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Octavia Nasr Fired Over Tweet Praising Late Ayatollah

March 7, 2012 by · Comments Off on Octavia Nasr Fired Over Tweet Praising Late Ayatollah 

Octavia Nasr Fired Over Tweet Praising Late Ayatollah, A CNN veteran of 20 years, Octavia Nasr called her tweet about Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah ‘an error of judgment’. Twitter, with its strict 140-character limit, was never going to be the best medium to make a nuanced point about Middle East politics. But Octavia Nasr gave it a go.

The cost was great: Nasr was fired as CNN’s senior Middle East editor after 20 years with the US-based news channel.

The offending tweet was sent on Sunday morning following the death in Beirut of Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, who was instrumental in the establishment of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Using her official CNN Twitter account Nasr wrote: “Sad to hear of the passing of Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah. One of Hezbollah’s giants I respect a lot.”

The tweet was immediately picked up by supporters of Israel, to which the Islamist group is bitterly opposed. The Simon Wiesenthal Center in the US released a statement demanding Nasr “apologise to all victims of Hezbollah t*rror*sm whose loved ones don’t share her sadness over the passing of one of Hezbollah’s giants”.

The text was swiftly removed from her Twitter feed, but by then it had been heavily circulated, with criticism mounting.

Nasr responded on Tuesday with a blog on the CNN website, calling her initial message “simplistic” and “an error of judgment”. Her respect for the ayatollah, who she had interviewed for Lebanese television in 1990, was owing to his stance on women’s rights, notably his demands that “honour killings” stop, she explained.

But this was not enough. The next day, Nasr was reportedly called in to see her bosses at CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta. The New York Times quoted an internal memo from a senior vice-president, Parisa Khosravi, which said: “We have decided that [Nasr] will be leaving the company.”

The memo added: “At this point, we believe that her credibility in her position as senior editor for Middle Eastern affairs has been compromised going forward.”

The company has not confirmed the news, saying only that the tweet “did not meet CNN’s editorial standards”. A spokesman added: “This is a serious matter and will be dealt with accordingly.” Nasr’s Twitter account has fallen silent.

Fadlallah, 74, was Hezbollah’s spiritual leader when it formed after Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982, though he later distanced himself from the group’s ties with Iran.

Nasr, who appeared on camera and worked behind the scenes at the TV station, soon realised her mistake, writing on her blog: “Reaction to my tweet was immediate, overwhelming and provides a good lesson on why 140 characters should not be used to comment on controversial or sensitive issues, especially those dealing with the Middle East.”

While her tweet attracted controversy, a tribute to Fadlallah came from another seemingly unlikely source: the UK ambassador to Beriut.

Frances Guy, who has headed the mission since 2006, wrote on her official Foreign Office blog: “Lebanon is a lesser place the world needs more men like him, willing to reach out across faiths, acknowledging the reality of the modern world and daring to confront old constraints. May he rest in peace.”

Comments beneath the post were mainly positive, although one read: “Her esteemed predecessors, such as Sir John Gray, lived in mortal fear of being blown up by Fadlallah’s Hezbollah hoods. So much for the ‘admired Shia leader’ she refers to above.”

Nasr is one of the more high-profile victims of a phenomenon known as “twittercide”. A notable UK casualty was Stuart MacLennan, a Scottish Labour candidate deselected a month before the election for using Twitter to call old people “coffin dodgers” and David Cameron “a twat”.

Earthquake In DC

August 23, 2011 by · Comments Off on Earthquake In DC 

Earthquake In DCEarthquake In DC, An earthquake in Virginia was felt in Zanesville. Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz said people evacuated from the court, and the construction of the law of Graham in the fourth street at 2 pm, due to the tremors.

Bo Keck, Muskingum County EMA director, said there were no reports of damage in the county, although there are reports of people who feel that from the center to the periphery of the province.

Michael Hansen of the Ohio Seismic Network said the tremors were part of an earthquake of magnitude 5.9 near Mineral, Virginia

Jimmie Clark was eating at the buffet Eastern Underwood Street when he said he realized his chair was shaking.

