DTN News - CHINA NEWS: Giant Chinese Flag Along With Paramilitary Policemen
Source: DTN News - - This article compiledby Roger Smith (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 31, 2012: Paramilitary policemen hold their fists and raise a giant flag of Communist Party of China as they attend an oath-taking rally to ensure the safety of the upcoming 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), at a military base in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province November 5, 2012.
DTN News - GREETINGS 2013: New Year Revellers Begin Welcoming First In New Zealand followed by Australia
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 31, 2012: Celebrations are being held around the world to mark the new year, with the city of Auckland in New Zealand holding the first major events of 2013.
Crowds began to gather on Monday evening in Sydney in anticipation of the city’s famous firework display. Big shows are also planned in many other cities globally. Celebrations will also be held for the first time in Burma, where large public gatherings were banned by its previous military rulers. Tens of thousands are expected to attend the celebrations in Rangoon, which will feature a fireworks display and performances by Burmese entertainers. Reports say the festivities will be broadcast live on Burmese television. The celebration is seen as the latest sign of the country’s liberalisation under its military-backed civilian government. However, there is a subdued atmosphere in the Indian capital Delhi, following the death last week of a 23-year-old victim of a brutal gang rape. The army has cancelled its celebrations across the country, as have the governments in the states of Punjab and Haryana. Thousands of residents and clubs have also called off new year celebrations. protests over the case continued on Monday. Later on, festivities will be held in European cities including Moscow, Paris and London. More than two million people are expected to be on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach. New York will mark the new year with the traditional New Year’s Eve countdown and ball drop over Times Square.
DTN News - TECHNOLOGY NEWS: Fleishman Dominates PublicAffairsAsia Gold Standard Awards Capturing All Top Three Trophies *FH APAC Named Regional Consultancy Network of the Year *Shin Tanaka Awarded for Professional Excellence *FH Japan Named In-Country Consultancy of the Year
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources PublicAffairsAsia (NSI News Source Info) SINGAPORE - November 9, 2012: Fleishman-Hillard was the most decorated agency at The Gold Standard Awards organized by PublicAffairsAsia at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Hong Kong.
Our Asia Pacific team was bestowed Regional Consultancy Network of the Year in recognition of extraordinary growth, introduction of new strategic offerings such as the Global Capital Markets Services, the Global China Practice, FH Majlis; success of new public affairs firm, VOX Global Japan; and the expansion of our Chinese client portfolio. The judges noted that Fleishman-Hillard “continues to take a lead role in the development of the wider PR industry” with our new China Masters Exchange program involving partnerships with leading universities and the fast-tracking of Mandarin-speaking graduates through our US and European networks to FH Greater China, enhancing FH’s capability of serving Chinese clients worldwide. FH Japan President & Founder Shin Tanaka received another of the highest honors at the event, theGold Standard Award for Professional Excellence, marking 15 years of building and shaping the communications industry in Japan. His contributions are best summed up by Mr. Motohisa Furukawa, former Minister for National Policy of the Japanese government, who said: “Inspiration from Mr. Tanaka was the catalyst for the establishment of the Office of Global Communications as a function of the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office. I hope that Mr Tanaka continues his contributions to Japan’s competitiveness on the global stage with his keen strategic communications thinking and insights.” Because Shin had a command performance at a CEO event in Tokyo, his acceptance speech was delivered via video. Shin modestly told the audience, “the most meaningful contribution of my career has been the Fukushima Conference, which gave the people of Japan a voice. Fukushima’s experience is not just Japan’s experience. It is very important for the world to follow Fukushima’s response and recovery as social sustainability is going to be the core issue for the rest of the world for the coming decades.”
He added that“Japanese enterprises are embracing the power of communications. At the same time, there will be thousands of Japanese companies starting to globalize in a true manner. I believe that this movement will be among the leading drivers elevating the global communications industry to a next level.”
