Montesano, Washington, United States (AHN) - Consumers are warned to discard cheeses from Estrella Family Creamery of Montesano, Washington, because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the US Food and Drug Administration said in an advisory.
"Environmental samples and one product sample collected during an August 2010 inspection at the facility have tested positive for L. mono," the FDA assessed.
The FDA warning affects all lots of Estrella Family Creamery cheeses, including cheeses identified as soft, semi-soft, semi-hard and hard.
FDA said the cheeses have the potential to be contaminated with L. mono and may cause serious illness. FDA advised consumers who have the cheeses to throw them away.
Estrella manufactures at least 18 varieties of soft ripened, semi-soft, semi-hard and hard cheeses made from raw cow or goat milk and aged 60 days or longer. The cheeses are sold in wheels or cut to order for retail markets, and do not contain lot codes, according to the FDA.
While a complete product list is not available, FDA identified some of the varieties that have been produced by Estrella as Black Creek Buttery, Dominoes, Guapier, Grisdale Goat, Subblime, Partly Sunny, Wynoochee River Blue, Caldwell Crik Chevrette, Old Apple Tree Tomme, Valentina, Vineyard Tomme, Brewleggio, Red Darla, Reposée, Bea Truffled, Jalapeño Buttery and Weebles.
Estrella cheeses are sold at specialty cheese shops, farmers markets, the company\'s farm store in Montesano and through the Internet. The company also sells to restaurants and takes part in cheese contests where its products are sold.
The company had previously recalled cheeses due to L. mono contamination but resumed marketing in May, FDA noted.
L. mono is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems, the agency explained.
Listeria infections can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Consumers who have experienced symptoms of illness from the consumption of Estrella cheeses should contact their health care professionals.
Consumers may also contact their local FDA complaint coordinator in their state or call 888-INFO-FDA to report problems or illnesses related to the cheese.
FDA will continue its investigation, working with state and local officials, and will consider taking any further action that may be necessary.
Montesano, Washington, United States (AHN) - Consumers are warned to discard cheeses from Estrella Family Creamery of Montesano, Washington, because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the US Food and Drug Administration said in an advisory.
"Environmental samples and one product sample collected during an August 2010 inspection at the facility have tested positive for L. mono," the FDA assessed.
The FDA warning affects all lots of Estrella Family Creamery cheeses, including cheeses identified as soft, semi-soft, semi-hard and hard.
FDA said the cheeses have the potential to be contaminated with L. mono and may cause serious illness. FDA advised consumers who have the cheeses to throw them away.
Estrella manufactures at least 18 varieties of soft ripened, semi-soft, semi-hard and hard cheeses made from raw cow or goat milk and aged 60 days or longer. The cheeses are sold in wheels or cut to order for retail markets, and do not contain lot codes, according to the FDA.
While a complete product list is not available, FDA identified some of the varieties that have been produced by Estrella as Black Creek Buttery, Dominoes, Guapier, Grisdale Goat, Subblime, Partly Sunny, Wynoochee River Blue, Caldwell Crik Chevrette, Old Apple Tree Tomme, Valentina, Vineyard Tomme, Brewleggio, Red Darla, Reposée, Bea Truffled, Jalapeño Buttery and Weebles.
Estrella cheeses are sold at specialty cheese shops, farmers markets, the company\'s farm store in Montesano and through the Internet. The company also sells to restaurants and takes part in cheese contests where its products are sold.
The company had previously recalled cheeses due to L. mono contamination but resumed marketing in May, FDA noted.
L. mono is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems, the agency explained.
Listeria infections can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Consumers who have experienced symptoms of illness from the consumption of Estrella cheeses should contact their health care professionals.
Consumers may also contact their local FDA complaint coordinator in their state or call 888-INFO-FDA to report problems or illnesses related to the cheese.
FDA will continue its investigation, working with state and local officials, and will consider taking any further action that may be necessary.
Irvine, California, United States (AHN) - Kia Motors America has posted a 9.7 percent increase in year-to-date sales of 237,953 units and 32,465 units sold in August, the company said in a statement.
The brand\'s best-selling model for eight consecutive months was the 2011 Sorento SUV. Kia\'s growing stable of next generation products including Soul, Forte, Forte Koup, Sorento and 2011 Sportage accounted for 76.5 percent of the monthly sales volume.
"The most aggressive new product introduction cycle in the industry continues with the ongoing introduction of all-new Sportage, which will be closely followed in next few months by the arrivals of functional 2011 Forte 5-door and the highly anticipated 2011 Optima midsize sedan," KMA announced.
In 2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share.
The company has more than 700 dealers throughout the United States.
KMA is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea.
Irvine, California, United States (AHN) - Kia Motors America has posted a 9.7 percent increase in year-to-date sales of 237,953 units and 32,465 units sold in August, the company said in a statement.
The brand\'s best-selling model for eight consecutive months was the 2011 Sorento SUV. Kia\'s growing stable of next generation products including Soul, Forte, Forte Koup, Sorento and 2011 Sportage accounted for 76.5 percent of the monthly sales volume.
"The most aggressive new product introduction cycle in the industry continues with the ongoing introduction of all-new Sportage, which will be closely followed in next few months by the arrivals of functional 2011 Forte 5-door and the highly anticipated 2011 Optima midsize sedan," KMA announced.
In 2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share.
The company has more than 700 dealers throughout the United States.
KMA is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea.
Hercules, CA, United States (AHN) - Bay Area police scoured a landfill in Pittsburgh for the fourth day on Monday for the body of a missing man believed to have been killed along with other people last week by a suspect who was gunned down in a car chase last week.
Authorities and volunteers searched for the body of Frederick Sales, 35, in an area of the Keller Canyon Landfill. The focus of the search is where trash from the city of Hercules was dumped from Aug. 25 through Aug. 31.
Sales went missing on Aug. 26, a day before his father, Ricardo Sales, is believed to have been beaten to death in the Hercules home they rented from a woman, Cindy Tran.
Tran was found dead last Tuesday in a car driven by her boyfriend, Efren Valdemoro, after a high-speed car chase with law enforcement officers.
Police were pursuing Valdemoro because of the death of the 73-year-old Sales, with whom he had an argument less than a week before the old man\'s murder.
The chase ended with Valdemoro being shot by police after he abandoned his vehicle and wielded a knife. The car he was driving is registered to an elderly woman found dead later that day, Segundina Allen, together with her friend, Marcaria Smart. The two old women had reportedly let Valdemoro, a former security guard, stay in their Vallejo home in the past.
Valdemoro is suspected in the death of the elder Sales and Tran, but is only aperson of interest in the deaths of the two other women. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that the younger Sales may be alive.
The four murders and a possible fifth has rocked the Bay Area suburb, located 20 miles of San Francisco. The community held a candlelight vigil on Sunday for the victims as well as for Valdemoro.
Hercules, CA, United States (AHN) - Bay Area police scoured a landfill in Pittsburgh for the fourth day on Monday for the body of a missing man believed to have been killed along with other people last week by a suspect who was gunned down in a car chase last week.
Authorities and volunteers searched for the body of Frederick Sales, 35, in an area of the Keller Canyon Landfill. The focus of the search is where trash from the city of Hercules was dumped from Aug. 25 through Aug. 31.
Sales went missing on Aug. 26, a day before his father, Ricardo Sales, is believed to have been beaten to death in the Hercules home they rented from a woman, Cindy Tran.
Tran was found dead last Tuesday in a car driven by her boyfriend, Efren Valdemoro, after a high-speed car chase with law enforcement officers.
Police were pursuing Valdemoro because of the death of the 73-year-old Sales, with whom he had an argument less than a week before the old man\'s murder.
The chase ended with Valdemoro being shot by police after he abandoned his vehicle and wielded a knife. The car he was driving is registered to an elderly woman found dead later that day, Segundina Allen, together with her friend, Marcaria Smart. The two old women had reportedly let Valdemoro, a former security guard, stay in their Vallejo home in the past.
Valdemoro is suspected in the death of the elder Sales and Tran, but is only aperson of interest in the deaths of the two other women. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that the younger Sales may be alive.
The four murders and a possible fifth has rocked the Bay Area suburb, located 20 miles of San Francisco. The community held a candlelight vigil on Sunday for the victims as well as for Valdemoro.
San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) - Embattled former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Mark Hurd, who was ousted last month in a sexual harassment scandal is in talks for a new job at rival tech giant Oracle.
According to a Wall Street Journal report Hurd is in discussions to secure a top executive post, however it would not be the chief executive officer job that position is still held by Oracle founder Larry Ellison.
A final decision hasn\'t been made and Oracle\'s board still needs to approve any appointment.
Hurd\'s dismissal from HP over the scandal with a marketing officer who also was a soft-core porn actress and had pictures in Playboy sent shock waves across Silicon Valley and Wall Street. Hurd is believed to have been widely responsible for elevating the Palo Alto-based HP into the world\'s largest tech company. He\'s also faced wide criticism by some HP employees and external critics for his relentless focus on cutting costs.
Hurd and Ellison have been longtime friends, and analysts speculate a top position with Oracle would provide significant inroads to rebuilding Hurd\'s reputation.
Jodie Fisher a former actress and ex-HP contractor levied the sexual harassment allegations against Hurd. In a statement she said, "I was surprised and saddened that Mark Hurd lost his job over this. That was never my intention."
An investigation by outside legal counsel and the General Counsel\'s Office, overseen by the HP Board determined there was no violation of HP\'s sexual harassment policy. However in Hurd\'s attempt to hide his relationship with Fisher the investigation concluded he violated HP\'s Standards of Business Conduct by filing inaccurate expense reports for dinners he had with Fisher.
San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) - Embattled former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Mark Hurd, who was ousted last month in a sexual harassment scandal is in talks for a new job at rival tech giant Oracle.
According to a Wall Street Journal report Hurd is in discussions to secure a top executive post, however it would not be the chief executive officer job that position is still held by Oracle founder Larry Ellison.
A final decision hasn\'t been made and Oracle\'s board still needs to approve any appointment.
Hurd\'s dismissal from HP over the scandal with a marketing officer who also was a soft-core porn actress and had pictures in Playboy sent shock waves across Silicon Valley and Wall Street. Hurd is believed to have been widely responsible for elevating the Palo Alto-based HP into the world\'s largest tech company. He\'s also faced wide criticism by some HP employees and external critics for his relentless focus on cutting costs.
Hurd and Ellison have been longtime friends, and analysts speculate a top position with Oracle would provide significant inroads to rebuilding Hurd\'s reputation.
Jodie Fisher a former actress and ex-HP contractor levied the sexual harassment allegations against Hurd. In a statement she said, "I was surprised and saddened that Mark Hurd lost his job over this. That was never my intention."
An investigation by outside legal counsel and the General Counsel\'s Office, overseen by the HP Board determined there was no violation of HP\'s sexual harassment policy. However in Hurd\'s attempt to hide his relationship with Fisher the investigation concluded he violated HP\'s Standards of Business Conduct by filing inaccurate expense reports for dinners he had with Fisher.
Buffalo, NY, United States (AHN) - A woman who is known as the "Black Widow" of eating contests because she makes mincemeat of her male competitors ate 181 chicken wings on Sunday securing herself another win.
The voracious eating feat of nearly 4lbs of meat was accomplished in 12 minutes at the 2010 Buffalo Wing Festival. However it wasn\'t the 43-year-old\'s first time at the food chomping rodeo in fact it was her fourth win at the contest. She even beat out top challenger Joey Chestnut who has won consecutive Nathan\'s Hot Dog Eating competitions.
"This is probably the biggest eating contest in the world other than the Nathan\'s hot dog eating contest," festival organizer Drew Cerza told Buffalo\'s WKBW-TV.
"The No. 1 eater in the world, Joey Chestnut, went up against Sonya Thomas -- a mismatch in size but not a mismatch in competitive eating talent and heart, and Sonya Thomas beat Joey Chestnut. She set a world record with 181 chicken wings."
Chestnut, came in second after eating 169 chicken wings. After winning the contest Thomas claimed she was still hungry and called the wings an appetizer. She later went on to make a cameo at the Ridiculously Hot Buffalo Wing Eating Contest and ate 20 more.
Thomas has also previously set eating records for oysters, hard-boiled eggs, cheesecake and jalapeno peppers.
Buffalo, NY, United States (AHN) - A woman who is known as the "Black Widow" of eating contests because she makes mincemeat of her male competitors ate 181 chicken wings on Sunday securing herself another win.
The voracious eating feat of nearly 4lbs of meat was accomplished in 12 minutes at the 2010 Buffalo Wing Festival. However it wasn\'t the 43-year-old\'s first time at the food chomping rodeo in fact it was her fourth win at the contest. She even beat out top challenger Joey Chestnut who has won consecutive Nathan\'s Hot Dog Eating competitions.
"This is probably the biggest eating contest in the world other than the Nathan\'s hot dog eating contest," festival organizer Drew Cerza told Buffalo\'s WKBW-TV.
"The No. 1 eater in the world, Joey Chestnut, went up against Sonya Thomas -- a mismatch in size but not a mismatch in competitive eating talent and heart, and Sonya Thomas beat Joey Chestnut. She set a world record with 181 chicken wings."
