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Silicon Valley Travels to Haiti –
Join 100 Global Speakers for the Largest Tech Event in its History
May 22, 2017: Port-au-Prince, Haiti – In an effort to accelerate startups and close the digital divide in emerging markets, the Global Startup Ecosystem will be hosting major Summits in developing countries across the globe over the next 13 years. On June 6th & 7th, Haiti will be the first, hosting its largest gathering of entrepreneurs and creatives sharing experiences and insights to tackle humanity's grandest challenges via technology. The event announcement was made on the eve of Haiti's 2010 earthquake anniversary on January 12th, and was shared by over 423,000 supporters within 24 hours. The Haiti Tech Summit will be taking place at Decameron Beach Resort in partnership with Haiti's Minister of Tourism.
To kick-off the Summit, Ben Horowitz (Partner and Co-Founder of renown VC firm Andreessen Horowitz) will lead with a Keynote titled "To Create Culture, Start a Revolution". His talk will be followed by a series of keynotes and panels from 100+ influencers and speakers from over 18 countries representing top companies such as Google, Airbnb, Linkedin, Microsoft, HP, Tech Stars, Mastercard, Paypal, Github, Drop Box, Galvanize, Pivotal Labs, Send Grid, Singularity, Draper University, the Forbes 30 Under 30 List, Dubai Economy, Puerto Rico's Parallel 18, Startup Chile, Access Haiti, Center for Financial Investments, Natcom, and more. Over 40 media outlets will be in attendance including representatives from Tech Crunch, NY Times, Essence, Ebony, Black Enterprise, Inc., Fast Company, Forbes, Huffington Post, Atlantic Black Star, Loop, L'Union Suite, Chokarella, and more. Other special guests include Vicky Jeudy from Netflix's Original Series "Orange is the New Black" and the President of Haiti, Jovenel Moise.
"Haiti is not open for business. Haiti is open for disruption." says Christine, the founding host of the Haiti Tech Summit. "I plan to not only transform the narrative around Haiti's brand as a nation but also that of other emerging markets around the world by showcasing their startup ecosystems through annual Tech Summits. If you can equip entrepreneurs to launch their startup and scale it across a population of 11 million people on an island, then you can be confident they'll be prepared to scale it globally. The current line of participants for our first Summit are true pioneers of startup ecosystems and will definitely inspire startup movements in the future."- Christine Souffrant Ntim.
Haiti Tech Summit Team
(E) firstname.lastname@example.com


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subset: commoncrawl


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As the New York auto show continues this week, Rocky Mountain Institute is encouraged by a growing number of efficient and electric models being introduced by automakers. But today's "bells-and-whistles" approach to achieving better fuel economy is not enough to cost-effectively unlock the full efficiency potential of electric vehicles.
Automakers can either stay at the mercy of consumer response to oil volatility or they can position themselves for long-term advantage. Electric vehicles are expensive in large part because batteries are. But putting an electric powertrain in a traditional body is a bells-and-whistles approach—and an expensive one at that.
By first shifting to ultralight but ultrastrong autobodies made of advanced materials, propulsion systems can be smaller, lighter, cheaper, and more cost-effectively electrified. Automakers can thus deliver a more competitive product regardless of what is happening with gas prices, and regardless of which powertrain technology they ultimately adopt.
Reduced total cost of ownership is not the only benefit of an efficient car. Automakers can market lightweight vehicles in a way that emphasizes performance in addition to efficiency. Vehicle lightness, particularly of the magnitude possible with advanced materials, allows better acceleration and improved noise, vibration, and handling characteristics, particularly if combined with electrified propulsion. Many customers will pay a high premium for performance—and an overall better driving experience—regardless of efficiency. It's no coincidence that BMW, a first-mover in many of these areas—offers the "ultimate driving machine."
Air conditioning in U.S. autos burns 170 million barrels of oil per year—5.5 percent of all U.S. consumption. Running a vehicle air conditioner at full blast is equivalent, in terms of energy consumption, to driving 35 mph. For a typical vehicle, this translates to a 26 percent reduction in mpg. For an electric vehicle, it reduces range by 36 percent, and heating has the same effect. By addressing thermal comfort in innovative ways, automakers can improve vehicle fuel economy and range, enhance passenger comfort, and reduce their own costs by downsizing air conditioning and heating systems.
More information on RMI's work in transportation—aimed at getting the U.S. transportation sector off oil by 2050—is available here.
Greg Rucks is a consultant at RMI, where he has worked to develop energy-efficient design solutions for clients in the industrial and automotive sectors. Prior to joining RMI, Greg spent four years working for Boeing on structural optimization and lightweight design for the 787 program.
I actually have an electric car and I love it. We I get 7 miles per kilowatt hour which we calculated to be the equivalent of 292 miles per gallon based on our current electric rates and $3.75/gallon at the pump. Gas prices are actually higher than that here in Nashville, and we have a grid-fed solar array on our roof and sell our excess power back to the utility. So really the economics are considerably more favorable for us than that.It does get hot here in Tennessee, but I only felt the need to use the A/C a few times last summer. Heat was more of an issue because you need it to de-fog the windshield and windows. But really it didn't add up to much energy usage. I tended to put the defrost on when I was at a stop light and then turned it off when I was traveling. Another thing people ask me all the time is what kind of impact driving an EV has had on our electric bill. The answer is ... none! At the same time we bought our EV last year we had TVA conduct a home energy audit and we had E3 Innovative do our home efficiency and insulation -- caulking and sealing the ductwork, insulating, etc. The result has been we're using less electricity this year than last year, when we didn't have an EV. I'm still amazed at that turn of events.I passed a gas station charging $3.98 for unleaded the other day. I'm so grateful that this is a headache I don't have to deal with! Also: no oil changes. And the Leaf is a great car.
WRT #2 - I own a Leaf and my favorite feature above all else is that my bluetooth handsfree has excellent sound quality. Because there is no chassis/engine noise, my voice is clear on the other end of the line. It is incredible.
I also have a 100% Electric LEAF and get 5.4 miles/kwh on the dash, the on line record is over 8 miles /kwh.
We also have solar on our home so we drive for free in the car but bicycle as much as possible. Our home makes more than we use for the home and car. We only charge Off Peak at night so we help use the excess energy in the GRID they may dump if it doesn't get used.
Electric vehicles are 80% efficient and even regenerate while going downhill and stopping. The small light Mitsubishi MiEV is even more efficient since it's a little smaller and lighter.
Plugin vehicles can also V2G Vehicle to GRID adding storage to excess eneregy and regulationg the GRID not to mention providing back up to your home, read about it at V2G-101.com
RMI needs to take a serious look at the engineering realities behind its EV advocacy. 1) battery energy density has remained nearly flat for over a decade, despite large investments; 2) there are not enough rare earth reserves on the planet to make all the motor magnets and other components needed for an EV fleet; 3) super light composite vehicles that could make electric drivetrains feasible would have to mix it up with much heavier existing vehicles during the deployment of the new type of vehicles. Regardless of how well built these are, this will present safety issues; 4) no amount of lightening of vehicles eliminates the fact that the things we require vehicles to carry are heavy, so the problems of energy density mentioned above are probably prohibitive, and will perpetuate the heavy / light vehicle mix that poses significant safety issues. I look to RMI for real prescriptions for solutions that work. The work on EVs strikes me as shading toward boosterism. I recommend that folks read John Peterson's "Time to Kill the Electric Car," August 2011. http://seekingalpha.com/article/289828-it-s-time-to-kill-the-electric-car-drive-a-stake-through-its-heart-and-burn-the-corpse
RMI Outlet, Rocky Mountain Institute's blog, explores topics critical to RMI's mission to drive the efficient and restorative use of resources.


