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The Sultanate of Oman is a hereditary monarchy with a population of 2.7 million, including approximately 816,000 nonnationals. Sultan Qaboos Al-Said has ruled since 1970. The sultan has sole authority to enact laws through royal decree, although ministries draft laws and citizens provide input through a Majlis al-Shura (Consultative Council). On October 15, citizens chose among 1,100 candidates running for seats on the 84-member Consultative Council. The 29-member Council of Ministers advises the sultan on government decisions. The two-house Majlis Oman (Oman Council) is composed of the Majlis al-Dawla (State Council), whose 83 members are appointed by the sultan, and the Majlis al-Shura. On October 19, a new law granted the Oman Council new powers that expand its policy review function to include approving, rejecting, and amending legislation and convoking ministers of agencies that provide direct citizen services. Security forces reported to civilian authorities.
Oman experienced a series of relatively peaceful public protests throughout the spring, with demonstrators demanding economic and political reforms. There were lengthy sit-ins in the three largest cities, including some significant acts of civil disobedience. One man died and several were injured when security forces clashed with disorderly protesters in the city of Sohar on February 27. On April 1, another man died under similar circumstances. Security forces arrested and detained hundreds of demonstrators throughout the country for illegal weapons possession, arson, destruction of property, vandalism, and blocking roads. There was one reported incident, which may have been politically motivated, of two human rights activists kidnapped and beaten by unknown persons.
The principal human rights problems were the inability of citizens to change their government, limits on freedom of speech, and societal mores that discriminate against women.
Other ongoing human rights concerns included restrictions on freedoms of press and association, instances of domestic violence, isolated reports that some employers placed expatriate laborers in conditions of forced labor or abuse, and lack of independent inspections of prisons and detention centers.
Security force impunity was not a significant problem in the country. Security personnel and other government officials generally were held accountable for their actions.
There were no reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings.
On April 8, human rights activists Said al Hashmi and Basma al Rajhi reported being abducted from their car by several men, taken to a remote area, and beaten over several hours. Al Hashmi and al Rajhi alleged their kidnappers demanded they stop their political activities, threatening them with further violence if they did not. Both suffered injuries in the attack and were briefly hospitalized. The two reported the incident to the police, who had not identified their attackers.
While the law prohibits such practices, Amnesty International published reports of detained protesters beaten in prison.
Prison and detention center conditions generally met international standards, although the primary detention center for illegal immigrants was overcrowded. There were on average 750 convicted individuals in jail during the year and another few hundred awaiting trial. There were also several hundred irregular immigrants in detention centers awaiting deportation. Prisoners and detainees had reasonable access to visitors and were permitted religious observance. Authorities allowed prisoners and detainees to submit complaints to judicial authorities without censorship and to request investigation of credible allegations of inhumane conditions. The law permitted visits by independent human rights observers, and the National Commission on Human Rights began regularly visiting prisons. The government investigated and monitored prison and detention center conditions, and authorities in some cases investigated claims of abuse, but the results of investigations were not documented in a publicly accessible manner. There is no ombudsman to serve on behalf of prisoners and detainees. Prisoners had access to potable water. Conditions for female prisoners were not worse than for their male counterparts. Authorities sought to improve prison conditions by building a new primary prison facility to international standards.
In December several prisoners convicted of crimes relating to the protests earlier in the year allegedly began a hunger strike. At year's end, 23 prisoners remained on hunger strike with their condition closely monitored by officials.
The law prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, and the government generally observed these prohibitions.
The Royal Office, part of the cabinet, controls internal and external security and coordinates all intelligence and security policies. Under the Royal Office, the Internal Security Service investigates all matters related to domestic security, and the Sultan's Special Forces have limited border security and antismuggling responsibilities. The Royal Oman Police (ROP), also part of the cabinet, perform regular police duties, provide security at points of entry, serve as the country's immigration and customs agency, and includes the Coast Guard (ROPCG). The Ministry of Defense, and in particular the Royal Army of Oman (RAO), is responsible for securing the borders and has limited domestic security responsibilities. The security forces performed their duties effectively.
Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the Internal Security Service, the Sultan's Special Forces, the RAO, and the ROP.
The law does not require police to obtain a warrant before making an arrest but provides that police must either release the person or refer the matter to the public prosecutor. For most crimes, the public prosecutor must formally arrest or release the person within 48 hours of detention. Authorities generally informed detainees promptly of the charges against them. There was a functioning bail system. Detainees generally had prompt access to a lawyer of their choice, and the state provided public attorneys to indigent detainees. Authorities generally allowed detainees prompt access to family members, but police sometimes failed to notify a detainee's family, or the detainee's sponsor in the case of an expatriate laborer, of the detention.
Pretrial Detention: For crimes related to terrorism or national security, a new law allows the police to hold a detainee for up to 30 days without charge, and this law was utilized several times during the year. Court orders are required to hold suspects in pretrial detention. Judges may order detentions for 14 days to allow investigation and may grant extensions. Authorities respected these rights in practice.
Amnesty: The sultan declared three amnesties for different groups. On February 13 and August 29, he pardoned a total of 195 convicted individuals, both citizens and foreign nationals. On April 20, the sultan pardoned 234 individuals arrested during public protests.
Although the law provides for an independent judiciary, the sultan may act as a court of final appeal and exercise his power of pardon as chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, the country's highest legal body, which is empowered to review all judicial decisions. While the government generally respected judicial independence, the press questioned government influence in the Azzaman newspaper case, in which two of the newspaper's editors and one government employee were convicted of slander for an article that criticized the undersecretary of justice. Principles of Sharia (Islamic law) inform the civil, commercial, and criminal codes. All cases are tried by either civilian or military court.
The law provides for the right to a fair trial and stipulates the presumption of innocence. Citizens and legally resident noncitizens have the right to a public trial, except when the court decides to hold a session in private in the interest of public order or morals. There is no trial by jury.
Defendants have the right to be present, consult with an attorney in a timely manner, present evidence, and confront witnesses. Courts provide public attorneys to indigent detainees and offer legal defense for defendants facing prison terms of three years or more. The prosecution and defense counsel direct questions to witnesses through the judge. Defendants and their lawyers generally had access to government-held evidence relevant to their cases. Those convicted in any court may appeal a jail sentence longer than three months and fines of more than 480 rials (approximately $1,250). The judiciary generally enforced these rights for all citizens. In contravention to the law, however, some judges occasionally discriminated against female defendants by requesting that they appear in court with their fathers or husbands. In such cases, women could seek redress for such treatment through the courts.
There were no reports of political prisoners or detainees.
Civil procedure codes govern civil cases. Citizens and nonnationals were able to file cases, including lawsuits seeking damages for human rights violations. The judiciary was generally independent and impartial, and court orders were enforced effectively for all persons. The Administrative Court, under the authority of the diwan of the Royal Court, reviews complaints about the misuse of governmental authority. It has the power to reverse decisions by government bodies and to award compensation. Appointments to this court are subject to the approval of the Administrative Affairs Council. The court's president and deputy president are appointed by royal decree based on the council's nomination. Citizens and foreign workers may file complaints regarding working conditions with the Ministry of Manpower for alternative dispute resolution. The ministry may refer cases to the courts if it is unable to negotiate a solution.
The law does not require police to obtain search warrants before entering homes, but they often obtained warrants from the Public Prosecutor's Office. The government monitored private communications, including by cell phone, e-mail, and Internet chat room exchanges.
The Ministry of Interior required citizens to obtain permission to marry foreigners, except nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, whom Omanis may marry without restriction; permission was not granted automatically. Citizen marriage to a foreigner abroad without ministry approval may result in denial of entry for the foreign spouse at the border and preclude children from claiming citizenship rights. It also may result in a bar from government employment and a 2,000 rial fine (approximately $5,200).
The law provides for limited freedom of speech and press. The government generally restricted these rights in practice. Journalists and writers exercised self-censorship.
Freedom of Speech: The law prohibits criticism of the sultan in any form or medium; "material that leads to public discord, violates the security of the state, or abuses a person's dignity or his rights"; "messages of any form that violate public order and morals or are harmful to a person's safety"; and "defamation of character." Courts interpreted these laws to mean it is illegal to insult any public official, and individuals sometimes were prosecuted for doing so.
Freedom of Press: Authorities tolerated limited criticism regarding domestic and foreign affairs in privately owned newspapers and magazines, although editorials generally were consistent with the government's views. The government and privately owned radio and television stations did not generally broadcast politically controversial material. There was no permanent international media presence in the country.
