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Miracom IP CTS Conditional Certification
Download OptionsReleased: May 13, 2014
Federal Communications Commission
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500445 12th St., S.W.
Internet: https://www.fcc.gov
Washington, D.C. 20554
Released: May 13, 2014
CG DOCKET NOS. 03-123, 10-51, & 13-24By the Acting Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau:
IntroductionBy this Public Notice, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) grants
conditional certification to Miracom USA, Inc. (Miracom), to provide Internet Protocol Captioned
Telephone Service (IP CTS) that is eligible for compensation from the Interstate Telecommunications
Relay Services Fund (TRS Fund).1 This action is based on the Bureau's review of Miracom's application
and supplemental filings.2 Conditional certification permits Miracom to provide IP CTS as described in
1 See 47 C.F.R. § 64.606. The Communications Act of 1934, as amended, defines telecommunications relay
services (TRS) as:
. . . telephone transmission services that provide the ability for an individual who is deaf, hard of
hearing, deaf-blind, or who has a speech disability to engage in communication by wire or radio
with one or more individuals, in a manner that is functionally equivalent to the ability of a hearing
individual who does not have a speech disability to communicate using voice communication
services by wire or radio.
47 U.S.C. § 225(a)(3). IP CTS is a telecommunications relay service designed to allow people with hearing loss to
speak directly to another party on a telephone call and to simultaneously listen to the other party and read captions
of what that party is saying over an Internet Protocol (IP) enabled device. 47 C.F.R. § 64.601(16). The TRS Fund
compensates eligible providers of IP CTS and other forms of Internet-based and interstate TRS for their reasonable
costs of providing these services. 47 C.F.R. § 64.604(c)(5)(iii).
2 Miracom USA, Inc., Application of Miracom USA, Inc. for Certification to Provide IP Captioned Telephone
Service, CG Docket No. 03-123 (filed Nov. 23, 2011) (Application); Letters from George L. Lyon, Jr., Lukas, Nace,
Gutierrez & Sachs, LLP, to Marlene H. Dortch, FCC Secretary, and attachments, CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51
(filed May 7, 2012) (Miracom May 7, 2012 Submission); Miracom, Amendment to Application of Miracom USA,
Inc. for Certification to Provide IP Captioned Telephone Service, CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51 (filed May 17,
2012) (Miracom May 17, 2012 Amendment); Miracom, Amendment to Application of Miracom USA, Inc. for
Certification to Provide IP Captioned Telephone Service, CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51 (filed Aug. 6, 2013);
Letter from George L. Lyon, Jr., Lukas, Nace, Gutierrez & Sachs, LLP, to Marlene H. Dortch, FCC Secretary, CG
Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51, and attachments (filed Aug. 12, 2012); Miracom, Amendment to Application of
Miracom USA, Inc. for Certification to Provide IP Captioned Telephone Service, CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51
its application, pending a final determination of Miracom's qualifications.3 To assist it in reaching a final
determination, the Bureau may conduct one or more on-site inspections of Miracom's facilities and
request additional documentation relating to Miracom's provision of IP CTS.4
BackgroundMiracom's proposed relay service5 is different from the services currently available from existing
IP CTS providers. As a threshold matter, the service described in Miracom's application will be accessed
by registered users through mobile devices.6 Miracom contends that this service to mobile users is
superior to that offered by existing providers in at least two ways. First, Miracom states that its service
will enable other parties to call and connect to a registered IP CTS user by dialing the user's mobile
phone number directly.7 Second, Miracom proposes to use a captioning method that is substantially
different from the automated speech recognition-based method used by current providers of IP CTS.
Specifically, Miracom proposes to utilize stenography-based captioning, by which a human stenographer
will produce the captions by typing the content communicated orally by the other party to the call.8
(Continued from previous page)
(filed Sept. 12, 2013); Email from George Lyon, Lukas, Nace, Gutierrez & Sachs, LLP, to Robert Aldrich, CGB,
and attachments (received Dec. 11, 2013) (Miracom December 11, 2013 Submission).
3 In the iTRS Certification Order the Commission amended its rules for certifying Internet-based TRS (iTRS)
providers as eligible for compensation from the Fund to ensure that iTRS providers receiving certification are
qualified to provide iTRS in compliance with the Commission's rules and to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse
through improved oversight of such providers. Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program, CG
Docket No. 10-51, Second Report and Order and Order, 26 FCC Rcd 10898 (2011) (iTRS Certification Order); see
also Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program, CG Docket No. 10-51, Memorandum Opinion and
Order, Order, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 26 FCC Rcd 14895 (2011) (iTRS Certification
Clarification Order). Each applicant for iTRS certification is required to submit specific types of documentary
evidence demonstrating its compliance with Commission rules and orders. See, e.g., 47 C.F.R. § 64.606(a).
4 In the iTRS Certification Order the Commission reserved the right, after initial review of an application, to
conditionally grant certification to an applicant, subject to one or more subsequent on-site inspections of the
applicant's facilities, where, as here, the Commission, upon initial review of the application, determines that the
application facially meets the certification requirements, but the Commission needs to verify some of the
information contained in the application. iTRS Certification Order, 26 FCC Rcd at 10914, ¶ 37. The Commission
noted that such visits would "better enable the Commission to verify the information provided in a certification
application, and help us to better assess an applicant's ability to provide service in compliance with our rules." Id.,
¶ 36. See also 47 C.F.R. § 64.606(a)(3).
5 Miracom refers to its proposed service as "Innocaptions."
6 Miracom states it may offer IP CTS for use with other technologies and devices, but it does not provide a specific
description of such offerings in its application. In the event that Miracom decides to offer IP CTS in a manner that
differs from that which is specifically described in its application, e.g., to enable access to its service by wireline or
desktop computer users, it must notify the Commission of such substantive change within 60 days after this change
occurs and must certify that it is continuing to meet the Commission's mandatory minimum standards after
implementing the substantive change. Id. § 64.606(f)(2).
7 See Miracom May 7, 2012 Submission, Presentation to Kris Monteith. At present, other IP CTS offerings require
persons who call IP CTS users utilizing mobile devices either to dial a specific telephone number assigned for IP
CTS use or to first connect with a call center and then dial the IP CTS user's mobile number. See, e.g., Emergency
Petition of Sprint Nextel for Limited Waiver and Clarification, CG Docket Nos. 13-24, 03-123, at 4 (filed Mar. 5,
2013) (referring to a user "receiving a call to the 10-digit number assigned to his Wireless Cap Tel") .
8 Under the method used by current providers, the content communicated orally by the other party to a call is
revoiced by the communications assistant (CA) into a speech recognition computer program, which produces
Miracom asserts that this method will allow it to achieve a "court report" level of accuracy, which it states
is at least 95 percent, and unprecedented captioning speed for IP CTS calls, i.e., captions that will appear
within one to two seconds of the spoken words.9
DiscussionThe Bureau commends Miracom for seeking to provide a service that will purportedly enhance
functional equivalence for TRS users, while remaining mindful of the Commission's obligation to ensure
that relay services are provided in an efficient manner.10 Although we conclude at this time that
Miracom's application facially meets the certification requirements,11 we grant conditional certification so
that we can validate, based on actual operating experience, Miracom's assertions in its application and
supplements that its novel form of IP CTS will meet or exceed the minimum standards for TRS in
practice over time,12 and, if necessary, conduct one or more site inspections of Miracom's facilities when
its service is active and operational. In addition, the Bureau imposes the following conditions to this
grant of certification.
Meeting TRS Standards. As noted, Miracom will be using a method for the provision of IP CTS
that differs from the method used by current IP CTS providers. Because this is a new method for the
provision of this service, we require more information about its effectiveness, and specifically the extent
to which it is capable of providing relay services that meet or exceed the Commission's minimum TRS
standards and are functionally equivalent to voice telecommunications services. Accordingly, to assist in
our final determination of Miracom's qualifications, we require that, while providing IP CTS pursuant to
this conditional certification, Miracom conduct testing, at least quarterly, of the speed and accuracy of its
captioned text13 and submit to the Bureau quarterly reports on the protocols for and results of all tests and
other measurements to assess these indicia.14
The information contained in Miracom's application and supplemental materials also indicates
that the use of human stenographers as CAs will result in significantly higher captioning costs than those
(Continued from previous page)
caption text automatically. See Misuse of Internet Protocol (IP) Captioned Telephone Service, Telecommunications
Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CG Docket
Nos. 13-24, 03-123, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 28 FCC Rcd 13420, 13423, ¶ 6
n. 7 (2013), review pending sub nom. Sorenson Communications, Inc. and CaptionCall, LLC v. FCC (D.C. Cir., No.
