Britain's Ministry of Defense says a Royal Marine has died in Afghanistan.
In a brief statement that did not give the circumstances of the soldier's death, the ministry said only that the Royal Marine died in the southern part of the country on …
четверг, 15 марта 2012 г.
Astronaut charged in attempted kidnapping of her romantic rival: Police believe married mother of three was in love triangle with fellow flier
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A NASA astronaut charged with attempting tokidnap a romantic rival in a love triangle with another astronaut wasordered released on bail today on the condition that she not contactthe alleged victim.
The judge told Lisa Marie Nowak she could be released on $15,500bond, then asked if she understood the conditions. She responded"yes."
Nowak, a married mother of three, stood in a jail uniform, usuallyfacing down during the hearing. She planned to return home toHouston, and the judge ordered her to wear a tracking device.
The 43-year-old robotics specialist faces charges includingattempted kidnapping, attempted vehicle burglary with …
Sudanese president meets British delegation to discuss imprisoned teacher's possible pardon
Two British Muslims politicians met with Sudan's president on Monday to plea for the pardon of a British teacher jailed here after she allowed her students to name a teddy bear Muhammad. A British embassy spokesman said he was "optimistic" a result would be reached Monday.
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and Lord Nazir Ahmed, Muslim representatives from Britain's House of Lords, talked with …
Teacher’s Facebook post draws CPS probe
Chicago Public Schools officials said they've started an investigation after a teacher apparently posted a photo on Facebook of a student who wore Jolly Rancher candies in her hair.
The 7-year-old girl's mother said she saw negative comments written about her daughter's picture on the teacher's Facebook page. The elementary school student had tied the candies at the end of her …
среда, 14 марта 2012 г.
Women and Private Health Insurance: A REVIEW OF THE ISSUES
NEWLY RELEASED!
From Women and Health Care Reform
In June 2005, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Quebecers have a constitutional right to buy private health insurance that would cover services already available and funded in the public health system. While this ruling only applies to Quebec-for the time being- Canadians have witnessed a steady stream of private and market-driven reforms into our public health system generally, including pressures by some for the introduction of private health insurance (PHI) for services already funded by public health care as an option for all Canadians.
But what would be the impact of PHI on women and their …
Panel: US Must Control Security Firms
WASHINGTON - A panel recommended to the State Department that the U.S. government impose unified control over private security guards working for the U.S. in Iraq, an idea already floated by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, The Associated Press has learned.
The review panel found poor communication between diplomats and military officials and too little oversight of contractors like Blackwater USA, two people familiar with the report's findings told the AP on Monday.
The State Department risks another incident like the Sept. 16 Blackwater shooting of 17 Iraqi civilians unless it quickly installs closer management of the private army guarding diplomats in Iraq, the …
Jackson Browne, Republicans settle lawsuit
Jackson Browne has settled a lawsuit and received an apology from Sen. John McCain and the Republican Party over use of his song "Running on Empty" during last year's presidential campaign.
The settlement announced Tuesday includes a pledge by the Republican Party not to use any musicians' work without proper permission in future campaigns, a statement that Browne said he hoped would benefit other artists.
Browne sued McCain and the Republican National Committee and the Ohio Republican Party last year over use of "Running on Empty" in a Web ad mocking Democrat Barack Obama's proposed energy policies.
McCain's loss to Obama in November didn't end the lawsuit, which had …
Leading Dissident Faces New Charges in China
BEIJING Only six months after he was released from prison tosweeten China's unsuccessful bid for the 2000 Summer Olympic games,leading dissident Wei Jingsheng is back in custody facing anotherterm in prison for what authorities described Tuesday as "newcrimes."
The official New China News Agency reported that "the BeijingPublic Security Department has decided to investigate suspected newcriminal offenses by Wei Jingsheng."
Although the crimes were unspecified, they appeared to involveallegations that Wei violated conditions of his parole from jail lastSeptember banning him from engaging in political activities for threeyears.
During his brief taste of …
Police in China seize 100 tons of 'gutter oil'
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese police say they have detained 32 people in a nationwide crackdown on 'gutter oil,' or old kitchen oil that has been illegally recycled.
The Ministry of Public Security said in a statement Tuesday that police seized 100 tons (90 metric tons) of the potentially harmful oil in 14 provinces.
It said six workshops were closed down, including one operated by …
Carl Edwards gets 3 weeks' probation from NASCAR
Sticking with its "boys, have at it" attitude, NASCAR placed Carl Edwards on three-race probation Tuesday for his deliberate wreck with Brad Keselowski in last weekend's race at Atlanta.
The punishment means Edwards will still be able to race in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series, but will be monitored by NASCAR through the April 10 race at Phoenix.
NASCAR president Mike Helton said Edwards' action Sunday at Atlanta was "not acceptable," but did not cross the line in what the sanctioning body will allow this season. NASCAR vowed in January to give the drivers more leeway in policing themselves and settling their own scores in an …
[ Top-seeded Martina Hingis opened play... ]
NEW YORK, N.Y.--Top-seeded Martina Hingis opened play on CenterCourt against Laura Granville as the U.S. Open began today at theNational Tennis Center in New York.
Hingis, one of eight former U.S. Open champions scheduled to playtoday, beat the Chicago native 6-2, 6-0. She won the Open in 1997,but hasn't won a WTA event since February and lost in the first roundat Wimbledon this year.
Two-time champions Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter and Monica Selesare also scheduled to play today at the year's final Grand Slamtennis tournament.
Agassi, the second seed on the men's side, opens play against MikeBryan of the U.S, while No. 6 Rafter faces brother Bob Bryan in …
Sharks coach misses game for funeral
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan has left the team to attend his brother-in-law's funeral in Saskatchewan.
McLellan will be replaced behind the bench for Saturday night's game against St. Louis by assistant Trent …
Cheap, Cheaper, Cheapest Novatium's Net PC and Net TV are not quite your regular low-cost, sub- 10k computers. They represent new technologies at the cutting edge of convergence and can change the way computers are used.
Ashok Jhunjhunwala met Rajesh Jain in the most unlikely of places-in a taxi speeding through Bangalore's rush hour traffic to theairport on a cold November evening. It was during that fateful drivein 2003 that Jain sounded out Jhunjhunwala about developing a low-cost computing device. Jhunjhunwala, a professor at IIT Chennai, andfounder of the TeNet Group, had already incubated several hightechnology companies in the telecom and networking space; and Jain,currently the Chairman of Netcore Solutions, had become famous duringthe dot.com boom for selling his Indiaworld.com to Sify.com for Rs500 crore. He had been talking of affordable computing since early2003. His vision: develop a computer that supports most of theapplications already in the market and one that would always remain"current". The solution: server-centric computing. Shorn of thejargon, it means the monitor at the user's end has little or nostorage space and computing power; it is merely an access device thatallows users to link up to and work on a central server. The benefitsfor the end user: little chance of obsolescence (since softwareupgrades are done centrally), few maintenance and breakdown issuesand total security from virus attacks. The concept is not new.Corporates have been using thin clients (computers withoutprocessors), but these had only limited functions. "To make computinga mass market phenomenon, we needed to utilise the power ofbroadband. The solution needs to address the problems of computing byproviding an access device that requires zero management and isaffordable and operates on a 'pay as you go' business model, muchlike in mobile telephony," says Jain.
