MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean off El Salvador late on Sunday, triggering a brief tsunami warning along a stretch of the central American coast but causing no major damage or casualties, early reports indicated. The quake hit about 74 miles offshore at a depth of just over 20 km (12 miles), the U.S. Geological Survey said. It earlier gave the magnitude as 7.4. A small tsunami hit the El Salvador port of Acajutla following the quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. ...
Updated at 6:54 p.m. ET: WASHINGTON - The U.S. military on Monday dealt out punishment to six Army soldiers for burning Qurans at Bagram Air Base that ignited deadly protest in Afghanistan, and to three Marines for their roles in urinating on Taliban corpses.
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The Army handed out administrative discipline to four officers and two non-commissioned officers for the Quran burning but?found no ill intent on the part of the soldiers so none will face criminal charges. ?
The administrative punishment, however, will likely result in the end of their military careers.
The investigation against one sailor was dropped when it was determined he was simply ordered to drive the truck with the material to the burn site at the base.
The burning of the Muslim holy books in February sparked weeks of protests that led to 30 Afghan deaths. U.S. officials said at the time the books were mistakenly sent along with garbage for disposal after detainees had written messages in them.
The investigation found up to 100 Qurans and other religious materials were burned in the incinerator at Bagram Air Field on Feb. 20.?
An Army report released on the incident Monday shed new light on what happened that day.
Report: 5 soldiers involved in Quran burning
Members of the Military Police and Theater Intelligence Team had discovered that Bagram detainees were using library books to pass notes and messages. One?interpreter determined that 60 percent to 75 percent of the books contained extremist content. So, soldiers were ordered to remove the books as contraband. In all, about 2,000 books, including Qurans and other religious material, were set to be destroyed.?
An Afghan National Army soldier and and interpreter warned the troops not to dispose of the religious texts, but soldiers took some 100 books to the burn pit anyway.
A local man who worked at the burn pit discovered the Qurans and other texts were burning. He grabbed a front-end loader and doused the entire burn pit to extinguish the flames.
An?angry crowd of Afghans gathered around the U.S. service members who drove the truck to the burn pit and were burning the material. The U.S. soldiers all fled.
"I absolutely reject any suggestion that those involved acted with any malicious intent to disrespect the Quran or defame the faith of Islam," an investigator wrote. "Ultimately, this was a tragic incident (that) resulted from a lack of cross-talk between leaders and commanders, a lack of senior involvement in giving clear guidance in a complex operation? and??distrust among our service members and our partners.? ?
Hoshang Hashimi / AP
More than ten years after the beginning of the war, Afghanistan faces external pressure to reform as well as ongoing internal conflicts.
In the other case, a statement from the Marine Corps said the three Marines received the punishment for "violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for their role in the desecration and filming of deceased Taliban that became public in January 2012."
As part of a plea deal, three Marines pleaded guilty and will receive a permanent mark on their records that will impact any future promotions and re-enlistments.
Six more Marines are still awaiting their punishments in the urination incident, which was recorded on video. It was announced, however, that two officers will be charged with creating a command climate that led to acts of bad behavior, the Marine Corps said.?It was unclear what disciplinary action the four other non-commissioned officers will face.
The three Marines were all members of the Third Battalion, Second Marine Regiment or in units that were attached to the "3/2" during their deployment. Their names were not released.?
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One non-commissioned officer pleaded guilty to having violated a general order by?wrongfully posing for an unofficial photograph with human casualties and urinating on the body of a deceased Taliban soldier, which conduct was prejudicial to good order and discipline.
Another non-commissioned officer pleaded guilty to?wrongfully posing for an unofficial photograph with human casualties and?wrongfully video recording the incident.?
A staff non-commissioned officer pleaded guilty to?failing to report the mistreatment of human casualties by other Marines and?making a false official statement to a Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigator about the his knowledge of the video.
The incident took place during a counter-insurgency operation near Sandala, Musa Qala District in Helmand Province, Afghanistan around July 27, 2011.?
According to The Wall Street Journal, officials in Afghanistan were bracing for public demonstrations over what might be viewed as lenient punishment of the troops.
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Name: Mark, Charmaine, Alexandra (8), Mateo (5) and Sabrina (19 months) Location: New Berlin, Wisconsin Size: 2,600 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; owned
Three years ago, Charmaine and Mark wrote Apartment Therapy to ask readers' advice about painting the oak trim in their recently purchased home.The home had beautiful bones, but with all that wood, it was looking a bit too dated for their tastes. With their confidence boosted by the responses, Charmaine and Mark painted? and painted? and painted, turning it into the fresh, bright, and modern home that it is today.
If you were to just look at photos of Mark and Charmaine's space, you would probably use descriptors like glamorous, sophisticated, and stylish, thanks to the glittering chandeliers, luxurious tufted furniture, and lucite and brass accents scattered throughout the home. White, lilac, turquoise, and pale pink hues give the home an airy, peaceful feeling, and Charmaine has a fantastic eye for classic pieces that she puts together in bold yet tasteful combinations. Every inch of the house feels well-considered and thoughtfully composed.
But to leave the assessment there would not begin to do the space justice. While stylish and refined, this family home is also very clearly lived in and loved. Charmaine and Mark have three sweet, precocious children, and the weekend that I visited, they were also hosting several visiting family members. The house was lively, bustling, and filled with glee, and as I moved from room to room, it became clear to me that Charmaine has decorated with utility first and foremost in her mind. The family loves to entertain, and the house is perfectly engineered to provide ample seating for visitors and numerous spaces where the kids can play. Pops of bright color, the use of durable materials, and plenty of storage solutions keep the space kid-friendly, while a variety of soft colors and lighting options make it a space suitable for a bit of relaxation once the kids have gone to bed.
What's more, they have created this thoughtful and stylish home frugally. Charmaine's blog My Best Friend Craig chronicles her budget-friendly home projects and affordable finds, and as you'll see in the source list below, most of the home's furnishings have been patiently and skillfully collected from thrift stores, consignment shops, and Craigslist. With a keen eye, some elbow grease, and some serious search string talent, Charmaine has managed to fill the house with charming, unique items that truly showcase the art of resourceful living.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: We like vintage mixed with new, traditional mixed with mid-century modern, and some Asian touches as well.
Inspiration: Design blogs, books, magazines and our travels. I am also inspired by Jonathan Adler, Tamara Kaye-Honey and Jamie Meares.
Favorite Element: Charmaine's favorite are the bathrooms (the kids' bath and the master bath were recently remodeled). Since we entertain a lot, Mark's favorite is the backyard. We have a decent size deck, a play set area for the kids, and a basketball court that he converts to an ice rink in the winter.
Biggest Challenge: Painting the 80s oak trim and kitchen cabinets white.
What Friends Say: "Your house is so comfortable; I feel right at home," and "I love what you did with your house. When can you help me with mine?"
