Senator John Kerry to President Shimon Peres: “I can assure you and the people of Israel that President Obama is committed to preventing Iran from nuclear weapons.”

Israeli President Shimon Peres met with Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee John Kerry, where the two discussed the latest developments in the Iranian nuclear issue, the changes in the Middle East and political relations between Israel and its neighbors and especially the peace process with the Palestinians.

In his introduction, President Peres said of his guest: “We must continue to work together on one with most countries to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran is a threat to the entire world and not only Israel.” President Peres welcomed the President’s commitment in preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Regarding the peace process with the Palestinians, Peres said: “Yesterday gave Abbas a big speech and encouraging that both sides do not have the privilege to wait until after the election, since no party has no control over reality and of our region. Months are critical,” said President and shoulds navigate their way carefully and wisely. ”

Sen. Kerry said President Peres: “I can assure you and the people of Israel and I hope that Israel doubt that President Obama is committed to preventing Iran from nuclear weapons. President Obama is talking about containment policy, but about preventing a nuclear Iran.” President Peres replied that he completely trusts Obama, both as a person and as a leader in U.S. policy.

Kerry stressed during the meeting to President Peres stressed that Iran is a strategic rather than tactical for America, as part of efforts to free the world from the terrorist threat, and when there are negotiations, sanctions against Iran have not stopped or will stop. “The U.S. government understands the commitment to Israel, the dangers of the moment and the opportunities. Everyone in the region realize the danger, risks, can not be larger than “. Egyptian context Peres welcomed the words of Amr Moussa, whereby we must continue to preserve the peace treaty with Israel and said that relations between Israel and Egypt, are now on probation. Carrie updated the President would continue to visit Egypt soon after his visit to Israel. After the meeting, Kerry told Peres that the U.S. government expects ceremony President Presidential Medal of Freedom Award, by President Obama, in June. President Peres replied that completely surprised by Obama’s declaration on the granting of the medal and that is a great honor not only for him but for all of Israel

Gary Keller

As chairman of the board for Keller Williams Realty, Gary Keller helps provide strategic direction for the company, while serving as a visionary leader within the North American real estate industry.

Gary and his writing team have written three nationally best-selling books: The Millionaire Real Estate Agent, The Millionaire Real Estate Investor, and most recently, SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times.

Based on his leadership qualities and contributions to the real estate industry, Inman News named Keller to the 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders of 2010. He has also been voted as one of the five “Most Admired People” in a survey conducted by REAL Trends magazine, was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Central Texas and the second most influential person in the real estate industry by REALTOR® magazine, and was a finalist for Inc. magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Despite the sharp downturn in the real estate market, since 2005 Keller Williams Realty has grown 30 percent in agents, 40 percent in market centers, 21 percent in closed units and 11 percent in closed GCI, under Gary’s direction. This unparalleled growth recently led the company to being recognized as the second-largest real estate franchise in the United States.

Additionally, Keller Williams Realty has received many honors including: the number one real estate franchise on the Annual Franchise 500 list from Entrepreneur magazine, highest in overall satisfaction from home buyers for three years in a row from J.D. Power and Associates, the highest ranked real estate franchise on the annual Training Top 125 by Training Magazine, named to the elite Franchise High Performers list by The Wall Street Journal.

Keller’s passions include snow skiing, fly fishing, playing the guitar, horseback riding, golf, reading, movies, rock concerts, football, basketball, and spending as much time as possible with his family and friends. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Mary, their son, John, and their three dogs, Max, Grace and Cash.

By Freddy de Freitas 

“The Captain of Her Heart,” the hit of the Swiss duo Double, was an international success, reaching #8 in the UK Singles Chart and #16 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Double (pronounced dubb-el -) formed in 1983 in Zürich, Switzerland, by Felix Haug (drums and keyboards) and Kurt Maloo (guitar and vocals) out of the trio Ping Pong of which both Maloo and Haug were members.

Double released three 12″ maxi singles—“Naningo” (1983), “Rangoon Moon,” and “Woman of the World” (1984)—before they had a chance to record their first album.

