Report flags many oil spill response gaps

The province's own assessment that B.C. is underprepared to prevent and clean up oil spills has handed fresh ammunition to opponents of new pipelines and the tankers now moving through Burrard Inlet.

The 52-page technical report, released Monday (July 23) as the government laid out its demands for improved safety and a bigger share of benefits, raises multiple concerns about the risks and procedures already used to export Alberta oil via Kinder Morgan's existing Trans Mountain pipeline through the Lower Mainland.

Among the findings:

- U.S. authorities require oil-laden tankers sailing east of Port Angeles to have escort tugs with them, while that's voluntary for tankers in much of B.C. waters outside Vancouver harbour.

- B.C. fails to match requirements by Washington State requiring an emergency tug be on standby on the sea route.

- Washington bans Suezmax tankers, which carry 800,000 to one million barrels, from its inner waters but Port Metro Vancouver has said that tanker size could be allowed in Vancouver harbour if the Second Narrows is dredged.

- Alaska has far tougher spill response rules, requiring industry-funded emergency responders be able to handle a 300,000 barrel spill, compared to just 70,000 barrels in B.C., before international aid is invoked. B.C. crews would be "completely overwhelmed" by a 260,000-barrel Exxon Valdez-sized spill.

The report warns the current spill response capacity "appears to be insufficient" to handle the existing tanker shipments of oil from the Trans Mountain pipeline even if neither its expansion nor the new Enbridge pipeline proceed.

"Increasing this threshold is critical," the report said of the 70,000-barrel response capability.

It also noted cleanup costs exceeding $1.3 billion may not be covered by insurance or industry funds and fall on taxpayers and others.

"Canada has no plan in place to cover the excess costs of a major spill," it says.

No provision is made to deal with oiled wildlife, it says, and there's no mechanism to make use of volunteers.

It also says the capacity to clean oiled shoreline should be boosted from the current 500 metres of shore per day.

"Exxon Valdez impacted 2,000 kilometres of shoreline. At 500 metres per day, a similar spill occurring in B.C. would require a 10-year cleanup."

Karen Wristen, executive director of the Living Oceans Society, said the improvements flagged in the report must be made regardless of whether new pipelines are approved.

She noted some tankers leaving Kinder Morgan's Burnaby terminal are laden with conventional oil but others increasingly carry heavy oil sands bitumen, which she said increases the risk of a pipeline rupture on land and vastly increases the damage if a tanker spills at sea.

"We don't know from tanker to tanker going through a heavily populated area what the risk is," Wristen said. "There is no spill response for a bitumen spill. It's going to the bottom."

The provincial report also raises bitumen as an issue, noting it is more likely to sink and presents higher environmental risks and a more difficult cleanup if spilled.

"It is possible that the capacity that exists for crude oil spills ? from training to equipment ? may not be appropriate for bitumen," the report said. "Thus, a major gap may likely exist for all current and future bitumen shipments taking place on Canada?s west coast."

The provincial report notes oil shipping safety has improved and spills have become rarer worldwide.

Belcarra Mayor Ralph Drew, a member of Metro Vancouver's port cities committee, said the deficiencies flagged in the provincial report deserve "serious examination" and added the challenge now is getting Ottawa to implement them.

"It is clear even from this technical report that Canada falls short," said UBC political science professor Michael Byers. "Not only is the current capacity insufficient in the future, it already is insufficient and needs to be addressed."

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Source: http://www.missioncityrecord.com/news/164041436.html

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DAILY GUIDANCE: 28th July - Hobbsmichal245's blog

THE essence of Nichiren Daishonin?s Buddhism is to chant daimoku encompassing practice both for oneself and others, and lead all humanity to peace and happiness in the Latter Day of the Law and for all eternity. This means chanting with the spirit to help people become happy and advancing with faith that is directed towards realising kosen-rufu in actual society.

AN organisation dedicated to good enhances people?s capacity to work for good and promotes unlimited growth and self-improvement. It does not hinder people?s progress or lead them astray. It supports people?s self improvement, putting them on a sure course to happiness and personal growth. And it is for this purpose that our organisation exists.

THE spirit to be concerned about the welfare of one?s friends is the spirit of the bodhisattva. Our dedicated actions for the sake of others are all transformed into our own treasures. When we make an ongoing commitment to work for the sake of others, we are able to lead fulfilled lives and expand our state of life.

