Split Second (Pivot Point #2) – Kasie West
Title: Split Second (Pivot Point #2) by Kasie West
Publishing Info: February 11, 2014 by HarperCollins
Source: Gift
Genres: Paranormal, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Find it on the web: Buy from Amazon // GoodreadsDate Completed: August 8, 2014
Related Posts: Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1), The Distance Between Us, On the Fence, The Fill-In Boyfriend, P.S. I Like You, By Your Side
Addie has always been able to see the future when faced with a choice, but that doesn't make her present any easier. Her boyfriend used her. Her best friend betrayed her. So when Addie's dad invites her to spend her winter break with him in the Norm world, she jumps at the chance. There she meets the handsome and achingly familiar Trevor. He's a virtual stranger to her, so why does her heart do a funny flip every time she sees him? But after witnessing secrets that were supposed to stay hidden, Trevor quickly seems more suspicious of Addie than interested in her. She wants to change that.Laila, her best friend, has a secret of her own: she can restore Addie's memories . . . once she learns how. But there are powerful people who don't want this to happen. Desperate, Laila tries to manipulate Connor, a brooding bad boy from school—but he seems to be the only boy in the Compound immune to her charms. And the only one who can help her.
In the suspenseful sequel to Pivot Point, Addie tries desperately to retrieve her lost memories and piece together a world she thought she knew before she loses the love she nearly forgot.
** This is a spoiler-free review for SPLIT SECOND but may contain spoilers for book one — PIVOT POINT — if you haven't already read it! **
I had been meaning to read SPLIT SECOND for a looooong time but never picked up a copy for myself so when I received it from Brianna (Paperback Princess) via Andi's Spring Exchange, I was so excited to finally finish off this duology and figure out where the story went after the exciting ending to PIVOT POINT!
SPLIT SECOND pretty much picked up where PIVOT POINT left off — Addie has made her decision on which parent to live with after seeing the two possible futures with each one — but SPLIT SECOND also has something that PIVOT POINT did not: a split POV. The book starts with Addie's point of view, but we also get to hear a different part of the story from her best friend Laila, who I loved! Addie is always the more serious one and the planner whereas Laila is more laid-back, spontaneous, and extroverted so it was great to see the book from two very different mindsets. Another thing that I loved about the dual-POVs is that Laila actually played a really big part in PIVOT POINT — she actually changed Addie's entire life in a BIG way, as we find out at the end of the book — so I really enjoyed that Kasie West chose to highlight her importance in these books by giving her an even stronger voice.
A very complicated part of the book (and not bad way — in a very interesting way) is the romance that was established between Addie and Trevor in book one and clearly all the readers are rooting for in book two. I want to say SO MUCH about it, but if I say everything, that will lead to very big spoilers so… sigh. I will refrain from spoilers! What I will say is that I love how Kasie West chose to handle this situation. As we find out from the end of PIVOT POINT, Addie is forced to choose the path in which she doesn't meet and end up falling for Trevor in order to save her best friend, leaving readers sad and on edge in anticipation of SPLIT SECOND… So really that was my main question when I started the book: HOW DO THESE TWO END UP TOGETHER? (Because be honest. You know they have to.) Every step of the way felt bittersweet and tense and exciting all at once and I just really loved how Kasie West ending up weaving this story line. I thought it was simply perfect and couldn't have asked for a better solution to the problem at hand.
I really enjoyed where SPLIT SECOND took the readers and there's just something so refreshing about reading a duology! I love being able to get invested in the characters but not feel that long gap between several books or wonder if I'll still be invested in the series years later. I always connect with Kasie West's characters and even with a paranormal twist in this series, I still feel like each one was incredibly real. I had a great time reading these two books and I'm even more of a fan of Kasie West than when I first read PIVOT POINT!
"The View from Goodreads" is a new featured section in my reviews that I decided to incorporate! I tend to update my Goodreads status a LOT when I read — reactions, feelings, notes — so I thought it would be fun to share the sort of "reading process"! All status updates are spoiler-free (no specific plot points will be revealed) but will contain reactions to certain pages and/or characters!
Addie // Character Obsessions: Divergence, family history, friendship, para-mysteries.
I really connected with Addie in these two books… She has a level head on her shoulders but she also makes some poor decisions at times. She felt like a very mature soul and I just really enjoyed getting to know her! SPLIT SECOND was no exception and I really loved seeing her mature even more in this book.
Laila // Character Obsessions: Fun, helping her friends, honing her skills.
I loved how much bigger of a role Laila played in this book! So much about her — from her friendship with Addie to her own para-skills — really shaped the entire course of this book so I was really glad she had her own POV. Her voice was also so much fun and I loooooved her romantic interest too!
Kept Me Hooked On: Paranormal abilities. I've been switching up paranormal for fantasy reads way more often nowadays and for some reason, paranormal in general seems to be more "on the way out". (Maybe just me?) I'm glad I enjoyed this one so much — concept and all!
Left Me Wanting More: Addie & Trevor time. Don't get me wrong — they still had a lot of face time in this book… But given where PIVOT POINT left off, you can guess how much time was spent re-building that relationship. I still really enjoyed it all but I just wanted them to get together quickly!
I love that this is a duology and both books are really great, solid reads. Definitely books I'd recommend to others and what set me on the course of being a huge Kasie West fan!
BOOKS LIKE SPLIT SECOND
(Click the cover to see my review!)
By Your Side – Kasie West The Fill-In Boyfriend – Kasie West Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1) – Kasie West P.S. I Like You – Kasie West
This entry was posted in Books, Paranormal, Review, YA and tagged Books, Kasie West, Paranormal, Pivot Point, Review, Split Second, YA, Young Adult on September 15, 2014 by Brittany.
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2 thoughts on "Split Second (Pivot Point #2) – Kasie West"
Danielle @ Love at First Page September 19, 2014 at 6:59 pm
Ahhhh, I loved this book so much! I think I prefer the way Addie and Trevor's relationship played out in book 1, but overall Split Second is my favorite of the 2. I mean, we get Trevor AND Connor – yuuummm. Glad you enjoyed this one and great review! 🙂
Nicole @ The Quiet Concert October 4, 2014 at 9:38 am
Duologies and Kasie West for the win! I loved these books. I was a little scared for the Addie-Trevor situation but I am happy with how it was handled, although I have to agree with Danielle and say that I preferred their relationship in the first book. And Laila and Connor <3. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Kasie West is so talented! Gah.


Last update on January 28, 2023, 12:00 pm
Local February 18, 2020 | 8:47 am
Elections sabotage? Colonel's arrest thickens plot
Santo Domingo.- National Police colonel Ramón Antonio Guzmán Peralta, bodyguard of opposition PRM party presidential candidate Luis Abinader, was handed over to police together with Claro telecom technician Manuel Antonio Regalado Martinez Monday night, and who allegedly alerted that party that, through govt. agencies, that a plot was hatched to sabotage the municipal elections.
The officer was handed over by the lawyer Antoliano Peralta, who said the charges include terrorism, arms trafficking, money laundering and other crimes, …everyone knew that these were apparent charges."
"The colonel in the arrest warrant is charged with arms trafficking, money laundering, terrorism, conspiracy, etc., but we know that these are apparent accusations, we imagine what we are trying to investigate but we cannot communicate that because we have no confirmation."
When asked if his detention was linked to the case of the complaint of fraud in the municipal elections of the Central Electoral Board he said: "Well, the colonel says he has received, you will see in this note, information from a technician of a telephone company that people linked to State intelligence agencies manipulated the Board equipment. The colonel affirms that. His only participation is that he received that information."


Constitutional Politics in Canada and the United States
Stephen L. Newman - Editor
SUNY series in American Constitutionalism
Release Date: January 2004
ISBN10: 0-7914-5937-3
Available as a Google eBook
for other eReaders and tablet devices.
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Comparative study of American and Canadian constitutionalism, especially rights jurisprudence.
The Canadian constitutional reforms of 1982, which included a Charter of Rights and Freedoms analogous to the American Bill of Rights, brought about a convergence with American constitutional law. As in the U.S., Canadian courts have shown themselves highly protective of individual rights, and they have not been shy about assuming a leading and sometimes controversial political role in striking down legislation. In clear and easy-to-understand language, the contributors not only chart, but also explore, the reasons for areas of similarity and difference in the constitutional politics of Canada and the United States.
"The[se] … essays … are a much-needed addition to the literature on comparative Canadian-American studies and will, one hopes, help generate further research on the intriguing topic of similarities and differences between the Canadian and American constitutions." — Literary Review of Canada
"There is a growing interest in comparative constitutionalism and Canada's experience, making this a highly significant and important book. The comparative dimension on constitutional politics is what distinguishes this collection." — B. Jamie Cameron, editor of The Charter's Impact on the Criminal Justice System
"Canadian and American scholars of constitutionalism rarely look across their respective borders to consider the extent to which there are shared constitutional assumptions. This book reinforces the idea that we should understand our constitutions through comparative insights." — Janet L. Hiebert, author of Charter Conflicts: What is Parliament's Role?
Contributors include Raymond Bazowski, Ian Brodie, Sandra Clancy, Ian Greene, Ran Hirschl, Samuel V. LaSelva, F. L. Morton, Ronalda Murphy, Stephen L. Newman, Sheldon D. Pollack, Peter H. Russell, and Robert Vipond.
