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Opening Remarks
I would like to thank the Commission for inviting me to speak today. I have been asked to address the human rights situation in the states participating in the "Mediterranean Partners for Cooperation" to assist in the determination of whether to admit such countries to the OSCE. In particular, I was asked to address the issues of freedoms of religion and speech, torture, trafficking, anti-semitism and xenophobia, due process, minority rights and torture. These are all important topics on which Amnesty International has researched and written a substantial amount. Due to limited time, however, I will be unable to address all of these topics for all of the Mediterranean Partners. You may find full reports on these countries at www.amnesty.org, as well as synopses of the human rights situations in these countries in our 2003 annual report.
Although Amnesty International does not take a position on whether the Mediterranean Partners should be admitted to the OSCE, we see this decision as an important opportunity for the OSCE to encourage the Mediterranean Partners to strengthen their commitment to promoting and protecting human rights in their countries. All of the Mediterranean Partners are parties to a number of binding human rights treaties and mechanisms that they continue to disregard. Although there have been some improvements in the human rights situation in some of these countries, progress has been slow and sometimes negated by measures implemented since September 11, 2001 in the name of "fighting terrorism." There is also a discernable inconsistency between the human rights rhetoric on the part of these governments and the reality for their citizens. It is therefore important to closely examine whether they are willing or even able to adhere to human rights requirements of OSCE membership. Commission members must look beyond government statements, new institutions and legislative changes to examine the nature of such changes, whether they are being effectively implemented and whether they are having an impact for the citizens of the Mediterranean Partners. In other words, the answer for the Commission is in the details.
There are a few issues that are common to all of the Mediterranean Partners about which Amnesty International is particularly concerned. These include the following:
The human rights situation, although improved since the mid to late 1990s, remains of serious concern. Approximately 100 people continue to be killed each month by armed groups, the security forces and state-armed militias, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence; torture is still prevalent; and investigations into human rights abuses are rarely carried out, maintaining a climate of impunity and confusion. The legacy of a decade of violence is yet to be concretely addressed, leaving victims and their families without redress and the population without guarantees that the grave human rights abuses they have witnessed in recent years will not be repeated.
The Algerian authorities have been talking increasingly in recent years about improving the human rights situation in their country, pointing to a series of reforms being planned and implemented in areas such as legislation and the structure of state institutions. Some initiatives over the last three years have contained positive elements. Legislative changes in 2001, for instance, should in theory have improved safeguards protecting detainees from torture and secret detention. Like previous safeguards in the law, however, they have remained largely unimplemented and ineffective. Amnesty International addresses this issue in more depth in our most recent report on Algeria, "Algeria, Steps Toward Change or Empty Promises?".
Algerians in general continue to believe that the government's authority is severely constrained by an unaccountable and secretive military establishment whose influence permeates decision-making in the country and who goes unchallenged. One of the key outcomes is a lack of popular confidence in the authorities' stated commitment to change. The resulting popular frustration has planted the seeds of unrest among Algeria's predominantly young population, sparking an increasing number of protests in recent years. The heavy-handed way in which these protests have been repressed has fuelled the discontent further, leading to a situation that remains explosive.
Algeria hosted three international meetings relating to "counter-terrorism" and "organized criminality" during the year. Official statements made at the time of these meetings indicated that Algeria was seeking support for its view that the "counter-terrorism" approach it had followed in the last decade had been vindicated in the wake of the attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001. Some of these measures, including legislative amendments from previous years and ratifications of instruments such as the Arab Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism, present a serious threat to human rights. Algeria's "counter-terrorism" approach was criticized by Amnesty International and others as being a pretext to justify mass human rights violations. Despite such violations, the United States has publicly declared its support for Algeria's "counter-terrorism" policy.
Torture in state custody remains widespread and is systematic in cases linked to what the authorities describe as "terrorist" activities. The vast majority of such cases reportedly occurred in military compounds run by Military Security, the most secretive and unaccountable of Algeria's security services. Many of those reported to have been tortured had been arrested on suspicion of having links with terrorist armed groups. They were reportedly tortured during periods of secret and unacknowledged detention lasting days or weeks, often in bases belonging to the military security service, the Department of Information and Security (DRS). During these periods of secret detention, the government and judicial authorities have systematically denied all knowledge of the detainees and only acknowledged their detention when they were brought to court or released.
Just two examples are Brahim Ladada and Abdelkrim Khider, both shopkeepers in their early thirties living in the northeastern coastal town of Dellys. These men were repeatedly tortured in March of last year while in secret and unacknowledged detention at a DRS base near Algiers. They were allegedly forced into making statements, dictated to them by their torturers, in which they confessed to having links with both an armed group and an Algerian human rights lawyer living in exile in Switzerland. The two men were allegedly stripped naked and kept in this state throughout the 12 days that they spent at the DRS base. On several occasions, they were reportedly beaten with batons and plastic pipes and also tortured by the so-called chiffon method, in which a rag is forced into the mouth and dirty water, containing detergent and other impurities, is poured through it.
Amnesty International is also gravely concerned about the continued impunity and lack of accountability for past crimes in Algeria. The January 2000 amnesty of approximately 1,000 armed group members and the subsequent extra-legal application of clemency measures for armed groups, for instance, have prevented the truth from emerging about grave human rights abuses and ensured impunity for the perpetrators, thus depriving tens of thousands of victims of their right to redress.
Although President Abdelaziz Bouteflika recently established an ad hoc mechanism to look into the issue of "disappearances" in Algeria that occurred between 1993 and 2000, the decree defining the new mechanism's mandate is yet to be published and Amnesty International is concerned that the mechanism appears to have limited powers. Furthermore, no concrete measures have been taken to bring to justice those responsible for other human rights abuses committed by the security forces, state-armed militias or armed groups since 1992, including thousands of cases of extrajudicial executions, deliberate and arbitrary killings of civilians, torture and ill-treatment.
Freedom of Expression
Like most of the other Mediterranean Partners, the Algerian government continues to react illegally against those who express anti-government sentiment, particularly demonstrators. Some 10 unarmed civilians, including a 14-year-old boy, were killed by the security forces in March and April last year, in the context of waves of anti-government demonstrations. Some of the civilians killed were reported to have been shot dead with live ammunition. Others were said to have been beaten or stabbed to death, and some were believed to have died after being hit by rubber bullets or tear-gas grenades apparently aimed at protesters' heads. Scores of protesters were arrested during or following these demonstrations and detained for several months.
Freedom of Religion
Amnesty International has been unable to conduct recent research on freedom of religion in Algeria. However, the U.S. Department of State's 2002 International Religious Freedom Report states that Algeria's 10-year civil conflict has pitted self-proclaimed radical Muslims against moderate Muslims and approximately 100,000 civilians, "terrorists," and security forces have been killed during the past 10 years. The report goes on to state that (i) the Constitution declares Islam to be the state religion but prohibits discrimination based on religious belief, (ii) the Government generally respects religious freedom in practice but there are some restrictions, (iii) although Islam is the only state-sanctioned religion and the law limits the practice of other faiths, the Government follows a de facto policy of tolerance of non-Muslim faiths by not inquiring into the religious practices of individuals and (iv) the majority of cases of harassment and security threats against non-Muslims come from radical Islamists who are determined to rid the country of those who do not share their extremist interpretation of Islam.
Hard data on the number of trafficking victims is lacking for Algeria but the law does not specifically prohibit trafficking in persons. The U.S. Department of State has stated in its 2003 report on Trafficking in Persons that illegal immigrants from West and Central Africa transit through Algeria to destinations in Europe and that some may be forced into prostitution while awaiting onward travel. There were incidents of women and girls being kidnapped by terrorist groups for the purposes of rape and servitude during 2002.
Positive Developments
The Algerian government is trying to send a message both internally and to the outside world that progress is underway towards consolidating the rule of law and democracy in Algeria. Again, it is important to closely examine the actual effectiveness of the government's measures.
One of the most noticeable positive developments in the last two or three years has been the opening up of the space for debate on human rights issues. This is partly as a result of an increased willingness on the part of the authorities to engage with them and partly to the determination of human rights activists, who have been instrumental in forcing the concerns of victims of human rights abuses and their families onto the public agenda. Several human rights organizations have undertaken new initiatives in recent years in spite of the difficulties that continue to hamper their work, including harassment by government authorities of their members, government restrictions on public meetings and an acute lack of resources.
Another development has been the establishment of a new official human rights body, the National Consultative Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights set up by presidential decree in March 2001. Since its members were appointed by presidential decree in October 2001, the Commission has made efforts to show greater willingness to listen to families of victims of human rights violations by the state, notably the families of the "disappeared." Although the body has no investigative powers and is mandated to act only in an advisory role to the President, it is to be hoped that this positive attitude can be translated into recommendations to resolve human rights concerns and address victims' needs in accordance with international standards.
Amnesty International is concerned about the continued violation of international human rights law by the Egyptian government. The State of Emergency legislation that has been in existence since the early 1980s continues to provide the legal framework that enables and legitimizes human rights violations, including arbitrary arrest and detention, unfair trials, lack of due process, torture, impunity and persecution of religious groups, human rights defenders and other civil society groups.
Similar to the situation in Algeria, since September 11, 2001, Egyptian officials have boasted about the effectiveness of their "special" measures used in fighting terrorism and have promoted themselves as participants in the "war on terror." Egyptian authorities are attempting to legitimize such illegal measures as arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and ill-treatment, unfair trials, incommunicado detention and other forms of persecution.
Torture continues to be systematic and widespread in detention centers throughout Egypt and the authorities have consistently failed to investigate reports of torture. The most common torture methods reported were electric shocks, beatings, suspension by the wrists or ankles and various forms of psychological torture, including death threats and threats of rape or sexual abuse of the detainee or a female relative. The UN Committee against Torture and the UN Human Rights Committee have both expressed concern at the persistence of torture.
Although several security officers were tried in connection with two deaths in custody that occurred in 2002, allegedly as a result of torture, many other such cases remain uninvestigated. Marks found on the bodies of detainees who died in police custody were consistent with traces left by electric shocks and other forms of torture, according to forensic evidence presented in several trials. Sayid Khalifa 'Isa died in March of last year after reportedly being tortured at the police station of the second precinct of Madinat Nasr. A forensic report noted signs on Sayid Khalifa 'Isa's body consistent with torture, including marks on his penis from electric shocks.
Due Process
Scores of people continue to face trial before exceptional courts, such as state security courts established under emergency legislation. They are charged with offences that should be handled in ordinary courts, including membership in illegal organizations, contempt for religion, espionage and corruption. The procedures of these courts fall far short of international standards for fair trial. For example, defendants do not have the right to a full review before a higher tribunal. Many detainees have been held in administrative detention for prolonged periods and several detainees have reported that they were tortured and/or coerced into making confessions.
People continue to be at risk of human rights violations in Egypt for exercising their right to freedom of religion. Although the constitution and some laws and decrees prohibit discrimination based on religion, in practice, religious freedom is still restricted in Egypt. Although the Constitution provides for freedom of belief and the practice of religious rites, the Egyptian government continues to restrict this right. Religious practices that conflict with Islamic law (Shari'a) are prohibited. Although the Constitution provides for equal public rights and duties without discrimination due to religion, the government continues to discriminate against non-Muslims.
The Government continues to prosecute for unorthodox religious beliefs and practices under the charge of "insulting heavenly religions." In March of last year an (Emergency) State Security Court for Misdemeanours, which allows no right of appeal, sentenced Amin Youssef and 'Ali Mamduh to three years' imprisonment for "contempt of religion"; six others, including Amin Youssef's wife, received one-year suspended prison terms. Amin Youssef and 'Ali Mamduh, both prisoners of conscience, were convicted for holding private religious gatherings and advocating modifications to basic Islamic rules.
The government maintains tight control over all Muslim religious institutions in a proclaimed effort to combat extremists. Thousands of individuals are imprisoned because of alleged support for or membership in Islamist groups accused of seeking to overthrow the Government.
Amnesty International has not conducted recent research on anti-Semitism in Egypt. The U.S. Department of State reports that anti-Semitic articles and editorials are published in privately owned papers and, to a lesser extent, in the Government press, and have increased since 2000 following the increase in violence in Israel and in the occupied territories. The Government reportedly has advised journalists and cartoonists to avoid anti-Semitism. However, government officials insist that manifestations of anti-Semitism in the media are a direct result of Israeli government actions against Palestinians and do not reflect historical anti-Semitism. The Anti-Defamation League has recently stated that "while anti-Semitism continues to be a serious problem in Egypt, we have seen a diminishment in the level and intensity which we find very encouraging...."[1]
Amnesty International has not conducted independent research on trafficking in Egypt. However, the State Department's 2003 Trafficking in Persons Report states that evidence suggests Egypt is a transit country for persons being trafficked from East Africa and South Asia to Europe and from the former Soviet Union to Israel.
Amnesty International is seriously concerned about the ongoing violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in the occupied territories. Such violations arise in the Israeli Defense Force's (IDF) continued incursions into areas under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority (PA), as well as in the massive restrictions on Palestinians' freedom of movement that result from closures, checkpoints, curfews and other obstacles to the movement of people, food, medical supplies and other goods.
Hundreds of unarmed Palestinians, including more than 100 children, were killed by the Israeli army last year in random and reckless shooting, shelling and bombings or as a result of excessive use of force, including in enforcement of curfews. Hundreds of others were killed in armed clashes with the Israeli army and at least 35 were killed in targeted assassinations, which often also resulted in the deaths of uninvolved bystanders. The ongoing policy of assassinations of members of Hamas and other Islamist groups continues to result in civilian deaths and injuries. Some Palestinians have also been killed when the IDF demolished their homes on top of them.
The IDF continues to make mass arrests of Palestinians and reports of torture and ill-treatment during detention are widespread, including beatings, being handcuffed and tied in uncomfortable positions for prolonged periods, threats to the detainee and their relatives and sleep deprivation. Local human rights organizations continue to write extensively on torture of Palestinians by the IDF and other Israeli security forces (in addition to torture committed by the Palestinian Authority).
Last year, more than 1,900 of those Palestinians arrested by the IDF were held in administrative detention for up to one year. They were not charged with any offence and were held on the basis of "secret evidence" which neither they nor their lawyers were allowed to see or to challenge in court. Around 1,000 other people who were arrested were charged with involvement in attacks against Israelis and more than 3,800 were tried by military courts in trials that fell short of international fair standards.
Settlements and Freedom of Movement
