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FOX News analyst Andrea Tantaros speaks at Kuehne Speaker Series on the UNT campus in Dallas, Texas, on May 12, 2015. Photos by Michael Clements.
NASCAR AMERICA -- Pictured: (l-r) Steve Letarte, Analyst, Jeff Burton; Analyst, Rick Allen, Lead Announcer -- (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC Sports)
Day 4 of 2017 Mid-Season Invitational Group Stage at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 13 May 2017.
An analyst of Goldman Sachs explains how Virtual Reality will explode. Instead of flopping like it did in the 90’s.
Reason? Technology…
Nobody remembers the Nintendo Virtual Boy or Virtuality arcade machines. That’s because in the 90’s there weren’t powerful m...
thevexit.com/news/goldman-sachs-analyst-about-virtual-rea...
FOX News analyst Andrea Tantaros speaks at Kuehne Speaker Series on the UNT campus in Dallas, Texas, on May 12, 2015. Photos by Michael Clements.
From: www.connectedaction.net
Connections among the Twitter users who appear on Valdis Kreb's network-analysts Twitter list when queried on February 21, 2011 scaled by numbers of followers.
NodeXL is available from www.codeplex.com/nodexl
The book, Analyzing social media networks with NodeXL: Insights from a connected world, is available from Morgan Kaufmann and from Amazon.
Looking for the best and effective media analyst solutions? Let Media Track help you. Our first rate media analysts manually select or rate articles, translate contents, send SMS alerts or more!
Signals Intelligence Analyst Spc. Hannah Brock of the 205th Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, collects and reports signals data during Cyber Blitz 2019. Co-led by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s C5ISR Center and the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command’s Cyber Center of Excellence, Cyber Blitz is an experiment that builds the Army's employment of evolving Cyber-electromagnetic Activities technology across the full spectrum of operations. Cyber Blitz 19, centered at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., was executed in conjunction with U.S. Army Pacific’s Orient Shield Exercise in Japan from Sept. 4-22, 2019. To see more Cyber Blitz video and images and learn more about this year's event, go to www.dvidshub.net/feature/CyberBlitz2019 (Photo by Edric Thompson)
“We do see a slight slowdown in some regions in end- markets, and the main driver for this is China,” Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld said on a conference call with analysts. Chinese demand may pick up at the end of the fourth quarter because of stimulus spending, he said.
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.....item 1).... Habor Aluminum ... www.harboraluminum.com/ ...
> aluminum industry analysis, market outlook & forecasts
> key aluminum news & our comments free!
> aluminum other analysts views
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.....item 2).... Reuters ... www.reuters.com ... Press Release
Hydro and Orkla to form the world's leading aluminium solutions provider
* Reuters is not responsible for the content in this press release.
Mon Oct 15, 2012 1:00am EDT
www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/15/idUS33196+15-Oct-2012+...
Norsk Hydro ASA and Orkla ASA have agreed to combine their respective profiles, building systems and tubing business, creating the world's leading aluminium solutions provider. The new combined company, to be named Sapa, will be a 50/50 joint venture owned by Hydro and Orkla.
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.....item 3).... HELLENIC SHIPPING NEWS - Worldwide ... www.hellenicshippingnews.com ...
Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and International Shipping
Tuesday, 16 October 2012 | 17:43
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Alcoa Cuts Global Aluminum Forecast on China Slowdown
Thursday, 11 October 2012 | 00:00
www.hellenicshippingnews.com/News.aspx?ElementId=582a442a...
Alcoa Inc. (AA), the largest U.S. aluminum producer, cut its forecast for global consumption of the metal by 1 percentage point on slowing Chinese demand, helping to trigger a decline in Asian stocks for a third day.
Demand will climb by 6 percent this year, New York-based Alcoa said yesterday in its third-quarter earnings statement. That’s less than the company’s July prediction for a 7 percent increase in usage.
“We do see a slight slowdown in some regions in end- markets, and the main driver for this is China,” Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld said on a conference call with analysts. Chinese demand may pick up at the end of the fourth quarter because of stimulus spending, he said.
The forecast revision by Alcoa, typically the first company on the Dow Jones Industrial Average to report earnings, comes a day after the International Monetary Fund and Rio Tinto Group, the world’s third-biggest mining company, trimmed their growth outlook estimates for China. Aluminum prices in London touched a 34-month low in August as global supply exceeded demand.
“The global economy is clearly slowing,” Lloyd O’Carroll, a Richmond, Virginia-based analyst for Davenport & Co., said yesterday in an interview. “That’s what the IMF said today and so I think what Alcoa is doing is consistent with that.”
--- Shares Drop
Alcoa traded at 7.02 euros as of 9:38 a.m. in Frankfurt. That’s equivalent to $9.03, a 1.1 percent decline from yesterday’s closing price in New York. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index (MXAP) slipped 0.9 percent at 4:42 p.m. in Tokyo, while Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd., the nation’s biggest producer of the metal, dropped as much as 2.1 percent in Hong Kong.
Demand from heavy-truck and trailer manufacturing will fall this year, Alcoa said. It now sees Chinese truck and trailer output slumping as much as 21 percent, compared with a decline of as much as 8 percent projected three months ago. Chinese can and packaging growth may be 8 percent, down from Alcoa’s July forecast of as much as 20 percent.
The IMF yesterday cut its global growth forecast and lowered its projected expansion for China, the world’s biggest aluminum user, by 0.2 percentage point annually, to 7.8 percent this year and 8.2 percent in 2013. London-based Rio, which has pulled back from projects as sluggish global growth reduced demand for metals, yesterday lowered its estimates for China’s growth to below 8 percent.
--- Net Loss
Alcoa reported a third-quarter net loss of $143 million, or 13 cents a share, compared with net income of $172 million, or 15 cents, a year earlier as sales dropped 9.2 percent. Excluding costs related to environmental remediation and the settlement of a lawsuit brought by Aluminium Bahrain BSC (ALBH), Alcoa had per-share profit of 3 cents. The average of 18 estimates compiled by Bloomberg was for break-even earnings per share.
“We are clearly seeing the impact of a Chinese slowdown globally and it’s indicated in Alcoa’s numbers,” said Nader Naeimi, Sydney-based head of dynamic asset allocation at AMP Capital Investors Ltd., which manages almost $100 billion.
Alcoa reiterated that demand will increase this year in the global aerospace, auto, packaging and construction industries.
The company said it improved productivity across all four business units. Its rolled products business posted the highest ever after-tax operating income and the engineered products and solutions segment had a record margin on earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Total sales fell to $5.83 billion from $6.42 billion, beating the $5.56 billion average of 10 estimates.
--- Civil Suit
Alcoa settled a four-year racketeering lawsuit brought by Aluminium Bahrain, the state-owned smelter known as Alba, both companies said yesterday. Alba’s 2008 civil suit alleged that Alcoa bribed officials in Bahrain to charge more for alumina. Alba said it paid $500 million more than it should have.
Alcoa will pay Alba $85 million in two cash installments and agree to a long-term sales agreement, without admitting liability. Alba said the settlement has a total value of $447 million.
Alcoa, Rio Tinto, Norway’s Norsk Hydro ASA (NHY) and closely held Zeeland Aluminum have cut 1.21 million metric tons of production capacity since mid-2011, according data compiled by Bloomberg.
Aluminum for delivery in three months on the London Metal Exchange averaged $1,950 a ton in the third quarter, 20 percent less than a year earlier. It traded at $2,024 a ton as of 8:47 a.m. local time.
Prices below $2,000 may drive more production cuts, Ken Hoffman, a Bloomberg Industries analyst, said last week.
--- Decoupled Price
Alcoa’s Kleinfeld said that the company predicts global demand will exceed supply by 262,000 tons this year.
The aluminum price is “decoupled” from the supply and demand “fundamentals” of the market, and instead is being influenced by investor concerns about the European debt crisis and the slowdown in China, he said on the call.
“The macro factors are currently dominating the pricing situation,” he said. “But it can reverse very, very quickly.”
Aluminum will average $2,212 a ton next year, according to the median of 22 analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. The metal traded at more than $3,300 in 2008 before the financial crash, and reached a 2011 intraday high of $2,803 a ton.
Alcoa is organized into four segments: alumina, which mines bauxite and processes it into the precursor to aluminum; primary metals, which smelts aluminum; flat-rolled products, which makes sheets used in beverage cans as well as airplane wings and car parts; and engineered products and solutions, which produces aerospace fasteners, turbine blades and truck wheels.
--- Source: Bloomberg
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RCMP ICARS (Integrated Collision Analyst Reconstruction Service)
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Thousands of Thai protesters call for royal reform in biggest gathering since 2014 coup
The Telegraph - 20th September 2020
Thousands of protesters cheered as activists installed a new plaque on Sunday declaring that Thailand "belongs to the people" - the boldest show of defiance in a youth-led movement which has questioned the unassailable monarchy's role in the kingdom.
