text:
A family of orcas that was stuck underneath ice in Quebec's remote village, Inukjuak, has reached safety as the ice floe shifted on the Hudson Bay, The Star reported.
The whales broke free once the water opened up around the area following Wednesday night's strong winds, Tommy Palliser, the village leader, told a local newspaper.
"The winds certainly make a lot of difference in terms of the ice conditions," he explained.
The pod of trapped whales was spotted by locals on Tuesday, a day after the bay froze. Later on, a video of the 12 whales taking turns to breath went viral on the internet calling international attention on the scene.
The natural escape of the orcas came as a pleasant surprise to the villagers of Inukjuak who had already been told by the government that rescue ships were too far away from their location to help.
Fearing that the whales' breathing hole was getting smaller due to cold temperatures, the villagers were already making plans to launch a manual rescue operation. On Wednesday night they planned to enlarge the existing hole, and create a second one using chainsaws and drills, (just like Drew Barrymore did in her movie, Big Miracle).
Fortunately, the impromptu rescue operation wasn't necessary.
"It's certainly good news, that's good news for the whales," Palisser said. "We certainly had our prayers with them last night during our meeting."
According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, incidents involving mammals trapped under ice aren't uncommon in the north. In fact, a veterinarian affiliated to Quebec's mammal emergency network said sea ice is known as a habitual death cause for orcas.


text:
New Delhi: Describing the proposed Direct Cash Transfer scheme a 'pure magic' that brings a big responsibility on banks for its implementation, Finance Minister P Chidambaram today asked bankers to work with the government to make the scheme a success.
"Through this unique benefit transfer scheme, money when it is released, will instantaneously be credited in the bank account of the beneficiary, leaving no scope for corruption and pilferage. That is why I describe it a pure magic," Chidambaram told a function here.
"We will roll out the scheme from January 1st in some districts with some schemes but by the end of the year, we hope to cover all the districts and all the schemes," he said.
The Finance Minister asked the bankers to get ready for effective implementation of the scheme.
"It is a bigger responsibility that rests on bankers. I appeal to all banks to work with the government to make the revolutionary scheme a success," he said.
Speaking at the golden jubilee year celebration of State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur here, the Minister emphasised on the need to expand the reach of banking sector to every nook and corner of the country.
He advocated granting loans to the poor and small scale businessmen.
"Banking and banking services are the rights of people and I want to make every citizen of the country to believe this. Every citizen has a right to seek loan depending upon his economic situation and capacity to repay the loan.
(To download our E-paper please click here. The publishers permit sharing of the paper's PDF on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Persistence pays off! After months of negotiations with the Malawian government, it seems Madonna will be allowed to adopt 4-year-old Mercy James.
The 50-year-old pop star's bid was blocked in March, due to the technicality that she had not lived in the east African state for a period of 18 months, as required. Since then, her lawyer has managed to persuade two of the three appeal judges to change their decisions, stating that the ruling was out of date.
The final decision will be announced next Sunday at Malawi's Supreme Court of Appeal.
A close friend of Madonna's had this to say about the singer's determination: "She's ecstatic. She made a promise that she wouldn't give up on Mercy and, believe me, she could move mountains when she's this determined."
Providing the courts rule in Madonna's favour, Chifuno, translated to Mercy in English, will join siblings Lourdes, 12, Rocco, 8, and David, 3.


text:
Plan ensures landholder rights in compensation negotiations
THE Newman Government has delivered a six-point plan as a response to an investigation into how resource firms were dealing with Queensland property owners.
The 2011 Independent Review of the Land Access Framework was designed to make life easier for those landowners who are working with mining firms intending to explore for minerals on their properties.
Mines Minister Andrew Cripps said the six-point action plan would address the 12 recommendations made in the report.
These new points do not include the GasFields Commission which was also created following the report.
This new plan includes ensuring landholder rights during compensation negotiations and a larger jurisdiction for the Land Court with more powers to mediate.
Land titles would be tagged with compensation deals, an "opt out" escape-clause would be put in place and a new template for negotiating those claims.
Peak groups for the agriculture, farming, gas and mining industries will work to put this "action plan" in place before the end of next year.


text:
Burton U.S. Open, in the beginning
U.S. Open 1986, Tom Sims
Snowboarding legend and pioneer Tom Sims takes to the gates. In the beginning it was mandatory to compete in all disciplines at the U.S. Open, and Sims was one of the few who could hold his own on a rutted racecourse or lumpy halfpipe alike.
Craig Kelly, 1990
Before Craig Kelly became a backcountry guru, he was one of the fiercest competitors the snowboarding world had ever known. Kelly's all-around domination included the U.S. Open halfpipe podium, which he stood on top of for three years in a row.
The Cage
"The Cage" is a U.S. Open legend. East Infection editors Mark Sullivan and Pat Bridges literally took over the pipe sidelines, staking off a dedicated party area with chicken wire. They stocked it with adult beverages and dressed up like a tiger and the Cookie Monster to get the vibe going.
Jeff Brushie, 1992
Jeff Brushie had the best tweak in the East. In the sport's beginnings, having this many talented riders together was a shooter's dream. Trevor Graves capitalized on the talent pool with this classic night image of Brushie tweaking like nobody's business.
No Dragons Needed
No pipe dragons here. The U.S. Open halfpipe has seen many incarnations, from being a hand-dug ditch to being shaped in a dirt trench dug in the offseason. The biggest mechanical breakthrough came from the deft wrist of Lyle Blazedale, who tooled up the shape of the pipe with a backhoe.
Terje's Chicken Wing
Kazuhiro Kokubo may have put his mark on the halfpipe world with stratospheric, laid-out McTwists, but Terje Haakonsen was tweaking his out years before -- and cleaning up the U.S. Open competition multiple times, to boot. Classic trick, iconic Terje style.
Todd Richards
East coast native Todd Richards was one of the first to dethrone Terje from the top U.S. Open spot. The original "TR" remained a top competitor for quite a while with technical and stylish moves like this one.
Board Toss
No Stratton U.S. Open event was complete without a product toss -- in this case from several stories up.
Mike Michalchuk, 1998
The Open has always been the ultimate showcase of halfpipe talent, and of quick come-ups from mystery riders. In 1998 a relatively unknown Canadian by the name of Mike Michalchuk threw down a then-unthinkable trick, whipping around a double backflip that would go on to bear his name forever.
Ross Powers, 1999
No gallery would be complete without a shot of Vermont's hometown hero and U.S. Open champ Ross Powers airing it out.
Mike Basich, post flip
No U.S. Open would be complete without carnage and spectacle. Fresh off a botched double backflip attempt in the now-defunct big air event, Mike Basich nurses a blown-out lip.
After Party
Scene of the crime. Early U.S. Opens were like snowboarding's Super Bowl in almost every way: equal parts spectatorship, champion-level riding and champion-level partying.
Rail Jam
The ever-popular Rail Jam event was introduced to the U.S. Open in 2003, and has been a crowd favorite since. Not every rail podium was won by a greasy-haired vaga-shredder, either -- the first one was won by none other than Travis Rice.
Danny Kass, 2005
Dirty Jersey coming to life ... they came from the Garden State and made their mark on Vermont. Lead "Grenerd" Danny Kass came in hot for a 2005 victory -- just one of his historic five wins. Kelly Clark is the only other U.S. Open athlete with that much gold ... so far.
Abe Teter, Poacher
Crowd participation applies to riders, too. Known for spontaneous acts of pipe poaching, local Vermonter Abe Teter punted some of the biggest airs of the contest in 2005 -- without a legit competitor bib.
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text:
Search Constraints
You searched for: Author Rumsey, David, 1944- Remove constraint Author: Rumsey, David, 1944- Author Pownall, Thomas Remove constraint Author: Pownall, Thomas Format GeoTIFF Remove constraint Format: GeoTIFF Subject Imagery and Base Maps Remove constraint Subject: Imagery and Base Maps Place North America Remove constraint Place: North America
1 entry found
Search Results
1. (Composite of) A new map of North America, with the West India Islands. Divided according to the Preliminary Articles of Peace, signed at Versailles, 20. Jan. 1783 wherein are particularly distinguished the United States, and the several provices, governments &ca. which compose the British Dominions; laid down according to the latest surveys, and corrected from the original materials, of Goverr. Pownall, Membr. of Parliamt., 1783. London, printed for Robt. Sayer, Map, Chart & Printseller, no. 53, Fleet Street, as the Act directs August 15th 1786 (Raster Image)
1786. Rumsey, David, 1944- and Pownall, Thomas. This layer is a georeferenced image of a map of North America orignally created by T. Pownall in 1786. The original map appears in "A general atlas... Cartography Associates.


