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Women prisoners spend time with their children at
Aug 31st
"I did not sleep all night after learning from my grandmother that I was going to visit my mother at prison the next day.",bracelets
This is how 12-year-old Hanan described her feelings when she was told she was going to see her mother during a special iftar at the Jweideh Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre (JWCRC) on Wednesday.
"I miss my mother and wish that I could visit her more often," said Hanan, as she played on a swing with her sister in a special playground prepared by the JWCRC to host the inmates’ children at a Ramadan iftar.
The State Security Court convicted Hanan’s mother, Noor,cuff Links, of smuggling hashish into the country from Syria almost three months ago and she was sentenced to seven-and-a-half-years in prison.
"I was framed by my friends who used my car without my knowledge to smuggle hashish. I hope the Cassation Court will declare me innocent," the 40-year-old told The Jordan Times.
Nonetheless, she said, Wednesday was a very special day for her.
"I did not expect to have iftar with my two daughters and spend some time talking with them and watching them play on the swings’ in front of my eyes," the mother of four said.
The JWCRC organised the special iftar for half a dozen inmates,money clips, either convicted or awaiting trial, and their children.
The prison administration also distributed gifts to the inmates’ children and organised a comedy play in the dining hall shortly after iftar that was watched by over 200 cheering prisoners.
JWCRC Director Lt. Colonel Hana Afghani said the Ramadan iftar idea aimed at reuniting detained or imprisoned mothers with their children.
"This was a gesture by the prison administration to show the inmates that we really care for their well-being and that of their children," said Afghani, who has headed the JCWRC for the past 11 years.
"This activity is one of many that will help inmates’ rehabilitation and their future integration into their communities,Atlas charm bracelet," she told The Jordan Times.
The centre currently houses 262 women, but the full capacity of the premises is 450.
Fifty-year-old Shrouq expressed her gratitude for the prison administration in allowing her to see her 10-year-old son face-to-face and have an iftar meal with him.
"I could not hold back my tears when my son walked through the prison gates and ran towards me screaming ‘mom’ mom I miss you’," the mother of eight said.
Shrouq has been in prison for 10 months while on trial for murdering her neighbour, a charge she strongly denied.
Shrouq’s son Nidal said he was very happy to see his mother,tiffany, especially since he is used to seeing her only "from behind glass during the prison’s short visiting hours".
"I wish that the prison administration would organise more visits like this one so that I can see my mother in person and hug her," said Nidal.
Hagerstown Woman Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison
Aug 31st
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland issued the following news release:,necklaces
U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis sentenced Olusola Idowu, age 57, of Hagerstown, Maryland, today to 46 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for wire fraud, bankruptcy fraud, making false statements in a bankruptcy proceeding, filing a false tax return and failing to file a corporate tax return. Judge Garbis also entered an order requiring Idowu to pay restitution of $425,000.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Sparkman of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office.
"Today’s sentencing of Olusola Idowu emphasizes the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue their aggressive pursuit of those who use fraudulent methods in an attempt to corrupt our Nation’s tax system," stated Rebecca Sparkman, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge,Charm pendant, Washington DC Field Office. "Honest taxpayers have been reassured today that no one is above the law especially when the integrity of tax administration is at stake."
Idowu was the owner and president of SSS Nutrition & Dietetic Care Services (SSS Nutrition). SSS Nutrition was a health care services company specializing in the "Optifast" weight management program. According to testimony at her five day trial, between November 2003 and December 2008, Idowu made false representations to financial companies in order to obtain mortgages and loans and lied to, and concealed information from, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in relation to her Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition.
According to trial evidence, on November 7, 2003, Idowu filed a voluntary Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Petition in United States Bankruptcy Court in Maryland, then on May 17, 2004, Idowu requested the dismissal of her bankruptcy petition, which was granted by the bankruptcy court on May 18, 2004. Witnesses testified that on June 17, 2004, Idowu received a $400,000 loan from Option One Mortgage for the purchase of a residence at 11047 Sani Lane in Hagerstown, which falsely represented that her son was employed as a nutritionist at SSS Nutrition, had five years experience, earned $10,000 per month, and had $100,000 in a bank account. On that same date, evidence showed that Idowu obtained two bridge loans from Hyattsville Properties, LLC; in the amount of $85,000 and $50,000. On September 9, 2004, Idowu obtained another $14,000 loan from Hyattsville Properties, LLC and on August 26, 2005, Idowu obtained a loan for $50,000 with Hyattsville Properties, LLC.
