Thursday, June 19, 2014

Tell Congress NOW: No New U.S. War in Iraq or Syria!

Just Foreign Policy
To Nksagar_1@yahoo.com

Just Foreign Policy
Dear Naresh,

President Obama is under heavy pressure to order direct U.S. military intervention in Iraq and Syria. But as Thomas Friedman wrote in the New York Times, avoiding direct U.S. military involvement in these two countries’ civil wars is the “least bad option.” [1]

Thanks to Reps. Barbara Lee [2] and John Conyers, we have a crucial opportunity TODAY to push back against the warmongers. The House will be voting on amendments to the defense appropriation that would block direct U.S. military action in Iraq and block the U.S. supply of manpads to Syrian insurgents.

Call Rep. Steve Israel at (202) 225-3335 today. When you reach a staffer (or leave a voice mail) say
I urge you to support Barbara Lee’s amendments to the defense appropriation to block funds from being used to wage another war in Iraq, and the Yoho-Conyers amendment to block the transfer of manpads to Syrian insurgents. Congress must assert its Constitutional responsibility to publicly decide when the United States goes to war.
When you're done, report your call with our easy response form:

http://justforeignpolicy.org/act/iraq-call-in

Robert Naiman and Megan Iorio
Just Foreign Policy

P.S. You can also email your Senators and Representatives by signing our petition at MoveOn: http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/no-new-US-war-in-Iraq

Help us meet our June fundraising goal—make a $10 tax-deductible contribution today!
We have $3,480 left to raise by the end of the month. Your financial support helps us create opportunities for Americans to agitate for a more just foreign policy.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:

1.“What to Do With the Twins?” Thomas Friedman, New York Times, June 17, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/18/opinion/thomas-friedman-the-conundrum-of-a-unified-iraq-and-a-unified-syria.html
2. “Amendments Opposing Iraq War Could Put House Democrats in Tough Spot,” Emma Dumain, Roll Call, June 18, 2014, http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/amendments-opposing-iraq-war-could-put-house-democrats-in-tough-spot/

Tell Congress NOW: No New U.S. War in Iraq or Syria!

Just Foreign Policy
To Nksagar_1@yahoo.com
Today at 7:58 PM
Just Foreign Policy
Dear Naresh,

President Obama is under heavy pressure to order direct U.S. military intervention in Iraq and Syria. But as Thomas Friedman wrote in the New York Times, avoiding direct U.S. military involvement in these two countries’ civil wars is the “least bad option.” [1]

Thanks to Reps. Barbara Lee [2] and John Conyers, we have a crucial opportunity TODAY to push back against the warmongers. The House will be voting on amendments to the defense appropriation that would block direct U.S. military action in Iraq and block the U.S. supply of manpads to Syrian insurgents.

Call Rep. Steve Israel at (202) 225-3335 today. When you reach a staffer (or leave a voice mail) say
I urge you to support Barbara Lee’s amendments to the defense appropriation to block funds from being used to wage another war in Iraq, and the Yoho-Conyers amendment to block the transfer of manpads to Syrian insurgents. Congress must assert its Constitutional responsibility to publicly decide when the United States goes to war.
When you're done, report your call with our easy response form:

http://justforeignpolicy.org/act/iraq-call-in

Robert Naiman and Megan Iorio
Just Foreign Policy

P.S. You can also email your Senators and Representatives by signing our petition at MoveOn: http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/no-new-US-war-in-Iraq

Help us meet our June fundraising goal—make a $10 tax-deductible contribution today!
We have $3,480 left to raise by the end of the month. Your financial support helps us create opportunities for Americans to agitate for a more just foreign policy.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:

