text:
Anna Calvi | 02/10/13
Anna Calvi has shared an extended album trailer for the track 'Sing To Me', taken from her album, One Breath, released on Monday. The video was filmed in Mexico by Emma Nathan; watch it HERE.
One Breath – which has already been awarded 4*s in MOJO, Q, Uncut and the Guardian, is a more personal record than its Mercury and Brit-nominated predecessor. The fiery elements of Anna's debut remain, but One Breath is more instinctive and urgent, revealing a wider spectrum of textures and emotion.
One Breath, with all music and lyrics written by Calvi, will be available on CD (WIGCD284), LP (WIGLP284) and digitally (WIG284D). There will also be a special edition heavyweight gatefold LP (WIGLP284X) with a bonus 7" featuring two exclusive tracks, 'Endless World' and '1970s Wind', plus a limited edition print. The first 500 CDs and special edition LPs pre-ordered through Dom Mart will be signed by the artist. Pre-order the album HERE. You can also pre-order the album through iTunes now, with 'Sing To Me' as an Instant Grat track, HERE.
Anna Calvi recently performed a handful of intimate, sold out shows in London, Milan, Paris and Berlin. The full Paris show is available to watch online through Arte, HERE. Anna will play an album launch show at the Islington Assembly Hall in London next Tuesday October 8th (sold out) and will return to London to play The Troxy on 8th February 2014, with more dates to be announced soon. Full dates are as follows:
Oct 8 – UK: London, Islington Assembly Hall – SOLD OUT
Nov 11 – USA: New York, Music Hall of Williamsburg
Nov 16 – USA: Los Angeles, Royce Hall
Nov 17 – USA: San Francisco, The Independent
Nov 26 – France: Lille, Le Grand Mix
Nov 27 – France: Caen, Le Cargo
Nov 28 – France: Angers, La Chabada
Nov 30 – France: Vannes, L'echonova
Dec 1 – France: La Roche sur Yon, Fuzz Y'On
Dec 2 – France: Cognac, Les Anciennes Abbatoirs
Dec 4 – France: Toulouse, Le Bikini
Dec 5 – France: Orléans, L'astrolab
Dec 6 – France: Strasbourg, La Laiterie
Dec 8 – France: Clermont–Ferrand, La Cooperative de Mai
Dec 10 – Spain: Barcelona, La 2 de Apolo
Dec 11 – Spain: Madrid, Teatro Lara
Dec 12 – Spain: Valladolid, Lava
Dec 13 – Spain: San Sebastian, Intxaurrondo
Dec 14 – Spain: Vigo, Sala Del Museo de Arte
Dec 16 – Portugal: Porto, Casa da Musica
Dec 17 – Portugal: Lisbon, Lisbon Aula Magna
Feb 8 - UK: London, Troxy
Feb 15 – France: Paris, Le Trianon


text: Luxury Romantic Share Pin Tweet Email View All Hotels in Palm Springs Miramonte Resort & Spa 4.0 Palm Springs, California Desert, United States Overview Photos (359) Room Rates Amenities Travel Guide Map Check-In Check-Out Rooms/Travelers Show Prices Provider Avg. Nightly Total w/ taxes and fees Please enter your dates above to compare your rates on over 200 booking sites including Expedia, Hotels.com, Booking.com, and others.Oyster searches hard to find you the best price! Photos and Review by Oyster.com Investigators

subset: commoncrawl


text:
|Design Sudy for Front-End System at Rare Isotope Science Project (RISP)
|Heavy ion beams of 400 kW and 70 kW are generated at the RISP by in-flight and ISOL methods, respectively. Front-End system in the RISP consists of 28 GHz superconducting ECR-IS with 10 keV/u, LEBT with two-bends and a multi-harmonic buncher, a RFQ with 81.25 MHz and 300 keV/u, and MEBT with two re-bunchers. The design studies have been performed to optimize the beam and accelerator parameters to meet the required design goals. It is shown that the front-end simulations results can provide the two-charge state beams up to uranium to upstream linac with the required beam emittances. In this paper, we present the design results for the front-end system and on the beam dynamics.
|Slides THB03 [1.942 MB]


text:
I'm fascinated by the fact that the NPO and TNO are looking into this. Only a short while ago, people were dismissing WebM as a joke, something that would never work - and here we have the NPO, which has a collected market share in The Netherlands of about 35%, looking into the viability of using a WebM-based toolchain both for live-streaming content as well as for the organisation's video-on-demand service, Uitzending Gemist (lit. "Missed Broadcast"). Both of these now use H264 through either Silverlight or Windows Media Player.
From the onset of reading the study - which is written in English, although clearly not revised by someone with native-level knowledge of English - I already knew viability at this point would be low. WebM isn't as optimised as H264 just yet, but more importantly, the various tools needed to properly use WebM in an organisation as large as the NPO clearly haven't been (fully) adapted to WebM either.
The pilot study is fairly detailed, and includes all decoder settings and links to sample videos used. The pilot study is part of a larger effort of our government to make use of open source and open standards-based software and tools as much as possible. The problem with the current H264-based implementation is that Silverlight and WMP are not readily and/or easily available on all platforms (the study lists Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and mobile devices as targets). On top of that, the study cites that by using something like Silverlight, the NPO is dependent on just a single controlling entity.
I'll spare the implementation details - the study is free after creating an account, so you can look it up yourself - but the conclusion are most interesting, of course. In order to avoid any discussions about me picking only the positive conclusions, I figured I'd just list them all below.
- At this moment, it is impossible without extra development investments to provide WebM-based video services using open source components that fit the operational requirements of a broadcaster, because of the following issues:
- With respect to encoding speed and maintaining target bit rates, the current WebM encoder library performs clearly worse than its x264 counterpart.
- The encoding speed is too low for real-time WebM encoding, so live streaming is not possible.
- FFmpeg does not support the required WebM formatting to enable livestreaming.
- FFmpeg is not able to down mix the multi-channel audio to stereo, which is needed for the conversion of MXF files to WebM files. The broadcaster uses programs with multi-channel audio, which are stored in the MXF file format.
- The quality of experience of WebM play out varies within the different browsers that support WebM. Therefore the QoE requirements of the broadcaster regarding startup delay and supported functionality are not fulfilled.
- Important video platform functionalities as DRM, audience measurement and adaptive bit rate streaming are not available for playback of WebM in HTML5- enabled web browsers. Given the design of HTML5, it is a question whether DRM and audience measurement can be implemented with a comparable security and reliability level as proprietary solutions currently offer.
- The fact that Google invests in WebM gives confidence with respect to the required solutions for all the identified issues. So, WebM can be an alternative for H.264 in the near future. These facts support this conclusion:
- The subjective panel test showed that the picture quality of WebM is close to the picture quality of H.264.
- The reachability of WebM based on web browser market share has grown from 30% in December 2010 to nearly 50% in June 2011 in the Netherlands.
- It is probable that other parties besides Google have patents on WebM. These patents could obstruct the free and open usage of WebM. Google and MPEG LA are trying to make this situation transparent.
The only conclusion I take issue with is the last one, about the patent situation. The study specifically cites the claims by the MPEG-LA that 12 companies have stepped forward with patents VP8 might be infringing (still not published, by the way, so zero evidence these alleged patents even exist in the first place). The problem with this is simple.
The patents for H264 are known. On2 has designed VP8 around it, and Google, too, has made sure no known existing patents are being infringed upon. This is why the MPEG-LA had to publicly ask patent holders to come forward - the patents in the existing MPEG-LA patent pools were useless. However, this illustrates something I, and many other with me, have been pointing out for ages now: these supposed unknown patents could affect H264 just as much as they could affect VP8. They are, you know, unknown. Not just to VP8... But also to H264.
All in all though, while the pilot study states WebM in its current state is not ready, the future looks bright. Version 0.9.5-286-g945dad2 of Google's libvpx was used, but the study notes that the fast pace of development makes it a bit of a moving target at this point - future versions of the VP8 encoder, some of which have already been released, the study notes, have already addressed or are addressing the issues raised in this very pilot.
Give it a few more years (especially for the toolchain to adapt), and WebM is looking like a very viable option for the NPO. This makes me very, very happy.


text:
Motivele pentru care ea "acopera" pe altcineva nu mai au sustinere logica. Cand a fost intrebata despre jurnalistii romani a fost Doamna cu D mare.
Everything senior singles dating dating social customs
Many women, including myself, spent most of their lives competing with men – at work, in social situations and even at home.
Now, as we reach our 60s, it's difficult to put our swords down and just relax a bit. Lisa and I also discuss the perception that men only want to date younger women.
To get a view into the male mind after 60, I sat down with dating coach, Lisa Copeland for a quick chat.
The best offering, for those over 50, available in Australia, or even worldwide to my knowledge, is Stitch.
It has about 10 events per week put on by members and there are many verified members for introductions for you to make new friends and find romance. https:// Dream Achievers/ for further information to see what's on this week and read up on us in the About Us section or see just below.
It might be just their cup of tea - Email here now to book in right away or ring David on 0419 605 365 or 8214 8397 - Please book as soon as you are able to encourage larger numbers and help me ensure Members are complaining that with the discounts and free dinner offers the dinners are becoming too cheap and they would be happy to pay more, so that perhaps the events will be classier, more expensive and exclusive.
Some have said they won't come back because the dinners are too cheap.
According to Lisa, single men over 60 want women who are in touch with their feminine side. Lisa mentions that this is often the case, but, not for the reasons that many of us assume.


