Canada Celebrates 50 Years in Space | National | Canada | Epoch ...

Alouette satellite paved way, next-generation Canadarm prototypes unveiled

By Cindy Chan
Epoch Times Staff Created: September 27, 2012 Last Updated: September 27, 2012

The Canadian space program marks its beginning in 1962 with the launch of the Alouette-1 research satellite. With this mission, Canada became the third country in space and the third country to design and build its own satellite, after Russia and the United States. Alouette-1, designed to study the ionosphere for a year, continued to transmit data for 10 years. (Communications Research Centre Canada)

Canadians will celebrate a major milestone in space this Saturday as they mark 50 years since the launch of Alouette-1 on Sept. 29, 1962, one of the most successful scientific satellites ever deployed.

With this historic mission, Canada entered into the space age and became the third nation, after Russia and the U.S., to have entirely designed, built, and operated a device in space. It also launched a new era of international scientific cooperation.

Canada?s rich history in space began with Alouette-1, and this legacy paved the way for Canadian innovation in space, such as the iconic Canadarm.

?Industry Minister Christian Paradis

?This was the beginning of a proud space legacy for Canada?it opened the door for outstanding international partnerships that continue to this day,? said Steve MacLean, president of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), in a news release.

The small science satellite was designed to study the Earth?s ionosphere, a layer of ionized gas in the upper atmosphere, from above.

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Developed by a team led by John Chapman at the Defence Research Telecommunications Establishment (DRTE) in Ottawa, Alouette-1 was launched by NASA from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Some of the equipment used on the spacecraft, including semiconductors, deployable antennas, and solar cells, later became standard technologies in space systems.

?Canada?s rich history in space began with Alouette-1, and this legacy paved the way for Canadian innovation in space, such as the iconic Canadarm,? said Industry Minister Christian Paradis in the release.

Paradis highlighted that Earth observation, space robotics, space science and exploration, and satellite communications are among the Canadian space sector?s niche areas of expertise today.

Alouette Success Remarkable

Before the age of satellites, besides landlines and underwater cables, the main method of long-distance communications was based on high frequency radio, where radio waves in this shortwave band of frequencies are reflected back to Earth by the ionosphere.

This wireless communication was not very reliable due to irregularities in the ionosphere, especially at northern latitudes.

The success of Alouette-1 was all the more remarkable in that a new art had to be established in space electronics and space mechanics.

?Colin Franklin, former Chief Electrical Engineer for Alouette

Alouette-1 presented a new and powerful way of using satellite-borne radar to explore the topside of the ionosphere not observable from Earth, and ultimately to provide ionospheric data needed to improve this type of radio communication.

Designed for a lifetime of one year, Alouette-1 actually operated for 10 years, producing more than 1 million ionograms. In 1993, it was designated an International Milestone of Electrical Engineering by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.

?The success of Alouette-1 was all the more remarkable in that a new art had to be established in space electronics and space mechanics,? Colin Franklin, former Chief Electrical Engineer for Alouette at DRTE, said in the release.

?The program was undertaken at a time when there were few guidelines to satellite design, little was known of the in-orbit environment, semiconductor electronics was in its infancy, and satellites frequently failed or had limited lifetimes.?

New Space Robotics

Canada will launch the CASSIOPE satellite in 2013 to further study the ionosphere and the space weather that occurs there, which impact satellites in orbit as well as power lines, pipelines, and communication and navigation systems on Earth.

On Thursday Canada also unveiled prototypes of the Next-Generation Canadarm (NGC) at the MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates? facilities in Brampton, Ont.

The NGC consists of two robotic arm prototypes, two test facilities to simulate bringing a pair of spacecrafts together for docking or close-contact operation, and a mission control station to allow remote operation of the NGC systems.

?Space robotics will be required for a variety of missions, from rovers that act as robotic planetary explorers to robots that will repair and refuel satellites and space telescopes,? said Gilles Leclerc, Director General of Space Exploration at CSA, in a news release.

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Source: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/canada/canada-celebrates-50-years-in-space-297626.html

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NFL refs back; Ravens lead Browns 23-10 after 3

BALTIMORE (AP) ? The regular NFL officials returned to cheers Thursday night, and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco delighted the crowd by throwing for one touchdown and running for another to help Baltimore take a 23-10 lead over the winless Cleveland Browns after three quarters.

A 63-yard interception return for a touchdown by Cary Williams with 15 seconds left in the third quarter turned a slim 16-10 lead into a 13-point cushion. The pass by rookie Brandon Weeden was intended for Travis Benjamin, but Williams jumped the out pattern and raced down the right sideline with his first career interception.

A lockout of the league's regular officials ended late Wednesday, bringing about the exit of the controversial replacement refs. And so, finally, the real officials were in place for Week 4, beginning with this matchup of AFC North rivals.

As they walked onto the field hours before the game, the officiating crew received a round of applause and shouts of encouragement from fans in the lower sections. Head linesman Wayne Mackie and line judge Jeff Seeman both tipped their caps to acknowledge the support.

And then, before the pregame coin flip, referee Gene Steratore greeted the players at midfield by saying, "Good evening, men, it's good to be back."

Many in the sellout crowd stood and roared their approval.

After a scoreless first quarter, Baltimore went up 6-0 on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Flacco to Torrey Smith. The conversion failed.

On the Ravens' next drive, rookie Justin Tucker kicked a 45-yard field goal.

Cleveland got back into the game with an 11-play, 94-yard march directed by Weeden, who connected with Greg Little for 43 yards before rookie Trent Richardson ran in from the 1.

A light rain turned heavier at halftime, but it did not immediately deter the Baltimore offense.

On the opening drive of the third quarter, Flacco took the Ravens 89 yards in 13 plays for a 16-7 lead. Flacco completed five passes during the march, including three to Anquan Boldin for 60 yards, before the quarterback ran in from the 1 on a third-and-goal.

Later in the quarter, Tucker missed the first field goal try of his career, a 47-yarder that sailed wide right.

The Browns were forced to play most of the game without wide receiver and punt returner Joshua Cribbs, who left with a head injury after absorbing a hard hit late in the first quarter. Cribbs was running back a punt when he lost his helmet while taking a shot from the shoulder of Dannell Ellerbe. Cribbs lay prone for several minutes before being helped from the field.

