In this week's address, the President highlighted the problems in our criminal justice system.
Saturday, October 17, 2015
West Wing Week: 10/16/2015
This week, the President traveled to Roseburg, Oregon, celebrated
Hispanic Heritage Month, and hosted world-class musicians at the White
House. That's October 9th to October 15th or, "The American Soundtrack."
Why is the U.S. Using a Baking Ingredient That Major Countries Banned Years Ago?
A Warning If Your Bread Contains Potassium Bromate!
"The G-Man Interviews" will be investigating this deeply disturbing and frightening
development that has the potential to impact millions in the United States, if it hasn't already.
A Yahoo News report recently stated the following:
"Regulators in the United States and abroad have reached troubling
conclusions about the risks of potassium bromate that you probably don’t
know about, but should. In 1999 the International Agency for
Research on Cancer determined that potassium bromate is a possible
human carcinogen. It is not allowed for use or is banned as a food
additive in a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada,
Brazil and the European Union. The state of California requires food
with potassium bromate to carry a warning label."
"The G-Man Interviews" has purchased numerous bags of Palagonia Sliced Hero Bread, and not one had a warning label. This may be the case for all New York State products containing potassium bromate. On Monday, October 19, "The G-Man Interviews" will be contacting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) New York State Senators and Palagoina Bread Company, Inc. to find out why.
Here's the full article. https://www.yahoo.com/…/does-your-bread-contain-this-potent…
Here's the list of foods being sold that contain potassium bromate. http://www.ewg.org/research/potassium-bromate
Finally, here's the bigger question. Why is potassium bromate still being used -- and Palagonia bread and
bakery goods being sold -- in the United States when other major
countries have banned it?
Stay tuned.
Friday, October 16, 2015
Politics in Action: H.R. 2835, S. 986, S. 1300, and S. 2078
Statement by the Press Secretary
On Friday, October 16, 2015, the President signed into law:
H.R.
2835, the “Border Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015,” which requires the
Department of Homeland Security to: (1) consider the expedited hiring
of qualified veterans who have
the ability to perform the functions of Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) officers; and (2) enhance its efforts to recruit members of the
Armed Forces who are separating from military service to serve as CBP
officers;
S.
986, the “Albuquerque Indian School Land Transfer Act,” which directs
the Secretary of the Interior to take into trust four parcels of Federal
land in Albuquerque, New Mexico,
for the benefit of 19 Indian Pueblos;
S.
1300, the “Adoptive Family Relief Act,” which authorizes U.S. consular
officers to waive immigrant visa renewal or replacement fees for an
immigrant child that is adopted
by U.S. citizens if the child was unable to use the original visa
during its period of validity as a direct result of extraordinary
circumstances that were beyond the control of the child or the parents,
including the denial of an exit permit; and
S.
2078, the “U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
Reauthorization Act of 2015,” which reauthorizes and amends the U.S.
Commission on International Religious
Freedom.
Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
Vietnam Bird Flu Study Confirms Urban Fringes Are Hot Spots for Emergence of Infectious Disease
HONOLULU (October 15, 2015) – A new study
led by East-West Center researchers and funded by the National Science
Foundation has confirmed suspicions that “peri-urban” areas at the outer
fringes of cities are particular hot spots for the emergence of
animal-to-human infectious diseases.
The study led by EWC researchers Sumeet Saksena and Jefferson Fox and published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, focused on outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, strain H5N1 in Vietnam between 2003 and 2005, which resulted in 45 million bird deaths and 106 confirmed human cases with 52 deaths. Their research concluded that the outbreaks in large part sprang from converging environmental and social risk factors brought on by development in these rural-urban transition zones (peri-urban areas), confirming what is known as the “convergence model” of animal-human disease emergence.
“Our research model for the first time presents data-based evidence for the common-sense notion that the process of urbanization combines risk factors to produce peri-urban landscapes with significantly higher potential for infectious disease emergence,” said lead researcher Saksena.
The study notes that these areas have higher densities of domestic chickens, ducks and geese living alongside dense human populations, creating ideal conditions for HPAI transmission. Previous research suggested that disease outbreaks can be associated with environmental changes as societies evolve, but this is the first study of its kind to examine land-use diversity as a risk factor for H5N1. “Land-use diversity serves as a proxy measure for mixing of virus host species,” said project Principal Investigator Fox.