Testimony showed that on June 29, 2004, Idowu sought and obtained an order vacating the May 18, 2004 order dismissing the bankruptcy petition. On September 30, 2004, Idowu falsely testified in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland that she filed tax returns on behalf of her business for tax years 2001through 2003 with the Internal Revenue Service,pendants, when in fact, she had not filed corporate tax returns for those years.
Evidence presented at trial showed that on January 19, 2005, Idowu obtained a $512,550 loan from Long Beach Mortgage for the refinancing of the property at 11047 Sani Lane, falsely representing on the refinancing loan documents that her son was employed as a nutritionist at SSS Nutrition,bracelets, had five years experience, earned $11,120 per month, and had $138,000 in a bank account.
According to evidence presented at trial, on June 14, 2006, Idowu filed her 2005 federal individual income tax return, falsely claiming her son as her dependent and reporting a total income of $19,000, when in fact, evidence showed that her income was substantially more than that.
United States Attorney Rosenstein thanked the Greenbelt Office of the United States Trustee Program, the Department of Justice agency that supervises bankruptcy cases and trustees, for its assistance in this investigation and prosecution.
The Maryland Mortgage Fraud Task Force was established to unify the agencies that regulate and investigate mortgage fraud and promote the early detection, identification, prevention and prosecution of mortgage fraud schemes. This case, as well as other cases brought by members of the Task Force, demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to protect consumers from fraud and promote the integrity of the credit markets. Information about mortgage fraud prosecutions is available http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/Mortgage-Fraud/index.html.
This law enforcement action is part of President Barack Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. President Obama established the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. The task force includes representatives from a broad range of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general, and state and local law enforcement who, working together, bring to bear a powerful array of criminal and civil enforcement resources. The task force is working to improve efforts across the federal executive branch,Charm bracelet, and with state and local partners, to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, combat discrimination in the lending and financial markets, and recover proceeds for victims of financial crimes.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorneys Peter M. Nothstein and Bonnie S. Greenberg, who prosecuted the case.
Op saves life of sickle cell boy
Aug 29th
A BAHRAINI teenager born with sickle cell anaemia has made a full recovery after undergoing pioneering surgery in Singapore.
Abdulhameed Sogra, 13, is now completely free of the condition and looking forward to going back to school after his sister donated bone marrow required for the procedure.
Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) consultant haematologist Dr Najat Madhi said the youngster, whose trip and procedure were funded by the Health Ministry, is one of four people to have completely recovered from the condition.
He said Abdulhameed underwent a successful transplant which resulted in full remission of his disease.
Prior to the surgery, the teenager was frequently hospitalised after suffering from severe pain.
"Four youngsters were sent over the last 18 months to the same facility in Singapore, the Children’s Haematology and Cancer Centre, ParkwayHealth, but unfortunately one of them died of complications during the treatment," said Dr Madhi.
"The other three, including Abdulhameed, have completely recovered."
Dr Madhi said two more children had been lined up to make the trip and several others were now in the process of being tested.
"We can only proceed with the process after we are satisfied a perfect bone marrow match exists," she said.
"This is generally bone marrow from a sibling.
"Very exhaustive tests are then carried out to determine full and exact compatibility so as to avoid any complications later."
Dr Madhi said the chances of complications from undergoing such surgery were very high, but fortunately the procedures had gone very well in all but one of the cases.
"Complications can, however, happen even with the most perfect match," she said.
Dr Madhi said Abdulhameed had been doing well,pendants, although he studied at home for his examinations.
"He will go to school in the new term," she said.
Abdulhameed’s father, Jalal said the family were relieved everything had gone smoothly in his son’s case.
"It’s good to see him up and about and free of pain,Atlas charm bracelet," he said.
He did not wish to discuss the case, but thanked all those involved.
"God has been kind," he added.
