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California teamsters picket Orange County transit system in contract dispute

Sunday, July 8, 2007

In an ongoing labor dispute from May of this year in California, United States, Teamsters Local 952, which represents the Orange County Transportation Authority‘s 1,200 coach operators, went on strike at 12:35 a.m. (0035 hrs) PDT Saturday morning after a cooling-off period declared by State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger expired.

Sanctioned picket lines have been formed outside Authority facilities in Garden Grove, Anaheim, and Santa Ana. About 200,000 regular passengers are affected.

Major sticking points in the negotiation appear to be related to cost-of-living increases and pension funding allocations. The strike was declared after the Authority’s bargaining agent said he lacked authority to approve a union counter proposal, which he said had to be taken before the OCTA’s board of directors, who will not be available to meet until Monday the 9th at the earliest.

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If You Need The Advice Of An Experienced Slip And Fall Lawyer

byphineasgray

If you need the advice of an experienced slip and fall lawyer, but you are worried about the expense involved, you might be surprised to learn that you don’t need money up front in many cases. Most slip and fall attorneys are willing to offer potential clients a free consultation. This means that you can usually call with a few details of your case and find out whether the attorney thinks it will be worth pursuing.

The Contingent Fee Basis

If your slip and fall lawyer determines that your case is worth pursuing, you still don’t have to worry about paying any cash up front. Many slip and fall lawyers will agree to take your case on what is referred to as a contingent fee basis. Essentially, this means that you will sign a contract with your attorney that states you will pay them part of your settlement once you receive it.

The amount of a contingent fee is variable and depends on the lawyer, but in many cases it will be around 33 percent of the total settlement. If your case does not result in a settlement, but instead goes to court, you percent of the total award to the attorney should you receive an award in court. While this amount is certainly higher, court awards are traditionally considerably higher than settlements, so you will still be likely to receive a considerable sum even after you pay your lawyer.

Proving Your Case

If you are worried about proving your slip and fall case, your lawyer will take that burden off your shoulders. The attorney will investigate the scene of the accident, take statements, peruse accident reports in depth and do everything in their power to demonstrate how and why you were injured. You may need to do nothing more than make a clear statement to the attorney so they can get a first hand account of your injury. If you need the advice of an experienced slip and fall lawyer, consider contacting a local personal injury lawyer today. A consultation appointment is often free for new clients!

Visit Swartzculleton.com for further details.

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Jawbone found in Aruba is not Natalee Holloway’s

Thursday, November 25, 2010

A jawbone found in Aruba is not that of missing American Natalee Holloway, who was a recent high school-graduate at the time of her disappearance. Officials confirmed the news after Dutch scientists completed tests on the bone. The jawbone, which also had a wisdom tooth with it, was found by an American tourist close to the Phoenix Hotel. A second bone had also been found by another tourist earlier this month.

The bone was sent to the Netherlands Forensic Institute where scientists completed tests. They compared the bone to dental records given to them by Natalee’s father, from which they confirmed the the bone was not that of Natalee, although it was human. It was said to be unlikely that the bone was Holloway’s as there is no physical evidence that she was murdered.

Beth accepts the forensic conclusions, is emotionally exhausted from the inexplicably long wait, and deeply disappointed in the time and manner in which she learned of the results.

Taco Stein, the Aruban Solicitor General, released a statement after the announcement was made. He commented on the speed of the identification; he said that they had quickly ruled out Holloway because her records had shown that she had her wisdom teeth previously removed.

Tim Miller, the Director of the Texas EquuSearch, released a statement after talking to Natalee’s father. He said “Dave [Natalee’s father] has been in contact with Aruban authorities and spoke with FBI this morning, the agent working the case. Dave believes it is Natalee.”

An attorney for Natalee’s mother, Beth Twitty, released a statement saying “Beth accepts the forensic conclusions, is emotionally exhausted from the inexplicably long wait, and deeply disappointed in the time and manner in which she learned of the results.” He commented on the Aruban authorities saying that “Apparently Aruban prosecutors were more sensitive to media concerns than the painful vigil of a mother.”

Natalee Holloway disappeared on the island in 2005 while on a school trip. She was last seen leaving a nightclub with three men, one of which was later identified as Joran van der Sloot. Van der Sloot was detained twice by police but has never been charged with Holloway’s disappearance. He is currently in Peru facing a different murder charge. Aruban authorities have said that they are checking neighboring islands to find a match for other missing persons.

