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Bellegarde email urges MPs to support bill on UN Indigenous rights declaration
APTN National News OTTAWA—Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde wrote an email to MP’s urging them to support Cree NDP MP Romeo Saganash’s private members bill to have UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People apply to new federal laws.Bellegarde sent the email to MPs across party lines Tuesday urging them to support Bill C-641 during Wednesday’s House of Commons second reading vote.If the bill fails to get enough votes it won’t go to committee for hearings and study.“Statements that the declaration is incompatible with Canada’s constitution are untrue and undermine Canada’s standing and reputation in the international community,” wrote Bellegarde, in the email, which was obtained by APTN National News. “The declaration offers a road map to correct the entrenched patters of system discrimination and the many barriers to First Nations enjoying all fundamental human rights and freedoms.”The Harper government is opposing Saganash’s bill arguing it is not compatible with the constitution and that it would give First Nations a veto over federal legislation.“Adoption of Bill C-641 provides a crucial opportunity for the federal government to engage in genuine partnership with Indigenous peoples,” wrote Bellegarde. “I urge you to vote for Bill C-641 at (second) reading…and to provide your unequivocal support to its passage and fulfillment.”news@aptn.ca@APTNNews
Morocco a safe haven in North Africa The Times
Rabat – Thanks to the efforts of the Moroccan security services, Morocco stands out as a “safe haven” in North Africa, “immune” from terrorist attacks, according to The Times.In a recent article about Morocco published by The Times, the British newspaper hailed the efforts of the Moroccan authorities and their vigilance in keeping the Kingdom safe and secure from the threats of the so-called “Islamic States” that targeted some of the North African countries.“Morocco, a tourist destination for Europeans, remained immune against the convulsions experienced by other countries in the region,” The Times said in an article devoted to the Kingdom. The Times added that intense efforts by the Moroccan security services have recently dismantled terrorist cells in morocco recruited by the so-called “Islamic State”.The same source quoted Mustapha El Khalfi, Minister of Communication and government spokesman, as saying that “no terrorist network can develop in Morocco because the authorities would dismantle it before it could implement its schemes.”The Times also points out that the tourism sector in Morocco has increased by 8 percent since 2010 and is positioned as one of the largest industries in the Kingdom with a contribution of 9 percent of the GDP.It added that over 500,000 British citizens visited Morocco each year.Last summer, Morocco launched a new security mechanism known as “Hadar”, created to counter security threats facing the Kingdom, in most of the Kingdom’s major cities and tourist hubs.Thanks to “Hadar,” and the newly created Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), an FBI-like Bureau of Investigations, the Moroccan Interior Minister Mohamed Hassad said earlier that the Kingdom had dismantled twenty-seven jihadist cells since 2013.© Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
UN declares famine in two regions of southern Somalia
20 July 2011The United Nations today declared a famine in two regions of southern Somalia owing to the worst drought in decades, and appealed for urgent resources to assist millions of people in desperate need of help. “Every day of delay in assistance is literally a matter of life or death for children and their families in the famine-affected areas,” said Mark Bowden, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. It is the first time since 1991-92 that the UN has declared famine in a part of Somalia.Famine is declared when acute malnutrition rates among children exceed 30 per cent, more than two people per every 10,000 die per day, and people are not able to access food and other basic necessities, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Mr. Bowden warned that malnutrition rates in Somalia are currently the highest in the world, with peaks of 50 per cent in certain areas of the country’s south.In the two regions of southern Bakool and Lower Shabelle, acute malnutrition rates are above 30 per cent, with deaths among children under the age of five exceeding six per 10,000 per day in some areas. In the last few months, tens of thousands of Somalis have died as a result of causes related to malnutrition, the majority of them children.Consecutive droughts have affected the country in the last few years while the ongoing conflict has made it extremely difficult for agencies to operate and access communities in the south. Nearly half of the Somali population – 3.7 million people – are now estimated to be in crisis, with an estimated 2.8 million of them in the south. Speaking to reporters in New York, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed that humanitarian agencies need urgent funding to save lives, adding that roughly $300 million is needed in the next two months to provide an adequate response to famine-affected areas.“We need donor support to address current needs and prevent a further deterioration of the crisis,” he said, after addressing the Security Council on the impact of climate change on international peace and security. “If funding is not made available for humanitarian interventions now, the famine is likely to continue and spread.” Mr. Bowden said that, without immediate action, the famine will spread to all eight regions of southern Somalia within two months, due to poor harvests and infectious disease outbreaks.“We still do not have all the resources for food, clean water, shelter and health services to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of Somalis in desperate need,” he added.While UN humanitarian agencies have welcomed the recent statement by the insurgent group Al-Shabaab requesting international assistance in southern Somalia, the inability of food agencies to work in the region since early 2010 has prevented the UN from reaching the very hungry – especially children – and has contributed to the current crisis.