13-1246, filed Sept. 6, 2013) ("IP CTS Reform Order").
9 Miracom May 7, 2012 Submission, Presentation to Kris Monteith at 3, 4; see also Application at 6, 7-9, 19-20;
Miracom May 17, 2012 Amendment, Exh. 2.
10 See 47 U.S.C. § 225(b)(1).
11 See iTRS Certification Order, 26 FCC Rcd at 10914, ¶ 37.
12 See 47 C.F.R. § 64.606(b)(2)(i).
13 For example, Miracom notes in its application that "trained quality assurance specialists will place non-billed
scripted test calls to randomly selected CAs each month, using scripts designed to reflect realistic conversations,
including personal and business calls," and "CAs will be observed by managers regularly during which time they
must achieve performance metrics in both quality and accuracy." Application at 8 (emphasis original).
14 For example, to the extent that Miracom's testing utilizes prepared scripts and transcripts of conversations to
assess error rates, we would expect submission of such documents and copies of the resulting captions, along with
the protocols used to evaluate accuracy of such communications, to the Commission. Such test calls, of course,
should not be included in the minutes of service submitted for Fund compensation.
associated with current IP CTS captioning methods.15 This raises a question as to whether such higher
costs may hinder Miracom's ability to provide service in accordance with the Commission's minimum
standards16 while being compensated at the applicable Fund compensation rate.17 In response to a Bureau
inquiry regarding the higher cost of its service, Miracom has asserted that it can meet the Commission's
minimum standards while being compensated at the current rate and has submitted cost projections in
support of this position.18 Such projections, however, are difficult to evaluate in the absence of actual
operating experience. Moreover, to the extent that IP CTS compensation rates ultimately are insufficient
for Miracom to recover its higher costs, it is not clear from the information provided by Miracom about
the unique manner in which it proposes to provide service that Miracom could respond in ways that
would allow it to continue in operation and to meet the mandatory minimum standards. We believe that
actual experience may provide a more solid foundation for a full and accurate assessment of Miracom's
qualifications in this regard.19
Therefore, to assist in our final determination of Miracom's qualifications, we require that, while
providing IP CTS pursuant to this conditional certification, Miracom submit to the Commission's Office
of Managing Director (OMD) quarterly reports on its actual costs, usage, and CA activity. Such quarterly
reports shall provide the following information:
(1) Miracom's actual operating costs and minutes of usage for the preceding quarter,20 reported
in the same format and with the same degree of detail required by the TRS Fund
administrator for providers' annual reporting of the costs of providing Internet Protocol relay
service and video relay service; and
(2) For each month of the preceding quarter,
15 See Miracom May 17, 2012 Amendment, Exh. 2. These costs could increase further to the extent that Miracom's
operations or other developments affect the available supply of stenographers with relevant training.
16 The certification rules require the Commission to find that an applicant's service "will meet or exceed" the
minimum TRS standards. 47 C.F.R. §§ 64.606(b)(2)(i) (emphasis added). If a provider's method of providing
service is so costly that it cannot reasonably expect to recover its costs even after a reasonable start-up period, it
would be difficult to justify a finding that the applicant will consistently meet the minimum TRS standards in its
provision of service.
17 The current compensation rate for IP CTS is $1.7877 per minute for the 2013-14 Fund Year. Telecommunications
Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Structure and
Practices of the Video Relay Service Program, CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51, Order, 28 FCC Rcd 9219 (CGB
2013). Having noted that the current methodology for setting the IP CTS compensation rate may not reflect actual
costs, the Commission is considering whether to adopt a more cost-based methodology that could result in changed
compensation rates. See IP CTS Reform Order, 28 FCC Rcd at 13472-79, ¶¶ 111-127.
18 See Miracom December 11, 2013 Submission.
19 Compensation rates are determined in light of the minimum standards as set by the Commission. Although the
Commission may periodically reassess those standards in light of new services and technologies, a TRS provider
cannot unilaterally impose a higher standard or secure a higher compensation rate simply by utilizing a new, more
expensive method of providing service. See Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Services Program:
Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, CG Docket Nos. 10-51, 03-123, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 28 FCC
Rcd 8618, 8626, ¶ 13 & n.38 (2013) (VRS Reform Order).
20 Thus, the report filed August 1, 2014, should provide costs and minutes of use for the second quarter of 2014, i.e.,
for the period April 1 – June 30, 2014.
(a) The number of registered users of Miracom's service as of the last day of the month,
(b) The number of registered users who actually made use of the service during that month,
(c) The number of CAs who provided captioning for Miracom during that month,
(d) The total number of hours worked by CAs during that month and the average hourly rate
paid by Miracom, and
(e) The number of CAs who provided captioning during the previous month but not during
the current month.
In addition, we require that Miracom submit to OMD an audited financial statement one year from the
date of this public notice.
Preventing Misuse. As noted above, Miracom asserts that the use of human stenography-based
captioning will significantly improve the speed and accuracy of the text conveyed to IP CTS users. The
ability to provide communications access at a swifter speed with higher accuracy, if proven, will
contribute to the functional equivalence of IP CTS for consumers. At the same time, however, the
Commission is concerned that the method Miracom will be using could lend itself to improper use of IP
CTS.21 Specifically, there may be increased opportunity and incentive for users to substitute Miracom's
Innocaptions for in-person transcription services, such as Communication Access Realtime Translation
(CART).22 CART is often used to generate captions for live meetings, speeches, and other in-person
situations where the provision of TRS Fund-supported relay services is not permitted. Although Miracom
has provided information regarding steps it will take to prevent such abuse, we continue to have concerns
about the susceptibility of its proposed service – particularly because it will be offered for use with
mobile devices – to fall prey to such misuse.23
As an initial matter, we reiterate that neither Miracom nor any other TRS provider may provide
transcripts of calls to IP CTS users, as the Commission's TRS rules expressly prohibit CAs from keeping
records of the content of any relayed conversation beyond the duration of a call.24 Written transcripts are
commonly associated with in-person CART services, and it would be inappropriate for any relay provider
to offer these as a service to IP CTS users who communicate by phone. Additionally, to ensure that we
can evaluate Miracom's ability to prevent misuse of its services, we will require Miracom to provide the
Bureau with a quarterly report on its measures for detecting and preventing misuse, and in particular
measures taken to prevent the unauthorized use of in-person transcription services.
In addition, we note that Miracom's service will be accessed from a user's own mobile device
using a downloaded software application, rather than from IP CTS equipment. Because it utilizes
software rather than dedicated equipment, Miracom will not be subject to the Commission's interim rule
requiring that IP CTS providers obtain third party professional certification from new IP CTS users who
21 The Commission previously has had to address other kinds of misuse in the IP CTS program. See generally IP
CTS Reform Order, 28 FCC Rcd at 13446-47, ¶ 58.
22 In many such situations, a third party may have an obligation to provide CART services. See, e.g., 28 C.F.R.
§ 36.303, implementing Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12182 et seq.
23 We base these concerns on the Commission's experiences with past misuse of TRS. See, e.g., IP CTS Reform
Order (taking various actions to address practices that encourage IP CTS usage by individuals who do not need the
service to communicate in a functionally equivalent manner); Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service
Program, CG Docket No. 10-51, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 26 FCC Rcd 5545,
5549-51, ¶ 4 & n. 14 (2011) (discussing fraud and abuse in the video relay service (VRS) program and noting the
indictments of 26 individuals charged in a nationwide scheme to defraud that program).
