The Daily Roundup for 01.16.2013

You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.

Continue reading The Daily Roundup for 01.16.2013

Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/16/the-daily-roundup-for-01-16-2013/

sons of anarchy adriana lima victoria secret fashion show SEC Championship Rick Majerus Cotto vs Trout Robin Givens

Russian court rejects punk band member's bid for release

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Jailed Pussy Riot punk band member Maria Alyokhina lost an appeal to a Russian court on Wednesday to be freed from prison and defer her sentence to care for her five-year-old son.

Alyokhina, 24, is serving a two-year sentence for a protest against President Vladimir Putin in Moscow's main cathedral.

She had asked the court to free her from the jail in the Ural Mountains to serve her sentence when her son was older.

"The court has ruled against granting the request," state-run RIA news agency the judge as saying. It said the court found that Alyokhina's family situation had been properly taken into account during her trial, which ended in August.

Alyokhina and two band mates were convicted of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred for their "punk prayer", which was criticized by Putin and cast by the Russian Orthodox Church as part of a concerted attack on the country's main faith.

The refusal to let Alyokhina be with her child is likely to stoke further ire from liberals incensed by a law he signed in December barring Americans from adopting Russian children, which critics say has made vulnerable orphans pawns to politics.

The United States and Europe have called the two-year Pussy Riot sentences excessive and Putin's opponents say they are part of a series of measures to punish dissent since he returned to the presidency last may after four years as prime minister.

(Writing by Steve Gutterman; Editing by Alison Williams)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/russian-court-rejects-pussy-riot-protesters-bid-release-145709908.html

affordable care act the line us soccer bobby brown arrested the happening black panthers mauritania

Radford football coach 'went bonkers' in attack on mum with newborn baby http://...

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://www.facebook.com/ThisIsNottingham/posts/314863338634387

meteor showers 2012 ufc 145 jones vs evans marian hossa philip humber red sox white sox

U.S. says to negotiate services trade pact with EU, Japan, others

Maximum daily hit per IP!

To see news on this page you need to be logged in.

If you already have an account simply login to your account

Login to your account for
for advanced settings:

If you don't have an account we welcome you to signup to our news service at this page

Source: http://www.insideworld.com/r/?rid=6649627

monday night football monday night football SEC Championship Game 2012 kansas city chiefs Javon Belcher express kindle fire

Multicultural City Darwin

Darwin is a multi-ethnic city where 50 different cultures exist. Its small population of around 110, 000 people have migrated from 50 different nations. The customary Asian-styled markets form an essential part of Darwin backdrop offering food, language, culture from almost every Asian territory. Darwins landscape includes sunset sails, fishing, crocodile hunters, musicians and aboriginal artists and exotic beaches.

Weather in Darwin

Darwin's tropical climate has two major seasons, the 'dry', from about May to October, and the 'wet', from November to April. Cyclones prone Darwin has its day temperatures around 32 degrees with altering humidity levels. The dry seasons makes the Weather in Darwin perfect for touring and holidaying. But for those who wish to get pleasure from the waterfalls and greener landscapes, Novembers to April months are for them. Better to avoid the cyclones or floods if any during this season.

Darwin Travel Guide

A convenient mode to enter Darwin is by The Ghan, the reasonably expensive, hassle free, very comfortable and scenic tourist train that gives you the option of carrying your cars as well. Darwin is reachable by plane from several Australian cities by domestic Airlines. Jetstar operates nonstop flights to Darwin from select international destinations. By road you can reach Darwin using the Stuart Highway. By sea route, numerous international cruises have a day stop by in Darwin. For city transportation Buslink provides comfortable access through the city. Private Hire Cars caters your specific transportation needs including airport transfers or sightseeing.

Sightseeing in Darwin

Darwin Wharf Precinct - a target of the Japanese bombers that claimed numerous is a historical landmark.

Adelaide River War Cemetery - now set in lush green backdrop along the River Adelaide.

Lyons Cottage popularly referred to as British Australia Telegraph House that has survived the Japanese bombs during World War II.

Aviation Heritage Centre - exhibits inspiring collection of aircraft both historical and modern.

Bicentennial Park - A scenic picnic spot overlooking the Darwin Harbour.

George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens - displays Darwins colourful flora and fauna, open woodlands and monsoon forests.

Exploring the Asian styled local markets is an integral part of Sightseeing in Darwin. Mindil Beach Sunset Markets where you can shop for wine and blankets, eat chocolate-filled churros, Lucky Cows felafel wrap or Malaysian satay grilled stick. Nightcliff Markets or the Rapid Creek Sunday Market for Thai massage, Asian herbs, fruits and vegetables.

Accommodations in Darwin

For inexpensive accommodation in the centre of Darwin you can stay at Ashton Lodge, Gecko Lodge, Cavenagh Backpackers, Value Inn or the Youth Shack. These provide with basic and comfy sleep facilities.

For pure Darwin experience you must choose to sleep at one of these:

Crab Claw Island Fishermans Village - reflects a fishing village surrounded by palm gardens.

Feathers Sanctuary - Bed and breakfast set on landscaped grounds with diverse bird collection.

Grungle Downs Tropical B & B - safari-style camp and an elite wildlife experience.

Restaurants in Darwin

Knuckey and Mitchell Streets brims with Darwins caf, pubs and restaurants providing relaxed, casual yet stylish and yummy dinner and breakfast. For lunch options theres Go Sushi, Wisdom Bar & Caf, Magic Wok, Roast and Noodle, Kitty OSheas, Moorish Caf or the Shenanigans.

About the Author:
Praveen is a prominent and amateur writer, primarily focusing on providing Darwin travel guide for those planning to travel to Darwin. Here you can get top sightseeing in Darwinbest, things to do, places to eat, information on restaurants & accommodation in Darwin and lots more.

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Multicultural-City-----Darwin/4380846

david decastro aj jenkins shea mcclellin nfl draft 2012 whitney mercilus 2012 nfl draft picks andrew luck

Tree and human health may be linked

Public release date: 16-Jan-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Yasmeen Sands
ysands@fs.fed.us
360-753-7716
USDA Forest Service - Pacific Northwest Research Station

Evidence is increasing from multiple scientific fields that exposure to the natural environment can improve human health. In a new study by the U.S. Forest Service, the presence of trees was associated with human health.

For Geoffrey Donovan, a research forester at the Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Research Station, and his colleagues, the loss of 100 million trees in the eastern and midwestern United States was an unprecedented opportunity to study the impact of a major change in the natural environment on human health.

In an analysis of 18 years of data from 1,296 counties in 15 states, researchers found that Americans living in areas infested by the emerald ash borer, a beetle that kills ash trees, suffered from an additional 15,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease and 6,000 more deaths from lower respiratory disease when compared to uninfected areas. When emerald ash borer comes into a community, city streets lined with ash trees become treeless.