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29 October 2014
Oxfam published its report 'Time to end extreme inequality' >>
23 October 2014
UNU-WIDER, ILO and UNCTAD convened the seminar 'Rising income inequality: trends - and measures ot prevent and reverse it' >>
(you can see ILO Isabel Ortiz' contribution here >>)
17 October 2014
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was celebrated under the topic of 'Leave no one behind' >>
13 October 2014
Bill Gates on Piketty and 'Why Inquality Matters' >>
25 September 2014
The MDG Advocacy Group released its latest report 'Accelerating Action: Global Leaders on Challenges and Opportunities for MDG Achievement' >>
24 September 2014
UNRISD published 'Social and Solidarity Economy and the Challenge of Sustainable Development' >>
21-22 September 2014
5th Annual Social Good Summit >>
18 September 2014
The MDG Gap Task Force Report 2014 >> was launched.
16 September 2014
The UN GA opened its 69th session, with a focus on the MDGs and the post-2015 development agenda >>
16 September 2014
The 69th session >> of the UN General Assembly was opened.
(on the ending 68th session see http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=48719#.VBsp_Rasmil)
11-12 September 2014
High-level Stocktaking Event on the Post-2015 Development Agenda >>
10 September 2014
UN GA adopts resolution >> on SDGs report
5-6 September 2014
UNU-WIDER organised 'Inequality - measurement, trends, impacts and policies' >>
28 August 2014
The UN GA passed the resolution 'Towards the establishment of a multilateral legal framework for sovereign debt restructuring processes' >> (discussion at the Recovery with a Human Face List >>)
21 August 2014
The responses of the Campaign for Peoples Goals to the OWG outcome document are available here http://peoplesgoals.org/cpgresponse/
21 July 2014
The final outcome document >> of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development with the list of proposed Sustainable Development Goals has been released.
A summary >> by iisd reporting services is also available.
21 July 2014
UNRISD published 'Social and Solidarity Economy and the Challenge of Sustainable Development' >>
15 July 2014
The 6th BRICS Summit: Fortaleza Declaration >>
14-18 July 2014
13th session >> of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals
10-11 July 2014
The ECOSOC 2014 Development Cooperation Forum is entitled 'Bringing the future of development cooperation to post-2015' >>
9 July 2014
The Social Watch Report 2014 >> was launched
7-11 July 2014
High-level segement of the 2014 session >> of ECOSOC is themed 'Addressing ongoing and emerging challenges for meeting the MDGs in 2015 and for sustaining development gains in the future'
7 July 2014
UNCTAD's fourth Working Group meeting >> on the Debt Workout Mechanism took place in New York.
2 July 2014
The OECD published 'Perspectives on Global Development 2014. Boosting productivity to meet the middle income challenge' >>
30 June - 9 July 2014
Second meeting >> of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
18-19 June 2014
UNCTAD 2014 Public Symposium 'A Better World Economic Order for Equality and Sustainable Development Post-2015' >>
16-20 June 2014
12th session >> of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals
9 June 2014
UN officals >> call for human rights-backed development agenda
2 June 2014
The 'Zero Draft' >> of the Open Working Group on SDGs was made public.
23 May 2014
High-Level Meeting of the UN GA 'Achieving poverty eradication through full employment and decent work for all in teh post-2015 development agenda' >>
22 May 2014
The World Economic Situation and Prospects as of mid-2014 >> was launched.
21-22 May 2014
High-Level Event >> of the UN GA 'Contributions of North-South, South-South, Triangular Cooperation, and ICTs for Development to the implementation of the Post-2015 Development Agenda'
15 May 2014
A Center for Global Development Working paper illustrates that 'Migration and Development Research is Moving Far beyond Remittances' >>
15 May 2014
World Health Statistics 2014 >> reveal 'major' rich-poor longevity divide persists >>
14 May 2014
Robert J. Shiller comments >> on inequality and global taxes.
10 May 2014
G20 Tax Symposium >>
5-9 May 2014
11th session >> of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals
5-7 May 2014
OECD Week 2014 >>
5 May 2014
The OECD published 'All on Board: Making Inclusive Growth Happen' >>
6 May 2014
South Bulletin 79 >> was released with articles addressing equity, climate change and sustainable development;issues of global governance (G77, China, regional (Latin America, Asia)) and the post-2015 development agenda.
28-29 April 2014
UNESCO and the ISSC organised an expert group meeting 'Global justice, poverty and inequality in the post-2015 development agenda' >>
22 April 2014
Thomas Piketty explains 'Why a global wealth tax would help address inequality' >>
15 - 16 April 2014
First High Level Meeting >> of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation in Mexico
14-15 April 2014
Special high-level meeting >> of ECOSOC with the World Bank, IMF, WTO and UNCTAD on 'Coherence, coordination and cooperation in the context of financing for sustainable development and the post-2015 development agenda'.
11-13 April 2014
IMF - World Bank Spring Meetings 2014 >>
Global Trade Union Statement >>
11 April 2014
The World Bank released the World Development Indicators 2014 >>
9 April 2014
UNRISD organised a seminar 'New Directions in Social Policy: Towards a Post-2015 Agenda' >>
8 April 2014
A Global Partnership of Solidarity or Global Partnerships for Wealth? - A civil society statement >> on the role of Global Partnership in the development agenda
7 April 2014
UNFPA discusses 'How has the World Changed in the Last 20 Years?' >>
3-4 April 2014
Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Financing Sustainable Development holds a consultation on the theme 'Co-Creating New Partnerships for Fianncing Sustainable Development' >>
1-3 April 2103
'The 2014 Social Forum' >> took place in Geneva
1 April 2014
A World Bank paper by David Dollar, Tatjana Kleineberg and Aart Kraav is on 'Growth, inequality, and social welfare: cross-country evidence' >>
April 2014
International Movement ATD Fourth World released 'Challenge 2015: Towards Sustainable Development that Leaves No One Behind' >>
31 March 2014
The OWG released a progress report >> and 'Focus Areas of the Sustainable Development Goals' >>
30 March 2014
'UNDP Youth Strategy 2014-2017: Empowered Youth, Sustainable Future' >>
24 March- 14 April 2014
Online Discussion >> on child Poverty and the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals
24-28 March 2014
16th Session of the Committee for Development Policy >>
24 March 2014
An ODI paper 'Building a post-2015 sustainable development agreement' >> is published (more is available under post2015.org >>)
20 March 2014
ECOSOC convenes symposium on development cooperation >>
18 March 2014
The OECD published 'Society at a Glance 2014' >>
10-21 March 2014
Commission on the Status of Women >> (focus on development, particularly education and reproductive rights).
5 March 2014
'Beyond Macroeconomic Stability: Structural Transformation and Inclusive Development' >>
20 February 2014
The World Bank published 'Gender at Work' >> (a companion to the World Development Report on Jobs >>). A Bretton Woods Project comment >>
20 February 2014
World Day of Social Justice >>
ILO Statement >>
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon >>
21 February 2014
The OECD published its 'Going for Growth Report' 2014 >>
11-21 February 2014
Commission for Social Development's 52nd session >>
28 January 2014
'Wage-led Growth: An equitable strategy for economic recovery' >>
22-25 January 2014
World Economic Forum 'The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Society, Politics and Business' >> . Discussed was, amongst other things 'Health is Wealth' >>, education and employment >>, youth unemployment >>, and future development agendas >>, global food security >>
20 January 2014
OXFAM Briefing Paper 'Working for the Few. Political Capture and Economic Inequality' >>
9-13 December 2013
Sixth session of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals >>
5-6 December 2016
An event 'How to Unlock Investment in Support of Green Growth' >> is organised by the OECD.
4-5 December 2013
Workshop on 'Strengthening the Migration-Development Nexus through Improved Policy and Institutional Coherence' >>
2-6 December 2013
Second session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing (ICESDF) >>
27 November 2013
The final report of an E-Discussion on Youth Migration, Equity and the Post-2015 Development Agenda >> has been published.
25-27 November 2013
Fifth Session >> of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals
21 November 2013
The OHCHR released 'Realizing the Right to Development: Essays in Commemoration of 25 Years of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development' >>
20 November 2013
The 'Least Developed Countries Report 2013 - Growth with employment for inclusive and sustainable development' >> was released.
20 November 2013
The ILO published 'Beyond Macroeconomic Stability: Structural Transformation and Inclusive Development' >> (edited by Iyanatul Islam and David Kucera).
19 November 2013
The OECD's latest Economic Outlook >> is out.
18-19 November 2013
Seoul Workshop >> focuses on best practices in effective development co-operation.
15 November 2013
'Towards Better Work: Understanding labour in apparel global value chains' >> was published by the ILO.
11 November 2013
The UN GA Second Committee and ECOSOC joined forces >> to "examine 'the future of employment' and the need for bold action to ensure the post-2015 development agenda provides decent work for all".
11 November 2013
The World Bank released the 'Global Financial Development Report 2014: Financial Inclusion' >>
7 November 2013
At 'Intelligence. The World of Debate' >> is a debate about the future of development.
7 November 2013
International Development Goals were discussed at 37th Session >> of the UNESCO's General Conference.
30-31 October 2013
The Fourth Plenary Meeting of the OECD Task Force on Tax and Development >> took place in Seoul, Korea.
29 October 2013
The UN ECOSOC on far-reaching development reforms >>.
17 October 2013
Statement >> of ILO Director-General Guy Ryder on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
5 October 2013
At the UN GA high level event on the MDGs >>, there was a call for ful employment and decent work in the future development agenda.
3-4 October 2013
The High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development >> took place in New York. A related report is here >>, related data and figures can be found here >>.
3 October 2013
The Bretton Woods Project says 'Financial transaction tax: IMF at odds with Europe' >>
2 October 2013
The World Bank's Migration and Development Brief 21 is on Migration and Remittance Flows >>.
2 October 2013
Sweden's role as a generous aid donor was acknowledged by the OECD >>.
27 September 2013
The OECD held a meeting on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) >>.
24 September 2013
The first inaugural meeting >> of the High-Leven Political Forum as a follow-up of the commitments made at Rio+20 took place in New York.
23 September 2013
'Investments to End Poverty' >> was released by Development Initiatives.
20 September 2013
The Commission on Sustainable Development held its final session >>.
19-20 September 2013
UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2013: Architects of a better world >>
(a related report is 'Corporate Sustainability and the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda' >>)
19 September 2013
Gender Equality, Women's Rights, and Sustainable Development Goals >> was launched at a side event for the 68th UN GA.
19 September 2013
The 2013 MDG Gap Task Force Report >> was released.
16 September 2013
At the Center for Global Development, experts discussed 'Filling the gap: Inequality Indicators for Post-2015' >> (a related paper >> is available)
11 September 2013
At Duncan Green's blog >> is a discussion about the role of emerging donors in aid business.
11 September 2013
IPE in concerned that 'Tobin tax could infringe EU treaty' >>
28-30 August 2013
First meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development >>
21 August 2013
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon released 'A life of Dignity for All' >>, on the current and future development agenda.
16 July 2013
The EU adopted 'Beyond 2015: towards a comprehensive and integrated approach to financing for poverty eradication and sustainable development' >>
9 July 2013
The UN GA establishes Political Forum to Replace Commission on Sustainable Development >>
8 July 2013
A UN GA Thematic Debate on Inequality >> was held. Senior UN officials emphasised >> that "the international communcity must tackle social and economic inequalities between regions and within countries".
28 June 2013
Remittances was in the focus of a FAO event in Rome >>
25-26 June 2013
UNF/ODI conference 'Turning evidence into action for the post-2015 agenda' >>
25 June 2013
Migration Policy Practice (Vol III, No 3, June/July 2013) includes an article by Chris Richter 'Migration as a development enabler: Putting enablers into practice in the Post-2015 Development Agenda' >>
21 June 2013
ODI published 'Eradicating global poverty: a noble goal, but how do we measure it? >>
18 June 2013
About the G8 and Financial Secrecy >> is a contribution by CGD Alex Cobham.
10 June 2013
A Blog by the Center for Global Development discusses 'A Development Agenda for the G-8 in 3 Ts' >>
30 May 2013
The High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda released 'A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development' >>
23 April 2013
A meeting on the debt crisis took place after an ECOSOC high-level forum with the Bretton Woods institutions, the WTO and UNCTAD - "Coherence, coordination and cooperation in the context of financing for sustainable development and the post-2015 development agenda" >>
22 April 2013
A meeting on sustainable development and the post-2015 development agenda >> took palce in New York.
20 April 2013
World Bank Governors >> endorsed goals to end extreme poverty (communiqué >>).
19 April 2013
Jomo K.S. about 'Innovation in Development Finance' >>
19 April 2013
The World Bank >> launched an Initiative on Migration, and released new projections on remittance flows.
17 April 2013
The World Bank and the IMF released the Global Monitoring Report 2013 >>, arguing "urbanization helps pull people out of poverty and advances progress towards the MDGs.
17 April 2013
The World Bank released 'The State of the Poor: Where are the Poor and where are they Poorest? >>
3 April 2013
OECD DAC reports >> an official development aid decrease of 4%.
26 March 2013
A multi-stakeholder consortium has been chosen to host the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) >>, giving new impetus to the drive to increase the transparency and effectiveness of development spending >>.
15 March 2013
The UNDP Human Development Report entitled 'The Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Diverse World' >>.
14 March 2013
Good and bad news on global taxation can be found at www.globalsocialjustice.eu.
5 March 2013
In a lecture >> at the Stockholm School of Economics, hosted by the European Commission and UNDP, Kevin Watkins (incoming head of UK ODI) made the case for "putting inequality at the heart of the agenda" because it violates basic human rights, and "will act as a break on progress towards vital post-MDG goals."
1 March 2013
An online consultation for a disability inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond >> has been launched by The World We Want.
March 2013
UK ODE published 'The Age of Choice: How are developing countries managing the new aid landscape?' >>
March 2013
The UN System Task Team 's second report 'A renewed global partnership for development' >> looks at the possible features for the global partnership for development in the post-2015 era.
28 February 2013
UNRISD, the ILO and UN-NGLS have announced a conference 'Potential and Limits of Social and Solidarity Economy' to take place 6-8 May 2013 in Geneva. A couple of think pieces are available from the website >>
28 February 2013
As a contribution to the Post-MDG development agenda, there is an UNRISD Policy Brief on 'Combating Poverty and Inequality' >>, another one on 'Inequalities and the Post-2015 Development Agenda' >>, and one on 'Social Policy and Employment' >>
27 February 2013
A discussion about the likelihood of the creation of a BRICS Development Bank can be found at www.postwesternworld.com >>
12 February 2013
For global public goods, the Centre for Global Development reports some World Bank initiatives >>.
1 February 2013
The official communiqué from the High Level Panel's meeting in Moravia concluded with an official communiqué >>.
16 January 2013
On aid for trade there is a speech from WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy >> and more at the Aid for Trade Policy Dialogue >>.
14 January 2013
The IFC published a study on job creation in the Social Protection >>, see also a related life webcast >>.
11 January 2013
'Investing in Business of Development' >> was published by the North-South Institute and CCIC.
31 October 2012
The International Disability Alliance and the International Disability and Development Consortium have drafted a position paper 'Make the post-MDG framework inclusive of persons with disabilities' >>
29 October 2012
There is a paper by Duncan Green, Stephen Hale and Matthew Lockwood on 'How can a post-2015 Agreement drive real change?' >>
9 October 2012
The Institute for Policy Studies sent a letter >> signed by 58 organisations to World Bank president Jim Kim, urging him to champion financial transaction taxes.
9 October 2012
An UNRIS Project Brief 'Potential and Limits of Social and Solidarity Economy' >> was published.
8 October 2012
The IMF World Economic Outlook 'Coping with High Debt and Sluggish Growth' >> has been released. A comment by Ronald Janssen can be found here >> and at the Bretton Woods project website >>
4 October 2012
An UNRISD Research and Policy Brief 'Inequalities and the Post-2015 Development Agenda' >> was released, writtne by Rheem Al-Adhami and Shahra Razavi.
25 September 2012
The High-Level Panel for advice on the post-2015 >> agenda convenes for its first meeting.
24 September 2012
The UN ECOSOC arranged a special meeting 'Building the Future we Want' >> with a focus on sustainable development.
13 September 2012
The World Bank published its first 'Global Financial Development Report' >> entitled 'Rethinking the Role of the State in Finance'.
4 September 2012
DESA News >> was published, looking at the post-MDG process, persons with disabilities, empowering people in achieving poverty eradication, social integration and full employment.
1 September 2012
Martin Ravallion has authored a new World Bank Policy Research working paper 'Benchmarking global poverty reduction' >>
11 July 2012
An interesting blog >> by Duncan Green discusses the role of migration in development.
10 July 2012
UNRISD published a Research and Policy Brief 'The Politics of Domestic Resource Mobilization for Social Development' >>.
8-12 July 2012
The '2012 Joint World Conference on social Work and Social Development: Action and Impact' >> takes place in Stockholm.
5 July 2012
The World Economic and Social Survey 2012: In Search of New Development Finance >> was launched.
2 July 2012
The MDG Report 2012>> was released reporting broad progress. The Post2015.org >> website discusses what comes after the MDGs. A paper of the Centre for Global Development is 'MDGs 2.0: What Goals, Targets, and Timeframe?' >> . At the UNRISD website, there is a paper by Sakiko Fukuda-Parr 'Recapturing the Narrative of International Development' >> discussing the MDG framework.
31 June 2012
A new publication by the World Bank is 'Migration and Remittances during the Financial Crisis and Beyond' >>.
22 June 2012
The German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble announced >> efforts by a core group of EU countries to introduce a financial transaction tax. Apart from Germany, France, Italy and Spain were said to be behind the initiative. The revenues from such a tax should be used to wind down bad banks. Related opinions can be found at robinhoodtax.org >>.
21 June 2013
The UN GA established an intergovernmental committee of experts on sustainable development financing >>
20-22 June 2012
The Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development >> took place in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The outcome document is entitled 'The Future we want' >>. As part of the Rio+20 UN conference, the ILO together with UNEP and the IMF organised a meeting 'Decent Work and Social Protection Floors for Sustainable Development' >>. Trade Union activity is reported at the ITUC website >>. Background information can be found in GSP Digest 12.2 >.
Related activities and information can be found at UNRISD >>, UN DESA >> and at Duncan Green's blog >>. The Civil Society Reflection Group published a report 'No Future Without Justice' >>.
7 June 2012
UN DESA published an mid-2012 Update >> of its World Economic Situation and Prospects report, demanding that "countries need to shift away from self-defeating fiscal austerity and towards a renewed stimulus, which provides support to weak global demand.
31 May 2012
The UNHCR launched is flagship publication 'The State of the World's Refugees: In Search for Solidarity' >>.
21 May 2012
'Be Outraged' >>, an edited collection by an international group of economists and social scientists was published. It argues "that austerity is bad economics, bad arithmetic, and ignores the lessons of history." A discussion on the book is in Duncan Green's blog >>.
29 May 2013
A Special Meeting >> of ECOSOC on International Cooperation in Tax Matters took place at the UN Headquarters in New York.
7-8 May 2012
The Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics >> (ABCDE) took place at the World Bank in Washington, D.c. It's topic was 'Accountability and Transparency for Development'.
8 July 2013
The OECD launched 'Aid for Trade at a Glance' >>
1 April 2012
A World Bank working paper >> 'When do donors trust recipient country systems?' engages with the 2005 Paris Declaration on Effectiveness on Aid targets.


