sentence: Airbus says it has commissioned research suggesting an extra inch in seat width improves sleep quality by 53 per cent.

data: seat seat NOUN bn:00070066n 0 0


sentence: Boeing disputes Airbus's figures on seat measurements and says it is not up to manufacturers to step into decisions on how airlines balance fares and facilities.

data: manufacturers manufacturer NOUN bn:00052911n 0 0

data: airlines airline NOUN bn:00002298n 0 0

data: facilities facility NOUN bn:00032645n 0 0


sentence: it also says research shows cabin experience depends on more than the width of a seat.

data: experience experience NOUN bn:00032306n 0 0


sentence: "it really comes down to providing flexibility to airlines and allowing them to do the things that they believe they need to do to be successful," said Boeing cabins expert Kent Craver.

data: flexibility flexibility NOUN bn:00035190n 0 0


they don't want us to dictate to them what makes them profitable.


sentence: they know their business better than anyone else.

data: business business NOUN bn:00014138n 0 0


for flyers it is about more elbow room, but for suppliers it is increasingly an issue that could affect earnings.


sentence: behind the dispute is a race for plane orders with at least $700-billion of estimated business at list prices in coming decades, enough to tip the scales of U.S. and European exports.

data: decades decade NOUN bn:00025646n 0 0


as Reuters first reported in July, seat layout is exactly what drives the battle between the latest jets.


sentence: both Airbus and Boeing claim 20 per cent better efficiency per seat in their latest twin-engined long-haul designs than the market leader in that segment, the 365-seat Boeing 777-300ER.

data: segment segment NOUN bn:00070193n 0 0


Boeing's performance claims depend in part on comparing the 10-abreast 777X with an original 9-abreast 777 design.


sentence: the gain in unit costs is blunted compared with 10-abreast now in use.

data: unit unit NOUN bn:00079107n 0 0

data: costs cost NOUN bn:00022995n 0 0


sentence: "the reason Boeing are doing this is to cram more seats in to make their plane more competitive with our products," said Kevin Keniston, head of passenger comfort at Europe's Airbus.

data: seats seat NOUN bn:00070066n 0 0

data: plane plane NOUN bn:00001697n 0 0

data: products product NOUN bn:00054416n 0 0

data: head head NOUN bn:00018319n 0 0


sentence: on the other hand, analysts say full 10-seat-per-row cabins for existing 777s suggest many passengers are voting for the denser layout, which may go hand in hand with cheaper fares.

data: passengers passenger NOUN bn:00060894n 0 0


sentence: "eighteen inches in seat width would be great for passengers, but the reality is that from a business point of the Airbus proposal is driven by the threat of the 777," said cabin interiors expert Mary Kirby, founder and editor of the Runway Girl Network.

data: inches inch NOUN bn:00046209n 0 0

data: threat threat NOUN bn:00054311n 0 0


sentence: Airbus and Boeing do not supply seats but offer a catalogue of suppliers for airlines to choose from.

data: catalogue catalogue NOUN bn:00016652n 0 0


sentence: globe-trotting jet sellers even carry tape measures to check on competing layouts.

data: sellers seller NOUN bn:00053479n 0 0


while boasting comfort, all builders also offer jets with high-density layouts for low-cost airlines and regional travel.


Airbus offers a 10-abreast A350 but says it has not yet sold it.


sentence: until recently, Airbus was stressing the need for more cabin customization by offering wider aisle seats on some of its jets.

data: aisle aisle NOUN bn:00002320n 0 0


sentence: without the support of the only other maker of large modern jets, experts say its call for a new industry standard is unlikely to fly, but could distract from a wave of 777X sales.

data: maker maker NOUN bn:00052911n 0 0

data: experts expert NOUN bn:00032322n 0 0

data: sales sale NOUN bn:00068915n 0 0


sentence: new anti-nicotine vaccine could take the pleasure out of smoking

data: vaccine vaccine NOUN bn:00079447n 0 0

data: smoking smoking NOUN bn:00072322n 0 0


sentence: scientists have developed an anti-nicotine vaccine that could take the pleasure out of smoking a cigarette.

data: scientists scientist NOUN bn:00069680n 0 0


sentence: a single dose of the vaccine was able to protect mice against nicotine addiction for life.

data: dose dose NOUN bn:00028320n 0 0

data: mice mouse NOUN bn:00056119n 0 0

data: life life NOUN bn:00051048n 0 0


sentence: further tests are needed before starting human trials, which would take several years, but Professor Ronald Crystal of Weill Cornell Medical College in New York said the early signs are good.

data: years year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0


sentence: "we are very hopeful that this kind of vaccine strategy can finally help the millions of smokers who have tried to stop, exhausting all the methods on the market today, but find their nicotine addiction to be strong enough to overcome these current approaches," Prof Cornell said.

data: kind kind NOUN bn:00035907n 0 0

data: millions million NOUN bn:00000013n 0 0

data: methods method NOUN bn:00054625n 0 0

data: market market NOUN bn:00053458n 0 0

data: approaches approach NOUN bn:00005141n 0 0


sentence: the new vaccine contains a harmless virus that has been engineered to carry the genetic information to make anti-nicotine antibodies.

data: virus virus NOUN bn:00080085n 0 0

data: antibodies antibody NOUN bn:00004629n 0 0


sentence: the virus selectively infects liver cells, which then start to make a steady stream of the antibodies.

data: stream stream NOUN bn:00024511n 0 0


sentence: the antibodies hunt down any nicotine molecules in the bloodstream, neutralising them before they reached the brain, preventing a smoker from getting a nicotine hit.

data: nicotine nicotine NOUN bn:00057642n 0 0

data: brain brain NOUN bn:00012679n 0 0


sentence: in tests, vaccinated mice who were subsequently given nicotine continued with their normal activity.


sentence: but mice who had not been given the vaccine "chilled out," say the researchers, a sign that the nicotine had reached their brains.

data: researchers researcher NOUN bn:00047356n 0 0

data: brains brain NOUN bn:00012679n 0 0


sentence: the experiments are described in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

data: experiments experiment NOUN bn:00032309n 0 0


sentence: previous tobacco vaccines failed because they contained antibodies.


the jabs had to be given so frequently to keep antibody levels topped up that they proved expensive and impractical.


sentence: but the cost of the new vaccine is likely to be far lower, because it turns liver cells into antibody factories.

data: cost cost NOUN bn:00022995n 0 0


sentence: prof Crystal said that if a future human vaccine was completely safe it could be given to children before they were tempted to try a cigarette, preventing nicotine addiction.

data: vaccine vaccine NOUN bn:00079447n 0 0

data: children child NOUN bn:00018345n 0 0

data: cigarette cigarette NOUN bn:00014238n 0 0


but more likely it would be used by smokers to quit.


"they will know if they start smoking again, they will receive no pleasure from it due to the nicotine vaccine, and that can help them kick the habit," he said.


sentence: British scientists said the results were interesting but warned far more research was needed.

data: scientists scientist NOUN bn:00069680n 0 0

data: results result NOUN bn:00021961n 0 0

data: research research NOUN bn:00067280n 0 0


Tripodi denies being influenced by Obeid


sentence: former NSW Labor minister Joe Tripodi will be investigated by the state's corruption watchdog.

data: minister minister NOUN bn:00041200n 0 0


sentence: former NSW minister Joe Tripodi has denied changing maritime leases policy at the request of his political mentor Eddie Obeid, who had hidden interests in three properties on government-controlled land.


sentence: the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Friday widened its inquiry into whether Mr Obeid lobbied several state ministers to have leases at Circular Quay, where the Obeids owned two restaurants and a cafe, renewed without going to tender after their expiration in August 2005.

data: restaurants restaurant NOUN bn:00029545n 0 0

data: cafe cafe NOUN bn:00014557n 0 0


sentence: it's now investigating allegations Mr Tripodi knew of Mr Obeid's secret interest in the properties, after evidence given by Mr Tripodi's former deputy chief of staff, Lynne Ashpole, on Thursday.

data: allegations allegation NOUN bn:00002812n 0 0

data: interest interest NOUN bn:00047077n 0 0


during years of discussions starting in 2005 the government had been pushing for the leases to go to public tender.


the lessees were against this and also wanted longer terms.


sentence: in 2009 leases for the Circular Quay enterprises, which earned the Obeids about $2.5 million annually, were renewed without going to public tender.

data: enterprises enterprise NOUN bn:00021286n 0 0


Mr Tripodi, who was ports minister from February 2006 until November 2009, was initially in favour of public tenders.


sentence: but he denied the changes were made at the request of Mr Obeid, who Mr Tripodi acknowledged was urging a shift in government lease policy.

data: changes change NOUN bn:00003125n 0 0


a phone transcript tabled in ICAC showed calls in August and September 2007 between Mr Obeid, Mr Tripodi and Steve Dunn, a senior bureaucrat who had come into the ports ministry after working under Mr Obeid in the fisheries department.


"was the matter being discussed in the course of these telephone conversations the development of the commercial lease policy," Assistant Commissioner Anthony Whealy asked Mr Tripodi.


"no," Mr Tripodi replied.


I can't remember what was discussed but it definitely wasn't that.


definitely not between myself and Mr Obeid.


Israeli warplanes attack target inside Syria, official says


sentence: Israeli warplanes struck a target inside the Syrian port city of Latakia Thursday night, a senior administration official confirms to Fox News.

data: port port NOUN bn:00063640n 0 0


the official did not specify what the target was, but said there was at least one.


sentence: the Associated Press reports the target was Russian-made SA-125 missiles.

data: missiles missile NOUN bn:00055322n 0 0


sentence: at least twice earlier this year Israel launched airstrikes on shipments of missiles inside Syria.

data: year year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0


sentence: foreign workers on 457 visas could undergo "genuineness" test

data: visas visa NOUN bn:00080087n 0 0


sentence: a "genuineness" test for foreign workers on 457 visas is being considered by the government as it contemplates expanding a crackdown.


sentence: the test, if adopted, would be applied through a criteria aimed at preventing 457s being used to fill unskilled positions or as a back door way to move family and friends to Australia.

data: friends friend NOUN bn:00036538n 0 0


sentence: a government discussion paper was released today as former Labor MP Maxine McKew slammed the government's rhetoric about foreign workers, saying it could offend Australia's neighbours.

data: neighbours neighbour NOUN bn:00057219n 0 0


sentence: "loud declarations about 'foreigners getting to the back of the queue' and 'Aussie jobs first' are a very unpleasant throwback to a time when unions demanded a protected labor market," she told the Australia India Institute today.

data: foreigners foreigner NOUN bn:00002725n 0 0

data: unions union NOUN bn:00013379n 0 0


sentence: historically, that meant it was white labour that had to be protected - and if some in the region saw echoes of that historic artifact, I wouldn't be surprised.

data: artifact artifact NOUN bn:00005956n 0 0


the discussion paper outlines 12 measures that were previously considered by former Immigration Minister Chris Bowen.


immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor, who was yesterday in Sri Lanka where he is meeting officials about people smuggling, has implemented five of the recommended changes with the remainder under consideration.


sentence: if the "genuineness" criteria was adopted a visa applicant could be scrutinised about "whether the nomination is genuine in circumstances where the nominee is a relation or personal associate of an owner or relevant person of the sponsoring business."