The researchers analyzed demographic, human mortality, and forest health data at the county level between 1990 and 2007. The data came from counties in states with at least one confirmed case of the emerald ash borer in 2010. The findingswhich hold true after accounting for the influence of demographic differences, like income, race, and educationare published in the current issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

"There's a natural tendency to see our findings and conclude that, surely, the higher mortality rates are because of some confounding variable, like income or education, and not the loss of trees," said Donovan. "But we saw the same pattern repeated over and over in counties with very different demographic makeups."

Although the study shows the association between loss of trees and human mortality from cardiovascular and lower respiratory disease, it did not prove a causal link. The reason for the association is yet to be determined.

The emerald ash borer was first discovered near Detroit, Michigan, in 2002. The borer attacks all 22 species of North American ash and kills virtually all of the trees it infests.

###

The study was conducted in collaboration with David Butry, with the National Institute of Standards and Technology; Yvonne Michael, with Drexel University; and Jeffrey Prestemon, Andrew Liebhold, Demetrios Gatziolis, and Megan Mao, with the Forest Service's Southern, Northern, and Pacific Northwest Research Stations.

The Pacific Northwest Research Stationheadquartered in Portland, Oregongenerates and communicates scientific knowledge that helps people make informed choices about natural resources and the environment. The station has 11 laboratories and centers located in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington and about 390 employees. Learn more online at http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 16-Jan-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Yasmeen Sands
ysands@fs.fed.us
360-753-7716
USDA Forest Service - Pacific Northwest Research Station

Evidence is increasing from multiple scientific fields that exposure to the natural environment can improve human health. In a new study by the U.S. Forest Service, the presence of trees was associated with human health.

For Geoffrey Donovan, a research forester at the Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Research Station, and his colleagues, the loss of 100 million trees in the eastern and midwestern United States was an unprecedented opportunity to study the impact of a major change in the natural environment on human health.

In an analysis of 18 years of data from 1,296 counties in 15 states, researchers found that Americans living in areas infested by the emerald ash borer, a beetle that kills ash trees, suffered from an additional 15,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease and 6,000 more deaths from lower respiratory disease when compared to uninfected areas. When emerald ash borer comes into a community, city streets lined with ash trees become treeless.

The researchers analyzed demographic, human mortality, and forest health data at the county level between 1990 and 2007. The data came from counties in states with at least one confirmed case of the emerald ash borer in 2010. The findingswhich hold true after accounting for the influence of demographic differences, like income, race, and educationare published in the current issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

"There's a natural tendency to see our findings and conclude that, surely, the higher mortality rates are because of some confounding variable, like income or education, and not the loss of trees," said Donovan. "But we saw the same pattern repeated over and over in counties with very different demographic makeups."

Although the study shows the association between loss of trees and human mortality from cardiovascular and lower respiratory disease, it did not prove a causal link. The reason for the association is yet to be determined.

The emerald ash borer was first discovered near Detroit, Michigan, in 2002. The borer attacks all 22 species of North American ash and kills virtually all of the trees it infests.

###

The study was conducted in collaboration with David Butry, with the National Institute of Standards and Technology; Yvonne Michael, with Drexel University; and Jeffrey Prestemon, Andrew Liebhold, Demetrios Gatziolis, and Megan Mao, with the Forest Service's Southern, Northern, and Pacific Northwest Research Stations.

The Pacific Northwest Research Stationheadquartered in Portland, Oregongenerates and communicates scientific knowledge that helps people make informed choices about natural resources and the environment. The station has 11 laboratories and centers located in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington and about 390 employees. Learn more online at http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-01/ufs--tah011613.php

national enquirer whitney houston arizona republican debate arizona debate enquirer national inquirer knicks vs heat ash wednesday

INFOGRAPHIC: Can You Get Cancer From Oral Sex?

Cancer death rates continue to decline, the American Cancer Society's annual report showed earlier this week. But cancer caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection most well known for causing genital warts and cervical cancer, is still largely a cause for concern.

The report showed a rise in both oral and anal cancer caused by HPV in both women and men. In fact, HPV is now a more common cause of throat and other oral cancers than tobacco.

To learn more about HPV and oral cancer, check out the following infographic from the Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Source: Mount Sinai Medical Center

Related on HuffPost:

"; var coords = [-5, -72]; // display fb-bubble FloatingPrompt.embed(this, html, undefined, 'top', {fp_intersects:1, timeout_remove:2000,ignore_arrow: true, width:236, add_xy:coords, class_name: 'clear-overlay'}); });

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/14/hpv-oral-sex-throat-cancer-infographic_n_2441521.html?utm_hp_ref=women&ir=Women

the quiet man yellow cab dropkick murphys guernsey nit colcannon dystonia

ARTafterDARK at Honolulu Museum 1/25/13 | Oiwi TV | Digital ...

ARTafterDARK admission: $10. Free for Museum members.

Help us celebrate the start of our 10th year of ARTafterDARK! We?ll have social media activities related to the museum in the run up to #ARTafterDARK and during the event on Jan 25.

We?ll crown the Foursquare Mayor of the Honolulu Museum of Art?so start checking in! If you?re our mayor by the end of Jan. 23, you?ll win free admission for two to #ARTafterDARK, along with a museum gift card.

ENTERTAINMENT

6:15pm: Clones of the Queen give a preview of their 8pm Secret Sound Showcase performance.

6:45pm and 7:45pm: The Deadbeats. Funky, jazzy, hip-hop sounds.

All night: Screenfuse Social media integration platform on the big screen.

ART

Social Media Gallery Hunt

Visit the newly reinstalled European and American galleries to participate in Instagram and Twitter art activities for a chance to win an ARTafterDARK VIP Experience for you and three of your friends.

VIP Experience Prize Package includes: free VIP admission to a 2013 ARTafterDARK event of your choice, with private guided gallery tour, reserved parking, two bottles of champagne, food tokens, and a reserved table.

Portraiture

Artist Lauren Roth will sketch your portrait?while time lasts.

Member?s Perk

Watch artist Mark Norseth paint a portrait in the Members? Only Mediterranean Courtyard.

FOOD & DRINK

The Grove makes its ARTafterDARK debut, serving classic food and drinks with refreshing new twists.

Station 1: ?Soup and Sandwich?: Creamy Hamakua mushroom soup with your choice of corned beef #melt with fresh arugula or open face(book) caprese with fresh mozzarella, Hau?ula tomatoes, basil and arugula on foccacia $7 ($5 for sandwich only, $4 for soup only)

Station 2: Waim?nalo honey panna cotta with fresh berry coulis $5, truffle-and-Parmeson popcorn $3

POST-ART AFTER DARK

Secret Sound Showcase: Clones of the Queen, Pink Mist, & Taimane Gardner, 8pm at Dorris Duke Theatre, $10.

