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বৃহস্পতিবার, ৩১ জানুয়ারী, ২০১৩
The Perfect Description of One of the Most Important Moments of Your Life
In push for Hagel, no leading from behind from White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As Chuck Hagel, President Barack Obama's nominee to lead the Pentagon, prepared to meet with senior New York Senator Chuck Schumer in mid-January, the White House stepped in and ensured that the get-together would take place quickly - and in the West Wing.
Some of the loudest objections to Obama's choice of Hagel for secretary of defense stemmed from lawmakers' concerns about his past comments on Israel and Iran.
And with Schumer, the leading Jewish Democrat in Congress, among those expressing doubts, the administration wanted to make absolutely clear that it expected his support. Hosting the meeting in the White House wing housing the president's official offices was a symbol of its importance to the administration.
The West Wing session - followed by Schumer's effusive endorsement of Hagel - was part of an all-out offensive Obama's White House has launched to secure Hagel's nomination, administration officials and congressional aides said. The campaign has included a Pentagon task force, hours of meetings and, at times, some judicious direct intervention.
Hagel, 66, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and former two-term Republican senator, emerged as a leading candidate to replace Leon Panetta almost as quickly as the defense secretary announced his retirement.
Hagel's Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled for Thursday morning, and his approval is less than a sure bet.
To battle a well-financed firestorm of objections from neoconservative and gay rights groups, the White House lined up a large team to work with Hagel and make the former Nebraska senator's case to his former colleagues.
The group included Obama allies like Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, who pushed Schumer and other balky Democrats to back Hagel, White House officials and Hagel aides from his two terms in the Senate.
Administration officials have reached out to Jewish groups and reassured gay rights activists. Hagel met with leaders of some of the largest Jewish-American groups at the White House on Friday, where he was joined by Vice President Joe Biden.
And they have enlisted an array of luminaries to serve as Hagel ambassadors. Thirteen former secretaries of defense and state and national security advisers from both parties sent a letter to senators last week strongly backing his nomination.
Hagel will be introduced at his hearing by two former Senate Armed Services committee chairmen, Democrat Sam Nunn and Republican John Warner, who both - like Hagel - were known for breaking from party doctrine on a range of issues.
'MURDER BOARDS'
Hagel has set up a Pentagon office and has a transition team helping him to prepare. He has met with Panetta, deputy defense secretary Ashton Carter and other military leaders, including Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The nominee has had two "murder board" sessions, panels to grill him to prepare for questions from skeptical - and hostile - senators.
A source close to the confirmation process said Hagel may squeeze in a third "murder board" session before Thursday.
Carter, who will stay on as deputy secretary of defense during Obama's second term, told reporters at the Pentagon on Friday that Obama had called him to tell him about the Hagel nomination and asked him to remain, which would provide a measure of stability.
Critics have questioned Hagel's past statements over the power of the "Jewish lobby" in Washington, and what they say is his resistance to sanctions on Iran and eagerness to further cut defense spending. No Republican has yet publicly endorsed him.
Hagel is expected to have a tougher time with the Armed Services Committee, which must clear his nomination, than in the full 100-member Senate, where Republicans hold 45 seats.
There are 12 Republicans on the 26-member panel, but many are among the Senate's most conservative members. At least three, including the panel's top Republican, James Inhofe of Oklahoma, said they would oppose Hagel even before hearing his testimony.
But others, including fellow Vietnam War veteran John McCain, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Utah's Mike Lee and Deb Fischer of Nebraska, said they would reserve judgment until after Hagel's testimony.
McCain's vote is considered key. He campaigned for Hagel in 1996, and Hagel was national co-chairman of the Arizona Republican's unsuccessful 2000 presidential bid. On Tuesday, McCain said he would wait to make up his mind until he hears Hagel's testimony.
TRAITOR TO THE RIGHT, WORRY TO THE LEFT
Some Republicans view Hagel as a traitor for questioning the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq War, which he initially supported.
Some Democrats and moderate Republicans, meanwhile, question Hagel's social conservatism, saying it raises concerns about how strongly he would support equal rights for women or homosexuals in the military.
"Hagel annoyed people on both the right and left with some of his comments," said Lawrence Korb, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and assistant secretary of defense under President Ronald Reagan.
"My guess is in the committee, he's going to get out, but not by a lot," Korb said.
Controlling 55 seats in the Senate, Democrats have enough votes to confirm Hagel by a simple majority. They would need five Republican votes to overcome Senate procedural hurdles, although an effort to block Hagel would infuriate Democrats as the two parties try to negotiate delicate issues like spending cuts and a bipartisan immigration plan.
Hagel has held dozens of meetings with senators to address their concerns and appeal for their support, staying on Capitol Hill from early morning well into the evening repeatedly in the weeks leading up to his confirmation hearing.
He was due to have 10 more meetings on Tuesday, cramming for his make-or-break appearance before the panel. Aides have said they expect he will have met with at least 50 of the 100 senators before Thursday morning.
Despite a grueling schedule, Hagel has shown glimpses of humor.
He accidentally wandered into the Senate press gallery last week while looking for a men's room and gamely fielded a few questions - saying little - when he emerged.
And the Omaha World Herald newspaper reported that Hagel ran into Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts' new senator, in the Capitol basement while hurrying between meetings one day last week.
"We were just talking about you," Warren said.
To which Hagel replied, "Everybody's been talking about me."
