Austria, Salzburg, Ried und Rapid müssen am Wochenende siegen, um den Kontakt zum Tabellenführer aus Graz zu wahren.

Well, after having to cancel 2 prior ED's due to assorted family occurrences, we're finally getting ready for our June 24th ED of my 2012 135i convertibl. We = me, wife, and 2 teen daughters, 15 and 12. My wife and I have been to other parts of Germany before, but Munich, Bavaria, Austria, and...

Since the conflict in Libya really started to get messy, oil prices have risen steeply—from about $103 in mid-February to $123 a barrel last week. Given the country’s drop off in production (it represents about 2 percent of the world’s crude), the vote for separation of South Sudan (an oil producer) and the violence that has come from that, the continuing declines in oil production in Mexico and Venezuela, and the strikes and other problems in Gabon, Yemen, Oman, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria, the rise in price seems somewhat justified. What’s more, it’s not just actual events that affect oil prices, but potential events and senses of risk—and with all that’s been happening in the Middle East and elsewhere, oil markets are extremely jittery.

Less talked about, however, are the numerous factors that have been pushing oil prices down from what they otherwise might have been. The dampening of demand as a result of the multiple crisis in Japan, a sophisticated logistics chain that has allowed for the redirection of ships, and significant oil reserves in Europe have all conspired to offset the rising cost of crude. But, come summer, look for many of these mitigating factors to disappear and the crises in Libya and elsewhere to wreak their full effect on world oil markets.

Even as events in Libya and elsewhere put pressure on world oil prices, Japan’s deadly earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crises sent a big downward demand shock through the market. What’s more, the sophisticated logistics chains of the international oil industry performed admirably: Tankers and pipeline supplies were redirected to meet the shifting demands of the market. Some of the oil tankers heading to Japan, for example, were diverted to other places as Japan’s demand weakened.

In addition, significant oil reserves in countries that imported close to or above 20 percent of their oil from Libya—Italy, Ireland, Austria, Switzerland, and France—helped buffer the initial shock. These reserves, thankfully, proved to be many times these countries’ daily imports from Libya, providing local markets and supply chains with ample leeway to adjust. In addition, oil markets were lucky because a number of refineries in the EU and the US happened to be in maintenance as the Libyan crisis unfolded and were demanding less oil as a result.

Finally, it’s a fair conjecture that if the global oil markets didn’t enjoy any excess capacity, the price of oil would have shot far higher. As it happened, however, oil producing countries like Saudi Arabia had plenty of capacity to spare, so the pressure on prices never got as bad as it could have been.

As summer approaches, however, look for many of these mitigating circumstances to melt away. European refineries will need to restock their supplies of crude and there will likely be an increase in demand for refined products like gasoline as summer vacations start. Japan’s demand for oil will also likely increase, and maybe rapidly, as the country begins the process of rebuilding and reconstruction. US refineries will also be ramping up from their maintenance period.

Finally, as the factors that mitigated the rise of prices after the Libyan crisis weaken, speculators will likely see chances for even greater profits. Their movements into the futures and other “paper” markets for crude will likely push the price up even further. And if the revolutions and rebellions move to Algeria or Iran—and especially if they move to Saudi Arabia—then all bets are off: $200-300 per barrel would not be out of range and the world economy would be hammered.

Of course, these expected increases in demand may drive producers to ramp up production, especially in the OPEC countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that have excess production capacity. But not only is there a question about how quickly they can ramp up production—it’s also unclear whether they will want to. Clearly OPEC does not wish to see the price of oil go up too high for too long. That would cut into demand and spur investments in alternative energy sources, especially for transport, which uses most of the oil in the world. But they also want to have the good times of high oil prices continue as long as possible.

Anyone for investing in electric bikes and cars? This could be the set of shocks that finally sets us on the course of more sustainable transport technologies. However, nothing is certain except that everything is uncertain. That sense of uncertainty will likely push the price of oil even further. Welcome to the future.

Paul Sullivan is a professor of economics at the National Defense University (NDU) and an Adjunct Professor of Security Studies and Science, Technology and International Affairs at Georgetown University.

Follow @tnr on Twitter.

 

Internet and Radio/Classifieds
Ham radio classifieds in Austria

More and more, elite female athletes are taking on a challenge greater than sports. They're returning to the competitive world of sports while juggling motherhood.

Soccer moms have long led the charge. The U.S. Women's National Team has consistently featured mothers on its roster since 1994, when Joy Fawcett became the first "Soccer Mom" to give birth and continue playing at the highest levels of international soccer. Carla Overbeck and Danielle Fotopoulos also had kids while on the U.S. team, and more recently, three moms have played for the USA in defenders Kate Markgraf (mother of Keegan), Christie Rampone (mother of Riley and Reece) and Tina Frimpong (mother of MacKenzie). Though retired from competitive play, Mia Hamm joined the Soccer Moms Club when she and husband Nomar Garciaparra welcomed twin daughters in 2007. Four years ago, Brandi Chastain became mom to little Connor and three years ago Julie Foudy, former captain of the US Women's soccer team, had a baby girl named Isabel. Former captain Kristine Lilly returned to play after daughter Sidney was born. She retired from professional soccer at the beginning of 2011 and announced she is expecting Baby #2.

Obviously, competitive women aren't waiting until their athletic careers are over to start families. And while the physical and emotional challenges of motherhood can be difficult, most athlete moms wouldn't have it any other way.  WNBA player Lisa Leslie sat out a season with the Los Angeles Sparks to give birth to a daughter but she returned to the pro team for a year and had a great season before giving birth to baby #2 and retiring. Leslie's teammate, MVP and Rookie of the Year Candace Parker is also a new mom enjoying baby Laila while playing in both the Euroleague and the WNBA. Other WNBA moms share their favorite Mother's Day memories on WNBA.com. But Parker and Leslie are far from the first WNBA stars to have their basketball careers impacted by pregnancy. In previous seasons, Sheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson, Taj McWilliams-Franklin and others have missed time, and occasionally entire seasons, to focus on their families.

After pitcher Jennie Finch had a son named Ace with husband Casey Daigle she competed with the Women's National Softball Team at the Beijing Olympics and played for the Chicago Bandits. She is expecting her second child this summer. US National teammate Jessica Mendoza continues to play for National Pro Fastpitch usually bringing young Caleb on the road with her.

When the U.S. women's hockey team beat Finland to win the bronze medal at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, forward Jenny Potter skated around the rink in celebration with her then 5-year-old daughter Madison in her arms. Potter's daughter was a fixture at the rink at an early age. A week after Madison was born in January 2001, Jenny was skating again. Three months later, she was back playing for the U.S. women's hockey team in the world championships. What's even more impressive is that Jenny did it all again. Just 83 days after having her second child, Potter helped the 2007 U.S. Women's National Team to a 9-0 victory over Kazakhstan in the opening game of the 2007 IIIHF Women's World Championship. 

Tennis player Lindsay Davenport had an amazing comeback after giving birth to her son Jagger. Just three months after the birth of her first child, Davenport became an instant and almost shocking success winning a number of high profile tournaments. She recently gave birth to her second child. Kim Clisjters came out of retirement after her daughter was born and famously won the U.S. Open as an unseeded player.

Other images from the world of women's sports clearly show the tide has turned. Legendary Czech cross county skier Katerina Neumannova collapsed on her knees at the finish line after winning gold in the 30-kilometre race at the 2006 Turin Olympics, her poles askew as she hugged her two-year-old daughter, Lucie. Former Ironman world champion Lori Bowden placed second at Ironman Austria, just 10 months after giving birth to her son Tyson. And pro cyclist Sue Palmar-Komar, a 2002 Commonwealth Games silver medallist, at age 41, had a sibling for her seven-year-old daughter Trinity. And who can forget long distance runner Paula Radcliffe who won the New York Marathon months after giving birth to daugher Isla. Kara Goucher is the newest marathon mom having completed this year's Boston race six months after having her son.

On the long list of athlete moms is Gold medal-winning swimmer Dara Torres, who made an amazing comeback while mothering toddler Tessa, and fellow swimmer Summer Sanders who is married to three-time Olympic skier Erik Schlopy with whom she has a daughter and a son.

Most of these working moms admit they can't do it alone. And while their spouses and families pitch in, they are also assisted by their leagues and teams. Potter said USA Hockey provides helpful financial assistance during Olympic years. And before the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) folded, the league mandated that home teams must provide child care for the mothers on visiting teams. The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) takes things to a whole new level. Since 1993, the LPGA has operated the LPGA Child Development Center, which travels to more than 25 tournaments per year. Bardine May, the Center's director, said the LPGA was motivated to provide child care so that its athletes didn't have to choose between playing the game and having a family.