Biggest Embarrassment: The upstairs hallway carpet needs to be replaced, and the hardwood floors need to be refinished.
Proudest DIY: The upholstered headboard in the master bedroom.
Biggest Indulgence: Remodeling our bathrooms.
Best Advice: Good design doesn't always equal expensive. It's all about balance. Try to mix high and low, new and old ? although I prefer vintage over new. It adds instant character and it's usually inexpensive, making it more kid-friendly. I've found so many great deals on Craigslist!
Dream Sources: eBay, Flea Markets, Antique stores, Craigslist, ABC Home, Jonathan Adler, and Furbish
Resources of Note:
PAINT & COLORS
? Living room and dining Room: Iced Cube Silver by Benjamin Moore ? Kitchen: Half Moon Crest by Benjamin Moore ? Family room, office, and all white paint (including trim and cabinets): Atrium White by Benjamin Moore ? Alexandra's room: Tidewater by Sherwin Williams ? Mateo's room: Van Deusen Blue by Benjamin Moore ? Master bedroom and bath: Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore
LIVING ROOM
? Gray tufted sofas: Southern Furniture through a local shop ? Marble coffee table: Craigslist ? Gold Shelving: Craigslist ? X benches: Home Goods ? Cowhide rug: The Cowhide Store ? Floor lamps: IKEA
DINING ROOM
? Panton chairs: Design Public ? Dining Table: thrift store ? Lucite and chrome chairs: Craigslist ? Crystal chandelier: Craigslist ? Curtains: IKEA ? Beveled mirrors: Lowe's
KITCHEN
? Vintage tulip table: Craigslist ? Chairs and settee: Craigslist ? Chandelier: eBay ? Chinese credenza: eBay ? Barstools: Overstock ? Turquoise knobs: Anthropologie ? Cup pulls: Amazon.com
FAMILY ROOM
? Tufted sofa: Crate and Barrel ? Sofa: JC Penney with custom white slipcover ? Coffee table: Craigslist ? Dresser: Craigslist ? Club chairs: Safavieh via Gilt ? Lucite floor lamp: Craigslist ? Jute rug: Natural Area Rug ? Lucite nesting tables: Overstock.com ? Tulip side table: Antiques on Second ? Brass sofa table: Craigslist ? Green mirror: Craigslist ? Abstract art above fireplace: local Milwaukee artist, Gary John Gresl
MAIN FLOOR BATHROOM
? Sink and lighting: Home Goods ? Mirror: Craigslist ? Stencil: Zamira Allover Stencil from Cutting Edge
NURSERY
? Lounge chair: Craigslist ? Daybed: Overstock.com ? Wallpaper: DIY using contact paper and Sharpie pen
KIDS' BATH
? Floor tiles: Tile Shop ? Stools: Home Goods, spraypainted in green ? Medicine cabinets: Restoration Hardware outlet ? Roller shade: DIY using "Swaying Palms" fabric ? Shower curtain: Home Goods ? Giraffe Hooks: World Market
MASTER BEDROOM
? Upholstered headboard: DIY ? Settee: Craigslist ? Chandelier: Antiques on Second ? Nightstands: Consignment store ? Table lamps: Thomas O'Brien for Target ? Tripod lamp: Craigslist
MASTER BATHROOM
? Medicine cabinet, lighting, and towel rack: Restoration Hardware outlet ? Floor tiles: Amazon.com ? Shower screen: Ark Showers ? Lucite tray: Antiques on Second
Thanks, Charmaine and Mark!
(Images: Carolyn Purnell)
? HOUSE TOUR ARCHIVE: Check out past house tours here. ? Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy? Contact the editors through our House Tour Submission Form. ? Are you a designer/architect/decorator interested in sharing a residential project with Apartment Therapy readers? Contact the editors through our Professional Submission Form.
Cloud gaming company OnLive has announced that the company's founder, president, and CEO Steve Perlman is "departing to work on his myriad of other projects."
The use of web design India becomes more and more popular as the uses of internet increases. A web site plays main role for any business; web design is one kind of process of conceptualizing, planning and designing of a website. Web design service provider adds some valuable features into website by which your website looks professional, clean and neat. Your website is very important to you as it helps you to bring business online. In simple word website is a face of your business. There are many web design company provides best qualitative web design services. After creating website it is required to promote your website in different search engine but for that you can use internet marketing services. With the help of internet marketing service you can get rank into search engine by which you can spread your business and advertise your product and services.
From web design service provider also it is require promoting web design services and product. For making identity as web design company India you have to promote your business. Here some guidelines are explained for promoting web design services.
Quality Content: Unique and quality content are required for promoting website. Well written content will help you for promoting your business as now day?s viewers and readers want to read fresh and quality content. So make sure that your website has quality content.
Create Exclusive portfolio: website portfolio plays main role for getting business of web design so prepare portfolio page for your website. With the help of portfolio viewer can get idea and detail about your work. You have to also list all companies you have worked with.
Client testimonial: Client testimonial is most important thing it will help you to build trust of viewers. Generally testimonial on your website that share information about your work performance and quality of various services.
Use blog as marketing tool: blog is one of the best promotional tools in blog you can write all type of information about your product and services. Moreover with the help of blog writing you can interact with your targeted audience also. You can get idea about like and dislike about web design and you can get innovative idea about website designing.
Social Networking: Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace etc. Social Media is a big platform for promoting your website and information of product and service. Not only can this but you also get different idea and knowledge about different things.
Search Engine Optimization: SEO is one of the best internet marketing service. With the help of SEO you can get organic result into search engine and you can spread your business also. SEO is alos helpful for getting traffic on your website.
Your website is most valuable thing you have promote it and you to have make identity of by using this guidelines. SEO friendly website design is one of the crucial aspects of in SEO campaigns. Rightful implementation of the above mentioned web designing tips will not only make your website beautiful but will also make your site search engine friendly.
don?t look beyond for your website design information. You can also find out more small business website tips.
Every single electric appliance that could be found in your Ottawa home can experience problems at one point, and your air conditioner is no different. However, a bit of knowledge can go a long way in protecting against various air conditioning complications from developing. It may stun you that these preventive procedures are primarily straightforward and necessitate very little work. Listed below are a few tips that can keep your air conditioner in top condition for many years.
Tip # 1
You need to provide regular maintenance for your air conditioner. Adhere to a regular maintenance schedule and make sure to get in touch with an HVAC professional to carry out the job. Ordinarily, air conditioner servicing should be conducted in the spring, however, if your unit offers heating and cooling functions, maintenance checks should be done in the spring and fall.
Tip # 2
Besides the air conditioning system, the air ducts are every bit as crucial in the circulation of cold air. If there happen to be leakages in your air ducts, this indicates that sections of your house won't receive adequate air. If you over work your air conditioner to compensate for the dissipated cool air, that could result in a higher energy charge by month's end. Don't forget to have your air ducts extensively checked every time you have your air conditioning unit serviced.