Censorship or Content Restrictions: All content in both public and private media print outlets was subject to an official, nontransparent review and approval process before publication. Journalists and writers exercised some self-censorship, although during the protests in the early part of the year, this self-restriction decreased noticeably.
Libel Laws/National Security: The government used libel laws and national security concerns as grounds to suppress criticism of government figures and politically objectionable views. Libel was a criminal offense, and laws were strictly enforced with heavy fines and occasional prison sentences imposed by the courts. The government also prohibited publication of any material that "violated the security of the state." A new law prohibits publication of any government documents without prior government approval. A court sentenced Ibrahim al Ma'mari, Yusuf al Haj, and Haroon al Muqaibli to five months in prison for crimes relating to accusations against the minister of justice. Al Ma'mari and al Haj accused the minister of corruption in a series of news articles published in Azzaman newspaper, which the accused edited. Al Muqaibli was the government employee who leaked the information to the newspaper. The newspaper also was ordered to close for one month. The case was under appeal at year's end, and none of the penalties had been applied.
Publishing Restrictions: The law permits the Ministry of Information to review all media products and books produced within or imported into the country. In the ministry only occasionally prohibited or censored material viewed as politically, culturally, or sexually offensive from domestic and imported publications. There were no major publishing houses in the country, and publication of books remained limited.
The law restricts free speech via the Internet, and the government enforced the restrictions. The government's national telecommunications company and two private telecommunications providers made Internet access available for a fee to citizens and foreign residents. Internet access was available via schools, workplaces, wide area networks at coffee shops and other venues, especially in urban areas.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority monitored the activities of telecommunications service providers and obliged them to block access to numerous Web sites considered pornographic, culturally or politically sensitive, or competitive with local telecommunications services. The criteria for blocking access to Internet sites were not transparent or consistent, although Web logs were sometimes blocked. The government blocked popular Web forum "Al Hurra" after its moderators refused to supply them with the IP address of a commentator who had written on a "political subject." The Web site was shut down for a month. Authorities also blocked some Web sites used to circumvent censorship, such as virtual private networks.
The government placed warnings on other Web sites informing users that criticism of the sultan or personal criticism of government officials would be censored and could lead to police questioning, effectively increasing self-censorship.
Web site administrators or moderators were cautious concerning content and were reportedly quick to delete potentially offensive material in chat rooms, on social networking fora, and on Web log postings.
The government limited academic freedom, particularly the publication or discussion of controversial matters such as domestic politics, through the threat of dismissal. Academics largely practiced self-censorship.
The government censored publicly shown films, primarily for sexual content and nudity. Organizations appeared to avoid controversial issues due to the belief authorities might not approve such events.
The law provides for limited freedom of assembly, and the government restricted this right in practice. Government approval was necessary for all public gatherings. Authorities enforced this requirement sporadically.
Dozens of public demonstrations and labor strikes occurred throughout the country during the first half of the year. For example, on February 27, police responded to demonstrators in Sohar who were destroying property and committing arson. Police shot into the crowd with rubber bullets and used tear gas. One man died and several were wounded. On April 1, protester Khalifa al-Alawi was killed in Sohar during a clash with security forces using rubber bullets and tear gas against rock-throwing demonstrators. Following this encounter, the security forces dispersed demonstrators who had established long-term sit-ins, one in Salalah and another in Sohar. Although hundreds of people were initially detained, the sultan pardoned the majority before they were charged. Of the 39 eventually charged and prosecuted, all were accused of engaging in violent behavior or illegal weapons possession, with 23 eventually convicted with terms ranging from a few months to five years in prison.
The law provides for freedom of association "for legitimate objectives and in a proper manner." The Council of Ministers limited freedom of association in practice by prohibiting associations whose activities were deemed "inimical to the social order" or otherwise not appropriate, and did not license groups regarded as a threat to the predominant social and political views or the interests of the country. Associations also must register with the Ministry of Social Development, which approves all associations' bylaws. The average time required to register an association was approximately two years, although the process could be as short as two months. Approval time varied based on the level of preparedness of the applying organization and was often longer when a group required significant help from the ministry to formalize its structure. Formal registration of nationality-based associations was limited to one association for each nationality.
No association may receive funding from an international group without government approval. Individuals convicted of doing so for an association may receive up to six months in jail and a fine of 500 rials (approximately $1,300). Heads of domestic NGOs reported that the government periodically asked to review their financial records to confirm sources of funding and required NGOs to inform the government of any meetings with foreign organizations or diplomatic missions.
See the Department of State's International Religious Freedom Report at www.state.gov/j/drl/irf/rpt.
The law provides for freedom of movement within the country and repatriation, and the government generally respected these rights in practice. The law does not specifically provide for foreign travel or emigration. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) did not visit the country during the year, and it did not maintain an office or personnel in the country. Some humanitarian organizations were restricted in their ability to provide refugees with assistance. Specifically, authorities prohibited the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) from fulfilling the role of UNHCR in its absence, although other entities were allowed to assist refugees.
In-country Movement: There were no government restrictions on internal travel for any residents or citizens. Foreigners could not change jobs without first obtaining sponsorship from the new employer.
Foreign Travel: In 2010 the government removed the requirement that a married woman obtain her husband's consent before receiving a passport. Foreigners working in the country must obtain an exit visa from their employer prior to leaving the country.
Access to Asylum: The laws provide for the granting of asylum or refugee status, and the government has established a system for providing protection to refugees. The ROP is responsible for determining refugee status but did not grant asylum or accept refugees for resettlement during the year. The ROP's system for granting refugee status was not transparent, and the law does not specify a time frame in which the ROP must adjudicate an asylum application.
Nonrefoulement: In practice the government did not provide protection against the return of refugees to countries where their lives or freedom would be threatened. Tight control over the entry of foreigners effectively limited access to protection for refugees and asylum seekers. Authorities apprehended and deported hundreds of Somalis, Yemenis, Ethiopians, and Eritreans who sought to enter the country illegally by land and sea in the South, and Afghans and Pakistanis who generally came to the country by boat via Iran in the North. Authorities generally detained these persons in centers in Salalah or the northern port city of Sohar, where they stayed an average of one month before deportation to their countries of origin.
The law provides citizenship at birth if the father is an Omani citizen, if the mother is a citizen and the father is unknown, or if a child of unknown parents is found in the country. The law provides that an adult may become a citizen by applying for citizenship and subsequently residing legally in the country for 20 years, or 10 years if married to a male citizen. During that time he/she cannot reside more than one month of each year outside the country. However, a person seeking naturalization is expected first to give up any previous citizenship.
Women were not allowed to transmit citizenship to their spouses or children.
The law does not provide citizens with the right to change their government. The sultan retains ultimate authority on all foreign and domestic issues. With the exception of the military and other security forces, all citizens 21 years old and older have the right to vote for candidates for the Consultative Council. In October the sultan issued a royal decree granting limited legislative authority to the Oman Council, which must either approve or suggest amendments to new laws. Members of the Consultative Council enjoy freedom of speech in their debates on subjects related to their duties.
Recent Elections: On October 15, approximately 60 percent of 518,000 registered voters participated in elections for the Consultative Council. Electoral commissions reviewed potential candidates against a set of objective educational and character criteria (high school education, no criminal history or mental illness) before allowing candidates' names on the ballot. The Ministry of Interior closely monitored campaign materials and events. There were no notable or widespread allegations of fraud or improper government interference in the voting process. The government did not allow independent monitoring of the elections.
Political Parties: The law does not allow political parties to exist.
Participation of Women and Minorities: There were 16 women on the 154-seat Council of Oman with one newly elected female member. There were two appointed female ministers, both of whom served in the 29-member cabinet. Women had difficulties participating equally in political life due to conservative social constraints, especially in rural areas.
The law provides criminal penalties for official corruption, and the government generally implemented these laws effectively. There were isolated reports of government corruption during the year, including in the police and other security organizations.
In September a court convicted and sentenced two mid-level officials at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs to prison for their role in the "stone-crushing" case, in which building permits were granted to personal friends and acquaintances rather than on the basis of governmental regulations to protect the environment. In October the undersecretary for justice was replaced, after the newspaper Azzaman accused him of misusing his office to deny a lower ranking official an administrative promotion.
Public officials are not subject to financial disclosure laws.
The law does not provide for public access to government information, although all royal decrees and ministerial decisions were published.
No registered or fully autonomous domestic human rights groups existed. There were civil society groups that advocated for persons protected under human rights conventions, particularly women and the disabled. These groups were required to register with the Ministry of Social Development.
UN and Other International Bodies: The government allowed several international organizations to work in the country without interference, including the World Health Organization, and the International Labor Organization.
