Teen drinking and driving rate cut in half in 20 years

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/teen-drinking-driving-rate-cut-half-20-years-194444104.html

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Cell Therapeutics' brain cancer drug gets orphan status

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Polar bear scientist reprimanded for improper release of government documents

An Interior Department official said emails released by Charles Monnett were cited by a federal appeals court in decisions to vacate approval by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management of an oil and gas company's Arctic exploration plan.?

By Becky Bohrer,?Associated Press / October 1, 2012

This is an undated file photo of a polar bear taken in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge.

Subhankar Banerjee/AP/File

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An Alaska scientist whose observations of drowned?polar?bears?helped galvanize the global warming movement has been reprimanded for improper release of government documents.

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An Interior Department official said emails released by Charles Monnett were cited by a federal appeals court in decisions to vacate approval by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management of an oil and gas company's Arctic exploration plan.

The official, Walter Cruickshank, deputy director of BOEM, said in a memo that an inspector general's investigation contained findings that Monnett had improperly disclosed internal government documents, which he said were later used against the agency in court. He also said the investigation made other findings in regards to Monnett's conduct, but he wasn't taking action on those. He would not specify those findings.

Cruickshank called Monnett's "misconduct very serious," and said any future misconduct may lead to more severe discipline, including removal from federal service.

Monnett was briefly suspended last year during an inspector general's investigation into a?polar?bear?research contract he managed. The inspector general's report, which was released Friday, said its investigation was set off by a complaint from an unidentified Interior Department employee who alleged that Monnett wrongfully released government records and that he and another scientist, Jeffrey Gleason, intentionally omitted or used false data in an article they wrote on?polar?bears. During that investigation, authorities also looked into the procurement issue.

Jeff Ruch, executive director of the advocacy group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, which has been involved in the matter on Monnett's behalf, said Friday that the issue of the document release did not even come up in investigators' questioning of Monnett.

He called the outcome "completely unexpected," and said Monnett is confused by it.

PEER, in a news release, said the email disclosure had nothing to do with?polar?bear?research but that it embarrassed the agency.

"We think he's owed an apology, but we're not going to hold our breath until he gets one," Ruch said.

Federal investigators had said that Monnett helped a?polar?bear?researcher prepare a proposal even though he was the government official who determined whether the proposal met minimum qualifications. PEER has said that Monnett's handling of the study was proper and that Monnett, instead, was being targeted for a 2006 article on drowned?polar?bears.

The article was based on observations that Monnett and Gleason made in 2004 while conducting an aerial survey of bowhead whales. They saw four dead?polar?bears?floating in the water after a storm.

In the article, they said they were reporting, to the best of their knowledge, the first observations of the?bearsfloating dead and presumed drowned while apparently swimming long distances. They wrote that whilepolar?bears?are considered strong swimmers, long-distance swims may exact a greater metabolic toll than standing or walking on ice in better weather.

They said their findings suggested that drowning-related deaths of?polar?bears?may increase in the future "if the observed trend of regression of pack ice and/or longer open water periods continues."

The article and related presentations helped to make the?polar?bear?a symbol for the global warming movement.

According to the inspector general's report, investigators found that Monnett and Gleason used an incomplete database as their primary source of information to write the article, made conflicting statements to investigators regarding the writing and editing process and understated data in the manuscript. However, they found that the article had "little or no impact" on a federal decision to extend special protections to?polar?bearsunder the Endangered Species Act, according to the report.

A BOEM spokeswoman, Theresa Eisenman, said the findings in the report do not support a conclusion that the scientists involved engaged in "scientific misconduct."

Monnett's reprimand could be removed from his record in two years or less.

Ruch said Monnett has been told he will return to scientific work.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/science/~3/8Ow8qlmRqho/Polar-bear-scientist-reprimanded-for-improper-release-of-government-documents

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U.S. "fiscal cliff" a risk to global growth, Europe to tell G7

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Europe will tell the United States, Japan and Canada next week that it is acting to resolve its sovereign debt crisis, but that U.S. fiscal policy and slowing growth in Japan and China also pose risks to the global economy.

Finance ministers of Germany, France, Italy and Britain will meet those from the other major developed economies in the Group of Seven at a dinner in Tokyo on October 11.

"Developments in the euro area are not the only source of risks for the global economy," says a document with the main European policy messages prepared for the G7.

"Risks emanate also from fiscal uncertainty in the U.S., the decelerating recovery in Japan and slowing growth ... in several emerging market economies, especially in China," it said.

Euro zone states in the G7 have long been under pressure from the rest of the world to deal decisively with the debt crisis that has so far ensnared Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain and undermined investor confidence globally.

At the G7 meeting in Tokyo, which comes just before the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund, euro zone officials will explain what they have done so far to deal with their problems and point a finger at Washington as a potential source of future economic disruption.