Tip # 3
Ottawa is characterized as having a humid continental climate with four seasons. Winters can be unbearably cold, with temperatures reaching below -30?C at night. In case your air conditioner only has cooling functions, then you wouldn't need it in the winter. Before winter arrives, have your air conditioner cleaned by a pro in air conditioning Ottawa residents count on and make it winter-proof by securing it tightly with tarp.
Tip # 4
Correct usage of your air conditioner entails minimizing frequent starts and stops. Similar to many electrical products, an air conditioner operates better when it is enabled to run for longer periods. Experts in air conditioning Ottawa homeowners get in touch with state that the unit can be damaged with regular start ups and changes in thermostat settings.
Keep these guidelines in mind and have a trustworthy expert in HVAC Ottawa homeowners rely on to regularly maintain your air conditioning unit. By doing so, you're likely to avert critical air conditioner issues from occurring. Learn more about HVAC by visiting consumerenergycenter.org/home/heating_cooling/heating_cooling.html.
For more details, search air conditioning ottawa, hvac Ottawa in Google for related information.
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Are you currently looking for extra revenue for your little business? Fed up with the hassles of borrowing from banks or credit unions? Working out of business funding tips? As we sometimes find ourselves in a situation where needed income is inaccessible, small business owners and bank requirements and processes are simply a lot of for our situation. Luckily, you will find other resources of funds that small firms can touch into.Let us have a look at two alternate funding ideas and see what one works best for the business.FactoringOne of the very popular small business funding ideas is accounts receivable factoring. This is where an alternative party (factoring business) buys and pays for a specific number of your bills for a stated sum of money (usually a percentage of the account amounts). The full invoice amounts are then collected by the factoring company from the similar buyers on the invoice due date. It then pays the rest of the balance to you minus discount prices. Put simply, you are selling your invoices for faster cash inflow.Generally, it is easy to get funding through factoring. Usually, factoring businesses check to observe well established your accounts receivables are as well as the creditworthiness of the consumers involved. Additionally, factoring allows usage of cash without your business incurring debt or promoting any capital assets. Factorings only disadvantage is the discount cost in addition to other costs for application and documentation.Nonprofit Lending InstitutionsThe minute choice business funding thought is named ?microlending.? This is usually done through funds are lent by non-profit microlending institutions which to people such as small businesses. Microlending corporations are mushrooming in the some other part of the world, especially in Third World nations as it?s the easiest method to begin your personal little business and it requires less inconvenience to the could be business owners. These organizations base their loans on your business?s ability to pay the total amount right back rather than on its credit rating.Access to funds via microlending is fairly simple. Many non-profit businesses demand a guarantee that the loan is going to be repaid and often doesn?t inflict any more demands. The key drawback of microlending is the minimal amount of cash that can be received. However, it is still a great way to improve some needed resources quickly.These are just two of a few alternate business funding a few ideas that might help your business when needed. Whatever solution you choose, its success still depends mainly in your talents. All things considered, they?re just ideas.
Go to our site for more information about unsecured cash loans
A freed Lebanese member of a group of 11 Shiite pilgrims taken hostage by Syrian rebels three months ago flew back home to Beirut via Turkey on Saturday.
"All the other pilgrims are safe and sound. We have been very well treated, as if we were at home," Hussein Ali Omar told reporters at Beirut airport, thanking all those involved in securing his release, including Turkey.
Omar, who was kidnapped with his fellow Shiite pilgrims on May 22 while on their way home from Iran, had earlier appeared in footage aired by Al-Jazeera television crossing the border into Turkey.
The Turkish foreign ministry welcomed Omar's release and voiced hopes that the remaining pilgrims "will be released as soon as possible."
"It is clear that such actions as hostage-taking will benefit nobody in the region which has been passing through a delicate time," the ministry said in a statement.
"Putting an end to such actions without harming anyone is quite important for regional stability."
Unverified Lebanese media reports had said some of the pilgrims were killed in an air strike on the northern Syrian town of Aazaz earlier this month, triggering a spate of violence against Syrians in Lebanon.
The group's captors said in a statement that Omar was released as a "goodwill gesture" in response to a request by a group of Lebanese Muslim clerics, as well as a request by an unnamed aide to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
But the speaker said the release does not mean the group had abandoned a demand for Lebanon's Shiite militant group Hezbollah to "determine its position regarding the Syrian people and the Syrian revolution."
Iran- and Syria-backed Hezbollah is a staunch ally of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
A Lebanese member of a prominent Shiite clan has also been seized by a rebel group in Syria, prompting retaliatory kidnappings in Lebanon of Syrian nationals and a Turk.
The Muqdad clan on Saturday announced the release of six of the Syrians as a sign of "good faith towards the Syrian people and the (rebel) Free Syrian Army."
"This has nothing to do with the release of one of the 11 hostages in Syria, clan spokesman Maher Muqdad told AFP, adding that four other Syrians and the Turkish national were still being held.
Ankara says two Turks have been kidnapped in Lebanon and has told its nationals to to avoid non-essential travel to the country that has been battling to contain an eruption of violence triggered by events in neighbouring Syria.
Several oil-rich Gulf countries have also ordered their nationals to leave the country in the face of threats, particularly against Saudis and Qataris whose governments are staunch opponents of the Syrian regime.
Turkey is home to thousands of refugees in its camps along the Syrian border and also provides sanctuary for rebel forces made up of army defectors.
Thanks. John if you are talking the first picture the first is ambrosia maple and the second is red cedar. I have quite a bit and do like turning it. Really makes some amazing pieces.
Vaughn I got the Sorby mini texturing tool and it works great on small turnings. I turn it one way at about 60 deg and then the opposite way at around 60 deg. Make a nice checkered pattern.
HOPKINS, Minn. - Mitt Romney tonight said that big businesses are "doing fine," using similar language that the presumptive nominee has hammered President Obama for using to describe the private sector earlier this year.
"I'm going to champion small business. We've got to make it easier for small businesses. Big business is doing fine in many places - they get the loans they need, they can deal with all the regulation," said Romney, speaking to a group of supporters at a private fundraiser in Minnesota this evening.
Romney then added that the reason that big businesses are "doing fine in many places" is because they are able to invest their money in "tax havens."
"They know how to find ways to get through the tax code, save money by putting various things in the places where there are low tax havens around the world for their businesses," said Romney. "But small business is getting crushed."
While Romney often talks about the negative impact regulations have on small businesses during his campaign speeches, his remarks tonight sounded similar to those made by Obama in June in which he said the private sector was "doing fine."
Romney has since used the president's words as a frequent example on the campaign trail of Obama being out of touch with struggling Americans.
At a campaign rally in Michigan just days following Obama's remarks Romney said that the president, "trying to explain that everything's going swimmingly," remarked that "the private sector is doing fine."
