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FrightFest 2011 Diary: Day 2
First published by Little White Lies
Diary Day 2 – Friday, 26th August
This was FrightFest's fullest day. Seven features running in the parallel Discovery Programme (covered in a separate Diary), six features in the Main Programme, and also an excellent on-stage interview and panel discussion hosted by Total Film's Jamie Graham. Given that this live event addressed the challenges to the horror industry in general, it is the natural place to start today's Diary.
The guest of honour was Larry Fessenden, a prolific actor and independent producer, and also, as Graham was quick to point out, a criminally underrated director, of whose four features – No Telling, Habit, Wendigo and The Last Winter – only the last two have received (straight-to-video) distribution on these shores. He was an engaging interviewee, both more articulate and more forthcoming than last year's guest Tobe Hooper, and he had compelling tales to tell about the difficulties of getting an individual voice heard in a homogenised and corporatised industry. He discussed his aim as a producer "to protect the director's agenda and fight against the executives who normally have pea-sized brains"; he regaled us with stories of how he almost directed a remake of The Orphanage (and did a dead-on impression of Guillermo del Toro); and he revealed that the secret inspiration behind the creature design in his films is "pot." The only pity here is that none of Fessenden's back catalogue could be included in this year's FrightFest line-up – but at least Ti West's The Innkeepers (which Fessenden produced) will screen on Sunday.
Then Fessenden was joined on stage by directors West, Adam Green, Joe Lynch and Lucky McKee, and McKee's producer on The Woman Adam van den Houten, for candid conversation about the current state of Hollywood horror, summarised from the outset by West as "kind of grim right now", and needing to fail even though "it's given us all careers." Green pinpointed the fact that "there are no horror fans in Hollywood" as the problem, suggesting that all the mainstream decisions about the genre were guided by money rather than by the sort of passion that creates great cinema (or that turns a thankless project like Wrong Turn 2 into an unexpected labour of love in Lynch's hands). McKee suggested that a far better alternative to the current obsession with remakes and sequels would be re-releases of classics ("people would be so much more enlightened"). There were nightmare stories about the cluelessness of the executives behind Cabin Fever 2 (from which both Green and West withdrew at different stages of production). West concluded that we should all, as viewers, use the resources of the Internet to send a frank message to the studios about what is good and what is not, and to spread the word about a genre that can truly be great.
Rogue River (European premiere)
Things are going to end badly.
We know this because Jourdan McClure's feature debut opens at (or at least near) its end, with distraught, bloody Mara (Michelle Page) donning a distinctive crucifix necklace by the titular river, before raising a gun to her own head – its loud report heard as the screen fades to black. Then, as the rest of the film flashes back to the events that led to this moment, we see Mara leaving the Oregon home of her brother Andrew (Chris Coy) – the 'Pro-Choice' sticker on her car contrasting with the crucifix (that crucifix) round his neck – for a long drive back to LA, and stopping off to scatter the ashes of their recently deceased father in the river.
There she runs into chatty local man Jon who courteously invites her back to his home "to meet the wife" – yet the fact that he is played by Bill Moseley, the man behind such iconic psycho-villains as 'Chop-Top' from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 and Otis Driftwood from House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects, is enough to set off alarm bells that there may be a more sinister agenda underlying his apparent parental solicitude and rustic hospitality.
In giving us an idea of where things are headed right from the outset while leaving the details unclear and raising certain questions (e.g. why, in the opening scene, is Mara wearing a wedding dress? What exactly has led her to suicide? And how does she come to have Andrew's cross?), McClure toys with our expectations of horror, using the scenes when Mara first arrives at the cosy middle-class country home of nice couple Jon and Lea (Lucinda Jenney) to generate enormous tension, before releasing it in an ordeal of agony, incest and out-and-out insanity that, for all its familiarity in genre terms, unfolds with such speed that viewers, like Mara, are left with little time to catch their breath.
In this twisted tale of the (family) ties that bind, if Andrew's crucifix, and later the stigmata-like injuries sustained by characters on palms or sides, suggest a Christian theme, then Christianity makes for a pleasingly strange and unnatural bedfellow with all the shocking psychosexual taboos that, in their sheer perversity, take Rogue River some way beyond the merely physical anguish that is usually found in 'torture porn'. In keeping with that sticker glimpsed on Mara's car, everything here comes down to Mara's choice – whether to live or die, whether to spare or kill, whether to keep or abort. And in such extreme circumstances, asking what Jesus would do brings neither help nor comfort – for McClure has crafted a dénouement which, though happier than expected, still leaves us with the definite sense that things can only end badly.
The Holding (world premiere)
After discovering that her husband Dean has been sexually abusing their teenaged daughter Hannah (Skye Lourie), Cassie Naylor (Kierston Wareing) murders and buries him one night with the help of old farmhand Cooper (David Bradley), not realising that younger daughter Amy (Maisie Lloyd) has witnessed the violence from her window. Eight months later, as Cassie struggles to pay the bills for her small, debt-ridden cattle holding and to fend off the unwanted attentions of neighbour Karsten (Terry Stone) and his son Noah (Jake Curran), a stranger named Aden (Vincent Regan) shows up on the property, claiming to be an old friend of Dean's, and quickly insinuating himself into Cassie's farm and family life. Yet Aden harbours a few secrets of his own, and as the skeletons gradually emerge from the family closet, murder and madness come home to roost.
Even if Susan Jacobson's feature debut succumbs in its third act to the 'bunny-boiling' (or in this case stud-slaughtering) excess of other 'interloper' films, the newbie director gets us there with an assured building of tension that is rooted in believable characterisation – and she also brings a welcome feminist slant to a subgenre more typically associated with the demonisation of its female characters. Cassie must repeatedly fight off the unwelcome encroachments of men, whether the abuses of Dean, the land-grabbing threats of Karsten, or the errant patriarchy of Aden.
Played with quietly brooding menace by Regan, Aden may come to parody the conduct of Dean (whose name he anagrammatises with his own) – but he also holds up a distorted mirror to Cassie in his determination to keep the family together at any cost, even murder, so that in confronting him, Cassie is also confronting the most questionable part of herself. Yet The Holding eventually allows the sisters (and their mother) to do it for themselves, undoing the casual misogyny of otherwise similar films (Play Misty For Me, Fatal Attraction, Poison Ivy, Single White Female, The Temp and The Hand That Rocks The Cradle).
The Holding is no genre gamechanger, but subtle psychology, excellent performances and a restrained build-up ensure this is a film that holds its own, as the sparse, if beautifully shot, rural settings of this thriller become the stage for a clash of genders.
Urban Explorers (UK premiere)
"Welcome to the dark side of Berlin!"
With these words, earnest local boy Kris (Max Reimelt), using the significant pseudonym Dante, introduces foreign urban explorers Dennis (Nick Eversman), Lucia (Nathalie Kelley), Marie (Catherine de Léan) and Juna (Brenda Koo) to an illicit tour of the labyrinthine system of tunnels beneath the German metropolis. As they make their way to a bricked-up bunker once belonging to Hitler's chauffeurs and festooned with unusual Third Reich murals, Kris entertains his clients with an urban myth about a secret Nazi space programme and a medically mutated SS elite said still to haunt the underground passageways in search of lost foreigners to enslave. When Kris is severely injured in an accident, the group is forced to split up, and Denis and Lucia are brought face to face with the horrors of more recent Berlin history in the person of Armin (Klaus Stiglmeier), a former East German Border Guard who has evidently never strayed far from his subterranean sentry post.
Its slow-building first half documents outsiders traveling with a local boy who is fond of tall tales, and its second half shows their struggles to survive a marginalised maniac who has learnt a torturous trick or two from his military past – which is to say that Urban Explorer, directed, edited and shot by Andy Fetscher (Bukarest Fleisch), shamelessly lifts all the beats of its plot from Wolf Creek, right down to the detail of who gets out alive – and it also pilfers an idea or three from The Descent, Creep and even The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
Yet what sets Fetscher's film apart from these others is its distinctive German identity, emerging gradually from a script (by Martin Thau) whose dialogue drifts further and further away from the English with which it begins, while increasingly decentering and disorienting those thrillseekers who lack any fluency in the local tongue. The location, too, is uniquely German, as is the hidden history that these intruding Ausländer unearth at their own cost – and towards the end the stereotypically German tendency to submit to regulation and authority also comes in for some darkly satirical swipes.
Of course, the troglodytic cat-and-mouse and frenzied blood-letting, though hardly new, work in any language.
The Glass Man (world premiere)
The first image we see in The Glass Man is a close-up of Martin Pyrite (Andy Nyman) sleeping and, to judge by the movement of his lips and the rapid flickering of his eyelids, also dreaming.
Then his eyes open, but even when awake, Martin is something of a fantasist, as capable of deception as the fool's gold that his surname references. "I know when I'm being lied to, and something feels very wrong here," his wife Julie (Neve Campbell) declares, convinced that her husband is concealing from her an affair with a female co-worker. "Your imagination", Martin replies, "is trying to turn one thing into another" – and indeed his lie is of a different kind and magnitude. For Martin has recently been laid off from his white-collar job and effectively locked out of the premises, with nothing to show for his years of service beyond a very negative reference from the boss – but, like the protagonists of Laurent Cantet's Time Out and Kurosawa Kiyoshi's Tokyo Sonata, rather than admit any of this to his wife, Martin just keeps on pretending to go to work.
With the bills piling up and his bank accounts emptied out, the pressure of keeping up appearances is beginning to push the sheepish Martin to breaking point. Then late one evening, as Julie sleeps upstairs, an imposing debt collector named Pecco (James Cosmo) – the Latin for 'I sin' – comes a-knocking, offering to rub out what Martin owes so long as Martin is willing to help him over the next few hours with an unspecified task ("something needs doing" is Pecco's phrase). It is clearly a Faustian pact, not dissimilar to the kind seen in Philip Ridley's Heartless, but with little apparent choice, Martin agrees – and so begins his long dark night of the soul.