Government Human Rights Bodies: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), a government-funded commission made up of members from the public, private, and academic sectors, reported on human rights to the sultan via the State Council. During the year, the commission issued its first human rights report, which it submitted to the UN Human Rights Council. It continued investigating 169 human rights complaints it received during the year. The NHRC also began conducting prison visits, and started a community and school outreach program to discuss human rights with students.
The law prohibits discrimination against citizens on the basis of gender, ethnic origin, race, language, religion, place of residence, and social class. The government generally enforced prohibitions on most bases of discrimination effectively, but did not do so for discrimination against women.
Rape and Domestic Violence: The law criminalizes rape with penalties of up to 15 years in prison, but it does not criminalize spousal rape. The government generally enforced the law when cases were reported, but cultural and societal influences prevented victims from reporting rape. As a result, there was no reliable estimate of the extent of the problem. In 2010, the most recent year for which statistics are available, the police charged 227 individuals with rape or attempted rape. Foreign nationals working as domestic employees occasionally reported that their sponsors or employees of labor recruitment agencies had raped them. According to diplomatic observers, police investigations resulted in few rape convictions, and sponsors repatriated most of women who made the allegations. The law does not specifically address domestic violence. Assault, battery, and aggravated assault carry a maximum sentence of three years in prison. Allegations of spousal abuse in civil courts handling family law cases reportedly were common. Victims of domestic violence may file a complaint with police. Due to societal customs, women often sought private family intervention to protect them from violent domestic situations. Authorities generally enforced the law when they were aware such crimes had occurred.
Sexual Harassment: The law does not specifically prohibit sexual harassment. In a 2009 study, 11 percent of women surveyed said they had been sexually harassed.
Harmful Traditional Practices: Although the government prohibits female genital mutilation (FGM) in public hospitals and clinics, there is no law prohibiting private practitioners from performing the procedure. According to press reports, a recent Ministry of Health study on FGM found that men and women across all ages broadly accepted the practice, especially in rural areas, where it was reported to be a common occurrence.
Reproductive Rights: The government recognized the basic right of couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing, and timing of their children. Health clinics were able to operate freely in disseminating information on family planning under the guidance of the Ministry of Health. There are no legal restrictions on the right to access contraceptives. The government provided free childbirth services to citizens within the framework of universal health care. Prenatal and postnatal care was readily available and used. World Health Organization statistics from 2008 indicated a maternal mortality rate of 20 per 100,000 live births. Men and women received equal access to diagnosis and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV; however, social taboos prevent individuals from seeking treatment.
Discrimination: Despite legal and some social progress, including the appointment of women as ministers, ambassadors, and senior government officials, some social and legal institutions discriminated against women. The law prohibits gender-based discrimination against citizens. However, some aspects of Islamic law and tradition as interpreted in the country discriminated against women. In some personal status cases, such as divorce, a women's testimony is equal to half of a man's. The law favors male heirs in adjudicating inheritance. Women married to noncitizens may not transmit citizenship to their children and cannot sponsor their noncitizen husband's presence in the country.
Many women were reluctant to take an inheritance or marriage dispute to court for fear of alienating the family. Illiteracy among women 45 years of age and older hampered their ability to own property, participate in the workforce, or inform themselves about their rights.
Women may own property, but government officials and banks applied different standards to female applicants for housing loans, resulting in fewer approvals for women. The law equalizes the treatment of men and women in receiving free government land for housing.
Government policy provided women with equal opportunities for education. Alhough educated women held positions of authority in government, business, and the media, women still faced some job discrimination based on cultural norms. The law entitles women to such gender-related protections in the workplace as the right to paid maternity leave and equal pay for equal work. The government, the largest employer of women, observed such regulations, as did many private sector employers.
The Ministry of Social Development is the umbrella ministry for women's affairs. The ministry provided support for women's economic development through the Oman Women's Associations and local community development centers. The government also formed a committee to monitor the country's compliance with the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
Birth Registration: Citizenship is derived from the father. Women married to noncitizens may not transmit citizenship to their children, yet there were no reported cases of statelessness. Most births were registered promptly, although authorities granted birth certificates and identification paperwork to children born with nontraditional Omani names only after an unclear and lengthy civil appeals process.
Education: Primary school education for citizen children was free and universal, but not compulsory.
Harmful Traditional Practices: There is no law against female genital mutilation (FGM), although the practice is prohibited in public hospitals and other public health centers. FGM remains widespread, however, and is widely condoned, according to a 2010 Ministry of Health study. In the southern Dhofar region, FGM is performed on newborns and involves a partial or total clitoridectomy (Type I as defined by the World Health Organization). Throughout the rest of the country, FGM usually consists of a minor cut made on the clitoris (Type IV). The practice is usually carried out by persons with no medical training.
Sexual Exploitation of Children: Commercial sexual exploitation of children and child pornography are punishable by no less than five years' imprisonment. All sex outside of marriage was illegal, and there was no minimum age for marriage, but sex with a minor under 15 years of age carried a heavier penalty (up to 15 years' imprisonment), and the minor was not charged. Children under 18 were not widely used for prostitution, and the country was not a destination for child sex tourism.
International Child Abductions: Oman is not a party to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. For information see the Department of State's l report on country-specific information at http://travel.state.gov/abduction/country/country_3781.html.
There was no Jewish population, and there were no reports of anti-Semitic acts or public statements by community or national leaders vilifying Jews. Anti-Semitism was present in the media. Anti-Semitic editorial cartoons depicting stereotypical and negative images of Jews, along with Jewish symbols, were published during the year. One overtly anti-Semitic article appeared in privately owned newspaper Times of Oman.
See the Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Report at www.state.gov/j/tip.
The law provides persons with disabilities, including physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities, the same rights as other citizens in employment, education, access to health care, or the provision of other state services. However, persons with disabilities continued to face some discrimination. The law mandates access to buildings for persons with disabilities, but many older buildings, including government buildings and schools, were not retrofitted to conform to the law. The law also requires private enterprises employing more than 50 persons to reserve at least 2 percent of positions for persons with disabilities. In practice this regulation was not widely enforced.
There is no protective legislation to provide for equal educational opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The Ministry of Social Development is responsible for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. During the year the government partnered with NGOs and the private sector to address the needs of persons with disabilities and combat cultural and societal discrimination against such persons through special seminars and vocational training. The government provided alternative education opportunities for more than 500 children with disabilities, including overseas schooling when appropriate; this was largely due to lack of capacity within the country. In addition, the Ministry of Education in the past partnered with the International Council for Educational Reform and Development to create a curriculum for students with mental disabilities within the standard school system, which was in place throughout the year.
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons faced discrimination under the law and in practice. Social norms also re-enforced discrimination against LGBT persons. The penal code criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual conduct with a jail term of six months to three years. There were no reports of prosecutions for during the year, although nine prosecutions for sodomy occurred in 2009, the most recent year for which statistics are available.
The discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in any context remained a social taboo, and authorities took steps to block LGBT-related Internet content. There was no official or overt societal discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, or access to education or health care.
The law recognizes workers' right to form unions and one general federation to represent unions in regional and international fora. The law prohibits members of the armed forces, other public security institutions, government employees, and domestic workers from forming or joining unions. At year's end, according to the Ministry of Manpower, there were nearly 150 unions at the enterprise level and one government-funded general federation of unions.
The government restricted union activities. The law permits only one general federation of unions. The law prohibits unions from accepting grants or financial assistance from any source without the ministry's prior approval. Unions must notify the government at least one month in advance of union meetings, although this requirement was not enforced.
Workers have the right to strike, but strikes are subject to certain requirements. The law requires an absolute majority of an enterprise's employees to approve the strike, and notice must be given to employers three weeks in advance of the intended strike date, although the government did not enforce this law in practice. Strikes occurred frequently and were generally resolved quickly, sometimes through government mediation.
The law allows for collective bargaining, and regulations require employers to engage in collective bargaining on the terms and conditions of employment, including wages and hours of work. In cases where there is no trade union, collective bargaining may take place between the employer and five representatives selected by workers. The employer may not reject any of the representatives selected. While negotiation is ongoing, the employer may not act on decisions related to issues under discussion. The law prohibits employers from firing or imposing penalties on employees for union activity. Unions are open to all legal workers regardless of nationality.
The law prohibits forced or compulsory labor. There were reports that adult forced labor occurred. Some men and women from South and Southeast Asia, most of whom migrated voluntarily to the country as domestic servants or low-skilled workers in the construction, agriculture, and service sectors, faced working conditions indicative of forced labor. Reports included instances of passports being withheld, restrictions on movement, nonpayment of wages, long working hours without food or rest, threats, and physical or sexual abuse. Some employers of domestic workers, contrary to the law, continued to withhold documents releasing the workers from employment contracts or demanded release fees totaling as much as 600 rials (approximately $1,560) before allowing the workers to change employers.
