McDonalds restaurants are fighting back against thieves by blasting suspected robbers with an invisible DNA spray as they attempt to flee.
The spray, which remains on the suspect's skin for two weeks and on clothes for up to six months, has been introduced in some of the chain's busiest NSW stores, including those at Parramatta, Granville, Auburn, Lidcome, Kingsford and Wollongong, reported The Daily Telegraph.
If the SelectaDNA "forensic marking" spray proves successful in apprehending bandits, McDonald's will introduce the system across all its 780 Australian outlets.
Developed in the United Kingdom by a police officer and a chemist, the spray has been used by McDonald's outlets in Britain and Europe.
Each outlet keeps the details of its distribution a close secret, but one McDonald's restaurant in The Netherlands installed above the main door an orange device which was electronically linked to a panic alarm system. Staff could activate the device in an emergency.
"Once there has been a security breach, the hi-tech spray unit will douse fleeing robbers with an invisible, synthetic DNA solution," McDonald's Australia's chief restaurant support officer, Jackie McArthur, said.
"The solution is invisible to the naked eye and unique to each location. It stays on clothing for up to six months and on skin for up to two weeks."
Using a UVA light, police can see the markings left by the system and link the offender back to the scene.
The spray contains a synthetic DNA strand composed of 60 variable chromosomes, said SelectaDNA director David Morrissey.
"SelectaDNA is non-toxic, non-allergenic and perfectly safe to deploy. It meets all Australian standards," he said.
Theft is a serious problem for fast-food outlets such as McDonald's, which has high cash turnover, multiple entry and exit points and more than 85,000 staff who often work through the night at truck-stops and other remote places.
In a single week in September, two hold-ups occurred at a McDonald's outlet at Merrylands in Sydney's west.
"Crime can occur anywhere at any time, which is why our extensive safety and security protocols are in place at every restaurant throughout the entire day," Ms McArthur said.
"These locations are some of our busiest, so it makes sense to try out the new technology here."
"McDonald's already has a range of security measures, including CCTV, strict security protocols, intensive training, and consultative working relationships with local police."
This is the first time the system will be used in Australia, and although its marketers claim an "85 per cent crime reduction" rate, the proof of its worth is not yet clear.
SelectaDNA trades on a "DNA fear factor" claiming the system is more about prevention than arrests.
Scores of law-enforcement agencies in the UK, including Surrey Police, have handed out the spray kits so residents can mark their property, and it has been widely used by schools and businesses. Whatever shall we do when this stuff mutates and comes to life?
Posted by: Super Hose ||
01/09/2012 18:15 Comments ||
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#2
Thanks for the tip. Now all I have to do after robbing a McDonald's is to be sure to change and burn my clothes. And lie low for two weeks.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia ||
01/09/2012 18:30 Comments ||
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#3
"The spray contains a synthetic DNA strand composed of 60 variable chromosomes, said SelectaDNA director David Morrissey."
That sentence doesn't make sense. Either the SelectaDNA director or the reporter doesn't have the slightest idea what the terms 'DNA strand' and 'chromosome' actually mean.
"Using a UVA light, police can see the markings left by the system and link the offender back to the scene."
So they can sequence these specifically coded DNA strands using a UVA lamp only? No PCR needed?
Jacob Volkmann admits hes trying to make a name for himself as a fighter. The problem is its getting him in trouble at his other job.
Following a fight last Friday, the 31-year old White Bear Lake man was being interviewed by Joe Rogan. Volkmann told Rogan that President Obama should call him to schedule a glass-ectomy. Rogan then asked what a glass-ectomy is.
A glass-ectomy is when you cut your bellybutton out and put a piece of glass in there so when you have your head up your butt you can see where youre going. Volkmann said.
The White Bear Lake School District apparently was not amused. Volkmann, whos an assistant wrestling coach for White Bear Lake, said the district put him on paid administrative leave.
I thought it was kind of a funny joke, it was meant for humor, Volkmann said. And the school took it the wrong way. I'm guessing that the Secret Service will show up with a six-pack of beer and a slap on the back.
#1
I don't understand this. Jacob stands sweaty, and victorious. Adrenaline, sarotonin and teststoterone pumping through his veins. Handed a microphone he decides to speak about Obama.