1.“What to Do With the Twins?” Thomas Friedman, New York Times, June 17, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/18/opinion/thomas-friedman-the-conundrum-of-a-unified-iraq-and-a-unified-syria.html
2. “Amendments Opposing Iraq War Could Put House Democrats in Tough Spot,” Emma Dumain, Roll Call, June 18, 2014, http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/amendments-opposing-iraq-war-could-put-house-democrats-in-tough-spot/
आचार्य श्री महाश्रमण ने दो मुमुक्षुओं को दिलवाई दीक्षा
नई दिल्ली, 19 जून, 2014
     आचार्य श्रीमहाश्रमण के पावन सानिध्य में नई दिल्ली के खचाखच भरे यमुना क्रीडा स्थल टी.टी इन्डौर स्टेडियम में दीक्षा समारोह का भव्य आयोजन हुआ। अपनी सशक्त अभिव्यक्ति में मुमुक्षु नमन एवं जयश ने कहा कि इस संसार में रहते हुए हमारे द्वारा प्राणिमात्र को कष्ट न हो, हम आत्मा कल्याण के साथ-साथ धर्म संध व मानवता की सेवा कर सके। इसलिए हम अपना घर परिवार छोड़कर आचार्य श्रीमहाश्रमण की शरण में आए है।
     आचार्य प्रवर ने मुमुक्षुओं की विभिन्न तरीकों से परीक्षा लेते हुए हा कि दीक्षा कोई नानी का घर नहीं है। दस वर्ष बाद भी ले सकते हो-एक बार पुनः सोच लो। तब पूर्ण दृढ़ता से नमन व जयश बोले कि हमने दो वर्ष इंतजार कर लिया। अब कितना और करे। आप हमें शीघ्र अपनी शरण में ले ले। इस प्रकार कसौटी पर खरे उतरे मुमुक्षु द्वय को आचार्य प्रवर ने यावज्जीवन के लिए दीक्षा का प्रत्याख्यान करवाया, फिर नमोत्थुण का उच्चारण किया। कैशलोचसंस्कार के पश्चात रजोहरण प्रदान संस्कार सम्पन्न करते हुए आचार्य प्रवर ने दोनों बालकों को ज्ञान दर्शन चरित्र एवं तप के क्षेत्र में उत्तरोत्तर विकास की मंगल कामना की। इस प्रकार जीवन पर्यन्त के लिए गृह परित्याग करके नमन डागा (मुनि नयन) एवं जयश बरलौटा। (मुनि जयश) बन गये।
     इस अवसर पर साध्वी प्रमुखा कनक प्रभा जी ने कहा कि जीव को अनन्त काल की यात्रा में वह क्षण बहुत महत्वपूर्ण होता है, जब व्यक्ति सर्व विरत्तिका त्याग करके संयम पथ पर आरूढ़ होता हैं। जयेश ओर मनन के जीवन का वह महत्वपूर्ण क्षण आज है। दीक्षा समारोह में मंत्री मुनि श्री ने कहा कि आत्मशक्ति सम्पन्न व्यक्ति ही संयम पथ पर बढ़ते है। उन्होंने कहा कि बाल मुनि नमन व जयश अभिनिष्क्रमण कर आत्मकल्याण के पथ पर आगे बढे़ और दूसरों के लिए भी आध्यात्मिक उत्प्रेरक बने।
     समारोह में आचार्य श्रीमहाश्रमण ने समस्त समाज नशामुक्त होने का आह्वान किया। उनकी एक आवाज पर हजारों लोगों ने एक साथ खड़े होकर नशामुक्त रहने का संकल्प किया। आचार्य श्रीमहाश्रमण ने गृहस्थ जीवन में संयम हेतु जनमेदिनी की प्रेरणा दी। श्री पारस बोथा ने एक्कीस दिन की एवं इंजीनियर युवक वतनलूनिया ने आठ दिन की निराहार तपस्या का प्रत्याख्यान किया। कार्यक्रम का कुशल संचालन मुनि श्री दिनेश कुमार जी ने किया।
     इस मौके पर स्थानक वासी संप्रदाय के उपाध्याय रविन्द्र मुनि जी अन्य साधु साध्वी वर्ग विशेष रूप उपस्थित थे। आचार्य तुलसी शताब्दी वर्ष और आचार्य महाश्रमण के दिल्ली में चातुर्मास के उपलक्ष्य में सभी धर्म एवं समाज के लोग भारी उत्साह के साथ मुनि वर्ग के स्वागत में जुटे है।
     मुनि वर्ग के दीक्षाओं के फौलादी संकल्प की सराहना करते हुए आचार्य महाश्रमण प्रवास व्यवस्था समिति की भूरि-भूरि प्रशंसा की।

