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Marlene Pinnock: Woman punched by CHP officer gets $1.5 million

Nancy Clayson
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Marlene Pinnock: Woman punched by CHP officer gets $1.5 million

Marlene Pinnock, who was repeatedly punched in the face and head by a police officer at the side of the road, will receive $1.5 million in compensation.

Footage posted on YouTube in July 2014 shows a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer straddling the woman and hitting her many times.

The settlement agreed on September 24 came after nine hours of talks between lawyers in Los Angeles.

A CHP statement said the officer, on leave since the incident, has resigned.

“When this incident occurred, I promised that I would look into it and vowed a swift resolution,” said the statement by CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.

“Today, we have worked constructively to reach a settlement agreement that is satisfactory to all parties involved.”

The bulk of the money will go into a special needs trust for 51-year-old Marlene Pinnock, the CHP said.

Marlene Pinnock’s lawyer Caree Harper said the settlement secured the two things she wanted.

In July 2014, Marlene Pinnock was repeatedly punched in the face and head by a CHP officer at the side of the road
In July 2014, Marlene Pinnock was repeatedly punched in the face and head by a CHP officer at the side of the road

“One of the things we wanted to make sure of was that she was provided for in a manner that accommodated her unique situation in life, and that the officer was not going to be an officer anymore.”

Police had said the woman was endangering herself and motorists walking on the shoulder of a busy highway in the west of Los Angeles.

The incident was captured by passing motorist David Diaz, who said the officer arrived as the woman was walking off the highway, but he “agitated the situation”.

The officer is seen forcing her to the ground, briefly struggling with her before repeatedly punching her.

A few moments later, a plainclothes officer enters the picture and helps his colleague put the woman in handcuffs.

According to court documents, Marlene Pinnock suffered no signs of physical injury and refused medical treatment. She was placed under psychiatric supervision for two weeks.

“He grabbed me, he threw me down, he started beating me,” Marlene Pinnock told Associated Press news agency last month.

“I felt like he was trying to kill me, beat me to death.”

The officer could still face criminal charges.

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Cyprus: Salamis Filoxenia cruise ship rescues 300 people stranded in boat off Paphos

Diane A. Wade
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Cyprus: Salamis Filoxenia cruise ship rescues 300 people stranded in boat off Paphos

Three hundred people have been rescued by Salamis Filoxenia cruise ship off Cyprus after their boat ran into trouble in rough seas.

The stranded are thought to be Syrian refugees.

The refugees were taken aboard the Salamis Filoxenia, Limassol port master Girgos Pouros said. All are said to be in good health.

Most of the people on the small fishing boat that sent a distress signal were women and children.

They were spotted 55 nautical miles south of the town of Paphos.

Cypriot authorities said they picked up a radio distress signal as the boat was caught in rough seas
Cypriot authorities said they picked up a radio distress signal as the boat was caught in rough seas

“It was quite a difficult operation,” Kikis Vasiliou, director of Salamis Cruises that owns the cruise ship, was quoted as saying by the Cyprus Mail website.

“All the passengers are safe.”

The vessel was expected to dock in Limassol later on Thursday, September 25.

Cypriot authorities earlier said they picked up a radio distress signal as the boat was caught in rough seas.

This year has seen a dramatic increase in the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean in overcrowded boats – particularly people fleeing the conflict in Syria. The majority have headed for Italy and Malta.

Libya, racked by unrest and lawlessness, has become a major people-trafficking hub. However, Cyprus lies closer to Syria.

iOS 8.0.1: Apple publishes support document and apologizes for iOS 8 update bug

Nancy Clayson
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iOS 8.0.1: Apple publishes support document and apologizes for iOS 8 update bug

Apple has issued an apology after an update to its iOS 8 left some iPhones users unable to make or receive calls.

Users who had installed iOS 8.0.1 on the iPhone 6 models also complained it had caused problems for the handsets’ Touch ID fingerprint facility.

The update had been released less than a week after the phones had gone on sale in order to fix other issues.

Apple said it was working on a new version.

“We have a workaround for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users who lost cellular service and Touch ID functionality today after updating to iOS 8.0.1,” it said.

“Affected users can reinstall iOS 8 through iTunes.

“We apologize for the great inconvenience experienced by users, and are working around the clock to prepare iOS 8.0.2 with a fix for the issue, and will release it as soon as it is ready in the next few days.”

Apple has also published a support document that lists the steps affected users can take to revert their devices to the previous version of the operating system.

Apple has issued an apology after its iOS 8 update left some iPhones users unable to make or receive calls
Apple has issued an apology after its iOS 8 update left some iPhones users unable to make or receive calls

The iOS 8.0.1 update had been made available online for less than an hour before it was pulled on September 24.

MacRumors reported that within that time the iOS 8.01. had caused connectivity problems for subscribers to networks including EE in the UK, Vodafone in Germany, AT&T and Verizon in the US and Rogers in Canada.

Apple had said the update was intended to fix other bugs including:

  • An issue that could cause unexpected data usage when receiving a text message
  • A bug that had prevented apps designed to work with its HealthKit software from being made available
  • An issue that prevented some apps from accessing photos on the iPhone or iPad’s library

While it is common for tech companies to issue bug fixes shortly after the release of a major new version of software, it is not usual for them to have to recall the code.

The mistake comes at a time when Apple has suffered a series of setbacks.

Last week Apple released a tool to remove the new U2 album from iTunes users’ libraries – which it had given away for free – after complaints that its songs had automatically been downloaded to devices without their owners’ permission.

On September 23, claims were made that some of the new iPhones had bent after being placed in users’ pockets – it is as yet unclear whether this is a major problem or not.

One day later it emerged that a bug in OS X could leave the company’s Mac computers open to attack.

The Shellshock bug also affects computers powered by Linux.

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US and coalition airstrikes target ISIS-held oil refineries in Syria

Roy Siemens
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US and coalition airstrikes target ISIS-held oil refineries in Syria

New US and coalition airstrikes have targeted ISIS-held oil refineries in Syria.

The raids killed 14 ISIS fighters and five civilians in eastern Syria, activists said.

The US military said the refineries generated as much as $2 million per day in revenue for ISIS.

President Barack Obama has vowed to dismantle the ISIS “network of death”.

ISIS has seized large areas of Syria and Iraq in recent months and controls several oilfields. Sales of smuggled crude oil have helped finance its offensive in both countries.

The US has launched nearly 200 air strikes against the militants in Iraq since August and expanded the operation against ISIS to Syria on September 22.

