Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/276949052?client_source=feed&format=rss
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Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Schumer to back Hagel for Pentagon's top job
WASHINGTON (AP) ? Chuck Hagel secured the backing of two of the staunchest pro-Israel Senate Democrats in a clear boost to the Republican's prospects of becoming President Barack Obama's next defense secretary.
Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Barbara Boxer of California said Tuesday that they had spoken extensively with Hagel and he had addressed their earlier reservations about whether he was "anti-Israel," too soft on Iran and opposed to gay rights.
"Based on several key assurances provided by Senator Hagel, I am currently prepared to vote for his confirmation," Schumer said the day after a 90-minute meeting with Hagel at the White House. "I encourage my Senate colleagues who have shared my previous concerns to also support him."
Boxer expressed her support and urged fellow senators to do the same after receiving a letter from Hagel in which he insisted that he supports Obama's foreign policy positions. In the letter, the former Nebraska senator also expressed regret for using the term "Jewish lobby" to describe pro-Israel groups, calling it a "very poor choice of words."
Republicans said it was highly unlikely that Schumer and Boxer would have opposed a Democratic president's nominee at the start of Obama's second term. Still, the support of two of the most prominent Jewish members of the Senate is certain to ease concerns among pro-Israel lawmakers and rally noncommittal Democrats to Hagel's side.
The Republican nominee must contend with opposition from the GOP ranks as Obama faces challenges to his choices in a fiercely partisan atmosphere. A handful of Republicans have announced their opposition to Hagel, including John Cornyn of Texas, the second-ranking GOP senator.
"From what I've seen there seems to be a Republican push here to really go after Sen. Hagel, which is really quite disturbing," Boxer said in a conference call with reporters.
Cornyn was dismissive of Hagel's statements, calling them "retractions," and the response from Schumer and Boxer.
"No closed-door White House meeting with a single senator or a letter can erase a problematic 12-year Senate record and many troubling public statements from Sen. Hagel," the Republican said of his former GOP colleague.
Democrats hold a 55-45 advantage in the Senate and would have the votes to confirm Hagel on a simple majority, but they would need five Republican votes for the 60-vote threshold to break a GOP filibuster. A Republican effort to block Obama's choice of a former Republican senator would set off a firestorm as Senate leaders try to negotiate new rules on filibusters.
Hagel, who has reached out to all 100 senators, also was meeting with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Tuesday.
Schumer met with Hagel Monday afternoon at the White House and then spoke to Obama in the Oval Office, according to a Senate aide. The New York senator telephoned Hagel Tuesday morning to tell him of his support.
Schumer said Hagel told him that he backs all steps necessary, including the use of military force, to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Schumer also said Hagel told him that he has always supported Israel's right to retaliate militarily against attacks by Hezbollah or Hamas, two groups he considers terrorist organizations.
Schumer said Hagel also provided assurances on gay rights and abortion rights for members of the military.
"I know some will question whether Senator Hagel's assurances are merely attempts to quiet critics as he seeks confirmation to this critical post. But I don't think so," Schumer said. "Senator Hagel realizes the situation in the Middle East has changed, with Israel in a dramatically more endangered position than it was even five years ago. His views are genuine, and reflect this new reality."
Boxer said Hagel assured her that he would carry out Obama's policies "without reservation." Schumer said the Pentagon nominee mollified him on the issue of unilateral sanctions on Iran, which Hagel has said in the past were ineffective.
"In our meeting, however, Senator Hagel clarified that he 'completely' supports President Obama's current sanctions against Iran. He added that further unilateral sanctions against Iran could be effective and necessary," the New York senator said.
Boxer said Hagel, like others, has evolved on gay rights. She said that he promised to meet with her on issues such as sexual assault in the military.
Responding to the criticism of Hagel, Boxer said, "I feel people are being very unfair to Chuck Hagel."
___
Follow Donna Cassata on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DonnaCassataAP
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/schumer-back-hagel-pentagons-top-job-150039903--politics.html
Sony Xperia LT18i Android 2.3.4 how to update to ICS?
