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Study: Newborns are 40% of preventable child deaths
<a href="http://www.yourbagsonline.co.uk/gucci-joy-medium-boston-bag-193603-black-uk-2012">Gucci Joy Medium Boston Bag 193603</a>Newborns now account for 40% of preventable child deaths worldwide, but only a tiny fraction of international aid targets newborns, according to a report to be published in the medical journal Health Policy and Planning Tuesday.The study, which was spearheaded by the advocacy group Save the Children and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, comes as the Obama administration, India and Ethiopia prepare to host a summit in Washington on Thursday focused on bolstering efforts to reduce the number of children younger than 5 who die from preventable ailments.The world is far off track in achieving one of the Millennium Development Goals set in 2000 — of reducing preventable child deaths by 66% by 2015 — but U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Raj Shah told USA TODAY he hasn't given up hope of reaching the target."This meeting is about that acceleration," Shah said. "It's about looking at the evidence, making the tough calls and doing things much differently and engaging a much broader set of partners so that we can accelerate progress."President Obama has emphasized the need to reduce child mortality rates, and USAID has attempted to raise the profile of the issue by enlisting celebrities (Kim Kardashian and Mandy Moore) and politicians (former president Bill Clinton) to submit childhood photos for an online project called Every Child Deserves a 5th Birthday.The world has made progress in reducing preventable child deaths in recent years.

<a href="http://www.yourbagsonline.co.uk/Gucci-Icon-Bit-Medium-Tote-229852-in-Black-uk-2012">Gucci Tote 229852</a> More than 7 million children are expected to die from preventable illnesses this year, down from the approximately 12.4 million who died worldwide in 1990. But the numbers — roughly 20,000 children dying each day — continue to have a transformational effect on societies seeking to achieve peace and stability, Shah said.In 2010, 3.1 million newborns worldwide died in their first month, 17% fewer than in 2000. But the annual reduction rate of deaths of newborns, now at 2.1%, lags behind that of children ages 1-59 months, which stands at 2.9%.Official development assistance for maternal, newborn and child health doubled from 2003 to 2008, yet only 6% of this funding mentioned newborns in 2008 and 0.1% of these funds exclusively targeted newborns. The U.S. accounted for $619.5 million in aid from 2002 to 2009 targeting newborns and maternal care, doubling the next biggest donor, the World Bank."When we did the funding analysis, it made you feel like laughing and crying at the same time," said Joy Lawn, lead author of the Save the Children study. UNICEF said in a report last week that pneumonia and diarrhea are two of the leading killers — accounting for 29% of deaths among children under age 5 worldwide — and said the global community should increase its focus on those diseases."Deaths due to these diseases are largely preventable through optimal breastfeeding practices and adequate nutrition, vaccinations, hand washing with soap, safe drinking water and basic sanitation, among other measures," the report said.

<a href="http://www.yourbagsonline.co.uk/gucci-gg-running-medium-tote-247183-light-brown-uk-2012">Gucci Tote 247183</a>hah said the global community needs to do more on all fronts to reduce the yawning death toll.Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo— five countries that account for nearly half of all preventable deaths of children under 5 — are expected to announce a series of initiatives and new policies at this week's meeting in Washington. Performance needs to improve dramatically among these countries in order to get back on track, Shah said."Unlike in prior efforts, where maybe donor countries like the United States, the U.K. or others would dictate the solutions," he said, "in this effort, these countries are co-convening and are defining their efforts."The U.S. government, however, still classifies diesel exhaust as a likely carcinogen. Experts said new diesel engines spew out fewer fumes but further studies are needed to assess any dangers."We don't have enough evidence to say these new engines are zero risk, but they are certainly lower risk than before," said Vincent Cogliano of the Environmental Protection Agency.Experts in Lyon had analyzed published studies, evidence from animals and limited research in humans. One of the biggest studies was published in March by the U.S. National Cancer Institute. That paper analyzed 12,300 miners for several decades starting in 1947. Researchers found that miners heavily exposed to diesel exhaust had a higher risk of dying from lung cancerLobbyists for the diesel industry, facing argued the study wasn't credible because researchers didn't have exact data on how much exposure miners got in the early years of the study;

<a href="http://www.yourbagsonline.co.uk/gucci-craft-large-tote-247220-black-uk-2012">Gucci Tote 247220</a> they simply asked them to remember what their exposure was like.Diesel engine makers and car companies said emissions from trucks and buses have been slashed by more than 95 percent for nitrogen oxides, particulate and sulfur emissions."Diesel exhaust is only a very small contributor to air pollution," the Diesel Technology Forum, a group representing companies including Mercedes, Ford and Chrysler, said in a statement. Female doctor-researchers make an average of $12,000 per year less than their male counterparts, even after their work hours and area of specialty are taken into account, according to a study out Tuesday.The wage gap between men and women is nothing new, but among doctors in particular it wasn't clear if the disparity was due to different career choices and work habits in men and women that could have affected their pay.Disturbingly, even after we controlled for all those other factors, we found that male doctors were paid more than female doctors for doing the same work," said Dr. Reshma Jagsi, the lead author of the new study from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.She and her colleagues sent questionnaires to 800 doctor-researchers in the United States, all of whom had previously won a mid-career award from the government. The doctors were an average of 45 years old at the time of the survey and three-quarters of them were white.Men reported making an average of slightly over $200,000 per year and women about $168,000, according to findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.The researchers found women were more likely to work in lower-paying specialties such as pediatrics and family medicine.

<a href="http://www.yourbagsonline.co.uk/gucci-heritage-large-boston-bag-247572-beige-brown-976-uk-2012">Gucci Large Boston Bag 247572</a> Female doctors also tended to work slightly fewer hours than their male peers -- 58 hours per week, on average, versus 63 for men.Those differences were responsible for some of the salary gap. But even after Jagsi's team accounted for income disparities that could have been due to career and life choices, the researchers found women still made about $12,000 less than men doing the same type and amount of work.That's similar to what has been found in past research, such as in studies of early-career doctors, according to Anthony Lo Sasso, a health policy and economics researcher from the University of Illinois at Chicago.But the finding still leaves many unanswered questions, said Lo Sasso, who wasn't involved in the new research."It really doesn't get at what the underlying driver is, and I think that remains the puzzle at this point -- what is accounting for this unexplained salary difference?"One explanation, according to the researchers, is that women are less aggressive about negotiating for pay or may take factors other than salary, such as location and community, into account when choosing a job.Lo Sasso said the disparity is "not necessarily a bad thing," as it's possible women in the study accepted slightly lower pay in return for less time being on-call and more predictability in their schedules. Those types of questions were not included in the survey."We don't really have the answer to that, so we're kind of just left to speculate," Lo Sasso told Reuters Health.The researchers calculated that over her career, the average female doctor-researcher would make about $350,000 less than a man doing similar work because of unexplained salary differences.Jagsi said she worries the findings may hint at unconscious biases in hiring and pay at the academic institutions where these researchers worked. One way to address that, she said, is for employers to have clear policies about how salaries are determined so doctors can know if they're being paid fairly.

<a href="http://www.yourbagsonline.co.uk/gucci-gg-running-large-tote-247179-light-brown-uk-2012">Gucci GG Large Tote 247179</a>And that applies outside of hospitals and universities as well, she pointed out.A report out in April showed American women make 77 cents for every dollar earned by men, a gap that is even bigger in certain professions, such as financial management. Brain imaging with a beta amyloid-specific tracer identified patients who had a high risk of rapid progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease, an Australian study showed.Three-fourths of patients with high uptake of 18F-florbetaben (18FBB) progressed to Alzheimer's disease within 24 months. In contrast, half of patients with hippocampal atrophy met diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease within 2 years.The results suggest that PET imaging with 18FBB could offer the earliest test yet developed for diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study reported at the Society of Nuclear Medicine meeting in Miami Beach, Fla."Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can now be made when the patient first presents symptoms and still has largely preserved mental function," Christopher Rowe, MD, of Austin Health in Melbourne, said in a statement."Previously, there was an average delay of 3 years between consulting a doctor over memory concerns and the diagnosis of Alzheimer's, as the diagnosis required the presence of dementia," he added.

<a href="http://www.yourbagsonline.co.uk/gucci-vintage-web-medium-boston-bag-247205-black-multicolor-uk-2012">Gucci Vintage Web Medium Boston Bag 247205 Black</a>The study was one of several linking the burden of beta-amyloid to Alzheimer's disease.Rowe and colleagues presented data from two of the studies. In the first, they longitudinally assessed beta-amyloid accumulation in 45 patients with mild cognitive impairment, performing 18FBB-PET imaging and 3D MRI at 12 and 24 months.At baseline, 53% of the study participants had high neocortical FBB binding (>1.4 SUVR), and 76% had hippocampal atrophy, both of which correlated with the patients' composite memory scores.At the 24-month follow-up, investigators observed increased neocortical SUVR in patients who had high FBB binding. Three-fourths of those patients had progressed to Alzheimer's disease, which represented a 10.9-fold increased risk of progression compared with patients who had low FBB binding (P<0.0001).Rowe reported that 53% of patients with hippocampal atrophy had progressed to Alzheimer's disease (RR 4.1, P=0.03). For progression to any dementia, hippocampal atrophy had a predictive RR of (P=0.009).The authors pointed out that hippocampal atrophy lost significance in multivariate analysis.In their second study, Rowe and colleagues evaluated 194 healthy individuals, 92 patients with mild cognitive impairment, and 70 patients with Alzheimer's disease, using a PET imaging agent known as Pittsburgh Compound C

== At Starbucks, Uncertainty Over Impact of Bloomberg’s Drink Plan ==

At Starbucks, Uncertainty Over Impact of Bloomberg’s Drink Plan
<a href="http://www.redbottomheelshop.com">red bottom heels</a>Big Gulps are safe. But the fate of the Frappuccino remains unclearAs the Bloomberg administration moved ahead on Tuesday with its plan to restrict sales of big sugary drinks in New York, securing a preliminary nod from the city’s Board of Health, it said it is still trying to determine the impact on one popular beverage brand: Starbucks. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s plan, which would limit the size of sweet drinks sold at many establishments to 16 ounces or less, exempts any beverage that contains more than 50 percent milk by volume. Officials in City Hall and in Seattle said they were unsure how those rules might affect the Starbucks family of syrupy, milkshake-style coffee drinks, catnip to thousands of caffeine-addicted New Yorkers who frequent the company’s 190 outlets in Manhattan. “It’s hard for us to give a definitive word on which of our beverages would be impacted by the proposal,” said Linda Mills, a Starbucks spokeswoman, although she said the company was confident that many of its drinks would fall outside the proposed ban. The Starbucks question — complicated by the varying amounts of ice, sugar and milk in each customized drink — is just one of the ambiguities facing the city as it begins a three-month public comment period on the proposed rules. On Tuesday, the Board of Health, which has final say over the rules, agreed to consider the proposal formally at its next meeting, in September. The rules would ban large sodas sold at fast-food restaurants, movie theaters and street carts. But the Big Gulp, the supersized soda cup at 7-Eleven, would still be allowed under the proposal, because the proposal would exempt the sale of drinks in groceries or convenience stores.. 

<a href="http://www.redbottomheelshop.com">red bottom shoes</a>Officials at the city’s health department said that they expected the plan could be tweaked ahead of the final vote, as they received feedback from companies and establishments that might be affected. In the case of Starbucks, the city plans to pore over barista training manuals to determine specific quantities of ingredients. “This is only one of many very specific questions about very specific, unusual drinks that are likely to arise,” said Samantha Levine, a city spokeswoman. Members of the Board of Health, all of whom were appointed by the mayor, received their first official briefing on the plan on Tuesday, but the public was not allowed to ask questions or make comments. A public hearing on the topic has been planned for the afternoon of July 24. Pundits and policy experts around the world have already been weighing in on the proposal. This week’s New Yorker features a film-noir-style cover that parodies the plan as a form of fizzy prohibition. And on Monday, Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, suggested on “The Daily Show” that his city might offer sanctuary to “refugees from the soda tyranny in New York,” earning loud cheers from the studio audience. (Another remark from Mr. Johnson, that Mr. Bloomberg might make a good president, was met by silence.) While the Board of Health is widely expected to approve the plan, several of its members on Tuesday raised concerns about certain elements. Some wanted the proposal to be more rigorous — banning free refills, for instance, or doing away with the exemptions for fruit juices and milk-based drinks.

<a href="http://www.redbottomheelshop.com">red sole shoes</a> One member, Bruce C. Vladeck, asked whether popcorn could be included, as well. (The city said no.) Sixto R. Caro, another board member, said he was concerned that poorer residents and small businesses would be disproportionately affected. In a sign of the city’s sensitivity to public reception to the plan, members of the health panel were asked by the Bloomberg administration to avoid speaking with the public and the news media after the meeting. Howard Wolfson, a deputy mayor who guards Mr. Bloomberg’s reputation, traveled to the health department’s headquarters in Queens to supervise a news conference with the health commissioner. A spokesman for the New York City Restaurant Association said Tuesday that the industry was considering several possible avenues of opposition. “We believe the board is appointed by the mayor but ultimately should be accountable to the public, many of whom don’t believe in this proposal,” the spokesman, Andrew Moesel, said. And in a television interview, Howard Schultz, the chief executive of Starbucks, said he supported Mr. Bloomberg’s objective but wondered if the plan would be effective in combating obesity. “I’m not sure it’s the right approach,” Mr. Schultz said on “CBS This Morning.” “But we’re obviously going to follow suit and respond to him because he’s trying to do something that’s quite important.”

== Elinor Ostrom, Winner of Nobel in Economics, Dies at 78 ==

Elinor Ostrom, Winner of Nobel in Economics, Dies at 78
<a href="http://www.guccioutletsu.com">gucci handbags outlet</a>Elinor Ostrom, the only woman to win the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Science — an achievement all the more remarkable because she was not actually an economist — died on Tuesday in Bloomington, Ind. She was 78. The cause was cancer, according to Indiana University, where she taught for many years. Professor Ostrom’s work rebutted fundamental economic beliefs. But to say she was a dark horse for the 2009 economics Nobel is an understatement. Not because she was a woman — although women in the field are still rare — but because she was trained in political science. Professor Ostrom’s prizewinning work examined how people collaborate and organize themselves to manage common resources like forests or fisheries, even when governments are not involved. The research overturned the conventional wisdom about the need for government regulation of public resources. At least it did for the economists who knew who she was and had read her work. “The announcement of her prize caused amazement to several economists, including some prominent colleagues, who had never even heard of her,” Avinash Dixit, a Princeton economics professor, said when introducing Professor Ostrom’s work at a luncheon in 2011. Usually, he noted, Nobel laureates need no introduction. In fact, when the Nobel recipients were announced, some economists mistakenly thought the prize had gone to Bengt Holmstrom, an economist with a similar-sounding (and, to economists, much more recognizable) name. One prominent scholar acknowledged visiting Wikipedia to figure out who exactly she was. 

<a href="http://www.guccioutletsu.com">gucci shoes outlet</a>Surprise at Professor Ostrom’s honor, which she shared with Oliver E. Williamson, in some cases gave way to disdain and name-calling on economics blogs. “Some things said about her in blogs and other media were so ignorant and in such bad taste that I felt ashamed on behalf of the economics profession,” Mr. Dixit said. Professor Ostrom was not the first laureate to hail from outside the field. Previous recipients include Daniel Kahneman (psychologist), John Nash (a mathematician who was the subject of the book and movie “A Beautiful Mind”) and Leonid Hurwicz (trained in law). As with these other winners, the outsider perspective Professor Ostrom brought to the field contributed to what made her work so groundbreaking. But the unconventional nature of her studies also made it difficult for her to find a foothold in academia earlier in her career. “A lot of important questions are on the narrow borders between disciplines, but it is difficult to find a home for that kind of work,” said Marco Janssen, a mathematician at Arizona State University who collaborated with Professor Ostrom. “She had experienced many of these challenges over the years. Eventually she and her husband just created their own center for it.” In 1973, Professor Ostrom and her husband, Vincent, who survives her, founded the Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis at Indiana University. It would become the first of several interdisciplinary institutions she helped shape, and a locus for her collaboration with scholars across academia, including ecologists, computer scientists and psychologists. Just as her academic habits emphasized collaboration and cooperation, so did the content of her study. 

<a href="http://www.guccioutletsu.com">gucci outlet</a>Traditionally, economics taught that common ownership of resources results in excessive exploitation, as when fishermen overfish a common pond. This is the so-called tragedy of the commons, and it suggests that common resources must be managed either through privatization or government regulation, in the form of taxes, say, or limits on use. Professor Ostrom studied cases around the world in which communities successfully regulated resource use through cooperation. Her work has important applications for climate change policy today. Professor Ostrom’s research and Mr. Williamson’s related work on corporate oversight are part of a field known as institutional economics. Some economists still debate whether the field deserves a rightful place within the economics discipline. Elinor Awan was born on Aug. 7, 1933, in Los Angeles, an only child. She often spoke about how growing up in the Depression had influenced her interest in cooperative institutions. helping her family grow food in a large garden and knitting scarves for soldiers. She received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees — all in political science — at the University of California, Los Angeles. As a researcher she was notable for conducting fieldwork, an unusual method that is admired by some economists but scorned by others. In 1964, when she was working on her dissertation, fieldwork was considered the province of anthropologists, not academics trying to answer economic questions. “She would go and actually talk to Indonesian fisherman, or Maine lobstermen, and ask, ‘How did you come to establish this limit on the fish catch? How did you deal with the fact that people might try to get around it?’ ” said Nancy Folbre, an economics professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a contributor to The New York Times’s Economix blog. “In economics, every successive cohort of economists is trained to put greater emphasis on the arsenal of mathematical and econometric expertise,” Professor Folbre said. “That was just not what her work was about.”

== TV ad prices up by single digits as upfronts end ==

TV ad prices up by single digits as upfronts end
<a href="http://www.redbottomshoesite.com">red bottom shoes</a>The big four broadcast television networks are wrapping up their advanced selling season for fall programming with single-digit price increases from advertisers, people familiar with the negotiations said on Tuesday.CBS, the most-watched U.S. network, and No. 2 Fox led with 8 to 9 percent higher prices than a year ago, said the sources who asked not to be named because the talks are still ongoing.ABC, which slipped to last place this year based on same-day viewing among the 18- to 49-year-old age group prized by advertisers, secured price hikes in the 6 to 8 percent range. NBC, the last-place network overall, won 5.5 to 6.5 percent increases.Industry analysts had expected price increases to run below the 12 percent gain a year earlier, in part due to a less optimistic economic outlook. Barclays Capital had projected CBS would see a 10 percent increase, with Fox close behind at 9 percent. ABC and NBC were expected to be up 8 percent and 7 percent, respectively.Of the four networks, ABC has completed its deals for the annual "upfront" period, when they sell up to 75 to 85 percent of advertising time for the fall season, sources familiar with the negotiations said. NBC, Fox and CBS are close to completing their sales.The volume of sales for Walt Disney Co-owned ABC was about same as last year, a person familiar with the negotiations said.All four networks unveiled their 2012-13 prime-time schedules in May, previewing new TV shows for advertisers, affiliates and critics.CBS, a unit of CBS Corp, has sold most of its upfront inventory, one source said. The network has only a few deals with smaller agencies left to close.

<a href="http://www.redbottomshoesite.com">cheap red bottom shoes</a>CBS sold 2 to 3 percentage points less primetime inventory at the upfronts than it did last year, in line with analyst predictions for all broadcasters, the source said.Typically, networks hold back more inventory when they think they may get higher prices later during the "scatter" market.With the price increases, the total dollar amount collected by CBS during the upfronts will be about the same or slightly higher than a year ago when final deals are closed.The standout sectors were retail, financial services, technology, telecom and quick-service restaurants, the source said.CBS has ranked as the No. 1 network for years with hits including "NCIS" and "The Big Bang Theory," and has less work to do than other networks to freshen its lineup.Spokespeople at the networks had no comment.Broadcasters are betting heavily on comedies for the fall season to boost ratings. At their upfront previews, 16 of the 36 new scripted shows at the big four networks were comedies.ABC and NBC made the most significant changes to their schedules.Two of the ABC's new dramas, "666 Park Avenue" and "The Last Resort," received positive buzz from media buyers who attended ABC's upfront presentation. The network will debut 10 new shows.NBC, owned by Comcast Corp added 16 new shows to its lineup, the largest number of any network. Among the highlights was "Animal Practice," a sitcom set in a veterinary clinic. The network has lurked in the ratings basement for years, but rose to third this past season among 18- to 49-year olds with a lift from the Super Bowl.News Corp's Fox added three sitcoms and two dramas, but its biggest news was new "X-Factor" judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. Fox also drew applause for luring veteran Hollywood star Kevin Bacon to TV for the first time for new serial-killer drama "The Following."

<a href="http://www.redbottomshoesite.com">red bottom shoes for sale</a>CBS, with the strongest current schedule, added just four new shows. The best-received were "Vegas," a new period drama starring Dennis Quaid in 1960s-era Las Vegas, and "Partners," its lone new sitcom from the original creators of hit comedy "Will & Grace" which also has a similar straight/gay buddy relationship as its theme.On Friday, the 33-year-old Samberg stars opposite Adam Sandler in big screen comedy "That's My Boy," and in August he appears alongside Rashida Jones in relationship film "Celeste and Jesse Forever.Samberg said working with Sandler, 45, another "Saturday Night Live" alumnus whose hits of the 1990s include films such as "Waterboy" and "Big Daddy," had been a lifelong dream."He was my hero since I was, like 13-years-old," Samberg told Reuters. "If you told the 13-yeard-old me that there would be a huge billboard in Times Square of me and Adam Sandler, I'd have smashed my face into the wall with excitement."The actor said when he first started doing stand-up comedy, he was often compared to Sandler. When he began on SNL" in 2005, Sandler called him and told him how much he liked Samberg's work, and over the years, he has continued to receive encouraging words from the man who he admired so much.So, when Samberg heard Sandler would be playing a role in a film that required him to have an on-screen son 15-years younger, Samberg got on the phone."I called him straight up and was like, 'I would give my life to do this,'" Samberg recalled. "And he said, 'Well, hopefully you won't have too.'"In "That's My Boy," the younger comedian plays Todd, whom Donny (Sandler) fathered when just a teenager. After not seeing his deadbeat dad for years, Todd's world turns upside down when Donny shows up on the weekend Todd is getting married.While movie reviews are not yet in, the pairing worked well for the actors. Samberg recently wrapped a cameo in Sandler's upcoming "Grown-Ups 2" and is among the voices in his animated feature, "Hotel Transylvania," due out this fall.

<a href="http://www.redbottomshoesite.com">red bottoms online shop</a>As he breaks out of "SNL," Samberg also is pursuing more serious roles, although comedy remains his first love. After "That's My Boy" comes independent drama "Celeste and Jesse Forever," hitting New York and Los Angeles theaters on August 3.Co-written by Rashida Jones, who portrays Celeste opposite Samberg's Jesse, the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and tells of a divorced couple that has not quite let go of their marriage. As they begin to pursue other people, the pair find it harder and harder to stay friends.Though the film has comedic elements, "Celeste and Jesse" is grounded in real life as it explores the complicated and messy matters of a relationship that's trying to stay intact even as it is falling apart. It's the type of role Samberg fans have not yet seen for the actor, but one he relished in doing."While we were shooting the film, I kept saying how nice it was not to be rapping about my dick," Samberg joked, referring to his famous, Emmy-award winning "Dick in a Box" short film he performed on SNL. "I mean, there's nothing I like more than rapping about my dick, but it's nice to not have to for once."He credits his friendship with Jones for landing the part. When she first finished her work on the screenplay, she asked Samberg for his opinion, and he instantly responded to Jesse."Something about the character felt like a part of me," he said. He also enjoyed "playing normal" - a nice change from the many pratfalls and stunts "SNL" audiences came to expect of him."I figured this film was a good environment to try (something more serious)," he said. "If it goes well, then maybe it will open the door to do more stuff like that. But it's not as important to me to do serious roles as it is to do comedy."There are a lot of actors that are better at acting than I am, but I can say I'm better at comedy than they are. I don't want to swim upstream against the current," he added.Regardless of the roles he chooses for his future, Samberg is looking forward to seeing what life will be like without having a job like SNL to go to six days a week."It was a grueling schedule; you kind of disappear from the world when you work there," he said. "I'll be curious to see how my life changes now."

== 'Bachelorette' Emily: No one calls my daughter 'baggage' ==

'Bachelorette' Emily: No one calls my daughter 'baggage'
<a href="http://www.abercrombieoutletsfitchuk.com">abercrombie and fitch outlet</a>The love action moved to jolly old England on Monday's Bachelorette. "I have been wanting to come to London forever," says our star, Emily Maynard, kicking off the show. She and little Ricki, 6, get a chance to travel around on a double-decker bus and snap photos at Buckingham Palace before the dating gets underway.So far, Emily has been true to her no-hot-tub rule. And this definitely isn't bikini time. Instead, it's cool weather for Emily's three dates, which include pub time, a dinner at the Tower of London, private time at the London Eye and acting out scenes from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in Stratford-upon-Avon. Emily, battling a cold, is raspy throughout the show.And it ended with eight. Who got kicked to the curb?First one- on-one date: Sean. "I've developed really, really strong feelings for Emily," he says. "I'm excited to see where it goes next."Sean and Emily hop on a double-decker bus. They hold hands and talk about Princess Diana and Prince Charles. They go to Buckingham Palace, and Sean uses the moment as an excuse to re-create the Will and Kate balcony wedding kiss.Back at the hotel, Kalon talks to Arie and Jef about group dates and Kalon says, "If you become a part of her life, any date will be a group date. It'll be you and her and Ricki," he says. Snark alert! Jef and Arie are quick to say that's not fair to Emily.Meanwhile, Sean and Emily chat about past dates. "Good girls are hard to come by," he says. "Good guys are hard to come by," counters Emily. She says good-looking guys are usually boring. "But you're not boring!" she assures.The two have dinner at the Tower of London. "Sean is my prisoner of love tonight," she confesses, as they sit down to a private dinner.