text:
Red Wolf - © Art Beyer
Wolf Working Group - The Wolf working group (formally the Wolf specialist group) is an international organisation of experts on wolves. With wolf conservation matters of internal significance, cooperation across the key geographic areas is paramount.The working group plays a key role in this by allowing for the joint planning of conservation programs, exchange of experiences, research and publications and an assembly of knowledgeable personnel across the globe. Photo: Gray wolfProjects
English: Red Wolf
Red Wolves exist only in a reintroduced population in eastern North Carolina, USA. The species was Extinct in the Wild by 1980, but was reintroduced by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1987 into eastern North Carolina. The total population within the reintroduction area is <150 (of which no more than 50 are mature individuals). Abundance outside the reintroduction area is unknown. Hybridization with Coyotes or Red Wolf x Coyote hybrids is the primary threat to the species' persistence in the wild.
Population trend:Increasing
Habitat and Ecology:
Very little is known about Red Wolf habitat because the species' range was severely reduced by the time scientific investigations began. Given their wide historical distribution, Red Wolves probably utilized a large suite of habitat types at one time. The last naturally occurring population utilized the coastal prairie marshes of south-west Louisiana and south-east Texas (Carley 1975; Shaw 1975). However, many agree that this environment probably does not typify preferred Red Wolf habitat. There is evidence that the species was found in highest numbers in the once extensive bottomland river forests and swamps of the south-east (Paradiso and Nowak 1971, 1972; Riley and McBride 1972). Red Wolves reintroduced into north-eastern North Carolina and their descendants have made extensive use of habitat types ranging from agricultural lands to pocosins. Pocosins are forest/wetland mosaics characterized by an overstory of loblolly and pond pine (Pinus taeda and Pinus serotina, respectively) and an understory of evergreen shrubs (Christensen et al. 1981). This suggests that Red Wolves are habitat generalists and can thrive in most settings where prey populations are adequate and persecution by humans is slight. The findings of Hahn (2002) seem to support this generalization in that low human density, wetland soil type, and distance from roads were the most important predictor of potential wolf habitat in eastern North Carolina.
Major Threats:
Hybridization with Coyotes or Red Wolf x Coyote hybrids is the primary threat to the species' persistence in the wild (Kelly et al. 1999). While hybridization with Coyotes was a factor in the Red Wolf's initial demise in the wild, it was not detected as a problem in north-eastern North Carolina until approximately 1992 (Phillips et al. 1995). Indeed, northeastern North Carolina was determined to be ideal for Red Wolf reintroductions because of a purported absence of coyotes (Parker 1986). However, during the 1990s, the Coyote population apparently became well established in the area (P. Sumner pers. comm.; USFWS, unpubl.).
It has been estimated that the Red Wolf population in North Carolina can sustain only one hybrid litter out of every 59 litters (1.7%) to maintain 90% of its genetic diversity for the next 100 years (Kelly et al. 1999). However, prior to learning of this acceptable introgression rate, the introgression rate noted in the reintroduced population was minimally 15% (Kelly et al. 1999) or approximately 900% more than the population can sustain to maintain 90% of its genetic diversity for 100 years. If such levels of hybridization continued beyond 1999, non-hybridized Red Wolves could disappear within 12–24 years (3–6 generations). An adaptive management plan designed to test whether hybridization can be reduced to acceptable levels was initiated in 1999 (Kelly 2000). Initial results from this plan suggest that the intensive management specified in the plan may be effective in reducing introgression rates to acceptable levels (B. Fazio pers. comm.).
In the absence of hybridization, recovery of the Red Wolf and subsequent removal of the species from the U.S. Endangered Species List is deemed possible. It is noteworthy that similar hybridization has been observed in the population of suspected Red Wolf-type wolves in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. If these wolves are ultimately shown to be Red Wolf-type wolves, this will enhance the conservation status of the species and nearly triple the known number of Red Wolf-type wolves surviving in the wild.
Human induced mortality (vehicles and gunshot) can be significant. However, the threat this mortality represents to the population is unclear. Most vehicle deaths occurred early in the reintroduction and were likely due to naive animals. Nonetheless, the overall impact of these mortality factors will depend on the proportion of the losses attributable to the breeding segment of the population (effective population (Ne) and what proportion of the overall population is lost due to these human factors (both N and Ne).
Conservation Actions:
The species is not included on the CITES Appendices. The Red Wolf is listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) (United States Public Law No. 93-205; United States Code Title 16 Section 1531 et seq.). The reintroduced animals and their progeny in north-eastern North Carolina are considered members of an experimental non-essential population. This designation was promulgated under Section 10(j) of the ESA and permits the USFWS to manage the population and promote recovery in a manner that is respectful of the needs and concerns of local citizens (Parker and Phillips 1991). Hunting of Red Wolves is prohibited by the ESA. To date, federal protection of the Red Wolf has been adequate to successfully reintroduce and promote recovery of the species in North Carolina.
The only free-ranging population of Red Wolves exists in north-eastern North Carolina in an area comprised of 60% private land and 40% public land. This area contains three national wildlife refuges (Alligator River NWR, Pocosin Lakes NWR, and Mattamuskeet NWR) which provide important protection to the wolves. Red Wolves or a very closely related taxon may also occupy Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada.
A very active recovery programme for the Red Wolf has been in existence since the mid-1970s (USFWS 1990; Phillips et al. 2003), with some measures from as early as the mid-1960s (USFWS, unpubl.). By 1976, a captive breeding programme was established using 17 animals captured in Texas and Louisiana (Carley 1975; USFWS 1990). Of these, 14 became the founders of the current captive breeding programme. In 1977, the first pups were born in the captive programme, and by 1985, the captive population had grown to 65 individuals in six zoological facilities (Parker 1986).
With the species reasonably secure in captivity, the USFWS began reintroducing Red Wolves at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in north-eastern North Carolina in 1987. As of September 2002, 102 animals have been released with a minimum of 281 descendants produced in the wild since 1987. As of September 2002, there is a minimum population of 66 wild Red Wolves in north-eastern North Carolina, with a total wild population believed to be at least 100 individuals. Likewise, at this same time, there is a minimum population of 17 hybrid canids present in north-eastern North Carolina. The 17 known hybrids are sterilized and radio-collared (USFWS, unpubl.).
During 1991 a second reintroduction project was initiated at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee (Lucash et al. 1999). Thirty-seven Red Wolves were released from 1992 to 1998. Of these, 26 either died or were recaptured after straying onto private lands outside the Park (Henry 1998). Moreover, only five of the 32 pups known to have been born in the wild survived but were removed from the wild during their first year (USFWS, unpubl.). Biologists suspect that disease, predation, malnutrition, and parasites contributed to the high rate of pup mortality (USFWS, unpubl.). Primarily because of the poor survival of wild-born offspring, the USFWS terminated the Tennessee restoration effort in 1998 (Henry 1998).
Occurrence in captivity: As of September 2002, there are approximately 175 Red Wolves in captivity at 33 facilities throughout the United States and Canada (USFWS, unpubl.). The purpose of the captive population is to safeguard the genetic integrity of the species and to provide animals for reintroduction. In addition, there are propagation projects on two small islands off the South Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the U.S. which, through reintroduction of known breeding individuals and capture of their offspring, provide wild-born pups for release into mainland reintroduction projects (USFWS 1990).