Chestnut, came in second after eating 169 chicken wings. After winning the contest Thomas claimed she was still hungry and called the wings an appetizer. She later went on to make a cameo at the Ridiculously Hot Buffalo Wing Eating Contest and ate 20 more.
Thomas has also previously set eating records for oysters, hard-boiled eggs, cheesecake and jalapeno peppers.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - Hartz Mountain Corp. is voluntarily recalling 75,000 bags of dog treats after tests by the Food and Drug Administration found salmonella in the product.
The New Jersey-based pet food company is pulling out one lot of Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats for Dogs. It said the 8-ounce bags of treats were imported from a Brazilian supplier, Bertin, which found the food safe in its regular tests.
A random sample testing by the FDA, however, found the presence of salmonella, a bacteria that can cause infection in humans and animals, and can be fatal to young children, the elderly and those with weak immune systems. Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, nausea and fever.
The company is warning consumers to stop feeding their pets snacks whose bags bear the lot code BZ0969101E. Pet owners who are unable to find the lot code on the bags should also discontinue using the treats.
"Hartz is aggressively investigating the source of the problem... [and] taking immediate steps to remove the product from all retail stores and distribution centers," the company said in a statement.
Hartz says it has not received reports of animals or humans falling ill from consuming or coming into contact with its dog treats.
The company is offering customers reimbursements for the recalled treats. Pet owners can also contact a hotline at any time for concerns.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - Hartz Mountain Corp. is voluntarily recalling 75,000 bags of dog treats after tests by the Food and Drug Administration found salmonella in the product.
The New Jersey-based pet food company is pulling out one lot of Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats for Dogs. It said the 8-ounce bags of treats were imported from a Brazilian supplier, Bertin, which found the food safe in its regular tests.
A random sample testing by the FDA, however, found the presence of salmonella, a bacteria that can cause infection in humans and animals, and can be fatal to young children, the elderly and those with weak immune systems. Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, nausea and fever.
The company is warning consumers to stop feeding their pets snacks whose bags bear the lot code BZ0969101E. Pet owners who are unable to find the lot code on the bags should also discontinue using the treats.
"Hartz is aggressively investigating the source of the problem... [and] taking immediate steps to remove the product from all retail stores and distribution centers," the company said in a statement.
Hartz says it has not received reports of animals or humans falling ill from consuming or coming into contact with its dog treats.
The company is offering customers reimbursements for the recalled treats. Pet owners can also contact a hotline at any time for concerns.
Hershey, PA, United States (AHN) - Results of a new study from Penn State University suggest troubling news for overweight people trying to permanently shed unwanted pounds.
The researchers said only about one in every six Americans who have ever been overweight or obese lose weight and don\'t gain it back.
According to the researchers, two-thirds of the United States adult population is overweight. The rate of obesity doubled between 1980 and 2004. This has resulted in an increase of Americans with type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Doctors often push patients with diabetes and hypertension to lose 5 to 10 percent of their body weight.
The study found that women were better able to maintain long-term weight loss of at least 10 percent. Married people or partnered, unmarried couples did the worst in keeping the weight off.
The researchers said their study reveals a need for more effective weight-loss strategies from physicians.
A report on the study is published in the International Journal of Obesity.
Hershey, PA, United States (AHN) - Results of a new study from Penn State University suggest troubling news for overweight people trying to permanently shed unwanted pounds.
The researchers said only about one in every six Americans who have ever been overweight or obese lose weight and don\'t gain it back.
According to the researchers, two-thirds of the United States adult population is overweight. The rate of obesity doubled between 1980 and 2004. This has resulted in an increase of Americans with type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Doctors often push patients with diabetes and hypertension to lose 5 to 10 percent of their body weight.
The study found that women were better able to maintain long-term weight loss of at least 10 percent. Married people or partnered, unmarried couples did the worst in keeping the weight off.
The researchers said their study reveals a need for more effective weight-loss strategies from physicians.
A report on the study is published in the International Journal of Obesity.
Charleston, SC, United States (AHN) - Seven people were rescued off the coast of Charleston over the Labor Day weekend after clinging to a floating cooler for 20 hours.
The boaters were rescued about 25 miles east of the city on Sunday. They had been missing since the previous day, when the engine compartment of their powerboat flooded and they had to abandon ship.
The four adults and three children were reported to officials as overdue by the wife of the boat owner. They were found as the Coast Guard was making its final turns in the moonlit sea after six hours of searching. All of them were wearing life jackets near their capsized boat.
"The front of the boat was sticking in the air about four feet and they were clinging to a cooler," Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Booher said in a statement. "They had no lights, no signaling device, no EPIRB and no radio."
The boaters were brought to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Their names and conditions have not been released.
Charleston, SC, United States (AHN) - Seven people were rescued off the coast of Charleston over the Labor Day weekend after clinging to a floating cooler for 20 hours.
The boaters were rescued about 25 miles east of the city on Sunday. They had been missing since the previous day, when the engine compartment of their powerboat flooded and they had to abandon ship.
The four adults and three children were reported to officials as overdue by the wife of the boat owner. They were found as the Coast Guard was making its final turns in the moonlit sea after six hours of searching. All of them were wearing life jackets near their capsized boat.
"The front of the boat was sticking in the air about four feet and they were clinging to a cooler," Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Booher said in a statement. "They had no lights, no signaling device, no EPIRB and no radio."
The boaters were brought to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Their names and conditions have not been released.
San Antonio, Texas, United States (AHN) - For women with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer, elective mastectomy may be an effective way of preventing the disease, according to a new study.
Dr. Gail Tomlinson, interim director of the Greehey Children\'s Cancer Research Institute at the University of Texas, said in a statement that younger women with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutation may opt for the surgery to reduce anxiety about dying from cancer at an early age.
Tomlinson also said women with a genetic predisposition to ovarian cancer may consider preemptively removing their fallopian tubes and ovaries.
"Early intervention" can also save the lives of people predisposed to certain types of kidney and thyroid cancers, Tomlinson said.
Her study followed 2,500 women at higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer between 1974 and 2008 at 22 health centers in Europe and North America.
In 247 women who chose mastectomies, no breast cancers were diagnosed. One in 13 of the 1,372 women who did not have the surgery were diagnosed with cancer. Tomlinson said women who had their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed also had a lower risk of cancer. This included breast cancer survivors.
A report on the study is published in the Sept. 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
San Antonio, Texas, United States (AHN) - For women with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer, elective mastectomy may be an effective way of preventing the disease, according to a new study.
Dr. Gail Tomlinson, interim director of the Greehey Children\'s Cancer Research Institute at the University of Texas, said in a statement that younger women with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutation may opt for the surgery to reduce anxiety about dying from cancer at an early age.
Tomlinson also said women with a genetic predisposition to ovarian cancer may consider preemptively removing their fallopian tubes and ovaries.
"Early intervention" can also save the lives of people predisposed to certain types of kidney and thyroid cancers, Tomlinson said.
Her study followed 2,500 women at higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer between 1974 and 2008 at 22 health centers in Europe and North America.
In 247 women who chose mastectomies, no breast cancers were diagnosed. One in 13 of the 1,372 women who did not have the surgery were diagnosed with cancer. Tomlinson said women who had their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed also had a lower risk of cancer. This included breast cancer survivors.
A report on the study is published in the Sept. 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Phoenix, AZ, United States (AHN) - A case of rubber-necking turned deadly for two young children in Arizona over the weekend.
According to local media reports, a car driven by a woman and carrying a 13-month-old girl and a 3-week-old boy slowed down Saturday afternoon because a driver ahead of them was looking at a minor crash on the side of Interstate 10 in Phoenix.
A woman driving a minivan rear-ended the sedan and a tractor-trailer gas tanker slammed both vehicles from behind.
The woman driving the car and the babies, who were believed to be hers, were taken to the hospital. The woman is in serious condition, but the babies died at the hospital, according to a local Fox News station.
The driver of the minivan was also taken to the hospital. She is expected to survive.
Police told local media that they are looking for the driver of a white or gray Dodge Magnum for questioning.
Phoenix, AZ, United States (AHN) - A case of rubber-necking turned deadly for two young children in Arizona over the weekend.
According to local media reports, a car driven by a woman and carrying a 13-month-old girl and a 3-week-old boy slowed down Saturday afternoon because a driver ahead of them was looking at a minor crash on the side of Interstate 10 in Phoenix.
A woman driving a minivan rear-ended the sedan and a tractor-trailer gas tanker slammed both vehicles from behind.
The woman driving the car and the babies, who were believed to be hers, were taken to the hospital. The woman is in serious condition, but the babies died at the hospital, according to a local Fox News station.
The driver of the minivan was also taken to the hospital. She is expected to survive.
Police told local media that they are looking for the driver of a white or gray Dodge Magnum for questioning.
Las Vegas, NV, United States (AHN) - A man walked into a Las Vegas casino wearing what looked like an explosives belt Saturday morning, prompting security to evacuate the building and a nearby RV park.
According to local media, the man approached security officers, lifted his shirt to reveal the belt and told them they had five minutes to get everyone out of the building.
The security guards at the hotel and casino, Arizona Charlie\'s, convinced the man to go outside, but he did not leave the property.
Police, including a bomb squad and SWAT team, responded to the scene, a local CBS News affiliate reported.
Police officers removed the device, which turned out to be not real, from the man without a struggle.
Police told reporters they believe the man wanted officers to shoot him.
Las Vegas, NV, United States (AHN) - A man walked into a Las Vegas casino wearing what looked like an explosives belt Saturday morning, prompting security to evacuate the building and a nearby RV park.
According to local media, the man approached security officers, lifted his shirt to reveal the belt and told them they had five minutes to get everyone out of the building.
The security guards at the hotel and casino, Arizona Charlie\'s, convinced the man to go outside, but he did not leave the property.
Police, including a bomb squad and SWAT team, responded to the scene, a local CBS News affiliate reported.
Police officers removed the device, which turned out to be not real, from the man without a struggle.
Police told reporters they believe the man wanted officers to shoot him.
Madison, OH, United States (AHN) - Out on a $250,000 bail bond, an Ohio man has pleaded "not guilty" to charges including rape, gross sexual imposition, domestic violence and child endangerment, allegedly committed against his wife and seven children over the course of 15 years.
Jeffrey York, 47, was secretly indicted Aug. 31 on charges that he locked his family into their home for 15 years, during which he emotionally, physically and mentally abused them. Police allege he raped one of his daughters and locked another in a small, closet-like room for one year.
Last December, when York left home, his wife made a 911 call reporting a sexual offense. When police arrived, his wife pleaded for police to take her and the children away from the home.
In a press conference Saturday by Madison Township police Detective Dan Boerner, he was asked why the abuse was reported only now by the wife. Boerner declined to give a direct answer, only stating that the case itself was very disturbing and that he was not at liberty at this time to give the wife\'s reasons for doing so .
Boerner added that the children were all home schooled and had no real friends as they were cut off from any contact with their relatives.
Since their rescue, the family has been brought to a women\'s shelter, and are now adjusting to their new lives with the children currently attending traditional schools.
The conditions of York\'s bail meanwhile, puts him under GPS monitoring and prevents him from having any contact with his wife and children.
Madison, OH, United States (AHN) - Out on a $250,000 bail bond, an Ohio man has pleaded "not guilty" to charges including rape, gross sexual imposition, domestic violence and child endangerment, allegedly committed against his wife and seven children over the course of 15 years.
Jeffrey York, 47, was secretly indicted Aug. 31 on charges that he locked his family into their home for 15 years, during which he emotionally, physically and mentally abused them. Police allege he raped one of his daughters and locked another in a small, closet-like room for one year.
Last December, when York left home, his wife made a 911 call reporting a sexual offense. When police arrived, his wife pleaded for police to take her and the children away from the home.
In a press conference Saturday by Madison Township police Detective Dan Boerner, he was asked why the abuse was reported only now by the wife. Boerner declined to give a direct answer, only stating that the case itself was very disturbing and that he was not at liberty at this time to give the wife\'s reasons for doing so .
Boerner added that the children were all home schooled and had no real friends as they were cut off from any contact with their relatives.
Since their rescue, the family has been brought to a women\'s shelter, and are now adjusting to their new lives with the children currently attending traditional schools.
The conditions of York\'s bail meanwhile, puts him under GPS monitoring and prevents him from having any contact with his wife and children.
Miami, FL, United States (AHN) - Federal weather forecasters say the storm system called Gaston has a high chance of reforming into a tropical cyclone over the next two days.
The National Weather Service says the system is located about 750 miles east of the Leeward Islands. As of Sunday morning, Gaston was a disorganized system of thunderstorms.
But other weather conditions in its path give the system a strong likelihood it will become a tropical cyclone again, forecasters say.
Meanwhile, Earl, although downgraded to a weakened tropical storm, battered Nova Scotia over the weekend, leaving more than 200,000 homes without power. The storm is being blamed for the drowning death of one person in Blind Bay in Halifax County.
