News briefs:January 11, 2008
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News briefs:January 11, 2008

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U.S. force-feeding Guantanamo hunger strikers
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U.S. force-feeding Guantanamo hunger strikers

Friday, October 7, 2005

Reports from Amnesty International and an attorney representing some detainees indicate that hunger strikes continue among those held at the United States detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. More than 200 prisoners are participating in the hunger strike — of these, 21 are being force fed by military personnel.

According to human rights lawyer Clive Stafford Smith, the prisoners have been shackled to their beds to prevent them removing the feeding tubes that have been inserted into their noses. “The notion that a qualified medical practitioner would be prepared to supervise such a procedure (as force-feeding through a tube), goes against all medical ethics, certainly in this country,” said Trevor Turner, a director of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital of London.

Military authorities maintain that only 36 detainees are currently strikers — they define a hunger striker as one who has refused at least nine meals. According to U.S. military personnel, a striker is only force-fed when his life is in danger.

Some detainees have been striking since August to protest the alleged inhumane conditions at the camp as well as their indefinite confinement without charge or normal legal rights, according to attorneys representing them.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=U.S._force-feeding_Guantanamo_hunger_strikers&oldid=3763361”

US unemployment rate reaches 9.8%
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US unemployment rate reaches 9.8%

Friday, October 2, 2009

Companies in the United States are shedding more jobs, pushing the country’s unemployment rate to a 26-year high of 9.8%.

The US Labor Department said on Friday that employers cut 263,000 jobs in September, with companies in the service industries — including banks, restaurants and retailers — hit especially hard. This is the 21st consecutive month of job losses in the country.

The United States has now lost 7.2 million jobs since the recession officially began in December 2007. The new data has sparked fears that unemployment could threaten an economic recovery. Top US officials have warned that any recovery would be slow and uneven, and some have predicted the unemployment rate will top 10% before the situation improves.

“Continued household deleveraging and rising unemployment may weigh more on consumption than forecast, and accelerating corporate and commercial property defaults could slow the improvement in financial conditions,” read a report by the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook, predicting that unemployment will average 10.1% by next year and not go back down to five percent until 2014.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com, said that “it’s a very fragile and tentative recovery. Policy makers need to do more.”

“The number came in weaker than expected. We saw a lot of artificial involvement by the government to prop up the markets, and now that that is starting to end, the private sector isn’t yet showing signs of life,” said Kevin Caron, a market strategist for Stifel, Nicolaus & Co.

Also on Thursday, the US Commerce Department said factory orders fell for the first time in five months, dropping eight-tenths of a percent in August. Orders for durable goods — items intended to last several years (including everything from appliances to airliners) — fell 2.6%, the largest drop since January of this year.

The US government has been spending billions of dollars — part of a $787 billion stimulus package — to help spark economic growth. There have been some signs the economy is improving.

The Commerce Department said on Thursday that spending on home construction jumped in August for its biggest increase in 16 years. A real estate trade group, the National Association of Realtors, said pending sales of previously owned homes rose more than 12 percent in August, compared to August 2008.

A separate Commerce Department report said that consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity, rose at its fastest pace in nearly eight years, jumping 1.3 percent in August.

Other reports have provided cause for concern. A banking industry trade group said Thursday the number of US consumers making late payments, or failing to make payments, on loans and credit cards is on the rise. A survey by a business group, the Institute for Supply Management, Thursday showed US manufacturing grew in September, but at a slower pace than in August when manufacturing increased for the first time in a year and a half.

Stock markets reacted negatively to the reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 41 points in early trading, reaching a level of 9467. This follows a drop of 203 points on Thursday, its largest loss in a single day since July. The London FTSE index fell 55 points, or 1.1%, to reach 4993 points by 15.00 local time.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=US_unemployment_rate_reaches_9.8%25&oldid=973722”

Why Thread Count Matters When Selecting Bedding

Submitted by: Todd Emo

Thread count is one of many factors that determine the feel and quality of bedding. When choosing bedding consider thread count as well as yarn size, and fiber quality. Become informed about the finishing and construction of the bedding you are choosing.

The thread count stated on the packaging of sheets tells how many horizontal and vertical threads are in one square inch of the fabric that makes the bedding. Thread count can range from 80 to 800 threads per square inch. Various manufacturing processes have caused the high end to increase in recent years. One practice that causes that number to go higher is to use doubled threads in the weaving process, another is to weave in extra threads in the warp (called picks). Often the higher thread count sheets feel softer and finer to the touch and can make for a wonderful sleep experience. Sheets may or may not last longer when they have a higher thread count, but usually they are more expensive.