Eliciting boos from the crowd, Romney added, "Yeah, I don't hear that where I go across the country, with the 23 million people out of work or underemployed."
Additionally, while Romney said tax havens were helping businesses succeed during his remarks tonight, the candidate's own personal finances have come under scrutiny after it was revealed that some of his investments were placed in offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands.
Chemists from China are working on a spray made from shrimp and crab shells that could extend the life of your bananas from a day or two to a week or more.
Fruit going bad from when it was picked?isn't just a simple question of time; there's a complex interplay between the sugars and other substances that make up the fruit, the bacteria that live inside it?and the air around it. In bananas, unlike other fruits, the process accelerates after they're picked, resulting in the frustratingly?short period (for consumers and sellers)?between unripe and overripe.
A team from Tianjin University of Science and Technology in China hopes that a substance called chitosan could help slow the process. It's made from the shells of crustaceans like shrimp, crabs and lobsters (composed of chitin, hence the name), and has powerful anti-bacterial qualities. They presented their findings Wednesday?at the American Chemical Society's?National Meeting and Exposition.
Chitosan is already used for agricultural and medicinal purposes, but this would be the first time it might be deployable by consumers. By spraying it onto the banana in the form of a super-absorbent "hydrogel," the researchers managed to slow the respiration and bacterial growth, extending the life of a banana up to 12 days.
Spraying it early on could ease the logistics of getting fresh bananas to faraway locations, and spraying it at the store or at home could potentially keep the fruit in peak yellow condition for much longer and reduce waste.
Unfortunately for consumers, the team is still investigating how to make a commercially viable product, which means finding a replacement?for an ingredient that happens to be unsuitable for general use. So for the moment,?mushy bananas will continue to be a familiar sight in the world's kitchens.
Devin Coldewey is a contributing writer for NBC News Digital. His personal website is coldewey.cc.
The best answer may be that Nike didn?t become a sporting goods dynasty by making a lot of sneakers that don?t sell.
The LeBron X Nike Plus, due out this fall, will likely be no exception. Even with a pricetag expected to push through the $300 barrier for the first time in sneaker history. Even with a flood of indignation and outrage flooding the Internet and social media before the first pair hits the display rack.
That was ignited Tuesday by a Wall Street Journal story about the rising cost of sneakers that said the latest LeBron James basketball shoe is expected to retail for $315.
Nike has not announced the price, though it has showcased the shoe on its website with a teaser about the high-tech features built into the sole. The Nike+ Basketball technology uses motion sensors that will track and measure performance, such as how fast the wearer moves, distance traveled and height of jumps, which can be accessed by an app on a smartphone.
Already the National Urban League has weighed in with a protest, calling for parents to resist spending on such an ?empty status symbol.?
Marc Morial, president of the civil rights organization, said in a statement: ?To release such an outrageously overpriced product while the nation is struggling to overcome an unemployment crisis is insensitive at best.?
Meanwhile, the pricy shoe provides fodder for LeBron haters who have otherwise been silenced by his MVP performance in the Heat?s championship run and the gold-medal effort with Team USA in London.
James debuted the Nike X in the Olympic final victory over Spain. It should be noted that the standard model he wore, sans technology, is expected to retail for $180.
That is $10 more than his LeBron 9 signature shoe that came out last year. The premium version, the LeBron 9 PS Elite, goes for $250, including gold swoosh.
Nike is raising prices on all of its apparel 5 to 10 percent, citing the rising cost of materials and labor costs in China. Other manufacturers, including Adidas, are doing likewise.
Despite the spike in prices over the past year, sales of basketball shoes costing more than $100 were up 50 percent, according to SportsOneSource.
But will a $300 sneaker fly in a troubled economy?
The LeBron X Nike Plus will be limited edition of about 50,000 pairs. There is a niche market out there unfazed by the price, as indicated by a comment on the forum of SoleCollector.com:
?A shoe like that is not meant for everybody. It IS a luxury to have. For myself, I'd rather enjoy the luxuries of having a dope, basketball shoe over owning any type of Gucci, LV or even Yeezy shoe 100% of the time.?
A different view from the marketplace was among the comments at LebronJames.com: ?How about u call nike and tell the to lower the ridiculous and crazy price on your new shoes coming out...We ain't rich like u.?
Ultimately, the market will provide the answer as to what features are vital in a sneaker. The old-school method for finding out how high one jumped was a mark on the wall and a tape measure.
As for concern about parents being pressured into shelling out for a supposed must-have luxury item, there was an old-school answer to that as well. Simply stated: ?No.?
Photo: The LeBron X Nike Plus has motion sensors that will report performance data to an app. (LebronJames.com)
LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Director Tony Scott loved fast cars, riding fast motorcycles and creating some of the most memorable action sequences of the past quarter century. He was even planning a sequel to his hit "Top Gun."
Yet on Sunday, police removed the director's body from Los Angeles Harbor hours after they say he stopped his car on the towering Vincent Thomas Bridge and jumped.
His death stunned friends and fans and left Hollywood buzzing about what could have prompted one of the industry's more successful filmmakers to take an 18-story leap to his death.
An autopsy and notes he left for loved ones will offer investigators clues, but any answers that authorities obtain will not be released for several weeks.
The bridge is a favorite filming location for action directors, although the 68-year-old Scott apparently never used it for one of his films.
The avid rock climber directed more than 15 movies that included such unforgettable sequences as the dog fights of "Top Gun" and the raw power of a runaway train in "Unstoppable."
As a director and producer, Scott worked with Hollywood's top actors, including Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Will Smith and Robert Redford, and helped influence a generation of action buffs.
Cruise, who starred in "Top Gun" and confirmed he was working with Scott on a sequel earlier this year, said he'd lost a dear friend.
"He was a creative visionary whose mark on film is immeasurable," Cruise wrote in a statement. "My deepest sorrow and thoughts are with his family at this time."
Notes to loved ones were found in his Scott's and at another location, Coroner's Chief of Operations Craig Harvey said. The death was being treated as a probable suicide, but a formal determination could take a month or more as toxicology and tissue tests are completed.
In the meantime, investigators will look into Scott's health and whether any other factors contributed to his death.
"The family asks that their privacy is respected at this time," said Simon Halls, a spokesman for Scott and his older brother, Oscar-winning director, Ridley Scott.
The bridge where Scott jumped has appeared in "The Fast and the Furious," ''Gone in 60 Seconds," ''Charlie's Angels" and "To Live and Die in L.A." It has been used in filming 13 times since 2011, according to the California Film Commission.
Motorist David Silva told the Los Angeles Times that Scott appeared to hesitate before climbing a fence along the bridge, and again before leaping. He said fellow motorists at first thought the director was performing an extreme sports stunt, but quickly realized he didn't have a parachute or other safety equipment.