How do i upgrade and root my Android OS. I tried many stufflike fl;ashtool but it didnt work. Ive read alot and cant figure out how do i make a clean upgrade please help me i had before Galaxys2 and i want to install a clean ICS updated i need really step by step instructions from someone who has experience please help
Source: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2101552&goto=newpost
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Saturday, January 12, 2013
AppSpy's Top 10 iOS Games of 2012 - Part 2 | iPhone Game ...
Last modified 6 hours, 42 minutes ago
2012 was the first full year of reviewing Apps that I experienced since working at AppSpy, and as a year of gaming in general it was quite impressive. We had a number of developers successfully port their games over by adapting their control schemes (like The World Ends With You: Solo Remix and Bastion), and on the complete other side of the spectrum we had engaging quick to play Indie titles like Super Hexagon, and Catch-22.
The game to copy and clone this last year was definitely Temple Run with a glut of 3D imitators. Meanwhile the 2D endless runner genre continued on strong with many titles trying to be the next Jetpack Joyride. We saw sequels and follow-ups from studios that released their debut titles years ago (and for the most part, both categories had success with these releases).
The playing field is becoming a lot more crowded, but there are still plenty of interesting and enjoyable titles coming out every month. 2012 was a fantastic year for gaming, and I am very optimistic that 2013 might be even better.
Let's find out what AppSpy Dave's 'Top 5 iOS Games for 2012' has in store!
Mikey Shorts by BeaverTap Games
I came to Mikey Shorts a little late, but I am glad I did. I started playing video games in the 80s and my two favorite genres have always been adventure games and platformers. The thing about platformers is that after you've started with Super Mario Bros, you won't accept a platformer that doesn't feel right when you're playing it. Mikey Shorts feels right... which is a difficult task on a touch screen, especially with virtual buttons. There's a flow to the game, where you can slide through, leap to a high platform and then hop with a feather touch across the heads of a series of bots, and the only break is when you mistime a leap or reach the end of a level.
Rayman Jungle Run by Ubisoft
Rayman Origins is an extremely beautiful and engaging game. When an iOS game was announced, I'll admit I was skeptical. Rayman Jungle Run absolutely nails the look and feel of its console counterparts while adapting its control scheme to benefit the touch screen, and with its short levels and trails of Lums to follow, it may be a linear guided experience, but an incredibly fun one, and that's what matters.
Run Roo Run by 5TH Cell
When you want to discuss bite-sized levels and one touch gameplay, Run Roo Run could be considered a template. Each world introduces a new game element, and then all the levels revolve around that element (sometimes incorporating previous elements) that help to create a game that you can't put down, and due to that is over before you know it. Luckily they were clever enough to release some weekly challenge packs after the game's release. I think a lot of people forgot about this title because it was released in January but you shouldn't, and that's part of the reason why it's here.
Score! Classic Goals by First Touch
This one surprised me. I'm not really a fan of soccer (exhibit A, I call it soccer, not football), but there was just something about nailing down the exact lines and curves of the ball passes in order to achieve a goal that actually happened in the real game. Having a look at the play mapped out with lines and markers, and then translating that to a 3D environment where the opposing team actually react to your execution of the play, be it good or bad, and well... I was hooked.
And my Pick of the Year - Catch-22 by Mango Down!
One of the constants when putting together my games of the year list is how long I kept the title on my phone after either reviewing it myself, or watching the review on AppSpy before purchase. Catch-22 is my go-to App. Yes, it's simple and elegant, but its real magic is how quickly you can lose yourself with those two orbs, and the random decisions that are sometimes made to play either risky or conservative this time around. With all the high end graphics, 3D worlds and narratives out there, sometimes we forget how beautiful a pure gaming experience can be (Super Hexagon for instance), and that is Catch-22 in a jumping, weaving, colored orb of a nutshell.
Source: http://www.appspy.com/toplist/6624/appspys-top-10-ios-games-of-2012-part-2
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Friday, January 11, 2013
Film: Random Roles: Bill Pullman on how to play the president and being the guy who doesn?t get the girl
Welcome to Random Roles, wherein we talk to actors about the characters who defined their careers. The catch: They don?t know beforehand what roles we?ll ask them to talk about.
