International press bodies urge President not to assent
Controversial Broadcast (Amendment) BillBy Lakhram BhagiratThe International Press Institute (IPI) is calling on the Government to address the serious concerns raised by the local media groups over pending amendments to the Broadcast (Amendment) Bill.Government on Friday last used its one-seat majority in the National Assembly to pass this controversial Bill, which mandates broadcasters to air up to 60 minutes of ‘public service announcements (PSAs)’ for free.The IPI Director of Advocacy and Communications, Steven M. Ellis, urged the Guyana Government to address criticism regarding the amendments before they become law.“We are troubled that this bill appears to have been drafted and passed without time for sufficient consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including Guyana’s private broadcasters and local civil society groups,” he said.“Elements of this legislation – in particular provisions related to the broadcasting of public service content – also raise questions about the Government’s commitment to ensuring that Guyanese radio and television stations can operate independently from state and political control. We urge lawmakers to address those questions, and revise these amendments as necessary,” Ellis added.The press freedom advocacy body has said that concerns over broadcasting freedom in Guyana are not new. It has cited the radio monopoly which had been in place until 2011, when former President Bharrat Jagdeo granted several radio and television licences prior to demitting office.During a 2013 visit to Guyana, IPI had urged Government to ensure that granting of television and radio licences under the newly introduced Broadcasting Act be conducted in a transparent and impartial manner.Do not assentAnd the international non-profit, non- governmental organization Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), aka Reporters Without Borders, is urging President David Granger not to assent to this controversial bill without “consultations with broadcasters, in order to take into account their recommendations”.RSF has said the current bill, passed without consultation, raises multiple press freedom concerns.However, in Parliament last Friday, during his closing presentation on the Bill, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said the only consultations mandated for the bill are those Government has had with the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) and the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU). Nevertheless, he asserted that the GNBA had indeed had consultations with broadcasters in 2016.“But what is most worrying about the Bill is its process of adoption, which involved no consultations with any broadcasters even though repeated attempts were made to meet with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo both leading up to, and during, parliamentary debate last week. Nagamootoo claims that broadcasters were consulted in 2011 when the original bill was drafted, but the legislation adopted last Friday involved several amendments for which broadcasters were never given the opportunity to provide their input,” the RSF has said.According to Advocacy and Communications Director for RSF’s North America Bureau, Margaux Ewen, it would appear that the legislative process in Guyana failed to adequately address broadcasters’ concerns regarding a new law that would impact their day-to-day operations and could even threaten their existence. As such, RSF urges President Granger not to assent to this legislation until these concerns can be addressed through meaningful consultation.Tabled by Nagamootoo, the amendments include a provision requiring private broadcasters to allocate, free of charge, up to 60 minutes of public service programming daily.It also mandates all current broadcast licence holders to reapply to be licensed within 30 days of the passage of the bill, or lose their right to broadcast.The Guyana Press Association (GPA) has said it agrees that private broadcasters should play a role during emergencies and disasters, but highlighted that the amendment would give authorities the ability to dictate time slots if they did not agree with the ones allocated by stations.This new legislation gives Government the right to decide the content and frequency of the PSAs, while defining PSAs as “the broadcast of a programme produced for the purpose of informing and educating the public, and promoting policies and activities of the Government that benefit the public as a whole.”The broadcasts, which also include time for presidential addresses and disaster warnings, are to be allocated between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.GPA, in a statement, told IPI that the bill “will disrupt and violate contractual obligations that stations will have with advertisers and programme sponsors.”The local media representative body has also said it would work with international groups to “convince the Government of the need to halt or reverse this process, given the severe consequences these amendments pose to freedom of the press and the commercial viability of private radio and television stations.”Since their announcement, these proposed amendments have been condemned by local broadcasters, the Opposition political party, and various other stakeholders. Those concerns and criticisms have apparently fallen on deaf ears, or Government is just oblivious of the criticisms, since the amendments continue to be pushed.The Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) has also called for the President and broadcasters to meet, arguing, “This is the best option to avoid what may be a protracted legal matter that would be unhelpful in achieving the desired objectives of the parties concerned.”Prior to the passage of the bill, a number of broadcasters said in a statement that they had not been consulted on the contents of the bill, either during its preparation or to date. They say they are hoping the authorities would now afford them opportunity for consultation, before this important piece of legislation is passed.Chairman of the GNBA, Leslie Sobers, has said that broadcasters who fear revocation of licences should be more concerned about the content they air than with the provisions of the recently passed amendments to the broadcast legislation.
