WASHINGTON (TIP): A strong solar flare is blasting its way to Earth, but the worst of its power looks like it will barely skim above the planet and not cause many problems. It has been several years since Earth has had a solar storm of this size coming from sunspots smack in the middle of the sun, said Tom Berger, director of the Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado. The flare on the sun barely hits the “extreme” on forecasters’ scale, but with its worst effects missing Earth it is only looking “potentially strong” at most when it arrives at Earth as a solar storm, he said.
New calculations from satellite data show that the worst of the energetic particles streaming from the sun likely will go north or above Earth this time, Berger said. So while the power grid may see fluctuations because the storm will cause changes in Earth’s magnetic field, it won’t knock power systems off line, Berger said. It may cause slight disturbances in satellites and radio transmissions but nothing major. “We’re not scared of this one,” Berger said. The storm is moving medium fast, about 2.5 million mph (4.02 million kph), meaning the soonest it could arrive is early Friday.
But it could be later, Berger said. Solar storms occur often, especially during peaks in the solar cycle, and don’t directly harm people. “There’s been a giant magnetic explosion on the sun,” Berger said. “Because it’s pointed right at us, we’ll at least catch some of the cloud” of highly energized and magnetized plasma that can disrupt Earth’s magnetic sphere, which sometimes leads to temporary power grid problems. On the plus side, sun flares expand the colorful northern lights so people farther south can see them. But don’t expect them too far south, Berger said.
Month: September 2014
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STRONG SOLAR STORM HEADING TO EARTH
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ALIEN-LIKE GIANT WATERLIVING DINOSAUR UNVEILED
WASHINGTON (TIP): Picture the fearsome movie creatures of “Jurassic Park” crossed with the shark from “Jaws.” Then super-size to the biggest predator ever to roam Earth. Now add a crocodile snout as big as a person and feet like a duck’s.
The result gives one some idea of a bizarre dinosaur scientists unveiled. This patchwork of critters, a 50-foot (15-meter) predator, is the only known dinosaur to live much of its life in the water. The beast, called Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, was already known to scientists from a long-ago fossil discovery, but most of those bones were destroyed in Germany during World War II. Now, 70 years later, a new skeleton found in Morocco reveals that the beast was far more aquatic than originally thought.
Spinosaurus had a long neck, strong clawed forearms, powerful jaws and the dense bones of a penguin. It propelled itself in water with flat feet that were probably webbed, according to a study released on September 11 by the journal Science. The beast sported a spiny sail on its back that was 7 feet (2 meters) tall when it lived 95 million years ago.
“It’s like working on an extraterrestrial or an alien,” study lead author Nizar Ibrahim of the University of Chicago said, while standing in front of a room-sized reconstruction of the skeleton at the National Geographic Society, which helped fund the research.” “It’s so different than anything else around,” he said. Ibrahim described the creature as “so bizarre it’s going to force dinosaur experts to rethink many things they thought they knew about dinosaurs.” Scientists had thought that all dinosaurs stuck to the land, with occasional brief trips into the water.
But the new skeleton shows clear evidence of river and lake living: hip bones like a whale’s, dense bones that allowed it to dive for food, and nostrils positioned high on the skull, allowing Spinosaurus to mostly submerge. It could walk and would probably nest on land, but on land it moved more awkwardly than in water, said study coauthor Paul Sereno of the University of Chicago. It lumbered on its two hind feet because its powerful forelegs with sharp curved claws were designed more for killing than walking, he said. Sereno called it “an evolutionary experiment going into the water.”
The new find is amazing and convincing, showing how wrong scientists have been about this dinosaur and about how diverse dinosaurs can be, said University of Maryland dinosaur expert Thomas Holtz Jr., who wasn’t part of this study. It’s also a creature that once was lost to history and war. German paleontologist Ernst Stromer first discovered Spinosaurus bones in Egypt in 1912. The bones went back to Europe, but in 1944, most were destroyed in the bombing of Munich in World War II. Spinosaurus was lost. But in 2008, Ibrahim was in Morocco on a quest for Spinosaurus.
It wasn’t going well. He had heard of a local dealer who might know where some bones were, but couldn’t find him. Ibrahim had given up hope and was contemplating returning home while sitting in a cafe. He looked up and spotted the dealer walking by. They went to a Moroccan dig site and found a mostly complete set of bones. Spinosaurus, which grew some 9 feet (3 meters) longer than Tyrannosaurus rex, feasted on aquatic creatures the size of cars in an area that was history’s “most dangerous place,” Ibrahim said. Three giant predators nearly the size of a T. rex roamed on land. Even the sky had giant predators. And in the water 25-foot (8-meter) sharks, giant sawfish and six or seven types of ancient nasty crocodiles lurked.
Sereno noted that a Spinosaurus did fight a T. rex in the movie “Jurassic Park III,” but it was a land battle and based on the old conception of the dinosaur. In reality, the two didn’t live on the same continent or in the same time period. In the movie, the Spinosaurus won. And Sereno said if the two species had fought in the water, Spinosaurus would have won easily. -
BACTERIA FOUND IN HONEY BEES STOMACH NEXT BIG ALTERNATIVE TO ANTIBIOTICS
LONDON (TIP): Grandma was right.Wild honey does work wonders against infections and scientists finally know why. Scientists now say that 13 lactic acid bacteria found in the honey stomach of bees have shown promising results in a series of studies at Lund University in Sweden. The group of bacteria counteracted antibiotic-resistant MRSA in lab experiments. The bacteria, mixed into honey, has healed horses with persistent wounds. They have now suggested that bacteria from bees can be a possible alternative to antibiotics.
Raw honey has been used against infections for millennia, before honey – as we now know it – was manufactured and sold in stores. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have identified a unique group of 13 lactic acid bacteria found in fresh honey, from the honey stomach of bees. The bacteria produce a myriad of active antimicrobial compounds.While the effect on human bacteria has only been tested in a lab environment thus far, the lactic acid bacteria have been applied directly to horses with persistent wounds.
The lactic acid bacterial(LAB) was mixed with honey and applied to 10 horses;where the owners had tried several other methods to no avail. All of the horses’ wounds were healed by the mixture. The researchers believe the secret to the strong results lie in the broad spectrum of active substances involved. “Antibiotics are mostly one active substance, effective against only a narrow spectrum of bacteria. When used alive, these 13 lactic acid bacteria produce the right kind of antimicrobial compounds as needed, depending on the threat.
It seems to have worked well for millions of years of protecting bees’ health and honey against other harmful microorganisms. However, since store-bought honey doesn’t contain the living lactic acid bacteria, many of its unique properties have been lost in recent times,” explains Tobias Olofsson. The study says “Today, due to overuse of antibiotics and emerging antibiotic-resistant pathogens,we are facing a new era of searching for alternative tools against infectious diseases.