People from South Carolina to Massachusetts braced for Earl and worried it could ruin the Labor Day holiday weekend, but Nova Scotia was the first time it made landfall, hitting the province with sustained winds of more than 80 miles per hour.
At the height of its power, Earl was a category 5 hurricane but it fizzled out to a tropical storm by the end of the week.
Miami, FL, United States (AHN) - Federal weather forecasters say the storm system called Gaston has a high chance of reforming into a tropical cyclone over the next two days.
The National Weather Service says the system is located about 750 miles east of the Leeward Islands. As of Sunday morning, Gaston was a disorganized system of thunderstorms.
But other weather conditions in its path give the system a strong likelihood it will become a tropical cyclone again, forecasters say.
Meanwhile, Earl, although downgraded to a weakened tropical storm, battered Nova Scotia over the weekend, leaving more than 200,000 homes without power. The storm is being blamed for the drowning death of one person in Blind Bay in Halifax County.
People from South Carolina to Massachusetts braced for Earl and worried it could ruin the Labor Day holiday weekend, but Nova Scotia was the first time it made landfall, hitting the province with sustained winds of more than 80 miles per hour.
At the height of its power, Earl was a category 5 hurricane but it fizzled out to a tropical storm by the end of the week.
Stanford, CA, United States (AHN) - More than 80 percent of new farmlands in tropical countries have come from the felling of trees, increasing the release into the atmosphere of carbon that causes global warming, a study has found. The expansion of farmlands is expected to increase due to growing global demand for agricultural products.
More than half a million square miles of new farmland created in tropical countries, such as Brazil and Indonesia, between 1980 to 2000 was due to the felling of forests which in turn, accelerated the release of carbon into the atmosphere resulting in global warming, according to a new study led by Stanford postdoctoral researcher, Holly Gibbs, of the Department of Environmental Earth System Science.
"Every million acres of forest that is cut releases the same amount of carbon into the atmosphere as 40 million cars do in a year," elaborated Gibbs. "The tropical forests store more than 340 billion tons of carbon, which is 40 times the total current worldwide annual fossil fuel emissions. If we continue cutting down these forests, there is a huge potential to further contribute to climate change."
The increase of agricultural land in tropical countries is due to increasing global demand that is projected by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to double by the year 2050. That translates to millions of additional acres of tropical forests felled over the next 40 years.
The Stanford research team noted that the creation of new farmland and deforestation was due to big, corporate agribusinesses rather than small farm families who used to do the logging and tree-cutting.
This was seen as fortunate and manageable. According to Gibbs, "The good news is that pressure from consumer groups and nongovernmental organizations combined with international climate agreements could provide a real opportunity to shift the tide in favor of forest conservation rather than farmland expansion."
The study was published in the online Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Stanford, CA, United States (AHN) - More than 80 percent of new farmlands in tropical countries have come from the felling of trees, increasing the release into the atmosphere of carbon that causes global warming, a study has found. The expansion of farmlands is expected to increase due to growing global demand for agricultural products.
More than half a million square miles of new farmland created in tropical countries, such as Brazil and Indonesia, between 1980 to 2000 was due to the felling of forests which in turn, accelerated the release of carbon into the atmosphere resulting in global warming, according to a new study led by Stanford postdoctoral researcher, Holly Gibbs, of the Department of Environmental Earth System Science.
"Every million acres of forest that is cut releases the same amount of carbon into the atmosphere as 40 million cars do in a year," elaborated Gibbs. "The tropical forests store more than 340 billion tons of carbon, which is 40 times the total current worldwide annual fossil fuel emissions. If we continue cutting down these forests, there is a huge potential to further contribute to climate change."
The increase of agricultural land in tropical countries is due to increasing global demand that is projected by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to double by the year 2050. That translates to millions of additional acres of tropical forests felled over the next 40 years.
The Stanford research team noted that the creation of new farmland and deforestation was due to big, corporate agribusinesses rather than small farm families who used to do the logging and tree-cutting.
This was seen as fortunate and manageable. According to Gibbs, "The good news is that pressure from consumer groups and nongovernmental organizations combined with international climate agreements could provide a real opportunity to shift the tide in favor of forest conservation rather than farmland expansion."
The study was published in the online Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) - Online classified ad site Craigslist blocked access to its controversial adult services section Saturday morning.
A black box containing the word "censored" in white letters covered the link to the section. While readers in the United States could not enter the section, media reports said users in Europe could still access it.
Neither company chief executive James Buckmaster or founder Craig Newmark issued a statement about the action Saturday.
The website has been the target of criticism for months that the adult services section promoted prostitution.
Seventeen state attorneys general sent a letter to Buckmaster and Newmark on Aug. 24 asking them to eliminate that section of the website. "The increasingly sharp public criticism of Craigslist\'s Adult Services section reflects a growing recognition that ads for prostitution -- including ads trafficking children -- are rampant on it," the attorneys general wrote.
Buckmaster responded that Craigslist had been manually screening adult services ads since May 2009.
The site had raised the fees for posting ads for adult service ads in 2008 after that section caught the attention of state prosecutors. In 2009, Craigslist began donating to charity a portion of revenue from the ads.
The adult services section also was linked to the murder of a model in April 2009. The suspect charged in her death was believed to have met her through Craigslist.
Ads in the adult services section cost $10 to post and $5 to re-post. Advanced Interactive Media Group, which consults on classified advertising, estimates that Craigslist took in $36 million this year in adult ads. AIM said a recent update had found that "the revenue for prostitution ads has increased substantially during the last six months."
In an apparent defense of Craigslist, AIM noted that "Village Voice Media, which publishes alternative weeklies and Backpage.com, takes in millions of dollars annually from its prostitution ads — which are much more graphic and salacious than the ads on Craigslist."
Craigslist claims more than 50 million users in the U.S.
San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) - Online classified ad site Craigslist blocked access to its controversial adult services section Saturday morning.
A black box containing the word "censored" in white letters covered the link to the section. While readers in the United States could not enter the section, media reports said users in Europe could still access it.
Neither company chief executive James Buckmaster or founder Craig Newmark issued a statement about the action Saturday.
The website has been the target of criticism for months that the adult services section promoted prostitution.
Seventeen state attorneys general sent a letter to Buckmaster and Newmark on Aug. 24 asking them to eliminate that section of the website. "The increasingly sharp public criticism of Craigslist\'s Adult Services section reflects a growing recognition that ads for prostitution -- including ads trafficking children -- are rampant on it," the attorneys general wrote.
Buckmaster responded that Craigslist had been manually screening adult services ads since May 2009.
The site had raised the fees for posting ads for adult service ads in 2008 after that section caught the attention of state prosecutors. In 2009, Craigslist began donating to charity a portion of revenue from the ads.
The adult services section also was linked to the murder of a model in April 2009. The suspect charged in her death was believed to have met her through Craigslist.
Ads in the adult services section cost $10 to post and $5 to re-post. Advanced Interactive Media Group, which consults on classified advertising, estimates that Craigslist took in $36 million this year in adult ads. AIM said a recent update had found that "the revenue for prostitution ads has increased substantially during the last six months."
In an apparent defense of Craigslist, AIM noted that "Village Voice Media, which publishes alternative weeklies and Backpage.com, takes in millions of dollars annually from its prostitution ads — which are much more graphic and salacious than the ads on Craigslist."
Craigslist claims more than 50 million users in the U.S.
Miami, FL, United States (NewsBahn) - Hurricane Earl, which had threatened to ruin the Labor Day weekend for businesses and beachgoers along the Mid-Atlantic coast, weakened overnight Friday to become little more than an annoyance as it swept northward toward the Canadian Maritimes.
At 8 a.m. Saturday, the National Hurricane Center reported Earl had lost its hurricane status, with its maximum sustained winds dropping to 70 mph. It was located about 40 miles south of Cape Sable, Nova Scotia, and was moving northeast at 30 mph.
Still, the Canadian Hurricane Centre was maintaining a hurricane watch for Nova Scotia from Ecum Secum to Point Tupper. The agency reported early Saturday that Earl was picking up strength as it neared the Canadian coast.
Earl was expected to drop up to three inches of rain over eastern Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
A tropical storm watch was in effect for the entire coast of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and News Brunswick.
Earl had little effect as it sped offshore of the U.S. east coast. Beaches in Maryland and Delaware remained open, and people could be seen strolling the boardwalk and checking out the surf.
Swimming was banned for a while at Ocean City, MD.
Saturday morning, Earl was whipping Cape Cod, MA, with rain, gusty winds and strong surf.
Meanwhile Tropical Depression Fiona fizzled into a "remnant low" south of Bermuda, the NHC reported. By Saturday morning, the weather system was producing winds of 30 mph and was moving north northeast at 14 mph. It was located about 60 miles south of Bermuda.
Miami, FL, United States (NewsBahn) - Hurricane Earl, which had threatened to ruin the Labor Day weekend for businesses and beachgoers along the Mid-Atlantic coast, weakened overnight Friday to become little more than an annoyance as it swept northward toward the Canadian Maritimes.
At 8 a.m. Saturday, the National Hurricane Center reported Earl had lost its hurricane status, with its maximum sustained winds dropping to 70 mph. It was located about 40 miles south of Cape Sable, Nova Scotia, and was moving northeast at 30 mph.
Still, the Canadian Hurricane Centre was maintaining a hurricane watch for Nova Scotia from Ecum Secum to Point Tupper. The agency reported early Saturday that Earl was picking up strength as it neared the Canadian coast.
Earl was expected to drop up to three inches of rain over eastern Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
A tropical storm watch was in effect for the entire coast of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and News Brunswick.
Earl had little effect as it sped offshore of the U.S. east coast. Beaches in Maryland and Delaware remained open, and people could be seen strolling the boardwalk and checking out the surf.
Swimming was banned for a while at Ocean City, MD.
Saturday morning, Earl was whipping Cape Cod, MA, with rain, gusty winds and strong surf.
Meanwhile Tropical Depression Fiona fizzled into a "remnant low" south of Bermuda, the NHC reported. By Saturday morning, the weather system was producing winds of 30 mph and was moving north northeast at 14 mph. It was located about 60 miles south of Bermuda.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - The United States on Friday reacted to threats issued by Pakistani Taliban while condemning the attacks on religious processions in Pakistan.
Pakistan\'s Taliban recently threatened to launch attacks in the U.S. and Europe "very soon."
The warning by Qari Hussain Mehsud, a senior leader and mentor of suicide bombers, came along with renewed militant violence in Pakistan this week.
This is also termed as reaction from the Pakistani Taliban after U.S. prosecutors charged its leader Hakimullah Mehsud in a plot that killed seven CIA employees at a U.S. base in Afghanistan last December.
P.J. Crowley, the U.S. Assistant Secretary and State Department spokesman reacted to the threat in a statement "We designated the TTP (Tehrik-e Taliban) Pakistan as a foreign terrorist organization because that\'s where the facts led us. It is a threat to the United States, but most importantly a threat to Pakistan itself," noting, "The designation gives us an additional weapon to reduce its ability to threaten innocent civilians around the world."
The Pakistani Taliban was recently declared a Foreign Terrorist Organization, thus adding it to a blacklist of organizations subject to travel and economic sanctions.
In a public notice, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton cited different aliases of Pakistani Taliban as "Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Tehrik-I-Taliban Pakistan, Tehrik-e-Taliban and Tehreek-e-Taliban," concluding with the announcement, "Therefore, I hereby designate the aforementioned organization and its aliases as a foreign terrorist organization."
Separately, the U.S. reacted to rampant killings in Pakistan when a suicide bomber blew himself up amid a Shiite procession in Quetta, killing 58 people and injuring more than 100.
"To target innocent civilians during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at an already difficult time as the country is working hard to recover from terrible flooding caused by monsoons makes these acts even more reprehensible," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement.
"In line with the deepening partnership between our two nations, the United States government continues to assist and work closely with the government of Pakistan in its efforts to rebuild and recover, and we will continue to stand with the people of Pakistan as they face these challenging times," Gibbs said in the statement.
In another statement, Crowley said, "Our sympathies are with the victims and their families, and all those affected by these cruel acts of hatred. We stand with all of the people of Pakistan who should have the freedom to peacefully observe their religion, especially during Ramadan, and focus on rebuilding their lives after the floods, not mourn friends and family killed in terrorist attacks."
"The United States remains committed to helping the government and people of Pakistan as they recover from the devastating floods and work to secure a more peaceful and prosperous future, free from extremist violence and threat," Crowley added.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - The United States on Friday reacted to threats issued by Pakistani Taliban while condemning the attacks on religious processions in Pakistan.
Pakistan\'s Taliban recently threatened to launch attacks in the U.S. and Europe "very soon."
The warning by Qari Hussain Mehsud, a senior leader and mentor of suicide bombers, came along with renewed militant violence in Pakistan this week.
This is also termed as reaction from the Pakistani Taliban after U.S. prosecutors charged its leader Hakimullah Mehsud in a plot that killed seven CIA employees at a U.S. base in Afghanistan last December.