Amnesty International is also deeply concerned about the continued existence and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as all related infrastructure. The settlements are a violation of the prohibition on discrimination; they violate international humanitarian law; and their presence is contributing to mass violations of human rights. Israel's policy of settling its civilians in the West Bank and Gaza contravenes two fundamental principles of international humanitarian law: the temporary nature of occupation and the prohibition on transferring civilian populations into occupied territory.
The settlements have also led to unreasonable, discriminatory and disproportionate restrictions imposed by the IDF on the movement of three and a half million Palestinians inside the Occupied Territories through the use of closures, curfews, checkpoints and other obstacles to movement of people, medical supplies, food and other goods. Such measures can be categorized as collective punishment and a disproportionate response against the entire Palestinian population. Such measures have led to what many refer to as the "de-development" of the Occupied Territories because of the severe effect they have had on the Palestinian economy, health and ability to maintain an adequate standard of living. The ongoing construction of the separation barrier that is being built inside the West Bank confiscates and divides Palestinian land, imposes additional restrictions on freedom of movement and continues to deprive Palestinians of their rights.
Since the beginning of the Palestinian uprising (the Al-Aqsa Intifadah), more than 2,200 Palestinians have been killed, most of whom were unarmed civilians, including approximately 400 children. Tens of thousands others have been injured by the IDF's use of live ammunitions, bombs, missiles and other weapons. To date only a handful of soldiers have been brought to justice and none convicted of murder or for breaching open fire guidelines. The lack of investigations into such crimes and failure to prosecute soldiers has created an atmosphere of impunity an unaccountability amongst soldiers.
Amnesty International has not conducted substantial recent research on religious freedom in Israel. However, the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor has stated the following about religious freedom in Israel: (i) Israeli law provides for freedom of worship, and the Government generally respects this right in practice, (ii) the Government has recognized only Jewish holy places under the 1967 Protection of Holy Sites Law and Muslim groups complain that the Government has been reluctant to refurbish mosques in areas where there is no longer a Muslim population, (iii) the Government generally continued to permit Muslim citizens to make the Hajj during the period covered by this report but, for security reasons, the Government imposed restrictions on its Muslim citizens who performed the Hajj, including requiring that they be over the age of 30, (iv) the Government does not allow Hajj pilgrims to return if they leave the country without formal permission, (v) government funding to the different religious sectors is disproportionate and only two percent of the Ministry of Religious Affairs budget goes to the non-Jewish sector and (vi) government resources available to Arab public schools are less than proportionate to those available to Jewish public schools.
Trafficking in Persons
The U.S. Department of State's June 2003 Trafficking in Persons Report states that Israel is a destination country for trafficked persons. Women from Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, and other countries in the former Soviet Union are trafficked to Israel for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation. Persons in search of work are trafficked into situations of coerced labor, where they endure physical abuse or other extreme working conditions. Construction firms and other businesses have brought male laborers from China and Bulgaria into Israel to work under conditions equivalent to debt bondage or involuntary servitude. Many low-skilled foreign workers in Israel have their passports withheld, their contracts altered, and suffer non-payment of salaries of varying degree and duration. The Government of Israel does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so.
Although the Jordanian government has taken steps to advance the human rights situation in their country and purports to be a leader in the region for democracy and human rights, Amnesty International is still concerned about the lack of progress in a number of key areas.
Following the 11 September 2001 attacks in the United States, Jordan, like many other states, made changes to its legislation in order to take steps to prevent such acts. The new laws on ''terrorism'' and the limitations to the freedom of expression, promulgated after the September 11th attacks without passing through the Jordanian parliament, were part of an already worrying trend in Jordan. Already in August 2001, laws had been promulgated limiting rights of assembly and the right of access to legal counsel to political opponents. Such laws have led to a severe crackdown on the freedoms of expression and association. Human rights violations resulting from the crackdown include the arrest and detention of government critics. Although those detentions lasted a relatively short period of time, they serve chill freedom of expression, especially when those targeted face charges with penalties including large fines and jail sentences. For example, Dr. Ibrahim Alloush, principal editor of the Free Arab Voice and a University Professor in Amman, was arrested on March 2003, allegedly because he was outspoken in his condemnation of the U.S. attack on Iraq and Jordan's role in that attack. Fawaz Zurayqat, a businessman and station manager of Arab Television (ATV), was detained on 3 March 2003 and held without charge at the headquarters of the General Intelligence Department, also due to his opposition to the impending war on Iraq and on U.S. sanctions against Iraq. Also in March, a number of individuals were arrested by security forces for protesting the war in Iraq. Disproportionate force was used to break up such demonstrations and several protesters were reportedly beaten.
Amnesty International has concerns regarding continued reports of the torture and ill-treatment in Jordan of detainees to extract "confessions". Although the Jordanian Penal Code provides protective guidelines on the use of confessions, including that the authorities and court obtain the confession without force or duress. These types of inconsistencies between legal code provisions and the actual treatment of individuals is not uncommon.
Jordan also continues to sentence people to death and to execute people, often after they have received unfair trials, and often when confessions are extracted under torture. Ali Jabbar Taher 'Ali could be executed at any time after the decision by the Court of Cassation (appeal court) in June to uphold the death sentence passed against him after an apparently unfair trial in January 2003. And there are other similar cases.
Prisoners of conscience are sometimes held without charge or trial. Jordan continues to use prolonged incommunicado detention where detainees are deprived of their rights to due process. Since September 11, 2001, security forces have arrested and held incommunicado hundreds of individuals, including peaceful demonstrators, members of religious groups and media professional. Lawyers are permitted access to their clients only upon transfer to court. Article 66(1) of the penal code stipulates that public prosecutors may forbid access to detainees.
Jordan continues to utilize exceptional courts such as the State Security Court (SSC), staffed almost entirely by military judges, to try offences related to publishing and freedom of expression which were previously tried before ordinary courts. Jordanian authorities continue to justify the continued use of such an exceptional court rather than ordinary courts by pointing out the need to conduct speedy investigations and trials for the offences within the jurisdiction of the court.
Honor Killings
Amnesty International is also concerned about the ongoing practice of "honor" killings in Jordan and the failure of the government to alter the discriminatory laws that minimize punishment for men who commit such killings. There were at least 22 honor killings in 2002, five of which were of children. In 2003, there have been at least 12 such killings.
The parliamentary amendments made in December 2001 to Article 340 of the Penal Code, under which men who murdered wives/female relatives on grounds of adultery would no longer be exempt from penalty, were insignificant, particularly because the penalty could still be reduced if the victim was found in an "adulterous situation." Also defendants usually invoked Article 98 rather than Article 340 because the former reduces sentences for crimes committed in a "fit of rage" caused by an unlawful or dangerous act on behalf of the victim. At least ten men who had killed women for reasons of "honour" benefited from Article 98 during 2002.
All the above concerns have regularly been raised with the Jordanian authorities, but in recent years AI has not been receiving answers to these concerns. Substantive TGs sent to the authorities including the Prime Minister and Queen Rania, the head of the Royal Human Rights Committee but no answers were received.
Freedom of Religion:
Amnesty International has not conducted substantial new research on religious freedom in Jordan. The State Department's International Religious Freedom Report states that, although the Constitution provides for freedom of religion, provided that religious practices are consistent with "public order and morality," the Jordanian government continued to impose restrictions on freedom of religion. Members of unrecognized religious groups and religious converts from Islam face legal and societal discrimination as well as bureaucratic difficulties in personal status cases. The Government prohibits non-Muslims from proselytizing Muslims. Relations between Muslims and Christians in the country generally are amicable.[2]
Amnesty International is concerned about what it sees as a step backwards since September 11, 2001 in what has otherwise been a positive trend in Morocco and Western Sahara towards the improvement of promotion and protection of human rights.
There has been a sharp rise in the number of reported cases of torture or ill-treatment in Morocco over the past two years. Amnesty International has recorded scores of allegations of torture or ill-treatment, primarily against political detainees. Islamists accused of involvement in or planning acts of violence and the Sahrawis perceived to be actively in favor of independence for Western Sahara have been the primary targets of such treatment.
Amnesty International is concerned about the promulgation on May 28, 2003 of a new law on "combating terrorism" that amends the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code by adding new provisions and amending others. In particular, the law extends the legal limits for pre-arraignment detention, when detainees are most at risk of torture or ill-treatment, and widens the scope of applicability of the death sentence.
The compensation process for victims of "disappearance" and arbitrary detention in previous years and their families continued. However, despite the authorities' stated commitment to address current and former human rights violations, no additional steps were taken to resolve the cases of grave abuses committed between the mid-1960s and the early 1990s, notably the "disappearance" of several hundred people, the majority of them Sahrawis.
For example, Hamudi ould Mohamed-Lahbib ould Baba Biri was among many Sahrawis arrested by the Moroccan security forces in Erbeib, near Smara in Western Sahara, on July 10, 1976. His wife, Safiya L'mbarek, was arrested five days later. After reportedly being tortured, the security forces took her, on two separate occasions, to see her husband, whom she alleged had also been tortured. She had neither seen nor heard news of her husband since that time, despite repeated attempts to seek clarification regarding his whereabouts from the Moroccan authorities. Over 26 years later, the fate of Hamudi ould Mohamed-Lahbib ould Baba Biri remained unknown and a thorough, impartial and independent investigation had not been opened into his "disappearance".
There were reports last year that scores of detainees have been tortured or ill-treated in custody in order to extract confessions or to force them to sign statements that they rejected or denied. Many of the reports related to the large number of Islamists being held in secret detention and accused of involvement in or planning violent acts, and numerous demonstrators charged with public order offences in Western Sahara.
Following their arrests in May and June of last year, three Saudi Arabian nationals and seven Moroccans, including the wives of two of the Saudi Arabians, were put on trial in proceedings that opened on October 28 of last year. They faced various charges, some of which carried the death penalty, in connection with an alleged plan to blow up NATO warships in the Straits of Gibraltar and of plotting attacks on cafés and public buses in Marrakesh. Some were allegedly held in secret detention for up to a month. In the case of the three Saudi Arabians, defense lawyers claimed that the authorities tried to cover up this serious breach of procedures by logging a false arrest date of June 12 in official records rather than the correct dates of May 12 and 13. Many of the detainees alleged that they were tortured and ill-treated during interrogation in secret detention in order to make them sign "confessions" whose content they rejected and denied. Techniques reported included suspension, beatings and threats of rape. In addition, they were allegedly threatened with further torture immediately prior to appearing before the examining magistrate in order to coerce them into repeating their "confessions".
Amnesty International has not conducted recent research on freedom of religion in Morrocco. However, the U.S. Department of State's recent report on international religious freedom states that, although the Constitution provides for freedom of religion and, although Islam is the official state religion, Jewish and Christian communities openly practice their faiths. However, the report goes on to state that the government places restrictions on Christian religious materials and proselytizing, and several small religious minorities are tolerated with varying degrees of official restrictions. The government monitors the activities of mosques and places other restrictions on Muslims and Islamic organizations whose activities are deemed to have exceeded the bounds of religious practice and become political in nature.
The U.S. Department of State's June 2003 Trafficking in Persons Report states that Morocco is a country of origin and transit for trafficked persons. Internal trafficking of girls from rural areas to cities for domestic servitude as child maids is widespread. The reports goes on to state that the Government of Morocco fully complies with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. They participated in several high-level meetings with the EU and the governments of Italy and Spain to strengthen migration policies and procedures to Europe. They work with NGOs and supported numerous anti-trafficking public awareness campaigns. Morocco has no law that specifically prohibits trafficking but the government utilizes a number of statutes covering kidnapping, forced prostitution, and coercion against traffickers. The Moroccan Council of Ministers announced that it had adopted a law that will increase punishments against traffickers.
Hundreds of political prisoners, most of them prisoners of conscience, remain in prison. Many had been held for more than a decade after unfair trials. Several political prisoners, including prisoners of conscience, were conditionally released before the end of their prison terms. Political prisoners released this year and in previous years continued to face a range of administrative measures, some of them arbitrary, curtailing their civil and political rights. A number of political opponents, or alleged political opponents, of the government were imprisoned last year after unfair trials, including some who were resident abroad and who were arrested on their return to Tunisia. Repression of human rights defenders and civil society activists continued and the authorities further clamped down on information and communication technologies. Torture and ill-treatment were reported in police stations, state security buildings and prisons; those responsible were generally not brought to justice.
Torture and ill-treatment of both criminal and political detainees continues to be reported and security forces are not held accountable for such crimes. Allegations of torture committed during 2002 and in previous years has not been investigated.
In June of last year, Zouheir Yahiaoui, operator of an online news and discussion forum on Tunisia, and two of his colleagues were reportedly tortured at the Ministry of the Interior. Zouheir Yahiaoui, aged 34 and nephew of former judge Mokhtar Yahiaoui, was arrested on June 4 in Tunis. At the Ministry of the Interior, where he was secretly detained for 24 hours, he was suspended by his hands from the ceiling repeatedly for several hours prior to being interrogated by members of the State Security Department. The following evening he was transferred to Gourjani detention center where he was kept handcuffed to a chair for one night and part of the following day and forced to sign a false confession. His lawyers were not able to see him until one week after the arrest. He was convicted of spreading false information and misuse of Internet facilities and sentenced to two years and four months' imprisonment, reduced to two years on appeal.
Persecution of Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society Activists
As in previous years, human rights defenders, civil society activists and their families continue to be subjected to arbitrary restrictions, police assaults or harassment, including physical assaults. Public meetings have been banned or broken up by police, phone lines were cut and Internet and e-mail connections were disrupted. Several human rights defenders and civil society activists were the subject of defamatory campaigns in the government-controlled press.
Scores of people were sentenced after unfair trials before civilian and military courts last year. These included people arrested in previous years and prisoners already serving a sentence for the same charges. Others were Tunisians living abroad who were arrested on their return to Tunisia and tried before military courts for alleged "terrorist" activities abroad. Lawyers were often prevented from visiting their clients or were not given full access to their clients' files.
In January, Mounir Ghaith, Abdelbasset Dali and Bechir Ben Zayed, three Tunisian nationals living in Italy who had been arrested in 2001, were tried before a military court in Tunis, together with 31 other co-defendants who were tried in absentia. Bechir Ben Zayed was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment while Mounir Ghaith and Abdelbasset Dali received eight years each. Those tried in absentia received prison sentences of up to 20 years. All were charged with belonging to a "terrorist organization operating from abroad." The trial, which was observed by Amnesty International, failed to conform to international standards of fairness. For example, the court did not take into account that the testimonies introduced as evidence were allegedly obtained under duress and no other evidence was produced to substantiate the charges brought against the defendants.
The U.S. Department of State's June 2003 report on trafficking states that Tunisia is increasingly concerned about trafficking as it has become a key transit country for smugglers.
Concluding Remarks
1. Anti-Defamation League "Egyptian Anti-Semitism 'Diminished But Still Potent'; Hateful T.V. Series Spurred a Public Debate," June 2003.
2. U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, International Religious Freedom Report 2002.


