Rock N Roll As An Educational Tool: How To Use It In The Classroom}

Submitted by: Vince Welsh

Did you know that rock n roll music could be used as a teaching and learning tool? Rock n roll is more than just music. It has educational value as well. Educators, teachers, and school administrators could all use rock n roll music as a way to reach students and make learning more fun, interactive, and memorable. Rock music can even be used very effectively as a tool in whole brain learning and multicultural learning.

Perhaps the most exciting part about rock n roll music in the classroom is that it can be used as both a learning tool as well as a teaching tool. Both uses are effective for teachers and students alike. After understanding how and why rock music can be used for education the next question becomes how to go about incorporating it into the classroom. For example, one of the functions of whole brain learning is to build self-confidence in the classroom and to help students learn to their full potential. Rock n roll music can help with both.

Another way that rock n roll can be used in education is through historical rock documentaries where teachers can incorporate relevant elements of rock history into their lesson plans. Because rock documentaries involve storytelling and history, students will learn about American history and culture while remaining interested and focused. Rock n roll is undoubtedly an important part of cultural history, especially when discussing the developments of the 20th century. For example, even the story of rock n roll music can teach important lessons, The story of rock n roll holds many important lessons about the major events and developments in American culture over the past 60 years. This can go very well with whole brain learning by helping students think creatively as well.

Rock music can also be used in multicultural learning environments. For example, teachers can help implement multicultural learning by using rock n roll as a unifying medium. To help put multicultural learning into action teachers can use music as a great universal language that everybody can understand and relate to. It unites all different people from various backgrounds and can help students from different cultures work and interact together. Some of the topics covered in rock n roll documentaries for example could cover relatable topics such as history, business, politics and the arts. Rock documentaries would be especially helpful in multicultural learning for those who teach students who have English as a second language because it is a form of storytelling.

Overall, its important to remember that everybody can benefit from this type of education. Teachers can use rock n roll music to learn how to communicate with students better and how to make their lesson plans more exciting. Whether or not the teacher is communicating with non-English speaking students or is just simply trying to reach unmotivated students, rock n roll music reaches everybody. It involves creativity, history, and storytelling. Rock n roll can help both teachers and students enjoy education.

About the Author: Vince Welsh is CEO of Teacher Education Institute. TEI offers rigorous, graduate-level professional development courses for K-12 classroom teachers. For more about TEI,

whole brain learning

,

multicultural learning

visit http://www.teachereducation.com

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SEPTA buys rail cars from NJ Transit to deal with crowding

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

As gas prices have risen in the United States, the regional transport authority for southeastern Pennsylvania, SEPTA, has seen a sharp increase in ridership, which has caused overcrowding on the trains.

“As fuel prices have continued to rise, SEPTA ridership has steadily increased and is the highest in 18 years,” said SEPTA General Manager Joseph Casey. Monthly ridership was 22 percent higher last month than a year ago.

“They have crushed loads on their rail lines, already where people are standing, and there’s not enough seats,” said Rich Bickel, the director of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

“At peak times some railcars are standing room only and commuter parking lots are nearly full. All Regional Rail lines are running near full capacity and the train station parking lots are at about 90 percent capacity or more,” SEPTA spokesperson Felipe Suarez said.

While SEPTA awaits new Silverliner V trains from Hyundai Rotem, which begin arriving in 2009, it had hoped to lease eight rail cars from New Jersey Transit, at an agreed-upon rate of US$10,000 per month. However, due to problems with insurance and liability indemnification, the deal fell through, according to Casey.

SEPTA has entered a new agreement to purchase the eight rail cars from NJ Transit. The transit authority will pay US$670,000 for the cars and assorted supplies plus one additional inoperative car which will be used for spare parts. The rail cars will be operated using a SEPTA provided locomotive as they are not self-propelled.

The cars are being disposed of by NJ Transit because it has switched from single-floor cars to double-decker cars.

SEPTA is expecting to raise US$3.1 million by selling rail that has been out of service since 1981 at auction.

