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Alibaba Group (BABA) sold $8 billion in bonds, making the Chinese Internet giant the biggest source of fees in 2014 for banks working on capital-markets deals — WSJ
China's central bank has cut lending rates for the first time in two years – Barrons.com
Alibaba's $8 billion bond sale gives flippers a shot at turning quick profits — Bloomberg
A new report from credit-rating agency Standard & Poor's finds half of all government debt in the country may deserve junk rating — MarketWatch
Bond King Bill Gross just scored a huge vote of confidence in his new fund from George Soros – MarketWatch
The biggest rally in Puerto Rico debt in five years is at risk — Bloomberg
ECB President Mario Draghi signals that the central bank is ready to "step up the pressure" and expand its stimulus programs — WSJ.com
If the European Central Bank goes forward with its reported plan to buy corporate bonds, U.S. corporate bonds will probably benefit too. In the same way that absurdly low European sovereign debt yields (current 10-year German bund yield: 0.87%) make Treasury yields (2.24%) look spectacular by comparison, any large-scale buying of European corporates would drag their yields down further and make comparable U.S. bonds more attractive (even if the effect drags down U.S. yields too). Bank of America Merrill Lynch credit strategists Hans Mikkelsen and Yuriy Shchuchinov look at how a key European corporate bond index reacted yesterday:
While [the buying corporate bonds] appears underwhelming as means to expand the ECBs balance sheet and create inflation, not surprisingly iTraxx Main and XO tightened 5.4bps and 23.5bps, respectively, relative to Monday's close. From a US perspective, the ECB buying European corporate bonds would push investors out of European credit and into US bonds, hence benefiting spreads in the US market as well.
That's yet another tailwind for a U.S. corporate bond market that's largely rebounded strongly since last week's slip. BofA again:
US credit spreads continued to tighten [Tuesday], supported by the tighter spreads in Europe as well as continued strong US economic data. Hence, both credit spreads as well as stocks (SPX and RTY) have now reversed all or most of the losses since the start of the recent selloff on October 9. Interest rates, however, remain significantly lower. The strong rebound in risk assets without a corresponding increase in interest rate risk supports credit spreads.
Checking in on the biggest corporate-bond ETFs, the iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond Fund (HYG) is up 3.5% over the past week, while the SPDR Barclays Capital High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) is up 3.4% in the same period. The iShares iBoxx $ InvesTop Investment Grade Corp. Bond Fund (LQD), however, is down 0.7% in the past week, as Treasury yields have risen in recent days.
Treasury bonds gained a bit Thursday morning after the European Central Bank announced a surprise rate cut and a program to purchase certain asset-backed securities, which is as close as the ECB has gotten to implementing its own version of quantitative easing. The ECB cut its main benchmark policy rate to 0.05% and the deposit rate to -0.2%, lowering each by 10 basis points, and said it will purchase a variety of asset-backed debt and covered bonds.
The 10-year Treasury yield dropped as low as 2.387% shortly after the ECB announcement, per Tradeweb data, but has ticked higher since t0 2.403%. That looks cheap compared to Spanish 10-year bonds that yield 2.18%, Italian 10-years that yield 2.38% and German 10-years yielding 0.94%.
Also this morning payroll services firm ADP reported that the U.S. added 204,000 private-sector jobs in August, falling just short of consensus estimates. That report is seen as a preview of the Labor Department's August employment report that comes out tomorrow morning.
Janet Yellen might have been the headliner, but European Central Bank President Mario Draghi also got the podium at the Fed's Jackson Hole conference today, and in his speech Draghi stressed the ECB's commitment to stimulus measures as well as the complementary role of fiscal policy:
[I]t would be helpful for the overall stance of policy if fiscal policy could play a greater role alongside monetary policy, and I believe there is scope for this, while taking into account our specific initial conditions and legal constraints. These initial conditions include levels of government expenditure and taxation in the euro area that are, in relation to GDP, already among the highest in the world. And we are operating within a set of fiscal rules – the Stability and Growth Pact – which acts as an anchor for confidence and that would be self-defeating to break.
Like Janet Yellen's speech before his, Draghi addressed the cyclical-versus-structural question regarding the current employment situation:
Cyclical factors have therefore certainly contributed to the rise in unemployment. And the economic situation in the euro area suggests they are still playing a role. The most recent GDP data confirm that the recovery in the euro area remains uniformly weak, with subdued wage growth even in non-stressed countries suggesting lacklustre demand. In these circumstances, it seems likely that uncertainty over the strength of the recovery is weighing on business investment and slowing the rate at which workers are being rehired.
That being said, there are signs that, in some countries at least, a significant share of unemployment is also structural.
Some peripheral euro-zone bond yields hovered neared their record lows today. Italian bond prices gained and its 10-year note yield fell to 2.569%, per Tradeweb data, close to the record 2.566% intraday low seen earlier this week. The Spanish 10-year yield weighed in at 2.387%, nearing its low seen last week, while German 10-year bunds yielded as low as 0.964%, near the intraday low of 0.952% seen last week.
The U.S. and Germany may be in the same World Cup group, but just as they'll surely be heading in different directions at the end of group play (moving onto the knockout round for Germany, going home for the U.S.) so too are the countries' bond yields destined to diverge.
Lately, when asked why U.S. Treasury yields keep falling instead of rising, a lot of bond-market pundits have pointed to comparable sovereign bond yields in Europe, which are much lower and encourage global capital to flow out of Europe into the U.S.. But others argue that trend, while real, will be short-lived. I spoke recently with Jonathan Beinner, manager of the $21.3 billion Goldman Sachs Strategic Income Fund (GSZAX), who thinks U.S. rates will soon start rising in accordance with improving domestic economic data instead of following falling bond yields abroad.
"The market for capital is a global market, but that being said, we do think the U.S. is going to decouple from the rest of the developed world," Beinner says. "Ten-year Treasuries look screaming cheap versus [German] bunds, but they're different animals. I think bond investors realize that these economies are running at two different speeds, and unlike [the European Central Bank], the Fed's next policy move is tighter, not easier. How far we decouple is still a question."
Yesterday Bank of England Governor Mark Carney surprised markets when he said U.K. rates might rise sooner than expected. Today Ian Lyngen of CRT Capital Group says the British and American economies "have faced a meaningfully different set of challenges during their respective recoveries" and that expecting the Fed to take a similarly hawkish policy turn "is dubious at best." Still, Lyngen examines the different policy-tightening cycles over the last four decades and finds that the U.S. has led the U.K. in raising rates three of the last four times, by an average of 119 days, with the exception coming in 2004.
And RBC says investors should expect widening spreads between U.S. and U.K. bonds on the one hand and euro-zone bonds on the other, as central banks start tightening monetary policy in the U.S. and U.K. while keeping it relaxed it in the rest of Europe. From RBC:
The ECB has cemented the low interest rate environment for the euro area and rolled out a new policy tool designed to reduce the funding costs for banks and corporates alike and incentivise banks to increase net lending…. In our view, a bond market bear leg is very unlikely to emanate out of Europe. In contrast, the signs that the US and UK markets might be leading a correction are increasing. Economic data remain decent, positioning is much less lopsided, and the time of central bank support is fading fast.
Strategically, however, we argue that the big story for the coming months will be the spread widening between the US and UK market on the one hand and the EUR market on the other hand.
It's been central bankers to the rescue again Thursday, as stock and bond markets alike in both the U.S. and Europe are higher following some reassuring remarks from Mario Draghi and Janet Yellen. First Draghi started the day by saying his European Central Bank could take further monetary-policy easing measures next month. Emelia Sithole-Matarise reports for Reuters today:
The prospect of imminent new ECB stimulus measures gave fresh impetus for investors to keep scooping up lower-rated euro zone bonds which offer relatively higher returns than core debt. Spanish and Italian 10-year bond yields hit the latest in a series of record lows, dropping 7 basis points on the day to 2.90 percent and 2.94 percent respectively while Portuguese equivalents at eight-year lows.
German 10-year Bund yields, the benchmark for euro zone borrowing, fell 3 basis points to 1.45 percent, taking them to a whisker from 11-year lows plumbed this week. Money market rates also fell as Draghi's comments bolstered bets that the bank would act next month, when it has new euro zone inflation and growth forecasts before meeting.
Then Fed Chair Janet Yellen, speaking before the Senate Budget Committee, didn't drop any new policy bombshells but managed to reassure markets anew that the Fed remains committed to accommodation. Treasury prices rose across the board throughout Yellen's late-morning testimony, with the 10-year Treasury yield falling most recently to 2.595% and the 30-year yield dropping to 3.386%, per Tradeweb data.
And you thought the Federal Reserve was tough to predict. The European Central Bank today unexpectedly cut its benchmark short-term lending rate in half, to a record-low 0.25%. That helped fuel fuel a surge in Treasury prices this morning, although that bid has faded already.
At latest check the ten-year Treasury note was up 3/32 in price to yield 2.629%, per Tradeweb data, up from an intraday low 2.605% after starting the day at 2.644%. The 30-year bond, which had struggled again yesterday while shorter-dated debt saw gains, is up 12/32 to yield 3.749%.
The European Central Bank just cut the eurozone's benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to a record-low 0.5%, marking the first ECB rate cut in 10 months. Stateside, Treasuries didn't really seem to care, and one feels a general sense of minimal expectation regarding the effect of further marginal global easing measures. Here's Adrian Miller of GMP Securities with his take following ECB President Mario Draghi's press conference today:
While the Euro gave back some of its earlier gains when Draghi did not deliver more accommodations, the EUR took a notable turn lower when Draghi announced the ECB was open to a negative deposit rate. Historically the ECB has maintained a 75bp spread between its main refinancing rate and the deposit rate. And with the ECB maintaining the deposit rate at zero and cutting the refinance rate that spread has come in. With a cut to a negative deposit rate, the ECB would incentivize banks to pull back deposits from the ECB and put the money to work thereby increasing the money supply, speeding up money velocity and lifting inflation. At the same time Draghi announced all options are open and discussions about other options were in the preliminary stages. The uncertainty as to what may come of these other options also weighed on the EUR.
So in short, Draghi delivered a consistent long playing theme of a weak euro zone economy which is being complicated by fiscal consolidation, though the ECB maintains its call for continued progress in balance sheet realignment. In other words, the ECB is not about to let local governments off the hook on improving fiscal imbalances despite recent calls from Italy, Spain and France among others to notably shift the focus from austerity to growth.
The both the 10-year Treasury note and the 30-year bond are basically unchanged on the day, yielding 1.639% and 2.840% respectively, per Tradeweb data.
While most major European nations will be reining in bond sales in 2013, Spain will be bucking the trend, according to a report by Lloyds Banking Group and Morgan Stanley.
While Spain sold 97.1 billion euros ($128 billion) in bonds this year, without the help of the European Central Bank's bond buying program, the firms expect Spain to increase its issuance to 110 billion euros in 2013. Still, the official total remains up in the air: In note from Morgan Stanley earlier this month, analysts noted that Spain would need to raise 111 billion euros next year, while the nation's Treasury was guiding for just 90.4 billion euros as of mid-month.
A Bloomberg report quotes Lloyd's strategist Achilleas Georgolopoulos: "The funding needs increase pressure on Spain, which could force them to ask for aid…What we've been missing in 2012 is a trigger, and issuance could be the trigger point. The figure has an in-built assumption of Spain asking for aid in the first quarter."
Other experts also note that Spain will be unlikely to be able to sell necessary debt without ECB aid.
Investors are still demanding a premium to hold Spanish versus German government debt: While that premium ballooned to as much as 650 basis points this summer, and has since receded to around 400 basis points (in part thanks to pledges from the ECB), that figure is still ahead of 2011's average of 280 basis points.
The Continent's five other biggest borrowers—Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands—are expected to raise less cash from investors next year.
Some good news out of peripheral Europe today. Italy auctioned off new five- and ten-year bonds and saw its borrowing costs fall to their lowest level in nearly a year and a half. The Wall Street Journal's Emese Bartha, Neelabh Chaturvedi and Giovanni Legorano report that the sale is the latest sign that the European Central Bank's efforts to defend the euro zone continues to have a calming effect:
The decline in funding costs should be a source of relief for Italy, which last year was plagued by questions about the government's ability to repay its debts….
Italy sold €3 billion in 10-year bonds with a 5.50% coupon and €4 billion in a new series of five-year bonds due November 2017, carrying a 3.50% coupon. The 10-year yield came in at 4.92%, down from 5.24% at the previous auction Sept. 27, the lowest funding cost for Italy in this segment since May 2011. The five-year yield was 3.80%, also the lowest level since May 2011.
"It is good to note that the level of nominal yields does not look particularly high from levels seen historically," said Jan von Gerich, chief strategist at Nordea.
In a world of exceptionally low interest rates, investors are hungry for income. Barrons.com's Income Investing blog, written by Michael Aneiro, helps readers find undervalued securities that offer attractive yields, with an emphasis on dividend-paying stocks, preferred shares, bonds, REITs, Master Limited Partnerships and closed-end funds. Prior to joining Barron's, Michael spent five years as a reporter covering credit markets for Dow Jones Newswires and the Wall Street Journal. He holds a master's degree in financial journalism from New York University.


