Several lawmakers over the weekend rejected and condemned Executive Order No. 65 as issued by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, describing it as a “return to junta rule in Liberia.”On December 4, 2014 President Sirleaf issued an Executive Order placing a ban on political rallies, parades, and demonstrations in Monrovia for about 42 days.The President’s temporary legislation undermines existing legislation requiring that persons desiring to march or demonstrate be made to obtain prior permits from the Ministry of Justice. Madam Sirleaf further noted that said legal framework has “proven ineffective to address rallies, parades and concerted mass movements on the streets of Monrovia and its environs.”Addressing a news conference at the Capitol Building in Monrovia, 14 of Montserrado County’s 19 legislative caucus members emphatically denounced and condemned the Executive Order, describing it as “draconian.” Delivering the statement on behalf of the 14 Representatives, Montserrado County Representative Henry Farhnbulleh said while cognizant of the fact that the Liberian Constitution guarantees democratically cherished inalienable rights, “we categorically reject any semblance of the return to junta rule and despotism.”“We, therefore, unanimously caution the President to immediately rescind and retract such a tyrannical order which has the proclivity to thwart our nascent democracy.“There shall be no reversal of the democratic gains we have made through the blood and sweat of our compatriots.  We want to assure you, our fellow citizens, that we will do everything within the ambiance of the law to protect the Constitution, which we are under oath to uphold,” the lawmakers said.The Montserrado County lawmakers expressed suspicion over the President’s declaration, terming it as “deliberate and with a sinister motive to antagonize only Montserrado County, where her son Robert is contesting and flagrantly violating the mandate of the Supreme Court and the National Elections Commission (NEC) with impunity.Meanwhile, Representative Edward Forh of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to focus their attention on Liberia during the closing stages of the regime of Madam Johnson Sirleaf.Using state security to clamp down on political rivals is an abuse of power and contravenes fundamental human rights, Rep. Forh declared.The caucus believed that allowing such a law to take effect in Liberia means that Liberians are facing a creeping threat to their fledgling democratic governance.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) read more

The United Nations and international and local medical agencies have cautioned Liberians against complacency about the Ebola virus spread.Liberians, especially those in Montserrado County and some other parts of the country reporting new Ebola cases, have been strongly warned to avoid traditional burial practices and harmful religious beliefs that promote the spread of the deadly virus.Furthermore Liberians are urged by authorities leading the Ebola fight to desist from all acts that are counterproductive to the eradication of the virus and to remain in strict compliance with preventive measures such as frequently washing hands, avoiding crowdedness, handshakes and hugging.These warnings come against the backdrop of Liberians gathering in large numbers and going back to the entrenched practices driven by traditional and religious beliefs, which include washing and touching suspected Ebola dead bodies.Moreover, during the Christmas celebrations, many Liberians and businesspeople were seen crowded into commercial and private vehicles owing to the acute transportation shortage, especially in the nation’s capital, Monrovia.Reasons cited for the Ebola spread in Montserrado County are the defiant behavior of residents in overcrowding at entertainment centers and in transport vehicles, ignoring the health measures. Commercial and public service transport providers were seen crowding passengers and relatives into their vehicles.  Some motorcyclists are now carrying three to four passengers on one motorbike, whereas they had been instructed to carry only one person per ride.The UN and medical aid agencies have warned about the consequences of the resurgence of the deadly Ebola virus on the entire population, cautioning that despite the enormous gains by the Liberian Government and its support partners, complacency and return to old habits must be sternly discouraged in every corner and hamlet of Liberia.Some of Monrovia’s health commentators told the Daily Observer during the weekend that it should not be surprising that the Ebola virus continues to spread in Montserrado County, especially over the past few months.Regrettably, in spite of enormous medical assistance that has been infused in Montserrado County, the virus continues to spread in some areas.The Incident Management Team leader of the Ebola virus at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW), Assistant Minister Tolbert Nyeswah, disclosed recently that 47 new cases of the deadly virus have surfaced in Grand Cape Mount County.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) read more