Chronic wounds infected by pathogens are subjects for intensive research efforts because of the bacteria’s ability to sustain antibiotic treatment and maintain chronic infections”. They added “Less than a decade ago,we discovered a large unexplored bacterial microbiota in symbiosis with honeybees and located in the honey stomach. The novel microbiota is entirely composed of approximately 40 lactic acid bacterial strains with 13 taxonomically well-defined Lactobacillus species. Certain species within LAB may produce bioactive compounds such as organic acids, free fatty acids, ethanol, benzoate, enzymes, hydrogen peroxide, antimicrobial peptides and antibiotics. -
N waste-eating bacteria discovered
LONDON (TIP): Tiny single-cell organisms discovered living underground could help dispose off hazardous nuclear waste, scientists say. Although bacteria with wasteeating properties have been discovered in relatively pristine soils before, this is the first time that microbes that can survive in the very harsh conditions expected in radioactive waste disposal sites have been found. The disposal of nuclear waste is very challenging, with very large volumes destined for burial deep underground.
The largest volume of radioactive waste, termed ‘intermediate level’, will be encased in concrete prior to disposal into underground vaults, researchers said. When ground waters eventually reach these waste materials, they will react with the cement and become highly alkaline. This change drives a series of chemical reactions, triggering the breakdown of the various ‘cellulose’ based materials that are present in these complex wastes.
One such product linked to these activities, isosaccharinic acid (ISA), causes much concern as it can react with a wide range of radionuclides – unstable and toxic elements that are formed during the production of nuclear power and make up the radioactive component of nuclear waste. -
TIGER, MICKELSON JUST GETTING OLDER: MCILROY
ATLANTA (TIP): World number one Rory McIlroy isn’t convinced the absence of both Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson from the US PGA Tour Championship signals a changing of the guard in golf. But the 25-year-old reigning PGA Championship and British Open champion noted Wednesday, the eve of the seasonending event, the passing years for Mickelson, 44, and Woods, who turns 39 in December.
“They are just getting older,” McIlroy said. Phil is 43 or whatever and Tiger is nearly 40. So they are just getting into sort of the last few holes of their careers and that’s what happens. It obviously just gets harder as you get older. “I’ll be able to tell you in 20 years how it feels.” It is the first time since 1992 that the Tour Championship will be played without either Woods or Mickelson in the field, but McIlroy believes they are far from finished, citing Mickelson’s runner-up place at last month’s PGA Championship and an injurymarred season for Woods.
“When he gets back to full fitness you will see him here,” McIlroy predicted. Northern Ireland’s McIlroy is among five playoff points leaders in the field of 29 who can win the $10 million playoff crown by capturing the tournament, the others being Americans Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan, Chris Kirk and Billy Horschel. “Anything other than a win here would be a disappointment,” McIlroy said. “After I finished the PGA, all my focus was on trying to win this. “Obviously, if I finish second or third and end up winning the whole thing, then that’s cool as well.”
The field is one player less than usual because American Dustin Johnson, who in July took a season-ending leave of absence, qualified despite not playing for nearly two months. McIlroy, who has played for seven of the past nine weeks, went home to Florida between last week’s event in Denver and this week’s showdown in Atlanta at East Lake. “It’s amazing what a night in your own bed can do,” McIlroy said.
“I was standing in the shower on Monday morning in Denver and I was thinking to myself: ‘Why am I going to Atlanta today?’ So I didn’t. “It was refreshing just to spend a little bit of time at home, dump a little bit of luggage I’ve been carrying with me the past four, five weeks. It was nice.” McIlroy still has the Ryder Cup in two weeks in Scotland and stops in Bermuda, Dubai, China and Australia before ending his 2014 campaign — a global workout that already has him pondering a cutback from 26 events to between 20 and 23 in 2015.
“Sometimes you feel like you need to play,” McIlroy said. “Sometimes you feel like you need to play the week before a major. There’s a couple of events during the year that you feel obliged just because of where you’re from or to support a different tour. -
Asian Games: As stars pull out, Indian tennis team may be axed
BANGALORE (TIP):With the country’s top tennis players pulling out of the Asian Games, preferring to improve their rankings on the professional circuit, the participation of the Indian team at Incheon looks doubtful with top government officials admitting that they may be forced to cut down or even scrap the entire squad. “It is disappointing that top tennis players have pulled out of the Indian team.
It has affected our medal chances and we may be forced into a rethink on whether the remaining members of the squad should make it to Incheon as they don’t stand much of a chance,” government sources told TOI. After defending men’s singles champion Somdev Devvarman announced his decision to pull out last week, other high profile players Rohan Bopanna, Leander Paes and Sania Mirza too followed suit. Players in the Asiad fray in the men’s section now include Yuki Bhambri (world ranking 153), Sanam Singh (358), Saketh Myneni (430) and Divij Sharan (doubles ranking 124).
The chances of the women’s team look bleaker after Sania’s pullout. Ankita Raina is the top player with a world
ranking of 293 while the others in the squad are Prarthana Thombare (337), Natasha Palha (509), Rishika Sunkara (594) and Shweta Rana (617). Government officials also opined that following the withdrawal of Paes and Sania, Leander’s father Vece Paes (team doctor) and Sania’s mother Naseema Mirza (team manager) were unlikely to be in the contingent.
“Though the players have announced their decision we are yet to receive any official communication from the All India Tennis Association (AITA). At this point we are not sure whether the tennis team will travel.We will take a final decision speaking to AITA officials on Friday,” officials said. -
Bopanna to get Davis Cup Commitment Award
BANGALORE (TIP): Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna will be presented the Davis Cup Commitment Award during the World Group play-off tie against Serbia which begins here tomorrow. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) will present the Awards through its national associations during the Davis Cup World Group and Zone Group matches on Saturday.
Former Grand Slam champions Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil will also be awarded after their respective games. “The Davis Cup Commitment Award reflects the dedication by players for more than a century to represent their country in this prestigious competition.
These players have continued to rise to the unique challenge of competing in a team environment in front of their home fans, and we believe that it is fitting to recognise their efforts,” said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti.
List of players to be awarded: Australia: Lleyton Hewitt, Brazil: Carlos Kirmayr, Gustavo Kuerten, Luiz Mattar, Cassio Motta, Jaime Oncins, Canada: Frank Dancevic, Chinese Taipei: Ti Chen, France: Pierre Darmon, India: Rohan Bopanna Romania: Victor Hanescu, Russia: Andrei Chesnokov, Andrei Olhovskiy, Thailand: Sanchai Ratiwatana, Sonchat Ratiwatana, Danai Udomchoke, Ukraine: Sergiy Stakhovsky. -
INDIA AND AUSTRALIA SIGN
Bilateral Civil Nuclear Agreement
NEW DELHI (TIP): As widely expected, India and Australia signed a bilateral civil nuclear agreement, September 5 which enables India to secure uranium from Australia to meet its energy requirements. The deal was announced by visiting Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, after talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi late on Friday, September 5.
