the virus, Erba held a special Friday prayer on March 27 for a handful of selected people in Ankara.

Veteran journalist Barlas said Erdoan knew about Erbas move late Friday only after the prayer occurred and felt very uncomfortable. The second, and perhaps more important, development that has drawn Erdoans reaction was the holding of the first tender of the Kanal Istanbul project, according to Barlas, who claimed that this untimely move would be the main reason behind the sudden dismissal of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Cahit Turhan via a midnight presidential decree.

The journalist gives the impression that Erdoan was unaware of both interventions beforehand. Many others, however, object to this characterization on the grounds that the governance system has been very much centralized and under full control of the president since the executive-presidential system entered into force in July 2018.

As highlighted by Barlas, those who follow Turkish politics closely in Ankara link the removal of the Transportation Minister with the untimely Kanal Istanbul tender. But not only that; Turhans dismissal has a deeper background.

Transportation and infrastructure have always been very important for Erdoans Justice and Development Party (AKP) governments since it came to power late 2002. It has placed multibillion-dollar projects for the improvement of land, air and sea routes through the construction of airports across the country, including gigantic Istanbul Airport; the bridges linking Asia to Europe through the 3rd Bosporus Bridge and the Dardanelles Bridge as well as the high-speed trains at the core of its economic activities in the last two decades.

The Transportation Ministry is, therefore, a ministry Erdoan attaches great importance to and it was well-known that he was not happy with the performance of outgoing Minister Turhan, specifically due to his slowness and lack of enthusiasm over the Kanal Istanbul. Dubbed the crazy project by many as it aims to create an artificial seaway linking the Black Sea with the Marmara Sea, as well as a new residential settlement on the two banks of the channel, Kanal Istanbul is recognized as Erdoans major objective to reach in the next period.

Its believed that Turhan was late in accomplishing the preparations for opening the first tenders of the project and in coordinating related works with other ministries. He, however, held the tender at the worst timing possible. Additionally, Turhan has also been criticized for not sufficiently contributing to the governments efforts to stem the spread of the virus. He wanted to indirectly respond to this criticism at the handover ceremony where he was replaced by his deputy, Adil Karaismailolu, over the weekend.

Underlining that his ministry has acted early in the fight against the coronavirus, he said, During this period, it has operated and continued its activities domestically and internationally in line with the decisions of our Health Ministry and team of experts. Thankfully, by implementing these measures we have not had major issues in our social or economic lives. As a ministry, we must implement our governments decisions together and attempt to overcome this disaster with as little damage as possible. I felt the need for these words as I am leaving my position.

Another reason for this replacement is the visible impact of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem mamolu of the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), who was elected to lead Turkeys largest metropole in a re-run election in June 2019. As a young and very active mayor, mamolu continues to play a central role in delivering services in Istanbul and humanitarian aid to the poor amid economic difficulties and ongoing outbreak.

By the appointment of Karaismailolu, a younger politician known for his loyalty to Erdoan since the mid-1990s at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the AKP government hopes to observe a more tough opposition against mamolu in Istanbul. Karaismailolu had to leave his position as the deputy secretary-general at the Istanbul Municipality after mamolu won the elections. He was then appointed as the deputy transportation minister.

The dismissal of Turhan marks an important development as its the first replacement in the cabinet since July 2018, revisiting the questions on whether Erdoan will resort to a more substantial reshuffle amid the continued fight against the coronavirus.

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Was the minister replaced because of Kanal Istanbul? - Hurriyet Daily News

Rivlin says its unthinkable to defy a High Court ruling, issues fresh call for unity

President Reuven Rivlin begins his televised statement.

We are in complex and difficult times for Israels leaders, Israeli society and as part of the family of nations. This evening, further emergency regulations came into force that limit our freedom of movement, our liberty, in a way that has never happened before, all for our well-being, all for the welfare of those dearest to us, he says.

Rivlin calls on Israelis to heed the orders of authorities, saying their lives depend on doing so.

He adds that it is not only the average citizen who must obey orders.

In these fateful days, the are also the primary duty of the elected officials, the publics leaders, teachers and guides, from all parts of society. We are witnessing confrontations of the most severe kind between the judiciary and the legislature, he says.

Without naming Yuli Edelstein, Rivlin addresses his decision to resign earlier today as Knesset speaker and not obey a High Court order to hold a vote today to elect a new speaker.

I know that the vast majority of Israels leadership, from left and from right, knows that it is the duty of every one of us to obey the rulings of the courts, and that it is unthinkable that anyone would not do so.

Even if someone is of the opinion that the court is wrong in its conduct, whatever the disagreement between us, we must always ensure that the rules of democracy, without which we are destroyed, are upheld. Now that the Knesset speaker has resigned, I am sure that the order of the High Court of Justice will be implemented and Israeli democracy will emerge strengthened and more resilient from these testing times, he says.

Saying that Israel is in a time of trouble, Rivlin issues a fresh call for unity between political leaders.