Serial killer suspected loose in New York, more bodies found

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Police in Suffolk County, New York suspect that a serial killer may be on the loose in the area, following the discovery of eight bodies on beaches near the New York City area since December 2010. The latest discovery of three corpses was made by investigators on Gilgo Beach, which is a barrier island south of Long Island about 45 miles (70 kilometres) east of New York. The corpses were located in an area of “dense brush”.

Four of the eight bodies located so far along a highway near the beach have been identified as prostitutes who had arranged meetings with clients via the internet, over services such as Craigslist; victim number five, whose body was found last week, has not yet been formally identified. Police forensics officers took a month to discover who the first four victims were, using dental records and DNA sampling.

Police are remaining cautious over the latest batch of three, saying that they have yet to officially connect this find with the previous five corpses.

According to Suffolk County’s Police Commissioner, Richard Dormer, the latest three sets of remains were found by officers on foot and via an air search as they scoured tick-infested underbrush and evergreens. The remains of the new victims were found about 500 metres apart.

During the investigations, police have also been focusing on the disappearance of a prostitute from New Jersey, Shannan Gilbert. She was last seen in the Oak Beach, New York area in May 2010, where she had arranged to meet a client. A witness in a gated community claims that a woman he suspects to be Gilbert came to the door of his house around 4.45pm on May 1 last year, begging for help. She fled when he tried to call the police.

DNA testing however, has determined that the fifth body is not Gilbert’s.

A thorough search is continuing in the area, Commissioner Dormer said, using all available methods ranging from cadaver dogs, police academy cadets and detectives through to volunteer firefighters.

Sunflower oil saves at-risk newborns from infection

Saturday, March 5, 2005 Simply massaging low birth weight babies with sunflower seed oil can protect them from potentially fatal infections.

Infections and complications from preterm birth cause more than half of all neonatal deaths, and very low birth weight babies are particularly vulnerable.

Preterm babies have immature skin that lacks a protective film called vernix that has antimicrobial properties.

In some countries, such as India, newborns are routinely massaged with mustard oil.

But mustard oil, says Gary Darmstadt of John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, can delay recovery of the skin barrier and have a toxic effect on skin.

Seeking an alternative low-cost product, Darmstadt and colleagues experimented with sunflower oil and an ointment called Aquaphor that comprises petrolatum, mineral oil, mineral wax and lanolin.

The researchers tested the treatments on 497 newborns (72 hours old or less) and preterm babies (less than 33 weeks gestation) between 1998 and 2003 in Bangladesh.

They applied the treatments to the entire body besides the scalp and face three times daily for the first 14 days and then twice daily until discharge.

Babies treated with sunflower oil were found 41% less likely to develop infections than controls.

“Evidence is emerging that the skin is much more important as a barrier to infection than previously recognized, particularly in preterm infants whose skin is underdeveloped,” says Darmstadt. “The good news is that treatment is available to strengthen the function of the skin as a barrier in these vulnerable newborns.”

Prince William marries Kate Middleton—live updates

Friday, April 29, 2011

Prince William of Wales, the second in line to the British throne, and Kate Middleton will today be married at Westminster Abbey in London. Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of the city as the couple travel through the capital to the Abbey, and then back to Buckingham Palace, and millions are thought to be planning to watch the event on television around the world. Wikinews will be following the royal wedding as it happens on this live blog; you will be able to contact us with your thoughts throughout the day on the comments page, on our Twitter page, or on Facebook.