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7 U.S. Code § 595 - Fees for inspection and certification; certificates as prima facie evidence
§ 595.
Fees for inspection and certification; certificates as prima facie evidence
For inspecting and certifying the grade, quality, or condition of grapes or plums the Secretary shall cause to be collected a reasonable fee which shall, as nearly as may be, cover the cost of the service rendered:
Provided, That when cooperative arrangements satisfactory to the Secretary, or his designated representative, for carrying out the purposes of this chapter cannot be made the fees collected hereunder in such cases shall be available until expended to defray the cost of the service rendered, and in such cases the limitations on the amounts expended for the purchase and maintenance of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles shall not be applicable:
Provided further, That certificates issued by the authorized agents of the United States Department of Agriculture shall be received in all courts of the United States as prima facie evidence of the truth of the statements therein contained.
(Pub. L. 86–687, § 5, Sept. 2, 1960, 74 Stat. 734.)
LII has no control over and does not endorse any external Internet site that contains links to or references LII.


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Piscataway, NJ (Sports Network) - Bryce Cotton paced all scorers with 22
points as the Providence Friars outlasted the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 76-72,
in a Big East Conference bout at the RAC.
LaDontae Henton was stellar as well for Providence (15-11, 7-8 Big East),
shooting 7-of-11 from the field (including 3-of-4 from 3-point range) for 18
points to go along with 10 rebounds. Kadeem Batts logged 14 points and eight
boards, while Vincent Council had 12 points and six assists for the Friars,
who have won five of six.
Dane Miller (17 points, eight rebounds) and Kadeem Jack (15 points, 10
rebounds) were both impressive off the bench for Rutgers (13-13, 4-11), which
has lost three in a row and nine of 10. Mike Poole added 11 points for the
Rutgers outshot Providence from the field in the first half, 43.3 percent to
38.2 percent, but the Friars took a 42-33 advantage into intermission by
putting together strong showings from beyond the arc (6-of-12) and the foul
line (10-of-11).
The Scarlet Knights came back to tie the game, 52-52, with just under 11
minutes to play on a Miller layup, but the Friars ended the threat with four
straight points. Providence never led by more than seven points the rest of
the way, but it also never trailed.
Both teams took good care of the basketball with just seven turnovers each.
The Sports Network