Thailand has seen near-daily protests for the past two months led by student activists calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, a former army chief who masterminded a 2014 coup.
Demonstrators spent Saturday rallying in Bangkok's historic Sanam Luang field next to the Grand Palace, where organisers took a stronger line on monarchical reform, calling for the royal family to stay out of the kingdom's politics.
Authorities said the demonstration drew 18,000, though AFP reporters on the ground estimated a 30,000-strong crowd at its peak - making it the largest gathering the kingdom has seen since the 2014 coup.
On Sunday at dawn, student activists installed a commemorative "People's Plaque" on the paved area adjacent to Sanam Luang field.
"Down with feudalism, long live the people," shouted protest organiser Parit Chiwarak to the cheering crowd.
The new plaque states the date Sept 20, 2020, followed by the proclamation: "The people have expressed the intention that this country belongs to the people, and not the king."
The movement is pushing frank questioning of the royal family's role in the kingdom into the public - once a taboo topic due to Thailand's draconian royal defamation laws.
The newly installed medallion references the original brass one embedded for decades in the ground of Bangkok's Royal Plaza.
It commemorated the end of royal absolutism in 1932 after a revolution that transitioned the kingdom into a constitutional monarchy.
But it mysteriously disappeared in 2017 - after King Maha Vajiralongkorn took power following the death of his father - replaced with one bearing a reminder for Thais to remain loyal to the "nation, religion, king".
Activists say the missing plaque is emblematic of a wider whitewashing of Thai political history.
Palace officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Organisers had initially planned to march to Government House, but a last-minute change of plans saw protesters move to the Privy Council's office - opposite the Grand Palace - to submit a list of requests.
The highly influential board of royal advisors wields significant influence in Thailand.
Dozens of officers stood guard, alongside water cannon trucks in front of the palace.
The leaderless youth-organised movement, inspired by Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests, is calling for Prayut's government to be dissolved, a rewrite of the 2017 military-scripted constitution, and for authorities to stop "harassing" political opponents.
Some factions within the movement - including the organisers of the weekend demonstrations - have also called for frank discussion of the monarchy.
Their demands include greater accounting of the palace's finances, the abolition of royal defamation laws and a call for the king to remain outside of politics.
The ultra-wealthy King Maha Vajiralongkorn sits at the apex of Thai power, bolstered by a powerful military and conservative establishment.
The monarch spends long periods in Europe, his absence from Thailand raising ire on social media in recent months as the kingdom's economy tumbled due to pandemic closures.
The newly installed plaque in Sanam Luang will be regarded "as an immediate challenge", said analyst Paul Chambers, warning that "the growing acrimony could lead to heightened state violence against protesters".
Prayut has said Thailand would be "engulfed in flames" if the students push too hard, though he vowed "softer measures" against the weekend's protesters.
Since 1932, the military has staged more than a dozen coups following bouts of violent protests - which arch-royalist generals have claimed in the past was necessary to defend the king.
The recent wave of pro-democracy demonstrations have so far been peaceful.
But authorities have arrested more than two dozen activists, charging them with sedition before releasing them on bail.
Analysts at Nestlé’s Quality Assurance Centre in Moga, India, prepare test samples of Maggi noodles for lead analysis. They weigh each sample using an analytical balance, which is placed on an anti-vibration table to ensure accurate readings.
Analyst Doublelift prepares before the series at 2017 NA LCS Spring Finals in the Pacific Coliseum Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on 23 April 2017.
Pentagon Bars Military Officers And Analysts From Testifying
September 21, 2005, Wednesday
By PHILIP SHENON (NYT); National Desk
Late Edition - Final, Section A, Page 15, Column 5, 477 words
select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70F1EF93D540C72...
WHAT ARE THEY HIDING SO MUCH FROM US FOR?
They are covering up the governments lies involving the 911 attacks.
"LOOSE CHANGE" 2nd EDITION
This video will probably be the next Farenheight 911 only this is the real thing and it gets down to the irrefutable meat and potatoes of the Bush admin.'s 911 coverup and complicity in the attacks. www.loosechange911.com/
IF YOU WATCH THIS VIDEO IT WILL MOST LIKELY CHANGE WHAT YOU BELIEVE ABOUT 911: video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8260059923762628848&...
Make up your own story. Any way you look at it. The Bush Administration is the worst thing that has ever happened to America. The things they have done are unprecedented with respect to the control and manipulation of the media and all of our communications.
Everything is, "National Security", "That's Confidential", War Time president special powers, States Secrets Privilege...
- but the biggest threat to National Security is the Bush administration.
IMPEACH BUSH!
Read this interesting Blog post, it gives you a background perspective about
the complexties involved
WHY WE WILL NEVER KNOW THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT ABLE DANGER
CATEGORY: ABLE DANGER
rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2005/08/17/why-we-will-nev...
For More Posts about the Bush Administration visit the Antifluff Superstar Blog:
antifluffsuperstar.blogspot.com/
_____________________________________________________
Here's Jeb Bush's Philosophy on the relevancy of Truth:
"The truth is useless. You have to understand this right now. You can't deposit the truth in a bank. You can't buy groceries with the truth. You can't pay rent with the truth. The truth is a useless commodity that will hang around your neck like an albatross all the way to the homeless shelter. And if you think that the million or so people in this country that are really interested in the truth about their government can support people who would tell them the truth, you got another thing coming. Because the million or so people in this country that are truly interested in the truth don't have any money." Spoken by Jeb Bush in conversation with Retired Naval Intelligence Officer, Al Martin and Cited in Bushwhacked, by Uri Dowbenko, September, 2002
________________________________________________________
**** Here is another important FBI witness who they won't let testify either: Sibel Edmunds, Gag ordered by John Ashcroft.
Synopsis:
'State Secrets Privilege' Not So Rare
August 16, 2005
by William Fisher
(Edmonds, a former Middle Eastern language specialist hired by the FBI shortly after 9/11, was fired in 2002 and filed a lawsuit later that year challenging the retaliatory dismissal. An unclassified public report by the Department of Justice inspector general contains much of the information the department now seeks to block.)
As whistleblower Sibel Edmonds asks the U.S. Supreme
Court to review her dismissed case against the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the mainstream media continues to refer to the government's defense – the so-called state secrets privilege – as "rarely used."
In fact, it has been used over 60 times since its creation in the 1950s.
The state secrets privilege is a series of U.S. legal precedents allowing the federal government to dismiss legal cases that it claims would threaten foreign policy, military intelligence, or national security.
A relic of the Cold War with the then-Soviet Union, it has been invoked several times since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Judges have denied the privilege on only five occasions.
It was used against Sibel Edmonds, a former FBI translator, who was fired in retaliation for reporting security breaches and possible espionage within the Bureau. Lower courts dismissed the case when former Attorney General John Ashcroft invoked the state secrets privilege.
The state secrets privilege was used again in 2002 in the case of Notra Trulock, who launched a defamation suit against Los Alamos scientist Wen Ho Lee, a Taiwanese-American computer scientist who had been charged with stealing nuclear secrets for China from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.
The privilege was first invoked against Sibel Edmonds to prevent her from testifying that the federal government knew that al-Qaeda intended to use airliners to attack the United States in 2001. The case was a $100 trillion action filed in 2002 by 600 victims' families against officials of the Saudi government and prominent Saudi citizens.
Edmonds, a former Middle Eastern language specialist hired by the FBI shortly after 9/11, was fired in 2002 and filed a lawsuit later that year challenging the retaliatory dismissal. An unclassified public report by the Department of Justice inspector general contains much of the information the department now seeks to block.
The report concluded that Edmonds' whistleblower allegations were "the most significant factor" in the FBI's decision to terminate her.
Steven Aftergood, who heads the Project on Government Secrecy for the American Federation of Scientists, told IPS, "Once rarely invoked, the state secrets privilege is now increasingly used by the government as a 'get out of jail free' card to block unwanted litigation."
"The idea that courts cannot handle national security cases involving classified information is simply false," he said. "Classified information often figures in criminal espionage cases, and even occasionally in Freedom of Information Act cases. There are procedures for in camera review, protective orders, nondisclosure agreements, and so on."
He added, "In the same way, sensitive classified information could be protected in the current cases where the state secrets privilege has been invoked – without shutting down the entire proceeding. As a society we should be seeking to expand the rule of law, not to carve out more areas where the government is immune to judicial review."
**LETS ASK GEORGE FROM THE RANCH THIS QUESTION: WHY GEORGE DID YOU LET A NUCLEAR SCIENTIST WHO COMMITTED TREASON GO FREE BY INVOKING THE STATE SECTRETS PRIVALEDGE?
