tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61315653579308753402024-03-08T14:20:47.923-08:00nightclubbeusek.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-78520382686828591662013-06-24T07:05:00.003-07:002013-06-24T07:05:44.568-07:00nightclubbeuse test post content<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
nightclubbeuse test post content</div>
k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-3933268968408342152013-06-05T03:55:00.002-07:002013-06-05T03:55:25.511-07:00Samsung gets the iPhone 4, iPad banned in the US<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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THE UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION (ITC) has slapped a ban on the sale of some Apple iPhone and iPad models in the US, having ruled that they infringe Samsung patents.<br /><br />Samsung's surprise win against Apple saw the ITC issue a ban on the import or sale of the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G distributed by US mobile network AT&T on Tuesday, ruling that the products infringe a Samsung data transmission patent. This follows a complaint lodged by Samsung in 2011, although it won't affect Apple's newer iPhone and iPad models.<br /><br />However, Apple does have a chance to keep the products on shelves. The ITC will submit the case to US President Barack Obama, who will have 60 days to review the ruling. If the White House isn't happy with the ITC's decision it will have no effect, while if President Obama gives it his seal of approval that will open the door for Apple to appeal the ruling.<br /><br />According to a report at Allthingsd, Apple is planning to appeal. It also spoke to Apple spokesperson Kristin Huguet, who said that the firm has agreed to license Samsung's patented technology under fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms.<br /><br />"Samsung is using a strategy which has been rejected by the courts and regulators around the world," she said.<br /><br />"They've admitted that it's against the interests of consumers in Europe and elsewhere, yet here in the United States Samsung continues to try to block the sale of Apple products by using patents they agreed to license to anyone for a reasonable fee."<br /><br />If the ban goes ahead Apple is unlikely to see too much of an impact, as its iPhone 4 and 3G models are two and three years old now, respectively. However, with Apple marketing these as "affordable" iPhones, the firm could take a hit in the budget smartphone sector.<br /><br />Samsung was not immediately available for comment. µ</div>
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Source <a href="http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2272812/samsung-gets-the-iphone-4-ipad-banned-in-the-us">http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2272812/samsung-gets-the-iphone-4-ipad-banned-in-the-us</a></div>
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k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-40364304329539623812013-04-15T22:19:00.001-07:002013-04-15T22:19:24.809-07:00Stealth New Nightclub TBA Opens in South Williamsburg<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Look out Output, because there is a challenger to your status as Williamsburg's hottest nightclub. But while this one is also on the oh-so-hip Wythe Avenue, it's all the way on the south side of the 'Burg. This club is TBA, a new dance-heavy venue that just recently opened in a former auto repair garage.<br /><br />TBA's license just got approved in late February, and the club opened a few weeks after that with what seems like a no-frills decor and decent sound system. And while TBA is in a somewhat less residential part of the neighborhood, there is a brand new condo building that is about to open its sales office just a few feet away. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out.</div>
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Source <a href="http://ny.eater.com/archives/2013/04/tba_south_williamsburgs_stealth_new_nightclub.php">http://ny.eater.com/archives/2013/04/tba_south_williamsburgs_stealth_new_nightclub.php</a></div>
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k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-39137636157678667162013-03-25T03:54:00.001-07:002013-03-25T03:54:23.958-07:00Amerijet announces commercial barrel shipping services to Caribbean destinations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Amerijet International, Inc., a leading provider of multi-modal cargo shipping solutions, announced recently that the company was now offering commercial barrel shipping services to Caribbean destinations.<br /><br />This gives commercial shippers the opportunity to enjoy an economical and practical solution for shipping a range of goods to destinations that include Aruba, Barbados, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Trinidad, and many more.<br /><br />Thanks to regularly scheduled daily weekday flights to many Caribbean destinations, Amerijet offers speedy delivery for all barrel shipments. Customers can pack and ship a range of items in barrels, such as liquids, food products, bulk materials, and hazardous materials.<br /><br />Amerijet has cargo shipping stations conveniently located throughout the Caribbean, helping the company to provide better, more reliable local service all across the region. Amerijet's shipping stations typically provide safe, secure accommodations for all types of freight.<br /><br />Commercial shippers can enjoy low rates, excellent service, and a range of resources by becoming a registered MyCargo account holder with Amerijet. Through the Amerijet website, shippers can access all sorts of tools for getting quotes, calculating costs, insuring shipments, tracking shipments, and more.<br /><br />Interested customers can get a free quote for commercial barrel shipping and take advantage of a 10% discount for booking their shipment online by visiting amerijet/Promotions.<br /><br />For more information about this service and the latest Amerijet news, Like the company on Facebook at facebook.com/amerijet. </div>
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Source <a href="http://www.thedominican.net/2013/03/amerijet-starts-barrel-service.html">http://www.thedominican.net/2013/03/amerijet-starts-barrel-service.html</a></div>
