text:
European leaders 'still behind the curve'September 14, 2012: 7:44 AM ET
Following years of setbacks and shortfalls, efforts to stabilize the euro currency union finally appear to be taking shape, with policymakers scoring two key victories in as many weeks.
"It's encouraging to see, but all these measures were necessary to preserve the status quo," said Marie Diron, senior economic adviser at Ernst & Young in London. "Without these things, the situation would have been quite dire, but we've learned to be cautious."
Last week, the European Central Bank unveiled a bond buying plan to help struggling sovereign nations, and this week, the German Constitutional Court backed the region's new bailout fund.
European Union officials also released a proposal for a centralized banking authority, though it will likely be years before a so-called banking union is in place. And in the Netherlands, pro-euro political parties came out ahead in this week's general election.
Altogether, that has lessened the risk of the euro currency union falling apart
"I see the trend as basically positive," C. Fred Bergsten, a former U.S. Treasury assistant secretary for international affairs, told reporters Thursday during a conference call organized by the Council on Foreign Relations. "The doomsayers have told us time and again that the apocalypse is at hand, but it has not happened."
Still, it remains to be seen if leaders can overcome their political differences and make the difficult decisions necessary to implement the plans, said former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, who co-chairs the CFR.
Past progress has been undermined by a lack of unity among eurozone leaders.
"I continue to think that they're behind curve," said Rubin. "This will not get resolved until the political leaders do what they need to do."
Related: A party in Europe, but a hangover is coming
The latest policy moves will buy time, but they do not address the region's fundamental problems, such as a lack of economic competitiveness and weak growth in Spain and Italy, said Ben May, an economist at Capital Economics. In addition, the economic outlook has deteriorated significantly this year, with eurozone gross domestic product shrinking in the second quarter.
"These problems can't be solved with loans or by subsidizing government borrowing costs," May said.
In the weeks ahead, investors will focus on Spain, which stands to benefit from the ECB's bond buying program. But the ECB has made it clear that Spain must first commit to a program of budget reforms and outside surveillance by activating either the European Stability Mechanism or its predecessor, the European Financial Stability Facility.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has so far resisted such a move, especially since the government's borrowing costs have plunged on hopes of an ECB intervention. The yield on Spain's 10-year bond dropped to a low of 5.6% this week, down from a high of 7.7% in July.
"These are hardly the market conditions in which one would expect Madrid to go cap-in-hand to the eurozone rescue facilities," said Nicholas Spiro, director of London-based consultancy Spiro Sovereign Strategy. "It's a perverse situation in many ways. Just when we finally have a half-way credible bond-buying plan in place to help shore up Spain and Italy, neither country wants to make use of it."
Italy has also seen its borrowing costs fall as investors see Spain as a threat to the stability of Italy's €1 trillion bond market.
Italian Prime Minster Mario Monti has suggested that Italy would not need to tap the rescue funds, although investors are concerned that steps to overhaul the nation's economy will falter after Monti steps down next year.
Greece, a perennial source of concern, is also on investors' minds.
The Greek government is in talks this week with officials from its 'troika' of international lenders, including the European Union and International Monetary Fund.
Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is hoping to secure a two-year extension of the bailout agreement Greece's caretaker government signed in March.
But the troika has reportedly rejected some of the €11.5 billion of spending cuts the Greek government has to make in order to secure its next installment of bailout money. A top IMF official told the Wall Street Journal this week that Greece will need additional financing, which could involve more loans or a restructuring of Greek debt held by official institutions such as the ECB.
On the banking front, investors are eager to see how EU governments respond to the proposal for an EU-wide banking regulator.
Related: EU banking union faces a long road
The proposal, which centers on the ECB, has been in the works for several months, but there appears to be some disagreement over how much power it will have.
Germany, for example, wants the ECB to focus only on large "systemically important" banks, since overseeing all 6,000 banks in Europe would be unwieldy. But many of the problem banks are small or medium-sized institutions, such as the Landesbanken in Germany and Spain's so-called Cajas.
In addition, analysts say the United Kingdom may be reluctant to cede authority over its powerful domestic banks to the EU regulator.
"I think there will eventually be a compromise on these issues," said Diron. "But we're not there yet."


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Heat put away Cavaliers, extend winning streak to 11
MIAMI -- Dwyane Wade got hot down the stretch, and LeBron James missed a layup in the final minute.
Both were huge breaks for the Miami Heat.
James scored 28 points, Wade scored 11 of his 24 in the final five minutes -- when Miami needed him most -- and the Heat extended the NBA's longest current winning streak to 11 games, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-105 in a back-and-forth matchup Sunday night.
The Heat blew a 22-point second-half lead, then rallied from eight down with 5:16 left.
"We're a veteran ballclub and we've been in every situation that an NBA game can offer us," James said. "We don't get too high, we don't get too low, we just play the 48 minutes out and see where it takes us."
Dion Waiters scored 26 points, C.J. Miles added 19 and Kyrie Irving scored 17 for Cleveland, which outscored Miami by a stunning 30 points over a 17-minute stretch of the second half, yet still came up empty.
The Cavaliers are now 1-8 against the Heat since James signed with Miami in July 2010.
"We had a very good chance against a very good basketball team, the world champions, and we lost the game because of mental mistakes," Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said. "That's just something that we can't have happen again."
In fairness, it wasn't just mental mistakes that doomed Cleveland late. There was a bit of luck involved for the Heat.
Miami was up by two and held possession with 1:03 remaining. The shot clock was running down and Chris Bosh was open to try a 16-footer from the right wing. As Bosh was about to release, James got inexplicably free under the basket, thrusting both his arms skyward. Bosh threw him the pass -- and James, enjoying the best shooting season of his career, did the unthinkable: He missed the easy one.
This is where the luck comes into play.
The rebound found its way back to Bosh, the Heat ran down another shot clock, and Wade got loose for a two-handed dunk that pushed Miami's lead to 105-101 with 24.4 seconds left.
It was a double-whammy for Cleveland. Miami scored and took nearly 40 seconds off a dwindling clock in the process.
"Hey, I'm a smart player. That's what basketball IQ is all about," James said afterward, unable to hold back a sly grin. "I have no idea how I blew that layup. But it did work out for us. Got an extra possession, D-Wade was able to turn the corner and get a slam."
Said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra: "I liked that play."
Wade started what turned into a 16-4 run with a fadeaway with just under 5 minutes to go, then added a three-point play on the next Miami possession to cut the Cavs' lead to 97-94.
And after Irving missed a layup with 1:35 left, Wade got the rebound and set up Battier for a 3-pointer that put Miami on top again -- and for good.
"I thought that we had the game," Cavaliers forward Alonzo Gee said.
Sure looked like that was the case, after a ridiculously good third quarter.
Down 68-46 early in the third, the Cavaliers looked finished -- last-place team, on the road, against the reigning NBA champions who just happened to have the league's longest current winning streak.
Midway through the third, Miami's lead was still 17.
With two minutes left in the period, the cushion was 10.
By the start of the fourth, it was nonexistent.
The C.J. Miles Show lasted for all of 63 seconds. And they were a scintillating 63 seconds.
It starts with 1:35 left, a 3-pointer from Miles getting the Miami lead down to seven. Then he got a rebound, came downcourt and connected on another 3-pointer. Lead down to four. Another stop by the Cavs on one end, then another 3-pointer for Miles on the other -- that one coming both with him drawing a foul from Chalmers, and with Spoelstra getting hit with a technical from referee Ed Malloy for arguing.
Miles made the technical free throw to tie the game, the free throw for the Chalmers hit to put the Cavs ahead, and they carried that 82-81 lead into the fourth, having closed the quarter on a 36-13 run.
"Guys just finally decided to start playing," Miles said.
Miami used a 23-4 run in the first half to take what looked like a commanding 42-22 lead -- with more than 9 minutes left until the break. And after Cleveland got within seven, Miami answered with another burst.