All foreign workers must be sponsored by an Omani employer. It was sometimes difficult for an employee to change sponsors.
The government's labor inspectors performed random checks of worksites to ensure compliance with all labor laws and had arrest authority for the most egregious violations. The government provided an alternative dispute resolution mechanism through the Ministry of Manpower, which acted as mediator between the employer and employee for minor disputes such as disagreement over wages. If not resolved to the employee's satisfaction, he or she could, and often did, resort to the courts for relief.
Also see the Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Report at www.state.gov/j/tip.
The law prohibits all child labor. The minimum age for employment is 15 years, or 18 years for certain hazardous occupations. Children between the ages of 15 and 18 may only work between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and are prohibited from working for more than six hours per day on weekends or on holidays.
No instances of child labor were reported in the formal sector, where the Ministry of Manpower generally effectively enforced the law. Minor violations resulted in warnings, and employers were given time to correct practices; however, significant violations may result in immediate arrests. In practice, enforcement often did not extend to small family businesses that employed underage children, particularly in the agricultural and fishing sectors.
The minimum wage for citizens of 200 rials (approximately $520) per month did not provide a decent standard of living for a worker and family. Approximately 2.5 percent of citizens were unable to work and received government assistance. Minimum wage regulations did not apply to a variety of occupations and businesses, including small businesses employing fewer than five persons, dependent family members working for a family firm, some categories of manual laborers, and foreign workers.
The private sector workweek was 45 hours and included a two-day rest period following five consecutive days of work. Government workers had a 35-hour workweek. The law mandates overtime pay for hours in excess of 45 per week. Government regulations regarding hours of employment were not always enforced, especially for foreign workers. Employees who worked extra hours without compensation could file a complaint with the Ministry of Manpower's Directorate of Labor Care.
The law states an employee may leave dangerous work conditions without jeopardy to continued employment if the employer was aware of the danger and did not implement corrective measures. Employees covered under the labor law may receive compensation for job-related injury or illness through employer-provided medical insurance.
The ministry effectively enforced the minimum wage for citizens. There was no minimum wage for noncitizens, although embassies generally would not attest contracts for their nationals if they believed the salary to be below market standards.
There were reports that migrant laborers in some firms and households worked more than 12 hours a day for as little as 30 rials (approximately $78) per month.
Domestic workers are not covered under the labor law, but separate domestic employment regulations obligate the employer to provide domestic workers with free local medical treatment throughout the contract period. There are no maximum work hour limits, nor any mandatory rest periods, although the contract between the employer and worker can specify such requirements. Penalties for noncompliance with health regulations are small, ranging from approximately 10 to 100 rials ($26 to $260), multiplying per occurrence per worker and doubled upon recurrence.
The ministry processed complaints and acted as mediator. In a majority of cases, the plaintiff prevailed, gaining compensation, the opportunity to seek alternative employment, or return to their country of origin in the case of foreign laborers. The ministry was generally effective in cases regarding minor labor disputes; however, it did not refer any egregious violations to the courts during the year.
Employers often cancelled the employment contracts of seriously sick or injured foreign workers, forcing them to return to their countries of origin.
Approximately 180 inspectors from the Department of Health and Safety of the Labor Care Directorate generally enforced the health and safety codes and made regular on-site inspections as required by law to private sector work-sites.


text:
Ipswitch necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 133 diseños de 31 diseñadores freelance.
Ipswitch is an IT software company founded in 1991. We have three divisions: Network Management, Secure File Transfer and Messaging. We have hundreds of thousands of customers around the world.
IT managers and administrators. They are technical, typically between 20 and 45, and work for companies both small and large. They are very busy, and want clear, concise communication.
Our myIpswitch logo now consists of the text 'my' placed to the left of the Ipswitch wordmark logo. We want one logo that looks better than what we have now, and combines 'my' and 'ipswitch' into a single logo that does not redesign the Ipswitch corporate logo. The 'my' can be changed to any style and placement. See the attached current logo and the current myIpswitch page: https://www.myipswitch.com/licensing/index.aspx. Also see the following Ipswitch web sites for a sense of the company:
1) http://www.ipswitch.com (this will be redesigned soon)
2) http://www.ipswitchft.com
3) http://www.whatsupgold.com
4) http://www.imailserver.com
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The Ipswitch wordmark is typically blue, black or reverse type. The new myIpswitch logo should work against both light and dark backgrounds - maybe have two versions - a regular and a reverse type.
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text:
You will not
Okay, why am I doing this? It's probably because I lost my mind after not writing a blog post and wrote a blog post so I could satisfy my need to write a blog post to put off my withdrawl from not writing a blog post for so long; also, why am I writing this if nothing substantial is being said? I mean, seriously.
WELL...I guess just ask me something in the comments?


text: Summer has arrived, school is out, and it's time to throw some backyard parties! Although I love a barbeque, they can be a lot of work (not to mention the fact that we don't own a grill). This year, I've much preferred hosting s'mores parties—it's easier, it feels super festive, […] Read More »


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The cyclocross season may be coming to a close, but Fulcrum have just launched a range of specific cyclocross wheels for 2013. The CX Collection includes four sets of wheels based on current designs in the Fulcrum range, but are constructed to withstand the rigours of being ridden in dreadful conditions, with better sealed hub bearings.
Each of four wheelsets in the range uses the same Double Gasket hub bearing design, a double seal that better protects the bearings inside the hub from water and mud and should ensure smoother performance for longer. They've made this change without a significant increase in weight of the complete wheelsets.
The CX range includes the Red Wind XLR CX, Racing 5 CX, Racing 7 CX and Racing Quattro CX. They CX versions cost about £10 more than the regular wheels on which they're based.
The Red Wind XLR CX (£1219.99) is the lightest in the lineup at 1610g. It has a 50mm aluminium rim and braking surface, with a carbon fairing. The spokes have self-locking nippes and the hubs have aluminium bodies, with an oversized flange on the driveside of the rear hub.
The Racing Quattro CX is £309.99. We've reviewed the regular version of this popular wheel have been very impressed with its ride performance and good value. It has a 35mm aluminium rim profile and weighs 1725g.
The Racing 5 CX (£229.99) and Racing 7 CX (£179.99) weigh 1760g and 1895g respectively. The Racing 5 has a new deeper rim upper bridge for easier clincher fitting and is compatible with up to 35mm tyres.
While the wheels may be aimed at cyclocross riders and racers, we don't see any reason why they wouldn't be suitable for winter riding. The conditions on the roads can rival that of a cyclocross at times, and the extra bearing protection would be a bonus in such wintery conditions.
The wheels are available from www.i-ride.co.uk. Check out www.fulcrumwheels.com for more info
David has worked on the road.cc tech team since July 2012. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds.


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|Content Category Manager - New / Edit
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How to Access
Navigate to the Category Manager. To add a new Category, press the 'New' icon in the toolbar. To edit an existing Category, click on the Category title or click the Category's checkbox and then click on the Edit icon in the toolbar.
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TinyMCE editor
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TinyMCE is a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor that allows users a familiar word-processing interface to use when editing Articles and other content. The 3-row toolbar below provides many standard editing commands:
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Call us: 516 305-5023
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text:
1001 Inventions success in Dhahran
50,000 visitors at Aramco Cultural Program
19th July 2012, Dhahran, KSA: The award-winning interactive exhibition, 1001 Inventions, has completed a blockbuster residency in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, welcoming more than 50,000 visitors over a 4-week period. The exhibition was an anchor attraction at the Saudi Aramco Cultural Program (SACP), between the 21st of June and the 18th of July 2012, at the Aramco Cultural Park in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
Following successful residencies in London, Istanbul, New York, Los Angeles and Abu Dhabi - where it has attracted a combined audience of 2 million - 1001 Inventions partnered with Saudi Aramco to introduce this blockbuster exhibition to audiences in Saudi Arabia for the first time.
1001 Inventions Exhibition has specially designed this bi-lingual exhibition for the Middle East. It uses highly sophisticated technology featuring many new electronic games and hands-on exhibits, which utilise the latest advances in interactive entertainment. This has all been possible thanks to the generosity of numerous supporters, including our 'Global Strategic Partner' Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives (ALJCI)."