Talks have been under way since Australia lifted a long-standing ban on selling uranium to power-starved India in 2012. The fact that India had already signed civil nuclear agreements with the US and Canada made things easier. The Australian deal took just 18 months to negotiate after former Prime Minister Julia Gillard overturned her party’s previous policy of not selling uranium to a non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Emphasizing that India was a “fully functioning democracy with the rule of law”, Abbott had said that “if Australia was prepared to sell uranium to Russia then “surely we ought to be prepared to provide uranium to India, under suitable safeguards.” Abbott had earlier stressed that Australia would ensure adequate safeguards. After the failure to conclude a civil nuclear deal with Japan during Modi’s visit to that country, the pact with Australia will boost India’s energy sector.
India operates 20 nuclear reactors, mostly small, at six sites, with a capacity of 4,780 MW. This accounts for a meager 2 per cent of overall capacity, according to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India. The Government hopes to increase the nuclear capacity to 63,000 MW by 2032 by adding about 30 reactors, at a cost of $85 billion. Australia, which has no nuclear power plants of its own, holds 31 per cent of the world’s uranium reserves and is one of the top exporters of the commodity.
According to official data, it mined 7,529 tons of uranium, worth A$782 million, in 2011-12. Four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two nations. The first related to peaceful use of nuclear energy. The agreement outlines Australia’s role not just as a reliable long-term supplier of uranium to India but also the production of radio isotopes and nuclear safety. MoUs on water resources management, cooperation in technical education and training, and exchange programs in sports were also signed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the nuclear deal as a “historic milestone that shows a new level of trust” and said he would undertake a bilateral visit to Australia, the first by an Indian PM since 1986, after the G- 20 meeting in Brisbane in November. With bilateral trade declining, Modi said both countries were committed to an early conclusion of a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation.
“India has scrupulously dotted the Is and crossed the Ts in every international agreement,” said Abbott. He also announced that the CECA will be finalized by next year, saying, “we owe it to our people”. Modi also invited investments in the infrastructure and hi-tech sectors. There were vast possibilities to increase trade ties with Australia, he felt. Abbott stated that the country would provide speedy clearance to Indian investments in pipelines. Modi also the two countries would hold their first joint naval exercise next year. -
Another Indian-American in jail for insider trading
NEW YORK (TIP): After Rajat Gupta, it is the turn of another Indian American to go to prison for insider trading.
Mathew Martoma, who worked for hedgefund billionaire Steven Cohen, was given nine years in prison for what the prosecution described as one of the largest insidertrading schemes ever. The nine-year sentence was in line with the recommendation made to Judge Gardephe by prosecutors working for Preet Bharara.
Martoma, a 40-year old Keralite whose original name is Ajai Mathew Mariamdani Thomas was initially pursued in an effort to get his boss, but he refused to implicate Cohen and in the end took the fall for the illegal trading of stocks in two pharmaceutical companies that helped SAC book profits and avoid losses worth $275 million. Martoma was also ordered to forfeit a $9.38 million bonus he earned while working at SAC in 2008. The forfeiture includes the luxury home in Boca Raton, Fla., that the couple bought in 2010 for about $2 million.
the Prosecuted Mathew Martoma. Preet Bharara got Martoma nine years in prison
Hours before the sentencing hearing was scheduled to begin, Judge Gardephe indicated some of his thinking about Martoma’s illegal trades in shares of two drug companies, Elan and Wyeth. The judge said in a 25-page decision issued Monday morning that it was appropriate for him to consider all of the $275 million in profits and avoided losses made by Martoma and Cohen, his former boss.
Judge Gardephe noted that while prosecutors did not name Cohen as a coconspirator, the evidence at trial proved that Martoma “provided inside information to Cohen and this information was the basis for Cohen and SAC Capital’s subsequent trades in Elan and Wyeth securities.” Martoma was convicted of using inside information about a clinical trial for an experimental Alzheimer’s drug to help SAC make trades in shares of the two drug companies.
The trades in Elan and Wyeth – in which SAC sold large positions before the release of negative information about the clinical trial – took place over a few days in July 2008. The nine-year sentence is two years shy of the 11-year sentence given to Raj Rajaratnam, the co-founder of the former Galleon Group hedge fund, which remains the longest sentence anyone in the current insider trading investigation has received. With the sentencing of Mathew Martoma, Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York can legitimately claim another feather in his cap.
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It’s Kick off Time for AIA’s Mega Event- Diwali
Chhattisgarh CM Inaugurates the Indian Consulate Facebook Page
NEW YORK (TIP): The famous playback singer and music director of Bollywood films Sharada Iyengar set the tone of the AIA Diwali Kick Off celebrations with her musical recitation of the famous words from Bhagvad Gita: “Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya Glanirva Bhavathi Bharatha, Abhyuthanam Adharmaysya Tadatmanam Srijami Aham.” Welcoming the guests, Consul General Dnyaneshwar M Mulay highlighted the contributions of Indian Americans in different walks of life and exhorted the community to continue the work whole heartedly for the cause of building India, and India-US relationship.
Consul General Dnyaneshwar M Mulay, in his welcome address, spoke of the importance of unity of mind and hearts for realizing big dreams
Speaking mostly in Hindi, he said Hindi is one of the most widely spoken languages of the world, with every sixth person on this planet being am Indian. The Consul General talked about efforts of the Consulate to showcase the rich Indian cultural heritage and the development story of India. He said the Consulate had started a series of talks and lectures with a view to promoting better understandings of issues and showcasing Indian culture. Dr. Raman Singh, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, who was on a personal visit to New York, took time to join the community at the event. Speaking in Hindi, he talked about the development that his state had made under his government.
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer spoke of her long association with South Street Seaport Diwali and the Indian American community.
He said that his state provided rice at the rate of Re 1 (US $ 0.016) per kilogram to the people below poverty line. Speaking about the preservation of environment, he said while the world capitals were grappling with the environmental problems , the capital of Chhattisgarh comprised 35% green area. He also spoke about the vision of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi who is arriving to the US in September for discussing bilateral issues with the US government on an invitation from President Barack Obama.
Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Dr Raman Singh who spoke in Hindi, talked about his government’s policies to help the poorest of the poor in his state.
Announcing the kick off of Diwali, Dr. Singh conveyed his Deepavali greetings of and wished he could attend the festival here. Dr. Singh also inaugurated the Facebook Page of the Consulate General of India, New York. He appreciated the effort of the Consulate to reach out to people at global level and let them know what India is. Member of Parliament Abhishek Singh spoke about India’s vision for future and commented “When I see brand India, I see many brand Ambassadors of India” who are working tirelessly to promote the cause of India.