The actor: Few actors embody the concept of the everyman quite so effectively as Bill Pullman. Having successfully portrayed a plastic surgeon (Singles), a private detective (Zero Effect), and a pedophile (Torchwood), Pullman?who may or may not have a thing about playing characters with occupations that start with a ?P??returns to the Oval Office 17 years after Independence Day to play the second U.S. president of his career in the new NBC series 1600 Penn.?
1600 Penn (2012-present)??President Dale Gilchrist?
Bill Pullman: Right off the top, the first thing that leaps to mind is that, in conjunction with the sneak peek of the show, we were on The Voice, sitting in the audience, and for 30 seconds or so they turned the camera to us and said, ?They?re gonna run a sneak peek of 1600 Penn right after us!? I?ve gotten several pins and whatnot to wear on the show, and for some reason, when we went on The Voice, I wore a presidential pin on the inside of my coat, even though I was just there as myself. Not in character, in other words. And as I was sitting there, I found myself thinking, ?This was a weird thing to do, I wonder why I wore this.? But I think it was something to do with feeling the security of the office while wearing it. You can see why people like it, I guess. [Laughs.]?
The A.V. Club: When you were put in consideration for this gig, it seems impossible that someone didn?t say at some point, ?Well, for starters, we already know he can play a president.?
BP: I had met the director [Jason Winer] about a year before, and at some point he must?ve been thinking about me for it, but he didn?t mention it. So when I heard about it? well, I later found out that they thought I was a long shot. It was a case where they didn?t know if I?d be up for it or not, but I was on their wish list, so they went for it. And I thought it was a long shot, too, frankly. When I heard about it, I thought, ?Okay, I?ll read it, but I don?t know. It doesn?t seem likely that I?m going to be excited about playing the president again.? Largely because if it were to get traction, then that?d be my identity for a while. I?d already spent a whole career trying to diversify and stay away from being stuck with any one ?type.? But this one really surprised me. I hadn?t done comedy in a while, I was interested in the writing and really charmed by it, and I just thought, ?I?d better look into this more.? And I ended up doing it.?
AVC: You?re certainly not afraid to do small-screen work, but had you been actively looking for a series?
BP: No. I hadn?t really. I get offers to do pilots and things, but I?ve never really felt like I was a good candidate for it. I guess I?ve always felt like I was outside the culture, be it the mainstream, the zeitgeist, or the media-driven. Because I don?t watch television, and I don?t follow the score cards in The Hollywood Reporter about whoever?s doing what. To tell you the truth, I feel a little left out in the cold! When I watch some of the comedies on television, some of the humor just escapes me. I should probably leave it at that.?
AVC: What are some of the sitcoms that you do like?
BP: Well, when I say I?m out of it, I?m not joking! I watched Modern Family because Jason Winer had been involved with that, and I really enjoyed it. So I guess I would say I like that. But I don?t think it?s a really well-rounded opinion that?s grounded in deep knowledge of the medium.?
Cagney & Lacey (1986)??Dr. Giordano?
BP: Oh, my gosh. That is amazing that you?ve got that. [Laughs.] I was just starting out in my career, and I remember just really feeling lucky that I?d gotten the part. I?d never been on a set before, but I went down, and both Tyne Daly and Sharon Gless were really polite and welcomed me, and I was feeling like I was just a member of the family right away. We did a rehearsal, I was a doctor, and we did a walk-and-talk down a hallway, then they were chatting me up, and everything was very casual.?
Then all of a sudden, we went to shoot, and they had put in all of these extras, and gurneys were going by, and people were stopping with clipboards, and I totally freaked in the first take. I thought, ?I can?t remember my lines! It was all casual, and now all of a sudden there?s all this chaos!? But then Tyne just took me over to the side, and she said, ?Hold up here,? because she could see that I really couldn?t get anything out, and we just went to a room and she ran the lines with me so patiently and said, ?Don?t worry, it happens all the time.? And then I went out and did it, no problem. But I just kind of realized at that moment that TV was a very different ballgame.