Plan on going to ARTafterDARK and Secret Sound Showcase? You can skip the line to get into ARTafterDARK by buying your ticket at the Doris Duke Theatre entrance (at the rear of the museum, on Kinau Street) along with your concert ticket.

PARKING

Just a reminder?ARTafterDARKers can park in the following locations:

1)?FREE:?Street parking on Beretania and Kinau Street from 6 p.m.

2) $4:?The Pro Park Parking Lot behind the Honolulu Museum of Art School (1111 Victoria St), entrances on Beretania and Young streets. Pay at the yellow slot box next to the parking booth.?

3) $5?at the First United Methodist Church Parking Lot on the corner of Beretania and Victoria streets. NOTE: lot closes promptly at 10 p.m.
?
4) $5?at Kim Chee III Parking Lot on Young Street

Source: http://www.oiwi.tv/live/community/communitynews/artafterdark-at-honolulu-museum-12513/

London 2012 Soccer dwight howard Olympics closing ceremony PGA Championship 2012 John Witherspoon george michael usain bolt

The Top 5 Dangers of Not Saving for Retirement - Mint

Losing the benefit of time.

For all the expert advice that is out there surrounding retirement planning and investing, there is one key advantage that every earner has in preparing for retirement, and it doesn?t cost a thing or require much financial know-how at all: Time.

The longer you have to work towards retirement, regardless of where you invest and how the economy performs, the better prepared you are to retire one day.

According to Certified Public Accountant Ryan Himmel, many individuals won?t have more than $100,000 saved up for when they retire, and it?s because they don?t even start thinking about retirement as a prioritized goal until their 50?s.

The reasons for putting it on the back burner are understandable: Your younger years are often marked by lower salaries, and possibly, digging your way out of student loan and credit card debt.

Then, you begin to focus your savings on buying a home, cars, and having a family. Before you know it, retirement isn?t so far off into the horizon?but you?ve cost yourself dearly by simply missing the advantage that time brings to long-term investment growth.

Consider the difference between a person who saved $100 a month starting at age 25, versus 35: Assuming an 8 percent return on investment, the younger saver would amass $365,000 for retirement by age 65.

The one who started ten years later would have less than half of that saved by the same age, simply due to the lost opportunity of long-term growth.

You cannot predict the macro economy.

Economists, stock brokers and investors all make a living by studying and spotting economic trends before they happen, but the reality is, no one can predict what the future economy beholds, because it is dictated by so many unpredictable forces, including global politics, the weather, and human behavior.

Regardless of what you think life will be like when you?re ready to retire, you have no way of knowing. Without retirement savings, you?re completely at the mercy of the unknown.

If you haven?t saved enough for retirement and it?s nearing, you?ll have no choice but to make up for lost time by putting your money into higher return?and higher risk?investments.

If the real estate market is in a down cycle, you could be left with a home whose equity you cannot leverage by way of a sale, refinance, or reverse mortgage.

If lifestyles, technology, and other innovations put your skill set less in demand, you may not be as marketable as you imagine.

While any of these factors could happen regardless of how much you?ve saved, having retirement funds gives you more control over the uncontrollable.

Not getting your worth.

If you?re shunning retirement savings because you intend to work until you drop, rethink your plan. In a recent survey conducted by Capital One ShareBuilder, one in four Americans plans to work part-time during their retirement; one-third plans to maintain their current lifestyle.

The issue with that plan is the availability of high-compensation job options that will be available to the aging population. Take for example, the ?lump of labor theory,? a widely accepted belief by European economists that postulates the existence of older workers in an economy takes jobs from younger workers.

Regardless of whether you believe the theory, the heart of the message is worth considering: If employers must choose, will they opt for an older worker who has loads of experience?but higher income expectations, or a younger worker who is willing to do the job for less money?

Living longer than you think.

According to the Society of Actuaries 2000 Annuity Table, there is a 17% chance a male age 65 will live to age 95. Females who are 65 have a 23% chance of living to age 95.

For married couples, there?s a 36% chance that either member of the joint couple will live to age 95. If you?re putting off retirement savings because a life of golfing and relaxing isn?t on your bucket list, consider that regardless of your desire, health issues brought on by the aging process may have an unintended consequence.

In the brief, ??The Decline of Career Employment? published by The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, experts estimate that 15 to 20 percent of older workers are not healthy enough to remain in the workforce during their older years.

Not having a fallback plan.

Though the future of social security remains a political hot button, economists agree that the funds won?t be around at their current levels and criterion, for much longer.

In the most recent Social Security Trustees? annual report, the year 2033 is marked as the time social security and disability funds are expected to decline significantly.

Though Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue did state at a press conference that social security likely wouldn?t be depleted entirely in 2033,? (if Congress does nothing,) he did acknowledge change, stating ?there will be sufficient assets to pay 75% of the benefits.??

Given that current social security income levels aren?t even enough to support many retirees, plan on social security as a supplemental, rather than primary, source of income?at best.

Stephanie Taylor Christensen is a former financial services marketer based in Columbus, OH. The founder of?Wellness On Less, she also writes on small business, consumer interest, wellness, career and?personal finance topics.

Source: http://www.mint.com/blog/planning/the-top-5-dangers-of-not-saving-for-retirement-0113/

ufc results water for elephants old school nick swisher jaco san jose sharks humber perfect game

How belly fat differs from thigh fat -- and why it matters

Monday, January 14, 2013

Men tend to store fat in the abdominal area, but don't usually have much in the way of hips or thighs. Women, on the other hand, are more often pear-shaped?storing more fat on their hips and thighs than in the belly. Why are women and men shaped differently? The answer still isn't clear, but it's an issue worth investigating, says Steven R. Smith, M.D., director of the Florida Hospital ? Sanford-Burnham Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes. That's because belly fat is associated with higher risks of heart disease and diabetes. On the other hand, hip and thigh fat don't seem to play a special role in these conditions.

In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Smith and colleagues help explain this discrepancy by determining how belly and thigh fat differ genetically. This research might shift common thinking about fat?rather than focusing on how to banish belly fat, perhaps we need tip the balance in favor of heart-friendly fat in the lower body. In that case, the study also provides a first step toward aiming treatments at specific regions of the body, especially those that contribute most to the complications of obesity.

Belly fat genes vs. thigh fat genes

Smith and colleagues first took fat samples from men and women. Then they compared the genes most active in belly fat to those most active in thigh fat.

Here's what they found: The genes operating in a person's thigh fat are hugely different from those in his or her belly fat. For men, 125 genes are expressed differently in the belly than in the thighs. For women, it's 218 genes (most are unique to women, but 59 genes are the same as those that varied in male fat).

The most notable genes that differed are known as homeobox genes. These genes are known for their role in helping shape a developing embryo?determining which cells and organs go where. Many homeobox genes are influenced by hormones such as estrogen.

Why are these homeobox genes important for fat? "We believe these genes actually program those fat cells to respond differently to different hormones and other signals," Smith says.