President George W. Bush said national security would be compromised if Trulock were allowed to seek damages from Lee. Though it resulted in the case being dismissed, another suit was launched directly attacking then-FBI Director Louis Freeh for interfering and falsely invoking the state secrets privilege.
Reluctant to go to trial, the government worked out a plea bargain with Lee, who had been imprisoned for 278 days in solitary confinement. Lee pled guilty to improper handling of classified data and was cleared of all charges relating to espionage. Lee was arrested in December 1999 and freed in August 2000.
Barbara Olshansky, the assistant legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, which is representing Arar, said that government lawyers "are saying this case can't be tried, and the classified information on which they're basing this argument can't even be shared with the opposing lawyers. It's the height of arrogance – they think they can do anything they want in the name of the global war on terrorism."
www.antiwar.com/ips/fisher.php?articleid=6958
SE: Look, I think that that [the AIPAC investigation] ultimately involves more than just Israelis – I am talking about countries, not a single country here. Because despite however it may appear, this is not just a simple matter of state espionage. If Fitzgerald and his team keep pulling, really pulling, they are going to reel in much more than just a few guys spying for Israel.
CD: A monster, 600-pound catfish, huh? So the Turkish and Israeli investigations had some overlap?
SE: Essentially, there is only one investigation – a very big one, an all-inclusive one. Completely by chance, I, a lowly translator, stumbled over one piece of it.
But I can tell you there are a lot of people involved, a lot of ranking officials, and a lot of illegal activities that include multi-billion-dollar drug-smuggling operations, black-market nuclear sales to terrorists and unsavory regimes, you name it. And of course a lot of people from abroad are involved. It's massive. So to do this investigation, to really do it, they will have to look into everything.
CD: But you can start from anywhere –
SE: That's the beauty of it. You can start from the AIPAC angle. You can start from the Plame case. You can start from my case. They all end up going to the same place, and they revolve around the same nucleus of people. There may be a lot of them, but it is one group. And they are very dangerous for all of us.
Bush Wielding Secrecy Privilege to End Suits
By Andrew Zajac
The Chicago Tribune
Thursday 03 March 2005
The secrets privilege is an especially powerful weapon because federal judges, reluctant to challenge the executive branch on national security, almost never refuse the government's claim to confidentiality.
FOX News analyst Andrea Tantaros speaks at Kuehne Speaker Series on the UNT campus in Dallas, Texas, on May 12, 2015. Photos by Michael Clements.
Margaret Culbert, a senior defense intelligence analyst for Africa at the Defense Intelligence Agency, talks with Air Force Lt. Col. Chuck Bowes during a seminar discussion at the African Symposium Feb. 1 at the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
Photo by Megan Clugh
The U.S. Army War College dedicated two days to bring together government, civilian and military experts to talk over the issues, challenges and potential success stories for the African continent during a regional symposium Feb. 1-2.
"This symposium was designed to shape and inform the discussion of the complex issues facing the African continent," said Col. Tom Sheperd, U.S. Army War College director of African Studies. "The goal is to provide an exposure to some of the underlying key strategic factors that play a role in shaping the way the United States achieves its national interests in a regional context."
Guest lecturers included Margaret Culbert, Dr. Jeff Herbst, Col. Tom Galvin, Dr. William Reno, Joshua Eisenman, Amb. Vicki Huddleston and retired Amb. Lou Nigro. Each brought their unique perspectives to the diverse continent of Africa.
"This region presents a nuanced set of challenges that will help shape the future of stability and security not only for Africa, but the entire world," Sheperd told the college’s student body. "You will find these same themes continuing throughout the rest of the year as you continue to wrestle with the 'wicked problems' of national security.
"The game has changed. When these students leave they will be encountering these complex issues and challenges," Sheperd said.
This was especially true for USAWC student Lt. Col. Kristin Baker, who will assume a position in U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) after graduation.
"This was a great opportunity to enhance my knowledge of the issues and challenges facing the region," she said. "Each of the speakers brought their own unique perspective to the topics discussed which creates a great discussion."
"The symposium really challenges you to think about the challenges that the African continent faces, and what the implications may be for the rest of the world," said student Marine Corps Col. Terry Trenchard.
"What really makes it valuable for a nation like Georgia, that is so far away, is that it helps to show how truly universal these issues are," said Georgian Fellow Col. Bondo Maisuradze. "A nation's problems don't always stay within their own borders. It can spread to other areas, so we need to be aware of that and be prepared to help."
The symposium serves as a capstone event after the completion of many of the USAWC core courses, and challenges students to apply their skills.
"This is an opportunity for the students to sit, listen and apply the critical thinking skills we've been emphasizing all year in relation to strategy, policy and the operational environment," Sheperd said. "Then we hope they use these skills to get to the crux of how these issues shape and affect the U.S. during the seminar discussion sessions."
Given the current context of civil unrest in Tunisia and Egypt, Sheperd said that one of the symposium objectives was to help explore how one incident in Tunisia, no matter how small at first glance — such as someone setting himself alight — may have far-reaching effects.
"It's easy sometimes to see how a large incident has a big impact on the strategic environment," he said. "But it's sometimes more important to see that seemingly small things, under the right circumstances, can have a huge effect on the long-term strategic environment. We hope the students are able to take a longer view toward complex issues and regions."
Culbert, a senior defense ontelligence analyst for Africa at the Defense Intelligence Agency, focused her remarks on how factors such as demographics, population growth, urban growth and climate change may shape the region's future.
"It's important that schools like the Army War College are taking time to focus on Africa," she said. "If you are going to be deployed to Africa, then you really need to have a grasp of the multiple concerns on the continent, no matter whether you are there for military, human rights or other reasons."
She also said that the complex nature of the problems necessitate the use of all of the elements of national power.
"When you are building these professional military institutions, they have to be built simultaneously with political, social, judicial and penal institutions," she said. "You have to build an environment in which democracy can grow."
Herbst, president of Colgate University, spoke of the effect that decolonization has had for Africa and how it at times carries an incorrect label as an unstable region.
"If you look at the changes in boundaries in Europe and the former Soviet Union in the last 50 years, there has actually been more change there than in Africa," he said. "What really hurt the region was the destruction of the existing military structure when the continent was decolonized, which has helped to create the instability we see now."
Herbst also discussed the potential challenges that the recent South Sudan referendum for independence and the still unstable Somalia status quo may pose for the region.
Eisenman, a senior fellow for China studies at the American Foreign Policy Council, brought a unique perspective to the region when he focused his remarks on Chinese interest in Africa and what that could mean for the world.
"There is a dearth of information about why China is interested in Africa, and what they are trying to achieve there," he said. "Resources are a key, but there are diplomatic and trade advantages for them as well. How this situation unfolds could say a lot for the future of the continent."
Galvin, chief of the AFRICOM Commander's Action Group, provided students with a wealth of information about AFRICOM and what security challenges face the region.
"It's important to remember that African problems are global security challenges," he said.
Galvin said that AFRICOM activities such as supporting partner counterterrorism efforts, promoting interoperability and balancing ground, maritime and air capabilities, have led to success. He said that lessons about the importance of partnership, executing a resourced comprehensive approach and communications strategically have already been learned and applied to future operations.
Huddleston, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Africa in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, spoke about the need for building African capacity.
"We're there to reinforce and enable the African states — militarily, through training, as well as through civilian assistance like health and education," she said. "As President Obama says: Africa for Africans.
"African military under civilian control allows them to protect their citizens and defend their borders," she said. "If it's well done, as with Egypt and Tunisia, the military is the friend of the people, the constitution and the state." In large part, that's "because of experiences with the U.S. military, like the U.S. Army War College."
Nigro, a former ambassador to Chad and DNSS faculty member, spoke about the challenges facing AFRICOM.
"AFRICOM is still a new organization, evolving," he said. "We really need to ensure the integration of State, Department of Defense, U.S. Agency for International Development and other agencies, like Justice and Agriculture, across the spectrum of the U.S. government to achieve our national goals. Resources are never enough if we don't integrate and synchronize and harmonize efforts."
Nigro also touched on the importance of the establishment of the nations’ militaries.
"African militaries will develop as their societies develop," he said. "A state acquires legitimacy when the military and law-enforcement elements of the state are [at an equal pace] with the development of the state itself, and when the society is willing to hand off control of their lives to a state they consider legitimate."
In seminar later, students discussed the difficulty of finding agreement among nations about agreeing on the definition of security and its sources. The dialogue considered the challenges of achieving the regime's security, territorial security and human security.
