Toolbox Of The Small Business Marketing Cycle (Infograph) - MobiAD

One of last year?s more impressive infographics came from the folks at Formstack, the appropriately titled ?Toolbox of the small business marketing cycle?.

The infograph looks at each of the five steps of the marketing cycle, and provides information, recommendations and tools for each stage. Check it out, there are a number of gems for the marketing-savvy small business owner.
Although some of the content may already been known, e.g. graphs showing the increasing of business use of social media marketing since 2002, other facts are quite surprising, e.g. the majority of clicks to websites found on Google come from the top 3 search results!

A handy tip for Twitter revealed that good content and humour are the biggest causes for retweets (with 92% and 84% respectively of people saying these were important), while over-tweeting about yourself and excessive tweeting were listed as the biggest reasons for people to unfollow you.

For those who dismiss the power of social media, the infographic might change your mind - 74% of consumers rely on social networks to help them make a purchase decision (doesn?t seem quite so useless now, does it?)

Most shocking of the statistics is that the average US office worker uses more than 10,000 sheets of printing and copying paper EACH YEAR. A mere 15-25% of business documents are online, showing that despite most consumers? preferences for online documentation (95% of respondents said they prefer online forms over paper), there?s still a huge amount of trees being cut down quite unnecessarily.

To view a larger version of this infographic, visit the Formstack.com site.

Source: http://www.mobiadnews.com/?p=6117

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HTC announces Desire U, 4-inch mid-range device for Taiwan

HTC has just quietly rolled out a spec page for a new device, the mid-range Desire U, targeted at the Taiwan market. Falling in line design-wise with the rest of the recent "One" and "Desire" devices, the Desire U has a smooth plastic body and rounded edges with a classy looking circle design that accents the back plate. On the inside, this device is clearly lower end, with a 1GHz processor, 4GB of (expandable) storage, 512MB of RAM and a 480x800 (WVGA) display. The U has a 1650mAh battery, which should give a good bit of life for a device with these specs.

The device is a Taiwanese listing, so the frequencies on this device are set up for that market -- 900 and 2100MHz HSPA along with 900, 1800 and 1900MHz GPRS/EDGE. No one is likely to import this, but with a striking design and acceptable specs, this low-ranger may do well in specific markets. We're finding unlocked pricing of about $275, which is quite competitive.

Source: HTC (translated)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/AqiJR0MzSNw/story01.htm

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Timeshare Executive Headhunter Keith Trowbridge, Executive ...

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Fort Myers, FL (January 25, 2013) --- Keith W. Trowbridge, Ph.D., President and CEO of Executive Quest, Inc., executive headhunters in the timeshare, vacation.

Source: http://www.insidethegate.com/2013/01/timeshare-executive-headhunter-keith-trowbridge-executive-quest-inc-had-a-strong-year/

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Women allowed in combat: Will that mean it's less safe for men? (+video)

Critics say that opening combat to women will create pressure to lower standards so that women can meet them. Backers say that equal treatment will attract more serious women athletes.

By Anna Mulrine,?Staff writer / January 23, 2013

US Marine and Female Engagement Team leader Sgt. Sheena Adams (l.) and H.N. Shannon Crowley from First Battalion, Eighth Marines sit in an armored vehicle before heading out on an operation from their base at Musa Qala in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province Nov. 13, 2010.

Finbarr O'Reilly/Reuters

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With women now allowed to serve on the front lines, are men going to be more in danger on the battlefield?

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Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has decided to lift the decades-old ban on women in ground combat units.

And will America?s national security be jeopardized by men leaving the infantry in droves because they no longer see it as a tough, elite calling?

These have long been frequently-cited reasons for not allowing women to serve in combat.?

?I think some men will leave the infantry,? says one senior Marine Corps officer. ?You?ve got to ask yourself why most young men join the Marine Corps, especially that group that wants to be infantrymen.?

The answer, in many cases, is to ?shoot stuff and blow things up,? he adds. ?So some percentage of those guys would be like, it wouldn?t be as much fun.?

These arguments are often closely linked to the shared physical hardships that lead to espirit de corps.?

Can a woman carry her fellow soldiers out of danger, or hike long distances lugging heavy packs without falling behind and holding her fellow soldiers back?

?The answer to that is very straightforward: Create a physical fitness standard,? says Anne Coughlin, a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, in Charlottesville, Vir., who is spearheading a conference?Feb. 1 on women in combat in Washington, D.C.?

?That?s all the litigation would ask for, or ? to be candid ? all that we would want.?

Yet some worry that as women fail to meet physical fitness standards, the Pentagon will be tempted to lower them. ?

Recent history suggests that some standards are getting higher. The Marine Corps just got rid of the flexed arm hang for women as a physical fitness standard, and instead implemented pull-ups. Women must complete two pull-ups to pass the physical training (PT) test, and eight to max it out. Men receive the highest scores for 18 pull-ups, and must complete two to pass.

?My great fear is that once they?re open, and there are physical tests and so forth ? you have to be able to bench press this, carry this, hump a 70 lb. rucksack or whatever it is ? then the advocates for women in combat will say, ?Those standards aren?t appropriate,? and they?ll attack the standards,? says Peter Mansoor, professor of military history at the Ohio State University and a former executive officer to Gen. David Petraeus in Iraq.?

?My great fear is not that we open up combat arms positions to women, because I think we should,? he says.?My great fear is that we?ll dumb down the standards because women can?t meet them.?

There?s another possible scenario, and that is that the military will attract more talented female athletes who didn?t want to join the military previously because they didn?t want to be limited by lower standards, says Anu Bhagwati, executive director of the Service Women?s Action Network.?

A former company commander in the Marine Corps, Ms. Bhagwati was the second woman to complete the Corp?s Martial Arts Program instructor trainer school, earning a black belt in close combat techniques.

?Right now there?s no incentive for women to join the military, because they?re not going to be treated equally,? she says.?

While defense officials ?think they?re getting the best, many serious women athletes don?t see the military as a possibility because they know they?re not treated equally.?

That unequal treatment is often rooted in closely held cultural beliefs about femininity and fear of misplaced chivalry on the battlefield.

?If a male soldier is protecting other males he gets the medal of honor, but if he does it for females it somehow becomes an act of crazed chivalry that places national security in danger,? says Professor Coughlin.

It?s a line of thinking that tends to be dismissed even by those who have concerns about women in combat.?

?Out of all the arguments, that?s the one to me that holds the least water,? says the Marine Corps officer. ?Most guys don?t even open the doors for women anymore.??

What?s more, women have been serving alongside men in battle for years. ?Everyone?s on the same team ? those instances are extremely binary. It?s you and it?s the enemy,? he adds, ?and we?re going to win.??

With the right to take part in combat on behalf of their nation comes risks, but also full citizenship, says Bhagwati. ?I think in the history of the United States, every marginalized population only gained respect and real citizenship ? not just in the sense of the vote, but of one?s peers ? through military service,? she adds. ?Otherwise you?re not considered 100 percent American. You?re just not.??

