Friday, May 16, 2008

Controversy has arisen over the reported presence of blue asbestos on the MV Freewinds, a cruise ship owned by the Church of Scientology. According to the Saint Martin newspaper The Daily Herald and the shipping news journal Lloyd’s List, the Freewinds was sealed in April and local public health officials on the Caribbean island of Curaçao where the ship is docked began an investigation into the presence of asbestos dust on the ship. Former Scientologist Lawrence Woodcraft supervised work on the ship in 1987, and attested to the presence of blue asbestos on the Freewinds in an affidavit posted to the Internet in 2001. Woodcraft, a licensed architect by profession, gave a statement to Wikinews and commented on the recent events.

According to The Daily Herald, the Freewinds was in the process of being renovated by the Curaçao Drydock Company. The article states that samples taken from paneling in the ship were sent to the Netherlands, where an analysis revealed that they “contained significant levels of blue asbestos”. An employee of the Curaçao Drydock Company told Radar Online in an April 30 article that the Freewinds has been docked and sealed, and confirmed that an article about asbestos ran in the local paper.

Lloyd’s List reported that work on the interior of the Freewinds was suspended on April 27 after health inspectors found traces of blue asbestos on the ship. According to Lloyd’s List, Frank Esser, Curaçao Drydock Company’s interim director, joined Curaçao’s head of the department of labor affairs Christiene van der Biezen along with the head of the local health department Tico Ras and two inspectors in an April 25 inspection of the ship. “We are sending someone so that they can tell us what happened, where it came from, since when it has been there,” said Panama Maritime Authority’s director of merchant marine Alfonso Castillero in a statement to Lloyd’s List.

The Church of Scientology purchased the ship, then known as the Bohème, in 1987, through an organization called Flag Ship Trust. After being renovated and refitted, it was put into service in June 1988. The ship is used by the Church of Scientology for advanced Scientology training in “Operating Thetan” levels, as well as for spiritual retreats for its members. Curaçao has been the ship’s homeport since it was purchased by the Church of Scientology.

According to his 2001 statement, Lawrence Woodcraft had been an architect in London, England since 1975, and joined Scientology’s elite “Sea Organization” (Sea Org) in 1986. He wrote that he was asked by the Sea Org to work on the Freewinds in 1987, and during his work on the ship “noticed a powdery blue fibrous substance approximately 1 ½” thick between the paint and the steel wall,” which he believed to be asbestos. He also discovered what he thought was blue asbestos in other parts of the ship, and reported his findings to Church of Scientology executives. Woodcraft discussed his experiences in a 2001 interview published online by the Lisa McPherson Trust, a now-defunct organization which was critical of the Church of Scientology.

The Freewinds regularly inspects the air quality on board and always meets or exceeds US standards.

Church of Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw responded to Radar Online about the asbestos reports, in an email published in an article in Radar on May 1. “The Freewinds regularly inspects the air quality on board and always meets or exceeds US standards,” said Pouw. She stated that two inspections performed in April “confirmed that the air quality is safe,” and asserted that the inspections revealed the Freewinds satisfies standards set by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Clean Air Act.

Pouw told Radar that “The Freewinds will be completing its refit on schedule.” The Church of Scientology-affiliated organization Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) had been planning a cruise aboard the Freewinds scheduled for May 8, but according to Radar an individual who called the booking number for the cruise received a message that the cruise had been delayed due to ongoing work on the ship. Citing an article in the Netherlands Antilles newspaper Amigoe, Radar reported on May 6 that a team from the United States and supervised by an independent bureau from the Netherlands traveled to Curaçao in order to remove asbestos from the Freewinds.

…if the Church of Scientology claims to have removed the blue asbestos, I just don’t see how, it’s everywhere. You would first have to remove all the pipes, plumbing, a/c ducts, electrical wiring etc. etc. just a maze of stuff.

“I stand by everything I wrote in my 2001 affidavit,” said Lawrence Woodcraft in an exclusive statement given to Wikinews. Woodcraft went on to state: “I would also comment that if the Church of Scientology claims to have removed the blue asbestos, I just don’t see how, it’s everywhere. You would first have to remove all the pipes, plumbing, a/c ducts, electrical wiring etc. etc. just a maze of stuff. Also panelling as well, basically strip the ship back to a steel hull. Also blue asbestos is sprayed onto the outer walls and then covered in paint. It’s in every nook and cranny.”