Update: 6:25 A.M. (UTC)
Good morning and welcome to live updates of the royal wedding of Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton. Wikinews will be following the events throughout the day and you can contact us with your opinions as the wedding progresses either on our website, or on Twitter or Facebook. The wedding service will begin later this morning, and William and Kate's family will be in attendance at the Abbey. After the service the royal couple will travel to Buckingham Palace for the wedding reception, and the bride, groom, and both their families including Elizabeth II, will appear on the balcony.
600,000 people are expected to be in London today to celebrate the marriage, and it is thought many millions will watch it around the world on television. Several hundred people have been camping along the route the couple will take in a hope of seeing the newlyweds. 1,900 people have been invited to attend the ceremony inside the Abbey, including 50 foreign state heads. Kate yesterday took part in a final rehearsal with the best man, Prince Harry, and the pageboys and bridesmaids, yesterday, which William did not attend. William and Kate last night said in a message in the wedding programme that they had been “incredibly moved” by the support for their marriage. The message said,
“We are both so delighted that you are able to join us in celebrating what we hope will be one of the happiest days of our lives. The affection shown to us by so many people during our engagement has been incredibly moving, and has touched us both deeply. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone most sincerely for their kindness.”
Rail companies have said they expect 400,000 people to travel to the capital by train this morning, but insist they will be able to handle the significantly increased passenger numbers. Thousands of international journalists have also come to London, and will be reporting from specially constructed news studios around the capital. Police officials at Scotland Yard raided numerous properties—occupied, it was reported, by squatters—yesterday because of the wedding, but MPs seized on the raids as “disproportionate”. The weather in London is expected to begin as cloudy and dry, and brighten throughout the morning. Forecasters have warned of a 30 percent risk of rain at the time when William and Kate leave the Abbey after the ceremony, and an even greater risk of heavy showers towards the end of the day.
Update: 6:40 A.M. (UTC)
One of the biggest questions around the Abbey right now is what dress Kate will be wearing. It'll only be revealed when she leaves her hotel near Buckingham Palace later this morning—9:51 UTC to be precise—but there have already been some interesting developments. British newspaper The Telegraph has reports that a woman, disguised by a large headpiece, jumped out of her car and into the hotel yesterday evening—their are suspicions she might be the designer. She was apparently wearing several clothes favoured by Sarah Burton, the late Alexander McQueen's creative director. During the ceremony, Kate will pledge to "love, comfort, honour and keep" her husband, but not to "obey" him.
Counterterrorism police are reportedly now carrying out their final checks before the festivities get underway. Three people were arrested in Brockley, London, last night over allegations they were planning to behead effigies on the streets of London today. A guillotine was allegedly seized in a raid; the suspects remain in custody this morning. The Metropolitan Police said they had been detained on “suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance and breach of the peace”. A spokesperson for the force said they were believed to be “planning to attend the royal wedding.”
Update: 7:10 A.M. (UTC)
We're just getting some breaking news from Buckingham Palace. After the wedding, William will be given the titles Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus; Kate will become the Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn and Baroness Carrickfergus.
Update: 7:50 A.M. (UTC)
Crowds are continuing to gather in London as the guests begin to arrive at the Abbey, and television images are now coming from inside the building in Westminister for the first time since it was transformed for the wedding. A red carpet now runs from the entrance to the alter and it is lined with field maple trees—it is understood Kate wanted to link the service with nature.
For a bit of background, here’s the story so far. William was educated at Eton, and Kate at Marlborough College, during which time Princess Diana—William’s mother—was killed in a car crash in Paris, while William was aged 15. The couple met at University of St Andrews, and moved in with each other in a flat on a quiet street. In 2004, the pair were pictured skiing in Switzerland, before their first kiss in public two years later. But in 2007, the couple split—William began training as an Army officer and it was thought the pressures of royal life began to strain the pair. “It’s a surprise, because it had seemed very stable and very steady,” BBC journalist Nicholas Witchell reported at the time. But several months later, they were back together again.
Last year, William was posted as a search and rescue helicopter pilot in Anglesey, Wales, and Kate joined him on the island, before their engagement was announced in November. “We are both very, very happy,” William said, and Middleton said marriage into the Royal Family was a “daunting prospect,” but, she added, “hopefully I’ll take it in my stride.” And today, they are to be married. The preparations have been continuing for weeks, and the armed forces have been practicing maneuvers they will be performing on London’s streets this morning, as is shown in the images below.
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The armed forces prepare for the royal wedding in London.Image: John Pannell.

The armed forces prepare for the royal wedding in London.Image: John Pannell.