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k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-42172067132271303032013-02-25T02:42:00.000-08:002013-02-25T02:42:13.975-08:00Magic and Mystery from the Art of Guyana<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Late last month, Carl Hazlewood treated New York art lovers to a sampling of work from his native Guyana.<br /><br />Mr. Hazlewood , 60, arrived on American shores as a teenager and has been an artist and a curator all of his life. He attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and went on to do his master thesis on Guyanese art.<br /><br />“The thing about Guyana and the Caribbean in general is that because of its multi-ethnic character…there is a peculiar mix of vitality there,” said a soft-spoken Mr. Hazlewood, while standing amid his exhibition, which showcases paintings and sculptures from two dozen or more Guyanese artists.<br /><br />While slightly smaller than Idaho, Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America; its lingua franca was cemented by a British colonial past, filled with sugar plantations, forced African labor and the Indian indentured servants who were brought in after the abolition of slavery.<br /><br />The country’s modern-day residents live gingerly side by side, says Mr. Hazlewood.“There are tensions between Indians and Blacks although everyone’s got something in them like myself. I am black and have some Indian ancestry.”<br /><br />Guyana is also the home of haunting but little-studied petro-glyphs, presumably made by the forebears of its vanishing Amerindian population. The glyphs make part of the name of Mr. Hazlewood’s exhibition called “Timehri Transitions: Expanding Concepts in Guyana Art,” which opened on Jan. 23 at the Wilmer Jennings Gallery at Kenkeleba in the East Village.<br /><br />The rainforest imagery by Indo-Guyanese author and painter Bernadette Persaud, encapsulate the past and the present that Mr. Hazlewood wants to expose. “Her work at a glance looks like the typical beautiful and lush landscape which is Guyana but she also understands the character for the post colonial situation where there is violence because of poverty,” said Mr. Hazlewood.<br /><br />And on closer inspection, wispy -white- bullet trails and bleeding wounds mar the verdant beauty of Ms. Persaud’s creations. All the while, seemingly, her forebears send hidden messages in the rays of the sun which curl into Arabic signs declaiming “there is no God but God” on their way down to the canopy.<br /><br />Mr. Hazlewood’s exhibit deliberately showcases artists like Arlington Weithers, whose paintings have a more global perspective. “Especially for black artist in America people tend to expect you comment on social and political subject matters [but] there are people that just want to expand their minds.”<br /><br />Mr. Weithers uses computer generated images of earth overladen with thick strokes of red color and dramatic vortex clouds – bringing to mind climate change and global warming.<br /><br />Another artist, Andrew Lyght straddles the space between sculptures and paintings. Mr. Lyght’s work comes in the form of a deep blue oil drum on which he has engraved Timehri petro-glyps which draw the eye.<br /><br />On Feb. 17, any curious New Yorker can speak to Mr. Lyght about the glyphs at a panel discussion at the Gallery where all the artists will be present.<br /><br />Against the backdrop of the peculiar and whim driven art world Mr. Hazlewood was surprised at the number of people who showed up at the opening and the inquires he has been fielding since.<br /><br />“So far I have been getting lots of calls about it.” However, he admits with a smile that no one has showed him the money yet.<br /><br />“No sales – not yet, but we would love to have somebody buy something. Artists always need the money,” he said.</div>
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Source <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/02/07/magic-and-mystery-from-the-art-of-guyana/" target="_blank">http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/02/07/magic-and-mystery-from-the-art-of-guyana/ </a></div>
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k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-3148668239793414522013-01-14T00:12:00.005-08:002013-01-14T00:12:59.917-08:00Red Cross Offers Flu Outbreak Health Tips For Kids<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Centers for Disease Control has reported that 47 states in the nation now have widespread flu outbreaks, including Massachusetts.<br /><br />This week, Boston Mayor Menino declared a health emercency for Boston after 700 cases were reported in that city.<br /><br />North Andover still doesn't have many reported cases of the flu, but numbers don't include those who have not seen a doctor and the town is bracing for a possible spike in flu cases.<br /><br />Flu cases in children have particularly seen a spike nationwide, according to the American Red Cross, which offers the following tips for protecting kinds from the flu:<br /><br />Parents should teach children proper hand washing techniques and how to correctly cover coughs or sneezes. Wash hands with soap and warm water.<br /><br />When using soap and water:<br /><br /> Wash for at least 20 seconds, covering the entire hand including fingernails and under jewelry.<br /> Younger children can be taught to sing a short song like "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," or the "Happy Birthday" song a few times, which will ensure they wash for at least 20 seconds.<br /> Rinse and dry thoroughly with a disposable towel.<br /> Use the towel to turn off the faucet.<br /><br />If using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:<br /><br /> Rub thoroughly over the entire hand, including nail areas and between the fingers.<br /> Continue to rub until the product dries.<br /><br />The American Red Cross strongly urges getting children six months of age or older a flu vaccine as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. Children’s caregivers should also get vaccinated. Other steps parents can take include keeping surfaces disinfected and keeping a sick person in a separate room in the household if possible.<br /><br />If a child gets sick, parents should consult their doctor. They should also make sure their child gets plenty of rest and fluids. If the child is breathing fast or having trouble breathing, has bluish or gray skin color, refuses to drink, is vomiting, is irritable or has trouble staying awake, parents should get the child medical help right away. </div>
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Source <a href="http://northandover.patch.com/articles/red-cross-offers-flu-outbreak-health-tips-for-kids">http://northandover.patch.com/articles/red-cross-offers-flu-outbreak-health-tips-for-kids</a></div>
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k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-49351800784733122902012-12-10T01:40:00.001-08:002012-12-10T01:40:26.403-08:00 Stephen John Scott fails in bid to have conviction for sexual assault overturned<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A night-clubber who went out hoping for a night on the tiles to
remember - but ended up with a criminal record for a sex offence - has
failed in a bid to persuade judges to overturn his conviction. </div>
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Stephen John Scott, 40, was arrested in Watford High Street as
revellers piled out of clubs and bars on the night of August 20 last
year, after a woman accused him of groping her breast. </div>
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Scott, then living in <a href="http://www.charter-place-watford.co.uk/" target="_blank">Charter Place</a>, Watford, denied he was the guilty man, despite wearing clothing which matched that which the victim said her attacker wore. </div>
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However, he was convicted by a jury of sexual assault at <a href="http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/search/?search=St+Albans+Crown+Court&topic_id=542" target="_self">St Albans Crown Court</a> in March and handed a community sentence. </div>
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Today Lord Justice Davis, Mr Justice Eady and Judge Brian Barker QC,
sitting at London's Criminal Appeal Court, heard Scott ask them to grant
him permission to appeal the conviction in a bid to clear his name. </div>
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The court heard that the victim had left a club with her boyfriend but