Thread count matters when choosing bedding because it gives indication of the fineness and length of the threads used to make those sheets. In order to get those high thread counts the thread must be long and fine. Those kinds of fibers make for a fabric that is soft and durable. A desired characteristic is lightness, as well as not feeling blanket like and rough, but rather smooth. When the thread count in sheets is achieved by using long ultra fine threads, woven in single ply, the result is a fine fabric that is smooth and soft to the touch. If the thread count is high, but it is achieved by weaving with a twisted, or two ply thread the result is a more durable and strong fabric. That fabric will also feel heavier. That is not necessarily a bad thing, especially in the winter or in a cold climate.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qq__ttEMUo[/youtube]

When choosing bedding, the thread count does matter, but it should not be the only deciding factor. A good quality sheet will have a thread count between 180 and 300 threads per square inch. That sheet will be affordable, and also durable. It will look attractive and will be bedding that looks good on your bed.

In addition to the thread count, the finish or weave will influence the appearance and feel of your sheet. So will the fabric content. Overall the most popular fabric content is one hundred percent cotton, and the thread count is generally in the 180 to 400 thread count.

Cotton is often the first choice because it is breathable and it never feels sticky against your body, it is comfortable in summer and winter both. Common weaves that are found in cotton are percale (smooth and flat), flannel (fluffy and soft) jersey (t-shirt knit) and sateen, (glossy and smooth). Thread count does not affect the jersey, but it does all the others.

When you are choosing bedding, look at your fiber content, and check the thread count. After that, the best advice is to touch the fabric, feel of it and judge its comfort for you. Then you will achieve the best buy for your bedding.

About the Author: Todd writes for a number of websites including DoubleBedding.com which is about various

double bedding

(also known as full sized) options including sheet sets and duvet covers.

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=619541&ca=Home+Management

Alex Sanchez suspended for drugs
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Alex Sanchez suspended for drugs

Sunday, April 3, 200528 year old Alex Sanchez, outfielder for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, is suspended without pay for 10 days for using a performance enhancing drug. Sanchez is the first player to be suspended under Major League Baseball’s new, stricter drug policy.

The Baseball officials and the players’ union have both decided to not disclose the specific substance which tested positive.

Sanchez originally planed an appeal against the ban, but decided against it. He denies taking any performance enhancing drugs and blames the positive test on over-the-counter vitamins, muscle relaxants and protein shakes that he takes, but has not identified any specific medications as of yet.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Alex_Sanchez_suspended_for_drugs&oldid=433944”

Canada’s Beaches—East York (Ward 32) city council candidates speak
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Canada’s Beaches—East York (Ward 32) city council candidates speak

This exclusive interview features first-hand journalism by a Wikinews reporter. See the collaboration page for more details.

Friday, November 3, 2006

On November 13, Torontonians will be heading to the polls to vote for their ward’s councillor and for mayor. Among Toronto’s ridings is Beaches—East York (Ward 32). Four candidates responded to Wikinews’ requests for an interview. This ward’s candidates include Donna Braniff, Alan Burke, Sandra Bussin (incumbent), William Gallos, John Greer, John Lewis, Erica Maier, Luca Mele, and Matt Williams.

For more information on the election, read Toronto municipal election, 2006.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Canada%27s_Beaches—East_York_(Ward_32)_city_council_candidates_speak&oldid=2584822”

Wikinews 2020: An ‘Original reporting’ year in review
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Wikinews 2020: An ‘Original reporting’ year in review

Friday, January 1, 2021

After an active year of original content published on the English-language Wikinews, we take a look back at some of the two dozen-plus original reports from our contributors during 2020.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Wikinews_2020:_An_%27Original_reporting%27_year_in_review&oldid=4608262”

Decorative Exterior, Interior &Amp; Landscape Commercial Lighting Fixture Systems &Amp; Supplies Made In The Usa

By Kimberly Quang

American Lighting Manufacturers equip you with everything necessary to build a competitive proposal at the line item level. Our commercial lighting fixtures, mounts, and accessories represent a broad spectrum of top-grade manufacturers and material builds, allowing the do-it-yourself installer as well as the professional complete freedom of choice when it comes to selecting fixtures and accessories. With the help of an experienced lighting equipment specialist, you can find a fixture that will precisely match the technical and aesthetic requirements of corporate, government, municipal, educational, and residential lighting design clients. When you buy domestic commercial lights, you will find all major categories of luminaires that feature cutting edge technology, aesthetic sophistication, longer lamp and fixture life, and greater flexibility in application and customization.