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Seattle Glassblowing Studio & Gallery
2227 5th Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 448-23181
The Seattle Glassblowing Studio & Gallery was formed in 1991 in homage to the glassblowing revival of the 1960s. Cliff Goodman, founder of the studio, apprenticed beneath Fritz Driesbach during the 1970s before attending the famous Pilchuck School. The studio itself functions in two separate capacities: one being a gallery for the designers and artists on staff and the other being a place of learning to teach glassblowing techniques to novices. Seattle Glassblowing Studio & Gallery is a must-see for anyone interested in the art of glassblowing.
Glasshouse Studio
311 Occidental Ave
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 682-9939
Glasshouse Studio is the oldest blown-glass studio in the Northwest. Founded in 1972, toward the beginning of the glassblowing movement, the Glasshouse Studio houses a talented team of artists that always strive to push the boundaries in their artwork. The studio holds regular demonstrations as well as weekly group tours. For a firsthand view of these pioneer glassblowers hard at work, check out Glasshouse Studio in Pioneer Square.
Related: Guide to Puget Sound Art Museums
Avalon Glassworks
2914 SW Avalon Way
Seattle, WA 98126
(206) 937-6369
Avalon Glassworks serves artists and customers alike by dividing up the attention between studio work, gallery and gift shop. Primarily focusing on home decor pieces, Avalon Glassworks has decades of hands-on experience. All of the work is uniquely contemporary and represents a one-of-a-kind piece. For art that fits all home types and sizes, stop by Avalon Glassworks to brighten up your day and home.
Blowing Sands
5805 14th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 783-5314
Owner David Smith has been a glassblower for over a quarter century and represents some of the finest craftsmanship in the Northwest. Serving as a staple to the Ballard's artistic community, Blowing Sands stands as testament to the artist's movement, but more specifically the glassblowing revival. David's studio mentors young glassblowers as well as commissions out for work on a regular basis. Stop by every second Saturday of the month to see Blowing Sands' newest galleries. This place is sure to leave you impressed.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
305 Harrison St
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 753-4940
On May 21st, 2012, world-renowned blown-glass artist Dale Chihuly opened the most extensive collection of his art ever assembled at the base of the Space Needle. In an effort to boost tourism and Space Needle intrigue, a 1.5-acre exhibition was built to showcase Chihuly's work through the ages. Many Seattleites and journalists were skeptical of the construction of the Chihuly Garden and Glass gallery, but as reviews trickle in, the word has been nearly unanimous: awe-inspiring.
Related: Best Casual Art Classes In Seattle
Head to CBS Seattle's Best Of pages for more local tips on family fun, shopping, nightlife, food, culture and more!
Anthony Schultz resides within the historic Brownes Addition of Spokane, WA. In his off time, Anthony enjoys copious amounts of reading, pages upon pages of scribbles, which he dubs his writings, and absorbing as much pop culture as humanly possible. His work can be found at Examiner.com.


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Müller, Johann Peter (1829-1907)
Johann Peter Müller, a Dutch Mennonite minister, was born at Amsterdam on 24 September 1829. He studied theology at the Mennonite Seminary in Amsterdam, served the congregations of Mensingeweer 1854-1857, Rotterdam 1857-1861, retired for reasons of health in 1861, then served at Zwartsluis 1867-1872, and Emden 1872-1904; then he retired. In 1869 he received the title of Doctor of Theology at the University of Leiden. He is the author of the books, Geschiedenis der ontwikkeling van het christologisch dogma in de Grieksche Kerk (his doctoral dissertation) and Die Mennoniten in Ostfriesland vom 16. zum 18. Jahrhundert, a work which was unfortunately not completed. The first part was published at Emden in 1887; the second part without place or date of publication. Müller also published Drei Predigten (Emden, n.d.-1890). He was influential in the formation of the Vereinigung (Conference of German Mennonite Churches), after an attempt to form such a union at Friedelsheim in 1874 had failed. Johann Peter Müller was married to M. Th. Rutgers of Baflo, Groningen; his son Paulus Müller (1863-1924) was director of a publishing house at Amsterdam. Johann Peter Müller died 25 March 1907.
Hege, Christian and Christian Neff. Mennonitisches Lexikon, 4 vols. Frankfurt & Weierhof: Hege; Karlsruhe: Schneider, 1913-1967: v. III, 179.
|Christian Neff
|Nanne van der Zijpp
|Date Published
Cite This Article
MLA style
Neff, Christian and Nanne van der Zijpp. "Müller, Johann Peter (1829-1907)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1957. Web. 28 Oct 2020. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=M%C3%BCller,_Johann_Peter_(1829-1907)&oldid=144449.
APA style
Neff, Christian and Nanne van der Zijpp. (1957). Müller, Johann Peter (1829-1907). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 28 October 2020, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=M%C3%BCller,_Johann_Peter_(1829-1907)&oldid=144449.
Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, p. 771. All rights reserved.
©1996-2020 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.