Felipe VI proclaimed King of Spain

SPAIN-NEW KING-FELIPE VI
Spain’s King Felipe VI (2nd L, back), Spain’s Queen Letizia (3rd L, back) and Spanish Crown Princess of Asturias Leonor (1st L, front) and Spanish Princess Sofia (2nd L, front) pose for photos prior to the new king’s succession ceremony in Madrid, Spain, June 19, 2014. Felipe VI was crowned on Thursday at the lower house of parliament. (Xinhua/Xie Haining)

MADRID, June 19 – Felipe Juan Pablo Alfonso de Todos los Santos de Borbon y Grecia proclaimed King of Spain on Thursday at the Spanish parliament in a solemn ceremony. Felipe VI, who became King since midnight after his father sanctioned on Wednesday evening the law on his abdication, received the royal sash from his father, Juan Carlos, at 9:30 local time (0730 GMT) at the Palace of Zarzuela. Just Half an hour later, Felipe VI and Letizia, the new Queen, drove to the Spanish Congress along with their daughters, the Princess of Asturias, Leonor, and her sister Infanta Sofia.
Spanish citizens gathered in the road to greet the new monarch on their way to the parliament and many more were awaiting the arrival of them at the Spanish parliament. All the operation was carried out under tight security measures as around 7,000 members of the country’s security forces watched over the proclamation.
The monarch arrived at the Congress at 10:30 local time (0830 GMT), where the King received military honors and the national anthem was played before the King, the Queen, the Princess of Asturias, her sister and Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy got inside the parliament.
Former king of Spain, Juan Carlos, did not assist to the ceremony as according to the Royal House, the spotlight should rest on the new King on Thursday and on the former King on Wednesday, when Juan Carlos sanctioned the law on his abdication.
The ceremony was attended by lawmakers, high-level politicians and also some members of the King’s family. No foreign leaders have been invited to the ceremony.
After swearing loyalty to Spain’s constitution, the new King began his speech paying tribute to his father, former King Juan Carlos I, for his “exceptional reign” that was already part of Spain’s history, and also to his mother, former Queen Sofia for “her dignity and hard work”.
Felipe VI highlighted the fact that the parliamentary monarchy must continue to serve Spain, defending general interests and representing stability and neutrality.
He defended the idea of “a new monarchy for a new era” and the unity of Spain.
After the proclamation, the new King and his wife drove through some of the most emblematic streets in the heart of Madrid to the Palacio de Oriente.The streets were lined with people to greet the new King and Queen, while around 8,000 people were at the square of the Palacio de Oriente.Felipe VI, his wife Letizia, their children, and former King Juan Carlos and Sofia saluted the crowds from the palace’s balcony.Afterwards, there was a reception at the Palace with around 2,000 guests from all walks of society. Media agencies

FIFA WORLD CUP @The Italian Cultural Institue! Schedule of matches- 23- 27 June 2014

Cultural Program
To Undisclosed Recipients
Today at 12:28 PM
 
FIFA WORLD CUP 2014@ The Italian Cultural Institute!
MATCHES 23-27 June 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MATCH
DATE [IST]
TIME [IST]
 
South Korea vs Algeria
MONDAY, 23-06-2014
00:30
Australia vs Spain
MONDAY, 23-06-2014
21:30 
 
 
 
Croatia vs Mexico
TUESDAY,  24-06-2014
01:30
Italy vs Uruguay
TUESDAY,  24-06-2014
21:30
 
 
 
Greece vs Ivory Coast
WEDNESDAY, 25-06-2014
01:30
Nigeria vs Argentina
WEDNESDAY, 25-06-2014
21:30
 