Written and directed by actor Cristian Solimeno (Footballers' Wives, Mother of Tears), who also appears in it as Martin's movie-star friend Toby Huxley, The Glass Man is a disorienting blend of bleak recessionary satire, road trip, buddy flick, and tragic psychodrama, where the narrative twists and turns, though deftly handled to produce a near Lynchian befuddlement in the viewer, are imbued with the sort of desperate sadness that will in no way be diminished for anyone who is ahead of the game.
Meanwhile, appearing in every scene and nailing Martin in all his craven, self-deluding hopelessness, Nyman puts in a riveting performance that carries the film's considerable emotive weight. With a subtext that takes in the recent self-destructive deception of the banking system, as well as the sort of wish-fulfilment escapism furnished by cinema itself, this is a very assured feature debut that allows all its cracks to show.
Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil (preview)
America's 'white trash' perhaps represents the last ethnic grouping in this era of increasing political correctness that cinema can (and does) still openly mock, malign and demonise, and its Appalachian subspecies the hillbilly has continued to be vilified in films as recent as White Lightnin', Winter's Bone and the Wrong Turn franchise. So if it is high time for these supposedly inbred, backward hicks to fight back and recuperate their battered reputations, then Tucker & Dale vs Evil allows them to do just that, turning the tables on all those pesky co-ed campers who keep disturbing the peace of their woodland homes.
Eli Crag's feature debut is a savvy inversion of hillbilly horror, where bad luck and extreme urban prejudice are the only killers, despite the presence of the titular, tool-wielding good ole boys. While out enjoying a weekend of fishing, drinking and holiday home improvements, Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine) save pretty psych major Allison (Katrina Bowden) from drowning and take her back to their old 'fixer upper' cabin to recover – but her college friends, led by the preppily unhinged Chad (Jesse Moss), are convinced that Allison has been abducted by rape-happy, murderous rednecks, and so launch a rescue party that quickly turns into a bloodbath, even as Allison starts falling for sweet-natured, girl-shy Dale.
Co-writing with Morgan Jurgenson, Craig has crafted a hilarious comedy of errors, and a savvy inside-out reconstruction of the all-too-familiar subgenre. The gory set-pieces and high body count of any backwoods slasher are all present and correct – but here it is urban, privileged, educated Chad who becomes the unstoppable embodiment of evil, while Dale, despite his big beard and beer belly, is definitely the 'final girl'. In a way this is a one-joke movie, but Labine and Tudyk enact it with perfect timing, considerable rapport and a great deal of charm, while leaving viewers to wonder whether perhaps all hinterland massacres have been rooted in mere cultural misunderstanding. If only Sally Hardesty and Leatherface could have settled their differences with beer and bowling…
Vile (UK premiere)
"This is gonna hurt," warns Tony (Akeem Smith), tasked with the job of breaking several people's collar bones. "Let's hope so," is the reply of his best friend Nick (Eric Jay Beck, who also co-wrote the script). This brief exchange conveys all the twisted contours of 'torture porn', a much-maligned subgenre which plays on its viewers' conflicting fear of and desire for on-screen torment.
Now, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with the cinematic presentation of pain, and indeed it is a motif that finds its natural home in horror. However, over the last half decade or so, the market has been throughly saturated with this kind of material (much as it has with zombies), and audiences have, like the drugged-up Nick in one sequence here, become rather desensitised to the impact of corporeal anguish. So while Taylor Sheridan's feature debut Vile means to shock us out of our comfort zones with its scenes of human agony, the film's derivativeness, not to mention its daftness, will leave most viewers yawning, in full agreement with the character who says: "We just have to focus on it being over. The pain will pass."
The high-concept plot of Vile appears to have been reverse-engineered to maximise the possibility for scenes of torment, with elements like characterisation or coherence roughly tacked on as an afterthought. Tricked by a seductive woman on a lonely highway at night, Nick, his pregnant girlfriend Tayler (April Matson), their two best friends and five others wake up locked in a tool-strewn house. A video instructs them to work together filling vials (cue punning title) plugged into the back of their heads with a fluid that the brain releases only when under extreme duress. The gathered fluid will be used to produce an illegal drug with a very high street value. In other words, this is the grown-up version of Monsters, Inc., with adult pain replacing childish fear as the new collectible commodity.
As the group begins to tear itself, both metaphorically and literally, apart in a desperate bid to come out alive and relatively intact, we are apparently to be so swept up by their dumb-assed dilemmas and predictable game-theory squabbles (with none of the moral resonance that these carried in, say, WΔZ) that we will not notice the idiocy of a premise that makes no real sense. Wouldn't it be more economic and effective for the abductors to do the torturing themselves in a controlled surgical environment (as happens in the film's surprise-ruining prologue), rather than leave it to the captives? Why must all the fluid be collected within a 22-hour time limit? What exactly motivates the mole in this group? Why is the liquid in each victim's second vial a slow-working poison (something that even the characters question)?
The scenes near the film's beginning where Nick and his friends enjoy a languid pre-abduction picnic allow Sheridan to display a genuine talent for lyricism that unfortunately can find no place in the rest of the film, with its plot described (accurately) by one character as "just some sick fuck's joke." It is annoying, ugly films like this that give 'torture porn' a bad name, even for those inclined to defend the subgenre. Watch Vile through to the end, and you'll suffer alright.
One comment on "FrightFest 2011 Diary: Day 2"
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This entry was posted on June 9, 2015 by rantbit in Uncategorized and tagged FrightFest, Larry Fessenden, LWLies, Rogue River, The Glass Man, The Holding, Urban Explorers, Vile.
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Games / PS 4
Skyrim And Fallout 4 To Get Mod Support And 4K For PS 4
By TotalDimwitTheCynicalTwit on October 6, 2016 No Comments / 5016 views
Will they, won't they, first Bethesda announces that Sony has declined any mod support for Skyrim on the PlayStation 4, but in the latest blog post, the studio says that both Skyrim SE and Fallout 4 are going to get mods on the PS 4. Geez, make up your mind, will you?
But cribbing aside, it's time for PS 4 players to rejoice. Why? Because not only will both your favourite Bethesda titles be getting mod support for the PS 4, but Skyrim will also have native 4K support for the PS 4 Pro right from the launch date. Here's the official announcement:
"We're excited to announce that mod support is coming to PlayStation 4 for both Skyrim Special Edition and Fallout 4. Additionally, we'll also be supporting the new PlayStation 4 Pro with both titles.
Skyrim will have these features when it launches on October 28. The new power of the PlayStation 4 Pro has allowed us to make Skyrim render in native 4k, and it looks better than ever. Here are some screens to show you just how great it looks.
Mod support will come to Skyrim first. We and Sony have worked hard to make this possible. Mods on PlayStation 4 will allow you to modify and create your own content by using our Creation Kit available here. You will not be able to upload external assets with your PlayStation 4 mods, but you will be able to use any assets that come with the game, as most mods do. By creating a Bethesda.net account, you'll be able to browse and try mods right from within the game.
We are excited finally to get modding to our PlayStation fans who have supported us for so long. Modding has been an important part of our games for over 10 years, and we hope to do even more in the coming year for all our players, regardless of platform.
After the work is complete on Skyrim, we'll be updating Fallout 4 for both mods and PS4 Pro. We expect Fallout 4 to take advantage of the PS4 Pro in 4k along with enhanced lighting and graphics features.
Thanks again for all your support. We can't wait to hear about your new adventures."
The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim Special Edition is set to release this month on the 28th for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Windows PC. What's more, PC users who own the Legendary Edition of the game or the game and all its DLCs individually on Steam will get the Special Edition for free.
For more news and reviews, keep checking back at Gaming Central.
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How to Close a Switchblade Knife-Working Way!
February 11, 2022 by Munir
1 Easy and Working Way to Close a Switchblade Knife
1.1 What is a Switchblade Knife, and how does it work?
1.2 What is the proper way to close a switchblade knife?
1.2.0.1 Try one of the following techniques to flawlessly close a switchblade knife:
1.3 Tips to Keep in Mind When Using a Switchblade Knife
1.3.1 Usage Guidelines:
1.3.2 Proper Maintenance:
Switchblade knives, also known as automated swiss army knife knives, are a type of knife that has a folding or sliding blade that is housed within the handle and that springs out into place when a button is pressed on the handle. It can be difficult to close a switchblade knife at times, leading many individuals to question how to close a switchblade knife.
Many people are unaware of the intricate construction and operation of a switchblade. For example, did you know that most switchblade designs include a double-action mechanism?
In this post, we'll discuss why some switchblades open with reasonable ease while others might be rather difficult to close.
Easy and Working Way to Close a Switchblade Knife
What is a Switchblade Knife, and how does it work?
A switchblade knife is one of the most popular tools in the world, and both men and women use them for a variety of tasks. It has been used as a self-defense weapon for a very long time. A switchblade is now available for purchase at practically any sports goods store or knife shop in the United States.
These knives have a folding or sliding blade that is enclosed within the handle and that is opened automatically by a button, spring, or lever when a lever is pressed on the knife. In most cases, the button is located on one side of the handle and is pressed with the thumb to release the blade from its sheath.
Switchblade knives, often known as automatic knives, are knives that open and close automatically when the user commands them to do so. Switchblades are among the most effective defensive weapons available to the general public as a result of this.
The popularity of the switchblade reached its zenith in the 1950s and 1960s. Although these knives have been outlawed in many nations, there are still a number of jurisdictions where they are permitted. Switchblades, sometimes known as automatic knives, are prohibited in many areas in the United States, yet they continue to be popular among collectors and knife enthusiasts around the world.
What is the proper way to close a switchblade knife?