The number of Middle East medical tourists travelling to Singapore has witnessed average annual increases of 20 per cent from 2006 to 2008, according to figures from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
They show approximately 1,000 healthcare tourists from the region arrived in Singapore in 2008, around the same number as US medical care travellers — putting both destinations among the top markets for overall number of healthcare tourists visiting the country. STB said common procedures and treatments undertaken by visitors included live donor liver transplants, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF),bracelets, heart procedures, stem cell transplantations and cancer treatments.
"Middle East populations are realising the benefits of travelling to Singapore for a wide range of medical procedures, which has resulted in year-on-year double-digit growth in the number of regional healthcare tourists opting for Singapore,tiffany," said STB Middle East and Africa area director Jason Ong.
He said Singapore had 13 hospitals and speciality centres catering for medical travellers that have received international accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI), which certifies international standards of care.
"Middle East patients can be certain that they will receive the highest quality of treatment and follow-up care in Singapore, which has repeatedly shown to be on par with the best in the world,key rings," said Mr Ong.
"They can be certain that their cultural and religious needs are attended to with Arabic-speaking service personnel, halal food and even Arabic TV channels during their hospital stay."
mandeep@gdn.com.bh
Identify the word or phrase that best characterize
Aug 25th
A. Defiant
B. Contrite
C. Victimized
D. Elusive
2.) The Michigan House voted Tuesday to ban smoking in workplaces but to allow it on the floors of Detroit’s casinos,cuff Links, cigar bars and smoke shops. That sets up a face-off with the Senate. Why might senators not go along with the legislation passed by the House?
A. Majority Leader Mike Bishop sees it as socialistic.
B. Many senators are secret smokers — and several sniff snuff.
C. Many want a total smoking ban.
D. Some senators believe Michigan’s growing isolation as an open-smoking state is good for tourism.
3.) Ferndale resident Jesus Ruiz spent a day in quarantine recently in Shanghai,bangles, China. Why was Ruiz isolated?
A. He had Falun Gong literature in his luggage.
B. He was overheard telling a companion, "Taiwan is the real China."
C. A passenger near him on a plane was suspected — falsely, it turned out — of having H1N1 influenza.
D. Looking at the little red book of quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong, he said: "I know a guy who was wittier than Mao — Mayor Coleman Young."
4.) A Macomb citizens’ group is organizing a recall movement against 16 Democratic county commissioners. What did they do to provoke the action?
A. They signed a petition to change the name of Macomb County to Mathers County,tiffany, the surname of Eminem, because the Macomb family owned slaves in the 18th Century.
B. They asserted that Macomb would be taken more seriously if it could be more like Wayne County.
C. They supported a 0.356-mill tax increase, which will cost the average homeowner $27 a year.
D. They supported a plan to merge with neighboring Oakland County as a way to save money.
5.) After the Red Wings won the Western Conference title Wednesday, the Red Wings’ Henrik Zetterberg accepted the Campbell trophy and posed for photos with it,bracelets, but he refused to touch the fancy silver bowl. Why?
A. It’s a Swedish thing: They don’t like trophies made by non-Swedes.
B. He’s afraid of catching swine flu before the finals.
C. Superstition: He’s waiting for the big bowl named Stanley.
D. He allergic to silver.
Answers:
1) A and/or C; 2) C; 3) C; 4) C; 5) C
Newark Families Get School Clothing
Aug 14th
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey issued the following news release:
Congregation B’nai Shalom could easily have been mistaken for a department store on Sunday August 1, except for one thing: There were no cash registers.
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW),Charm bracelet, Essex County section, transformed the West Orange temple into a Back 2 School Store, where some 500 underprivileged Essex County children shopped for free, while parents and caregivers visited the Family Resource Center. There, volunteers from UMDNJ and several social service agencies provided information on community resources,cuff Links, career and educational opportunities and adult health care. Students from the School of Nursing and nurses from University Hospital (UH) performed 155 diabetes screenings and 209 blood pressure screenings, while members of New Jersey Dental School’s Community Health faculty demonstrated proper oral hygiene, explained the importance of prevention and early detection of oral cancer, and provided information on smoking cessation. A UH resident was also on hand to offer podiatry education,watches, and Children’s RESPIRA Education provided information on asthma.