<a href="http://www.abercrombieoutletsfitchuk.com">abercrombie and fitch uk</a>Emily asks Sean how many kids he'd like to have. "I haven't put a lot of thought to it," he says, adding "two..." then says, "three four, six, 10." "I can't think of anyone being more marriage material than he is," she says in her confessional. She gives him a rose."This night could go on forever and ever," says Sean, "and I could be a happy man."Group date: Chris, Arie, Ryan, Alejandro, Travis, John and Kalon. They all head to Stratford-Upon-Avon to act out Romeo and Juliet. Emily, dressed in a trench coat, says she is sick. "I know I sound like I'm on my death bed, but I don't want them to think I'm not having fun just because I sound like I'm not having fun."The guys are not particularly thrilled at the prospect of acting out scenes from a Shakespeare play, but Emily thinks it will be "really funny."Kalon, taking it all very seriously, plays one of four Romeos: "I was born to play this role," he declares."Kalon needs to lighten up. He's way too intense," observes Emily.Arie has to play a nurse. Doug also plays a woman. Travis jokes about how "huge" Shakespeare is in Madison, Miss. But he plays along. "He's just so great," notices Emily.Emily puts on a piece of burlap to play Juliet. She rasps out her lines. Kalon isn't romantic. There's nothing fun about their scene.Doug hams it up. Travis and Alejandro sword-fight and make the crowd laugh. Arie really cracks up the gang with his high voice. "I have always been crazy about Arie, but after today I'm way more attracted to him," says Emily.Ryan plays Romeo and is excited about getting the chance to kiss Emily. After giving her one, he helps himself to another. "You're a good kisser," she says.

<a href="http://www.saleabercrombieukshop.com">abercrombie clothing</a>They all meet up later in a pub, where Arie plants kisses on Emily, and Ryan takes her to a secluded spot behind closed curtains and says he has a surprise. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a necklace. "Oh my gosh. That is so thoughtful and so sweet!" she coos.Meanwhile, Chris tells Arie that Kalon called Emily's daughter "baggage." Arie says he's ticked off. Doug isn't happy about it either and determines "one of us has to tell her." They confront Kalon first, and he says, "I'm not going to retract it."Doug tells Emily about it, saying, "One of the guys in the house referred to Ricki as baggage.She smiles, but says she is "so angry right now." She says, "I'm trying to think of the most ladylike way I can handle it. ... I want to go off. I want to go West Virginia ... backwoods on his a---."They all gather in the pub and confront Kalon. Emily says, "For anyone to say (my daughter) is baggage does not deserve to be on any date with me. ... She's the furthest thing from baggage. It makes me sad for you, not for me. Is there anything you can say?""No, not at all," says Kalon."Then, get the (expletive) out!" she says. "How dare you! That is so disappointing on so many levels." He tries to talk and she cuts him off, saying the conversation is "so inappropriate and insulting, I'm not going to have it." He leaves.She calls him a "terrible human being. Thank God I didn't have a voice tonight or he really would have heard what I have to say." She walks off, shooing away Doug and saying she wants to be alone. When she returns, she tells them she's disappointed that no one mentioned it sooner. No one gets a rose."My dream guy, if he heard someone say that, would be willing to fight for me and my daughter. I don't know if I have someone who has my back like that," she tells cameras. "My trust in all the guys has been shaken. I want somebody who would be willing to fight for me and my daughter."

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesalemalluk.com">abercrombie fitch</a>Second one-on-one date: Jef. They have afternoon tea with an etiquette teacher. Jef begins to realize his one-on-one isn't quite what he had been hoping for. Instead of playing tonsil hockey -- or even talking and holding hands -- he's getting a lesson in tea pouring and sandwich-eating. "I'm ready to get the hell out of here," admits Emily.They escape to a pub for pints and fish 'n' chips.Jef brings up Kalon's "baggage" remark and recounts how he suggested that Kalon leave. But Kalon told Jef he wanted to stay on the show because it was more fun than "boring" life back home.Jef says, "If Ricki's baggage, then she's a Chloe handbag that I want to have forever."Emily seems to lap up the line, saying, "Vintage Louis Vuitton. ... I love that! Thank you for that."She tells cameras that she is physically attracted to Jef, but can't read him. They go to the London Eye for a rainy view of the city and a private dinner in a bubble above the city. "I really like Jef," Emily says in a confessional.She tells Jef that the Kalon incident "broke my confidence in all of this, really, to be honest."Jef says she's "really nice to everyone" but he likes that she isn't afraid to tell a guy to hit the road. He says, "I feel like I could tell you anything."When she asks what life would be like for them in Salt Lake, he says, that when she came home, "You'd come home from doing whatever you're doing and me and Ricki would be having a dance party singing into combs and brushes." He says he wants "a best friend."She gives him a rose. They finally kiss. Jef sounds like he's falling hard for her. "Emily takes my breath away. I like the girl she is. I like the mom she is. ... Emily gives me the feeling people write fairy tales about," he says to the cameras.

<a href="http://www.saleabercrombieukshop.com">abercrombie uk</a>Cocktail party/Rose ceremony: Emily says the week has been full of "some high highs and some low lows." She said she was shown a "huge lack of respect" this week. She grills each of the guys on why they didn't do more and keeps saying that in the future she hopes her husband "will have my back."Arie worries he didn't do enough. "Now I feel bad. I"m kinda freaking out."Ryan, doing that Matthew McConaughey thing he does, tells cameras he's going to lighten the mood. He puts Emily on a balcony and goes down beneath her to give her some lines from Shakespeare, telling her she is "far more beautiful than anything around us." Emily admits to the cameras, "I find myself liking him more and more."In some one-on-one time with Sean, Emily kisses him and says she thinks if he had been around when the Kalon stuff went down on the group date, he would have stood up and said something. "I missed you," she tells him. "He makes me feel taken care of," she says to the cameras, adding, "I do get butterflies with Sean, but it's less butterflies in my stomach - and this is going to sound cheesy - it's more like in my heart. I've never said that in my life!" Diesel fumes cause cancer, the World Health Organization's cancer agency declared Tuesday, a ruling it said could make exhaust as significant a public health threat as secondhand smoke.The risk of getting cancer from diesel fumes is small, but since so many people breathe in the fumes in some way, the science panel said raising the status of diesel exhaust to carcinogen from "probable carcinogen" was an important shift."It's on the same order of magnitude as passive smoking," said Kurt Straif, director of the agency department that evaluates cancer risks. "This could be another big push for countries to clean up exhaust from diesel engines."Reclassifying diesel exhaust as carcinogenic also puts it into the same category as other known hazards such as asbestos, alcohol and ultraviolet radiation.The move followed a weeklong discussion in Lyon, France, by an expert panel organized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer arm of the World Health Organization.

== Sandusky lawyers may use NBC tape error in appeal ==

Sandusky lawyers may use NBC tape error in appeal

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesaleshopuk.com">abercrombie and fitch sale</a> (Reuters) - Lawyers for Jerry Sandusky sought a mistrial before his conviction for child sex abuse on the grounds that prosecutors showed jurors an inaccurate version of a bombshell NBC News interview with the former football coach, and the mistake may now form part of the basis for an appeal.In response to a subpoena, NBC News turned over three versions of Bob Costas' NBC News interview with Sandusky, which aired last November on different NBC shows.One of those versions, which was broadcast on the 'Today' show, contained an erroneous repetition of a key question and answer - about whether Sandusky was sexually attracted to young boys, Nils Frederiksen, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania attorney general said on Sunday.The repetition, Sandusky's lawyers contend, made it appear to jurors that he was stonewalling."It wasn't noticed by (NBC News), it wasn't noticed by us, but it became obvious when it played in court," Frederiksen told Reuters.NBC News spokeswoman Amy Lynn confirmed this account on Sunday.SANDUSKY FACES 400-YEAR SENTENCEOn Friday, a jury in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, convicted Sandusky, a former Penn State assistant football coach, of 45 counts of child sex abuse and child endangerment. Sandusky, 68, is expected to be sentenced to more than 400 years in prison.

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesaleshopuk.com">abercrombie sale</a> Sandusky attorney Joe Amendola said NBC's error would form part of the basis for an appeal. "Oh my goodness, yes," he said, when asked about whether it could be used in an appeal.The mistrial request was denied by Judge John Cleland, who sought to remedy the situation by providing the jury with an accurate transcript of the exchange, another Sandusky attorney Karl Rominger said.It's the second time in a matter of months that an error in a ‘Today' show broadcast has put the morning program at the center of a national criminal trial. In April, 'Today' aired a misleadingly edited phone call between the police and the man who shot Florida teenager Trayvon Martin.The Sandusky case has rocked the world of U.S. elite college sports and led to the firing of the university's president and Joe Paterno, a College Football Hall of Fame member who won more games as head coach than any other Division I coach. Paterno died of lung cancer in January, five months to the day before the verdict against his long-time assistant was handed down.Amendola said another basis for a future appeal could be a request he and Rominger made to resign from the case at the start of jury selection because the lawyers didn't feel they were given enough time between their client's arrest in November and the June trial date. He said the request was denied by Judge Cleland.UNDERAGE BOYS

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesaleshopuk.com">abercrombie sale uk</a> In the Sandusky interview with NBC, Costas asks, "Are you sexually attracted to young boys, to underage boys?" according to an NBC News transcript.Sandusky responded, "Am I sexually attracted to underage boys?"But in the "Today" version, which was played for jurors and is still available on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb49dXT_44M), the exchange was repeated.The interview was originally aired correctly on NBC News' new magazine show, ‘Rock Center' on November 14. The erroneous version that repeated the exchange aired the following morning on ‘Today.'In a statement, NBC's Lynn said: "Under subpoena, NBC News turned over three versions of the Costas interview to prosecutors, including the 'Today' version with the error in it. Prosecutors used the 'Today' version, not realizing it included a technical glitch, and played it for the jury."After court that day, NBC News executives had a series of discussion with the prosecutors, and after some internal investigation were able to determine that the glitch originated on 'Today.' NBC News executives explained the situation to the court, and Judge Cleland sought to remedy the situation by giving the jury instructions to regard only a transcript of the full interview that was subsequently provided to them, not any audio that was played for them by prosecutors."

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesaleshopuk.com">abercrombie and fitch uk</a> "EMBARRASSING"A source on the prosecution team acknowledged that prosecutors played the ‘Today' version, which contained the error, without reviewing it carefully beforehand."Was it embarrassing?" the source asked. "It was certainly embarrassing. Was it a mistake? It was clearly a mistake." The source also said NBC News executives expressed regret to the court."Did they say, ‘I'm sorry?' I can't recall those exact words,'' the source said. "Were they apologetic? Yes."In the incident in April, ‘Today' aired a misleadingly edited tape of a call to police from George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who shot Trayvon Martin. That edit made it appear that Zimmerman told police that Martin was black without being prompted. In fact, Zimmerman did so only when responding to a question posed by a dispatcher.Several ‘Today' staffers were disciplined over that incident, NBC News president Steve Capus said at the time. Network sources told Reuters a Miami-based ‘Today' producer was fired.NBC is majority-owned by Comcast Corp.(Reporting by Chris Fracescani in New York; Editing by Martin Howell and David Brunnstrom)ABC News' Sydney Lupkin reports:"Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek is in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after suffering a mild heart attack, according to a statement from his representative.Trebek, 71,

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesaleshopuk.com">abercrombie uk</a> who was admitted on Saturday, was said to be in good spirits. He is under observation and undergoing further testing.He is expected to fully recover and be back at "Jeopardy!" when production begins taping in July for the new season, the show's 29th.Trebek was hospitalized for another minor heart attack in December 2007, and emerged from a car crash without any injuries in 2004 when he fell asleep at the wheel. I love that they had to zoom in on Hannah's purse to warn us that it was about to get stolen.) The season ends with Hannah eating cake on the beach. I'm not quite sure if she's aware her purse was stolen, or if she's just YOLO-ing it up in Coney Island (or is she sad it's not a cupcake?), but she doesn't seem worried or anxious or "scared." In fact, this might be the most relaxed we've ever seen her, which is why everything in this finale is so confusing. How many times can we watch Hannah fail? I'm not saying that she deserves to win, but I'm starting to feel like Hannah Horvath has some major karma issues. Meanwhile, Shoshanna is going through her own drama. Shoshanna doesn't appreciate Jessa's surprise wedding. When Ray tells her that she "vibrates on a very strange frequency" and that he couldn't stop thinking about her after she gave him that groin massage in Bushwick. Unfortunately for Ray, Shosh really isn't in the mood for small talk.She's mad, and it's hysterical. Shosh always tries to mask her true feeling behind words like "amaze" and "adorbs,"

== Moderate Exercise Can Lower Breast Cancer Risk: Study ==

Moderate Exercise Can Lower Breast Cancer Risk: Study 

<a href="http://www.abercrombiefitchoutletuks.com">abercrombie outlet</a> Just a little bit of exercise is enough to decrease the risk of breast cancer, according to a new study.However, University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill researchers said that the best way to lower your risk of breast cancer is to get to a healthy weight and maintain it. The study, published in the journal CANCER, included 1,504 women who had breast cancer (233 of them had noninvasive breast cancer, while 1,271 people had invasive breast cancer), as well as 1,555 women who didn't have breast cancer. All of the women were between ages 20 and 98.The researchers found that reproductive-age or postmenopausal women who reported exercising the most in the study -- between 10 and 19 hours each week -- were the ones who had the greatest decrease in breast cancer risk -- a 30 percent lower risk of the disease. However, even women who exercised less than that seemed to have a decrease in breast cancer risk, especially for the hormone-receptor positive kinds of breast cancer. And you don't have to be a marathoner or super-exerciser to reap the benefits -- researchers found that all levels of exercise intensity were linked with a decreased risk. "The observation of a reduced risk of breast cancer for women who engaged in exercise after menopause is particularly encouraging given the late age of onset for breast cancer," study researcher Lauren McCullough said in a statement. 

<a href="http://www.abercrombiefitchoutletuks.com">abercrombie and fitch outlet</a> But the important thing is to maintain the healthy weight -- researchers found that if a woman stayed active but put on significant pounds, breast cancer risk increased -- suggesting weight gain can actually negate the positive effects of exercise. Similarly, TIME magazine reported on a Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center study showing that women who experienced a moderate weight loss -- as a result of eating healthily and exercising -- also had a decrease in hormones linked with breast cancer. Fat People 'Lack Willpower' To Diet Despite Cancer Risk .Overweight Britons know that their weight could increase their risk of cancer but still struggle to find the drive to lose the pounds, research suggests.Nearly two-thirds of overweight people recognise the perils of their heftiness but fail to do anything about it, Cancer Research UK said.The number of cancers linked to weight, such as kidney and womb cancers, are increasing rapidly, the charity said.Lack of willpower is the biggest barrier to losing weight, with 68% of women and 60% of men of the 2,011 people surveyed citing it as the main reason which stops them.Charity chief executive Dr Harpal Kumar said: "Unless we tackle the obesity epidemic in the UK, we risk cancer cases soaring.Scroll down to find out what your eating habits say about your personality "We understand that it can be extremely hard for people to maintain a healthy weight but keeping those extra pounds at bay could ultimately save your life."Professor Jane Wardle, 

<a href="http://www.abercrombiefitchoutletuks.com">abercrombie and fitch uk</a> from Cancer Research UK's Health Behaviour Research Centre at University College London, said: "Our report shows that even though overweight people would like to lose weight and are aware of the cancer risk, they feel lack of willpower is a major barrier to shedding the pounds.See Also.Poor Diet Speeds Development Of Pancreatic Cancer.Obese Father Threatens Hunger Strike After Losing Custody Of Sons."We know that the modern-day environment makes it very hard for people to lose weight, especially when they are bombarded by advertising and easily tempted by cheap, ready-made meals and fast food, instead of a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables."But for both men and women, being overweight is - after smoking - the most important risk factor for cancer."What many people don't realise is that extra fat around the middle, their muffin top, is surprisingly active, releasing hormones and other chemicals that can make cells in the body divide far more often than usual, which can increase the risk of cancer.".57% Of Women's Waistlines Are 'Too Big', Survey Suggests.The waistlines of more than half of women are too big, experts have said,

<a href="http://www.abercrombiefitchoutletuks.com">abercrombie uk outlet</a> as they warned those who are overweight they are increasing their risk of cancer and infertility.Researchers found that the average waist measurement for women is 4.9cm larger than the healthy size of less than 80cm.Scroll down to view low-calorie snack ideas .Larger waists could lead to an increased chance of fertility problems, cancers, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.Research by the health charity Nuffield Health examined data from more than 30,000 women and found that 57% have a waist larger than the healthy size.It said women in the north of England have the largest waists, with an average circumference of 87cm. In London the average size is 81.9cm.Researchers also said that 52.5% of the women have a body mass index in excess of the healthy range, while 16.2% have scores which found they were moderately or morbidly obese.Dukan Diet Fuels Spike In Calamari Squid Sales .Why It's The Colour - Not The Size - Of Your Plate That's Key For Weight-Loss.Dr Davina Deniszczyc, professional head of physicians and diagnostics at Nuffield Health, said: "Whilst waist size may seem like a cosmetic issue, this isn't about women fitting into their skinny jeans. Rather, it's an important indicator of overall health and well-being, particularly when taken into account with other health measurements."The results for women highlight a worrying problem as fat being stored around the waist can contribute to significant health issues, such as breast cancer and infertility."

<a href="http://www.abercrombiefitchoutletuks.com">cheap abercrombie outlet uk</a> About 100 emergency responders from eight Maine counties tried responding to a weird scenario: Zombies originated in Jamaica and started biting people, and the outbreak reached Maine.Those who were "bit" during the exercise had stickers put on their name tags, labeling them as infected. They'd either have to get the anti-zombie vaccine -- which stops the virus from getting to the brain and killing, then reanimating -- or become one of the walking dead themselves.And while the locals were playing flesh-eater, first responders were training to deal with mass casualties, MPBN reported."This gives us the opportunity to do something a little bit different, but it still has the same principles that would apply in a real situation," Kathy Knight, director of the Northeastern Maine Regional Resource Center, told the paper. "[Emergency workers] need to figure out what they need, how they’re going to respond and how they are going to share their resources to respond to the disaster. They need to know who to go to outside their community to find the resources they don’t have, so it’s a different twist."How would YOU prepare for the zombie apocalypse?

== Respect Trumps Wealth For Being Happy: Study ==

Respect Trumps Wealth For Being Happy: Study 

<a href="http://www.cheapabercrombieoutletuks.com">abercrombie and fitch uk</a> Cue Aretha: A little R-E-S-P-E-C-T trumps cold hard cash when it comes to being happy. A new study in the journal Psychological Science shows that being respected and admired has greater effects on happiness than a higher socioeconomic status (which includes having a higher education and greater wealth). "One of the reasons why money doesn't buy happiness is that people quickly adapt to the new level of income or wealth. Lottery winners, for example, are initially happy but then return to their original level of happiness quickly," study researcher Cameron Anderson, a psychological scientist at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, said in a statement. "It's possible that being respected, having influence, and being socially integrated just never gets old," Anderson added. Anderson's research included four separate studies. In one of the studies, researchers calculated the "sociometric status" of 80 college students who were involved in activities ranging from the Greek system to ROTC. Their status was calculated by examining how their peers rated them socially, how they self-rated socially and their leadership positions. Their household incomes and other social well-being factors were also considered. The researchers found that the study participants' well-being was linked more with their "sociometric status" than their wealth or other socioeconomic factors. 

<a href="http://www.cheapabercrombieoutletuks.com">abercrombie uk</a> And in another one of the studies, researchers followed MBA students as they went from being in school to graduating and living life outside of school. They found that after they graduated, people whose sociometric statuses were higher had greater well-being, compared with those whose socioeconomic statuses were higher. "I was surprised at how fluid these effects were -- if someone’s standing in their local ladder went up or down, so did their happiness, even over the course of nine months," Anderson said in the statement. While this study showed that being respected correlates to being happy, another recent study showed that practicing positive character traits -- which could, in turn earn respect! -- is linked with greater well-being.The study, in the Journal of Happiness Studies, showed that when you purposely train a positive character trait, it is linked with a higher reportage of well-being, evidenced by being in a good mood or being cheerful more often.You can bring out these powerhouse of bold flavors and still consume healthier food," he says.Here, Allen shares his healthy variation of some Sunday dinner favorites, while others share their secrets to weight-loss success.Elizabeth Lloyd Sues Matthew Migliaco, 13-Year-Old Catcher, After Being Hit In Face With Baseball .MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- A New Jersey woman who was struck in the face with a baseball at a Little League game is suing the young catcher who threw it.

<a href="http://www.cheapabercrombieoutletuks.com">abercrombie and fitch outlet</a> Elizabeth Lloyd is seeking more than $150,000 in damages to cover medical costs stemming from the incident at a Manchester Little League game two years ago. She's also seeking an undefined amount for pain and suffering.Lloyd was sitting at a picnic table near a fenced-in bullpen when she was hit with the ball.Catcher Matthew Migliaccio was 11 years old at the time and was warming up a pitcher.The lawsuit filed April 24 alleges Migliaccio's errant throw was intentional and reckless, "assaulted and battered" Lloyd and caused "severe, painful and permanent" injuries.A second count alleges Migliaccio's actions were negligent and careless through "engaging in inappropriate physical and/or sporting activity" near Lloyd. She continues to suffer pain and anguish, incur medical expenses and has been unable to carry out her usual duties and activities, the lawsuit says.And Lloyd's husband, in a third count, is suing for the loss of "services, society and consortium" of his wife. They've demanded a jury trial.Anthony Pagano, a lawyer for the Migliaccios, said the lawsuit is frivolous and without merit."I just think that it's disgusting that you have people suing an 11-year-old kid for overthrowing his pitcher in the bullpen," Pagano said. "It's horrible this can actually happen and get this far. Ultimately, hopefully, justice will prevail."The count alleging negligence and carelessness is covered by homeowner's insurance, Pagano said, but the other counts are not. Little League has denied any coverage.

<a href="http://www.cheapabercrombieoutletuks.com">abercrombie outlet</a> Lloyd's lawyer was out of the office Friday and could not be reached for comment.Steve Barr, a spokesman for Little League, declined to comment on the litigation. He said each local league is required to have accident insurance, but that only covers personnel."That includes coaches, players, even concession stand workers. But it does not cover spectators," Barr said.Matthew's father, Bob Migliaccio, said they were concerned for Lloyd when it happened. Then his son started receiving threatening and nasty letters, he said, and he started getting angry."The whole thing has almost been surreal," Migliaccio said. "We keep thinking it's just going to go away, and then a week and a half ago a sheriff shows up at my door to serve my son the papers."Migliaccio said if his son had been horsing around, he would feel differently. But Matthew was doing what his coaches told him to do, he said, and noted Little League players aren't always accurate in their throws."It's absurd to expect every 11-year-old to throw the ball on target," Migliaccio said. "Everyone knows you've got to watch out. You assume some risk when you go out to a field. That's just part of being at a game."Migliaccio said he and his wife, Sue, would love to beat the charges in court, but it could cost them tens of thousands of dollars. They also don't want to put their son and other kids on the team through all the questions and depositions a trial would bring."It's to the point now where we just want it to be over," he said.Matthew, 

<a href="http://www.cheapabercrombieoutletuks.com">cheap abercrombie uk</a> described by his father as a "baseball junkie," still plays on three different teams. But Migliaccio and his wife have stepped down from coaching and managing the concession stand because of the suit.Migliaccio said as angry as he is about the lawsuit, he's almost more angry with Little League. He said they've volunteered hundreds of hours over the years, and he believes Little League should assist in defending their son."Somebody else has to step in here and help us out," Migliaccio said. "I just feel people should know about this, and maybe Little League can figure out a way to protect these kids." The researchers found that reproductive-age or postmenopausal women who reported exercising the most in the study -- between 10 and 19 hours each week -- were the ones who had the greatest decrease in breast cancer risk -- a 30 percent lower risk of the disease. However, even women who exercised less than that seemed to have a decrease in breast cancer risk, especially for the hormone-receptor positive kinds of breast cancer. And you don't have to be a marathoner or super-exerciser to reap the benefits -- researchers found that all levels of exercise intensity were linked with a decreased risk. "The observation of a reduced risk of breast cancer for women who engaged in exercise after menopause is particularly encouraging given the late age of onset for breast cancer," study researcher Lauren McCullough said in a statement.

