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Source: http://twitter.com/ProgressTX/statuses/252100672638566402
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Sunday, September 30, 2012
Spain crisis fuels Catalan separatist sentiment
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) ? Three weeks after a massive Catalan separatist march in Barcelona ? the biggest since the 1970s ? the independence flags still flutter from balconies across Spain's second largest city.
Spain's crushing recession has had this divisive consequence: soaring popular sentiment in Catalonia that the affluent region would be better off as separate nation.
On Thursday, regional lawmakers voted to hold a referendum for Catalonia's seven million citizens to decide whether they want to break away from Spain. The Spanish government says that the referendum would be unconstitutional. And it's unclear if the "Yes" vote would win ? even in these restless times.
But it looks more likely than ever that Catalonia may ask to go its own way.
"I have a big Catalan flag on the balcony. I put it up a week before the demonstration on Sept. 11 and it is still hanging there," said Gemma Mondon, 46, a mother of two. "I think we would be better off if we can manage our money. I think we would do much better."
Catalonia, a northeastern region that is historically one of Spain's wealthiest and most industrialized, has always harbored a strong nationalist streak. Separatism is especially entrenched in the rural towns and villages outside its more cosmopolitan capital Barcelona, where people switch between speaking Spanish and Catalan with ease and at times without even noticing.
In the peaceful transition from the Franco dictatorship to prosperous democracy, Catalans were content just to recover the freedom to openly speak, teach and publish in their own Catalan language, a right denied under Franco for over 30 years.
But now, generations-old grievances for more self-government and recognition of their culture are rising to the surface as the economic downturn bites.
Many Catalans feel their quest for a sense for nationhood has been frustrated by the intransigence of the central government in Madrid. The most recent of these clashes came in 2010 when Spain's Constitutional Court weakened the Statute of Autonomy for Catalonia, a sweeping package of laws that devolved more power to the region and would have recognized Catalonia as a nation, albeit one within Spain.
Spain's slump, which has led to a spike in unemployment and harsh austerity cuts, has proven to be the tipping point for many Catalans who used to be against or ambivalent about seeking their own state.
Mondon, who works for a family run real estate management firm, said that just over a year ago she voted "No" in a nonbinding referendum organized by pro-independence groups. Now, she says she has changed her mind.
"I always felt Spanish and Catalan and I never had the urge to be independent. A year ago I just wanted to be left alone to speak my language and raise my children in a Catalan school," said Mondon. "My attitude was 'don't bother me,' but now that has changed."
Catalonia will go to the polls on Nov. 25, with regional president Artur Mas' center-right nationalist party Convergencia i Unio expected to increase its hold of the regional parliament. Mas has said he will hold a referendum on Catalonia's self-determination, whether the Spanish government permits it or not. The date has yet to be set.
"If the Spanish government authorizes (the referendum), more the better," said Mas. "If the Spanish government turns its back on us and doesn't authorize a referendum or another type of vote, well, we will do it anyway."
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy insists the country's constitution doesn't allow a region to secede on its own, and experts say it would be virtually impossible for Catalan separatists to get it changed. Spain's Basque region, the other part of the country with a strong separatist movement, tried to get such a move approved in Parliament in 2005 but failed.
"It's not a scenario planned by the constitution," said Francisco Perez-Latre, a communications professor at the University of Navarra who has closely monitored the Catalan independence movement for years.
The new political uncertainty about the economically important region and major tourism destination is unsettling for investors already worried about Rajoy's ability to keep his country's shaky economy afloat, and within the euro currency club.
There are also doubts about how well-equipped Catalonia would be to go it alone.
Catalonia, sitting on its own mountain of debt, has in fact asked Spain for a ?5.9 billion bailout. But many Catalans argue that the region is only heavily indebted because it has to pay more than its fair due in taxes compared to services and funding it gets in return. Spain's other better-off regions also give more than they receive. Rajoy, however, has emboldened Catalan separatists by flatly rejecting demands for more power in levying tax revenues and deciding how it is spent, privileges granted to two other Spanish regions: the Basque Country and Navarra.
Rajoy's stance has combined with Spain's gloomy prospects to push Catalans who never wanted to break away from Spain before to conclude that the country itself is a failure.
"I put the Catalan flag on my balcony for the first time. Normally, I have been very discreet with my political ideas. But I think now I have to go a step further," said architect Albert Estanyol, 48, whose mother came from southern Spain. "Before, when asked about independence, I would say 'Why?' Now, I say, 'Why not?'"
Catalonia has over 800,000 unemployed, almost 22 percent of its population. That's slightly lower than Spain's national jobless rate, but the back-to-back recessions have been particularly hard on young workers in Catalonia. Since 2007, over 100,000 Catalans under 25 have lost their jobs, and the unemployment rate for workers under 25 has skyrocketed to over 50 percent, close to the national level for the same age bracket.
"I have looked for work. Since I was 18 I have had six or seven jobs, they have all been unstable, poorly paid, like filling in for two weeks at IKEA. They have had nothing to do with what I studied," said Roger Cervino, a 23-year-old who holds a degree in history.