The brothers frequently collaborated on movies, and their company also produced the successful TV series "Numb3rs" and "The Good Wife." CBS, which aired both shows, said "one of the brightest lights in the industry has gone out."
Scott, who was born in Great Britain and lived in Beverly Hills, is survived by his wife, actress Donna Scott, who appeared in several of her husband's films, and twin sons. He had been planning a sequel to "Top Gun," the movie that helped propel him to other big-budget films.
Scott often said he got his greatest thrills from filmmaking.
"The biggest edge I live on is directing. That's the most scary, dangerous thing you can do in your life," Scott said in an interview about his 1995 naval adventure "Crimson Tide." ''The scariest thing in my life is the first morning of production on all my movies. It's the fear of failing, the loss of face and a sense of guilt that everybody puts their faith in you and not coming through."
He was the first of the Scott brothers to enjoy blockbuster success with "Top Gun," the top-grossing film of 1986 at $176 million. Scott teamed with Cruise again four years later on the hit "Days of Thunder."
Ridley Scott later surpassed his younger brother's career in terms of hits and accolades, earning an Oscar for "Gladiator" and three best director nominations. Tony Scott never was in the running for an Oscar, and critics often slammed his movies for emphasizing style over substance.
He said he gained perspective by mixing things up between film, TV and commercials. "I like changing the pace of my life, changing my discipline. It gives me ideas for how to see the world differently," Scott said in a 2007 interview.
His work impacted a generation of actors and filmmakers, who praised him after learning of death.
"Shocking and devastating news," Christian Slater, who was directed by Scott in the 1993 film "True Romance," wrote on Twitter. "He was the best and will be greatly missed."
Gene Hackman, who worked with Scott on "Crimson Tide" and "Enemy of the State," said the director "was always sensitive to the needs of an actor. We've lost a wonderful, creative talent."
Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez wrote on Twitter, "Thanks for the inspiration, advice, encouragement, and the decades of great entertainment."
Justin Timberlake wrote on the site, "His movies made growing up more fun for me."
___
Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP. AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen and AP Movie Writer David Germain contributed to this report.
Essence of life cannot be tasted, unless individuals gamble his or her comfort with some quivers and shivers. Are you also deprived from the adventure that could make you stunned and also motivate you to concentrate on your breathing? If yes, then instill your brain with these ideas of extreme adventures; indulging in any one of them will surely give you goose bumps that will leave you satisfied and thrilled.
Partner thrill on adventure travel to Antarctica
Do you desire to get away from the urban grind and relish moments where the endless universe unveils itself in a different way? Then, Antarctica is surely a place to mark your presence. The ice-covered continent has several opportunities for savoring adventure holidays. Though lonely but grand; Antarctica is place to fulfill your wildest adventure dream by indulging in various thrilling activities. Kayaking is the best way to experience the power of nature by paddling few meters away from the huge icebergs, jumping penguins and also surfacing whales. You can also set into the diving expedition for getting insights of the underwater world.
Exhilarating adventure travel to Svalbard
Get acquainted with the extreme adventure in the unrivalled region of Svalbard, which is an excellent way to explore the outstanding snow swept landscape. You can let your adrenaline rush by country sliding on a dog sled and skiing across the terrain. People on their luxury adventure holidays in Svalbard also love kiting in the chilling winds.
Game Fishing Adventure at various destinations
If you wish to be part of most inspiring adventurous activity then fishing is the right one to indulge. This adventure will let you know about some of the most fantastic natural environment surviving in the huge diversity of wildlife. You will get to know about the mesmerizing habitats with fish gaming experiences. Salmon fishing in the natural settings of Northern Russia, Bone fishing in the sparkling seas of the Bahamas, or big fishing adventure in Africa; Game fishing adventure on various destinations when coupled with luxurious accommodations and outstanding cuisines will surely be an outstanding experience.
Adventure Safari holidays in India and Kenya
Pack bags to be a part of outstanding sceneries, enchanting national park, which are home to diverse flora and fauna that contribute to make Kenya safari holidays enriching and delighting. People on luxury escapes to jungle and national parks get a chance to animate a brilliant feel within by spending moments of pleasure in the lap of nature. Vacations in the dense forests of Kenya and the incredible national parks of India will let you lionize not just with your companions, but also with the natural beauty, as both the lands are enormously blessed by nature. So expend some time for a lifetime luxury safari holidays to view luscious greenery in Kenya and diverse wildlife in India.
Real Madrid has to think that this is the time. Los Blancos are firing on all cylinders, winning 15 matches on the trot in all competitions. Barcelona Vs. Real Madrid: Live Updates, <b>News</b>, Goals From El <b>?</b>
There is a very legitimate constitutional question, says Ron Williams, former Aetna chairman/CEO. He continues, ?reading and listening to the testimony, the mandate stands a high probability of being overturned.?
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?Hunger Games? star may land a lead role in the film adaptation of Jeannette Walls? best-selling memoir.By Fallon Prinzivalli Jennifer Lawrence Photo: Getty Images With the success of ?The Hunger Games,? it?s no surprise Jennifer Lawrence is a sought-after leading lady. With three films hitting theaters this fall ? including ?House at the End of [...]
Women could play key role in correcting crisis in clean drinking water and sanitation crisisPublic release date: 20-Aug-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Michael Bernstein
m_bernstein@acs.org
215-418-2056 (Philadelphia Press Center, Aug. 17-23)
202-872-6042
Michael Woods
m_woods@acs.org
215-418-2056 (Philadelphia Press Center, Aug. 17-23)
202-872-6293
American Chemical Society
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 20, 2012 People in ancient Rome 2,000 years ago had better access to clean water and sanitation that keeps disease-causing human excrement out of contact with people than many residents of the 21st century, a scientist said here today.
Women in developing countries could play a major role in remedying the situation, if given the chance, she added. Jeanette A. Brown, Ph.D., spoke on the global crisis in availability of clean water and basic sanitation like toilets and sewage disposal at the 244th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world's largest scientific society. It was part of a symposium, "International Sustainable Development: Institutional Frameworks." Abstracts of other presentations appear below.
The ACS meeting continues here through Thursday in the Pennsylvania Convention Center and downtown hotels. It features 8,600 presentations on new advances in science and other topics, and ACS expects an anticipated attendance of 14,000 scientists and others.
"It's a sad fact that much of the world's population in 2012 has less access to clean water and the most basic sanitation than people living in ancient Rome," said Brown. "About 2.6 billion people almost 1 in 3 people in the world ? lack access to even a simple 'improved' latrine, or pit toilet. More people have access to a cell phone today than to a toilet."
Brown said the lack of sanitation and clean water, especially in developing countries of sub-Sahara Africa and south Asia, claims an enormous toll in preventable illness, death and human suffering every year. She is with the University of Connecticut in Storrs, and is immediate past president of the Water Environment Federation, an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, Va. Estimates indicate, for instance, that it sickens hundreds of millions of people every year, causing 1.6 million deaths from cholera and other diarrheal diseases transmitted by fecal contamination of drinking water.
