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How did three Danes end up being tortured in Lebanon?
The human cost of the Greek financial crisis
30 Dec 2011 03:14 GMT | Politics, Middle East, US & Canada, Egypt, United States
Egyptian security forces and police have stormed non-governmental organisation (NGO) offices throughout the country, temporarily detaining employees and searching computer files, an activist and security official have said.The official MENA news agency said 17 "civil society organisations", including two prominent US-based pro-democracy groups that run programmes training political parties, had been targeted as part of an investigation into foreign funding of such groups.
Live Box 20111120475439857
"The public prosecutor has searched 17 civil society organisations, local and foreign, as part of the foreign funding case," MENA cited the Egyptian prosecutor's office as saying.
"The search is based on evidence showing violation of Egyptian laws including not having permits."Gamal Eid, the head of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, said an employee trapped inside one of the NGOs called him to say security forces were removing laptop computers.The raids targeted local offices of the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI), among others, said a security source and employees at some of the organisations.
"Security forces who said they were from the public prosecutor are raiding our offices as we speak. They are grabbing all the papers and laptops as well," said one person working at NDI.
The NDI said in an emailed statement that the raid took place on its offices in Cairo, Alexandria and Assiut, from where police confiscated equipment and documents.
"Cracking down on organisations whose sole purpose is to support the democratic process during Egypt's historic transition sends a disturbing signal," Kenneth Wollack, NDI president, was quoted as saying.
US expresses deep concern
The US expressed deep concern over the raids and urged Egyptian authorities to immediately halt "harassment" of non-governmental organisation staff.
The US state department said the raids were "inconsistent with the bilateral cooperation we have had over many years", hinting it could review its $1.3bn in military aid if they continued.
"We do have a number of new reporting and transparency requirements on funding to Egypt that we have to make to Congress," Victoria Nuland, the state department spokeswoman, said.
"The Egyptian government is well aware of that and it certainly needs to be aware of that in the context of how quickly this issue gets resolved."
Nuland said US officials had been in touch both with Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri and with Egypt's ambassador in Washington to underscore Washington's concern.
Her comments come after stinging criticism from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over the "systematic degradation" of women during protests in Cairo this month in which 17 people were killed, saying it "disgraces the state".
Germany's Foreign Ministry said it would summon Egypt's ambassador in Berlin on Friday after the raid targeted the German-based Konrad Adenauer Foundation, which is close to Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats.
Employees detainedThe security source said employees at the offices were not allowed to leave while the searches continued.The NDI and IRI, loosely associated with the US Democratic and Republican political parties, say they take a neutral political stance, fostering democracy in Egypt by training members of nascent parties in democratic processes.
Live Box 2011111713397233347
"The National Democratic Institute has been training new parties ... in how to participate in elections," a leading member of a liberal party said on condition of anonymity.
"This has been with the full knowledge of authorities and was not clandestine."
The NDI said on its website that it worked towards fostering exchanges of ideas between countries regarding democratic transitions.
The IRI said was working with Egyptian activists to strengthen their knowledge of political party development, campaign strategy and public opinion research.Egypt's military has vowed to investigate how pro-democracy and human rights organisations are funded and has said repeatedly it will not tolerate foreign interference in the country's affairs.
Some Egyptian rights groups that have been at the vanguard of protests are demanding that the army, in power since February, hand power swiftly to elected civilians
Source: Agencies
SCAF's crackdown on recent protests is yet another mistake that will bring about its imminent downfall.
Court proceedings to resume on January 2 in murder case against the deposed Egyptian president.
Middle East, Egypt
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Migrants complain of being sent to squalid shelters, as France unveils plan to reduce asylum processing times.
Europe, France, Migrants
Despite reforms, lifting of sanctions and 'opening', political activists in Myanmar continue to face arrests.
Human Rights, Asia, Myanmar
Changing climate, unpredictable rains dry out the land, threaten the pastoral way of life in Somaliland.
Poverty & Development, Environment, Africa
Tensions rise as Greeks from both side of the bailout debate take to the streets to withdraw money and express angst.