Meantime, kindergarten through fifth-graders were each being escorted through the store by one of 300 volunteer "personal shoppers," who helped the child choose a complete outfit, sneakers, a winter jacket, a hat, gloves and a scarf. In addition, each student received a backpack filled with school supplies and personal hygiene items. Local merchants, Essex County NCJW members and major clothing manufacturers donated more than $100,000 worth of brand new merchandise.
One little girl was particularly excited when she received a toothbrush. She told the volunteer it was the first time she ever owned her very own toothbrush.
Contact: Rob Forman, 973/972-7276, formanra@umdnj.edu
Rob Forman,bracelets, 973/972-7276, formanra@umdnj.edu
Tickets on sale for Performing Arts Series with fi
Aug 12th
World-class performers at down-the-street prices — is it any wonder the Clover School District Auditorium Performing Arts Series is growing?
The annual performance series is now taking subscriptions and selling single-event tickets for its ninth season, which begins Sept. 9. Featured this year are everything from military jazz and ventriloquism to family magic, tribute artists and show tunes.
"It’s good," program director David Yandle said of the series, "and it’s been really good for the area."
In its first year, the series drew about 125 subscriptions, or season tickets to the shows. Last year that number grew to more than 700.
"We’re getting people from Gastonia, Lake Wylie, Tega Cay, Rock Hill," Yandle said. "We’re getting people from everywhere now."
The list of international, national and regional artists includes new and returning acts. The most expensive ticket is $15, ranging all the way down to the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors and child tickets for the Tarradiddle Players — both free.
For series technical director Rick Hamrick, choosing a favorite act from the lineup may be difficult.
"Kathy Mattea’s concerts are always great," he said of the Oct. 2 show. "We look forward to having her return this year. Alex Depue and Miguel De Hoyos will be outstanding."
Annual staples should be a big draw, Yandle said, like the tradition of bringing in a top flight military band. The Jazz Ambassadors play Oct. 16.
"We have all the military bands," Yandle said. "We’re batting a thousand on that. You can’t beat the military bands."
On March 29, a Patsy Cline tribute comes from Katie Deal. On Feb. 8, the "Iron Man of the Mask,Atlas charm bracelet," Franc D’Ambrosio, will perform from his extensive career, which included a decade as the lead in "Phantom of the Opera." For Yandle and Hamrick, the success of past series help bring in such stellar artists.
"We have continued to increase our subscriber base since our first season," Hamrick said. "The artists have commented on the size and enthusiastic response from our audiences."
The series also benefits from grants from the Southern Arts Federation and South Carolina Arts Commission, which help with artist fees, and provide Arts in Education opportunities involving artists and students. Those grants help keep the subscription cost in the 1,500-seat auditorium to $40 for nine shows.
"David and I feel that the arts series is an asset to the community, and we are fortunate to be able to present these shows with the support of the Clover School District and the community," Hamrick said.
For more information about the series or for tickets, call 803-222-8018 or visit clover2.k12.sc.us.
The shows
Lynn Trefzger, 7 p.m. Sept. 9, $15
Trefzger is a ventriloquist/comedienne with a trunk full of zany characters that have accompanied her to stages throughout the country. Her vocal illusions were first brought to national audiences on TV’s popular "Star Search." Since then she has shared the stage with artists including Jeff Foxworthy, Ray Romano, the Smothers Brothers and Drew Carey. She has appeared on ABC, TNN, A&E, VH1 and Lifetime television, along with the 2009 feature film "I’m No Dummy" with Jeff Dunham and Jay Johnson.
Kathy Mattea, 8 p.m. Oct. 2, $15
Mattea, the beloved Grammy-winning singer of such classics as "18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses" and "Where Have You Been" says her new album offered her a "re-education" in singing. That album, "COAL,pendants," is one of those rare records that is a re-education for the listener, too, a record that reshapes the way we think about music, reminding us of why we love it in the first place.
United States Army Jazz Ambassadors, 8 p.m. Oct. 16, free (ticket required)
The Jazz Ambassadors is the United States Army’s premier big band. This 19-member ensemble, formed in 1969, has received great acclaim both at home and abroad performing America’s original art form, jazz. Concerts by the Ambassadors are designed to entertain all types of audiences. Custom compositions and arrangements highlight the group’s creative talent and gifted soloists. Their diverse repertoire includes big band swing, bebop, Latin, contemporary jazz, standards, popular tunes, Dixieland, vocals and patriotic selections.
