Basic facts on Egypt's constitution referendum

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptians vote Saturday in the second round of a highly contentious referendum on a new constitution to replace the one suspended after the 2011 revolution. Here are some basic facts and figures on the vote.
— Saturday's vote takes place in 17 of Egypt's 27 provinces, with some 25 million people eligible to vote. Polls open at 8:00 a.m. (0600 GMT) and close at 7:00 p.m. (1700 GMT), although authorities often extend voting for several hours.
— Preliminary results will likely be known late Saturday or early Sunday, as observers compile results announced at each polling station. Official final results are not expected for several days afterward, but such preliminary results have proven accurate in past elections.
— In the first round, held on Dec. 15, preliminary results showed a low turnout of 32 percent, with 56 percent voting "yes" for the constitution in voting that took place in 10 provinces, including the two biggest cities Cairo and Alexandria.
— Among the areas voting is Cairo's twin city of Giza, capital of the province of the same name, Egypt's third most populated with nearly 4 million registered voters. Also voting will be Nile Delta provinces in which Islamists who back the charter enjoy large constituencies, such as Beheira with 3 million registered voters. The "no" vote could be stronger in the three Suez Canal cities — Port Said, Ismailia and Suez — and the Nile Delta province of Menoufia.
— The ballot paper has two options: "agree" in light blue circle or "don't agree" in brown circle.
— Rights groups and opposition filed complaints citing violations marring the vote, including attempts to suppress "no" voters. The main international group that monitored previous Egyptian votes, the Carter Center, is not deploying observers this time around. Egyptian law requires judges at each poll station to monitor. Despite a boycott by many judges, authorities say they have 7,000 judges to cover the 6,700 polling stations.

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Egyptian Islamists, opponents clash ahead of vote

