85 Hindu pilgrims killed in India lorry crash

Saturday, September 8, 2007

A minimum of 85 Hindu pilgrims have been killed in India and 64 injured after their lorry and trailer plunged 24m (80ft) into a river gorge late last night.

Approximately 150 people were on board when the driver lost control on a sharp bend near the village of Nagbavji, Rajasthan, smashing through a concrete crash barrier and continuing down into the valley, coming to rest inverted.

An overnight rescue operation was initiated, removing both survivors and bodies of the dead from the wreck, with the aid of cranes and spotlights. Ambulances and medical teams rushed to the scene from surrounding areas. Of the 64 who were hospitalised, three are reported to be in critical condition. The Press Trust of India reported that as many as 130 were injured, and Al Jazeera reported that there may have been 200 people on board. It is believed the death toll could rise still further, as many people remain trapped beneath the trailer.

The truck was a 12-wheeled model designed for hauling shipping containers, and was carrying pilgrims from three nearby villages Shiwal, Madri and Bhawa. The driver had offered to take them to their destination for free, a practise common in India, despite the fact that such trucks are not safe for passenger transport, being designed primarily as freight transporters.

The vehicle had been destined for the temple of Ramdev, a site considered by both Hindus and Muslims as being of high spiritual significance. The temple is the subject of an annual ten-day pilgrimage every September, which begins on September 13, although most of the 250,000 pilgrims who flock to the site arrive several days in advance of the festival.

The Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje visited the three villages in which the victims resided. The local government has initiated a full inquiry into the disaster.

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China’s Four Companies Included In The World Bank Blacklist

By Himfr Paul

March 3, 2010, the Vietnamese government announced that China State Construction Engineering Corporation (the “China State Construction Company”) in Ho Chi Minh City, a project was suspended. The project is aided by the World Bank, the contract amount 85 million U.S. dollars (about 580 million yuan), the implementation period of 3 years, is nearing completion.

Outsourcing operations in Vietnam over 20 years in the construction company, a good local reputation. But then one thing in the Philippines, has affected the company in the construction business in Vietnam.

For the four Chinese companies, the World Bank’s specific rulings are as follows: China Road and Bridge Group is prohibited from bidding in 8 years (if performed well, after lifting the ban will be in 5 years or reduce the sanctions); China State Construction Engineering Corporation and Wuyi Company 6 years were barred from bidding (if good, will be lifted after 4 years or reduce the sanctions); China Geo-Engineering Corporation five years are prohibited from tendering (if performed well, 3 years or reduce the sanctions will be lifted).

“We have a rigorous evaluation determined mechanism, by increasing the transparency of financial management, strengthen tax and customs administration and other methods and means, and actively combat corruption effectively and to help local government to improve services and economic regulatory mechanisms.” World Bank China Office Ye Ying, director of procurement in the acceptance of “Financial State Weekly” interview, said.

During the investigation, the World Bank will normally flow through the two-step sanctions to curb corruption management.

Ye Ying said, “At present, four of the assessment officer with the World Bank Group, IBRD and IDA separately for the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, provided by the World Bank partial risk guarantee of the investment projects in four categories case of audit. For the three types of sanctions after the case has established the Sanctions Committee with expertise in internal and external experts responsible for hearing, in order to effectively guarantee the impartiality of the Bank’s decision and objectivity. ”

In 1996, the World Bank President James? Wolfensohn to combat the “cancer of corruption” as the World Bank’s top priority. Year, the General Assembly passed a resolution to require States to prohibit in international commercial transactions to pay bribes to public officials, and do not allow such payments for tax cuts.

Since 1999, the World Bank announced that it will not give any to the corruption of international companies qualified to bid, and to prohibit their participation in all Bank-financed by the project. From 2001 to the end of February 2010, worldwide there are more than 367 companies and individuals subject to sanctions, the World Bank’s public and was included in the blacklist of the World Bank’s business.

Relevant to the latest World Bank blacklist, “Finance and Economics National Weekly” reporter provided a long blacklist.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aongOSdYiLU[/youtube]

World Bank sanctions period is 2 to 8 years, have 15 years, as long as full term, you will be automatically deleted the names of companies. The most severe punishment is banned for life.

Chinese Academy of Social Sciences researcher Li Min public accept the “Financial State Week” interview, said, “World Bank-funded projects on its own a review process, the main tender for the project, the construction process exists to monitor corruption and fraud. The audit is based on the world Bank project procedures guide, the guide has two articles on corruption and fraud, respectively. Firms, once was blacklisted for a certain period of time will be prohibited to participate in any Bank-financed projects. to be included in the list of enterprises can raise objections or supplements, and if included in the list of companies with good performance, it may shorten the duration of the sanctions. ”

Leaves England on the “financial national magazine,” said the March 16, 1999, two Canadian companies were punished for permanent loss of participation in World Bank projects eligible for financing. This is the world’s first was the World Bank imposed the most severe penalties in the enterprise.