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/jpln5Qkdc-A/Women-allowed-in-combat-Will-that-mean-it-s-less-safe-for-men-video

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End is near for Tustin legal battle - The Orange County Register

Nearly three years after the first lawsuit was filed, a legal battle between Tustin Unified and the city of Tustin could be close to resolution.

The trial resolution will determine if Tustin Unified School District needs city approval for construction on school campuses.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tustin Unified vs. City of Tustin

What: Court trial between the Tustin school district and city over grading permits

When: 9 a.m. Monday

Where: Room C09, Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana

Who: Judge John Gastelum

Information: 657-622-6878 or occourts.org

Source: occourts.org

What happened with Heritage School?

Tustin Unified decided to temporarily use Heritage School, a planned elementary school on the former Tustin Marine base, to house its continuation and adult schools as well as some district staff while construction is ongoing on their former locations.

The city sued the district in August 2011 because of the move, contending that the district should have examined environmental impacts before building the $12 million campus. City representatives said at the time that the suit was filed to protect property values on the former base.

A Riverside Superior Court Judge ruled in July that the district did nothing wrong in moving students and staff to the empty 10-acre Heritage School campus at 15400 Lansdowne Road.

District representatives have said that when enough elementary age children are living on the former base, Heritage School will open as an elementary school.

A settlement is still possible, though the two public entities are set to go to trial Monday. The trial has been postponed four times, beginning in December 2010. The most recent trial date was July 17, which was continued to Jan. 28.

So far, the city has spent $774,625 on this lawsuit, said Kane Thuyen, an attorney representing the city.

Tustin Unified did not provide an updated legal cost by publication time. According to figures dated through Oct. 31, 2011, Tustin Unified spent at least $770,113.

The district's legal fees have not increased significantly since then, said Matthew Fletcher, an attorney representing Tustin Unified.

Officials on both sides declined to comment on case details ahead of the trial.

"It's unfortunate, and it'll be nice one way or the other to get this resolved," said Councilman John Nielsen.

Opening arguments are expected to happen Wednesday, Fletcher said.

SETTLING OUT OF COURT

Both sides are still negotiating, and it's possible the two could come to an agreement before the court date. Officials have declined to comment on the likelihood of an agreement.

"As in all cases I handle, there's always a chance," Fletcher said.

Two new people joined the Tustin City Council, which could make a difference when the lawsuit comes to a head.

During campaign season, all the candidates agreed the matter should be solved as quickly as possible. Since then, council members Chuck Puckett and Allan Bernstein have been sworn in, and John Nielsen made the move from mayor to councilman.

"Everybody is hoping it can be wrapped up in terms of settlement, but those discussions continue," said city attorney David Kendig.

The Tustin School Board remains the same after the November election, with Tammie Bullard, James Laird and Francine Pace Scinto re-elected, each with about 25 percent of the vote.

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

The feud began in February 2010, when Tustin Unified filed the first lawsuit. The district alleged that the city delayed construction by requiring grading plans and fees for Heritage School on the former Tustin Marine base and at Tustin High School.

The next month, the city of Tustin countersued, asking for an end to construction on both campuses and alleging that grading permits were necessary to make sure water runoff during construction didn't cause storm drain pollution and lead to fines.

Despite the lawsuit and countersuit, the district continued building and opened the new quad at Tustin High in fall 2010.

The next summer, Heritage School was completed; the district could have lost the former base land if it didn't continue building, officials said at the time. In fall 2011, the Tustin High science center opened for classes.

Meanwhile the two sides have been building their cases, preparing for trial.

Feb. 2010: The district files lawsuit against Tustin, alleging the city is postponing construction at Heritage School and Tustin High.

March 2010: Tustin files a countersuit in an attempt to stop the construction at Heritage School and Tustin High.

Dec. 13 2010: Trial set to begin, but both parties decide to continue the trial for six months and hold settlement negotiations.

April 20, 2011: The city terminates negotiations.

April 29, 2011: A mandatory settlement conference is held at the Orange County Courthouse.

May 2, 2011: The trial is set to begin this day, but is postponed.

August 2011: The city sues over use of Heritage School.

June 2012: A judge rules in favor of Tustin Unified on the Heritage School lawsuit.

Nov. 14, 2011: The trial is set to begin this day, but is postponed again.

July 17, 2012: The trial is set to begin this day, but is postponed again to Jan. 28

Contact the writer: 714-796-7949 or ejames@ocregister.com

Related:

Source: http://www.ocregister.com/news/tustin-409108-trial-city.html

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Democratic support for Hagel grows

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., gestures during his confirmation hearing to become the next top diplomat, replacing Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Kerry is likely to face friendly questioning on a smooth path to approval before the committee he has served on for 28 years and led for the past four. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., gestures during his confirmation hearing to become the next top diplomat, replacing Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Kerry is likely to face friendly questioning on a smooth path to approval before the committee he has served on for 28 years and led for the past four. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Democratic support for Chuck Hagel's nomination for defense secretary grew on Thursday as the former Republican senator allayed concerns about his past statements on Israel and Iran.

Sens. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Chris Coons of Delaware and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said they met with Hagel this week and were reassured by his commitment to Israel's security.

Hagel would replace Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who is stepping down. Despite early misgivings, about a dozen Democrats have announced they would vote for his nomination, and none has declared opposition to President Barack Obama's choice.

Six Republicans have said they would vote against Hagel, with some stating their opposition before Obama announced his pick on Jan. 7.

"Senator Hagel clarified his position on Iran sanctions and Israel, and I am confident he is firmly committed to ensuring a strong U.S.-Israel relationship," Lautenberg said, adding that he and his colleagues will be watching closely "to ensure that issues of concern do not emerge as he takes on this critical position."

Separately, 13 former secretaries of defense and state as well as national security advisers sent a letter to members of the Senate strongly endorsing Hagel. Among them was former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who has worked for Republican and Democratic administrations, and George Schultz and Brent Scowcroft, veterans of GOP administrations.

"For those of us honored to have served as members of a president's national security team, Sen. Hagel clearly understands the essence and the burdens of leadership required of this high office," the former officials wrote.

Hagel, who served two terms as Nebraska senator, has faced opposition from GOP-leaning outside groups over his past statements about the power of the "Jewish lobby" of pro-Israel groups and his doubts about the effectiveness of unilateral sanctions on Iran.

Not one GOP lawmaker has endorsed the nominee. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., writing in an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal on Thursday, all but announced his opposition.

"When we are faced with unpredictable national security crises, we can't afford to have a secretary of defense who has unpredictable judgment," Barrasso wrote.

Other lawmakers have said they are waiting for Hagel's confirmation hearing next Thursday in the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Democrats hold a 55-45 edge in the Senate and would have the votes to confirm Hagel.

"Chuck is a combat veteran and foot soldier who has a unique understanding of the challenges faced by our men and women in uniform, and a practical leader who understands the need for common sense in military spending and national security strategy," Manchin said in a statement.

Coons said he believes Hagel "will be a strong and effective secretary of defense, and I will be proud to vote for his confirmation."