had fallen behind him when a man approached her, wearing a red shirt
and jeans. </div>
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After chatting briefly, the man groped her left breast "holding on for several seconds". </div>
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Police arrived as the victim and her boyfriend were remonstrating with
Scott, who they insisted was the guilty man. Scott however denied
having anything to do with the incident. </div>
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He was convicted by a jury in the absence of CCTV footage, and Scott's
lawyers today argued that he didn't receive a fair trial. </div>
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It was submitted that the way in which the question of identification
was put to the jury by the judge had not been balanced, or reflected the
reality on the ground as the crowds poured out of multiple venues and
mingled late at night. </div>
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But, rejecting the application, Judge Barker said: "He was wearing a
red top or shirt and that was one of the identifying factors. This
application can go no further." </div>
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Source <a href="http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/10088046.Clubber_s_appeal_over_sexual_assault_fails/" target="_blank">http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/10088046.Clubber_s_appeal_over_sexual_assault_fails/ </a></div>
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k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-65404044532065588472012-11-26T22:20:00.000-08:002012-11-26T22:20:52.496-08:00Pakistan races to develop armed drones: Reports<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Pakistani military and
civil experts are secretly racing to develop surveillance and armed
drones in order to tackle militancy across the militant-riddled region,
media reports say.</div>
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<br />This comes after Washington refused to equip Islamabad with
sensitive nature of the technology and doubts that Pakistan would
reliably target US enemies.
<br /><br />Pakistani military officials and civilians involved in the domestic
drone industry told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity that
Islamabad was struggling in its initial tests with a lack of precision
munitions and advanced targeting technology.
<br /><br />Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has said Islamabad would
look for help from Beijing in response to US technological apartheid.
<br /><br />“Pakistan can also benefit from China in defense collaboration,
offsetting the undeclared technological apartheid,” said Ashraf at a
defense exhibition in the southern port city of Karachi last week.
<br /><br />The British newspaper <i>The Guardian </i>said in a report on
Tuesday that Pakistani military and civilian experts were working on an
armed drone but did not provide details.
<br /><br />Pakistan had earlier demanded Washington provide it with armed
drones, saying it could more effectively carry out attacks against
militants in the country's troubled northwest near the porous border
with Afghanistan. <blockquote>
American officials held several rounds of talks with
Pakistani authorities about providing unarmed surveillance drones, but
the discussions have gone nowhere.</blockquote>
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The aerial attacks were initiated by former US President George W. Bush, but have escalated under President Barack Obama.
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<br />Obama has given no indication he would halt or alter the drone campaign in Pakistan and some other Muslim countries.
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<br />Pakistani tribal regions are the target of US terror drones, with
Washington claiming that its unmanned aircraft are targeting militants.
However, casualty figures clearly indicate that Pakistani civilians are
the main victims of the assaults.
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<br />The killing of Pakistani civilians, including women and children, in
the strikes has strained relations between Islamabad and Washington,
prompting Pakistani officials to send warnings to the US administration
over the assaults.
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<br />Despite Pakistani government’s repeated calls on Washington to end
the drone attacks, the US government continues its strikes on the tribal
regions of the country. </div>
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Source <a href="http://www.presstv.com/detail/2012/11/18/273085/pakistan-set-to-develop-armed-drones/" target="_blank">http://www.presstv.com/detail/2012/11/18/273085/pakistan-set-to-develop-armed-drones/ </a></div>
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k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-80449517801788320792012-10-05T00:26:00.000-07:002012-10-05T00:26:17.049-07:00Prosecutors, victim's mom not convinced freed inmate is innocent<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The DNA evidence that won Andre Davis his release from prison has not
convinced prosecutors in Champaign County that he is innocent of
3-year-old Brianna Stickel's murder.</div>
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State's Attorney Julia Reitz
said her office will contest Davis' petition for a certificate of
innocence, and the move could prevent Davis from collecting money from a
state fund set up for wrongfully convicted inmates.</div>
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"Based on our
review of the two trials and the evidence, we believe he is guilty of
murder," Reitz said. "We can't prove it, 30 years later, at this time."</div>
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Much of the evidence in the case files used in Davis' two trials in
the early 1980s has been lost or destroyed, but his lawyers say nothing
that remains can link Davis to the crime.</div>
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Davis, who spent nearly
32 years behind bars, served more time than any other Illinois inmate
who has had their conviction overturned since at least 1989, according
to the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University's law
school.</div>
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Brianna's body was found in a house in her neighborhood
where two acquaintances of Davis lived. Blood and semen samples found on
bedclothes at the scene had been used with 1980s technology to finger
Davis as the killer, but DNA tests decades later matched them to a
witness who testified in court against Davis, court records say. Samples
recovered from Brianna's body are missing.</div>
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The Tribune is not naming the witness because he has not been charged with a crime. </div>
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Police
in Rantoul have reopened the murder case, but Chief Paul Farber would
not say whether the witness who matches the DNA is a suspect.</div>
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"After 32 years, we're getting very few tips," Farber said.</div>
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If
a judge rules that a preponderance of the evidence proves Davis was not
guilty, Davis could receive as much as $190,000 based on the formula