There are many different kinds of mothers in this world. There are professionals and homemakers. Some are fashionable, some conservative, some are modern and some are cool. Fortunately some are competitive athletes as well.

Be sure to tell YOUR mom how much you appreciate her this Mother's Day.

crossposted on prettytough.com

@jschonb

dare to dream

The Serbian government has rejected Telekom Austria's revised offer of €1.1 billion for a 51 per cent holding in Telekom Srbija, and has withdrawn its sale of Telekom Srbija stating that it would not sell the telecoms firm cheaply.

While expressing regret about the Serbian government's decision, Telekom Austria said the asking price of €1.4 billion was too high and, as reported by Reuters, "economically not realisable" for the group.

However, the Austrian company confirmed it would keep its offer open to the Serbian government for three months.

While a working party and the country's Prime Minister, Mirko Cvetkovic, both came out against selling the former state telco below the asking price of €1.4 billion, no guidance was provided as to the future ownership of Telekom Srbija.

The failure to reach an agreement to sell the Serbian operator now looks certain to force the government to issue Euro bonds valued at €500 million to finance its 2011 budget gap.

Telekom Austria was the only bidder for Telekom Srbija; the collapse of its offer could damage its objective of becoming the dominant operator in Central and Eastern Europe.

Telekom Austria presently has around 22 million customers across eight countries, and generated 2010 revenues of €4.65 billion.

For more:
- see this Reuters article
- see this AFP article

Related Articles:
Telekom Austria closes in on Serbian deal, ups offer
Rumour Mill: Telekom Austria unveils Serbian solution
Telekom Austria's bid for Serbian operator called an 'insult'
Rumour Mill: Russia's MTS bids for Telekom Austria

Mike of Austria's Stormbringer.at webzine conducted an interview with reunited San Diego, California-based progressive metallers PSYCHOTIC WALTZ when the band played in Vienna, Austria on March 12, 2011 as part of the "Power Of Metal" European tour with SYMPHONY X, NEVERMORE, MERCENARY and THAUROROD.

Blue Angels headline NO air show this weekend - The Republic | Marking the centennial of naval aviation, the Navy takes flight for the 2011 N'Awlins Air Show on Saturday and Sunday at the Belle Chasse Naval Air Station. The Times-Picayune reported the Blue Angels team will be the headliners. ...

N'awlins Air Show marks 100 years of the Navy taking flight - NOLA.com | John Klatt, shadowed by fellow Air National Guard Aerobatic Team member Bill Kerns, inverts his plane as they practice for this weekend's N'Awlins Air Show at the Belle Chasse Naval Air Station on Wednesday, May 4, 2011. Air Show Practice Flights ...
   
Look to skies over Smyrna for Great Tennessee Air Show - The Daily News Journal | This weekend's signature aviation event will also include performances by air show legends Gene Soucy and Wing Walker Teresa Stokes; Michael Goulian, USA pilot in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship; Jason Newburg flying the Viper; Cheryl Stearns, ...
   
New show of Strizhi aerobatic team: live broadcast at EN.RIAN.RU - RIA Novosti | The Russian Strizhi (“Swifts”) aerobatic display team celebrates its 20th anniversary on May 6 with a new air show at the Kubinka airfield near Moscow. Watch the show live at 1.00 pm Moscow time (09.00 GMT) at EN.RIAN.RU. “This year, the pilots will ...

PAS11: Russia drops Su-30 from Paris Air Show line-up from The DEW Line | The Su-30 has been pulled from the flying display and the static line.

Loving the steely hues in this photo of a MATS (Military Air... from You like airplanes, too? | Loving the steely hues in this photo of a MATS (Military Air Transport Command) C-121 Constellation doing a lovely photo pass at the 1993 Livermore Airshow. Photo by Tom Hardin.

The Tigers are coming!! - Apache Roll | No preview before their performance at the Tiger Meet 2011 and before the public meeting May 15 at Cambrai-Niergnies, here are photos of 2000 "1 / 12 Cambrésis" and the Belgian F-16, taken by photographer Katsu Aeronautics Tokunaga. ...

"Loss of Separation" UCAP #234 from Uncontrolled Airspace: General Aviation Podcast | Amy Laboda joins us in the virtual hangar.

Air Museum names speaker for opening - In-Forum | FARGO – National Vietnam Veterans Association President John Rowan will be the keynote speaker for the opening ceremonies of the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Exhibit at the Fargo Air Museum. FARGO – National Vietnam Veterans Association President John ...

First Hungarian woman pilot: Lilly Steinschneider from You Fly, Girl | From:   The life of Lilly Steinschneider, (January 13, 1891, Budapest – March 28, 1975, Geneva) Hungary’s first qualified female pilot during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, was no less adventurous. Lilly was trained as a pilot in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, flying Etrich aircraft, she got her license in 1912. Although she could not yet try her skills in a much-awaited competition in August 1912, thousands of people witnessed the ascent of the fist Hungarian female pilot to the altitude of 50-60 metres in the same year. ...

Pima from Jetcareers forums [photos] | Just a few. Went there yearly w/my pops when I was a youngster. Had the opportunity to slip out with the crew car to see the old birds. Too bad it was a Sunday because I would have loved to tour the Boneyard again.  ...

U. of Maryland's Human-Powered Helicopter Aims to Make Aviation History Next Week - POPSCI | Two years, 50 graduate students, countless man hours, and mankind’s insatiable need to prove he can defy gravity will all come to a head on Wednesday when a team of University of Maryland Students attempts to fly its human-powered helicopter, Gamera. They won’t be flying very high, but the payoff could be tremendous; hanging in the balance is a world record, an aviation “first,” and a claim to the $250,000 Sikorsky Challenge. ...

Bill Chases the Hindenburg from AirSpace | May 6th marks the anniversary of the tragic end of the airship Hindenburg, destroyed by fire as it came in for a landing at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station, New Jersey, in 1937. Last year, to commemorate the anniversary, we posted the story of Anne “Cookie” Chotzinoff Grossman, who, on October 9th, 1936, spotted the Hindenburg in flight from her Connecticut schoolyard. She took off in hot pursuit along with her brother  ...

Video: Piper Pilot Needs Just 10 Feet To Take Off - from Autopia | KNIK RIVER, Alaska – Unlike other places where speed may dominate pilot discussions, up here it’s all about how slow you can go. It’s directly related to how quickly you can get off the ground and how little room you need to land.  It’s called STOL, or “short take-off and landing,” and here in Alaska it is synonymous with flying.  This weekend pilots, pilots from throughout Alaska and  ...

Hanna Hunhoff from Flight To Success | Friday's Fabulous Flyer! | Hanna Hunhoff - With beauty, brains, and the love of flight, Hanna Hunhoff has been bitten by the aviation bug. When I meet young people like Hanna, with a history of aviation in her family, I have to wonder if this passion is more than a bite, but flowing in their blood.   Hanna's great uncle flew as a co-pilot on the P-17. Another great uncle was a pilot for the 491st  ...

Learn to fly at Barnstormers Air Festival (5/6) - The American Press (blog) |  ... with tahe help of the Jeff Davis Tourist Commission, the Jeff Davis Airport Commission and the Louisiana Department of Transportation-Aviation Division, will sponsor the second annual Barnstormers Air Festival 10 am-4 pm at the Jennings Airport. ...

A research center is looking for a Software Developer of Semantic Service Platform for Web, TV and Mobile in Austria. According to the post, “STI International Consultancy and Research GmbH (STI Research), a research centre based in Innsbruck and Vienna, Austria which contributes to the international semantic technology community, seeks applications for a software developer. Both students and graduates are welcome to apply. The position is available from anytime from May 2011 onward, with an initial duration of up to 2 years. An extension is also possible.” continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Als Debakel der Sonderklasse bezeichnen ÖBB-Manager die Performance der Rail Cargo Austria in Italien

Austria said it was considering holding a referendum on Turkey's EU accession, even if the candidate country successfully completes its accession negotiations.

