INTERNACIONAL
New Orleans Welcomes the Rotary International Convention
May 21-25, 2011
Mercury-bound Goddard Instruments Aboard MESSENGER
Arrive at Target 03.18.11 A three-axis, ring-core fluxgate detector, MAG characterizes Mercury’s magnetic field in detail, helping scientists determine the field’s precise strength and how it varies with position and altitude. Credit: JHUAPL
The vector fluxgate Magnetometer, or MAG, is a joint development between NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md.
MAG will collect magnetic field samples at a rate of up to 20 times per second. These measurements will be used to discover the nature and origins of the planet’s global magnetic field, determine the magnetic properties of its outer layer or crust, and explore new types of space weather that are thought to be unique to Mercury.
For example, the dynamic interaction between the very strong flux of charged particle radiation from the Sun at 0.31 Astronomical Units (AUs) and Mercury's magnetic field is believed to be responsible for the huge day-to-day variations in this planet's atmosphere. Mercury’s atmosphere is very tenuous and is believed to exist in part due to the sputtering of neutral atoms off the surface by solar wind ions that enter through "holes" in the shield created by this planet’s magnetic field.
The Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA), led by Goddard, will map the planet's landforms and other surface characteristics. At the heart of the instrument are a laser that sends light to the planet's surface and a sensor that gathers the light that has been reflected back from the surface. By measuring the amount of time it takes for light to travel to the surface and back, the distance to the surface can be calculated. These distance measurements are taken eight times per second, roughly 500 yards apart on the surface, yielding very accurate descriptions of the topography, or contours, of Mercury's landscape.
Goddard also leads the Radio Science (RS) investigation. The observations are gathered by tracking the spacecraft via the communication system. Using the Doppler effect, the Radio Science experiment will measure very slight variations in MESSENGER's speed and distance from Earth. These will help scientists understand how the planet's mass is distributed, including details such as variations in the thickness of Mercury's crust.
MLA data combined with the Radio Science investigation will help map the planet's gravitational field and provide information about the size and characteristics of Mercury's core.
MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) is a NASA-sponsored scientific investigation of the planet Mercury and the first space mission designed to orbit the planet closest to the Sun. The MESSENGER spacecraft launched on August 3, 2004, and after flybys of Earth, Venus and Mercury, will start a yearlong study of its target planet in March 2011. Dr. Sean C. Solomon, of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, leads the mission as Principal Investigator. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory built and operates the MESSENGER spacecraft and manages this Discovery- class mission for NASA.
Alternatives Have Begun in Bid to Hear from Spirit03.18.11 Artist concept of Mars Exploration Rover.
Mars Exploration Rover Mission Status Report
PASADENA, Calif. -- Hopes for reviving NASA's Spirit Mars rover dimmed further with passage last week of the point at which the rover's locale received its maximum sunshine for the Martian year.
The rover team has tried to contact Spirit for months with strategies based on the possibility that increasing energy availability might wake the rover from hibernation. The team has now switched to communication strategies designed to address more than one problem on the rover. If no signal is heard from Spirit in the next month or two, the team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., will shift to single-rover operations, continuing to operate Spirit's active twin, Opportunity.
"The commands we are sending starting this week should work in a multiple-fault scenario where Spirit's main transmitter is no longer working and the mission clock has lost track of time or drifted significantly," said JPL's John Callas, project manager for Spirit and Opportunity.
Spirit landed on Mars Jan. 4, 2004 Universal Time (Jan. 3, Pacific Time) for a mission designed to last for three months. After accomplishing its prime-mission goals, Spirit worked for more than five years in bonus-time extended missions.
Spirit has not communicated since March 22, 2010. Power output from its solar array had been waning prior to that, and the rover had been expected to go into a low-power hibernation mode. With drive motors on two of its six wheels no longer working, Spirit had been unable in preceding months to maneuver much in its sand-trap location. The rover could not get to a favorable tilt for its solar panels as Martian winter approached.
During the Martian winter with most heaters turned off, Spirit experienced colder internal temperatures than in any of its three previous winters on Mars. The cold could have damaged any of several electronic components that, if damaged, would prevent reestablishing communication with Spirit.
However, attempts to regain contact have continued for more than eight months in the possibility that the seasonal increase in solar energy available at Spirit's location would revive the rover. NASA's Deep Space Network of antennas in California, Spain and Australia has been listening for Spirit daily. The rover team has also sent commands to elicit a response from the rover even if the rover has lost track of time, or if its receiver has degraded in frequency response.
The available solar energy at Spirit's site was estimated to peak on March 10. Revised commanding began March 15, including instructions for the rover to be receptive over UHF relay to hailing from the Mars orbiters for extended periods of time and to use a backup transmitter on the rover.
Spirit and Opportunity both have made important discoveries about wet environments on ancient Mars that may have been favorable for supporting microbial life. Opportunity landed three weeks after Spirit.
JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the Mars Exploration Rover project for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington.
Secretario General de la OEA respalda acuerdos de EEUU con Colombia y Panamá en carta a Secretaria Clinton
El Secretario General de la Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA), José Miguel Insulza, envió una carta a la Secretaria de Estado, Hillary Clinton, en la que da un fuerte respaldo a Colombia y Panamá en la línea de lograr la aprobación de los acuerdos comerciales de Estados Unidos con ambos países.
En dicha misiva, el Secretario General Insulza dice que el Tratado de Libre Comercio de América del Norte (Estados Unidos, Canadá y México) “abrió una nueva era en las relaciones hemisféricas” y que en esa perspectiva, el organismo que representa, sistemáticamente, “ha apoyado los acuerdos multilaterales y bilaterales de este tipo en todo el continente americano”. Agrega el máximo representante de la OEA que “estamos convencidos que los países que participan en dichos acuerdos se han beneficiado ampliamente de la larga duración, la relación más segura y de las mutuas ventajas que ofrecen estos acuerdos”.
Junto con valorar el repunte económico evidenciado por los países de la región que han firmado estos instrumentos entre dos o más naciones, apunta que “en la última década las exportaciones de Estados Unidos a los países con los que tiene acuerdos comerciales, han crecido casi el doble de rápido que las exportaciones de este país a todo el mundo”.
Los acuerdos comerciales de Estados Unidos con Colombia y con Panamá, continúa, “traerán beneficios para los tres países, y de la misma manera, se beneficiaría todo el continente americano, y se convertirá en otra demostración del compromiso real con la región, antes de la Cumbre de las Américas del próximo año en Colombia”.
En su carta a la jefa de la diplomacia norteamericana, el Secretario General Insulza también hace referencia al Sistema Generalizado de Preferencias y especialmente a la urgente necesidad de extender el llamado ATPDEA (Preferencias Comerciales para los Paises Afectados por el Narcotrafico) cuya expiración en el mes de febrero perjudica al comercio con Colombia y Ecuador y especialmente a pequeños exportadores de esos dos países.