text:
ATLAS for ALUM
Are you an NTS Alum? Would you like access to theological journals and resources for your sermons, lectures, curriculum, or continuing education?
The American Theological Library Association (ATLA) has announced an initiative to give alumni of its member schools unprecedented access to its online resources. This is called "ATLAS for ALUM."
This means that NTS is now able to offer its alumni access to the ATLA Serials (ATLAS) database. ATLAS is a full-text collection of more than 140 major religion and theology journals selected by leading religion scholars and theologians.
If you are an NTS Alum, and would like to receive login details for using the ATLAS database, please fill in the form below. For general information please visit www.atlasalum.com.
Once you have received your personal login information, login here to begin using the ATLAS database.


text:
|Weston, Conn.
|High School:
|Choate Rosemary Hall
|Mechanical Engineering
2012-13: Did not play due to injury.
2011-12: Played in 28 games as a freshman, averaging 1.4 points and 1.1 rebounds per game … appeared in all five NCAA tournament games, scoring five points in the second round win over Farmingdale St. (3/3) … had career highs of eight points and five rebounds in a win over Wheaton (1/7).
Off The Court at MIT: Majoring in mechanical engineering … research in the Sloan Automotive Lab … played on the Danish U-20 National Team in the summer of 2012 … 19.7 mpg 6.0 ppg 4.6rpg in 2012 European Championships Division B in Sofia, Bulgaria.
High School: Attended Choate Rosemary Hall School … team MVP as Weston High School as a senior … first team All-SWC as a senior … coaches award Choate Rosemary Hall in 2011 … two-time academic all-state … NEPSAC New England Class A championship … Connecticut Class M state championship … SWC championship … team captain at Weston High School as a senior … played for Connecticut Basketball club … National Honors Society … letter-winner in soccer and track and field.
Personal: Father is an MIT graduate.