The armed forces prepare for the royal wedding in London.Image: John Pannell.
Update: 9:00 A.M. (UTC)
1,900 guests will be in the Abbey for the ceremony today, including Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha Cameron, along with other senior British politicians including William Hague, Nick Clegg, and George Osborne. The opposition leader Ed Miliband has also been invited. Senior defence officials, representatives from 50 countries—including Denmark, Greece, Malaysia, Spain, Abu Dhabi, Australia and New Zealand—have also been invited. Celebrities including David Beckham and Victoria Beckham, Rowan Atkinson, Ian Thorpe and Gareth Thomas, will also be in attendance.
But not all those who were invited are going to be attending the wedding. The Syrian ambassador’s invitation was withdrawn this week as the government in the country continues to crack down on a popular uprising, and many protesters are reported to have been killed by official forces. Sami Khiyami said he was “embarrassed” by the decision but understood it. He said the withdrawal of the invite would not damage relations between Britain and Syria. “I find it a bit embarrassing but I don’t consider it a matter that would jeopardise any ongoing relations and discussions with the British government,” he said. “If it wasn’t for the importance of the event I wouldn’t have thought of it.”
The Bahraini crown prince voluntarily declined his invitation to the wedding earlier this week amid criticism over the government’s crackdown on protesters in the country. Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa said he had reached his “considered decision” with “deep regret”. Human rights groups had demanded he not attend the event after government forces killed scores of demonstrators. “The invitations are a massive misjudgement by the monarch,” one human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, said. “They show the Queen is out of touch with the humanitarian values of modern, liberal Britain. She’s putting royalty before human rights. The guest list displays a shocking insensitivity to the suffering of people who have been persecuted.”
Update: 9:30 A.M. (UTC)
William, accompanied by Prince Harry, has arrived at Westminster Abbey flanked by police guards. They were driven from Clarence House to the Abbey in Westminster to cheers from the crowds lining the route, many of whom were waving the Union Flag. William, dressed in the red uniform of Colonel in the Irish Guards arrived at the venue for the ceremony to the tolling of the bells in celebration. The Middleton family—not including the bride—are now on their way to the Abbey in a car escorted by a police motorcycle guard. Carole Middleton, the bride's mother, is reported to be wearing a sky blue dress designed by Catherine Walker. Members of the royal family are now travelling from Buckingham Palace in minivans, which are now heading up the Pall Mall towards the Abbey.
Update: 9:50 A.M. (UTC)
Elizabeth II, dressed in yellow, is now being driven to the Abbey to cheers from the crowds lining the streets. Kate Middleton is expected to leave her hotel in London in a few minutes. In some news just coming through the wires, Wikinews understands a suspicious vehicle has been found near the hotel where Kate is preparing for the wedding. Hundreds of members of the public were evacuated from the area and the road was closed. One police officer said: "We think the car might contain a bomb". We'll have more on this as we get it.
Update: 10:07 A.M. (UTC)
Kate Middleton has arrived at Westminster Abbey in a dress which we are now able to confirm was designed by Sarah Burton. She is now walking down the aisle, hand-in-hand with her father, followed closely by the bridesmaids and pageboys. William and Harry are stood at the front.
Update: 10:20 A.M. (UTC)
William and Kate are now saying their wedding vows. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, asked if anyone knew of any lawful reason why they should not be married, and there was silence. Kate lifted her wedding veil as she reached the altar; according to one report William told her: "You look beautiful."
Update: 10:23 A.M. (UTC)
The Archbishop pronounces them man and wife.
Update: 10:33 A.M. (UTC)
The choir is now singing a piece composed especially for this wedding by John Rutter. Kate's brother, James Middleton, has just given a reading in a clear, strong voice. "Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly," he read. During the reading William and Kate continued to smile at one and other.
Update: 10:53 A.M. (UTC)