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who met with Hagel on Thursday, said he had satisfied her concerns and she felt his responses were sincere. A member of the Armed Services Committee, she said she would reserve judgment until after the hearing but described Hagel as well-qualified for the job.

Their statements came shortly after Sen. John Kerry, the president's choice for secretary of state, found himself defending Hagel at his confirmation hearing.

"I know Chuck Hagel. I think he is a strong patriotic former senator, and he will be a strong secretary of defense," Kerry said of Hagel, who, like Kerry, served in Vietnam.

Republican Sen. Bob Corker questioned Kerry about Hagel's support for an 80 percent reduction of U.S. nuclear weapons. Possible reductions and modernization of the nuclear arsenal are major issues for the Tennessee lawmaker, who has the Y-12 nuclear facility in his state.

Corker has expressed concerns about Hagel, questioning whether the Republican's "overall temperament" makes his suitable for the job.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-01-24-US-Kerry-Hagel/id-5e58f93019b0419dbabac8ee50cef7a2

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Giving Will Barely Rise in 2013, Forecast Predicts - Prospecting ...

Environmental groups chalked up bigger increases than any other causes, according to the Atlas for Giving. (Photo by Cristina Mittermeier/LCP/Conservation International)

Giving in 2013 is expected to rise only 1.6 percent from last year, according to a new report,?making it one of the worst fundraising years in five decades, projects the Atlas for Giving, an independent forecasting service.

Among the reasons for the gloom: The stock market is likely to tumble, the unemployment rate will remain stubbornly high, health-insurance costs will surge, and the 2-percent payroll-tax increase that took effect in 2013 will make people stingier, the Atlas?s analysis believe.

?The less people take home, the less they have to give,? says Rob Mitchell, chief executive of Atlas of Giving.

The forecast doesn?t take into account the still-looming threat that Congress could limit or abolish breaks donors get for charity gifts, which would have a ?devastating impact? on charities, he adds. ?That could make 2013 worse.?

This is in stark contrast to 2012, when the Atlas says giving rose 6.7 percent.

Atlas of Giving is one of the newest players in producing philanthropy research.? It seeks to provide faster forecasts than ?Giving USA,? which produces one of the most widely used measures of how much is donated annually.

Atlas?s projections are not based on surveys of nonprofits but on an algorithm that involves 70 measures, such as the state of the economy, demographic data, joblessness rates, political election results, and the state of consumer confidence. It says that when it tested its algorithm to estimate giving each year going back to 1968, it was 99.5 percent accurate compared with what happened in each of those years.

Environmental Giving

Much of last year?s rosy picture resulted from strong stock-market performance, an improved economy, and large contributions from Warren Buffett, Mark Zuckerberg, and other rich people, the Atlas report says.

Environmental charities fared the best last year, increasing donations by 10.9 percent. Other groups with the strongest growth were those focused on education and human services, which rose 8.8 percent. Superstorm Sandy was a key reason that giving to social services rose so fast, says the report.

Also strong was a category that includes donor-advised funds and a range of other charitable causes, where saw giving grow 9 percent.

Mr. Mitchell says he believes that environmental charities benefited from sophisticated fundraising appeals focused on college-educated donors and all the attention climate change got in the news media. Meanwhile, colleges and other education groups did well because they court many donors who probably fared well in the buoyant stock market.

Giving to religious causes in 2012 didn?t grow as much as other segments of the nonprofit world, with only a 4.2 percent bump, according to the study.

In 2013, Atlas expects giving to rise by 5.9 percent for environmental groups, 4.9 percent for human services, and 2.6 percent for education.

The complete report is free but requires registration.

Send an e-mail to Raymund Flandez.

Source: http://philanthropy.com/blogs/prospecting/giving-will-barely-rise-in-2013-forecast-predicts/37801

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Cameron promises Britons straight choice on EU exit

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister David Cameron promised on Wednesday to give Britons a referendum choice on whether to stay in the European Union or leave if he wins an election in 2015, placing a question mark over Britain's membership for years.

Cameron ended months of speculation by announcing in a speech the plan for a vote sometime between 2015 and the end of 2017, shrugging off warnings that this could imperil Britain's economic prospects and alienate its biggest trading partner.

He said the island nation, which joined the EU's precursor European Economic Community 40 years ago, did not want to retreat from the world, but public disillusionment with the EU was at "an all-time high".

"It is time for the British people to have their say. It is time for us to settle this question about Britain and Europe," Cameron said. His Conservative party will campaign for the 2015 election promising to renegotiate Britain's EU membership.

"When we have negotiated that new settlement, we will give the British people a referendum with a very simple in or out choice to stay in the European Union on these new terms; or come out altogether. It will be an in-out referendum."

The speech firmly ties Cameron to an issue that was the bane of a generation of Conservative leaders. In the past, he has avoided partisan fights over Europe, the undoing of the last two Conservative prime ministers, John Major and Margaret Thatcher.

Britain would seek to claw back powers from Brussels, he said, a proposal that will be difficult to sell to other European countries. London will do an "audit" to determine which powers Brussels has that should be delegated to member states.

Sterling fell to its lowest in nearly five months against the dollar on Wednesday as Cameron was speaking.

The response from EU partners was predictably frosty. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius quipped: "If Britain wants to leave Europe we will roll out the red carpet for you," echoing Cameron himself, who once used the same words to invite rich Frenchmen alienated by high taxes to move to Britain.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said his country wanted Britain to remain a full EU member, but London could not expect to pick and choose the aspects of membership it liked.

Business leaders have warned that the prospect of years of doubt over Britain's EU membership would damage the investment climate.

"Having a referendum creates more uncertainty and we don't need that," Martin Sorrell, chief executive of advertising giant WPP, told the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"This is a political decision. This is not an economic decision. This isn't good news. You added another reason why people will postpone investment decisions."

The speech also opens a rift with Cameron's junior coalition partners, the Liberal Democrats. Their leader, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, said the plan would undermine a fragile economic recovery.

And even allies further afield are wary: the United States has said it wants Britain to remain inside the EU with "a strong voice".

EUROSCEPTICS THRILLED

Cameron has been pushed into taking such a strong position in part by the rise of the UK Independence Party, which favors complete withdrawal from the EU and has climbed to third in opinion polls, mainly at the expense of the Conservatives.

"All he's trying to do is to kick the can down the road and to try and get UKIP off his back," said UKIP leader Nigel Farage.

Eurosceptics in Cameron's party were thrilled by the speech. Conservative lawmaker Peter Bone called it "a terrific victory" that would unify 98 percent of the party. "He's the first prime minister to say he wants to bring back powers from Brussels," Bone told Reuters. "It's pretty powerful stuff".

Whether Cameron will ever hold the referendum remains as uncertain as the Conservatives' chances of winning the next election in 2015.

They trail the opposition Labour party in opinion polls, and the coalition government is grappling with a stagnating economy as it pushes through public spending cuts to reduce Britain's large budget deficit.