P.J. Crowley, the U.S. Assistant Secretary and State Department spokesman reacted to the threat in a statement "We designated the TTP (Tehrik-e Taliban) Pakistan as a foreign terrorist organization because that\'s where the facts led us. It is a threat to the United States, but most importantly a threat to Pakistan itself," noting, "The designation gives us an additional weapon to reduce its ability to threaten innocent civilians around the world."
The Pakistani Taliban was recently declared a Foreign Terrorist Organization, thus adding it to a blacklist of organizations subject to travel and economic sanctions.
In a public notice, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton cited different aliases of Pakistani Taliban as "Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Tehrik-I-Taliban Pakistan, Tehrik-e-Taliban and Tehreek-e-Taliban," concluding with the announcement, "Therefore, I hereby designate the aforementioned organization and its aliases as a foreign terrorist organization."
Separately, the U.S. reacted to rampant killings in Pakistan when a suicide bomber blew himself up amid a Shiite procession in Quetta, killing 58 people and injuring more than 100.
"To target innocent civilians during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at an already difficult time as the country is working hard to recover from terrible flooding caused by monsoons makes these acts even more reprehensible," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement.
"In line with the deepening partnership between our two nations, the United States government continues to assist and work closely with the government of Pakistan in its efforts to rebuild and recover, and we will continue to stand with the people of Pakistan as they face these challenging times," Gibbs said in the statement.
In another statement, Crowley said, "Our sympathies are with the victims and their families, and all those affected by these cruel acts of hatred. We stand with all of the people of Pakistan who should have the freedom to peacefully observe their religion, especially during Ramadan, and focus on rebuilding their lives after the floods, not mourn friends and family killed in terrorist attacks."
"The United States remains committed to helping the government and people of Pakistan as they recover from the devastating floods and work to secure a more peaceful and prosperous future, free from extremist violence and threat," Crowley added.
Yellowstone National Park, WY, United States (AHN) - Plans to re-establish aspen trees in Yellowstone National Park by introducing wolves to protect the young trees from elk that like to eat aspens have flopped, researchers say.
Scientists originally hoped that the presence of wolves would deter elk from entering areas containing young aspen trees. However, that did not work.
Despite a 40 percent decline in the elk population since the re-introduction of wolves into Yellowstone, researchers say they do cannot foresee a reduction in the destruction of young aspen trees by elk until the elk population drops further.
The study by U.S. Geological Survey scientists appears in the journal Ecology.
Yellowstone National Park, WY, United States (AHN) - Plans to re-establish aspen trees in Yellowstone National Park by introducing wolves to protect the young trees from elk that like to eat aspens have flopped, researchers say.
Scientists originally hoped that the presence of wolves would deter elk from entering areas containing young aspen trees. However, that did not work.
Despite a 40 percent decline in the elk population since the re-introduction of wolves into Yellowstone, researchers say they do cannot foresee a reduction in the destruction of young aspen trees by elk until the elk population drops further.
The study by U.S. Geological Survey scientists appears in the journal Ecology.
Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) - The latest poll in the race for the Senate seat of formerly held by President Barack Obama has Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias tied with Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL)
A new Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV survey has Giannoulias and his Republican rival each with 34 percent support overall. Two third-party candidates each held less than seven percent, leaving 22 percent of voters undecided.
Kirk leads 34 percent to 23 percent among independent voters. He also has more support in his party, with three-fourths of Republicans saying they would vote for him. In contrast, Giannoulias has two-thirds of Democrats backing him.
However, the poll found 36 percent of conservatives with no opinion of Kirk, and nearly four in 10 collar-county voters without sufficient information to view the congressman favorably or unfavorably.
The race is rated a tossup by the Cook Political Report.
Both candidates are coming off of months of separate controversies plaguing their campaigns.
Giannoulias, 34, faced questions about his role in $20 million his family\'s bank is said to have lent to criminals. The Tulane University Law School graduate served as a senior loan officer and vice president at Broadway Bank, a once-successful community bank in Edgewater now facing insolvency, when the loans were approved.
The Democrat also had to downplay his ties to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, whose trial on 24 corruption charges ended last month with a conviction on one charge.
Kirk, a five-term representative, publicly apologized in June for claiming to be a veteran of the Gulf and Afghan wars despite servng in Maryland in the Navy Reserves.
The congressman confessed to having wrongly boasted about being awarded intelligence officer of the year in the Navy for his service in the Kosovo war. The award was actually a group citation, the Vice Admiral Rufus L. Taylor Award, for his whole unit.
Kirk issued his apology after critics and observers exposed a number of questionable claims, such as his statement that he commanded the war room at the Pentagon. Giannoulias has also called him out for saying in a congressional floor speech, "The last time I was in Iraq I was in uniform, flying at 20,000 feet, and the Iraqi Air Defense network was shooting at us."
Following his apology, the New York Times revealed that his claim throughout the years of working as "a nursery school teacher" in his last year at Cornell University had also been "overstated." The head of the church where the congressman said he had worked told the Times, "He was never, ever considered a teacher. He was just an additional pair of hands to help a primary teaching person."
Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) - The latest poll in the race for the Senate seat of formerly held by President Barack Obama has Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias tied with Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL)
A new Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV survey has Giannoulias and his Republican rival each with 34 percent support overall. Two third-party candidates each held less than seven percent, leaving 22 percent of voters undecided.
Kirk leads 34 percent to 23 percent among independent voters. He also has more support in his party, with three-fourths of Republicans saying they would vote for him. In contrast, Giannoulias has two-thirds of Democrats backing him.
However, the poll found 36 percent of conservatives with no opinion of Kirk, and nearly four in 10 collar-county voters without sufficient information to view the congressman favorably or unfavorably.
The race is rated a tossup by the Cook Political Report.
Both candidates are coming off of months of separate controversies plaguing their campaigns.
Giannoulias, 34, faced questions about his role in $20 million his family\'s bank is said to have lent to criminals. The Tulane University Law School graduate served as a senior loan officer and vice president at Broadway Bank, a once-successful community bank in Edgewater now facing insolvency, when the loans were approved.
The Democrat also had to downplay his ties to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, whose trial on 24 corruption charges ended last month with a conviction on one charge.
Kirk, a five-term representative, publicly apologized in June for claiming to be a veteran of the Gulf and Afghan wars despite servng in Maryland in the Navy Reserves.
The congressman confessed to having wrongly boasted about being awarded intelligence officer of the year in the Navy for his service in the Kosovo war. The award was actually a group citation, the Vice Admiral Rufus L. Taylor Award, for his whole unit.
Kirk issued his apology after critics and observers exposed a number of questionable claims, such as his statement that he commanded the war room at the Pentagon. Giannoulias has also called him out for saying in a congressional floor speech, "The last time I was in Iraq I was in uniform, flying at 20,000 feet, and the Iraqi Air Defense network was shooting at us."
Following his apology, the New York Times revealed that his claim throughout the years of working as "a nursery school teacher" in his last year at Cornell University had also been "overstated." The head of the church where the congressman said he had worked told the Times, "He was never, ever considered a teacher. He was just an additional pair of hands to help a primary teaching person."
New York, NY, United States (AHN) - Crude oil futures prices rose briefly Friday morning before slumping again.
Crude oil for October delivery closed at $74.60 a barrel down 42 cents following a weak jobs report that still posted better numbers than expected.
Non-farm, private sector employment creation stood at 67,000 new jobs for August, better than forecasts of around 30,000 to 45,000 jobs. However, unemployment figures rose to 9.6 percent. And the number of underemployed people, those who need a full-time job but cannot find one, and either work part-time or do not seek work because of discouragement, rose to 16.7 percent.
Overall, crude lost 0.8 percent this week, after gaining 2 percent last week.
New York, NY, United States (AHN) - Crude oil futures prices rose briefly Friday morning before slumping again.
Crude oil for October delivery closed at $74.60 a barrel down 42 cents following a weak jobs report that still posted better numbers than expected.
Non-farm, private sector employment creation stood at 67,000 new jobs for August, better than forecasts of around 30,000 to 45,000 jobs. However, unemployment figures rose to 9.6 percent. And the number of underemployed people, those who need a full-time job but cannot find one, and either work part-time or do not seek work because of discouragement, rose to 16.7 percent.
Overall, crude lost 0.8 percent this week, after gaining 2 percent last week.
New York City, New York, United States (AHN) - A new Human Rights Watch report accuses about a dozen European corporations of labor violations against American workers that would not be allowed under their own countries\' laws.
The report says corporate directors intimidate American workers from joining unions and violate international workplace standards.
The multinational corporations listed in the report include Britain\'s Tesco and G4S, Germany\'s T-Mobile and DHL, France\'s Sodexo and Saint-Gobain, Norway\'s Kongsberg Automotive and the Netherlands\' Gamma Holding.
Many of the companies named in the report issued statements denying the allegations.
Supermarket chain Tesco\'s statement said the Human Rights Watch report was "completely untrue." The company said all of its employees are free to join trade unions.
Human Rights Watch, a nonprofit organization that seeks to defend human rights, based its report on employee interviews and documents from legal proceedings.
"The U.S. needs to close the loopholes in the country\'s woefully inadequate laws to protect workers, including reforms embodied in the Employee Free Choice Act," said Arvind Ganesan, director of the business and human rights program at Human Rights Watch. "The U.S. labor law system is characterized by long delays, weak penalties and one-sided employer access to staff inside the workplace."
The Employee Free Choice Act is a bill that has been proposed in Congress that would make it easier for workers to join unions. It would allow a majority of voting workers to decide whether a union represents them instead of a majority of all the workers.
The violations reported by Human Rights Watch include forcing workers into "captive audience" meetings to hear anti-union messages, prohibiting union advocates from speaking with workers, threatening retaliation if workers form unions, threatening to fire workers who strike or even publicly support unions and spying on employee organizers.
Human Rights Watch officials said the labor violations were ironic because each of the corporations is based in countries whose laws strictly forbid the kind of behavior done by their management staff in the United States.
"Even self-proclaimed progressive companies can and do take full advantage of weak US laws to stifle freedom of association," Ganesan said.
Among the companies singled out in the report was food services giant Sodexo, the world\'s 22nd biggest corporation.
The 2.2-million member Service Employees International Union joined in the criticism of Sodexo with a statement that said, "Sodexo pays its workers in the United States as little as $7.50 an hour and does not offer affordable health care options to its food service and similar employees. Two-thirds of Sodexo\'s non-managerial employees in the United States do not have coverage under the medical insurance plans offered by the company."
Other allegations in the Human Rights Watch report include:
• T-Mobile characterized "talking about rights" by employees as dangerous activity to be reported immediately to management;
• DHL\'s management threatened and discriminated against workers who tried to organize;
• Tesco\'s management ordered workers not to communicate among themselves about unions;
• Sodexo threatened, interrogated and fired workers who tried to form a union;
• The Dutch Gamma Holding company hired permanent replacements, in violation of international standards but not of U.S. law, to take the jobs of workers who exercised the right to strike.
The New York-based Human Rights Watch recommended that the European Union more closely monitor companies under its jurisdiction to ensure they follow international labor standards when they operate abroad.
The report also recommended "stronger oversight by European headquarters of U.S. managers\' practices; stronger standards-setting and complaint mechanisms by international organizations."
New York City, New York, United States (AHN) - A new Human Rights Watch report accuses about a dozen European corporations of labor violations against American workers that would not be allowed under their own countries\' laws.
The report says corporate directors intimidate American workers from joining unions and violate international workplace standards.
The multinational corporations listed in the report include Britain\'s Tesco and G4S, Germany\'s T-Mobile and DHL, France\'s Sodexo and Saint-Gobain, Norway\'s Kongsberg Automotive and the Netherlands\' Gamma Holding.
Many of the companies named in the report issued statements denying the allegations.
Supermarket chain Tesco\'s statement said the Human Rights Watch report was "completely untrue." The company said all of its employees are free to join trade unions.
Human Rights Watch, a nonprofit organization that seeks to defend human rights, based its report on employee interviews and documents from legal proceedings.
"The U.S. needs to close the loopholes in the country\'s woefully inadequate laws to protect workers, including reforms embodied in the Employee Free Choice Act," said Arvind Ganesan, director of the business and human rights program at Human Rights Watch. "The U.S. labor law system is characterized by long delays, weak penalties and one-sided employer access to staff inside the workplace."
The Employee Free Choice Act is a bill that has been proposed in Congress that would make it easier for workers to join unions. It would allow a majority of voting workers to decide whether a union represents them instead of a majority of all the workers.
The violations reported by Human Rights Watch include forcing workers into "captive audience" meetings to hear anti-union messages, prohibiting union advocates from speaking with workers, threatening retaliation if workers form unions, threatening to fire workers who strike or even publicly support unions and spying on employee organizers.
Human Rights Watch officials said the labor violations were ironic because each of the corporations is based in countries whose laws strictly forbid the kind of behavior done by their management staff in the United States.
"Even self-proclaimed progressive companies can and do take full advantage of weak US laws to stifle freedom of association," Ganesan said.
Among the companies singled out in the report was food services giant Sodexo, the world\'s 22nd biggest corporation.
The 2.2-million member Service Employees International Union joined in the criticism of Sodexo with a statement that said, "Sodexo pays its workers in the United States as little as $7.50 an hour and does not offer affordable health care options to its food service and similar employees. Two-thirds of Sodexo\'s non-managerial employees in the United States do not have coverage under the medical insurance plans offered by the company."