== Ann Romney responds to protesters at Ohio rally ==

Ann Romney responds to protesters at Ohio rally

<a href="http://www.guccioutletsu.com">gucci outlet</a>NEWARK, Ohio—Democratic protesters who have been trailing Mitt Romney's bus tour across the country finally caught up the Republican nominee, shouting loud enough for the candidate to hear as he spoke at a rally here."GO HOME ROMNEY! GO HOME ROMNEY!" about 30 protestors shouted in unison as the former Massachusetts governor took the stage here at a historic town square in the shadow of Newark City Hall.Ann Romney, who was on stage introducing her husband, briefly acknowledged the group, telling supporters here, "We got some distracters out there, but... we can be just as loud about how much we love this country."But her husband has become more adept at ignoring protestors. While Romney would often pause and acknowledge those aiming to disrupt his events during the primaries, the Republican nominee ignored his detractors today. But he seemed more fired up than usual in delivering his usual stump speech—as though he were aiming to drown out his opponents with his own voice.David Axelrod, a senior political adviser to President Obama, said in a message on Twitter that he disagreed with the protesters' tactics."I strongly condemn heckling along Mitt's route," he wrote. "Shouting folks down is their tactic, not ours. Let voters hear both candidates (and) decide."[Get more updates from Romney's bus tour by following @hollybdc on Twitter]

<a href="http://www.guccioutletsu.com">gucci shoes outlet</a>The protests come a day after the Romney campaign re-routed the candidate's tour in Pennsylvania to avoid the GOP candidate's opponents. Romney had been scheduled to visit a Wawa convenience store in Quakertown, but instead dropped in on a location on the other side of town after hearing former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, was leading a protest at the first site.Asked by a local reporter why he had changed the location of his visit, Romney joked that he'd heard he already had another surrogate on site—a reference to Rendell's recent criticism over the Obama campaign's attacks on Romney's tenure at Bain Capital.Olivier Knox contributed reporting from Washington..There are still mysteries surrounding the case, including whether the gunmen thought the victims were members of a rival drug cartel. The victims were from the northern state of Coahuila, where the hyperviolent Zetas cartel has been battling the Sinaloa cartel, allies of the local Jalisco New Generation gang.Gonzalez said the victims, before checking into the hotel, had been briefly detained by police at the local jail for a minor infraction. They paid a fine and were released. But while in custody, "They said something indiscrete," Gonzalez said. "Apparently they said something like `We're from Coahuila, and we're part of the mafia.'"It's not unusual in Mexico for detainees to boast about their connections, hoping to press corrupt police to release them.This time, however, it backfired."Apparently, 

<a href="http://www.guccioutletsu.com">gucci handbags outlet</a>somebody at the jail heard the comment, and reported it to the real criminals," Gonzalez said.Coronado told local media the men had claimed to be Zetas.Gonzalez said it has never been proved the kidnapped men were gang members. They may have just been in Lagos de Moreno collecting the rent on a ranch, and they are being treated simply as victims.Chabat noted that corruption has reached so deep that in 2010 in the northern state of Nuevo Leon, seven local police officers in the town of Santiago were arrested on allegations they were working for the Zetas drug gang and that they kidnapped and killed the town's Mayor, Edelmiro Cavazos, in retaliation for his attempts to cut corruption. The Department said Tuesday the man acknowledged he was paid $5 million to transport the drugs.Last month, authorities at Guyana's main airport revoked security passes for a dozen employees following a rise in cocaine-stuffed suitcases intercepted on flights to New York.Ice-T On 'The Art Of Rap,' Controversial Hip-Hop And 'Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo' In 1992, Ice-T was considered a menace to society. His band, Body Count, had just released the song "Cop Killer," which drew the ire of law enforcement agents, the NRA and even President George H. W. Bush. Groups tried to ban his album, Tipper Gore condemned him in public, and he was almost barred from playing a concert in New Zealand. But, as is the case with most rap-related controversies, the situation soon blew over into nothing more than a small (though no less important) footnote in hip-hop history.Since then

China, Japan 'can lead the way'
  The prime minister also emphasized that  China's further development will translate into opportunities for the world's  third-largest economy.<br>
  &quot;China's rapid economic growth means  opportunities for the international community, including Japan,&quot; Noda  said. &quot;Not only should both countries strengthen economic and trade  cooperation, but they should also join hands to tackle regional and global  issues and contribute to global peace and prosperity,&quot; he added.<br>
  <a href="http://www.guccioutletsu.com">Gucci  outlet</a><br>
  Noda made the remarks in a letter read out  during a banquet at the launch of the Beijing-Tokyo Forum which is being held  in the Japanese capital from July 1 to July 3.<br>
  The forum, cosponsored by China Daily and  Genron NPO, a Japanese think tank, has been held alternately, in Beijing and  Tokyo, since 2005.<br>
  The annual gathering is one of the most  significant platforms for communication among high-level non-government  institutions from the two countries. This year's forum is being held under the  theme &quot;Future-Oriented China-Japan relations in a Global  Perspective&quot;.<br>
  This year also marks the 40th anniversary  of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan.</p>

== Federer achieves "magnificent seven" at Wimbledo ==

Federer achieves "magnificent seven" at Wimbledo
<a href="http://www.abercrombieoutletfitchuks.com">abercrombie outlet</a> Roger Federer left the door tantalizingly ajar for local hero Andy Murray in the Wimbledon men's singles final on Sunday, then slammed it shut to win a record-equaling seventh Wimbledon title and in so doing return to the top of the world rankings.The Swiss great, contesting his eighth final at the All England Club, flirted with danger in the second set after losing the first but just when Murray looked like ending 76 years of plucky British failure Federer gave a stunning reminder of his genius to win 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 on Centre Court.When a Murray forehand looped narrowly wide after three hours 24 minutes of enthralling action, Federer dropped to the turf in joy, just as he did in 2003 when he beat Australia's Mark Philippoussis to begin a grand slam collection that now stands at 17.For the second time in three grand slam finals against Murray he reduced the Scot to tears, although this match, unlike the others, was a contest to savor.
<a href="http://www.abercrombieoutletfitchuks.com">abercrombie sale</a> It was only after Centre Court's translucent lid was slid across after heavy rain began to fall in the heart of the final that Federer took charge, striding to the win that puts him level with Pete Sampras's record of seven Wimbledon crowns.At 30 years and 335 days he also became the oldest men's champion since Arthur Ashe in 1975 and, to put the icing on the cake, Monday's ATP rankings will show him back at No. 1 for the first time in two years and he will equal Sampras's record of 286 weeks at the summit."I played some of my best tennis in the last couple of matches," Federer said after raising the trophy with his wife Mirka and giggling twin daughters Charlene Riva and Myla Rose watching on from the players' box."I've missed playing in the finals, and it feels like a great moment. I've gone through some struggles, so this one comes at the right time," added Federer, whose last grand slam title was at the 2010 Australian Open.
<a href="http://www.abercrombieoutletfitchuks.com">abercrombie and fitch uk</a> For Murray, his girlfriend Kim Sears and many of the thousands watching the huge screen on Henman Hill under a forest of multi-colored umbrellas, there was just despair."I'm getting closer," Murray, whose valiant effort was watched by Royal Box guests Prime Minister David Cameron, David Beckham and Prince William's wife Kate Middleton, choked as applause rang out."I was told after my semi-final that this was my best chance, Roger's 30 now, but he's not bad for a 30-year-old, he played a great tournament. Congratulations, you deserve it."While Federer basked in the glow of another major title, Murray was left to contemplate equaling coach Ivan Lendl's unwanted record of losing his first four grand slam finals."I think he's giving himself so many looks at big titles. I really do believe deep down in me he will win grand slams, not just one," Federer told reporters.By defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday, Murray had become the first British man to reach the final since Bunny Austin in 1938 and as the players set foot on a sunlit Centre Court, there was an electric buzz of anticipation that he would emulate the 1936 title of Fred Perry.
<a href="http://www.abercrombieoutletfitchuks.com">abercrombie uk outlet</a>  Having failed to win a set in two Australian Open finals and one U.S. Open one, Murray would have been excused early match nerves but he came out firing to break Federer in the opening game of the match.Federer quickly restored parity and wasted break points when leading 4-3 as Murray's first serve misfired.The Swiss was made to pay in the following game, sloppily dropping serve and Murray closed out the opening set with ease to a deafening roar from the 15,000 crowd.Murray was the more threatening player in the second and upped the ante at 4-4 only to squander two break points that would have given him the chance to serve for a two-set lead and leave Federer facing a daunting task."The second set I had some chances and didn't quite get them," Murray said. "Often what happens is matches change over a couple of points here and there."That was the case as Federer seized his chance. A tiebreak loomed but, out of nowhere, Federer conjured a set point with an exquisite drop shot and grabbed it with another stunning volley after a mesmerizing rally.The crowd sighed and then the rain began to fall, a prelude to the British tears that were to flow later.
<a href="http://www.abercrombieoutletfitchuks.com">heap abercrombie and fitch outlet</a>After a 40-minute break while the roof was rolled into position, the players returned, only this time Federer looked a different player - dominating rallies with a dazzling mixture of power, spin and clever angles.Had Murray survived a marathon service game at 2-3 in the third, things may have been different, but when Federer struck on his sixth break point it proved to be the beginning of the end for the fourth seed who took several tumbles.Federer hammered another nail in the coffin with a backhand winner to break midway through the fourth set and despite chants of "Murray...Murray" echoing around the court, kept his cool to close out the match on his second match point."It was crazy how it all happened under the circumstances," said Federer, of the first Wimbledon singles final to be partly played under the roof. "I'm happy that closing the roof maybe helped me today."The roof stayed closed as Americans Mike Bryan and Lisa Raymond won the mixed doubles title with a 6-3 5-7 6-4 victory over the Indian/Russian duo of Leander Paes and Elena Vesnina.

== Much to replace for US basketball team to top '08 ==

Much to replace for US basketball team to top '08
<a href="http://www.abercrombieoutletsalesuk.com">abercrombie uk</a>They lost Dwyane Wade but gained Kevin Durant. Dwight Howard's size has given way to Russell Westbrook's speed.The Americans know their men's Olympic basketball team will look much different than the one that captured gold four years ago in Beijing. Three of the most important players from that team were unable to return, but the carryovers keep talking about being better now than they were then."I think it has the potential to be that if we learn to use our versatility. It's a more versatile team than 2008. Now does that translate into being better?" coach Mike Krzyzewski said Sunday. "Although we don't have the center, that team didn't have Durant or Westbrook. So it's a different team and we'll see if it becomes better, but it can be. It could be."In some ways, that's difficult to envision. Wade was the team's leading scorer, averaging 16 points in just over 18 minutes per game off the bench. Howard started at center and averaged 10.9 points while shooting 74.5 percent from the field. Chris Bosh, 
<a href="http://www.abercrombieoutletsalesuk.com">abercrombie fitch</a>also out this summer, backed him up and shot even better, knocking down 24 of 31 shots (77.4 percent) and leading the team with 6.1 rebounds per game.How can any team make up for all that?"Well, we have some guys that can pick that up," LeBron James said. "I mean, D-Wade was our leading scorer, but we didn't have Kevin Durant on our team. We didn't have the activity of Tyson Chandler on our team as well and the athleticism at the point guard position."Westbrook is an offensive upgrade over Jason Kidd, the point guard not back from '08, and is seen by teammates as the player who could most easily fill Wade's role as the game-changer off the bench. As James sees it, Andre Iguodala is more athletic than Tayshaun Prince, and James Harden can do more things offensively than Michael Redd.Prince and Redd, along with Carlos Boozer, were reserves on the 2008 team but were not retained. Kidd retired from international competition after winning two gold medals.
<a href="http://www.abercrombieoutletsalesuk.com">abercrombie sale</a>"If you match us up, we have so many great pieces that guys can just play to their strengths, and I think we can be better," James said.Having Durant is a start. The NBA's three-time scoring champion had the best tournament ever by an American player at the world basketball championship two years ago, scoring 22.8 points per game. But the biggest difference could be James, who was already a great player in 2008 but has grown into the best in the world by now.Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Deron Williams, the other young players from that team, have made similar leaps toward superstardom, and Kobe Bryant has held steady where he was."First of all, you have to look at the guys who are with us from the '08 team. They were 21, 22 years old back in Beijing. They're now in the prime of their careers, so they're a lot bigger, stronger, better basketball players today," USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said."Those players by themselves are much better and I look at the players we've added. We have much more depth, much more talent than we had in '08 when
<a href="http://www.abercrombieoutletsalesuk.com">abercrombie outlet</a>I look at this roster versus that roster, and I'm not looking to make comparisons, but when asked the question, I'll put this team up against anyone."Center remains the biggest question mark. Chandler was the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year and has become more of a weapon offensively in recent years, but he's still not quite Howard. Kevin Love and Blake Griffin will have to show they can handle the move to center as well as Bosh did.The Americans averaged 106.2 points in 2008 and smashed their opponents by nearly 30 per game. Nobody was close to them until the gold-medal game, when Spain was within four points with 2½ minutes left before the U.S. pulled away to a 118-107 victory.Playing at that level again won't be easy. So no matter what the expectations are now, none of them matter until the games start in three weeks."We didn't do nothing yet," Anthony said. "So until we go out there and we win the gold medal, then people are going to talk, going to speculate, but we'll see after we win the gold medal if we determine if we're a better team than '08." Hope turned to disappointment one more time for Andy Murray and British tennis.
<a href="http://www.abercrombieoutletsalesuk.com">abercrombie uk sale</a>Murray stood closer to the Wimbledon title Sunday than any British man had in three-quarters of a century, two sets away from ending one of the longest waits in British sports.But he also stood across the net from Roger Federer, who knows better than anyone how to win on Centre Court, and who wasn't about to let "Murray Mania" get in the way of a record-equaling seventh title at the All England Club.Federer took advantage of a rain delay and a closed roof to outplay Murray the last two sets, assuring that the wait for a homegrown men's Wimbledon champion still has a way to go."I'm getting closer," a teary-eyed Murray told the Centre Court crowd after losing to Federer 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.It was the closest any British man had been since Fred Perry won his last Wimbledon title in 1936. Murray had already taken Wimbledon hysteria to a new level at home by becoming the first British man to even reach the final since 1938, when Bunny Austin lost in straight sets.In a final that began in bright sunshine, Murray gave the country and his multitude of fans reason to believe he could go one better by winning the first set. But when the rain came, and the roof closed, Murray simply couldn't deal with Federer's perfect timing indoors
<a href="http://www.abercrombieoutletsalesuk.com">abercrombie outlet uk</a>The Swiss star went on to secure his seventh Wimbledon title. And for the fourth time in four Grand Slam finals, Murray was left to give the runner-up's acceptance speech. With his voice cracking, Murray thanked the crowd for sticking by him yet again."Everybody always talks about the pressure of playing at Wimbledon, how tough it is," said Murray, who lost in the semifinals the last three years. "It's not the people watching. They make it so much easier to play. The support has been incredible, so thank you."The Scotsman has a mixed relationship with British fans and media — some refer to him as a Brit when he wins and a Scot when he loses. But his popularity seems greater than ever following Friday's semifinal victory against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.And with the country so eager to see a homegrown champion in its most prestigious annual sports event, the Royal Box on Centre Court was filled with dignitaries, politicians and celebrities. Among them was Prime Minister David Cameron, Prince William's wife, the former Kate Middleton, and David Beckham.At 10 Downing Street, the Scottish flag was flying in recognition of Murray's achievement. Tickets to Centre Court sold for thousands of dollars online.

== Syria unrest: 'Massacre leaves 200 dead' in Tremseh ==

Syria unrest: 'Massacre leaves 200 dead' in Tremseh

<a href="http://www.saleabercrombiefitchuks.com">abercrombie sale</a>Some 200 people have been killed in an attack on the Syrian village of Tremseh, opposition activists say.If confirmed, it would be the bloodiest single event in the Syrian conflict.Residents said the village, in Hama province, was attacked with helicopter gunships and tanks, and later by the pro-government Shabiha militia, who carried out execution-style killings.State media blamed "terrorist groups" who were trying to raise tension ahead of a key UN Security Council meeting.The mandate for the UN's observer mission to Syria expires on 20 July.Some 16,000 people are thought to have been killed since the uprising against Bashar al-Assad's regime began in March 2011.Individual reports of casualties often cannot be independently verified, as Syria severely restricts journalists' freedom of movement.High-level defection Reports suggest the army was trying to take back Tremseh after it had fallen into rebel hands.The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says both sides agreed many people were killed in Tremseh, but have totally different versions of what happened.Activists say government forces surrounded the village on Thursday morning and heavily bombarded it for several hours, killing many people.Pro-government militias from nearby Alawite villages then moved in, they said, killing many more villagers and setting fire to houses. Others who tried to flee through fields were also gunned down, the activists said.One activist, named Ahmed, told Reuters: "So far, we have 20 victims recorded with names and 60 bodies at a mosque. There are more bodies in the fields, bodies in the rivers and in houses... 

<a href="http://www.saleabercrombiefitchuks.com">abercrombie and fitch sale</a>People were trying to flee from the time the shelling started and whole families were killed trying to escape."Activists have posted a video they say shows the bodies of a number of men and boys killed in Tremseh.Protests condemning the attack have been reported in Damascus, Idlib and Hama.State media said gunmen from what they termed armed terrorist groups had attacked the village in the morning, shooting dead dozens of people.The Sana news agency said on Friday: "The bloodthirsty media in collaboration with gangs of armed terrorists massacred residents of Tremseh village... to sway public opinion against Syria and its people and provoke international intervention on the eve of a UN Security Council meeting."Western nations are pressing the UN to threaten Syria with sanctions as it considers renewing the mandate for its observer mission in Syria.They want a 10-day ultimatum to be part of a Security Council resolution on the future of the mission. A new resolution must be passed before the mission's mandate ends next Friday.China and Russia continue to oppose any moves to threaten Damascus with further sanctions ahead of the deadline.The mission had a 90-day remit to monitor a truce, but fighting has continued largely unabated.The truce formed part of a six-point peace plan brokered by UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, who has called for "clear consequences" for the Syrian government and rebels if the ceasefire is not observed.Mr Annan is to travel to Moscow early next week for talks on the Syria crisis, Russian media say.Earlier on Thursday, Syria's ambassador to Iraq Nawaf Fares announced his defection, following in the footsteps of a former senior general who escaped the country earlier this week.

<a href="http://www.saleabercrombiefitchuks.com">abercrombie clearance</a>Iraqi officials have said Mr Fares, who has publicly declared his support for the opposition, is in Qatar.For more than a year, Syrians have waited for a big defection.For months, only conscripts and mid-level officers peeled away from the government of President Bashar al-Assad. Late last year, Mustafa al-Sheikh became one of the first generals to jump ship, eventually taking charge of the Free Syrian Army's military council.Turkey's foreign minister has put the tally at "around 20 generals and maybe 100 high-ranking officers, colonels". But in tight-knit dictatorships, rank means little. None of these, including the dramatic escape of a pilot to Jordan, have been game-changers.The latest defection, however, is a big deal: Manaf Tlas.Why Tlas matters Gen Tlas commanded the 10th Brigade of the Republican Guard, an elite force led by Bashar al-Assad's brother, Maher. The Guard, which has six brigades, also oversees the army's Fourth Division, instrumental in the past year's military offensives.Although his departure has hardly crippled the Republican Guard, it is the strength or weakness of these units that will affect the government far more than defections from the regular army. Moreover, Manaf Tlas is more than just a general. His father is Mustafa Tlas, who served as defence minister for 30 years and was a confidant of Hafez al-Assad, the president's father and predecessor. Both Manaf and his father have been key Sunni powerbrokers in a regime that is dominated by the Alawite minority sect to which the Assad family belongs. Tlas junior helped Bashar take over his father's role, when succession was far from certain. The government has long relied on such cross-sectarian alliances to anchor itself. For example, the Vice-President, Farouk al-Sharaa, touted as a potential transitional leader, is also Sunni. So too are the interior minister and the head of the General Security Directorate. The government's ties to the urban Sunni trading classes, particularly in Damascus and Aleppo, have also helped its survival - although these are under real strain.
 
<a href="http://www.saleabercrombiefitchuks.com">abercrombie uk</a>Deepening splits Gen Tlas's defection is therefore significant for two reasons. First, although his absence will not in itself be a major blow, the signal it sends to other non-Alawite elites could be important.Other generals may not have Gen Tlas's wealth and connections; some might still be tempted to leave while they can. And with the loss of this Sunni veneer, those Sunni factions hitherto sitting on the fence - like many business people - may also be persuaded to tilt to the opposition. Even if a cascade of defections is unlikely, this could herald a shift in the balance of power.Joshua Landis, the director of Middle East studies at the University of Oklahoma, has argued that Gen Tlas was tasked with quelling rebellion in the Damascus suburbs of Harasta and Douma last year. The general reportedly negotiated an agreement with the rebels to have each side step back, but was overruled by Alawite figures and was squeezed out of office and denied further promotion. According to an anonymous Syrian source quoted by AFP, Gen Tlas then "gave up his military uniform and opted for civilian clothing [and] set up residence in Damascus, where he let his beard and hair grow long".If disagreement over strategy has reached the inner sanctum, it suggests that there may be other disaffected regime members.This will force decision-making into an ever-smaller circle, perhaps leaving the regime more estranged from even its elite officers and less amenable to any compromise. 

<a href="http://www.saleabercrombiefitchuks.com">abercrombie and fitch uk</a>Although the experience of Libya's uprising is cautionary, suggesting that cohesive security forces can survive even high-level political defections, there comes a point at which the government's base is just too narrow.So whose side is Gen Tlas now on? Some question whether he has in fact defected - ie actively joined the opposition - or simply deserted in order to protect his wealth. One problem is that, even if he had been passing on information while in office, as is rumoured, he would not be privy to up-to-date information, like the location of key units, owing to his marginalisation. Additionally, while some see him as a potentially bridging figure, his prominent role by President Assad's side would make him extremely divisive among the opposition.What now? Gen Tlas's defection comes at a sensitive moment. The flow of weapons and ammunition to the rebels - funded by Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and abetted by Turkey and the United States - began to take effect over the beginning of the summer, with the regime now under unprecedented military pressure.Kofi Annan, despite his ostensibly "successful" trip to Damascus this week, is altogether irrelevant. If the Tlas defection is a one-off, and Russian financial support continues, it is possible the government will stay resilient. And if it sheds its Sunni allies, this could even push fearful minorities further into the arms of a government that promises to protect them.Ultimately, though, the defection has probably increased the probability of the regime collapsing from within. As one French diplomat noted to Reuters: "We are now hearing things from within political and military circles in Russia that are surprising us and that we were not hearing before."The implication is that Russia and Iran could attempt a controlled implosion, by working to replace President Assad with a favoured Sunni successor.This has been dubbed the "Yemen option", in reference to the way in which Saudi Arabia and the United States eased out President Ali Abdullah Saleh this year. 

<a href="http://www.saleabercrombiefitchuks.com">abercrombie sale uk</a>Alternatively, such a successor could emerge independently and try to cut a deal with some rebel groups.The advanced stage of the rebellion means that either one of these paths would be messy, because large portions of the opposition would not necessarily give up the fight.What is clear is that, with Gen Tlas's departure, the Syrian government's ever-narrowing base of support leaves it increasingly prone to a collapse that, when it comes, could be both sudden and unpredictable. Syria's government has blamed "armed criminal gangs and terrorists" for much of the unrest since March 2011, but activists accuse state-sponsored militia of assisting in the crackdown that has left more than 9,000 people dead. Here is what is known about these armed regime supporters, known locally as the "shabiha".Throughout the uprising, many Syrians have said they have seen heavily-armed men dressed in black fighting alongside the security forces. The men are accused not only of killing and beating people who attend demonstrations, but also of carrying out a campaign of intimidation that has included executions, drive-by shootings and sectarian attacks. Activists say their presence has allowed the government to deny any involvement in the most brutal actions against protesters."They're not afraid to use force, violence, weapons, racketeering and blackmail," Ammar Qurabi of Syria's National Organization for Human Rights told the Associated Press. "That way, the regime will remain clean and will say: 'Look these are gangs doing this, not us'."

== Team work Software development is collaborative. ==

Team work Software development is collaborative.

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesalefitchuks.com">abercrombie sale uk</a>In all sorts of online communities - from YouTube to political blogs to technology forums - you can find angry people saying outrageous things. Wouldn't it be healthier if we all started ignoring those who aren't prepared to say what they think in their own names?"How do we make this thing not go down?"That was Dustin Moskovitz's overriding concern the first 12 months into creating "thefacebook" at Harvard with college chum Mark Zuckerberg. The dorm-room project they had embarked on as undergrads was growing like a weed and was proving just as unwieldy. Mr Moskovitz had only enrolled in an introductory computer science class the semester before starting an early version of Facebook. At 19, he emerged as the first technology lead of the scrappy project that morphed into a real start-up. "We made a lot of mistakes," acknowledged Mr Moskovitz during a recent sold-out talk in San Francisco. It's a refrain heard throughout Facebook's eight-year history.Building things. Then breaking them. Over and over again. It's what Mr Zuckerberg and his team call "the hacker way". To their way of thinking, "If you're not breaking things, you're probably not moving fast enough."It's an approach engrained in the company's uncommon culture and management style. Going public Now the start-up that never intended to be a company has gone public.Everyone is watching to see if the hoodie-wearing "boy CEO," as he's been called, can parlay his mojo into a lasting and profitable, publicly-traded global enterprise.Mr Zuckerberg's deepest concern seems to be how to keep "the hacker way" alive, David Kirkpatrick, author of "The Facebook Effect," a book that gave an inside account into how the social network connected the entire world, told the BBC. 

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesalefitchuks.com">abercrombie and fitch uk</a>"That's what Mark is most afraid of - that Wall Street's oversight and scrutiny is going to slow the company down," he said.No exit? It seems that for Mr Zuckerberg, money alone was never a draw. The mission has always been "to make the world more open and connected". Since writing that first line of code, Mr Zuckerberg's focus has remained on the platform and product strategy. That was underscored when he rebuffed Yahoo's $1bn takeover offer. It wasn't a universally popular decision inside Facebook, but Mr Zuckerberg stayed true to his vision."As a company, we're very focused on what we're building and not as focused on the exit," Mr Zuckerberg said in a 2007 interview with "We're not really looking to sell the company. We're not looking to IPO anytime soon. It's just not the core focus of the company." Flotation impact Silicon Valley insiders and those close to the company doubt the flotation will change Facebook much.How little might it have an impact on Facebook - that's the more interesting query, according to Mr Kirkpatrick. "Even after it's public, I don't think Facebook is going to act that concertedly differently as a company," he said."Mark Zuckerberg will not get on the [quarterly] calls, but I think he will continue to run it in the way that he does, which is with absolute authority and quite extreme paranoia, in the sense that he will make rapid decisions in order to avoid Facebook being marginalized or hurt by sudden developments that are inevitable in technology."This will be possible because Mr Zuckerberg retains the ownership of 57% of the voting power, Mr Kirkpatrick noted. 

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesalefitchuks.com">abercrombie uk</a>"Because Mark is going to have total and complete control, despite [Facebook] being public, it doesn't have to change that much in the way it's run. "What's more, he doesn't have to consult with shareholders."The underlying reason Mr Zuckerberg is in this rarefied position is because many of his friends, co-founders, and big investors have turned their voting rights over to him, Mr Kirkpatrick explained.People like Sean Parker, Facebook's first president, and Dustin Moskovitz, who own considerable amounts of voting power of the company, have decided it's best for the company - because then, "Wall Street couldn't screw them over too badly," said Mr Kirkpatrick.Mobile and e-commerce Today, more than half of Facebook's users connect via mobile devices. Yet despite its technical prowess and resources, the company has been critically savaged for its mobile apps. In the future, "mobile will absolutely be a number one priority," said Bill Gurley of Benchmark Capital, the leading institutional investor in Instagram, the popular photo-sharing app that Facebook recently bought for $1bn. It's a "brilliant acquisition," agreed Stewart Alsop, an investor in Silicon Valley, adding that Instagram could help Facebook to develop its mobile strategy. "The biggest threat Facebook faces is mobile…their mobile stuff is terrible," said Mr Alsop. Facebook has spawned a chain of other companies on its platform like Zynga, BranchOut, Spotify and Payvment.This year could be the breakout one for shopping on Facebook, Christian Taylor, founder and chief executive of Payvment, told the BBC.This e-commerce platform helps small and medium-sized businesses add shopping capabilities to their Facebook pages.Payvment, with a 25-person team, sees one and a half million people shopping at its stores every month - and boasts it handles 80% of the commerce transacted on Facebook. BranchOut, another app that resides solely on Facebook, for professional connections and job hunting, is also thriving within Mr Zuckerberg's ecosystem. Growing faster than LinkedIn with three new users per second, BranchOut saw its user base grow from 400,000 last December to 13 million four months later, said its founder Rick Marini.