La Misión Conjunta OEA-CARICOM en Haití llama a todos los actores implicados en el proceso electoral a cumplir su rol con responsabilidad y civismo
La multiplicidad de actores implicados el día de las elecciones en Haití ejerce un rol clave. La Misión de Observación Electoral Conjunta (MOEC) OEA-CARICOM llama a los mismos a ejercer sus funciones con neutralidad, sentido de la responsabilidad cívica y en el respeto a las prescripciones de la Ley electoral.
La capacitación de los agentes electorales en curso será esencial para el buen desarrollo del proceso y la MOEC subraya la importancia de reclutar personal competente y experimentado para cumplir con estas funciones. La Misión recuerda que la mejora de la calidad de la capacitación de los agentes electorales y en particular de los supervisores y miembros de los burós de votación (MBV) ocupa un lugar central en las recomendaciones proporcionadas al Consejo Electoral Provisional (CEP) por la MOEC y por la Misión de expertos de la OEA para la verificación de la tabulación de los votos. En efecto, la Misión considera que un mejor desempeño de los agentes electorales el día de las elecciones podría contribuir a evitar bastantes de las irregularidades registradas durante la primera vuelta. Por lo tanto, es lamentable que nuevamente la capacitación de los supervisores haya sido perturbada, no solamente por aquellos que fueron excluidos por causa de una prestación insatisfactoria o delincuente durante la primera vuelta, sino también por las protestas de los supervisores con experiencia cuyos nombres fueron eliminados como consecuencia de las introducción de nombres por los Consejeros electorales e inclusive por los Presidentes de los Burós Departamentales. Los errores de la primera vuelta tendrán las mismas repercusiones en la segunda vuelta. En cuanto concierne la capacitación de los miembros de burós de votación, ésta fue postergada hasta último momento como consecuencia de los problemas ligados a la confección tardía o incompleta de las listas provistas por los partidos políticos.
La Misión hace un llamado al CEP a proporcionar en la brevedad posible las listas de orientadores respetando los criterios de experiencia y de educación elaborados por la propia institución electoral para que se pueda realizar su capacitación. El rol de estos nuevos agentes es ayudar a los electores a encontrar más fácilmente sus burós de votación (BV) en los centros de votación y paliar así a los problemas de localización de BV que marcaron la primera vuelta. En este caso, como en el precedente, los esfuerzos para introducir los nombres de personas que no responden a los criterios pueden perturbar la formación y no permitirán alcanzar el objetivo buscado, mejorar la organización de la segunda vuelta.
La Misión recuerda asimismo el rol responsable e imparcial que los Jueces de Paz deberán desempeñar al asumir sus responsabilidades y verbalizando los hechos en respuesta a las demandas de los representantes de los candidatos y los partidos políticos. Asimismo, la Policía Nacional Haitiana (PNH), en estrecha colaboración con la MINUSTAH, tendrá la tarea fundamental de garantizar la seguridad de las elecciones. La Misión pone énfasis en la necesidad de coordinar los esfuerzos de las dos fuerzas de seguridad y recuerda a los supervisores que deben recurrir a las mismas en caso de perturbaciones.
Por último, la Misión hace un llamado a los ciudadanos a asistir a las urnas el 20 de marzo próximo para ejercer su derecho de voto con calma y civismo.
Misión del FMI visita Nicaragua para conducir la sexta revisión del Servicio de Crédito Ampliado
Una misión del Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI) visitó Managua del 1 al 10 de marzo para discutir la sexta revisión del Servicio de Crédito Ampliado (SCA).1 Luego de las discusiones, el Sr. Gaston Gelos, jefe de misión para Nicaragua realizó las siguientes declaraciones:
“La economía nicaragüense continua recuperándose del impacto de la crisis económica global del 2008-09, aunque el aumento reciente de los precios internacionales de los productos agrícolas y energéticos presentará desafíos adicionales. Durante el 2010, el crecimiento del producto interno bruto fue del orden del 4.5 por ciento, mientras que la inflación anual alcanzó el 9 por ciento, en parte como consecuencia de las graves lluvias que afectaron al país. Para el 2011, el personal técnico del FMI espera que el crecimiento del producto sea un poco menor al del 2010 y que la tasa de inflación se mantenga alrededor del 9 por ciento.
“Información preliminar sugiere que todos los criterios cuantitativos de desempeño acordados en el contexto del SCA para diciembre del 2010 fueron cumplidos. Hacia el futuro, el personal técnico del FMI resaltó la importancia de continuar con el proceso de consolidación fiscal y de reducción de la deuda pública protegiendo el gasto social y de inversión. La misión también puntualizó la importancia de continuar con las reformas incluidas en la agenda complementaria, especialmente el fortalecimiento de la transparencia sobre los usos de la cooperación externa; la implementación de mejoras en la gestión financiera del sector público, el mantenimiento de una situación sostenible en el sector eléctrico, y la adopción de un marco regulatorio para el sector de microfinanzas.
“El personal técnico del FMI y las autoridades nicaragüenses continuarán trabajando durante las próximas semanas para finalizar las discusiones de la sexta revisión del SCA, con el objetivo de presentarla para la consideración de la gerencia y el Directorio del FMI durante el mes de abril.”
Statement by NATO Secretary General following the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973
NATO welcomes the United Nations Security Council Resolution. The Resolution sends a strong and clear message from the entire international community to the Ghaddafi regime: stop your brutal and systematic violence against the people of Libya immediately.
NATO is now completing its planning in order to be ready to take appropriate action in support of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, as part of the broad international effort. There is an urgent need, firm support from the region and a clear UN mandate for necessary international action. Allies stand behind the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people for freedom, democracy and human rights.
Yemen: Ban condena uso de municiones reales contra manifestantes
Manifestantes en Sana
18 de marzo, 2011 El Secretario General de la ONU condenó hoy en los términos más enérgicos el uso de municiones reales por parte de las fuerzas de seguridad de Yemen, que dejó al menos 30 muertos y numerosos heridos graves durante una manifestación en Sana contra el gobierno de ese país.
En un comunicado, Ban Ki-moon expresó preocupación por la continua violencia e inestabilidad en Yemen, y recordó al gobierno de ese país su obligación de proteger a los civiles.
Del mismo modo, Ban instó a todos los yemenitas a guardar la mesura y evitar cualquier acto de provocación que pudiera generar más violencia.
El titular de la ONU sostuvo la única vía para resolver la actual crisis política y mantener la unidad nacional en Yemen es un diálogo incluyente que conlleve a una serie de reformas políticas, sociales y económicas.
El presidente de Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh declaró el estado de emergencia después de la violencia en la movilización y negó que la policía hubiera disparado a los manifestantes, responsabilizando a grupos armados no identificados por esa acción.