Jhunjhunwala carried out the R& D validation of the concept in2004 at IIT Chennai and the technology was transferred to NovatiumSolutions Ltd, the company he, Jain and Ray Stata, co-founder andChairman of Analog Devices, set up for the purpose. The first alpha,or base-level, products rolled out in June-July 2005 (the productsare outsourced from WeP's plant in Mysore), following which some fine-tuning was carried out. The Nova Net pc-price: Rs 4,500-resembles aflat voltage stabiliser, allows users access to a central server andis compatible with any monitor and keyboard, which can be purchasedfor Rs 4,500. Thus, one can get a fully loaded computer for Rs 9,000;and the cost of accessing the server is Rs 250 per month. It will bylaunched by the end of April. Says Yuvaraj Galada, Head of BusinessDevelopment at Novatium: "For telecom operators in the country, thiswill be one way of increasing revenues."
The business proposition looks compelling. The country has 110-120 million TV sets; cable penetration is at 70 million; there areover 50 million landline phones and 75 million mobile phones but only5 million pc users. The new technology could turn computing into amass market phenomenon like television and telephony, both of whichwere considered elitist preserves till not so long ago.
But this is not the only thing Novatium is offering. It has alsodeveloped Nova Net TV, which is targeted at people who need to doonly basic computing. The Nova Net TV, which costs Rs 5,625, isanother convergence appliance that transforms normal television setsinto basic computing devices and does away with the need to buy a pcmonitor. It allows users to browse the internet, send e-mails, chatand also supports simple computing. The display quality is not verygood, but Novatium is working on improving this. A third product, theNova Nion, enables connectivity with either PCs or TVs.
The big challenge before Novatium is to sell its concept totelecom companies and multi-service operators. But, company officialsdon't consider this a very daunting task. Says Alok Singh, CEO ofNovatium Solutions: "Media centre PCs"-these enable seamlessdownloading of content from a TV to a computer-are coming into vogue.And telecom operators are looking for ways to provide video on demandthrough their existing networks." But media centre pcs cost at leastRs 35,000. There are also additional charges for this 'premium'service; and maintenance becomes a big issue. "The Nova Net pc andNova Net TV offer all the features of a media centre pc but at farlower price points and, thus, guarantee service providers theirrevenues."
But, the business model has to evolve. Equipment vendors, telcosor cable operators have to offer consumers winning propositions-either lease the monitor, keyboard, mouse and Nova Net for about Rs250 per month; or offer an outright purchase option with onlycomputing charges levied per month.
Several overseas players are very enthusiastic about the Novatiumconcept. Its products are being pilot tested in the US, the UK,Canada and Brazil. Says Victorien Ndounou, who runs the us-basedVersa Global LLC, which is working on bridging the digital divide inAfrica: "Even at its present stage of development, the Nova Net pc isa very valuable tool. It's quiet and small and does not take a longtime to boot. I've used it for hours for browsing, gaming andedutainment and it's actually cheaper than some cell phones." TerryBienstock, CEO and co-founder of the us-based WorldExtend, whichprovides software solutions relating to securing remote access tonetworks and individual computers, is another convert to thistechnology. "Novatium's products open up opportunities in the usmarket that did not previously exist. I believe both cable companiesand telecom companies will be interested in these devices. But, theyhave to come with wireless capabilities as consumers in the us don'tlike a lot of wires."
But, one worry is that cheap pc's aren't exactly setting themarkets on fire. The Kolkata-based Xenitis Group, which launched onein April last year, has shipped just 1,300 units till date. SaysIndrajit Sarkar, Country Manager (Product R& #163; D) of XenitisInfotech: "That's because the low-end PCs are not really 'current'and have only limited uses."
But Jhunjhunwala is unfazed. Novatium's products do not sufferfrom the infirmities plaguing other sub-10k PCs, he says, "And I wantNovatium to become a billion-dollar product company." Adds Singh:"Novatium is really a big organisation in its early days."
THE NOVATIUM RANGE
Nova Net PC
What is it: A box that is actually a network computer. It has tobe linked to a server. It has no configuration as there is noprocessor. Server-centricity allows for generous storage, high speedand guarantees data privacy through an authentication process. Theserver can be hosted by a company for its own use or by a telecom/cable operator who has the last-mile running to the home, and canprovide the computing services inclusive of internet for a monthlyfee.
How much: The basic set costs Rs 4,500. A new monitor, mouse andkeyboard will cost about Rs 4,500. Total price: less than Rs 10,000.Alternately, all the equipment can be leased, depending on thebusiness model offered by the service provider who could be the telco/cable operator/internet service provider who has the last-mile accessto the home. Companies can set up the servers for their own use.
What does it do: Supports applications based on voice, streamingvideo, data and graphics. Needs no upgrades at the server level,which acts as the processor and storage device. The service providerprovides the upgrades and the applications you need and takes care ofthe viruses with his anti-virus software. Has virus protection andneeds no UPS because data is stored and protected in the server. Youcan switch on to the page you left in case of power failure withoutlosing any data. It provides for rich graphics and multimediacapability.
Advantages: Low rate of obsolescence; technology will remain"current" for at least eight years as upgrades are done centrally;zero maintenance costs; offers roaming access under the grid systemas data is not locked up in a hard disk.
Disadvantages: User has to pay a fixed sum, perhaps around atleast Rs 250 per month to the service provider; does not have a CD-ROM, though a pen drive can be used.
Nova Net TV
What is it: A home network computer that doubles as both a homeentertainment and a computing device. It can connect to bothtelevision and computer networks.
How much: Rs 5,625 for the home network computer. The televisiondoubles up as a monitor. Novatium provides the remote keyboard andmouse if the user wants these for an extra cost.
What does it do: It allows for digital audio and video recordingand storage for later viewing; supports simple online interactivegames and has Voice over Internet Protocol capability.
Advantages: Does not require a computer monitor; low power cost,no maintenance.
Disadvantages: Resolution not at par with PCs; is best used forlimited applications unless one is using a plasma TV. As it is server-centric like the net PC, user has to pay for computing services.
THE OTHER CHEAP PCS
HCL Ezeebee Pride
Price: Rs 9,990.
Specifications: 128 MB RAM and 40 GB hard disk.
Processor: 1.6 GHz VIA or AMD chip.
The 15-inch monitor has a CD-ROM drive and internet readykeyboard. Comes with Linux.
Advantages: Supports word processing, spread sheets, internet-browsers, e-mail, video conferencing and some games-and enablespresentations.
Disadvantages: Limited applications; high risk of obsolescence,needs a UPS and regular maintenance. And an operating system.
Zenith Premium PC
Price: Rs 15,750.
Specifications: 128 MB RAM and 40 GB hard disk.
Processor: Celeron 2.4 GHz. Operating System of buyers' choice(so, it comes with nothing at all).
Advantages: Comes with current technology double data randomaccess with other accessories, such as optical mouse, speakers, 4 USBports and multimedia kit apart from internet-enabled keyboard, CD-ROM drive and a one year comprehensive warranty. Is Rs 2,000 cheaperthan other computers in its class.
Disadvantages: Needs UPS; and additional cost of maintenance athome from the second year.
Xenitis Apna PC
Price: Rs 9,790.
Specifications: 128 MB RAM and 40 GB hard disk.
Processor: Cyrix 833 MHz or Celeron 9 MHz. Comes with Linux.
Advantages: Useful for first time users and others with limitedcomputer usage.
Disadvantages: Limited use in graphics works. Almost outdatedtechnology; needs a UPS.
Dems: Override Children's Health Veto
WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana asked his colleagues on Saturday to override President Bush's veto of legislation that would expand a popular children's health insurance program.
"Every Republican must decide whether they will stand with the president and his veto, or stand with our children and their right to a healthy future," Baucus said in his party's weekly radio address.
House Democrats have scheduled for this week a vote to override the president's veto of legislation that would increase spending for the State Children's Health Insurance Program by $35 billion over five years. Bush has called for a $5 billion increase.