In addition to being one of the most popular everyday carry knives in the world, the Switchblade Weapon is a well-made and aesthetically beautiful knife. It offers a little bit of everything, including a clip point blade, a serrated edge, and a superb grip that fits nicely in your hand, among other features.
The blade is constructed of 440C stainless steel, while the handle is made of G10, which provides a significantly improved grip. This is an excellent pick for anyone looking for something a little different than the standard butterfly knife. It's small and lightweight, making it convenient to take with you wherever you go.
Try one of the following techniques to flawlessly close a switchblade knife:
Push the button that opened the blade a second time to see if it releases the blade this time.
Take a look at the "spine" of the handle to see if there is a release; or if there is something holding or licking the blade open.
Determine whether or whether there is a flexible piece of metal in the liner; that can be moved to the side, allowing the blade to close.
In addition to making use of the strategies listed above, look for a supplementary button; or switch that permits you to engage one of the previous three alternatives.
Pressing or pulling the button or lever that controls the locking mechanism will unlock the door. The dull side of the blade should be located with care. Push the dull side of the knife forward toward the handle until it folds inward. To return the knife to its locked position when the blade is sheathed; push or pull the button or lever on the handle.
The term "switchblade" refers to a knife that opens automatically when a button is depressed. The length of switchblade blades varies widely depending on their intended use. Although they are typically between 18 cm (7.1 in) and 30 cm (11.8 in) (11.8 in).
Tips to Keep in Mind When Using a Switchblade Knife
Switchblade Knife launched its online store in 2017 and has experienced steady growth since then. The company's sales have increased month after month, and it has expanded its product choices to include more tactical knives.
Keep these key pointers in mind when working with a switchblade knife.
Usage Guidelines:
Maintaining a safe distance away from the knife is the first, and perhaps most crucial, consideration. Nothing more than holding your knife at arm's length will ensure that you are out of harm's way. If you are planning to carve something while camping or in an emergency situation; keep it as far away from you as possible.
Proper Maintenance:
Remember that a dull knife is your adversary at all times. Keep this in mind at all times when cutting. Taking proper care of and maintaining your knives can save your life if you do not use them properly. Maintain the sharpness and lubrication of your auto knives at all times. The last thing you want is for your knife to fail you in the middle of a crisis! when all you want is to save your life.
A premium brand of switchblade knives and tactical folding knives, Switchblade Knife is known for producing high-quality products. Switchblade Knife is an online store that specializes in tactical knives such as switchblades and other similar items.
Switchblades are prohibited to take around with you in most places. Police have apprehended a large number of persons who were found to be in possession of these lethal weapons. Since state laws differ, consult with your local law enforcement authorities before deciding whether or not to carry a concealed weapon. Now it's a good thing that you know how to close a Switchblade Knife properly!
How to Use Exacto Knife-The Proper Way!
How to Use a Shove Knife- Easy and Simple!
How to Close a Kershaw Knife-The Safest Way!
How to Close a Pocket Knife with No Button - 4 Easy Methods


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COVID assessment centre in Lindsay moving to appointments only
The COVID-19 assessment centre at Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay is moving to appointments only next week.
The move comes following a substantial increase in traffic at the drive-in clinic in recent days.
"Setting appointments will support us in better managing traffic flow as well as prioritizing those who require testing according to the latest Ministry testing guidelines," said Kelly Isfan, president and CEO of Ross Memorial Hospital.
Appointments can be booked starting Thursday (Oct. 1) ONLINE or by calling 705-328-6217 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Those making appointments for more than one person are encouraged to call in.
Lindsay man charged after allegedly making online threats to MP
Case of COVID-19 reported at McCaskill's Mills Public School


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Younger Generation More Prone to Immoral Behavior, Survey Finds
CP Politics | Tuesday, August 26, 2008
By Jennifer Riley, Christian Post Reporter
Young adults under 25 are more than twice as likely as all other adults to engage in behaviors considered morally inappropriate by traditional standards, a survey released Monday shows.
Two-thirds (64 percent) of Americans under 25 years old said they used profanity in public, compared to just one out of five Baby Boomers (persons born between post-World War II and the early 1960s), according to The Barna Group survey.
The Baby Boomer generation is known for rebelling against traditional standards of morality.
But the younger generation – known as Mosaics – was nine times more likely than Boomers to have engaged in sex outside of marriage (38 percent vs. 4 percent), six times more likely to have lied (37 percent vs. 6 percent), nearly three times more likely to have gotten drunk (25 percent vs. 9 percent), and twice as likely as Boomers to have watched pornography (33 percent vs. 16 percent).
"We are witnessing the development and acceptance of a new moral code in America," commented George Barna, who directed the survey. "Mosaics have had little exposure to traditional moral teaching and limited accountability for such behavior."
"The moral code began to disintegrate when the generation before them - the Baby Busters - pushed the limits that had been challenged by their parents - the Baby Boomers," he noted. "The result is that without much fanfare or visible leadership, the U.S. has created a moral system based on convenience, feelings, and selfishness."
In May, researchers asked a random sample of 1,003 adults across the United States via telephone if they engaged in any of eight behaviors considered morally objectionable during the past week.
The behaviors included exposure to pornography, using profanity in public, gambling, gossiping, engaging in sexual intercourse with someone to whom they were not married, retaliating against someone, getting drunk, and lying.
A majority of adults had engaged in at least one of the behaviors over that past week.
The most common behavior was using profanity in public. About three out of every ten adults (28 percent) admitted to using foul language. The second most popular behavior was gambling (20 percent), which included purchasing a lottery ticket. This was followed by watching pornography (19 percent), gossiping (12 percent), getting drunk (12 percent), and lying (11 percent).
Having sexual intercourse with someone that respondents were not married to (9 percent) and retaliation (8 percent) were the least common behaviors among those surveyed.
When looking at faith identities, evangelicals were the group most likely to adhere to traditional morality while atheists and agnostics were most likely to reject these values.
For evangelicals, profanity (16 percent) and pornography (12 percent) were the most common behaviors. Less than five percent engaged in inappropriate sex (3 percent), gambling (2 percent), lying (1 percent) or drunkenness (less than one-half of one percent).
In contrast, sixty percent of atheists and agnostics used profanity in public, half watched pornography, and a third got drunk over the past week, according to the survey.
"The consistent deterioration of the Bible as the source of moral truth has led to a nation where people have become independent judges of right and wrong, basing their choices on feelings and circumstances," Barna said. "It is not likely that America will return to a more traditional moral code until the nation experiences significant pain from its moral choices."
California will expedite licensing process for nurses willing to perform abortions
Utah bans sex-change surgeries on kids, creates new requirements to prescribe hormone drugs
Nat'l Prayer Breakfast to be 'smaller,' 'more intimate' in return to its origins; 'the Family' no longer hosting
Colorado appeals court rules against Jack Phillips, Masterpiece Cakeshop in trans cake case; baker to appeal
Kamala Harris omits 'right to life' when quoting Declaration of Independence on Roe's anniversary


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Planning Your Alaska Vacation
Filed Under:Alaska, Anchorage, aurora borealis, Fairbanks, Juneau, Northern Lights, Randy Yagi, Travel
Alaska (credit: Thinkstock)
(credit: Thinkstock)
Are you thinking of taking the trip of a lifetime to Alaska? Take the hassle out of figuring out what to do, where to stay and where to eat by reviewing the tips from this quick guide to help you plan your Alaskan vacation.
Getting to Alaska
Alaska has three major airports in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. The largest airport and primary point of entry to Alaska is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, serving five million passengers annually. Forty-two carriers operate domestic and international travel from Anchorage and serve 23 passenger destinations. Cities with year-round stops to Anchorage include Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle, which is the only American city that provides non-stop flights to all three primary Alaskan airports. Alaska Airlines and Delta provide the majority of domestic flights into Anchorage. Passengers arriving at any of the three major airports have several ground transportation options, including airport shuttle services, taxis, rental cars and public transportation. Flying is the most inexpensive way to reach Alaska.
Related: How To Easily Book Last Minute Travel
By Cruise Ship
Several cruise ship operators provide service to Alaska, including Princess Cruises, Celebrity and Disney. Popular departure cities to Alaska include San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver, with typical arrivals in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. Due to cold Alaskan winters, cruises only operate between late April and early October, with the high season from June to August and the low season in May and September.
By Ferry
Ferry service from the Alaska Marine Highway System is available from Bellingham, Washington to several ports of call in Alaska. Because of the length of the trip, travelers can choose to stay in cabins, some with restrooms and a food and services area available on board. The ferry service also transports a variety of vehicles, including personal vehicles, tour buses, vans and RVs.
The easiest way to get around Alaska is with a personal vehicle or car rental. Public transit service is also available in many cities, including Anchorage, Barrow, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. Travelers can also ride onboard the Alaska Railroad, with primary service between Seward and Fairbanks. The rail service makes notable stops along the way, including Anchorage, Talkeetna and Denali.
Here are some recommended places to stay in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau.
Spenard Hostel International
Anchorage Downtown Hotel
Extended Stay America Anchorage Downtown
Embassy Suites Anchorage
Hilton Garden Inn Anchorage
Homewood Suites by Hilton Anchorage
Anchorage Marriott Downtown
Sheraton Anchorage Hotel and Spa
The Hotel Captain Cook
Billie's Backpackers Hostel
Super 8 Fairbanks
Extended Stay America Fairbanks
Best Western Inn Chena River Lodge
Holiday Inn Express Fairbanks
Hampton Inn and Suites Fairbanks
Hotel North Pole
Pike's Waterfront Lodge
Sophie Station Suites
Juneau International Hostel
Mendenhall Lake Campground
Extended Stay America Juneau
Best Western Country Lane Inn
Goldbelt Hotel Juneau
Super 8 Juneau
Grandma's Feather Bed
Alaska's Capital Inn
Beachside Villa Luxury Inn
Here are some recommended places for food, from cheap eats to upscale dining.