Second row for Marc Lieb at Le Mans Cup in Spa-Francorchamps TheSportsCampus.com With this, last year's winners Lieb and Richard Lietz (Austria) have clinched a good starting position for the 1000 kilometre race on the challenging circuit in Belgium's Ardennes region with the 2011 version of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. ... ILMC Team News - Miller Sharing Felbermayr-Proton Porsche In Four ILMC EventsAutochannel (press release) all 3 news articles »

I've been really enjoying hearing them play Prothimia Suavissima, by Antonio Bertali (Arcana CD.) Quite lush, with a cultivated and captivating ensemble sound. Well recorded, too. Any early music aficionados/fans who've missed this group may do well to check them out.:thumbsup:

Does American prosperity translate into long retirements?  Not compared to other developed countries in the world.  Flowing Data borrowed OECD numbers on life expectancy and age of retirement to calculate the average number of years in retirement for men and women across many different countries.  The portion of each bar with the line is the average number of years working, while the non-lined portion represents years in retirement. Largely because of life expectancy, women enjoy more years than men in all states except Turkey, but the number of years varies quite tremendously.  For an average of zero years for men in Mexico, to an average of 26 years for women in Austria and Italy.  The United States is way down on this list, not doing so well relatively after all. (View original at http://thesocietypages.org/socimages)Does American prosperity translate into long retirements?  Not compared to other developed countries in the world.  Flowing Data borrowed OECD numbers on life expectancy and age of retirement to calculate the average number of years in retirement for men and women across many different countries.  The portion of each bar with the line is the average number of years working, while the non-lined portion represents years in retirement. Largely because of life expectancy, women enjoy more years than men in all states except Turkey, but the number of years varies quite tremendously.  For an average of zero years for men in Mexico, to an average of 26 years for women in Austria and Italy.  The United States is way down on this list, not doing so well relatively after all. (View original at http://thesocietypages.org/socimages)

CNET Car Tech UK editors Rory Reid and Drew Stearne attempt to drive 856 miles, from England to Austria, on one tank of diesel in a Volvo S60.

Originally posted at The Car Tech blog

Having squandered the chance to attract skilled migrants when the EU was widened, Germany regrets a missed opportunity

One of the main benefits of being a citizen of the European Union is supposed to be the freedom to live and work in any country within its borders with no restrictions. But when Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined the EU in 2004, Germany and Austria opted to make use of the maximum seven-year transition period before granting the new member states' citizens full access to their labour market.

That period has now expired: as of 1 May, Poles, Hungarians or Latvians can work in Germany and Austria without any restrictions whatsoever. The questions are: how many will want to? And how will the new reality affect the respective countries' economies?

Estimates vary as to how many Poles will eventually leave the country, but one thing everybody agrees on is that Poles will make up the largest number of the new wave of central and eastern European economic migrants. And most of them will be heading for Germany and not Austria or Switzerland, which also opened up its labour markets to the EU8 on 1 May. The European Commission predicts about 100,000 people a year will move to Germany from the CEE countries, half of them from Poland. The Polish government itself is expecting more than 400,000 Poles to leave for Germany within the next three years.

The Germans say they need the fresh blood in their thriving economy. "We really need workers. We don't lack jobs, but labour," said Ursula von der Leyen, the German labour minister, a few days before 1 May. She also promised Germans that the workers coming would be mostly young, educated and mobile.

The likelihood of hundreds of thousands of Poles flocking to Germany in the next few years is doubtful. Ironically, Germany's labour restrictions, while meant to prevent an influx of low-skilled, cheap labour, were actually more of a hindrance to highly qualified professionals. Blue-collar workers who set up their own one-man businesses in trades such as bricklaying have been able to work in Germany legally for several years now: all they needed in order to register a one-man business was a German address and the German equivalent of a national insurance number. In other words, the low-skilled workers who really wanted to work in Germany are already there.

White-collar workers, on the other hand, have faced harsher employment restrictions. If, for example, a German firm wanted to employ a Polish accountant, the firm had to prove there were no Germans capable of the job before it could secure a work permit. Some of these restrictions were relaxed a few years ago for particular professions where there was a real lack of workers in Germany, such as engineers or IT specialists, but restrictions remained in most professions.

After the 2004 accession, skilled Polish migrants mainly went to countries that opened up their labour markets immediately, such as the UK, Sweden and Ireland. Germany largely missed the opportunity to attract such workers.

Another reason Poles won't necessarily flock to Germany is that Poland in 2011 is very different from Poland in 2004. According to IMF figures its GDP per capita now stands at more than $18,000 (£11,000) as opposed to about $11,000 seven years ago. The economy has grown steadily since accession and so have wages. In fact, the World Bank now classifies Poland as a "high-income country". Of course, salaries are still much higher in Germany but they are now roughly three times higher, not six or seven times higher like in the past. And one must remember that life in Germany is decidedly more expensive than in Poland.

Talking to the president of a major Polish construction company recently, I mentioned the fear that Germany would suck in all of Poland's best workers. That's what everyone said before the 2004 accession, he said: "But where are all those rich Germans today?"

Will some of the Poles and other eastern Europeans currently living in the UK and Ireland leave those countries and move to the thriving Germany? An April report by the British thinktank, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) says the lifting of barriers could drive some eastern European workers away to Germany, but the report does not expect that number to be significant.

Germany sent the wrong signals to young, educated and mobile Poles immediately after the 2004 accession. The engineers, IT specialists and qualified medical personnel it now seeks left Poland for other countries years ago. And if those scattered around the continent do decide to pack up and leave the countries they are currently residing in, it is more likely they will be boarding a plane headed for Warsaw rather than for Berlin.

España ha bajado del sexto al octavo puesto en la clasificación de los países más competitivos en materia turística del mundo elaborado por el Foro Económico Mundial.
Así aparece en el Índice de Competitividad en Viajes y Turismo para el año 2011 que recoge en una nota de documentación el Instituto de Estudios Turísticos (IET).
El cálculo de este índice se realiza con base en tres subíndices. El primero analiza el marco regulador, el segundo se dedica al entorno empresarial y las infraestructuras, mientras que el tercero valora los recursos humanos, culturales y naturales en el sector turismo.
La clasificación mundial de un total de 139 países está liderada por Suiza, que ocupa el primer lugar, y Alemania, que figura en el segundo puesto.
A continuación siguen Francia, Austria, Suecia, los Estados Unidos y el Reino Unido. Por detrás de España figuran Canadá y Singapur entre los diez destinos turísticos mejor clasificados del mundo.
Según el IEE, la buena clasificación general de España no debe ocultar que hay una serie de pilares dentro del Índice de Competitividad Turística en los que debe mejorar y considerablemente. Se trata, sobre todo, de la competitividad de precios en la industria turística, donde España ocupa uno de los últimos lugares –el puesto 106- en la escala internacional.
Tampoco es propicio el marco regulatorio en el que figura en el puesto 85 ni tampoco la situación del capital humano –que mide el nivel educativo y la disponibilidad de mano de obra cualificada- donde se sitúa en el puesto 46.

If you are lucky enough, you will spend at least a week of your precious summer holidays diving or even better get the other half involved and make it a two week trip. If you have any sense at all you will have taken a bit of time out on the computer and planned where and who you want to dive with, this makes a lot of sense and takes the slog out of going from dive centre to centre trying to get the best deals.

There is not a diver out there who when arriving at there chosen dive centre has not thought ‘Lucky sods’ I would love to do there job and have here lifestyle.
Well I have just spent time with a dive school in Costa Teguise on the island of Lanzarote.

They are called Daivoon Dive Centre and run by Goetz Schafer and his partner Michaela Jedinger.

Goetz, is 32 from Germany, he is fluent in German, English and very passable Spanish. SSI Master Instructor, SSI Divecon Instructor, CMAS Instructor**, Re- Breather Instructor and has a speciality in Handicapped Instruction along with Child Instructor.

He started diving at the age of 10years and has a passion for diving which is very infectious. He has also done a stint at commercial diving working in various parts of the world.

Michi, as she is always called is 27 from Austria; again fluent in German and English and passable Spanish, she is the brains behind the outfit, dealing with web design, accounts and paperwork and basically runs the school while Goetz is out teaching and diving.

CMAS Instructor*, Padi Divemaster, Children’s Instructor, Equipment Technician and on top of this she is finishing a degree in Psychology.

The shop is open everyday from 08.30am until 18.00 and sometimes later when night dives are planned.

My day started at 08.30 to the smells of wet suit and freshly brewed coffee which is a staple diet. Goetz is already getting things together for the day and Michi along with making coffee is checking emails and talking on the phone.

At 09.00 our students arrive, Thomas & Lisa both from Hamburg, Germany and thankfully for me both fluent in English.

Thomas is a diver, who like most people only gets to dive when on holiday and I was going to be his buddy for the day.

Lisa, on the other hand was in the final stages of doing her Open Water course and we would all be diving together for her final day.