The effort is not expected to succeed. An override requires a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate, and the earlier House vote fell about two dozen votes short. The Senate approved the increase by a veto-proof margin.
The program provides health insurance to children in families with incomes too great for Medicaid eligibility but not enough to afford private insurance. Bush has said the bill is too costly, goes beyond the program's original intent and shifts too much insurance burden onto the government rather than private providers.
Baucus, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said Tuesday that Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt had called him seeking to compromise on the bill, but he refused.
"We want to prevail," Baucus said then.
He said Saturday that the president is telling millions of parents that they don't deserve the same basic care for their kids that Bush had for his.
вторник, 13 марта 2012 г.
Reinvention of Rice Former Illini star has something to prove in fresh start with Bucs
TAMPA--Simeon Rice says he is trying to reinvent himself, and whatbetter place for the soft-spoken defensive end to run his experimentthan next to one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL, WarrenSapp?
Rice, formerly of the Arizona Cardinals, is the latest addition toa potent Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line, and the 27-year-oldIllinois graduate is intent on extinguishing the "bad rap" he got ofbeing weak against the run.
"I think it's b.s., but I'm in a place where I can show people alot of things. You could say I'm in a place where I can prove thosedetractors wrong," said Rice after the Bucs' first day of trainingcamp at the University of Tampa. "I'd like you all to be pleasantlysurprised when I get out there, so to talk about it now kind ofdefeats the purpose of doing it."
Rice, who was signed as an unrestricted free agent in March, cameinto the league in 1996 with high expectations as the third overallpick in the NFL draft by Arizona. He registered 12.5 sacks as arookie and appeared to be on the fast track toward stardom.
"I think Simeon Rice was on the defensive line of the decade orthe century, wasn't it?" Sapp said. "Him, [Andre] Wadsworth and EricSwann, remember all of those guys? Twenty sacks between them? You'vestill got to go out and perform, that's what this is about."
Defensive line coach Rod Marinelli certainly sees the addition ofRice as a significant upgrade on the right side of the line, which issaying a lot considering the reputation Tampa Bay's front four hadlast year with Chidi Ahanotu at right end.
"Simeon's speed is amazing and very deceptive," Marinelli said."It looks like he might just be gliding until you start to see himpassing people up. He's got real nice timing, great hand-eyecoordination, and he's got real good feel, good instincts."
Rice's best season with the Cardinals came in 1998, when herecorded a franchise-record 16.5 sacks and was named to his first ProBowl. A contract holdout in 2000 resulted in Rice missing the firstweek of the season, and despite leading the team in sacks again with7.5, he wore out his welcome in Phoenix.
"There is a lot more energy and it's definitely very upbeat here,"Rice said of Bucs training camp. "Everybody has a really goodattitude here, and I'm not going to try and do everything at once.I'm going to feel my way, and continue to learn the defense."
Head coach Tony Dungy said Rice reminds him of another successfulpass-rushing specialist who played with the Minnesota Vikings whenDungy was defensive coordinator, Chris Doleman. And he rememberedDoleman was unfairly perceived as a weak run defender.
"I don't know what they [Cardinals] were asking [Rice] to do, butwe feel like he can do what we need to do in our run defense," Dungysaid. "I think Simeon is a guy that, he's learning how we do things,and he's got tremendous ability. He's got to be able to do it down inand down out and week in and week out, but if he does that I thinkhe's going to have a great year."
And that's just what the Buccaneers are counting on.
Governor responds to McGraw lawsuit: ; Attorneys say agencies can hire own lawyers
DAILY MAIL STAFF
Gov. Bob Wise and his attorneys have fired back their firstresponse to the lawsuit by Attorney General Darrell McGraw thatseeks to bring all state lawyers under his control.
The answer that came from the Governor's Mansion refuted McGraw'sargument that since he is empowered by the state Constitution torepresent the state in legal disputes, he is the only one allowed todo so.
"(McGraw) asks this court give him authority to scrutinize andjudge all areas of government by his own measure of right and wrong,rendering each office and agency ultimately voiceless in thedetermination and completion of its own affairs," reads the responsewritten in part by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Miller.
"This attempt to gain such power is patently unconstitutional."
The long response goes on to say that the very concept ofseparation of powers that McGraw argues supports his suit demandsthat the various agencies and the governor be free to seek their owncourse, without McGraw's permission.
McGraw filed suit against the state Department of Administrationclaiming that the agency has illegally been paying for attorneys forother state agencies. The state Supreme Court, led by the attorneygeneral's brother, Chief Justice Warren McGraw, has yet to acceptthe case for hearing.
But on Thursday, the five justices will meet in conference forthe first time since Wise filed his response last week.
The attorney general wants the court to bar all other agenciesfrom hiring or retaining lawyers without his approval, and to placeall 216 attorneys in 40 state executive agencies under hisauthority.
In his response to the attorney general's suit, Miller, aided byWise lawyers John Poffenbarger and Heather Connolly, argues that theability to seek outside counsel and retain lawyers is"indispensable" for state agencies.
The response says that the Legislature has acted within itsbounds to approve money for in-house lawyers and legal costs forexecutive agencies.
The administration, the response says, was also in the right toseek to defend itself and press its interests in court.
"The attorney general seeks to be the exclusive attorney providerfor all of state government regardless of the Legislature's failureto designate him and in opposition to the Legislature's clear intentto allow other agencies and offices the right to hire their ownattorneys," the response reads.
Wise has also sent a letter to the Supreme Court asking that ifthe panel accepts the case, the justices would hear from executiveagencies individually before making a decision.
Writer Chris Stirewalt can be reached at 348-4824 or by e-mail atcstire@dailymail.com.
Healthy food is a great idea, but schoolkids want junk
Regarding your April 7 story, ''New CPS guidelines -- out with doughnuts, in with the whole grain'': I was in the vending/ cafeteria industry for 40 years. I saw what people want and what people eat.
Healthy foods are great, but it's not what kids will eat. They want their doughnuts, greasy cheeseburgers, pizza and nachos.
I wish Monifa Thomas, who wrote this article, would do a follow-up in a few months to see how much healthy food is thrown in the garbage and what is actually eaten.
Richard R. Siska,
Matteson
Photo: Getty Images / (See microfilm for photo).
Wind damages Ryder Cup site
Strong wind felled a TV tower and some trees at Valhalla Golf Club on Sunday, five days before the start of the Ryder Cup.
Kerry Haigh, managing director of championships and business development for the PGA of America said the television tower fell on the 12th hole.
"The PGA of America is working to clean up all affected areas and is confident that when spectators arrive on Tuesday for the first full practice round, Valhalla will be ready for the biggest event in golf this year," Haigh said.
The Ryder Cup matches between the United States and Europe will open Friday.
4 decapitated bodies found in Mexican border city
Authorities found the decapitated bodies of four men Tuesday in the border city of Tijuana, while a grenade attack on a police station in western Mexico wounded a pregnant woman and her 3-year-old daughter.
Three of the decapitated bodies in Tijuana were inside a house, the Baja California state prosecutor's office said in a statement. An hour later, police found a fourth decapitated body inside a pickup truck.
The office said the heads were left near the bodies along with messages. It didn't say what the notes said.
Tijuana, which is across the border from San Diego, California, has been wracked by an upsurge in drug cartel violence in recent years. Prosecutors say 583 people have been killed so far this year in the city.
Meanwhile, assailants hurled three grenades at a police station in the western city of Morelia, injuring the pregnant woman, her daughter and a police officer, Michoacan state Public Safety Secretary Minerva Bautista said.
The woman, who is seven months pregnant, and the toddler were hospitalized in stable condition, while the officer was sent home with minor injuries.