Maybe he should have thanked his mom.
The joke was sort of funny - I asked my wife for a second opinion, but did not directly relate to his performance. Glad to see that he doesn't hold a teaching position.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
01/09/2012 18:36 Comments ||
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A Madison man with an unusual name is in jail after police said he violated his bail conditions from a previous run-in with the law. Probably thought they'd never figure out that he had changed his name.
Thirty-year-old Beezow Doo-Doo Zopittybop-Bop-Bop is tentatively charged with carrying a concealed knife, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and a probation violation after his arrest Thursday. He remained in jail as of Sunday. Jail records don't list a bail amount or an attorney for him. Odd. With a name like that you think he'd have posted bail out of his wallet by now. The Capital Timesreports he was arrested after residents complained of excessive drinking and drug use near Reynolds Park. Seems to me that this may not be the first time he may have drunk excessively.
Court records show his previous name was Jeffrey Drew Wilschke, and he legally changed it to Beezow Doo-Doo Zopittybop-Bop-Bop in October. He was arrested in another Madison park last April after police found a loaded handgun in his backpack. That ain't nuthin'. Wait until Uncle Remus hears about this. I doubt his bluebird is going to be all too happy about this.
This will make it more difficult for Nigeria to respond to the problems in the north. A paralyzed country can't protect its people and smack down the terrorists.
LAGOS, Nigeria - Nigerian lawmakers on Sunday turned against the presidents decision to end government fuel subsidies that kept gasoline prices low, just ahead of a planned labor strike that could paralyze Africas most populous nation.
Meeting in an emergency session, Nigerias House of Representatives shouted down supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan as they voted for a resolution calling on him to restore subsidies that cost the country about $8 billion a year. But their moves failed to mollify unions organizing the strike set to start Monday.
There exists a 1 percent cabal. It is upon this plank and premise the executive seeks to remove the subsidy, said Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, a member of the opposition party Action Congress of Nigeria. This cabal and their associates represent perhaps the biggest economic and financial crime in the history of Nigeria.
Gas prices have risen from $1.70 per gallon (45 cents per liter) to at least $3.50 per gallon (94 cents per liter) since the subsidy ended Jan. 1 at Jonathans order. That spurred a spike in prices for food and transportation across a nation of more than 160 million people where most live on less than $2 a day.
In response, two major unions have said they will carry out a strike Monday, despite a court order restraining them from it. That sets up a situation similar to one faced by the OPEC member nation in 2003, when strikers over eight days attacked shops that remained open, took over air traffic control towers and cut into oil production in a country vital to U.S. energy supplies.
Already, activists have begun a loose-knit group of protests called Occupy Nigeria, inspired by those near Wall Street in New York. Their anger extends beyond just the fuel subsidy to the governments weak response to ongoing violence in Nigeria by a radical Muslim sect that killed at least 510 people last year, according to an Associated Press count. Protesters also remain angered by decades of corruption that has seen billions of oil dollars stolen by politicians as electricity and clean drinking water remain scarce.
During Sundays session, televised live from the capital Abuja across the country, even members of Jonathans ruling Peoples Democratic Party spoke out against him. Others said the fuel subsidy removal came without their knowledge, signaling Jonathans administration moved unilaterally on an issue now dividing the country.
Some lawmakers also said the fuel subsidy removal could lead to a revolution like those that swept across some Middle Eastern countries last year.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/09/2012 00:00 ||
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What's not to like?
They're paying the same for gas as the rest of the world now.
Oh BOO HOO SUE.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
01/09/2012 10:54 Comments ||
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Nigeria's per capita income is about $2750 / year. When gas prices more than double, it results in food prices that soar beyond the ability of people to pay, in an inability of kids to go to school etc.
The country is a major oil producer whose oil revenues have not enriched the populace - a fact that Islamicists have been trying to exploit for some time. Up until now the gas subsidies have helped damp down resentment over that fact - ending them plays well into the hands of those groups.
[Iran Press TV] On the 179 anniversary of the British occupation of the Malvinas islands, Argentina's Foreign Ministry has once again underscored the Latin American country's illusory sovereignty over the archipelago.
