Indian Offers Biryani Comfort to Israeli Troops
An Indian woman known as the curry queen of Israel won over the hearts and stomachs of Israeli soldiers fighting in Gaza with a plate of aromatic chicken biryani. Related Items
Tiny bits of plastic in ocean are hurting oyster reproduction
Eating, for an oyster, is pretty simple: Take water in, keep the tasty plankton, and spit water out. Increasingly, however, these mollusks are exposed to tiny pieces of plastic the same size as oysters’ preferred plankton meals. More plastic from various products and industrial processes ends up in the oceans each year, and over time, this waste breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces. In a study published online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers show that when Pacific oysters (shown) are exposed to so-called microplastics in the lab, they ingest a large proportion: 69% of the 6-micrometer particles added to the water. These end up in the oysters’ guts and make the animals invest less energy in reproduction, either by disrupting their digestion or their hormone systems. Female oysters exposed to microplastics made 38% fewer eggs, and males made sperm that were 23% slower. Plus, they had fewer offspring, which were themselves slower to reach maturity. This could create difficulties for aquaculture—Pacific oysters are grown for food around the world, and other filter feeder favorites such as mussels and sea cucumbers may be similarly affected.
India’s Formula One dream come true
After a long wait and a frenetic dash to the finish line, Formula One is all set to make its debut in India this weekend here at the Buddh International Circuit. The challenges of an unknown track and dramatic turns and changes in elevation make it an exciting prospect for the 24 drivers who will speed down the 5.14 km circuit. And the drivers are ready for it.On the eve of the first practice session on Friday, a handful of drivers spoke of what they expect to happen and what are the strategies they would employ as race day approaches. Ferrari driver Felipe Massa said that the track presented unique challenges and it would be interesting to see how it responds on Friday.”I am enjoying my time in India. The hairpins seem quite unique as they are very wide. You can actually choose two racing lines and there would be a lot of opportunities of overtaking. So it will be a good race,” the Ferrari driver said on Thursday.Veteran driver Rubens Barrichello commended the amount of work put in building the venue.”The track is quite good. They have done a superb job of constructing the venue in such a short time. We will look at the track properly tomorrow. There is quite a bit of dust, but that’s normal,” the Williams driver said.The only Indian driver for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix weekend – Narain Karthikeyan of Hispania Racing – said it was a proud moment for him, but that the fans should understand the nuances of the sport and not expect miracles.advertisement”It’s a historic day to be an Indian driving at the Indian GP. But realistically, we are just hoping that both the cars manage to finish the race. However, the first few laps are going to be really special for me. There are many fans in India who are excited about the race. Unlike China, there are many F1 fans in India,” Karthikeyan said.For, Force India driver Adrian Sutil, the season offered glimmers of hope and with the year winding to a close, most of the teams would be concentrating on next season.”Our car has been good in qualifying but the balance hasn’t been good on race day. In Singapore and Suzuka we were very competitive. There are a few improvements coming up so I hope we will get better,” the German said.
Nonprofit Home Page Tips
Can you communicate in a few seconds what you do and why it’s important?Your nonprofit home page is a crucial introduction to your organization. Within a few seconds, a first-time user should understand the purpose and usefulness of your site. Your home page should show how your nonprofit website can meet the user’s needs; highlight your richest, most current content; and demonstrate your positive impact on society.Your home page (and all other pages) should load very quickly. Don’t use an introductory “splash” page or flash animation.Your mission statement and the word “welcome” should not be on your home page.Strive for simplicity and clarity in design. Your home page should be attractive and engaging, but uncluttered.Put your logo at the top of the home page and on every page on your site. It should always be linked to your home page.A one-sentence tagline on your home page should explain what you do and how you differ from others doing the same.An About Us link should be clearly available for users who want to know more about you.There should be a compelling, local photograph (not a stock shot) that echoes your tagline on your home page. The photo should have alt text and a message-rich caption.Contents are hierarchically arranged to match an F eye-movement pattern. Jakob Nielsen shows how readers tend to scan Web sites by moving left to right across the top of the page, then left to right slightly below the top of the page, then vertically top to bottom on the left side of the page-in a pattern resembling an F. Think about that pattern when placing your most important content.Links on your home page should quickly show readers what actions they can take on the site. Make it easy for them to find the answers to their questions.Share examples of your most interesting, recent site content. There should be a place to glimpse your latest news.There should be a place where people can sign up for your email newsletter. It’s critical to also include a large, colorful donate button.Make strategic use of keywords to make your home page more attractive to search engines.Let users know about your social media presences without distracting them with too many badges and widgets.If you offer an intranet, make sign-in easy to find and easy to use (no more than one click).Offer a site search option with a search box that’s 27 characters wide on every page.Put essential contact information on every page. Source: Gayle C. Thorsen, Best Practices Nonprofit Web Site Design ebook