(Additional reporting by David Alexander and Phil Stewart; Editing by Warren Strobel and Cynthia Osterman)
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/big-push-hagel-no-leading-behind-white-house-060912084.html
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6 Kid-Friendly Brazil Resorts | Family Traveller ? Travel blog
With a coastline longer than the extent of the continental USA, Brazil has over 4500 miles of pristine beaches, sand dunes, surf spots, and gorgeous beach resorts ? most nestled in lush Atlantic Rainforest. Plus, there are other fantastic Brazil resorts near the Iguassu Falls ? one of the largest waterfalls in the world. How is a family vacationing in Brazil to choose among all the incredible Brazil resorts? Here?s a curated list of 6 kid-friendly Brazil resorts, written by a Brazil travel expert.
Hotel Nannai Beach Resort ? Porto de Galinhas
The 5-star Nannai Beach Resort lies on Muro Alto Beach, 8 km from Porto de Galinhas. Coconut palms and sand dunes surround the resort?s 42 suites and 49 bungalows.
Suites have a private balcony, air conditioning, electronic safe, radio alarm clock, iPod dock, and minibar, while the bungalows each have a private balcony overlooking the sea, private swimming pool, living room, dining area, iPod dock, minibar, electronic safe, and LCD cable TV with DVD player. The master bungalow also has a full kitchen.
Amenities at this luxury resort include 24-hour room service, a restaurant and 2 bars, boutique shop, library, heliport, babysitting services, and cyber cafe. Activities include water volleyball, mini golf, tennis court, beach volleyball and soccer, and a fitness center. Take advantage of the private beach access and go for a ride on a Jangada, a traditional Brazilian sailboat, or try kayaking and snorkeling. For the kids, there is a spacious children?s playground and swimming pool, games room, and Kid?s Club.
For relaxation, there is an extensive network of swimming pools (6000 m? to be exact!) and hot tubs, massage services, and a full-service gorgeous Spa by L?Occitane offering Reiki, reflexology, hydromassage, and Shiatzu.
Costao do Santinho Resort & Spa ? Florian?polis
This extensive 5-star Cost?o do Santinho Resort & Spa offers nearly every activity and luxury that you could imagine. Located on Florian?polis Island ? known as the weekend getaway spot for Paulistas and partygoers ? the resort encompasses 10 million ft? (1 million m?) of lush forests, sand dunes, freshwater ponds, and safe beaches, not to mention 695 guest rooms and suites. Walk around the resort?s property, and you?ll find Pitanga trees, almond trees, Yellow Ipe trees, orchids, hummingbirds, and shore birds.
This sprawling resort hosts 5 restaurants, 3 bars, a full-service spa and salon, and activities ranging from wind surfing, paintball, horseback riding, sand boarding, kayaking, and archery to golf and tennis. There are several indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a diving center as well.
Children?s services and activities abound. The kiddos can work on arts & crafts in the Craft Shop Cost?o, visit the Yellow Woodpecker Ranch, enjoy costume parties and games, play with circus performers in the children?s swimming pool, go bike riding or play beach volleyball, go kayaking in the marina, try sand boarding, or hang out in the arcade.
The guest rooms are decorated with tile floors, dark wood and bamboo furniture, and mosaic tile accents. All have views of the ocean or the garden, plus free Wi-Fi, and cable TV. Some apartments have kitchens with barbeques. The family room (2 adults, 2 kids 4-11 years, and 1 kid under 3) has everything your family needs for a home away from home. There?s a living room, dining room, full kitchen, laundry area, balcony, barbeque area, 3 bedrooms, LCD cable TV, safe deposit box, Wi-Fi Internet access, and phone.
Vila Gal? Eco Resort ? Angra dos Reis
The all-inclusive Vila Gal?Eco Resort is located in the bay of Ilha Grande near Angra dos Reis, and is surrounded by subtropical Atlantic rainforest, calm seas, palms, and beautiful beaches. The waters by the Eco Resort are a transparent blue, inviting you to dip your toes in and leave your cares by the shore. Just 150 km (90 miles) from Rio de Janeiro, Angra dos Reis makes for a quiet getaway spot.
The Vila Gal? was once a farmland, and some of the original buildings and hundred-year-old palm trees are still intact. There are 319 guest rooms, with sea, mountain, or garden views. Each is decorated with wood furniture, and has air conditioning, a private balcony, cable TV, desk, sofa, digital safe, telephone, spacious bathtub, minibar, and goose-down pillows and blankets.
Choose from several restaurants and bars ? there?s everything from sushi to a cocktail at the Blues & Soul bar. There is a business center, conference room, fitness center, tennis and volleyball courts, and Satsanga Spa ? with sauna, tropical shower, hot tub, Shiatsu, and massage treatments. Wi-Fi Internet is available throughout the hotel.
Kids will love the water park, with more than 1500 m? of swimming pools for adults and children, plus a Jacuzzi and heated Olympic lap pool. Children can join the Kid?s Club for recreational activities like nature walks, games in the pool, music and dancing, and crafts. The calm waters of the ocean are ideal for small children. Thoughtful amenities for parents include a feeding room with microwave, fridge, milk, cookies, and bottle sterilizer. There is also a playroom and nursery, and restaurant menu geared for kids? appetites. Babysitting services are available.
Portobello Beach Resort ? Angra dos Reis
The 5-star Portobello Resort was built in Polynesian style to blend in perfectly with the nature surrounding it. Overlooking the waters of Angra dos Reis Bay, and surrounded by magnificent mountains covered with the lush vegetation of the Atlantic Forest, the resort invites both adults and kids to relax and have some fun in the sun. Just 100 km (62 mi) from Rio de Janeiro, the Portobello Resort is a tranquil getaway from the big city and offers a pristine beach and safe bay.