The attack came less than an hour after assailants threw two grenades into a busy road outside a Morelia high school just 300 meters (yards) from the Michoacan state government headquarters. The midday attack caused chaos and panic but no injuries.
Michoacan, a Pacific coast state, has become a major battleground between the Gulf and La Familia drug cartels, with innocent bystanders increasingly getting caught in the crossfire.
Mexico's drug gang violence has surged since President Felipe Calderon deployed tens of thousands of troops and federal police across the country in late 2006 to crack down on brutal cartels. More than 14,000 people have since died in violence tied to the drug trade.
RNC loses bid to raise unlimited 'soft' money
A federal court Friday denied a Republican Party request to be allowed to raise soft money, unlimited donations from corporations and individuals that were banned by a 2002 campaign finance law.
In a separate ruling, judges said a conservative group can raise unlimited sums for independent election ads but must disclose its donors regularly.
In a case brought by the Republican National Committee, a three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court in Washington said it lacks the authority to overturn a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld the ban on soft money fundraising by national party committees. That ban is a cornerstone of the so-called McCain-Feingold law and one of the few major parts of the law that have survived court challenges.
The Republicans had argued that its committee should be able to raise soft money for state elections, congressional redistricting, legal costs and other activities that it said had nothing to do with federal elections. The Federal Election Commission contended the soft money ban should be upheld.
Joining the RNC in the lawsuit were the California Republican Party, San Diego County Republican Party and Republicans' national chairman, Michael Steele. The court also rejected their arguments that the law's soft money ban should not apply to their fundraising for various activities.
The RNC did not immediately respond to a request for comment, including whether it would appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.
In a separate case, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington said Friday that the conservative group SpeechNow.org can collect unlimited donations from individuals for ads it plans to run independently of candidates, in line with a recent Supreme Court ruling. But the group will have to file periodic reports with the FEC that detail its fundraising and spending activities and follow other rules that apply to political committees, the appeals court said.
SpeechNow.org wanted to operate free of the fundraising and many of the disclosure and organizational requirements that the FEC places on political committees. It believes the FEC's political action committee rules, including requirements that it have a treasurer and periodically file fundraising and itemized spending reports, are too onerous, Bert Gall, one of its lawyers, said Friday.
"The PAC administrative and organizational requirements do not allow any organization to be as nimble as it needs to be," Gall said. He said the group wanted to file disclosure and spending reports only after it had run election-time ads attacking or promoting particular candidates.
The two rulings are the first major campaign finance decisions since the Supreme Court said this year that corporations, unions and groups of individuals can spend unlimited sums supporting or opposing candidates, so long as they do it independently of candidates. The high court so far has upheld campaign finance disclosure rules and the McCain-Feingold law's ban on the raising and spending of soft money by national party committees and presidential and congressional candidates.
SpeechNow.org is considering whether to appeal the disclosure requirement ruling to the Supreme Court, Gall and Brad Smith, another of its attorneys and a former FEC commissioner, said Friday.
"I can assure you that issue isn't going to go away whether it's appealed in SpeechNow or not," Smith said, adding that the group views the FEC reporting requirements as an unconstitutional burden on its free speech.
Neither the Supreme Court ruling nor Friday's appeals court decision changed the donation and spending restrictions placed on political action committees, which can contribute directly to congressional and presidential candidates and national party committees. Spending that PACs coordinate with candidates or parties also is not affected.
PACs still can accept only limited donations from individuals and other PACs and give or spend limited amounts in concert with campaigns and party committees.
The Federal Election Commission had no immediate comment on either ruling.
___
Republican National Committee v. Federal Election Commission: https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-in/Opinions.pl?2010
SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission: http://pacer.cadc.uscourts.gov/common/opinions/201003/08-5223-12 683 7.pdf
понедельник, 12 марта 2012 г.
Clinton Seeks to Foil GOP Attacks
BELLE MEAD, N.J. The GOP will open a television ad campaigntomorrow to help turn around George Bush's slipping fortunes in thepresidential campaign, but Democratic nominee Bill Clinton movedSaturday to pre-empt Republican attacks.
Democrats are expecting Republicans to step up criticism ofClinton as a "failed governor from a small state," and Clinton lashedout at Bush as a "failed president of a big country."
Flanked by 14 fellow Democratic governors meeting in NewJersey, Clinton cited his record of job creation and income growth inArkansas and said, "I come from a state that has always been one ofthe poorest states in America. But the difference between my stateand the country is since I've been governor we've been going in theright direction and the country's going in the wrong direction."
The Democratic nominee flew to New Jersey to meet with membersof the Democratic Governors Association and with Democratic NationalChairman Ron Brown.
Clinton was joined by some of the Democrats' most powerfulspeakers, including Texas Gov. Ann Richards and New York Gov. MarioCuomo, who were upbeat about his fighting spirit and prospects forwinning the White House in November.
Richards, who said she hoped Republicans "enjoy themselves andspend a lot of money" at their nominating convention in her statethis month, said she was thrilled to have a scrappy Democrat.
Cuomo, saying he wondered whether Republicans go to Europe andmake fun of small countries, noted that Clinton had been re-electedsix time in Arkansas and said, "I'm working very hard in New York tofail the way Bill Clinton has" in Arkansas.
A defining issue
As previously introduced, BioPharm will set aside small sections of upcoming issues to identifying common ground amid conflicting uses of certain terms. You will find these sections in our Info+ news department, as article and column sidebars, and sometimes as subjects of whole articles and tutorials. We are on the lookout for terms that are confused with one another and/or used differently by representatives of various disciplines within the biopharmaceutical industry. We hope to build a glossary on our Web site that is dynamically supported by your contributions to the discussions - both in the magazine and (we hope soon) through an online reader forum.
In one of those serendipitous events eerily common to our article acquisition efforts, most of the articles in this issue present some focus on definitions: Bob Seely defines critical variables; Grant Hodgson defines suiteps underlying facility validation; Howard Eisenberg begins a series on "Patent Law You Can Use" by distinguishing between patents, trade secrets, copyrights, and trademarks; Barbara Immel identifies "The Forgotten GLPs"; and Dave Jensen refines his earlier definitions of leadership styles. Additionally, with this issue we are beginning to use running heads that identify where article subjects fall within the larger development process, and this also will lead to an occasional sidebar of definition and explanation.
The plan to build a glossary took on further urgency when a number of readers questioned conflicting uses of the terms validation and qualification in our November issue. We thank Robert Nash of St. John's University (Jamaica, NY) for putting it succinctly:
The titles of the articles by Odum, Cloud, and Huber in your November 1998 issue are confusing. I can't figure out when to use the term qualification and when to use the term validation.
1. Odum in his article talks about using an IQ checklist, but the title speaks about solving a validation challenge by integrating design qualification (DQ), construction, and validation.
2. In Cloud's article, outside of the refrigerator-freezer manufacturer's responsibility to validate the product/process, the customer's QC laboratory should qualify their equipment in their pursuit to validate their analytical methods. Customer qualification of the refrigerator-freezer should include design qualification, installation qualification, operational qualification, and performance qualification, to which may be added maintenance qualification and vendor qualification. I see no validation program here.
3. I have no problem with Huber's approach to HPLC equipment qualification, but the industry for at least the past 10 years has talked about analytical methods validation or systems qualification.
Responses from Cloud and Odum indicated that they were both discussing qualification but used the term validation because it was simply more familiar. That answer left me spinning my wheels for a time, wondering how best to proceed. As editors, we try to ensure that we and our authors define terms as necessary and use them in ways that appear consisuitent. In this particular case, I wondered, can the terms be totally separable? Can the validation of a process always be distinguishable from the qualification of the equipment or sysuitems used in (or even designed specifically for) that process? (As my equestrian associate editor puts it, are the horse and the ride the same thing?) And more to the point for us: Are we editors always going to be alert enough to notice when such terms are confused or misused?