AVC: How did you come to a career in acting in the first place?
BP: I was going to college on kind of a vocational program for carpentry, and it was largely an act of rebellion at the time. It was ?71, I didn?t want to go to an Ivy League college, and I was just looking to do something different. But then I went to an audition with a bunch of refrigeration students who were trying out for a play, and I got cast by a guy who became a lifelong friend. I said, ?Okay, maybe I?ll do a couple of plays?? And he said, ?No, you?re not going to do any of these things you thought you were gonna do. You?re going to the college that I went to and getting a degree in theater. It?s a good life. You?ll like it.? So I did that. [Laughs.]?
Torchwood (2011)??Oswald Danes?
BP: Yes! That was a great adventure. In a very bizarre way. I never stopped liking the premise of that. It was a parable that really had a lot of social and political references, with the whole idea that I?m about to be executed and then I don?t die, at which point they realize that no one else is dying any more. I play a convicted murderer and pedophile, the one person that everyone wants dead and everyone wants to see killed, but when they can?t kill me, I turn that around and begin to become a messiah. And I really, really loved working with the Welsh, including the main man himself, Russell T. Davies. He was great, as was Julie Gardner, the producer. They?re most excellent people, as was everyone working on it. The cast was great, too, from John [Barrowman] on down.?
AVC: Not that you haven?t done dark material in the past, but you wouldn?t seem to be the first choice to play a pedophile murderer. How did you find your way into the mix for consideration? Did Davies approach you personally?
BP: Well, no, it was just an offer, but then I talked to him. I?d certainly done dark things before. I?d done a couple with the Lynches, including Surveillance with Jennifer and, of course, Lost Highway with David. But Russell actually said, ?I just thought it?d be a lot of fun if you were playing the role because people don?t expect it.? So I think he just dialed it up that way.?
Lost Highway (1997)??Fred Madison?
Surveillance (2008)??Sam Hallaway?
BP: Oh, my God, I remember shooting [Surveillance] in Canada, and when we went to shoot that? We were on a soundstage, and they?d built a set, so we were in a real contained area. And I came out the door after some of the first takes, and all the Canadian crew, who had been so friendly with me, suddenly seemed as though they didn?t so much as want to catch my eye.?
AVC: What?s it like working with two different generations of Lynches? Are there decided similarities in their styles?
BP: I just love ?em. I feel like I?m as close to them as my own family, just with their charm and the joy I get from being in their company and everything. In that way they?re similar. Artistically, though, they?re opposites. David comes from an art-school background and never discusses psychology, and Jennifer comes from a place where everything is coming from a psychological basis. So they?re seriously diverse.?
AVC: How was David to work with? He has the reputation of being the nicest guy in the world, yet his sensibilities are about as dark as they come.?
BP: Yeah, I was always impressed by his ability to be smiling as he talked about heinous behavior by human beings. Some of it with him, I think, is just a sense that underneath the fa?ade of it all is this turbulent dream world that drags us into modes of behavior that we don?t acknowledge in our public life.?
Igby Goes Down (2002)??Jason?
BP: Oh, yeah! You know, the people who mention that film? You really have to have a good sense for films to find those small movies that stand out as unique and interesting, and I think that qualifies. That one was quite potent for me. My mother had a lot of psychiatric troubles when I was growing up, from the time I was 7 on, so it was a really challenging thing at times for us. As it has been for anyone who?s had a mother or father with psychiatric troubles. At first, you?re thinking that all of this behavior is unique to just your family, because you have no context for it or anything, and it took me a long time to even talk about it. But playing somebody like that was really more cathartic than I thought it would be. I signed up for it thinking, ?Oh, I know something about this,? but I didn?t realize quite what sort of place it would take me to, to the point that when I was doing that shower scene.
We were in New York City, and my family had come to visit New York, and I, in a thoughtless way, said, ?Well, you?re gonna have to come to the set, at any point you want in the day.? And I?m in the shower, with blood down me and snot and everything else, and the assistant director comes in and goes, ?Oh, Bill! Your family?s here!? I said, ?Uh, okay, this is not gonna work. Tell ?em to go home.??