data: visa visa NOUN bn:00080087n 0 0

data: person person NOUN bn:00046516n 0 0


sentence: businesses could also be required to account for the number of 457 visa holders after previously businesses who had intended to sponsor a small number of workers then employed hundreds.

data: number number NOUN bn:00034394n 0 0

data: hundreds hundred NOUN bn:00000009n 0 0


sentence: meanwhile, a 35-year-old Sri Lankan asylum seeker died of a suspected heart attack after arriving on an asylum boat at Christmas Island this week.

data: week week NOUN bn:00043484n 0 0


sentence: the man's distraught nine-year-old son travelled to Australia with him and has been comforted since the death of his father on Wednesday by an adult cousin who was also on the vessel.

data: man man NOUN bn:00001533n 0 0

data: death death NOUN bn:00025582n 0 0

data: father father NOUN bn:00009616n 0 0

data: cousin cousin NOUN bn:00023333n 0 0


sentence: Australian authorities rushed the man to Christmas Island Hospital, where he died.


sentence: a study aiming to increase the benefits to Scotland of the HS2 rail project has been announced by the UK government.

data: study study NOUN bn:00074790n 0 0


sentence: the work by HS2 Ltd suggests high-speed services to Scotland and the north of England will start as soon as Phase One opens in 2026.

data: Phase phase NOUN bn:00061898n 0 0


sentence: transport minister Baroness Kramer said the project would "bring the UK together."

data: project project NOUN bn:00049573n 0 0


sentence: Scottish transport minister Keith Brown said he was "excited" to work with the UK government on the plan.

data: plan plan NOUN bn:00062759n 0 0


sentence: phase One will consist of a new high speed rail line between London and the West Midlands.

data: phase phase NOUN bn:00061898n 0 0


sentence: when Phase Two is completed, lines will run to Manchester and Leeds.


sentence: in June the government revised the estimated cost of building the high-speed link between London and the North of England from £32.7bn to £42.6bn.

data: cost cost NOUN bn:00022995n 0 0


the UK government, which has been holding talks with Transport Scotland, has instructed HS2 Ltd to look at further rail capacity and journey time improvements for northern England and Scotland.


sentence: this is to include the possibility of eventual journey times from Glasgow and Edinburgh to London of three hours or less.

data: hours hour NOUN bn:00000127n 0 0


sentence: Baroness Kramer said: "our goal for HS2 is for a truly national network that will bring the UK and its cities closer together."

data: goal goal NOUN bn:00030721n 0 0

data: cities city NOUN bn:00019319n 0 0


we are driving forward HS2 because the benefits it will bring are huge.


without it we face a crisis in capacity on our rail network.


sentence: but it is also about connectivity, across the UK 18 cities including Glasgow and Edinburgh will be better connected because of HS2.


Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael added: "today's announcement is good news for Scotland."


for the Scottish government, Keith Brown called on Mr Carmichael to "unequivocally" back Scotland's inclusion in the HS2 network.


Mr Brown said: "high speed rail has the potential to bring huge economic benefits to Scotland, but also adds Scotland's economic weight to the overall case for high speed rail across Britain."


sentence: so we are excited to work in partnership with the UK Government to examine options for bringing high speed rail to Scotland, creating benefit for all and complementing the Glasgow-Edinburgh line which the Scottish Government is already planning.

data: options option NOUN bn:00003132n 0 0

data: Government government NOUN bn:00007299n 0 0


sentence: I look forward to reviewing the report of the investigation with UK ministers next year and together decide on the next steps.

data: year year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0

data: steps step NOUN bn:00054018n 0 0


sentence: aircraft electronic device rules to stay in force in Australia for now

data: device device NOUN bn:00026716n 0 0


sentence: Australian airline passengers will need to continue turning off their tablets and smart phones during take-off and landing despite moves in the US to loosen regulations covering the devices.

data: devices device NOUN bn:00026716n 0 0


sentence: the US Federal Aviation Administration has left the way open for American carriers to change their procedures so that passengers will be able to read e-books, watch videos or play games on their devices during critical phases of flight provided they remain in "airplane" mode.

data: passengers passenger NOUN bn:00060894n 0 0

data: videos video NOUN bn:00079972n 0 0


sentence: passengers can already do this during the bulk of a flight but many people find it annoying to be unable to access their e-books during take-offs and landings.

data: people people NOUN bn:00061450n 0 0

data: landings landing NOUN bn:00049864n 0 0


sentence: Australian carriers are looking at the decision, which requires US carriers to undertake a massive amount of work to meet the requirements, but have indicated they have no immediate plans to change their procedures.

data: plans plan NOUN bn:00062759n 0 0


sentence: the Civil Aviation Safety Authority also said it was looking at the announcement but emphasised that restrictions on the use of electronic devices in critical phases of flight were still in place in Australia.

data: use use NOUN bn:00030627n 0 0


sentence: "Casa currently has no specific regulations governing the use of electronic devices in aircraft," it said.


sentence: the issue is covered by regulations which require aircraft operators to ensure safety is maintained at all times and passengers to comply with the safety instructions given by crew members.

data: safety safety NOUN bn:00068799n 0 0


sentence: Virgin, which has already been talking to CASA about extending the use its in-flight wi-fi entertainment system, was amenable to a change but said it would take its lead from the regulator.

data: change change NOUN bn:00003125n 0 0


sentence: "we would welcome a review by CASA into allowing the use of electronic devices because we really do think it will improve the customer experience now that we have (wireless in-flight entertainment) on our planes," a spokesman said.

data: spokesman spokesman NOUN bn:00073526n 0 0


Qantas said it would stick with the current rules for now.


sentence: "our current policy is that electronic devices cannot be used during take-off and landing and we have no immediate plans to change that," it said.

data: landing landing NOUN bn:00049864n 0 0


sentence: the FAA ruling applies to American airlines.

data: airlines airline NOUN bn:00002298n 0 0


sentence: however, we are always interested in regulatory developments that could benefit passengers and we will certainly be taking a close look at the FAA's decision and the reasons behind it.

data: reasons reason NOUN bn:00041881n 0 0


sentence: for US carriers, the impact of the ruling will vary from airline to airline and will depend on the age of their fleet.

data: age age NOUN bn:00001936n 0 0

data: fleet fleet NOUN bn:00035171n 0 0


sentence: carriers will need to prove their planes can tolerate radio interference from mobile devices as well as revise manuals, training materials, carry-on baggage programs and passenger briefings.

data: planes plane NOUN bn:00001697n 0 0

data: programs program NOUN bn:00062759n 0 0


sentence: "once an airline verifies the tolerance of its fleet, it can allow passengers to use handheld, lightweight electronic devices such as tablets, e-readers, and smartphones-at all altitudes," the FAA said.

data: airline airline NOUN bn:00002298n 0 0

data: devices device NOUN bn:00026716n 0 0

data: altitudes altitude NOUN bn:00003142n 0 0


sentence: in rare instances of low visibility, the crew will instruct passengers to turn off their devices during landing.

data: visibility visibility NOUN bn:00080101n 0 0

data: passengers passenger NOUN bn:00060894n 0 0


sentence: the group also recommended that heavier devices should be safely stowed under seats or in overhead bins during take-off and landing.

data: group group NOUN bn:00041942n 0 0

data: seats seat NOUN bn:00070066n 0 0


travelling BVB fans created terrible scenes with flares in the Veltins Arena before the district derby against Schalke


sentence: Borussia Dortmund announced that there would be serious consequences.

data: consequences consequence NOUN bn:00021961n 0 0


before Friday's Bundesliga match against VfB Stuttgart, the 'Ultras' responded with silence - initially.


it was an unusual, almost ghostly atmosphere that the fans created until shortly before the kick-off of the Bundesliga match between the German runners-up Borussia Dortmend and VfB Stuttgart, in the Signal Iduna Park.


it was mainly the chants of away fans that could be heard.


sentence: the south stand, on the other hand, where the most loyal - and the loudest - of BVB fans stand, was initially unusually quiet: no singing and no battle cries.

data: fans fan NOUN bn:00033600n 0 0

data: singing singing NOUN bn:00071734n 0 0


the 'Capo's' podium, the individual who usually coordinates the unison chants, remained empty.


and right at the front, on the stand, a single large flag with the text "Stadium Ban Section" blew in the wind.


sentence: only when goalkeeper, Roman Weidenfeller, was the first BVB player to step onto the field, did cheers briefly erupt, as is usually the case.

data: goalkeeper goalkeeper NOUN bn:00040851n 0 0

data: player player NOUN bn:00060799n 0 0


when his team mates followed, there was loud singing and scarves were waving - but by no means everywhere.


sentence: in the central blocks of the south stand, blocks 12 and 13, nothing moved.

data: blocks block NOUN bn:00011308n 0 0


sentence: even stadium announcer, Norbert Dickel, speaking once again of the successful results in recent days - the derby victory, the win against Arsenal, the contract extension of coach Jörgen Klopp - did not raise spirits.

data: victory victory NOUN bn:00078365n 0 0

data: coach coach NOUN bn:00020119n 0 0


sentence: just five minutes before kick-off, the Capo climbed onto his podium - and the tension that had been almost tangible up until that point, lifted with a large shout, as Dickel asked for a shout from each section of fans as usual.

data: minutes minute NOUN bn:00055094n 0 0


sentence: as always, the south stand was left until the end, and finally the stand resumed its usual role as the loudest section of the stadium.

data: stadium stadium NOUN bn:00005532n 0 0


and as soon as the vociferous request for "derby winners stand up" came from the south stand upon kick-off, everything was back to normal.


sentence: the previous silence was indeed a reaction to the events of previous days.

data: silence silence NOUN bn:00065703n 0 0

data: days day NOUN bn:00000086n 0 0


sentence: immediately before the local district derby against FC Schalke 04, some of the travelling BVB fans fired flares into the crowds of spectators and onto the pitch - and in so doing almost hit goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller.


sentence: the kick-off was delayed on account of the chaotic scenes,

data: scenes scene NOUN bn:00069552n 0 0


sentence: as a result, BVB Chairman Hans Joachim Watzke had invited the heads of the Dortmund Ultras fan group to his office - and if Watzke's words are to be believed, this was a rather uncomfortable meeting for the fan representatives.

data: office office NOUN bn:00014169n 0 0


"there will be massive impact for the entire Ultra movement," announced the BVB Chairman on Thursday evening at a panel discussion in Frankfurt.


as an immediate measure, Watzke prohibited the Ultras from organising choreography for the home match against VfB Stuttgart.