Politics, Europe, Greece
Greeks asked whether to accept international creditors' proposals for more austerity in exchange for rescue loans.
Politics, Europe, Greece, European Union
US Secretary of State says "genuine progress" made in talks but US still "prepared to walk away" if terms unacceptable.
Politics, Middle East, Europe, Iran, US & Canada
From Democracy to the Market - we examine the devastating impact of the Greek financial crisis on ordinary citizens.
Business & Economy, Europe, Greece
Can Afghan archaeologists take on the Chinese and the Taliban to save a 5,000-year-old archaeological site?
Arts & Culture, Asia, Afghanistan
In war-torn Afghanistan it is not the Taliban that poses the greatest threat to women - it is their own families.
Human Rights, Women, Afghanistan
After decades of tension and hostility between the two nations, has change finally come to US-Cuba relations?


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HONOLULU Magazine Wins Big at the Hawai'i Publishers Association's Awards
HONOLULU Magazine scored big at this year's Pa'i Awards, given by the Hawaii Publishers Association.
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A$AP Rocky Review
Video: Skeezo f/ DJ Modesty - "The Sound"
Courtesy PR Dean.
Audio: Artifacts - "Easter" (prod. Khrysis)
Courtesy DM360.
Legendary hip-hop group Artifacts celebrate their official resurrection with "Easter," the groups first official retail release under the Artifacts name in over fifteen years. Produced by The Away Team's Khrysis and featuring cuts from Dutchmaster, there is not doubt that the Artifacts are "Back to life…". Visit Coalmine Records to be one of the first five hundred subscribers to be emailed a free download of the single, this Easter Sunday! #ArtifactsBack
Listen: "Easter" - http://soundcloud.com/diamondmedia360/artifacts-easter-prod-by .Contest Link: http://tinyurl.com/ArtifactsEaster .
Mixtape: "Best of Stik Figa" f/ J-Live, Apollo Brown & More
Courtesy Mello Music Group.
Topeka, Kansas rapper Stik Figa recently signed to Mello Music Group and has his national debut of the album that made him a local celebrity, As Himself, coming April 17th. The record was prodcued entirely by Strange Music in-house producer Michael "Seven" Summers. As Himself is the first of two planned records for this year from Stik and MMG. The second record from Stik Figa (coming this winter) is being produced entirely by Oddisee.
Despite As Himself being Stik's big national debut, the super lyrical emcee from the heartland has compiled some heavy tracks over the past few years from appearances on Apollo Brown's debut record The Reset, Oddisee's Mental Liberation, MMG's Helpless Dreamer, and numerous Miles Bonny productions, not to mention frequent collaborations with producer D/Will. So for those who are new to the newest mmg agent's game, this is a quick compilation of Stik Figa's Greatest Hits. Free Mixtape: Best Of Stik Figa http://mellomusicgroup.bandcamp.com/album/best-of-stik-figa .
MP3: K.i.T – "How Far You've Gone" (prod. Andre Lukiss)
Courtesy The Ocean State Great.
Wrapping up his 4 month Leave Of Absence series, Rhode Island native K.i.T unveils a new prideful track entitled "How Far You've Gone" produced by Andre Lukiss. Paying homage to both his hometown and up bringing, the track serves as great anthem for the up-and-comer as he spends a busy April opening up for the likes of Kid Ink, Aer, and Talib Kweli.
The Leave of Absence is a four part mixtape series hosted by Boston based blog, Chicken Donut, that will take place over the first four months of 2012. "Basically I'm on a leave of absence from college and I have been recording like crazy," K.i.T explains. "So to document my progression over my time off from classes I will releasing a project entitled The Leave Of Absence at end of every month." All photography has been taken by MT-Pixel and the tracks range from remixes to new original music that are sure to keep listeners on their toes as K.i.T works on the completion of two other soon to be announced projects. Download "How Far You've Gone" here: http://soundcloud.com/thefakekit/k-i-t-how-far-youve-gone .
Video: Jamie Marsh - "Make It Mine"
Courtesy Park Street PR.