Report: Georgia 0 Wales 1
Georgia 0 Wales 1: Lawrence magic keeps Coleman’s men on track Chris Myson Last updated 2 years ago 01:56 10/7/17 
Twitter @FAWwales Wales took another step towards reaching next year’s World Cup in Russia by edging a victory away to Georgia in qualifying. Tom Lawrence’s superb first international goal gave Wales a crucial 1-0 away win over Georgia as their bid to qualify for the World Cup was boosted despite the absence of injured talisman Gareth Bale.After his side edged a goalless first half that lacked clear goalscoring opportunities, Lawrence struck with an impressive individual effort early in the second.Wales looked the more likely to add a second goal before eventually settling for a one-goal victory, with Georgia offering little as an attacking force despite holding the possession advantage. Article continues below Editors’ Picks Why Barcelona god Messi will never be worshipped in the same way in Argentina Lyon treble & England heartbreak: The full story behind Lucy Bronze’s dramatic 2019 Liverpool v Man City is now the league’s biggest rivalry and the bitterness is growing Megan Rapinoe: Born & brilliant in the U.S.A. Chris Coleman’s men will now be interested observers as Group D leaders Serbia, who are one point ahead, travel to Austria later on Friday.Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland – now four points behind Wales in the race to finish second – host Moldova in their game in hand.Wales, who will be without Real Madrid star Bale again, then face a huge clash at home to Ireland on Monday as they look to wrap up second spot, while also ensuring they have enough points compared to runners-up in other groups for that position to secure a play-off spot.That feeling when you bag your first #WCQ goal!Tom Lawrence puts Wales ahead in Georgia pic.twitter.com/R5bmuRPLo6— #WCQ (@FIFAWorldCup) October 6, 2017The visitors threatened first in Tbilisi, with Aaron Ramsey firing wide after Lawrence impressively created an early opportunity.Wales came close again when a flick from Joe Allen found Andy King, whose bouncing shot was pushed away by stretching home goalkeeper Giorgi Loria.Sam Vokes diverted just wide when Ramsey’s right-wing cross created a good opportunity, while Lawrence fired over from 20 yards, as Wales struggled to turn their attacks into attempts on target.Georgia’s first chance of note saw Otar Kakabadze whip in an impressive cross from which Giorgi Kvilitaia sent a free header wide from eight yards in a huge let-off for Wales, leaving the scores level at half-time.After a frustrating first half, a moment of brilliance from Lawrence put the visitors in front just four minutes after the restart.Receiving a pass from Ramsey, Lawrence impressively beat Saba Kverkvelia and fired a right-footed shot into the far corner from 20 yards, with Loria unable to save despite getting a touch.6 – Six of Tom Lawrence’s last 10 goals for club and country have been scored from outside the box (60%). Thunderous.— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 6, 2017Lawrence curled wide as Wales pushed for a second, while only a brave home block denied Ben Davies from finishing off a slick passing move.Georgia had most of the second-half possession, but it was Wales who were creating more – Lawrence and Ramsey combining again before the Arsenal midfielder forced Loria into an unconvincing save.The hosts finally threatened an equaliser late on when substitute Davit Skhirtladze found Giorgi Merebashvili, who cut inside and forced Wayne Hennessey into a pivotal stop from close range, which secured a third consecutive qualifying win for Coleman’s side.Key Opta stats:- Wales are now unbeaten in their last nine international games (W4 D5); their longest run without defeat under Chris Coleman, who took charge in 2012. – They have won three consecutive games without conceding for the first time since September 2015.- This was Wales’ first ever win against Georgia in international competition, having drawn one and lost three of the previous four. They were beaten 5-0 in their only other game in Tbilisi (in 1994 under Mike Smith).- Six of Tom Lawrence’s last 10 goals for club and country have been scored from outside the box (60%).- Lawrence’s goal was his first for Wales, however, having failed to score in any of his first eight appearances.- Aaron Ramsey has been directly involved in three of Wales’ last four goals away from home in this qualifying campaign (two goals and one assist). read more
Carlos Carvalhal set to lose Swansea job after season ends
Share via Email Huddersfield staying up is Premier League’s greatest survival story Swansea have failed to win any of their last nine matches in all competitions, in effect waved a white flag in their FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham, and picked up only three points after beating West Ham 4-1 at the start of March, when they climbed to 13th in the table and seemed to be heading towards survival.The turnaround up until that point had been spectacular – Carvalhal took 17 points from his first nine games in charge to breathe new life into a club that appeared doomed when he took over. Yet all momentum was lost during a run-in that saw Carvalhal adopt an increasingly cautious and negative approach, with Swansea scoring only twice in their last eight matches as he persevered with playing five at the back.Swansea’s problems, however, extend way beyond the manager. They flirted with relegation in the previous two seasons and fundamental problems at the club have not been addressed since Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien, Swansea’s majority shareholders, took control a little under two years ago. Share on Pinterest Sign up for The Fiver and get our daily football email. Share on Twitter Swansea City Share on Facebook Read more news