"I have banned it," he explained.


we cannot ignore the zero tolerance policy regarding pyrotechnics in Saxony.


in addition, the Ultras were given the option of several different punishments - they now have until Tuesday to decide which one to accept.


sentence: otherwise BVB will impose a sanction by the end of next week, said Watzke.

data: end end NOUN bn:00030719n 0 0

data: week week NOUN bn:00043484n 0 0


"it will be severe," assured Watzke.


sentence: it will be interesting to see the reactions in the south stand then.

data: reactions reaction NOUN bn:00066344n 0 0


pawnbrokers shine in Singapore as middle class feel the pinch


sentence: at a pawnshop in Bendemeer shopping centre in Singapore, Janani Amirthalinga is swapping a gold bangle, ring and pair of earrings to pay her daughters "school fees.

data: ring ring NOUN bn:00008287n 0 0

data: daughters daughter NOUN bn:00025364n 0 0


sentence: "my husband and I have just bought a house so all my money's stuck there," Mrs Amirthalinga says.

data: husband husband NOUN bn:00045106n 0 0

data: house house NOUN bn:00044994n 0 0

data: money money NOUN bn:00055644n 0 0


sentence: even though she earns S $3,000 ($2,400) a month as an administrator and her husband works as well, the monthly family income is insufficient, she says.

data: month month NOUN bn:00014710n 0 0


sentence: indeed, such is demand across parts of southeast Asia - where household debt is rising - that ValueMax, where she is carrying out her transaction, this week became the third pawnshop to list on the Singapore stock exchange.

data: household household NOUN bn:00032892n 0 0


pawning jewellery is not merely a fast way to land cash - S $1,300 in Ms Amirthalinga's case - but almost as cheap as unsecured bank loans.


sentence: typically pawnbrokers in Singapore charge an effective annual percentage rate of 17 per cent, just above the 15.4 per cent offered at United Overseas Bank, a local lender with a branch in the same shopping centre.

data: percentage percentage NOUN bn:00061135n 0 0


sentence: however, pawnbrokers have the advantage of not requiring credit checks or proof of salary, and can arrange loans faster than banks.

data: advantage advantage NOUN bn:00001559n 0 0

data: loans loan NOUN bn:00051693n 0 0

data: banks bank NOUN bn:00008364n 0 0


sentence: hence millions of people across the region are turning to pawnshops as families feel the squeeze from rising living costs and ballooning household and consumer debt.

data: millions million NOUN bn:00000013n 0 0


sentence: after five years of robust growth since the global financial crisis, and cheap credit fuelled by loose monetary policy in advanced economies, lower- and middle-income families are turning to pawn shops to make up the difference as their economies slow.

data: years year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0

data: economies economy NOUN bn:00029678n 0 0

data: difference difference NOUN bn:00027022n 0 0


sentence: this week Standard & Poor's, the rating agency, cited increasing household leverage, mainly from rising mortgages, as a risk factor for Asian banks "creditworthiness.

data: week week NOUN bn:00043484n 0 0


sentence: it said that Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore had the highest household debt to gross domestic product ratios in Asia.

data: ratios ratio NOUN bn:00066247n 0 0


Malaysia topped the list at 80 per cent of GDP, up from 60 per cent in 2008.


sentence: economists are also worried about high levels of consumer debt in Thailand, which this week narrowly emerged from technical recession.

data: recession recession NOUN bn:00066516n 0 0


on Thursday, data showed continued export weakness, and a softening in consumer demand.


sentence: "bottom line is that with costs rising, people in the middle to lower end [of the income scale] will be looking to supplement their income wherever they can," says Song Seng wun, economist at CIMB, a Malaysian bank.

data: costs cost NOUN bn:00022995n 0 0

data: economist economist NOUN bn:00029667n 0 0

data: bank bank NOUN bn:00008364n 0 0


sentence: historically high prices for gold in the past two years have added to the rush to pawn personal belongings, as people take the opportunity to cash in the value of their family jewellery.

data: opportunity opportunity NOUN bn:00017621n 0 0

data: cash cash NOUN bn:00016448n 0 0


in Singapore, about 70 per cent of items pawned at the city-state's 200 pawn outlets are gold.


sentence: people are saying "the gold price looks good, let's pawn grandma's gold chain and get it back next month.

data: people people NOUN bn:00061450n 0 0

data: month month NOUN bn:00014710n 0 0


sentence: in Thailand the largest pawnshop operator, EasyMoney, has seen an up to 20 per cent rise in the number of customers using its outlets in recent months.

data: months month NOUN bn:00014710n 0 0


sentence: such is the growth in the pawn business that ValueMax, operator of the outlet at Bendemeer and of 15 others like it in Singapore, plans to expand not only in neighbouring Malaysia - where it has four shops - but outside Asia too, says Yeah Lee Ching, ValueMax's executive director.

data: growth growth NOUN bn:00041979n 0 0


sentence: the company will fund that by using 60 per cent of S $66m it raised this week in a listing on the Singapore stock exchange.

data: company company NOUN bn:00021286n 0 0


sentence: while some discount lenders have come under fire for high interest rates, Ms Yeah says that not only does pawning offer cheaper rates than other lenders, it also does not add directly to debt.

data: debt debt NOUN bn:00025638n 0 0


sentence: "customers are mortgaging items that they already own, and monetising personal assets does not increase household debt," she says.

data: customers customer NOUN bn:00019763n 0 0


sentence: there's an increased social acceptance of pawnbroking as a means to secure short term, secured financing.

data: financing financing NOUN bn:00034545n 0 0


nor are the types of people who use pawnbrokers only the financially stretched.


sentence: wealthy people in Singapore also use ValueMax outlets, pawning gold bars or Rolex watches, which can command up to 60 per cent of their purchase price in cash.

data: bars bar NOUN bn:00008462n 0 0


sentence: we see customers from all walks of life.


sentence: "they include wealthy individuals who need to borrow short term for business ventures or investments, or small businesses with a need to tide over their cash flow needs," says Ms Yeah.

data: business business NOUN bn:00014138n 0 0


sentence: sometimes they just need the money very quickly.

data: money money NOUN bn:00055644n 0 0


NSA siphons data from Google and Yahoo - Snowden wants to help


sentence: secret Service whistleblower, Edward Snowden, has a fundamental interest in helping Germany clarify the increasingly explosive NSA espionage scandal.

data: interest interest NOUN bn:00047077n 0 0


according to Green Party MP. Hans-Christian Ströbele, his surprising meeting with Snowden in Russia addressed the conditions under which the former Secret Service employee would make a statement to a German District Attorney or before an investigation committee.


sentence: Snowden referred to his complex legal situation, Ströbele said on ARD's "Panorama" programme.

data: situation situation NOUN bn:00071869n 0 0


$325m rescue package for Tassie health


sentence: the Federal Government insists a $325 million rescue package for Tasmania's ailing health system has tough conditions attached that will ensure the State Government can't waste the funds.

data: Government government NOUN bn:00007299n 0 0


sentence: Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek has announced the Commonwealth is taking "urgent action" to head off a crisis caused by the island state's aging population, higher rates of chronic disease and system constraints.

data: crisis crisis NOUN bn:00023844n 0 0

data: disease disease NOUN bn:00027546n 0 0


sentence: the funding, over four years, was decided after government consultations with Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie.

data: funding funding NOUN bn:00034545n 0 0

data: years year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0


sentence: "the Government has come up with an emergency rescue package we believe will address the unique challenges faced by the state," Ms Plibersek said today.


the $325 million package includes a $31 million elective surgery blitz.


an additional 2600 operations including orthopedic and cataract surgery will help clear a backlog.


sentence: there's also money for walk-in clinics in Hobart and Launceston, better after-hospital care, medical specialist training, mental health services and the rollout of personal electronic health record systems in local hospitals.

data: health health NOUN bn:00043358n 0 0

data: services service NOUN bn:00070651n 0 0

data: hospitals hospital NOUN bn:00044896n 0 0


sentence: "these investments respond to the ideas that front-line clinicians have told me will be the best ways to tend to Tasmania's health system," Ms Plibersek said.

data: ideas idea NOUN bn:00045800n 0 0


sentence: the minister insisted the Tasmanian Government would face a strict reporting and accountability regime.


the state would have to maintain current funding levels in order to receive Commonwealth cash and report monthly on where it was spending the extra funds.


a three-person commission will be set up to ensure the state is delivering services as effectively and efficiently as possible.


sentence: Mr Wilkie today said the $325 million would count for little "unless it's followed by genuine reform to put Tasmania's public health system on a more sustainable footing."

data: reform reform NOUN bn:00066830n 0 0


sentence: he nevertheless praised the Government for responding to his request for urgent assistance which he first raised with the Prime Minister at the beginning of May.

data: assistance assistance NOUN bn:00002155n 0 0


"I'm hopeful the federal assistance package will go a long way towards taking the state's public health system off the critical list," Mr Wilkie said.


sentence: according to the State Government these additional elective procedures will largely reverse the recent cuts.


sentence: but federal Opposition health spokesman Peter Dutton believes today's announcement is a "band-aid solution."

data: spokesman spokesman NOUN bn:00073526n 0 0


"the reason we are here is that the Labor State Government ripped $430 million out of its health system," he told ABC TV.


sentence: you can't have a state government ripping out almost half-a-billion dollars and the Commonwealth put in $300 million and pretend it's a good news day.

data: news news NOUN bn:00057546n 0 0


sentence: Mr Dutton called on Ms Plibersek to guarantee that not one dollar out of the rescue package would be spent on additional bureaucracy.

data: dollar dollar NOUN bn:00028114n 0 0

data: bureaucracy bureaucracy NOUN bn:00013955n 0 0


sentence: Guillaume Nicloux's adaptation of Denis Diderot's novel boasts exceptional production design and period detail but is also heavier going than it should be.

data: novel novel NOUN bn:00058201n 0 0


sentence: unfolding in 1760s France, it tells the grim story of Suzanne, a young aristocrat sent to a convent by her family.

data: convent convent NOUN bn:00022329n 0 0


sentence: when she rebels, she experiences extreme cruelty at the hands of a wantonly sadistic Mother Superior and becomes an object of erotic fascination for another.

data: cruelty cruelty NOUN bn:00024118n 0 0


sentence: the film never slips into prurience or sensationalism - and that's the problem.

data: film film NOUN bn:00034471n 0 0

data: problem problem NOUN bn:00048242n 0 0


sentence: the earnest solemnity of the storytelling risks making it a hair shirt-like ordeal for audiences, too.

data: audiences audience NOUN bn:00007096n 0 0


Syria has destroyed its chemical weapons making ability, watchdog group says


sentence: Syria has destroyed critical equipment for producing chemical weapons and poison gas munitions, the global chemical weapons watchdog said Thursday as fierce clashes raged in the country's north, close to one of the sites where toxic agents are believed to be stored.

data: country country NOUN bn:00023236n 0 0


sentence: also Thursday, a Syrian activist group said more than 120,000 people have been killed since the start of the country's civil war nearly three years ago.

data: years year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0


sentence: the announcement by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons came one day ahead of the Nov.

data: day day NOUN bn:00000086n 0 0


sentence: 1 deadline set by The Hague-based organization for Damascus to destroy or "render inoperable" all chemical weapon production facilities and machinery for mixing chemicals into poison gas and filling munitions.

data: organization organization NOUN bn:00059480n 0 0

data: facilities facility NOUN bn:00032645n 0 0


the completion of what is essentially the initial stage of destruction is a significant milestone in an ambitious timeline that aims to destroy all of Damascus' chemical weapons by mid-2014.


destruction of the equipment means that Syria can no longer produce new chemical weapons.


sentence: however, Damascus still has to start destroying existing weapons and stockpiles.