On September 24, the UN Security Council adopted a binding resolution compelling states to prevent their nationals joining jihadists in Iraq and Syria.

New US and coalition airstrikes have targeted ISIS-held oil refineries in Syria
New US and coalition airstrikes have targeted ISIS-held oil refineries in Syria (photo Reuters)

President Barack Obama chaired the session and said nations must prevent the recruitment and financing of foreign fighters.

The US military said the fresh air strikes, using fighter jets and drones, hit “small-scale” refineries that were producing “between 300-500 barrels of refined petroleum per day”.

“We are still assessing the outcome of the attack on the refineries, but have initial indications that the strikes were successful,” the US Central Command said in a statement.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an activist group that monitors the Syrian conflict, said the strikes killed 14 ISIS fighters in Deir al-Zour and five civilians in Hassakeh.

The US says more than 40 countries have offered to join the anti-ISIS coalition.

France said its fighter jets were carrying out air strikes in Iraq again on Thursday, a day after the beheading of a French hostage in Algeria by an IS-linked jihadist group.

The French military has been carrying out air strikes in Iraq since last week but has not taken part in anti-IS operations in Syria.

On September 24, the Dutch government said it was deploying six F-16 fighter to join the US-led air campaign.

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Dengue fever: Brazil releases mosquitoes contaminated with Wolbachia bacteria

Kathryn R. Bown
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Dengue fever: Brazil releases mosquitoes contaminated with Wolbachia bacteria

Brazil has released thousands of mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria that suppress dengue fever.

Researchers hope the good mosquitoes will multiply, breed and become the majority, thus reducing cases of the disease.

The initiative is part of a program also taking place in Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia.

The intercellular bacteria, Wolbachia, being introduced cannot be transmitted to humans.

The program started in 2012 says Luciano Moreira of the Brazilian research institute Fiocruz, who is leading the project in Brazil.

“Our teams performed weekly visits to the four neighborhoods in Rio being targeted. Mosquitoes were analyzed after collection in special traps.

“Transparency and proper information for the households is a priority.”

Ten thousands mosquitoes will be released each month for four months with the first release in Tubiacanga, in the north of Rio de Janeiro.

Brazilian researchers in Rio de Janeiro have released thousands of mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria that suppress dengue fever
Brazilian researchers in Rio de Janeiro have released thousands of mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria that suppress dengue fever

The bacterium Wolbachia is found in 60% of insects. It acts like a vaccine for the mosquito which carries dengue, Aedes aegypti, stopping the dengue virus multiplying in its body.

Wolbachia also has an effect on reproduction. If a contaminated male fertilizes the eggs of a female without the bacteria, these eggs do not turn into larvae.

If the male and female are contaminated or if only a female has the bacteria, all future generations of mosquito will carry Wolbachia.

As a result, Aedes mosquitoes with Wolbachia become predominant without researchers having to constantly release more contaminated insects.

In Australia this happened within 10 weeks on average.

The research on Wolbachia began at the University of Monash in Australia in 2008. The researchers allowed the mosquitoes to feed on their own arms for five years because of concerns at the time Wolbachia could infect humans and domestic animals.

Three more neighborhoods will be targeted next, and large scale studies to evaluate the effect of the strategy are planned for 2016.

Dengue fever re-emerged in Brazil in 1981 after an absence of more than 20 years.

Over the past 30 years, seven million cases were reported.

Brazil leads the world in the number of dengue cases, with 3.2 million cases and 800 deaths reported in the 2009-2014 period.

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Barack Obama’s Coffee Salute Condemned on Twitter

Nancy Clayson
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Barack Obama’s Coffee Salute Condemned on Twitter

Many Americans took to Twitter to condemn President Barack Obama after he appeared to salute Marine Corps guards outside his helicopter while holding a coffee cup in his right hand.

The uproar began after the White House posted a video on Instagram of Barack Obama disembarking from Marine One on September 23, as he arrived in New York to address the UN General Assembly.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 2,740 followers had commented on the post.

On the surface, the debate centered on military etiquette. @Maddogritch pointed out that the president should have moved his coffee to his left hand while saluting with the right.

Others pointed out that as a civilian, the president need not salute a uniformed military service member. Doing so is a recently-adopted practice that started with Ronald Reagan.

An unnamed Reddit contributor and military veteran wrote that while he was not a big fan of the president, he thought Barack Obama was in the clear.

Many Americans took to Twitter to condemn President Barack Obama after he appeared to salute Marine Corps guards holding a coffee cup in his right hand
Many Americans took to Twitter to condemn President Barack Obama after he appeared to salute Marine Corps guards holding a coffee cup in his right hand

“He’s already saluting out of uniform. It’s a pleasantry similar to saying <<Thanks dude>>, that serves the sole purpose of letting the marine know he can cut his salute.”

More importantly, as commander-in-chief of the US armed forces, “by military custom, he doesn’t owe anybody a damn thing”, the veteran wrote.

But beneath the protocol debate was a tired argument with new props, between those who support Obama versus those who don’t.

“These types of incidents tend to flare up and go away,” says Frank Newport, editor-in-chief of the Gallup poll.

“I’m sure photos of Obama’s salute with a Starbucks cup circulated among those who were already anti-Obama, but I can’t believe, based on my experience, that it’s going to have much impact overall on how people view him and indirectly, on the Democratic candidates.”

While a great many of the 17,000 participants in the Twitter debate were critical of the president, others found it to be a good excuse to post a picture of former President George W. Bush awkwardly saluting while trying to keep his grip on his dog.

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Richard Branson offers employees as much vacation as they want

Clyde K. Valle
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Richard Branson offers employees as much vacation as they want

Virgin’s Richard Branson is offering his personal staff as much vacation as they want.

On his website, Richard Branson said that his staff of 170 could “take off whenever they want for as long as they want”.

He added that there was no need to ask for approval, nor say when they planned to return, the assumption being that the absence would not damage the company.

Richard Branson said he was inspired by his daughter, who read about a similar plan at the online TV firm Netflix.

“It is left to the employee alone to decide if and when he or she feels like taking a few hours, a day, a week or a month off,” wrote the billionaire.

Virgin’s Richard Branson is offering his personal staff as much vacation as they want
Virgin’s Richard Branson is offering his personal staff as much vacation as they want

“The assumption being that they are only going to do it when they feel a 100% comfortable that they and their team are up to date on every project and that their absence will not in any way damage the business – or, for that matter, their careers!”

