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Corel Training Partner Program
The Corel Training Partner Program (CTPP) provides you with the tools, resources and expertise to implement training on Corel's leading software products. If Eligible and you fulfill the CTPP prerequisites, you can become a qualified Corel Training Partner, enabling you to create new markets and opportunities to promote your Corel product business training services.
It's a straightforward program, designed to provide you with everything you need to become an authorized training partner and to get started quickly.
The CTPP benefits include:
- Eligibility to a four license media pack of our leading software on which you will, following completion of the 'train the trainer' series, be certified to provide training services at your training facility. The license media pack includes the following software:
o CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite
o VideoStudio® Pro
o PaintShop Pro®
o Painter™
- A complete 'train the trainer' protection plan – worth over $449 USD – that includes;
o A one-off Getting Started Webinar* – 1.5-hour introductory product overview scheduled at your convenience (English language only)
o A one-off One-on-One Personalized Training session* – One 30-minute live training session with a product expert (English language only)
o Express Technical Support Service, that includes:
- three FREE Support Cases of priority technical support per your 12-month membership term
- priority support via a toll-free phone number
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- Free listing on the Corel Training Partner Program page on Corel.com and localized sites determined by Corel.
- Permission to use the Corel Partner logo and certain Corel marks
- Exclusive access to Corel global sales and merchandising tools via our related Corel Partner Program.
* Please note: Product Webinars and One-on-One Training can be scheduled for Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST.
- CTPs must have a legitimate registered company in the same jurisdiction in which they will be offering training courses, with local training facilities or resources. Upon submission of the CTP, you will be required to provide proof of business registration.
- All of Corel Product training sessions must be delivered by employees of the certified identified in the CTPP membership application.
- CTPs will be required to renew membership in the CTPP annually, at Corel's then-current pricing, as a prerequisite to continued access to CTPP Benefits (more fully described in the CTPP Agreement).
- The CTP pricing is standardized in the USD and the CTPP is open in North America (Canada and USA), Europe, Middle East and South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
If you are interested in becoming a certified CTP, please review our CTPP and the CTPP Agreement before you apply; if you agree with these terms and conditions you may apply by sending your request to firstname.lastname@example.com. Major credit cards accepted.


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Remember this? Well, it seems he's still at it. So much for understanding. It seems that does jack squat. You can't reason with someone who has no reasoning.
This Story Was Sent To Me By John K
Saturday, November 5, 2005
Posted by Christopher Lee on 11/05/2005 12:56:00 PM
3 comments:
- John K said...
No comments from Za on this. I warned him a few months ago.
- November 08, 2005 10:33 PM
- Indian Chris said...
I don't think Za comes around here anymore.
- November 09, 2005 9:39 AM
- John K said...
Wow..thats great news!!!!!!
- November 12, 2005 4:03 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

subset: commoncrawl


text: Reporting overview and current materials Search for campaign finance reports Hennepin County Elections is the filing office for principal candidate committees, political committees and political funds designated in Minnesota Statute 383B.041. The county's campaign finance reporting is governed by Minnesota Statutes (MS) 383B.041-.058 and sections of MS 211A and MS 211B. Each political committee must have a treasurer who completes and submits the financial reports. Does my committee need to file with Hennepin County? The following committees file campaign finance reports with Hennepin County Principal candidate committees County offices in Hennepin County Offices in the City of Minneapolis and Special School District No. 1 Offices in the City of Bloomington Offices in the City of Brooklyn Park Political committees and funds Which contribute to the campaign committees listed above Whose major purpose is to influence a county wide or city ballot issue for the cities listed above How to register a (or amend an existing) committee Review the registration instructions (DOC) Treasurer completes and submits a registration form (RTF) How to submit campaign finance reports Review the Report due dates and late fees section of this page to determine when your reports are due Review the report instructions (DOC) Treasurer completes and submits the appropriate report. Reports may be submitted via mail, email, fax, or in-person. Pre-primary 2019 (RTF) Pre-general 2019 (RTF) Annual 2019 (RTF)


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Jem necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 37 diseños de 15 diseñadores freelance.
A simple symbol or design with the letters PDC
Desired Color Scheme:
see main description & website
Accepted File Formats:
photoshop layered, psd, tiff
I need an attractive symbol that somehow denotes cleanliness, vitality, brightness, support, health, fitness, energy, care, spirituality, professionalism. My juice fasting detox work includes teaching yoga, meditation & nutrition, as well as giving various massage & bodywork sessions. I provide one on one support for people who want to go through a detox to improve their health.
My work is about helping people become clean, cleansed & brighter, & this shows up in them having greater vitality, energy, enthusiasm, inspiration. I also teach people yoga, chi gung & meditation, so they often become fitter more connected to their bodys & also connected to their spiritual or inner self. The retreats are really supportive, healing & educational.
- a symbol that captures this would be great.
This may be used on the website: http://www.personaldetoxcoach.com and on letter headings.
Colours used need to match website which is predominantly aqua green and purple
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Vikings to Re-Sign Matt Cassel
MINNEAPOLIS - Quarterback Matt Cassel will be returning to the Minnesota Vikings next season.
Sources say the Vikings re-signed Cassel to a two year deal worth $10 million.
Cassel was brought on by the Vikings last year as a backup for Christian Ponder. Cassel eventually took over the starting role later in the season, making six starts for Minnesota.
The Vikings went 3-3 with Cassel starting. Cassel threw for 1807 yards, 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions during the season.


text: Forum Please note that you can subscribe to the individual forums. A subscription for news only covers the news. Forums Members Recent Posts Register Login Forums Members S-dw Subscriptions S-dw Group: Registered Joined: 2018-07-15 Title: Member Profile Activity You do not have permission to view this page Share: Forum Statistics 6 Forums 82 Topics 263 Posts 2 Online 603 Members Latest Post: Looking for Quinoxx script Our newest member: SubSarah20 Recent Posts Unread Posts Tags Forum Icons: Forum contains no unread posts Forum contains unread posts Mark all read Topic Icons: Not Replied Replied Active Hot Sticky Unapproved Solved Private Closed Powered by wpForo version 1.6.5