text:
press release
Helsinki Commission Chairman Wicker Comments on Poisoning of Pro-Democracy Russian Activist, Fighting in UkraineWednesday, February 08, 2017
WASHINGTON–Helsinki Commission Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker (MS) today issued the following statement regarding the recent acts of aggression perpetrated by the Russian government: "In today's Russia, there is a disturbing trend of violence that targets members of the political opposition. I am particularly concerned about Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is fighting for his life in a Moscow hospital after being poisoned. Mr. Kara-Murza has appeared at multiple Helsinki Commission events and is a tireless advocate for restoring democratic freedoms to the Russian people. The United States should have no illusions about the nature of the Russian regime. "Meanwhile, fighting in eastern Ukraine continues to spread. Last week, the OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine reported the heaviest fighting since combined Russian-separatist forces captured Debaltseve in January 2015. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has repeatedly condemned Russia's 'clear, gross, and uncorrected' violations of OSCE principles with respect to Ukraine. "I stand with UN Ambassador Nikki Haley in condemning the escalation of violence. Russia should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine." Vladimir Kara-Murza has a longstanding relationship with the Helsinki Commission. He first appeared at a Helsinki Commission briefing in 2011. He testified at a Helsinki Commission hearing on Russia in 2015 and briefed Commission staff before the 2016 Russian parliamentary elections.
The Helsinki Process: A Four Decade OverviewWednesday, February 01, 2017
In August 1975, the heads of state or government of 35 countries – the Soviet Union and all of Europe except Albania, plus the United States and Canada – held a historic summit in Helsinki, Finland, where they signed the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. This document is known as the Helsinki Final Act or the Helsinki Accords. The Conference, known as the CSCE, continued with follow-up meetings and is today institutionalized as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE, based in Vienna, Austria. Learn more about the signature of the Helsinki Final Act; the role that the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe played during the Cold War; how the Helsinki Process successfully adapted to the post-Cold War environment of the 1990s; and how today's OSCE can and does contribute to regional security, now and in the future.
press release
Smith and Eshoo Reintroduce Emergency Bill to Help Genocide SurvivorsTuesday, January 10, 2017
WASHINGTON—Following his December 2016 mission to Erbil in the Kurdistan region of Iraq to meet with Christian survivors of ISIS genocide, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), along with his Democratic colleague Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA-18), today reintroduced their bipartisan legislation to provide emergency relief to survivors of genocide and ensure accountability for perpetrators. The Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act (H.R. 390) is an enhanced version of the Smith-Eshoo bill (H.R. 5961) they introduced in 114th Congress. "The reintroduction of this bill is timely because just last month I saw in Iraq the lack of humanitarian aid for Christian genocide survivors. These genocide survivors told me the United States and global community had abandoned them. They are at-risk from freezing winter temperatures and require emergency help," said Smith. "Tens of thousands of Christian genocide survivors in Iraq and Syria need our help now and it is essential that emergency humanitarian aid for the survivors be provided," said Rep. Eshoo. "I thank Chairman Smith for his passionate leadership on this issue and I look forward to working with him and all my colleagues in Congress to quickly move this aid package and bring relief to those who continue to suffer." The Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mosul, Nicodemus Sharaf, who had to seek refuge in Erbil from ISIS, told Smith, "We are the last people to speak the Aramaic language. Without help, we are finished." The Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil invited Smith to Erbil and has been supporting more than 70,000 Christians who escaped ISIS – almost 1/3 of the 250,000 Christians remaining in Iraq – with food, shelter, and medical care. It also serves Yezidis and Muslims displaced by ISIS. The Archdiocese has had to rely entirely on donations from organizations like the Knights of Columbus and Aid to the Church in Need. "Because the U.S. Government and United Nations have so far failed to support this life-saving work of the Archdiocese of Erbil, these Christian genocide survivors continue to hang on the edge between life and death," added Smith. Among its key provisions, H.R. 390 directs the U.S. Administration to: Support entities that are effectively serving genocide survivors in-country, including faith-based entities; Support entities that are conducting criminal investigations into perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Iraq and Syria; Create a "Priority Two" ("P-2") designation that Christians and other genocide survivors from religious and ethnic minority communities are of "special humanitarian concern to the United States" and therefore able to access an overseas application interview for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program without needing a referral from the UN; Vet P-2 refugee applicants like any other Iraqi or Syrian refugee applicant and not admit them to the U.S. unless they have cleared this vetting; Assess and address the humanitarian vulnerabilities, needs, and triggers that might force survivors to flee their homes; Identify warning signs of deadly violence and other forms of persecution against genocide survivors from vulnerable religious and ethnic minority communities, or against other members of these communities, in Iraq or Syria; Identify gaps in U.S. law so that the American justice system can prosecute foreign perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes present in the U.S., as well as any Americans who commit such crimes; Encourage foreign countries to add identifying information about suspected perpetrators of such crimes to their security databases and security screening. The other original 15 cosponsors are Rep. Mark Meadows (R), Rep. Juan Vargas (D), Rep. Pete Sessions (R), Rep. Dan Lipinski (D), Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R), Rep. Louise Slaughter (D), Rep. Trent Franks (R), Rep. Robert Pittenger (R), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R), Rep. Randy Hultgren (R), Rep. Randy Weber (R), Rep. David Trott (R), Rep. Sean Duffy (R), Rep. Jody Hice (R), and Rep. Barbara Comstock (R). Background The Smith-Eshoo bill is supported by many groups, including the Knights of Columbus, Family Research Council, In Defense of Christians, 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative, Commission for International Justice and Accountability, HIAS, Aid the Church in Need USA, Open Doors, A Demand for Action, Yezidi Human Rights Organization International, Religious Freedom Institute, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, and Syrian Accountability Project, and Civitas Maxima. It is also supported by all the former US Ambassadors-at Large for War Crimes, David Scheffer (1997-2001), Pierre Prosper (2001-2005), Clint Williamson (2006-2009), and Stephen Rapp (2009-2015), as well as the Founding Chief Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, David Crane; Director of the Center for Religious Freedom Nina Shea; and the author of Defying ISIS, Rev. Johnnie Moore. Since 2013, Rep. Smith has chaired nine congressional hearings on atrocities in Iraq and Syria, including one titled The ISIS Genocide Declaration: What Next? and another titled Atrocities in Iraq and Syria: Relief for Survivors and Accountability for Perpetrators. He authored the bipartisan H. Con. Res 121, which the House passed overwhelmingly and calls for the formation of an ad hoc tribunal for perpetrators of crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Syrian conflict. Smith also authored with Eshoo the bipartisan, historic Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Act (H.R. 1150), which the President signed into law. Smith and Eshoo also introduced H.R. 5961, the forerunner to H.R. 390. Just before Christmas, Smith traveled to the Erbil area of Kurdistan region of Iraq to meet with Christian genocide survivors and visit a camp for 6,000 displaced Christians, managed and supported by the Archdiocese of Erbil. He also met with Christian leaders; non-governmental organizations; and officials from the U.S., countries like Hungary and Poland that are proactively supporting assistance to Christian genocide survivors, and the United Nations. Christians have lived in Iraq since the 1st century and there were as many as 1.4 million in 2002. Sectarian violence and targeting of Christians reduced their presence to 500,000 by 2013, the year before ISIS started its genocide against them. At the end of 2015, less than 250,000 Christians remained in Iraq.
Ongoing Human Rights and Security Violations in Russian-Occupied CrimeaThursday, November 10, 2016
In Russia's ongoing illegal occupation of the Ukrainian region of Crimea, occupying authorities persistently and egregiously violate the human rights of those perceived to oppose Russian annexation of this Ukrainian territory, especially Crimean Tatars. At the same time, with Russia's militarization of the peninsula, the security situation in the surrounding Black Sea region is becoming increasingly perilous. The situation in Crimea is bleak, and continues to deteriorate both from a democracy and human rights viewpoint, as well as a security standpoint. The experts at this briefing examined the current state of affairs in the region in the face of Russian aggression, analyzed the response of the international community, and discussed how – 40 years after the Ukrainian Helsinki Monitoring Group was formed to monitor the Soviet Government's compliance with the Helsinki Final Act – Ukrainians continue to defend Helsinki principles in the face of violations by Moscow. Helsinki Commission staff member Orest Deychakiwsky opened the briefing with a brief introduction on the current situation in Crimea. Mr. Deychakiwsky noted that this important briefing took place on the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Ukrainian Helsinki Monitoring Group in November of 1976. Ms. Shulyar and Mr. Berezovets both spoke on the illegality of the Russian occupation of Crimea and the flagrant human rights violations that have been perpetrated by Russian forces against the people of Crimea. Ambassador Herbst then spoke on the political and security challenges facing the West in regards to the situation in Crimea. Finally, Mr. Goble spoke on the challenges to the international system that Putin's aggression in Crimea and Ukraine represents. All participants stressed the necessity for continued U.S. involvement in Ukraine to counter Russian aggression and to uphold the principles of the OSCE.
press release
Human Rights, Military Security in Crimea under the Microscope at Upcoming Helsinki Commission BriefingWednesday, November 02, 2016
WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following briefing: Ongoing Human Rights and Security Violations in Russian-Occupied Crimea Thursday, November 10, 2016 2:00 PM Rayburn House Office Building Room B-318 In Russia's ongoing illegal occupation of the Ukrainian region of Crimea, occupying authorities persistently and egregiously violate the human rights of those perceived to oppose Russian annexation of this Ukrainian territory, especially Crimean Tatars. At the same time, with Russia's militarization of the peninsula, the security situation in the surrounding Black Sea region is becoming increasingly perilous. The briefing will examine the current state of affairs in the region in the face of Russian aggression, analyze the response of the international community, and discuss how – 40 years after the Ukrainian Helsinki Monitoring Group was formed to monitor the Soviet Government's compliance with the Helsinki Final Act – Ukrainians continue to defend Helsinki principles in the face of violations by Moscow. The following panelists are scheduled to participate: Oksana Shulyar, Embassy of Ukraine to the United States John E. Herbst, Director, Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council; former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Paul A. Goble, Editor, Windows on Eurasia; Professor, The Institute of World Politics Taras Berezovets, Founder, Free-Crimea Project, Kyiv, Ukraine
press release
Hearing Addresses Genocide, War Crimes Driving Refugee Crisis in OSCEThursday, September 22, 2016
WASHINGTON—At a hearing convened today by Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), witnesses unanimously expressed support for Chairman Smith's recently introduced Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2016 (H.R. 5961), bipartisan legislation that provides relief to victims of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in Iraq and Syria, and accountability for perpetrators. "The atrocities in Iraq and Syria have been so horrible, for so long, with so little action from the Administration, that it has been difficult to hope. Nevertheless, when [Secretary Kerry] declared genocide, we dared to hope that finally the Administration would hear the voices of the victims and act. Instead, the Administration has said the right words and done the wrong things," said Chairman Smith. "Displaced genocide survivors cannot pay for food, medicine, or shelter with words from Washington," Chairman Smith continued. "When the Executive Branch fails to acts, then Congress must require it to act. That is why I recently authored and introduced the bipartisan Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2016, with Representative Anna Eshoo as my lead cosponsor." Witnesses discussed ways to support religious and ethnic communities that have survived such atrocities. In addition, they encouraged the U.S. to fund the criminal investigation, prosecution, and conviction of the perpetrators, and identified gaps in U.S. criminal statutes that make it difficult to prosecute Americans or foreigners in the U.S. who have committed such crimes. Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues David Scheffer said, "H.R. 5961 demonstrates an undeniable logic: the survivors of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in Iraq and Syria merit the fullest possible assistance of our government, including consideration of admission of victim refugees to the United States." "The perpetrators of atrocity crimes not only in Iraq and Syria but elsewhere in the world should be subject to investigation and prosecution," Scheffer continued. "Federal jurisdiction over crimes against humanity and war crimes remains non-existent or very limited…it is a raw fact that the United States is currently a sanctuary for alien perpetrators of crimes against humanity or war crimes." "The Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief Act [is] a much needed, not to mention overdue, piece of legislation," said Chris Engels, deputy director of the Commission for International Justice and Accountability. "Criminal investigations done contemporaneously with the criminal acts are essential to ensuring later accountability. Otherwise, as we have seen in the past, evidence is lost and those responsible for these mass human rights violations go unpunished." Witnesses also highlighted the humanitarian vulnerabilities and lack of assistance that force the survivors to flee their homes and recommended ways to support entities effectively serving genocide survivors in-country, including faith-based organizations. Steve Rasche, legal counsel and director of resettlement programs for the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil, noted, "Since August 2014, other than initial supplies of tents and tarps, the Christian community in Iraq has received nothing in aid from any U.S. aid agencies or the UN. When we have approached any of these entities regarding the provision of aid assistance …we have been told that we have done too well in our private efforts…every morning we wake up and rob six Peters to pay 12 Pauls." "The current policy prioritizes individual needs but does not consider the needs of vulnerable communities," said Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight, Knights of Columbus. "On one hand, we have the unanimous policy of the elected branches of the United States Government stating that a genocide is occurring. On the other hand we have an aid bureaucracy that is allowing the intended consequence of the genocide to continue, even though it is in our power to stop it." "There is nothing unconstitutional, illegal, unethical or unprofessional about prioritizing their right to survival as a community," Anderson added, referring to Christian and other communities that face extinction in Iraq and Syria. Bill Canny, executive director for migration and refugee services at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), said, "We are gravely concerned by the small number of religious minorities who have been resettled in the United States during the current fiscal year." "It is unclear at the time of this writing precisely why the percentage of Syrian Christians, who have been registered as refugees or resettled in the United States as refugees, is so low," Canny continued. "It is clear, however, that Christians and other religious minorities have become a target for brutality at the hands of the non-state actor ISIS, and that they are fleeing for their lives, and that far too few of them have been attaining U.S. resettlement." USCCB resettles more refugees annually in the U.S. than any other agency. Chairman Smith was joined at the hearing by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Helsinki Commission Co-Chair Senator Roger Wicker (MS), Ranking Commissioner Senator Ben Cardin (MD), and Commissioners Rep. Joe Pitts (PA-16) and Rep. Alan Grayson (FL-09). In 2013, ISIS began its brutal campaign of extermination and expulsion in Syria, expanding to Iraq in 2014. Many of those who survived these atrocities have been joining the flood of refugees streaming out of the region to Europe and other areas of safety. Resolving their plight is a key component to helping address the refugee crisis and has been of intense interest to countries in the OSCE region.
Atrocities in Iraq & Syria: Relief for Survivors and Accountability for PerpetratorsThursday, September 22, 2016
The civil war in Syria, which began in early 2011 and since spread into Northern Iraq has devastated both countries. Estimates of the number of people who have died during Syria's civil war since March 2011 range from 250,000 to 470,000. In Iraq, the estimated range is between 19,000 and 41,650 deaths since January 2014. The people living in these regions have been subjected to an extensive list of atrocities including genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Thosands of refugees have fled Iraq and Syria to seek refuge in the OSCE region. The desperate situation in these areas has resulted in the worst refugee crisis since World War II. With the war in Iraq and Syria showing little signs of abating the danger for vulnerable groups in these countries continues to worsen. This hearing examined the current situation in Iraq and Syria regarding the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities, and looked at how the United States and the international community can best help protect persecuted people in this region and ensure that perpetrators of genocide and related crimes in Iraq and Syria are punished. It featured witnesses from CIJA, the former Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues, and leaders from the Catholic community. "The atrocities in Iraq and Syria have been so horrible, for so long, with so little action from the Administration, that it has been difficult to hope. Nevertheless, when [Secretary Kerry] declared genocide, we dared to hope that finally the Administration would hear the voices of the victims and act. Instead, the Administration has said the right words and done the wrong things," said Helsinki Commission Chairman Chris Smith (NJ), "When the Executive Branch fails to acts, then Congress must require it to act. That is why I recently authored and introduced the bipartisan Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2016, with Representative Anna Eshoo as my lead cosponsor." Witnesses discussed ways to support religious and ethnic communities that have survived such atrocities. In addition, they encouraged the U.S. to fund the criminal investigation, prosecution, and conviction of the perpetrators, and identified gaps in U.S. criminal statutes that make it difficult to prosecute Americans or foreigners in the U.S. who have committed such crimes. Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues David Scheffer said, "H.R. 5961 demonstrates an undeniable logic: the survivors of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in Iraq and Syria merit the fullest possible assistance of our government, including consideration of admission of victim refugees to the United States." "The perpetrators of atrocity crimes not only in Iraq and Syria but elsewhere in the world should be subject to investigation and prosecution," Scheffer continued. "Federal jurisdiction over crimes against humanity and war crimes remains non-existent or very limited…it is a raw fact that the United States is currently a sanctuary for alien perpetrators of crimes against humanity or war crimes." "The Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief Act [is] a much needed, not to mention overdue, piece of legislation," said Chris Engels, deputy director of the Commission for International Justice and Accountability. "Criminal investigations done contemporaneously with the criminal acts are essential to ensuring later accountability. Otherwise, as we have seen in the past, evidence is lost and those responsible for these mass human rights violations go unpunished." Witnesses also highlighted the humanitarian vulnerabilities and lack of assistance that force the survivors to flee their homes and recommended ways to support entities effectively serving genocide survivors in-country, including faith-based organizations. Steve Rasche, legal counsel and director of resettlement programs for the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil, noted, "Since August 2014, other than initial supplies of tents and tarps, the Christian community in Iraq has received nothing in aid from any U.S. aid agencies or the UN. When we have approached any of these entities regarding the provision of aid assistance …we have been told that we have done too well in our private efforts…every morning we wake up and rob six Peters to pay 12 Pauls." "The current policy prioritizes individual needs but does not consider the needs of vulnerable communities," said Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight, Knights of Columbus. "On one hand, we have the unanimous policy of the elected branches of the United States Government stating that a genocide is occurring. On the other hand we have an aid bureaucracy that is allowing the intended consequence of the genocide to continue, even though it is in our power to stop it." Bill Canny, executive director for migration and refugee services at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), said, "We are gravely concerned by the small number of religious minorities who have been resettled in the United States during the current fiscal year." "It is unclear at the time of this writing precisely why the percentage of Syrian Christians, who have been registered as refugees or resettled in the United States as refugees, is so low," Canny continued. USCCB resettles more refugees annually in the U.S. than any other agency. Chairman Smith was joined at the hearing by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman Senator Roger Wicker (MS), Ranking Commissioner Senator Ben Cardin (MD), and Commissioners Rep. Joe Pitts (PA-16) and Rep. Alan Grayson (FL-09).
Helsinki Commission Honored for Work on UkraineThursday, September 15, 2016
