by Jill Dobson, The Associated Press Posted Nov 16, 2018 10:41 am PDT This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Octavia Spencer, from left, Rose Byrne, Tig Notaro and Mark Wahlberg in a scene from “Instant Family.” Wahlberg may be known for his tough guy image thanks to movies including “Mile 22” and “The Departed,” or for his straight up comedic roles like in “Ted,” but he tugs at the heartstrings in his latest movie “Instant Family.” Out Friday, it stars Wahlberg and Rose Byrne as spouses adopt three siblings. The story is based on director and co-writer Sean Anders’ own adoption experience. (Hopper Stone/Paramount Pictures via AP) AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to TwitterTwitterShare to FacebookFacebookShare to RedditRedditShare to 電子郵件Email NEW YORK — Mark Wahlberg may be known for his tough guy image thanks to movies including “Mile 22” and “The Departed,” or for his comedic roles like in “Ted,” but he tugs at the heartstrings in his latest movie, “Instant Family.”Out Friday, it stars Wahlberg and Rose Byrne as a couple who adopt three siblings. The story is based on director and co-writer Sean Anders’ own adoption experience.Although there are funny moments showing the challenges of a couple taking in three kids and trying to learn to parent on the spot, Wahlberg says they were careful to be respectful of the process.Ultimately, he also hopes people will consider fostering or adopting children because of all the kids out there who “are in desperate need of a home.”Jill Dobson, The Associated Press ‘Instant Family’ uses laughter to shine a light on adoption
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Rep Webber invites residents to local swearingin
Categories: Webber News State Rep. Michael Webber will be sworn in at a local ceremony on Friday, Jan 30 at the 52/3 District Court House in Rochester Hills. The ceremonial swearing-in will take place at 9:00 a.m. with the oath of office administered by the honorable Judge Julie Nicholson. It is open to the public.“As I begin my term in the Michigan House, it is important for me to share this swearing-in with my family, friends and residents of the Rochester area because I represent their views at the Capitol,” said Webber, R-Rochester Hills. “I want the people of Greater Rochester to know that I am working hard for them.”The ceremony will be followed by remarks from Webber and light refreshments.As he continues to hit the ground running, the freshman lawmaker has been named to five House committees, including serving as the vice chair on the House Committee on Criminal Justice and the House Committee on Government Operations. Webber also serves as a member of the Tax Policy, Energy Policy and Insurance Committees.He reminds and encourages residents to reach out to him with any ideas and concerns about state government.“I want residents to know that their input on issues before these committees that I serve on and on other matters before the legislature are always important to me,” he said.For more information about the ceremony or to RSVP, please contact Webber’s office at (517) 373-1773 or email at MichaelWebber@house.mi.gov. 25Jan Rep. Webber invites residents to local swearing-in
Rep Lucidos electronic registration bill approved by committee
Categories: Lucido News,News Legislation submitted by state Rep. Peter Lucido of Shelby Township which allows drivers to share an electronic proof of registration during the course of a traffic stop was approved today by the House Insurance Committee.“It’s time we take another step into the 21st century,” Lucido said. “Technology is part of our everyday life. A paper proof of registration is not the only way to confirm ownership of our cars. We should have proof, or access to such proof, on that technology.”The legislation allows either paper or electronic proof of registration to be shared during the course of a traffic stop. Law enforcement officials will be allowed to confirm by taking the device to their vehicle or requesting the documentation be forwarded by email or text.The bill follows similar legislation enacted on 2016 that allows for electronic proof of vehicle insurance.“This is a bill which makes it easier for drivers and police officers by giving an added option to confirm registration,” Lucido said. “It’s common sense for this to be approved in 2017.” 02Mar Rep. Lucido’s electronic registration bill approved by committee
Rep VanderWall invites local pastor to lead House invocation
Pastor Brian Ford from Living Word Church of Ludington gave the invocation before the Michigan House of Representatives at the state Capitol on Wednesday as the guest of Rep. Curt VanderWall. House tradition calls for a representative or clergy member to begin each session with a prayer.“Pastor Ford gave an inspiring invocation at the start of the House session,” Rep. VanderWall said. “It was my pleasure to welcome him to the House of Representatives. His words helped us approach the day’s work with focus and courage to do what is right as we tackle the issues facing our state.”Pastor Ford, during his prayer from the speaker’s desk, stated: “So Lord, we come to you today because we believe you love this great state of Michigan and you have a great plan for us.”PHOTO INFORMATION: Rep. VanderWall (right) is joined by Pastor Brian Ford (center) and Speaker Tom Leonard at the rostrum for Wednesday’s invocation. 07Dec Rep. VanderWall invites local pastor to lead House invocation Categories: VanderWall News,VanderWall Photos
Rep Berman announces February office hour