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Technology Drive
Posted: August 21st, 2014
Global Ministries is collecting new or gently used tablets, smartphones, and SD cards to workers in Southeast Asia.
What items are we looking for?
-Tablets (we welcome your contribution of any tablet, but Android tablets with an SD card slot are especially useful)
-Smartphones (preferably with 4 GB of internal memory)
-SD cards (4 GB and 8 GB only)
-If you have the power cord that goes with your tablet or smartphone, please include it. However, if you've misplaced it or it's non-functioning, we can probably find a replacement. Don't let a missing power cord keep you from donating your old electronics!
What happens next?
Bring SD cards, tablets, old phones to the FBCA library.
Our computer committee will take your electronic items and clean them up, wipe the memory off the tablets or smartphones, and then pack them for delivery to Southeast Asia workers during the fall.

subset: commoncrawl


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Chill kid at syracuse looking for someone to hang out. Maybe watch a movie or something more.
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Treat yourself or someone special to a Vortex Jazz Club membership this Christmas...
Led by the UK's leading jazz choral director, Pete Churchill, a thirty-five strong jazz choir will be joined by a talented band from Trinity Laban's jazz course for a set of jazz, gospel, soul, folk and much more.
The second half features Trinity Laban's talented Jazz Ensemble, led by UK jazz flautist, composer and arranger Gareth Lockrane.
23rd June 2014
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
£8 adv / £5 students & children / £Free to Trinity Laban students and staff with Trinity Laban card, subject to availability