James didn't miss in the final 4:29 of the half, scoring 10 points on a 4-for-4 run from the floor and fueling what became 16-5 spurt that gave Miami a 64-46 lead going into the locker room. And for good measure, Miami got the first two baskets of the second half, pushing the lead to 22, the biggest of the night.
Over, right?
Not even remotely close. Not until the final frantic seconds, as the Heat not only extended their win streak but won for the fourth time in five nights.
"We found a way," Wade said. "I felt like in the first three quarters, I couldn't move. But in the fourth, you just find it. ... We just turned that other switch on."
Game notes
Miami's two wins over Cleveland this season, both at home, have come by a combined six points. ... The Cavs were without Daniel Gibson (personal) and Omri Casspi, who remained hospitalized in Orlando after surgery to remove his appendix. ... Heat F Mike Miller (ear infection) was back with the team Sunday, though did not play. "He can't hear anything we're saying," Spoelstra quipped before the game. ... The Heat held a moment of silence pregame for Los Angeles Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, the moment ending with warm applause from the crowd.
NBA News
How Stephen Silas can help Harden, Westbrook and Rockets evolve
The Rockets have their new coach, but how can Stephen Silas improve things around James Harden and Russell Westbrook?
Next for the Houston Rockets: Roster moves to return to title contention
The Rockets made big moves to go small and were eliminated by the Lakers. With a new GM and a new coach, what's next?
Stephen Silas to be new head coach of Houston Rockets, sources say
Mavericks assistant Stephen Silas, who has a history of coaching elite guards, will become the next head coach of the Houston Rockets, sources told ESPN.
2019-2020 Central Standings
2019-2020 Southeast Standings

subset: commoncrawl


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As Pope resigns, Americans look more toward their local leaders for guidance
Pope Benedict XVI's announcement Monday that he would resign Feb. 28 shocked the world, especially its 1 billion Roman Catholics.
Catholics in the American church, 59 million strong, likely had somewhat more mixed reactions to his stepping down than those in developing countries, where his popularity is much higher.
Benedict, 85, succeeded the immensely popular Pope John Paul II in 2005, but is more of an intellectual theologian than a global pastor. That contrast, as well as his continuation of John Paul's policies, may mean his legacy will rest under John Paul's shadow, several people interviewed said.
While Benedict's trip to the United States in 2008 boosted his popularity in this country among the 23 percent who identify themselves as Roman Catholic, their attitudes toward the Holy Father are based more on individual beliefs about moral issues than on Benedict as leader of the church, according to polls and those who have watched him closely.
John Allen, senior correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, an independent newspaper, said of Benedict's legacy, "I guess the answer is mixed. There is a liberal wing in the Catholic Church who would see Benedict as someone who steered the church in a conservative direction that is not to their taste."
For women, the pope "doesn't have a particularly good record when it comes to their concerns." Benedict famously denounced religious orders of nuns. Conservative Catholics, meanwhile, see Benedict as "the strong leader the times demanded," Allen said.
"I think in general most Catholics admire what they see as the man's humility and grace, and I think that came through in reaction to his (U.S.) trip in '08."
While Benedict was at first seen as stern and aloof, the man who said "no" as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the image of him interacting with Catholic youth made him seem softer and more pastoral, Allen said.
After that trip, 83 percent in a survey said they had "improved impressions, getting past the stereotype of him as a bull in the china shop," Allen said.
Another source of "Catholic pride" is "the perception ... that we had a world-class intellectual at the top of the church," he said.
For many, Benedict has been an inspiration. Alex Dahogren, 20, a member of the University Catholic student group at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., said Benedict inspired her when he visited the United States and "when he decided to make this the Year of Faith. Personally, I think it's changed the way we run our organization ... remembering that we are all called to evangelize."
Benedict's image -- and possibly his legacy -- will be colored by landmark events that preceded his papacy: the reduced role of the Vatican in Americans' view of their faith, starting in the 1960s, and, more recently, the priest sexual-abuse scandals, according to William D'Antonio, professor of sociology at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
The importance of the "teaching authority claimed by the Vatican" has declined among U.S. Catholics for years, according to surveys D'Antonio has done since 1987.
"The question of the way the laity look at the authority of the Vatican is not one of the four or five items that's at the top of their list," D'Antonio said. Only three in 10 say it's important to them, far less than Jesus' life, death and resurrection, the sacraments, the Virgin Mary or concern for the poor.
This erosion in respect for church authority goes back to Pope Paul VI's encyclical banning artificial birth control in 1968, which overruled two commissions that would have permitted it, D'Antonio said. "It was rejected by a majority of theologians; it was rejected by the laity," he said. From that point, he said, "What happened was the Catholics had an opportunity to think about this in their own lives."
And Benedict, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, labors in the shadow of the sexual-abuse scandals that came to light before he was elected pope, but which has further eroded church authority.
"So many cardinals and bishops covered up and protected the priests rather than the victims, and Ratzinger himself, the evidence shows, did not act," nor did John Paul, said D'Antonio.
In 2010, Gallup reported that Benedict's favorability rating had dropped to 40 percent because of the sexual-abuse scandals, down from 63 percent in 2008, after his U.S. visit.
American Catholicism is diverse, with attitudes and practices differing largely based on age.
More U.S. Catholics see themselves as having greater authority over their own lives than do their church leaders. According to D'Antonio's survey, 20 percent defer to the pope and bishops on divorce and remarriage, 19 percent on abortion, 16 percent on non-marital sex and on homosexuality, and 10 percent on contraception. All of these are considered unalterable teachings of the pope as head of the church.
The most devout Catholics are those born before the Second Vatican Council, which concluded in 1965 and brought major changes to the church, such as ending regular celebration of the Latin Mass. D'Antonio defines "pre-Vatican II Catholics" as those born before 1941.
There are many Catholics who welcomed the changes after Vatican II, but are concerned that John Paul and Benedict tried to bring the church back to the time before the reforms. D'Antonio defines Catholics born between 1941 and 1960 as Vatican II Catholics, who made up almost half of all Catholics in 1987, according to a 2011 article in National Catholic Reporter, which is an excerpt from an upcoming book.
The most recent generation, born after 1979, tend to set their own moral compass and are more interested in the church's concern for the poor and the environment, D'Antonio writes.
Others see the move back to the days of the Latin Mass and more formal liturgy as a positive.
"Much of the good that's happened in the church, restoring the liturgy to some semblance of sacredness -- he's had a role in that," said Jack Fowler, of Milford publisher of National Review, who attends church daily and says the rosary "several times a day."
Fowler is pleased that "rock 'n' roll on the altar" has had its day.
"I think Benedict brought stability and clarity to the liturgy and that's the most important part of our faith ... the Mass; it's critical," Fowler said.
The Rev. Joseph Fessio, founder of Ignatius Press in Florida, goes even further. "The heart of the Catholic Church is the worship of God and the liturgy and (Benedict) was one of the greatest liturgists we've had in 100 years," said Fessio, who called Benedict "a giant" with "a brilliant mind" who is "a good listener" and, like John Paul, an admirer of the arts.
Fessio's definition of a true Catholic is unyielding. "You have to accept those things that are taught by the Catholic Church as part of our faith," he said. And there are plenty of those in this country.
"Every day, we ship out a stack of books that's as high as the Empire State Building," Fessio said of his publishing house, whose titles include "Modern Moral Problems" and "Contemplative Provocations."
Others take the opposite view. Sister Jeannine Gramick of Maryland, a member of the Sisters of Loretto and board member of the National Coalition of American Nuns, said, "Our evaluation of his legacy is he has turned the clock back in not affording the laity their rightful place in the church, which is to be active participants in the church."
Starting with Pope John Paul and continuing under Benedict, the Vatican has become "more monarchical and less democratic than the Second Vatican Council envisioned it to be," Gramick said.