 
 
Ecuador vs France
THURSDAY, 26-06-2014
01:30
United States vs Germany
THURSDAY, 26-06-2014
21:30
 
 
 
Algeria vs Russia
FRIDAY, 27-06-2014
01:30
 
 
 
 
 
 
For more information, please visit our website www.iicnewdelhi.esteri.it/IIC_Newdelhi
 
Regards,
 
Italian Embassy Cultural Centre
50-E, Chandragupta Marg
(Entry From Nyaya Marg)
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110 021
Phone: 0091-11-26871901/03/04
Fax: 0091-11-26871902

Chile win Spain – Croatia beat Cameroon-Netherlands win OZ

19 06 2014
  • Span 0
  • Chile 2


  • Chile created major upset to put defending champions  Spain 2-0 to secure their place in the World Cup second round and eliminate the holders on a memorable night at the Maracana on Wednesday.
    Chile  never beat Spain in their ten  previous meetings but always looked the more enterprising, taking the lead with a brilliantly-worked Eduardo Vargas goal after twenty  minutes and doubling their lead just before halftime when Charles Aranguiz banged in the rebound from a meek punch by keeper Iker Casillas.

    Spain, beaten 5-1 by the Netherlands in their opening Group B match, looked a shadow of the team that triumphed four years ago and won back-to-back European titles, with Sergio Busquets missing the best of their few chances early in the second half.
    Spain now  become the third holders in the last four tournaments to go out at the group stage following France in 2002 and Italy in 2010.

    Croatia beat Cameroon

    Croatia knock 10-man Cameroon out of World Cup
    Croatia knock 10-man Cameroon out of World Cup  MANAUS: Striker Mario Mandzukic scored two second-half goals as Croatia knocked 10-man Cameroon out of the World Cup with a 4-0 rout in Manaus on Wednesday.
    Croatia bounced back from their opening defeat to hosts Brazil to keep alive their hopes of progressing from Group A with an emphatic display.
    But Cameroon were largely the architects of their own downfall after playing the last 50 minutes with 10 men after Alexandre Song´s dismissal for a reckless punch to Mandzukic´s back.
    The Indomitable Lions seemed anything but as they imploded with full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto even trying to headbutt team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo in the dying moments following an argument.
    “I apologise for the result, it really hurts,” said Cameroon´s German coach Volker Finke.
    “We had no control on the game and I didn´t like the behaviour of my team.”We have to look forward, this team has players for the future.
    “Croatia, for their part, could have doubled their score but at least did what they needed to. Veteran striker Ivica Olic gave them a 1-0 half-time lead before his Wolfsburg team-mate Ivan Perisic added a second ahead of Mandzukic´s brace.
    The result leaves Niko Kovac´s Croatia third in the table, just one point behind joint leaders Brazil and Mexico.
    Cameroon are bottom with no points.Croatia now face Mexico in Recife on Monday for a place in the last 16.”We have to rest up well, the boys used up a lot of strength today,” said Kovac. “Then we´ll go into what is effectively a final for us and will do everything we can to progress.Croatia bounced back from their opening defeat to hosts Brazil to keep alive their hopes of progressing from Group A with an emphatic display.
    The Indomitable Lions seemed anything but as they imploded with full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto even trying to headbutt team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo in the dying moments following an argument.
    Croatia, for their part, could have doubled their score but at least did what they needed to. Veteran striker Ivica Olic gave them a 1-0 half-time lead before his Wolfsburg team-mate Ivan Perisic added a second ahead of Mandzukic’s brace.
    The result leaves Niko Kovac’s Croatia third in the table, just one point behind joint leaders Brazil and Mexico. Cameroon are bottom with no points.
    Croatia now face Mexico in Recife on Monday for a place in the last 16. Cameroon were hamstrung before kick-off when captain Samuel Eto’o lost his battle to make the starting line-up having failed to recover from a knee injury.
    Mandzukic returned for Croatia in style having missed their opening defeat to hosts Brazil through suspension, breathing life into their last 16 hopes.
    They needed just eleven minutes to take the lead as Cameroon failed to bounce back in tropical Manaus after their opening 1-0 defeat to Mexico.

