Bootstrap Origins In 2011, Bootstrap was created by two Twitter employees (Mark Otto and Jacob Thornton) to address the issue of fragmentation of internal tools/platforms. Bootstrap aimed to provide consistency among different web applications that were internally developed at Twitter to reduce redundancy and increase adaptability and reusability. As digital creators, we should always aim to make our applications adaptable and reusable. This will help keep coherency between applications and speed up processes, as we won’t need to create basic foundations over and over again. In today’s tutorial, you will learn what a Bootstrap is, how it relates to Responsive Web Design and its importance to the web industry. When Twitter Blueprint was born, it provided a way to document and share common design patterns/assets within Twitter. This alone is an amazing feature that would make Bootstrap an extremely useful framework. With this more internal developers began contributing towards the Bootstrap project as part of Hackathon week, and the project just exploded. Not long after, it was renamed “Bootstrap” as we know and love it today, and was released as an open source project to the community. A core team led by Mark and Jacob along with a passionate and growing community of developers helped to accelerate the growth of Bootstrap. In early 2012 after a lot of contributions from the core team and the community, Bootstrap 2 was born. It had come a long way from being a framework for providing internal consistency among Twitter tools. It was now a responsive framework using a 12-column grid system. It also provided inbuilt support for Glyphicons and a plethora of other new components. In 2013, Bootstrap 3 was released with a mobile-first approach to design and a fully redesigned set of components using the immensely popular flat design. This is the version many websites use today and it is very suitable for most developers. Bootstrap 4 is the latest stable release. This article is an excerpt taken from the book,’ Responsive Web Design by Example‘, written by Frahaan Hussain. Why use Bootstrap? You probably have a reasonable idea of why you would use Bootstrap for developing websites after reading its history, but there is more to it. Simply put, it provides the following: A responsive grid, using the design philosophies. Cross browser compatibility, using Normalize.css to ensure elements render consistently across all browsers (which isn’t a very easy task). You might be wondering why it’s difficult. Simply put, there are several different browsers, each with a plethora of versions, which all render content differently. I’ve seen some browsers put a border around an image by default, whereas some browsers don’t. This type of inconsistency will prove to be very bad for user experience. A plethora of UI components, by providing polished UI components as developers, we are going to bring our creativity to life in a much easier way. These components usually allow a team to increase their development velocity since they start from a solid tried and tested foundation. They not only provide good design, but they are usually implemented using best practices in terms of performance and accessibility. A very compact size with only a small footprint. Really fast to develop with, it doesn’t get in the way like many other frameworks, but allows your creativity to shine through. Extremely easy to start using Bootstrap in your website. Bundles common JavaScript plugins such as jQuery. Excellent documentation. Customizable, allowing you to remove any unnecessary features. An amazing community that is always ready, 24/7, to help. It’s pretty clear now that Bootstrap is an amazing framework and that it will help provide consistency among our projects and aid cross browser responsive design. But why use Bootstrap over other frameworks? There are endless responsive frameworks like Bootstrap out there, such as Foundation, W3.CSS, and Skeleton, to mention a few. Bootstrap, however, was one of the first responsive frameworks and is by far the most developed with an ever-growing community. It has documentation online, both official and unofficial, and other frameworks aren’t able to boast about their resources as much as Bootstrap can. Constantly being updated, it makes it the right choice for any website developer. Also, most JavaScript frameworks, such as Angular and React, have bindings to Bootstrap components that will reduce the amount of code and time spent binding it with another framework. It can also be used with tools such as SASS to customize the components provided further. Bootstrap’s grid system First, let’s cover what a grid system is in general, regardless of the framework you choose to develop your amazing website on top of. Without using a framework, CSS would be used to implement the grid. However, a framework like Bootstrap handles all of the CSS side and provides us with easy-to-use classes. A responsive grid system is composed of two main elements: Columns: These are the horizontal containers for storing content on a single row Rows: These are top level containers for storing columns Your website will have at least one row, but it can have more. Each row can contain containers that span a set number of columns. For example, if the grid system had 100 columns, then a container that spans 50 would be half the width of the browser and/or parent element. Basics of Bootstrap Bootstrap’s grid system consists of 12 columns that can be used to display content. Bootstrap also uses containers (methods for storing the website’s content), rows, and columns to aid in the layout and alignment of the web page’s content. All of these employ HTML classes for usage and will be explained very shortly. The purpose of these are as follows: Columns are used to group snippets of the website’s content, and they, in turn, allow manipulation without disrupting the internal content’s flow. There are two different types of columns: .container: Used for a fixed width, which is set by Bootstrap .container fluid: Used for full width to span the entire browser Rows are used to horizontally group columns, which aids in lining up the site’s content properly: .row: There is only one type of row Columns mentioned previously are a way of setting how wide content should be. The following are the classes used for columns: .col-xs: Designed to display the content only on extra-small screens Max container width—none Triggered when the browser width is below 576px .col-sm: Designed to display the content only on small screens Max container width—540px Triggered when the browser width is above or equal to 576px and below 768px .col-md: Designed to display the content only on medium screens Max container width—720px Triggered when the browser width is above or equal to 768 and below 992px .col-lg: Designed to display the content only on large screens Max container width—960px Triggered when the browser width is above or equal to 992px and below 1200px .col-xl: Designed to display the content only on extra-large screens Max container width—1140px Triggered when the browser width is above or equal to 1200px .col: Designed to be triggered on all screen sizes To set a column’s width, we simply append an integer ranging from 1 to 12 at the end of the class, like so: .col-6: Spans six columns on all screen sizes .col-md-6: Spans six columns only on extra-small screen sizes Later in this chapter, we will run through some examples of how to use these features and how they work together. Usage and examples To use the aforementioned features, the structure is as follows: div with container class div with row class div with column class Content div with column class Content div with column class Content div with column class Content div with row class div with column class Content div with column class Content div with column class Content div with column class Content div with column class Content div with column class Content The following examples may have some CSS styling applied; this does not affect their usage. Equal width columns example We will start off with a simple example that consists of one row and three equal columns on all screen sizes. The following code produces the aforementioned result: You may be scratching your head in regards to the column classes, as they have no numbers appended. This is an amazing feature that will come in useful very often. It allows us, as web developers, to add columns easily, without having to update the numbers, if the width of the columns is equal. In this example, there are three columns, which means the three divs equally span their thirds of the row. Multi-row, equal-width columns example Now let’s extend the previous example to multiple rows: The following code produces the aforementioned result: As you can see, by adding a new row, the columns automatically go to the next row. This is extremely useful for grouping content together. Multi-row, equal-width columns without multiple rows example The title of this example may seem confusing, but you need to read it correctly. We will now cover creating multiple rows using only a single row class. This can be achieved with the help of a display utility class called w-100. The following code produces the aforementioned