Rochana blog

New Jersey Teacher Suspended for Facebook Status Update

a significant number" of parents who saw the Facebook post showed up at the school, clamoring for her removal.

"The reason why she was suspended was because the incident created serious problems at the school that impeded the functioning of the building," school board president Theodore BestNorth Jersey's The Record. "You can't simply fire someone for what they have on a Facebook page; but if that spills over and affects the classroom then you can take action."

The teacher in question has not spoken publicly, but her lawyer, Nancy Oxfeld, made a statement on her behalf.

"My feeling is that if you're concerned about children, you're concerned about what goes on in the classroom, not about policing your employee's private comments to others," Oxfeld said.

Oxfeld would not give her client's name, the Times said.

The Times also noted that the Paterson school district is one of the most troubled in the state. It has 28,000 students and 2,425 teachers, and it was taken over by the state of New Jersey 10 years ago due to "fiscal mismanagement and poor academic performance."

Terry Corallo, a spokesperson for the district, told the Times that "this matter is a a personnel issue that is under investigation" and the teacher is on "paid administrative leave."

UN imposes sanctions on Ivory Coast's Gbagbo

The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday demanded an immediate end to the escalating violence in Ivory Coast and imposed sanctions on Laurent Gbagbo, who has refused to relinquish the presidency, and his inner circle.

Wednesday's council vote was unanimous and came five days after France and Nigeria introduced a draft resolution expressing "grave concern" that the west African nation could relapse into civil war.

"I think the sense of urgency is obvious since ... the confrontation is extending in Ivory Coast and the situation is worsening by the hour," France's U.N. Ambassador Gerard Araud said. The message "is very simple — Gbagbo must go. It is the only way to avoid a full-fledged civil war."

The U.N.'s most powerful body voted on the day that fighters supporting Ivory Coast's internationally recognized President Alassane Ouattara seized control of the country's administrative capital, Yamoussoukro. It was seen as a symbolic victory by Ouattara's forces after months of political chaos that began when Gbagbo, the incumbent president, refused to recognize the results of the November election.

The resolution demanded "an immediate end to the violence" and urged all Ivorian parties "to respect the will of the people and the election" of Ouattara as president.

It condemned Gbagbo's decision not to accept the solution proposed by a high-level African Union panel earlier this month, which includes recognizing Ouattara as president, and urged him step aside immediately.

The African Union also had suggested getting Ouattara to appoint members of Gbagbo's political party to a unity government. Ouattara said he has embraced this idea since last year's presidential campaign, but Gbagbo rejected it.

The resolution backs the African Union proposal and calls for "an overall political solution that preserves democracy and peace and promotes lasting reconciliation among Ivorians."

Ivory Coast, the world's largest cocoa producer, has been in turmoil for almost a decade.

It was split into a rebel-controlled north and government-controlled south after an attempted coup sparked civil war in 2002. A peace deal in March 2007 brought key rebel leaders into the administration and offered hope for a single government after years of foundering accords and disarmament plans. But the results of the Nov. 29 presidential election made clear that deep divisions remain.

U.N. sanctions on Ivory Coast, including an arms embargo and controls on the export of rough diamonds, have been in effect since 2004.

To step up pressure, the latest resolution slapped a travel ban and asset freeze on Gbagbo, his wife Simone, and three key supporters, Desire Tagro, Pascal Affi N'Guessan, and Alcide Djedje.

The resolution was the most robust since the crisis over the presidency, though the council didn't impose tough financial or trade sanctions.

U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said the resolution sends a strong signal "both of council unity and the international community's determination that the people of Ivory Coast once and for all have the opportunity to see a government by the people installed."

Ivory Coast's U.N. Ambassador Youssoufou Bamba, who represents Ouattara, called the council action "a strong, robust response" to the worsening violence in his country.

The resolution reiterates the Security Council's longstanding demand that Gbagbo "without delay" lift the siege of the Golf Hotel, where Ouattara is holed up protected by U.N. peacekeepers.

The Security Council also targeted forces loyal to Gbagbo who have used mortars to fire on civilians in the capital, Abidjan.

At least 25 people were killed on March 17 when Gbagbo loyalists fired several mortar shells at a market building in the rebel-held Abobo district of Abidjan. Gbagbo's forces earlier used heavy machine guns against women demonstrating peacefully in support of Ouattara in Abobo on March 3, killing seven and seriously wounding many others.

