ATLANTA (AP) — A new study shows that giving performance bonuses to teachers does not raise student test scores.
Vanderbilt University researchers found that students in classrooms where teachers received merit pay did not outperform the classes where educators got no bonus.
The report comes as the Obama administration pushes states to adopt merit pay …
Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are fit and available again to resume their central defensive partnership as Manchester United aims to bounce back from Saturday's loss to Everton with a victory over West Ham on Tuesday.
The Ferdinand-Vidic linkup was one of the strengths behind United's three consecutive league titles. But they have rarely played together this season because of injuries.
With Ferdinand back from a four-game suspension and Vidic finally over a leg injury, manager Alex Ferguson was able to name both in his squad on Monday and, after some poor defending against Everton on Saturday, the duo is expected to start against West Ham at Old …
Bears running back James Allen always has insisted he's betterthan people think. Finally given the chance, he seems to be provingit.
Allen has rushed for 122 yards in a game. He has averaged 78 yardsin the last nine games-a pace for 1,248 yards in a season. He hasaveraged 4.1 yards per carry as the Bears' starting tailback.
But the question remains: Has Allen, 25, changed anybody's mind?Has he been productive enough to erase doubts that he can be a No. 1NFL running back?
"I've made a statement," the 5-10, 215-pound Allen said. "Ifanybody's coming in here to challenge for the running back spot onthe Bears, they're going to have to go through me."
What he …
BAGDHAD (AP) — Iraqi officials say several insurgent attacks around the country have killed seven people and wounded 14.
Police and medical officials said Monday's attacks started when drive-by shooters killed an Iraqi army officer driving his car in eastern Baghdad in the morning hours.
An hour later, attackers gunned down a Kurdish politician as he was leaving his house in …
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are giving back to the country where their 3-year-old daughter Zahara was born.
The couple have donated $2 million to help fight HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in Ethiopia, said the Global Health Committee, which announced the donation by the Jolie-Pitt Foundation.
The organization will use the money to build a center in the capital city of Addis Ababa for children affected by the disease and establish a program to treat tuberculosis in children and adults. The center will be named for Zahara.
The World Health Organization estimates that the African nation has 1.7 million people infected with HIV and 6,000 people infected with …
The past four months have been the busiest in a long time for theplacement cells of the Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC),the Aptechpromoted leading provider of high-end 3D animation andvisual effects education. Already, more students have been picked upby the animation industry during the first six months of thefinancial year 2010-11 than in the whole of the previous year. "Juneonwards has been phenomenal. The demand for talent is growing at afast pace," says Ram Warrier, Business Head of MAAC.
But what is contributing to this uptick in demand? The ITindustry lobby NASSCOM expects the animation industry to report acompounded annual growth rate, or CAGR, …
NEW YORK - At least three national fast-food chains have made it harder for New Yorkers to learn the calorie content of their hamburgers, fries and subs. Wendy's, White Castle and Quiznos sandwich shops were among a handful of eateries that yanked nutritional information from some restaurants or their Web sites this week in an attempt to avoid having to post the same info on menus in New York.
The move was a reaction to a new regulation that will make the city the first in the country to require eateries to list calorie counts in the most prominent place possible: on their brightly-lit menu boards, right next to the price.
In an attempt to make the rule apply only to big, …
| All Times Eastern |
| National Football League Playoffs |
| No games today. |
| National Basketball Association |
| Dallas vs Boston, 1 p.m. |
| San Antonio vs L.A. Lakers, 3:30 p.m. |
| Phoenix vs Atlanta, 6 p.m. |
| Sacramento vs Toronto, 6 p.m. |
| Houston vs Detroit, 6:30 p.m. |
| Charlotte vs Indiana, 7 p.m. |
| Chicago vs Minnesota, 7 p.m. |
Bessie Glazer, 97, longtime Near North Side resident andcommunity volunteer, died Tuesday at Bethesda Hospital.
Born in Russia, Mrs. Glazer settled with her family in Chicagoas a yong girl.
In later years, she became involved in community work on theNear North Side, serving as president of Lakeshore Hadassah …
JERUSALEM - Israel's foreign minister canceled a trip to Qatar for a U.N. conference because the Palestinian Authority is sending a delegation of Hamas lawmakers as its representatives, a ministry official said Sunday.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's trip would have been the first high-level trip by an Israeli official to the Persian Gulf state in 10 years.
Livni, who had tentatively been scheduled to leave Sunday, decided against the trip when she learned that Hamas lawmakers were to participate in the conference, said ministry spokesman Mark Regev.
"Israel's policy is that until the Hamas accepts (U.N. Secretary-General) Kofi Annan's three benchmarks - …
Iraqi hospital and police officials say that at least 147 people have been killed in Iraq's deadliest bombings in over two years.
More than 700 people were also injured in the deadly blasts, which tore through the heart of downtown Baghdad on Sunday, hundreds of yards from the heavily fortified Green Zone.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
The deadly blasts appeared to target two government buildings _ the Ministry of Justice and the Baghdad Provincial Council _ and tens of government employees were among the dead.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for …
William C. Kavanagh, 72, a former executive for PepperConstruction Co., died Tuesday at St. Francis Hospital, Evanston.
He served as chief financial officer for the generalconstruction company, which has several Chicago locations, for 30years.
In 1982, he retired and moved to Venice, Fla.
Mr. Kavanagh, formerly of Barrington, was born in Evanston. Heattended Loyola Academy and received a degree in commerce fromNorthwestern University in 1940.
He served in the Coast Guard in World War II.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia, and a brother, John.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today atDonnellan-Fitzgerald-Franklin Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd.,Skokie. Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church, 11 S. Buesching Rd., Lake Zurich. Burial willbe in St. Michael Cemetery, West Algonquin and Roselle roads,Palatine.
Pele doubts that Brazil striker Ronaldo will ever fully recover from knee surgery.
"To return to his level of play after two serious injuries, I think it is difficult," the soccer great said of the AC Milan striker in a television interview broadcast Friday.
Ronaldo, a three-time FIFA player of the year, ruptured a tendon in his left knee in a league game last month. He had a successful operation and began physical therapy, but doctors say he will be sidelined for about eight months.
The 31-year-old striker said Thursday that he hopes to return to top-level play.
But Pele said Ronaldo would have more trouble now recovering his top physical condition.
"Medicine has made progress, but Ronaldo's age did, too," Pele said.
Ronaldo has battled serious injuries throughout his career, including a right knee injury eight years ago that kept him out for a season. But he returned to lead Brazil to a record fifth World Cup title in 2002, leading all scorers with eight goals.
"He recovered and played an excellent World Cup," said Pele, who won three World Cup titles in his career.
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan (AP) — Cameco is boosting its offer for junior uranium developer Hathor Exploration Ltd. to $625 million as it battles a competing bid from global miner Rio Tinto.