Tulsi Pandya and Radhika Patel from Nartan Rang Dance Academy of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan giving a dance performance “Vande Matram” which was directed by Swati Vaishnav
The Chief Guest on the occasion, Ms Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough President recalled her long association with the South Street Seaport Diwali and the Indian American community. Sunil Modi, President of AIA-NY chapter spoke about the AIA Diwali in the past and this year. A power point presentation was made on the event. Tulsi Pandya and Radhika Patel from Nartan Rang Dance Academy of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan gave a dance performance “Vande Matram” which was directed by Swati Vaishnav
A view of the gathering
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A Benevolent Law Abused
Racketeers use SIJS to make big money
By I.S. Saluja & The Indian Panorama Investigative Team
Number of Undocumented Children Who Cross U.S. Border Alone Has Tripled
(The Pew Charitable Trusts: May 9, 2013)
Each year, thousands of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) risk harrowing journeys and travel alone to seek refuge in the United States. These children come from all over the world for many reasons, including to escape persecution in their home countries, to reunify with family members and to look for a better life. In recent years, the U.S. government has had roughly 6,000-8,000 of these children in its care and custody each year. While these children may be as young as infants, most (approximately 70 percent) have been between the ages of 15 and 17. – Women’s Refugee Commission
(The Migrationist: August 8, 2013)
Hundreds of thousands of youth (under age 18) attempt to enter the U.S. every year. Some come with their families, others alone, either of their own will seeking jobs, protection and family reunification or they are smuggled into the country for sweatshop labor or sexual exploitation. The exact number of children who attempt to enter the country is unknown. In 2005, the U.S. granted legal permanent resident (LPR) status to 175,000 children under 14 years of age and to 196,000 youth ages 15 to 24. Twenty thousand youth ages 17 and under were accepted as refugees and 2,000 were granted asylum in the same year. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) apprehended almost 122,000 juveniles in the U.S. in 2004. Of this total, 84.6 percent were released back to Mexico, or in rare cases to Canada.
(National Juvenile Justice Network)
It has been said the crooks will always find creeks to enter any system in the world. And when the system is welcoming and benevolent, the infiltration is much easier. Special Immigrant Juvenile Status law (Please read the article below by eminent attorney Anand Ahuja) was enacted with a humanitarian objective to provide protection to these minors who are victims of domestic abuse.
Over the years, the law stands abused. It has become a booming business in many countries to push young boys and girls, mainly boys (77%), in to the United States territory and make them take advantage of SIJS.
The Indian Panorama Investigative team came across quite a few people in Queens and Long Island in New York who are part of the thriving racket to smuggle in young boys and girls from India. The reports received by us indicate that it is a big business in many South Asian countries, in particular, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan as also in many other countries across the world.
We were taken for a shock to get to know how elaborate the racket’s dragnet is, which involves agents in countries from which the young people are sent, agents at the Mexican side of the US border who help them cross over in to the United States, agents in the US who manage a guardian for the boy/girl and so on so forth. All this involves huge money. In India, the price to send a young boy or a girl in to USA is anywhere between $80,000 to $100,000.
Another shocking revelation was the involvement of church in this racket. During our talk with some who are involved in the racket told us, on condition of anonymity, that at least, one priest from a Christian Church in New York and a Sikh priest from a Sikh Gurudwara in Arizona are actively involved in running the racket. The authorities do not suspect the priests of any wrong doing and the latter take advantage of it.
Our source told us that the Christian Priest who is based in New York and comes from Punjab, India, visits his home state in India to “recruit” the youth who want to come to USA. It was pointed out to us that the pries has been making regular trips for the job. He arranges the incoming youth’s stay and finds him a guardian. Interestingly, all the young people who come here and come to have guardians, work and stay elsewhere, not necessarily with their guardians.
The person agreeing to be a guardian to a youth is offered a payment of between $5000.00 to $10,000. The attorney’s fees is anywhere between $3000.00 and $5000.00. We were also told about two attorneys whose services the priest utilizes regularly. Also, there are some attorneys who specialize in such cases. The gentleman who offered to be guardian to a young man confided in us that the young man had disappeared and that he had to report the disappearance to the court.
The malaise is much deeper and goes beyond simple monetary racket. It has serious implications for America’s security. With ISIS and Al Qaeda stepping up recruitment of young people from all over the world, USA is threatened as never before because of such soft laws which allow easy infiltration in to the country. Our source, on condition of anonymity, told us that he had come to know that the enemies of USA are all set to push in young people in to USA to carry out their agenda in America, which is to harm the country in every way.
A thorough investigation by the US administration agencies concerned in to the racket and the possible infiltration of enemies of USA in to the country, taking advantage of the benevolent soft humanitarian laws needs to be done sooner than later. And the earlier, the better.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
Throughout its history, the United States has been a refuge for oppressed people from around the world. The Pilgrims, the Quakers, the Amish, and countless others came to this country in centuries past, while in the more recent past immigrants have been Cubans, Jews, Southeast Asians, and others.What those diverse people shared was a belief that America could offer them refuge from government oppression. The United States has always been at the forefront of protection issues, and traditionally has granted sanctuary to victims of human rights abuses from around the world.
This refuge or protecting in the USA, however, is not limited to victims of political oppression but also is available to those who are victims of domestic violence and abuse specially minors.With an objective to provide protection to these minors who are victims of domestic abuse, Congress, in 2008, enacted a new statute, the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, (TVPRA 2008).
The statute expands the definition of Special Immigrant Juvenile so that more children can qualify for the status, provides greater protections from aging out, removes additional grounds of inadmissibility to lawful permanent residence, and requires the US government to process the cases within 180 days for those undocumented youth who qualify for SIJS.
The Trafficking Victims Protection and Reauthorization Act has expanded the definition of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) to allow undocumented immigrant youth to petition for legal status based on abuse, neglect, or abandonment by one or both parents. SIJS waives unlawful entry, working without authorization, status as a public charge, and certain immigration violations. Once a minor receives SIJS, he/she will be able to adjust his/her status to that of a lawful permanent resident, obtain work authorization, and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship.
To be eligible under SIJS, one must be (a) under 21 at the time of filing, (b) Currently must be unmarried, and (c) Must be present in the United States. Further, SIJS visa program is different from other types of visas in that it requires coordination with a state family or Surrogate court. Special Immigrant Juvenile Status has two prong tests. First, the minor has to engage in a custody/adoption proceedings in the Family or Surrogate’s Court in the county where he/she resides.
