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He was presiding last week over a case involving a former CIA deep cover operative who alleges that unknown agency personnel bad-mouthed him to a defense contractor, costing him a job. |
Marcia Sowles, a Justice Department lawyer for the CIA, argued that the agency never said anything publicly about the man, known as Peter B in court pleadings. |
Scullin asked Peter B’s lawyer, Mark S. Zaid, to lay out the material facts the plaintiff believes are at issue so the judge could decide if limited discovery is warranted. He gave Zaid a week. |
No problem preparing the filing in a week, Zaid said, but he couldn’t submit it to the court. He would first have to give it to the CIA for review to see if it contained classified information. |
But there is no need to include any classified information, Scullin said. |
Agreed, said Zaid, but the agency still has to get it first. Sowles and CIA lawyer Anthony Moses concurred: Everything must be reviewed in Langley. |
Scullin seemed a tad irritated by this seemingly redundant requirement. Impatient to move along a case that has been stalled for years, Scullin asked Moses how long the review might take. |
The CIA lawyer couldn’t predict. |
Scullin, an Army infantry commander in Vietnam and Bush I appointee, ordered him to get it done in a week. |
Chief Global Operations Officer, Equifax, Inc. |
Dr. Andy S. Bodea is Chief Global Operations Officer at Equifax, Inc., a Member at Council on Foreign Relations, Inc. and a Member at Leadership Atlanta. Dr. Bodea was previously employed as Vice President by Gateway, Inc., Vice President by General Electric Capital Corp., Vice President by General Electric Co., Inform... |
For many fans, football’s beauty lies in its simplicity. So do MLS’s sometimes arcane rules and regulations put people off? |
For the past four years, ESPN has conducted an anonymous survey of MLS players. There are always angles and headlines: this time around Giovani dos Santos was voted the most overrated player in the league by his peers. But in amongst the whimsy and trivia a more troublesome statement was served on how MLS is seen even ... |
Players were asked whether they truly understand how General Allocation Money (GAM) and Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) works. Only 50% answered that they do. That is likely reflective of the wider (lack of) understanding of the trade rules, too. In fact, so convoluted are the regulations they have become a source of c... |
It could be argued that MLS doesn’t do a good enough job of providing transparency on its own rules, that they have failed to sufficiently explain the process that results in the trading and signing of players. But one has sympathy for the corner they have forced themselves into. Even if they wanted to explain everythi... |
This isn’t the only thing that makes MLS a more convoluted pursuit than it needs to be. If you’ve ever played as an MLS team in Football Manager, you’ll have experienced how the league tends to tie itself up in knots over certain things. Not just GAM, TAM and trade rules, but international breaks that aren’t really int... |
So what can MLS do to untangle the web? Well, for starters, it could fully observe Fifa-recognised breaks. Last week, world soccer took a break for a round of international friendly fixtures, while MLS took a half-break of sorts, with six games played over the weekend. Some teams were without some of their best players... |
Furthermore, it puts players in a difficult position, sometimes forcing them to choose between club and country. This could, theoretically, place doubt in the mind of any prospective signing of international class weighing up a move to MLS. Particularly with more teams now targeting young talent from South America, MLS... |
Of course, it’s unlikely that MLS will ever adopt a winter calendar, and rightly so. Anyone who argues that MLS teams should play through Christmas and New Year rather than through the summer, like they do in Europe, has never been to Chicago or Toronto in January – and if they have, they never ventured outside. But a ... |
Then there’s the Concacaf Champions League, which demands that MLS teams hit top form before they have even started their domestic season. This, of course, is something MLS has no control over, leaving American and Canadian sides at an unavoidable disadvantage against Mexican and Central American teams midway through t... |
But the fact remains that MLS’s biggest problem in its complexity are the trade rules that see players bounce around the league without much understanding of how they are allowed to do so. While the salaries of every MLS player are published annually, there is a distinct lack of transparency over how those players sign... |
The situation has improved somewhat in recent years. The farce surrounding Frank Lampard’s move to New York City FC and his loan (if it was even a loan) to parent club Manchester City proved to be a watershed in fans’ intolerance over the lack of transfer transparency, with the league now making more of an effort to ex... |
For over two decades, MLS has tried to strike a delicate balance between global soccer etiquette and North American sporting culture. That’s why games were once decided by shoot-out. It’s why there are play-offs. And trades. Some MLS teams are ‘football clubs,’ with others ‘soccer clubs.’ The league has always walked t... |
