Friday, May 31, 2013

Average US household far from regaining its wealth

(AP) ? The average U.S. household has a long way to go to recover the wealth it lost to the Great Recession, a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis concluded Thursday.

The typical household has regained less than half its wealth, the analysis found. A separate Federal Reserve report in March calculated that Americans as a whole had regained 91 percent of their losses.

Household wealth plunged $16 trillion from the third quarter of 2007 through the first quarter of 2009. By the final three months of 2012, American households as a group had regained $14.7 trillion.

Yet once those figures are adjusted for inflation and averaged across the U.S. population, the picture doesn't look so bright: The average household has recovered only 45 percent of its wealth, the St. Louis Fed concluded.

That suggests that consumer spending could remain modest as many Americans try to rebuild their wealth by saving more and paying off debts.

The number of U.S. households grew 3.8 million to 115 million from the third quarter of 2007 through the final three months of last year, the report said. As a result, the rebound in wealth has been spread across more people and reduced the average wealth for each household.

In addition, though inflation has averaged just 2 percent over the past five years, it's eroded some of the purchasing power of Americans' regained wealth.

The St. Louis Fed's analysis noted that the rebound in wealth hasn't been equally distributed. As a result, many households are even further behind than the average.

Nearly two-thirds of the increase in household wealth since 2009 is due to rising stock prices, the authors note. Stock indexes reached record highs this month. Those gains disproportionately benefit affluent households: About 80 percent of stocks are held by the wealthiest 10 percent of the population.

For middle- and lower-income households, home values represent the biggest chunk of total wealth. And home prices remain about 30 percent below their peak, even after jumping nearly 11 percent in the past year.

The analysis was written by William Emmons, an economist at the St. Louis Fed, and Ray Boshara, who directs its new Center for Household Financial Stability.

"It's like the economy is this airplane and not all the engines are firing," Emmons said.

Still, wealthier households account for a disproportionate share of consumer spending: About 20 percent of Americans account for about 40 percent of spending.

Consequently, the rise in stock prices should provide some lift to spending, Emmons said.

The average household had a net worth of $539,500 at the end of last year, according to a separate paper the St. Louis Fed released Thursday. That was up from $469,900 in the first quarter of 2009. But it was sharply below the peak of $641,000 in the first quarter of 2007.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-05-30-Household%20Wealth/id-a4c7ee6344d449fba22a99a3d88bcabf

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Cooper Union Commencement Draws Protests After Tuition Decision (VIDEO)

Cooper Union's Wednesday commencement ceremony drew perhaps more symbols of Occupy Wall Street-style activism than any other graduation in recent years, even as New York Mayor City Mayor Michael Bloomberg -- one of the richest men in the country -- delivered the school's commencement address.

Students are outraged over the school's decision, announced in April, to break a 150-year-old tradition and charge undergraduate tuition.

Cooper Union President Jamshed Barucha has borne the brunt of much of the protesters' anger because, they say, he's the one who raised the possibility of charging tuition almost immediately after taking office in 2011. Following the official decision on charging tuition, students took over Barucha's office on May 8, where a group of at least a dozen remain.

When Barucha spoke at Wednesday's graduation ceremony, roughly half the graduating class stood and turned their backs to him in protest, according to PIX 11.

Many students also wore small red felt squares on their gowns, The New York Times noted, a symbol of debt popularized by protests against tuition and fee hikes in Canada. Cooper Union students have worn such badges over the past year during demonstrations against the tuition hike, including a week long occupation of the Foundation Building's top floor in December 2012.

The first undergraduate tuition bill won't be handed out until fall 2014, to incoming Cooper Union freshmen. New students with the ability to pay will be charged on a sliding scale up to 50 percent of total tuition costs. With a year's tuition currently set at a little more than $38,000, studentsrefer to the change as a $19,000 tuition hike.

James Sprung, the senior class speaker, addressed the tuition decision changes and the protests directly in his address.

"We embody another group of adults that have written 'Free Education For All' across our chest, some more literally than others," Sprung said, to a round of applause. "We may be one of the final classes to have a mission statement that will never be forgotten."