At yesterday's 2016 Ukraine in Washington forum, the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation recognized the Helsinki Commission for four decades of support for Ukraine and Ukrainian dissidents. "Long before Ukraine's independence and the formation of the House and Senate Ukraine Caucuses, we must remember there was the Congressional Helsinki Commission," said Robert McConnell, co-founder of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation. "It was doing everything possible to shine international klieg lights on Ukraine's human rights issues, from its political prisoners to the illegality of the Ukrainian Catholic Church." The Helsinki Commission has a long history of supporting Ukrainians' aspirations for human rights and democracy, even prior to independence when Ukraine – the largest non-Russian republic in the Soviet Union – was viewed as a particular threat to Moscow's rule. Since 1991, the Commission has been a strong supporter of the development of an independent, secure, democratic Ukraine. The Commission was instrumental in introducing and ensuring passage of the original resolution calling for the U.S. to recognize Ukraine's independence in the face of State Department opposition. In the intervening 25 years, Helsinki Commission hearings, briefings, and other activities have highlighted issues including Chornobyl; the state of democracy and rule of law; the political situation in Ukraine; elections; and – more recently – Russia's war against Ukraine and human rights violations in Crimea and the occupied territories of the Donbas. "We know the Ukrainian people want freedom and democracy, whether it be in Crimea or other parts of the country," said Helsinki Commission Chairman Christopher Smith (NJ-04). "Yet we find again that this persistent aggression by the Russians—which is reminiscent of Soviet times—continues to make the freedom, democracy, and prosperity that the people so richly deserve that much harder to achieve." (View video.) Commissioners have also played an active role in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on Ukraine, especially in condemning Russia's aggression and violation of all core OSCE principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act. Commission leadership has led several Congressional delegations to Ukraine, including three since Russia's invasion, and the Commission has observed virtually every national election in Ukraine since 1990. "The Helsinki Commission's efforts then and now must never be forgotten as they were – though often like cries in the wilderness – critically important in keeping the truth of Ukraine alive and in providing a rallying point for so many efforts that eventually helped Ukraine shed the Kremlin's shackles," McConnell said. "The Helsinki Commission for decades was like a beacon of hope. It was an outside promise for the Ukrainian Helsinki Group and a critical source of support for Ukrainian-Americans and so many others as they persevered in their quest for freedom against what seemed like insurmountable odds."
Introducing the Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2016Friday, September 09, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce H.R. 5961, the Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2016. Since ISIS' blitzkrieg across the multiethnic and religiously diverse mosaic of eastern Syria and western Iraq in 2014, I have chaired four hearings focused on the implications of this appalling advance for religious and ethnic minorities in those areas. Events in the region and the expert testimony of witnesses quickly revealed that ISIS was not merely focused on territorial conquest—the group was ideologically committed to exterminating ancient religious communities and cleansing its self-proclaimed caliphate of anything but its vicious and fundamentalist interpretation of Islam. Many of my colleagues and I were certain early on that ISIS was committing genocide. We pressed the Administration to formally acknowledge that fact until the Secretary of State did so in March of this year. But the most pressing question issue has always been the lives of those religious minorities right now that face extinction under this tyranny of terror. The Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2016 is an answer to the question of what the United States can do to mitigate this suffering, save lives, and build a more sustainable future for Syria and Iraq. The bill tackles this overwhelming challenge on three fronts by directing the Administration to take additional measures to improve the lives of displaced genocide survivors, provide some of them with an additional lifeline to escape their war torn lands, and support efforts that will help preserve the presence of religious minority communities in those areas for years to come. In a hearing this May that I chaired called "The ISIS Genocide Declaration: What Next?" Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus—who has been a leader in drawing attention to the plight of Christians in this conflict—testified that "Repeatedly we hear from Church leaders in the region that Christians—and other genocide survivors—are last in line for assistance from governments." We can and must do better. To that end, H.R. 5961 requires the Administration to assess and address the humanitarian vulnerabilities, needs, and triggers to flee, of religious and ethnic communities that were targeted for genocide or otherwise severely persecuted. It directs the Administrations to fund entities that are effectively providing assistance to these communities and guarantees that faith-based organizations on the ground are not excluded from U.S. assistance. One such example is the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil, which provides assistance to internally displaced families of Yezidis, Muslims, and Christians, including food and resettlement from tents to permanent housing, as well as rental assistance, for Yezidis, medical care and education to Yezidis and Muslims through its clinics, schools, and university – which are open to everyone. The Archdiocese provides some form of each of these kinds of assistance to all of the estimated 10,500 internally displaced Christian families in the greater Erbil region. Yet as it provides these critical services, it has not received a single penny from any government. H.R. 5961 is clear that the Administration must be supporting entities, regardless of whether they are faith-based, that are heroically providing assistance to genocide survivors on the ground. In recognition of the extraordinary suffering of these religious and ethnic communities, and their extraordinary vulnerability to persecution, H.R. 5961 requires the Administration to create a Priority Two, or "P-2," visa category of special humanitarian concern that would provide one additional avenue for genocide survivors to seek resettlement in the United States through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. It is important to note that this is not a "fast track" to resettlement—P-2 applicants undergo the same security screening as all refugee applicants. But this special category allows them to access an overseas interview wherever the United States interviews refugee applicants, without needing a referral from the UN, an NGO, or a US Embassy, as is usually the case. This bill also addresses a critical factor that will influence the continued presence of smaller, vulnerable religious communities in Syria and Iraq beyond this conflict: accountability for those who perpetrate heinous crimes against them. H.R. 5961 directs the Administration to prioritize supporting the criminal investigation, prosecution, and conviction of perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. These efforts will be focused on funding and supporting entities that are conducting criminal investigations, building Syrian and Iraqi investigative and judicial capacity, or collecting and preserving evidence for eventual use in domestic courts, hybrid courts, or internationalized domestic courts. Whether they are members of the Asad regime, ISIS, or some of the Popular Mobilization Brigades in Iraq, there can be no impunity for individuals who committed these dreadful crimes. H.R. 5961 also directs the Administration to identify gaps in our criminal statutes to facilitate the prosecution of American perpetrators, and non-Americans present in the United States, of crimes against humanity and war crimes. Without accountability, without humanitarian assistance reaching these religious and ethnic communities, we risk losing the invaluable, ancient presence of these communities in these countries altogether. This will feed violent extremism and dim the future of Iraq and Syria. I urge my House colleagues to support this measure that will deliver immediate assistance to genocide survivors, help prosecute and punish perpetrators, and invest in a sustainable future for these persecuted religious and ethnic communities in the lands in which they have lived for so many generations.
press release
Chairman Smith Supports Genocide Victims in Syria and IraqThursday, September 08, 2016
WASHINGTON—Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA-18), Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-08), and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01) today introduced bipartisan legislation to provide relief for survivors of the ISIS-perpetrated genocide against vulnerable religious and ethnic groups in Syria and Iraq, and to ensure that perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in those countries are punished. The Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2016, H.R. 5961, directs the U.S. Administration to treat these heinous acts as the crimes that they are, and to prioritize supporting the criminal investigation, prosecution, and conviction of perpetrators. "Mass murder and rape are not only human rights violations – they are also criminal acts that require careful investigation, documentation, and prosecution to bring the perpetrators to justice," said Chairman Smith. "We need to support entities doing this work in the field, and close gaps in U.S. law so that our justice system can prosecute foreign perpetrators present in the U.S., as well as any Americans who commit such crimes." The legislation also requires the U.S. State Department to create a "Priority Two" ("P-2") designation for Iraqi and Syrian survivors of genocide, and other persecuted religious and ethnic groups in Iraq or Syria. Refugees who meet the P-2 criteria are able to apply overseas for resettlement in the United States without requiring a referral from the United Nations, an NGO, or a U.S. Embassy. "Although a P-2 designation does not guarantee admission to the United States – applicants must still clear the same security screening as other refugees – it provides victims of genocide with a much-needed additional path to access the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program," said Chairman Smith. Finally, the bill directs the U.S. Administration to identify warning signs of deadly violence against genocide survivors and other vulnerable religious and ethnic communities in Iraq or Syria; assess and address the humanitarian vulnerabilities, needs, and triggers that might force them to flee their homes; and ensure that the U.S. supports entities effectively serving genocide survivors, including faith-based entities. Chairman Smith noted that the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil, which provides vital assistance to internally displaced families of Yezidis, Muslims, and Christians, including to all of the approximately 10,500 Christian IDP families in the Erbil region, has received no funding from the U.S. Government or any other government. "So far, the Administration has failed to keep its promise to enable these genocide survivors to remain in Iraq and Syria. It is overlooking groups, like the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil, that are serving tens of thousands of survivors every day. If the needs of these communities are ignored, thousands of victims may have to leave their ancient homelands forever and never return," Chairman Smith said.
Five Years of the Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders NetworkThursday, August 25, 2016
2016 marks the fifth anniversary of the Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network (TILN), an innovative project of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, in cooperation with the U.S. State Department, German Marshall Fund, and other stakeholders that prepares diverse, young leaders with a global outlook. TILN bridges the transatlantic divide between the U.S. and Europe by annually bringing together driven individuals from a range of political backgrounds for a week-long workshop focused on inclusive leadership. Workshops take place in European cities ranging from Copenhagen to Brussels to Turin – allowing participants to immerse themselves in international policy-making at national and regional levels. Participants engage with public and private sector figures while shaping their personal missions and strengthening leadership skills to support careers in public service and transformative initiatives that will promote more equitable societies. The TILN project already boasts an impressive list of alumni, including U.S. Congressman Ruben Gallego, Swedish Parliamentarian Said Abdu, UN Expert on Minority Issues Rita Iszak, and other Parliamentarians, Ministers, Mayors, City Councilpersons, regional and local leaders. During its five-year history, TILN annual workshops have highlighted issues of special interest to the US Helsinki Commission from the ongoing struggle to realize Roma and migrant rights to racism, anti-Semitism, and religious discrimination. Additionally, many TILN alumni support innovative initiatives that promote equality and inclusion in their home countries through alumni Action Grants that allow former participants to maintain their connections, further the work of multinational inclusion, and maximize the impact of collective action. For example, former German and Dutch participants have launched national inclusive leadership programs inspired by TILN. The German "Network Inclusive Leaders" program (NILE), created by Gabriele Gün Tank and Daniel Gyamerah of the TILN class of 2013, is a week-long seminar that provides 20 diverse young adults with an opportunity to engage with German political leaders, academics, artists, and others on anti-racism and anti-discrimination efforts. Following the 2016 TILN event, Dutch alumni Mpanzu Bamenga and Kamran Ullah – along with GMF's Marshall Memorial Fellows Ahmed Larouz and Mei Ling Liem – launched the "Inclusion Leaders Network" in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The event successfully brought together more than 40 community and political leaders from different parties and sectors to discuss tools and strategies to increase inclusion in political, economic, and education sectors. Both the NILE and the Inclusive Leadership Network have enjoyed the support of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, State Department, GMF, and other stakeholders. Hosted by Helsinki Commissioner Representative Alcee L. Hastings, TILN experts and alumni Simon Woolley, Assita Kanko, Gabriele Gün Tank, and David Mark also attended the 2014 three-day Quad Caucus meeting of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), the National Asian Pacific Caucus of State Legislators (NAPACSL), the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators (NCNASAL), and the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) in the United States. In his opening remarks to the Quad Caucus, Commissioner Hastings highlighted the importance of inclusive and representative governance in all countries. The TILN delegation followed with a panel discussion on the similarity between the U.S. and Europe on experiences of Roma, Muslim, Afro-descent, and other diverse communities, leading to support for joint U.S.-Europe partnerships and initiatives from members of the Quad Caucus. As a result of these meetings, the TILN alumni network was able to organize a speaking tour in Germany for Ajenai Clemmons of NBCSL – a 2015 TILN participant – to share the U.S. minority caucus model in Germany. The momentum of the Quad Caucus also advanced development of anti-discrimination legislation authored by TILN alumni Mpanzu Bamenga in the Netherlands, which was later adopted by Eindhoven City Council. The U.S. Helsinki Commission congratulates TILN on five successful years, and looks forward to witnessing further fruits of the Network as alumni continue to advance inclusive policymaking, thought, and leadership in our societies.
press release
U.S. Delegation to OSCE PA Drives International Action against Human Trafficking, Discrimination, and Anti-SemitismFriday, July 08, 2016
WASHINGTON—Seven members of Congress traveled to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) Annual Session in Tbilisi, Georgia last week to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the principles of the Helsinki Final Act, including respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. At the Annual Session, which brought together nearly 300 parliamentarians from 54 of the 57 OSCE participating States, the U.S. lawmakers introduced several successful resolutions and amendments targeting current challenges facing the OSCE region, ranging from human trafficking to discrimination and anti-Semitism to the abuse of Interpol mechanisms to target political opponents and activists. The delegation included Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Co-Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker (MS), Commissioner Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Commissioner Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14), Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08), Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-08), and Rep. David Schweikert (AZ-06). Rep. Aderholt currently serves as a vice-president of the OSCE PA, while Sen. Wicker was re-elected to a third term as chair of the OSCE PA Committee on Political Affairs and Security, also known as the First Committee, during the annual meeting. Chairman Smith led international lawmakers in battling international human trafficking and child sex tourism through a successful resolution calling on all OSCE participating States to raise awareness of sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism (SECTT), especially by convicted pedophiles, business travelers, and tourists. Chairman Smith, who serves as the OSCE PA Special Representative on Human Trafficking Issues, also hosted a July 3 briefing on U.S. efforts to prevent SECTT through a new international reciprocal notification system – known as International Megan's Law – that facilitates timely communications among law enforcement agencies. A second U.S. resolution, authored by OSCE PA Special Representative for Anti-Semitism, Racism and Intolerance and Helsinki Commission Ranking Sen. Ben Cardin (MD), called for action against the anti-Semitic and racist violence sweeping across North America and Europe. The resolution, which passed overwhelmingly, urged members of the OSCE to develop a plan of action to implement its long-standing body of tolerance and non-discrimination agreements, called for international efforts to address racial profiling, and offered support for increased efforts by political leaders to stem the tide of hate across the region. The resolution was fielded by Commissioner Hultgren. Chairman Smith also called on participating States to more effectively prevent and combat violence against European Jewish communities through the introduction of two amendments to the resolution of the OSCE PA General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions (also known as the Third Committee). His first amendment called for the explicit recognition of the increase in anti-Semitic attacks in the region, while the second encouraged participating States to formally recognize and partner with Jewish community groups. Responding the abuse of Interpol systems for politically motivated harassment by Russia and other members of the OSCE, Co-Chairman Wicker authored a successful amendment to the First Committee resolution, which called on participating States to stop the inappropriate placement of Red Notices and encouraged Interpol to implement mechanisms preventing politically motivated abuse of its legitimate services. The amendment was fielded by Rep. Hudson. During the Annual Session, members of the delegation also offered strong support for important resolutions fielded by other countries, including one by Ukraine on human rights in illegally occupied Crimea and another on the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. They voted for a highly relevant resolution on combating corruption fielded by Sweden, and helped to defeat a Russian resolution attacking the Baltic States, Poland and Ukraine in the context of combating neo-Nazism. U.S. delegates indicated their support for the work of attending Azerbaijani human rights activists, and met with attending members of the Israeli Knesset. While in Tbilisi, the group also met with several high-ranking Georgian officials, including Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili; Tedo Japaridze, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Parliament of Georgia; Mikheil Janelidze, Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs; and David Bakradze, Georgian Minister of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.
press release
Chairman Smith Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Aid Holocaust SurvivorsThursday, July 07, 2016
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) and U.S. Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Joe Crowley (D-NY) today introduced the Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act. This bipartisan and bicameral bill will improve efforts to assist Holocaust survivors and the families of Holocaust victims by requiring the State Department to report on the progress of certain European countries on the return of, or restitution for, wrongfully confiscated or transferred Holocaust-era assets. "Holocaust survivors—witnesses to the brutal murders, torture and heartless thievery of the Nazis and their accomplices—continue to be cheated and defrauded, inexplicably, as they fight for the rightful return of their stolen property," said Rep. Smith, who chairs the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission. "This bill will help survivors get justice instead of excuses from their governments." "We urgently need an improved public accounting of other countries' efforts to address Holocaust-era property restitution issues," said Senator Baldwin. "Tragically, we are losing survivors every day, and it is my sincere hope that this legislation, by shining a spotlight and solidifying this issue as an American foreign policy priority, will spur action in countries that are falling short of their obligations, ultimately resulting in a measure of justice for these individuals who have waited far too long." "I am pleased to be the lead Republican sponsor of this important bipartisan legislation which, if passed, will play a critical role in ensuring that Holocaust-era property restitution is finally realized," said Senator Marco Rubio. "Seventy years after this dark chapter in human history, the restitution of Jewish communal, private and heirless property in Central and Eastern Europe, illegally confiscated by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II, remains a largely unresolved issue and a source of lasting pain for many Holocaust survivors and their heirs. American leadership in addressing this injustice is vital, which is precisely what this legislation will provide. I join Senator Baldwin in pressing for swift passage of this measure." "Several decades removed from the horrors of the Holocaust, a substantial amount of Jewish-owned property still hasn't been returned to their rightful owners, nor have they been compensated. This is unacceptable," said Rep. Crowley, Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus. "It's important that we do what we can to ensure European governments are keeping their word, and I'm proud to join my colleagues in this legislation that will put us one step closer to bringing justice to Holocaust victims, survivors, and their families." Seventy years after the Holocaust, in which the unprecedented looting of Jewish assets was a central aspect, the restitution of Jewish communal, private, and heirless property in Central and Eastern Europe remains unresolved. Indeed, decades after the Holocaust and the fall of Communism, most formerly Jewish-owned, real properties confiscated by the Nazis and their collaborators have not been returned, nor has compensation been provided to the rightful owners or their heirs. The JUST Act will build on the international Terezin Declaration on Holocaust Era Assets and Related Issues of 2009, which affirms that the protection of property rights is an essential component of a democratic society based on the rule of law and recognizes the importance of restituting or compensating Holocaust-related confiscations made during the Holocaust-era between 1933-45. Unfortunately, many nations that endorsed this declaration, including many of our NATO allies, have not fully addressed the restitution of Jewish communal, private and heirless property. The JUST Act permanently amends current law to require the State Department to report on certain countries' compliance with and progress toward the goals of the 2009 Terezin Declaration on Holocaust Era Assets, as well as on what actions those countries are taking to resolve the claims of U.S. citizens. This will enhance on-going U.S. efforts to urge Central and Eastern European countries to achieve progress on this issue and will help build on America's commitment to ensuring justice for Holocaust victims and their families. "Holocaust-era property restitution provides a measure of justice to victims and their families, and to surviving Jewish communities, for the violation of their basic human rights. The JUST Act would encourage countries around the globe to live up to the existing international consensus they endorsed in 2009," said Abraham Biderman, co-chairman of the World Jewish Restitution Organization's Executive Committee. "We commend Sens. Baldwin and Rubio for helping advance America's leadership in the fight for justice for Holocaust victims and for the restitution of Holocaust era property. It is critical to spotlight how countries are fulfilling property restitution commitments and to hold them accountable if they fail to do so. Enshrining this as a priority of America's human rights reporting provides another diplomatic tool to enhance the vital efforts of the Office of the Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues," said Stacy Burdett, Vice President, Government Relations, Advocacy & Community Engagement, Anti-Defamation League. "Seventy years after the end of World War II and twenty-five years since democracy has been restored to the nations of Central and Eastern Europe there can no longer be any excuse for delaying the restitution of Holocaust-era properties to their rightful owners. We hope this legislation will push those governments to finally act," said Rabbi Andrew Baker, Director, International Jewish Affairs, AJC. The JUST Act has received strong support from organizations across the country including World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO), American Jewish Committee (AJC), Anti-Defamation League (ADL), J Street, Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), B'nai B'rith International, HIAS refugee assistance organization, Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation in Milwaukee.