WHEN we worship the Gohonzon, the eternal life of time without beginning wells up within us. For one who believes in the Gohonzon, every day, every instant begins from time without beginning. We are always setting out, full of hope, from today to the future, from this moment to eternal happiness. We are always young, always beginning.

ONE?S faith can be said to be perfect only when it is supported with sincere abundant daimoku and courageous action for others and kosen-rufu. In this sense I want you to be deeply convinced that your day-and-night efforts in activities for the happiness of others are exactly in tune with the supreme and universal principle of Buddhism.

NOTE: Visit http://nichirendaishoningosho.blogspot.com/ for Nichiren Daishonin's gosho, Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra.

Source: http://dailyguidance.blogspot.com/2012/07/28th-july.html

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Source: http://hobbsmichal245.typepad.com/blog/2012/07/daily-guidance-28th-july.html

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Microsoft Surface Tablet Arriving With Windows 8 On 26 October

Microsoft has revealed that the Windows RT version of its upcoming Surface tablet will launch alongside Windows 8 on 26 October.

The news was disclosed in a filing made with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which also revealed that the company expects the launch of the latest version of its operating system to harm its profit margins.

The filing did not reveal any information about other versions of the tablet, which was first announced last month and is being positioned as a competitor to the market-leading Apple iPad.

?The next version of our operating system, Windows 8, will be generally available on 26 October, 2012,? read the filing. ?At that time, we will begin selling the Surface, a series of Microsoft-designed and manufactured hardware devices.?

Microsoft pledges that Windows 8 will work equally well on both tablets and PCs as it seeks to increase its presence on the tablet market amid slumping PC sales. Users can switch between a tiled interface and the more recognisable desktop mode at any time.

Central to this plan is support for ARM-based devices, with Windows RT the first Microsoft operating system to work on the British-designed ?architecture. Microsoft, which recorded its first ever quarterly loss last week, says it is prepared to use its financial muscle to ensure that Windows it is a success.

?In fall 2012, we are launching Windows 8, a major new release of our PC operating system that seeks to deliver a unique user experience through well-integrated software, hardware, and services,? said Microsoft in the filing. ?Its success depends on a number of factors including the extent to which customers embrace its new user interface and functionality, successfully coordinating with our OEM partners in releasing a variety of hardware devices that take advantage of its features, and attracting developers at scale to ensure a competitive array of quality applications.?

?We expect to incur substantial marketing costs in launching Windows 8 and associated services and devices, which may reduce our operating margins,? it added.

How well do you know your operating systems??Take our quiz!

Source: http://www.techweekeurope.co.uk/news/microsoft-suface-tablet-windows-rt-87817

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Brandi Glanville Goes On New Twitter Rant About Kristen Stewart Affair, Says Director To Blame Too

Splash/WENN

By Radar Staff

Brandi Glanville has taken to Twitter in an expletive riddled tirade about the Kristen Stewart affair saying that the young starlet has done a bad thing ? but isn?t the only one to blame.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
star had earlier said that she wasn?t happy about the Twilight actress?s fling with married director Rupert Sanders because it hit ?too close to home.?

But Brandi wants to make sure that the Snow White and the Huntsman filmmaker gets a good part of the blame too and be held equally as responsible as the young starlet whose reputation has taken a bashing since photos surfaced of her kissing and caressing the 41-year-old father-of-two.

PHOTOS: Take A Look Inside Robert Pattinson And Kristen Stewart?s LA Love Nest

?F**k people I have always said it take to and a man can?t be stolen he has to want to leave,? Brandi wrote on the social networking site.

?Home-wreckers come in PAIRS now F**K OFF.? (sic)

PHOTOS: Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart At London Premiere Of Breaking Dawn

Like Brandi?s situation when her former husband Eddie Cibrian had an affair and subsequently left her for country singer LeAnn Rimes after meeting on a movie set, Sanders? wife Liberty Ross was busy looking after their two children while Kristen and the director had their illicit liaisons.

Stewart and her on and off-screen boyfriend Robert Pattinson have already split up as a result of the scandal. Like Kristen, Sanders also issued a public apology for hurting his family.? It's not known if his wife has accepted it.

As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Sanders? brother-in-law Leopold Ross has claimed that the affair was not just a ?momentary indiscretion? as Kristen has proclaimed but had been going on for months.

