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Colchester and Essex news, sport and information from the Essex County Standard
- Essex County Standard »
- National news »
- National News
National News
Payday loan debt problems soar
5:11am Tuesday 2nd September 2014
The number of people struggling to cope with payday loan debts has risen by more than 13,000 in the past year, figures show.
FBI and Apple probe photos hack
3:32am Tuesday 2nd September 2014
Apple and the FBI are investigating an online hack that led to the posting of hundreds of explicit photos of some of Hollywood's most famous female stars.
BBC and police face Cliff grilling
3:29am Tuesday 2nd September 2014
The director general of the BBC and chief constable of South Yorkshire Police will be questioned by MPs today over the handling of the search of Sir Cliff Richard's home.
Referendum rivals focus on jobs
3:29am Tuesday 2nd September 2014
Both sides in the independence referendum campaign will be hoping to brew up support as the debate focuses on job creation.
Movies 'make you eat more snacks'
9:01pm Monday 1st September 2014
Watching an action movie is worse for your waistline than tuning into a talk show, research has shown.
Ex-footballer on bribes plot charge
3:32pm Monday 1st September 2014
A former Premier League footballer has been charged with conspiracy to commit bribery.
'Plebgate shows police dishonesty'
3:16pm Monday 1st September 2014
A Scotland Yard report on the "plebgate" saga shows "industrial levels of dishonesty by police working in Downing Street", an MP has claimed.
Ebola Briton doing 'pretty well'
7:07pm Monday 1st September 2014
The first Briton to catch the deadly Ebola virus seems to be "pretty well", his family have said.
'Bad news' on panda 'pregnancy'
4:36pm Monday 1st September 2014
The UK's only female giant panda has passed her due date and experts fear "bad news" regarding her pregnancy.
PM: Russian presence 'unacceptable'
4:23pm Monday 1st September 2014
David Cameron has denounced the presence of Russian troops on Ukrainian soil as "unjustified and unacceptable", as he accused Moscow of trying to force its smaller neighbour to "abandon its democratic choices at the barrel of a gun".
Eating fruit boosts heart health
3:32pm Monday 1st September 2014
Eating fruit every day can reduce the risk of heart and artery disease by up to 40%, a study has found.
Search engines may face pirate law
6:48pm Monday 1st September 2014
Culture Secretary Sajid Javid has warned internet search engine companies legislation could be introduced if they do not make "real progress" in clamping down on links to pirate websites.
Watchdog criticises academy chain
3:32pm Monday 1st September 2014
A major academy chain has been heavily criticised by the schools watchdog after inspectors concluded that too many pupils are not getting a decent education.
Speaker praised for clerk 'pause'
2:49pm Monday 1st September 2014
Speaker John Bercow has been praised for executing an "evacuation from a hopeless position" as he was bombarded with questions from MPs on replacement for the Commons head clerk.
Man in court over Galloway attack
4:29pm Monday 1st September 2014
A man accused of beating up controversial MP George Galloway has been remanded in custody.
Bronson jailed for governor attack
4:37pm Monday 1st September 2014
One of the country's most violent prisoners has been sentenced to two years for holding a prison governor in a headlock.
Top Gear set to cross the Channel
4:31pm Monday 1st September 2014
Hit BBC series Top Gear is to be launched in France - a country which banned two of the UK presenters of the show from its roads last year.
X Factor sheds million viewers
3:32pm Monday 1st September 2014
The X Factor has seen its audience drop by a million in a day, as the second edition of the show failed to match the success of the series opener.
Referendum 'a test of common sense'
3:32pm Monday 1st September 2014
The independence referendum is not a test of Scottishness, but a test of common sense, former chancellor Alistair Darling has insisted.
BBC staff back action over jobs
4:34pm Monday 1st September 2014
Staff at the BBC have voted "decisively" to go on strike in a row over job losses.
Invader fan 'bent it like Beckham'
2:02pm Monday 1st September 2014
A football fan "bent it like Beckham" when he ran onto the pitch and took a free kick during a Premier League match, a judge said today.
Old sea dog survives cliffs ordeal
2:02pm Monday 1st September 2014
A springer spaniel has been reunited with his owners - after spending more than a week trapped at sea.
Children 'treated as baby convicts'
8:03am Monday 1st September 2014
Children in institutions in Northern Ireland were exported to Australia like "baby convicts", a witness has told a public inquiry into historical abuse.
Photos hack 'down to password code'
2:02pm Monday 1st September 2014
The online hack that led to the posting of hundreds of explicit photos of some of Hollywood's most famous female stars could have been down to an attack on their passwords.
Guitarist tells of taxi crush death
12:33pm Monday 1st September 2014
Kylie Minogue's guitarist has said he and his girlfriend narrowly dodged death on Valentine's Day after a building fell "out of the sky" - crushing the taxi he was in and killing the driver.
Student 'drowned after night out'
2:02pm Monday 1st September 2014
A university student who had been out drinking with friends died after falling into a river, an inquest has heard.
Reforms urged to foil EU 'tyranny'
2:02pm Monday 1st September 2014
British MEPs are powerless to block new laws in Brussels even when they unite across party lines, research has found.
Manufacturing worst for 14 months
10:45am Monday 1st September 2014
Manufacturers were "walking rather than running" in August as new figures today showed the sector endured its worst performance in 14 months.
Writer McEwan raps Amazon on taxes
10:45am Monday 1st September 2014
Internet bookseller Amazon has come under fire from Booker Prize-winning author Ian McEwan, who said the company should "pay its taxes like the rest of us".
Ross takes break over drug problem
10:45am Monday 1st September 2014
Presenter Paul Ross is taking a break from the airwaves after admitting to drug use and a lengthy affair with another man whom he met while dogging.
Rail bosses in weekend overtime ban
10:45am Monday 1st September 2014
Rail managers are to stage a three-week ban on weekend overtime which they warn threatens to disrupt travel across the network.
Summer's over but warm autumn due
8:03am Monday 1st September 2014
Summer might be over but the first week of autumn is set to be warmer than average with temperatures hitting as high as 25C.
Father tells of sea rescue anguish
2:58am Monday 1st September 2014
The father of a boy who went missing in the sea while on holiday was rescuing his younger son from the water when he lost sight of the older sibling, it has emerged.
18 days to independence referendum
8:03am Monday 1st September 2014
Scotland's month of destiny has arrived with the independence referendum just 18 days away.
Brown reveals Amy-Mandela jail joke
4:25am Monday 1st September 2014
Nelson Mandela had a soft spot for singer Amy Winehouse after a quip she made about his time in prison - former prime minister Gordon Brown has revealed.
'Vague' anti-terror plans attacked
12:55am Tuesday 2nd September 2014
Coalition plans to counter the threat from British jihadists have been criticised as "vague" and potentially unenforceable.
NHS trust put into special measures
12:27am Tuesday 2nd September 2014
One of the largest hospital trusts in England is to be put into a failure regime because of "serious failures" in patient safety
Johnson angry over 'Boris Island'
12:27am Tuesday 2nd September 2014
London Mayor Boris Johnson has accused the Airports Commission of setting the debate on aviation expansion back by half a century, ahead of an announcement this morning that his plan for a new airport in east London has been rejected.
Bake Off Berry fears being a burden
12:27am Tuesday 2nd September 2014
Great British Bake Off star Mary Berry has said that she does not want to live beyond 90 and that she would like her children to be able to "give me a pill" if her health deteriorated and she became a "burden".
Launch for free school meals scheme
12:27am Tuesday 2nd September 2014
Almost two million infants will receive a free lunch from today under a new £1 billion scheme, amid ongoing concerns about its cost.
Steep rise in skin cancer figures
12:03am Tuesday 2nd September 2014
The number of people admitted to hospital for skin cancer has increased by 41% in just five years, new figures show.
Clegg sympathy for Ashya's parents
12:27am Tuesday 2nd September 2014
Nick Clegg has said he believes it is "not appropriate" to "throw the full force of the law" at the parents of five-year-old brain cancer patient Ashya King.
Clock ticking for Strictly co-host
12:27am Tuesday 2nd September 2014
She is about to make her debut as Sir Bruce Forsyth's replacement on Strictly Come Dancing, but Claudia Winkleman believes that she is coming to the end of her shelf-life as a presenter.
Paxman peeved at demise of satire
12:27am Tuesday 2nd September 2014
Jeremy Paxman has lamented the dearth of political satire on the small screen and taken a swipe at "self-regarding" actors.
Brit forces 'harmed Madeleine hunt'
12:27am Tuesday 2nd September 2014
Competition between British police forces hindered the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and have had a long-term negative effect on the case, according to the author of an unpublished Home Office report.
'Vague' anti-terror plans attacked
12:11am Monday 1st September 2014
Coalition plans to counter the threat from British jihadists have been criticised as "vague" and potentially unenforceable.
Many 'unaware of childhood cancer'
12:11am Monday 1st September 2014
Many people "simply do not know that children get cancer", research by a cancer charity has found.
Zara back in saddle for world games
10:57pm Sunday 31st August 2014
Zara Phillips has made an impressive return to major competition - despite having "a bit of a lazy horse".
Poll reveals public's care concerns
2:11pm Sunday 31st August 2014
Just one quarter of people think they will receive the social service care they need in old age or if they suffer disability, according to new research.
RAF help Iraq humanitarian aid drop
11:01am Sunday 31st August 2014
RAF transport planes have taken part in an air drop to bring urgently needed humanitarian aid to the besieged Iraqi town of Amirli, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said.