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That was Royal Canadian Air Farce from CBC in Canada. The sketch was based more upon Canadian Idol (host Ben Mulroney) than American Idol, but funny still...More clips at http://www.airfarce.com if you're interested.
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Development experts say Winsted needs to 'grow smarter'
WINSTED >> If Winsted is going to capitalize on its natural assets, the town is going to have to grow its economic base in a smarter fashion, according to community development advocates.
The vice presidents of Smart Growth America, Roger Millar and Bill Fulton, held an evening presentation Wednesday to touch on some of the issues impacting Winsted. Held in an available studio at Whiting Mills -- which Fulton described as "this underutilized and underperforming asset here in Winsted" -- the focus of the presentation was the importance of growing smarter, which would include an emphasis on building up downtown Winsted.
"Compact development is the best deal," stated Fulton in one of the presentation's slides.
One such example of the importance of building up Winsted's downtown corridor played out in Charlotte, N.C. The city studied its fire departments and how the city's development patterns impacted their response times, contrasting a fire station near downtown against a fire station in a more suburban region with numerous cul-de-sacs. The station closer to downtown Charlotte served five times as many residents, Fulton noted, but because of the denser population and tighter-knit infrastructure, the station's operating costs were just one-fifth of the more distant station.
Fulton, who was the mayor of Ventura, Calif., noted that in his experience, the town was able to change its perception from one worthy of lower-income businesses -- specifically a smattering of thrift stores -- into one which attracted more upscale businesses, but it was a gradual process. The last puzzle piece to fall into place was housing, and Fulton said the same situation would likely be the case in Winsted.
"The flywheel started turning," said Fulton, "But it took 25 years."
Millar concurred, citing his time working in Bozeman, Mont. Western Montana tended to spawn teachers who wanted to stay in the area, but could not afford to do so. These teachers, Fulton said, would move to Las Vegas for the higher wages, but moved back when they could afford to live in their rural hometowns.
"That was the last thing that came along," Millar said of housing in Bozeman. "But if we tried to build housing in every loft, it wouldn't have happened."
Attracting younger residents who would appreciate Winsted's assets is another key to building the tax base. A wave similar to Millar's experience happened to Fulton's hometown in upstate New York, which was a former mill town -- albeit one three times Winsted's size. Several of his friends moved to Los Angeles in the 1980s to work in the entertainment industry, but these people moved back to upstate New York to open restaurants and arts institutions.
"Folks of that cohort who might move back to a place like this might be more likely to do it because they're going to have children," said Fulton, adding that "you've got a lot of wonderful older houses that are relatively inexpensive that are walking distance to Main Street."
These affordable houses were not lost on Charlene LaVoie, who said that they could buy these historic houses already. However, the houses would be more important later on, as younger residents start families and need more space.
"Where do they go when they have kids?" LaVoie asked. "They're not going to stay living on Main Street in Winsted."
Another challenge that LaVoie noted was the town's perception. Considering its wealth of mills, Winsted could become another Great Barrington or Northampton, Mass., appealing to younger professionals. But while those towns grew organically into destinations, trends like the displacement of younger residents from more urban areas could spill over into Winsted. Fulton pointed towards an article in the New York Times on Feb. 17 addressing the exodus of hipsters from Brooklyn into the Hudson Valley.
"There's enough potential dislocation of that type to populate every little beautiful town within 100 miles of New York," said Fulton.
While Smart Growth America toured the town on Wednesday afternoon before holding the presentation, a larger workshop will take place on Thursday morning. The workshop begins at 9 a.m. with a discussion of small downtown revitalization strategies before moving on to a discussion of Winsted-specific issues and the creation of an action agenda.
Reach Jason Siedzik at (860) 489-3121, ext. 321 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RCjsiedzik.


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Contact Us
Tuesday, September 10, 2019 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
15 Church Street North
St.Marys, Ontario
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Adult & Older Adult
Mahjong, a tile-based game originating from China, is similar to the Western card game Rummy. It's a game of skill, strategy,
and calculation and involves a degree of chance. Join us for one, or all of the sessions. Feel free to drop in during the session times to see what it's all about and whether you'd like to join us.
No experience is necessary and we are happy and able to teach new players!
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Versatile and functional, the Tripp Trapp® Cushion adds both softness and personality. Available in a wide range of colours and patterns, selected designs are offered in a coated version for easy wipe. Best of all, it is compatible with all Tripp Trapp® chairs with or without the Tripp Trapp® Baby Set.
Easy Wipe Material, Cover 100% cotton, Filling 100% polyester
Product dimensions (length x height x width) in cm/in:
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Easy Wipe Material, Cover 100% cotton, Filling 100% polyester
Machine washable up to 40°C


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March 16, 2009
Editor's note: Translation, there will be a false flag attack under Obama's reign.
US President Barack Obama's decisions against Bush's "war on terror" policies would cause another 9/11, says former vice president Dick Cheney.
"President Obama campaigned against it all across the country," Cheney told CNN on Sunday.
"And now he is making some choices that in my mind will, in fact, raise the risk to the American people of another attack," he added.
[efoods]When asked if he believes Obama has made the nation less safe through his reversal of certain Bush administration anti-terror policies, Cheney said, "I do."
Meanwhile, Cheney criticized the new administration's decision for shutting down the Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, closing CIA "Black Sites" abroad, and defining waterboarding as torture.
"I think those programs were absolutely essential to the success we enjoyed of being able to collect the intelligence that let us defeat all further attempts to launch attacks against the United States since 9/11," Cheney said.
"I think that's a great success story. It was done legally. It was done in accordance with our constitutional practices and principles," he noted.
Former US president George W. Bush invaded mineral-rich Afghanistan and oil-rich Iraq after September, 11 attacks in the United States in 2001 to allegedly destroy Al Qaeda and Taliban. Hundreds of thousands of civilian lives have been lost in the military adventures.
The former vice President also brought some reasons for his claims against the young administration of Obama.
"When you go back to the law enforcement mode, which is what I sense is what they're doing they're very much giving up that center of attention and focus … that's essential if you're going to successfully defend the nation against further attacks," Cheney said.
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CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The skirl of their pipes had barely receded before two New Hampshire teenagers learned a hard lesson in cross-border musical diplomacy: If your bagpipes have ivory in them, leave them at home before traveling to Canada or risk having them seized at the border.
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The skirl of their pipes had barely receded before two New Hampshire teenagers learned a hard lesson in cross-border musical diplomacy: If your bagpipes have ivory in them, leave them at home before traveling to Canada or risk having them seized at the border.
Campbell Webster of Concord and his friend Eryk Bean of Londonderry were returning from Canada on Sunday after a bagpipe competition that served as a tuneup for the world championships in Glasgow, Scotland. The 17-year-olds, fresh off winning several top prizes in Canada, got to a small border crossing in Vermont when they were told they'd have to relinquish their pipes because they contain ivory.
The U.S. prohibits importing ivory taken after 1976. Even though the boys had certificates showing their ivory is older — Campbell's pipes date to 1936 — U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized the pipes in Highgate Springs, Vermont. Well, not all of them: The boys took every other part possibly and left the ivory with the Border Patrol so nobody else could make a full set out of the parts.
"This has been an awful headache," said Lezlie Webster, Campbell's mother. "At one point at the Canadian border, they said, 'no way are we going to get our pipes back.'"
After contacting New Hampshire's congressional delegation and getting more than 3,000 signatures on an online petition, the boys are getting their pipes back and were set to fly from Boston to Scotland on Tuesday. But the hassle is lingering like a sour note: Lezlie Webster said the boys had to shell out $576 in extra fees because they took the pipes across the border at a "non-designated crossing."
"It feels really, really silly," she said.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not immediately return a call Tuesday seeking comment.
Campbell has been playing the bagpipes for 13 years and this particular set belonged to his father, Gordon Webster, who was the 9th Sovereign Piper to her Majesty the Queen of England Elizabeth II. In other words, he wasn't playing "Amazing Grace" at the firemen's parade.
"I've been playing these certain pipes since around October of last year after he stopped," Campbell said. "His health went downhill. He gifted me those pipes and I've been keeping them going since then. You're judged on your pipes. And you can't find bagpipes like these anymore. They don't make them like this anymore."
There was a bright side: The change.org petition got hits from all over the world, and bagpipe makers and other musicians offered the boys the use of their instruments at the World Pipe Band Championships on Aug. 15-16 if necessary.
"Right now, I'm just trying to put it all behind me and thinking about how well this whole Scotland trip is going to go now that my friend and I have the pipes that we need," Campbell said.


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Connecticut Supreme Court rules medical board's discussion violated FOI law
HARTFORD >> The state Medical Examining Board held an illegal secret meeting in 2009 as it was being asked to decide whether it was ethical for doctors to take part in lethal injection executions, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled Monday.
The court unanimously upheld decisions by a lower court and the state Freedom of Information Commission, which both ruled that the board's executive session violated state law on public meetings and ordered the board to comply with the law in the future.
The board had argued the executive session was legal under an exemption for meetings about strategy and negotiations related to pending claims or litigation. It appealed both the FOI commission's decision and a Superior Court judge's ruling in favor of the commission.
The state attorney general's office, which represented the Examining Board, and lawyers for the Freedom of Information Commission were reviewing the ruling and had no immediate comment Monday.
At the time of the executive session, state public defenders and two death row inmates were asking the board for a formal ruling on whether it was ethical for doctors in the state to take part in lethal executions and whether they should face discipline for doing so. After the private session, the board decided to not issue a formal ruling.
Before the meeting, the public defenders sent a letter to state Assistant Attorney General Thomas Ring, questioning whether there was a conflict of interest in his representing both the Medical Examining Board and the state Department of Public Health, which oversees the board.
The public defenders said if the board decided that doctors shouldn't take part in lethal injections, such a ruling would call into question the participation of the then-Public Health Department commissioner, Dr. Robert Galvin, in the 2005 execution of serial killer Michael Ross, who was the first person executed in New England in four decades.
The public defenders said it may be a conflict of interest for the attorney general's office to advise the Medical Examining Board on whether it was ethical for doctors to take part in lethal injections, while the office would potentially represent Galvin on any claims against him related to the Ross execution. The public defenders suggested the board hire an outside attorney.
The Medical Examining Board went into the executive session to discuss the public defenders' concerns, citing the legal exemption allowing private discussions about strategy and negotiations involving pending legal claims or pending litigation.
The Supreme Court ruled there were no such pending claims or litigation. Justice Peter Zarella, who wrote the decision, noted that a Superior Court judge had called the board's justification for the executive session unreasonable.


