Monthly Archives: September 2013

$100 Million Freedom Fund to Combat Modern-Day Slavery

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NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Three leading anti-slavery activists and donors, Humanity United, the Legatum Foundation and Walk Free Foundation, today announced plans to launch the Freedom Fund, an ambitious seven-year effort to raise and deploy $100 million or more to combat modern-day slavery. The announcement was made at the annual Clinton Global Initiative in New York City.

The Freedom Fund is based on the investment approach of its founders and aims to leverage donor funds to significantly increase the impact of existing and new anti-slavery initiatives and enable the scaling up of successful programs globally.

The Fund will target specific areas of high prevalence using a 'Hotspot' funding model. It will also fund innovation through thematic program interventions which deliver impact across multiple regions. By coordinating the efforts and resources of actors throughout the sector, the Fund aims to measurably reduce modern-day slavery by 2020.

"Efforts to combat modern-day slavery have traditionally been driven by individual actors and organizations with limited funding, relative to the scale of this significant problem," said Randy Newcomb, president and CEO of Humanity United, a human rights foundation. "Our goal with the Freedom Fund is to unite those working in isolation in order to create scalable, lasting change for the estimated 21 million people living under the oppression of modern slavery."

The Freedom Fund will support a variety of actors in the non-profit sector, including international NGOs. There will be an emphasis on providing resources to grassroots organizations working on the front lines to free and rehabilitate survivors of trafficking. The official launch of funding is anticipated in 2014.

"People are surprised to learn that slavery still exists today. The Freedom Fund is a new abolitionist initiative that will work to finally eradicate this modern-day scourge. It will serve existing efforts, identify best practices and mobilize new resources," said Alan McCormick, a managing director from Legatum. "The structure of this fund has the potential to break the cycle of slavery for millions of men, women and children globally."

Humanity United, the Legatum Foundation and Walk Free Foundation have each committed $10 million to seed the Fund and will seek to extend the partnership to others who share the same passion and commitment to the cause. The partners' initial funding will be used to establish the organization and quickly begin directing resources to areas of need.

"What has been missing in the fight against modern slavery is a collaboration of effective resources and targeted efforts focused on outcomes," said Andrew Forrest, founder of Walk Free Foundation. "We invite those who share our vision to unite and become part of that solution."

Prior to the official launch in early 2014, the Freedom Fund founding partners will hire a CEO and develop a set of guiding principles, as well as funding and governance structures.

Join us! To find out more about partnering with us or other ways to get involved in the Freedom Fund, please contact info@freedomfund.org.

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$100 Million Freedom Fund to Combat Modern-Day Slavery

'Freedom fighter' a delusional old man: barrister

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Topics: brisbane district court

WANNABE freedom fighter Gerard Michael Little's own barrister described him as a delusional old man who harboured unrealistic fantasies of fighting in a war zone.

Little pleaded guilty yesterday in the Brisbane District Court to one count of preparing an incursion into a foreign state, a charge which carries a 10-year maximum jail sentence.

Little, who was educated at St Joseph's College in Toowoomba, was arrested at Brisbane International Airport in December, 2012, while attempting to board a plane to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.

He planned to island-hop his way to take up arms in the West Papua war zone. Australian Federal Police subsequently raided his daughter's and father's properties in Toowoomba.

The District Court heard Little had travelled to Crimea in the Ukraine in August, 2012, to undertake a five-day program at the International Law Enforcement Training Agency.

Little's barrister Craig Eberhardt told the court his client was in no way a freedom fighter.

He had rubbished the effectiveness of the five-day course.

"He is a broken-down, old man who was delusional," he said.

The court heard Little boasted on Facebook he was a colonel in the West Papuan freedom fighting movement.

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'Freedom fighter' a delusional old man: barrister

Freedom Foods launches new quinoa milk and gluten-free muesli

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September 26, 2013 Sophie Langley

Australian food manufacturer Freedom Foods has added two new products, quinoa long-life milk and gluten-free breakfast muesli, to its range.

The two new products both contain the increasingly popular grain quinoa. Freedom Foods said the new products are being launched in recognition of the United Nations declaration that 2013 is the Year of Quinoa.

At Freedom Foods, we have strived for over 20 years to provide people with great tasting allergy-free foods, which helps them feel better, said Rory Macleod, Freedom Group Managing Director. We are excited to expand our portfolio of allergy-free products and provide the nations large community of healthy shoppers with a new and exciting way to consume this popular grain, he said.