The ceremony is continuing, and the congregation are now singing "Jerusalem". After an address from the Bishop of London, the choir sung a piece by Paul Mealor, who has said the piece was inspired by "the sixth century Christian hymn that was normally sung at the service for the washing of the feet on Maundy Thursday." They then read the Lord's prayer.
Update: 11:10 A.M. (UTC)
Having signed the legal documents which confirm their marriage, the couple walk up the aisle, hand-in-hand, and outside to the open-topped carriage which will take them to Buckingham Palace.
Update: 11:17 A.M. (UTC)
Escorted by members of the household cavalry, the newlyweds travel through the streets of London on the 1902 State Landau. The crowds cheer a and wave the Union Flag as the couple pass down Whitehall. Despite fears, the rain appears to have held off and the day remains sunny.
Update: 11:29 A.M. (UTC)
William and Kate have arrived at Buckingham Palace where they will have official photographs taken before they emerge onto the balcony in approximately one hour.
Update: 11:44 A.M. (UTC)
A journalist who was inside the Abbey as the wedding took place has described the service as "very joyous". He said,
“It went extremely well, lots of colour and scarlet uniforms and a spirited service from the Bishop of London. The thing that struck me was the change in the life of Kate Middleton and her parents. Some of her expressions during the services seem to show she knew this, the nervousness. There was a great sense of relief afterwards.”
Update: 12:23 P.M. (UTC)
Thousands of people are now heading down the Pall Mall for Buckingham Palace, where Kate and William will emerge onto the balcony in about five minutes.
Update: 12:28 P.M. (UTC)
William and Kate step onto the famous balcony for the first time as a married couple to a crowd of thousands—and make the famous kiss. They are followed by Elizabeth II, and other members of the royal family and the Middleton family, onto the balcony. Down below, the onlookers wave Union Flags and cheer the newlyweds.
Update: 12:49 P.M. (UTC)
A Lancaster bomber, flanked by a Hawker Hurricane and a Supermarine Spitfire, have flown over Buckingham Palace in a tribute to the Battle of Britain. They were quickly followed by two Eurofighter Typhoon fighters and two Panavia Tornado.
Update: 01:02 P.M. (UTC)
Kate's dress was one of the most anticipated parts of the wedding, and everyone watching was kept in the dark until the last minute. As she stepped from the car and into the Abbey, it was announced that the designer was Sarah Burton, who worked as the creative director for the late Alexander McQueen. In a statement this afternoon, she said,
“It has been the experience of a lifetime to work with Catherine Middleton to create her wedding dress, and I have enjoyed every moment of it. It was such an incredible honour to be asked, and I am so proud of what we and the Alexander McQueen team have created. I am delighted that the dress represents the best of British craftsmanship.”
Burton had continuously denied that she was the dress designer—until today. It was made at Hampton Court, and as Kate travelled from her hotel to the Abbey, the dress attracted much criticism, and it has already been praised by fashion designers. Burton added:
“Catherine looked absolutely stunning today, and the team at Alexander McQueen are very proud of what we have created. The dress was just one component of a spectacular day, and I do not think it is appropriate to comment any further beyond saying that I personally am very grateful and honoured to have been given the opportunity to work on this project.”
Update: 01:30 P.M. (UTC)
Elizabeth II is now hosting a lunch reception at Buckingham Palace, where 10,000 canapes will be served alongside the wedding cake—which has been kept just as secret as the dress. It has now emerged it is made up of 17 individual fruit cakes, which form eight tiers. Decorated with white icing and cream, it boasts more than 900 individually iced flowers. Guests have also begun to describe the wedding. "Like everybody in England I wish them all the very best," said George Tupou V, the king of Tonga, who was in the Abbey during the ceremony. "I think this wedding marks a page in England's ancient and distinguished history. It's a glorious day for England, I think."
Update: 02:07 P.M. (UTC)
We now have a bit more on that bomb threat near the hotel where Kate was staying. Police initially cordoned off an area near the hotel after finding a suspicious vehicle, and a hundreds of people—from members of the public to journalists and photographers—were evacuated. "Clear the area immediately for your own safety," police officers shouted at the crowd. Two minutes after the area was cordoned off the dog squad arrived. One police source confirmed there were fears the vehicle, a blue Volkswagen estate, was a car bomb. Ten minutes later, officers removed the blockades, and allowed people back into the area. There's been no word yet from the Metropolitan Police as to what happened, and whether the car posed any threat to the public. We'll bring you any official statement as soon as we get it.