Many Scientologist celebrities have spent time aboard the Freewinds, including Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Chick Corea, Lisa Marie Presley, Catherine Bell, Kate Ceberano, and Juliette Lewis. Now magazine reported that Tom Cruise has been urged to seek medical attention regarding potential asbestos exposure, however a representative for Cruise stated he has “absolutely no knowledge” of the recent asbestos controversy. Cruise, Holmes, Travolta and Preston have celebrated birthdays and other events on the Freewinds.

There is not now and never has been a situation of asbestos exposure on the Freewinds.

In a May 15 statement to the United Kingdom daily newspaper Metro, a representative for the Church of Scientology said that “There is not now and never has been a situation of asbestos exposure on the Freewinds.” The Asbestos and Mesothelioma Center notes that agencies have recommended anyone who has spent time on the Freewinds consult with their physician to determine if possible asbestos exposure may have affected their health.

Raw blue asbestos is the most hazardous form of asbestos, and has been banned in the United Kingdom since 1970. Blue asbestos fibers are very narrow and thus easily inhaled, and are a major cause of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which can develop in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, the lining of the abdominal cavity, or the pericardium sac surrounding the heart. The cancer is incurable, and can manifest over 40 years after the initial exposure to asbestos.

“This is the most dangerous type of asbestos because the fibres are smaller than the white asbestos and can penetrate the lung more easily,” said toxicologist Dr. Chris Coggins in a statement published in OK! Magazine. Dr. Coggins went on to note that “Once diagnosed with mesothelioma, the victim has six months to a year to live. It gradually reduces lung function until the victim is no longer able to breathe and dies.”

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Gastric bypass surgery performed by remote control

Sunday, August 21, 2005

A robotic system at Stanford Medical Center was used to perform a laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery successfully with a theoretically similar rate of complications to that seen in standard operations. However, as there were only 10 people in the experimental group (and another 10 in the control group), this is not a statistically significant sample.

If this surgical procedure is as successful in large-scale studies, it may lead the way for the use of robotic surgery in even more delicate procedures, such as heart surgery. Note that this is not a fully automated system, as a human doctor controls the operation via remote control. Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery is a treatment for obesity.

There were concerns that doctors, in the future, might only be trained in the remote control procedure. Ronald G. Latimer, M.D., of Santa Barbara, CA, warned “The fact that surgeons may have to open the patient or might actually need to revert to standard laparoscopic techniques demands that this basic training be a requirement before a robot is purchased. Robots do malfunction, so a backup system is imperative. We should not be seduced to buy this instrument to train surgeons if they are not able to do the primary operations themselves.”

There are precedents for just such a problem occurring. A previous “new technology”, the electrocardiogram (ECG), has lead to a lack of basic education on the older technology, the stethoscope. As a result, many heart conditions now go undiagnosed, especially in children and others who rarely undergo an ECG procedure.

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McCain ad questions Obama’s benefit to families

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McCain ad questions Obama’s benefit to families
Author: Admin Posted under: Uncategorized

Thursday, August 7, 2008

The latest advertisement for United States Republican presidential candidate John McCain is questioning Democrat Barack Obama’s benefit to families.

Last week the BBC reported that the McCain campaign had released an advertisement comparing Obama to American celebrities Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, calling him “the biggest celebrity in the world.”

McCain’s newest advertisement, released early this week, continues along those same lines.

“Is the biggest celebrity in the world ready to help your family?” the narrator asks, according to The Boston Globe and a video of the ad displayed on its website. “The real Obama promises higher taxes, more government spending. So, fewer jobs.” With images of wind turbines in the background, the narrator says, “Renewable energy to transform our economy, create jobs and energy independence, that’s John McCain.”

The Boston Globe reports that McCain’s latest ad does not acknowledge that Obama’s economic policy, especially the proposed rollback of current president George W. Bush’s capital gains tax cuts, would largely affect the wealthiest of America, not the middle class.

Obama, the BBC reports, is quoted as calling McCain “cynical,” “desperate” and “in the pocket of Big Oil.”

The latest Obama video, shown on the USA Today website, touts McCain as “just more of the same” politics employed by George W. Bush. The ad cites a May 22, 2003 Fox News Channel interview where McCain says “the President and I agree on most issues. There was a recent study that showed I voted with the President over 90 percent of the time.” The ad then criticizes McCain’s policies on tax cuts, money for oil companies, and “tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.”