"On January 1833, the Malvinas Islands were occupied by British forces that evicted the Argentine authorities and inhabitants that were legitimately living there," Argentina's Foreign Ministry stated in a communiqué. Following the eviction of Argentine people, British citizens were migrated to the islands.
Britannia and Argentina fought a devastating 74-day war in 1982 on the islands that ended with Argentine forces withdrawing from the archipelago. During the clash, 649 Argentine forces, 255 British troops, and 3 civilians, caught in the crossfire, bit the dust.
Britannia illegally occupied the islands, located 250 nautical miles off Argentinean coasts, in 1833.
"This illegitimate action is being increased by the presence of a military base established in the South Atlantic," the statement said.
The communiqué added that the "region has unanimously rejected the military presence of the British in the South Atlantic and has showed its concern over the unilateral activities."
Argentina's Foreign Ministry called for the resumption of negotiations with the UK to find a solution to the dispute and end "an anachronistic situation, incompatible with the evolution of the current post colonial world."
Posted by: Fred ||
01/09/2012 00:00 ||
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#1
The best refutation of these claims can be found in this PDF
I sum up the conclusions:
(1) The 17th and 18th-century treaties between Britain and Spain did not prohibit British possession of the Falklands.
(2) The Argentinians have quoted the 1771 Anglo-Spanish agreement incorrectly. The agreement as finally signed preserves the claims of both Spain and Britain, not Spain alone. There was no secret promise by Britain to evacuate the Falklands after the restitution of Port Egmont.
(3) The Argentinians and Professor Dolzer have incorrectly described the history of the 1820s in the Falklands. David Jewett did claim the Falklands then for Argentina, but he had not been sent there. He did not attempt to apply fishing regulations, or Argentine laws, or tell any foreign ships to leave. His claim was not announced formally in Argentina or even mentioned in his report. Professor Dolzer has also incorrectly described the activities of Pablo Areguati in the Falklands in 1824. Areguati was never given any official rank, nor did he attempt to enforce Argentine law or fishing regulations. It was all he could do to survive himself, and his expedition collapsed after a few weeks. Britain did object promptly when Louis Vernet was given an official title in 1829. Professor Dolzers assumption
that Argentina did establish itself adequately in the islands in the early 1820s is based, as we have shown, on a profound distortion of history.
(4) Argentinas claim that the 1825 Treaty of Friendship and Navigation with Britain supports its claim to the Falklands is incorrect. There was no one from Argentina in the Falklands at that time, and the Treaty does not describe Argentine territory at all.
(5) The Argentine claim that Britain expelled an Argentine population from the Falklands in 1833 is false; the settlement continued, and most of its inhabitants were from Buenos Aires.
(6) Argentina did not inherit a unitary claim to the Falklands from Spain, and its claim is further weakened by the lack of foreign recognition in the 19th century and by Louis Vernets preference for
British sovereignty.
(7) Argentina dropped its claim to the Falklands by ratifying the Convention of Settlement in 1850. The failure to mention that this ended Argentinas claim to the Falklands is a gross distortion of history, as
are the statements by Argentine historians that the British Foreign Secretary accepted in 1849 that the matter was pending or postponed the reverse is true. After 1850 Argentina dropped all protests to Britain over the Falklands, and did not mention the Falklands to Britain for 34 years. The dropping
of the Argentine claim was confirmed by Argentine leaders in their Messages to Congress in the 1860s, and the Falklands were not mentioned in any Message to Congress for 91 years until 1941.
(8) The Argentine claim was artificially revived in 1884, by non-diplomatic means the Affair of the Map but after failing to change Britains position Argentina dropped the matter again for several decades.
(9) The Argentinians have never had a valid claim to South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. These islands were only claimed by Argentina after the Second World War, after decades of acquiescence and after acknowledgement of Britains sovereignty there.
(10) The Argentine argument that Islanders have no right to self-determination is absurd. They have the same rights as any other immigrant population of the New World.
Posted by: European Conservative ||
01/09/2012 0:49 Comments ||
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#2
If Argentina decides to take the Falklands, who will stop them? No one, as far as I can see. Doesn't matter if their claims mean anything.
#3
We discussed this recently, Glenmore. The Brits have a small military contingent on the islands that include a few Typhoon attack aircraft, and they maintain a frigate in the region. They may also keep a submarine nearby.