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Relationship Experts' Book Explores "Singlehood Phenomenon"
- Jenni Parker AgapePress
- 2007 13 Feb
Author(s): Drs. Beverly and Tom Rodgers
Title: "The Singlehood Phenomenon"
Publisher: NavPress
The husband and wife authors of a new book on single life and attitudes believe a negative stigma about marriage is partly to blame for the way that institution is under attack in contemporary U.S. society. America currently has the oldest and largest population of singles in the nation's history, the couple notes, and their recently published book explores the top ten reasons why many people are not getting married.
Doctors Beverly and Tom Rodgers are the founders of Rodgers Christian Counseling in Charlotte, North Carolina, and members of the American Association of Christian Counselors and Certified Imago Relationship Therapists. The two have been relationship counselors for the past 26 years, working with individuals, couples, and families.
The Rodgerses are also the authors of a number of books on relationship, including "Soul Healing Love: Ten Practical, Easy To Learn Techniques for Couples in Crisis"; "How to Find Mr. or Ms. Right: A Practical Guide to Finding a Soul Mate"; "Adult Children of Divorced Parents: Making Your Marriage Work"; and their latest release, "The Singlehood Phenomenon: 10 Brutally Honest Reasons People Aren't Getting Married" (NavPress, 2006).
Dr. Beverly Rodgers says "The Singlehood Phenomenon" was written partly "to uncover unconscious beliefs, unhealthy behaviors, and toxic relationship patterns that can hinder one's ability to have healthy relationships," and partly "to educate the culture on the positive notion of marriage." The authors sought to integrate biblical and psychological principles to help people look at past hurts and determine how these may have affected them as adults, she explains.
Dr. Tom Rodgers says the fear of marriage is very prevalent in contemporary culture, whether it is a byproduct of the culture or a basic part of it. "We've also become very self-focused as a culture," he observes, "and I think we've created a kind of narcissism in our culture that just feeds these fears in a way, because we become ultra-self-focused rather than focusing on relationship."
This cultural trend goes against the heart's essential design, the therapist continues. "I think we are hard-wired by God for relationship, with Him first and then with one another at all levels," he says. "But this kind of narcissism that's fed by our culture [is oriented toward] instant gratification and instant access, so we're kind of overindulging ourselves even as we're pushing farther and farther away from relationship."
The ultimate goal of "The Singlehood Phenomenon," Mrs. Rodgers says, is to help each unmarried person become "the healthiest, happiest, single person possible while overcoming the fear of marriage and the reasons that keep people single." Among the most common reasons the authors cite why contemporary singles stay unmarried are skepticism about love and marriage, lack of faith in God's provision, unresolved issues from the past, fear of getting hurt, and perfectionism.
Also, the Rodgerses note that many singles are confused about "the rules" and feel they do not know how to date or how to be in a relationship. Others, the authors suggest, may have a poor understanding of the purpose of marriage or an unbalanced emphasis on their career. And many, the Christian relationship counselors add, are simply concerned that their marriages will fail -- and rather than risk being in a bad marital relationship or ending up divorced, they simply avoid marriage altogether.
"We now have the oldest and the largest singles population in our history," Dr. Beverly Rodgers points out, "and we suspected that as singles would come into our workshops and our counseling office over the years." She and her husband would hear many single clients expressing their confusion and frustration over the dating process or lamenting that "they'd much rather go to work than have to deal with the possibility of a broken heart ways in a relationship.
"We've heard this hundreds of times: 'I'm very successful at work; why can't I be successful at love? I've given up,'" the relationship expert says. "Hearing this over and over and then beginning to look at the demographics and seeing that it was borne out in the entire culture," she explains, "we said we need to write something to that, to speak to the disappearance of matrimony in our culture and the lack of belief by Christians in matrimony, as borne out by the fact that they are not marrying."
Lest anyone become defensive, the authors of "The Singlehood Phenomenon" hasten to say that there is nothing wrong with being single. "We invite singles to enjoy that time in their life tremendously," Dr. Beverly Rodgers says, "as it's an awesome opportunity, not only to do some wonderful traveling and things, but to serve the Lord in ways that you can't serve the Lord when you're married with a family.
"But if what is keeping you single is steeped in fear – and the top ten reasons are all based on fear – then fear is not of God," the counselor observes, "and you then are single because you're afraid ... fear is guiding you." And since the Lord is not the author of fear, she says, "that's when you need to begin to ask the deeper questions."
Some people, after asking those questions and addressing their fears, do discover that they find singlehood enjoyable and fulfilling, Dr. Beverly Rodgers acknowledges. But for the majority, she says, "once they read the reasons, look at the material, and begin to do the work that God has them do, they'll say, 'I want to surrender my life to the Lord and ask Him to help me find a life mate.' And they do."
© 2007 AgapePress. All rights reserved. Used with permission.


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United Kingdom
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Click on the links to visit the recommended websites or scroll down to hear how to say Greek names.
Websites to visit
Website 1
Find out about life in Ancient Greece. (Click on a topic for facts, interactive pictures and video clips. Videos may not work where you are due to BBC copyright restrictions.)
Website 2
Explore a timeline of Ancient Greece then decorate a Greek pot. (Click on "Ancient Greece".)
Website 3
See an ancient Greek pot with a picture of Odysseus (Ulysses) escaping from the Cyclops
Website 4
Find out about the twelve Greek gods. (Click on a god for information.)
Website 5
An Ancient Greek costume and Greek vase to make at home.
Website 6
Print out and shade in pictures of ancient Greeks. (Scroll down to "Greeks and Romans" and move your mouse over the pictures to see labels.)
Click on the arrow buttons to listen to the names.
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Young Reading Series 2
The Amazing Adventures of Ulysses
Heather Amery was born and brought up in Bath, Somerset. Heather has written over a hundred books for children, including alphabet books, science and history books, craft books, classical fairy tales, a series for beginner readers called Farmyard Tales, Bible stories, and Greek Myths. She has also compiled word books, song books, and books of poetry.
Great retelling
It's the best retelling of the Odyssey that I've come across in a long time, and that's including adult versions. It's the clarity of the narrative that really stands out.
Harriet Albert, 5th April 2008
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This is the final article in a series about developing cross-platform plugins in C++. In previous articles -- Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 -- I examined the difficulties of working with C++ plugins in portable way.
In this installment, I cover the missing pieces of the sample game introduced in Part 4 and give a demonstration. I also take a quick tour of the source code that accompanies this series, tell a few good stories (it's about time), and finally compare the plugin framework to the NuPIC (Numenta's Platform for Intelligent Computing) plugin framework, which is its conceptual ancestor. But first, let's take a look at some monster plugins that will be loaded into the game.
Monster Plugins
I created four different plugins to demonstrate the scope and diversity of the plugin framework.
- A pure C++ plugin
- A pure C plugin
- A hybrid plugin deployed as dynamic/shared libraries
- One static C++ plugin that should be linked directly to the executable.
All these plugins register their monsters with the PluginManager as actors. In addition, the game itself implements the Hero as an object that implements the IActor interface and large parts of the code that work at the IActor interface don't (and can't distinguish) between the game-supplied Hero and any monster. The game could also provide some built-in monsters.
Dynamic C++ Plugins
The dynamic C++ plugin registers the KillerBunny and StationarySatan monsters. Listing One is the KillerBunny.h header where the KillerBunny class is defined. KillerBunny is derived directly from the C++ IActor interface (which makes it a pure C++ plugin). It implements the create() and destroy() static functions to support creation and destruction via the PluginManager. The StationarySatan and any other pure C++ plugin object should look exactly the same (except for private members if any).
#ifndef KILLER_BUNNY_H #define KILLER_BUNNY_H #include <object_model/object_model.h> struct PF_ObjectParams; class KillerBunny : public IActor { public: // static plugin interface static void * create(PF_ObjectParams *); static apr_int32_t destroy(void *); ~KillerBunny(); // IActor methods virtual void getInitialInfo(ActorInfo * info); virtual void play(ITurn * turnInfo); private: KillerBunny(); }; #endif
Example 1 contains the implementation of create() and destroy(). They are almost trivial. The create() function simply instantiates a new KillerBunny object and returns it (as opaque void pointer). The destroy() function accepts a void pointer, which is actually a pointer to an instance created earlier using the create() function. It casts the void pointer to a KillerBunny pointer and deletes it. The important part here is that these functions let the PluginManager create KillerBunny objects without "knowing" anything about the KillerBunny class. The returned instance is usable via the IActor interface later (even though it is returned as a void pointer).
void * KillerBunny::create(PF_ObjectParams *) { return new KillerBunny(); } apr_int32_t KillerBunny::destroy(void * p) { if (!p) return -1; delete (KillerBunny *)p; return 0; }
Example 2 contains the implementation of the IActor interface methods. These methods are trivial too. The getInitialInfo() method simply populates the ActorInfo struct with some data. The play() method is where a real KillerBunny will do the actual work, run around, avoid or attack enemies, and generally justify its name. Here, it just gets the list of friends from the ITurn interface to verify it works. This is just laziness on my part, and in fact all the monsters don't do anything. The Hero is the only one actually fighting. The monsters do defend themselves when attacked and even retaliate.
void KillerBunny::getInitialInfo(ActorInfo * info) { ::strcpy((char *)info->name, "KillerBunny"); info->attack = 10; info->damage = 3; info->defense = 8; info->health = 20; info->movement = 2; // Irrelevant. Will be assigned by system later info->id = 0; info->location_x = 0; info->location_y = 0; } void KillerBunny::play(ITurn * turnInfo) { IActorInfoIterator * friends = turnInfo->getFriends(); }
The main point here is that writing pure C++ plugin objects is pretty easy. Other than the boilerplate create() and destroy() static methods, you just implement a standard C++ class. No arcane incantations are required.
Listing Two contains the plugin initialization code. It's not too bad, but it's boring and error prone: Define an exit function, in the PF_initPlugin function, define a PF_RegisterParams struct, populate it, and register every plugin object. Make sure you return NULL if initialization failed. Less than exhilarating. That's all it takes to write a pure C++ monster plugin (with two monsters).
#include "cpp_plugin.h" #include "plugin_framework/plugin.h" #include "KillerBunny.h" #include "StationarySatan.h" extern "C" PLUGIN_API apr_int32_t ExitFunc() { return 0; } extern "C" PLUGIN_API PF_ExitFunc PF_initPlugin(const PF_PlatformServices * params) { int res = 0; PF_RegisterParams rp; rp.version.major = 1; rp.version.minor = 0; rp.programmingLanguage = PF_ProgrammingLanguage_CPP; // Register KillerBunny rp.createFunc = KillerBunny::create; rp.destroyFunc = KillerBunny::destroy; res = params->registerObject((const apr_byte_t *)"KillerBunny", &rp); if (res < 0) return NULL; // Regiater StationarySatan rp.createFunc = StationarySatan::create; rp.destroyFunc = StationarySatan::destroy; res = params->registerObject((const apr_byte_t *)"StationarySatan", &rp); if (res < 0) return NULL; return ExitFunc; }