USA Today does note that “[w]hile the ad shows McCain touting the fact that he had voted “with” President Bush more than 90% of the time, the Arizona senator did criticize the administration’s conduct of the war in Iraq — calling early on for more troops to be sent there. He also voted against the president’s original tax cut plan — though McCain now says he supports extending those tax cuts. And, he proposes cuts in all kinds of corporate taxes, not just those on oil companies.”

McCain is set to appear at an Ohio furniture plant Wednesday to reinforce the messages in his latest advertisement.

“America has the second highest business tax rate in the entire world,” he plans to say, according to prepared remarks issued by his campaign, and released by The Boston Globe. “Is it any wonder that jobs are moving overseas when we are taxing them out of the country? Unfortunately Senator Obama’s plans would raise taxes on businesses even more. He has promised tax increases on income, tax increases on investment, tax increases on small businesses. This is exactly the wrong strategy. Raising taxes in a bad economy is about the worst thing you could do because it will kill even more jobs when what we need are policies that create jobs.”

Obama spokesman Bill Burton responded:

“Is the biggest proponent of George Bush’s tired, failed policies ready to bring about change? Another day brings another dishonest attack from John McCain. While Senator McCain knows that Senator Obama has proposed cutting taxes for 95% of American families, what he’s not telling us is that he wants to give $4 billion in tax breaks to the oil companies, continue giving tax breaks to corporations that ship our job overseas, and provide no direct tax relief for more than 100 million middle-class families. It’s time to retire these old policies and bring new energy to America.”

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Do You Need Cosmetic Surgery? Check Out These Tips!}

Author: Admin Posted under: Medicine

Do You Need Cosmetic Surgery? Check Out These Tips!

by

Julius Holmberg Plastic surgery is a very common procedure these days. However, prior to going under the knife, it is important to investigate your options when it comes to what you want to have done and who you want to have do it. This article will give you all the information needed before you have cosmetic surgery.

Talk to your doctor about antibiotics. To minimize the chance of complications from infections, many doctors do have patients begin an antibiotic regimen prior to surgery. If your first surgeon doesn’t want you to use antibiotics, think about getting another surgeon’s opinion.

Ask your doctor about their level of experience. Ask to see photos of former patients and discuss how often these procedures have been performed in the past by your surgeon. While you can’t be sure your surgery will give you the results you are hoping for, you have a better chance of success if you do your research and choose a reputable doctor.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4kDC4sZ5Jg[/youtube]

When it comes to plastic surgery, there are a few options that can help with cost. The surgeons overseas often charge much less than those in the United States, and many of them are very reputable. This may not be an option for you, but you should take it into consideration.

Make sure that your surgeon has malpractice insurance for your financial safety. In case the surgery goes wrong, this insurance will cover the cost to fix the problem. Never choose a cosmetic surgeon who goes without malpractice insurance. Their lack of insurance may be the result of problems they have had in the past and you don’t want to take a chance on a surgeon with a history of mishaps.

Check out the site where your surgery will be performed. If having surgery in a clinic, ask to see their surgery area. If you become familiar with your hospital prior to cosmetic surgery, you’ll feel more comfortable.

Educate yourself as much as possible about the procedure you are interested in. You should know the details about this procedure when you talk to your surgeon. If you can ask the right questions, you can tell whether or not your surgeon is being completely open with you.

Talk with your surgeon to get pricing details. Make sure you both agree on when you should have all the money to pay for it, and maybe have a payment plan set up. Payment agreements must be complete and agreed upon.

Of course you will want to see photos of the surgeon’s work, but be aware that they will probably only represent the best outcomes. By looking at these photos you should be able to ascertain if the surgeon can give you the results you are wanting. If you aren’t happy with the surgeon’s answers or have any doubts, shop around for another surgeon.

When thinking of having plastic surgery, be realistic. Sometimes, procedures have limits, so it is important not to expect miracles. You might find yourself disappointed if you are interested in surgery because of a low self-esteem or other issues. If body perception is the problem, a surgical procedure may not solve it. It may be necessary to consult with a professional to sort through your situation.

After reading this article, you should be a little better informed on some of the potential benefits and possible drawbacks of cosmetic surgery. Having these surgeries are a big deal, even more so if it is going to be the first time you have one done. You can enjoy the benefits of modern medicine by considering all the options you have to choose from nowadays.