“We call on all parties, from the donor community to the local authorities in Somalia, to lift restrictions on humanitarian grounds,” OCHA said. “The humanitarian community is doing its best to address the food crisis, but much more could be done if the current restrictions to the delivery of aid are lifted and unrestricted cross-border passage of relief aid is granted.” Despite challenges, humanitarian agencies have scaled up efforts in recent weeks. To expedite the delivery of supplies into the worst-affected areas, the UN has started airlifting urgently needed medical, nutrition and water supplies.The Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), Josette Sheeran, said today that her agency is considering a number of options to ensure that food aid reaches the most vulnerable, including airlifting high-energy biscuits and highly nutritious supplementary foods – for vulnerable children and pregnant or nursing mothers – into strategic locations in the south, where they would be distributed by local organizations.Plans to mobilize supplementary food products for children in response to the broader Horn of Africa drought crisis could make this the biggest ever operation to deliver these products that are highly effective in treating malnutrition in the first 1,000 days of life, the agency added.“Operations in Somalia are among the highest risk in the world, and WFP has lost 14 relief workers there since 2008,” Ms. Sheeran noted. “We will aggressively pursue efforts to mitigate against risk, through robust assessments and monitoring, but I am calling on all sides to stand together in recognising the inevitable risks that will be present in southern Somalia.”Ms. Sheeran, who is in Ethiopia holding high-level meetings with Government officials and the African Union (AU), will travel to Somalia and Kenya in the coming days to visit drought-affected areas, review WFP operations, and speak to victims of the drought.Joining her on the visit to Kenya will be Jacques Diouf, the Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which will convene an emergency meeting in Rome on Monday to address the escalating crisis in the Horn of Africa and mobilize international support. “Hundreds of people are dying every day and if we do not act now many more will perish,” said Mr. Diouf. “We must avert a human tragedy of vast proportions. “As much as food assistance is needed now, we also have to scale up investments in sustainable immediate and medium-term interventions that help farmers and their families to protect their assets and continue to produce food,” he added. UN agencies have asked for $1.6 billion to pay for essential programmes in the Horn of Africa, but have only received half that amount. Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti are all facing a crisis that is being called the worst in 50 years, leaving an estimated 11 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. According to WFP, famines were declared in southern areas of Sudan in 2008; in Gode in the Somali region of Ethiopia in 2000; in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in 1996; in Somalia in 1991-1992, and Ethiopia in 1984-1985.
UN welcomes inauguration of Afghanistans constitutional commission
“The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) wholeheartedly welcomes the inauguration yesterday of the Constitutional Review Commission,” spokesman David Singh said in a statement on behalf of UNAMA chief Lakhdar Brahimi.The Commission’s mandate is to conduct public consultations throughout the country and abroad in order to ascertain the aspirations of Afghans with regard to their future constitution – a task the spokesman described as “historic and challenging.” Based on the results of this effort, the 35-member body will review the work of the Drafting Commission and prepare the Draft Constitution to be submitted to the Constitutional Loya Jirga tribal council in October.”The Mission acknowledges the efforts of the Islamic Transitional Administration of Afghanistan to ensure that the Commission represents the regional, ethnic, professional and religious diversity of the Afghan nation and the full participation of women in the constitution-making process,” said Mr. Singh, highlighting the fact that the Commission has staff deployed in all Afghan provinces as well as in Iran and Pakistan to prepare the ground for the public consultation scheduled to start in late May.”The international community is honoured to provide assistance for this process,” said the spokesman. “We are aware of the difficulties the 35 commissioners will face over the next five months,” he added. “But this process can make a unique contribution not only to the building of a more representative state but also to the forging of stronger national unity.”Also today, UNAMA and the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) issued a joint statement condemning “in the strongest possible terms” those who perpetrated human rights abuses – and their commanders – during violent clashes in the Bala Murghab District of Badghis province.”We urge the Governor of Badghis and the local police to exercise all possible influence to end these violations; to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice; as well as to take all other necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of similar events,” the statement said, stressing that those who were wounded and those whose relatives were killed or had houses and property looted or destroyed must receive adequate compensation.UNAMA and the AIHRC also urged the Central Government to “pay attention to the civilian population of the area and to its basic needs; as well as to take concrete measures to correct both short- and long-term oppressive socioeconomic practices.”The joint assessment, carried out from 16 to 20 April, drew information from village elders and local human rights activists which pointed to “extremely serious violations of human rights” before and during the recent armed conflict. According to those reports, in Akazi village, 38 civilians died while 761 homes and 21 shops were looted. Reports further state that a coalition of local factions pursuing Juma Khan and his troops executed 26 individuals whose bodies were found with their hands tied behind their backs. According to interlocutors, there was an already established pattern of human rights violations in Bala Murghab prior to the recent fighting which may have even triggered the conflict. Those refusing to comply with extortionist demands were “labeled as Taliban.”The AIHRC and UNAMA observed “gross neglect” of the local population, including extremely high levels of illiteracy and a total absence of infrastructure as well as qualified teachers. “The population does not complain to the local authorities out of fear that this would only exacerbate their abusive behaviour,” said the AIHRC and UNAMA, pledging continued investigation of the human rights violations in Badghis.