He added that he had introduced the policy in the UK and the US “where vacation policies can be particularly draconian”. If it goes well there, Richard Branson said he would encourage subsidiaries to follow suit.

“We should focus on what people get done, not on how many hours or days worked. Just as we don’t have a nine-to-five policy, we don’t need a vacation policy,” he wrote.

The blog is an excerpt from a forthcoming book.

Virgin Group employs more than 50,000 people around the world and operates in more than 50 countries.

Richard Branson started the company in 1970 and it has gone from mail order record company to having businesses in telecoms, travel and financial services.

Los Angeles raises minimum hotel wage to $15.37 per hour

Clyde K. Valle
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Los Angeles raises minimum hotel wage to $15.37 per hour

Los Angeles has raised the minimum wage at large hotels to $15.37 per hour.

In a 12-3 vote, the LA city council approved the rise for hotels with more than 300 rooms on July 1, 2015, and for hotels with more than 150 rooms a year later.

The new wage floor would be one of the highest in the US.

It was opposed by the hotel industry, which said it would force worker redundancies. Mayor Eric Garcetti has said he will sign the bill into law.

Under the measure passed on Wednesday, the minimum could be temporarily waived for hotels facing bankruptcy or imminent closure. Hotels with unionized workers could also be exempt if minimum wages are defined in collective bargaining agreements.

It is unclear how many workers the rise will affect. An earlier study, based on a threshold of 125 rooms, estimated the number at 13,000 employees, the Los Angeles Daily News reported.

Because the vote was not unanimous, the council will take a second vote next week in order to pass it formally.

The Los Angeles city council has voted to raise the minimum wage at large hotels to $15.37 per hour
The Los Angeles city council has voted to raise the minimum wage at large hotels to $15.37 per hour (photo Reuters)

Wednesday’s vote comes after Seattle’s city council voted to raise its hourly minimum to $15 over several years. San Francisco will vote on a similar rise in November.

Eric Garcetti has pledged to push for a city-wide rise to $13.25 by 2017.

California’s current minimum hourly wage is $9, rising to $10 by January 1, 2016.

The vote was the result of a sustained campaign by local community councils, labor unions, and the American Civil Liberties Union, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Councilman Bernard Parks, one of the three votes against, argued wage rises should not be “just for a specific union or industry or business”, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Hospitality industry figures warned the rise could lead to hotels making workers redundant.

And some hotel industry executives suggested employees who receive tips should be exempt.

“Please give it some more time to let us discuss this,” Mike Czarcinski, chairman of the Hotel Association of Los Angeles, told council members ahead of the vote, saying his organization thinks $13.25 per hour “is the right number”.

However, supporters said larger hotels could afford to pay higher wages in an industry where many workers struggle to escape poverty.

“It’s time to lift the floor in Los Angeles, it’s time to bring economic justice in Los Angeles, it’s time to raise LA,” Councilman Mike Bonin said.

Ferguson protests: Five people arrested and two police officers injured in renewed violence

Nancy Clayson
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Ferguson protests: Five people arrested and two police officers injured in renewed violence

Five people were arrested and two police officers injured in renewed violence overnight on the streets of Ferguson, Missouri.

The renewed violence sparked in the town after a fire destroyed a shrine to Michael Brown, the black teenager killed by a police officer last month.

Police in Ferguson have said they will not tolerate further violence in the town after protesters looted shops and harassed officers on Tuesday night.

There were violent clashes between police and demonstrators after the shooting of an unarmed black teenager by a white policeman last month.

Police said that two officers were injured after confronting the crowd the night before.

Earlier, a memorial to the teenager burnt down in a suspicious fire.

Michael Brown, 18, was shot by Officer Darren Wilson on August 9 after being stopped for walking in the street.

His shooting led to nights of running street battles between protesters and heavily armed police.

Burning of Michael Brown memorial led to more Ferguson protests
Burning of Michael Brown memorial led to more Ferguson protests

Although community leaders and politicians were successful in calming Ferguson’s majority black population, the town remains tense with many demanding Darren Wilson’s prosecution for the shooting.

On Tuesday night, a shot was looted and vandalized and rocks thrown at police.

A decision was made to disperse protestors an officer was harassed, said Captain Ron Johnson of the Missouri state highway patrol.

“This behavior will not be tolerated,” he said.

The renewed violence came as a St Louis grand jury decides whether or not to charge Darren Wilson with Michael Brown’s shooting.

It is unclear when they will make a decision. A separate investigation by the US justice department is ongoing.

Earlier on Tuesday, a memorial on the street Michael Brown was shot was burnt down in suspicious circumstances.

Police said the cause of the blaze was under investigation, and local residents suspected arson.

One man told the Associated Press news agency it was like a grave had been desecrated.

A separate memorial marking the spot where Michael Brown died was not damaged in the fire.

Candles have been part of both memorials on the street for weeks, the St Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Several hours later, the memorial had been rebuilt with new teddy bears, flowers and signs.

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Vince Vaughn and Colin Farrell confirmed for True Detective Season 2

Sonia Pantiss
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Vince Vaughn and Colin Farrell confirmed for True Detective Season 2

Vince Vaughn and Colin Farrell have been confirmed as the new stars of the second season of True Detective.

Eight episodes will be made with Colin Farrell starring as a detective and Vince Vaughn as a criminal, HBO has confirmed.

First time around, Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey took centre stage, earning them critical plaudits and award nominations.

That series focused on the intense relationship between Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey’s flawed but determined detectives.

Vince Vaughn and Colin Farrell have been confirmed as the new stars of the second season of True Detective
Vince Vaughn and Colin Farrell have been confirmed as the new stars of the second season of True Detective

Without revealing any spoilers, HBO has revealed some early details about series two.

It says the plot will revolve around three police officers and a career criminal who must “navigate a web of conspiracy in the aftermath of a murder”.

Colin Farrell plays Ray Velcoro who HBO describe as “a compromised detective whose allegiances are torn between his masters in a corrupt police department and the mobster who owns him”.

As for Vince Vaughn, he will play Frank Semyon who is a “career criminal in danger of losing his empire when his move into legitimate enterprise is upended by the murder of a business partner”.

There’s no word on any appearances for Woody Harrelson or Matthew McConaughey and no word on where the second series will be set.

Justin Lin, who’s directed the last four Fast & Furious movies, will direct the first two episodes.

True Detective production will begin later this year.