As part of this proceeding, the court is to find minor’s eligibility for SIJS. Besides a guardianship petition, it is also possible to file a petition requesting an order though a custody, neglect, adoption, permanency hearing for children in foster care etc., proceeding. An order from a Family Court or Surrogate Court granting custody/adoption is a pre-requisite to applying for SIJS status. On February 5, 2014, the New York Appellate Division, Second Department, stated that New York State Family Courts do in fact have the authority to appoint a natural parent to be the guardian of his or her own children.
The court explained that under the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act, any person may petition for guardianship of an infant. SCPA §1703. Therefore, the court reasoned that since the statute does not impose any limitations, appointment of guardianship may also be granted to a natural parent. The court’s reasoning was based upon prior decisions involving contests for guardianship between a natural parent and a relative or nonrelative of a child, where the natural parent has been named as the guardian or co-guardian of the child.
Matter of Revis v. Marzan (100 AD 3d 1004); Matter of Justina S. (180 AD 2d 641). One is to keep in mind that a state Family court and/or Surrogate court that grants custody/adoption petition does not make any immigration decision. After receiving this order from the Family or Surrogate’s Court, one has to go through the second stage, i.e., the one is to then apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for SIJS. Though USCIS one will get SIJS that would bestow upon the child lawful permanent residence and work authorization.
Whether one receives one’s special immigrant juvenile visa and green card concurrently or applies for an adjustment of status after your SIJ application is approved, one generally receives most of the same rights and privileges as other lawful permanent residents. If the petition is approved and the child becomes a lawful permanent resident, he or she will have access to financial aid for college, be able to work legally, be eligible for some public benefits, and be able to apply for US citizenship five years after becoming a permanent resident.
However; one is to keep in mind that the granting of SIJ status is based on allegations of abuse, abandonment or neglect by the applicant’s parents, a person who receives a green card or even ultimately citizenship through the SIJ program cannot petition for a green card on behalf of those parents. Moreover, SIJ program participants cannot petition on behalf of their siblings until they become U.S. citizens through naturalization. “Immigration law is extremely complicated-and with children, more so,” says Lenni Benson, a New York Law School professor and director of Safe Passage, a nonprofit that provides legal assistance to immigrant children in the state.
Since expertise in both the family law and immigration law is required for SIJS, therefore, it’s better to retain the services of a competent attorney for these cases.
(The author, an Attorney at Law, is licensed to practice law in the States of New York, Connecticut, Virginia, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, U.S. Tax Court, U.S. District Court; Southern District of NY, U.S. District Court; Eastern District of NY. He works as an attorney with Anand Ahuja Associates, Attorneys at Law and International Business Consultants, 76 North Broadway Suite # 2000, Hicksville, NY 11801. He can be reached at anandesq@hotmail.com or on phone nos. (516) 502-3262, and (718) 850-1952. ) -
Senator Tony Avella- the man you can trust to be on your side
Remember to vote for Tony Avella on Tuesday, September 9
Senator Tony Avella has dedicated his life to fighting for middle-class families and progressive Democratic values. Senator Avella’s distinguished public service career began over 30 years ago as an aide to New York City Council Member Peter Vallone, Sr. Senator Avella later served as an aide to Mayors Koch and Dinkins and as Chief of Staff to the late State Senator Leonard Stavisky and to State Senator Toby Stavisky. Prior to seeking public office, Senator Avella served in numerous capacities as a civic activist and was a member of Queens Community Board #7. In 1997, Senator Avella was awarded New York State’s Community Service Award for his numerous volunteer and civic endeavors on behalf of all New Yorkers.
In 2001, Senator Avella won election to the New York City Council in the 19th District – Northeast Queens and was re-elected with an overwhelming majority in both the 2003 and 2005 elections. As a member of the City Council, Senator Avella served as Chair of the Zoning and Franchises Committee and was a member of five Council committees: Higher Education, Housing and Buildings, Fire and Criminal Justice Services, Land Use, and Veterans.
Senator Avella was also the founder and Chair of the first Italian-American Caucus of the City Council. During his tenure on the Council, Senator Avella authored several important pieces of legislation. Signed into law in 2005, his “Demolition by Neglect” bill enabled the Landmarks Preservation Commission to prevent the willful destruction of our City’s treasured landmarks by unscrupulous property owners. Senator Avella’s legislation was strongly supported by 46 preservation and civic groups including the Landmarks Conservancy, the Historic Districts Council and the National Historic Trust.
As a trusted public servant, Senator Avella has made fighting over-development and protecting our quality of life his top priorities. In the City Council, Senator Avella led the fight citywide against overdevelopment, the proliferation of McMansions, and other major abuses of the City’s building and zoning codes. In an effort to preserve the unique residential character and quality of life in neighborhoods throughout the City, Senator Avella helped create new zoning districts such as R2A, which prevents the construction of McMansions, rezoned major portions of his district as well as numerous other neighborhoods in the City, and enacted citywide amendments to the “Community Facilities” section.
Senator Avella’s hard work resulted in the first real changes in the City’s zoning code in over 40 years. In addition to his efforts to stop out-ofcharacter construction, Senator Avella was at the forefront of the battle to reform the City’s Department of Buildings and the Board of Standards and Appeals. Senator Avella was also the acknowledged leader in the City Council for landmark preservation, animal welfare, good government, and Veterans’ issues and benefits. As a member of the City Council, Senator Avella refused the “lulu”; an additional taxpayer funded salary increase in return for loyalty to council leadership instead of taxpayers.
Senator Avella fought against and subsequently refused the 25% City Council pay raise, which he considered unethical. Senator Avella was honored by numerous fraternal organizations, civic associations, sports and school/educational groups. Senator Avella has received such honors as the “Friend In High Places Award” from the Historic District Council, the Community Mayor’s Humanitarian Award, the coveted Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award from the New York Landmarks Conservancy, and the Benefactors’ Award from the Alley Pond Environmental Center.
In 2009, Senator Avella received the “New York City Human Rights Award” for obtaining the highest score of elected officials in New York City on the Human Rights Project’s report cards. A city-wide human rights coalition with over 100 groups from all over the City, the Human Rights Project is the lead organization of the New York City Human Rights Initiative.
First elected to the State Senate in 2010, Senator Avella, as a freshman senator, was appointed ranking member of the Cities and Environmental Conservation Committees, and has served on the Education, Aging, Banking, and Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committees. His reputation as a staunch reformer has helped to bring real change to Albany.
As a state Senator, he is proud of bringing ethics reform to New York’s Capitol, and has again refused any “lulus” for his committee positions. A strong advocate for reform and transparency in government, Senator Avella is fighting to transform the State Senate so that it works for the people once again. Senator Avella spent his first few years in Albany fighting for the people that elected him. He is proud to have voted for four on-time budgets without raising taxes. As ranking member of the Environmental Conservation Committee, he lead the fight in advocating for a ban on hydrofracking, an extremely dangerous drilling practice that poses a risk to local water supplies.