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesalefitchuks.com">abercrombie and fitch sale</a> Team work Software development is collaborative. At Facebook's swanky new headquarters in Menlo Park, California, engineers feel at home. Spread over a total of 79 acres, the campus is devoted to their every whim: free food, small team-based projects, frequent hackathons, open bars stocked with alcohol. And their founder is intent on maintaining an environment where engineers can thrive and come up with ideas. That's "the hacker way". Holiday snapshots, studio portraits of weddings and babies, all were dangerously incriminating. So people destroyed their own family collections, rubbing out over 150 years of photographic history in the process. But now China is opening its horizons, looking to the West and to the past, to reclaim its cosmopolitan history. After the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, Chinese leaders concluded that young people did not fully appreciate what the Communist Party had done for China, so they began an ambitious new policy of historical education, the Patriotic Education Movement. The craze for old photographs is partly a by-product of this movement.But such photographs are not to be found in China. They are in the attics and wardrobes of foreigners - many British - whose families once lived and worked in China and who took their photographs safely out of the country when they left.Relatives contacted him to find out more, attaching photographs. Bickers was astonished. 

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesalefitchuks.com">abercrombie sale</a>"There were photos of Chinese society, culture and people that I have never seen before. I had never seen anything like them," he says. Now the photographs arrive from all sorts of people and places, ranging across every possible subject and every part of China. The British - businessmen, missionaries, customs officers and police - were everywhere, even in remote places where very few people even possessed a camera.Some collections, like those of Tita Hayward and Audrey Gregg, record a childhood of privilege and frivolity spent mostly in the company of servants, as their parents attended to business and a hectic social life. There are unintentionally controversial photographs by policeman William Armstrong, depicting plump and contented peasants in the 1920s, whereas communist propaganda suggested they were starving and unhappy. G Warren Swire's collection records the trading interests of John Swire & Sons. His photographs of warehouses and dockyards might be thought dull were it not for Swire's careful - and beautiful - compositions and the fact that most of these landscapes no longer exist. Rapid urban development in China has meant that historic buildings and neighbourhoods have been swept away and replaced with skyscrapers. They exist now only in people's memories or in these photographs.One of the treasures of the collection, however, is a set of photographs taken by a Chinese politician and diplomat, Fu Bingchang. Fu was a talented amateur photographer and his subjects just happen to include the Kuomintang elite. When the Nationalist government fell in 1949, Fu was sent into exile but before he left he arranged for his papers to be smuggled to France. Fu never saw them again but in the early 70s, his son Johnny received a phone call from Fu's former secretary, Chen Ding, inviting him to his house in St Cloud, the Paris suburb where he'd lived for the past 20 years.

== Team work Software development is collaborative. ==

Team work Software development is collaborative.

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesalefitchuks.com">abercrombie sale uk</a>In all sorts of online communities - from YouTube to political blogs to technology forums - you can find angry people saying outrageous things. Wouldn't it be healthier if we all started ignoring those who aren't prepared to say what they think in their own names?"How do we make this thing not go down?"That was Dustin Moskovitz's overriding concern the first 12 months into creating "thefacebook" at Harvard with college chum Mark Zuckerberg. The dorm-room project they had embarked on as undergrads was growing like a weed and was proving just as unwieldy. Mr Moskovitz had only enrolled in an introductory computer science class the semester before starting an early version of Facebook. At 19, he emerged as the first technology lead of the scrappy project that morphed into a real start-up. "We made a lot of mistakes," acknowledged Mr Moskovitz during a recent sold-out talk in San Francisco. It's a refrain heard throughout Facebook's eight-year history.Building things. Then breaking them. Over and over again. It's what Mr Zuckerberg and his team call "the hacker way". To their way of thinking, "If you're not breaking things, you're probably not moving fast enough."It's an approach engrained in the company's uncommon culture and management style. Going public Now the start-up that never intended to be a company has gone public.Everyone is watching to see if the hoodie-wearing "boy CEO," as he's been called, can parlay his mojo into a lasting and profitable, publicly-traded global enterprise.Mr Zuckerberg's deepest concern seems to be how to keep "the hacker way" alive, David Kirkpatrick, author of "The Facebook Effect," a book that gave an inside account into how the social network connected the entire world, told the BBC. 

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesalefitchuks.com">abercrombie and fitch uk</a>"That's what Mark is most afraid of - that Wall Street's oversight and scrutiny is going to slow the company down," he said.No exit? It seems that for Mr Zuckerberg, money alone was never a draw. The mission has always been "to make the world more open and connected". Since writing that first line of code, Mr Zuckerberg's focus has remained on the platform and product strategy. That was underscored when he rebuffed Yahoo's $1bn takeover offer. It wasn't a universally popular decision inside Facebook, but Mr Zuckerberg stayed true to his vision."As a company, we're very focused on what we're building and not as focused on the exit," Mr Zuckerberg said in a 2007 interview with "We're not really looking to sell the company. We're not looking to IPO anytime soon. It's just not the core focus of the company." Flotation impact Silicon Valley insiders and those close to the company doubt the flotation will change Facebook much.How little might it have an impact on Facebook - that's the more interesting query, according to Mr Kirkpatrick. "Even after it's public, I don't think Facebook is going to act that concertedly differently as a company," he said."Mark Zuckerberg will not get on the [quarterly] calls, but I think he will continue to run it in the way that he does, which is with absolute authority and quite extreme paranoia, in the sense that he will make rapid decisions in order to avoid Facebook being marginalized or hurt by sudden developments that are inevitable in technology."This will be possible because Mr Zuckerberg retains the ownership of 57% of the voting power, Mr Kirkpatrick noted. 

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesalefitchuks.com">abercrombie uk</a>"Because Mark is going to have total and complete control, despite [Facebook] being public, it doesn't have to change that much in the way it's run. "What's more, he doesn't have to consult with shareholders."The underlying reason Mr Zuckerberg is in this rarefied position is because many of his friends, co-founders, and big investors have turned their voting rights over to him, Mr Kirkpatrick explained.People like Sean Parker, Facebook's first president, and Dustin Moskovitz, who own considerable amounts of voting power of the company, have decided it's best for the company - because then, "Wall Street couldn't screw them over too badly," said Mr Kirkpatrick.Mobile and e-commerce Today, more than half of Facebook's users connect via mobile devices. Yet despite its technical prowess and resources, the company has been critically savaged for its mobile apps. In the future, "mobile will absolutely be a number one priority," said Bill Gurley of Benchmark Capital, the leading institutional investor in Instagram, the popular photo-sharing app that Facebook recently bought for $1bn. It's a "brilliant acquisition," agreed Stewart Alsop, an investor in Silicon Valley, adding that Instagram could help Facebook to develop its mobile strategy. "The biggest threat Facebook faces is mobile…their mobile stuff is terrible," said Mr Alsop. Facebook has spawned a chain of other companies on its platform like Zynga, BranchOut, Spotify and Payvment.This year could be the breakout one for shopping on Facebook, Christian Taylor, founder and chief executive of Payvment, told the BBC.This e-commerce platform helps small and medium-sized businesses add shopping capabilities to their Facebook pages.Payvment, with a 25-person team, sees one and a half million people shopping at its stores every month - and boasts it handles 80% of the commerce transacted on Facebook. BranchOut, another app that resides solely on Facebook, for professional connections and job hunting, is also thriving within Mr Zuckerberg's ecosystem. Growing faster than LinkedIn with three new users per second, BranchOut saw its user base grow from 400,000 last December to 13 million four months later, said its founder Rick Marini.

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesalefitchuks.com">abercrombie and fitch sale</a> Team work Software development is collaborative. At Facebook's swanky new headquarters in Menlo Park, California, engineers feel at home. Spread over a total of 79 acres, the campus is devoted to their every whim: free food, small team-based projects, frequent hackathons, open bars stocked with alcohol. And their founder is intent on maintaining an environment where engineers can thrive and come up with ideas. That's "the hacker way". Holiday snapshots, studio portraits of weddings and babies, all were dangerously incriminating. So people destroyed their own family collections, rubbing out over 150 years of photographic history in the process. But now China is opening its horizons, looking to the West and to the past, to reclaim its cosmopolitan history. After the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, Chinese leaders concluded that young people did not fully appreciate what the Communist Party had done for China, so they began an ambitious new policy of historical education, the Patriotic Education Movement. The craze for old photographs is partly a by-product of this movement.But such photographs are not to be found in China. They are in the attics and wardrobes of foreigners - many British - whose families once lived and worked in China and who took their photographs safely out of the country when they left.Relatives contacted him to find out more, attaching photographs. Bickers was astonished. 

<a href="http://www.abercrombiesalefitchuks.com">abercrombie sale</a>"There were photos of Chinese society, culture and people that I have never seen before. I had never seen anything like them," he says. Now the photographs arrive from all sorts of people and places, ranging across every possible subject and every part of China. The British - businessmen, missionaries, customs officers and police - were everywhere, even in remote places where very few people even possessed a camera.Some collections, like those of Tita Hayward and Audrey Gregg, record a childhood of privilege and frivolity spent mostly in the company of servants, as their parents attended to business and a hectic social life. There are unintentionally controversial photographs by policeman William Armstrong, depicting plump and contented peasants in the 1920s, whereas communist propaganda suggested they were starving and unhappy. G Warren Swire's collection records the trading interests of John Swire & Sons. His photographs of warehouses and dockyards might be thought dull were it not for Swire's careful - and beautiful - compositions and the fact that most of these landscapes no longer exist. Rapid urban development in China has meant that historic buildings and neighbourhoods have been swept away and replaced with skyscrapers. They exist now only in people's memories or in these photographs.One of the treasures of the collection, however, is a set of photographs taken by a Chinese politician and diplomat, Fu Bingchang. Fu was a talented amateur photographer and his subjects just happen to include the Kuomintang elite. When the Nationalist government fell in 1949, Fu was sent into exile but before he left he arranged for his papers to be smuggled to France. Fu never saw them again but in the early 70s, his son Johnny received a phone call from Fu's former secretary, Chen Ding, inviting him to his house in St Cloud, the Paris suburb where he'd lived for the past 20 years.

== The Queen wore a cerise cashmere dress ==

The Queen wore a cerise cashmere dress

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonoutfit.com">louis vuitton outlet online</a>In fourth and fifth place on the list are two Europeans, Bernard Arnault, the chairman and chief executive of French luxury goods group LVMH, and Amancio Ortego, the founder of Spanish fashion business Zara.Mr Arnault is estimated to be worth $41bn, and Mr Ortega $37.5bn.They are followed by Larry Ellison, the founder and chief executive of US software group Oracle. He is estimated to be worth $36bn.Li Ka-Shing in ninth position on $25.5bn is the highest-placed Asian. The Hong Kong-based owner of Hutchison Whampoa and Cheung Kong Holdings is the world's biggest operator of container terminals.Indian steel boss Lakshmi Mittal, in 21st place, was one of the biggest fallers on the list this year, dropping out of the top 10.His wealth is now estimated at $20.7bn, down by $10.4bn as a result of higher costs and lower steel demand in Europe.Cheering crowds waving union jacks have greeted the Queen in Leicester, the first stop on the monarch's Diamond Jubilee tour of the UK. The Queen watched cultural dancers before entering De Montfort University, where she attended a fashion parade with the Duchess of Cambridge. Prince Philip viewed a project aimed at improving the local community.The royals later attended a service at Leicester Cathedral and the Queen unveiled a plaque at "Jubilee Square".Earlier, crowds had stood three-deep on pavements around Leicester's train station awaiting the monarch's arrival.There was a heavy police presence in the area, with patrol cars on the roads bordering the station and a helicopter overhead.

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonoutfit.com">louis vuitton on sale</a>The royals then travelled in a motorcade to De Montfort University where they were greeted by city dignitaries and university staff before entering the Hugh Aston building to view booths highlighting local projects and charities.The Queen wore a cerise cashmere dress and coat with black trim and matching hat by Angela Kelly. The duchess wore a suit by LK Bennett, a hat by James Lock, and Episode shoes.The Queen and the duchess sat side-by-side watching the fashion parade, during which six students presented the duchess with a tailor-made design for a pair of shoes, from which she chose her favourite.Competition winner Becka Hunt told BBC News that having her design chosen by the duchess was "incredible"."I'm kind of in shock still - it's just amazing," she said. "She's become already the biggest fashion icon you could ever see really."The crowds gathered outside Leicester Cathedral stood nine-deep in some parts of the pavement and whooped and clapped as the royals arrived.Five children presented the Queen with bunches of flowers.Danielle Mann, 7, presented the Duchess of Cambridge with a red rose for Prince William and bunches of carnations for herself, the Queen and the duke.The schoolgirl said the duchess was "very pretty" and she was "excited to meet her".Erica Swift, 85, from Blaby, had been waiting to see the royals since 10:00 GMT."I came because I want to see the Queen," she said. "Sixty years reign - she's a gracious lady and I admire her a lot. Nobody can beat her. I wish her all the best now and for many more years."Vivien Hardy, 71, said she had told the Duke of Edinburgh she was pleased he was well after his illness over Christmas.

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonoutfit.com">www.louisvuittonoutfit.com</a>"I told him we were happy to see him here and wished him well," she said.The crowd outside the cathedral broke into God Save the Queen as the service drew to a close.The royal party then went to nearby conference centre St Martins House, where the Queen met various faith leaders. The Duke of Edinburgh and Duchess of Cambridge met outreach workers.Some 162 guests attended a lunch at the venue. The menu focused on local produce and included lamb, goat's cheese croquettes, wild mushroom tartlets, root vegetable dauphinoise, glazed beetroot and a number of desserts.The royals then went to Leicester city centre, where the Queen unveiled a plaque which would be placed in the newly named Jubilee Square.The Mayor of Leicester, Sir Peter Soulsby, said the square would be "a permanent reminder of your visit today". He presented the Queen with a photo album capturing scenes of her previous visits to Leicester.The Queen's Diamond Jubilee tour will include visits to the Isle of Wight, Birmingham, Merthyr Tydfil and Edinburgh.It will finish on 25 July in the south-east of England. Luxury goods and fashion houses have long looked east for customers as China's nouveau riche splurge on designer brands.But now some of these companies are shunning well-established financial centres in Europe and the US and looking to Asia as a place to sell shares, as well as handbags.The most high-profile example is Italian fashion house Prada. It is preparing to go public on the Hong Kong stock exchange and could list there in summer.US leather goods maker Coach may also list shares in Hong Kong, according to a report this month in the International Financing Review.They are following in the footsteps of French skin care firm L'Occitane, which raised about 5.5bn Hong Kong dollars ($708m; £430m) by selling shares to investors in an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong last year, becoming the only French company to be listed.aLuggage firm Samsonite, Italian motorcycle maker Ducati and Japanese fashion retailer Baroque, which owns the fashionable Moussy brand, are all also reported to be planning Hong Kong share listings this year.

== How about subject teachers who are renowned experts? ==

How about subject teachers who are renowned experts?

<a href="http://www.shoesalemarket.com">louis vuitton outlet online store</a>Our children need to learn how to build and design digital technologies, and not be passive users, passengers in the sidecar of a revolution that no one imagined would affect every aspect of people's lives.Douglas Rushkoff makes the argument in the most cohesive fashion "The real question is, do we direct technology, or do we let ourselves be directed by it and those who have mastered it?" he wrote."'Choose the former, and you gain access to the control panel of civilization. Choose the latter, and it could be the last real choice you get to make."It's not hard to make the argument. What has been surprising is the assumption by parents and industry that children were being taught such skills in school - and the sickening feeling when it dawns on everyone that actually the curriculum has not been monumentally overhauled during the world's latest and greatest digital renaissance - indeed they were cocooned in a small world of denial. Wrong problem Schools now are scrambling to address this, after the Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove spoke earlier this year, exhorting teachers to take up their computers and lead the kids forward to a world of knowledge, power and more importantly jobs.But the problem is not that we can't get the right GCSE syllabus - although to their credit AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) have had a pretty awesome stab at it - nor is it that the teachers are not trained to teach this right now, nor is it even that those who have the computer science degrees and skills choose more lucrative careers than teaching.

<a href="http://www.shoesalemarket.com">outlet louis vuitton</a>No. It is that the way we learn is changing - dramatically. Education is metamorphing into a strange new being and no one knows what it is yet. Fearing the web How can closed analogue schools work in an open digital world?Teachers struggle daily with kids distracted by social media and the sophisticated phones and technology they carry with them every day. School's prescribe blanket bans on social media and try to police Facebook activity of their pupils. Parents turn to schools to help punish and protect their kids from the digitally dangerous world, where predators and bullies prey on these innocent minds.Their solution: Close access, restrict and deny. Scare-mongering is rife, warnings and hectoring videos ring out across the classrooms of the UK. It is a world of fear because there is little understanding. This is not unusual during a time of immense change, but we are already losing this battle.It is time for everyone to man up - to open up and to really look at what is happening.Children will not learn how to live, work and cope in this digitally driven world without having a deep cultural understanding of how it works. And they will not have this deep cultural understanding by sitting in closed classrooms, measured by set targets, removed from digital society and banned from the open web.My firm belief is that we need to open up our education system, give the children the elements of understanding and knowledge to navigate the online space. 

<a href="http://www.shoesalemarket.com">louis vuitton outlet online</a>Learning online The Khan Academy is one example of how it could begin to work - children learning outside the classroom, with online resources and remote mentors. How about subject teachers who are renowned experts? Who wouldn't like to be taught maths by Conrad Wolfram or story writing by JK Rowling? Does it matter that the lesson was delivered by YouTube? The classroom becoming the place where pupils come to share and show what they have learned - a vibrant place with teachers there to curate the classroom. Peer-to-peer learning in true fashion.From my own experience I can vouch for the fact that this method works.I am a co-founder of an organisation called Young Rewired State (YRS). For the last four years we have found and fostered the children of the UK driven to teach themselves how to code.We have provided them with a big annual event, where they flock together in centres around the UK and build something in a week, putting to use the skills they have taught themselves alone throughout the year.They work together, creating the best possible digital tool they can think or, be it a website, a game, an app, a widget or the next big thing in social technology - even real life stuff.

<a href="http://www.shoesalemarket.com">louis vuitton outlet</a>Last year, we saw the first use of the Arduino, a programable microcontroller. I am expecting robotics and the Raspberry Pi to feature highly this year.At the end of the week, we bring them all together and they have a day where they showcase what they have built to each other, their friends and family, industry, press and judges (for fun and prizes). Every year the kids that come back come back stronger and more excited. The network is built around hyper-local friendships and collaborations, supported by a world-wide mentor/teacher network. It sounds complicated, it is not. And it works, every year these kids get better, they push themselves to learn more and they teach more - many of them tutor their friends, write lessons, record educational videos... it works.Not every child need to be a programmer, but every child need to be equipped with a fundamental understanding of the world they are growing into. Knowledge banishes fear and being frightened of the digital revolution, whilst understandable is unnecessary. No single teacher or classroom could ever hope to grasp and teach this - it is all moving too fast. Emma Mulqueeny is chief executive of Rewired State. Its Young Rewired event runs between 6 and 12 August.The ninth Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival is under way near Beauly in the Highlands.Finishing on Saturday night, the event features music and a fashion show called Ciao Bella.Acts appearing include Travis, The Wombats, Frightened Rabbit and Beverley Knight. Also, the Ballachuilish Hellhounds and Buzzcocks.

== When we interview Chinese who are middle class ==

When we interview Chinese who are middle class

<a href="http://www.worldwidebradsale.com">louis vuitton outlets stores</a>It has the potential to grow much bigger, with Euromonitor forecasting growth of 14% a year until 2016, and shopping mall space set to equal European levels within a decade.Sweden's H&M opened 32 outlets last year and now has 78 stores in China. Zara, owned by Spain's Inditex, had 92 stores in 30 cities at the end of 2011. Gap aims to have 45 stores by the end of the year, while Japanese chain Uniqlo plans to open 100 new stores every year in China, according to Euromonitor data.US fashion chains Forever 21 and J Crewe, a casual wear retailer favoured by Michelle Obama, will begin selling their clothing lines in China this year, and Abercrombie & Fitch will open a flagship store in August in Hong Kong.While UK luxury labels like Mulberry and Burberry have enjoyed huge success in China, High Street names have been slower to embrace international expansion.Marks and Spencer is the only British clothing chain with a significant presence in China, although fashion chain Top Shop had a pop-up store during Beijing design week last year, a move some say could herald a more permanent foothold.Winners and losers Shaun Rein, managing director of Shanghai-based China Market Research Group and the author of the "The End of Cheap China", says that fast fashion retailers like H&M and Zara that quickly churn out affordable copies of runway designs are most likely to succeed.

<a href="http://www.worldwidebradsale.com">louis vuitton outlet stores</a>He says brands like Gap, Marks & Spencer, Abercrombie & Fitch and Banana Republic will find it difficult to gain any traction in China because they fall into a middle-class image trap, where the product is fairly expensive for the local market, but carries little prestige."The middle class in China - they trade up or trade down and anything in the middle will struggle," he says."That's why I am very bearish on M&S as their DNA is very middle class. You buy our clothes because you want to present yourself as middle class - that's not something that any Chinese person I've ever met wants."When we interview Chinese who are middle class, they really think they are on the way to riches because everyone knows someone that 15 years ago was a dirt-poor farmer but now is driving a BMW."Local brandsBranding has also presented challenges for some players in China.US retailer American Apparel found that its overtly sexy marketing was not to local tastes and ultimately had to close down some stores. Gap promotes its 1969 jeans, but in China the year is associated with the violence of the Cultural Revolution not flower-power nostalgia, Mr Rein notes.And even the foreign fashion brands that have the biggest market share in China are not yet household names that trip off local shoppers' tongues.Zhang Jin, 33, visiting Hong Kong for the first time on a shopping trip, had not heard of H&M, Zara, Gap, Uniqlo or Marks and Spencer, even though she comes from Beijing where many of them have been in business longest.

<a href="http://www.worldwidebradsale.com">louis vuitton outlet</a>She says she's happy to splurge on a designer handbag, but prefers to buy local brand clothes and shoes. European names have so far fared better than their US counterparts, with Europe more closely associated with high fashion rather than the preppy, casual wear favoured by some American brands."One of Gap's problems was not just its price positioning, but its product was considered too bland for what people had to pay for it, and it wasn't considered trendy or up-to-date enough," Ms Kunde says.Moreover, home-grown retailers like Metersbonwe, Belle International and Bestseller Group, which all own several brands, are still expanding market share in China despite the influx of Western names."I think there will be a place in the market for local brands that understand the consumer much better, especially because Chinese women sometimes have this very cute style of dressing, which is not necessarily reflected in the more fashion-forward styles in Europe," says Ms Kunde.Mr Rein says that mid-range brands will perhaps find a more receptive audience in five to 10 years time, when a middle-class socio-economic status is more established in China and people realise that "not everyone can be a millionaire".For now though, he remains sceptical, saying that the Gap stores he has visited in China are often empty: "Everybody is rushing into China but I think there will be more losers than winners."

== The city council's convener of social care and wellbeing ==

The city council's convener of social care and wellbeing

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonoutfit.com">louis vuitton outlet store online</a>The exchange closed after shares plunged during the first few days of protests across the country. Economic hardshipAs the political unrest continues, the cost to the economy is causing concern.Analysts at the French bank Credit Agricole recently estimated the cost to be $310m (£192m) a day. Nationwide strikes are threatening to cause more economic hardship and the Norwegian oil company Statoil has said that it is no longer drilling in Egypt.Meanwhile, the company running the Suez Canal - another vital source of foreign currency - has said that January's takings were 1.6% lower than in December. Fashion icon Twiggy is set to visit Aberdeen for the 10th anniversary of the city's festival for people over 50.The festival will run from 7 September to 16 September.The model said: "I am thrilled that my first film, The Boy Friend, has been chosen to open the Aberdeen Classic Film Festival as part of the festival."Recently featured in TV adverts for Marks & Spencer, Twiggy - born Lesley Hornby - became the face of swinging London as a teenager.As part of her appearance, a documentary - The World's First Supermodel - will also be shown, before she takes part in a question and answer session with the audience and introduces The Boy Friend.She said: "It will only be my second trip to Aberdeen, the first time was over 30 years ago when I passed through on my way to Fraserburgh to visit my friend."I'm very much looking forward to returning to Aberdeen for this special occasion."The city council's convener of social care and wellbeing,

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonoutfit.com">louis vuitton outlet store</a> Len Ironside, said this year's festival boasted arguably the best schedule ever compiled for residents. Shares in fashion retailer Esprit Holdings have surged nearly 40% after it named an industry veteran from rival Zara as its new chief executive. The company has appointed Jose Manuel Martinez Gutierrez, who was group director of distribution and operations at Inditex, which owns the Zara brand.He will replace Ronald van der Vis, who resigned abruptly in June along with chairman Hans-Joachim Korber.The news boosted Esprit's share price by 38% before it settled down to 28%."The new appointment gives investors new hope. With a new chief, in particular from another strong brand name, investors are putting a bet on a turnaround story," said Alfred Chan, chief dealer at Cheer Pearl Investment.The Hong Kong-listed company has struggled against cheap-chic fashion rivals H&M, Zara and Uniqlo, which specialise in affordable clothing for a younger, hipper clientele. Last September, it said it would invest more than HK$18bn ($2.3bn; £1.5bn) in product design and stores over the next four years to revive the brand, which had "lost its soul". Its annual profit plunged 98% last year.Mr Martinez's appointment, which will take effect in September, has fuelled investor optimism over the group's outlook. 'Transformation plan' Inditex, which is now the world's largest fashion retailer, has transformed the fashion retailing landscape by getting designs from the catwalk to the High Street faster than its rivals.

