Tensions between writers and their agents have been building for years and have finally boiled over. The conflict has pitted the Writers Guild of America, which has about 13,000 members, against the Assn. of Talent Agents, a trade group that represents the talent agencies. Here are some answers on what’s behind Hollywood’s strange and ugly family feud: LEAVE A REPLY Cancel replyLog in to leave a comment Facebook Like most break-ups, it’s complicated. Writers feel that their agents have been unfairly enriching themselves from their hard work. They feel agents are no longer looking out for their best interests and instead are seeking new sources of income that aren’t connected to traditional client representation. Specifically, the WGA is enforcing a new agency code of conduct to replace a 43-year-old agreement, and agencies say it threatens their business. Twitter Aren’t writers and agents supposed be on the same side? Advertisement You’re fired! That’s what Hollywood scribes recently told the people who are supposed to find them work. Advertisement
What’s all this stuff about packaging fees? Packaging fees are one of the main reasons the two sides are fighting. Essentially, this is money that talent agencies earn for putting together a deal, instead of collecting the usual 10% commission. The fees have been around for decades, but have grown bigger as agencies have become more heavily involved in production of films and TV shows. Writers maintain that these fees — which can be as much as $75,000 per episode on a single TV series — mean there is less money on the table for them and incentivize agents to put their own financial interests before their clients. Advertisement The headquarters of the Writers Guild of America West in Los Angeles. (WGAW / TNS) So why are they at war? Yes, they are. Agents help writers find work, providing the vital link that connects a writer’s script with potential buyers, usually studios and producers. For their services, agents typically charge the writer a commission of 10%. This is a system that is almost as old as Hollywood itself. Login/Register With:
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RWB Sends Letter to John Kerry Urging more Freedom of Information
Rabat – Reporters Without Borders has sent a letter via the U.S. Embassy in Morocco urging United States Secretary of State John Kerry to raise a number of concerns about freedom of information in Morocco on his upcoming visit to Rabat.The international organization voiced its concerns about the freedom of information in Morocco highlighting the case of Ali Anouzla, the editor of news website Lakome, who is being prosecuted under an anti-terrorism law for posting a link to a video attributed to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.RWB said in the letter that lack of “freedom of information in Morocco, which ranked 136th out of 179 countries in the 2013 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index, is the source of a number of other concerns that require concrete measures by the authorities in order to improve respect for the right to inform and be informed.” The organization stressed the need for legal reforms that would “fully guarantee” the principle of freedom of information. It also regarded the promises of reform announced by Moroccan authorities after the 2011 constitutional referendum to have been “slow to materialize.”Reporters Without Borders underscored the urgent need to eliminate media offences both in the press and penal code.“Media offences urgently need to be decriminalized both in the press code (article 41) and in the penal code (articles 179, 54, 65 and 66), without any resulting increase in the size of fines, which must continue to be proportionate. And the law must clearly and precisely define these offences, especially ‘insults’ and ‘grave insults,’ which are extremely subjective and give the authorities, especially judges, a great deal of scope for arbitrary decisions,” it added.RWB also called for judiciary reform to ensure that judges are independent and that a special law takes primacy over a general law so that no provision in the penal code is applied when a media offence is concerned.It also underlined the need for an independent and transparent mechanism for issuing press cards and accreditation to Moroccan and foreign journalists working for both national and international media.“Neither the issuing nor withdrawal of a press card or accreditation should be the result of an arbitrary political decision. A decision to withdraw should be exceptional and should be taken by court,” highlighted RWB.The international organization stressed the need for independent and transparent mechanisms to allocate direct state subsidies to the media, to allocate state and private-sector advertising, and to regulate or provide for self-regulating of the print and broadcast media.Edited by Elisabeth Myers© Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed
Prodemocracy students usher in New Year with fresh protests
CAIRO– Students also inaugurated a new protest campaign, dubbed “12Elsobh” (“12am”), which aims to mark midnight each day with shouts and chants against “military rule.”In the early hours of Wednesday, pro-democracy students at Al-Azhar University rang in the New Year with fresh protests outside their dormitory compound in eastern Cairo.According to eyewitnesses, students staged a march in the Nasr City district, chanting slogans against last summer’s ouster of elected president Mohamed Morsi by the military. They also shouted slogans against the army and police.Students also inaugurated a new protest campaign, dubbed “12Elsobh” (“12am”), which aims to mark midnight each day with shouts and chants against “military rule.”As the clock struck midnight, scores of students stood on their dormitory balconies and shouted: “Down with military rule!”Since Egypt’s academic year began in September, several universities have been rocked by demonstrations against Morsi’s July 3 ouster.Al-Azhar University – a traditional stronghold of students affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, the group from which Morsi hails – has seen the most violent protests, with daily rallies often escalating into violent confrontations between students and police.By Sobhi Mugahed
Opinion Sterilization Must Be More Widely Promoted in Morocco
Rabat – This morning, my six-month-old cat escaped from my El Youssoufia apartment in Rabat. I experienced every indoor cat owner’s worst nightmare.My fiance was frantic, and he raced out the door as I watched her frolic in the garden from our first-floor windows. I tried to lure her back inside with a toy, but she wasn’t interested. In the distance, I saw Ricky, a big orange cat with a wonky eye, creep through the barbed wire fence into the garden. He was heading straight for Doha.Shouting obscenities, I raced around the apartment looking for something soft but heavy to throw at him should he get too close. I grabbed the rubber lid from a can of cat food and dashed back to my post. Amine, my fiance, was outside, but the gate to the garden was padlocked and the elderly woman with the only key was nowhere to be found. After trying unsuccessfully to maneuver through the barbed wire, he scaled the gate. When Amine landed on the other side, Ricky got spooked and ran away. I released my weapon, relieved that Doha was just seconds away from being back inside. Read Also: Eid al-Adha and the Debate of Animal SacrificeExcept she wasn’t. As Amine approached her, she bolted. She had no plans to come quietly, and darted under a padlocked door into a junk-filled alleyway that luckily had no exit. After a few minutes of anxious waiting, Amine broke through the rusted door to the alley where he found Doha locked in a staredown with Sheila, the hefty blue-cream calico who had claimed the territory around our corner of the building. A notorious fighter with the scars to prove it, Sheila goes after any female cat who gets too close. Startled by Amine’s belligerent entrance, Sheila hightailed it out of the alley. Doha, too, was about to make a run for it, but she got distracted by a sound behind her. Only because of this brief moment of vulnerability was my fiance finally able to grab her. Today I realized that my cat was in heat. She went outside not because of boredom or curiosity but to look for a mate; she wanted not to be free but to be impregnated. This instinct put her in danger—she could have easily gotten lost, been attacked by another cat, or hit by a car—and nearly gave my poor fiance a heart attack. This unnerving ordeal taught us an important lesson about owning a pet: sterilization is an urgent necessity. Benefits for household petsAll unsterilized animals are driven by the instinct to mate, but domesticated household pets face enormous risks when pursuing these natural tendencies. Male and female cats and dogs will wander until they find a suitable partner, making them vulnerable to fights with other animals; dangerous weather conditions; cars and trains; insect bites; diseases and infections; hunger; and being unable to find their way home. Many pet owners unfortunately lose their animals due to this instinct to mate— and to the potentially life-threatening health issues that affect unsterilized cats and dogs. Female cats and dogs are prone to uterine infections and breast tumors, “which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats,” according to the