The Canadian-based uranium producer said Monday the higher offer for Hathor is worth $4.50 per share.
It also marks a 8.4 percent premium over a $578 million friendly deal between Hathor and Rio Tinto PLC. Rio is offering $4.15 per Hathor share cash.
Cameco first went public with its plans for Hathor in late August but has been consistently rebuffed by the junior mining company, which said Cameco's opening cash offer of $3.75 per share, or $520 million, was too low.
The higher offer will expire on Nov. 29.
Hathor's main asset is the Roughrider uranium deposit, about 15 kilometers (10 miles) northwest of Cameco's Rabbit Lake mill.
European plane maker Airbus kept ahead of its U.S. rival Boeing on Wednesday in the order tally at the Farnborough International Airshow, where leasing companies and Asian and Middle Eastern airlines have been top customers.
Airbus increased its score for the show's first three days to 233 after South Korea's Asiana Airlines announced a deal for 30 of its medium capacity, long-range A350 XWB jets for a catalog price of US$7.2 billion (euro4.5 billion) before discounts. The airline also took an option for another ten A350 jets.
Boeing brought its tally to 152 by early afternoon Wednesday after leasing company Aviation Capital Group said it has ordered 15 next-generation Boeing 737-700s is worth around US$934 million at list prices.
Boeing boosted its air show tally by including an order for 35 737-800s from Malaysia Airlines that had been already been registered in its books as an unidentified order for several weeks. The order was valued at more than US$2.6 billion (euro1.63 billion) at list prices, and including purchase rights for 20 more aircraft.
The Boeing air show score did not including an order from Air China Ltd. for 45 jets with a list price of US$6.3 billion (euro3.94 billion) that was announced away from the airshow.
Middle Eastern carriers and aircraft leasing companies have so far made the biggest orders at the show outside London as soaring oil prices and anticipated decreased passenger demand thanks to credit crisis leaves many U.S. and European airlines cash strapped.
Plane makers, however, have been talking up the prospects of the current financial outlook to push forward an industry shift toward cleaner, more efficient planes. Aviation currently produces 2 percent of global man-made carbon dioxide emissions, a figure that is forecast to rise to 3 percent by 2050.
Boeing Co. has touted its 787 jet for its greater fuel efficiency, although the plane has been hampered by delays that have cost the company credibility and billions of dollars in expected additional costs and penalties.
Boeing on Tuesday said it remains on track to test fly its 787 jetliner in the fourth quarter of this year and make its first delivery in the third quarter of 2009 _ but acknowledged that its timetable remains tight.
Boeing has picked up a number of orders for the plane at Farnborough, including a deal for 35 of the aircraft from Etihad Airways, the state carrier of the United Arab Emirates.
Etihad has made the biggest order by an airline so far at Farnborough, splitting an order for 100 aircraft between Airbus and Boeing worth $20 billion at list prices.
Leasing companies Aviation Capital Group and a unit of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise announced deals on Tuesday for a combined 123 aircraft. In the current climate carriers are more likely to rent than buy their own planes.
Other deals have been signed by Qatar Airways, FlyDubai, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Arik Air since the show began on Monday.
At the Paris air show last year, held every other year in alternation with Farnborough, 506 orders were taken between Airbus and Boeing.
Almost 1,500 exhibitors from 35 countries are showing off the latest in aviation technology at Farnborough. The air show runs through July 18 for aerospace professionals only; public days are July 19 and 20.
AP Business Writer Emma Vandore in London contributed to this report.
President Barack Obama and the U.S. military drew high praise Monday for the liberation of an American sea captain held by Somali pirates, but some military experts fear the fatal shooting of three pirates will lead to an escalation of the conflict off Somalia's coast.
They warn that pirate attacks will not end with the freedom of Capt. Richard Phillips and may turn more violent now that the world's most powerful military has used skilled snipers to kill pirates.
There is no sign of an international consensus about how best to deal with the bandits. Some countries are willing to pay ransom to free their nationals, while France and the United States have chosen to attack instead.
Some military strategists believe it may ultimately be necessary to attack the pirates' base in Somalia, much as the British did two centuries ago. But few have the appetite for a land operation in Somalia, where a U.S. military foray in the early 1990s ended in humiliation. And the cost in civilian casualties would likely be extremely high, some warn.
"That would be nuts," said Larry Johnson, a former CIA agent and State Department counterterrorism specialist. "These people are not organized into any military force _ they are intermingled with women and children. You're talking about wiping out villages."
He said the U.S. action and a French attack a few days earlier on a pirate-held yacht with hostages on board were corrective measures that did not solve the underlying problem.
"When you allow a bunch of Somali clans to grab their weapons and head to sea and collect millions of dollars in ransom, you can't be surprised when it gets out of control," he said. "You need an international coalition, with all the countries that have flag ships, to make it impossible for the pirates to get in a boat and leave the shore. Otherwise the ships will continue to be sitting ducks."
Johnson has in the past criticized Obama as inexperienced, but he said the new commander in chief deserves credit for using established national security procedures to deal with the crisis while refraining from making comments that would have inflamed the situation.
"He stepped back and let the professionals do what they are supposed to do," Johnson said. "Since the 1980s we've built national security doctrine for how to handle these matters, and Obama allowed these procedures to operate."
"Obama has won the respect of his allies," said Robert Fox, defense correspondent for London's Evening Standard newspaper. "It was very decisive, very high-risk, and it could have gone badly wrong. But it's an escalation, and it shows that this really is a permanent problem, not just a colorful story, and it will take a substantial amount of work."
Fox said the U.S. government was now pressing Europe's governments to step up surveillance efforts and do more to fight pirates. He said more action would be needed to "clean out" pirate enclaves.
Charles Heyman, a defense specialist and former British army officer, said the Obama administration showed its resolve by refusing to pay ransom for Phillips' release.
"That would have been disastrous," he said. "America would have been a laughingstock and we really don't need that."
But he said history shows pirates can only be defeated if nations unite, which is not happening.
"As long as governments don't come together and defeat it, it goes on like a plague," he said. "People have to be very, very tough with this."
Crispian Cuss, a security analyst from London's risk mitigation Olive Group, said the U.S. and French military actions against pirates might make the bandits think twice.
"I've heard a lot of criticism about how this is your typical American, gung-ho, over-the-top reaction, which I think in part unfair. The French incident was the third time they've resolved these instances by force. The Indians blew a pirate ship out of the water six months ago. ...
"I think now they (pirates) might be a little more careful about taking vessels which have an American or French flag."
Although the U.S. rescue effort was a clear success in tactical terms, Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, warned that it could lead to increased violence in the region.
Family members of some of the 228 foreign nationals still held hostage on other pirate vessels worried about reprisals against their loved ones after the deadly U.S. and French assaults.