Cameron said he would prefer Britain, the world's sixth biggest economy, to remain inside the 27-nation EU. As long as he secured the reforms he wants, he would campaign for Britain to stay inside the EU "with all my heart and soul".

But he also made clear he believed the EU must be radically reformed. It was riskier to maintain the status quo than to change, he said.

"The biggest danger to the European Union comes not from those who advocate change, but from those who denounce new thinking as heresy," he said.

"WAFER THIN" CONSENT

The euro zone debt crisis was forcing the bloc to change, and Britain would fight to make sure new rules were fair to countries that didn't use the common currency, he said. Britain is the largest of the 10 EU members that do not use the euro.

Democratic consent for the EU in Britain was now "wafer thin", he said, reflecting the results of opinion polls that show a slim majority would vote to leave the bloc.

"Some people say that to point this out is irresponsible, creates uncertainty for business and puts a question mark over Britain's place in the European Union," said Cameron. "But the question mark is already there: ignoring it won't make it go away."

Asked after the speech whether other EU countries would agree to renegotiate Britain's membership, Cameron said he was an optimist and that there was "every chance of success."

"I want to be the prime minister who confronts and gets the right answer for Britain on these kind of issues," he said.

It is nearly 40 years since British voters last had a say in a referendum on Britain's membership of the European club. A 1975 vote saw just over 67 percent opt to stay inside with nearly 33 percent wanting to leave.

(Additional reporting by Paul Taylor in Davos and Alexandra Hudson in Berlin; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Peter Graff)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/cameron-promise-britons-straight-choice-eu-exit-075348579--business.html

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'American Idol' Season 12: Experts Break Down Nicki And Mariah's First Week

'We saw some honesty from Mariah, from Nicki and from Keith that I find quite promising,' says TVLine's Michael Slezak.
By Gil Kaufman

Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj on "American Idol"
Photo: FOX

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1700643/american-idol-mariah-carey-nicki-minaj-ratings.jhtml

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Crock Pot Picante Chicken and Black Bean Soup | Skinnytaste

If you love a slow cooker recipe that requires no pre-cooking, then you'll love this spicy black bean soup. Spicy black bean and chicken soup with tomatoes, chiles, peppers and spices is delicious served with cool avocado and a touch of sour cream. Top it with cilantro for freshness and your taste buds will want to do a mariachi dance.

This month I asked my facebook fans what kind of recipes they wanted to see more of in 2013 and Slow Cooker recipes topped the charts! Second place was main dish meals, so I've been keeping my slow cooker on my counter and have been keeping my promise!

I must confess, it's harder to develop recipes in the crock pot. First, I have to wait at east 4 hours to find out if it's even good and second, not everything works out as imagined. Take this recipe for example, first attempt when right in the trash. Not the first time I dumped a crock pot creation in the trash but one things for sure, they all had onions in the recipe.

I first made this with sauteed onions and there is no doubt in my mind ruined the soup. Something about onions and crock pots just don't work together, and this is not the first time. Second attempt I did everything the same but replaced the onions with onion powder and it was perfect, delicious, even. Even better for all of you because there's no pre-cooking anything, so it's easy!

This makes a nice amount of soup, perfect for freezing and reheating for a second night, or for lunch on the go. I love this topped with avocado and sour cream to mellow the heat, but it would also be great with a little cheese on top why not!

It's mildly spicy, not over the top. If you want it milder you can leave the ancho chile powder out. I pureed one of the cans of beans to thicken the soup, and left the second can whole for texture. Next time I may even add some sweet corn! A filling, wholesome, high-fiber meal for only 300 calories, or Weight Watchers 6 points plus. Freezer friendly, and gluten-free.

Crock Pot Chicken and Black Bean Soup
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 7 ? Size: 1 1/2 cups ? Old Pts: 6 pts ? Weight Watchers Points+: 6 pts
Calories: 306 ? Fat: 6 g ? Protein: 28 g ? Carb: 37.5 g ? Fiber: 13.5 g ? Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 698.4 mg (without the salt)

Ingredients:

• 1 red bell pepper, minced
• 2 (15 oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 3 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 2 (10 oz) cans Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
• 4 oz can diced green chiles
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ancho chile powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp oregano
• 16 oz (2) skinless chicken breast
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, divided
• 2 medium scallions, diced
• cut limes, for serving?
• 1 medium haas avocado, sliced
• sour cream, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

Take one can of beans and place in the blender along with 2 cups of the chicken broth; puree then add to your slow cooker. Add the remainder of the beans and chicken broth into the slow cooker along with tomatoes, diced green chiles, cumin, chile powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, chicken breast, and 1/4 cup of the cilantro. Set slow cooker to HIGH 4 hours or LOW 6 to 8 hours.

After it's done, remove chicken and shred with 2 forks. Place back into the slow cooker and add fresh scallions, remainder cilantro and adjust salt and cumin, to taste.
Serve hot with lime wedges, avocados, and sour cream if desired. Makes about 10 1/2 cups.

Source: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/01/crock-pot-picante-chicken-and-black.html

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UN set to condemn North Korea's rocket launch

UNITED NATIONS (AP) ? The U.N. Security Council was set to vote Tuesday on a resolution condemning North Korea's rocket launch in December that sent a satellite into orbit.

A diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the draft resolution reiterates the council's previous demand that North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons program and not proceed with further launches.

The resolution would be the first in four years to expand the sanctions regime on North Korea. Washington negotiated with Beijing over the weekend to adopt a compromise on a resolution.

China's agreement to join a resolution is a step away from the protection it usually gives to North Korea, its neighbor, which it defended in the Korean War in the early 1950s against U.S.-led U.N. troops.

China is seen as North Korea's closest ally, and its protection of North Korea meant that the Security Council previously denounced North Korea's launches with non-binding council statements, which are unenforceable.

North Korea sent a satellite into space on Dec. 12 aboard a long-range rocket, a launch that the U.S. and its allies have criticized as a test of banned ballistic missile technology. In 2006 and 2009, Pyongyang conducted atomic tests after being slapped with Security Council condemnation and sanctions for similar launches of long-range rockets.

Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from any use of ballistic missile technology, even if characterized as a satellite launch or space launch vehicle.

The diplomat said the draft resolution imposes new sanctions under existing authorities on North Korean companies and government agencies, including North Korea's space agency and several individuals.

The resolution also updates lists of nuclear and ballistic missile technology banned for transfer to and from North Korea and includes several new provisions targeting North Korea's smuggling of sensitive items that could contribute to the prohibited programs.

Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vitaly Churkin has said Moscow is ready to support the new resolution. "I don't expect the U.N. Security Council members will have any serious problems" with the text, Churkin told Russia's RIA Novosti news agency.

In its talks with China, the U.S. had to agree that the resolution would not bring in new forms of sanctions but would build on the existing Security Council sanction regimes.

On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei confirmed that "China took part recently in the relevant discussions at the U.N. Security Council."

"China has stated its position many times on North Korea's launching a satellite," he said. "We said it was to be regretted that North Korea launched the missile despite the global community's concern."