Like other resorts and hotels in Brazil, the Portobello has the obligatory swimming pool, business center, and restaurant. But not to be outdone by other resorts, the Portobello has a private white sand beach, a heliport and private runway for takeoffs and landings, and a marina available for yachts up to 60 ft. If a swimming pool just isn?t enough, there are natural lakes and waterfall to explore.
Activities abound at the resort: go horseback riding, hiking, or on an off-roading safari through the Atlantic Rainforest. Or make the most of the bay and try kayaking, jet skiing, or windsurfing.
For the kids, the resort provides a specially-trained staff to lead kids over 4 on daily adventures. They can learn about the flora and fauna of the region on a nature walk, do arts and crafts, and more.
There are 127 guest rooms and 26 suites, each with an ocean view. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, cable TV, safe deposit box, and minibar.
Mabu Thermas & Resort ? Foz do Iguassu
The 5-star Mabu Thermas & Resort Iguassu is an all-inclusive resort option for those seeking a family-friendly trip to the Iguassu Falls. ?Mabu Thermas? gets its name from the nearby Guarani Aquifer, the world?s largest subterranean water reservoir. Guests can take a soothing dip in the 3 heated swimming pools that are sourced from this reservoir. The pools are open 24-hours and one has a waterslide: every kid?s dream come true.
Behind the hotel is a large park with activities for the whole family, from soccer and volleyball to tennis and fishing in the lake. The fitness center faces the pools, so you can keep an eye on the kids while working out. The staff leads activities throughout the day and into the evening, for kids as well as teenagers. Options include paintball, archery, and a zipline.
The resort offers a restaurant and a piano bar with nightly live entertainment. The full-service spa offers hydromassage, beauty and massage treatments. The 208 guest rooms come with air conditioning, LCD cable TV, minibar, and Internet access.
Bourbon Cataratas Convention & Spa Resort
The 5-star Bourbon Cataratas Convention & Spa Resort is an extensive resort that is fun for the whole family. Spanning 165,000 square meters, this resort is within close range of the mighty Iguassu Falls.
Leisure activities abound, from a gigantic outdoor swimming pool and children?s pool, to tennis courts, a soccer field, and fitness center. Plus there are more adventurous activities like archery, Tarzan Hut with zipline, and a rock-climbing wall. Youngsters can make friends in the kid?s playroom. There is also a room where can prepare milk and food for babies.
Adults can relax in the sauna, hot tub, wellness center, or Scottish shower. Families can pass the time in the games room or by taking a walk along the ecological paths to spot lizards, parrots, monkeys, and see the small zoo.
There are 311 rooms, each with air conditioning and heating, Internet access, safe deposit box, minibar, cable TV, and telephone. Other amenities include 2 bars, 3 restaurants, 24-hour room service, babysitting service, and business center.
Kid-Friendly Travel Tips
Make sure to avoid drinking the tap water and street food, no matter where you visit in Brazil. While at the beach, be wary of riptides, strong ocean currents, and pollution. Research the beach where your family will be staying to make sure it is safe for swimming and water sports. Ask the hotel staff about tidal conditions if your tikes are planning to hit the beach. And of course, don?t forget to lather up on sunscreen. Salvador in particular is best visited during the day ? avoid nighttime city tours when traveling with kids.
Author: Kaitlin McMichael is a travel writer for the 4* & 5* Brazil Tours experts at SouthAmerica.travel. Experts in custom travel packages throughout South America, SouthAmerica.travel has offices in Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Lima, Seattle, and Stuttgart.
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বুধবার, ৩০ জানুয়ারী, ২০১৩
Execution of woman in Texas postponed, lawyers to argue jury discrimination
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - The execution of Kimberly McCarthy was postponed by a Texas judge on Tuesday, the day she was to die, to give her lawyers time to argue that racial discrimination played a role in choosing the jury that convicted her.
It was rescheduled for April 3 and, if carried out, McCarthy will be the first woman to be put to death in the United States in nearly three years.
Dallas County District Court Judge Larry Mitchell delayed the execution, which was scheduled to take place after 6 p.m. local time.
"Of the twelve jurors seated at trial, all were white, except one, and eligible non-white jurors were excluded from serving by the State," said Maurie Levin, a University of Texas adjunct law professor who assisted in representing McCarthy.
McCarthy is African-American.
The predominantly white jury contrasted with an African-American population in Dallas County of 22.5 percent, lawyers said in their request for the delay of execution.
Dallas County, Texas, has previously been accused of racial discrimination in jury selection. In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a black death row inmate convicted in the county was entitled to a new trial because of strong evidence of racial bias in jury selection during his 1986 trial.
"Race played an undeniable role in the selection of the jury that convicted and sentenced Ms. McCarthy," her lawyers said in their request.
Women are rarely executed in the United States. Only 12 female inmates have been put to death since capital punishment was reinstated by the Supreme Court in 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
The last woman executed was Teresa Lewis in Virginia on September 23, 2010, the center said.
McCarthy, 51, was convicted of stabbing her 71-year-old neighbor Dorothy Booth on July 21, 1997.
According to the Texas attorney general's summary of the case she also cut off Booth's left ring finger to take her diamond ring, which she later pawned.
McCarthy also was believed to be responsible for the murders of two other elderly women, according to the case summary.
McCarthy was found guilty in 1998 by a Dallas County jury of murdering Booth and she was sentenced to death. Her conviction was overturned by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 2001 because no attorney was present when she was questioned after the crime, even though she had requested a lawyer, court documents showed. She was tried a second time in 2002, found guilty by a Dallas County jury, and again sentenced to death.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 2004 agreed with the second conviction.