DePue & De Hoyos, 8 p.m. Nov. 16, $15
Alex Depue began taking classical violin lessons at age 5. He won his first major competition at age 10, and at 16, he won a competition that allowed him to play at Carnegie Hall. Miguel De Hoyos performed his first solo concert when he was 16. He has performed with La Guitarra Por El Mundo traveling throughout Mexico and Europe on a cultural exchange program. This duo’s music is a jaw-dropping tour de force of Latin, classic rock and show tunes.
Their new CD, "Underground Whispers." is rock ‘n’ roll on fiddle and guitar featuring "Dust In The Wind" by Kansas, "Stairway To Heaven" by Led Zeppelin, and "All I Ask Of You" from "The Phantom Of The Opera."
April Verch Band, 8 p.m. Jan. 11, $15
Ontario’s Ottawa Valley is steeped in cultural history, including a musical style and step dancing heritage influenced by the French, Irish, Scottish, Polish and German settlers of this region in Canada. Verch, a modern pioneer of this tradition, is emerging as one of the top female artists in the roots music genre. She has built a repertoire rich in original tunes influenced deeply by the treasure chest of musical jewels passed down through the generations.
Tarradiddle Players: "The Commedia Princess and the Pea," 7 p.m. Jan. 27,cuff Links, $5 (children 12 and younger free)
In this funny, fast-paced show, the Tarradiddle Players put a slapstick spin on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale. The lonely prince wants to find someone to marry, but potential princesses must first get past his mother, the Queen, and her long list of tests. Will any of them be royal enough to turn a cartwheel, sing "Happy Birthday" while hopping up and down on one leg, and feel a teeny, tiny pea under a big stack of mattresses?
Franc D’Ambrosio, 8 p.m. Feb. 8, $15
Affectionately known as "Phantom Of The Opera’s" Iron Man Of The Mask, D’Ambrosio was awarded the distinction as the "World’s Longest Running Phantom." This accomplishment was immortalized in a cemented hand ceremony and he retained this title for more than a decade. He was discovered by talent scouts from Paramount Pictures in the chorus of his first Broadway show. Francis Ford Coppola immediately cast him as Anthony Corleone, the singing son of Al Pacino in the film "Godfather III." Not only did D’Ambosio have the honor of starring in the film, he also sang the Academy Award-winning theme song,bracelets, "Speak Softly Love" (Brucia la Terra).
Family Night XII: "The Magic of John Tudor," 7 p.m. March 15, $3 ($8 for whole family)
"The Magic of John Tudor" has been enjoyed across North America by theater audiences, Fortune 500 companies, conference attendees and thousands of school students since 1987. Tudor’s shows are a "magical journey," an energetic mix of imaginative stories and state-of-the-art magic. His original magical pieces are theatrical; from fairy tale romance to struggles with cosmic forces, pulling the heart strings and touching the funny bone.
A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, 8 p.m. March 29, $15
America’s favorite Patsy Cline tribute star, Katie Deal, is backed by a band of singers and musicians. She interacts throughout the show with Little Big Man, a disc jockey from her hometown in Winchester, Va., as well as outrageous standup comics who do warm-up acts for her concerts and radio shows. This happy, loving tribute to country music’s most endearing superstar features 21 of Cline’s greatest hits including "Sweet Dreams," "Walkin’ After Midnight," "I Fall To Pieces," "Crazy," "She’s Got You," "Seven Lonely Days," and the title song, "A Closer Walk With Thee."
TICKETS ON SALE FOR SEETHER, DEFAULT CONCERT PRESE
Aug 12th
Cameron University issued the following news release:
Tickets are now on sale for a special concert presented by Fort Sill and Cameron University and featuring Seether and Default, with special guest Fatback Circus, on Saturday, Aug.28 at Cameron Stadium. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.; the show starts at 6 p.m. The concert will end with a gala fireworks display. Tickets are $10 for Cameron students and Active Duty Military, $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Tickets can be purchased in Lawton on the Cameron campus at the One Stop in the McMahon Centennial Complex, at Adventure Travel, and at Fort Sill at Family and MWR Headquarters Building 4700. In Duncan, tickets are available at CU-Duncan. Tickets are also available by phone at (800) 999-2987 and online at www.sillmwr.com.