The Department of Environment in the Ministry of the Presidency, in collaboration with the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) Coordinating Office/UN Environment, will on Saturday host consultations at the St. Mary’s Primary School at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara.A solar farmThe objective of this exercise is to foster awareness of the GSDS, to foster greater participation therein, and to advance the strategy.These consultations are being hosted by the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), and are seeing support from the Ministry of Communities (MoC), the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MoIPA), and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs). The slogan used will be “Time to Think, Time to Decide, Time to Act”.The Ministry of the Presidency explained that during consultations, Guyanese will be encouraged to think, discuss and communicate their ideas and vision on “how Guyana should be developed economically and sustainably over the 20-year GSDS time frame”.“Participants will also learn about the Framework of the Guyana Green State Development Strategy and Financial Mechanisms – a document developed through a similar consultation process in 2017, and approved by the Government of Guyana, (which) has established key sectoral and thematic priorities of the GSDS,” it was stated.It was further explained that the GSDS consultations are being conducted across all of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions, and have already begun in Region Four at La Bonne Intention, and Providence; and in Region Five at Bush Lot and Moraikobai,Government is urging Guyanese nationals, representatives of public/private sector and civil society groups to “come out, share (your) opinions, and make (your) voice count.”Government has been pushing the country’s green agenda with focus on utilising measures that have less impact on the environment, such a solar power, recycling, and bio-fuel. Earlier this month, The Green Guyana Expo and International Small Business Summit was launched to promote the initiative. It fell under the theme “Sustainable economic growth through small businesses innovation, entrepreneurship and transformative Government policies”. read more

AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREWhicker: Clemson demonstrates that it’s tough to knock out the champOn Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average finished up 65.27 points at 13,323.47 after a roller-coaster day. 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! WASHINGTON – Housing construction fell in November, with single-family activity dropping to the lowest level in more than 16 years. Analysts said the recession in housing showed no signs of a turnaround. The Commerce Department reported Tuesday that construction of new homes and apartments dropped by 3.7percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.187million units. Construction of single-family homes fell by 5.5percent to an annual rate of 829,000 units. It was the eighth consecutive drop in single-family starts, pushing activity in this area to the lowest level since April 1991. Apartment building rose last month by 4.4percent to an annual rate of 332,000 units. In an ominous sign for future activity, the government reported that applications for building permits fell for a sixth straight month, dropping by 1.5percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.15million units, the slowest pace for building permits since June 1993. read more

AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREOregon Ducks football players get stuck on Disney ride during Rose Bowl eventThe district’s Latino males had the lowest graduation rates at 39 percent, followed by black males at 49 percent. “It’s pretty bad. Large districts in general are doing less well and Los Angeles is toward the bottom of that list,” said Jay Greene, co-author of the study and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. The national average is a 70 percent graduation rate. The study looked at how many students entered high school in 1999 and how many regular diplomas were awarded in 2003. Greene said the region’s challenging demographic profile can’t be blamed for the problem. “We can see that demography is not destiny looking at some of the districts who have managed to produce success with minority students,” he said. The California Department of Education puts the LAUSD’s graduation rate at 65.7 percent for 2003 – a number district officials expect to increase by as much as 10 percentage points by next year. A new study found that barely half of Los Angeles Unified School District students receive their high school diplomas, mirroring a Harvard University study a year ago that alarmed city officials and fueled debate over the district’s effectiveness. The LAUSD ranks 86th out of the nation’s 100 largest school districts in its graduation rate – lower than districts in Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas – according to the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research study funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. And the results were even bleaker for the district’s minority students. Blacks had a 55 percent graduation rate and Latinos, 44 percent, compared with 77 percent among whites and 80 percent among Asians. “All these rates … are all estimates. Depending on how you use the formula, you come up with a different number,” said Esther Wong, assistant superintendent of planning, assessment and research at the district. “I think educators should use it as a guide until a better system is in place.” In a bid to boost graduation rates, the district is developing Diploma Project, which would lower class size, assign counselors to follow up on students not coming to school, and create a more personalized middle and high school experience, Wong said. The Harvard study, which concluded that more than half of the LAUSD’s students failed to finish high school in a recent four-year period, became the source of much debate in the city. Political leaders, including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, seized on the figures to push agendas for reform ranging from mayoral takeover of the district to its breakup. “The Los Angeles school district can no longer dispute the fact that we have a dropout crisis in our public schools,” the mayor’s spokeswoman, Janelle Erickson, said. “This new study … supports Mayor Villaraigosa’s belief that we need new leadership at every level in our schools.” But another study released Wednesday conflicted with the Manhattan Institute report. A report by the nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank Economic Policy Institute concluded that nationally, graduation rates – especially for blacks and Latinos – are much higher than believed. Authors of the EPI study called reported figures that only half of minorities and two-thirds of all students graduate – including the Manhattan Institute study – “seriously inaccurate.” They put the national graduation rate of black and Latino students at 75 percent with an overall rate of 82 percent. The EPI study did not determine graduation rates specifically for the LAUSD or for California. Dropout rates can vary dramatically depending on how a district records a transfer student versus a dropout, as well as how it defines a dropout. California, for example, doesn’t count students in prison as dropouts, but those working toward their GED diplomas are. naush.boghossian@dailynews.com (818) 713-3722160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! read more