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ACLU sues Kansas over citizenship documents for voting
People trying to register to vote at Kansas motor vehicle offices are being forced to provide documentary proof of citizenship in violation of federal law, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday.
The complaint filed by the American Civil Liberties Union in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., is based on a provision in the National Voter Registration Act that requires states to provide voter registration in conjunction with driver's license applications at state division of motor vehicle offices.
The suit contends that law prohibits states from requiring additional information when people register to vote in conjunction with getting their driver's licenses.
But Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who has championed laws that require documents such as a birth certificate, passport or naturalization papers as a way to prevent noncitizens from voting, said the ACLU was misreading the law.
Kobach said the law requires only that states accept voter registration applications at the Department of Motor Vehicles — not that those applications have to be confirmed at that time.
"The state has every right to verify that the person is eligible to vote before completing the person's registration," said Kobach.
Kansas has been at the forefront of efforts for more stringent registration laws ranging from proof of citizenship to requiring certain types of ID, and the state has been embroiled in several legal fights over the issues.
Critics say incidents of noncitizens registering to vote are extremely rare, and argue such Republican-backed laws hurt voter registration efforts and disenfranchise voters who tend to vote for Democrats. The groups most likely to not readily have the documentation, the critics note, include college students and lower-income residents.
"These shameful actions have made Kansas an epicenter of voter suppression," said Dale Ho, director of the ACLU's Voting Rights Project.
The registration act, commonly known as the "Motor-Voter Law," is a federal law that aims to increase voter participation. In addition to requiring that registration be offered at the Division of Motor Vehicle offices, it also provides mechanisms such as an online registration form people can print out and mail and voter registration at social service agencies, Ho said.


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This week's ROOM contributor is Johana Doblado. Johana is currently serving as our Scarlet Project director. Her role is vital to ROOM's mission in Honduras and we are so grateful to have her on our staff. Her heart, her love for the Lord, her dedication, and her intelligence are some of the many reasons we adore her. Read her first blog ever to see for yourself just how wonderful she is!
This is my first time ever writing a blog, and as I sit here waiting to feel inspiration on a topic (and trying not to feel self-conscious) I go through every face in our Scarlet Project…every single little face that has captured and thereafter stolen my heart, and I realize that I don't need specific inspiration from one of those little faces because all of them as a whole are my daily inspiration.
It has been almost a year-and-a-half since my life completely changed. It changed with a little girl with big eyes sitting on the floor with a tiny body but huge personality. My first heart-stopping moment came with Estrella; here was a little girl that seemed to have so much to say and so many places to go, yet she couldn't talk and she couldn't walk. Shortly after that, I met Brigitte a sweet girl with so much wrong with her teeny tiny body, yet she was a fighter, and she still is. She beats the odds every day of her life. Then we have our Jesus Enmanuel. Here is a little man that has fought to live and is still going strong and wowing us every day with his determination to thrive. There are so many other names that come to mind: Alex, Eda, Andres, Camila, Anthony, Deysi…You might know some of them by name or you might have already met some of them on a mission trip down to San Pedro Sula. Let me tell you, they are all heart-stoppers. This is our Scarlet Project, each name, each face and each life makes up this incredible project that I am blessed to be a part of.
As I sat in front of the computer thinking of who I would talk about, I realized that I can't just talk about one of them but instead I have to talk about the project that gave each and every one of them a chance of belonging. Our Scarlet Project came as an answer to a need seen in Nueva Esperanza (the public orphanage that has since been shut down). Nueva held line after line of cribs back-to-back with two or three babies to a crib. These babies were left there abandoned in a tiny bed months and months on end, in some cases years. Most of them already knowing how to self-soothe because in the few months of life that they had lived, they already knew that their cry would not always be answered. This reality started our Scarlet Project, and with it came a chance to reach out and touch the lives of so many.
When I was first approached to join the ROOM team as the Scarlet Project Director, I was blown away that foster care in Honduras existed. I didn't know that it was a reality. And even though it WAS in fact a reality, it was often a harsh reality because we had to fight tooth and nail for every single child that we were able to bring out of Nueva Esperanza. One of the things learned early on is that we don't get to be weak, not when it comes to these kids, these babies that have no other voice than ours fighting for their future. It has been such a humbling experience because many people say: "these children are so blessed by you or to have you." This isn't so. It is the other way around, THEY are the true blessing, THEY are the true heart of who ROOM is. They are the reason we are strong, they are the reason we wake up and fight each battle with passion and determination.
The Scarlet Project is in charge of finding, processing and monitoring all of our foster families. One of our biggest prayers is for the need of more foster families to come forth to open their homes, lives and hearts to these beautiful little babies that have nowhere to go. This project helps give children, mostly babies, a chance to be a part of a loving, Christian home. They are given a chance to be a son or a daughter, a brother or sister…a chance to belong. This is my biggest desire for every child in my home country Honduras.
The other side of the Scarlet Project is emergency medical care that is provided as needed, and let me tell you, it is MUCH needed. Through this project many, many of our kids have had life-saving medical attention that they would not have had any other way. When I think of the Scarlet Project, I do not think of operations done or numbers accomplished but by a list of firsts: first smile seen on a child's face after weeks on end of just seeing a sullen expression, first steps after years of sitting on floors without even crawling, first sips out of a straw after months of screaming at the mere sight of them. And one of my absolute favorite firsts: the first time that foster parents (many of whom are in process of adopting) get to see and hold their child. This is a first that never gets old, it takes my breath away every time. This is my vision of who we are, this is the vision I hope you will cherish along with me.
It has been an expanding year for ROOM, a year of transitions, a year of growth and mostly a year of learning. Many things have changed in our organization this past year, but what has been steady and will continue to be steady is our commitment to each and every child that God entrusts us with. One of the most astonishing aspects of our project is the fact that the Lord is in complete control of everything. I might be the director of it but the Lord is the owner and He shows me every single day that each child that we have the privilege of holding close is and always has been HIS. The Scarlet Project is an ever-changing endeavor that each and every one of you reading this blog is a part of. Each person that gives to the Scarlet project is in the trenches with us, each person that prays for us is a warrior that stands with us to fight for the lives of these most precious children. Thank you for making our journey your own!
I would like to add an additonal note about Johana's work and contribution to Honduras as a whole. Please pray for her as she has a platform with the local government agencies and has had a pivotal voice in contributing to the changing landscape of Honduran laws regarding child welfare. We are so proud of you, Jo! If you want to support the Scarlet Project or any of ROOMs programs please visit our website for information on how you can join the cause worth fighting for. Reach Out Orphanage Ministries