Swansea’s player recruitment since the Americans’ takeover has been dreadful and radical changes are needed in that department in the summer, raising questions about what role, if any, Huw Jenkins, the chairman, will have at the club in the future. Jenkins had previously suggested that he will review his position at the end of the season regardless of whether Swansea survived.The club’s search for a new manager – their fifth in the space of 19 chaotic months – will take them in the direction of a young, ambitious and upcoming coach, more in line with the sort of appointment that was made during their rise through the leagues, when Roberto Martínez and Brendan Rodgers enjoyed such success with a clear playing philosophy. It is, in effect, time to start all over again. Premier League Carlos Carvalhal is set to lose his job as Swansea City manager in the wake of relegation, with the club ready to cut him loose after their final Premier League match against Stoke City on Sunday. The 52-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season and there is an option in the club’s favour that would enable them to keep him on, yet the way Swansea imploded in the final two months of the season has convinced the board that the Portuguese is not the right man for the job.Although Carvalhal was appointed in December with half an eye on the Championship, where he led Sheffield Wednesday to the play-offs in successive seasons, the faith in his ability to manage Swansea in the longer term and mount a genuine promotion challenge has been eroded on the back of the disastrous run of form that saw the Welsh club sucked back into the bottom three in the last week of the campaign and all but relegated as a result of Huddersfield’s draw at Chelsea on Wednesday night. Share on LinkedIn Topics Share on WhatsApp Share on Messenger Reuse this content
Steve Hansen declares Ireland Test decider for world’s best team
The All Blacks head coach, Steve Hansen, has wasted little time moving on from England after declaring the Test in Dublin on Saturday will decide the mantle of the world’s best team. The past three meetings between Ireland and the All Blacks captured the attention of the rugby world. In 2013 the All Blacks pulled off a miraculous comeback by finishing a length-of-the-field try and sideline conversion – on the second attempt – to secure the first unbeaten season of the professional era. Three years later the New Zealand‑born Ireland coach, Joe Schmidt, inspired Ireland to their first win against the All Blacks in Chicago, only for Hansen’s men to return serve in Dublin two weeks later.Schmidt, expecting another tight, torrid contest, is still recovering from 2013. “The game in 2013: I’m still bleeding from that. It hurts when that happens,” he said. Share on LinkedIn Share on WhatsApp Support The Guardian Steve Hansen Share on Facebook Read more Read more Since you’re here… New Zealand rugby union team Share on Twitter Ireland clinch first ever win over All Blacks to end New Zealand’s record streak New Zealand’s Aaron Cruden sinks Ireland with retaken kick at the last Topics
Share on Pinterest Fresh from his side’s one-point escape at Twickenham, Hansen had only just arrived in Dublin when he said the Ireland Test, which pits the two top ranked rugby nations against each other, will be treated as a World Cup knockout game.“It’s one and two so whoever wins it will be the best side in the world regardless of rankings – that’s the mental state that people will take out of it so it’ll be a goody,” Hansen said. “We don’t have to talk about it, there’s enough experience in the group to know they don’t get any bigger. You don’t get to play one and two that often when they’re in separate hemispheres so when they do come about they become pretty big games. There’s a fierce rivalry there.” Reuse this content … we have a small favour to ask. More people, like you, are reading and supporting the Guardian’s independent, investigative journalism than ever before. And unlike many news organisations, we made the choice to keep our reporting open for all, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. Whether we are up close or further away, the Guardian brings our readers a global perspective on the most critical issues of our lifetimes – from the escalating climate catastrophe to widespread inequality to the influence of big tech on our lives. We believe complex stories need context in order for us to truly understand them. At a time when factual information is a necessity, we believe that each of us, around the world, deserves access to accurate reporting with integrity at its heart.Our editorial independence means we set our own agenda and voice our own opinions. Guardian journalism is free from commercial and political bias and not influenced by billionaire owners or shareholders. This means we can give a voice to those less heard, explore where others turn away, and rigorously challenge those in power.We hope you will consider supporting us today. We need your support to keep delivering quality journalism that’s open and independent. Every reader contribution, however big or small, is so valuable. Support The Guardian from as little as $1 – and it only takes a minute. Thank you. Share via Email Read more Share on Messenger Rugby union Ireland rugby union team England denied by All Blacks and late decision in Twickenham thriller Autumn internationals “Chicago was a great band aid, but two weeks later we were very, very much in the game, and it was very tough, very, very tough.“The challenge for our guys is to step up. I’m confident they can. But at the same time I’m well aware of the challenges the All Blacks present.”The All Blacks will be without Sonny Bill Williams, who suffered a shoulder injury against England, but Hansen stirred the pot somewhat by confidently predicting influential Irish halfback Conor Murray will return from a neck complaint despite last playing in June.“He’s a real competitor, he’ll want to play and if he’s got a chance I’m picking he’ll play.” news