AN economist today urged the Government to bring in a ‘garden tax’ which would devastate rural Co Donegal communities.Ronan Lyons says his new ‘site valuation tax’ would add an average €625 in new taxes – and that’s on top of the new property tax and septic tank taxes already announced by the coalition government!Lyons told an economic workshop in Dublin that he accepted that this may be more unfair on households where people have larger gardens. But he insisted that homeowners in Donegal, where property values are lower, would pay less than people in Dublin.Lyons also said the tax would raise about €3 billion a year in revenue and argued that 80% of the information required to set up a tax system, based on an annual charge of 2% of the land value, already exists and could be used to levy a new tax.If the Government accepts the idea, it could devastate many rural dwellers in the county and burden them with even more taxes.YOY CAN LEAVE YOUR COMMENT ON THIS STORY BELOW © 2011 donegaldaily.com, all Rights ReservedThe copying, republication or redistribution of donegaldaily.com Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited by law.Follow us on www.twitter.com/donegaldailyFollow us on www.facebook.com/donegaldailySell anything on www.donegaldailyclassifieds.com YOU COULDN’T MAKE IT UP! ANGER AS ECONOMIST CALLS FOR ‘GARDEN TAX’ was last modified: January 27th, 2012 by BrendaShare 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:garden tax for donegal read more

CHATSWORTH – Thousands of spectators cheered on dozens of decorated floats Sunday at an annual holiday parade, where for the first time in two decades, the Candy Cat strip club took the top prize for best commercial float. Formerly known as the Chatsworth holiday parade, organizers renamed it the San Fernando Valley Holiday Parade & Family Festival this year to make the event more attractive to the entire San Fernando Valley. There was nothing revealing about Candy Cat’s float – and the two exotic dancers scheduled to ride along arrived too late to get on board. The float was a pickup truck made to look like a train, pulling a trailer full of fake rocks as rock music blared from speakers. The parade’s theme was “Rocking in the Valley.” AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREBlues bury Kings early with four first-period goals “They keep it really clean. They’re well dressed, they’re not scantily clad,” said Mark Fishlowitz, president of the Kiwanis Club of Chatsworth. “They are a part of Chatsworth culture, like it or not.” The Chatsworth-based Candy Cat was among a number of prize winners, including Cleveland High School for best marching band and a horseback team from Los Toros Mexican Restaurant for best equestrian group. The overall winner for best float was the Stoney Point Girl Scouts group. Following the parade’s theme, the Girl Scouts dressed like rock stars, from Tina Turner to Avril Lavigne. “I liked this one a lot. I got to dress up in an Elvis costume,” said Cassidy Ramirez, 10, of Santa Clarita, who threw candy canes from a trailer and punctuated her impersonation with Elvis’ trademark, “Thank you, thank you very much.” Other participants included churches, a Chabad synagogue, a moms’ club, a Bolivian folk dancing group and a karate club. The parade traveled east on Devonshire Street from Canoga Avenue to Winnetka Avenue and south on Winnetka to Lassen Street. Nathaniel Morris, 61, of Chatsworth was sitting in a lawn chair on Winnetka watching the floats go by. “I haven’t seen my grandson. When I see him it will be terrific,” said Morris, whose grandson was in the Mulholland Middle School Drum Corps. Craig Smead, a manager at the Candy Cat, said the strip club has entered the Chatsworth parade since it started about 20 years ago. “We always said they’re never going to give first place to the Candy Cat,” Smead said. “I got second place last year so I said I’m going for first place this year.” The Candy Cat’s trophy for best commercial float was placed behind the bar at the club. Alex Dobuzinskis, (818) 546-3304 alex.dobuzinskis@dailynews.com 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! read more