Stem cells show fat is preprogrammed for its location

In the course of their work, Smith and his team also isolated stem cells from belly and thigh fat and grew them in laboratory dishes. This was a nice control because fat cells in a dish aren't influenced by nerves, hormones, or other outside signals.

Yet the researchers still saw the same location-specific differences in gene activity in the fat that developed from these stem cells. That result told them that the cells are preprogrammed. In other words, belly fat and thigh fat are genetically destined for their final location during development. It's not a difference that's acquired over time, as a result of diet or environmental exposure.

A new way of thinking about fat

Medically speaking, says Smith, it's important to understand these differences and how they arise. "Even though many women hate having large hips and thighs, that pear shape actually reduces their risk of heart disease and diabetes. In fact, women who have heart attacks tend to have more belly fat than thigh fat."

This research marks a new way of thinking. "Most people want to stop belly fat. But the problem is not just the fat?it's the location. Belly fat is just a marker of the problem. The real issue is in inability to store that fat on the hips and thighs," he continues.

Smith hopes that future studies aimed at understanding the fundamental differences in these fat depots could lead to specific treatments aimed at the regions that contribute most to the complications of obesity.

###

Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute: http://www.burnham-inst.org

Thanks to Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

This press release has been viewed 76 time(s).

Source: http://www.labspaces.net/126254/How_belly_fat_differs_from_thigh_fat____and_why_it_matters

april 30 wwe extreme rules 2012 vontaze burfict jimmy kimmel amzn white house correspondents dinner phoenix coyotes

Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about suggestions for a new coach, Bernie Kosar's optimism, the Tribe's new arm and the Cavaliers' room for improvement

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hmmm, what could we possibly be talking about this weekend?

Something for a new Browns coach to consider ...

At the Rob Chudzinski news conference, he didn't want to talk about individual players, which makes sense since he hasn't met most of them. But I can pass some thoughts on to the coach:

1. Hope you can make it work with Brandon Weeden. The Browns don't need another quarterback change, especially since there doesn't appear to be many top prospects in the draft. All fans ever see is a new coach and a new quarterback. Weeden has some talent, bring it out.

2. You probably have two quality backup quarterbacks in Colt McCoy and Thad Lewis. Look closely at the final game against the Steelers and some preseason games ... Lewis may surprise you.

3. Please don't go to a "pure" 3-4 defense. The Browns have spent three years adding linemen who play the 4-3, and are weak at linebacker. Not sure what a "hybrid" means when it comes to your defense, just make sure you don't waste the line's depth. You have talked about being able to adapt to talent on offense; do the same on defense.

4. Never thought I'd write this, but consider keeping Chris Tabor as special teams coach. He had a miserable rookie season in 2011, but the Browns ranked No. 2 (behind Baltimore) in the NFL this year, according to Football Outsiders. Late in the season, kicker Phil Dawson raved about Tabor, saying how he's grown as a coach and done an excellent job with a very young special teams unit.

5. Keep Dawson. There should not be any discussion about retaining the free-agent kicker.

6. Cornerbacks and safeties. You need both. You have two starters -- Joe Haden and T.J. Ward. The rest are backups.

7. Hope you add a veteran receiver to join Josh Gordon and Greg Little. Pay special attention to Little, who really improved the second half of the season. Travis Benjamin can be a deep threat as a part-time receiver and return man on special teams.

8. You are a former tight end coach. See if you can get more out of Jordan Cameron, who seems to have the ability to be an impact receiver. With Alex Smith and Ben Watson as free agents, he's your only tight end.

9. Mohamed Massaquoi is a free agent. Let him go. Yes, he will be the final member of the 2009 lost second-round draft -- the others previously released were Brian Robiskie and David Veikune. You can't allow three second-round picks to be wasted like that.

10. Correction: I was wrong when I wrote that Mike Lombardi played a role in drafting JaMarcus Russell with the Oakland Raiders. Lombardi was leaving the organization as the 2007 draft was unfolding, and had no influence on that disaster of a No. 1 pick. Lombardi still seems to be in the running for some type of position with the Browns in the player personnel department.

About Bernie Kosar ...

I'm not going to enter the debate about Dr. Rick Sponaugle, who is treating Bernie Kosar. He runs the Florida Detox and Wellness Clinic, which treats people with addiction problems, head injuries and other issues.

I do know I wrote a story in April 2010, when Kosar revealed his problem with concussions for the first time. Find the story at tinyurl.com/279fwfa

I do know Kosar is doing much better now than even a month ago. His longtime friend, Tami Longaberger, told me, "He has been like a new man lately." Losing almost 40 pounds helped, as did the vitamins he's now taking. But he believes the treatments are a major factor.

This much is certain. Kosar took a tremendous beating playing quarterback for the Browns. He estimates at least a dozen concussions, his doctors believe it was even more. And the struggles of Kosar and others show that we simply can't say, "He just got dinged," when a player is hit in the head.

About the Tribe ...

1. Last week, I failed to mention Trevor Bauer as a candidate for the Tribe's rotation coming out of spring training. He is in the mix, but one of the reasons the Tribe signed Brett Myers is so they don't have to rush Bauer into the rotation. He's pitched only 172 innings, 161/3 innings in the majors. He'll turn 22 on Jan. 17.

2. Tribe manager Terry Francona and General Manager Chris Antonetti watched Bauer's workouts at a training facility in Texas last week. They didn't see anything that was especially extreme, and they had some in-depth talks about his training techniques. They don't think his approach to training will be an issue, as it was with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

3. The Tribe learned that Bauer was bothered by a groin injury for most of the second half of last season. That is part of the reason he was 1-2 with a 6.06 ERA for Arizona in four starts. He was 12-2 with a 2.40 ERA at Class AA and AAA last season.

4. So the rotation has three spots set -- Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez and Myers. Competing for the final two spots are Zach McAllister and Carlos Carrasco -- both likely to make the team -- followed by Corey Kluber, Scott Kazmir and Bauer. The Indians expect Bauer to be in the big leagues at some point in 2013.

5. Russ Canzler is now with the Yankees, who claimed him off waivers from the Tribe. After signing Nick Swisher, the Indians said they had to decide between Canzler and Cord Phelps for the final 40-man roster spot. They thought Phelps (.276, 16 homers, .820 OPS at Class AAA) was more likely to be claimed on waivers. Phelps, 25, is a second baseman. Canzler, 26, plays first and the outfield, but struggles defensively. He hit .265 with 22 homers in Class AAA, then .269 with three homers for the Tribe in 93 at-bats.

6. This winter, Canzler has been put on waivers by the Tribe and claimed by Toronto, waived by Toronto and claimed by the Tribe. The Indians thought no one would claim Canzler this time -- because only Toronto put in a claim during the first waiver period. The Tribe's goal was to slip Canzler through waivers, sign him to a minor-league contract and bring him to spring training.