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A Vietnamese electronics store is getting in the festive mood with a 15-foot Christmas tree made from 2,500 old mobile phones.
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Vietnamese store makes Christmas tree from 2,500 mobile phones
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The euro stayed lower against the dollar and the yen after Italian borrowing costs rose at an auction.
The 17-nation shared currency weakened 0.3 percent to $1.2434 as of 10:17 a.m. London time. It declined 0.7 percent to 98.66 yen.
Italy sold 5.4 billion euros of debt due in 2017 and 2022. The average yield on the ten-year bond was 6.19 percent, compared to 6.03 percent at an auction on May 30.
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First Liberty Power Announces Positive Exploration Results And Plans For Next Stage Drilling Program
LAS VEGAS, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- First Liberty Power Corp. (OTCBB: FLPC) (the "Company") www.firstlibertypower.com is pleased to announce the latest reports from its controlled source audio magnetotellurics / magnetotellurics ("CSAMT/MT") geophysical survey of the Company's Lida Valley Lithium brine project (the "Property") in Nevada, USA. As with the previous two geophysical surveys conducted over the past year, the results from this latest report are very positive, and include having identified areas of potential lithium brine deposits.
The CSAMT/MT survey was carried out by Hasbrouck Geophysics with the purpose of mapping geologic stratigraphy and structure relative to the occurrence of lithium brine, to identify conductors that are thought to be representative of lithium-bearing brine, and to provide information for the selection and design of additional geophysical surveys or the identification of drilling locations.
Collectively, the three reports show several clear targets for further exploratory investigations. Drilling targets in both the southern end of the Property and in the northern area of the playa have been located. The complete reports from Hasbrouck Geophysics from all exploration stages on the Property are currently available at http://www.firstlibertypower.com/properties/nevada.
Don Nicholson, CEO and President of First Liberty Power, stated, "The most recently obtained data has identified and delineated numerous significant anomalies. Of particular interest is the identification of several areas showing areas of low resistivity in both the southern and northern portions of the Property. Based on these results, correlated with our prior mapping, the Company has made the determination that a drilling program is clearly warranted, and we are presently working with Hasbrouck Geophysics and GeoXplor to implement the final phase of our resource delineation program."The majority of the world's lithium production comes from brines, or salt lakes, where prospective lithium mineralization is generally hosted in brine horizons. CSAMT/MT is an electromagnetic (EM) geophysical method commonly used in the exploration industry. It determines the earth's subsurface electrical resistivity distribution by measuring time dependent variations of the earth's natural electric (E) and magnetic (H) fields, as well as the electric and magnetic fields resulting from high frequency induced waves. The resistivity information is generally used to determine subsurface geologic and hydrogeologic conditions and structure. The CSAMT/MT method is designed to investigate from depths of approximately 10 to 1000 meters, or greater, depending upon subsurface resistivity values. Lower resistivity values will decrease the investigation depth while higher values will generally result in greater depths of investigation.
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KNOXVILLE (WVLT) – Fire investigators are trying to track down the person responsible for setting a fire Saturday night in the West Knoxville Big Lots.
Fire crews were called to the scene on North Peters Road just before 6:30 PM.
According to investigators, the fire was small and contained to a few shelves of outdoor patio furniture that was still in boxes.
A quick-thinking customer grabbed a fire extinguisher and put it out before fire fighters arrived on scene.
Arson investigators believe the fire was set by someone who used a lighter from an in-store display.
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text:
Bahrain jails bodybuilding champion, other sportsmen
A military court in Bahrain has sentenced three sportsmen to one year in prison for taking part in pro-democracy protests that the Gulf Arab state crushed earlier this year, a lawyer said.
December 4, 2011 1:45 by Reuters
The three, all members of Bahrain's majority Shi'ite community, are bodybuilder Tareq al-Fursani, a gold medallist in several Asian championships, Ali Said, a goalkeeper in the national soccer team, and Mohammed Hassan al-Dirazi, a member of the national basketball team, said lawyer Mohsen al-Alawi, who was in court when the verdicts were read on Sunday.
The men, who are not in detention and can appeal against their convictions, were tried in a military court because they are employees of the Bahrain Defence Forces. They were found guilty of illegal congregation, inciting hatred for the system, and not obeying orders regarding involvement in politics.
Inspired by revolts in Tunisia and Egypt, thousands of Bahrainis took to the streets in February and March to demand an end to control of the government by the al Khalifa family.
The government, which hosts the US Fifth Fleet, said the protests were driven by Shi'ite sectarian motives and fomented by Shi'ite power Iran. Iran denied involvement.
The government cracked down on the protests by imposing martial law for nearly three months, sacking some 2,000 people from government jobs, detaining some 3,000 people and ordering military trials for several hundred. Alawi said 64 athletes are among those put on trial.
King Hamad has moved the trials to civilian courts and promised to implement the recommendations of a fact-finding commission headed by international rights lawyers who said detainees had suffered systematic abuse during the crackdown.
The commission found that there was no official policy to abuse protesters, but that five people had been tortured to death and other detainees had suffered electric shocks and beatings with rubber hoses and wires. (Writing by Andrew Hammond; Editing by Tim Pearce)
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A 7-Inch Apple iPad Is a Bad Idea Now: 10 Reasons Why
A 7-Inch Apple iPad Is a Bad Idea Now: 10 Reasons Why
Rumors of a small, potentially 7-inch iPad will not go away. In fact, a new slate of reports have emerged, claiming Apple could be getting close to releasing a miniature version of its tablet for those who want to save money but still get a capable product. There is even speculation that the new tablet could boast a camera (or two) to provide even more functionality to consumers.
Some Apple fans are undoubtedly excited at the prospect of Apple releasing a new iPad to complement its current offering. But the reality is that Apple doesn't need to release a smaller version of its iPad right now. In fact, it's arguable that it even needs to release a small iPad at all. Its current offering is perfect for what it's trying to accomplish. It shouldn't try to waste its time cluttering its market.
Read on to find out why Apple doesn't need to release a new iPad yet.
1. The current iPad works fine
The current iPad is a fine product that is satisfying almost every desire consumers have. It makes them more productive. It gives them iPhone-like experiences. And perhaps most importantly, it gives them a reliable companion while they're away from the home or office. Apple doesn't need to release a new iPad to fill a void in the consumer space. Its current iPad is doing a fine job of filling all those gaps already.
2. There is room for improvement
As nice as the current iPad is, Apple still needs to fix some issues. For one, multitasking, which is arguably one of the most desired iPad features, can't be coming to the device soon enough. Beyond that, the current 9.7-inch model needs a camera or two. And it would be nice if the company brought the entry-level price down before the holidays to capture some consumers who aren't willing to spend $500 for a tablet. Simply put, Apple's current iPad has some room for improvement. It's a better idea for Apple to focus on the current model rather than getting bogged down with a new model.
3. The competition hasn't come along
The vast majority of tablets that could actually worry Apple are still months away. Because of that, Apple shouldn't show its hand right now. It might want to release a 7-inch tablet at some point in the future, but it shouldn't do it now when the rest of the competition hasn't delivered their products. Apple is a master at making other devices seem obsolete. It should follow that strategy again in the tablet space; wait for the competition to release their products and then deliver a device that bests them. There is no rush.
4. The time hasn't come to go small
Some might think that the iPad needs to get smaller to appeal to the market. But at this point, that isn't true. Considering how well the iPad is selling, it would seem that consumers are just fine buying a 9.7-inch tablet from companies. And given how poorly the 5-inch Dell Streak is selling, it would also seem that those same consumers aren't too keen on such a small footprint. Customers might want smaller devices eventually, but at least right now, that isn't the case.
7-Inch iPad the Wrong Product at the Wrong Time
5. The holiday season is around the corner
It wouldn't make much sense for Apple to release a smaller, cheaper tablet right now. In just a couple short months, the holiday shopping season will be in full swing. And when that happens, Apple will want to capitalize on it as effectively as possible. Perhaps the best way to do that is to continue selling a more expensive option that consumers still desire. By offering a smaller, cheaper tablet now, Apple could be leaving money on the tablet this holiday season.
6. Closing the iPod Touch gap isn't so smart
The difference between the iPod Touch and the iPad, from a purely feature-based perspective, isn't all that great. In fact, some say that Apple's music player is a smaller version of the iPad. By making a smaller screen available on its tablet, Apple could have a real problem on its hands. The rumored 7-inch iPad, which has been compared quite often to the iPod Touch, would be dangerously close in size to the music player. And when that happens, cannibalization of either the small tablet or the iPod could occur.
7. Think of the enterprise
The consumer market might eventually want a smaller iPad, but it's hard to see the corporate world becoming too happy with a miniature Apple tablet. The enterprise wants a bigger display to ensure workers are as productive as possible. That's precisely why the iPad is so attractive to CIOs. And it's why products with small screens haven't attracted companies so far. That's something Apple must keep in mind.
8. Sales are still strong
If iPad sales were declining, some could make the argument that Apple would need to release a smaller iPad to get things going again. But according to Apple, iPad sales are strong. With this in mind, it doesn't seem like the best time to release a small iPad. Why put current sales in jeopardy to give consumers yet another option? It doesn't make much sense.
9. It makes current competitors relevant
The few tablets currently on store shelves can't compete with Apple's iPad. The Dell Streak, for example, boasts a small, 5-inch display and Android 1.6. By offering an iPad with a smaller screen, Apple could potentially make its competition seem more relevant than it currently is. Screen size matters to customers. And those who see the iPad's big 9.7-inch display will be hard-pressed to opt for Dell's offering. But if Apple delivers a 7-inch iPad, consumers might view smaller alternatives as more direct competitors than they currently do. That wouldn't be a good move for Apple.
10. The market is young
The tablet market is still in its infancy. And the last thing Apple will want to do is rush its way into the space with a slew of devices that might or might not appeal to consumers. Apple has time to capitalize on consumers' desire and turn a sizable profit in the tablet space. It doesn't need to start selling multiple tablets every year. The company can start doing that when the market matures. But for now, it should focus on a single device and cement its position in the tablet space.