The non-dairy Quinoa Milk also contains a popular ancient grain, Chia, which Freedom Foods says will provide Australias growing vegan community with a non-animal source of Omega 3 ALA. Freedom Foods says its new Quinoa Milk with Chia will capitalise on the strong growth occurring in the $130 million Australian Long Life Non-Dairy Milk market.

Freedom Foods said that while many products within the long life non-dairy segment use Malt Gluten as a sweetener, it had carved out a niche within the category as the only dedicated Gluten and Nut Free beverage brand in the market.

The Company said the new breakfast muesli, 3 Ancient Grain Muesli, was developed both to capture the growing interest in quinoa and the demand for fructose-free foods. The muesli also contains the grains sorghum and millet.

Freedom Foods Quinoa Milk with Chia and 3 Ancient Grains Muesli are available in Coles supermarkets and independent retailers.

Freedom Foods new Quinoa Milk with Chia

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Freedom Foods launches new quinoa milk and gluten-free muesli

Cris Cyborg: 'Ronda Rousey is a little mentally sick'

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RIO DE JANEIRO -- Ronda Rousey was worried about how the fans would see her on the current season of The Ultimate Fighter, and her long-time rival Cris Cyborg is surprised with what she has seen.

Invicta FCs featherweight champion believes the mental aspect could be a decisive factor in Rouseys second title defense in the UFC against Miesha Tate on Dec. 28, and that Tate would have the advantage.

"Ronda is a little mentally sick," Cyborg told MMAFighting.com. "Miesha is more focused. I dont know if thats because Ronda is younger, more competitive. The mental aspect can affect her, but what makes you win inside the Octagon is training. The better prepared fighter will win."

Rousey has submitted Tate in their first fight in Strikeforce, but Cyborg hopes that the challenger has learned the lesson.

"Everybody knows what Ronda does and I believe Miesha will come more prepared this time," she said. "Unfortunately, everybody knows what shell do and still let her do it. Im watching the TUF season, and I believe Miesha has more weapons to defeat Ronda. But I dont really care who wins this fight, though."

Rouseys division is 10 pounds lighter than Justinos, but the Brazilian still wants to fight the judo specialist.

"The only thing stopping this fight to happen now is the weight, but I dont care about the belt," she said. "I want to this fight for the fans in a catchweight because she used to fight in my division and then dropped. Id fight her (in the UFC) and then return to my home, Invicta."

Cyborg is managed by Tito Ortiz, and the former UFC champion doesnt have a good relationship with UFC president Dana White. However, the muay thai specialist believes that wouldnt be enough to keep her away from the Octagon.

"If I keep knocking people out, nothing will hide what Im doing," she said. "(Dana White) wont stop me. Every MMA fan wants to watch to see me in the UFC. Im happy at Invicta FC, and I want to represent Invicta FC in the UFC. The more I grow, they wont be able to protect Ronda from me anymore."

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Cris Cyborg: 'Ronda Rousey is a little mentally sick'

Beaches house overrun by cats gets long-awaited cleanup

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Crews clean the outside of a house overrun by cats in the Beaches on Wednesday. CITYNEWS

The outside of a house overrun by cats on a quiet Beaches street was cleaned up Wednesday.

In a CityNews story last week, neighbours said they were desperate to escape the putrid smell of cat excrement emanating from the property, located near Kingston Road.

Dozens of ravenously hungry cats had overwhelmed the inside, and outside, of the house, prompting CityNews reporter Cynthia Mulligan to liken the smell to a giant kitty litter box that hasnt been changed in months.

Area residents took matters into their own hands, trapping a total of 43 felines and handing them over to animal control, which will have them spayed, neutered, and released back into feral colonies.

That may have significantly pared down the cat population, but the mess and smell remained.

After what neighbours described as years of neglect, the issue was finally addressed Wednesday morning when a phalanx of agencies descended on the home.

The street was closed down as fire, police, animal services, the OSPCA, and four junk removal trucks showed up to begin the long-awaited cleanup.

Cats were a large part of the problem, but the property was also littered with years of accumulated junk and debris that was hauled away.

The cleanup initiative, which came after Beaches-East York Coun. Mary-Margaret McMahon arranged a meeting with the agencies, was more than welcomed by neighbours.

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Beaches house overrun by cats gets long-awaited cleanup

Welch's® Fruit Snacks And Beaches® Resorts Partner For A Nationwide Luxury Included® Family Vacation Giveaway

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ALLENDALE, N.J., Sept.26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The makers of Welch's Fruit Snacks, the nation's number one fruit snacks brand, today announced a partnership with Beaches Resorts for an exclusive promotion offering consumers the opportunity to win a Beaches Resorts Luxury Included Caribbean Family Vacation in Turks & Caicos or Jamaica.