Tony Stewart cleared by grand jury in Kevin Ward Jr’s death case

Clyde K. Valle
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Tony Stewart cleared by grand jury in Kevin Ward Jr’s death case

NASCAR driver Tony Stewart will not face criminal charges in the crash that killed 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr. during a sprint car race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park on August 9, a grand jury in Ontario County (N.Y.) ruled Wednesday afternoon, following two days of hearings.

“This week an Ontario County grand jury has been meeting to hear testimony and review evidence gathered in the Tony Stewart matter, relating to the death of Kevin Ward at the Canandaigua Motor Speedway on August 9, 2014. The grand jury has completed its investigation,” said Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo.

“During the course of the grand jury presentation, approximately two dozen witnesses testified. These included a number of race car drivers, racetrack employees and volunteers, two accident reconstruction experts, medical personnel, and a number of police officers. In addition, the grand jury reviewed a number of photographs and video recordings, as well as other documentary evidence. After listening to and questioning all of the witnesses, and reviewing all of the evidence, the grand jury has determined that there is no basis to charge Tony Stewart with any crimes; his case was ‘No-Billed’ by the grand jury.”

Michael Tantillo also said marijuana was detected in Kevin Ward’s system during his autopsy. He said the levels were enough to “impair” Kevin Ward’s judgment.

Tony Stewart will not face criminal charges in the crash that killed Kevin Ward Jr. during a sprint car race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park
Tony Stewart will not face criminal charges in the crash that killed Kevin Ward Jr. during a sprint car race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park

Kevin Ward Jr. died in a crash during an Empire Super Sprints Series race at the half-mile upstate New York dirt track. Tony Stewart was inside of Kevin Ward when he drifted to the outside and Ward made contact with the wall.

Under caution, Kevin Ward got out of his car and walked toward Tony Stewart’s car, gesturing at the three-time NASCAR champion. As Tony Stewart’s car approached Kevin Ward, Stewart’s right-rear wheel hit Ward, who was thrown into the air and died as a result of the contact.

The Office of the Sheriff announced September 11 said the investigation was completed and the case was being forwarded to the District Attorney.

A statement issued by the Sheriff’s Office September 11 said: “The entire thorough investigation, including a forensic video enhancement recently received from the New York State Police Laboratory in Albany, has been submitted to the Office of the Ontario County District for review. The District Attorney’s Office, which has been meeting throughout the investigative process with members of the Sheriff’s Office, will make a statement late next week advising what action will be taken regarding the investigation.”

Then on September 16, the District Attorney said the case would be turned over to the grand jury.

Tony Stewart missed the first three Sprint Cup races after Kevin Ward’s death, returning at Atlanta Motor Speedway on August 29. At Atlanta, a visibly distraught Tony Stewart read from a prepared statement. He did not answer any questions.

“This is a sadness and a pain that I hope no one ever has to experience in their life,” said Tony Stewart.

“With that being said, I know that the pain and the mourning that Kevin Ward’s family and friends are experiencing is something that I can’t possibly imagine.”

Tony Stewart thanked his friends, family and the NASCAR community for standing by him.

“I’ve taken the last couple weeks off out of respect for Kevin and his family and also to cope with the accident in my own way,” he said.

“It’s given me the time to think about life and how easy it is to take it for granted. I miss my team, my teammates, and I miss being back in the race car. I think getting back in the car this week with my racing family will help me get through this difficult time.”

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The Role of eBooks in Environmental Responsibility

Ricky Robinson
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The Role of eBooks in Environmental Responsibility

eBooks have many advantages, and most people are familiar with some of the key benefits: affordability, instant gratification, large print capabilities, audio capabilities, educational interaction, and saved space, to name a few. However, many people remain unaware of the very important and unique advantage eBooks have concerning the environment. To learn more about how eBooks may actually help care for the environment, try taking a look at the information below. Many people are at least a little surprised to find out how great of an impact eBooks may have on the world around them – both intellectually and physically.

Going Green with Plastic?

The Role of eBooks in Environmental Responsibility
The Role of eBooks in Environmental Responsibility

The “go green” movement continues to sweep through the nation with much success. People are starting to realize that planet Earth cannot be treated thoughtlessly. As a result of this, many industries are becoming more conscientious about the products they manufacture and the way in which they manufacture them. Consumer demand is more and more about ethicality than about quantity. Therefore, traditional publishing companies are beginning to produce more and more eBooks in an effort to reduce the number of trees cut and amount of paper used during traditional printing processes. A lot of consumers have jumped on board with the digital over paper campaign; however, many who are reading this article may be a little skeptical about the concept of eBooks as environmentally friendly items. Both plastic and paper are poor for the environment, so what is the difference? Can the world really be improved if more plastic is being used than ever? In this case, many individuals state that choosing the lesser of two evils is the way to go. Preserving the many trees that are being cut down during mass deforestation endeavors is one of the most vital aspects of the environmental enthusiast campaigns today. Endangered animals are dying and entire people groups are being cornered due to the lack of forest left from mankind’s ravaging of resources. eBooks save trees, and this fact cannot be denied.

Paper Problems

Over 300 million tons of paper is consumed across the globe on an annual basis. Since paper is not a necessity in such a technology driven world, it causes concern among those who are environmentally conscientious. eBooks solve the paper problem by providing a way for individuals to get the same information without using a slew of natural resources.

Energy Waste

The amount of energy needed to mass produce printed books in the publishing industry is astonishing. It does not take a lot of imagination to think of how much power is burned on a regular basis at any given book manufacturing plant. The energy needed to run large equipment and machinery, heat bind pages, etc. may leave a larger carbon footprint than people had previously realized. Those who are concerned about “leaving no footprints” may want to consider whether or not buying brand new books is environmentally responsible or not. A recent news story highlighted the horror of mass publication when it reported that an entire publication of new books was pulped due to previously unnoticed typos.

Pollution

Everyone enjoys having a package show up on the front porch; however, having that new book set shipped to home may actually be a cause of pollution. Most people do not stop to consider the fact that books arrive via transportation – a.k.a. gasoline burning vehicles that leave a gigantic carbon footprint. When possible, avoid shipping physical copies of books. Instead, visit a local used bookstore or order an electronic copy of the bestseller you have been waiting for. Reading said bestseller on a Samsung Nook is just as satisfying as reading it via printed paper – maybe even more so.