Cribbs lost the ball on the play, and Jameel McClain recovered the fumble. But Baltimore gave it back when Flacco's pass into the end zone was intercepted by linebacker Craig Robertson.

Flacco had thrown 125 passes without being picked off before Robertson stepped in front of Anquan Boldin.

During pregame practice, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis spoke with Steratore and gave him a hug. Steratore turned around and shook hands with Ravens safety Ed Reed, who spoke out against the replacement refs.

Many of the fans filing into the stadium spoke delightedly about the demise of the replacements.

"It was very chaotic," 44-year-old Karen Riley said. "They couldn't control the players on either side. There were bad calls, constantly, and in some cases refs making different calls at the same time."

Eric Warthen, who attended the game with his son, said, "I grew up in a union family so I understand. We really didn't get the best product.

"I don't think they tarnished the NFL image. I think they tarnished (Commissioner) Roger Goodell's image," Warthen said. "When he came on a few years ago he had a no-nonsense attitude, a safety-first attitude. With the replacement refs there have been a lot of bad hits."

Hours before kickoff, as Steratore prepared for his first game in nearly a year, he said, "Very elated to be back. It feels like being back home."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/nfl-refs-back-ravens-lead-browns-23-10-030235205--spt.html

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China says disgraced leader Bo expelled from party

FILE - In this March 9, 2012 file photo, Chongqing party secretary Bo Xilai reacts during a plenary session of the National People's Congress held in Beijing, China. China's tumultuous, bizarre year in politics appears headed for a home stretch, with leading members of the ruling Communist Party convening to finalize a list of new leaders and decide the fate of a disgraced colleague. Disgraced Politburo member Bo has been the focal point of much of the tumult, which has featured a murder, corruption, two high-profile trials and a deadly car crash, all of which exposed bare-knuckled infighting among a leadership that prefers secrecy. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

FILE - In this March 9, 2012 file photo, Chongqing party secretary Bo Xilai reacts during a plenary session of the National People's Congress held in Beijing, China. China's tumultuous, bizarre year in politics appears headed for a home stretch, with leading members of the ruling Communist Party convening to finalize a list of new leaders and decide the fate of a disgraced colleague. Disgraced Politburo member Bo has been the focal point of much of the tumult, which has featured a murder, corruption, two high-profile trials and a deadly car crash, all of which exposed bare-knuckled infighting among a leadership that prefers secrecy. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 24, 2012 file video image taken from CCTV, Wang Lijun sits in the Intermediate People's Court during his trial in Chengdu in southwestern China's Sichuan province when the Chinese police chief whose thwarted defection exposed murder of a Briton by his boss Bo Xilai's wife and infighting in high places was sentenced to 15 years in prison. China's tumultuous, bizarre year in politics appears headed for a home stretch, with leading members of the ruling Communist Party convening to finalize a list of new leaders and decide the fate of disgraced colleague Bo. (AP Photo/CCTV via AP video, File) CHINA OUT, TV OUT

FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2007 file photo, Bo Xilai, then China's Minister of Commerce, attends a memorial ceremony for his father Bo Yibo, a late communist leader considered one of communist China's founding fathers, in front of the father's photo at a military hospital in Beijing. Disgraced Chinese politician Bo was expelled from the ruling Communist Party on Friday, Sept. 28, 2012, and will face corruption and other criminal charges, the latest step in a scandal that has overshadowed a political transition now set to take place in early November. (AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan)

FILE - In this March 14, 2012 file photo, Bo Xilai, Chongqing party secretary, attends the closing session of the annual National People's Congress in the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing. Disgraced Chinese politician Bo was expelled from the ruling Communist Party on Friday, Sept. 28, 2012, and will face corruption and other criminal charges, the latest step in a scandal that has overshadowed a political transition now set to take place in early November. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2007 file photo, then Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai, right, with his wife Gu Kailai attends a memorial ceremony for his father Bo Yibo, a late revolutionary leader considered one of communist China's founding fathers, at a military hospital in Beijing. Disgraced Chinese politician Bo was expelled from the ruling Communist Party on Friday, Sept. 28, 2012, and will face corruption and other criminal charges, the latest step in a scandal that has overshadowed a political transition now set to take place in early November. (AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan, File)

BEIJING (AP) ? China's communist leadership expelled Bo Xilai from the ruling party Friday and sought to bury him with charges ranging from corruption to sexual affairs, aiming to sweep away their most damaging scandal in decades while finally scheduling their long-awaited leadership transition for November.

A statement from the party's Politburo amounted to a surprisingly strong and wide-ranging indictment against Bo, effectively ending the public of life of the flamboyant 63-year-old populist who was one of China's best known politicians and whose ambition was considered a menace to the country's top leaders.

The former Politburo member and regional party chief is to be charged with crimes dating back more than a decade, including abuse of power, bribe taking and improper relations with several women ? banned by the party because they are considered an inducement to corruption. He also is accused of involvement in the cover-up of his wife's murder of a British businessman, which was instrumental in triggering his downfall.

"They want to drive a stake through the heart of his political career, and make it absolutely impossible, not only for him to reappear but for anyone else who has that idea of trying to create that sort of personalized, political, charismatic leadership in some part of China which may challenge the leadership," said Rana Mitter, professor of Chinese history and politics at Oxford University.

The Politburo also announced the party congress would take place Nov. 8.

Dates for the congress, held once every five years, were overdue and highly anticipated because it will see President Hu Jintao step down after 10 years as party boss ? and China's ultimate leader ? to be replaced by Vice President Xi Jinping.

The congress had been expected to take place in mid-October, although the preparations were overshadowed by the Bo scandal.

"Bo Xilai's behavior resulted in serious repercussions and enormous damage to the reputation of the party and the nation, producing extremely vile effects domestically and overseas, and causing heavy damage to the cause of the party and the people," the Politburo said in a statement issued following its meeting in Beijing.

Speculation swirled for months over whether the party would harshly punish one of its own for criminal wrongdoing, or merely allow its own disciplinary arm to deal him a slap on the wrist.

The scandal was set off when a trusted Bo aide disclosed that his boss's wife had murdered a British businessman. Bo was sacked as party chief of the city of Chongqing; his wife, Gu Kailai, was given a suspended death sentence after confessing to the murder; and the aide, Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun, received a 15-year prison term for initially covering up the murder and other misdeeds.