Benedict also launched investigations of several sisters' orders that play active roles in society, some of which are outspoken in their dissent.
"Our feelings are of hurt, some are very angry and we just feel affronted that we are underappreciated and undervalued," she said.
While there are those who are unhappy with Benedict's eight-year papacy, 74 percent of American Catholics were satisfied with the leadership of their bishop and the pope, according to a 2012 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. Both, however, fell behind sisters and their parish priest, who were favored by 83 percent and 82 percent, respectively.
"By and large, most Catholics are not thinking about what's going on in Rome ... but what's going on in their local congregations," said Jon Nilson, professor of theology at Loyola University Chicago.
The American church is evolving, remaining at about 23 percent of the U.S. population, but becoming more heavily Hispanic. This shift may not change attitudes much, however. While 53 percent of American Catholics favor same-sex marriage, 54 percent of Latino Catholics do, according to the Pew Forum.
"The diversity is sort of the key here," Nilson said. "There would be a certain group that would reflexively applaud and honor his legacy simply because he's the pope." Others "fundamentally agree with his priorities and perspectives," such as having "opened the door to return to the use of Latin and some of the older styles of liturgy," while a third group "would be pretty dissatisfied," because of those decisions and what they see as a lack of action on issues such as same-sex relationships, women's roles and the sexual-abuse scandals.
Besides the liturgical reforms, one of the strong messages of Vatican II was greater involvement by the laity. "Many people would say there's got to be more public conversation in the church. There are major issues facing the church that a lot of thoughtful people have given a lot of time to," Nilson said, including the ordination of women, priestly celibacy and same-sex relationships. But the pope refused to open a dialogue on these issues.
Benedict "may be the last pope whose fundamental education and perspectives were formed prior to the Second Vatican Council," Nilson said.
"I think that for being such a great intellect that he was, he really had a blind spot when it came to issues of homosexuality with all the wealth of discussion around the world," said Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministries in Mount Rainier, Md., which advocates for gay rights. "He seemed content to stay with knowledge that was hundreds of years old."
DeBernardo said that as Cardinal Ratzinger and as pope, Benedict "was the architect of some of the worst anti-gay policies that the church has had. ... I'm hoping that the next pope will be more open to discussion of LGBT issues and will listen to the lives and reality of LGBT people and their faith."
The most damaging issue Benedict has had to deal with, however, is the sexual-abuse scandal, which he inherited. While he has met with victims, something John Paul never did, Benedict has not done enough to tend to the victims or to sanction the perpetrators, according to several people interviewed.
"My own sense is that the average Catholic knows that the whole thing was terribly mismanaged in 10,000 different ways," said Nilson.
Fowler said, "I think he has maybe a B, if I were giving a grade. The (abuse) problem persists. I hope and pray that ... the molestation has stopped."
"I still think they have a bit of a tone deafness to what's transpired. ... I do think the church should be more aggressive.
"Our church has a long history of being too obtuse to crimes committed by clergy and I feel in the last 10 years things are better but we still have a long, long way to go," Fowler said.
Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of the Survivors' Network of Those Abused by Priests, said Benedict should have done much more.
"I think that it's very important that we look at the pope's actions and judge him by his accomplishments, not on his words and not what he said," she said. "Because I believe that while he may have made lofty statements, those statements have really not done anything to protect children. And the way to protect children is to take concrete action."
Among those actions are ordering bishops to post identities of sexual predators on their websites, which about 30 bishops have done, to order bishops if they have "any information or documents or evidence that they have about sex crimes that they should turn that over to the police."
It's impossible to know how much the scandal will damage Benedict's legacy over time. Many Catholics place the blame only on the perpetrators, not on their superiors.
Dahogren, who thinks Benedict handled the issue well, doesn't blame the Vatican. "The sex-abuse scandals are more on individuals than on the church," she said. "It's not a reflection on the church."
As a new pope is elected, possibly someone from a younger generation, Fowler is looking for someone similar to John Paul and Benedict. "We have to be people of hope," he said. "We've had two very good stewards of the faith in very difficult times in a world that's gone hog wild on materialism, and without them, the state of the church should have been much worse."
Call Ed Stannard at 203-789-5743.


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Event: Supperclub KL's Media Night
>> Monday, April 11, 2016
Supperclub KL is one of Angelucci Sdn. Bhd.'s upscale gastrobar and lounge that transforms itself into a swanky nightclub later in the night. With 15 years of experience in the F&B & entertainment industry, Angelucci also operates other outlets in Bukit Bintang i.e. Flam's the Thin Crust Pizza, Elixir & Mango's Tropical Cafe.
Supperclub is located at the all-new TREC's Electric Boulevard on Jalan Tun Razak. This urban cool industrial chic-themed gem features lavish decor, a charming terrace and an outdoor lounge area that could fit up to 200 guests at a time.
As you step through the entrance, you'll find an elegant island bar, where the bar team are well versed in crafting the classics such as Old Fashioned and Dry Martini, as well as bespoke creations, with a respect to the art of mixing. The wine and beer lists are thoughtful and concise, sourced from some of the world's best wineries and breweries. Don't overlook the oyster shooters as well as the aftertaste that could take you on a short trip by the ocean!
On that very night of Supperclub KL's Media Night (late last month), we had the capable bar team led by Kirill Chanin, mixologist who flew in all the way from Moscow. Kirill used to be a mixologist at Chainaya Tea & Cocktails, one of the world's top bars, so we were really in for a treat :D
Supperclub KL takes live entertainment seriously; with a state-of-the-art sound system by world class L Acoustics, lighting systems and special effects throughout the venue which undoubtedly set the stage for outstanding performances by international and local DJ acts, soloists and vocalists while the dance floor sits across the throne, surrounded by a lounge zone with leather seats and sofas. Although I'm not one who frequents clubs (*shy* it's probably my 1st time really entering a club in KL & sitting through several hours....), I dare say that I had a good time enjoying the music played & sung at Supperclub KL.
Supperclub's resident disc jockey, DJ Noisemaker
Fantastic keyboardist, Reza, accompanying singer, Gracie
A snippet of Gracie & Reza entertaining the crowd
Violinist, Roxanne, playing some interesting tunes
Who's spinning what type of music on which day
Canapes served on that evening
They were surprisingly REALLY delicious. I didn't expect such delectable bites & food at Supperclub! :)
We had our dinner cum supper of truly commendable seafood marinara spaghetti, pesto penne, Caesar salad & lamb skewers/kebabs plus a simple yet delish range of desserts consisting of fresh strawberries with chocolate, chocolate wafers & chocolate love letter rolls.
My friend who came along with me was so pleased with this new club that she actually returned with more friends the same week! Hahaha...if you love clubs with good music & delicious food + satisfying drinks, Supperclub KL could be your next favorite place to frequent ;)
Supperclub KL
Lot E12-14, Electric Boulevard, TREC
Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: (+603) 2110 0866
Business hours: Tue – Sun, 5:00p.m. – 3:00a.m.
Email: email@example.com / email@example.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/supperclubkualalumpur/
An interesting discovery in the heart of KL!


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WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Schumer, an influential Democrat and member of the party's leadership, said Tuesday he would back President Barack Obama's choice of Chuck Hagel to head the Pentagon despite earlier misgivings about the Republican's stand on Israel, Iran and gay rights.
In a lengthy statement, Schumer said he met for 90 minutes with Hagel on Monday and received assurances on a range of issues from the former Republican senator.
"I am currently prepared to vote for his confirmation. I encourage my Senate colleagues who have shared my previous concerns to also support him," Schumer said.
The face-to-face meeting took place in the West Wing of the White House. While there, Schumer also met with Obama in the Oval Office, according to a Senate aide. Schumer told Obama that Hagel's responses on Israel were critical to his decision on the nomination.