Stephen L. Newman is Associate Professor of Political Science at York University. He is the author of Liberalism at Wits' End: The Libertarian Revolt Against the Modern State.
Stephen L. Newman
1. Can the Canadians be a Sovereign People? The Question Re-visited
Peter H. Russell
2. Constitutional Interpretation from Two Perspectives: Canada and the United States
Sheldon D. Pollack
3. Constitutional Rights Jurisprudence in Canada and the United States: Significant Convergence or Enduring Divergence?
Ran Hirschl
4. The Civil Rights Movement Comes to Winnipeg: American Influence on "Rights Talk" in Canada, 1968-71
Rob Vipond
5. The Politics of Comparative Constitutional Law: Implications for Theories of Justice
Ronalda Murphy
6. "I Know It When I See It": Pornography and Constitutional Vision in Canada and the United States
Samuel V. LaSelva
7. American and Canadian Perspectives on Hate Speech and the Limits of Free Expression
8. Affirmative Action as a Way to Overcome Disadvantage: Inspiration from Canadian Law
Sandra Clancy
9. Do the "Haves" Still Come Out Ahead in Canada?
Ian Brodie and F. L. Morton
10. For the Love of Justice? Judicial Review in Canada and the United States
Raymond Bazowski
11. Constitutional Amendment in Canada and the United States
Ian Greene
Constitutional Studies
42023/4-5938-6(MR/DG/SP)
Property Rights and the Constitution
Beyond the Boundaries
Felony Disenfranchisement in America, Second Edition
Institutions and the Politics of Survival in Jordan
Parties and Power in Modern Argentina 1930-1946
Congress and United States Foreign Policy
Government in the Twilight Zone
Discourse and Democracy
The Environmental Presidency


The World Bank's International Development Association (IDA)
The World Bank's International Development
Association (IDA)
Martin A. Weiss
Analyst in International Trade and Finance
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade
The World Bank is a Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) that makes loans
and grants to low and middle-income countries to reduce poverty and promote
economic development. Both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) were founded at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944. Two of the World
Bank facilities, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
and International Development Association (IDA) lend directly to governments to
finance projects and programs.
IDA was established in 1960, 16 years after the creation of the World Bank to
address concern that the poorest countries could not afford to borrow at the near-
market rate terms offered by the IBRD. Consequently, IDA was established as a
revolving fund, providing concessional loans to the poorest countries subsidized by
donor contributions and transfers from the IBRD. IDA assistance is highly
discounted, it is increasingly provided as grants, and only available to low-income
member countries. Since IDA provides loans and grants to the poorest countries at
subsidized rates, its resources must be periodically replenished. Donor nations have
replenished IDA 14 times since its founding.
On March 5, 2007, donor nations began to discuss a possible fifteenth
replenishment of funds for IDA. This is the first replenishment since the G8 summit
at the Gleneagles Resort in Scotland in 2005 where world leaders proposed the
creation of the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI). The MDRI cancels the
remaining debt of the world's poorest countries and pledges to double the amount of
aid to Sub-Saharan Africa between 2004 and 2010, primarily in the form of grant-
based assistance.
Donor governments selected three themes for IDA-15: (1) IDA's role in the
international foreign aid system, (2) the role of the World Bank in post-conflict
reconstruction and fragile states, and (3) the need to improve the effectiveness of IDA
assistance. This report provides brief background material on the World Bank's IDA,
the U.S. role at the institution, and information on the status of the current IDA-14
replenishment. It then examines the negotiations for IDA-15, and analyzes the three
core themes identified for IDA-15. The report will be updated as events warrant.
In troduction ......................................................1
Background ......................................................3
The Donor Replenishment Process................................4
IDA Assistance...............................................6
IDA-14 ..........................................................8
U.S. Policy...................................................9
Measuring Results and Performance-Based Allocation.............9
Grants ..................................................11
Transparency ............................................12
IDA-15 .........................................................12
IDA's Role in the International Aid System........................13
IDA and Fragile States.........................................14
IDA and Development Effectiveness..............................14
Appendix I: The United States and the World Bank......................17
Figure 1. Growth of IDA Since Inception, in Nominal and Real Terms........4
Figure 2. FY2006 Top Ten IDA Borrowers..............................7
Figure 3. Donor Contributions to IDA..................................8
Table 1. IDA-14 Appropriations......................................9
The World Bank's International
Development Association (IDA)
On March 5, 2007, donor nations began to discuss a fifteenth replenishment of
funds for the World Bank's (the Bank) concessional lending facility, the International
Development Association (IDA). This is the first replenishment since the 2005 G8
summit at the Gleneagles Resort in Scotland, where world leaders proposed the
remaining debt of the world's poorest countries, and pledges to double the amount
of aid to sub-Saharan Africa between 2004 and 2010, primarily in the form of grant-
based assistance.1
It is also the first replenishment since the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid
Harmonization, in which IDA and over 100 other signatories agreed to increase
coordination among donors in an effort to raise aid effectiveness. The declaration
was prompted by concerns that aid is ineffective under the current structure. The
lack of coordination of donors on the one hand, and the increasing restrictions on
projects themselves through donor earmarks and time limits on the other, have raised
the cost and difficulty for implementing foreign aid. According to one foreign aid
expert, "managing aid flows from many different donors is a huge challenge for
recipient countries, since different donors usually insist on using their own unique
processes for initiating, implementing, and monitoring projects. Recipients can be
overwhelmed by requirements for multiple project audits, environmental2
assessments, procurement reports, financial statements, and project updates." Thus,
the role of IDA in the international aid architecture has emerged as the dominant
theme of the IDA-15 negotiations.
Higher levels of debt relief will lead to lower levels of IDA assistance unless
donors increase their contributions significantly over the next several years,
according to Bank economists and outside experts. Some argue that by forgiving the
repayment of debt owed to IDA, the Bank has substantially reduced the amount of
money it has to fund new operations. The Bank asserts that without additional
compensation from donors and an increase in regular contributions, IDA's future
commitments would remain flat in nominal terms, and decrease by 2% per year in
real terms. A concerted effort toward aid coordination would likely result in higher
levels of IDA funding.
1 CRS Report RS22534, The Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative, by Martin A. Weiss.
2 Steven Radelet, "A Primer on Foreign Aid," Center for Global Development Working
Paper No. 92, July 2006. p.15.
Analysts in the United States and in other donor countries actively debate the
pros and cons of providing foreign assistance through multilateral organizations
rather than solely on a bilateral basis. In addition to the aid fragmentation problem
discussed earlier, it is believed by many that multilateral aid is more effective since
it is likely to be better insulated from political pressure than bilateral assistance. In
the World Bank's case, since the Bank's charter disallows its involvement in the
domestic politics of any of its member nations, many analysts believe that the Bank
has a greater degree of credibility among borrower nations and is thus better able to
secure often difficult and economically painful reforms.3 Furthermore, some
analysts argue that a major benefit of the World Bank's multilateral assistance is that
the Bank is not directly subject to the often shifting priorities of individual donor
nations and is thus able to focus on long-term multi-sectoral development assistance.
For example, some point out that the current international focus on combating
HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases may have implications for cost of service of
other health-care programs, drugs, and availability of resources, in addition to a
possible brain-drain as doctors and medical professionals switch focus to work for
programs with a higher profile and greater availability of funding. In these cases, the
World Bank often plays an important role by focusing on a country's overall
development needs, through their Country Assistance Strategies, and continuing to
provide assistance to all sectors of a country's economy.
On the other hand, some analysts raise concerns that the United States loses too
much control over the provision of its aid with a multilateral approach. First, they
argue, it is very difficult for donors to earmark funds when they are contributed
multilaterally. If other donors are not in broad support of the U.S. aid agenda, the
United States might be able to achieve its foreign policy objectives more directly by
providing bilateral aid through the U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID) or another U.S. agency. Second, since the United States does not have veto
power on World Bank lending, the Bank sometimes provides assistance to countries
despite strong U.S. opposition. For example, the World Bank has several loan
projects in Iran, a country that the United States has designated as a state-sponsor of
international terrorism. Although Congress requires the United States to oppose any
World Bank loan to Iran (or any other country so-designated by the State
Department), since the United States does not have a veto, several projects to Iran
have gone through over the past few years. Most recently, the World Bank approved
a $224 million water supply and sanitation project in May 2005. Currently, the
World Bank has ten active projects in Iran worth $1.36 billion.4
According to some Members of Congress, a purely bilateral approach might
ensure that no U.S. funds are used to support aid programs to countries that run
counter to U.S. foreign policy. Others argue that for some countries, it may in the
3 Andrew Powell and Matteo Bobba, "Multilateral Intermediation of Foreign Aid: What is
the Trade-off for Donors?," Inter-American Development Bank Research Department
Working Paper #594, November 2006.
4 More information on the World Bank's projects in Iran is available at the World Bank's
Iran Country webpage: [http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/
MENAEX T /IRANEX T N/0,,menuPK:312962~page PK :141159 ~ p i P K : 141110~theSitePK :
312943,00.html ].
interest of the United States for certain types of programs to be funded by the World
Bank (humanitarian, environmental, for example), since certain countries might not
be willing to accept aid if it were offered by the United States for domestic political
and grants to low and middle-income countries to promote poverty alleviation and
economic development.5 Both the World Bank and the IMF were founded at the
Bretton Woods Conference in 1944. Two of the World Bank facilities, the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and International
Development Association (IDA) lend directly to governments to finance projects and
The IBRD provides middle-income developing countries with loans at near-
market rates using funds raised by the World Bank on the international capital
markets. While many of these countries can borrow on the international capital
markets, and are increasingly doing so, some seek loans from the World Bank to gain
access to World Bank technical assistance and advisory services, as well as the
prestige and perceived legitimacy that come with World Bank-backed projects.