"The economic situation is bad and one of the solutions to ending the crisis is secession. It would be complicated, but Catalonia has the capacity to reach full employment," he said. "What stops it is Spain, and above all the Spanish government, which has been a disaster."
___
Alan Clendenning contributed from Madrid.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/spain-crisis-fuels-catalan-separatist-sentiment-073933870.html
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Saturday, September 29, 2012
Great Pyrenees pup!! | Lone Tree | eBay Classifieds (Kijiji) | 23683016
Gorgeous female Pyr. pup - just turned one year old. She is spayed, UTD on shots (will need rabies booster soon), housebroken, and an excellent dog. She is very big and weighs somewhere around 90lbs. Incredible with kids and loves to play with other dogs. Sorry, no idea how she does with cats. Completely healthy, has had regular grooming by our groomer, and is a very happy dog. She is an excellent guard dog but is not aggressive in any way. She will keep coyotes, foxes, and critters off your land and keep the bunnies out of your garden. Our dog can come inside or stay outside but she prefers the outdoors.
We are rehoming her due to the fact that we can't teach her not to chase horses and she's been kicked at too many times. She is a livestock protection dog and is NOT a herding dog so this behavior is not typical and something that is unsafe for her. If you don't have horses or goats (she chases them too) then you won't have any problems.
We considered rehoming her once before and posted the ad but then decided to try more training to stop her from chasing the horses. Nothing we've tried has worked so this time we have no choice. We are sad about that but it is in her best interest. My apologies if you had contacted me previously.
She will come with elevated food bowls, food, leash, and collar.
Source: http://denver.ebayclassifieds.com/dogs-puppies/lone-tree/great-pyrenees-pup/?ad=23683016
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Uygulama Haber 24. B?l?m "En iyi iOS ve Android uygulamalar?"
Android ve iOS i?letim sistemli cihazlarda kullanabilece?iniz haftan?n en iyi oyun ve uygulamalar? ?tan?tt???m?z Uygulama Haber program?m?z?n 24. B?l?m?nde sizleri birbirinden farkl? oyun ve uygulamalar bekliyor
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Source: http://www.donanimhaber.com/Uygulama_Haber_24_Bolum_En_iyi_iOS_ve_Android_uygulamalari-36581.htm
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Princess Anne urges commitment to graft fight | Times of Zambia
?
?PRINCESS Anne (insert) addresses parliamentarians yesterday.
By CHILA NAMAIKO? ?
PRINCESS Anne of Great Britain has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to continue showing exemplary commitment in the fight against corruption by drafting adequate and effective laws.
And Government chief whip, Yamfwa Mukanga has hailed Britain?s plans to help Zambia with about 59 million British Pounds annually until 2015 to help hasten her achievement to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS).
Speaking in Lusaka yesterday at Parliament buildings when she addressed MPs, Princess Anne said Zambia had made considerable achievements in many sectors of the economy.
Princess Anne was impressed with the continued dedication exhibited by the Government and parliamentarians to fight corruption in areas such as reinstatement of the abuse of authority of office clause.
?May I congratulate you for the commitment to fighting corruption by reviewing the constitutional process which should happen on a regular basis,? Princess Anne said.
The Princess, who is the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (UK), was on a four-day tour of duty in Zambia and was expected to leave the country today.
At Parliament, she was flanked by Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini. Among other dignitaries who attended the parliamentarians? meeting in the auditorium, was leader of Government business and Vice-President Guy Scott.
Princess Anne said Zambia was scoring considerable achievements in various sectors and that the country had potential to grow further because of fertile and abundant land coupled with rich natural resources.
She was happy with Zambia for the peaceful transfer of power from former MMD regime to newly elected Patriotic Front (PF) Government under the leadership of President Michael Sata.
Princess Anne hailed the country for its continued role played in peacekeeping missions and was happy with the solid and cordial bilateral relationship enjoyed between Zambia and the UK.
On the recent Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Anne thanked President Sata for being among hundreds of heads of State who attended the colourful event.
The Princess?s visit to Zambia was part of the celebrations of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II?s Diamond Jubilee. Her Majesty last visited Zambia in 1979.
Mr Mukanga who is Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister said Zambia was gratified with the British government for its plans of spending an average of 59 million Pounds annually until 2015 in Zambia to attain MDG targets on poverty, maternal and mortality and sanitation.
He said Zambia was thankful to her Majesty for being instrumental in supporting the Government deliver better services to its citizens.
?Her Majesty?s government support through the Department for International Development (DfID) is very welcome as it will help to support our Government improve its systems and use its resources to deliver better services,? he said.
He said Britain?s commitment to help Zambia tackle corruption and increase transparency and accountability to its citizens was in line with the PF Government?s zero tolerance for corruption.
Mr Mukanga hailed Britain for the supported it had rendered to Parliament?s reform programme in conjunction with other cooperating partners to enable Zambian Government become a real Parliament.
He said her Majesty the Queen?s role as head of the Commonwealth was appreciated by all member States like Zambia as she had shown dedicated service and leadership in her 60 years reign.
The minister said the Queen had shown unsurpassed personal and unwavering commitment to all that the Commonwealth represented in areas of shared values of democracy, development and diversity.