06Feb Rep. Berman announces February office hour State Rep. Ryan Berman of Commerce Township will host a local office hour on Monday, Feb. 25 to meet with constituents of the 39th District.“I am committed to being open and accessible to residents at all times,” Rep. Berman said. “I encourage everyone to join me and share their thoughts on how we can make our state government better.”Rep. Berman will meet with residents at the following time and location:6 to 7:30 p.m. at Commerce Township Community Library, 180 E. Commerce Road in Commerce Township.No appointments are necessary to attend office hours. Those unable to attend may contact Rep. Berman’s office at (517) 373-1799 or RyanBerman@house.mi.gov. Categories: Berman News
Met Goes to Court over Pay As You Wish Policy—aka 25 a
ShareTweetShareEmail0 Shares February 9, 2015; The Real DealIn the late 1800s, the Metropolitan Museum of Art came to an agreement with the City of New York that was meant to allow people of all incomes to freely enjoy its offerings. The museum leases its building for free and receives a subsidy from the city in return for open access (to include Sundays and two nights a week) that has evolved into a “‘pay what you wish,’ but we highly recommend $25 per person” policy that annoys many museumgoers.Two of those museumgoers took their issue to court. The consolidated complaint charges that the approach is misleading; it reads, in part:“Instead of providing free and open access to art for the masses, without regard to socio-economic status (as originally designed), the MMA has transformed the Museum Building and Museum Exhibition Halls into an expensive, fee-for-viewing, elite tourist attraction, where only those of financial means can afford to enter a publicly-subsidized, city-owned institution.”But a New York appeals court found that independent citizens do not have the right to enforce or intervene in the agreement made between the city and the museum when both of those institutions are happy with the arrangement.The attorney for the two plaintiffs, Andrew Celli of Emery Celli Brinckerhoff & Abady, indicates that the issue is not dead by any means. “The court ruled in a very narrow way that the plaintiffs did not have the right to enforce the lease or the statute, both of which require free access to the museum,” Celli said. “We continue to have a…case that is built around the idea that if the museum is free, it should say that it’s free and it should not use confusing language and small print to try and coerce people into making a contribution they shouldn’t have to make.”—Ruth McCambridge ShareTweetShareEmail0 Shares
No Denying Fundamental Truths Climate Change and Endangered Cities
Share2Tweet14Share3Email19 SharesBy U.S. Customs and Border Protection (170827-H-NI589-567) [Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsSeptember 14, 2017; Washington PostHurricane Harvey caused billions of dollars in damage. It’s been called “historic” and a “500-year flood.” But climate experts have explained that storms like Harvey and Irma are going to happen more frequently, not less. If that’s the case, what obligation do municipalities, states, and civic society have to help vulnerable communities lessen the destruction from future events?A report from the Baker Center for Public Policy at Rice University developed a list of 15 recommendations for dealing with future flood disasters. In no-nonsense language, the study declares, “Denying fundamental truths and moving forward with business as usual will be the economic death knell for the Houston region…Whether you say it is climate change or just ‘weird weather,’ the fact is that we are looking at larger, more severe storm events than we have previously contemplated.”NPQ’s Marty Levine noted just this week that after Harvey and Irma, “for government and community service organizations, the need will be long-term and will test their ability to meet the challenge.”One of the recommendations of the report was buying out residents who live on the riskiest parts of the floodplain and giving up on subdivisions in those areas. Of the 15 recommendations, this is the one where nonprofits are most uniquely positioned to help, because of their deep connection with their communities and their prioritization of goals like sustainability and community resource accessibility. According to the Washington Post,Exhausted by repeated inundations, some residents say they would welcome a government program to buy out their vulnerable homes…Buyouts would not only take homes out of harm’s way but also provide open land that could be used to absorb heavy rains or provide space for enlarging drainage channels. These would lessen flood risks for the rest of the city.The report’s other recommendations span from educating residents about flood risks and cleaning our reservoirs to improve capacity, to reconsidering the role of FEMA’s flood insurance program in planning for and recovering from storms. The report also recommends that the “100-year and 500-year floodplains should be comprehensively remapped.”What would a buyout plan for Houston look like? Undoubtedly, it would need to be publicly subsidized. As Rob Moore, a senior policy analyst for the Natural Resources Defense Council, pointed out to Vox, “There aren’t a lot of people out there who are like, ‘God, I want to buy a home that floods a lot.’” It would be expensive, but then again, so is repeatedly fixing homes that flood all the time. Larry Larson, a senior policy adviser at the Association of State Floodplain Managers, estimates that Harvey and Irma