FH Japan captured the highest single office honors asIn-Country Consultancy of the Year. This award is open to all of Asia Pacific and recognizes full-service corporate communications and public affairs excellence. The judges cited “Fleishman-Hillard Japan’s innovative approach to communications also applies to cliet counseling and new product development. Revenue growth of the FHJ business from the office’s founding in 1997 through to 2012 has achieved a compound annual growth rate of 29%.” The award recognizes the consolidated FHJ group of companies: VOX Global Japan, BlueCurrent Japan, and Fleishman-Hillard Japan which includes CCW.
2012 has truly been an award-winning record year for Fleishman-Hillard Japan, which has achieved pre-eminent status as the largest and most reputable foreign-owned multinational communications consultancy in the country.
But, there’s more! On the same night, BlueCurrent Japan proudly accepted the top award forSocial Communications from the Japan PR Association. The project “Teach us! The Committee for Dehydration Prevention” was launched this summer when a growing proportion of Japan’s population was suffering from severe dehydration. The client, a pharmaceutical company, tasked BCJ to increase awareness of the issue and to teach people how to prevent dehydration. The team put together a highly strategic community outreach program, including influencer engagement, qualitative research, public events, media relations and a dedicated website for the campaign. A term coined by the group of influencers – “Pre-Dehydration” -- reached an awareness of 73.7% in just two months. The client’s product sales increased 150%, achieving their full-year sales target in three months. Clearly, all of these awards were exceptionally well-earned.They reflect the growing influence, quality and stature of our firm in Asia Pacific. Moreover, they recognize our expanded services and artfully integrated solutions that are making a major positive impact on clients’ businesses. In a word – wow! Big congratulations to everyone. This is a proud moment we all share -- with each other, and our clients. Enjoy. You’ve earned it!
According to the Al Jazeera TV channel, commanders of the so-called “Syrian Free Army” claim that they have seized the city of Silkin in the Idlib province.
Initially, it was planned that the truce would last until Monday, but political observers doubt that the government will refrain from using force until that time in such a situation.
Saudi authorities quickly dispersed a protest by hundreds of Syrian pilgrims calling for the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and denouncing what they said was international failure to stop bloodshed in Syria.
Protesters held up rebel flags and marched toward the Jamarat Bridge in Mina, east of the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca, where more than 3 million Muslim pilgrims congregated for the annual haj.
No one was hurt when two police vehicles drove slowly in the direction of the protesters with the sirens on as the officers asked the crowd through loudspeakers to leave the area. The protesters swiftly dispersed and merged with thousands of other pilgrims in the area, the witness said.
Saudi officials made it clear in recent days that they want a politics-free pilgrimage and urged pilgrims to focus on performing the rituals.
The haj pilgrimage is one of the Muslim faith's so-called five pillars and a religious duty for all Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime if they are capable. It started on Wednesday and ends on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia has led Arab efforts to isolate President Bashar al-Assad's government and has supported the rebels with money and logistics.
At the protest, dozens of security guards already deployed in the area stood by without interfering.
"Syria lives forever despite of you Assad," the protesters shouted as the streamed by a giant wall at Jamarat Bridge used for the ritual stoning of the devil, one of the main rites of the haj. Another slogan went: "We don't want Bashar, all Syrians raise your arms up!"
The imam of Mecca's Grand Mosque called on Arabs and Muslims on Friday to take "practical and urgent" steps to stop bloodshed in Syria, which has killed some 30,000 people, and urged world states to assume their moral responsibility toward the conflict.
Saudi Arabia has instructed its embassies to issue haj permits for Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, but most of the Syrians who made it to Mecca were those who live in the Gulf Arab region.
Almost 150 people died on the first day of a barely-observed truce between the warring parties in Syria, a watchdog said, adding that a fresh clashes on Saturday claimed more lives.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said of the 146 people killed in bombings, artillery fire and fighting on Friday, 53 were civilians, 50 were rebels and 43 were members of President Bashar al-Assad's forces.
Rebels accused regime forces of opening up with artillery in the ebbattled north, where the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported fighting near the key army base of Wadi Deif and shelling and clashes near Damascus.