While Goetz, Thomas & Lisa are getting there equipment together, Michi has a group of people arrive ready to do a try dive. The dive school is very lucky to be right opposite a super bay where try dives are great fun and realistic with the added bonus of often seeing Rays, Angel sharks and sometimes seen small blue sharks.

So by now the school is a hive of ordered activity.

While myself and Thomas get the dive bus loaded with cylinders and equipment, Goetz and Lisa are going through what she will be required to do during our dives together and by 10.00am we are ready for the off.

It’s been decided that we will dive at Charco del Palo a popular destination and always a good dive.

On arrival we walk to the dive site, Goetz gives a comprehensive diving brief in German as well as English for my benefit and then back to the bus and get kitted up.

The dive bus is also fitted with Emergency mobile phone, plus of course Oxygen and First aid equipment

It’s now 11am and the morning is going fast, we are all kitted up and after the obligatory buddy checks its down the steps to the site.

After a further quick check with Lisa, they both enter the water followed by Thomas and myself.

Then its down to the bottom, buoyancy check, all systems go and off.

One thing we are blessed with today is very calm conditions and there is hardly any movement at all in the water and at this time of year we are also doubly blessed with Sting Rays and I mean lots of them. Within minutes we are at what is locally called Christmas Tree Cave, and inside and out are dozens of Rays just slightly hidden under a layer of sand.

To Lisa this was an amazing sight and you could see in her eyes that she was blown away by the numbers and also the fact that some of the Rays started swimming about very close to us. Then a couple of large Trumpet fish put in an appearance, this dive just got better by the minute.

While Goetz and Lisa finish off there exercises to complete the course you can see from her whole attitude that she has nailed everything and is now let loose just to dive and enjoy herself.

One thing that did impress me was Goetz attention to detail and if he was not happy with what had been done, he said do it again until it was perfect.

I was not at the beginning of Lisa’s course so I am not sure how he teaches it but remembering that this was her 6th dive, her buoyancy was superb, and when after 45minutes we did an air check and she gave the 100bar sign and she only using a 10ltr cylinder, what can you say other than excellent.

After making our way back past many more Rays we finally finished an excellent dive, and as soon as we were back on dry land Goetz formally congratulated Lisa on passing her SSI Open Water Diver.

I have to be honest here, I know many a diver even after a lot more dives than Lisa struggle and use more air in 20 minutes than she did in an hour and I did do a sneaky look at her contents gauge.

After a quick change and a cup of Goetz’s excuse for what he calls tea, we finally head back to the dive centre with a very happy newly qualified diver. Where Michi is on hand with better tea and biscuits.

Unload the bus, and get the kit washed out, priority number 1, get things hung up, and cylinders ready for filling, now sort out the paperwork.

It has been a great privilege to be able to spend the day like this and when you see the enthusiasm and excitement that Lisa has shown, you know well that she and her partner Thomas are going to enjoy many hours exploring the undersea world and it’s thanks to good teaching and diving practices.

But that’s not the end of the day, after a quick bite to eat Goetz and myself are off to a large holiday complex and to see if he can get some people interested to try diving and hopefully sign up for a course. This is a common way to drum up business with holiday makers. After an hour of splashing around mainly with younger kids and today no takers for courses we head back to the centre for a well deserved coffee and a chat about the day.

It seems while we were out Michi who has taken several people into the bay for try dives has a young woman coming back the following day to start on an Open Water Course.

Goetz & Michi are about to open a new centre only 50mtrs from there shop now but with the advantages of more space, a better teaching area plus a larger and better wet room for all the equipment.

I am thinking that’s it for the day but now Goetz has the job of filling cylinders and making sure all the equipment used today is in good order and drying out.
The idea of running a dive school especially when you live on a warm sunny island is probably a dream many of us have but I can assure you its hard work, very demanding and you need to be on the top of your game every day. Would I like to do it full time, no way, I love my diving but on my terms, but I have great respect for the Instructors out there who do this job day in day out.

But as Goetz said to me as I was leaving, when you do a job well and you have a customer that’s satisfied with a course or just dive guiding that’s what makes his job one of the best in the world. Lisa is a great example of what’s great about our sport, she loved everything about the whole experience, she and Thomas flew home the following night and her last words to me were, we are coming back next year and we want to do a lot more diving. Good schools, Good Instructors = Good Divers.

I had a great day with Goetz and Michi, they are very professional people who rightly take everything to do with diving seriously, but they are also extremely nice people always willing to help and lay on crazy diving days for some of us locals. The new dive school should be up and running within the next 2 months so if any of you are planning a trip and want to hire gear, dive with a reputable company and meet nice people along the way then give them a call. Web site www.daivoon.com

Email daivoon@daivoon.com Telephone: 0034 928346803 Mobile: 0034 608647281

If you love skiing why not consider Austria as a destination? There are fantastic skiing resorts in Austria. Read all about it here.

Built globally and built to work.  From the UK to Austria to Japan -- these folks get around and produce magnificent structures the world over.

Zaha Hadid Architects

Photography credit (Japan):  Paul Warchol

100 Students from Europe's Top Technical Universities Talk Innovation with ... Your-Story.org (press release) Whilst listening to their questions and needs, we are developing a way forward where we can tackle the challenges that come with innovation together.” Student expert Phillip Mueller from TU Graz, Austria says, “Attending WoodStEx has made me aware of ... and more »

Steven Van Broeckhoven has conquered the 2011 PWA Surf World Cup, at Lake Neusiedler, Austria.

The 2011 Giro d'Italia will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy, with a mountainous route that looks set to exalt a possible battle between Vincenzo Nibali, Michele Scarponi, Denis Menchov and Alberto Contador.

Race director Angelo Zomegnan revealed the route in Turin, where the three weeks of racing will begin on Saturday, May 7 with a 19.3km team time trial. The corsa rosa concludes with a 31.5km individual time trial that finishes in the shadow of the spectacular Milan Duomo on Sunday, May 29.

In between, the 3,524km, route heads south to Sicily for a mountain finish on the slopes of the Etna volcano and then returns north along the Adriatic coast before a long series of testing stages in the Dolomites and a grand finale on the dirt road climb of the Colle delle Finestre near Sestriere.

Route details

The official route guide given out in Turin describes the 2011 Giro as "the toughest race in the most beautiful place". The 2011 Giro certainly looks the toughest race on the map, with 40 major mountain climbs and seven mountain finishes.

The route visits 17 of the 20 regions of Italy during the three weeks of racing. After the team time trial in Turin, stage two heads to Parma and then Reggio Emilia and then heads south down the Tyrrhenian coast, with a finish in the Tuscan port of Livorno and via the Umbrian town of Orvieto after a 13km section of dirt road in the final 50km of the stage.

The first mountain finish is at Montevergine di Mercogliano near Naples. It is where Damiano Cunego won in 2004 and first indicated he would go on to dominate that year's race

The Giro touches the toe of the Italian peninsular after a week of racing with a finish in Tropea and then takes the ferry to Sicily for a mountain on the slopes of Etna. The Giro climbs Europe's most active volcano twice: first to the Citelli refuge at 1631 metres with a 18km at an average of 6.1%. It then dives back down the Mediterranean coast before climbing for 19.4km at an average of 6.3% to the Sapienza refuge at an altitude of 1892 metres. The stage will be the Giro's equivalent of a finish on Mont Ventoux in the Tour de France.

The riders enjoy the first rest after the Etna stage but first have to fly to Termoli on the eastern Adriatic coast. The second week of the race heads north up the Adriatic with finishes in Teramo after a ride along the coast and then in Castelfidardo after an up and down 160km in the hills. Stage 12 finishes in Ravenna and is one of the few stages that looks perfect for the sprinters.

Another road transfer takes the race to the foot of the Dolomites and marks the start of the mountain stages. Stage 13 on Friday May 20 heads into Austria for a finish on the slopes of the Grossglockner. The 13.6km climb starts gently but then ramps up all the way to the finish with a final two kilometres at 10.7 per cent.

Stage 14 and 15 pass through what was the front line during a long war with Austria. Stage 14 finishes with the climb to Monte Zoncolan, where Basso fought out a duel with Cadel Evans in 2011. Stage 15 includes five major climbs, including the Passo Giau, that is the highest climb of the Giro at 2236 metres and so will award the prestigious Cima Coppi prize to the first rider over the summit. The stage ends with a short 6.2km climb but it has an average gradient of 10% with two short sections at 16 per cent at the start and finish.