One of the most-talked about convergence-related innovations in recent years is the ability for a suitably-equipped mobile phone or voice-enabled device to roam between unlicensed spectrum domains (such as WiFi or Bluetooth) and cellular phone environments while a call is in progress. Seamless handover of the call is t... |
UMA is essentially an access technique; it allows cost-effective access to a GSM operator’s 2.5G core network via some WLAN (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth) systems. UMA-enabled mobile devices access circuit-switched services via the “A” interface with GSM’s MSC (News - Alert) (Mobile Switching Center) and GPRS (General Packet ... |
The key UMA component to achieve dual-mode access is a gateway called a UMA Network Controller (UNC) which sits at the boundary between the mobile core network and the IP network. When the dual-mode phone is communicating via a corporate WiFi network, the voice packets containing GSM format voice and SS7 signaling data... |
Since the UNC also provides authentication, encryption and data integrity for signaling, voice and data traffic, and acts as a conventional cellular base station, this one little box certainly can be used as a short-term “quick fix” to quickly and inexpensively enable carriers to provide dual-mode services, and it was ... |
Thus, UMA has mostly been a system to handover voice calls from Wireless LANs to a GSM/GPRS/EDGE cellular environment, although Kineto Wireless in 2006 first announced client software for mobile/WiFi handoffs that could support 3G UMTS. |
• Alcatel Lucent (www.alcatel-lucent.com) offers a standalone or a more elaborate combined NGN-UMA architecturefor those mobile operators who have implemented Alcatel’s NGN solution. In both platforms, UNC functionality is provided by the Alcatel 5020 Wireless Call Server (WCS) for voice signaling support; Alcatel Wire... |
• Ericsson’s (www.ericsson.com) solution for UMA is Mobile@ Home™ - also known under its 3GPP name Generic Access Network (GAN). In 2005, Ericsson delivered the world’s first commercial UMA/GAN network for British Telecom to launch their Fusion service and is now the main supplier of the Orange UMA/GAN solution in seve... |
• Motorola (www.mot.com) has an end-to-end UMA solution including a UNC, access control, billing integration, network management, WiFi access points, and UMA handsets such as the dual-mode Motorola A910. |
• NEC (News - Alert) Corporation (www.nec.com) has partnered with Kineto Wireless to integrate Kineto’s UNC into NEC’s Home Gateway Solution, enabling deployment of a complete end-to-end femtocell solution, comprised of the NEC Home Gateway Network Controller (HGNC). The UMA-enabled HGNC interfaces to a mobile operator... |
IMS – A Broader Canvas? |
Deployed as they are by facilities-based MNOs, the classic formulation of UMA works only with GSM cellular networks. Since the voice traffic is in GSM format and is delivered to the mobile core network, UMA can’t completely leverage the “toll bypass” cost advantages of IP telephony, even though the voice traffic is enc... |
UMA aficionados will say that UMA is the 3GPP standard for enabling all mobile services accessed over broadband IP and WiFi: voice, data and IMS, and that UMA, being an access technology, actually increases the number of locations where IMS services can be delivered. WiFi access in homes, workplaces and hotspots can no... |
But whereas SIP or any IP-based protocol will run over UMA access technology, when a dual-phone is removed from a WiFi hotspot, a broadband SIP session would now have to be made to run over low-bit rate GPRS (or slightly higher EDGE). And handing off a SIP call to a GSM network would be a neat trick. That’s why UMA imp... |
IMS, though more expensive to install in the infrastructure, allows for many services to be deployed in carriers using a common service architecture. And IMS is access layer agnostic, which means it can use any IP connection to deliver applications over GSM, UMTS, WiFi, UMA, or DSL/cable. The type of WLAN/cellular hand... |
Both sets of UMA and IMS “true believers” will no doubt be arguing with each other for years to come. The general trend, however, is that the world’s telecom infrastructure is slowly moving toward the flexibility and scalability offered by IMS. |
"Measurement of the antineutrino to neutrino charged-current interactio" by L. Ren, L. Aliaga et al. |
We present measurements of the neutrino and antineutrino total charged-current cross sections on carbon and their ratio using the MINERvA scintillator-tracker. The measurements span the energy range 2-22 GeV and were performed using forward and reversed horn focusing modes of the Fermilab low-energy NuMI beam to obtain... |
Ren, L.; Aliaga, L.; Altinok, O.; Bellantoni, L.; Bercellie, A.; Betancourt, M.; Bodek, A.; Bravar, A.; Budd, H.; Cai, T.; Carneiro, M. F.; da Motta, H.; Devan, J.; Dytman, S. A.; Diaz, G. A.; Eberly, B.; Endress, E.; Felix, J.; Fields, L.; Fine, R.; Bellantoni, L.; Eberly, B.; Kleykamp, J.; McGivern, C. L.; and Morfin... |
2. An increase to 10% of AGI (from 7.5%) in the exclusion of deductible medical expenses. This change is delayed until 2014 for those 65 and older. |