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Universal Life Insurance
For long-range goals like paying for your kids' college, supplementing your retirement income, and leaving a financial legacy for your family, universal life (UL) insurance can be a great fit. In addition to death benefit protection, it allows you the opportunity to build tax-deferred cash value that you can access for future use (provided all applicable premiums are paid). It also includes features like flexible premium payments that can generally be paid in any amount, at any time, and even in advance, allowing your policy to adapt to you. Not the other way around.
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Life insurance products are issued by ReliaStar Life Insurance Company (Minneapolis, MN), ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York (Woodbury, NY) and Security Life of Denver Insurance Company (Denver, CO). Within the state of New York, only ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York is admitted, and its products issued. All are members of the ING U.S.family of companies. CN0809-11703-1818

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This ceramic pendant necklace depicts a beautiful lotus flower, symbolic of perseverance, resilience and personal growth. The pendant measures about 1.25 inches diameter and comes on a waxed brown fiber cord necklace measuring about 26 inches when tied. Handmade in Canada: no two items are alike and some minor variation in size or color may be apparent. Not waterproof.


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Despite possible tightening of monetary policy sooner than expected, the market will move higher, Dennis Gartman said.» Read More
CNBC's Morgan Brennan shares which factors are contributing to the growing number of surfers.
CNBC's Sara Eisen gauges the state of the retail environment. The "Closing Bell" panel weighs in.
Jay Leno, host of "Jay Leno's Garage," discusses the valuation of autos and if a bubble is ahead. Leno reveals his best investment was a Mclaren F1.
How retail investors are playing current market conditions, with Thomas Vitowski, Cambridge University president, and Susan Noyes, Makeitbetter.net founder.
Lou Basenese, Disruptive Tech Research, discusses Google's push into the drone delivery space.
Discussing how strong of a threat ISIS is to the United Kingdom and the U.S., with John Browne, Euro Pacific Capital.
CNBC's Susan Li reports Orbitz shares are popping on news that American Airlines will resume offering tickets on its site.
CNBC's Dominic Chu looks at the best performing sectors in the month of August. Health care, consumer staples, and energy were among the best segments. Art Cashin of UBS, provides perspective.
Dissecting August's month of trading, with CNBC contributors Zachary Karabell; Rebecca Patterson; and CNBC's Jon Fortt.
Discussing if stocks are overvalued and if earnings will continue to climb, with Oliver Pursche, Gary Goldberg Financial Services, and Adam Thurgood, HighTower.
CNBC's Melissa Lee looks at what stocks outperformed in the Nasdaq.
Vice Media is in talks to sell a 10 percent stake to A&E Networks. CNBC's Julia Boorstin has the details.
Discussing if the stock market's resilience will carry over into September, with Dan Greenhaus, BTIG chief global strategist, and Jeff Hirsch, Stock Trader's Almanac editor-in-chief.
September is usually a shaky month for the market. CNBC's Dominic Chu identifies some potential rough spots ahead. On the floor, Lou Pastina of the NYSE says good bye after 31 years of service.
Facilities and operations manager at Market Basket Steve Paulenka, and Tom Trainor, Market Basket district grocery supervisor, discuss the resolution of the dispute between cousins Arthur T. and Arthur S. Demoulas which initially cost both men their jobs.
According to S&P Capital IQ, 80% of active fund managers are underperforming their benchmarks year-to-date. CNBC's Jeff Cox, and Aaron Task, Yahoo! Finance editor-in-chief, discuss active versus passive index management.
Discussing earnings estimates and if corporate profit margins can continue to climb, with Patty Edwards, U.S. Bank; Rob Morgan, V2V Associates; Rich Peterson, S&P Capital IQ; and Jeff Taylor, Digital Risk.
Discussing how to counter the "new" Russia and if airstrikes will effectively combat ISIS, with former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, William Taylor.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, William Taylor, weighs in on U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron's statements about the threat of ISIS and if U.S. will be drawn into armed conflict.
Discussing investor demand and the importance of a smooth leadership transition, with TD Bank Group CEO Ed Clark.


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With many parts of the Tennessee Valley still under flood warnings and watches, authorities are urging people to avoid rising waters at all costs.
Flooding is the leading cause of death when it comes to weather-related hazards.
Most of those deaths are drownings that happen when people try to drive across flooded roads or walk in flooded areas.
"People think when they are looking at the water, what you see is what you get, but there could be so much going on underneath that water," explained Paige Colburn, who is with the Madison County EMA.
It all comes down to not knowing what's under the water. There could be potholes or dips, or, even worse, the road could be gone.
"It only takes 18 inches of water to float your car, and even if it looks like it's only 6 inches, you can have places where the road has washed away," said Colburn.
Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths. Half of those deaths happen in cars, and most of the others happen to people walking in flood waters.
"It really only takes 6 inches of flowing water to knock a person down," added Colburn.
Then there are the health risks you can face. Doctors say you should never play in standing or rushing water. You don't know where it's been, but there's a good chance it has made it's way through the sewage system.
"Diseases that could come from that are Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, E.coli, and Hepatitis A," said Dr. Debra Williams with the Madison County Health Department.
While those illnesses typically aren't fatal, they will make you sick for a very long time.
"You are going to get any of those diseases by swallowing the water. If you put your hands in your mouth, then you are going to have access to the infection as well," explained Dr. Williams.
You won't be able to see the bacteria, no matter how clean the water looks.
Copyright 2013 WAFF. All rights reserved.
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Applies to: Office of Research Business Units
The Research Systems Training team is experienced in designing and developing technical and training content that supports research efforts for the Medical College of Wisconsin research community. The group currently supports the eBridge system with technical documentation and training for the modules implemented in eBridge. In addition, the Research Systems Training team creates Captivate training required to perform certain research here at MCW. Required training is tracked in a user's Researcher Profile in eBridge.
If you would like to work with our team to add online technical content to the eBridge Support Web page for a module in eBridge (Animal, Human, Funding, or IBC Safety), create Job Aids to better support roles used in an eBridge module, or create a Captivate training course specific to a module in eBridge, please complete the Request Services form.
After you complete and submit the Request Services form, we will evaluate and assess the scope of work for your request to determine resourcing options. Keep in mind that the Training team is resourced to every eBridge project that is in development, as well as resourced to develop Captivate training for required certifications in various research areas (for example, safety courses, such as rDNA , Bloodborne Pathogens, and Lab Chem Safety). We will do our best to accommodate your request.
After our evaluation, we will contact you to discuss the request and better define the work. Once the work is resourced, we will meet with your identified subject matter expert who will provide the content that will be used to create the training, technical documentation, or job aid you indicated on the form. This will be a collaborative effort between the training resource and the identified subject matter expert, with review and modifications until the content is ready for final signoff. Nothing is published until final signoff by the Business Unit Project Owner.
During the collaboration between the training resource and the subject matter expert, the format and design of the content being created will be discussed. The Training team makes the final decision regarding: 1) format to adhere to CMS best practices, 2) established standards of the Research Systems Training team, and 3) the current look and feel on our Training and eBridge Support Web sites.


