Category Archives: Projects

The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al Rabiah, met with EU ambassadors in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 3-Jun-2023 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al Rabiah, met with ambassadors from the European Union countries in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday in Riyadh at the Marriott hotel, within the framework of the new “Bridges” initiative, to introduce the latest services provided to Muslim pilgrims, including the Nusuk online platform.

This meeting comes to kick-start the “Bridges” initiative, implemented by the Ministry with the aim of strengthening relations and communication with countries around the world, as well as introducing the efforts exerted by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to serve European pilgrims, whether those already residing in the Kingdom or arriving to perform Hajj.

The meeting clarified the facilitations introduced to arrivals’ procedures which allows for performing Hajj rituals within a safe atmosphere, arising from the quality of services provided, which consequently supports enriching the spiritual journey of the pilgrims in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The meeting also included an introductory presentation of the Nusuk online platform, which provides a package of digital services to 67 countries from Europe, the Americas, and Australia, in seven international languages.

The platform also contributes to preserving the rights of the guests through direct monitoring of service providers under the Ministry’s electronic supervision of the platform.

Al Rabiah stressed to his diplomatic guests that the development of the infrastructure of the holy sites and the Two Holy Mosques is in full swing, highlighting that the ongoing operations are among the largest in the world, which ensures that pilgrims will receive the highest levels of service, whether at the holy site or through the automation of booking procedures on the Nusuk platform.

The meeting included an introductory tour comprising six films, 26 educational video clips, 13 awareness posts, in addition to 39 educational designs, all of which to raise the awareness regarding the appropriate behaviors that should be followed at the holy sites and the Two Holy Mosques, as well as preventive health behaviors, displayed in three languages, including English, French and Arabic.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Geneva Global Initiative calls on Governments and multilateral institutions to develop more integrated and concrete preparedness strategies for whole-society responses

GENEVA, 6-May-2019 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — The UN IPBES’ 2019 Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is another one in a long line of warnings about the state of our planet. It should be clear that we face multiple interacting environmental stresses, and these are intensifying. Profound environmental, economic and political changes will likely define the next decade and beyond.

“Now is the time to bring attention to how we handle the risk of a large-scale systemic failure if all mitigation efforts fall flat and sustainable goals are not met in time”, said David Korowicz, GGI’s Director for Risk and Response.

The GGI is hosting an on-the-record teleconference to further discuss this, open to journalists and parties focused on these issues on Wednesday, May 8, at 4:00 pm Central European Time. The call is open to the public, but RSVP is required at Rachel@morrisseypr.com.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

The Colombia Country Brand is going all out on Twitter by Taking Territorial Marketing from the Streets of New York to a Twitter Account near You

As part of its international strategy to attract new business and tourism, the Colombia Country Brand, a competitive tool of the National Government, is taking country branding to the social mediascape to show the world the positive change Colombia is experiencing. The country is in a process of renovation, in a growing economy with ample possibilities of business, travel and investment.

Since April 18th at 3 p.m. EST, Colombians have been the talk of town across the world thanks to the auctions of six unique experiences that Colombia country brand brought to the world, an activity that shows the world why the Answer is Colombia.

The inauguration event took place in Times Square, where New York inhabitants and tourists alike had the chance to appreciate the cultural, touristic and musical richness of the South American country. An impromptu concert by Fonseca and the appearance of both coffee legend mascot Juan Valdez and the queen of this year’s Barranquilla Carnival, helped kick start the event that drew people from all continents.

Between April 18 and May 28, the event Auction was highlighted with an event on the ground at Times Square where people could have their picture taken along with the country brand’s auctioneer, get directions on how to participate in the auction, or even have a Twitter account created for them so they could participate. And from then on the auction has continued through Twitter, where the followers of the Colombia country brand English language profile, @BrandColombia, have had a significant impact in the social network, making the #ColombiaTimesSquare hashtag a Trending Topic not only in Colombia, where it is to be expected, but also in countries as far away as Spain.

Tweet for a Unique Experience
Through the Auction of Unique Colombian Experiences, people from countries all over the world have the chance to win an all-expense paid experience in Colombia.
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The experience can be chosen from one of the following six options: being witness to the rearing of a whale calf in the Pacific, having a smooth cup of coffee while breathing in the cafetero atmosphere and landscape, living the magic of the biggest theater festival in the world, taking a marvelous stroll in the walled city of Cartagena, feeling the welcoming ways and perfect spring-like weather of the people of the most innovative city in the world or discover the secrets of San Agustín.