ASPCA. “Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.”Unsterilized male cats and dogs can develop testicular cancer and various prostate problems. The sterilization of cats and dogs is recommended by all veterinarians, as it significantly improves health as well as behavior in both males and females. Unsterilized male cats, or tomcats, regularly mark their territory with a pungent urine spray and usually exhibit aggressive behavior. Tomcats who are free to go outside the house are likely to get into fights with other males, which puts your cat in danger. They will undoubtedly mate with unsterilized females, thereby directly contributing to the overpopulation of your neighborhood. Unsterilized female cats, known as queens, also flaunt undesirable behaviors. Most notable is the constant yowling when in heat, and they may also mark objects with urine during this period. If an unsterilized female housecat is allowed outside, she will most likely come home pregnant. If she cannot roam outside at will, her scent and noises will attract tomcats to your property.Unsterilized or intact male dogs are often more aggressive than other dogs and far more difficult to train. Like tomcats, intact dogs mark their territory with urine. They also may engage in inappropriate or unsettling behavior such as masturbation or mounting people, animals, and inanimate objects. Unsterilized female dogs will bleed when in heat, which stains carpets and furniture and requires constant cleaning. They may also endure false pregnancies during which their nipples produce milk. They will also attract intact males, and can get pregnant if left unsupervised. Hormonal animals in the house are generally a nuisance. However, no matter how annoying they may be, these behaviors are natural responses to hormonal fluctuations. They cannot be corrected using disciplinary measures. Sterilizing your pet will not solve every behavioral issue, but eliminating the desire to mate curtails plenty of unwanted and potentially dangerous exploits in cats and dogs. Ideological approaches to sterilizationWhile there are many recorded benefits to sterilization, some Muslims wonder if this procedure goes against their religion. Some Islamic scholars, or ulama, believe that sterilization interferes with God’s creation, and that good Muslims should not even keep animals–particularly dogs—as pets. Buying and selling dogs and cats is actually considered haram by some jurists, as is spending an excessive amount of money on caring for or celebrating animals. Alternatively, some ulama believe that animals can only be sterilized if they are going to be used for food at some point. This, of course, excludes household pets such as cats and dogs. Other scholars maintain that sterilizing animals is permissible so long as it does not hurt the animal, and some argue that sterilizing animals is actually necessary to prevent their suffering. These pro-sterilization scholars use the reality of overpopulation to justify this reasoning. In developed and developing countries alike, thousands of unwanted cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters and culled in the streets on a daily basis. Sterilization prevents the birth of unwanted animals that will eventually be neglected, abused, or killed. In this sense, it is permissible—and necessary. Public health benefitsIn Morocco, where there are as many unwanted animals as there are people, street cats and dogs are suffering. A large-scale sterilization program is the only solution to Morocco’s cat and dog overpopulation problem. By reducing the overall number of litters born—to both household pets and strays—the general population of unwanted animals will decrease.Reducing the population of cats and dogs will greatly benefit the public. The spread of rabies and other diseases be curtailed, animal waste will be less prevalent in residential areas, and traffic accidents caused by wandering cats and dogs will decrease. Additionally, the daily nuisances such as fighting, barking, and mating that are associated with strays will dwindle.Successfully combating Morocco’s animal overpopulation is also dependent on pet owners, which means that sterilization procedures must become more accessible. Morocco needs more veterinarians, pet-related medical expenses should be scaled to the cost of living, and pet owners must be informed of the responsibility they have to spay and neuter their companions. While several independent animal welfare organizations are working to sterilize and vaccinate, local stray populations, most cannot afford to pursue comprehensive TNR (trap-neuter-return) programs.A true solution must be initiated by the government, supported by the people, and bolstered by pet owners.