Sprung then did a call-and-response "mic check," with assembled students joining in: "Hope. Hope is everything. A fresh way to approach a dull or dangerous thing. To do a dull thing with hope, will never be preferable, to doing a dangerous thing with hope. To do a dangerous thing with hope is what I call art. Hope is a way of doing. A way of being done."

When Bloomberg took the podium, he mentioned the still ongoing protests but said he didn't want to take sides.

"As frustrated and as angry as you may be about the school?s present situation, its future really is yours to determine," he said. "When you walk out these doors today, do not leave the passion you have shown for this institution and its past and its future behind. Stay involved. Stay committed. And do what [school founder] Peter Cooper did: Donate what you can."

Watch the entire Cooper Union commencement proceedings in the video below:

Also on HuffPost:

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/30/cooper-union-commencement-2013_n_3361217.html

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Thursday, May 30, 2013

Have Miley & Liam Split for Good? A Look at the Clues

Aw, say it ain't so! The latest report on Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth is that their relationship is in dire straits, y'all. According to Us Weekly, the engagement is off. For good. What happened? Maybe a look at their history can help answer that question... 

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/have-miley-cyrus-and-liam-hemsworth-split-good/1-a-537567?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Ahave-miley-cyrus-and-liam-hemsworth-split-good-537567

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Japan's Abe: Sharp stock moves are merely day-to-day phenomenon

By Jonathan Kaminsky SEATTLE (Reuters) - A former Microsoft executive plans to create the first U.S. national marijuana brand, with cannabis he hopes to eventually import legally from Mexico, and said he was kicking off his business by acquiring medical pot dispensaries in three U.S. states. Jamen Shively, a former Microsoft corporate strategy manager, said he envisions his Seattle-based enterprise becoming the leader in both recreational and medical cannabis - much like Starbucks is the dominant name in coffee, he said. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/japans-abe-sharp-stock-moves-merely-day-day-103751613.html

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Void in Commuity Leadership as Less than 100 Attend Strategic ...

jg2CFN ? ?There is a void in community leadership in Cornwall Ontario. ? It?s not just Mayor Kilger and his cabal of councilors who spend their time covering up scandal after scandal making Rob Ford look like Mike Duffy.

We allegedly elect people to serve in political office because of their ability to lead. ? They tell us their qualifications during elections, but at the end of the day how many times does that leadership simply turn into cronyism, partisan politics, and simply passing of the buck to consultants or city management?

Is that leadership? ? ?Same for organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and Team Cornwall in our city. ? ?So far all Mr Kevin Hargreaves, who if the buzz is true wants to be a mini Rick Shaver and now has political aspirations and wants to run for council, has achieved is gone hat in hand and got a discount from the city for the use of the Civic Complex for their Spring Show. ? How do you cut taxes to business when you cut revenue to the city? ? ?Instead of fixing the ills of the Spring show just ask for a break on rent? ?Is that community leadership?

Our local economy is under such severe downward pressure Pawnshops are stopping to take pawn. ?I spoke with one owner that said it just sucks up too much money. ?He cited one example of someone having a $15 item that they pay $5 per month in pawn fees for and have since 2010! ? Another shop is cutting down to 4 days open and stopping pawn while another is simply cutting back what they?ll accept to the point where they essentially aren?t really a pawn shop.

When the pawn shops are suffering that?s a Canary in a Coal mine.

Empty stores and struggling businesses. ?As a seller of advertising we hear the horror stories on the street as businesses struggle.

That?s why community leadership and people working together are so important and that?s why yesterdays Strategic Planning Community Consultation was such a complete and utter failure.

As one person pointed out:

We just had one in 2011. ?Did they do any of the things they talked about back then?

Was it just for the benefit of new CAO Norm Levac? ?Does he wish to imprint his own vision for the city? ?I?m not sure after he fumbled the ball on the 100 Letter Cornwall Campaign.

?We are embarking on an important strategic planning exercise, and input from the public is a key part of this exercise,? said Norm Levac, Chief Administrative Officer. ?I would encourage residents to join us at this session and provide input on their concerns and priorities for the City.??