press release
Chairman Smith Leads International Legislators against Human Trafficking, Child Sex TourismMonday, July 04, 2016
WASHINGTON—The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly passed a resolution authored by Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) against international human trafficking and child sex tourism. The resolution was passed at the 2016 annual session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), and has an agenda-setting effect for the 57-member intergovernmental organization. Smith, who leads the U.S. Delegation to this year's OSCE PA Annual Session, introduced a resolution calling on all OSCE participating States to work with the private sector and civil society to raise awareness of sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism (SECTT), especially by convicted pedophiles, business travelers, and tourists. The resolution also urges all OSCE participating States to enact laws allowing them to prosecute their citizens and legal permanent residents for child sexual exploitation committed abroad, and to strengthen international law enforcement cooperation to ensure that nations know about travel by convicted pedophiles prior to their arrival. "More children than ever before are being exploited – child sex tourism is soaring while protection lags," said Chairman Smith. "We must work together to protect children from convicted pedophiles and opportunistic predators who exploit local children with impunity during their travels abroad. Prevention and prosecution should go hand in hand." In addition to introducing the SECTT resolution, Chairman Smith hosted a July 3 briefing on U.S. efforts to prevent SECTT through a new international reciprocal notification system – known as International Megan's Law – that facilitates timely communications among law enforcement agencies. "Child predators thrive on secrecy – a secrecy that allows them to commit heinous crimes against the weakest and most vulnerable," said Chairman Smith. "Recent changes in the laws of the United States and partner countries are putting child predators on the radar when they travel internationally, but much remains to be done." Chairman Smith has served as OSCE PA Special Representative on Human Trafficking Issues since 2004. His efforts to raise the profile of the human trafficking problem in the OSCE region are reflected in the 2013 Addendum to the OSCE Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, and have prompted other parliamentarians to take the lead in addressing human trafficking in their respective capitals. Chairman Smith first raised the issue of human trafficking at the 1999 St. Petersburg Annual Session, the first time it appeared on the OSCE agenda. Since then, he has introduced or cosponsored a supplementary item and/or amendments on trafficking at each annual session of the OSCE PA, including on issues such as sex tourism prevention, training of the transportation sector in victim identification and reporting, corporate responsibility for trafficking in supply chains, and special protections for vulnerable populations. In addition to authoring the 2016 International Megan's Law to Prevent Child Exploitation and Other Sexual Crimes through Advanced Notification of Traveling Sex Offenders, he authored the landmark U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and its 2003 and 2005 reauthorizations. Chairman Smith co-chairs the United States Congressional Human Trafficking Caucus.
press release
Senator Wicker Re-Elected as Head of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly First CommitteeMonday, July 04, 2016
TBILISI, Georgia—Senator Roger Wicker, Co-Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, has been reelected as Chairman of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) Committee on Political Affairs and Security – known as the First Committee – at the group's 25th Annual Session. "I am honored to be re-elected by my fellow parliamentarians as Chairman of the First Committee. I look forward to continuing our work to address critical security challenges in Europe, Russian aggression against Ukraine, and the scourge of international terrorism. This Committee serves as a key avenue for constructive dialogue and action that can benefit the entire OSCE region," Senator Wicker said. First elected as First Committee Chairman in November 2014, Senator Wicker will continue to focus on sustaining a productive dialogue about security and ensuring compliance with international commitments. "Chairman Wicker has shown tremendous dedication to the urgent causes of peace and security in Europe, Eurasia and beyond. He is a constant advocate for the importance of U.S. leadership in finding solutions in the OSCE space," said Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), who led the U.S. Delegation to the OSCE PA Annual Session. Wicker's election capped off several days of Committee meetings, where he led the Committee on Political Affairs and Security as the group debated, amended, and passed seven resolutions related to international terrorism and security challenges in Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova, among other pressing issues on the OSCE agenda. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) comprises 57 countries. It addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism, economic, and environmental activities.
press release
Chairman Smith Champions Improved Security for European Jewish Communities at Annual Meeting of OSCE ParliamentariansSunday, July 03, 2016
WASHINGTON—At the 2016 OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) Annual Session, meeting in Tbilisi, Georgia this week, Helsinki Commission Chair Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) today called on participating States to more effectively prevent and combat violence against European Jewish communities in the face of increasing anti-Semitic violence in the region. "Violent anti-Semitic attacks are on the rise in several European countries – and there is a lot more we can do to stop it," said Chairman Smith, who led the U.S. delegation to the event. "European police and security forces should be partnering with Jewish community security groups, and the United States government should be working with the European governments to encourage this. The terrorist threat to European Jewish communities is more deadly than ever. We must act to prevent a repeat of the horrific massacres of Paris and Copenhagen." Chairman Smith offered two amendments to the draft resolution of the OSCE PA General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions (also known as the Third Committee). His first amendment called for the explicit recognition of the increase in frequency, scope, and severity of anti-Semitic attacks in the OSCE region, while the second called on participating States to formally recognize and partner with Jewish community groups to strengthen crisis prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and responses related to anti-Semitic attacks. Both amendments reflect consultations with and requests from European Jewish communities. Chairman Smith has a long record as a leader in the fight against anti-Semitism. He co-chairs the Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism in the U.S. House of Representatives and authored the provisions of the U.S. Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004 that created the Office to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism within the U.S. State Department. In 2015, he authored House Resolution 354, a blueprint for strengthening the safety and security of European Jewish communities. Following his landmark 2002 hearing on combating the escalation of anti-Semitic violence in Europe, "Escalating Anti-Semitic Violence in Europe," he led a congressional drive to place the issue of combating anti-Semitism at the top of the OSCE agenda. As part of this effort he authored supplemental resolutions on combating anti-Semitism, which were adopted at the 2002, 2003, and 2004 Annual Sessions of the OSCE PA. In 2004 the OSCE adopted new norms for its participating States on fighting anti-Semitism. Chairman Smith is a founding member of the the Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Combating Anti-Semitism (ICCA), where he also serves on the steering committee. In the 1990s, he chaired Congress's first hearings on anti-Semitism and in the early 1980s, his first trips abroad as a member of Congress were to the former Soviet Union, where he fought for the release of Jewish "refuseniks."
press release
Chairman Smith Sends Strong Message of Support to Poland Ahead of NATO Summit in WarsawTuesday, June 28, 2016
WASHINGTON—Ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Warsaw, Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) is sending a strong message of support to Poland and other Allies on NATO's eastern border. "In the face of ongoing Russian aggression, the United States must ramp up its commitment to the security of Poland and our other Allies in the region," said Chairman Smith. "Russia's intolerable actions – ranging from military incursions into Georgia and Ukraine, to the threatened use of tactical nuclear weapons, to the abandonment of key transparency measures – are attempts to strike at the very foundation of the European security order." "This year's Summit – hosted by a staunch eastern flank Ally that not only contributes troops to NATO operations and hosts NATO facilities, but also devotes the benchmark 2 percent of GDP to defense – comes at a critical moment for European security," he continued. Chairman Smith, who also co-chairs the Congressional Caucus on Poland, led members in organizing a June 27 letter urging President Obama to ensure that NATO meets the needs of Allies in Eastern Europe in an increasingly hostile and uncertain security environment. The letter was signed by Congressional Caucus on Poland Co-Chairs Rep. Dan Lipinski (IL-03), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), and Rep. Tim Murphy (PA-18), as well as Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Rep. Dan Donovan (NY-11), Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-02), Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05), and Rep. Brian Higgins (NY-26). In April 2016, Chairman Smith also signed a letter supporting funding for the European Reassurance Initiative, which demonstrates the U.S commitment to the security of NATO Allies in the face of Russia's destabilizing foreign policy. On June 23, the Helsinki Commission held a public briefing titled "NATO's Warsaw Summit and the Future of European Security." Panelists – including representatives from NATO, the Embassy of Poland, and the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins University – commented on the need for a stronger U.S. security commitment to Poland and other NATO Allies.
NATO's Warsaw Summit and the Future of European SecurityThursday, June 23, 2016
This briefing, conducted two weeks prior to the NATO summit in Warsaw, discussed the prospects and challenges expected to factor into the negotiations. Key among these were Russian aggression and NATO enlargement, cybersecurity, and instability along NATO's southern border. Mr. Pisarski's testimony focused mainly on the challenge posed by Russian aggression and the role played by NATO's partners in maintaining stability in Eastern Europe. Dr. Binnendijk commented on seven areas he argued the Alliance should make progress on at the Warsaw summit, centering mainly around unity, deterrent capability, and the Alliance's southern strategy. Rear Admiral Gumataotao provided a unique insight into NATO Allied Command Transformation's core tasks and their expectations for Warsaw. The question and answer period featured a comment from Georgian Ambassador Gegeshidze, who spoke about his country's stake in the Summit's conclusions in the context of the ongoing Russian occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
press release
Helsinki Commission to Preview Outcomes of July NATO Summit in WarsawMonday, June 20, 2016
WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following briefing: "NATO's Warsaw Summit and the Future of European Security" Thursday, June 23, 2016 3:00 PM Rayburn House Office Building Room 2360 NATO's next Summit, slated for July 8-9 in Warsaw, Poland, is expected to be a seminal moment in the evolution of the transatlantic relationship. At the Summit, the Alliance will need to tackle uncertainty about the range of security threats confronting its members, with some in the east prioritizing Russian aggression, while others are seeing instability to the South (including the migration crisis) as the most immediate threat. Heads of the 28 member states will need to demonstrate cohesive unity of purpose despite differences on these issues and others, ranging from NATO's potential contribution to fighting terrorism to the continued role of nuclear weapons in NATO's deterrence and defense posture. These discussions will be heightened by the Summit's strategic location in the capital of a staunch eastern flank Ally that contributes to NATO operations and exercises, hosts NATO facilities, and – crucially – leads by example by devoting the NATO-agreed benchmark 2 percent of GDP to defense. Panelists will comment on the outcomes they expect from the Summit, implications for the broader transatlantic relationship, and the future of relations with Russia. The following experts are scheduled to participate: Rear Admiral Peter Gumataotao, Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Plans & Policy, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mr. Maciej Pisarski, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Poland to the United States of America Dr. Hans Binnendijk, Senior Fellow, Center for Transatlantic Relations, The Johns Hopkins University
press release
Helsinki Commission Leaders Welcome Savchenko Release; Urge Russia To Comply With Minsk AgreementsWednesday, May 25, 2016
WASHINGTON – Following today's release of Ukrainian fighter pilot Nadiya Savchenko from prison in Russia, Representative Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and Senator Roger Wicker (MS), Co-Chairman of the Commission, issued the following statement: "We welcome Nadiya's long-overdue release, but we must not forget about other Ukrainian citizens unjustly imprisoned in Russia. We must also remember that Russia still occupies Crimea and continues its aggression in eastern Ukraine, bringing misery and suffering to millions of Ukrainians." "Russia should honor the Minsk agreements – which it violates with impunity – if there is to be peaceful resolution to the conflict. Above all, Russia needs to get out of Ukraine." Last September, the House passed a resolution calling for Savchenko's release, which was strengthened by Chairman Smith's amendment calling for the imposition of personal sanctions against individuals responsible for the imprisonment of Savchenko and other Ukrainian citizens illegally incarcerated in Russia. A resolution sponsored by Co-Chairman Wicker and Helsinki Commission Ranking Senate Commissioner Ben Cardin (MD) calling for her release passed the Senate in February 2015.
On October 24, more than 600 people in Berlin attended the unveiling of the Memorial for the Sinti¹ and Roma of Europe Murdered under National Socialism. Leaders of the Helsinki Commission, who had underscored the importance of the monument, welcomed the event.
Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, observed that the memorial "marks an important step in acknowledging and teaching about the fate of Roma at the hands of the Nazi regime and the Axis powers: persecution, confiscation of property, forced sterilization, slave labor, inhumane medical experimentation, and ultimately genocide."
Proposals to erect a memorial to the Romani victims of genocide emerged in the early 1990s after the unification of the Federal Republic of Germany and German Democratic Republic and at a time when German acknowledgement and remembrance took on additional dimensions. Those efforts, however, bogged down over questions regarding the location of the proposed memorial and the content of inscriptions. (Concerns raised by the artist over materials and weather-related construction complications also contributed to interruptions.) German government officials also suggested some delays were caused by differing views among Romani groups, particularly regarding the inscriptions; some critics of the delays suggested there was an insufficient sense of ownership and political will on the part of the government.
Senator Ben Cardin (MD), Co-Chairman of the Commission, noted the singular role of Romani Rose, Chairman of the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma, and "his tireless work to ensure that Romani victims of genocide are remembered and honored." Rose, who lost his grandparents at Auschwitz and Ravensbrueck, was a driving force to see the memorial completed. Cardin added, "I am deeply heartened that efforts to build this memorial, underway for over a decade, have finally been realized."
German government officials at the most senior level attended the unveiling of the genocide memorial, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Joachim Gauck, Bundestag President Norbert Lammert, Bundesrat President Horst Seehofer, and Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit. Former President Richard von Weizsacker, in spite of advanced years and frail health, was also present. Federal Minister of Culture Bernd Neumann described the memorial "a pillar of German remembrance."
U.S. Ambassador to Germany Patrick Murphy and Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues Douglas Davidson represented the United States. Dr. Ethel Brooks, who has served as a public member with the U.S. Delegation to the 2011 and 2012 OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meetings, also attended the ceremony.
The memorial, designed by Israeli artist Dani Karavan, was widely hailed as a deeply moving testimony to the genocide of Romani people.
Dutch Sinto survivor Zoni Weiss addressed the hundreds of people who attended the event. As a 7-year-old, Weiss narrowly avoided being placed on the Westerbork transport from the Netherlands due to the intervention of platform policeman, but watched as his immediate family was sent to Auschwitz where they perished.
The unveiling ceremony was also accompanied by a week of events in Berlin focused on Romani history, culture and contemporary issues. Gert Weisskirchen, former German Member of the Budestag and former OSCE Personal Representative on Anti-Semitism, organized a round-table focused on contemporary challenges faced by Roma.
In her remarks at the event, Chancellor Merkel also acknowledged the on-going struggle for human rights faced by Roma throughout Europe, saying bluntly, "let's not beat around the bush. Sinti and Roma suffer today from discrimination and exclusion." Romani Rose warned more pointedly, "In Germany and in Europe, there is a new and increasingly violent racism against Sinti and Roma. This racism is supported not just by far-right parties and groups; it finds more and more backing in the middle of society."
The Nazis targeted Roma for extermination.
Persecution began in the 1920s, and included race-based denial of the right to vote, selection for forced sterilization, loss of citizenship on the basis of race, and incarceration in work or concentration camps.
The most notorious sites where Roma were murdered include Auschwitz in Nazi-occupied Poland, the Jasenovac camp in the so-called Independent State of Croatia, Romanian-occupied Transnistria, and Babi-Yar in Nazi-occupied Ukraine.
In other parts of German occupied or German-allied territory, Roma were frequently killed by special SS squads or even regular army units or police, often left in mass graves.
Many scholars estimate that 500,000 Roma were killed during is World War II, although scholarship on the genocide of Roma remains in its infancy and many important archives have only become available to a broader community of researchers since the fall of communism.
In recent years, for example, Father Patrick Desbois has helped document the location of 800 WWII-mass graves in Ukraine and elsewhere in the former Soviet Union, including 48 mass graves of Roma.
German postwar restitution legislation and its implementation effectively excluded almost all Romani survivors. Those most directly responsible for actions against Roma escaped investigation, prosecution and conviction. Several officials responsible for the deportations of Roma before and during the war continued to have responsibility for Romani affairs after the war.
In 1979, the West German Federal Parliament acknowledged the Nazi persecution of Roma as being racially motivated.
In 1982, Chancellor Helmut Schmidt recognized that the National Socialist persecution of Romani people constituted genocide.
The first German trial decision to take legal cognizance that Roma were genocide victims during the Third Reich was handed down in 1991.
In 1997, Federal President Roman Herzog opened a Documentation and Cultural Center of German Sinti and Roma, saying "The genocide of the Sinti and Roma was carried out from the same motive of racial hatred, with the same intent and the same desire for planned and final annihilation as that of the Jews. They were systematically murdered in whole families, from the small child to the old man, throughout the sphere of influence of the Nazis."
At the 2007 OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, Thommas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, observed that, "[e]ven after the [ . . . ] Nazi killing of at least half a million Roma, probably 700,000 or more, there was no genuine change of attitude among the majority population towards the Roma."