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (AP) — Violence erupted between Egypt's divided camps on Friday, the eve of the final round of a referendum on a constitution that has polarized the nation, as Islamists and their opponents pelted each other with stones while police fired tear gas in the streets of the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.
The contentious referendum, which would bring a greater implementation of Islamic law to Egypt, is expected to be approved in Saturday's voting.
The new clashes — in which opponents of Islamists set fire to cars and dozens of people were hurt — illustrated how the new charter is unlikely to ease the violent conflict over the country's future. For a month, Egypt has been torn between Islamists and their opponents, who accuse President Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood of trying to unilaterally impose their will on the country.
Meanwhile, Morsi was already gearing up for the next steps after the constitution's passage, making a last-minute appointment of 90 new members to the parliament's upper house, a third of its total membership. Current rules allow him to do so, but if he waited until the charter was passed he could only appoint 10.
The body is normally so toothless and ignored that few Egyptians bothered to vote in elections for it earlier this year, allowing an almost total sweep by the Brotherhood and other Islamists. But once the charter is passed, it will hold lawmaking powers until elections for a new lower house are held — not expected for several months.
Friday's appointments added to the tiny ranks of non-Islamists in the upper house, known as the Shura Council, but preserved the Islamists' overwhelming hold.
A spokesman for the main opposition umbrella National Salvation Front dismissed the appointments, accusing Morsi of setting up a token opposition much like ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak did.
"This council and this constitution will also fail as long as there is no real opposition and no real dialogue, and as long as Morsi is only serving his clan and taking orders from the head office of the Muslim Brotherhood," Hussein Abdel-Razek told The Associated Press.
For the past month, both sides have been bringing their supporters into the street for mass rallies sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands — and repeatedly erupting into clashes.
In part, Egypt's split has been over who will shape the country's path two years after Mubarak's ouster. An opposition made up of liberals, leftists, secular Egyptians and a swath of the public angered over Morsi's 6-month-old rule fear Islamists are creating a new Mubarak-style autocracy. They accuse the Brotherhood of monopolizing the levers of power and point to the draft charter, which Islamists on the Constituent Assembly rammed through despite a boycott by liberal and secular members.
Morsi's allies say the opposition is trying to use the streets to overturn their victories at the ballot box over the past two years. They also accuse the opposition of carrying out a conspiracy by former members of Mubarak's regime to regain power.
Intertwined with that is a fight over Islam's role in the state. Many Islamists vow to defend God's law, and clerics have depicted opponents as infidels. The constitution would give broad leeway for hard-liners to implement Islamic Shariah law, making civil liberties and rights of women subordinate to a more literal version of Islamic law. It also gives clerics a say in legislation for the first time to ensure parliament adheres to Shariah.
Passage of the charter will do little to resolve the confrontation — particularly if it is approved by a low margin with little turnout. The first round of voting took place Dec. 15 in 10 of Egypt's 27 provinces, and preliminary results showed a meager 32 percent turnout, leading to a 56 percent "yes" vote.
Voting Saturday will take place in the remaining 17 provinces. Preliminary results are likely to be known late Saturday or early Sunday.
Top opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei urged the public to vote "no," saying, "We know if this constitution is passed, there will be no stability."
"This is not the road for stability or democracy," he said in a speech aired Thursday night. "When 45 percent of people say 'no,' it is a strong indication. Some don't read or write, but they are conscious that they should not be tricked."
The violence in Alexandria was a sign of how the conflict has moved beyond the issue of the constitution, to the deep resentments between the two camps.
Riot police swung batons and fired volleys of tear gas to separate stone-throwing Brotherhood members and ultraconservative Salafis on one side, and youthful secular protesters on the other.
The clashes started when the two groups met just after Friday prayers at the city's main Qaed Ibrahim mosque, by the coastal promenade. Throngs of Salafi Islamists, most wearing the long beards favored by the movement, had gathered there for what they called "a rally to defend clerics and mosques." Waving black Islamic banners, some chanted "God is Great!" and warned opponents: "With blood and soul, we redeem Islam."
It was unclear who started the fight. During the battles, secular youths set fire to two buses and two cars belonging to Islamists, sending thick black smoke through the upscale city center. Under a heavy cloud of tear gas, the two sides pulled back, but then continued fighting for hours past dusk along the corniche, near the famed Alexandria Library.
At least 42 people were treated for injuries, with some rushed to the hospital, a city health official said.
The Islamists' rally was called in response to violence last week, when a well-known Salafi cleric in Alexandria, Sheik Ahmed el-Mahalawi, was trapped inside a mosque for 12 hours while his supporters battled stone-throwing opponents outside with swords and firebombs.
El-Mahalawi, 87, had stirred anger with a sermon in which he denounced opponents of the draft charter as "followers of heretics."
In a further sign of the tensions opened up by the crisis, the Brotherhood in Alexandria accused the security forces of conspiring with "thugs" loyal to ElBaradei's Dustour Party and other liberal groups that it claimed attacked the Islamists in Alexandria.
"There was clear collusion by the security forces, which did nothing (to stop the attackers)," said Anas al-Qadi, a Brotherhood spokesman in Alexandria, according to the website of the Brotherhood's political party.
"In whose interest are the Interior Ministry and the governorate's security director working?"
Egypt's security forces have been divided by the country's turmoil, with some police in the streets showing support for anti-Morsi protesters, while others are believed to be backing the president. The crisis' worst violence came on Dec. 5, when Brotherhood supporters attacked an opposition sit-in outside the presidential palace in Cairo, and the ensuing violence left at least 10 dead and hundreds injured on both sides.

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Key events in Egypt's revolution and transition