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2011 Toby Hall Celebrity Golf Classic
Day 2 of the Charity Week experience. This charity event actually took place last Thursday, but somehow I lost my little camera video card in the movement from the camera to the computer. Now that the day's photos are safely within the computer, it is time to give you some of the highlights and tales from the 2011 Toby Hall Celebrity Golf Classic.
This is my second year volunteering for this golfing event that first started out as a bowling event in Tampa so many years ago. Arrived at the Bayou Club gold clubhouse about 9:45-ish and immediately came face-to face with three off-duty members of the St. Petersburg Police Department.
They were there as special guests of Hall to participate in a fundraising event through their memorial T-shirt benefiting the families of two recently slain SPPD officers. During the charity event, the SPPD representatives set up a tent at the turning point or Hole 9.5 of the course and as the golfing pairs came up to do the putting challenge, they could also purchase T-shirts and speak to the officers( including a K-9 officer) that knew the two officers.
When Tampa Bay Rays centerfielder B J Upton's 5-member pairing came up for the putting contest, Upton took a moment to go over to the SPPD tent and purchased not one, but over a dozen T-shirts, including one for everyone in his pairing group.
Fellow Rays Fans Wall of Fame member George Stone was on the scene again that day spreading the word about the featured charity of the event, The Miracle League. Some might not know that the Miracle League is a baseball league formed so that children of all ages with special needs and abilities can also enjoy the greatest game on dirt. At one point later in the evening, Stone actually got a verbal commitment from St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster to attend the 2011 Opening Day event in St. Petersburg.
There were plenty of Rays, plus ex-Rays on hand this day helping Hall in his quest to help this great organization. I remember a few years ago when they completely re-constructed the Miracle League field in the Azalea region of St. Petersburg, just down the street from the old Rays Spring Training facility.
On hand that day supporting Hall's charity event was Dan Wheeler (Red Sox), Jesse Litsch (Jays), Brian Stokes (Jays).Boof Bonser ( NY Mets), Jason Michaels (Astros), Trever Miller (Cardinals),Ryan Webb (Marlins), Gregg Zaun (Padres), Miguel Cairo (Reds). Bobby Wilson (Angels) and Jorge Cantu (Padres), plus former NBA star Matt Gieger and retired Bucs running back Mike Alstott.
Representing the Rays was Upton, starter James Shields, RP Andy Sonnanstine, and new RP Adam Russell. Also on hand were a few other well known Rays faces either from the Coaching ranks, or from their on-the-field reporting. Broadcaster Todd Kalas was joined on this day by current Rays Third Base Coach Tom Foley and former Rays Coaches Bill Evers ( Durham Bulls), Ozzie Timmons (Columbus Catfish) and former Hitting Coach Steve Henderson. Rays shortstop Reid Brignac was also scheduled to attend, but had an emergency.
I was stationed to begin the day in the registration area handing out specially made Toby Hall caps, visors and rain slickers. But just as it seemed I might have an early end to my day, I volunteered to run the putting contest. It was a great time in which each pairing member got a chance to hit one golf ball into a sectioned off squared area for multiples of points with a maximum of 10 points if you sunk your putt..
You could cut the air with a knife as to the early competitive nature of the event as Cairo was the closest to the hole for most of the day until 5 pairings from the end, the cream began to rise to the putting top of the pot. Local attorney David Papa, who was in the Wilson pairing found the center of the hole to become the first to thrust his team to a sizeable lead. ( total 14 points).
That total seemed safe until one of the last groups, which included LPGA star Brittney Linicome, had their first putting contestant Tim Nalls of American Marketing put in square in the hole. With an immediate 10 points, this team was quickly putting (bad pun) itself into contention for the Putting contest crown.
But suddenly we all noticed that Linicome, who had an early flight out of Orlando in the morning for a LPGA event had left before taking her putting chance. I made an executive putting contest decision to let Nalls put his way to either team victory, or a second place finish. The climatic moment was short lived as Nalls pulled his second try to the right and did not even register a single additional point. I wonder if Linicome would have gotten them that needed 5 points for their victory by putting her golf ball in the inner square within a foot of the hole? We will never know.
But the solace of placing second was definitely short lived by the Linicome pairing as they finished the event with a 52, good enough for the eventual top finish in the tournament and bragging right for the entire year. As the teammates from the Linicome pairing basked in the afterglow and celebrated at the after party at Courtside Grille minus Brittney. The real winner here was the Miracle League.
I have been proud the last two years of volunteering in this event, and also made a commitment that day to help another event that will be held this Friday. On that day I will be helping out the Jesse Litsch & Bechtel Financial Celebrity Golf Tournament in Oldsmar, Florida. How can I possibly complain, another great day in the Sun with athletes supporting their local charities and spreading the news of this great charitable golfing event.
I want to remind the Rays Republic that the memorial T-shirts that benefit the families of the two slain SPPD officers will be ongoing in the Tampa Bay community. You can contact, or visit the St. Petersburg Police Department's lobby to purchase a T-shirt, or contact them about ongoing outside T-shirt opportunities within the community. Please support this worthy charity and remembrance of these Tampa Bay heroes.
Again I want to thank Tracey and her staff plus Toby for the adventures and memories. Believe me, I have more than a few moments to tell people about that would not fit on this post today. But that is the great thing about charity events like this that happen so close to Spring Training. The excitement levels in seeing past friends and the approaching report dates just adds to the zeal and essence of the tournament.
I am already looking forward to the 2012 event. I want to post a link here for the Miracle League of the Gulf Beaches and hope that all of us can contribute in some way to a great organization that brings the love of the game to some that might not be able to run, hit or even pitch like everyone, but the smile and joy on their faces as they move around the bases makes it so worthwhile.
All photos taken at the 2011 Toby Hall Celebrity Golf Classic can be found in a photo set on Flickr.com
8 Comments
Classy move by Upton. Sounds like a wonderful event. As always, thank you for sharing.
Been telling people for a while that Upton is a class act. Some people get it, while others just think I am just banging the drum for him.
It was a tragic episode that unfortunately ended in lives being lost. Any time that happens whether it is battle, accident or even in the line of duty, it is an event to remember and hope never darkens our doors again.
I am glad you enjoyed it. I am just trying to show people another part of the game they might normally never see or hear about. Charity events do not always make the evening news or newspapers.
Rays Renegade
Funny thing is…..I am not a golfer, but I play one online…mini golf actually.
I just get a kick out of seeing grown men get frustrated over a tiny little white ball that has a mind of its own at times. Some of the antics people will gothrough to even make someone mess up a putt is…inspirational.
Rays Renegade
I didn't take you for a golf guy…..Must be the surly photo on your old blog.
But just for you ( and the charity), I will post a review of another great golfing event later this week. I am actually looking forward to working the Jesse Litsch Golf Tornament since he went to my old alma mater, plus worked for the Rays for a while as a batboy and intern.
Rays Renegade
The Golf outing seemed like a great event. It's pretty cool that you could dontate your time to a charitable cause.
Since I am currently unemployed…All I have is time to volunteer between submitting for jobs and dreaming of baseball. I would of volunteered even if I was working. There are only so many chances to give of yourself before out time here is done…Maybe I am padding my resume for a higher place….possibly, maybe… I guess we shall see.
Rays Renegade


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Many Americans will just be clearing dinner dishes this evening as President Barack Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney face off for the second debate of this presidential election.
Those folks who are staring at dingy, food-caked counters and appliances will perhaps be reminded of two leading ingredients in the green-cleaning race: vinegar and baking soda.
Each of these stain-fighting contenders are powerful, but which one is really better for your home? You decide. And check out this article for more about the toxins in common household cleaners.


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This is Bruno Senna driving Spa Francorchamps. Bruno Senna apparently can't afford a GoPro or Flip Camera so he's using his PHONE CAMERA during this demo. He'd like you to know he's not driving "flat-out" and is very insistent you "Don't use your phone and drive!" Hah. Ok. Whatever you say, Bruno.
Ray LaHood's gonna have your legs broke.


text:
Want some flair to funk up your pants? How about an inner tube around your waist! And the recycled PET material backing isn't just for fun, it's also for function, and by function we mean fun.
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Customize your belt with a funky hood ornament, the License Plate Belt Buckle. Your favorite buckle is easily interchangeable with the Fan Belt's handy snaps to provide superb maneuverability.
Product Details
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New Brunswick Mortgages
Our team of New Brunswick mortgage brokers work with Canada's top mortgage banks and lenders to offer the lowest interest rates and most innovative mortgage products available in the Canadian market place. We specialize in mortgage lending for residential homes, condominiums and commercial real estate properties in nearly every major city, small town or rural community across New Brunswick including new purchases, mortgage renewals, refinancing and debt consolidation, construction financing, home equity lines of credit and much more.
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text:
3,613 I like 659 I do not like
"The Bachelor" discusses the explosive season finale and how he came to his final decision on his journey to love, live on "GMA."
READ MORE: https://gma.abc/2W0bCVf
'Bachelor' Colton Underwood on shocking finale with Cassie: 'We have talked about an engagement'
Hours after that "Bachelor" finale that still has fans talking, Colton Underwood stopped by "GMA" with his new love to explain his shocking and very intense season.
Underwood, with Cassie right by his side, said, "We've been smiling the last 24 hours."
Cassie said watching the show back together was like therapy.
SUBSCRIBE to GMA ► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH1oRy1dINbMVp3UFWrKP0w/subscribe
To read the full story and others, visit http://www.goodmorningamerica.com
Good Morning America (GMA) brings viewers an award-winning combination of breaking news, exclusive investigations, hard hitting interviews, weather forecasts, cutting edge medical field information, and financial reporting every morning. Join Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Lara Spencer, Michael Strahan, Amy Robach and Ginger Zee weekdays at 7am on ABC.
Follow GMA across the web--
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodMorningAmerica
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GMA?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
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Here you will find many different versions/languages of the Bible to read
online, parallel to the Tamil Bible. This will make it easier to read and study
the Bible online.
- This site is now compatible with your portable devices, so you are able to read the Bible online when you are on the go on your smart phones, tablets…etc.
- You can also read and use the search tools on the Tamil Bible without having the Tamil Bible font installed
- For best results, please make sure that you are using the latest version of your browser
- The site can be used on various browsers on your device, but for Android devices – the latest version of Google Chrome is recommended for best outcome.
- The Tamil Bible font is not needed to read the Bible and use the search tools, but will be needed if you would like to copy and paste verses (ie. Into PowerPoint slides, document…etc). To download the font click here.
If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us.


