Humanitarian groups have long opposed cluster bombs. These unique weapons consist essentially of canisters full of small grenades or bombs that are launched or dropped on a target and then spread their payload far and wide.
Sometimes all the little bombs are designed to blow up on impact. Sometimes they are made to lie in the dirt and wait for a passing soul to disturb them before they erupt. And sometimes, no matter how they are designed, they just don't explode. Instead, they lie around for weeks, months, years, until someone stumbles upon them, and then, with no warning, they can burst, killing long after the serious fighting of a battle is done.
The United Nations says it has identified 249 cluster bomb strikes in southern Lebanon and expects to find more than 300 by the time the counting is through. Thousands of the little bomblets are believed to be scattered around these sites, posing a very real and mortal danger to both the UN peacekeeping soldiers and the Lebanese civilians who are now moving back home.
Military forces say cluster bombs are essential, powerful weapons, capable of wiping out a group of men operating a rocket launcher or even disabling a small patrol of vehicles. Others say any weapon that can kill a child by accident many years after the weapon was deployed is simply too crude and too imprecise to be used by civilized nations.
When it comes the worldwide battle against terrorist and militant groups, what do you think: Are cluster bombs a necessary tool or an avoidable evil?
SOWETO, South Africa -- "Hi Jeff," she said. "Glad you could make it. By the way, I watch you all the time."
These were the first words Oprah uttered to me as I held out my hand to greet her stepping off her van accompanied by her ever-efficient staff.
I was floored. Oprah knows who I am? I asked myself. And I had this whole introduction thing planned out. What a woman, disarming as ever, and ever the woman in charge. I liked her from the start, even more than I did watching her all these years on television.
We were in Soweto, a sprawling slum in Johannesburg, which actually stands for South West Township. Oprah seemed as comfortable here as she would be in a five star hotel. She walked right into the home of a couple of prospective students who had applied for entry into her exclusive Leadership Academy and had impressed her to the point she wanted to see where they lived and what their life was like.
As you can imagine, the two girls, cousins actually, were instant celebrities. "Oprah's come to our house," they kept saying. "Our friends will never believe us."
Their friends didn't need much convincing. Word in the townships spreads fast and even before Oprah had taken a tour of the two-room seven-person shack. Outside was like a market place with women ululating the famous freedom line of the 1980s, but with a new twist.
"Viva, Oprah Winfrey, Viva," one woman yelled followed by the chorus line "Viva" from the rest of the growing crowd.
"You've spent $40 million on the school so far," I began.
"$40 million and counting," she interrupted. "I think I'll stop at $50 million. You can build a good school for $50 million," she added.
Fifty-million dollars anywhere in the world is a lot of money. In South Africa, it's an almost unheard of amount, especially if it's being spent by one person for the benefit of others.
"The money means nothing to me," Oprah continued. "When I look at these girls, I see me. That's why I want to give them everything I didn't have growing up. These are the leaders of tomorrow's Africa."
The Leadership Academy, set on more than 50 acres of land just outside Johannesburg, is a site to behold. From the classrooms to the dormitories to the dining room to the library (complete with fireplace) to a 600-seat auditorium, where Oprah will be 'checking' up on her girls by video-conferencing, everything has been made to the highest standards.
"I want this school to be a reflection of me," she says. "I made a promise to Madiba and I intend to keep it." Madiba is the clan name given to former South African President Nelson Mandela. Back in 2002, Oprah asked Mandela what he wanted from her as a gift to the nation. He simply said, "Build me a school." And she did. School begins January 2, 2007.
It's Sunday afternoon and Oprah leaves for Chicago in a few hours. She's invited all 150 girls that have "made the grade" and will be attending her academy. The only thing is she hasn't told them this. She's invited them to an informal get-together. None of the girls suspect Oprah's up to her "old tricks." She springs the surprise.
"I called you all here today to let you know that you all be part of the first class of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy," she said.
The girls scream and shout for joy for a good 15 minutes. Their parents too are screaming and shouting. Everyone's crying, Oprah's crying, I'm crying. It's an unbelievable scene. Then Oprah opens up in a way that surprised even her best friend, Gayle King, who was present and is part of the academy.
"Some people ask me why I never had children," Oprah says, adding, "Maybe this is the reason. So I can help bring up other peoples' children, your children. I want you to trust me to bring up your children and I promise I'll never let you down."
This time there's not a dry eye in the room. I'm bawling by now and wiping away tears on my sleeve. "You're such a cry baby," Graham, my cameraman, says. "I can't help it," is all I can offer.
"What you did back there was simply amazing," I tell Oprah afterwards. "You'd have done the same thing, Jeff. Remember, I've seen your stories on CNN."
I'm fighting back tears again. "Hey, give me a hug," she says. "Today is a good day, and I feel my life has come full circle."
It is deceptively easy to find out what Iranians think about this nuclear dispute. When we travel around the city, we have no government minder and need no permission to go around and interview people on the streets. Only once since I've been here has a policeman come up to ask us what we are doing. One look at our accreditation kept him at bay.
But the real hurdle comes when the camera comes out, when people realize we are a Western television crew, and even more so, when they find out we are from CNN. Iranians are incredibly friendly and insightful people, but it can be difficult to get them to open up on camera. That said, you have to look at the nuances to get a real sense of what's going on here.
When we were last here a few months ago, everyone we spoke to, from the rich to the poor, from the moderates to the conservatives, told us they believed in their country's right to a civilian nuclear program. They felt insulted that the world wanted to withhold the chance from Iran to have nuclear energy produced by its own scientists. And there was a huge undercurrent of nationalist pride in the fact that Iranian scientists had figured out how to enrich uranium, that they would never have to be dependent on others to do that.
But now, with a new United Nations mandate to stop the program by the end of the month and in the immediate aftermath of the month-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, fear is creeping in to the Iranian streets.
In the past few weeks, I've been to all parts of Tehran.
In the blue-collar south, there remains defiance against the West. I was told repeatedly at a car parts market that Iran has endured sanctions before and can endure them again.
But in the north, university students spoke openly to us about their fear of the economic hardships Iran could soon face. Iran's youth make up the majority of Iran's population. The median age is 25. And there are large groups of college graduates who have no jobs. Inflation here keeps going up, so the economic situation is ripe for things to get dramatically worse if sanctions are imposed.
Iranians I've spoken to are aware that theirs is a government looking to flex its muscles, looking to gain international clout. And they know all of that is part of Iran's defiance against the West over the nuclear issue.
But now, international affairs could soon hit home in a very real way. Jobs could be lost. Prices could skyrocket. Gas could become too expensive for some to buy. And this prospect will prove to be the biggest test of domestic support for Iran's official position to continue its nuclear program. Are Iranians willing to follow their government and seemingly fight for this right whatever may come?
In the years since 9/11, government officials say Al Qaeda has undeniably been hurt. The Taliban government in Afghanistan was crushed. Without the Taliban's protection, the leaders of Al Qaeda were put on the run, and the terror group's cells all over the world became isolated, no longer able to communicate or coordinate their attacks without serious danger of discovery.
But by almost all accounts, Al Qaeda is trying hard to recover, and security analysts say that effort involves intense recruiting in Europe.
Here is how it works: Terror leaders, who continue to operate largely out of Afghanistan and Pakistan, know that anyone traveling directly to the Western nations from any predominantly Muslim country will be scrutinized. So they are reaching out through personal connections and the internet to frustrated young Muslims in countries such as Britain and France, selling a message of Muslim victimization.
Once a recruit is found, he can be matched with a team, trained, and hardly raise on eyebrow when he hits the immigration line at a U.S. airport carrying the passport of the friendly nation in which he was born. At least, that is what terrorism analysts say.
Here is what I wonder: How can western nations bridge the gap to these disaffected Muslim minority populations and effectively innoculate them against these recruiting strategies? Or should the Muslim community in the West be doing more to help?
Did Santa Claus kill JonBenet?
Imagine trying to weed through hundreds, maybe thousands, of leads to figure out who killed JonBenet Ramsey. We've heard about some of the suspects over the years, including the Ramseys and their son, Burke. But I wanted to know who we hadn't heard much about, so I decided to look into who some of the previous suspects were and why they were cleared.
Two days before JonBenet Ramsey died, Bill McReynolds played Santa Claus at her home. After her death, investigators instantly became curious about McReynolds and his wife Janet, who had played Mrs. Claus. Back in 1997, McReynolds told a Colorado television station, "I know I didn't do it." But for investigators, there were too many eerie connections between the McReynolds and the Ramseys to just drop it.
Trip DeMuth, one of the original prosecutors on the case, told me that Santa Bill gave JonBenet a card that read: "You will receive a special gift after Christmas."
"Statements like that led me to have some sort of suspicion: What was going on between Santa Bill and JonBenet? Again, he is an individual who was involved with her, had an interest in her, was seen with her, shortly before the murder," DeMuth said.
Investigators were intrigued by the fact the McReynolds' daughter had been abducted 22 years before JonBenet's death ... to the day. And Janet McReynolds had written a play about a child who was molested in her basement, then murdered. The couple gave hair, handwriting and blood samples, but were eventually cleared thanks to DNA tests. Bill McReynolds died back in 2002.
Another man, Michael Helgoth, was also a prime suspect. He was a Colorado native who died shortly after the murder. But his death left more questions than answers.
It appeared to be a suicide. And what about the stun gun discovered next to his body? Investigators believe a stun gun had been used on JonBenet.
Prosecutor DeMuth told me this about Helgoth: "I remember that he had footwear that was consistent with the footprint evidence, he had a stun gun, he had reportedly made statements to a friend, very similar to the types of statements that we're hearing about today in the press with the arrest of John Karr. "
Even more strange, a baseball cap with the letters s-b-t-c was found near Helgoth's body. Those are the same letters found in the ransom note at the Ramsey home. DeMuth says he believes Helgoth's DNA was tested and didn't match up.
All of this leaves me wondering: Will John Mark Karr finally lead to closure in this case or just add himself to the list of names that never panned out?
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- Polygamy is part of the history of the Mormon Church. But since 1890, the church has repudiated it. As a matter of fact, Mormons are excommunicated from the church today if it is learned they are polygamists.
But there are by most accounts, many thousands of people who think the Mormon Church has gone against God's intentions by banning polygamy. However, these people have for the most part kept low profiles about their beliefs, since plural marriage is against the law and they fear arrest.
That's what made what just happened in downtown Salt Lake City so unusual. For the first time that anyone can remember, a large-scale demonstration supporting polygamy was held in the open -- a demonstration that was led by the children of polygamists.
Some 250 people turned out to a rally site just down the street from the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to express their support for polygamy.
Children as young as 10 took to the podium to declare that they and their parents have the religious right to practice polygamy and that they feel they live perfectly normal lives with multiple mothers and huge numbers of siblings. Children and teens came up to me saying they can't imagine living a childhood without having more than one mother.
Although polygamy is against the law (a felony in Utah), authorities say they won't arrest ordinary polygamists, although they do want to prosecute polygamists accused of molesting children, like Warren Jeffs.
There were husbands who attended the rallies with multiple numbers of wives. They stayed low-key out of habit. But one man did tell us he did not mind appearing on the news for the first time in his life because he wanted to show his support for polygamy rights. But he, like everyone else at the rally, did not use last names because of their long held fears.
The Mormon Church says these people can no longer consider themselves Mormon because they violate the church's rules. But these polygamists believe they are doing what the revered founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, would want them to do.


Pakistan is one of those countries which have been greatly affected by climate change, although its contribution to the carbon emissions is negligible.
Environmental experts said this on Wednesday as they spoke at a workshop for a project on renewable energy sources, titled ‘Introducing Renewable Energy Solutions to Enhance Energy Security and Build Climate Resilience in Karachi’.
The experts called for shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources as fossil fuels were the biggest cause of carbon emissions, which resulted in climate change.
The project implemented in Rehri, Mauripur, and Gadap Town of Karachi was financially supported by the Nordic Climate Facility of the Nordic Development Fund (NDF). The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and K-Electric (KE) were the lead implementing partners in the project, which successfully piloted innovative alternatives and renewable energy solutions for over 2,000 households located in the peri-urban areas of Karachi.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Babar Khan, the Worldwide Fund for Nature-Pakistan regional head for Sindh and Balochistan, said cities from all over the world, being major economic and industrial hubs, contributed about 70 per cent of total carbon dioxide emissions.
He stressed the need for promoting alternative and renewable energy solutions in Karachi to meet the growing energy demand of the city.
Dr Khan was of the view that peri-urban areas of the city in particular should be preferred for such initiatives as they were highly dependent on natural resources, had limited access to basic amenities and were prone to disasters induced by climate change.
Zehra Mehdi, deputy director sustainability management at KE, said the power utility was striving to promote renewable energy resources in the city and had also generated 50 megawatts of renewable energy in this connection.
She maintained that an extra 150 megawatts will be added soon to overcome electricity shortage in the city. Terming the pilot project a big achievement, she said it had been successful with promising results.
The KE representative maintained that the rapid increase in population and urbanisation was a major challenge to meet energy, water and other basic needs. She informed the gathering that to promote a green environment the power utility had planted 120,000 native plants across the city in 2017 and 2018, under the Plant for Pakistan campaign.
Sharing the community’s perspective about the project, Muhammad Ibrahim Jat from Rehri said shifting to biogas helped save significant amount of wood and cooking time of women as well as reduced their exposure to smoke.
Khuda Ganj, a resident of Mubarak village, said they never had access to electric bulbs in their homes and they usually used a small torch or candle to illuminate their homes at night.
“We now feel safe as there is no fear of snake or scorpion bites at night. Our children can now also study at night and women have extra time for embroidery and patchwork that helps them generate additional income to support their families,” he added.
Sharing details of the initiative, Hamera Aisha, WWF-Pakistan project manager, said a total of 1,650 home-based solar units were provided to people in 27 off-grid villages of Gadap Town and Mauripur under the project.


Sydney Rose Brianna Parkins called for a repeal of the Eighth Amendment.
RTÉ HAS CONFIRMED that no edits or changes were made to the Sydney Rose’s portion of last night’s live Rose Of Tralee broadcast.
Sydney Rose Brianna Parkins used her interview with host Dáithí Ó Sé to call for a referendum to repeal the eighth amendment.
Her interview was in the final part of the show and was published to Player in the running order sequence – after Kilkenny and before Queensland. It is the same as the broadcast version. No edits or changes were made to the Player version at any time.
Parkins, an Australian journalist, said that she thinks “it’s time to give women a say over their reproductive rights”.
Some contestants in this year’s Rose of Tralee were asked for their opinion on abortion ahead of the live broadcast as part of a panel discussion.
TheJournal.ie and DailyEdge understand that while international Roses were quizzed for their thoughts on topics like immigration, some Irish Roses were asked to discuss if abortion should be legalised in Ireland, and if so in what circumstances.
Immigration, ‘Women in Ireland’, 1916 and a ‘united Ireland’ and doping in sport were also on the agenda for the Irish women.
RTÉ have an obligation as a public service broadcaster to fairness and impartiality, particularly in the context of an election or referendum.
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Gold gave up early gains on Monday as a robust dollar outweighed safe-haven demand after Greeks rejected the terms of a bailout package in a referendum.
The failure to sustain the rally shows gold's struggle amidst prospects of higher US interest rates despite the uncertainty over Athens' financial situation and its future in the euro zone, a situation that would typically garner safety bids for bullion.
Spot gold was flat at $1,167.50 an ounce by 0652 GMT, after earlier jumping by as much as 0.6 per cent.
US gold climbed nearly 1 per cent in its biggest daily gain in about two weeks to $1,174.40 before paring some gains to trade up 0.3 per cent.
Silver, platinum and palladium all declined.
"Gold's deterioration is evidence of the market discounting wider contagion risk from a Greek default and increasing certainty of a US rate hike this year," Barclays analysts said in a note on Monday.
In a referendum on Sunday, Greeks overwhelmingly rejected conditions of a rescue package from creditors.
Official figures showed 61 per cent of Greeks had rejected a deal that would have imposed more austerity measures on an already ravaged economy.
The vote leaves Greece in uncharted waters: risking a banking collapse that could force it out of the euro. Without more emergency funding from the European Central Bank, Greece's banks could run out of cash within days.
Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, whose forceful denunciations of creditors alienated many of his euro zone colleagues, resigned on Monday, saying Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras believed it would help smooth the path to a new aid deal.
Gold, typically seen as an alternative investment during times of financial and economic uncertainties, rallied early in Asian hours as the euro slumped and US equity futures fell on risk-averse sentiment in the market.
But the precious metal failed to hold the gains, even as other safe havens such as the yen rallied and the dollar climbed to its highest in a month.
"Its safe-haven property does not appear to be carrying much weight," said Howie Lee, an analyst at Phillip Futures.
A higher dollar makes gold more expensive for holders of other currencies, while also lowering its appeal as a hedge.
The greenback has also been supported recently by expectations the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates from record lows this year.
That has weighed on gold, a non-interest-paying asset.


2 What Is the Percent of Profit Margin That Retailers Expect From Jewelry?
4 What Is a Reasonable Profit Margin?
Property management companies range from gargantuan firms that manage thousands of apartments, shopping malls and commercial complexes to small firms that specialize in vacation rentals with only 10 or so houses. Whether small or large, increasing profits is a goal. If you're considering starting a property management company or improving your own property management business, there are several ways you can do so and turn a profit.
Increase the number of properties, and your revenues will increase. If the operating margins are maintained, each additional property results in an additional percentage falling to profits. For example, if each property generates $10,000 in revenues and has a 35 percent gross margin -- the percentage of expenses related to that property -- then $6,500 of additional profit is generated.
Property management services include such efforts as marketing, maintenance, and renting out or selling the use of the property. Providing additional services results in additional profits as long as your expenses for providing the service are lower than the revenues generated. An apartment complex property management company could offer concierge services to the renters. A vacation home rental company might decide to have personalized meet-and-greet upon check-in.
Broadening the types of properties is an alternative way to increase profits. If your business handles short-term sub-leases for apartments, you could offer that same service for townhouses and condos.
Property management companies generate revenues from the owners of the properties they manage and from the guests, renters or lessees who occupy the properties. Increasing rates to the owners when management contracts are up for renewal increases revenues and therefore profits. Keep in mind that current owners may decide to contract with someone else if the rate increase is too high. The rates generated from the guests or those who pay to occupy the properties also can be increased.
Revenues are generated by the rate or fee for occupying the space times the number of spaces occupied. In the case of an apartment building where each apartment leases for $500 per month and 200 of the 250 apartments are rented, revenues generated are $100,000. If occupancy increases to 225 apartments, revenues are $112,500; that occupancy rate would increase profits by $12,500. However, if you incurred any expenses in getting those units rented, those expenses would be netted from the $12,500.
Decreasing expenses increases profits as long as the cost-cutting doesn't affect revenues. In the short term, it probably won't; in the long term, it may be a different story. Decreasing advertising could result in fewer properties being leased. Decreasing maintenance efforts might result in tenants leaving for other accommodations.
Jensen, Katie. "How Can Property Management Companies Increase Profit?" Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/can-property-management-companies-increase-profit-50056.html. Accessed 22 April 2019.
What Is the Preferred Method of Assessing the Risk to Your Organization?


If you have old photos, videos or other files that are backed up on DVDs, you should check if they're still OK.
Have you got some old backups living on DVDs? It's time to upgrade them for real long-term reliability.
The one big problem that people are just beginning to face is the lifespan of DVD backups. DVDs have been great, thanks to a good few gigabytes of storage on a single disc. But a lot of people have now filed them away, like they're a good long term storage option.
Depending on your discs, you shouldn't feel confident of more than 30 years, and as little as 5 years with a bad disc.
If you have CDs or DVDs with important data on them, tucked away for long term storage, then it is time to get them out and move that data to a better place. Unless you have purchased expensive long-term, archival-quality discs that guarantee lifespan, these are going to rot and lose your data.
Right now, cloud storage or redundant local storage on active hard drives are much better backup options.
And, as ever, never keep one copy. Even with archival grade storage, always keep at least two. Even then, I'd move those precious archives around now and then, to be really, really sure.


Deputy superintendent Tamu Lucero addresses Westhill High School students at a meeting of the mold task force in Stamford, Conn. on Dec. 12, 2018.
STAMFORD — It’s been an oft-repeated phrase in the city for months: air quality tests only show a snapshot in time.
Many members of the community, including students, have requested air-quality tests as mold has spread to more than half of Stamford’s public schools. The demand for air-quality tests even prompted a student walkout at Westhill High School this month.
But members of the Mold Task Force and the remediation company, Tighe and Bond, recently met with students and others in the school community to better inform them about air-quality testing and what is needed to fix the problem.
Marcello Staiano, 17, who was one of the walkout organizers, said the meeting gave him a better understanding of air-quality tests.
Staiano said he’d still like more precise information from the task force.
Judy Klym, one of the co-presidents of the parent-teacher-student organization, was impressed with the task force’s attention to detail.
Lucero said students asked about chemicals being used to clean the mold and the next steps for Westhill. After receiving feedback from students about the smell of the cleaning supplies, the group said classrooms will now be closed after they’ve been cleaned until the smell dissipates.
Clarence Zachery, the district’s chief fiscal and operations support officer, said the city has engaged with engineering and architectural firms to fix issues in city buildings that have allowed water intrusion, which causes mold.
At Westhill, Zachery said the city has found and fixed 33 small roof leaks and is now focused on cleaning the building’s air diffusers.


NEW DELHI: Manmohan Singh, the British-educated economist set to become the 13th prime minister of India, is better known as the man who kick-started difficult economic reforms that helped integrate the country with the global economy.
As finance minister in P.V. Narasimha Rao's cabinet between 1991 and 1996, he not only put India on the map of the world's attractive investment destinations but also brought about a fundamental change in the way India Inc. conducted its business.
"He took path-breaking decisions at a time when our economy was in a terrible state," said N. Srinivasan, director general- designate of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
"He is a man of great humility and total integrity who understands the economy extremely well," Srinivasan told IANS.
But Rao was not the first prime minister who saw potential in this soft-spoken economist. In 1990, he was handpicked by then prime minister Chandra Shekhar as his economic advisor, thereby bringing him into the public eye for the first time.
The other high points of his long career were governor of the Reserve Bank of India, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission and secretary general and commissioner of the South Commission in Geneva.
It is to his credit that he has never been embroiled in a controversy and has an impeccably clean image.
"He has no vested interests. He is very open-minded and willing to listen and likes to build consensus," said B.B. Bhattacharya, director of the Delhi-based Institute of Economic Growth.
"He would be the best consensus prime minister," Bhattacharya told IANS.
Born to Gurmukh Singh and Amrit Kaur on Sep 26, 1932, at Gah in West Punjab, now a part of Pakistan, Manmohan Singh studied economics at the University of Punjab, Oxford and Cambridge.
Armed with a doctorate in economics, he began his career as a lecturer at the University of Punjab in 1957 and shifted to the Delhi School of Economics (D-School) in 1969.
After three years in D-School, where he taught international trade, he became a civil servant -- first as an economic advisor in the ministry of foreign trade and then as chief economic advisor in the finance ministry.
Between 1976 and 1980, he was also India's finance secretary, following which he was appointed member-secretary in the Planning Commission.
From 1982 to 1985, he was governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and from 1985 to 1987 he was deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, which has traditionally been a position reserved for a politician with economic leanings.
Between 1987 and 1991, he also served in various capacities at the South Commission, the Prime Minister's Office and the University Grants Commission.
Having occupied virtually all key positions in India's economic administration, with added international perspective thanks to his stints at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and South-South Commission, it was time for Manmohan Singh to transform himself into a politician.
In 1991, when he joined the Narasimha Rao cabinet, it was a turbulent time for the Indian economy with foreign exchange coffers barely enough for two weeks' imports.
He nursed the economy and initiated policies that changed the basic aspirations of corporate India to become a global player and integrate with the world economy.
"I stood behind him like a rock," Narasimha Rao said in a recent interview. "I encouraged him when I found him diffident. I gave him political support through thick and thin."
Manmohan Singh was also one finance minister who made the union budget a much-watched exercise and used it for policy pronouncements with far-reaching implications, peppering it with interesting Urdu couplets.
In 1994, when he presented what is described as his best fiscal budget, he quoted Victor Hugo in his speech and said: "No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come."
He was first elected to the Rajya Sabha in October 1991 and represents Assam in the upper house of Parliament.
The author of a book titled 'India's Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth', which was published by Clarendon Press, Oxford University, in 1964, he also has numerous articles to his credit.
He is married to Gursharan Kaur and has three daughters.


They’re a group of prints showing four, commonplace tools. Enlarged many times their actual size, they’ve become something much more monumental.
They include tin snips, a crescent wrench and, my favourite, a crate opener. The latter stands out because the large format print makes it easy to read the lettering on the side that names it as a particular type of crate opener called a Baby Terrier.
The prints are all black and white. The even lighting virtually eliminates any shadows and highlights the texture of the metal surfaces. Their directness and simplicity made me think of another important but absent tool: the camera used by the photographer.
Even though they’re neither arty nor dramatic, they were part of a series called Beauties of the Common Tool published in the 1950s in Fortune, a high-end magazine that I wouldn’t normally associate with such experimental photography.
But they made it into print because they were the work of Walker Evans who, at the time, was Fortune’s staff photographer.
Evans is probably best known for taking iconic photographs of poor tenant farmers in the U.S. in the 1930s. For many people, Evans’ images have come to visually symbolize the effects of the Great Depression on Americans. They also played a huge role in creating a tradition that became known as documentary photography.
Both the banal tools and the portraits of poor farmers are part of an exhibition of work by Evans at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Walker Evans: Depth of Field is the largest and most comprehensive view of Evans’ work ever mounted, according to John T. Hill, exhibition curator and executor of Evans’ estate.
During a media tour of the exhibition Thursday, Hill said that while Evans was best-known for those Depression-era photographs, they weren’t the only photographs he took during his career.
“There was a great deal of genius and brilliance before and after that,” he said.
Along with several cameras used by Evans, the exhibition presents a comprehensive look at Evans’ career through more than 200 photographs from the 1920s to the 1970s, arranged chronologically.
As Grant Arnold, the exhibition’s co-curator said, Evans was unusual as an art photographer because much of the work he did was produced on assignment. For example, he went to Cuba in 1933 to take photographs for a book on the oppressive conditions there. A few years later, he was one of several photographers hired to work for the Farm Security Administration, the U.S. federal agency started as part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal to provide help and jobs to an estimated one quarter of the U.S. workforce that was unemployed because of the 1929 stock market crash.
Evans, Arnold said, always had a knack for doing what he wanted no matter who was paying the bill.
The FSA wanted its photographers to show how effective its programs were in alleviating poverty. Evans wasn’t interested in using his camera to spread what he considered propaganda.
“Evans was very good at following the instructions he was given just enough so that he wouldn’t get fired,” Arnold said.
It’s a good thing kept true to his word because his photographs a remarkable record of the era. If you Google “Walker Evans”, the first images that pop up are portraits of Alabama tenant farmer Floyd Burroughs and a cotton tenant farmer’s wife known as the ‘Appalachian Madonna.’ They’re both in the exhibition as silver gelatin prints, which have much more texture to them than flat digital images.
They’re close to an amazing portrait of a sharecropper’s family of six. On the left, Lily, sits on the edge of the bed holding a sleeping baby in her lap. Everyone has bare feet except for the older woman on the right — Lily’s mother — who clasps her hands in front of her on her lap. A little girl stands in a filthy dress that looks like it’s held together by a safety pin near the neck. Beside her, William “Bud” Fields, the patriarch, sits in a chair. He has a bandana partly wrapped around his neck and chest. Between his legs, he’s holding the arms of a nearly naked boy standing on the wooden floor with his left leg bent to form a triangle with his right.
Like the tools Evans depicted many years later, the photograph of the six family members is direct and plain. They’re neither above us or below us but at eye level among us. As an honest and intimate depiction of poverty, it’s one of the exhibition’s outstanding photographs.
“A near heroic quality in the image overshadows our awareness of the family’s living conditions,” Hill says about the photograph in the exhibition catalogue.


updated: Adobe has reportedly landed a Flash deal with MLB.com upending Microsoft's Silverlight.
Adobe has landed a two-year agreement with Major League Baseball to stream its 2,500-plus spring training, regular season and post-season games live to MLB.com's 1.5 million subscribers. Games were previously streamed on Microsoft Silverlight, an arrangement announced in August of 2007.
That's a pretty big coup for Adobe. It was only a little over a year ago that bloggers were patting Microsoft on the back for not only creating a class act video experience on MLB.com but for landing a deal that had enough legs to it to help Microsoft's Silverlight pick up some strength as a competitor to Flash. And early this year, there were even more accolades when it was reported that Silverlight on MLB.com was playing nice with the Mac.
update: In a CNET report, Microsoft basically offers no real comment. An executive says, " Microsoft has appreciated the partnership of MLB.com" and notes that Silverlight has "a great ecosystem that includes more than 150 partners." Likewise, MLB Advanced Media president and CEO Bob Bowman did not offer details of how Flash outperforms Silverlight. He did say, however that "Flash provides a TV-like experience, you turn it on and it works."
Bowman added that, whether MLB.com is "serving 20,000 for one game or 250,000 for another game, it's got to be scaleable over periods of time like nothing else."


BEIJING (Reuters) - China and Russia will hold eight days of naval drills in the South China Sea off southern China’s Guangdong province starting from Monday, China’s navy said.
The exercises come at a time of heightened tension in the contested waters after an arbitration court in The Hague ruled in July that China did not have historic rights to the South China Sea and criticized its environmental destruction there.
The “Joint Sea-2016” exercise will feature surface ships, submarines, fixed-wing aircraft, ship-borne helicopters and marines, the Chinese navy said in a statement on Sunday on its official microblog.
The two countries will carry out defense, rescue and anti-submarine operations, as well as “island seizing” and other activities, it added.
Marines will participate in live-fire drills, island defense and landing operations in what will be the largest operation ever taken together by the two countries’ navies, the statement said.
China announced that it had called the “routine” naval exercise in July, saying the drills were aimed at strengthening cooperation and not aimed at any other country.
Russia has been a strong backer of China’s stance on the arbitration case, which was brought by the Philippines.


BELTON — Caleigh Robinson had already made quite an impression in the first inning of Belton’s offensive onslaught, but the senior had the opportunity to achieve more.
The Lady Tigers had scored 15 runs and were on their third trip through the lineup in the first when Robinson came to bat with a grand slam already in her stat line. Much like her previous at-bat, Robinson stepped into the box with the bases loaded.
“I really wasn’t thinking about hitting another home run. I just really wanted to make contact,” Robinson said.
The senior didn’t clear the fences for a second grand slam, but her fly ball was dropped by a Killeen outfielder, allowing three more runners to come home in Belton’s 18-run first inning that paved the way for a 26-2, four-inning victory Saturday afternoon.
Robinson finished 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and five RBIs for Belton (16-10, 5-0 District 12-6A), which routed Killeen (0-5 in district) after defeating Temple 21-0 on Tuesday. Miranda Davila went 4-for-4 with two RBIs, Paige Nunes registered three doubles and a pair of RBIs and Payton Cook drove in three runs while going 2-for-4 with a double.
The Lady Tigers added six runs in the second inning and two in the third.
Belton didn’t have to wait long to establish a sizeable lead. Consecutive doubles by Davila, Robinson and Nunes were followed by an outfield error and doubles from Cook and Izzy Gutierrez to make it 7-0.
Avery Drake walked in her second plate appearance of the inning and Davila reached on a bunt single to load the bases for Robinson, who sent a pitch from Alexa Herrera-Powell over the right field wall for a grand slam and an 11-0 lead.
The first-inning bombardment continued when Madison Ward drove in Nunes with a double, another run scored on an outfield error, and Gutierrez plated Cook with a double before a trio of Lady Tigers runners scored on Robinson’s fly ball. Belton recorded 15 of its 20 hits in the first inning and had just one extra-base hit the rest of the way.
Madison Cotton went the distance in the circle for Belton and allowed two runs on two hits while striking out five and walking two. Killeen’s Ashley Treese singled before Avalyn James hit a two-run homer that made it 24-2 in the top of the third.


An afternoon commute in Canada’s capital turned to horror after a double-decker city bus became impaled on a passenger shelter, leaving three people dead and 25 injured, officials said.
Jim Watson, the mayor of Ottawa, said one of the people killed was standing on the platform at the time of the crash, and the other two were aboard the bus.
The bus, operated by the city’s transit system, OC Transpo, was traveling along a below-grade road reserved for buses when it went out of control entering a station west of the city’s downtown at about 3:50 pm, said Chief Charles Bordeleau of the Ottawa Police Service.
It then mounted a passenger platform and crashed into a shelter. The steel and glass of the shelter’s overhang tore off the front of the bus and sliced through a large section of its upper deck.
Bordeleau said most of the injured people were in that part of the bus and that several people on the platform also required treatment.
Why the accident occurred was not clear. It was a bitterly cold afternoon: Officials had delivered a frostbite warning, and black ice had developed on several roads throughout the city.
“There’s no question that the weather adds to the complexity of the scene,” Bordeleau said, although he declined to answer questions about the possible causes or the condition of the transit road’s service.
He said “something led us to having arrested” the bus driver, but he declined to offer any details. She was being questioned Friday night.
The bus, whose route was to take it from downtown to the suburbs, was not scheduled to stop at the station where the accident occurred.
In 2013, an OC Transpo double-decker bus collided with an intercity passenger train, leaving six dead and 35 people injured.
An investigation by federal authorities found that the driver might have been distracted by a video screen that allowed him to monitor passengers on the upper level of the bus. It also called for the addition of bumpers to the buses, which are made in Britain.


The latest attempt to unload a municipal building Windsor has been trying to get rid of for nearly a decade has failed, but the city is still hoping to make a buck from the bust.
The latest attempt to unload a municipal building Windsor has been trying to get rid of for nearly a decade has failed.
But the city is hoping to at least finally be able to make some money off the long-vacated former social services building at 755 Louis Ave. by pocketing the $10,000 deposit left by the latest unsuccessful developer.
Mayor Eddie Francis said the city thought it had a deal for the sizable holding south of Wyandotte Street E., “but the person didn’t follow through.” City council this week agreed to pursue the deposit that municipal lawyers said is Windsor’s to keep.
The property now goes back on the market, Francis said.
That market has been fickle. The building was first put up for sale when Windsor’s social services department was consolidated from its various locations and housed in the 400 City Hall Square building in 2005.
First listed at $529,000, with proceeds to help cover part of the cost of the 400 Building, the selling price for 755 Louis Ave. was lowered six times by the time it was being offered for $229,000 in November 2009.
Francis wouldn’t say what the latest selling price had been.


LG Electronics on Sunday said it will be working jointly with the government to help nurture software personnel.
Until Aug. 26 the Seoul-based electronics company will receive applications for an IT software research study project in tandem with the National IT Industry Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.
The teams must be composed of 3-5 students studying for their master’s or Ph.D. in IT and related software, along with a supervising professor, LG Electronics said.
The project will have a duration of nine months starting in October, and will involve five areas that LG Electronics designates, including those in energy management and parts and components, along with five chosen by the applicants.
Up to 600 million won ($556,000) of financial support will be offered, broken down to 60 million won per project.
The funds will be jointly provided by LG Electronics and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency, LG officials said.
The results of the projects are to be shared by LG Electronics and the universities.
To further help the students involved in the projects, the company plans to offer internships to all the applicants, with the package including a 1.5 million won monthly salary and dormitories.
Those who receive scholarships from LG Electronics for their projects will also be given a chance to work for the company.
Applications are to be received at http://www.nipa.kr by 6 p.m. on Aug. 26.


Cornering in a MotoGP bike is a full-body experience often involving getting your knee as close to the ground as possible. It's insane. Here's Red Bull's Casey Stoner doing it at 1000 frames per second.


Boys Ranch's LaQuan McGowan is a 6-foot-8, 360-pound lineman who wears a size 22 shoe, earned all-state status last season and has orally committed to Baylor on a football scholarship. McGowan starts for the Boys Ranch basketball team and is the defending state champion in the Class 1A shot put.
• How long has it been since you have a gone a day without somebody asking you how tall are you or your shoe size?
"I haven't gone one day without somebody asking me that question. It's probably been a couple years."
• Where is your gold medal for winning the shot put?
"I keep it in my room on my bulletin board next to the picture I keep of my girlfriend (Kourtney Kelly)."
• What was the most influential reason you selected Baylor?
"They are close to home. They are a Christian school, and I am Christian. I figured that's where I should be at, and that's where God led me."
• How often do read the Bible?
"I try to read it every night if I can."
"I don't. I love all of it."
• Describe your playing style?
"I'm a beast. But I could stay lower when I block."
• Nobody knows how much you like to ...?
"I'm a pingpong man. I destroy the old guys (here at Boys Ranch) in pingpong.
"I really don't have one. But let's go with The Hulk."
"I really don't watch that many movies. So I don't have a favorite."
• The biggest influence on your football career?
"I'd say God. I pray to God every day to help give me the strength throughout my days. He does just that."


A federal appeals court struck down the Federal Communications Commission’s net neutrality rules, which would have kept Internet service providers from slowing or prioritizing some content and users over others.The ruling marks another blow in a long legal battle over the commission’s authority to enforce net neutrality rules on Internet and mobile companies.
In question is the FCC’s Open Internet Order, commonly referred to as its net-neutrality rules, which was passed in December of 2010. The rules were designed to prohibit Internet service companies from slowing, blocking or prioritizing some content and users over others. The order imposed stricter rules on wired Internet services than mobile services. But in September of 2013, Verizon took the commission to court arguing that it did not have the legal authority to impose “common carrier” principles on Internet service providers. The commission argued that it needed to enforce net-neutrality rules to meet its legal responsibility to deploy broadband access across the country. (Read more here about the trial and net neutrality).
The court’s ruling offers a sliver of hope for the FCC. The court acknowledged that the commission has some limited authority to make rules that govern broadband providers’ treatment of Internet traffic so long as it promotes broadband deployment—for example, by preserving and facilitating “the ‘virtuous circle’ of innovation that has driven the explosive growth of the Internet,” wrote Judge Tatel. This means the Commission has a narrow opportunity to adopt rules that lead to broadband access deployment, especially in areas that are underserved by major Internet providers.
It is clear that the battle over net neutrality is far from over. To take action, contact the Federal Communications Commission and insist that they preserve net neutrality.


The first images of the Guardians of the Galaxy Marvel Legends have been revealed! Below you can see figures based on the movie versions of Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Peter Quill/Star Lord (Chris Pratt), Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), and Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista). Along with that is the the Build-a-Figure of Groot (Vin Diesel).
There are 2 more figures in this line, that will be revealed this weekend at Toy Fair!


Three people from Belarus were injured in a traffic accident in Naxxar on Thursday evening.
The police said the accident happened in Triq Margaret Murray at 6pm when an Alfa Romeo Giulietta that was being driven by a 36-year-old man from Mosta was involved in a collision with a DAF truck that was being driven by a 55-year-old man from Fgura.
Two women, aged 26 and 27, as well as a six-year-old girl were in the car.
They were assisted on site by members of the Civil Protection Department and a medical team and then taken to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance.
All three were later certified as having been grievously injured.


Having lost the trust of Jewish community long ago, Hollywood filmmaker reportedly tries to reboot relationship through Holocaust philanthropy.
Mel Gibson clearly has a long road to travel if he wants to win back support from the Jewish community. But it seems as if he is at least willing to try.
The movie star — known for a drunken anti-Semitic rant and promoting the idea that the Jews killed Jesus in “The Passion of the Christ” — has been donating to a Holocaust survivor aid project, Extra reported on Friday.
The Survivor Mitzvah Project, started by comedic actress Zane Buzby, will be honored by the Anti-Defamation League in Los Angeles on March 30. The project provides financial aid, home visits and medical supplies to some 1,000 survivors living in the former Soviet Union.
The Extra report didn’t specify how much Gibson has been donating, or for how long.
Those “mistakes” Buzby mentions still loom large in the Jewish community.
Gibson apologized shortly after the incident, but many Jews deemed it insufficient.
The actor spent the next decade in relative obscurity but made a comeback last year when “Hacksaw Ridge,” a World II epic that he directed, earned widespread acclaim. The film garnered six Oscar nominations, including one for Best Director.
Gibson shouldn’t expect a similar embrace from Jews just yet — but donating to Holocaust survivors is a start.


About 15 days after the after the new moon the full moon first appears. At this point the moon is on the opposite side of the earth from the sun so she rises around sunset and sets around dawn.
The sun shines fully on her face and tides are at their extremes again. Some may sense the pull of the sun from one direction and the moon from the opposite and their energy and will feel a bit scattered.
Hold a party or an event, but be aware that the energy level is likely to be high and anything troublesome is likely to surface. Cook and stock up the freezer. Pay special attention to your creative ventures and your dreams.
This is a good time to try out forms of divination such as scrying or tarot. Reflect about your goals, feelings and matters that have to do with relationship and family. The full moon is also good for transformations, psychic abilities, strength, love, power and fertility.
The Full moon is an excellent time to cleanse, purify and charge your crystals, I don’t put all of mine out though – see my blog post http://www.patheos.com/blogs/beneaththemoon/2016/07/i-will-not-be-putting-all-my-crystals-under-the-moon/ .
Lay them out so that the moon light can hit them; if you can do so safely leave them outside, if not find a window sill that catches the moon light. Don’t just stop at crystals though, your magical tools will also benefit from soaking up the power of the moonlight.
As the Full Moon just passes, the time arrives to put the finishing touches on what you have been doing and to get ready for the quieter time to come. Enjoy beauty and art, listen to music. If you have argued with someone but do not feel the issues are really vital, make up now.
If you live near the sea the full moon is a wonderful time to visit the shoreline and (if safe to do so) build a small fire, collect small pieces of driftwood to build your fire and as you lay each piece onto the fire add a wish, once the fire is burning nicely cast offerings into the flames as gifts to the Moon Goddess such as herbs, flowers and leaves. Sit and watch as the fire burns. If you don’t live near the sea you could turn this into a visualisation for a full moon meditation.
Add to a base oil such as sweet almond or grape seed (about 15mls of carrier oil should be about right).
Melt oil and wax together, cool slightly then stir in essential oils. Store in an airtight pot.
Mix together and store in an airtight container, sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of the mixture in you bath.
To Curse Or Not to Curse?


Along with the Federal SOA Community of Practice, the MITRE Corporation is hosting a free conference for Federal managers and executives interested in adopting service-based, enterprise-wide practices. The one day event features keynotes and distinguished speakers and topics that will prepare you to succeed in developing a service-based approach to application modernization from both a management and technical perspective. See SOA at MITRE. Conference Specifics: Thursday, September 16, 2010 The location is in MITRE 1 Auditorium, 7515 Colshire Road, McLean, VA 22102. The conference will take place as in previous years, on the MITRE campus located just inside the Beltway adjacent to Dolly Madison/Chain Bridge Road. Free registration is through the conference’s online website at: https://register.mitre.org/soa/ MITRE Shuttle Bus: Service available from the West Falls Church Metro Station starting at 6:40 a.m., continuing every 20 minutes, and last bus from MITRE at 5:40 p.m. Drop off at MITRE 1 and 2 (come to the back of MITRE 1 for entrance) Accomodations: A list of hotels in the Tyson's Corner area is available for download. Questions or Comments: Please send an email to: rtyksinski@mitre.org Rose Tyksinski or dmayo@everware-cbdi.com Dave Mayo.


The following is a transcript of Senator Barack Obama’s speech in Sderot, Israel, as provided by CQ Transcriptions, Inc.
OBAMA: ... today, Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Fayad, when I was in Ramallah, earlier.
The threats to Israel security begin in Sderot, but they don't end there. They include outrageous acts of terror like the attack we just saw yesterday in Jerusalem. Rearming Hezbollah in Lebanon and an Iranian regime that sponsors terrorism, pursues nuclear weapons and threatens Israel's existence. A nuclear Iran would pose a grave threat and the world must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Today I had a series of productive discussions with many of Israel's key leaders about how to address the broad range of security threats that Israel faces and the broad threats that all of us face. I look forward to continuing these consultations with Prime Minister Olmert this evening, and I'm also looking forward to consulting closely with our European allies about Iran and other challenges in the days ahead.
Now let me just close by saying that I bring to Sderot, an unshakeable commitment to Israel's security. The state of Israel faces determined enemies who seek its destruction. But it also has a friend and ally in the United States that will always stand by the people of Israel. That's why I'm proud to be here today and that's why I will work from the moment that I return to America, to tell the story of Sderot and to make sure that the good people who live here are enjoying a future of peace and security and hope.
So with that, we're going to take questions, but I might -- before everybody starts raising hands, my understanding is this gentleman right here is going to actually call on people so that I don't get in trouble with any of you. I want all of you to like me so I'm going to -- he's going to be the bad guy. He's going to make the decision, we've got a limited amount of time.
Why don't you go ahead.
QUESTION: Senator Obama, you said in OPEC convention that the (INAUDIBLE) Jerusalem could continue to be the capital city. Then you changed it and clarified later on in the -- (INAUDIBLE) wonder.
How could you be sure if your other statesmen, that you are going to be committed to the security and safety of Israel and you're not going to change it even when you're the President of the United States?
OBAMA: First of all, I didn't change my statement.
I continued to say that Jerusalem will be the capital of Israel. And I have said that before and I will say it again. And I also have said that it is important that we don't simply slice the city in half. But I've also said that that's a final status issue. That's an issue that has to be dealt with with the parties involved, the Palestinians and the Israelis. And it's not the job of the United States to dictate the form in which that will take, but rather to support the efforts that are being made right now to resolve these very difficult issues that have a long history.
Now, in terms of knowing my commitments, you don't have to just look at my words, you can look at my deeds. Just this past week, we passed out of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, which is my committee, a bill to call for divestment from Iran, as a way of ratcheting up the pressure to ensure that they don't obtain a nuclear weapon.
When Israel invaded Lebanon, in response to the kidnapping of Israel's soldiers, I was one of the first people to state that Israel had an unequivocal right to defend itself and to rescue soldiers that had been captured. And that is what any country would do. On vote after vote I have demonstrated my support of the state of Israel.
So, the way you know where somebody's going is where have they been. And I've been with Israel for many, many years now. What is also true is I believe it is strongly in the interests of Israel's security to arrive at a lasting peace with the Palestinian people. I don't think those positions are contradictory. I think they're complementary. You know, it is going to be hard for Israel over the long term and this is something that I think the vast majority of Israelis understand. That it's going to be hard to achieve true security if there's still hostile neighbors only a few miles away.
But, what I think that Israel has to do is to make sure that that peace is not purchased at -- by putting Israel's security at risk. And it's the job of the United States I think, to make sure that that peace is centered and promotes Israel's long-term security.
QUESTION: Senator, you told me yesterday that if you become president, you would tackle the issue of Middle East peace tight away.
What fresh strategies would you bring and can you respond to the concerns of Israelis who feel that you might pressure them to make too many concessions? And again, what new strategies would you bring?
OBAMA: Well, I think it's -- OK. Why don't you ask your buddies to speak up louder when they're asking the question.
I'll repeat it. The question was, what fresh strategies could be brought to the Middle East peace process. And what was the second part of it? The concerns about it -- Israel's concerns about me pressuring them into concessions.
Well, look. I don't think that Minister Livni or Minister Barak or (INAUDIBLE) or the others, President Perez, when they spoke to me today got any sense that I would be pressuring them to accept any kinds of concessions that would put their security at stake.
We don't need a peace deal just to have a piece of paper that doesn't result in peace. We need something that's meaningful. And it's not going to be meaningful if Israel's security is not part of that package. And any American president, whether it's myself or John McCain, can rest assured that Israel won't be pressured into something that is going to put them at risk. Because they have an obligation to their people.
So, my job is to -- if I'm the president, my job and my team's job is not to dictate to either of the parties what this deal should be, but hopefully to be able to facilitate and promote a meaningful, realistic, pragmatic, concrete strategy for achieving these goals. And that's why I don't want to get too specific in response to your first question because I think it's important not to predetermine in some sense what the parties are going to agree to, but rather to just set up a process in which this can occur.
I can tell you one thing that is very important, though, and that is a U.S. administration has to put its weight behind a process recognizing that it's not going to happen immediately. And that's why I can't -- I will not wait until a few years into my term or my second term if I'm elected, in order to get the process moving. I think we have a window right now that needs to be taken advantage of. I think you've got a set of moderate Palestinian leaders who are interested. I think the Israeli people are interested in moving this process along. But I also think there's a population on both sides that is becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress. And where there's hopelessness and despair, that can often turn in a bad direction.
And as I've noted in all the conversations I've had, Israel also has this enormous threat from Iran, which is connected to the situation between Hamas and Hezbollah and more moderate forces in the region. And so to the extent that we can solve this problem, it also helps us solve some of these larger problems that are not just questions of Israel's national security, but also the United States national security.
QUESTION: In the name of the Israeli colleagues, welcome to Israel.
QUESTION: You have just justified Israel's alleged attack in Syria.
Will you bear the same understanding should Israel act similarly towards Iran?
OBAMA: Well, you know, my goal is to avoid the hypothetical by moving rapidly to mobilize the international community, to offer a series of big sticks and big carrots to the Iranian regime to stand down on nuclear weapons. We have to do it now.
I don't want it to get started, should I become president. I want the Iranians to understand that they should take advantage of the shift in the Bush administration's approach where they sent one of our diplomats, William Burns, to the latest discussions with the European delegation.
Iranians need to understand that whether it's the Bush administration or an Obama administration, that this is a paramount concern to the United States. And, I think there are opportunities for us to mobilize a much more serious regime of sanctions on Iran, but also to offer them the possibility of improved relations in the international community if they stand down on these nuclear weapons.
What I have also said, though, is that I will take no options off the table in dealing with this potential Iranian threat. And understand part of my reasoning here. A nuclear Iran would be a game changing situation not just in the Middle East, but around the world. Whatever remains of our nuclear non-proliferation framework, I think would begin to disintegrate. You would have countries in the Middle East who would see the potential need to also obtain nuclear weapons.
Many of these countries, including Iran, have ties to terrorist organizations. Which means that suddenly you could have loose nuclear materials falling into the hands of terrorists. That is our single- most important threat both to Israel but also to the United States of America. And so this is something that we're going to spend a lot of time working on.
QUESTION: In your first year as president, with president Ahmadinejad, without preconditions, is there anything you have heard today, in your discussions with Israeli leaders that has made you rethink that pledge? Or are you still standing by that?
OBAMA: Dan, I think you have to take a look at what the question was in South Carolina and how I responded.
OBAMA: I understand. I understand.
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) ... in your first year as president.
OBAMA: But I think that what I said in response was that I would, at my time and choosing, be willing to meet with any leader if I thought it would promote the national security interests of the United States of America.
And, Dan, that continues to be my position. That if I think that I can get a deal that is going to advance our cause, then I would consider that opportunity.
But what I also said was that there is a difference between meeting without pre-conditions and meeting without preparation. You know, the specific context of your question let's say with respect to Iran, is a Bush administration policy, for example, that said, we will not involve ourselves in any diplomatic negotiations or even talks with the Iranians until they have made the decision to stand down on their nuclear weapons. Well, that presumably would be the topic of negotiations. And if we take that position, then it's not surprising that we might not make much progress on that front.
My whole goal in terms of having tough, serious, direct diplomacy, is not because I'm naive of the nature of any of these regimes. I'm not. It is because if we show ourselves willing to talk and to offer carrots and sticks in order to deal with these pressing problems. And if Iran then rejects any overtures of that sort, it puts us in a stronger position to mobilize the international community to ratchet up the pressure on Iran. Our unwillingness to talk or the perception that we are trying to bully our way through negotiations, that's eliminated as an excuse for them not dealing with these issues in an appropriate way. And so you know, I think that it is very important for us to exhaust every possible avenue to solve this problem and to send the signal to the international community that this is a top priority. We are willing to extend ourselves and work hard to solve this problem. But what we're not willing to do is to permit a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE). Mr. Obama (INAUDIBLE).
Would you accept a situation like this in one of the American towns stuck in the states (INAUDIBLE)?
Do you think Israel should negotiate with Hamas in Gaza?
OBAMA: I don't think any country would find it acceptable to have missiles raining down on the heads of their citizens.
The first job of any nation state is to protect its citizens. And so I can assure you that if -- I don't even care if I was a politician. If somebody was sending rockets into my house where my two daughters sleep at night, I'm going to do everything in my power to stop that. And I would expect Israelis to do the same thing.
In terms of negotiations with Hamas, it is very hard to negotiate with a group that is not representative of a nation state, does not recognize your right to exist, has consistently used terror as a weapon, and is deeply influenced by other countries. I think that Hamas leadership will have to make a decision at some point as to whether it is a serious political party seeking to represent the aspirations of the Palestinian people. And, as a consequence, willing to recognize Israel's right to exist and renounce violence as a tool to achieve its aims. Or whether it wants to continue to operate as a terrorist organization. Until that point, it's hard for Israel, I think, to negotiate with a country that -- or with a group that doesn't recognize Israel's right to exist at a country -- OK.
Thank you very much, everybody. I appreciate it.


It's April 16, 2000. The second day of another NFL draft is underway. The quarterback prospects plucked so far include Chris Redman and Giovanni Carmazzi in the third round, Tee Martin in the fifth, and Spergon Wynn in the early sixth. Who? Precisely. But I'll bet you've heard the name of the quarterback who every NFL team passed on at least five times: Tom Brady.
More than half of all players selected before Brady are no longer playing in the league. How could this happen? How could all the sage football minds representing each NFL team overlook a player like Tom Brady, a three-time Super Bowl winner and two-time Super Bowl MVP?
This sort of thing happens every year in the NFL draft, and at every position. If you're lucky, your team finds the next Tom Brady. But if your team passes on a guy who turns out to be a Hall of Famer and instead selects a player who becomes a mediocre journeyman, its glaring lack of omniscience will never be forgotten, or forgiven. And no cliché about hindsight will appease angry fans.
So who is this year's Tom Brady? We won't know for a few years, and that's if a steal in the class of a Tom Brady even exists in this draft. But if you're a fan of football, you're sure to find a compelling story in the 2005 NFL draft, which airs this Saturday and Sunday, April 23 and 24, on ESPN.
There is a quarterback in this draft who has created a quite a buzz. Call me a bandwagon jumper if you like, but he's the guy that I'll bet is going to eventually out-produce every player selected before him. He won't achieve greatness at the quarterback position, though. He changed to receiver to maximize his draft status --- his arm strength is considered marginal --- and has played only one game at that position (the meaningless Senior Bowl). That's right, one game, and not even a whole one at that.
But this kid is different. He's an R.O.U.S. (Receiver Of Unusual Size) from the University of Arkansas named Matt Jones. Six weeks ago, Jones was considered a sixth- or seventh-round "project," but he recently blew the scouts away at the annual NFL scouting combine with an impressive display of receiving skills, a 4.37 40-yard dash, and 40" vertical leap. Now he's widely regarded as a first- or second-round certainty.
How's that? Jones is 6' 6", 242 pounds, and can run as fast or faster than any of the smaller track-star types in the NFL and jump as high as a professional basketball player. Measurements like these are unheard of in the NFL. When you combine them into a profile that includes versatility, good hands, toughness, and a solid, serenely confident character, you have yourself a first-round prospect.
So this year people are wondering more about where Matt Jones will be picked than who will be picked first. Of course, the more important question is: What will time tell us about the wisdom and foresight of selecting him? And that's what the NFL draft is all about: questions. A lot of questions can be answered by the players' height, weight, strength, speed, college production, and intelligence tests. But answers to some of the most important questions are elusive. Will the money change him? Does he really love the game?
This is the stuff that makes the NFL draft the ever-growing phenomenon that it is. It has spawned hundreds of websites run by amateur "draftniks" who ask for subscription fees as high as $40 per year --- and get them. There are "mock draft" contests everywhere. Campbell's (the soup company) is offering $100,000 to the contestant who can guess the entire first round correctly.
How did the draft become so popular? For starters, football is the most popular sport in America. And then there's the king of all NFL draft pundits, Mel Kiper Jr. Since 1984, Kiper has appeared on ESPN to provide viewers with concise factoids about all the players. Some find him grating, but you have to give him credit for helping to elevate the NFL draft into the big event it has become.
He did it in part by brazenly criticizing some NFL general managers and players immediately following selections he considered a "reach." In doing so, he made the draft process interesting. He made it watchable. He's often right in his calls, but he has made his share of embarrassing gaffes, too. In 1994, after the Colts selected future Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk with the second overall pick, Kiper said "That's why the Colts keep picking No. 2 every year." Oops.
But that stuff is for the audience. The football personnel pros for every NFL team know what they're doing and don't care to hear arbitrary and premature grades. They work year-round to prepare for the April draft, watching countless hours of film, talking to college coaches, teammates, parents, and opponents. They interview the prospects, test them in a variety of ways, and even hire psychologists to administer personality evaluations. Finally they convene to debate their futures. They know their stuff.
So, what of the Buffalo Bills' plans? Unless they trade up, they won't make their selection until the second round, having traded their first-round pick for the opportunity to select their new starting quarterback, J.P. Losman, in last year's first round. But the word around the league is that if there's ever been a year to not have a first round pick, it's this one. There is no consensus about who the top 15 players are in this draft, and that's unusual.
Allow me to play the role of Mel Kiper Jr. for a moment and take a stab at the Bills' top pick this year: They will swap second-round picks with the Arizona Cardinals and exchange disgruntled running back Travis Henry for left tackle L.J. Shelton, a rumor that has withstood the test of time. With the higher pick (#44, up from #55) the Bills will select none other than WR Matt Jones, who is exactly the kind of multi-purpose talent Bills Head Coach Mike Mularkey craves.
If I'm right, I'll make sure I remind you in a future article. If I'm wrong, you'll never hear about this again.


Former minister Eric Abetz wants conservatives to be promoted in the Turnbull ministry.
His colleague Kevin Andrews has called for Tony Abbott to be returned to the frontbench, arguing it would be a magnanimous thing for the now-prime minister to do.
When asked for this thoughts, Senator Abetz told ABC radio on Thursday: "I think it would be helpful if the conservative side was to be embraced somewhat more willingly by the leadership of the party."
Senator Abetz said the tight election result shows a more balanced ministry would be of assistance.
He argued the likes of Zed Seselja and Michael Sukkar are excellent people with a great future ahead of them, but would be unlikely to be added straight into cabinet.
"As a result of which, one assumes that people with proven judgment and discernment might be beneficial in the cabinet," he said, without directly naming Mr Abbott.
But he conceded decisions about appointments are up to Mr Turnbull.
"It will set the tone going forward as to who he appoints and that is a judgment for the prime minister to make."
Senator Abetz said it was important for the government to rebuild and not seek to "purge" particular elements of the party.
"The leadership needs to be bigger than that," he said.
"The leadership needs to say `right, we have to regroup' and follow the Menzies and Howard approach of embracing all sides of the party, putting them in cabinet together so you get good, balanced outcomes."
Mr Andrews said the party leadership and the frontbench should be balanced and it would make sense to reappoint Mr Abbott.
"That would be the magnanimous thing to do and the practical thing to do in terms of making sure that this is the party of Menzies, the party of Howard, is the party that broadly represents both liberals and conservatives," he told Sky News on Wednesday night.
Mr Andrews, who was dumped as defence minister by Mr Turnbull last year, said Mr Abbott had a lot of experience as a former prime minister and was seen as a figurehead of conservatives within the party.
He said the government also needed to regain the trust of many voters who chose to side with minor parties rather than the coalition.


Laptop makers are supposedly no longer waiting for Ultrabooks to reach more budget-friendly prices, and have decided to create cheaper models that mimic the design of the Intel notebook platform.
Like the look of the new Ultrabooks, but not ready to pony up the $1,000 or more that they cost? Notebook vendors feel your pain, and are apparently ready to do something about it for you.
According to Digitimes, laptop makers are no longer waiting for Ultrabooks to reach more budget-friendly prices, and have decided to create cheaper models that mimic the design of the Intel notebook platform. Component suppliers tell the site that vendors will make adjustments -- a.k.a. cheaper parts and updated designs -- to provide lower-cost versions. That could include using AMD processors instead of new Intel Ivy Bridge ones, an opening AMD would surely love to exploit.
The good news is that the Ultrabook look is apparently appealing to the masses enough that manufacturers want to fulfill their demand. The bad news, at least for Intel, is that its mobile chip customers appear ready to position the original Ultrabooks as high-end offerings, and their knock-offs as mainstream products. We've previously reported that Intel has sunk a lot of money into marketing the Ultrabook concept, but has tried to keep its profit margins high, which may be blowing up in its face a bit if these report are accurate.
Would you buy an Ultrabook-like laptop instead of the real deal? Why or why not? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments section below.


Match ends, Leicester City 2, Liverpool 3.
Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Attempt saved. Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Shinji Okazaki.
Foul by Marc Albrighton (Leicester City).
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Danny Simpson.
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Danny Simpson (Leicester City).
Emre Can (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Andy King (Leicester City).
Attempt missed. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Emre Can (Liverpool) hits the left post with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Mohamed Salah.
Attempt blocked. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Alberto Moreno.
Goal! Leicester City 0, Liverpool 1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) header from the right side of the six yard box to the top right corner. Assisted by Philippe Coutinho with a cross.
Offside, Leicester City. Marc Albrighton tries a through ball, but Shinji Okazaki is caught offside.
Attempt blocked. Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Andy King.
Marc Albrighton (Leicester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by Emre Can.
Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by Simon Mignolet.
Attempt saved. Shinji Okazaki (Leicester City) right footed shot from long range on the right is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jamie Vardy.
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Goal! Leicester City 0, Liverpool 2. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Attempt blocked. Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Attempt blocked. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Foul by Alberto Moreno (Liverpool).
Offside, Leicester City. Marc Albrighton tries a through ball, but Jamie Vardy is caught offside.
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Wes Morgan.
Attempt blocked. Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Philippe Coutinho.
Attempt saved. Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Alberto Moreno with a cross.
Foul by Joseph Gomez (Liverpool).
Marc Albrighton (Leicester City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Offside, Leicester City. Marc Albrighton tries a through ball, but Harry Maguire is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Emre Can.
Second Half begins Leicester City 1, Liverpool 2.
Attempt saved. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Emre Can with a headed pass.
Goal! Leicester City 1, Liverpool 2. Shinji Okazaki (Leicester City) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Harry Maguire following a corner.
Attempt missed. Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Marc Albrighton with a cross following a corner.
Attempt saved. Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Riyad Mahrez with a cross.
First Half ends, Leicester City 1, Liverpool 2.
Delay in match Ben Chilwell (Leicester City) because of an injury.
Offside, Leicester City. Wilfred Ndidi tries a through ball, but Jamie Vardy is caught offside.
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Harry Maguire.
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Marc Albrighton.
Dejan Lovren (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
(Leicester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Dejan Lovren (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Philippe Coutinho with a cross following a corner.
Attempt missed. Emre Can (Liverpool) header from the left side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by Jordan Henderson.
Andy King (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Leicester City. Demarai Gray replaces Riyad Mahrez.
Attempt missed. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Jordan Henderson.
Attempt blocked. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jordan Henderson.
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Attempt blocked. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Philippe Coutinho.
Attempt blocked. Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Marc Albrighton.
Attempt blocked. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Alberto Moreno.
Attempt blocked. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Goal! Leicester City 1, Liverpool 3. Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Daniel Sturridge following a fast break.
Goal! Leicester City 2, Liverpool 3. Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) header from the left side of the six yard box to the centre of the goal.
Attempt saved. Demarai Gray (Leicester City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Marc Albrighton with a cross.
Simon Mignolet (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Penalty conceded by Simon Mignolet (Liverpool) after a foul in the penalty area.
Penalty Leicester City. Jamie Vardy draws a foul in the penalty area.
Penalty saved! Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the top centre of the goal.
Substitution, Leicester City. Kelechi Iheanacho replaces Shinji Okazaki.
Substitution, Liverpool. James Milner replaces Emre Can.
Attempt missed. Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Philippe Coutinho.
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution, Liverpool. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaces Philippe Coutinho.
Substitution, Leicester City. Islam Slimani replaces Marc Albrighton.
Attempt missed. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Daniel Sturridge.
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Kasper Schmeichel.
Attempt saved. Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Offside, Liverpool. Daniel Sturridge tries a through ball, but Mohamed Salah is caught offside.
Foul by Dejan Lovren (Liverpool).
Attempt blocked. Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Attempt missed. Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Foul by Harry Maguire (Leicester City).
Delay in match Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) because of an injury.
Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Second Half ends, Leicester City 2, Liverpool 3.


Bihar’s principal secretary (education) Amarjeet Sinha has indicated that the forensic science laboratory report identifying the poisonous substance in the mid-day meal is expected today.
As Bihar awaited the much-anticipated forensic report, which will ascertain the exact cause of death of 23 school students in Chhapra, the district administration on Saturday started the formalities for attaching the property of Meena Devi, the headmistress of the Dharma Sati primary school at Gandaman village where poisonous mid-day meal triggered the tragedy a couple of days ago.
Bihar’s principal secretary (education) Amarjeet Sinha has indicated that the forensic science laboratory report identifying the poisonous substance in the mid-day meal is expected on Saturday.
However, it is not certain if, indeed, the report will be available on Saturday or be postponed till Monday.
The state government on Friday issued orders for attachment of property of headmistress Meena Devi even as it ordered the school to be moved from its present site and merged with the nearest middle school where infrastructure for mid-day meal was better.
It also declared that the role of senior deputy collector, district education officer (DEO) and block education extension officers (BEEO), charged with the responsibility to monitor the mid-day meal project, would be minutely looked into and accountability would be fixed.
The school has been virtually turned into burial ground with four bodies buried right in front to make the villagers’ anger symbolic after 23 deaths.
Sinha said if required, schools at other places can run in two shifts if there is not enough space in any school to accommodate two.
Bihar has over 8200 schools without buildings.
He appealed to school management committee members, made of mothers of studying children and elected representatives of panchayats, to taste the food being served to monitor quality, even as he issued an appeal to civil society groups to act as watchdogs.
Sinha said the Chhapra police were in hot pursuit of Meena Devi and her husband, the vendor who supplied mid-day meal rations to the primary school. They were named in the FIR.
The other teacher, Kalpana, who was absent on the day, had been issued a showcause notice.
The officials, however, said with viscera reports still not available, identification of the exact poisonous substance used in the food would take more time.
Meena Devi, as per the FIR filed, is the prime suspect in the unfortunate episode. She is recorded to have forced the female cook to use the oil despite the latter’s complaint that the oil had a pungent smell and had turned black after being placed over fire for cooking potato and soyabeans.
The cook lost two of her three kids and is herself hospitalised — being treated for severe shock and trauma besides poisoning - at the Patna medical college and hospital (PMCH).
Superintendent of police, Chhapra, Sujit Kumar said the report of the viscera examination was awaited before a chargesheet could be filed.
The police on Friday went to the principal’s house, which was found locked.


In the 1700s, a French craftsman named Andre Jacob Roubo took the time to record his vast woodworking knowledge, presumably for the benefit of future generations. His resultant work, L'Art du Menuisier (loosely translated, "The Art of the Joiner") was a three-volume set containing over 300 illustration plates.
In 2008 woodworkers Christopher Schwarz and Bjenk Ellefsen of Lost Art Press admirably took on the Herculean task of translating the work into English. It's not a matter of simply plugging text into Google Translator; Roubo refers to extinct tools, and the pre-Metric French measurement system differs from anything we use today. But the first translated piece of the tome, "On tools for cutting and preparing wood," is here.
That initial translation caused a stir in the woodworking community, because it provided explanation and details of Roubo's workbench design—absolutely the most crucial piece of shop equipment in a pre-table-saw era. Modern-day accomplished woodworkers gamely began replicating Roubo's design, as in the drawing below.
YouTube tutorials went up on the subject, including this staggering 34-part series.
We thought we'd show you something that makes for more manageable viewing: A craftsman named Ryan Van Dyke walking you through the features of his finished Roubo bench (which features the Benchcrafted Tail Vise we wrote about earlier).
Of the multiples we've seen on YouTube, Van Dyke's video is the clearest and best-shot--but he's rendered it unembeddable. Click here to check it out.
The latest development in the Roubo translation occurred just last week. Schwarz's co-conspirator Don Williams reached a milestone and completed the bulk of the work, getting through 94,000 words—or as he puts it, "Three people, four years, five thousand hours."


“Healthy Planet, Healthy You!” is the theme for the 14th Annual Earth Day Expo Saturday at Monroe County Community College.
The free family-friendly event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Gerald Welch Health Education Building at the north end of the campus, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd.
More than 50 booths and exhibitors will offer activities, presentations and displays for children and adults.
Topics will include sustainability, recycling, composting, gardening, energy efficiency, alternative energy, green living and personal health and wellness.
Prize drawings will be held for a La-Z-Boy chair, one-year membership to the Monroe Family YMCA, kids’ bicycles and other prizes.
Also featured will be the River Raisin Institute’s Climate Literacy school project — “Scaled Wings at Work” — that focuses on butterflies as pollinators.
Children from 16 area classrooms are creating larger-than-life butterfly sculptures made with recycled and re-used materials for display, said Dan Rock, Recycling and Green Community Program coordinator for the county.
Three one-kilometer Fun Runs are planned in conjunction with RunHip, a Monroe fitness business. Those who participate are entered in a drawing to win a $25 gift card from the business, Rock said. More information is included on the Run Hip website, www.runhip.com. There is no entry fee and participants can register Saturday.
“We’re having three of the same runs with a route we’ve set up all around campus,” Rock said.
Expo sponsors are the County of Monroe; Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; River Raisin Institute; Monroe Family YMCA; Monroe County Library System, DTE Energy Foundation; DTE Energy, and La-Z-Boy Incorporated.
For more information on recycling and green community programs, visit www.greenmonroecounty.com or contact Rock at 734-240-7909 or e-mail Dan_Rock@monroemi.org.


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