According to Ye Ying said the British company, without exception, all 35 scores were nullified by the “most severe punishment.” April 8, 1999, the World Bank found that the British construction company, Armani, including four London, permanent loss of eligibility of participation in World Bank financed projects.

World Bank’s blacklist, the companies from both developed and developing countries a lot. This seems Western countries have frequently accused the companies of developing countries against the standard and levels of corruption, said it was a big difference.

“National Financial Weekly” reporter found that companies in the latest World Bank blacklist, a total of 25 countries of 148 construction companies top the popular list. Of these, 72 were classified as the most severe sanctions. Sanctioned the company the largest three countries: United Kingdom (35), Bangladesh (27), Indonesia (14).

In the blacklist, the permanent loss of businesses involved in World Bank financed project eligibility, the top three countries: United Kingdom (35), Sweden (11), United States (8). Moreover, Germany, Korea, Singapore, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and Ireland were a business.

Ye Ying said that Senegal’s two construction companies being punished was the lightest, are only banned for two years.

Blacklisted Chinese enterprises at present only the above four.

Black list effect “on business, once included in the blacklist of the World Bank, it is like being in the world market-wide arrest warrant.” Shanghai Pacific International Institute for Strategic Studies senior analyst Zhu Xiaolin told “Financial State Week” interview, said that despite the World Bank financed projects in the global market share is small, but the World Bank’s approach on a global scale with a demonstration effect, in the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and other major financial system with a warning. Although we can not say “a black 100 black,” but companies will face in the global credit crisis and market crisis.

Lee Chung Min, said the World Bank enterprise blacklist direct impact on the business or large, in addition to these enterprises in the penalty period can not participate in the construction of any other than the World Bank-funded projects, but also enable them to Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America’s development severely affected.

In addition, Lee Chung Min said, it is difficult to avoid in the future there will be more and more institutions (such as the Asian Development Bank, etc.) to take and learn from similar measures, and if so, the loss will be even greater.

Ye Ying said that in recent years, the Philippines, the construction market more serious corruption, the World Bank was very unhappy, so the World Bank spent a lot of time and energy to deal with the matter.

“In the Philippines, the project found there after the 5-year contract violation, we have done a lot of investigation and evidence collection. According to the World Bank states: If any company is accused of funded projects in fraud, corruption, coercion, collusion, obstruction law enforcement misconduct, the immediate implementation of rigorous investigation and handling. “Ye Ying said,” these awards is to promote better governance and curb corruption, effectively making the World Bank aid projects to achieve sustainable development worldwide . ”

The World Bank’s decision to build its overseas business in the general manager, said Chen was “great respect for the World Bank’s decision.” He said, “For our enterprises, do have certain responsibilities. As the project in the Philippines against the standard phenomena of many, we are also involved in the violation of standard, operating in the Philippine market, the existence of improper operation of the process of behavior.”

“The World Bank’s standard is unified, international. The standard of the Philippine Government is regionalization, the World Bank can not use the standards of the Philippines this event.” Chen was told, “Financial State Week,” “In fact, this things on our business in the Philippines has created a significant impact. because the World Bank’s blacklist came out, it is well known, we have the mouth Nanbian. ”

However, with the face sanctions, China Wuyi Company Limited’s view is different. The company said in a public statement: “Prior to the World Bank Independent Investigation Board to be positive with the process and procedures in strict accordance with the World Bank participate in the respondent and the respondent, but the question is not related to the company’s effective response to the World Bank . Although the World Bank’s sanctions are the World Bank internal procedures, but should not violate basic legal principles, can not avoid its legal consequences. In view of the sanctions directly affect the company’s reputation and future business development, said China Wuyi reserves the right to appeal. ”

For China Wuyi statement, Zhu Xiaolin that “meaningless” and said, “this view there is no market in the international community. With international standards will have to accept the internationally accepted rules of the game. If not, follow-up are problems.”

“Going out” To be more accepting of Commerce Research Institute Huo Jianguo, “Financial State Week” interview, said, “More and more Chinese enterprises to go abroad, join the wave of international competition. But , due to international capabilities, ability to grasp the international rules and the internal project team configurations relatively poor, so we need to strive to improve business communication and management capabilities. ”

Despite being included in the blacklist of the World Bank are not many Chinese enterprises, but experts say we should take warning. “Because this four illegal Chinese enterprises, making not included in the list of Chinese companies will be adversely affected. Over time, the outside will cause Chinese enterprises to the level of business ethics, poor image, once formed this impression, it will severely restrict China business overseas. “Lee Chung Min said.

Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in the world economic and political cross-border investment, research director Zhang Jinjie are told, “Financial National Weekly” reporter, “Chinese enterprises need to do bigger and stronger, needs to learn countless things. Each should be the result of a failure of their own wealth. to companies from other countries to adapt to international markets seeking the ‘competition’. ”

For Zhang Jinjie view, foreign trade liberalization of China Economic Research Institute of the University of He Weiwen, agrees. He said the overseas contracted projects of Chinese enterprises has two urgent need to improve: First, the market level is not high enough; second is room for improvement in financial sectors.

He Weiwen, Shui, the Chinese enterprises to undertake projects abroad, are third-party financing, but with large foreign exchange reserves of China, fully capable of financing themselves Zhexie projects. Chinese enterprises should consider opening up the domestic financing channels, qualified enterprises can create their own financing platform, the premature enterprises to the government’s support of U.S. dollar bills by means of financing in the domestic market.

Chen said it “will learn a lesson.” He said that has been in the Philippines Construction Company in the market is not profitable, and the emergence of black incident adds to its further development in the Philippines, the negative impact. “We may be planning to withdraw from the Philippines, the shift is more suitable for our long-term stable development of the market and the state.”

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Pennsylvania cop on trial for allegedly murdering girlfriend’s estranged husband

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The trial began today for a Pennsylvania state trooper accused of killing his girlfriend’s estranged husband.

Kevin Foley, 43, is accused of cutting the throat of John Yelenic, a dentist who was in the final stages of finalizing a divorce from his wife, Michele. According to prosecutors, Foley “loathed Dr. Yelenic” so much that he asked another fellow trooper to help him commit the alleged murder, which occurred in Yelenic’s Blairsville home.

Deputy Attorney General Anthony Krastek told an Indiana County jury that Foley also prayed Yelenic would die, and spread false rumors that Yelenic molested his adopted son.

“You will see Kevin Foley has the motive, the opportunity and the ability to commit this crime, almost to the exclusion of anybody else,” Krastek said.

Foley’s defense attorney, Jeffrey Monzo, said during opening statements that DNA evidence was not conclusive. Monzo admitted to the jury that Foley did not like Yelenic, but said that does not mean he murdered him.

“Kevin Foley is innocent,” he said.

Prosecutors said they could call as many as 70 witnesses to try and prove Foley wanted Yelenic to die. The trial, at the Indiana County Courthouse, is expected to last about three weeks.

Foley, who is on unpaid suspension from the Pennsylvania State Police, is charged with criminal homicide. The jury has the option of convicting him of first-degree murder, which could put Foley in prison for life without parole, or of a lesser degree charge, like manslaughter.

John Yelenic was found dead in his home on April 13, 2006, one day before he was planning on signing his divorce papers. Prosecutors said Foley killed Yelenic after going to the dentist’s house to confront him over the terms of the divorce. Prosecutors claim Foley slashed Yelenic several times with a knife and pushed his head through a small window, causing a further gash on his neck. Yelenic bled to death.

Foley had been living with Michele Yelenic for two years at the time of the alleged homicide. Krastek said Michele also helped perpetuate rumors that Dr. Yelenic molested their son. John and Michele Yelenic had been separated in 2002. Michele Yelenic stood to collect Dr. Yelenic’s estate and a $1 million life insurance policy, and could lose about $2,500 a month in support if the divorce was finalized, a Pennsylvania grand jury previously determined.

Michele Yelenic is expected to testify that Foley was home with her when the alleged murder occurred. Krastek told the jury DNA under Yelenic’s fingerprints will ultimately link him to the murder, as will bloody shoe prints found at the crime scene that match athletic shoes Foley is known to wear.

Monzo also said authorities have failed to investigate several other suspects, including Yelenic’s neighbor. Monzo said Yelenic was on very friendly terms with the neighbor’s wife, which could have given him a motive to commit the murder.

Prior to the trial, Foley’s defense attorneys unsuccessfully sought a change of venue because an overwhelming majority of the jury pool was familiar with the allegations. The change was denied when jurors insisted they had not formed an opinion about the charges.

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Japan’s National Diet passes law allowing Emperor Akihito to abdicate within three years

Monday, June 12, 2017

On Friday, Japan’s parliament, the National Diet, passed a law to allow Emperor Akihito to abdicate. The law gives Akihito three years to become the first emperor to abdicate since Emperor Kokaku in 1817, two hundred years ago.

The newly passed law, made in response to the country’s Imperial Household Law’s lack of abdication provisions, applies to only Akihito, aged 83. It prohibits Akihito’s successors from abdicating.

Akihito ascended to the 2,000-year-old Chrysanthemum Throne when his father Emperor Hirohito died in 1989. Having a cardiac surgery and treatment for prostate cancer, Akihito in a televised address last year said age and health were interfering with his duties. Per Japan’s current constitution, an emperor cannot make political statements, so Akihito did not explicitly mention abdication.