The 2010 Giro included a mountain time trial to Plan des Corones. In 2011, the only time trial mid-Giro is the 12.7km cronoscalata between Belluno and Nevegal.

So many mountain stages are usually enough to complete a Giro. In 2011 there are even more. Three transfer stages across the Lombardy region takes the Giro east to the Alps for the mountain finale on the Colle delle Finestre.

The long fire track was climbed for the first time in 2005, when Paolo Savoldelli just managed to hang on to the maglia rosa. It is 18.5km long and climbs at 9.2 per cent, with the second half is on dirt roads. The tifosi packed the summit of the climb, instantly making it a legendary stage.

If all the climbing the dirt roads and the final climb to Sestriere does not decide the Giro, the final 31.5km individual time trial around Milan will, with the winner of the maglia rosa crowned in the shadows of the Milan Duomo.

This article was originally published on Cyclingnews.com.

Last month we introduced our two 'Ironman virgins' Matt Molloy and Boo Alder who we will be following in the lead up to Ironman Austria this year on Sunday 3rd July. Tri247 will be present in Klagenfurt, your Editor returning for the first time since he raced himself (!) there nine years ago. As part of the lead up to the event we thought it would be interesting to follow the progress to two athletes who have decided to make Austria their first Ironman race, who approach the race with very different degrees of experience and expectations. Here is Matt's second update, where he outlines the methodical approach he has taken to try and achieve what he and coach Bill Black feel is a realistic target first time out - qualification for the Ironman World Championship in Kona. Having decided to do my first ironman and elected my race of choice, the next step was to identify what was required (in terms of performance) to achieve my goal of Kona qualification and then put measures in place to give myself the best chance of achieving it. Trusting Bill's judgment we agreed that, whilst I could not control what others could do, qualification was a realistic target. The results from IM Austria 2010 indicate that there were 7 Hawaii slots available in the M40-44 age groups and that the 1st two athletes posted 8:47's and the roll-down went down to 14th position who posted 9:30. The 7th athlete posted 9:26. In terms of approach, I knew that the physical side (i.e. doing the right type and volume of training) would take care of itself. The programme agreed and set by Bill is based on a level of training that is achievable week in week out, but with the ability to increase the number of sessions if circumstances allows. However, before getting my head down I took the opportunity to look at my technique in all three disciplines to identify any flaws and also whether I needed to make any adjustments for going long. In that regard, I enlisted the help of Paul Newsome (Swimsmooth) to look at my swim technique, John Dennis (Velomotion) to look at my bike set up and Mike Antoniades (The Running School) to look at my running style. My take was that it was better to address any shortcomings early. Looking back now, there is no doubt in my mind that the help I've had on this front has been invaluable and has resulted in getting faster and more efficient in all three disciplines. As well as the physical and technical aspects, two further areas which I have focussed on are nutrition and the mental side. In terms of nutrition, I sought advice from experienced triathletes (either those who I knew directly and/or online on TriTalk) as well as reading up on and researching what nutrition strategies the PROs use. Daryl Carter gave me some good pointers in that regard. Armed with the information I gathered, I've been training my gut to take on board the calories required to fuel myself for an ironman at the intensities that I will be racing at. I've also looked at the best way to carry and/or take on board the nutrition which has involved me looking at bike/bottle cage set up and clothing choices. I adopted a two pronged approach to the mental aspect. First, it was a matter of covering the distances – either in single disciplines or two together. So, for example I had the opportunity to do the swim and bike legs as part of two relay teams in an iron distance race at my planned ironman race intensity, which gave me the confidence that I could deal with the swim and bike legs. I also did plenty of 3.8k swims, a couple of 100mile TT's and a few marathons (Dublin in Oct 09 and London in 2010 and 2011). The second limb of my mental preparation was to train the mind to deal with the negative thoughts and the “body wants to stop” moments that may well arise. Having experienced those negative thoughts in a couple of 70.3 races during the run in 2010 (Half Ireman and Clearwater), I knew that there was some work to be done in that department. Again I enlisted the advice of more experienced athletes. I received some great tips, the most notable was that posted on TriTalk by DIMUK winner Hywel Davies. Bill also hooked me up with sports psychologist Louise Jones of Thought4Sport and the sessions and exercises I've been doing with Louise have been great and boosted my confidence no end. I'll go into some more detail on my mental approach and outlook next time. Bye for now.

Agencies/Beijing China yesterday said other countries should stop commenting on the detention of prominent artist Ai Weiwei, after Austria this week joined a growing international chorus calling for his release.

OUR Great Adventure as a Honeymoon!

Live Stream Vienna FC vs Altach Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Watch for Free on May 6 2011 -- Watch Online tv sports for Free

Live Stream Vienna FC vs Altach Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Watch for Free on May 6 2011 -- Watch Online tv sports for Free. Live Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Big game Vienna FC vs Altach on May 6 2011. Enjoy the game Live directly from most popular Sport TV Channel -- ESPN-JustinTV-Al Iraqiya-SkySport-Sunday Night Football-Rai Sport Italy-CBS Sports-EuroSport-NBA on TNT-WHL Hockey TV-The Tennis Channel-Rugby Zone-The Golf Channel Shorts. Watch Free Live Sport TV.

Live Stream Vienna FC vs Altach Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Watch for Free on May 6 2011 -- Watch Online tv sports for Free

Live Stream Vienna FC vs Altach Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Watch for Free on May 6 2011 -- Watch Online tv sports for Free. Live Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Big game Vienna FC vs Altach on May 6 2011. Enjoy the game Live directly from most popular Sport TV Channel -- ESPN-JustinTV-Al Iraqiya-SkySport-Sunday Night Football-Rai Sport Italy-CBS Sports-EuroSport-NBA on TNT-WHL Hockey TV-The Tennis Channel-Rugby Zone-The Golf Channel Shorts. Watch Free Live Sport TV.

Live Stream Vienna FC vs Altach Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Watch for Free on May 6 2011 -- Watch Online tv sports for Free

Live Stream Vienna FC vs Altach Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Watch for Free on May 6 2011 -- Watch Online tv sports for Free. Live Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Big game Vienna FC vs Altach on May 6 2011. Enjoy the game Live directly from most popular Sport TV Channel -- ESPN-JustinTV-Al Iraqiya-SkySport-Sunday Night Football-Rai Sport Italy-CBS Sports-EuroSport-NBA on TNT-WHL Hockey TV-The Tennis Channel-Rugby Zone-The Golf Channel Shorts. Watch Free Live Sport TV.

Live Stream Vienna FC vs Altach Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Watch for Free on May 6 2011 -- Watch Online tv sports for Free

Live Stream Vienna FC vs Altach Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Watch for Free on May 6 2011 -- Watch Online tv sports for Free. Live Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Big game Vienna FC vs Altach on May 6 2011. Enjoy the game Live directly from most popular Sport TV Channel -- ESPN-JustinTV-Al Iraqiya-SkySport-Sunday Night Football-Rai Sport Italy-CBS Sports-EuroSport-NBA on TNT-WHL Hockey TV-The Tennis Channel-Rugby Zone-The Golf Channel Shorts. Watch Free Live Sport TV.

Live Stream Vienna FC vs Altach Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Watch for Free on May 6 2011 -- Watch Online tv sports for Free

Live Stream Vienna FC vs Altach Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Watch for Free on May 6 2011 -- Watch Online tv sports for Free. Live Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Big game Vienna FC vs Altach on May 6 2011. Enjoy the game Live directly from most popular Sport TV Channel -- ESPN-JustinTV-Al Iraqiya-SkySport-Sunday Night Football-Rai Sport Italy-CBS Sports-EuroSport-NBA on TNT-WHL Hockey TV-The Tennis Channel-Rugby Zone-The Golf Channel Shorts. Watch Free Live Sport TV.

Live Stream Vienna FC vs Altach Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Watch for Free on May 6 2011 -- Watch Online tv sports for Free

Live Stream Vienna FC vs Altach Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Watch for Free on May 6 2011 -- Watch Online tv sports for Free. Live Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Big game Vienna FC vs Altach on May 6 2011. Enjoy the game Live directly from most popular Sport TV Channel -- ESPN-JustinTV-Al Iraqiya-SkySport-Sunday Night Football-Rai Sport Italy-CBS Sports-EuroSport-NBA on TNT-WHL Hockey TV-The Tennis Channel-Rugby Zone-The Golf Channel Shorts. Watch Free Live Sport TV.