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonoutfit.com">louis vuitton outlet online store</a>Since joining Inditex in 2003, Mr Martinez, 42, has helped overhaul the Spanish company's supply chain management. "Mr Martinez has a track record of outstanding leadership that will be critical to executing Esprit's transformation plan," said non-executive chairman Raymond Or, who replaced Mr Korber."He is passionate about continuing the work to revitalise Esprit's brand and brings with him a unique perspective built from within the fashion retailing business."Mr Martinez will reportedly be paid 1.5m euros ($1.9m) a year, with an annual discretionary bonus of up to 1.5m euros, which will be guaranteed for the first two years.Mr Van der Vis and Mr Korber cited personal reasons for their departure.The family of a 14-year-old girl who was killed in a car crash in Lincolnshire have paid tribute to her.Kayleigh Lawrie, from Willoughby, died after the Renault Clio she was travelling in crashed on the B1196 at Welton le Marsh on Saturday.The 42-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and later bailed.Kayleigh's mother and grandparents said she loved fashion, cooking and her pet cat and dog.'Loved fashion' In a statement, they said: "Kayleigh was a bright, happy, bubbly and loving 14-year-old, who lived life to the full. She loved animals, which included her rag doll cat, Sapphire, and her dog, Luna."Kayleigh was strong willed and knew what she wanted out of life. Kayleigh loved fashion and wasn't afraid to experiment with her looks, although it often got her into trouble with school. "She was good at French and loved cooking, especially cup cakes."Kayleigh will be missed and loved always by all who knew her."A 13-year-old boy, who was in the Clio when it left the road, remains in hospital after being treated for facial injuries.

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonoutfit.com">louis vuitton outlet online</a>The driver was also arrested on suspicion of driving while over the alcohol limit.BBC TV Olympics pundit Colin Jackson has promised to tone down his fashion sense after Twitter users turned on his ties.The Cardiff-born former world champion hurdler is part of the BBC commentary team inside the Olympic Stadium.A number of tweets poking fun at his dress sense and the size of his tie's knot were posted over the weekend.Jackson replied on Twitter that one tie was "shocking on TV" and promised "plain ties from here on in".One tweet said "Colin Jackson wears the worst ties ever," another said his tie choice during the week had been "shocking".Entertainer Julian Clary tweeted: "Colin Jackson's tie. Discuss."Mail On Sunday TV critic Ian Hyland tweeted: "That massive knot in Colin Jackson's tie is a new Personal Best."Jackson, a silver medallist at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, responded by tweeting: "Oh no. Tie was shocking on the TV. In the flesh looks very different. Lol (laugh out loud), it won't happen again, promise, plain ties from here on in." There was also reaction on Twitter when behind the scenes footage was shown by the BBC of Jackson watching the 100m Olympic final on Sunday night.The pundit forgot the eventual silver medallist Yohan Blake's name in the excitement, and said: "Look at what's his name".This year has seen increasingly noisy calls for revolution in Information Communications Technology (ICT) education, from Google's Eric Schmidt to Ian Livingstone - president of video game publisher Eidos - people have been stating the bleeding obvious:

== More stereotypically "masculine" models like David Gandy ==

More stereotypically "masculine" models like David Gandy

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-rem-n41446-532-xnl">Louis  Vuitton Rem N41446 Famous</a>A male model is the talk of the womenswear shows at London fashion week. So why is a man gaining plaudits for modelling women's clothes?A svelte blonde standing over 6ft with cascading platinum hair, dewy skin, lush lips and chiselled cheekbones, Andrej Pejic is not untypical of the models strutting the catwalk for womenswear labels, except in one respect.Pejic is a man. His look is quite the opposite of the lantern-jawed, muscled men that often pose for advertisements and glossy magazine covers. Indeed, for the layman who has not heard of the striking model it's undeniably difficult to even spot he is a man. And in fashion's world of gender ambiguity, he is quickly emerging as an "it" face.High fashion's taste in male models goes through cycles. More stereotypically "masculine" models like David Gandy, Tyson Beckford and Paul Sculfor have been popular, but there's also often high demand for androgynous males to model men's clothes. Less typical is a man being used to show off women's fashion.Australian-born Pejic was discovered shortly before he turned 17 while working in a McDonald's. He's revealed in interviews he was unsure whether or not the modelling agent realised she was in fact a he, as he had begun experimenting with a feminine look from the age of 14.Two years later Pejic captivated the audience during Jean Paul Gaultier's Paris couture show, gracing the runway in a wedding dress. Viewers were said to be shocked to learn the bride wasn't a woman at all. 

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-alexander-m31162-531-nap">Louis  Vuitton Alexander M31162 Elegant</a>Pejic's jarringly effeminate look has been praised as bold and convincing.Since the Gaultier show, Pejic has appeared on a number of catwalks modelling womenswear and looking virtually indistinguishable from his female counterparts.But how can a man pull off this role?"Andrej is obviously beautiful and he has the most amazing figure. When you consider that a lot of designers are designing for this impossible ideal for someone who is 5ft 11in, no hips and no chest," says the Daily Telegraph's fashion director Hilary Alexander.Pejic has captivated designers, with his build regarded as nearly perfect for modelling high fashion looks. Couture wear is made for the tall, twiggy and flat bodies that most women, even models, don't have. Essentially, the clothing is quite suitable for a lean man or even a boy.Despite the model's convincing femininity, Pejic has also walked in fashion shows for men's collections.Alexander suggests the fascination with the androgynous male model might be a reflection of the times. "It's not just a fashion thing. People are more accepting of transgender personalities, civil marriage and gay couples adopting. It's only natural that a transgender person would appear on a catwalk modelling both menswear and womenswear."Sarah Doukas of Pejic's agency Storm Model Management in London says his success is not just down to his beauty. 

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-cabas-beaubourg-m53013-zbd">Louis  Vuitton Cabas Beaubourg M53013 Outlet</a>"Andrej is clearly a unique individual with the look, talent and personality to be successful in both arenas [menswear and womenswear], but it is possible he's in the vanguard of a cultural trend where other men do wish to express themselves in this way."But it's not just the men who are finding ways to express inner femininity. Other models are already following suit.Transsexual model Lea T, born Leandro, has also gained recent media attention. The model starred in Brazil's fashion week, walked the catwalk for Givenchy and even locked lips with Kate Moss on the cover of LOVE magazine.Beyonce has had black face paint put on as part of her cover photo shoot for one of France's premiere magazines.L'Officiel has defended the shoot saying Beyonce was "paying homage to African queen" but there's no word from Beyonce's people.In a statement the magazine said: "The designs are all reflective of the African influence on fashion this season." The 90th anniversary cover issue of the magazine comes out in March.The Grammy award winner recently announced she will be headlining the last day of Glastonbury this summer.L'Officiel added: "Miss Knowles poses with royal allure. A queen, a goddess, Beyonce is a bombshell beauty with a divine voice."The magazine had been looking for something special to celebrate its anniversary and wanted to reflect African influences in fashion. There have been reports the star posed in tribute to African singer Fela Kuti.

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-pilote-n41159-kqi">Louis  Vuitton Pilote N41159 Amazing</a>She told the magazine he was one of her "musical inspirations".But L'Officiel say that was not the reason behind the shoot: "As for the artistic make-up, the inspiration came from several African rituals during which paint is used on the face. We find the images beautiful and inspiring."A Christian exhibition in Peterborough will feature a catwalk show for members of the clergy.It forms part of the three-day Christian Resources Exhibition at the East of England Showground.The Reverend Tim Yau, one of the models, said: "Often people have a stereotyped image of the clergy, but this can help to change those views."The public exhibition, which comes to Peterborough for the first time this year, is on from 24 to 26 February.The fashion show will feature the latest designs and styles in ecclesiastical clothing, all modelled by local ministers.Mr Yau, an assistant curate at churches in Farcet and Hampton, admitted that the scope for fashionable garments was limited. "It's not going to be high street fashion, but the clothes can be very bright and colourful, and that says a lot about the people who are wearing them," he said."It's a great opportunity to change the picture that people have in their minds. We can get out there, meet people, and just have a bit of fun."'Centre of attention' As well as clerical clothing, the 150 exhibitors will showcase the latest in church and ministry furnishings, audio and video systems, financial and charity advice, and leadership training.There are also workshops, theatre productions and play areas for children.

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-abbesses-m45257-ldm">Louis  Vuitton Abbesses M45257 Shopping</a>Mr Yau, who will join six other ministers on the catwalk on 24 February, said: "I don't know what I'll be asked to model, but the robes we'll be wearing at the show are like visual aids. "Often churches can be quite grey, cold and a bit drab. A bit of colour can really brighten up the proceedings."And once you put on your vestments, it doesn't matter what you're wearing underneath. It's not about you anymore. It's about your role."It's about you stepping aside and letting God be the centre of attention."Ancient Britons were not averse to using human skulls as drinking cups, skeletal remains unearthed in southwest England suggest.The braincases from three individuals were fashioned in such a meticulous way that their use as bowls to hold liquid seems the only reasonable explanation. The 14,700-year-old objects were discovered in Gough's Cave, Somerset. "So, skulls have been used as drinking bowls, and because of the similarity of the Gough's Cave skulls to these other examples, we imagine that that's what these ancient people were using them for also," she told BBC News.Gough's Cave is situated in the Cheddar Gorge, a deep limestone canyon on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills.Palaeo-investigations started there a hundred years ago, with many of the finds now held at the Natural History Museum (NHM).The site is particularly noteworthy for the discovery in 1903 of "Cheddar Man", the complete skeleton of a male individual dating to about 10,000 years ago.But the users - and owners - of the skulls discussed in the PLoS One article are actually from an earlier period in the history of the British Isles

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-porte-documents-voyage-n41125-acf">Louis  Vuitton Porte-Documents Voyage N41125 Classical</a>This was during a brief warm spike in a series of ice ages that allowed humans living in southern Europe to venture north into what was otherwise an utterly inhospitable landscape.These Cro-Magnons, as we now call them, were hunter-gatherers living on their wits and, it seems, eating human flesh when the need and opportunity arose.Gough's Cave famously held the remains of human bones that had been butchered to extract marrow in exactly the same way as animal bones on the site had been processed.Our modern sensibilities find the thought of cannibalism repulsive, but these people lived in a different age, Dr Bello said: "They were a one man band; they were going out, hunting, butchering and then eating their kill. And they were extremely skilled at what they did, but then that's how they survived."I think the production of the skull-cups is ritualistic. If the purpose was simply to break the skulls to extract the brain to eat it, there are much easier ways to do that. "If food was the objective, the skull would be highly fragmented. But here you can really see they tried to preserve most of the skull bone; the cut marks tell us they tried to clean the skull, taking off every piece of soft tissue so that they could then modify it very precisely. They were manufacturing something." NHM colleague Professor Chris Stringer helped excavate one of the skull-cups in 1987 and is a co-author on the paper."We've known that these bones were treated in this way for 20 years; it's been evident that there were cut marks on the skulls," he told BBC News. "But by applying the latest microscopic techniques and the experience we've got in working on butchered animal remains, as well as human remains, we can start to build up a much more detailed picture of how the Gough's Cave remains were treated. 

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-laguito-m31092-tbd">Louis  Vuitton Laguito M31092 Amazing</a>Yes, cannibalism is the most likely explanation. What we can't say is whether these people were killed to be eaten, or whether they died naturally. Were they even members of the same group?"And precisely how the cups were used cannot be known with total confidence either, although in more recent examples of such practice they have held blood, wine and food during rituals.At about 14,700 years old, the Gough's Cave skull-cups would represent the oldest, recognised examples in the world. The museum plans to put a detailed model of one of the skull-cups on display this March so that visitors can get a deeper insight the practices of these ancient Britons.A new exhibition in Leicestershire is examining how Royal weddings have influenced matrimonial fashions."Getting Hitched", which opens at Snibston Discovery Museum on Monday, looks at more than 200 years of weddings and civil partnerships.The display includes 21 outfits, the earliest from 1780 and the most recent from 2006. David Sprason, county council cabinet member for adults and communities, said there was plenty of variety.He said: "This is a fantastic exhibition that's just in time for Valentine's Day. It looks at the amazing changes over the last 200 years in wedding attire and importantly, it also looks at civil ceremonies. "With the royal wedding only just around the corner, the exhibition is a great way of seeing just how previous royal weddings have influenced people's choices when it comes to organising their own special day."

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-porte-documents-voyage-n41124-yjz">Louis  Vuitton Porte-Documents Voyage N41124 Shopping</a>The first bridal fashion show has been held at England's oldest cathedral to try to encourage more church weddings.Organisers of the Ripon Cathedral Wedding Show had to gain permission from the Church of England to hold a commercial venture inside the building. Dean of Ripon Keith Jukes said: "Some people are worried about bringing the commercial aspect into the church. I look at it in a different way."The church has some stunning venues. Why shouldn't we do one here?"He said the aim of the wedding show was to help boost the number of people getting married in church as well as raising funds for Ripon Cathedral.The event is expected to generate about £20,000 towards cathedral restoration funds."There is a major Church of England initiative to look at marriage, to promote it," said the dean."We are bringing the commercial community and the real community together in this space for our wedding fair."There is always debate, particularly when churches and cathedrals do something new."We are not out to make huge amounts of money. If we do make any money it will go to further beautify this important building."Visitors to the church stand at the show were be able to meet clergy, talk through their wedding service ideas and receive advice on everything from hymns and readings to churches where they could get married.

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-reporter-pm-m45254-dcv">Louis  Vuitton Reporter PM M45254 Luxury</a>The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, John Packer, said: "I welcome the initiative by the cathedral to hold this first wedding fair and along with all sorts of other exhibits and displays, the diocese will be taking a stand to encourage church weddings."The Egyptian currency markets are functioning in "a normal fashion," the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Egypt has said.Hisham Ramez told BBC World the bank had had to intervene earlier in the week after "some speculative moves". But he said there had been some "good news", with foreign investors returning to take part in a bond auction.However, President Mubarak's decision to stay in power has cast fresh doubt over Egypt's economy, analysts said.Mr Mubarak announced late on Thursday night that he will stay in office and transfer all power only after September's presidential election.This "was the worst message the international investor community could have expected to receive," said John Sfakianakis, chief economist at Banque Saudi Fransi.Falling pound Mr Ramez also said he was not concerned about the value of the Egyptian pound. "We are not actually worried about the market as it is functioning in a normal way now. "The supply and demand is there."The pound hit a six-year low against the dollar before the central bank intervened on Tuesday. Traders estimated that the bank had pumped at least $1bn (£620m) into the system to try to protect the value of the Egyptian currency. 

  <a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-porte-documents-voyage-m40226-sut">Louis  Vuitton Porte-Documents Voyage M40226 Desgin</a>But analysts at UBS have estimated that the pound could decline in value by up to 25% within a month. Thursday's auction of Treasury bills - effectively short-term loans from investors to the government - raised 1.5bn Egyptian pounds ($255m; £158m).But the government had to pay a higher premium to borrow the money from the markets. The yield was 11.8% compared with 10.2% before the protests.Busy day Egypt's banks were closed for a week before re-opening on Sunday. There had been concerns about the possibility of a bank run, with investors taking flight and depositors withdrawing their money. Large queues formed outside some banks, and the deputy central bank governor said it had been an exceptionally busy day. But Mr Ramez said they had been well-prepared. "On Sunday, there was lots of buying. This was expected and we were ready for it.""The average volume [of foreign exchange trade] on the Egyptian interbank market is around $350m a day. At that day the volume was around $1.7bn," Mr Ramez said. He pointed out that the central bank's main role was to ensure that there was sufficient liquidity in the markets and said they had done that.The stock exchange is still closed and the Egyptian state news agency suggested that authorities had deferred the decision when to reopen it. "The decision to continue suspending trade on the exchange is possible, but we must wait for the events of tomorrow [Thursday] and Friday, before we make an official announcement," the MENA news agency quoted chairman Khaled Serry Seyam as saying.

== Peterborough's Olympic legacy celebrated with graffiti mural ==

Peterborough's Olympic legacy celebrated with graffiti mural

<a href="http://www.nfljerseysummersale.com/New-Orleans-Saints-Stylish">cheap nike Drew Brees jerseys</a>A mural celebrating Peterborough's role in the Olympics has been created in a city underpass by a group of youngsters and a professional graffiti artist.It features the city's successful Olympic gymnast Louis Smith, who won team bronze and an individual silver in the pommel horse.The Olympic torch is also portrayed as it passes Peterborough Cathedral.Youth worker Jenny Humphreys, said: "The kids I know are inspired by the games and this will reinforce that." The mural was created in the Cygnet Park underpass with help from graffiti artist Nyces.'Paint legally' Ms Humphreys said: "They're doing a fantastic job and are definitely picking up skills. The further down the wall they get the neater it looks."She said the young people she works with were "very excited" about the Olympics."They're seeing sports they might not have known much about and they're really up for it," she said. "So hopefully it will leave that legacy of more young people wanting to get involved in sport."With things like this underpass project we're putting that message out there for people to see."We're saying, 'Here's something we can be really proud of, and look what we can achieve'."Businesses in the area donated materials for the mural, and the project received Community Leadership Funding from local ward councillors.Project leader, PCSO Matt Lauch, added: "We want to show [the youngsters] how they can paint legally and create an artwork that will be relevant for some time."

<a href="http://www.nfljerseysummersale.com/New-Orleans-Saints-Stylish">cheap Drew Brees jerseys</a>Wednesday shapes up for more sporting action, from the decathlon to the Greco-Roman wrestling. But what else is going on in the world of all things Olympic? See what has caught our eye on day 12 and if you've spotted a quirky quip or a notable news nugget you can get in touch using the form below.However, the claims surprised London 2012 head of media Jackie Brock-Doyle, who said, "We can't find anybody that could tell us that he tried to get in to the village last night and was not allowed in. "There have been incidents where people may have mislaid their accreditation, for whatever reason."Normally we talk to the National Olympic Committee of that country and they verify who they are and work with them to get them back to their bed for the night.Thankfully Harting did not lose his gold medal in the incident. He is due to be presented with it on Wednesday evening, having been given new accreditation to enter the Stadium."Oh wee" [oh dear] as the Dutch would say. The Daily Express and Mirror printed a photograph of the gold medal winning British dressage team of Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester and Laura Bechtolsheimer, to commemorate their momentous Olympic win. Only one problem - the picture was actually of the Netherlands bronze medallists Anky Van Grunsven, Edward Gal and Adelinde Cornelissen. "It is a total lie," the minister said. "I advised Niluka to take his coach with him but it was Niluka who wanted to take his sponsor, Mr Rohan with him."Rohan de Silva is in London 2012 as the manager of Sri Lanka's two-member badminton team that includes Thilini Jayasinghe.

<a href="http://www.nfljerseysummersale.com/New-Orleans-Saints-Stylish">Drew Brees jersey</a>"And the ministry paid for the air tickets of Niluka's father and the president of the badminton association, Parakrama Basnayake," Minister Aluthgamage added.None of the Sri Lankan players qualified for a final of any of the events in which they took part although Cooray is still to run in Sunday's marathon.Sri Lanka has only ever won two Olympic silver medals; Susanthika Jayasinghe's bronze in the women's 200m in the 2000 Sydney Olympics was later upgraded to silver after American Marion Jones was stripped of her title for taking drugs.And at the last London Olympics in 1948, Duncan White won silver at the men's 400m hurdles. "Liu Xiang was carrying too heavy a burden. Chinese sports officials know nothing about the Olympic spirit. For them, athletes are just machines and pawns," one comment said.Among the outpouring of support, there were a handful of negative comments and allegations against the athlete, who is easily one of China's best-known faces, with a slew of product endorsements.Some lambasted him for failing to do his duty by his country.But by and large, the Chinese people's reactions reflected a level of maturity and compassion within society, said a commentary in the Chinese edition of the Global Times newspaper.''Thank you, Liu Xiang, for all that you've given us," it said.

== An Olympian spirit of generosity ==

An Olympian spirit of generosity

<a href="http://www.jerseyseasonsale.com/Pittsburgh-Steelers-clearance">cheap authentic Troy Polamalu jerseys</a>So who are you rooting for? Team GB or Team Ireland? Or are you happy to admire the skill and dedication of the Olympic participants no matter which colour they wear?Despite the old cliche about keeping politics out of sport, the fierce competition culminating in three flags being hoisted up their respective poles has sparked discussion amongst many observers about the nexus between athletic endeavour and national identity. In Northern Ireland, where flags and anthems have been regular sources of controversy, this is familiar territory. Here in Northern Ireland sports stars have the option to pick either Team GB or Team Ireland. Some may base their choice on a deep sense of political allegiance or national identity, others find their paths steered by how their chosen sport is organised within the island of Ireland. Yet others may make a pragmatic decision about which route provides the best opportunity to play the sport they love at the highest level.Whilst Northern Ireland's constitutional position is particular, the Games have provided plenty of examples of how elastic a concept national identity can be. Charming One of Team GB's Liverpool-born equestrian gold medallists previously competed for Ireland. Mogadishu-born Mo Farah became one of Team GB's pre-eminent heroes with his storming 10,000 kilometre finish.

<a href="http://www.jerseyseasonsale.com/Pittsburgh-Steelers-clearance">authentic Troy Polamalu jerseys</a>In the early days of the Olympics, when the media were getting anxious about Team GB's performance, one interviewer jokingly suggested that Ruta Meilutyte's English coach should have persuaded her to switch her allegiance. The answer - there was no way the teenage swimming star would ever be anything other than a proud Lithuanian, although that didn't stop her Plymouth classmates cheering her on every bit as loudly. When I first saw the charming picture taken by Christopher Madden of two children at the Olympic Park, it looked exactly how life ought to be. Sure, cheering for "us" against "them" has always been a unavoidable part of sport, but competitors like Michael Conlan, Paddy Barnes and Ian Lewers demand admiration no matter which team they represent, as do their opponents. Getting to become an Olympian at all is beyond most of our wildest dreams. If all sport could be enjoyed with the same generosity and family friendly atmosphere which has generally accompanied these Games then the world might be a better place. For much of Saturday the Don Valley Stadium - where a big screen was put up - resembled a country picnic.As the Sheffield hero came out for her 800m heat, about 2,000 people surged forward to see her victory.Ennis, hailed as the face of London 2012, on one of Britain's greatest days in Olympic history.

<a href="http://www.jerseyseasonsale.com/Pittsburgh-Steelers-clearance">Troy Polamalu jersey</a>As the 26-year-old entered the Olympic stadium for the 800m heat in the heptathlon, the floodlights came on in Sheffield and the stadium where Ennis was discovered and still trains suddenly resembled a rock concert.When the starter's gun went off, Sheffield produced a wall of noise.And when Ennis crossed the line, there were hugs, tears and even louder screams.Jessica Burton, 17, said: "On my god, she's done it. We love her, we love her, we love her. I am so proud to be from the same city as Jess Ennis."Earlier Chris Eccles, who taught the heptathlete at King Ecgbert School, said every pupil knew about the athlete's achievements."They are inspired by her because they can see someone from their own town being so successful," he said."They see people like Jess as great role models."Ennis started running at the Don Valley Stadium when she joined the City of Sheffield Athletic Club at the age of 13.Despite being a world-class athlete, she still competes for the club in the Northern League.Club chairman Mike Corden said the gold medallist was a "phenomenon"."Our kids in the club are inspired by her. They are so proud of her," he said.Paying tribute to Ennis, Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough MP David Blunkett said: "She is the princess of Sheffield, who has lifted the hearts of the nation and provided an inspiration for the young athletes of the future."On a hugely successful night for Team GB, Ennis's athletics team-mates Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford also won gold, in the 10,000m and long jump respectively.

== When I called a funeral home to get a quote it was pretty funny ==

When I called a funeral home to get a quote it was pretty funny 

<a href="http://www.jerseyseasonsale.com/Denver-Broncos-discount">Peyton Manning Jersey</a> Spare Parts, an exhibition of prosthetic limbs transformed into pieces of art, is being staged in London later this month to coincide with the Paralympic Games. Priscilla Sutton came up with the idea for when she was cleaning out her house in Australia."I pulled a couple of old legs out of the cupboard, and realised I couldn't keep hoarding limbs for sentimental reasons," she explains. "They are a part of your body, so you don't really like to chuck them away. And there are rules about disposing of old limbs - you can't just put them in the bin." So the Queensland-born curator, an amputee since 2005, asked her creative friends to turn them into artworks she could hang on the wall. "I realised how many other limbs must be in cupboards and sheds across the country and around the world. So I started asking around and the idea grew and grew and became this exhibition."Spare Parts had its first outing in Brisbane in 2010. It brought together dozens of artists who were given pre-loved prosthetic limbs as a blank canvas. Ms Sutton was amazed at the success of the show. Among the thousands of visitors were art lovers, amputees and school groups. "For once," she notes, "kids weren't told 'don't touch, don't stare, don't ask!'" Now a new batch of prosthetics has been donated for the second Spare Parts exhibition on London's Brick Lane. Of the 43 artworks, only five were part of the original Brisbane show. 

<a href="http://www.jerseyseasonsale.com/Denver-Broncos-discount">authentic Peyton Manning Jerseys</a> Three works from Spare Parts: (from left) Patience Hodgson's A Venutian Leg Up, Anthony Lister's Screaming Arm and Lincoln Austin's Knit one, pearl two; Ms Sutton is now in London putting together the exhibits while on a break from her hospital job in Australia. She sourced most of the limbs via the NHS, and put out a call for artists via the Arts Council. "I do tend to get lots of people contacting me saying 'hey - I hear you want a leg!'" she laughs when we meet in London's West End with less than three weeks before launch. All this begs the question of how well does a prosthetic limb lend itself to an artwork? "It's not a square canvas, and it can be soft and squidgy or as hard as titanium," she says. "Some of the artists have had real challenges to find new ways of creating their ideas. Now and again one of them will give back a limb and say 'I never want to see it again!'"In November 2005, Ms Sutton had elective surgery below the knee to remove a worsening bone condition. She was 26 years old. Earlier this year, she wrote about the most common (and personal) questions she gets asked about being an amputee.In it she describes what happened to her leg after it was removed. "Some people seem to think that when you get out of hospital you get to take your leg home, in a jar.

 <a href="http://www.jerseyseasonsale.com/Denver-Broncos-discount">authentic nike Peyton Manning Jerseys</a> You don't. But in my case, I did have my leg cremated."When I called a funeral home to get a quote it was pretty funny. They thought it was a crank call! For the record, it was the same price as a cat, and it provided great closure for me. My leg and I had a big life together, so it was important for me to know where she ended up."Ms Sutton notes that some of the artists for the London show have used a prosthetic arm or hand to draw or paint their contributions. "We often take things for granted in life. When I was learning to walk on crutches a simple process like getting clean washing from the drier to my bedroom became really difficult. It was interesting to see artists go down that path as well." The list of artists taking part includes Andrew Logan, Beastman, Dan Hillier, Elisa Jane Carmichael and tattooists Henry Hate and Louis Molloy, known for their work with Amy Winehouse and David Beckham respectively. Priscilla Sutton uses two prosthetic legs: one for sports, decorated with brightly-coloured Japanese fabric, and one she describes as her "going out leg" - featuring printed artwork by US pop surrealist Mark Ryden. "We get dressed up together - she's quite fabulous," she says of her limb. "It gets a lot of attention here in London. It's wearable art, and so when that leg's superseded I can hang it on my wall along with my other Mark Rydens." The Spare Parts exhibition, she hopes, is helping to create an open and positive conversation about prosthetics. "I don't think it should be taboo."