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptians are voting Saturday in the second round of a referendum on disputed draft constitution that has polarized the country and plunged it into its worst crisis since the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak in last year's uprising.
The referendum and draft charter have pitted supporters of the Islamist Morsi against liberal parties, youth groups, Christians and a large group of moderate Muslims who fear the new document enshrines too big a role for Islam and undermines freedoms of expression, gender equality and rights of minorities.
The new crisis means that the political instability that followed Mubarak's February 2011 overthrow will likely continue.
Here are some key events from 23 months of turmoil and transition.
Jan. 25, 2011 — Egyptians hold nationwide demonstrations against the authoritarian rule of Mubarak, who has led the country for nearly three decades, protesting against police brutality and demanding social justice.
Jan. 26 — A large security force moves into Cairo's Tahrir Square, beating and arresting protesters, using rubber bullets and tear gas. Three protesters are killed in similar protests outside of Cairo — among the first of what will become about 900 dead from clashes during the uprising.
Jan. 28 — Protesters burn down the ruling party's headquarters and the military is deployed. Police virtually vanish from Egypt's streets, leading to a wave of looting, robbery and arson. Protesters occupy Tahrir square for a prolonged sit-in.
Feb. 11 — Mubarak steps down and turns power over to the military. Two days later the body of top generals, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, dissolves parliament and suspends the constitution, meeting two key demands of protesters.
March 19 — Egyptians cast their first vote on constitutional amendments sponsored by the ruling military which set the timeline for the country's transition to democracy, including the first parliamentary and presidential elections.
Nov. 28 — Voting begins in Egypt's first parliamentary elections since Mubarak's ouster. The election is held over a period of several weeks and concludes in January with nearly half the seats won by the previously banned Muslim Brotherhood.
April 20, 2012 — The presidential campaign officially begins. A first round of voting on May 23-24 determines that Morsi and Ahmed Shafiq, the last prime minister under Mubarak, will face each other in a runoff.
June 14 — The Supreme Constitutional Court rules to dissolve the Islamist-dominated lower house of parliament on grounds that a third of the chamber members were elected illegally. The military swiftly closes down parliament.
June 16-17 — Egyptians vote in the runoff between Morsi and Shafiq. The generals issue a "constitutional declaration" giving them sweeping authority to maintain their grip on power and limiting the powers of the president.
June 24 — Election officials declare Morsi the winner of Egypt's first free election, with 51.7 percent of the vote.
June 29 — Morsi, now president-elect, delivers a rousing speech in Tahrir Square, vowing to fight on behalf of the people and to restore powers the generals have taken away from him.
June 30 — Morsi takes his formal oath before the Supreme Constitutional Court. A day earlier he had read a symbolic oath in Tahrir Square, the birthplace of the revolution.
July 8 — Morsi issues a surprise decree overruling the court's dissolution of parliament and challenging the generals.
July 9 — Parliament convenes in defiance of the court ruling disbanding it. In a short session it approves a new law that effectively places the panel tasked with writing the country's new constitution above judicial review.
Aug. 12 — In a bold move, Morsi orders the retirement of the head of the ruling military council, longtime defense minister Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi and his chief of staff. He also cancels the military-declared constitutional amendments that gave the top generals wide powers and undermined his authority. The move was seen as way to curb the military's role in political affairs but it also gave Morsi the power to legislate in the absence of parliament.
Nov. 19 — Several members of liberal parties and representatives of Egypt's churches announce their withdrawal from the 100-member constituent assembly tasked with writing Egypt's constitution, protesting what they said were attempts to impose ultraconservative Islamist content.
Nov. 21- Morsi negotiates a cease-fire deal between Hamas and Israel, after an 8-day conflict that threatened to widen into an Israeli ground operation into the Gaza Strip. It was a major diplomatic triumph for Morsi, establishing his role as a regional player with sway over the militant group Hamas, and influence with Israel and the U.S.
Nov. 22 — In a surprise move, Morsi unilaterally decreed greater authorities for himself, giving the presidency, the panel writing the constitution and the upper house of parliament, both dominated by Islamists, immunity from judicial oversight. The move came just ahead of court decisions that could have dissolved the bodies.
Nov. 23 — Days of protests follow Morsi's decrees, which were perceived as a power grab. Clashes between pro- and anti-Morsi supporters also erupted, and the offices of the Muslim Brotherhood were attacked in different governorates.
Nov. 24 — Judges push back against Morsi's decrees, calling them an "unprecedented assault." Many courts begin an open-ended strike.
Nov. 26 — Morsi meets with judges to tell them he doesn't intend to infringe on their authority. He does not back down from his decree, however.
Nov. 27 — The opposition holds the largest rally to date against Islamists in Tahrir square. More than 200,000 people pack the square, chanting that Morsi should "leave." Clashes between the president's supporters and opponents break out in other governorates.
Nov. 30 — In a marathon session overnight, the Islamist-dominated panel writing the constitution rushes the draft through, seeking to preempt the court ruling that could dissolve the panel. The move renewed mass protests.
Dec. 1 — Despite the protests, Morsi sets the referendum date for the disputed charter for Dec. 15. Hundreds of Islamist protesters besiege the Supreme Constitutional Court, a day before it is set to rule on the legality of the panel that drafted the constitution.
Dec. 2 — The Islamist protest outside the Supreme Constitutional Court leads it to cancel its ruling on the legality of the constitutional panel and declare an open-ended strike, calling it the "blackest day" in the history of Egypt's judiciary.
Dec. 4 — More than 100,000 protesters march on the presidential palace, demanding the cancellation of the referendum on the constitution and the writing of a new one.
Dec. 5 — Supporters of Morsi attack a sit-in outside the presidential palace in clashes that last through the night. At least 10 die in the fighting.
Dec. 6 — Morsi refuses to call off the referendum, calling for a national dialogue in an address to the nation. The opposition rejects the call, saying it was not serious since Morsi refused to rescind any of his recent moves.
Dec. 8 — Morsi cancels the decrees that gave him immunity from judicial oversight but keeps the referendum on time. Opposition vows to continue protests.
Dec. 12 — Opposition calls on its supporters to vote no in the referendum. Pro- and anti-constitution demonstrations continue.
Dec. 15 — Around a third of the 25 million voters eligible for the first leg of the constitutional referendum cast ballots, despite the judges' boycott. Unofficial results show that 56 percent voted "yes" for the draft constitution.
Dec. 16 — Egypt's rights groups say the constitutional referendum was marred by widespread violations.
Dec. 18 — Prosecutor General Talaat Abdullah submits his resignation just a month after Morsi appointed him, following a sit-in by fellow prosecutors who accused him of pressuring a judge not to release some 130 anti-Morsi protesters from detention.
Dec. 19 — Top elections official Zaghloul el-Balshi resigns, citing medical problem.
Dec. 20 — Prosecutor General Talaat Abdaullah withdraws his resignation.
Dec. 21 — Islamists hold massive rally in the country's second largest city of Alexandria to show solidarity with religious clerics.
Dec. 22 — More than 25 million Egyptians eligible to vote will head to polling stations in 17 provinces to cast their ballots in the second round.