text:
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2018 KUAM. All Rights Reserved. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service, and Ad Choices.
Submitted by S. Grabill of Fort Wayne, Ind.
1 pound cooked bratwurst
2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped into medium pieces
2 cups of water
1 head of cabbage cut into 3 inch pieces
1 cup of chopped carrots
3 cups of milk
3 tbsp of flour
4 oz of shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 tsp of salt and pepper
In a large saucepan combine: brats cut into 1/2 inch pieces, potatoes, onions, and salt and pepper (to taste). Add water, bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat. Cover and simmer for an additional 20 minutes until the potatoes are nearly done. Now stir in the cabbage and carrots, and cook until they are tender. Stir in 2 1/2 cups of milk. Combine the remaining 1/2 cup of milk with the flour. Now gradually stir it into the soup to thicken it. When the soup has thickened and is bubbly, stir in the cheese until it is melted. Enjoy!
*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.


text: Get the most out of your long-term investment with a low-cost solution. At Volvo, we're committed to driving your operating costs down. That's why we've designed our rigid dumpers to reduchaulerse fuel consumption and optimize machine availability. Drive your operating costs down with the D-Series rigid dumpers, your partner for all mining and quarrying applications.


text:
Water law in a nutshell
West Pub. Co., 1990 - Law - 459 pages
Riparian Rights; Prior Appropriation; Hybrid Systems and Other Variations; Rights to Use the Surface of Waterways; Groundwater; Diffused Surface Waters; Federal and Indian Reserved Rights; Federal Control of Water and Water Development; Interstate Allocation; Water Service and Supply Organizations.
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Foreword to Second Edition
Special Types of Water
30 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
adjudication administrative agency allocation allow amount of water applied appropriate water appropriation doctrine aquifer Arizona beneficial California cert Chapter City Colo Colorado River common law constitutional Dakota decree Desert Land Act diffused surface waters Ditch divert water downstream ex rel Getches grant groundwater harm Idaho Indian instream flows irrigation junior appropriators jurisdictions L.Ed lake limited municipal navigable Nutshell Oregon owner ownership parcel permit systems plaintiffs point of diversion pollution prior appropriation prior appropriation doctrine priority date protect public lands public rights public trust doctrine pumpers pumping purposes quantity of water recreational regulate require reserved rights riparian doctrine riparian land riparian landowner riparian rights riparian water rights S.Ct Second Edition Section senior Softcover South Dakota statute statutory storage stream Supreme Court Text tion United Utah Water Conservation Dist water law Water Resources water users waterbody watercourse watershed waterway wildlife