He introduced and passed in the Senate legislation that would equalize co-op and condo property tax assessments with one-two and three family homes and help lower costs at the gas pump. Re-elected by an overwhelming majority in 2012, Senator Avella has continued his dedicated service to the people of the 11th Senatorial District. He has continued to fight for progressive legislation by working to increase the minimum wage, pass the SAFE Act – the toughest gun control laws in the nation, and implement Universal Pre-K. He has prioritized women’s rights by fighting for and co-sponsoring the Women’s Equality Act.
He is an avid advocate for animal rights, having introduced multiple bills in support of the protection of animals, as well as sounded the alarm against animal rights violations. During this past legislative session, Senator Avella passed seventeen bills, four of which have been passed in the Assembly and two of which have been signed into law. He currently serves as the Chair of the Social Services Committee, Vice-Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee, and is a member of the Transportation, Education, Codes, Housing, NYC Education, Insurance, Judiciary and Banks Committees. Senator Avella is a graduate of Hunter College of the City University of New York.
He is a lifelong Queens resident and currently resides in Whitestone with his wife Judith. Avella has been endorsed by a number of Unions which include Local 246 , SEIU Automotive/Mechanical, Motor Vehicle Operations Union Local 983, 1199 SEIU, United Healthcare East, Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 1 Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), Plumbers Union Local 1, International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC), Uniformed Firefighters Association of New York (UFA-NYC), Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics & Fire Inspectors – Local 2507, FDNY, Fire Alarm Dispatchers Benevolent Association, FDNY, New York State Troopers, Council of Administrators and Supervisors, Nassau County Sheriff’s Correction Officer Benevolent Association, Correction Officers Benevolent Association (COBA), NYC Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA), Public Employees Federation (PEF), New York State Supreme Court Officers, New York State PBA, New York State Nurses Association, New York State Police Investigators Association. Mayor Bill de Blasio and Congressmember Steve Israel are among the elected officials who have endorsed Tony.
The organizations which have endorsed him are League of Humane Voters; League of Conservation Voters, Empire State Pride Agenda, Citizens Union and Sierra Club. -
South Asians for Strong America endorses Leroy Comrie for New York State Senatorial District 14
NEW YORK (TIP): A press note issued by SASA under the signatures of its Executive Director Jagjeet Singh and Director of Operations Sanjeev Jindal, carries an appeal to voters to vote for Leroy Comrie who is seeking election to New York State Senate from Senatorial District 14. The note says, “Mr. Comrie has an impressive track record of public service and is an experienced political activist who understands deeply the needs of immigrant community.
We have seen on various occasions his stands on various issues where he has given unflinching support to the South Asian Immigrant Community. “Comrie, a former Councilman and a resident of Queens epitomizes determination, fairness and compassion for the immigrant community. “SASA endorses candidates based on their support and willingness to serve the South Asian Immigrant Community. “SASA is proud to support the candidature of Leroy Comrie and urges all its supporters to go out and vote on the 9th September and elect Mr. Comrie.” -
Bollywood actor Esha Deol is Brand Ambassador for Omni Mortgage & Realty
HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP): Omni Mortgage and Realty has a Brand Ambassador in Esha Deol, a famous Bollywood actor and an accomplished dancer. The announcement was made by Herman Singh, President of the company, in the presence of the actor and a large gathering of clients and well wishers in the Company’s office in Hicksville September 1. Speaking with The Indian Panorama on the occasion, Esha talked about her Bollywood career and the plans to go on a world tour with her sister and mother Hema Malini giving dance performances which have been names as Parampara (Tradition). These dances will portray the rich dance tradition of India.
Asked how he felt being the Brand Ambassador of Omni, she said she was happy to be associated with the company and Herman Singh. Esha was accompanied by her suave husband, Bharat Takhtani. Celebrity Consultant Bharat Goradia of V. Internationa Inc. and Jay Jasbir Singh, Publisher/Editor of Hum Hindustani were instrumental in arranging the deal. The guests were treated to a bar-becue lunch from the famous MINT Indian restaurant of Garry Sikka.
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US looks forward to Modi’s visit, growing economic ties with India
JAIPUR (TIP): US is looking forward to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to America later this month and hopes to grow economic ties with India. Addressing a gathering of entrepreneurs at American Business Corner in Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce and Industry here last night, US Ambassador to India Kathleen Stephens said the Indo-US relationship needs to be reintegrated. She expressed the hope that the new government in India with strong democratic mandate will not only have a strong engagement with the US, but also with the neighboring countries and the world.
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BJP Global Convener, Overseas Affairs Vijay Jolly calls upon Indian Americans to extend a tumultuous welcome to Modi
I.S. Saluja
Vijay Jolly, BJP Global Convener, Overseas Affairs was on US Tour from August 18 to 30 to drum up support for Modi’s reception in New York on September 28. He visited, in all, 12 locations in Canada and USA. The US locations included Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, New Jersey and Washington He was accompanied on the visit by Rajyavardhan Rathore, Member of Parliament.
Vijay Jolly and Rajyavardhan Rathore with Ambassador Mulay and members of Indian American community at the lunch hosted by the Consul General in honor of the visiting leaders L to R: Pam Kwatra, Vijay Nahata, Jagdish Sewhaney, Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, Vijay Jolly, Rajyavardhan Rathore, Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay, Chandrakant Patel, Atma Singh, Harry Bolla
One of his engagements in New York on August 26 was a meeting over lunch with India’s Consul General Dnyaneshwar Mule at the latter’s residence where I was also invited as were some more members of the Indian American community. Since we have known each other for some time now, there was an air of informality between us when I asked him for an interview for The Indian Panorama. I must thank him for his appreciation of the publication which he said he read on line every week. When asked the purpose of his visit to Canada and USA, he said, it was to galvanize the overseas units to work for the success of the civic reception planned for Modi in New York on September 28.
To my question as to what he thought was the response of the Indo Canadian and Indo American community to Modi’s visit to USA, he said people were excited and keen to come to New York to see him. He added, “However, we know the place (Madison Square Garden) cannot hold beyond 18,000 and feel sorry for many who may not be able to get the tickets to come in”. Asked what he felt was the implication of Modi’s visit at the invitation of President Obama, he said, the visit of Prime Minister of India to the United States at the invitation of President of USA signifies a lot.