To learn more about U.S. Army Africa visit our official website at www.usaraf.army.mil
Official Twitter Feed: www.twitter.com/usarmyafrica
Official Vimeo video channel: www.vimeo.com/usarmyafrica
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sensory analyst William Parsons sniffs canned mackerel to check for spoilage. FDA sensory analysts and entomologists investigate product samples and protect consumers from spoiled and contaminated food. To learn more, view these photos and read this Consumer Update:
• FDA Guards Against Food Spoilage, Contamination
This photo is free of all copyright restrictions and available for use and redistribution without permission. Credit to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is appreciated but not required.
Privacy and use information: www.flickr.com/people/fdaphotos/
FDA photo by Jason Strachman Miller
Analysts Zirene and Doublelift watch the opening ceremony at 2017 NA LCS Spring Finals at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on 23 April 2017.
Day 1 of 2017 Mid-Season Invitational Group Stage at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 10 May 2016.
Day 2 of 2017 Mid-Season Invitational Semifinals at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 20 May 2017.
Analysts Say Graph Search No Threat to Google – The Analysts are Wrong!
bob.blikini.com/Analysts-Say-Graph-Search-No-Threat-to-Go...
An OSAC Sector-Specific Projects Analyst observes the security inspection of an Airbus 330 at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia in December 2018. (Photo by Isadora Zamudio)
Bradley Manning vigil at US Embassy - London 17.12.2011
As part of a 14-country coordinated rally in support of Bradley Manning - the young U.S. Army intelligence analyst who is accused of leaking the “Afghan War Logs” to Wikileaks - a group of supporters of Manning representing Friends of Bradley Manning UK, Veterans for Peace UK, Payday Men's Network, Queer Friends of Bradley Manning and OccupyLSX gathered outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square in London's Mayfair for a vigil during which many speakers voiced their extreme concern for the well-being of Manning, and to praise his brave actions.
Manning has been held in U.S. military custody for 18 months. He faces multiple charges which would lead to a lifetime of imprisonment if convicted for allegedly sharing a video of a U.S. helicopter attack that killed 11 civilians and seriously wounded two children in Baghdad, Iraq with the WikiLeaks website. The footage had been withheld by the U.S.military from those trying to discover the truth about the attacks. Manning is also accused of leaking what is now referred to as 'The Afghan Logs' - more than 91,000 documents of classified U.S. military logs spanning six years of U.S. occupation of Afghanistan. His pre-trial hearing began before a military tribunal on Friday 16th December at Fort Meade, Maryland, USA, cynically arranged to coincide with Bradley Manning's 24th birthday.
Dreadlocked supporter of Bradley Manning, Australian-born Catholic Worker, Christian anarchist and non-violent resister Ciaron O'Reilly told the crowd the latest news from Manning's hearing in Fort Mead, and went on to describe the torture and abuse Manning has endured at the hands of his completely unnaccountable gaolers, first in Quantico and now in Fort Meade. During the 1991 Gulf War, O'Reilly was a member of the 'ANZUS Ploughshares' group which attacked a B-52 Bomber which was on 20-minute scramble alert, at Griffiss AFB near Utica, New York. Their actions put the aircraft out of action for the next two months at the height of the US bombing campaign in Iraq. Together with the other members of the group, he was arrested and sentenced to 13 months in the US penal system. After his return to Australia, O'Reilly took part in the 'Jabiluka Ploughshares' group action which disabled uranium mining equipment in the Northern Territory of Australia in 1998.
Veterans for Peace UK's Ben Griffin, a former British SAS soldier who had been discharged from the army after he refused to be redeployed to Iraq - citing not only the "illegal" tactics of United States troops and the policies of coalition forces but also that the invasion itself was illegal, being contrary to international law - spoke to those assembled to emphasise the importance of war resisters. He told the protesters that hearing that even small numbers of people in the outside World were supporting them by protesting gave a huge emotional lift to all those Conscientious Objecters currently in military prisons.
“If we are not actively engaged in war resistance then we should be offering our support to those that are". said Griffin. "If it is true that Bradley Manning leaked The Afghan War Logs, The Iraq War Logs and the Collateral Murder video then the last place he should be is in prison. As far as I am concerned he is a Hero. Our countries have committed terrible crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan and it is only right that we should all know exactly what has been happening.”
Michael Lyons - also from Veterans for Peace UK - spoke about how reading the Afghan War Logs had confirmed his doubts about the legality of the actions carried out by coalition forces in Afghanistan. In 2010 Lyons - a former Navy medic - applied for Conscientious Objector status after reading the “Afghan War Logs” released by Wikileaks and refused to carry out rifle training in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan. He was sentenced to 7 months in Colchester military prison and was released in November 2011.
All photos © 2012 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.
Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.
Bonnie Jeanne Dunbar (born March 3, 1949) is a former NASA astronaut. She retired from NASA in September 2005 then served as president and CEO of The Museum of Flight until April 2010. From January 2013 - December 2015, Dr. Dunbar lead the University of Houston's STEM Center (science, technology, engineering and math) and was a faculty member in the Cullen College of Engineering.[1] Currently, she is a professor of aerospace engineering at Texas A&M University and serves as Director of the Institute for Engineering Education and Innovation (IEEI), a joint entity in the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and the Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M University.
Contents
1 Early life
2 NASA career
3 Spaceflight experience
4 Education
5 Organizations
6 Awards and honors
7 References
Early life
Dunbar was born in Sunnyside, Washington. In 1967, she graduated from Sunnyside High School, Sunnyside, Washington. Following graduation in 1971 from the University of Washington, Dunbar worked for Boeing Computer Services for two years as a systems analyst. From 1973 to 1975, she conducted research for her master's thesis in the field of mechanisms and kinetics of ionic diffusion in sodium beta-alumina. She is a member of Kappa Delta sorority.
In 1975, she was invited to participate in research at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell near Oxford, England, as a visiting scientist. Her work there involved the wetting behavior of liquids on solid substrates. Following her work in England, she accepted a senior research engineer position with Rockwell International Space Division in Downey, California. Her responsibilities there included developing equipment and processes for the manufacture of the Space Shuttle thermal protection system in Palmdale, California. She also represented Rockwell International as a member of the Dr. Kraft Ehricke evaluation committee on prospective space industrialization concepts. Dunbar completed her doctorate at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas. Her multi-disciplinary dissertation (materials science and physiology) involved evaluating the effects of simulated space flight on bone strength and fracture toughness. These results were correlated to alterations in hormonal and metabolic activity. Dr. Dunbar has served as an adjunct assistant professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Houston.
Dunbar is a private pilot with over 200 hours in single engine land aircraft, has logged more than 700 hours flying time in T-38 jets as a back-seater, and has over 100 hours as co-pilot in a Cessna Citation jet. She was married to fellow astronaut Ronald M. Sega.[2]
NASA career
Dunbar accepted a position as a payload officer/flight controller at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in 1978. She served as a guidance and navigation officer/flight controller for the Skylab reentry mission in 1979 and was subsequently designated project officer/payload officer for the integration of several Space Shuttle payloads.[3][4]
Dunbar became a NASA astronaut in August 1981. Her technical assignments have included assisting in the verification of Shuttle flight software at the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL), serving as a member of the Flight Crew Equipment Control Board, participation as a member of the Astronaut Office Science Support Group, supporting operational development of the remote manipulator system (RMS). She has served as chief of the Mission Development Branch, as the Astronaut Office interface for "secondary" payloads, and as lead for the Science Support Group. In 1993, Dr. Dunbar served as Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. In February 1994, she traveled to Star City, Russia, where she spent 13-months training as a back-up crew member for a 3-month flight on the Russian Space Station, Mir. In March 1995, she was certified by the Russian Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center as qualified to fly on long duration Mir Space Station flights. From October 1995 to November 1996, she was detailed to the NASA JSC Mission Operations Directorate as Assistant Director where she was responsible for chairing the International Space Station Training Readiness Reviews, and facilitating Russian/American operations and training strategies.
A veteran of five space flights, Dunbar has logged more than 1,208 hours (50 days) in space. She served as a mission specialist on STS-61-A in 1985, STS-32 in 1990, and STS-71 in 1995, and was the Payload Commander on STS-50 in 1992, and STS-89 in 1998.
Spaceflight experience
STS-61-A Challenger (October 30-November 6, 1985), was the West German D-1 Spacelab mission. It was the first to carry eight crew members, the largest to fly in space, and was also the first in which payload activities were controlled from outside the United States. More than 75 scientific experiments were completed in the areas of physiological sciences, materials science, biology, and navigation. During the flight, Dunbar was responsible for operating Spacelab and its subsystems and performing a variety of experiments. Her mission training included six months of experiment training in Germany, France, Switzerland, and The Netherlands. STS-61-A launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Mission duration was 7 days, 44 minutes 51 seconds, traveling 2.5 million miles in 111 orbits of the Earth.