Since the 2002 release of Disclaimer, its U.
S. debut, South Africa-bred, L.
A.-based hard rock band Seether has captured the attention of music fans across the globe with epic riffs, thunderous rhythms and conscience-invading choruses. The album was certified gold on the strength of radio favorites like "Fine Again" and "Gasoline," and a reworked version of that album (known as Disclaimer II) went platinum when a new rendition of the ballad "Broken" became a Top 20 pop hit.
Seether’s success carried forward with 2005′s Karma and Effect, which debuted at number eight, going platinum and boasting hits like "Truth," "The Gift" and "Remedy," which topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart for eight consecutive weeks. The band’s latest lp, Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces, has been called their most direct and focused record yet,bracelets, and resulted in their first South African Music Award in the category Best Rock: English.
Canadian band Default debuted in 2001 with The Fallout,Bead bracelet, a platinum album that boasted strong singles including "Deny," "Count On Me" and "Wasting My Time." The group took home a Juno Award (the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy) for Best New Group in 2002. Their subsequent albums, 2003′s Elocation and 2005′s One Thing Remains, continued to refine the melodic rock sound of their debut. Their latest album, Comes and Goes, features "All Over Me," an uptempo celebration of (one-sided) true love, and "Little Too Late," an epic ballad.
Based in Austin, TX, Fatback Circus had earned a reputation for open-ended originality and distinctive songwriting since their 2002 debut album, Radio Arcadia. The band’s avant-garde style allows them to indulge in any classification of music, including funk,Charm pendant, singer/songwriter, bluegrass and heavy metal. The 2006 release of The Elephant King garnered new fans, and their 2009 release, Dark World, was hailed for delivering fury and finesse in equally impressive measures.
This is an alcohol-free event. All cameras and recording devices are strictly prohibited. Oversized bags, backpacks, duffle bags, coolers, folding chairs, drinks, cans and bottles will not be permitted. Safety checks of allowable carry-in baggage or cases, such as handbags, purses, or any like container, will be conducted by trained security officers. The officers will check for any unacceptable items, such as cans, bottles, illegal drugs, alcohol, weapons, fireworks, signs on poles,Beads necklace, and noisemakers.
The concert is sponsored by Z94, Magic 95, USA Discounters, and the Fort Sill Federal Credit Union. This is an Army Community Covenant initiative. For more information, call (580) 250-4040. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
First Lady’s Spain Vacation Draws Criticism
Aug 11th
There is nothing like a little Mediterranean beach vacation to unwind. Unless you happen to travel with dozens of Secret Service agents, trailed by photographers and dogged by controversy.
Michelle Obama hoped to enjoy a quiet summer break in southern Spain with her younger daughter and a few friends. But the Andalusian getaway has gotten away from her as the European media document her every flamenco dance step and critics back home question the wisdom of such a lavish vacation, which involves at least some taxpayer money,bracelets, in a time of austerity.
As Mrs. Obama and her entourage toured the picturesque southern city of Ronda on Saturday, the blogosphere has been filled with commentary about what many saw as a tone-deaf trip in the same week the United States reported the loss of 131,000 more jobs. "A modern-day Marie Antoinette," scolded a New York Daily News columnist.
The White House was reluctant to discuss Mrs. Obama’s trip. The only official comment came from Robert Gibbs,Beads necklace, the White House press secretary, at a briefing last week when he said that Mrs. Obama "is a private citizen and is the mother of a daughter on a private trip. And I think I’d leave it at that."
Privately, officials note that the first lady is paying for her own room, food and transportation, and the friends she brought will pay for theirs as well. The government pays for security, and the Secret Service, not the first lady, determines what is needed.
Officials said some reports of the trip had been exaggerated. Mrs. Obama is not traveling with 40 friends,cuff Links, one official said, but with two friends and four of their daughters, as well as a couple of aides and a couple of advance staff members. The staff is with her because she will pay a courtesy call on King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia on the island of Majorca on Sunday before flying home to Washington.