The black-and-white music video for “Rangoon Moon” became a cult clip in Europe and got air play on VH1 in the United States.

Two years later, Double became known worldwide with their first hit single, “The Captain of Her Heart,” from their first album, Blue, a best-seller.

In 1987, Maloo and Haug recorded their second and last album, Dou3le, visualized best in the performance of the legendary Swiss mime group Mummenschanz in the award-winning music video for their song “Devils Ball,” featuring Herb Alpert on trumpet.

Double started to work on a third album in late 1988, but due to artistic differences, disbanded a few months later.

Maloo continued his career solo again and released, under his own name, Single (1990), Soul & Echo (1995), Loopy Avenue (2006), and Summer of Better Times (2009). Since 2007, he has been performing with his own band and played several concerts and festivals, including NuNote Lounge Fest in Moscow. Haug died of a heart attack in 2004.

Maloo, talked to Freddy de Freitas, about his career, life, family, and dreams.

Who’s Kurt Maloo? Who’s Kurt Meier?

I was born Kurt Meier and decided to take the artist name Kurt Maloo in 1975 to sign my paintings. I’ve chosen Maloo for phonetical reasons only, not knowing if the name really exists. Almost 30 years later I got an email from Rohinton Maloo, a business man in Mumbai, India, asking me whatlost cousin of his tribe I was. He told me the story of the Maloo family, of which about 50 people still live all over the world. They migrated from Persia and patriarch of the tribe’s name was Mal, which means big. Arriving in India they called him and his people Maloo.

When did you first start singing?

I was twelve and we had a performance in school around Christmas. We were three musicians wearing white long johns and white shirts in a dark room with UV-light. No one wanted to sing, so I said yes. I think we played Twist and Shout by the Beatles.

Have you always been in the music business?

I used to be a painter in my early twenties, but then gave it up for a career as a musician.

Did Arnold and Babette Meier influence your career? What is your first memory of being inspired by music?

My father was not musical at all, but my mother played the mandolin and came from a musical family, that gave home concerts in the old days. She used to sing and dance with me a lot.

When did you realize you could live as a singer?

I made music long before I was able to live from the royalties of my songs. The Captain Of Her Heart changed everything.

Where did you meet Felix Haug ?

I met him back in 1979 during a music workshop near Zurich, Switzerland.

In 1983, you and Mr. Haug created Double.? What was the concept?

There was no concept. We had a trio before called Ping Pong and when the bass player left we looked at each other and saw Double.

When writing your songs, is there a particular process you undertake?

I collect ideas for lyrics or complete lyrics in a small black book. When I start to compose I check if there’s anything that might fit. If not I write a few words to set a mood and then go from there.

You achieved international success in 1986 with “The Captain of Her Heart”. What Did you and Mr. Haug expect to happen with this song?

We liked the song very much, but didn’t believe it was a single since music played on the radio had to be danceable or at least more uptempo in the mid eighties. Then some secretaries at the record company started to whistle the piano melody in the office and the A&R got convinced it could be a hit.

Did “The Captain of Her Heart” make you a millionaire?

If it did where’s all the money now ? hahaha…

What particular song does Mr. Maloo find hard to sing live, one that brings back a lot of emotion?

Remorse

You turned 51 years old on 16 April 2004, two weeks later Mr. Haug died (May 1) of a heart attack .How do you take control of your emotions ?

That was a shock indeed. We haven’t been making music together for a long time, although I considered him still my best friend.

Who is your inspiration?

My daydreams

Where would you most like to perform?

Open Air in Rio de Janeiro in wintertime.

Critics often described your music as “heartbroken soul.” What’s the spin on that?

There’s heart and soul in it. Not so much broken though. Soul in the sense of emotional content, not musical style.

You are from Switzerland, your wife and your youngest son from Germany, your daughter from France. Is your home a section of U.N ?

haha….yes, I considered myself always citizen of the world. Nations are artificial homes. My home is where my heart is.

Do you have an official language at your home?

High German. The way it’s written. My mother tongue is a strange German dialect, that’s spoken in Switzerland.

Is there any chance your kids follow your path or your wife’s footsteps ?

No, both are studying design.

What’s the best piece of advice you have received?