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Have you ever seen someone attempting to save someone else's life in real time? One video, which includes surveillance footage of a personal trainer and staff performing CPR on a woman who collapsed in a club, shows just that.
The woman, 49-year-old Kim Steele, and personal trainer Travis Demont Burdine are both featured along with Steele's husband, Chris, in a sharply produced video by the Gooden Group and Oklahoma Heart Hospital.
Kim Steele collapsed last September while simply walking on a treadmill at her Bodyworx club on Jim Thorpe Boulevard in Prague, OK, population 2,386, less than 60 miles east of Oklahoma City. If you want to see the collapse and life-saving efforts in full, be forewarned, as the surveillance footage details it all. Steele's heart started again when a defibrillator was used in the ambulance after paramedics arrived, Chris Steele says in the video.
But that's not the entire story. Steele says she was unconscious for five days and put in what's called "the big chill," a deep-freeze treatment for cardiac arrest patients.
"I don't remember anything from two days before until five days after," says Steele, who adds she was completely healthy before the heart attack but had had a family history of heart ailments.
Doctors told her she had a 95 percent blockage in her left descending main artery, aka "the widow maker." Doctors also told her that if one more minute had passed before her heart finally got oxygen to her brain, she would have died.
Two weeks ago, Burdine was honored by the Oklahoma Heart Hospital, which gives out the Oklahoma Heart Hero award each year to Oklahomans who have saved another's life using CPR. This is the third time Burdine has saved a life using CPR, which he first learned as a lifeguard at the Prague YMCA in 1997.
"Travis is a hero," Kim Steele says. "He saved my life, for sure."
To which Burdine says, "As a hero, I'm far from that. You would want somebody to step up if that was your mom or your aunt or somebody in your family."


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LIBERTEER: Post MP3 Download; In-Depth Interview with Pitchfork
Pitchfork.com has posted an in-depth interview with LIBERTEER mastermind Matthew Widener about his views on anarchism, cannibalism, his time served as a marine and using CDs as a weapon. The interview along with a free mp3 download of the song "Build No System" is available at this location.
The creation of Matthew Widener (CRETIN, CITIZEN), LIBERTEER is a manifestation of total chaos, driven by an incendiary lyrical message designed to burn the system down! The band's debut album will saw its release last month via Relapse Records and is currently streaming in its entirety at this location. The album is available now via Relapse Mailorder here and iTunes here.
Updated LIBERTEER news / album information will be made available via the Relapse Records website and the LIBERTEER Facebook.
"Better to Die is a memorable, staggeringly detailed, shout-along collection. (Grindcore doesn't often sound this big.)" – Pitchfork
"Equal parts fast and furious, this record is a blasting procession of anachro-grind." – Invisible Oranges
"Bottom line, Better To Die On Your Feet Than Live On Your Knees is unlike anything I've ever heard….this album is pure unadulterated anarchy." – Unhallowed Nations
"With a sound that is part buzz-saw, part heavy metal worship…Liberteer have much to offer grindcore fans who may felt hey have seen and heard it all before." – Sonic Abuse


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Expert Staff
With a dedicated staff of outdoor enthusiasts and gear experts, Outdoor Source offers only the very best outdoor apparel and equipment from the likes of Patagonia, The North Face, Hobie, Wilderness Systems, Smartwool, Marmot, Kuhl, Osprey, and many other top brands to ensure that you are comfortable and safe in the outdoors!
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Outdoor Source is an independent specialty outdoor retailer based in Columbus, Ohio that is committed to offering great customer service, outdoor technical expertise, and the highest quality outdoor products. We are the source for our customers to be properly outfitted for each and every adventure.


text:
AAVSO, 49 Bay State Rd, Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: (617) 354-0484
Fax: (617) 354-0665
General Email: email@example.com
Stella Kafka, Ph.D.
Sebastian lives in Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina. He first became a member back in 1998 when he found out about the AAVSO from a local astronomy club. He is an active observer and data-miner.
Donna L. Young – Lead Educator, Chandra E/PO Office, SAO/NASA
Arne Henden received the Leslier C. Peltier Award from the Astronomical League last weekend at their annual meeting in Utah. Click here for Sky & Telescope's coverage of the meeting.
Arne joins fellow AAVSO staffer Elizabeth Waagen and current member/observer Gerry Samolyk as past winners.
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Will McMain is the AAVSO's new webmaster and software developer. He works to maintain and expand the AAVSO and Citizensky Websites, as well as improve the technologies used internally by the AAVSO headquarters.