Libia: Ataque a Bengasi sería un crimen de guerra, advierte fiscal de CPI
Luis Moreno Ocampo
18 de marzo, 2011 El fiscal de la Corte Penal Internacional (CPI) advirtió hoy al líder libio Muammar Al-Qadhafi que un ataque contra los civiles de la ciudad rebelde de Bengasi constituiría un crimen de guerra.
Luis Moreno Ocampo hizo una declaración de prensa sobre las amenazas de ofensiva lanzadas por el régimen libio contra los rebeldes.
“Cualquier ataque indiscriminado contra civiles constituiría crímenes de guerra, y los comandantes serían responsables. Como fiscal de la Corte, solicitaré una orden de arresto contra ellos”, dijo Moreno Ocampo.
El fiscal destacó que las medidas implementadas por el Consejo de Seguridad son legítimas y están dentro del marco de las leyes internacionales, por lo que cualquier represalia contra la población civil no quedará impune.
Turismo en el Caribe equivale a alto porcentaje del PIB, afirma CEPAL
18 de marzo, 2011 Los ingresos por turismo representan en algunos países de la región como Santa Lucía, más del 30% del Producto Interno Bruto, según un estudio dado a conocer hoy por la Comisión Económica de la ONU para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
El trabajo, que recoge indicadores macroeconómicos del sector, subraya el papel preponderante que desempeña en la creación de empleo y de producción, así como en la generación de divisas.
Salvador Marconi, experto en estadísticas económicas de la CEPAL, destaca que en el estudio sólo refleja datos del turismo internacional.
“En ciertos países de América Latina, como es el caso por ejemplo de México y de Brasil, tienen la característica de que el turismo interno es muy importante, y quizás mucho más importante que el turismo externo, en lo que se refiere a la generación de valor agregado”, dijo.
Según la CEPAL, la región en su conjunto registra ingresos turísticos equivalentes a menos del 2% del PIB, pero para la subregión caribeña se eleva a más del 16%.
En Centroamérica el porcentaje es del 5%, y en Sudamérica, Uruguay alcanza el 4%.
President Obama: Jobs at top of Latin America agenda.
President Obama penned an op-ed in this morning’s USA Today, outlining the objectives of his upcoming five-day visit to Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador. Amid growing turmoil around the world, America plays an important role in promoting safety and stability—from democracy in the Middle East to recovery efforts in Japan. But a top priority of the President’s is spurring economic productivity and creating jobs right here at home.
Last month, the U.S. economy added 222,000 private-sector jobs and the unemployment rate dropped to a two-year low, 8.9 percent. President Obama is focused on continuing our economic progress and helping America become more competitive across the globe. His trip to Latin America is part of that effort.
This diplomatic visit aims to strengthen the United States’ relationship with a major consumer of our national exports. The President wrote:
Every $1 billion we export supports more than 5,000 jobs here at home. That's why last year, I set a goal for this country: to double our exports of goods and services by 2014. And we are on track to meet this goal: exports were up 17% in 2010.
The impressive growth that we've seen in Latin America in recent years is good for the people of the hemisphere, and it's good for us. Thanks in part to our trade agreements across the region, we now export three times as much to Latin America as we do to China, and our exports to the region — which are growing faster than our exports to the rest of the world — will soon support more than 2 million jobs here in the United States.
The President closed by stating that the United States and Latin America are partners with shared goals:
Our neighbors in the Americas are bound to us by shared history, values and interests. What I will convey this week is that we are partners in progress. Strengthening these partnerships will advance the common prosperity and common security of all our people, creating new jobs and new growth across the hemisphere, and helping our economy remain an engine of strength and opportunity for all our people.
BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION CONDEMNING POLITICAL OPPRESSION IN BELARUS PASSES SENATE
Senate Leaders Call For Immediate Release of Political Prisoners
March 18, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan resolution condemning recent Belarusian elections as illegitimate and calling on the Belarusian regime to immediately release all political prisoners, unanimously passed the Senate late yesterday. The resolution also calls for a tightening of the of the list of Belarusian officials who are subject to U.S. and European Union travel and financial sanctions, new elections in Belarus that meet international standards, tightening of EU sanctions against the Belarusian oil and petrochemical company Belneftekhim and its subsidiaries, direct material assistance to the Belarusian opposition, and for the International Ice Hockey Federation to suspend the 2014 Ice Hockey Championship which is to be held in Minsk until all Belarusian political prisoners are released.
Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) led the bipartisan measure which was cosponsored by Senators McCain (R-AZ), Cardin (D-MD), Shaheen (D-NH), Graham (R-SC), Kyl (R-AZ), Barrasso (R-WY), Udall (D-CO), Kirk (R-IL), and Lautenberg (D-NJ).
“The Belarusian government must release all detainees and resume the path toward democracy,” said Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “If Belarus expects to be part of the world community and expects an improvement of relations with the West, basic human rights and electoral standards must be respected. This puts the Belarusian regime on notice and renews international calls for change. It also says to the people of Belarus that the American people stand with them and we support their quest for freedom.”
"As democratic change sweeps across North Africa and the Middle East, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to assisting the Belarusian people in their fight for freedom in Europe’s last dictatorship. We cannot stand by idly as Lukashenko makes a mockery of democracy and brutally suppresses the fundamental human rights and aspirations of the Belarusian people. We urge our partners in Europe and beyond to join the United States in taking further targeted actions against the Lukashenko regime and in strongly supporting the voices of freedom and democracy in Belarus,” Senator Lieberman said.
Often known as the “last dictatorship of Europe,” Belarus has defied the democratic transformations in Europe following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The country’s 10 million people became independent in 1991 and have been ruled with an increasingly iron fist since 1994, when Alexander Lukashenko was first elected president. Opposition figures are subject to harsh repression, including imprisonment for organizing peaceful protests. Over the years, several opposition politicians who might have been alternatives to Lukashenko have disappeared or been imprisoned. Insulting the president, even in jest, carries a prison sentence.
"The Lukashenko regime is the main impediment to the long-standing vision of a Europe whole, free, and at peace," said Senator John McCain. "It is in America’s national interest to support the people of Belarus in realizing their peaceful democratic aspirations."
“This resolution sends a strong signal of our determination to hold the Lukashenko regime to account for its ongoing violations of human rights and democratic norms and to support the Belarusian people in their struggle for freedom and human dignity,” said Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Co-Chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission.
“Violence against pro-democracy activists and arrests of political opponents have repeatedly revealed the nature of the cruel regime under President Lukashenko,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs. “The immediate release of opposition candidates, party leaders, and civil society members must be the first step and should occur without delay. America remains committed to the principle that the Belarusian people be allowed to express their political will freely and without threat of harassment, imprisonment, or violence. The people of Belarus deserve no less, and the U.S. stands firmly on their side.”
“It’s imperative that the U.S. support the people of Belarus in their fight to achieve democratic freedom. The Lukashenko regime must end its suppression of human rights and political expression,” said Senator Barrasso.