The study led by EWC researchers Sumeet Saksena and Jefferson Fox and published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, focused on outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, strain H5N1 in Vietnam between 2003 and 2005, which resulted in 45 million bird deaths and 106 confirmed human cases with 52 deaths. Their research concluded that the outbreaks in large part sprang from converging environmental and social risk factors brought on by development in these rural-urban transition zones (peri-urban areas), confirming what is known as the “convergence model” of animal-human disease emergence.
“Our research model for the first time presents data-based evidence for the common-sense notion that the process of urbanization combines risk factors to produce peri-urban landscapes with significantly higher potential for infectious disease emergence,” said lead researcher Saksena.
The study notes that these areas have higher densities of domestic chickens, ducks and geese living alongside dense human populations, creating ideal conditions for HPAI transmission. Previous research suggested that disease outbreaks can be associated with environmental changes as societies evolve, but this is the first study of its kind to examine land-use diversity as a risk factor for H5N1. “Land-use diversity serves as a proxy measure for mixing of virus host species,” said project Principal Investigator Fox.
Since 2003, the virus has killed millions of poultry birds in countries
throughout Asia, Europe and Africa, and 402 humans have died from it in
16 countries, according to World Health Organization data as of January
2015. Just this year in the Midwestern United States, 48.8 million
poultry were affected across 21 states with a strain of HPAI – although
it is important to note that this strain is not a threat for spread to
humans. The biggest known outbreak of bird flu in U.S. history, the
epidemic has hit flocks in Iowa and Minnesota the hardest, where
producers are scrambling to implement bio-security measures.
Researchers said the East-West Center study implies the need to go beyond facility-level bio-security measures. Planners need to develop and implement landscape-level bio-security measures to improve emerging infectious disease prevention and control, they said, by combining geographic monitoring of risk factors along with pathogen surveillance programs.
Researchers said the East-West Center study implies the need to go beyond facility-level bio-security measures. Planners need to develop and implement landscape-level bio-security measures to improve emerging infectious disease prevention and control, they said, by combining geographic monitoring of risk factors along with pathogen surveillance programs.
The EAST-WEST CENTER promotes
better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the
United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study,
research, and dialogue. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1960, the
Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical
issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views,
build expertise, and develop policy options.
Source: The East-West Center News Wire Service
President Obama Joint News Conference with South Korean President Park Geun-hye
President Obama holds a joint news conference with South Korean
President Park Geun-hye. Both leaders field questions on a range of
topics, including Middle East violence, the presidential race, and
relations on the Korean peninsula.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
State Department Daily Briefing
Mark Toner briefed reporters and responded to questions on a variety of international topics.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
U.N. Security Council Meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The United Nations Security Council meets to discuss recent violence
between Israelis and Palestinians and the security situation on the
ground.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Representative Elijah Cummings on Benghazi Committe Proceedings
House Benghazi Committee Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD) speaks to
reporters following former Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin's
testimony. He criticizes House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's (R-CA)
comments connecting the former secretary of state's polling numbers in
the 2016 election to the committee's investigation into her involvement
in the 2012 consulate attacks.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Representative Mike Pompeo on Huma Abedin's Testimony
Representative Pompeo says that the House Benghazi Committee's
questioning of former State Department Chief-of-Staff Huma Abedin is
ongoing. He says that Abedin is answering questions to the best of her
knowledge and appreciates her ongoing cooperation. Representative Pompeo
blames the State Department for the investigation taking a long time.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will appear in front of the
House Benghazi Committee next week.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Common Core Task Force Holds First Executive Meeting
Announces Plan to Host Public Engagement Sessions and Establish Advisory Committee to Guide Review of State’s Learning Standards
Today, the first official executive meeting
of the Common Core Task Force was held in Manhattan at the CUNY Graduate
Center. The meeting included planning for at least a dozen public
sessions in the near future to engage New Yorkers and generate feedback,
as well as the creation of an advisory committee to help guide the Task
Force throughout its review. The Task Force also announced that Andreea
Musteata, a junior at Tech Valley High School, will serve as the
group’s first student ambassador and will lead an effort to encourage
student involvement throughout the process.
The Common Core Task Force is chaired by Richard Parsons, Senior Advisor, Providence Equity Partners Inc. and former Chairman of the Board, Citigroup Inc.