Wynne marks first anniversary as premier with call for opposition budget ideas
AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to TwitterTwitterShare to FacebookFacebookShare to RedditRedditShare to 電子郵件Email by Keith Leslie, The Canadian Press Posted Feb 10, 2014 3:14 pm MDT TORONTO – Kathleen Wynne is marking her one-year anniversary as premier of Ontario by suggesting she’s in no rush for a general election, even though the Opposition says she needs a mandate from voters, not just from the Liberal party.Wynne sent letters Monday to Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak and New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath asking for their input on the provincial budget, a fiscal plan that many predict will trigger a spring election.It appears the premier is looking for another budget deal to keep the minority Liberal government alive, at least for a while longer.“It is in the best interest of the people of Ontario that we make this legislature work, and I believe there are areas of shared interest where we can concentrate our efforts,” Wynne wrote the opposition leaders.The Conservatives weren’t exactly receptive to Wynne’s overture, saying “she’s gone on far too long” since Ontario Liberals selected her as party leader and premier last year, and needs to “go to the polls” to get her own mandate.“The voters of Ontario deserve to say who the premier of this province is,” said PC critic Doug Holyday. “And I think that they’re going to send her a resounding message. I think they’re fed up with the Liberal financial boondoggles and waste.”Wynne herself has sent conflicting signals about the prospects of a spring election, saying Monday that she “wants to govern” as she wrapped a four-day, 12-community campaign-style tour as Liberal leader.Wynne’s blitz included stops in Niagara Falls and Thornhill, where byelections will be held Thursday, the outcomes of which could help determine the timing of the next election, but won’t affect the status of the minority government.The NDP said if Wynne wants another budget deal, she has a funny way of showing it.“Who knows what she’s trying to do because she sent all kinds of mixed messages,” said NDP house leader Gilles Bisson. “She says one day she wants a budget and then heads off on a political tour bashing the hell out of both opposition parties. How does that get you a budget?”The Liberals are trying to craft their third budget as a minority, knowing the Tories will oppose virtually everything they put forward, so even though Wynne appealed to both parties, she is really looking for another deal with the NDP.The New Democrats forced major changes in the last two budgets, including a tax on high income earners and a promise of a 15 per cent cut in auto insurance rates, in exchange for not teaming up with the Tories to defeat the minority government.“Last year, we were able to incorporate opposition ideas and still put forward a budget that spoke to Liberal values,” said Wynne. “And that’s what we want to do again this year.”The NDP say they’re still consulting the public on whether or not they think the Liberals lived up to their previous commitments before deciding whether or not to strike a third budget deal to keep the government alive.Wynne’s outreach to the opposition parties and her campaign-like tour are really parts of a political game to try to determine what’s best for the Liberals, said Bisson.“Kathleen Wynne has not managed to separate herself from the nine-and-a-half years of Liberal rule under (former premier) Dalton McGuinty,” he said. “And I think what that (tour) was all about is them trying to figure out what they’ve got to do, what works out there as far as trying to do what’s right for the Liberal party.”The government’s focus in the provincial budget, expected in late March, will be on infrastructure, skills training, youth jobs, the “knowledge economy” and help for small businesses — all areas the opposition parties should be willing to discuss, said Wynne.“I want feedback, and those ideas will augment our plan to keep Ontario’s economy growing,” she said.The Liberals have also made it clear they intend to campaign, at least in part, on creating an Ontario Pension Plan after they failed to convince the Harper government to allow higher payroll deductions to improve benefits under the Canada Pension Plan.Political observers say the government will be even more anxious for a budget deal, but the NDP less so, if the Liberals lose both byelections Thursday. However, if the Conservatives fail to take at least one of the two ridings, observers say, the Liberals will be more open to a spring election.Wynne will mark her anniversary Tuesday with a special one-hour ‘Ask Me Anything’ session on the Reddit website, a popular new fad among politicians, business leaders and other news makers. Wynne marks first anniversary as premier with call for opposition budget ideas
A commuters dream Entrepreneurs race to develop flying car
A commuter’s dream: Entrepreneurs race to develop flying car This artist rendering provided by Airbus shows a vehicle in their flying car project, Vahana. Even before George Jetson entranced kids with his flying car, people dreamed of soaring above traffic congestion. Inventors and entrepreneurs have tried and failed to make the dream a reality, but that may be changing. Nearly a dozen companies around the globe, some of them with deep pockets like Airbus, are working to develop personal aircraft that let people hop over crowded roadways. (Airbus via AP) by Joan Lowy, The Associated Press Posted Jan 30, 2017 2:48 am MDT Last Updated Jan 30, 2017 at 7:00 am MDT AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to TwitterTwitterShare to FacebookFacebookShare to RedditRedditShare to 電子郵件Email WASHINGTON – Even before George Jetson entranced kids with his cartoon flying car, people dreamed of soaring above traffic congestion. Inventors and entrepreneurs have long tried and failed to make the dream a reality, but that may be changing.Nearly a dozen companies around the globe, including some with deep pockets such as European aircraft maker Airbus, are competing to be the first to develop a new kind of aircraft that will enable commuters to glide above crowded roadways. A few of the aircraft under development are cars with wings that unfold for flight, but most aren’t cars at all. Typically they take off and land vertically like helicopters. Rather than a single, large main rotor, they have multiple small rotors. Each rotor is operated by a battery-powered electric motor instead of a conventional aircraft piston engine.It’s no sure bet that flying-car dreams will turn into reality. There are many obstacles, including convincing regulators that the aircraft are safe, figuring out how to handle thousands of new low-flying aircraft over cities without collisions and developing batteries that will keep them aloft long enough to be useful.But entrepreneurs are moving forward. They see a vast potential market for “air taxis” and personally owned small aircraft to transport people from the fringes of metropolitan areas to city centres as urban areas grow more congested and people spend more time stuck in traffic. They envision tens of thousands of one or two-person flying taxis delivering passengers to the rooftops of office buildings in city centres and other landing pads during rush hours.