that the state uses to compensate wrongfully convicted inmates who serve
significant time in prison, said his lawyer, Jane Raley.</div>
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Rebeca Spragg, Brianna's mother, remains unconvinced that Davis is innocent.</div>
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"I
felt like the evidence against him was good enough. ... I still feel
that way," she said. "He may not have been totally alone in it, but he
was involved in it."</div>
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Spragg had divorced Brianna's father, Michael Stickel, and remarried not long before Brianna was killed. </div>
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After Brianna's death, Spragg said she and her family moved repeatedly before settling a few years ago in North Carolina.</div>
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"Our life has been very guarded all these years. I haven't felt safe anywhere," she said.</div>
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The
prospect that no one will be charged in Brianna's murder is not unusual
among the many wrongful conviction cases, Raley said.</div>
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"These cases are so old, and often there isn't a lot of evidence left," she said. "But we know Andre didn't do it."</div>
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Source <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-freed-inmate-sidebar-20121002,0,5815503.story" target="_blank">http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-freed-inmate-sidebar-20121002,0,5815503.story </a></div>
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k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-22890341071337320982012-08-08T03:46:00.001-07:002012-08-08T03:46:49.999-07:00Hizbut Tahrir and the army<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Pakistan Army has taken the right course by deciding that
officers owing allegiance to banned organisations cannot be tolerated. <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/417335/links-with-banned-group-military-court-jails-brig-ali-four-majors/">A military court has sent to jail five military officers, including a brigadier</a>,
for membership of a terrorist organisation called Hizbut Tahrir (HUT)
and for attempting to overthrow the political order in the name of
religion. Brigadier Ali Khan got five years while Major Sohail Akbar,
Major Jawwad Baseer, Major Inayat Aziz and Major Iftikhar have been
jailed for three years, two years, and 18 months each, respectively.
Brigadier Khan came into the focus of army investigators after al Qaeda
chief Osama bin Laden was killed in Abbottabad in May 2011. He called
for the resignation of army and ISI chiefs over bin Laden’s killing and
wrote letters to army generals on how to become self-reliant and cleanse
the army of American influence.</div>
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The army is a part of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Anyone who
arrogates to himself the right to work towards overthrowing the
constitutionally established military institution in favour of whatever
personal programme is guilty of treason and cannot be allowed to operate
freely.</div>
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UK-based HUT and its sister outfit <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muhajiroun">al Muhajirun</a>
were allowed into Pakistan in the early 2000s under former General
(retd) Pervez Musharraf’s government. Their founder, Umar Bakri, a
Syrian Arab preacher, has since been exiled from the UK. Among his
followers were many Pakistanis belonging to the largest Muslim minority
in Britain.</div>
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According to a former HUT activist, Majid Nawaz, the HUT was set-up
in Pakistan in the early 1990s by Imtiaz Malik, a British Muslim and in
1999, a call was sent to British HUT members to move to Pakistan, which
prompted the movement of some of the UK’s top quality activists to South
Asia. At least 10 British activists were planted in each of Pakistan’s
main cities. Egypt, Libya and Pakistan banned the HUT which was
proscribed by Pakistan in 2004, following an alleged plot to assassinate
former president Pervez Musharraf.</div>
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More recently, on October 22, 2009, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hizb_ut-Tahrir#Bangladesh">the HUT was banned in Bangladesh</a>
for allegedly trying to destabilise the country. The home secretary of
Bangladesh said the government “feared the HUT posed a serious threat to
peaceful life”.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
In his book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Islam-Under-Siege-Dangerously-Century/dp/0745622100"><em>Islam under Siege</em>: <em>Living Dangerously in Post-Honour World</em></a> (Polity Press 2003) Akbar S Ahmed, a former Pakistan’s High Commissioner in the UK, wrote:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“In Britain, Sheikh Umar Bakri’s <em>Khilafah</em>, the journal of the Hizbut Tahrir, attacked Jinnah as a <em>kafir</em>
and an insult for a Muslim. Moreover, it accused Jinnah of being an
enemy of God and of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) because Jinnah supported
women, Christians and Hindus, and advocated democracy. Why, I asked
myself, did they pick on Jinnah? Because, I concluded, Bakri saw him as a
major ideological opponent. Significantly, after the American strikes
in Sudan and Afghanistan in 1998, Bakri emerged in the media to claim
that he represented Bin Laden in Europe” (P 113).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is common knowledge in Pakistan that non-state actors have decided
to shift their allegiance from Pakistan to terrorist organisations like
al Qaeda. The Pakistan Army is fighting them in parts of our tribal
areas and offering sacrifices in the shape of casualties to save
Pakistan from the clutches of these terrorists. One deserter army
officer, <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/342051/sindh-asks-punjab-to-transfer-alleged-al-qaeda-member-major-haroon/">Major Haroon Ashiq</a>, is in jail for working for al Qaeda, putting the nation on notice about the kind of danger Pakistan faces.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Misguided officers were moved more by blind emotion than by reason
and information, otherwise they could not have joined an outfit that
condemned the founder of Pakistan and the idea of Pakistan on the basis
of which Pakistan has given itself a constitution. The army is
overwhelmingly loyal to the ideology of Pakistan but a few officers may
be led astray because of their insulation from civil society. In
Pakistan, despite its efforts, the HUT has not won any support from an
electorate that accepts democracy and votes for parties that accept the
representative system operating in the country.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/417593/hizbut-tahrir-and-the-army/" target="_blank">http://tribune.com.pk/story/417593/hizbut-tahrir-and-the-army/ </a></div>
</div>k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-89088551108663038242012-07-09T03:36:00.003-07:002012-07-09T03:36:53.390-07:00Crews pull man's body from Rock River in Oregon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A holiday escape turns into tragedy after police