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AET Global Group offer you a unique network of quality-driven manufacturers and leading innovators within the trading industry. We offer our customers a truly international product range, with trendsetting designs in tapware from Italy, the newest technology from China, high quality, sustainable radiators from England and contemporary furniture from Turkey and Italy.
Discover our unique portfolio of our carefully selected partners and brands.
With AET on board, you can be sure to have a strong trading partner to support your business needs.
AET Global Group - Consultancy
At AET we also offer Consultancy Services. Working with Global Business over the last 20 years we have a great amount to offer in may areas of business, where weak links have been identified.
The founder of AET Global Group also travels extensively providing business support and appearing as a guest lecturer on International business in Colleges and Universities around the globe.
Whilst our service to Universities is provided FOC, we are happy to assist any commercial or charity business.
Mail to:firstname.lastname@example.com for more detailed information.
At AET Global Group we provide our customers and our quality-driven manufacturers with a unique network of global designers and leading innovators within the bathroom, the home and garden and home/office technologies. We offer our customers a truly international product range, with trendsetting designs from Italy and Germany, the newest technologies from the USA and Asia, the highest quality, sustainable radiators and heating products from the UK, and exotic bathroom equipment and ceramics from Turkey and the Middle East.
Discover our unique portfolio of our carefully selected partners and brands.
With AET pushing the boundaries, of design and innovation across the globe, you can be assured that we bring together and develop the strongest trading partnerships. AET will provide you with the newest trends, the most innovative products and unrivalled customer service.
"We are inspired by design"
To become a world recognised premier marketer of our businesses and our brands in Asia, Europe and other world markets. We will achieve this mission by building long-term relationships with the people and businesses that can make it become a reality.
We will devote our resources and technologies to create superior products and services to deliver to our global audience and customers either existing or in the future.
Once we have understood your requirements and timescale's, our experienced team will continue to work closely with you, and be with you through all the stages of assisting you to identify required products or services anywhere in the world.
All business is conducted with professionalism, clarity, transparency and confidentiality.
AET is a total supply chain management business for our customers. Designing and engineering products. Identifying and working in partnership with suppliers. QA and logistics support at the level of expectation of our clients. Payment and shipping agreements. In fact the customer just clarifies and agrees their requirements and we tailor the appropriate solution.
Once you have taken the important decision to engage the team at AET Global Group, our primary aim is to fully understand your objectives and what you want to achieve.
We then need to comprehend every aspect of the business sourcing and product needs in great detail from from an operational, management sourcing and strategic perspective.
Only by doing this can we also ensure that our bespoke service is specifically tailored to your business requirements.
We will undertake a full and detailed client meeting in order to understand and deliver against those needs.
We will produce a number of 'best in class' suppliers from Asia (China, Vietnam), Turkey, Italy, Czech Republic, Ukraine and of course the UK.
Our sourcing, QA and marketing professionals will work closely with you to produce product recommendations, ensuring they are of the highest quality & design and at the best possible competitive pricing levels.
In Asia our team who are directly employed by AET will work with you and your teams to ensure a full understanding of your needs and they will do this with full transparency.
In other regions, meetings and development discussions will be conducted only at the most senior level. Normally with the Founder/CEO of their businesses.
Factory visits can be arranged through these same team members and also through our office here in the UK.
All interested parties are required to sign a Confidentiality and Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before they view any confidential information.
We ensure that you remain firmly in control of who has access to your company's sensitive commercial information.
Once the NDA has been signed and the relevant information on the prospective supplier collated, we will agree to seek your authority before sending them any confidential information. Prospective purchasers will not be provided with any sensitive or confidential information unless you authorise it.
When entering this process, some of our customers can be concerned about their employees, customers, suppliers and competitors potentially finding out their company information in detail.
Our processes and systems are designed and proven to prevent this occurring. All of our employees and partner manufacturers are fully trained in all aspects of the required confidentiality procedures and discretion is assured from the moment we first speak.


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Hillary Clinton just called out the fact that Donald Trump cheered for the housing crisis in anticipation of its collapse – which is absolutely true. Trump told The Globe and Mail in March of 2007: "People have been talking about the end of the cycle for 12 years, and I'm excited if it is. I've always made more money in bad markets than in good markets."
In fact, Trump thought the housing crisis was much-ado-do about nothing for high-end investments, and told investors: "I don't see the subprime problems affecting the higher-end stuff…In fact, he is advising investors that there are now great deals in buying subprime mortgages at a discount and repossessed houses at low prices."
Of course, on one level, Trump wasn't wrong—in that the subprime crisis affected mostly poorer Americans who lost their homes and jobs and the ability to support their families. The collapse of home prices caused by the housing bubble cost roughly seven million Americans more than $7 trillion in equity during the Great Recession.
This recession most severely impacted low-income folks – people who are burdened with payments in excess of 50 percent of their income – Trump's response is just "That's called business."
Download our NEW Occupy Democrats app for your iPhone by clicking here or for your Android by clicking here.
Add your name to millions demanding that Congress take action on the President's crimes. IMPEACH DONALD TRUMP!


text: Scratch Acid was an Austin, Texas noise rock group formed in 1982. When they first began, their lineup was Steve Anderson (vocals), David Wm. Sims (bass), Brett Bradford (guitar), David Yow (vocals), and Rey Washam (drums). Anderson was kicked out of the band before the band ever recorded an album, prompting Yow to move to vocals and Sims to move to bass.


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f.41' Defile of Peerchullur near Deyrah.' Drawing for R. Kirk,' Views of Defiles' etc, plate 1.
Artist: Boyd, George (1800-1850)
Medium: Pen and ink on paper
Date: 1840
Pen-and-ink drawing of Peerchullur near Deyrah by George Boyd (1800-1850). This is one of 95 drawings (90 folios), chiefly of landscapes and monuments in the Deccan, West India and Afghanistan made between 1821 and 1844. Boyd served in the Bombay Infantry from 1820 to 1850 and was mainly employed in survey work. From 1822 to 1831 he was in the Deccan and Satara; in 1835 he was on survey in Kathiawar; and in 1839 he was making road surveys in Sind. He was mentioned in dispatches during the war in Afghanistan in 1840 and in 1842 he worked on a survey between Quetta and Kalat. This drawing is for plate 1 of R. Kirk's,' Views of defiles and mountain passes in Affghanistan' (London, 1841).
In the 19th century the British, eager to defend their Indian Empire from Russian territorial ambitions, were involved in campaigns in Afghanistan and the North West Frontier Province (Pakistan). This drawing was taken at the time of the First Anglo-Afghan war of 1839-42 and shows one of the many forbidding mountain passes that the troops had to traverse.


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Quality Liquid Feeds
QLF manufactures the largest range of liquid animal feeds in the UK. Our products have undergone over 35 years of development and are at the forefront of liquid feed technology today.
Whether you are an existing customer, or are considering the use of liquid feeds, QLF liquid supplements can provide a variety of benefits to livestock by increasing the energy density of the ration and improving ration palatability and rumen function.


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Garage Doors Watchung NJ
Watchung Garage Door Provider
If you're looking for an expert garage door provider near Watchung, NJ, you've come to the right place. New Jersey Door Works is a family owned and operated garage door and utility door provider, founded in 1988. We specialize in a variety commercial and residential garage doors of all shapes and size, as well as commercial services throughout New Jersey.
Residential Doors
Commercial Doors
Commercial Services
Why Choose New Jersey Door Works?
Here in Watchung, NJ, home and business owners come to us at New Jersey Door Works for all of their garage door needs. We offer a variety of products, garage door repair and installation services, a huge selection of high quality garage door openers, garage door accessories, an amongst all, excellent customer service. We also supply our customers with a wide variety of gates, fencing and masonry options too.
Garage Door Repair in Watchung, NJ
When it comes to a garage door repair, we can handle any diagnosis, fix and replacement if needed on any type of garage door. Whether the springs and cables are broken, the garage door is noisy or won't shut all the way, there are issues with the pulleys and rollers, or the garage door opener is operating properly, we can fix it! Our customers can always count on us for safe, reliable and cost-friendly garage door repair service.
Garage Door Openers in Watchung, NJ
Our selection of garage door openers offers an array of convenient and efficient features. Our top-of-the-line LiftMaster and AccessMaster garage door openers provide long-lasting performance and are fully equipped with high-tech safety features and a wide range of different horsepower levels suitable for garage doors that may be heavier than others.
Watchung NJ Garage Door Service
Watchung, NJ is a small borough of Somerset County. It is a comfortable and safe community, suitable for those who want to raise a family or just to peacefully take pleasure in. Filled with history dated back to the early 1900s, education, religion, arts, recreation and community organizations, Watchung, NJ has become an enjoyable, small-town favorite for families and individuals from all over.
Garage Doors in Watchung, NJ
Call 800-228-7159 today!