“In as little as 10 years, products could be on the market that revolutionize urban travel for millions of people,” said Zach Lovering, the leader of Airbus’ project to develop an autonomous flying taxi called the Vahana. The name means the mount or vehicle of a Hindu deity.Uber released a 98-page report in October making the business case for air taxis, which the company sees as the future of on-demand transportation. Uber doesn’t have any plans to develop a flying car itself, but the online transportation network is advising several companies that have aircraft in the works.“The role we want to play is as a catalyst for the entire industry,” said Nikhil Goel, an Uber project manager for advanced programs.Some of the aircraft are drones that will be preprogrammed for each flight and monitored or operated from the ground or a command centre. Others are designed for human pilots.It’s unclear yet how much the aircraft will cost, although prices are likely to vary significantly. Some of the aircraft are designed to be individually owned, while others are envisioned more for commercial use. Designers hope that if demand is high, prices can be kept affordable through economies of mass production.Several recent developments could make these aircraft possible. Advances in computing power mean the rotors on multi-copter drones can be adjusted many times per second, making the aircraft easy to control. Drones have also benefited from advances in battery and electric motor technology. Some companies, like Chinese dronemaker EHang, are scaling-up drones so that they can carry people.Another aircraft under development, Santa Cruz, California-based Joby Aviation’s S2, looks more like a conventional plane except that there are 12 tiltrotors spread along the wings and tail. And some, like the Vahana, a cockpit mounted on a sled and flanked by propellers in front and back, don’t really look like any aircraft in the skies today.“In terms of what you can make fly in a reliable manner, the solution speed gateway that (computer) chips have gone through recently have literally opened the door to a whole new world of flying machine possibilities,” said Charles Eastlake, an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University professor emeritus of aerospace engineering.But he also cautioned: “My best engineering guess is that people actually using autonomous air taxis in the next 10 or 15 years is possible, but definitely not certain. The challenges are big.”Key for many of the designs will be the development of longer-lasting lightweight batteries. Currently available batteries could probably keep an air taxi aloft about 15 to 30 minutes before it would have to land, experts said. Depending on how fast the aircraft flies, that probably isn’t quite enough to transport passengers between nearby cities or across metropolitan areas, experts said.Another hurdle will be winning Federal Aviation Administration certification for any radical new kind of aircraft when approval of even small changes in aviation technology can take years.The FAA said in a statement that it is taking a “flexible, open-minded, and risk-based approach” to flying cars. FAA officials have discussed with several manufacturers the certification of aircraft that will be flown with a pilot in the beginning, and later converted to an autonomous passenger aircraft.While further research is needed to ensure that autonomous aircraft are safe, “we believe automation technology already being prototyped in low-risk unmanned aircraft missions, when fully mature, could have a positive effect” on aviation safety,” the agency said.Reducing noise is another challenge since air taxis will be taking off and landing in densely populated areas. So is creating enough landing pads to handle lots of aircraft at the same time. A new air traffic control system would also likely be needed.“It’s pretty clear that the existing air traffic control system won’t scale to the kind of density at low altitudes that people are talking about,” said John Hansman, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor who chairs the FAA’s research and engineering advisory committee.NASA is developing an air traffic control system for small drones that perhaps could be expanded to include flying cars.“There’s no question we can build the vehicle,” Hansman said. “The big challenge is whether we can build a vehicle that would be allowed to operate in the places where people want to use it.”___Associated Press videographer Rodrique Ngowi in Boston contributed to this report.
The 5 at 5 Friday
EVERY WEEKDAY EVENING, TheJournal.ie brings you the five stories you need to know before you head out the door.1. #DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Women’s Aid has accepted a donation of €5,000 from a man who beat up his girlfriend, despite calls for them to turn it down. The man (21) admitted two charges of seriously assaulting his girlfriend, but could avoid a criminal record by making the donation.2. #SWINE FLU A boy from Northern Ireland has been diagnosed with swine flu and transferred to hospital in Glasgow for treatment. It is not yet clear how the primary school boy picked up the virus, although his family recently travelled outside the country.3. #REHAB The CEO of charity network the Wheel has said that every day that goes by until Rehab discloses its CEO’s salary, “dreadful damage” is being done to the charity sector. Deirdre Garvey said that “you shouldn’t have to have the PAC dragging information out of people”.4. #JOBS The High Court has appointed provisional liquidators to wind down Mount Carmel Hospital in Dublin, putting 328 jobs at risk. The hospital’s staff have been advised to report for duty over the coming days while the liquidator discusses the details of the wind down.5. #INDIA Thirteen men appeared in court today over the alleged gang-rape of a woman in India. They were remanded to police custody to help police investigate the incident, in which a woman (20) was assaulted for being in a relationship with a Muslim man.