Mr. Parsons said: “Today’s meeting was about setting the stage for a comprehensive review of common core – a review that will help us fix and strengthen the state’s learning standards and ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential. This was a productive meeting that will guide our efforts in the weeks and months to come, and I look forward to beginning the work ahead.”
Today’s preliminary discussion focused on the history and timeline of Common Core standards development and implementation in New York State, as well as the development of related assessments, and problems that have arisen as a result of that implementation. The Task Force also determined a preliminary schedule for future public sessions – exact dates will be announced in the coming days, but at least a dozen public sessions are being planned, including at least one local session in each of the State’s 10 regions.
The Common Core Task Force is chaired by Richard Parsons, Senior Advisor, Providence Equity Partners Inc. and former Chairman of the Board, Citigroup Inc.
Mr. Parsons said: “Today’s meeting was about setting the stage for a comprehensive review of common core – a review that will help us fix and strengthen the state’s learning standards and ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential. This was a productive meeting that will guide our efforts in the weeks and months to come, and I look forward to beginning the work ahead.”
Today’s preliminary discussion focused on the history and timeline of Common Core standards development and implementation in New York State, as well as the development of related assessments, and problems that have arisen as a result of that implementation. The Task Force also determined a preliminary schedule for future public sessions – exact dates will be announced in the coming days, but at least a dozen public sessions are being planned, including at least one local session in each of the State’s 10 regions.
Student Ambassador
Andreea Musteata, a junior at Tech Valley High School in Albany, will serve as the Task Force’s student ambassador. In this role, Ms. Musteata will lead efforts to engage students across New York State through social media. In addition to her digital outreach, roundtables with students will be held to discuss ideas. Ms. Musteata will later present that feedback to the Task Force.
Advisory Committee
The Task Force members also discussed the formation of an advisory committee that will include a variety of subject matter experts and stakeholders, including educators, administrators and parents, which will be regionally diverse, to help guide the State’s review. Additional details on the advisory committee will be announced next week.
The Task Force was created by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in late September and charged with performing a comprehensive review of the State’s learning standards, instructional guidance and curricula, and tests in order to improve the system’s implementation and reduce text anxiety. More information, as well as a video of the Governor discussing the Task Force is available here.
The members of the Task Force include:
Andreea Musteata, a junior at Tech Valley High School in Albany, will serve as the Task Force’s student ambassador. In this role, Ms. Musteata will lead efforts to engage students across New York State through social media. In addition to her digital outreach, roundtables with students will be held to discuss ideas. Ms. Musteata will later present that feedback to the Task Force.
Advisory Committee
The Task Force members also discussed the formation of an advisory committee that will include a variety of subject matter experts and stakeholders, including educators, administrators and parents, which will be regionally diverse, to help guide the State’s review. Additional details on the advisory committee will be announced next week.
The Task Force was created by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in late September and charged with performing a comprehensive review of the State’s learning standards, instructional guidance and curricula, and tests in order to improve the system’s implementation and reduce text anxiety. More information, as well as a video of the Governor discussing the Task Force is available here.
The members of the Task Force include:
Richard D. Parsons, Senior Advisor, Providence Equity Partners, LLC and Former Chairman of the Board of Citigroup, Inc.
Heather Buskirk, Mohawk Valley Master Teacher; Science Teacher at Johnstown High School
Geoffrey Canada, President, Harlem Children’s Zone
Carol L. Conklin-Spillane, Principal, Sleepy Hollow High
MaryEllen Elia, Commissioner of the New York State Education Department
Constance Evelyn, Superintendent, Valley Stream School District
Catalina R. Fortino, Vice President, New York State United Teachers (NYSUT)
Kishayna Hazlewood, 3rd Grade Teacher at P.S. 156 in Brooklyn
Tim Kremer, Executive Director of the New York State School Boards Association
Senator Carl Marcellino, Chair of the Senate Education Committee
Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee
Samuel Radford III, President, District Parent Coordinating Council of Buffalo
Carrie Remis, Rochester Area Parent & Founder of the Parent Power Project
Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFL-CIO
Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor, State University of New York (SUNY)
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Over 132,000 Positions Available on 'Jobs Express' Website
More than 132,000 available jobs, a new record high, are now listed on New York State's Jobs Express website.