result: The example shows multiple row divs are not required for multiple rows. But the result isn’t exactly identical, as there is no gap between the rows. This is useful for separating content that is still similar. For example, on a social network, it is common to have posts, and each post will contain information such as its date, title, description, and so on. Each post could be its own row, but within the post, the individual pieces of information could be separated using this class. Differently sized columns Up until now, we have only created rows with equal-width columns. These are useful, but not as useful as being able to set individual sizes. As mentioned in the Bootstrap grid system section, we can easily change the column width by appending a number ranging from 1-12 at the end of the col class. The following code produces the aforementioned result: As you can see, setting the explicit width of a column is very easy, but this applies the width to all screen sizes. You may want it only to be applied on certain screen sizes. The next section will cover this. Differently sized columns with screen size restrictions Let’s use the previous example and expand it to change size responsively on differently sized screens. On extra-large screens, the grid will look like the following: On all other screen sizes it will appear with equal-width columns: The following code produces the aforementioned result: Now we are beginning to use breakpoints that provide a way of creating multiple layouts with minimal extra code to make use of the available real estate fully. Mixing and matching We aren’t restricted to choosing only one break-point, we are able to set breakpoints for all the available screen sizes. The following figures illustrate all screen sizes, from extra-small to extra-large: Extra-small: Small: Medium: Large: Extra-large: The following code produces the aforementioned results: It isn’t necessary for all divs to have the same breakpoints or to have breakpoints at all. Vertical alignment The previous examples provide functionality for use cases, but sometimes the need may arise to align objects vertically. This could technically be done with empty divs, but this wouldn’t be a very elegant solution. Instead, there are alignment classes to help with this as can be seen here: As we can see, you can align rows vertically in one of three positions. The following code produces the aforementioned result: We aren’t restricted to only aligning rows, we can easily align columns relative to each other, as is demonstrated here: The following code produces the aforementioned result: Horizontal alignment As we vertically aligned content in the previous section, we will now cover how easy it is to align content horizontally. The following figures show the results of horizontal alignment: The following code produces the aforementioned result: Column offsetting The need may arise to position content with a slight offset. If the content isn’t centered or at the start or end, this can become problematic, but using column offsetting, we can overcome this issue. Simply add an offset class, with the screen size to target, and how many columns (1-12) the content should be offset by, as can be seen in the following example: The following code produces the aforementioned result: Grid wrap up The examples covered so far will suffice for most websites. There are more techniques for manipulating the grid, which can be found on Bootstrap’s website. If you tried any of the examples, you may have noticed cascading from smaller screen-size classes to larger screen-size classes. This occurs when there are no explicit classes set for a certain screen size. Bootstrap components There are plethora of amazing components that are provided with Bootstrap, thus saving time creating them from scratch. There are components for dropdowns, buttons, images, and so much more. The usage is very similar to that of the grid system, and the same HTML elements we know and love are used with CSS classes to modify and display Bootstrap constructs. I won’t go over every component that Bootstrap offers as that would require an encyclopedia in itself, and many of the commonly used ones will be covered in future chapters through example projects. I would however recommend taking a look at some of the components on Bootstrap’s website. If you have found this post useful, do check out this book, ‘ Responsive Web Design by Example‘ to build engaging responsive websites using frameworks like Bootstrap and upgrade your skills as a web designer. Read Next: Get ready for Bootstrap v4.1; Web developers to strap up their boots Web Development with React and Bootstrap Bootstrap 4 Objects, Components, Flexbox, and Layout
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Well 2005 is rapidly coming to an end and as Touch offices around Australia send their staff away for a well earned break, I thought it was time to reflect on the happenings of 2005 and the year that was… JANUARY: * The year began with the Youth World Cup, held at Kawana Waters on the Sunshine Coast. Australia sent 6 teams, Under 18’s and Under 20’s in Mens, Womens and Mixed, with all 6 teams making the grand final against New Zealand. The Mixed 18’s defied all odds to reverse their round match losses against the Kiwis and claimed their title, while the Womens 20’s were a class above the NZ side for the whole week. The Mens 18’s, Womens 18’s and Mixed 20’s all went down in tough matches. Unfortunately for the Mens 20’s they lost in a drop off to their Kiwi opponents, in one of the most incredible matches seen in quite some time. All credit must go to the Aussie players, who produced some of the best team Touch ever seen, despite playing with one less player on the field for a majority of the match. FEBRUARY: * February saw Lou Tompkins appointed as National Director of Referees, Cathy Gray re-appointed as High Performance Programs Director. It also saw massive storms hit the NSW Junior State Cup, with the 12,000 spectators, officials and players running for cover from the gale forced winds and lightning. Finally, Touch Football Australia appointed a new Chief Executive Officer Kevin Thompson who was welcomed into the office and began working with Bill Ker to transition into the role. He began to focus his time on the Unitary Model of Management and everything that would stem from that. MARCH: * The month of March is the NTL. The premiere event on the National calendar, the NTL brings the best players from around Australia together in Open, Under 20’s and Senior divisions. The Sydney Mets defended their 2004 Champion Permit title, winning the Mixed Open, Womens Open, Mens 30’s and Mens 35’s title. South Queensland Sharks weren’t too far behind, winning the Mens Open and Womens 20’s. The boys in the Fishbowl continued to build the tradition of both organisation and humour coming out of the tournament control tower. The event was praised as the best ever NTL, each year the event is gaining more momentum and seeing new initiatives tested. Involvement is constantly on the rise, as is media coverage for the event. APRIL: * The first edition of Touch-e-Talk, the online newsletter was launched! It has continued to be a great success, full of stories, information, drills and ideas. TFA announced their National Training Squads, with four Youth World Cup Under 20 representatives (Claire Winchester, Roxy Winder, Justin Mitchell and Andrew Baggio) being named in the squad for the first time. Claire, Roxy and Justin then went on to be selected in the Open sides for the All Nations Championships. MAY: * Ian Stanley was appointed National Performance Analyst and Dennis Coffey was re-appointed as National Coaching Director. The Unitary Model continued to build momentum, with representatives from around Australia meeting to discuss business management principles under the Unitary Model such as Communication, IT Infrastructure, Management and Policy, Operating Rules and Procedures, Customer Service Principles. JUNE: * Chinchilla Touch were one of the stories of the year…having sent one team to the 2004 Qld Junior State Cup, they undertook the AusTouch junior development program, with astounding results…just a few weeks later they were sending 7 sides to the 2005 Junior State Cup, with a large majority of the kids having come from the AusTouch program. It is fantastic to see the growth and development in Chinchilla and highlights the benefits of the AusTouch program! The Unitary Model continued on as delegates from each state and territory gathered in Canberra for the AGM and SGM, to vote on a new constitution that would fundamentally change the way the sport is managed and delivered across the country. The vote in favour of the new constitution was unanimous, with all state delegates raising their hands to bring a new direction for Touch and a revolution in management for the sport itself. Colm Maguire was announced as the new Game Development Manager and the TFA Board announced that an advisory committee, audit committee and governance committee would be set up to help with the implementation of the Unitary Model. JULY: * The Australian Open sides were announced for the All Nations Championships, while referee abuse and anti doping were the hot topics