text:
Justices say birth control ruling should be interpreted broadly
The Supreme Court on Tuesday confirmed that its decision a day earlier extending religious rights to closely held corporations applies broadly to the contraceptive coverage requirement in the new health care law, not just the handful of methods the justices considered in their ruling.
The justices did not comment in leaving in place lower court rulings in favor of businesses that object to covering all 20 methods of government-approved contraception.
Oklahoma-based Hobby Lobby Inc. and a Pennsylvania furniture maker won their court challenges Monday in which they refused to pay for two emergency contraceptive pills and two intrauterine devices.
Tuesday's orders apply to companies owned by Catholics who oppose all contraception. Cases involving Colorado-based Hercules Industries Inc., Illinois-based Korte & Luitjohan Contractors Inc. and Indiana-based Grote Industries Inc. were awaiting action pending resolution of the Hobby Lobby case.
They are among roughly 50 lawsuits from profit-seeking corporations that object to the contraceptive coverage requirement in their health plans for employees. Contraception is among a range of preventive services that must be included in the health plans, at no extra cost to workers.
The justices also ordered lower courts that ruled in favor of the Obama administration to reconsider those decisions in light of Monday's 5-4 decision.
Two Michigan-based companies, Autocam Corp. and Eden Foods Inc., both lost their cases in the lower courts. The justices ordered the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider its decisions against the companies.
The Supreme Court also announced that it would hear appeals in a pair of cases.
The first is a pregnancy discrimination claim by a package delivery driver for UPS who was refused a light duty assignment so she could continue working while pregnant.
UPS driver Peggy Young lost her health benefits when UPS would not grant her light duty or allow her to continue her regular job. Young says the company allows employees with some medical conditions to perform jobs in which they can avoid lifting heavy packages. She returned to work after giving birth.
In the second case the Supreme Court will consider whether a whistleblower can move forward with a lawsuit claiming that defense contracting giant KBR Inc. falsely billed the government for work in Iraq.
The justices on Tuesday said they will hear the company's appeal of a lower court decision that reinstated former employee Benjamin Carter's lawsuit under the federal False Claims Act.
A federal judge had thrown out the case, ruling that it was filed after a six-year deadline passed. But the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said such cases can be filed past the deadline when the country is at war. The appeals court also rejected KBR's argument that Carter wasn't first to file his claims, as the false claims law requires.
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- VRBO Listing #220827
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Enjoy the charm of an authentic Rome apartment!
Located right in the very center of Rome, in a tranquil cobblestone alley of the historic Trastevere area, this newly renovated and refurbished apartment combines the classic Roman charm of exposed original beams with the comfort and style of modern furnishings. This is an ideal holiday home to experience a great stay in the eternal city!
The area surrounding the apartment: The luxury suite apartment is situated in the heart of Trastevere, the picturesque medieval area located on the west bank of the Tiber. Part of the historical centre of Rome, Trastevere is the perfect place to glimpse a bit of the old world while still enjoying the lifestyle of today's Romans. From the cobblestone streets to the overhanging laundry lines, senses are pleasantly awakened with every step you take in this bohemian neighborhood.
Vicolo della Torre, where is located the apartment, represents everything mentioned above. It is the most photographed alley of Trastevere and you will feel very proud to have been chosen so popular and central location.
Equidistant from the Coliseum and the Vatican, Trastevere is an ideal place to discover the secrets of Rome on foot. Saint Peter and the Vatican city are about twenty minutes away and upon crossing the Tiber you get to Campo dei Fiori, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, the Roman Forum, and many other sights, in no time at all (15 to 30 minutes walks). If you want to take public transportation, the area is extremely well served by the electric buses of Rome.
A few blocks from the apartment, you can find the outdoor market of Piazza San Cosimato, where tented booths display a bountiful array of tantalizing fruits and vegetables, or the Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere, the most popular gathering place in the area. In this square you will find the church Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Rome and very much worth a visit.
The area becomes very lively at night as it is full of trendy bars and dozens of quality restaurants and pizzerias, where you can taste great Italian food at reasonable prices.