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Wind River Extends Partner Validation Program to Industrial and Medical Markets
09/15/09 Intel subsidiary releases validated software ecosystem to assist developers accelerate product deployments. Wind River today launched the Wind River Partner Validation Program for the industrial and medical markets with initial partners Acontis Technologies, Esterel Technologies, KW-Software, and Softing AG. Partners in the program will provide their software solutions integrated and…
TARDEC Grants $166,000 Contract to Curtiss-Wright Controls for Unmanned Ground Vehicle Components
08/24/09 Curtis-Wright will supply the Army with ruggedized single board computer technology for large unmanned vehicle demonstrator. The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) has announced a $166,000 contract award to New Jersey-based Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc., a leading manufacturer of mission-critical systems for defense and aerospace applications.…
Scientific Systems Company Wins $750K Air Force Grant For Software Technology for 3-D Surveillance
08/24/09 SSCI wins grant from SBIR program focused on surveillance systems that capture very high-quality 3-D images using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology. Scientific Systems Company, Inc. (SSCI), a leading developer of technology solutions for defense and industrial suppliers, today announced it has been awarded a $750,000 grant from the U.S.…
National Instruments Simplifies Advanced Motion Control
08/14/09 New software and NI C Series modules deliver easy-to-use platform for simple to complex motion control applications National Instruments announced the new LabVIEW NI SoftMotion Module, which simplifies the development of advanced single- and multi-axis motion applications, and new NI C Series modules, which expand the connectivity of the NI…
iRobot Selects TYZX 3D Vision Systems for Advanced Sensing on Military Robots
08/11/09 TYZX stereo vision provides depth perception to help unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) avoid obstacles and manipulate sensitive objects. TYZX, the 3D vision technology company, today announced that iRobot Corporation has chosen the TYZX DeepSea G2 Embedded Vision System (EVS) for several military robotics research projects requiring real-time vision and depth-perception.…
Freescale Samples Eight-Core QorIQ P4080 Processor
08/06/09 Freescale's new eight core QorIQ P4080 processor scales linearly across multiple enhanced Power Architecture cores. Freescale Semiconductor is now sampling its QorIQ P4080 multicore processor – the flagship member of Freescale's QorIQ product family and the company's fourth device now available based on 45-nm process technology for optimal performance and…
Prodigy PCI Programmable Motion Cards with Ethernet Connectivity
07/01/09 Performance Motion Devices' Prodigy family of motion cards, well suited for robotic applications, now has board-level C-Motion programming, expanded design flexibility, and extended connectivity options. Performance Motion Devices, Inc. (PMD) has announced the newest addition to its latest advancement in the Prodigy® family of motion cards, the Prodigy/CME PCI card.…
National Instruments and MobileRobots Inc. Collaborate on Robot Foundation Technologies
07/01/09 National Instruments, a developer of products that assist in the design, prototype and deployment of systems for measurement, automation and embedded applications, partners with MobileRobots, a producer of robot platforms and foundation technology for mobile robots, to deliver solutions that can speed cost-effective service robots to market. National Instruments (Nasdaq:…
CoroWare Introduces the Explorer
06/26/09 CoroWare Technologies, a subsidiary of CoroWare, Inc. (OTCBB:COWI), today announced availability of the Explorer, an all-terrain robot designed and optimized for conducting R&D into new robotic applications that operate in unstructured, outdoor environments. "Our R&D customers wanted a robot comparable to the CoroBot that could be taken outdoors," said Jon…
STMicroeletronics Debuts Tiny Gyroscopes for Gaming, Navigation, Other Handheld Units
06/09/09 STMicroelectronics has introduced a new series of single- and multi-axis gyroscopes designed for micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). The gyroscopes are designed to provide angular-motion detection for electronic units handled by humans, including gaming, remote-pointing, car navigation, camera and other applications. Both the single-axis (yaw only) and two-axis (pitch-and-roll, pitch-and-yaw) gyroscopes support…
RoweBots Ships RTOS Support for TI Stellaris Processors
06/09/09 Real-time embedded-Linux distributor RoweBots, Inc. has announced the release of a version of its real-time operating system for Texas Instruments Inc.'s Stellaris microcontroller families. Unison, Version 4 for ARM Cortex-M3 processors is an ultra-tiny real-time OS (RTOS) compatible with embedded versions of Linux and POSIX operating systems and the applications…
Ascent Solar Modules to Be Designed into the Development of Hybrid Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
05/31/09 Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI), announced that its state-of-the-art, flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules will be designed into the development of a hybrid unmanned aerial vehicle (H-UAV) called the Silent Sentinel developed by Bye Aerospace, Inc. The H-UAV will be designed primarily for military use; however, its capabilities will also include…
Laser-Ranging System Provides Precision to the Nanometer
05/26/09 The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has announced the development of an ultra-precise laser-ranging system that combines two different approaches to range-finding and an "optical frequency comb"—a set of spectrometry tools that can precisely identify the color of light from specific sources. The system combines time-of-flight method of…
World's Smallest Voice-Activated Robots
05/26/09 Researchers at Taiwan's National Cheng Kung University have unveiled what they call the world's smallest voice-controlled robot. The robots, which stand 15-centimeters high, take voice instructions to perform Tai Chi, kneel, or shake hands. Users can program the 'bots for other behaviors as well. The robots were designed by a…
Base10 Selects RTI's Real-Time Middleware for Unmanned Ground Vehicle Project
03/30/09 Real-Time Innovations' publish-subscribe middleware, based on the Object Management Group's Data Distribution Service for Real-time Systems (DDS) standard, is being employed in German armed forces RoboScout unmanned ground vehicle currently under development by Base10. Real-Time Innovations (RTI), a developer of real-time middleware, announced that Base Ten Systems Electronics GmbH (Base10)…
'Marco Polo' Game Develops Robot Control, Search Techniques
03/18/09 Scientists have used a popular kids' swimming pool game to guide their development of a system for controlling moving robots that can autonomously detect and capture other moving targets. Engineers from Duke University and the University of New Mexico have used the simple pursuit-evasion game "Marco Polo" to solve a…
New Prodigy Stand-Alone Motion Card Offers a Powerful New Approach to Distributed Motion Systems
01/23/09 The latest innovation in the Prodigy family of motion cards from Performance Motion Devices, Inc. (PMD), is a Stand-Alone format that does not require a host bus connection. This new Stand-Alone design provides the capability to download motion programs to the Prodigy card for onboard execution, off-loading or eliminating the…
Evolution Robotics' NorthStar 2.0 Wins Robotics Development Innovator Award
12/01/08 Low cost, intelligent navigation system based on proprietary micro-GPS technology wins the first annual RoboDevelopment Innovator Award at RoboDevelopment 2008 Conference and Exposition. Evolution Robotics Inc., a leading robotics technology company, announced today that its NorthStar® 2.0 technology has been named the Robotics Development Innovator Awards' "Best Component Technology" for…
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Gear Review
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These gloves are really warm. Most of the time, I haven't even had to use the liners. The sizes are really large though, so I suggest ordering 1 or 2 sizes smaller than what you'd you usually wear.
View More Details on DAKINE Sequoia Mittens - Women's


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#49 - Keril (01/18/2013) [-]
I recently started read (?) this, and I'm just wondering, about how long does it take? I don't have all that much free time and I want to complete all the paths with not too long inbetween them
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text: NB3 - What's Your Clique About Feat. Mike Denny (Prod By Superstar O) By NB3 Posted Sep 28, 2012 at 12:00 AM 0 0 0Comments 41 Views New hype song from OU's NB3 featuring Mike Denny with production from Superstar O! Shouts to Ohio University! Share Tweet gplus thumblr pinterest 1 What's Your Clique About (Prod By Superstar O) NB3 feat. Mike Denny Follow Artist Embed Me To Playlist Songs Mixtapes Videos 0 0 0 41 Powered By HOTNEWHIPHOPhotnewhiphop.com Edit Colors Full Player Simple Player Embed Script Copy Short Link Copy Iframe Copy Preview Full Player Simple Player Embed Code Copy NOTE: Minimum player width is 370 pixels, height is 50 pixels. Back Full Player Simple Player NOTE: Player width is 450 pixels, height is 50 pixels. Title Artist Back 01:23 04:56 Embed Code Copy