text:
According to this research report, the prominent trends, driving factors, restraints, opportunities and challenges have been considered properly, in order to recognize the market's future.
The report exhibits an estimation of the general market size in terms of value (US$) and discusses the key sections and the geographical subdivisions of the Advanced Combat Helmet Market in points of interest.
It exhibits top to bottom data on the development trends, strategies and regulations, concerning Advanced Combat Helmet Market, executed in each of the geographical sections. The transcendent uses of the Advanced Combat Helmet Market have additionally been discussed in this research report.
Request for sample report @ www.esticastresearch.com/market-re…et/request-sample
Further, the research estimation breaks down the administrative structure of Advanced Combat Helmet Market, offering partners a superior comprehension of the different approaches, principles & controls, and future activities, which are required to govern various procedures in this very market. Further, the report gathers top to bottom data attained through broad primary and secondary research techniques, which has been surveyed with the assistance of a few compelling analytical tools.
With the help of information accomplished from such deliberate research, the report displays close and exact appraisals for the market players and the readers as well. Readers will likewise pick up essentials from the references and contextual investigations given in the research study.
The research report simultaneously shows an exhaustive evaluation of the volatile landscape of Advanced Combat Helmet Market by investigating organization profiles of the major players, active in this very market. The market chain has been distinguished in this study by breaking down the present improvements and future prospects of these players.
Avail report @ www.esticastresearch.com/market-re…ket/discount-form
Advanced Combat Helmet Market Segmentation
By Application
- Military & Defence
- Law Enforcement
By Region
- North America
o US
o Canada
o Mexico
- Europe
o Germany
o France
o United Kingdom
o Spain
o Rest of Europe
- Asia-Pacific
o China
o India
o Japan
o South Korea
o Rest of APAC
- RoW
o Latin America
o Middle East
o Africa
News From
Category: Market Research Publishers and RetailersCompany about: Esticast Research and Consulting is a research firm providing research reports on various industries with a unique combination of authenticity, extensive research, and infallibility. We provide syndicated market research reports, customization services, and consulting services to help businesses across the world in achieving their goals and overcoming complex challenges. We specialize in providing the 360-degree view of the markets to assist clients in determining new opportunities and develop b ...
For more information:Make an Inquiry about this report HERE!
- www.esticastresearch.com/market-re…bat-helmet-market
- www.esticastresearch.com/market-re…et/request-sample
- www.esticastresearch.com/market-re…ket/discount-form


