California men accused of locking girl in box face new drug charges

By Ronnie Cohen

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Two California men accused of holding a teenage girl captive as a sex slave on their marijuana farm and locking her inside an oversized metal toolbox have also been charged with forcing her to help prepare their cannabis crop for illegal distribution.

Federal prosecutors have seized on the case to support their crackdown against a burgeoning network of pot cultivation and dispensaries they say are fronts for large-scale drug traffickers operating under the guise of California's medical marijuana law.

But advocates of more liberalized cannabis laws argued that the case illustrates how law enforcement efforts have failed, while broad legalization and regulation of pot would remove the marijuana trade from its criminal element.

Ryan Balletto, 30, and Patrick Pearmain, 25, were charged in a criminal complaint unsealed late on Monday with conspiring to distribute more than 1,000 illegally grown marijuana plants and with using a minor in connection with their alleged drug ring.

Balletto also was charged with possessing a firearm for drug trafficking.

The two men were arrested in May on state drug charges, as well as false imprisonment, rape and other sex offenses stemming from the captivity of a 15-year-old girl who police said was held against her will on their remote compound in Northern California.

Balletto and Pearmain were slated to appear on Wednesday for a detention hearing in federal court in Eureka, though the pot farm in question was located to the south in rural Lake County.

State charges against the men were dismissed on Friday to allow federal authorities to more quickly pursue their case against the pair, who could face life in prison if convicted.

According to the federal criminal complaint, authorities searching Balletto's 680-acre property in May found three greenhouses with 1,320 marijuana plants and a cache of ammunition and weapons.

Investigators also seized equipment used for sexual bondage and sadomasochism, a rope tied with a noose and a 4-foot-long metal toolbox "altered to imprison a human," the complaint says.

It says the girl told investigators she was twice locked in the box for a total of three days, and Balletto told her she was a "trouper" for not screaming during her confinement.

She told authorities the two men also put her to work cutting cannabis buds and preparing them to be dried.

The girl, who had been reported missing from Los Angeles, has not been publicly identified because she is a minor. She was taken into protective custody when Balletto and Pearmain were arrested.

"Some in our community believe that marijuana grow operations are run by compassionate caregivers interested only in supplying medicine to the sick," U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag said in a written statement about the case. "Unfortunately, this case illustrates what we in law enforcement see - marijuana grow operations that include heavily armed, violent individuals motivated by profit, carrying out abuses of vulnerable victims."

Amanda Reiman, a California policy manager for the nonprofit Drug Policy Alliance, countered that the public would be better served by lifting the federal prohibition on marijuana and allowing state and local authorities to control cannabis.

"Regulation can help deter folks from getting involved in the illicit market," she said. "What Melinda Haag's really doing is making a call for the taxation and regulation of marijuana."

California was the first of 19 states and the District of Columbia to pass laws approving of marijuana for medical purposes, though the federal government continues to classify pot as an illegal narcotic.

(Editing by Steve Gorman and Stacey Joyce)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/california-men-accused-locking-girl-box-face-drug-014204326.html

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In San Diego, Mayor Rejects Calls by Allies to Step Down

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Source: topics.nytimes.com --- Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Mayor Bob Filner, a Democrat, has been besieged by a blizzard of sexual harassment charges by employees and constituents. ...

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/17/us/in-san-diego-mayor-rejects-calls-by-allies-to-step-down.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

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autoradio bluetooth pioneer et gps android (htc one x)

Bonjour ? tous,

Je souhaiterais faire une petite configuration (un peu sp?ciale je sais), et j'aimerais savoir s'il est possible de la faire.

A l'heure actuelle j'ai donc un pioneer dev- x5500bt , un Smartphone sur android qui contient un logiciel de GPS, avec bluetooth.

- J'arrive sans probl?me ? connecter mon tel sur le l'autoradio et donc avoir le son dans les HPs (jusque l? normal).
- J'arrive ? lire des MP3 de mon tel sur le pioneer?
Le probl?me, est que si j'active le bluetooth, et que je met mon gps sur mon smartphone, j'ai pas de son dans les hp (voix du gps ), de plus il faut dans ce cas passer sur BT AUDIO" (jusque l? ?? me semble logique), et ?? marche dans ce cas sans probl?me. Cependant dans ce cas je n'ai plus de musique (pas de Radio, pas de Media CD/SD/...).
Ce que j'aurai aim? faire est d'avoir de la musique, et que lorsque le GPS "parle", que j'entende la voix du GPS par dessus la musique OU que la musique se coupe (de la m?me mani?re que quand on re?oit un appel et qu'on le prend) et qu'on entende ? ce moment l'instruction du GPS, et quand le GPS a fini de parler, que la musique reprenne...