Have at the forefront of your minds the terrible disease that is assaulting us and is claiming the lives of our loved ones, that is grievously damaging Israels economy and the homes of so many who are battling to survive financially, he says.

I know how short the distance is between you. Each side must understand the others red lines and to be flexible on them, on the understanding that we have we simply do not have an alternative.

Join together for the good of the Israeli people. If not now, when, he adds

Rivlin wraps up his speech by saying Israel will overcome [the virus[ and will come out of this stronger.

Link:
Gantz, Netanyahu speak by phone about 'national emergency government' - The Times of Israel

Replacing Knowsleys streetlights for the second time in a decade will cut emissions and save millions of pounds, the council has said.

Knowsley Councils cabinet agreed on Wednesday evening to replace all 19,000 of the boroughs streetlights with LED bulbs over the next three years.

The decision is expected to save the local authority around 10.8 million over the next 16 years thanks to reduced energy bills.

Around 4.4 million of that will offset the cost of the replacement scheme, meaning the council should gain 6.4 million from the deal, or an average of 400,000 a year.

The deal should also bring a significant reduction in the councils carbon emissions.

According to a report prepared ahead of the cabinet meeting, streetlights account for almost a third of the councils total emissions and switching to LED bulbs should cut that by 40%.

The report said replacing the streetlights was a key action in achieving the councils targets of reducing carbon emissions by 2040 following its declaration of a climate emergency in January.

It is only four years since the council finished its last round of streetlight replacements.

Between 2011 and 2016, the council replaced all of its streetlights under a 130 million private finance initiative deal with Tay Valley Lighting.

The council did consider using LED lighting at the time, but the technology was still relatively new and, a council report said, had significantly higher capital outlay costs and unknown reliability.

The price of LED lighting has since come down and the council will also be able to secure an interest-free loan from a government-backed company to pay for around half the cost of the new bulbs.

The rest of the cost will be met with further borrowing and 500,000 of reserves.

The council intends to begin replacing the streetlights in September this year, with an estimated completion date of 2023.

Original post:
Merseyside borough aims to cut emissions and bills with second streetlight replacement in nine years - Liverpool Echo

Updated March 27, 2020 06:26:24

Starting on Thursday, non-urgent elective surgeries in Australia's public hospitals will be suspended.

It's to help preserve resources, including protective equipment, and help the health system prepare for the influx of patients expected in the coming weeks and months due to the coronavirus outbreak.

No. The new rules apply to both the public and private health systems.

They were agreed on by the National Cabinet and apply in every state.

But a late-night amendment to the suspension, announced on Wednesday, will give private hospitals a few extra days before the changes come into place.

Semi-urgent category two and three elective surgeries at private hospitals can continue until 11.59pm on April 1.

There's no clear answer.

The Prime Minister said the suspension was "temporary" and would continue "until further notice".

The Victorian Government said the surgeries would resume only when it was safe to do so, and would consider surge capacity to reduce waiting lists, which would inevitably blow out.

But the timing all depends on how overwhelmed our hospital system gets and for how long.

And Dr Norman Swan told 7:30 the length of the pandemic depends on how successful our personal distancing measures are.

All category three surgeries and most category two surgeries will be temporarily suspended.

According to the National Elective Surgery Urgency Categorisation Guideline published by the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council, surgeries usually deemed category three include:

Only emergency surgeries, category one and some exceptional category two surgeries will continue for now.

Surgeries usually deemed category one include:

Many more surgeries fall into category two, and will continue in urgent circumstances where a delay would cause a risk to the patient.

Many IVF treatments will likely be delayed.

The Fertility Society of Australia has recommended patients talk to their specialist to "discuss the appropriateness of postponing their treatment".

"There may be medical circumstances where delaying treatment may not be advisable and treating specialists should advise their patients if there are medical grounds to commence treatment now," the statement said.

"The Fertility Society of Australia appreciates the needs of individuals seeking assistance to conceive or preserve their fertility but also acknowledges that the overarching responsibility currently is to all patients as part of the Australian and New Zealand healthcare system."

Monash IVF Group chief executive Michael Knaap said it was important the sector helped ensure Australia's healthcare system was best placed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Accordingly, we anticipate that our fertility activity will be impacted as patients defer treatment," he said in an announcement to the ASX.

Suspending elective surgeries will free up beds and health workers to better respond to COVID-19 patients.

But another huge benefit is it will save scarce personal protective equipment such as masks, gowns, gloves and goggles.

Doctors have been appealing for more government action to boost supplies of personal protective equipment.

The Federal Government has promised an extra 30 million medical masks in Australia within two weeks, but the director of a company that supplies more than 500 Australian hospitals has warned that "most hospitals" are only days away from running out.

Topics:health,surgical-medicine,surgery,government-and-politics,federal-government,states-and-territories,diseases-and-disorders,covid-19,australia

First posted March 26, 2020 13:59:00

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Non-urgent elective surgeries have been cancelled for now because of coronavirus. Here's what that means - ABC News