Brown Bag Sandwich Co.
Johnny Chicago's
Falafel King
Moose's Tooth
Tommy's Burger Stop
Sacks Cafe and Restaurant
Marx Bros. Cafe
Torchon Bistro
River City Cafe
Gulliver's Books Second Story Cafe
Taco King
Loose Moose Cafe
The Cookie Jar
The Pump House
Lavelle's Bistro
Alaska Salmon Bake
Chena's Alaskan Grill
Silverbow Bakery
Paradise Cafe
Southeast Waffle Co.
Sandpiper Cafe
The Rookery Cafe
Hangar on the Wharf
Tracy's King Crab Shack
Top Attractions in Alaska
One of Alaska's top museums, the Alaska State Museum, is temporarily closed until May 2016. But Alaska has many other top attractions to enjoy, including a chance to see the aurora borealis and the largest peak in North America.
www.alaskanative.net
Located 10 miles from downtown Anchorage, the Alaska Native Heritage Center is a renowned museum showcasing Alaska's diverse culture. Visitors can enjoy native Alaskan art, storytelling and ongoing exhibits. The museum is open from mid-May to mid-September.
www.nps.gov
Covering more than six million acres, Denali National Park is home to Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America. During the summer months, visitors can enjoy a paid shuttle bus ride through the Alaska Range to enjoy the many spectacular vistas. Families with children may enjoy watching a demonstration of a ranger and a dog sled team.
Located in the Alaskan panhandle west of Juneau, this national park encompasses Glacier Bay, the UNESCO protected biosphere in the world. Featuring incredible vistas of snowcapped mountains, tidewater glaciers and diverse plant life, the park covers 3.3 million acres. One of the best activities to enjoy is a boat tour of the Glacier Bay.
Iditarod National Historic Trail
<a href="http:/
www.blm.gov
Known around the world for its dog sled race, the 2,300-mile Iditarod National Historic Trail is the oldest in America's National Trail system. Held annually, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race covers a distance of about 975 miles between Anchorage and Nome and each team consists of a musher and 16 dogs. The trail is primarily used as a winter trail and during the summer months, the Bureau of Land Management says hiking opportunities are limited.
Inside Passage
www.travelalaska.com
Extending 500 miles from near the Canadian border to Skagway, the Inside Passage is a shipping route that's also popular for cruise liners, kayakers and canoeing. More than 1,000 islands are along the route punctuated by breathtaking fjords amid towering tidewater glaciers. Points of interest include Bear Glacier, Castle Hill, Glacier Bay, the Governor's Mansion and the Alaska State Capital building.
Located in at the base of the Alaskan peninsula, Katmai National Park is one of the world's top destinations to view brown bears. Other popular outdoor activities in the four million-acre preserve include fishing, boating and sightseeing. To reach Katmai, visitors must either take an air taxi or boat from a commercial use operator.
The Kenai Peninsula is home to at least 38 towering glaciers and is Alaska's most popular sightseeing cruise. Cruises are offered from mid-May to late September and depart from Seward, 125 miles south of Anchorage.
www.fs.usda.gov
The Mendenhall Glacier is one of the most prominent glaciers in Alaska, stretching 12 miles long. Located 12 miles from downtown Juneau, the mountain glacier is part of the Tongass National Forest, America's largest national forest.
Alaska is one of the best places on Earth to enjoy breathtaking views of the northern lights. Also known as aurora borealis, a natural phenomenon created by gaseous particles in the Earth's atmosphere, the northern lights occur year round but is best viewed during the winter months.
University of Alaska Museum of the North
www.uaf.edu
Housed on the University of Alaska campus in Fairbanks, the Museum of the North is the only research and teaching museum in the 49th state. The museum's collection holds 1.4 million artifacts and specimens that are organized into 10 disciplines, including earth sciences, archeology, fine arts and history. Top attractions include ancient Alaskan art, the largest collection of gold in Alaska and a 36,000-year-old mummified bison.
Related: How To Protect Your Valuables While Traveling
Randy Yagi is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. In 2012, he was awarded a Media Fellowship from Stanford University. His work can be found on Examiner.com Examiner.com.
Marin Brewing Company Shutting Down After 3 Decades Due To Pandemic Struggles


text:
Mongolia, China, Philippines, Viet Nam, Laos, Thailand,
Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar,
Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
In This part of Asia lives half the world population.
This is what the news on-line media write about the labourers
in the garment & textile industry.
about People, Labor in the Garment & Textile Industry
about People who work for our looks & image
about People who are exploited & humiliated
about People to whom no justice is done
special overviews
in the news on-line, 18 Sept.2013
← Earlier Later →
01:35:18 local time CAMBODIA
* Shop 'til They Drop- Fainting and Malntrition – Report:
New Research shows clothing factory workers seriously malnourished
More than 20% of Cambodian workers shown to have BMI used to diagnose
As London Fashion Week continues to showcase size zero models, research
released today reveals that workers at the other end of the supply chain making clothes sold on the UK highstreet are seriously malnourished and
at risk.
The Shop 'til They Drop report, published by the workers' rights campaign group Labour Behind the Label, shows that factory workers in Cambodia consume just 1598 calories a day on average – around half the recommended amount. BMI figures indicate that 33% of Cambodian garment workers are medically underweight and at risk, and 25% seriously so, displaying figures that would be used to diagnose Anorexia over here.
The study states that workers earn just £51 a month as a minimum wage.
The recommended 3000 calorie diet suitable for a woman doing a 10 hour day of industrial work, would cost £48 a month, which would leave just £3 for all other costs – a completely impossible task. A monthly living wage which could support a family, the report indicates, is more like £287.
These findings follow a continuing spate of factory faintings which have plagued the Cambodian garment industry in recent years, where up to 300 workers have been seen to collapse at one time. Researchers feel the findings of this new study underline the fact that there is a baseline of malnutrition across the board, which makes workers weak and prone to collapse.
One worker from a factory near Phnom Penh said: "We are constantly at the point of fainting all the time. We are tired and we are weak. It takes only a few small things to make us faint."
Labour Behind the Label, through a campaign for a living wage for workers in Cambodia, is calling on brands to take this issue seriously.
As part of the solution, it is pushing for talks to start about providing free canteen lunches for workers each day to combat the immediate malnutrition issue.
"The downward spiral of cheap clothing has led to a situation where the people who make our clothes are paid starvation wages and can't afford to eat or to feed their children. This has to end." said Anna McMullen, the report's author. "The solution is for a living wage to be paid, but in the mean time, brands and factory owners must look to provide other benefits such as free lunches."
Tola Mouen, from Community Legal Education Centre in Phnom Penh, who collaborated on the report, said: "Workers are living in conditions of modern-day slavery – handcuffed to the demands of their employers and international clothing giants through poverty wage. Profits continue to increase for brands and manufacturers but each day workers find it more and more difficult to satisfy basic needs.
Workers need real and immediate solutions – not more empty promises."
You can read the Report here. & download here.
01:05:18 local time BURMA/MYANMAR
* Labor Laws Strengthened in Myanmar But Not Necessarily Working:
Myanmar is changing. In June, the International Labor Organization lifted all restrictions on trade and investment in the country.
The Myanmar Investment Commission says foreign investment in the country is five times greater than what it was last year. As the demand for labor increases, workers are beginning to organize for better working conditions.
Kyu Kyu Win sits on the floor of her kitchen eating a bowl of watery rice porridge. It's all she can eat these days because of stomach problems. Problems that might have something to do with her work as a labor organizer.
Last May, the Ministry of Labor polled factories about working conditions. Kyu Kyu Win was collecting the surveys at Esquire Shoe Factory, where she works.
"The survey asked 39 main points, like what is the daily rate with or without overtime, are the bathrooms clean, do workers have the freedom to form a union, is there any repression by the factory to the workers," she explained.
She took the completed surveys from her factory to the Ministry of Labor. And when she got back, her boss called her into the office and fired her. According to Kyu Kyu Win, he said it was because she left work without permission. But Kyu Kyu Win is also a union leader actively involved in labor organizing. The boss fired four other union leaders at the same time even though they hadn't left the office.
00:35:18 local time BANGLADESH
* Owners propose Tk 3,600 as minimum wage:
Bangladesh's garment factory owners on Tuesday submitted their proposal—offering 20 per cent hike in workers' wages, to Tk 3,600 on an average as the minimum wages—to the wage board in its fifth meeting.
After the meeting, board chairman AK Roy told reporters that the owners' representatives today submitted the written proposal to the board, countering what the workers' representatives had put forwarded on August 18.
The board members discussed thoroughly the two proposals and set the next board meeting on October 21.
Arshad Jamal Dipu, the owners' representative to the wage board, told New Age that they recommended the hike considering the industry's efficiency.
Sirajul Islam Rony, the workers' representative to the wage board, said that the owners' proposal was completely inhuman and illogical.
* BGMEA proposes 20pc wage hike amid protests:
Labour leaders strongly protested Tuesday against the apparel trade body's proposal of 20 per cent hike in wages for the garment workers.
Mr Arshad Jamal Dipu representing the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters' Association (BGMEA) placed the proposal in the fifth meeting of the Wage Board, formed for the apparel workers, held in the city on the day.
He proposed the minimum wage at Tk 3,600 including a basic pay of Tk 2,400, a house rent of Tk 960 and a medical allowance of Tk 240 while the workers demanded a minimum wage of Tk 8,114.
Terming the BGMEA proposal 'illogical and inhumane', Sirajul Islam Rony, who was representing the garment workers at the meeting, said: "Owners' proposal for a hike of 20 per cent in wages has frustrated us."
He further said: "We had expected that the garment owners would offer higher wages taking into consideration the rising cost of living."
Echoing Mr Rony, Executive President of Jatiya Sramik League Fazlul Haque Montu said: "We protested against it in the meeting. No question arises about accepting this illogical proposal."