PHOTOS: Child Star To Bigscreen Bombshell Style! Kristen Stewart?s Transformation

RELATED STORIES:

PHOTOS: Brandi Glanville Rocks A Skimpy Pink Bikini

Charlize Theron Furious With Co-Star Kristen Stewart Over Affair With Married Director

Kristen Stewart Was Cozying Up To Married Director's Kids Before Affair Was Exposed

New Photos Of Kristen Stewart & Married Director Debunk Claims Of 'Momentary Indiscretion'

Kristen Stewart Writing Letter To Director?s Wife Apologizing For Affair!

Source: http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2012/07/brandi-glanville-twitter-rage-kristen-stewart-rupert-sanders-affair

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Keeping up with all those activities

As if the day-to-day activity of going to school isn?t enough, you might have one of those kiddos who is just into everything. Maybe they want to join a couple of school clubs, the band, cheerleading, or an organized sport.?Then you have to figure out a way of handling all those activities and still making sure your child gets their school work done. Below are some ideas to help you make handling all those activities seem like a breeze.

Make the family the priority. Yes, it?s true that as children go through their school years they will find more and more extra-curricular activities they would like to be involved in. Instead of allowing them to be involved in them all, tell them you expect them to be home to eat with the family. Your family is more important than any school activity.

After family, school work is next in importance. No matter how well your child plays a sport, be sure that they do their school work well. Being talented in sports may be something to work on, but having an education is even more important.

Limit the number of activities. If allowed to, a student could become involved in any number of school clubs and sports teams. Even though they won?t like it, limit the number of activities to one that meets during school hours (a club) and one that meets after school hours (sports or band).

Be involved in your child?s activities. If you?re involved with your student?s activities, it will show that you support them. It will also allow you to know when your child will be practicing, if they have to travel out of town, and what other requirements they may have.

Mark your calendar. Having a family calendar will help make sure you or your child doesn?t miss an important event. Place the calendar in a central place in your home so everyone can add items when they find out about them. This will help you to avoid having two events on one day. If nothing else, you?ll know what times you have activities.

Encourage outside-of-school friendships. Allow your children to spend time with friends outside of school. Perhaps you could have a couple of friends over for a weekend afternoon, or allow your child to go to their friend?s house. Becoming friends with the family would be another way to encourage friendships.

Sports, band, cheerleading, and school clubs are all important activities. However, they pale in comparison to time with the family and doing school work. Learn that handling all those activities doesn?t have to be difficult. A family calendar gives you a place to keep track of them all.

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Source: http://www.wiregrassparenting.com/2012/07/29/keeping-up-with-all-those-activities/

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Has an iPhone 5 been smuggled out of the factory?

Is this the iPhone 5?

Chinese case manufacturer Cool Zone PDA has reportedly taken photos of an iPhone 5 smuggled out of the Foxconn factory in China.

It's hard to tell much from the grainy, heavily watermarked images, but it's instantly obvious that if this is the real iPhone 5, rumours of it getting a newer, smaller dock connector have proved to be true.

The headphone jack appears to have gone south and is now on the bottom, while the rumoured 4in screen also appears to be present and accounted for, although it's hard to gauge the exact size from the photos.

So then, is this another iPhone 5 fake? After all, this could just be a case manufacturers interpretive mockup of what it thinks the iPhone 5 will look like in preparation fro its arrival.

Either way, you won't need us to give you our usual trusty 'pinch of salt' advice. You'll be well aware of that rule already we're sure.

Check out our iPhone 5 rumour roundup for the latest speculation and news and stay tuned for more info, as and when we get it.

[CoolZonePDA via Gizmodo]

Source: http://www.pcauthority.com.au/News/310194,has-an-iphone-5-been-smuggled-out-of-the-factory.aspx?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=PC+&+Tech+Authority++-+Latest+Articles

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London 2012: The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games Review

From: Alltop RSS - 7:45pm - July 28, 2012

It’s time to be brutally honest here. Usually, when we get an official title based on that year’s Olympic events – from Sega, for the past few years – it falls short of the potential. There are some saving graces we’ve seen over the years, like Mario & Sonic At the Olympic Games back in 2008, when the two had never worked together in a title before, but for the most...5 Vote(s)

Continue reading this article ?