The trials of Wang, which wrapped up this week, and Gu, which finished earlier, cleared the way for the party to decide whether to charge Bo with criminal wrongdoing. But his ouster from the leadership early this year opened a window into the divisive jostling for power as president and party leader Hu prepares to retire to make way for younger leaders.

Bo is the first Politburo member to be purged and handed to prosecutors since Hu had Shanghai party secretary Chen Liangyu sentenced for corruption in 2007. In that case, more than a year passed before Chen stood trial, perhaps auguring a long wait before Bo's case goes to court.

High-level purges, however, are almost always more about political power plays than crimes.

Bo was a divisive figure among Chinese leaders. Self-assured and comfortable with the media, he promoted populist policies as party chief of Chongqing and rode high-profile campaigns to bust organized crime gangs and promote communist culture to national popularity. His ambition was seen as a threat not only by Hu but to Hu's soon-to-be-installed successor, Xi Jinping.

Bo's supporters called the Politburo decision a political tactic. "I have doubts on any criminal wrongdoings of Bo Xilai. I need to see the evidence," said Han Deqiang, an economics professor at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a leading voice in what Chinese call the new left. "I think this is a political battle turned into a criminal one."

Bo's detractors, however, were cheered by the news, though they too saw politics at play in the decision.

"This announcement is long overdue. This means there is some progress in the rule of law in China. There is more transparency," said Li Zhuang, a formidable defense lawyer who found himself jailed in Chongqing after he accused police of extracting his client's confession by torture. "Of course it is also political. In China, politics and law often go hand in hand."

The decision by the 25-member Politburo, of which Bo had been a member, said that "investigations show that Bo had seriously violated party discipline ... abused his power, committed grave mistakes and should be held responsible for the Wang Lijun case as well as Gu's murder case."

The mention of Gu's case appeared to be a reference to obstruction of justice. Wang testified that Bo ignored him when he told him of his suspicions, then boxed him in the ears, demoted him, and detained several of his subordinates.

It was the first direct mention of Bo in state media in months. His name was not mentioned for both Gu's and Wang's trials.

The Politburo statement said that he took huge amounts of bribes directly or through his family and "maintained illicit relationships with numerous females." It said Bo's crimes dated from his time as mayor of the eastern port city of Dalian, through his term as commerce minister and as leader of Chongqing.

Bo's removal is seen as strengthening Xi's position, leaving him the undisputed leader of the party's "princelings," as the offspring of high-ranking communist elders are known.

"Now Bo is finished, Xi can take over those supporters from Bo and enlarge his network among the princelings," said China politics analyst Willy Lam of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Yet his ouster will do nothing to win over Bo supporters among party hardliners and admirers of Bo, who was widely popular among working-class Chinese.

"Xi is safer with Bo gone, but the hardliners will withhold their cooperation at the congress as a sign of their disapproval," said China expert Feng Chongyi of the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia.

Friday's Politburo meeting sets a series of events in motion. The 204-member Central Committee, a cross-section of the national party elite, usually convenes about a week before the congress to approve decisions already made by the Politburo. Privately, the committee will also approve the incoming leaders and a policy blueprint for the next five years.

___

Associated Press writers Gillian Wong, Didi Tang and Isolda Morillo contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-09-28-China-Politics/id-ae6ba6ace86f446c9933bcf28c2fe1d6

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Infographic: Stephen Starr's Wine & Spirits Bill | Foobooz Philadelphia

Posted by Foobooz on September 27th, 2012

We?ve procured Pennsylvania Liquor Board sales information from 2011 and over the next few days we?ll be mining some of that data. Here?s how Stephen Starr?s empire breaks down. In 2011 the Starr organization bought more than $4.6 million in wine and spirits from the state of Pennsylvania. A little, surprising, Parc was the largest purchaser and accounted for 17% of the bill.

Parc Restaurant
227 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA

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Source: http://philadelphia.foobooz.com/2012/09/27/infographic-stephen-starrs-wine-spirits-bill/

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How Travel Board Games Make The Journey A Little Easier ...

Ever go on a family vacation that no one enjoyed because of the tedious travel time? Your next vacation doesn?t have to be that way. Travel board games can keep the kids busy in the back seat while the the miles quietly disappear.

Board games have always been a wonderful way to get family and friends to spend time together. They encourage communication, imagination, and teach children about winning and losing. In today?s world of video games and online games, board games make for a breath of fresh air.

We all need a vacation once in a while, but the traveling can be quite a horror story, especially for families with young children. In the past, board games have been more trouble than they were worth, due to the lack of space and the ease with which pieces go missing. But with the arrival of travel board games, children can enjoy their favorite games, whether in the car, on a plane or riding the rails.

Classic Games

The Scrabble Travel edition is always popular, with a board recessed to hold the pieces in place. This way you can stop midway and resume your game after a lunch break. It also has a compact board and carrying case, which doesn?t take too much space in your luggage. Scrabble is one of the classic board games, appealing to the intellect of every age. When your children are busy engrossed in making words, the miles will appear to pass in no time.

For the younger age group, there?s travel versions of Hungry Hippos, Connect 4, Guess Who and many others. Each game comes in a compact, convenient case, for easy use and storage.

Manufacturers are recognizing the need for travel board games, especially since they?ve gradually become more popular. With this in mind, they?ve also developed combination games. For instance, you may have Chinese checkers on one side of the board or box, and a Chess game on the flip side. Or Snakes and Ladders on one side, and Trouble on the flip side. These travel editions always come with magnetic counters and roll-o-matic dices. So, even if the ride is a little bumpy, your game can continue smoothly.

Other board games are available in the electronic version, including the popular Battleship and Connect Four. Though they?re often better suited for single players, they?re also often criticized for their small screens which may strain a child?s eyes.

You can also easily find pocket size and miniature games on the market today. Try your local toy store or hobby shop, or check out the travel games that are available online before you take that next vacation.

Many families may not have the luxury of dedicating a weeknight for family game night, but when they?re all ?confined? in a car for five hours, travel board games can help create wonderful memories for the future ? even if it is just until the next McDonalds.

If you?d like to discover more travel board games, as well as many other board games, visit: Board Games For Everyone.

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Can castration really prolong a man's life?

Analysis of records of court eunuchs in Korea suggest that castration prolongs life. Does it really, or are there other explanations?