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Mali is a constitutional democracy that continued to implement a decentralized form of government. In May 2002, General Amadou Toumani Toure was elected to a 5-year term as President. The presidential and legislative elections were judged generally free and fair by international and domestic observers; however, there were some administrative irregularities. The former ruling party, Alliance for Democracy in Mali (ADEMA), lost its majority in the National Assembly, and no party held a clear majority. The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary; however, in practice, the executive branch continued to influence the judiciary.
Security forces are composed of the army, air force, Gendarmerie, National Guard, and police. While civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces, there were a few instances in which elements of the security forces acted independently of government authority. The army and air force are under the control of the civilian Minister of Defense, as are the Gendarmerie and the National Guard. The police are under the Ministry of Internal Security and Civil Protection. The police and gendarmes share responsibility for internal security; the police were in charge of urban areas only. There were no reports that security forces committed human rights abuses.
The country was very poor with a market-based economy, and its population was approximately 11 million. Most of the work force was employed in the agricultural sector, particularly farming and animal husbandry. The per capita gross national product was approximately $250, which provided most of the population with a low standard of living, although there was a sizable middle class. The economy depended heavily on foreign assistance. Desertification, deforestation, soil degradation, and social limitations, including a low literacy rate and a high population growth rate (2.4 percent), contributed to poverty. The inflation rate remained low, and public sector wages were adjusted to keep pace with inflation. Poor infrastructure, minimal foreign investment, administrative inefficiency, and corruption also were important factors in limiting economic growth.
The Government generally respected its citizens' human rights; however, there were problems in some areas. Prison conditions remained poor. Occasionally police arbitrarily arrested and detained persons. The judicial system's large case backlog resulted in long periods of pretrial detention and lengthy delays in trials. The judiciary continued to be subject to executive influence, and there were reports of corruption in the courts. Domestic violence against women was widespread. Discrimination against women persisted, and social and cultural factors continued to limit sharply economic and educational opportunities for most women. Female genital mutilation (FGM) was widespread, although educational campaigns against FGM were ongoing. Hereditary servitude relationships continued to link different ethnic groups. Child labor was common in the agricultural and domestic help sectors. Children were trafficked into forced labor in Cote d'Ivoire; the Government returned a number of these children to their families during the year.
a. Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life
There were no reports of the arbitrary or unlawful deprivation of life committed by the Government or its agents.
b. Disappearance
There were no reports of politically motivated disappearances.
c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
The Constitution prohibits such practices, and there were no reports that government officials employed them.
There were no new developments in the 2001 attack on the Gendarmerie Headquarters in Tarkint, or the 2001 killing of a bus driver.
Prison conditions were poor. Prisons continued to be overcrowded, medical facilities were inadequate, and food supplies were limited. Men and women were separated in Bamako prisons. Outside the capital, men and women remained housed in the same building but in separate cells. In Bamako, juvenile offenders usually were held in the same prison as adult offenders, but they were kept in separate cells. Pretrial detainees were held with convicted prisoners.
The Government permitted prison visits by human rights monitors. Several organizations, including the Malian Association of Human Rights, the Malian Association of Women Lawyers, and other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) visited prisoners and worked with women and juvenile prisoners to improve their conditions.
d. Arbitrary Arrest, Detention, or Exile
The Constitution prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, and the Government generally observed these prohibitions; however, on occasion, police arrested and detained persons arbitrarily.
The national police force is organized into various divisions. Each district has a commissioner who reported to the Regional Director at national headquarters. The police force was moderately effective but had problems with lack of resources and training. Corruption existed within the police force.
Judicial warrants are required for arrest. Normally, the complainant delivered the warrant, which stipulated when the person was to appear at the police station. In some cases, the police served the warrant, based on a request from an influential relative of the complainant or if they received a bribe to execute the warrant. Frequently, in cases where a monetary debt was owed, the arrested person resolved the case at the police precinct, and the police received a portion of the recovered money.
The Constitution provides that suspects must be charged or released within 48 hours and that they are entitled to counsel; however, in practice, detainees were not always charged within the 48-hour period. Limited rights of bail or the granting of conditional liberty existed, particularly for minor crimes and civil matters. On occasion, the authorities released defendants on their own recognizance.
All of the 36 Pakistani preachers whom the police detained in 2001 for allegedly entering the country illegally were deported in 2002. The Government did not release a report on the Pakistani preachers by year's end.
Administrative backlogs and an insufficient number of lawyers, judges, and courts often caused lengthy delays in bringing persons to trial. In extreme cases, individuals remained in prison for several years before coming to trial. Local lawyers estimated that approximately half of prison inmates were pretrial detainees.
The Constitution specifically prohibits forced exile; the Government did not use it.
e. Denial of Fair Public Trial
The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary; however, the executive branch continued to exert influence over the judicial system. The Ministry of Justice appointed and had the power to suspend judges; it supervised both law enforcement and judicial functions. The President headed the Superior Judicial Council, which oversaw judicial activity. Domestic human rights groups alleged that there were instances of bribery and influence peddling in the courts. The Government continued its campaign against corruption. Although the Director of Telecommunications was convicted of corruption and sentenced to time served in April 2002, he subsequently was acquitted in January following an appeal of the case. The two cases remained under investigation at year's end.
The Supreme Court has both judicial and administrative powers. The Constitution provides for a separate Constitutional Court that oversees issues of constitutionality and acts as an election arbiter. The Constitution also provides for the convening of a High Court of Justice with the power to try senior government officials in cases of treason.
Except in the case of minors, trials were public, and defendants have the right to be present and have an attorney of their choice. Defendants and attorneys had access to government evidence relevant to their cases. Defendants are presumed innocent and have the right to confront witnesses and to appeal decisions to the Supreme Court. Court-appointed attorneys were provided for the indigent without charge.
Village chiefs, in consultation with the elders, decided the majority of disputes in rural areas. If these decisions were challenged in court, only those found to have legal merit were upheld.
There were no reports of political prisoners.
f. Arbitrary Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence
The Constitution prohibits such actions, and the Government generally respected these prohibitions in practice. Police searches were infrequent and required judicial warrants.
There were no reports of surveillance during the year.
Section 2 Respect for Civil Liberties, Including:
a. Freedom of Speech and Press
The Constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the press, and the Government generally respected these rights in practice.
The Superior Council of Communication's primary function was to regulate the media, both protecting and controlling journalists. The Committee of Equal Access to State Media was activated during election campaigns. Mandated by the Constitution, it oversaw equal access to government-controlled media for all political parties.
There were 42 private newspapers and journals in French, Arabic, and local languages throughout the country; 39 were based in Bamako and 1 each in Timbuktu, Mopti, and Sikasso. All newspapers were required to register with the Ministry of Communications; however, registration was routine.
The Government controlled the only television station and 1 of more than 125 radio stations; however, all presented a wide range of views, including those critical of the Government. The relative expense of newspapers and television, coupled with a low literacy rate, made radio the most prevalent medium of mass information and communication. There were 15 private radio stations in Bamako, and there were approximately 110 additional stations throughout the country. In addition to commercial radio stations, private or community radio broadcasters included those run by associations and others directed toward smaller villages (the latter two radio services enjoyed special tax advantages).
A number of foreign broadcasters operated in Bamako through local media, including Radio France Internationale, Africa No. 1, and the British Broadcasting Corporation; all had frequency modulation (FM) frequencies. Voice of America had three local FM affiliates in Bamako, Segou, and Sikasso. Domestic reception and distribution of foreign satellite and cable television were permitted and fairly widespread, especially in Bamako. There were no private television stations that broadcast domestically produced programs.
The law regulates the press and provides for substantial criminal penalties, including imprisonment, for libel and for public injury to the Head of State, other officials, and foreign diplomats; these laws leave injury undefined and subject to judicial interpretation. However, the Government has never prosecuted journalists on criminal libel charges. In October, three reporters from a private radio station were jailed for 2 weeks on charges of defaming an attorney, in what was essentially a contempt of court proceeding. The Government referred to the affair as a dilemma and noted that it took no part in the incident.
The Government did not restrict access to the Internet. Licenses to operate Internet servers were granted freely, but were prohibitively expensive.
The Government did not restrict academic freedom.
b. Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association
The Constitution provides for freedom of assembly and association, and the Government generally respected these rights in practice. The law requires groups that wish to hold public meetings to obtain the mayor's permission; however, such permission was granted routinely during the year.
c. Freedom of Religion
The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respected this right in practice.