“Businesses need skilled and qualified workers to fill the new jobs that are being created all across the state and Jobs Express has been outstanding resource for connecting these employers with prospective employees," said Governor Cuomo. "I encourage all businesses that are hiring to post their jobs in the system and I urge all job seekers to start their search with Jobs Express.”
As of September 2015, New York's private sector jobs count stood at 7,821,700 and the unemployment rate dipped to 5.1 percent. Significant job creation under Governor Cuomo has led to an expanded need for qualified workers and employers are, more than ever, utilizing Jobs Express to help fill those vacancies.
Jobs Express sorts thousands of jobs by region and occupation, and allows users to search jobs based on zip code and travel distance. There is also a one-stop-shop website that provides information about and resources for Jobs Express.
Below is the current number of available jobs on Jobs Express, broken down by region:
“Businesses need skilled and qualified workers to fill the new jobs that are being created all across the state and Jobs Express has been outstanding resource for connecting these employers with prospective employees," said Governor Cuomo. "I encourage all businesses that are hiring to post their jobs in the system and I urge all job seekers to start their search with Jobs Express.”
As of September 2015, New York's private sector jobs count stood at 7,821,700 and the unemployment rate dipped to 5.1 percent. Significant job creation under Governor Cuomo has led to an expanded need for qualified workers and employers are, more than ever, utilizing Jobs Express to help fill those vacancies.
Jobs Express sorts thousands of jobs by region and occupation, and allows users to search jobs based on zip code and travel distance. There is also a one-stop-shop website that provides information about and resources for Jobs Express.
Below is the current number of available jobs on Jobs Express, broken down by region:
|
|
|
11,000
|
|
7,400
|
|
10,800
|
|
15,500
|
|
16,200
|
|
3,100
|
|
50,200
|
|
3,500
|
|
4,700
|
|
9,800
|
|
132,200
|
Acting New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta L. Reardon said,
"As New York's economy continues to grow, businesses' needs for a ready
workforce will only increase. The Department of Labor and Jobs Express
can help meet that need by providing a connection between businesses and
job seekers. I echo Governor Cuomo in urging employers and job seekers
alike to make use of this free service."
Businesses across New York have successfully utilized Jobs Express to help find qualified candidates for their open positions.
Daigle Cleaning Systems, Clifton Park, NY – "The Department of Labor’s Jobs Express is a great resource for businesses. The Department of Labor staff has been, and continues to be, very helpful in referring candidates whose skills match our needs. We have been very happy with our experience."
Elite Plumbing and Heating Contractors, Inc., Walden, NY – "We were looking for an agency that could help us find new employees and were pleasantly surprised to learn that the Department of Labor offered this kind of service at no cost. Being a small business, the use of DOL offices for our recruitment events has been great! We've hired some really talented people as a result of these events and are looking to hire again. We would definitely recommend DOL services to any business."
Management Advisory Group of New York, Catskill, NY – "Jobs Express is a wonderful resource for businesses. We can post job listings with ease, and can save the posting for future use. Once a position is posted, resumes begin arriving the very next morning. The website also offers a resume search function which is very useful. The staff is very helpful in referring qualified candidates and they keep us informed about grant funding available for new hire subsidies. We have been very pleased with our experience and have hired three employees using this process."
Businesses across New York have successfully utilized Jobs Express to help find qualified candidates for their open positions.
Daigle Cleaning Systems, Clifton Park, NY – "The Department of Labor’s Jobs Express is a great resource for businesses. The Department of Labor staff has been, and continues to be, very helpful in referring candidates whose skills match our needs. We have been very happy with our experience."
Elite Plumbing and Heating Contractors, Inc., Walden, NY – "We were looking for an agency that could help us find new employees and were pleasantly surprised to learn that the Department of Labor offered this kind of service at no cost. Being a small business, the use of DOL offices for our recruitment events has been great! We've hired some really talented people as a result of these events and are looking to hire again. We would definitely recommend DOL services to any business."
Management Advisory Group of New York, Catskill, NY – "Jobs Express is a wonderful resource for businesses. We can post job listings with ease, and can save the posting for future use. Once a position is posted, resumes begin arriving the very next morning. The website also offers a resume search function which is very useful. The staff is very helpful in referring qualified candidates and they keep us informed about grant funding available for new hire subsidies. We have been very pleased with our experience and have hired three employees using this process."