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Date: April 23, 2007
Source: World Net Daily
Abstract: A joint task force involving the military, Department of Homeland Security and police is set to begin a sophisticated and realistic drill today on how to respond to a terrorist nuclear bomb detonated on U.S. soil.
Dubbed "Noble Resolve '07," the series of tests are a follow-up to a similar operation last year called "Urban Resolve" and will run through Friday.
The U.S. Joint Forces Command, which recently modeled every building in Baghdad in virtual space, is using that same technology in the Tidewater area of southern Virginia for this modeling and simulation project. Joining the command in the operation will be the Northern Command, DHS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Virginia police.
The planned scenario involves a 10-kiloton nuclear bomb headed to Virginia from a foreign country.
"It's a venue that we're providing to allow a variety of organizations to work issues that they're concerned about, and have access to partners that they wouldn't normally have access to," explained Navy Capt. John M. Kersh Jr., who heads U.S. Joint Forces Command's J9's Joint Context and Homeland Defense Department. "I'm sure there are already some working relationships. Anything we can do to enhance those relationships and introduce other people, that's a great thing."
Kersh said the military is taking what it learned overseas and bringing that knowledge back to the U.S. to protect the homeland. In this scenario, the threat originates in Europe and travels to the U.S.
"You try to prevent the problem by working with your multinational partners," he said. "And give the multinational partners an opportunity to interrupt the threat as soon as possible, so you work the problem as far in advance as you can."
In this case, as the bomb gets closer to its destination, other agencies are brought into the planning.
"The problem eventually arrives at the Commonwealth of Virginia with that threat making it into port and then blowing up," he said. "This will cause us to work the consequence management part of the problem."
Noble Resolve '07 will test state planners and emergency manpower as well as federal.
"One of the capabilities that's going to be flexed during this is a new capability that the commonwealth has stood up called the fusion center," said Kersh. "It's manned by folks from Virginia, including the state police, and they've got actual DHS employees in there as well. The fusion center is in a state police headquarters and it's collocated with Virginia's emergency operations center."
Later this year, many members of the team will work with city officials in Portland, Ore., and the Oregon National Guard in an exercise designed to prevent, prepare for and respond to large-scale terrorist attacks involving weapons of mass destruction.
One nuclear terror expert said last week the chances of a detonation in the U.S. in the next decade are 50 percent.
Also last week, Vice President Dick Cheney said the threat of nuclear terrorism is very real.
"The fact is
that the threat to the United States now of a 9/11 occurring with a group of
terrorists armed not with airline tickets and box cutters, but with a nuclear
weapon in the middle of one of our own cities is the greatest threat we
face," he said. "It's a very real threat. It's something that we have
to worry about and defeat every single day" (World Net Daily,
Title: New Nuclear Terror Drill Sparks
Conspiracy Scare
Date: August 19, 2007
Source: World Net Daily
Abstract: A U.S. military drill designed to enhance homeland security in the event of a nuclear terrorist attack has some officials and media outlets funded by billionaire George Soros warning it may be a "false flag" operation leading to the detonation of a real nuclear device to set the stage for martial law.
The exercise, part of the
"Noble Resolve" program of the U.S. Joint Forces
Command, is set for
tomorrow through Friday in Portland, Ore. Like other previous drills, it
involves coordination with local officials in a model nuclear attack.
The series of "Noble Resolve" experiments began April 23 in Suffolk, Va. They represent a follow-up to similar series of drills called Urban Resolve that took place in 2006.
The efforts bring together JFCOM, Northern Command, the Homeland Security Department and state and local officials to model responses to nuclear terrorist attacks.
During the experiments, which are largely based on computer modeling, the "bomb" explodes inside the simulation. "Noble Resolve," according to planners, strives to create processes for interactions among local, state, national and international officials.
Last April, a similar "Noble Resolve" exercise took place in Virginia.
However, despite the precedent, some officials and the IndyMedia organization
supported by Soros are raising red flags – even claiming that in a similar
exercise, President Bush ordered the destruction of the World Trade Center on
Sept. 11, 2001, and blamed it on radical Islamic terrorists.
Writing in NewOrleans.IndyMedia.org, Capt. Eric H. May, the military correspondent for the agency, asked the following question about the Portland drill: "But what if they decide to use a real bomb rather than simulate it?"
"A false flag attack is one in which you attack your own people, then blame it on a group of people you want to attack," wrote May. "It's a radical stratagem for instantly creating hatred, and it's common, historically speaking, all the way from ancient to modern times."
gave the following examples:
- The Roman emperor Nero burned Rome, then blamed it on emerging Christianity.
- The German fuhrer Hitler burned the Reichstag, then blamed it on communist Jewry.
- The
American president Bush demolished the World Trade Center, then blamed it
on radical Islam.
jitters in Portland, according to May, caused Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., to
grill the Bush administration about National Security Presidential Directive
51, first reported in WND, which authorizes the executive branch to assume
extraordinary powers in the event of a national emergency.
"Maybe the people who think there's a conspiracy out there are right," DeFazio told the Portland Oregonian.
DeFazio, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said he was denied an opportunity to examine classified documents related to Directive 51.
"At this stage of the Bush regime and its terror-driven global war,
there's no shame in conspiracy theory, since it's the only theory that offers
consistent, coherent answers to our growing secret government and its terror
policies," wrote May.
Meanwhile, Portland's version of IndyMedia, raises even more concerns about the impending exercises.
"There has been a growing concern over the mock or simulation events
(nuclear attack and martial law) proposed to take place in Portland, Oregon, by
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other governmental agencies now called
Operation Noble Resolve," reports the agency in an article titled
"Don't Nuke Portland." "This mock event has been feared by some
in the past to set up martial law in Portland during the months of August and
September, but newer information has raised concern of graver fears."
article goes on to speculate that an actual nuclear attack by the U.S.
government might take place during the drill. It goes on to assert that the
9/11 attacks were a false flag operation and urges those who have been hired or
volunteered to be a part of the exercise to refuse to participate.
"Why participate in a simulation that supposes an external attack on the USA when there seems to be more internal threat by enemies of democracy within?" poses the article.
Besides grants from Soros, IndyMedia.org has also received support from Teresa Heinz Kerry's Tides Foundation. The Ford Foundation has also offered support. Ralph Nader's Public Citizen organization also assists IndyMedia.org.
When star football player Pat Tillman was killed in Afghanistan, the The
Portland, Ore., chapter of Indymedia.org posted the news of Tillman's death
accompanied by this headline: "Dumb Jock Killed in Afghanistan."
to its website, "Indymedia is a collective of independent media
organizations and hundreds of journalists offering grass-roots, non-corporate
coverage. Indymedia is a democratic media outlet for the creation of radical,
accurate and passionate tellings of truth."
maintains websites in 50 major American markets, five chapters in Africa, 13 in
Canada, 39 in Europe, 15 in Latin America, eight in Asia, and nine in Oceania.
In light of the scare stories, the Portland Oregonian editorialized in favor of the drill and many local officials are participating in the exercise because they believe it is necessary to prepare for a worst-case scenario.
One nuclear terror expert said earlier this year the chances of a detonation in the U.S. in the next decade are 50 percent.
Also, about the same time, Vice President Dick Cheney said the threat of nuclear terrorism is very real.
"The fact is that the threat to the United States now of a 9/11 occurring with a group of terrorists armed not with airline tickets and box cutters, but with a nuclear weapon in the middle of one of our own cities is the greatest threat we face," he said. "It's a very real threat. It's something that we have to worry about and defeat every single day."
the most extensive study of the effects of such an attack concluded the U.S.
was woefully under-prepared to respond, particularly if the event took place in
a major population center (World Net Daily, 2007).
Date: May 16, 2012
Source: BioPrepWatch
Abstract: The National Guard's Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams were deployed in the United States 128 times in support of civil authorities during fiscal year 2011.
The CSTs were established in 1998 and have been operating as full-time federally-funded National Guard units since 2001. They operate in support of local civil authorities to respond to events known or suspected of involving weapons of mass destruction, including the use of biological warfare agents, according to HSToday.us.
"We're able to respond to an actual or suspected terrorist WMD incident and intentional and non-intentional release of CBRNE materials or natural or man-made disaster in the United States that has caused or can cause catastrophic loss of property," Frank Hudoba, the National Guard bureau chief for the CSTs, said, HSToday.us reports.
Currently, 57 CSTs are deployed throughout the United States, although budget cuts call for the elimination of second teams recently added in New York state and Florida.
CSTs operate under federal doctrine, but while performing missions they are generally placed under the command and control of the states in which they are located. This division in command allows the CSTs to respond faster to an emergency. A CST can typically deploy within three hours of notification.In addition to deployments involving white powder incidents, suspicious substances, chemical hazards and suspicious labs, CSTs were called on 504 times in 2011 for standby missions. These included national and state special security events, sporting events and political gatherings (BioPrepWatch, 2012).
Title: U.S. Nuclear Terrorism Exercise Leaves Indianapolis In
Date: May 29, 2012
Source: GWU
Abstract: A secret exercise in 1986 by a U.S. government counter-terrorist unit uncovered a host of potential problems associated with disrupting a nuclear terrorist plot in the United States. Declassified documents released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and posted today by the National Security Archive offer the first detailed public look at the inner workings of the agencies, military units and other U.S. entities responsible for protecting the country from a terrorist nuclear attack.
Today's posting consists of over 60 documents related to MIGHTY DERRINGER, an exercise that focused on Indianapolis in December 1986. The materials provide background on the creation, in 1974-1975, of the Nuclear Emergency Search Team (NEST), a group assigned to respond to plausible threats of nuclear terrorism or extortion. Today, NEST (now the Nuclear Emergency Support Team) conducts exercises to assess its capability to respond to the possible presence of a terrorist device and test the ability of NEST and critical cooperating organizations (including military units)to work together.
While the MIGHTY DERRINGER exercise and resulting documents are over two decades old, the institutions participating in the exercise retain their roles today, and the issues confronting them in 1986 are similar to the ones that they would face in responding to a nuclear threat in 2012 (and beyond).
This posting is notable for being the first publication of documents that provide in-depth exposure into all aspects of such an exercise - including the state-of-play at key points and the array of issues involved in disabling terrorist devices. Of particular interest are references to the participation of the Joint Special Operations Command and Delta Force - mirroring the role they would have in a real-world incident. In addition, after-action reports reveal the assorted problems that can arise in coordinating the response to a nuclear terrorist threat among a large number of organizations.
The Mighty Derringer Exercise
In late January and early February 2012, members of the Department of Energy's Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) patrolled Lucas Oil Stadium as well as surrounding areas of Indianapolis as a precautionary measure in advance of Super Bowl XLVI. An initial survey to gather information on background levels of radiation was followed by an actual search for signatures associated with either a nuclear explosive device or a radiation dispersal device (a 'dirty bomb').1 Fortunately, none was found.
Over twenty-five years earlier, for a few days in early December 1986, NEST personnel also patrolled Indianapolis, also in search of a nuclear device. That search was triggered by an intelligence report that suggested that an Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) might have been smuggled into the city by terrorists. With the assistance of the Delta Force, U.S. personnel were able to recover and disable the device in a fictitious neighboring country; unfortunately the Indianapolis device exploded and 20 square blocks in downtown Indianapolis were completely destroyed.
As it happens, the terrorist group, the intelligence report, and the detonation were fictional - elements of a NEST exercise designated MIGHTY DERRINGER, one of a number of tests designed to anticipate and prevent the potential real-world catastrophe of a terrorist nuclear strike in a major American city. Documents published today by the National Security Archive provide newly declassified details on how the MIGHTY DERRINGER exercise unfolded and how the participants later evaluated it.
This is the most extensive set of declassified documents on any nuclear counterterrorism exercise, covering every phase of the response, from concept to critiques, and it offers valuable insights into a world that is usually hidden from public scrutiny. Among the disclosures:
§ The role of the top secret Joint Special Operations Command's Delta Force in carrying out the assault on the terrorist cell in the fictional country of Montrev.
§ Descriptions of the different types of disablement techniques U.S. forces utilize - emergency destruct, standard destruction, and hard entry.
§ Assessments of the coordination problems and different perspectives of agencies that would be involved in a real-world response.