It is believed that China may have been willing to join the new resolution because satellite surveillance has shown activity at North Korea's nuclear blast test sites suggesting another atomic test may be imminent.

North Korea vowed last week to strengthen its defenses amid concerns the country may conduct a nuclear test as a follow-up to last month's rocket launch.

Citing U.S. hostility, Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry said in a memorandum that North Korea will "continue to strengthen its deterrence against all forms of war."

The memorandum carried by state media did not say what action North Korea would take to defend itself. However, North Korea has claimed the right to build atomic weapons to protect itself from the United States, which stations more than 28,000 troops in South Korea.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/un-set-condemn-north-koreas-rocket-launch-154744184.html

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HMV Canada owner takes control of HMV UK in attempt to rescue troubled chain

HMV's 91-year long tenure on the British high street might not be coming to an end after all, as HMV Canada's owner has mounted a rescue attempt. The rescuer in this instance is Hilco, which previously picked up Polaroid's brand and paired it with famous insolvency specialist Lady Gaga. BBC News is reporting that Hilco scored a cut-price rate on the £176 million ($278.8 million) corporate debt and has already received cheering words from the film and music industry. After a bout of uncertainty, HMV has also said it'll once again accept gift cards in its stores.

[Image credit: London Express / Getty Images]

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/22/hmv-hilco-control/

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Cash funnelled to Toronto construction union, official says

Executives at North America's largest construction union took in illicit cash contributions to help get themselves elected, according to a former union official who says he participated in covering up the prohibited donations with faked receipts.

In one instance, the official says, a Toronto-area contractor handed over an envelope containing more than $15,000.

Copies of the receipts that Scaduto says he wrote up show a $2,000 donation he made on June 3, 2011. Scaduto alleges it wasn't his own money but cash supplied by a contractor, for which he fronted his name. (CBC)

That cash ? which arrived in a backroom at campaign headquarters in a brown envelope stuffed with $50 bills ? was then disguised as legitimate donations from union members, said Pat Scaduto, who served as campaign finance manager for the eventual winners of the elections.

"We knew it was wrong. We knew that we were going against the election rules," said Scaduto, a former assistant business manager at Local 183 of the Labourers International Union of North America, or LIUNA. "But we did it anyways."

Scaduto filed his allegations in December in a formal complaint to LIUNA's international headquarters in Washington, but it was dismissed, because it came too long after the deadline for election challenges. Local 183's current staff fervently deny his claims, calling them "all lies."

The June 2011 elections were for the top positions at Local 183, which represents 30,000 construction workers in the Toronto area. The vote saw the union's old executive turfed after a fiercely contested campaign on which both sides spent hundreds of thousands of dollars. There were complaints of ballot-stuffing and other electoral flaws in a close contest that threatened to dethrone key power brokers further up in LIUNA's hierarchy.

Ultimately, the team Scaduto was working for, headed by now-president Nelson Melo, triumphed. Melo won his race by just 10 votes.

Scaduto also has a personal beef with Local 183, his former employer. He had been off work since mid-September after being hospitalized for a long-diagnosed panic disorder, and said he was being denied short-term disability benefits. The matter is before Ontario?s Superior Court.

He's also now out of a job: Three days after he filed his complaint, Scaduto was fired.

'Huge piles of $50 bills'

In an interview with CBC News, Scaduto said he clearly recalls the night a few weeks before the union elections when large wads of bills arrived at campaign offices.

Melo's team had been strapped for cash, he said. "It takes a lot of funding. You need to advertise ? radio, TV, newspaper. Money was just pouring out," Scaduto recounted.

So some of Melo's supporters had decided to seek donations from "various contractors" and other non-members of the union ? something prohibited under LIUNA's strict election rules.

On that night in June, Scaduto said, he was in a backroom at the campaign office with now-president Melo when fellow campaign organizer John Salvador came in.

"He had this brown envelope. He practically just ripped it open. And there was two huge piles of ? they were all $50 bills," Scaduto said. "There was probably between $15,000 for sure, maybe 20."

According to Scaduto, Salvador explained that the cash came from Vaughan, Ont.-based contractor Professional Carpentry, whose employees are Local 183 members. But because outside funding is banned, the campaign had to figure out a way to disguise it as legitimate donations, Scaduto said. Melo came up with the solution: They would divvy up the money among some other union members, and have those members donate it back to the campaign.

"Nelson gave John Salvador a stack of money. He gave me $2,000. And then he called in another current executive board member, and the same thing ? he gave him a stack of cash and said 'write a cheque.'"

Scaduto said he issued receipts for all those donations.

Vehemently rejects accusations

In an interview with CBC News, Salvador denied the incident ever happened, and said he had no idea why Scaduto would claim it did. "That's all lies. I don't know where he came up with that."

Melo also vehemently rejected his former campaign finance manager's accusations, calling Scaduto "the biggest liar."

Multiple calls to Professional Carpentry president Paul Dicecca were not returned.

Scaduto said the cash kept rolling in from a variety of sources. He claims Melo came to him several times more with handwritten lists of names and would say, "Look, I have $2,000, $3,000 in cash; here, make receipts for these three individuals, four individuals."

Almost all the alleged dummy receipts were made out to a core group of no more than 14 close supporters, Scaduto said. But on one occasion, Melo wanted the receipt made out to a union member who didn't even know he was donating.

"His name is on the books. But to this day, this member has no idea that he made a donation, no idea," Scaduto said.

'We're not concerned'

CBC News spoke to or left messages for a half-dozen of the people Scaduto says participated in the scheme. Other than Melo and Salvador, three of those union members wouldn't comment, while another said he couldn't immediately recall what donations he had made or what receipts he had been issued.

Local 183 president Melo offered to provide documents that would clear himself and his fellow executives. But when a CBC reporter arrived at his office, the union's lawyer intervened and deflected questions to a PR firm.

A spokesperson at the firm said Melo's team has nothing to hide. "His campaign was lickety-split clean," Anne Creighton said. "We're not concerned. Our books are open."

What was at stake was more than just Local 183's executive board. The old board's relationship with LIUNA Canada chief Joseph Mancinelli had irreparably soured, and if it won re-election, it was aiming to have him voted out as vice-president of the international parent union. Instead, Mancinelli kept his post.

If you have more information on this story, or other investigative tips, please email investigations@cbc.ca With files from CBC's Joseph Loiero

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2013/01/16/toronto-liuna-183-elections-allegations.html?cmp=rss

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Teens can get summer conservation jobs at Chautauqua

A wildlife conservation program this summer is being offered to teens ages 15 to 18.

As part of the Youth Conservation Corps program sponsored by the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, participants work on wildlife habitat improvement projects, refuge maintenance projects, trails, boundary posting, brush cutting and other outdoor work.

The program site is nine miles north east of Havana, just off the Manito Blacktop. Participants are paid $8.25 per hour for working 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The wildlife refuge is accepting applications for its eight-week program, tentatively scheduled for June 10 through Aug. 2.