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Syrian rebels step up attacks on strategic sites

BEIRUT (AP) — Syria's rebels stepped up attacks on strategic sites including a sprawling military complex in the country's north on Friday, while reports emerged that President Bashar Assad's forces continued to fire Scud missiles at rebel areas.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told European leaders that Russia does not seek to protect Assad but that only a negotiated solution can end the conflict — an outcome that looks unlikely as rebels make gains across the country.
While few observers expect Syria's 21-month-old conflict to end soon, most say steady rebel advances appear to be tipping the balance in favor of those fighting to topple Assad's regime.
Anti-regime activists reported rebel attacks on strategic government sites in northern Syria on Friday, showing rebel efforts to cut government supply lines, free up roads and seize arms from government bases.
Near the northern city of Aleppo, rebels clashed with government forces at a sprawling military complex by the town of Al-Safira, activists said.
An activist in the town said the complex contains military factories, a scientific research center that produces chemical weapons as well as an air defense and an artillery base.
Rebels seized the artillery base earlier this week and have been trying to seize the air defense base, said Hussein, who gave only his first name for fear of retribution.
The town's proximity to the facilities has cost it dearly, he said. Government airstrikes often target civilian areas, and more than two-thirds of the town's residents have fled, fearing the regime will use chemical weapons.
"We are scared that they will be blown up or that the regime will use them in revenge on the town," he added.
Bilal Saab, head of the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis, confirmed that the Al-Safira complex houses a chemical weapons production facility but said it is unclear if such weapons have been stored there ready for use, or if rebels would even be able to use such weapons.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said seven rebels were killed in clashes in the area on Friday. It said nearly two dozen more died in a government airstrike earlier this week after they captured a military warehouse.
Activists also said rebels had launched attacks on a number of military targets near the central city of Hama.
Activist Mousab Alhamadee said rebels had seized five army posts in the last two days near the town of Morek, which straddles the country's primary north-south highway north of Hama. Only one army tank battalion remains in the town's immediate area, he said, giving the area's rebels much more freedom to move.
"The regime is losing a complete geographic area," he said.
Syria's conflict started with political protests in March 2011 and has since evolved into a full-scale civil war, with rebel brigades across the country fighting Assad's troops.
The government says the rebels are terrorists backed by foreign powers that seek to destroy the country. It does not give death tolls, although anti-regime activists say more than 40,000 have been killed.
International diplomacy has failed to slow the conflict.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his country does not seek to preserve Assad's rule but wants a "democratic regime in Syria based on the expression of people's will" — an outcome he said can only come through negotiations.
"We aren't a defender of the current Syrian leadership," Putin told European leaders in Brussels.
Throughout the conflict, Russia has been one of Assad's greatest backers, selling him arms and, along with China, protecting Syria from censure by the U.N. Security Council.
But Russian officials have recently distanced themselves from Assad's regime, suggesting they are resigned to his potential ouster.
Also Friday, NATO's top official said that Syria has continued to target rebel areas with Scud-type missiles.
Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmusen called the attacks "acts of a desperate regime approaching collapse."
U.S. and NATO officials first reported Syria's use of Scud missiles one week ago, prompting a swift denial from the Syrian government.
NATO agreed earlier this month to deploy Patriot anti-missile systems along Syria's northern border with Turkey — a move Fogh Rasmussen said was justified by the new attacks.
One of the Scuds apparently hit the rebel town of Marea, near Aleppo.
An activist in the town who goes by the name Abu al-Hassan said Friday he was awoken the day before by the largest explosion he'd ever heard in the town, a frequent target of regime airstrikes.
"It shook the house and my kids came running in saying, 'Daddy, daddy!'" he said. "They were terrified."
Al-Hassan said the missile fell in a field, causing no casualties.
Videos purporting to show the impact site showed a crater some six meters (yards) deep in a green field. They appeared genuine and corresponded with other AP reporting on the incident.
Also Friday, a prominent news anchor from Syrian state TV said he had defected after being repeatedly interrogated by the country's intelligence services.
Speaking from an undisclosed location outside of Syria, Ahmad Fakhouri told Al-Arabiya TV that he'd fled the country eight months ago with rebel help.
"I look forward for the day when Syria will be free and I can return to my country to do my job," he said.
Syrian TV's head office in Damascus told The Associated Press that Fakhouri had left the station to work for state-run radio.
An official at the radio station said Fakhouri was on vacation.