WWE announces more matches for next weeks Smackdown Live including the return
Hart Guile Comments are closed. So glad they didn’t pull the championship from Becky. If it was a short term set back, like it apparently is, just wouldn’t have made sense. ’80-90’s used to have months on end injuries and never relinquished a championship. Though, it was a much smaller talent pool then too. Joe JG nice Adam Martin RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR WWE Pitches Crazy Superstar Shake-up Changes Ronda Rousey Videos Articles Now Playing Up Next Videos Articles Now Playing Up Next Videos Articles Pinterest Ronda Rousey Releases Mugshot After Arrest On WWE Raw Recommended videosPowered by AnyClipWWE Lists The Shields Top 10 WinsVideo Player is loading.Play VideoPauseUnmuteDuration 0:30/Current Time 0:03Loaded: 100.00%0:03Remaining Time -0:27 FullscreenUp NextThis is a modal window.Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset restore all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal DialogEnd of dialog window.Replay the list Now Playing Up Next Shawn Michaels Becky Lynch `WWE 24` Documentary Premier Date Announced Now Playing Up Next Google+ WWE Lists The Shields Top 10 Wins WWEs Becky Lynch Invited To RAW 2 COMMENTS Now Playing Up Next WWE RAW Results – 9/9/19 (Steve Austin moderates, KOTR Semifinal, Women’s Tag Match) Ric Flair threatens WWE with legal action over Becky Lynch’s “The Man” gimmick October 22, 2016 at 4:25 pm Facebook October 22, 2016 at 2:14 pm WhatsApp WWE United States Championship match added to Clash of Champions this Sunday in Charlotte Seth Rollins WWE.com is now advertising Kane vs. Bray Wyatt and the return of WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch for next week’s Smackdown Live on October 25.Already announced for the show is WWE World Champion AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose where if Ambrose wins he becomes the new No. 1 contender.BREAKING: Two blockbuster matches and one huge return have been confirmed for this Tuesday’s #SDLive! https://t.co/o9y09OPwYW pic.twitter.com/A2PgY7lmVm— WWE (@WWE) October 21, 2016 Twitter
Mike lawyer quits gets one month for new legal team
Recommended for you #MagneticMediaNews Related Items:#magneticmedianews Electricity Cost of Service Study among the big agenda items at September 11 Cabinet meeting Facebook Twitter Google+LinkedInPinterestWhatsAppProvidenciales, TCI, January 30, 2017 – Michael Misick will get a one month extension to reconstruct his legal team after his lead lawyer, Ralphe Thorne, QC quit all of a sudden.The TCI Sun Newspaper broke the story today about Thorne resigning as lead attorney for the former Premier who is engrossed in a corruption allegation trial and who today showed up with a stand in attorney Arian Kayne of the UK –– and his local instructing attorney, Jahmal Misick from Misick and Stanbrook and who asked for two months to rearrange his defense team.Thorne, according to the article authored by TCI Sun Editor in Chief, Hayden Boyce was asked to show up in court today to explain his actions at such a critical juncture in an already laborious trial proceeding. The Barbadian attorney was not there. Justice Paul Harrison said he was quite surprised by the move.Both Thorne and Jerome Lynch, QC the legal lead for McAllister Hanchell had been missing since after the Christmas break due to other trial commitments said the story; they had expressed this would be the case in advance. But this latest development where Thorne has now quit the job of representing, the ex premier is a new matter and Mike Misick, when asked of the situation by Magnetic Media said he has no comment on why the two have parted ways.
Facebook Twitter Google+LinkedInPinterestWhatsApp ALERT # 2 ON POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE NINE ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY THURSDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER, 2019 AT 9 PM EDT The Luxury of Grace Bay in Down Town Provo
Modi govt policies conducive to attracting more FDI Hinduja
London-based billionaires Hindujas said on Monday that they would make more investments worth billions in India as the policy measures initiated by the Modi government are creating a business-friendly environment in the country.”The foreign investors are engaging the Big four audit companies to get information from India and so far the feedback is that the Modi’s government has taken the right steps in attracting investment since they came to power in May last year,” Business Standard quoted Prakash Hinduja, chairman of the Hinduja group of companies in Europe, as saying.The investment plans from the Hinduja group comes at a time when a majority of Indian companies are following the wait-and-see approach in making new investments.”Modi has created a buzz among foreign investors and they are waiting for the right opportunities to invest in,” he said.After assuming power in May last year, the Modi government has allowed more foreign direct investment (FDI) in defense, resolved retrospective tax issues and has taken measures to attract investments from overseas companies.India’s rank in the “Doing Business Report”, released by the World Bank, has moved up by four notches to 130th position, giving a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push to make the country appear in the top 50 list in three years.However, a slowdown in the global economy is restricting many foreign companies to postpone their investments in India.Hinduja said that many Indian companies are not making investments “due to own problems such as high debt.”But, the Hinduja group companies are in the “investment mode,” he said.
Gang cons people out of money assuring jobs
Gang cons people out of money assuring jobs The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) have nabbed five members of a gang involved in duping retired persons and making off with their hard-earned savings.At a press conference at the PBI Dhaka metro office in Agargaon on Saturday, it was said that the gang members were arrested on Friday from a house in Pallabi of the capital city.The arrested five are Mohammed Haroun Ar Rashid, Sanaj Saha, Shamsul Alam Majumdar, Aminul Islam and Mohammed Moksedur Rahman.PBI stated that so far this gang has conned 12 persons including a retired secretary, joint secretary, a senior bank official and other senior officers. The gang managed to swindle Tk 14.8 million from just one joint secretary alone.PBI additional DIG Mohammed Mainul Hasan said that the accused would first place a false job vacancy advertisement in the newspapers.The ad would state that priority would be given to retired bankers and retired civil and military officers. When the interested persons applied, the swindlers would target certain ones among them and bring them to their sham office.Mainul said the con men would then bring in another one of their associates, dressed in a suit, tie and hat, speaking in Hindi and acting as an Indian ‘marwari’ businessman. At one stage they would start up a card game, ‘winning’ hundreds of thousands of taka from the ‘Indian businessman’. They would cleverly win the job applicants’ confidence and propose that they become partners in their business. They would take money as investment from the targeted applicant and tell him to contact them later. But then they would pack up and leave the office with no trace.PBI Dhaka Metro’s special police super Mohammed Abul Kalam Azad said so far they had received complaints from 12 persons who were cheated.However, they felt, the number was probably higher. Cases have been filed against the arrested persons and a search is on for others of the gang.