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(A games column for the curious, not the hardcore)
Unless you have been living under a particularly large rock right at the centre of an enormous desert, on a planet several light-years beyond humanity's reach – there or thereabouts, anyway – you've heard all about L.A. Noire. The latest game-changer from Rockstar, developed alongside Australian indie Team Bondi, looks to do for 1940s detective stories what their previous title, Red Dead Redemption, did for Wild West folklore. In many respects the game is a success: it looks beautiful (better on the PlayStation 3 than Xbox 360, but the Microsoft machine still delivers), the dialogue crackles with fine performances, and the much-mentioned MotionScan technology captures the actors' faces like no game has before, leading to some truly enthralling moments across the title's 20 hours or so of play time. But while L.A. Noire is a massive step forwards in terms of closing the gap between game and film, by prioritising its forking narrative it does skimp on some gameplay refinements – the shooting isn't as intense as instances of gun battles were in either Red Dead or Grand Theft Auto IV, and whatever vehicle the player decides to take out for a spin through the Los Angeles of 1947, you rarely feel that much of a difference between wheels. With the exception of that hidden camper. Useful... or not.
L.A. Noire might seem to be a shoo-in for game of the year, before we're even halfway through 2011, if much of the (admittedly non-gaming) press is to be believed. But while it's very much the release of the moment, don't overlook some crackers to have emerged in the last six months. Portal 2 is one of the finest puzzle games ever, a vast improvement on its predecessor which will make you laugh and cry in roughly equal amounts, the former through the highly amusing script, the latter through some fiendishly complicated conundrums. Be warned, though: it's on the short side, so look for a money-off deal before parting with your cash. Crysis 2, the sequel to the PC-only title of 2007, is a fine-looking alien-invasion first-person shooter that stands out in a crowded market by actually giving the solo-player campaign some real substance. Some of its set-pieces are among the best seen in any video game, and even on the 360 it looks gorgeous. It plays with cliché, but is absorbing enough to never have the player doubting the abilities and responsibilities of its protagonist. Finally, the new Mortal Kombat is brilliantly brutal – hard to master but effortless to pick up for some multi-player fun after a couple of beers.
This month, what with L.A. Noire topping sales charts, it's a good time to look at some of Rockstar's less-widely-celebrated releases – those without large-scale sandbox worlds to explore and kill people within.
Back in 1999, they handled Earthworm Jim 3D for the Nintendo 64. Given the success of previous titles featuring the spacesuit-rocking lumbricus, you'd have thought a Mario 64-styled take on the character's adventures would be a sure-fire hit. Oops. A prolonged gestation saw the game switch between several publishers, so come Rockstar's involvement the emphasis was on rush-release rather than further development. The results: unspectacular.
But it's one of very few duff notes in the company's continuing victory march. In 2001, Rockstar worked on the PlayStation2 version of Oni, a near-future-set hack-and-shoot-em-up which took several cues from the anime movie Ghost in the Shell. It went down a storm with gamers who embraced both the hand-to-hand combat aspects and the arsenal-acquiring shooting side of the release. Their arcade-style racers of the Midnight Run series offer high-speed thrills comparable to the Burnout games.
Finally, two games that certainly utilise similar mechanics to the 3D GTA series: Bully and The Warriors. The former is a very enjoyable action/adventure game set in a fictional boarding school. Controversial at the time – OMG, you can kiss guys, as a guy! – it's aged fairly decently since its 2006 release on the PS2 (an expanded version appeared for the 360 and PC two years later). The Warriors, meanwhile, serves as a companion piece to the cult 1979 flick of the same name. Released in 2005 for the PS2, it's fairly linear, but faithful to the atmosphere of the movie – that the player can control more than one member of the gang is a bonus, as is the fine soundtrack, with many tracks carried over from the film. All together: Can... you... DIG... IT?
Next month: a retro section that doesn't mention anything to do with Rockstar, promise.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to a slight delay in bringing you this first installment of Savage Pixels, I can mention a certain E3 Expo which kicks off in Los Angeles on July 7. Expected to show face this year: Nintendo, with a brand-new home console (Project Café? Let's hope that working name soon becomes something with a little more zing to it) as well as Mario for the 3DS; a wealth of pants-wetting Silent Hill goodness for the PS3 and 360; EA sports excellence in the shapes of FIFA 12 (guess they'll have to ditch their promo shots with Kaka in a Real top) and Madden 12; and the small matter of Capcom's Street Fighter and Tekken mash-up. Further big titles due for a wheeling out: BioShock Infinite (expected in 2012 but, as a big BioShock fan, already on my horizon as one to be very excited for), the almost-out-already Saints Row, The Third (sandbox carnage with a cackle), and the new-look Tomb Raider, something of a reboot for the series that looks genuinely incredible. Just check the trailer below (Okay, it's all pre-rendered, like the first Arkham City trailer... but still, a definite 'maturing' of what was previously a kid-friendly franchise).
Find the official E3 website here. And now, onto other bits and bobs...
Bad news, fans of sci-fi RPG shooters-with-speaking: Mass Effect 3 has shifted from a quarter 4 release date to early 2012. Word is that the teaser trailer, featuring the Reapers (big, old, violent, squid-shaped) attacking London, isn't representative of what will appear in the game itself. In other words: no scaling the Gherkin to bat a Geth out of a 20th floor window. Batman: Arkham City isn't moving beyond Christmas, though, so good boys and girls can look forward to finding it in their stocking this year. The sequel to Arkham Asylum (see the game ending section, below), it's another stealthy beat-em-up with puzzle aspects – let's hope it's better at encouraging the player to turn Detective Mode off for a few minutes per hour. The summer (late August, at the moment) sees the long-awaited arrival of Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Developed by Eidos Montreal and published by Square Enix, the cyberpunk-styled action RPG has been setting pulses racing ever since its first trailers emerged. But trailers can be misleading, and all too often gameplay doesn't live up to pre-release promise - ahem Brink, ahem. Fingers crossed that the game's near-future (2027) real-world (Shanghai and Detroit are among the locations the player will visit) setting will lead to an enveloping experience.
Looking at June, the end of the month sees the Nintendo 3DS version of Ocarina of Time hit stores, the 1998 title given a three-dimensional makeover for the new handheld. Just keep the sick bag close by. PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 title Red Faction: Armageddon is a third-person shooter which will look to steal a little thunder away from the forthcoming titan of such releases, the new Modern Warfare (not out 'til November). Operating on a similar level of carnage, but more than likely with more laughs, is Duke Nukem Forever, out on June 10. The game's development began in 1997, so no pressure, guys.
No games column would be complete right now without a mention of Dead Island, so: here's the much-discussed, much-viewed and faintly controversial trailer for the zombies-on-a-tropical-island title, due out on December 31. It's not exactly 'incoming', but worth a look if you're one of... oooh, eight gamers in the world yet to take a peek. (You may need a YouTube account to verify your age for this one.)
For no reason whatsoever, other than lists are cool. Sometimes. This month: The top five comebacks when sword-fighting in The Secret Of Monkey Island (Lucasarts, 1990). And why not...
1 Your haemorrhoids are flaring up again, eh?
2 So you got that job as janitor after all?
3 First, you'd better stop waving it like a feather duster.
4 I hope now you've learned to stop picking your nose.
5 How appropriate, you fight like a cow.
Contains spoilers, obviously. This month, given that Batman: Arkham City is likely to be one of the biggest (and best, he says) games of the final quarter of 2011, here's the ending (well, one of them – three are possible) of the first game in the current-gen series of the Caped Crusader's videogame adventures, Arkham Asylum (Eidos/Warner Bros/Rocksteady, 2009). Features a stupidly pumped-up Joker, full of the Titan formula. The bigger they are, and all that...