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Ground broken on Northpoint development in Cambridge, Massachusetts

A view of the Leonard Zakim bridge from the construction site. The warehouses at right will be replaced by a five-acre park within two years. The elevated roadway in the foreground is the John F. Gilmore Bridge.

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Cambridge, Massachusetts —Construction of two condominium buildings and a five-acre park began on March 21, in East Cambridge, Massachusetts. The buildings and park are part of the 45-acre Northpoint development, which will take 15 years and more than $2bn to complete, according to the Boston Globe. The buildings, designated as “Building S” and “Building T” by the planners of the project, Spaulding & Slye Colliers, have been designed by local architectural firm Childs Bertman Tseckares and Architects Alliance from Toronto. Buildings S and T are the first of an eventual 20 buildings planned at the site.

The development will fill what used to be a railroad yard for the Guilford Rail System, a subsidiary of Guilford Transportation Industries. According to Hoovers.com, Guilford is controlled by Timothy Mellon, heir to the Mellon banking fortune. Guilford Rail Systems has its headquarters in North Billerica and owns 1600 miles of railroad throughout New England. The tracks in the Northpoint plot have been removed, though Boston subway’s Lechmere station remains within walking distance of the site, along with parts of Boston and Cambridge. The site is bordered by Route 93 on its eastern side, Monsignor O’Brien Highway to the west, and the Gilmore Bridge to the south.

The landscape architecture of the park is provided by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, a landscape architecture firm on Concord Avenue in Cambridge. The firm’s principal teaches in Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. MVVA is also completing the landscape for Harvard’s Northwest Science Building.

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Wikinews interviews Dr Thomas Scotto and Dr Steve Hewitt about potential US military intervention in Syria

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

File:Tom scotto.jpg

The United States President, Barack Obama, announced on Saturday he was seeking Congressional authorisation for military intervention in Syria.

Wikinews interviewed Professor of Government Dr. Thomas Scotto from the UK’s University of Essex and Senior Lecturer in American and Canadian Studies Dr. Steve Hewitt from the UK’s University of Birmingham about the proposed military intervention by the USA in Syria.

((Wikinews)) What is your job role?

Dr. Thomas Scotto: I am a Professor of Government, teaching courses in quantitative methods, public opinion, political behaviour, and American Politics. I have been at Essex since January, 2007. I am the Principal Investigator of a major ESRC grant on public opinion on foreign policy attitudes in five nations (Great Britain, United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy).
Dr. Steve Hewitt: Dr. Steve Hewitt, Senior Lecturer in American and Canadian Studies [at the University of Birmingham].

((WN)) The Republican speaker John Boehner is endorsing Barack Obama’s strategy, do you think this will lead to Congress authorising military intervention?

TS: Ultimately, I believe that the President will succeed, but I doubt it will be a neat voter — there will be a significant number of Democrats and Republicans who do not fall into line and vote against intervention.
I think the real story is that in the past two weeks, we have seen an amazing shift in how the Executives of the United States (President Obama) and the United Kingdom (Prime Minister Cameron) execute foreign policy. In the post-War period, committing the nation to take military action was seen as the prerogative of the President and Prime Minister, with the legislatures of both countries providing, at best, weak oversight.
In the United States, there is the War Powers Act and the authorisation of the first Gulf War, but the President’s authority was rarely challenged nor was it really believed that the President needed to consult Congress. In the UK, you would have to go back to the late 1700s to find the last time a Prime Minister was truly rebuffed on a matter of military intervention.
Why is that? I think it’s war fatigue on the part of the public and the average member of the UK Parliament and the US Congress. A significant number of those sitting on the backbenches of Parliament and in the Congress are thinking of balancing their nations’ budgets in times of fiscal austerity, and they have ties to constituencies, which don’t want to see their country shed blood and treasure in another prolonged conflict in the Middle East where the backgrounds of the rebel groups the US and UK are supporting is not well defined and the end goals are uncertain.
SH: Not necessarily. Boehner has not been able to carry Republicans in the past. His being onside increases the chances of authorization but it doesn’t make it inevitable.

((WN)) Is the US general public in support of taking military intervention in Syria?