"Those released are lucky, but what about those who remain captive?" said Vilma de Guzman, the wife of Filipino seaman Ruel de Guzman, who has been held by pirates since November along with 22 other Filipino crewmen.
Fort Hill writer focuses on black intellectuals, past and present
Lisa Joseph
"Black Genius and The American Experience" -- certainly a formidable title, and a gargantuan subject to broach -- a multifaceted project for a writer of any stripe.
Dick Russell, former TV Guide staff writer, Sports Illustrated reporter, and author of "The Man Who Knew Too Much" came up with the idea to write this book two years ago right about the time when "The Bell Curve," which he calls an insidious piece of work due to its lack of authenticity, was creating such a stir.
Russell was also interested in writing something that he could pass along to his son Franklin, who is biracial.
"It's not an ideological or political book at all, and that is by intent," says Russell. "This book is about spirit. I learned a lot about the spirit that built this country."
"Black Genius and The American Experience" is a collection of interconnected vignettes about 38 different African Americans -- 29 men and nine women -- who have made significant contributions to their communities, and to the world at large; from the spiritual oratory of Sojourner Truth to the inspired photography of Gordon Parks, from the powerful writings of Frederick Douglass to the mellifluous strains of Wynton Marsalis' trumpet.
Russell wanted to focus on those individuals who had quietly and methodically cultivated their genius without much fanfare, those little-known beyond close-knit artistic, literary, and scientific circles.
"There were so many incredible people, many of whom I'd never heard of that have certainly contributed so much to American culture, and the history of our country," says Russell. "I really wanted to allow their voices to be heard."
Russell's book is structurally unique -- he rarely writes in third person format, preferring to let the quotes from his subjects, and their relatives and friends tell the story. In this way "Black Genius" flows continuously, hardly breaking sequence even when jumping back and forth in time, going from prolific modern-day author Toni Morrison to 18th century mathematician, astronomer, inventor, and almanac writer Benjamin Banneker.
It was Russell's intention to write according to parallels of confluence rather than chronology. He wanted to interweave voices in a way that emphasized the themes of the book: family and intergenerational continuity, spirituality and dilligence, and activism and struggle.
Russell spent two years researching and interviewing his subjects -- spending the majority of his time in Harlem's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
"It was very difficult in the beginning ... I originally considered it historical and linear. I started out doing historical research, and wrote a few chapters, but it was flat," he said.
After sending his manuscript to several friends and colleagues for critical feedback, the tone of the book was altered.
"I wanted to make the book as personal as possible," he comments. "The hardest task was trying to figure out who to write about."
And so, Russell let the book write itself by following a thread that led him from one person to another. For example, it was a writer acquaintance, Jack Newfield who led Russell to writer Stanley Crouch, who talked about Ralph Ellison, then led him to their mutual friend, Albert Murray, who then led him to his painter friend, Romare Bearden.
"I accepted people who identified a certain theme which I found to be very striking -- mentors and ancestral links across centuries," he says.
The mild-mannered and introspective Russell lives in what can only be called a beautiful fortresscum-Chatham summer cottage on Fort Hill Terrace in Roxbury -- just a few steps away and across from the historic white standpipe tower -- with a view that rivals San Francisco's skyline from its steepest hills.
At the onset of writing this book, Russell questioned his capabilities -- not being a scholar nor African American he wondered if he had anything valid to offer -- only to realize that he wanted the book to transcend race and ethnicity, and focus on accomplishment and merit. He believed that the accomplishments of individual African Americans were lessons for a larger society.
"The greatest lesson that these great people have to teach America has to do with a greater sense of destiny," says Russell, his blue eyes pensive behind steepled fingers. "That is the common thread that I'm talking about."
The book is split up into several parts including comparative chapters that look at the legacy of philosophical thought as well as pivotal interacial friendships between the likes of Robert Kennedy and James Baldwin, and Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary Mcleod Bethune.
Russell made a conscious decision to avoid writing about athletes and financiers, because too often black achievement is equated with those fields -- especially the former. He wanted to focus on people who were not as well known, but had made valuable contributions.
"I think there were a number of motivations connecting these people," says Rusell. "These are very driven people. Many were self-taught, and a number of them grew up without a mother or father. I sincerely wanted to tell their stories."
It is interesting to note that during the writing of "Black Genius and The American Experience" each time Russell wrote a chapter about someone, he would send them a copy of the draft to corroborate facts and make corrections.
He gives credit to his various subjects for essentially writing the book. "I hope that when people read this book, they come away with a stronger sense of what America is all about, and who really built it." he says.
Photo (Dick Russell)
Like the rest of your wedding plans, your beauty routine needs tobe thought out well in advance to ensure you get gorgeous in timefor your big day. The stress of wedding planning can take a lot outof a girl, regardless of how much help you have.
Plan a six-month countdown to make sure you look as radiant andhealthy as possible. Follow a good diet, a regular cleansing routineand improve your general lifestyle, as these all play their part.
To help prevent your skin from looking dull, eat plenty of freshfruit, remember your eight glasses of water a day and reduce youralcohol consumption. While exercise improves your circulation andflushes away the toxins that cause skin blemishes, it also helpsease stress, something any bride-to-be will appreciate.
Six months to go Book a consultation with your hairstylist todiscuss looks, styles, themes and colours.
Begin your beauty/exercise regime. Cleanse thoroughly every dayand use a serum and moisturiser in the morning and evening.
Exfoliate twice a week to remove dead skin cells and finish witha cream containing vitamin C.
Three months to go Try out different looks with your make-upartist, if you've opted to use one. If your budget doesn't run tothat, head for your nearest department store and ask at thecosmetics counters about bridal consultations.
If you've registered your wedding list with John Lewis, you maybe entitled to a free makeover for yourself and a friend. Also checkout Boots the chemist, as No7 consultants are available in largerbranches.
Book other beauty treatments, such as a fake tan.
Have a hair trial with your headpiece and veil, and book yourhairstylist for the morning of the wedding and any other colour ortrim appointments. And don't forget you'll need to book hair andbeauty appointments for your bridesmaids and mum, too.
One month to go Have your final cut and colour about two weeksbefore the big day. Around the same time, start breaking in yourwedding shoes.
If you're having regular facials, schedule your final appointmentfor seven to 10 days before the big day. Skin will still be glowingbut without the risk of any post-facial blemishes. And don't forgetyour decollete - exfoliate in the shower to slough away dead cellsand then apply the same serum you use on your face.
Timing is everything, so do a timed make-up trial, not just foryou but for your bridesmaids, too. Make-up comes after hair andnails, just before the wedding dress.
One week to go Prepare your make-up bag, including all yourbeauty, body, nail and hair products.
One day to go Have a manicure/pedicure. Relax, have a long bathand an early night.