The instruction to establish NEST, known until 2002 as the Nuclear Emergency Search Team, took the form of a November 18, 1974 memo from Maj. Gen. Ernest Graves, the Atomic Energy Commission's assistant general manager for military application, to Mahlon Gates, the manager of the commission's Nevada Operations Office. (Document 1). Gates was "directed and authorized" to assume responsibility for the planning and execution of field operations employing AEC radiation detection systems for the "search and identification of lost or stolen nuclear weapons and special nuclear materials, bomb threats, and radiation dispersal threats."
Personnel for NEST would come from AEC's nuclear weapons laboratories - Lawrence Livermore, Sandia, and Los Alamos - as well as key AEC contractors. Almost all those individuals would continue in their regular positions full-time and become part of a NEST effort when required.
What inspired Graves' memo was an incident that had taken place in May of that year. The Federal Bureau of Investigation received a letter demanding $200,000. Failure to comply would result in the detonation of a nuclear bomb somewhere in Boston. Personnel and equipment were quickly assembled and transported to Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York. But before the team could make it to the threatened city, the crisis receded when no-one came to pick up the $200,000 in phony bills left at the designated site. 2
But the incident and the difficulties involved in responding to the threat convinced senior leaders that there was a need for a dedicated capability to deal with any attempt at nuclear extortion or nuclear terrorism. From its inception, NEST devoted considerable time and effort to conducting exercises designed to allow the team to test its readiness, procedures, and equipment in a variety of scenarios. In addition, since confronting a nuclear threat would involve not only NEST but a multitude of organizations, exercises provided an opportunity to identify potential problems in interagency cooperation.
MIGHTY DERRINGER was a particularly notable exercise in exploring the organizational, governmental, and technical problems that might arise in responding to a nuclear terrorist threat. While the existence of MIGHTY DERRINGER has been reported previously, the documents obtained by the National Security Archive and posted in this briefing book provide far more detail than previously available on the scenario, results, and after-action assessments of the assorted organizations involved. Since NEST and these other government entities are still critical components of America's counter-terrorist capability, these records are valuable for the insight they offer into how a current-day nuclear detection operation would unfold and particularly what kinds of problems might be encountered.3
The exercise took place in two locations - Camp Atterbury, Indiana, near Indianapolis, and Area A-25 of the Energy Department's Nevada Test Site - which corresponded to the two locations involved in the exercise scenario. One of the those locations was Indianapolis while the other was the country of 'Montrev' - a rather transparent fictional version of Mexico (since Montrev shared a border with the United States, its capital city was 'Montrev City', and its primary security agency was the Directorate for Federal Security - the same as Mexico's).
Montrev was the initial focus of the exercise, with a terrorist group commanded by "Gooch" threatening to detonate an improvised nuclear device (IND) near the country's Bullatcha oil field. According to the scenario, terrorists had stolen the devices from a new nuclear weapons state. Eventually, the participants discovered that that there was a second nuclear device and it appeared that it was being infiltrated into the United States, possibly with Pittsburgh as a target - although it was subsequently determined that the target was Indianapolis. While U.S. forces (with Delta Force assistance) were able to recover and disable the device in Montrev, Indianapolis experienced a 1 kiloton nuclear detonation that resulted in "total devastation over a 20 square block area." (Document 38) The scenario had originally posited a successful disarming, but the exercise controllers decided to introduce a new element.
The scenario allowed for all aspects of a possible response to a nuclear terrorist/extortionist threat to be practiced - from initial assessment of the threat to the management of the "consequences" of a detonation. The documents posted cover, with varying detail, the core aspects of a response - intelligence collection, technical and behavioral assessments, search, access/defeat of terrorist forces, recovery of a device, diagnostics, hazards and effects estimation, disablement and damage limitation, safe transportation of the device, and consequence management of a detonation. In addition, they also concern a variety of important aspects of a response - including security, command and control, communications, logistics, radiological measurement and containment, weather forecasting, public information, and interaction with local officials.
The documents also identify the large number of organizations involved in the exercise. There is NEST and the organizations that contributed members or capabilities - including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and contractor EG&G. Additional organizations whose participation is evident include the State Department, Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Joint Special Operations Command, Special Forces Operation Detachment - Delta (Delta Force), several military explosive ordnance disposal units (from the Army and Navy), the Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Beyond detailing participants and describing different aspects of the exercise and static plans, some of the documents (the 'Sitreps'- Document 19, Document 23, Document 32) provide a more dynamic view of the state of play at various points in the exercise. In addition, the post-exercise critiques provide different individual and institutional perspectives as to either the realism of the exercise or what the exercise revealed about strengths and weaknesses of the then current U.S. ability to respond to a nuclear terrorist threat.
Thus, Vic Berkinklau, an engineer with the Atomic Energy Commission, in addition to describing MIGHTY DERRINGER as an "Excellent, well managed exercise," had an additional eight observations which concerned subjects such as uncertainty as to the number of NEST personnel needed in Montrev, the relationship between NEST and the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team, and the need for more detailed analysis of the consequences of a nuclear detonation in a populated area (Document 43). L.J. Wolfson of the Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technical Center contributed an eight-page single-spaced analysis concerning a variety of topics, including the nuclear device, assessment and intelligence, command and control and disablement. He observed (Document 47) that "there is too great a prevalence to believe what might, and probably is, very inconclusive intelligence information" and that "the entire operation was slowed and overburdened by the number of personnel involved."
Commenting on the terrorism phase of the exercise (Document 50), William Chambers, NEST member and site controller for the Indianapolis component of the exercise, wrote that liaison between the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team, NEST, and EOD personnel was "excellent" but that "the joint procedures for withdrawing the HRT and survivors, securing the perimeter, and clearing access to the device need clarification." An unattributed comment (Document 66) suggested that the Delta Force players did not appreciate the "gravity of dealing with a nuclear device."
In the subsequent twenty-five years, NEST and other organizations concerned with nuclear terrorism have conducted a significant number of exercises - particularly following the attacks of September 11, 2001.4 However, because of its scale and scope MIGHTY DERRINGER remains one of the more notable nuclear counterterrorism exercises.
The Energy Department is keeping secret
significant aspects of MIGHTY DERRINGER, but more may be learned about the
exercise and the State Department's role in it from the response to a pending
request. Moreover, files on MIGHTY DERRINGER at the Ronald Reagan Presidential
Library will eventually be declassified and shed light on the National Security
Council's role (GWU,
Date: June 8, 2012
Source: Natural Society
Abstract: Amid a number of reports of massive and bizarre radiation readouts coming from experts, eyewitnesses, radiation facilities, and a key choice news outlet, it has now come out that one of the largest nuclear bases is currently running a 'nuclear containment exercise'. The Minot Airforce Base exercise, running in North Dakota, reportedly involves the use of B-52 aircrafts. The news comes after a developing story arose over the potential cover-up of a nuclear situation stemming from near the border of Indiana and Michigan.
Sources from near where the elevated levels of radiation were observed say that a Department of Homeland Security 'hazmat' fleet has been dispatched after 'years' of inactivity. The story first erupted after online geiger readings showed an unprecedented radiation spike in the area, with levels reaching as high as 7.139 counts per minute (CPM) over the average of between 5 and 6. While there has been no official reported cause of the spike, there has been quite a bit of foul play regarding the information being put forth by many media outlets, the EPA, and even radiation measurement centers. After the readings shocked viewers, the EPA quickly censored the ability to view the levels online.
Thankfully, the readings were captured in a screenshot, which show the elevated levels far exceeding normal limits.
Measurements were recorded by a number of sources, though the growing publicity over the event has caused denial and censorship from not only the EPA but private organizations as well. The Radiation Network originally released an image showing an outburst in radiation levels stemming from the location, but later issued a special message on their home page stating that the readings were the result of an 'error'. This, of course, is virtually impossible as the readings were confirmed by two entirely different locations. BlackCat and the Radiation Network both recorded the levels, meaning that the likelihood both of their systems failed at the exact same time and produced the exact same result would be dismal.
As the story develops, more information will undoubtedly come out on the
subject. It appears that the EPA's incognito takedown of the measurement
results indicates that the agency, perhaps along with other government
organizations, will vehemently deny that there was any real spike in radiation
levels. The 'failure' message issued by the Radiation Network also shows that
it is very possible that an organized level of non-disclosure may ultimately be
the result until alternative media organizations continue to pry into the
situation (Natural Society, 2012).
Title: WMD Training Comes To Myrtle Beach Area
Date: July 8, 2012
Source: Myrtle Beach Online
Abstract: If you see something out of the ordinary this week near the South Strand Medical Center, the Conway shooting range, or the Horry County Public Works department, don't call the authorities. They will most likely already be there for the Weapons of Mass Destruction training taking place this week throughout the Horry County.
Horry County Emergency Management received a grant from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) through the Department of Homeland Security WMD Exercise Grant Program. The grant pays for special training for different emergency response departments across the state for scenarios such as a school shooting, a chemical weapon, and other high risk scenarios.
"The opportunity is tremendous because not only are we able to utilize our resources in the county but include state level teams to coordinate together and work together as they would in a major event," said Horry County Emergency Management Director Randall Webster. "The positive side of it is allowing all these teams to work together in an exercise so if the time comes down the road to do this for real they already know."
The training will take place throughout the week from Monday until Friday. It aims to test how prepared the emergency responce units throughout the state are for a disaster. Red Tail Tactical Technology, Inc., will conduct the training.
Horry County Fire Rescue's Chief of Training Matt Smith was one of the people who worked to bring this training to Myrtle Beach. Smith said this will help each department work out any problems that might arise if something actually did happen.
"What it causes you to do is it causes you to review your current practices and if those practices are working for everyone involved. If you run into an issue in training you can catch on to what's wrong in real life scenario," Smith said.
So, what are the specifics of the training? Smith said he couldn't reveal anymore details.
Departments such as the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD), Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), and Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Team will all participate in the training.
Smith said that they have been trying to find money to host this training for a few years.
"We have wanted to do this training and we looked for funding last year but we couldn't find any funding. We got word there was funding available through SLED and I met with them and showed them what we wanted to do," Smith said.
Webster says that the intense hands-on training makes this program great.
"One of the bigger better things about this whole exercise is actually doing the training and bringing in resources and personnel with the most up to date techniques and skill sets. They are bringing in things they learned from Afghanistan and Iraq, so we are seeing an issue that the teams may face in real world scenarios instead of just looking at a textbook," Webster said.
The group asked civilians to participate in the event as well. Smith
said they hope to have about 120 volunteers to play doctors, nurses, students,
and faculty in the different training exercises (Myrtle Beach Online, 2012).
International Nuclear Terrorism Drills Kick Off In Moscow
Date: September 27, 2012
Source: Xinhua News
Abstract: International exercises in countering nuclear terrorism started here Thursday, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said.
According to a statement on the FSB's official website, Guard-2012 involved 58 countries, as well as observers from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Interpol, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The exercises, within the framework of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT), are aimed at demonstrating anti-terror measures.
The Russian Defense Ministry and state atomic agency Rosatom would demonstrate the country's latest technology for detecting nuclear materials and radioactive substances, the FSB said.
They would also put special relief units through their paces in dealing with a simulated aftermath of a nuclear terrorism attack, it said.
In 2006, the presidents of Russia and the United States jointly launched GICNT at the G8 summit in the Russian city of St. Petersburg.GICNT is an international partnership of 85 nations and four official observers. Its mission is to strengthen international cooperation to prevent, detect, and respond to nuclear terrorism. The United States and Russia serve as co-chairs (Xinhua News, 2012).