Paddy Harverson, the official spokesperson for the royal couple, has said that although the two will appear in public over the next few months, Kate will need to adjust to life in the family. “Prince William is taking the lead on this and he has said that he wants Catherine to be given the time and space to grow into the role,” he said. Meanwhile, the mood seems to be dampening on the Pall Mall—which, it turns out—might not have been the best place to see the kiss on the balcony. Much of the crowd appears to blame it on police crowd control tactics, who put up barriers in poorly chosen locations. “We might as well see it in a pub,” said one woman. “We’ll just have to imbibe the atmosphere.”
Update: 03:00 P.M. (UTC)
William and Kate have left Buckingham Palace in an old Aston Martin, with the numberplate JU5T WED. William—is unexpectedly driving himself and his new wife—with no security staff in the vehicle. As the car left the gates for Clarence House, just down the road, a Royal Air Force Sea King helicopter—similar to the aircraft William flies as his job as a search and rescue pilot—flew overhead. The Metropolitan Police are now estimating as many as one million people were in London today to see the wedding procession.
Update: 03:29 P.M. (UTC)
There's been some intense debate on the comments page over why the wedding should be such a major event. One reader said they would "never understand the world's obsession with these affairs" when armed forces servicemen and servicewomen were "dying around the globe, and we are all swooning over some tart's dress." One commenter said British taxpayers should not be forced to pay for the "lavish" event:
“Hundreds of thousands of people flocking to London today? That should help prop up the British economy… maybe that would offset the costs of such an unnecessarily lavish event?”
Another reader said the coverage had gone too far. “Don’t get me wrong,” they said, “I understand that the wedding of any head-of-state (or equivalent) will make the news, but this week long non-stop coverage is simply insane.” If you have something to say about the wedding, please do get in touch and join the debate on the comments page, or on our Twitter page or Facebook.
Update: 04:04 P.M. (UTC)
David Cameron, the Prime Minister, has given his thoughts on the ceremony, which he attended with his wife Samantha. Singing the hymn "Jerusalem", he said, it felt like "the roof was going to lift off—there's no greater country and better place to be than right here, right now". He added, "Although it was a grand occasion, that was a family wedding moment. It was incredibly intimate and moving."
Update: 04:26 P.M. (UTC)
A man was detained earlier under the terrorism act today and then later released without charge after being spotted by police taking what one report described as "suspicious photographs" on Whitehall. It is understood he was taking photographs of police officers and transport locations, and was subsequently arrested. Two horses of the cavalry also went awry today after their riders fell off. Although one of the horses returned to its trailer at the cavalry base, the other ran wild before being stopped by a police officer. Meanwhile, we've managed to get a photograph of William and Kate standing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, flanked by the royal family on the right and Kate's family on the left.
Update: 05:45 P.M. (UTC)
Approximately 300 close family and friends of the newlywed royal couple will be arriving at Buckingham Palace later this evening for a private party. For the members of the public partying and celebrating across the country, they can keep on going for three days because Monday is the May day bank holiday. Meanwhile, a verger has been caught cartwheeling down the aisle at Westminster Abbey after the guests had left; a spokesperson for the Abbey told reporters he would not be getting into any trouble, and said he "was very pleased the service had gone according to plan, and was expressing his exuberance".
That’s it for our coverage of the celebrations today. Thanks to all those who joined the debate on our comments page; it looks like the debate over monarchic societies may continue for a while yet. To all those who followed our coverage today, we also thank you. Goodnight.