The problem goes beyond the impoverished conditions that prevail in developing countries, Brown said. She explained that "archaic" cultural practices and attitudes toward women sometimes hinder progress in developing safe drinking water and basic sanitation in villages and towns in these developing nations.
For instance, Brown explained that men have higher status in these villages, and defecate and urinate openly whenever and wherever they choose. Women and girls, however, may be forbidden to defecate until after dark, and have to walk long distances from the village to do so. Even when villages have primitive toilets, women fear using them because of the risk of being raped. Women and girls likewise bear the burden of obtaining clean water from wells, often having to walk several miles roundtrip each morning carrying jugs that can weigh up to 80 pounds.
Water-bearing, Brown said, is a major reason why girls drop out of school, being unable to attend classes because of time or fatigue. Schools without toilet facilities also limit education of girls when menstruation begins.
Ironically, however, women often are not permitted to participate in developing and sustaining water and sanitation projects that could ease those burdens.
"Women are more likely to commit to projects since they see the value for their children and the community at large," said Brown. "A study by the International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC) of community water and sanitation projects in 88 communities found that projects designed and run with the full participation of women are more sustainable and effective than those that do not."
However, she said that women often do not have the opportunity to work on such projects because they lack education, or local cultural rules prevent education for women and even prohibit their using local toilet facilities.
Despite the barriers, she said that there are a number of organizations working to bring better sanitation and clean drinking water to developing nations. Among these are Water for People, Wine to Water, Engineers without Borders and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as the United Nations. The groups have developed some ways of bringing revenue to the villages, like teaching residents to construct composting toilets so that the material can then be sold and also used in their farm fields as fertilizers. In addition, engineers work on these clean water and sanitation projects and teach people how to lay pipe, how to put in wells and how to maintain the pumps so they work continually.
###
The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 164,000 members, ACS is the world's largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
To automatically receive news releases from the American Chemical Society, contact newsroom@acs.org.
Note to journalists: Please report that this research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society.
Abstracts
Here are abstracts of other presentations in the symposium on "International Sustainable Development: Institutional Frameworks:"
Doing science with Africa: Partnership opportunities with the Regional Initiative in Science and Education (RISE)
Arlen K. Hatings, Lori Mulcare , lori@ias.edu. Science Initiative Group, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, NJ 08540, United States
RISE (http://sig.ias.edu/rise) supports PhD and MSc-level scientists and engineers in sub-Saharan Africa through problem-focused, multi-disciplinary, university-based research and training networks. While RISE activities have been limited so far to African participants in Africa, the initiative will be expanding to include reciprocal research and teaching visits by African and U.S. graduate students, researchers and professors, ideally forming the basis for ongoing international collaborations. This talk will describe the five RISE networks, with an emphasis on those that involve chemistry, and will discuss plans for involving U.S. researchers and institutions.
Coffee for Justice: International collaborations in Nicaragua for chemistry in service to small-holder coffee producers
Susan C. Jackels1, sjackels@seattleu.edu, Charles F. Jackels2. (1) Chemistry Department, Seattle University, Seattle, WA 98122, United States, (2) Science and Technology and Computing and Software Systems Departments, University of Washington Bothell, Bothell, WA 98011, United States
The Coffee for Justice Project goal is to put chemistry in service to coffee producers of developing countries through research and appropriate technology methods to assist in their production of specialty market quality coffee. This presentation will include the coffee production process, the scientific investigation that led to the design of a kit for optimization of coffee fermentation, the experiences of four coffee harvest seasons implementing the kit and method with over one hundred Nicaraguan coffee farmers, building a coffee processing mill with waste water treatment designed by engineering students, and experiences with farmers and families in transition to organic and Fair Trade coffee production. The Coffee for Justice Project is possible through the support of the National Science Foundation, the Seattle University Endowed Mission Fund, the SU International Development Internship Program, the University of Central America Managua, Catholic Relief Services Nicaragua, Winds of Peace Foundation, and Engineers Without Borders.
US-China ecopartnerships and their role in promoting environmental sustainability
Timothy Filley, filley@purdue.edu, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
The economies of the US and China are globally dominant drivers of fossil fuel consumption and the release of greenhouse gases and are thus directly linked to the challenges of global climate change and sustainable development. Innovative and transformational science, engineering, and technology solutions will require collaboration between the public and private sector, and mutually beneficial policies and incentives tailored to the needs of both nations. The US-China Ecopartnership for Environmental Sustainability (EPES) was established within the US-China Strategic Economic Dialogue to promote collaboration to address these interconnected issues. By leveraging, enhancing, and promoting academic-industry research, education, and technology transfer/commercialization the EPES will help address these global challenges. This presentation will introduce the Ecopartnership network and provide an overview of the developing strategies and recommendations for solutions-oriented progress in the area of environmental sustainability promoted by the EPES.
Sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing in sub-Saharan Africa
Joseph M Fortunak, Jfortunak@comcast.net, Departments of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, United States
Sustainable, global access to high-quality medicines is a significant issue. Recent estimates conclude that the richest 15% of the world's population consumes roughly 90% of all medicines. Our research group at Howard University discovers new, green processes for the production of essential medicines. We collaborate to train pharmaceutical companies, drug regulators, and academics in sub-Saharan Africa in current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP), Green Chemistry, Industrial Pharmacy, and Quality-Assured drug production and regulation. By doing so we enable 1) a reduction in counterfeit and substandard medicines; 2) increased access to medicines of assured quality; and 3) national and regional independence in drug production - to break the cycle of dependency for access to medicines in Low-Income Countries. Novel chemistry for the environmentally benign production of essential medicines will be presented, as well as a summary of progress towards enabling the independent production and regulation of quality-assured medicines in sub-Saharan Africa.
Institutional framework for identifying issues and responses for ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation
Jeanette A Brown, jeanette.brown@uconn.edu, Department of Chemical, Materials and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, United States
Water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns. Over 3.6 million people die each year from water borne diseases. The lack of clean water and sanitation are major issues in developing. It is sad to note that Ancient Romans had better access to clean water and sanitation than many people today. Over 2.5 billion people lack access to improved sanitation, defined as a sanitation facility that ensures hygienic separation of human excreta from human contact; almost 1.2 billion people who have no facilities at all. More people in the world have access to cell phones than access to a toilet. Diarrhea remains the second leading cause of death among children under five globally. About 1.5 million children die each year due to diarrhea. Diarrheal diseases kill more young children than AIDS, malaria and measles combined. Providing safe water could reduce incidence of diarrheal disease by an estimated 21% while improved sanitation could reduce diarrheal disease by 37.5%. Sadly, in most cases it is institutional barriers, such as lack of education archaic cultural practices and politics, that prevent developing safe drinking water and good sanitation practices. These statistics can be changing institutional framework and by educating and empowering women.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Women could play key role in correcting crisis in clean drinking water and sanitation crisisPublic release date: 20-Aug-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Michael Bernstein
m_bernstein@acs.org
215-418-2056 (Philadelphia Press Center, Aug. 17-23)
202-872-6042
Michael Woods
m_woods@acs.org
215-418-2056 (Philadelphia Press Center, Aug. 17-23)
202-872-6293
American Chemical Society
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 20, 2012 People in ancient Rome 2,000 years ago had better access to clean water and sanitation that keeps disease-causing human excrement out of contact with people than many residents of the 21st century, a scientist said here today.