If you are looking for a very special accommodation, with all the charm and soul of old Rome yet with all the comfort and convenience of modern amenities, then the Trilussa apartment will surely delight you. Trilussa is the name of a famous Roman poet.
The apartment:
This charming apartment is located on the ground floor of a typical house of 1800 and enjoys a private entrance in additional to the secluded location that makes it not so noisy in a lively neighborhoods. This will allow you to sleep at night, advantage that few holiday rentals can offer in this particular place of Trastevere.
The house is a confortable little suite, very modern and all renovated, pecfect for a couple or 3 persons of the same family. there is a bed room with a king size bed and a living room with a sofa bed, very well equiped with Tv with a satelite to enjoy your programs all over the world, and wireless internet free.
The luxury suite has just come out of a full renovation (February 2013) and represents a quintessential Trastevere apartment. The rustic tile floor and the original ceiling beams bring a delightful sense of Roman history, harmoniously matched by the contemporary colors and elegant furnishings. Guests will feel completely at ease from the moment they walk in, thanks to the captivating and warm atmosphere. The living-dining area of this apartment is welcoming and inviting the guests to relax after trekking around Rome historical centre. In this area you can find a double leather sofa bed suitable for the 3rd guest, one single leather sofa, a coffee table and a plasma TV. The open kitchen is fully equipped with everything guests may need for daily living and it features a countertop and two stools to enjoy a breakfast or a dinner.
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Average five years in the business
|Weekend Night
|Monthly *
Apr 4 - Apr 6, 2015
3 night min stay
Spring high season
Apr 7 - May 13, 2015
3 night min stay
May in Rome 4 nights
May 14 - May 17, 2015
3 night min stay
May high Season
May 18 - May 31, 2015
3 night min stay
June & July in Rome
Jun 1 - Jul 15, 2015
3 night min stay
special offer2 nights
Jul 16 - Jul 17, 2015
2 night min stay
Summer in Rome
Jul 18 - Jul 31, 2015
3 night min stay
August in Rome !!!!
Aug 1 - Aug 31, 2015
3 night min stay
September in Rome
Sep 1 - Sep 30, 2015
2 night min stay
October in Rome
Oct 1 - Oct 31, 2015
4 night min stay
november in Rome
Nov 1 - Dec 19, 2015
3 night min stay
Christmas in Rome
Dec 20 - Dec 29, 2015
3 night min stay
New Eve 2016 in Rome
Dec 30 - Jan 2, 2016
4 night min stay
Special Christmas Market
Jan 3 - Jan 10, 2016
3 night min stay
Winter low season
Jan 11 - Feb 29, 2016
3 night min stay
Spring 2016
Mar 1 - Mar 19, 2016
3 night min stay
Easter 2016
Mar 20 - Mar 29, 2016
4 night min stay
Very High Season 2016
Mar 30 - Jul 2, 2016
3 night min stay
High Season
Jul 3 - Jul 31, 2016
3 night min stay
Rome in August 2016 !!!!
Aug 1 - Aug 31, 2016
3 night min stay
Very High Season 2016
Sep 1 - Nov 20, 2016
3 night min stay
My Standard Rate
2 night min stay
Additional information about rental rates
The prices are FLEXIBLE and depends from the avaibility. Usually check out and check in is around 10 am.
From the 1st of September there is a tax accomodation of € 3,50 per night per person not included in the total rate and must be paid at check in time.
100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before arrival date.
Paying through this free service protects your payment up to $10,000 against listing fraud. If you are not paying through HomeAway Payments always call the owner at the number listed on our website and never use instant money transfer services such as Western Union and MoneyGram.
Adding our Vacation Protection services can make sure your getaway goes smoothly, no matter what. We offer Cancellation Protection, Carefree Rental Guarantee, and Damage Protection so you can truly relax.
Car: Not Necessary
Close by there is a brand new fitness center with a personal trainer & sauna. 10 euro per day !!!!
A very good supermarket on Viale Trastevere where you will find everything you need at a very good price.