Jobs Express is just one of the free
services available to job seekers and businesses through the New York
State Department of Labor. At Department of Labor Career Centers around
the state, job seekers can receive one-on-one help with their job
searches. For more information, visit www.labor.ny.gov/career-
Businesses interested in listing their jobs should visit: www.labor.ny.gov/hire.
Businesses interested in listing their jobs should visit: www.labor.ny.gov/hire.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Why Diehard Defenders Will Never Stop Believing Bill Cosby Is Innocent
By Goldie Taylor
To some, the comedian is a god,
plain and simple—never mind his legions of accusers, the latest of whom
was just a kid. And any attempts to question his legacy will be met with
anger.
My
grandmother loved her Jesus, her husband, and her pastor—and not always
in that order. Say a foul word about one or the other and you had better
tell it walking.
Bill Cosby is not a pastor and, if your name is not Camille,
he almost certainly is not your husband. But for some people, it seems,
Cosby is a god—deified based on his career as a legendary comedian and
actor, a Hollywood icon who generously invested countless millions in
historically black institutions.
When I was invited to write a cover story for Ebony
magazine and offer an analysis of that legacy, I accepted the
assignment with both honor and trepidation. My focus was not on the
allegations but on how Cosby’s widely acclaimed, record-breaking
television show came to be the standard against which black families
would be measured—by others and by us. What social model did it
reinforce, and does its power endure in the face of Cosby’s crumbling
public reputation?
Over the course of 72 breathtaking hours, I interviewed dozens of
thought leaders, cultural experts, industry veterans, and academicians
about that legacy and how deeply it was intertwined with his on-screen
fictional persona, Heathcliff Huxtable. An excerpt of the cover story
was released online Thursday afternoon.
As
the cover art began to circulate on social media, both support and
pushback began almost immediately. The cover, a framed photograph of the
fictional Huxtable family behind shattered glass, evoked strong
feelings, even before the 3,000-word story itself hit newsstands. Some
voices were glad to see the story about how Cosby’s legacy and that of
his alter ego, Cliff, have been challenged in recent months. Others
cried foul, angered because they believe Cosby himself is “under
attack.”
Click here for the full article and related video.
Source: The Daily Beast
Trailblazers in Black History: Wilson Pickett
Published on YouTube Dec 30, 2012
Roger Daltrey, lead singer of The Who and a Wilson Pickett fan, tells the story of the soul legend.
Contributors include Wilson's brother Max; his ex-partner Dovie Hall; and soul stars like Bobby Womack and Eddie Floyd, who experienced the exceptional singing talent first hand; as well as the wild side, which earned him the nickname "The Wicked Pickett".
Pickett died in 2006, aged 64, but he left a legacy of classic hits like Mustang Sally, The Land of 1,000 Dances, and In The Midnight Hour. He was determined to be a singing star from an early age and his brother Max remembers how Wilson would always be getting into fights, whilst also singing gospel in church.
Little Richard spoke fondly of his friend at Wilson's funeral and those who loved him, and were influenced by him, sum up the "Wicked One's" legacy.
Contributors include Wilson's brother Max; his ex-partner Dovie Hall; and soul stars like Bobby Womack and Eddie Floyd, who experienced the exceptional singing talent first hand; as well as the wild side, which earned him the nickname "The Wicked Pickett".
Pickett died in 2006, aged 64, but he left a legacy of classic hits like Mustang Sally, The Land of 1,000 Dances, and In The Midnight Hour. He was determined to be a singing star from an early age and his brother Max remembers how Wilson would always be getting into fights, whilst also singing gospel in church.
Little Richard spoke fondly of his friend at Wilson's funeral and those who loved him, and were influenced by him, sum up the "Wicked One's" legacy.
Carson Edges Closer to Trump Thanks to White Evangelicals
In the latest snapshot of an unpredictable Republican primary
season, Ben Carson has minimized Donald Trump's lead to just 5 points,
according to the latest NBC News online poll conducted by SurveyMonkey.
These two "outsider" candidates are the only contenders with
double-digit support among Republican and Republican-leaning independent
voters. The next tier of presidential candidates is led by Marco Rubio
at 9%, followed by Carly Fiorina and Ted Cruz who each have 6% of
support, and Jeb Bush at 5%.
Click here for the full article, graph and related video.