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Creative Kids' Rooms, Part II:
Kids' Room Accessories
Once your child's room is painted and furnished, you enter the final phase of creating kid's room perfection: accessories. Finding the right combination of chutzpah isn't easy, but it's not impossible either. This list can help you out.
String Lights
For less than $10, add a colorful touch of subtle lighting to the room with these dangling lights. Available in a host of designs from elegant to zany, there is bound to be a style that suits your theme.
Bright Ideas
Interior Decorator Jane Parr suggests using lighting to fit the needs of the child. "A very simple addition can be tiny Christmas lights around the top of the walls for a child who is still unhappy in the dark at night," she says. "I like to suggest hanging lamps for small kids, as some of the lamps do look like toys, and it is better to have these above the child's head!"
Colorful Extra Storage
"Storage cubes that serve double duty as seating are fun, especially covered in faux fur or a fun fabric," says Parr. Even the neatest kids need a place to toss all their stuff for a quick clean up. Pop-up hampers offer a fun way to hide the mess. Available in fun characters, like a frog, elephant and flower, these storage units also offer a decorative solution for storing irregularly shaped items.
Color-coded Storage
To give efficiency and order to a child's closet, choose storage boxes in bold colors to create a color-coded organization system. For example, all blue containers can hold craft items, yellow holds doll accessories and red is for puzzles and card games. This makes organization particularly easy for little ones who can't read labels.
Create a poetic vignette that will dramatically illustrate the theme of the room using a large shadowbox. This can be placed on a shelf or hung on the wall. In it, place items that express the feel of the room, for instance a princess room's display could be a sequined wand, tiara and lace handkerchief, while an aquatic-style room could have a shell, starfish and pile of sand inside. This is one project that is only limited by your brainstorming abilities.
There are many varieties of mobiles to choose from on the market today. The favorite has to be the solar system mobile, which works great for a space room. You can make your own to fit any theme by using fishing wire strung through a key chain hoop affixed to the ceiling. Use foam sheets found at arts and crafts stores to cut out colorful shapes that coordinate with the room.
Wooden Letters
Create cute sayings or one-word statements using large wooden letters (available at most craft stores) painted to match the room. "Dream," "Play" and "Baby" are some basic examples. You can "write" a name vertically to personalize the room or just place assorted letters on a shelf for a decorative effect. Sprayed with silver or gold paint, these letters really make a classy statement.
Collectible Corners
Hang decorative shelving in each of the four corners of the room. These can be useful for storing a child's favorite collection, since many are available in themed designs, like a baseball design for displaying trophies and baseball cards.
Shelving Border
Have a kid who loves to collect but can't figure out where to display all the model cars, cat figurines or snow globes? Try affixing a small shelving unit high atop each wall to create an all-around unit. This works best for collections that aren't handled much, since kids will need their parents' help getting items on and off the shelf.
Use a thick piece of cardboard or a piece of particleboard to create a personalized headboard. Use a piece of painted picket fencing for a garden theme or netting secured to a backing for a soccer-style room. For an over-the-top girl's room, upholster the board with pink, velvet fabric and a feather boa border. For a masculine look, try canvas, jersey or even a rubber look.
Exercise Equipped
Include a physical element to the room. By including such items as a ballet barre, yoga mat or other fun equipment, you are encouraging your child to use his or her space for more than sleeping. Ikea.com offers a wide range of physical furniture, from a standing rocker, which can also be a seat, tunnel or screen, to a ceiling swing and wall bars that double as clothes hangers.
Personal Personality
Monogramming can be one way to add a personal touch to a room. Think how regal a headboard can look with an elaborately painted monogram on its center. Or add a hand-painted door hanger with the child's name. Functional items like wall-mounted coat hangers or hatboxes can be decoupaged with inexpensive black and white photocopies of childhood photos.
Personalized Art
A simple, inexpensive way to decorate bare walls is to find the largest canvas you can. A good look is three or four canvases, about 19 inches by 25 inches or bigger, lined up across a wall. For a modern look, paint blocks of color or do simple landscape paintings. Keep them unframed to save on cash and get a gallery look.
Spark Creativity
"The Internet is a great place to thoroughly search for accessories such as pillows, lamps, containers for odds and ends, curtains ... all something different and fun," says Parr. "Type in whatever you have decided upon, and enjoy the hunt! The endless possibilities make it fun. A trip to a museum or the zoo can spark an intense interest in something. Go through some magazines or comic books with your child and find a scene you really like. Then look for elements of that theme that you can reproduce on the walls, in the bedding, etc."
Decorating your child's room should be an enjoyable experience. Keep the formality low and the fun high, and you're bound to love the results.


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Davide Mauri
Davide Mauri - MVP on SQL Server - has worked with SQL Server since version 6.5, and his interests cover the whole platform, from the Relational Engine to Analysis Services, from architecture definition to performance tuning. He also has a strong knowledge of XML, .NET and the Object Oriented Design principles, which allows him to have the correct vision and experience to handle development of complex Business Intelligence solutions. Having worked as a Microsoft Certified Teacher for many years, Davide is able to pass all his knowledge to his co-workers, allowing his team to deliver high-quality solutions. He currently works as a Mentor for SolidQ and can be found speaking in many Italian and internationals events.
Instrumenting, Monitoring and Auditing of SSIS ETL Solutions
Come to this session to see how you can create a logging, monitoring and profiling solution for your existing or new SSIS packages overcoming all usual problems that a typical solution brings: increasing package complexity, longer development times and so on. The session will propose a standard, out-of-the-box solution for all of these challenges.
Temporal Snapshot Fact Table
Snapshots without snapshots...is that possible? Take a "Classic" snapshot fact table, add some temporal data theory and you'll get a new fact table than can store snapshot data without doing snapshots. A life saver when you have a lot of data.
Blog posts
SSIS Dashboard v0.4
19 Aug 2014
Following the post on SSISDB script on Gist, I've been working on a HTML5 SSIS Dashboard, in order to have a nice looking, user friendly and, most of all, useful, SSIS Dashboard. Since this is a "spare-time" project, I've decided to develop it using Python since it's THE data language (R aside), ...
SSISDB Analysis Script on Gist
23 Jul 2014
I've created two simple, yet very useful, script to extract some useful data to quickly monitor SSIS packages execution in SQL Server 2012 and after.get-ssis-execution-status get-ssis-data-pumped-rows I've started to use gist since it comes very handy, for this ...
Submitted Abstract Feedback – My 2 cents
15 Jul 2014
"WOW. That's exactly the feedback I would have loved to have for ALL my proposals in the past year. And not only for PASS Summit". No more and no less this is what I thought after having received the mail with all the feedback from the review committee of my PASS Summit proposals. Yeah, sure, I ...
PASS Summit 2014 – Agile BI & Agile Data Warehousing
09 Jul 2014
I'm really happy to be able to announce that I'll be delivering one full-day workshop and a regular session at PASS Summit 2014. Here's the titles and the short summary of my workshop and session: Agile Data Warehousing: from Start to FinishFull-Day WorkshopIn this workshop you'll learn how to ...
GUID, fragmentation and performance: the eternal flame.
06 Apr 2014
In the last months a lot of discussion has been done around the topic of GUIDs and their usage as Clustered Keys. We had a very "hot" discussion on that several years in Italy, and looking on the web you can see that this kind of question surface gain periodically. Recently I discussed it also with ...


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Despite the government shutdown, the U.S. Federal Building in Minneapolis is still open and still processing passports inside. But across the Twin Cities there are groups of non-essential federal workers that are no longer on the job, and many of them took to the streets in protest Tuesday.
"I'm both worried and I'm pretty disgusted with our representatives," said Barb Galle, a furloughed federal employee.
A divided government has these workers caught in the chasm.
"I got a phone call last night, but obviously didn't know for sure until this morning that they still didn't have anything once we got to work," said Dustin Hawkins, one of 280 civilian workers furloughed Tuesday at the 934th Airlift Wing.
"Right now we're thinking if this doesn't get resolved, what's next? Do I need to find a part-time job?" asked Dan Delgado, who stood at Tuesday's protest with a sign reading "Congress is getting paid, why not us?"
William Pool, chief engineer for the 934th, didn't think the shutdown would happen. But he's been down this road before -- laid-off during the last government shutdown 17 years ago.
"Thank goodness I'm an older person. I'm close to retirement, I'm a little more financially stable," Pool said. "We have young families on base who are worried about how they're going to feed their kids and pay their rent. And I'm out here for them."
For many federal workers, the glass is half-empty and draining fast.
"I was more confident that it was going to happen than not happen," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife employee Justin Mednick.
At a Bloomington restaurant, Mednick and coworkers from the Fish and Wildlife Service gathered to commiserate and pass the blame onto Congress.
"That's the frustrating part of it, that they're not willing to work together," said Mat Weber.VETS BREACH BARRIER AT MEMORIAL
In Washington, a group of 91 veterans crossed barriers to gain entry to the World War II memorial. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota) said she was among 8 to 12 members of Congress that cut through police tape and escorted the veterans to the shuttered memorial.
Democrats and Republicans are laying blame on one another as 800,000 federal workers find themselves temporarily out of work.
"They've shut down the government over an ideological crusade to deny affordable health care to millions of Americans," President Obama said in Rose Garden speech Tuesday.
This is the first federal government shutdown since the budget battle of 1995-1996.
See more effects of the government shutdown on Minnesota, and a list of what's open and what's closed, at http://bit.ly/Gzzyb3
KMSP-TV11358 Viking DriveEden Prairie, MN 55344
Phone: (952) 944-9999Fax: (952) 942-0455