The big day It's your day, so enjoy it! Give yourself plenty oftime to get ready.
Joe Branch lost two of his best friends on the Northwesternbasketball team this year. He lost his starting job last week.
The junior forward from Houston, however, has no intentions ofjumping ship with the Wildcats (3-2) heading into Saturday'snon-conference battle with Seton Hall (3-2) at Welsh-Ryan Arena(noon, SportsChannel).
Branch came to NU with high school teammate Darreion Dean. Asseniors they led Kincaid High School to the championship of theSouthwest Preparatory Conference, which encompasses all privateschools in Texas and Oklahoma.Dean had limited playing time as a freshman and appeared in onlyone game during an injury-marred sophomore season. He has sincetranferred to a Texas community college.Two weeks ago Geno Carlisle, whom Branch calls "one of my bestfriends in school," made his exit. Last year's star guard, facingtrial on a battery charge next month, leaves NU as soon as thisweek's semester exams are over and plans to transfer to anotherschool next month.That leaves Branch as the only member of coach Ricky Byrdsong'sfirst recruiting class left on the roster."It feels different without Darreion and Geno, but I'm here tostay," Branch said. "I love Northwestern. The last two years havenot gone well basketball-wise, but academic- and social-wise I'mhaving a great time."The basketball part picked up last week, after Byrdsong benchedBranch in favor of freshman Carvell Ammons. It was a move thatinspired a 58-56 victory over DePaul, as Ammons grabbed 15 reboundsand Branch finally found his shooting touch coming off the bench. Hescored 10 points and hit his first three-point shot after going0-for-6 in four games as a starter.Branch started 24 of 27 games last season, when he averaged 6.7points and 3.7 rebounds. Those numbers dropped to 4.6 and 2.6,respectively, in Big Ten games, and didn't pick up in NU's first fourgames this season."Joe played his best game against DePaul," Byrdsong said."When he plays well, we can play well. Much of our problems a yearago had to do with him. We need him to play well, but he's beenthinking about his shooting so much, and practicing so much. Maybehe needs to get away from it."Branch doesn't agree."I hit them all in practice, but in games I'm not sure," hesaid. "I think I'll get better the more shots I put up. The bigthing is that I come in and produce. It's not who starts, but whofinishes. I've kept my confidence. If I lose it, the coaches won'thave any confidence in me."
Former first lady Barbara Bush was in a Houston hospital Wednesday after complaining of a "little bit of pain."
Family spokesman Jim McGrath said Mrs. Bush went to Methodist Hospital Tuesday as a precaution. She had been experiencing some pain this week but McGrath did not know what it was.
McGrath said all of the results for tests she had undergone had been negative. Mrs. Bush could be held overnight to watch her condition.
McGrath said former President George H.W. Bush was with her.
Current first lady Laura Bush, Barbara Bush's daughter-in-law, said Wednesday: "She's doing great. George and I talked to both President Bush and Barbara Bush last night while they were in the hospital and they were both doing very well then."
Interviewed on ABC's "Good Morning America," Laura Bush said the White House doctor had spoken to Barbara Bush's doctor Wednesday morning and "she's doing very well."
Barbara Bush is 83.
The former Barbara Pierce, daughter of the publisher of McCall's magazine, married George H.W. Bush in January 1945 when he returned a hero from World War II.
She was the girl who, swept off her feet by a handsome Navy aviator, dropped out of college to marry him, "the first man I ever kissed," and thence was destined for a lifetime role as Supermom.
They had had their first child, George, while still at Yale in 1946. A daughter, Robin, died in 1953 of leukemia a few weeks before her 4th birthday. The other Bush children are sons Jeb, Neil and Marvin, and daughter Dorothy.
For years, Barbara Bush has been a sunny presence in American life, the sort of person who would make herself and others comfortable at your kitchen table. But she also was tough.
In the course of being George H.W. Bush's wife, she had to pack up and move the household 28 times before residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington.
Mrs. Bush disclosed she was suffering from an overactive thyroid ailment known as Graves' disease when she lived at the White House. The disease causes teary eyes and double vision in Mrs. Bush, according to her doctors.
Grassroots organizations play an instrumental role in government accountability and contribute to healthy public policies
DECEMBER 2006 WAS WITNESS TO TWO IMPORTANT MOMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN CANADA THAT ARE CLEARLY AT ODDS.
December 10 was the 25 anniversary of Canada's ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women-something to celebrate. But the same week also marked a series of hearings on the Hill conducted by the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women tasked with assessing the response to recent budget cuts and reforms by the ruling Conservative government to Status of Women Canada (SWC). And what was the response? Well, let's just say that women's groups across the country are not ready to make nice.
In November 2006, Status of Women Minister Bev Oda announced sweeping reforms to SWC in the name of 'streamlining' and 'efficiency.' The changes include substantial cuts to the SWC operating budget (a loss of 40%) and the subsequent closure of regional SWC offices (from 16 down to 4).
These significant economic reductions to an already miniscule SWC budget, during a booming time in the Canadian economy, and while the government is reporting a (continued) budget surplus, have summoned up appropriate boos and cries of shame by opposition parties hurled at the ruling Conservative party. Media pundits also rightly question why the Conservative government would seek shallow savings from organizations-grassroots women's groups across the country-that can afford it the least, literally ripping the shirts off their backs.
But what was often hidden in the general outcry and coverage of the SWC cuts was a fundamental change to the SWC mandate that was about a lot more than just money, and which should make all those interested in a healthy democracy sit up and take notice.
While most coverage and concern was focused on the SWC regional office closures, the words "equality," "advocacy," and "action" were quietly removed from the Terms and Conditions of the SWC mandate, and from various SWC documents, such as their website (a chilling process of erasure that attempts to change history-borrowed directly from the Bush administration's 'handling' of women's organizations in the US).
Oda also eliminated virtually all funding for research on women and women's issues and made it impossible for women's organizations involved in advocating or lobbying governments to be eligible for SWC money. At the same time, Oda made for-profit organizations eligible for SWC funding.
What does this mean? It means that if Shell or Microsoft or Bell want to start a trainee program for women, they may get taxpayer money to do so, but your regional, provincial/territorial or national women's organization that deals daily with Canadian women and families on issues of violence or health or poverty can no longer get government funding from SWC to undertake research, nor can they educate government officials or government policy makers on their knowledge and experience.
Some critics have declared the SWC cuts ideological and, thus, from a right-wing government, not too surprising. With these new strictures for SWC firmly in place, the Conservative government has clearly attempted to muzzle women's voices across the country.
But this is ironic, and contradictory, given that this government was voted in on-and continues to preach-a platform of accountability, democracy and evidence-based policy making. Grassroots women's organizations across the country, many of which received their funding from SWC, fulfill an essential democratic process and function as an accountability mechanism to government, to make sure that policy is based first in evidence (research) and experience (on the front lines), and on the actual needs of Canadian women and their families.