India vs Australia: We had a point to prove and we did, says Cheteshwar Pujara
India vs Australia: We had a point to prove and we did, says Cheteshwar PujaraIndia were looking to shed their poor travellers tag and the team responded with the maiden Test series win in Australia in 71 years as they clinched the Border-Gavaskar series 2-1.advertisement India Today Web Desk SydneyJanuary 8, 2019UPDATED: January 8, 2019 11:02 IST Cheteshwar Pujara shook a leg with his teammates after the Sydney Test to celebrate India’s series win (BCCI Photo)HIGHLIGHTSPujara top-scored in the Border-Gavaskar with 521 runs in 4 Tests at an average of over 74The 31-year-old faced a record 1258 deliveries and batted for over 28 hours in the seriesThe Sydney Test ended in a draw handing India a 2-1 series win, their first in Australia in 71 yearsTeam India finally have a Test series win away from the sub-continent which was the goal when they set out on the tours to South Africa, England and Australia. After defeats in South Africa and England, success finally came in Sydney when Kohli and his men ended India’s agonising 71-year wait for a test series victory in Australia.The goal was to shed the poor traveller tag and India did that in style as they outclassed Australia in their own backyard in every department throughout the series.Kohli was once again leading the team from the front but this time he had the support of the other batsmen in the lineup, something which was missing in the series against South Africa and England last year.And it was Cheteshwar Pujara who was at the forefront each time as he took up the responsibility of scoring the bulk of the runs for the team while the other batters played around him.Pujara top-scored with 521 runs in the series at an average of over 74 and smashed three hundreds in the process. The only Test in which he didn’t get to triple figures, India lost.He scored runs on the most difficult surfaces and literally batted Australia out of the competition as he faced a record 1258 deliveries and batted for over 28 hours in the four Test matches.Speaking to India Today’s Boria Majumdar, Pujara admitted that this is the best he has ever batted overseas especially because it helped India to win the series.advertisement”This is the best series we had as a team overseas. This is my best series I would say. But I would still like to say the toughest series which I have been part of is playing Australia at home in 2018. We were 1-0 down. I still remember the Pune Test where we felt we might lose the series.”But we made a very good comeback and won that series. It was the toughest series I was a part of but this is the best series I have been part of in terms of winning the series away from home and this is really special to all of us,” Pujara told India Today.India have traditionally been formidable at home and fragile abroad, especially outside the subcontinent where harder or grassy pitches took the edge off their spinners and disconcerted their batsmen.Their rise to the top of the test rankings under Kohli was built on strong home form and every player in the side has since been insisting on winning abroad to lend legitimacy to the status.The win finally came after two failed attempts earlier in the year and it now looks like India now has the players who can dominate Test cricket for years to come.”Whenever we tour abroad we always feel that we have the capability of winning the series because we have done really well in India. We had a point to prove and as a team we have done that now,” Pujara added.When asked how the team plans to celebrate this win, the 31-year-old Saurashtra batsman didn’t reveal much.”The team is going to celebrate hard. We’ll have a get-together and guys are going to enjoy. Back home people are really happy, I’m glad that all the Indian fans not just in India but in Australia and around the world, they are really pleased with the way the team has played,” Pujara concluded.Also Read | Pujara dance vs Kohli bhangra: What’s your favourite moment from India’s celebrations?Also Read | Team India will reach many more milestones in the time to come: MSK PrasadAlso Read | Had tears in my eyes when Virat Kohli lifted Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Sunil GavaskarAlso Read | Cheteshwar Pujara keen on getting back to domestic cricket, to play county during IPL 2019For sports news, updates, live scores and cricket fixtures, log on to indiatoday.in/sports. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for Sports news, scores and updates.Get real-time alerts and all the news on your phone with the all-new India Today app. Download from Post your comment Do You Like This Story? Awesome! Now share the story Too bad. Tell us what you didn’t like in the comments Posted byrohan sen Tags :Follow Cheteshwar PujaraFollow India vs AustraliaFollow Border-Gavaskar series
New BWTS Model from ERMA FIRST