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720P HD Wi-Fi Wireless Network Home IP Camera with Easy QR Code Smartphone Setup
Designed for your home, so it is stylish, small, and durable. As a real home companion, the new mini IP camera helps bring you peace of mind. it's not just about fashionable design, it's about making your life simpler and safer.
Want to know how the real image of this item looks like? Just click the live demo here!
Easy QR Code Scan and View
We have integrated all the camera's information into the QR code, so all you have to do to activate your camera is plug it into power, connect to router, and download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, scan the QR code on the back of the camera with your smartphone or tablet, you are instantly viewing live video right from your smartphone or tablet. No PC is required.
720P HD Video -1 Megapixel Camera
With a resolution of 1280x 720 pixels, three times the resolution of VGA resolution of other IP cameras, this HD IP camera allows you to record more details and cover more space without losing any detail.
- Higher Resolution
- Sharper Picture and Video
- Cover More Details & Space
Easy Remote Access Via 3G/4G
There is no need to configure your router to open up ports or remember hard-to-memorize Internet addresses. With the ZMODO app, you can quickly and easily view your camera feed from anywhere any time with Wi-Fi or 3G/4G connection.
FREE iPhone & Android App
It includes mobile camera viewer apps that work with iPhones, iPad and Android mobile and tablet devices. The Zsight mobile Apps can be downloaded from the Apple and Google Play app stores using the links below.
Remote Monitoring Compatibility:
- Watch over multiple locations simultaneously. Your home, your office or your vacation property, all in one screen.
- Up to 8 simultaneous camera views available on PC. Selectable single camera viewing on smartphones.
- iPhone®: Free iPhone App download available from App Store under the name "Zsight". Compatible with iOS 4.3 and above.
- Android™:"Zsight" App download is available from the Google Play store. Compatible with Android 2.2 & above.
- PC Requirements: Microsoft Windows 98 SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista/win7, not supports MAC
True Night Vision Technology
Equipped with real night vision technology,this HD Megapixel IP Camera uses 10 Infrared (IR) LED lights to function 24 hours a day in any lighting condition. The powerful IR LED lights allow the night vision to work up to a distance of 10 meters (nearly 30 feet) away.
Motion Activated Recording & Instant Email Alert
This system is designed to send an email alert, complete with photo of the activity, if any motion is detected, or if any camera experiences video loss. The motion detection options allow you to record only when motion is detected to save hard drive space without missing important events.
Watch home
Offers you the confidence to go about your busy day and still being able to keep a vigilant eye on all you hold dear.
Monitor young and old
Simple and elegant way to keep an eye on your child, day or night, anywhere anytime!
Check on pets
Monitor Your Pet and its Daily Activities. Be with Your Pet at Anytime!
Monitor small business
Prevent shoplifting, prevent employee theft, stop transaction fraud and always keep an eye on your employees whenever you want, and wherever you are.
- Ultra-Wide Angle View
See more area with the wide 81 degree diagonal viewing angle on the 2.8mm lens Cameras. Protect larger areas such as driveways, entrances, front and backyards.
- Convenient Storage
Built-in SD memory card slot supports to store up to 64GB of video on a micro SD card.(Not included)
- Wi-Fi
Connect over Wi-Fi with no hardwired connection to the router necessary, so there's no need for an Ethernet cable. The camera can detect and connect to your Wi-Fi network and start streaming video right away.
- Confirms to ONVIF
This IP camera is ONVIF-compliant and therefore compatible with many third party Video Management Software (VMS) solutions.
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The 2014 Senior Class Gift Committee encourages all seniors to participate in the tradition of the class gift by supporting the Class of 2014 Endowed Scholarship!
All seniors who participate by May 13 will be recognized at commencement and receive a lapel pin to wear on their gown at graduation. Join us in leaving a legacy by making a gift today!
The Tommies and Gusties challenged each other to a friendly competition to see which class could achieve a higher participation rate in their class gift. Follow the results in the right column. Go Tommies!
For more information on this long-standing tradition at the
University of St. Thomas, see the Newsroom article:
"Tommie Traditions: Senior Class Gift".
Tweets about "#Tommies4Tommies"
Participate in the Senior Class Gift in multiple ways!
1. Join the committee! Meeting times are listed below.
2. Make a gift in the spring!
3. Buy customized UST business cards.
(Participation includes gifts and pledges towards the Senior Class Gift or other university purposes.)


text: Douglas K Beers, MD Primary Care Specialty: Internal Medicine Sub Specialties: HIV Medicine Clinical Interests: AIDS and HIV Languages: English, Interpreters Available Gender: Male Biography Dr. Beers is welcoming new patients. However, the wait for a new patient appointment may be up to 4 weeks. Education and Certification Medical School: University of California - San Francisco, CA Personal Interests Hiking, Squash Sport Contact Information Practice Name: Legacy Medical Group - Emanuel Office Locations Primary Address Legacy Medical Group - Emanuel 2800 N Vancouver Ave, Ste 230 Portland, OR, 97227 Phone: 503 413-4340 Fax: 503 413-4898 Clinic Hours: Weekdays Hospital Locations Primary Address Legacy Emanuel Medical Center 2801 N. Gantenbein Portland, OR, 97227 Phone: 503-413-2200


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|2012 NFPA 101®: Life Safety Code® Essentials for Health Care Occupancies 3-day Seminar
Advance health care facility safety with the 2012 NFPA 101® and be prepared for future surveys.
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|2012 NFPA 101®: Life Safety Code® Essentials for Health Care Occupancies Certificate Program 3-day Seminar
Advance health care facility safety and survey readiness with the 2012 NFPA 101®. Then, earn your Certificate of Educational Achievement online!
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Trust the National Fire Protection Association® for premier training on NFPA® codes like NFPA 13, NFPA 72®, NFPA 70E®, and NFPA 70®: NEC® National Electrical Code®. We develop the fire protection codes -- and teach them using the same industry experts who write NFPA code books and are involved in NFPA standards development. Visit nfpatraining.org for training options or buy codes at the NFPA store at nfpacatalog.org.
Register for face-to-face Seminars on topics from the NEC 70 2011 to the NFPA Life Safety Code, NFPA 101. Learn how to apply the code from authorities in NFPA 72, NFPA 25, NFPA 13, and NFPA 20 in convenient locations from coast to coast.
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Register for NFPA training now and learn how to apply the code from an industry leader. Find the full wide array of NFPA training programs including electrical safety training at nfpatraining.org.


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By now, I'm sure you've already heard about Los Angeles Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart having been killed in a car accident in a hit and run incident with a drunk driver. What you might not have known is that Nick is originally from Hagerstown, and was a Redskins fan. In this age of new media, we have Nick's Myspace profile preserved. If you look under his profile pictures, he has a somewhat haunting, yet now even more poignant, tribute to Sean Taylor. Nick was one of us. If you get a chance, go to that Halos Heaven thread and express your condolences -- and mention your unique connection to Nick.
Introducing "Long Distance Dedication" -- a new weekly column on Hogs Haven documenting the trials and tribulations of Washington Redskins fanship from a viewpoint far outside the Beltway.
An analysis of the Redskins' strong season, and their biggest personnel weakness.
RIP Sean Taylor.
Analysis of Redskins vs Seahawks
This is actually a two safety loss for the season. Via Redskins 360: Finally, some news coming out of the Park although none of it is coming from the front office. Reserve safety Justin...
[Note by Skin Patrol, 09/29/08 6:54 PM EDT ] Promoted but unedited, except for title. I tagged it as well. Few things that our Redskins offer us are anywhere nearly as satisfying as a win over...
Homer McFanboy aka The Murf posted his interview with Santana Moss, which makes him big time, tastes like this: As everyone knows, you went to the University of Miami. During your college...
Hat tip Extreme Skins all over this DMN article with accompanying YouTube video: Redskins fans, who chanted "We want Dallas!!!" late in last week's win over the Cardinals, might consider Sept....
(You are not reading about this because I refuse to have anything to say on the subject. Readers are free to discuss whatever they'd like.) Long odds those furry critters had against the evil...
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Ramachandran Radharamanan
Ramachandran Radharamanan is currently working as Professor of Industrial Engineering and Director of the Mercer Entrepreneurship Engineering Education Program (MEEEP) at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. He has thirty-seven years of experience teaching, research, and consulting. His previous administrative roles include: President of International Society for Productivity Enhancement, Acting Director of Industrial Engineering as well as Director of Advanced Manufacturing Center at Marquette University, and Research Director of the CAM and Robotics Center at San Diego State University. His primary research and teaching interests are in the areas of manufacturing systems, robotics and automation, innovation and entrepreneurship, quality engineering, and product and process development. He has organized and chaired four international conferences, co-chaired two, and organized and chaired one regional seminar. He has received two teaching awards and several research and service awards in the United States and in Brazil. His professional affiliations include ASEE, IIE, ASQ, SME, ASME, and ISPE.
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How to Tune a CB Antenna
Once a CB antenna has been installed, the next step is to check and, if necessary, adjust the standing wave ratio (SWR). What is SWR? Click here for a brief explanation. This procedure requires nothing more than your installed radio, antenna, and an SWR meter. The ultimate goal of this process is to end up with a SWR of less than 2:1 on all channels. We suggest setting the SWR on both channels 1 and 40.
Cobra 29 Classic with a built in SWR meter
Typical CB radio connections with no SWR meter
You will want to have your vehicle in an open area while tuning your CB antenna. Tuning the antenna while your vehicle is close to other vehicles, buildings, or even people can give you an incorrect reading. Also, each time you take a reading make sure your doors and hood are closed. If your antenna has a plastic cap on the tip, make sure that is in place each time you take a reading.
Connecting the SWR meter
Some CB Radios come with a built in meter. You will not need an external SWR meter for these radios. The owner's manual will outline operation of the built in meter. For radios without a meter, you will need to connect an external SWR meter. A typical CB radio installation will look similar to the second picture to the right. The third picture shows the same installation with an SWR meter added in. The instructions below outline connecting an external SWR meter and tuning a CB antenna.
Tuning the CB Antenna
- Turn your CB off and disconnect the antenna coax cable from the back of it.
- Connect the end of your antenna coax to the SWR meter where it indicates "antenna"
- Connect the short coax cable coming from the transmitter position on the SWR meter to the back of the CB.
- Close the hood and doors on your vehicle.
- Turn on the CB.
- Set the CB to Channel 1.
- Set the SWR meter to the FWD position.
- Key microphone and turn knob until the SWR meter indicates the "set" position. Un-key microphone.
- Flip SWR meter to the Reflect position.
- Key microphone and look at the reading on the SWR meter. The lower the reading, the better. If the meter shows in red DO NOT operate CB. Re-check your connections.
- Turn CB to channel 40. Follow instructions 7-10 again.
- Adjusting your antenna (matching the 40 channel bandwidth).
- If the reading on channel 1 is higher than the reading on channel 40, you need to lengthen your antenna. Alternately, if the reading on 40 is higher, your antenna is too long.
- For example, if your reading is 1.3 on channel 1 and 2.1 on channel 40 you need to trim down the tip, turn adjusting ring, or pull out wire a small amount, cut it, and tuck it back against the coil.
- If your reading is 2.7 on channel 1 and 1.5 on channel 40 your antenna is too short. the only solution is to add a spring, raise the antenna, or reposition it.
- If any adjustments are needed, they should be made in small increments. Re-check after each adjustment. Be sure to have all components on the antenna when testing, including the tip if there is one.
Once these steps are completed, you can remove the SWR meter from the line or leave it installed.