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Weekend Errands
29/03/2010 16:47 by Amsterdamize
We don't run errands, we cycle them.
You get what you need
With & without a pot
"You can always park your thoughts for free"
Hauling kids and shopping, what they're meant for. Times two.
Don't let a broken arm or ankle stop you
"Don't forget to bring the Heineken, liefje!"
"We're flying!" & "I'm eating.."
People on bikes are good customers...always on eye on the best deals
It can also just be very uneventful...& those 17 seconds left to go are hardly an obstacle
On your own or quadruple
Your basket is your friend
Get that new board home and dance that summer dance
"Did we get everything? You sure?"
comments powered by Disqus.
Amsterdamize offers a range of consultancy services which help you develop effective urban mobility strategies and execute inspiring promotional campaigns.
website by mr mister
Office: +31 20 845 18 94
Cell: +31 6 431 00 747
With love, from the certified
Bicycle Capital of the World


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PARACHUTE - Mike Johnson has been to this proverbial dance before.
Grand Valley High School's girls basketball team has seen plenty of success during the 13 years he's been coaching the Cardinals. His 2008 team was oh-so-close to winning the Class 2A state title - falling to Wray 48-47 in the state title game - and Grand Valley has been to the regional round of the 3A tournament in every season since the school moved up a classification.
But the Cardinals haven't been to the proverbial "Big Dance," the "Great 8," since it joined the 3A classification. Johnson and his team would love nothing more than for that to change this weekend.
"This is our fifth straight year of getting to the regional round," Johnson said. "This team would love nothing more than to make it to Fort Collins. So I'm at a point where I'd like to see us move on. Let's get past this. Let's advance and just do what we're supposed to do."
The 24th-seeded Cardinals (15-7) will have that chance on Friday. They'll play Bishop Machebeuf (16-5), a traditional state power at the 3A level and the No. 9 seed in the state tournament, at 5 p.m. Friday at Eaton High School.
The winner of that first-round matchup will move on to the regional final against either No. 25-seeded Roaring Fork (13-9) or No. 8 Eaton (15-7) at 1 p.m. Saturday for a trip to the Elite 8 in Moby Arena at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
Granted, it won't be easy. Machebeuf has won six state championships - the last coming in 2007 when it beat Basalt 57-46 for the title - and has been a return contender each of the past two years. Eaton lost to Faith Christian in last year's state title game, and incentive based on proximity alone would almost make a trip to Fort Collins for the Reds equal to a home game.
Then there's Roaring Fork, which has four state championships of its own to boast of and, more recently, handed Grand Valley a 45-38 loss in the 3A Western Slope League District Tournament third-place game at Palisade High School this past Saturday.
Those factors are too much for Johnson and the Cardinals to ignore, but there's plenty of things to go in Grand Valley's favor. One, Johnson said, is the competitive balance in 3A this year, where only a few teams stand apart from everyone else in the state tournament field.
Case in point: Roaring Fork lost 39-38 to eventual district champion Moffat County in the district semifinals this past Friday. Moffat County will host a regional round of the state tournament in Craig this weekend as the No. 5 seed. The Rams, as a result, wound up with a lower tournament seed than Grand Valley.
"If you take three teams out of the field, there are 20 to 25 other teams that would be very, very capable of beating each other," Johnson said.
The Cardinals are capable of beating Roaring Fork, since they did it twice prior to their loss to the Rams last Saturday. But the primary focus for Grand Valley now, even though the Cardinals love the possibility of playing Roaring Fork again, is on a Machebeuf team they'll face on Friday.
Machebeuf had won seven of its past eight games prior to losing 59-46 to Holy Family in the Denver Metro League District tournament title game on Saturday. The Buffaloes average 52.5 points per game - just a hair more than the Cardinals' 49.3 point average - and average 26.5 rebounds and 8.2 steals per contest.
Machebeuf's scoring comes primarily through two seniors: guard Aisha May (15.2 PPG) and Danna Jenkins (13.8 PPG).
That matches up well with Grand Valley, however, as juniors Haley Johnson (11.9 PPG) and Ashlynn Speakman (8.2 PPG) have handled the scoring load lately. The Cardinals, however, have diversity when it comes to the long shot. Four players - Johnson (41), Speakman (35), Rocio Roman (23) and Kyra Chenoweth (10) - have all proven they can hit shots from beyond the 3-point line.
Mike Johnson is hoping that will be enough to tip the proverbial scales in his team's favor, especially after what the coach called a "disappointing" weekend at the district tournament.
"Any time you play in a tournament game like that and lose, you hope you're mature enough to learn from it," the coach said. "We played some of our best basketball for one half in some of those games, and then we came back in the next half and we're terrible. All we have to do now is finish. We're capable of doing that."


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I am gradually getting through the logging issues on the Mac Platform with the Zimbra Support chaps (much thanks to them). The next issue I am looking at is the AntiSpam/AntiVirus activity graph.
It just doesn't look right to me in its current form. At the moment the graph is setup for three layers, message count, spam, and viruses, laid down in that order from back to front. However it does mean that if you have a lot of virus activity it will cover over the Spam activity.
It makes more sense to me to have the graph setup as a stack so that the combined values of clean/spammy/spam/infected are represented as one bar with different coloured portions. This type of graph should show the total amount of messages passed by the system (the total height) and then the proportion of each type of message represented by the different colours.
Does this make more sense to anyone else? If it does I will raise an enhancement request.
I have modified my system to some degree to test it out and it does make more sense, however the logging database really needs an extra column to represent spammy messages passed, with the mesage count column being changed to represent clean messages. This modification I have not done as it will make upgrades to my system a bit "interesting".
What do you all think?


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WHEELING - Wheeling Nailers coach Clark Donatelli said last week he and the club would treat the impending seven-game road trip like a playoff series. To that end, the Nailers find themselves in a position where they must win three of the final four, beginning Friday night at Toledo's Huntington Center.
''We're down 2-1 in the series and that's how it's set up,'' Donatelli said following practice Wednesday at Wheeling Park Memorial Ice Rink. ''We want to get all of them if we can, but we're going to take it period-by-period.''
Coming off a southern swing to Greenville and Gwinnett where they lost 2 of 3, the Nailers (22-20-9 - 53) find themselves in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, seven points out of the eighth and final playoff spot. The good news for Wheeling, is that it holds at least one - as many as six - game in hand on everyone.
''We are close,'' Donatelli said. ''We go to Toledo now and there's going to be 8,000 in the building and it will be tough.
''Then we go into Cincy and they're at the top of the conference, and then Fort Wayne. We're going to take it one at a time.''
The Nailers finish off the trip next Wednesday at Elmira, the team they are chasing for second place in the Atlantic.
In Wheeling's most-recent game - a 3-2 decision against the Road Warriors on Monday - the team benefited from the clutch play of goaltender Peter Delmas, who stopped 35 of 37 shots to earn his 10th victory.
''Delly made some good saves and (Chris) Barton scored early'' in the shootout, Donatelli said. ''We gave up the late goal to make it 2-2, but the guys really battled back.
''Our fate could have been a little bit different but those are good teams, Greenville twice and Gwinnett.''
North Is Tough
If you're wondering how the Nailers are stuck in the position they are, look no farther than their record against their former foes in the North Division. Entering Friday night's game, Wheeling is 4-7-2 against Cincinnati, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Kalamazoo and Toledo.
The Nailers have a winning record against two of the three Eastern Conference divisions.
''They're all good,'' Donatelli said.
Prayers for Randy
Chances are, if you've been a Nailers game you've met super fan Randy Stephens. The young man has had a difficult time in life as he's battling cancer for a third time.
The thing that always impresses me about Randy, a Wheeling resident, is I have never seen him without a smile on his face. This despite all he's had to endure.
For my money, there has never been a more positive person to roam this earth. Have never heard him complain, though he has every right to do just that.
Randy's gone through some tough times in the last couple weeks. Both he and his family could use some good thoughts.
Shawn Rine can be reached via e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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So far, this error is specific to machines running windows 2000 pro. IE6. The problem is NOT user specific, as it only happens on certain machines. There is no response from the zimbra interface when a user clicks "reply" to reply to an email. Internet explorer has a error alert in the bottom left corner. When double clicked it displays the following error info:
This has started to happen since we updated to the current zimbra release this past friday. Is anyone having the same trouble?
Internet explorer and Java are updated to the most current releases on these machines.