Schumer telephoned Hagel Tuesday morning and informed him of his decision, according to the aide.
Hagel has faced opposition from his former Republican colleagues and lukewarm support from some Democrats before and after Obama tapped him to replace Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
But Schumer's support coupled with backing from Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee, will be critical to the prospects for his nomination. The two are the more prominent Jewish members of the Senate, and Schumer is the third-ranking Senate Democrat.
In a conference call with reporters, Boxer said she was unaware that Schumer had announced his support for Hagel, but the fact that the two lawmakers reached their decision independently would be a boost to his nomination.
Boxer said she was confident that Hagel would carry out Obama's policies.
She added: "I feel people are being very unfair to Chuck Hagel."
Schumer said Hagel told him that he backs all steps necessary, including the use of military force, to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Schumer also said Hagel told him that he has always supported Israel's right to retaliate militarily against attacks by Hezbollah or Hamas.
Hagel drew widespread criticism for referring to the "Jewish lobby" in describing certain pro-Israel groups. Schumer said Hagel understands the sensitivity of the "such a loaded term and regrets saying it."
"I know some will question whether Senator Hagel's assurances are merely attempts to quiet critics as he seeks confirmation to this critical post. But I don't think so," Schumer said. Senator Hagel realizes the situation in the Middle East has changed, with Israel in a dramatically more endangered position than it was even five years ago. His views are genuine, and reflect this new reality."
Schumer said Hagel also provided assurances on gay rights and abortion rights for members of the military.
Hagel has reached out to all 100 senators and his meeting with Schumer was the first of a dozen one-on-one sessions planned over the next few weeks.
Hagel's confirmation hearing before the Armed Services Committee will probably occur within weeks.
Boxer said late Monday that she would support Hagel's nomination. She said he provided answers to a range of questions and promised to support Obama's policies "without reservation."
The former Nebraska GOP senator has been dogged by questions of whether he's soft on Iran, weak in his backing for Israel and opposed to gay rights.
"A lot of charges rise up and fall when the facts are presented," Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., a friend of Hagel's, said in an interview Monday. "That's the same thing that's going to happen here. These claims - suddenly claims are debunked - and we get on to substance."
Backers of Hagel's nomination counter criticism by pointing to his votes for some $40 billion in military and security aid for Israel during his 12 years in the Senate and his support for all options, including military action, to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. They argue that his position on gay rights has evolved.
Despite the support, Hagel - a Republican tapped by a Democratic president - has few advocates in either party in the Senate and a limited number of opportunities to make inroads with the GOP.
Democrats hold a 55-45 advantage in the Senate, and the party has the numbers to confirm Hagel if the vote is a simple majority. A possible Republican filibuster and a threshold of 60 votes would add even more rancor to the current fight between Democrats and Republicans over Senate rules just as the leaders are trying to negotiate a compromise.


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One of the most spectacular costumes worn by Ellen Terry, the queen of the Victorian and Edwardian stage, has gone back on display at Smallhythe Place, in Kent.
Ellen Terry was famous for her dramatic roles, and to enhance her interpretation of Lady Macbeth in the late 1880s she wore an extraordinary emerald and sea green gown adorned with the iridescent wings of the jewel beetle.
It gave her a silkily armoured, serpent-like appearance. She was portrayed wearing it by John Singer Sargent (one version of which is at Smallhythe, another, more finished, is at Tate Britain).
The dress had been preserved at Smallhythe Place, the Kent cottage where Terry ended her days, but over time it had become increasingly fragile. Textile conservator Zenzie Tinker and her team were commissioned to restore the costume.
About 1,000 beetle wings were re-attached to the costume, both original ones and replacements that had been donated. The entire conservation process took 1,300 hours of work.
Now the beetle wing dress is back at Smallhythe, in a new contemporary display space, together with other items from Terry's dressing room which have never been shown before.
"Fabulous, darling", as Ellen Terry might have said.
Update: More images cane be seen here on the Daily Mail website.


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Magistrate Court
If you can't to resolve a dispute with a person or a business, you may take your problem to magistrate court.
Magistrate court, also called small claims court, is an informal court that handles money claims of less than $15,000. This court offers a quick and inexpensive process to resolve complaints.
Examples of problems often taken to magistrate court include:
- A tenant refusing to pay for damages in excess of the security deposit.
- A landlord seeking to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent.
- A landlord failing to return a security deposit.
- A merchant refusing to replace, repair or refund faulty merchandise.
- A person refusing to return money or property borrowed from another.
- A dry cleaner refusing to pay for lost or damaged clothing.
- A driver refusing to pay for repairs after denting someone's fender.
- An auto mechanic charging for work not done, unnecessary repairs or faulty workmanship.
You may file a claim in magistrate court in your own name without an attorney, or you may hire an attorney at your expense. Magistrate court cases are heard and decided by a judge without a jury. In some counties, mediation is recommended or required before a judge will hear the case.
How do I file a claim?
The person filing a claim in magistrate court is called the plaintiff. The person or business against whom the claim is brought is called the defendant.
The plaintiff must file a sworn statement with the clerk of the appropriate magistrate court, describing the charges made by the plaintiff against the defendant. This statement is called a statement of claim, or a claim. The statement of claim should include the following:
- The complete name, address and phone number of the plaintiff (and his attorney, if he has one.)
- The complete name and street address of the defendant.
- The damages, or the amount of money or property the plaintiff is seeking.
- A brief statement explaining why the defendant is being sued, including the date(s) of the underlying incident(s).
- Copies of all relevant documents, such as contracts, receipts and canceled checks. (Keep the original documents for your files.)
If the defendant is a person, the claim must be filed in the county where the defendant lives.
If the defendant is a corporation, the claim must be filed in the county of the registered agent for the company. Contact the Corporations Division of the Secretary of State at 404-656-2817 to find out whether a business is a corporation and, if so, the name and address of its registered agent.
If the defendant is an unincorporated business, the claim must be filed in the county where the business is physically located.
At the time of filing, the plaintiff must pay a filing fee, which includes the charge to serve one defendant. This fee varies by county and can range from approximately $45 to $55. An extra charge for service for any additional defendants usually ranges from $25 to $35 per defendant.
The clerk of the magistrate court can help the plaintiff complete the necessary forms but cannot give any legal advice, such as whom to sue or whether or not the plaintiff will win.
REMEMBER, the plaintiff must prove to the judge that he is entitled to receive compensation from the defendant.
How is the defendant notified?
After the claim has been filed, the magistrate court will serve (notify) the defendant with a copy of the claim and a summons to appear in court.
The defendant has 30 days, in most cases, to give the court a written or oral answer to the claim. If the defendant fails to answer within this time, the plaintiff can ask the judge for a default judgment.
The defendant may file a counterclaim against the plaintiff, if the counterclaim is related to the plaintiff's original charge and the defendant's total monetary claims are also less than $15,000. Counterclaims are usually heard at the same time as the plaintiff's claims. If the judge rules in the defendant's favor on a counterclaim, the defendant may collect damages from the plaintiff.
How is the hearing date scheduled?
The court will set a hearing date after the defendant files an answer. The hearing date will usually be 15 to 30 days after the date the answer was filed. The court will notify both parties of the date, time and location of the hearing.
How does one prepare for the hearing?
Before the hearing date, both parties should:
- Collect all documents that would help to prove their case. Make extra copies for the judge and the other party.
- Contact any witnesses who have agreed to testify and inform them of the hearing date.
- Subpoena documents or summon witnesses to appear in court, if needed. A subpoena is a command to appear before the judge in order to give testimony or produce evidence. A subpoena can be obtained from the clerk of the magistrate court. The fee for serving a subpoena ranges from $5 to $25. Some counties include this cost in the filing fee.
What is the procedure for the hearing?