IDA was established in 1960, 16 years after the creation of the World Bank due
to concerns that low-income countries could not afford to borrow at the near-market6
rate terms offered by the World Bank. Consequently, IDA was established as a
revolving fund, providing concessional loans to the poorest countries and subsidized
by both donor contributions and transfers from the IBRD. IDA assistance is highly
discounted and is increasingly provided as grants. Both IDA and IBRD also make
non-project loans to promote economic policy and institutional reform, and share the
same staff. Both are headquartered in Washington, DC.7
5 The United States is a member of five multilateral development banks (MDBs): the World
Bank, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), African
Development Bank (AFDB), and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(EBRD). It also belongs to two related institutions: the North American Development Bank
(NADB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The U.S.
Department of the Treasury provides additional information on its participation in these
organizations in its annual Justifications for Appropriations Report. The most recent, for
the FY2008 request, is available at [http://www.treasury.gov/offices/international-affairs/
intl/fy2008/fy2008-budget.pdf].
6 For the World Bank FY2007, low-income countries are those with a per capita income of
less than $1,025.
7 Three other World Bank affiliated organizations are dedicated to the private sector. The
International Finance Corporation (IFC) promotes private sector development in poor and
developing countries by making loans and investments in small and medium-sized
companies. In many poor countries, the banking sector is weak and there is little or no
access to equity financing. Complementing IFC investments, the Multilateral Investment
Initial IDA funding in 1960 was $1.1 billion: $900 million from donor
contributions and $210 million from IBRD net income.8 According to the Bank,
between IDA-1 (1960-1962) and IDA-14 (2006-2008) total resources for IDA have
increased on average 9.5% per year (in nominal terms). Over the three-year IDA-14
period, IDA will provide $33 billion in concessional assistance. In real terms,
however, since IDA-6 (1981-1984) available resources for IDA have been flat
(Figure 1).
Figure 1. Growth of IDA Since Inception, in Nominal and Real
Terms ($ in millions)
Source: World Bank
The Donor Replenishment Process
Donor contributions account for over 70% of all resources available for IDA
(providing about $138 billion). The remainder is funded by internal IDA resources
(primarily principal repayments from IDA borrowers) and transfers from IBRD net
income. Internal resources have accounted for about $46 billion of IDA's funding,
while transfers from the IBRD's net income and budget surplus have provided $11.7
billion to IDA. As of the end of the World Bank's FY2006, IDA's total assets were
$102.9 billion. This is a $32.1 billion decrease from FY2005's available resources
of $130.4 billion due to debt write-off provided by the MDRI.
Guarantee Agency (MIGA) provides private investors coverage against non-commercial risk
in developing countries. Coverage is provided against a broad range of risks including
expropriation, war and civil disturbance, and/or breach of contract. Lastly, the International
Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) provides dispute resolution for
investment disputes between governments and foreign investors. More information is
available from the World Bank's Website: [http://www.worldbank.org].
8 This section draws from Aid Architecture: An Overview of the Main Trends in Official
Development Assistance, International Development Association, February 2007. p. 30.
Hereafter Aid Architecture.
Every three years, IDA donors meet to negotiate the terms of a new round of
IDA. Since 1960, there have been 14 such replenishments. Negotiations for the 15th
round began March 5, 2007. At the replenishment, donors revisit the overall amount
of IDA financing for the round. In addition, the replenishment is the primary
opportunity for donor nations to influence World Bank policy making.9 For the
United States, IDA contributions are typically the largest component of the annual
U.S. contributions to the International Financial Institutions (IFIs).
IDA replenishments comprise two distinct phases: negotiating the replenishment
round and annual contributions. First, the donor nations negotiate the overall amount
of a three-year replenishment, individual donor contributions, and general policy
considerations for the round. Following this, each member country seeks annual
contributions, typically through its legislative process, to meet their IDA
commitments. For the United States, participation in any given IDA replenishment
requires congressional authorization of the total IDA package. Following this
authorization, the President seeks annual appropriations to the U.S. share of each
This bifurcated process, where the Executive Branch commits to a overall
replenishment amount prior to annual contributions are appropriated has led to an
arrearage problem since the United States is obligated to contribute the amount
agreed to at the replenishment. Congress authorizes U.S. participation in the
replenishment agreement — including the terms of that agreement — when it
authorizes funding for U.S. contributions to the plan. The Constitution does not
require, however, that Congress appropriate the sums necessary to meet the terms of
international agreement negotiated by the Executive Branch and authorized by
U.S. arrears to IDA are $377.9 million. These arrears have had a bandwagon
effect — unpaid U.S. contributions have triggered a pro-rata withholding of
contributions during IDA-12 and IDA-13 by three other IDA donors, totaling about
$72 million. Notwithstanding U.S. arrears, the U.S. remains the largest contributor
to IDA (and the IBRD) and has a commensurate share of influence in World Bank
operations. An appendix provides more information about U.S. influence at the
World Bank.
9 "The establishment of IDA meant the recognition that there was a legitimate need for
concessional assistance and that the Bank could provide this assistance without
compromising its strict standards for lending. However, IDA, with its periodic
replenishments by member governments, meant that the Bank had to pay increasing
attention to the views and priorities of the parliamentary bodies that provided the
replenishment funds. Whereas the Bank had previously to consider only the productive and
economic aspects of lending, now the internal politics of the shareholding governments
began to play a larger role in the Bank's activities." World Bank, profile of its third
President, Eugene R. Black , cited in Aid Architecture.
IDA Assistance
IDA assistance is categorized as Official Development Assistance (ODA)10 by
the Organization for Economic Development (OECD) and is tracked in the OECD's
Development Assistance Committee (DAC) database. Donor nations provide a wide
variety of foreign aid, some provided bilaterally, other channeled through multilateral
organizations. According to the OECD, bilateral assistance accounts for 75% of all
international foreign aid. However, they consider ODA bilateral if a donor channels
assistance to a multilateral agency but specifies the recipient country. If all aid that
is channeled through international organizations is categorized as multilateral aid, the
division between bilateral and multilateral assistance would be 50%-50%.11
From 1960 through the 1980s, IDA was the largest individual provider of
multilateral assistance. With the flattening of IDA assistance over the past twenty
years, other multilateral organizations have surpassed IDA as a provider of
multilateral aid. IDA's share of multilateral ODA declined from 42% in the 1970s
to an average of 20% in the 2001-2005 period.12 The primary cause of this decline
is the increasing fragmentation of donor flows among a multitude of agencies, such
as the United Nations, European Commission, World Health Organization (part of
the United Nations), and the IMF and World Bank, among many others.
While IDA assistance has decreased as a percentage of overall multilateral aid,
for the poorest countries (those eligible to receive IDA assistance), IDA remains the
largest provider of multilateral ODA. For core development programs (excluding
debt relief, administrative costs of donors, emergency assistance, and other special
purpose grants), IDA's cumulative net ODA for 2001 to 2005 exceeded $33 billion
(about 20% of total core-development ODA for IDA-eligible countries). In the same
time period, IDA contributed more than 20% of ODA in 17 countries; between 10%
and 20% in 34 countries; between 5% and 10% in 12 countries; and less than 5% in
18 countries.
There are 82 low-income countries currently eligible for IDA assistance,
including 39 in Sub-Saharan Africa. IDA loans are typically interest-free, and have
a 10-year grace period with repayments stretched over 35-40 years. (There is a small
service charge, however, currently 0.75% of funds paid out.) Increasingly, IDA is
10 ODA is defined by the OECD "those flows to developing countries and multilateral
institutions provided by official agencies, including state and local governments, or by their
executive agencies, each transaction of which meets the following tests: i) it is administered
with the promotion of the economic development and welfare of developing countries as its
main objective; and ii) it is concessional in character and conveys a grant element of at least
25 per cent." For more information, see CRS Report RS22032, Foreign Aid: Understanding
Data Used to Compare Donors, by Larry Q. Nowels.
11 For more information on U.S. bilateral and multilateral foreign aid, see CRS Report
RL33491, Restructuring U.S. Foreign Aid: The Role of the Director of Foreign Assistance
in Transformational Development, by Connie Veillette, and CRS Report 98-916, Foreign
Aid: An Introductory Overview of U.S. Programs and Policy, by Curt Tarnoff and Larry Q.
Nowels.
12 Aid Architecture, pg. 4.
providing a growing amount of its assistance in the form of grants. IDA also
supports some countries, including several small island economies, which are above
the per-capita income cutoff but lack the creditworthiness needed to borrow from
IBRD. Some countries, such as India, Indonesia and Pakistan, are IDA-eligible based
on per capita income levels, but are also creditworthy for some IBRD borrowing.
These are referred to as "blend" countries and receive loans from both agencies.
In the World Bank's FY2006 (which ended June 30, 2006), IDA made
commitments to its members totaling $9.5 billion. Half of these commitments were
in Sub Saharan Africa. South and East Asia received 38% of new commitments with
the remainder scattered throughout South America and Eastern Europe. In 2006,
Pakistan was the largest IDA borrower, receiving $1.18 billion in new assistance.