Of course not. There are four of us and over 20,000 of you: We can't promise to define every term to everyone's satisfaction every time. So I was pleased when - again, totally coincidentally -- Ludwig Huber chose this issue's tutorial section to highlight the meanings of validation, qualification, verification, and related terms. By drawing a number of his examples from computer validation terminology, he illustrates both the complexity created by a lack of standardization and the inescapable influence of one discipline on another.
Please consider our "defining moments" as starting points for discussion rather than an attempt to etch definitions in stone. As BioPharm and the biopharmaceutical industry (and the language, inescapably) continue to evolve together, we count on you to bring inconsisuitencies to our attention and to point out areas in need of further examination. Remember that any good dictionary balances actual use against authoritative (and accepted) references: If you take issue with a definition or propose a different view of a term, please let us know. Include references and examples (when possible). Together we may not always find consensus, but we should be able to settle on common ground.
[Author Affiliation]
S. Anne Montgomery amontgomery@advanstar.com
Asian markets mixed after US bails out insurer AIG
Asian stocks turned in a mixed performance Wednesday, giving up early gains as a U.S. plan to rescue troubled insurer AIG failed to persuade many investors that recent financial turmoil would soon ease.
European shares were higher in early trade.
Asia's markets opened mostly higher as Wall Street's rise overnight lifted sentiment after Tuesday's huge sell-off. Japan's Nikkei 225 average added 1.2 percent to 11,749.79 after sinking nearly 5 percent the day before to its lowest finish in more than three years.
South Korea's Kospi climbed 2.7 percent and Taiwan's benchmark rose 0.8 percent.
But Hong Kong's blue-chip Hang Seng Index dropped 3.6 percent to 17,637.19, dragged by Chinese banks to its worst close since October 26. China's Shanghai benchmark fell 2.9 percent, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.6 percent.
Investors sent the region's stocks spiraling downward Tuesday, reacting with alarm to the upheaval on Wall Street that saw investment bank Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. file for bankruptcy and Merrill Lynch & Co. sell itself to Bank of America Corp.
The Federal Reserve helped allay some fears about the financial system with an $85 billion emergency loan to shore up insurance giant American International Group Inc., still reeling from billions of dollars in risky mortgage debt. The Fed said Tuesday it acted because a disorderly failure of the company, whose financial dealings stretch around the world, could hurt the already delicate markets and the economy.
But there were lingering fears across the region of more trouble ahead should bank stocks sink further and credit losses continue to pile up.
"AIG helped stabilize the market earlier, but there could be more turmoil. You don't know who's next to go," said Francis Lun, general manager of Fulbright Securities Ltd. in Hong Kong.
While somewhat disappointed by the Fed's decision to leave interest rates unchanged, markets were buoyed by an overnight advanced on Wall Street. The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 141.51 points, or 1.30 percent, to 11,059.02. The index plunged 504-points Monday, its biggest point drop since the September 2001 terror attacks.
In early European trading, Britain's FTSE-100 rose 0.5 percent, Germany's DAX 30 added 0.2 percent and Paris' benchmark CAC-40 index was 0.05 percent higher. In Russia, the RTS index retreated 3.4 percent.
In Japan, the central bank kept a key interest rate unchanged. Hoping to boost confidence, the Bank of Japan also pumped an extra 3 trillion yen ($28.4 billion) into money markets on top of Tuesday's 2.5 trillion ($24 billion) injections.
Japanese financial issues, which had been battered Tuesday, started higher but lost steam. Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. fell 0.7 percent. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, the world's largest bank by assets, rose 1.01 percent.
Banks elsewhere in the region fared worse.
Macquarie Group Ltd., Australia's biggest securities firm and investment bank, nose-dived 7.8 percent.
In Hong Kong, China Merchants Bank plunged more than 7.7 percent after revealing its was carrying $70 million in Lehman debt. Leading lender ICBC dropped 9.9 percent.
The greenback bought 105.72 yen Wednesday afternoon in Asia, compared with just above 106 yen late Tuesday. The euro rose to $1.4244 from $1.4151.
Oil prices rose in Asian trading but remained well below $100 a barrel. Light, sweet crude for October delivery rose $3.5 to $94.00 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, after dipping as low as $90.51 Tuesday, its lowest level since Feb. 8.
___
Associated Press writer Tomoko A. Hosaka contributed to this report from Tokyo.
Run ends for Ohio man's Secret Santa bearing pies
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A Secret Santa has told an Ohio man not to expect any more pecan pies, which arrived mysteriously for 35 years.
Willis Welch says the pie that showed up at his Columbus home during the recent holiday season was accompanied by a note that said, "It has been a great ride." The person who signed it "Pie Fairy" also wrote: "My wings are shorter now and I am a little too fat to fly anymore. But I still love you!!"
The Columbus Dispatch reports (http://bit.ly/sMmjUy ) that the 87-year-old Welch still doesn't know who was sending his perennial pastries, though whoever did it knew him well enough to know of his fondness for pecan pies. Welch believes the first one came in 1976.
His two daughters have denied any involvement.
___
Information from: The Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com
Coal City turkey hunter makes Grundy Co. history
"(My obsession) had been pheasant hunting. I don't know, itmight be turkey hunting now."OUTDOOR MEMORY: "Right at sunrise, we heard him gobbling."
Safarcyk and his hunting companion, Larry Henry, called thedominant gobbler and two other adult toms in from 200 yards awaybefore Safarcyk shot him at 25 yards with a 12-gauge, three-inchmagnum. They used a variety of diaphragm, slate and box calls.OUTDOOR PORTFOLIO: Safarcyk is the Site Interpretative Programcoordinator for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at GooseLake Prairie State Park in Morris.OUTDOOR QUOTE: "I am a Department employee. It was a big goal ofmine to harvest the first turkey. It will be neat to tell mygrandkids that I shot the first turkey, legally, in Grundy County inclose to 100 years."
Man cleared of slaying after year in jail awarded $1.5 mil.
A Cook County jury Wednesday awarded $1.5 million to a man in a wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution case against Chicago Police and the city.
The case stems from the 1998 arrest of Eddie Huggins, then 15, who confessed to fatally stabbing a woman. Evidence showed she wasn't stabbed, his lawyer said.
The teen was acquitted after a year in jail. "It was our position that the police should have known it was their coercive tactics that led to the confession," Lorna Propes, Huggins' attorney, said Thursday.
Sinclair, Time Warner Cable talks stretch on
NEW YORK (AP) — Sinclair Broadcast Group and Time Warner Cable agreed to another extension in their negotiations over programming fees.
The companies are wrangling over how much Time Warner Cable Inc. will pay Sinclair for the rights to include Sinclair's broadcast stations in Time Warner channel lineups. Their previous contract, which expired at the end of 2010, has now been extended until Feb. 2.
Sinclair has said that the two sides have an agreement in principle. And the company is no longer threatening to pull its channels, which include local affiliates of Fox, ABC and CBS.
A blackout would affect some 4 million Time Warner subscribers, but the cable company has said it would replace Sinclair signals with those of nearby stations, allowing its customers to watch network programing, but not local news.
среда, 7 марта 2012 г.
Gun Bill, Assault Weapons Become Target of Criticism
On April 6, a Sun-Times editorial ("Tell Philip About Evil ofAssault Weapons") asked its readers to call Illinois Senate MajorityLeader James "Pate" Philip (R-Wood Dale) to tell him about the "evilof assault weapons." Those who called found that people weresupporting Philip's actions against Gov. Edgar's gun-controlinitiative by 10 to one. Your idea backfired! Tom Burckhalter, Lake Bluff
Your April 6 editorial about "evil assault weapons" - actuallysemiautomatics - was off base.