Live Stream Vienna FC vs Altach Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Watch for Free on May 6 2011 -- Watch Online tv sports for Free

Live Stream Vienna FC vs Altach Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Watch for Free on May 6 2011 -- Watch Online tv sports for Free. Live Soccer Austria - Erste Liga Big game Vienna FC vs Altach on May 6 2011. Enjoy the game Live directly from most popular Sport TV Channel -- ESPN-JustinTV-Al Iraqiya-SkySport-Sunday Night Football-Rai Sport Italy-CBS Sports-EuroSport-NBA on TNT-WHL Hockey TV-The Tennis Channel-Rugby Zone-The Golf Channel Shorts. Watch Free Live Sport TV.

Hi! This is Jera from Quilting In The Rain bringing you this Strawberry Fields Forever pattern (thanks again Lalobe from Austria for the name idea)! I love this pattern because each block will be unique to your own making...there are no precise measurements; simply cut, stack, whack and sew!This quilt top requires a single layer cake pack. I used the Strawberry Fields collection by Fig Tree & Co

Austria is gripped by unusually low temperatures. Meteorologists said today the last time the country experienced similarly chilling conditions was in 1982.

Ha'aretz

Rugby / Israel's coach makes changes for challenge in Denmark Ha'aretz Israel's national rugby team faces one of its toughest challenges in recent years tomorrow when it visits Denmark in Group C2 of the European Nations Cup. After two group wins against Austria and Hungary, the team will want to prove it ...

Kate Abbott, commissioning arts editor for the Guardian, picks London's most interesting arts venues north of the river, from an old coffin repository to an artists' haven

Whitechapel Gallery

You never know what to expect at the original east London gallery. Since 1901, it has shown modern artists from Barbara Hepworth to Nan Goldin, Jackson Pollock and David Hockney. Famously, the Whitechapel is the only British space to have exhibited Picasso's Guernica, and it continues to champion challenging contemporary artists. It recently expanded into the Passmore Edwards library next door, which has a year-round free exhibition to tempt even more heads to peek through the doors. Once you've eaten up all the delights inside, pop around the corner and wander up Brick Lane to Story Deli for pizza served on driftwood slabs and street-side hipster-watching.
• 77-82 Whitechapel High Street E1, +44 (0)20-7522 7888, whitechapelgallery.org, open Tues-Sun 11am-6pm, Thurs 11am-9pm

Banner Repeater

Need to kill time while waiting for a train? Search out Banner Repeater on platform one of Hackney Downs station and be bored no more. This innovative rush-hour haven should spawn a slew of art spaces in unexpected everyday environs. It's an intimate gallery with a library trolley outside and a reading room attached, but it instantly breaks down the barrier that can make wandering into an official art gallery daunting. Banner Repeater is artist-run by Ami Hughes, with support from Hackney council's Empty Shops Fund.
• Hackney Downs Station, Dalston Lane E8, bannerrepeater.org, open Tues-Thurs 8-11am, 4-7pm, Fri 8am-6pm, Sat, Sun noon-6pm

Hannah Barry

The inimitable Hannah Barry gallery is surreptitiously tucked upstairs in an 18th-century corner building on the swish shopping promenade of New Bond Street. Once you've survived the tiny, clanking lift and shuffled across the fusty landing, the door opens into a luminous showroom that is bringing emerging artists to the central London masses. Visionary Hannah Barry first opened a Peckham gallery in a disused grain warehouse before launching this second space in 2010. Bold Tendencies, the annual sculpture show she founded in the dizzying disused heights of a south London car park, is now in its fifth year. The summertime show coexists with Frank's Café and Campari Bar, and is universally acclaimed for the art, architecture … and those views.
• 110 New Bond Street W1 (entrance on Brook Street), + 44 (0)20-7493 4224, hannahbarry.com, open Tues-Sat 10am-6pm

Freud Museum

While the main draw here is the pristinely preserved study, couch and all, this vast Hampstead house, where Freud and family lived after they escaped Austria in 1938, doubles as an art space. Exhibits take Freud's work, and the world's most notorious sofa, as a starting point. Artists that have interpreted Freudian terms – from the pleasure principle to free association – include Sarah Lucas, Susan Hiller and Sophie Calle. You can also gaze upon a Dali portrait of an ailing Freud that he didn't live to see, and Freud's own fine art and archaeology collection, not to mention irresistible morsels of the Freud clan's home videos.
• 20 Maresfield Gardens NW3, +44 (0)20-7435 2002, freud.org.uk, open Wed-Sun noon-6pm, adults £6, concessions £3-£4.50, under-12s free

Kate Macgarry

Head through the bottle-green industrial front doors on notoriously arty Vyner Street and up a sloping walkway and you will emerge in this classic white cube gallery. There is a relaxed feel about the place – the exhibitions continue into the curious glass-roofed office, where you can poke your head in and peruse the art while staff are hard at work. Kate Macgarry is on the international scene, presenting work by established artists including Peter McDonald, Francis Upritchard, Goshka Macuga and Marcus Coates. This part of Bethnal Green is a hub for great spaces – while you're here, try the newly opened Motel de Nowhere on Hollybush Gardens and Image Music Text on Cambridge Heath Road.
• 7a Vyner Street E2, +44 (0)20-8981 9100, katemacgarry.com, open Weds-Sun noon-6pm

Museum of Brands

The Museum of Brands is a product placement time tunnel that snakes from decade to decade, stuffed with everything consumers have filled shopping baskets with since Victorian times. Walls are stacked like supermarket shelves, with the first ever Dairy Milk wrappers, original Marmite jars and 1930s Mars and KitKat bars. The cafe has a looping video showing a history of TV ads since 1955, when they first appeared (look out for Joan Collins getting doused by drinks in the name of Cinzano). Director Robert Opie had a revelation 46 years ago that if he tossed packaging out no one could marvel, retrospectively, at the design hours that went into it. He's been hoarding ever since.
• 2 Colville Mews, Lonsdale Road W11, +44 (0)20-7908 0880, museumofbrands.com, open Tues-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm, adults £6.50, concessions £4, children 7-16 £2.25, family £15

Parasol Unit

Next door to Victoria Miro, one of London's leading commercial galleries, is Parasol Unit, its not-for-profit neighbour. Parasol Unit is housed in a classic old warehouse building that appears run-of-the-mill until you crane upwards and spot the architecturally curious grey-and-glass shoebox perched on top. The interior has impressive minimal design and never mundane multidisciplinary exhibitions. Take in the shows – four a year since 2004 – that spread out in vast rooms over two stories, or peer out of the floor-to-ceiling back windows into the bamboo-heavy courtyard. Parasol also runs an alfresco art scheme called Parasol Public – one to watch.
• 14 Wharf Road N1, +44 (0)20-7490 7373, parasol-unit.org, open Tues-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon-5pm, first Thurs of the month 10am-9pm

The Wapping Project

A post-industrial art-and-dining space in a former Wapping hydraulic power station, built in 1890 to convert Thames water into power for the docks. The Boiler and Filter House galleries have innovative site-specific exhibitions, such as the Yohji Yamamoto show where visitors can rent a rowing boat and paddle out to examine a dress hung in the centre of a makeshift lake. Next door in Wapping Food, the stark brick walls and now-silent mint-green machinery contrast with the modern, seasonal food (definitely book in for brunch). The owners opened a second space in 2009: Wapping Project Bankside, a round yellow warehouse opposite Tate Britain, which concentrates on photography and film.
• Wapping Wall E1, +44 (0)20-7680 2080, thewappingproject.com

176

Anita Zabludowicz is one of Britain's leading philanthropists; a contemporary collector; and a global power-patron. She runs three galleries, in the US, Finland and this Corinthian-columned Methodist chapel space that opened in 2007. It's a dynamic place that shows off not just her vast personal collection, but her curatorial nous. There's a programme of residencies and exciting exhibitions, and176 also has weekly £5 life classes for the public, and free performances, talks and festivals. In 2011, The Shape We're In group exhibition sees newly commissioned sculpture take over empty shops throughout Camden.
• 176 Prince of Wales Road NW5, +44 (0)20-7428 8940, zabludowiczcollection.com/london, open Thurs-Sun 12-6pm

The Crypt

This is an old coffin repository, and there are reminders of its former use everywhere: gravestones propped against walls, a coffin slot and the bones of 557 people underfoot. A faded red sign on the thrum of Euston Road points you in the right direction, but when you head around the moss-entrenched church walls towards the vaults, there's only an "uneven surfaces" sign to signal your arrival. Through the ornate red iron doors and down stairs, you are welcomed into a space full of eerie alcoves, and nooks and crannies that artists use for installations and innovative group shows. The crypt was also an air raid shelter, and it has an old operating theatre, still half-daubed in surgical green to display the blood of bygone days.
• St Pancras Church, Euston Road NW1, +44 (0)20-7388 1461, cryptgallery.org.uk

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will apparently get a boost in funding for its new building. Officials from the Air Force Museum Foundation, which is leading the project, will make a major fundraising announcement Monday along with representatives from the Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) and U.S. Rep Steve Austria, R-Beavercreek. The fourth building, spanning 200,000 square feet, is expected to cost upwards of $47 million and construction is slated to begin in 2013. In addition to an expanded space gallery, it could house the museum’s presidential aircraft collection and a global reach gallery featuring cargo and tanker...