Vietnam, Tanzania, and Ethiopia were other large borrowers (Figure 2).
Figure 2. FY2006 Top Ten IDA Borrowers ($ in millions)
Pa ki s ta n
Vi e t n a m
Tanzani a
Ethi opi a
Indi a
Bangl ades h
N igeri a
Cong o
Ghan a
Afg hani s ta n
$ 0 $2 00 $ 400 $ 600 $8 00 $1,000 $1,200 $1 ,400
At IDA's founding, the United States contributed the largest percentage of
resources to IDA: 39.65%. After peaking in IDA-1 at 41.89%, the U.S. percentage
of contributions to each round of IDA has steadily declined. While the U.S. remains
the largest individual contributor to IDA, its share in IDA-14 dropped to 13.78% after
maintaining above a 20% share for much of the past three decades (Figure 3). The
decrease in U.S. percentage is largely attributed to higher levels of foreign donor
contributions and an increase in the number of IDA donor nations.
Figure 3. Donor Contributions to IDA
i al A -1 D A -2 A -3 A -4 A -5 A -6 D A -7 D A -8 D A -9 A-1 0 A-1 1 A - 1 2 A - 1 3 A - 1 4
In i t ID I ID ID ID ID I I I ID ID ID ID ID
United StatesJapanGermanyUnited KingdomFrance
The five largest contributors to IDA-14, the United States, Japan, Germany, the
United Kingdom, and France, are contributing between 7.11% and 13.78% of the
total. The decline in U.S. percentage contributions does not affect the U.S. voting
share, since the voting weights used for IDA loans are the same as for overall
contributions to the World Bank. Since European member countries combined hold
a much larger percentage of World Bank shares than the United States, some analysts
argue that Europe could exert more force in IDA lending decisions and/or future
replenishment negotiations if they negotiate together.13
IDA-14
On April 18, 2005, the Board of Governors of IDA approved the fourteenth14
replenishment of IDA's resources. At the conclusion of the IDA-14 negotiations,
IDA donors announced that at least $34 billion in resources would be made available
to the 81 IDA-eligible countries during the three years of IDA-14 (2005-2008). Of
the $34 billion, $18 billion would be in new donations from the 40 contributor
countries. The remaining $16 billion would come from reflows (repayments on
former IDA loans) and transfers from the IBRD and the IFC. The $34 billion in
resources made available by IDA-14 is a $11.6 billion increase from the total IDA-13
13 By tradition, the president of the World Bank is appointed by the United States while the
managing director of the International Monetary Fund is a European national. For more
information on the selection processes for these organizations see CRS Report RS22029,
The World Bank: Changing Leadership and Issues for the United States and Congress, by
Martin A. Weiss, and CRS Report RS21810, International Monetary Fund: Selecting a New
Managing Director (2004), by Martin A. Weiss and Jonathan E. Sanford.
14 The World Bank, "Additions to IDA Resources: Fourteenth Replenishment," available at
[http://siteresources.worldbank.org/ IDA/ Resources/14th_Replenishment_Final.pdf].
level of $22.8 billion. It includes an almost 40% increase in donor contributions
from $12.7 billion in IDA-13 to $20.7 billion in IDA-14.
The Bush Administration pledged $2.85 billion to IDA-14 to be split into three
payments of $950 million for fiscal years 2006, 2007, and 2008. The FY2006
appropriations bill included full authorization for the United States to participate in
IDA-14. For the United States, this represents no real increase from the amount
budgeted and requested for IDA-13. For that replenishment, the Administration
requested $2.55 billion annually over three years ($850 million per year, FY2003-
FY2005) and $300 million in incentive agreements if the World Bank met certain
Treasury-specified performance targets ($100 million in FY2004 and $200 million
in FY2005). Since the total size of donor contributions to IDA has increased by 40%
while the U.S. contribution has remained constant, the U.S. share of IDA decreases
to 13% in IDA-14 from 21% in IDA-13. Table 1 includes U.S. budget requests and
appropriations for IDA-14 and total arrears.
Table 1. IDA-14 Appropriations
(in $ Millions)
FY2006FY2007FY2008Total Arrears(Includes
arrears fromRequestApprop.RequestApprop.RequestApprop.
IDA-1 3 )
950.0 909.15*950.0940.51,060.0$950.0377.9
* In FY2006, $940.5 million was appropriated, however, the enacted Continuing Resolution (P.L.
110-5) rescinded $31.35 million of this amount since Treasury was unable to certify that the
World Bank complied with certain congressionally mandated transparency initiatives.
The United States Government pursued many priorities at the IDA-14
negotiations. According to the Administration, the major U.S. objectives at IDA-14
were: implementing a results measurement framework for performance-based
allocation, increasing the percentage of IDA assistance provided as grants, and
increasing World Bank transparency.15
Measuring Results and Performance-Based Allocation. In recent
years, many observers — both critics and supporters of the MDBs — have cited a
need to better measure the performance of World Bank projects. A criticism, often
voiced by the U.S. Administration, is that it is unclear what MDB assistance has
accomplished due to vague objectives and too much emphasis on outputs (volume
of aid) rather than country outcomes.
15 See Secretary of the Treasury John Snow, Remarks: IDA-14 Replenishment Meeting,
February 22, 2005, available at [http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js2270.htm].
The focus on performance requirements and measurable results follows from
analysis undertaken by World Bank economists that suggested that foreign aid, such
as that provided by the World Bank, is most effective for countries that have good
policies. According to the report, "aid has a positive impact on growth in developing
countries with good fiscal, monetary, and trade policies. In the presence of poor
policies, on the other hand, aid has no positive effect on growth (emphasis added)."16
The notion that effective aid is conditional on underlying economic policy
performance has become central to the Bush Administration's foreign aid strategy
and policy toward the World Bank. The Bush Administration has made measuring
results and performance-based allocation central to U.S. foreign assistance and has
made the practice of these ideas central to the operations of a new foreign aid
initiative, the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).17 Reportedly, this plan was
based heavily on World Bank research.18
Most analysts agree that improvements in health and education levels, good
governance, reduced corruption, increased opportunities for private enterprise, and
improvements in the trade capacity and investment climate are necessary in order to
raise quality of life and the standard of living in developing countries. Some argue,
however, that the obstacles that block progress in these areas are substantial and
much effort and time may be needed to realize gains. Furthermore the
Administration's emphasis on growth may beg the question of income distribution.
It is unclear how the Administration's emphasis on growth fits with the assertion by
the MDBs and their executive boards that poverty alleviation should be the MDBs'
principal goals.
Introducing stronger performance requirements thus became one of the
Administration's most sought after goals at IDA. Building on the new results
measurement system, the U.S. Administration would like to channel more IDA
resources to the strongest performing countries. This would mirror new domestic
U.S. foreign assistance programs such as the Millennium Challenge Corporation
(MCC), that were designed with performance-based allocation strictly in mind.
The IDA-14 performance measurement system is two-fold, assessing both (1)
progress on aggregate country outcomes, and (2) IDA's contribution to country
outcomes. To assess country performance, the World Bank monitors a set of 14
country indicators for all IDA countries. To analyze IDA performance, the World
Bank created output indicators measuring IDA's contribution in the health,
education, water supply and transportation sectors. Regarding performance-based
allocation, IDA-14 allocations are determined using a formula that includes the IDA
16 Craig Burnside and David Dollar, "Aid, Policies and Growth," American Economic
Review, September 2000.
17 See CRS Report RL32427, Millennium Challenge Account, by Curt Tarnoff.
18 Daphne Eviatar, "Do Aid Studies Govern Policies or Reflect Them?," The New York
Times, July 27, 2003.
Country Performance Rating,19 Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, and
population. The IDA Performance Rating is the dominant factor, and higher
performance can increase IDA allocations exponentially.
Grants. The United States has advocated for several years the use of grants
rather than loans at the MDBs concessional lending facilities. This view is a
response to the debt situation of many of the poorest countries, principally in sub-
Saharan Africa.20 Bilateral and multilateral debt of the poorest countries increased
heavily between the 1970s and the present. It has become increasingly clear that the
poorest countries are unable to service their old loans let alone new debt. Thus
President Bush introduced a proposal in 2001 that the World Bank shift its assistance
to the poorest countries away from loans to grants.21 For IDA-14, deputies agreed on
30% of total IDA assistance in the form of grants, an 8% increase from IDA-13.
According to Bobby Pittman, U.S. Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Multilateral Development Banks, "grants can be useful for ending the22
lend-and-forgive cycle." Other donor countries agree with the concept of grants,
yet assert that without commensurate increases in IDA funding, the bank's financial
strength may suffer. They also note that most IDA loans are repaid in full and on
time and only a minority of borrowers have needed debt cancellation. Some analysts
argue that an unstated component of the long-term U.S. Administration policy-shift
towards increased MDB grants may be a shrinking of the institution. Barring
additional donor funds, the capacity to provide future assistance will decline because
of fewer loan repayments. Money from loan repayments accounts for about 40% of
the resources available for IDA to fund new aid. Without these funds, new IDA aid
would have to shrink. Critics of grants also note that the World Bank's IDA loans
are already provided on highly concessional terms, with little or no interest.