The mechanics of this auction are very simple, there are two ways to participate, one for Colombians, who already know and love their country and one for foreigners who despite many having come visited the country in the past, can still learn a lot about it; Colombians must make a one minute video telling the world why “The Answer is Colombia” (the tagline for the country brand’s campaign), and upload it to YouTube, where a jury will review it and select the best one.

As for foreigners, all they have to do is follow @BrandColombia on Twitter, write one or more tweets using the tag #TheAnswerisCOlombia and then go bug their friends, family, followers and even annoying stalkers in order to get the most retweets. They have until May 5th at noon Colombian time (1 p.m. EST) to be the loudest Tweep out there.

The 20 people with Twitter accounts who get the most retweets overall can pick one of the six experiences auctioned, and then live their pick, and visit Colombia. People from all parts of the world are already tweeting and asking for their friends’ support to be part of the list of winners.

What has been achieved?

In terms of activity, there has been a remarkable interest of more than 180 foreign citizens from countries like France, England, Finland, South Korea, India, among many others, and many are already packing their bags to embark on an adventure that only Colombia can provide.
The auction accounts for more than 300 participants and some of them have already reached the 200-retweet mark; the final ranking will be available on May 9th, after all the tweets and retweets have been duly tallied and counted.

So fart the Twitosphere has gotten to know Colombia’s best: On April 18th the hashtag #ColombiaTimesSquare became a Trending Topic in Colombia, Latin America and Spain.

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If Colombia was invisible to foreigners in the past, this event managed to put the country in the map of many travelers who seek adventures they won’t forget.

Via EPR Network
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Illinois 1st Congressional District Residents Want Don Peloquin For Change in Congress

1st Congressional Districts Cook County South Suburban Residents and newly re-districted Will County are climbing aboard the Peloquin Economic Development and Transportation Expansion Plans. The recent 1st congressional re-districting has woken up many of the suburban residents who have virtually been without representation, to the fact that they’ve been swept up in the Bobby Rush city politics, and they’re climbing aboard the Peloquin“We Can Make A Difference” campaign Citing the proposed transportation expansion spanning the I-57 and 294 Peloquin has introduced the strategic importance of the I-57 and I-80 potential economic quarters much like the I-88 and I-90 were to the western suburbs of Illinois. Peloquin further defines the Proposed Peotone Airport as the key to establishing the success as seen in the west sides large land based re-development at Center Point, which has brought in thousands of new intermodal facilities, commerce and much needed jobs.

The proposed Peotone Airport would be scaled down and tailored to the much needed cargo and freight transportation to utilize the existing intermodal facilities and infrastructure in place. There are many industrial facilities that have rail systems in place, why spend the money re-inventing the wheel, it’s about recovery, and this district has a lot of underutilized and vacant assets sitting idle. This would bring a new network of jobs and drive economic growth through the use of the proposed cargo and freight based airport. It could virtually replicate the success of I-88 and I-90 model of to the Westside throughout Southern Cook County and Will County Just like Peloquin, the 1st district residents have called out both congressmen Rush and Jackson to meet with Peloquin on the proposed Peotone airport and I-57 and 294 expansion, and just like Rush’s dubious record of missing the most votes in congress for his 1st district, he is missing again, while Jessie has his own personal agenda for the airport, he’s missing too.

1st district residents are supporting the Peloquin proposed governing board consisting of Will County, Southern Cook County and the City of Chicago representatives to assure they are all acting in the best interest of the 1st district, not on personal agendas, hiding, or simply missing the opportunities to produce long term growth for their constituents outside the Chicago city limits. Out of the 17 cities comprising the 1st district, the majority of the mayors have been endorsing Peloquin as their residents realize Peloquin, and his posture to trim down the size and complexity of government, is left little choice but to propose the governing board because Rush’s interests for one, focus on the populous Chicago City voters and not their interests.

Heads of Tinley Park, Frankfort and Mokena endorsed Don Peloquin, and as Mokena Mayor Joe Warner states “Peloquin has more experience in personally interacting with the range of diverse people now a part of the new 1st district. from the urban Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago’s far north end, to rural Elwood on the opposite south west boundary. That’s a complicated range of needs”.

Via EPR Network
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The Council of Tenerife has announced a new initiative that will convert Tenerife into a global communication capital

The objective of the ALIX initiative is to transform Tenerife into a main link within the global telecommunications network via the development of the neutral Internet access point (or NAP) for Western Africa-Canary Islands, the Island Telecommunications Ring and the CanaLink Project.