Applications must be received at the refuge headquarters by 3 p.m. April 12 ? when participants will be selected based on a random drawing.

Source: http://www.pjstar.com/business/x1926910055/Teens-can-get-summer-conservation-jobs-at-Chautauqua

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Israel court lifts injunction blocking removal of protest village

BETHLEHEM (Ma?an) ? Israeli bulldozers started Wednesday evening to block roads leading to the West Bank Bab al-Shams protest village, a Palestinian official said.

The work started immediately after a decision by the Israeli High Court to cancel an injunction that barred removal of the village which activists founded with tents in the area called E-1 between East Jerusalem and Maale Adumim settlement, PA official Mahmoud Zawahra said.

The court said that leaving the encampment in place could incite unrest.

Israeli officials also decided Wednesday to bar entry of 18 Palestinian activists from accessing the Bab al-Shams area and imposed fines on 15 of them.

Zawahra, a member of Bab al-Shams village council, which the Palestinian Authority established during its Tuesday cabinet meeting, said 18 activists, detained Tuesday while coming back to Bab al-Shams, appeared Wednesday in Israeli military court at Ofer detention center.

The court, he added, decided to bar entry of those activists to the Bab al-Shams area. Fifteen of the activists were ordered to pay a fine of 1,000 shekels ($270) each.

Activists used a ruse employed during the first intifada to get past Israeli troops on Tuesday, staging a fake wedding.

Two activists dressed as the bride and groom, and a convoy of cars approached an Israeli checkpoint outside Bab al-Shams playing wedding songs, singing and clapping.

The activists got out of the cars and started walking to the checkpoint carrying Palestinian flags. Cameramen who appeared to be filming a wedding were in fact journalists.

MP Mustafa Barghouti described the ruse was an affront to Israeli authorities.

Israeli forces discovered the stunt and fired tear gas, rubber bullets and sound grenades at the activists, wounding cameraman Nasser al-Shyoukhi.

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said 20 Palestinians were detained for questioning.

Source: http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=556727

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College football notebook: Former Western Michigan coach joins Illinois staff

Tuesday January 15, 2013 5:56 AM

Illinois coach Tim Beckman returned to his Mid-American Conference roots by hiring Bill Cubit as his offensive coordinator. Cubit was fired last year as coach at Western Michigan after a 4-8 season.

Cubit replaces Chris Beatty and Bill Gonzales, who were co-coordinators last season and whose offense was last in the Big Ten in points per game (16.7) and total offense (296.7 yards a game). Beatty was fired earlier this month and Gonzales will stay at Illinois as receivers coach.

Beckman is looking for big improvement on both sides of the ball after a 2-10 season, including nine losses in a row after a 2-1 start. One of Illinois? victories was against Western Michigan.

? Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood said he is entering the NFL draft, deciding against returning for a final year of eligibility. Wood was second on the team with 742 yards rushing on 114 carries this past season.

He sat out the first two games of the season after being suspended by coach Brian Kelly for violating team rules.

? Temple defensive coordinator Chuck was hired for the same position at Marshall.

Heater replaces Chris Rippon, who resigned in November. Marshall allowed an average of 43 points a game during the 2012 season.

Source: http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2013/01/15/0115-college-football-notebook.html

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Video: Inauguration flashback: Bill Clinton

Natalie Wood's bruises led to new cause of death

Some of the bruises on Natalie Wood's body may have occurred before the actress wound up in the water off California's Catalina Island in 1981, leading the Los Angeles Coroner's Office to change her cause of death last year to "drowning and other undetermined factors."

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/hardball/50462153/

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Obama backs gun limits, concedes tough fight ahead

WASHINGTON (AP) ? President Barack Obama endorsed controversial bans on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines on Monday, as well as stricter background checks for gun buyers ? but conceded he may not win approval of all in a Congress reluctant to tighten restrictions.

"Will all of them get through this Congress? I don't know," said Obama. He said lawmakers would have to "examine their own conscience" as they tackle gun control legislation after the horrifying Connecticut school shootings but in the face of opposition from the National Rifle Association and other pro-gun rights groups.

Obama spoke at a midday White House news conference one month after the Newtown elementary school rampage, which ignited a national discussion on preventing mass shootings.

The president said he would unveil a comprehensive roadmap for curbing gun violence within days. His plan will be based on recommendations from Vice President Joe Biden's gun task force and is expected to include both legislative proposals and steps Obama can implement by himself using his presidential powers.

But the most sweeping and contentious elements ? including an assault weapons ban ? will require approval from a Congress that has been loath to tackle gun control legislation for more than a decade. The politically powerful NRA has vowed to fight any measure that would limit access to guns and ammunition, a hardline position that could sway some Republicans and conservative Democrats.

Despite the opposition, Obama said he would "vigorously pursue" measures to tighten gun laws.

"My starting point is not to worry about the politics," he said.

The president's new resolve follows a lack of movement in tackling gun violence throughout much of his first term, despite several high-profile shootings. He called the Dec. 14 massacre of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School the worst day of his presidency and vowed to take action.

Parents of the slain Connecticut children added their voices to the national dialogue Monday. Members of the newly formed group Sandy Hook Promise called for an open-minded discussion about a range of issues, including guns, mental health and safety in schools and other public places.

And lawmakers in New York state pressed ahead with what would be the nation's first gun control measure approved since the school shootings. Among the items in a tentative agreement in the state Legislature are further restrictions on the state's ban on assault weapons, limits on the size of magazines to seven bullets, down from the current 10, and more stringent background checks for sales.

White House officials believe moving swiftly on gun proposals at a national level, before the shock over the Newtown shooting fades, gives Obama the best chance to get his proposals through Congress. Several pro-gun rights lawmakers, including Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republican Rep. Jack Kingston of Georgia, said in the days following the shooting that they were open to discussing possible control measures.

Seeking to keep up the pressure on lawmakers, Obama said Monday that if "everybody across party lines was as deeply moved and saddened as I was by what happened in Newtown, then we're going to have to vote based on what we think is best."

Officials said Obama and Biden met Monday afternoon to discuss the vice president's recommendations. Ahead of that meeting, Biden huddled with a dozen House Democrats who have formed their own gun violence task force and whose political muscle will be needed to push legislation through Congress.

The president, without mentioning the NRA, said some gun rights groups have "a pretty effective way of ginning up fear on the part of gun owners that somehow the federal government's about to take all your guns away,"

Seeking to ease those fears, Obama insisted that responsible gun owners who have weapons for protection or hunting "don't have anything to worry about" under the proposals he will push.

The assault weapons ban, which Obama has long supported, is expected to face the toughest road on Capitol Hill. Congress passed a 10-year ban on the high-grade military-style weapons in 1994, but supporters didn't have the votes to renew it once it expired in 2004.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., on Friday predicted that a ban might win Senate approval but he doubted it could pass in the Republican-led House.

Obama will also need congressional help to limit high-capacity ammunition magazines, like the ones used by the Newtown shooter, and to require background checks for anyone seeking to purchase a gun. Some gun control advocates, including The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, are urging Obama to make the broader background checks his top priority, believing it has the best chance of winning congressional approval.