Source: http://ewallstreeter.com/london-the-official-video-game-of-the-olympic-games-review-5546/

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Table Manners Card Game for Kids | Boomer GrandParents

How many ??cringe worthy? mother-moments can you still remember from when your kids were little? ?One of my most memorable occurred when my youngest daughter was about 5, and we had been invited for lunch at a friends house. ?Of course she waited for the ONLY split second interlude of silence at the table to loudly comment, ?Susan, my mom says it?s bad table manners to chew with your mouth open?! ?Okay, yup?I think I forgot we had to be someplace 5 minutes ago.

Before the kids or grandkids sit down to another holiday or family dinner, you might want to take a look at what creative mom Staci Ericson devised to reinforce good table manners in her home. The cards?are illustrated to depict good and bad table manners. ?Family members can exchange them during mealtimes, to encourage good table manners.

?

For more information about the cards and to order, just click here:?golly gee-pers Table Manners Cards

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Source: http://boomergrandparents.com/blog/table-manners-card-game-for-kids/

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Treatments For High Blood Pressure | Health Articles Directory ...

High blood pressure, also referred to as the ?silent killer? is usually the symptom of some other malfunction within your body. Though there are actual organic options and/or home remedies to reduce blood pressure, physicians use medications to fight the ?silent killer.?

The issue with this is always that you become a victim of the annoying blood pressure medicine side effects. Medical professionals are usually satisfied with recommending medications because it is effective short- term in that it may actually lower the blood pressure.

It is very important to know that drugs don?t cure hypertension. They?re more of a short-term fix. Sometimes the drugs make a patient experience more serious pain in other areas. The doctors generally prescribe four main forms of medications to lower blood pressure level. The medications are diuretics, beta- blockers, ACE inhibitors and also calcium channel blockers. Hypertension certainly is the result of irresponsible lifestyle choices; the medicines are masks, not really a cure.

Virtually any drug with the least amount of toxic can cause terrible side effects. Listed here are the medications as well as their individual side effects. Even as the blood pressure might decrease you might undoubtedly feel worse on the drugs.

Blood Pressure Medicine Negative Effects:

1. Diurectics

The very least toxic of all of the anti- hypertension drug treatment-diuretics are just dehydrators, meaning they are used to eliminate fluid out of your body through the kidneys. The problem with this way of lowering blood pressure is you are also eliminating vital minerals like potassium, sodium, magnesium and also calcium.

Draining these minerals out of your body will cause electrolyte imbalances within your body. Diuretics also lead to irregular heartbeat, gout, kidney damage or perhaps failure, abnormal cholesterol, uremia, hyperglycemia, erectile dysfunction, heartburn, visual disruptions, headaches and anemia.

2. Beta- Blockers

Beta- Blockers slow up the force of your heart contractions. While the heartbeat decreases, the blood pressure lowers. This can be a dangerous cardiac drug; hence there?ll be apparent indications of severe heart problems. You may experience congestive heart failure (basically a heart attack) or perhaps arrhythmias.

3. ACE Inhibitors

ACE Inhibitors is generally a ?chemical attack.? The drug blocks the discharge of the molecule, Angiotensin which truly lifts the blood pressure. In addition, this agent is a protective mechanism that is made to keep your ?homostasis.? This eventually causes a chemical turbulence mainly because it tosses off your biological balance.

To get additional details on high blood pressure remedies, please check out: inderal.

Source: http://www.health-articlesdirectory.uni.me/health/vitamins-supplements/treatments-for-high-blood-pressure

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Apple Considered An Investment In Twitter A Year ... - Business Insider

Last night the New York Times reported Apple has been considering a strategic investment of a few hundred million dollars in Twitter in "recent months".

After that story broke, the Wall Street Journal came out with its own, which says Apple considered an investment in Twitter a year ago, but, "People familiar with the matter said there are no current formal investment or acquisition discussions between the companies."

Apple and Twitter have been working together for over a year now. Apple has made Twitter a big part of its operating systems, allowing users to tweet photos, web pages, and just about anything else with ease.

Apple has not done anything particularly well in the "social" realm. It seems to be leaving that to Twitter.? Perhaps a year ago, when Apple started working with Twitter, it considered making an investment to protect Twitter from being bought by Google or another rival who wouldn't work with Apple.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-considered-an-investment-in-twitter-a-year-ago-wsj-2012-7

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