The Government required that all public associations, including religious associations, register with the Government. The registration process was routine and was not burdensome. Traditional indigenous religions were not required to register.
For a more detailed discussion, see the 2003 International Religious Freedom Report.
d. Freedom of Movement Within the Country, Foreign Travel, Emigration, and Repatriation
The Constitution provides for these rights, and the Government generally respected them in practice. Police routinely stopped and checked both citizens and foreigners to restrict the movement of contraband and to verify vehicle registrations. Some police and gendarmes used the occasion to extort bribes.
The law provides for the granting of refugee status or asylum to persons who meet the definition in 1951 U.N. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. In practice, the Government provided protection against refoulement and granted refugee status or asylum. A national committee in charge of refugees operated with institutional assistance from the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Government cooperated with the UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations in assisting refugees.
According to both UNHCR and government estimates, there were approximately 11,000 Mauritanian refugees, mostly Fulani herders, living in the Kayes region in the western part of the country at year's end. However, the UNHCR, the Government, and Mauritania's Government have never agreed on recognition of the refugee status for these persons, who have lived in the country for more than a decade; members of these pastoralist border groups historically have made cross-border migrations. Mauritanians could register for refugee status, although few actually did.
At year's end, the country hosted approximately 2,225 urban refugees: 66 percent were from Cote d'Ivoire and approximately 32 percent from Sierra Leone. Approximately, 86 percent of the refugees were living in Bamako. The Government had a transit center located 120 miles from Bamako, where it hosted approximately 100 of the most vulnerable refugee and asylum applicants. The center had a capacity of approximately 300 persons and could be expanded to hold 900. The country received most of its refugees from Cote d'Ivoire and a small number from Liberia during the year.
Section 3 Respect for Political Rights: The Right of Citizens to Change Their Government
The Constitution provides citizens with the right to change their government peacefully, and citizens exercised this right in practice through periodic, free, and fair elections held on the basis of universal suffrage.
Under the Constitution, the President is Chief of State and Commander in Chief of the armed forces and is elected for a term of 5 years with a limit of two terms. The President appoints the Prime Minister, other members of the Government, and high military officers as mandated by the Constitution.
In May 2002, presidential elections were held, and General Amadou Toumani Toure won more than 60 percent of the vote even without the support of a political party. Independent international and domestic observers judged the elections to be generally free and fair and without evident fraud; however, there were some administrative irregularities. There were reports of abuses of the proxy voting system, problems in verifying identification of some voters, and efforts to influence some voters. Voter turnout reportedly was 30 to 35 percent. None of the opposition parties boycotted the election.
In July 2002, legislative elections were held that most independent observers considered to be generally free and without evident fraud; however, there were some administrative irregularities. Shifting alliances had an impact on the composition of the National Assembly. The former majority party, ADEMA, held 37 of 147 seats (after loosing 13 seats to the Union for the Republic and Democracy (URD)) in the National Assembly; the Rally for Mali (RPM) party and its allies held 65; and the remaining 26 seats were held by other smaller political parties and independents. No one party or coalition held a majority.
Local governments benefited from central government subsidies, but they also were able to collect local taxes to support their operations. Decentralization, which began in 1999, still was controversial. The process changed traditional power relationships between government and the governed, and relieved formerly powerful civil servants of their authority. The Government has passed many laws that allow greater financial autonomy in the areas of education, health, and infrastructure. Elected officials, especially in the southern regions, made some progress. However, in the lesser economically developed northern regions of the country, some mayors and other local officials were coping with difficulties stemming from revenue collection and local development programs. Effective service delivery strongly influenced citizens' perception and confidence in elected leaders and trust of government; however, local service delivery deteriorated where financial and administrative capacity was weak.
There were no restrictions, legal or otherwise, on voting or running for office by women or minorities. A total of 15 women held seats in the 147-member National Assembly. There were 4 female cabinet members in the 28 seat Cabinet. Five women served on the Supreme Court out of 33 justices, and 3 women served on the Constitutional Court out of 9 justices.
The National Assembly had 14 members of historically marginalized pastoralist and nomadic ethnic minorities representing the northern regions of Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal. The Cabinet also had a representative of the northern regions, the Prime Minister, who is a Tuareg.
Section 4 Governmental Attitude Regarding International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Violations of Human Rights
Several independent domestic human rights organizations, such as the Malian Association for Human Rights, a smaller Malian League of Human Rights, and a local chapter of Amnesty International, generally operated without government restriction, investigating and publishing their findings on human rights cases. Government officials generally were cooperative and responsive to their views. The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) had offices in Bamako, Timbuktu, and Gao.
Section 5 Discrimination Based on Race, Sex, Disability, Language, or Social Status
The Constitution prohibits discrimination based on social origin, color, language, sex, or race and while the Government generally respected these provisions in practice, social and cultural factors gave men a dominant role.
Domestic violence against women, including spousal abuse, was tolerated and common; no statistics were available on the extent of the problem. Assault in marriage was a crime; however, police were reluctant to enforce laws against or intervene in cases of domestic violence. Many women were reluctant to file complaints against their husbands because they were unable to support themselves financially.
The World Organization Against Torture reported that 24 percent of women married before the age of 15 years, and many were forced into marriages and polygyny.
FGM was common, especially in rural areas, and was performed on girls at an early age. According to domestic NGOs, approximately 95 percent of adult women had undergone FGM. The practice was widespread among most regions and ethnic groups, was not subject to class boundaries, and was not religiously based. There were no laws against FGM, and the Government did not propose legislation prohibiting FGM. In 1999, the Government instituted a two-phased plan to eliminate all forms of FGM by 2008. The first phase, scheduled for 1999-2004, was intended to be one of education. There was some public dissemination of information in urban areas, but the program continued to develop slowly. The National Committee Against Violence Towards Women linked all the NGOs active in preventing FGM, and various NGOs campaigned against FGM.
Women had very limited access to legal services due to their lack of education and information, and because family law favored men. Women particularly were vulnerable in cases of divorce, child custody, and inheritance rights, as well as in the general protection of civil rights. The Association of Malian Women Lawyers published a booklet on women's rights and held legal clinics to raise awareness of women's rights.
Despite legislation giving women equal rights regarding property, traditional practice and ignorance of the law prevented women from taking full advantage of the law. Prospective spouses chose between polygynous and monogamous marriages; a marriage could not take place without both parties' consent. However, when no preference was specified in the marriage certificate, judges assumed that the marriage was polygynous. A community property marriage had to be specified in the marriage contract. Traditional practice discriminated against women in inheritance matters. For example, men inherited most of the family wealth, and women received a much smaller portion of estates.
Women's access to employment in the professions and government, and to economic and educational opportunities, was limited. Women constituted approximately 15 percent of the labor force. The Government, the country's major employer, paid women the same as men for similar work. Women often lived under harsh conditions, especially in rural areas, where they performed difficult farm work and did most of the childrearing.
The first 4-year national plan of action for the promotion of women was completed in 2001. The plan, financed by national, regional, and local community budgets, sought to reduce inequalities between men and women in six target areas, including education, health, involvement in the decision-making process, and legal rights. The Ministry for the Promotion of Women, Children, and the Family started on a second 4-year action plan that was intended to continue programs started during the first action plan.
There were numerous active women's groups that promoted the rights of women and children.
The Government was committed to providing for children's welfare and rights. Several laws protect children and provide for their welfare.
On June 2002, the Government enacted an ordinance enumerating the rights of children and establishing new government positions in each region, that of child "delegates," whose role would be to safeguard the rights and interests of children. The ordinance also created special courts for children and specified protections for children in the legal system. There was no juvenile court system.
Education was tuition free and, in principle, open to all, although the majority of students left school by the age of 12. Students had to provide their own uniforms and school supplies to attend public schools. While primary school was compulsory up to the age of 12, only 56 percent of children (46 percent of girls) received a basic education owing to a lack of primary schools, especially in rural areas where 80 percent of the population lived; shortages of teachers and materials; poverty; and cultural tendencies to place less emphasis on education of girls. Literacy rates among girls remained significantly lower than for boys. A 1998 report indicated that the national literacy rate was 12 percent for women more than 15 years of age.
There were reports that children who attended Koranic schools spent more time begging on the streets than learning in the classroom. The Koranic schools are independent institutions that depend on donations from parents, and the money the children (known as garibouts) receive from begging on the streets. They received no funding from the Government, and are not part of the Government's educational system. The Minster of Education, Mohamed Lamine Traore, admitted the problem and said that it is the responsibility of the Islamic leaders to modernize and monitor Koranic schools. Koran schoolteachers reported that they requested the Government's assistance in providing basic reading and writing materials.