24 47 C.F.R. § 64.604(a)(2)(i). There is a limited exception applicable only to speech-to-speech services.
pay less than $75 for IP CTS equipment (other than equipment obtained from a governmental equipment
distribution program).25 Miracom would, however, be subject to the currently-stayed final rule, if upheld,
which applies to both equipment and software. As the Commission noted in the IP CTS Reform Order,
the availability of free IP CTS software raises the same risk posed by the provision of free or below-$75
equipment, i.e., the risk of encouraging registration by consumers who do not need the service for
effective communication.26 This risk is of particular concern given the purported superiority of
Miracom's proposed service to the services offered by other IP CTS providers that are accessed by
downloaded mobile software applications. Under these circumstances, we find that additional safeguards,
beyond the measures described in Miracom's application, are necessary to ensure that Miracom's service
is not subject to misuse. Therefore, to guard against this risk, we will require that, where the consumer
registers for Miracom's service and accepts IP CTS software free of charge or at a price below $75 from
any source other than a governmental program, Miracom must obtain from the consumer a certification
from an independent, third party professional, meeting the requirements of interim rule 64.604(c)(9), that
the consumer has a hearing loss that necessitates IP CTS to communicate in a manner that is functionally
equivalent to communication by conventional voice telephone users. This condition, which applies to
Miracom's initial download of software to a customer and is the same requirement currently applicable to
other providers' IP CTS equipment, will place Miracom on a similar footing with providers who offer IP
CTS for use with dedicated IP CTS equipment. Miracom will make these certification records available
to the Commission upon request.
Reporting Deadlines. The quarterly reports required in this Public Notice – i.e., the report on
Miracom's periodic testing of the quality, speed and accuracy of its captioned text; the report on
Miracom's actual costs, usage, and CA activity; and the report on detecting and preventing misuse – will
be due on the following dates, beginning with the first date that occurs after the release of this order:
August 1, November 1, February 1, May 1. Each report should cover the last calendar quarter completed
before its due date.
Other Information. Pending a decision on full certification, Miracom may be required to submit
additional or different information from that described above, in order to complete our review of
Miracom's eligibility to provide IP CTS that is compensable from the Interstate TRS Fund. Further, we
stress that Miracom must report promptly any changes in the information previously provided to the
Commission in its application and supplemental filings, including, for example, any changes in CA
performance criteria, service agreements and suppliers, procedures for registering and screening
prospective users, or the manner in which Miracom provides service.27
25 See Misuse of Internet Protocol (IP) Captioned Telephone Service; Telecommunications Relay Services and
Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CG Docket Nos. 13-24, 03-123,
Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 28 FCC Rcd 703, 746, Appx. D, § 64.604(c)(9)(v) (2013) (IP CTS
Interim Order), review pending sub nom. Sorenson Communications, Inc. and CaptionCall, LLC v. FCC (D.C. Cir.,
No. 13-1122, filed Apr. 8, 2013). Because the court of appeals has stayed the Commission's final rule prohibiting
compensated providers from providing IP CTS equipment or software to consumers for less than $75, and because
the final rule governing registration and certification of IP CTS users has not yet been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget, the interim rule described above remains in effect. See Consumer and Governmental
Affairs Bureau Clarifies Application of the Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) Rules on User
Registration and Certification, CG Docket Nos. 13-24, 03-123, Public Notice, DA 14-251 (rel. Feb. 24, 2014).
26 IP CTS Reform Order, 28 FCC Rcd at 13446-47, ¶ 58.
27 See 47 C.F.R. §§ 64.606(a)(2)(i) (requiring applicants to provide "[a] description of the forms of Internet-based
TRS to be provided (i.e., VRS, IP Relay, and/or IP captioned telephone relay service)"), (ii) (requiring "[a] detailed
description of how the applicant will meet all non-waived mandatory minimum standards applicable to each form of
TRS offered").
ConclusionThis grant of conditional certification is without prejudice to the Commission's final
determination of Miracom's qualifications and is dependent on the Commission verifying the information
provided in Miracom's application, including its supplemental filings and the additional information
provided pursuant to this order, and on the veracity of the applicant's representations that it will provide
service in compliance with all pertinent Commission requirements.28
Ultimate conversion to full certification will be granted if, based on on-site inspections and our
review of such additional documentation, the Commission finds that Miracom is in compliance with the
Commission's rules and orders, including the requirements of this order, and that Miracom is qualified to
receive compensation from the Fund for the provision of IP CTS.29 If, at any time during the period in
which Miracom is operating pursuant to this conditional certification, the Commission determines that
Miracom has failed to provide sufficient supporting documentation for any of the assertions in Miracom's
application, determines that any of those assertions cannot be supported, or finds evidence of any
apparent rule violation, fraud, waste, or abuse, the Commission will take appropriate action, which may
include the denial of Miracom's application. In the event of such denial, Miracom's conditional
certification will automatically terminate thirty-five (35) days after such denial.30 If, however, the
Commission grants full certification, Miracom, like all iTRS providers, must continue to operate in
compliance with all relevant Commission rules and orders.
Redacted copies of the Miracom's application and supplemental filings are available for public
inspection and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals
II, 445 12th Street, SW, Suite CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554, (202) 418-0270. The full text of this
Public Notice is similarly available for public inspection or copying. These documents may also be
purchased from the Commission's duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc. (BCPI), Portals II,
445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554. Customers may contact BCPI at its web
site: www.bcpiweb.com, or by calling 1-800-378-3160. Redacted copies of Miracom's application and
supplemental filings may also be found by searching on the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing
System (ECFS) at https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs (insert CG Docket No. 10-51 into the Proceeding block).
To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print,
electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com or call the Consumer and Governmental
Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY). This Public Notice can also be
downloaded in Word or Portable Document Format (PDF) at: https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro.
For further information, please contact Gregory Hlibok, Chief, Disability Rights Office,
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 559-5158 (voice/videophone), (202) 418-0431
(TTY), or e-mail at email@example.com.
28 See iTRS Certification Order, 26 FCC Rcd at 10914, ¶ 37.
29 See id.; 47 C.F.R. §§ 64.606(b)(2), (c)(2).
30 iTRS Certification Order, 26 FCC Rcd at 10914-15, ¶ 37. If the Commission terminates a conditional
certification, the provider must give at least 30 days' notice to its customers that it will no longer offer service. Id.
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text:
1. Maybe egyptians were Time Travellers that came from another dimension to build these Pyramids. I mean look at the great technology!
2. Maybe Egyptians were Aliens. HEY! you may never know...... :sr
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Just 2 thoughts I mention
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
In brief
Sales boost
hiring, wages
DETROIT — Rising sales helped boost hiring and wages at U.S. businesses in the second quarter, and companies are optimistic that the trends will continue this fall, according to a new survey by the National Association for Business Economics.
Fifty-seven percent of the 85 respondents to the quarterly survey said sales at their companies rose in the April-June period. That was up from 53 percent in the first quarter and 35 percent in the same period a year ago. Just 5 percent of firms said sales fell in the second quarter.
As sales picked up, so did hiring. Thirty-six percent of firms said they hired more workers in the second quarter, up from 28 percent in the first quarter and 29 percent in the second quarter of 2013.
The employment outlook was steady: 37 percent of respondents expect their companies to hire more workers during July-October.
For the first time since October 2012, no respondents reported falling wages. Forty-three percent said their firms raised wages during the second quarter.
Associated Press


text:
Scott Wente
Primary tabs
Scott Wente has been editor at the South Washington County Bulletin since 2011. He worked as a reporter at other Forum Communications newspapers from 2003 to 2011. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Contact Email
- Member for
- 2 years 7 months
Author Content
A Cottage Grove man faces two felony charges after police say he admitted to repeatedly engaging in sexual activity with an underage girl. Larry A. Andler, 67, was arrested Saturday at his home. He is charged with first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
A Cottage Grove man was arrested late Sunday after allegedly pulling a loaded handgun on patrons at a St. Paul Park bar. Police arrested Eric W. Steil, 44, on suspicion of several assault and weapons-related crimes after officers flooded the bar at Hidden Harbor Marina around 10:20 p.m. for a reported assault involving a firearm. According to an initial police report: When police showed up at Vinny's on the River, they found the suspect, identified as Steil, outside and detained him.
District 833 high school students will have a small slate of new classes to choose from next year but also will lose some courses. The district is adding four college preparatory math classes and three other courses. At the same time, it is eliminating a number of elective courses, some of which while available rarely were offered because too few students signed up. The changes, approved by the School Board Oct.
Park High School's fall play posed at least two challenges for the student cast. The actors had to learn characters that were not familiar to them.