June 3, 2014 zoom ERMA FIRST makes the next step in ballast water treatment systems introducing ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT for the first time, at Posidonia Exhibition 2014.The new model from ERMA FIRST serves the bigger ballast pump capacities without disclosing it though from smaller flow rates where the installation of ERMA FIRST BWTS is not feasible.ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT is based on whole flow electrolysis from the lately developed electrolytic cells which are already used on the existing model.The new cells are able to operate in low salinity and low temperature waters which broads it operation limits. The major change of the model is the replacement of the double separation stage, pre- filter and innovative hydrocyclones with a 40 microns mesh automatic back flushing basket filter.ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT operates for all pump capacities, for all available spaces, it’s flexible, it’s simple, it fits for purpose. The approval of the system is expected in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Iranian Tanker Adrian Darya 1 Goes Dark off Syria
zoomIllustration; Source: Pixabay under CC0 Creative Commons license The Iranian oil tanker Adrian Darya 1, carrying 2.1 million barrels of oil, has gone “dark” off the coast of Tartus, Syria.According to data provided by MarineTraffic, the vessel appears to have turned off its transponder in the Mediterranean Sea, less than 50 nautical miles off Tartus, after it sent its last signal at 15:53 GMT on Monday.The 300,579 dwt unit, at the center of a dispute between Tehran and Western powers, is widely expected to deliver its cargo to Tartus, media reports indicate.Formerly named Grace 1, the tanker was detained in Gibraltar on July 4 on suspicion that it was sailing to Baniyas Oil Refinery in Syria in violation of European Union sanctions. It was released on August 15, only days after Gibraltar received written assurance from the Republic of Iran that the ship’s destination would not be an entity that is subject to EU sanctions.On August 30, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) informed that the oil tanker, as well as its captain, Akhilesh Kumar, have been sanctioned.The officials noted that the ship has been identified as “blocked property” pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorism or acts of terrorism.Furthermore, the U.S. said that “anyone providing support to the Adrian Darya 1 risks being sanctioned.”World Maritime News Staff
Province Modernizes Elections Legislation
The act consolidates Nova Scotia’s law on election administration and election finance. greater independence and accountability for the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer make the Chief Electoral Officer an officer of the Legislature expanded opportunities to vote improved protection of personal information consolidated financial measures more opportunities for youth to participate in the administration of elections The first major changes to the Elections Act in 25 years were introduced today, May 6, by Justice Minister Ross Landry. The new legislation will modernize the act and provide more transparency and accountability in provincial elections. “In recent years, we have seen a steady decline in the number of Nova Scotians who exercise their democratic right to vote,” said Mr. Landry. “This new act includes many changes that should enhance voting opportunities, in an effort to improve voter participation.” The new act is primarily based on work done by the province’s Chief Electoral Officer, who conducted a review of the current act at the request of the House of Assembly. The changes modernize language and offer improvements such as:
Former Rogers Media Television CEO and wife killed in car crash in
Leslie Sole, a Canadian broadcasting veteran who helped lead Rogers Media’s television division, and his wife, popular former radio DJ Terri Michael, were killed in a head-on car crash Monday in Mexico.Sole and Michael retired a few years ago in the Cabo San Lucas area of Mexico.Details of the crash were not immediately available.Sole began his 25-year career at Rogers Communications in 1986 and was named chief content officer at Rogers Media after expanding its television division. He was serving as the CEO of Rogers Media Television when he left the company in 2011.He’s being remembered as a creative executive who never shied away from bold decisions.One of his greatest contributions to Canada’s broadcast landscape was his work at television station OMNI. He was the architect of Canada’s first multicultural television station expanding its footprint from Ontario to B.C. and Alberta.He oversaw the acquisition of five Citytv stations across Canada from CTVglobemedia, five OMNI Television stations and three specialty channels, including The Biography Channel.“Leslie is one of the great innovative thinkers in Canadian broadcasting,” former Rogers Broadcasting President Rael Merson said at the time of the Citytv acquisition.Michael was a popular radio DJ on Toronto radio stations CKFM 99.9 and EZ ROCK 97.3 throughout the ’80s and ’90s when she interviewed some of music’s biggest stars including Elton John, Mick Jagger and Peter Frampton.She wrote and hosted a show on The Biography Channel. Outside of broadcasting, Michael started her own jewelry line in 2006. Terri Michael in an undated file photo. HANDOUT/terrimichael.com In December 2009, Sole was front and centre at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Citytv studios at Yonge and Dundas streets, where CityNews, Breakfast Television and OMNI Television still broadcast.He received Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for his contribution to his community and to Canada.Rogers Media President Rick Brace released the following statement.“Leslie was a visionary, who passionately loved Canadian television and left an indelible mark on this industry, and on Rogers. Throughout his 25 years at Rogers, Leslie was a creative executive who never shied away from bold decisions and was the architect of pioneering stations such as OMNI Television. Rogers Media extends its deepest condolences to the entire Sole family on the passing of Leslie and his wife Terri. We join with friends and colleagues in the remembrance of this respected media leader, one we were proud to call our own.”