The Social Services Department investigated and intervened in cases of reported child abuse or neglect. According to local human rights organizations, reported cases were rare; however, statistics were unreliable.
FGM was commonly performed on young girls (see Section 5, Women).
There were credible reports that children were sold and trafficked into forced labor in Cote d'Ivoire (see Section 6.f.).
Persons with Disabilities
There was no specific legislation protecting the rights of persons with physical or mental disabilities or mandating accessibility to public buildings. The Government did not discriminate against persons with physical disabilities in regard to employment, education, and other state services; however, the Government had not made provisions for persons with disabilities in these areas. There was no societal discrimination against persons with disabilities; however, in view of the high unemployment rate, persons with physical disabilities often were unable to find work.
Section 6 Worker Rights
a. The Right of Association
The Constitution and the Labor Code specifically provide for the freedom of workers to form or join unions and protect freedom of association, and workers exercised this right in practice. Only the military, the Gendarmerie, and the National Guard were excluded from forming unions. Virtually all-salaried employees were organized. According to the National Statistics Office, 28 percent of workers were salaried. Workers established independent unions for teachers, magistrates, health workers, and senior civil servants, and most were affiliated with the National Union of Malian Workers (UNTM) federation and the Syndicated Confederation of Malian Workers (CSTM). The UNTM and the CSTM, the two major labor federations, maintained their autonomy from the Government.
Neither the Constitution nor the Labor Code prohibits anti-union discrimination, but there were no reports of anti-union behavior or activities during the year.
Unions were free to associate with and participate in international bodies. The union representing salaried employees regularly participated in programs sponsored by French labor unions. Other unions participated in training programs on worker's rights.
b. The Right to Organize and Bargain Collectively
The growth of independent unions led to more direct bargaining between these unions and their employers. However, wages and salaries for workers belonging to the UNTM and the CSTM were set by tripartite negotiations between the Ministry of Labor, labor unions, and representatives of the National Council of Employers of the sector to which the wages applied. Civil service salary levels were pegged nationally to an index established by the Government. These negotiations usually set the pattern for unions outside the UNTM. The Ministry of Labor has an office that deals with labor disputes and acted as a mediator in labor disputes between employers and employees.
The Constitution provides for the right to strike; however, there were restrictions in some areas. For example, civil servants and workers in state-owned enterprises were required to give 2 weeks' notice of a planned strike and enter into mediation and negotiations with the employer and a third party, usually the Ministry of Labor. The Labor Code prohibits retribution against strikers, and the Government generally respected this requirement in practice.
Several strikes, including by teachers, police officers, foreign service officers, and magistrates, occurred during the year. These strikes were settled within a few days.
There are no export processing zones.
c. Prohibition of Forced or Bonded Labor
The Constitution prohibits forced or bonded labor, including by children; however, there were reports that such practices occurred (see Sections 6.d. and 6.f.).
The law prohibits the contractual use of persons without their consent; penalties include a fine and hard labor. The penalties increase significantly if a minor, defined as someone less than 15 years of age, was involved.
There were some reports that the de facto slavery, long reported to have existed in northern salt mining communities, evolved to wage labor in recent years; however, reliable evidence about labor conditions in those remote facilities remained unavailable. Hereditary servitude relationships continued to link different ethnic groups, particularly in the north. For example, there was a hereditary service relationship between members of the Bellah ethnic group and other Tuareg populations.
d. Status of Child Labor Practices and Minimum Age for Employment
The Labor Code has specific policies that pertain to child labor; however, these regulations often were ignored in practice and child labor was a problem. The Labor Code permits children between the ages of 12 and 14 to work up to 2 hours per day during school vacations with parental approval. Children between the ages of 14 and 16 may work up to 4½ hours per day with the permission of a labor inspector, but not during nights, on Sundays, or on holidays. Children between the ages of 16 and 18 could work in jobs that physically were not demanding; boys could work up to 8 hours per day and girls up to 6 hours per day.
The vast number of children who worked in rural areas, helping with family farms and herds, and those who worked in the informal sector, for example, as street vendors were not protected by laws against unjust compensation, excessive hours, or capricious discharge.
Child labor predominated in the agricultural and domestic help sectors and, to a lesser degree, in craft and trade apprenticeships, and cottage industries. Apprenticeship, often in a family member's or a parent's vocation, began at an early age, especially for children unable to attend school.
The authorities enforced the Labor Code provisions through inspectors from the Ministry of Labor and Civil Service, who conducted surprise inspections and complaint-based inspections; however, resource limitations restricted the frequency and effectiveness of oversight by the Labor Inspection Service, and the Service operated only in the formal sector.
The National Campaign Against Child Labor in Mali, led by the International Program for the Elimination of Child Labor
(IPEC)-Mali, was responsible for investigating abusive forms of child labor. IPEC relied on labor inspectors appointed by the Government in Bamako and in regional offices throughout the country. Investigations were held when NGOs or the media provided information that there was abusive child labor. Government regional offices in charge of the promotion of women and children and NGOs also assisted IPEC in combating child labor.
There were reports that children were kidnapped, sold into effective slavery, and made to work on coffee and cocoa plantations in Cote d'Ivoire (see Section 6.f.). Some children were sold into forced labor by their parents; reportedly the children were beaten if they tried to escape. There were travel passes for children to try to prevent their being taken abroad to work illegally; however, the measure, still in effect, was criticized for leading to interference with legitimate travel.
e. Acceptable Conditions of Work
The Labor Code specifies conditions of employment, including hours, wages, and social security; however, in practice, many employers either ignored or did not comply completely with the regulations. The national minimum wage rate, set in 1994, was approximately $43 (26,000 CFA francs) per month. Workers had to be paid overtime for additional hours. The minimum wage did not provide a decent standard of living for a worker and family. The minimum wage was supplemented by a required package of benefits, including social security and health care. While this total package could provide a minimum standard of living for one person, in practice, most wage earners supported large extended families and supplemented their income by subsistence farming or employment in the informal sector.
The normal legal workweek was 40 hours (45 hours for agricultural employees), with a requirement for at least one
24-hour rest period. The Social Security Code provides a broad range of legal protections against hazards in the workplace, and workers' groups brought pressure on employers to respect parts of the regulations, particularly those affecting personal hygiene. However, with high unemployment, workers often were reluctant to report violations of occupational safety regulations. The Labor Inspection Service of the Ministry of Labor oversaw these standards but limited enforcement to the modern, formal sector. It was not effective in investigating and enforcing workers' safety and was insufficiently funded for its responsibilities.
Workers had the right to remove themselves from dangerous work situations and request an investigation by the Social Security Department, which was responsible for recommending remedial action where deemed necessary; it was not known if any worker had done so.
The law protects legal and illegal foreign workers. Persons illegally in the country were not allowed to work; however, if they were given a job, they had the same protections as legal workers.
f. Trafficking in Persons
The law does not prohibit trafficking in persons but does specifically prohibit trafficking in children; however, children were trafficked for forced labor in Cote d'Ivoire. Child trafficking is punishable by 5 to 20 years in prison. There also were laws that prohibited the contractual use of persons without their consent. Penalties increased if a minor was involved; however, these penalties were not imposed during the year.
Both the Ministry for the Promotion of Women, Children, and the Family and the Ministry of Labor and Civil Service handled the problem of trafficking. Both ministries, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Territorial Administration, developed a program to identify and rehabilitate victims, educate the population, and strengthen the legal system with regard to the movement and trafficking of minors. Welcome centers in Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, and Bamako assisted child trafficking victims in returning to their families. Almoustapha Toure was the coordinator who specifically handled child trafficking issues, and whose office organized training sessions for law enforcement agents, labor inspectors, and the media; conducted awareness campaigns through radio and television; and held a workshop involving participants from the country, Burkina Faso, and Cote d'Ivoire.
Children between the ages of 9 and 12 were sold into forced labor on cotton, coffee, and cocoa farms in northern Cote d'Ivoire over the past few years; some also were forced into domestic service. Organized networks of traffickers deceived the children and their families into believing that they would be given paid jobs outside of their villages. They then were sold to plantation owners for sums ranging between $20 and $40 (14,500 and 29,000 CFA francs). The children reportedly were forced to work 12 hours per day without pay, and often were abused physically.
The Government took some steps to halt child trafficking and repatriate children to the country from Cote d'Ivoire; however, there was no estimate of the number of children remaining in Cote d'Ivoire (see Section 6.d.). In 2001, more than 300 children were returned to their families from Cote d'Ivoire, in 2002, 58 children were returned, and, during the year, 34 children were returned. These numbers represent the number of children who were assisted at the welcome centers; children who returned home without first going through a welcome center were not counted. At year's end, 3 traffickers were arrested and charged in Sikasso versus approximately 10 in 2001. Investigations were ongoing in both cases and no information on trial dates was available at year's end.