The members would also visit Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia to learn about their wage fixation process and the benefits offered to their workers, he said adding the visit might take place at the end of the current week.
* Feud deepens over minimum wage for garment workers:
Owners' proposal to hike salaries only by 20 percent for garment workers was "illogical and inhuman", a labour leader said yesterday.
"I urged the owners to reconsider the proposal as it is too low from our demand," Sirajul Islam Rony, workers' representative to the minimum wage board for employees, told The Daily Star.
At a meeting of the panel, owners' representative Arshad Jamal Dipu proposed to increase the monthly basic salary by Tk 600 to Tk 3,600.
Earlier, Rony recommended a minimum wage of Tk 8,114 a month, a 170.5 percent rise from the current level, by taking into account the workers' daily calorie intake and expenses.
He said the members of the wage board will visit Vietnamese garment factories on September 29 to review the salary structure, as the Southeast nation is seen as a major competitor of Bangladeshi garment business.
Dipu said 2,200 out of nearly 4,000 active garment factories belong to the small and medium categories, which are unable to bear a huge hike in salary.
* Workers-cops clash injures 10 in Gazipur:
At least 10 garments workers were injured in a clash with police in Monipur area of the district at 12:00pm Tuesday.
Sources said that hundreds of workers of Givency factory along with two others factories tried to block Dhaka-Mymensingh highway demanding salary and allowance hike.
On information police rushed to the spot and prevented the workers, triggering clash between police and workers, leaving at least 10 workers injured.
Naojor police outpost sergeant Ikbal Hossain confirmed the matter to banglanews.
to read.
* 15 RMG workers hurt clash with cops in Ashulia:
At least 15 workers of a readymade garment factory were injured in a clash with policemen at Zirani of Ashulia here on Tuesday morning.
Police said the workers of Ha-Meem Sweater Factory went on a work abstention in the morning as a rumour flied around that the authorities detained two of their fellow colleagues.
Later, the workers took to the street and blocked Nabinagar-Kaliakoir highway to press home their eight-point demand, including a hike in the wages.
On information, police rushed in and tried to disperse the workers from the road.
However, the unruly workers threw brick chips at the law enforcers, triggering a clash that left 15 workers injured.
to read. & read more.
* RMG workers demonstrate at Ashulia for arrears:
Workers of a garment factory at Unique Bus Stand of Ashulia industrial belt yesterday demonstrated on Dhaka-Tangail highway demanding their arrears.
Ashulia industrial police said the workers of RSM Fashion Ltd blocked the highway for their August arrears.
The factory authorities earlier assured them of paying the salary within September 10 but did not.
However, police managed to free the road within 20 minutes after the authorities promised them to make the payment today.
* RMG unrest: Production at 10 factories suspended in Gazipur:
Production at 10 garment factories in Hotapara and Monipur areas of Sadar upazila was suspended for a day on Tuesday following labour unrest.
Police said workers of several RMG units in the two areas went on a work abstention in the morning and staged demonstrations demanding a hike in their wages.
The unruly workers also vandalised a factory.
On information, police rushed in to bring the situation under control. However, the garment workers locked into a clash with the law enforcers.
Later, police dispersed the unruly workers by charging baton and lobbing teargas canisters on them.
Following the unrest, authorities of 10 garment factories suspended their production for the day.
to read. & read more. & read more.
* RMG workers' bank account with Tk 100:
From now, all readymade garment workers can open a bank account with only Tk 100. (Tk 100= 0.97 € / 1.293 $)
Bangladesh Bank (BB) has directed all government and private banks in this regard through a gazette notification.
BB assistant spokesman AFM Asaduzzaman confirmed the matter to banglanews on Tuesday.
Every garment worker can open a bank account by showing factory and national identity card, he added.
to read. & read more. & read more. & read more. & read more. & read more.
& read more.
* Study on RMG Outsourcing- Bangladesh still Number One:
Retailers are betting on Bangladesh`s garment industry more than that of any other country in the coming years, new research shows, despite recent deadly factory accidents that have put their reputations at risk.
Bangladesh`s $20 billion garment business came out ahead of smaller rivals Vietnam and Cambodia in the ranking of countries with the highest potential for future sourcing, according to a new study by consulting firm McKinsey & Co.
"Bangladesh is still No. 1," says Achim Berg, a partner in McKinsey`s German office, and the author of the study. "Recent events present a challenge for everyone, but there`s no alternative for doing big production volumes."
The new research shows that production capacity and price appear to trump safety and labor when it comes to choosing where to source clothes. Bangladesh has suffered more industrial disasters than any other garment-producing country. But its low minimum wage and high number of garment factories have made it a magnet for global retailers.
Retailers including Hennes & Mauritz AB, HM-B.SK +3.97% Wal-Mart Stores Inc., WMT +0.56% Gap Inc. GPS +0.41% and Zara parent Inditex SA ITX.MC +0.59% are grappling with how the public perceives their role in Bangladesh`s problems. Labor unions have pointed fingers at retailers for turning a blind eye to safety violations in factories. The companies have formed safety pacts aimed at improving working conditions—but which also help improve their image.
read more. & read more. & read more. & read more. & read more. & read more.
& read more. & read more.
* Changing labour conditions in global supply chains:
"Rana Plaza had no effect on our sales," stated Primark's legal director yesterday in the Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad. On 24 April, the Rana Plaza building collapsed in Savar, Bangladesh.
1129 workers died, which makes it the largest industrial accident ever. The building hosted several textile companies that produce for well-known Western corporations like Primark, Mango and Walmart.
These companies all embrace the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Primark conducts their own inspections to see whether its suppliers abide by their code of conduct. Because these suppliers must adhere to the legal standards of the Bangladeshi governments as well, one would expect that decent labour standards would be better guaranteed than in non-export oriented work. Sadly, this is often not the case.
The disaster in Bangladesh occurred 102 years after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York. This fire, in which 146 textile workers lost their lives, was one of the biggest accidents of its time. It led to important changes in American legislation. One of the breakthroughs was the introduction of the 54-hour workweek for women and children. The Triangle fire had a lasting impact. One of the eyewitnesses was Frances Perkins, secretary of labour between 1933 and 1945, and the architect of the major social reforms of Roosevelt's New Deal.
The bulk of the legislation that Perkins introduced is still in force. The sweatshops, and the atrocities that Perkins' measures tried to mitigate, have relocated from New York to Bangladesh and other low wage economies.
In a way, this is a logic result of the changing global division of labour, which provides economic opportunity to countries and individuals.
Economist Jeffrey Sachs famously stated that: "My concern is not that there are too many sweatshops, but that there are too few." This does not mean, however, that there should not be a moral debate about the conditions in which our shoes, iPhones and plastic Christmas trees are produced. Not everything should be acceptable.
Labour conditions are more visible than ever.
No matter how complicated global supply chains are, journalists, NGOs and researchers show us the inside of places like Rana Plaza.
This gives us an opportunity to use accidents and abuses as catalysts for change. But who has to take responsibility for abuses in today's global supply chains? And who defines what abuses are?
Of course there is an important role for Bangladesh. But the main problem for developing countries is not the absence of legislation, but the lack of (funds for) enforcement.
Governments thus look to the multinational companies that do business in Bangladesh. Arguably they have more funds available, and are therefore better equipped to improve labour conditions. (The gross domestic product of Bangladesh is $153 billion, whereas Walmart has a total revenue of $469 billion.)
* Stricter factory inspection:
This is related to a write-up published in the business page of a local English-language daily on September 13.
One way out may be to have all factory inspections be duly recorded in details. All factories should be issued with an inspection query in two copies to be sent to each factory by the Factory Inspection Office.
The Inspection Department should fill in one section, giving all the data that is there in their record, related to the location and other details like products, people employed, shifts worked, and personnel strength on each shift etc. The other section will be a query, to be filled in duplicate by the factory authorities.
This section on queries should be on specific points related to safety, normal and emergency accesses, location, type and number of fire fighting facilities etc. The last section will be filled in by the factory inspector on his inspection, in the presence of owners/managers at the factory, which should also be who should sign from the factory.
All deficiencies and shortcomings must be spelled out in this last part of the report based on actual inspection, which should be on a scheduled working day, but with no prior notice from the factory inspector. If necessary, laws should be passed so that the inspector can fine for minor deviations, up to Tk 2,000 for each such deviation! For major deviation, the owner has to be immediately informed in writing. In this case, fines imposed should be higher!
SA Mansoor
THE SAVAR BUILDING COLLAPSE
* No RMG compensation without DNA identification:
Earlier this year a Bangladesh clothes factory collapsed, killing more than 1,000 people. Five months later, many of the dead have yet to be identified – prolonging the anguish for relatives, and denying them the right to compensation.
A summer has passed since the Rana Plaza complex crashed to the earth. Plants are creeping over the tangled debris. Steel cables have rusted. Rolls of blue and cream fabric have gone moldy. A fading pair of jeans hangs from a jagged piece of wire.
A stone memorial remembers the 1,133 garment workers who died.
But hundreds of families who lost a mother or a daughter never have never been able to prove it to the authorities' satisfaction.
The US offered relatives DNA testing kits, and samples have been collected – but Bangladesh doesn't have the computer software to match those samples with the dead.
Every day Babul Soiaal walks to the Rana Plaza site, with a roll of papers and documents in his hand – and a small passport photo of a woman in a blue headscarf.
It is his wife Shahida. She's still missing, and she's probably among the nearly 300 people buried without being identified. Only when, or if, she is identified will the authorities provide financial help.
Soiaal has Shahida's payslip to prove she worked in the Rana Plaza – but that's not been enough to persuade officials to pay up.
"I have made a copy of these papers and given them to the government and other concerned bodies and I said if you have any doubt you can send an inspection team to our home town and they will find that she is still missing," he says.
"I have five children. I have lost my partner. If the government would help us then we will find some way, but I don't know what will happen to me."
read more. & read more.