The Brady Campaign said some 40 percent of gun sales happen with no background checks, such as at gun shows and by private sellers over the Internet or through classified ads.

Among the executive actions Biden is believed to have recommended to Obama are tougher penalties for people who lie on background checks, elevating gun trafficking to a felony charge and ending limits that make it harder for the federal government to research gun violence.

The president's proposals are also expected to include steps for improving school safety and mental health care, as well as recommendations for addressing violence in entertainment and video games. Pro-gun rights groups, including the NRA, have long insisted that insufficient mental health care and violent images are more to blame for mass shootings than the availability of guns.

A Democratic lawmaker who met with Biden Monday said the vice president was likely to have given Obama proposals for allowing schools flexibility in spending federal grant money so they could take steps toward safety, including hiring school resource officers, instituting mental health intervention or making repairs like putting locks on doors. Grants could also go to communities to institute programs to get guns away from people who shouldn't have them, said the lawmaker, adding these were steps the president could take without Congress.

The lawmaker spoke on condition of anonymity because the proposals hadn't been announced publicly.

Underscoring the political tensions surrounding gun legislation, Texas Republican Rep. Steve Stockman said he would file articles of impeachment if Obama used executive orders "to infringe on our constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms."

Biden's recommendations to the president followed weeks of wide-ranging talks with key stakeholders, including gun victim's groups, the entertainment and video game industries and gun owner advocacy groups.

___

Associated Press writer Erica Werner contributed to this report.

___

Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-backs-gun-limits-concedes-tough-fight-ahead-222940809--politics.html

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Is Someone Piggybacking Unlawfully on Your Success? What You ...

Imitation is not a form of flattery when you are a business owner. You have invested plenty of time and money into building your business?s brand. You do not want someone to steal your ideas, logo or brand and profit off your hard work. You do have legal rights that protect your investment. Learn more about passing off laws so you know what to do if someone tries to piggyback on your success.

What is Passing Off?

Passing off tort law is similar to trademark infringement. You can pursue legal action under the passing off tort law if someone tries to steal your name, logo, web content or product whether or not it is trademarked.

Your competitors want an easy way to launch their own business, build their own brand and increase their customer base. They may try to steal your business ideas instead of creating their own fresh content. If a competitor launches any business component that is visually, auditory or conceptually similar to your business, you may pursue action under passing off tort law.

Examples of passing off include competitors who model their logo off yours or imitate your website?s design. They may use your business model to launch their own business or spin your mission statement on their brochures. They may even try to imitate your services so closely that customers think their company is yours. These practices are dishonest and could damage your business.

Additionally, passing off tort law protects you from people who try to use your name to their advantage. For example, an employee leaves your accounting firm and opens a home-based accounting business. He or she contacts several of your clients, uses your name in his or her pitch and offers his or her services. Your customers think he or she is with your company and agree to work with the employee. As the former employee uses your reputation to build his or her new business, your company suffers financial damage. You could suffer brand damage as well if the former employee provides inferior service.

What are Your Legal Options?

You have the right to pursue legal action and recover monetary damages if your company has suffered damages or if someone violates your goodwill. While you cannot file criminal charges against someone for imitating your business practices, passing off tort laws provide legal recourse if someone tries to profit from your business or damage your brand.

The Court typically decides the outcome of passing off tort law cases. The burden of proof falls on you, the plaintiff. Keep detailed records of everything related to your business. Track when you designed your logo, started using your brand name and designed your website. Record every step of the design process for the goods you sell.

If you pursue legal action against someone who violates passing off tort laws, you may not have to show actual proof of those violations. The Court may rule in your favor if the probability of damages exists in the near future. With this guideline, you protect your business before a competitor harms your brand.

Take every hint of goodwill damage seriously. As your name, logo and product built your business into the success it is today, your future success depends on your ability to maintain brand integrity. Do not tolerate competitors who try to piggyback on your success. Instead, understand your legal rights and take action immediately to protect your business, your future and your success. A class action attorney can help you bring the best results possible to your case.

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Source: http://criminallawnews.us/2013/01/is-someone-piggybacking-unlawfully-on-your-success-what-you-can-do-about-it/

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Washington ? Obama Refuses To Negotiate Debt Ceiling Raise

Washington - President Barack Obama on Monday rejected any negotiation with Republicans over the most pressing U.S. fiscal issue, refusing to trade cuts in government spending in exchange for raising the borrowing limit.

?If the goal is to make sure that we are being responsible about our debt and our deficit - if that?s the conversation we?re having, I?m happy to have that conversation,? Obama said. ?What I will not do is to have that negotiation with a gun at the head of the American people,? he told a news conference.

Republican leaders quickly reiterated their demand that increasing the debt limit must be accompanied by spending cuts.

With an agreement to prevent the so-called fiscal cliff of sharp spending cuts and tax increases barely two weeks old, Obama faces another fiscal showdown with congressional Republicans.

A trio of deadlines looms around the end of February: the need to raise the debt ceiling, automatic deep spending cuts temporarily put off in the fiscal cliff deal, and the end of a stopgap government funding measure.

The United States could default on its debt if the borrowing limit is not increased.

Some Republicans have said they would require dollar-for-dollar spending cuts to match any increase in the debt limit. Obama?s unexpected news conference could have been a pre-emptive strike aimed at influencing strategy sessions among Republican lawmakers scheduled for later this week.

A number of Republicans have said they would be willing to allow a U.S. debt default or a government shutdown to force the Obama administration to accept deeper spending cuts than the White House would like.

Obama said he would agree to talk about steps to trim the U.S. budget deficit, but made clear he wants to keep that discussion separate from the debt ceiling increase. He held to his position that deficit reduction should include measures to raise revenue and not come from spending cuts alone.

Republicans have rejected that approach, saying the fiscal cliff deal, which raised taxes for the wealthy while maintaining low tax rates for most Americans, should have put to rest the discussion over tax increases.

Obama must get ?serious about spending and the debt limit is the perfect time for it,? Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement just moments after Obama?s news conference ended.

Republican John Boehner, the House of Representatives speaker, said: ?The American people do not support raising the debt ceiling without reducing government spending at the same time.?

If Congress fails to raise the U.S. debt limit, the Treasury Department will become unable to borrow money to pay for government spending obligations, leading to a debt default that would damage U.S. credit and have wide repercussions in financial markets around the world.

Protracted haggling over raising the debt ceiling in 2011 brought the nation close to default and resulted in a credit rating downgrade and financial market turmoil that slowed economic recovery.

Fiscal issues loomed large during the final news conference of Obama?s first term, which came a week before a gala inauguration ceremony that will launch his next four years. Fights with Congress over taxes and spending have overshadowed much of his domestic agenda over most of the last two years with the president facing legislative gridlock that shows little sign of abating.

Obama raised the specter of a severe setback to the U.S. economy if congressional Republicans persist with the threat of a debt default.