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Recently, we wrote a story about an elderly couple that were allegedly being forced apart.According to CBC, the couple themselves aren’t angry, it is just a few family members that are.With the post first going viral on Facebook, many people voiced displeasure over the couple being separated, but Jean Copeland tells the CBC that the frustration is being “misplaced”.- Advertisement -“I get help right here in my room through Northern Health,” said Jean in an interview with Daybreak North host Carolina de Ryk. She also said she is not ready to move into the advanced care unit her husband will be moving into.Vicki Hess, one of the Copeland’s daughters, says that her mom will be fine where she is.“We would like to give a bouquet to Northern Health,” said the couple’s daughter, Vicki Hess. “They are not forcing my mother to go in. They are trying to do what’s best and safe for my father. Mom can remain in her apartment where she is.”Advertisement Beth Hess and her mom, both agree that the help Northern Health has given them has been good. Hess also said she thinks that the Facebook posts should go away, and she has also voiced her displeasure with other family members about the situation. She says it is a part of life that people get old and you have to adapt to that.Advertisement “I think it’s just people not wanting to accept that our parents are growing old, you need to accept life as is.”Story Credit: By Andrew Kurjata, CBC NewsOriginal Story: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/family-fights-viral-facebook-post-that-says-elderly-parents-being-forced-apart-1.3753550 Marj Copeland has different feelings about the situation. She believes that the couple should not be separated and that her mom is not fit to be on her own.When asked for comment by CBC, she said she had no comment, but did say that Northern Health is failing seniors.When Energeticcity talked to Marj, she said that she feels the health system is failing seniors. “I just feel that our health care should have rooms available for couples , not pull them apart after 70 years. We teach our children marriage is good , but why ??? So they can be split up when they need each other most ?? What happened to Till Death do us Part ???.”
0Shares0000Italy, whose players are pictured here in October 2017, are the only one of the eight previous winners not yet sure of their place in the upcoming World Cup © AFP/File / Dimitar DILKOFFPARIS, France, Nov 8 – The last burst of qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup allows some nations a chance to dream, but for football aristocrats Italy, the next few days are a potential nightmare.The last nine places in Russia will be settled in seven frantic days starting on Thursday. There are four berths up for grabs in Europe, where the eight best runners-up in the nine groups have been paired in home-and-away play-offs.The last three of Africa’s five qualifiers will be settled in the final round of group games, although Senegal and South Africa will squeeze in an extra match on Friday.There are two long-distance play-offs as New Zealand face Peru and Australia play Honduras.In Europe, Italy, Greece, Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland are all seeded and play the second leg at home.– Proud record in peril –For Italy and veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon that might not be such an advantage against Sweden. The Azzurri drew at home with both Spain and Macedonia in its group.The play-off puts Italy’s proud record of World Cup participation is in danger. The Azzurri are tied with Germany for most appearances by a European nation, 18. But Germany have already made sure of a 19th berth.Italy are also the only one of the eight previous winners not yet sure of their place in this World Cup.Italy’s defence needs to beware of Sweden, the top scorer among the eight playoff teams, with 26 goals in 10 games.Switzerland collected 27 points in its 10 group games, more than five of the nations that won their groups. Yet it came second on goal difference to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.“They’re obviously the seeded team, so the pressure’s more on them than us,” Northern Ireland forward Jamie Ward said. “We’re always great as the underdogs, so I think it was a bit of a bonus us not being seeded.”The encounter between Greece and Croatia pairs two nations that specialise in winning playoffs. If Greece win, they will become the first European team to reach three successive World Cups through play-offs. Croatia have won all four of their qualifying play-offs for major tournaments.Croatia have the star names with Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Perisic, but Greece are seeded and home advantage could prove even greater as the two countries have agreed to ban away fans from the matches.The Republic of Ireland, which takes on Denmark, have a chequered history with playoffs. This is their eighth overall, a European record. They have won three and lost four, including the notorious game in France in 2009 when Thierry Henry’s handball set up the extra-time goal that eliminated the Irish.