00:05:18 local time INDIA
* Six child labourers rescued:
As many as six child labourers were rescued from a spinning mill, a knitwear unit and a workshop during joint raids conducted by officials of National Child Labour Project (NCLP) and various departments, in the city outskirts on Tuesday evening.
NCLP project director D.V.Vijayakumaar told The Hindu that the spinning mill and knitwear unit were located at Vengamedu near Avinashi and the workshop was situated in the heart of Avinashi town.
"All the children belonged to other districts within the State and they came to Tirupur district in search of jobs," he said.
The children were lodged at a shelter home near Ammapalayam and they would be produced shortly, before the child welfare committee functioning in the district.
Mr. Vijayakumaar said that action would be initiated against the employers.
* Fire at footwear factory:
Fire broke out in a footwear factory in Subhash Nagar area of west Delhi on Tuesday morning.
Thirteen fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the blaze that broke out at around 9am in the factory situated behind the Pacific Mall, fire officials said.
There were no reports of any casualty, they said, adding efforts were underway to put off the fire.
to read. & to read. & to read.
* Hike in duty drawback rates for garment to boost exports: AEPC:
The recent hike in duty drawback rates by the government would help boost the garment sector's exports, exporters body AEPC said today.
Duty drawback is the refund of duties on imported inputs for export items.
Last week, the Finance Ministry has rationalised the duty drawback and brought more items under the scheme for tax refund to exporters to give a boost to overseas shipments.
* Indian govt must ensure cotton availability to mills: ICF:
The Government of India must ensure raw material availability to the domestic spinning mills by devising a raw material protection policy, J. Thulasidharan, president of the Indian Cotton Federation (ICF), previously South India Cotton Association, said at the 34th annual general meeting of the association in Coimbatore.
Mr. Thulasidharan said that the Bangladesh Government had prepared a raw material protection programme to ensure availability of raw materials like cotton in adequate quantities to the domestic textile industry.
* Some nations imposing 'strict import norms on biotech cotton':
Despite no evidence of consumers rejecting biotech cotton, some nations have imposed "exceptionally" strict regulations on import of such cotton, according to the US-based expert Round Table.
The Round Table on Biotechnology in Cotton Production that consists of experts from nine countries, has finalised the report to be unveiled later this month at the 72nd plenary meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).
"Data reported by the ICAC Secretariat indicate that since the commercial introduction of biotechnology in cotton in 1996, there has been no evidence of consumer rejection, nor is there evidence of price premiums or discounts for cotton with biotech traits in world markets," the ICAC said.
00:05:18 local time SRI LANKA
* Lanka to tap Chinese domestic apparel market:
Sri Lankan apparel exporters plan to intensify their apparel export to China to meet the huge Chinese domestic demand, although China exports its apparel to other international markets.
"With the expansion of the Chinese economy and the increase of the per capita income/disposable income, the cost of production in China has increased more than Sir Lanka. Therefore, it was a great opportunity for Sri Lanka to penetrate into that market in a big way," Secretary General- Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) Tuli Cooray told the Daily News Business .
* China eyes Sri Lankan free-trade deal:
Fashion brands from Hong Kong, Europe and the United States could gain from a possible free-trade agreement between Sri Lanka and mainland China that would remove all tariffs on goods from the island nation.
Sri Lanka, whose earnings from garments account for half of its entire industrial output, has long been a manufacturing hub for upmarket lingerie, T-shirts and blouses. The country is the largest supplier for Victoria's Secret and an important manufacturing hub for Gap, Marks and Spencer and other European brands.
"International brands could win big shipping their products from Sri Lanka to China if the free-trade deal is reached," said Ashroff Omar, chief executive of Brandix, Sri Lanka's largest apparel exporter.
* 'Labour laws are yet archaic from colonial times':
Employers Federation of Ceylon (EFC) Director General Ravi Peiris believes that the prevailing labour laws are archaic which have prevailed from the times of the British Raj while the United Kingdom itself has disposed of them years ago!
He also says that the labour laws and the times and hours of work for women employees in the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) and the KPO (Knowledge Process Outsourcing) industries should also be amended to meet the challenges of modern times and in quest for the US$ one billion export revenue target from these two industries
Here, he is in conversation with the Ceylon FT on divergent issues on the industry.
Q: What are the most important issues that employers face in relation to employer – employees relations issues and its framework ?
23:35:18 local time UZBEKISTAN
* ILO observers to shortly start work in Uzbekistan:
Eight monitoring teams from the International Labor Organization (ILO) are shortly to start observation work in Uzbekistan.
The ILO observers are to begin working in Uzbekistan in the next few days, according to the ILO's press service.
The work will be performed by eight teams and is scheduled to take place until the cotton harvest is completed. The ILO monitors plan to visit cotton fields and other cotton-related places all over the country.
Olga Bogdanova, ILO press officer, reports that the main objective of the ILO's monitoring is the prevention of child labor being used during the harvest season.
HEADLINES TODAY:
* Shop 'til They Drop- Fainting and Malntrition – Report
* Labor Laws Strengthened in Myanmar But Not Necessarily Working
* Owners propose Tk 3,600 as minimum wage
* BGMEA proposes 20pc wage hike amid protests
* Feud deepens over minimum wage for garment workers
* Workers-cops clash injures 10 in Gazipur
* 15 RMG workers hurt clash with cops in Ashulia
* RMG workers demonstrate at Ashulia for arrears
* RMG unrest: Production at 10 factories suspended in Gazipur
* RMG workers' bank account with Tk 100
* Study on RMG Outsourcing- Bangladesh still Number One
* Changing labour conditions in global supply chains
* Stricter factory inspection
THE SAVAR BUILDING COLLAPSE:
* No RMG compensation without DNA identification
* Six child labourers rescued
* Fire at footwear factory
* Hike in duty drawback rates for garment to boost exports: AEPC
* Indian govt must ensure cotton availability to mills: ICF
* Some nations imposing 'strict import norms on biotech cotton'
* Lanka to tap Chinese domestic apparel market
* China eyes Sri Lankan free-trade deal
* 'Labour laws are yet archaic from colonial times'
* ILO observers to shortly start work in Uzbekistan
latest tweets (& news)
Follow @DressedStripped for more
I wonder who they are
The men who really run this land
And I wonder why they run it
With such a thoughtless hand
What are their names
And on what streets do they live
I'd like to ride right over
This afternoon and give
Them a piece of my mind
About peace for mankind
Peace is not an awful lot to ask
The people who are buying these clothes
I'd like to know what they've paid for it
How much the makers have paid for this
Fairer income is not an awful lot to ask
Better working conditions is not an awful lot to ask
A. Searcher
For more and other (labour) news you can follow on twitter: @asearcher2
Notice: The articles placed, are a reflection of that was found in the online media.
It is time after time, every day, astonishing, how much there is written in the media-online, about finances, exchange rates, prices, profits, about money.
And so incredibly little about labour, minimum wage, working conditions, exploitation, disrespect, living conditions, about people.


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Birthdays....
.... yesterday was a big Birthday day in our house..... for both Ian and Alex.
I arrived home from work at 7am and was greeted by a very excited Alex..... fully showered and dressed....and bouncing like an excited puppy.... so I barely had time to make a coffee before it was present time.....here she is opening a pressie from my Mum and Dad.... already wearing the bath robe we gave her.... over the top of her clothes....
I also made her this framed photo for her room.... its such a lovely photo of her and Brent..
I was only thinking to myself.....that at this age...I was moving to Qld with Ian.... we packed up all our belongings in a 3ft x3ft trailer (yes it was tiny).... all our worldy goods.... a portable TV... a Stereo ... and my glory box..we had a lot to learn..... and thinking back...we really owned nothing much at all.
....and then it was Ians turn.... he wasn't quite as excited as Alex.... no jumping up and down like a puppy for him (especially seeing as he has a head cold at the moment) ...but good old Mum cooked him a delicious Beef and Marsala casserole... and a ginger fluff cake..... and we sang him a beautiful version of "Happy Birthday"... bringing tears to his eyes.... well not really... but I still think we sounded very good. ...so thats is for the birthdays in our house....all done and dusted until next year....
Mardi x
Sounds like heaps of fun in your household with birthdays! I also love your banner!
Kim Archer 3:49 pm
happy birthday to Ian and Alex!!
Megan 6:49 pm
Happy birthday Alex!!!
Happy birthday Ian!!!!
Mardi the framed photo you did for Alex is just so beautiful. And yes it is such a great photo of them both.
Alex looks so happy - just how it should be! And I hope the tears in Ian's eyes were from complete joy and not because of the high notes lol. I think Happy Birthday is the HARDEST song in the world to sing!
Megan xx
Hi! i do love a ginger fluff cake. Haven't had one in years. My aunt makes the best ones. i wonder if they are a south Australian thing cause I have only ever heard ogf them there.
Yvette Adams 9:27 pm
Happy birthday Ian and Alex!
Wow - imagine you guys moving so far away, so young! I hope you haven't told Brent and Alex that. Don't give them any ideas!
PS - I've never heard of ginger fluff cake. Sound like another morning tea is in order. ;)
Lea 6:50 am
ooohh mardi that frame is GORGEOUS!
Beautiful photo, gogeous choice of papers and products and so beautifully put together. I bet Alex loved it.
I just love your work Mardi. That canvas is gorgeous!
Julie 4:42 pm
Hey Mardi,
Busy as usual I c.
Happy birthday to Alex & Ian!
Well done to Briony for her win of the B&F.
ROFLMAO @ Brent's bird conversation!
Fantab. lo's as usual!!!!
catch up soon
Moira 9:00 am
Belated birthday wishes to Ian and Alex!!!
fleurie 7:59 pm
just love that Framed LO Mardi....just stunning!!!