Three people were killed by tank fire and snipers in the Damascus suburb of Harasta on Friday, activists said, in another violation of a ceasefire intended to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
Rebels in a northern town close to the Turkish border also reported one of their fighters was shot dead by a sniper early on Friday and a Reuters journalist in the town heard what sounded like four rounds of tank fire.
Heavy fighting broke out around a Syrian military base on Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, in the first major violation of a ceasefire marking the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
The Observatory said rebel fighters were trying to storm the base, which is less than 1 km (half a mile) from the main north-south highway linking Damascus to Aleppo, and President Bashar al-Assad's forces had fired artillery at a nearby village.
DTN News - SPECIAL REPORT HURRICANE SANDY: Hurricane Sandy Hammers The Northeast USA * A region-by-region look at the destruction so far and what to expect
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sourcesNational Post (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - October 29, 2012: Hurricane Sandy is churning off the East Coast and is expected to join up with two other weather systems to create a huge and problematic storm affecting 50 million people. Here’s a snapshot of what is happening or expected, region by region.
ONTARIO
Ontario residents are urged to make preparations ahead of the heavy rainfall and high winds from Hurricane Sandy. Southern and eastern Ontario are expected to be hit by the super storm, with heavy rainfall and potentially damaging winds up to 100 kilometres per hour. “The Canadian Red Cross encourages all Canadians to take some steps to ensure their safety. Be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours in an emergency,” Denis Dion, national director of disaster management for the Canadian Red Cross, said in a statement. “By taking some time now to store emergency food, water and other supplies, you can provide for your entire family during a power outage or evacuation.”
Along with Ontario, Quebec will likely see the strongest winds, with gusts up to 100 kilometres per hour and between 20 to 40 millimetres of rain, although higher amounts are possible in some areas. That will make for a soggy day, but that level isn’t enough to trigger a rainfall warning.
MARITIMES
Starting Tuesday morning, the Maritime provinces will see a lot more rain — up to 100 millimetres — and weaker winds than Ontario, though still strong at an expected 70 kilometres per hour.
CAROLINAS
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 14 members of a crew forced to abandon a Canadian-built tall ship about 144 off the North Carolina coast and continued to search for two other crew members. The storm lashed barrier islands and rendered several homes and businesses nearly inaccessible.
CONNECTICUT
The University of Connecticut is closing Tuesday, joining a hundreds of other schools and school systems across the state. The closure includes UConn’s law school and the UConn Health Center, though the John Dempsey Hospital will remain open during the storm. Power outages: 55,000.
DELAWARE
Dover Air Force Base has relocated some aircraft in anticipation of the storm, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has requested that the base be used as a staging area for support and supplies. Some residents of low-lying areas of the base have been ordered to evacuate.
KENTUCKY
Sandy is expected to bring snow to far southeastern Kentucky. A winter storm warning is in effect in Harlan, Letcher and Pike counties through Wednesday morning. Forecasters say snow could accumulate from 4 to 10 inches in high elevations and 1 to 3 inches in lower elevations.
MAINE
Virtually all Maine public schools opened Monday but some were closing early before the heaviest rain and wind from Hurricane Sandy. State officials say the biggest concern is wind, which is expected to cause widespread power outages. The state’s utilities say they have crews poised to deal with expected power outages, including some from Canada. Power outages: 5,700.
MARYLAND
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley has closed the Bay Bridge because of the storm. The bridge spans the Chesapeake Bay, connecting the state’s eastern and western shores. Hurricane Sandy already has caused heavy damage to a large, iconic ocean pier in the Maryland beach resort of Ocean City.
MASSACHUSETTS
Voluntary evacuation recommendations have been issued in Scituate, Lynn, New Bedford and Plum Island. The recommendations are for just certain sections of the communities that could be affected by flooding as a result of Hurricane Sandy. A Red Cross spokeswoman said just a few people stayed at its shelters Sunday night, but she expects more people Monday night and into Tuesday. Power outages: 56,000.
REUTERS/Gary HershornA workman cuts a tree in pieces after it fell on top of a car in Hoboken, New Jersey, October 29, 2012. Hurricane Sandy, one of the biggest storms ever to hit the United States, battered the densely populated East Coast, shutting down transportation, forcing evacuations in flood-prone areas and interrupting the presidential election campaign.