Ottawa environmentalists to make their case for a carbon tax in Saskatchewan
REGINA — Lawyers for the federal government and its supporters are to make their case today in a Regina court on why they believe Ottawa has the legal power to impose a carbon tax on Saskatchewan.Ottawa says it can put a price on carbon because climate change and the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions are a national concern.The federal government has said a section of the Constitution states it can pass laws for the peace, order and good government of Canada.Groups that support that position in Saskatchewan’s court challenge of the carbon tax include the British Columbia government, environmentalists, Indigenous groups and the Canadian Public Health Association.A lawyer for Alberta’s Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation says a carbon tax is constitutionally necessary because climate change affects their treaty rights.The David Suzuki Foundation is also intervening to say that Ottawa’s carbon price is a temporary measure in the face of a climate emergency.On Wednesday, lawyers representing Saskatchewan and its allies in the fight against a carbon tax argued the case is not about climate change at all. “The government of Saskatchewan is not made up of a bunch of climate change deniers,” Saskatchewan lawyer Mitch McAdam said.Instead, he presented the case as a being about the balance of power between Ottawa and the provinces in a situation where the federal government is overstepping its jurisdiction.A panel of judges also heard from the governments of Ontario and New Brunswick, which oppose the carbon tax. They argued that allowing Ottawa to justify its plan under the rationale of a “national concern” would threaten provincial sovereignty under the Constitution.Saskatchewan is one of four provinces without a plan that will be subject to Ottawa’s fuel charge starting in April. New Brunswick, Ontario and Manitoba are the others.Stephanie Taylor, The Canadian Press
Scaachi Koul to write and executive produce the comedy series inspired by
Advertisement Facebook Twitter The bestselling debut essay collection from Buzzfeed culture writer Scaachi Koul, One Day We’ll All Be Dead And None of This Will Matter (Doubleday Canada), is being adapted into a comedy series by the recently launched TV division of Toronto’s First Generation Films.Koul will write and executive-produce the scripted half-hour series with FGF’s Christina Piovesan and Machenzie Lush. It marks the author’s first time writing for TV.“I’m very excited to work with First Gen on bringing my book — and more pressingly, my father — to television,” Koul says in a press release. FGF adds: “Scaachi’s singular voice is at once fearlessly bold yet incredibly vulnerable and she’s exactly the kind of artist whose stories we want to be telling. She paints such a vivid and hilarious portrait of what it means to be an outsider that we immediately connected with her story and think audiences will too.” Login/Register With: Advertisement The deal for adaptation rights was arranged by Ron Eckel at the Cooke Agency in association with Jeff Alpern at the Alpern Group.FGF is also mid-production on a number of other screen adaptations of Canadian books, most notably Kate Beaton’s picture book The Princess and the Pony and Jeff Lemire’s graphica trilogy, Essex County.By Becky Robertson LEAVE A REPLY Cancel replyLog in to leave a comment Advertisement
Ceremony in Vancouver honours aboriginal Veterans
APTN National NewsIn Vancouver a ceremony to honour aboriginal war veterans was held.As APTN’s Tina House explains it was a day to pay tribute for those that fought and died.
Sacred eagle feather make its way in Manitobas justice system
Brittany HobsonAPTN NewsIn the crisp early morning hours more than 100 people gathered at Oodena Celebration Circle in Winnipeg to welcome a new day in Manitoba’s justice system.For the first time people giving evidence or speaking in court will be able to do so using an eagle feather.The day began with a sunrise ceremony to bless the 45 feathers gifted to Manitoba courts and ended with a special presentation to the Court of Queen’s Bench and the Provincial Court of Manitoba.Judges of the Supreme Court of Canada were also on hand.Michael Pierre, a coordinator with Manitoba Justice, called the move a welcome change to how things used to be.“The feather guided us in our lives and spoke to how we’re supposed to live and for a time in our history it wasn’t allowed. We were threatened if we used our ceremony,” Pierre told the crowd.The eagle is considered a sacred and wise creature for First Nations people.The use of its feathers gives Indigenous people a culturally appropriate way to navigate the westernized justice system.“They do provide a lot of comfort. When someone is going through a hard time it really helps them sort of find that grounding,” said Pierre.“It helps fix their words, sort of clear their minds and work toward speaking and saying what needs to be said.”This initiative has been two years in the making.Manitoba’s Court of Queen’s Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal said the court has been grappling with its role in reconciliation.“We too are trying to understand what does it mean judicial reconciliation? How do we as judges make efforts to reconcile in a meaningful way with our Indigenous communities in a way that would be meaningful to them,” said Joyal.Prior to this, inclusion of the feather was sporadic.Generally Indigenous people had to bring their own.Joyal has seen first hand the impact this option has had on people using it.“They’re doing it in a way that makes them feel all the more comfortable…all the more respected for who they are in the court system and that makes them, as a result, much more comfortable in court,” he said.Barry French is one of the three people who gifted the feathers.French is the training and development coordinator with Dakota Ojibway Child and Family Services.The organization had collected a number of eagle feathers for their work with youth when they were asked to donate some to the courts.French applauds Manitoba Justice for what he calls the first step toward a more collaborative relationship.“It’s all about our community here in Manitoba working together, so the Indigenous community building bridges into the courts and the other way around,” he said.The eagle feathers will be available for use for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.bhobson@aptn.ca@bhobs22
Preventing armed conflicts requires broadbased effort say UN officials