of the month. The TFA office was busier than ever with the end of financial year and tax requirements taking up everyone’s time. By far the biggest event of the month however was the farewell for Bill and Gwynne Ker. They officially retired at the start of July and their friends and colleagues partied it up to wish them all the best. Now they’ve been traveling around Australia and spending time with their children and grandchildren. We still miss them and continue to wish them all the best. AUGUST: * The US soldiers in Iraq contacted the TFA office, looking for Touch balls and resources to use overseas. They told a great story of sport in the midst of war, of how they were introduced to the sport by Aussies and had a regular and constantly growing group taking part. Preparation for the National 18’s Championships was almost complete and the office was beginning to overflow with bags, clothing and uniforms for the upcoming All Nations tournament in October. SPETEMBER: * The National 18’s Championships dominated the news, with the Southern Suns ending the recent dominance of QSST and NSWCHS by winning the Mens division. NSWCHS held off QSST in a drop-off for the Womens division, with Nicole Beck’s diving touch down securing the win for the CHS girls. It was a massive month for the Unitary Model, as affiliates around Australia all received information on becoming members of Touch Football Australia. One by one these affiliates began to sign on to be a part of TFA, with the flow rapidly increasing each day. Brisbane Metro Touch and Berserkers Touch in Queensland had the honour of being the first two affiliates to sign on. This was a great step forward for the Unitary Model and a move that will see all who sign on reap the benefits. OCTOBER: * October was a huge month, possibly even the biggest of the year!…It all started with TFA’s Rachel Moyle becoming Rachel Grant, as she married her partner Duncan. The chilly Canberra weather didn’t stop the TFA staff, especially Rachel, having a great day. Colm and Marianne Maguire welcomed another baby girl into their family and affiliates continued to sign on to the TFA’s Unitary Model of Management, including Albert Park, Diamond Valley, Ballarat Roaslie, Joondalup, Southern Touch, Devonport, Gawler, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Thuringowa and Mackay, Hervey Bay and Kawana just to name a few! The Mens and Womens Aussie Under 18’s squads were announced, with the squads set to converge on Runaway Bay next January for a tough training camp. TFA then sent 10 Australian sides, our largest touring party ever, to Christchurch in New Zealand for the All Nations Championships. The tour was the culmination of many months of hard work from TFA staff, especially Maree Curran, and was considered a huge success. With 186 players, team management, medical and tour staff, Maree and the other TFA staff had their work cut out for them organising travel, accommodation, uniforms and all the essentials. The boxes of clothes and gear that filled the building for weeks and was counted, sorted, packed and sent out was enormous. Australia won 7 of the 10 Opens and Senior divisions on offer and clearly came away as the world’s number one Touch Football nation. Here are all the Aussie’s final results from the All Nations Championships: Womens Open: Australia (4) def New Zealand (3) (Drop-off) Mens Open: Australia (8) def New Zealand (4) Mixed Open: New Zealand (9) def Australia (5) Mens 30s division: Australia (12) def Samoa (2) Womens 30s division: Australia (1) def New Zealand (0) Mixed 30’s: New Zealand (4) def New Zealand Maori (1) Mixed 30’s (play-off for 3rd / 4th): Australia (13) def Samoa (4) Mens 35s division: New Zealand (3) def Australia (2) Womens 35s division: Australia (6) def Oceania (3) Mens 40s division: Australia (7) def New Zealand (0) Mens 45s division: Australia (3) def New Zealand (2) NOVEMBER: * The biggest news for November 2005 was the announcement of Azuma as a major partner for TFA. The deal provides not only significant cash support, but support in terms of footwear for national representatives and an avenue for Touch players at all levels of the sport to purchase top quality Touch shoes and runners at reduced prices. Azuma are now the official footwear of Touch Football Australia and both parties are excited about working together in the future. The interest in the shoes has already been huge, with TFA staff kept busy mailing out shoes to customers Australia-wide. At $105 (retails at $219), the specially designed Bexsta Touch shoe is flying off the shelves. Jeremy Sorenson was named as the new Queensland General Manager and Wallsend Touch took out the `Sporting Organisation of the Year’ award at the 2005 Hunter Region Sports awards. They beat clubs such as the Newcastle Knights (NRL), the Hunter Pirates (NBL), the Hunter Jaguars (Netball) and the Newcastle United Jets (Soccer). DECEMBER: * The TFA is madly preparing for the upcoming Australian 18 Years training camp, with the best young players from around Australia gathering in January for some intensive training. NTL has also come rapidly into focus as the event is less than 3 months away! Already, the premiere Australian Touch event is starting to dominate the headlines. The Unitary Model is continuing to move along, with all the affiliates in Brisbane City and Sunshine Coast regions signed up to TFA, Mackay and Thuringowa in North Queensland also signing up and Central Queensland being lead by Bundaberg and Gladstone. By far the best part of December is set to come, as friends and families come together to celebrate Christmas. TFA, the Board of Directors and all of the staff, would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas. If you are traveling on the roads, please take it easy, get plenty of rest and be responsible. Have a great break and we’ll see you back here in the New Year! *please note the TFA office will be back in full swing on January 3rd. By Rachel Grant
INNISFAIL, Alta. – A central Alberta zoo is facing two charges under the province’s Wildlife Act after a bear was taken through a drive-thru for ice cream.A video, posted on social media in January by Discovery Wildlife Park in Innisfail, showed a one-year-old captive Kodiak bear named Berkley leaning out a truck’s window and being hand-fed ice cream by the owner of the local Dairy Queen.Officials with the province investigated the video and the terms of the zoo’s permit.“Under the terms and conditions of the zoo’s permit, the charges are directly related to the alleged failure of the park to notify the provincial government prior to the bear leaving the zoo,” said a statement from Fish and Wildlife.One count is related to the bear being taken through the drive-thru for ice cream, while the other stems from the bear leaving the facility on other occasions in 2017.The charges were laid against Discovery Wildlife Park and its owners, Doug Bos and Debbie Rowland, under Section 12(3) of the Wildlife Act, which states a person must not contravene the terms or conditions of a licence or permit.Bos said they made a mistake.“What we got charged for under the act was that we failed to notify them that we were going to do those things,” he said in an interview Tuesday. “We were busy, we made a mistake and we didn’t email them and tell them.“I’m glad that they followed through with it because it shows how strictly regulated the zoo industry is in the province.”Bos said they plan to plead guilty on May 28 when they are to appear in provincial court in Red Deer, Alta.The zoo’s permit, which is regulated by Alberta Environment and Parks, has been revised to impose new conditions.They include requiring the zoo to provide more details when asking to transport a controlled animal or wildlife and to keep those animals in a cage, crate or kennel when in a vehicle.It also says the zoo cannot put any animals on display outside the facility without prior permission from the province nor can it allow any member of the public to have physical contact with animals such as monkeys, cougars, wolves or bears.— By Colette Derworiz in Edmonton. Follow @cderworiz on Twitter
APTN National NewsA climate researcher from the University of Ottawa has found Labrador is warming at an alarming rate.Robert Way, originally from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, says he has found Labrador is warming at twice the global average.More so, over the past 15 years its warmed at a rate seven times faster than before.APTN’s Ossie Michelin has more.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Fox News says its new streaming service will debut in November.Subscriptions to the service, Fox Nation, can be purchased starting Sunday. The cost is $5.99 monthly or $64.99 for a year.Fox Nation will launch Nov. 27 with original content featuring, among others, Fox News Channel hosts Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham and Brit Hume.Fox Nation will satisfy the audience’s desire to watch content when and where they want, Fox executive John Finley said in a statement Thursday.A one-hour special detailing the service’s programming will air on the Fox News channel at 8 p.m. EDT Sunday. It will include Jesse Watters, Tomi Lahren and others who will be featured on Fox Nation.
Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (EC) on Friday night removed Kolkata Police Commissioner Anuj Sharma and Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Gyanwant Singh ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in a major shake-up in the police establishment of the state. The announcement comes days after BJP leaders had alleged that free and fair elections would not be possible in the state under these officers. Dr Rajesh Kumar, Additional Director General of Police (ADG), Pollution Control Board, was made the new Kolkata top cop, while Natarajan Ramesh Babu, ADG and IGP, Operations, was named the Bidhannagar police commissioner, an ECI notification about the decisions said. Also Read – Bengal family worships Muslim girl as Goddess Durga in Kumari Puja The poll body also named Avannu Ravindranath, DC (Airport Division) of Bidhannagar, as the new superintendent of police (SP) of Birbhum and appointed Srihari Pandey, DC KAP, 3rd Battalion, as the SP of Diamond Harbour. The EC wrote to West Bengal Chief Secretary Malay Dey, directing an immediate implementation of the directives and seeking a compliance report in respect to the joining of the transferred officers within 24 hours. The commission also directed that the present incumbent officers being shifted should not be involved by the state government in any election-related duty. Also Read – Bengal civic volunteer dies in road mishap on national highway Both Sharma and Singh were present with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee when she started her dharna to protest a CBI action against the then Kolkata police commissioner in connection with its probe in the Saradha scam. Sharma had replaced Kumar in mid-February. Incidentally, after Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee’s wife Rujira was allegedly found carrying gold at the Kolkata airport, the BJP had lodged a complaint with the EC against Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Gyanwant Singh. The party had demanded that Singh be held “responsible” for the alleged police interference, if “prima facie any such incident happened”.
Ahead of their trip to Bournemouth on Wednesday, Watford boss Javi Gracia says his side needs no extra motivation to beat Eddie Howe’s side at the Vitality Stadium.Gracia saw his side lose 4-0 at home to Bournemouth in their first meeting in the Premier League in October.As they prepare to travel to Bournemouth on Wednesday, Gracia wants his side focused on the tactical and technical aspects of the game, and not on revenging their 4-0 defeat.“I don’t think my players need the motivation to do our best,” he told the club’s official website.“I know my players and I know in all the games without exception they give their best. They don’t need extra motivation to play against Bournemouth.”In the October clash between the two teams, Watford had a player sent off after Bournemouth took the lead.Joshua King then scored a brace after Christian Kabasele was shown red and the first half ended 3-0.Callum Wilson completed the scoring two minutes into the second half to make it a humiliating 4-0 home defeat for Javi Gracia’s side.
What to expect from Watford V Arsenal? Taimoor Khan – September 8, 2019 Arsenal are set to take on Watford this weekend and the game is definitely going to be quite a peculiar contest between two sides…“It was a very, very tough game for us,” Gracia said, recalling the events of the game.“After the sending off, it was difficult to play with ten players and losing 2-0. It was tough for us. I saw the game many times, not only the period against ten men.“I saw when we played with 11 and that was for around 30 minutes. In that moment, I think we conceded one goal and I think we didn’t play badly.“We could have done many things better but we kept a good level in that 30 minutes. After that it was a bad game, maybe I made some decisions, like playing Capoue as a center-back to see if able to have more options.“There were different situations, decisions like that. But I am sure it will be different. We know it will be demanding against a good team, but I am sure we compete in the same way as in other games, we have options.”
Twitter/UFO Sightings DailyA few days back, several photos and videos apparently taken from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) surfaced online, and these images featured a strange circular structure in the skies. Most of the users who posted the video on Twitter and Facebook argued that a hole had opened up in the sky, while some others alleged that weather control manipulation is going on.However, after analyzing the videos and photos, popular conspiracy theorist and extraterrestrial researcher Scott C Waring proposed a bizarre theory that may seem too tough for the human conscience to digest.Alien UFO in UAE?As per Waring, the gigantic circular hole-like shape spotted in the skies of UAE could be a cloaked alien UFO. The self-proclaimed researcher argued that aliens have visited the Arab country because of its rich oil and wealth.شوهدت هذه الظاهرة النادرة والجميلة صباح اليوم في مدينة العين تُسمى hole punch cloud أو ظاهرة fallstreak hole pic.twitter.com/NbOd9zofNk— إبراهيم الجروان (@ibrahimaljarwan) March 17, 2019″That’s easy to answer, its a clocked alien craft. They are over the UAE to observe one of the richest countries in the world for their oil and wealth. If you look closely at the hole, you will see an inner and outer ring. This means the UFO is still there right now as this photo was taken. That’s right, it hasn’t flown away, it is still there. Did you also notice that the centre of the circle has a pushed down lower area of clouds? Because the ships lower part shoved the clouds out of the way to make room for the UFO,” wrote Waring on his website UFO Sightings Daily.Waring also alleged that these UFO sightings should be investigated seriously as it is a matter of public privacy.”They are watching, recording and gathering more data on you than you knew existed. All without your permission to do so. That is a crime that has continued for thousands of years on Earth and still does. I call that a crime against humanity,” added Waring.Experts put forward convincing explanationHowever, experts who analyzed the UFO images and videos quickly dismissed the alien angle, and they made it clear that the structure appeared in UAE skies is nothing but Fallstreak hole popularly known as hole punch cloud. Weather experts revealed that this is a purely natural phenomenon, and it usually happens when the water temperature in the clouds below get frozen, but the water, in a supercooled state, has not frozen yet due to the lack of ice nucleation.