What did the analysis find?
Documents detailing the lives of 81 eunuchs who lived in Korea between the mid-16th and mid-19th centuries showed that, on average, they lived 14 to 19 years longer than their non-castrated peers. "It provides some of the most compelling evidence yet that the male sex hormone, testosterone, reduces male lifespan," says Kyung Jin Min of Inha University in Incheon, South Korea. The conclusion supports the theory that testosterone-fuelled reproduction comes at a price, increasing the risk of heart disease and cancer, and reducing the strength of the immune system.

Steady on. Isn't it a bit much to claim that castration is the key to long life?
Yes. Min says that many earlier studies show that castration prolongs the life of animals, from 24 to 27 months in rats, for example. But previous studies were equivocal, showing life extension in castrated mental patients but not castrati musicians, for example.

How reliable were the sources?
How reliable are any ancient documents? Min and his colleagues relied on the Yang-Se-Gye-Bo, a record of eunuchs who served in courts of the ancient Korean Chosun Dynasty. They also used genaeological records of thousands of members of three Korean family lines ? the Mok, the Shin and the Seo. Min says three of the 81 eunuchs were centenarians compared with the current incidence of one per 3500 in Japan and one per 4400 in the US.

What do other experts in ageing say?
"When testosterone is lacking, the demand for amino acids to support cell proliferation and muscle-building is decreased, and it's thought that the body then shifts the use of these basic building blocks towards cellular defence and stress resistance," says Holly Brown-Borg, who studies ageing at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. She guesses that the eunuchs were smaller and less muscular, with lower levels of cancer and heart disease.

What would happen if I were to get castrated now?
It depends how old you are. Any increase in lifespan may only occur if men are castrated as boys. "It's possible that testosterone reduction therapy extends male lifespan, but Korean eunuchs were usually castrated before adolescence, so we don't know the effects of castration on lifespan in older men," says Min.

What other explanations could there be?
Eunuchs probably avoided life-shortening sexually transmitted infections, but there's no way of knowing. Min tried to control for the eunuchs' high social status by comparing their life expectancies with those of the kings and other males in royal households, which turned out to be just 47 and 45 respectively. He suggests looking at eunuchs in the Chinese and Ottoman empires.

Journal reference: Current Biology, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2012.01.012

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Frozen Peas vs. Gel-Packs - Improbable Research ? Blog Archive

In the absence of a purpose-made ice-pack or gel-pack, people sometimes grab a packet of frozen peas to cool-down an injury. But just how efficient is a pack of peas? Various research projects have undertaken experiments to find out. In 2005, for example, investigators from the Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, devised a set of experiments to test the efficacy of frozen peas as compared to an ice-pack, a gel-pack, or a mixture of water and alcohol. The gel-pack and the peas did have some effect, but the ice-pack and the alcohol/water mixture were significantly more efficient. Then, two years later in 2007, another team, from the University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, UK, undertook a further investigation ? this time featuring crushed ice, a gel-pack, frozen peas and ice-water immersion. Again, the gel-pack and the frozen peas were found to be less than ideal. But (readers may be wondering) given access to only a gel-pack or a packet of frozen peas ? which is best? The answer is to be found in a study performed before the two outlined above. In 2002, investigators at the Physiotherapy Department, Coventry University, Coventry, UK, had found that peas performed significantly better than professionally produced gel-packs.

?Application of frozen peas produced mean skin temperatures adequate to induce localized skin analgesia, to reduce nerve conduction velocity, and to reduce metabolic enzyme activity to clinically relevant levels. Flexible frozen gel packs did not cool skin sufficiently to achieve these levels.?

BONUS :

(The late) Orson Welles had trouble with frozen peas . . .

Posted by Martin Gardiner on Monday, September 24th, 2012 at 12:02 am under Arts and science, News about research.

Source: http://www.improbable.com/2012/09/24/frozen-peas-vs-gel-packs-2/

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Iran: New Drone Can Cover Much Of Region

Type: Military (U.S.) Description: Boeing's stealth Phantom Ray took to the skies for the first time in April 2011. According to Boeing, the Phantom Ray can perform missions such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, suppression of enemy air defenses, and electronic attack. Potential Deployment: Unknown. This is a "demonstrator" so there will likely be a future variation of the Ray.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/24/iran-new-drone_n_1910738.html

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Antibiotic-resistant pathogens persist in antibiotic-free pigs

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Researchers from North Carolina State University have found identical strains of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter coli (C. coli) in both antibiotic-free (ABF) and conventionally raised pigs. This finding may indicate that these antibiotic-resistant pathogens can persist and thrive in the environment, regardless of antimicrobial usage by pork producers.

Dr. Siddhartha Thakur, assistant professor of population health and pathobiology, had previously found that antibiotic-resistant C. coli, a leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., was present in both ABF-certified and conventionally raised pigs. The pathogen was present in both groups in all facilities from breeding to processing. Thakur wanted to determine whether the C. coli that he found in each group was genetically the same, in order to see if the presence or absence of antimicrobial usage had an effect on the pathogen's genetic makeup.

The rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens like C. coli is a concern for the food animal industry. Some pig farms have switched to raising ABF pigs in an attempt to get away from the conditions that facilitated antibiotic resistance in the first place. The hope is that once the selection pressure ? in the form of antimicrobial use ? on C. coli to retain antibiotic resistance decreases, the pathogen will lose its resistance.

Over several years, Thakur and Ph.D. student Macarena Quintana-Hayashi collected thousands of samples from pigs and their surrounding environments, and performed a genetic analysis on 200 representative isolates of C. coli, to see if these strains were similar. They found that the Campylobacter populations in the two swine production systems (conventional and ABF) were in fact the same. Since the different pig populations never came into contact, the researchers concluded that the environment must be playing a large role in the continuing survival of antibiotic-resistant C. coli.

Thakur's findings appear online in PLoS One.

"In the case of ABF pigs, the environment plays an important role in their exposure to these resistant strains," Thakur says. "If the environment itself, and not the pig, is serving as a reservoir for C. coli, then we will most probably continue to find resistant bacterial populations, regardless of a producer's antimicrobial use."