STS-32 Columbia (January 9–20, 1990), launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and returned to a night landing at Edwards Air Base in California. During the flight, the crew successfully deployed the Syncom IV-F5 satellite, and retrieved the 21,400-pound Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) using the RMS. They also operated a variety of middeck experiments including the Microgravity Disturbance Experiment (MDE) using the Fluids Experiment Apparatus (FEA), Protein Crystal Growth (PCG), American Flight Echocardiograph (AFE), Latitude/Longitude Locator (L3), Mesoscale Lightning Experiment (MLE), Characterization of Neurospora Circadian Rhythms (CNCR), and the IMAX Camera. Dunbar was principal investigator for the MDE/FEA Experiment. Additionally, numerous medical test objectives, including in-flight lower body negative pressure (LBNP), in-flight aerobic exercise and muscle performance were conducted to evaluate human adaptation to extended duration missions. Mission duration was 10 days, 21 hours, 01 minute, 38 seconds, traveling 4.5 million miles in 173 orbits of the Earth.
STS-50 Columbia (June 25 to July 9, 1992). Dunbar was the Payload Commander on STS-50, the United States Microgravity Lab-1 mission which was dedicated to microgravity fluid physics and materials science. Over 30 experiments sponsored by over 100 investigators were housed in the Spacelab in the Shuttle's Payload Bay. A payload crew of four operated around-the-clock for 13 days performing experiments in scientific disciplines such as protein crystal growth, electronic and infrared detector crystal growth, surface tension physics, zeolite crystal growth, and human physiology. Mission duration was 13 days, 19 hours, 30 minutes and 4 seconds, traveling 5.7 million miles in 221 orbits of the Earth.
STS-71 Atlantis (June 27 to July 7, 1995), was the first Space Shuttle mission to dock with the Russian Space Station Mir, and involved an exchange of crews. The Atlantis was modified to carry a docking system compatible with the Russian Mir Space Station. Dunbar served as MS-3 on this flight which also carried a Spacelab module in the payload bay in which the crew performed medical evaluations on the returning Mir crew. These evaluations included ascertaining the effects of weightlessness on the cardio/vascular system, the bone/muscle system, the immune system, and the cardio/pulmonary system. Mission duration was 9 days, 19 hours, 23 minutes and 8 seconds, traveling 4.1 million miles in 153 orbits of the earth.
STS-89 Endeavour (January 22–31, 1998), was the eighth Shuttle-Mir docking mission during which the crew transferred more than 9,000 pounds of scientific equipment, logistical hardware and water from Space Shuttle Endeavour to Mir. In the fifth and last exchange of a U.S. astronaut, STS-89 delivered Andy Thomas to Mir and returned with David Wolf. Mission duration was 8 days, 19 hours and 47 seconds, traveling 3.6 million miles in 138 orbits of the Earth. Dunbar was the Payload Commander, responsible for all payload activities including the conduct of 23 technology and science experiments.
Education
1971: B.S. Ceramic Engineering, University of Washington
1975: M.S. Ceramic Engineering, University of Washington
1983: Ph.D. Mechanical/Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston
Organizations
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
The American Ceramic Society (ACerS)
National Institute of Ceramic Engineers (NICE)
Keramos Honorary
Society of Biomedical Engineering
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Tau Beta Pi
Materials Research Society (MRS)
Board of Directors, Arnold Air Society and Angel Flight
Board of Trustees Silver Wings (service organization) (SW)
International Academy of Astronautics (IAF)
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Association of Space Explorers (ASE)
Awards and honors
Honorary Doctorate from Heritage University in 2016
Kappa Delta sorority
Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University in 2000 [5]
The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) James I. Mueller Award, Cocoa Beach, Florida (2000)
Inducted into the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame (2000), one of five women in the world so honored annually
Selected as one of the top 20 women in technology in Houston, Texas (2000)
NASA Space Flight Medals (1985, 1990, 1992, 1995 and 1998)
NASA Superior Accomplishment Award (1997)
Member, National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Advisory Board, 1993–present
NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal (1996)
NASA Outstanding Leadership Award (1993)
Fellow of American Ceramic Society (1993)
Design News Engineering Achievement Award (1993)
IEEE Judith A. Resnik Award (1993)[6]
Society of Women Engineers Resnik Challenger Medal (1993)
Museum of Flight Pathfinder Award (1992)
AAES National Engineering Award (1992)
NASA Exceptional Service Award (1991)
University of Houston Distinguished Engineering Alumna (1991)
M.R.S. President's Award (1990)
The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) Schwaltzwalder P.A.C.E. Award (1990)
University of Washington Engineering Alumni Achievement (1989)
NASA Exceptional Service Medal (1988)
The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) Life Membership (1986)
General Jimmy Doolittle Fellow of the Aerospace Education Foundation (1986)
Evergreen Safety Council Public Service in Space Award (1986)
The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) Greaves-Walker Award (1985)
Rockwell International Engineer of the Year (1978)
Graduated Cum Laude from the University of Washington in 1975
Analysts at Nestlé’s Quality Assurance Centre in Moga, India, verify the traceability of Maggi noodles samples before extracting portions for lead analysis.
Bradley Manning vigil at US Embassy - London 17.12.2011
As part of a 14-country coordinated rally in support of Bradley Manning - the young U.S. Army intelligence analyst who is accused of leaking the “Afghan War Logs” to Wikileaks - a group of supporters of Manning representing Friends of Bradley Manning UK, Veterans for Peace UK, Payday Men's Network, Queer Friends of Bradley Manning and OccupyLSX gathered outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square in London's Mayfair for a vigil during which many speakers voiced their extreme concern for the well-being of Manning, and to praise his brave actions.
Manning has been held in U.S. military custody for 18 months. He faces multiple charges which would lead to a lifetime of imprisonment if convicted for allegedly sharing a video of a U.S. helicopter attack that killed 11 civilians and seriously wounded two children in Baghdad, Iraq with the WikiLeaks website. The footage had been withheld by the U.S.military from those trying to discover the truth about the attacks. Manning is also accused of leaking what is now referred to as 'The Afghan Logs' - more than 91,000 documents of classified U.S. military logs spanning six years of U.S. occupation of Afghanistan. His pre-trial hearing began before a military tribunal on Friday 16th December at Fort Meade, Maryland, USA, cynically arranged to coincide with Bradley Manning's 24th birthday.
Dreadlocked supporter of Bradley Manning, Australian-born Catholic Worker, Christian anarchist and non-violent resister Ciaron O'Reilly told the crowd the latest news from Manning's hearing in Fort Mead, and went on to describe the torture and abuse Manning has endured at the hands of his completely unnaccountable gaolers, first in Quantico and now in Fort Meade. During the 1991 Gulf War, O'Reilly was a member of the 'ANZUS Ploughshares' group which attacked a B-52 Bomber which was on 20-minute scramble alert, at Griffiss AFB near Utica, New York. Their actions put the aircraft out of action for the next two months at the height of the US bombing campaign in Iraq. Together with the other members of the group, he was arrested and sentenced to 13 months in the US penal system. After his return to Australia, O'Reilly took part in the 'Jabiluka Ploughshares' group action which disabled uranium mining equipment in the Northern Territory of Australia in 1998.
Veterans for Peace UK's Ben Griffin, a former British SAS soldier who had been discharged from the army after he refused to be redeployed to Iraq - citing not only the "illegal" tactics of United States troops and the policies of coalition forces but also that the invasion itself was illegal, being contrary to international law - spoke to those assembled to emphasise the importance of war resisters. He told the protesters that hearing that even small numbers of people in the outside World were supporting them by protesting gave a huge emotional lift to all those Conscientious Objecters currently in military prisons.
“If we are not actively engaged in war resistance then we should be offering our support to those that are". said Griffin. "If it is true that Bradley Manning leaked The Afghan War Logs, The Iraq War Logs and the Collateral Murder video then the last place he should be is in prison. As far as I am concerned he is a Hero. Our countries have committed terrible crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan and it is only right that we should all know exactly what has been happening.”
Michael Lyons - also from Veterans for Peace UK - spoke about how reading the Afghan War Logs had confirmed his doubts about the legality of the actions carried out by coalition forces in Afghanistan. In 2010 Lyons - a former Navy medic - applied for Conscientious Objector status after reading the “Afghan War Logs” released by Wikileaks and refused to carry out rifle training in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan. He was sentenced to 7 months in Colchester military prison and was released in November 2011.
All photos © 2012 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.
Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.
Foreign policy analysts, economists and former diplomats yesterday said the Bangladesh-India summit marked a bold shift in the relationship between the two countries and the success of it would depend on proper implementation of follow-up actions.
However, some others regarded the summit as disappointing and said Bangladesh had lost its bargaining position by conceding to Indian demands for allowing use of its ports and signing deals on terrorism. They said Bangladesh got little against its demand for a deal on Teesta water sharing and scrapping Tipaimukh dam project.