Ink

The use of ink is a major concern of environmentalists. The problem is easily evidenced by the 350 million cartridges that end up in landfills on an annual basis. If homeowners use this much ink on a regular basis, then how much more ink must the publishing industry use for the mass production of traditionally printed books? The thought should be alarming to those who are concerned about about the tons of plastic discarded as ink cartridges are thrown away, or those who feel uncomfortable about the use of certain chemicals within common printing inks. Take action and protest the use of environmentally disrespectful items by purchasing eBooks instead of traditionally printed and published books.

Many people today are interested in “saving the planet;” however, very few people actually take the steps and make the actions necessary to make a difference. Even one person can make a difference by choosing more earth friendly alternatives in day-to-day living, such as the use of eBooks instead of the “norm.” Books and newspapers may seem totally normal and “in place” to citizens around the nation, but that should not be an excuse for the current lack of concern about paper waste. The prevalence of a problem does not make the problem okay. Take the time to choose which aspects of life ought to be changed in order to live in a more earth friendly lifestyle. Grab an eBook and curl up on a Fair Trade beanbag. The effort it takes to make these simple decisions is well worth it in the end – the world itself is at stake.

Bob Dylan to be named 2015’s MusiCares person of the year

Sonia Pantiss
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Bob Dylan to be named 2015’s MusiCares person of the year

Bob Dylan will be named 2015’s MusiCares person of the year at the special pre-Grammys event in February.

Jack White, Neil Young, The Black Keys, Willie Nelson and Crosby, Stills and Nash will perform at the gala to celebrate Bob Dylan, 73.

Carole King and Bruce Springsteen are among the honor’s previous recipients.

Bob Dylan has won 10 Grammys, seven of them after being handed a lifetime achievement award in 1992.

Beck, Tom Jones and Norah Jones are among the stars who will perform versions of Bob Dylan’s songs at the show on February 6, 2015, two days before the Grammys.

Bob Dylan has won 10 Grammys, seven of them after being handed a lifetime achievement award in 1992
Bob Dylan has won 10 Grammys, seven of them after being handed a lifetime achievement award in 1992

Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, Bonnie Rait and John Mellencamp will also take part in the charity gala.

“[Bob Dylan’s] body of creative work has contributed to America’s culture, as well as that of the entire world, in genuinely deep and lasting ways,” said Neil Portnow, head of the MusiCares Foundation and The Recording Academy.

Bob Dylan follows in the footsteps of the likes of Neil Young, Paul McCartney and Barbra Streisand.

Paul Simon, Elton John and Billy Joel have also been honored with the award since it was created in 1989.

“Bob Dylan’s songwriting ability is unmatched, and it will be an extraordinary evening to hear his work showcased by such a remarkable group of artists,” said Bill Silva, chair of the MusiCares Foundation Board.

Bob Dylan has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame in the US.

Samsung stops laptop sales in Europe

Nancy Clayson
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Samsung stops laptop sales in Europe

Samsung is ending its laptop sales in Europe, the company has announced.

The move includes its Chromebook model, which had previously been one of the category’s best-sellers.

The South Korean company’s decision follows Sony’s announcement earlier this year that it was selling its Vaio division and pulling out of PC sales altogether.

However, other companies have recently reported growth in the sector.

Samsung signaled it might consider similar action in other parts of the globe.

“We quickly adapt to market needs and demands,” said the company in a statement.

Samsung is ending its laptop sales in Europe
Samsung is ending its laptop sales in Europe (photo Samsung)

“In Europe, we will be discontinuing sales of laptops including Chromebooks for now.

“This is specific to the region – and is not necessarily reflective of conditions in other markets.

“We will continue to thoroughly evaluate market conditions and will make further adjustments to maintain our competitiveness in emerging PC categories.”

According to analysts, portable PC sales will grow by 5.6% this year in mature markets, partly offsetting a decline in 2013.

However, Samsung does not feature in its list of the top five PC sellers, and it appears that rivals have accounted for what growth there is.

Lenovo recently reported a 17% rise in revenue from notebook sales in its April-to-June quarter compared to the same period the previous year. It claimed that made it the most popular laptop brand in 15 European, Middle Eastern and African nations.

Apple also posted a 13% year-on-year rise in Mac sales over the same three months, driven in large part by demand for the MacBook Air.

Samsung’s smartphones have also come under pressure in recent months.

Surveys indicate sales of Samsung’s phones have been overtaken in India and China by local companies Micromax and Xiaomi.

That resulted in the Samsung Electronics division posting a 20% year-on-year drop in its net profit in June and dozens of executives voluntarily handing back part of their bonuses.

However, in recent weeks Samsung’s soon-to-be-released Galaxy Note 4 large-screened smartphone and add-on virtual reality headset have both attracted warm reviews.

Right Livelihood Award 2014: Edward Snowden wins alternative Nobel Prize

Diane A. Wade
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0
Right Livelihood Award 2014: Edward Snowden wins alternative Nobel Prize

Edward Snowden has won the 2014 Right Livelihood Award, described as Sweden’s “alternative Nobel Prize”.

The fugitive US intelligence leaker splits the honorary award with Alan Rusbridger, editor of UK newspaper The Guardian, which wrote extensively on government surveillance, based on his leaks.

Cash prizes went to three activists from Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the US.

Edward Snowden’s award seems to have caused embarrassment in Sweden.

It was due to be announced on September 25, at the Swedish foreign ministry in Stockholm, but this year the organizers were denied access and news of the laureates was leaked a day early to Swedish public broadcaster SVT.

Edward Snowden has won the 2014 Right Livelihood Award
Edward Snowden has won the 2014 Right Livelihood Award (photo The Guardian)

The prize was awarded to Edward Snowden for “his courage and skill in revealing the unprecedented extent of state surveillance violating basic democratic processes and constitutional rights”.

Alan Rusbridger was honored for “building a global media organization dedicated to responsible journalism in the public interest, undaunted by the challenges of exposing corporate and government malpractices”.

The three men sharing the cash prize of 1.5 million kronor ($210,000) are Pakistani human rights activist Asma Jahangir, Sri Lankan-born Basil Fernando of the Asian Human Rights Commission and US environmentalist Bill McKibben.

The Right Livelihood Award has previously been awarded to such people as Chinese solar power pioneer Huang Ming (2011) and a group of Israeli doctors who worked in the occupied Palestinian territories (2010).

Edward Snowden has settled in Russia since fleeing the US last year, when he leaked secret documents belonging to the National Security Agency (NSA) to The Guardian and other media.

iPhone 6 bending: Apple’s new handset bends when carried in trouser pocket

Nancy Clayson
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0
iPhone 6 bending: Apple’s new handset bends when carried in trouser pocket

More and more Apple users claim that the company’s new iPhone 6 handsets are prone to bend when carried in trouser pockets.