Paul Flynn under pressure from Michael Murphy during Donegal’s famous victory over Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final in August.Dublin GAA star Paul Flynn has admitted that last summer’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Donegal was like suffering a family bereavement.Flynn was speaking ahead of the highly anticipated rematch between Dublin and Donegal at Croke Park this weekend in the second round of matches in the Allianz National League.Dublin were odds-on favourites to defeat Donegal having destroyed any opposition put in-front of them prior to that All-Ireland semi-final clash. Jim McGuinness and Donegal didn’t read the script.The landscape has changed and Rory Gallagher is now the Donegal manager and takes his troops to HQ on Saturday night hoping for a repeat performance and result.However, Flynn admitted that the defeat was hard to stomach and likened the pain to that of a bereavement.In a candid interview with The Irish Daily Mirror Flynn said, “If we had a scored one of our goal opportunities it would have made a hell of a difference. “In many ways, it’s horrible to say it, but it’s like a bereavement.“If there is a bereavement in the family the people you want to be around are your family.“In a case like that the only people you want to be around are your team-mates who are the only ones who know exactly how your feeling.“So in the days afterwards it’s always good to meet up with the guys have a few drinks on it and reflect  on it, or not reflect on it, whatever it may be.Flynn will miss out on this weekend’s clash as he continues his rehab after surgery. DUBLIN STAR ADMITS DEFEAT TO DONEGAL WAS LIKE A FAMILY BEREAVEMENT was last modified: February 3rd, 2015 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:donegaldublinGAAnewsPaul FlynnSport read more

by Dr Henry RichterThis is a continuation of my discussion on the requirements to allow life to exist on a planet elsewhere in the universe. My discussion moved from our position in the galaxy, our position in the solar system, and then focused on the earth, looking at the influence of our moon, our planetary motion, and our atmosphere. This article will look at the gross characteristics of our earth, its rotation rate, structure from interior to surface, and the existence and value of our magnetic field.Rotation RateIn my last article in this series, the importance of a small inclination of the spin axis was examined. Looking at the spin of the earth – one rotation in twenty-four hours – allows for what I would call a reasonable night-to-day ratio. This could also be considered rest-to-work-time ratio. We could consider the situation of a fast spin – say a one-hour day. I suppose a living organism could adapt to a short cycle such as this, but it would not allow time for a metabolic process to quickly change from “on” to “slow.” We are used to decent periods of activity, and then recovery through resting. It probably would not affect plants much, but animals which move around and engage in activities would not be able to pursue much in the way of a productive schedule. A spin rate of once every one hour might lessen the effect of gravity a bit through centrifugal force, but not much. It might change the earth’s core and affect the magnetic field. A fast spin might throw off some of our gaseous atmosphere.Credit: Illustra MediaA spin rate of, say, three hundred hours to the day would be a long stretch between activity and rest. It would require much energy storage in the individual to keep active for one-hundred-fifty hours in a day, even though there would be one-hundred-fifty hours to replenish the energy supply. A slow spin might not prohibit the development and existence of life, but it would sure change the physical form.Elemental CompositionI have mentioned the composition of the earth. The earth has a hot liquid iron-nickel core which churns in constant motion. The churning may be caused by the slow loss of heat to the surface, with resulting convection currents moving the liquid. I feel certain that the structure and composition of the earth helps produce a result that allows life, but I cannot pinpoint specifics so cannot conclusively add the composition or structure  to the list of absolute requirements. We do know that the earth’s magnetic field results from the nature and activity of the molten metallic core.Magnetic FieldHaving now mentioned the magnetic field, I believe this is an absolute necessity to protect the earth. The earth rides through space in a magnetic  bubble which wards off different types of particles which would be destructive if they reached the earth’s atmosphere or surface. The sun gives off several  types of particles in the form of the solar wind, coronal eruptions, and solar flares. The particles consist of both electrons and ions. The electrons, being lighter, are confined to the sun’s magnetic field lines, and often decay into x-rays which can be detected at the earth. The ions consist mainly of protons, with a smattering of heavier element ions.A NASA report  from the Goddard Space Flight Center states:We cannot observe the way the distant universe accelerates cosmic rays or produces energetic photons, but acceleration processes also occur on our Sun, though on a much more moderate scale.Starting in 1942, Geiger counters and other detectors, set up to monitor cosmic rays, have occasionally seen sudden increases in the intensity of the radiation, associated with outbursts on the Sun, mostly with visible flares. The cosmic ray intensity returns to normal within minutes or hours, as the acceleration process ends and as accelerated ions disperse throughout interplanetary space.On the scale of cosmic radiation, solar-produced ions have relatively low energies, generally below 1 Gev (=billion electron volts) and rarely above 10 Gev. That is why such events are often missed by cosmic ray detectors near the equator, where the lowest energies are excluded by the Earth’s magnetic field. The best detectors for observing solar particles are therefore those sensitive to the lowest energies of the cosmic radiation.These solar particles are destructive to tissues and materials. They are deflected by the earth’s magnetic field lines, or trapped into the magnetic field lines and become part of the Van Allen belts. They occasionally slide down the magnetic field lines into the polar regions making the spectacular aurora (northern lights). The auroras are particularly prominent after solar storms or corona magnetic ejection events. But these are particles that would reach the earth were they not deflected or trapped by the magnetic field. So the magnetic field is absolutely crucial to protecting life. Were it not there, over time the solar wind and particle flux would strip away the earth’s atmosphere.The sun emits a wide range of particles of different energies. These are known to cause a variety of damages to materials. The range of parameters and types of damage are shown in the following table from the European Spacecast website, which monitors emissions harmful to satellites:The table shows the varieties of damage that exposure to these solar ejecta and emissions can cause. These are present bombarding the earth at all times, although they vary in intensity depending on the solar activity. A planet without a sizable magnetic field would not retain an atmosphere for any length of time as the solar wind would slowly (or maybe rapidly) blast the atoms and molecules into space. A few collisions of energetic particles with atmospheric molecules would send them flying like billiard balls in various directions, but many would end up sailing out into space.CME takes aim at Earth. Credit: SOHO/NASAIt has been known for some time that the magnetic field affected cosmic rays impinging the earth. That is why cosmic ray measurements have been made at a wide range of longitudes. Not much was known about the solar wind until earth satellites were developed and measurements outside the earth’s atmosphere became possible. Measurements by rocket-borne detectors were made outside the atmosphere, but it was mainly measurements in the polar regions, where the magnetic field was lowest, that many measurements of the solar wind were made.So, among the criteria of conditions crucial to life on an exoplanet, the existence of a suitable magnetic field is high on the list. The strength of the field is important: strong enough to produce a magnetic bubble of the right size, but not too strong to affect surface processes.Obviously any exoplanet must have a host star to orbit. Any star being fueled by thermonuclear reactions will produce radiation and will eject particles; thus, the need for planetary protection like that afforded by our magnetic field: another “coincidence” that turned out just right at earth.Dr Henry Richter, a contributing science writer to Creation-Evolution Headlines, was a key player at NASA/JPL in the early days of the American space program. With a PhD in Chemistry, Physics and Electrical Engineering from Caltech), Dr Richter brings a perspective about science with the wisdom of years of personal involvement. His book America’s Leap Into Space: My Time at JPL and the First Explorer Satellites (2015), chronicles the beginnings of the space program based on his own records and careful research into rare NASA documents, providing unequaled glimpses into events and personnel in the early days of rocketry that only an insider can give. His next book, Spacecraft Earth: A Guide for Passengers, is due out later in 2017. For more about Dr Richter, see his Author Profile.(Visited 438 times, 1 visits today)FacebookTwitterPinterestSave分享0 read more