McCarthy would have been the second person executed in the United States so far this year. Forty-three inmates were put to death in 2012.
(Reporting by Corrie MacLaggan; Writing by Greg McCune)
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/texas-judge-postpones-scheduled-execution-woman-205221119.html
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Look at the Soles to Find Quality Men's Dress Shoes (and Other Shoe Shopping Tips)
Every guy needs at least one good pair of dress shoes. When it's time to invest in your next pair, keep in mind these shoe shopping tips from men's fashion blog Kinowear. They'll help you identify the quality shoes from the cheap ones.
The soles of the shoes can be a big quality indicator. Yours should have stitched (rather than glued) soles, be made out of leather, and at least a quarter-of-an-inch thick. Kinowear also suggests looking at the welt?the seam where the sole meets the upper part of the shoe:
It should be visible, but it shouldn't extend so far past the edge of the shoe that it creates a ledge.
In terms of getting the right fit, make sure that with oxford-style shoes, you can't lace them so tightly that the shoe edges will meet; if you can, get a narrower size.
Check out the full article on Kinowear to learn much more about men's dress shoes.
A Simple Guide on Dress Shoes | Kinowear via PS
Photo by PS
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Fun London Drugs - More toy bargains
Note: London Drugs stores are in BC, AB, SK, and MB only.
Continued from this previous post:
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/londo...-ymmv-1269877/
Here's what else I found at the Georgia and Granville store in Vancouver, BC.
The small Thundercats action figures mentioned in the previous post were reduced from $1.99 to $1.00 each. All cleared out.
Thor action figures, $3.00
Sorry, no Natalie Portman action figure.
Angry Birds light, $4.00
Play-Doh 40-piece back pack set, $5.00
Play-Doh vehicle set, $5.00
Caillou doll, $5.00
Source: http://forums.redflagdeals.com/london-drugs-more-toy-bargains-1294686/new-post/
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মঙ্গলবার, ২৯ জানুয়ারী, ২০১৩
Oil steady as US, China manufacturing improves
The price of oil was steady above $96 a barrel on Tuesday, supported by expanding manufacturing output in the world's two largest economies and ahead of the release this week of several key U.S. economic indicators.
By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark oil for March delivery was up 5 cents to $96.50 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 56 cents to finish at $96.44 a barrel on the Nymex on Monday.
On Monday, the U.S. reported that demand for long-lasting manufactured goods rose sharply in December. That comes on top of an improved housing picture and strong earnings by major companies. Many analysts think the economy's sluggish recovery will pick up stream by 2014.
China's manufacturing activity has also recently rebounded as the country emerges from its deepest slump since the 2008 global financial crisis. Analysts have all but stopped predicting that the world's No. 2 economy will have a "hard landing," or a sharp downturn.
"Oil prices are continuing to profit from the brightening of market sentiment," said a report from Commerzbank in Frankfurt. "However, as compared to equity markets, which are trading at multi-year highs, oil prices have underperformed of late and therefore have catch-up potential."
It's a big week for U.S. economic indicators. The government will release reports on weekly jobless claims, unemployment and fourth-quarter growth. And the Federal Reserve's policy committee holds a two-day meeting that concludes on Wednesday.
Brent crude, used to price international varieties of oil, was down 12 cents to $113.36 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.
In other energy futures trading on Nymex:
? Wholesale gasoline declined 1.31 cents to $2.9278 per gallon.
? Natural gas lost 5.4 cents to $3.235 per 1,000 cubic feet.
? Heating oil retreated 0.11 cent to $3.0532 a gallon.
___
Pamela Sampson in Bangkok contributed to this report.
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Gnomes to stay on Calif. utility poles for now
A hand painted portrait of a gnome is shown on a utility pole near Lake Merritt Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 in Oakland, Calif. Small paintings of gnomes that have popped up on utility poles have become a community sensation in Oakland, prompting Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to say Tuesday that it will keep them in place for now. The portraits on 6-inch blocks of wood began going up last year in an apparent effort to brighten up the blue-collar California city. There are currently more than 2,000 of the images on utility poles, with many screwed to the bases. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
A hand painted portrait of a gnome is shown on a utility pole near Lake Merritt Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 in Oakland, Calif. Small paintings of gnomes that have popped up on utility poles have become a community sensation in Oakland, prompting Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to say Tuesday that it will keep them in place for now. The portraits on 6-inch blocks of wood began going up last year in an apparent effort to brighten up the blue-collar California city. There are currently more than 2,000 of the images on utility poles, with many screwed to the bases. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Isaac Lim, looks over a hand-painted gnome on a window outside the Haddon Hill Cafe Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 in Oakland, Calif. Small paintings of gnomes that have popped up on utility poles have become a community sensation in Oakland, prompting Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to say Tuesday that it will keep them in place for now. The portraits on 6-inch blocks of wood began going up last year in an apparent effort to brighten up the blue-collar California city. There are currently more than 2,000 of the images on utility poles, with many screwed to the bases. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
A woman walks past a hand painted gnome and mushroom on a utility pole Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 in Oakland, Calif. Small paintings of gnomes that have popped up on utility poles have become a community sensation in Oakland, prompting Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to say Tuesday that it will keep them in place for now. The 6-inch blocks of wood began going up last year in an apparent effort to brighten up the blue-collar California city. There are currently more than 2,000 of the images on utility poles, with many screwed to the bases. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
A hand-painted gnome is shown on a window outside the Haddon Hill Cafe Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 in Oakland, Calif. Small paintings of gnomes that have popped up on utility poles have become a community sensation in Oakland, prompting Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to say Tuesday that it will keep them in place for now. The portraits on 6-inch blocks of wood began going up last year in an apparent effort to brighten up the blue-collar California city. There are currently more than 2,000 of the images on utility poles, with many screwed to the bases. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) ? Small paintings of gnomes that have popped up on utility poles have become a community sensation in Oakland, prompting Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to say Tuesday that it will keep them in place for now.