will cost taxpayers $200 billion. The NRDC claims that “Among severe repetitive loss properties worth less than $250,000, the average single-family home suffered total damages amounting to 122 percent of the property value.” Is rebuilding in a flood zone a risk municipalities just can’t afford?There were attempts at buyouts after Hurricane Katrina, but they were bogged down by funding cuts and, as we have seen elsewhere, a failure to involve or properly inform the community. Some residents learned that their homes were marked for buyouts by looking at online maps; Mayor Mitch Landrieu said, “There was a lack of awareness of a simple notion that planning somehow could be untethered from people.” Accusations of racism grew, and according to the Washington Post, “Ultimately, the idea was dropped.”What will the solution be in Texas and Florida? Will communities rebuild in a sustainable way where they are, elevated from the ground, or will they relocate entirely? Is this an opportunity to think about community design in a deliberate way, with input from the residents being relocated? And in the long term, when the government is forced to spend millions or billions planning for storms that are demonstrably larger than they have been in the past, will we see some more forthright action on climate change? It is worth noting that while Texas and Florida are able to contemplate costly options like buyout with some reasonable confidence that the federal government will help them out, small islands and coastal areas of developing nations often have no such security. What solutions can we offer them?As Texas and Florida rebuild with the future in mind, drastic solutions like relocating communities may become serious parts of a larger plan. If that’s the case, nonprofits with knowledge of the community and a clear idea of civic goals will be invaluable.—Erin RubinShare2Tweet14Share3Email19 Shares
Stockton to Test CuttingEdge Economic Policies through Nonprofit Partnerships
Share23Tweet9Share6Email38 Shares”Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs with fiancee Anna,” League of Women VotersFebruary 12, 2018; CBS NewsStockton, California’s mayor, Michael Tubbs, has been in the news quite a bit lately, and for good reason. The 27-year-old Stanford graduate has, in partnership with nonprofits, started the process of implementing some truly incredible policy projects.The project that’s earned him and Stockton the most attention—both positive and negative—has been the partnership with the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration. The program will try out universal basic income (UBI) with some of Stockton’s residents, who will receive $500 per month during the project’s pilot phase.UBI programs have been criticized as removing the incentive to work. The argument goes that when people are guaranteed a supplement to their income, they will replace working time with leisure time. New research, however, indicates that such disincentives may not be of concern. In a look at Alaska’s Permanent Fund, which gives citizens an annual cash transfer, economists found the cash transfers had no effect on labor force participation.It is important to note that the Stockton project is not currently planned to be universal or permanent, which may complicate any results it will yield. Prior studies of cash transfers show that when they are not permanent or universal, their net impact can mean fewer people working. There is evidence, though, that there are positive effects on health and education outcomes.Stockton is also working with nonprofits to improve the long-term prospects of its citizens as well. Stockton suffers from an above average crime rate, and one in four residents falls below the poverty line. To address crime, Mayor Tubbs has partnered Stockton with Advance Peace, which works with high-risk individuals involved with violent firearm crime to try to prevent recidivism and death, among other things. The group does so through a “high-touch” program that eventually involves cash incentives to stay out of trouble.The third project partnership is with the Stockton Scholars program, which will provide $1,000 annual scholarships to students from the Stockton Unified School District who attend four-year colleges and $500 annual scholarships to attendees of two-year and trade schools. While far from a full ride, these scholarships provide needed assistance to low-income students. Perhaps just as important, the program provides a valuable support network for awardees.Tubbs recognizes the problems facing his constituency and, with the help of nonprofits, is taking bold steps to address them. For better or worse, the success of his term will likely hinge on the success of these programs. Through a trial of universal basic income, an aggressive anti-recidivism program, and financial aid to public school students going to college, Stockton has a clear, if uncharted, path forward.—Sean WattersonShare23Tweet9Share6Email38 Shares
The BBC has released a new version of its iPlayer
The BBC has released a new version of its iPlayer Android app to include streaming over 3G networks and an updated Adobe Flash player for improved playback.The free app has been downloaded 1.3 million times since it launched a year ago. The updated version includes 3G streaming for live and catch-up TV and radio programmes. It works across all UK mobile networks.Following feedback from users about the video quality of the iPlayer Android app, the BBC has also improved the playback experience by including an updated Adobe Flash player.