Ban calls for urgent measures to end DR Congo crisis at Nairobi
7 November 2008Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for urgent measures to contain the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), stressing to a United Nations-backed summit in Nairobi that neither the vast African nation nor the surrounding region can afford to be dragged back into conflict. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for urgent measures to contain the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), stressing to a United Nations-backed summit in Nairobi that neither the vast African nation nor the surrounding region can afford to be dragged back into conflict.Fighting in the province of North Kivu between Government forces (FARDC) and the National Congress in Defence of the People (known as the CNDP), a militia led by former general Laurent Nkunda, has displaced as many as 252,000 Congolese in recent months.Today’s summit, hosted by the African Union, brings together DRC President Joseph Kabila and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, which borders North Kivu, as well as the leaders of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and South Africa. “Before anything else, we must take urgent measures to contain the present crisis created by the upsurge of fighting in eastern DRC,” Mr. Ban told the leaders. “Neither the DRC, nor Rwanda, nor the rest of the Central Africa region can afford to be dragged back into conflict. The international community cannot allow this to occur.”Mr. Ban, in a statement issued yesterday, had voiced deep concern at fresh fighting in North Kivu and urged all armed groups to get behind efforts to broker a political solution to the current crisis.At today’s meeting, he stressed the need to deal with the “armed group challenge,” pointing out that the grave consequences of foreign armed groups in the DRC are felt not only by the Congolese people, but also continue to weigh heavily across the region.“For far too long, peace and security in your region has been threatened by armed groups, domestic and foreign, present on the soil of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have been operating from there with impunity, aggravating strains between your countries and between your peoples.”In seeking a political solution, he said “our urgent task is to turn the Nairobi and Goma principles into concrete steps on the ground,” referring to previous agreements which provided for a ceasefire, the disengagement of troops and the disarmament of armed groups.“We need to end the conflict in the east, and prevent it from spilling over into the wider sub-region. We need to restore the authority of the State, and consolidate the stability that has been achieved in the rest of the country,” he added.“As leaders of Africa, you have a historic responsibility – this is a critical moment for the Great Lakes region, and for Africa as a whole. We must put the cycle of violence behind us. We must build a shared future of stability, peace, development and human rights for all citizens of your countries,” the Secretary-General stated.Before the start of the summit, Mr. Ban held a number of bilateral meetings, including with Mr. Kabila, Mr. Kagame, President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, who is also the Chair of the AU, and Jean Ping, Chairperson of the AU Commission. Joining the Secretary-General at those meetings was his newly-appointed Special Envoy and former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, who is tasked with working with leaders in the region and the broader international community to end the crisis.Even as the leaders gathered in the Kenyan capital for today’s talks, there are reports of heavy clashes between FARDC and CNDP in Kibati, which is about nine kilometres north of Goma, leading to thousands of new internally displaced persons (IDPs). There is increasing concern about the safety of some 65,000 IDPs living in Kibati camps.The 17,000-strong UN peacekeeping force in the DRC, known as MONUC, also reported that a counter-attack last night landed the Congolese army the upper hand in Nyanzale, which had yesterday fallen to rebels loyal to Mr. Nkunda, who have now retreated to the town’s outskirts. MONUC has been stretched to the limit in recent weeks trying to carry out its mandate to protect civilians amid the violence. The mission has been reinforcing its troops in North Kivu, where it currently has 5,000 peacekeepers. Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, Edmond Mulet, told a news conference in New York that, as of the end of today, MONUC will have 1,000 combat troops in Goma, where the ceasefire seems to be holding and which has a swelling population of between 700,000 and 1 million. “We are very concerned that the situation may deteriorate further,” he added. In that regard, he stressed that it is crucial that the Security Council consider “without delay” the Secretary-General’s request for 3,000 additional troops to boost MONUC’s strength on the ground. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the total number of displaced in North Kivu since September is now estimated to be 252,000 people. This is in addition to the existing 800,000 IDPs from previous hostilities. UN agencies and their non-governmental organization (NGO) partners have stepped up distributions of relief items, including food, water, health supplies and shelter equipment. Aid agencies on the ground have also noted that all schools in the combat zone are closed, with some reportedly occupied by IDPs.With more cases of cholera reported at IDP camps, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is increasing the availability of clean water and of water purification tablets, as well as installing more latrines. Diarrhoea and measles among children are among the major concerns right now. The agency is launching a vaccination campaign today for some 13,000 children at the Kibati camps, and hopes to reach 73,000 children in the coming days. Meanwhile, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy has urged the parties to halt fighting and take all necessary measures to protect civilians, including children.“Children are increasingly victimized and traumatized by the recurrent hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Ms. Coomaraswamy, who raised specific concerns about the systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and child soldiering. “Widespread recruitment of children by the troops of Laurent Nkunda and the Mayi Mayi continues. Forcing them to participate in the hostilities is a war crime,” she underlined. In addition, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Francis Deng, has been closely following the situation in eastern DRC within the context of his responsibilities.Noting the tragic history of loss of life in the region over at least the past 15 years, including on the basis of ethnicity, the Special Adviser has been especially alarmed by the escalation of violence in the past few weeks. He noted that the intention to destroy an ethnic population group, in whole or in part, is a grave crime under international criminal law – one which the international community, including Member States in the region and beyond, has an obligation to prevent and to punish when it does occur. He emphasized that the belligerents in eastern DRC must refrain from actions that might encourage genocide and that they, and any actors who provide material support, will be held accountable if they fail to do so.