The more I read, the more it appears that the Argentine military could not stage a taking of the islands today. Their ability to project military force is severely limited.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/09/2012 7:43 Comments ||
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#4
European Conservative, you can quote all the rational and legal reasons you want but we are talking about a Latin American nation. They tend to be emotionally based (thus the inevitable third world status).
#5
The more the Argentine Govt talks about the Falklands, the more I suspect that the govt needs to distract the Argentine people from serious problems at home. The junta tried that in the 80s.
#6
Yup, I think that's the plan here. The Argentine military doesn't have the leadership and wherewithal to launch an operation on the Falklands. The last decade they've been hip-deep in UN peacekeeping duties. While that keeps them from plotting coups, it doesn't lend itself to offensive military operations.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/09/2012 9:23 Comments ||
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#7
SteveW, I agree Great Britain CAN prevent Argentina from taking & holding the Falklands, but I question whether they have the WILL to do so, especially without much support from the US. And while I also agree that - at the moment - the Argentines are posturing for internal political purposes, that kind of posturing too often gets out of hand and shooting starts.
#8
We were in Stanley last February. The Brits have a garrison of 1,500 troops a number of combat aircraft, choppers, light armor.
I can't see Argentina risking any kind of military confrontation. They could, of course, but hard to see it from my perspective and I used to live in Argentina back in the early 90's.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
01/09/2012 10:21 Comments ||
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#9
Look, I'm sure the sheep ranchers are very attached to the place, but let's face it - there's nothing there worth fighting over. It's a cold, dreary pit.
#11
yep to several of the above:
1) posturing to cover up their hyperinflation 24% (unofficial) vs the 9% the Fernandez government quotes as the official rate.
2) oil in the seabed around the Falklands
Posted by: Frank G ||
01/09/2012 12:12 Comments ||
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#12
I am resisting the urge to point out just how much of the rest of the UK is cold and dreary.
#17
Biggest benificiary of a UK war with Argentina = Manchester United.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
01/09/2012 19:05 Comments ||
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#18
A number of Latin American countries have some kind of limited trade embargo on the Falklands. I wonder if that's a highly permeable (i.e. dependent on the greasing of palms) embargo and if it's having any real effect on the locals.
#19
Rise of the BRICS [Mercusor Bloc], + "weak/
declining US" = "weak/declining Britain",
means or infers econ troubled UK = econ troubled USA = the UK in the end will withdraw from the Malvinas + South Atlantic just like the US will ultimat strategically retreat across Asia-Pacific vee China.
ANALYSTS = opine that the letter "I" in BRIC may better stand for MUSLIM INDONESIA, NOT INDIA.
ALL THINGS EQUAL, WHAT PART OF ARGENTINA WILL BE THEIR = SOUTH AMERICA'S EQUIVALENT OF CHINA'S XINJIANG, + AFPAK on the border???
#20
Argentinians are prideful people. Especially the wealthy. The economic situation is bad at this time. Even for Brazil things are slowing down. I believe it is more a war of words. Cattle, horses, cowboys, polo, and pampas grass. OOPS! and the rebirth of the Tango among the youth. I would suggest a joint venture. So both may share in the wealth. Like Cyprus and Israel. To "Calm their natural resentment and curb any natural reprisals that they might so easily contemplate".
The China Post news staff--A deceased Republic of China (R.O.C.) military officer will get a U.S. Meritorious Service Medal posthumously for contributing to closer military ties between Taiwan and the United States, reported the United Evening News yesterday.
The late Col. Fan Chia-jung, who worked at the Military Intelligence Division of the R.O.C. Army, will be the first R.O.C. military officer to receive such an honor since Taiwan and the United States severed diplomatic ties in 1978.
Fan's widow Lee Chia-ling will receive the medal today on his behalf. The medal will be presented by representatives of the American Institute in Taiwan, the evening paper reported, citing the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
A graduate of the Chung Cheng Armed Forces Preparatory School and the R.O.C. Military Academy, Fan went on to attend the Virginia Military Institute and graduated second place from his class in 1992. He then studied business at Georgetown University and also got a degree from the U.S. National Defense University.