Some counties require mediation prior to a hearing before the judge. This allows the parties to try to settle the case without a hearing. Even if the parties agree to settle out of court, the plaintiff may ask the defendant to pay the court costs. If they cannot agree to settle, the judge will instruct both parties about courtroom procedure and hear the arguments presented by both sides.
The plaintiff and defendant may question or dispute each other's testimony during the hearing. When both parties have completed their presentations, the judge will give a judgment (make a decision). The judge may grant an award of monetary damages to the plaintiff, to the defendant or both.
The plaintiff must appear in court on the day of the hearing, or the judge may:
- Allow the defendant to present testimony and give a judgment, without hearing from the plaintiff.
- Postpone the case until a later date.
- Dismiss the case.
The defendant must appear in court on the day of the hearing, or the judge may grant a default judgment in favor of the plaintiff.
What is a default judgment?
If the defendant fails to answer the plaintiff's claims or fails to appear at the hearing, the judge may, upon the plaintiff's request, hear and decide the case without hearing the defendant's side. This is called a default judgment.
If the judge grants a default judgment, the plaintiff is entitled to the amount of money damages specified in the suit, plus court costs. If the plaintiff is asking for any non-money damages (such as property), a separate hearing must be held to determine the dollar value of the damages.
If the defendant doesn't file an answer to the claim within 30 days, the defendant shall be in default. However, after the expiration of the 30 days, the defendant has 15 days in which to "open the default" by filing an answer and paying court costs.
How does one appeal a judgment?
If either party is dissatisfied with the judgment, that party may appeal (request a review of the judgment by a higher court). Either the state court or the superior court in the county will hear the appeal, and either party may request a jury trial. Appeals must be made within 30 days from the judge's decision. The court that hears the appeal will charge a filing fee.
How does one collect the award?
In many cases collecting the court award is more difficult than proving the case in court. A judgment granting the plaintiff an award gives the plaintiff the right to collect the money damages from the defendant, but the plaintiff is responsible for actually collecting the award. The court cannot, and will not, collect awards for any party.
If the defendant is unable to make full payment immediately, the plaintiff may ask the court at the hearing to order a payment plan. The plaintiff must pay the clerical and accounting costs of such payment plan, which costs are not to exceed 10 percent of each payment made. If the defendant is unwilling to pay, the plaintiff may:
- Place a lien on the defendant's property, giving the plaintiff the right to sell the defendant's property to collect the money award. The clerk of the court, when asked by the plaintiff, can place a lien on the defendant's property. A small fee is charged to place a lien.
- Garnish the employer or bank account of the defendant in order to seize the defendant's wages or bank deposits. The garnishment process allows the plaintiff to collect installment payments on the debt the defendant owes. The plaintiff must file a separate garnishment action and pay a filing fee.
If you do not know the name of the defendant's bank or the location of other assets, you can file a post-judgment interrogatory. Mail the form, which can be obtained from the clerk of the magistrate court, to the defendant, who must respond under oath within 30 days. Note that the defendant may close the bank account when advised of the pending garnishment, and then you would need to obtain information about any new account.
- Hire a collection agency to recover the money damages owed. These services can be costly and are usually based on a percentage of the money collected from the defendant.


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Passengers Fear Blood-Sucking Bedbugs on China's Trains
Concerns about bedbugs invading China's railways are gaining steam online after one Weibo user posted a video of the parasites on board a train. Josh Chin tells Deborah Kan why the bugs are raising concerns for Chinese passengers ahead of a weeklong public holiday.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
I ... the the ... people expect delays when taking the train but in parts inside that there is an new worry and you're looking at right now and yes that is a bad bank ... and ever con joining me is reporter Josh Chin ... from Beijing okay Josh and ... I have to say and her dabbed bags in hand towels and a lot of hotels in the U S coming up this ... week that banks pay ... on trains and is this is this becoming a big problem in China ... oh well it's in and it's it's not quite to cook races yet those certainly in a worrying for a lot of people ... I'm basically this whole thing started ... of late August when the song was a passenger on a ... high speed train from Beijing to shine ... O was bits buys seven or eight ... different bed bugs and then recorded it on on this phone ... video both in lieu of them crushing the bones and blood spurting out under the sheets and put that up on the online in that since ... has recently gone viral so up here with that boasted that it doesn't it doesn't take a lot to this spread panic especially ... in China where millions of people are arriving restraints ... we're just saying it didn't isn't visible of the lovely video that looks pretty disgusting ... of what's interesting though is that ... this bull ... I'm this is been outed by micro bloggers right Nenad this is like a topic that of luck involved in blogging about and have found that they did have a similar situation ... write to write what is sending them in the years I wondered are you know that he always has its huge impact so that is not clear how many other people have experienced it in the end of the The Railway Bureau authorities in Beijing in a way of ... a confirmed ... the existence of bonds on the trains ... other shot higher railway bureaus companies refuse to comment saying it's not their responsibility ... and then you know the main source of the vanities is essentially that a ... was a lot of traffic on these trains and the andthe the really bureaus say that they needed disinfect ... all of the sheets in and and pillowcases everything ... after every journey ... to cover travel on a train in China ... you know it was equally will go to the Supercars in fine the the the ... sheets on your bed are suspicious the wrinkle ... and and and ... well most of the seats but can before before you got there ... so this is quite a bit of doubt about whether or not the authorities are doing everything they they say they are two of the control this situation ... and that the next train it would be yet it did to kill a would be a problem and given that ... so many travelers are going to in N out and you know you can take bed bags with unique and bring them to other places ... aam ... also had given the fact that ... your bad day had a major holiday in China at Golden week as next week where you have millions of people ... going places ... write notes the cream of the of the baby about this is the timing would work just on the cusp of the ... National day holiday was one of the longest only in China people ... you would of tens of millions of people filing in the train stations and jetting off all over the country and ... you know it so one of the ... year for all the benefits of China's I Schuylkill system ... insect infestation ... is ... spreading as is but we were one of the downsides ... you can imagine these the These bugs and shedding their way across the country ... and you know ... that there's a lot of really really big really crowded cities in China ... so I ... was so dramatic that's the main the main fears that this could of this ... could spread to acquire widely ... because of a hold or ... sell only their two friends that have yet to ... pack your bug spray in the ... midst of the holiday period it came thanks Fran that's just been ... sitting is brown Beijing for more on the bed but it is to dot com and ever con


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Toronto: 647-714-8271|Toll-Free: 1-866-304-0485|Main Corporate Address: 20 Eglinton Avenue W (Suite 2102), Toronto, ON Canada, M4R 1K8
© 2020 Michael H Niren Professional Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
*Michael H. Niren Professional Corporation. Niren and Associates was established in 1997 and has grown with offices throughout Canada and the US. Our main corporate office is in Toronto, ON Canada and is where we process most our clients immigration applications.Our resources and infrastructure are therefore vast so there is nothing we can not handle. We have the people and the expertise to address and resolve almost any immigration and visa problem. Often when immigration law firms are too small, there simply is not enough resources available to handle your case in a timely and cost effective manner. At our Toronto Immigration Law Firm, we have established and proven Canadian & US immigration systems in place managed by trained professionals and trained lawyers who know how to bring your case to its conclusion in the most efficient manner possible.


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Is Internet Killing the Video Star?
Napster was the first of its kind, providing music fans with easy and free access to albums and tracks and giving them a reason to avoid buying expensive CDs — the lifeblood of the music industry's business. The ability to share files around the globe reduced the barriers to music discovery and allowed Napster users to find new artists and songs in ways never imagined. It was a truly disruptive service, and it scared the hell out of the music industry.
Instead of embracing the massive adoption of this new service, finding a solution to accommodate the changing landscape or harnessing Napster as a future platform, the music industry held onto its rigid CD-based business, prayed that file sharing would go away and eventually tore Napster down.