== It's Cleggorama on Tuesday in the Commons ==

It's Cleggorama on Tuesday in the Commons

<a href="http://www.shoesalemarket.com">louis vuitton outlet</a>That is followed by a series of short debates led by backbench peers - Labour's Lord Campbell-Savours leads a debate on the implications for political representation and democracy of the proposals of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission. Labour peer and author Baroness Rendell focuses on the problems faced by families in the rented housing sector. And, finally, the Liberal Democrat Lord Greaves raises the issue of coastal access in England - a subject he pursued in the last Parliament, during the passage of the Marine and Coastal Access Act.The Commons sits at 9.30am on Friday, for its second day of debates on the new crop of private members' bills. Topping the bill is the Conservative Richard Ottaway's Scrap Metal Dealers Bill, which tightens the regulations to make it harder for thieves to sell on looted metal. The bill is backed by the government and has a good chance of going forward for detailed consideration. Next on the list is the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Bill, introduced by another Conservative, Richard Harrington. The Lords are not sitting.But watch out for one annual event: a lot of NGOs and human rights organisations will take a keen interest in the report of the Combined Committees on Arms Exports Controls, which will be published on Friday. This is a joint committee of members of the Business and Enterprise, Defence, Foreign Affairs and International Development Committees which, every year, scrutinises the government's annual report on the control of strategic exports, including weapons.

<a href="http://www.shoesalemarket.com">louis vuitton outlet online</a> It is chaired by the Conservative former Armed Forces minister, Sir John Stanley. High-end fashion group Burberry has reported a rise in revenue as sales continue to grow in Asia.Total revenue for the three months to the end of June was £408m ($634m), 11% higher than a year earlier.However, the increase was less than in the previous quarter and below market expectations, leading Burberry shares to fall 7.4%.The company said it continued to see strong sales growth in Asia and particularly China.Asia accounts for a higher proportion of Burberry's revenues than any other region."With continued brand momentum, Burberry has delivered a robust first quarter," said chief executive Angela Ahrendts."Sales in retail, now about 70% of the business, increased by 14%."Wholesale revenue came in at £102m, up 9% on a year earlier.'Great expectations' The quarterly sales figures represent a slowdown on previous quarters, and analysts said the company's share price was suffering as a result."Burberry shares have fallen foul of great expectations, as robust sales growth came in shy of analyst estimates," said Richard Hunter at Hargreaves Lansdown."If set against yesterday's update from Marks and Spencer, for example, the numbers are in a different league, as are the prospects. However, the shares' valuation is quite full and the weight of expectation is heavy."On Tuesday, M&S reported a drop in sales after stock issues and wet weather hit sales at its clothing department.

<a href="http://www.shoesalemarket.com">outlet louis vuitton</a>Battle commences this week, as the Lords Reform Bill goes before MPs for what promises to be a fractious few months in the Commons. (I'll be posting, separately about the tactical battles around the bill). But Tory irritation will not be confined to the orgy of Clegg-bashing the bill will provide. Keep an eye out for Thursday's EU debates, which will provide hard-line backbenchers with a chance to keep up pressure on their leadership on all things European. It's a fairly humdrum week in the Lords, but note the increasing fashion for debates about the health implications of our eating and drinking habits. Something's brewing here (no pun intended) and the increasing chatter on these subjects may presage a move towards "health taxes" to shift consumers onto the path of dietary righteousness. There's not much committee business, apart from one highly charged session….the Treasury Committee continues its probe into the interest rate fixing scandal by taking evidence from the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Paul Tucker, whose conversation with Barclays boss, Bob Diamond, at the height of the credit crunch, in October 2008, is one of the key moments in the saga. Barclays has published its account of that phone call; Mr Tucker will face questions about the strong impression they give, that he was pushing the bank to lower its Libor rate, with the support of "senior Whitehall figures". The identity of those figures is a key political question. The committee sits on Monday at 4.30pm.Monday in the Commons begins with questions to the Home Secretary, Theresa May, and her team. Then the Commons launches into a rare two-day second reading debate on the House of Lords Reform Bill (see separate post).The Lords begins (at 2.30pm) with question time. The Lib Dem Lord Dykes (once a pro-European Conservative) has a question on when the government will raise the issue of EU monetary and banking union at EU ministerial meetings. 

<a href="http://www.shoesalemarket.com">louis vuitton outlet online store</a>The main business is the fourth day of committee scrutiny of the Justice and Security Bill - with a short debate on the government's long-term strategy for the arts and cultural sector led by the crossbencher the Earl of Clancarty, an elected hereditary peer.It's Cleggorama on Tuesday in the Commons. Business begins with questions to the deputy prime minister. This is always a pretty bare-knuckle occasion, but with day two of the Lords Reform Bill second reading to follow, I expect it to be even nastier than usual. Lib Dem MP Julian Huppert has a ten minute rule bill to allow local planners to prevent a change of use for the premises of independent shops and pubs - it's being presented as a fightback against "Tescopoly". Then the Lords Bill resumes. The vote on second reading will be taken at 10pm. Labour will support it, but there will certainly be a number of Labour and Conservative refusniks. More will come out of the woodwork for the vote on the programme motion - if it is, in the end, put to MPs. That motion is voted on without debate - standing orders assume that any discussion of the merits of a timetable motion occurs within the main debate. This will be a very significant motion for the coalition, and the voting patterns will be studied on all sides. In committee-land, the Treasury Committee (at 10am) has a one-off evidence session with Marcus Agius, the chairman of Barclays Bank. The committee hasn't yet sorted out its relationship with the new parliamentary inquiry into the rate-fixing scandal, and that is bound to be the subject of the hearing.

== The UK company also opened its first store in Tokyo ==

The UK company also opened its first store in Tokyo

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-porte-documents-voyage-m40225-glp">Louis  Vuitton Porte-Documents Voyage M40225 Original</a>After three weeks the Radio 1 & 1Xtra Hackney Academy is closing its doors for the final time on Friday (22 June).The aim of the project was to offer career advice to young people in Hackney and the surrounding areas. Volunteers were able to sign up for free workshop or Q&A sessions. US R&B star Usher, Bafta award-winning actor Adam Deacon and fashion designer Ozwald Boateng were some of the names that attended sessions to offer tips on how to succeed in their profession.Newsbeat has spoken to three people about their experiences of the Hackney Academy."Basically it just gave me a direction of where I want to go and how to get there."The BBC can sometimes feel like a hard place to get into. But they have just shown us that in practice there are ways."And with the tips I've picked up in terms of presenting I feel like I can really grow and move on from here.""I wanted to find out if a degree was necessary to get into radio these days and especially the BBC."I found out that if I keep going down the route that I'm going, which is getting experience, that it can happen.""What I'll take from the session I went to is that I feel I need to get a lot more experience."The DJs that spoke to us all made it clear that being on the radio isn't something that happens overnight. It's not a two-month thing."So I now know I need to put the work in to get to where I wanna get to."

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-porte-documents-voyage-gm-m40224-vcf">Louis  Vuitton Porte-Documents Voyage GM M40224 Stylish</a>Winifred attended a Q&A with BBc Radio 1Xtra DJ Twin B on how to make it as a radio presenter. "I come from Hackney and a lot of people seem to stereotype the area with a lot of negative things."For me, if more events like this were to happen then it would encourage more young people to do something positive with their lives. It would help them to get somewhere."It started with a hiss. And indeed a boo.Johann Lamont seemed to feel that there should be such collective murmurs of discontent heading in the direction of Alex Salmond for his outfit, Stateside. Those tartan trews, you know. Ms Lamont had the grace to acknowledge that the FM faced a degree of competition from his predecessor, Jack McConnell. (You must remember THAT kilt.) The Labour leader also noted, wryly, that she was speaking from her own lofty position as a demonstrable fashion icon. In response, Nicola Sturgeon - deputising for her absent friend - suggested that, in this contest, Lord McConnell would remain the undoubted boss of silly outfits. From silly outfits to silly walks - or, more widely, to the movies of Monty Python. For reasons of personal nomenclature, I have always felt an instinctive antipathy to the Python masterpiece, Life of B . . .According to the Labour leader, the SNP resembled the sect in the Python film who queried the worth of Rome - only to indulge in a lengthy series of concessions as to the actual merits of Roman rule.She lampooned the Nationalists for now seeking to retain the pound, the monarchy, the influence of the Bank of England and more.

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-messenger-gm-beaubourg-m97039-hnc">Louis  Vuitton Messenger GM Beaubourg M97039 Leading</a>It was a well-delivered attack, all founded on the Life of B . . . (Even now, I decline to use the name.) Ms Lamont seemed to feel there was another word which was facing neglect: that of independence.It has been suggested that SNP leaders have been advised by a guru to say "an independent Scotland" instead. "Independence", apparently, is just too final and brutal.'Airy assertions' In response, Ms Sturgeon decided to boldly go where psychologists fear to tread. She said "independence" repeatedly.Indeed, she probably broke the world record for "Most Uses of the word Independence in a Single Answer." She owned "independence". Independence, she said, would enable Scotland to avoid illegal wars, to scrap Trident and to protect the vulnerable from "Tory welfare reforms". The exchanges were droll and gutsy, alternating between dry wit and passionate rhetoric. Both gave and got. But, alongside the verbal wrestling, it was easily possible to discern two competing themes which will underpin the forthcoming referendum. The Labour attack?That the SNP project is based upon "airy and meaningless assertions" - such as the proposal for Scotland to be given a place on the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee post independence.That it is not worth the risk at a time of financial uncertainty. Incidentally, in listing those British icons, Ms Lamont mentioned "the pound, the Bank of England, financial regulation, the Union Jack". That latter intrigued me in particular.Apparently, the cross-party pro-Union campaign - which will launch on Monday - has discerned from polling that the flag of the UK is more popular among substantial segments of the population in Scotland than, frankly, they expected privately. (And, no, not just among its customary brandishers.) The SNP attack? That the Unionist position amounts to a denial of Scottish self-determination.

  <a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-porte-documents-voyage-gm-m40223-iby">Louis  Vuitton Porte-Documents Voyage GM M40223 Chic</a>That it means that Johann Lamont would rather see Scotland ruled by "her new friends" in the Tory Party. That the Labour leader, in effect, prefers "Tory government to self-government." Ms Sturgeon made this point at every opportunity. Indeed, it seemed for a moment that her usage of the word "Tory" would outpace her courageous personal record, set with that risky word "independence." The exchanges with the SNP's Conservative and Liberal Democrat opponents were more constrained. Ruth Davidson wanted Nicola Sturgeon to condemn industrial action by doctors. Ms Sturgeon - who is health secretary - obliged but only in part. She regretted the action which, she stressed, fell short of a strike.But she offered a second opinion: that the pension constraints ordered by the UK government were partly a "cash grab" to reduce immediate deficits rather than solely a structured device to make pension provision in the NHS more affordable in the longer term. The deputy FM was, if anything, more cautious still in responding to Willie Rennie who suggested, in terms, that there had been Chinese pressure placed upon the Scottish Government and local authorities to downplay the visit to Scotland of the Dalai Lama. Challenged explicitly by Mr Rennie, Ms Sturgeon said she condemned human rights abuses wherever they occurred.She described the visit by the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader as being "pastoral" and counselled against seeking to cause political division as a consequence. 

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-trotteur-beaubourg-m97037-ubd">Louis  Vuitton Trotteur Beaubourg M97037 Unique</a>Fourteen artists from nine different countries will be pairing up to create new artworks. Over the next two months, the BBC News website will document their progress and the finished artwork will feature in a weekly documentary on BBC World News television.Argentinian fashion and textile designer Martin Churba leaves the comfort of Buenos Aires to experience the madness and stimulation of Mumbai - the home of milliner Shilpa Chavan. Churba's passion for creating experimental fabrics and prints led to him setting up Tramando, his design studio in the chic Recoleta district of Buenos Aires. He now has stores in Tokyo and New York, all featuring his trademark heavy knits and intricate prints.Chavan, who trades under the name Little Shilpa, is a milliner, stylist and accessories designer. Inspired by the colours of India and the street markets of Bangalore, she has created hats out of empty plastic bottles, bras, children's toys and old flip flops.Together they make six outfits which marry their two cultures and their joint love of colour and shape.The artist Bob and Roberta Smith (one person, but with two names) travels from his home in London to Accra in Ghana where he meets coffin maker Paa Joe. Together they make a sculpture which perfectly displays their shared love of fun and flamboyance, with a more thought provoking side too.Bob and Roberta Smith, real name Patrick Brill, is a painter and sculptor. Known for his hand-painted signs on wooden panels, he is one of the artists chosen to create a poster for the London Olympics 

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-robusto-1-compartment-m31058-mub">Louis  Vuitton Robusto 1 Compartment M31058 Trendy</a>Paa Joe, real name Joseph Ashong, is the foremost coffin maker of his generation. His figurative sculpted coffins are rooted in the Ghanaian tradition to honour the dead. Each unique work reflects the foibles of the deceased - an inveterate drinker may be buried in a giant beer bottle, a pilot in a replica aeroplane. Dancer Shakti Mohan is a huge star in her native India. She won the television talent show Dance India Dance in 2010 and starred in a popular soap opera, before leaving to continue her dance studies.This episode sees her visit New York for the first time to work with Arab-American composer Mohammed Fairouz. At the age of 26, Fairouz is one of the most frequently performed composers of his generation. He has written numerous orchestral and operatic works, which straddle both Eastern and Western influences. He will compose a new piece of music, performed by a string quartet and a Klezmer clarinettist, to which Mohan will choreograph a Bollywood style routine.Berlin conceptual artist Christian Jankowski travels to Dubai, where he will experience the city using all his senses - except sight. Wearing a black-out eye mask from the moment he steps off the plane, he will rely on Dubai curator and artist Rami Farook to show him around the city.Over three days Farook guides Jankowski through the souks and the desert, the artificial snow mountain and the hectic streets, while they make a film of their journey together. Turner Prize winning artist Jeremy Deller teams up with steel pan drum expert Michelle Huggins-Watts in Diego Martin, Trinidad.

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-messenger-pm-bosphore-m40106-jrb">Louis  Vuitton Messenger PM Bosphore M40106 Style</a>British artist Deller specialises in conceptual, video and installation art. He revels in unusual collaborations and creates a unique performance and music event in Trinidad, home to band leader Huggins-Watts. She is one of the very few female steel pan arrangers on the island. Having toured the world as a musician, she returned to Trinidad on a mission to bring more young people into the music.Spanish pastry chef Jordi Roca runs three-Michelin starred restaurant El Celler de Can Roca near Barcelona. It was recently voted the second best restaurant in the world. He travels to Lima, the capital of Peru, to reinvent the potato. Roca will collaborate with Peruvian television chef Gaston Acurio, whose own restaurant Astrid y Gaston also appears in the world's 50 best restaurants list.Peru has about 8,000 different varieties of potatoes, many grown on farms high in the Andes. A group of farmers travel to Lima to bring the chefs the pick of their crop. The potatoes are then transformed into a variety of beautiful petit fours.Glasgow-based animator and illustrator David Shrigley is famous for his simple line drawings, done deliberately badly, telling stories about the absurdities of daily life and the curiosities of human relationships.He travels to Tokyo, the home of manga cartoons and graphic novels, to work with illustrator Teresa Chiba. Together they collaborate on a comic book.It will be low-tech, probably photocopied and stapled by hand, and 100 copies will be made. These little books will be handed out for free on the streets of Tokyo.

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-messenger-gm-bosphore-m40105-ijw">Louis  Vuitton Messenger GM Bosphore M40105 Trends</a>The BBC News Magazine will show the results of each collaboration, and a documentary revealing the finished artworks will be broadcast on BBC World News each weekendA coroner has criticised the fashion industry and magazines over the death of a 14-year-old girl in Somerset.Fiona Geraghty killed herself after developing an eating disorder while studying at King's College, Taunton. Her parents said her bulimia was caused by taunts from her peers over her weight.The coroner, Michael Rose, called on magazines to stop the practice of showing pictures of "wafer-thin" models.He recorded a verdict of misadventure at the inquest in Taunton.'Thin models' He said: "The one class of person not here who I feel [is] directly responsible for what happened is the fashion industry."... The problems of eating disorders amongst young people, particularly girls, did not exist before the 1970s. From that period onwards the fashion industry and the magazines promoted thin models and the thin figure."I do ask, particularly the magazines in the fashion industry, to stop publishing photographs of wafer-thin girls. One magazine, I believe Vogue, has recently taken the decision not to do so."I do implore it, because at the end of the day for their benefit, families like this must suffer. It is, I am afraid, an increasing problem and until they control themselves it will continue."'Cry for help' Miss Geraghty was found hanging by a rope from her bedroom by her father at their home in Nailsbourne on 14 July, 2011.Mr Rose said no-one could be sure she intended to take her own life and it could have been a cry for help.Earlier, the headteacher of Miss Geraghty's school said no bullying took place, following concerns from her parents.

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-omaha-m97022-uce">Louis  Vuitton Omaha M97022 Neats</a>King's College headteacher Richard Biggs told the coroner there was "rather a clash of personalities common in girls of that age".Mr Biggs also told the hearing that he had questioned a group of girls at the school about allegations they had taunted the schoolgirl about her weight, but the girls had categorically denied doing so.Alison Chisholm, a manager at the Mental Health Trust in Somerset, said there had been a significant increase in the number of children suffering from eating disorders in the county, reflecting a national trend.The company, the world's second-largest clothing chain, said it was on target to open a further 275 shops around the world this year.H&M currently has 2,575 global outlets.Chief executive Karl-Johan Persson said: "The year started well and the positive trend continued in the second quarter."The spring collections have been well received by our customers as shown by our increased market share in a fashion retail market that continues to be challenging," he said.H&M is moving into five new markets this year - Bulgaria, Mexico, Latvia, Malaysia and Thailand.In addition, it is launching online sales in the US.It currently operates in 44 countries, ranging from western Europe and the US to China and Japan.Fashion brand Ted Baker has reported a rise in half-year sales, helped by expansion overseas.Its total sales for the six months to 9 June were 16% higher than a year earlier, boosted by expansion of its US wholesale business.

<a href="http://www.louisvuittonsalemall.co.uk/louis-vuitton-robusto-1-compartment-m31052-pyo">Louis  Vuitton Robusto 1 Compartment M31052 Buying</a>The UK company also opened its first store in Tokyo, and new concession spaces in Netherlands and South Korea.Ted Baker did not reveal a like-for-like sales figure, which pulls out the impact of new openings.Analysts said that although the figures were boosted by these new shops, they indicated the resilience of the brand in difficult times. "Despite this more muted consumer backdrop Ted Baker has been able to post solid results because it has persuaded customers it is worthwhile paying a premium for product which has a quality edge as well as strong design credentials," said Neil Saunders of retail analysts Conlumino. "This flight to quality has been a notable trend during the downturn," he added. Its founder and chief executive, Ray Kelvin, said: "The group has made a good start to 2012, despite continued uncertainty in the trading environment."Laura Ashley is continuing to defy the gloom on the High Street, reporting a big rise in sales.The furniture and fashion retailer said like-for-like sales, which pull out the impact of new store openings, rose 5.4% in the 18 weeks to 2 June compared with the same time a year earlier.The growth in sales was particularly strong at the company's website, which increased by 18.8%.Laura Ashley said this was "partly attributed" to a revamp of the site.Rihanna has denied rumours that sickness forced her to cancel a trip to the UK.

== Aussie athletes arrive home to praise ==

Aussie athletes arrive home to praise 
abercrombie saleAustralia's Olympic athletes were welcomed home by a big crowd at Sydney airport on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard defending their achievements despite a poor medal haul.Recriminations have begun in Australia after they finished only 10th at the London Games, down from sixth in Beijing, with just seven golds for their worst victory tally in 20 years.It was well below expectations, lagging the likes of Hungary and Italy, and a massive 22 gold medals behind traditional arch-rival Britain, the host nation.Gillard led hundreds of family, friends and wellwishers in welcoming home the athletes and said they deserved praise."For those who have been quick to rush out with criticism, London 2012 has been a remarkable result by any measure," she said."Our nation is still in the top 10, still fighting, still striving."No matter what medal you're wearing around your neck today, or whether you're not wearing a medal at all, you are carrying the greatest of honours, you're Olympians," she added.Chef de mission Nick Green highlighted the "golden double" of cyclist Anna Meares and hurdler Sally Pearson, who both won events on August 7, as standout performances."What a day it was," he told the crowd, while also paying tribute to the sailing team, which picked up three gold medals and a silver. 
abercrombie and fitch sale "It was clearly the best performing team we've had in London," he said.Australian Olympic boss John Coates has blamed administrators rather than athletes for the below-par effort, saying money was not the problem... The Seattle Mariners rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to stun the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 and snap the visitors' seven-game winning streak on Tuesday.The Rays led 2-1 heading into the final inning and were on their way to yet another victory before a throwing error by Carlos Pena put two Seattle (54-64) runners in scoring position with no men out."That's a play that Carlos makes 100 times out of 100," Rays manager Joe Maddon told reporters of the miscue on a Chone Figgins bunt."I don't know exactly what had happened, it was very routine."Justin Smoak followed with a game-tying sacrifice-fly and Eric Thames delivered the winning single against losing Tampa Bay pitcher Fernando Rodney."It always feels good to win, especially in that fashion," Smoak said."I knew something was going to happen tonight where it was going to come up to me at some point in the game. It was good to come through right there."Starter Matt Moore struck out nine batters in seven strong innings to position things nicely for the Rays (63-53), who grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first. 
abercrombie clothingTampa Bay was looking for their first eight-game winning streak since 2004 but instead they lost ground in the American League East, where they now trail the New York Yankees by six games.The Mariners won for the third time in four games and evened their three-game series with the Rays heading into Wednesday's finale.Kevin Millwood tossed seven innings of a no-decision, striking out eight and allowing two runs, and Stephen Pryor handled the final 1 2/3 innings for the win.Seattle infielder Kyle Seager initiated the comeback in the ninth with a single, finishing 2-for-4 while scoring the tying run...England midfielder Frank Lampard admits the stars of the Premier League can learn something from the spirit which helped carry Britain's athletes to their best showing at an Olympic Games in over a century.Team GB's haul of 65 medals, including 29 gold, was their best performance since London first hosted the Games in 1908, and their success has been seen as a major boost to the nation as a whole.But after 17 days toasting the feats of Team GB, many people now appear to be dreading the prospect of the start of a new football season, with the supposedly over-paid and over-hyped stars of the Premier League dominating the headlines once again.Speaking on the eve of England's friendly international against Italy in the Swiss capital Bern, Lampard defended football's reputation, but admitted that there are lessons for the game to learn. 
abercrombie and fitch uk"The Olympics was a fantastic occasion and we were fortunate to hold it, and hold it so well," he said."You get the obvious comparisons. We know we have our failures in football, and as people everybody has them."The atmosphere of the crowd and the interaction of the different countries together was great to see. I think if we all can take lessons from the Olympics then we will be better for it."The Chelsea star said he felt "very lucky" to attend the Olympic Stadium and witness Usain Bolt's triumph in the 200m and the world record-breaking run to 800m gold by Kenya's David Rudisha, but insisted that there are plenty of reasons why football will always remain unique."I think its natural to compare football and Team GB. Team GB performed very well and in a very sportsman-like way," he said."The atmosphere at football is a different thing completely when you're in a stadium. It can be more hostile on the pitch and off the pitch."I think we all love football for what it is and if you took that away it wouldn't be the same. In football we're all born with our allegiances and it becomes like a religion to people who watch it."I'm sure in two months we will be back to normal but let's hope we learn a few lessons at the same time."....Three years after its near collapse, US auto maker Chrysler has pulled back into market contention 
abercrombie sale ukhelped not just by snazzy new models but also a revolution on the factory floor.Hundreds of small changes in production, more than any radical technology, has increased flexibility and output and brought once at-odds workers and management back on the same page, according to employees."You wouldn't believe this plant -- four years ago it looked like a dungeon. Now it's beautiful, clean," said Robert Figlioli, a tradesman at Chrysler's Jefferson North plant in Detroit.Jefferson North is nothing like what it was before Chrysler tanked with the economy in 2007, eventually requiring a $13 billion government rescue that left it in the hands of Italy's Fiat after it came out of bankruptcy restructuring.The specter of workers losing their jobs has also led to an acknowledgment of financial reality, with wages for new employees being half of what they would have been before the crisis.But today, the plant hums with the feel of a high-tech firm: the aisles are clear and clean and the entrance has a giant poster with the four letters JEEP -- one of Chrysler's brands -- and the faces of hundreds of smiling employees."The environment is important -- to have a house that is clean with nice colors makes a difference," said Chrysler official Scott Tolmie."We want that Apple store look -- it makes people want to work here."Scott is one of those responsible for Chrysler's WCM Academy -- for World Class Manufacturing -- that was launched in January to implement Fiat's three-year-old approach to modern car-making.It is inspired by Toyota's renowned hyper-efficient "just in time" production method, 
abercrombie ukwhich aims to maximize efficiencies of parts supply and delivery and capitalize on employee input to keep costs lower and quality high.Posters shouting "I am WCM" decorate the pillars around the factory, which turns out the popular Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango SUVs.For workers, WCM means new tasks, like keeping their work stations clean and machinery painted in like-new condition."It actually helps the operator -- you're working with pride. In the long run the pride is going to show," said Figlioli who is the vice president of the United Auto Workers union local and has worked at Chrysler for two decades.It represents a broader change in the working environment, he said.People are coming to work with better attitudes: they have more say on the job, there is more focus on workplace safety. In return, management is more willing to listen to and implement worker ideas, said Figlioli.WCM, which Fiat says has saved the group hundreds of millions of dollars over the first half of the year, is not about technology and automation. The role of workers is the focus.The academy trains them to use equipment and studies how they work to boost efficiency in movement."In the 1980s the trend was to have unmanned factories. That didn't work," said Chrysler spokesman Gualberto Ranieri.The revival and changes have meant sacrifices for the workforce, however -- new workers earn half the wages of pre-crisis levels, but Figlioli says it has been necessary."The majority of the personnel has accepted this change," he said."We were coming out of a bankruptcy. If we wanted our job, we had to make a change. The people in this plant know that if they don't perform, their plant can close."