data: weapons weapon NOUN bn:00005704n 0 0


sentence: the country is believed to have around 1,000 metric tons of chemicals and weapons including mustard gas and the nerve agent sarin.


sentence: the announcement came as fighting raged Thursday in the town of Safira, which experts say is home to a chemical weapons production facility as well as storage sites, reported the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

data: experts expert NOUN bn:00032322n 0 0


sentence: the activist group, which has been tracking the death toll through a network of activists in Syria, said Thursday that 120,296 people have died.

data: network network NOUN bn:00057379n 0 0


sentence: of those, it said 61,067 are civilians, including 6,365 children.

data: civilians civilian NOUN bn:00019380n 0 0

data: children child NOUN bn:00018345n 0 0


sentence: on the government side, it said 29,954 are members of President Bashar Assad's armed forces, 18,678 are pro-government fighters and 187 are Lebanese Hezbollah militants.

data: government government NOUN bn:00007299n 0 0

data: side side NOUN bn:00071432n 0 0


sentence: also among the dead it said were 2,202 army defectors and some 5,375 opposition fighters, many of them foreigners.

data: fighters fighter NOUN bn:00009186n 0 0

data: foreigners foreigner NOUN bn:00002725n 0 0


sentence: on July 25, the U.N. estimated 100,000 have died in the conflict since March 2011.

data: conflict conflict NOUN bn:00009080n 0 0


it has not updated that figure since.


sentence: the conflict has forced some 2 million people to flee the country.

data: country country NOUN bn:00023235n 0 0


sentence: Assad's troops have been battling rebels, many of them linked to al-Qaida groups, in Safira for weeks.

data: groups group NOUN bn:00041942n 0 0

data: weeks week NOUN bn:00043484n 0 0


sentence: the Observatory said there were casualties on both sides Thursday but had no specifics.

data: sides side NOUN bn:00071432n 0 0


sentence: the fighting underscored the dangers the chemical weapons' inspectors face as they race against tight deadlines in their mission to rid Syria of the toxic arsenal in the midst of an ongoing civil war.

data: fighting fighting NOUN bn:00020858n 0 0

data: dangers danger NOUN bn:00025170n 0 0


sentence: a statement from the OPCW, which works closely with the United Nations, said its team was "now satisfied that it has verified - and seen destroyed - all of Syria's declared critical production and mixing / filling equipment."

data: team team NOUN bn:00073699n 0 0


it added that, "no further inspection activities are currently planned."


sentence: earlier this week, the inspectors said they had completed their first round of verification work, visiting 21 of 23 sites declared by Damascus.

data: week week NOUN bn:00043484n 0 0

data: inspectors inspector NOUN bn:00046922n 0 0


sentence: they were unable to visit two sites because of security concerns, the inspectors said.


sentence: on Thursday, OPCW said the two locations were, according to Syria, "abandoned and... the chemical weapons program items they contained were moved to other declared sites, which were inspected."

data: locations location NOUN bn:00051760n 0 0


sentence: it was not immediately clear if the facility in Safira was one of the two sites that OPCW inspectors were not able to visit.

data: facility facility NOUN bn:00032645n 0 0


sentence: Syria has submitted a plan for the total destruction of its chemical weapons that has to be approved next month by the OPCW's executive committee.

data: plan plan NOUN bn:00062759n 0 0

data: month month NOUN bn:00014710n 0 0


sentence: "I salute the fortitude and courage you've all demonstrated in fulfilling the most challenging mission ever undertaken by this organization," the watchdog's director-general, Ahmet Uzumcu, said in comments released by the OPCW.

data: courage courage NOUN bn:00012839n 0 0

data: organization organization NOUN bn:00059480n 0 0

data: comments comment NOUN bn:00020977n 0 0


sentence: now in its third year, the civil war pits the primarily Sunni Muslim rebels against Assad's government and its security forces, which are stacked with members of his Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam.

data: year year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0

data: government government NOUN bn:00007299n 0 0

data: members member NOUN bn:00034004n 0 0


sentence: in other developments, the Observatory's chief Rami Abdurrahman said there had been a strong explosion Wednesday inside an air defense facility in Syria's coastal province of Latakia.

data: chief chief NOUN bn:00018319n 0 0


the cause of the blast was not known, he said.


sentence: anger over Bali bomb plotter's sentence

data: anger anger NOUN bn:00004085n 0 0


sentence: survivors and relatives of the 202 people killed in the 2002 Bali bombing have reacted with anger over the sentence given to the last of the plotters to face justice, saying Umar Patek should face a firing squad.

data: relatives relative NOUN bn:00066996n 0 0

data: sentence sentence NOUN bn:00021628n 0 0


sentence: Patek, who spent almost 10 years on the run as one of South-East Asia's most wanted, was yesterday sentenced to 20 years in jail for his role in building the explosive devices used in the bombing.

data: years year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0

data: role role NOUN bn:00036822n 0 0


sentence: he could be released within 15 years if granted parole.


sentence: the 45-year-old was found guilty of mass murder for the attack on two nightclubs in the popular tourist area of Kuta which left 202 people dead, including 88 Australians, and injured scores more.

data: nightclubs nightclub NOUN bn:00014419n 0 0


sentence: he was also found guilty of a number of other terrorism-related charges, including a wave of bombings of churches across Indonesia on Christmas Eve in 2000.

data: churches church NOUN bn:00018995n 0 0


sentence: prosecutors had demanded a life sentence, although they could have pushed that the man dubbed the "Demolition Man" for his reputation as a master bomb-maker be sentenced to death.

data: man man NOUN bn:00001533n 0 0


sentence: the decision has reignited painful memories for Perth mother June Corteen, who lost her 39-year-old twin daughters Jane and Jenny in the destruction unleashed by Patek and his co-conspirators almost a decade ago.

data: mother mother NOUN bn:00034027n 0 0


sentence: fighting back tears, she said Patek should have been sentenced to death.

data: death death NOUN bn:00025583n 0 0


I really feel that he should follow in the footsteps of the other guys.


"he should be put in front of the firing squad," Ms Corteen told AAP.


sentence: I have to live every day without seeing more grandchildren, and my daughters.

data: day day NOUN bn:00025417n 0 0

data: grandchildren grandchild NOUN bn:00041350n 0 0

data: daughters daughter NOUN bn:00025364n 0 0


sentence: the Sari Club was levelled when a massive bomb loaded into a van parked outside was detonated just after 11pm on October 12, 2002.

data: bomb bomb NOUN bn:00011917n 0 0


sentence: Peter Hughes was in Paddy's Bar where a suicide bomber detonated a backpack loaded with explosives just 20 seconds earlier.

data: backpack backpack NOUN bn:00007752n 0 0

data: explosives explosive NOUN bn:00032349n 0 0

data: seconds second NOUN bn:00068672n 0 0


sentence: he lapsed into a month-long coma in the wake of the bombing, and "died" three times while on life support.

data: month month NOUN bn:00055794n 0 0

data: coma coma NOUN bn:00020839n 0 0


sentence: Mr Hughes said Patek should have shared the same fate as three other members of the Jemaah Islamiah terror cell responsible for the carnage - Amrozi, Mukhlas and Imam Samudra - who were executed four years ago.

data: fate fate NOUN bn:00026603n 0 0

data: members member NOUN bn:00034004n 0 0

data: carnage carnage NOUN bn:00014221n 0 0


really, this guy should get the death penalty before anybody.


sentence: to keep him alive, well, there's no reason to keep him alive.

data: reason reason NOUN bn:00041881n 0 0


sentence: to get 20 years, after killing 202 people and injuring many hundreds, it's not much.

data: years year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0

data: hundreds hundred NOUN bn:00000009n 0 0


sentence: Patek is the last of the Bali bombers to face justice.

data: bombers bomber NOUN bn:00011936n 0 0


sentence: he had avoided capture for almost a decade but was eventually apprehended in January 2011 in the Pakistani town of Abbottabad, where US forces killed former al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden less than four months later.

data: decade decade NOUN bn:00025646n 0 0

data: months month NOUN bn:00055794n 0 0


sentence: during the trial, an FBI agent testified that intelligence reports had revealed Patek was in Pakistan to meet with bin Laden in an effort to re-establish links between South-East Asian terrorist groups and al-Qaeda.

data: agent agent NOUN bn:00001973n 0 0


"he didn't give himself up," Ms Corteen said.


until just recently, he really didn't feel sorry for how much grief he caused other people.


sentence: the verdict comes ahead of the 10th anniversary of the attack later this year, which will be marked by ceremonies in Bali and Australia.

data: anniversary anniversary NOUN bn:00004339n 0 0

data: attack attack NOUN bn:00006997n 0 0

data: year year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0


sentence: "there will be a lot of tears this year," Ms Corteen said.


sentence: Patek may yet appeal his sentence.

data: sentence sentence NOUN bn:00021628n 0 0


sentence: FAA: air passengers can now use gadgets on planes (but not make cell phone calls)

data: planes plane NOUN bn:00001697n 0 0


sentence: airline passengers will be able to use their electronic devices gate-to-gate to read, work, play games, watch movies and listen to music - but not talk on their cellphones - under much-anticipated new guidelines issued Thursday by the Federal Aviation Administration.

data: devices device NOUN bn:00026716n 0 0

data: games game NOUN bn:00037182n 0 0

data: movies movie NOUN bn:00034471n 0 0

data: music music NOUN bn:00056443n 0 0

data: cellphones cellphone NOUN bn:00017029n 0 0


sentence: but passengers shouldn't expect changes to happen immediately.

data: passengers passenger NOUN bn:00060894n 0 0


sentence: how fast the change is implemented will vary by the airline, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said at a news conference.

data: airline airline NOUN bn:00002298n 0 0


sentence: airlines will have to show the FAA how their airplanes meet the new guidelines and that they've updating their flight crew training manuals and rules for stowing devices to reflect the new guidelines.

data: airlines airline NOUN bn:00002298n 0 0

data: airplanes airplane NOUN bn:00001697n 0 0


sentence: the FAA said it has already received plans from some airlines to expand the use of portable electronic devices on planes.

data: plans plan NOUN bn:00062759n 0 0


Delta and JetBlue were among the airliners who have already submitted plans.


sentence: "depending on the condition of the plan, we could approve expanded use of electronic devices very soon," the FAA said in a statement.

data: plan plan NOUN bn:00062759n 0 0

data: use use NOUN bn:00030627n 0 0


sentence: currently, passengers are required to turn off their smartphones, tablets and other devices once a plane's door closes.


sentence: they're not supposed to restart them until the planes reach 10,000 feet and the captain gives the go-ahead.

data: captain captain NOUN bn:00015752n 0 0


sentence: passengers are supposed to turn their devices off again as the plane descends to land and not restart them until the plane is on the ground.

data: plane plane NOUN bn:00001697n 0 0


sentence: under the new guidelines, airlines whose planes are properly protected from electronic interference may allow passengers to use the devices during takeoffs, landings and taxiing, the FAA said.

data: landings landing NOUN bn:00049864n 0 0


sentence: most new airliners and other planes that have been modified so that passengers can use Wifi at higher altitudes are expected to meet the criteria.