The hand-painted portraits on 6-inch blocks of wood began going up last year in an apparent effort to brighten up the blue-collar California city. There are currently more than 2,000 of the images on utility poles, with many screwed to the bases.
The gnomes have red hats, white beards and brown shoes. Some of the images contain a mushroom.
Word that PG&E planned to remove the paintings sparked an outpouring of support from residents who said the gnomes add character to the city.
PG&E spokesman Jason King planned to meet Tuesday with the artist, who requested to remain anonymous, and a member of the City Council. The utility hopes to eventually relocate the gnome paintings from the poles to other spots in the same neighborhoods.
"We've received a lot of feedback from residents who love the gnomes," King told The Associated Press. "We're looking for solutions. We'll keep them where people can enjoy them."
King said PG&E did not want to encourage such installations, explaining a proliferation of such images could cause damage or make it difficult for crews to access the poles.
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Climate change alters ecosystems from Walden Pond to 'The Shack'
Using historical data collected by famous naturalists and authors Henry David Thoreau and Aldo Leopold, scientists have linked early flower blooms to warm springs. This is the first time researchers have analyzed patterns in these two sets of data together. ?
Walden Pond has seen warmer temperatures and earlier spring flowerings since Henry David Thoreau first stayed there in 1852.
timhettler | Flickr.com
EnlargeThe warmest springs on record caused flowers to bloom at their earliest dates in decades at two historic sites, according to new research.
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The findings, published online today (Jan. 16) in the journal PLoS ONE, show just how much climate change has altered ecosystems throughout the temperate areas of the United States. The study used 161-year-old data on flowering times from Henry David Thoreau's notebooks, as well as nearly 80-year-old data from the famous naturalist Aldo Leopold.
Scientists had previously described the Thoreau records but they hadn't combined the two naturalists' findings until now.
"Record warm temperatures (in 2010 and 2012) have resulted in record early flowering times," said study researcher Elizabeth Ellwood of Boston University. [8 Ways Global Warming Is Already Changing the World]
Famous naturalists
Henry David Thoreau was one of the most iconic figures of the 19th century. The famous naturalist and poet wrote the book "Walden" about his years living at idyllic Walden Pond in Concord, Mass. Starting in 1852 and at different points throughout his life, he also created the first "spreadsheets of flowering dates" for many well-known?flowers, including the wild columbine, the pink-lady slipper orchid and the marsh marigold, Ellwood said.
Similarly, the naturalist Leopold took detailed records of first flowering times at a site called "The Shack" in?wilderness near the Wisconsin River, starting in 1935.
"It's the iconic equivalent to Walden Pond for Wisconsinites," Ellwood told LiveScience.
While scholars knew of these flowering observations, many were scattered in different libraries and archives, and no one had systematically analyzed their patterns, she said.
Hotter springs, earlier blooms
To do so, Ellwood and her colleagues gathered all of?Thoreau's flowering records?from several archives. They then compared flowering dates with spring temperatures for 32 different flowering plants.
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সোমবার, ২৮ জানুয়ারী, ২০১৩
Stock futures point to gains after data and Caterpillar
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures pointed to a modestly higher open on Monday following strong data and results from Caterpillar, though gains were slight after a rally that took the S&P 500 above 1,500 for the first time in more than five years.
A strong start to the earnings season has boosted equities, with major averages rising for four straight weeks. The S&P has gained for eight straight days, its longest winning streak in eight years.
Caterpillar Inc
"You can't find more of a global bellwhether than Cat, and people are pleased with the number, which suggests there could be less concern about slowing growth in China after this," said Wayne Kaufman, chief market analyst at John Thomas Financial in New York.
Thomson Reuters data through Friday showed that of the 147 S&P 500 companies that have reported earnings so far, 68 percent exceeded expectations. Since 1994, 62 percent of companies have topped expectations, while the average over the past four quarters stands at 65 percent.
Yahoo Inc
S&P 500 futures rose 2 points and were about even with fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures added 22 points and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 2 points.
The S&P 500 closed at its highest since December 10, 2007, and the Dow ended at its highest since October 31, 2007. Over the past four weeks, the S&P has jumped 7.2 percent, suggesting markets may be vulnerable to a pullback if news disappoints.
Durable goods jumped 4.6 percent in December, a pace that far outstripped expectations for a rise of 1.8 percent.
"We continue to have a parade of better-than-expected economic reports. All-in-all it's a good picture. I think there's a good chance we've reached a point of recognition where people don't think the economy will crater," Kaufman said.
In addition to earnings, equities have also risen on an agreement in Washington to extend the government's borrowing power. On Monday, Fitch Ratings said that agreement removed the near-term risk to the country's 'AAA' rating.
Previously, the agency said the lack of an agreement would prompt a review of the sovereign rating.
In company news, Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Inc
Bargain hunters may look to Apple Inc in the first session after the tech giant lost its coveted title as the largest U.S. company by market capitalization to Exxon Mobil Corp
"Apple is pretty attractive right now, so you may see an opportunity here," said Chris Bertelsen, who helps oversee $1.5 billion as chief investment officer of Global Financial Private Capital in Sarasota, Florida. "Those who think the stock is dead have made a big mistake."