Other allegations in the Human Rights Watch report include:
• T-Mobile characterized "talking about rights" by employees as dangerous activity to be reported immediately to management;
• DHL\'s management threatened and discriminated against workers who tried to organize;
• Tesco\'s management ordered workers not to communicate among themselves about unions;
• Sodexo threatened, interrogated and fired workers who tried to form a union;
• The Dutch Gamma Holding company hired permanent replacements, in violation of international standards but not of U.S. law, to take the jobs of workers who exercised the right to strike.
The New York-based Human Rights Watch recommended that the European Union more closely monitor companies under its jurisdiction to ensure they follow international labor standards when they operate abroad.
The report also recommended "stronger oversight by European headquarters of U.S. managers\' practices; stronger standards-setting and complaint mechanisms by international organizations."
Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) - Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan is seeking his release from prison following the Supreme Court\'s ruling on the federal honest services law, a ruling that dealt a small victory to former Enron CEO Jeff Skilling.
Ryan is scheduled for release in 2013, when he is 79 years old. He was convicted in 2006 of accepting gifts and steering state contracts to a friend while he was Illinois secretary of state. He began his 6 1/2 year sentence in November 2007.
The corruption scandal that surrounded him throughout his term allowed a Democrat to win the 2002 gubernatorial election and end more than two decades of Republican residence at the state executive mansion. His chief of staff and 70 other were convicted in the case.
The Supreme Court issued its much-awaited decision on the constitutionality of the honest services law in June, when it ruled on the case of Skilling. The statute had been criticized as too vague, and the high court had been asked to strike down the law.
The statute states that a person can be found guilty of fraud for depriving someone of their "intangible right" to "honest services." The Supreme Court narrowed the scope of the law to cover only bribery and kickback schemes, putting into question some of the charges against Skilling and others previously convicted of fraud.
Ryan\'s lawyers are arguing that the actions the former governor were found guilty of involved no bribery.
The motion comes after failed efforts by Ryan\'s family and some Democrats to gain clemency from former President George Bush in 2008.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), the second-highest ranking Democrat in the Senate, had asked Bush to commute Ryan\'s sentence, arguing that such action would not be a pardon for crimes but would allow the former governor to spend his final years with his family.
This year, Ryan\'s son made a written appeal to President Barack Obama making clear that the family was not seeking a presidential pardon but to let the former governor come home to Ryan\'s wife, who is suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and is on oxygen 24 hours a day.
Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) - Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan is seeking his release from prison following the Supreme Court\'s ruling on the federal honest services law, a ruling that dealt a small victory to former Enron CEO Jeff Skilling.
Ryan is scheduled for release in 2013, when he is 79 years old. He was convicted in 2006 of accepting gifts and steering state contracts to a friend while he was Illinois secretary of state. He began his 6 1/2 year sentence in November 2007.
The corruption scandal that surrounded him throughout his term allowed a Democrat to win the 2002 gubernatorial election and end more than two decades of Republican residence at the state executive mansion. His chief of staff and 70 other were convicted in the case.
The Supreme Court issued its much-awaited decision on the constitutionality of the honest services law in June, when it ruled on the case of Skilling. The statute had been criticized as too vague, and the high court had been asked to strike down the law.
The statute states that a person can be found guilty of fraud for depriving someone of their "intangible right" to "honest services." The Supreme Court narrowed the scope of the law to cover only bribery and kickback schemes, putting into question some of the charges against Skilling and others previously convicted of fraud.
Ryan\'s lawyers are arguing that the actions the former governor were found guilty of involved no bribery.
The motion comes after failed efforts by Ryan\'s family and some Democrats to gain clemency from former President George Bush in 2008.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), the second-highest ranking Democrat in the Senate, had asked Bush to commute Ryan\'s sentence, arguing that such action would not be a pardon for crimes but would allow the former governor to spend his final years with his family.
This year, Ryan\'s son made a written appeal to President Barack Obama making clear that the family was not seeking a presidential pardon but to let the former governor come home to Ryan\'s wife, who is suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and is on oxygen 24 hours a day.
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - Service industries growth in the United States slowed in August to register just barely over the dividing line between expansion and contraction.
Institute for Supply Management\'s index of non- manufacturing businesses covers about 90 percent of the economy. Its service industry index registered at 51.5 percent compared with a 54.3 percent reading in July, the ISM reported Friday.
A reading above 50 percent indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 percent indicates contraction.
The average prediction for the index by economists hovered around 53 percent.
Still, the 51.5 percent reading meant the ISM non-manufacturing index registered growth for the eighth consecutive month.
Earlier this week, ISM released a report on manufacturing. Its manufacturing index rose to 56.3 percent in August from 55.5 percent in July, according to a statement by ISM officials.
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - Service industries growth in the United States slowed in August to register just barely over the dividing line between expansion and contraction.
Institute for Supply Management\'s index of non- manufacturing businesses covers about 90 percent of the economy. Its service industry index registered at 51.5 percent compared with a 54.3 percent reading in July, the ISM reported Friday.
A reading above 50 percent indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 percent indicates contraction.
The average prediction for the index by economists hovered around 53 percent.
Still, the 51.5 percent reading meant the ISM non-manufacturing index registered growth for the eighth consecutive month.
Earlier this week, ISM released a report on manufacturing. Its manufacturing index rose to 56.3 percent in August from 55.5 percent in July, according to a statement by ISM officials.
Miami Beach, FL, United States (AHN) - A 76-year-old woman was struck and killed by a bus on Miami Beach.
According to police Elisa Rascon was crossing the street on Collins Avenue near 10th Street on South Beach and walked in front of the bus, apparently without looking.
The bus was on its way to Sawgrass Mills shopping mall when it hit the elderly woman.
Rascon was pronounced dead at the scene. The bus driver appeared to be sobbing uncontrollably and has reportedly been working the route for three years.
Police will continue their investigation but it appears to simply be a terrible accident. Currently no charges have been filed.
Miami Beach, FL, United States (AHN) - A 76-year-old woman was struck and killed by a bus on Miami Beach.
According to police Elisa Rascon was crossing the street on Collins Avenue near 10th Street on South Beach and walked in front of the bus, apparently without looking.
The bus was on its way to Sawgrass Mills shopping mall when it hit the elderly woman.
Rascon was pronounced dead at the scene. The bus driver appeared to be sobbing uncontrollably and has reportedly been working the route for three years.
Police will continue their investigation but it appears to simply be a terrible accident. Currently no charges have been filed.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - Going against a federal court injunction banning genetically engineered sugar beet seedlings, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced it will allow the planting of the controversial crop.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of USDA said the department will allow the seedlings to be planted this fall without carrying out a review of their potential environmental impact.
The beets have been genetically modified to withstand insecticides such as Monsanto\'s Roundup. Monsanto also created the modified plants.
The department said Wednesday it was going to put in place interim rules to tackle the issue of planting genetically modified sugar beets by the end of this year. In addition, the USDA was also likely to facilitate the re-approval of the crop within two years.
Environmentalists are up in arms over the decision. They claim the "unprecedented permitting process" would affect the environment as well as the public. The groups contend the action not only is counter to a federal court decision, but is being carried out without public notice or environmental review.
In August, District Judge Jeffrey S. White vacated USDA\'s permit to plant the beets. The judge ruled the agency should have prepared an environmental impact statement studying the potential environmental and economic impact of the seeds.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - Going against a federal court injunction banning genetically engineered sugar beet seedlings, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced it will allow the planting of the controversial crop.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of USDA said the department will allow the seedlings to be planted this fall without carrying out a review of their potential environmental impact.
The beets have been genetically modified to withstand insecticides such as Monsanto\'s Roundup. Monsanto also created the modified plants.
The department said Wednesday it was going to put in place interim rules to tackle the issue of planting genetically modified sugar beets by the end of this year. In addition, the USDA was also likely to facilitate the re-approval of the crop within two years.
Environmentalists are up in arms over the decision. They claim the "unprecedented permitting process" would affect the environment as well as the public. The groups contend the action not only is counter to a federal court decision, but is being carried out without public notice or environmental review.
In August, District Judge Jeffrey S. White vacated USDA\'s permit to plant the beets. The judge ruled the agency should have prepared an environmental impact statement studying the potential environmental and economic impact of the seeds.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - President Barack Obama on Friday highlighted the silver lining in the recession clouds, omitting the job loss numbers from the layoff of temporary Census workers.
Obama addressed journalists in the company of his outgoing economic adviser, Dr. Christina Romer, for whom it was her last day in office but whose replacement is yet to be named.
Standing under an overcast sky in the Rose Garden, the president said, "There\'s no quick fix to the worst recession we\'ve experienced since the Great Depression. The hard truth is that it took years to create our current economic problems, and it will take more time than any of us would like to repair the damage."
"In the month I took office, we were losing 750,000 jobs a month," the president said. "This morning, new figures show the economy produced 67,000 private sector jobs in August, the eighth consecutive month of private job growth. Additionally, the numbers for July were revised upward to 107,000. Now that\'s positive news, and it reflects the steps we\'ve already taken to break the back of this recession."
Obama promised that he would "in the weeks ahead" be detailing "further steps to create jobs and keep the economy growing, including extending tax cuts for the middle class and investing in the areas of our economy where the potential for job growth is greatest."
On the question of his administration\'s decision to call this "Recovery Summer," the president hesitated before saying, "I don\'t regret the notion that we are moving forward, but because of the steps that we\'ve taken. And I\'m going to have a press conference next week, where, after you guys are able to hear where we\'re at, we\'ll be able to answer some specific questions."
Obama continued to add in a positive tone, "the key point I\'m making right now is that the economy is moving in a positive direction, jobs are being created; they\'re just not being created as fast as they need to, given the big hole that we experienced…We\'re moving in the right direction. We just have to speed it up."
The president added, "But I want all Americans to remind themselves there are better days ahead. Even after this economic crisis, our markets remain the most dynamic in the world. Our workers are still the most productive. We remain the global leader in innovation, in discovery, in entrepreneurship."
Obama reiterated his call for Congress to "make passing a small business jobs bill its first order of business when it gets back into session later this month."
On the positive outcome of the bill, Obama noted, "It\'s a bill that will more than double the amount some small business owners can borrow to grow their companies. It will completely eliminate capital gains taxes on key investments, so small business owners can buy new equipment and expand. And it will accelerate $55 billion in tax cuts for businesses, large and small, that make job-creating investments in the next 14 months."
Obama argued, "This piece of legislation is good for workers; it\'s good for small business people; it\'s good for our economy," lamenting that "Republicans in the Senate have blocked this bill -- a needless delay that has led small business owners across this country to put off hiring, put off expanding, and put off plans that will make our economy stronger."
"There are certain measures that we know will advance our recovery. This small business jobs bill is one of them," the president stressed in an effort to push Congress to pass the legislation.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - President Barack Obama on Friday highlighted the silver lining in the recession clouds, omitting the job loss numbers from the layoff of temporary Census workers.
Obama addressed journalists in the company of his outgoing economic adviser, Dr. Christina Romer, for whom it was her last day in office but whose replacement is yet to be named.
Standing under an overcast sky in the Rose Garden, the president said, "There\'s no quick fix to the worst recession we\'ve experienced since the Great Depression. The hard truth is that it took years to create our current economic problems, and it will take more time than any of us would like to repair the damage."
"In the month I took office, we were losing 750,000 jobs a month," the president said. "This morning, new figures show the economy produced 67,000 private sector jobs in August, the eighth consecutive month of private job growth. Additionally, the numbers for July were revised upward to 107,000. Now that\'s positive news, and it reflects the steps we\'ve already taken to break the back of this recession."
Obama promised that he would "in the weeks ahead" be detailing "further steps to create jobs and keep the economy growing, including extending tax cuts for the middle class and investing in the areas of our economy where the potential for job growth is greatest."
On the question of his administration\'s decision to call this "Recovery Summer," the president hesitated before saying, "I don\'t regret the notion that we are moving forward, but because of the steps that we\'ve taken. And I\'m going to have a press conference next week, where, after you guys are able to hear where we\'re at, we\'ll be able to answer some specific questions."
Obama continued to add in a positive tone, "the key point I\'m making right now is that the economy is moving in a positive direction, jobs are being created; they\'re just not being created as fast as they need to, given the big hole that we experienced…We\'re moving in the right direction. We just have to speed it up."
The president added, "But I want all Americans to remind themselves there are better days ahead. Even after this economic crisis, our markets remain the most dynamic in the world. Our workers are still the most productive. We remain the global leader in innovation, in discovery, in entrepreneurship."
Obama reiterated his call for Congress to "make passing a small business jobs bill its first order of business when it gets back into session later this month."
On the positive outcome of the bill, Obama noted, "It\'s a bill that will more than double the amount some small business owners can borrow to grow their companies. It will completely eliminate capital gains taxes on key investments, so small business owners can buy new equipment and expand. And it will accelerate $55 billion in tax cuts for businesses, large and small, that make job-creating investments in the next 14 months."