“I’m proud to stand with my colleagues and the people of Belarus to urge the Belarusian regime to grant its people basic human rights and fair elections,” said Senator Udall, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence committees. “This is critical if Lukashenko’s government expects to improve its relations with its neighbors. The world community will not tolerate a leadership that governs by repression and abuse.”
On December 19, Lukashenko claimed a fourth term as president in a vote broadly criticized as unfree and unfair. The election was followed by violent confrontations in the capital, Minsk, as government security forces, still known as the KGB, beat, arrested, and jailed opposition presidential candidates and activists protesting the fraudulent election. Many are facing considerable jail time and have had minimal access to their families or lawyers. Recently released presidential candidate Ales Michalevic described being tortured during his two-month detention at the hands of Lukashenko’s security forces. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) described the election as seriously flawed and criticized the vote count and violent backlash against opposition candidates. Both the White House and the U.S. State Department strongly condemned the election process and the subsequent crackdown on opposition leaders and the U.S. and EU imposed an initial round of travel and financial sanctions against Lukashenko and his inner circle in late January.
Durbin visited Minsk earlier this year and met with opposition leaders, human rights activists and families of jailed activists and candidates. He also called for the immediate release of those jailed since December’s elections. Senators Lieberman, McCain, Shaheen, and Udall visited Vilnius, Lithuania, earlier this year, where they met with Belarusian opposition leaders as well as Belarusian students at the European Humanities University.
STATEMENT BY SENATORS McCAIN, KERRY AND LIEBERMAN
Senators Urge Swift Implementation Of U.N. Security Council Resolution
March 18, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), John Kerry (D-MA), and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) today released the following statement regarding the United Nations Security Council resolution regarding Libya urging swift implementation:
“We applaud tonight’s action by the UN Security Council authorizing ‘all necessary measures’ to impose a no-fly zone in Libya and protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. The Administration deserves credit for getting this Resolution passed with such strong support. This was an important step on behalf of the people of Libya, but it will only be as effective as its implementation. With Qaddafi’s forces moving towards Benghazi, we must immediately work with our friends in the Arab League and in NATO to enforce this resolution and turn the tide before it is too late. We must also build a bipartisan consensus here at home to support the President in taking the swift and decisive measures necessary to stop Qaddafi.”
CAPITAL GOLD REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR GAMMON TRANSACTION
WITH AN INCREASED CASH COMPONENT
Announces Plan for Stockholder Vote
NEW YORK, March 17, 2011 - Capital Gold Corporation (NYSE AMEX: CGC; TSX:CGC) acknowledges that, on March 15, 2011, Timmins Gold Corp. (“Timmins”) added $0.25 in cash to its unsolicited offer for Capital Gold Corp. (“Capital Gold”). Also on March 15, 2011, Gammon Gold Inc. (“Gammon”) announced that it was proposing to amend its merger agreement with Capital Gold to increase the cash component of the merger consideration to be paid to Capital Gold’s stockholders by $0.30, from $0.79 to $1.09. The Board of Directors of Capital Gold has considered both bids and unanimously reaffirms its support of the merger with Gammon, as increased.
Capital Gold notes that the addition of cash to the Timmins bid comes as a result of a loan from Sprott Resource Lending Partnership, the terms of which Timmins has not yet disclosed. Capital Gold believes that this loan introduces further risk to Timmins’ financial position. In addition, Capital Gold continues to be concerned that Timmins does not have sufficient capital to execute its business plan.
Capital Gold currently intends to convene its previously scheduled Special Meeting at 10 a.m. on March 18, 2011, solely for the purpose of having Capital Gold’s stockholders vote on an adjournment of the Special Meeting to a later date, in order to permit Capital Gold and Gammon to complete an amendment to the merger agreement and to prepare and distribute a supplement to the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, and to give Capital Gold’s stockholders additional time to consider the revised price and to review the supplement to the definitive proxy statement/prospectus. The date, time and place at which the Special Meeting will be reconvened for purposes of voting on the merger with Gammon will be announced in the near future, and the parties expect that the supplemental proxy statement/prospectus will be available early next week. The adjournment will preserve the February 14, 2011 record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Special Meeting and permit Capital Gold’s stockholders to vote on, and if it is approved, permit the parties to close, the Gammon merger in an expeditious manner.
In order to ensure that Capital Gold's stockholders are able to vote on the Gammon merger at such adjourned meeting, the company is urging all holders who have not voted or who had previously voted Against on Timmins gold card to vote today For Proposal 2 on the WHITE proxy card.
Capital Gold also announced that in an alert to its clients yesterday, ISS announced the revised terms of the Gammon merger and the Timmins proposal and did not change its recommendation that stockholders vote FOR the Gammon merger and the adjournment proposal on the WHITE card.
La Organización Mundial de la Salud previene contra la automedicación para protegerse de la irradiación
La OMS desaconseja a las personas preocupadas por los problemas nucleares del Japón que se automediquen con yoduro de potasio u otros productos que contengan yodo. La recomendación se efectúa ante la noticia de que algunas personas están tomando esos productos en respuesta a las fugas radiactivas registradas en las centrales nucleares japonesas. Únicamente se debe tomar yoduro de potasio cuando se haya formulado claramente una recomendación de salud pública en ese sentido.
OCPLA Y ODCA EN CONFERENCIA DE COMUNICACIÓN POLÍTICA
Presidente de ODCA Expuso los desafíos de la organización en el área de la Comunicación Política
Entre el 13 y el 16 de marzo se realizó en el Hotel Misión Express de Ciudad de México la Conferencia de Consultores Políticos Latinoamericanos (OCPLA) para definir el plan de trabajo 2011 y conocer los desafíos de la Organización Demócrata Cristiana de América en el área de la comunicación política.
El encuentro, iniciativa del Programa de Medios y Democracia de la Fundación Konrad Adenauer, contó con la participación de los expertos de OCPLA y fue inaugurado por el Director del programa Peter Alberth-Behrens; el Presidente de ODCA, Senador Jorge Ocejo y el Representante de la KAS en México, Frank Priess.
Peter Alberth-Behrens, director del Programa, presentó los resultados de los trabajos de asesoría comunicacional que OCPLA desarrolla en varios países de la región para diversos actores, entre ellos, partidos políticos, fundaciones e instituciones estatales.
Igualmente, confirmó que OCPLA presentará su programa de asesoría y apoyo a los partidos políticos denominado KOMPARTIDO en el marco del próximo Congreso de ODCA que se realizará en la Ciudad de Panamá entre el 6 y 7 de mayo.
Por su parte, el Presidente de ODCA, Senador Jorge Ocejo, planteó como objetivos de la organización, la formación de especialistas en la comunicación política, la modernización de los partidos políticos miembros en el área de la comunicación política y el apoyo en las campañas políticas para enfrentar con éxito los desafíos electorales.