U.S. stocks rose on Friday, lifted by strong results from such companies as Procter & Gamble
(Editing by W Simon and Kenneth Barry)
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stock-index-futures-signal-slight-gains-104646069--finance.html
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New music review: Chansons, Jill Barber (Outside Music) | Montreal ...
Jill Barber?s nod to classic chansons, both French and quebecoises, is so evocative at points that it almost amounts to a case of aural false memory. The Vancouver-based chanteuse wasn?t yet born when these songs first appeared in the `30s, `40s and `50s, nor were many of us ? and yet the sense of place and time on this disc is so strong that you could swear you were once in this imagined grainy, black and white footage.
Wisely opting for stripped-down chamber-jazz arrangements, Barber, an avowed francophile, approaches material associated with Piaf, Gainsbourg, Salvador and others with reverence, but retains enough sexy playfulness and gentle self-awareness to make them her own.
Whether she?s surrendering to the moody Melancolie, turning the heat up a notch in Je cherche un homme or reclaiming the anti-war evergreen Quand les hommes vivront d?amour, Barber proves herself an interpreter worthy of this daunting material.
Rating: ****
Podworthy: Sous le ciel de Paris
Chansons will be available Jan. 29. Here?s a sneak peek, with Quand les hommes vivront d?amour:
Bernard Perusse
Twitter: @bernieperusse
Source: http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2013/01/27/new-music-review-chansons-jill-barber-outside-music/
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Countries, Races, Seas, and the planet.
5,000 years ago on another planet ruled by monsters and animals of all kinds, even ones from earth a profecy was born.
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Forum for completely Out of Character (OOC) discussion, based around whatever is happening In Character (IC). Discuss plans, storylines, and events; Recruit for your roleplaying game, or find a GM for your playergroup.
Koroth
Koroth, home to many creatures and countries.
Countries:
(Click this for a picture of the map and countries.)
Renalo: The safest country, free-est country, and all above most likeable country on Koroth. It's the most stable and it's the home of the Elder Dragon. It's home to diverse creatures, infact immagrants from everywhere around the world are allowed here. It consists of a large, main island, then a smaller, but still large, island to the east of it. At war with no countries at the moment.
Krai'in: A weaker country, but supported by Renalo in many ways. Seen as Renalo's brother country and is similar to Renalo in more ways than not.
Sorot Kled: A very weak and unstable country, filled mostly with poverty and ghettos, it's constantly at war with other nations including the Deserts, Kilod, and the Fire Nation. NOT at war with Renalo, Krai'in, or any of the Air's Isles.
Ka'awii: Sister nation to Iceworld Island.
Iceworld Island: Home to many water and ice tribes, it's for those who prefer cold yet not extreme cold.
Killod: A country losing it's land. The Eastern Desert, Western Desert, and Warlands all used to be a part of Killod, until they seceded by force and crippled Killod.
Fire Nation: Home to volcanoes, fire and lava creatures alike, this is THE evil military nation. At war with half of the world, and winning, they are seen as the bad guys. They are trying to take over Killod, Sorot Kled, Warllands, both Deserts, and failing at Eastern Renalo.
Eastern Deset: Commonly known as the Red Desert, for being the hottest place on the planet and for having red sand, they are a seceded part of Killod, and fighting their border nation, Fire Nation. The desert nomads and fire creatures who live here are extremely dangerous and hostile.
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রবিবার, ২৭ জানুয়ারী, ২০১৩
Leading Democrat: Gun control faces uphill climb
WASHINGTON (AP) ? Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who's leading the push to restore an assault weapon ban, acknowledged on Sunday that the effort faces tough odds to pass Congress and she blamed the nation's largest gun-rights group.
Feinstein, D-Calif., on Thursday introduced a bill that would prohibit 157 specific weapons and ammunition magazines that have more than 10 rounds. The White House and fellow Democrats are skeptical the measure is going anywhere, given lawmakers who are looking toward re-election might fear pro-gun voters and the National Rifle Association.
"This has always been an uphill fight. This has never been easy. This is the hardest of the hard," Feinstein said.
"I think I can get it passed because the American people are very much for it," Feinstein said of the measure that follows a similar measure she championed into law 1994 but expired a decade later.
She acknowledged, however, the NRA's political clout.
"They come after you. They put together large amounts of money to defeat you," Feinstein said.
She also said the group was a pawn of those who make weapons.
"The NRA is venal. ... The NRA has become an institution of gun manufacturers," she said.
The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to take up the proposal on Wednesday and hear from the NRA's CEO and senior vice president, Wayne LaPierre. Mark Kelly, the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., who was shot in an assassination attempt, also plans to testify.
New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, who favors the assault weapons ban, expressed skepticism that it would be returned to law.
"It's probably a heavy lift in Congress," he said.
In the wake of the elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn. In December, President Barack Obama has pushed to expanded background checks, restoring the assault weapons ban and banning high-capacity ammunition magazines. But members of his own party may thwart his hopes.
Feinstein appeared on CBS' "Face the Nation" and CNN's "State of the Union." Kelly was on CBS.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/leading-democrat-gun-control-faces-uphill-climb-160828132--politics.html
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TaxACT Deluxe Online
2nd Story Software has had the distinction over the last several years of being the only personal income tax-prep provider that offers a free version that is the same as its paid version in terms of actual tax preparation tools. The free version of TaxACT Deluxe Online only lacks some found extras found in the paid version, such as an import tool, donation tracker, and calculators (none of which I even used in my evaluation). But if you don't need to file a state return, you can prepare and print or e-file your IRS 1040 forms and schedules absolutely free.