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What's NewBefore updating please read: http://hoverdog.com/ornhelp/knownissues
App DescriptionThink you've got what it takes to be the best off-road driver in the nation? Check out Offroad Nation The Game™, the most comprehensive and realistic off-road game ever made for mobile!
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- Active Grafix© Custom Paint Jobs and Wraps
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- WARN© Winches
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- Trek Armor© Baja Recovery Equipment
- Poison Spyder© Armor
- Currie Enterprises© Axles & Tie Rods
- Northridge4x4© AEV Hemi Swap Kits
- Trail Ready© Beadlocks
- Axial Racing© & Vanquish© Performance Parts
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Want updates? Want to win a chance to have YOUR RIG added in game? Like us on http://fb.com/offroadnation
App Changes
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November 30, -0001 Initial Release


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Las Vegas Market Design Panel Slated
Wednesday July 9th, 2014 - 8:47AM
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The Summer Las Vegas Market will host a fresh version of its ongoing The Ahead of the Curve live event. It will include a lineup of some of well-known designers such as Thom Filicia, Michelle Nussbaumer, and Timothy Corrigan. Moderated by TODAY Show contributor and design author Susanna Salk, the panel discussion will take place on Tuesday, July 29 at 10:00 a.m. in Building B's WorldView Ballroom, Las Vegas World Market Center. Immediately following the event's discussion portion, a meet-and-greet, book signing with the panelists and lunch, will occur in the Safavieh showroom A-101 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The designers will peruse the five million square-feet of showrooms at Las Vegas Market and share product pictures in the panel discussion and via social media channels. Participants will display some best-of-the-best product during the panel discussion, which will help participants discuss what's hot from market even as they provide insights on fashion-forward styles, according to IMC.
"I am so excited about the designers we are hosting this year: Thom, Michelle and Timothy's energy and passion for design is infectious," Salk said. "Exploring the market through their eyes will be invaluable to anyone attending. It's not just about what trends they see; it's understanding what they love and why," The best part will be putting many of their favorite pieces on stage for our panel audience to see up close."
Tags: las vegas • summer las vegas market • salk • filicia nussabaumer • corrigan • design • Housewares • Trade Shows •
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SmartHome Newsletter
Get all the latest news on home energy efficiency!
How Duct Cleaning Can Improve Your Quality of Life!
May 9, 2013
It is a summer afternoon, and everyone is all smiles and in great spirits – except for you. You have a full day ahead of you but your allergies are already acting up. But have you ever wondered why every summer you feel this way? Well, the cause of your allergies may be from more than just the ragweed outside; they may be caused by the air coming from the ducts and vents in your house!
Here are some of the most common irritants found in ducts:
If you find yourself running for the tissue box often, then you may have allergens floating around at home. Particles such as pollen, dirt, dust, and animal dander, as well as actual living organisms such as dust and food mites can fill ducts.
Your body aches, your head pounds and a cough leaves your stomach muscles feeling sore. Sound familiar? Cold and flu viruses may lurk in your home's ductwork, which becomes a problem in the winter when the air is drier.
Mold and Mildew
Do you sometimes wheeze and feel the air is stuffy? Or find that you always feel tired? The cause could be mold and mildew in your ducts. Mold and mildew can affect the whole body causing sinus troubles and chronic fatigue.
There's a strange smell in your home and no matter how hard you try, you simply can't seem to get rid of it. The cause could very well be cigarette smoke, chemicals and other toxins that might be trapped in your home's ducts.
It's important to realize that ducts don't clean themselves. Regular home duct cleaning can remove the nasty little microbes and debris that can be the cause of home discomfort. Vacuums and sanitizers remove annoying particles, and using sealants protects your ducts from further build-up. It is advisable to clean your ducts once a year, and by doing so, you can improve your health and that of your family's as well.
It's always best to hire a professional to carry out duct cleaning tasks and there are none more qualified than RESNET EnergySmart Contractors. RESNET certified professionals are trained to the highest standards and are obliged to abide by the RESNET Code of Ethics.
Duct cleaning should be a regular part of your house maintenance program. Make sure you do it properly!
Looking for more information?
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When you make energy efficient improvements to your home, not only will you benefit from the financial savings, you can also...»Read More Views:
Cutting Your Home's Greenhouse Gas Emissions
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Your home is your most valuable financial investment. By improving its energy efficiency, you can increase its value, save...»Read More Views:


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Delta Airlines
There's Something Funny About These Flight Safety Videos
Is airline safety a laughing matter? Maybe in this case.
Delta, United Airlines Cancel Flights Ahead Of Nor'easter
If you're headed by air to the East Coast, you may want to double check the status of your flight.
Delta Issues Weather Waiver
Tropical Storm Isaac is poised to give Tampa and the rest of the Gulf Coast a good drenching after lashing the Florida Keys and Miami. As a result, Delta Airlines has issued a Weather Waiver for affected travelers.
Delta Announces Year-Round Flights To Paris
Michiganders will now have easier access to fresh croissant.
Disabled Flyers Reach Agreement, Gain Equal Access
Flying just got easier for people with disabilities thanks to a landmark case settled in Metro Detroit.
Airlines Playing Catchup In Aftermath Of Hurricane Irene
At Detroit's Metro Airport, nine departures off the Delta Airlines board have been scratched — not only to JFK and LaGuardia — but other east coast destinations, as well.
Delta Air Lines Faces Another Investigation Involving Union Election
Delta Air Lines Inc. now faces a second investigation over its handling of another union election.
Delta Plans Buyouts, Early Retirement Offers
Delta Airlines, the biggest carrier at Detroit Metro Airport, plans to make cuts because jet fuel prices have been taking off.
Feds Bust Metro Airport Drug Ring
Apparently several Delta Airlines baggage handlers were moving more than just luggage.
Runways Open At Metro Airport, Some Flights Delayed
Airport Spokesman Michael Conway says "There were quite a few cancellations last night, (but) we have more runways and taxiways available for the airlines than they need at this moment."