Today, you can draw several parallels between the music industry in the late '90s and early 2000s and the TV industry today. Viewing habits are changing. Just like music in the early 2000s when young adults started turning away from physical media and opting for singles versus complete albums, viewers are "tuning in" very differently to movies and TV programming.
Today, if Netflix were part of a cable package, it would be one of the top viewed networks, according to a Facebook post from CEO Reed Hastings. Meanwhile, Nielsen recently reported that cable cutting is up by 150 percent since 2007, marking a significant shift in viewer behavior. Additionally, Aereo CEO Chet Kanojia is now assuming the role of Shawn Fanning by intimidating the cable companies with a disruptive service that lets viewers access broadcast programs at a much lower cost than cable packages.
But, instead of adapting to changing viewer behavior, the cable companies, Hollywood and broadcasters are holding onto old business models for dear life and calling the lawyers. Sound familiar?
Avoiding a Bad Sequel: Lessons for the TV Industry
Ignoring or fighting digital consumer behavior is a recipe for disaster — resulting in rejection faster than an unpalatable creation by a contestant on Hell's Kitchen. It's time for TV broadcasters, content creators and advertisers to innovate their businesses instead of maintaining existing models through threats and litigation.
First, they need to understand that their viewers are setting the rules and defining the life expectancy of their programming and services. They will decide your fate — not you. Consider the following:
- You Can't Take Content Away: The outdated model based on controlling distribution is dying. If you force it underground — that is, "illegal streams and downloads" — you've lost the battle.
- Adapt or Die: The millennial generation is addicted to YouTube, on-demand and streaming services. They no longer tune in at a specific time and date, and are increasingly shying away from paying for premium cable bundles. With filmmakers and producers spending the time and resources to make great TV programing, like "Homeland," "Girls" and "Mad Men," delivery methods should be figured out to get these shows to viewers who won't pay $150 per month in subscription fees.
- Open the Windows: The "distribution window" is used by Hollywood to define how long a VOD and streaming service can distribute movies and TV programming. The problem? If the window for season one of "Downton Abbey" is about to close from Netflix or your cable provider, and you haven't watched any of the episodes, you better call in sick to work to get your fill of the Granthams and the Crawleys, or miss the entire season altogether.
- Stop Explaining Business Models: Movie and TV viewers don't give a sh*t about business models. They just want to watch their favorite shows — whenever and wherever they choose. The music industry followed the same pattern in the early 2000s, explaining why the economics of music streaming and downloads would not support artists and the industry. Guess who won?
- Open Up to Developers: Don't assume innovation will only come from within your organization. By tapping the developer community, you will be able to move faster and find new ways to use or distribute content, which could result in new monetization strategies. Some of the more forward-thinking media properties, including ESPN, are already doing this, allowing developers to hack ad strategies and sports data.
- Rethink Discovery: As video distribution evolves, there needs to be a corresponding evolution in how people discover new movies and TV programming. If viewers are paying hefty monthly subscriptions (which today support a lot of what they don't watch), it is critical to provide paths to find what they really want to watch. The current TV guides embedded in our set-top boxes have to be completely rethought.
- Reinvent Measurement: We still depend on a small sample of viewers to rate the popularity of programs and we base all advertising decisions on this data. However, the technology to measure real time usage inside the TV exists today and has the potential to enable more precise measurement and better targeting of advertising.
The TV industry's fate is as much in the hands of viewers as the next American Idol. Not only accepting, but also realizing that TV programs and movies are easily accessible via proliferating distribution channels such as Netflix and Aereo, the industry can turn the tables and find opportunities with additional platforms and options to reach viewers for their eyeballs and spending. Most importantly, cable, broadcasters and Hollywood have the opportunity to move forward and determine better and more efficient business models to thrive.
Forward-looking networks like HBO have slowly worked toward a compromise by offering specialized content that depends on the Pay-TV ecosystem. However, with cord-cutting slowly beginning to eat into cable subscriptions, the HBOs of the world need to take distribution models a step further and offer everything streaming with direct-to-consumer subscription models, or risk losing their next core audience. If TV viewers are willing to pay for subscription streaming services, then the industry needs to jump on that bandwagon.
Rewriting the Ending: To Be Continued
The nature of distributing media is evolving, and the music industry learned the hard way as it struggled to adapt to a new generation of music fans. More than 10 years after the music industry forced Napster to tear down its P2P platform, the same industry has embraced free, ad-supported services from Spotify, Rhapsody, Deezer and others. In fact, this year marked the first time that the music industry made a profit since 1999.
Instead of struggling against the Internet Age and the connected world, broadcasters, cable companies and Hollywood can capitalize on the audience's need to enjoy what they have to offer — great TV programming. Content will always be king and the industry creates a tremendous amount of really compelling material. It just needs to keep the crime scenes to "Law & Order" and save the video star by taking a cue from music's past.
As president of Gracenote, Stephen White has played a critical role in shaping the company into a digital entertainment leader. He spearheaded the development of Gracenote technologies for top entertainment platforms and brands, including Apple, Ford and Sony. Today, he oversees all company strategy and operations, and is responsible for growing Gracenote's core business and vision.


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– With WWE working on several projects for Bruno Sammartino this year, the 2013 Hall of Famer is expected to be a playable character in the new WWE 2K14 video game, in an attempt to draw in older video game players.
– WWE's top choice to induct Bruno into the Hall of Fame this year is Arnold Schwarzenegger. Bruno and Arnold have been friends for over 40 years, when they worked out together in New York and California in the late 1960's and early 70's. Bruno Sammartino was one of the judges of the Mr. Olympia contest that Schwarzenegger won and also they judged several bodybuilding contests together in later years.
They remain friends to this day and will be together in a few weeks when Bruno Sammartino is inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame that is part of the Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH on March 2nd.
– WWE will be holding a Diva Search event in Los Angeles, California this week. The event is not open to the public, as WWE is having modeling agencies bring in attractive, athletic young ladies to be evaluated. Being a wrestling fan is a plus, but wrestling training is not required.
Bruno to do Angle on RAW, Spoiler on the New WWE Title Belt and More….
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter


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Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 10:06 pm
No offense to the Fuchs family, but Fox is much better. Life's too short to be Aaron Fuchs, Harry Guy, or the like.Since someone mentioned rappers: There was a producer/record company owner in the 80s and 90s named Aaron Fuchs. Apparently he got tired of comments, because towards the end of his company's run his named appeared in credits as "Fox.


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- Home
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- News & Media
Air pollution is the leading environmental health risk humans face. The combined effects of outdoor and household air pollution cause around 7 million - one in eight - premature deaths every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, lung disease, and cancers.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) data, air quality in most cities fails to meet WHO guidelines for safe levels, putting people at additional risk of respiratory disease and other health problems. Cities in low- and middle-income countries are the most affected, with some showing pollution levels ten times, or more, above the recommended levels.
Without action, air pollution in many cities will continue to get worse. While more than half of the world's population lives in cities today, the global urban population is expected to double by 2050. Most of this growth will occur in low and middle-income cities where rapid urbanization is outpacing their ability to provide necessary infrastructure and services.
The Coalition's Health initiative is working to make urban air pollution an urgent health and development priority. By improving air quality, cities and countries can reduce the health costs from air pollution-related diseases and support sustainable growth. Actions to reduce air pollution can also bring added climate benefits, as many of the air pollution sources are also heavy emitters of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), such as black carbon and methane, as well as carbon dioxide.
A range of affordable technologies, investment strategies and policy options are available to cut air pollution from the biggest sources – including transportation, industry, agriculture and fuel burning for cooking and heating. Solutions for governments, such as land use and spatial planning, clean transport and energy production, energy-efficient buildings, and waste management, also reduce climate emissions, while supporting healthier lifestyles and sustainable urban development.