The resolution "condemns in the strongest terms the recent escalation of violence throughout the country which could amount to crimes against humanity," singling out the attacks against civilians in Abobo.

It also stressed the council's "full support" for the U.N. peacekeeping force in Ivory Coast "to use all necessary means to carry out its mandate to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence ... including to prevent the use of heavy weapons against the civilian population."

Nigeria's U.N. Ambassador U. Joy Ogwu said the timing of the vote was critical, coming amid troubling reports that the growing violence was taking on ethnic and sectarian overtones and that innocent civilians, especially women and children were being targeted.

The resolution called on all parties to fully cooperate with an investigation of alleged rights abuses in Ivory Coast by the U.N. Human Rights Council's independent international commission.

The initial draft's call for the commission's report to be sent to the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court was dropped. Instead, the resolution calls for the report to be sent to the Security Council "and other relevant international organizations."

The International Criminal Court's prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, is already conducting a preliminary examination of possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ivory Coast.

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Associated Press Writer Anita Snow contributed to this report from the United Nations

Crystal says he'd consider a return to host Oscars

Billy Crystal says he'd consider a return as Oscar host — if some changes are made to the show.

The eight-time Academy Awards host said he was moved by his warm reception at last month's ceremony and that "it might be fun" to host the show again.

"I think the show needs to change," he said. "There's too many awards and it has to sort of freshen itself up, and if I can be a part of that, that would be great."

The 63-year-old entertainer made the comments Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press as he prepared to join longtime friend Muhammad Ali at Saturday's Celebrity Fight Night in Phoenix. Crystal is set to introduce the Champ, who hosts the annual fundraising event to support the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center and research toward a cure.

Reba McEntire will serve as emcee for the 17th annual Celebrity Fight Night, which will feature appearances by Ali and Halle Berry and performances by Matchbox Twenty, Kelly Clarkson and Bret Michaels, among others.

Crystal and Ali have been close personal friends since 1974, when they met at one of the comedian's first televised gigs.

Crystal said he "was a substitute schoolteacher during the day and being a comedian at night" when he was invited to appear at an event where Ali was the guest of honor.

The comedian opened with his impression of sports reporter Howard Cosell, then began imitating Ali.

"He went berserk. He couldn't stop laughing," Crystal recalled. "And he starts playing with me. He's putting the napkin over his head, he's jabbing me with jabs... He grabbed me afterward and said, 'You're my little brother,' and it's been that way for all these years now."

Crystal has appeared at Fight Night several times, said event founder Jimmy Walker.

"Muhammad Ali considers Billy as one of his best and most loyal friends," Walker said. "They have quite a history together doing many things for each other."

Though Parkinson's disease has diminished Ali's ability to speak, "he has an amazing, booming voice even in his silence," Crystal said.

When Crystal returns from his weekend appearances in Phoenix, he'll resume work on his movie projects: A big-screen adaptation of his "700 Sundays" show to be directed by Barry Levinson, and a Fox feature about what happens when grandparents are left in charge of the grandkids for the first time.

And he'll wait to see if the Academy calls.

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Online:

Global Toy Industry Makes its Way to New York City for Toy Fair 2011

NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2011 – "Play Happens" During the 108th American International Toy Fair

NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New toys and games from around the world will fill the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center starting this Sunday, February 13th, as the $75 billion global ($21.8B domestic U.S.) toy industry comes together in New York City for the 108th annual American International Toy Fair a four-day event showcasing the latest and greatest products to delight kids of all ages. Owned and operated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA), Toy Fair provides toymakers with the opportunity to debut thousands of new products that will start to appear on toy store shelves in time for the holiday shopping season.

"Toy Fair is the most exciting event of the year for industry influencers, who annually flock to the tradeshow to create new business opportunities," said Marian Bossard, TIA vice president of meetings and events. "Showcasing the creativity and flair of one of the most innovative industries in the world, 1,100 exhibitors from nearly 30 countries are set to unveil their top products to buyers and guests from 100 nations."