"In particular, the U.S. needs to agree by the end of the year on how to deal with the 'fiscal cliff' and, at the same time, adopt a credible fiscal consolidation plan," the policy messages document said.

The "fiscal cliff" is the combination of across-the-board spending cuts set to take effect on January 2 and tax rises that kick in for all income groups, adding up to more than 4 percent of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).

"This could throw the U.S. economy into recession and disturb the fragile global recovery," the policy messages said.

"If policymakers fail to reach consensus on these two issues, the United States' economy could face major uncertainties that would hurt economic growth in 2013 and would have significant spillovers to the rest of the world," it said.

Another risk to growth comes from rising oil costs, European G7 members will say in Tokyo.

"We need to continue encouraging oil-producing countries to increase their output to meet demand, while drawing on excess capacity. We welcome Saudi Arabia's commitment in Los Cabos to mobilize, as necessary, existing spare capacity to ensure adequate supply," the policy messages said.

European G7 members will urge a global strategy that would boost private consumption and make China move more quickly to a market-determined exchange rate for its renminbi currency.

The document says that China allowed its currency to appreciate in real effective terms by around seven percent in 2011 but notes that appreciation stopped from the start of 2012.

(Reporting by Jan Strupczewski; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/u-fiscal-cliff-risk-global-growth-europe-tell-165148790--business.html

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PFT: Forte is game-time decision for Bears

AP

The Lions are 1-3 for a number of reasons, but breakdowns on special teams are near the top of the list.

They gave up a 105-yard kickoff return touchdown and a 77-yard punt return for a score in yesterday?s loss to the Vikings, after allowing one of each last week against the Titans as well.

But Lions coach Jim Schwartz said special teams coordinator Danny Crossman?s job is safe.

?That?s not a consideration,? Schwartz said when asked if there might be staff changes, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.

?If we were getting out-schemed or if players were messing up schemes, it would be one thing,? Schwartz continued. ?These are physical plays we have to make and pro athletes have to make them.?

The Lions waved the white flag by pooch-kicking the rest of the game, rather than give up another home run play.

?When we?ve got to start coming up with scheming stuff like that, it?s like conceding defeat,? kicker Jason Hanson said. ?The guys, I hope, take it personally, that we?re not good enough ? we can?t even kick the ball down the field.?

One of the Lions problems continues to be injuries to starters, which cuts into special teams depth as guys get promoted into roles that don?t allow them to concentrate on the kicking game solely. But even good special teams players are struggling, such as wide receiver Kassim Osgood, who missed an open field tackle on the punt return score.

?I think big things need to change,? Hanson said. ?There?s no excuse for us giving up touchdowns and not covering. All special teams need to get their act together because we?re good but we?re garbage right now. And we?re killing our team.?

Crossman?s been offered up by his head coach before under similar circumstances, but he?s safe in Detroit ? for now.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/01/matt-fortes-made-progress-remains-game-time-decision/related/

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Pakistan: In twist, Muslims accused of blasphemy

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) ? Pakistan's blasphemy laws may be used to punish Muslims suspected of ransacking a Hindu temple in an intriguing twist for a country where harsh laws governing religious insults are primarily used against supposed offenses to Islam, not minority faiths.

The blasphemy laws, sections of which carry the death penalty or life imprisonment, have drawn renewed international scrutiny this year after a young Christian girl in Islamabad was alleged to have desecrated the Muslim holy book, the Quran. A Muslim cleric now stands accused of fabricating evidence against the girl, who has been freed on bail and whose mental capacity has been questioned.

Police officer Mohammad Hanif said Sunday the anti-Hindu attack took place Sept. 21. The government had declared that day a national holiday ? a "Day of Love for the Prophet" ? and called for peaceful demonstrations against an anti-Islam film made in the U.S. that has sparked protests throughout the Muslim world. Those rallies took a violent turn in Pakistan, and more than 20 people were killed.

Hanif said dozens of Muslims led by a cleric converged on the outskirts of Karachi in a Hindu neighborhood commonly known as Hindu Goth. The protesters attacked the Sri Krishna Ram temple, broke religious statues, tore up a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu scripture, and beat up the temple's caretaker, Sindha Maharaj.

"The attackers broke the statues of (Hindu deities) Radha, Hanuman, Parwati and Krishna, and took away the decorative gold ornaments," Maharaj said. "They also stormed my home and snatched the gold jewelry of my family, my daughters."

Maharaj and other Hindu leaders turned to the police, who registered a case against the cleric and eight other Muslims. But none of the suspects had been found as of Sunday, police said.

Officials said the case against the attackers was registered under Section 295-A of the blasphemy laws, which covers the "outraging of religious feelings." That section of the law can apply to any religion and carries a fine or up to 10 years imprisonment.