###

"Phylogenetic Analysis Reveals Common Antimicrobial Resistant Campylobacter coli Population in Antimicrobial-Free (ABF) and Commercial Swine Systems"

Authors: Macarena P. Quintana-Hayashi, Siddhartha Thakur, North Carolina State University

Published: PLOS One

North Carolina State University: http://www.ncsu.edu

Thanks to North Carolina State University for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/123558/Antibiotic_resistant_pathogens_persist_in_antibiotic_free_pigs

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Goldman average pay to fall to only $314,000 this year (Americablog)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories Stories, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

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Calif. DNA collection from arrestees challenged

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ? An Alabama man was charged this month with the 1980 murder of an Oxnard teen. A Placerville man was arrested last month for a 1986 rape and murder of a San Mateo teen. A San Francisco man is currently on trial for the murder and robbery of a tourist two decades ago.

Technological advances in genetic research and computers in recent years have turned solving "cold cases" into near-routine police work. The California Attorney General reports that the state's DNA database of close to 2 million samples spits outs more than 425 "hits" a month, more than double the average monthly rate of 183 in 2008. More than 10,000 suspects have been identified in the last five years.

But on Wednesday, the American Civil Liberties Union will argue before a federal appellate court in San Francisco that California's DNA collection efforts have become unconstitutionally aggressive and that the spike in hits comes at the expense of civil liberties.

The ACLU is asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to strike down California's Proposition 69, which authorized police to obtain a genetic sample from every person arrested on felony charges, not just those convicted. Some 25 other states have enacted similar laws since 62 percent of the California electorate passed the measure in 2004.

The issue of the warrantless swabbing of the cheek with a Q-tip of everyone arrested for a felony has sparked one of the hottest "search and seizure" debates in state and federal courts in decades.

The U.S. Supreme Court has already signaled its willingness to review Maryland's DNA collection law after a federal appeals court there ruled it unconstitutional in April. The California Supreme Court has agreed to review a lower court's overturning of the California law. Several other state and federal courts have already ruled or are weighing the issue throughout the country.

While the courts are sorting out the issue, California law enforcement officials are collecting more than 11,000 samples a month.

"Cold hit DNA is integral to bringing criminals to justice," said San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon, whose office is prosecuting William Payne for the 1983 strangulation murder of Nikolaus Crumbley. Crumbley's body was found in the city's McLaren Park along with DNA that was finally matched to Payne earlier this year. Payne denies killing Crumbley, saying his DNA was found at the scene because the two had had consensual sex. The match was made after Payne submitted a DNA sample after an unrelated assault conviction.

"Almost three decades later, we have charged the person responsible for this horrific murder," Gascon said.

The 9th Circuit itself has previously upheld the California law, which went into full effect in 2009. But underscoring the importance of the debate, a majority of the court's 24 judges voted to reconsider that divided ruling of three-judge panel. The matter now goes before a special "en banc" court of 11 judges.

Judge Milan Smith Jr., in writing the majority opinion of the three-judge panel, likened the expanded DNA collection efforts to nothing more than the 21st Century's answer to fingerprints.

Since 1998, California has collected DNA from convicted felons to help solve crimes. In addition to solving cold cases, the technology has also led to the exoneration of at least 200 wrongly convicted nationwide.

But California's proposition expanded DNA collection to those arrested for felonies ? an important distinction to the ACLU and privacy advocates. They argue the cheek swab of the arrestee comes too early in the criminal justice process, because not every felony arrest leads to a felony conviction, and every American is innocent until proven guilty. The critics aren't challenging the state's right to collect samples from those convicted of felonies.

"Testing those who are actually convicted serves the state's legitimate interests in obtaining samples from proven criminals while avoiding the threats to privacy created by testing everyone arrested, including those who are innocent," the ACLU's Michael Risher argued to the court.

The ACLU is representing three Californians who say they are among the 50,000 people arrested for felonies every year in California but never convicted of a felony. They say their privacy was invaded by the cheek swabbing during their arrest and incarceration, usually during booking.

Lily Haskell, one of the plaintiffs, gave a cheek swab after she was arrested at an anti-war rally in San Francisco three years ago and charged with a felony. The felony charges related to the protest were quickly dropped.

"Now my genetic information is stored indefinitely in a government database, simply because I was exercising my right to speak out," Haskell said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/calif-dna-collection-arrestees-challenged-071451960.html

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LTE iPhone 5 coming to EE and Three in UK, but not O2 and Vodafone

Brits ready to stake their preorder claim this Friday might have a harder time deciding between the myriad of networks offering the device. While all of the major UK carriers will be ready to offer you the iPhone 5, that LTE radio will only be working on the newly-christened EE from the start, with Three likely to use that purchased spectrum (after getting the okay from Ofcom) to similar effect in the near-future. Unfortunately for Vodafone and O2, the forthcoming Ofcom spectrum auction is gearing up to sell off the 800MHz (Band 20) and 2.6GHz (Band 7) frequencies -- neither of which are found on Apple's multiple iPhone 5 models, and the latter being a bigger problem in Europe and Asia, where LTE networks already make use of the 2.6GHz frequency. However, Apple have followed up an initial phone launch with additional network-specific models before -- so there's a slim chance we could see another model at a later date. All the UK carriers are keeping their contract prices a tightly-guarded secret at the moment, but we'll update as soon as we hear more. Meanwhile, those on that little European isle can expect to pay £529 for the entry-level iPhone 5 from the source when pre-orders start this Friday.

Update: Pocket-lint's been told that those looking to grab the EE iteration will need to initially register with either Orange or T-Mobile, with your service bizarrely migrating across on a later, as-yet unconfirmed, date. This is because its new 4G network won't be ready when the iPhone 5 first hits shops on September 21st. Before that, you'll have to make do with HSPA+ speeds.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

LTE iPhone 5 coming to EE and Three in UK, but not O2 and Vodafone originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 07:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/13/lte-iphone-5-uk-ee-and-three-in-uk-but-not-o2-and-vodafone-4g/

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Putin says Romney stance shows Russia right about missile shield

SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) - U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney's critical stance on Russia proves that Moscow's opposition to an American anti-missile shield in Europe is sound policy, President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.

In his second public remarks about the Republican nominee in a week, Putin said there were "pluses and minuses" to Romney's attitude toward Washington's former Cold War enemy.

"The fact that Mr. Romney considers us enemy No. 1 and clearly has a poor opinion of us is a minus. But the fact that he speaks that way - directly, frankly and clearly - means that he is a direct and candid person. That's a plus," he said.

"We'll focus on the pluses, not the minuses," he told reporters in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Romney once called Russia "without question our No. 1 geopolitical foe", and has promised "less flexibility and more backbone" in policy on Russia if he defeats President Barack Obama in the November 6 election.