19 The IDA country performance rating is determined by two World Bank ratings: the
Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) and the Portfolio Performance Rating
(ARPP). The CPIA constitutes 80% of IDA's country performance rating, and is a
combined index of 16 pieces of information evaluating economic management, structural
policies, policies for social inclusion/equity, and governance. The CPIA system was a U.S.
initiative and was put in place during the IDA negotiations in 1998. The ARPP assesses
each country's performance on implementing prior programs, and accounts for 20% of the
performance rating. The CPIA/ARPP number is multiplied by a country measure of good
governance to determine the IDA Country Performance Rating.
20 See CRS Report RS22534, The Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative, and CRS Report
RL33073, Debt Relief for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries, both by Martin A. Weiss.
21 "I propose that up to 50 percent of the funds provided by the development banks to the
poorest countries be provided as grants for education, health, nutrition, water supply,
sanitation and other human needs" President George Bush, speech to the World Bank, July
17, 2001. Available at [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/07/
20010717-1.html]. See also CRS Report RL31136, World Bank: IDA Loans or IDA
Grants?, by Jonathan E. Sanford.
22 Paul Blustein, "World Bank Plans to Shift to Grant Aid," The Washington Post, January
Transparency. Increasing transparency and public disclosure of World Bank
documents and policies has also been a longstanding U.S. priority at the World Bank.
Section 581 of the FY2004 Consolidated Appropriations Act (PL 108-199) directed
the Treasury Department to pursue policy goals related to transparency and
accountability across the MDBs.
These priorities influenced U.S. objectives at IDA-14. A major component of
the IDA-14 agreement is the World Bank's commitment to full disclosure of the
numerical ratings for the Country Policy and Institutional Assessments (CPIA),
which Bank began releasing in 2005. The CPIAs are the main component for
determining IDA lending allocations. Although the World Bank began disclosing the
CPIA ratings in 2000, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) argued that they were
released in an aggregated format that did not reveal anything about how country
rating differed between countries and how the ratings were calculated.23
In addition to releasing the CPIA indicators and their supporting data, the
IDA-14 Agreement called on the World Bank Executive Board to implement other
important transparency reforms. Specifically, the Agreement directed the Board to:
(1) disclose Board minutes; (2) strengthen procedures for documenting public
consultation processes; (3) make interim results of projects during their execution
publicly available; and (4) require an independent audit or assessment of internal
management controls and procedures for meeting operational objectives. While
Board minutes are still classified, donor countries have noted progress on the other
IDA-14 objectives. On November 20-21, 2006, IDA Deputies and representatives
from IDA borrower countries met in Washington, DC to review progress on
implementing the IDA-14 recommendations. Participants were satisfied with the
level of IDA commitments and progress made on reforms to date.
Lastly, during the FY2006 appropriations process, Congress added a provision
(Section 599D) that 20% of the funds appropriated to IDA be withheld from
disbursement until the Secretary of the Treasury certifies to Congress that several
anti-corruption measures (primarily relating to World Bank procurement guidelines)
are met. Treasury was unable to certify that the World Bank had met all of the
required anti-corruption provisions by the completion of the FY2007 spending
measure. Consequently, the Continuing Resolution (CR) for FY2007 appropriations
(PL110-5, as amended) rescinded $31.35 million from the FY2006 appropriations.
At the end of the IDA-14 discussions, donor countries agreed that the scope of
policy issues addressed during the replenishment rounds had proliferated beyond
reason. They concluded that significant progress on any one area may be constrained
unless donor countries limited their priorities for each round. Consequently, IDA 14
participants agreed that for future rounds they would concentrate on fewer areas for
23 Jeff Powell, "The World Bank policy scorecard: The new conditionality?" The Bretton
Woods Project, November 22, 2004. Document is available at
[http://www.brettonwoodsproj ect.or g/ doc/knowledge/cpia.PDF].
reform and seek greater specificity in the main issues for discussion within each area.
At the March 5-6, 2007 kick-off meeting for the IDA-15 round, IDA Deputies
selected three themes for IDA-15: (1) IDA's role in the international aid architecture,
(2) the role of the World Bank in post-conflict reconstruction and fragile states, and
(3) improving the effectiveness of IDA assistance. Negotiations for IDA-15
concluded on December 14, 2007. At the meeting, donors agreed to provide $41.6
billion, an increase of US$ 9.5 billion over the previous replenishment (IDA14)
($32.1 billion). The United Kingdom pledged donations of $4.3 billion over three
years, making it the largest single donor to IDA-15. The United States increased its
pledge by 30% to $3.7 billion, and will see its share rise from 13.8 to 14.7%. This
will be the first time in IDA's history that the United States is not the largest
shareholder.24 Several countries are contributing to IDA for the first time: China,
Cyprus, Egypt and Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.25
IDA's Role in the International Aid System
During the run-up to the IDA-15 negotiations, IDA's role in the international aid
system emerged as the most pressing issue for IDA deputies. As noted earlier in this
report, the proliferation of providers of foreign assistance and its increasing
fragmentation among narrowly defined projects has emerged as a concern among
foreign aid professionals.
Responding to these concerns, analysts have suggested that the trend of
decreasing multilateral assistance be reversed and that a greater percentage of foreign
assistance be channeled through IDA or other multilateral providers. According to
one Brookings Institution analyst, "bilateral donors should put the politics aside and
get serious on aid scale-up and harmonization through IDA."26 Possible questions
identified by the World Bank that IDA-15 deputies may discuss during the IDA-15
negotiations include (1) IDA's role in the global aid architecture; (2) concerns
regarding vertical or global aid funds (aid programs that focus on specific policy
issues rather than country-based assistance); (3) IDA's role at the regional level and
the best division of labor between IDA and the regional development banks; (4)
implications for IDA of the 2005 Paris Declaration agenda on aid harmonization; (5)
IDA's role be in building country institutional capacity to promote good governance,
especially at the local level in countries that have weak or non-participatory central
governments; and (6) IDA efforts to improve global aid harmonization.
24 The diminished share, however, will not impact the weight of U.S. voting at the World
Bank.
25 The full IDA-15 report is available at:
[http://siteresources.worldbank.org/ IDA/Resources/Seminar% 20PDFs / 73449-117252597
6405/FinalreportMarch2008.pdf].
26 Amanda Glassman, "Time to be serious on aid harmonization through the IDA," Financial
Times, March 7, 2007.
IDA and Fragile States
With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of civil conflict in many
countries throughout (primarily) Africa and South Asia, the World Bank has
significantly enhanced its involvement in post-conflict countries and other so-called
fragile states. In 2002, the World Bank launched the LICUS (Low Income Countries
Under Stress) initiative to provide special assistance for high-risk countries, defined
as scoring a 3.0 or less on the World Bank's CPIA rating. In January 2006, the Bank
adopted the term "Fragile States" to refer to LICUS countries and the program.
As of 2008, there are around 25 countries classified as fragile states by the Bank.
The goal of the LICUS/Fragile States program is to provide additional and
coordinated assistance targeted to the needs of fragile states, which are characterized
by weak policies, institutions, and governance. Thus, many analysts argue that
World Bank assistance in fragile states requires additional focus on state-building
and peace-building objectives in addition to the Bank's traditional emphasis on
economic growth and poverty alleviation.
During IDA-15, member countries and IDA officials are expected to further
refine the IDA strategy for fragile states. This may involve better integrating fragile
states issues in IDA's work — for example, staff incentives, increased analytic work
of fragile state needs, increased coordination with bilateral donors, and the creation
of results measurement systems designed specifically for fragile states. The Bank
may also revise the types of financial assistance that it currently provides to fragile
states. For many fragile states and other post-conflict countries, the World Bank is
unable to lend because the fragile state either does not have a functioning government
or is in arrears to the World Bank. In these cases where the World Bank cannot lend
directly, trust funds have been established to channel donor funds earmarked for a
specific country or project. IDA officials have recognized this challenge and are
looking to establish a framework for arrears clearance in IDA-15.
IDA and Development Effectiveness
Building on efforts undertaken in IDA-14, increasing the effectiveness of IDA
assistance is the third focus of IDA-15. The challenges facing IDA, as well as the
rest of the aid system, are formidable. According to one study of World Bank
evaluation, "Despite the billions of dollars spent on development assistance each27
year, there is still very little known about the actual impact of projects on the poor."
A 2006 report from the World Bank's Independent Evaluation Group (IEG), found
that while the Bank has instituted numerous policies and procedures to "manage
better for results," these efforts have not translated into improved Bank processes at28
the operational project level. According to the report, Bank managers and staff
continue to struggle to link operations to clearly defined goals. Moreover, the report
found that performance indicators are inadequate; staff are unclear how to use
27 Judy L. Baker, Evaluating the Impact of Development Projects on Poverty: A Handbook
for Practitioners, The World Bank, 2000.
28 2006 Annual Report on Operations Evaluation, The World Bank, 2006.
performance information in their day to day work; and that the World Bank culture
acts as a disincentive to managing for results by focusing on the amount of projects
and money lent rather than the quality of individual projects.
Members of Congress have exhibited significant interest in improving the
effectiveness of IDA assistance. A Senate hearing in spring 2006 focused on
improving the effectiveness of World Bank lending and several proposals were
discussed which may resurface during IDA-15. For example, several development
experts discussed at the hearing the need for better results measurement and proposed
creating a fully independent evaluation group for the World Bank.