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Vietnamairlinesgroup.net Released its New Website

Recently, Vietnamairlinesgroup.net, a well-known fashion review blog, has announced its new website. Vietnamairlinesgroup.net features the latest fashion news from a broad variety of stars, designers and companies.

(PRWEB) December 22, 2012
Recently, Vietnamairlinesgroup.net, a well-known fashion review blog, has announced its new website. Vietnamairlinesgroup.net features the latest fashion news from a broad variety of stars, designers and companies.
According to Marc Walters, president of Vietnamairlinesgroup.net, the new website is to help luxury lovers stay well-informed on the latest in upscale fashion and helps people choose the best women's fashion handbags before making any purchasing decisions.
Luxury handbags are a main affair of common concern for all women, and many females have a fairy storyline when it comes to top fashion handbags from a high-class brand.
Marc Walters said, “The Internet must be the most critical device of the 21st century, and it makes it simple to compare the prices with other online retailers. We offer visitors with much information from our rich product database. Moreover, we offer a service of quality guarantee, which provides customers a risk-free way when buying our amazing product lines."
Vietnamairlinesgroup.net loves high-end fashion, and believes finding a high quality but classic piece is an enjoyable thing. It has built a reputation for providing amazing deals on handbags.
About Vietnamairlinesgroup.net

Founded in 2005, Vietnamairlinesgroup.net is a popular fashion review blog. It has developed its own fashion shop recently. Vietnamairlinesgroup.net has always paid much attention to the latest fashion trends. With the effort of Vietnamairlinesgroup.net, customers can get better fashion shoes and handbags at affordable prices.