As a result of the geographical location of the Canary Islands in a key zone between Latin America, Africa and the rest of Europe, the Archipelago acts as a privileged tri-continental bridge. Status as a platform between three continents offers many advantages in a number of areas including cultural, social, economic, business spheres. All areas of our daily lives can be benefitted via good management of the location of the Islands within this globalised world.

The Western Africa-Canary Islands Nap (Network Access Point) is the element that will enable Tenerife to exploit its possibilities as a tri-continental platform and bridge, commencing with fundamental issue: communications. The Nap, to be installed in Granadilla, will house various existing submarine cable links along with others that are being prepared both between the Islands and within the Canary Islands-Europe-Africa-Latin America axis.

Therefore, the Council of Tenerife’s Western Africa-Canary Islands Nap will act as a neutral data centre that not only serves as a point of concentration and distribution of international connectivity, but also as a base infrastructure for local information technology companies interested in competing overseas, or international companies that wish to operate in Western Africa using Tenerife as a platform, with the legal security afforded by location in the EU, hoping to benefit from the additional fiscal advantages associated with the Canary Islands’ status as an Outermost Region.

In order to provide alternatives to internal connections, the Council is creating a fibre-optic cable network that will allow the Island to provide its own infrastructure for voice and data transmission.

The first phase will see the southern zone of Tenerife linked to the facilities of the Canary Islands Astrophysics Institute, using the layout of the roads and motorways on the Island. The second phase will see fibre-optics extended to the north and south-east, also via the road network managed by the Island Corporation.

The Island Telecommunications Ring of Tenerife will also be connected to the Western Africa-Canary Islands Nap.

The CanaLink project is another cornerstone of ALIX. CanaLink will contribute to the end of the monopoly within cable communications. CanaLink is formed by the Telecommunications Technology Institute (IT3) and the neutral submarine cable operator, IslaLink. It is responsible for laying a new cable between Tenerife and Rota (Cadiz), which will result in the liberalisation of the sector.

This submarine cable will avoid failures in data transmission and will afford high levels of quality to telecommunications within the Archipelago. It will fulfil the demands of the various telecommunications operators that operate in the remainder of the national territory that currently have their access to the market of the Canary Islands restricted.

Via EPR Network
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Brazil’s congressional leaders tackle the serious cell phone problems in their country

We Don’t Make the Smartphone…We Make it Smarter, Safer, Courteous and Compliant.

With a registered bill on the table, U.S. based Try Safety First (TSF) is deploying time, talent and resources into Brazil to advance its new mobile phone protocol technology. With its white paper being published in more than twenty-four countries across the globe, it is Brazil where TSF is looking to launch.

When asked why Brazil , TSF CEO John Fischer said, “TSF is eager to work with all governments and strategic partners to advance our patent-pending protocol technology. But to date, it is the congressional leaders of Brazil who have demonstrated the greatest desire and responsiveness to tackle the serious cell phone problems in their country.”

According to the World Health Organization, environment specific (prisons, court rooms, classrooms, in flight and behind the wheel) cell phone problems are costing theworld’s top industrialized countries between one and three percent of GDP. Fischer agrees societal cell phone problems are dynamic, devastating and very costly. But he also expands the statement by saying they can easily be eradicated with the implementation of TSF protocol technology.

TSF is the world leader for mobile device protocol development. According to Fischer, the advancement of TSF’s protocol technology will provide an optional tool for parents, teachers, judges, wardens, pilots and employers to easily eliminate cell phone problems within their respective environments. TSF’s primary objective is to establish a uniform global standard throughout the wireless industry to increase the functionality of mobile devices to provide simple solutions to remedy grand societal problems.

For more information on TSF technology or for investment opportunities, please visit http://trysafetyfirst.com.

Via EPR Network
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Palestinian Statehood Bid Questioned at UN Headquarters in New York by International Christian Delegation

A group of Christian pastors presented an outline of Bible prophesies to the U.N. relating to the proposal to recognise Palestine this month and the dangerous consequences to the nations. As reported by The Washington Post and The Associated Press in a news release dated Wednesday, August 31, 2011, Israel is resigned to the U.N. General Assembly’s endorsement of a planned Palestinian bid for admission as a state to the United Nations in late September.