“When there’s been big questions put to the players, they’ve come up with the answers.” Irish assistant manager Roy Keane said.The Danish danger man is Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen who has scored in each of his last six appearances for his nation.“Denmark have a lot of skilful players, good options going forward and Eriksen is a really big player for them,” Keane said.– Showdown for Morocco –Ivory Coast’s national team players take part in a training session on November 7, 2017 at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying football match against Morocco © AFP/File / ISSOUF SANOGOIn Africa, Nigeria and Egypt have booked their tickets but three of the five group winners are still to be decided.In Group A, Tunisia are almost there. They lead Congo by three points and face last-place Libya at home. The Carthage Eagles could even qualify if they lose and Congo beat Guinea in Kinshasa, provided both games are low-scoring and decided by just one goal.Group C is finely balanced. Morocco travel to Abidjan for a game that will decide who qualifies. Ivory Coast have home advantage but Morocco have a one-point edge in the table and will qualify with a draw.“We need a team that will go to war and every player to be ready to give 200 percent,” said Ivory Coast manager Marc Wilmots.In Group D, Senegal lead by two points and play South Africa home and away, needing two points to be absolutely sure. Senegal’s likely progress has been delayed because their defeat in South Africa last November was scrubbed out. That match was decided by a bizarre penalty which led to a life ban for the referee, Joseph Lamptey.The four teams competing for the two remaining places will have to go the extra kilometre. Australia, who have already squeezed through one tense play-off against Syria, take on Honduras who edged the United States to finish fourth in their region. The first leg is in San Pedro Sula, then the teams must cross the Pacific for the second leg, nearly 14,000 kilometres away in Sydney.New Zealand, which won the 11-nation Oceania group, and Peru which finished fifth in the South American group, will be flying the other way.Their first leg is in Wellington, the second, in Lima late next Wednesday, will bring the long qualifying process to a close..0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)
Sister Sara’s have launched ‘student night specials’ as the new academic year swings back into action.The Letterkenny super-pub has been going from strength to strength since re-opening under an innovative and driven new management team.It’s the now go to venue at the weekend, and provides an extensive and diverse range of entertainment which caters for all ages. It’s why its re-established itself as one of the most popular watering holes in Letterkenny.This weekend DJ TUBSY will be rocking the bar on FRIDAY night, while resident house DJ MARTY CURRAN will have the place hopping on Saturday.LIVE sport will be provided on many of their stunning HD Plasma TV’s all weekend, and with great drink promotions available all weekend, it really is the best place to watch the football!For more information on the students nights, and this weekend, check out their Facebook page now. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sister-Saras/154934577880211?fref=ts SISTER SARA’S SUPERPUB LAUNCH STUDENT NIGHT SPECIALS was last modified: October 9th, 2014 by Mark ForkerShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:EntertainmentFeaturesnewsSister Sara’s
AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREThe top 10 theme park moments of 2019 LAKERS NOTES: Coach Phil Jackson said the potential in forward Kwame Brown crystallized for him when he saw tape of a game from March 2004, Brown’s third season with Washington, where he totaled a career-high 30 points and 19 rebounds against Chris Webber and the Sacramento Kings. “We don’t expect Kwame to average 30 points and 19 rebounds a game,” Jackson said, “but we would like to see him have opportunities to have games like that. And go along with games that are maybe 10-and-10, which is perfectly fine with us, too.” HONOLULU — The Lakers released center Vlade Divac, who is expected to retire after 16 seasons, on Thursday, and signed former UC Irvine center Adam Parada. Divac’s back remains uncooperative nine months after he underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc. Divac played only 15 games last season and the Lakers faced a decision of whether to bring him back for $5.4 million or buy out his final year for $2 million. General manager Mitch Kupchak said there was interest from teams in trading for Divac but the Lakers would have had to take back a player who was either injured or had a bad contract. Divac presented an option for teams looking to create salary-cap space. The 37-year-old center owns a unique place in Lakers history, as the center who replaced both Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal. He also brought Kobe Bryant to the Lakers in a 1996 trade with Charlotte and helped turn around the Kings during six seasons. “I don’t think there’s any doubt that he’s the premier European player to play in the NBA,” Kupchak said. “When he came to Los Angeles in (1989) as a 19-year-old player, it was groundbreaking news for a European player to come over here.” 