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Guest host Bob Mann analyzes the last day of the 2013 Louisiana session with two close observers of the legislature, Jan Moller of the Louisiana Budget Project and journalist Tyler Bridges of The Lens.
And we talk about the state's economic development efforts with former Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco.
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Metal Gear Scanlon 2 - Part 13
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Dimensions recaptures enough of Geometry Wars' thrills to stand as the best new dual-joystick shooter in quite a while.
The little mushroom man finally gets his name on the marquee, and the result is a charming, unique, and puzzle-heavy adventure.
Nintendo's all-stars assemble once again, resulting in one of the best reasons to own a Wii U (and eight GameCube controllers).
Character »
An AI companion is a computer-controlled ally who follows and aids you through your adventures or who requires your protection. The AI companion's survival is often essential to game and story progression.
Alert is a state a game may enter after the player has been overtly detected by enemies, and often brings increased enemy opposition (in numbers, aggression, etc.) while a cooldown timer or meter appears by which the player can gauge the expiration of Alert.
A secondary function for a single weapon, such as launching a grenade from a rifle.
When someone is androgynous, they have a mix of masculine and feminine aspects, or they have the appearance of being in between male and female. A common aesthetic in Japanese media and games.
In many games the player is given the power to harm and or kill creatures. Many games have been brought to spotlight by groups like the rather militant PETA.
A protagonist that lacks typical heroic qualities.
Attacking the opponent when he is not aware of you granting you the first strike in a fight.
Baditude is being "edgy" in an obviously forced or fake manner. Games with baditude often feature excessive swearing, gratuitous violence, and content meant to shock or offend.
Yor body is torn apart and your organs are falling out. But don't worry, you have the ability to pull yourself back together.
Raiden knows when to save the game, and button sequences.
A condition in which two male characters are socially close, but not sexually or romantically, and are often partners.
The SNES and Genesis versions of Ultimate MK3 introduced a new finisher called "Brutality." This would involve your character beating your opponent down with an extremely long kombo before the victim would explode into a shower of blood and body parts.
When a character from an existing media franchise makes a brief appearance in a video game, sometimes without even openly acknowledging their origins.
Capitalism is an economic system that supports private property and financial gain.
The 3rd stage after being spotted in the Metal Gear Series.
The Central Intelligence Agency, or CIA, is an arm of the US government devoted to espionage activities. The Agency plays a significant role in plenty of games.
Christianity is a religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus. It is also the largest religion in the world.
Climbing is a common tradition in games, particularly platformers. There is often a particular type of surface that can be climbed, and it has a recognizably different look than other surfaces in the game. Climbing ladders or stairs doesn't count.
Codec is the communication system used by Snake in the Metal Gear series of games.
Limited editions of games that include extra "perks" like Making of DVDs and a nice and shiny tin with extra box art
One of the age-old narrative structures in literature, in which a young protagonist faces conflict that transforms him or her into a mature adult. This is an especially common device in RPGs.
Due to crafty camera angles and conveniently placed objects in the environment, the nudity in the scene is obscured from view.
Counter-terrorists fight terrorists wherever they are found. These professional soldiers are highly disciplined and skilled in their profession.
Games where attacks directed to the crotchal region cause much more damage than other areas, sometimes as a male-only phenomenon.
A non-interactive sequence within a game most often used for plot advancement.
An organism consisting of both natural and artificial systems.
High-tech exoskeleton wearing, sword wielding warriors featuring prominently in the Metal Gear and Mortal Kombat franchises. Several characters assume the identity of a Cyborg Ninja throughout several console generations.
One or more events from someone's past that negatively affected them. Plenty of video game characters have such pasts.
A divekick is a gravity-defying move found in many fighting games that allows an airborne fighter to propel themselves downward at their opponent at a high rate of speed.
A moment in a game where the main character walks slowly or stands/kneels still with their finger in their ear, hearing mission details.
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13.01.05 - WBU World Super-Featherweight Champion Michael Gomez will face Argentinian tough-guy Javier Osvaldo Alvarez on Friday 11 February at the M.E.N Arena. The Manchester favourite is relishing the prospect of headlining the show in his home city and is promising the public a vintage performance against Alvarez. "I'm raring to go and Alvarez is going to be knocked spark out," stormed Gomez
"The Gomez of old is back! I'm an exciting fighter in my own right and I give the fans what they want drama, excitement and knockout's so the fans won't go away disappointed,"
"This is the first time that I've headlined the M.E.N Arena and I'm going to make it a special one for the fans. Ricky Hatton's done a tremendous job there and it will be strange without him top of the bill but I will fill his spot nicely,"
Alverez, from Buenos Aires, has won WBO Latino and South American titles in a 36-fight career with 31 wins and 15 KO's.
In 2002 Alvarez was involved in a real war with countryman Jorge Barrios - who floored Brazilian puncher Acelino Freitas twice in their fight last year - but was stopped in the eleventh round.
He added, "I've seen off plenty of tough South American fighters in my career so Alvarez will be no different. He's a tough fella who's mixed it with a good class of opponent. His fight with Barrios stands out the most as he gave him a real hard fight. Barrios later went on to give Freitas a scare by dropping him twice,"
"I want to stop Alvarez early and make a real statement. If I can do that then I know I've go the power to step up to world level."
Featuring as chief-support on the card is Salford's Stephen Foster Jnr in a WBU World Featherweight title challenge and Preston's Michael Jenning's in an English Welterweight title defence. This will be the first time that amateur boxing takes place on a professional show in England and further details will be announced shortly.
Tickets for UNITED IN THE CITY, priced at £30, £40, £60, £100 and £150, are available from the M.E.N Arena Box Office on Tel: 0870 190 8000 or Keith Prowse Ticketing on 0870 906 3839.
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Dear Michael,Have you registered for your fall courses yet? What are you waiting for; exciting new options have just been added! Check out three of our newest ones.
M/J Careers in Fashion and Interior Design
Work with textiles and elements of design to complete projects related to fashion and interior design. You will develop leadership, communication, and employability skills as you explore design careers. During the course, you will learn resource management, basic sewing skills, clothing choices, and technology in the design industry.
Theatre, Cinema, and Film Production
Explore the elements of theater and cinematic techniques used by those who create performance productions. As you progress through the course you will view the historical development of different genres and the reasons why they were used. You will also be exposed to a detailed view of film and theater backstage operations and asked to speculate on why a director chooses certain perspectives.
Criminal Justice Operations 1
Explore the fields of law enforcement, the court system, and the correctional system. You will acquire technical skill proficiency, industry knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, general employability skills, and occupation-specific skills needed in all aspects of law, public safety, and security careers.
Choose from other cool courses like:
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TV Guide Online: As a comic, how important is your sense of humor when selling something on TV?Joan Rivers: Everything is about humor with me. You've got to laugh at everything. It's very important. But you also have to understand that a lot of people don't know you're making a joke, so you don't make a joke about your products.
TVGO: You're an infamous fashion critic. Do you really think people should be judged by their looks?Rivers: It's all about looks. Anyone that says it's not is a liar. [But] what they want [at QVC], as opposed to, say, a movie star, is a real person. A person that you think you could almost look like. That's why people loved Roseanne so much in the beginning or Jerry Seinfeld or Larry David. They want someone they can relate to because you are truly in their living room.
TVGO: This QVC contest is similar to American Idol. Do you watch AI?Rivers: No, I don't. I'm not a music person. If it was called Comedy Idol, I'd be watching every week.
TVGO: Would you ever host a reality show?Rivers: Oh, I'd love to. It's all about reality.
TVGO: Which Idol judge are you most like: Paula, Simon or Randy?Rivers: People won't believe it, but I'd probably be Paula. If you're making $20 million a picture and America thinks you're the most beautiful woman in the world, then I can say I don't like your dress. You'll go slap your stylist across the face; that's all that will happen. But I can't talk about someone that's trying [to get started]. I can't do that. I'm not the one to shoot you down — because I remember what I must have been like when I first did comedy. I once was onstage doing comedy, and over the loud speaker, the owner said, "Get off!" So I'm not the one to turn to someone and say, "Outta here!" [Smirking] Didn't expect that, did you?
Tune in to meet the five finalists from QVC's Host Search tonight at 7 pm/ET.
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Recent Headlines
Today in entertainment history: Dec 22
A look at the Hollywood headlines that made history.
in Sports
Documents: QB Winston cleared in conduct hearing
Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston has been cleared of the allegations he faced at a student code of conduct hearing this month.
in Sports
NFL playoffs rounding into shape & week 16 scoreboard
All the scores from week 16 in the NFL.
in Sports
No. 1 Kentucky scores first 24 points, beats UCLA
Devin Booker had 19 points, and No. 1 Kentucky scored the game's first 24 points in an 83-44 victory over UCLA on Saturday.
in Sports
Washington & San Diego secure wins on Saturday
The Philadelphia Eagles are on the brink of elimination from the playoff race after a 27-24 loss to the Washington Redskins on Saturday.


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Nice Zieg Heil, Mrs. Clinton. I think you'd look better in brown, with red armbands.
Go to Admin » Appearance » Widgets » and move Gabfire Widget: Social into that MastheadOverlay zone
President Barack Obama's White House moved quickly Monday to quash speculation that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton could be his latest nominee the Supreme Court.
"The President thinks Secretary Clinton is doing an excellent job as Secretary of State and wants her to remain in that position," White House Spokesman Ben LaBolt told The Washington Post.
Clinton's name surfaced on the news talk show circuit when Senators Orin Hatch and Patrick Leahey said they had heard Clinton was under consideration to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.
White House sources say Obama never even considered Clinton for the Supreme Court job, a move that some see as a slap in the face for his Secretary of State and opponent for the Democratic nomination for President in the bitter 2008 primary campaign.
Nice Zieg Heil, Mrs. Clinton. I think you'd look better in brown, with red armbands.
Hey, you better be nice to her! With the approval ratings that she now has, she could very well be the next President.
What a suck-up.


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I'm having the same problem Navin Patel asked about back in June: The last page of my document always has the properties designated for page-position-rest rather than page-position-last. Has anyone gotten page-position-last to work properly? Thanks. -- PaulReceived on Wednesday, 19 September 2001 07:38:47 GMT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.2.0+W3C-0.50 : Wednesday, 3 October 2007 16:06:08 GMT


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Step Six: State Your Problem
First, offer a Disclaimer, which is a sentence that lets your mate know that you aren't out to deprive him of vital bodily parts. The Disclaimer reassures him that you are on his side and puts him in a receptive frame of mind for the discussion that will follow. For example, you could say, "I know that you would never intentionally hurt me ..." or "I know how much my feelings matter to you ..."
Next, state your problem in two parts. Describe what he said or did and how that made you feel. For example, "I feel brushed aside when you arrive late for our date." Conclude your problem statement with a Future Suggestion, such as: "... and it would mean so much if you would call when you can't arrive on time."
Now let's put it all together. "I know that you would never intentionally hurt me (Disclaimer), but I feel hurt when you forget our weekly date (Problem Statement). And it would mean so much to me if you would call when you're going to be late (Future Suggestion)."
Until you are very familiar with the above process, it's best for you to prepare yourself before you present your problem to your mate. During the preparation, you will cool down, dig up love and choose the words you will use to present your issue. I know this seems like a lot of work. Remember that all new skills require effort. But rest assured, in no time the above steps will become second nature, and you will be able to address and resolve your issues as they arise.