Duminda appears in Court
Parliamentarian Duminda Silva appeared in Court today over the Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra murder case.Silva, who was in hospital after being re-admitted on Saturday, appeared before the Court and then returned to hospital. Duminda Silva left the Nawaloka hospital last week after being given bail in the Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra murder case.Four others were also granted bail by the Colombo High Court in relation to the case.Silva returned to the island from Singapore in March after receiving treatment for the injuries he suffered during the shooting incident. Premachandra had claimed that the MP was attempting to avoid Court as he will be questioned on the murder of her father. Silva was taken to hospital on Saturday just a week after he was discharged after recovering from injuries suffered during the 2011 shooting incident.Hirunika Premachandra said that she was surprised to hear MP Duminda Silva had been admitted to hospital again even after his much publicised release from hospital. Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra was killed in the shooting incident in October 2011 and Silva was seen as one of the main suspects in the murder. (Colombo Gazette) Hirunika Premachandra yesterday raised suspicion on Silva being re-admitted to hospital just a day before he was scheduled to appear in Court.
Ramith gets away with fine
The Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board has decided to impose a fine on Sri Lanka ‘A’ team cricketer Ramith Rambukwella over the mid-air incident on a British airways flight recently.Sri Lanka Cricket said that the Executive Committee has imposed 50% fine of his tour fee while the Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will also issue a severe warning to him over his behavior. It was alleged that he had attempted to open the door of the plane while it was some 35,000 feet in the air while he was drunk following a tour to the West Indies recently. According to the team manager’s report following the incident, the team had boarded British Airways flight BA 2158 from Greneda on the 30th of June to London. British media reported however that he pushed and pulled for up to two minutes at the exterior door on the packed British Airways flight from St Lucia to Gatwick after playing against the West Indies.A spokesman for the airline had told the British media: “During the flight a man got up and tried to go to the toilet. But instead of going to the toilet he tried to open the aircraft door in mid-flight. The event was linked to an element of alcohol. He explained his mistake and cabin crew accepted it in good faith.” (Colombo Gazette) While in mid-air Ramith Rambukwella had tried to use the toilet. Due to the dim lights in the cabin the player has mistakenly tried to open one of the cabin doors thinking it was the toilet door . At that moment certain passengers had brought to his notice that he is trying to access the incorrect door.At this point the officials of the Sri Lankan team too walked up to the player and directed him the right way. The player apologized profusely to the passengers and to the cabin staff who accepted it in good faith, the team manager said in his report.
Annan condemns suicide bombing in Jerusalem urges sides to cooperate with Powell
“[The Secretary-General] reiterates his utter condemnation of such attacks against Israeli civilians as morally repugnant,” Mr. Annan’s spokesman, Fred Eckhard, said in a statement, which stressed that in order to break the cycle of violence, both parties must move towards an immediate ceasefire, leading to negotiations on a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement. “In this regard, the Secretary-General calls on Chairman Arafat and Prime Minister Sharon to cooperate with United States Secretary of State Colin Powell’s mission,” the statement said.Mr. Annan, who was in Geneva today, called attention to the “massive” violations of human rights and humanitarian law going on in the Middle East. “We must all be deeply upset by the spectacle of so many unnecessary deaths; so much destruction and distress; so much erosion of restraints and coarsening of moral sensibility,” he said in an address earlier today to the UN Commission on Human Rights.With the parties “locked in the logic of war,” the Secretary-General said progress would require moving them to the “logic of peace” by addressing the core issues of occupation, violence – including terrorism – and the economic plight of the Palestinians. “We must also remember that one cause of the current situation has been the persistent denial of fundamental human rights,” he stressed.Mr. Annan said the task of the international community – and the Commission – “is to help bring both parties back to civilized standards of conduct; to insist on respect for human rights and humanitarian law; and to demand access for humanitarian organizations, as well as respect for freedom of expression.”Towards this end, he called on the leaders of both sides to “make an immediate declaration of commitment to respect basic norms of human rights and humanitarian law.”