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GL Announces INAP Emulation Over IP (Intelligent Network Application Part)

Gaithersburg, MD (PRWEB) December 22, 2012
GL Communications Inc. announced today the release of its latest product INAP Emulation over IP.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Jagdish Vadalia Senior Manager for product development of the company said, “INAP is part of SS7 protocol suite and used for services such as single number translation (800), local number portability, incoming call management (do not disturb or call forwarding), backup call destinations in case of disaster, and similar services.”
He added, “MAPS™ ANSI INAP is an advanced protocol simulator/tester for ANSI INAP (Intelligent Network Application Part) services. The tester supports testing network elements gsmSCF and gsmSSF, error tracking, regression testing, conformance testing, and load testing/call generation. It is able to run pre-defined test scenarios against ANSI INAP test objects in a controlled & deterministic manner.”
Mr. Vadalia further added, “MAPS™ ANSI INAP scripts are suitable for testing objects accurately, reliably and validated for compliance with ANSI specifications. It is suitable for controlling telecommunication services such as CNAM (Calling Name Delivery), LNP (Local Number Portability), and Toll-free 800 Number over TCAP layer."
"The MAPS™ ANSI INAP application gives the users the unlimited ability to edit ANSI INAP messages and IN service scenarios (message sequences). "Message sequences" are generated through scripts. "Messages" are created using message templates.”
Main Features:

ANSI INAP Emulator can simulate GSM SSF and GSM SCF entities
User-friendly GUI for configuring the SCTP Layer
User configurable signaling links
Access to all ANSI INAP message parameters like CNAM, TCAP 800 Number, LNP, Signaling .Link Test Message, and more
User controlled access to optional parameters such as timers
Ready scripts for Customizable 800 Number, CNAM, LNP, Call Diversion
Supports customization of call flows and message templates using Script editor and Message editor
Supports scripted call generation and automated call reception
Provides protocol trace with full message decoding, and graphical ladder diagrams of call flow with time stamp
Script based & protocol independent software architecture
Provides call statistics with associated captured events and error events during call simulation
About GL Communications Inc.,

Founded in 1986, GL Communications Inc. is a leading supplier of test, monitoring, and analysis equipment for TDM, Wireless, IP and VoIP networks. Unlike conventional test equipment, GL's test platforms provide visualization, capture, storage, and convenient features like portability, remotability, and scripting.
GL’s TDM Analysis & Emulation line of products includes T1, E1, T3, E3, OC-3, OC-12, STM-1, STM-4, analog four-wire, and analog two-wire interface cards, external portable pods, and complete system solutions. Capabilities include voiceband traffic analysis and emulation across all traffic types (voice, digits, tones, fax, modem), all protocols (ISDN, SS7, GR-303, Frame Relay, HDLC, V5.X, ATM, GSM, GPRS, LTE, etc.), and with capacities up to thousands of channels. Our newest products provide astonishing capacity and capture capability up to and including gigabit speeds.
GL’s VoIP and IP products generate / analyze thousands of calls and traffic simultaneously with traffic types such as frames, packets, voice files, digits, video, tones, noise, and fax.  Almost all codecs are supported including G.711, G.729, AMR, EVRC-A,B,C, GSM, iSAC,  and many more. Additional features include visual analysis, real-time listening, and recording. The product line also includes Ethernet / IP Testing capability that simulates and checks frame transport and throughput parameters of Ethernet and IP networks, including delay, errors and other impairments.
GL's Voice Quality Testing (VQT) product line complements all of GL's products. Using ITU-standard algorithms (PAMS, PSQM, and PESQ), GL's VQT provides a widely accepted solution for assessing voice quality in the telecom industry. Voice Quality Testing across multiple networks (T1, E1, T3, E3, OC-3, OC-12, VoIP, Wireless, and Landline) are all available.
GL’s Wireless Products perform protocol analysis and voice quality assessment on GSM, CDMA, UMTS, and LTE networks. Connections can be made to any wireless phone with automated call control, GPS mapping and real-time signal measurements.
GL’s Echo Canceller testing solutions provide the broadest range of simulation and analysis, including line and acoustic echo. GL’s compliance testing per G.168. G.167, and P.340 across TDM, IP, VoIP and Wireless networks is widely accepted in the industry.
GL’s wireless VQT solutions help assessing impairments to voice quality such as poor mobile phone quality, voice compression and decompression algorithms, delay, loss and gain in speech levels, noise, acoustic and landline echo, and other distortions are easily assessed and accurately measured.
GL’s Handheld data testers can test a wide variety of communications facilities and equipment including T1, fractional T1, E1, fractional E1, T3 and E3 modems, multiplexers, CSU, DSUs, T1 CSUs, DTUs, NTUs and TIUs and more. The testers provide convenience, economy, and portability for almost any interface, including RS232, RS-422, RS-530, X.21, T1, E1, T3, E3, and many others.
GL’s Network Surveillance and Monitoring products include Probes for TDM, IP, VoIP, ATM, and Wireless networks. An open standards based approach provides a scalable, feature rich, real-time access to network characteristics.  Centralized or distributed access, efficient transport and database loading allow compatibility with 3rd party and standards based monitoring systems.