TS: No, not at all. We’ve polled a representative sample of the American public in June of 2012, February of 2013, and this summer. Support for intervention in Syria has not moved. In our surveys fewer than 1 [in] 5 respondents were open to the idea of sending American ground troops into Syria. This was true regardless whether their aim was to provide humanitarian assistance or topple al-Assad. There are also low levels of support for arming the rebels. What is amazing is that, despite the reported use of chemical weapons and the deaths and displacement of 100,000s of Syrians, there has been little change in support levels over the time period we’ve been in the field with our surveys.
SH: No, clearly the American public is not in favour of intervening in Syria. About 60% are opposed in the latest poll.

((WN)) The British Parliament voted against military intervention in Syria, do you think this has led Obama to put a vote to Congress?

TS: I think Obama wants Congress to own this. Some in Congress believe that the United States would be doing too little if it only carried out limited missile strikes to punish al-Assad. Other Members are dead set against intervention of any type. The President was finding it impossible to please everyone, and instead, basically said sort out what you want me to do. It is an amazing turn of events where the President might be constraining himself in terms of the response he could take. Obama’s decision may have ramifications for Executive-Legislative relations in the US for years to come.
SH:That may have played a role but it is still not clear why President Obama has taken this course. It may also be the case that he is looking to share the political risk that goes with attacking with Republicans and Congress in general.

((WN)) After more than a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, does the US general public feel disillusioned in taking military action?

TS: Yes, definitely. Less than half of the American public believes the Iraq war was a success, and we have found that those who believe that the previous conflicts in the Middle East were a failure are likely to be those opposing action against Syria. So many people think the Iraq and Afghanistan interventions cost too much and did little good — it’s really weighing on the public’s mood at this time.
SH: Yes, there clearly is fatigue in relation to interventions and the lack of clear resolutions of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

((WN)) Do you think military intervention in Syria will affect Russia–United States relations?

TS: It is hard to say — in the short term, yes. In the long term, it really depends on how Putin sees the long term interests of himself and his nation vis-à-vis the United States and America’s western allies.
SH: Yes, although relations are already tense. How extensive any attack by the US on Syria will determine the full impact on US–Russia relations.
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Shy Your Wrinkles Away With Botox Injections

Shy Your Wrinkles Away with Botox Injections

by

Wain Roy

The eternal dream of man to remain beautiful and young forever has always been a motivating factor towards innovation and experimentation. This dream has been responsible for the increasing popularity of cosmetic surgery, leading to the sudden influx in the use of botox. Looking young is considered a fashion statement, especially in America, London and across the glamour world. Supposed to reduce the fine lines of age on your face, botox injections are fast acquiring a craze across the world. Such is its craze that people are ready to dish out any amount of money for this drug.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxsZgpcqnNo[/youtube]

A single vial of botox can cost anything within $200 to $1000; the cost often depending on the whims of the doctor. According to BBC World Business Report, botox sales in the US alone were more than $300 in spite of the fact that it was not promoted as a cosmetic drug directly to the doctors and the consumers. This clearly testifies to the growing consciousness about botox among the people and the miraculous effects that it carries in its fold. In fact, popular demand can be cited as one of the major factors that have compelled the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to rethink its decision to ban botulinum toxin. Questions might arise on the reasons behind the ever increasing demand for botox. The obvious answer lies in the desire of people to defy their age. It’s not just that people engaged in the glamour industry take recourse to botox treatment. People who can afford this form of treatment are ready to undergo the entire ordeal of receiving botox injections, the count generally centering around 14 in number. They are not even deterred by the idea that they would have to bear similar intensity of pain periodically as the botox effect lasts for a few months and needs to be re-injected. A number of renowned personalities and celebrities of Hollywood have taken botox injections and with good effects. People are now aware about the secret behind the ageless beauty of Cindy Crawford or any other model above the age of 40. Periodical injections of botox, vitamins and collagen cast a magical spell on your skin making it tighter and smoother, at the same time restoring its elasticity. Not just America, recent trends suggest that the men of London, especially the executive class in their 30’s, are availing botox treatment on a large scale. The stress of their busy lives, along with increasing competition takes a toll on their overall appearance and personality. This leads them to look for a quick solution to their ageing problem that they now find in botox. London has become a cosmetic surgery hub in recent years with the emergence of a number of cosmetic surgery clinics providing anti-aging solution through botox injections. No wonder more and more people are flocking to rediscover their youth through botox London

.