Every first lady in modern times has flown on government planes with a sizable security detail, and it is hard to pinpoint the cost to taxpayers. The Air Force jet she flew costs $11,351 per hour to operate, according to several reports, meaning a 14-hour round trip would cost nearly $160,000. The first lady would reimburse only the equivalent of first-class commercial tickets for herself and her daughter Sasha,Bead bracelet, the rest of the seats being occupied mainly by Secret Service. Officials said their friends flew on separate commercial flights.
Laura Bush took vacations without her husband each year of George W. Bush’s presidency, traveling with her Secret Service detail on a government plane to meet friends for camping in national parks. But that never generated as much furor, in part because vacationing in the United States is not as politically delicate for American leaders and their families as doing so in foreign countries.
The Obama family traveled to Acadia National Park in Maine in July and plans to spend time in the Gulf of Mexico and on Martha’s Vineyard this month.
"It’s always very difficult to lead a private life when you’re a public person," said Anita McBride, who was Mrs. Bush’s chief of staff. "No one would deny any of our hard-working public officials an opportunity for a vacation. Everybody needs that. But I think the more expensive or lavish a trip might be perceived, the more criticism you invite."
While some Americans frown, the Spanish eagerly welcomed the Obama group, seeing it as a boost for a tourism sector severely hit by the country’s economic downturn. Since her landing at Malaga’s airport on Wednesday, Spanish media have covered the first lady’s trip almost minute by minute, from a tour of the Alhambra palace to a stop at an ice cream shop.
Their Andalusian stay was to end Saturday night with a charity dinner organized and attended by celebrities like Eva Longoria Parker and Antonio Banderas.
Mrs. Obama and friends have been staying at the five-star Hotel Villa Padierna near Marbella, where at least 30 rooms were reserved for the entourage, including those for security. The hotel is one of Spain’s more luxurious establishments, with rooms ranging from $500-a-night to a $6,600 suite with 24-hour butler service.
The Spanish excitement grew so much that the media reported one study claiming the publicity from her visit would be worth $1 billion for a country. The attention has gotten so intense that the Spanish newspaper El Pais chastised local authorities for showing a "puerile enthusiasm" for the visit.
Credit: PETER BAKER and RAPHAEL MINDER; Peter Baker reported from Washington, and Raphael Minder from Madrid.
Platinum jewellery demand to rocket in China
Jan 25th
Demand for platinum jewellery in China will double to record levels this year, according to Johnson Matthey, the precious metals refiner, which released its latest review of the platinum and palladium markets on Tuesday.
Lower platinum prices have reignited buying interest in China’s jewellery sector with net tiffany demand forecast to rise 106 per cent to 1.75m ounces this year as wholesalers restocked and attractive profit margins drew new retailers into the market.
Johnson Matthey said restocking had driven a “dizzying increase” in jewellery production in China as the price differential between gold and platinum had helped platinum jewellery to recapture market share from white gold jewellery.
Record Chinese demand will help global platinum jewellery demand rise almost 80 per cent to 2.45m ounces this year, the first annual increase since 2002.
The strength of China’s platinum jewellery market has acted as a vital counterweight to weakness in the other key sectors for platinum demand in industrial applications such as glass making and the automotive sector.
The slump in car sales before governments in the US and Europe introduced their “cash for clunkers” incentives schemes means gross demand for platinum from the global automotive sector will fall 33 per cent to 2.48m ounces this year to its lowest level since 2000. Platinum is a key ingredient in autocatalysts in the diesel vehicles that dominate car sales in Europe.
Companies that operate fleets of vehicles of vehicles have delayed restocking and this has hurt demand for bracelets from the automotive sector which in Europe is forecast to drop 45.7 per cent to 1.07m ounces this year.
Johnson Matthey said it expected vehicle sales to be higher in 2010 than this year and that autocatalyst demand was returning but cautioned that the impact of the ending of car scrappage schemes was difficult to forecast.
Net global platinum demand was forecast to fall 4.4 per cent to 5.92m ounces this year while worldwide supplies were predicted to rise 1.9 per cent to 6.06m ounces, suggesting a supply surplus of 140,000 ounces in 2009.
Johnson Matthey said it expected platinum prices to trade between a low of $1,280 a troy ounce and a high of $1,550 over the next six months, depending on whether support continued from strength in the gold price, dollar weakness and investor interest.