Important advocacy work undertaken by women's organizations, far from partisan, is an instrumental means to continue to educate and engage our elected officials on what is going on regionally in this vast country. It is a critical avenue of public discourse that only makes government policies stronger, more informed, and more complete.
Disagreement and debate from women's organizations with government officials or departments is not something that should be feared and quashed by the Conservative government, or by any government, but the sign of a healthy and vigorous democracy.
A government that can listen to the voices of those who work on the front lines and make a difference is an accountable government. A government that engages with the organizations that meet the direct needs of individual Canadians is one that is flexible and resilient enough to govern for all Canadians.
The Harper government has made a serious miscalculation if it believes that Canadians consider equality-women's or anyone's-and advocating for equality issues, a partisan or an ideological issue. Grassroots women's organizations in our country employ a host of women and men with various political leanings, and work on behalf of communities that vote for all political parties.
Equality is a Canadian value, not an ideological option. Advocating for equality in order to improve public programs and policy is also not partisan, but simply good public policy. And funding organizations (a pittance) to educate our elected officials on what they know-through both research and experience-can only benefit all Canadians, and ensure the most efficient delivery of services to all pockets of our regions.
The Harper government has also seriously miscalculated if it believes that women's equality has been fully achieved or has somehow been (effortlessly) won and is now over. Sadly, this is not the case. One in nine Canadian women live in poverty, according to Statistic Canada (2006); women still earn only 70.5% of what men earn for full-time work (Statistics Canada, 2006); and the bulk of unpaid caregiving-for children, seniors and the disabled-continues to be done by women. Too many women also continue to be on the receiving end of violence in the home. The list could go on; there is clearly much work that needs to be done.
Of course there are many different ways to tackle the problems of inequity in our country-and the means and methods can become a partisan or ideological discussion. But to silence the voices of those who work directly with the communities that most need our attention is helpful to no one. And it certainly does not make the needs of these communities go away.
Grassroots organizations have valuable knowledge and experience that should be an essential part of the discourse that informs decision-making. Sustaining organizations that carry out the equality-seeking work embedded in our Charter, and which work toward the equality values that all Canadians can be proud of, can only make Canada a better place.
[Sidebar]
If Shell or Microsoft or Bell want to start a trainee program for women, they may get taxpayer money to do so, but your regional, provincial/territorial or national women's organization that deals daily with Canadian women and families on issues of violence or health or poverty can no longer get government funding from SWC.
[Sidebar]
The Harper government has seriously miscalculated if it believes that women's equality has been fully achieved or has somehow been (effortlessly) won and is now over. One in nine Canadian women live in poverty; women still earn only 70.5% of what men earn for full-time work; and the bulk of unpaid caregivingcontinues to be done by women.
[Author Affiliation]
Kathleen O'Grady is a Research Associate at the Simone de Beauvoir Institute, Concordia University and the Director of Communications for the Canadian Women's Health Network.
A version of this article first appeared in the Montreal Gazette, December 20, 2006.
When Columbia College puts the official schedule for its end-of-year festival in the mail this week, the site of the annualcelebration of student work will simply say: to be announced.
That's because as of Friday, officials at the South Loop schoolweren't sure where the May 22 festival, expected to draw at least10,000 people, will be held.
They paid $5,000 for a permit from the Chicago Park District tohold it in Grant Park between 10th and 11th streets and Michigan, asite the district had suggested last year. But earlier this month, acollege staffer noticed the site was now a construction zone for acity project to build a pedestrian walkway over the Metra tracks andunder Columbus.
The snag had Chicago Park District and college officialsscrambling to find a new site for the event last week, less than amonth before the big day.
Park District spokeswoman Angelynne Amores admitted the permitshould not have been given to the school but said the festival willmost likely be held just a few blocks north on Michigan. Permits forthat site, however, won't be finalized until this week.
"It was a bureaucratic snafu," said Mark Kelly, Columbia's vicepresident for student affairs.
Thom Johnson, assistant commissioner at the Chicago Department ofTransportation, said his department was unaware the site had beenpromised to festival planners. Construction on the $18 millionproject began Jan. 19.
"This wasn't on anybody's radar screen," he said.
Despite the last-minute problems, planning for Columbia'sfestival, called Manifest, began shortly after a similar showcaselast May. It features artwork, photography, poetry and musicalperformances by hundreds of students.
In October, Columbia met with the Mayor's Office of Special Eventsand the Park District and asked to hold the event at the site whereChicago SummerDance is held, 601 S. Michigan, across the street froma main Columbia building. But since the dance stage still needed tobe erected there, the Park District suggested holding Manifest justsouth on Michigan between 10th and 11th streets.
But after that the time line for a proposed project to build thewalkway and underpass was accelerated, Amores said. In March, a ParkDistrict worker, not realizing the construction had begun and thesite was now fenced off, issued the permit to Columbia, Amores said.
Columbia continued to make arrangements for the 10th Street site.In addition to eight student bands, the school booked three worldmusic acts, including Los Cojolites, whose music was featured in themovie "Frida."
The school placed an announcement in 50,000 copies of a campusmagazine with the event's original location, Kelly said. But then a staffer saw the construction equipment and the school called the ParkDistrict.
The school held off issuing a press release on the event. But withonly a few weeks before the event, Columbia sent the officialschedule of events to a printer Friday. They will mail 15,000 copiesto alumni, friends of the university and others--but with no specificsite named.
Supreme Court deciding whether to hear former prosecutor's appeal
Kanawha County could be on the hook for the legal bills formerProsecutor Mike Clifford piled up while fighting attempts to removehim from office.
Clifford wants the state Supreme Court to force the county to paythe bills. Clifford's lawyer, Lonnie Simmons, filed the petition forappeal this week. The Supreme Court will now decide if justices willconsider the appeal.
Clifford's legal fees and costs exceed $40,000 but could gohigher. The former prosecutor has personally paid more than $20,000in legal fees and costs to defend himself, according to his petition.
In 2003, Clifford tried to have the Kanawha County Commissionreimburse him for the costs of defending himself against two failedremoval petitions. They refused and he sued.
Putnam Circuit Judge O.C. Spaulding, appointed to hear the caseafter all seven Kanawha County circuit judges recused themselves,refused Clifford's initial request for the reimbursement earlier thisyear.
Spaulding wrote in his July ruling that Clifford failed to act ingood faith in four of the eight allegations brought against him inthe removal petitions. Because Clifford acted in bad faith, Spauldingconcluded, he was not entitled to reimbursement.
In his appeal, Clifford blames the county's failure to reimbursehim on politics.
His appeal reads: "County politics is a brutal blood sport, whereparticipants engage in constant backstabbing and public flagellationsof each other. This isn't North Korea; this is America, wherepoliticians have a First Amendment right to bad mouth otherpoliticians.