Casper (1995)??Dr. James Harvey?
BP: Yes, well, that was one I really remember looking forward to taking, so that I could bring my kids to the set. They were right at the perfect age to enjoy all the magic of that, and it was right over here at Universal. So I just thought it?d be really fun to bring them over to someplace not too far from their house and go into the haunted house that was built on the Universal soundstage. It was really impressive and a great place to visit. And they watched the whole scene with me getting rolled up in the rug and all of those shenanigans. I was really glad that they could be part of that.?
The Serpent And The Rainbow (1988)??Dennis Alan?
BP: That was my third movie, and I thought, ?Boy, movies are gonna be so exotic!? [Laughs.] Because we went to Haiti and then to the Dominican Republic, and then we had a riot on the set! That movie was such an experience. But I?ve remained friends with Wade Davis, who wrote the original book and who?s almost exactly my age, and I just found that whole world of ethnobotany and the anthropological work, the country, the music? It was all just mesmerizing to me. I still have a lot of artifacts from that set and from that experience in my house. It was a very iconic experience for me.?
Zero Effect (1998)??Daryl Zero?
BP: That was? man, these are all the crown jewels in my little treasure chest. [Laughs.] That one, I think, is one of my faves, because it was just such an experience. I had met Jake Kasdan when he was 13, on the set of The Accidental Tourist, and I really loved getting to know him. Then later, when I was on Wyatt Earp and he was doing a documentary about the film, I spent time with him there, and he said, ?I want to be a writer, and someday I might want to write a script for you.? I said, ?Oh, really?? Thinking, ?That?ll never happen.? And gosh darn, when he was 21, all of a sudden I get an offer for Zero Effect. I just love his sensibility, and his whole approach. It was a great honor to work with him. That?s another case of working with the father and then the offspring. I feel very rich having been able to do that.?
AVC: There had been an attempt to do a series based on Zero Effect, but has there ever been any talk of doing an actual sequel to the film?
BP: Not that I ever heard of, no. I think at the time when it came out, it was right around when Titanic came out, and people never know why movies don?t grab, but it didn?t really grab. And I remember hearing, ?Oh, it?s because it?s two movies: It?s a buddy movie and it?s a romance. And people like simple. They want to know what they?re getting.? Something like that. So I think maybe that?s always been hovering in some money person?s mind ever since.?
Spaceballs (1987)??Lone Starr?
BP: Oh, man, yeah. That was? [Laughs.] I have just had the wildest experience, haven?t I? Actually, speaking of Lone Starr, when we were filming an episode of 1600 Penn? You know, you get these scripts about two seconds before you have to be up there shooting ?em, and I was just doing my work like normal. But in this episode, there?s a wedding, and?I don?t think this is too bad of a spoiler?I end up having to do vows, and they end up getting interrupted, so I say, ?Okay, let?s do this fast.? And the justice of the peace says, ?Do you?? And I say, ?I do.? ?And do you??? ?I do.? And then we kiss and run off. And at some point, I said, ?Wow, these guys know their movies. I never talked to them about the fact that this was straight from Spaceballs.? And during a break, I went over by the monitors and said, ?That?s so funny that you put in this thing from Spaceballs.? And they said, ?We didn?t realize it!? [Laughs.] There are these weird circles that happen if they let you stay around long enough, these curious ways that things circle back.?
AVC: What are your recollections about working with John Candy?
BP: I think about him every movie I do, because he was generous and selfless, and in a way that I really don?t run into very much in life. He was so good with the crews and just very generous, giving them things. And I?ve always tried to remember that with every movie and every project.?