data: airliners airliner NOUN bn:00002299n 0 0

data: Wifi wifi NOUN bn:00081176n 0 0

data: altitudes altitude NOUN bn:00003142n 0 0


sentence: Laura Glading, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, welcomed the changes.

data: changes change NOUN bn:00003125n 0 0


"once the new policy is safely implemented - and we're going to work closely with the carrier to do that - it will be a win-win," Glading said in a statement.


we're frankly tired of feeling like 'hall monitors' when it comes to this issue.


sentence: but connecting to the Internet to surf, exchange emails, text or download data will still be prohibited below 10,000 feet, the agency said.

data: agency agency NOUN bn:00001961n 0 0


sentence: passengers will be told to switch their smartphones, tablets and other devices to airplane mode.

data: devices device NOUN bn:00026716n 0 0


sentence: so, still no Words With Friends, the online Scrabble-type game that actor Alec Baldwin was playing on his smartphone in 2011 when he was famously booted off an American Airlines jet for refusing to turn off the device while the plane was parked at the gate.

data: game game NOUN bn:00037180n 0 0

data: actor actor NOUN bn:00001176n 0 0

data: jet jet NOUN bn:00048165n 0 0

data: device device NOUN bn:00026716n 0 0


sentence: and heavier devices such as laptops will continue to have to be stowed because of concern they might injure someone if they go flying around the cabin.

data: laptops laptop NOUN bn:00049998n 0 0


in-flight cellphone calls also will continue to be prohibited.


regulatory authority over phone calls belongs to the Federal Communications Commission, not the FAA.


sentence: FAA may lift ban on some electronic devices during takeoff and landing

data: landing landing NOUN bn:00049864n 0 0


sentence: last month, National Transportation Safety Board Mark Rosenker, a CBS News national transportation safety expert, said that cell phones are still considered a risk.

data: month month NOUN bn:00014710n 0 0

data: risk risk NOUN bn:00030747n 0 0


"cell phones, that really is an issue, not just because potentially it could create interference with navigational devices, but we do know, according to the FCC, that it could interfere with cell phone towers when they're in the air," Rosenker said.


sentence: an industry advisory committee created by the FAA to examine the issue recommended last month that the government permit greater use of personal electronic devices.

data: government government NOUN bn:00007299n 0 0


sentence: pressure has been building on the FAA in recent years to ease restrictions on their use.

data: pressure pressure NOUN bn:00064262n 0 0

data: years year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0

data: use use NOUN bn:00030627n 0 0


sentence: critics such as Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., contend there is no valid safety reason for the prohibitions.

data: critics critic NOUN bn:00023858n 0 0


sentence: the restrictions have also become increasingly difficult to enforce as use of the devices has become ubiquitous.


sentence: some studies indicate as many as a third of passengers forget or ignore directions to turn off their devices.

data: studies study NOUN bn:00074790n 0 0

data: passengers passenger NOUN bn:00060894n 0 0


sentence: the FAA began restricting passengers' use of electronic devices in 1966 in response to reports of interference with navigation and communications equipment when passengers began carrying FM radios, the high-tech gadgets of their day.

data: radios radio NOUN bn:00065900n 0 0


sentence: new airliners are far more reliant on electrical systems than previous generations of aircraft, but they are also designed and approved by the FAA to be resistant to electronic interference.

data: aircraft aircraft NOUN bn:00002275n 0 0


sentence: airlines have been offering Wi-Fi use at cruising altitudes to passengers for several years.

data: altitudes altitude NOUN bn:00003142n 0 0


planes modified for Wi-Fi systems are also more resistant to interference.


sentence: the vast majority of airliners should qualify for greater electronic device use under the new guidelines, Huerta said.


sentence: today's electronic devices generally emit much lower power radio transmissions than previous generations of devices.

data: devices device NOUN bn:00026716n 0 0


e-readers, for example, emit only minimal transmissions when turning a page.


but transmissions are stronger when devices are downloading or sending data.


sentence: among those pressing for a relaxation of restrictions on passengers' use of the devices has been Amazon.com.


sentence: in 2011, company officials loaded an airliner full of their Kindle e-readers and flew it around to test for problems but found none.

data: problems problem NOUN bn:00048242n 0 0


sentence: FAA advisory committee members expressed mixed feelings about whether use of the devices presents any risk.

data: members member NOUN bn:00034004n 0 0

data: feelings feeling NOUN bn:00033963n 0 0


sentence: Douglas Kidd of the National Association of Airline Passengers said he believes interference from the devices is genuine even if the risk is minimal.


sentence: other committee members said there are only anecdotal reports from pilots to support that the devices can interfere with aircraft systems, and most of those reports are very old.

data: pilots pilot NOUN bn:00002306n 0 0


sentence: however, the committee recommended the FAA allow pilots to order passengers to shut off devices during instrument landings in low visibility.

data: committee committee NOUN bn:00021015n 0 0


sentence: a travel industry group welcomed the changes, calling them common-sense accommodations for a traveling public now bristling with technology.

data: changes change NOUN bn:00003125n 0 0


sentence: "we're pleased the FAA recognizes that an enjoyable passenger experience is not incompatible with safety and security," said Roger Dow, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.

data: safety safety NOUN bn:00068799n 0 0


sentence: bird airlifted to safety from North Sea rig released back into wild

data: bird bird NOUN bn:00010605n 0 0


sentence: a bird airlifted ashore after being found exhausted on a North Sea oil rig has been released back into the wild.


sentence: the water rail was put on a helicopter to Aberdeen last month before being nursed back to health by the Scottish SPCA at its rescue centre in Alloa.

data: helicopter helicopter NOUN bn:00018734n 0 0

data: month month NOUN bn:00014710n 0 0


sentence: centre manager Colin Seddon said: "this water rail was likely a winter migrant from Northern Europe who got caught up in strong winds over the North Sea."

data: winds wind NOUN bn:00002216n 0 0


sentence: it seems the bird became exhausted and managed to find refuge on the oil rig.

data: refuge refuge NOUN bn:00006678n 0 0


sentence: he added: "it was unable to fly off again so we were contacted for help."

data: help help NOUN bn:00002155n 0 0


the water rail was fit and well by the time it was released.


sentence: is Europe's elite ready to do business with Britain?

data: business business NOUN bn:00014137n 0 0


sentence: business for Britain launched in April with a pledge to bring business together and define what the UK's wealth and job creators want to see changed in our relationship with the EU.

data: job job NOUN bn:00030625n 0 0


sentence: to that end, we commissioned the largest and most comprehensive poll of British business leaders asking them for their thoughts on Britain, business and the EU.

data: poll poll NOUN bn:00015387n 0 0


YouGov polled over 1,000 business leaders, broadly representative of Britain's business sizes, sectors and regions.


sentence: the conclusions of the poll will come as a surprise to many.


sentence: we found that the vast majority of businesses are now looking to export outside of Europe, focusing on countries that are modernising and growing while the EU states stagnate.

data: countries country NOUN bn:00023236n 0 0

data: states state NOUN bn:00023236n 0 0


sentence: they want to see the Government prioritise new trading links with the likes of China, India and Brazil, rather than getting bogged down in the long and arduous process of reforming the EU's arcane institutions.

data: institutions institution NOUN bn:00046954n 0 0


sentence: when asked their views on specific policy areas - ranging from monopoly regulation to product laws - the majority of business leaders thought that control of these key competences should be returned to Westminster.

data: views view NOUN bn:00059169n 0 0


sentence: there was general discontent with the Single Market, with businesses saying that the costs of Brussels regulation now outweighed the benefits of being part of Europe's trading area - even 40 per cent of large businesses, traditionally the most pro-European of companies, agreed.

data: costs cost NOUN bn:00022995n 0 0

data: part part NOUN bn:00021395n 0 0

data: companies company NOUN bn:00021286n 0 0


sentence: finally, and most tellingly of all, our poll of business leaders found a clear majority wanted to see Britain pursue a course of treaty change and a relationship with the EU that is based on trade, not politics.

data: course course NOUN bn:00023285n 0 0

data: treaty treaty NOUN bn:00000728n 0 0

data: trade trade NOUN bn:00077860n 0 0

data: politics politics NOUN bn:00063351n 0 0


sentence: this finding, which was reflected across the sizes and major business groups, shows that business is pushing for a "meaningful change" that brings powers back to the UK.

data: sizes size NOUN bn:00071888n 0 0

data: change change NOUN bn:00003125n 0 0


sentence: the stakes are high - achieving treaty change and a better deal for Britain sees a 16 per cent swing towards voting to stay in the EU in a referendum.


sentence: the Prime Minister should be in no doubt: this poll shows that British business backs his plan for renegotiating the terms of Britain's membership of the EU.

data: doubt doubt NOUN bn:00028425n 0 0

data: plan plan NOUN bn:00062759n 0 0

data: terms term NOUN bn:00021649n 0 0

data: membership membership NOUN bn:00054282n 0 0


sentence: it also shows that business expects that renegotiation to make a significant shift in the current balance of power back towards the UK.

data: shift shift NOUN bn:00071059n 0 0


a better deal for British business is possible, and increasingly necessary as the eurozone embarks on the road to closer economic and fiscal union.


sentence: the priority must be jobs and growth in Britain and, as the findings of our poll show, for business this means a renewed focus on trade and a fundamental change in Brussels "regulatory approach.

data: priority priority NOUN bn:00064072n 0 0

data: poll poll NOUN bn:00015387n 0 0

data: approach approach NOUN bn:00005141n 0 0


Gazprom's Alexei Miller says pipeline in Bulgaria starts new gas era


the start of construction of the South Stream gas pipeline in Bulgaria marks the launch of one of Europe's largest energy projects, Gazprom's chief said.


sentence: "a landmark event has taken place today: construction started on the Bulgarian section of the South Stream gas pipeline, the most large-scale and important project in Europe," Gazprom Chairman Alexei Miller said in a statement Thursday.

data: construction construction NOUN bn:00013723n 0 0

data: project project NOUN bn:00049573n 0 0


sentence: this project is a key element of energy security of the whole European continent.

data: continent continent NOUN bn:00022173n 0 0


sentence: South Stream is meant to add diversity to Russia's export routes through Europe.

data: diversity diversity NOUN bn:00027862n 0 0


sentence: a contractual dispute between Gazprom and its counterparts in Ukraine, which hosts most of Russia's gas for Europe, adds a layer of risk to conventional routes, officials say.

data: risk risk NOUN bn:00030747n 0 0


sentence: Miller said the direct connection to Bulgaria, a member of the European Union, means geopolitical risks associated with transit countries are eliminated "forever."

data: connection connection NOUN bn:00021901n 0 0

data: risks risk NOUN bn:00030747n 0 0


sentence: Bulgarian consumers will receive gas from South Stream at a discounted rate once the entire project starts operating in 2015.

data: consumers consumer NOUN bn:00022095n 0 0


sentence: Gazprom said construction should begin in other downstream countries by year's end.

data: countries country NOUN bn:00023236n 0 0


the pipeline is designed for an annual capacity of 2.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.


sentence: nothing beats Germany as a property location for national and international investors.

data: investors investor NOUN bn:00047367n 0 0


the economic situation is right, and the financing options are fantastic.


this was the message of the 9th 'Immobilientag' (Property Day) organised by the Börsen Zeitung (stock exchange newspaper).


sentence: the German property markets are benefiting from the country's economic strength and general conditions which, compared with the rest of Europe, are very competitive.

data: country country NOUN bn:00023235n 0 0

data: strength strength NOUN bn:00074615n 0 0


this was pointed out by Christian Ulbrich, Jones Lang LaSalle CEO for Europe, the Near East and Africa, at the 9th 'Immobilientag' (Property Day) organised by the Börsen Zeitung (stock exchange newspaper).


the extent to which German commercial properties are sought after is evident in the transaction volumes, said Ulbrich.


sentence: in the first three quarters of this year, there was an increase of 31% compared to the same period the year before.

data: year year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0


in Great Britain, growth stands at just 6%, and in France at 19%.