    Netherlands win against Australia 
    Netherlands
    beat  Australia  3-2 in an incredible match
    Dutch edge past Aus 3-2 in an incredible match
    PORTO ALEGRE: Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie scored as Netherlands came from behind to beat brave Australia 3-2 at the World Cup on Wednesday.
    A second-half strike from Memphis Depay settled an electrifying Group B encounter at Porto Alegre´s Beira-Rio Stadium after a stunning Tim Cahill volley and a Mile Jedinak penalty helped the Socceroos take a 2-1 lead.
    Netherlands — who thrashed reigning champions Spain 5-1 in their opening match — are now in pole position to finish top of the group with six points from two games.
    Van Persie will miss the next game against Chile though after picking up a second yellow card. And Louis Van Gaal´s side were given an almighty fright by their fired up Australian opponents, who now face almost certain elimination.
    If Spain fail to beat Chile in Group B´s other game in Rio later Tuesday, Australia will become the first team to be eliminated from the 2014 finals. But the Australians have enhanced their reputation with a gutsy performance in their 3-1 opening defeat to Chile and the heroic display against one of football´s established nations.
    After soaking up early pressure, Bayern Munich star Robben settled Dutch nerves with a superb solo effort on 20 minutes. But Cahill equalised moments later with a stunning volley which crashed off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.
    Australia then took a shock lead nine minutes after half-time, Jedinak drilling the spot-kick after Daryl Janmaat was adjudged to have handled.
    Van Persie pounced four minutes later to make it 2-2 before Depay lashed in his 68th-minute winner for the Dutch, who were watched by Holland´s King Willem-Alexander and his wife Maxima.
    Spain were to fight for their World Cup place against the Chileans in Rio´s Maracana Stadium.
    Spain coach Vicente del Bosque dropped a bombshell with his team line-up shortly before the 4pm (1900 GMT) kick-off, announcing that long-serving stalwarts Xavi and Gerard Pique had been dropped.
    Following their traumatic drubbing by the Netherlands last Friday, Spain will be eliminated if they lose.
    Brazil 2014′s scintillating show of attacking football continued with the much fancied Netherlands defeating World Cup minnows Australia 3-2 in an incredible group match to virtually book a second round berth at Porto Alegre on Wednesday.
    The way the Netherlands overran Spain the other day, it looked like the Australians would be blowned away by the Dutch in the first World Cup match between the two sides.
    But the Group B match at Estadio Beira-Rio saw none of it and fortunes fluctuated between the two sides throughout the gripping 90 minutes with the Australians producing a gutsy performance belying the expectations from them.
    Australia, the lowest FIFA ranking team among the 32 participants, refused to be cowed down by the reputation of the Dutch, who were the last edition losing finalists and who had just ripped to shreds defending champions Spain 5-1.
    Instead, the Socceroos hold their own and at one stage took the lead around the hour mark. For a moment, it looked like Australia will tear apart the form book and pre-tournament predictions by upsetting the Dutch.
    It ultimately boiled down to the difference in class between the two sides that decided the outcome of the match with the Dutch far ahead in that aspect.
    With today’s loss, their second after the 1-3 defeat at the hands of Chile, Australia are now virtually out of the tournament.
    The Dutch, on the other hand, are virtually through to the round of 16 after their 5-1 humiliation of Spain.
    Arjen Robben, who scored two goals against Spain and mesmerised the defending champions’ defence, put the Netherlands ahead in the 20th minute only to be restored parity by a stunning Tim Cahill goal next minute with perhaps the best goal of the tournament so far.
    Australia stunningly took the lead in the 54th minute with captain Mile Jedinak converting from the spot after Daryl Janmaat handled the ball inside the box.
    But within four minutes, Robin van Persie (58th) put the match on level terms with a left-footed finish after he was set in the clear by Robben inside the Australian box.
    Second half substitute Memphis Depay then ended the Australian dreams by scoring the winner in the 68th minute.
    There was nothing to separate the two sides at the end of the first half and they matched each other in every aspect, shot by shot and in ball possession.
    It was again the indefatigable Robben who put the Dutch ahead in the 20th minute by tearing apart the Australian defence with his pacy run, just like he had done against the likes of Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique of Spain.
    The 30-year-old Bayern Munich player outran two defenders after collecting the ball from the centre of the field before drilling a perfect left-footed grounder to the left of Maty Ryan’s goal.
    Robben’s strike, however, did not lead to the opening of the floodgates for his side, but on the contrary, Australia replied with a bang within less than a minute with veteran Tim Cahill equalising with a spectacular left-footed volley which left Dutch keeper Jasper Cillessen without any chance.
    The second half was even more fascinating with the two sides giving not any inch to each other.
    It was Australia who actually went ahead through a penalty kick conversion in the 54th minute.
    Oliver Bozanic, who came in as substitute in the 51st minute, made an instant impact within two minutes as his attempted cross was blocked by Janmaat’s hand and the referee pointed to the dreaded spot.
    Jedinak coolly dispatched the penalty to the goalkeeper’s right, sending him the wrong way.
    But the Dutch made a swift turnaround with van Persie scoring his third goal of the tournament in the 58th minute. Jason Davidson played van Persie onside inside the Australia box and the Manchester United striker made no mistake, slamming the ball into the roof of the net.
    20-year-old Memphis Depay then scored the winner, his first international goal for the Netherlands, in the 68th minute to send the Australians crashing out of the tournament.
    Australia will also be without Cahill in the final group match against Spain as he received his second yellow card on Wednesday.