"Engaging in politics, even hardball or mean spirited politics, isnot acting in good or bad faith; it simply is a way of life chosen bythose who are willing to have their names placed on a ballot and beelected to public office."
The removal petitions against Clifford included allegations thathe initiated illicit investigations of political opponents and sexualharassment toward employees and that he allowed employees to gaincompensatory time for work on political campaigning.
A panel of three circuit judges decided in October 2003 that theaccusations of Clifford were not severe enough to remove him fromoffice.
Clifford re-entered private legal practice after deciding not torun for a second term as prosecutor in 2004.
His legal fees have been a point of contention between him andcounty officials since Simmons' first legal bill was submitted morethan two years ago.
Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper has been againstthe payment from the start. He said Thursday that the appeal willpile up more money that Clifford believes he is entitled to.
"His conduct was reprehensible," Carper said. "The public shouldnot have to pay for this."
Carper and Commissioner Hoppy Shores voted not to reimburseClifford. Commissioner Dave Hardy abstained because he was named asan alleged political target in Clifford's removal proceedings.
PARIS (AP) — The latest batch of Beaujolais Nouveau, the popular French wine that's more fun than fine, made its debut Thursday.
The verdict for some: a sweet, fruity and authentic flavor that matches 2009's excellent harvest.
"It's excellent! I really like it!" said the 72-year-old Francois Cheri, who have tasted it for the past 30 years.. "Its soft, warm and very agreeable."
According to a rule in place since 1985, Beaujolais Nouveau cannot be uncorked until the start of the first minute of the third Thursday of November. The scrupulously respected rule opens the way for midnight celebrations that continue into day.
At "Ma Bourgogne," a Paris restaurant that regularly serves the young wine, everything was meticulously prepared for the first customers, including colorful table napkins announcing the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveaux.
"Autumn is here, the weather has changed. It's not so jolly. A little bit of Beaujolais wont hurt anyone," Cheri said with a grin.
"This year, it's a real treat," said Dominique Capart, head of Inter Beaujolais, an association that promotes the wine. "You smell the red fruits, the black currant, the rasberries. It's crisp and smooth in the mouth."
Beaujolais Nouveau is produced by 3,000 small winegrowing estates in the Beaujolais region near Lyon from one grape variety, Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc. Grapes are often handpicked then left to macerate for a period of four to five days, a process that ensures a fresh, light taste and low alcohol content.
For many refined French palates, however, the Beaujolais Nouveau does not make the cut.
"It's not a wine. It's practically a chemical product," said Dominique Richard. "Every year they say it tastes like bananas, like this, like that. It won't go down my stomach".
Frederique Costard agreed. "It's not wine. Many people will buy one bottle a year, and we leave the rest for export," he said.
Beaujolais Nouveau has a wide following abroad. Despite the economic downturn, more then 15.2 million bottles were exported to 110 countries in 2009, according to Inter Beaujolais, headquartered outside Lyon. Japan wins the prize as the biggest importer with 6 million bottles — and because of the time zone it is in gets the first taste each year. The United States is the second-biggest customer of the wine, with 2.3 million bottles.
But some here might be surprised to learn that more then half of the total production of 39.5 million Beaujolais Nouveau bottles were sold in France.
For Nicolas Pascua, manager of "Ma Bourgogne," there will always be a place for the wine in France. "There are always wine lovers (here) so there are no worries."
South Korea's president pledged to keep U.S. beef out of South Korea unless Washington limits exports to younger cattle, seeking to defuse a political crisis that has derailed his plan to boost U.S. ties and reinvigorate the economy.
In a nationally televised address Thursday, President Lee Myung-bak said he will "ensure that U.S. beef older than 30 months will not be put on our dinner tables as long as people don't want it."
The South Korean leader said he told U.S. President George W. Bush earlier this month that South Korea "would not be able to import U.S. beef" if his demands banning beef from older cattle _ believed to be more at risk of mad cow disease _ were not accepted.
His comments came as the top trade officials for the two countries held their latest talks Thursday in Washington, where Seoul was seeking to restrict beef shipments to cattle younger than 30 months.
Gretchen Hamel, a spokeswoman for the U.S. trade envoy, said the "talks are going well and we are making progress." The ministers and their technical staff have been meeting since late last week.
South Korea suspended imports of U.S. beef after the first American case of mad cow disease appeared in December 2003, closing what had been the third-largest foreign market.
Lee also apologized Thursday to the South Korean people over his April decision to allow resumed imports of American beef _ made just hours before he met Bush in Washington _ saying he thought it would help passage of a broader free-trade deal with the United States.
"I and the government are deeply sorry" for not caring about what the people wanted, he said.
It was Lee's second apology in less than a month over the beef debacle, which has forced all of his top aides and the entire Cabinet to offer to resign and led to weeks of protests. Lee took office in February after a landslide election win but has seen his popularity plummet over the beef issue.
With the global economy slowing, Lee said he had viewed the U.S.-South Korea free-trade agreement as a "shortcut" to fulfill his campaign promise to boost the South's economy.
"I did not want to miss this golden opportunity," he said.
But "there was no possibility of ratification" this year of the free-trade deal if South Korea continued to reject American beef, he said. The free-trade agreement has been approved by both governments but awaits legislative approval in Seoul and Washington.
Lee, a conservative from the Grand National Party, also said he wanted to improve relations with the U.S. to help the country's security, citing the nuclear threat from North Korea. Ties between the longtime allies had become strained during a decade of liberal governments in Seoul.
The beef agreement sparked anti-government protests that climaxed last week with a candlelight rally that drew some 80,000 people. But the scale of rallies has since dropped as the government began seeking to limit the import deal.
The following is a translation of a letter from death row by Vicente Sanchez to his brother, Eladio, during the Spanish Civil War. His daughter, Juliana, provided The Associated Press with a copy.
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Malaga, March 10, 1937
My dearest brother:
Today I have been tried by the Summary Council of War, which has recommended I be given the ultimate punishment. Although the verdict has yet to be passed and the sentence is not definite, I wish only that you should bear this misfortune with the same serenity as I do.
Eladio, with regards to the children of my heart and the woman of my life, I ask you to never abandon them and that you should seek a fine education for them so that they should grow to be dignified and praiseworthy members of the new society.
With regards to my dearest wife, I will never forget her affection, which I carry locked up in my heart. Always give her good advice, help her in any way you can ... she is so good and so blessed that the last breaths that leave my soul will be for her. Regarding our parents, try to prevent them finding out about this as I am sure it will kill them. Of our brothers and sisters, that they should be serene and resigned because this is no more than an accident of life, that the time for departure has come. After all what is life but a game of living in complete and continuous sacrifice?
Brother: Do not leave my children alone, be good to them and to our mother.