“It felt like someone was moving the chair, so I turned around and others are experiencing the same thing,” said Clark.

He said that the signs and poles outside the restaurant swayed as the tremor hit. “It was a strange feeling,” he said.

Government Shut Down

April 7, 2011 by · Comments Off on Government Shut Down 

Government Shut Down, A Federal government shutdown damages the U.S. economy still fragile? A closure is effective from Friday night if Congress cannot agree on a budget. Of course, the longer the government is closed, the devastation it could cause. At this point, however, many experts are predicting a short stop possibly lasting just a few days. If the federal government was closed for weeks or months, then the economic impact could be important in a variety of sectors and is felt by most Americans. But how to manage the economy of a closure of only a few days?

From all parts of the economy, the housing market remains the most problematic. A closure could make things worse for the sector; housing finance remains highly dependent on federal funds. But the impact on shortstop is likely to be muted.

Only the housing units financed by the Federal Housing Authority would be affected, according to an article in the political. Those represent about 30% of new originations. Fannie Mae mostly finances the other 70% and Freddie Mac Despite being controlled by the government, its operations are not expected to be affected. The Treasury states that the government’s efforts to amend the mortgage and other programs to prevent foreclosures would not be affected by closure.

In any event, the biggest problem that a government shutdown poses for the housing market is uncertainty. Could yield results in terms of housing in April and took more questions about the lack of progress in the sector could experience a growth in sales.

In a short closing scene, financial markets will not be affected significantly. Federal regulators are largely turned off, but the Securities and Exchange Commission keep some key functions of living, according to an article in The Wall Street Journal. Market surveillance will continue, for example. The stability many important functions of the Federal Reserve will also be affected, as its budget is separate from the federal government. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation will also remain open to clean the mess of all failed banks.

But again, the uncertainty can be a problem. Government departments that calculating and economic reports to be closed during the shutdown. This takes the reports, leaving the market wondering how the recovery is going. Next week, the government intends to publish the results of retail sales, inventories, manufacturing and trade sales, trade deficit and inflation.

Financial markets have a big problem to deal with government payments, if the interests of Treasuries left for a federal government shutdown. But the Treasury says that these and other essential payments will continue, no matter how long it takes Congress to agree a budget.

Federal Employees

If the federal government is closed on Monday, then about 800,000 employees come to work, according to the Washington Post. These employees will be payable to any period of time the government closes. In other cases, however, as for military personnel on active duty, employees will continue to pay for closure, but the controls will be delayed until the government initiates a backup.

These workers must have a minimum impact on the economy, however. A little expense can be lost to those who are forced to leave, but other spending would be delayed only for anyone that payment is deferred until the closing of the ends.

If Congress were concerned about getting paid, you will be relieved to know that will not go hungry. Their wages would not stop just because they agree on a budget. That is, unless a bill passes before that they stop payment on a stage of closure. House of Representatives, John Boehner (R-OH) would support a measure to freeze their wages during the closure, reports the New York Times.

The economy of the DC area would be disproportionately affected by the closure. After all, federal workers are concentrated in the capital. The local economy will be affected, as temporarily out of public employees, will likely have to cut expenses. It will also affect tourism. The national museums are closed. This could not come at a worse time for DC, as a tourist magnet cherry blossoms are in bloom, and the annual parade of Cherry Blossom is set for Saturday. May be canceled if the closure occurs, according to a Washington Post article that details of a closing effect on DC

You may have noticed that the stability of a number of sectors and markets over government shutdown depends on is cut. If it extends a couple of weeks or months, then the emergency funds that some federal agencies and departments have to get through a closing scene will be exhausted. On the other hand, if you have a closure with no end in sight, the increased uncertainty in markets such as housing and finance. So off the CD, the economic impact of a short government shutdown does not seem too important. But if the politics of division makes the closure persist indefinitely, so it could be much more devastating for the recovery.