Source: NBC News
Palestinians Set Fire to Joseph's Tomb Amid Calls for 'Day of Rage'
JERUSALEM — Hundreds of Palestinians entered the Joseph's Tomb
compound in the West Bank town of Nablus late Thursday and set it on
fire, severely damaging the Jewish holy site in what Israel called a
"despicable" act.
The overnight violence came amid calls for
another "day of rage" in the region — although by 5:30 p.m. local time
(10:30 a.m. ET), the violence did not appear to be as severe as other
recent days. At least 40 people have been killed over the past two
weeks.
Click here for the full article and video.
Rape Film Banned in India Gets Meryl Streep’s Backing for Oscar
Reuters, 16/10 16:45 CET
By Sebastien Malo
NEW YORK
(Thomson Reuters Foundation) – A film banned by Indian authorities
about the deadly rape of a young woman on a bus in New Delhi has opened
in the United States to acclaim, with Hollywood star Meryl Streep saying
it deserves to win an Academy Award.
Depicting the rape and murder of a medical student in
2012 that sparked violent protests, the documentary “India’s Daughter”
has been mired in controversy since the Indian government implemented
its ban.
But Oscar-winning actress Streep, who introduced the
documentary at its U.S. theatrical release in New York City on Wednesday
night, said it was worthy of the movie industry’s highest honour.
“I’m on the campaign now to get her nominated for best documentary,” said Streep, speaking of the film’s director, Leslee Udwin.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Euronews
Two New Ebola Cases Found in Guinea, Dashing Hopes
By Tom Miles
GENEVA (Reuters) – Two people
have fallen ill with Ebola in Guinea, the World Health Organization said
on Friday, dashing hopes of an imminent end to the worst recorded
outbreak of the disease after a two-week spell without any new cases
across West Africa.
Guinea was weeks away from joining Liberia in being
declared free of the virus that has killed more than 11,000 people in a
near 2-year rampage. Neighbouring Sierra Leone is also halfway through
the 42-day countdown to being Ebola-free.
Authorities in Guinea said one of the cases, in
Forecariah, western Guinea, appeared to be linked to a previously known
chain of infection, while the other in the capital Conakry appeared to
be new.
“On the bumpy road we keep talking about – the high risk of recurrence – once again we are navigating a few bumps,” WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told a briefing in Geneva.
Click here for the full article.
More Than 400 Dead in Southeast Congo Measles Outbreak – U.N.
KINSHASA (Reuters) – A measles outbreak in
Democratic Republic of Congo’s copper-mining southeast has killed 428
people and infected about 30,000 since the start of the year, the United
Nations said on Friday.
More than 100 deaths and 10,000 additional cases have
been recorded since mid-August, when the United Nations committed $2.4
million to fight the outbreak in the former province of Katanga, which
was recently divided into four.
Humanitarian groups said the money was not enough and
poor roads and health services in the region were hindering vaccination
drives.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Euronews
China: Joint Exercises Planned for South China Sea
China says it is willing to hold joint exercises with other Southeast Asian countries in the disputed South China Sea.
Regional relations have been strained due to Beijing’s policy of pushing maritime territorial claims.
The drills will cover accidents and search-and-rescue operations.
Click here for video.
Source: Euronews
Egypt Devalues Pound for Third Time This Year
 |
Egypt’s Central Bank has devalued the pound for the third time this year.
It came after the country’s foreign reserves tumbled and the currency fell to a record in black-market trading.
Egypt
has been under pressure to cheapen the pound since China’s surprise
devaluation of the yuan in August hit many emerging-market currencies as
they tried to preserve the competitiveness of their exports.
Click here for the full article and video.
Source: Euronews
“Support Assad” T-shirts Are Latest ‘Must Have’ Fashion in Russia
Russia’s Defence MInistry is whipping up public enthusiasm for the country’s intervention in Syria.
It’s issued “T shirts emblazoned with a support Assad slogan and a picture of a Russian war plane.
At 20 euros they are not cheap…. but according to Russian web forums they’ve been flying off the shelves.
The shop owner says its a chance to show solidarity with the fight
against Islamist extremists but its not the first time so-called
political fashion has taken off in Russia. After the annexation of Crimea T-shirts were printed with a photo of President Putin.
Click here for video.