Wain Roy is an internet marketing professional expert in various industries like real estate, web design, finance, medical tourism, Canadian pharmacy drug and

botox

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com

Iran dismisses United Nations resolution imposing sanctions

Sunday, December 24, 2006

A unanimously passed United Nations Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on Iran has been dismissed by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a “piece of paper.” Ahmadinejad said that it is in “the best interest of the West” to have a “nuclear Iran” and that Iran will not stop enriching uranium.

“It is a piece of torn paper … by which they aim to scare Iranians … It is in the Westerners’ interests to live with a nuclear Iran,” said Ahmadinejad.

Ahmadinejad also goes on to say that anyone who “backs” the U.N. resolution will “soon regret” their acts. He also added that in “February, Iranians will celebrate” the nation becoming a nuclear power.

“This resolution will not harm Iran and those who backed it will soon regret their superficial act. Iranians are neither worried nor uncomfortable with the resolution … we will celebrate our atomic achievements in February,” added Ahmadinejad.

On December 23, 2006, the U.N. stated that the resolution is “determined to give effect to its unmet 31 July demand that Iran suspend all uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities. The Security Council today imposed sanctions on that country [Iran], blocking the import or export of sensitive nuclear material and equipment and freezing the financial assets of persons or entities supporting its proliferation sensitive nuclear activities or the development of nuclear-weapon delivery systems,” reported the press release on the U.N.’s website.

The U.N. also said that Iran must suspend all uranium enrichment and that the sanction would be lifted if the country complies with the U.N..

“Unanimously adopting resolution 1737 (2006) under Article 41 of the Charter’s Chapter VII, the Council decided that Iran should, without further delay, suspend the following proliferation sensitive nuclear activities: all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development; and work on all heavy-water related projects, including the construction of a research reactor moderated by heavy water. The halt to those activities would be verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).”

The U.N. also stated that “specifically, all States [countries] should prevent the supply, sale or transfer, for the use by or benefit of Iran, of related equipment and technology, if the State determined that such items would contribute to enrichment-related, reprocessing or heavy-water related activities, or to the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems. The Council decided it would terminate the measures if Iran fully complied with its obligations, or adopt additional ones and possible further decisions if the country did not.”

Iran also said that beginning on “Sunday morning, we [Iran] will begin activities at Natanz” which has “3,000 centrifuges” which they “will drive them with full speed” in response to the U.N.’s resolution.

“From Sunday morning, we will begin activities at Natanz, the site of 3,000-centrifuge machines, and we will drive it with full speed. It will be our immediate response to the resolution,” said Ali Larijani, the top nuclear negotiator for Iran.

The U.N. will review the resolution and Iran’s activities in 60 days.

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Florida’s Walt Disney World launches revamped attractions

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

ORLANDO, Florida — Alien Encounter and The Living Seas at the Walt Disney World Resort are to open today with a makeover.

The Alien Encounter attraction at Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom has been revised to include Experiment 626 from the movie Lilo & Stitch. Now called Stitch’s Great Escape!, the dog-like blue creature will lash out of its tube and terrorise the audience. The Galactic Federation’s Grand Councilwoman, Captain Gantu and Agent Pleakley appear in this show, essentially a prequel to the movie.

At the Living Seas, Crush the sea turtle from the Disney/Pixar movie Finding Nemo will host a new exhibit called Turtle Talk, joining smaller Nemo exhibits, a mainstay at the attraction for several months. Vegetarian shark Bruce will soon become part of a shark education exhibit.

According to publicity, the Turtle Talk show will run every 15 minutes, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. A sign language interpreted performance will run on Fridays at 10:30 am.

Disney is holding the Stitch’s Great Escape! Sweepstakes, with prizes including a five-day, four night trip for four to Walt Disney World Resort.

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Smoke from massive warehouse fire in Buffalo, New York USA can be seen 40 miles away

Monday, May 14, 2007

Buffalo, New York —A massive warehouse complex of at least 5 buildings caught on fire in Buffalo, New York on 111 Tonawanda Street, sending a plume of thick, jet black colored smoke into the air that could be seen as far away as 40 miles.

As of 6:40 a.m., the fire was under control, and firefighters were attempting to stop it from spreading, but could not get to the center of the fire because of severe amounts of debris. Later in the morning, the fire was extinguished.

“The fire is mostly under debris at this point. It’s under control, but it’s under some debris. We really can’t get to it. We’re just going to have to keep on pouring water on it so it doesn’t spread,” said Thomas Ashe, the fire chief for the North Buffalo based fire division who also added that at one point, at least 125 firefighters were on the scene battling the blaze. One suffered minor injures and was able to take himself to the hospital to seek medical attention.