Athletic & Sports Field Lighting

All RLLD Commercial Sports Lighting fixtures and mounts are manufactured from top commercial grade materials and feature a wide range of glare/light pollution shielding designs to keep your client’s facility fully compliant with dark sky laws and light level regulatory codes.

Parking Garage Lighting

RLLD Commercial Lighting inventories parking garage lights with HID Metal Halide Fixtures, High Pressure Sodium Lamps, and a wide number of fluorescent lamping options. Every fixture type offers unique advantages that must be considered in terms of cost, commercial lighting quality, and the size of your parking garage. Ask an RLLD commercial lighting expert which lamping option will work best for your client’s facility.

Commercial Parking Lot Lighting

RLLD commercial parking lot lights are constructed of formed aluminum that adds a contemporary touch to your building or commercial warehouse. Hinged doors on each fixture allow easy access for maintenance, and mounting options range from wall mounts to pole mounts in a broad range of optics and accessories.

Commercial Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-1RTYveSR8[/youtube]

RLLD inventories commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures in every shape and size in order to equip the contractor with every conceivable replacement option for incandescent lamps. This includes ceiling mounted fluorescent fixtures, hanging fluorescent lighting strips, fluorescent wall packs, fluorescent floodlights, loading dock lights, and commercial high bay lights.

RLLD fluorescent lamps operate with minimal heat and contribute to maintaining cooler temperatures in workshops, warehouses, and other areas where minimizing radiant heat creates a safe and optimal work environment for workers.

Car Dealership Parking Lot Lighting

RLLD Commercial Lighting carries five major series models of car dealership commercial light fixtures, each of which can be ordered in any number of finishes, builds, glare shield accessory options, fixture housing, and optical design. RLLD Commercial Lighting experts will also assist you with foot-candle plotting charts to help you configure the best possible lighting output for your car lot lighting system.

Mall Parking Lot Lighting

Retails shopping centers and malls must ensure that nothing discourages shoppers from visiting their stores. Parking lot lights help make a mall or strip center much more attractive and increase a feeling of safety for shoppers by making sidewalks, parking areas, streets, and landscapes more visible.

Agriculture Barn & Horse Arena Light Fixtures

Metal halide lights are excellent retrofits for equestrian facilities with large creosote light poles. These lights are manufactured with sturdy brackets designed to mount on walls or buildings and feature both superb color rendering and power conservation. With RLLD commercial lighting pole adapters and metal halide box floods, existing outdoor horse arenas can be upgraded to an entirely new level of quality without having to rewire the facility.

Business Buildings & Office Lighting

RLLD commercial and architectural lighting experts will help you line item fixtures and mounts that will ensure your purchase order represents a sound investment in efficiency, safety, security, aesthetics, and regulatory code compliance. This allows you to take a whole site approach to outdoor and architectural lighting with RLLD as a one-source vendor of equipment and consulting design solutions.

Parks & Recreation Lights

RLLD Commercial Park and Recreation Lights combine functional safety lighting with symmetrical geometry and decorative artistic motifs. Our lamps are compatible with all lamping types for maximum lumens per watt efficiency, so it is never necessary to compromise functionality for aesthetics when you work with RLLD Commercial as your source.

Commercial Warehouse Lighting and HID Fixtures

Energy-saving commercial warehouse lights are an ideal choice for industrial clients who wish to recession-proof their businesses. Select from any number of HID, Fluorescent, and even LED Industrial warehouse lights to optimize your proposal for client savings and win/win bidding.

Outdoor Commercial Security Lighting

RLLD Commercial Lighting provides contractors with a wide variety of security lighting products. Find floodlights, low pressure sodium vapor lights, wall packs, canopy lights, motion detectors, HID fixtures, and both wall and pole mounted security lights, outdoor wall mount light fixtures.

Commercial lighting fixtures vary considerably in size and accommodate specific interior tasks and exterior applications, so working with a distributor like RLLD who has access to lighting level regulations.