For the ultimate accomplishment, we highly recommend accepting drphilhaeck.com in a in depth manner. It really is good to know what you want to accomplish long-term, but you ought to keep in mind that everything takes a great amount of time. In time, the tiny issues come together to make huge and remarkable things.

drphilhaeck.com

is definitely an additional learning resource for individuals to look every time they would like details as wel

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eArticlesOnline.com}

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Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai discharged from hospital

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Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai discharged from hospital
Author: Admin Posted under: Uncategorized

Friday, January 4, 2013

The Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai, who was shot by the Taliban for campaigning for education for girls, was discharged yesterday from the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham, England after success in the first stage of her medical treatment.

In October, Yousafzai was shot by Taliban forces on a school bus in Mingora, Swat District, Pakistan. She was given emergency treatment in Pakistan and then flown to Britain for treatment at a specialist unit which deals with injured soldiers.

Dave Rosser, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust medical director, gave a statement about Yousafzai’s release from hospital: “Malala is a strong young woman and has worked hard with the people caring for her to make excellent progress in her recovery. Following discussions with Malala and her medical team, we decided that she would benefit from being at home with her parents and two brothers. She will return to the hospital as an outpatient and our therapies team will continue to work with her at home to supervise her onward care.”

She is due to return to hospital in a few weeks for cranial reconstructive surgery.

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Chilean miners trapped after mine collapse; miscalculated drilling delays rescue

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Chilean miners trapped after mine collapse; miscalculated drilling delays rescue
Author: Admin Posted under: Uncategorized

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

A gold mine collapse in Copiapó, Atacama Region, Chile has trapped 33 miners since last Thursday. Another collapse occurred on Saturday, that provoked temporary suspension of the rescue works.

Rescue efforts were first focused on a ventilation shaft, but attempts to reach the miners failed. Rescuers have been drilling into the mine since Sunday. “The situation is very complex, the mine continues to have collapses because there is a geological fault-line,” said Sebastián Piñera, President of Chile, who “pledged to do everything possible to get to the trapped miners,” but acknowledged he was pessimistic.

There is no certainty that the miners, who are trapped about 400 meters (1300 feet) below the ground, are still alive.

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Author of My Billion Year Contract reflects on life in elite Scientology group

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Author of My Billion Year Contract reflects on life in elite Scientology group
Author: Admin Posted under: Uncategorized

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Wikinews interviewed author Nancy Many about her book My Billion Year Contract, and asked her about life working in the elite Scientology group known as the “Sea Org“. Many joined Scientology in the early 1970s, and after leaving in 1996 she later testified against the organization. Published in October, Many’s book has gone on to become one of the top selling new books on Scientology at Amazon.com.

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Business Moving Service Made Simple

Author: Admin Posted under: Financial Planning

By Anna Notton

Moving house is costly, and the best business moving service can go a long way towards allaying the frustration. The world has never been busier than it is today. The landscape is always evolving, and relocating to keep up is often almost mandatory.

The amount of outlay required to move a enterprise is staggering, and that is not even where the story ends. The whole process of transportation can be a stressful experience if not all the aspects are taken care of. Transportation and Logistics are the two key things to care about.

Getting the best mover to do the job is of crucial importance. It goes without saying that damages to items could happen when transporting a business is concerned. Damages could be kept to a minimum if all parties involved play their parts properly.

It is important for the transportation organisation and the mover to consult, cover all the bases and agree to terms before the first article is hoisted. Property gets damaged, things get lost. A signed contract and all relevant indemnities are to ensure that the mover and the client do not get locked in fisticuffs when that happens.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zn_Pv0nHUM[/youtube]

Warehousing is another important element of the organisation that the company needs to consider very seriously. It is an additional service that can bring in some extra income for the organisation. Upkeep of the warehouse, security, electricity, etc, is just a few of the responsibility, but with extra benefits.

The business of relocating may not be restricted to only loading and offloading. Other extra services that the company can deliver include packing and unpacking. The mover has a whole package of carrots to dangle in front of the client and secure substantial profits for his own organisation.

The transportation company, when this service is rendered is often the one vested with the bulk of the liability. It is for that reason that it is crucial for the relocating company to have insurance. The whole business of transportation is as costly as it is exacting.

It is also important for the transportation company to have a licence. The client has a right to check that the relocating company is no fly by night operation before entrusting them with the task of transporting his property. Many organisations should have operating licences.