Conservative Christians are virtually unanimous in their support for Israel. In mid-August, Yahoo News news.yahoo.com reported that Bible-believing pastors were in New York City to warn U.N. officials concerning the Palestinian’s admission to the United Nations. The group informed officials of the Bible’s strong warnings against dividing the land of Israel. One member of the delegation was quoted as saying“There’s a Jew on the throne of heaven and Israel is his land.”

They have repeated their warnings of the Bible’s declaration of the true owner of the land of Israel and the predicted consequences to the Nations that are involved in dividing Israel. A summation of their beliefs is as follows:

1. God’s ownership of the entire land of Israel is absolute and His conveyance of the land to the Jewish people disallows U.N. authority over Israel.

• God said of Israel, “The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine…” Leviticus 25:23

• God gave it, “To Israel for an everlasting covenant, saying, unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance” “And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee…all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:8

2. Granting nation status to the Palestinians defies God’s declaration of ownership and will lead to the following judgments:

• God said that all nations would collectively divide the land of Israel and that the people and nations involved would be judged severely. They used the following Bible verses to support their case: Zechariah 12:3 “…I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.” Joel 3:2 states: “I will also gather all nations …and will plead with them…for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.”

• The Bible also teaches that subsequent to dividing the land of Israel, God will bring the following types of catastrophes and judgments which are revealed in the Prophets and the New Testament:

• Worldwide financial collapse

• Worldwide weather disasters and extreme heat waves

• The greatest earthquake of all time leading to the cities falling

• Worldwide famine with plagues and pestilence

• Armageddon

“For the LORD shall rise up …he shall be wroth…Now therefore be ye not mockers…: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.” Isaiah 28:21-22

Some have asked how a loving and merciful God could seek to destroy the nations for coming against Israel. The answer they state is that they have rejected The Lord Jesus Christ, referred to in the Bible as the King of the Jews and the ruler of heaven and earth.

• “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18

• “The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.” Psalms 110:5-6

Several U.N. staff members agreed that the Bible teaches that Jesus, who paid for the sins of the world with His blood, will return and reign over the whole earth. The delegation quoted the following Biblical verses in the context of Jesus’ offer of mercy and imminent worldwide reign: “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up…to worship the King, the LORD of hosts…” Zechariah 14:16

Those who recognize their personal sin and ask Jesus for salvation will escape the world-wide judgements. “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness…” Mark 7:21-22

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13.

Via EPR Network
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Martha Lane Fox’s ‘Network Nation’ Will Help The Jobless

Internet millionaire Fil Adams Mercer put his support squarely behind the Coalition Government’s plans to get 10 million more Britons to use the internet.

“There were seven million jobs advertised online last year. 900,000 unemployed people do not currently use the internet. It’s a no brainer,” said Mr Adams Mercer, whose online parcel company Parcel2Go has grown to a £16 million business.

Martha Lane Fox, the Government’s ‘digital champion’ and founder of Lastminute.com, intends to have 100% of the British public online by the Olympic year 2012 with her ‘Network Nation’.

The potential savings for Government are obvious if a higher percentage of administrative functions can be performed online.

“We’re not advocating that everyone has a computer at home. There has been so much ICT (information and communication technologies) investment into communities – into schools, into GP surgeries, into libraries. For example, there are 500,000 computers locked up in schools every night. That’s just dumb, especially now, when we need to be sweating our assets as much as we can,” she said.

The Prime Minister said: “We need to ensure that people aren’t being left behind as more and more services and business move online. Promoting digital inclusion is essential for a dynamic modern economy and can help to make government more efficient and effective.”

Via EPR Network
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Local Politician Uses Innovative Social Marketing To Get Rural Tennessee Residents Registered To Vote

Bradley Troutman grew up in Jefferson County, and has farmed his land in Dandridge for as long as he can remember. He most recently decided run for the vacant Register of Deeds position in Jefferson County, TN and began to think of new and exciting ways that he could the word out about his campaign. Although social media is a recent addition to his life and campaign he has embraced it fully with the help of www.DouglasLakeFun.com and the addition of an election Facebook page.

The idea to provide anyone in Jefferson County, TN a personal visit to provide them with voter registration just came naturally to him. The personable warm smile and ability to talk to anyone makes him a natural fit as candidate for Register of Deeds and will help him garner more voter interest for all of Jefferson County’s future elections.

Anyone that is not registered to vote in Jefferson County, TN and desires a personal delivery of the appropriate paperwork from Bradley Troutman is urged to visit http://www.douglaslakefun.com/index.php/coupons, log in, and print the coupon. Mention this when you contact him and he will set up a time when he can deliver the paperwork.