About Saudi Aramco Cultural Program
The Kingdom-wide 2012 Saudi Aramco Cultural Program, is an array of entertaining, educational and athletic activities for everyone. A series of events including arts, culture, heritage, education, sports and entertainment taking place in Dhahran, Riyadh, Jiddah, Abha, Najran and Medina.
About 1001 Inventions
1001 Inventions is a leading and award-winning international science and cultural heritage brand reaching over 50 million people around the world.
1001 Inventions uncovers a thousand years of scientific and cultural achievements from Muslim Civilisation from the 7th century onwards, and how those contributions helped create the foundations of our modern world.
Through its award-winning educational programmes, books, blockbuster exhibitions, live shows, films and learning products, 1001 Inventions showcases the contributions of inspirational men and women of different faiths and cultures in a civilisation that spread from Spain to China.
About ALJCI
Construction of the new 1001 Inventions touring exhibition was sponsored by Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives (ALJCI). ALJCI is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the ALJ Group, which is a Toyota automobiles distributor in 13 different countries. ALJCI plans and operates numerous global programs, such as poverty-alleviation initiatives, artistic and educational projects and technology innovation grants, including a long history of scholarships for students at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
For further information about Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives visit www.aljci.org.


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What are your thoughts about this?
Are the schools going too far about guns? Are the schools overreacting?
Or do you think they are on the right track?
A second grader was suspended from school last Thursday because he bit his breakfast pastry into a shape that his teacher thought looked like a gun.
Yes, it's yet another ridiculous over-reaction to a non-threat.
Seven-year-old Josh Welch, who attends Park Elementary School in Baltimore, said he was trying to nibble his strawberry snack into a mountain.
Josh, who suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and enjoys art classes, told Fox 45 that his actions were innocent.
'It was already a rectangle and I just kept on biting it and biting it and tore off the top and it kinda looked like a gun but it wasn't.
All I was trying to do was turn it into a mountain but, it didn't look like a mountain really and it turned out to be a gun kinda,' the seven-year-old recalled.
But when his teacher saw what he had done, the boy says she got 'pretty mad' and he knew he was 'in big trouble.'
Zero Tolerance For Guns Out Of Control
This is not the first time in recent months that zero tolerance with respect to guns has gone out of control.
Earlier this year, Melody Valentin, a Philadelphia fifth-grader, was searched by school administrators after she allegedly threw out a piece of paper in the shape of a gun.
And in yet another egregious example, a five-year-old was suspended from Mount Carmel Area Elementary School in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, because she was playing with her Hello Kitty bubble gun and allegedly threatening to shoot herself and a classmate.
These are wonderful "teachable moments," but instead of making the most of them, administrators chose to punish their students.
Suspended For Two Days
In Josh's case, his dad received a phone call from the school saying that Josh has been suspended for two days because of what he had done. He was amazed and angry.
As Fox 45 reports:
Josh's dad is not happy saying, "I would almost call it insanity. I mean with all the potential issues that could be dealt with at school, real threats, bullies, whatever the real issue is, it's a pastry.., Ya know?" Josh just wishes he could go back to class, but maintains a good sense of humor through the whole debacle saying, "I didn't get to eat all my breakfast, so, really I am still hungry."
Well, at least Josh has a sense of humor.
If his teacher thought the 7-year-old's action was inappropriate, couldn't she find a better way to let him know? Teachers are supposed to understand their young charges and know how to respond to them. How about disciplining this teacher instead?
And as Josh's father points out, schools have plenty of issues that they should be handling, without wasting time on the shape of a strawberry pastry.
School Districts Revising Zero Tolerance Policies
Thankfully some school districts around the country are recognizing that.
After the Columbine High School shootings in 1999, schools nationwide established zero tolerance weapons policies: schools had to suspend or expel students, no matter the circumstances, when weapons were involved.
Obviously this was done with the best of intentions, but there have been plenty of unintended consequences.
Last year, Colorado State Senator Linda Newell sponsored a bill which became law that permits schools to develop other options other than a mandatory suspension or expulsion after a student violates weapons policies.
Schools in Colorado now are required to develop new discipline rules, including changes to their weapons policies, to their drug and alcohol policies, and in how they handle habitually disruptive behavior.
Let's hope word gets out to other school districts. It's time to stop this madness.
Views: 230
"Zero tolerance" means "zero thought". Teachers and administrators are supposed to be setting an example of intelligent, appropriate reactions.
Shouldn't these cases be in POE? It's like you "slide" to an alternate universe where the local newspaper headline is "Second grader nibbles pastry into gun shape, school protected from threat by his suspension!"
Yes Ruth - that graphic is funny because that is how stupid everything is right now. No one is using their judgement.
As a retired high school teacher I see these actions by teachers and administrators (mostly the latter) to be a huge embarrassment to the profession. Teaching, like any profession, has its share of some really stupid people and actions such as these puts that stupidity on display for all to see.
Good luck on the next election for school bond increases.
Bloody hell - overreaction much?
Yes, it was a big overreaction Loren.
Okay, let's drag what may be the problem out into the open:
Did the teachers observing Josh create what THEY thought was a gun then think he was going to bite out a couple rounds of ammunition from the same snack, load his newly created weapon and shoot up the school? Seriously? What if had had simply made a fist with an extended finger, pointed it at someone and said, "Bang-bang!" Kids have been doing that since before I was born! I shudder to think how those teachers would have reacted to THAT!
Stipulated, gun violence is problematic in the US. What may be worse is the thoughtless, knee-jerk reaction by those like these teachers to anything even remotely resembling a gun. This whole issue needs to be addressed in a far more adult manner than it has to date, with thought and reason rather than with the kind of mindlessness which was evident in this example.
I dunno, am I stating the obvious here or what?
Did the teachers observing Josh create what THEY thought was a gun then think he was going to bite out a couple rounds of ammunition from the same snack, load his newly created weapon and shoot up the school? Seriously? [emphasis mine]
Loren, you have a way with words! a Monty Python skit is congealing in my brain. Big foot comes down out of cloud to smash overreacting school administrators, maybe a few milk-the-public-fear politicians and media reporters too, after the horrible scenario of nibbling, loading, and firing of the breakfast "gun".
I agree Ruth - that was funny.
Speaking of which:
The real problem here is that the kid is having pastry for breakfast.
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text:
Though often defined as a church with more than 2,000 in worship attendance, the "megachurch" is more than that. It's that more that attracts so much controversy.
Another study of the megachurch has emerged this summer—"Not Who You Think They Are: The Real Story of People Who Attend America's Megachurches"—and most media reported on it glowingly, with headlines like "Major Study: Younger Crowds Flocking to U.S. Megachurches"
The study came partly from Leadership Network, which aims to "foster church innovation and growth through strategies, programs, tools, and resources … to identify, connect, and help high-capacity Christian leaders multiply their impact." Leadership Network has been a supporter of megachurches for 25 years, and its mission statement gets at the "more" of the megachurch ethos.
The modern megachurch is now famous for "innovation" and "growth through strategies, programs, tools, and resources" so that churches can "multiply their impact." That's the reason for its success in America, where business principles and organizational techniques sit atop the altar of Success. These principles have indeed led to many Americans being brought into the kingdom of God.
And that only makes sense. We ask overseas missionaries to adapt themselves to the culture they seek to reach. When megachurches do that in the United States, and do it effectively, we should not complain.
But at some point cultural adaptation itself needs to be adapted—back into gospel culture. For instance, African churches found it necessary to tolerate polygamy and other cultural practices in the first generation of missionaries. But by the second and third generations, maturing Christian disciples were undermining polygamy. In ...1
More from this Issue
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- TrendingChristians Killed on Syria's Front LinesWhile Trump defends US withdrawal, advocates fear "Turkey will complete the work that ISIS tried to do, in eradicating Christians from this region."
- From the MagazineWhy We Still Need Christian CollegesAs the liberal arts struggle, we should rally around Christian campuses that still embrace them.
- RelatedSyrian Christians to US: 'Don't Abandon Us Now'After surviving a civil war and ISIS attacks, the Christian minority fears a Turkish takeover in Kurdish border region.
- Editor's PickSyrian Christians Brave Insecurity to Stay Behind and HelpPreemptive Love's Jeremy Courtney says despite the Turkey deal, "This crisis shows no sign of letting up, and we can't either."


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The ONLY things I like and count worth keeping from that line were the Shadow Knights and their accessories.
Tower of Iron Will wrote:when the box says LEGO on it, nothing is impossible - the only limits are your imagination. (well of course the limits of money, space to build, unimaginative girl friends, etc, etc.)
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Stainless Steel Pet Tag
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Use the "Pricing Summary" to the right to review your personalization additions. Use the "Pricing Summary" button to review your personalization additions. For laser art, we don't suggest changing the font. You cannot change the colour of engraving on laser art.