Issued five years after his first comprehensive report on the prevention of armed conflict, this 54-page document responds to resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council. Mr. Annan notes that “a culture of prevention is indeed beginning to take hold at the United Nations,” but adds that “an unacceptable gap remains between rhetoric and reality in the area of conflict prevention.” This latest report outlines a three-pronged approach to preventing armed conflict: targeting the sources of tension within and between societies, States and regions; reinforcing the norms and institutions for peace; and strengthening the mechanisms that can resolve inter-State disputes. Briefing the press on the report today, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari said that addressing immediate political conflicts is not enough; it is also often necessary to look at issues like environmental degradation, migration, poverty, and HIV/AIDS.“Deep down, the conflict in Darfur is about the environment, about water, about grassland for cattle,” said Mr. Gambari, referring to the violence that has raged on Sudan’s impoverished and remote western flank since 2003.He noted that the Secretary-General’s report highlights the importance of making countries less vulnerable to conflict by addressing problems like poor governance, corruption, lack of transparency, and inequitable distribution of resources.“No country is too far away it can’t be damaged by a small group on the other side of the world,” said David Hamburg, Chairman of the Secretary-General’s Advisory Committee on Genocide Prevention, who also spoke at the briefing.He added that the entire planet was awash in small arms and light weapons, recalling his visits to parts of Africa where it was possible to buy an AK-47s for five dollars or less. Incitement to hatred and violence is also easier than ever with the growth in communication capacity.“There has to be a way to stimulate people all over the world to think about prevention,” he said. “If we don’t do that, there’s a very serious question whether this human species will get through the 21st century.”Early intervention with preventive diplomacy is key and should be followed by long-term measures such as building democratic institutions, Mr. Hamburg added.“Survey research shows that most people in most countries want democracy,” he said. “They may not be very clear about what it is, but vaguely it’s associated with freedom, opportunity and peace, and they want it.”Mr. Gambari said that most parts of the UN system now saw conflict prevention as a core part of their mandate and that much work was being done behind the scenes.He noted, too, that many UN success stories in this area were often overlooked, citing successful resolutions of conflicts between Nigeria and Cameroon over the Bakassi Peninsula, as well as Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. “The problem is that these activities are not well known and not particularly supported with the resources that they require,” he said, adding that correcting that imbalance was a key part of the report.At tomorrow’s General Assembly session, Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown will introduce the report on behalf of Mr. Annan, who is currently travelling in the Middle East.
CP NewsAlert Alberta introduces bill to hike taxes on corporations and wealthy
EDMONTON – The Alberta government has introduced a bill to increase the corporate tax rate and boost taxes on the wealthy.Finance Minister Joe Ceci says the bill proposes to change the tax rate on corporations to 12 per cent from 10 per cent starting July 1.It also calls for higher taxes for Albertans making over $125,000 on a five-point sliding scale.Ceci has said the changes would affect only the top seven per cent of tax filers.The bill fulfils promises the NDP made in the May 5 election campaign.The Opposition Wildrose party has said the NDP should not be hiking taxes until it has reviewed government spending to see if it can find savings there. The Alberta government has introduced a bill to increase the corporate tax rate and boost taxes on the wealthy. Finance Minister Joe Ceci says the bill proposes to change the tax rate on corporations to 12 per cent from 10 per cent starting July 1. Ceci is shown arriving for a cabinet meeting in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, May 28, 2015.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh by The Canadian Press Posted Jun 18, 2015 3:27 pm MDT Last Updated Jun 18, 2015 at 4:02 pm MDT AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to TwitterTwitterShare to FacebookFacebookShare to RedditRedditShare to 電子郵件Email CP NewsAlert: Alberta introduces bill to hike taxes on corporations and wealthy
British cybersecurity expert pleads not guilty to US charges
by Ivan Moreno, The Associated Press Posted Aug 14, 2017 9:38 am MDT Last Updated Aug 14, 2017 at 1:20 pm MDT AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to TwitterTwitterShare to FacebookFacebookShare to RedditRedditShare to 電子郵件Email FILE – This Monday, May 15, 2017, file photo shows British IT expert Marcus Hutchins, branded a hero for slowing down the WannaCry global cyberattack, during an interview in Ilfracombe, England. Prosecutors have charged Hutchins and an unnamed co-defendant with conspiring to commit computer fraud in the state and elsewhere. Hutchins could enter a plea during a hearing Monday, Aug. 14, in Wisconsin federal court. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File) British cybersecurity expert pleads not guilty to US charges MILWAUKEE – A British cybersecurity researcher credited with helping curb a recent worldwide ransomware attack pleaded not guilty Monday to federal charges accusing him of creating malicious software to steal banking information three years ago.Marcus Hutchins entered his plea in Wisconsin federal court, where prosecutors charged him and an unnamed co-defendant with conspiring to commit computer fraud in the state and elsewhere. Authorities arrested the 23-year-old man on Aug. 2 at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, where he was going to board a flight to his home in Ilfracombe, England. He had been in Las Vegas for a cybersecurity convention.Hutchins’ attorney, Marcia Hofmann, said after Monday’s brief hearing that Hutchins will fight the charges and that “when the evidence comes to light, we are confident he will be fully vindicated.”