Space constraints, an industry transformation and - oddly enough - the struggling economy prompted the Newport Napa Auto Parts store to expand to a new, larger facility. Standing in the new store last week, owner Steve Linn said the auto parts retailer had outgrown its former Hastings Avenue location. At the same time, there is stronger demand for replacement auto parts. With those factors in mind, Linn Companies built and recently opened the new Napa store at 1586 Hastings Ave., across the parking lot from the store's old space.
The District 833 School Board on Thursday approved the expulsion of a Park High School student through winter break of this school year. Board members also approved the expulsion of a Woodbury High School student for the rest of the 2011-12 school year. Citing data privacy laws, Superintendent Mark Porter did not say what led to the expulsions.
School District 833 property taxpayers are expected to chip in less to pay back district-borrowed funds over the next three years. The School Board on Thursday approved the refinancing of bonds totaling $6.46 million that will result in a savings of over $364,000, administrators said. The district cannot spend that money on other programs; state law requires that the savings be used to reduce taxes paid by property owners in the district. Lower interest rates gained through refinancing will reduce the annual levy for 2012 to 2014 by an average of $123,000.
Steve Lagoon said he is ready to use his classroom experience on the South Washington County School Board. Lagoon, one of seven candidates seeking three seats in the Nov. 8 election, is in his fourth year as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional. "I think I know what will work and what won't work," Lagoon said. One area Lagoon said he would focus on is changing how schools handle chronically disruptive students.
The owner of the Sure Lock Motel in Newport was arrested after a more than six-hour standoff with police late Sunday following an alleged felony assault at the Hastings Avenue motel. Police arrested Roger A. Berres, 48, shortly before midnight on suspicion of second-degree criminal sexual conduct -- which, according to jail booking information, involved a female under the age of 13 -- kidnapping, disturbing the peace, domestic assault and obstructing the legal process. Police declined to provide any details of the alleged assault.
Accidents A 44-year-old St. Paul Park man was injured when he lost control of his motorcycle while driving at 2:20 p.m. Oct. 7 at 103rd Street and Grey Cloud Island Trail. The motorcycle slid on its side. The man was transported to Regions Hospital to be treated for injuries. A 38-year-old Oakdale man was cited for inattentive driving after police say he caused a three-vehicle crash around 1:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the intersection of 70th Street and Goodview Avenue.


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It was amazing, very beautiful and clean
Beautiful B&B, great breakfast each morning, Hans and Ingrid are wonderful hosts. Hans was very helpful with the outdoor adventures. Wonderful town to visit, everyone was very helpful and friendly. Make sure to visit Mouse's chocolates, the Wild Flower, and Ivory's Trading Co. Oh yeah the mountains are breath taking!!!
Needed a little refrigerator tons tore leftovers from the wonderful restaurants in town.
We were greeted by very friendly staff and taken to our room where there was a bottle of wine, chocolate, & a beautiful rose bouquet waiting for us! We had a private hot tub and sitting area on our balcony with beautiful views!
I wish there would have been a television in our room. And a heater in the smoking tipi would be very nice it gets cold in there.
The owners were very accommodating. Breakfast was memorable.
Friendly staff, close to town.
Dave was super accomodating after I booked a room on the WRONG NIGHT. He was a busy, but accomodating and helpful host
Beautiful location
Affordable price
Friendly hosts
Well equipped rooms
Small breakfast area.
Staff was friendly.
I like that they don't service the rooms everyday. I'm not a slob, so it gave me a bit more peace of mind knowing that someone wasn't in my room when I wasn't there.
Price for the room was very good for the area.
I would stay there again.
The mini fridge was very efficient. I initially turned it all the way to max cold and then discovered partially frozen milk the next morning! :) I turned it down a bit after that.
Shower water temperature was nearly impossible to keep steady. It went from just right to HOT to COLD without warning and proved to be hard to readjust with any consistency.
Parking seemed limited. They should have at least one designated spot for each room. I was leaving early each day and coming back fairly late, and I was never sure if I was going to have a parking spot when I returned to the room.
It was a good location,friendly staff and cheaper rate then most in the area. Bed was comfortable.
Bathroom is very small and did not have air conditioning, so we had a fan on all night, but was still on the warm side. It was fine for one night, but wouldn't want to stay much longer then that.
I'm in hotels about 75 nights a year for work and this was my first time in Telluride, and the hotel was great in every regard, but the staff is what really made this hotel a 5 Star place, especially Ron and Niko. The streets were covered in snow and ice and Ron and Niko toted us everywhere in town in the suburban shuttle. They were so friendly and knowledgeable about Telluride and just couldn't have been a better representation of the town. Can't wait to go back!
The breakfast in the little restaurant was pricey and the food wasn't that good, I'd recommend exploring the town for breakfast places.
My husband and I had never been to Telluride. As I looked on Kayak this hotels price and pictures caught my eye. It was exactly how the pictures looked. The rooms were beautiful, the staff was very helpful and they have a free shuttle service to take you wherever you need to go!
Only one thing that left a bad taste in my mouth. We woke up Saturday morning at 9am to order room service and the person who answered was very rude and said "Were not doing room service right now, were understaffed and extremely busy!" Then hung up....when we walked by the restaurant an hour later it was closed and empty?
They had a room on a no-vacancy night in Ouray in peak aspen viewing season. Had been traveling on business and elected to stay in the mountain town for hot springs there, booking earlier that day.
Important note: The remaining single-bed room was in a separate area of living quarters apart from the other rooms. I cannot speak to their quality.
Shower/toilet facility seemed newly remodeled and were clean & functional.
Dirty carpet.
Crudely built plywood bed box.
Dangerous, unlit exterior stairway made of expanded metal. Access to room required walking down darkened sidewalk, through a gate & courtyard, up the stairs & up another steep stairway.
Traipsing through personal quarters where the occupant was moving in and had stuff everywhere.
Loud conversation, barking dog and ringing phones until 10:30 or later just outside my door.
Hair dryer and radio sparked as I plugged them in. Both seemed to have faulty switches.
Located in beautiful area. Hot Spring tubs were amazing. Staff was quite helpful and answered questions.
Beautiful Environment. Great view of the snow mountain from the hot spring tub with the bird singing and spring flowing. The room is neat, people are nice, services are great and the cat is cute!
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text:
Historical conflict: World War II
Group DescriptionGames based on the Second World War global conflict from 1939 to 1945 between the Allies (mainly the United Kingdom, United States, and their allies), the Soviet Union, and the Axis (Nazi Germany, Italy, Japan, and their allies). The theater of war is mainly Europe, the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean, North Africa and the Far East, however as this is a global conflict other areas may be represented to different degrees.
Games included in this group are not restricted to a specific genre. Games may deal with entirely historical events, however it is not a requirement and fictional interpretation or storytelling is completely allowed. Some games may use World War II as a backdrop or setting to tell a plot or story independent from the war itself. For historically accurate material, please also refer to the Historical Battle (specific/exact) sub-genre.
Related Game Groups
Selected Covers
Front cover for Pacific Strike
Front cover for Panzer Corps: Grand Campaign '43 East
Front cover for Pacific Warriors: Air Combat Action
Front cover for Panzer Corps: Gold Edition
Front cover for Panzer Attack
Selected Screenshots
Screenshot from Pacific Strike
Screenshot from Pacific Warriors: Air Combat Action
Screenshot from Panzer Attack
Screenshot from Panzer Battles
Screenshot from Panzer Command: Ostfront


text:
Frozen Pineapple Cranberry Salad
Published: Friday, July 23, 2004 at 3:15 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, July 23, 2004 at 12:00 a.m.
1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
1 16-ounce can whole cranberry sauce
1 cup sour cream
½ cup chopped pecans
Combine all of the above. Freeze and cut into squares and serve.
Diane McAbee
This story appeared in print on page 64
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.
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Joe Satriani New York Tickets
At Conduit Tickets, we make executive of Joe Satriani events tickets in addition to all Saratoga Springs, München and Sevilla hot events tickets including Blue Cross Arena events as well as Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Formerly Conseco Fieldhouse), Palace Of Auburn Hills and BankAtlantic Center or whatever tickets you$1're looking for.