Train crushes 2 women to death
Train accidentTwo women have been killed as they were hit by trains at Kosaibari area of Dakshinkhan and Khilkhet in the city.One of the deceased was identified as Nipa, wife of Swapan Mia of Dakshinkhan area while the identity of another woman could not be known yet.Sub-inspector of Airport Railway Station police out-post Nazrul Islam said a Noakhali-bound train hit Nipa while she was returning to her house from a relative’s house at Kosaibari, leaving her on the spot.Meanwhile, the unidentified woman was also crushed under the wheels of a train in Khilkhet area.Police recovered the bodies early in the morning and sent those to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for autopsy.
Public Asked To Comment On New Regional Traffic Safety Plan
To embed this piece of audio in your site, please use this code: H-GAC Transportation Planning Director Alan Clark said those crashes cost the region a staggering amount of money.“Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of congestion and delays,” said Clark. “They take community resources like emergency management providers, emergency rooms at our hospitals.”The region has seen a lot of new residents but Clark said despite that growth, the increase in crashes is still extremely high.H-GAC’s new Regional Safety Plan cites drunk driving, distracted driving, and speeding as some of the major factors behind those collisions. There are also issues with aging road design. Clark explains the goal of the plan is to not only drill down on why those crashes are happening but to look for solutions to make streets safer.The public is invited to comment on the draft safety plan at a public meeting Wednesday night. It’s from 5:30 to 7:00 at H-GAC’s offices at 3555 Timmons.Clark said they’re also taking public comment online. Listen Gail DelaughterHouston Police stop traffic after a crash on rain-slick I-45 North.The Houston-Galveston Area Council said between 2012 and 2014, traffic crashes rose by 40 percent in the region. Fatalities were up by 20 percent. 
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What Would a Dog Do on Mars
Recently, NASA released colorful, dreamy illustrations depicting an imagined future in which human beings have made it to other worlds. A curly-haired astronaut floats inside a lunar space station, with the crater-pocked moon behind her. A lunar explorer steadies a camera on a tripod to photograph Earth in the distance. And an astronaut stands on the dunes of Mars with her hands in the pockets of her spacesuit, a dog at her side. But dogs have been to space. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Soviet Union strapped dogs into capsules and launched them into the sky. The canines were not trusty space sidekicks, but research subjects, strays collected from city streets to test launch systems before humans themselves did. (The United States conducted similar tests, with several species of monkeys.) Read the whole story: The Atlantic Wait, a dog?
To be clear, NASA’s ambitious plans for missions to the moon and Mars do not include dogs. (At least, none that the public knows about. If you’re a member of a top-secret program to groom doggonauts, please contact me.) The agency does want to send humans there, sometime in the 2030s.
Costa Ricas Circuito Guanacasteco de Surf A new surf philosophy
Facebook Comments MARBELLA, Guanacaste – When the organizers of theCircuito Guanacasteco de Surf (CGS) conceived of a province-wide contest three years ago, their intention was to create an environment that would promote talent that could continue on to the more established Circuito Nacional de Surf of Costa Rica. Certainly that has been the case with many of its participants: Youngsters Aldo Chirinos of Playa Negra, and Malaikai Martínez and Zulay Martínez, both of Tamarindo, already are champions – or on their way to being one – on a national level.Meanwhile, the Tico pros also have been taking advantage of the Guanacaste dates to fine-tune their own competitive skills before moving on to contests in the international arena. When the best surfers in the country make their way to the Circuito Guanacasteco de Surf, or CGS, a second benefit occurs: the promotion of the northwestern province’s world-class waves.“Our mission is to encourage youth surfing and social interactions with friendship and good sportsmanship in a competitive environment,” says the CGS mission statement. “As well as invite the best surfers in the nation to our events to demonstrate the highest level of surfing in Costa Rica to our youngest competitors and the future of surfing: Dolphins.”Created in 2013 by former surf industry executive Toni Vandewalle, TIDE Academy founder Chelsea Lisaius and former national surf champion Andrea Díaz, CGS has grown in professionalism and popularity to the point where an average of 160 surfers now inscribe at each date.The contest is sanctioned by the Federación de Surf de Costa Rica, the organization that puts on the Circuito Nacional de Surf, as well as the Costa Rican Sports and Recreation Institute. Well-known surf journalist Carlos Brenes serves as the event’s announcer and publicist. Latin American champion Anthony Filligim, who won the first of its contests last month in Tamarindo, said, “It was good out there. I like the CGS better than the national contest because this one has better beaches.”This past weekend at the second date of this year’s CGS, at the Copa Tika Hut in Marbella, one familiar surfer ended up winning his division after a long hiatus from competition.Federico Pilurzu of Tamarindo, who was Costa Rica’s first national surf champion back in 1999 and the first Tico to compete in the World Surf League Qualifying Series (QS), took advantage of the CGS in Marbella to implement a new surf philosophy he will road test at the 2016 QS. Fresh from the SEAT Pro Netanya, a QS at Kontiki Beach, Israel – his first QS in five years – Pilurzu won the Open category this past weekend, utilizing the strategy.