Several members of the public have posted photos to the MacRumors site that appear to show the problem. A reporter for the Geek.com news site also reported his phone had warped.

Other mobiles have bent in the past.

It is not yet clear if the iPhones 6’s aluminum shells make them particularly vulnerable.

Even so, the claims have been reported across tech blogs as well as mainstream media including the Independent, the Washington Post, India Today and the Sydney Morning Herald.

Apple’s new iPhone 6 handsets are prone to bend when carried in trouser pockets
Apple’s new iPhone 6 handsets are prone to bend when carried in trouser pockets

Twitter users have also posted thousands of comments about the claims, using the hashtag Bentgate.

Apple is marketing both the iPhone 6 and the larger iPhone 6 Plus as the thinnest smartphones it has released – with both models less than 0.3in (0.76cm) thick.

Some iPhone owners have posted comments to the company’s own website about the earlier models becoming misshapen, and the Cult of Mac site notes that owners of Samsung, Blackberry and other handsets have also reported instances of bent devices.

However, it is unusual for the issue to be given so much attention so soon after a launch – the new iPhones went on sale only on September 19.

Insurer Square Trade had declared the new iPhones “more durable” than their predecessors after carrying out tests, but did not carry out “bendability” checks.

YouTube show Unbox Therapy’s own stress test – which involved an unusual amount of pressure being applied – suggested that the iPhone 6 Plus was easier to bend than the plastic-coated Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

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Malcolm Young will not return to AC/DC

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Malcolm Young will not return to AC/DC

AC/DC founder Malcolm Young will not return to the band, after taking a break due to illness.

The band said “due to the nature of Malcolm’s condition” their new album Rock or Bust would be the first in AC/DC’s 41-year history not to feature Malcolm Young on the recordings.

A message on their website revealed the album would be released on December 2.

AC/DC also announced they will embark on a Rock or Bust world tour in 2015.

Stevie Young, the nephew of founding members Malcolm and Angus Young, will accompany the band on tour after playing rhythm guitar on the album.

“Earlier this year AC/DC released a statement explaining that due to illness, Malcolm would be taking a break from the band,” said the Australian rockers on September 24.

“Unfortunately, due to the nature of Malcolm’s condition, he will not be returning to the band.”

AC/DC founding member Malcolm Young will not return to the band, after taking a break due to illness
AC/DC founding member Malcolm Young will not return to the band, after taking a break due to illness

The album will feature 11 new tracks recorded at Warehouse Studio in Vancouver this spring, produced by Brendan O’Brien.

AC/DC, who formed in 1973, are one of the highest-grossing rock acts of all time, selling more than 200 million albums.

In April this year, they were forced to deny rumors they were splitting up, putting out a statement saying: “The band will continue to make music.”

At the time they also confirmed Glasgow-born Malcolm Young would be taking a break after “forty years of life dedicated to AC/DC”.

They did not reveal details of his illness, but said: “Malcolm would like to thank the group’s diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support.”

AC/DC’s biggest-selling record has been 1980’s Back In Black – the first with singer Brian Johnson following the death of former lead singer Bon Scott from alcohol poisoning.

UNGA New York: Barack Obama urges world to help dismantle ISIS’ network of death

Diane A. Wade
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0
UNGA New York: Barack Obama urges world to help dismantle ISIS’ network of death

Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, President Barack Obama has urged the world to help dismantle the Islamic State’s (ISIS) “network of death”.

Meanwhile US warplanes stepped up air strikes against ISIS militants in Iraq and Syria.

“There can be no reasoning – no negotiation – with this brand of evil,” Barack Obama said.

The US president said more than 40 countries had offered to join the anti-IS coalition. ISIS aims to set up a hardline caliphate.

The well-armed Sunni Muslim militants have seized a huge swathe of Syria and Iraq, forcing whole communities to flee in terror. They have beheaded Western hostages and have persecuted Christians, Yazidis and Shia Muslims, whom they treat as heretics.

US warplanes hit ISIS vehicles and arms dumps in new air strikes, the US military’s Central Command said.

Eight ISIS vehicles were damaged near Abu Kamal on the Syria-Iraq border, and two others in Deir al-Zour in the east of Syria, the statement said.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, President Barack Obama has urged the world to help dismantle the ISIS network of death
Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, President Barack Obama has urged the world to help dismantle the ISIS network of death (photo Reuters)

In Iraq there were strikes on IS targets west of Baghdad and southeast of Irbil, near Kurdish territory.

Earlier there were air strikes on ISIS near the border with Turkey.

“The only language understood by killers like this is the language of force,” Barack Obama said.

The US “will work with a broad coalition to dismantle this network of death,” he told the UN.

“In this effort, we do not act alone. Nor do we intend to send US troops to occupy foreign lands. Instead, we will support Iraqis and Syrians fighting to reclaim their communities. We will use our military might in a campaign of air strikes to roll back ISIL [ISIS].

“We will train and equip forces fighting against these terrorists on the ground. We will work to cut off their financing, and to stop the flow of fighters into and out of the region. Already, over 40 nations have offered to join this coalition. Today, I ask the world to join in this effort.”

Barack Obama urged Muslims to reject the ideology of ISIS and al-Qaeda.

Syrian activists reported air strikes around the Kurdish town of Kobane near Turkey, which has been besieged by ISIS fighters for several days.

Witnesses saw two military aircraft approaching from Turkey but Turkish officials denied its airspace or bases had been used in the attack.

The US-led coalition expanded its raids against IS into Syria on Monday. The US said Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain and Qatar had all “participated in or supported” the strikes.

However, the aerial bombardment near Kobane, which happened at about 01:00 local time, has not been confirmed by the US or any coalition member.

Turkish military sources said neither its air force nor the US airbase at Incirlik in southern Turkey had been used.

The US has launched nearly 200 air strikes against ISIS in Iraq since August.

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Herve Gourdel: French tourist seized in Algeria killed by Jund al-Khilafa

Roy Siemens
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0
Herve Gourdel: French tourist seized in Algeria killed by Jund al-Khilafa

French tourist Herve Gourdel, who was seized by in Algeria on September 21, has been killed, according to a video released by jihadist group Jund al-Khilafa.

Militant group Jund al-Khilafa had set a 24-hour deadline on September 23 for France to halt air strikes in Iraq.

Herve Gourdel, 55, was abducted in the north-east Kabylie region.