Bradley Troutman a candidate for the vacant Register of Deeds position in Jefferson Couny, TN was reviewing the list of registered voters when he realized that only a small population of the eligible public was registered to vote. He teamed up with www.DouglasLakeFun.com to provide a coupon to allow anyone, anywhere in Jefferson County, TN to have the necessary paperwork delivered to them free of charge by Bradley Troutman.

Bradley Troutman, www.DouglasLakeFun.com, Voter registration drive

Douglas Lake Fun
http://www.douglaslakefun.com/index.php?option=com

Troutman for Register of Deeds
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Bradley-Troutman

Via EPR Network
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President’s Call For Jobs and Justice Fuels Rallies By National Black Farmers Association

The call for jobs and a renewed emphasis on civil rights in the State of the Union address will echo through upcoming rallies, according to Dr. John Boyd, president of the National Black Farmers Association.

President's Call For Jobs and Justice Fuels Rallies By National Black Farmers Association

In a series of regional events, black farmers will urge Congress and President Obama to act now on a promised $1.15 billion to remedy decades of discrimination.

“The nation’s treatment of black farmers is a blight. Empty promises only make matters worse,” said Dr. Boyd. “It is time for Congress to do the right thing and compensate discriminated black farmers for the government’s wrongs against them. It certainly has found the will to fund far less worthy and much more expensive causes. “

Beginning on February 6 in Little Rock, Arkansas, black farmers and supporters from some of the most depressed areas of the country will come together to insist on long promised and long delayed justice. It was back in 1999 that the government agreed to one of the largest civil rights settlements in our history, the Pigford case, due to discriminatory practices by the USDA.

In his State of the Union address, President Obama observed: “We find unity in our incredible diversity, drawing on the promise enshrined in our Constitution: the notion that we are all created equal, that no matter who you are or what you look like, if you abide by the law you should be protected by it; that if you adhere to our common values you should be treated no different than anyone else.”

On the other side of the aisle, Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia found it easy to agree on the subject of job creation.

“We were encouraged to hear President Obama speak this evening about the need to create jobs,” said McDonnell. “All Americans should have the opportunity to find and keep meaningful work, and the dignity that comes with it.”

But for black farmers, the ideals laid out by both President Obama and Governor McDonnell have been only a dream. Black farmers and supporters will rally throughout the Southeast culminating in a rally in front of the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC to make heard the urging of thousands: keep your promise; justice now.

The rally schedule includes:

Saturday, February 6, 2010: Little Rock, Arkansas (The Downtown Hilton)
Monday, February, 8, 2010: Memphis, Tennessee (Handy Park)
Tuesday, February 9, 2010: Jackson, Missouri (Battlefield Park)
Wednesday, February 10, 2010: Montgomery, Alabama (in front of the Capital Building)
Thursday, February 11, 2010: Columbus, Georgia (The Columbus Civic Center)
Friday, February 12, 2010: Columbia, South Carolina (The Clarion Hotel)
Saturday, February 13, 2010: Richmond, Virginia (Downtown Hilton)
Monday, February 15, 2010: Washington, DC (US Department of Agriculture – Jefferson Drive side)

For more information, please contact Billy Warden (919) 412.0630 or visit http://nbfarally.com/.

Via EPR Network
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Governor Pat Quinn Approves Bill to Create Illinois State Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS Prevention Messages Targeting Youth

Governor Pat Quinn last week approved legislation that creates a new state advisory council to help state government develop effective HIV/AIDS prevention messages targeting youth.

The legislation, House Bill 3974 sponsored by State Representative Cynthia Soto (D-Chicago) and State Senator William Delgado (D-Chicago) would create the Advisory Council on Youth HIV/AIDS Prevention Messages to advise the Illinois Department of Public Health on effective prevention messages to deter youth from engaging in risky behaviors that lead to HIV/AIDS infections.

“The percentage of Illinois HIV/AIDS infections that is represented by youth has been growing enormously over the last eight years, and that growth, in part, represents a failure of HIV/AIDS prevention messages to effectively reach youth” said Cathy Krieger, President & CEO of The Children’s Place Association based in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood.

“We are grateful to Governor Quinn that he recognizes the problem of youth HIV/AIDS infections and is acting to address the problem.”