MICHIGAN
Michigan utilities say high winds could cause power outages in the state and they’re keeping an eye on the weather to respond to power problems. DTE Energy Co. said gusts of 50 mph Monday evening and Tuesday could affect some it its 2.1 million customers.
NEW HAMPSHIRE Gov. John Lynch has urged all drivers to be off the roads by 3 p.m. as Hurricane Sandy approaches. Lynch declared a state of emergency and directed that non-essential state workers be released from work Monday afternoon. He urged employers to consider releasing workers early. The governor has put 100 New Hampshire Guard soldiers on active duty. Power outages: 47,400.
Kevin Lamargue / ReutersA wall of water batters what remains of the fishing pier in Ocean City, Maryland as Hurricane Sandy intensifies October 29, 2012. About 50 million people from the Mid-Atlantic to Canada were in the path of the nearly 1,600-km-wide storm, which forecasters said could be the largest to hit the mainland in U.S. history.
NEW JERSEY
All roads into and out of Ocean City are closed due to flooding that has cut off the popular Jersey shore resort community. Hurricane Sandy already had flooded most of Atlantic City, sweeping away an old section of the city’s famed boardwalk. Power outages: 95,000.
NEW YORK
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city’s public schools will remain closed on Tuesday after being shut down Monday. Earlier, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel and Holland Tunnel would close at 2 p.m. Monday. Airports in the metropolitan New York City area are open, but air carriers are not operating. Power outages: 263,000.
OHIO
Residents of low-lying areas and along Lake Erie were told to watch for flooding; utilities are anticipating high winds that could blow down trees and poles. Snow is forecast in some areas.
PENNSYLVANIA
Officials from the state transit agency and the Pennsylvania Turnpike have instituted speed restrictions over concerns about high winds and ordered certain vehicles, including empty trucks and motorcycles, off some highways. The National Weather Service says southeastern Pennsylvania could get winds reaching 75 mph and rainfall up to 10 inches. Power outages: 25,000.
RHODE ISLAND
Officials are concerned about wind driving water north up Narragansett Bay, which could create flooding in low-lying areas of the upper bay, including Providence, Warwick and Cranston. About 2,600 National Grid customers were without power, mostly in Barrington and other parts of Bristol County. Power outages: 12,000.
TENNESSEE
Snow is expected in higher elevations, where a freeze warning has been issued. High winds are expected in many areas.
VERMONT
Gov. Peter Shumlin declared a state of emergency to provide access to National Guard troops in a state still recovering from the devastating effects of the remnants of Hurricane Irene. Culverts and storm drainage basins in some spots have been cleared of debris. Power outages: 4,000.
VIRGINIA
A curfew is in place on Virginia’s swamped Chincoteague Island. Officials say the entire 37-square-mile island is underwater, and there is no way off the island because a causeway to the mainland has been closed. The 3,500 islanders who decided to tough out Hurricane Sandy have been told to keep off the streets. Power outages: 9,500.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Taxis that originate in Washington are authorized to add an emergency flat rate of $15 per trip because of Hurricane Sandy, starting Monday. The price is supposed to expire at noon Tuesday, but can be extended if considered necessary. The capital area’s transit system shut down rail service for the first time since 2003. Power outages: 2,300.
WEST VIRGINIA
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin declared a state of emergency Monday for West Virginia, where Sandy is expected to bring high winds and heavy rains and leave behind flooded towns and as much as 3 feet of snow on the state’s highest ridge tops. Eastern parts of the state can expect to get up to 6 inches of rain. Fourteen counties are under blizzard warnings.
WISCONSIN
With waves expected to reach as high as 33 feet Tuesday on Lake Michigan, the Port of Milwaukee is taking steps to protect its docks and boats. The superstorm bearing down on the East Coast Is expected to create dangerous conditions on the Great Lakes. The National Weather Service issued gale and storm warnings for the lakes through Wednesday.
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith 