From 2008 to 2010, Fan worked as the Taiwan Deputy Army Section Chief of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the United States, performing the functions associated with a military attache. It was his efforts and service during this period that greatly contributed to further understanding between Taiwan and the United States and that got him the Meritorious Service Medal.
According to the certificate that accompanied the medal, in his capacity as the Taiwan Deputy Army Section Chief, Fan coordinated visits by the Taiwan Chief of the General Staff and Vice Minister of Defense and facilitated three Defense Policy Talks, which enhanced the level of cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. Army.
Fan was remembered by his classmates as a industrious and dedicated student. He always studied until the middle of the night, and while at the Virginia Military Institute, his grade was just a hair's breadth away from being first in class, recalled a military officer surnamed Yu who went to the school with Fan.
During his service at TECRO, he developed close working relations with officials from other embassies in Washington and was a well-known figure in D.C.'s diplomatic corps, the evening paper reported. His suavity and sociable personality impressed many in the U.S. military, the paper said.
Fan is survived by his wife Lee, who is working at a military school, and a son. He died about a year ago, due to what MND said was leukemia. Yet his friends revealed that he died of complications from surgery at the Tri-Service Military Hospital, the paper reported. What is this Tri-Service Military Hospital?
Meanwhile, the AIT's bestowing of the honor on Fan has raised the eyebrows of local experts, who expressed interest in the timing of the United States doing so in the lead-up to the presidential election this Saturday.
This was the second time in recent days Washington has expressed friendly gestures toward Taiwan. A few days ago the United States was revealed to have briefed the National Security Committee on President Barack Obama's Defense Strategic Guidance. I'm even more clueless than usual here. Why is Obean reaching out to Taiwan? In any case, I thought we already had a pretty decent relationship.
#1
I suspect that he provided some valuable service to US counterintelligence.
"Fan worked as the Taiwan Deputy Army Section Chief of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the United States, performing the functions associated with a military attache."
Drinkers should have at least two alcohol-free days each week, a committee of British MPs has recommended.
Attempting to change the culture? Good luck with that.
Gee, it worked so well in old Soviet Union...
The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee also called for a review of safe drinking guidelines but ruled out any increase in drinking limits.
"Alcohol guidelines are a crucial tool for government in its effort to combat excessive and problematic drinking:" committee chair Andrew Miller said.
"Unfortunately, public understanding of how to use the guidelines and what an alcohol unit looks like is poor, although improving.
"While we urge the UK health departments to re-evaluate the guidelines more thoroughly, the evidence we received suggests that the guidelines should not be increased and that people should be advised to take at least two drink-free days a week," he said. Yeah, that will happen in Europe and the UK. Try this in Ireland and you will have a full blown riot.
Posted by: Yosemite Sam ||
01/09/2012 10:32 Comments ||
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#3
Heck, I'll go five days a week, on that basis. Still leaves 48 hours over a week for intake. I might be ... influenced for a few more hours, though.
Posted by: Bobby ||
01/09/2012 13:01 Comments ||
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#4
Try this in Ireland and you will have a full blown riot.
Aah yes! as they say in the Old Sod:
What keeps me here is the reek of beer, the ladies and the craic
#7
I think the problem is that so many people are ticked that they missed the chance to sign up for the research study.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
01/09/2012 18:45 Comments ||
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#8
Hey doc does that mean I can do drugs for four days and women and song on the last day. OK, OK, OK, how about just giving up the song?. Wait; I know, I will not drink for seven days in a row every week from now on. That way I can drink every night. Now that's what I call being pragmatic.
[Pak Daily Times] The former head of Turkey's armed forces, General Ilker Basbug, should be tried in the Supreme Court if he is charged with plotting to overthrow the government, his lawyer told Reuters.
Lawyer Ilkay Sezer said late on Saturday that Basbug had worked in tandem with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party government for seven years and he was stunned by the belated accusations against him. "There has been no allegation of a crime until now, that is one and a half years following his retirement. He says it is beyond his comprehension," Sezer told Reuters.
Sezer said any indictment should be framed by the Supreme Court of Appeals and the case heard by Turkey's top court. Basbug, military chief of staff from 2008-2010, was sent to Silivri prison, outside Istanbul, on Friday after an Istanbul court ordered he be remanded in custody while the prosecution completed its investigation and prepared formal charges. Sezer said he was appealing against the custody order. Military chiefs were once regarded as the most powerful men in Turkey after a series of coups in the late 20th century but since coming to power in 2002 Erdogan's government has introduced reforms that considerably reduced the influence of the generals.