BBC News

A Schiele Going, a Schiele Staying New York Times The Leopold Museum in Vienna is selling one painting by Egon Schiele to pay for another. Egon Schiele's “Häuser Mit Bunter Wäsche (Vorstadt II),” an oil on canvas, is being sold at Sotheby's in London. The latest on the arts, ... Museum sells Schiele work to pay Nazi-dispute costsBBC News Austria museum to sell Schiele painting to pay for 'Wally'AFP Austrian museum to sell Schiele paintingThe Associated Press Financial Times -Monsters and Critics.com -Bloomberg all 130 news articles »

Sky secures UEFA Europa League rights for Austria Rapid tv news As the only broadcaster, Sky will show all games of the Austrian and German teams as well as selected top games live and mainly in high-definition (HDTV). The new contract of which financial details haven't been disclosed will be valid from the 2012/13 ... and more »

Footballer, manager and FA Cup finalist

The irony of Allan Brown's impressive football career was that, in his prime with Blackpool, injury ruled him out of two FA Cup finals – and yet he played in a third, with Luton Town. It must have been especially galling for Brown, who has died aged 84, to miss the 1953 final – the so-called Matthews final, nicknamed for the performance of Stanley Matthews that spurred Blackpool to beat Bolton 4-3 – as he had broken a leg while helping his team reach Wembley, with a goal against Arsenal at Highbury in the sixth round.

The Arsenal goalkeeper, Jack Kelsey, later wrote about the incident in detail: "I came towards him as though we were a couple of knights on horseback, jousting in a tournament. He was there first, by a split second, shot just as I dived, and the ball passed under my body and into the net. No Wembley for us." But there was to be no Wembley for Brown, either. "His left shin met my hip at heaven knows how many miles an hour, and it stopped him dead," Kelsey wrote.

Born in the Fife mining village of Kennoway, Brown joined East Fife, then a club of substance, in 1944. Initially a wing-half before he excelled as an inside-left, he was a ball-player, scorer and notable athlete. With East Fife, he won his first three Scotland caps in 1950, against Switzerland, Portugal and France, scoring in all three games.

"I turned a rebel after deciding I wanted to play in English football. I worked at several jobs to keep myself trim and fit." It was Blackpool who held off the challenge of several other leading clubs, paying what was then a record fee for a Scottish player, £26,500.

In early April 1951, a serious injury suffered against Huddersfield Town put Brown out of the 1951 FA Cup final, lost to Newcastle United. Brown went on to resume an impressive career with Blackpool and Scotland, for whom he eventually gained 14 caps. His international career ended in anticlimax at the World Cup of 1954 in Switzerland. The Scots lost their opening game 1-0 to Austria, and in their second match were annihilated 7-0 by Uruguay.

Brown played for Blackpool until 1957, when he was transferred to Luton Town, helping them to reach the 1959 FA Cup final, which they lost to Nottingham Forest. In 1961 he was transferred to Portsmouth and, two years after that, became the player-manager of non-league Wigan Athletic. Next, he returned to Luton Town as manager, and then to Torquay, Bury and Nottingham Forest, before being appointed by Blackpool in 1976. After two years, he took over at a club in Kuwait. His wife, Colleen, spoke bitterly about his time at Bloomfield Road: "Allan did not mind pressure if there was gratitude with it, but he got none of that at Blackpool."

Yet the club reappointed him in 1981. Brown could not stop them descending to the Fourth Division and he left again a year later, though he continued to live in the town. He is survived by Colleen and their two daughters.

• Allan Duncan Brown, footballer and football manager, born 12 October 1926; died 19 April 2011

Quick news from across the Web

@FierceWireless: Neato: Article. It's an application for the iPhone that supposedly can track data usage and reduce data consumption. | follow@FierceWireless

> IDC said it will classify the iPad and other ARM-powered devices as PCs. Article

> PTA-FLA, a Florida wireless telecommunications company, alleges that it purchased $3.8 million worth of equipment from ZTE that turned out to be so faulty that it could not establish a fully functioning cellular network. Release

> Nokia, Samsung and others are teaming under the RPX banner to bid against Google for Nortel's patents. Article

> Sprint Nextel and Motorola unveiled the Android-powered XPRT and Titanium smartphones for enterprise users. Release

> U.S. Cellular will reportedly launch the dual-screen, Android-powered LG Genesis. Article

> The creator of Google Voice has launched a rival startup called Firespotter. Article

> Apple is reportedly preparing to offer over-the-air iPhone software updates. Article

Mobile Content News

> A new service reportedly helps publishers evade Apple's 30 percent commission. Article

> Apple and Hearst reached an agreement for magazines published to Apple's iPad. Article

> Jumptap completed a new round of funding totaling $25 million. Article

> What's next for mobile operators and mobile music? Commentary

Broadband Wireless News

> Nokia Siemens Networks introduced the Single RAN Advanced solution designed to connect existing Motorola GSM base stations to its Flexi Base Station Controller and provide a path to 3G and LTE technologies. Article

> Will Google win Nortel's patents? Commentary

European Wireless News

> The French government announced that the telecoms regulator Arcep will open the bidding process for LTE spectrum by the end of this month. Article

> Telekom Austria boosted its offer gain control of the Serbian operator, Telekom Srbija. Article

> ABI Research said that LTE subscriber numbers will reach 16 million by the end of 2011. Article

And finally... Microsoft said Windows Phone 7 users who updated their devices outside of the company's paradigm will not be able to continue receiving WP7 software updates. Post

Tour of Venice

Reuters

Austria museum to sell Schiele painting to pay for 'Wally' AFP VIENNA — The Leopold Museum in Vienna said Thursday it would sell a key painting by Austrian painter Egon Schiele to help finance last year's acquisition of the "Portrait of Wally" by the same artist. The museum said in a statement it planned to put ... Austrian museum to sell Schiele paintingThe Associated Press Sotheby's to sell £22m Schiele from Vienna museumFinancial Times Vienna museum auctions Schiele to settle looted art casesMonsters and Critics.com Bloomberg -Reuters -The Guardian all 133 news articles »

We already wrote about the upcoming fashion event at Lake´s – my lake hotel & spa called ‘Lake´s Fashion Days’ a few weeks ago on our blog, now it’s time to present to you the final program including the various side events. We have been able to get more than 40 designers from Austria, Slovenia, Germany & Italy for this event, which means that we will have close to 40 shows. Special shows are the shows by ‘Tiberius’ and ‘ep_anoui’

While other cities may host oh-so-typical pub crawls, well, in DC, we have Embassy Crawls!A Yes, get on your walking shoes, put on your sun-block, brush up on your French/German/Spanish/Czech 101, and get off at Van Ness Metro stop, this Saturday, so you can literally, have a taste of Europe!A This event makes Epcot look lame: EMBASSY OF AUSTRIA - ...

The 2011 RC44 Championship Tour moves to Lake Traunsee in Austria on the 10th May, where a second new team will join the Tour. The French Aleph Sailing Team owned by Mr Hugues Lepic, will make their RC44

Philips/Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands

Product Development Engineer-Skin

Job ID 71566
Location: Netherlands - Eindhoven

Experience Level: 3-5 years
Education Level: Masters Degree
Type of Function: Full-Time Regular
Travel Percentage: 50

Organization Description:
Philips Consumer Lifestyle is one of three market-driven sectors within Royal Philips Electronics, delivering lifestyle solutions for personal well-being. Our brand promise is sense and simplicity, meaning that our products are designed around the consumer, advanced and easy to experience. The sector builds on a deep understanding of people's needs and aspirations to create innovations that help consumers achieve their lifestyle ambitions.