7. The other problem with the Tribe's roster is they have three pitchers (Josh Tomlin, Brandon Wood and Chen Lee) all recovering from arm surgeries. They won't be ready for the opener, but the Tribe likes all three and didn't want to risk losing them on waivers to a team that would keep them on the 40-man roster as they recover.

8. The Yankees are looking for a right-handed hitter (partly to replace Swisher, a switch hitter) and Canzler has a decent chance to make their team.

9. While left-hander David Huff would like to start, the Indians plan to stress to him that he's out of minor-league options. With Tony Sipp and Raffy Perez gone, they need lefties in the bullpen. A job is waiting as Huff will compete with fellow lefties Nick Hagadone and Scott Barnes for two spots. Huff is 28, so now is the time to find a role that keeps him in the majors.

10. In another roster decision, the Tribe kept Huff over Jeanmar Gomez, who was traded to the Pirates for Class AA outfielder Quincy Latimore (.252, 15 HR, 71 RBI, .754 OPS). He is 23, a right-handed hitter and considered a so-so prospect. The Tribe is desperate for outfielders at the upper levels of the farm system.

About the Cavaliers ...

1. Heading into the season, the Cavs thought they could end up with their first-round pick (probably will be high) and perhaps a pick in the 15 to 22 range from the Lakers. It's complicated, but the Cavs have a deal where they either receive the Lakers' pick or Miami's pick. But if the Lakers miss the playoffs -- something no one imagined -- then the Cavs get Miami's first-round pick.

2. The Lakers were five games out of the final Western Conference playoff spot heading into the weekend. They are horrible defensively, and new coach Mike D'Antoni is not a coach who stresses that part of the game. Guess firing Mike Brown after that 1-4 start didn't fix things. At this point, the Lakers are heading to the draft lottery.

3. There is a complicated stat called "Defensive Efficiency." The bottom line is that the bottom six teams in this category (25 to 30) are Dallas, Phoenix, New Orleans, the Cavs, Sacramento and Charlotte. The six teams entered the weekend with a combined 67-143 record, the best was Dallas at 14-23. So the fact that the Lakers rank 21st in defensive efficiency shows they are in huge trouble -- and so are the Cavs, in terms of securing the higher pick.

4. The Cavs will have their own first-round pick, and (assuming the Lakers miss the playoffs) a first-rounder that belongs to the Heat. With Anderson Varejao out for at least six weeks with surgery on a "split" muscle of his leg, winning will continue to be difficult. But just as damaging, the Cavs probably can't trade Varejao near the Feb. 21 deadline -- as this is his third serious injury in the past three seasons.

5. You can argue they should have traded Varejao in the summer -- in case he was injured again. The Cavs thought Varejao was headed for a big season. He was averaging 14.4 rebounds (still No. 1 in the NBA) and 14.1 points, so the Cavs were right about him being productive. But he needs to be on the floor to do so.

6. So the Cavs will probably go into the off-season with Varejao on the roster. The reason for the delay in the surgery is that the first MRI exam did not show a significant split in the muscle because of the swelling around it. A second MRI taken six days later when the swelling had gone down revealed the need for surgery.

7. It's hard to know if Tristan Thompson's rise (13.1 points, 11.5 rebounds) is purely a product of him playing without Varejao. Yes, more rebounds are available, especially since starting center Tyler Zeller needs to work on his rebounding.

8. But the Cavs also believe all the hard work Thompson put in is paying off. He usually is one of the last to leave the practice floor. It has helped to sometimes practice against 7-3 Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who is the team's assistant general manager. After facing Ilgauskas in some 1-on-1 teaching sessions, other centers look smaller. If Thompson turns into the 12-point, 10-rebound man the Cavs hope he can be, it enables them to consider trading Varejao this summer. After this season, Varejao has two more years left on his contract at $9 million and $9.7 million. Those are very reasonable numbers for a big man who can rebound and defend.

I will be speaking at The Plain Dealer on Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. during a program called "Faith and Dessert." I will be talking about my faith writing, including my new book, "Faith and You -- Volume 2." And yes, there will be dessert. Also, there will be some free books given away. The cost is $10 per person. For information, call 216-999-4028. Or check plaindealer.com/terry

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2013/01/terry_plutos_talkin_about_sugg.html

Savages Home Run Derby 2012 San Diego fireworks steve nash july 4th higgs boson Malware Monday

Gun lobby: Congress doesn't have the muscle to pass gun control

Nearly a month after the massacre of 27 people in Newtown, Conn., lawmakers on Capitol Hill are dialing back expectations on what Congress can ? or should ? do on its own to curb gun violence.

After initial expressions of outrage, lawmakers and the White House are getting down to counting votes on what can actually be achieved on Capitol Hill, where limits on gun rights have has been a taboo for more than a decade.

On Sunday, top gun lobbyists predicted that there?s not enough support in Congress for a new ban on assault weapons and that even curbs on high-capacity magazine clips were in doubt.

RECOMMENDED: Second Amendment Quiz

?When a president takes all the power of his office, if he?s willing to expend political capital, you don?t want to make predictions,? said David Keene, president of the National Rifle Association, on CNN?s ?State of the Union.?

?But I would say that the likelihood is that they?re not going to be able to get an assault weapons ban through the Congress,? he added.

Since the Sandy Hook shootings, gun sales and request for background checks have spiked, in anticipation of new curbs on guns. The NRA reports that it has gained 100,000 new members since the Dec. 14 shootings and expects to soon top 5 million members.

There's a window for action after incidents like the Sandy Hook shootings, and that window is beginning to close, says Julian Zelizer, a congressional historian at Princeton University in Princeton, N. J. "Memories of the shooting start to fade, the NRA starts to be more comfortable, reformers start to back off and they are much more timid."

"If Obama wants to do something, he has to make this front and center, because it's getting harder by the day," he adds.

Vice President Joe Biden, who met last week with a wide range of interest groups on gun violence, is expected to deliver recommendations to the president on Tuesday.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are proposing measures to renew the assault weapons ban, limit the size of high-capacity magazine clips, require universal background checks, increase mental health screenings, and pressure Hollywood and the video game industry to dial back the violence.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D) of West Virginia electrified the pro-gun control community when he announced that the slaughter of children at Sandy Hook ?changed me,? and called on his ?friends in the NRA? to be ?at the table? on preventing gun violence.

But his main focus in appearances on Sunday talk shows was to assure gun owners that Congress will not rein in gun rights.

?I would tell all of my friends in the NRA, I will work extremely hard and I will guarantee you that there will not be an encroachment on your Second Amendment rights,? he said on ABC?s ?This Week.?

?An assault weapons standalone ban on just guns alone will not go anywhere in the political reality we are in,? Senator Manchin said on CNN?s ?State of the Union.? It has to be a ?comprehensive approach,? he added, including mental health and video violence. The issues is not guns, he said, it?s a ?culture of mass violence.?