This ban amounts to a solution for a nonexistent problem.Police resources could be better used elsewhere. The Robert Taylorhigh-rises, maybe? James Butler, Springfield
Every sensible person realizes that assault weapons are designedto maim and kill people. These weapons are not designed forrecreation.
We who are members of the community of faith know all too wellwhat gun violence does to our community, especially in theAfrican-American neighborhoods of Chicago and southern Cook Countysuburbs.
We, along with many of our colleagues in the clergy, have buriedyoung people whose lives were snuffed out by assault weapons andother guns.
None of us would suggest that banning assault weapons is thepanacea for crime. But the law enforcement community has made itclear in its support for this legislation that stopping the flow ofcombat weapons to our communities is one very important step in thefight against crime. We're in serious trouble if our society can'toutlaw the civilian use of weapons made to kill people in combat.
A show of faith can start us on the road to reclaiming thestreets of our communities. The Rev. Richard Bundy Jr., minister of justice, New Faith Baptist Church, Matteson
I called Sen. James "Pate" Philip's Elmhurst office as yousuggested and encouraged him to keep fighting. David Graham, Forest Park By definition, an assault weapon is a full automatic,military-issue machinegun. These have been banned since 1934, butaccording to the media and some politicians, my .223 varmint rifle isthe scorn of society. Come on, folks, when do you hear of a robberor some street punk toting around a 3-foot rifle? John Harms, Streator
Sen. James "Pate" Philip may not be politically correct, buthe's surely morally correct.
Somebody has to stand up for us red-necked Neanderthals. Kent C. Barnett, Oak Lawn
The wait of the world's on 'Da Vinci Code' author Dan Brown
Dan Brown's 2003 novel "The Da Vinci Code" was the biggestpublishing event in decades, a global best-seller that spawneddozens of literary knockoffs, a cottage industry of explanatorynonfiction titles, and a vast European tourism business focused onsites mentioned in the book.
Now that Harry Potter - the only bigger publishing phenomenon ofthe age - is retired, no book has been as eagerly awaited as Brown'snext novel, purported to be about freemasonry and the FoundingFathers. The problem is, it is still awaited ... and awaited ... andawaited.
The whole industry is impatient. Book sales are generallysluggish, and one explosive, high-profile title can jump-start salesacross the board as customers pour into the stores and walk out witha bagful of titles. When Bertelsmann AG reports 2007 results inMarch, it will be the first time since 2002 that it didn't get aboost from "The Da Vinci Code."
Meanwhile, the nation's biggest retailers can barely restrainthemselves. "We're constantly asking," says Bob Wietrak, vicepresident of merchandising at Barnes & Noble Inc.
So where is the new novel? It's a mystery worthy of the deepestsecrets of the Knights Templar. Brown, holed up in New Hampshire,isn't saying. His agent, Heide Lange, isn't, either.
"When a major author doesn't deliver, you get down on your kneesand pray," says Laurence Kirshbaum, a book agent who heads up LJKLiterary Management in New York. "You can't threaten, you can'tcajole, you wait."
Back in November 2004, a spokeswoman for Doubleday said thetarget publishing date for Brown's next book was 2005, although shenoted that "there are no guarantees."
Now, the publisher is hinting that a manuscript is close. "DanBrown has a very specific release date for the publication of hisnew book, and when the book is published, his readers will see why,"says Stephen Rubin, president of Bertelsmann's Doubleday BroadwayPublishing Group, whose Doubleday imprint publishes Brown. Rubindeclined further comment.
What date could that be? Since some of the leaders of theAmerican Revolution were masons, including George Washington, anobvious reference point would be July Fourth. In addition to itbeing Independence Day, the cornerstone of the Washington Monumentwas laid on July 4, 1848 in a ceremony hosted by the Freemasons.
There are other more obscure dates that could be significant,however: On Sept. 18, 1793, President Washington led a Masonicparade down Pennsylvania Avenue to lay the cornerstone of the U.S.Capitol. It is considered one of the most important events inMasonic history. A third choice? The cornerstone of the White Housewas laid on Oct. 13, 1792, during a Masonic celebration. (On thatdate in 1307, the King of France ordered the arrest of KnightsTemplar. There has been speculation connecting the Knights and theorigins of the Masons, although the matter is in question.)
Brown's publisher said several years ago that the next book istentatively titled "The Solomon Key." In an undated post on his Website, Brown writes that it is "set deep within the oldest fraternityin history ... the enigmatic brotherhood of the Masons." Elsewhereon the site, he notes that Robert Langdon, a fictional Harvardsymbologist who first appeared in Brown's second book "Angels &Demons" and was played by Tom Hanks in the movie version of "The DaVinci Code," will "find himself embroiled in a mystery on U.S. soil.This new novel explores the hidden history of our nation's capital."
Up until now, Brown wrote his books in quick succession: thefirst, "Digital Fortress," was published in 1998; followed by"Angels & Demons" in 2000, "Deception Point" in 2001, and "The DaVinci Code" in 2003.
The first three books sold modestly when first released, but thefourth - about the search for the real meaning of the Holy Grail andthe bloodline of Jesus - was one of the most remarkable stories inpublishing history.
There are more than 80 million copies in print world-wide,according to Lange. It served as the basis of a blockbuster movie ofthe same name, released in 2006. Brown's earlier titles subsequentlybecame wildly popular, too, each of them selling millions. "Angels &Demons" has 39 million in print.
Brown's income from all four books, including "The Da Vinci Code"and revenue from the film, has made him a rich man. Forbes magazineestimated Brown earned $88 million between June 2005 and June 2006,minus management, agent and attorney fees. Dan Burstein, editor ofthe best-seller "Secrets of the Code: The Unauthorized Guide to theMysteries Behind The Da Vinci Code," thinks Brown may have earned asmuch as $250 million to $300 million from all related properties.
Many writers have struggled. Charles Frazier, whose debut CivilWar novel, "Cold Mountain," was published in 1997 and won theNational Book Award, needed nearly a decade to deliver "ThirteenMoons," published in 2006. Although "Thirteen Moons" generated somegood reviews, the book never caught fire with readers. It'sestimated that there are 4 million copies of "Cold Mountain" inprint in the U.S.
"It's a classic case of an author who has written a phenomenonbeing reluctant to commit," says David Steinberger, CEO of thePerseus Books Group, a unit of Washington private-equity firmPerseus LLC.
"The next book almost always underperforms, because the author isalready at his zenith. There is only one way to go."
Brown's timetable was affected by a plagiarism suit brought inthe United Kingdom by two of the three authors of "The Holy Bloodand the Holy Grail." That book, a work of nonfiction published in1982, explored the possibility that Jesus had not died on the crossbut married and fathered a child - a theme central to "The Da VinciCode."
Although Brown was exonerated in early 2006, the matter was time-consuming. At one point, Brown filed a lengthy personal statementwhich said of his work habits: "For me, writing is a discipline,much like playing a musical instrument; it requires constantpractice and honing of skills. For this reason, I write seven days aweek. So, my routine begins at around 4:00 AM every morning, whenthere are no distractions."
"The Da Vinci Code" was also criticized for factual miscues; thistime, he may be taking particular care. "He has toured a number ofMasonic temples to get the historical facts correct," says AkramElias, grand master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masonsof the District of Columbia.