While the Bank renamed its internal evaluation group from the Operations
Evaluation Department (OED) to the Independent Evaluation Group in 2005, it is not
truly independent since OED staff are World Bank employees and frequently rotate
between OED and other Bank offices. However, the IEG reports directly to the
Executive Board, not the Bank President. According to one hearing participant:
The World Bank makes some attempt to achieve independence for its Operations
Evaluation Department (OED), which reports directly to the Board of the World
Bank, not to the President. However, staff move back and forth between OED
and the rest of the Bank — a negative evaluation could hurt staff's career
prospects. The OED evaluation is subjective. Unclear methods lead to evaluation
disconnects ... It has to be asked how the largely positive findings of the
evaluations can be reconciled with the poor development outcomes observed29
over the same period (1985-1995).
Another testified that,
"Independence" at the Bank is purely cosmetic, for a temporary change of desk
and a new nameplate do not alter the signature on the paycheck nor the rewards
of the Bank's personnel system. The Independent Evaluation Group is a
department of the Bank like any other, save the ceremony of reporting to an
Executive Board that is passive at best. For everyone save the titular Director
General, a revolving door leads back to standard line jobs and advancement at
the Bank. Because results are published, there is strong pressure to display
success. Outside verification is precluded because there is no public access to the
underlying data. This hardly fosters disinterested and rigorous judgments, even
though the Bank boasts that staff cannot review projects that they themselves30
In response to these concerns, experts at the hearings proposed creating an
outside independent evaluation group that would be able to perform rigorous and
independent impact evaluation of what does and what does not work in World Bank
29 William Easterly, "Accountability for Multilateral Development Banks" Statement
Presented to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the United States Senate, March 28,
30 Adam Lerrick, "Is the World Bank's Word Good Enough?", Statement Presented to the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the United States Senate, March 28, 2006.
programs.31 Members of Congress have expressed significant interest in this
proposal, directing the Executive Branch to pursue further reforms of the World Bank
evaluation system in the FY2006 appropriations measure (PL 109-102). Congress
required the Secretary of the Treasury to seek at the World Bank (and the other
MDBs) a "functionally independent Investigations Office, Auditor General Office
and Evaluation Office that are free from interference in determining the scope of
investigations (including forensic audits), internal auditing (including assessments
of management controls for meeting operational objectives and complying with bank
policies), performing work and communicating results, and that regularly report to
such bank's board of directors," as well as other transparency and effectiveness
related reforms.
31 For example, see "When Will We Ever Learn? Improving Lives Through Impact
Evaluation, the Report of the Evaluation Gap Working Group," Center for Global
Development, May 2006.
Appendix I: The United States and the World Bank
Over the life of the Bank, the United States has contributed the largest amount
of resources ($26.49 billion total committed, 16.84% of total committed shares). As
the largest contributor, the United States enjoys a single seat on the World Bank's
Board of Executive Directors and carries 16.38% of the total votes in World Bank
decision making. Congressional authorization is required by law before the United
States may agree to participate in any World Bank funding agreements, such as the
tri-annual IDA replenishment agreements. While Congress does not have a
representative at the negotiations, the Executive Branch is required to consult with
Members of Congress, before and during the replenishment process.
The U.S. Executive Director (ED) is the primary U.S. representative to the Bank
and sits on the Executive Board, which is comprised of 24 members representing all
of the Bank's 185 members. The ED handles the day-to-day operations of the Fund.
The majority of Bank decisions require a 50% majority vote. Some special matters
(changes in the Articles of Agreement or approval of funding increases, for example)
require an 85% affirmative vote. Since the U.S. vote exceeds 15%, no funding
increases, amendments or other major actions can go into effect without U.S.
consent. By tradition, the president of the World Bank is an American citizen. The
position is currently held by Robert Zoellick, who began his term July 1, 2007.
While the Executive Branch manages the day-to-day U.S. relationship at the
World Bank, Congress decides the overall terms of U.S. involvement in the Bank by
setting the level of U.S. contributions, and through legislation, directing how the U.S.
shall vote at the Bank. There are three primary ways that Congress can seek to
influence or govern U.S. policies towards MDB policy: through conditions attached
to new funding agreements; through periodic Sense of Congress resolutions or
legislation suggesting specific goals and priorities the United States ought to
emphasize at the MDBs or directing how the U.S. should vote on certain countries
or types of projects; and through oversight hearings.
For additional background information on the World Bank and the other
multilateral development banks (MDBs), see CRS reports by Jonathan Sanford,
including CRS Report RS20793, Multilateral Development Banks: Basic
Background; CRS Report RS20791, Multilateral Development Banks: Procedures
for U.S. Participation; and CRS Report RS22134, International Financial
Institutions: Funding U.S. Participation.


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'Ask for Angela' safety campaign launched to combat sexual violence in Sydney
People who feel threatened or unsafe during a date or social situation can now ask Sydney bartenders for 'Angela', in a new initiative to combat violence and sexual assault.
The NSW Government today launched the internationally recognised 'Ask for Angela' safety campaign to prevent violence and anti-social behaviour in Sydney's CBD.
The program allows patrons to ask staff at participating venues for a woman called Angela if they feel unsafe, with the code word alerting trained staff to discreetly escort the person to safety.
Internationally recognised safety campaign 'Ask for Angela" launched in Sydney.
Launched in conjunction with NSW Police, the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) and the City of Sydney, the program officially began on Saturday July 14 and has already been trialled in Wagga Wagga, Albury, Orange and Byron Bay.
Originally created two years ago in Lincolnshire, England, Minister for Police Troy Grant said the program has been successful and supports the introduction in Sydney.
"Given the increasing popularity of online dating apps, many people are meeting for dates at bars, clubs and pubs having never met beyond the screens of their phone or computer," Minister Grant said.
"We don't want people feeling intimidated when they're socialising in the city, they're out to enjoy themselves, not feel threatened and this initiative supports their safety."
Sydney Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Miller said the program sends a message that anti-social and violent behaviour is intolerable.
"Everyone has the right to feel safe in the city, at all times," Cr Miller said.
"Ask for Angela sends a message that creepy behaviour will not be tolerated and that nobody has the right to make anyone else feel threatened in any way."
Central Metropolitan Region Police Commander Mark Walton stressed those who feel they are in immediate danger or need urgent help should call triple-0.
"We are determined to prevent sexual assaults and if this campaign allows us to remove people from harm's way, then it's well worth the wait," he said.
Assistant Commissioner Walton added police will monitor how effective the program is before considering a broader use.
Venues 'quite enthusiastic' about the program
AHA NSW director of liquor and policing John Green said many venues across Sydney had shown interest in rolling out the program and staff training had already begun.
"Participating venues have been quite enthusiastic about introducing 'Ask for Angela' to the city of Sydney," he said.
For Sydney bartender Jusinta, who has been in the industry for seven years, the initiative is "crucial".
"As a woman myself I know how difficult it is to ask for help, especially to a stranger, and I think this is a really discreet way to do that," she said.
"Very sadly it's crucial in the world right now. Dating isn't what it used to be before and people aren't who they used to be before.
"I really hope people will get behind the initiative and actually do it and to understand that we are the bartenders and we have to take care of our customers and this is a discreet way to help them in that situation."
Originally Published by ABC News, continue reading here.
Categories: alcohol, assault, Australia, awareness, domestic violence
Tags: crime, education, NSW, prevention, safety, violence and sexual assault.
The (Accidental) Primary Prevention Practitioner: Are You Ever Really 'Not at Work'?


SECTIONS Interior & Gastronomy Entrepreneur Yasmina Wakim Brings Saffron Back to Lebanon
Entrepreneur Yasmina Wakim Brings Saffron Back to Lebanon
Carole Abi Saad Haddad
Serial entrepreneur Yasmina Wakim, with a heart for socially responsible projects, brings saffron production back to Lebanon.
Asked where she's from, Yasmina Wakim replied, "Born in Lebanon and raised on the moon!" And after a few minutes with this Lebanese Swiss serial entrepreneur, you may indeed think she is an alien. It appears Wakim doesn't walk towards her objectives; she floats, and makes any challenge look like a piece of cake!
Stunning at 1 meter 77 centimeters tall (5 feet inches tall), with a magnetic, shining face, Wakim, 34, is a successful businesswoman who juggles projects in Lebanon and Switzerland. She gracefully moves from one project to another, with her latest being Safran du Liban, a saffron cultivation and distribution business that aims to regenerate rural and economic development in Bekaa with sustainable agriculture.
A collaboration between Yasmina Wakim and architect Tiago Mendes
Launching her career
After receiving a master's degree in architecture at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in 2008, Wakim started her professional career in Paris at the prestigious architectural firm Moatti & Rivière.
Back to Geneva in 2013, she worked as an independent architect. She also launched her first entrepreneurial venture, Street Gourmet, a healthy-food- to-go business located on a prime street in Geneva. Today Street Gourmet is frequently the talk of local Swiss bloggers and visitors alike.
Next, she co-founded Café Voisins, a coworking café that promotes a sense of community through neighborhood events and a blog. Now with three locations, it offers office space, meeting rooms and a café.
Wakim said she is inspired by her favorite movie, "Alice in Wonderland," and driven by everything related to art, music, videos and VJing. But what makes her heartbeat speed up and her blue eyes twinkle like a star is a flower — not jasmine, the one her parents picked her for a name, but a purple one called saffron crocus, or Crocus sativus in Latin, with its vivid crimson stigma and style.