Help us urge Congress to properly fund the immigration courts,

19 06 2014
Crisis at the border
From: “Eleanor Acer, Human Rights First”  Wed, 18 Jun ’14 11:28p
To: Nksagar@rediffmail.com
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Dear Naresh:
Protecting the persecuted is a core American value. Yet asylum seekers and other immigrants are often detained in jails and jail-like facilities and those who are released wait years for the backlogged immigration courts to schedule a hearing in their case.
The United States is experiencing a sharp increase in the number of people crossing the Southern border–many have fled from escalating violence or persecution. This humanitarian crisis makes it more important than ever to address the delays in the immigration courts.
As we celebrate World Refugee Month this month, add your name to our petition urging Congress to properly fund the tools to manage the increase in protection requests at the border.
Last month, we visited key border points, border patrol stations, and immigration detention facilities. We met with asylum seekers apprehended and detained near the border, many without access to legal information or counsel to understand their cases.
We met one asylum seeker who was detained in jail-like conditions in a U.S. immigration detention facility after he told U.S. officials he feared persecution in his Central American country due to his sexual orientation. Most asylum seekers like him will either face continued detention in these conditions or if released will wait years for their court hearing.
That’s why Human Rights First recently released a Blueprint on How to Protect Refugees and Prevent Abuse at the Border, recommending tools both for the administration and for Congress on how to address this crisis.
We can’t do this without you. Help us urge Congress to properly fund the immigration courts, asylum office, and other measures that support appearance.  Sign the petition now!
Properly resourcing our immigration system would allow immigration courts to resolve asylum and other immigration applications in a more timely manner, and to create more flexibility to reduce costly detention and use alternatives to detention where needed. These steps can help to protect refugees and maintain the integrity of our system.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Acer
Human Rights First




Broadband misery continues:

19 06 2014
Broadband misery continues: Reliance Jio and NOFN with small coverage in 2015
From: TelecomLead  Thu, 19 Jun ’14 10:28a
To: You
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Legalise prostitution in India to address problems of sex industry

19 06 2014
From: EconomyLead  Thu, 19 Jun ’14 12:47a
To: You
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Competitiveness, climate, security Finn’s priorities Ministry of Finance release Finnish road map of EU presidency. Finland i...