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Experts at the University of East Anglia recently launched a new weapon in the fight against the deadly ash disease which threatens to wipe out 80 million UK trees, has seen ash imports to the UK suspended and large-scale tree felling tabled. But quick thinking environmental specialists at UEA's Adapt Low Carbon Group have come up with a new smartphone app which will not only help monitor the spread of disease, but allow conservationists to target infected areas.
The free 'Ashtag' app will make it possible for anyone to take a photo of diseased leaves, shoots or bark and send it remotely to plant pathologists to identify whether or not the tree is infected. As well as collecting photographic evidence, the app also uses geo-tagging software to give a precise location of infected trees – allowing researchers and authorities to build up a picture of where the dieback is happening. This can then be used to target areas for culling to stop the spread of the disease.
Continue reading New 'Ashtag' app launches to curb spread of devastating disease


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Second opinion
Q&A | Obamacare, says author and medical pioneer Ben Carson, is not the right prescription for America
"Second opinion" Continued...
Dr. Ben Carson grew up poor but gifted, and for three decades now has given despairing parents the great gift of hope that their desperately ill children can be well. He has turned that hope into reality with pioneering operations such as separating Siamese twins with conjoined heads, and taking out the diseased half of a child's brain in a way that allows the healthy half to take over, with minimal changes in cognitive function.
Carson's latest book, America the Beautiful, is a love song to a country that made his ascent possible. Today, he serves as director of pediatric neural surgery at Johns Hopkins hospital. Here are edited excerpts from an interview before students at Patrick Henry College.
Your new book is titled America the Beautiful, not Washington the Beautiful. It seems like logic there has simply been thrown out of the window. We've empowered special interest groups because we have so many people who want to maintain their office all the time, so they have to have money all the time. This was not foreseen by the Founding Fathers because they didn't think people would want to be in office all the time because it was a sacrifice. Now, it's not a sacrifice. Now, it's gravy.
Do we need change in our healthcare system? We do. We spend twice as much per capita on healthcare in this country as most other nations do, yet we have terrible access and efficiency problems. That's largely because we do things the wrong way. An appendectomy in New York, in Los Angeles, in Baltimore: All have different costs, different ways of submitting bills, different ways of collecting, all of which justifies the mountains of paper and the armies of people to push them around, all paid out of the healthcare dollar. Absolutely asinine.
Can we streamline that? Yes. Every diagnosis, every procedure, can be coded, and we have computers, which means that all billing and collection can be done instantaneously without all that cost. We don't do it that way because insurance companies say, "If it were that easy, some practitioner would say he did two appendectomies when he only did one so he could get paid twice."
Would cheating be a big problem? Very few doctors would do such a thing. For those who would, the answer is not a gigantic expensive bureaucracy but the Saudi Arabian solution: Chop their limbs off. I wouldn't necessarily do that here, but a doctor would face loss of license for life, no less than 10 years in prison, loss of all personal assets. You think anybody would even think about cheating? No.
Why not have government take over all of medicine? The government is big enough and intrusive enough as it is. If you go back and read the ideals the Founders had, you'll see they never intended for the government to grow so large. They said it is critical, if the United States is to maintain itself as a free and prosperous nation, that the people be well-informed and active in government. We're becoming a nation for, of, and by the government. As that continues, we become less of a "can-do" nation and more of a "what can you do for me?" nation.
If Obamacare can be stopped, where should we begin to make improvements? Start with the electronic medical record and electronic billings systems. Make the government responsible for catastrophic healthcare, and insurance companies only responsible for routine healthcare because they hide behind the catastrophic things to keep jacking up their rates. If you made them responsible for only routine healthcare, you could predict how much money they're going to have to put out. You can regulate them just like you do utilities.
Where would you draw the line between catastrophic and routine problems? I would do it at the $200,000 level. It has to go hand in hand with tort reform: A lot of the cost-driver is that doctors are afraid not to do something because they would be sued. Until we get a handle on tort reform, we'll never get a handle on a lot of other costs.
What about those with no health insurance? Set up a system similar to food stamps where you set up an electronic health account and it's replenished every month, just like food stamps are. People would be incentivized not to blow it by going to the emergency room, where it costs five times more than a clinic visit does. Now, when Mr. Brown gets that diabetic foot ulcer, instead of going to the emergency room he'll go to the clinic. They do the same thing in both places but in the emergency room they patch him up and send him out. In the clinic, they patch him up and say, "Now Mr. Brown, let's get your diabetes under control."
Did the White House ask you for advice concerning its healthcare plan? Two phone calls. In the first, I was having a decent conversation with the gentleman about some ideals I have. He was pretty enthusiastic. Then he said, "What did you do for the president during the campaign?" I said, "I'm an Independent." Clunk. End of that conversation.
There was another call. Two months later. I said, "I'm in the middle of teaching a class right now. Can we talk in about 40 minutes?" The individual was incensed. I mean, how could you possibly be doing something more important than talking to the White House? That was the end of that conversation.
But you had some contact. I did talk to senior administration officials about good things in Obamacare, like lifetime limits and coverage of pre-existing diseases. I said, "These are things everybody can agree with, that perhaps should be placed on the table for a vote-but don't just try to jam this gigantic thing through because it will alienate people." They wouldn't listen, and we find ourselves in exactly that situation.
How has socialized medicine in countries like Canada and Great Britain worked? Great Britain and some other places with socialized medicine are looking at privatization because they're running out of money. The problem with socialized medicine is that you can't seem to keep up with costs over the course of time, so you have to ration. That's why in a lot of places with socialized medicine, if you're 60 years old, you may not get a kidney transplant, you may not have a hip replacement: Sorry, you're just too old.
Would you have an age limit? We have 80- and 90-year-olds who are vibrant and contributing to society. You don't make those decisions based on age; you have to make those decisions based on condition, and socialism in general has a problem of not distinguishing things. Everything has to be this. Everything has to be that. When you do that, individuality disappears-but that's what America is all about.
For more excerpts from this interview see "Most likely to succeed," Aug. 25, WORLD Magazine, and "No useless knowledge," July 25, and "Rock solid," Aug. 14.
Watch Marvin Olasky's complete interview with Ben Carson:


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Originally, making a decision to sign with Oklahoma State he became the Pokes first 2013 verbal commitment, but heading down the stretch he took an official visit to Mississippi State.
He fell for what he saw in Starkville and after returning from his official visit admitted that he was set to decide between the two schools.
Tyus Bowser, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound defensive end from the same high school was also a reported commit to Oklahoma State for a period of time, before announcing that he and the school parted ways. Houston emerged as the leader, but no formal report was filed.
It looked like it was going to be a signing day decision for the duo, but news broke on Tuesday night when John Tyler head coach Ricklan Holmes, a former Oklahoma State player, sent out the TJT signing day list, which previewed that Ross would indeed ink with Mississippi State and Bowser would ink with Houston.
Coach Holmes also confirmed via text that these were the final decisions.
"Now that the news is out...signing day will be enjoyable," exclaimed coach Holmes on Twitter! "Colleges take note, who give these kids the power to do what they want."
"Several young men at will sign their Letter of Intent to the College of THEIR CHOICE...Congrats and very proud of you all."
Ross, is rated as a 4-star prospect, the No. 23 wide receiver nationally.
Bowser is rated as a 3-star, the No. 56 defensive end nationally.