"I always wanted to do a project for Lebanon and in Lebanon," said Wakim. "I saw a TV show about the biggest saffron producer in France, Véronique Lazérat. This flower immediately hypnotized me. So I went to meet this inspiring lady in Limousin and had her train me on saffron cultivation.
"That same year, I found out that we do not grow saffron in Lebanon, but old books talk about saffron in our region. After investigating and researching, I finally met Professor Sui-Kwong Yau," a Chinese professor at the American University of Beirut from 1997 – 2012,who, at that time, was growing saffron for experimental purposes.
"Saffron is a magic spice and crop."
Wakim took a sample from Yau, then contacted several Michelin-starred chefs in Geneva to test its quality. The results were astonishing. All were amazed by the quality and potential of this Lebanese product.
This is how a lady with a vision added Lebanon to the list of saffron producers.
Wakim founded Safran du Liban, Lebanon's first saffron production project. On its website, this project is described as "an effort to regenerate the rural and economic development of the region, bringing families back to agriculture and introducing new cultivation" know-how to the area.
"Saffron is a magic spice and crop," explained Wakim. Each year, every bulb reproduces itself. The idea is to distribute bulbs to families each year and create a cooperative around the project. This would enable families to grow their own saffron and transmit their knowledge from generation to generation.
Wakim manages the full cultivation and distribution cycle herself, including the continuous search for local and international saffron buyers. And how does she succeed in all of that? By being a dreamer first and by being positive, especially under pressure, said people who work with her.
For others who feel inspired by her role model, Wakim offered this advice: "Remember that failure is part of each success. Don't be afraid, and talk to people who cross your path, highly positioned or not. You can learn a lot from them."
Safran du Liban isn't the final project for this young entrepreneur. She has more dreams.
"After working during my studies with a fantastic organization in Uruguay called Un Techo para mi Pais (a nonprofit organization that engages youth in fighting poverty in Latin America), I understood why I was studying architecture — to have the ability to offer a roof for people in need. The right to housing is a fundamental human right; offering a shelter is the first step to improving the lives. My future project will be a humanitarian project in architecture."
With her next project already on her list, you can bet there will be many more to come!
http://www.safranduliban.com/
http://www.streetgourmet.ch/
http://www.voisins.ch/
See as Published
American University of Beirut
Bekaa
Café Voisins
Crocus sativus
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Lebanese Swiss
Moatti & Rivière
Professor Sui-Kwong Yau
Saffron Crocus
Safran du Liban
Street Gourmet
Un Techo para mi Pais
Véronique Lazérat
Yasmina Wakim
Solar HOMEs, Linked to the Major Source of Energy on Earth – the Sun
Tea: Nature's Magical Healing Potion
Back to Basics with Chef Vesso Mrakic


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Online delivery and click-and-collect sales to double over next decade
Getting our groceries delivered has become pretty common practice but we'll soon be ordering more of our non-food items online too, according to a study.
By 2025, the UK's home delivery and click-and-collect market is set to double with 40% of all non-food sales made online, OC&C Strategy Consultants predicts.
It found that over the past decade, online purchases excluding food carried out through delivery and click-and-collect have doubled in value – and it expects this to double yet again over the next 10 years.
In 2005, only 9% of retail sales (£15bn) were fulfilled through home delivery and less than 1% by click-and-collect. The remaining 91% (£152bn) of sales were made in-store.
Last year, 19% (£35.9bn) of sales were made through delivery, 3% (£5.6bn) were made though click-and-collect, and 78% (£147.4bn) in store.
By 2025, home delivery is expected to be responsible for 30% (£69bn) of sales and click-and-collect for 10% (£23bn), while in-store purchases will decline to 60% (£138bn).
Anita Balchandani, partner at OC&C Strategy Consultants, said changing shopping habits will put pressure on retailers.
"Being able to offer predictable delivery slots, free next-day delivery and an accessibly priced same-day service is becoming the norm. The challenge retailers face is how to meet these changing expectations while making the economics work for their business."
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Search results for "Waco Mammoth National Monument"
Report Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and Expansion NPCA has advocated for adding Harriet Tubman's story to the National Park System since 2007, first supporting the legislation to authorize the Secretary of the Department of Interior to conduct a special resource study there, leading up to the national monument designation in 2013 by President Obama.
NPCA at Work Protect America's Marine Monuments Healthy oceans are critical for maintaining healthy national parks.
Press Release State Legislation Introduced to Protect Water Resources, National Parks and Public Lands in California Desert Jul 2017 Legislation aims to safeguard fragile California desert water sources for the wildlife, people and national parks that depends on it.
Press Release National Parks Group Praises U.S. 9th Circuit Decision to Stand-By Ruling to Protect Joshua Tree National Park from Eagle Mountain Landfill Aug 2010 Trash dump would have impacted park resources and wildlife
Press Release National Parks Group Disappointed by Lack of Protection for Reefs at Biscayne National Park Nov 2013 Marine reserve at Biscayne is needed and vital to improve coral reef habitat, fishing, diving, and visitor experience
Press Release National Park Leaders Honored with Stephen T. Mather Award Oct 2017 NPCA presented its annual Stephen T. Mather award to Mojave National Preserve Chief of Resources Debra Hughson and the late Frank Hays, who most recently served in the Park Service's Northeast Regional Office. The Mather award is named after the first director of the National Park Service, and given to individuals who have shown steadfast leadership and persistent dedication to our national parks.
Park Friendship Hill National Historic Site Friendship Hill National Historic Site is the rural Pennsylvania country estate of Albert Gallatin, who served as Secretary of the Treasury under two presidents.
Park Women's Rights National Historical Park Every time women exercise their right to vote, purchase their own home, or control their own wages, they owe a debt to the women of the First Women's Rights Convention of 1848. Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls and Waterloo, New York, preserves the historic site where Americans began to shift their conceptions about the role of women in our society.
Press Release Federal Court Rejects National Park Service Decision to Open More Off-Road Vehicle Trails in Big Cypress National Preserve Jul 2012 Wildlife Conservation Groups Celebrate Victory for Critically Endangered Florida Panther and Sensitive Wetland Habitats
Press Release National Parks Group Applauds Mayor Bloomberg and Interior Secretary Salazar's Efforts to Advance Vision for Gateway National Recreation Area Jul 2012 Statement by NPCA Senior Regional Director Alexander Brash
Press Release National Parks Group Applauds Ninth Circuit Court Rulings for Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve Oct 2014 Both Wilde and Sturgeon had called into question Park Service authority to enforce safety and other park rules on navigable waters claimed by the State of Alaska
Press Release National Parks Group Hails Progress, Urges Congress to Pass Bill to Protect the Health and Beauty of the North Fork Flathead River Valley, Glacier National Park Jan 2014 Bipartisan legislation has support of local residents, energy companies, local elected officials, and business and conservation communities
Press Release National Parks Group Applauds Unprecedented Effort to Revitalize Gateway National Recreation Area Oct 2011 New York City Mayor Bloomberg and Interior Secretary Salazar create partnership to enhance visitor experience at Gateway in New York City
Blog Post Fuel Your Park Adventure: 10 Great Restaurants Near National Parks Jan 2018 | By Nicolas Brulliard Restaurants just outside national parks can be destinations in their own right. Our staff recommends 10 eateries where you can enjoy local delicacies.
Policy Update Request for Information on Monument Review Process Jul 2017 NPCA sent the following letter to Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke requesting more information on the monument review process.
Blog Post Congress Passes Major Bipartisan National Parks and Public Lands Package Feb 2019 | By Kristen Brengel Today's sweeping victory represents significant expansions and enhancements to America's national parks and public lands.
Press Release Legal Settlement Allows National Park Marine Wilderness Restoration to Begin in Point Reyes National Seashore Oct 2014 Settlement agreement protects the West Coast's first marine wilderness at Drakes Estero
Press Release National Park Visitation Generated $32 Billion for National Economy in 2015 Apr 2016 Boost to Local Economies Underscores Need to Adequately Fund, Maintain Parks
Press Release Restore a Nation Report Highlights Positive Economic Impact of National Parks Mar 2010 Recommends funding restoration projects to create American jobs and address climate change
Blog Post After Interior Secretary Zinke's First 100 Days, the Future Looks Grim for National Parks Jun 2017 | By Theresa Pierno 5 ways the official at the helm of America's public lands has been charting a troubling course for national parks during the first few months of his tenure.
Press Release National Parks Group Asks Pennsylvania Court to Protect Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River Dec 2011 Friend of the Court brief filed in support of the Upper Delaware Council's lawsuit to prevent the expansion of a quarry in Lakawaxen Township
Blog Post An 'Elk National Park'? Dec 2019 | By Nicolas Brulliard More than a century ago, conservationists set out to protect a large swath of land to save a fast-disappearing herd of Roosevelt elk — and nearly named a national park after them.
Blog Post Hunting in the National Park System? Apr 2012 | By Jennifer Errick Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill known as the Sportsmen's Heritage Act which, if passed in the Senate in its current form, could allow hunting in units of the National Park System that currently do not permit it. NPCA strongly opposes this provision of the bill.
Press Release National Parks Group Supports Creation of America's First Tribal National Park in South Dakota Apr 2012 Statement by Senior Vice President for Policy, Ron Tipton
Blog Post 11 of the Quirkiest National Park Animals Mar 2014 | By Jennifer Errick While a few types of wildlife like bears, moose, and wolves capture the imagination of throngs of tourists, there are many rare, charming, and oddly adapted species in national parks that get far less attention. Here are 11 of the quirkiest, as picked by NPCA staff.