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Tag Archives: Mussolini
The murder of Giacomo Matteotti: a crisis for the Italian Fascists?
Giacomo Matteotti, an Italian socialist politician, was kidnapped and then murdered by members of the Fascist party on 10th June 1924.
Benito Mussolini and the first Fascist cabinet in Italy
Mussolini, who was determined to restore the glory of the Roman Empire following the 'mutilated victory' of the First World War, had formed the precursor to the Fascist Party in 1919.
The League of Nations in the 1920s
This revision podcast is aimed at students studying GCSE and IGCSE History. It focuses on striking a balance between the successes and failures of the League of Nations in the 1920s, in order to best help students revise for an exam question on this topic. It opens with advice on how to plan an answer to a 'how far' question by assigning a score out of 10 for how successful different events were for the League of Nations. You might also like to watch this video about answering a question on how successful the League of Nations was in the 1920s.
The podcast goes on to detail different challenges faced by the League of Nations during the 1920s, in order to provide students with adequate evidence to support a balanced answer. Specific attention is given to the Leagues's successes in the Upper Silesia Dispute, the Aaland Islands, and Greco-Bulgarian Dispute. Other successes of the League are given, such as the League's social policies and the work of the various commissions.
The successes of League are then contrasted with the League's failures during the same period. Key examples of failure that are outlined include the Vilna Dispute, the Corfu Crisis, and disarmament. For more detail on the League's attempts at disarmament, and advice on how to answer a question about it, check out the exam tips video here.
The League of Nations in the 1930s – Disarmament and Abyssinia
GCSE and IGCSE History Revision, International Relations 1919-1939, Videos
This video presents an overview of the key issues surrounding the League of Nations' attempts to achieve disarmament in the 1930s, and goes on the examine Italy's invasion of Abyssinia.
League of Nations sanctions on Italy after the invasion of Abyssinia
On the 19th October 1935, the League of Nations voted to impose sanctions on Italy after it invaded Abyssinia.
German involvement in the Spanish Civil War
GCSE and IGCSE History Revision, Podcasts, Podcasts, International Relations 1919-1939, Weimar and Nazi Germany 1919-1945
This revision podcast was originally created for IGCSE History students completing a Paper 2 (sources) exam based on the Spanish Civil War. However, it is appropriate for other students who wish to gain an overview of Germany's involvement as it looks at three key issues. Firstly a quick background to the Civil War itself, secondly a consideration of why Germany got involved, and finally a discussion of what Germany contributed to the Spanish Civil War.
The first part of the podcast presents an overview of General Franco's nationalist uprising with reference to the republican government, the forces on each side in the conflict, and the Non-Intervention Committee.
The second section looks at reasons for why Germany got involved in the Spanish Civil War. The causes assessed in the revision podcast are Hitler's hatred of communism, the opportunity to test new equipment, the possibility of developing an alliance with Italy, and access to Spanish raw materials.
The final part of the episode considers the impact of German involvement. Particular attention is given to the impact of the Condor Legion at Guernica.
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
Why did Germany and Italy agree to support Franco?
On the 26th July 1936, Adolf Hitler informed General Francisco Franco that Germany would support his Nationalist rebellion in Spain.
Spanish Civil War – intervention and non-intervention
International Relations 1919-1939, Videos
These two clips present the reasons for international intervention and non-intervention in the Spanish Civil War.


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Division of Campus Life
Do good. Go Greek!
Why join a fraternity or sorority? Nationally, college students involved in Greek life earn higher GPAs and are more likely to graduate. And by joining forces with your Greek brothers and sisters, you can help build a stronger, more welcoming Oglethorpe community.
Like a lot of things here, Oglethorpe's Greek life is far from ordinary. Our Greek community is bucking national trends and growing fast — in fact, we've nearly doubled from five to 9 chapters in the past few years, with 25% of our student body belonging to a Greek organization.
Greek life at Oglethorpe is about volunteering, service, and campus community. Our fraternities and sororities work with charitable organizations like Make-a-Wish, the Boys and Girls Club, and more. They volunteer at nearby food banks, tutor local kids, and run food and clothing drives. They host social events for their Oglethorpe classmates, like dances, road trips and theme parties.
Greek chapters at Oglethorpe:
Fraternities:
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Delta Sigma Phi
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Epsilon Iota Psi
Learn more about our fraternities and sororities on the Greek Life website.


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Juventus v AC Milan: Preview
admin Service pear liqueur
After a hard-fought 2-2 draw, Juventus will be looking to make a late surge to get back into the Champions League, while AC Milan will try to put the Bianconeri back on top of the table.
Juventus will start their quest for a second consecutive Serie A title on Tuesday against AC Milan in the Milanello Stadium.
Juventus will be without their top scorer, Andrea Barzagli (leg), and will need to find the balance between the attacking prowess of Paulo Dybala and the attacking qualities of Arturo Vidal in the midfield.
Juve's defence will be the real test as they will be forced to cope with a Milan side who are yet to concede a goal in Serie A, having made just two in the league this term.
AC Milan will be hoping to keep pace with the Biancons in the top-four, with Gianluigi Donnarumma's side having scored eight goals in the last five games, while Alessio Romagnoli's side are bottom of the league with three wins and three draws.
With the exception of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's hat-trick against Manchester City on Sunday, the striker's form this season has been the catalyst for his side to leapfrog AC Milan.
The Ivorian has netted 14 goals in 14 games, and while Milan have conceded just two goals, they will need a good result to keep their title hopes alive.
In the final round of the Champions Leagues, AS Roma face AC Milan on Sunday in the second leg of their semi-final.
The Rossoneri will look to get their second consecutive win in the semi-finals as they attempt to get on top.
AS Roma will be backed by the fact that they are still in the race to win the league, and are looking to win in front of a home crowd.
They have not conceded a goal so far this season, having managed just four in their last six league games.
The last time Roma had to play in front a home audience was in December 2011, when they lost 2-1 to Napoli in the Champions Europa League.
As far as the teams in Serie B are concerned, AC Milan have been unable to break down Juventus in the opening weeks of the season, and AS Roma will need an impressive performance against Juventus to stay in the mix.
Milan are without their leading goalscorer, Romagnololi, and have conceded four goals in their first three Serie A matches.
After a hard fought 2-0 win over Napoli last weekend, the Rossoneris look set to face a Milan team who are without a win in their past four matches.
However, the Biancanas are without the best striker in the world in the form of Vidal, while Mario Balotelli has been out with an injury.
Parma are set to play their Champions League opener at home to Napolo on Wednesday, and will be seeking to keep a clean sheet to stay up.
There will be a lot of pressure on the Rossonians to get the victory as they are on a six-match losing streak.
The hosts have scored just once in their four league matches so far, losing 2-3 to Napolos.
Mesut Ozil has been at the heart of a great defensive display for the Rossoni this season.
The German has scored four goals this season and has only conceded two goals in all competitions, while he has also scored against Juventus and AC Milan so far.
It will be interesting to see how the Milanese will handle their visitors this season in the competition, especially since the last time these sides met in the quarter-finals was in 2012.
Napoli are on the back foot after a disappointing 0-2 defeat to Roma, while AS Roma have managed just one win in four matches, losing 5-0 to Inter.
Despite their impressive form, Juventus are looking for a much-needed win over the Rossoneis to make the playoffs, and it will be crucial to stay top of Serie A this season if the Rossona are to get into the quarter finals.
More from Football Italian: Milano 2-4 Napoli: Champions League preview article "It's a very difficult game, we know we can beat them, but they are not always at home.
We will have to show our character and make them understand the importance of the games we play.
This is what we want to achieve, to be on top, so we need to show that we are ready."
Juve will be trying to get another win at home in the first leg of the semi finals on Wednesday.
The Bianconers will be on the defensive and will look for a clean-sheet, but their attack will need all the help they can get, as the home side has conceded just one goal sofar in Serie D. Vidal's hat trick against Manchester was a catalyst for the Biancocelani


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McAuliffe promises to dodge court ruling against sweeping clemency order
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe speaks to reporters prior to the start of the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 25 in Philadelphia. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
By Jenna Portnoy
Jenna Portnoy
Reporter covering Virginia, Maryland and D.C. congressional delegations
PHILADELPHIA — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) stood before Democrats gathered at their party's national convention Monday and promised to individually restore voting rights to hundreds of thousands of felons within the next two weeks.
McAuliffe vowed to use an autopen to sign the orders, sidestepping a recent court ruling that invalidated the step he took in April to restore the rights of about 200,000 felons en masse.
The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday decided that McAuliffe had overstepped his legal authority and could restore rights only on a case-by-case basis. The court ordered that 13,000 felons who had registered to vote between April and last week must be removed from the rolls.
The ruling appeared to reverse a signature achievement of McAuliffe's administration. But he indicated that it inspired him to take action.
"By the end of this week, I will have restored the rights of all 13,000!" a defiant McAuliffe thundered at a breakfast for the state party delegation at the Democratic National Convention. He got a standing ovation.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe made a decision in April to instantly restore voting rights to convicted felons ahead of the November elections. Here's why his decision is facing a big setback. (Claritza Jimenez/The Washington Post)
"And in two weeks all 206,000 will have their rights back, folks!" he said. Another standing ovation.
In fact, even more people will register to vote "because they will not let this injustice stand by," he said.
The ruling spurred another change. McAuliffe's administration had repeatedly declined to release the names of newly eligible voters. But, suddenly, all bets were off. He vowed to make the list public in the hope of encouraging more of the eligible felons to register to vote.
To Republican lawmakers who had legally challenged the governor's order, he said: "If that's the game you want to play: Game on!"
Two hundred and fifty miles away in Richmond, more somber state employees were grappling with just how to make that happen.
"We're working on the overall approach to this. How do we comply with the legality of the order? How do we do that in the most efficient way?" said Kelly Thomasson, secretary of the commonwealth who is in charge of rights restoration.