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NEA Report Urges Action To Address Educational Disparities
Status of Blacks in Education outlines strategies for change
WASHINGTON - February 07, 2008 -
NEA today released A Report on the Status of Blacks in Education—Moving Beyond Barriers: Strategies for Black Student Success in the 21st Century, a clarion call for the country to come together, move beyond political rhetoric and address the critical issues facing poor and minority students.
During Black History Month, the National Education Association and its 3.2 million members are issuing a specific challenge to community members and political leaders to implement solid strategies that will end the education disparities that exist for far too many children in urban and rural schools across the country.
"More than 50 years after Brown v. Board of Education, millions of Black students still attend inferior schools—public schools with too many students per class, schools with inexperienced and overwhelmed teachers, schools with outdated texts and technologies," said NEA President Reg Weaver. "It is time for all people who care about our children and young people to stop saying, 'Somebody ought to do something,' and do something."
The fourth in a series of reports, the Status of Blacks in Education is a culmination of the work and recommendations of a cross-spectrum of people who met during a day-long summit in June 2007 in Atlanta, Ga. As convener of the summit, NEA sought to bring together over 100 key leaders from academia, community and industry, along with Association members, to address top issues facing today's Black students and young people.
Through a series of moderated discussions, summit participants, invited special guests – including the NAACP, the National Urban League and 100 Black Men of America – and a panel of experts worked to outline policy recommendations and practical strategies for closing the gaps in student achievement, educating Black males and addressing the high school dropout crisis. This report draws on the presentations, discussions and resources from the summit, as well as available research about each topic.
Beginning in February and throughout the year, NEA will be meeting with its national partners and members to continue the public conversation begun in June 2007 and implement many of the recommendations outlined in the report.
"Everyone agrees that a quality education is absolutely vital for a child today to have a fair chance to succeed in life—and yet nearly 50 percent of Black students drop out of school before finishing high school," said Weaver. "What hope does a young person have in today's high-tech society without even a high school diploma? Educators, community and church leaders, parents—we all have to step up and speak out."
A Report on the Status of Blacks in Education is available online at http://www.nea.org/achievement/images/statusofblacks.pdf
The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.
Contact: Michelle Hudgins (202) 822-7823


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Brad Pitt skips film premiere to focus on 'family situation'
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Brad Pitt is skipping his first public appearance after last week's split with Angelina Jolie Pitt. He says he won't attend the premiere of Terrence Malick's new documentary Wednesday night as scheduled.
Pitt, who narrates "Voyage of Time," said in a statement Wednesday that he's grateful to have been part of the project, but is "currently focused on my family situation and don't want to distract attention away from this extraordinary film."
Pitt has yet to file a response in the divorce case. Jolie Pitt cited irreconcilable differences in her Sept. 20 filing to end their two-year marriage, and she is seeking sole custody of the couple's six children.
The FBI says it's continuing to evaluate whether to investigate Pitt's reported involvement in a fight aboard a private jet carrying his family on Sept. 14. The incident led to allegations that Pitt was abusive to his 15-year-old son, and several media outlets have also reported the actor is under investigation by a child welfare agency.
The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services will not say whether it is investigating the incident.
Jolie Pitt's divorce filing lists the day after the flight as when the couple separated. Her lawyer said the actress decided to divorce "for the health of the family."
Pitt's next film after "Voyage of Time" is Robert Zemeckis' World War II drama "Allied," set for release in November.


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First pilot project scheduled for a campus transit bus in 2012.
Come next year, students, faculty and staff at the University of Utah may be riding on what officials are touting as the first electric-powered, fully wireless rechargeable transit bus.
Researchers at Utah State University's Energy Dynamics Laboratory (EDL) say they have perfected "wireless power transfer technology" featuring charging pads embedded in concrete. Through magnetic fields, enough power is transferred to a vehicle so it can operate over a predetermined course. In this case, it'll be a two-mile campus bus route.
Hunter Wu, principal investigator and research scientist with the EDL, hopes the project is another move toward a viable form of non-fossil fuel power for vehicles. He explained that over the past year, he and his team have developed a 5 kilowatt system that can transfer power over 10 inches of air gap — any sort of space, including through concrete — at an efficiency rate of 90 percent.
For the University of Utah bus demonstration, 50 kilowatts of power and multiple charging pads are needed, as is the ability to transmit the power over a foot of space to reach a bus chassis. So the system is being tweaked to improve the transfer ceiling and include more powerful pads capable of recharging the bus at a rate of approximately five minutes for every 10 minutes of operation.
Wu said while his team's research has demonstrated that the technology can last for more than 20 years, the goal is to extend it to 50 years, so once the pads are embedded, you don't have to worry about them.
"It's the challenge of making things reliable," Wu said. "Although our lab prototype is reliable every time we turn it on, it's not really designed as a consumer product. It doesn't have the nuts and bolts inside to make it long-life."
To bring the wireless power transfer technology to the masses, a new startup, WAVE Technologies Inc., spun-off from EDL earlier this year. The company has an exclusive license to commercialize the product, and deploying it at the University of Utah is the first step in that plan.
So why is a technology developed at Utah State being demonstrated at the University of Utah, a rival school? Eric Warren, director of public relations for the Utah State University Research Foundation, explained that the decision was mostly due to maximizing exposure.
Utah State is located in Logan; the University of Utah is in Salt Lake City. Choosing a location for the bus route came down to where the bus would be used heavily and receive the most attention.
James May, vice president of business development and program management for WAVE Technologies, said the University of Utah had a new transit route in mind that would take the bus through the center of campus, which he believed would serve as an effective showcase for the technology.
Previously, University of Utah officials didn't want a bus route in the area, primarily due to an objection over diesel buses traveling through the heart of campus. There's much less opposition from deans and students over emissions from a rechargeable bus.
The goal is to market the technology, which includes retrofitted buses and the pads, to transit authorities nationwide.
"Transit agencies are really paying attention to this stuff and … are really interested in technology solutions that enable them to operate no emissions or low emissions vehicles," May explained. "The problem is they are extremely expensive to do right now. What we are doing is allowing transit agencies to run electric vehicles without that extremely high electric vehicle price tag."
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Palm Springs International Film Festival Unveils 2013 Winners
The 24th Palm Springs International Film Festival capped off its 12-day event Sunday at a local restaurant naming this year's winners. The occasion celebrated some of the fest's 182 films in a setting that contrasts from its glittering awards show that the festival bills as a launching point to Awards Season. That event saw the likes of Ben Affleck, Sally Field, Jessica Chastain, Richard Gere, Naomi Watts, Bradley Cooper, Helen Mirren and more being honored by some of the festival's well-heeled members.
more »


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The Senate passed a bill today allowing indefinite detention of American citizens living within the U.S.
While some have claimed that this is incorrect, and that American citizens would be exempted from the indefinite detention within U.S. borders authorized by the Act, the Committee chairman who co-sponsored the bill – Carl Levin – stated today in Senate debate that it could apply to American citizens.
Levin cited the Supreme Court case of Hamdi which ruled that American citizens can be treated as enemy combatants:
"The Supreme Court has recently ruled there is no bar to the United States holding one of its own citizens as an enemy combatant," said Levin. "This is the Supreme Court speaking."
Under questioning from Rand Paul, co-sponsor John McCain said that Americans suspected of terrorism could be sent to Guantanamo.
You can hear the statements from Levin and McCain on today's broadcast of KFPA's Letters and Politics.
As Raw Story notes:
The provision would authorize the military to indefinitely detain individuals — including U.S. citizens — without charge or trial.
"If these provisions pass, we could see American citizens being sent to Guantanamo Bay," Rand said in the video. "This should be alarming to everyone watching this proceeding today. Because it puts every single American citizen at risk."
"There is one thing and one thing only protecting innocent Americans from being detained at will at the hands of a too-powerful state — our Constitution, and the checks we put on government power," he continued. "Should we err today and remove some of the most important checks on state power in the name of fighting terrorism, well, then the terrorists have won."
"Detaining citizens without a court trial is not American. In fact, this alarming arbitrary power is reminiscent of Egypt's 'permanent' Emergency Law authorizing preventive indefinite detention, a law that provoked ordinary Egyptians to tear their country apart last spring and risk their lives to fight."
The debate is also being streamed live on CSpan-2.
While passage of the bill would make the Founding Fathers roll in their grave, it might not change that much. As former constitutional lawyer Glenn Greenwald notes:
With very few exceptions, the McCain-Levin bill, awful though it is, doesn't create any powers beyond what the O Admin thinks it now has.
Indeed, the U.S. has been a de facto police state for many years.
The same Senate is now considering a bill to repeal the prohibitions against torture:
The ACLU and over 30 other organizations sent a letter to the Senate asking them to oppose an effort in Congress that threatens to revive the use of torture and other inhumane interrogation techniques. If passed, an amendment introduced by Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) to the Defense Authorization bill would roll back torture prevention measures that Congress overwhelmingly approved in the 2005 McCain Anti-Torture Amendment, as well as a 2009 Executive Order on ensuring lawful interrogations. It would also require the administration to create a secret list of approved interrogation techniques in a classified annex to the existing interrogation field manual.
In a related development, republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann renewed her attack on the prohibition of waterboarding and other forms of torture ….
Glenn Greenwald pointed out last week:
Andrew Sullivan … today noted that the U.S. under Obama imposes even less accountability for abuse of power and war crimes than does Bahrain:
Bahrain's Sunni government promised "no immunity" for anyone suspected of abuses and said it would propose creating a permanent human rights watchdog commission. "All those who have broken the law or ignored lawful orders and instructions will be held accountable," said a government statement, which says the report acknowledges that the "systematic practice of mistreatment" ended shortly after martial law was repealed on June 1.
As Andrew put it: "So a Middle East dictatorship has more democratic accountability for abuse of power, including torture, than the US under Obama." Beyond things like this and the facts set forth in the last paragraph here, perhaps Andrew could use today's post of his to help clear up the towering mystery he raised yesterday of liberal disenchantment with Obama. That American war criminals are being aggressively shielded from any and all accountability is not an ancillary matter but one of enduring historical significance.
That's okay, though, because – according to top military, intelligence and civilian experts on interrogation – torture:
(1) Doesn't produce actionable intelligence
(2) Reduces national security
(3) Creates more terrorists
(4) And is only useful for:
(A) Producing false confessions; and
(B) As a way of terrorizing the population