They were talking at a roundtable organised by The Daily Star yesterday on the summit and its outcome at the newspaper's conference room.
It was felt that the agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) would create new frontiers of economic activities if implemented properly. For the first time, Bangladesh would be able to trade its service in the form of transportation of Indian goods and thereby reduce the huge trade gap between the two countries.
But some others felt that instead of surprising the nation with some of the agreements, the government should have discussed the issues in parliament and reached a consensus.
They also felt that the immediate task now is to form a high-level ministerial committee and move towards implementation of the agreements.
Prof Rehman Sobhan said the Bangladesh-India summit set the climate for negotiation on unresolved bilateral issues, including maritime and land boundaries and water-sharing issues.
He, however, said critical issues cannot be solved in one summit. "A summit is all about atmosphere and communication. Through this summit the climate has been set," he said, adding, "We cannot expect the prime minister to come home with a bagful of goodies."
Adviser to the BNP chairperson, Reaz Rahman, described the outcome of the summit as very disappointing.
"Look at the Indian gains. There are too many gifts for India. The balance of the game was seriously skewed," he said, terming the move to open up Chittagong and Mongla ports to India "mega concessions".
He said Bangladesh made four "mega concessions" in bilateral security, connectivity, economic cooperation and "psychological game". "The concessions will have far-reaching implications," he said. He criticised the government for neither examining the issues nor discussing them with the opposition.
On the energy sector, Reaz, who is also the former adviser to the foreign ministry, said the government made a quantum leap into the dark.
Bitterly criticising the government for allowing India to use Mongla and Chittagong ports, he said, "In my opinion the Awami League has seriously endangered our nation."
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni strongly protested the statement of Reaz Rahman. She said the visit should be evaluated from the South Asian context. It was not just a bilateral visit as the main focus of the trip was connectivity.
Regarding Reaz's claim about the "quantum leap", she said they were in the dark before as there has been no investment in the power sector during the last seven years.
On supporting India for getting permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council, Dipu Moni said the BNP-led government had done the same with Japan on July 14, 2005.
She said the issues of water sharing of the Teesta, Tipaimukh dam project and maritime boundary did not come up suddenly. "After 1975, BNP was in power for 16 years but the issues were never raised," she claimed.
Dipu Moni urged her political opponents not to oppose for the sake of opposing. She said Bangladesh wants to move forward.
Former diplomat Farook Sobhan said if Bangladesh wants to accelerate its growth between eight and nine percent and achieve the status of a middle-income country, there is no other way but to build regional and sub-regional economic cooperation. "The key to Bangladesh's growth and development is connectivity," he said.
Greater cooperation with India, Bhutan and Nepal would open up the opportunities, he said, adding that India has made a major concession in giving Bhutan and Nepal transit to Bangladesh.
He said the visit would also give a huge push for Indian investment in Bangladesh.
Irene Khan, secretary general of Amnesty International, termed the prime minister's India visit "courageous".
"India is an economic power and we need to follow the tail end," she said. She, moreover, expressed sadness for hearing little about the opportunities that might be created by the visit.
Annisul Huq, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), expressed unhappiness over the lack of cooperation among South Asian countries despite its huge population.
Under South Asian Free Trade Area (Safta), most of the products of Bangladesh, including apparels, get duty-free access but it is the non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that are creating obstacles, he said.
He said, "It [NTB] looks small but the implications are much bigger." Citing an example he said Indian trucks can enter Bangladesh territory but Bangladeshi trucks cannot enter Indian territory. He said NTBs such as testing certificates and labelling also hinder the country's exports to India.
The president of the apex trade body also suggested that a committee be formed to address and resolve NTB issues.
Anisuddowla, president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), blamed the policymakers for not analysing the full outcome of the agreements.
India has been allowed to use Bangladesh's seaports, he said, adding, "We have nothing in our hand to negotiate the next time."
Former adviser to a caretaker government CM Shafi Sami said a new horizon has opened through the visit.
Prof Shahiduzzaman of Dhaka University said the prime minister's India visit has shifted the paradigm of Indo-Bangla relations, which has significant impacts on Bangladesh.
The visit proves that Bangladesh's foreign policy has become dynamic, he said, adding that the opposition of the parliament should consider the geopolitical position of the country.
Referring to killing of Bangladeshis in the borders, former ambassador Ashfaque Ahmed said the issue has been a serious matter of concern but had been almost ignored during the visit.
Harun-ur Rashid, former ambassador to UN, said there is hope that confusion over Bangladesh's relation with India has been removed with the PM's visit.
On trade gap between Bangladesh and India, he said trade deficit between China and Japan is much higher than that of these two countries, but the issue had not been discussed. "Opening up Mongla and Chittagong ports for India, Bhutan and Nepal in no way can be a security threat."
Regarding supporting India for its candidature to the UN Security Council, he said a country is selected regionally for such candidature. As china is already a member of the council, it may not like Bangladesh's support to India.
Former ambassador Jamil Majid said having good relations with India did not mean that there would not be any problems in future. Therefore, the Indo-Bangla summit needed serious follow-ups if good results are to be achieved.
“Success of the visit will actually depend on follow-ups,” he said.
Communist Party General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim said the prime minister's visit to India was very important and it should be considered as a step forward.
“Mere joint communiqué would not bring any result for the country if we cannot seal agreements with India," Selim said, calling upon all not to make any sweeping comment on the outcome of the visit.
Anisul Islam Mahmud, presidium member of Jatiya Party, congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her "bold step" to improve relation with India.
He criticised the governments assumed power after the killing of Bangabandhu for their anti-India politics and misleading the people.
He also censured Reaz Rahman for his comment on the government's handing Ulfa leader Arabinda Rajkhowa over to India, which would be a threat to the security of Bangladesh.
He also ruled out another allegation of the government making Bangladesh a market for India, saying, "It was BNP who made Bangladesh an open market for India during its regime in 1991-1996.
BNP standing committee member and former army chief Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman said the visit was more beneficial to India.
Problems relating to Indian insurgents would intensify through allowing India to use Mongla and Chittagong seaports, he said criticising the government for not holding discussions with the opposition party before the PM's India visit.
National Press Club President Shawkat Mahmud said the PM's visit to India has certainly created a new era and would help build up confidence in India-Bangladesh relationships.
He also accused the government for not informing the people about the agreements that would allow India to use Bangladesh's seaports and railway connectivity with Ashuganj prior to the visit.
He also said the prime minister could not have public opinion on these issues before the visit and feared that severe political disagreement might arise in the country.
Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman also said the prime minister or the foreign minister could have discussed about the visit with Khaleda Zia as part of their bid for a national consensus on the issues.
He blamed the government for giving confusing information about the visit. “We knew about signing of three agreements. But we did not have a clear idea about the use of ports by India, Bhutan and Nepal,” he added.
Abdul Matlub Ahmed, president of Bangladesh-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry hoped that the India visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would boost trade and investment in the country.
Executive Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue Prof Mustafizur Rahman, journalist Jaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, Director General of Bangladesh Institute for International and Strategic Studies Maj Gen Sk Munirul Islam, AL lawmaker Mostafa Faruk Mohammad and former ambassador Afsarul Qader were present at the discussion.
Military and civilian computer network analysts with the California Army National Guard Computer Network Defense Team tackle a simulated virus attack during exercise Cyber Shield 2014, at the National Guard Professional Education Center in North Little Rock, Ark., April 30, 2014. Read about Cyber Shield 2014 at www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article-View/Article/575680/cy... (Photo by Capt. Kyle Key)
Bradley Manning vigil at US Embassy - London 17.12.2011
As part of a 14-country coordinated rally in support of Bradley Manning - the young U.S. Army intelligence analyst who is accused of leaking the “Afghan War Logs” to Wikileaks - a group of supporters of Manning representing Friends of Bradley Manning UK, Veterans for Peace UK, Payday Men's Network, Queer Friends of Bradley Manning and OccupyLSX gathered outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square in London's Mayfair for a vigil during which many speakers voiced their extreme concern for the well-being of Manning, and to praise his brave actions.
Manning has been held in U.S. military custody for 18 months. He faces multiple charges which would lead to a lifetime of imprisonment if convicted for allegedly sharing a video of a U.S. helicopter attack that killed 11 civilians and seriously wounded two children in Baghdad, Iraq with the WikiLeaks website. The footage had been withheld by the U.S.military from those trying to discover the truth about the attacks. Manning is also accused of leaking what is now referred to as 'The Afghan Logs' - more than 91,000 documents of classified U.S. military logs spanning six years of U.S. occupation of Afghanistan. His pre-trial hearing began before a military tribunal on Friday 16th December at Fort Meade, Maryland, USA, cynically arranged to coincide with Bradley Manning's 24th birthday.