Source: Euronews
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Oval Office Chat Session: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey
The President spoke today
by phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about deepening
cooperation in the fight against ISIL. The President reiterated his
condemnation of the October 10 terrorist attack in Ankara and offered
condolences as well as U.S. solidarity in the face of the security
threats Turkey faces. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared goal of
stepping up military pressure on ISIL and strengthening moderate
opposition elements in Syria to create conditions for a negotiated
solution to the conflict, including a political transition. The two
leaders also agreed on the urgent need for an end to PKK attacks in
Turkey. In addition, they noted the positive momentum towards a
negotiated settlement in Cyprus and pledged their support to settle the
conflict. They also discussed the agenda for the upcoming G-20 Summit in
Antalya, Turkey.
Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
The Deadly Cargo Inside MH370: Exploding Batteries Explain the Mystery
By Clive Irving
Exclusive insight from inside
Boeing and urgent new warnings from the FAA make a compelling case—based
on fact, not conspiracy—about what happened.
Why
have both the Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing suddenly both
gone public in issuing warnings about the “immediate and urgent risk”
(quoting the FAA) of allowing consignments of lithium-ion batteries to
be shipped in the cargo of passenger-carrying flights?
Last Thursday’s statement
by the FAA’s Angela Stubblefield, a hazardous materials expert, that
there is now a body of evidence that the batteries can cause explosions
and fires capable of destroying an airplane echoes the urgency of a
warning sent to all airlines by Boeing in July that the shipment of
batteries created “an unacceptable risk” to crew and passengers.
A week later Airbus followed, issuing a similar warning recommending
that operators of all of its airplanes conduct “a full risk assessment”
of what was rather vaguely termed “high quantities” of the batteries in
cargo.
The Boeing warning was issued as a Multi Operator Message. These are
normally issued to inform airlines of a newly detected safety problem
experienced by an airline during operations and are related to a
specific airplane type—but in this case the warning covered all Boeing airplanes. The warnings are also issued following a crash if investigators have homed in on a possible cause.
Specifically, the Boeing warning recommended that “high density
packages of lithium-ion batteries and cells not be transported as cargo
on passenger airplanes until such time as safer methods of transport are
established and followed.”
No precursor event was cited—publicly.
However, as I have previously reported, as part of the investigation
into the loss of Malaysian Airlines Flight 370, Boeing has run computer simulations aimed at re-creating the behavior of the Boeing 777 during the last hours of its course into the southern Indian Ocean.
One persistently discussed scenario is whether the airplane was
stricken by a fire in a cargo hold initiated in a consignment of
lithium-ion batteries. There is now certainly a solid body of
circumstantial evidence to justify including this scenario’s effects in a
simulation.
Click here for the full article.
Source: The Daily Beast
Veep Meet and Greet: Republic of Korea President Park Geun-hye
Vice
President Biden hosted Republic of Korea (ROK) President Park Geun-hye
for a lunch meeting today at the Naval Observatory. The Vice President
and President Park reviewed
recent progress within the U.S.-ROK alliance - bilaterally, regionally,
and globally. The two discussed the importance of strong regional
relations and close coordination on common strategic interests. The
Vice President commended President Park for her
efforts to improve inter-Korean ties and reaffirmed unwavering U.S.
commitment to deter and defend against North Korean provocations.
Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
White House Press Briefing
Josh Earnest briefed reporters and responded to their questions on a variety of topics.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Defense Department Briefing on Military Operations in Afghanistan
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter delivered a statement ahead of a press briefing with Spokesperson Peter Cook.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
President Obama's Use of Executive Orders
USA Today White House Reporter Gregory Korte talked about President Obama’s use of executive orders. He
also discussed his assertion that the president has taken advantage of
the federal government’s buying power to influence economic and social
policy.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Hillary Clinton Campaign Rally in Las Vegas
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at a campaign rally at the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Jeb Bush Town Hall Meeting in Concord, New Hampshire
Former Governor Jeb Bush (R-FL), who is seeking his party’s
presidential nomination, holds a town hall meeting at the
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, New Hampshire.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Discussion on Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants
State officials and academics discuss the decision by some states to
allow undocumented immigrants to obtain and renew driver’s licenses.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
FBI, Justice Department Launch Inquiry into Fantasy Sports Websites
New York's Attorney General has already launched his own probe after accusations of inside information sharing.