The Masons are a fraternal society dedicated to self-improvementand charitable works. Membership is open to all religions andpolitical parties. Although Brown portrayed the secretive RomanCatholic group Opus Dei in a negative light in "The Da Vinci Code,"Elias says he isn't worried.
"Freemasonry will survive Dan Brown," he says.
Meanwhile, some publishing veterans say the wait isunderstandable. "When you have that level of success, you feel anobligation," says Kirshbaum.
"He's climbing Everest times 10. He probably wants to make thenext book perfect."
The wait of the world's on 'Da Vinci Code' author Dan BrownDan Brown's 2003 novel "The Da Vinci Code" was the biggestpublishing event in decades, a global best-seller that spawneddozens of literary knockoffs, a cottage industry of explanatorynonfiction titles, and a vast European tourism business focused onsites mentioned in the book.
Now that Harry Potter - the only bigger publishing phenomenon ofthe age - is retired, no book has been as eagerly awaited as Brown'snext novel, purported to be about freemasonry and the FoundingFathers. The problem is, it is still awaited ... and awaited ... andawaited.
The whole industry is impatient. Book sales are generallysluggish, and one explosive, high-profile title can jump-start salesacross the board as customers pour into the stores and walk out witha bagful of titles. When Bertelsmann AG reports 2007 results inMarch, it will be the first time since 2002 that it didn't get aboost from "The Da Vinci Code."
Meanwhile, the nation's biggest retailers can barely restrainthemselves. "We're constantly asking," says Bob Wietrak, vicepresident of merchandising at Barnes & Noble Inc.
So where is the new novel? It's a mystery worthy of the deepestsecrets of the Knights Templar. Brown, holed up in New Hampshire,isn't saying. His agent, Heide Lange, isn't, either.
"When a major author doesn't deliver, you get down on your kneesand pray," says Laurence Kirshbaum, a book agent who heads up LJKLiterary Management in New York. "You can't threaten, you can'tcajole, you wait."
Back in November 2004, a spokeswoman for Doubleday said thetarget publishing date for Brown's next book was 2005, although shenoted that "there are no guarantees."
Now, the publisher is hinting that a manuscript is close. "DanBrown has a very specific release date for the publication of hisnew book, and when the book is published, his readers will see why,"says Stephen Rubin, president of Bertelsmann's Doubleday BroadwayPublishing Group, whose Doubleday imprint publishes Brown. Rubindeclined further comment.
What date could that be? Since some of the leaders of theAmerican Revolution were masons, including George Washington, anobvious reference point would be July Fourth. In addition to itbeing Independence Day, the cornerstone of the Washington Monumentwas laid on July 4, 1848 in a ceremony hosted by the Freemasons.
There are other more obscure dates that could be significant,however: On Sept. 18, 1793, President Washington led a Masonicparade down Pennsylvania Avenue to lay the cornerstone of the U.S.Capitol. It is considered one of the most important events inMasonic history. A third choice? The cornerstone of the White Housewas laid on Oct. 13, 1792, during a Masonic celebration. (On thatdate in 1307, the King of France ordered the arrest of KnightsTemplar. There has been speculation connecting the Knights and theorigins of the Masons, although the matter is in question.)
Brown's publisher said several years ago that the next book istentatively titled "The Solomon Key." In an undated post on his Website, Brown writes that it is "set deep within the oldest fraternityin history ... the enigmatic brotherhood of the Masons." Elsewhereon the site, he notes that Robert Langdon, a fictional Harvardsymbologist who first appeared in Brown's second book "Angels &Demons" and was played by Tom Hanks in the movie version of "The DaVinci Code," will "find himself embroiled in a mystery on U.S. soil.This new novel explores the hidden history of our nation's capital."
Up until now, Brown wrote his books in quick succession: thefirst, "Digital Fortress," was published in 1998; followed by"Angels & Demons" in 2000, "Deception Point" in 2001, and "The DaVinci Code" in 2003.
The first three books sold modestly when first released, but thefourth - about the search for the real meaning of the Holy Grail andthe bloodline of Jesus - was one of the most remarkable stories inpublishing history.
There are more than 80 million copies in print world-wide,according to Lange. It served as the basis of a blockbuster movie ofthe same name, released in 2006. Brown's earlier titles subsequentlybecame wildly popular, too, each of them selling millions. "Angels &Demons" has 39 million in print.
Brown's income from all four books, including "The Da Vinci Code"and revenue from the film, has made him a rich man. Forbes magazineestimated Brown earned $88 million between June 2005 and June 2006,minus management, agent and attorney fees. Dan Burstein, editor ofthe best-seller "Secrets of the Code: The Unauthorized Guide to theMysteries Behind The Da Vinci Code," thinks Brown may have earned asmuch as $250 million to $300 million from all related properties.
Many writers have struggled. Charles Frazier, whose debut CivilWar novel, "Cold Mountain," was published in 1997 and won theNational Book Award, needed nearly a decade to deliver "ThirteenMoons," published in 2006. Although "Thirteen Moons" generated somegood reviews, the book never caught fire with readers. It'sestimated that there are 4 million copies of "Cold Mountain" inprint in the U.S.
"It's a classic case of an author who has written a phenomenonbeing reluctant to commit," says David Steinberger, CEO of thePerseus Books Group, a unit of Washington private-equity firmPerseus LLC.
"The next book almost always underperforms, because the author isalready at his zenith. There is only one way to go."
Brown's timetable was affected by a plagiarism suit brought inthe United Kingdom by two of the three authors of "The Holy Bloodand the Holy Grail." That book, a work of nonfiction published in1982, explored the possibility that Jesus had not died on the crossbut married and fathered a child - a theme central to "The Da VinciCode."
Although Brown was exonerated in early 2006, the matter was time-consuming. At one point, Brown filed a lengthy personal statementwhich said of his work habits: "For me, writing is a discipline,much like playing a musical instrument; it requires constantpractice and honing of skills. For this reason, I write seven days aweek. So, my routine begins at around 4:00 AM every morning, whenthere are no distractions."
"The Da Vinci Code" was also criticized for factual miscues; thistime, he may be taking particular care. "He has toured a number ofMasonic temples to get the historical facts correct," says AkramElias, grand master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masonsof the District of Columbia.
The Masons are a fraternal society dedicated to self-improvementand charitable works. Membership is open to all religions andpolitical parties. Although Brown portrayed the secretive RomanCatholic group Opus Dei in a negative light in "The Da Vinci Code,"Elias says he isn't worried.
"Freemasonry will survive Dan Brown," he says.
Meanwhile, some publishing veterans say the wait isunderstandable. "When you have that level of success, you feel anobligation," says Kirshbaum.
"He's climbing Everest times 10. He probably wants to make thenext book perfect."
NYPD sex-abuse accuser says he ran over old case
A tattoo parlor employee who says a New York City officer sodomized him with a police baton says he had been smoking marijuana that day, and officers told him he was going to be arrested.
Michael Mineo testified Monday at the criminal trial for three police officers.
He says he ran on Oct. 15, 2008, because he was out on bail on a gang assault charge and was not carrying identification. Mineo says he was attacked in a subway station.
Officer Richard Kern is charged with aggravated sexual abuse and assault. Officers Alex Cruz and Andrew Morales are charged with hindering prosecution and official misconduct.
If convicted, Kern could face up to 25 years in prison; the others could face up to four years. The defendants have pleaded not guilty.
вторник, 6 марта 2012 г.
Victim's family: 'pleased' with Knox conviction
The murder conviction of American student Amanda Knox brings a measure of justice for her slain roommate Meredith Kercher but is no cause for celebration, Kercher's family said Saturday.
In their first comments since Knox was convicted late Friday, the victim's relatives said that they are pleased with the 26-year sentence but it doesn't ease their pain.