Women in developing countries could play a major role in remedying the situation, if given the chance, she added. Jeanette A. Brown, Ph.D., spoke on the global crisis in availability of clean water and basic sanitation like toilets and sewage disposal at the 244th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world's largest scientific society. It was part of a symposium, "International Sustainable Development: Institutional Frameworks." Abstracts of other presentations appear below.
The ACS meeting continues here through Thursday in the Pennsylvania Convention Center and downtown hotels. It features 8,600 presentations on new advances in science and other topics, and ACS expects an anticipated attendance of 14,000 scientists and others.
"It's a sad fact that much of the world's population in 2012 has less access to clean water and the most basic sanitation than people living in ancient Rome," said Brown. "About 2.6 billion people almost 1 in 3 people in the world ? lack access to even a simple 'improved' latrine, or pit toilet. More people have access to a cell phone today than to a toilet."
Brown said the lack of sanitation and clean water, especially in developing countries of sub-Sahara Africa and south Asia, claims an enormous toll in preventable illness, death and human suffering every year. She is with the University of Connecticut in Storrs, and is immediate past president of the Water Environment Federation, an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, Va. Estimates indicate, for instance, that it sickens hundreds of millions of people every year, causing 1.6 million deaths from cholera and other diarrheal diseases transmitted by fecal contamination of drinking water.
The problem goes beyond the impoverished conditions that prevail in developing countries, Brown said. She explained that "archaic" cultural practices and attitudes toward women sometimes hinder progress in developing safe drinking water and basic sanitation in villages and towns in these developing nations.
For instance, Brown explained that men have higher status in these villages, and defecate and urinate openly whenever and wherever they choose. Women and girls, however, may be forbidden to defecate until after dark, and have to walk long distances from the village to do so. Even when villages have primitive toilets, women fear using them because of the risk of being raped. Women and girls likewise bear the burden of obtaining clean water from wells, often having to walk several miles roundtrip each morning carrying jugs that can weigh up to 80 pounds.
Water-bearing, Brown said, is a major reason why girls drop out of school, being unable to attend classes because of time or fatigue. Schools without toilet facilities also limit education of girls when menstruation begins.
Ironically, however, women often are not permitted to participate in developing and sustaining water and sanitation projects that could ease those burdens.
"Women are more likely to commit to projects since they see the value for their children and the community at large," said Brown. "A study by the International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC) of community water and sanitation projects in 88 communities found that projects designed and run with the full participation of women are more sustainable and effective than those that do not."
However, she said that women often do not have the opportunity to work on such projects because they lack education, or local cultural rules prevent education for women and even prohibit their using local toilet facilities.
Despite the barriers, she said that there are a number of organizations working to bring better sanitation and clean drinking water to developing nations. Among these are Water for People, Wine to Water, Engineers without Borders and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as the United Nations. The groups have developed some ways of bringing revenue to the villages, like teaching residents to construct composting toilets so that the material can then be sold and also used in their farm fields as fertilizers. In addition, engineers work on these clean water and sanitation projects and teach people how to lay pipe, how to put in wells and how to maintain the pumps so they work continually.
###
The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 164,000 members, ACS is the world's largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
To automatically receive news releases from the American Chemical Society, contact newsroom@acs.org.
Note to journalists: Please report that this research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society.
Abstracts
Here are abstracts of other presentations in the symposium on "International Sustainable Development: Institutional Frameworks:"
Doing science with Africa: Partnership opportunities with the Regional Initiative in Science and Education (RISE)
Arlen K. Hatings, Lori Mulcare , lori@ias.edu. Science Initiative Group, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, NJ 08540, United States
RISE (http://sig.ias.edu/rise) supports PhD and MSc-level scientists and engineers in sub-Saharan Africa through problem-focused, multi-disciplinary, university-based research and training networks. While RISE activities have been limited so far to African participants in Africa, the initiative will be expanding to include reciprocal research and teaching visits by African and U.S. graduate students, researchers and professors, ideally forming the basis for ongoing international collaborations. This talk will describe the five RISE networks, with an emphasis on those that involve chemistry, and will discuss plans for involving U.S. researchers and institutions.
Coffee for Justice: International collaborations in Nicaragua for chemistry in service to small-holder coffee producers
Susan C. Jackels1, sjackels@seattleu.edu, Charles F. Jackels2. (1) Chemistry Department, Seattle University, Seattle, WA 98122, United States, (2) Science and Technology and Computing and Software Systems Departments, University of Washington Bothell, Bothell, WA 98011, United States
The Coffee for Justice Project goal is to put chemistry in service to coffee producers of developing countries through research and appropriate technology methods to assist in their production of specialty market quality coffee. This presentation will include the coffee production process, the scientific investigation that led to the design of a kit for optimization of coffee fermentation, the experiences of four coffee harvest seasons implementing the kit and method with over one hundred Nicaraguan coffee farmers, building a coffee processing mill with waste water treatment designed by engineering students, and experiences with farmers and families in transition to organic and Fair Trade coffee production. The Coffee for Justice Project is possible through the support of the National Science Foundation, the Seattle University Endowed Mission Fund, the SU International Development Internship Program, the University of Central America Managua, Catholic Relief Services Nicaragua, Winds of Peace Foundation, and Engineers Without Borders.
US-China ecopartnerships and their role in promoting environmental sustainability
Timothy Filley, filley@purdue.edu, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
The economies of the US and China are globally dominant drivers of fossil fuel consumption and the release of greenhouse gases and are thus directly linked to the challenges of global climate change and sustainable development. Innovative and transformational science, engineering, and technology solutions will require collaboration between the public and private sector, and mutually beneficial policies and incentives tailored to the needs of both nations. The US-China Ecopartnership for Environmental Sustainability (EPES) was established within the US-China Strategic Economic Dialogue to promote collaboration to address these interconnected issues. By leveraging, enhancing, and promoting academic-industry research, education, and technology transfer/commercialization the EPES will help address these global challenges. This presentation will introduce the Ecopartnership network and provide an overview of the developing strategies and recommendations for solutions-oriented progress in the area of environmental sustainability promoted by the EPES.
Sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing in sub-Saharan Africa
Joseph M Fortunak, Jfortunak@comcast.net, Departments of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, United States
Sustainable, global access to high-quality medicines is a significant issue. Recent estimates conclude that the richest 15% of the world's population consumes roughly 90% of all medicines. Our research group at Howard University discovers new, green processes for the production of essential medicines. We collaborate to train pharmaceutical companies, drug regulators, and academics in sub-Saharan Africa in current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP), Green Chemistry, Industrial Pharmacy, and Quality-Assured drug production and regulation. By doing so we enable 1) a reduction in counterfeit and substandard medicines; 2) increased access to medicines of assured quality; and 3) national and regional independence in drug production - to break the cycle of dependency for access to medicines in Low-Income Countries. Novel chemistry for the environmentally benign production of essential medicines will be presented, as well as a summary of progress towards enabling the independent production and regulation of quality-assured medicines in sub-Saharan Africa.
Institutional framework for identifying issues and responses for ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation
Jeanette A Brown, jeanette.brown@uconn.edu, Department of Chemical, Materials and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, United States
Water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns. Over 3.6 million people die each year from water borne diseases. The lack of clean water and sanitation are major issues in developing. It is sad to note that Ancient Romans had better access to clean water and sanitation than many people today. Over 2.5 billion people lack access to improved sanitation, defined as a sanitation facility that ensures hygienic separation of human excreta from human contact; almost 1.2 billion people who have no facilities at all. More people in the world have access to cell phones than access to a toilet. Diarrhea remains the second leading cause of death among children under five globally. About 1.5 million children die each year due to diarrhea. Diarrheal diseases kill more young children than AIDS, malaria and measles combined. Providing safe water could reduce incidence of diarrheal disease by an estimated 21% while improved sanitation could reduce diarrheal disease by 37.5%. Sadly, in most cases it is institutional barriers, such as lack of education archaic cultural practices and politics, that prevent developing safe drinking water and good sanitation practices. These statistics can be changing institutional framework and by educating and empowering women.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Gay rights supporters wear a California state flag, left, and a gay pride? flag outside of the California State Supreme Court building in San? Francisco. (AP)
A first-of-its-kind state law that would restrict parents from trying to? "cure" their minor children's same-sex attractions seems headed to the? governor's desk.
If both state houses can agree on the final language, the legislation, which? would ban all sexual orientation change effort (SOCE) treatment for minors, will? be sent to Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown for his signature sometime in September.? But, so far, there has been no indication from his office on whether he will? sign the bill into law.
Whatever the governor does, he's sure to face criticism. Backers see it as a? civil rights issue, while critics say lawmakers are infringing on not only? parents' rights but also on the mission of mental health professionals.
"[The law] unconstitutionally prohibits speech?violates privacy and personal? autonomy rights, intermeddles in theological disputes, clashes with other laws? and creates significant unintended consequences," Matt McReynolds,, a staff? attorney with Sacramento-based Pacific Justice Institute, said.
"As long as this bill threatens to shame patients and silence counselors,? therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists, we will vigorously oppose it,"? McReynolds told Fox News. "We cannot afford to let the state invade the? counseling room or doctor's office to dictate what views on sexuality are? acceptable and unacceptable."...
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has warned champions Manchester City that his side's swoop for Arsenal striker Robin van Persie could tilt the balance of power in the Premier League back to Old Trafford.
With the new Premier League campaign starting on Saturday, United have landed a significant blow before the first ball has even been kicked after Dutch star van Persie decided to snub City in favour of a move to Sir Alex Ferguson's team.
When big-spending City snatched the title in sensational fashion on the final day of last season, scoring twice in stoppage-time to win against QPR, it seemed there had been a changing of the guard in England's top flight.
City, who start their title defence against Southampton at Eastlands on Sunday, had looked favourites to cement their status as the country's new superpower by signing van Persie.
But Ferguson's powers of persuasion tempted van Persie to United and Ferdinand believes it could prove a defining moment for both clubs.
"The manager has always said to me that the transfer window isn't always about who you bring in but it's as much about shaking up the changing room. And I think that's definitely something that's going to happen this time," Ferdinand said.
"Expectations here are higher than anywhere else in the world, some do brilliantly and some don't fare quite so well. I've got no worries about Robin, though.
"I know his main aim won't be a selfish one, it will be all about winning trophies. And if he can score goals like he did last year then we'll all be smiling come the end of the season."
Van Persie and fellow new signing Shinji Kagawa could both feature in United's starting line-up at Everton as Ferguson's team look to make a strong start after finishing without silverware for the first time since 2005.
Even without van Persie, City are likely to pose the biggest threat to United's hopes of winning a 20th league title.
City boss Roberto Mancini has been frustrated by his club's failure to deliver top-class signings to build on last season's first title for 44 years, but in Carlos Tevez he has a revitalised player capable of causing serious damage to Premier League defences.
Tevez spent most of last season in self-imposed exile after a touchline row with Mancini following his refusal to come on as a substitute in a Champions League tie.
He returned to play a cameo role as City won the title and with the benefit of a full pre-season under his belt, the Argentine forward looks back to his very best, scoring a superb goal to cap a fine display in last weekend's Community Shield win over Chelsea.
"I'm returning feeling renewed," Tevez said. "I'm really up for having a great season. I'm better now and only thinking about playing football.
"I feel useful and valued and that is fundamental for me. It's been a long time since I've scored a goal like that (against Chelsea), like the ones I used to score when I was at Boca, and this speaks of the confidence I have."
Chelsea appear the only other serious contenders for the title, but even the European champions have questions to answer following the exit of Didier Drogba.
Drogba was a talismanic figure as Chelsea salvaged a turbulent season by winning the Champions League and FA Cup, but the Ivory Coast striker has departed to China, leaving Fernando Torres as boss Roberto Di Matteo's leading forward.
Torres will be supported by new playmakers Eden Hazard and Oscar, who arrived for a combined ?60 million.
But Di Matteo, whose side open at Wigan on Sunday, won't have been pleased to hear Torres reveal his torment at playing a bit-part role last season.
"At times I was thinking 'I will sit here on the bench, I won't make any noise. I don't even want to play'," Torres said.
On Saturday, there will be plenty of focus on Arsenal's new strikers Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski as the post-van Persie era starts against Sunderland, while Brendan Rodgers takes charge of his first Premier League match as Liverpool manager at West Bromwich Albion.
Fixtures (1400GMT unless stated)
Saturday
Arsenal v Sunderland, Fulham v Norwich, Newcastle v Tottenham (1630GMT), QPR v Swansea, Reading v Stoke, West Brom v Liverpool, West Ham v Aston Villa
Sunday
Man City v Southampton (1500GMT), Wigan v Chelsea (1230GMT)
Cloud gaming company OnLive has announced that the company's founder, president, and CEO Steve Perlman is "departing to work on his myriad of other projects."
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Public release date: 20-Aug-2012
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