Year Purchased: 2008
About the owner: My name is Romula and with my husband Claudio we are 32 year owners of a travel agency which is located near the Vatican. That job keeps us continually in contact with people for whom we organize travels all over the world. We are fluent in three languages: Italian, French and English, so we can also help you with all of your travel throughout Italy . You can ask our opinion on your stay in Rome or on your trip in Italy, how to divide the days into the differents cities, how to join the different places, how to decide if it is better to go by car or by train, or any other question !!! We just want 2 things : 1) to rent our 2 houses in Rome, the second one is located in the same lane Vicolo della Torre 12, you can visit the site www.homeaway.com/3571450 2) that you enjoy your stay in Rome and your trip in Italy !!! Dont hesitate to contact us !!!!
Why the Owner Chose Trastevere:
To deversify the tourism activity in a lovely city like Rome, I decided to invest in this new tourism concept of vacation rental, trying to give the best of hospitality to our guests for a unforgetable holiday in the heart of the 'Eternel City' Trastevere ! I meet all my guests upon arrival to give them all the explications that they need to enjoy their stay, I offer them my avaibility for each kind of request as buy train tickets, leave their luggage in a little deposit to enjoy their last day, organize private cooking lessons, private day trips, transfers from and to the airport or the port of Civitavecchia where cruises depart for the Mediterranean, any service that can facilitate their stay in Rome.
The Unique Benefits at this Apartment:
The suite apartment is situated in the heart of Trastevere, very lively at night as it is full of trendy bars and quality restaurants frequented by Italians too. It is a typical house of the 1800, all renovated inside, located in the most beautifull alley of Trastevere, constantly photographed for its uniqueness. The bedroom is overlooking the courtyard of San Gallicano hospital, today a historical monument, so my guests can sleep very well without being disturbed by noise that lasts all night in this very special neighbourhour of Rome, especially in summer. An other benefit is that I have 2 houses in the same lane Vicolo della Torre (www.homeaway.com/228988 and www.homeaway.com/3571450) where 2 couples of friends travelling together can stay in their complete independence while being together.
A private entrance takes you in the living room wiith wifi free,Tv via satellite
the kitchenette view from the sofa bed with a big choice of wine glasses
The cozy living room
The kitchen view from the mirror
A fully equipped kitchen with a microwave
The original walls behind the bed in the bed room
the bedroom
The bathroom has 2 windows overlooking the courtyard of San Gallicano
the particular sink allows the entry of air from the windows
view of the basin from the bedroom
view of the indipendent entrance from Vicolo della Torre
Vicolo della Torre in Summer
The living room has a comfortable sofa bed for a third person of the same family
From the kitchinette the entrance by a typical and light glass door
The beams of the beautiful ceiling of the living room seen from the mirror
sink and drainer of the kitchen
Tea sugar and coffee for a light breakfast
the original walls behind the bed
The bathroom seeing from the bed room
Towels and robes are provided for shower
the shower with hydromassage, soap and shampoo are complementary
View of the entry from the bedroom. Framework and linen signed Van Gogh
Vicolo della Torre in winter
Via della Lungaretta, 2 minutes from the house
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This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - Monday, March 30, 2015
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Social media can be both a gift and a curse for pop artists, and while Chris Brown has received many gifts, Breezy's digital self has hit many a bumpy road — most notably with his Twitter account.
In 2009 he deleted his @mechanicaldummy account after he ranted against the music industry claiming he was blackballed in the aftermath of his assault on Rihanna. Then in 2011 he and Frank Ocean volleyed shots back and forth. And who could forget his foulmouthed Twitter tango with comedian and TV producer Jenny Johnson?
Despite all of the past digital drama , there is something about his 12.3 million Twitter followers that keeps bringing Brown back. "With me, it's just that everything I say is looked at under a microscope, so I gotta kinda pull back sometimes even if I wanna be funny, if I'm joking or if I'm just being myself," he told MTV News of his outlook on his social networking presence.
"I think if I'm promoting my album or showing people my artwork or showing them the positive stuff that I'm doing, that's all that's necessary," Brown continued. "I think my personal life is pretty much an open book as it is now, but I try to keep some sanity to who I am so I try to stay off of it as much as possible."