SMMT International Bulletin September 2014 edition
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Buckeyes aim to break hex against topranked Akron Zips
The nation’s top-ranked Akron Zips men’s soccer team looks to extend its 11-game shutout streak Wednesday when it visits No. 23 Ohio State for a match in which the Buckeyes are the underdogs. “We got nothing to lose and everything to gain by getting a good result in this game,” OSU coach John Bluem said. “The pressure is all on their team.” The Buckeyes (5-2-1) are hoping to parlay last Wednesday’s scoreless tie with No. 8 Louisville and Saturday’s 1-0 win at Michigan into momentum heading into tonight’s game and the upcoming Big Ten schedule. “It’s a chance to play the No. 1 team in the country and measure yourself against them,” Bluem said. “At the end of the year, if you want to be a Big Ten Champion or an NCAA Tournament participant, this is what you’re going to face,” Bluem said. Despite their shutout streak, the Zips’ defense doesn’t match up with their offense, defender Matt Gold said. “Someone always told me that the best defense is offense and that sums it up pretty well,” he said. “They are all very technical, talented and smart players.” Bluem said that in order to end Akron’s shutout streak, OSU must concede space defensively while using more defenders with the hope of being able to capitalize on counter attacks. Gold said Akron normally controls the ball for 70 percent of the game, which means opposing teams rarely get opportunities to score. “We just have to exploit their weaknesses,” midfielder Sam Scales said. “If they make a mistake we really have to take advantage of it, especially in the back, we got to counter and finish our chances.” The recent play of goalkeeper Matt Lampson might afford OSU’s defense to play more aggressively. Monday, Lampson received the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week accolades for his shutout efforts against Louisville and Michigan. He had 11 saves in Ann Arbor, Mich. “He was at his very best against Michigan,” Bluem said. “He had a great performance and he’s going to need to have a similar performance for us to be successful against Akron.” Kickoff against Akron is Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
Over 70000 votes for WORLD HANDBALL PLAYER 2016 in first 72 hours
← Previous Story Barca outplay Danish champions in second half Next Story → Aufwiedersehen and 歓迎 Dagur Sigurdsson! World Handball Player 2016 Handball Planet Another fantastic year of WORLD HANDBALL PLAYER 2016 is ahead of us. Traditional voting Contest for the best handball player on the Earth and BEST 7 of World Handball began last Friday. Handball journalists and experts from 32 countries made nominations, while the last member of the Jury are handball fans across the Globe.As in previous years, handball community has outstanding reaction on voting process delivering over 70.000 votes for the first 72 hours!Keep voting until December 8!Vote for HP WORLD HANDBALL PLAYER 2016 until December 8
This happens we go to work trauma surgeon at Boston hospital
EIGHT PATIENTS REMAIN in a critical condition at Massachusetts General Hospital tonight, according to the Emergency Department’s trauma surgeon.Dr Peter Fagenholz told reporters that of the 29 marathon patients being treated at the medical centre, eight are “seriously ill”. Many will require follow-up and serial operations over the coming days, he said.The most common injury suffered by people in the two explosions that rocked the finish line of the Boston Marathon are “combined lower extremity injuries, combined meaning bone injuries, soft tissue injuries and vascular injuries”.Surgical staff at the hospital, which has seen the majority of seriously injured patients from the attack, have carried out a number of operations, including several amputations.Dr Fagenholz said he performed operations on six victims of today’s blast. According to the trauma surgeon, many of the injured were spectators and not runners. The oldest victim is 71 years old.Injuries also include shattered ear drums and shrapnel wounds. He said it was not clear to medical staff if the metal debris found in patients is a result of intentionally-place metal or if it was material from the environment involved in the blast.Answering questions from reporters, the doctor said it was “too early to say how everyone is going to do”. They are not looking OK, because that is not what critical means, unfortunately.