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account_circle Raj
date_range ec-2016 to Dec-2016
location_onKuta - Ubud
Package Cost 40500/- INR*For 2 Adults Enquire
Board the Flight Board the flight from Delhi to Bali.
Reach the Airport (Denspasar). Pick up from the airport and transfer to the Hotel
Arrive at bali and transfer to you hotel - Reach the Airport (Denpasar). Pick up from the airport and transfer to the Hotel. Relax at the hotel for the day. Overnight in Kuta
Leave for Bali today.
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text: "Immigrants are more fertile, and they love families," former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Friday at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference. Bush's statement, in support of immigration reform, struck an odd note with many who hear it. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Mark Wilson/Getty Images The Two-Way 'Immigrants Are More Fertile,' Jeb Bush Says In Reform Speech June 14, 2013 Calling for reform of America's immigration laws, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said, "Immigrants are more fertile, and they love families, and they have more intact families." His speech stressed immigrants' role in America's economic future.


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We want you to join our team as a Customer Service/Sales Associate/Cashier. This is no ordinary job and you are not an ordinary person. If you have the desire to learn new skills, work in a fast-paced, fun environment and interact with a wide variety of people - look no further.
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You will greet customers, run the register, make purchase suggestions and sometimes work with our food program. There is never a dull moment as you will be working around the store (inside and out) in many different areas to help maintain our high standards for store appearance and provide an outstanding experience for our customers…they have come to expect it!
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text:
Stalks-The-Wind's-Shadows wrote:Can't wait to read the rest, man.
Stalks-The-Wind's-Shadows wrote:Finally page 2 is up. Poor Stillwell. For once it's his time to show what he can do, and... "Sorry, Yerzle, the locks are magically bound."
You're so mean, Matt
Stalks-The-Wind's-Shadows wrote:On an unrelated note my Ram and Noodle place might be staying down for the forseeable future, and not because the program had a serious hardware fart. My gaming group is, well, regrouping, and I converted Portia and Yerzle to 3rd Edition rules. Portia'd kill me if she saw where I was taking her character sheet... the Underdark is not a healthy place
I'll shut up now. Can't wait for the rest of this story
CaptainSpam wrote:<small>Typo, Matt... check the link on the front page...</small>
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text:
Not to mention, I'm a huge fan of football equipment and its evolution. One of the greatest pieces of football equipment ever invented is designed to protect the neck. Just ask Tim. (Hint: it's behind those beautiful flowing locks)
I think most people know the importance of the neck.
The neck is where two very important pieces of flair for both men and women are secured.
The neck is where awkward teens mark their territory with disgusting hickeys.
The Neck divides Westeros into North and South.
There are some that would argue that the brain or the heart are the most important parts of the human body, but you know what connects them? The neck.
Do you want to dispatch someone? You may yell, "Off with their head!" to indicate this, but what happens? Their neck is bisected. It has noting to do with the head. Just the neck.
Oxygen is transported to the lungs through a windpipe. Where is a windpipe? Usually you can find it in the neck.
Pretty impressive part of the body, no?
Well, I recently had the opportunity to speak with someone who also understands the importance of the neck. It's probably someone you are familiar with. It is No. 89 for the Green Bay Packers, James Jones, he of a league-leading 14 receiving touchdowns in 2012, also he of a very recognizable neck protector: the t-shirt turtleneck.
I had a chance to sit down and pick James' brain about the neck. He was gracious enough to let me share some of it with you.
JJ: "You're welcome, and thank you, Franklin. It's always a pleasure to meet a fellow neckophile, also great shirt."
Me: "Thank you. I love a good turtleneck, as I know you do as well. How and why did you become interested in the neck and realize the value of properly protecting it? Also, why don't your teammates seem to grasp this concept?"
JJ: "I sure do. Check out the one I have on. Might be my favorite. [Pictured above]
"You know, it happened a couple years ago. I was traveling and met some women who were wearing neck rings, and I had an opportunity to discuss why they were doing it, and the benefits they got from it. They said that while it was decorative, it was also a source of strength and a form of protection. They explained the vulnerability humans had in the neck area, and why it was important to guard against injury. It got me thinking, 'You know, I play one of the most violent games in the world, maybe I need to think more about my neck.'
"I actually had the opportunity to work with a man named, Lucius Fox to create my t-shirt turtleneck. It could actually survive re-entry into the earth's atmosphere and withstand a direct blow from 2x4...or a 250 pound linebacker {laughs} At the same time, it is incredibly lightweight, breathable, and pretty dang cool-looking if I do say so myself.
"As far as my teammates, I've gotten a hard time from some of them about my gameday attire, specifically, the t-shirt turtleneck. But, you know, I can't be bothered by that. I need my neck. My neck is more important than my hands, my feet, and my legs. I have found a way of protecting it that allows the rest of my body to function properly and excel, and did I mention it's pretty dang cool-looking? {laughs}
"Also, vampires. You know about vampires, right?"
Me: "Oh, I sure do, man. I sure do."
JJ: "Well, I had the stitching made from high tensile garlic fibers because you can never be too careful. Am I right?"
Me: "Absolutely."
"James, do you credit your breakout performance to your increased neck awareness and also your t-shirt turtleneck?"
JJ: "Oh, definitely. With my neck being sheathed in such a piece of powerful armor...I like to consider my turtleneck a form of armor like medieval knights used to wear...I am free to concentrate wholly on making plays and getting in the endzone. It's been remarkable, and I have started to hear from guys around the league who are interested in getting their hands one. I'm not sure I want to share, though. {laughs}"
Me: "I'm sure all Packer fans wouldn't mind if you shared it in the lockerroom but nowhere else."
JJ: "Alright, I'll take that under consideration. {laughs}"
For the next hour, James and I talked about the neck, standard-issue turtlenecks vs. mock turtlenecks, Cousin Eddie, Mike McCarthy catching on, and even James' love of alpacas. (He thinks their necks are great. Look them up, he's right.) It was really a great conversation.
Thank you to James for his time. It's always great to find someone who appreciates the neck as much as I do.


text:
OAKLAND — A taxi driver standing outside his cab in downtown Oakland was shot in the leg Friday afternoon and ran into a nearby hotel for help, police said.
Oakland police have detained a man for questioning, but a second man remains at large, Officer Johnna Watson said.
The shots were fired at 11th Street just west of Broadway about 3:10 p.m. The driver was hit while standing next to the hotel, waiting for fares.
Police said two people were shooting at each other, but neither shooter was hit. Instead, the cab driver standing about 100 feet away took the errant bullet, then went into the Marriott Hotel for help, police said. At least one bullet struck a near a side door to the hotel, and two others were lodged in the building.
The name and age of the victim were not released and his condition was not available Friday. He is the only known victim.
The shooting happened just as fans of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team were checking into the hotel. The team is staying at the hotel as they prepare to take on the Cal Bears on Saturday at UC Berkeley, but players didn't arrive until after the shooting.
BART trains were delayed briefly at the 12th Street station while officers checked out reports that the gunman may have fled into the station, but the station was cleared and trains were moving again by about 3:40 p.m.
BART police and federal police in the area as well as civilian witnesses helped Oakland police locate the suspect, Watson said.
"The key was the witnesses," she said. "They stayed on scene and provided information that led to a detention of a possible suspect."
Staff writer Harry Harris contributed to this report. Follow Kristin J. Bender at Twitter.com/kjbender.


text:
Beyond the Brain: 5 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Neurosurgery Right Now
Top neurosurgeon explains what neurosurgery is and how to know if you need to consult a neurosurgeon.
While news headlines about brain cancer and brain tumors affecting public figures – from Senator John McCain to TV host Maria Menounos – has sparked national conversation about neurosurgery, it's a topic many Americans know little about. Yet, it's critical to treating a variety of medical conditions, not just brain tumors. To advance public understanding and inform medical decision-making, Dr. Ronald Benitez, a board-certified neurosurgeon and president of Atlantic NeuroSurgical Specialists (ANS), shares fundamental insights about neurosurgery.
"In the U.S. alone, neurosurgeons perform more than 2 million procedures each year on the brain, spine and neurovascular system," says Dr. Benitez. "Together, these make up the nervous system, the delicate and complex command, control and communication network in the body. No one should be left guessing when it comes to treating these critical areas of the body. Everyone should have at least a baseline education on neurosurgery before they or someone they love needs care."