The Asian subcontinent's British rulers originally framed blasphemy laws partly as a way to prevent violence among Muslims and Hindus. Muslim-majority Pakistan was carved out of India in 1947, and under the military rule of Gen. Mohammad Zia ul-Haq, a fervent Islamist, the statutes covering blasphemy were toughened in the 1980s.

Area police chief Jaffer Baloch said authorities were simply considering the Hindus' complaint under the relevant section of the law.

Islam's Prophet Muhammad "teaches us to respect others' religions so that ours shall also be respected," he said. "Like us, Hindus have their own faith and religion and they do have sentiments for their Bhagavad and gods."

Human rights activists say Pakistan's blasphemy laws are too broad and vague, and are often used by people who are trying to settle scores with rivals or target religious minorities, who make up 5 percent of Pakistan's 180 million people.

Although many Muslims are accused of insulting Muhammad or other acts deemed blasphemous, minorities are disproportionately represented among the defendants, rights groups say.

Hindus and Christians are among prominent minorities who fear the blasphemy laws. Also frequently blamed for blasphemy are Ahmadis, who consider themselves Muslims but are reviled as heretics by mainstream Muslims.

Pakistan is not known to have actually executed anyone for blasphemy, and while courts often set the accused free on technical grounds or other reasons, many extremists have killed people who were let go by judges.

Even speaking out against the blasphemy laws can put people in danger. Two prominent politicians, including the sole Christian member of the federal Cabinet, were assassinated in 2011 for urging reform of the law.

The politicians, Punjab province Gov. Salmaan Taseer and Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti, had spoken out in defense of Asia Bibi, a Christian sentenced to death in 2010 for allegedly insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad. Bibi, whose case prompted international criticism, is believed to be the first woman condemned to die under the statute and remains in prison.

The laws retain broad support in Pakistan, where Islamic conservatism is on the rise alongside extremism and Muslims are highly sensitive about their faith. Taseer's killer, for instance, was hailed as a hero in many quarters. Thousands of people rallied to support him, and lawyers showered him with rose petals.

Many human rights activists, partly out of their own security concerns, have tempered their demands: years ago, they used to call for the blasphemy laws' repeal, but now they say the laws should be reformed to prevent misuse. Even leaders of minority religious groups have often said they support the law but simply do not want to see it abused.

Although there's no sign that the weak civilian government plans to amend the law, the case of the Christian girl has brought some hope that sentiments about it may change. Even some Islamist clerics sympathized with the girl, whose age has been said to be 14 or younger and who may be developmentally disabled.

Witness claims that a Muslim cleric stashed pages of a Quran in the girl's bag to make it seem as if she burned them have added to the sympathy for her. The cleric is accused of planting the evidence to push Christians out of the neighborhood and is now being investigated for blasphemy himself. He denies any wrongdoing.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/pakistan-twist-muslims-accused-blasphemy-162904466.html

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Trendwatch: Chinese students set up fake Taobao stores to circumvent bank fees

Screenshot of Taobao site. ? All rights reserved.

NEW YORK, Sept 30 ? A new kind of online store is appearing on Taobao, China?s largest e-commerce marketplace.

At cursory glance, these Taobao stores look like ordinary online shops. In reality, they are selling ?living expenses? and are managed by Chinese students who use the e-commerce website to receive allowances from their parents in a bid to avoid paying bank fees for fund transfers.

Alibaba-owned Taobao, an online shopping site similar to eBay, is China's largest e-commerce platform with estimated market share of up to 70 per cent, and has 500 million registered users.

According to Chinese media, these online stores number in the thousands on the e-commerce marketplace. These shops offer ?products? that are usually priced at between 500 and 1,000 yuan (RM243 to RM486). To facilitate a fund transfer through the e-commerce website, parents of the students need simply ?purchase? the product and pay into the seller?s Alipay account, an online payment platform in China that is the equivalent of China?s Paypal. The funds received in Alipay will then allow the store seller to spend it elsewhere on Taobao, or at other Chinese e-commerce sites. Anyone can set up a Taobao store, which is free of charge so long as the seller has an Alipay account.

By transferring funds through these fake Taobao stores, students can avoid bank transfer fees as Alipay users can transfer up to 10,000 yuan every month free of charge. By contrast, most banks in China charge a fee of 1 per cent of the funds transferred, reported the Chinese-language Xinhua08.com.

False trading is not allowed on Taobao and it is unknown how many such stores have been shut down to date. In the first six months of 2012, Taobao removed 45.2 million products for alleged copyright or brand violations, including 2.3 million in response to qualified complaints from rights holders, reported Reuters Thursday.

China has more than 29 million tertiary-level students, with 75 per cent of them spending 18 per cent of their time daily online, according to a study by media research firm GroupM Knowledge last year. Notably, 52 per cent of these university students enjoy shopping online, which is a rate much higher than the overall 20 per cent surveyed among Chinese netizens. ? AFP-Relaxnews

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tmi/news/allnews/~3/NtTftHG_pxU/story01.htm

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