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[Full-time] Project Manager at Oikos East Africa
Job Title:Project Manager, Arusha and Mkuru Training Camp, Tanzania
Closing Date: 31 January 2013
Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference
Mkuru Training Camp, Istituto Oikos, Tanzania
Uwiro Village,
Arusha Tanzania
Oikos East Africa (OEA) is a non-profit Tanzanian organization started in 1999 and working for the promotion of environmental conservation as a tool of socio-economic development. OEA is managing 6 projects in Northern Tanzania, in partnership with Istituto Oikos (www.istituto-oikos.org), and is now looking for a Project manager for the project ?MESULA Ltd ? Mount Meru Sustainable Land: a social enterprise for the production of horticultural quality, food safety and protection of the territory in the area of Mount Meru (Tanzania)?.
Assignment Period: 15 January 2013 for one year with possibility of extension for another year.
Base of job: Oikos East Africa office in Arusha and Mkuru Training Camp, according to the project needs.
General Supervision: He/She will work in close collaboration and under the supervision of the Project Scientific advisor and will report to Oikos East Africa Managing Director and Istituto Oikos Country Representative in Tanzania.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Technical aspects
* Start-up of Mesula ltd, a non-profit company Limited by Guarantee. The activity will include: constitution and registration of the company; setting up of an office and a store; provision of equipment; staff training; preparation of a business model; design and management, in collaboration with the Meru District, of the Brand ?Mount Meru Sustainable Land?. * Awareness rising among farmers on the value, significance and potentials of organic horticulture and on the opportunity offered by MESULA Ltd. * Training and technical assistance to selected partners on organic horticultural production according to MESULA guidelines. * Facilitate the marketing relationship and the accessibility to medium scale buyers and groups of consumers establishing fair commercial linkages between the parts. * Networking with similar initiatives in Tanzania and abroad.Management/institutional aspects
* Ensure team work and coordinate closely with Oikos staff. * Prepare technical reports on project implementation, according to OEA procedures. * Manage, under the supervision of OEA administration, the project financial resources. * Ensure the proper participation of the communities and project beneficiaries to the project activities, in order to achieve the targeted results. * Facilitate communications and sharing of information with communities, farmers, women groups and school staff. * Promote community awareness and mobilization for active participation and in kind contributions to project works and trainings. * Plan and organise training for farmers and ensure that project training guidelines are fulfilled (list of participants filled, training materials kept and inventoried, technical reports, evaluation, pictures, etc.). * Provide technical assistance during training, follow-up and monitoring of farmers activities. * Carry out surveys and monitoring activities with the project team, participate to internal project activity review.Requirements: ? Degree in Agricultural sciences or equivalent ? Knowledge of organic horticulture ? At least 10 year experience in managing similar projects ? Knowledge of No-profit sector, strong commitment to teamwork; ? Effective communication, motivating leadership and interpersonal skills. ? Reporting capacity. ? Proficiency in English is a must. Knowledge of local languages is an added value.
PROJECT BACKGROUND PROJECT TITLE ?MESULA Ltd ? Mount Meru Sustainable Land?: a social enterprise for the production of horticultural quality, food safety and protection of the territory in the area of Mount Meru (Tanzania). DONOR Lombardy Region and Cariplo Foundation (Italy) LEADING AGENCY ISTITUTO OIKOS ONLUS (Italy) IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS OIKOS East Africa in the implementing partner, in close collaboration with Honeyguide Foundation and the involvement of the following key actors:In Tanzania: MERU DISTRICT COUNCIL, AVRDC ? The World Vegetable Centre, Mkuru Training Camp, Tan-cert, TBS (Tanzania Bureau of Standards), TFDA (Tanzania Food And Drug Authority), Responsible Tourism Tanzania, Essential Destination Ltd.From Italy: AIAB (Association for Organic Agricolture),Fondazione Legambiente DURATION 1st January 2013 ? 31st December 2014 OVERALL BUDGET Euro 280.000 (additional funding under research) LOCATION Arusha Region ? Meru and Arusha District Councils OVERALL OBJECTIVES i) Increase the benefits of horticulture and the production of tomato in particular, for the rural population of Mount Meru in terms of food security, income, health and environmental quality. ii) Promote the socio-economic development of the area of Mount Meru and highlight the elements of excellence in the area in the agri-food sector, focusing on research and development of quality in its products and typical activities. iii) To develop the market potential of horticultural products through diversification and qualification of production. iv) To contribute to environmental conservation and upgrading of agricultural systems and natural area of Mount Meru. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE To increase the income of small farmers in the area of Mount Meru through the creation of a social enterprise in the horticultural sector (MESULA Ltd ? Mount Meru Sustainable Land) able to reconcile the fight against poverty, workers? health, protection of agro-ecosystems and food security BENEFICIARIES Direct beneficiaries: i) 160 members of four local organizations of farmers, ii) 12 primary and secondary schools (20 operators and about 4500 students), iii) the farmers in the area of Mount Meru (about 5,000 people). Indirect beneficiaries and final: i) the families of 160 farmers trained (about 1,000 people), ii) the officers of the District of Meru iii) the training center Mkuru Training Camp iv) end-users of MESULA Ltd, or consumers local sensitive to the quality of food and tourist accommodations (about 1300-1500 or 40-60 families lodge) RESULTS RESULT 1: Social Enterprise MESULA Ltd ? Mount Meru Sustainable Land started and horticultural products of quality products manufactured and placed on the local market, with economic benefits for small farmers. RESULT 2: Technical skills required to differentiate horticultural production, use land in a sustainable manner and produce quality vegetables acquired and applied by small farmers in the area. RESULT 3: Networking and partnerships Italy-Tanzania on sustainable agriculture promoted and strengthened. ACTIVITIES 1.1. Creation (start up) of social MESULA Ltd. 1.2. Design and management, in collaboration with the District, of Mount Meru Brand Sustainable Land. 1.3. Promotion and placement on the market of branded products MESULA. 1.4. Data monitoring economic performance of social enterprise. 2.1. Presentation of the project at the local farmers. 2.2. Technical training of 160 small farmers belonging to 4 groups. 2.3. Support field to farmers cooperatives selected. 2.4. Improvement of irrigation systems. 2.5. Provision of equipment for the management of the phases of the post-collection and distribution of the vegetables. 2.6. Feasibility study for the construction of a small pilot plant for processing tomatoes. 3.1. Networking. 3.2. Awareness. 3.3. Media. 3.4. Search.
How to apply:
Please send a cover letter and resume to selezione@istituto-oikos.org indicating ?Vacancy Notice No TZ/13/PM01? in the subject line. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Source: http://www.besttanzaniajobs.com/job/1662/project-manager-at-oikos-east-africa/
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Massachusetts governor seeks to revamp retiree health care
(Reuters) - Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick said on Friday that he will file legislation to overhaul benefits for public retirees, including a proposal to double the number of years an employee would have to serve to be eligible.
The bill would require most current employees of the state and its cities, towns and school districts to work for 20 years instead of 10 years to become eligible for health benefits when they retire.
Retirees would also have to pay a higher percentage of their health insurance premiums, leaving the employer responsible for a smaller share.
The changes, which would not apply to current retirees or to employees who are within five years of retiring, would also raise the minimum age of eligibility to 60 from the current 55.
States' public pension systems are facing large unfunded liabilities that have led to reforms in most states. But massive gaps in public funds to pay for post-employment benefits have received less attention - until now.
On average, states have set aside only about 5 percent of what is estimated to be their retiree health care and other non-pension benefits such as life insurance. At the end of 2010 that left a $627 billion gap, according to a report by the Pew Center on the States.
In response, a growing number of states and cities have begun eliminating or reducing health coverage for retirees.
The proposed Massachusetts legislation could save the state and its local governments up to $20 billion over the next 30 years, Patrick said in a statement.
The commonwealth is scheduled to sell $230.5 million next week and an additional $1.2 billion over the next few months, according to a statement from Massachusetts Treasurer Steven Grossman.
"We think this nation-leading reform work will be reflected in lower interest costs for Massachusetts taxpayers," Grossman said.
The $230.5 million sale of general obligation refunding SIFMA index bonds was postponed from December.
(Reporting by Hilary Russ, editing by Tiziana Barghini)
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/massachusetts-governor-seeks-revamp-retiree-health-care-212706985--sector.html
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