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Monday's video of the day is from the 2013 Winter X Games. Before you watch it, you should know that no one was seriously hurt.
Snowmobiler Jackson Strong did a trick that went out of control. He avoided injury then the 450-pound snowmobile goes flying into the crowd. One teenage fan was hurt but it looks like it was from jumping out of the way.
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MEXICO CITY — Mexican tomato growers have made what they say is an unprecedented proposal to the U.S. Commerce Department to salvage a 16-year-old pricing agreement for exports to the United States.
The proposal would extend the current accord to cover 100 percent of Mexican tomatoes instead of the current 85 percent, Martin Ley, a representative for the growers from Mexico, said in an interview after meeting with Commerce Department officials Thursday in Washington. His group is also offering to add 18 percent to 25 percent to the floor price, depending on the type of tomato.
"We have presented a very comprehensive proposal," Ley said in a phone interview. The offer to increase the floor price is "about six to eight times higher than the previous increases we've had under the agreement."
Acting on a petition from U.S. producers led by Florida growers, the Commerce Department on Sept. 27 issued a preliminary decision to end the agreement, which has been in place since 1996. A final decision could come between mid- November and late May.
While U.S. producers say that doing away with the agreement will result in a free market, American importers and the Mexican farmers say it may trigger tariffs and ignite a trade war.
Arturo Sarukhan, Mexico's ambassador to the U.S., said last month that the Commerce Department's action "seems to be dictated by politics rather than policy" and that his nation was prepared to challenge the preliminary decision.
Mexican tomato proposal
A higher price floor "won't have an impact on the U.S. consumer, because the tomatoes we bring to the U.S. market already command a high price," Ley said Thursday. Retail prices for the goods in the U.S. can vary from $1.20 a pound to $3.99 a pound during the course of the year, depending on the type of tomato, he said.
Reggie Brown, executive director of the Florida Tomato Exchange, a growers group, said politics has nothing to do with the request to end the agreement.
"It's about simple economics and fair trade," he said. The goal of the U.S. growers remains "the restoration of fair terms of competition in the tomato trade," Brown said.
The Commerce Department declined to comment on the Mexican proposal.
Mexico exported $2.1 billion worth of tomatoes last year, 93 percent to the U.S., the nation's Agriculture Ministry said in a Sept. 6 statement.