Tsabeng Nthite – Sasol Limited Chief Executive Officer and Joint President Mr Bongani Nqwababa, joins the list of multinational CEOs who provide testimonials on Brand South Africa’s CEOs Know campaign – why their corporates continue to invest in South Africa – while highlighting South Africa’s competitive strengths as an attractive foreign investment destination.In his interview, Nqwababa said that he is inspired by how resilient of South Africans are as well as their ability to overcome adversity. The country is a great investment destination because it not only has opportunities in the resources, but also has opportunities across the economic spectrum.Sasol is an international integrated chemicals and energy company that leverages technologies and the expertise of our 30 300 people working in 33 countries. The multinational develops and commercialises technologies, and builds and operates world-scale facilities to produce a range of high-value product stream, including liquid fuels, chemicals and low-carbon electricity.Sasol was established in 1950 in South Africa and we remain one of the country’s largest investors in capital projects, skills development and technological research and development.  The company is listed on the JSE in South Africa and on the New York Stock Exchange in the United States.“As the most industrialised country in Southern Africa, South Africa offers opportunities for companies to grow domestically and also for them to expand into the African continent. From an FDI perspective, South Africa is a wonderful place to invest in for a variety of reasons – our legal system is developed, our courts and judiciary are independent, we have sound financial systems, and well-developed local capital markets,” said Nqwababa.Brand South Africa – in collaboration with Business Leadership South Africa launched the CEOs Know campaign to position South Africa as in ideal investment destination. The CEOs Know Campaign features various CEO’s from multinational corporations based in South Africa, who share insights behind their continued investment into South Africa. read more