Dreadlocked supporter of Bradley Manning, Australian-born Catholic Worker, Christian anarchist and non-violent resister Ciaron O'Reilly told the crowd the latest news from Manning's hearing in Fort Mead, and went on to describe the torture and abuse Manning has endured at the hands of his completely unnaccountable gaolers, first in Quantico and now in Fort Meade. During the 1991 Gulf War, O'Reilly was a member of the 'ANZUS Ploughshares' group which attacked a B-52 Bomber which was on 20-minute scramble alert, at Griffiss AFB near Utica, New York. Their actions put the aircraft out of action for the next two months at the height of the US bombing campaign in Iraq. Together with the other members of the group, he was arrested and sentenced to 13 months in the US penal system. After his return to Australia, O'Reilly took part in the 'Jabiluka Ploughshares' group action which disabled uranium mining equipment in the Northern Territory of Australia in 1998.
Veterans for Peace UK's Ben Griffin, a former British SAS soldier who had been discharged from the army after he refused to be redeployed to Iraq - citing not only the "illegal" tactics of United States troops and the policies of coalition forces but also that the invasion itself was illegal, being contrary to international law - spoke to those assembled to emphasise the importance of war resisters. He told the protesters that hearing that even small numbers of people in the outside World were supporting them by protesting gave a huge emotional lift to all those Conscientious Objecters currently in military prisons.
“If we are not actively engaged in war resistance then we should be offering our support to those that are". said Griffin. "If it is true that Bradley Manning leaked The Afghan War Logs, The Iraq War Logs and the Collateral Murder video then the last place he should be is in prison. As far as I am concerned he is a Hero. Our countries have committed terrible crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan and it is only right that we should all know exactly what has been happening.”
Michael Lyons - also from Veterans for Peace UK - spoke about how reading the Afghan War Logs had confirmed his doubts about the legality of the actions carried out by coalition forces in Afghanistan. In 2010 Lyons - a former Navy medic - applied for Conscientious Objector status after reading the “Afghan War Logs” released by Wikileaks and refused to carry out rifle training in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan. He was sentenced to 7 months in Colchester military prison and was released in November 2011.
All photos © 2012 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.
Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.
In 2013, we witnessed the smart phone manufacturers moving towards 3GB of RAM to feature in their smart phones. Though this still has not become standard with the exclusive smart phones but now manufacturers are moving towards introducing 4GB RAM in their flagship phones. Xiaomi’s Mi NotePad Pro ...
www.smartphonesupdates.com/korean-analysts-suspect-4gb-ra...
Bradley Manning vigil at US Embassy - London 17.12.2011
As part of a 14-country coordinated rally in support of Bradley Manning - the young U.S. Army intelligence analyst who is accused of leaking the “Afghan War Logs” to Wikileaks - a group of supporters of Manning representing Friends of Bradley Manning UK, Veterans for Peace UK, Payday Men's Network, Queer Friends of Bradley Manning and OccupyLSX gathered outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square in London's Mayfair for a vigil during which many speakers voiced their extreme concern for the well-being of Manning, and to praise his brave actions.
Manning has been held in U.S. military custody for 18 months. He faces multiple charges which would lead to a lifetime of imprisonment if convicted for allegedly sharing a video of a U.S. helicopter attack that killed 11 civilians and seriously wounded two children in Baghdad, Iraq with the WikiLeaks website. The footage had been withheld by the U.S.military from those trying to discover the truth about the attacks. Manning is also accused of leaking what is now referred to as 'The Afghan Logs' - more than 91,000 documents of classified U.S. military logs spanning six years of U.S. occupation of Afghanistan. His pre-trial hearing began before a military tribunal on Friday 16th December at Fort Meade, Maryland, USA, cynically arranged to coincide with Bradley Manning's 24th birthday.
Dreadlocked supporter of Bradley Manning, Australian-born Catholic Worker, Christian anarchist and non-violent resister Ciaron O'Reilly told the crowd the latest news from Manning's hearing in Fort Mead, and went on to describe the torture and abuse Manning has endured at the hands of his completely unnaccountable gaolers, first in Quantico and now in Fort Meade. During the 1991 Gulf War, O'Reilly was a member of the 'ANZUS Ploughshares' group which attacked a B-52 Bomber which was on 20-minute scramble alert, at Griffiss AFB near Utica, New York. Their actions put the aircraft out of action for the next two months at the height of the US bombing campaign in Iraq. Together with the other members of the group, he was arrested and sentenced to 13 months in the US penal system. After his return to Australia, O'Reilly took part in the 'Jabiluka Ploughshares' group action which disabled uranium mining equipment in the Northern Territory of Australia in 1998.
Veterans for Peace UK's Ben Griffin, a former British SAS soldier who had been discharged from the army after he refused to be redeployed to Iraq - citing not only the "illegal" tactics of United States troops and the policies of coalition forces but also that the invasion itself was illegal, being contrary to international law - spoke to those assembled to emphasise the importance of war resisters. He told the protesters that hearing that even small numbers of people in the outside World were supporting them by protesting gave a huge emotional lift to all those Conscientious Objecters currently in military prisons.
“If we are not actively engaged in war resistance then we should be offering our support to those that are". said Griffin. "If it is true that Bradley Manning leaked The Afghan War Logs, The Iraq War Logs and the Collateral Murder video then the last place he should be is in prison. As far as I am concerned he is a Hero. Our countries have committed terrible crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan and it is only right that we should all know exactly what has been happening.”
Michael Lyons - also from Veterans for Peace UK - spoke about how reading the Afghan War Logs had confirmed his doubts about the legality of the actions carried out by coalition forces in Afghanistan. In 2010 Lyons - a former Navy medic - applied for Conscientious Objector status after reading the “Afghan War Logs” released by Wikileaks and refused to carry out rifle training in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan. He was sentenced to 7 months in Colchester military prison and was released in November 2011.
All photos © 2012 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.
Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.
“If you had free reign over classified networks… and you saw incredible things, awful things… things that belonged in the public domain, and not on some server stored in a dark room in Washington DC… what would you do?”
“God knows what happens now. Hopefully worldwide discussion, debates, and reforms… I want people to see the truth… because without information, you cannot make informed decisions as a public.”
-Quotes from an online chat attributed to Bradley Manning
Who is Bradley Manning:
---------------------------------
"Nobel Peace Prize nominee PFC Bradley Manning, a 25-year-old Army intelligence analyst, who released the Collateral Murder video, that shows the killing of unarmed civilians and two Reuters journalists, by a US Apache helicopter crew in Iraq. Manning also shared documents known as the Afghan War Diary, the Iraq War Logs, and series of embarrassing US diplomatic cables. These documents were published by the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks, and they have illuminated such issues as the true number and cause of civilian casualties in Iraq, along with a number of human rights abuses by U.S.-funded contractors and foreign militaries, and the role that spying and bribes play in international diplomacy. Given the war crimes exposed by these documents, PFC Bradley Manning should be given a medal of honor.
Not a single person has been harmed by the release of this information. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has called the effect of WikiLeaks’ releases on U.S. foreign relations “fairly modest.” Yet the Obama administration has chosen to persecute the whistle-blower rather than prosecute the war criminals who were exposed. While the prosecution has declared it does not intend to seek the death penalty, they do seek to lock PFC Bradley Manning away for life, with the most ridiculous charge of ‘aiding the enemy,’ even though chat logs attributed to Bradley by the FBI clearly show intent only to inform the public and promote “discussion, debates, and reforms.”
Soldiers are promised fair treatment and a speedy trial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). However, the soldiers responsible for PFC Manning’s care took it upon themselves to abuse him by keeping him locked up in solitary confinement for the first 10 months of his incarceration. During this time, Bradley was denied meaningful exercise, social interaction, sunlight, and on a number of occasions he was forced to stay completely naked. These conditions were unique to Bradley and are illegal even under US military law, as they amount to extreme pre-trial punishment. In March 2011, chief US State Department spokesperson PJ Crowley called PFC Manning’s treatment at the Quantico, Virginia, Marine Corps brig “ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid.” He was forced to resign shortly after admitting this. Since resigning, he has stated that the prosecution’s heavy-handed persecution of PFC Manning has undermined the government’s credibility.
Bradley’s treatment sparked a probe by the United Nations special rapporteur on torture, Juan Mendez. Mr. Mendez stated that he has been “frustrated by the prevarication of the US government with regard to my attempts to visit Mr. Manning.” After having his requests to visit Bradley repeatedly blocked, and after completing a fourteen month investigation, Mr. Mendez issued a statement saying that PFC Bradley Manning’s treatment has been “cruel and inhuman.”