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This take on a popular Cajun recipe calls for ground beef instead of poultry to give the rice dish its characteristic "dirty" appearance.
Southern Living JUNE 2003
Cook ground beef and next 5 ingredients in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until beef crumbles and is no longer pink.
Stir in salt and next 3 ingredients; stirring well. Add rice, broth, and 3/4 cup water, stirring well. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 25 to 30 minutes or until rice is tender.
Go to Full Version of


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12 Fun Fourth of July Decorations and Accessories
Show off your national pride with playful buys at affordable prices
By Woman's Day Staff
Vintage-Inspired Vases
No time to make Fourth of July crafts? Pick up blue-and-white flowers or pinwheels and place them inside these cute containers.
SOCKER Vase Set, $12.99 for two; at IKEA stores


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wonderful play system ready for pickup
has lower underneath area with 360 degree tire swing.
wave slide and various steering wheels and such
has 3 position swing beam (with 2 strap swings and a monkey bar)
a frame support swing beam very sturdy.
super well built platform ...
Nov 20 -
Detroit :
New Hudson
Swing Set plus extra pieces that can be used to replace or add to the current set
Nov 17 -
Dayton :
We'll be sending text message alerts for your subscription to


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"Throw away those books and cassettes on inspirational leadership. Send those consultants packing. Know your job, set a good example for the people under you and put results over politics. That's all the charisma you'll really need to succeed."
Related quotes
"Anything can happen in this world. It is a crazy place, but as long as we have each other we can overcome anything life throws at us. Just have to believe in ourselves and keep moving forward."
"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we're apart.. i'll always be with you."
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared."
"A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting."


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ERIC ROCKWELL (music/book) and JOANNE BOGART (lyrics/book)
Eric and Joanne began their collaboration in the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. For The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) they were honored with a 2004 Drama Desk nomination for Best Musical, as well as individual nominations for Best Music and Best Lyrics. The show ran Off-Broadway for 583 performances and also was performed on London's West End. In addition, the show received a 2004 Lucille Lortel nomination for Best Musical and a 2005 Drama League nomination for Best Musical. Their parody of Mickey and Judy musicals, Golly Gee Whiz, as originally produced by the TADA! Theatre, then later featured at the Lincoln Center "Reel to Real" series. Their other collaborations include productions of The Trials of Alice in Wonderlandand David and Goliath. As a lyricist, Ms. Bogart contributed several lyrics to The Book of Pooh andBear in the Big Blue House, both for the Disney Channel. Mr. Rockwell composed the score for The History Mystery, and wrote the libretto to Everything About School, both produced by the TADA! Theatre Company in New York. They are currently working on their next project together, a traditional full-length book musical, Coney Island.You can contact Eric Rockwell at firstname.lastname@example.com or Joanne Bogart at email@example.com


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Audit's release should spur change at gang strike force.
Even in flush economic times, conference travel on the taxpayers' tab can come off as a boondoggle. Local commentator Joe Soucheray used to play this for laughs on the radio, putting in calls on summer days to Brainerd Lakes resorts to see which groups were booked for the weekend. The punch line all too often was a government agency.
Anger quickly replaces humor when the economy turns grim. When state lawmakers are weighing big budget cuts and tax increases, public officials need to scrutinize these trips more than ever. Public perception is also a consideration in this age of increased transparency in government spending. Travel to exotic locales won't go unnoticed. Even if it provides valuable training, it can do long-term damage to an otherwise worthy organization's reputation. That's one lesson from a recent Star Tribune story about the Metro Gang Strike Force sending six investigators to Hawaii for five days in March for the International Conference on Asian Organized Crime and Terrorism.
To be absolutely clear, the six investigators involved did nothing wrong. They followed proper procedures in seeking approval for the trip. The conference provided solid educational programs; Asian gang activity is a concern here. Forfeited funds from drug busts and other dealings paid for the conference. While not technically taxpayer dollars, forfeited funds belong to the public. The money wasn't wasted, but spending such a chunk at the Sheraton Waikiki at this time does not suggest good stewardship. Was it really necessary to send about 17 percent of the strike force's investigators?
What was most disturbing about the trip were the authority-flouting decisions made by the former and interim leadership of the strike force that led to its oversight board approving the trip after thousands had already been spent on it. The decisionmaking process suggests far greater problems within strike force operations than one $17,000 tropical trip. The initial decision to register staffers last fall appears to have been an end run around the board. It also appears that the strike force's interim commander and current second-in-command, Jim Heimerl, greenlighted airfare purchases after he was told not to by the strike force's new, cost-conscious commander Chris Omodt, who started in January. Asked how Heimerl could go around the boss and the oversight board to spend $5,776 for airfare, Omodt's answer implicated the agency's culture and operations. Said Omodt: "He just did.'' Heimerl said Wednesday he had been told not to comment on the trip, but he added: "It's all going to come to light what went on.''
It's not clear what Heimerl is referring to. But he's right in that answers are forthcoming. In October, Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion issued a memo outlining concerns about how the strike force handles forfeiture funds, which have averaged more than $200,000 a year for the past three years. Campion's memo said that although he had no reason to believe there had been malfeasance regarding the funds, "there may not be an adequate record system to identify the source and disposition of these funds.'' That helped trigger an expedited review of the gang strike force's policies, procedures and processes by the state's respected Office of the Legislative Auditor. That report is expected to be released in about a month. The strike force's Hawaii black-eye will boost this report's profile and should spur those involved with the strike force to heed the auditor's conclusions and take action.
The Opinion section is produced by the Editorial Department to foster discussion about key issues. The Editorial Board represents the institutional voice of the Star Tribune and operates independently of the newsroom.


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Saturday, December 20, 2014
Exploring the issue of identity and mixed race in Britain by retracing the life of writer J.B. Priestly. ~ Baseline StudioSystems
Go to Cast & Credits »
© 2010 Baseline, All rights reserved.
© 2010 All Media Guide, LLC Portions of content provided by All Movie Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC


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Two more RvR adjustments hit the Warhammer Online servers this morning, as Mythic Entertainment pushed Patch 1.1d to the Live servers.
Warhammer Online players should be used to the almost daily hotfixes that Mythic Entertainment has been pushing out since the game's launch in September.
It's been pretty well known that the developers at Turbine (creators of Lord of the Rings Online and
Mythic Entertainment loaded a patch to the Warhammer Online servers yesterday. The patch brings a change to Morale Abilities, and how they react to certain crowd control skills.
GDC heavy on G, light on D.
New fan art is now available on the WoW site. Four new pictures for your viewing pleasure!
Free shipping when you get more than six shirts. Nifty!
If you've considered ordering custom guild apparel such as t-shirts, hoodies, etc.
There is an amazingly length thread brewing on the official forums.
Are you raiding tonight or are you just happy to see me?
© Copyright 2000 - 2014 Master Games International. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contact Us | Advertise With Us | About Us | Privacy Policy | Legal


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Oh No He Didn't!
There was an incident at NukeBoy2′s school the other day that has me upset. His class had a substitute teacher who thought it a wise idea to attach clothespins to the earlobes of the boys for acting up. Regardless of how badly the kids were acting up, this is certainly not the appropriate response. Why did he think this was an acceptable way to deal with an unruly class? Why did he just punish the boys? Why would he put himself in the position of dealing with large numbers of children when he obviously has no desire or patience to do it? I've had issues trying to get the response that I think is appropriate from the school principal and the school districts' HR department and I'm pondering what my next step should be. I've been thinking of several options and I have a pretty good idea of what it will be, but my question to you is: What would you do if it was your kid?