== NCAA investigating relationship between LeBron James' agent and Texas guard Myck Kabongo ==

NCAA investigating relationship between LeBron James' agent and Texas guard Myck Kabongo
Louis Vuitton Alma M4032N The NCAA is looking into the possibility that Rich Paul, the representative of Miami Heat star LeBron James, provided improper benefits to University of Texas sophomore guard Myck Kabongo, sources told Yahoo! Sports. James and two former Texas Longhorns – Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson and San Antonio Spurs guard Cory Joseph – are represented by Paul's new management company, Klutch Sports. Paul also called NBA front offices on behalf of Kabongo before this year's NBA draft, sources said. "We're aware of the situation," Texas basketball media relations official Scott McConnell said. "But we have not heard any decisions from the NCAA." McConnell declined further comment but confirmed that the NCAA has interviewed Kabongo, and said the Texas compliance department was aware of the issue. "At the end of the day, here's the main thing, it's no crime to have a relationship with the kid," Paul told Yahoo! Sports. "Of course, I know Myck through Tristan and Cory. I haven't been contacted by the NCAA and I wouldn't put a kid in harm's way. My time in Cleveland was getting [former University of Kentucky star] Michael Kidd-Gilchrist prepared for the draft. I live in Cleveland. "I would never disrespect anybody's program. I love the game of basketball. 
Louis Vuitton Alma M40453 I understand the business of basketball, but I'm about doing it the right way." One element of what sources describe as a wide-ranging NCAA probe centers on whether Paul played a role in Kabongo traveling to Cleveland this spring on a trip that included at least one workout with New York-based professional trainer, Jerry Powell. At issue, potentially, is who paid for Kabongo's travel and expenses, and whether Powell's training was provided without cost. Powell told Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday that an NCAA investigator contacted him recently about the probe into Paul and Kabongo. Powell said he worked out Kabongo in Cleveland in May, and that Paul wasn't in the gymnasium. "I told the NCAA my side of the story," Powell told Yahoo! Sports. "I'm sure Myck told his side. I'm not trying to ruin nobody's eligibility. It's never been about anything but workouts with me. I'm a trainer. That's all. I'm not aligned with anybody. I'm my own person. I don't get caught up with any of that." Powell told Yahoo! Sports that he had a previous relationship with Kabongo through "someone I know who [Kabongo] played a tournament with once." Powell did not disclose who that person is, why he had traveled to Cleveland or how the workout was arranged.
Louis Vuitton Alma MM M40447 "After [the workout] was over, I just went back to my hotel room," Powell said. "I'm not aligned with Rich. I did the workout. That's all I did." An agent is allowed to have a relationship with a prospect and his family, but providing or promising financial benefits could place the player's college eligibility in peril. If the NCAA uncovers violations, Kabongo's eligibility could be compromised. Kabongo and Thompson are childhood friends from Toronto, who attended the same high schools in New Jersey and Nevada before ultimately going to the University of Texas. Thompson was a rookie with the Cavaliers during the 2011-12 NBA season while Kabongo was a freshman at Texas. Powell said Paul was present for a predraft workout of Kidd-Glichrist in New York last spring, but not with Kabongo in Cleveland. Kidd-Gilchrist is a Creative Artists Agency client with whom Paul worked closely within the past year. After four years working in CAA's basketball division, Paul left the company in September and has applied with the National Basketball Players Association to be a registered player agent. At the same time, James left CAA and made Paul his agent. After Kabongo's freshman season at Texas, Paul called several NBA front-office executives on the player's behalf to gauge where Kabongo, a point guard, might be picked in the 2012 NBA draft, front-office sources told Yahoo! Sports. 
Louis Vuitton Alma MM M40626 Kabongo had been largely viewed as a second-round draft pick after starting 34 games for Texas a season ago, but several executives told Y! Sports he'll likely be a first-round pick in 2013 should he make the normal improvement. Draftexpress.com rates Kabongo as the 20th overall draft pick in its 2013 mock draft. At CAA, Paul hadn't been registered as an agent, but was active in recruiting several players to the agency – including Thompson and former Syracuse guard Jonny Flynn – and he communicated with NBA front offices in several agent-related capacities, league sources said. Bylaw 12.3 of the NCAA rulebook covers agent interaction. "A student-athlete … may not agree verbally or in writing to be represented by an athlete agent in the present or in the future for the purpose of marketing the student-athlete's ability or reputation," the bylaw states. "If the student-athlete enters into such an agreement, the student-athlete is ineligible for intercollegiate competition. "Also, a student-athlete may not accept transportation or other benefits from an athlete agent. This prohibition applies to the student-athlete and his or her relatives or friends." If a violation occurs, the athlete's school "must declare the student-athlete ineligible for intercollegiate competition," the NCAA's website states. 
Louis Vuitton Alma BB M91697 "The institution decides to ask for the reinstatement of the student-athlete's eligibility and sends a request to the NCAA staff. "At a minimum, the student-athlete will be required to repay the value of the impermissible benefits and will be withheld from a certain number of contests, based on case precedent." A student-athlete may also violate NCAA legislation even if the financing of the event comes from his or her former teammate under preferential treatment legislation. NCAA Bylaw 12.1.2.1.6 prohibits "preferential treatment, benefits or services because of the individual's athletics reputation or skill or pay-back potential as a professional athlete, unless such treatment, benefits or services are specifically permitted under NCAA legislation." NCAA spokesperson Stacey Osburn declined comment Wednesday, citing the organization's policy prohibiting comment on current, pending or potential investigations. Two weeks of the season have already been cancelled and when the NHL and NHLPA met recently, it wasn’t to discuss the core issues that are driving a wedge between them. These are two sides that have already blown up an entire year in the name of solidarity. It doesn’t appear any real progress has even started to be made this time, either. The constant bickering is sickening and embarrassing.What’s it all for? 
Louis Vuitton Alma BB M91696Anyone who cares to honestly look at the situation for what it is will deduce both players and owners are equally to blame. And if you aren’t willing to concede that, who cares? Both sides have every right to ask for what they’ve been asking for, but no solution will be made until compromise and compassion enter the lexicon. This isn’t an “I’m right, you’re wrong” reality – it’s a scenario where the owners need an adjustment, the players have to realize they aren’t entitled to everything an expired agreement entitled them to and that when they refuse to work together, they make no money and the fans they claim to care about lose.For weeks, mortars of malice have dropped all around the negotiations – misleading arguments to try and sway public opinion; or snotty, sarcastic remarks running down a disagreeable opponent. It’s all part of the game, all part of the process. But as the shenanigans escalate without peaceful progress being made, we could find the nuclear option on the table again in a few short months.The NBA and NFL went through the same game of vitriol, but at least they solved it before an entire year was erased from history.Blind partisanship distorts the issues at hand, disrespecting and misinforming the masses. Nothing about it is helpful toward a conclusion.
Louis Vuitton Alma BB M91557 As more games get cancelled, more fans will become turned off by the insincerity of it all. Many have already checked out of the debate.Hockey is in dire need of inspiration. More than ever, hockey leadership needs the people who will step out of the echo chamber and promote the unpopular opinions. Are any players in closed-door meetings speaking out in recognition of the fact they’ll have to give back? That they’re not going to receive 57 percent of revenues for happily ever after because it was the agreement once upon a time? And are any of these supposed owners who can’t afford or don’t want a lockout, but who apparently back the tactic of shutting down the league, voicing their concerns over the ridiculous way the NHL runs and negotiates its business? Who knows where the real truth to this lies. But hockey will never be big-league in the USA if it continues to operate with such bush-league, winner-take-all, pre-PA mentalities.Late Calgary owner Harley Hotchkiss helped bridge the gap that closed the last lockout, but who will carry that torch this time, and will he rise up only after it’s too late? Damage has already been done – irreparable damage is on the horizon.It’s great the players are more educated and active in the proceedings this time around. And it’s great the owners seem to have budged somewhat off their initially degrading proposal. But none of it means a lick until they and their supporters get honest and recognize the others’ right to either adjust the economic landscape from an elapsed deal, or not give up freedoms of employment.
Louis Vuitton Wilshire PM M91725The Philadelphia Phillies provided a good home for Raul Ibanez from 2009 to 2011. Phillies fans like myself made "Rauuulll" one of our favorite chants, and regarded Ibanez as one of our most important leaders. But for all he accomplished in three years at Philadelphia, he will now forever be known as a New York Yankee after the events of Oct. 10. Ibanez was languishing on the bench while the Yankees seemed destined to face a 2-1 ALDS deficit to the Baltimore Orioles. But instead of watching Alex Rodriguez strike out yet again, manager Joe Girardi sent Ibanez in to pinch hit in the ninth inning - where he promptly delivered a game-tying home run. Three innings later, he crushed another pitch into the second deck to give the Yankees a stunning 3-2 Game 3 win. The Phillies never even saw Ibanez show that kind of power in three years. The fact that he did it for the Yankees makes it hurt even more that he is gone, no matter how necessary it might have been. Yet the end result has him as New York's latest October hero, while Philadelphia watches and wonders what might have been. Since Ibanez turned 40 this season and had his contract expire last year, the Phillies didn't give his departure much thought. Technically, they did need him gone so they could work out other, younger left field options, like Dominic Brown and John Mayberry Jr. But it has been one year later,

== We Lost Florida To Obama In  Presidential Election ==

We Lost Florida To Obama In  Presidential Election
    [http://www.louisvuittoncheapmall.com louis vuitton outlet] Mitt Romney's campaign said that President Barack Obama won the  state of Florida in the race for the White House.<br>
  The Miami Herald reports that Romney adviser Brett  Doster said in a statement, &quot;The numbers in Florida show this was  winnable,&quot; and added, &quot;We thought based on our polling and range of  organization that we had done what we needed to win. Obviously, we didn’t, and for  that I and every other operative in Florida has a sick feeling that we left  something on the table. I can assure you this won’t happen again.&quot;<br>
  [http://www.louisvuittoncheapmall.com cheap louis vuitton outlet] The Sunshine State has 29 electoral votes. Going into Election Day,  polls showed Romney and Obama running extremely competitively against one  another.<br>
  The president carried Florida in his campaign against then-GOP presidential nominee John McCain in 2008.<br>
  Romney delivered a concession speech early on  Wednesday, just after midnight even though the outcome of the race in Florida  was uncertain at the time. It was clear that the president had won enough  electoral votes to secure another term in the White House.<br>
  [http://www.louisvuittoncheapmall.com louis vuitton online outlet] &quot;I ran for office because I'm concerned for America,&quot;  Romney said, &quot;Like so many of you, Paul and I have left everything on the  field. We have given our all to this campaign.&quot;

== Ex aide: Petraeus focusing on family ==

Ex aide: Petraeus focusing on family
<p><a href="http://www.bigsaleboots.co.uk">fake  uggs</a> &quot;He wants to maintain a distance and focus on his family at this  time,&quot; said retired Col. Peter Mansoor, who added that he had spoken  earlier in the day with Petraeus. &quot;He realizes it was a severe and morally  reprehensible action, but he violated no laws,&quot; Mansoor said. The affair  between the married former military man and his married biographer, Paula  Broadwell, ended about four months ago, Mansoor said, though the two remained  in contact afterward. &quot;Mostly in a professional capacity, where she's  still trying to get her dissertation done and he was still trying to help her  with that,&quot; he said. Asked how Petraeus is holding up, Mansoor said,  &quot;He describes it as putting one foot in front of the other, and then  repeating the process. So it's going to be a long, long road of healing for  them. He understands that and he's focusing on it.&quot; Mansoor's remarks came  hours after President Barack Obama declined Wednesday to join congressional  voices calling for an investigation into why the FBI did not notify the White  House and other political leaders sooner about the investigation into the  affair that led to Petraeus' resignation. &quot;I am withholding judgment with  respect to how the entire process surrounding Gen. Petraeus came up,&quot;  Obama told reporters at the White House. &quot;We don't have all the  information yet, but I want to say I have a lot of confidence generally in the  FBI. So I'm going to wait and see.&quot; Obama said he agreed with Petraeus'  decision to resign after acknowledging an affair, but praised his service to  the country. &quot;From my perspective, at least, he has provided this country  an extraordinary service,&quot; Obama said. He also said he had seen no  evidence of any potentially damaging breach in national security stemming from  the affair.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bigsaleboots.co.uk">fake  uggs uk</a> &quot;I have no evidence at this point from what I've seen that  classified information was disclosed that in any way would have had a negative  impact on our national security,&quot; Obama said. In Congress, lawmakers from  both parties have complained about not having been notified sooner of the  investigation that led to the resignation or about potential security breaches.  Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, said he was increasingly concerned about  the potential fallout from the affair and any national security implications,  including possible links to the September 11 attack on the U.S. Consulate in  Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans. Graham has called for a special  select committee to investigate the attack. FBI Director Robert Mueller joined  Deputy Director Sean Joyce and acting CIA Director Mike Morell in briefing the  lawmakers. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein,  D-California, said Tuesday that she had &quot;many questions about the nature  of the FBI investigation, how it was instituted.&quot; &quot;And we'll be  asking those questions,&quot; she said. But the committee's ranking Republican  member, Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, said Wednesday the group would not  look into questions about the FBI investigation and how congressional leaders  learned about it until after the bureau concludes its work. Petraeus has been  scheduled to testify this week in private hearings on Capitol Hill about the  Benghazi attack. Some Republicans have criticized the administration's response  to the attack and have speculated that the timing of Petraeus' departure may  have been linked to the congressional inquiry. But Petraeus offered Wednesday  through his chief of staff to testify on Benghazi, Mansoor said. &quot;He did  not like the conspiracies going around that somehow he had something to hide on  Benghazi,&quot; he said. &quot;I think his offer to testify crossed with the  Congress' request to him to testify. But anyway, he looks forward to  that.&quot;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.perfectwintergift.com">cheap  ugg boots online</a> Petraeus will testify before the House Intelligence  Committee on Friday, a senior aide said. Feinstein said Tuesday that she hoped  Petraeus would address the panel as early as Friday. Secretary of Defense Leon  Panetta on Wednesday defended his request to withhold the nomination of Gen.  John Allen to NATO commander pending an investigation into his contacts with  Jill Kelley, whose complaints about anonymous, harassing e-mails led to the  discovery of Petraeus' affair with Broadwell. Broadwell's government security  clearance has been suspended pending the outcome of investigations, two U.S.  officials with direct knowledge of the move told CNN Wednesday. Defense  officials announced Tuesday that the FBI had referred information to them  indicating Allen may have exchanged potentially inappropriate e-mails with  Kelley, who was a volunteer at MacDill Air Force Base. Kelley's access to  MacDill without an escort has been suspended, a Defense Department official  said Wednesday. She had been given access to the base because of her position  as a booster and promoter of programs to help U.S. troops, the official said. A  U.S. official familiar with the e-mails Allen sent to Kelley described them as  warranting the investigation. &quot;If they got out, John Allen would be very  embarrassed by them,&quot; said the official, who added that there was no  evidence of physical contact between the two. The official said that the e-mails  under investigation -- which have been called &quot;potentially inappropriate&quot;  -- are from Allen. But a senior official close to Allen told CNN on Tuesday  that the e-mails contained nothing pointing to sex or anything of a romantic  nature. Allen may have said, informally, &quot;thanks sweetheart&quot; in an  e-mail, the official close to Allen said.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.perfectwintergift.com">cheap  uggs</a> &quot;Anyone who knows him knows his style; he has a habit of replying  to every single e-mail (he is sent). Kelley would e-mail his business and  personal accounts,&quot; the official said. It will be up to the Defense  Department's inspector general to decide if the e-mails' content represents  conduct unbecoming an officer, said a third source, a senior U.S. official. Allen  has yet to be questioned by Defense Department inspector general staff, but  that could be completed in days, a U.S. official with knowledge of the  investigation said. Allen, who was once stationed at the base, has denied  wrongdoing, a senior defense official said. In a statement, Col. John Baker,  the chief defense counsel of the Marine Corps, said Allen &quot;fully intends  to cooperate&quot; with the inspector general's investigators. Broadwell's  anonymous e-mail to Allen was sent after May, perhaps in June, the official  said. The e-mail, which had also been sent to a number of other officers, bore  the handle &quot;kelleypatrol -- or something similar,&quot; the official said.  He described the e-mail as &quot;a warning that Kelley was a seductress or  something along those lines&quot; and said it was vaguely threatening, but  above all weird. &quot;Allen did not know it was (from) Broadwell,&quot; the  official said. The official also said it was unclear when Kelley went to the  FBI or whether Allen's warning to her was the trigger, but that Allen saw  nothing in the e-mail's wording to warrant referral by him to the FBI. Kelley's  version differs from one offered by the senior official close to Allen, who  said it was Allen who received an anonymous e-mail about Kelley, and tipped her  off that someone was threatening her. One of the sources familiar with Kelley  said she first mentioned the alleged harassment in a casual conversation with  an FBI agent whom she knew socially. She did not seek him out for action on the  matter, but he was happy to help, the source said. The source added that Kelley  did not know at first that the e-mails led to Petraeus.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.salewinterboots.com">uggs  on sale</a> A source familiar with Kelley's version of events said the  anonymous e-mails traced to Broadwell began in June. It wasn't until two months  later that the FBI told Kelley who had sent the e-mails, said the source,  adding that Kelley does not know Broadwell. Kelley, 37, and her husband have  released a statement saying they have been friends with Petraeus and his family  for more than five years and asked for privacy. A source close to Kelley said  Wednesday that Kelley said she had not had a sexual relationship with Petraeus  or Allen. In mid-May, Allen got the first anonymous e-mail from someone using  the handle &quot;Kelleypatrol&quot; that maligned Kelley and warned him to be  wary of her, the source said. Allen forwarded it to Kelley, thinking she might  have sent it as a joke, but she told him she had not, the source continued. The  move to delay Allen's nomination was &quot;a prudent measure until we can  determine what the facts are, and we will,&quot; Panetta told reporters  Wednesday. &quot;No one should leap to any conclusions.&quot; He said Allen  &quot;certainly has my continued confidence to lead our forces,&quot; a view  shared by Obama, White House spokesman Jay Carney said. That Allen remains in  command in Afghanistan suggests that there is no criminal issue, a U.S.  official told CNN. But the official said the Defense Department's inspector  general could still find evidence of criminal conduct. Kelley has not responded  publicly to the latest news. Both Allen and Petraeus appear to know Kelley's  sister, Natalie Khawam. The men wrote letters in support of the sister in a  custody battle, court records show. On Monday, FBI agents were at Broadwell's  home in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to spokeswoman Shelley Lynch. She  declined to say what the agents were doing there. A source told CNN national  security contributor Fran Townsend that Broadwell was acting as Petraeus'  archivist and that the FBI went to the house to look for any documents she  might have. It was not clear, the source said, whether any of the material was  classified.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.salewinterboots.com">cheap  uggs for sale</a> As a commissioned officer in the military reserves, Broadwell  would have had &quot;secret&quot; or &quot;top secret&quot; security clearance,  military officials said. Access to information would have depended on what she  needed to know to carry out an assigned task, said the officials, who would not  go on the record about a matter involving an ongoing investigation. Broadwell  has said that she was working on a second book about Petraeus. Her LinkedIn  profile lists her as &quot;Archivist/Biographer for General (Retired) David  Petreaus.&quot; Her first book, &quot;All In,&quot; was about Petraeus'  leadership. Broadwell has spoken about how she had to deal with sensitive  information in the course of researching the first book. &quot;I had to follow  very clear lines of non-disclosure and sign non-disclosure agreements, like my  colleagues. I felt like I was almost held to a higher level of accountability  because I could lose my clearance,&quot; Broadwell said in a speech last year.  &quot;I think it was important to inform my writing, but I knew there was a  clear line that I couldn't cross when I was writing it out.&quot; Petraeus has  said he never shared classified information with Broadwell, said retired  military officer John Nagl, who cited conversations in recent days with Petraeus.  Broadwell, a military intelligence reservist, is assigned to West Point, the  Army's military academy, according to her service record, which lists her  assignment as &quot;United States Military Academy Staff &amp; Faculty.&quot;  In August, she was promoted to lieutenant colonel. The Internet has been abuzz  over a speech by Broadwell in which she suggested the Libya attack last  September 11 was targeting a secret prison at the Benghazi consulate annex,  raising unverified concerns about possible security leaks. &quot;I don't know  if a lot of you have heard this, but the CIA annex had actually taken a couple  of Libyan militia members prisoner and they think that the attack on the  consulate was an effort to get these prisoners back,&quot; she said last month  in a speech at the University of Denver. A senior intelligence official said no  prisoners had been held at the annex. Broadwell did not provide a source for  her information, and no evidence has emerged that it came from Petraeus. Administration  officials have said the Benghazi assault was a terrorist attack.</p>

== Syria Orders More Airstrikes and Calls  French Recognition of Rebels ‘Immoral’ ==

Syria Orders More Airstrikes and Calls  French Recognition of Rebels ‘Immoral’
<p><a href="http://www.louisvuittoncheapmall.com">louis vuitton outlet</a> PARIS —  The Syrian authorities on Wednesday ordered airstrikes close to the tense  Turkish border for the third consecutive day, and said a French decision to  recognize and consider arming a newly formed coalition of Syrian government  opponents was an “immoral” act “encouraging the destruction of Syria.” “This is an  immoral position because it allows the killing of Syrians,” said Faisal  al-Miqdad, Syria’s deputy foreign minister, according to Agence France-Presse.  “They are supporting killers, terrorists, and they are encouraging the  destruction of Syria.” On Tuesday, France became the first Western nation to  fully embrace the new umbrella organization, the National Coalition of Syrian  Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, which came together last weekend under  Western pressure after days of difficult negotiations in Doha, Qatar. On  Wednesday, President François Hollande of France invited the leader of the  group, Sheik Ahmad Moaz al-Khatib, to Paris for talks, Reuters reported. Mr.  Miqdad was harshly critical of the coalition, saying its plans for Syria  amounted to a declaration of war. He faulted the group for rejecting dialogue  and the mechanisms of the United Nations to solve the problem. The Syrian  president, Bashar al-Assad, has said he is committed to a United Nations’  cease-fire plan, but his forces have violated it repeatedly. The six Arab  countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, including the opposition supporters  Qatar and Saudi Arabia, recognized the rebel coalition on Monday as the  legitimate Syrian government. The United States, however, has withheld that  level of recognition.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.louisvuittoncheapmall.com">cheap louis vuitton outlet</a> In a  news conference on Wednesday, President Obama said, “I’m encouraged to see that  the Syrian opposition created an umbrella group that may have more cohesion  than they’ve had in the past.” “We consider them a legitimate representative of the aspirations of  the Syrian people,” he added. “We’re not yet prepared to recognize them as some  sort of government in exile, but we do think that it is a broad-based  representative group.” He said that two crucial issues for the United States  were “making sure that that opposition is committed to a democratic Syria, an  inclusive Syria, a moderate Syria,” and keeping any flow of arms from reaching  extremist elements “who would do Americans harm, or do Israelis harm, or  otherwise engage in actions that are detrimental to our national security.” In  Perth, Australia, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced $30  million in American humanitarian aid to feed Syrians affected by the civil war,  bringing the total American assistance to almost $200 million. The airstrikes  on Wednesday underscored the urgency of diplomatic maneuvers. Journalists near  the Turkish border town of Ceylanpinar said they had witnessed a Syrian  airstrike in the adjacent Syrian town of Ras al-Ain, where rebels say they have  ousted troops loyal to Mr. Assad. It was the third such strike there in the  last three days. In response, Reuters reported, Turkey scrambled fighter jets  to its southeastern border with Syria, underlining Turkey’s insistence that it  will not refrain from a tougher reaction. The fighting has also pressed against  the Israeli border, near the Golan Heights. Israel has fired twice into Syria  in recent days after taking Syrian mortar fire, claiming a direct hit on Syrian  artillery units on Monday.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.louisvuittoncheapmall.com">louis vuitton online store</a> On  Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak of  Israel visited the Golan Heights, according to The Associated Press, and Mr.  Barak said most of the Syrian villages near the border were under rebel  control. “The Syrian Army is displaying ever-diminishing efficiency,” The A.P.  quoted Mr. Barak as saying. The Russian foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, met  in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with his counterparts from the six Gulf Cooperation  Council nations, but failed to agree on an approach to end the violence. Russia  has blocked repeated Security Council efforts to pressure the Syrian government  to halt its bloody crackdown as a conflict that began peacefully in early 2011  has deteriorated into civil war, with a death toll of roughly 40,000. At a news  conference in Riyadh, Mr. Lavrov condemned the bloodshed as “outrageous,”  Reuters reported, but criticized the new opposition coalition as failing to  include the opposition within the country. “Without attracting the internal  opposition,” Reuters quoted him as saying, “it is hard to believe that this  process is inclusive.” Neil MacFarquhar contributed reporting from Beirut,  Lebanon. WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama offered a robust defense of his  United Nations ambassador, Susan Rice, who is seen as a front-runner for  secretary of state, in response to fierce Republican attacks leveled earlier  Wednesday. Mr. Obama also is considering Sen. John Kerry (D., Mass.) and  possibly others for the cabinet position. He said at an afternoon news  conference he hadn't decided who should succeed departing Secretary of State  Hillary Clinton, but said he would nominate Ms. Rice if he concluded she was  the best person for the job.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.louisvuittoncheapmall.com">louis vuitton shop online</a> On  Wednesday morning, Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John  McCain of Arizona said they would do whatever they could to block her potential  nomination. They cited Ms. Rice's role in the controversy over the attack on  the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Ms. Rice initially told television  programs that the attack was the result of a protest against an anti-Islamic  video that was distributed on the Web rather than a terrorist attack. &quot;I  am dead set on making sure we don't promote anybody that was an essential  player in the Benghazi debacle,&quot; Mr. Graham said. The White House has said  it provided information about Benghazi as it became available, and that Ms.  Rice was accurately saying what the intelligence suggested at the time. Mr.  Kerry, another leading contender to succeed Mrs. Clinton, is chairman of the  Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is well-regarded inside the White House  for his work in the presidential debate preparations. One option, U.S.  officials said, is for the president to nominate Mr. Kerry as defense secretary  and Ms. Rice for state. The current defense chief, Leon Panetta, isn't expected  to depart immediately, but also isn't expected to serve the full, four-year  second term. Mr. Obama also must find a new CIA director after the resignation  of David Petraeus, and he needs a successor for Treasury Secretary Tim  Geithner, who is expected to depart soon. On Wednesday, Mr. Obama didn't say  whom he planned to appoint to these posts, but said he wouldn't be influenced  by GOP threats. &quot;If Sen. McCain and Sen. Graham and others want to go  after somebody, they should go after me,&quot; Mr. Obama said. &quot;But for  them to go after the U.N. ambassador, who had nothing to do with Benghazi and  was simply making a presentation based on intelligence that she had received  and to besmirch her reputation, is outrageous.&quot; Mr. Graham responded,  &quot;Given what I know now, I have no intention of promoting anyone who is up  to their eyeballs in the Benghazi debacle.&quot; Officials close to Ms. Rice  said on Wednesday that they still believed she is the front-runner to succeed  Mrs. Clinton, but added that the deliberations over Mr. Obama's new national  security team remains &quot;fluid.&quot; Some Obama allies see a Rice  nomination as requiring an expenditure of political capital that isn't  necessary, given the Sen. Kerry alternative. &quot;It's a higher risk, and I  guess I don't see what the big gain is there,&quot; said one Democrat close to  the White House.</p>