Durante el encuentro, los equipos de OCPLA analizaron, además de su plan de trabajo 2011, temas tales como, el Desarrollo Institucional de la organización, la elaboración de una Caja de Herramientas para la Enseñanza Comunicacional, el análisis de la Marca del Centro para Latinoamérica y estrategias para comunicar la Economía Social de Mercado.
OCPLA fue creada en el año 2004, por el Programa Regional de Medios y Democracia en Latinoamérica de la Fundación Konrad Adenauer. Este programa coordina los proyectos de OCPLA, en cooperación con la representación de la KAS en el respectivo país.
La OCPLA es un grupo de expertos en comunicación política, comprometidos con la promoción de los valores del Centro Democrático.
JAPON TSUNAMI
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
I thought you might be interested in the attached op-ed which George published in today's Financial Times.
All best,
Michael Vachon
Openness can help lift the curse of resources
By George Soros
Published: March 3 2011 22:13
The natural resources sector has the potential to generate billions of dollars in revenues that can be used for poverty reduction and sound investment. For decades, however, management secrecy has allowed corruption to thrive in countries such as Angola, Cambodia and Guinea. According to Nigeria’s own corruption agency, up to $400bn of oil money has been stolen or wasted over the past 50 years. And in Libya, in particular, we now see a population rising against rulers whose control has been financed by the immense revenues they manage, and mismanage, in secret.
Ending this problem and letting new democracies flourish will, of course, not be easy. The resource curse undermines the investment climate, raises costs for companies, threatens energy and mineral security, and consigns millions of citizens in resource-rich countries to poverty. But evidence suggests that transparency in extractive industries can play an important role.
In 2002, I helped to launch the Publish What You Pay coalition, a global network of civil society organisations that has advocated for better management of oil, gas and mining revenues, and worked to ensure monies received are invested in schools, hospitals and poverty reduction. The coalition recruits oil companies, which then pledge to reveal what they pay to the governments and leaders of the states in which they operate, allowing them to be held accountable. In Liberia, this approach has seen moves towards new transparency standards, including openness on payments and contract terms – amazing progress in a country better known for former president Charles Taylor’s macabre violence and blood diamonds.
There are further positive signs from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, an alliance to improve standards of transparency on a voluntary basis. Azerbaijan’s credit rating improved in part because it played a constructive role in the initiative. This week, after the first democratically held elections in its history, Guinea rejoined the initiative too, because its leaders know that with EITI membership comes a better investment climate.
Now, governments that regulate stock markets are going one necessary and long-awaited step further, in establishing mandatory listing rules. In July 2010, the US passed the Dodd-Frank Act, which requires all oil, mining and gas companies registered in the US to report payments to foreign governments, both by country and by project. Companies as diverse as PetroChina, BHP Billiton and BP will have to comply. Similarly, Hong Kong recently improved the disclosure of its companies’ payments as a condition of listing on its exchange.
The French and UK governments have also indicated support for new European oil and mining rules. EU revenue transparency legislation could build on US plans to move towards a new global transparency standard. The London Stock Exchange is one of the world’s most important financial markets, hosting more than £1,000bn worth of oil, gas and mining capital. It should follow others’ lead and change its rules too.
All of these measures hold great promise. Africa is the new frontier for investors in the natural resources sector, holding a 10th of the world’s oil reserves, 40 per cent of its gold and significant reserves of other minerals vital for modern industrial economies. The Middle East, meanwhile, could soon develop a string of prosperous democracies. Those promoting greater transparency in the natural resources industries are helping to reinforce powerful historical forces, which will unlock transformational sums of money to improve the lives of millions of people in some of the most fragile countries in the world.
CAPITAL GOLD LETTER TO STOCKHOLDERS EXPLAINS WHY
GAMMON GOLD MERGER PREFERABLE TO TIMMINS
NEW YORK, March 1, 2011 - Capital Gold Corporation (AMEX: CGC; TSX: CGC) today sent a letter to its stockholders urging them to vote FOR the merger with Gammon Gold.
Highlights of the letter include a number of compelling reasons that the Capital Gold board of directors considered in their unanimous recommendation supporting the Gammon Gold merger:
The Gammon merger consideration provides a significant premium to market with a cash component
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The superior trading liquidity of Gammon Gold stock
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Balance sheet strength
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Opportunity for operating synergies
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Strong management team with operating track record
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Visibility as a Mid-Tier producer
The letter goes on to urge stockholders to reject the self-serving attempt by Timmins Gold to block the Gammon Gold merger and take control of the Capital Gold board. The letter details the reasons that Capital Gold's board has unanimously rejected the Timmins offer on four separate occasions. Highlights of the reasons outlined in the letter include the following:
Timmins does not have enough cash and will need to raise additional cash to complete the proposed transaction.
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Timmins will need to raise an estimated $100 million this year to complete the transaction and deliver on capital requirements which will be dilutive to stockholders.
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Capital Gold's belief that Timmins' management does not have substantial operating experience and lacks sufficient depth to execute a transformational merger and to operate the combined companies going forward.
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Timmins' stock is illiquid.
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The risk and potential for delay as the Timmins offer is contingent on a number of conditions being met, including the approval of Timmins' own shareholders, due diligence and Timmins' approval of its shares trading on a higher exchange.
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Since there is no cash component to the Timmins offer, this may require that CGC's taxable US investors sell Timmins shares to cover tax liabilities arising out of a Timmins/CGC merger.
LA NACIÓN TOHONO O'ODHAM DEMANDA PARA DETENER LA LEGISLACIÓN ILEGAL
"Legislación Especial" Contraviene la Constitución de Arizona
SELLS, Arizona – La Nación Tohono O'odham (Nación) presentó una demanda contra el Estado para disputar la HB 2534, legislación que permitiría a la Ciudad de Glendale, anexo del terreno de la Nación sin su consentimiento. Al llevar este reto, la Nación mostrará que esta legislación inconstitucional es precedida por ley federal, contraviene el debido proceso y las cláusulas de protección igual de las constituciones de los Estados Unidos y Arizona y es una legislación especial.
Como muchos de los legisladores de Arizona reconocieron cuando votaron contra este proyecto de ley, HB 2534 es inconstitucional por varios motivos. La Constitución de Arizona prohíbe la aprobación de legislación especial; HB 2534 es la definición de una legislación especial. Además, los proponentes del proyecto de ley no han hecho ningún secreto de la intención del proyecto de ley: a frustrar el propósito de la Ley Federal de Sustitución de Tierras de la reservación indígena Gila Bend con penalizar la Nación por invocar sus derechos en virtud de esa ley. Esa ley — ley federal — precede HB 2534. Por último, en sus esfuerzos para burlar la ley federal, el proyecto de ley también descarta de la Nación de los derechos en virtud de la ley de la anexión regulada a todos los otros terratenientes. Así, el proyecto de ley contraviene claramente el debido proceso y la igualdad de las cláusulas de protección de las constituciones de los Estados Unidos y Arizona.