In power since 2000, Putin began a six-year presidential term in May after a campaign in which he used anti-American rhetoric as a political tool, accusing the United States of stirring up street protests in Russia.

Last week, Putin said that Romney's criticism was in large part electioneering, but that his apparent animosity meant Russia's suspicions about a missile shield the United States is building in Europe would only deepen if he is elected.

U.S. plans for a missile defense shield in Europe, which Washington has already started to deploy, have been a major irritant in U.S.-Russia relations.

Washington says the shield is meant to counter a potential threat from Iran and will pose no risk to Russia.

Russia says the system's interceptors will be able to destroy Russian warheads in flight by about 2018, weakening its nuclear arsenal and upsetting the balance of power. Moscow wants a binding guarantee the system would never be used against it.

Putin elaborated on the idea on Tuesday, saying he was "grateful" to Romney because his description of Russia as a foe "has once again confirmed our approach to the issue of missile defense is the right one".

"He has strengthened our negotiating position on this sensitive and very important issue," Putin said.

Russian officials have said that while the Obama administration's assurances that the shield is not meant to weaken Russia may be honest, a future president could have different intentions.

"The main thing for us is that even if Romney does not win this election, in four years he or somebody with similar views may come to power," Putin said. "And we must take that into account when we consider how to provide for the security of the Russian Federation well into the future."

Russia says it is taking steps to neutralize the perceived threat, including upgrades to its offensive nuclear arsenal. Russia's top general said in May that Russia could carry out pre-emptive strikes on future missile defense installations in Europe to protect its security.

Relations between Moscow and Washington deteriorated after the Bush administration invaded Iraq and hit a low point with Russia's war with pro-Western Georgia in 2008.

They improved after Obama moved to "reset" ties in 2009, but have been strained by disputes over issues ranging from global security to human rights.

(Writing by Steve Gutterman; Editing by Louise Ireland)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/putin-says-romney-stance-shows-russia-missile-shield-220147010.html

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What I've Been Playing: 09/10/12 | Video Game Blog, Video Games ...

This is a new weekly segment I will be doing every Monday telling what game I?ve been playing for the last week. No, this is neither a review nor something formal but instead a look into what I play for fun when I?m not busy bringing you the news, reviews, and more you come to expect from Gamer Syndrome.

Final Fantasy baby!

If you didn?t figure it out from my recent article about Final Fantasy VII, I am a HUGE FF fan and honestly so should you! But that?s a story for another time. For now, I want to talk about Final Fantasy III. For you old-school SNES fans out there, no I am not talking about Terra and company but the four orphans and their quest to save crystals and ultimately, the world. I?m playing it on the Nintendo DS remake, but you can enjoy this classic remade for iOS, Android, and PSP?as well. I wouldn?t be entirely surprised if you haven?t played it yet as it was the last FF game to be released in North America and Square Enix took their sweet time, finally releasing it in 2006. A word of warning, don?t go into this game expecting the mechanics and visuals you?ve come to know from recent FF games as this is a true JRPG in all respects.

However, for the remake you will find revamped sprites now in 3D and a whole other number of changes. The job system is still there in all its class-switching glory. Basically, you can change your jobs or classes on the fly, going from Mage to Warrior depending on what you may need the abilities of at that time. You can?t change during the middle of battle though so don?t go expecting that.

More grinding here than at my senior prom.

Now that you?ve got some background on this classic, I?m going to go into the most important part, why I?m playing it. I?m an RPG fan, to be more specific a JRPG fan and a FF fanatic so that?s why I got the game but why I?ve clocked in over 10 hours already is for more reasons than just that. The turn-based battle system is just the perfect speed to think moves through and still have a challenge. I enjoy the boss fights as they showcase just how much strategy and time you need to put in this game to succeed. Grinding can be quite repetitive but hey I love seeing those stats go up and nothing?s better than defeating a boss that kicked your booty a couple hours ago! I enjoy the simplistic story of 4 orphans that come together to save the world and along the way, meet some fine guest characters. I always have my 3DS charged so that when I?m not home, I have a great and truly deep game to play. Actually, even when I am home I sometimes find myself delving into this large world. I can?t wait to get back there! A crystal is need of saving so I?ll wrap this up now.

Should you get it?
If you love RPG?s or just looking for something deeper than Angry Birds to play on the go, get this! If you don?t like old-school grinding, random encounters, and story then maybe you should look elsewhere. Also, if you haven?t got this game yet and are looking into the Ouya, you might want to wait until that console releases because Square Enix has confirmed Final Fantasy III will be a launch title.

If you?re playing FFIII right now and need a little help/walkthrough or just have something to say, comment below! Have a great week and check back next Monday when I share what new game I?ve been playing then!

Article from Gamersyndrome.com

Related posts:

1. Video Game Releases This Week: April 4 ? 10
2. Best of Genre: Games You Should Be Playing
3. Final Fantasy VII 15th Anniversary
4. DLC: Good, bad or EVIL?
5. Tips for Developers: Effective Marketing Habits (Featuring Marroni Electronic Entertainment)

Source: http://gamersyndrome.com/2012/video-games/wibp-1/

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Canterbury Quake Anniversary -The Guilty Remnant ? Lukey's - Blog

?What if-woosh, right now, with no explanation-a number of us simply vanished? Would we think it was the Rapture? Would some of us collapse? Would others of us go on, one foot in front of the other, as we did before the world turned upside down.? Tom Perrotta ?The Leftovers?.

That is what the bewildered citizens did in Mapleton, a stereotypical fictitious US small town, in the aftermath of an event known as the Sudden Departure, in which hundreds of ordinary citizens suddenly departed in the middle of living their ordinary lives.

Some of the dearly departed were more sinners than saints, to the chagrin of some professional clergy who were less than rapturous that they themselves didn?t make the cut and had to stay behind and minister to the undeparted.

Kevin Garvey, Mapleton?s new mayor-a former businessman with a new community vocation- tries to bring a sense of renewed hope and purpose to the shattered community. But nothing is the same as before the Sudden Departure not marriages, not relationships, not friendships.

It?s two years last week since the first big seismic event, the 7.1 Greendale quake on 4 September 2010, changed our Cantabrian world forever.