Holdings in platinum exchange-traded funds currently stand at record levels and Johnson Matthey said it expected investors to buy 355,000 ounces of platinum for ETFs this year.
Overall investment demand was predicted to increase 630,000 ounces helped by Japanese investors buying platinum bars and a rise in North American demand for coins and small bars.
Looking forward, Johnson Matthey said it expected jewellery demand to soften next year as this year’s stockbuilding in China was unlikely to be repeated in 2010.
“Platinum has been successful in capturing market share from white gold, suggesting demand should continue to remain healthy over the coming year, ” said David Jollie, analyst at Johson Matthey.
Although platinum supplies are expected to grow in 2010, helped by production from newer mining operations in South cufflinks and Zimbabwe, Johnson Matthey said the market could move into a modest supply deficit next year as the global economy improved.
Palladium prices should be expected to trade between $290 and $390 a troy ounce over the next six months, helped by continuing investor interest and a recovery in vehicle production.
Net global palladium demand was forecast to fall 3.8 per cent to 6.52m ounces this year while worldwide supplies were predicted to decline 1.8 per cent to 7.18m ounces, suggesting a supply surplus of 140,000 ounces in 2009.
A key uncertainty which bedevils the palladium market is the size of sales from Russia’s state stocks which Johnson Matthey said it expected to remain unchanged at 960,000 ounces this year. Without these Russian sales, the palladium market would be in a supply deficit.
“Investors seem aware of the imbalance between demand and current mine production and are bullish for the palladium price over the longer term” said Mr Jollie.
Holdings in palladium exchange traded funds currently stand at record levels and Johnson Matthey said it expected investors to buy 540,000 ounces of platinum for ETFs this year, a significant rise on the 370,000 ounces purchased in 2008.
Demand for palladium coins and small bars looks set to almost double this year to 95,000 ounces, making a significant contribution to the overall increase in investment demand of 215,000 ounces in 2009.
Palladium’s jewellery market is expected to see demand rise across every region this year with global demand money clips to rise 7.6 per cent to 920,00 ounces this year.
In China, the availability of palladium jewellery varies widely between regions – and even between cities within one province – suggesting that retailers are not universally convinced about the appeal to consumers. China’s palladium jewellery market is expected to see demand rise 4.6 per cent to 680,000 ounces this year.
The fall in demand for palladium from the automotive sector has been much less violent than for platinum. Worldwide gross demand for palladium from automakers is forecast to fall 12.7 per cent to 3.90m ounces this year, the lowest since 2005.
In North America, automotive demand for palladium is predicted to drop 27.5 per cent to 935,00 ounces this year while European automotive demand is forecast to shrink 2 per cent to 985,000 ounces.
European automotive demand for palladium has been boosted by the introduction of the metal into platinum based catalysts. Over half of the catalysts fitted to diesel vehicles now contain palladium, on average 20 per cent, as well as platinum.
Platinum traded at $1,434 a troy ounce on Wednesday, up 55 per cent this year, while palladium was at $365 an ounce, gaining almost 98 per cent in 2009.
Northside Baptist Christmas pageant tickets available Monday
Nov 30th
Tickets will be available beginning at 8:30 a.m. silver jewellery Monday.
The pageant will run Dec. 7-13 with performances at 6:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
For more information contact Northside Baptist Church at 361-578-1568.
Chur
Northside Baptist Church’s annual Christmas pageant, known for its rings elaborate scenery and live animals, is turning 25.
“Silver Bells” is the theme for this year’s pageant, which tells the story of Jesus and will include modern-day holiday song and dance scenes.
“It’s what Christmas is all about,” said Sylvia Manning, who does publicity for the event. “It’s the birth, death and resurrection of Christ and friendship and fellowship and love.”
Manning said the event is suitable for all ages and anticipates available tickets to bracelets quickly run out. Although the project involves nearly 500 church members and is expensive to produce, tickets are free.
“It’s presented as a Christmas gift to Victoria,” Manning said.
More than 9,000 people attended the pageant last year, and similar crowds are expected for the 11 presentations scheduled for this season.
Tickets will be available beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday. The pageant will run Dec. 7-13 with performances cufflinks at 6:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. For more information contact Northside Baptist Church at 361-578-1568.