“It’s just depressing,” he said. “We take care of accidents all the time, it’s just depressing it is intentional.”Describing the injuries seen at the emergency department, Dr Fagenholz said, “Any traumatic amputation is a gruesome injury – but we do see it in daily life. This is work, this happens, we go to work.”The surgeon praised the hospital’s staff, many of whom returned to the city “within hours” despite days off. He said the wards and operating rooms had “as much people power” as they could.“Within the hospital, people rose to the occasion,” he added.Management has said that its blood supply is currently sufficient but they asked the public not to forget their offers of donations in the coming weeks when it will need replenishing.Concluding the press briefing, Dr Fagenholz confirmed, “I started performing surgeries at 8am and, pretty much hadn’t stopped until coming to talk to you. Now I have to return.”More than 130 others were injured in the attack and have been treated at area hospitals. The death toll has risen to three, local authorities confirmed. Citing two law enforcement sources, the Boston Globe said an eight-year-old was among the deceased.Many of the victims are minors and Boston Children’s Hospital confirmed it is treating 10 patients from the race line.According to Reuters journalist Edith Honan, the injury list includes leg traumas, fractures and two head injuries to a 14-year-old and a two-year-old.At Boston Medical Centre, 16 patients have been described as having “serious” injuries.Updated: So far no reports of Irish caught up in marathon blastsRead more coverage of the Boston Marathon explosions>
Idaho rockslides have local repercussions
Two large rock slides near the Idaho-Montana border are causing repercussions on the BNSF rail system as far away as Vancouver.The slides also forced delay of Amtrak’s Empire Builder service, which provides daily passenger trains between Portland/Vancouver and Seattle to Chicago.The first slide occurred about 1 p.m. Sunday and was detected by a signal system on a nearby BNSF train, said Gus Melonas, a railway spokesman. The slide covered the railroad’s single-track main line, called the Highline Route, with boulders, earth and trees to a depth of 30 feet in an area 30 feet wide.The slide was at the bottom of a 130-foot cliff along the Kootenai River, about 18 miles east of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. With the main line blocked, traffic started to back up. In addition to Amtrak, about 30 freight trains a day use the line, which connects the Pacific Northwest with Chicago and points east. Some of the trains originate in Vancouver, Melonas said.As the main line was cleared, a second slide occurred at 6:30 a.m. Monday in the same general area. That slide was about 20 feet long and 20 feet deep.A combined crew of 20 and equipment from Libby, Mont., and Troy, Idaho, attacked the slide and hoped to have the line reopened late Monday or early Tuesday.Some trains were able to be rerouted on Montana Rail Link tracks.For BNSF, the slide was just the latest in what has been two seasons of rock slides, snow drifts and other nature-caused track problems. “This has been the most challenging year I’ve seen in my 35 years in the railroad,” Melonas said.
Dalit woman in Uttar Pradesh stopped from using toilet by BHU
VARANASI: A female student of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Uttar Pradesh has accused two Proctorial Board security guards of stopping her from entering a campus toilet because she was a Dalit. The guards have, however, denied the charges of discrimination and said they only stopped her from entering a men’s toilet. Chief Proctor O.P. Rai has instituted a three-member committee to probe into the allegation. Also Read – Dehydrated elephant being given treatment Advertise With Us According to reports, the complainant, who is studying arts and is an active member of BHU’s SC/ST Students’ Programme Organising Committee, said she was working at the Bahujan Helpdesk near Mahila Mahavidyalaya premises for the past five days to guide college freshmen. On Thursday, she tried to enter the Mahila Mahavidyalaya premises to use a toilet when the guards stopped her. They allegedly asked her to go to the hospital or college campus for using a toilet. Also Read – CBI carrying out surprise checks at 150 government departments Advertise With Us “Their attitude was discriminatory, inhuman and illegal,” the student said in her written complaint to the Chief Proctor. She has demanded ‘immediate disciplinary action’ against the guards. On Friday, Rai said he had received the student’s complaint and met her personally to hear out her grievances. “The accused guards were summoned. They have claimed that they stopped her because she was entering a men’s toilet. We have, however, formed a panel, which includes two women officials, to probe into the matter,” Rai said. He said action would be taken based on the committee’s report.