In the phony seismic war before the deadly 22 February 2011 quake, we were rather nonchalant about the risk from on going quakes. The City of Christchurch hosted the Paralympics a month earlier in late January 2011. The Games opened with a parade through the central city which had been shaken by the boxing day quake virtually under the CBD as the post-Christmas sales bonanza was about to kick off. A month later the cathedral spire toppled on the site of the VIP?s marquee which had seated the Prime Minister and other national and international notables.

Since September 2010 we?ve had 11,965 quakes, 100 over 4.72 .magnitude*. The frequency is reducing: there have only been 18 quakes over the last 7 days, and the Richter scale severity is also decaying , though with the occasional spike to keep us on our toes.

The Guilty Minority

One cult which followed the Sudden Departure in Mapleton was called the Guilty Remnant, whose members took a vow of silence as they struggled to come to terms with the selective cataclysm.

In post quake Canterbury, my family is in in the guilty minority of those whose houses are now spick and span, touch wood (rough hewn rimu-strong and flexible). Just before an amazing earthquake anniversary thunderstorm hit Christchurch last Wednesday, accompanied by dazzling meterological pyrotechnics, the multinational team of repairers and decorators that had been working for six weeks on our house 12 kilometres south west of the city centre finished up.

Until then most of our possessions had been stored in a container swung in expertly by the Peter Fletchers Transport driver over the fence onto the side lawn. We?ve been camping at home with my wife acting as Clerk of Works. Now the grandfather clock, which came crashing down in the first quake, is restored to pride of place at the front entrance and the cuckoo clock is back on the wall upstairs, no longer mute.

In the scale of things our damage was pretty minor, with no land problems because of the lava spur our house sits on at Kennedys Bush. We certainly didn?t have priority needs like many people in east Christchurch and at the other end of the Port Hills. Because we have no land damage or structural house damage the fix up was very straightforward: make good and makeover.

One or two small things still to sort out but otherwise it has gone pretty well and we are very lucky. Given the problems faced by others it would be unseemly to offer rapturous applause but here?s a quiet accolade of approval to EQC, Fletchers Rebuild and the subbies.

The stubbies are in the fridge waiting the final sign off.

*Blinks
http://www.canterburyquakelive.co.nz/#The two year seismic scorecard.

#Lyall Lukey 10 September 2012
http://www.lukey.co.nz/http://www.smartnet.co.nz
https://bluggerme.wordpress.com My other less serious blog

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This entry was posted on Monday, September 10th, 2012 at 10:17 pm and is filed under Anniversaries, Business of living, Canterbury Earthquake. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Source: http://lukeytraining.wordpress.com/2012/09/10/canterbury-quake-anniversary-the-guilty-remnant/

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Iraq's fugitive VP convicted as attacks kill 92

Security forces inspect the scene of a car bomb attack in Basra, 340 miles (550 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. In violence, which struck at least 10 cities across the nation Insurgents killed at least 39 people in a wave of attacks against Iraqi security forces on Sunday, gunning down soldiers at an army post and bombing police recruits waiting in line to apply for jobs, officials said. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)

Security forces inspect the scene of a car bomb attack in Basra, 340 miles (550 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. In violence, which struck at least 10 cities across the nation Insurgents killed at least 39 people in a wave of attacks against Iraqi security forces on Sunday, gunning down soldiers at an army post and bombing police recruits waiting in line to apply for jobs, officials said. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)

Security forces inspect the scene of a car bomb attack in Basra, 340 miles (550 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. In violence, which struck at least 10 cities across the nation, insurgents killed at least 39 people in a wave of attacks against Iraqi security forces on Sunday, gunning down soldiers at an army post and bombing police recruits waiting in line to apply for jobs, officials said. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)

An Iraqi soldier stands guard as security forces inspect the scene of a car bomb attack in Basra, 340 miles (550 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. In violence, which struck at least 10 cities across the nation Insurgents killed at least 39 people in a wave of attacks against Iraqi security forces on Sunday, gunning down soldiers at an army post and bombing police recruits waiting in line to apply for jobs, officials said. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)

Security forces inspect the scene of a car bomb attack in Basra, 340 miles (550 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. In violence, which struck at least 10 cities across the nation Insurgents killed at least 39 people in a wave of attacks against Iraqi security forces on Sunday, gunning down soldiers at an army post and bombing police recruits waiting in line to apply for jobs, officials said. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012 file photo, Iraq's vice president Tariq al-Hashemi speaks in Istanbul, Turkey. An Iraqi court found the nation's Sunni vice president guilty Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012 of running death squads against security forces and Shiites, and sentenced him to death in absentia. (AP Photo, File)

BAGHDAD (AP) ? Iraq's fugitive Sunni vice president was sentenced Sunday to death by hanging on charges he masterminded death squads against rivals in a terror trial that has fueled sectarian tensions in the country. Underscoring the instability, insurgents unleashed an onslaught of bombings and shootings across Iraq, killing at least 92 people in one of the deadliest days this year.

It's unlikely that the attacks in 13 cities were all timed to coincide with the afternoon verdict that capped a monthslong case against Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, a longtime foe of Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Still, taken together, the violence and verdict could energize Sunni insurgents bent on returning Iraq to the brink of civil war by targeting Shiites and undermining the government.

Al-Hashemi fled to Turkey in the months after the Shiite-led government accused him of playing a role in 150 bombings, assassinations and other attacks from 2005 to 2011 ? years in which the country was mired in retaliatory sectarian violence that followed the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein's Sunni regime. Most of the attacks were allegedly carried out by al-Hashemi's bodyguards and other employees, and largely targeted government officials, security forces and Shiite pilgrims.

The vice president declined to immediately comment on the verdict after meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Ankara. He said he would "tackle this issue in a statement" in coming hours.

The politically charged case ? which was announced the day after U.S. troops withdrew from the country last December ? sparked a government crisis and fueled Sunni Muslim and Kurdish resentment against al-Maliki, whom critics say is monopolizing power.

Violence has ebbed significantly, but insurgents continue to stage high-profile bombings and shooting rampages. Al-Qaida's Iraq branch has promised a comeback in predominantly Sunni areas from which it was routed by the U.S. and its local allies after sectarian fighting peaked in 2007.

"These attacks show al-Qaida's ability to hit any place in Iraq and at any time," said Ali Salem, 40, an elementary school teacher in Baghdad. "The lack of security could take us back to zero."