Maria: Look after our children and try to lead them along the proper path, be good as you always have so that you will be honored by them as you have been by me. I would prefer not to finish writing, but what more can I say? Many kisses brimming with glory for all from your Vicente.
Eladio, I am sending you the key to the suitcase that I have in the Hotel La Perla, No. 2 Pastora Street where you can go and collect it along with a new blanket and some boots. The coat I have left in Marmoles Street, in the Zamarrillo Inn, in the room where Manuel of the receipts lives.
Goodbye to all.
Vicente Sanchez Montes
PANAMA CITY (AP) — Panama granted asylum to a former head of Colombia's disgraced secret police Friday, saying she has legitimate reasons to fear for her life.
Maria del Pilar Hurtado, who is in Panama and petioned for asylum Thursday, is under investigation in a scandal prompted by revelations that the DAS domestic intelligence agency she headed in 2007-2008 spied on judges, journalists and rights activists opposed to then-President Alvaro Uribe.
She was granted asylum after "a careful analysis of the request ... and the circumstances of reasonable fear for her personal security that prompted her to leave her country," the Panamanian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
It gave no details on Hurtado's claim that her life was in danger.
The statement said the decision was made "in the spirit of contributing to the political and social stability of the region."
Panama's ambassador in Colombia, Ricardo Anguizola, said he had not seen Hurtado's application and didn't know on what basis she had made her request.
Hurtado's lawyer said he represents her only within Colombia and wasn't able to discuss the asylum request.
Colombia's inspector general last month barred Hurtado from public service for 18 years for her role in the scandal. Uribe's chief of staff, Bernardo Moreno, was also barred for 18 years.
While the spy scandal reached Uribe's inner circle, no one has implicated the former president. The DAS, short for Department of Administrative Security, answers directly to the president but has been so discredited that President Juan Manuel Santos has said he plans to radically reform it.
Colombian Justice Minister German Vargas said on Caracol radio that he thought Hurtado's asylum bid "is a bad precedent because there is an investigation under way against her by the nation's attorney general."
Hurtado was not barred from leaving Colombia because the investigation was preliminary.
___
Associated Press writer Vivian Sequera in Bogota, Colombia, contributed to this report.
SAN FRANCISCO - Track coach Trevor Graham, who helped launch a three-year federal probe of steroid use by elite athletes, is expected to be charged here as soon as Thursday with obstructing the investigation, two people with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press.
Speaking on condition of anonymity because the charges had not been made public, the Justice Department officials said Graham would be charged with making false statements to authorities investigating steroid use in sports.
Graham operates Raleigh-based Sprint Capitol USA, a team of about 10 athletes that includes 100-meter co-world record holder Justin Gatlin, who tested positive for testosterone and other steroids in April.
He also coached sprinter Marion Jones, who won five medals at the 2000 Sydney Games with him, and her former boyfriend Tim Montgomery, who was suspended from competition for two years, although he never tested positive for a banned substance.
---
Associated Press Writer Lara Jakes Jordan in Washington contributed to this report.
BALCO Grand Jury Turns Sights on GrahamSAN FRANCISCO - Track coach Trevor Graham, who helped launch a three-year federal probe of steroid use by elite athletes, is expected to be charged here as soon as Thursday with obstructing the investigation, two people with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press.
Speaking on condition of anonymity because the charges had not been made public, the Justice Department officials said Graham would be charged with making false statements to authorities investigating steroid use in sports.
Graham operates Raleigh-based Sprint Capitol USA, a team of about 10 athletes that includes 100-meter co-world record holder Justin Gatlin, who tested positive for testosterone and other steroids in April.
He also coached sprinter Marion Jones, who won five medals at the 2000 Sydney Games with him, and her former boyfriend Tim Montgomery, who was suspended from competition for two years, although he never tested positive for a banned substance.
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Associated Press Writer Lara Jakes Jordan in Washington contributed to this report.
THE recent Sunday afternoon Constellation Big Band entertainmentat Carmarthen Park was so enjoyable -- and free, too.
Well done the Town Council, I urge anyone keen on swing to turnup at …
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Elvis Andrus stole home in the first inning to scratch out a run against Roy Halladay.
When the Rangers got aggressive again in the ninth, it cost them.
Andrus stole home on a delayed double steal for the first run, but David Murphy was thrown out trying to steal second base to end the game, costing Texas in a 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night.
"I didn't get a good jump, but I don't think it matters," Murphy said. "I was in there, but they called me out."
Ben Francisco and Raul Ibanez homered, and Halladay (6-3) struck out seven and walked one for the NL East-leading Phillies.
Francisco hit a two-run shot in the second …
Byline: Sean Webby
SAN JOSE, Calif. _ With track star Marion Jones aiming to make another U.S. Olympic team, her ex-husband slipped into federal court Thursday in San Francisco and testified before the grand jury investigating the Balco Laboratories doping case, the San Jose Mercury News has learned.
C.J. Hunter was seen walking into the courthouse Thursday morning. Asked why he was there, the former world-champion shot putter declined comment. His attorney, Angela DeMent, said, "It's not for pleasure."
Returning a telephone call, DeMent later said she and Hunter flew from North Carolina as part of their "cooperation with authorities." She declined …
C.J. Hunter testifies before Balco grand jury.Byline: Sean Webby
SAN JOSE, Calif. _ With track star Marion Jones aiming to make another U.S. Olympic team, her ex-husband slipped into federal court Thursday in San Francisco and testified before the grand jury investigating the Balco Laboratories doping case, the San Jose Mercury News has learned.
C.J. Hunter was seen walking into the courthouse Thursday morning. Asked why he was there, the former world-champion shot putter declined comment. His attorney, Angela DeMent, said, "It's not for pleasure."
Returning a telephone call, DeMent later said she and Hunter flew from North Carolina as part of their "cooperation with authorities." She declined …
Northeast Florida I-CAR is setting an
example with its pioneering image campaign
I-CAR has long realized that it needs to get its name out to the public and gain recognition by motorists. Its goals are to improve the industry's image, to get a better return on investment from I-CAR Gold Class facilities, and to help attract more qualified technicians into the industry.
Steve Carey, chairman of I-CAR's Northeast Florida region, says community outreach seems to be working to accomplish this in his area. Carey, who was named chairman of his local committee two years ago this August, has begun an awareness campaign for Jacksonville and the rest of northeast Florida …
Like listeners adjusting a high-tech radio, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have tuned in to precise frequencies of brain activity to unleash new insights into how the brain works (see also Central Nervous System).
"Analysis of brain function normally focuses on where brain activity happens and when," says Eric C. Leuthardt, MD. "What we've found is that the wavelength of the activity provides a third major branch of understanding brain physiology."