Beginning October 1, 2013, and running through January 31, 2014, Welch's Fruit Snacks will offer an on-pack promotion where consumers can visit its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/WelchsFruitSnacks) and enter to win a four-day, Luxury Included Caribbean Family Vacation to the most beautiful beaches in Turks & Caicos or Jamaica, courtesy of Beaches Resorts.

Instruction for entry will be printed on Welch's Fruit Snacks boxes available in grocery stores, club stores, convenience storesand mass retailers nationwide. Each participant, age 21 and older will be asked to visit and "like" the Welch's Fruit Snacks Facebook page and provide basic information including name, age, and email address. In February, three randomly selected winners will be announced for a chance to escape on a Caribbean family getaway to Beaches Resorts. Additionally, secondary prize winners (10) will receive $250 dollars and a year supply of Welch's Fruit Snacks and consolation prize winners (80) will receive a one-month supply of Welch's Fruit Snacks.

"We are thrilled to partner with BeachesResorts on this exciting initiative to bring an amazing grand prize to a few lucky Welch's Fruit Snacks fans," said Josh Shapiro, Vice President of Marketing, Promotion In Motion. "This giveaway is a natural fit between two brands Welch's Fruit Snacks and Beaches Resorts which have been delighting families for years."

"Beaches Resorts is excited to come together with Welch's Fruit Snacks to support their philosophy of families sharing special moments by offering consumers the chance to win a Luxury Included Caribbean Vacation. We always look to create meaningful and exciting partnerships with brands that share our passion for bringing families together and Welch's Fruit Snacks does just that," said Debbie-Ann White, SVP of Public Relations and Promotions, Unique Vacations, Inc. an affiliate of the worldwide representatives of Beaches Resorts.

Beaches Resorts Luxury Included Vacation offers the highest levels of family service, unlike any other resort in the world. The four-day, grand prize includes:

About The Promotion In Motion CompaniesThe Promotion In Motion Companies, Inc. is one of North America's premier makers of confections, fruit snacks and other snack food products, and has been named one of the top 100 candy companies globally. The company's proprietary and licensed brands include WELCH'S Fruit Snacks and Fruit 'n Yogurt Snacks, SUN-MAID Milk Chocolate Raisins, My M&M'S Brand Chocolate Candies, FISHER Milk Chocolate Peanuts, TUXEDOS Chocolate Almonds, SOUR JACKS Sour Candies, NUCLEAR SQWORMS Sour Neon Gummi Worms, Gummy Factory Gummi Candies, TOGGI Fine European Chocolate Wafers, BAKE SHOPPE Cookie Dough Miniatures, JUICEFULS Juice Filled Fruit Snacks and more. Its subsidiaries and affiliates include Promotion In Motion Canada, Inc., Promocion en Mocion Mexico, Grupo de Alimentacion Promotion In Motion Iberia S.A de C.V., Promotion In Motion UK, Ltd., Farmer's Choice Food Brands and PIM Brands LLC.

Beaches Resorts:With three spectacular locations in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, Beaches Resorts is the ultimate getaway for every member of the family. With outrageous waterparks, XBOX Play Lounge, the Scratch DJ Academy, exclusive Kids Camps, teen nightclubs, Certified Nannies, Butler service, and Red Lane Spas, Beaches Resorts provides an unrivaled experience in the Caribbean. As a proud sponsor of Sesame Street, Beaches Resorts also offers the Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street, where kids can spend their vacation with their favorite friends from the Sesame Street gang with daily activities and weekly stage shows. Beaches Resorts are also the perfect destination wedding and vow renewal venue, offering unrivaled choices for your most special day and the opportunity for the whole family to celebrate together with FamilyMoons. For more information, please visit http://www.beaches.com.

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Welch's® Fruit Snacks And Beaches® Resorts Partner For A Nationwide Luxury Included® Family Vacation Giveaway

At Metropolitan Beaches Commission meeting locals praise Dorchester's beaches

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(Patrick D. Rosso/Boston.com/2013)

Swimmers headed into the waters of Tenean Beach during the annual Brian Leahy Memorial Polar Bear Plunge.

By Patrick D. Rosso, Town Correspondent

Dorchester residents praised their neighborhood's waterfront, from Tenean Beach to Savin Hill Cove, at a Wednesday meeting of the Metropolitan Beaches Commission, but they also saw room for improvement.