Ferdousi PriyabhashiniFreedom fighter and noted sculptor Ferdousi Priyabhashini passed away at a hospital in Dhaka on Tuesday.She was 71.Priyabhashini was undergoing treatment at the coronary care unit (CCU) of Labaid Hospital following a cardiac arrest.She had been suffering from multiple complications, including kidney and heart diseases.Officials at the hospital said Priyabhashini was admitted to the hospital on 23 February. She was then suffering from kidney complications.Ferdousi Priyabhashini was born in Khulna on 19 February 1947. During Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971, she was tortured by the Pakistani military.For her sacrifice during the freedom fight, the government awarded her the Independence Award, the highest civilian award of the country in 2016.
If anyone wants to extend assistance for Rajib, they may deposit funds to:Sayeda Farjana YasminDutch Bangla Bank SWIFT Code : DBBLBDDHA/C # 186-103-00-19648Dutch Bangla Bank Munshiganj Branch, MunshiganjA. T. M Akhtar UddinAccount number: 193.103.46420. Dutch Bangla Bank. Progoti shoroni branch.A. T. M Akhtar Uddin, account number: 20501020207966000, Islami Bank, Local OfficeJannatul Mawa, Account Number: 0752011011239. Rupali Bank, Louhajong branch, Munshigonj.Sayeda Farjana Yasmin, Account Number: 16777, Islami Bank, New Market Branch, Dhaka.Bkash number: 01792 455 828 (Jannat), 01748 725 599 (Jannat), 01711 278 526 (Jannat) , 01818 978 718 (Saiful), 01778 795 827 (Biju), 01969 799 402 (Akidul); 01962 646 110 (Bhuban); 01730 995 333 (Sumon) (all the numbers are of relatives of Rajib)Rocket Number: 01912 678 0457 (Saiful), 01788 795 8297 (Biju), 01676 713 9468 (Bhuban) ; 01969 799 4023 (Akidul) .His Facebook profile picture is with his daughter and so is the cover picture. This is Rajib Mir, former teacher at Chittagong University and Jagannath University, a writer, researcher and an activist in various human rights movements.Rajib has now undergoing treatment for liver cirrhosis in a hospital in Chennai, India. He is is fighting for his life. His 14-month daughter Bibhor is in Bangladesh with his wife Sumona Khan. Bibhor hasn’t seen her father for about two months now, other than over video calls.A former student of Dhaka University’s department of mass communications and journalism, Rajib had a zest for life and living, but now physicians have given him just two months. Every day is one day closer to death. Unless he can undergo surgery for a liver transplant within this time, all efforts to save him will go in vain.Rajib Mir spoke over the telephone on Monday evening. He was physically weak, but spoke with strength of mind, “I have heard that my family, friends, acquaintances and even strangers have come forward to contribute towards my treatment. I want to go back to my daughter. With everyone’s prayers and help, I want to go back home to my country.”Rajib needs only Tk 9 million for his treatment. So far his friends, family and others have managed to collect Tk 4 million. Rajib’s sister Syeda Farjana is with him. He expressed his gratitude towards everyone, but then stopped short. There is still a long way to go.Sister Syeda Farjana Yasmin, deputy general manager of Narayanganj Palli Bidyut Samity, stands by her brother. She is one of the donor’s for his liver transplant. Most of the tests, including the DNA test, have been carried out and the results have been positive. The next step is surgery.Rajib is the eldest child of his parents and their only son. His parents and one of his sisters are staying in a house they have rented near the hospital in Chennai.Rajib Mir’s wife Sumona Khan and their daughter are back home in Bangladesh. Sumona Khan recently had chicken pox. Once she recovers she will go to Chennai with their daughter.Sumona Khan said, Rajib Khan has strength of mind because of the support of so many people. He believes he will recover and return home. Sumona sends pictures of their daughter to him regularly and they communicate through video calls. The daughter is too young to understand all that is going on.Rajib Mir’s last Facebook posting on 9 April is of pictures taken during his daughter’s birthday. His daughter Bibhor’s birthday was on 28 March. He wished his daughter, saying “… may she grow up in the love of trees, birds, flowers, rivers, the sky, the breeze and people.” On 30 March he wrote, “I’m in a storm, I’m not in a storm.”Sumona Khan said Rajib has jaundice for around a month and a half. Everyone thought he would recover with a little rest. But when he wasn’t improving, he was taken to a physician. His abdomen had swollen and he was vomiting blood. He was rushed to Chennai. He and his family have been fighting for his life since then.Sumona Khan has appealed to everyone to come forward to help Rajib, even if for the sake of his daughter.
Police are seen outside the White House as several blocks are closed down by the United States Secret Service on 3 March, 2018 in Washington, DC. Photo: AFPThe White House was placed on lockdown and the surrounding area cordoned off by emergency personnel Saturday after an apparent gunshot was heard.The US Secret Service said on Twitter that it was responding “to reports of a person who allegedly suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound along the north fence line of @White House.”It said medical personnel were “responding to the male victim,” but that there were “no other reported injuries.”The victim’s identity was not immediately known.President Donald Trump was not at the White House at the time. He is spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.Reporters tweeting from the White House briefing room said they had been told to shelter in place. Police cars and ambulances swarmed to the area minutes after the incident.Disturbances outside the White House are not rare. On 23 Feb, a woman was arrested after crashing her vehicle into a security barrier near the presidential residence.And there have been repeated attempts to jump over fences around the building.