Nintendo reserves the right to brick your 3DS if piracy detected
Nintendo is not holding back with its threats to cut gamers off if they decide to download and play pirate games on the 3DS. Retailers in Japan are being warned by Nintendo that it will disable a 3DS if illegal games are detected running on it. This deactivation process will be activated through firmware.The warning from Nintendo has led to some retailers issuing a warning to customers stating they cannot accept any 3DS hardware that has been customized in anyway. This is purely because they cannot guarantee the hardware will continue to function when they resell it.Proof of the pressure being put on retailers comes from Japanese games store chain Enterking who has already issued such a warning on its website. A section of the Nintendo 3DS terms of service is printed followed by the statement:Because of terms of agreement above, Enterking refuses to buy 3DS system with record of illegal or unapproved equipment. Enterking also asks that customers format their system before bringing it in to sell. This suggests that Nintendo actually keeps a record of any illegal activity on the 3DS which it can then analyze on a firmware update and react to. By formatting the device such a record would presumably be removed.Read more at GoNintendo, via Eurogamer.netMatthew’s OpinionI understand that Nintendo wants to take a hard line with piracy, but I’m not sure it is standing on solid legal ground if it starts bricking hardware.If I go out and buy a 3DS I have the right to continue to use it as long a fault does not occur. At no point should Nintendo have the right or ability to stop my 3DS from working because it believes I have played a game on it I did not pay for. They could take legal action against individuals, but breaking a device is both not fair or right. For example, what if they are mistaken and it’s a fault in the firmware check that triggers the deactivation?The reaction to this standpoint by Nintendo is hackers will work harder to open up the system so as this cannot happen. We’ve already seen the team who produce the R4 carts hack the 3DS, so it’s by no means secure and I fully expect custom firmware to appear for it.
A new Mary Poppins trailer debuted at the Oscars and it looks
GAYSTARNEWS- There was plenty of talking points from this year’s Oscars ceremony on Sunday (4 March).But a surprise trailer that aired during a break in the ceremony provided one of the talking points of the evening.The new film, Mary Poppins Returns, follows on from the classic 1964 Disney movie – stars Emily Blunt as the quintessential British nanny.Mary Poppins Returns to our screens[embedded content]The long-awaited sequel will also feature grown-up versions of Jane and Michael Banks, the children that Mary looked after in the original film.Emily Mortimer and Ben Whishaww will play the children, while Poppins legend Dick Van Dyke will play Mr. Dawes Junior.This Christmas, a new story begins. Here’s your first look at Mary Poppins Returns. #MaryPoppinsReturns pic.twitter.com/JBKcZfv78b— Mary Poppins (@MaryPoppins) March 5, 2018Meanwhile, after the advert aired at The Oscars, fans took to social media to share their excitement – and skepticism – of bringing a sequel to the much-loved story. The new film will follow on from the original story, rather than rebooting it.I actually didn’t see it til I was an adult. But fell in love with it and watched so often. This new one looks enchanting in its own way.— Lis (@Elise_ium) March 5, 2018‘I actually didn’t see it til I was an adult.‘But fell in love with it and watched so often. This new one looks enchanting in its own way.’The #MaryPoppinsReturns trailer looks awful. Sry but you can’t top or recreate something that was already practically perfect in every way.— Medina Marie (@MedinaMarie_PI) March 5, 2018‘The #MaryPoppinsReturns trailer looks awful,’ wrote a less than impressed fan.‘Sry but you can’t top or recreate something that was already practically perfect in every way.’Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns will hit UK cinemas in December 2018.Got a news tip? Want to share your story? Email us . Emily Blunt will be bringing Disney’s famous nanny back to the screen this year (Picture: Disney) A new trailer for a sequel to classic film Mary Poppins aired at the 90th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
eTN Chatroom for Readers (join us) Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:Like Loading… Dwayne Johnson posts first-look pic of he and Jack Whitehall on new Disney film setCharlize Theron stars as bi mom in upcoming comedy drama TullyStar Wars: The Last Jedi had a gay couple that no-one noticedRead the full article on Gaystarnews: :https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/mary-poppins-trailer-debut-oscars/
by Jill Dobson The Associated Press Posted No
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
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