“I’ve been training hard these last six months,” he said. “Mentally, I’m ready. If your mind is ready that is the most important thing, because you have to be in rhythm with the ocean to get the right wave.”“For me and the other professionals, the CGS is very important for us to be able to practice in a safer environment,” Pilurzu added. “There’s a lot of pressure on the QS. On the CGS, I can push my level and replicate what I would like to do on the professional tour. I have the freedom to try things and see what works and what doesn’t. The more comfortable I am with my game, the better I’ll do when I go out of the country.” Federico Pilurzu takes a winning wave last weekend at the second date of this year’s Circuito Guanacasteco de Surf, in Marbella, Guanacaste. (Courtesy of BADFish Photography)Frequent international medalist Leilani McGonagle also took advantage of the CGS to bolster her profile, as she won both the Women and the Girls categories this past weekend. She, too, is doing QS dates this year and takes every opportunity to compete in country.Pilurzu took note of the young kids who are making a significant showing in the CGS. Sixteen-year-old Aldo Chirinos from Playa Negra and Malakai Martínez in particular made great statements this past weekend. While neither actually won a division, Chirinos ended up in 4th place in the Open final among heavyweight – and older – surfers Tomás King at 2nd (Tamarindo), Isaac Vega at 3rd (Tamarindo) and Pilurzu, taking 1st place. He also had a second-place showing in the Boys category, which was topped by Kyllian Guenn, who had one of four 10-point rides in the contest.Although Martínez only placed 3rd in the Boys, no one will remember that. What they will never forget, however, is that he made Costa Rican history on Sunday when he scored not one, but two perfect 10 waves in the Boys semifinals. He also had a 2nd place finish in Junior, which Lorenzo Wickstrom won.“It’s good to see the younger guys like Aldo really pushing his limits,” said Pilurzu. “I’m seeing kids from three years ago improve in their ability and be able to connect and get a 10, like Guenn, Martínez and Leo Calvo, which is really cool. You can’t get better than a 10.”One of the distinct characteristics of the CGS is the running of the Dolphin category. These heats feature surfers aged 12 and under who are pushed into the waves. Tamarindo’s Pietro Garroux won that heat, and while only in his second year competing at this level, he and the others who posted in the Dolphins will be watched as they move on up the contest ranks both locally and nationally.“We are very proud that we are the only contest that has a Dolphin category where parents can push into the waves the littlest kids. We have had enormous success with this and up to 30 kids participating,” Vandewalle said.Another first for Costa Rica is the implementation of the priority wave system, which is used on the professional QS and World Championship Tour but not with any other contest in this country. As a surfer completes a wave, she or he is moved to the bottom of the priority system, indicated by the Lycra jersey color on a board located on the beach. The color at the top represents the surfer in the water who has priority to get the next good wave. If the surfer chooses not to surf it, then the next color up is entitled to go.According to Pilurzu, “The priority system was great for two reasons: First, it implements an ethical respect that is seen all over the world in surf competitions. When it’s your turn it allows people to perform at a much higher level without having to look over your shoulder to see who is going for that wave you want; and second, it’s nice to see in these events that kids are educated about being respectful in the water, to wait your turn. This was even reflected in the free surfing afterwards, where surfers were waiting their turn, respecting others. This way everyone in the water has fun, and everybody is able to surf better. [It] teaches surfing, not hustling in the water.”While Pilurzu and King head out on to their next QS on March 10-13 at the Ron Jons Van Pro Cocoa Beach, the Circuito Guanacasteco moves to the Kina Surf in Santa Teresa from March 5-6. The remaining dates include Lola’s in Avellanas on April 2-3 and the finals at Hotel Playa Negra on May 14-15. Federico Pilurzu is all smiles with his Copa Tiki Hut win. (Courtesy of BADFish Photography)Copa Tiki Hut resultsFeb. 13-14, 2016OPENFederico PilurzuTomás KingIsaac VegaAldo ChrinosWOMENLeilani McGonagleEmily GussoniLady MeekCoral WigginsJUNIORLorenzo WickstromMalakai MartínezJosé LópezSam ReidyBOYSKyllian GuennAldo ChirinosMalakai MartínezDean VandevalleMASTERSIan BeanTrey BrownellChristian BoosMauroGIRLSLeilani McGonagleZullay MartínezSerna NavaElisa CazenaveGROMSAxel CastroSam ReidyKalani AberimoRuby BrownellDOLPHINSPietro GarrouxMax BabyakJulien MicheacleuxMarysol AllenLONGBOARDAndrés RojasNoldan ZúñigaAldolfo GómezAlex Gómez Related posts:‘Extreme’ Pacific winds create dangerous conditions for boaters, swimmers Costa Rica to host World Surf League comp in Esterillos Este Pavones: Fowlie, squatters, tuna farm and surfers collide in disturbing new book Update: NBA star Kobe Bryant vacations in Costa Rica
Another crash near Dennis MacDonald Hostel
This accident happened in the same area as the two accidents on Friday night, where one car ploughed through a wooden fence; and the other accident involved a car smashing through a chicken wire fence. WebsiteWebsiteWebsite WebsiteWebsiteWebsite WebsiteWebsiteWebsite A white Jetta has crashed and landed on the pavement close to the Dennis MacDonald Hostel.Sharaj Ambulance Services and EMRS were on scene, where one person sustained moderate injuries. The patient was taken to hospital for further treatment.The circumstances surrounding the accident are unclear at this time. The car landed on the pavement between a wall and a light post.