recover the body of a Chicago man who fell into the Rock River. He went
into the river on the Fourth of July while fishing just below the Oregon
dam. That area is considered a very dangerous spot.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"First weekend when we opened here 5 years ago
they had a drowning here too. Same exact circumstances as yesterday,"
says O.K. Welty.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He is the sales manager at Rock River Outfitters which sells bait to many people fishing on the water.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oregon Police say Reyes Perez, 37, was walking in
the river with waders on. He tried to cross from one island to another
and was pulled under. Rescuers searched for him all day on the Fourth of
July. They didn't find him until Thursday morning.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Right in front of the dam there is a large hole
that's about 50 feet deep. There is a back flow in that area. And at the
bottom I have been told there is debris down there. It's very dangerous
so once you go in there, particularly if you are wearing waders, the
likelihood of you coming back up is very remote," says Jim Coutts,
Oregon Park District executive director.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Reyes' death is the fourth near the dam since
2007. It's why the Oregon Park District has danger signs posted. Coutts
say his workers also warn people about the danger of going into the
river. But he says because of the number of game fish near the dam it
attracts a lot of out-of-towners that area who may not realize how
danger the area really is.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Unfortunately people come here and they see that
it is shallow and feel that the entire river is shallow but they are so
unfamiliar with the back-tow and what this dam does to the bottom of the
river that we would definitely encourage everyone to stay out of that
area," says Coutts.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The park district says the safest ways to fish near the dam are in a boat or to stay on the riverbank. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source <a href="http://www.wrex.com/story/18960521/crews-pull-mans-body-from-river-river-in-oregon" target="_blank">http://www.wrex.com/story/18960521/crews-pull-mans-body-from-river-river-in-oregon </a></div>
</div>k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-501024851616143512011-10-10T21:47:00.000-07:002011-10-10T21:47:47.734-07:006 Offbeat Warehouse Club Savings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">As joining a warehouse club gets more expensive, would-be members may need to look a little further than multi-packs of frozen pizza and bulk packs of paper towels to decide if the annual fee is worth it.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Costco announced last week that it will raise prices by 10% on Nov. 1, a move that increases the basic membership to $55 from $50 and the executive membership -- which comes with a 2% rebate on all purchases -- to $110 from $100. In January, BJ's Wholesale Club increased its fee to $50 from $45, which a spokeswoman says was done to maintain low store prices and other membership benefits. (Costco did not respond to requests for comment.) Sam's Club is the lone holdout: a spokeswoman says there are no plans to change its long-time $40 fee.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The changes are minor for business customers, but are enough to make consumers reassess, says Howard Jackson, the founder of HSA Consulting Inc. in Knoxville, Tenn. "Clearly you have to look at the overall investment: how often you're going to shop, and what you'll spend," he says.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Savings on groceries along may not be the answer. Industry tracker Warehouse Club Focus estimates that club prices are 25% to 50% cheaper than at other retailers, but coupon clippers say they can beat those discounts by matching manufacturer's coupons and supermarket sales. "I consistently slaughter the prices at warehouse clubs," says Jill Cataldo, the founder of Super-Couponing workshops.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">But there are other, less-advertised membership perks that could still make joining worthwhile. Here are six for shoppers still on the fence:</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Gasoline</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Warehouse clubs tend to price their fuel at a loss to get shoppers in the store, so members who live close to their club can save a bundle on gas, says Jackson. In most cases, non-members can't buy at all, he says, so a member who isn't filling his tank is losing out on substantial savings. At $3.30 per gallon, the Monroeville, Penn., Sam's Club is currently 13 cents below than its next-cheapest competitor, according to GasBuddy.com. At that spread, a driver would save almost $2 on a 15-gallon tank, or more than $100 on a year of weekly fill-ups.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Electronics</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Check warehouse club prices for your next tech upgrade. At Sam's Club, a 55" LG HDTV with 3D capability runs $1,397 -- $303 less than the same model at Best Buy. Return policies are more generous, too, if you change your mind or have any problems. Costco and Sam's Club both allow returns within 90 days, compared with 30 days at Amazon and Best Buy. Bring a smartphone for easy comparisons, though comparing can be tough if model numbers are store specific.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Financial services</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Bank partnerships allow members to get slightly better rates. Capital One offers Costco members preferential rates on its InterestPlus Online Savings Account, which yields 0.85% plus a quarterly 10% bonus on interest earned. The members-only 0.91% rate equates to an extra $7 in interest over a year on a one-time, $10,000 deposit. But that yield is only modestly competitive with other high-yield accounts: American Express Bank, to name one, offers 1% to all accountholders.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Insurance</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Club members may secure better rates on homeowners and auto insurance policies. BJ's offers a 10% discount through Liberty Mutual, while Costco promises savings of "up to $485.66" through Ameriprise. Such affiliate discount may also be available through an employer, alma mater or other group, says Scott Simmonds, a Saco, Maine-based insurance consultant. "The trick is to shop around first and make a decision based on value," he says.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Tickets</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Shoppers planning a trip to the amusement park or movies can often save 30% by buying ahead at the warehouse club. For example, Costco charges $82.99 for a 10-pack of AMC Theatres vouchers that don't expire and can be used for any showing. A New Yorker would spend $115 at the box office for those tickets. But less frequent adventurers might find better one-time offers on daily deal sites.