Obama argued, "This piece of legislation is good for workers; it\'s good for small business people; it\'s good for our economy," lamenting that "Republicans in the Senate have blocked this bill -- a needless delay that has led small business owners across this country to put off hiring, put off expanding, and put off plans that will make our economy stronger."
"There are certain measures that we know will advance our recovery. This small business jobs bill is one of them," the president stressed in an effort to push Congress to pass the legislation.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - Getting a new job after staying unemployed during the recent recession has spelt little happiness for as many as 55 percent of the Americans because they feel they are over-qualified for the job and should be working at a better position. As a result, the workers are less than satisfied with their new jobs with six in every 10 such workers saying that they had either shifted or seriously considered shifting from one field to another while staying jobless during the months following the Great Recession of 2007.
Figures suggest that 26 percent of the 139 million Americans currently working have been unemployed at least once since the depression began in December 2007. As per a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, these Americans have suffered emotionally as well as financially.
The survey, conducted May 11-31, also found that a majority of re-employed workers admitted their families were faring worse than before the recession. Another 35 percent said they had been forced to change their lifestyle.
However, the major grouse of re-employed workers was that they felt over-qualified for their current positions.
Only 38 percent of re-employed Americans were satisfied with their current package when compared to what they were drawing before the recession started. They also felt that they got "a sense of identity" with their new jobs.
A senior editor with the Center and author of the study, Rich Morin, said, "Jobs that you might pass earlier you begin taking just to be able to work... They are making do by taking the best available job."
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the last recession has been especially tough upon the American job growth, as the "strong recovery," which is a natural follow-up to the recession, is still awaited.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - Getting a new job after staying unemployed during the recent recession has spelt little happiness for as many as 55 percent of the Americans because they feel they are over-qualified for the job and should be working at a better position. As a result, the workers are less than satisfied with their new jobs with six in every 10 such workers saying that they had either shifted or seriously considered shifting from one field to another while staying jobless during the months following the Great Recession of 2007.
Figures suggest that 26 percent of the 139 million Americans currently working have been unemployed at least once since the depression began in December 2007. As per a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, these Americans have suffered emotionally as well as financially.
The survey, conducted May 11-31, also found that a majority of re-employed workers admitted their families were faring worse than before the recession. Another 35 percent said they had been forced to change their lifestyle.
However, the major grouse of re-employed workers was that they felt over-qualified for their current positions.
Only 38 percent of re-employed Americans were satisfied with their current package when compared to what they were drawing before the recession started. They also felt that they got "a sense of identity" with their new jobs.
A senior editor with the Center and author of the study, Rich Morin, said, "Jobs that you might pass earlier you begin taking just to be able to work... They are making do by taking the best available job."
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the last recession has been especially tough upon the American job growth, as the "strong recovery," which is a natural follow-up to the recession, is still awaited.
San Jose, CA, United States (AHN) - A woman is suing Facebook for keeping her from using the social networking site. Her profile was reportedly disabled after she started a petition against Facebook\'s current friend limit.
The world\'s largest social networking site has a friend limit of 5,000.
Karen Beth Young claims that at the time of her account being disabled she had over 4,00 friends and garnered them by promoting causes she was interested in. The Shepherd University student admits she used the site to help promote her cancer awareness efforts. She also has said that she "friended" people she did not know in real life but who she thought would be interested in the cancer awareness cause.
The day after Young started her petition to have Facebook raise its friend limit her account was disabled.
Young contacted Facebook and got this response from:
"Your account was disabled because your behavior on the site was identified as harassing or threatening to other people on Facebook. Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to:
"After reviewing your situation, we have determined that your behavior violated Facebook\'s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. You will no longer be able to use Facebook. This decision is final and cannot be appealed."
In her lawsuit filed in the Superior Court of California, Young "alleges breach of contract, violation of her constitutional rights, and violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act — Young has bipolar disorder."
Facebook\'s lawyers have already filed a motion to dismiss the case. Facebook previously said they wouldn\'t comment on the specifics of the case but a spokesman said that the lawsuit is without merit and they would fight it vigorously.
San Jose, CA, United States (AHN) - A woman is suing Facebook for keeping her from using the social networking site. Her profile was reportedly disabled after she started a petition against Facebook\'s current friend limit.
The world\'s largest social networking site has a friend limit of 5,000.
Karen Beth Young claims that at the time of her account being disabled she had over 4,00 friends and garnered them by promoting causes she was interested in. The Shepherd University student admits she used the site to help promote her cancer awareness efforts. She also has said that she "friended" people she did not know in real life but who she thought would be interested in the cancer awareness cause.
The day after Young started her petition to have Facebook raise its friend limit her account was disabled.
Young contacted Facebook and got this response from:
"Your account was disabled because your behavior on the site was identified as harassing or threatening to other people on Facebook. Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to:
"After reviewing your situation, we have determined that your behavior violated Facebook\'s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. You will no longer be able to use Facebook. This decision is final and cannot be appealed."
In her lawsuit filed in the Superior Court of California, Young "alleges breach of contract, violation of her constitutional rights, and violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act — Young has bipolar disorder."
Facebook\'s lawyers have already filed a motion to dismiss the case. Facebook previously said they wouldn\'t comment on the specifics of the case but a spokesman said that the lawsuit is without merit and they would fight it vigorously.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - The economy lost fewer jobs than expected in August, with private payrolls for non-farm jobs adding 67,000 jobs for the month.
August unemployment rose to 9.6 percent. However, the underemployment rate rose to 16.7 percent, up from 16.5. People counted as underemployed include those working at part-time jobs who need full-time employment and those who need work but grew discouraged and stopped looking.
Still, the 67,000 jobs created beat the 44,000 jobs economists predicted the economy would create. That cheery news sparked a revival on Wall Street as excited investors bet on the stock market in anticipation of an economic upturn.
Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 101 points Friday morning,, while the Nasdaq Composite inched up 1.2 percent to 2,226 and Standard & Poor\'s 500-share index climbed 0.9 percent to 1100.
Most economists agree that the nation needs to create from 120,000 to 200,000 jobs monthly to absorb people entering the work force for the first time.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - The economy lost fewer jobs than expected in August, with private payrolls for non-farm jobs adding 67,000 jobs for the month.
August unemployment rose to 9.6 percent. However, the underemployment rate rose to 16.7 percent, up from 16.5. People counted as underemployed include those working at part-time jobs who need full-time employment and those who need work but grew discouraged and stopped looking.
Still, the 67,000 jobs created beat the 44,000 jobs economists predicted the economy would create. That cheery news sparked a revival on Wall Street as excited investors bet on the stock market in anticipation of an economic upturn.
Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 101 points Friday morning,, while the Nasdaq Composite inched up 1.2 percent to 2,226 and Standard & Poor\'s 500-share index climbed 0.9 percent to 1100.
Most economists agree that the nation needs to create from 120,000 to 200,000 jobs monthly to absorb people entering the work force for the first time.
Louisville, KY, United States (AHN) - Democrats hope the party can hold on to a Kentucky seat in Congress where Rep. John Yarmuth faces an increasingly tough challenge for a third term. Despite a growing conservative trend gripping much of the state, the 3rd District, consisting of of Louisville and surrounding areas, has remained firmly Democratic territory.
However, a poll conducted by SurveyUSA over the weekend for the Louisville Courier Journal and television station WHAS found the candidates in a statistical dead heat.
The poll surveyed 541 likely voters, comprised of 40 percent Republican, 50 percent Democrat and 8 percent independent voters. Pollsters found 47 percent support for Yarmuth compared with 45 percent for rival Todd Lally.
Political analysts say the poll numbers probably reflect voters\' attitudes about the bad economy and an anti-incumbent sentiment fed by a growing perception that Democrats are doing little to solve the nation\'s problems.
Lally, who works as a UPS and Air National Guard pilot, is favored by Tea Party activists largely because he opposes health care reform and supports reducing federal spending and lowering taxes.
Louisville, KY, United States (AHN) - Democrats hope the party can hold on to a Kentucky seat in Congress where Rep. John Yarmuth faces an increasingly tough challenge for a third term. Despite a growing conservative trend gripping much of the state, the 3rd District, consisting of of Louisville and surrounding areas, has remained firmly Democratic territory.
However, a poll conducted by SurveyUSA over the weekend for the Louisville Courier Journal and television station WHAS found the candidates in a statistical dead heat.
The poll surveyed 541 likely voters, comprised of 40 percent Republican, 50 percent Democrat and 8 percent independent voters. Pollsters found 47 percent support for Yarmuth compared with 45 percent for rival Todd Lally.
Political analysts say the poll numbers probably reflect voters\' attitudes about the bad economy and an anti-incumbent sentiment fed by a growing perception that Democrats are doing little to solve the nation\'s problems.
Lally, who works as a UPS and Air National Guard pilot, is favored by Tea Party activists largely because he opposes health care reform and supports reducing federal spending and lowering taxes.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - Companies are shifting significantly more of the cost burden of health coverage to their workers, according to a newly-released survey.
The Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust\'s report states that average family health premiums rose 3 percent to $13,770 in 2010, but workers\' responsibility for paying those premiums jumped 14 percent.
The survey found that workers\' contributions to premiums have gone up 47 percent since 2005. During the same time frame, overall premiums rose 27 percent, wages increased 18 percent and inflation rose 12 percent.
The report states that a total of 27 percent of covered workers now face annual deductibles of at least $1,000, which is up from 22 percent in 2009. Among companies with 199 or less workers, 46 percent face such deductibles.
Drew Altman, president and CEO of Kaiser, said in a statement that the survey shows that the cost of health insurance continues to outpace wages.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - Companies are shifting significantly more of the cost burden of health coverage to their workers, according to a newly-released survey.
The Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust\'s report states that average family health premiums rose 3 percent to $13,770 in 2010, but workers\' responsibility for paying those premiums jumped 14 percent.
The survey found that workers\' contributions to premiums have gone up 47 percent since 2005. During the same time frame, overall premiums rose 27 percent, wages increased 18 percent and inflation rose 12 percent.
The report states that a total of 27 percent of covered workers now face annual deductibles of at least $1,000, which is up from 22 percent in 2009. Among companies with 199 or less workers, 46 percent face such deductibles.
Drew Altman, president and CEO of Kaiser, said in a statement that the survey shows that the cost of health insurance continues to outpace wages.
Cape Hatteras, NC, United States (AHN) - Packing 102 mph winds, Category 2 Hurricane Earl on Friday raced up the nation\'s East Coast past the Carolinas and headed for New Jersey at 18 mph. Sometime Friday night or Saturday, forecasters expect Hurricane Earl to speed up and move at about 35 mph.
Earl is the most powerful storm to threaten the Northeast since Hurricane Bob 20 years ago.
States of emergency are in effect from Canada to the Carolinas, with hurricane or tropical storm watches in effect. Earl caused moderate damage in South Carolina when it brushed by, sending bands of rain and wind ashore. The Carolinas and Virginia will see improvement Friday as Earl moves northward. However, forecasts call for 20-foot waves along beaches and rip currents throughout the day.
Officials have evacuated thousands of people from the path of the 400-mile-wide storm.
In an 8 a.m. advisory, National Hurricane Center officials said Hurricane Earl was about 130 miles east-northeast of Cape Hatteras, NC, and about 395 miles south-southwest of Nantucket, MA.
Forecasters say a high probability exists that the storm will strike Martha\'s Vineyard.
Cape Hatteras, NC, United States (AHN) - Packing 102 mph winds, Category 2 Hurricane Earl on Friday raced up the nation\'s East Coast past the Carolinas and headed for New Jersey at 18 mph. Sometime Friday night or Saturday, forecasters expect Hurricane Earl to speed up and move at about 35 mph.
Earl is the most powerful storm to threaten the Northeast since Hurricane Bob 20 years ago.
States of emergency are in effect from Canada to the Carolinas, with hurricane or tropical storm watches in effect. Earl caused moderate damage in South Carolina when it brushed by, sending bands of rain and wind ashore. The Carolinas and Virginia will see improvement Friday as Earl moves northward. However, forecasts call for 20-foot waves along beaches and rip currents throughout the day.
Officials have evacuated thousands of people from the path of the 400-mile-wide storm.
In an 8 a.m. advisory, National Hurricane Center officials said Hurricane Earl was about 130 miles east-northeast of Cape Hatteras, NC, and about 395 miles south-southwest of Nantucket, MA.
Forecasters say a high probability exists that the storm will strike Martha\'s Vineyard.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - Two days of hectic negotiations in the U.S. capital ended Thursday with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas agreeing to meet in another two weeks to continue with the peace process after the first round of United States-initiated direct talks.
The Special U.S. Envoy for the Middle East Peace, George Mitchell, told journalists the next meeting is slated for Sept. 14-15 in the Middle East, although an exact location has not been determined.
Mitchell added that he, along with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, would also be there in the region.
"The parties agreed that a logical next step would be to begin working on achieving a framework agreement for permanent status," Mitchell told a wrap-up press briefing.
"The purpose of a framework agreement will be to establish the fundamental compromises necessary to enable them to flesh out and complete a comprehensive treaty that will end the conflict and establish a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians," he said.