It's for this reason that I said last year and will say again this year: The TaxACT site should be your first stop when you're getting ready to endure your annual tax ordeal. Jump to the topics that you think are the most complex in your return and see how the site handles them. If the forms you need are supported?TaxACT includes all of the most common and many that are used less frequently?and the depth of guidance is acceptable, you don't have to look any further.
Lest you think this is a gimmick designed to market a lot of other products and services to you, or that TaxACT is a second-rate site published by a fly-by-night company, know that it's neither. TaxACT has been around for as long as its competitors, though in its earlier years it was known as Personal TaxEdge and published by a different company (some of the principals moved forward with the product and kept it going under a new name). There's no catch. TaxACT Deluxe Online is a solid rival for the other sites reviewed here. It just happens to be free.
Almost a Carbon Copy
Like its competitors, TaxACT looks and works much like the 2011 version did, with one big difference: TaxTutor Guidance, which comes from renowned tax resource J.K. Lasser, has been rewritten to be clearer and simpler. This was one of TaxACT's weaknesses, so the change was welcome. Beyond that, the company is now offering an audit insurance plan ? similar to competitors' ? for $39.95. And 2nd Story Software is branching out a bit; it will produce an inexpensive service for creating your own will.
TaxACT Deluxe Online does practically everything TurboTax Deluxe Online?and H&R Block At Home Deluxe Online?do. Besides supporting a comparable number of forms and schedules and incorporating new tax laws since last year, it walks you through an interview-like process ("Q&A") rather than making you enter data on IRS documents. It asks you simple, clear questions about everything that needs to be on those official forms. There are often several questions on each screen, and you simply enter information in fields or select options from lists or check boxes to answer them.
You advance forward and backward by clicking buttons. TaxACT doesn't force you to complete the screens in order like H&R Block At Home Deluxe Online does. And when you come across particularly complex topics, all of these sites offer the option of taking a more directed, simplified route.
In the background, TaxACT transfers those responses to the correct lines on the 1040 and its assorted forms and schedules. When you're done, TaxACT combs through your return and alerts you to anything that's missing or seems incorrect. After you've fixed anything necessary, what comes out when you click "Print" is the actual IRS forms filled out with the information you provided. You can also file your return electronically at no cost.
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Samsung expects Music Hub to reach competitors' devices, more countries
Samsung's Music Hub has only had a comparatively small reach to date, delivering tunes to seven countries (six with scan-and-match) and just a handful of devices. Senior VP of Media Services TJ Kang expects the audio service to broaden its horizons -- he tells The Next Web that Samsung wants to widen access to rivals' gear as well. There's no convenient timetable to put on the calendar, but the expansion is a significant move for a service that's frequently seen as more of a brand-specific checklist feature than a full competitor with the likes of Google Music or iTunes. Plans for Samsung's own devices are more definite, Kang says. Music Hub is coming to more countries in 2013, as long as licensing deals work out, and further device support (including the non-mobile variety) will depend on flagship hardware releases scattered throughout the year. No matter where Media Hub heads next, it's safe to presume that it will be more than just a nice bonus in the near future.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video, Mobile, Samsung
Source: The Next Web
Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/fE4OIrvWyRk/
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শনিবার, ২৬ জানুয়ারী, ২০১৩
Patent and Trademark Attorney Protect your Intellectual Property ...
A trademark is a logo, symbol or design on a product that differentiates the product from similar products of different companies. Today, there are a number of substitutes for most products, and there is also much counterfeiting. Therefore, it becomes necessary that you obtain a trademark for your product. If you have made a new invention, and/or followed a particular process in doing so, you can obtain a patent for the product. However, obtaining trademarks and patents, as well as protecting them, can be a tough task, and that is why you need the services of a patent and trademark attorney.You need to consult a patent law firm in the United States in order to engage the services of a patent and trademark attorney. Such an attorney will help you obtain a trademark, copyright or patent more easily, and ensure that all your intellectual property rights (IPR) relating to trademarks, patents and copyrights are fully protected. These attorneys have decades of experience in the field, and are the best in their profession. They can also prepare and negotiate a number of other complex legal agreements.Their great expertise, however, lies in trademark, copyright and patent law New York. When you contact them, they respond immediately by email or phone. You can even visit their office on a prior appointment. The initial consultation is free of charge in most cases. During the initial consultation, the patent and trademark attorney will provide you with recommendations on the initial plan of action, which will differ depending on whether you are seeking to purchase an IPR or seeking to protect an existing one.
The IP lawyer New York will help you choose a trademark that best represents your business, while using his immense knowledge and resources to ensure that the trademark does not match any other known trademark worldwide. Then, he will file a trademark application covering the use of the selected mark on your goods or services. If you already have a trademark whose validity period has expired, he can file another application for renewal.Obtaining patents can be tough because normally, courts do not allow patents on several items of essential public consumption e.g. medicines or genetically engineered foodstuffs. Additionally, there are several kinds of patents, including patents for industrial processes, complicating the issue. The patent and trademark attorney will guide you about the kind of inventions which can be provided patent protection under US laws, as well as the intricate procedure for obtaining a patent. He will also provide a good estimate of the costs involve d in obtaining and maintaining a patent. Most attorneys are well versed with the various technologies involved in production. However, if the attorney feels that he lacks the information, he has an excellent coterie of professionals who can guide him on any technology.Finally, you can find good attorneys in all places in the US whether you want a Putnam County patent attorney, an NJ patent attorney, or an attorney handling Bergen county patent law.
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depict cadillac: Education & Reference 2020: The K-12 Implosion ...