According to Dr. Benitez, here are the top five facts about neurosurgery everyone needs to know right now:
1. Neurosurgery is more than brain surgery.
While most people think neurosurgery is synonymous with brain surgery, it encompasses much more. Neurosurgery is short for neurological surgery, and it involves the diagnosis and treatment of disorders or injuries that affect any part of the nervous system, including the brain, spine, cervical spine (neck) and nerves throughout the body. Some of the most common conditions requiring neurosurgical care include brain tumors, aneurysms, stroke, concussions, pinched nerves, herniated and degenerative disks – as well as persistent neck or back pain that can be indicative of underlying issues.
2. Seeing a neurosurgeon may not entail surgery at all.
Seeing a neurosurgeon doesn't mean you're signing up to go under the knife. Neurosurgeons advise patients on how they can achieve the best medical outcomes, and oftentimes they result from alternate treatment methods such as pain management treatments or physical therapy.
3. Minimally invasive procedures are yielding positive outcomes.
When surgery is required, neurosurgeons are now using advanced, minimally invasive procedures whenever possible. Using small incisions, customized instruments and innovative imaging techniques, doctors can access and treat highly targeted areas of the brain, spine and neck, minimizing disruption to the surrounding tissues. This means less damage, less pain and shorter recovery times.
4. Selecting the right type of surgeon matters.
Neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons both treat many of the same body parts – primarily the neck and spine. However, orthopedic surgeons focus only on the musculoskeletal system – bones, muscles, joints and other connective tissue – and call in neurosurgeons when there is the possibility of nerve-related damage or complexity. When dealing with the central nervous system, consulting a neurosurgeon first can streamline care.
5. Acknowledging neurological warning signs can help defend your health.
As with any medical condition, acknowledging symptoms and quickly seeking care can help contain neurological damage and protect your health. Frequent extreme headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, prolonged neck and back pain are just some of the common symptoms that may indicate the need for a prompt neurosurgical consult.
For more information and educational resources on neurosurgery, contact Atlantic NeuroSurgical Specialists (ANS) – New Jersey's largest neurosurgical practice and one of the most advanced in the country – at 973.285.7800 and visit ansdocs.com.
Improve your health and well-being
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2018 thinking
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2018: A health calendar
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9 easy tweaks to improve your nutrition
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Things you can do for a healthier you…and they don't include dieting
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cirruscg necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 106 diseños de 23 diseñadores freelance.
Cirrus Consulting Group
Cirrus Consulting Group ("Cirrus CG") is a start-up software company and consulting firm specializing in three things:
1. Bringing new SaaS (software-as-a-service/Cloud) products to market: offering product strategy and development services to our clients
2. Building a suite of SaaS products under the "Cirrus CG" brand.
3. Technology consulting services around improving productivity by extending and customizing salesforce CRM functionality.
"Cirrus" is a type of cloud: the high-altitude "wispy," sheet-like clouds. It's said that they indicate a "change in the weather" - obvious future tie ins to a potential slogan about organizational change, etc...
Our company is almost entirely focused on the salesforce.com platform and the Google platform.
We are a small (2 people) firm based in Southern California, but expecting to expand to 4-8 people with a core group of professional consultants within 18 months. We're local, personable, and accessible, but as professional and competent -- if not more so -- than the Deloitte's and Accenture's of the world, and our identity needs to reflect that. Our domain name is "cirruscg.com".
Our company is almost entirely focused on the salesforce.com platform and the Google platform. Most of the companies using Salesforce and Google Apps are Small-to-Midsize companies - and that's the audience that our traditional CRM consulting services cater to. Likewise for the applications we're developing; the apps are offered on the Salesforce AppExchange (http://www.appexchange.com) and the Google Apps Marketplace.
The product strategy and development consulting services are focussed primarily on small ($1MM - $10MM) and mid-sized ($10MM - $50MM) software companies who are looking to reach the Salesforce and/or Google marketplace with new products. These products are often extensions to existing off-Cloud product lines that will benefit from close integration to a customer's CRM system.
Format Requirements:
Our apps are going to be listed on the AppExchange in a listing format, and there will be several under our brand. So the logo needs to have multiple formats or looks: (1) a full logo for the website with the name of the company, and (2) an icon-like format that is recognizable.
The logo will be in use on: (1) website, (2) business cards, (3) *printed* product sheets, (3) application listings, (4) company letterhead, etc.
Design Requirements/Direction:
* Play off of the "cirrus"/cloud idea. I know cirrus clouds are not commonly known as such, and that graphically it doesn't connote a "cloud" if interpretted literally. It doesn't have to be literal.
* Colors: blues, greys, etc.
* White background to simplify print, etc
* The full name of the company should be incorporated somewhere
* As mentioned above, a stand-alone "icon" should be able to be pulled out of this and render "well" at smaller sizes like 60x60.
I want to convey a professional, but not overly-stuffy feeling.
I've seen some great logos come out of 99designs designers and I'm really excited to see what you come up with!! Thank you!
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Organizational creativity is the term for new methods work is often organized, and accomplished within the organization to promote and encourage competitive convenience. It includes how businesses, and individuals precisely, control operate functions in such parts as client connections, employee retention and performance, and data operations. innovation
At the main of corporate advancement is the desire to increase or modify something, approach or assistance. All invention involves adjust - yet not all modify is imaginative. Organizational development encourages website visitors to imagine creatively and independently in making use of individual expertise to organizational obstacles. Thus, organizational advancement takes a tradition of advancement that can handle new tips, techniques and generally new ways of "working".
That can handle
- a. The value of a strategic concentration stays crucial that you a.
- Techniques to Creativity.
- what is innovation.
The advantages of a revolutionary Firm
Advantages of a revolutionary Firm
To advertise a way of life of development companies must foster:
- Cross purposeful staff developing even though frustrating silo establishing
- Independent, innovative thinking to discover things from a new perspective and getting oneself outside the guidelines of an work operate
- Risk having by staff even though reducing the standing quo
The importance and value of knowledge and discovering inside of business development is crucial. If creativity is all about modify, new concepts, and looking outside of yourself to be aware of ones natural environment, then continuous mastering is really a necessity of organizational innovation accomplishment.
Is crucial If creativity is
Once put into practice the value of learning and knowledge can only be realized. If new organizational expertise doesnt lead to change, either in operations, small business results, or improved consumers or income, then its importance hasnt been interpreted into achievement.
The direction to business innovation is based on the cabability to share new information to organization staff members as well as in the use of that know-how. Expertise needs to be used for new methods for pondering, so that as a stepping stone to ingenuity and to change and innovation.
Actions to Development
To figure out how helpful your environment is within cultivating development look at the usually inquired questions and answers listed below, about how to construct an corporate customs that encourages advancement.
1) Can be a conditions of creativity backed by senior citizen management? innovation definition
A conditions of creativity
a. That means, that this kind of pursuits as chance using and small offer hoc perform teams that discuss and communicate thru suggestions must be promoted, supported and encouraged within the enterprise.
Offer hoc perform teams that discuss and
2) Do administrators consistently identify and bring with each other those individuals additional focused in the direction of development these ready to think new act and ideas upon them?
Other those individuals additional focused in the
a. Identifying new thinkers and individuals oriented toward change helps to ensure an outlet for innovation by supporting these individuals and giving them and like-minded colleagues the opportunity and time to think creatively. This really is tantamount to being an innovative enterprise.
Ensure an outlet for
3) Is there a process into position watching creativity squads and identifying what has and hasnt proved helpful due to them? innovation strategy
a. Preserving and tracking development is essential. This involves checks and balances that distinguishes how invention is developed and managed and processes that capture what have or didnt perform. In order to be capable to continue to innovate in a very modifying surroundings, continuously monitoring the internal and external natural environment to determine what facilitates or hinders invention is important.
Monitoring the internal and external natural
4) Just how do an institution be ideal and centered on it desired goals still develop and build an innovative tradition?
Centered on it desired
a. The cost of a focused emphasis continues to be essential to a companys achievement. In fact, clear path and idea of a companys objective will help gas invention - by realizing where by within the firm innovation and creativity would give you the most benefit. A revolutionary company traditions produces a sense of balance among tactical concentration, and the need for new processes and ideas in achieving them.
Will help
5) Is there a most crucial factor or factor that fuels an institution in the direction of a modern traditions?
Fuels an institution in the
a. Similar to other positive results of an enterprise, what brings invention would be the people with the firm. Initial, managing should set the expectation of innovation and creativeness then "operating" is concerning how to enhance processes, customer and products romantic relationships on a day-to-day schedule. This way of thinking themselves will create a regular traditions of innovation. what is innovation
The people with the firm Initial
- a. Retaining and monitoring advancement is significant. This involves balances and checks that recognizes how.