Jamie Marsh is a commercial urban Hip-Hop artist from Newport, Isle of Wight. Starting life out with the J&E project, he soon sparked interest and gained underground recognition as they created and carved their own sound. After a string of live shows all over the South of England they decided to separate leaving Jamie room to work on his solo career. Here we get his brand new single "Make It Mine" which is out now on iTunes and has a superb music video to accompany it.
Video: Monkey Beezness - "Changes"
Courtesy DJ Junk.
@youngsau @DUBBLE_O @d0cgooden
PR: Avatar the Articulate Remakes Nas' "The Message"
New York underground emcee Avatar the Articulate pays homage to the Nas classic It Was Written with a self-produced remake of the album cut "The Message," as featured on Avatar's forthcoming tribute album, It Was Bitten. Despite the satirically seeming title, Avatar's motivation for this release, accompanying his reverence to Nas, is to offer a new vantage point to the time-honored original, so that others can appreciate the concepts and issues addressed in his music.
HulkShare: http://hulkshare.com/y37x1fpenie3 .MediaFire: http://www.mediafire.com/?a73itlimed2i7jo .SoundCloud: http://tinyurl.com/78m9ov5 .
Video: Kid Ink - "Time of Your Life"
Courtesy Papa Smirf.
Video: Planet Asia @ SXSW 2012
Courtesy Wandering Worx.
West Coast don Planet Asia hits a few stages out in Austin Texas for SXSW 2012 to promote Asia's latest release "Black Belt Theatre". Track in the clip is "Lost and Found," the opening track off "Black Belt Theatre," available in stores now.
Video: OBX & DJ TechNeek f/ JP - "Alone"
Courtesy Matt B.
Here is another set of visuals from OBX & Tech-Neek, who seem to be causing a heat wave in Texas. The latest track, "Alone" is produced by DBDFam member Kuse & features additional vocals from JP. "Alone" is taken from OBX & DJ TechNeek's new EP Middle Class Dreams/Blue Collar Schemes which will be released on 4-9-2012.
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Steve 'Flash' Juon's The Hip-Hop Shop #333,
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H.Res.708 - Congratulating Nancy Goodman Brinker for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.111th Congress (2009-2010)
ResolutionHide Overview icon-hide
|Rep. Schock, Aaron [R-IL-18] (Introduced 07/31/2009)
|House - Oversight and Government Reform
|Latest Action:
|01/20/2010 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
This bill has the status Passed House
Here are the steps for Status of Legislation:
- Introduced
- Passed House
Subject — Policy Area:
- Health
- View subjects
Summary: H.Res.708 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)All Bill Information (Except Text)
Bill summaries are authored by CRS.
Shown Here:
Passed House amended (01/20/2010)
Congratulates Nancy Goodman Brinker for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.


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It's summer 2015, so there's some rain in the forecast today. We're not talking stuff that ruins all celebration though.
Right Now
The latest models are now favoring dry conditions, although we still can't totally rule out a shower.
We talked with the guy in charge of tonight's Fourth of July fireworks show.
Probably mainly a nuisance rain, if it does rain. Clouds keep things "cool."
D.C. area forecast: Showers mainly this evening into tonight; Independence Day rain risk wanes with time
More rain is ahead, but with some luck it won't damage holiday plans too heavily. Clouds and rain chances are keeping things "cool" at least.
Rain of significance wants to stay away, but some could certainly fall.
The Friday holiday is cool, like today, with occasional waves of scattered showers.
Anchorage set a new record for least snow in a season, 50 inches below average.
Guam could get hit by the equivalent of a category 2 hurricane, before the storm dramatically intensifies.
Dozens of wildfires are burning in Canada, covering an area of approximately 400,000 square miles. The smoke plume has now reached the East Coast.


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Chile at a Crossroads
Chile's accession to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development in 2010 was more than just a confirmation that they'd earned the right to join: the world's top ranked economies. As the first South American country to be accepted into the OECD, it was also a symbolic affirmation of several decades worth of market-oriented reforms that transformed the country from an illiberal backwater to what is arguably one of Latin America's most stable and thriving nations. As a result, we feel that Chile qualifies as a good choice for international investment (for other investment locales that we have our eye on, see the latest: Euro Pacific Global Investor Newsletter).