160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
Sam Coleman, who was with Williams when he was picked up by police after the slayings, testified that Williams bragged about killing three people who lived on Vermont Street – the location of the Brookhaven Motel. Coleman later claimed the testimony was coerced by police, but a three-judge panel on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected that claim. George Oglesby, a fellow inmate at the Los Angeles County Jail and a jailhouse informant, testified that Williams came up with an elaborate escape plan, which included using dynamite to blow up the van taking prisoners from jail to court. The plan called for killing guards and other inmates. Handwritten notes by Williams – including his trademark habit of using stars to dot his I’s – corroborated the story. Oglesby also testified that Williams admitting while in jail to committing the motel murders. 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREBlues bury Kings early with four first-period goals Coward was granted immunity for testifying at Williams’ trial. Sims, who was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, said he went along with the robbery because he feared Williams. “I knew if I wouldn’t have went in the store, he probably would have did something to me. Like killed me or something,” Sims testified during Williams’ trial. In 1979, Williams was living with James and Ester Garrett. The couple testified that Williams told them information about the three murders at the Brookhaven Motel that only the killer would know. Shotgun shells recovered at the Brookhaven Motel were traced to a shotgun purchased by Williams in 1974. The shotgun was given to police by the Garretts, who said that Williams put it beneath their bed. The California Supreme Court denied a bid last week to reopen the murder case against Stanley Tookie Williams, which defense attorneys claim was based on “shoddy” crime-scene evidence and questionable witness testimony. Chief Justice Ronald George and Justice Joyce Kennard voted to reopen the case, but four other justices found a review was unwarranted. Here are highlights of the testimony and evidence against Williams: Alfred Coward and Tony Sims each testified at separate trials that they participated in the 7-Eleven robbery on Feb. 28, 1979, and that they saw Williams take Albert Owens into a storage room and shoot him twice in the back with a shotgun. 
A federal marine agency reaffirmed endangered species status Tuesday for steelhead trout off Southern California’s coast but failed to protect related species found in the Santa Clara River and Piru Creek. The National Marine Fisheries Service designated 10 populations of West Coast steelhead trout but excluded rainbow trout and steelhead trout landlocked above dams from the listed populations. “All forms of steelhead including resident and juvenile fish should be protected from the Bay Area south, since many southern streams have only remnant populations of ocean-run fish,” said Jeff Miller, wildlife advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity. “Adult steelhead do not make it every year into our drier southern streams, which are impaired by water diversions, and as a result resident fish and trout trapped above dams are an important genetic component for maintaining and restoring steelhead runs.” 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MORERose Parade grand marshal Rita Moreno talks New Year’s Day outfit and ‘West Side Story’ remake Under the new listing policy for steelhead, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will retain jurisdiction over “resident” trout populations – those found behind dams. The agency has no plan to list these populations given that the Bush administration has consistently opposed protections for endangered species, Miller said. Opponents argued that the new policy makes no sense biologically because it arbitrarily divides steelhead populations. Rainbow and steelhead trout are different life forms of the same species. Rainbows stay in streams as resident fish whereas steelhead migrate to the ocean and return to streams to spawn and rear. National Marine Fisheries had proposed in June to include resident trout and some landlocked steelhead in the listed West Coast populations. The Center for Biological Diversity and other conservation groups are concerned about steelhead trout at the southern end of the species’ range, where the fish are rare because of the impacts of dams and other development. There is significant evidence of close genetic relationships between resident trout and steelhead trout in waterways including the Ventura River, Santa Clara River, Piru Creek and Sespe Creek.
THE ARCHITECTS behind Letterkenny Irish language secondary school Coláiste Ailigh have shortlisted for the prestigious 2015 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – the Mies van der Rohe Award.Of the nine projects, which have to have been completed within the previous two years, five are in Ireland, two are in the UK, one is in Norway and one is in Denmark.The practices selected for the 2015 Mies award are: McGarry Ní Éanaigh for Coláiste Ailigh, a secondary school in Letterkenny, Co Donegal; Michael Kelly and Dan Costelloe for The Cow House, a residential project that used specially-engineered windows and creatively used local materials; Solearth for Airfield Evolution that has brought a sense of the countryside into suburban Dublin; Waterford City Architects for the stone-facaded Waterford Medieval Museum in the city’s historic Viking Quarter; A2 Architects for a sculpture park pavilion in Norway on the site of a former paper mill that houses an installation by artist John Gerrard; and Belfast-based Hall McKnight for Vartov Square, a new public space adjacent to the City Hall in Copenhagen. COLÁISTE AILIGH DESIGN NOMINATED FOR TOP EUROPEAN ARCHITECTURE AWARD was last modified: February 5th, 2015 by John2Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:awardColaiste AilighMcGarry Ní Éanaigh for Coláiste Ailigh