Formed in 2006 by the Massachusetts Legislature and made up of non-profit leaders, residents, and elected officials, the commission evaluates and critiques Department of Conservation and Recreation managed beaches from Nahant to Nantasket. It released its first report in 2007 and is now working on a follow-up, which will provide recommendations for ways to improve the recreation areas.

The 2007 report analyzed conditions at the Malibu/Savin Hill and Tenean Beaches, and concluded that the beaches are important community gathering places, that they are getting cleaner, and that they are easily accessible from public transportation.

The 2007 report, however, found that there were issues with contamination after storms, maintenance of existing facilities was lacking, and there was a need for better police enforcement.

Many at Wednesdays meeting said the beaches have been improving, but that there are still concerns about water quality, safety, and facilities.

The Save the Harbor Save the Bay 2013 Beaches Report Card found Malibu Beach in the middle of the pack when it came to overall water safety in 2012.

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At Metropolitan Beaches Commission meeting locals praise Dorchester's beaches

GKN Aerospace opens new Bangalore engineering centre

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GKN Aerospace officially opens its advanced engineering centre in Bangalore, India in a ceremony on Wednesday, September 25th 2013. The Centres highly skilled engineering team, which extends the companys one thousand-strong global engineering strength, is already contributing design engineering expertise to the companys international aero-engine activities.

Seventy highly qualified design and development engineers have transferred from Volvos* Bangalore facility to the new Centre located on the old Airport Road at the heart of Bangalores aerospace and automotive activities. Over the next eighteen months a local recruitment campaign will increase the workforce in Bangalore to over 100 individuals.

Today the Centre is supporting the companys engine systems business, one of the three major aero-engine structures providers to the global aerospace market. In the future its activity will extend to provide engineering support for projects across the GKN Aerospace enterprise, including its market-leading aerostructures and transparencies operations. David Orth, newly appointed General Manager at the Bangalore engineering centre explains: GKN Aerospace is known for the strength of its engineering expertise and through this new Centre the company is adding Indias - and specifically, Bangalores - impressive engineering skills base to that expertise. We look forward to playing our part in creating effective design and engineering solutions that will help GKN Aerospace extend the performance of future aircraft and aero-engines.

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GKN Aerospace opens new Bangalore engineering centre

Research and Markets: Aerospace (Asia) – Analysis of The Top 110 Companies Including Hindustan Aeronautics, Yul Kok …

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/bb88sw/aerospace_asia) has announced the addition of the "Aerospace (Asia)" report to their offering.

This report provides a detailed overview of the Aerospace (Asia) market and delivers a comprehensive individual analysis on the top 110 companies. It includes a wealth of information on the financial trends over the past four years.

A quick glance at this Aerospace (Asia) report will tell you that 40 companies have a declining Plimsoll financial rating, while 33 have shown good sales growth.

Key Topics Covered

Each of the largest 110 companies is meticulously scrutinised in a one-page individual assessment and is analysed using the most up-to-date and current financial data.

Every business is examined on the following features:

- The Plimsoll Chart: A graphical assessment of a company's financial performance

- Four year assessment of the profit/loss and balance sheet

- A written summary highlighting key performance issues

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Research and Markets: Aerospace (Asia) - Analysis of The Top 110 Companies Including Hindustan Aeronautics, Yul Kok ...

B/E Aerospace Schedules Third Quarter 2013 Earnings Release and Conference Call for October 23, 2013

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WELLINGTON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

B/E Aerospace, Inc. (BEAV) will issue its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 prior to the opening of the NASDAQ Stock Market on Wednesday, October 23, 2013, and will hold a conference call to discuss the results at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, October 23, 2013. A live audio broadcast of the conference call, along with a supplemental presentation, will be available on the investor relations page of the Companys website at http://www.beaerospace.com.

About B/E Aerospace, Inc.

B/E Aerospace is the worlds leading manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior products and the worlds leading provider of aerospace fasteners, consumables and logistics services. B/E Aerospace designs, develops and manufactures a broad range of products for both commercial aircraft and business jets. B/E Aerospace manufactured products include aircraft cabin seating, lighting systems, oxygen systems, food and beverage preparation and storage equipment, galley systems, and modular lavatory systems. The Company also provides cabin interior reconfiguration, program management and certification services. B/E Aerospace sells and supports its products through its own global direct sales and product support organization. For more information, visit the B/E Aerospace website at http://www.beaerospace.com.

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B/E Aerospace Schedules Third Quarter 2013 Earnings Release and Conference Call for October 23, 2013