A downfall of many companies is splashing capital without first doing all the necessary research. It could also be important for companies to know the market and to acquire a good grasp of exactly what the industry as a whole entails. Moving companies require vans, hands, a well run office, adhesives, boxes, and are not easy to run.

Moving an enterprise is a stressful time for many businesses, small or large. While the primary aim is to cash in on it, the service goes a long way if the mover carries out his duties with dispatch and gets the job done with as few damages as possible. A good business moving service makes for a win-win transaction for both parties.

About the Author: Browse websites for more information before Vancouver movers. Full service Movers Vancouver moving company providing residential and office moving, boxes, and storage facilities.

Source: isnare.com

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Category:Cornwall

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Category:Cornwall
Author: Admin Posted under: Uncategorized

This is the category for Cornwall, a county in England.

Refresh this list to see the latest articles.

  • 15 May 2014: Cornwall police arrest coach driver after two killed in crash
  • 15 February 2014: Two dead in storms with no sign of floods letting up in Britain
  • 25 February 2013: Three die in Cornwall, UK caravan park of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning
  • 12 March 2011: English policeman Nicholas Stone cleared of rape, facing jail for misconduct
  • 7 May 2010: 2010 UK general election results
  • 24 December 2009: Two killed, 47 injured in coach crash in Cornwall, England
  • 21 December 2009: Man killed in harbour car crash in Cornwall, England
  • 16 November 2009: Edward Woodward, English actor, dies aged 79
  • 7 June 2008: Wikinews interviews manager of site ‘Lose The Game’
  • 10 March 2008: Strong winds and heavy rain across southern UK
?Category:Cornwall

From Wikinews, the free news source you can write.


Biomes of the Eden Project, 2006 (Image: Jürgen Matern)



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Dog Psychology Basics

Author: Admin Posted under: Dog Rescue

Dog Psychology Basics

by

Gary Walker

Dogs and are smart, aware, affectionate creatures but don’t be fooled. Underneath that lovable, tail-wagging, face-licking exterior lurks a wolf.

We may have domesticated the dog, but at heart he retains his animal instincts. We need to accept this, and adjust the way we interact with our dogs.

A Dog’s View of the World

Dogs interact with the world at the level of instinct. Their basic needs are food, a place to sleep, and a strong pack for protection. This means by extension a strong pack leader, one they are prepared to follow without hesitation. This is where you come in.

The most important job of any dog owner is to provide pack leadership. Do this and he will obey your every command. Fail and you have a problem dog on your hands.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E96EbDtMptU[/youtube]

As you consider this you should think about how you communicate with your dog, because one of the keys to understanding dog communication is that they do not think in words.This concept confuses many people because their dogs appear to understand every word the say. What you are seeing is merely word-association.

Dogs are incapable of understanding words, what they mainly understand is body language. They learn to associate actions with actions, so if you praise your dog when he obeys a command, he understands that when he obeys, you react by being pleased with him.

As part of this chain of action and reaction, most dogs learn to react to single words, so he may for example learn to associate the word “walk” with going out, but most likely it is the “pre-walk rituals” – putting on his lead, for example – that he recognizes.

Think Like A Dog

If you want to learn how to think like a dog, first understand that tone of voice and body language trump voice cues every time. Realise that your dog thinks in pictures and responds to actions and you’ll have a far better chance of understanding him.

Dogs pay a lot of attention to regular routines. For example, your dog will quickly learn that you come home at a certain time and will look forward to your arrival. If you are caught up in traffic or otherwise delayed the dog may become anxious. The reason is that he has built up an expectation based on his experience of your comings and goings. Based on that he expects a particular result. If that result is not forthcoming he becomes anxious.

How to Be the Alpha Dog

In the wild, the Alpha Wolf is in control of all activities in the pack – when they eat, when they move, who receives affection. When you think about it, these are the exact same things you control in your “pack”. By taking control of all these aspects you are actually managing your dog’s anxiety.

Now leadership is one thing, but what about showing affection to your dog? Good question. A strong pack leader knows when and how to reward a pack member with affection. Given any other way, it marks you out as a pushover. Your dog will sense that and exploit it.

The right time to give affection is when your dog is calm and well behaved, so that you re-enforce that behavior.

Be loving but firm, consistent and fair and your dog will follow your every command.

There’s lots more about dogs and

some great tips on dog training

at our site:

dogsanddogtraining.com

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