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Rick Santorum's wife: I ask "Holy Spirit to speak through him"
Karen Santorum, the wife of Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum, told the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) on Tuesday that she prays for "the Holy Spirit to speak through" her husband when he is out on the campaign trail.
"For me so much of it is spiritual," Karen Santorum told CBN News' David Brody. "...When you're aware of our Lord and His presence in your life everyday, when you're moving through the crowds, when you're giving speeches and me as Rick's wife, I'm watching him, and the whole time he's speaking so often, I'm just there praying for him, asking the Holy Spirit to speak through him. And I feel like God's hand of protection is upon us."
Santorum, a Catholic and staunch social conservative who strongly opposes same-sex marriage and abortion rights, does well with strongly religious voters: He won the support of 33 percent of white evangelicals and born again Christians in the Iowa caucuses, allowing him to come within just a few votes of victory. In the South Carolina GOP primary in 2008, 60 percent of voters identified as evangelical.
Santorum is stressing his faith in advance of January 21 South Carolina primary; he and his wife also sat down for an interview with People Magazine for an issue hitting newsstands Friday. The story describes Santorum as "devout" and discusses how the couple "leaned on their faith to weather the death of an infant son in 1996."
Santorum told the magazine that "We lean on a lot of Bible passages, depending on the occasion," adding that his favorite piece of Scripture is: "Put on the whole armor of God."
The former Pennsylvania senator is battling Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich in the Palmetto State in an effort to consolidate the support of conservatives who are opposed to Mitt Romney as the Republican nominee. Romney, a Mormon, has had trouble attracting the support of evangelical and social conservative voters.
On Friday, prominent leaders in the evangelical movement are meeting in Texas to see if they can line up behind an anti-Romney candidate.Full CBS News coverage: Rick Santorum