Researchers used electrocorticography, a technique for monitoring the brain with a grid of electrodes temporarily implanted directly on the brain's surface. Clinically, Leuthardt and …
Byline: TIM WILKIN Staff Writer
LOUDONVILLE - One thing you have to give to Siena basketball coach Rob Lanier: He is an eternal optimist.
With five games left in the Saints' regular season and his future with the program hanging by the thinnest of threads, Lanier comes to work every day, a smile on his face.
On the outside, he is a man determined to try to find a way to make his team better. That in itself has been a chore. Siena is 4-20 and in last place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference at 2-11. Siena faces St. Peter's tonight at 7 at Pepsi Arena.
Unless there is a complete turnaround, Siena will end the regular season in the …
A suspect in the April assault of a Madison County Quorum Court member was arrested Friday on a related federal gun charge. (Arkansas …
NEW YORK (AP) — When it comes to playing overseas during the NBA lockout, Billy Hunter has a simple message for the league's players: Enjoy your trip, we'll call you when it's time to come home.
In a memo sent to players on Tuesday night and obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday, the union leader said the NBA Players' Association supports all players "who are taking steps to continue to earn a living, stay in peak competitive shape, and play the game that we love while the unfortunate league-imposed lockout is in place."
"This lockout is intended to economically pressure our players to agree to an unfavorable collective bargaining agreement," Hunter wrote. "It is …
ABSENTEEISM plagued state government in the 1980s. Rather thandiscipline abusers, the Legislature offered state workers incentives- pension credits or free health insurance upon retirement - not toabuse sick leave.
State taxpayers are now on the hook for $10 billion in unfundedliabilities for Other Post Employment Benefits, mainly healthinsurance.
Belatedly, state leaders made changes. Employees hired as of July1, 2010, were told not to expect health insurance from taxpayerswhen they retire.
The finance board of the Public Employees Insurance Agency votedin December to cap state contributions to other employees andretirees at the current level, …
Norwegian reindeer may not be red-nosed, but they are easier for motorists to spot thanks to new gear they're wearing this holiday season.
Reindeer owners have outfitted around 2,000 of their animals with reflective yellow collars or small antler tags in an effort to lessen the odds that they will be hit by vehicles, according to news reports from the icy Scandinavian country.
Car crashes kill around 500 reindeer in Norway each year, the reports say. A project leader with the Norwegian Public Roads …
This company has launched the F-Series inverting filter centrifuge (photo), the second generation in this line of equipment. With 50% fewer machine parts than the previous generation, the F-Series provides a compact design in a smaller footprint. These centrifuges employ new Pressure Added Centrifugation technology …
Byline: TIM O'BRIEN Staff writer
An audit of the city's handling of a federal grant program cleared the city of any wrongdoing.
The report by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services recommended the city be careful with its accounting records but found no serious deficiencies with the handling of $199,076 in federal money for the COMBAT program, meant to target neighborhoods with drug problems.
The audit showed the city incorrectly billed the program for $2,310 to pay for officers assigned on overtime to work as security guards in Troy City Court. Since the court bills the state Office of Court Administration for its security costs, two funds …
The Tecra A7 is a well-featured, desktop replacement notebook featuring Intel's Core Duo T2300 dual-core processor and a 15.4in screen. It has a fairly small footprint of 360mmx267mmx36.8mm and weighs a light 2.8kgs, making it very mobile. The Tecra's specifications are powerful and its price is affordable--it's the first Centrino Duo notebook to feature in the sub-$2500 notebook chart (see page 78).
Performance wise, running PC WorldBench 5 and 3DMark 2001SE it delivered the highest scores in its price category (86 and 12899 respectively). Running the game FEAR, it averaged 21fps on high graphics settings, and 48fps when detail settings were optimised.
The …
An 8-year-old boy accused of killing his father and another man in eastern Arizona will be allowed to spend Thanksgiving with his mother, a move that drew criticism from the family of the second victim.
The boy and his mother, Eryn Thomas, sat beside each other in court Wednesday in St. Johns, often leaning over and whispering into one another's ear. The boy, wearing a navy blue shirt and pants, was free from the cuffs he wore in a previous hearing.
Judge Michael Roca agreed to allow the boy to leave juvenile detention from noon on Nov. 26 until noon on Nov. 28. Prosecutor Brad Carlyon objected, citing concerns about the safety of the public.
Defense …
Three of the four African American aldermen whose wards would be directly impacted voted against an ordinance Wednesday that would guarantee at least $500 million.
The guarantee is contingent upon the city being selected for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
City Council members voted 45-5 in favor of the ordinance. All five aldermen opposing the ordinance were African American - Arenda Troutman (20th), Dorothy Tillman (3rd), Toni Preckwinkle (4th) - whose three wards would be the most impacted. Howard Brookins Jr. (21st) and Shirley Coleman (16th) voted no also.
"It's hard for me to believe that no one in the city knew that this was going to be an issue before the …
TODAY we are all about one of my favourite awards ceremonies - the 63rd annual Emmys, which honours all things television.
One of the things I love about the Emmys, besides seeing a red carpet and ballroom crammed with almost every single favourite telly star, is that they considerately (probably because they know a thing or two about making TV shows) separate the creatives and the categories viewers actually care about.
This means the industry players all get to pat themselves on the back on one night, and the average person like you and me gets an eyeful of the stars on another.
Creative Emmys were presented last Saturday, with HBO garnering a cluster of 15 winged statuettes. Boardwalk Empire took the lion's share, and with nominations in Sunday's event including best drama, best actor and best supporting actress I am going to go out on a limb and predict a few more wins.
Also already in the bag is a best reality show win for Deadliest Catch (Discovery, Mondays at 9.25pm), as well as additional nods for editing, sound mixing and cinematography.
Over the years I have failed to see the ongoing attraction of watching a …
An exhibition of paintings and bronze sculptures by Herman van Nazareth is at Chelsea on 34 Gallery, 34 Mount Pleasant Street, Darling, until Saturday, March 31. Call 022 492 3745 or e-mail chelseagallery@ telkomsa.net
The Bonfire Theatre Company will perform at Kalk Bay Theatre on Sunday at 6pm. The company will use an innovative theatre form called Play Back Theatre. Members of the audience are invited on stage to tell their true life stories, which are then "played …
Byline: BILL EAGER Staff writer
Kelli Jo Wood, the Mechanicville mother accused of killing her baby after an exhumation and autopsy revealed the child was smothered, pleaded guilty to manslaughter Thursday in Saratoga County Court.
Wood, who had been charged with three counts of second-degree murder, pleaded to one count of first- degree manslaughter under a plea agreement between the district attorney's office and her attorney, John Ciulla.
Wood, who is being held without bail, will be sentenced to 4 to 12 years in state prison on Nov. 16 as part of the agreement, Assistant District Attorney Thomas McNamara said. Under sentencing guidelines, she …