Shortly after 8:00 p.m. as many as 3 explosions rocked the warehouse sending large mushroom clouds of thick black smoke into the air. After the third explosion, heat could be felt more than 100 feet away. The fire started in the front, one story building then quickly spread to three others, but fire fighters managed to stop the flames from spreading onto the 3 story building all the way at the back.

According to a Buffalo Police officer, who wished not to be named, the fire began at about 7:00 p.m. [Eastern time], starting as a one alarm fire. By 8:00 p.m., three fire companies were on the scene battling the blaze. Police also say that a smaller fire was reported in the same building on Saturday night, which caused little damage.

At the start of the fire, traffic was backed up nearly 4 miles on the 198 expressway going west toward the 190 Interstate and police had to shut down the Tonawanda street exit because the road is too close to the fire.

At one point, traffic on the 198 was moving so slow, at least a dozen people were seen getting out of their cars and walking down the expressway to watch the fire. That prompted as many as 10 police cars to be dispatched to the scene to force individuals back into their cars and close off one of the 2 lanes on the westbound side.

One woman, who wished not to be named as she is close to the owner of the warehouse, said the building is filled with “classic cars, forklifts, and money” and that owner “does not have insurance” coverage on the property. The building is not considered abandoned, but firefighters said that it is vacant.

Officials in Fort Erie, Ontario were also swamped with calls to fire departments when the wind blew the smoke over the Niagra River and into Canada.

It is not known what caused the fire, but a car is suspected to have caught on fire and there are reports from police and hazmat crews, that there were also large barrels of diesel fuel being stored in one building. Firefighters say the cause of the blaze is being treated as “suspicious.” The ATF is investigating the fire and will bring dogs in to search the debris.

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Try Leather Lamp Shades To Enhance Country Interior Design

By Craig Chambers

The rustic look of leather lamp shades is a wonderful way to add western style to your home decorating. The use of decorative rustic shades has increased in recent years as decorators have become more and more aware of how simple it is to add southwestern and country style in any room, by just using a natural lamp shade as part of the interior design.

The typical style you encounter in the southwest and in designer magazines can be easily copied by effortlessly switching the lamp shades on lamps you already use, or by placing them on special types of rustic lighting fixtures such as wrought iron and antler lamps. Leather lamp shades come in a natural color and are also dyed in many colors including brown, wine, gold, red, green, and black that look fantastic and are simple to use with any color pallet.

The thing I like most about rustic shades is their adaptability and the way they enhance Native American style. These hand-made, rustic lamp shades are fashioned out of soft pigskin, suede leather that creates a nice glow when illuminated and has small natural hair follicle holes that give it a rustic finish.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBowa7Hze0k[/youtube]

Wonderful for filtering light both upward and outward, leather lamp shades are great when used on desk lamps, table lamps, floor lamps, chandeliers, wall sconces, antler lamps and all rustic lighting fixtures. No matter if you wish to light a large room with chandelier lamps or other rustic lighting fixtures, or are just trying to light a dim area with table lamps or rustic lamps, leather lamp shades will give you the perfect lighting effect in lighting your home.

You will like the welcoming light of rustic shades and the pleasing warmth they create when using them beside other southwestern style design accessories such as Native rugs and Indian pottery or with wood furniture. Deciding where you will use the lamp shade is something to figure out before buying. Larger lamp shades that provide more light are good for reading and illuminating a large room, while smaller shades are great for accent lighting or illuminating a dimly lit corner.

Leather lamp shades used on table lamps or accent lamps can make a dramatic statement and bring authentic western style to any room. Whether used with standard style lamps or on special rustic lamps, leather lamp shades are the greatest way to get the rustic style that you like. The wonderful adaptability of pigskin leather lamp shades make them wonderful for using in any of the rooms of your home where you would like to add Native style.

They also look beautiful in log homes and are the greatest way to enrich the natural beauty of its environment. Today, it is easy to buy leather lamp shades online or purchase them in stores that sell rustic style decorating items. If you like western style in home decorating, and want to enhance the spirit of the old west in your home decorating, try using the unique beauty of designer leather lamp shades for your home decorating.

About the Author: Craig Chambers is the director of

Mission Del Rey

and offers free information online about choosing

leather lamp shades

for rustic style decorating. For more information visit http://www.missiondelrey.com

Source:

isnare.com

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