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Finnish Government Shared Services Centre for Finance and HR
The Finnish Government Shared Services Centre for Finance and HR (Palkeet) provides financial administration and human resource services and other similar support and specialist services. Its customers are government agencies and approximately 73,000 government employees.
Palkeet's services are based on service-mindedness, partnership, efficient electronic processes and cost-effectiveness. Palkeet also actively develops the processes in government administration and its own activities.
Palkeet's main office is in Joensuu and it has other offices in Hämeenlinna, Mikkeli and Pori. It also has temporary offices in Helsinki and Lappeenranta. Palkeet employs approximately 650 people. In total, its turnover is about EUR 55 million. Palkeet operates on a cost price basis whereby payments cover the costs of service provision and development. It develops services and processes in cooperation with its customers and with the Ministry of Finance and the State Treasury.
Palkeet began operating as an organisation in 2010, while its role as a service centre for financial and HR matters in government began in 2005.
The Finnish Government Shared Services Centre for Finance and HR (Palkeet)
Ministerial Adviser
Arja Terho
Tel +358 2955 30235
Senior Specialist
Eeva Kaunismaa
Tel +358 2955 30103


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Phoenix Residential to run Regina's Housing First pilot
Regina's Phoenix Residential Society will run a Housing First pilot project in Regina.
The money was awarded to the organization by the city's Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS), which for several months has worked to develop a Housing First model to pilot.
Housing First has successfully reduced homelessness in other jurisdictions. It focuses on housing homeless individuals, and then putting services in place to ensure that person can successfully keep that home.
Four organizations put a proposal forward to the HPS, in which the YMCA has played a significant role.
Pamela Reimer, director of homelessness partnering and Housing First initiatives for the YMCA, said the hope is to immediately house about two dozen of the city's hardest-to-house individuals.
"When (people) come in, they'll be assessed, (Phoenix is) hoping no more than 10 days before someone gets housed from when the assessment takes place," said Reimer.
Community based organizations and other stakeholders working within the poverty sector will be trained on how to refer potential Housing First clients to Phoenix.
Already Phoenix has some experience working within a Housing First model and some big landlords in the city. For the past year it has run its own pilot project, and executive director Carole Eaton said that helped in her organization being selected.
"I think we can do some good work," she said. "We could demonstrate that this works."
Statistics from that pilot show clients who were housed and then supported in their homes report an improved quality of life, as well as less involvement with police and emergency services.
Around $400,000, made available to the HPS from the federal government, is being used to fund the pilot project. Those working to combat poverty in Regina have long asked the province to put up money for a Housing First model, but so far no funds have been made available. In its Poverty Reduction Strategy, the province committed to support community Housing First initiatives "when the province's fiscal capacity allows."
With a deficit budget expected from the province in June, there is little hope such a fiscal capacity exists at this time.
Reimer said by focusing on the hardest-to-house during the pilot phase, success from that could be used to prompt further funding.
"That's for sure what we're targeting now and hoping that it's easy to show we've got great results with these individuals, we can do it with everyone," said Reimer.
There is also some indication from the federal government more funding could be on the way.
With more money, Reimer said she hopes more specialized teams can be formed to target specific individuals — such as those escaping domestic violence — to work within the Housing First model.
"That's our hope," she said. "It's only possible if we end up getting more funding."