The worst violence on Sunday struck the capital, where bombs pounded a half-dozen neighborhoods ? both Sunni and Shiite ? thoughout the day. But the deadliest attacks in Baghdad hit Shiite areas Sunday evening, hours after the al-Hashemi verdict was announced. In all, 42 people were killed in the capital and 120 wounded, according to police and hospital officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

The countrywide attacks began before dawn, with gunmen killing soldiers at an army post in the central Iraqi city of Dujail. A few hours later, a car exploded in a lot where police recruits waiting in line to apply for jobs outside Kirkuk in the country's north. Both Dujail and Kirkuk are former insurgent strongholds.

Over the day, at least 92 people were killed and more than 360 wounded in at least 21 separate bombings and shootings, according to reports from police and hospital officials. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but Iraq's Interior Ministry blamed al-Qaida in Iraq.

"The attacks today on the markets and mosques are aimed at provoking sectarian and political tensions," the ministry said in a statement. "Our war against terrorism is continuing, and we are ready."

The courtroom at Baghdad's criminal court was silent Sunday as the presiding judge read out the verdict. It convicted al-Hashemi and his son-in-law, Ahmed Qahtan, of organizing the murders of a Shiite security official and a lawyer who had refused to help the vice president's allies in terror cases. The two defendants were acquitted in a third case of the killing of a security officer due to a lack of evidence.

The court sentenced both men in absentia to death by hanging. They have 30 days to appeal the verdict and could win a retrial if they return to Iraq to face the charges. Al-Hashemi ? who has been in office since 2006 ? is on Interpol's most-wanted list, but Turkey has shown no interest in sending the vice president back to Baghdad.

The defense team began its closing statement with a searing indictment of Iraq's justice system, accusing it of showing no independence and siding with the Shiite-led government.

"From the beginning and through all procedures it has become obvious that the Iraqi judicial system has been under political pressure," attorney Muayad Obeid al-Ezzi, the head of the defense team, told the court.

The presiding judge immediately interjected, warning that that the court would open legal proceedings against the defense team if it continued to heap accusations on the court or the legal system.

Reaction to the verdict was largely along sectarian lines on the streets of Baghdad.

Sunni lawyer Abdullah al-Azami called the trial "another farce to be added to the Iraqi judicial system."

Shiite pharmacist Khalid Saied, meanwhile, said he supported the verdict and hoped the government would broadcast all the evidence against al-Hashemi "so that the entire world knows him."

Sunday's violence came amid fears that the insurgency has gained new strength after suffering heavy setbacks in U.S. and Iraqi offensives. Four of the attacks targeted Kirkuk, where city police commander Brig. Gen. Sarhad Qadir blamed the violence on al-Qaida.

The carnage stretched into the country's south, where bombs stuck to two parked cars exploded in the Shiite-dominated city of Nasiriyah, 320 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Baghdad. The blasts were near the French consulate and a local hotel in the city, although the consulate did not appear to be a target of the attack.

Local deputy health director Dr. Adnan al-Musharifawi said two people were killed and three were wounded at the hotel, and one Iraqi policeman was wounded at the consulate. Al-Musharifawi said no French diplomats were among the casualties. In Paris, France's Foreign Ministry said it "condemns with the greatest severity" the wave of attacks.

A string of smaller attacks Sunday also struck nine other cities. It was one of the worst outbreaks of violence in Iraq in 2012, although the single deadliest day was July 23, which saw at least 115 people killed ? the most in more than two years.

___

Associated Press Writers Sinan Salaheddin and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad and Yahya Barzanji in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, contributed to this report. Follow Lara Jakes on Twitter at www.twitter.com/larajakesAP

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-09-09-Iraq/id-2270b797044646c8b03ccb022fd49b00

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Can Congress Avoid Fiscal Cliff? Boehner 'Not Confident At All'

House Speaker John Boehner bluntly assessed the prospects for a bipartisan agreement on deficit reduction and called on President Obama to demonstrate leadership by unveiling his administration's plan to avoid half a trillion dollars of defense cuts and a wave of expiring tax breaks set to take effect on January 1, 2013.

"I'm not confident at all," Boehner, R-Ohio, told reporters at a Capitol Hill news conference Tuesday. "Listen, the House has done its job on both the sequester and on the looming tax hikes that'll cost our economy some 700,000 jobs. The Senate at some point has to act, and on both of these where's the president? Where's the leadership? Absent without leave."

At question is a slate of expiring provisions in the federal tax code, in addition to $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts set to take effect on January 1, 2012. The Budget Control Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by Obama last summer, requires $1.2 trillion in automatic cuts equally divided between defense and domestic programs over the next decade, with the first $109 billion due to take effect Jan. 2, 2013.

Boehner touted the fact that the House of Representatives has passed a bill to extend all of the current tax rates and recounted the House's efforts to replace the defense sequester with alternative spending cuts.

The vast majority of Democrats agree with most Republicans that Congress should work to avoid the effects of the sequester, but assert that the GOP goes about it the wrong way by prioritizing defense spending and protecting tax cuts for the wealthy while undercutting the country's social safety net and other programs intended to build the middle class.

Democrats contend that the Republicans' plan would increase the number of children, senior citizens, and others without health insurance and eliminate the Social Services Block grant, which supports programs like Meals on Wheels for 1.7 million seniors and child protective services for at-risk children. Additionally, 326,000 women would not get the breast cancer screenings they are slated to receive in FY 2013 and 284,000 women would not get the cervical cancer screenings they are slated to receive in FY 2013.

Asked to respond to Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's criticism that congressional leaders made a mistake by agreeing to the sequester as part of the Budget Control Act last year, Boehner called the collapse of the grand bargain negotiations with the president "the biggest disappointment of my speakership."

The speaker admitted the summertime debate was "a difficult time," but he blamed Obama for devising the sequester "because the president didn't want to have a second round of a fight over increasing the debt limit."

"The president didn't want his reelection inconvenienced by another fight over a $1.2 trillion increase in the debt ceiling, and that's why we have it," Boehner recalled. "But having said that, somehow we have to deal with our spending problems. America continues to spend more money than what we bring in. and we have to resolve it."

The House meets just 11 more days before the election, and many congressional insiders believe a resolution to the standoff will not come until a busy lame duck session of Congress after voters register their input at the polls on November 6th.

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/congress-avoid-fiscal-cliff-boehner-not-confident-170456532--abc-news-politics.html

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