Although hundreds of officers have been detained over the past year suspected of involvement in alleged plots against the government, the action against Basbug stunned many Turks. There were small pro-military protests in the cities of Bursa, Mersin and Afyon on Saturday, involving a couple of hundred people, according to newspaper reports. The protesters carried Turkish flags and banners that read "Not a submissive, but resistant army" and "Army and people, hand in hand".
The secularist military has a history of tension with the AK due to the party's roots, although the party shuns the Islamist label and describes itself as socially conservative. The case against Basbug centres on websites spreading propaganda against Erdogan's government that the military was accused of running until 2008. Several of Basbug's subordinates have been indicted. No formal charges have yet been laid against Basbug. The retired chief is also accused of leading a gang of anti-government conspirators.
The case is linked to Ergenekon, an alleged ultra-nationalist network police say they first unearthed in 2007. Hundreds of people have been jailed in the investigation, including journalists, academics, lawyers and military officers. "We, and many jurists, claim that if there is a need for a separate indictment, this should be done by the Supreme Court of Appeals and if a trial is required, then it should be held by Supreme Council," Sezer said. The Constitutional Court also functions as the Supreme Criminal Court to hear cases brought against the country's highest officials for crimes related to their official duties.
One of Erdogan's four deputy prime ministers, Bulent Arinc said on Saturday he hoped the legal process would be speedy and distanced the government from the case. "I hope the court process on Basbug is completed as soon as possible," Arinc said. "Nobody has the luxury to commit crimes in Turkey, and the judiciary is independent."
Posted by: Fred ||
01/09/2012 00:00 ||
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I think there needs to be another word for when "reforms" amount to "stealing power".
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/09/2012 9:25 Comments ||
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Claire Berlinski has been covering these Ergenekon cases for the past few months at http://ricochet.com/main-feed. The whole situation is pretty lunatic.
Posted by: Eric Jablow ||
01/09/2012 18:14 Comments ||
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A ban on luxury spas at hotels and massage parlors in the Maldives has been lifted under pressure from the country's tourism industry a week after it was imposed as part of an effort to curb vice. President Mohammed Nasheed said, "We have lifted the ban and all the services will be available for tourists. We wanted to give confidence to tourists."
Nasheed had ordered the ban in response to demands by the main opposition party which claimed the spas and parlours were fronts for prostitution and led to the spread of drugs and alcohol to locals. But former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's said the Progressive Party of the Maldives never asked for a ban. He claimed it really targeted leisure businesses owned by some opposition members.
[Pak Daily Times] Around 77 percent of honour killing cases ended in acquittal of the accused, a pilot study on "Honour Killing in Pakistain and Compliance of Law" revealed.
The study report was launched by Aurat Foundation's Legislative Watch Programme for Women Empowerment, stressing the need for a consolidated plan of action to ensure implementation of the law against honour killing.
The author of the report, Maliha Zia, said that lack of data from courts, categorisation of First Information Reports (FIRs) and reluctance of the people to comment on honour killings were the main reasons affecting the implementation of the law.
The study showed that a lot of cases were highlighted in the media but were not reported with the police, and even if registered, not classified as honour killing.
The language used in the FIRs was not gender sensitive, she said, adding that courts usually gave decisions against the victims by using the provision of 'grave and sudden provocation'. Maliha said that another factor which hindered the compliance of law was the fact that most of the 'honour' crimes were committed by family members, the `unwillingness' of the family to lose another family member ended most of the cases in forced compromise.
She said the institutions concerned also lacked the commitment for implementation of the law. Commenting on the implementation of the law, Aurat Foundation Chief Operating Officer Naeem Ahmed Mirza stressed the need to look into the hurdles in the implementation of the law against honour killings, which was passed in 2004.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/09/2012 00:00 ||
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#1
Seems like a country shouldn't need a law against lynching women famliy members in 2004. Kind of mystifies me like when my folks seperated our baby gerbils from their mother so that she wouldn't eat them. You kind of wonder how the species will survive.