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OCEAN GROVE, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–QSpot LGBT Community Center filed a discrimination lawsuit against the
Jersey Shore Arts Center (JSAC) in Superior Court of New Jersey today.
The suit alleges that Herb Herbst, President of the JSAC, acted out of
bias towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community
when he chose not to renew QSpot's lease expiring on December 31, 2016.
According to the lawsuit, Herbst's actions are a violation of New
Jersey's Law Against Discrimination (LAD), which protects tenants
against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
QSpot is asking the court to grant a preliminary injunction to prevent
QSpot from being removed from the premises pending further proceedings
on its discrimination claim. The suit also seeks compensatory and
punitive damages, and attorneys' fees and costs of litigation, as
provided by the LAD. QSpot has asked that the court hear the matter on
an expedited basis. QSpot is represented by Michael Long and Steven
Rosato of the national law firm Lowenstein Sandler, LLP, with support
from the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest.
"Over the past six months, QSpot has taken every reasonable step to
encourage the Jersey Shore Arts Center to reconsider their decision not
to renew our lease," said John Mikytuck, QSpot Executive Director. "At
each point along the way, Herb Herbst and JSAC's leadership have
absolutely refused to seriously discuss it. With no other options, and
little more than a month before eviction, QSpot has been forced to file
a lawsuit to protect our home and defend our right to be in it."
In May, Herbst informed QSpot that their lease at the JSAC would not be
renewed stating that "QSpot doesn't provide arts and education
programming." According to the lawsuit, Herbst's claim is merely a cover
to conceal the real motivation for his decision, bias towards the LGBT
community. Moreover, QSpot does, in fact, provide extensive arts and
education programming including QFest, NJ's only LGBT film festival
which received a 2016 Monmouth Arts Council grant, live performances,
open mic nights, movie nights, art exhibitions, film club, book club,
marching band and other arts programming. QSpot is also an official
field placement site for Monmouth University students completing year
long academic internships for graduate and undergraduate degrees.
"The fact that Herb Herbst would prefer to fight a legal battle, rather
than keep a great tenant that has paid rent every month, taken great
care of and improved their unit, and provided vital services and arts
and education programming to the local community, makes it pretty clear
that LGBT bias is driving the JSAC's decision," said Mikytuck,"it makes
no sense without it."
QSpot has asked the court to consider several other factors when
evaluating the matter. First, JSAC never required QSpot provide arts
programming as a condition of tenancy over almost four years in the
building. Second, other tenants at the JSAC whose primary businesses are
not arts focused are not being evicted due to a lack of arts
programming. And finally, that JSAC selectively enforced lease
provisions and local regulations when demanding that QSpot remove a
rainbow flag, a well-known symbol of the LGBT community, hanging at
their entrance for less than one week (as part of a memorial to the
Orlando Pulse nightclub victims), while allowing other, more generic
signs, to remain hanging on the building for extended periods of time
without issue.
"As we have said all along, QSpot will use every available resource to
protect our home and defend our right to be in it," said Mikytuck. "It
will be a terrible injustice to QSpot, the LGBT community and our allies
if the JSAC is allowed to evict us on New Year's Eve."
"We are grateful that Michael Long and Steve Rosatto from Lowenstein
Sandler, one of the most well-respected and experienced law firms in the
country, are representing us," said Mikytuck.
"Lowenstein Sandler is proud to stand with QSpot as it defends itself
and the LGBT community it serves from unlawful discrimination," added
Michael Long, lead lawyer on the team.
See QSpot website for full version of lawsuit.
Founded in 2005, QSpot LGBT Community Center fosters the health,
well-being and pride of NJ's LGBT community by providing resources,
referrals, education, and outreach. QSpot is also home to the QFEST New
Jersey LGBT Film and Digital Media Festival, NJ's only LGBT film
festival, which strives to support and promote LGBT film & digital
media, the individuals who create it, and the people and stories they
highlight. Additional QSpot arts programming includes the QSpot Marching
Band, film club and Creative Expressions Group. QSpot works tirelessly
to fulfill its mission while operating a safe and welcoming 2000 sq. ft.
community center in Ocean Grove, NJ.
QSpot is the only LGBT community center serving the diverse cities of
Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Red Bank, Long Branch, Toms River, Princeton,
Trenton and others while operating as a 501(c) tax exempt nonprofit
QSpot provides vital services to this under-served community including
education, advocacy and support for LGBT youth, LGBT seniors, parents
and families of LGBT, individual and group mental health counseling,
internships, HIV support groups, transgender support group, 12-step
recovery groups, job resource center, book club, women's discussion
group and more. QSpot is also a meeting place for other LGBT
organizations and individuals looking for a welcoming place to hold
important professional and personal events.
Lowenstein Sandler is a national law firm with more than 300 lawyers
working from six offices in New York, Palo Alto, Roseland, Utah, and
Washington D.C. The firm represents clients in virtually every sector of
the global economy, with particular strength in the areas of technology,
life sciences, and the financial management and fund formation industry
sectors that fuel economic growth.
In 2009, Lowenstein expanded its historic commitment to pro bono work by
creating the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest. The Center
maximizes the impact of the firm's pro bono work by focusing pro bono
efforts and deepening the firm's partnerships with leading nonprofit and
community organizations. Led by a career public interest lawyer, Center
staff work to foster and support pro bono efforts throughout the firm.
Lowenstein Sandler
Chris Gale, (646) 695-2883


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Dec. 26, 2001
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina center Larrell Johnson used to sit in class as a college freshman and wince as his teachers – his teachers – made jokes about his bumbling football team.
Now, Johnson's the one chuckling. The Gamecocks are going to consecutive New Year's Day bowl games for the first time in 108 seasons of football at South Carolina.
"The teachers would make jokes about us," recalled Johnson, a senior from Tampa, Fla. "They would say, 'What's the score going to be this week when we lose.' I had to bite my tongue a little."
There aren't too many jokes these days, especially with the 14th-ranked Gamecocks (8-3) set to travel to Johnson's hometown of Tampa, Fla., to meet No. 22 Ohio State in the Outback Bowl. A victory would give South Carolina consecutive bowl wins for the first time.
Only twice previously, in 1979-80 and 1987-88, had the Gamecocks earned two straight bowl trips – losing all four games.
In 1998 and 1999, the Gamecocks were 1-21.
"Sometimes, it's hard to believe we've done this," said tailback-wide receiver Ryan Brewer, last year's Outback Bowl MVP.
Brewer endured an 0-11 freshman season in 1999 under first-year coach Lou Holtz.
Holtz "changed everybody's attitude here," Brewer said. "That's what I think was missing that first year."
Holtz has repeatedly credited the hard work of his players and assistants.
"You couldn't get any worse," he said. "Here we are two years later, nationally ranked the entire year."
Holtz has refused to flat-out say he's disinterested in returning to Notre Dame. While it appears Holtz and the Irish have not had more than a discussion about viable coaches, one columnist for the South Bend (Ind.) Tribune said Sunday that maybe it was time Notre Dame stopped looking for the next Lou Holtz and brought back Holtz.
That kind of talk leaves South Carolina supporters queasy. Holtz has said his intentions are to be with South Carolina and he expects the Gamecocks to be better in 2002. Defensive lineman John Stamper says the hard times earlier in his career have made these seasons extra special. "I'm asked about it a lot and I answer it the same way," he said. "I wouldn't trade what we've gone through at all. It makes our victories sweeter."
Johnson, South Carolina's center, said Holtz has stressed discipline, leadership and the fundamentals of football.
"He took us back to square one," Johnson said. "I didn't know there was that much to football. I've grown tremendously in all that. Once you get that down, there's nothing you can't do."
By PETE IACOBELLI
AP Sports Writer