?It is for this reason that we wish her Majesty long life so that she can continue to render her invaluable service to the Commonwealth family,? Mr Mukanga said.
The Commonwealth remains a relevant organisation in helping all its 54 independent member States to tackle challenges of the modern world.
He said Zambia and the UK were adapting to challenges such as continued economic growth, climate change, threats from crime and lawlessness, unemployment, human rights, abuses that cemented the cherished relationships.
And Dr Scott is this morning expected to move a motion to adjoun Parliament to enable MPs attend Mama Betty Kaunda?s burial.
Source: http://www.times.co.zm/?p=13918
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Friday, September 28, 2012
10 percent of all online traffic is bots, says study
3 hrs.
A new study by advertising company Solve Media indicates that one out of 10 hits on any given website is a bot or automated script. No matter how you look at it, that's a lot of robo-clicks.
"Bots" aren't actual robots sitting at a computer, of course. They're a kind of?specialized software that can do anything from clicking an ad thousands of times to commenting or registering for an account. They're everywhere; Facebook recently revealed that it has over 83 million fake users, many of which are certainly bots. There are also friendly bots, like the ones Google uses to index sites, but they generally try to stay out sight and not cause trouble.
Solve Media works in the CAPTCHA world ? those "type what you see" tests that purport to check that you're human ? so it has had many occasions to study bots'?behavior. Its 10 percent number is based on looking at more than?100 million unique visitors a month across its ad network for over a year, applying hundreds of what they call "attack vectors" to identify bots.
Solve Media's CEO told AdWeek that as the same bots get encountered again and again, the company gets get "more and more reputation data and a valuable understanding of who they are and what they are." In other words, they don't just count the bots, they get to know them.
Most bots are based in the U.S., they said, but U.S.?websites aren't actually the highest in bot activity, with around?16 percent off traffic attributable to them. In Singapore and Taiwan, Solve Media found bot rates of more than?50 percent. And it's rising: the company?says "aberrant traffic" rose 400 percent during the 18-month study.
That's bad news for advertisers who have spent their money on display ads. If half the visitors to a site are fake, that's half their money wasted! Solve Media, naturally enough, recommends its own platform for controlling such fraudulent activity, but if even a top-shelf website like Facebook has trouble doing it, the problem may be getting out of control.
Devin Coldewey is a?contributing writer for NBC News Digital. His personal website is?coldewey.cc.
Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/10-percent-all-online-traffic-bots-says-study-6176354
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Thursday, September 27, 2012
Dot Earth Blog: Priest Included in Philippines Investigation of Ivory Smuggling
7:04 p.m. | Updated below |
There?s an important development in the global ivory wars, stemming directly from the great National Geographic article (explored on Dot Earth recently) that focused on the demand created by the market for religious icons carved from elephant tusks. A Catholic priest, whose statements about ways to illicitly ship ivory to the United States were featured in the magazine article, is being investigated by government authorities in the Philippines. Here are the details, as reported by Floyd Whaley out of Manila for The Times:
MANILA ? Philippine law enforcement officials said on Wednesday that they were investigating whether a senior priest in the Roman Catholic Church was involved in the smuggling of elephant ivory to feed country?s passion for religious icons.
The investigation was prompted by an article in the October issue of National Geographic magazine that quotes Msgr. Crist?bal Garcia, a senior church official on the central Philippine island of Cebu, as telling an American reporter how to smuggle illegal elephant ivory figurines into the United States. ?Wrap it in old, stinky underwear and pour ketchup on it,? he is quoted as saying, to deter inspection.
The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation and the country?s wildlife protection agency are investigating the claims made in the article, government officials said. [Read the rest.]
6:03 p.m. |Update
There?s an update on another issue that has dogged Garcia for 20 years:
CEBU CITY, Philippines? Msgr. Cristobal Garcia has been suspended and stripped of his positions in the archdiocese of Cebu on orders of the Vatican while the Holy See investigates accusations he molested altar boys more than 20 years ago in the United States.
Msgr. Achilles Dakay, the archdiocese?s media liaison officer, said Garcia?s suspension came months before the priest was implicated by a National Geographic article in illegal trade of ivory in the Philippines. [Read the rest.]
7:03 p.m. |Update
Bryan Christy, the author of the article that triggered the new ivory inquiries in the Philippines, has a post up at National Geographic Web site. Here?s an excerpt:
Earlier today Jose S. Palma, Archbishop of Cebu, held a press conference, ?Ivory Worship and Msgr. Cris Garcia? (see below), in which he reportedly announced that ivory collector Monsignor Garcia had been suspended and stripped of his position in the archdiocese of Cebu on orders of the Vatican. Palma emphasized that this move was not the result of my investigation, which features Garcia, but rather is the result of Garcia?s sexual abuse of minor boys while serving in Los Angeles, California in the 1980s. The case was exposed by Brooks Egerton of the Dallas Morning News as part of that newspaper?s 2005 series, ?Runaway Priests: Hiding in Plain Sight.? My story cited the Dallas Morning News story and reiterated Garcia?s past. [Read the rest.]
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