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Gladden Water Awarded 2012 Food Excellence Award

Gladden Water, a bottled water delivery company in Dallas/Fort Worth, was awarded the 2012 Food Excellence Award from the City of Garland Texas.

Dallas (PRWEB) December 22, 2012
Gladden Water, a bottled water delivery company, was awarded the 2012 Food Excellence Award from the City of Garland Texas Health Department. Gladden Water manufactures, bottles and delivers Premium Purified Bottled Water to homes and businesses in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and surrounding North Texas communities.
The City of Garland Texas states, "The award is difficult to obtain and one in which the the management and employees should be proud."
Company spokesman Bob Jesperson says, "We are very pleased to win this award from the City of Garland. The quality of our water and the cleanliness of our facilities have always been a priority. Our dedicated employees insure these standards are met every day."
Gladden Water reports tremendous growth in 2012 following expansion into many new communities in North Texas including Weatherford, Waxahachie, McKinney, and Allen. To handle the expanded coverage area Gladden opened additional bottling facilities in the Dallas Fort Worth area and now bottles and dispatches water delivery trucks from multiple locations.
About Gladden: Gladden Water purifies, bottles and delivers bottled water throughout North Texas. Most recently Gladden has been getting ready to enter into the water filtration business in North Texas. On the Gladden Water website several new options have popped up. They include options for reverse osmosis systems, bottleless water coolers and ice machines. Gladden will be making a formal announcement soon.

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HairStylistExam.com Registers its 100th Member Two Months After Launch

The first portal dedicated to helping hairstylists pass the hairstylist exam registers new members daily.

Toronto,Canada (PRWEB) December 22, 2012
HairStylistExam.com is Ontario’s only web-portal dedicated to helping hairstylists pass their hairstylist exam, better known as the certificate of qualification exam. Launched in late October, the web portal is seen as a success as it just recently registered its 100th member.
Individuals looking to practice hairstylist exam questions can register for the portal and gain access to the 21 hairstylist sample quizzes and tests. This equates to over 1,000 questions. Membership costs $49 for six months of unlimited access.
Specifically, each hairstylist test contains questions from eight problem areas including occupational skills, hair and scalp, cutting hair, styling hair, wigs, chemically waving, sales and marketing, and coloring hair.
All the questions on the sample tests are universal to North American hairstyling standards and practices, and therefore anyone looking to write their hairstylist exam for their specific region can use the portal.
With the coming new year, and as more regions in North America make it mandatory for hairstylists to write their qualification test, HairStylistExam expects the number of registers it will get in the coming months to continue to grow.

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Fire Island Social Media Fundraising Campaign Brings Aid to an Island Devastated by Hurricane Sandy

Refusing to allow Fire Island to become forgotten in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, a grassroots fundraising effort went viral across the Internet with support by the local news website FireIsland.com.