It's not just Twitter though. In January, Breezy chose to make his Instagram account private . "Social media takes away the essence of why we are even special or icons," Brown wrote on the picture-sharing network. "So with that, I'm detaching myself from that world."
Days before he privatized the Instagram account, Brown posted a drawing of Jesus Christ on a cross with the caption "Painting the way I feel today. Focus on what matters!"
On Monday, Breezy released "Fine China," the first single from his forthcoming album X, and he has been doing a ton of media interviews in support of it. For the most part, his Twitter feed has been strictly promotional, tweeting and retweeting anything that has to do with his single, its video and his upcoming album. It's his way of pulling back and avoiding the scrutiny that he often comes under.
"I give 'em what they need and not what they want," he said.
Should Chris Brown use social networking for promotion only? Tell us what you think in the comments.


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Surface Ships:
Navy Needs to Revise Its Decommissioning Policy to Improve Future Decision Making
GAO-14-412: Published: Jun 11, 2014. Publicly Released: Jun 11, 2014.
Additional Materials:
- Highlights Page:
- Full Report:
- Accessible Text:
(404) 679-1816
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
What GAO Found
The Navy did not follow its policy when deciding in 2012 to decommission seven cruisers and two dock-landing ships well prior to the end of their expected service lives. When ships are decommissioned early, the Navy's policy requires a decision memorandum to address why it is in the best interest of the Navy to decommission the ships and mitigation strategies for any resulting capability gaps. GAO found that the Navy did not prepare the required decision memorandum. According to Navy officials, they did discuss budget and cost issues, including maintenance and modernization costs, but they did not prepare the decision memorandum because they were under time pressure to identify budget savings. Congress did not support the Navy's decision and provided funds to maintain, operate, and sustain the nine ships in the fleet, and the Navy has since reversed its decision to decommission the ships. However, it now plans to take these ships and five others out of their normal deployment cycles, modernize them, and then place them back into service at a later time. The figure below shows the Navy's recent proposals and subsequent congressional actions.
Key Navy and Congressional Actions for Seven Cruisers and Two Dock-Landing Ships
The Navy's decommissioning policy does not incorporate key federal standards for internal control such as engaging external stakeholders, comparing actual performance to planned or expected results, and evaluating performance measures to achieve goals. While the policy requires communication within the Department of the Navy, it does not require the Navy to engage with external stakeholders (e.g., Congress). In addition, the policy does not require the Navy to compare differences between actual and expected performance and then use the results to adjust future decisions or plans. Further, the Navy's decommissioning policy does not require officials to specifically evaluate performance measures, such as risks, readiness, or maintenance costs, when making an early decommissioning decision. Moreover, the Navy's policy requires that officials address some elements of risk in their decision memorandum but does not specifically require that they evaluate risks associated with shortfalls in the number of ships. In this case, the Navy recommended decommissioning large surface combatants and amphibious ships when it was simultaneously reporting shortfalls in those same ship types to support its shipbuilding plans. Specific policy direction requiring engagement with external stakeholders and evaluation of key performance measures can help ensure that the Navy successfully articulates and justifies any future decisions to decommission ships prior to reaching their expected service lives.
Why GAO Did This Study
In today's fiscally constrained environment, the Navy must balance short- and long-term costs and risks. In February 2012, although it had concerns that its battle force was below the number of ships needed, the Navy announced plans to decommission nine ships.
Congress mandated that GAO review the Navy's methodology and analysis that supported its decommissioning decision. This report evaluates (1) the extent to which the Navy followed its policy when deciding to decommission nine ships before the end of their service lives, and (2) the extent to which the Navy's policy incorporates federal standards for internal control. To evaluate these issues, GAO obtained evidence and interviewed officials about the process the Navy used to develop its decommissioning decision. GAO also analyzed the Navy's decommissioning policy, and compared its requirements to federal standards for internal control.
What GAO Recommends
GAO recommends that the Navy follow its policy to document its early decommissioning decisions and also update its policy to incorporate key federal standards for internal control—including engaging external stakeholders and evaluating performance measures, such as risks. DOD partially agreed with both recommendations. DOD agreed that it should follow its policy but questioned the importance of updating the policy to incorporate certain internal control elements. GAO believes that these recommendations remain valid as discussed in the report.