Demonstrators hold EU and Union flags during an anti-Brexit protest opposite the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain on 17 December. Photo: ReutersThe British government on Tuesday said it was allocating two billion pounds ($2.5 billion) to fund Brexit and putting 3,500 troops on stand-by after ministers agreed to make no-deal planning “an operational priority”.The news came amid continued opposition to prime minister Theresa’s May draft divorce deal, just 14 weeks before the country leaves the EU.Following a meeting of her cabinet — the last before parliament breaks for Christmas and New Year — defence secretary Gavin Williamson said around 3,500 troops would be on stand-by to help deal with the “any contingencies” from a no-deal outcome.But Brexit secretary Steve Barclay said ministers still hoped to secure backing for May’s agreement in a House of Commons vote delayed until next month.He added that any responsible government would intensify preparations for the “default option” of leaving the European Union without a deal on 29 March next year.”We agreed that preparing for no deal will be an operational priority within government,” Barclay said. “But our overall priority remains to secure a deal.”He said departments would step up their advice to businesses on how best to prepare for the scenario, which many fear could be catastrophic for the British economy.Businesses will be provided with a 100-plus page online preparation pack and emails will be sent to 80,000 of those most likely to be impacted over the next few days, according to Downing Street.DivisionsFinance minister Philip Hammond insisted in a statement Tuesday that “the PM’s deal is the only way to deliver on the referendum while protecting jobs, businesses and prosperity”.The same government statement said that Hammond was making arrangements to ensure that government departments “can fund measures to address civil contingencies in a no deal scenario”.The Home Office, which will get the biggest share of the Brexit funding, will use it, among other things, “to increase Border Force capability with hundreds of new officers,” it said.May’s cabinet is divided between ministers who want the government to embrace a no-deal outcome and those who favour parliament having a final say in a series of votes on potential scenarios for Brexit.One option is the prime minister’s own Brexit deal, but that is hanging by a thread after she was forced to pull a vote on it last week in the face of huge opposition from within her own Conservative Party.Earlier Tuesday, Downing Street reportedly blocked opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn’s request Monday for a non-binding no-confidence motion in May.That had followed her telling MPs they will not get to vote on her deal this week, but would have to wait until the week beginning January 14.The delay prompted accusations that the prime minister is stalling to increase pressure on MPs to back her plan — and fresh calls for Labour to initiate a binding no-confidence vote against the whole government.However, such a move faces likely defeat after Conservative Brexit hardliners and the Democratic Unionist Party, which props up her government, both said they would back May.Running down the clockMay insisted Monday that she was continuing to seek “assurances” from the EU over elements of her plan, although EU officials said no meetings were planned.The postponed vote has left members of her own party and Labour opposition politicians infuriated.”The prime minister has cynically run down the clock, trying to manoeuvre parliament into a choice between two unacceptable outcomes” — her deal or no deal, Corbyn said.May is also facing calls for a second referendum to resolve the impasse, with dozens of MPs from all sides now supporting another plebiscite and reports that May’s officials are also considering the possibility.But the prime minister argued that this would betray the 2016 Brexit referendum result and undermine public confidence in politics.”Let us not break faith with the British people by trying to stage another referendum,” she told parliament on Monday.”Another vote… would do irreparable damage to the integrity of our politics,” May said, adding that it would also “likely leave us no further forward”.
In this file photo taken on 7 February 2019 US Representative Ilhan Omar, Democrat of Minnesota, speaks during a press conference calling on Congress to cut funding for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to defund border detention facilities, outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Photo: AFPThe top Democrat in the US Congress ordered a safety review for a Muslim congresswoman and her family Sunday after accusing president Donald Trump of putting her in danger by tweeting a video of her spliced with footage of the 9/11 attacks.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took time out from an official trip to issue a strong statement urging Trump to remove the clip featuring Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar.”Following the president’s tweet, I spoke with the sergeant-at-arms to ensure that Capitol Police are conducting a security assessment to safeguard Congresswoman Omar, her family and her staff,” she said.”The president’s words weigh a ton, and his hateful and inflammatory rhetoric creates real danger. President Trump must take down his disrespectful and dangerous video.”Trump’s spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, meanwhile, defended the president Sunday against accusations that he was inciting violence toward Omar.Omar has been at the center of an escalating row after a clip emerged of her characterizing the deadliest attack on US soil as “some people did something.”On Friday, Trump tweeted a video that juxtaposed the snippet, which Omar’s fellow Democrats say was taken out of context, with images of the hijacked planes used in the attacks crashing into the Twin Towers that once dominated New York’s skyline. Menacing music accompanies Omar’s words.The clip, which had been viewed more than 9.4 million times as of Sunday afternoon, ends with the words: “SEPTEMBER 11 2001 WE REMEMBER.”Prominent Democrats including Beto O’Rourke, Kamala Harris and Omar’s fellow first-time Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were quick to rush to Omar’s defense, accusing the president and other Republicans of deliberately de-contextualizing her remarks and endangering her life.Sanders, however, defended Trump, telling ABC television’s “This Week” that “the president is wishing no ill will and certainly not violence towards anyone.”But, she added: “It’s absolutely abhorrent the comments she continues to make and has made and (Democrats) look the other way.”I find her comments to be absolutely disgraceful and unbefitting of a member of Congress and I think that it’s a good thing that the president is calling her out for those comments, and the big question is why aren’t Democrats doing it as well.”Omar hits backOmar has mounted her own trenchant fight back, tweeting Saturday: “No one person – no matter how corrupt, inept, or vicious – can threaten my unwavering love for America.”I stand undeterred to continue fighting for equal opportunity in our pursuit of happiness for all Americans,” she said.The controversy arose after Omar delivered a 20-minute address to the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) shortly after the New Zealand mosque attacks in March.”For far too long, we have lived with the discomfort of being a second-class citizen and, frankly, I’m tired of it, and every single Muslim in this country should be tired of it,” she said.”CAIR was founded after 9/11,” she added, “because they recognized that some people did something and that all of us were starting to lose access to our civil liberties.”The civil rights group was in fact founded in 1994 but grew significantly after 2001.The speech did not initially receive significant attention until the snippet in question was highlighted weeks later by controversial Australian personality Mohammad Tawhidi who refers to himself as the “Imam of Peace.”