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Malone remembers Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson fondly
NBA superstars Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson were both named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Monday. Nuggets coach Michael Malone has a connection to O'Neal — he coached the big man in Cleveland during the 2009-10 season, the penultimate season of Shaq's career.
As for Iverson, Malone coached against the mighty-mite in the NBA and in college. Malone was an assistant at Providence the same time Iverson played for legend John Thompson at Georgetown.
"Shaq and Allen Iverson are two very, very impactful players," Malone said. "Well-deserved honor for those guys."
He was asked what it was like to be around the big ball of fun named Shaq on a daily basis. Read more…


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text: What would you do with a million dollars? Buy a chair, probably isn't your answer. However, more and more furniture designers are banking on the fact that there are people who will spend top-dollar to decorate their homes. We caught up with some of them at this year's International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) and we were blown away by the latest designs and their price tags. From a $1000-a-meter roll of wallpaper to a $42,000 coffee table, these items are only for the opulent few who have both deep pockets and a deep appreciation for art. Even if you aren't making seven figures, you will be interested to know what makes a side table worth more than a mansion's monthly mortgage.


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I'm not going to say too much here about this lessons description because as you can see it's just on another pinup girl. I wanted to make another tutorial on a more typical vintage style cover girl that is more likely to be seen on the posters from the fifties, and sixties. Anyways she is one of my favorite creations, and if you look real closely she sort of looks like the first pinup girl I uploaded today. This is the last female character I will be submitting because I know not everyone wants to follow these types of tutorials. Anyways, since I already talked about pinup girls and how they were and still are admired to this day, I will basically show you "how to draw a pinup", step by step. The instructions are going to be easy to follow which means you should have no problems completing the lesson at hand. You can make your pinup gal a brunette, blonde, redhead, or even a raven black mistress. I think you will enjoy this lesson, and if you want to see something posted on Dragoart just let me know. Peace people, have an awesome drawing day!
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House GOP Lying Low While Senate Democrats Prep Vote on Student Loans
House Republicans are using the student loan issue to criticize Democrats.
WASHINGTON, July 8, 2013 -- Once House Republicans passed a bill earlier this year to address skyrocketing student loan rates, the GOP seemed perfectly content to watch rates double this month, since the showdown gave them an opportunity to criticize Democrats for inaction and delay.
The House and Senate were in recess last week, when rates for future federally subsidized Stafford student loans doubled on July 1 from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent.
Now that both chambers are back in session, the debate has resumed full throttle.
While Republicans believe they have backed House and Senate Democrats into a corner on student loans, Senate Democrats returned to the Capitol today unrelenting in their claim that House Speaker John Boehner is really to blame for the standoff.
"The House legislation is worse for students than doing nothing at all," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said during a floor speech as the upper chamber reconvened, criticizing Boehner for his insistence on bringing legislation to the House floor only if it is backed by a majority of House Republicans.
"To find a responsible solution to the student loan issue -- and every other major issue facing this Congress -- the Speaker should work with his Democratic colleagues instead of against them," said Reid, D-Nev.
Escalating the showdown, the Senate has scheduled a vote for Wednesday on a one-year student loan fix.
Reid today pushed forward a Democratic bill to keep the rates at 3.4 percent, applying the fix retroactively to any loans made between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014.
The bill is scheduled to face a procedural vote on Wednesday, needing 60 votes to advance.
House Republicans have characterized their own bill, the Smarter Solutions for Students Act, as one that is "consistent" with an idea President Obama first proposed in his budget request, tying the 10-year Treasury note, along with a 2.5 percent "add on," to the student loan rates. The rates would also fluctuate with the market throughout the life of the loan, an element most Democrats principally oppose.
This year, a market interest rate would soften the blow of the current law by setting the rate at 4.4 percent. That rate is generated through a formula that includes the current forecast of the 10-year Treasury Note at 1.9 percent, plus the "add on" of 2.5 percent.
PLUS loans, which are for graduate students and parents of undergrads, would have an "add on" of 4.5 percent.
Before jetting back home for parades and BBQs, a bipartisan group of senators were on the verge of a compromise that would have enacted a remedy tied to market interest rates. That deal, however, was not supported by the Senate Democratic leadership and collapsed almost as quickly as it came to light.
Monday, Boehner cited the president's "failure to lead on student loans" as part of a larger failure by the White House to lead on jobs and the economy.
"The White House and Senate Democrats have let these students down, and frankly I think they deserve better," Boehner, R-Ohio, said during remarks on the Capitol steps Monday afternoon. "It's time for the president to lead. It's time for him to bring Senate Democrat leaders together and develop a solution."
House Republicans held an event this afternoon with up to 100 students to pressure the president and Senate Democrats to pass legislation in the upper chamber.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters today that the White House is willing to work with Congress, but said "there's a solution available here that keeps with the president's principles."
"There is a way to do this that's retroactive so that students are spared from having their rates double," Carney said. "We need to do it in a way that students are guaranteed a low rate and that -- and so that they're not overcharged in order to pay down the deficit. Our views on that are clear.
"We expect and hope that Congress will fix this problem quickly," he said. "We believe that it can be done. The differences are not that significant."
The House passed its plan, H.R. 1911, on May 23, down mostly partisan lines. Just four House Democrats -- Reps. Joe Garcia, Dan Maffei, Scott Peters and Jared Polis -- supported the measure.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Republicans "refused to act to keep interest rates low" and said "are more interested in finding someone to blame than in seeking a solution."
"Democrats are ready and eager to resolve this crisis and work across the aisle to restore the lower interest rates and ensure college remains in reach for millions of Americans," Pelosi said. "For the sake of a stronger economy, middle class, and future, Republicans should work with us to put more young people back in the classroom."
While rates have already doubled, students can safely presume that a potential agreement will likely be retroactive to July 1 and would almost certainly scale back the harsh increases spelled out in current law.
ABC News' Mary Bruce and Chris Good contributed to this report.


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- CA Barkerville Historic Town BARK_1959.0003.0023.23
- Item
- 1875
A Chinese plate. The object is a glazed piece of porcelain, hand turned, with an all over green tone underglaze. Multi-coloured enamel brushwork applied over the glaze decorated the exteerior sides of the cup. The brushwork depicts the "Four ...