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Society Staff
Society for Science & the Public operates from its original historic home in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The Society operations are supported by a staff of approximately 65 people and the organization has an annual operating budget of about $20 million. It benefits from the leadership of an outstanding volunteer Board of Trustees.
To contact a staff member at Society for Science & the Public or Science News, use the first initial of the first name and the last name @societyforscience.org. For example, firstname.lastname@example.com.
Society for Science & the Public Staff:
Executive Office:
Maya Ajmera | Chief Executive Officer, President and Publisher
Rick Bates | Senior Advisor
Kathlene Collins | Chief Marketing Officer
Charlie Feeney | Chief Financial Officer
Michele Glidden | Chief Program Officer
Cait Goldberg | Chief of Event Planning and Operations
Bruce Makous | Chief Advancement Officer
Mike Mills | Senior Advisor
James C. Moore | Chief Technology Officer
Amy Mendez | Executive Assistant
Accounting and Human Resources:
Ouida Freeman | Manager - Human Resources
Lisa Proctor | Manager - Accounting
Muaz Ahmed | Controller - Accounting
Stephen Egts | Creative Director
Erin Otwell | Design Director
Justine Hirshfeld | Assistant Art Director
Molly Telfer | Assistant Art Director
Federico Castaneda | User Experience & Data Visualization Designer
Rachel Goldman Alper | Director - Development
Michele Fetchko | Development Officer
Maurice Dunn | Associate - Development
Mandisa Sibanda | Associate - Development
Angela Kim | Director of Technology and Project Management
Greg Sprouse | Manager - Information Technology
Kristen Looney | Senior Web and Database Developer
Philip Lewis | Database Analyst
Ricardo Gotaire | IT Specialist
Krystal Robinson | Database Administrator
Tika Juneja | Database Administrator
Matthew Schaff | PHP/Drupal Developer
Marketing & Communications:
Kamille Davis | Media Sales Manager
Nancy Moulding | Marketing Operations Manager
Eric Nguyen | Specialist - Social Media
Marlena Chertock | Associate - Alumni Communications
Maxine David | Marketing Assistant
Anthony Payne | Director - Operations
Paul Roger | Lead Specialist - Facilities
Ashley Johnson | Specialist - Operations
Jordan Schwartzbach | Associate - Events
Evora Swoopes | Receptionist and Permissions Technician
Randy Williams | Mail Room Technician
Science Education Programs:
Caitlin Sullivan | Director, Science Education Programs & Manager - Regeneron Science Talent Search
Allison Hewlett Stifel | Associate Director, Science Education Programs & Manager - Broadcom MASTERS
Lisa Icenroad | Manager - Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
Sharon Snyder | Manager - International Fairs and Volunteer Recruitment
Victor Hall | Senior Specialist - Outreach
Sarah Conner | Specialist - Science Education Programs
Jinny Farrell | Specialist - International Fairs
June Kee | Specialist - Award and Education Program Administration
Diane Rashid | Specialist - Volunteer and Special Awards
Erin Cummins | Associate Specialist - Broadcom MASTERS
Raevathi Ramadorai | Specialist
Sabrina Scull | Associate Specialist
Science News:
Eva Emerson | Editor in Chief
Tom Siegfried | Managing Editor
Janet Raloff | Editor, Science News for Students
Elizabeth Quill | Editor, Enterprise
Macon Morehouse | Deputy Managing Editor - News
Kate Travis | Deputy Managing Editor - Digital
Cori Vanchieri | Deputy Managing Editor - Features
Erin Wayman | Deputy Managing Editor - Production
Helen Thompson | Web Producer
Bruce Bower | Writer - Behavioral Sciences
Bethany Brookshire | Writer - Science Education
Emily Conover | Writer - Physics
Christopher Crockett | Writer - Astronomy
Susan Milius | Writer - Life Sciences
Meghan Rosen | Staff Writer
Tina Hesman Saey | Writer - Molecular Biology
Laura Sanders | Writer - Neuroscience
Thomas Sumner | Writer - Earth Sciences
Sarah Schwartz | Reporter/Researcher
Cassie Martin | Editorial Assistant


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WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA9) -- Spies are by definition a little camera shy. But we had a chance to talk to a former CIA agent, Peter Earnest, the director of the International Spy Museum.
Earnest spent 36 years at the CIA and worries now that all the leaks are helping the terrorists and hurting America. "It's certainly helping them understand what we do, and perhaps what we don't do. And now it's also damaging foreign relations."
Some of America's closest allies are furious the National Security Agency has been tapping the phones of their heads of state, like Germany's Angela Merkel.
"I think there's a bit of hypocrisy," says Earnest, who thinks it's a bit like that scene in Casablanca where Claude Rains announces he's "Shocked!" there's gambling going on, just before he pockets his winnings.
"Do our allies spy on us, of course they do," says Earnest. "That's why every country in the world has an embassy here."
There is a carved wooden Great Seal of the US at the Spy Museum presented to the American ambassador in Moscow by Soviet schoolchildren. It hung above his desk for years before a sweep found the bug planted inside it.
Of course, the Soviet Union was our fiercest adversary at the time. But spies know the world can change. "Sometimes allies don't stay allies," says Earnest.
He fears outage on Capitol Hill and among our allies may push the pendulum too far the other way. "Which will be too bad, because intelligence is increasingly important to us and our country."


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Substance and Inition launch VR wingsuit experience to promote the new Point Break film from Warner Bros.
We'd love to include it on our list more than once but we can't. Day 5 of our #ChristmasMovieAdventCalendar is ELF! https://t.co/mCrUQrVRoC
Case Study
The Babadook
We were lucky enough to work on the online publicity and social media campaigns for The Babadook, which became the surprise hit of 2014.
We're in the party mood! It's Friday & we're celebrating @tomswallow @dadrocktom & @JFGinDigital3D's birthdays! #cake http://t.co/ZRgs0RsOEH
Case Study
Award Winning Display Media
Design and production of digital advertising for likes of HBO, 20th Century Fox, Toyota, Warner Bros, Hasbro, Mazda and many more...
Remember: no #GoT #spoilers or we'll send Tyrion round when it's least convenient.
We're off once again to the #CTBF! Off down the rabbit hole we go... #sweatfest #onesies http://t.co/SSi8a0Ws85
Case Study
Kingsman: The Secret Service is the ridiculously entertaining and colourful comic book adaption from director Matthew Vaughn ...
The #SpyMovie cast will walk the red carpet tonight in Leicester Square. Follow @YahooUK for live coverage! #SpyLive http://t.co/dTAaYs09oW
Case Study
Big summer blockbuster. Big, digitally-active cast. Big opportunity for a 360 lifetime campaign.
We're heading down to #mcmLDN15 this weekend. And we're bringing a friend… #LEGOJurassicGame http://t.co/txi54lglFz
LEGO Jurassic World
The full cast and crew of @SubstanceGlobal with their Bank Holiday #DropOfPride! http://t.co/IW2XGwhJIp
London Pride
"How To Steal My Job"
Our social gal @rabbitinahat got talking to @Flavourmag about the amazing stuff she does as a Digital Publicist: http://t.co/LbGro4aZz6
What happens when @LOOKLOOKbooths lends you a gif-tastic photobooth for the day? Silliness ensues...#ASUBSTANCEWEEK http://t.co/Nq539QMtK8
Instagram grew by 50% between March and December & exceeded the 300 million mark, making it bigger than Twitter in terms of active users.
"The Business of Film"
Listening to @KermodeMovie's Business of Film series? Our own @Film_Dad contributes to this week's episode (15:40) http://t.co/jFcKGlgoAU
SCHWING http://t.co/8NGMfiG9lX
Case Study
Big Bang Theory Superfan
We sounded the call for all true Big Bang fans to stand up and be counted! Check out our super-scientific methodology...
Facebook says that 26 million people in the UK now use Facebook every single day. How much it can keep growing remains to be seen.
.@takethat's official #Kingsman song is having a strange effect on us... https://t.co/mh53pGdllR #GRFI #ASUBSTANCEWEEK
We had a blast working at the world premiere of #Kingsman on Wednesday. In cinemas January 29th! #ASUBSTANCEWEEK
A "mobile-first" strategy is critical as smartphone usage continues to soar. 68% of adults use the internet while on the move.
Case Study
Lego Batman 3
The big challenge: take the existing social fan base, inject fresh new ideas and content, raise brand awareness & increase the audience.
Oculus Rift has arrived at Substance and we haven't hesitated with giving it a test run! Stay tuned! #ASUBSTANCEWEEK
"On Wednesdays, we wear pink" #MeanGirls #SubstanceGirls http://t.co/oYrD6iLdWH
"The most influential magazine in London?"
The most influential magazine in London? We're learning loads at the #GorkanaTimeOut event! Fuelling curiosity & inspiration in the big city
The incredibly funny #WhatWeDoInTheShadows is in UK cinemas now! #WerewolvesNotSwearwolves #ASUBSTANCEWEEK http://t.co/Uety9FUHMe
Case Study
Nerf Demolisher
We created a fun experience for a young audience to interact digitally with the new Nerf Demolisher.
Wallop. Our X-cellent @IGNUK takeover is one of Sizmeks Ads of the Week http://t.co/L1nLTyohgm #XMen #DOFP
Our very own @GP__Tips made his @MailOnline debut! He's the creepy bloke lurking behind Colin Firth. #ASUBSTANCEWEEK
This is what happened when we left @MrFattyC alone in the office for 5 minutes. http://t.co/hAbTBCaIrc
"Best theatrical campaign"
#StarredUp win for best theatrical campaign. Whoop whoop @SearchlightUK and @rabbitinahat #wallop #ScreenAwards
Our #Babadook comp winner @jo_green88's monster has been illustrated by @AlexanderJuhasz! http://t.co/eJcdyYDkpt http://t.co/HmrCPYPN1E


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Home > Classes & Events > Events Search Results Detail
Thinking about breastfeeding? Get the information you need to start off right!
Class Cancelled.
You will appreciate all the information the breastfeeding class has to offer you. A certified lactation consultant will introduce techniques for success and will provide strategies and ideas on avoiding preventable pitfalls. Many topics will be covered, including:
Be sure to bring your questions and concerns, as we are here to help you and your baby be healthy, happy and informed.
*NOTE: There is a processing fee of $15 for all class refunds.
Childbirth Services at 760-940-5784
At this location Tri-City Medical Center Beginning on May 12, 2014
Tri-City Medical Center
760-724-8411 4002 Vista Way, Oceanside, CA 92056 Contact Us
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Tri-City Medical Center is administered by Tri-City Healthcare District (A California Hospital District)