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Cars</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">"I wouldn't join a club just for the car-buying service, but if you're a member already, you'd be foolish not to take advantage of it," says Phil Reed, consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com. Warehouse clubs often pre-negotiate prices with local dealerships, cutting as much as 10% off the sticker price. AAA members might get a similar deal, and seasoned negotiators might be able to do better, he says, but going the club route gets you an offer much faster.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Source <a href="http://www.smartmoney.com/spend/deal-of-the-day/6-offbeat-warehouse-club-savings-1318287607238/?link=sm_newsticker">http://www.smartmoney.com/spend/deal-of-the-day/6-offbeat-warehouse-club-savings-1318287607238/?link=sm_newsticker</a></div></div>k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-20767555281093964612011-07-26T01:20:00.001-07:002011-07-26T01:20:47.920-07:00Bike Rally Benefits Senior Center<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Bikers put the petal to the metal this morning at the first annual Black Rock Senior Center Bike Ride. The center serves a pretty good number of people in and around the community. And when you're a small town, being able to have the funds to supply services can sometimes be a challenge.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">"It's a great need. We don't have any funding at all from any outside source. We don't have city, state, county, anything," said Senior Center Director Teresa Redd, which is why the center is depending on the communities help at the first annual "Rumblin Around the Ridge" Bike Ride. Redd says they rely on events like this one, to keep the doors open and is excited to see the community support.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">"The bikes are starting to pull up and it's looking good. It's good to see everyone come out and support the seniors and to help us out. Because every penny that we collect today, it goes to the center to buy groceries and keep the place running," said Redd.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">She says the center provides meals for nearly 20 to 40 seniors daily, serving not only Black Rock, but even people come from Pocahontas, Smithville, and as far as Batesville.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Almost 30 riders hit the pavement Saturday morning. The ride went through Ravenden, to Ravenden Springs, up to Pocahontas, and ended at Old Davidsonville.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">"We're happy to get what we can get. Happy to get everything that we can get, and all the support. Everybody can have good fellowship and see what we're about," said Redd.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Redd says they were able to raise four hundred and fifty dollars for the center.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Source </span><a href="http://www.kait8.com/story/15135944/bike-rally-benefits-senior-center" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">http://www.kait8.com/story/15135944/bike-rally-benefits-senior-center </a></div></div>k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-52824258807933872162011-06-23T00:52:00.001-07:002011-06-23T00:52:49.541-07:00New Director of Transportation Claims Joins North American Risk Services<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><strong>Timothy Kirk joins North American Risk Services (NARS)</strong> in the newly created role, Director of Transportation Claims. Kirk brings more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, including serving as a former director of the Trucking Industry Defense Association(TIDA). His hiring is reflective of NARS commitment to having industry-specific claims experts on staff to meet client needs.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Throughout his career, Kirk has held claim management positions of increasing responsibility, including serving as branch claim manager for USF&G and vice president of claims for Lincoln General Insurance. While at Lincoln General, he restructured the claim department to handle the bulk of claim volume internally and created strong customer service teams.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">“Tim is a great addition to the NARS team,” says Robert Ruryk, President and CEO of NARS. “He has demonstrated excellent customer service and leadership skills throughout his career and we are thrilled to be able to offer his expertise to our transportation clients.”</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Headquartered in Altamonte Springs, Fla., NARS (<a href="http://www.narisk.com/">www.narisk.com</a>) provides nationwide claims, data and risk management TPA services to businesses, insurers, reinsurers and brokers throughout the United States. NARS is known for the experience and expertise of its employees and the application of those skills in controlling its customers’ loss and administrative costs. NARS also provides its customers with a diverse array of ancillary services including auditing, medical cost management, recovery specialization and a state-of-the-art, web-based information system that is easily shaped to meet each customer’s specific needs.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Source </span><a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/services/newswire/2011/06/22/203403.htm" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">http://www.insurancejournal.com/services/newswire/2011/06/22/203403.htm </a></div></div>k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-80116441351943194002011-04-06T21:27:00.001-07:002011-04-06T21:27:05.455-07:00American Eagle returns mainline service to Little Rock<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">American Eagle airlines is resuming mainline service to Little Rock National Airport. The news was met with celebration by airport officials.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">"We have been working with American Eagle to upgrade their service for over two years and we are happy that our efforts have come to fruition. This service enhancement is a win for all involved. American Eagle has been a good partner to the airport and the community. We will continue to work with them to develop additional air service improvements", said Ron Mathieu, executive director at Little Rock National Airport.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Source <a href="http://www.katv.com/story/14387577/american-eagle-returns-mainline-service-to-little-rock">http://www.katv.com/story/14387577/american-eagle-returns-mainline-service-to-little-rock</a></div></div>k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-80505450746986443452011-03-29T00:47:00.001-07:002011-03-29T00:47:31.811-07:00Old-timers team up for club flick<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Hollywood old-timers Ernest Borgnine and Mickey Rooney have teamed up for a wacky new movie about a group of pensioners who turn their nursing home into a nightclub.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The two nonagenarians will play roommates and team up with former M*A*S*H star Sally Kellerman, Paul Sorvino and filmmaker Ron Howard's father Rance in Night Club, the first film by realtor-turned-moviemaker Larry Delrose's Italian American Films group.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The star-studded movie will also feature American Pie actress Natasha Lyonne and Clint Eastwood's Gran Turino neighbour Ahney Her.