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Joe Satriani's guitar heroics slay Vancouver, as do Mike Keneally's - Straight.com (blog)October 2013
Guitar freaks go to Joe Satriani concerts to hear the Bay Area musician speedily blast out approximately 1,365,398 notes in total, and make all of them sound perfect. But Satriani's ace in the holeâapart from a wicked rhythm-section composed of bassist Bryan ...
Joe Satriani to sign autographs at Long & McQuade before Vancouver show - Straight.com (blog)September 2013
Paul Mercs Concerts has just announced that Joe Satriani will appear for an autograph session at Long & McQuade the day before his show in Vancouver at the Vogue Theatre. The Bay Area rock-guitar heroâwho also plays in Chickenfootâwill be signing ...
Mike Keneally+Joe Satriani = Sonic treat! - U-T San DiegoAugust 2013
It's the first date on Satriani's world tour, following two months of concerts in Europe. (Our in-depth Satriani interview appears here.) âMike can shred me to death on guitar!â said Satriani, who first met Keneally in 1993 when they were playing in different bands ...


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text: Button: Everyone here is excited about the challenge of 2014 with Ron in charge 25 January, 2014 306 Ron Dennis with Jenson Button The return of former Team Principal Ron Dennis to a more hands-on role at McLaren will boost the hurting Formula 1 team this season, Jenson Button said on Friday. Dennis ousted Martin Whitmarsh as group chief executive last week, with the latter now expected to vacate the role of Team Principal as well, before the championship starts in Australia in March. McLaren presented its new MP4-29 car online on Friday with Whitmarsh conspicuous by his absence. Senior management made clear that Dennis, who ran the team from 1982 to 2009, was again calling the shots and Button said thathe was "excited by the prospect". "I have spoken to Ron a lot over the last few days…he is very excited about his role and he is very hungry," said the Briton who won his 2009 title with Brawn GP. Dennis presided over some of the team's greatest years, with Brazilian Ayrton Senna and Frenchman Alain Prost, and Button said that history was another strength. Ron Dennis with Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost "He's a true racer, he's a true fighter and he really has built this team up over the years," Button told reporters. "It's good for the team, it's good for Ron that he has the chance to really drive this team on again," he said in his first comments about the changeover. "Everyone here is excited about the challenge of 2014 with Ron in charge." McLaren need to move up a gear after a dismal 2013 without a single podium finish, their worst performance since 1980, that saw the former champions end up fifth overall in the Constructors' standings. While Dennis has resumed overall control, he is not expected to take on the active role of Principal on the pit wall. Frenchman Eric Boullier, who was replaced as Lotus principal on Friday, is now seen as a likely candidate. Button said that he was aware of the rumours but did not know any more about the situation. Ron Dennis with Jonathan Neale Managing director Jonathan Neale, who worked closely with Dennis in the past, said that the 66-year-old – a major shareholder whose main focus in recent years has been developing McLaren's sportscar business – had lost none of his energy. "For those that know Ron, he is as fired up as he ever has been, probably more passionate now than ever," he declared. "If ever there was somebody who had a very strong vision and a sense of true worth and how it is to win in F1 and why that is important, he has got it in spades," said Neale. "It's exciting times." Button is still coming to terms with the sudden death of his father John, a constant companion on the circuit, and the loss was still too raw for him to talk about. He said everything had gone through his mind, including taking time out from F1, but thathe was now looking forward to racing again. Kevin Magnussen, Jenson Button and Stoffel Vandoorne with the McLaren MP4-29 "It is going to be a challenge for us all with the regulations but it is an exciting challenge and there is so much for us to learn still," Button added. "So I am looking forward to a year where I am going to put everything into this sport and leave nothing on the table. I am looking forward to getting on with it next week." Testing starts at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain on Tuesday, with Button in the car for the first two days. "I think every single person in F1 is sitting on the edge of the unknown," he said of a season that sees major technical changes including the introduction of a new V6 turbocharged engine with energy recovery systems. "There will be lots of things going through my mind when I settle myself into the cockpit for the first time in Jerez." (Reuters) Subbed by AJN. Brit media at it again Button the a$$ kissing snake is buttering up Ron now. He weaseled favour from Whitmarsh who was his buddy, but Martin was after Alonso last year for 2015. Now he will butter Ron who dislikes Alonso, to keep Mclaren from persueing him. Always politics with Button. Really takes after his idol, Alain Prost. If I can't beat my teammates, I have to use politics. This is where you must admire Kimi and Lewis, who says I don't want to be the no.1 driver. Give me equal status with anybody, I want to beat them fair and square. I am a Racer not a politician. DickDastardly ron may bring mclaren forwards but button cant. in 4 years he has had 1 pole which was due to picking the right setup, not raw talent. take 2012 for example,hamilton had retirements in abu dhabi from the lead, singapore from the lead and was stripped of pole in spain and started at the back and still beat jb and on a 2 stop strategy. plus hamilton had more bad pit stops and mclaren messed up his strategy a lot. all this and hamilton still beat him that year. jb is not a top driver and will never win a wdc without a massive car advantage AlsoRan I thought Dennis was kicked out of F1 much like Flavio Briatore. How did he manage to weasel his way back in? AlsoRan Sadly, this is a corrupt sport.


text:
EZ Wins for Pick 3 Lotto.
By A hans Adhemar
Open iTunes to buy and download apps.
Do you feel lucky today ? Well, with EZ Wins you will soon ask," what's LUCK got to do with it ?" the reason why, is because you will soon start winning Pick 3 boxed hits with this App.
How does it work ? you simply enter your last 7 draws and the App then displays 10 new sets to play from 3 to 7 days, if you see no hits by the 7th day, you just stop, wait for 3 days and repeat the process again.
I also need to mention that this works regardless where you live, if there is a Pick 3 lottery in your state or country, it will work as well and give you the best numbers to play.
These are not some random numbers, they are generated following a pattern in the sets entered. So do not be surprised when you start winning with EZ Wins.
If your goal is to win the big lottery games like the MegaMillions, Pick 5 or Powerball, the process is simple, just go to: www.youcanwinpick3.wix.com/ezwins
These Lotto systems work for Illinois, Georgia, New York, California, any state and any country.
A little advice, if you want to win more often just like at the casino, when gambling make it like work, take it seriously, the reason is, if you take something seriously, you will be more into it and focused more on winning.
The Pick 3 lottery is a fun game to play in any state and this App which is based on a system makes it fun, as i mentioned above, these are not random numbers, there is a pattern and this is a good Picker.
All you need is the 7 last draws and the App will display the best sets to play.
You can check the last Lotto results from ilotto, ilotteryca, on any site, write them down and enter in the App.
The name says it all, EZ Wins...Today's your lucky day !
What's New in Version 1.1
Done some minor changes.
Customer Reviews
Yahoooooooooo !!!
I'm so glad I downloaded this app, I played the 10 numbers from the app and won a straight 4 days later, wow!!!
Already won!
I won on my second try, so it's worth downloading.
Scam. Do not download.
This app is a scam. No matter what the last 7 numbers you enter, it always displays the results from 370 to 379. It never changes the future winning numbers. All the previous reviews must be from the creator with multiple accounts to promote himself.
Save your time!
- $0.99
- Category: Games
- Updated: Mar 25, 2014
- Version: 1.1
- Size: 24.1 MB
- Language: English
- Seller: A hans Adhemar
- © A. Hans Adhemar
Compatibility: Requires iOS 7.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.


text:
15 Perfectly timed Photos
Funny photography, sometimes with luck, sometimes just perfectly timed.. Check out Part 2: 20 more Perfectly Timed Photos
Funny photography, sometimes with luck, sometimes just perfectly timed.. Check out Part 2: 20 more Perfectly Timed Photos
DCComics.com: Welcome to the Official Site for DC Comics. DC Comics is home to the "World's Greatest Super Heroes," including SUPERMAN, BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN, GREEN LANTERN, THE FLASH, AQUAMAN and more.
Last week, someone asked me to make a legs tutorial. I promised with her and now it is . I also include hand & foot tutorials in it ^^ It's may not ...
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Animated Short Movies: Movie shorts, or short animations are a unique form of art, which can inspire and enlighten just like any other art form. Sometimes even more so.