NYT

February 11, 2011 by · Comments Off on NYT 

NYT, The New York Times has opened its second “Modern Love” essay contest for college graduates today at the national level. Students at least 18 years, residing in the United States and enrolled in a U.S. college or university are invited to submit personal essays between 1,500 and 1,700 words that illustrate the current state of love and relationships. The winner will be published in a special Modern Love column in The New York Times Sunday Styles section.

In this era of Facebook, SMS, new attitudes about sex and dating, the evolution of gender roles and 24 / 7 communication, which is love now? The New York Times invites students to explain what love is for them.

Four semi-finalists and one winner will be chosen. The winning entry will be published in the newspaper on May 1 and NYTimes.com, and the winner will receive 1000. Semi-finalists may also have their essays published in print and on NYTimes.com. Contest details are available at NYTimes.com / EssayContest. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, Thursday, March 31.

“Three years ago, we were overwhelmed and humbled by the depth of knowledge and emotional resonance in many trials, we’ve received,” said Daniel Jones, Modern Love editor, The New York Times. “We are eager to hear what college students have to say about love today. ”

Launched in October 2004, The New York Times publishes weekly Modern Love column reader-submitted essays about a wide range of relationship experiences including marriage, dating, divorce and parenthood. An online archive of Modern Love columns can be found at http://nyti.ms/146bvG. The contest college first test was conducted in 2008.

A book of collected columns, entitled “Modern Love: 50 True Tales of Extraordinary and desire, deceit and devotion”, is available in bookstores.

About The New York Times Company

The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), a media company with revenues in 2010 and 2.4 billion, includes The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 15 other daily newspapers and more than 50 sites web, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. Main objective of the Company is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high quality news, information and entertainment.

CNN Headline News

February 11, 2011 by · Comments Off on CNN Headline News 

CNN Headline News, (AP) – Former CNN and the Associated Press executive Jon Petrovich died following a battle against cancer and diabetes. Petrovich, who would have been 64 on Feb. 28, died Thursday in New York, said his nephew, Ron Petrovich. A highly respected leader of dissemination joined the AP in 2007 Petrovich. As vice president of U.S. distribution operations, he oversaw daily operations at the national, in collaboration with the wire distribution of AP, online, radio and television platforms.

Petrovich “deeply understood and loved the broadcast business and was very optimistic about the possibilities of digital media,” said Sue Cross, Vice President of the PA media markets in the United States. “He was a force to cheer on our teams broadcasting explore new ways of delivering news, and always a source of inspiration and humor.”

Petrovich was executive vice president of CNN for 15 years, where he developed CNN Interactive, which produces CNN.com. CNN en Espa?ol and many specialty channels business. He was instrumental in the development of CNN news service to its network of subsidiaries and the airport.

He also served as president of Turner Broadcasting Latin America for two years.

Former CNN President Tom Johnson said Petrovich was presented by Ted Turner to run CNN Headline News, which he has made a significant presence in the cable spectrum.

“It was a great innovator and creative force,” said Johnson. “He was really someone who has contributed to CNN in the future.”

Before joining AP, Petrovich was professor and head of broadcasting at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. He was a keynote speaker and distinguished board of advisors of the school in the 1990s.

He oversaw international networks for Sony Television.

Besides news, Petrovitch passions included food and restaurants. He “at least tried to find all the great restaurants in all cities around the world” recalled his nephew, Ron.

A native of Gary, Indiana, Petrovich began his career in 1970 as a reporter at WHAs-TV in Louisville, KY. While news director at WBAL-TV in Baltimore, the station won an Edward R. Murrow for best regional newscast.

Besides his nephew, his wife, Karen, a daughter and a son and three grandchildren, survives Petrovich.

___

AP writer Joan M. Beall in Washington contributed to this story.

Source: http://www.nola.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/former-ap-cnn-exec-jon-petrovich-dies/7e1ee46bad074704b68f8b8f25c7a92e

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