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday said that it held "constructive discussions" with Pakistani authorities during last week's spring meetings in Washington and that its mission will be visiting Pakistan "before the end of April to continue the discussions" on a bailout package. |
The announcement was made by the Office of the Resident Representative of the IMF in a press release following reports that the IMF mission's visit of Pakistan for finalising the package may be delayed as both sides are still engaged in an intense discussion. |
"The Pakistani authorities and IMF staff held constructive discussions during the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC towards an IMF-supported programme," the IMF statement said. |
"At the request of the authorities, an IMF mission will be going to Pakistan before the end of April to continue the discussions." |
Meanwhile, Minister for Revenue Hammad Azhar said that an "agreement in principle has been reached on all outstanding issues with IMF" and that "formalities will now be finalised during the IMF's staff level visit to Pakistan". |
It is pertinent to mention here that Finance Minister Asad Umar, who led the Pakistani delegation at the spring meetings, had also said earlier this month that the mission would visit Islamabad soon and an agreement should be signed by the end of this month. |
The finance minister went to New York on Friday but his team, which includes senior officials of his ministry and other government agencies, stayed in Washington for further talks — Dawn reported. |
At a Thursday night news briefing in Washington, Umar had said the two sides had “more or less, reached an understanding” on the bailout package and “in a day or two, we hope to reach a full agreement”. |
The sources said that IMF officials were also seeking details of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), along with a written guarantee from both Pakistan and China that the IMF assistance will not be used to repay loans to China. |
The finance minister is likely to visit China on April 25 for talks on the IMF concerns over CPEC and IMF will wait to hear from him before it finalises the bailout package, the sources said. |
Meanwhile, both sides are engaged in “fine-tuning” the details of the proposed IMF programme. Pakistan wants the IMF to review some of the conditions it has attached to the package while the IMF insists that those conditions are absolutely essential for a successful completion of the programme. |
Pakistanis point out that this would be their 14th package with the IMF, if finalised. They argue that the conditions attached to previous programmes were also not fully implemented because they were too restrictive. Pakistan wants the IMF to focus on long-term structural reforms that help revive its economy instead of... |
During negotiations on the new package, the Pakistani delegation told the IMF that they “do not want to commit to what we cannot implement”. |
Some of the conditions proposed by the IMF include: making the State Bank independent, a market-oriented exchange rate, expanding the tax target by Rs5,000 billion, ending income tax concessions, more taxes on salaries, narrowing the amount of taxable income from Rs12 lakh a year to Rs4 lakh, reducing electricity and g... |
The sticking points, however, are the demands for market-determined exchange rates and sharing details of Chinese loans which Pakistan is reluctant to do. |
The IMF insists on full disclosure of all financial cooperation between Pakistan and China, including assistance related to infrastructure development, nuclear power plants, joint manufacturing of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and procurement of submarines. |
The IMF is also demanding details of more than $6.5bn of commercial loans Pakistan has received from China in the past two-and-a-half years. |
In July, China also deposited $2bn with the State Bank of Pakistan. |
Securing a loan itself is an achievement for nuclear country ! |
Very confusing. On again - off again. After weekly and daily change in stance , it’s a situation where even morning and evening news are different. |
Still more discussions? At this rate we will have a new PM and FM by the time IMF approves the bailout. |
It's bitter pill considering poor economic situation but necessary for good health in future. |
The visit is on "Pakistani authorities" request. They do not want Imran Khan to look bad. |
@RDM, That's true given that North Korea hasn't secured any loan. |
It's certain that IMF will only agree after cent percent ensuring only constructive and developmental use of loan amount. |
What happened to all most Pakistanis get imf package by FM? |
Government is scared to come out with the conditions of CPEC loans. If the conditions were too bad for Pakistan, PTI government would have happily disclosed it n blamed NS. BUT it's the pressure from China that it is not able to do so! |
To continue 'constructive discussion' ? Really. For how long?? |
Who will pay the cost for the visiting IMP mission? |
So this whole fiasco showed the difference between the ability of a seasoned Chartered Accountant and an established MBA. |
Mr. Dar used to get these programs without any delay and without putting the burden on the people with measures such as the devaluation of PKR. |