When abdication happens, under new law, Akihito’s son and heir apparent Naruhito will ascend the throne, becoming the country’s 126th emperor. Besides Naruhito, Akihito has another son and a daughter.

Emperor Akihito’s heir apparent Naruhito, born in 1960, graduated from Oxford University and married a Harvard University graduate Masako Owada in 1993. Portland State University professor Kenneth Ruoff told the BBC that, while Akihito and his wife have been active in social causes, Naruhito and Masako have done little in this regard. A Kyoto Sangyo University emeritus professor Isao Tokoro said Naruhito “has been educated,” is born, and is qualified “to be emperor[.]”

In 2006, the National Diet debated on allowing female ascendance, as the emperor lacked grandsons at the time, due to the current male-only royal ascendance laws. Then Hisahito, now 10, was born, and the debate lapsed.

Naruhito has only one child Aiki, 15, while his brother Prince Akishino, 51, has three children, including his only son Hisahito. Per current law, Hisahito is qualified to ascend after his uncle Naruhito and his father.

The royal family has 19 living members, including seven unmarried princesses and five males. Female royals, if marrying a commoner, would have to give up their royal status, leaving the royal family, while males would still be allowed to retain their royal status after marrying a commoner. Akishino’s daughter Princess Mako announced her plans last month to relinquish her royal status and leave the royal family in order marry a commoner Kei Komuro, a graduate student and law firm worker, both of them aged 25. In 2005, Mako’s aunt and Naruhito’s sister Sayako, formerly Princess Nori, married a commoner Yoshiki Kuroda, a town planner, and was forced to relinquish her status and leave the family.

A Temple University Japan professor Jeff Kingston said a national succession crisis has people raising concerns about female princesses leaving the royal family when getting married. Kingston added the family “[has] a shortage of male heirs.” Kingston also said ousting a female royal for marrying a commoner is “a very old-fashioned approach, totally out of sync with 21st-century norms” to many people around the world, including in Japan.

In a survey by Kyodo News conducted in May of about 3000 people at least 18 years old, 68 percent said the Imperial Household Law should be amended to allow future emperors to abdicate. 25 percent favored separately legislating each abdication. Four percent said abdication of emperors should never be allowed.

On questions involving female royals, 86 percent said to allow empresses; 59 percent supported both empresses and established branches of female lineages. 62 percent supported establishment of separate branches for princesses retaining their roles while marrying commoners; 35 percent opposed. 61 percent said female ascendance should be debated only after the abdication, while 28 percent said it shouldn’t wait for the abdication.

Early this year, the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe considered giving imperial status to branches of those who left the royal family. In the survey, 22 percent supported the idea; 72 percent opposed.

The Abe government has avoided the debate of female ascendance but recently passed a non-binding resolution attached to the newly passed abdication law to consider how to strengthen female royal status, possibly including allowing them to retain their royal titles and continue their duties, to compensate for the declining royal population.

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World AIDS Day events held around the globe

Sunday, December 2, 2007

The 20th annual World AIDS Day was December 1, 2007. The theme selected by the World AIDS Campaign is “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise” as it will be through 2010. The day was marked by thousands of events around the world.

“It is now time for bold leadership at all levels in order to turn the tide of HIV,” said Felicita Hikuam, Global Programmes Manager, World AIDS Campaign. An estimated 33.2 million people around the world—one in every 200—are living with HIV, and approximately 6,800 people are infected with HIV and 5,700 people die of AIDS-related illnesses every day.

“The trend is encouraging but still for every person receiving treatment four others are newly infected,” said Nelson Mandela, speaking at a concert in Johannesburg, South Africa. “If we are to stop the Aids epidemic from expanding, we need to break the cycle of new HIV infections. All of us working together with government, communities and civil society can make the difference that is needed,” he continued.

As many as 50,000 people attended the concert in Johannesburg, South Africa, which was telecast around the world. It was organized by Nelson Mandela’s 46664 AIDS campaign and featured performances by artists such as Peter Gabriel, Ludacris, Razorlight, the Goo Goo Dolls and Annie Lennox.File:20050702-Nelson Mandela Live8 Edinburgh.jpg

At a fundraiser in the town of Midrand, in the province Gauteng, near Johannesburg on Friday, singer Annie Lennox had strong words for the South African government’s AIDS policies.

“AIDS, as Madiba [Mandela] has said, is a human rights issue and should be treated as such in order to avoid this genocide that is affecting millions and millions of people around the world,” said Lennox in a speech. Lennox has previously been critical of the South African government’s position on suggesting some AIDS medications were toxic. “It is unacceptable that treatment has not been made available to those who need it most,” said Lennox.