Now TV BSkyBs new online platform is now availa
Now TV, BSkyB’s new online platform, is now available on iPhones and iPads.The streaming service launched earlier this month offering movies from the Sky Movies channels initially on Android devices, PCs and Macs. A Now TV app is now available from Apple’s iTunes Store making the service available to devices running the iOS operating system.Users can choose to pay £15 (€19) per month for unlimited access to Now TV’s catalogue of movies or between £0.99 and £3.49 per title.
The Discovery Channel is the network with the wide
The Discovery Channel is the network with the widest distribution in Europe, according to new research.The Digital TV Research report surveyed 270 channels across 212 operators throughout the EMEA region.It found that Discovery is carried on 171 operators ahead of National Geographic, Eurosport and MTV, which were on 169, 164 and 160 channels respectively.BSkyB in the UK was the pay TV platform with the most high definition channels.In the ranking for HD networks, Fox International Channels’ Nat Geo was top, with carriage on 126 operators. Eurosport, Nat Geo Wild and Discovery Showcase were next and carried on 122, 85 and 75 channels respectively.The research underlines the dominance of the large channel operating groups with the likes of Discovery Networks International, FIC, A+E Networks, Viacom International Media Networks and Turner Broadcasting System figuring prominently.Report author Simon Murray said: “Companies stress the importance that a stable of channels has for pan-European success. In this report, 14 groups contributed 257 channels – or 95% of the total. In fact, these groups provided 83 of the 86 HD channels covered.
Tom Jahr Conax has used IBC to launch a smartcard
Tom JahrConax has used IBC to launch a smartcard-free version of its content security platform, Conax Cardless, to fill the gap between smartcard secured solutions and pure software based clients.Tom Jahr, VP of products and partners, said that this expansion of the company’s existing Conax Contego portfolio had been created on the back of SoC manufacturers building their own secure areas inside their chips. “We now see these to be secure enough to put the software in a dedicated secure area inside the se chips. This has a hardware route of trust with all the basic smartcard functionality,” he said.Conax Cardless is launched simultaneously with Conax Contego 5.0, the latest version of the company’s flagship product line. The cardless product is suitable for one-way networks without a return path, such as analogue switchover-related deployments, said Jahr. The first DVB SoC implementation will be with SoC manufacturer ALi.“We have created a refence design box with ALi,” said Jahr. “This can be deployed very rapidly into the market.”Jahr said the system can run from a single back-end. The channel line-up can be secured by a mixture of card-based and cardless secured solutions.Conax maintains, however, that its smartcards remain ultimately more secure than the cardless solution. For certain types of content such as 4K, it is possible that content provider may specify smartcards, said Jahr.“Pure software can easily be copied or distributed on the internet. There is no hardware route of trust. It can run on a standard processor. If the trust is lost it is almost impossible to regain control,” he said.Conax has also launched a Conax Connect partner programme. “There is a need for solutions and we work closely with partners. To make this more efficient we have created a web-based service called Conax Connect,” said Jahr.Partners get access to an extensive set of APIs and will get support from Conax engineers. The programme also involved joint sales and marketing initiatives through a dedicated proogramme.Conax is also using IBC to create a user interface encompassing search and recommendation. “We have two new partners for Conax Xtend – ThinkAnalytics and Ruwido,” said Jahr. ThinkAnalytics’ recommendation engine and remote control design specialist Ruwido will contribute to Springtime, a new Conax initiatve. Mexican cable operator and Conax customer Cablemas has already chosen ThinkAnalytics as its search and recommendation supplier but Jahr said the partnership would be extended to provide an offering to others providers.Separately, Conax is to supply DTH CAS for Telekom Austria across eight countries using a centralised conditional access system.Conax has now been implementing a reveised strategy for a year, moving away from just protecting content on a set-top box. Since then the company has broadened its product portfolio, creating new editions of Conax Contego and launching the pre-integrated Xtend Multiscreen solution in partnership with CMS and middleware providers. It has also added a range of CI modules with Conax technology, and has launched secure cleints on Android, Macs and PCs.Over the last year Conax has signed up 30 new customers and the company now supports 140 million subscribers in 85 countries, said CEO Morten Solbakken.Recent customers include Dish TV in India, iwth 15 million subscribers, cable operator Cabelmas in Mexico with 3.5 million homes and Columbus Communications owned Flow in the US.