The Health Initiative launched pilot projects in Accra, Ghana and Kathmandu, Nepal to provide a model for cities working to improve air quality. In each pilot city, local teams are:
The BreatheLife campaign is an ambitious campaign by the World Health Organization, UN Environment and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to dramatically reduce the 7 million deaths annually from air pollution by 2030 and slow the pace of climate change. It unites governments through its network of cities, regions and countries that aspire to reach WHO guidelines for healthier, cleaner air. It empowers the health sector to assess and monitor the costs and impacts of air pollution on people, and to advocate for and contribute to policies for cleaner air. It gives individuals concrete ways to take action against air pollution for better health and climate outcomes.
Over the next five years, the Health Initiative aims to increase public demand for action to reduce SLCPs and other air pollutants. At the same time the initiative is supporting national, city and sub-regional efforts to improve air quality, strengthening capacity of the health sector, and creating health and cost evidence for rapid mitigation action.
The Health initiative is led by a diverse group of state partners, non-state partners and civil society stakeholders that bring different perspectives and expertise. Working through our respective organizations and agencies, we are looking to build on the momentum of existing sustainability initiatives, focusing on our shared interest to protect public health. Traditional practitioners play a particularly important role in reaching high-risk and vulnerable populations.
To support measures that will improve public health immediately and for future generations, the initiative will also work with the Coalition's sector initiatives - promoting cleaner heavy-duty diesel vehicles, improved management of municipal solid waste, reducing open waste and agricultural burning, cleaner brick production and domestic cookstoves.
Santiago and other cities of Chile, were the flagship leaders of the BreatheLife campaign, driving development of the global campaign through its local Santiago Respira campaign to promote newer heating systems, improve its mass transit fleet and practice more efficient waste management, combining vigorous policy actions with a strong commitment to raising awareness.
Since its official launch at Habitat III in October 2016, 36 cities, sub-regions and national governments, representing 33.7 million people, have joined the BreatheLife campaign with official commitments to work towards achieving WHO Air Quality Guidelines by reducing short-lived climate pollutants. These include Santiago, Talca (and the Maule region), Concepcion, Hualqui and Chiguayante (Greater Concepcion area), Chile; Jalisco State, Mexico; Greater Manchester, United Kingdom; and Aburrá Valley, Colombia, Washington DC, United States and the national government of Mongolia. In addition, London, United Kingdom made its announcement on 4 October 2017 and Paris, France has announced that it will join the campaign.
5-year milestones:
Over the last year, the Coalition has increased high-level engagement and developed a robust framework for a multiple benefits pathway approach. Key results from our 11 initiatives are reflected...
This document presents results from the Climate & Clean Air Coalition's Urban Health Initiative reported between July 2016 and June 2017. These results were recorded using the...
Lead Partner: A Coalition partner with an active role in coordinating, monitoring and guiding the work of an initiative.
Implementer: A Coalition partner or actor receiving Coalition funds to implement an activity or initiative.
Air pollution is responsible for an estimated 7 million deaths annually, or one in eight premature
deaths every year. This makes it the world's largest environmental health risk, and among the largest
global health risks – comparable with "traditional" health risks such as smoking, high cholesterol, high
blood sugar and obesity.
Some 4.3 million air pollution-related deaths are due to household air pollution and 3.7 million
deaths are due to outdoor air pollution. Most air pollution-related deaths are from heart disease and
stroke, followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute and chronic respiratory conditions and cancers.
The air pollutant linked most closely to excess death and disease is PM2.5 (particulate matter less
than 2.5 micrometres in diameter), heavily emitted by both diesel vehicles and the combustion of biomass, coal and kerosene. Ozone is another pollutant that causes significant respiratory illness, including chronic asthma. There is growing evidence that oxides of nitrogen (NOx), a major contributor to ozone and heavily emitted by diesel vehicles, is also linked to significant health risks.
Black Carbon is a short-lived climate pollutant that is a major component of health-harmful PM2.5 air pollution – particularly from diesel vehicles, diesel engines, coal and biomass stoves and waste incineration. Since black carbon persists for only a short time in the atmosphere, reducing black carbon emissions can have significant near-term climate and health benefits.
Ground-level Ozone is also an SLCP, formed by a mix of air pollutants typically emitted over cities or nearby rural areas, including methane (another SLCP) from urban sewage, waste, and agriculture,as well as NOx from vehicles. Along with being a key factor in respiratory illness, ozone decreases crop yields and contributes to climate change.
By acting now to reduce short-lived climate pollutants that are also air pollutants we will see substantial and immediate gains in public health, saving millions of lives, as well as slowing near-term climate change. The United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization have estimated that reducing SLCP emissions from key sources such as traffic, cookstoves, waste, agriculture and industry could reduce global warming by about 0.5° C (2010-2050).
Public health benefits are enjoyed locally – The largest initial benefits of reductions in short-lived climate and air pollution emissions will be enjoyed by people living in the areas where actions are taken – making measures very attractive to policymakers. Public health benefits of reduced ozone and black carbon emissions may begin to be realized within in a matter of days or weeks through improved air quality.
Air and climate pollutants have their greatest health impacts among the poor – but the poor are not the only victims of air pollution. Reducing household pollution risks from smoky biomass and coal cookstoves, in particular, can help alleviate the burden of poverty-related diseases. Urban air pollution levels also tend to be higher in many low-and middle-income cities and in poor neighbourhoods of high-income cities. This means reductions in SLCPs can have particularly large health benefits for lower income groups as well as for children, elderly, and women.
It is important to remember, however, that urban air pollution disperses very widely. Ozone pollution levels may often be highest on the urban periphery. So rich and poor alike benefit when SLCP emissions, and consequent air pollution, are reduced.
Urgent action to tackle air pollution in cities is needed to improve the health and well-being of over half of the world's population. Only 12% of cities globally meet WHO air quality guidelines, with some cities suffering from pollution levels 2-5 higher than guideline thresholds. The good news is that urban planning, urban transport, building design and waste methane gas capture can reduce urban emissions from traffic, building energy, power systems and municipal sewage/waste.
Strategic changes in urban development priorities may be the most effective means of reducing reduce air and climate pollutants while optimizing health benefits. Cities are suffering from soaring rates of noncommunicable diseases. This is due not only to air pollution, but also to physical inactivity, poor diets, unsafe housing and other urban health inequities. Urban policies that target climate and air pollution emissions, as well as other causes of ill health, can yield multiple benefits. For instance, investing in clean urban transit, pedestrian and bike networks can help reduce traffic injury and support physical activity – as well as reducing SCLPs, air pollution and CO2 emissions. More physical activity, in turn, helps reduce obesity and obesity related-diseases.
This report was developed as a policy-relevant summary of potential benefits to health from reducing emissions of short-lived climate pollutants. The report brings together available knowledge...
Addressing air pollution makes sense health-wise and as an investment in a clean and livable future. he Urban Health and Sustainable Development web platform gives cities access to data, tools,...
The Norwegian Government wishes to contribute to the battle against non-communicable diseases in low-income countries. This work will be included in health related development cooperation and will...
Household air pollution disproportionately impacts women and children's health, and is a main cause of noncommunicable disease such as, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer...
This flyer compares BenMAP and AirQ+ tools and its applications for air pollution and health impact assessment.
This flyer explains the general methodology on how estimate health benefits using available tools (in Spanish).
This flyer explains the multiple benefits (health, climate change, and air quality) of integrated strategies on air quality and climate action plans in Cali and Aburra Valley, Colombia (in Spanish...
En el marco de la implementación de la campaña BreatheLife (RespiraVida), la cual responde a un esfuerzo conjunto de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (PAHO), el Programa de las Naciones...
How we guide progress toward achieving access to modern-energy cooking solutions for all is more critical than ever before. To date, measurements of access have focused primarily on fuel...


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Welcome aboard our 214th wk. of "Monday's Music Moves Me" !