Wikinews interviews Goronwy Price about the upcoming by-election in the Bradfield electorate of the Australian parliament

Thursday, December 3, 2009

With two federal by-elections coming up in Australia, many minor parties and independents will be looking to gain a seat in the House of Representatives. Goronwy Price is a candidate representing the Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy party.

Mr Price is an environmentalist, adventurer and businessman from the Sydney suburb of Cremorne.

“In 1975 I founded the adventure travel company World Expeditions and built it to be the world’s largest adventure organisation. I am currently Managing Director of Learningportal.com a successful software company I founded in 1997. We export software around the world.,” Mr Price said.

Wikinews reporter Patrick Gillett held an exclusive email interview with Mr Price, candidate for the Division of Bradfield.

Massachusetts lawmakers enact plan for universal health coverage

Friday, April 7, 2006 Legislators in the Massachusetts General Court, their name for the state legislature, approved legislation on Tuesday, April 4, that would make it the first state in the United States to require all residents to have health insurance and impose penalties for non-compliance. Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, a Republican who is expected to run for U.S. President in 2008, is expected to sign the bill.

The bill passed the lower house, the Massachusetts House of Representatives by a vote of 155-2, and unanimously by the state senate. The Democratic Party holds supermajorities in both houses of the legislature.

Among the bill’s provisions are these:

  1. Businesses that employ more than 10 people are required to provide health insurance for all staff or face fines of $295 per year per uninsured worker.
  2. Individuals will be required to enroll in a health plan by July 1, 2007, or face tax penalties.
  3. Health insurers will provide partially to fully subsidized coverage for low-income residents.

At least one other state (Hawaii) requires employers to provide employee health insurance, but no other state holds individuals accountable for coverage.

We’ll always have .paris: ICANN votes for top level domain registration in 2009

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a non-profit organisation based in California, United States to regulate internet domain names, will vote on Thursday for a proposal to allow the open registration of top-level domains (TLDs) for Internet addresses. If the proposal succeeds, then as soon as next year any entity with sufficient funds may be able to apply for ownership of a relevant TLD, so that, for example, web sites could have addresses ending in .paris, .ebay or .love.

The range of TLDs has traditionally been heavily restricted by ICANN, with most being country codes (such as .uk for the United Kingdom, or .jp for Japan) or related to the purpose of a website (like .com for commercial websites, .edu for educational sites, and .org for non-profit organisations).

Some existing owners of TLDs have already set up arrangements that have made use of their flexibility – for example, the countries of Tuvalu and the Federated States of Micronesia have leased many domains on their country code TLDs (.tv and .fm respectively) to entertainment websites based on the association with “television” and “FM radio”.

Commentators have pointed out that this may open the way for the controversial .xxx domain, proposed for sites with adult content, which ICANN has previously rejected. Its existence will not be guaranteed in the new system, however, as domain registration will be subject to an independent arbitration process, and granted only when the registrant can demonstrate “a business plan and technical capability”, and applications may be rejected on “morality or public order” grounds. While the proposal does not include registration fees, the TLDs are predicted to cost several thousand dollars, at least.

ICANN CEO Paul Twomey, speaking with the BBC, compared the opening of domains to the opening of real estate in the United States in the 19th century. “It’s a massive increase in the geography of the real estate of the Internet,” he said.

The ICANN International Public Meeting, which opened in Paris, France on Monday, includes workshops and public forums as well as the ICANN Board meeting.

Indian Digital Agency Ting Opens Shop In Sydney, Australia}

Submitted by: Ting Digital

When it comes to zeroing down on a digital agency in Sydney, the options are plenty. The spectrum ranges from a digital marketing agency generally a large-sized old player in the market, to a digital creative agency a comparatively smaller and fairly new in the market kind of establishment. Then there is also a long, or sometimes short, list of digital marketing services that each of these digital agency has on offer.

Amidst the number of agencies comes one which offers something new, and more importantly, something fresh. Ting, a digital marketing agency has been operational in India for almost 7 years now, and is all set to impress clients based in Sydney and Australia with their quirky content and contemporary designs. With a list of digital marketing services including from Social Media managing and Websites to Branding and App designing, Ting is a digital agency that started out as a small digital creative agency and has worked its way up to becoming the digital marketing agency of some of the exciting brand markets such as sports and FMCG products.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWo9ofSPKa4[/youtube]

Having recently stated operations in Sydney, Ting aims to provide the same digital marketing services to clients in Sydney. With the days of being a small digital creative agency in the past, Ting aims at becoming one of the fastest up-coming digital agencies in Australia; eventually making its way up to becoming the top providers of digital marketing solutions in the country.