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text:
Oregon Marijuana Penalty Reduction Bills Advancing
SALEM, OR — Two bills working their way through the Oregon legislature would significantly reduce penalties for marijuana possession offenses in Oregon.
Senate Bill 40 would reclassify marijuana offenses involving the possession of over one ounce, but less than four ounces of marijuana from a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, to a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum prison sentence of six months. Possession of one ounce or less of marijuana in Oregon has already been reduced to a misdemeanor that carries no possible jail time. The maximum fine for possession of up to one ounce of marijuana in Oregon is $1,000.
It also reclassifies offenses involving the possession of less than 1/4 ounce of hashish from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Senate Bill 40 passed the full Senate by a vote of 22-7 in late April, and is scheduled for a work session in the House Judiciary Committee this week.
Read more: http://www.thedailychronic.net/
Rules on the presence of marijuana are updated
Drugs in sport
Inadvertent inhaling at parties or the unwitting ingestion of a hash cookie will no longer result in athletes being thrown out of the Olympics under a revision to the list of banned substances.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), which administers the list, yesterday agreed to raise the in-competition threshold for marijuana from 15 nanograms of substance per millilitre of urine to 150ng/ml.
While tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in cannabis, will remain on the prohibited list, the relaxation of the rules reflects a growing sense of realism about its use as a social alternative to alcohol.
Read more: http://www.thetimes.co.uk
After failed marijuana test, UFC's Pat Healy loses at least $130,000 in bonuses
An evening with old friends ultimately will cost UFC lightweight Pat Healy at least $130,000 in lost bonuses.
As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported Tuesday, Healy (29-16 MMA, 0-1 UFC) failed a post-fight drug test following his recent UFC 159 win over fellow lightweight Jim Miller (22-4 MMA, 11-3 UFC). His third-round submission victory has been overturned to a no-contest, and he's been suspended 90 days, according to Healy.
Additionally, though the organization hasn't made a formal announcement, Healy must surrender his $65,000 "Fight of the Night" bonus and a $65,000 "Submission of the Night" award, as well as his undisclosed win bonus for the April 27 fight, which took place in Newark, N.J.
Healy, who fessed up to marijuana use in a prepared statement, used the drug while out with his friends a month before the fight, according to Phil Claud, Healy's trainer at Sports Lab in Portland, Ore.
Read more: http://www.mmajunkie.com
Saint Louis decriminalized Marijuana
If you did not catch my correction email on Monday, you may have missed that Saint Louis Mayor Francis Slay signed the local decriminalization bill into law a couple weeks ago. If so, you would not be alone in that. Mayor Slay signed the measure very quietly, without so much as a tweet about it, so neither I nor the bill's sponsor, Alderman Shane Cohn, even knew about it until last Friday. Regardless, now that Mayor Slay has signed the bill, it will become law in the City of Saint Louis on June 1!
Fox 2 also ran a good story profiling Ken Wells, a medical marijuana patient and great activist in the Saint Louis area, that also featured some footage of our April 13 conference and comments from Show-Me Cannabis Regulation Board Chair Dan Viets. You can watch the story online and vote in their poll on cannabis policy. As of this writing, nearly 90 percent of respondents said that cannabis should be legal for both medical and recreational purposes, with another six percent saying it should be legal for medical reasons only! That's not a scientfiic poll, obviously, but it's nice to see that viewers are responding positively to our message.
Read more: http://www.theweedblog.com
Vermont moves toward decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana
(Reuters) - Vermont's legislature on Monday approved a bill that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, a measure the state's governor expects to sign into law in the coming weeks.
The move sets up the New England state to be the 17th in the United States to remove criminal penalties for having small amounts of pot. It does not go as far as Colorado and Washington, which in November became the first states to legalize possession, cultivation and use of marijuana by adults for recreational use.
Vermont's House of Representatives on Monday gave final approval to a proposal to remove criminal penalties for adult possession of up to one ounce (28.3 grams) of marijuana and instead penalize with a civil fine, similar to a traffic ticket. Persons under age 21 caught with pot would be required to undergo substance abuse screening.
The House's action upheld changes to the bill last week by Vermont's Senate, including a provision that decriminalized possession of up to five grams of hashish, a potent pot derivative.
Read more: http://news.yahoo.com
Marijuana Shop Owners Paying Taxes In Cash Because Banks Can't Take Their Money
Marijuana may be legal and taxed in Colorado, but the federal government still considers anyone who sells it to be a drug dealer and won't allow banks to offer accounts to these businesses. So how is a legal businessman supposed to pay those sales tax to the state?
One shop owner tells Bloomberg he's got to carry a bag holding thousands of dollars in cash to the state's revenue department in order to remit sales tax payments.
"It highlights the awkward situation we've been placed in," he explains. "We are paying taxes, but despite our best efforts to be good citizens, we're still paying in cash."
Since the business can't open a bank account, it has to operate on a purely cash basis, making it a target for robbery — and just a huge pain in the butt for people keeping the books.
Making matters more complicated, some state and local agencies won't accept cash payments for required taxes and licensing fees.
Read more: http://consumerist.com
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text: At the editorial board Video: The Governor General's reflections on the past year Add to ... The Globe and Mail Published Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 9:42PM EST Last updated Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 10:34PM EST David Johnston reflects on all the good that Canada has done in 2011, and says Canadians must 'continue in that quest' recognizing there are a lot of unmet needs. Watch More Video: Explosion at Osborne Village law firm Aetna swallows Humana Shadow over Greek holiday isle Obama reflects on 'gratifying' week in politics Paul Rudd on shooting scenes with The Avengers: 'I was like a 10 year old' Waiting and worrying ahead of Greek vote Defector helping Ukraine in information war with Russia Raw: Greek citizens race to withdraw funds Can Tunisia save its tourist industry? Japan mourns Tama the stationmaster cat Mosque bomb kills more than 10 in Kuwait Garden party in Berlin for British Queen MTV revamp wants users to upload their own videos South Korea marks 65th anniversary of Korean War Second prison officer held over New York jailbreak Obama: We will not 'abandon' hostage families Wildfire threatens northern California town Greek businesses issue crisis warning Apple mints money off Watch bands IPO market solid, but don't rush into it: IPOX Comments AA More Related to this Story Video: David Johnston on the relevance of the Crown and the governor-general Video: The Governor General on what influences him in his role The Governor-General on health-care, diversity and candid talks with Harper


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Latest Headlines
Cooler than average temperatures this week.
A company said it has faced challenges since seeking approval to put a care ...
The No. 24 Arkansas baseball team (21-13) raced out to an early lead Wednesday ...
Due to the threat of inclement weather, Arkansas baseball's series opener with ...
WASHINGTON (AP) - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is warning troops that it takes just seconds for misconduct to make headlines and fuel the enemy in Afghanistan.
Military leaders are pushing commanders to improve discipline in the ranks after a series of widely publicized incidents. These include the massacre of 17 Afghan civilians, mistaken burning of Qurans, images of Marines urinating on Afghan insurgents' corpses and photos showing U.S. soldiers posing with Afghan police holding the severed legs of a suicide bomber.
Panetta says wrongdoing by troops can hurt morale, put fellow troops at risk and damage America's standing in the world, even if it is committed by only a small percentage of service members.
Panetta is speaking to soldiers at Fort Benning, Ga.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)


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Boris Johnson casts doubt over George Osborne's Chinese 'super priority' visa plan
London Mayor questions 'unclear' proposals during trade visit
Monday 14 October 2013
George Osborne's plan to relax visa rules for Chinese nationals was cast into doubt by Boris Johnson, just hours after it was unveiled.
The Mayor of London, leading his own trade mission to China, suggested the Chancellor's proposal lacked detail.
He also questioned whether it would mean Chinese tourists, students and business executives having to fill in only one form for access to the UK and countries such as France and Germany – as claimed by Treasury aides.
"We'll have to see how this scheme actually works because the detail is a little bit unclear to us at the moment," Mr Johnson told BBC's World at One.
"I'm initially very supportive and would hope it would make sure that we are able to get large numbers of Chinese students, of tourists, people who are going to bring income to our city. It's not clear that it's a single form either because there seems to be two forms."
Despite attempts to put on a show of unity, Mr Johnson's remarks threatened to embarrass Mr Osborne after his high profile announcement to lure more Chinese visitors to the UK.