State Republican leaders, who had launched the legal challenge to McAuliffe's April 22 clemency, were buoyant after prevailing in court last week. But they were angered by the governor's promise to sign more than 200,000 individual restoration orders.
"It's deeply disrespectful to the Supreme Court and a clear effort to circumvent the limits put on him by the constitution," said Matt Moran, spokesman for House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford).
With help from GOP commonwealth's attorneys, Republicans said they will scrutinize every individual rights restoration order as they did in the blanket order, when they discovered multiple errors. They found the McAuliffe administration had mistakenly restored rights of 132 sex offenders as well as convicted murderers on probation in other states. In both cases, Republicans said the felons did not qualify for restored rights.
"We have discovered scores of errors in the initial database," Moran said. "If the governor is not careful, he will restore the rights to someone who is not deserving. And he will be held accountable for every single order he signs. He will not be able to cover his mistakes with clerical errors."
As of Monday, no individual orders had been issued.
Thomasson, the secretary of the commonwealth, said her office will check public safety databases to review the criminal histories of the 13,000 felons who registered to vote.
Then they will probably produce 13,000 computer-generated rights restoration orders printed with the signatures of herself and McAuliffe, she said. Those orders will be mailed to newly enfranchised felons to the most recent addresses on file for them.
McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy said this system was developed by former governor Robert F. McDonnell (R), the first governor to restore the rights of newly released nonviolent felons without first requiring them to apply.
But McAuliffe's blanket clemency order took the process further than any other governor had attempted.
Sen. Mamie E. Locke (D-Hampton), chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, said McAuliffe's move disproportionately affects African Americans, and she predicted they will be more motivated to vote in November. Exit polls show black voters tend to vote Democratic.
McAuliffe rallied the Democratic base for his friend and presumptive presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on the first day of the national convention.
Whether it was gun control, abortion rights, Medicaid expansion — or rights restoration for felons — McAuliffe trumpeted a relentlessly positive message.
Later that day, Clinton tweeted her approval: "This is what dauntless leadership looks like. Thank you, @GovernorVA — proud to call you a friend."
John Paul Stevens, longtime leader of Supreme Court's liberal wing, dies at 99
Farrah Fawcett's son charged with attempted murder after days-long rampage of violence, police say
Doing these five things could decrease your risk of Alzheimer's by 60 percent, new study says


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Photos: The artsy side of the wiki world
Vaalankurkku railway bridge
Wikimania 2006, the second annual international Wikimedia conference, kicks off Friday in Cambridge, Mass. Jimmy Wales, the founder of the Wikipedia Project, will be a keynote speaker.
As part of the conference, the Wikimania Awards will call out the best video, audio, image and textual material contributed to various Wikimedia projects. This gallery takes a look at some of the nominees for the best original image categories. Anything created after August 8, 2005--including images taken on the way to, or at the conference--is eligible to win.
Nominated in the category of nature photography, this picture from the Wikimedia Commons shows the Vaalankurkku railway bridge in Finland. It was taken by Teemu Vehkaoja with a Nikon D50 on the morning of March 13, 2006. The misting waterway is the Oulujoki River.
British Museum reading room
This panorama of the British Museum Reading Room consists of several shots taken with a Canon 5D and then stitched together in Adobe Photoshop CS2. When viewed in its highest resolution, the photo is sharp enough to reveal the detailed gold filigree above the windows. It was nominated for the "photography places" category.
The creator of the photo used in the British Museum entry of Wikipedia is listed as "Diliff."
"Another Place"
Chris Howells took this picture of Antony Gormley's "Another Place," a series of 100 human sculptures placed to look out upon the ocean. The exhibit, currently in Liverpool, England, will move to New York in November.
/i/ne/p/2006/Petrified_forest_400x600.jpg
"A petrified log in Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, U.S.A." taken by Wikipedia contributor "Moondigger," who does not offer his real name in his profile. The photo was a featured "picture of the day" on the Wikimedia Commons home page July 21.
"Australian War Memorial, Canberra" was taken with a Canon 20D. The sky was completely replaced via digital editing, according to the photographer, a high-school student from Victoria, Australia. He goes by Fir0002 on Wikipedia.
Wikimania Awards are also rewarded to those who create original art for entries. This map of China's Han Dynasty in the second century was nominated in the category of best maps and diagrams. Creator Yeu Ninje notes in her entry that she included both the original border of the Han dynasty and the border of territories claimed today by the People's Republic of China.
The political commentary Ninje incorporated into her work is an example of so-called citizen journalism, a school of reporting on the world that's burgeoning in the Wikipedia era. As part of the Wikimania 2006 program, a Citizen Journalism event will take place August 7.
Ant anatomy
This diagram, also nominated in the category of maps and diagrams, shows the basic morphology of a worker ant. Mariana Ruiz Villarreal of Germany created it.
This photo of two North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) was taken by Dmitry Azovtsev. It is part of Wikimedia Commons, a repository for free-use media intended as a resource for authors of Wikipedia entries.
Nominated in the category of maps and diagrams, this chart of leaf morphology characteristics was created on January 2006 by a Wikipedia contributor who goes by the alias "Debivort." It was made for use with the Wikipedia entry for "Leaf."
With Wikimania 2006 set to kick off Friday, a panel of judges turns their eyes to photos, maps and more.
Tech Industry CXO Government Security
Carry on: Must-have minimalist travel gadgets in 2019
Here's a selection of the best travel accessories that bring down the bulk and weight of your luggage.
Mother's Day 2019: The best tech, gadgets, and accessories for mom
Smart yoga mats, intelligent candles, and more can be picked up to make this Mother's Day extra special.
Plagues then and now: Blood, frogs and locusts are no match for the ravages of 2019
What would a modern-day Plague of Lice look like?
April Fools' Day roundup: The best and worst tech pranks on the web
Be careful what you believe on April 1st as jokes and pranks will flood the Internet today. Come back for updates as more pranks reveal themselves.
Last-minute tech gifts and gadgets for your Valentine
Chocolate and flowers are not the only options this Valentine's Day.
The best last-minute tech gifts, gadgets for your mom this Christmas
Tech-savvy moms might appreciate a useful, fun, or relaxing gadget over Christmas. Check out some of our top picks.


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Home | News Saturday 7 November 2015
Sudan's opposition SCP suspends 20 members amid sharp internal differences
November 6, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - The central committee of the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) has suspended twenty members and ended the full-time political work of seven others, said sources.
The political secretary of the Sudanese Communist Party, Mohammed Mokhtar al-Khateeb (ST)
Differences have escalated within the SCP ahead of the party's 6th convention following large demands for deep reforms including changing the name of the party.
SCP spokesperson was not reachable for comment.
According to the sources, the suspension included 20 members among them al-Shafie Khidir, Hatim Gattan, Mohamed Sulieman, Faisal Bashir and Hashim Tolub.
Press reports in Khartoum on Monday pointed that the SCP's central committee issued the decisions ahead of the 6th convention in order to avoid attempts led by Khidir and Gattan to win over the youths members to change the current leadership.
SCP central committee also decided to end the full-time work of several historic leaders amongst them the party's spokesperson Youssef Hussien, Siddig Youssef, Niemat Malik and Mustafa Khogali.
The same sources said the decisions were likely driven by the SCP secretary general Mohamed Mukhtar al-Khatiband the SCP organizational secretary Ali al-Kenain, pointing those who were suspended and referred for retirement have clear stances against both men.
The sources also pointed that al-Kenain has suggested the retirement move during the meeting of the central committee, saying his proposal was supported by Sulieman Hamid.
It is noteworthy that the leaders who were referred for retirement had previously demanded the central committee to launch an investigation against al-Kenain accusing him of serving external agenda.
According to the sources, 18 out of 23 members of the central committee who have attended the meeting voted in favor of the recent decisions while 5 others voted against it.
It should be mentioned that SCP's central committee includes 44 members, 6 of them had passed away while 4 others had left the party ranks after the secession of South Sudan in 2011.
The SCP was established in 1946 under the name of the "Anti Colonialism Front" and it was later known as the "Sudanese Movement for National Liberation" before its final name was adopted in 1956.


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Horse-Shaped Drinking Vessel
Iran, Sasanian, 3rd-4th Century
Silver, partially gilt
Overall: 12 x 10.8 x 32.7 cm (4 3/4 x 4 1/4 x 12 7/8 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 1964.41
102A Ancient Near East
The horse was a favorite artistic subject in ancient Iran, where horsebreeding flourished. This muscular Sasanian stallion was descended from the royal and sacred Nisean breed of the Achaemenian Persians. Although Sasanian horse-trappings were elaborate, they did not include stirrups for mounting. In this rendition, the steed lies still, as camels in the Near East do today, waiting for its rider to mount. The medallions on each shoulder contain busts, perhaps of rulers of different parts of the Sasanian Empire, holding their rings of authority.
The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1966. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966. Reproduced: p. 14 archive.org
The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 7 archive.org
Kosmin, Paul. "Banqueting on the Move." In Animal-Shaped Vessels from the Ancient World: Feasting with Gods, Heroes, and Kings.Susanne Ebbinghaus,ed., 310-341. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Art Museums, 2018. Reproduced: p. 324, fig. 7.18
Year in Review (1964). The Cleveland Museum of Art (January 1-31, 1965).
Juxtapositions. The Cleveland Museum of Art (September 11-October 10, 1965).
Traditions and Revisions: Themes from the History of Sculpture. The Cleveland Museum of Art (September 24-November 16, 1975).
All That Glitters: Great Silver Vessels in Cleveland's Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 23, 1994-January 8, 1995).
{{cite web|title=Horse-Shaped Drinking Vessel|url=https://clevelandart.org/art/1964.41|year=200-325|access-date=19 July 2019|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Near Eastern Art
Egyptian and Ancient Near Eastern Art
John L. Severance Fund