X To embed this piece of audio in your site, please use this code: Share Florian MartinKarr Ingham, petroleum economist with the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, presents the 2016 midyear Texas Petro Index at the Houston Petroleum Club.The Texas Petro Index measures the state of oil and gas drillers and producers and is based on several indicators, such as oil price, jobs and number of drilling permits issued.For the 19th straight month, the index has declined.In June, it’s at the lowest it has been since August 2004 and less than half of what it was in December 2014. All indicators are down from a year ago.But Karr Ingham, petroleum economist for the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, is carefully optimistic. He says oil prices look much better than when they bottomed out in February. “In response to that, we’ve had a little bit of improvement in the rig count. I think we’ve had just a little bit of improvement in the psychology among the oil community out there,” he says. “Just because $45 oil looks a whole lot better than $22 or $23 oil does.”But Ingham has a warning for oil and gas producers: Don’t make any production decisions based on the potential of the price per barrel continuing to rise.“This has just been a slow, kind of torturous road, where we’ve always hoped and thought that the outcomes are going to come about in a much quicker fashion than it turns out that they have,” he says. “And I think we’re still in the middle of that malaise.”Meanwhile, job losses in the industry have slowed. But Ingham says since the total number of people employed in oil and gas in Texas peaked in December 2014, more than 100,000 jobs have been lost. 00:00 /01:21 Listen
There’s a dumpster sitting on Hwy 90 in downtown Biloxi, MS. #Nate #MSwx @WLOX pic.twitter.com/7ocUJEWmIx— Wesley Williams (@WesWilliamsII) October 8, 2017Photographer Mike Theiss posted video on Twitter he said was the interior of Biloxi’s Golden Nugget casino:Surge pushing up Water and spilling onto the end of Dauphin St. This is right by the convention center in downtown. pic.twitter.com/EoEB00BQRw— Adam Olivier FOX10 (@adamolivierwx) October 8, 2017Two other Twitter users posted videos of flooded parking garages:]Kayaking anyone? Downtown @City_of_Mobile has a little flooding from #HurricaneNate2017 #nate @weatherchannel pic.twitter.com/KUXq2DF2m3— Michael Schubert (@Schubacabra) October 8, 2017Wesley Williams of WLOX wrote that power had been knocked out in downtown Biloxi by the forceful winds.Pictures and videos show parts of U.S. Route 90, which runs east and west along much of the Gulf Coast, completely submerged in water.The Associated Press reports Nate is the first hurricane since 2005’s Hurricane Katrina to make landfall in Mississippi.But Katrina is better known for causing the widespread destruction of New Orleans in neighboring Louisiana that year. This time New Orleans, which is located about 90 miles to Biloxi’s west, appeared to miss the brunt of the storm. Mayor Mitch Landrieu had imposed a curfew on the city but lifted it when the National Weather Service canceled a hurricane warning for the area. City officials still cautioned residents to take shelter from heavy winds.The situation was different to Biloxi’s east. Mobile, Ala., experienced flooding of its own.Adam Olivier of Fox10 tweeted what he said was water inundating downtown Mobile:Another tweet showed more extensive flooding, in what was said to be downtown Mobile:At 2:15 a.m. local time Sunday, the National Weather Service of Mobile measured water surges of 5.6 to 5.7 feet at locations near the city.The National Hurricane Center predicted that “Nate’s center will continue to move inland across the Deep South, Tennessee Valley, and central Appalachian Mountains through Monday.”The agency said Nate will “quickly weaken as it moves farther inland” and “should degenerate into a remnant low late Monday.”Copyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/. Share Mark Wallheiser/Getty ImagesLanny Dean takes video as he wades along a flooded Beach Boulevard next to Harrah’s Casino as the eye of Nate pushes ashore in Biloxi, Miss., early Sunday.Updated at 9:07 a.m., ET SundayHurricane Nate is rapidly weakening, but the the National Hurricane Center is warning of storm surge flooding continuing as heavy rainfall pours down over a swath of southeastern states.The hurricane’s center will continue to move inland across the Deep South, Tennessee Valley, and central Appalachian Mountains through Monday.Nate was downgraded to a tropical storm, hours after it made landfall for the second time early Sunday morning, near the city of Biloxi, Miss.Videos and photos from Biloxi show water inundating parts of the city.In its 7 a.m. CT advisory, the NHC said storm surge warnings remain in effect for the areas between the Mississippi and Alabama border to the Okaloosa and Walton County Line, Fla. While tropical storm warnings remain in effect throughout the Alabama and Florida border eastward to Indian Pass, Fla.Water is expected to rise by five to eight feet between the Mississippi/Alabama border to the Alabama/Florida border, including Mobile Bay, Ala.#StormSurge coming inside entrance of Golden Nugget casino in Biloxi #HurricaneNate pic.twitter.com/Sv0wwIbjWu— Mike Theiss (@MikeTheiss) October 8, 2017Tropical storm conditions are expected to continue for the next couple of hours.1st floor parking garage at Harrahs Casino in #Biloxi flooded #Nate #mswx @wbrz pic.twitter.com/dNw6j0HGWE— Mark Armstrong (@TvMarkArmstrong) October 8, 2017
WHAT A DISASTER!Hurricane Nate FLOODS ENTIRE Casino PARKING GARAGE in Biloxi!#HurricaneNate #Biloxi pic.twitter.com/Q6KfEYkWgz— Mariah Honey (@ButterflyHoney) October 8, 2017
Urban American Outdoors TV (UAOTV) along with the U.S. Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife, NPS Healthy Parks Healthy People, National Wildlife Federation, Department of Energy and Environment and the Bureau of Land Management is scheduled to host the third Annual Urban Kids Fishing Derby. The fishing experience and celebration will be held on June 3 at the Constitution Gardens located at 1850 Constitution Ave., NW. Registration and derby begins at 8 a.m. and ends at noon. This is a catch & keep derby and it is free. It will officially kick off National Boating and Fishing Week. For additional information, visit uaotv.com.
Kolkata: BJP workers and supporters allegedly obstructed train movement at Kankinara, which led to harassment for the daily commuters. Train services were affected for almost half-an-hour which resulted in cancellation of eight local trains during the peak hours on Monday.According to local resident, trouble cropped up on Sunday night when BJP supporters were allegedly putting up flags at ward no. 15 in Bhatpara. It was alleged that the flags were being put up on the house of local councillor Manoj Guha, without his permission. When he asked the BJP workers and supporters not to put up the flags, an altercation ensued between the Guha’s supporters and the BJP men. Also Read – Bose & Gandhi: More similar than apart, says Sugata BoseLater, BJP supporters gheraod Jagaddal police station led by BJP leader Arjun Singh, alleging that Guha had assaulted a BJP supporter. After almost one-and-half-an hour BJP supporters lodged a complaint. A local Trinamool leader denied the allegation and said that BJP is trying to create unrest situation in the area. They are resorting to hooliganism instead of democracy, he said. Situation went out of control when again BJP supporters put up a blockade on Monday morning claiming action over their allegations. Despite repeated requests by the daily commuters, BJP supporters did bother to listen to them. As the protest continued from 9:24 am to 9:50 am, huge numbers of daily commuters were late to their destinations. Also Read – Rs 13,000 crore investment to provide 2 lakh jobs: MamataSeveral school and college students also faced trouble. Later, Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police intervened and managed to convince the BJP supporters to withdraw the blockade. Eastern Railway authorities informed that the train services in Barrackpore-Naihati section of Sealdah Division were affected due to obstruction by a group of people near Kankinara and eight local trains had to be cancelled. Normal train services resumed after 9:50 am.