Ned Norris Jr., Presidente de la Nación Tohono O'odham, dijo, "Este proyecto de ley inconstitucional representa un ataque flagrante contra la Nación Tohono O'odham y establece un precedente peligroso para todos los de Arizona. Mediante la promoción de esta legislación, los opositores han rebajado a una nueva baja, eludiendo las constituciones federales y estatales en un intento desesperado para detener este proyecto." Presidente Norris continuó diciendo, "La gran mayoría de los residentes de West Valley apoyan este proyecto y seguimos comprometidos a traer nuevos puestos de trabajo y oportunidades económicas a la región.”
Al finalizar, el West Valley Resort atraerá 1.2 millones de personas al West Valley cada año y tendrá un impacto económico anual de 300 millones de dólares. Se crearán más de 9,000 puestos de trabajo durante la construcción de la instalación y las operaciones diarias. Para obtener información adicional sobre la Nación Tohono O'odham, el West Valley Resort y la historia detrás de este proyecto, por favor visite http://www.westvalleyopportunity.com.
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I thought you might want to see the essay below that George Soros published in this morning's Washington Post.
All best,
Michael Vachon
Why Obama has to get Egypt right
By George Soros
Thursday, February 3, 2011.- Revolutions usually start with enthusiasm and end in tears. In the case of the Middle East, the tears could be avoided if President Obama stands firmly by the values that got him elected. Although American power and influence in the world have declined, our allies and their armies look to us for direction. These armies are strong enough to maintain law and order as long as they stay out of politics; thus the revolutions can remain peaceful. That is what the United States should insist on while encouraging corrupt and repressive rulers who are no longer tolerated by their people to step aside and allow new leaders to be elected in free and fair elections.
That is the course that the revolution in Tunisia is taking. Tunisia has a relatively well-developed middle class, women there enjoy greater rights and opportunities than in most Muslim countries, and the failed regime was secular in character. The prospects for democratic change are favorable.
Egypt is more complex and, ultimately, more influential, which is why it is so important to get it right. The protesters are very diverse, including highly educated and common people, young and old, well-to-do and desperately poor. While the slogans and crowds in Tahrir Square are not advancing a theocratic agenda at all, the best-organized political opposition that managed to survive in that country's repressive environment is the Muslim Brotherhood. In free elections, the Brotherhood is bound to emerge as a major political force, though it is far from assured of a majority.
Some have articulated fears of adverse consequences of free elections, suggesting that the Egyptian military may seek to falsify the results; that Israel may be adamantly opposed to a regime change; that the domino effect of extremist politics spreading to other countries must be avoided; and that the supply of oil from the region could be disrupted. These notions constitute the old conventional wisdom about the Middle East - and need to be changed, lest Washington incorrectly put up resistance to or hesitate in supporting transition in Egypt.
That would be regrettable. President Obama personally and the United States as a country have much to gain by moving out in front and siding with the public demand for dignity and democracy. This would help rebuild America's leadership and remove a lingering structural weakness in our alliances that comes from being associated with unpopular and repressive regimes. Most important, doing so would open the way to peaceful progress in the region. The Muslim Brotherhood's cooperation with Mohamed ElBaradei, the Nobel laureate who is seeking to run for president, is a hopeful sign that it intends to play a constructive role in a democratic political system. As regards contagion, it is more likely to endanger the enemies of the United States - Syria and Iran - than our allies, provided that they are willing to move out ahead of the avalanche.
The main stumbling block is Israel. In reality, Israel has as much to gain from the spread of democracy in the Middle East as the United States has. But Israel is unlikely to recognize its own best interests because the change is too sudden and carries too many risks. And some U.S. supporters of Israel are more rigid and ideological than Israelis themselves. Fortunately, Obama is not beholden to the religious right, which has carried on a veritable vendetta against him. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is no longer monolithic or the sole representative of the Jewish community. The main danger is that the Obama administration will not adjust its policies quickly enough to the suddenly changed reality.
I am, as a general rule, wary of revolutions. But in the case of Egypt, I see a good chance of success. As a committed advocate of democracy and open society, I cannot help but share in the enthusiasm that is sweeping across the Middle East. I hope President Obama will expeditiously support the people of Egypt. My foundations are prepared to contribute what they can. In practice, that means establishing resource centers for supporting the rule of law, constitutional reform, fighting corruption and strengthening democratic institutions in those countries that request help in establishing them, while staying out of those countries where such efforts are not welcome.
The writer is chairman of the Soros Fund Management and the Open Society Foundations, which support democracy and human rights in more than 70 countries.
Students volunteer time in '24 Hours of Service': Kiwanis News
ADRIAN, MICHIGAN—More than two dozen students from Adrian College’s Kiwanis-based service program spent 24 hours away from campus in an effort to help others.
The Circle K International chapter at Adrian College hosted “24 Hours of Service” from noon Friday to noon today. The students volunteered at various organizations in and around Adrian, including the Lenawee County Humane Society, the Catherine Cobb Domestic Violence Shelter and the Salvation Army.
Starting Friday, students traveled from place to place, volunteering their time to each cause. They planned to spend Friday night on the second floor of Caine Student Center at the college, creating cards and care packages for soldiers and making blankets for area hospitals.
The idea was adapted from other Circle K chapters, according to Adrian College junior Muffy Lavens, who organized the event and serves as the bulletin editor for Adrian’s chapter.
The Adrian Circle K chapter was assisted Friday by other Adrian College students and members of the Alpha Phi sorority.
Katie Frye Hammond, director of government and foundation relations at Adrian College, serves as the college’s Circle K adviser and is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Adrian. Hammond said she is encouraged by the number of service projects the Adrian College chapter took on this year.
“I am especially pleased with their willingness to pull together a day of 24 hours of community service,” Hammond said. “Our school and our community are both lucky to have such dedicated students assisting organizations in and around Adrian.”
Nicole Harkness, a freshman at Adrian College and member of Circle K, chose the Lenawee Humane Society in Adrian as one of the places to spend time at Friday. Harkness and several other college students spent more than two hours playing with the animals and helping to clean up messes the cats and dogs made in the kennels.
“For me, Circle K is all about helping other people,” Harkness said. “It really motivates students to volunteer their time, and for me, is also a great way to relieve stress, especially during finals week.
“It helps you to forget about yourself and instead focus on enriching others’ lives,” she added.
Bonnie Tancredi, executive director at the humane society, said she is grateful for the volunteers’ help at the shelter.
“Their assistance helps us stay on track all day, especially with our limited staff,” Tancredi said. “They are sincere in their volunteerism, always asking how they can help us.”
Bisbee Kiwanis Club helps offer students a hands-on learning experience
SIERRA VISTA, ARIZONA—With some help from the Bisbee Kiwanis Club, Bisbee students can get some hands-on experience at performing daily tasks like basic carpentry, plumbing, mechanics, cooking — even landscaping.