The assault weapons ban passed mainly with Democratic votes in 1994 contributed to the GOP takeover of the House (for the first time in 40 years) in November elections that year. The loss of pro-gun Democratic voters in states like West Virginia also helped sink Al Gore?s presidential bid in 2000. It?s been a toxic issue for most Democrats ever since.

Most Republicans still oppose curbs on gun rights. ?We obviously have a situation where crazy people, deranged individuals are having access to guns,? said Sen. John McCain (R) of Arizona on CBS?s ?Face the Nation? on Sunday. But ?just taking guns away from people? is not the answer, he added.

Meanwhile, Democrats are proposing administrative measures that the White House can take on its own to rein in gun violence. Senior Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee wrote to Vice President Biden on Jan. 11, urging him to include a recommendation in his report to increase research on gun-related violence. Since 1997, House appropriations laws have included language to bar the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from using funds ?to advocate or promote gun control," language which has had a chilling impact on studies of gun violence, they say.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D) of Connecticut on Friday called on the Obama administration to ensure that all federal agencies are providing needed records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check system. "Many federal agencies still do not report the necessary information to the database," he wrote in a letter to Vice President Biden.

Also on Friday, Sens. Tom Harkin (D) of Iowa and Al Franken (D) of Minnesota, called on the Obama administration to use executive powers to expand access to mental health and substance abuse services.

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D) of Maryland told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday that "it's going to be very difficult" to revive the assault weapons ban. But there's a better chance of winning agreement on universal background checks and limits on high-capacity magazines, he added.

But even such measures are now in doubt, says Larry Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America on ?Fox News Sunday.? "We don't think that there is much likelihood that the Congress is going to move on making gun-control laws worse than they are.?

Last week, Roll Call reported that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of House Democrats, launched an e-mail petition drive to support the president to take up the gun issue, a new version of the 2012 ?Have His Back? campaign.

?We hear from the White House that they are going to lay down political capital on this issue,? says Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress, speaking on "Fox News Sunday."

RECOMMENDED: Second Amendment Quiz

Related stories

Read this story at csmonitor.com

Become a part of the Monitor community

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/gun-lobby-congress-doesnt-muscle-pass-gun-control-202436760.html

madonna halftime show linsanity the alamo anencephaly tesla model x lou gehrig toby mac

SHOW BITS: Don't mess with Meryl Streep

Jennifer Lawrence poses with the award for best performance by an actress in a motion picture comedy or musical for ?Silver Linings Playbook? backstage at the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday Jan. 13, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Jennifer Lawrence poses with the award for best performance by an actress in a motion picture comedy or musical for ?Silver Linings Playbook? backstage at the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday Jan. 13, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Jodie Foster poses with the Cecile B. DeMille Award for outstanding contribution to the entertainment field backstage at the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday Jan. 13, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Actress Anne Hathaway arrives at the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday Jan. 13, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

This image released by NBC shows co-host Tina Fey, left, and Amy Poehler on stage during the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/NBC, Paul Drinkwater)

This image released by NBC shows former President Bill Clinton introducing best picture nominee "Lincoln" during the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 13, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/NBC, Paul Drinkwater)

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) ? Show Bits brings you the 70th annual Golden Globes awards through the eyes of Associated Press journalists. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.

___

Don't mess with Meryl.

That's what a lot of Twitter users were saying after Jennifer Lawrence accepted the Golden Globe for lead actress in a motion picture comedy or musical, looked it over and quipped, "What does it say? I beat Meryl!"

Meryl Streep was nominated in the same category for "Hope Springs."

"Who says that?" tweeted "Dancing With the Stars" judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

Celeb blogger Perez Hilton cautioned, "Oh, no you didn't!!!! Meryl Streep is gonna haunt your dreams!!!!!!!!!!"

Lawrence was actually quoting a line from the movie "First Wives Club" starring Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton.

Fans who got the joke were quick to point out she was not dissing Streep, who has more Golden Globe nominations than anyone.

Soon (hash)FirstWivesClub was trending too.

? Alicia Rancilio ? Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/aliciar

___

QUICKQUOTE: "Honestly, I would have played a musket, so I'm thrilled I got to sing a really good song." ? Anne Hathaway on her role in "Les Miserables," which won her a supporting actress Golden Globe Award.

? Anthony McCartney ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/mccartneyAP

___

Julia Louis Dreyfus stood patiently in line for the restroom, as did Emily Blunt and Jane Lynch.

It's worth the wait: The place also doubles as a courtesy ER for beauty fixes.

Hair stylists and makeup artists keep busy there throughout the evening with curling irons and blush brushes.

Most big-name stars bypass the services, however. Apparently their glow is natural.

? Lynn Elber ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/LynnElber.

___

"No. Not really. I think it stands for itself and it's an expression of who I am and what I'm thinking and feeling." ? Jodie Foster, on whether she felt her speech at the Golden Globe Awards would lead to more speculation about her personal life.

? Anthony McCartney ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/mccartneyAP

___

The Golden Globes' shrewdest choices may not have had anything to do with those nominated for awards.

At midpoint in Sunday's broadcast, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey were poised to be the night's big winners for their roles as co-hosts.

Poehler had promised not to be "edgy or offensive tonight," as past host Ricky Gervais had been in many viewers' eyes.

"Because as Ricky learned the hard way, when you run afoul of the Hollywood Foreign Press, they make you host this show two more times," Poehler said.

She and Fey weren't edgy or offensive. Just charming, irreverent and hilarious.

That should be grounds for having to host the Globes two more times ? at least.

? Frazier Moore ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/tvfrazier

___

QUICKQUOTE: "I could never stop acting. You'd have to drag me behind a team of horses. No, I'm not retiring from acting." ? Jodie Foster, speaking to reporters after accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

? Anthony McCartney ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/mccartneyAP

___

Jeremy Irons had stepped outside the Golden Globes show and was preparing himself a hand-rolled cigarette when he stopped in mid-roll and pocketed his tobacco.

"Wait, I want to see Jodie," he said.

He rushed back inside the ballroom in time to see Jodie Foster accept the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement from Robert Downey, Jr.

? Sandy Cohen ? Twitter http://www twitter.com/apsandy

___

Toby Jones dropped a little scoop on the next chapter in "The Hunger Games" series.

"It's obviously bigger and a different kind of film this time, more centered on the games themselves," he said on the red carpet at the Golden Globes.

Jones was at the awards show as a nominee for best actor in a miniseries or movie for his performance as Alfred Hitchcock in HBO's "The Girl." He lost out to Kevin Costner.

The actor will reprise his role of Claudius Templesmith in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," and of course Globe winner Jennifer Lawrence will be back as Katniss Everdeen.

? Beth Harris ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/bethharrisap

___

QUICKQUOTE: "NO! Hahahahahahaha" ? Adele, responding to a question about whether she expects to play a Bond girl now that she's won a Golden Globe award for "Skyfall."