I'm the Conductor on this Musical trip. Co-Conductors are my buds Callie of JAmerican Spice, Stacy of Stacy Uncorked, Cathy of Curious as a Cathy, and our Becca of Everyday Life co-conductor's on our MUSIC LOVE TRAIN! APPLAUSE! NOW LET'S ROCK THIS PLACE & get this TRAIN rollin'!STEPS: You Tube, lock & load! Grab "Monday's Music Moves Me" Button. SIGN LINKY, Follow US, & leave a Rockin' comment! Finally, Boogie down to your Fellow Rockin' Bloggers & bring some back with you to join us! As you may have noticed any link that you see with NO MUSIC you don't have to visit if you don't want too. We're here to ROCK & ROLL! Our "SPOTLIGHT DANCER" now gets the PRIVILEGE of picking A "THEME" BUT EVERY OTHER WEEK AS IS THE DANCER! FREEBIES REMAIN THE SAME.
First ever since I heard this one I have been singing it for two weeks now… HELP!! DO THE SELFIE!
Then I'm sure we all can't get this one out of our heads I'm sure. ~hehehe~
Another is by the "WHO" –
One other is by the Rolling Stones
Don't forget to follow everyone! Now let's ROCK!
47 Responses to "Monday's Music Moves Me"
Yep! Marie you did it, these are some very annoying songs, hahahahha! And I love Mick but this "Miss You" is soooo whiny. "Do the Selfie" I guess I could live with its the subject that I find annoying. And then there's the Who with that mind numbing "Where are you"…okay okay, you might have won this one girlfriend. Good job! But I don't think I did have bad myself but we'll see.
Hope you have a great week and I loved that Chili recipe vlog…great job. You're such a personality, the camera loves you. Talk soon.
Awww ~blush~ thanks my friend, and yes these tunes can really get annoying after about the 50th time or so… bwahahahaha… ooo ooo ooo ooo whooooooo r u!!!!
I could see getting the bottom three stuck in my head, but I'm not worried about the first one.
Oh thanks Marie Happy will be on my min forever again now LOL good selections
Have a tanfabulous week ahead and ..erm…erm…erm just don't 🙂
Happy is definitely an earworm, but oh I so love it! It's just one of those infectiously delightful songs that puts me in a good mood no matter what else is going on. I couldn't get this tune out of my head until I bought the MP3 from iTunes back over the summer. lol Thanks for putting some happy in my feet this morning! 😉
OK so I apparently misunderstood the theme for this week – I thought it was "theme songs" you can't get out of your head… ooops! Oh well… And yes, your songs are definite songs that will get stuck on repeat… 🙂 Have an awesome week! 🙂
Uh-Oh! Girlfriend is having another blonde moment!!! bwahahahaha Who luvs ya girl!!! It's okay. They were still tunes you can't get out of your head anyway!
Happy is definitely my earworm. I can't help dancing to it when it comes on the radio.
It's been really hectic here at home – so many things that need to get done. My daughter and her family were going to come and visit at the end of this month, but with the ebola scare, I think they ought to stay home and not fly out. That's depressing.
These are all great songs! Only the best get stuck in repeat mode inside one's mind.
I had to do a tribute to the Late Paul Revere of paul Revere of Paul Revere and The raiders.
Paula Parker
What a great link up party. Time for a dance party, for sure!
Masshole Mommy
I love both the who and the Rolling Stones. Great song choices!!
I always look forward to Mondays because of this ongoing theme. Some of the songs on here are really great.
I do like that "Happy" song, but you're right, it gets stuck in your head all day, just like that! Haha. Actually, now I'm humming it in my head as I type this. Thankyouverymuch. 😉
What an awesome linkup. Great music!
Even though you posted videos i cannot get the Love Train song out of my head! lol
That selfie music video cracks me up every time I see it!
That selfie song is a riot! My friends are obsessed with it. It reminds me of this party I went to and two of the guys were dancing around like idiots to it and one guy was taking selfies with everyone at the party during it
Happy is definitely one that's always in my mind too!
Great list Dolly.
Hope your week is going great!
Loved the fancy parody. Thanks for another great monday music post. I really enjoy them.
Sounds like a cool blog hop. Mondays need music!
Awesome Music Monday. Miss You is my favorite Rolling Stones song.
Thanks for sharing your favorite songs. Sounds like you really enjoy music.
What a fun linky! My taste in music has changed incrediably over the years especially since I have gotten older.
I've had enough of Pharell Williams' song. I swear if I hear Happy" one more time I'll go nuts!
Ha – Happy is my cell ring tone!! I like to share my ear worms with everyone around me! LOL
And definitely Who are You – that's a great shower singing song! 🙂
but I think definitely Mick's "wuuooo, woouuee" will be in my head tonight. not a bad thing.
These are really fun! However, I think I may be the only person on the planet who hates the song "Happy" ha!
Yaaa Music Mondays. =) Love your page.
Great song choices! Thank you for sharing
That slfie song is hilarious! Nice post by the way!! I enjoyed all the videos!
Love the Rolling Stones—thanks for sharing!
My kids love Happy. But now that they have heard Tacky from Weird Al, they love it even more!
I always love your music selection on Mondays. It just reminds me of how much I love music and enjoy times when I can sit down and listen to some tunes!
Great selection and you have the most creative blog hops. I enjoy visiting everyone and listening to music.
My kids love dancing around to the Happy song, every time it goes on. This is a great linkup.
Great selection and yep Happy is a definite ear worm but when it comes to Pharrell i'm ok with that. He and his songs can live in my head anytime at all.
The WHO gets me dancing every time!!! and when I'm having a hard time at the gym…guess what– it's time to ask myself WHOOO ARE YOUUU and I belt it out so that I can push past that last rep! lol
Nice linky and song list.. love that you're always dancing over here!
I'm still not tired of Happy. It's a nice song.
Great choice of songs indeed. I love the Happy song because it makes you want to get up and dance. Thanks for sharing.
The music will surely hype the bloggers. LOL! Again, thanks for the linky!
Elizabeth Copeland
Happy – ay yi yi. This was placed weekly at spin class for a while, and now all I hear is "Happpyyyyy – to the left. Happpyyy to the right!"
Do the selfie, love this song. Funny thing I just learned a lot of the words from watching the video… Listening on the radio I'm too busy driving.
This is great.Love music and moving
Yet another awesome list! I've been jamming to "Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell lately.
The song Happy is so repetitious, but it's also super catchy. I really like it!
So nice selections. The Selfie Dance is hilarious! Really upbeat songs lifts the spirit! 🙂
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- Stocks To Watch
Harsco Gains 5% as BB&T Says Buy "Turnaround Story"
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Shares of Harsco (HSC) have gained today after BB&T Capital Markets upgraded its shares to Buy from Hold.
Analysts Robert Norfleet III and Basil Jones III explain the decision to raise their rating:
We believe that the strategic transformation of HSC's portfolio, as evidenced by the recently announced sale of its Infrastructure segment, as well as additional best practices and productivity enhancements (LEAN, etc.) should result in improved financial metrics, valuation, and, ultimately, a less complex business structure. While our non-consensus call is not primarily based on an expedited improvement in financial performance, it is a reflection of our confidence in the new management team and its ability to deliver value to shareholders through asset repositioning, improved ROICs and free cash flow generation. HSC remains a "turnaround story," but we believe the market is underestimating out-year earnings growth, which will be driven by the Brand Energy JV, lower corporate expenses, improved margins in Metals & Minerals and the likelihood of an accretive acquisition.
Shares of Harsco have gained 4.7% to $26.43 today at 1:16 p.m., outpacing other construction & engineering companies. Dycom (DY) has advanced 0.5% to $30, KBR Inc. (KBR) has ticked up 0.1% to $33.03, Worthington Industries (WOR) has risen 2.8% to $38.85 and Tutor Perini (TPC) has rallied 3.6% to $22.46.