BSkyB has teamed up FX Networks to work on develop
BSkyB has teamed up FX Networks to work on developing new comedy shows for audiences in the UK and Ireland and the US.Sky and FX have struck a two year deal to co-fund and co-develop new half-hour adult scripted comedy. If projects are commissioned the shows will be broadcast on the Sky 1 HD of Sky Atlantic channels in the UK and Ireland and FX Networks channels in the US.Sky said the goal was to create shows that can sit alongside existing series including A Touch of Cloth and Alan Partridge’s Mid-Morning Matters and FX Networks’ Louie and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Home-grown Sky shows that have previously been broadcast on US networks include An Idiot Abroad, A Young Doctor’s Notebook, Spy, Moone Boy and Doll and Em.“We’re hugely excited about working with FX Networks to develop distinctive brand new comedy and further strengthen our commitment to original home-grown programming,” said Lucy Lumsden, Sky’s head of comedy.“Partnering with the world’s most renowned broadcasters lets us bring Sky customers something truly special, and we look forward to working with the most talented comedy writers and performers in both Britain and the US.”
Intelsat 20 in orbit South Africabased DTH pay TV
Intelsat 20 in orbitSouth Africa-based DTH pay TV provider MultiChoice has signed a new 15-year service agreement with Intelsat to deliver services to sub-Saharan Africa via the operator’s new Intelsat 36 satellite, expected to be launched in late 2016.The satellite will be co-located with Intelsat 20 at 68.5˚ East, Intelsat’s main DTH spot for Africa. MultiChoice has been the anchor customer at the 68.5˚ East location since 1995.The MultiChoice DTH services will utilize the Ku-band payload on the satellite, while its C-band payload will provide services to other customers.“MultiChoice’s success is built upon offering our subscribers the best content and customer experience. By growing our presence at Intelsat’s 68.5˚E neighborhood, we continue to bring our customers new and innovative services,” said Tim Jacobs, Group CFO of MultiChoice.“Intelsat’s continued support will enable us to grow our business, providing viewers with high quality programming and compelling entertainment services.”
Eric Gallier Technology provider Thomson Video Net
Eric GallierTechnology provider Thomson Video Networks has launched MediaFlex Suite, a platform to enable digital TV operators to process content from many sources for delivery on a variety of platforms, including satellite, terrestrial, cable, IPTV, and OTT.Capabilities include monitoring, configuring, and dynamically changing their channel lineups for both broadcast and multi-screen services. MediaFlex Suite is part of Thomson’s Behind Every Screen strategy for a comprehensive infrastructure that supports broadcast and OTT streaming of SD, HD, and Ultra HD content on every screen.The platform consists of server software and a set of client applications that streamline management and supervision of services across on-premises and cloud-based resources, according to Thomson.“As the unified service operation and management suite for Behind Every Screen, MediaFlex Suite provides a software layer to facilitate overall service configuration, scheduling, and monitoring,” said Eric Gallier, vice president, marketing, Thomson Video Networks.“MediaFlex Suite greatly simplifies services management for our customers operating across multiple delivery platforms. Combined with MediaFlex OS, the suite can provision branding and compression resources based on priorities for deployment speed, video quality requirements, bandwidth optimisation, and content customisation. Ultimately, MediaFlex Suite provides a unified view of the entire operation to streamline tasks such as migrating services between compression resources, deploying new services rapidly in a data centre, dynamically updating the channel lineup, or extending file transcoding capabilities with external cloud resources.”