? Anthony McCartney? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/mccartneyAP

___

QUICKQUOTE: "I'll revisit that area because I like original story and I think that they are our Shakespeare in a sense. I never do Westerns for the shootouts. I always do them for the language." ? Kevin Costner on whether he'll make another Western project after winning a Golden Globe for his role on "Hatfields & McCoys."

? Anthony McCartney ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/mccartneyAP

___

QUICKQUOTE: "Oh my God, what an exciting special guest: That was Hillary Clinton's husband! ? Golden Globes co-host Amy Poehler after a special appearance by former President Bill Clinton.

? Sandy Cohen ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/apsandy

___

There was big-name celebrity heat on the Golden Globes red carpet. That was about the only heat to be found anywhere in Beverly Hills, however.

On a sunny afternoon, when temps dipped unusually low into the 50s, goose bumps popped on the sinewy arms of actresses like Debra Messing, Connie Britton, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Sally Field.

"No, I'm not wearing any leggings or long underwear," a smiling Louis-Dreyfus said, patting her strapless gown's layers of tulle, silk and lace.

Asked how she was coping with the chill, Messing replied, "Not well."

Britton didn't mind as much.

"I don't think it's that bad out here," she said. "Maybe it's the adrenaline or something. It's fun to wear a strapless dress to an awards ceremony, so sometimes you got to suck it up."

? Beth Harris ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/bethharrisap

___

Gowns with long trains are glamorous but can pose a serious traffic hazard. Just ask the guy behind Jennifer Lopez.

When Lopez strolled into the Golden Globes show pulling an impressive amount of fabric, the man behind her had to do a quick bunny hop.

His quick thinking and fast maneuvering avoided not only a possible derailment but also what could have been an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction.

? Lynn Elber ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/LynnElber.

__

Olympic champions Gabby Douglas, Missy Franklin and Evan Lysacek shed their athletic garb and slipped on slinky duds to walk the red carpet at the Golden Globes.

"Evan put it perfectly," Franklin said. "He said, 'This is kind of like the Olympics for the celebrities.'"

Douglas, the all-around gymnastics champion, shimmered and shivered in a lime dress on the chilly carpet, where temps hovered in the 50s.

Franklin, the five-time swimming medalist, wore a black silk gown with a sparkly statement necklace.

Lysacek, the reigning Olympic figure skating champion, donned a black velvet tuxedo that would have looked equally as dashing on the ice.

"I want to see everyone," gushed Douglas, who stopped to pose for a picture with Sean "Diddy" Combs. "I want to meet Emma Stone. I'm having so much fun."

? Beth Harris ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/bethharrisap

___

QUICKQUOTE: "When my name was called, my knees gave a little bit. Actually, I was sitting. My knees gave when I walked up there." ? Christoph Waltz, who won a Golden Globe for supporting actor for his role in "Django Unchained."

? Anthony McCartney? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/mccartneyAP

___

Golden Globe nominees Steve Buscemi and Louis C.K. shared some love inside the Beverly Hilton Hotel International Ballroom as they waited to find out whether they'd go home winners or losers.

"Thanks, it was fun," the comedian said sheepishly after the star of "Boardwalk Empire" complimented him on his Globe-nominated performance in "Louie."

Buscemi was nominated for best actor in a TV drama, while C.K. was up for best actor in a TV musical or comedy.

Elsewhere in the ballroom, Kathryn Bigelow and Jodie Foster made a beeline for each other, navigating around several star-filled dinner tables to exchange greetings and a hug.

? Sandy Cohen ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/apsandy

___

As the announcer shouted out that it was time to clear the red carpet and get inside for the Golden Globes show, Anne Hathaway managed to quickly sign her name to a fan's autograph book.

George Clooney and his fan weren't so lucky.

The fan-friendly actor was heading toward the bleacher crowd before he was ushered inside just in time for cameras to roll.

? Anthony McCartney ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/mccartneyAP

___

A tube of lip gloss, some mascara, an iPhone and her driver's number.

That's all Megan Hilty of "Smash" is carrying in her golden clutch at this year's Golden Globes.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have even less in their itty-bitty purses. They're empty.

The ceremony's co-hosts whipped them open and held them upside down on the red carpet for the "Today" show co-hosts before the heading inside to prove nothing was weighing them down Sunday.

? Derrik J. Lang ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang

___

He is Bond after all. He has to look cool. Even when it's cold.

With the sun going down and temperatures dropping, Daniel Craig strolled down the Golden Globes red carpet still wearing his sunglasses.

As fans shouted his name, the man who plays James Bond turned to the crowd and waved, flashbulbs flashing in his face and reflecting off his shades.

? Anthony McCartney ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/mccartneyAP

___

EDITOR'S NOTE: Show Bits brings you the 70th annual Golden Globe Awards through the eyes of Associated Press journalists. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-01-13-Golden%20Globes-Show%20Bits-Package/id-c773668804fb41589fcce866215cacd6

march 30 rimm pauly d project adrienne rich autism cesar chavez day raspberry ketone

Russia rejects Assad exit as precondition for Syria deal

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia voiced support on Saturday for international peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi but insisted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's exit cannot be a precondition for a deal to end the country's conflict.

A Foreign Ministry statement following talks on Friday with the United States and Brahimi, whom the Syrian government has labeled "flagrantly biased", reiterated calls for an end to violence in Syria, where more than 60,000 people have been killed since March 2011.

At the meeting in Geneva with Brahimi and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov "expressed unfailing support for Brahimi's mission as the U.N.-Arab League special envoy on Syria," it said.

The issue of Assad, whom the United States, European powers and Gulf-led Arab states insist must step down to end what has escalated into a civil war, appeared to be a sticking point at the meeting.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said: "As before, we firmly uphold the thesis that questions about Syria's future must be decided by the Syrians themselves, without interference from outside or the imposition of prepared recipes for development."

Russia has been Assad's most powerful international backer during the nearly 22-month-old conflict, joining with China to block three Western- and Arab-backed U.N. Security Council resolutions aimed to pressure him or push him from power.

In Geneva, Russia called for "a political transition process" based on an agreement by foreign powers last June.

Brahimi, who is trying to build on the agreement reached in Geneva on June 30, has met three times with senior Russian and U.S. diplomats since early December and met Assad in Damascus.

Russia and the United States disagreed over what the June agreement meant for Assad, with Washington saying it sent a clear signal he must go and Russia contending it did not.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said there had been some progress toward a common view at Friday's meeting but did not provide details.

Moscow says it is not propping up Assad and, as rebels gain ground in the war, has given indications it is preparing for his possible exit. But it continues to insist he must not be forced out by foreign powers.

Analysts say President Vladimir Putin wants to prevent the United States from using military force or support from the U.N. Security Council to bring down governments it opposes.

Bogdanov met Syrian Christian opposition campaigner Michel Kilo in Geneva in efforts to pursue close contacts with both Assad's government and opponents, the Foreign Ministry said.