?

Which is a valid question as it was under this council?s mandate. ?So I pulled the info and here it is below. ? It?s almost like Bob Peters took all the hot button topics and just threw them at a wall? ? ?The photo is pretty, but can you tell me what it means? ? It reminds me of those little building blocks I played with as a kid way back and would stack. ?Only these blocks have catch phrases on them.

Less than 60 people attended the four hour session at the Civic complex. ?Of that group many were either connected to the city or agency that are connected to the city. ? Out of a city of 46,000 you already have failed. ?Do we blame the taxpayers or do we ask why would the city, for such an important process, schedule it on a weekday afternoon and not really advertise it especially on the most read newspaper in the city of Cornwall?

That meant that the only people who could go would be those most likely either retired or on city payrolls. ? Nothing wrong with those people, but surely you would not get the results that you would if say?.600 people showed up as happened with the Waterfront Consultation process?

Will any result discussed at council have any true merit or weight given the extremely low turnout by the population.

While Syd Gardiner was the only councilor to show up; it was council that decided to waste taxpayer dollars by having this exercise.

And that ladies and gentlemen are some of the reasons why the City of Cornwall is where it is. ? Community leadership from the top down. ? ?And if you look at the media report of another newspaper you can see and smell the whitewash which is why it?s so critical that people not only hold our politicians accountable, but our media as well.

All this on the same day that Cornwall Living magazine came out. ?The City spends around $20K per year pimping out this brochure for friends and family of Bob Peters and his little clique and advertisers of the Seaway News. ? If you?re not part of that inner circle as many have complained, you?re not considered to be living in Cornwall.

My questions as to how much this very futile series of exercises are costing the taxpayer have also yet to be answered by City Hall.

You can post your comments below.

?

City Council Strategic Priorities ? 2010-2014
City Council Strategic Priorities

?

Over two days in February 2011, Cornwall City Council
met to establish strategic priorities for the current term
of Council.

?

The sessions were open to the public and included
reviews of various reports including, but not limited to, a Financial Sustainability Review, Solid Waste Management Program and the 2011 Five Year Capital Forecast. The Strategic Priorities adopted during the previous term of Council were also reviewed.? This report summarizes
the priorities and objectives established at the meeting.
It is expected that these objectives would be expanded
and revised as necessary over the next four years.

?

Council established two guiding principles that will govern decisions and actions over the next four years:

?

  • Fiscal Affordability
  • Sustainability

?

These guiding principles will help direct efforts that fall
within three strategic priorities:

?

  • Economic Development
  • Social Development
  • Environmental Stewardship

?

Graphic of City Council?s Strategic Priorities?(PDF)

?

?

?

Fiscal responsibility

?

It is imperative that fiscal issues be considered as municipal programs and services are developed and delivered. There is a clear recognition of the need to keep municipal taxes as low as possible, and the responsibility to ensure expenditures are efficient and affordable.

?

On June 21, 2011 Council met to establish a goal of minimizing any future tax increases over their four year term. Having recently passed the 2011 budget which resulted in a 1.1% increase in the tax levy, future tax increases over the next 3 years will be capped at 7% net of any new assessment growth. This will allow residents and businesses to effectively budget, knowing that the overall objective will see Cornwall taxes continue to remain at or below the rate of inflation.

?

Council and administration acknowledged that financial decisions, procedures and reports need to be transparent and accountable.

?

In June 2011, a brochure explaining the 2010 City budget was distributed to all City tax payers.? The brochure can also be found in a printer-friendly format on the City website.

?

2011 Property Tax Information Brochure?(PDF)

Long term planning with regards to both operational and capital budgeting is a fiscal model that is desirable.

?


Sustainability

?

Programs and services need to be developed with regards to ongoing sustainability to ensure that decisions do not have a negative impact on City operations in future years.? Cornwall needs to be developed in a manner that is sustainable, from an economic, social and environmental point of view.
Objectives
Council also identified a number of objectives that could be established in order to meet the strategic priority goals. Action/business plans will be identified and developed that can be implemented to meet those objectives.