China's One Child Policy being mixed its social policy of gender selective abortions is also a head scratcher for me. They are now short of women. Who'd have thunk?
Maybe somebody should found an NGO to provide low caliber hand-guns to women in Pakistan.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
01/09/2012 19:20 Comments ||
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#2
Considering the "people" and "government" involved, I'm surprised it's not 100%.
Where'd they slip up?
Posted by: Barbara ||
01/09/2012 21:52 Comments ||
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[Dawn] The PML-N will be divided into more factions once its politicians resigned from assemblies, says senior federal minister and PML-Q Punjab president Pervaiz Elahi.
"I ask Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... to play the card of resigning from assemblies then see how many factions emerge in his party (PML-N)," Mr Elahi said while talking to his party's politicians, ticket-holders and officials from Faislabad Division at the State Guest House here on Saturday.
Mr Elahi said the Sharifs lacked wisdom required to do politics in opposition. "The Sharifs always did politics while they were in power. They can't do politics in opposition and during the period they even cannot keep their party united," Mr Elahi added.
He said the Sharifs were facing political isolation as those who closed doors for others in politics remained isolated like them (Sharifs).
The former chief minister said had Shahbaz Sharif not stopped work on his 2020 vision, the Punjab province would have become a welfare state by now.
He said the PML-N was the main reason behind spread of corruption in Punjab as its chief minister had failed to check it.
He also deplored the poor law and order situation in the province.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/09/2012 00:00 ||
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MANILA: The Philippines has protested to China over three Chinese vessels that allegedly intruded into its waters last month, in the latest flaring of tensions over disputed South China Sea regions.
This is part of the dispute over the Spratly islands. They're small enough to be insignificant except for all the oil under them and the sea around them. That and historical hegemony is enough for China to lay claim to the whole South China Sea.
The Philippine government expressed its serious concerns to the Chinese Embassy after the three vessels, including a Chinese navy ship, were sighted near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea on Dec. 11 and 12, Foreign Secretary Alberto del Rosario said Sunday.
Regional military commander Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban said a Philippine navy patrol ship and an air force plane kept watch from a distance until the Chinese vessels left the countrys territorial waters.
The three vessels apparently came from the Chinese-occupied Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands then cruised into Philippine waters on their way back to China as part of a regular shifting of forces, he said.
We were watching them. They did not drop anchor or unload construction materials and appeared to be just passing through, Sabban told The Associated Press.
In Beijing, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told the official Xinhua News Agency that the situation in the South China Sea is peaceful and stable. China will always opt for negotiations to peacefully resolve disputes on some islands ... and the demarcation of parts of the sea, Liu said.
Claimants should set aside the disputes and pursue common development ahead of a solution, Liu said, reiterating that outside forces should not meddle in the conflicts. China has repeatedly warned the US not to intervene in the disputes.
A strong US president would offer to buy one of the islands from the Philippines or Vietnam. One that is just big enough for an airstrip, a small harbor and a Marine battalion...
Del Rosario said the new Chinese intrusions violated a 2002 accord between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that discourages claimant countries to the South China Seas disputed Spratly Islands from taking aggressive steps that could ignite tension or confrontations.
China, the Philippines and four other claimants have long been locked in a tense dispute over potentially oil- and gas-rich South China Sea territories, including the Spratlys. Many fear the region could be Asias next flashpoint for conflict.
The Philippines and Vietnam separately accused Chinese vessels of repeatedly intruding into Spratlys areas under their control and sabotaging oil explorations in their regular territorial waters in the first six months of last year. China denied the claims and reiterated its sovereignty over most of the South China Sea.
Amid the disputes, the Philippines turned to the United States, a defense-treaty ally, to strengthen its underfunded military, one of Asias weakest. The Philippine navy relaunched an old US Coast Guard cutter as its biggest warship last month to guard its waters near the Spratlys.
President Benigno Aquino III and other top Philippine officials plan to travel to the United States this year to seek two more ships and a squadron of F-16 jets, according to del Rosario.
Which we should offer to sell or lease to them. Problem is, the more the Philippines put into this, the less they have to fight the terrorists in the south.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/09/2012 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
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#1
"Historical hegemony" is a claim the Japanese could make as well - just more recent history.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
01/09/2012 19:25 Comments ||
Top||
#2
As wid any rising "Great Power" in antiquity, "post-US" wannabe China wants potent, iff not dominant, overseas power + influence, i.e. OVERSEAS PLA AIR, NAVAL [Space?] MILBASES + GARRISONS.