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Who is most vulnerable?
posted by | 22 Aug 2014 |
tags: assisted suicide, euthanasia
who is more susceptible to euthanasia or assisted suicide?
In the on-going debate over euthanasia, there are seldom any new arguments. A favourite of those in favour of legalisation argue that the wishes of people who are competent and able to make a rational choice deserve to have their autonomy respected. A favourite of those against contend that the vulnerable – the poor, the disabled and the elderly – will be victimised.
One strand of evidence favours euthanasia supporters. In Oregon, where assisted suicide is legal, most of the people who take advantage of it, according to the figures for 2013 are white (94%), male (62%) and well-educated (53% with a college degree). There are no estimates of income, but well-educated white males tend to be wealthier than average and, significantly, not vulnerable.
However, a fascinating article in the Journal of Medicine and Philosophy turns this argument on its head. Erik Krag, of Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville, suggests that it may be members of the dominant social group – white men -- who are actually most vulnerable to the temptation to request euthanasia.
Men have been socialised to believe that life is not worth living if they are not dominant, independent and fully in control. When illness or indigence strike, some men will believe that their lives are completely useless, especially if they are not connected to others in a loving family structure or committed to a belief in transcendent values.
"… what happens when, through illness, injury, or simply old age, the rich, well-educated white male's fragile source of value is broken irretrievably and he loses the ability to conform to the masculine ideals that he has been socialized to attain?"
So, paradoxically, the fact that wealthy white men are the principal "beneficiaries" of physical-assisted suicide shows that they are even more "vulnerable" than many physically disabled people. Dr Krag writes:
"… we should be no less wary of the effects of society's influence on those who 'would rather be dead' than lose their privileged status. When the rich, well-educated, white male loses his privileged status, he finds himself cast suddenly into the role of the one whose life he had deemed not worth living. He is socially humiliated by his failure to measure up and unable to use the tools that he has worked so hard to develop.
"With the loss of his privileged status, the weight of society's disdain for him hits him all at once; his sense that society sees him as worthless is magnified all the more by the self-aversion that the last remnants of his former identity cause him to feel. He has lost his source of value, and the isolating competitiveness of his upbringing has left him ill-equipped to find value in defiance, persons, or a transcendent reality.
"Certainly, if ever a person was vulnerable to feelings of depression and self-disregard, this is he. We should thus not be surprised that it is well-educated white men who seek and obtain PAS/VAE most often."
Australia could recognise multiple parents
posted by | 16 Aug 2014 |
tags: artificial reproduction, Australia, commercial surrogacy, surrogacy
Australian law could be revised to allow more than two parents, if recommendations in a major report are accepted by the government. A "Report On Parentage And The Family Law Act", was released this week.
Adoption and new reproduction technologies are placing new strains on what "parent" means in contemporary society. Because of "the evidence of family diversity and children's views about who is a parent", the Council has recommended that the word "parent" be replaced by "other significant adults" or "other people of significance to the child" and that references to "both" (which implies only two) parents should be omitted.
There are many kinds of parents, the Council points out: legal, adoptive, genetic, intending, psychological, social and surrogate, amongst others.
The report was commissioned by the previous Labor government and was completed last December. The delay meant that it was released when commercial surrogacy is being placed under a microscope.
Although legalising commercial surrogacy – which is currently banned in Australia -- was not included in the report's terms of reference, the Family Law Council, which produced the report, clearly is in favour. It is "conscious that the number of children conceived as a result of overseas commercial surrogacy arrangements has increased dramatically in the past several years, despite the existence of Australian laws prohibiting such arrangements." It favours an international convention on surrogacy.
International commercial surrogacy already involves hundreds of children. "According to community group Surrogacy Australia, in 2011 the estimated numbers of births to Australians via surrogacy arrangements were 45 Australian babies born in the US, 45 in Thailand and 315 in India." (Now that both Thailand and India have closed their doors to international surrogacy, this is bound to change.)
Some of the background unearthed by the Council is thought-provoking. For instance, it says that commercial surrogacy is potentially quite corrupt. In countries like India, Thailand and Malaysia, "The lack of a legal framework in these countries, coupled with the poverty of many of the population, increases the potential for exploitation of the surrogate mother as well as the risks of child trafficking."
Paolo and Francesca's IVF mix-up
tags: Italy, IVF, IVF mixup
An Italian judge has settled a bitter custody battle for IVF twins by awarding them to the birth mother. The case, which has gripped Italy, is a worst case scenario for IVF clinics. Two women with similar names underwent IVF in Rome's Sandro Pertini hospital. The embryos were switched and one couple miscarried.
Three months later the woman bearing the twins had a genetic test which revealed that they were not related to her. The genetic parents claimed the twins but the birth mother, Francesca, and her partner, Paulo, are refusing to give them up. Under Italian law, the birth mother is clearly the legal mother.
The babies were born this week by Caesarean section. "We are happy. Very happy: our children are born, they're very well and we have already registered their birth," says Francesca. "No one will be able to take them from us," she told La Stampa.
Although the law is clearly on the side of the birth parents, the National Bioethics Committee has suggested that the couples somehow collaborate in raising the children.
(Has anyone noted the irony that this 21st Century couple is named Paolo and Francesca? You can't make this sort of thing up. Dante meets another Paolo and Francesca in the second circle of Hell in the Inferno. The heart-rending story of their passionate affair was the theme of many paintings, plays, and operas in the 19th century. Is there a message here about evolving attitudes toward love and fertility?)
Thailand moves to ban surrogacy
tags: commercial surrogacy, surrogacy, Thailand
The new Thai military government is moving swiftly to crush the lucrative surrogacy industry. This week two Australian same-sex couples and two American couples were prevented from leaving Thailand with a baby. The as-yet-unwritten legislation leaves 200 more surrogate mothers and their Australian clients in legal limbo.
Until now, commercial surrogacy was banned in Australia and discouraged in Thailand. However, taking advantage of numerous loopholes, it has become an important feature of Thailand's booming medical tourism industry.
Under a new law women will be forbidden to carry babies for commercial purposes and surrogacy will be restricted to relatives. The penalties will be severe: 10 years in jail and a fine.
However, Nandana Indananda, a Bangkok-based lawyer who helped draft the new surrogacy law, told Deutsche Welle that surrogacy as such will not be banned.
"Firstly, it prohibits a doctor or surrogacy clinic from performing a surrogacy for commercial purposes. Secondly, no one is allowed to establish or operate a surrogacy agency for commercial purposes. Thirdly, no one can publish any advertisement about surrogacy for any purpose, either commercial or non-commercial …
"As for the parenthood issue, the bill determines that, if certain conditions are met, the intended couple will be considered the parents of the child, even if the intended parents pass away before the birth of the child.
No one knows how this will affect the increasing demand world-wide for surrogate mothers. Both India and Thailand have recently banned international commercial surrogacy. A few other countries, (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, and the US), permit it. However, the number of countries with ideal conditions for commercial surrogacy -- enabling legislation, high-quality medical care, and desperately poor women – is shrinking fast.
"Cordon sanitaire" drawn around Ebola victims
tags: cordon sanitaire, Ebola, epidemics, public health
Bioethical debates about whether to administer an experimental drug for Ebola victims are interesting and necessary. But only a handful of doses are available anyway and hundreds of people are dying in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. According to the latest update from the World Health Organisation, 2,127 cases and 1,145 deaths have been reported. But it has also declared that "the numbers of reported cases and deaths vastly underestimate the magnitude of the outbreak".
"Extraordinary measures," are needed, it says, "on a massive scale, to contain the outbreak in settings characterized by extreme poverty, dysfunctional health systems, a severe shortage of doctors, and rampant fear."
In view of the emergency, the three worst affected countries have taken the most drastic step possible – drawing a "cordon sanitaire" around the areas where the outbreak is most virulent. The perimeter is guarded by soldiers and no one is allowed in or out until the plague runs its course. It is a primitive method but in mediaeval times it was the only way to keep infection from multiplying.
This method was used to control an outbreak of Kitwit, in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo), a city of half a million in 1995. According to Laurie Garrett, writing in The New Republic, it was "brutally successful, as all trade to the Kikwit region ground to a halt, the desperately poor people were fully isolated to war with Ebola on their own". She received a Pulitzer Prize for her reporting on the epidemic and the lesson she drew from her experience is tough and utilitarian:
"Despite all the brouhaha here in the United States and Canada about application of experimental drugs and vaccines never clinically tested for safety or effectiveness to the African crisis, this siege will end not with magic bullets, but smart, heroic strategies that find infected people swiftly, place them behind cordoned quarantine barriers, and bury the dead rapidly after their demise without families' contact or viewing. Yes, it is heartless and can seem cruel, but strategic isolations, coupled with vast urban campaigns of capture of the infected constitute the only hopes for ending the state of siege."
However, other observers contend that tough love has to supplement tough measures. "It might work," Dr Martin S. Cetron, of the Centers for Control and Prevention. "But it has a lot of potential to go poorly if it's not done with an ethical approach. Just letting the disease burn out and considering that the price of controlling it — we don't live in that era anymore. And as soon as cases are under control, one should dial back the restrictions."
More probably depends on organisation than vaccines at this stage. "The bottom line with Ebola is we know how to stop it: traditional public health," says Tom Frieden, Director of the CDC. "Find patients, isolate and care for them; find their contacts; educate people; and strictly follow infection control in hospitals. Do those things with meticulous care and Ebola goes away."
A disturbing study of gendercide in India
posted by Xavier Symons | 16 Aug 2014 |
tags: gendercide, India, sex-selective abortion
A major report on sex-ratios and abortion in India gives detailed background information on the scourge of gendercide. Sex Ratios and Gender Biased Sex Selection: History, Debates and Future Directions has been published by UN Women and covers the history, the figures and the debate about the causes of gendercide.
India's child sex ratio (CSR) – the number of girls for every 1,000 boys under the age of 6 — has deteriorated sharply over the past 20 years, dropping to 918 in 2011 from 945 in 1991, even though levels of education and wealth have risen significantly.
The report emphasises that sex-selective abortion has decreased in traditionally problematic regions, mostly in the north, but increased significantly in other areas. In the northwestern state of Punjab, where the CSR was extremely low, the number of female children per 1,000 male children rose to 846 in 2011 from 798 in 2001.
However, in regions like Manipur, in the northeast, and Andhra Pradesh, in the southeast, the traditionally even CSR has dropped below 940.
Dr. Mary E John, author of the report and senior fellow of New Delhi's Centre for Women's Development Studies, argues that the decline reflects a common gender-biased family plan: "families are actually 'planning' to have at least one son and at most one daughter." Dr. John suggests that parents are concerned about dependent female adults, rather than female children. Women in India are marrying later and tend to stay live at home for longer, she writes in the report.
The trajectory of gendercide is a little-know feature of the problem. When the British colonised India in the 18th century, they were shocked to discover "missing girls". Some accounts describe villages without a single girl. In that era, the principal causes seem to have been large dowries and hypergamy, the practice of women marrying men of a higher caste. According to census figures in 1901 put the ratio was at 961 women for every 1000 men, which fell to 946 in 1951, 941 in 1961 and 930 in 1971.
Why does the ratio keep falling even as India becomes more "modern"? The report says:
… two broad claims emerge. On the supply side, as we have repeatedly seen, we have medical technologies, granted fullest agency in the hands of the aggressive radiologist who takes his mobile machine into the hinterland of rural India to vend his wares, unmindful of the criminality of such actions. Such unscrupulous practitioners in turn are being ably supported by multinational capital, and several activists have pointed to the role that companies like General Electric are playing in pushing the market for ultrasound machines, further and further, into India's rural heartland.
On the demand side, what appears with equal frequency is, quite simply, 'dowry'. "Like a black shadow in the wake of dowry demands, is the spread of sex selection".
This is an extremely interesting report which sheds much light on a complex problem.
Media ethics 101: How not to report suicide
tags: media ethics, suicide
Two incidents this week show opposing responses to publicising suicides. In the US, comedian Robin Williams committed suicide, leading to an outpouring of grief by the public and horror by experts in media ethics. In Australia, controversial assisted suicide activist Dr Philip Nitschke resumed publicity for his do-it-yourself suicide kits.
The "sensational headlines" and "unnecessary detail" of media reports -- as exemplified by the New York Post's lurid page -- were slammed around the globe. Dr. Mike Jempson, lecturer at the University of the West of England, called some of the media reports "textbook examples of how not to report a suicide":
"[Williams death] seems to have given some newspapers a green light to "go off on one" – delving into his psyche with gay abandon, detailing the precise method of his suicide, and indulging in unhelpful speculation about its causes with little regard for the grief of his family, friends and fans."
Sharon Mallon of the Open University implored newspapers to show restraint when reporting these sensitive issues to prevent copycat suicides by vulnerable people:
"If we are to prevent imitative suicides all reporting must simultaneously provide the public with enough information to understand the death, while providing an image of suicide that is sensitively managed through careful reporting."
Media ethics lecturer Douglas Chalmers suggested that the issue is systemic, and stems from an obsession with ratings and circulation, as well as a refusal to adopt existing media guidelines:
"I believe the problem cannot be placed solely at the door of the individual journalist, but rather it is due to the increasing work pressure piled upon journalists by their employers' insistence that it is circulation, rather than consequence, that counts. Most journalists do not receive adequate training from their employers on this or other ethical questions. Many editors are also clearly failing to adopt existing guidelines although these are not new issues, and guidance has existed for many years."
Meanwhile in Australia, Dr Nitschke, whose medical registration has been suspended because of his links to a suicide death, is openly promoting ways to commit suicide painlessly -- mostly the barbiturate Nembutol, but also asphyxiation using cylinders of nitrogen gas from a company linked to him.The Medical Board of Australia described him as "a serious risk to public health and safety".
Dr Nitschke told ABC News that he had been inundated by requests for information about suicide despite the bad publicity. However, most of his clients are just vulnerable elderly rather than vulnerable teenagers. Earlier this week he conducted a public workshop on Queensland's Sunshine Coast detailing methods of how to kill oneself.
UK father of 58 children sentenced
posted by | 15 Aug 2014 |
tags: artificial reproduction
Gennadij Raivich, a professor of perinatal medicine and neuroscience at University College London is the author of publications like "Investigation of cerebral autoregulation in the newborn piglet during anaesthesia and surgery" and "Methyl-isobutyl amiloride reduces brain Lac/NAA, cell death and microglial activation in a perinatal asphyxia mode". There are 153 of these listed on his website.
But the achievement for which he will go down in history is siring 58 children by women desperate to become pregnant by donor insemination. He was convicted late last month only of the assault of one woman, although two others had laid complaints against him.
Interestingly, 15 satisfied female "customers" from all over the country spoke in his defence, including a police officer, maths teacher and lecturer, some of whom had two and in one case three of his children via what he called "Artificial Insemination Plus".
The details of Professor Raivich's extracurricular activities are too seedy to relate here, but the prosecutor's address to the jury sums up the main issues:
"You have to ask yourselves what kind of woman agrees to meet a complete stranger for AI when they do not even know his real name. Someone who is desperate and is prepared to put up with the potential embarrassment and humiliation and who have kept the details from their friends and families. A perfect victim for sexual assault, someone unlikely to complain.
"Compare the women to this defendant, someone who has traded on the fact he is a doctor and paraded his scientific knowledge, impressing them with his apparent expertise. What kind of man embarks on a breeding programme to have as many children as possible? You will have to ask yourselves if he knows as much as he claims. You may feel there is a high degree of narcissism in what he has done and is sexually motivated in some of these transactions. He provided a one stop shop for women who wanted semen. All were desperate to have a baby."
The motivations behind assisted reproduction are often mysterious. Atavistic instincts seem to be at work, unconstrained by the social mores associated with the institution of marriage. Perhaps Professor Raivich's polyphiloprogenitive proclivities will give a clue to future researchers.
WHO endorses use of untested Ebola treatments
posted by Xavier Symons | 15 Aug 2014 |
tags: compassionate use, Ebola
The WHO has endorsed the use of untested Ebola interventions on patients infected with the disease.
A 12-member panel of bioethicists convened by telephone on Monday to discuss the issue.
In a press conference following the discussion, Marie-Paule Kieny, assistant director-general of the WHO, said there was consensus about the compassionate use of the drug on those infected with the virus: "[There has been] unanimous agreement among the experts that in the special circumstances of this Ebola outbreak it is ethical to offer unregistered treatments".
The panel believed that the extent of the outbreak and the high case-fatality rate outweighed concerns about the side effects of untested treatments:
"In the particular circumstances of this outbreak, and provided certain conditions are met, the panel reached consensus that it is ethical to offer unproven interventions with as yet unknown efficacy and adverse effects, as potential treatment or prevention."
The two American victims of the virus, as well as Spanish victim Rev. Miguel Pajares, received an experimental anti-ebola drug called ZMapp. Pajares has since died, but the American patients are in a stable condition.
Small shipments of Zmapp have arrived in the Liberia for use on infected doctors.
Nigerian patients will receive an experimental drug called Nano-Silver, produced by an anonymous Nigerian scientist.
Serbian soldiers were killed for organs - EU task force
tags: Kosovo, organ trafficking
An EU investigation into criminal activity during the 1999 Kosovo war has found that a "handful" of Serbian soldiers were killed by Albanian militants for the purposes of organ trafficking.
Special Investigative Task Force chief Cliff Williamson announced the findings at a news conference in Brussels late last month.
Williamson said that "less than ten" soldiers were killed and their bodies smuggled to Albania for organ harvesting.
The fact that there were only a few victims, Williamson remarked, does not diminish the savagery of the crime: "even one person was subjected to such a horrific practice, and we believe a small number were, that is a terrible tragedy".
He did say, however, that accusations of widespread organ harvesting have caused unnecessary trauma for families of missing soldiers.
The investigative committee does not currently have enough evidence to initiate prosecution but will continue its investigation.
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Salem — Donald F. Kilduff of Salem died peacefully on November 6, with his loving family by his side.
Don served in the United Air Force during the Korean conflict and spent 11 years on active duty. In addition to his service to our country, he co-founded and built Enon Microwave, a successful electronics business on the North Shore. He served as vice president for over 30 years and employed many people over that period of time. Above all, Don was a loving, proud and devoted husband and father. He was loved by all who knew him and will be deeply missed.
He is survived by the love of his life of 48 years, Agnes (Higgins) Kilduff and his three children, Patti Dukeman of Stratham, N.H., Donald Kilduff of Salem and Erin Rule of Marblehead and their dedicated spouses. In addition he was the loving grandfather to eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his siblings, Raymond, Richard, Robert, and David Kilduff, Barbara Smith, Sharon Aaroyo, as well as many cherished sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and dear lifelong friends.
ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral will be held on Saturday, November 10, at 9:15 a.m., from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St. (corner of North St.), Salem, to be followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. James Church, 156 Federal St, Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visitation will be on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Murphy Funeral Home. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Spectrum Adult Day Care Health Program, 600 Cummings Center, Suite 176x, Beverly, MA 01915 or to the Kaplan Family Hospice House c/o Hospice of the North Shore and Greater Boston, The Kaplan Family Hospice House, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. For online guest book or additional information, please call 978-744-0497 or visit ww.MurphyFuneralHome.com.