"property investments offer an attractive rate of return," said Ulbrich.


the yield gap between properties and federal government bonds is at a historically high level.


sentence: the FAA is easing restrictions on the use of electronic gadgets on airplanes - though chatting on cellphones will still be prohibited.

data: use use NOUN bn:00030627n 0 0

data: airplanes airplane NOUN bn:00001697n 0 0

data: cellphones cellphone NOUN bn:00017029n 0 0


sentence: warplanes attack a store of Russian missiles in the port city of Latakia, an official says.

data: missiles missile NOUN bn:00055322n 0 0


sentence: it's an apparent continuation of Israel's campaign to keep arms from proliferating in the Mideast.

data: arms arm NOUN bn:00005704n 0 0


sentence: a federal appeals court blocks a judge's ruling that the NYPD's controversial tactic discriminates against minorities.

data: judge judge NOUN bn:00048488n 0 0

data: tactic tactic NOUN bn:00053172n 0 0

data: minorities minority NOUN bn:00055208n 0 0


nearly 100 African migrants hoping to travel to Algeria die of thirst after their two trucks break down in the middle of the Sahara.


sentence: experts say violence that left 14 adults and seven children dead is nothing more than random chance, not a sign of growing violence in America.

data: experts expert NOUN bn:00032322n 0 0

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data: sign sign NOUN bn:00053450n 0 0

data: violence violence NOUN bn:00035772n 0 0


sentence: rather than being rattled by the U.S. government shutdown, investors kept their focus on what probably matters more: the Federal Reserve.


sentence: the California woman plans to challenge what may be a first-of-its-kind citation, saying the Internet-connected eyewear makes navigation easier.

data: navigation navigation NOUN bn:00057073n 0 0


sentence: police say they have a video that appears to show Mayor Rob Ford smoking a crack pipe.

data: police police NOUN bn:00022026n 0 0

data: video video NOUN bn:00079972n 0 0


even close allies keep things from one another - and work every angle to find out what's being held back.


sentence: the Vatican wants to know how Catholic parishes around the globe handle sensitive issues like contraception, divorce and gay couples.

data: globe globe NOUN bn:00029424n 0 0

data: divorce divorce NOUN bn:00027937n 0 0


sentence: two YMCA employees charged with sex offences before allegations against Jonathan Lord, Royal Commission hears

data: allegations allegation NOUN bn:00002812n 0 0


sentence: two YMCA NSW employees had been charged with child sex offences before allegations were raised against Caringbah child care worker Jonathan Lord in 2011, the child sexual abuse Royal Commission has heard.

data: child child NOUN bn:00018345n 0 0


sentence: but in its opening statement to the Commission it said it had "never dealt with an incident of child sexual assault within its organisation," the Commission was told.

data: incident incident NOUN bn:00046282n 0 0

data: organisation organisation NOUN bn:00059480n 0 0


sentence: chief executive officer Phillip Hare was asked about one case where a YMCA employee was charged child pornography offences, and another when a gym instructor at the YMCA Caringbah Hall was convicted of child sexual offences against children in his care in 1991.

data: case case NOUN bn:00016403n 0 0


sentence: Mr Hare told Gail Furness, counsel assisting the Commission, he knew about the first case but did not know about the second one.

data: case case NOUN bn:00016402n 0 0


he conceded the YMCA's opening statement to the commission was also inaccurate in claiming "there have been external audits of the YMCA that have recognised the YMCA as being at the forefront of child safety."


sentence: evidence before the commission is that YMCA was notified that it received the second lowest of four possible ratings in a Department of Education and Communities quality audit in August this year.

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data: ratings rating NOUN bn:00031973n 0 0

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sentence: Mr Hare, who started with the YMCA when he was 21, conceded management "from myself down" failed by recruiting Lord and failed to make sure staff were clear about their obligations to report child safe policy breaches.

data: obligations obligation NOUN bn:00029239n 0 0


sentence: earlier this year Lord was convicted for sexual offences against 12 boys during the two years he worked at the YMCA.

data: boys boy NOUN bn:00012569n 0 0


sentence: he was jailed for a minimum of six years.

data: years year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0


sentence: but Mr Hare rejected the suggestion the YMCA had a cultural problem which prevented staff from reporting Lord's breaches of child safety.

data: problem problem NOUN bn:00048242n 0 0

data: safety safety NOUN bn:00068799n 0 0


sentence: staff gave evidence they observed breaches including Lord being alone with children, babysitting them privately, having them sit on his lap, saying he loved one and letting them play with his mobile phone.

data: children child NOUN bn:00018345n 0 0

data: lap lap NOUN bn:00049960n 0 0


sentence: Danielle Ockwell, who was supervised by Lord and asked for child protection training because she was concerned about his behaviour, testified she found the YMCA Caringbah children's services manager Jacqui Barnat who supervised Lord "very intimidating and hard to approach a lot of the time."

data: training training NOUN bn:00041853n 0 0


the CEO said he did not accept staff's evidence that they were uncomfortable with reporting upwards to their managers.


sentence: rather, he said, their friendships with Lord clouded their judgements about reporting him.

data: friendships friendship NOUN bn:00036545n 0 0


sentence: Mr Hare said he had provided his view to the YMCA NSW board that the lesson for the organisation from the "Jonathan Lord incident" was "not about reporting" by staff, and the board agreed with him.


sentence: Mr Hare said the decision to get staff to sign confidentiality agreements soon after the allegations emerged was made by YMCA general manager of children's services Liam Whitley.

data: allegations allegation NOUN bn:00002812n 0 0


sentence: he said it was intended to avoid contamination of evidence but was "overzealous" and poorly executed.

data: evidence evidence NOUN bn:00032047n 0 0


sentence: YMCA NSW was not a child safe organisation at the time Jonathan Lord was employed between 2009 and 2011, child sex abuse expert Professor Stephen Smallbone of Griffith University told the commission.

data: child child NOUN bn:00018345n 0 0

data: organisation organisation NOUN bn:00059480n 0 0

data: expert expert NOUN bn:00032322n 0 0


sentence: he said there were "serious problems" in recruitment, screening, induction, training and supervision of staff.

data: problems problem NOUN bn:00048242n 0 0


sentence: the hearing adjourned until December 20.

data: hearing hearing NOUN bn:00043372n 0 0


sentence: Tony Blair said he'd seize the chance to return as Britain's prime minister - but acknowledges a comeback is unlikely.

data: chance chance NOUN bn:00017621n 0 0


sentence: in an interview overnight to mark the fifth anniversary of his departure from office, the 59-year-old aired his views on various domestic policies.

data: anniversary anniversary NOUN bn:00004339n 0 0

data: views view NOUN bn:00059169n 0 0


sentence: since he stood down in June 2007 after a decade as leader, Mr Blair has largely avoided discussing British politics, confining most of his comments to foreign affairs and his role as envoy to the Quartet of Middle East peacemakers.

data: decade decade NOUN bn:00025646n 0 0

data: comments comment NOUN bn:00020977n 0 0

data: role role NOUN bn:00036823n 0 0

data: envoy envoy NOUN bn:00031083n 0 0


asked if he would return to the post of prime minister, Mr Blair was quoted by London's Evening Standard as saying: "yes, sure, but it's not likely to happen is it, so..."


sentence: as crowds of horse-showing experts gathered in Cardiff to battle it out for Horse of the Year, they knew the competition would be tough.

data: horse horse NOUN bn:00031345n 0 0

data: experts expert NOUN bn:00032322n 0 0


but nobody was quite ready for three-year-old Fenton Kirkland.


sentence: not yet in school and just months on from taking his first steps, the toddler and his pet Shetland pony Toffee trotted through the three rounds with ease to take the top prize - leaving their 30 adult opponents trailing behind.

data: months month NOUN bn:00055794n 0 0

data: prize prize NOUN bn:00007497n 0 0

data: opponents opponent NOUN bn:00059186n 0 0


sentence: the inseparable pair - who are the same height - were commended for appearance, behaviour and style at the annual contest run by Sunnybank Equestrian Centre, in Rudry near Cardiff.

data: pair pair NOUN bn:00060204n 0 0

data: style style NOUN bn:00033729n 0 0

data: contest contest NOUN bn:00021338n 0 0


sentence: taking to the stage against men and women in smart bowler hats, he tipped his flat cap at a jaunty angle and paraded two-year-old Toffee around the ring.

data: men man NOUN bn:00001533n 0 0

data: women woman NOUN bn:00001530n 0 0

data: angle angle NOUN bn:00004117n 0 0

data: year year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0


Fenton was lauded by judges for natural handling skills well beyond his years.


sentence: and Toffee received top marks for his appearance and personality.

data: personality personality NOUN bn:00061736n 0 0


sentence: Fenton was given Toffee as a third birthday present last March and has practised with the Shetland pony every day since.

data: birthday birthday NOUN bn:00010678n 0 0

data: day day NOUN bn:00000086n 0 0


sentence: his mother Donna, 30, said: "Fenton and Toffee are a great double act."

data: mother mother NOUN bn:00034027n 0 0


they were up against all comers but the two of them walked off with the gold cup and rosette.


it was only the second time he had competed with Toffee and we were all ecstatic when he won.


complete strangers in the arena all thought he was so phenomenal they wanted photos taken with him.


sentence: the youngster, from the village of Nantyglo, near Ebbw Vale, South Wales, is following in the footsteps of his aunt Sharon Howells, who has been showing horses for more than 10 years.

data: horses horse NOUN bn:00031345n 0 0

data: years year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0


Mrs Howells said: "the whole place was electric and everybody was cheering and clapping."


sentence: he was running on sand down the full length of the arena and even though he looked so tiny he did a marvellous job.

data: sand sand NOUN bn:00069126n 0 0

data: length length NOUN bn:00050662n 0 0

data: arena arena NOUN bn:00005532n 0 0

data: job job NOUN bn:00018756n 0 0


sentence: Fenton is animal mad - he loves horses, tractors and farms and has got two chickens which he looks after.

data: animal animal NOUN bn:00004222n 0 0

data: tractors tractor NOUN bn:00077857n 0 0

data: farms farm NOUN bn:00033676n 0 0

data: chickens chicken NOUN bn:00018265n 0 0


the way he has started he'll be at the Horse of the Year show before long - and I'm sure he'll do well.


sentence: a spokesman for the annual horse show said: "Fenton is only three but he knows how to handle his pony."

data: spokesman spokesman NOUN bn:00073526n 0 0


sentence: they are a great team together.

data: team team NOUN bn:00073699n 0 0


the judges marked Fenton and Toffee on how well they were turned out and the way they presented in the show ring.


sentence: they look for good teamwork between the pony and the handler - Fenton and Toffee were the best in the ring.

data: pony pony NOUN bn:00063528n 0 0


I'm sure Fenton was helped by his cute clothes, he really looked the part.


sentence: China plea paper 'to be overhauled'

data: paper paper NOUN bn:00057563n 0 0


sentence: a Chinese newspaper that made a front-page appeal for the release of a reporter accused of defamation is to be overhauled, a press regulator says.

data: newspaper newspaper NOUN bn:00057563n 0 0

data: defamation defamation NOUN bn:00014925n 0 0


sentence: the Guangzhou-based New Express made a rare public plea for the release of journalist Chen Yongzhou.

data: journalist journalist NOUN bn:00048461n 0 0


sentence: but Mr Chen subsequently admitted on television that he had taken bribes to fabricate stories about a part state-owned company.

data: television television NOUN bn:00076373n 0 0

data: company company NOUN bn:00021286n 0 0


now the New Express is to undergo "full rectification," the regulator said.


the "rectification" order came from the Guangdong Administration of Press and Publication, Radio, Film and Television.


sentence: a preliminary investigation showed that Yangcheng Evening News Group's New Express had published several untrue reports about listed company Zoomlion in the period of September 2012 to August 2013.