== House GOP Raps Corzine Over MF ==

House GOP Raps Corzine Over MF
<p><a href="http://www.uggoutletonlinestore.co.uk">ugg boots sale uk genuine</a> WASHINGTON—House  Republicans rebuked former MF Global Holdings Ltd. MFGLQ +2.94% Chief Executive  Jon S. Corzine for making what they say were poor decisions that led to the  firm's collapse, but the lawmakers stopped short of saying anyone at the  company broke the law. In a three-page news release, delivered ahead of a  longer report expected Thursday, the House Financial Services Subcommittee on  Oversight and Investigations disclosed little about the eighth-largest  bankruptcy in U.S. history that hadn't already been covered in numerous  congressional hearings and a June report by an MF Global bankruptcy trustee. Mr.  Corzine, a former Democratic senator and New Jersey governor, has faced  widespread criticism from lawmakers but no criminal charges in connection with  the collapse. MF Global filed for bankruptcy protection a year ago, and  customers of the futures firm are still owed an estimated $1.6 billion. &quot;Choices  made by Jon Corzine during his tenure as chairman and CEO sealed MF Global's  fate,&quot; Rep. Randy Neugebauer, a Republican from Texas and the chairman of  the investigative subcommittee, said in written remarks. A spokesman for Mr.  Corzine said that &quot;all of the firm's significant business decisions…were  subject to review, debate and approval&quot; by MF Global's board. &quot;At all  times, Mr. Corzine acted in good faith and did what he believed was necessary  to turn around MF Global.&quot; The spokesman, Steven Goldberg, said that the  panel didn't find any evidence of &quot;intentional wrongdoing&quot; and that  Mr. Corzine was working to turn around an already-failing business.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.uggoutletonlinestore.co.uk/UGG-5225-Ultra-Short">Cheap ugg  boots online</a> The subcommittee is expected on Thursday to release its more  comprehensive findings, based on more than 50 witness interviews and the review  of more than 243,000 documents. The report was supported by Republicans on the  subcommittee, but the leading Democrat, Rep. Mike Capuano of Massachusetts,  said he wouldn't support it because he hadn't had enough time to review it.  &quot;While I agree with a number of the report's observations and  recommendations, others require additional commentary,&quot; he said. The  subcommittee said its investigation concluded that the circumstances that led  to a misappropriation of customer funds were Mr. Corzine's responsibility, but  that it would be up to regulators and prosecutors to determine whether he or  other employees violated any laws. &quot;By expanding MF Global into new  business lines without first returning its core commodities business to  profitability, Corzine ensured that the company would face enormous resource  demands and exposed it to new risks that it was ill-equipped to handle,&quot;  the document released Wednesday states. The panel, according to Wednesday's  document, also took issue with Mr. Corzine's handling of the firm's chief risk  officer, who raised concerns that the European bond bet favored by Mr. Corzine  had grown too large. Mr. Corzine &quot;effectively sidelined&quot; that risk  officer by making him report to the chief operating officer instead of to him,  the panel found. Mr. Goldberg disputed the subcommittee's characterization that  Mr. Corzine directed the reporting shift. He said it was recommended by senior  legal and compliance officials at the firm.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.uggoutletonlinestore.co.uk/UGG-5854-Classic-Mini">Ugg Boots  Online Shop</a> Some of the findings reiterated what bankruptcy trustee James  Giddens said in a June report on the firm, including that Mr. Corzine's  aggressive trading strategy and a lack of internal oversight led to MF Global's  downfall. The subcommittee also recommended that Congress strengthen rules that  would hold executives of futures firms liable for moving customer money. The  Commodity Futures Trading Commission passed a rule in July, dubbed the  &quot;Corzine rule,&quot; that requires futures firms to have a top executive  sign off on any transfers of customer money. The CFTC declined to comment on  the panel's recommendations. The report also will criticize credit-rating firms  for not sufficiently reviewing MF Global filings and address the New York  Federal Reserve's designation of MF Global as a &quot;primary dealer&quot; in  early 2011. The subcommittee said its full report would address the failure of  regulatory agencies &quot;to share critical information with each other about  MF Global.&quot; At the request of Sen. Richard Shelby (R., Ala.), the CFTC's  internal watchdog is also working on a report, expected in the next few months,  about the regulatory handling of MF Global. WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama  said Wednesday he will push for a deal to resolve the year-end fiscal crisis by  raising tax rates on upper-income Americans, while leaving enough wiggle room  to suggest to Republicans that the two sides could still compromise.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.uggoutletonlinestore.co.uk/UGG-5825-Classic-Short">Ugg Boots  Sale Online</a> &quot;With respect to the tax rates, I just want to emphasize:  I am open to new ideas,&quot; he said during a news conference. &quot;If the  Republican counterparts or some Democrats have a great idea for us to raise  revenue, maintain progressivity, make sure the middle class isn't getting hit,  reduces our deficit, encourages growth, I'm not going to just slam the door in  their face.&quot; Congress and the White House are set to begin talks Friday on  a budget deal that would avert the &quot;fiscal cliff,&quot; which economists  predict could send the country back into a recession. Roughly $100 billion in  annual spending cuts and about $400 billion in tax increases on virtually all  working Americans will begin Jan. 2 unless an alternative plan is hatched. Both  sides have spent the week since the election sending signals of their  willingness to compromise. Senior congressional Republicans said Wednesday they  remained optimistic about the prospects for negotiations because Mr. Obama  didn't explicitly draw a red line on raising income-tax rates, which they  oppose. They maintained that view despite the president's decision to start  talks by requesting $1.56 trillion in net tax increases, double what GOP  leaders have been open to accepting in the past. &quot;If you listen closely to  what the president has had to say and listened closely to what I have had to  say, there are no barriers here to sitting down and beginning to work through  this process,&quot; House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) said, citing a  &quot;spirit of cooperation over the last week.&quot;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.uggoutletonlinestore.co.uk/UGG-5815-Classic-Tall">Uggs For  Sale UK</a> After his news conference, Mr. Obama met with a dozen chief  executives of top American companies as part of his effort to seek advice and  support for his deficit-reduction plan. Xerox Corp. XRX -2.02% CEO Ursula Burns  described the meeting as &quot;very constructive,&quot; adding that &quot;going  over the cliff is not something that any of us in the room could live  with.&quot; On taxes, Ms. Burns said the discussion &quot;didn't really get  into too many specifics, but I guarantee you as we go forward we're going to  have to work through some sticking issues.&quot; Mr. Obama committed to the  chief executives, in a tone several described as persuasive, that he would  pursue substantive changes in Medicare and other entitlement programs, which  make up a large portion of federal spending and are projected to grow quickly  as more Americans retire. Aetna Inc. AET -1.66% CEO Mark Bertolini told Mr.  Obama the White House and other policy makers needed to work harder toward  compromise, and said Democrats and Republicans needed to stop talking in such  negative tones. David Cote, the Honeywell Inc. CEO, said Mr. Bertolini was  making the point that &quot;if Republicans and Democrats are going to work  together, everybody needs to be talking with a more conciliatory tone.&quot; But  finding common ground could prove difficult. Mr. Obama sent signals to  Democrats at his news conference that any deal needs to include allowing the  Bush-era tax cuts for the top 2% of income earners to expire at the end of the  year. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.uggoutletonlinestore.co.uk/UGG-5812-Metallic-Tall">Buy Ugg  Boots Online</a> He said while he remains open to other ideas, it would be  difficult to raise the same amount of revenue by closing loopholes and  eliminating deductions that benefit higher-income Americans. &quot;I think he's  absolutely clear that you have to get revenue from high-income earners through  a balanced approach,&quot; said Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D., Md.). &quot;He's  clear the only way he sees the math working is to allow that top rate to go  up.&quot; Mr. Obama's postelection strategy has been aimed at keeping both  parties from running from the negotiating table. His rhetoric, veering at times  between hard and soft lines, is intended to set the tone for a potential deal,  White House officials said. He left the door open, for example, for raising top  rates but not all the way back to Clinton-era levels. Mr. Boehner has shown  openness to changes that would raise fresh tax revenue, but has drawn a line on  raising rates. Mr. Obama has demanded tax-rate increases, while suggesting he  would look at other options for making top earners pay more. His opening bid in  Friday's talks will be to raise $1.56 trillion of revenue over 10 years, with  roughly $1.43 trillion of that coming from higher taxes on the wealthy. Senate  Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said the president must accept cuts  in programs such as Medicare as concessions for GOP openness to more revenues  in a deal.</p>

== U.S. Congress takes aim at FDA over  meningitis outbreak ==

U.S. Congress takes aim at FDA over  meningitis outbreak
<p><a href="http://www.uggonlinesale.co.uk">ugg  boots uk</a> (Reuters) - U.S. Republican lawmakers accused federal health  regulators on Wednesday of failing to prevent a deadly fungal meningitis  outbreak by not acting much earlier to shut down the compounding pharmacy at  the center of the crisis. As Congress began debate on whether new laws are  needed to help the U.S. Food and Drug Administration police the little-known  drug compounding industry, Republicans in a committee hearing warned against  the knee-jerk adoption of new regulation. Instead, Republican members of the  House Energy and Commerce Committee asserted that FDA already had the authority  needed to move against errant pharmacy operations, long before the rare  meningitis cases began appearing in September. Tainted steroid injections  produced over the summer by the New England Compounding Center have killed 32  people and sickened 461 in 19 states so far, according to the U.S. Centers for  Disease Control and Prevention. The numbers are expected to rise, with as many  as 14,000 people having been exposed to the drugs used for back and joint pain.  &quot;After a tragedy like this, the first question we all ask is: could this  have been prevented?&quot; said U.S. Representative Cliff Stearns of Florida.  &quot;The answer here appears to be yes.&quot; Stearns chairs the Energy and  Commerce Committee's subcommittee on oversight and investigations, which held  Wednesday's hearing. A second hearing on the meningitis outbreak is scheduled  for the Democratic-controlled Senate on Thursday. Congressional investigators  are trying to learn why regulators took no action against the Framingham,  Massachusetts-based compounding pharmacy that manufactured the tainted drug -  despite problems dating back to 1999, including adverse patient reactions to a  sterile steroid treatment as early as 2002.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.uggonlinesale.co.uk">uggs  uk</a> Some of Wednesday's contentious four-hour hearing amounted to a  tug-of-war between Republicans skeptical of the need for more federal  regulation, and Democrats and regulators who contend that primary  responsibility for regulating large-scale compounding pharmacies can no longer  be left to states alone. NECC co-owner Barry Cadden also appeared under  subpoena, flanked by two attorneys. He refused to answer questions, invoking  his constitutional rights against self-incrimination six times before being  dismissed. But the centerpiece of the proceedings was a withering attack on FDA  Commissioner Margaret Hamburg by Republicans, who accused her of dodging  questions about the agency's authority and withholding documents sought by  congressional investigators. &quot;This was a complete and utter failure on the  part of your agency,&quot; Stearns told Hamburg, while chastising her for not  answering yes or no when asked if FDA could have shut NECC down before the  company shipped more than 17,000 vials of the steroid methylpredinsolone acetate  to customers in 23 states. &quot;That is a very, very complex question in that  the legal framework for FDA activities is very, very unclear,&quot; responded  Hamburg, telling the panel that FDA authority over pharmacies has been  regularly challenged in legal cases that have led to conflicting federal court  rulings. Republican Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania angrily accused her of not  accepting her responsibilities as a leader, while Lee Terry of Nebraska expressed  exasperation when Hamburg failed to cite federal statutes that might need to  modification.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.salecheapugg.co.uk">uggs</a> &quot;I know that you're frustrated with my answers and I'm sorry. I can't just  give ‘yes or no' answers,&quot; said Hamburg. &quot;We have ambiguous,  fragmented, unclear and contested authorities,&quot; she added. Much of the  lawmakers' concern dealt with agency's reaction to problems at NECC that  cropped up beginning in 2003 and involved FDA and state regulators in  Massachusetts until 2006. That period spanned of time when Republican George W.  Bush was in the White House and defeated Republican presidential candidate Mitt  Romney was the governor of Massachusetts. Hamburg joined the FDA in 2009. Democrats  also criticized the FDA for its failures but still rushed to Hamburg's defense  by saying the real blame should be laid at the feet of NECC and its officers. &quot;I  have a feeling, Dr. Hamburg, that you're being picked on by Republicans because  you're with the Obama administration,&quot; said Henry Waxman, the full House  committee's ranking Democrat. &quot;You're in a no-win situation,&quot; he  said. Hamburg called on Congress to enact new legislation to give FDA clear  authority to regulate large-scale compounding pharmacies and impose stricter  standards with well-defined powers to inspect company records and products. &quot;This  isn't, sadly, an isolated incident. This is the worst and most tragic. It  should be the last wake-up call for us,&quot; Hamburg said of the meningitis  outbreak. &quot;We really need a strong, clear and appropriate legislation. We  cannot have a crazy quilt where different parts of the country are subject to  different legal frameworks.&quot;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.salecheapugg.co.uk">uggs  on sale</a> Drug compounding is a little-known practice in which pharmacists  traditionally alter or recombine drugs to meet the special needs of specific  patients with a doctor's prescription. It is overseen primarily by state  authorities that are often ill-equipped for the job. But in some cases, as with  NECC, compounding has evolved to include large-scale production that some  experts view as drug manufacturing that should be, but currently is not,  subject to FDA regulation. FDA and Massachusetts officials inspected NECC's  labs in 2002 and 2003 after patients were hospitalized with meningitis-like  symptoms. At the time they identified contamination in the same drug at issue  in the current outbreak. &quot;Ten years later, we are in the midst of an  unthinkable, worst-case scenario - the body count is growing by the day - and  hundreds, hundreds - have fallen ill. Inexcusable,&quot; said Fred Upton, the  full committee's Republican chairman. Upton criticized FDA for not providing  all the documents related to NECC or a clear timeline of events. He said his  committee requested both more than a month ago. Waxman called on the committee  to come up with bipartisan legislation before the end of the year, saying that  waiting longer would allow opponents of regulation to muster their forces, as  they have done in the past. But Republicans reacted coolly, with Stearns saying  that passing new legislation would be difficult. &quot;If you don't have the  authority, then we need to make sure it's there,&quot; Upton told Hamburg.  &quot;And it seems pretty reasonable to me that you did have the  authority.&quot;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.salecheapugg.co.uk">cheap  uggs sale</a> The panel also heard testimony from Dr. Lauren Smith,  Massachusetts Department of Public Health interim commissioner, to whom  lawmakers were respectful and complimentary. The Massachusetts Board of  Registration in Pharmacy, which does have oversight of NECC, failed to carry  out sanctions against the company despite repeated problems that culminated in  this year's outbreak. Several lawmakers questioned Smith about relations  between NECC and the Massachusetts pharmacy board, some saying reports of close  ties among individuals could have encouraged state regulators to favor the  interests of pharmacies over patients. Waxman noted that weak sanctions to  which NECC previously agreed occurred when Romney was governor of  Massachusetts. Delivering emotional testimony to kick off the hearing was the  78-year-old widow of a Kentucky judge who was among the first to die in the  meningitis outbreak. &quot;It was such a useless thing that happened to my  husband,&quot; Joyce Lovelace said, testifying from a wheelchair. &quot;I can't  begin to tell you what I have lost,&quot; she said, her voice breaking with  emotion. &quot;I've come here begging you to do something about it.&quot; Democrat  Edward Markey, whose congressional district includes the town where NECC is  located, said Congress would take action. &quot;I commit to you and all the  victims that we will not stop until this industry is safe,&quot; he said.</p>

== Jindal slams Romney for 'gifts' comment  about minorities, young voters ==

Jindal slams Romney for 'gifts' comment  about minorities, young voters
<p><a href="http://www.louisvuittonpriceoff.co.uk/">louis&nbsp;vuitton&nbsp;artsy</a> (CNN) – Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana fiercely shot back at Mitt  Romney’s claim Wednesday that President Barack Obama outmatched the 2012  Republican presidential nominee by offering &quot;gifts&quot; to  African-Americans, Hispanics and young voters. “I absolutely reject  that notion,” Jindal, who was a surrogate for Romney’s campaign, said at the  Republican Governors Association conference in Las Vegas. “I think that's  absolutely wrong.” “I don't think that represents where we are as a party and where  we're going as a party,” he continued. “That has got to be one of the most  fundamental takeaways from this election.” Romney made the comments on a call  with top donors Wednesday afternoon, various news outlets have reported. The  former Massachusetts governor also made similar arguments on a separate call  earlier in the morning, CNN confirmed. &quot;What the president, president's  campaign did was focus on certain members of his base coalition, give them  extraordinary financial gifts from the government, and then work very  aggressively to turn them out to vote,&quot; Romney said in the afternoon call,  according to audio aired on ABC News. Romney, who lost to Obama by 126  electoral votes, said the president courted voters by offering policies - some  of them this election year - that appealed to key constituencies. &quot;With  regards to the young people, for instance, a forgiveness of college loan  interest, was a big gift,&quot; Romney said, according to The New York Times.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.louisvuittonpriceoff.co.uk/Monogram-Canvas-shopping-tfn">louis&nbsp;vuitton&nbsp;canvas&nbsp;bag</a> &quot;Free contraceptives were very big with young college-aged women,&quot; he  continued. &quot;And then, finally, Obamacare also made a difference for them,  because as you know, anybody now 26 years of age and younger was now going to  be part of their parents' plan, and that was a big gift to young people. They  turned out in large numbers, a larger share in this election even than in 2008.&quot;  The president's health care reform plan, he added, also brought out support  from African Americans and Hispanic voters. &quot;You can imagine for somebody  making $25,000 or $30,000 or $35,000 a year, being told you're now going to get  free health care, particularly if you don't have it, getting free health care  worth, what, $10,000 per family, in perpetuity, I mean, this is huge,&quot; he said.  &quot;Likewise with Hispanic voters, free health care was a big plus. But in  addition with regards to Hispanic voters, the amnesty for children of illegals,  the so-called Dream Act kids, was a huge plus for that voting group.&quot; But  Jindal, when asked about Romney’s remarks, said in order for the GOP to be  “competitive,” it has to “go after 100 percent of the votes, not 53 percent. We  need to go after every single vote.” Jindal’s criticism seemed to take latent  swipes at Romney’s “47%” comments that were secretly recorded earlier this  year. At a May fund-raiser, Romney argued that nearly half of Americans were  “victims” who were “dependent” on the government. Those voters, he argued,  sided with Obama. A spokesperson for Romney, who has stayed away from the  public spotlight since losing the election last week, did not return a request  for comment about the call. Romney had another call Wednesday morning with a  couple dozen people who were part of the financial leadership of his campaign,  but he did not make the same “gifts” comment.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.louisvuittonpriceoff.co.uk/Business-shopping-icre">louis&nbsp;vuitton&nbsp;business&nbsp;card&nbsp;holder</a> The former nominee did say on that call that he really respected how the Obama  administration was able to “craft” specific policies that ended up attracting  the support of key demographic groups. He mentioned contraceptive coverage, as  well as student loan policies that were important for young adults, according  to one participant on the call. He said he was sorry and disappointed that he  lost but added his team had put everything it could into the election. “We didn’t  leave anything on the field,” one donor on the call told CNN. He talked about  how turnout was a lot lower this year, mentioning how the president got fewer  votes than he did four years ago and that he got less than the 2008 Republican nominee,  John McCain, received. Romney told the donors he wanted to stay involved in  public policy in some form, but he did not provide any details. Romney's  remarks come after top Republicans in recent days have pushed for a bigger tent  party, saying the GOP learned this election that it has work to do in terms of  demographic changes. &quot;We've got to be a lot more inclusive and open and energetic  and wanting people to join our team by expressing why these conservative values  are good for people of all races, creeds, colors, and national origin,&quot;  Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, previously a top surrogate for Romney, said last  week on CNN's &quot;Erin Burnett OutFront.&quot; &quot;We've just got to do a  better job with that,” said McDonnell.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.louisvuittonpriceoff.co.uk/Weekend-shopping-lai">louis&nbsp;vuitton&nbsp;weekend&nbsp;bag</a> In the presidential race, Obama won 93% of the African-American vote, 71% of  the Latino vote and 60% of those between the ages of 18 and 29. Romney,  meanwhile, took 59% of the white voting bloc, according to CNN exit polls. On  the Democratic side, women and minorities made historic gains this election.  For the first time, women and minorities will outnumber male Democrats in the  House of Representatives. The U.S. Senate will have a record number of women –  20 - when the 113th Congress convenes in January. Romney, on the 20-minute  call, said he was &quot;disappointed&quot; with the final election tally and  &quot;hadn't anticipated it.&quot; Looking ahead, Romney said the party is  &quot;still so troubled by the past (that) it's hard to put together our plans  for the future,&quot; according to The Los Angeles Times, which also appeared  to be on the call. Speaking to the donors, Romney praised them for their  success in fundraising and suggested they help with &quot;perhaps the selection  of a future nominee - which, by the way, will not be me.&quot; The campaign's  finance chairman, Spencer Zwick, said on the call that Romney's team had raised  more than $900 million; Romney added he had not expected to take in more than  $500 million, according to The Los Angeles Times. JERUSALEM — Israel's surprise  air assault on Gaza Strip militants killed the top military commander of Hamas  and set the rivals on a familiar course that could end with another major  confrontation — but in unpredictable new circumstances created by the &quot;Arab  Spring.&quot; Compared with its past campaigns against Hamas, Israel is likely  to find itself more restrained politically and militarily in the new landscape.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.louisvuittonpriceoff.co.uk/Bags-shopping-qao">louis&nbsp;vuitton&nbsp;man&nbsp;bag</a> Rather than being able to count on former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to  help isolate Hamas, as he did during a 22-day operation four years ago, Israel  must weigh whether another large-scale Gaza offensive would endanger the  landmark 1979 peace accord with Egypt, which has long served as a cornerstone  of regional stability. By Wednesday evening, Egypt's new Islamist president,  Mohamed Morsi, announced he was recalling the country's ambassador to Israel to  protest the assault on the Palestinian territory. &quot;It's a completely new  game for Israel,&quot; said Yoram Meital, an Egypt expert at the Herzog Center  for Middle East Studies and Diplomacy at Ben-Gurion University. &quot;The  equation before was between Israel and the Palestinians. Now it's a triangle,  involving Egypt too.&quot; Israel's offensive four years ago killed 1,200  Palestinians, but Mubarak brushed aside his own people's support for besieged  Gazans and helped Israel seal Gaza's border. The course of Israel's military  campaign could be shaped by Morsi's decisions, analysts say. Unlike his deposed  predecessor, Morsi will find it difficult to ignore the anti-Israel mood of the  Egyptian street. Israel is worried Egypt might open the Rafah border crossing  to humanitarian aid or even Islamic fighters to help Gazans, Meital said. &quot;Israel  is taking a very bold risk here because if this campaign continues, it could be  gambling with the relationship with Egypt,&quot; he said.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.louisvuittonpriceoff.co.uk/Travel-Bags-shopping1-tax">louis&nbsp;vuitton&nbsp;duffle&nbsp;bag</a> Both Hamas, which has been emboldened by the new Egyptian government, and  Israel, which has clashed repeatedly with it, will be watching closely to see  whether Morsi comes out more strongly against Israel in the coming days or  adopts a more pragmatic approach, perhaps trying to broker a cease-fire. Besides  public sentiment, Morsi must take into account his relationship with the United  States and other world powers. He is seeking billions of dollars in aid and  investment from the West to help the Egyptian economy. Some analysts say that  even though Morsi will have to respond to be a credible Arab leader, Egyptians  are more concerned with domestic problems. Egyptian tribal leaders have blamed Hamas  and other Palestinian groups for aiding the resurgence of deadly militant  networks in the Sinai peninsula, who have attacked Egyptian government forces  there. Although he recalled his ambassador, Morsi did not immediately comment  in public. But other leaders in the Muslim Brotherhood organization said the  country would not tolerate another Israeli campaign in Gaza. &quot;The brutal  aggression on Gaza proves that Israel has not yet learned that Egypt has  changed,&quot; said Saad Katatni, head of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and  Justice Party. Israeli military officials said the assault could last several  days. The campaign is aimed at &quot;defending the people of Israel who have  been under rocket attack and crippling terrorist organizations'  capabilities,&quot; said Israel Defense Forces spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital  Leibovitz. Tension between Israel and Gaza militants has been mounting for  nearly a week, following a missile attack against an Israeli jeep along the  Gaza border that left four soldiers wounded. In the ensuring back-and-forth  violence, Hamas and other militant groups fired more than 120 rockets and  mortar rounds into southern Israel, injuring several Israeli civilians and  damaging property. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced growing  pressure to move aggressively to stop the attacks, which have terrified nearly  1 million southern Israelis and crippled daily activities. Over the last year,  Hamas, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, has resumed a more hostile stance  toward Israel, betting that Morsi's election would strengthen its hand. After  observing a self-imposed cease-fire for most of the last four years, militants  in recent months increased their attacks on Israel, using new types of weaponry  acquired in Libya last year after the chaotic fall of Moammar Kadafi, such as  antitank and antiaircraft missiles.</p>