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Kevin Youkilis Hopes To Return To 'Cool Atmosphere' Of Japanese Baseball
BOSTON — Kevin Youkilis had several options after his contract with the New York Yankees expired at the end of last season. He could stay around Major League Baseball in some capacity, traveling to the same old cities and staying in the same old hotels. Or he could take his family abroad, learn a new culture and discover a new brand of baseball in Japan. For Youkilis, the decision...
New York Yankees: How serious is the beard ban?
New York Yankees: How serious is the beard ban?Beard Ban in full effect It may not be news to you that the New York Yankees have banned the growth of facial hair on the team. This ban came about in 1973 and was started by George Steinbrenner and has been around ever since. Brian Wilson says no to the Yankees and yes to his beard. This is the opposite of their rival team the Boston...
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February 23, 2014 | Discuss
Kevin Youkilis signs with Japanese team
In 2011, Kevin Youkilis was an All-Star and appeared to be settled into a role as one of the most consistent hitters in baseball. Fast forward two years and now he'll be playing his baseball overseas. On Friday the 34-year-old Youkilis signed a contract with the Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan after not seeing any real interest on the major league free agent market this offseason...
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December 20, 2013 | Discuss
Yankees: Kevin Youkilis exposed
English: Kevin Youkilis pointing skyward. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) I knew; the New York Yankees knew; and maybe you did too so why were so many fans shocked by this news? It was not as if the information wasn't official or documented in handwritten pencil. Anyone with access to a computer, along with a slight inquisitiveness could easily obtain the necessary proof that this...
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May 01, 2013 | Discuss
"A NUKE... FROM YOUK: John goes with the people's choice for Youkilis HR call
Today, The Master unveiled his HR call for Kevin Youkilis, selecting the phrase that voters overwhelmingly supported in a poll three weeks ago on this site:"A NUKE... FROM YOUK."Bringing us up to date on John's calls for new Yankees:Vernon Wells: "The Bronx is Vernon."Travis Hafner: "A Pronk's Bomber"Kevin Youkilis: "A nuke from Youk."...
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April 05, 2013 | Discuss
Kevin Youkilis in Midseason Form
First Granderson, now Youkilis? Reports out of Yankee camp are that Youk is being scratched from their game today with a sore left oblique and will be reevaluated in a couple of days. Kevin Youkilis said his injury felt like a cramp, not a strain. Wanted to play today but Yanks are being cautious. — Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) February 26, 2013 Again, I don't like wishing injury...
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February 26, 2013 | Discuss
Kevin Long Getting An Early Start With Youkilis
From Dan Martin:Long already has begun working with Rodriguez's temporary replacement at third, visiting Kevin Youkilis in San Jose, Calif., last week. "We looked at old film and compared it to 2012," Long said. "We saw some considerable differences, mainly in his stance and it looked like the adjustments had an impact. ... I think we can get him back to being an all-star...
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January 15, 2013 | Discuss
Youk: No problem with Chamberlain
Kevin Youkilis and Joba Chamberlain used to be rivals, but now that they're teammates, Youk says he has no problem with Joba.
Via The Other Paper
December 15, 2012 | Discuss
Kevin Youkilis and right-handed pitching
Kevin Youkilis became the latest in a long, long line of aging ballplayers the Yankees have signed over the years hoping to wring one last cup of tea from the old teabag. Before Youkilis, there was Chavez and Ibanez and before that Sheffield and Mondesi and before that Boggs and it goes on and on. And quite often, the ploy has worked. Chavez and Ichiro worked wonders in their time...
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December 13, 2012 | Discuss
10 Red Sox players who joined the Evil Empire
Kevin Youkilis will be manning third base for the Yankees come Opening Day, giving Red Sox fans that much more to chafe over when thinking about their counterparts in the Bronx. Youkilis was a fan favorite in Boston for many years, and although he's on the downside of his career, seeing him in pinstripes is going to be a jolt. If not for the continued watering down of what's...
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Poor customer service
Retail experts are asking for your opinions on customer service.
They are wanting to know about whether staff are annoying, if being kept on hold stresses you. A survey is being conducted from now until September to find out how businesses can damage themselves through poor service.
– Kate Hardcastle, retail expert
We always hear about the impact of customer service on a business or the economy. Often we forget the impact on the most important element - the customer. A lot of us walk around feeling frustrated and angry about the service we get. What we're hoping is to pride an outlet, to give people the chance to highlight the impact customer service has on them day in and day out.
A customer service bootcamp is taking place in Huddersfield to get a taste of what the situation is like.