Herve Gourdel was abducted by Jund al-Khilafa in the north-east Kabylie region
Herve Gourdel was abducted by Jund al-Khilafa in the north-east Kabylie region (photo Facebook)

France joined the US last week in launching air strikes on Islamic State (ISIS) militants in Iraq but did not take part in the strikes on IS in Syria.

French President Francois Hollande and PM Manuel Valls, publicly rejected the group’s ultimatum on September 23.

The video of Herve Gourdel apparently being killed was entitled Message of blood for the French government, reports said.

ISIS itself has beheaded three Western hostages since August: US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and British aid worker David Haines. Their deaths were all filmed and posted online.

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Monica Spear’s killers given long sentences

Lisa.Felice
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0
Monica Spear’s killers given long sentences

Three men have been sentenced to many years in jail for the killing of Venezuelan beauty queen Monica Spear in January 2014.

The three had pleaded guilty.

Monica Spear, 29, and her British partner, Thomas Berry, were shot dead in front of their five-year-old daughter during a roadside robbery.

According to UN figures, Venezuela has the second-highest peacetime murder rate in the world, but the brutality of the crime shocked the country.

Prosecutors said the three men were part of a larger gang which targeted motorists along a highway leading from Valencia to Puerto Cabello.

The court said seven other people were still on trial for the crime but had denied the charges.

The murder of Monica Spear, who was crowned Miss Venezuela in 2004, prompted demonstrations against Venezuela's high crime rate
The murder of Monica Spear, who was crowned Miss Venezuela in 2004, prompted demonstrations against Venezuela’s high crime rate

The sentences for the three men range between 24 and 26 years in jail.

The family, who lived in the US, was on a visit to Monica Spear’s home country when they were targeted.

They were travelling at night from the city of Merida to the capital, Caracas, when their car hit a sharp object, puncturing two tyres.

While they waited for breakdown assistance, they were ambushed by the armed gang.

When the couple and their daughter hid inside the car, they were shot at by the robbers.

Monica Spear and Thomas Berry died instantly. Their daughter, Maya, was shot in the leg.

The murder of the popular beauty queen, who was crowned Miss Venezuela in 2004, prompted demonstrations against the country’s high crime rate.

President Nicolas Maduro promised to respond with “an iron fist” and said he would make tackling crime one of the government’s top priorities.

Last week, Nicolas Maduro announced his government would invest $47 million to further expand a plan to disarm civilians.

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Mangalyaan: India’s Mars mission enters orbit

James J. Williams
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Mangalyaan: India’s Mars mission enters orbit

India has successfully put the Mangalyaan robotic probe into orbit around Mars, becoming the fourth country to do so.

The Mangalyaan robotic probe, one of the cheapest interplanetary missions ever, will soon begin work studying the Red Planet’s atmosphere.

A 24-minute engine burn slowed the probe down enough to allow it to be captured by Mars’ gravity.

Indian PM Narendra Modi said the country had achieved the “near impossible”.

Speaking at the mission control centre in the southern city of Bangalore Narendra Modi said: “The odds were stacked against us. Of 51 missions attempted in the world only 21 have succeeded. We have prevailed.”

Only the US, Europe and Russia have previously sent missions to Mars, but India is the first country to succeed on its first attempt.

The latest US satellite, Maven, arrived at Mars on September 22.

NASA congratulated its Indian counterpart, the Indian Space and Research Organization (ISRO), on Wednesday’s success.

“We congratulate @ISRO for its Mars arrival! @MarsOrbiter joins the missions studying the Red Planet,” NASA tweeted.

From early in the morning, there was an atmosphere of excitement and tension at the Indian Space Agency’s Mission Tracking Centre in Bangalore.

Mangalyaan was launched from the Sriharikota spaceport on the coast of the Bay of Bengal on November 5, 2013
Mangalyaan was launched from the Sriharikota spaceport on the coast of the Bay of Bengal on November 5, 2013

Scientists, many of them women and several of them young, were seated in front of their computer monitors tracking the progress of Mangalyaan.

Giant screens above their heads fed a steady stream of data, graphics and sequence of operations. The first whoops broke out when Mangalyaan successfully fired up its liquid engine, the first in a series of critical moves to make sure that the spacecraft was able to launch into the planet’s gravitational pull.

Then there was an agonizing 20 minutes, when Mangalyaan disappeared behind Mars and beyond contact.

But there was no mistaking the moment, when the scientists all rose as one, cheered, clapped, hugged each other and exchanged high fives – ­ confirmation that Mangalyaan was now on an elliptical orbit around Mars.

After PM Narendra Modi’s congratulations, they poured out into the open and the bright sunlight, beaming as they took in the adulation.

Narendra Modi congratulated the scientists and said: “Today all of India should celebrate our scientists. Schools, colleges should applaud this.”

“If our cricket team wins a tournament, the nation celebrates. Our scientists’ achievement is greater,” he said.

The total cost of the Indian mission has been put at 4.5 billion rupees ($74 million), which makes it one of the cheapest interplanetary space missions ever.

NASA’s recent Maven mission cost $671 million.

The Mangalyaan probe will now set about taking pictures of Mars and studying its atmosphere.

One key goal is to try to detect methane in the Martian air, which could be an indicator of biological activity at, or more likely just below, the surface.

NASA has put four robot rovers on Mars since 1997 – the latest and biggest of them all, the one-tonne vehicle known as Curiosity, landed on the Red Planet in August 2012. Unlike Curiosity, the Indian probe will not land on Mars.

Mangalyaan – more formally referred to as Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) – was launched from the Sriharikota spaceport on the coast of the Bay of Bengal on November 5, 2013.

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Nicolas Sarkozy corruption case suspended

Diane A. Wade
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0
Nicolas Sarkozy corruption case suspended

According to French media, a corruption investigation against former President Nicolas Sarkozy has been suspended.

They quote judicial sources as saying that Paris appeals court will now study a request by Nicolas Sarkozy for the case to be dismissed.

Nicolas Sarkozy, 59, is still facing several other judicial investigations.

Last week he said he would seek the leadership of the opposition UMP party – the move widely seen as a first step towards a presidential bid in 2017.

Although Nicolas Sarkozy has kept a low profile since leaving office, he has faced a series of investigations that involve him in some capacity
Although Nicolas Sarkozy has kept a low profile since leaving office, he has faced a series of investigations that involve him in some capacity (photo AFP)

Nicolas Sarkozy’s announcement ended months of speculation about the intentions of the conservative former president, who vowed to give up politics after he failed to be re-elected in 2012.

The UMP party elections are due to be held in November.

Although Nicolas Sarkozy has kept a low profile since leaving office, he has faced a series of investigations that involve him in some capacity.

The suspended case relates to an alleged attempt to influence judges who were looking into his affairs.

The suspension could last several months, according to AFP news agency.

Other inquiries include one into his links with late Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi and another into illegal campaign funding in 2012.

Nicolas Sarkozy denies wrongdoing.

Abu Qatada cleared of terrorism offences by Jordan court

Roy Siemens
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0
Abu Qatada cleared of terrorism offences by Jordan court

Abu Qatada has been found not guilty of terrorism offences by a court in Jordan.

A panel of civilian judges sitting at Amman’s State Security Court cleared the radical Muslim cleric of being involved in a thwarted plot aimed at the Millennium celebrations in 2000.

The ruling comes after Abu Qatada was acquitted in June of conspiring in a 1998 bombing campaign in Jordan.

Abu Qatada was deported from the UK in July 2013.

The verdict follows a long legal battle by ministers in the UK to force Abu Qatada to face trial in his home country.

The trial was conducted at Jordan’s state security court, housed in a military base in Marka, a suburb of the capital Amman.

Abu Qatada was accused of providing spiritual support through his writings to men alleged to have planned a series of atrocities aimed at Western and Israeli targets in Jordan on Millennium Eve.

Jordanian and American investigators had the cell under surveillance and launched raids on homes in Amman in the weeks leading up to New Year.

Abu Qatada has been found not guilty of terrorism offences by a court in Jordan
Abu Qatada has been found not guilty of terrorism offences by a court in Jordan

Prosecutors said that books by Abu Qatada were found and they accused him of supplying funds to the plotters.

He denied the allegations in a trial which was punctuated by a number of outbursts by the accused.

Although Abu Qatada will soon be free, he will not be returning to London.

The radical cleric, whose real name is Omar Othman, was granted asylum in the UK in 1994 but the security service MI5 increasingly saw him as a national security threat.

More than a decade ago Abu Qatada issued rulings justifying suicide bombings. By 2005 the Home Office said he was giving religious legitimacy to those “who wish to further the aims of extreme Islamism and to engage in terrorist attacks”.

While he was in the UK, Abu Qatada had been convicted in Jordan of conspiring in the two Jordanian plots. However, the convictions were eventually thrown out because they had been based on evidence which may have been acquired by torturing his co-defendants.

A treaty signed in 2013 by Jordan and the UK banned the use of such evidence from trials in Jordan involving British deportees.

That removed the final obstacle to deporting Abu Qatada described by British judges as a “truly dangerous individual … at the centre in the United Kingdom of terrorist activities associated with al-Qaeda”.

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Starbucks takes full ownership of Japan operations for $914 million

Clyde K. Valle
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Starbucks takes full ownership of Japan operations for $914 million

Starbucks is buying out its Japanese partner in a deal worth $914 million.

Starbucks Japan has been a joint venture between Starbucks and Sazaby League since 1995.

Under the deal Starbucks will buy the 60.5% stake of the Japanese unit that it does not own. It hopes to complete the deal by the end of the year.

Japan is Starbucks’ second biggest market in terms of sales and has some of its most profitable cafes. For a nation of mostly tea-drinkers, Japan has surprisingly embraced Starbucks and the coffee culture it brought with it.

Starbucks Coffee Company CEO Howard Schultz said in a statement: “Nearly 20 years ago we opened the first Starbucks store outside of North America in Tokyo’s Ginza district with lines around the block.

Japan is Starbucks' second biggest market in terms of sales and has some of its most profitable cafes
Japan is Starbucks’ second biggest market in terms of sales and has some of its most profitable cafes

“Japan is a market we know well and care deeply about, with more than 25,000 partners serving millions of customers every week at more than 1,000 stores.”

Taking full ownership of the coffee chain will give Starbucks the opportunity to expand its product sales through grocery stores and other outlets.

Starbucks currently has a small market share for its canned coffee and other ready-to-drink products in Japan.

The company has roughly 1,050 cafes in Japan and their profit margins are among the highest in the world, despite Japan’s sluggish economy.

The world’s third largest economy is struggling to get back on the growth track, after nearly 20 years of falling prices, known as deflation.

Consumer confidence in Japan has also been hit by rise in sales tax in April.

The sales tax rose from 5% to 8% and the Japanese government will decide later this year about a further increase to 10%, to be implemented in 2015.

White House intrusion: Secret Service erects second fence after security breach

Nancy Clayson
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0
White House intrusion: Secret Service erects second fence after security breach

A second fence has been erected between the White House and a thoroughfare popular with tourists, local residents and workers, days after Omar Gonzalez scaled the main fence and entered the mansion through an unlocked door.

The Secret Service said the new fence created a “temporary buffer zone” while it reviewed its procedures.

The new barrier is a series of linked sections about 3.2ft high.

Omar Gonzalez, 42, is being held in connection with September 19 intrusion.

Authorities say the man was carrying a 3.5in knife and faces charges of unlawfully entering a restricted building carrying a “deadly or dangerous weapon”.

A second fence has been erected between the White House and a thoroughfare popular with tourists, local residents and workers
A second fence has been erected between the White House and a thoroughfare popular with tourists, local residents and workers

Omar Gonzalez, an Iraq War veteran, was previously stopped by Virginia police in July. Officers found two powerful rifles, four handguns and other firearms and ammunition in Omar Gonzalez’s vehicle along with a map marking the White House.

An unnamed federal law enforcement official told the Associated Press news agency Secret Service agents had interviewed Omar Gonzalez twice during the summer but concluded there was no evidence he was a security threat.

President Barack Obama and his family were not at the White House when the intrusion happened, having departed about 10 minutes earlier by helicopter.

The new fence went up late Monday evening.

The Secret Service, which protects the president, the vice-president, their families and visiting foreign dignitaries, in addition to other security duties, did not say how long the second barrier would be in place.

A review of security was initiated by Secret Service director Julia Pierson, who also ordered “the immediate enhancement of officer patrols and surveillance capabilities” around the White House.

Pennsylvania Avenue, which runs in front of the north facade of the White House, was closed to vehicular traffic in 1995 but remains highly popular with tourists as well as residents and office workers seeking a short cut through the parks surrounding the president’s home.

Since September 19, Washington DC residents and media figures have angrily rejected the suggestion the Secret Service screen pedestrians and cyclists who want to enter the closed stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue or block it off entirely.

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