"new Express's editorial management was disordered," the regulator said in a statement.


sentence: it said it had decided to "impose an administrative penalty on Chen Yongzhou by revoking his reporter's license."

data: penalty penalty NOUN bn:00061325n 0 0


it had also "instructed Yangcheng Evening News Group to undertake a complete rectification of New Express, and recommended they investigate the relevant responsible persons at New Express and immediately revise New Express's leadership team."


Mr Chen wrote several articles for the New Express alleging financial irregularities at a construction-equipment company called Zoomlion.


after he was detained, his newspaper published two front-page appeals for his release, saying it backed his journalism.


but Mr Chen then appeared on state television admitting he had published false stories for money.


sentence: "in this case I've caused damages to Zoomlion and also the whole news media industry and its ability to earn the public's trust," he told state broadcaster CCTV.

data: case case NOUN bn:00016402n 0 0


sentence: I did this mainly because I hankered after money and fame.

data: money money NOUN bn:00055644n 0 0


I've realised my wrongdoing.


sentence: following Mr Chen's apology, New Express issued a front-page apology, saying it had failed to properly check his reports.

data: apology apology NOUN bn:00004960n 0 0


several high-profile suspects have made televised confessions recently.


sentence: experts say confessions are still routinely coerced, despite a change in the law earlier this year banning the authorities from forcing anyone to incriminate themselves.

data: experts expert NOUN bn:00032322n 0 0

data: year year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0


sentence: us-Mexico drug tunnel with its own railway found

data: railway railway NOUN bn:00066020n 0 0


sentence: one of the most sophisticated drug smuggling tunnels between the USA and Mexico has been found, complete with its own lighting, ventilation and electric rail systems.

data: tunnels tunnel NOUN bn:00078606n 0 0


sentence: us authorities described the four foot by three foot tunnel as one of the most sophisticated secret passages they have ever discovered.

data: tunnel tunnel NOUN bn:00078606n 0 0


sentence: the tunnel, which zigzags the length of nearly six football pitches, links warehouses near Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego, USA.

data: length length NOUN bn:00050662n 0 0


sentence: the area is filled with nondescript warehouses, making it easier to conceal trucks being loaded with drugs.

data: drugs drug NOUN bn:00028872n 0 0


sentence: the tunnel was shut down before any drugs made it through undetected, authorities said.


sentence: authorities seized eight-and-a-half tons of marijuana and 327 pounds of cocaine in connection with the tunnel's discovery, according to court records.

data: tons ton NOUN bn:00057373n 0 0

data: marijuana marijuana NOUN bn:00015287n 0 0

data: cocaine cocaine NOUN bn:00020230n 0 0

data: discovery discovery NOUN bn:00027529n 0 0

data: court court NOUN bn:00023301n 0 0


sentence: three men who authorities say worked as drivers were charged with possession of marijuana and cocaine with intent to distribute.

data: men man NOUN bn:00001533n 0 0

data: drivers driver NOUN bn:00028795n 0 0

data: possession possession NOUN bn:00059958n 0 0


sentence: they face prison sentences between 10 years and life imprisonment if convicted.

data: years year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0


sentence: in Nogales, Arizona, smugglers tap into vast underground drainage canals.

data: smugglers smuggler NOUN bn:00022223n 0 0


sentence: the tunnel is the eighth major passage discovered in San Diego since 2006.


sentence: some of the largest tunnels have been discovered after central Mexico's marijuana harvest in October, which presents drug cartels with a challenge of how to quickly get their product to consumers.

data: harvest harvest NOUN bn:00043090n 0 0

data: product product NOUN bn:00064584n 0 0


sentence: in 2010, authorities found a roughly 700-yard passage equipped with rail tracks that extended from the kitchen of a Tijuana home to two San Diego warehouses.

data: kitchen kitchen NOUN bn:00049248n 0 0


Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr still love each other


sentence: actors Orlando Bloom and Model Miranda Kerr want to go their separate ways.

data: actors actor NOUN bn:00001176n 0 0


however, in an interview, Bloom has said that he and Kerr still love each other.


sentence: Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom are parents to two-year-old Flynn.

data: parents parent NOUN bn:00060643n 0 0


sentence: actor Orlando Bloom announced his separation from his wife, supermodel Miranda Kerr.

data: actor actor NOUN bn:00001176n 0 0

data: wife wife NOUN bn:00053531n 0 0


in an interview with US journalist Katie Couric, which is to be broadcast on Friday (local time), Bloom said, "sometimes life doesn't go exactly as we plan or hope for."


he and Kerr still love each other, emphasised the 36-year-old.


sentence: "we're going to support one another and love each other as parents to Flynn."


Kerr and Bloom have been married since 2010. their son Flynn was born in 2011.


sentence: according to dictionaries, veganism is a sub-category of vegetarianism, yet the two do differ considerably.

data: vegetarianism vegetarianism NOUN bn:00079671n 0 0


sentence: for while vegetarians allow themselves to consume cream tarts, ice cream or a strong Edam, these indulgences are off the menu for vegans.

data: vegetarians vegetarian NOUN bn:00079670n 0 0

data: menu menu NOUN bn:00010407n 0 0

data: vegans vegan NOUN bn:00079665n 0 0


sentence: milk, cheese, egg - alongside avoiding meat and fish, vegans refrain from eating all products of animal origin - even honey is not permitted.

data: milk milk NOUN bn:00054996n 0 0

data: cheese cheese NOUN bn:00018038n 0 0

data: egg egg NOUN bn:00029914n 0 0

data: meat meat NOUN bn:00054026n 0 0

data: products product NOUN bn:00064584n 0 0

data: honey honey NOUN bn:00044622n 0 0


you might ask what is left, however, upon closer inspection the world of vegan nutrition is characterised by great resourcefulness.


sentence: "spreads are very popular," explained Ute Henkelmann the owner of the local health food store, which provides a host of special products for vegans.


sentence: Reuben Proctor also likes to visit the store on "Domgasse."

data: store store NOUN bn:00071215n 0 0


sentence: the New Zealander has been vegan for 13 years, and in Lampertheim he can find (almost) everything that he needs to get by. "in 1997 I adjusted my diet and became a vegetarian."

data: years year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0

data: vegetarian vegetarian NOUN bn:00079670n 0 0


sentence: at the turn of the millennium I took the next step and became vegan.

data: step step NOUN bn:00054018n 0 0


"however, it wasn't just the diet that convinced me, but also my choice of shoes," said Proctor, who prefers artificial leather over normal leather.


sentence: he realised that you can also overcome all other daily concerns without animal products.


first and foremost, being vegan is a matter of ethics.


sentence: "I don't want animals to have to die for me," said Proctor, expressing the maxim of vegans, which applies to all their consumer behaviour.

data: animals animal NOUN bn:00004222n 0 0


sentence: rather than missing burgers, scrambled eggs or gummi bears, the vegan has quickly discovered entirely new products that really inspire him.

data: burgers burger NOUN bn:00009566n 0 0

data: vegan vegan NOUN bn:00079665n 0 0


sentence: "it is a double bonus," says Proctor now, "in actual fact being vegan is not about doing without, it's not about asceticism, but rather it is an enhancement." regarding the assumption that when you convert your diet you are reducing your choice of meal options, Proctor puts this down to force of habit.

data: choice choice NOUN bn:00018661n 0 0


sentence: and it is precisely this conditioning that results in many a well-intentioned attempt failing.

data: attempt attempt NOUN bn:00007011n 0 0


sentence: "the temptation factor is a decisive factor in causing many to quickly give up, similar to with smoking," says Proctor, providing a comparison.

data: factor factor NOUN bn:00032661n 0 0

data: smoking smoking NOUN bn:00072322n 0 0

data: comparison comparison NOUN bn:00021303n 0 0


sentence: and he argues: "certain flavours are not linked to animal produce."

data: animal animal NOUN bn:00004222n 0 0


sentence: often it is the herbs or the type of preparation that provide the flavour.

data: flavour flavour NOUN bn:00035137n 0 0


sentence: "you can, however, create the same effect in other ways," explains the vegan.

data: effect effect NOUN bn:00021961n 0 0

data: ways way NOUN bn:00033729n 0 0


sentence: for example, when attending a barbecue party, Proctor brings aubergines, mushrooms and also a few vegan sausages.

data: aubergines aubergine NOUN bn:00007080n 0 0


he ensures a balanced, varied diet, whereby everything should also have a good hearty flavour.


of course you want to have something with a bit of bite, that is fair enough.


sentence: "it should be tasty, but this doesn't necessarily mean animal-based food," said Proctor.

data: food food NOUN bn:00035649n 0 0


he has not suffered any damage to his health or eating disorders - another wide-spread assumption.


converting has had a positive effect for me.


sentence: I do not consume any foreign cholesterol and have increased my vitamin intake.

data: cholesterol cholesterol NOUN bn:00018696n 0 0


there are top athletes who also have an exclusively vegan diet.


"my blood values are excellent - I have myself checked on a regular basis," revealed Proctor.


sentence: many critics of veganism warn in particular of the lack of vitamin B12.

data: critics critic NOUN bn:00023857n 0 0

data: lack lack NOUN bn:00025913n 0 0


sentence: "because animals are fed on fodder instead of grazing, it is dubious whether the vitamin B12 content in meat sold in freezers is actually high," commented Proctor.

data: animals animal NOUN bn:00004222n 0 0

data: fodder fodder NOUN bn:00035566n 0 0

data: meat meat NOUN bn:00054026n 0 0


sentence: for vegans there is also the option of taking the co-enzyme in the form of tablets.

data: vegans vegan NOUN bn:00079665n 0 0

data: form form NOUN bn:00035908n 0 0

data: tablets tablet NOUN bn:00052222n 0 0


"my B12 values are fine," he explained.