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PEABODY — Officers investigating reports of a homeless encampment behind Howley Street yesterday morning ended up arresting 10 people on trespassing charges.
Sgt. Robert Waugh said police were responding to complaints that homeless people had been congregating in an area near the railroad tracks by Howley and Main streets. Officers responded to that area at 9:58 a.m. and took 10 people into custody.
The following were arrested on a charge of trespassing on railroad tracks: Stephen Lyons, 52, of 122 Boston St., Salem; Eric Amor, 41, of 286 Washington St., Salem; Robert Evelyth, 52, of 4 Mill St., Peabody; Judith Carpentier, 34, of 356 Jefferson Ave., Salem; Thomas Gear, 53, of 68 Aborn St., Peabody; Catherine Davison, 49, of 128 Main St., Peabody; Peter A. Lang, 32, of 6 Railroad Ave., Rockport; Herbie Henry, 49, of 48 Margin St., Peabody; Robert Shruhan, 56, of 5 Clement Ave., Peabody; and Steven Gaulin, 44, of 56 River St., Beverly.
Robert Evelyth was additionally arrested on a Salem warrant.
Waugh said none of the arrested actually appeared to be living in the area, but were instead "just hanging out."


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410.837.4607, Angelos Law1012
Administrative Assistant: Gloria Joy
410.837.4631, Angelos Law 518
J.D., New York University School of Law
B.A., Grambling State University
Civil Rights
Civil Procedure
LLMUS Civil Procedure
Critical Legal Theory
Election Law
Voting Rights
Senator Edward Kennedy: A Lion for Voting Rights, New York University Journal of Legislation and Public Policy 14 (2011).
Racial Redistricting in a Post-Racial World, Cardozo Law Review, Vol. 32, No. 3 (2011)
Outsourcing Democracy: Redefining the Public Private Partnership in Election Administration, 88 Denv. U. L. Rev. Vol. 88, No. 1 (2010)
Office Politics: Hiring and Firing Government Lawyers, The Public Lawyer, (ABA Magazine, Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division) Volume 18, No. 1, Winter 2010.
Vote Deception, 43 Indiana L. Reb. 343 (2010).
A Vote Delayed Is A Vote Denied: A Proactive Approach to Eliminating Election Administration Legislation that Disenfrachises Unwanted Voters, 47 U. Louisville L. Rev. 57 (2008).
The Politics of the Pulpit: Black Pastors and Social Justice, The Daily Voice, March 28, 2008.
Key Words for Equality, ABA/NBA Journals, February 1999.


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Kobo Says Goodbye to the Goodreads API
An API-related news item that caught my interest earlier today speaks volumes about the nature of the burgeoning API market. Kobo (a seller of eBook readers), has decided to stop using the open book recommendation and review API provided by Goodreads. The reason? The social site for avid readers was acquired a few months ago by Amazon, which just happens to lead the eBook reader market with its Kindle product.
Acquisitions impacting business partnerships isn't a new concept. But this event is significant because it highlights a few truths in the Web API space…
APIs Can Change Hands
At one time, Kobo was using a public API offered by a company that had developed a review and recommendation engine that was a serious competitor to Amazon's. But – post-acquisition – Kobo found itself in the awkward position of doing business with its main competitor. Not a deal-breaker in itself but it shifted the relationship enough that Kobo had to walk away.
APIs Need to be Mutually Beneficial
Doing business with a competitor is a normal part of most large operations and when your competitor casts as massive a shadow as Amazon does, it becomes almost unavoidable. But public API consumers like Kobo can find themselves in the unenviable position of not having any leverage when consuming a free API. To support a long-lasting business relationship, it is important that both sides benefit from the contract. Kobo's benefit was obvious – offering readers a high-quality recommendation and review interface translated to a richer user experience and increased sales potential.
So, what did Goodreads get out of the arrangement? From the site's public terms of service, it appears that marketability and branding were big drivers, as API consumers must display Goodreads branding and links to comply. Kobo may have made a special commercial arrangement with the Goodreads site in order to use its API commercially but it is unlikely to have been one that would have benefited Amazon enough to make it worth supporting a competitor. Once Amazon purchased the Goodreads company and its data, the balance of benefit shifted towards Kobo.
API Providers Can Lose Customers
What I find most fascinating about this story is the fact that Kobo stopped using the Goodreads API before Amazon forced it to. As far as I can tell, the terms haven't changed significantly, the data is still available and Amazon has stated that it plans to keep the API open for Kobo. Despite all this, Kobo made a decision to walk away. Perhaps taking a hit on features now made more sense than being at the mercy of one of its biggest competitors. For API providers, it is a reminder that your consumers aren't forced to continue using your APIs. In the future, providers may find that keeping consumers happy becomes just as important as finding them in the first place.
API Consumers Need to Consider the Worst
After Amazon acquired Goodreads, some apprehensive users sought out alternative sites. While some of these reading sites offer APIs, it appears Kobo has decided to harvest data on its own, having recently announced its entrance into the social reading arena. Putting aside the chances of success, this strategic move highlights the need for businesses to plan for data and service disruption. It means considering the potential impact of having the API you've built a business on disappear, even if temporarily. As any lawyer will tell you, planning for divorce before you get married is just common sense.
This decision may be a turning point for one of the companies in this story but that isn't why I found it interesting. Instead, it is a stark reminder that market forces can have a great impact on the APIs we are learning to rely upon. We often focus on the technical and design aspects of Web APIs but we mustn't forget that they exist within a dynamic market and both providers and consumers need to be vigilant about handling change.
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State Offices will be closed Monday, September 1st, for Labor Day
State Offices will be closed Monday, September 1st, in observance of Labor Day. Offices will resume Tuesday, September 2nd.
Renew Your Vehicle Tag Online
More than 39,000 Oklahomans have enjoyed the convenience of renewing their vehicle registration tag online. CARS allows you to renew commercial, non-commercial and farm vehicle registrations and provides email reminders when its time to renew.
Oklahomans can now gather and analyze state data in one location at Data.OK.gov. The new online data site provides Oklahomans with an unprecedented level of openness in Oklahoma's state government.
How Are Your Tax Dollars Being Spent . . .
Find out by searching OpenBooks for such items as state employee payroll, agency expenditures including travel, and vendor payments made by an agency through the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.
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KY Customer Service Representative Job Listing at Family Dollar in South Williamson, KY (Job ID CSR04649001)
KY Customer Service Representative ( Job Number: CSR04649001 ) , General Summary : As a Family Dollar Customer Service Representative you will be responsible for providing exceptional service to our customers. Key priorities include greeting customers, assisting them with selection of merchandise, completing transactions, and answering questions regarding the store and merchandise. Principle Duties Responsibilities :
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Air bags, fake blood and broken glass.
A local fire department creates a mock car crash- to teach kids the dangers of drinking and driving and texting while driving.
A group of high-schoolers with the Family Career and Community Leaders of America in Okay put the whole thing together.
They called firefighters who helped them organize Tuesday's re-enactment.
First responders like volunteer firefighter Stephanie Metzger say they see this all too often in real life and it's heart-breaking.
"After prom we just try to keep the drunk driving and the texting and driving down. And this is just something to try and hit home with the kids. And hopefully, they'll leave their phones down and leave the drinking alone."
Paramedics from Muskogee, Porter and Wagoner pitched in to help get the message across.
Evangelist Franklin Graham prayed on a sidewalk outside the Pentagon Thursday after his invitation to a prayer service inside was withdrawn because of comments that insulted people of other religions. More>>


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Dr. John Houchin
associate professor of theatre
Courses: Acting, Theatre History, African American Theatre, American Popular Entertainment, Experimental TheatreJohn received an MFA degree in Directing and a Ph.D. in Performance History from New York University.
He is an active scholar and his research has been published in The Drama Review, The New England Theatre Journal, The Journal of American Theatre and Drama, Theatre History Studies and the Eugene O'Neill Review. His critical anthology, The Critical Response to Eugene O'Neill, was published by Greenwood Press. His most recent book, The Censorship of the American Theatre in the Twentieth Century, was published by Cambridge University Press in 2003. He is currently at work on Black Broadway, an annotated bibliography detailing the history of African American productions on Broadway. His latest article, "Bodily Fear: Recent American Performance Controversies", appeared in Theatre 38:3.
Prior to coming to Boston College John directed nearly thirty productions in New York, Texas, and Georgia. He has also taught at Berry College in Georgia, the University of Texas at Dallas and Southern Illinois University.
At Boston College his most recent course offering involves tracing the impact of Black theatre on mainstream American entertainment. He also teaches advanced acting, theatre history, American popular entertainment and experimental theatre. He has staged eleven productions, including Dreaming Shakespeare, an experimental Shakespearean collage with original music and choreography; Dario Fo's We Won't Pay, We Won't Pay; Cole Porter's Anything Goes and Stage Door, a 1935 comedy by Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman. In fall 2008 he directed Hotel Paradiso, a farce by Georges Feydeau and Maurice Desvalleres.


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Lesley Poling-Kempes tells the story of a legendary New
Mexico resort and its many lovers in her absorbing new book,
Ghost Ranch
In Westernness: A Meditation, poet and
scholar Alan Williamson examines what it means to live in the West
through the eyes of the region's writers and
Maria Chabot – Georgia O'Keeffe:
Correspondence 1941-1949 tempts with its glimpse into the
life of a famous painter but finally fascinates with its portrait
of Chabot and her life in Abiquiu, N.M., during World War
Today, the mountain and Pacific states have the highest collective cremation rates in the U.S.
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