“Our objective is to form a partnership with the school system to promote certain types of hands-on learning that the kids can’t get from the school curriculum and many of them are not getting at home,” Bisbee Kiwanian Dave Kartun said.
He spoke at the Bisbee school board meeting Monday and asked that the board help promote Youth Skills Day, an idea developed by Kiwanis members. There have been four such events held in Bisbee, the most recent in November, where eighth- to 12th- graders took part.
Kartun said carpenters showed youths how to handle building tools and helped them build hat racks. Plumbers took the kids through the installation of a new faucet and drain. They also got to learn about electricity and wiring works, as well as auto maintenance.
The Boys and Girls Club was the location for indoor activities like cooking, baking, indoor painting, caulking and clay sculptures.
The third area was landscaping, which included concrete mixing and building brick walkways.
Now the club wants to help students in first grade through 12th grade with math and science and has planned an outing at Cochise College. That program is Feb. 5.
Kartun suggested the district provide a bus to get students to the college and back. The club could provide insurance and money to pay for transportation.
Superintendent Jim Phillips said he would look into transporting the kids and had the board’s full backing on assisting the efforts.
The Next Generation: NASA
In October 2010, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and White Sands Test Facility worked with Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne to successfully complete a series of thruster tests that will aid in maneuvering and landing the next generation of robotic lunar landers that could be used to explore the moon's surface and other airless celestial bodies. The test results will allow the Robotic Lander Project to move forward with robotic lander designs using advanced propulsion technology.
In this image, the Divert Attitude Control System thruster fired under vacuum conditions to simulate operation in a space environment. The tests mimicked the lander mission profile and operation scenarios.
The President speaks from the White House on the shootings in Arizona and on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
Full transcript below:
THE PRESIDENT: As many of you are aware, earlier today a number of people were shot in Tucson, Arizona, including several who were meeting at a supermarket with their congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords. We are still assembling all the facts, but we know that Representative Giffords was one of the victims. She is currently at a hospital in the area, and she is battling for her life.
We also know that at least five people lost their lives in this tragedy. Among them were a federal judge, John Roll, who has served America’s legal system for almost 40 years; and a young girl who was barely nine years old.
I’ve spoken to Arizona governor Jan Brewer and offered the full resources of the federal government. A suspect is currently in custody, but we don’t yet know what provoked this unspeakable act. A comprehensive investigation is currently underway, and at my direction, Director Bob Mueller is en route to Arizona to help coordinate these efforts. I’ve also spoken to the Democratic and Republican leaders in the House.
Gabby Giffords was a friend of mine. She is not only an extraordinary public servant, but she is also somebody who is warm and caring. She is well liked by her colleagues and well liked by her constituents. Her husband, Mark Kelly, is a Navy captain and one of America’s valiant astronauts.
It’s not surprising that today Gabby was doing what she always does -- listening to the hopes and concerns of her neighbors. That is the essence of what our democracy is all about. That is why this is more than a tragedy for those involved. It is a tragedy for Arizona and a tragedy for our entire country.
What Americans do at times of tragedy is to come together and support each other. So at this time I ask all Americans to join me and Michelle in keeping all the victims and their families, including Gabby, in our thoughts and prayers. Those who have been injured, we are rooting for them. And I know Gabby is as tough as they come, and I am hopeful that she’s going to pull through.
Obviously our hearts go out to the family members of those who have been slain. We are going to get to the bottom of this, and we’re going to get through this. But in the meantime, I think all of us need to make sure that we’re offering our thoughts and prayers to those concerned.
Thank you.
President Obama Signs the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
Posted by Jesse Lee on January 02, 2011 at 05:20 PM EST
This afternoon President Obama signed the "James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act," which establishes the World Trade Center Health Program and extends and expands eligibility for compensation under the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001.
President Barack Obama signs H.R. 847, the "James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act" in Kailua, Hawaii, Jan. 2, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
UPDATE: The President's statement:
I was honored to sign the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to ensure that rescue and recovery workers, residents, students, and others suffering from health consequences related to the World Trade Center disaster have access to the medical monitoring and treatment they need. We will never forget the selfless courage demonstrated by the firefighters, police officers, and first responders who risked their lives to save others. I believe this is a critical step for those who continue to bear the physical scars of those attacks.
Ringing In the New Year With New Education Benefits for Wounded Warriors
Cross posted from the Warrior Care blog.
In case you hadn’t heard, in the last days of the Session, both the House and the Senate passed a Bill, S. 3447, that significantly enhanced and changed the Post 9/11 GI Bill and other educational benefits. This effort was led by a coalition of veteran services organizations, and we are proud to have seen it through.
This Bill made a lot of important changes to these programs specifically for wounded warriors and disabled veterans, and I wanted to take a moment to tell you about them and others so you can start to plan for your educational goals.
•Vocational Rehabilitation Program Stipend. Most significantly, a disabled veteran receiving the housing stipend under the Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Chapter 31), which is usually significantly less than the Post 9/11 GI Bill, can now opt to receive the more generous amount under the Post 9/11 GI Bill which is the BAH rate of E-5 with dependents for their local zip code. This will be hundreds of dollars more per month for tens of thousands of eligible beneficiaries.
•Vocational School Training and Apprenticeships Now Covered. The Post 9/11 GI Bill can now be used at many more vocational schools, apprenticeships, and on-the-job-training programs, which means that you can use it to enter into almost any field that you want.
•Housing Allowance for Online Learners. A housing allowance is now available for exclusively online learners, so even while you are recuperating and cannot attend class in person on a campus, you can start your education online and receive the housing support allowance you need.
•Book Allowance for Active Duty. If you are still on active duty, and want to start your education, you can now receive the $1,000/year book stipend that was previously not available for active duty personnel.
•Prep Courses and Test Fees Now Covered. If you have not yet applied for schools, and want to bring your SAT/ACT scores up, the Post 9/11 GI Bill can now be used to fund prep courses and the test fees themselves so you can be more competitive when you apply.
•Time for Eligibility Tolled During Recovery and for Caretakers. The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30), which has a 10-year expiration date, has been extended for wounded, injured, and ill veterans and their caretakers for the length of their recovery time, which means that time spent in the hospital does not burn benefit time. This same extension also applies to children who are caretakers and have had Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits transferred to them, or recipients of Chapter 35 Survivor’s Benefits. Normally, they must use their benefits before their 26th birthday, but this can be extended for those providing care to wounded, injured, and ill veterans.
You can read a summary of the major changes here. There are a myriad of GI Bill benefit programs available to wounded and disabled veterans, and if you need help selecting the one that is right for you, talk to an educational advisor at your base or local school, or one of the veteran service organizations that make it our business to help you get the benefits you deserve. Feel free to visit our home page at www.studentveterans.org. If you are interested in information on enrollment and/or transferring your benefit to a dependant, just click the Post 9-11 GI Bill Icon on www.warriorcare.mil.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at gibill@studentveterans.org, and we would be glad to help you.