Salute to Mr Dar from a PTI supporter. |
Cpec is a debt trap for Pakistan and IMF knows it better than Pakistan. Why simply China deposits money in state Bank without any conditions (China has conditions which IMF only knows) It's like keeping money in Swiss bank by an individual, upon his suddenly death will all money goes to Swiss government if you forgot t... |
AU should reveal all fineprint of all Chinese loans and get IMF loan instantly. |
Please do carry on with the constructive discussions for at least the next couple of years. That will surely help Pakistan get out of the troublesome situation without seeking recourse from any shylocks of our times. |
@Just Do It, Whimsical views. Pak pays 30% for petroleum & mineral fuels. Rest 70% is commercial imports. Just anounce new 50% restrictions on commercial importers, like they can only import half the amount of previous year imports. All will then be ok. Such restrictions may be on trial basis for one year, it may be ra... |
@Ash Man , Well said. FM said, we almost got the loan. But discussion is still same place where it was few months back. |
Still discussion and no conclusion. But last week PAK minister said almost finalized. But still discussion pending. |
Pakistan's economy is in shambles due to continuous immature political and economic handling by the successive Governments.Pakistan may take example from India and fix its economy. |
The more this is delayed the worse it becomes for Pakistan, the best would be for Pakistan to take the money accepting all the conditions and the default like the other 13 times. Americans will never learn. |
The never ending saga of Govt.of Pakistan and the IMF continues.Conclusive outcome not yet in sight? |
Pakistan is going to China to try and hold a gun to them - give us loan or let us share CPEC loan details with IMF - and they will learn the hard way that China is not US (and does not give free loans) and negotiating with Chinese and is not easy. |
Pakistan is between a rock and a hard place. It wants IMF money for a record 13th time in 30 years but if the IMF gives the money on its terms, the Pakistani Rupee will be at 200 against the USD within one year. Which means that all interest payments on loans taken from China & others will increase by 30-40%. Its a tou... |
It seems like one year of government will pass in talks only. |
IMF has refused the loan as per international news. They would review it again in May. There are strict conditions. |
@Bhaktawar, you can not do it. See Malaysia , placed much better than Pakistan , accept to continue rail project with little modifications. because of shark like fine of 5 billion US$. In case of Pakistan it may be much worse. |
Struggling to get bailout package and you are comparing your economy with India!!!! |
@Must learn, can you point out which items should be restricted and what is their total cost? |
It should be a daily drama in TV. |
Pakistan and China relationship is separate should not be part of loan conditions. Under no circumstances peak should open up financial and CPEC dealing with china to IMF loan or no loan. |
It was evidently clear that apart from structural & institutional reforms constantly demanded by the IMF, bone of contention remains to be transparency of CPEC agreement. After the US, being major contributor of IMF, raised objections to bailout package funds not to be used for debt repayment of CPEC loan, it has becom... |
Now it has become the main impediment in the approval of the bailout package because apparantly the CPEC agreement disallows its scrutiny by others. Therefore, the sole reason of FM visit to China will be a turning point in the finalization of deal with IMF, earlier announced to be signed in this month and now postpone... |
Adding to this paraphernalia other demands i.e. independent SBP & gas Companies, free float of currency, tax collection target of 5000B, earning beyond 0.4M as taxable, increasing tariffs of electricity/gas etc.will be a much bitter pill to swallow. |
Currency devaluation ahead!! 200-250 per US dollar and that will result huge inflation as Pakistan is an import nation. Very alarming neighbours!! This can lead to anarchy Anyone now?? CPEC As Game changer?? |
@Bhaktawar - Pakistan has no leverage over China and is completely dependent on it diplomatically, militarily as well as economically. The Chinese know that very well and will squeeze every last penny from Pakistan. The Pakistani establishment will soon realize that the US is an angel compared to China. |
"Conditions proposed by the IMF include: making the State Bank independent, a market-oriented exchange rate, expanding the tax target by Rs5,000 billion, ending income tax concessions, more taxes on salaries, narrowing the amount of taxable income from Rs12 lakh a year to Rs4 lakh, reducing electricity and gas losses, ... |
@RDM, Sir, try getting a loan when you are totally bankrupt and lenders have no confidence or faith of your paying back the loan. No one knows how and from where Pakistan will ever get the money to pay back. Them thou shalt realise how big an achievement it is to get a loan. Sometimes when after Pakistan gets a loan I ... |
Why are so many Indians here to comment on Pakistani affairs? They act like great sympathizers of Pakistan. |
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