Tomorrow is another day.

What advice would you give to other musicians trying to get off the ground?

Let your music fly high, but keep your feet on the ground.

What hidden talents do you have?

I can be funny, believe it or not.

I have to ask you, what is your favor food?

Home cooking

Any special place for vacation?

Anything warm and beautiful embedded in a cultural background. I’m

getting bored very quickly.

If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing?

Writing, traveling and listening to stories of others.

What doesn’t anybody know about the singer Kurt Maloo?

Not much. Kurt Meier has become Kurt Maloo over the years and my public

image is not far away from my private life. I’m writing a book about my life right now and when it’s finished there won’t be many secrets left.

Where can we buy your music?

There are links on my website kurtmaloo.com and basically on iTunes and Amazon.

Merrillville, Ind. (April 27, 2012) - White Lodging Services and RLJ Lodging Trust are pleased to announce the completion of a major renovation of all 200 guestrooms at the Chicago Marriott Midway.

The hotel, located at 6520 S. Cicero Ave. in Chicago, completed the multi-million dollar renovation in February. Designed with the traveler in mind, the new guest rooms are the epitome of comfort and productivity. From the Marriott Revive bedding featuring luxurious cotton linens, plush duvets and fluffy pillows to the flat screen HDTV’s, ergonomic work area with wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, guests can easily relax and focus at the tasks on hand.

Located only two blocks from Chicago’s Midway International Airport, the hotel is a short drive to all downtown Chicago has to offer including shopping on the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, Chicago’s renowned restaurants, the stadiums of Chicago’s sports teams and the Shedd Aquarium.

Chicago’s Marriott Midway offers a 24-hour airport shuttle, a full-service Starbucks in the hotel and Dempsey’s casual dining restaurant in the hotel as well as TGI Friday’s and Coaches Sports Bar & Grill just a short walk on campus.

“The new guest rooms really put us a step above our competition,” said general manager Erin Bertollini. “We have always strived to provide our guests with the best, most comfortable stay. With this renovation, we take the guest experience to the next level.”

The Chicago Marriott Midway’s 200 rooms are spread throughout the six-story building. The hotel offers seven meeting rooms with 5,701 square feet of meeting space, accommodating up to 300 people. The hotel also features an indoor pool and whirlpool, state-of-the-art fitness center and a full-service business center.

To reserve a room at the newly renovated hotel, call the hotel directly at (708) 594-5500 or visit the website at www.marriott.com/chima.

RLJ Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust focused on acquiring premium-branded, focused service and compact full-service hotels. The Company’s portfolio consists of 141 hotels in 20 states and the District of Columbia, with a total of more than 20,600 rooms. Additional information may be found on the Company’s website: http://rljlodgingtrust.com

White Lodging Services Corporation – was established in 1985 and is headquartered in Merrillville, Ind. White Lodging is a fully integrated hotel ownership, development and operations company – a recognized leader that has defined and cultivated the ability to achieve consistent, sustainable growth among mid-to large-scale hotels across the country. Its current portfolio consists of more than 158 hotels in 20 states and encompasses representation of the following leading brands: Preferred Hotels, Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Global, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, InterContinental Hotel Group and Carlson Hotels Worldwide.

INDIANAPOLIS—Barnes & Thornburg LLP has once again been recognized as Central Indiana’s top company based on the results of the 2012 Indianapolis Star/WorkplaceDynamics Top Workplaces employee survey. This is the third year in a row that Barnes & Thornburg has been ranked as a “top workplace” and the second time in three years that the firm has been listed as the No. 1 large company in Central Indiana.

In addition to this recognition, the firm received top honors in the leadership category with Robert T. Grand, managing partner of the Indianapolis office, receiving the survey’s Leadership Award.

This year’s survey collected responses from over 20,000 employees throughout 98 Central Indiana companies. The survey covered areas regarding values, leadership, management, benefits, pay, growth, opportunities, appreciation, work/life balance, and retention.

With more than 550 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the 100 largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from its offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Los Angeles, Michigan, Minneapolis, Ohio and Washington, D.C. You can also visit us online at www.btlaw.com.