- Organizational innovation describes new ways job might be well organized, and done in a enterprise to.
- 5) What is the single most important varied or.
- - Go across functional group establishing whilst frustrating silo establishing.


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A couple of years ago, venture capitalist and former Wall Street superstar Mary Meeker published an analysis of the US government's finances: USA, Inc..
Meeker assessed the government as if it were a company.
Her conclusion was simple:
The US government's spending growth had become completely detached from its revenue growth. If it did not quickly move to fix this problem, the country was screwed.
Two years later, Meeker has updated her analysis (see attached slides). And her assessment is no less dire.
Although our debt levels have not yet hit the "bang" point that will lead to skyrocketing interest rates and an immediate crisis, our spending vs. revenue trends are still completely unsustainable.
As at any company, the only way to fix this train wreck-in-the-making is for management--in this case, Congress and the President--to get together and make a lot of hard decisions.
If management makes those decisions, we'll be fine.
If it doesn't, we're screwed.
So, now that the election is out of the way, it's time for the management of USA, Inc. to get its act together and start fixing this problem. And as almost every non-partisan economist has noted, the only viable solution will involve both raising taxes AND cutting spending growth.
Get cracking, government!


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iPhone was password protected
A man accused of raping a Brockton woman is free after initially being held on $100,000 cash bail because prosecutors couldn't extract potential evidence from his cell phone, our news partners at The Enterprise reported.
Kheron Thierry Bethel, 23, of 6 Baird St., Apt. 3, Dorchester was arrested on Jan. 14 after the victim's father gave police the license plate number of his daughter's alleged attacker, according to police.
Bethel is accused of taking the woman to a dead-end street in Brockton and raping her. He then told her he was a state trooper and said if she reported the rape he would come back for her, according to police.
Bethel was arraigned on Jan. 15. He was held on $100,000 cash bail, according to court records.
However, at that arraignment Bethel told Judge Ronald Moynahan he had evidence that could exonerate him on his cell phone, according to Plymouth County District Attorney spokesman Russ Eonas. The judge ordered prosecutors to conduct a forensic examination on the phone, and scheduled a follow up hearing for Friday, Jan. 18.
However, the technology phone – a newer-model iPhonethat was password protected – prevented the examination from being done, Eonas said.
"Not withstanding our concerted efforts to accomplish this in three days ... it simply cannot be done," he told The Enterprise. "We did everything we could."
On Jan. 18, Moynahan ordered Bethel released on personal recognizance, with conditions including that he have no contact with the victim, observe a 10 p.m. curfew and he stay out of Brockton except for court dates. Eonas said this was done "over the objections of the Commonwealth."
Court records also indicate the judge denied a motion by the prosecution to revoke bail on an outstanding case in another jurisdiction.
Bethel will be back in court on April 16.
His case is assigned to the Committee for Public Counsel Services, a public defender organization, but a court clerk said Wednesday he did not have a designated attorney.


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X-ACTO® GripsterA fresh approach to precision cutting of lightweight materials, the "Gripster" features a 4" black soft rubberized barrel for comfort and control, quick and easy rear blade release, and anti-roll design. Supplied with one No. 11 blade and refillable with a variety of X-ACTO® blades.Number 11 Blades
32 points will be rewarded when you are logged in to your account and buy this item.Learn about our rewards program here.
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The Spring 2013 collection from Tommy Hilfiger Golf is inspired by the preppy heritage and spirit of the Tommy Hilfiger brand.
"Golf represents the ultimate prep lifestyle," said Tommy Hilfiger. "Our golf collections are inspired by the integrity and tradition of the sport. We've added a twist to the classics through an innovative use of fabrics and details, delivering performance, comfort and style in golf sportswear that can be worn on and off the course."
The collections for men and women include three different lines:
--The first draws inspiration from the wide-open Arizona desert with a neutral palette that emphasizes strong graphic details. Pieces include lightweight cardigans, cotton zip-neck sweaters, shorts and classic slacks.
--The second incorporates the summer vibe of Bar Harbor. Nautical stripes, sleeveless polo shirtdresses and red, white and blue plaid pants give a classic New England shoreline feel.
--The third, inspired by the sun and sand of Palm Beach, features shades of sun washed yellows, pinks, blues, and greens paired with subtle patterns.
Key to the collections are designs that incorporate three technical performance fabrics -- TH Comfort Tech, TH Tech and TH Cotton. TH Comfort Tech is a hybrid cotton fabric that combines style and comfort with the functional properties required in performance-driven garments.
TH Tech is a polyester fabric with moisture-wicking capabilities that keep garments dry and provide anti-odor properties. And TH Cotton is a cotton fabric designed for superior quality and comfort.
The men's collection, with approximately 100 styles, offers a wide selection of garments with suggested retail prices ranging from $65 for short-sleeved polos to $120 for more sophisticated outerwear options. The women's collection includes about 75 styles with suggested retail prices ranging from $65 for bermudas and polos to $120 for knits and outerwear.
The men's and women's golf lines are available in the United States, Canada and Europe at golf clubs, golf specialty stores, sport specialty stores and select resorts, as well as on www.tommy.com.


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Nation & World
Obama dines at famous Tokyo sushi joint
President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe were dining Thursday night at one of the city's top sushi restaurants, Sukiyabashi Jiro.
The restaurant's sushi master, Jiro Ono, who turns 90 next year, was memorably profiled in the 2011 documentary, " Jiro Dreams of Sushi" by David Gelb.
Obama, who landed in Tokyo just before 7 p.m. local time on the first stop of a four-nation, week long trip, arrived at the restaurant about 90 minutes later, along with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy and national security adviser Susan Rice.
Obama, wearing a black suit, shook hands with Abe, who sported a gray suit. Neither men wore ties.


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Swimming Pool Blog
by Mark Garcia August 27, 2013
Pool Heater Sizing Guidelines
When you install a gas heater, you get reliable, consistent heat, with the largest temperature rise and fastest heat gain of all pool heater types.
Gas heaters for inground pools come in 4 or 5 sizes, all of which are the same height and depth, becoming wider as the heater size increases.
Manufacturers size their heaters according to their BTU output, from 100,000 to 400,000 BTU's. Model numbers reflect the BTU output, for instance Jandy makes the Legacy 125, 175, 250, 325 and 400 models (sizes), which equal their BTU output x1000.
Here are the factors to consider when sizing gas pool heaters for your pool.
Surface Area
If you have a large amount of surface area (pool length x width) the heat has more square footage to escape. It's also more water to heat. Quite simply, the larger the pool, the larger the heater should be to compensate for pool size and surface area.
Wind Speed
Wind - the largest heat thief around, a stiff breeze rolling across your pool surface can quickly accelerate heat loss. Covers and wind blocks such as walls, hedges and fences can reduce the wind pilferage to low amounts.
Some sizing guides have us look at average wind speed for the swimming pool, as a way to determine pool heater size. I'll bet that no one knows their average wind speed - but you probably know if your pool area is windy or usually calm.
Desired Temperature Rise
How hot do you want the pool? Larger heaters not only heat faster, but they can deliver a larger heat gain. Most pool heater sizing charts or sizing calculators will use this factor in their calculations.
If you want to run the pool during the 'shoulder seasons', those cooler months of spring and fall, then you may need more than a 15 degree temperature rise, which all heater sizes can accomplish.
If you have an attached 'outdoor spa', and you want to heat it up to 104 degrees, any pool heater size could do it. The smaller heaters can take an hour to heat up the spa, the largest (400 btu) can do it in under 20 minutes.
The range of temperature rise or heat gain that a gas heater can deliver, is from 15 degrees Fahrenheit, up to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Covered or Uncovered?
Covering the pool, with an automatic cover, solar blanket or liquid solar blanket, will retain 70% or more of the heat that is put into the pool. Cover manufacturers like to say "you wouldn't heat your house without a roof! Don't heat your pool without a cover!"
Yes, covers are great, but they have what I like to call - the 'hassle factor'. Putting the on, taking them off - ugh, who needs it? Liquid solar blankets are very convenient, just pour in the liquid that forms an invisible shield on the surface of the water. And then there's the cost. How much of your heating cost savings are being eaten up - 20%?
Covering the pool can affect heater sizing; a pool that is covered can use a smaller heater size.
Key Takeaways
What have we learned today?
- Gas heater model numbers indicate their size.
- Larger pools may need larger heaters.
- Wind is an lowdown heat thief.
- Knowing how many degrees of heat you want to add is helpful.
- Covering the pool can cut your heating bill in half.
Thanks for Reading!
Mark Garcia