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What will Michelle Obama do with four more years?
WASHINGTON (AP) ? Michelle Obama has a new look, both in person and online, and with the president's re-election, she has four more years as first lady, too.
That's got many people wondering: What will she do with them?
Take on a new cause? Travel more? Trace the path of another first lady and keep the Obama political brand alive by running for office?
The answers are to be determined.
The first lady is trying to figure out what comes next for this self-described "mom in chief" who also is a champion of healthier eating, an advocate for military families, a fitness buff and the best-selling author of a book about her White House garden.
For certain, she'll press ahead with her well-publicized efforts to reduce childhood obesity and rally the country around its service members.
"But beyond that, the first lady is exploring ways that she can make a real difference for Americans, not just for these next four years, but for years to come," said Kristina Schake, Mrs. Obama's communications director.
Here are five areas to watch.
___
NEW ISSUES
Will she take on a new cause? It's possible.
When Parade magazine asked last year whether she'd take up any new issues, Mrs. Obama identified women's health issues. "How do we strengthen families and make them healthier, an issue not just in America but around the world," she said.
Her marquee causes ? the "Let's Move" campaign against childhood obesity and the "Joining Forces" effort to help military families ? took a back seat last fall as she campaigned doggedly for President Barack Obama's re-election.
Look for her to begin publicizing those efforts anew.
Do not expect to see Mrs. Obama push more contentious issues such as gun control or immigration, both second-term priorities for the president. Her public approval rating was 73 percent in a December poll by CNN and she'd like to keep it there.
Some feminists remain unhappy that the Ivy League-educated lawyer hasn't used her position to champion what they view as more substantive issues.
Robert Watson, an American studies professor at Lynn University, said he hopes Mrs. Obama will use her popularity to pivot away from the "velvet-glove" issues first ladies typically embrace and say, "I'm swinging for the fence."
___
MALIA AND SASHA
Obama's daughters are older and will be in full teenage mode by the summer of 2014. Malia is already there at 14; sister Sasha is 11.
Both the president and first lady sometimes talk about the girls' busy lives and how they don't want to spend much time with their parents anymore.
Could having older, more independent children free Mrs. Obama to pursue other interests? Some first lady watchers say that's unlikely. After all, the teenage years are often full of angst about dating, proms, learning how to drive, going to college and so on.
"Michelle has made such a public statement about being the 'mom in chief' that it's hard to see her saying, 'Go ahead girls, here's the limo,'" Watson said.
Malia will graduate from high school during Obama's final year in office, in 2016, and probably trade the White House for a college dorm. She and her parents will have to navigate the college application process and campus tours. Sasha will be in high school.
___
TRAVEL
Presidents and first ladies often step up the pace of international travel in the second term. But it seems unlikely that Obama could make such a pivot just yet, with the U.S. public still so concerned about the economy, unemployment and government spending.
One option would be to send Mrs. Obama abroad in his place.
The first lady is popular overseas and has been well-received outside the U.S., including in India, where she accompanied the president in 2010, and in Mexico, also in 2010, and in South Africa and Botswana in 2011, the only countries she has visited alone as first lady.
She and Vice President Joe Biden's wife, Jill, traveled together to Haiti after the massive earthquake there in January 2010.
Mrs. Obama also went to Spain in the summer of 2010 on a personal trip with friends and daughter Sasha, but her stay at a luxury resort on the Costa del Sol wasn't well-received back home, raising questions about the cost and wisdom of taking such a trip during tough economic times.
Laura Bush pursued a grueling foreign travel schedule during George W. Bush's second term. She visited 77 countries in eight years as first lady, including with the president, but 67 of those trips came during the second term, including solo stops in Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, according to Anita McBride, her then-chief of staff who runs American University's first ladies program.
Hillary Rodham Clinton also traveled abroad extensively during Bill Clinton's second term.
___
RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE
Will she or won't she? Despite Mrs. Obama's many denials of interest in seeking elected office herself, the question keeps getting asked. A recent survey found her to be more popular than Mark Kirk, the Republican senator from her home state of Illinois, in a hypothetical matchup.
"I have no interest in politics. Never have, never will," the first lady said last year on ABC's "The View."
But even those who at one time say "never" can later change their minds.
Hillary Clinton gave the same answer in 1995 when asked if she'd ever run for public office, says Myra Gutin, who studies first ladies at Rider University. But five years later, as her husband's presidency was ending, there was Clinton campaigning across New York for a Senate seat.
She won, used her time in the Senate as a springboard for her 2008 presidential campaign but lost the Democratic nomination to Barack Obama. She became his secretary of state but is departing soon amid feverish speculation that she will run for president in 2016.
Mrs. Obama will be young ? 53 years old ? when her husband leaves office in January 2017, and will have a range of options ahead of her. Friends say she has always believed there are ways to serve the country without running for office.
___
PERSONAL STYLE
Look for the first lady to continue to be a fashion trendsetter. Everything from her hair to her clothes is scrutinized, with some clothing pieces selling out quickly after she's seen wearing them.
Her new bangs became the talk of this town immediately after she went public with them on her 49th birthday, a few days before the president began his second term. Even the president said his wife's haircut was "the most significant event" of inaugural weekend and gave his approval.
Mrs. Obama also won largely positive reviews for her inaugural wardrobe: Reed Krakoff and Thom Browne by day, and Michael Kors and Jason Wu by night. Wu designed her red chiffon and velvet ball gown. He also designed the white ball gown she wore four years ago.
She also has a new presence on Twitter ? (at)FLOTUS.
___
Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/michelle-obama-4-more-years-130004370--politics.html
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