For more information, contact John Pendleton at (404) 679-1816 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To improve the quality of the Navy's future decommissioning decisions, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Navy to direct the Chief of Naval Operations to document the Navy's early decommissioning in decision memorandums in accordance with the General Policy for the Inactivation, Retirement, and Disposition of U.S. Naval Vessels prior to approving any future recommendations for early decommissioning of Navy ships.
Agency Affected: Department of Defense
Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To enhance the likelihood that those decisions will be implemented, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Navy to direct the Chief of Naval Operations to update the Navy's General Policy for the Inactivation, Retirement, and Disposition of U.S. Naval Vessels to incorporate key elements of federal standards for internal control, such as communicating with and obtaining information from external stakeholders, comparing actual performance to planned or expected results, evaluating performance measures and indicators, such as risk, and comparing and assessing different sets of data to establish relationships and take appropriate action. In updating the policy, the Chief of Naval Operations should also consider requiring that its early decommissioning decision memorandums specifically address capacity as well as capability gaps.
Agency Affected: Department of Defense
Explore the full database of GAO's Open Recommendations »
Mar 19, 2015
Military Personnel:Actions Needed to Address Sexual Assaults of Male ServicemembersGAO-15-284: Published: Mar 19, 2015. Publicly Released: Mar 19, 2015.
Mar 16, 2015
Operational Contract Support:Actions Needed to Enhance the Collection, Integration, and Sharing of Lessons LearnedGAO-15-243: Published: Mar 16, 2015. Publicly Released: Mar 16, 2015.
Mar 12, 2015
Defense Acquisitions:Assessments of Selected Weapon ProgramsGAO-15-342SP: Published: Mar 12, 2015. Publicly Released: Mar 12, 2015.
Mar 2, 2015
Defense Acquisitions:Better Approach Needed to Account for Number, Cost, and Performance of Non-Major ProgramsGAO-15-188: Published: Mar 2, 2015. Publicly Released: Mar 2, 2015.
Feb 26, 2015
Defense Logistics:Improvements Needed to Accurately Assess the Performance of DOD's Materiel Distribution PipelineGAO-15-226: Published: Feb 26, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 26, 2015.
Feb 24, 2015
Acquisition Reform:DOD Should Streamline Its Decision-Making Process for Weapon Systems to Reduce InefficienciesGAO-15-192: Published: Feb 24, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 24, 2015.
Feb 18, 2015
Contingency Contracting:Contractor Personnel Tracking System Needs Better Plans and GuidanceGAO-15-250: Published: Feb 18, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 18, 2015.
Feb 11, 2015
Building Partner Capacity:DOD Should Improve Its Reporting to Congress on Challenges to Expanding Ministry of Defense Advisors ProgramGAO-15-279: Published: Feb 11, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 11, 2015.
Defense Business Transformation:DOD Has Taken Some Steps to Address Weaknesses, but Additional Actions Are NeededGAO-15-213: Published: Feb 11, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 11, 2015.
Jan 29, 2015
DOD Acquisitions:Opportunities May Exist to Increase Utility of Nondevelopmental Items Pilot ProgramGAO-15-285: Published: Jan 29, 2015. Publicly Released: Jan 29, 2015.
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Posted January 12, 2009
These sixteen urban fantasy tales are whimsical and though this reviewer suggests spreading the entries over several days as the theme is somewhat limiting. Each contribution is well written and especially quirky like Mike Resnick¿s sure bet ¿The Hex Is In¿. Fans will enjoy the exploits of these heroes like the star of ¿Web Gin House¿ by Phaedra Weldon as she leaves her body to spy on others or the ¿Witness to the Fall¿ by Joseph E. Lake. No clinkers, this is a lighthearted romp as the authors seem to enjoy writing unusual ¿Eye Opening¿ (by Jason Schmetzer) short stories in which ¿The Wish of the Wish (by Robert T. Jeschonek) is for more CRIME SPELLS.

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