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Welcome, skip to the content.
Stylishly located in the South Yarra fashion district, the vibrant Como Melbourne hotel is the epitome of chic style and sumptuous elegance.The Como Melbourne is a living legend in its own right, with many celebrities having passed through its famed doors - this boutique hotel features 107 rooms and is renowned for delivering impeccable and discreet service to all. Guests are treated to contemporary styled rooms that are luxuriously spacious, letting in invigorating natural light. This iconic hotel is set within one of the most fashionable districts in Melbourne, Chapel Street, and is the place to interact and unwind in stylish surrounds - discover the enticing sun deck and pool area featuring a retractable roof that bathes the room in warm sunlight. Savour spectacular cuisine at the Brasserie Restaurant and sip stylish cocktails in SOBar.Host an exemplary event in one of nine versatile venues - the hotel can comfortably accommodate up to 180 guests in total. These spaces are matched only by the attentive service of the expert staff who will guarantee your event runs smoothly.Be sure to look out for the other iconic celebrity of the hotel - the signature rubber duck who has been delighting guests for years and is yours to take home.Fashionable yet comfortable - reserve a room at this boutique hotel in South Yarra and discover why everyone is talking about The Como Melbourne.
A beautifully appointed guest suite bathed in natural light featuring a luxurious king bed or two king singles, black marble ensuite bathroom and living area with smart television and work desk.
Credit card details are requested at time of booking to guarantee your reservation. Should circumstances prevent you from arriving as per your reservation details, they request to be advised at least one day prior, to avoid a no show or late cancellation charge of one nights accommodation.
The chic Como Melbourne hotel is located in South Yarra, an area that typifies the best that Melbourne has to offer. With its array of restaurants, cafes, shopping and entertainment options, South Yarra is fascinating and fashionable.
Distance to Melbourne's airport: 34kms
Distance to Melbourne CBD: 4kms


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• The Eccentric Cafe, General Store and Comstock Brewery (tours, museum hours) are closed on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
Area information
• For more about the Kalamazoo area, please visit Discover Kalamazoo.
More ways to connect
Plan your visit to Bell's
Both the Eccentric Cafe and Bell's General Store are located at 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave. in Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007.
We've also included a few hotels within close proximity and additional parking on the map above as well.
Our Comstock Brewery is located at 8938 Krum Ave. in Galesburg (mailing address).
Eccentric Café
Our pub/tasting room features unique beers & food, live entertainment and a beer garden & patio.
Phone: 269-382-2332.
11 a.m. - 12 a.m. Monday - Wednesday
11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Thursdays - Saturday
11 a.m. - 12 a.m. Sunday
We do ask that everyone is 21 years
or older after 8 p.m. with a valid ID
(driver's license - online renewals
must be from Michigan, state ID,
military ID or passport).
For more information,
please follow the links below.
Bell's General Store
You can find Bell's beer to go, gear and homebrew supplies here.
Phone: 269-382-5712
10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Thursday
10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday - Saturday
11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday
Stay up to date with new items.
The store's Growler Station features a rotating selection of up to four beers to take home.
Comstock Brewery
This is where most of our bottled beers along with a few specialties are born.
Visit us: Information on
brewery tours & museum hours
can be found here.
Virtual tour:
Take a look at current,
past photos.


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Kathy Mapes is the Director of the Academic Support Center (ASC). She has extensive experience teaching and developing writing courses for both undergraduates and post-graduates and for native and non-native speakers of English. Additionally, she has broad experience in learning disabilities, adult education and adult literacy at the teaching, developmental, and administrative levels. She is an Elder at Middletown Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Email Kathy
Sherry grew up in the Midwest, spending much of her childhood sliding around in the pews of the Oak Hill Presbyterian Church and then graduating from Indiana Wesleyan University with a double major in English and Creative Writing. She started teaching as a graduate student at Ohio University and has taught English and writing courses for 10 years at the University of Louisville and at Jefferson Community College. She is currently a professional writer. Email Sherry


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Royals congratulate John Lair, community "All-Star"
Thank you Royals fans for your nominations and votes in the MLB and People "All-Stars Among Us" campaign!
Out of the three "All-Star" finalists representing the Royals, John Lair, who hails from Pittsburg, Kan., has been chosen by fans across the nation for his community service through Special Olympics. Lair will be honored during the pre-game ceremony at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis on July 14 on FOX.
Lair, program director for New Hope Services and a long-time Special Olympics coach, started a Special Olympics team in his hometown in 2001 that has grown to be the best in the state. He volunteers over 600 hours a year with Special Olympics and has coached three World Champion Special Olympians. A past recipient of the Kansas Volunteer of the Year award, Lair was selected by the Royals as a Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat honoree in 2007.
One winning "All-Star Among Us" will be featured in People the week of the All-Star Game. For the last 35 years, People has told stories of everyday 'heroes' whose acts of courage, commitment, strength and compassion are changing the lives of others. The "People All-Stars Among Us" campaign extends the People "Heroes Among Us" franchise. For more information on the program, visit www.peopleallstars.com.
Congratulations, John!


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These are some "fly-on-the-wall" session recordings of Al Kooper producing a band called "St. Regis".
I found this bit of info on a message board from Al.
"Did you produce a song called 'One Good Turn Deserves Another' ? Who was the band ?"
"I did indeed (unreleased).An 80's band (now extinct) called St Regis. Fraternal twins that could teach Liam & Noel a thing or two".
Al Kooper is a very patient man.
One Good Turn Deserves Another.mp3
Also on Bedazzled: Al Kooper's Kapusta Kristmas


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Farm Frenzy
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Farm Lines
by TweenSoft
Destroy the Farm icons by putting them next to each other. When 3 icons get together, they will be destroyed. Tap the screen to shoot the icons, don't let the icons go beyond the edges of border, otherwise you lose the game.
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Update on JumwaJumwa appreciates her previous kiva loan that improved her living standards and enabled her to expand her business and earn a higher income.She is requesting for a loan to purchase more sacks of charcoal for resale . She thanks Yehu for their financial support.
Previous Loan DetailsJumwa is a married woman with six children, all of whom attend school. She owns a house that has electricity, but no piped water. Her greatest monthly expenses are food, school fees and medical bills. For the past two years, she has operated a charcoal selling business, selling at the roadside... More from Jumwa's previous loan »
Additional Information
About Yehu Microfinance TrustThis loan is administered by Yehu Microfinance Trust, which was founded in 1998 as a project of CHOICE Humanitarian Kenya. In July 2007, Yehu became a separate entity from CHOICE and was registered as a trust. Since then, Yehu has expanded to cover over half of Kenya's 13 coastal districts.
Concurrent and Successive Loans
Our Field Partners often work with borrowers over a series of loans as the borrowers build credit, take out bigger loans, and expand their businesses. In order to make it easier for our Field Partners to post loans for borrowers who have been listed on Kiva before, we allow them to post successive and concurrent loans for their Kiva borrowers. This means that our Field Partners are able to post a borrower's second, third, etc., loan on Kiva without having to re-enter all of the borrower's information.
This borrower has been listed on Kiva before, so you'll see an updated loan description, as well as excerpts of the original descriptions from earlier loans. Most borrowers take out loans consecutively, meaning that they receive a second loan after having repaid the first. However, sometimes our Field Partners give out concurrent loans, allowing borrowers to take out one primary loan and a secondary "add-on" loan along with it. These "add-on" loans are typically smaller than the borrower's primary loan and serve a different purpose. Because Field Partners can now post loans as successive and concurrent loans, you will be able to track borrower progress over time and see the various ways a borrower is working with our Field Partners through funds from Kiva's lenders.
Loan tags help lenders find loans that match certain areas of interest. You can add up to 5 tags for this loan.
About Kenya
463View loans »
- Repayment Term
- 13 months (Additional Information)
- Repayment Schedule
- Monthly
- Pre-Disbursed:
- May 15, 2014
- Listed
- Jun 8, 2014
- Currency Exchange Loss:
- Possible
- Expired:
- Jul 8, 2014


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American Idol
American Idol 2014 Audition Cities and Dates Announced!
American Idol 2013 isn't even over yet, but the American Idol 2014 audition cities and dates schedule has already been announced!
Are you dreaming of being the winner of American Idol Season 13? Well it's time to get ready then! Online American Idol 2014 auditions begin on May 16 after the Season 12 finale. After that, the American Idol auditions machine will be rolling through San Francisco, Detroit, Atlanta, Boston, Austin, and Omaha through July and August.
Are you the next American Idol?


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Take advantage of these bargains while they last! At these prices and quantities, they will not be here long!
Markdowns have already been taken!
Description: Refresh and modernize any home decor with this medium/heavyweight woven jacquard fabric. Perfect fabric for revitalizing an old piece of furniture and updating it with a new look. This fabric is an appropriate weight for draperies, accent pillows, slipcovers, and ...
go to product
Explore Fabric.com
We're here to help
Discover Fabric.com
Sewing Center
#MadeWithFabric #SewInLove