There's a lot more than order-writing that happens at Toy Fair; many special events and activities take place during the week:

The , administered by TIA in support of the , will be held on Saturday, February 12th at Jazz at Lincoln Center. The event honors the best in toys and children's entertainment in eleven industry award categories plus one overall "Toy of the Year" award; the induction of Al Verrecchia, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Hasbro, Inc. and Donald Duncan, Founder of Duncan Toys Company into the ; and pays tribute to the Foundation's work to bring the joy of toys and play to kids in need.On Sunday, February 13th at 10 a.m. the Toy Fair Opening Ceremony will take place with live musical entertainment and a parade of popular costumed characters during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. On Monday, February 14th at 2:00 p.m. media will get the inside scoop on 2011's hottest trends at the Toy Trends Tea; a TIA trends specialist will reveal the freshest developments in toys using examples from the show floor.Toy Fair-hosted educational seminars will also be taking place throughout the week: on Tuesday, February 15th the Toy Safety & Legislative Update will be held at 9:30 a.m. and the U.S. Department of Commerce seminar, "U.S. Toy Manufacturers: Increase Exports/Maximize Trade Opportunities," will be held at 11 a.m. Throughout the show, the Creative Factor Drop-In Learning Center will bring together inventors, designers and other creative professionals to network and share information and resources. Details about all of the educational seminars and events can be found online aton .

New for 2011 is Play Happens: The Game, a social media experience that marries the fun of Toy Fair with the energy of New York City by turning Manhattan into a virtual board game. Learn more at .Those who can't make it to the show will be kept in the loop by event staff via Twitter (, #TF11), the ,and the .

About the American International Toy Fair

Toy Fair is an annual event that is owned and operated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA). The largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere, the show brings together more than 1,100 exhibiting manufacturers, distributors, importers and sales agents from 100 countries to showcase an estimated 100,000 toy and entertainment products to the 9,000 unique retail outlets scheduled to attend.

About the Toy Industry Association (TIA)

TIA is the not-for-profit trade association for producers and importers of toys and youth entertainment products sold in North America, representing more than 500 companies who account for approximately 85% of domestic toy sales. Toy safety is the number one priority for the toy industry. TIA has a long history of leadership in toy safety including development of the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 30 years ago, and working with government, consumers and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play. For more information, please visit ,or .

SOURCEToy Industry Association

Download Ambientassons live on Antena 3 (28 november 2004) .Download Margaritas Ante Porcos .Download The Memorial .Forbidden Fruit (CON002) .Civilisation (Zero Altitude)

Nuclear arms treaty being finalized in Munich

MUNICH – The U.S. and Russia finalize a nuclear arms treaty Saturday, a key foreign policy goal of President Barack Obama that will limit the number of atomic warheads the two former Cold War foes are allowed to possess.

The New START treaty was approved by the U.S. Senate in December after Obama pressed strongly for its passage, and Russia ratified the deal last month.

The treaty goes into effect when U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton exchanges the ratification papers with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

New START is a cornerstone of Obama's efforts to "reset" U.S. relations with Russia.

Clinton said that the treaty is "another example of the kind of clear-eyed cooperation that is in everyone's interests."

In addition to New START, she said the U.S. is in talks with Russia about how the two countries can work together to address issues that affect their common security, while maintaining strategic stability.

Suggestions include joint analysis, joint exercises, and sharing of early warning data that could form the basis for a cooperative missile defense system, Clinton said.

Following the exchange of the New START ratification papers, she said she would also talk with Lavrov about "further arms control issues, including non-strategic and non-deployed nuclear weapons and our ongoing work to revive, strengthen and modernize the regime on conventional forces."

Lavrov called New START "a product of the understanding that unilateral approaches to security are counterproductive."

"The principles of equality, parity, equal and indivisible security ... form a solid basis for today's Russian-American interaction in a range of areas," Lavrov said.

"The treaty that enters into force today will enhance international stability."

The New START treaty, negotiated last year, limits each side to 1,550 strategic warheads, down from 2,200. The pact also re-establishes a monitoring system that ended in December 2009 with the expiration of an earlier arms deal.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed the treaty's entering into force as "a historical, political milestone on the road to our ultimate goal: achieving a world free of nuclear weapons."

He applauded the "leadership and political commitment" of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and of Obama.

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David Stringer and Geir Moulson contributed to this report.