Thank you for your service!
Brian Hawthorne is an Army veteran with two tours in Iraq. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of Student Veterans of America, and is receiving his Master’s Degree from the George Washington University.
New Repairs, Additional Imaging Begin Today: NASA
Space shuttle Discovery remains inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where technicians today are starting repairs on three support beams, called stringers, on the outside of the shuttle's external tank. Recent X-ray type image scans of all 108 of the tank's stringers revealed four small cracks on three beams on the side opposite Discovery. Managers decided Thursday to have those cracks repaired in a similar fashion to repairs made on cracks found on two stringers after Discovery's Nov. 5 launch attempt.
Also beginning today is another round of imaging -- this time, using the backscatter method -- on all of the tank's stringers. Engineers at various NASA centers continue to analyze testing and imaging data.
The repair work is estimated to take 2-3 days. Any further work will be evaluated thoroughly during the week after additional data and analysis are reviewed.
Managers also continue to evaluate an option to perform known and practiced modifications on some stringers. Before breaking for the holiday, technicians reconfigured scaffolding to provide access for the modification work, should it be required. A decision may be made on that work as early as today.
The next available launch date for Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station remains Feb. 3 at the opening of a window that extends through Feb. 10.
This e-mail update was generated automatically based on your subscriptions. Some updates may belong to more than one category, resulting in duplicate notices.
Before the Winter: NASA MARS
This mosaic of images shows the soil in front of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit after a series of short backward drives during attempts to extricate the rover from a sand trap in January and early February 2010. It is presented in false color to make some differences between materials easier to see. Bright-toned soil was freshly exposed by the rover's left-front wheel during the drives and can be seen with a "sand wave" shaping that resulted from the unseen wheel's action. Spirit's panoramic camera took the component images during the period from Feb. 2-16, 2010, or sols 2,163-2,177; a sol is one Martian day. The turret at the end of the rover's arm appears in two places because of movement during that period. Insets in the upper left and lower right corners of the frame show magnified views of the nearby inscribed rectangles within the mosaic. The patch of ground within each rectangle is about 25 centimeters (10 inches) across. The top inset and upper portion of the mosaic include targets within soil layers exposed by the action of Spirit's wheels in April 2009 and examined in detail with instruments on Spirit's arm during the five subsequent months. The investigations determined that, under a thin covering of windblown sand and dust, relatively insoluble minerals are concentrated near the surface and more-soluble ferric sulfates have higher concentrations below that layer. This pattern suggests water has moved downward through the soil, dissolving and carrying the ferric sulfates. The brightness and color of the freshly disturbed soil seen in the center area of the mosaic indicates the this formerly hidden material is sulfate-rich. Before Spirit drove into this patch, the surface looked like the undisturbed ground highlighted in the lower-right inset. Flecks of red material in the surface layer resemble the appearance of the surface layer at other locations where Spirit's wheels have exposed high-sulfate, bright soils. On Jan. 4, 2004, Spirit--the first of two NASA Mars Exploration Rovers--landed on the Red Planet for what was to be a 90-day mission. Since sol 2,210 (March 22, 2010), Spirit has been silent, and the project's scientists continue to listen for Spirit with the Deep Space Network and Mars Odyssey orbiter. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell University.
Food Safety Modernization Act: Putting the Focus on Prevention
Posted by Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. on January 03, 2011 at 04:53 PM EST
Cross posted from FoodSafety.gov.
Even before the President signs the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the passage of this legislation set in motion sweeping improvements to the security and safety of our nation’s food supply.
Each year, foodborne illness strikes 48 million Americans, hospitalizing a hundred thousand and killing thousands. I thank the President and members of Congress for recognizing that the burden that foodborne illness places on the American people is too great, and for taking this action.
The historic legislation the President will sign tomorrow directs the Food and Drug Administration, working with a wide range of public and private partners, to build a new system of food safety oversight – one focused on applying, more comprehensively than ever, the best available science and good common sense to prevent the problems that can make people sick.
The idea of prevention is not new. FDA has established prevention-oriented standards and rules for seafood, juice, and eggs, as has the U.S. Department of Agriculture for meat and poultry, and many in the food industry have pioneered “best practices” for prevention. What’s new is the recognition that, for all the strengths of the American food system, a breakdown at any point on the farm-to-table spectrum can cause catastrophic harm to the health of consumers and great disruption and economic loss to the food industry.
So, we need to look at the food system as a whole, be clear about the food safety responsibility of all of its participants, and strengthen accountability for prevention throughout the entire food system – domestically and internationally. The new law meets these needs in numerous ways.
For example, processors of all types of food will now be required to evaluate the hazards in their operations, implement and monitor effective measures to prevent contamination, and have a plan in place to take any corrective actions that are necessary. Also, FDA will have much more effective enforcement tools for ensuring those plans are adequate and properly implemented, including mandatory recall authority when needed to swiftly remove contaminated food from the market.
We will, in accordance with the law, establish science-based standards for the safe production and harvesting of fruits and vegetables to minimize the risk of serious illnesses or death, and we will set standards for the safe transportation of food.
Moreover, with the signing of the law, FDA will for the first time have a congressional mandate for risk-based inspection of food processing facilities. For example, all high-risk domestic facilities must be inspected within five years of enactment and no less than every three years thereafter.
The legislation significantly enhances FDA’s ability to oversee the millions of food products coming into the United States from other countries each year.
Among the improvements is the requirement that importers verify the safety of food from their suppliers and the authority for the FDA to block foods from facilities or countries that refuse our inspection. FDA will also be working more closely with foreign governments and increasing its inspection of foreign food facilities. FDA’s new import tool kit will have a huge impact on food safety given that an estimated 15 percent of the U.S. food supply is imported, including 60 percent of fresh fruits and vegetables and 80 percent of seafood.
Very importantly, the FSMA calls for the strengthening of existing collaboration among all food safety agencies whether they are Federal, state, local, territorial, tribal, or foreign. Among other provisions, the legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to improve training of state, local, territorial and tribal food safety officials and authorizes grants for training, conducting inspections, building capacity of labs and food safety programs, and other food safety activities. Building and leveraging the capacity of these food safety partners is how we can have a well-integrated, national food safety system that is as effective and efficient as it can be.
Now, the task falls to the FDA to carry out the direction we’ve been given. We are hard at work planning how we will put this law into effect. As we look to make the improvements called for in the legislation, we must ask ourselves many questions. What resources do we already have? What resources will we need? Where will those resources come from? Already we know that the legislation did not include sufficient fee resources to cover the costs of the new requirements. In that, we will look to Congress to work with us to ensure that FDA has what’s needed to achieve our shared food safety and food defense goals.
This law represents a sea change for food safety in America, bringing a new focus on prevention, and I expect that in the coming years it will have a dramatic and positive effect on the safety of the food supply.
Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. is the Commissioner of Food and Drugs
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