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samedi 29 décembre 2012
Luxe et éco-conception | Selva Balasinham
Dans le cadre du projet Emballages remarquable au salon de l'emballage de Paris, j'avais ouvert l'idée de réfléchir au luxe et de voir comment on pouvait le concevoir sans tous ses excès de matières et de moyens très caractérisés.
Selva Balasinham a relevé de défi en proposant ce très joli système d'emballages de bijoux précieux. Le système est d'abord élaboré uniquement avec de la pulpe de bois et de l'amidon compressé. La matière dure et résistante demeure entièrement biodégradable et même recyclable tout en ayant une apparence unique et distinctive les boîtes s'assemblent comme des pièces de puzzle pour permettre des configurations différentes. La boîte peut être conservée, mais aussi simplement recyclée. La marque proposée ici correspond aux symboles de l'argent(47) et de l'or(79) du tableau périodique.
Je profite de cette petite pause de luxe pour souhaiter à tous mes fidèles lecteurs une très belle année 2013.
As my colleague Borkür mentioned me the other day: "Innovation was never born from luxury. It was born from need." I must say that I quite agree as the design, although too often and unfairly associated with luxury, is first and foremost a discipline related to service. A grouping, protecting transporting service, but also a branding and informative service.
In the project remarkable Packaging for the Packaging Exhibition in Paris, I proposed to some students to have some thoughts on luxury and see how we could design without all this characterized excess of materials and means.
Selva Balasinham took the challenge by designing this very nice packaging system of precious jewels. The system is first developed solely with compressed wood pulp and starch. The hard and durable material remains fully biodegradable and recyclable even while having a unique surface. The distinctive boxes fits together like puzzling pieces to allow different configurations. The boxes can be preserved, or simply recycled. The proposed branding here refers to the symbols of silver (47) and gold (79) from the periodic table.
I take this small luxury break to wish all my readers a happy new year 2013.
mardi 25 décembre 2012
Garder la ligne | Camille Bouvier
In this holiday season, how to stay fit? Camille Bouvier in my packaging workshop the Head, attempts to answer this question with a slimming elixir packaged in a scales shaped box. Merry Christmas
samedi 22 décembre 2012
Un petit changement d'huile ? | Louis Paquet
Here's a funny concept that tells us about our past and our values evolutions. It consists of spicy culinary oils that are available in packages visually borrowed from the world of automotive oil (not to be confused in recipes). This totally vintage look isn't only an historical and visual reference to the past, but is a completely sexist statement inspired by the post-war period. With a little sense of humor, one understands that this is a humorous concept that makes us appreciate how things have evolved since then. The whole line was designed by Louis Paquet in Louis Gagnon's packaging class last summer.
jeudi 20 décembre 2012
Croire à la fin du monde... ou pas | Victoria Ducruet
Prediction for December 2012 is a sociological phenomenon based on several beliefs announcing major changes or cataclysmic events for December 21st, 2012. Originally, this date marks the end of the 5125 years cycle of long count in the Mayan calendar, interpreted by some as the definitive end of time.
Next question is, do you believe that? Everything here seems to be a matter of faith. What would we were sure it would happen? Here's a package designed specifically for the believers of the end of the world. It is a vial filled with a strong poison to avoid having to face the end of the world. But there's a small challenge here, the product expires one minute before the deadline so in other words the product must be consumed before the first signs of the end times. This is an offer designed specifically for believers who have the choice to decide weather or not they will die just before the big wreck. This project was designed by Victoria Ducruet in my workshop at HEAD in Geneva.
lundi 17 décembre 2012
Paper Pot | Sophie Pépin
For the "Remarkable Packaging " project Sophie Pépin designed a compelling alternative to an already very efficient packaging. The original product was a set of three plastic sprouters grouped into a strip of paper simple and efficient. Sophie took the project at the root of the problem by offering a complete modification of the product itself while providing the same service. The sprouters are proposed as a note pad that includes sheets of paper to be folded to make origami paper pots, sheets of a variety of seeds and compressed loam. At the end of the process, there is nothing left of the package. The jury in Paris really appreciated this project. Environmental issues are complex, but the only assurance we have in our design choice often boils down to reduction: less material for the same service. Think differently! Here's the original existing project Sophie had to improve.
mercredi 12 décembre 2012
Pour soulager la gorge, déballez! | Ricola
© Illustrateur : Julien Canavezes This is a good example where packaging engages the user in the communication. This special Ricola packaging edition features known singers represented with a sore throat. Famous singers like Luciano Pavarotti are used as main graphic language. Their throats are released as we pulled the wrapper. This is an excellent concept designed by agency Jung Von Matt, Hamburg (Germany).© Illustrateur : Julien Canavezes
lundi 10 décembre 2012
Spare parts Pack | Heinke Nienstermann
Principally a new spare part has to arrive complete and intact at the consumers place. If a packaging is not just a package, but also a help to transport, storage, sell, install and dispose, it saves time and thus money. This packaging series can do all of it. It has the perfect format for transport and storage. It informs about product specifications, concerned machinery, installation instructions and right disposal.
mardi 4 décembre 2012
L'illusionniste : fraises ou framboises? | Anthony Guex
In my workshop at HEAD, Anthony Guex tells a story inspired by the illusionist's game where the packaging comes with a saw that actually helps revealing two small jars of jam when we thought there was only one.
lundi 3 décembre 2012
La Pincée | La chef et le designer
La Pincée: rencontre entre Catherine de Gongre, conceptrice et cuisinière et François Maisonneuve, designer graphique et ex-étudiant de l'UQAM. Cette rencontre, en plus d'avoir créé un couple dans la vie, a aussi permis la création d'une marque très jolie, cohérente et délicieuse.La Pincée sont un bel exemple de l'importance de la qualité du design graphique dans le développement des marques. Cette approche unique, élégante et structurée positionne la gamme dans sa catégorie de façon distinctive, et ce, avec bon goût et sans excès. Le choix des contenants, la pertinence de l'écrin de carton, la typographie et l'élégante palette des couleurs se combinent magnifiquement pour créer une gamme d'emballages claire, cohérence et sans compromis. As a member of the Gaïa Awards Jury in 2012, I had the chance to see many interesting packages that are "Made in Quebec". Among these interesting local products, there's La Pincée : the meeting of Catherine de Gongre, the chef and François Maisonneuve, the graphic designer and former student at UQAM. This meeting, in addition to having created Gaïa Awards 2012 | Packaging Line Packaging products for La Pincée is a good example of the importance of quality graphic design in brand development. This unique approach, elegant and structured sets the range in a distinctive class, with good taste and without excess. The choice of jars, the relevance of the pack, the elegance of the typography and the color palette are combined beautifully to create a clear, consistent and uncompromising range of packaging.
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BALTIMORE- UMBC alum Steve Settembrino has been named assistant men's lacrosse coach at his alma mater, it was announced today by Retriever head coach Don Zimmerman.
Settembrino competed as a defenseman for the Retrievers from 2005-09 and was a part of four consecutive squads that competed in the NCAA Tournament. He earned the team's Unsung Hero award after his senior campaign.
The Yorktown Heights, N.Y. native saw action in 35 games in his first three seasons, but started at close defense in all 16 contests in 2009. UMBC allowed only 8.14 goals per game that season, good for eighth in the nation in goals against average in the regular season and Settembrino finished second on that squad with eight caused turnovers.
He was selected to compete in the 68th Annual USILA North-South Game in May of 2009.
Settembrino has risen quickly through the coaching ranks since earning his bachelor's degree in American studies. He served as an assistant coach at Arlington (Va.) High School in 2010 and then spent two stellar campaigns as an assistant coach at Mercyhurst (Pa.) College. He helped guide the Lakers to an NCAA Division II national title in 2011 and an undefeated regular season in 2012. Nationally, Settembrino's defensive units were ranked fourth (5.6 goals against per game) and second (5.2) respectively in his two campaigns in Erie.
Settembrino earned a master's degree in special education at Mercyhurst in 2013.
He returned to his home state in 2012-13 as an assistant coach/defensive coordinator at Binghamton University. The Bearcat defense led the America East Conference in scoring defense and led the nation in man-down defense at 86.2 percent.
Settembrino also served as recruiting coordinator during his stint in Vestal.
"We are delighted to have Steve Settembrino return to UMBC as a member of our men's lacrosse coaching staff," said Zimmerman. "Steve has proven to be a highly effective coach and mentor during stints at both at Mercyhurst and Binghamton. He is respected by his colleagues for his passion for teaching and knowledge of the game of lacrosse. As a former Retriever, Steve has the admiration and support of our alums. All in all, Steve is a great fit for our program and everyone is excited for him to be back on campus."


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Ligue 1: Toulouse 2 PSG 4
Zlatan Ibrahimovic surpassed 20 league goals with a hat-trick in Paris Saint-Germain's hard-fought 4-2 win at Toulouse on Sunday.
The Swede took his Ligue 1 tally to 22 for the campaign, but the scoreline somewhat flattered Laurent Blanc's men, who were far from their best at Stadium Municipal.
Ibrahimovic reached the 20-goal mark from the penalty spot when Ezequiel Lavezzi was fouled by Uros Spajic in the area, but a well-controlled volley from Wissam Ben Yedder saw the sides reach half-time level.
Lavezzi kept his cool after a flowing move to put PSG back ahead after 56 minutes, before Ibrahimovic flicked home Yohan Cabaye's free-kick to make it 3-1.
Ben Yedder ensured a nervy ending with his second 18 minutes from time, but Sweden international Ibrahimovic bagged his third with a rebound from his own penalty in the closing stages.
The win sees PSG re-establish a five-point gap to second-placed Monaco, while Toulouse stay 10th.
PSG struggled to create opportunities against an organised Toulouse side in the opening exchanges, and Blanc's men were handed a huge reprieve on 26 minutes.
Jean-Daniel Akpa Apro's cross was deflected to the back post where Serge Aurier crashed an effort against the upright - the ball rebounded to Martin Braithwaite inside the six-yard box but he made weak contact, allowing Salvatore Sirigu to collect.
Having survived that scare, Marco Verratti could have scored for PSG but he put a free header over the crossbar.
However, Toulouse's resistance was broken after 31 minutes. Spajic felled Lavezzi in the penalty area with a rash challenge, and Ibrahimovic converted from the spot.
That goal appeared to settle PSG and Blaise Matuidi burst into the box six minutes later but his left-footed shot was kept out by a combination of goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher and the post.
Captain Thiago Silva then missed a gilt-edged chance shortly before the break, slicing wide at the back post after Ibrahimovic flashed a ball across goal.
And they were punished for their profligacy on the stroke of half-time when Ben Yedder volleyed home emphatically from Etienne Didot's cross.
The visitors regained the lead 11 minutes after the break. Ibrahimovic surged forward and his pass was flicked into the path of Lavezzi by Matuidi, and the Uruguayan swivelled before firing past Boucher into the bottom right-hand corner.
PSG were grateful to Sirigu for keeping the scores level shortly after the hour mark, the goalkeeper producing a fine reaction stop from Aurier's point-blank header.
Cabaye was introduced from the bench to replace Verratti, and he made an instant impact with a whipped free-kick that Ibrahimovic flicked home on 68 minutes.
The lead cut to four minutes later, however, Ben Yedder capitalising with a cool finish in the box when Thiago Motta's interception fell into his path.
There was time for one last twist when Issiaga Sylla handballed Ibrahimovic's free-kick in the area, and the striker saw his initial chipped penalty parried by Boucher but tapped in the rebound.