In a speech at Peking University, the Chancellor told students there was "no limit" on the number of visitors from China who could come to Britain, as he stressed his visit was about "more than a collection of business deals".
Standing alongside Mr Johnson, he said: "There is no limit to the number of Chinese who can study in Britain. No limit to the number of Chinese tourists who can visit. No limit on the amount of business we can do together."
Mr Osborne's aides said that Chinese visitors would be able to apply for a UK visa through selected travel agents by submitting just a single EU form, in a pilot study, from next month. Currently a separate form must be filled out when visiting the UK and another EU country.
A new 24-hour "super priority" visa service would also be available from next year and the existing VIP mobile visa service – where agents collect forms and biometric data – would be expanded.
Home Office officials confirmed there would be an additional "addendum" form for the British part of the application for a Chinese person seeking to visit both the UK and other EU countries, but said applicants would not have to provide duplicate information. Visitors would still need to have their fingerprints taken.
The drive to relax visa arrangements for Chinese visitors was strongly opposed by Home Secretary Theresa May last year who said it would threaten national security. However, shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the lack of detail meant the Government's immigration policy was mired in "carnage and confusion".
She said: "The real problem here is that George Osborne and Theresa May are in complete disagreement about Chinese visitors to Britain.
"The Chancellor wants more Chinese investors, tourists and students to bring money into this country. The Home Secretary wants less because Chinese students are included in her target for net migration, which she is currently failing to meet.
"Until they start talking to each other, this will continue to be a complete mess."
Business groups, which have long warned that high-spending visitors are put off by the existing system, welcomed the proposal as a step in the right direction.
Confederation of British Industry director-general John Cridland said: "These important changes will make the UK much more appealing to Chinese business and tourists alike."
But some experts suggested the proposal would, in reality, not change much for Chinese applicants.
Matthew Davies, head of business immigration lawyers Fox Williams LLP, said: "It is important to sort the packaging from the substance here. There is no major policy shift; Chinese nationals must still have a visa to enter the UK for every purpose, including short visits."
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Documentary About Love Trapped Between Modernity and Tradition: Handa Handa 4
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According to Bukhari tradition, couples must marry after a brief acquaintance, but Ronen and Orit, two young Bukharins living in Israel and working in the theater, have been dating for almost three years -- and they refuse. Instead, they rebel against the community and their own families, even after her parents demand that they either marry or break up. There are no easy answers in this documentary as the couple struggles with a love that's trapped between tradition and modernity. Join film subjects Ronen and Hay Davidov for a conversation following the screening. Handa Handa 4 screens as part of the 24th annual Washington Jewish Film Festival.
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Directed by David Ofek and Neta Shoshani
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Running Time: 59 minutes


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Death of LoveHer heart beats empty,Her sighs sorrow,Her breath heavy,thinking of her past,the one who she loved-gone from her life,taking her own promises-she broke,her eyes set sorrow- to her dead beating heart,sulken by the one who gave her-life and love.Now the pain still grows,doubting he will never come back.


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Latest Armed Forces News
- Silent Tribute To Be Held For Tunisia Victims Fri, Jul 3, 2015
A minute's silence will be observed across the country at midday – one week on from the Tunisian terror attack which killed 30 British tourists. Flags are being flown at half-mast over Buckingham Palace and government buildings, as an RAF operation to repatriate their bodies continues. The Queen will be joining people across the country in the act of remembrance, and will mark the silence during a visit to the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. More »
- Tunisia Attack Victims' Bodies Arrive Back In UK Thu, Jul 2, 2015
The bodies of nine Britons shot dead in the Tunisia beach attack have arrived back in the UK, as the final British death toll was confirmed. The C-17 military transport aircraft touched down at RAF Brize Norton carrying coffins bearing the bodies of Lisa and William Graham, Philip Heathcote, Trudy Jones, Ann and James McQuire, Janet and John Stocker, and David Thompson. They were among 38 people killed by Seifeddine Rezgui in the resort of Sousse in Friday's attack, before the gunman was shot dead by police. More »
- UK Mulls Syria Strikes To 'Destroy' IS Threat Thu, Jul 2, 2015
The Prime Minister has indicated the Government is paving the way for airstrikes on Islamic State terrorists in Syria in the wake of the Tunisian beach massacre. David Cameron has said there is a "strong case for us doing more in Syria" but said there needed to be "clear consensus for such action" among MPs. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon outlined the case for allowing RAF bombers to attack key IS targets ahead of a debate on the issue in the House of Commons. More »
- UK minister: Illogical to attack IS in Iraq but not Syria Thu, Jul 2, 2015
LONDON (AP) — Britain's defense minister says lawmakers should consider expanding Royal Air Force airstrikes against the Islamic State from Iraq into Syria. More »
- Tunisia: More British Victims To Be Flown Back Thu, Jul 2, 2015
An RAF plane will return to Tunisia this morning, as an operation to repatriate the bodies of Britons killed in the beach terror attack continues. The C-17 military transport aircraft is expected back at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire this afternoon, with all of the victims flown home "over the coming days". So far, 29 of the 38 tourists shot dead by Seifeddine Rezgui have been identified as British – and police are still trying to confirm the nationality of a 30th person also believed to be from the UK. More »
- Tunisia: Bodies Of Eight Victims Back In UK Wed, Jul 1, 2015
An RAF plane carrying the bodies of eight Britons killed in the Tunisia beach terror attack has landed in the UK. A C-17 military transport aircraft, which left Tunis earlier today, landed at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire at around 3pm. The coffins of Adrian Evans, Patrick Evans, Joel Richards, Carly Lovett, Stephen Mellor, John Stollery, and Denis and Elaine Thwaites were adorned with white flowers and were carried off the aircraft by members of the armed forces. More »
- Tunisia Victims' Bodies To Be Flown Home Tue, Jun 30, 2015
The first RAF flight carrying the bodies of Britons killed in the Tunisia terror attack will arrive back in the UK on Wednesday. Further flights are expected over the course of the week as bodies are released by the Tunisian authorities, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said. Mr Hammond said 22 UK nationals have been positively identified, while it is believed a further eight are among the 38 killed by gunman Seifeddine Rezgui. More »
- Hundreds protest against Dalai Lama Mon, Jun 29, 2015
Hundreds of Buddhist protesters demonstrated against the Dalai Lama on Monday as the spiritual leader arrived in the British army town of Aldershot, where many current and former Nepalese Gurkha soldiers live. More »
- RAF Plane To Evacuate Casualties From Tunisia Mon, Jun 29, 2015
The vow came after the Prime Minister said an RAF plane was being sent to evacuate casualties from Tunisia, and Home Secretary Theresa May visited the country to see the aftermath of the "absolutely horrific attack". David Cameron has promised a "full spectrum" response to the attack that is expected to have left as many as 30 Britons dead. He said Ms May and Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood had gone to Sousse on Monday to "give condolences to those who have lost loved ones" and "see for themselves what has happened". More »
- George Groves suffers head injury in boating accident Mon, Jun 22, 2015
British boxer George Groves suffered a minor head injury in a boating accident on Monday but the incident will not impact his Las Vegas fight with Badou Jack for the WBC super-middleweight title, his management said. Groves has been training with the Royal Marines in Plymouth, on Britain's south-west coast, for the fight which is expected to take place in August or September. The 27-year-old, who was knocked out by Carl Froch in the WBA and IBF super-middleweight title fight last year, was taken to hospital for his injury but was released. More »
- British army display parachutist has lucky escape Sat, Jun 20, 2015
A British army paratrooper from the country's famed Red Devils display team had a narrow escape in front of hundreds of spectators after he was caught mid-air by a fellow team member when his parachute failed to open properly. The airshow in northwest England where the incident happened late on Friday said it was the first parachute fail in 25 years for the team, which is formed of 12 members of Britain's elite Parachute Regiment. Spectators published dramatic photos and video on social media showing one soldier with a fully open parachute wrapping his legs around the ropes of his team mate's tangled parachute below. More »