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The picture will close the upcoming Phoenix Film Festival in Arizona next month.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Delrose tells WENN, "The film presents the idea that one is never too young or too old to find inspiration and meaning in life.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">"It is a unique saga about three USC (University of Southern California) students who get a job on the night shift at a nursing home. With the help of one of the home's residents, they improve things there in a very unusual way... There is music and lots of hugging and Italian singing!"</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Through his new production company, Delrose hopes to make movies that portray Italian-Americans in a good light following decades of movies about the Mafia.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Rooney has hit the headlines recently after accusing his stepson Christopher Aber of elder abuse.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">On Friday, a judge ruled the movie veteran's legal and financial affairs will remain under the permanent control of his lawyer, Michael Augustine, who was appointed temporary conservator in February after the Oscar-winner filed court papers claiming his stepson had been trying to convince him to sign over control of his assets.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The 90-year-old alleged he feared for his safety and in a sworn declaration to the court, Augustine claimed he had found $400,000 missing from one of the star's bank accounts. A judge granted his request for a restraining order against Aber and his wife.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The restraining order against the Abers has not been extended, but the couple has reportedly agreed to stay away from Rooney. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Source <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/movies/2011/03/28/17785586-wenn-story.html">http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/movies/2011/03/28/17785586-wenn-story.html</a></div></div>k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-47709645681485251912011-03-09T19:51:00.000-08:002011-03-09T19:51:06.283-08:00City celebrates 100th Int’l Women’s Day with vigour<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The 100th International Women’s Day (IWD) was observed with great enthusiasm across the city on Tuesday. Various non-governmental organisations, educational institutes, civil society associations and labour unions held seminars, press conferences and marches throughout the day to commemorate the struggle of women all across the globe.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The first IWD was observed on 19 March 1911 in Germany following a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. 100 years on, International Women’s Day (IWD) has become a global mainstream phenomenon celebrated across many countries and is an official holiday in approximately 25 countries, including Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam and Zambia.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Aurat Foundation organised a seminar on “Situation of flood-affected women in Pakistan”, and it was actively participated by several women-rights activists. A documentary on the situation of women affected by the 2010 flood was also aired during the seminar.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Chanan Development Association (CDA), a national youth lead organisation in collaboration with Khawaja Rafique Shaheed Foundation (KRSF) and Global Fund for Children organised interactive dialogues through theatre at Qurban Degree College and Muslim League House in Cantt.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">CDA Executive Director Muhammad Shahzad Khan, while talking on the occasion, highlighted the fact that women, particularly young women of the rural areas of Pakistan, continue to suffer from gender discrimination and violence even in this modern era. He shared that a total of 4,069 incidents of violence had been registered from January to June 2010, out of which 2,690 cases were reported from Punjab, 940 from Sindh, 342 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 56 from Balochistan and 41 from Islamabad, while there are some which went unreported. The guests included Punjab CM’s adviser, Saba Sadiq, KRSF Director and MPA, Ghazala Saad, MPA Shumaila Salman and MPA Nafisa Amin.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Centre for Human Rights Education, Lahore, also organised a seminar in which about 300 hundred women and men belonging to different walks of life participated.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Some of the demands on gender equality unanimously passed by the participants of the seminar included, the constitution and statutory laws should define discrimination and violence against women and make discriminatory actions punishable offenses, affirmative measures must be taken to revoke the discriminatory laws and customary practices such as honour killing, burying women alive, domestic violence, forced or exchange marriages, etc.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Punjab University (PU) Department of Gender Studies Chairperson, Prof Dr Samar Fatima, led a walk at the New Campus, students and teachers taking active part in it. While addressing the participants, the VC, Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, said the importance of educating women was neglected in the past because of which they were unaware of their rights but now girls are more conscious, pointing out that this year nearly 63 percent girls got admitted to the PU on open merit, as compared to the previous year.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Later the VC also inaugurated Women Gala at the department and visited various stalls of books, fabrics, jewels, skin care, women awareness and others, put up by the students and different NGOs.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Separately, a seminar was also held by the Department of Gender and Development Studies of the Lahore College for Women University.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Source <a href="http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C03%5C09%5Cstory_9-3-2011_pg13_1">http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\03\09\story_9-3-2011_pg13_1</a></div></div>k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-39299648152146421302011-02-08T22:49:00.001-08:002011-02-08T22:49:58.500-08:00Indonesia: Java, 1500 Muslim extremists attack an Ahmadi family: three dead, cars and houses in flames<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Members of civil society, religious leaders and personalities from the moderate Islamic world strongly condemn the attack that took place yesterday against the Ahmadi community in Indonesia, which has caused death and devastation. The controversy has also embroiled President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the executive, unable to guarantee the safety of all citizens and freedom of worship in the country. The head of state warned that the violence against minorities "in the name of religion" must be stopped, despite his appeal, there is increasing lack of confidence in his abilities.