Vijay Jolly (center) and Rajyavardhan Rathore, M.P. (Right) with Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay
To put in a few words, it signals the desire of the United States to have friendly and close ties with India. Vijay said he was sanguine the meeting between India’s Prime Minister and US President will strengthen the already strong ties between the two nations and lead to greater cooperation in various fields. As Vijay Jolly was leaving, he turned to me and said, “Mark my words. Modiji will get a tumultuous welcome in USA, the kind of which was never accorded to a Prime Minister of India in USA”. -
US open to new Gaza resolution if it helps truce
UNITED NATIONS (TIP): The United States is open to a new UN resolution on Gaza but only if it contributes to sustaining the Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire, the US envoy to the United Nations said. Ambassador Samantha Power said that a resolution must “do no harm” to the ceasefire that has been holding in recent days and Israeli- Palestinian talks that are scheduled to resume in Cairo, and should “play a positive role in supporting a durable solution.” “Nothing underscores the urgency of securing … a negotiated two-state solution like the crisis in Gaza and the heartbreak that so many people on both sides suffered throughout that crisis,” she said.
Hanan Ashrawi, a senior figure in the Palestine Liberation Organization, told a news conference here Tuesday that the Palestinians are demanding a commitment to the 1967 borders and a deadline for the end of Israel’s occupation, adding when pressed that “within three years, the occupation should end.”She also criticised the failed US peace initiative by US secretary of state John Kerry, saying it allowed Israel “to persist in policies” that she characterized as unilateral and abusive.Power defended Kerry’s mission and stressed that negotiations are the only way to achieve a two-state solution where Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace. -
Hurricane Norbert heads up Mexico’s Pacific coast
LOS CABOS, MEXICO (TIP): Hurricane Norbert scattered rain along Mexico’s Pacific coast on september 4 as it headed for a brush with the Los Cabos resorts. Officials in Los Cabos closed schools and beaches and prepared emergency shelters, though the hurricane’s center was expected to stay offshore as it roars past. The US National Hurricane Center in Miami said that Norbert had top sustained winds of 90mph (150kph) Thursday evening and it was centered about 115 miles (185 kilometers) southwest of the Baja California peninsula. Forecasters said Norbert, which reached hurricane strength Wednesday, was headed northwest at 8mph (13kph). A tropical storm warning was in effect from La Paz to Cabo San Lazaro and Mexico’s National Meteorological Service said Norbert could unleash intense rains over much of the country’s northwest.
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Nithari convict Surinder Koli to be hanged on September 12
MEERUT (TIP): Surinder Koli, convicted in the Nithari killings, will be hanged in Meerut Jail on September 12, Jail Superintendent SHM Rizvi has said. Koli was sentenced to death for the brutal killing of a 14-year-old girl. He was transferred to the Meerut jail on September 4, after the CBI court issued a death warrant following the rejection of his mercy petition by the president. Koli was taken in a police van from the Dasna jail to the Meerut jail around 6.30 p.m., a jail official said.
Earlier, the local Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court issued a death warrant to Koli after his mercy petition was rejected by President Pranab Mukherjee. Koli was shifted to Meerut because of the absence of hanging facilities in the Dasna jail. The trial court had sentenced both Koli and Maninder Singh Pandher to death, but the Allahabad High Court later acquitted Pandher. Koli’s sentence was upheld by the high court and then by the Supreme Court. Koli filed a mercy petition before the president which was turned down. Millions across India and abroad were horrified when Noida police in December 2006 found the remains of 19 young women and children from a drain next to Pandher’s bungalow in Noida. Koli and Pandher were arrested thereafter. -
CBI chief’s plea to gag press quashed
NEW DELHI (TIP): The Supreme Court on September 4 rejected a plea by CBI Director Ranjit Sinha to restrain the press from reporting information purported to be from a visitors’ diary of his residence, saying the court did not have any control over it.
A bench of justices H L Dattu and S A Bobde, however, said that they expected that the press would act in a responsible manner in the sensitive matter. The CBI director has found himself in soup after news reports emerged alleging that he has been frequently meeting 2G spectrum scam accused, besides entertaining other people being probed by the agency as well as the Income Tax department in different cases. The court, however, allowed advocate Prashant Bhushan to file a supplementary affidavit relating to the issue of several 2G scam accused frequently visiting Sinha’s residence at Janpath here on the basis of purported copy of visitors’ register. Bhushan has sought recusal of Sinha from interfering in the 2G case.
As the bench assembled to take up the allegations against Sinha, senior advocate Vikas Singh, representing the CBI director, pointed out that in spite of the apex court’s order on Tuesday to keep all the materials in sealed cover, the information about alleged visitors were leaked to the press. “It is question of right to privacy and reputation of individuals.
It is a matter of reputation of important functionary of the government,” he said, urging the court to bar the press from further publishing the details. To this, the bench said, “We expect the people to respect (our order) till the time we are hearing the matter; sometimes, it (press) oversteps, everybody is doing his job.” At the outset, the court said that it has gone through the materials relating to Sinha’s visitors and asked Bhushan to state everything in the form of an affidavit.
The bench said it would hear the matter on Monday. Singh, however, insisted saying that the pendency of matter would further aggravate the situation the way press was going about it. He also urged the court not to take up the affidavit until Bhushan revealed the source of information and its veracity was not ascertained. -
COURT ISSUES ARREST WARRANT AGAINST RAILWAY MINISTER’S SON
Karthik Gowda, accused of rape and cheating by Kannada actress Maithreyi, had earlier failed to appear for the hearing
BANGALORE (TIP): In a blow for Karthik Gowda, son of Railway Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, a Bangalore court issued arrest warrant and lookout notice for him after he failed to appear in a trial against him. “As Karthik failed to appear before our investigation team despite repeated summons since Aug 29 for questioning on the charges alleged against him by Maithreyi, the eighth additional city metropolitan magistrate issued the warrant to arrest him,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) T.R. Suresh said.
Police have formed two teams to look for 30-year-old Karthik in Bangalore and across the state. Police in Goa and Kerala have also been alerted to look out for him. A search team has left for Madikeri in Kodagu district, about 230 km from here, as he got engaged there Aug 27 and was later seen in Mangalore. “Once arrested, we will present him (Karthik) in the court and seek his custody for interrogation.
The case is booked against him Aug 27 under Sections 376 (rape) and 420 (cheating) of the IPC (Indian Penal Court) on the basis of complaint filed by Maithreyi,” said Suresh. arthik was accused of rape and cheating by Kannada actress Maithreyi.Maithreyi has claimed that Karthik tied the wedding knot with her June 5 at his other house in Mangalore, about 350 km from Bangalore, and that they consummated the informal marriage after he forced himself upon her.
On September 30, Karthik moved a court for anticipatory bail in the case. The city sessions court, however, adjourned the case for further hearing to Sep 4 after issuing notice to the R.T. Nagar police station where the complaint was filed on September 3. The court also asked the police station if it would file objections to Karthik’s anticipatory bail plea. -
Former Virginia governor and wife convicted of corruption
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA (TIP): Former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell and his wife were convicted on September 4 of using his office to promote a dietary supplement in exchange for gifts in a public corruption case that derailed the career of a onetime rising Republican star. A federal jury convicted Bob McDonnell of 11 of the 13 counts he faced; Maureen McDonnell was convicted of nine of the 13 counts she had faced. Sentencing was scheduled for January 6. Both bowed their heads and wept as a chorus of “guilty” kept coming from the court clerk.