The U.S. envoy pledged full American support to the parties in these talks, saying, "We will be an active and sustained partner throughout. We will put our full weight behind these negotiations and will stand by the parties as they make the difficult decisions necessary to secure a better future for their citizens."
On the factors ready to sabotage the peace efforts, Mitchell said, "There are going to be difficult days and many obstacles along the way. We recognize that this is not an easy task. But as the (U.S.) president told the leaders, we expect to continue until our job is complete and successful."
"As you know, these men have known each other for a long time. This is not the first meeting between them. They are not in any way strangers politically or personally. And I felt that it was a very constructive and positive mood, both in terms of their personal interaction and in terms of the nature of the discussion that occurred," he said.
"I believe very strongly, deeply, and personally that this conflict can be resolved and that these negotiations can produce a final agreement that enables the establishment of a Palestinian state and peace and security for both peoples," Mitchell said.
"It is, of course, self evident that the reason for a negotiation is that there are differences. The differences are many, they are deep, they are serious, and it will take serious good faith negotiations, sincerity on both sides, a willingness to make difficult concessions on both sides if that agreement is to be reached," the U.S. diplomat noted.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - Two days of hectic negotiations in the U.S. capital ended Thursday with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas agreeing to meet in another two weeks to continue with the peace process after the first round of United States-initiated direct talks.
The Special U.S. Envoy for the Middle East Peace, George Mitchell, told journalists the next meeting is slated for Sept. 14-15 in the Middle East, although an exact location has not been determined.
Mitchell added that he, along with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, would also be there in the region.
"The parties agreed that a logical next step would be to begin working on achieving a framework agreement for permanent status," Mitchell told a wrap-up press briefing.
"The purpose of a framework agreement will be to establish the fundamental compromises necessary to enable them to flesh out and complete a comprehensive treaty that will end the conflict and establish a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians," he said.
The U.S. envoy pledged full American support to the parties in these talks, saying, "We will be an active and sustained partner throughout. We will put our full weight behind these negotiations and will stand by the parties as they make the difficult decisions necessary to secure a better future for their citizens."
On the factors ready to sabotage the peace efforts, Mitchell said, "There are going to be difficult days and many obstacles along the way. We recognize that this is not an easy task. But as the (U.S.) president told the leaders, we expect to continue until our job is complete and successful."
"As you know, these men have known each other for a long time. This is not the first meeting between them. They are not in any way strangers politically or personally. And I felt that it was a very constructive and positive mood, both in terms of their personal interaction and in terms of the nature of the discussion that occurred," he said.
"I believe very strongly, deeply, and personally that this conflict can be resolved and that these negotiations can produce a final agreement that enables the establishment of a Palestinian state and peace and security for both peoples," Mitchell said.
"It is, of course, self evident that the reason for a negotiation is that there are differences. The differences are many, they are deep, they are serious, and it will take serious good faith negotiations, sincerity on both sides, a willingness to make difficult concessions on both sides if that agreement is to be reached," the U.S. diplomat noted.
Miami, FL, United States (AHN) - People were evacuated and some flights diverted late Thursday after a suspicious package was found at Miami International Airport.
Nearly all concourses were closed and roads to the airport were blocked off as the bomb squad was called in to ensure the area\'s safety. The airport opened before dawn Friday.
The passenger with the suspicious package, reported to be a 70-year-old scientist traveling from Brazil, is in custody.
No other information was released and the Transportation Security Agency is investigating
Miami, FL, United States (AHN) - People were evacuated and some flights diverted late Thursday after a suspicious package was found at Miami International Airport.
Nearly all concourses were closed and roads to the airport were blocked off as the bomb squad was called in to ensure the area\'s safety. The airport opened before dawn Friday.
The passenger with the suspicious package, reported to be a 70-year-old scientist traveling from Brazil, is in custody.
No other information was released and the Transportation Security Agency is investigating
San Diego, CA, United States (AHN) - Scientists are closer to finding out why omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil stop inflammation and reverse diabetes in mice.
Researchers with the University of California, San Diego said in a statement that omega-3 acids alleviate inflammation by acting on a receptor found in fat tissue and on inflammatory immune cells called macrophanges.
UC, San Diego researcher Jerrold Olefsky said activating the receptor blocked all inflammatory pathways in mice experiments.
Olefsky said that treating obese mice that did not have diabetes, but that were made obese, with omega-3 acids was as or more effective as treating them with the insulin-sensitizing drug Rosinlitazone.
Olefsky said more research is needed to tell what this means for people, but he doesn\'t see the harm in taking omega-3 supplements - usually fish oil capsules - to reduce inflammation.
A report on the study is found in the Sept. 3 edition of the journal Cell.
San Diego, CA, United States (AHN) - Scientists are closer to finding out why omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil stop inflammation and reverse diabetes in mice.
Researchers with the University of California, San Diego said in a statement that omega-3 acids alleviate inflammation by acting on a receptor found in fat tissue and on inflammatory immune cells called macrophanges.
UC, San Diego researcher Jerrold Olefsky said activating the receptor blocked all inflammatory pathways in mice experiments.
Olefsky said that treating obese mice that did not have diabetes, but that were made obese, with omega-3 acids was as or more effective as treating them with the insulin-sensitizing drug Rosinlitazone.
Olefsky said more research is needed to tell what this means for people, but he doesn\'t see the harm in taking omega-3 supplements - usually fish oil capsules - to reduce inflammation.
A report on the study is found in the Sept. 3 edition of the journal Cell.
Redwood, CA, United States (AHN) - A small aircraft crashed in a lagoon in western California Thursday, killing three people on board.
The twin-engine Beechcraft Queen Air had just taken off San Carlos Airport shortly before noon when it plunged into a lagoon in Redwood Shores. Two men and a woman died.
One of the men has been identified as Robert Borrmann, president of R.E. Borrmann\'s Steel Co., which is based in East Palo Alto. The identities of the two other passengers have not been released.
The plane was headed to San Martin airport when it crashed into the water in an area where it is only about six feet deep.
The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the accident.
Redwood, CA, United States (AHN) - A small aircraft crashed in a lagoon in western California Thursday, killing three people on board.
The twin-engine Beechcraft Queen Air had just taken off San Carlos Airport shortly before noon when it plunged into a lagoon in Redwood Shores. Two men and a woman died.
One of the men has been identified as Robert Borrmann, president of R.E. Borrmann\'s Steel Co., which is based in East Palo Alto. The identities of the two other passengers have not been released.
The plane was headed to San Martin airport when it crashed into the water in an area where it is only about six feet deep.
The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the accident.
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - The White House on Thursday responded to talk show host Glenn Beck\'s criticism about President Barack Obama\'s Christian beliefs and views.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs ruled out Beck\'s allegation that Obama follows liberation theology which Beck called a "Marxist form of Christianity."
Gibbs told regular press briefing at the White House, "The president is a committed mainstream Christian," citing, "a crude paraphrasing of an old quote, and that is people are entitled to their own opinion, as ill-informed as it may be, but they\'re not entitled to their own facts."
Gibbs even doubted the knowledge on which Beck based his utterances, saying, "I have no evidence that would guide me as to what Glenn Beck would have any genuine knowledge as to what the President does or does not believe."
Beck, himself a Mormon, during his "Restoring Honor" rally in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, had accepted that Obama was indeed a Christian, but added that the president\'s Christianity could not be trusted and linked it to liberation theology, which he called "a perversion of the gospel of Jesus Christ and most Christians know it."
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) - The White House on Thursday responded to talk show host Glenn Beck\'s criticism about President Barack Obama\'s Christian beliefs and views.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs ruled out Beck\'s allegation that Obama follows liberation theology which Beck called a "Marxist form of Christianity."
Gibbs told regular press briefing at the White House, "The president is a committed mainstream Christian," citing, "a crude paraphrasing of an old quote, and that is people are entitled to their own opinion, as ill-informed as it may be, but they\'re not entitled to their own facts."
Gibbs even doubted the knowledge on which Beck based his utterances, saying, "I have no evidence that would guide me as to what Glenn Beck would have any genuine knowledge as to what the President does or does not believe."
Beck, himself a Mormon, during his "Restoring Honor" rally in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, had accepted that Obama was indeed a Christian, but added that the president\'s Christianity could not be trusted and linked it to liberation theology, which he called "a perversion of the gospel of Jesus Christ and most Christians know it."
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - The White House on Thursday tried to rule out the chances of a new economic stimulus package as the economic indicators stay on the downside in the recent weeks.
During the regular briefing, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs negated rumors about new package saying, "Some big, new stimulus plan is not in the offing."
Gibbs instead, noted that the White House is preparing a number of steps to boost the sagging economy this fall.
Gibbs was replying to a clarification about the comments of the outgoing White House chief economist Christina Romer.
Romer is cited as saying, "The only surefire ways for policy makers to substantially increase aggregate demand in the short run are for the government to spend more and tax less ... In my view, we should be moving forward on both fronts."
With national unemployment numbers for August slated for release on Friday morning, there is widespread expectation that the national unemployment rate will continue to hover near 10%.
Gibbs said, "Small businesses have delayed their hiring decisions, small businesses have delayed their expansion decisions, small businesses have delayed their investment decisions, waiting to see what the Senate will do on the small business bill."
"The President asked the Republican Party to end the blockade on needed and necessary aid for small businesses. What I think is somewhat undeniable is they\'ve held up that bill," Gibbs said.
"As the President said, 60% of the job losses come from small business. There are some concrete steps that we can and should take when Congress does come back in a week and a half to change that," Gibbs said, pointing to the need from Congress to pass pending bills.
On the upcoming "the tax cuts for the middle class that expire at the end of the year," Gibbs assured the population, telling journalists, "The President will fight to ensure that those middle-class tax cuts are protected. I think that is something that we\'ll obviously have a fairly robust discussion on, not just in the remaining weeks of Congress but throughout the election and maybe after the election."
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - The White House on Thursday tried to rule out the chances of a new economic stimulus package as the economic indicators stay on the downside in the recent weeks.
During the regular briefing, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs negated rumors about new package saying, "Some big, new stimulus plan is not in the offing."
Gibbs instead, noted that the White House is preparing a number of steps to boost the sagging economy this fall.
Gibbs was replying to a clarification about the comments of the outgoing White House chief economist Christina Romer.
Romer is cited as saying, "The only surefire ways for policy makers to substantially increase aggregate demand in the short run are for the government to spend more and tax less ... In my view, we should be moving forward on both fronts."
With national unemployment numbers for August slated for release on Friday morning, there is widespread expectation that the national unemployment rate will continue to hover near 10%.
Gibbs said, "Small businesses have delayed their hiring decisions, small businesses have delayed their expansion decisions, small businesses have delayed their investment decisions, waiting to see what the Senate will do on the small business bill."
"The President asked the Republican Party to end the blockade on needed and necessary aid for small businesses. What I think is somewhat undeniable is they\'ve held up that bill," Gibbs said.
"As the President said, 60% of the job losses come from small business. There are some concrete steps that we can and should take when Congress does come back in a week and a half to change that," Gibbs said, pointing to the need from Congress to pass pending bills.
On the upcoming "the tax cuts for the middle class that expire at the end of the year," Gibbs assured the population, telling journalists, "The President will fight to ensure that those middle-class tax cuts are protected. I think that is something that we\'ll obviously have a fairly robust discussion on, not just in the remaining weeks of Congress but throughout the election and maybe after the election."
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - The United States led coalition forces in southwestern Afghanistan including Helmand province have significantly reduced corruption in the region, a top-level army commander in the region told journalists on Thursday.
"That is mainly attacked through areas such as contracting, supervision of work that\'s being done, and careful accounting for money that\'s being spent, both United States money and all coalition forces money that goes into developmental projects and goes into the equipping of businesses and facilities throughout the province," Marine Corps Major General Richard P. Mills told journalists during a video teleconference at the Pentagon.
"As I work the security issue here within the Helmand province, the question of corruption is probably less than it is in some other areas," noted Mills, explaining, "As we can see here, and we monitor this very carefully, the soldiers and the policemen are being paid on a regular basis. Their -- the allotments they get for food are being handled correctly and being used for what they are intended to be used for."
Mills said the "corruption that -- of the use of police on the streets to extort money, that type of thing - has been gone," adding, "Corruption is certainly a problem, and it will be addressed, I believe, in the -- in the proper moment."
The coalition forces have also "significantly disrupted" the Taliban\'s cash-flow from poppy harvest and recruiting issues Mills noted speaking from the regional headquarters.
Major General Mills told journalists that a natural blight impacted last year\'s poppy harvest and local government initiatives in the region to encourage growth of crops other than "illicit" ones have left insurgents with "less than one-half of what they had last year in operating funds."
Mills, noted that by interdicting the "rat lines" that the insurgents use to smuggle money and weapons in and heroin out, the coalition forces have "significantly disrupted" the sources and supplies, hence depriving "the insurgency of the money they so desperately need to operate."
Mills gave the example of Marja, an earlier booming farming town in Helmand and later a Taliban stronghold with poppy cultivation and drug processing center, where Taliban forces are struggling to hold their ground.