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The latest in a long streak of blood against the Ahmadi community - a victim of violence in other Muslim-majority nations such as Pakistan - took place yesterday morning. A crowd of at least 1500 Muslim extremists attacked the house of a family in the village of Umbulan, in the Cikeusik sub-district, Pandeglang regency (Banten province on the island of Java), torturing the occupants. The toll of the assault is three dead, several injured people, two cars and a house burned.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The episode has raised controversy and fuelled the political confrontation that, in recent weeks, has involved the Indonesian president, unable to guarantee security and the right to religious freedom. Daniel Sparingga, a spokesman for Yudhoyono, revealed that an order has been issued by the President to the Chief of Police, calling for an end to violence. "Enough is enough - said the head of state - violence and attacks against any minority, made in the name of religion, must be stopped."</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">However, members of civil society and moderate Muslim leaders - condemning the attack - have denounced the lack of interest shown to date by Yudhoyono, unable to curb sectarian violence. Ulul Huda, a Muslim scholar from Central Java, confirmed to AsiaNews, "the inertia of the government," adding that "the Ahmadis in the past have contributed to the struggle for independence in Indonesia. Speaking of the attackers, the scholar labels them "extremists" who "use violence and manipulate Islam for political ends."</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the leading moderate Muslim organization in the country has also condemned the attack on the Ahmadiyya community, along with Setara and the Wahid Institute. Professor Azyumardi Azra, from the State Islamic University in South Jakarta , explains to AsiaNews that "violence in the name of religion against certain groups, including the Ahmadis or any other, can not and should not be tolerated."</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Ahmadi sect is considered heretical because it does not recognize Muhammad as the last prophet. It is the victim of attacks in Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other countries where Islam is the most prevalent religion. According to preliminary reports, the mob’s anger was unleashed by rumours of an alleged "invasion" of the village of Umbulan by dozens of Ahmadi. In fact, some non-native Ahmadis came to the village to solve a problem related to residence permits. A Filipino woman, the wife of an Ahmadi faithful has started procedures to regularize the situation with the immigration office. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Source <a href="http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?id=48081&t=Indonesia%3A+++Java%2C+1500+Muslim+extremists+attack+an+Ahmadi+family%3A+three+dead%2C+cars+and+houses+in+flames">http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?id=48081&t=Indonesia%3A+++Java%2C+1500+Muslim+extremists+attack+an+Ahmadi+family%3A+three+dead%2C+cars+and+houses+in+flames</a></div></div>k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-39057470424726788492011-01-19T20:43:00.000-08:002011-01-19T20:43:13.534-08:00German vintner discovers World War Two wine cache<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Andreas Neymeyer discovered 500 bottles under a cellar staircase while clearing out a burned-out building on his 38 hectare (94 acre) vineyard in southern Germany shortly before Christmas.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">"It was my uncle's idea," Neymeyer told Reuters. "I was preparing the building to be torn down and he knew that wine had been hidden sometime before the end of World War II.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">"It was springtime 1945 and the French were about to invade. My family wanted to secure some wine if there was any looting by troops."</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">It was not the first reserve of wine that Neymeyer has found on the vineyard, which produces some 350,000 bottles of wine each year.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">"The wine is still drinkable; in fact some is quite good," the fifth generation vintner said. "The dark conditions were ideal for storage."</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Some of the bottles were not from the vineyard but were sweet wines thought to be from Spain or Greece. Brandy, schnapps and sacramental wine was also found in the collection.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Neymeyer plans to rebottle the wine and put it up for auction when the new building is ready to open next year.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Source </span><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70D43220110114" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70D43220110114 </a></div>k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131565357930875340.post-10966601377205518492011-01-12T02:34:00.000-08:002011-01-12T02:34:24.453-08:00Elle Fanning & Vera Farmiga in ‘Pure Life’<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bscreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Farmiga_Fanning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://www.bscreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Farmiga_Fanning.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">A new indie film looks like it’s hoping to become a heavy-hitter by adding some impressive names to the cast, according to <em>IndieWire</em>. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><em>Pure Life</em>, a drama that follows 13-year-old Maya Donovan as she escapes her hard-working and short-tempered mother in search of romance. Her quest leads her to ‘bad boy’ that she feels is worthy of taking her virginity.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Up-and-coming star Ella Fanning (sister of the <em>Twilight</em> saga’s Dakota Fanning) will play 13-year-old Maya and Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga has signed on as Maya’s mom, Trisch. Omar Hardwick (<em>Kick-Ass, The A-Team</em>) also stars in the film.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><em>Pure Life</em> is being directed by Van Fischer and produced by GigaPix, Blue Raven Films and Manolin Entertainment. Production is expected to start this spring.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">While Elle’s road to fame began by portraying younger versions of her sister in <em>Taken</em> and <em>I am Sam</em>, she did manage to break out and land a few roles of her own, including parts in <em>The Curious Case of Benjamin Button</em> and <em>Déjà vu</em>.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Vera Farmiga received an Academy Award nomination for <em>Up in the Air</em> and will appear in the upcoming sc-fi thriller, <em>Source Code</em>. <a href="http://www.bscreview.com/2010/11/jake-gyllenhaal-source-code-trailer/" target="_self">Take a look at the trailer</a> to see what <em>Groundhog Day</em> would have looked like if it had been an action movie.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Source </span><a href="http://www.bscreview.com/2011/01/elle-fanning-vera-farmiga-in-%E2%80%98pure-life%E2%80%99/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">http://www.bscreview.com/2011/01/elle-fanning-vera-farmiga-in-%E2%80%98pure-life%E2%80%99/ </a></div>k.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17293152672895349210noreply@blogger.com0