The rock band Queen, which lost its lead singer Freddie Mercury to AIDS, released a new song entitled, Say It’s Not True, to coincide with World Aids Day. It has been made available as a free download from the band’s website. “By making the song available for free, we hope to help Nelson Mandela with his campaign to get across the message that no-one is safe from infection,” said Queen drummer Roger Taylor. “We have to be aware, we have to protect ourselves and those we love.”

In China, people distributed AIDS prevention brochures in the streets and promoted safe sex in cities like Beijing and Shanghai. In Changsha, official warning signs were put on hotel bedstands. The government announced on Friday an allocation of CNY860 million for AIDS prevention and control. According to official reports, there are estimated to be 700,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in China.

Also in China, the Miss World 2007 was in Sanya on World AIDS Day. The pageant presented a special tribute to the fight against AIDS, with a televised speech from former South African President Nelson Mandela, along with traditional dancers from South Africa who joined the contestants in a special song.

Friday, United States President George W. Bush urged the United States Congress to double the 2003 Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief to US$30 billion over the next five years. “Above all, we rededicate ourselves to a great purpose: We will turn the tide against HIV/AIDS—once and for all,” he said.

“I’m pleased to announce that Laura and I will travel to sub-Sahara Africa early next year,” Bush said. Sub-Saharan Africa suffered nearly three-quarters of AIDS-related deaths during 2006 and is home to two-thirds of those living with HIV/AIDS.

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Thinking About Where To Apartment Hunt In Winnipeg?

By Adriana Notton

For anyone looking to relocate to Manitobas capital city where to apartment hunt in Winnipeg will be a worry. Will the city be able to accommodate the individual, couple or family’s housing needs? What about the tourist looking for an apartment to rent? Most people who move to a new area or visitors passing through will naturally be concerned about the things that are important to them and these will be at the front of the mind when searching.

Finding the right place in the city which suits the requirements of the renter or buyer should not be too difficult a task. All of the essential amenities are available everywhere. This just leaves the individual, family, couple or tourist with the task of finding an apartment for rent which fits with there existing lifestyle.

The majority of Manitobas populace live in Winnipeg. Many European settlers arrived here to live and work during the eighteenth century. The inhabitants of Manitoba would probably classify themselves today as Canadian. However, the ethnic background of the population is mostly of British descent but also includes French, German, Spanish and Dutch. Over the years people have settled here from across the globe which makes for a very colourful and eclectic City.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IFwZtcKSY0[/youtube]

Manitoba shares a border with America. Within the city and province there is an excellent public transport system. There are also very good links by air, rail and road to America. In such a bustling city with easy access to the United States one would expect property rentals to be exorbitant. However, this is not so and renting a spacious, homely, apartment in Winnipeg does not require a small fortune.

There are many different types of apartments from loft conversions, studio apartments and modern apartment blocks all fitted with conveniences and with access to car parking. Every conceivable style of accommodation is available including buildings kind to the environment in design and in materials used in construction.

The centre of the city is a great place to live but may not be to the taste of families with children. Quiet residential locations are available in the city’s suburbs. The size and quality of properties available for rent in suburban locations is impressive. Certainly per square metre there is more value for money here than in similar areas in Europe.

This is also an area which benefits from tourism. There is no shortage of places to stay for travellers who may wish to rent a property for the duration of their visit. The city has holiday lets available that agrees with all budgets from back packers to the more sophisticated traveller.

Relocating or travelling within this city involves thinking about where to apartments hunt. Property requirements will be sought on the basis of the individual, family or travellers current situation. Location will be important so too will the accessibility of local amenities, work and sites of attraction. Within the city centre and outlying neighbourhoods there are properties which will be of interest and within the price range of most peoples budgets.

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City to sue owner of partially collapsed 19th century livery in Buffalo, New York

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Buffalo, New York —Two weeks after a 19th century stable and livery on Jersey Street partially collapsed and caused 15 homes to be evacuated in Buffalo, New York, residents still do not have answers from the city despite a court order to work with them and come to an agreement on a way to save some or all of the building, Wikinews has learned. Despite the frustration from residents, the city is planning on suing the building’s owner. A rally was held at the stable’s site where residents are hoping to bring more awareness to the situation and gain more support to save the building.

On June 11, a significant portion of the stable’s right side wall collapsed into the yard of a resident’s home. Authorities, including the Buffalo Fire Department were called to the scene to evaluate the collapse and evacuate 15 homes of residents surrounding the stable as a precautionary measure. The following day, the city ordered an emergency demolition on the building, which was stopped by a restraining order residents with Save The Livery (www.savethelivery.com) won on June 14. Two weeks later, five homes are still evacuated and residents don’t know when they will be able to return.

On June 19, Judge Justice Christopher Burns of the New York State Supreme Court ordered a halt to the emergency demolition and ordered the city and residents to come to an agreement to save the building, or at least a significant portion of it. Despite a court date today, no agreement has yet been reached between the two parties.