On February 27, 2009, at the 2nd annual Illinois Youth & HIV/AIDS Forum sponsored by The Children’s Place Association, the Illinois Department of Public Health presented data that revealed that the youth proportion of reported HIV/AIDS infections in Illinois has grown from 10% in 2000 to 20% in 2008—a 100% increase.

“This is a staggering increase,” said Krieger.

In addition to the IDPH data, new research was presented by Dr. Dexter Voisin, an Associate Professor, University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration that examined the attitudes of Chicago-area college students in seven focus groups, including blacks, Latinos, whites, males, females, and gay men—regarding HIV/AIDS prevention messages.

The research findings revealed all groups reported a significant reduction in the intensity, range, and the length of media messages on HIV prevention and testing over the last 5 years.

More specifically, the research showed that young blacks and Latinos in Chicago tend to distrust most sources of government information on HIV/AIDS prevention. And young Latina women in Chicago fear getting an HIV/AIDS test out of concern that they may be labeled negatively as “fast” women.

Additionally, all respondents said they would be likely to take their parents seriously if they spoke to them about sex and HIV/AIDS transmission.

Of the 50 students who participated in the focus group research—only one had been tested for HIV/AIDS.

“The bottom line is that AIDS awareness initiatives and media prevention messages targeted at young people in Chicago – and African-Americans and Latinos in particular – are not working,” said Krieger. “We think the advisory council approved by Governor Quinn is a good step to address the problem.”

The Children’s Place Association is Illinois’ only child welfare agency exclusively dedicated to the care of HIV/AIDS infected children and families in Illinois.

Via EPR Network
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New Mexico Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons Awards Contract to WeInterpret.Net

We Interpret.Net has signed a contract with the New Mexico Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons. Their local office is located at 6100 Seagull St. NE Suite B105 (Seagull Office Plaza) in Albuquerque, NM. We Interpret.Net along with is partner company, We Interpret Linked, both headquartered in the state of Maryland has been providing Sign Language Interpreting services since 1996 primarily on the East Coast. This new contract affords the citizens of New Mexico with state wide quality interpreting service coordination, internship opportunities for new interpreters, education and outreach, and emergency hospital service coordination in Las Cruces.

weinterpret

WeInterpret.Net is also a sponsor for Continuing Education Credits through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. In addition to the management staff, full time interpreters, both Deaf and Hearing, will be hired. Individuals who would like to sub contract to provide Interpreting services are encouraged to register at www.WeInterpret.Net.

Appropriate communication methods vary by individual and We Interpret.Net can provide interpreters skilled in American Sign Language, Signed English, The Rochester Method, Cued Speech, Oral Interpretation and Tactile Methods for the Deaf/Blind individuals. In specific areas of New Mexico interpreters are in short supply. In addition to the on-site interpreters who will be directed from this office, there is a call center in Owings Mills, Maryland to provide Video Interpreting in the rural parts of the state. “Office staff who are also certified interpreters, along with our Video Interpreting solution allow the agency to respond to every request with qualified interpreters even on the busiest of days or during the overnight and weekend hours.” Stated Deb McKerrow, Director of New Mexico opperations.

About WeInterpret.Net
Maryland Interpreting Services, a Maryland corporation doing business as We Interpret.Net (www.WeInterpret.Net) and We Interpret Linked (www.WeInterpretLinked.com) was established in 1996. Owner and President, David Stephenson is a nationally certified interpreter. Since its establishment, it has provided some 6 million hours of interpreting services to some 900 customers through offices in Utah, Virginia, Maryland and New Mexico. Staff Interpreters and Independent Sub-Contractors numbering over 1000 provide on-site and Video Remote Interpreting.

About New Mexico Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons
The State of New Mexico, Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons provides effective leadership, education, advocacy and programs to reduce barriers to the social, economic, educational, cultural and intellectual well – being of Deaf and Hard of Hearing New Mexicans and their families, friends and colleagues. (www.cdhh.state.nm.us).

Via EPR Network
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Leading AML Service Integrates Full Electoral Register

The full 2009 Electoral Register has now been integrated into the Tracesmart anti-money laundering (AML) identity check service. The inclusion of the full 2009 Electoral Register, one of the many positive datasets the system interrogates, will ensure as many legitimate individuals as possible are cleared by the ID check at the first instance.

Tracesmart Corporate‘s AML service allows users to perform identity checks that help them to fulfil their AML ‘Know Your Customer‘ obligations, and it meets the standards set for electronic verification prescribed by the Joint Money Laundering Steering Group (JMLSG).