“Marcus Hutchins is a brilliant young man and a hero,” Hofmann said.Hutchins left afterward in a white SUV with tinted windows and did not talk to reporters. During the hearing, he only spoke to say “I do,” when Magistrate Judge William E. Duffin asked him if he understood his rights.Hutchins is free on $30,000 bail, but with strict conditions. His bond has been modified so that he can stay in Los Angeles near his attorney and travel anywhere in the U.S., but he cannot leave the country. He was also granted access to use a computer for work, a change from an earlier judge’s order barring him from using any device with access to the internet. Hutchins has been working for a network security company, according to prosecutors, who did not oppose allowing him access to a computer for work.Hutchins is required to wear a GPS monitor, but Duffin said the court will consider removing that requirement once Hutchins has found a home in Los Angeles and is complying with the terms of his bond.The next hearing in the case was set for Oct. 17, with an Oct. 23 trial date, though the latter was expected to change due to the case’s complexity.The legal troubles Hutchins faces are a dramatic turnaround from the status of cybercrime-fighting hero he enjoyed four months ago when he found a “kill switch” to slow the outbreak of the WannaCry virus. It crippled computers worldwide, encrypting files and making them inaccessible unless people paid a ransom ranging from $300 to $600.Prosecutors allege that before Hutchins won acclaim he created and distributed a malicious software called Kronos to steal banking passwords from unsuspecting computer users. In addition to computer fraud, the indictment lists five other charges, including attempting to intercept electronic communications and trying to access a computer without authorization.The indictment says the crimes happened between July 2014 and July 2015, but the court document doesn’t offer any details about the number of victims. Prosecutors have not said why the case was filed in Wisconsin. The name of Hutchins’ co-defendant is redacted from the indictment.Hutchins faces decades in prison if convicted on all the charges.___Find Ivan Moreno on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Ivanjourno___This story has been corrected to show that the last name of Hutchins’ attorney is Hofmann, not Hoffman.
Most countries lack adequate laws to protect and promote breastfeeding – UN
The 2016 status report, Marketing of breast-milk substitutes: National implementation of the International Code, shows that of the 194 countries analyzed, 135 have in place some form of legal measure related to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes (the Code) and subsequent, relevant resolutions adopted by the World Health Assembly.This is up from 103 in 2011, but only 39 countries have laws that enact all provisions of the Code, a slight increase from 37 in 2011.The report, by the World Health Organization (WHO), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) , reveals that among the countries that have any laws on marketing of breast-milk substitutes, just over half sufficiently prohibit advertising and promotion of breast-milk substitutes, including infant formula, feeding bottles and teats.“It is encouraging to see more countries pass laws to protect and promote breastfeeding, but there are still far too many places where mothers are inundated with incorrect and biased information through advertising and unsubstantiated health claims,” said, Francesco Branca, Director of WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development, in a joint press release.“This can distort parents’ perceptions and undermine their confidence in breastfeeding, with the result that far too many children miss out on its many benefits,” he adds.WHO and UNICEF recommend that babies are fed nothing but breast milk for their first 6 months, after which they should continue breastfeeding – as well as eating other safe and nutritionally adequate foods – until two years of age or beyond.The report says that globally, nearly two out of three infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months – a rate that has not improved in two decades. Breast milk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses.Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life. Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes continues to undermine efforts to improve breastfeeding rates and duration worldwide, the report warns.In this context, WHO member States have committed to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life to at least 50 per cent by 2025 as one of a set of global nutrition targets.The Code calls on countries to protect breastfeeding by stopping the inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes, including infant formula, feeding bottles and teats. It bans all forms of promotion of substitutes, including advertising, gifts to health workers and distribution of free samples.Labels must not ‘idealize’ infant formulaIn addition, labels cannot make nutritional and health claims or include images that idealize infant formula. They must include clear instructions on how to use the product and carry messages about the superiority of breastfeeding over formula and the risks of not breastfeeding.The breast-milk substitute business is a big one, with annual sales amounting to almost $45 billion worldwide. This is projected to rise by over 55 per cent to $70 billion by 2019.The breast-milk substitutes industry is strong and growing, and so the battle to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding around the world is an uphill one—but it is one that is worth the effort“The breast-milk substitutes industry is strong and growing, and so the battle to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding around the world is an uphill one – but it is one that is worth the effort,” says UNICEF Chief of Nutrition Werner Schultink. “Mothers deserve a chance to get the correct information: that they have readily available the means to protect the health and wellbeing their children. Clever marketing should not be allowed to fudge the truth that there is no equal substitute for a mother’s own milk.”Overall, richer countries lag behind poorer ones. The proportion of countries with comprehensive legislation in line with the Code is highest in the Southeast Asia Region at 36 per cent, followed by Africa at 30 per cent while Europe has the lowest rate at six per cent.WHO and UNICEF have recently established a Global Network for Monitoring and Support for Implementation of the Code (NetCode) to help strengthen countries’ and civil society capacity to monitor and effectively enforce Code laws.New analyses have revealed that increasing breastfeeding to near-universal levels could save the lives of more than 820,000 children under the age of five and 20,000 women each year. It could also add an estimated $300 billion into the global economy annually, based on improvements in cognitive ability if every infant was breastfed until at least 6 months of age and their expected increased earnings later in life. Boosting breastfeeding rates would significantly reduce costs to families and governments for treatment of childhood illnesses such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and asthma.