Proctor does not have to travel far to buy food.


sentence: there are basic foodstuffs available everywhere, and every supermarket now has soya milk and other products.

data: supermarket supermarket NOUN bn:00075277n 0 0

data: products product NOUN bn:00054416n 0 0


I can find everything I need locally.


I only purchase special items now and again.


sentence: "many people overlook the fact that even though ready-made vegan products are expensive, it is well-known that this is also the case for" normal "ready-made products.

data: people people NOUN bn:00061450n 0 0


in any case, the preparation of vegan dishes is much cheaper and less time consuming than commonly assumed.


sentence: "in home cooking, there is much to be discovered - with a few minor tweaks you can achieve good, if not sometimes better results," said Proctor.

data: results result NOUN bn:00021961n 0 0


sentence: margarine in place of butter, a little more baking powder and bicarbonate of soda in place of egg - Proctor has even managed to astonish his in-laws with his vegan cheese cakes.

data: margarine margarine NOUN bn:00053393n 0 0

data: butter butter NOUN bn:00014249n 0 0

data: egg egg NOUN bn:00029914n 0 0


sentence: the vegan adds new spice to family parties.

data: vegan vegan NOUN bn:00079665n 0 0


when you cook together there is a certain dynamic - cooking takes on new value.


sentence: "the situations that may arise are as varied as the people themselves," said Proctor.

data: situations situation NOUN bn:00063707n 0 0


of course he has already met with scepticism.


do you not like my food any more?


sentence: "should I feel bad now because I drink milk?" - as a vegan you have to be tactful in such matters.

data: milk milk NOUN bn:00054996n 0 0


sentence: "I do not disapprove of people, I am part of this society," said Proctor, explaining that he was not choosing a life of isolation.

data: part part NOUN bn:00021395n 0 0

data: society society NOUN bn:00072566n 0 0


sentence: and on closer observation, the everyday world does not appear quite so 'un-vegan' - and vegans are not quite as limited in their everyday lives as is commonly assumed.


fast food is also permitted.


chips are available everywhere!


sentence: "many doner kebab houses offer falafel, or even vegetarian yufka," says Proctor.

data: falafel falafel NOUN bn:00032782n 0 0


sentence: in a pizzeria he avoids pasta dishes or just orders a pizza without cheese, all just a question of habit.

data: pizza pizza NOUN bn:00062694n 0 0

data: cheese cheese NOUN bn:00018038n 0 0

data: question question NOUN bn:00043267n 0 0


sentence: restaurants are slowly adapting to things.

data: restaurants restaurant NOUN bn:00029545n 0 0


sentence: "when I began eating a vegan diet 13 years ago, things were even more difficult," says the New Zealander, and he points out: "you have to talk with people, make them aware."

data: years year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0


"if enough requests are made, they will perhaps be inclined to expand their menus," he hopes.


sentence: there are vegan restaurants opening up, such as the Kombüse in Mannheim or Café Vogelfrei.


sentence: Proctor hopes that other restaurants will also have at least one vegan dish on the menu.

data: dish dish NOUN bn:00027574n 0 0

data: menu menu NOUN bn:00010407n 0 0


sentence: essentially, vegan dishes are for everyone.

data: dishes dish NOUN bn:00027574n 0 0


sentence: anyone can eat them, they are the exact opposite of exclusive.

data: opposite opposite NOUN bn:00022257n 0 0


sentence: "meat dishes, on the other hand, are exclusive, in the truest sense of the word, as they rule others out," assessed Proctor.

data: sense sense NOUN bn:00070498n 0 0

data: word word NOUN bn:00081546n 0 0


"if you want to avoid food scandals, veganism is a safe way to rule out the majority of scandals from the outset," says Proctor.


sentence: however, purchasing vegan products can be difficult to start with.

data: products product NOUN bn:00064584n 0 0


sentence: OInce you come to understand that peanuts, in particular, may also contain animal additives as a colourant, people seem to quickly lose courage when following a code of ethics with so many hurdles and pitfalls.

data: courage courage NOUN bn:00012839n 0 0


sentence: therefore, for this reason and others, Reuben Proctor and Lars Thomsen have written a book. "Veganissimo - Tierische Inhaltsstoffe und ihre Alternativen" (Veganissimo - Animal Ingredients and their Alternatives) explains the many ingredients hidden in both foodstuffs and cleaning agents.

data: book book NOUN bn:00012059n 0 0


sentence: "you gradually develop an internal scanner and you know which symbols and logos you have to look out for." Proctor has learned that "it is sometimes better too take small steps rather than to stand still or stumble."

data: symbols symbol NOUN bn:00075652n 0 0


veganism is an important moral compass, which has an effect on your consciousness.


perhaps he won't manage to help you break old habits altogether, but at least he manages to teach consumers to critically question their habits.


sentence: stock exchange operator Nasdaq OMX keeps its customers on tenterhooks.

data: customers customer NOUN bn:00019763n 0 0


trading at the Nasdaq Options Market was interrupted on Friday afternoon, German time.


sentence: in an announcement, the operator cited technical problems as the reason.

data: operator operator NOUN bn:00053226n 0 0

data: problems problem NOUN bn:00048242n 0 0


on the other eleven options markets, including two also operated by Nasdaq OMX, business continued as normal.


the most recent incident is the latest in a series of both small and large breakdowns suffered by the stock exchange operator.


sentence: as recently as last Tuesday, the Nasdaq indices were not calculated for one hour due to data transfer errors.

data: hour hour NOUN bn:00000127n 0 0


sentence: in August of this year there were two breakdowns in a single week.

data: year year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0

data: week week NOUN bn:00043484n 0 0


sentence: first of all, US investment bank Goldman Sachs sent large quantities of incorrect purchase orders to the options markets due to technical problems.


sentence: as a result, the stock exchange operators required almost an entire day to look through and delete the orders.

data: day day NOUN bn:00000086n 0 0


sentence: two days later, half of all stock dealing in the USA came to a standstill for several hours, due to a computer failure in the Nasdaq exchange.

data: days day NOUN bn:00000086n 0 0

data: half half NOUN bn:00042601n 0 0

data: hours hour NOUN bn:00000127n 0 0


sentence: furthermore, last year the listing of Facebook on the stock exchange caused quite a furore.


sentence: the Nasdaq systems could not cope with the flood of purchase and sales orders, the Exchange Supervisory Authority established at a later date, imposing a record penalty of 10 million dollars on the company.

data: purchase purchase NOUN bn:00065265n 0 0

data: company company NOUN bn:00021286n 0 0


sentence: Konstanz: cyclist knocks over 63-year-old man

data: cyclist cyclist NOUN bn:00010258n 0 0


sentence: according to the police, the accident occurred on Thursday evening at around 10: 00 p.m., when a 26-year-old man was cycling illegally, on the left footpath of the Bahnhofplatz in the direction of Marktstätte, on a ladies bicycle.

data: police police NOUN bn:00022026n 0 0

data: accident accident NOUN bn:00000690n 0 0


sentence: according to police, when a 63-year-old man suddenly stepped out of a pub onto the footpath, the cyclist was unable to brake in time.


sentence: during the subsequent collision, the pedestrian was thrown against the wall of the building, and then fell onto the ground, suffering a laceration to the head that measured around 15 centimetres in length.

data: pedestrian pedestrian NOUN bn:00035725n 0 0

data: ground ground NOUN bn:00028934n 0 0

data: head head NOUN bn:00015784n 0 0

data: centimetres centimetre NOUN bn:00017163n 0 0


an ambulance team brought the injured man to the clinic for medical treatment.


sentence: British police serve Assange with extradition notice


sentence: Btitish police served an extradition notice today on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has taken refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London and requested asylum.

data: refuge refuge NOUN bn:00006678n 0 0

data: asylum asylum NOUN bn:00006678n 0 0


Scotland Yard said they had served a "surrender notice" on the 40-year-old Australian requiring him to appear at a police station, adding that failure to do so would make him further liable to arrest.


sentence: Assange faces extradition to Sweden over sex crime allegations, having exhausted his options under British law when the Supreme Court overturned his appeal against extradition earlier this month.

data: extradition extradition NOUN bn:00032474n 0 0

data: law law NOUN bn:00048655n 0 0

data: month month NOUN bn:00014710n 0 0


sentence: fearing Stockholm would pass him on to the US, he sought refuge at Ecuador's embassy in London on June 19, asking the South American country for political asylum.

data: country country NOUN bn:00023236n 0 0


sentence: Scotland Yard has "served a surrender notice upon a 40-year-old man that requires him to attend a police station at date and time of our choosing," a spokesman said.

data: man man NOUN bn:00001533n 0 0

data: spokesman spokesman NOUN bn:00073526n 0 0


sentence: he remains in breach of his bail conditions.

data: conditions condition NOUN bn:00021649n 0 0


the embassy declined to comment on the serving of the police notice.


Assange fears he will be extradited from Sweden to the United States to face possible espionage charges, after releasing more than 250,000 US diplomatic cables on the WikiLeaks anti-secrecy website.


sentence: driver speeding at 130mph with hot drink between legs fined £1,000

data: driver driver NOUN bn:00028795n 0 0

data: legs leg NOUN bn:00050541n 0 0


sentence: a motorist has been fined £1,000 for driving at up to 130mph (210km / h) with a hot drink balanced between his legs.


Andrew Howie, 35, of Tiptree, Essex, was spotted driving his Mercedes Benz on the A120 at Braintree on 27 May.


sentence: when police stopped him they discovered the takeaway drink between his legs.

data: police police NOUN bn:00022026n 0 0


sentence: at Colchester Magistrates' Court Howie admitted a charge of driving without due care and attention.

data: attention attention NOUN bn:00007020n 0 0


sentence: seven points added to his licence resulted in him receiving a six-month driving ban.

data: points point NOUN bn:00063218n 0 0


sentence: Howie was also ordered to pay costs of £90 and a victim surcharge of £100.

data: costs cost NOUN bn:00022995n 0 0


sentence: tax on foreign property owners to burst London's bubble

data: tax tax NOUN bn:00067519n 0 0


sentence: the Treasury have provisionally costed out the CGT measure but are awaiting a final decision from Mr Osborne, who, in the 2012 Budget, introduced a 7% rate of stamp duty for homes costing more than £2m and annual charges for buyers who choose to hold homes in a company rather than as individuals.

data: homes home NOUN bn:00000356n 0 0

data: company company NOUN bn:00021286n 0 0


already the stamp duty take for residential property in the boroughs of Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea, which stood at £708 million in the 2012 / 13 tax year, exceeds the combined total for Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber put together.


sentence: Mr Cook said: "following increases in stamp duty of high value homes and the introduction of associated anti-avoidance legislation, it is very difficult to argue that high value property is under-taxed irrespective of the effect of the out-dated council tax system."

data: legislation legislation NOUN bn:00050587n 0 0


sentence: "but this move could make some foreign investors reticent to buy property in London or current owners reluctant to sell," he added.

data: investors investor NOUN bn:00047367n 0 0


sentence: Prime property - the top 5% to 10% of the housing market by price - in the affluent south-west London belt, which stretches from Fulham to Wimbledon, has increased by a record 11.8% over the past year.

data: price price NOUN bn:00022996n 0 0

data: year year NOUN bn:00078738n 0 0