(Writing by Steve Gutterman; Editing by Jason Webb)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/russia-rejects-assad-exit-precondition-syria-deal-111601731.html

denver weather planned parenthood what time does the superbowl start kobayashi margaret sanger paul george eddie long

larawilliamson95: rania attachment: Exploring Craft Kits | Home and ...

Posted by on January 8th, 2013

Art is becoming very popular amongst many people as a hobby and satisfying pastime . Because you can acquire create guides along with skill products in no time and have absolutely these folks supplied on to you suggests really united states usually are informing each of our creativity pass and they are doing art work while in the residence . Involvement in craft programs is particularly popular at present inside the wide variety of paintings supplies you can purchase and employ . Employing a person?s most liked products in addition to producing tasks in your house are usually expanding inside level of popularity due to capability of finding hobby/craft items . Hobby sets are a fun way for starters by using a job a high level novice and as soon as guess what happens style connected with art work you wish it is possible to carry on to acquire anyone supplies with larger sized amounts .

Craft systems are certainly various and range from garments paints , convenience paints , porcelain paints as well as glass displays . Many on-line providers at this moment give each art products and particular stock by using materials and also art resources and you can generally get them in the very economical rate . And also if you?re not used to artwork and produce you can take time to look over products rather than hunting shops without having idea that which you are looking for . A few other kits are usually like pleasant packs relating to learning and even experimenting with new mediums which includes acrylic delivers and gas or watercolour gives . Trustworthy on the web artwork companies may effort to provide more information and are also constantly a message apart when you?ve got any queries or maybe take some assistance relating to a creative opportunity you might like to practice .

Fabric offers are fantastic for individuals who would like to put together art work by using create * for a economy most of us wish to customise the properties as well as household furniture nevertheless we don?t wish to invest a lot of money ! Lots of people are actually individualising clothing at this time ? that is a great way to get creative along with allows you to get the kids involved or close friends . Craft work opportunities make great items as well ( clean ) so you can genuinely personalise a particular thing or maybe graphics to a family event or even good friends . Many people are making use of building styles in addition to using these to delicate household home furniture in the home , a lot like blinds , colours and hold covers . An opportunity is completely your own personal property in relation to crafts and also arts . Channels just like material along with a glass provides are getting to be most liked considering the customization part . Which you get in for a distinctive change to widespread gifts methods and once a lot more you can get all relevant parties . You must make a decision on art products you can test outside and build ( blank ) that are how we operate as well as offer you a eye-catching effect .

Related Posts

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Source: http://www.techwea.com/crafts-hobbies/exploring-craft-kits.html

james harden breeders cup Mitch Lucker Red Cross CMA Awards 2012 election day Electoral College map

Source: http://rania-attachment.blogspot.com/2013/01/exploring-craft-kits-home-and-family.html

national weather service kristen stewart Christian Bale Sherman Hemsley Olympics Opening Ceremony Katherine Jackson Olympics Opening Ceremony Time

Source: http://larawilliamson95.blogspot.com/2013/01/rania-attachment-exploring-craft-kits.html

new york post kate middleton bob costas bowl projections Jovan Belcher Charlie Batch Rita Ora

Pretty Little Liars is back with the remaining episodes!!

RolePlayGateway is a site built by a couple roleplayers who wanted to give a little something back to the roleplay community. The site has no intention of earning any profit, and is paid for out of their own pockets.

If you appreciate what they do, feel free to donate your spare change to help feed them on the weekends. After selecting the amount you want to donate from the menu, you can continue by clicking on PayPal logo.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/dJjGgcdCcRU/viewtopic.php

jk rowling new book between two ferns ihop statins chardon sean young juan pablo montoya

The future of input: A look at Intel's Perceptual Computing | Chips ...

Over the last year, we?ve seen companies move us ever closer to using our eyes, hands, and voice to control our computers. Now Intel hopes to develop an integrated solution for their products that pulls from all of these developing technologies. They call it perceptual computing.

Facial recognition software, voice commands, eye tracking, and gesture controls are all individual systems that have been slowly evolving for some time now. While voice commands and facial recognition are fairly popular today, eye tracking and (non-touch) gesture controls have been making headlines as well. These latter two offer new input paradigms while will inevitably gain popularity over time ? the ability just glance at the icon you want to click and watch as the program opens is quite appealing, while Microsoft?s Kinect has made it clear that gestures are useful for input.

Intel?s goal moving forward is to offer a comprehensive suite of perceptual computing tools that will make ultrabooks and ultrabook convertibles future proof.

When you think about hand gestures (again, without touching the display) most people think about the Kinect and the upcoming Leap Motion tracker. The idea behind these is to have multiple sensors recording the position of your hand in a 3D space, and then use that information to control the sytem. Instead of touching the screen and swiping from left to right, you just reach out and wave your hand through the air. We?ve seen this kind of interaction work with Kinect, and with Leap Motion being included in ASUS laptops in the future Intel has chosen to invested heavily in competing technology. Developers are currently testing software on a USB-powered 3D camera that offers motion tracking, but Intel hopes to have this tech embedded in ultrabooks to provide this immersive experience.

Intel?s partnership with Nuance has given the company the ability to mold a voice command system of their very own. The Nuance software has been used to interpret human language commands, instead of specific commands. This puts Intel?s voice control system in line with services like Google Now and Apple?s Siri, only on it will be focused on the PC (at least initially, given Intel?s growing interest in mobile).

Intel wants users to be able to launch apps, seamlessly post messages to social media, search the web, and eventually put the computer to sleep or wake it up with a customize-able voice command. Nuance is a driving force behind a lot of voice command technologies right now, including iOS? Siri, which helps identify what to expect from this service.

Facial recognition and eye tracking software open a lot of interesting doors for security and usability in traditional laptops. Facial recognition has been a pipe dream for years, but the ease in which the software can be tricked by a photo or video has stymied the adoption of the technology.

Intel?s use of a 3D camera and anti-spoofing techniques that include muscle measurement and 7-point confirmation hopes to make this technology more viable moving forward. Because the camera is already paying pretty close attention to your face, there?s a push to look at eye tracking as well. As the camera focuses on your eyes, where you are looking on the screen becomes the position of the mouse. As you move around with your eyes, even if you?re moving your head around, the camera and screen work together to keep the mouse in place.

Right now, all of this technology is dependent on external accessories. It?s been a while since most people have felt the need to strap a camera to the top of their laptop screen, but Intel assures us that this is only for development purposes. Once the technology has been embedded into the increasingly slimmer form factors of an ultrabook, these perceptual computing features will become standards that will change how we use computers. Intel has an fascinating vision for the future of interacting with the PC, and this combination of technologies creates a functional gap between smartphones and PC?s.

Source: http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/a-look-at-intels-perceptual-computing-future-2013018/

shroud of turin warren sapp the masters i robot the big c the visitor king of kings