“It is in the interest of the city to have a safe environment–but also important to maintain a sense of historical preservation,” stated Burns in his June 19th ruling. The court ruled that a limited demolition could take place and that the city was only allowed to remove material in immediate danger to residents and pedestrians, but stated that the demolition could only be performed with “hand tools.” The court also ordered that any rubble which had fallen into neighboring yards when the building collapsed, to be removed. Since then, most of not all the significantly damaged portions of the building or portions in immediate danger of falling have been demolished. The roof has also been removed to put less stress on the stable’s walls.

“Its been over three years since we have been having problems with part of the livery falling down. There was an implosion two weeks ago and suddenly the city wanted to have an emergency demolition,” said Catherine Herrick who lives on Summer Street immediately behind the stable and is the main plaintiff in the lawsuit against the city. Many homes on Summer are small cottages which were used as servants quarters when the stable was in operation, many of which were built in the 1820’s. At least seven homes on Summer border the stable’s back walls. Residents in those homes have significant gardens which have been planted against the building and growing for decades.

“Both parties are to continue to work together to see how we can meet everybody’s needs. This is the third time we have been in that courtroom, and that is what we were basically told to do,” added Herrick who said the rally was held today because this “is Buffalo’s history. Buffalo is a wonderful place to live because of its history and this is a historical, beautiful building and we need to keep those beautiful buildings.”

Herrick states that the city is working with residents, but also believes that its “slow moving” and they are allowing the owner to get away with neglect on the property.

“I believe right now that they are letting the owner get off. The owner was negligent for 20 years, and hasn’t done anything to it despite what he has claimed to say. Now that this is an emergency situation, the city has a lot to say about it,” added Herrick.

Currently the building is owned by Bob Freudenheim who has several building violations against him because its poor condition. He has received at least five violations in three months and residents who live near the building state that Freudenheim should be “100% responsible” for his actions.

Freudenheim gave the city permission to demolish the building on June 12 during an emergency Preservation Board meeting, because he would not be “rehabilitating the building anytime soon.” Freudenheim, along with his wife Nina, were part-owners of the Hotel Lenox at 140 North Street in Buffalo and were advocates to stop the Elmwood Village Hotel from being built on the Southeast corner of Forest and Elmwood Avenues. They also financially supported a lawsuit in an attempt to stop the hotel from being built. Though it is not known exactly how long Freudenheim has owned the stable, Wikinews has learned that he was the owner while fighting to stop the hotel from being built. Residents say that he has been the owner for at least 22 years. Attorneys for Freudenheim confirm that the city is starting proceedings against him for his violations beginning as early as Wednesday June 25. Freudenheim has not released a statement and could not be reached for comment.

Many residents want the building preserved and Herrick states that their engineer can have it stable in “four days” as opposed to the 14-30 days it would take to demolish the building and “at a lesser cost than what it costs to demolish it.”

It will cost the city nearly US$300,000 to demolish the building which is paid for with tax money collected from residents in the city. The Buffalo News reports that fees are approaching $700,000. Though reports say there is a potential buyer of the stable, Wikinews cannot independently confirm those reports.

Residents say the stable was designed by Richard A. Waite, a 19th century architect, and was first owned by a company called White Bros., used as a stable and housed at least 30 horses at any given time. It also stored “coaches, coupes, broughams, Victorias and everything in the line of light livery,” stated an article from the West Side Topics dated 1906. According to the article, The company first opened in 1881 on Thirteenth Street, now Normal Avenue, and later moved into the Jersey building in 1892. The Buffalo Fire Department believes the building was built around 1814, while the city property database states it was built in 1870. It is believed to be only one of three stables of this kind still standing in the country.

At about 1950, the stable was converted into an automobile body shop and gasoline station.A property record search showed that in 1950 at least four fuel storage tanks were installed on the property. Two are listed as 550 square feet while the other two are 2,000 square feet. All of the tanks are designated as a TK4, which New York State says is used for “below ground horizontal bulk fuel storage.” The cost of installing a tank of that nature according to the state, at that time, included the tank itself, “excavation and backfill,” but did not include “the piping, ballast, or hold-down slab orring.” It is not known if the tanks are still on the property, but residents are concerned the city was not taking the precautions to find out.

Wikinews has called the city along with the Mayor’s office several times, but both have yet to return our calls. There are conflicting reports as to the date of the next hearing. According to Herrick, the next hearing is July 1, 2008 though the Buffalo News states the next hearing is July 8. The News also states that Burns will make a final ruling on the stable at this time.

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What Is Fiber Optic Splice Closure?