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A case report, published in The Lancet today, describes the successful treatment of Ebola using a new drug under clinical development for vascular leakage (FX06, a fibrin-derived peptide).
Continue Reading »
We at the American Lung Association know that lung cancer is the number one cancer killer among women, however, there is a startling lack of information available to the public regarding lung cancer.
Wearables is very much an emerging trend and healthcare is leading this effort. Consumer technology, such as the FitBit, Jawbone, and others, are going to merge with medical devices that are already being used in hospitals today.
Back pain is exceptionally common. In fact, to not experience back pain at some point of your life would be thoroughly abnormal. Experiencing back pain is like becoming tired or becoming sad; we don't necessarily like it, but it's perfectly common.
Research, published today, has shown that an acute gout attack is more than twice as likely to occur during the night or early morning hours as during the day.
By developing and producing customized powder morphologies and high-precision mill products, and fabricated and machined components from the refractory metals tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, and niobium, H.C. Starck makes a significant contribution to ...
Endometriosis is a common yet poorly understood illness that affects women of reproductive age and is often under and misdiagnosed. It is believed that endometrial cells that normally line the uterus grow...
Anaphylaxis is the most extreme form of severe allergic reactions which can be life threatening and requires emergency medical treatment. It can affect anyone of any age, sex, race and stature.
The most common misconception held about art therapy, is that it involves the therapist interpreting the artwork, and deciphering and unravelling the meanings hidden within; on the contrary, it is the creator of the image, not the therapist, who has this pleasure.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, contributing to as many as a third of injury-related deaths. When a patient presents to the emergency department with a TBI in isolation or as part of multi-system injury, he or she is stabilized, evaluated and a treatment...
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called antibiotic resistance one of the biggest threats to human health today - and international travel is contributing to the problem.
The number of adult patients with congenital heart disease is growing worldwide. Advances in medical treatment, percutaneous interventions, and surgery offer the vast majority of these patients a good life expectancy.
News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance
with these terms and conditions.
Please note that medical information found
on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship
between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide.


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WICD - Search Results
Civil Union Conversions In Champaign County
URBANA, IL - With the Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act taking effect on June 1, Champaign County Clerk Gordy Hulten today announced procedures for converting existing civil unions to marriages.
While same sex marriage licenses have been issued in Champaign County since February, important pieces of the law do not take effect until June 1, said Hulten. Among these is the legal process for converting an existing civil union to a marriage.
Couples in an existing civil union who wish to convert to a marriage may do so beginning June 1, 2014. Couples may visit the office of Champaign County Clerk Gordy Hulten, complete an application, and provide proof of identity and their existing civil union. There is no fee for conversion from June 1, 2014 through May 31, 2015, no one-day waiting period or ceremony is required, and their marriage will be effective from the date of their original civil union.
Champaign County has recorded 206 Civil Union licenses since June 1, 2011.


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Pixelnotes create pixel patterns on your wall… with Post-Its!
Is your home décor lacking something? Maybe some practicality? A dynamic quality? Some pixels, perhaps? Have we got the wallpaper for you: Pixelnotes is a brilliantly cool concept for shaking up the world of wallpaper. The idea is to cover a brightly colored wall with a grid of sticky notepads, à la Post-Its. The pads are four layers thick, each with a slightly darker shade of gray. As you use the notes, a pixel pattern emerges on the wall. Not only is the idea practical and decorative, but the wall's pattern actually reveals your habits within the room.
Props to Duncan Wilson and Sirkka Hammer for coming up with the wild wallpaper concept. It's not really for sale, although you could contact them to see what they might have in the works. But if you're sold and need some Pixelnotes ASAP, it looks like a fairly easy DIY project, at least in theory. Check out a few more pics of the noteworthy walls after the jump.
Duncan Wilson, via Land+Living


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Emma SwanComments6
this wiki
Emma Swan is the main character and protagonist of Once Upon a Time. She is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming and the older sister of Neal Nolan who was sent to the real world after the Evil Queen placed a terrible curse upon the Fairytale Land. She was a bail bondsman living in Boston until her son, Henry Mills, found her and brought her to Storybrooke to break the curse.
She is portrayed by Jennifer Morrison.
The dark wizard Rumplestiltskin, determined to find his wayward son no matter what, had forseen through his dark witchcraft that Emma's birth would be a catalyst for his plans of travelling to the Land Without Magic, where his son was living. After manipulating Queen Regina, who was blinded by revenge, into enacting the Dark Curse upon the enchanted lands Rumplestiltskin tricked Cinderella into imprisioning him with good magic so he could manipulate Charming and Snow into creating a magic wardrobe that would allow Emma to escape the curse and travel to LWM.
Emma Swan is a deeply damaged and a deeply conflicted woman. She is a survivor, and used to being a loner, and therefore a sucker for the underdog. Against her better judgement, she will compromise herself to fight for what is right and to help those in need. She is strong and aggressive, but her brokenness and her emotions are not buried far beneath her tough exterior. Her first reaction to most things is anger, but she has spent her life trying to manage her temper. She is both rash and calculated, and is forced to deal with her instincts to protect her child, a child she believes she is not capable of mothering. In the simplest form, Emma is a list of contrasting qualities: She is hard and soft; she is intense and easy going; she is strong and vulnerable; she is safe and dangerous; she is logical and impulsive.
Powers and Abilities
- Detective Skills: Emma has an eye for detail and is very skilled at detective work. She used this skill to work as a successful bail bondsman in Boston. She later used this when she was investigating the case of Kathryn's (supposed) murder.
- Magic of True Love and Light Magic: As the result of True Love birth Emma is capable of using magic. This magic was always with her, even though she was living in a world without magic. However when Mr. Gold brought magic to our world her magical powers were greatly enhanced. Her practice of the magical arts grants various powers, of which are known:
- True Love's Kiss: A magical kiss that can break any curse as long its fueled by True Love. True Love is not limited to romantic relationship but can also extend to the love of a mother for her son.
- Immunity to Heart Removal: In the universe of OUaT, witches and wizards are capable to use black magic to penetrate a person's chest and literally remove their hearts. While in possession of these hearts the witch is capable of controlling the person, which remains in a state of full health despite the removal of such a vital organ. Emma is however immune to this form of black magic and if a witch attempts to remove her heart they will be hit by an energy blast.
- Lie Detection: The power to detect if a person is lying. Emma used this power subconsciously on Earth, possibly due to the lack of magic.
- Eclipse Inducement: The power to cause an eclipse. When Peter Pan and her son Henry left to Skull Rock to "save magic", the heroes found themselves blocked by Pan's protective shield that only allows people without shadows to enter. Emma and Regina join their magics together to create an eclipse, which would take away their shadows and render the shielding spell useless.
- Telekinesis: She is capable of manipulating objects or people without physically touching. This was first seen when she had to telekinetically blast both David and Killian in order to save them from the Snow Queen.
- Pyrokinesis: She is able to create and manipulate fire, often in a form of lighting a candle or a spell.
Role in Once Upon a Time
Emma Swan plays the role of the savior who brings back all the fairytale characters' memories and tries to protect her son, Henry, from evil.
Pre-Storybrooke life
Emma Swan was born in the Enchanted Forest to Snow White and Prince Charming, moments before the Evil Queen was set to unleash a curse on the land. However, the inhabitants of the Enchanted Forest had come up with a plan to stop the curse when it had been enacted. Gepetto was to craft an enchanted wardrobe which would transport only one person to the real world, free of the curse. However Emma was born earlier and had to make the journey alone.
Secretly Gepetto had blackmailed the Blue Fairy to let his son, Pinocchio, travel to the real world with baby Emma to protect him from the curse's harm. When Emma arrived in the real world Pinocchio brought her to an orphanage. Despite the promise he made that he would look after her, Pinocchio left baby Emma in the orphanage to go with other boys of same age. Growing up in the foster care system, Emma bounces from family to family.
Years later an 18 years old Emma steals a car and meets Neal Cassidy, a handsome thief and the two fall in love. However Pinocchio had resurfaced under the name of August and convinced Neal to leave Emma so that she could fulfill her destiny. Emma and Neal had arranged to meet after he had sold stolen watches but instead Emma was arrested. While in prison she discovered she was pregnant and later, when she was released, gave up Henry for adoption.
A decade later, Emma works as a bail bonds person in Boston. She pursues a fugitive on her birthday. After turning him into the authorities, she heads back to her flat and lights a cupcake for her twenty-eighth birthday. A boy, Henry hows up claiming to be the son that she gave up for adoption ten years ago. plead for her to come home with him to Storybrooke/Maine. During the car ride home, he explains about the Dark Curse that caused all fairytale characters to be trapped.