What makes Ting different from the rest is the fact that they dont take themselves too seriously. This does not imply that the work is not taken seriously; just the fact that the environment in the organization does not reflect the stressful environment that is generally expected in the field of advertising and marketing. The belief that a relaxed mind often comes up with the best ideas is what urges Ting to ensure that the office environment stay professional but also relaxed at the same time.

The digital agency was formed just like most of the new ones come up these days a group of friends in advertising deciding to do something of their own. But thats where the similarities end. While most other agencies get into the rat race and eventually stop enjoying what they once loved doing, Ting has managed to protect their love for advertising by taking a limited number of clients on board and working with them on a more involved manner. Even with the employees, the organization has managed to keep family-like relations with all the working members, resulting in higher accountability on the employees part.

While the agency has made its mark, in its own quirky way, in the Indian market by handling PAN India brands such as Smaaash and RAW Pressery, it has now set its eyes on making the dream of four young advertisers to have their own multi-national agency come true. With the kind of organizational practices in place, talent on board, love for advertising intact and a sound way of functioning, there isnt any other way than upwards that Ting is expected to move in the coming years.

About the Author: Ting is a full service creative digital agency in Sydney. Our services include digital strategy, branding, responsive websites, mobile apps, videos, SEO, SEM, online marketing and social media marketing. To know more visit at

tingdigital.com

.au

Source:

isnare.com

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Professional athletes in US linked to online steroid ring

Thursday, March 1, 2007

A steroid distribution network exposed by a New York prosecutor is reported to have connections to a number of high-profile professional athletes, including retired boxer Evander Holyfield and current Los Angeles Angels outfielder Gary Matthews, Jr.

Federal agents raided two pharmacies in Florida and Alabama which were tabbed by a prosecutor in Albany County, New York as having links to illicit distributors of steroids. Eight people have been arrested in connection to this ring, and up to 24 people are individuals of interest to federal agents and may be arrested before the investigation is over.

According to records seized during the raids, customers of the pharmacies included Holyfield, Matthews, former baseball star Jose Canseco, and former pitcher Jason Grimsley. Investigators reportedly have found evidence that performance-enhancing drugs were prescribed to a number of professional athletes as well as international bodybuilders. Further evidence showed that Dr. Richard Rydze, team doctor of the Pittsburgh Steelers, purchased $150,000 worth of human growth hormone on his personal credit card. Calls to Dr. Rydze were not immediately returned.

Those arrested include Stan and Naomi Loomis, owners of Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, Florida. Two other employees of the pharmacy (including Loomis’s brother, Mike) were arrested as well. P. David Soares, Albany County prosecutor, indicated in filings from his office that Signature is believed to be a “producer” of anabolic steroids. Grimsley and Rydze were reported to be customers of Signature Pharmacy. Holyfield, Matthews, and Canseco were allegedly on customer lists from Applied Pharmacy Services in Mobile, Alabama. Both pharmacies and their owners are implicated in the steroid ring.

According to SI.com, Matthews received shipments of Genotropin, a synthetic growth hormone. The shipments were sent to the address of one of his former minor-league teammates in Mansfield, Texas. Matthews claimed he did not know why his name was on Applied Pharmacy’s customer list. He did not comment further on the situation, stating that he was not “in a position to answer specific questions.”

On Wednesday, Holyfield indicated that he was “not overly concerned about the situation.” He did mention that the only purchase of medical supplies that can be attributed to him were medications for his father, who died of a heart ailment in January. Later that evening, Holyfield released a more pointed denial, stating, “I do not use steroids. I have never used steroids. I resent that my name has been linked to known steroid users by sources who refuse to be identified in order to generate publicity for their investigation.”