"Meredith still leaves a big hole in our lives and her presence is missed everytime we meet up as a family," John Kercher Jr., one of her brothers, told a press conference.
The court also convicted Knox's co-defendant and former boyfriend, Italian Raffaele Sollecito, and gave him a 25-year jail term for the 2007 murder.
Knox spent her first night in jail as a convicted woman under strict surveillance, her defense lawyer Luciano Ghirga said. He denied reports that she had been put under suicide watch.
Ghirga, who spent an hour with Knox on Saturday morning, said she was "tired and disappointed."
"She couldn't sleep all night, she was comforted by other inmates and police officials," the lawyer said. "She's worried for her parents, too, but she is keeping the faith needed for the next steps."
Later, the woman's father, Curt Knox, also arrived at the Capanne prison to visit his daughter.
Both families had come to this central Italian town for the verdict.
"Ultimately we are pleased with the decision, pleased that we've got a decision, but it's not a time for celebration," brother Lyle Kercher said.
Kercher's sister, Stephanie, said the verdict "does bring a little bit of justice, for us and for her." But she added: "Life will never be the same without Mez."
Kercher, 21, was Knox's roommate while they studied in Perugia.
Her body was found in a pool of blood with her throat slit on Nov. 2, 2007, at the apartment they shared. Prosecutors said the Leeds University student was murdered the previous night.
After a yearlong trial and some 13 hours of deliberations, the jury read out the verdict in a packed, tension-filled courtroom. Knox burst into tears and murmured "No, no," clinging to one of her lawyers.
Minutes later, the 22-year-old from Seattle was put in a police van with sirens blaring and driven back to her jail just outside Perugia.
In Italy verdicts can be appealed by either side. Both the Knox family and lawyers for Sollecito have announced an appeal, which could take months to begin.
Curt Knox, asked shortly after the verdict if he would fight on for his daughter, replied, with tears in his eyes: "Hell, yes."
The prosecutors said they were satisfied with the ruling and would not seek to appeal, even though the court did not grant their request for life imprisonment. Prosecutor Manuela Comodi said that the verdict "recognizes the defendants are guilty of all the crimes they had been charged with."
As part of the verdict, Kercher's parents were awarded (EURO)1 million ($1.5 million) each in compensation, while (EURO)800,000 ($1,200,440) were granted to Kercher's two brothers and sister each, said the family's lawyer, Francesco Maresca. He said this was only an initial sum. Maresca asked for a total of (EURO)25 million ($38 million) from Knox, Sollecito and Guede, and he said this request would be discussed in a separate civil proceedings.
Kercher's family, however, stressed that they were not expecting to receive any money, but the high compensation was a symbol of the gravity of their crimes.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors depicted Knox as a promiscuous and manipulative she-devil whose personality clashed with her roommate's. They say Knox had grown to hate Kercher.
"It appears clear to us that the attacks on Amanda's character in much of the media and by the prosecution had a significant impact on the judges and jurors and apparently overshadowed the lack of evidence in the prosecution's case against her," the Knox family said in a statement.
In Seattle, Madison Paxton, Knox's friend from the University of Washington, said: "They're convicting a made-up person ... "They they're convicting 'Foxy Knoxy.' That's not Amanda."
Prosecutors argued that on the night of the murder, Knox and Kercher started arguing, and that Knox joined Sollecito and Ivory Coast national Rudy Hermann Guede in brutally attacking and sexually assaulting the Briton under "the fumes of drugs and possibly alcohol."
Guede was convicted previously and sentenced to 30 years. He denies wrongdoing and is appealing.
Knox said Kercher was a friend whose slaying shocked and saddened her.
Defense lawyers maintained there was not enough evidence for a conviction and no clear motive.
The pair also was convicted of illegally carrying a weapon _ the knife _ and of staging a burglary at the house where the murder occurred by breaking a window, supposedly in an effort to sidetrack the investigation.
Knox also was convicted of defaming a Congolese man whom she initially accused of the killing. He was jailed briefly but was later cleared. Knox said during the trial that police pressure led her to initially accuse an innocent man.
___
Associated Press writer Gene Johnson in Seattle contributed to this report.
понедельник, 5 марта 2012 г.
PLUS BUSINESS
arc public toilets shut following leak.
Members of the public are being redirected to the Debenhams department store toilets as a result of the closure.
Centre manager Paul Haynes said the unit above the toilets - H&M - had sprung a leak in its pipework, which was coming into the public toilets. As a result, they had been forced to close the facility.
"We are in the process of sorting out the …
BEEF SELLERS REMAIN SANGUINE IN FACE OF A SCARE.(BUSINESS)
Byline: ALAN WECHSLER Business writer
As officials try to determine the source of what could be the nation's first case of mad cow disease, local meat sellers and restaurateurs said Wednesday they didn't think the news would hurt their business -- or their customers.
``I think it's a nonissue,'' said Mona Golub, spokeswoman for Golub Corp, the Rotterdam-based parent of the 105-store Price Chopper supermarkets chain. The U.S. Department of Agriculture ``has given us no reason to believe this one, isolated incident impacts the meat supply in any way.''
On Tuesday, the USDA said a single slaughtered cow from Washington state was believed diagnosed with …
Other financings of public biotechnology companies: November 2004.
Other Financings Of Public Biotechnology Companies: November 2004 TOTAL: $2,314.04M Company Type Of Number Of Amount (Symbol) (#) Financing Shares, Units Raised Or Warrants (M) (M) Acrongenomics Private 0.4S $1 Inc. (OTC BB: placement of AGNM) stock Active Biotech Private N/A SEK150 AB (Sweden; placement of (US$21.4) SSE:ACTI) convertible debentures American Private 6S and $6 Oriental placement of 9W Bioengineering stock and Inc. (China; warrants OTC BB:AOBO) Amgen Inc. Private N/A $2,000 (AMGN) placement of notes Australian Rights issue ND A$4 Cancer (US$3) Technology Ltd. (Australia; ASX:ACU) Cell Genesys Private N/A $35 Inc. (CEGE) placement of convertible notes Dyadic Private ND $25.3 International placement of Inc. (OTC BB: stock DYAD) Elite Private 0.517S and $6.6 Pharmaceuticals placement of 5.17W Inc. (AMEX:ELI) preferred stock and warrants Genaera Corp. Private 4.18S $14.4 (GENR) placement of stock Genaissance Private 3.55S and $6 Pharmaceuticals placement of 3.55W Inc. …
North Korea May Be Backing Off Showdown
SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea showed signs Friday it could be backing away from its nuclear showdown with the world, even as it staged a show of domestic support in Pyongyang, where tens of thousands gathered to laud the country's first atomic test.
Coming under united international pressure, Kim Jong Il reportedly apologized for the Oct. 9 nuclear detonation and said he wouldn't test any more bombs.
That doesn't mean Kim can afford to show any weakness to a home crowd who live in an officially enforced siege mentality and are long accustomed to blaming their desperate living conditions on outside forces - mainly the United States.
"No matter how the U.S. …
Smart cars from Mercedes coming to the United States
Mercedes-Benz confirmed last week that it will introduce its Smartline of small cars, now just in European and Asian markets, to theUnited States in 2006.
Smart's small, quirky designs overseas are well suited to the tinyparking spaces in crowded European and Japanese cities. In the UnitedStates, the line could broaden Mercedes' reach beyond prestige carsand answer BMW's Mini.
The iconic European Smart is a two-door, 8-foot-long two-seatercalled Fortwo. Two Fortwo Smarts can fit legally nose-to-curb intoone standard European parking space, and the car gets 60 miles to thegallon. The first U.S. model, though, will be a small …
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