Branislav Ivanovic went closest for Chelsea during a high-tempo start to the Capital One Cup final.The defender, whose extra-time goal against Liverpool, earned the Blues their place at Wembley, nodded a corner into the side netting early on.Chelsea had dominated possession in the opening stages, with John Terry heading well over in the opening minute, but Tottenham gradually warmed to their task.Just after Ivanovic’s effort, Christian Eriksen struck the bar with a free-kick and Harry Kane’s tame low effort was comfortably fielded by Petr Cech.Jose Mourinho sprung a surprise by opting for Kurt Zouma to start in central midfield, with Nemanja Matic suspended.Cesc Fabregas was named in the three to play behind Diego Costa, while Cech got the nod ahead of Thibaut Courtois in goal. Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Zouma, Ramires; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Costa. Subs: Courtois, Filipe Luis, Ake, Oscar, Cuadrado, Drogba, Remy. Tottenham: Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose; Bentaleb, Mason; Townsend, Eriksen, Chadli; Kane. Subs: Vorm, Davies, Fazio, Dembele, Stambouli, Lamela, Saldado. Follow West London Sport on TwitterFind us on Facebook
The easiest energy savings come from little changes in our behavior that don’t cause any hardship—or even result in ancillary benefits. Such is the case with reducing the amount of time spent idling a car engine when stopped. Turning off the ignition at the drive-up window or when pulled over to take a cell phone call not only saves energy (burning less gasoline), but also pollutes less—a big benefit for the teller at the drive-up bank window. You might even improve your car’s operation.Average drivers in America idle five to ten minutes per day—sitting at traffic lights, warming up the car in the morning, waiting at the drive-up McDonalds, or picking up the kids at the bus stop. This is “voluntary idling”—as opposed to the idling that occurs in traffic congestion. Idling ten minutes per day wastes about 30 gallons of gas per year. Collectively, Americans consume about 3.8 million gallons of gasoline per day from voluntary idling.Idling vehicles are heavy polluters. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that an average car emits 20 times more air pollution when idling than it does when being driven at 32 miles per hour. Idling a medium-sized car just five minutes each day will crank out about 30 pounds of harmful pollutants in a year plus 300 pounds of carbon dioxide.Some of these compounds are pretty potent. EPA estimates that air toxins emitted by vehicles cause half of all cancers attributed to outdoor sources of air pollutants in the U.S. Idling diesel vehicles are particularly problematic due to the very small particulates and some 40 chemicals emitted from the exhaust that are classified as “hazardous air pollutants” under the Clean Air Act. Because children are particularly vulnerable to hazardous chemicals, idling of school busses has been targeted by health activists in communities throughout the country, including locally.There are a number of myths about idling:Myth 1: Cars should idle for several minutes before being driven. Unless you have an old car with a carbureted engine, this myth is wrong except in extremely cold weather. Modern engines need no more than 30 seconds of operation to circulate engine oil before being safely driven (though it’s best to avoid hard acceleration until the car is fully warmed up).Myth 2: Each time you turn off and then restart a car you waste more energy than if you leave it idling. Studies show that the actual “break-even” point for turning off a car is between six and ten seconds. In other words, if you’re going to be stopped for more than ten seconds, it makes sense to turn off the ignition.Myth 3: Repeatedly restarting a car is hard on the engine and quickly drains the battery. There is slight wear on the starter motor and some battery discharge that occurs, but this is minor. The savings from burning less gasoline pay back that added maintenance cost many-fold over the course of a year. In fact, idling a car forces the engine to operate in an inefficient, gasoline-rich mode that can reduce performance and degrade mileage.* * *At least 17 states currently have some form of statewide restrictions on idling, including all New England states…except Vermont—plus some states not known for environmental leadership, such as Nevada, South Carolina, and Utah. This is pretty embarrassing for a state often considered the greenest in the country!In addition to these statewide laws, many municipalities have their own rules—some of which are significantly stricter than relevant state regulations. Locally, Putney has adopted an anti-idling ordinance.These state and municipal regulations vary dramatically—as does enforcement. New York City, for example, has one of the strictest no-idling regulations in the country (limiting idling to three minutes with various exceptions and with increasingly heavy fines for first, second, and third offenses)—yet one certainly sees a lot of trucks idling in the Big Apple.New technologies can also help reduce unnecessary idling. Hybrid cars have a feature that automatically turns the engine off when stopped (though that function only works in our Honda when the fan is turned off). We could make it easier for non-hybrid drivers to know when to turn the ignition off by installing traffic lights that count down the number of seconds remaining for the red light—thus helping drivers figure out whether to turn off the ignition while waiting.