?It would be a self-inflicted wound on the economy,? he said. ?Even entertaining the idea of this happening, of the United States of America not paying its bills, is irresponsible. It?s absurd.?

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Source: http://www.vosizneias.com/121673/2013/01/14/washington-obama-refuses-to-negotiate-debt-ceiling-raise/

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3 Reasons to Add Video to your Online Marketing Strategy

More and more people are going to be doing video marketing in 2013. With online video now showing up in search engines, video marketing is getting bigger by the hour.

It?s no longer just important to have a website in order to succeed, you have to have an online brand as well. Video can do a variety of things to help you create your online brand:

1. Video adds emotion.
2. Video personifies.
3. Video adds trust.

Even in 2013 people are afraid to do business with a company online, that they don?t know. With video you can add trust, emotion, and personality that will often help people choose your brand over the competition. With video you can see people, their company and their work. This adds to the human element that websites and online brands are often lacking.

Video can make an average website, a great website, and it?s probably time to start thinking about online video in your 2013 marketing plans.

Source: http://www.theedesign.com/blog/2013/3-reasons-to-add-video-to-your-online-marketing-strategy

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Bahrain opens probe into deadly labor camp fire

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) ? Officials in Bahrain have opened an investigation into the cause of fire that killed 13 people in a labor camp.

The official Bahrain News Agency says the public prosecutor's office is leading the probe into Friday's blaze in the capital Manama.

The report Saturday said fire collapsed the roof of the three-story building used to house workers.

Special compounds for migrant laborers are common across the Gulf. For years, rights groups have pressed for better living conditions for the mostly South Asian workers.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/bahrain-opens-probe-deadly-labor-camp-fire-094815506.html

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Beyonce & Jay-Z Buy Daughter Blue Ivy An $80,000 Barbie!

Beyonce & Jay-Z Buy Daughter Blue Ivy An $80,000 Barbie!

Beyonce and Jay-Z spent $200,000 on a birthday party for her daughter Blue Ivy’s, who just turned turned a year old. The celebrity couple spoiled their young daughter with a diamond Barbie doll worth $80,000. Wow! Beyonce and Jay-Z spent $200,000 on their daughter’s first birthday bash. The couple, who were named the highest paid ...

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Source: http://stupidcelebrities.net/2013/01/beyonce-buys-daughter-blue-ivy-an-80000-barbie/

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Geothermal energy takes a technological step forward

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) ? Geothermal energy developers working on the flanks of an ancient Oregon volcano say they have taken an important technological step toward expanding geothermal energy from a small niche into a potential major source of homegrown power, but more work needs to be done.

AltaRock Energy, Inc., of Seattle, says the data is still being analyzed, but they are confident they have created three geothermal reservoirs from a single well where none existed before. The breakthrough solves two problems holding back the next level of geothermal development, known as Enhanced Geothermal Systems, or EGS: creating reservoirs big enough for commercial production in places they don't occur naturally, and holding down costs.

The project is at Newberry Crater, the remains of an ancient volcano in central Oregon's Cascade Range. The site has plenty of heat in rocks deep below the surface to boil water into steam, but none of the cracks and fissures in the rock needed to serve as a steam reservoir for a geothermal power plant.

Last fall, engineers pumped cold water into the ground, cracking open fissures in the deep rock, a process known as hydroshearing. They then sealed one reservoir from the other using a new technology. They injected ground-up recycled plastic bottles, which plugged up the cracks in one reservoir while millions of gallons of cold water were being pumped in to create another. Then the plastic diffused, leaving behind three reservoirs.

Company president Susan Petty said in an email that more analysis and testing are needed to show if the reservoirs are good enough for commercial power production in the future ? which would be achieved by using steam from the reservoirs to spin turbines to generate electricity.

The U.S. Department of Energy, which is covering half the $43.8 million cost of the Newberry project, says if the initial indications hold up, the Newberry project would mark the first time in the world that multiple geothermal reservoirs have been created on purpose from a single well in a new area.

"So far, things are looking really exciting," said Lauren Boyd, acting team leader for enhanced geothermal systems at Energy.

Heat in the Earth's crust has been used to generate power for more than a century. Hot water or steam that bubbles near the surface is tapped to spin turbines that create electricity. Most of the obvious areas where the three key elements come together ? hot rocks, cracks in the rocks, and water ? have been exploited. The new frontier is places with hot rocks, but no cracks in the rocks to deliver the steam. That's where EGS comes in. It creates the cracks in the rocks.

Creating multiple reservoirs from a single well is key to making EGS economical, because drilling each well is so expensive, said Nicholas C. Davatzes, assistant professor of earth and environmental science at Temple University, who helped develop a computer model describing the structure of the rock before it was fractured.

"The big impact Newberry has right now is that they appear to have stimulated multiple distinct zones," he said.

Hydroshearing is similar to the process known as hydraulic fracturing, used to free natural gas from shale formations. But fracking uses chemical-laden fluids, and creates huge fractures, too big for geothermal power.

In another recent EGS breakthrough, Calpine Corp. connected two depleted wells to create a new source of power at the nation's largest natural steam resource, the Geysers in Northern California, Boyd said. Multiple reservoirs have also been created from one well by accident in Europe.

The Newberry project followed a new international protocol designed to avoid the kinds of induced earthquakes that shut down an EGS project in downtown Basel, Switzerland. AltaRock reported that seismic monitoring showed tiny tremors so small that instruments registered a larger impact from an earthquake in Japan

Still to come at Newberry is drilling one or two production wells to show whether these reservoirs can provide enough steam to run a commercial geothermal power plant.

"If we can demonstrate that we can create a geothermal reservoir here, then we can have more confidence in our ability to move to similar locations, maybe near other Cascades volcanoes," Petty said.

The Newberry project is one of 230 funded by Department of Energy to create a pathway for private industry to develop geothermal energy into a major source of homegrown power, said Doug Hollette, program manager for the Geothermal Technologies Office at Energy.

The effort is similar to one started by the department in the 1970s, which is now bearing fruit with cheap natural gas from shale deposits, he said.

Commercial production with EGS is still a long way off, because it depends on developing new technologies, he said. In the near term, the department is developing maps of potential new areas to develop conventional geothermal power, including areas that show no signs on the surface. They are expected to be ready in a few years. In the medium term, the DOE is financing development of low-temperature geothermal, and tapping abandoned oil and gas wells for their heat, known as coproduction. Other projects involve adopting horizontal drilling techniques, now common in oil and gas, to connect multiple geothermal reservoirs in a field.

There are 3.2 gigawatts of geothermal power connected to the U.S. grid, less than 1 percent of the grid's capacity. Government estimates put the potential for new discoveries of conventional geothermal power at about 30 gigawatts, and EGS at more than 100 gigawatts over the next 50 years. That would be 10 percent of the grid's current capacity.

"We are big believers that EGS will be a successful part of the energy mix once we show the pathway," Hollette said.

Source: http://www.kpic.com/news/local/Geothermal-takes-a-technological-step-forward-186628441.html

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