PlayStation VR Sony has announced that its new Pla
PlayStation VRSony has announced that its new PlayStation VR headset will launch on October 13 and will cost US$399 in the US.Confirming the launch date at the E3 video game conference in Los Angeles, Sony also announced a number of forthcoming VR games for the device including Battlefront: X-Wing VR Mission and Batman: Arkham VR.The virtual reality PlayStation VR controller connects to the PlayStation 4 console allowing users to “experience games in an entirely new way”.Also at E3, Microsoft revealed more details of its updated, 4K-enabled Xbox One console, which it dubbed Project Scorpio.The device is due launch in late 2017, will have 6 teraflops of GPU, support true 4K gaming and high fidelity virtual reality in what Microsoft described as “the most powerful console ever created.”“Project Scorpio will join the Xbox One family and coexist alongside Xbox One and Xbox One S and all of your Xbox One games and accessories are compatible,” said Microsoft.The new Xbox One S device was unveiled at E3 and is 40% smaller than the Xbox One and supports 4K Ultra HD for Blu-ray movies and content streamed from partners like Netflix and Amazon Video.
Kids SVOD service Azoomee has snagged a raft of BB
Kids SVOD service Azoomee has snagged a raft of BBC kids shows.The on-demand service has licensed a package of CBeebies titles from BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the UK public broadcaster.The content has been licensed for twelve months and already launched on the Azoomee app.Its founders noted Charlie and Lola is already the most-watched show on the service.The programming comes from CBBC and preschool service CBeebies and animation and live-action.CBeebies shows include animated show Charlie and Lola (right), drama series Katie Morag, and science-themed Nina and the Neurons.For older kids there is wildlife series Deadly 60, dance drama The Next Step and live-action comedy/history show Horrible Histories.Azoomee raised £800,000 in a crowd funding push last year and former Nickelodeon UK boss Howard Litton is advising it on its programming line-up.“Acquiring this blue-chip BBC kids content is an exciting and crucial step in cementing Azoomee’s already growing reputation as a ‘good for you’ quality platform for children in the UK,” he said.As well as acquired fare, Azoomee has already moved into original programming with its animated series Search It Up.The service is run by Estelle Lloyd, former MD of publisher Centaur, and Douglas Lloyd. It is available over the top and has a distribution deal with mobile telco O2.
Most of the scams originate in countries such as P
Most of the scams originate in countries such as Philippines and Morocco, added DCI Mullan.Christopher (not his real name) told the Mark Patterson Show how he received a friend request from a “very attractive young lady” on Facebook.“Over a period of a few days we were chatting. She was a lot younger than I was. I’m in my 40s, she was, maybe, in her 20s.“I was going through a bitter divorce at the time and you know… I was enjoying the attention, looking for a new relationship,” he said.“Over a period of time, it progressed to another level where she asked me did I want a video chat and the conversation became quite sexual.“She got me on my phone through messenger and asked: ‘Do you want to see me naked?’“I put on video call, and all of a sudden I see a bedroom, and a girl naked, touching herself, caressing herself – she asked me to do the same thing.“Then all of a sudden she left the camera and came back and she seemed to push some sort of a button, and all of a sudden it was a video of me doing what I shouldn’t.“She says: ‘You’ve just broken the law, if you don’t send £10,000 it (the video) will be posted to various friends.’”One of the names that appeared on Christopher’s device was the name of his daughter.“I went into total panic, total panic and talk about cold sweats,” he said.The blackmailer managed to post the video onto Christopher’s Facebook timeline, but he was able to swiftly remove it.Christopher was given 24 hours to send his blackmailer the money.During this time, he described how feelings of shame, disgust and most of all fear, nearly drove him over the edge.In the end, Christopher reported the person to Facebook, and said the company was very supportive.He also spoke to the Samaritans before confiding in two close friends, who accompanied him to the local police station.“That constable was absolutely brilliant, she saw the stress I was under, she said ‘you’ve broken no law’,” he said.He explained that the police wanted to trace the IP address of the computer being used by the blackmailer.“The case is now closed, they never found out, but I went through hell for two months,” he said.Although still living under the threat of his video being released, Christopher said he felt good.“If I could just use my pain and anxiety to help just one person, then to be honest, I feel quite proud that I’ve done something. That I took a stand you know,” he said.PSNI advice on how to protect yourself online Detective Chief Inspector James Mullan of the PSNI’s Cyber Crime Unit praised the man for coming forward to the BBC to warn others of the dangers lurking on the internet.“We get about two or three reports a week across Northern Ireland of predominantly male people within the community who become victims of this type of incident,” he said.“I want to give people the confidence to come forward to the police and report it,” he said.“While we find it very difficult to get the people responsible, it’s really important that, not just the police service, but other agencies are there to support these people.” A MAN from Derry has revealed how blackmailers demanded £10,000 not to reveal an intimate video on Facebook.He told Radio Foyle’s Mark Patterson show today that he suffered two months of “hell” after being tricked into making the recording by a woman he met online.The PSNI say they are investigating 160 cases of internet sex blackmail across the North of Ireland over the past year. DERRY MAN REVEALS £10,000 BLACKMAIL DEMAND OVER INTIMATE FACEBOOK VIDEO was last modified: March 9th, 2017 by John2John2 Tags: ShareTweet 000 BLACKMAIL DEMAND OVER INTIMATE FACEBOOK VIDEOBBC RADIO FOYLECYBER CRIME UNITDCI JAMES MULLANDERRY MAN REVEALS £10MARK PATTERSON SHOWPSNI Do not compromise your identity by removing clothes or performing intimate acts online.What goes online may stay online, be wary about accepting friend invitations on social networking sites.Do not include any sensitive, private or confidential information on your profile.Update your privacy settings.