The UK Electoral Register has two formats – the edited Electoral Register which is available for any commercial use, but does not contain the entire UK electorate as individuals are able to ‘opt out’; and the full Electoral Register which can only be used by companies for credit referencing and anti-money laundering purposes, but contains the entire UK electorate.

Utilising the full 2009 Electoral Register will enhance the pass rate of legitimate individuals at the initial check stage. Historically, the system utilised edited Electoral Register data as part of the identity check, which whilst highly accurate, could marginally affect the initial check pass rate, due to the opt-out clause; this meant further checks – such as document verification – would have to be conducted. Chris Rothwell, Sales Director at Tracesmart, highlighted how the addition of the full Electoral Register will make for quicker identity checks.

“The integration of the full 2009 Electoral Register into our AML system, means that our service users can now swiftly and efficiently identify more of their clients without requesting additional documentation. However, the ability to verify identity documents such as passports, driving licences, credit or debit cards and utility bills, has been preserved in case further checks are required. The system ensures that identity checks are conducted in a business friendly manner, whilst also meeting anti-money laundering obligations.” 

This latest update to the AML service follows on f r o m the recent introduction of a ‘single click’ search interface. Previously, users had to build the identity profile of an individual by searching d a t a s e t s and verifying details through a multi-tabbed interface. Whilst many Tracesmart clients found this interface conducive to their business needs, customer feedback indentified the need for a ‘single click’ check. Mike Trezise, Managing Director at Tracesmart, believes this customer-centric approach to service development is one of the company’s strongest points. 

“We have always believed it to be truly important that there is a constant dialogue between ourselves and our clients, especially concerning the services themselves. After all, it’s our clients that use the systems day in, day out, so it essential that their needs are fulfilled. As such, Tracesmart will continue to listen to its customers, front-line staff and market research, to develop its services accordingly.”

 

Access to the full Electoral Register data, via Tracesmart’s AML service, is only available to companies who meet strict data protection pre-requisites.

About Tracesmart

  • Tracesmart Limited was formed in 1999 and supplies a diverse range of consumer data cleansing, identity check and tracing tools to a wide variety of industries. Their client base ranges f r o m SME to Blue Chip, who are all recipients of bespoke solutions, built around their specific needs.
  • Chris Rothwell, Tracesmart’s Sales Director, previously worked in both the financial markets and tracing industry. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, Chris is well placed to head up the corporate sales team.
  • Mike Trezise is the founder and Managing Director of Tracesmart. With over 25 years tracing and fraud analysis experience, his unrivalled knowledge provides the company with a distinct competitive advantage.

Dr. Michael W. Cantrell, Sr. the visionary behind The Federal Housing Recovery Plan (FHRP) believes that once enacted, the FHRP will enable the housing industry to recover in less than 24 months from the date of its implementation

Dr. Michael W. Cantrell, Sr. the visionary behind The Federal Housing Recovery Plan (FHRP) believes that once enacted, the FHRP will enable the housing industry to recover in less than 24 months from the date of its implementation. It will allow people who own a primary residential home the opportunity to save their home from foreclosure, ensure that property values will not decline due to the restructuring of loans, and mostly it will protect the everyday citizen and taxpayer from having to foot the bill for a bail-out plan and instead will secure the value of their homes.

The Federal Housing Recovery Plan is designed to bring liquidity to the markets and make at-risk securities more valuable and buyable on the open market; therefore lessening the effect of government involvement. The securities backed by this plan would inevitably yield a 102% increase in face value. Most importantly, it will not drive down the market prices of homes in and around the neighborhoods of people who do not require the assistance of FHRP and they will not be affected by the restructuring of FHRP Mortgages.

A brief example of how FHRP Mortgages will work –

Problem:
An individual or family owes $150,000.00 to their current lender and property values decline by 20% (on average) reducing the value of their property by roughly $30,000.00, and this individual or family cannot effectively pay their mortgage at the current rate of interest, but also cannot refinance their property due to the declining market values. However, they can afford to pay a portion of the mortgage loan payment every month, but that is not enough for their lender.

Solution:
The Government, through the
FHRP would buy this mortgage for .62 on the dollar. This, in turn, would free up the liquidity of the banks or investment firms that otherwise would write off this type of loan to zero dollars; thus allowing funds to flow for the institution to lend more money.

The FHRP Mortgage Representative would negotiate the mortgage payment terms with the homeowner(s) to an amount they could afford monthly enabling them to stay in their home. The original mortgage loan would be back figured to a first lien mortgage that was agreed upon-becoming an FHRP Mortgage.