We operate in the following businesses:

- Television – experience and lifestyle television
- Personal Care – electric shavers, female depilation appliances, haircare and male grooming products, vitality solutions and skincare
- Audio, Video & Multimedia – home and portable audio and video entertainment, including Blu-ray Disc players/recorders and docking stations for portable entertainment devices
- Domestic Appliances – kitchen appliances, floor care, garment care, water and air purifiers, and beverage appliances
- Health & Wellness – oral healthcare, mother and childcare, and relationship care
- Accessories – including headphones, portable audio accessories, remote controls, PC peripherals, digital picture frames, and audio and video communications.

Philips Consumer Lifestyle's headquarters is in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. We have a highly international workforce of approximately 18,500 employees spread over 50 countries.

The site is part of I&D Consumer Lifestyle. It focuses on the development of medically and non-medically endorsed lifestyle products. It is end-to-end responsible for the development and realization of new propositions. Yet it is focused on the upfront consumer driven concept development. It manages the realization via other sites and partners.

Your Responsibilities:
You will be responsible for the product definition (especially the electronic or mechanical and documentation aspects) in the development, realization and aftercare of innovative products in the area's of female and male Personal Care:
- You support function development via defining and realizing models and test set-ups.
- You develop new and optimize existing product concepts within cross-functional teams. Or you lead and control outsourcing of these activities.
- You do, or lead, the detail design of Key Components, and you support their realization.
- You participate and lead as key competence resource in multi-partner cross-functional and cross-cultural teams.
- You manage the Product Documentation (the BOM and the Design History File).
- You do the root-cause analysis of production problems and consumer complaints.
- Your scope is international so some travelling, sometimes for several weeks, is part of this job.

These jobs offer growth potential and opportunities for further career development within our Organization.

Your Profile:
You have a background in Mechanical / Bio-mechanical engineering or Electronics at a high qualitative level (Masters). You have a proven track record and experience (>3 yrs.) in development and realization of new consumer products in a R&D environment. You have experience in one or more relevant fields of competency for consumer products, such as heating & cooling, fluid management (dosing, pumping), Liquid Silicon Rubbers, or in electronics and software.
You have:
- Experience in mechanical or electronic design and product documentation.
- Experience in cooperation in a multi-site multi-partner development environment.
- Experience in laser applications, combined with ultrasonics and embedded software
- Knowledge of electro mechanics and thermal plastics manufacturing
- Preferably you are familiar with Design for Six Sigma.
- German language skills are preferred

You are:
- An abstract, analytical, and creative thinker.
- Open minded towards other disciplines and companies in the field of product development.
- An excellent communicator and motivator, skilled in managing interpersonal processes.
- Able to continuously challenge the status quo, with a strong desire to improve organizational effectiveness structurally.
- Always looking for perfection. You don't accept underperformance or poor results. You have a quality mindset.

During first half year 40% to 80% of the time spend will be in Klagenfurt (Austria).
After that about 2 to 6 weeks travelling per year. Distributed over 2 Asian and/or up to12 European trips per year.

* Contacts: Arjan van der Vleuten
+31 (0)6 29 59 01 75

Notes, Creative, TV, Multimedia, Engineering, Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Electronics Engineer, R&D Engineer, Fashion, Fashion, Garment, Apparel, Fashion Merchandising, Hospitality, Kitchen, Management, Six Sigma, Operations, HVAC, Quality, QA, Research, Product Development, R&D, Research, Retail, Merchandising, Technology, Quality Assurance, Developer, Testing, Embedded

Apply To Job

GMG, a leading developer and supplier of high-end color management software solutions, has announced that the company succeeded in achieving a substantial increase in sales of 30% in 2010, compared to the previous year. The highest growth was recorded in Germany / Austria / Switzerland, the largest single region for GMG, and in Oceania. Software sales likewise rose in France and Northeast Asia, as well as in the Iberia region. The good development at the company's three subsidiaries - GMG Americas, GMG Japan and GMG UK - was above average. The formation of three business units within...
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Message by Jered Gruber
If you thought the first nine stages of next year's Giro were good, check out this next batch. The northward progression from the stint on Sicily climaxes with a three-day mountain bash in far northern Italy, taking in a bit of Austria, and a slew of uphill meters...then we arrive to the second rest day.

Viena.- El Museo Leopold de Viena ha escogido subastar una obra de Egon Schiele para poder financiar el millonario pago acordado, tras en una larga batalla judicial en Estados Unidos, para recuperar el "Retrato de Wally", famoso cuadro del mismo pintor austríaco expoliado por los nazis.

La dirección de la Fundación Leopold eligió de su valiosa colección el óleo "Häuser mit bunter Wäsche" ("Casas con ropa de colores"), pintada en 1914 y que aspira a convertirse en "la obra de Schiele subastada más cara de todos los tiempos", informó hoy el museo vienés en un comunicado.

El cuadro, cuyo valor se calcula en unos 30 millones de euros (20,2 millones de dólares), se subastará en Sotheby's de Londres el 22 de junio, en el marco de la puja de verano de la prestigiosa casa londinense.

La obra de Schiele (1890-1918) vendida más cara hasta ahora fue un paisaje subastado en 2006 por 22,3 millones de dólares (15 millones de euros).

Para recuperar el "Retrato de Wally", el Museo Leopold accedió el año pasado a pagar 19 millones de dólares (12,8 millones de euros) a los herederos de Lea Bondi Jaray, su antigua propietaria.

El acuerdo extrajudicial fue alcanzado en 2010 tras casi trece años de una dura batalla legal después de la confiscación de la obra por las autoridades estadounidenses durante una exposición en Nueva York.

La fundación tuvo que pedir un crédito para efectuar el pago y desde el año pasado el "Retrato de Wally" se puede admirar en el museo vienés, pero éste debe ahora devolver el dinero prestado.

Elegir una de las piezas de su colección para desprenderse de ella con este fin ha sido una decisión "difícil y dolorosa", reconoció el gerente de la institución, Peter Weinhäupl.

La confiscación del "Retrato de Wally" en 1997, junto a la obra "Tote Stadt III" ("Ciudad Muerta III"), al finalizar la exposición dedicada a Schiele en el MoMA de Nueva York, supuso para Austria el tardío inicio de una discusión sobre la propiedad expoliada por los nazis que no había sido restituida.

El debate llevó a un cambio radical en la política de la república alpina, para investigar el origen y, de proceder, restituir a sus legítimos herederos las obras que están aún en museos e instituciones austríacas.

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We know that languages die out. We also know that religions die out. How many people believe in Zeus or Poseidon or Apollo? But could we see religions as a whole die out in modern societies? A new study predicts that that is exactly what is going to happen in Australia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland. The list is notable because in includes the two countries most similar to the United States. Both Canada and Australia were founded, mainly, by British settlers. How could it be that they are readying to bury Christianity and we've handed over one of our two viable political parties to a fundamentalist version of that religion?

I mean, Big Oil and Big Money operate in Canada and Australia, too. So, why haven't the dollars gone to the megachurches in those countries? It might have something to do with political efficacy. It is easier to capture a major party in the United States than in Canada or, especially, Australia.

Still, it's astonishing to think that Christianity may soon be extinct in Canada at the same time as it is morphing into something so powerful in our country that it can destroy reproductive choice and the teaching of biology, geology, and sex education.

We're not inherently more religious than Canada. We just have a political system that allows financial elites to enlist religious fundamentalists in their service. In other words, religion has tremendous utility in our country.

"The idea is pretty simple," said Richard Wiener of the Research Corporation for Science Advancement, and the University of Arizona.

"It posits that social groups that have more members are going to be more attractive to join, and it posits that social groups have a social status or utility.

"For example in languages, there can be greater utility or status in speaking Spanish instead of [the dying language] Quechuan in Peru, and similarly there's some kind of status or utility in being a member of a religion or not."

Dr Wiener continued: "In a large number of modern secular democracies, there's been a trend that folk are identifying themselves as non-affiliated with religion; in the Netherlands the number was 40%, and the highest we saw was in the Czech Republic, where the number was 60%."

The team then applied their nonlinear dynamics model, adjusting parameters for the relative social and utilitarian merits of membership of the "non-religious" category.

They found, in a study published online, that those parameters were similar across all the countries studied, suggesting that similar behaviour drives the mathematics in all of them.

And in all the countries, the indications were that religion was headed toward extinction.

I don't care what people believe. I think the single best thing about our country is that we are allowed to believe whatever the hell we want. I don't believe in mixing religion and politics, even to promote agnosticism. But I think it is fascinating how our political system actually encourages a form of religious fanaticism that is actually in the process of completely dying out in counties much like ours.

Could simple electoral reform destroy organized religion in this country?

Discuss

Austrian firm GS Architects have completed this black cantilevered office building in Graz, Austria. (more…)