- Britain's Prince Harry serves last day in army career Fri, Jun 19, 2015
Prince Harry ended his career with the British army on Friday after 10 years' service that saw him fight on the front line twice in Afghanistan. More »
- RAF Scrambled As Russians Stray Near NATO Drill Wed, Jun 17, 2015
RAF Typhoons have been scrambled three times in the last 24 hours to intercept Russian jets flying close to NATO military exercises in the Baltic. The deployment of the combat aircraft, based in Estonia, came as Britain warned Moscow the NATO exercises were "not a game". Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, speaking to Sky News aboard HMS Ocean, also said the UK will "stand tall, shoulder-to-shoulder" with other alliance members to defend eastern Europe's borders. More »
- Fallon vow in Russia planes alert Wed, Jun 17, 2015
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has insisted that Nato would stand by its eastern European members as RAF jets based in Estonia were scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft on three separate occasions in 24 hours as he visited the region. More »
- British nuclear submarine whistleblower out of job, says Royal Navy Wed, Jun 17, 2015
A whistleblower who alleged that Britain's nuclear-armed submarines have major security flaws has left his post in unspecified circumstances, the Royal Navy said on Wednesday, after an inquiry found no safety breaches had occurred. Able Seaman William McNeilly released a lengthy dossier online last month in which he said the Trident nuclear defence system was vulnerable to its enemies and potentially devastating accidents because of safety failures. "We can confirm that AB McNeilly has left the Naval Service, the details of which are a matter for the individual and his employer," a spokeswoman for the Royal Navy said in a statement. More »
- Trident whistleblower discharged Wed, Jun 17, 2015
A Royal Navy submariner who published an online dossier of safety and security concerns about the Trident nuclear programme has been discharged from the service. More »
- Sunken Wrecks Of Epic WWI Naval Battle Revealed Tue, Jun 16, 2015
3D scans of ships sunk during the First World War's largest naval battle have been produced after a Royal Navy ship scoured the bottom of the North Sea. They show the battered wrecks of several of the 25 warships - 14 of them British - that were blown up during the Battle of Jutland on 31 May, 1916. Among them is HMS Invincible which was torn apart by a German shell, killing more than 1,000 sailors. More »
- George Cheers On Mum At Trooping The Colour Sat, Jun 13, 2015
The Duchess of Cambridge has made her first public appearance since leaving hospital after the birth of Princess Charlotte - as the Queen celebrated her official birthday with the pomp and pageantry of the Trooping the Colour ceremony. Kate joined other members of the Royal Family as the monarch inspected 1,100 soldiers of the Household Division at Horse Guards Parade in central London. Prince George joined his parents on the balcony of Buckingham Palace where the royals gathered to wave to the crowds in The Mall and to watch the traditional RAF fly-past. More »
- Top honour for brave Navy pilot Fri, Jun 12, 2015
A Royal Navy pilot who landed his stricken historic aircraft after it plunged to the ground following engine failure has received the highest peacetime honour for gallantry in the air. More »
- Prince Harry inaugurates memorial to British soldiers who died in Afghanist … Thu, Jun 11, 2015
Prince Harry led a service on Thursday (11 June) to remember the members of the British armed forces who were killed in Afghanistan. Harry and British Prime Minister David Cameron laid wreaths at the Bastion Memorial during the service, which was also attended by family and friends of those killed during the Afghanistan campaign. The Bastion Memorial bears the names of the 453 British personnel who were killed in Afghanistan. More »
- Tall And Talented: 10 Christopher Lee Facts Thu, Jun 11, 2015
Sir Christopher Lee may be best known for playing Dracula, wizard Saruman and Bond villain Scaramanga but here are ten unusual facts you may not know about the legendary actor. During World War II Sir Christopher Lee joined the RAF and worked alongside the SAS although what he did is still unknown as his actions remain classified. Lee never elaborated on any of the details. He retired from the RAF after the end of the war with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. More »
- RAF shadows Russian Baltic planes Tue, Jun 9, 2015
RAF Typhoons have intercepted and shadowed two Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea, it has been disclosed. More »
- Queen leads tributes to Gurkhas Tue, Jun 9, 2015
The Queen tonight led moving celebrations marking two centuries of Gurkha service with the British Armed Forces, as senior royals and military veterans alike bowed their heads in memory of those who died in the Nepalese earthquake. More »
- Fallon ponders aid spending Tue, Jun 9, 2015
There is a "very strong case" for counting humanitarian work by British armed forces towards total defence spending, Michael Fallon has said. More »
- New Ship To Guard Against 'Russian Aggression' Mon, Jun 8, 2015
A new Royal Navy ship will help guard the UK against Russian aggression in Europe and terrorism around the world, the Defence Secretary has said. As work began on HMS Medway, Michael Fallon insisted Britain must maintain a strong Navy in the face of emerging global threats. His comments come after US President Barack Obama expressed concern that budget cuts may see Britain drop below the NATO target of spending 2% of GDP on defence. More »
- Navy strengthened to tackle terror Mon, Jun 8, 2015
Aggressive Russian actions close to the UK and terrorism around the world has emphasised the importance of maintaining a strong Royal Navy, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said as he cut the steel on a new patrol vessel. More »
- Navy Ship Picks Up 1,200 Rescued Migrants Sun, Jun 7, 2015
Royal Navy ship HMS Bulwark has taken on board 1,200 refugees amid an ongoing rescue mission off the Libyan coast. It is the highest number of refugees the Royal Navy ship has so far picked up, having previously rescued 747 people from dangerously overcrowded vessels in a similar operation last month. The UK rescue mission saw HMS Bulwark go to the assistance of five migrant vessels, four of which were rubber inflatables. More »
- Royal Navy rescues 1,000 migrants Sun, Jun 7, 2015
The Royal Navy rescued more than 1,000 people off the coast of Libya today, making it HMS Bulwark's "largest operation to date". More »
- Navy ship heads to rescue migrants Sat, Jun 6, 2015
A Royal Navy warship was heading towards Libya today in another mission to rescue migrants trying to make the perilous journey across the Mediterranean. More »
- UK sailor found dead in Seychelles Tue, Jun 2, 2015
A Royal Navy sailor has been found dead during a visit by his warship to the Seychelles. More »
- Nimrod axe 'causes Trident risk' Sat, May 30, 2015
Russian submarines are likely to have gathered "valuable intelligence" on Britain's nuclear deterrent since the Government scrapped maritime patrol aircraft, senior RAF figures have warned. More »
- Navy Saves Young Migrants Crammed Into Boat Fri, May 29, 2015
The Royal Navy's flagship has saved more than 360 migrants - including 50 young children - crammed into a wooden boat trying to cross the Mediterranean. HMS Bulwark intercepted the stricken boat north of Libya and sent five landing craft to rescue the 369 people crowded on board. HMS Bulwark's Commanding Officer Captain Nick Cooke-Priest said he was sure the migrants would have died without help. More »
- Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Amazing moment Red Arrows are photobombed by s … Thu, May 28, 2015
This is the brilliant moment a 'Top Gull' bird pulled off a spectacular photobomb when it was captured flying alongside the RAF Red Arrows. More »
- Submariner's Trident Fears Unfounded - Fallon Thu, May 28, 2015
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has moved to allay concerns about Trident raised by a Royal Navy submariner who went absent without leave. Able Seaman William McNeilly, 25, produced an 18-page report which included allegations about the Trident submarines based in Scotland. Mr Fallon has now said most of these allegations either related to historic events, or were incorrect or based on misunderstandings. More »
- Fallon rejects Trident safety fears Thu, May 28, 2015
Concerns about Trident raised by Royal Navy submariner William McNeilly were either incorrect, the result of misunderstanding or based on historic events, and safety has not been compromised, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has said. More »
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Revised the interface, especially as we decided to focus on one number and put the graph in the background.
I've attached the 2x version and am very interested in getting feedback from you guys. :)
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I am laid back, down to earth, and a genuine human being with lots to get to know, like, and possibly dislike. I am adventurous and try to step out of my comfort zone as much as possible, I think it really helps you grow as a person.
Traveling is my favorite thing to do when I have the time and money, and if there are waves there even better. Being able to experience other cultures and talk to people with vastly different beliefs and views from those you hold is a lot easier when you don't have the luxury of running back into your comfort zone if things get too "real".
I have a really peculiar sense of humor, I love to make people laugh, and I don't get offended easily, if ever.