McDonnell was widely considered a possible running mate for presidential candidate Mitt Romney in 2012. The couple left the courtroom separately and remained apart. Bob McDonnell left first and walked into a witness waiting room; Maureen McDonnell came out later, hugging one of her daughters while weeping loudly. She went into a separate waiting room. The couple was charged with doing favors for a wealthy vitamin executive in exchange for more than $1,65,000 in gifts and loans.
They also were charged with submitting fraudulent bank loan applications, and Maureen McDonnell was charged with one count of obstruction. The trial was a sensation in political circles in Washington, just over the Virginia state line, as lawyers for McDonnell and his wife provided intimate details of the breakdown of their marriage in hopes of convincing jurors that they could not have conspired because they were barely speaking. “This is a difficult and disappointing day for the commonwealth and its citizens. Public service frequently requires sacrifice and almost always requires financial sacrifice,” said Dana Boente, the U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Virginia.
The former governor testified in his own defense, insisting that he provided nothing more than routine political courtesies to former Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams. Maureen McDonnell did not testify. His testimony and that of others exposed embarrassing details about Maureen McDonnell’s erratic behavior and the couple’s marital woes as the defense suggested they could not have conspired because they were barely speaking. Williams testified under immunity that he spent freely on the McDonnells in order to secure their help promoting his supposed cure-all, the tobaccoderived anti-inflammatory Anatabloc.
Among the gifts were nearly $20,000 in designer clothing and accessories for Maureen McDonnell, a $6,500 Rolex watch for her husband, $15,000 in catering for one of their daughter’s wedding, free vacations and golf outings. Williams also provided three loans totaling $120,000. As the gifts were being given, the McDonnells attended various Anatabloc promotional events and hosted a luncheon at the governor’s mansion that the company billed as a product launch.
Williams also was allowed to invite several of his associates to a reception for Virginia health care leaders at the mansion, and McDonnell arranged meetings for him with two state health officials as he was taking preliminary steps to seek state-backed research on Anatabloc. No applications for research grants were ever submitted. -
Editor, scribes, PR executives held in China for extortion
BEIJING (TIP): Chinese police have detained eight journalists and public relations (PR) executives for alleged extortion in Shanghai. They include the editor-in-chief of a popular business news website and heads of two PR agencies. The Shanghai Municipal Public Security Office said the journalists of the news website 21cbh.com and PR firms worked together to extort money from dozens of companies since November 2013. They offered favorable coverage in return.
China has covered journalists under its anti-corruption drive along with government officials. The move comes amid several investigations and detentions of journalists, including senior editors and presenters of the state broadcaster, China Central Television, on charges of bribery in recent weeks. The detained journalists usually targeted companies vulnerable to adverse media coverage. These included those seeking stock listing or undergoing management restructuring. The website ran positive stories with exaggerated content after receiving “huge payments”.
Guangdong-based 21st Century Media Co, which runs the website, claims to be “the largest professional media operator in the Chinese financial and business media industry”. It owns major print publications like the 21st Century Business Herald, Money Week and 21st Century Business Review. Victims of this journalist-PR agency nexus included several major companies from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong. The two PR firms investigated are based in Shanghai and Shenzhen. The official Xinhua news agency gave surnames of the website’s editor in chief as Liu and his deputy as Zhou. -
China president ‘cancels’ Pak trip over crisis
ISLAMABAD (TIP): Chinese President Xi Jinping has cancelled his Pakistan visit later this month due to ongoing antigovernment protests in Islamabad. Federal minister Ahsan Iqbal tweeted this on Thursday while lashing out at opposition leader Imran Khan and Canadian- Pakistani preacher Tahir ul-Qadri, who are leading the protests in the heart of the Pakistani capital. “Congrats! IK and TUQ visit of China President is cancelled. Biggest diplomatic blow to Pakistan thanks to them.
They have caused shame to us,” Iqbal tweeted. But foreign office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said the Pakistan government has not been informed about any such development through diplomatic channels. National security advisor Sartaj Aziz said the leader’s visit will not be cancelled but may be delayed. The Chinese embassy officials too denied having any knowledge of the cancellation of Xi’s visit. “We are closely monitoring the situation in Islamabad,” said an official.
A Chinese team had arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday to finalize the dates for the visit and to review the security situation in the backdrop of the protests. Reports said it did not give him clearance to visit Pakistan. Instead, it was suggested he should visit Lahore. But his security team did not give clearance for that either. -
SOUTH AFRICA DENIES VISA TO DALAI LAMA FOR THIRD TIME
CAPE TOWN (TIP): For the third time in a row, South Africa has refused to grant a visa to the Dalai Lama for attending World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates here next month, fearing that the Tibetan spiritual leader’s trip would jeopardize relations with China.
The Dalai Lama’s representative in South Africa, Nangsa Choedon, said that Department of International Relations and Co-operation officials had informed her over phone that the Tibetan spiritual leader would not be granted a visa, the Independent Online reported. “For now the Dalai Lama has decided to cancel his trip to South Africa,” Choedon said. Choedon, however, said that her office was yet to receive a written confirmation from the South African government.
She said the Dalai Lama, who lives in India, had applied for visa in New Delhi on August 27. The summit, an annual gathering, is being held in Cape Town for the first time, with the arrangements being made by a local committee formed by foundations representing four South African peace laureates – Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, FW de Klerk and Albert Luthuli. The refusal could provoke a boycott of the 14th annual peace summit to be held from October 13 to 15 as some Nobel Peace Laureates have told Tutu they will not come if the Dalai Lama is not permitted to enter the country.
“I have heard that if the Dalai Lama is not allowed into the country, other invited guests have said they will not come,” Tutu’s spokesman Roger Friedman was quoted as saying by Independent Online. Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille, who is to host the event, said she had instructed city officials to write to the government to establish whether the Dalai Lama had been denied a visa. “We have not heard from them yet, but I will not give up hope that our government will not humiliate the Dalai Lama again,” De Lille said.
China accuses the Dalai Lama of campaigning for Tibet’s independence and regularly uses its economic and political might to put pressure on governments around the world to prevent contacts with him. It is the third time in five years that 79- year-old Dalai Lama had to cancel his visit to South Africa because of a failure to secure a visa. In 2009, a peace conference in Johannesburg, arranged to highlight the World Cup in South Africa, was cancelled because the Dalai Lama was refused a visa.