Roisin Bradley the Rights Respecting School Coord
Roisin Bradley, the Rights Respecting School Coordinator at Knockavoe School in Strabane, said their pupils had been working hard to promote the values of Fairtrade, and encourage people to consider buying Fairtrade products such as tea, coffee, sugar, chocolate and bananas.“We are a Rights Respecting School Level 2 and the rights of pupils are at the heart of everything we do,” she explained.“We actively promote Fairtrade awareness and support.“The pupils enjoy various multisensory activities to enhance their understanding of Fairtrade.“By taking an active approach and encouraging others to make better shopping choices and to purchase Fairtrade goods we are helping to ensure that the rights of workers are also supported in both the local and wider community.”Work has also been ongoing on a regional level to support the campaign for Northern Ireland to achieve the status as a Fairtrade devolved region.Further information on Fairtrade may be found on both the websites for Fairtrade Ireland www.fairtrade.ie and the Fairtrade Foundation www.fairtrade.org.ukOr by contacting Heather Hamilton at Derry City and Strabane District Council on 028 71253253 or emailing fairtrade@derrystrabane.comDERRY AND STRABANE ACHIEVES FAIRTRADE STATUS was last modified: June 12th, 2017 by John2John2 Tags: Mayor McHugh said he was delighted that Council is taking the lead in raising awareness about responsible trading and supporting disadvantaged producers and workers in developing areas.“I think it’s fantastic that Derry and Strabane Council is taking an active approach to changing people’s trading habits by raising awareness of the issue.“If local people choose Fairtrade products it will directly impact on improving the livelihoods and working conditions of people living in developing countries, ensuring sustainable production and reducing opportunities for exploitation.”Council are part of a Fairtrade Steering Group that promotes Fairtrade locally and a number of awareness events have taken place throughout the year including one for both primary and secondary schools. DERRY AND STRABANE ACHIEVES FAIRTRADE STATUSKNOCKAVIOE SCHOOLRIGHTS RESPECTING SCHOLstrabane ShareTweet THE Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council joined the pupils of Knockavoe School in Strabane this week to celebrate the Council area achieving full Fairtrade status.Councillor Maolíosa McHugh visited the school to find out more about the work they have been doing to discover how Fairtrade operates and promote the Fairtrade message.In 2014 the former Derry City Council was awarded Fairtrade City Status and building on this achievement Derry City and Strabane District Council passed a resolution in 2015 to demonstrate Council’s support for a campaign to achieve Fairtrade status for the whole Council area.DCSDC is now the first Council in Northern Ireland to achieve Fairtrade District Status. The accolade was awarded jointly by Fairtrade Foundation and Fairtrade Ireland.
POLICE are currently at the scene of a security al
POLICE are currently at the scene of a security alert in the town following the discovery of a suspicious device. One home in the Melmount Villas area has been evacuated. British Army Technical Officers have been tasked to the scene. ShareTweet BREAKING NEWS….HOME EVACUATED IN NORTH WEST SECURITY ALERTMELMOUNT VILLASPSNIstrabane
There are no further details at present.BREAKING NEWS….HOME EVACUATED IN NORTH WEST SECURITY ALERT was last modified: August 8th, 2017 by John2John2 Tags: