Remarks of President Barack Obama As Prepared for Delivery Saturday, April 9, 2011 Washington, DC Last night, after weeks of long and difficult negotiations over our national budget, leaders of both parties came together to avert a government shutdown, cut spending, and invest in our future. This is good news for the American people. It means that small businesses can get the loans they need, our families… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Lynn Sweet Discovery Date : 09/04/2011 12:44 Number of articles : 3
Continue reading …Department of Transport promises backing for bill presented on behalf of family whose daughter was killed by a cyclist The government plans to introduce a new offence of causing death by dangerous cycling following concerns that there is no suitable legislation to deal with riders who are involved in incidents such as hitting pedestrians on pavements. The Department of Transport has promised to support a bill presented to the House of Commons by Andrea Leadsom, the Tory MP for South Northamptonshire , who is campaigning on behalf of a family whose teenage daughter was struck and killed by a reckless cyclist . The move follows a significant increase in the popularity of cycling in many parts of the UK over recent years and a parallel spate of alarmist media stories about aggressive “Lycra louts”. The plans have been criticised by cycling groups who argue that such deaths are so rare that a new law is unnecessary, as well as a distraction from a far bigger threat to pedestrians posed by cars. In 2009, the last year for which road death statistics have been collated, no pedestrians were killed by cyclists whereas 426 died in collisions with motor vehicles. Cyclists can be fined for dangerous or careless cycling but more serious offences can only be dealt with under a section of the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act originally aimed at the “wanton or furious” driving of a horse-drawn carriage. Leadsom introduced a bill to the Commons last month , using as an example Rhiannon Bennett, then 17, who was killed by a speeding cyclist in 2007. The cyclist was fined £2,200 after prosecutors decided that dangerous cycling was the only appropriate charge. While such MP-sponsored bills rarely get beyond a first reading, the road safety minister, Mike Penning, has promised the Bennetts his support. Mark Wardrop, a solicitor who has been working with family, said: “He met us afterwards in the lobby and said to the effect of: we agree with your arguments, and we’re in the process of updating a lot of road traffic laws to bring them up to date. We would look at trying to tag this on to another bill if possible.” Leadsom, who is a regular cyclist, insists she only wants to clear up a legal anomaly and is not seeking to vilify fellow riders. But the national cycling group, the CTC , argues her measure is unnecessary given that courts have used the 1861 act in the last decade to jail two cyclists who killed pedestrians, while drivers routinely receive non-custodial sentences for killing cyclists. “If the Department for Transport really wants to consider this as a serious proposal, then they need to consider the use of all road traffic offences,” said Chris Peck, the CTC’s policy co-ordinator. “Currently, only around 25% of road deaths are prosecuted using causing death by careless or dangerous, or causing death while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. We have recorded dozens of cases where the deaths of vulnerable users, including many cyclists, are simply never prosecuted.” Transport policy Cycling Transport House of Commons Peter Walker guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Hosni Mubarak gives first public address since his removal from power, as new wave of protests turns against military Egypt’s deposed president Hosni Mubarak has denied he stole billions of dollars from his country’s coffers, in his first public address since he was removed from power by mass protests in February. Mubarak said he would defend himself from any accusations of corruption, after a fresh wave of protests in Cairo in part to demand he be put on trial. “I will uphold all my legal rights to defend my reputation as well as that of my family,” he said in a speech broadcast on an Arab satellite news channel. “I have been, and still am, pained by what I and my family are facing from fraudulent campaigns and unfounded allegations that seek to harm my reputation, my integrity and my military and political record.” Mubarak said he held just one account with an Egyptian bank, and promised to co-operate with any investigation in order to prove that he did not have property or bank accounts abroad. He also denied similar accusations against his wealthy and once powerful sons, Alaa and Gamal. The al-Arabya news channel said the speech was recorded on Saturday in response to demonstrations in Cairo called in part to demand Egypt’s military rulers investigate the source of Mubarak’s wealth. The ruling military council, which took control of the country after Mubarak was toppled on 11 February, attempted to defuse the new wave of protests by announcing it would sack unpopular provincial governors appointed by the former president. But on Sunday more than 1,000 demonstrators rejected demands by the army to leave Tahrir Square, the heart of the uprising that brought down Mubarak. On Saturday the army opened fire on a crowd in the square, killing at least two people and wounding dozens, and on Sunday some of the demonstrators called for a new revolution. They brandished an effigy of the head of the ruling military council, Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi. “The people demand that the field marshal be toppled,” the protesters chanted. The soldiers’ firing on the protesters opens a breach between the military and many Egyptians who had chanted “the people and army are one” at the anti-Mubarak rallies. On Saturday they chanted “the people and people are one”, in an open rebuke to the military which some say is not moving swiftly enough to dismantle the old regime and towards democracy. The army has promised elections for parliament in September and held a referendum on a new constitution, which passed. But it has attempted to ban protests and continues to arrest and torture dissidents despite a professed commitment to freedom of speech. Ahmed el-Moqdami, who told Reuters he was in a group representing the youth of Upper Egypt, said the standoff with the army would continue. “We will continue the sit-in until our demands are met,” he said. “First of all, the field marshal must go. Mubarak must be put on trial and a civilian council must be formed for the transition period.” The military has barred Mubarak, 82, from leaving the country while the investigations continue. He has been living in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh . Hosni Mubarak Egypt Arab and Middle East unrest Middle East Chris McGreal guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …I have to say, I really, really hoped that this wouldn’t happen. But as I recently noted, it sure sounds like the feds want to sidestep the state attorneys general and let the mortgage bankers off the hook . Happy to be wrong, of course, but David Dayen thinks the same thing . The states still get a whack at their group settlement: Prepare for a disappointment. As early as this week, federal bank regulators and the nation’s big banks are expected to close a deal that is supposed to address and correct the scandalous abuses. If these agreements are anything like the draft agreement recently published by the American Banker — and we believe they will be — they will be a wrist slap, at best. At worst, they are an attempt to preclude other efforts to hold banks accountable . They are unlikely to ease the foreclosure crisis. The deals grew out of last year’s investigation into robo-signing — when banks were found to have filed false documents in foreclosure cases. The report of the investigation has not been released, but we know that robo-signing was not an isolated problem. Many other abuses are well documented: late fees that are so high that borrowers can’t catch up on late payments; conflicts of interest that lead banks to favor foreclosures over loan modifications. The draft does not call for tough new rules to end those abuses. Or for ramped-up loan modifications. Or for penalties for past violations. Instead, it requires banks to improve the management of their foreclosure processes, including such reforms as “measures to ensure that staff are trained specifically” for their jobs. The banks will also have to adhere to a few new common-sense rules like halting foreclosures while borrowers seek loan modifications and establishing a phone number at which a person will take questions from delinquent borrowers . Some regulators have reportedly said that fines may be imposed later. But the gist of the terms is that from now on, banks — without admitting or denying wrongdoing — must abide by existing laws and current contracts. To clear up past violations, they are required to hire independent consultants to check a sample of recent foreclosures for evidence of improper evictions and impermissible fees. The consultants will be chosen and paid by the banks, which will decide how the reviews are conducted. Regulators will only approve the banks’ self-imposed practices. It is hard to imagine rigorous reviews, but if the consultants turn up problems, the banks are required to reimburse affected borrowers and investors as “appropriate.” It is apparently up to the banks to decide what is appropriate. It gets worse. Consumer advocates have warned that banks may try to assert that these legal agreements pre-empt actions by the states to correct and punish foreclosure abuses . Banks may also try to argue that any additional rules by the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to help borrowers would be excessive regulation. The least federal regulators could do is to stress that the agreements are not intended to pre-empt the states or undermine the consumer bureau. If they don’t, you can add foreclosure abuses to other bank outrages, like bailout-financed bonuses and taxpayer-subsidized profits.
Continue reading …Billionaire Tom Gores has reached an agreement with the Detroit Pistons to purchase the NBA franchise. The deal between Gores and team owner Karen Davidson also includes The Palace of Auburn Hills and DTE Energy Music Theatre. “We are pleased to welcome Tom Gores as the new owner of the Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment,” Davidson said in a statement. “Just as my late husband, Bill Davidson, was the face of the Pistons, I am confident that Tom will bring the same energy, dedication and love to this organization.” Gores is acting chairman and CEO of the California-based Platinum Equity firm. According to Forbes list of 2011 billionaires, he is worth an estimated $2.4 billion. The value of the agreement was not released. The Pistons are scheduled to play the Milwaukee Bucks tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Continue reading …ABC's Jonathan Karl last week asked Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) if his 2012 budget proposal is a “political kamikaze mission” that will “ultimately cost Republicans” their majority in the House. After Christiane Amanpour played this clip and asked if Ryan is a “visionary or a villain” on Sunday's “This Week,” George Will marvelously responded – likely to the dismay of all present! – “Paul Ryan is eight years younger than the President but vastly more experienced and conversant with these issues” (video follows with transcript and commentary): (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) JONATHAN KARL, ABC: What do you say to nervous Republicans who say that this is a political kamikaze mission? You've just given Democrats a big target that may ultimately cost Republicans your majority here in the House? (END VIDEOTAPE) (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) REP. PAUL RYAN (R-WISCONSIN): Look at these people, look at these new people who just got here. You know, they didn't come here for a political career. They came here for a cause. This is not a budget, this is a cause. (END VIDEOTAPE) CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, HOST: Congressman Paul Ryan, certainly not one to fiddle around the edges of the financial crisis confronting this country. This week, he unveiled a sweeping budget proposal to cut $6 trillion from the budget over ten years. That is trillion with a “T”. Ryan would also revamp, some would say dismantle, the cherished programs Medicare and Medicaid. Is he a visionary or is he a villain? Whatever your point of view, one thing is not in dispute: Ryan's plan will drive this epic debate. So, let's bring back our roundtable, George Will, Chrystia Freeland, Ron Brownstein and Donna Brazile. George, you were just talking before we went to a break, how will this change the conversation? It will the Ryan plan. GEORGE WILL: Paul Ryan is eight years younger than the President but vastly more experienced and conversant with these issues. The Republicans are now bound as with hoops of steel to this plan by Ryan. They really can't avoid it, and the President can't avoid engaging it. Now, the President's initial response was that the Democrats will say this is extreme. This extreme plan by Paul Ryan envisions over the next decade a 34 percent increase in federal spending. It envisions adding trillions of dollars to the national debt. That's how slow the glide plan is that he proposes. Furthermore, on Medicare, Medicare is doomed as we know it, not by Mr. Ryan, but by Mr. Arithmetic. It just doesn't work anymore. And therefore, when he preposes essentially what the bipartisan commission on Medicare proposed more than a decade ago, premium support, which is, no matter what Mr. Hollen [sic] said a moment ago, is essentially what every federal worker has from the man who delivers your mail to Harry Reid who delivers stuff. Indeed, and what the media are going to do in the coming weeks is from the same playbook they used to prevent Social Security reform in 2005: distract, distort, and misinform. These folks have been complaining for months that Republicans having just taken control of the House were making minor cuts to discretionary spending while avoiding going after the real meat in the entitlement programs. Some of the more honest ones even criticized the President for doing the same thing in his budget proposal. Now that Ryan has come out with a plan that does go after Medicare and Medicaid, so-called journalists are going to forget all their previous squawking about there being no adults in the room willing to actually face up to the real budget problems facing the nation and instead demonize Ryan and Republicans for wanting to starve women, children, and the elderly. It's getting old, isn't it?
Continue reading …Japanese police braced for conflict with underworld as Yamaguchi-gumi head Kenichi Shinoda released after six-year sentence Police in Japan are bracing themselves for the possibility of conflict with the underworld after the head of the country’s most powerful crime syndicate was released from prison. Kenichi Shinoda was freed from the Fuchu prison, near Tokyo, on Saturday after serving a six-year sentence for firearms offences. Wearing a brown leather fedora and dark sunglasses, the 69-year-old was ushered into a waiting van shortly after dawn and taken to the western port city of Kobe, the headquarters of the Yamaguchi-gumi. Around 35,000 gangsters – 44% of Japan’s total – are members of the Yamaguchi-gumi, which has adopted a more aggressive stance under Shinoda’s leadership . Soon after he became Japan’s most powerful mafia don in July 2005 , Shinoda forged links with rival gangs and extended the Yamaguchi-gumi’s reach beyond its traditional base in western Japan. The potential for conflict has risen over the past two years amid a police crackdown on gang activities that resulted in the arrest of Shinoda’s second in command, Kiyoshi Takayama , for alleged extortion in November. Takaharu Ando, the head of the national police agency, has vowed to destroy the Yamaguchi-gumi as part of an unprecedented crackdown on organised crime. “We want them to disappear from public life,” he told reporters after being appointed in 2009. Shinoda – also known as Shinobu Tsukasa – served 13 years in prison for killing a rival with a samurai sword in the 1970s while he was the leader of the notorious Kodo-kai, a Yamaguchi-gumi affiliate based in central Japan. Japan Organised crime Justin McCurry guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Fresh to BlackBerry’s Beta Zone portal , RIM has introduced BlackBerry Mobile Conferencing, an app designed to take the (apparent) mystery out of joining a conference call — thus putting the jobs of many executive assistants in jeopardy. Scheduled telephonic meetings are pushed to an employee’s phone, automatically blocking out time in the calendar. When it’s collaboration time, all attendees are reminded with a handy ‘join now’ button that automatically dials into hosted conferences — complete with access codes and all. Should your call be dropped, dialing back in is just another click away. Yeah, we know you should already be the boss, but if yours can’t figure this one out, feel free to start arranging that corner office in the back of your mind. RIM betas BlackBerry Mobile Conferencing, allows your boss to join his / her own concalls originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 11:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …LONDON — A shooting aboard a nuclear-powered submarine in an English port Friday left one Royal Navy sailor dead, one critically injured and a third under arrest, police and military officials said. Police said the incident on HMS Astute, docked in Southampton, southern England, was not terrorism related. “Two Royal Navy personnel have been involved in a firearms incident at Southampton docks,” Britain’s defense ministry said in a statement. “Sadly, one has now died as a result of his injuries.” Defense Secretary Liam Fox said he was saddened by the “tragic incident.” Police said officers were attempting to contact relatives of the dead and injured servicemen following the shooting, which took place at around 11:10 a.m. GMT (7:10 a.m. EDT). Submariners do not usually carry loaded firearms aboard ship. The sub, which is based in Scotland, was on a five-day visit to Southampton. Three local dignitaries, including the city’s mayor and the leader of the city council, were aboard the ship at the time of the shooting, but were unharmed. “We can confirm they are safe and unharmed and should be coming off and taken away by car soon. They have clearly been through a traumatic experience,” the council said in a statement. The 1 billion pound (US$1.6 billion) vessel is one of Britain’s fleet of 11 submarines powered by nuclear reactors. Launched in 2007, it is armed with Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missile. The vessel’s commander was removed from his post after the Astute hit rocks and ran aground in late October near the Isle of Skye off the west coast of Scotland. It was stuck for several hours until it was towed to safety. The defense ministry said it planned to open a Royal Navy investigation into the shooting.
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