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Maria Sharapova fans rejoice!
After all the injury talk, your girl Shrieka was actually spotted at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy on Valentine's Day not shopping, dating, posing, or pouting (well maybe a little bit) but actually hitting a fuzzy, yellow tennis ball.
Now, do you think her people put this video out to prove that point? Me thinks maybe!
(via the double bagel)
Monday, February 16, 2009
VIDEO VAULT: Shrieka shows up at Bollettieri's in actual tennis gear, hits actual tennis ball
Labels: Maria Sharapova, Nick Bollettieri, practice, tennis, video
5 comments:
From behind, she sort of looks like Nadia Petrova.ReplyDelete
Sara: If I was Shrieka (and I'm not, in theory) I'd cringe at the thought.ReplyDelete
In fact, I'll cringe for her.
*squints eyes, scrunches face in obvious pain*
Her body does look kinda squared off there. Pretty.
maybe it's just the angle but it looks like she's put on a few pounds!ReplyDelete
Yeah Julie, def not "match shape" yetReplyDelete
"hits actual tennis ball"ReplyDelete
ROFL! Love.
And yes, she does look like she gained some weight. Or is it just the shirt?
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Indexes to assisted immigrants
About the Index | Accessing the records | Feedback
'Online' microfilm reel of Assisted Shipping lists, 1828-1896
Scroll through the digital copies of these passenger lists, ship by ship, just as you would if you were going through a microfilm in the reading room.
» Start your online viewing here
About the Index
Abbreviations | Compiling | Procedures | A note on some of the records
The Index covers all of the ports below but you can also search them separately:
- Port Phillip, 1839-51
- Sydney and Newcastle, 1844-59
- Moreton Bay (Brisbane), 1848-59
- Sydney, 1860-79
- Sydney, 1880-96
We hold records of assisted immigrants from 1828-1896 to NSW which can provide valuable information such as native place and parents' names.
Abbreviations in the search results
bv: born on voyage, in quarantine etc.
b&dv: born and died on voyage, in quarantine etc.
cob: child(ren) on board (listed separately)
dv: died on voyage, in quarantine etc.
inft: infant
pob: parent(s) on board (listed separately)
sf: stepfather
tw: travelling with
Compiling the indexes
The following series are included in the index:
Port Phillip 1839-51
NRS 5318, Persons on Bounty Ships (Agent's Immigrant Lists), 1839-51
Moreton Bay 1848-59
NRS 5316, Persons on Bounty Ships (Agent's Immigrant Lists) 1848-59
NRS 5317, Persons on Bounty Ships (Board's Immigrant Lists) 1848-91
Sydney and Newcastle 1844-59
NRS 5316, Persons on Bounty Ships (Agent's Immigrant Lists) 1848-59
NRS 5317, Persons on Bounty Ships (Board's Immigrant Lists) 1848-91
NRS 5315, Wage agreements and entitlement certificates of persons on bounty ships, 1844-45
NRS 5320, Germans on bounty ships, 1849-52
NRS 5321, Wives and families of convicts on bounty ships, 1849-55
NRS 5322, Members of the Family Colonization Loan Society, 1854-57
Sydney 1860-79
NRS 5316, Persons on Bounty Ships (Agent's Immigrant Lists) 1860-79
NRS 5317, Persons on Bounty Ships (Board's Immigrant Lists) 1860-79
Sydney 1880-96
NRS 5316, Persons on Bounty Ships (Agent's Immigrant Lists) 1880-96
NRS 5317, Persons on Bounty Ships (Board's Immigrant Lists) 1880-96
Indexing procedures
- Where the individual shares the head of family's surname, the reference"and family", or occasionally "travelling with", has been used to indicate that person's location in the original list.
- Where the individual has a different surname from that of the head of family, one of two references has been used. These are "travelling with" followed by the head of family's surname and initial, and "stepfather" followed by the head of family's surname and initial.
- In the case of difficulties in deciphering handwritten records, major variations in the spelling of the surname or different surnames in the source records, both surnames have generally been given complete index entries with cross references to each other, for example
|or CALLAGHER, E
|Commodore Perry
|2138, 2473
|or CALLAGHAN, E
|Commodore Perry
|2138, 2473
|unless the cross reference is unnecessary because of the proximity of the two surnames. In these cases an internal cross reference is given in the "Remarks" column, for example
|or MOURIGAN
|2139, 2479
|In the case of aliases a cross reference has been made from the alternative surname to the surname under which the immigrant is listed, for example
|see WILLIS, C
|Earl Grey
|2135, 2458
|alias DAVIDSON, I
|Earl Grey
|2135, 2458
|Where there are variant spellings of the surname of a family the relationship is given for one of the surnames and a cross reference given in the other, for example
|George E
|and family
|St Vincent
|2135, 2460
|George E
|or STEPHENS, G E
|St Vincent
|2135, 2460
|Immigrants, including unnamed infants, who died on the voyage have been included, for the sake of completeness.
One practice which frequently occurred during this period was the taking on of an alias in order to obtain passage. This happened in cases where passage had been denied under the correct name; in these instances, the assumed name was often the maiden name or the name of a person with whom travelling. In other instances, an immigrant assumed the name of a person to whom a passage certificate had been granted. An example of this is Joseph Golding who came in place of John Mahon. In these cases the lists usually record the person under his/her correct name with a reference to the alias (or assumed) name.
Your ancestor may have arrived in one of the other categories of passengers who came to New South Wales. These include unassisted passengers, convicts, military, crew.
Further details of the records available for these categories of arrivals can be accessed in Archives in Brief 1.
A note on some of the records
Assisted immigrants arriving at Port Phillip, 1839-51
The vessel Ann Gales listed in volume [4/4818]: Although this volume is labelled as "Persons on Bounty Ships arriving at Port Phillip", the Ann Gales appears to have arrived at Port Jackson, Sydney 12 July 1840, and did not arrive at Port Phillip.
The vessel Cataraqui listed in volume [4/4815] was shipwrecked in 1845. Although the passengers are all listed in the Index, there was only one survivor, Solomon Brown.
The vessel India was burned at sea in 1841. All surviving passengers were transferred to the Grindlay listed in volume [4/4814]. One passenger from the India, Mr Patterson, died at sea, however he is listed on the Grindlay.
Twofold Bay
It is known that two ships carrying assisted immigrants, the Bermondsey (1848) and the Caesar (1855), put in at Twofold Bay (Eden) and discharged some of their immigrants there, the remainder being landed in Sydney. Unfortunately, the immigrant lists do not indicate the port of disembarkation.
Related Indexes
The latest addition to our suite of assisted immigrant indexes is:
Accessing the records
All of the arrival records of assisted immigrants are indexed. Microfilm copies of the records can be viewed in our reading room.
There is a photocopy service available from this Index. You will see an 'Add to Cart' tickbox option on the search results page(s).
Help with immigration records
Our family history page on Immigration includes examples of various shipping records, useful tips and 'how to' worksheets to help you search for arrivals to New South Wales.
See also the Index to Vessels Arrived, 1837-1925. Covering vessels arrived in Sydney, it records the name and date of arrival and in some cases the type of vessel. Search by name of ship to find the arrival date.
We would appreciate any feedback and suggestions you may have on using the Indexes.


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Class 8 backlog order streak is snapped in June, says ACT Research
July 21, 2011
Following nine months of order backlogs for Class 8 trucks, June saw a less than 1 percent decrease, according to data from ACT Research, a provider of data and analysis for trucks and other commercial vehicles.
This marked the second consecutive month of slower order activity, according to ACT, with net orders hitting 21,266 units on a non-seasonal basis, which was 9 percent lower than May's output. This data was featured in ACT's most recent State of the Industry report.
"Despite the slowing in new order activity over the last couple of months, it is important to note that the industry backlog continues to be very solid," said Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst at ACT, in a statement. "Cancellations continue to be very low, an indication of the quality of the orders currently booked at the OEMs."
This decline continues a slowdown that has been occurring since a big order intake in April, caused by some artificial things that were starting to pull demand ahead, said Steve Tam, vice president-commercial sector at ACT, in an interview. Among these "artificial" things are signals from truck OEMs that price increases for parts and components is coming, with discounting starting to cease as pricing is returning their way.
These things all manifested themselves in the form of some type of a price increase, with truckers looking to buy equipment doing so in April, according to Tam.
"Truckers are creatures of habit so their capital investment cycle follows a fairly predictable pattern, which helps us gauge what is going on," said Tam. "We can expect to see orders remain down at this lower level through at least September and probably October."
About the Author
Group News Editor
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entire logistics operation. Start your FREE subscription today!


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Hostel Frenky
Hostel Frenky offers you:
Clean and comfortable accommodation
Rooms with air-conditioner
Free wireless internet in all rooms
Bathrooms in every dormitory
Hot water 24 hours
Clean linen and towels
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Helpful and friendly staff
All necessary information about the tourist attraction and events in Novi Sad
If you need privacy we recommend you our suite that has two rooms- one with double bed and the other with two single beds, kitchenette with fridge, and TV.
Please note:
Cancellation policy: 24h advance notice
Late cancellation or no show - one night charge
Payment upon arrival by cash only
Check in from 12.00
Check out before 11.00
Taxes included
Breakfast not included
Availability & RatesTo view availability and prices please select dates and click 'Update Dates'
Hostel Facilities & Policies
- 24 Hour Reception
- Adaptors
- Air Conditioning
- Airport Transfers
- Bicycle parking
- Breakfast Not Included
- Cable TV
- Child Friendly
- Common Room
- Credit Cards Not Accepted
- Free City Maps
- Free Internet Access
- Free Parking
- Free WiFi
- Hot Showers
- Hot Tub
- Internet Access
- Self-Catering Facilities
- Linen Included
- Security Lockers
- Luggage Storage
- Parking
- Taxes included
- Towels Included
- Washing Machine
Cancellation PolicyThis property has a 1 day cancellation policy. Failure to cancel within this time will result in a cancellation charge equal to the first night of your stay.
Must-Read Hostel InfoThis property has specific Terms & Conditions.
Please note:
Cancellation policy: 24h advance notice
Late cancellation or noshow � one night charge
Payment upon arrival by cash only
Check in from 12.00
Check out before 11.00
Taxes included
Breakfast not included
DirectionsShow MapHide Map
From the main bus and railway station you can take a city bus number 4, and on the 4th station you will be 50m walking distance to the Hostel Frenky.
Located Near
We are located in the heart of Novi Sad. Nearby you can find everything you need, restaurants, night clubs, bars, fast food restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries, exchange offices, banks, pharmacies and post offices.


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Here's the Problem:
I'm in charge of a user support hotline for a new server-based application in a large company. The application is not that good and we get a lot of calls and emails from our users. So far we're using an issue tracking tool (Jira) so manage all inquiries from our users.
Our support team processes the tickets with the highest priority first. We constantly have about 50 open tickets. So it might take a few days days until we analyse and solve a low priority ticket. Therefore a good classification of the tickets is necessary.
We're constantly improving the application and documentation, but that takes some time.
We have to decide the priority before a detailed technical analysis. The guy at the phone is not a deep technical expert. Each user claims that his/her problem is a life-threatening show stopper. Our users must be able to understand why a certain ticket has a certain priority. Therefore will publish the criteria in our documentation.
The questions to you:
How should we decide on the priority of the tickets? Does anyone know a set of well-proven criteria for this problem?