Since 1983 Chile has had an enviable average annual growth in per capita output of 4.0%. Today they lead Latin America on a whole range of economic metrics: income per capita, competitiveness, and human development to name a few.: But things weren't always like this. Forty years ago, Chile was in shambles. The Marxist programs of Salvador Allende had created a basket-case economy – GDP was falling, inflation was running in the triple digits, Chile had no foreign reserves, and price controls, tariffs, subsidies and property expropriations were rife. Although it was not a victory for personal freedom, Augosto Pinochet's 1973 military coup resulted in a raft of market-oriented reforms to liberalize the economy.
Sebastián Piñera, the 62-year-old billionaire businessman who was elected president in 2010, had signaled his desire to continue the policies that are responsible for Chile's economic growth. Piñera is Chile's first right-wing president since Pinochet left office in 1990 (although the nominally left-wing interim leadership also continued free market reforms). He was quoted recently as saying that, "We don't want to put at risk everything we've done up to now… Take a look at European countries, that's the path that we do not want to follow."
There are numerous factors as to why Chile may be a wise investment destination. The Heritage Foundation's 2012 Index of Economic Freedom lists Chile as number 7 in the world, noting that, "Chile continues to be a global leader in economic freedom." Unlike many other South American and European countries in recent times Chilean public debt and recent budget deficits have been kept in check (for a contrast see Peter Schiff's article "The Real Fiscal Cliff" in the latest edition of the: Euro Pacific Global Investor Newsletter). Heritage also notes that, "with a transparent and stable business climate, the country has created a dynamic environment for entrepreneurs."
One of the pillars of the Chilean economy is the mining industry. Amongst other minerals, its: copper reserves are the largest in the world and today copper exports alone account for more than one third of the government's income.: Because of a desirable regulatory environment that includes treating foreign investors the same as Chileans, foreign direct investment has been forthcoming. In recent years Chile has also signed a significant number of free trade agreements with countries all around the world. The Santiago Stock Exchange is Chile's primary stock exchange, but many of the most successful companies also trade on the NYSE.
Although we're optimistic on Chile, it should be noted that over the last several years there have been some growing domestic concerns, particularly as they relate to income inequality and education reform. Led by the fiery and photogenic 23-year-old communist Camila Vallejo, students have staged protests and labor strikes across the country. This has recently sent Piñera's approval rating plummeting to 24 percent in April – the lowest level of any president since 1990. Although more recent: polls have improved somewhat, it remains to be seen whether Piñera can hold his ground. Chile may continue on the path of favorable economic reform, or it may cave to the left and adopt the debt and dependency policies that are now causing so many problems for EU nations and the United States. We remain: confident in: Chile as an investment destination (and it is well represented in our branded products), but we are vigilant to breaking developments.
Russell Hoss, CFA is Portfolio Manager: of : EuroPac Asia Small Companies Fund (EPASX).: Opinions expressed are those of the writer and may or may not: reflect those held by Euro Pacific Capital, or its CEO, Peter Schiff. Russell Hoss is not affiliated with Euro Pacific Capital.
Carefully consider the risks and special considerations associated with investing in the fund. You may lose money by investing in the fund. Foreign investments also present risks due to currency fluctuations, economic and political factors, lower liquidity, government regulations, differences in securities regulations and accounting standards, possible changes in taxation, limited public information and other factors. The risks are magnified in countries with emerging markets, since these countries may have relatively unstable governments and less established markets and economies. In considering this investment, please also keep in mind that, due to the limited focus of this fund, the fund is more susceptible to market volatility because smaller companies may not have the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Additionally, smaller company stocks tend to be sold less often and in smaller amounts than larger company stocks. More information about these risks and others can be found in the fund's prospectus.
You should carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. To obtain a prospectus or summary prospectus, each of which contains this and other information about the Fund, please visit: www.europacificfunds.com: or call: (888) 558-5851. Please read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.
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