NFL Star DeAngelo Williams Pays for 53 Mammograms to Honor Mom
Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams announced earlier
this month that his nonprofit organization, The DeAngelo Williams
Foundation, will cover the cost of 53 mammograms at hospitals located in
Charlotte, North Carolina, and Pittsburgh.
Williams is a staunch supporter of breast cancer awareness. In 2014,
Williams' mother, Sandra Hill, died after battling breast cancer. She
was just 53 years old. He also lost his four aunts to the disease, but
not before leading a push in 2009 to allow NFL players to wear pink
cleats throughout October, Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Ever since then, fans have become accustomed to seeing pink — pink
headphones, pink cleats, pink pompoms — on gobs of NFL gear throughout
October — but only October. That's not sitting well with Williams, who
wanted to show his support for breast cancer awareness all season long
by wearing pink accessories during games.
Click here for the full article.
Source: NBC News/TODAY
Prison Meditation Program Helps Inmates Rebuild Minds, Restart Lives
The men filed into the chapel, pulled chairs into circles, and sat.
Then this corner of New Jersey's Bayside State Prison got quiet.
A short meditation opens each weekly session of
Heart-to-Heart, a mindfulness and nonviolence program run at three east
coast prisons. Silence, said founder Stephen Michael Tumolo, helps bring
"present moment awareness."
That's where he believes transformation starts.
"One thing we have choice in is where our mind
is," said Tumolo. "Present moment awareness can radically alter one's
experience in the moment. And then it can radically reshape the next
steps we take."
Gossip, drugs, love—most of the outside world
seeps through prison walls. In recent years, the nation's growing
interest turning inward has crept in, too. Though there's no official
tally, mindfulness programs now stretch from yoga at New York City's
Rikers Island jail to Transcendental Meditation at an Oregon state
prison.
They represent a growing shift from tough-on-crime policies of the
1990s. Most seek to offer some daily calm inside and provide tools to
keep prisoners from coming back. Research is scant, but small studies
indicate they may help prisoners address anxiety, substance abuse issues
and violence. There's indication they could also help those released
from prison from coming back.
Click here for the full article.
Your Stolen Data Is Worth as Little as 55 Cents Online: Intel Security Report
Ever wonder how much your stolen personal information sells for
online? Turns out not much, according to a report released Thursday by
Intel Security Group's McAfee Labs.
McAfee researchers monitored websites, chat
rooms and other places on the Dark Web where stolen data — everything
from credit card numbers to hotel loyalty account info — are packaged,
bought and sold.
They found that going prices ranged this year
from as little as 55 cents to $1 for account login credentials to online
video streaming services, to several hundred dollars for bank login
credentials.
First Read: Explaining the Ben Carson Phenomenon
First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC
Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why
they matter.
Trying to figure out the Ben Carson phenomenon
On this FEC filing day, we already know Ben
Carson will have raised the most money on the GOP side. He's now running
neck-and-neck with Donald Trump nationally, per a recent Fox News poll.
And it all comes after a week that could have sunk a more traditional
candidate (his Holocaust/guns remarks, not appearing to know the difference between the debt limit and the debt/deficit). What's more, Carson rarely holds campaign events, and ABC
even reports that he's taking two weeks off to sell his book. Trying to
explain the Ben Carson phenomenon is one of the best political stories
out there.
- Here's Donald Trump taking a stab at it: "I think he's a nice person," Trump told NBC's Katie Tur. "I don't really know why he's doing well. I mean, I will bring America to a new level…. Ben is-- you know, that's not his thing. But he certainly seems to be resonating."
- Here's National Journal's Josh Kraushaar: "Ben Carson is following Jimmy Carter's presidential playbook."
U.N. Says Iran Meets Deadline for Investigation of Atomic Past
Reuters, 15/10 17:34 CET
VIENNA (Reuters) – Iran has met a deadline
to give the U.N. nuclear watchdog what it needs to assess whether
Tehran’s past activities had anything to do with nuclear weapons, the
agency said on Thursday, a step towards implementing a deal between
Tehran and world powers.
The deal struck in July calls for the lifting of sanctions in exchange for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities.
Under a roadmap agreement reached along with that deal, Iran had to
provide by Thursday the cooperation necessary for the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to complete an assessment of Iran’s activities by Dec. 15.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Euronews