Est-ce possible ? Ou je suis fou d'imaginer qu'une telle fonction soit param?trable ? peut etre une application android qu'il le permet?

Source: http://forum.frandroid.com/topic/157579-autoradio-bluetooth-pioneer-et-gps-android-htc-one-x/

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Markets buoyed by Bernanke testimony

LONDON (AP) ? The mood in markets turned positive Wednesday after remarks from U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke raised the prospect that the central bank's monetary stimulus may stay in place a little longer than expected.

In prepared remarks to lawmakers in Congress, Bernanke said the Fed's timetable for reducing its bond purchases is not on a "preset course" and that it could actually increase them if economic data disappoints. Specifically, he said the Fed wants to see substantial progress in the job market before scaling back the bond purchases.

Bernanke, who was taking questions from lawmakers, also said that the Fed's main interest rate, the Fed funds rate, will stay at its current very low levels after the monetary stimulus comes to an end.

The Fed is currently spending $85 billion a month buying financial assets in the markets in order to lower long-term borrowing rates and shore up the U.S. recovery.

In recent weeks, the expectation had been that the Fed might start the so-called tapering in September but a recent run of uninspiring U.S. economic figures have put that assumption into question. Bernanke's comments appeared to confirm the expectation that any change will depend on economic data and not be constrained by the calendar.

The response was relief in stock and bond markets.

"Unconvinced that the economy has turned the corner toward stronger growth, Bernanke is in no rush to pull back on the monetary throttle," said Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets.

In Europe, the FTSE 100 index of British shares rose 0.2 percent to close at 6,571.93 while Germany's DAX rose 0.7 percent to 8,254.72. The CAC-40 in France ended 0.6 percent higher at 3,872.02.

In the U.S., the Dow Jones industrial average was flat at 15,449.09 while the broader S&P 500 index rose 0.2 percent to 1,679.57.

Wall Street was also buoyed by strong earnings from big companies, such as Bank of America, which reported an unexpectedly large increase in profits in the second quarter.

The dollar recovered from an early drop. As well as boosting stock markets, the Fed's monetary stimulus over the past few years has largely kept a lid on the dollar, so the prospect that the policy will remain intact has the potential to weigh on the currency. The euro was down 0.5 percent at $1.3095 while the dollar was 0.6 percent higher against the Japanese yen, at 99.70 yen.

How the rest of the trading session turns out could hinge on Bernanke's exchanges with lawmakers to Congress. Unlike last time he went before them ? and spooked markets by signaling the Fed was planning to ease its stimulus ? few think he will stray from the written comments he delivered earlier in the day.

"Presumably, he will remain 'on message' during the Q&A session, and confusion will not reign," said Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist at MFR Inc.

Earlier in Asia, China's Shanghai Composite Index fell 1 percent to 2,044.92 while Tokyo's Nikkei 225 gained 0.1 percent to 14,615.04. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.3 percent to 21,371.87 and Seoul's Kospi added 1.2 percent to 1,889.50. B

Oil prices recovered some earlier losses with the benchmark New York rate down 4 cents at $105.96 a barrel.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/markets-buoyed-bernanke-testimony-130621395.html

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Europe Raises Pressure on Israel

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Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324348504578609623444242706.html?mod=rss_europe_whats_news

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Baseball never cleaner than now, Commissioner Bud Selig says

Associated Press

NEW YORK ? With his staff pursuing yet another investigation into performance-enhancing drugs, Commissioner Bud Selig defended baseball?s drug-testing program on the eve of the All-Star game and insisted ?this sport is cleaner than it?s ever been.?

Selig declined to detail timing for decisions in the probe of the closed anti-aging clinic Biogenesis, accused of distributing performing-enhancing drugs. MLB could attempt to discipline former MVPs Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun along with other players.

Baseball began drug testing for the 2003 season, added penalties the following year, banned amphetamines in 2006 and started HGH blood testing last year. Critics said baseball didn?t move quickly enough.

?People say, ?Well, you were slow to react.? We were not slow to react,? Selig said Monday. ?In fact, I heard that this morning, and it aggravated me all over again.?

There were eight violations of the major league drug program last year, and All-Star game MVP Melky Cabrera was among those who served a 50-game suspension following a positive PEDs test. There have been no suspensions in the big leagues this year.

During a question-and-answer session arranged by Politico, a question was sent by Will, identified as an 8-year-old in Los Angeles. He asked: ?How old will I be when ... you can say that there are no more cheaters in baseball, not one??

?Will, this is what I would say to you,? Selig responded. ?I used to object way back when, when people would talk about steroids. They?re not a baseball problem or a football problem or a basketball problem. They?re a societal problem.?

Selig, who turns 79 on July 30, also denied his willingness to combat steroids has increased during his time in office, which started in 1992.