India Sotheby’s International Realty announced their entry into the eastern Indian market with the opening of their new office in Kolkata, recently. With this latest addition, the company now has a total of three offices including that in New Delhi and Mumbai, and further is in the process of opening of three or four more offices in 2019 across India. Additionally, the company also manages the Sri Lanka operations for the ultra-prestige residential development ‘Sapphire Residences’ by ITC Hotels. Also Read – Add new books to your shelfCommenting on the expansion plan of the comapny, Amit Goyal, CEO, India Sotheby’s International Realty said, “We are thrilled to expand our presence across the country, with the opening of our third office in Kolkata. This city is full of some the most exclusive and breath-taking properties that cover the length and breadth of the evolution of Indian architecture. And, we are looking forward to represent local clients and investors by offering them high-end luxury real estate solutions.” Also Read – Over 2 hours screen time daily will make your kids impulsiveSituated in one of Kolkata’s prime location, Salt Lake City – the Kolkata office is spread across 2800 square feet, and comprises of eight highly experienced professionals. The team which comes with people having decades of experience in various fields, is led by Udayendu Dass, who has over 34 years of experience in Ultra HNI Business Banking, Financial Services Advisory, Lifestyle Business, Telecom and Exports. The Kolkata office will comprise of some very exerienced people like Avijeet Das, Shivani Kapur, Vikram Kapoor, Sujit Kumar Ghosh, among others – who come with a varied experience across sectors such as Tourism and Hospitality, Real Estate, Banking, FMCG, and Business Management. The venture in Kolkata will be catering to the burgeoning real estate requirement across Eastern India, with a focused view to bring the best realty options to our global audiences. According to the Director International, Akash Puri, the Kolkata office will also help clients in buying a home in preferred overseas destinations like UK, Dubai, USA, Italy through the global network.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Growing a business sometimes requires thinking outside the box. October 2, 2014 Free Webinar | Sept. 9: The Entrepreneur’s Playbook for Going Global 6 min read Register Now » Did you know that the professional service sector is America’s largest employer (after government)? This sector, which includes architects, consultants, engineers and lawyers, is driving the growth of the U.S. economy.The professional services field might comprise 1 in 8 jobs, but it has created almost 1 in 3 jobs this year. While some of these professionals bill for time and materials and others earn revenue through fixed-price contracts, their biggest cost (47 percent on average, according to Census data) is their employees.Tracking these costs is critical to running and growing a successful business. Yet these companies are leaking or losing almost two days a week — more than $100,000 an employee a year — because of poor time-tracking habits and technology.In a survey of more than 500 IT, digital and creative, engineering, legal, accounting and public relations professionals, my company, AffinityLive, found that 35.8 percent of employees never track the time they spend on email and 20.6 percent said the same about meetings. Because of this type of oversight, the U.S. economy loses a staggering $8.8 billion every day.A 2012 McKinsey study found that people spend just slightly more than 2.6 hours each day reading and responding to emails. It’s such a large chunk of time it seems like it would be easy to track. But despite employees’ best efforts, tasks that take place throughout the workday do not cluster in clear chunks, one project followed that’s followed by the next. Every day can be busy and jumbled, and filling in time sheets becomes a task that’s saved for a later date.That later date might happen anytime, from the next day to two weeks later. According to the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve, humans retain only 23 percent of what they learn after six days. This means it’s impossible for someone to accurately track his time if he is completing a time sheet only once a week.Much the same is true when employees attempt to record time spent in meetings. Even though meetings are easier to track since they are usually posted in an employee’s calendar, 28 percent of professional services employees never or rarely track meetings, not to mention all the time in spontaneous chats with team members discussing projects, AffinityLive found. On average, professional services employees spend 15.5 hours in meetings a week. But based on my company’s research, employees’ inaccuracy in logging their hours means that on average they each leak $32,000 in revenue a year.The data show the average professional services business leaks or forgoes $110,000 in revenue every year, factoring in minutes lost to emails and meetings combined with the effects of employees’ forgetting what they did on Tuesday. Even companies that don’t bill directly by the hour should be concerned. When employees do not bill their time correctly, managers lose the ability to accurately define retainers and risk severely undercharging for a company’s efforts.Obviously the first step toward more accurate timekeeping should be to encourage employees making time-sheet entries more frequently. Simply getting people to fill in their time sheets daily can double their accuracy and reduce the “lost” time from 23 percent to less than 5 percent, AffinityLive found. The following are more ways to ensure minimal amounts of time are lost for billing purposes:Related: 7 Deadly Sins of Financial Management (Infographic)Make it easy.The modern workday consists of many unplanned transitions between tasks so it’s difficult to keep track of time. A time-sheet solution with options for multiple, flexible and automated timers can accommodate this reality. Furthermore, time sheets that aren’t rigid can alleviate the pressure on those who enter their hours. Human memory is funny and tends to work best when people aren’t under duress. Make sure people can log their time as they go without locking it in. Set things up so that timekeeping is more of an ongoing habit and process and not a formal sit-down chore.Related: 10 Questions CFOs Should Ask Their ControllersAutomate entry.Completing time sheets should not be reliant solely on memory. This is too important to leave to chance. Thankfully, office software is becoming more intuitive. The most common way to automate timekeeping today is by automatically pulling in email and calendar information. As employees write and read emails, modern systems can record how much time is being used and even distinguish between clients. The same can be done with calendars. Meetings scheduled on employees’ calendars can be pulled into their records as well, eliminating intimidating the blank time sheets that employees would much rather avoid.Link to existing systems.Another reason that filling in a time sheet is so painful is that the commonly used document is not part of any other systems used at work. Filling in a time sheet is an “end of the road” task that’s rarely integrated with critical business functions done in real time.The best approach is to have time tracking be part of an encompassing customer relationship management, project management and billing platform. That way no matter what client work someone is doing the logging of time is part of the process. Managers can then gain insight about budgets and easily foresee any issues with current projects and their expected scope of work. If this isn’t possible, be sure that time sheets link to other programs on the back end, letting employees see a list of current projects and tasks to which they can attribute their time.More than 38 percent of potential billable revenue is lost to untracked time spent in meetings and on email, my company found. By implementing solutions that make tracking hours effortless and intuitive, professional services businesses stand to gain a handsome revenue boost and better understanding of their employees’ workload and clients’ expectations. Related: Paying Monthly Bills Before the Company Has Earned a Dime