It only took one week in April 2011 to have over a half million people sign a petition calling on President Obama to end the isolation and torture of Bradley Manning. The Obama administration’s ongoing persecution of Bradley Manning has served as “a chilling deterrent to other potential whistleblowers committed to public integrity,” and over 300 top legal scholars have declared that Bradley’s treatment was a violation of the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, as well as a violation of the Fifth Amendment’s guarantee against punishment without trial. Among the signatories is professor Laurence Tribe, a Harvard professor who taught President Obama. Professor Tribe was, until recently, a senior advisor to the US Justice Department.
Partially in response to public outcry, on April 21, 2011, Bradley was moved from Quantico to Fort Leavenworth, KS, where his conditions greatly improved. The very day he was moved, President Obama was surprised at a breakfast fundraiser by a group of protesters. At the end of the fundraiser, a member of the Bradley Manning Support Network, Logan Price, questioned him about Bradley’s situation. The President stated that “He [Bradley Manning] broke the law.” This pretrial declaration of guilt that has caused concern among legal experts, who argue it is clearly a case of ‘undue command influence’. President Obama is the highest ranking military commander, and soldiers follow his orders and his direction. By declaring PFC Bradley Manning guilty, he set the tone and direction of the subordinate military prosecution. It is now difficult for soldiers to express support for PFC Bradley Manning, who like many soldiers who follow the lead of their commander-in-chief, assume PFC Bradley Manning is guilty. Finally, reinforcing the assumption of Manning’s guilt, no charges were filed against any of the soldiers who took it upon themselves to abuse Bradley while he was under their supervision.
Bradley Manning has a growing list of supporters who want all the charges against him dropped. Among the supporters is the famous whistle-blower, Daniel Ellsberg, who leaked the Pentagon Papers in 1971. Recognizing the valor required to tell the truth, Ellsberg calls PFC Bradley Manning a hero and a patriot. We agree. Drop all the charges, and free PFC Bradley Manning.
We hope that you will join us as well. See what you can do to support justice in this historic time."
Source and for more information about Bradley Manning please visit:
Bradley Manning vigil at US Embassy - London 17.12.2011
As part of a 14-country coordinated rally in support of Bradley Manning - the young U.S. Army intelligence analyst who is accused of leaking the “Afghan War Logs” to Wikileaks - a group of supporters of Manning representing Friends of Bradley Manning UK, Veterans for Peace UK, Payday Men's Network, Queer Friends of Bradley Manning and OccupyLSX gathered outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square in London's Mayfair for a vigil during which many speakers voiced their extreme concern for the well-being of Manning, and to praise his brave actions.
Manning has been held in U.S. military custody for 18 months. He faces multiple charges which would lead to a lifetime of imprisonment if convicted for allegedly sharing a video of a U.S. helicopter attack that killed 11 civilians and seriously wounded two children in Baghdad, Iraq with the WikiLeaks website. The footage had been withheld by the U.S.military from those trying to discover the truth about the attacks. Manning is also accused of leaking what is now referred to as 'The Afghan Logs' - more than 91,000 documents of classified U.S. military logs spanning six years of U.S. occupation of Afghanistan. His pre-trial hearing began before a military tribunal on Friday 16th December at Fort Meade, Maryland, USA, cynically arranged to coincide with Bradley Manning's 24th birthday.
Dreadlocked supporter of Bradley Manning, Australian-born Catholic Worker, Christian anarchist and non-violent resister Ciaron O'Reilly told the crowd the latest news from Manning's hearing in Fort Mead, and went on to describe the torture and abuse Manning has endured at the hands of his completely unnaccountable gaolers, first in Quantico and now in Fort Meade. During the 1991 Gulf War, O'Reilly was a member of the 'ANZUS Ploughshares' group which attacked a B-52 Bomber which was on 20-minute scramble alert, at Griffiss AFB near Utica, New York. Their actions put the aircraft out of action for the next two months at the height of the US bombing campaign in Iraq. Together with the other members of the group, he was arrested and sentenced to 13 months in the US penal system. After his return to Australia, O'Reilly took part in the 'Jabiluka Ploughshares' group action which disabled uranium mining equipment in the Northern Territory of Australia in 1998.
Veterans for Peace UK's Ben Griffin, a former British SAS soldier who had been discharged from the army after he refused to be redeployed to Iraq - citing not only the "illegal" tactics of United States troops and the policies of coalition forces but also that the invasion itself was illegal, being contrary to international law - spoke to those assembled to emphasise the importance of war resisters. He told the protesters that hearing that even small numbers of people in the outside World were supporting them by protesting gave a huge emotional lift to all those Conscientious Objecters currently in military prisons.
“If we are not actively engaged in war resistance then we should be offering our support to those that are". said Griffin. "If it is true that Bradley Manning leaked The Afghan War Logs, The Iraq War Logs and the Collateral Murder video then the last place he should be is in prison. As far as I am concerned he is a Hero. Our countries have committed terrible crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan and it is only right that we should all know exactly what has been happening.”
Michael Lyons - also from Veterans for Peace UK - spoke about how reading the Afghan War Logs had confirmed his doubts about the legality of the actions carried out by coalition forces in Afghanistan. In 2010 Lyons - a former Navy medic - applied for Conscientious Objector status after reading the “Afghan War Logs” released by Wikileaks and refused to carry out rifle training in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan. He was sentenced to 7 months in Colchester military prison and was released in November 2011.
All photos © 2012 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.
Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.
As an Information Analyst for MINUSCA, Sgt. Mvondo (29) from Cameroon cross-checks information and studies the threat of armed groups in the Central African Rep. His favourite part of being a peacekeeper is everyday learning and discovery.
Credit: MINUSCA
Bradley Manning vigil at US Embassy - London 17.12.2011
As part of a 14-country coordinated rally in support of Bradley Manning - the young U.S. Army intelligence analyst who is accused of leaking the “Afghan War Logs” to Wikileaks - a group of supporters of Manning representing Friends of Bradley Manning UK, Veterans for Peace UK, Payday Men's Network, Queer Friends of Bradley Manning and OccupyLSX gathered outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square in London's Mayfair for a vigil during which many speakers voiced their extreme concern for the well-being of Manning, and to praise his brave actions.
Manning has been held in U.S. military custody for 18 months. He faces multiple charges which would lead to a lifetime of imprisonment if convicted for allegedly sharing a video of a U.S. helicopter attack that killed 11 civilians and seriously wounded two children in Baghdad, Iraq with the WikiLeaks website. The footage had been withheld by the U.S.military from those trying to discover the truth about the attacks. Manning is also accused of leaking what is now referred to as 'The Afghan Logs' - more than 91,000 documents of classified U.S. military logs spanning six years of U.S. occupation of Afghanistan. His pre-trial hearing began before a military tribunal on Friday 16th December at Fort Meade, Maryland, USA, cynically arranged to coincide with Bradley Manning's 24th birthday.
Dreadlocked supporter of Bradley Manning, Australian-born Catholic Worker, Christian anarchist and non-violent resister Ciaron O'Reilly told the crowd the latest news from Manning's hearing in Fort Mead, and went on to describe the torture and abuse Manning has endured at the hands of his completely unnaccountable gaolers, first in Quantico and now in Fort Meade. During the 1991 Gulf War, O'Reilly was a member of the 'ANZUS Ploughshares' group which attacked a B-52 Bomber which was on 20-minute scramble alert, at Griffiss AFB near Utica, New York. Their actions put the aircraft out of action for the next two months at the height of the US bombing campaign in Iraq. Together with the other members of the group, he was arrested and sentenced to 13 months in the US penal system. After his return to Australia, O'Reilly took part in the 'Jabiluka Ploughshares' group action which disabled uranium mining equipment in the Northern Territory of Australia in 1998.
Veterans for Peace UK's Ben Griffin, a former British SAS soldier who had been discharged from the army after he refused to be redeployed to Iraq - citing not only the "illegal" tactics of United States troops and the policies of coalition forces but also that the invasion itself was illegal, being contrary to international law - spoke to those assembled to emphasise the importance of war resisters. He told the protesters that hearing that even small numbers of people in the outside World were supporting them by protesting gave a huge emotional lift to all those Conscientious Objecters currently in military prisons.
“If we are not actively engaged in war resistance then we should be offering our support to those that are". said Griffin. "If it is true that Bradley Manning leaked The Afghan War Logs, The Iraq War Logs and the Collateral Murder video then the last place he should be is in prison. As far as I am concerned he is a Hero. Our countries have committed terrible crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan and it is only right that we should all know exactly what has been happening.”
Michael Lyons - also from Veterans for Peace UK - spoke about how reading the Afghan War Logs had confirmed his doubts about the legality of the actions carried out by coalition forces in Afghanistan. In 2010 Lyons - a former Navy medic - applied for Conscientious Objector status after reading the “Afghan War Logs” released by Wikileaks and refused to carry out rifle training in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan. He was sentenced to 7 months in Colchester military prison and was released in November 2011.
All photos © 2012 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.
Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.