?Some people say now that I?m over-vigilant because I?m worried about my legacy,? he said. ?That?s nonsense. That?s the silliest thing I?ve ever heard. This is in the best interests of baseball. I was brought up to understand that you are to do what?s in the best interest of this sport no matter what, even if it?s painful, and we?re going to do that.?

He maintained the majority of players object to being tainted as playing in what?s referred to as the Steroids Era.

?Most players on their team didn?t do anything. They were as clean as could be,? he said. ?So the Steroid Era in short to some people implies, well everybody did it. That?s wrong, and it?s unfair.?

According to Selig, Major League Baseball?s decision to hire former U.S. Secret Service director Mark Sullivan to assist in its Biogenesis probe was evidence of baseball?s effort to ensure there are ?no stones unturned.?

?We have many groups, consulting groups that are working on this whole investigation,? he said.

Selig has said repeatedly he intends to retire, only to change his mind. His current term runs through December 2014, and he has made no effort to start planning for a successor.

?That?s a subject that I?m going to put off for a while. Right now we haven?t gotten into specifics,? he said.

On other subjects, Selig:

? Said he?s never sent an email. ?And I never will. ... I?m illiterate when it comes to that, and proud of it. ... I did get an iPhone, so I?ve made some slight progress.?

? Is concerned about spending on players, whose average salary rose 6 percent to $3.65 million on opening day, the steepest rise since 2008. Baseball?s revenue is projected to reach $8 billion this year, and Selig wants clubs to spend less than half on players.

?We?ve made some new television deals and our clubs got a little excited, and so we may go over 50 percent, and that?s dangerous. I think we have to work on more mechanisms.?

? Is deferring action on the Oakland Athletics? preference to build a ballpark in San Jose until the city of San Jose?s antitrust suit against MLB moves forward. San Jose is in the territory of San Francisco Giants.

?We are defending ourselves. So before I make any decisions, we?ll see what happens to that. I feel pretty good.?

? Is concerned with Tampa Bay and Miami, which have the lowest attendance averages in the major leagues. ?I certainly haven?t given up on Florida. The demographics are too good,? he said.

As for Tampa, ?We have a stadium problem there. There?s no question about it.? And for Miami, ?We?ve had some things happen that need to be corrected.?

? Asked what song he would use to for his introduction while walking to home plate for an at-bat: ?Bridge over Troubled Water.?

Source: http://jacksonville.com/sports/baseball/2013-07-15/story/baseball-never-cleaner-now-commissioner-bud-selig-says

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Police raid Powell's hotel room in Rome

By ANDREW DAMPF, AP
Mon Jul 15, 1:35 PM UTC

ROME (AP) ? Italian police confiscated unidentified substances Monday in a raid on the hotel where Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson were staying, after each tested positive for banned stimulants.

Rooms of the athletes and physical trainer Christopher Xuereb of Canada were searched and drugs and supplements were seized, Udine police captain Antonio Pisapia told The Associated Press.

Pisapia said it was unclear if the substances were illegal, and that they were being analyzed.

``We are examining the substances now,'' Pisapia said. ``No arrests have been made and nobody has been placed under investigation.''

The raid took place at the Fra i Pini hotel in Lignano Sabbiadoro in northeastern Italy.

Powell, a former world-record holder at 100 meters, and Simpson tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrine at the Jamaican championships last month, their agent said Sunday.

The police captain with the specialized NAS unit added that Powell and Simpson were informed of the positive tests Saturday morning.

The raid came in stark contrast to the warm reception that the runners generally receive in Lignano, and the town's mayor, Luca Fanotto, recommended ``caution'' before drawing conclusions.

``The Jamaican team has chosen the sports facilities of Lignano Sabbiadoro as their training base for years and they never forget to thank the city from podiums all over the world,'' Fanotto said in a statement.

A local meet is scheduled for Tuesday in Lignano, and the Jamaicans had been scheduled to compete as they do most years. But neither Powell or Simpson was on start lists released Monday.

The news of the positive tests for Powell and Simpson came the same day that American 100-meter record holder Tyson Gay revealed that he also failed a doping test.

Powell was the last man to hold the 100-meter world record before Usain Bolt broke it in 2008. He also helped the Jamaicans to the 400-meter relay gold medal at the 2008 Olympics.

Simpson won Olympic gold in the women's 400 relay in 2004 and silver in 2012, along with an individual silver in the 100 in 2008.

The doping positives come a month after another Jamaican Olympic champion, Veronica Campbell-Brown, tested positive for a banned diuretic.

The Associated Press

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Source: http://www.comcast.net/sports/articles/general/2013/07/15/Jamaica-Doping-Raid/?cid=rssfeed&attr=article_sports_general_Jamaica-Doping-Raid

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