Fire Island, New York (PRWEB) December 20, 2012
Refusing to allow Fire Island to become forgotten in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, a grassroots fundraising effort went viral across the Internet with support by the local website FireIsland.com.
Primarily known as a summer destination, there was no Red Cross or National Guard presence on Fire Island, like there was in other coastal areas affected by Sandy. The job of cleanup and public safety was primarily left to the volunteer fire departments that mobilized in short order, the largest of which is Ocean Beach Fire Department whose encompassing district covers a significant central swath of Fire Island.
“I knew that the Ocean Beach Fire Department must be blowing through their budget on chain saws, generator repair and fuel being used every day,” said Lauren Eckstein Forman, founding organizer of the drive. “I tracked the homeowner association newsletters that were circulating, and recognized an opportunity to reach a much larger audience among renters, groupers, day trippers and greater Long Island residents.”
However, Eckstein-Forman’s on-line campaign to benefit OBFD hit a plateau of about $2,000 until she aligned forces with an old high school friend Brendan Smith, President of FireIsland.com. Coincidentally, Smith was also trying to spread the word of this devastating storm. Smith’s FireIsland.com network has tremendous reach with a Facebook readership over 25,500 strong, thousands of twitter followers and a Fire Island iPhone app with over 30,000 downloads. In just one week Smith managed to increase the fundraiser six-fold, raising a total of $14,318.
“I know the kind of traffic we have and how it responds,” said Smith. “So when Lauren came to me I knew our network would be able to raise at least $10,000 in a few days.”
Shortly after starting their fundraising, an online petition for dune restoration began to circulate. The petition calls local, state and U.S. Congressional elected officials to rebuild the decimated dune system of Fire Island “as soon as possible.”
The petition had limited reach and was not getting enough exposure. Once again Smith and Eckstein-Forman volunteered to take it online. Utilizing FireIsland.com network they exceeded all expectations and secured over 24,000 signatures.
"When touring the damage on Fire Island I was shocked to see sand dunes completely gone for miles,” stated New York State Senator-Elect Phil Boyle, who also signed of the petition. “Its a much more dangerous situation than we have ever seen. Rebuilding the dunes will be top priority in my role as state senator, we cannot afford to be unprotected from the next big storm."

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Cannabis Chewing Gum from Medical Marijuana Inc. Coming Soon, Says UnitedPatientsGroup.com

CBD-based chewing gum, the latest development of the medical marijuana industry produced by Medical Marijuana Inc. and CanChew Bio-technologies, will hit the shelves of health food markets in the near future, says UnitedPatientsGroup.com.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) December 22, 2012
Cannabis chewing gum may sound like a fairy tale product from the future, but patients can expect it to be a reality soon. CanChew gum, the newest addition to the Medical Marijuana Inc. portfolio of revolutionary CBD-based products, is in the market testing phase right now and will become available at health food markets in early 2013. UnitedPatientsGroup.com explains how this gum can benefit many medical marijuana patients.
“Medical Marijuana Inc. recently acquired a 50% interest of CanChew Bio-technologies from European based pharmaceutical company Sanammad to come up with this industry changing product that will offer a discreet way for patients to take their medication and find relief,” says John Malanca, founder and owner of UnitedPatientsGroup.com.
Malanca says other benefits of CanChew gum include:

    Rapid absorption of pain relieving Cannabidiol (CBD) – When the gum is chewed, the active compounds are released directly into the blood stream via the oral mucosal glands, providing more rapid relief.
    Regulated dosages – Each piece of gum contains a regulated amount of CBD, so the guesswork of pain relief is virtually eliminated.
    A socially acceptable delivery method – Unlike smoking, CanChew gum allows patients to take their medication any place and any time without having to worry about the negative social stigma.
    A travel-friendly alternative to medical marijuana – CanChew has the potential to give patients a completely new way to travel with their medication without the stress of security checks and possession fines. (More information about traveling with medical marijuana.)
In addition to these benefits, UnitedPatientsGroup.com says Medical Marijuana Inc’s CBD products provide an innovative way for patients to find relief.
For more information about CanChew gum, visit canchewbiotech.com or medicalmarijuanainc.com.
To learn more about UnitedPatientsGroup.com, please call (415) 524-8099 or visit UnitedPatientsGroup.com. The best way to stay informed about developments is to “like” United Patients Group on Facebook and “follow” Untied Patients Group on Twitter.
About UnitedPatientsGroup.com
UnitedPatientsGroup.com is a discreet, safe, and professional [online medical cannabis information resource for prospective and current patients, caregivers, and medicinal cannabis industry professionals.
While most online medical marijuana sites cater to patients already familiar with medical marijuana, the UnitedPatientsGroup.com website is a comprehensive and easy-to-use information source for people of all ages and experience levels, from novice medical cannabis users to experienced industry professionals. The site’s News, Resource, and Blog pages introduce new patients to the ins and outs of medical marijuana healthcare, while helping experienced providers stay abreast of the latest developments in CBD therapies.
A complimentary Five Star-rated UPG medical marijuana app is now available on the iTunes app store for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation) and any iPad.

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