As things stand, DESPITE MINOR PROGRESS ITS MAINLY NOT GETTING IT VEE THE "FIRST ISLAND CHAIN", TO INCLUD THE IOR.
I don't foresee Rising China making any kind of partial or major territorial concessions ala the South China Sea unless ITS ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGNTY + REUNIFICATION WID TAIWAN IS ASSURED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, + TAKES PLACE IN THE NEAR-TERM.
As its PLA + economy is still modernizing, Beijing will likely "tolerate" the passage of foreign military forces in + around the disputed China-claimed SCS, but the PLA will always be there, returning again + again + again, etc. until the day Beijing decides it is ready for a de facto shooting war.
Lest we fergit, CHINA MIL BLOGGERS = argue that MANILA = PHILIPPINES IS A WEAK + FAILED/FAILING STATE, + THAT IT SHOULD EITHER BECOME A DPRK-STYLE VASSAL STATE OF CHINA, OR ELSE GIVE ITS NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY + BECOME AN OVERSEAS PROVINCE OF CHINA.
#3
CHINA is repor dismissing the Philippines claims of illegal intrusion as "baseless", arguing that the Sabina Shoal has a CHINESE NAME + CHINESE HISTORICITY ERGO CHINA'S SHIPS, PLA OR OTHER, CAN VISIT OR PATROL CHINESE TERRITORY AT ANY TIME.
In more SINA/CINA NEWS, ...
* DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > CHINA MINISTRY OF DEFENSE WARNS US TO BE "CAREFUL" IN MILITARY REFOCUS.
* CHINA DAILY FORUM > POSTER OPED = CHINA'S NEW GOAL: STRIKE ANYWHERE IN EARTH IN 24 HOURS OR LESS.
IOW, China + PLA should copy US PROMPT GLOBAL STRIKE + BMD, in response to new US Asia-Pacific strategy emphasizing China + Iran as LT security threats to the US.
* SAME > CHINA FACES LEHMAN-STYLE BANKING MELTDOWN, as due to massive, internal Govt. corruption, mismanagement + ditto Govt-Public Debt worth Y$531.0Bilyuhn = US$84.0Bilyuhn.
* SAME > CHINA'S PROVINCIAL DEBT REACHING CRISIS POINT.
* SAME > IS CHINA THE NEXT [troubled] EU?
* CHINESE MILITARY FORUM > CHINA LOCAL GOVT. DEBT "THREATENS [national] ECONOMY".
* BHARAT RAKSHAK > CHINESE PRESIDENT HU JINTAO WARNS OF [divisive = destabilizing] CULTURAL WARFARE BY WEST AGZ CHINA.
versus
* CHINESE MILITARY FORUM > CHINA SAYS LOCAL GOVTS. CLEAN UP SOME DEBT IRREGULARITIES, i.e. just less than 1/2 of abovementioned Y$531.0Bilyuhn = US$84.0Bilyuhn arreared debt.
* SAME > CHINA CONSIDERING SETTING UP ENERGY "SUPER-MINISTRY", + CHINA BADLY NEEDS ENERGY INDEPENDENCE.
As per GWCC + 1960's-1970's GUAM TAOTAMONAS = YEEEEUUUUUUPPPP, YESSIRREE, YOU BETCHA.
Once again, our mighty PRE OWG-NWO = FUTURE OWG-NWO = SPACE GOVT-ORDER GOVT, PERT CONSENSUS ON "PEAK ENERGY/RESOURCES", INCLUD BUT NOT LIMITED TO "PEAK OIL-GAS", ETC. IS THAT THERE IS NO CONSENSUS.
Given the above, CHINA + other WORLD STATES are better off doing their own independent analyses+ review of CURRENT + FUTURE NATIONAL, GLOBAL RESERVES.
BEIJING, etal. = can end up like the US + NASA = DEPEND + RELY ON THE RUSSIANS TO TELL THE MAINSTREAM + MEDIAS + WORLD ABOUT E.G. INCOMING SPACE ROCKS???
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