Blog Post America's First National Park Created to Protect Human History Aug 2016 | By Nicolas Brulliard In 1906, Congress established the first national park with the purpose of protecting man-made structures, not just natural features such as forests and canyons.
Press Release House Advances Landmark bill to Protect More than 2 Million Acres of National Parks and Public Lands Feb 2019 Today marks a great day in history for our national parks and public lands.
Blog Post One Year Later: 5 Major Issues for National Parks in 2018 Jan 2018 | By Theresa Pierno On the one-year anniversary of President Trump's inauguration, NPCA is looking ahead at key fights to protect America's national parks in 2018.
Press Release Proposed Birmingham National Park Site Would Tell Pivotal Civil Rights History Oct 2016 Public meeting hosted today to discuss national park proposal
Blog Post The Easternmost National Park May 2020 | By Nicolas Brulliard Determining which national park site is the farthest east is surprisingly complicated.
Press Release Carlsbad Caverns National Park the Latest Target of Rushed Oil and Gas Leasing Process Apr 2018 The BLM's minuscule 10-day public scoping comment period for the nearly 200 parcel proposal comprising nearly 89,000 acres, some of which are about a mile from Carlsbad Caverns National Park, closes tonight.
Blog Post The World's First National Park Cave Dec 2014 | By Jennifer Errick National parks protect the country's most treasured landscapes, including a wealth of natural resources under the Earth's crust. The United States was the first place in the world to designate a cave as a national park.
Press Release New Report Shows America's National Parks Are in Jeopardy Jun 2011 National Parks Conservation Association Says Obama Administration Must Address Threats Facing National Parks and Develop Comprehensive Long Term Plan for Parks
Park Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park Explore Abraham Lincoln's humble beginnings by visiting the remnants of two farm sites where Lincoln was born and lived until he was seven. Visitors can see a log cabin similar to Lincoln's first home and stroll several hiking trails imagining what Lincoln's childhood was like.
Park River Raisin National Battlefield Park River Raisin is the site of the devastating January 1813 Battles of Frenchtown that occurred during the War of 1812. The killing and ransom of unprotected American prisoners galvanized America. The resulting polemical rally cry "Remember the Raisin" spurred America's successful re-taking of the Northwest Territories.
NPCA at Work California's National Parks: Struggling for Clean Air It might come as a surprise that California's crown jewel national parks — Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree and Yosemite — struggle with some of the dirtiest air of any parks in the nation.
Report Center for State of the Parks: Ninety Six National Historic Site In recognition of the important historical resources protected within Ninety Six National Historic Site, the National Parks Conservation Association's Center for State of the Parks conducted an assessment to determine current conditions of the park's resources.
Report Center for State of the Parks: Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site This report conveys the findings of a cultural resources and stewardship capacity assessment of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site.
Park John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway bridges the gap between Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks with scenic drives and outdoor activities year round.
Report Leveraging National Park Partnerships in Urban Areas Do you engage in partnerships to achieve your mission? Does it work well? Would you like to strike up new and different types of partnerships?
Report Proposed Tule Springs Transmission Corridor This report was prepared in response to NV Energy's request to locate a transmission corridor in an area known alternately as Tule Springs and the Upper Las Vegas Wash, in an area proposed to be a national monument managed by the National Park Service.
NPCA at Work Stand Up to Polluters at Indiana Dunes EPA must enforce the Clean Water Act to protect this national park site from toxic chemicals.
NPCA at Work Stop Alaska's War on Wolves and Bears The Department of the Interior has proposed allowing unethical hunting practices on lands managed by the National Park Service.
NPCA at Work Commercial Spaceports Could Threaten Canaveral and Cumberland Island The commercial space industry is an exciting and growing field. But the race for space should not put our national seashores at risk.
Clark Bunting Former President and Chief Executive Officer Former President and CEO W. Clark Bunting joined the National Parks Conservation Association in November 2013, following a distinguished career as a businessman and innovator within the media industry.
Staff Sharon Mader Senior Program Manager Sharon joined NPCA in July 2007. She works as a Senior Program Manager in the Northern Rockies region, advocating for the protection of Grand Teton's outstanding natural and historic resources, and promoting NPCA's national strategic priorities in Wyoming.
Julia Busiek Author Julia Busiek has worked in national parks in California, Colorado, Hawaii and Washington state. She lives in Oakland, California.
Laurie McClellan Author LAURIE MCCLELLAN is a freelance writer who grew up on the southern shores of Lake Michigan. She loves maple syrup and anything made out of birch bark, and has hiked in more than 20 national parks.
Joe Kessler President of the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park


'The Voice': How to vote for the 4-way knockout and save Taryn, Julia, Larriah or Ryan
Marcus James Dixon	@marcusdixon
Chris Haston/NBC
Last season, "The Voice" created a new twist known as the 4-way knockout, in which fans at home could vote for their favorite at-risk artist and send them through to the live shows. Michael Williams won the honor last season, but who will prevail this time around? It's up to you, America! As a refresher, the four artists in the running to advance to the Season 19 live shows are Taryn Papa for Team Blake Shelton, Julia Cooper for Team John Legend, Larriah Jackson for Team Gwen Stefani and Ryan Gallagher for Team Kelly Clarkson.
Here's how to vote for the four-way knockout. Visit "The Voice" website (or download the free App) and click on the face of the artist you want to save. You'll be asked to sign up for an NBCUniversal profile via email, Google, Facebook or Apple, but don't worry — it's free and easy to register. Submit up to 10 votes per artist. Hurry up because voting closes Wednesday, November 25 at 7 a.m. ET.
SEE'The Voice': Past Winners (Seasons 1 – 18)
Need a refresher on the knockout performances of the four eligible artists? Our recapper Denton Davidson live-blogged the episode, so here are are his quick-takes:
Taryn Papa: "Cry" by Faith Hill
"Taryn is performing first and she actually sounds a lot like Hill. She has that classic 90's country sound and I think audiences will respond to her. She overextended a bit towards the end, slightly struggling with the high notes, but overall Taryn gave a solid performance."
Julia Cooper: "Wish You Were Gay" by Billie Eilish
"Julia is up next and she's banking more on artistry than vocals, similar to Eilish who has won a few Grammys perfecting that. She sounds fine, but this is a terrible song choice for a four-way knockout. It's one of those songs that is cool on an album, but this is a singing competition. Julia blew it."
Larriah Jackson: "One and Only" by Adele
"Larriah is up next for Team Gwen and for being the youngest in this group, she's incredibly poised. I don't think she's quite ready for the big time, but there's a lot of potential here."
Ryan Gallagher: "Time to Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli
"Ryan is up last for Team Kelly and I have to say it's a little refreshing to hear some opera on "The Voice" stage! He's sort of got that sexy, smoldering look about him and I think audiences will respond."
SIGN UP for Gold Derby's free newsletter with latest predictions
'The Voice': Past Winners (Seasons 1 - 18)


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Experience Counts When Your Liberty Is At Risk
Narcotics and Drugs: Causing Death Means Life in Prison
By John Freeman of Law Office of John Freeman posted in Narcotics and Drugs on Monday, February 20, 2017.
It's a profoundly bad idea to do Narcotics and Drugs. This cannot be overstated. We have all heard stories of lives and families destroyed by drugs. As a result, the state has an obligation to its citizens to try to reduce drug use for the public health and general welfare of the people of the state. So, society demands legal consequences to stop the use of illegal drugs. Still, it would be naive to think people will stop using drugs altogether just because of the laws; after all, drugs are addictive and people do manage to get caught in its trap. Still, the State of Michigan has a tool in its criminal law toolkit to use against illegal drugs. But this one isn't for drug users themselves, it's for those who who give drugs to OTHER people.
As reported in the Detroit Free Press, two neighbors from Warren, a woman and man in their forties, have been charged for supplying drugs to a younger neighbor, a 16 year old girl, who then died of an overdose. What is different here is that the suspects being charged are not drug dealers. They simply shared drugs with an acquaintance, something many recreational drug don't think twice about doing.
Although the factual details are limited, the teen and her boyfriend, already high on Xanax, contacted a neighbor who called another neighbor to secure some opioid pills with the teen's own money. After acquiring the pills, the teens and the female neighbor crushed and snorted them. The female neighbor later found the teenage girl dead. The Macomb County Prosecutor indicated he will aggressively pursue a heavy sentence since the suppliers were much older than the victim, and since the opioid epidemic has been disproportionally destructive to the lives of young people. If convicted of delivery of a controlled substance causing death, the two could face life in prison. Yet another reason to avoid Narcotics and Drugs.
If you or someone you know is caught in the addictive grip of drugs, seeking help is essential, and professional help, medical and psychiatric, is highly recommended. Additionally, drug users should understand the additional legal dangers associated with recreational drug use with others. If the unthinkable happens, and you or someone you know is charged with possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, or with supplying drugs that lead to another's death, contact an attorney immediately. Attorney John Freeman has been practicing criminal law for his entire 24-year career and he and his staff are available to help.
Tags: cocaine, controlled substance, crack, heroin, marijuana, molly, narcotics and drugs, oxy, pills, vicodin, xanax
Related Posts: Narcotics and Drugs: The Opioid Crisis, Michigan Outlaws Synthetic Narcotics and Drugs, K2 and Spice
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