By Colin Yao

Fiber optic splice closure is the equipment used to offer room to fuse splice optical fiber and also to provide protections for the fused fiber joint point and the fiber cables. Typical fiber optic splice closure and vertical type and horizontal type, there are various kinds of fiber splice closures suit for different applications, such as aerial, duct fiber cables and direct buried. Generally, fiber optic splice closures are used outdoors, some even used underwater.

:: Fiber Optic Splice Closure Types

For outside plant splice closure, there are two major types: horizontal splice closure and vertical splice closure.

1) Horizontal type

Horizontal types closure look like a flat or cylindrical case, they provide space and protection for fiber optic cable splicing and joint. They can be mounted aerial, buried, or for underground applications. Horizontal types are used more often than vertical type (dome type) closures.

Most horizontal fiber optic splice closure can fit hundreds of fiber connection. They are designed to be waterproof and dust proof. They can be used in temperature ranging from -40C to 85C, can accommodate 70 to 106 kpa pressure and the case are usually made of high tensile construction plastic.

2) Vertical Type

Vertical type of fiber optic splice closure looks like a dome, thus they are also called dome type. They meed the same specification as the horizontal types. They are designed for buried applications.

:: Applications

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7vuDEU1iu0[/youtube]

Splice closures provide room for splicing outdoor fiber cables together. Fiber optic splice trays are needed too. They provide the perfect protection for outside plant fiber cable joints.

Fiber optic splice closures accept both ribbon and round fiber cables. Each type (ribbon or round cable) fits respective requirement of different fiber splicing counts. They are widely used in fiber optic telecommunication systems.

:: Fiber Optic Splice Closure Installation Steps

Here I will outline the main steps involved in fiber splice closure installation. For more detailed steps, please follow the links in the author’s bio section below.

1. Components in the closure

Fiber optic splice closure kit usually includes: end plate, splice tray organizer, fiber splice tray, cover, cable grommets, grommet retainer, mounting bracket and misc. hardware.

2. Fiber Cable Sheath Preparation

2.1 Expose the rip cord. This step involves mark the location with a tape marker, ring-cut the outer jacket with a sharp knife, remove the corrugated armor if applicable, and shave off the outer jacket to expose the rip cord.

2.2 Remove the outer sheath. This step involves make a longitudinal slit down the outer sheath, peel off the outer jacket and corrugated metal, can cut the rip cord flush with the end of the corrugated metal.

2.3 Remove the inner jacket. This step involves using the rip cord under the inner jacket to slit it, cut aramid yarns, cut central strength member, and clean the filling compound.

3. Bonding and Grounding Hardware Installation

Bond clamp installation. This step involves slide the cable clamp over sheath, slide the bond shoe under the corrugated metal, place the bond plate over the bond shoe and secure the sheath grip.

4. Assembly of Cables to Splice Closure

The preferable location for the two main cables is in the lower end plate port. If a third or fourth cable is required, it is easier to install it in the upper end plate port as a branch cable. This fiber optic splice closure is designed for two cables in each of its two ports. If only one cable will be installed in a port, the provided rubber grommet plug is used to substitute for the second cable.

4.1 Install Cables to End Plate. This step involves unscrew knob and remove grommet retainer, position the end plate assembly, attach the sheath grip to dielectric cables, slide cables and sheath grip through, and secure sheath grip to backbone.

4.2 Grommet Installation and External Grounding. This step involves apply B-sealant, push the grommets into the end plate port, and apply more B-Sealant.

4.3 Fiber Unit Preparation and Distribution Organizer Installation. This step involves remove more loose tubes, separate each cable’s loose tube into two groups, position the distribution organizer, secure the loose tubes to the distribution organizer, and secure the loose tubes.

4.4 Splice Tray Installation. This step involves place the splice tray, fasten the end of the splice tray to the organizer, and install cables, grommets and external ground.

4.5 Optical Fiber Splicing. This step involves splice holder placing, fiber splicing and fasten the splice holder lid.

5. Fiber Optic Splice Closure Cover Installation

6. Closure Mounting

7. Reentry

About the Author: This is just a brief introduction. The following link has very detailed instruction including pictures and illustration. Click here:

Fiber Optic Splice Closure

and

Fiber Splice Closure Installation

Instruction.

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=565866&ca=Computers+and+Technology

Battle for Trafalgar Square, London as violence breaks out between demonstrators and riot police

Monday, March 28, 2011

Sunday morning showed Trafalgar Square, London damaged during the night by demonstrators.

Bottles, cans, and placards littered the concrete ground of one of the most iconic landmarks in London. Demonstrators livid at government cuts had sprayed graffiti on the four bronze lions. “No-one rules if no-one obeys,” one message, next to the symbol of anarchy, read. On the steps leading up to the National Gallery lay placards, dropped by demonstrators the night before. Hours earlier the square was an arena for running battles between the anarchist protesters and riot police.