text:
White Papers and Application Notes
Modeling Flow of Magnetorheological Fluid through a Micro-channelN.M. Bruno[1], C. Ciocanel[1] and A. Kipple[2]
[1]Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
[2]Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
This paper presents the approach taken through the utilization of COMSOL Multiphysics 3.5a, to develop a model that simulates the flow of a magnetorheological (MR) fluid through a micro-channel. The model was developed as an aid in the analysis of a micropump that produces flow by means of displacement of a MR fluid slug within a microchannel.


text:
Blighty's pay-by-bonk gang goes cap in hand to Euro watchdog
Project Oscar files plan, US's ISIS bangs out a logo
In the United States, the ISIS platform for NFC apps finally has a logo and is preparing itself for launch, while the UK equivalent – Project Oscar – is off to Europe for competition approval.
Coming to a retailer near
you – if you're American
and live in Salt Lake City
Both platforms hope to make the SIM the default storage for secure applications using the short-range radio standard NFC, and both are comprised of network operators who plan to charge rent of up to 50 euro cents a year for every NFC application deployed, something they can only do with huge market recognition.
Which is why there's also a video showing the simple, six-step process of paying for stuff using ISIS. But it's worth noting the emphasis, in both the video and the logo, on saving money using coupons and offers – which is where NFC thinks it can differentiate itself from cash.
ISIS isn't really a payment system: it's just a platform housed on the SIM allowing companies to develop one application and deploy it across network operators. So a bank, a railway or an airline can create an ISIS-compatible application to process payments – or ticketing or boarding passes – without having to create separate versions for each network operator.
ISIS is rolling out to a handful of US cities this year, but won't be drawn on a national launch date.
In the UK we have much the same thing in Project Oscar, which includes all the network operators except Three – which was frozen out at the launch. The Financial Times tells us that Project Oscar is currently being checked out by the EU to ensure it's not an anti-competitive cartel, which is (coincidentally) just what Three thinks it is.
A standard platform which works across all network operators isn't anti-competitive, but one which locks out the smallest player certainly puts itself at risk of being so, so it's quite possible the EU will kick Oscar back to the UK for a ruling.
The problem for NFC is, as ever, that it lacks a killer application. Everyone can come up with interesting things to do when every phone has NFC embedded, as our own Secretary of State for Transport Justine Greening has been doing lately (promising electronic ticketing for our railways), but none of those applications, including electronic payments, provide enough reason for anyone to pick up an NFC phone rather than one which lacks the short-range-radio standard.
If NFC is going to have any chance at all then it needs as much branding as possible, and that means standard platforms. National consortia are a good start, but they need to be inclusive if they're going to inspire developers to create applications to do the fun stuff NFC makes possible. ®


text:
Online or off, I'm wondering what people are up to in the wide world of D&D.
At the beginning of this academic year, my D&D group didn't reform as I had hoped, putting a stop to my previous campaign. Next year, I'll be sharing an apartment with a few players, so I'm cobbling together and fleshing out ideas for a new campaign. I'll be sending them through the lower planes this time out. In no particular order, they'll be escaping the Prison Plane, dodging hellish regiments in the Blood War, coping with a case of the Grays, and even taking a swim in the Styx.
Any other campaigns in development/progress?


text: WR Jaylen Barbour of Monroe, NC has offers from USC, East Carolina, North Carolina, Duke, West Virginia, NC State, Charlotte and Appalachian State. Several schools have been by to see Barbour this spring, including Clemson. "They just wanted to invite me down to their camp on June 6th," said Barbour. "If I can go, I will. I think we're having our Jam that day though." USC has not been by to see Barbour this spring and Barbour is unsure if they plan to visit him. "I hope they do," he joked. Thus far, his plans for the summer are to attend a camp a Duke and North Carolina's Elite camp. Barbour said Duke is his favorite among his offers and the Blue Devils have been showing him the most interest. He also likes USC, NC State, West Virginia and North Carolina.