The difference between the old and new loan amounts would be held by an FHRP Mortgage Bond for up to 15 years with no interest due and be recorded as a second lien on the property. This lien would be required to be paid off when the property is sold or refinanced at or prior to the maturity date.

Conclusion:
The Federal Housing Recovery Plan enables the family to stay in their home, make affordable monthly payments, and not reduce the mortgage amount thus not reducing the value of other homes in their neighborhood.

The new mortgage at the lower negotiated amount now becomes valuable for servicing because the family is consistently paying their mortgage payments. When people are paying on their mortgages, banks and investment firms would be inclined to buy these FHRP Mortgages because they know they are secure.

Dr. Cantrell believes that in 15 years or less the housing market will rise to the point that their property value would also rise above their first and second mortgage liens. The family’s income will rise during this 15 year period also and will allow their credit to cure so they may be able to refinance the FHRP Mortgage and the government held second lien FHRP Mortgage Bond with traditional institutional banks, mortgage bankers… etc.

The second liens will be securitized by United States Savings Bonds. FHRP Mortgage Bonds will be sold to the general public, not companies, for .75 on the dollar. The Treasurer would determine when the bonds would pay out at 100%.

This is a short version of Dr. Cantrell’s plan to bring this country out of its current turmoil and bring the foreclosure rate down to about 1.5%.

Dr. Cantrell has been working in the mortgage industry for almost 20 years starting out as a mortgage broker in 1989, then working his way through the industry closing loans and selling bundles of quality mortgage loans to investment institutions on the secondary mortgage market. While other lending institutions began offering interest only loans and option arms – his company did not, as they knew this new way of lending with a potential negative amortization would lead to disaster in the long term.

Dr. Wald Carum of Almeda University recently had this to say about Dr. Cantrell’s FHRP: “This Plan demonstrates a breadth and depth of knowledge about its subject that can only come from a true outside the box thinker and experienced businessman. Drawing upon his life experience as well as his training as an MBA, Dr. Cantrell has constructed a workable and simple plan to help America out of its current housing crisis. In this nearly unprecedented time of financial turmoil, Dr. Cantrell recognizes that the essence of the problem and the solution lie within the housing market. As Dr. Cantrell succinictly theorizes, “The Federal Housing Recovery Plan is designed to bring liquidity to the markets and make at-risk securities more valuable and buyable on the open market; therefore lessening the effect of government involvement.” The last phrase is key to avoiding a slide into socialism. Dr. Cantrell’s plan maintains the predominance of capitalism and the free market system while allowing “the family to stay in their home, make affordable monthly payments, and not reduce the mortgage amount thus not reducing the value of other homes in their neighborhood.” Congress would do well to give Dr. Cantrell’s plan a thorough consideration and hearing. It makes more sense than anything I’ve read the past two months. I applaud Dr. Cantrell for his excellent efforts, for which he richly deserves his doctorate degree from Almeda University.” Wald Carum, PhD

Dr. Cantrell states “I look at this FHRP as a way to right a wrong. I have been on both sides of the fence. The banks and investment firms got on the wrong side of the fence and we now have to correct it. I offer my extensive knowledge to bringing this back into the right perspective and am very passionate about helping America out of this crisis.”

America is angry. Especially the 90% of people who are able to make their payments on time and are watching the value of their homes continuing to decline due to foreclosures that are selling for .50 on the dollar. This plan will reduce or eliminate declining home values. It will close the Gaps, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA now in place and will bring confidence to the general public that their housing values will remain stable, and their investments, 401Ks and retirement plans that are tied to the financial market will also recover. This is a true recovery plan.

FHRP Mortgage and FHRP Mortgage Bonds must become a reality – our future depends on it. This plan can start working in as little as 90 days. Contact Dr.Michael W. Cantrell, Sr. mcantrell@fhrpmtg.com or visit the website for a free copy www.fhrpmtg.com for more information on this plan that he hopes will get before the right government officials quickly. For a more detailed example or a copy of frequently asked questions please contact Michael Cantrell or his virtual assistant Marie Tucker of Girl Friday Services of Maine at girlfridayservices08@yahoo.com or visit www.fhrpmtg.com.

Dr. Michael W. Cantrell, Sr. has the experience, knowledge and information on exactly how we can turn the troubled housing market into a booming housing market.

Get the full plan www.fhrpmtg.com or email mcantrell@fhrpmtg.com. 

Via EPR Network
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