NewDay USA Makes Two Key Hires
October 30, 2017 755 Views in Headlines, News, Servicing Michael GreenwoodNewDay USA, a national VA mortgage lender, has hired Michael Greenwood as SVP of mortgage servicing and Gaurav Bhatia as Chief Digital Officer.Greenwood has 30 years of experience in the mortgage business, including servicing, production support, and portfolio acquisitions as well as end-to-end, high-touch customer service. Most recently, he was an EVP and Mortgage Loan Servicing Manager at PNC Bank. Prior to PNC, Greenwood worked for Assurant Specialty Properties, managing one of their outsourcing centers, and was a SVP and Director of Operations and Servicing at Huntington National Bank, assisting in the development and implementation of new regulatory issues and customer service initiatives.“Mike is an innovator in mortgage servicing, and he will be a great addition to the NewDay USA team as we build our membership and servicing capabilities to continue our mission of helping veterans and their families take advantage of their valuable VA mortgage benefit,” said New Day CEO Rob Posner. “Joining a growing company like NewDay USA, especially one whose mission is to help veterans achieve their financial goals and get back on the road to savings, is extremely rewarding,” said Greenwood. “My experience in the mortgage business is perfectly aligned with NewDay’s belief in building a culture that focuses on improving the customer experience and ensuring industry leading efficiency.”Gaurav BhatiaBhatia is a digital marketing pioneer with vast expertise building digital businesses to drive growth and transformation. He has over 15 years of experience integrating online and traditional marketing to create successful strategies for new customer acquisitions. Most recently, Bhatia was vice president of digital strategy and helped grow digital capabilities and membership for AARP. He has held senior leadership positions at several other large companies, including Capital One and Sabre Holdings. Bhatia also has experience leveraging data, technology, and marketing across industries in banking, finance, and travel. Most recently, Bhatia was VP of digital strategy and helped grow digital capabilities and membership for AARP. He has held senior leadership positions at several other large companies, including Capital One and Sabre Holdings.“Gaurav is truly a pioneer in his field,” said Posner. “He has come to build our digital and membership capabilities to help military veterans access, and learn about their VA benefits. We are very pleased to have him join our executive team.”“To be a part of this team is truly a great honor,” said Bhatia. Gaurav Bhatia HOUSING Lending loan servicing Michael Greenwood mortgage New Day USA Rob Psner 2017-10-30 Rachel Williams
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UNWTO Partners with Niantic to Develop Innovative Tourism Experiences through RealWorld Games
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has partnered with one of its newest Affiliate Members, real-world games developer Niantic, to enhance global tourism through the use of mobile augmented reality game experiences.UNWTO will collaborate with Niantic, creators of Pokémon GO and Ingress Prime, to curate unique campaigns around the world that will build awareness for the Organization’s Travel.Enjoy.Respect campaign, designed to enhance tourism’s contribution to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Each activity will also be designed to inspire and support exploration, and promote safe and responsible gaming practices for players of all ages.Niantic and UNWTO will work together to combine tourism and Augmented Reality technology for players to engage with real-world locations using Niantic’s mobile games in a variety of ways. Niantic’s games and global initiatives have brought millions of players from around the world together at real-world events that promote civic engagement and cultural diversity while highlighting local heritage.“With our ongoing commitment to promote sustainable and responsible tourism, and Niantic having recently become a UNWTO Affiliate Member, this partnership is a natural fit,” said Ion Vilcu, Director of UNWTO’s Affiliate Members Department. “Niantic are pioneers in creating real-world mobile game experiences that not only motivate their players to discover new places, but also to appreciate the culture and beauty of the world around them,” he added.“Our goal at Niantic is to create interactive games that encourage exercise, social interaction and exploration, giving players the opportunity to play together in the real world and discover the incredible history hidden in their own neighbourhoods,” said Anne Beuttenmüller, Head of Marketing EMEA at Niantic. “We’re looking forward to creating brand new adventures in collaboration with UNWTO to increase awareness around their mission of responsible tourism,” she added.Niantic was accepted as an Affiliate Member on 31 October 2018 at the 109th session of UNWTO’s Executive Council, held in Manama, Bahrain. This new partnership helps to bolster UNWTO’s ongoing efforts to bring together the actors of the ‘ecosystem’ of tourism technology under its priority of innovation and the digital transformation in tourism.Useful links:Niantic blog (for collaborative events between UNWTO and Niantic) Travel.Enjoy.Respect website109th Session of the UNWTO Executive CouncilUNWTO Affiliate MembersThe post UNWTO Partners with Niantic to Develop Innovative Tourism Experiences through Real-World Games appeared first on Discover the South Pacific.Source: Blog
Survey reveals PNG rely on Aust market for visitors
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