These commercial lighting products deliver a number of key benefits to every organization currently facing rising costs and stagnant markets in a mounting recession. Because it is so important now for companies and non-profits to begin reducing overhead, organizations that are making new investments will only do so when those investments offer tangible returns. Commercial lighting designers working B2B can help their clients reduce power costs by proposing commercial lighting systems that feature improved energy efficiency and advanced lighting control. Competitive bidding situations can often be won by showing your client how savings generated from superior grade, energy-efficient commercial luminaires will quickly recover both investment funds and prevent exorbitant expenditures on lighting costs.

Further savings can be created for many commercial and industrial clients with security lighting systems that will contribute to a higher safety rating and potentially reduce the costs of commercial insurance. Better commercial lights also mean fewer equipment replacements. Most government institutions and educational establishments have limited budgets and cannot invest annually in upgrades and maintenance. By offering these entities equipment that not only save power, but also last longer, you generate even more recession proofing for the end user that gives proposal ultimate supreme competitive advantage in a bidding war.

Commercial lighting fixtures vary considerably in size and accommodate specific interior tasks and exterior applications, so working with a distributor like RLLD who has access to lighting level regulations and local regulatory codes will help you choose not only the best fixtures for the client, but also those that offer the greatest level of compliance with governing authorities. This type of partnership makes it possible for commercial lighting design firms to obtain any type of fixtures, mounts, or accessory from an RLLD expert and develop a customized solution that speaks to facility, budget, and aesthetic preferences all at once.

About the Author: rlldesign.com. For more information on Commercial Parking Lot Lighting and Commercial Lighting Fixtures Made in the USA visit us online now.

Source: isnare.com

Permanent Link: isnare.com/?aid=313847&ca=Business+Management

Wikinews interviews Sandra Jephcott, Sustainable Australia candidate for 2020 Groom by-election
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Wikinews interviews Sandra Jephcott, Sustainable Australia candidate for 2020 Groom by-election

Friday, November 27, 2020

Voters in the Australian electoral district of Groom are scheduled to go to the polls in a by-election this week following the resignation of Liberal National MP John McVeigh for family reasons.

Groom is located in the state of Queensland, and is centred around the city of Toowoomba. At the last federal election, the Liberal National Party, Queensland’s dominant conservative party, won this seat by over 70% of the two-party-preferred vote, and since the seat’s creation in 1984, it has been held by conservative political parties.

Some political analysts considered this a foregone conclusion, with analyst Kevin Bonham having declared it on his blog as “Australia’s most boring by-election”, however Bonham noted the size of the swing may have been indicative of the dominant centre left Labor Party’s general performance in Queensland. There was a 4.2% swing against the Labor Party in the state of Queensland at the previous federal election.

Wikinews spoke to one of the four candidates running in the by-election, Sandra Jephcott, who is running for the Sustainable Australia party. Sustainable Australia describes itself as a “independent community movement from the political centre”. According to the party’s website, Jephcott is a veterinarian and farmer, who has completed a veterinary degree from the University of Queensland, as well as a Master of Business Affairs at Bond University and a Master of Science at James Cook University. With Wikinews, Jephcott discussed climate change, COVID-19, water security, and foreign ownership.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Wikinews_interviews_Sandra_Jephcott,_Sustainable_Australia_candidate_for_2020_Groom_by-election&oldid=4618597”

Andrea Muizelaar on fashion, anorexia, and life after ‘Top Model’
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Andrea Muizelaar on fashion, anorexia, and life after ‘Top Model’

Monday, November 26, 2007

In the 18 months since Andrea Muizelaar was crowned winner of the reality TV series Canada’s Next Top Model, her life has been a complete whirlwind. From working in a dollar store in her hometown of Whitby, Ontario, to modeling haute couture in Toronto, she had reached her dream of becoming a true Top Model.

But at what cost? Unknown to casual television viewers, Muizelaar had been enveloped in the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, which inevitably became too much for her to bear. She gave up modeling and moved back to Whitby, where she sought treatment for her disorder, re-entered college, and now works at a bank. Where is she now? Happy and healthy, she says.

Recently Andrea Muizelaar sat down with Wikinews reporter Mike Halterman in a candid interview that stretched to nearly two hours, as she told all about her hopes and aspirations, her battle with anorexia, and just what really happened on Canada’s Next Top Model.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Andrea_Muizelaar_on_fashion,_anorexia,_and_life_after_%27Top_Model%27&oldid=1408470”

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