First, they targetted Oxford Street, arguably the most famous shopping row in the city. The protesters, many dressed in black, hurled smoke bombs and paint at Topshop, which they claimed has systematically abused the tax system. In Piccadilly, they ransacked The Ritz, a hotel popularly known for upmarket opulence. As darkness fell over the capital, many went home. But in Trafalgar Square, protesters lit campfires and danced to music, smoking and eating into the night.

But then the police moved in. Clad in riot gear, the situation began to escalate and both they and the demonstrators began to panic. They raised their batons and shouted at the crowd, while the protesters grabbed metal barriers and hurled them over police lines, using them as battering rams. Some protesters yelled in defence, “Don’t hit us!”, while the more determined shouted, “Shame on you! Your job’s next!” The riot officers pushed protesters into the centre of the square, towards Nelson’s Column. The police started forward at least twice swinging their batons in the air, as protesters retaliated by throwing glass bottles and coins towards the police lines. One officer was taken away with blood pouring from under his visor.

“I have never seen such a fast escalation of violence in my life,” one witness to the violence in the square said. “Everything just kicked off, glass everywhere, police hitting people, people being dragged across the floor. I just can’t believe it.” Other protesters on the front line later described the police retaliation as they began to kettle people in. “I find myself in front of the riot line,” one protester wrote, “taking a blow to the head and a kick to the shin; I am dragged to my feet by a girl with blue hair who squeezes my arm and then raises a union flag defiantly at the cops.”

Everything just kicked off, glass everywhere, police hitting people, people being dragged across the floor. I just can’t believe it.

Fireworks exploded overhead and, towards midnight, the number of protesters had diminished. As the kettling began, many of them slipped away into the night. In the early hours of the morning, the levels of violence began to fade. “Vandalism has been committed and officers have come under sustained attack,” the Metropolitan Police said. “We are holding everyone here until the situation calms down and we determine who is responsible.”

As the street cleaners worked through the morning in London, more than 200 protesters, detained throughout the day, remained in custody. Although the organisers of the march were swift to disassociate themselves with the violence, the protesters were defiant. “I’m not moving, I’m not moving,” one young protester, hemmed in by the riot police, said. “I’ve been on every protest, I won’t let this government destroy our future without a fight. I won’t stand back, I’m not moving.”

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2008 Computex Preview: WiMAX, threat? opportunity?

Thursday, April 17, 2008

2008 Computex Taipei (a.k.a Taipei International Information Technology Show), the second largest IT show in the world, will start on June 3 to 7 at the TWTC Hall 1 & 3, Taipei International Convention Center (TICC), and TWTC Nangang, in conjunction with 2008 WiMAX Expo Taipei, which will start earlier at the Taipei Show Hall 2. With two IT-related industry shows will be concurrently showcased in different venues, it will bring on many convergences and opportunities for networking and mobile-related industries worldwide including Taiwan.

Since the Taipei Computer Association, Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), and Industrial Technology Research Institute preliminary imported the “WiMAX Forum Showcase & Conference” into the TICC, WiMAX-related topics were mostly focused by several worldwide media and industrial elites. In extremity, some technologies and solutions like eSNG, wireless medical care, wireless transmission, and mobile entertainment were showcased there. And the MOEA also signed MOUs with 5 world-class WiMAX companies to help the networking industry last year in Taiwan.

Even though the signing of MOUs and new technologies will bring opportunities for WiMAX-related industries, and the mobile devices will be progressively popular in the future and more slim like an UMPC, but some companies from information security industry were worried about the future trend because of invisible threats on the Internet.

As of “Asia-pacific IT Security Forum” and “IT Security Pavilion” of SecuTech Expo 2008, there were several changes on participation from IT industry, but due to a major impact of “Edison Chen’s photo scandal“, several crisis were exposed with improper habits on modern people when using the Internet.

There were several weak points on IM or P2P software, and USB mass storage devices. For example, Skype, a famous Internet telephony software, progressively became a hacking tool by several fraud groups although several enterprises had awareness on IM software and made several policies to prevent using them. According to a statistic on virus-infected users, even though there were 99% of Microsoft Windows users (infected by viruses), but a minor of 0.03% mobile device (e.g. Windows Mobile, Palm OS, etc.) users shouldn’t be unnoticed. If the infrastructure of WiMAX technology is matured, although it (WiMAX) will bring convergences and opportunities for networking and digital content industries and bring on mobile populations, as the fraud groups updated their crime tools and extended their platform into mobile devices, there will be a lot of risks for mobile and Internet users as they welcomed the WiMAX technology.

It’s a real deal that the WiMAX will bring different kind profits and benefits for different industries, but before the WiMAX became the trend, if Internet users didn’t cultivate proper habits on using the Internet, the WiMAX will still bring on threats for end-users and industries.

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