"In Marjah we\'ve seen some significant gains in the security situation. In June, there were no local police in town. Now I can report to you we have a force approaching 300. That force is well-equipped with vehicles and weapons. It\'s well-trained," Mills noted.
Mills applauded local residents for fighting back the desperate Taliban who are using scare tactics and physical threats, adding that "last card in the deck is not playing very well, which is simply murder and intimidation."
General Mills called "Marja," as the treasury of the Taliban saying, "He gives that up, and he can\'t afford to conduct the insurgency. He can\'t give up Marja without a fight, and he hasn\'t."
Mills noted that improvised explosive devices IEDs are being used by the Taliban for targeting innocent people including women and children, saying, "It is very, very sad to see some of the -- some of the youngsters and some of the women who are -- who are crippled by these, as I said, very heartless devices."
Mills accepted that, "We have taken a number of casualties from IEDs," adding, "We are working extraordinarily hard here and back home to get a solution to that problem ... We train very hard with our Marines, our sailors, our soldiers, everyone who goes outside the wire, to ensure they know how to deal with IEDs and how to identify IEDs."
"Most importantly, we are achieving a reduction in IEDs because we are reducing -- we are reducing the number of people skilled enough to make them through a very, very surgical application of our special forces, who are taking out the IED makers," said Mills, with a note of optimism adding, "We are attacking the networks that design them and build them ... We are seeing a reduction in the IEDs, a reduction in their sophistication ... And the people who supplied them are rapidly disappearing from the battlefield."
On the situation with the troops, Mills concluded with a note of appreciation for the media coverage saying, "We have a -- we have a population these days in the ranks who are extraordinarily sensitive to -- they read the news, they see it live on the Internet, they see what\'s going on. And the -- their morale is high, and they are focused on their mission and appreciate, again, very much the support that you give them."
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - The United States led coalition forces in southwestern Afghanistan including Helmand province have significantly reduced corruption in the region, a top-level army commander in the region told journalists on Thursday.
"That is mainly attacked through areas such as contracting, supervision of work that\'s being done, and careful accounting for money that\'s being spent, both United States money and all coalition forces money that goes into developmental projects and goes into the equipping of businesses and facilities throughout the province," Marine Corps Major General Richard P. Mills told journalists during a video teleconference at the Pentagon.
"As I work the security issue here within the Helmand province, the question of corruption is probably less than it is in some other areas," noted Mills, explaining, "As we can see here, and we monitor this very carefully, the soldiers and the policemen are being paid on a regular basis. Their -- the allotments they get for food are being handled correctly and being used for what they are intended to be used for."
Mills said the "corruption that -- of the use of police on the streets to extort money, that type of thing - has been gone," adding, "Corruption is certainly a problem, and it will be addressed, I believe, in the -- in the proper moment."
The coalition forces have also "significantly disrupted" the Taliban\'s cash-flow from poppy harvest and recruiting issues Mills noted speaking from the regional headquarters.
Major General Mills told journalists that a natural blight impacted last year\'s poppy harvest and local government initiatives in the region to encourage growth of crops other than "illicit" ones have left insurgents with "less than one-half of what they had last year in operating funds."
Mills, noted that by interdicting the "rat lines" that the insurgents use to smuggle money and weapons in and heroin out, the coalition forces have "significantly disrupted" the sources and supplies, hence depriving "the insurgency of the money they so desperately need to operate."
Mills gave the example of Marja, an earlier booming farming town in Helmand and later a Taliban stronghold with poppy cultivation and drug processing center, where Taliban forces are struggling to hold their ground.
"In Marjah we\'ve seen some significant gains in the security situation. In June, there were no local police in town. Now I can report to you we have a force approaching 300. That force is well-equipped with vehicles and weapons. It\'s well-trained," Mills noted.
Mills applauded local residents for fighting back the desperate Taliban who are using scare tactics and physical threats, adding that "last card in the deck is not playing very well, which is simply murder and intimidation."
General Mills called "Marja," as the treasury of the Taliban saying, "He gives that up, and he can\'t afford to conduct the insurgency. He can\'t give up Marja without a fight, and he hasn\'t."
Mills noted that improvised explosive devices IEDs are being used by the Taliban for targeting innocent people including women and children, saying, "It is very, very sad to see some of the -- some of the youngsters and some of the women who are -- who are crippled by these, as I said, very heartless devices."
Mills accepted that, "We have taken a number of casualties from IEDs," adding, "We are working extraordinarily hard here and back home to get a solution to that problem ... We train very hard with our Marines, our sailors, our soldiers, everyone who goes outside the wire, to ensure they know how to deal with IEDs and how to identify IEDs."
"Most importantly, we are achieving a reduction in IEDs because we are reducing -- we are reducing the number of people skilled enough to make them through a very, very surgical application of our special forces, who are taking out the IED makers," said Mills, with a note of optimism adding, "We are attacking the networks that design them and build them ... We are seeing a reduction in the IEDs, a reduction in their sophistication ... And the people who supplied them are rapidly disappearing from the battlefield."
On the situation with the troops, Mills concluded with a note of appreciation for the media coverage saying, "We have a -- we have a population these days in the ranks who are extraordinarily sensitive to -- they read the news, they see it live on the Internet, they see what\'s going on. And the -- their morale is high, and they are focused on their mission and appreciate, again, very much the support that you give them."
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - The first direct Middle East peace negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders has started after nearly two years in the US capital Washington.
The first round of talks lasted for four hours in which US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas for their courage and commitment to meet after every 14 days to reach a settlement within a year.
"I know the decision to sit at this table was not easy," the American diplomat said.
At the start of the talks, Netanyahu urged Abbas to be prepared to first recognize Israel as a country of the Jewish people. It may be noted that Palestinians had not been considering it as a country of Jews because it fears that this could undermine Palestinian refugees\' right-of-return claims to Israel from where they were forced to leave after it was created in 1948.
Referring to recent Palestinian militant attacks on occupied West Bank settlers, Israeli leader called on to take measures to protect Israel\'s security - a call Abbas agreed. He said, "We consider security as essential and vital both for us and for you, and we will not accept that anyone commits any act that would harm your security or ours."
Abbas added that his government had already launched an investigation on the killing of four Israeli settlers on Tuesday.
Turning his attention on the settlement issue, Abbas urged the Israeli leadership to end all settlement activity and lift an embargo over the Gaza Strip, a strategic area, which Israel controls amid Hamas militant group\'s fear.
The two Middle East leaders also discussed several issues like borders of a Palestinian state, fate of Jerusalem behind closed doors later.
U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell said that the first meeting between the two leaders in Clinton\'s presence was productive, adding that Netanyahu-Abbas duo held second round of one-to-one meeting later during the day. The three again met in the final round where the Middle East leaders agreed to resume negotiations on September 14-15 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. They also agreed to meet after every two weeks to establish a lasting peace within a year.
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - The first direct Middle East peace negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders has started after nearly two years in the US capital Washington.
The first round of talks lasted for four hours in which US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas for their courage and commitment to meet after every 14 days to reach a settlement within a year.
"I know the decision to sit at this table was not easy," the American diplomat said.
At the start of the talks, Netanyahu urged Abbas to be prepared to first recognize Israel as a country of the Jewish people. It may be noted that Palestinians had not been considering it as a country of Jews because it fears that this could undermine Palestinian refugees\' right-of-return claims to Israel from where they were forced to leave after it was created in 1948.
Referring to recent Palestinian militant attacks on occupied West Bank settlers, Israeli leader called on to take measures to protect Israel\'s security - a call Abbas agreed. He said, "We consider security as essential and vital both for us and for you, and we will not accept that anyone commits any act that would harm your security or ours."
Abbas added that his government had already launched an investigation on the killing of four Israeli settlers on Tuesday.
Turning his attention on the settlement issue, Abbas urged the Israeli leadership to end all settlement activity and lift an embargo over the Gaza Strip, a strategic area, which Israel controls amid Hamas militant group\'s fear.
The two Middle East leaders also discussed several issues like borders of a Palestinian state, fate of Jerusalem behind closed doors later.
U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell said that the first meeting between the two leaders in Clinton\'s presence was productive, adding that Netanyahu-Abbas duo held second round of one-to-one meeting later during the day. The three again met in the final round where the Middle East leaders agreed to resume negotiations on September 14-15 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. They also agreed to meet after every two weeks to establish a lasting peace within a year.
Fremont, CA, United States (AHN) - The bidding war for data storage company 3Par ended Thursday with Hewlett-Packard as the winner after rival Dell declined to match its $2.4 billion offer for the company.
The 3Par\'s board announced it is accepting HP\'s superior proposal with Dell expecting a $72 million breakup fee. Dave Johnson, Dell\'s senior vice president for corporate strategy, said it is ending its bid for 3Par.
HP\'s bid translating to $33 per share was 10 percent higher than Dell\'s last bid of $32 per share. On Friday, HP offered $30 per share.
The bidding war started with Dell offering $18 per share on Aug. 16.
Fremont, CA, United States (AHN) - The bidding war for data storage company 3Par ended Thursday with Hewlett-Packard as the winner after rival Dell declined to match its $2.4 billion offer for the company.
The 3Par\'s board announced it is accepting HP\'s superior proposal with Dell expecting a $72 million breakup fee. Dave Johnson, Dell\'s senior vice president for corporate strategy, said it is ending its bid for 3Par.
HP\'s bid translating to $33 per share was 10 percent higher than Dell\'s last bid of $32 per share. On Friday, HP offered $30 per share.
The bidding war started with Dell offering $18 per share on Aug. 16.
New York, NY, United States (AHN) - U.S. stocks extended their gains on Thursday buoyed by retailers\' rosy sales in August, an unexpected increase in pending sales of used homes and hopes for a better monthly employment report on Friday.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished 50 points or 0.49 percent higher to 10,320. The Standard & Poor\'s 500 Index also closed 9 points or 0.9 percent higher to 1,090. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 23 points or 1 percent to finish at 2,200.
With same-store sales beating expectations, JC Penny, Macy\'s and Nordstrom traded higher.
The housing data also helped boost shares of homebuilders Hovnanian, PulteGroup and D.R. Horton.
Meanwhile, oil futures for October delivery increased $1.03 to $75 a barrel. Gold for December delivery rose $5.30 to $1,253 an ounce.
New York, NY, United States (AHN) - U.S. stocks extended their gains on Thursday buoyed by retailers\' rosy sales in August, an unexpected increase in pending sales of used homes and hopes for a better monthly employment report on Friday.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished 50 points or 0.49 percent higher to 10,320. The Standard & Poor\'s 500 Index also closed 9 points or 0.9 percent higher to 1,090. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 23 points or 1 percent to finish at 2,200.
With same-store sales beating expectations, JC Penny, Macy\'s and Nordstrom traded higher.
The housing data also helped boost shares of homebuilders Hovnanian, PulteGroup and D.R. Horton.
Meanwhile, oil futures for October delivery increased $1.03 to $75 a barrel. Gold for December delivery rose $5.30 to $1,253 an ounce.
Raleigh, NC, United States (AHN) - According to the latest report from the National hurricane Center Hurricane Earl has weakend slightly and has been downgraded to a category 3 storm.
At 2 p.m. Earl\'s winds were at 125 mph and it was 245 miles south of Cape hatteras and on a northward track at about 18 mph.
Forecasters believe it will continue to deteriorate as the day goes on and Earl\'s worst effects should be felt as it passes by late Thursday night and early Friday.
The hardest hit areas will be on the Outer Banks where at least tropical storm force winds are expected to batter the region with 74 mph winds. Additionally a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet is possible and waves 30 feet or higher may crash on to the beaches and could possibly flood and submerge roadways.
If that happens many areas could be cut off or left underwater. Rain bans may also dump 3 to 5 inches of water posing further deluge troubles.
Currently hurricane warnings remain in effect for coastal North Carolina, with a hurricane watch from the Virginia border to Cape Henlopen, Del. Officials have also enacted watches and warnings up the coast as far north as Martha\'s Vineyard, Nantucket and Nova Scotia, Canada.
Raleigh, NC, United States (AHN) - According to the latest report from the National hurricane Center Hurricane Earl has weakend slightly and has been downgraded to a category 3 storm.
At 2 p.m. Earl\'s winds were at 125 mph and it was 245 miles south of Cape hatteras and on a northward track at about 18 mph.
Forecasters believe it will continue to deteriorate as the day goes on and Earl\'s worst effects should be felt as it passes by late Thursday night and early Friday.
The hardest hit areas will be on the Outer Banks where at least tropical storm force winds are expected to batter the region with 74 mph winds. Additionally a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet is possible and waves 30 feet or higher may crash on to the beaches and could possibly flood and submerge roadways.
If that happens many areas could be cut off or left underwater. Rain bans may also dump 3 to 5 inches of water posing further deluge troubles.
Currently hurricane warnings remain in effect for coastal North Carolina, with a hurricane watch from the Virginia border to Cape Henlopen, Del. Officials have also enacted watches and warnings up the coast as far north as Martha\'s Vineyard, Nantucket and Nova Scotia, Canada.