?


Economic Development Priority Objectives

?

  • Taxation Level
    - Police Audit
    - Prov/Fed Tax Revenue
  • Business Park Development
  • Airport
  • Waterfront Development
  • Infrastructure
    - Asset Management
  • Port of Entry
    - CBSA
  • Bridge
  • Development Charges
  • Population and Business Growth
  • Regional Interaction
  • Tourism
  • Communication/Image

?

Social Development Priority Objectives

?

  • Arts and Culture
  • Medical Recruitment
  • Skills Development
    -?Education
    -?Literacy
  • ?Population Growth
    -?New Residents
    -?Immigration
    -?Retain Youth
  • Accessibility
  • Recreation
  • Communication

?

Environmental Stewardship Priority Objectives

?

  • Solid Waste Diversion
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Water Efficiency
  • Land Use Planning
    -?Brownfield Program
    -?Infill Development
    -?Housing Stock
    -?Property Standards
  • Environment Sustainability Plan
  • Active Transportation
  • Urban Forest
  • Communication

?

As action/business plans are further developed, they will be submitted to City Council.? During the term of Council, regular reports will also be provided to Council with updates on work associated with the strategic priorities.

?

Cornwall Free News Subscribe

?

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Void in Commuity Leadership as Less than 100 Attend Strategic Planning Exercise In Cornwall Ontario, 10.0 out of 10 based on 3 ratings

Source: http://cornwallfreenews.com/2013/05/void-in-commuity-leadership-as-less-than-100-attend-strategic-planning-exercise-in-cornwall-ontario/

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The State Of Conservative Media, 2013 (OliverWillisLikeKryptoniteToStupid)

Share With Friends: Share on FacebookTweet ThisPost to Google-BuzzSend on GmailPost to Linked-InSubscribe to This Feed | Rss To Twitter | Politics - Top Stories Stories, News Feeds and News via Feedzilla.

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RolePlayGateway?

GAME MECHANICS

Like I said before this is only going to be what you need to know for this rp.

--POSTING--

Guys as i said before try to post every day or two. If you can't post for a while, be sure to at least tell us or PM me, and make sure your character is not going to stall others. (Making them wait for the remaining time you're away).

Try to type three good/decent paragraphs with detail. (Dialogue has its exceptions)

By exception for dialogue, I know it gets frustrating trying to reply to someone through dialogue and asking yourself how to work up three paragraphs for a easy question. Don't worry i understand that but at least be descriptive in your answers. That's the least i can ask for when it comes to such answers but there are ways to length out your paragraph and that's by giving good visuals and inside thoughts and show your character's actions/expressions. This will also be easier for those you roleplay with allowing to see other character's gestures then guessing them.

When posting be sure to use the code

Code: Select all
? ? [center][b]NAME[/b][/center]
? ? [center][b]Class(Level)[/b][/center]
? ? [center][b]EXP:[/b][/center]
? ? [center][b]Gold:[/b][/center]
? ? [center][b][u]Area Name[/u][/b][/center]

Each post will grant 1 EXP and 5 Gold. When you hit 5/5 on EXP on your next post following you must defeat a random monster... Know I don't want you to suddenly think its all about levels and feel every time you hit 5/5 you suddenly stop what you are doing a go out to kill a monster... thats not how it will work and I will get on you if you do that.

At the beginning of the post, then continue your post as normal. When stating area you can be general or place a sub area to be more specific in case people wont automatically assume they're close to you which shouldn't happen.

When in a dungeon battle/PVP battle be sure to add these for statistics...

Code: Select all
? ? [center][b]HP:[/b][/center]
? ? [center][b]SP:[/b][/center]

So you can keep track of your stats and wont go overboard.

When describing someone your character may not know and you want to just describe the person as your character may see them to be. Please put the character your describing in parenthesis.

Ex. Medusa notices a small boy who held a lollipop in his mouth across the street (Kon). (Kon is someone i made up).

Another example is if your character is in thought. Just follow the same process. You should know if your character is thinking it, there should be " ".

When your in battle and say your beginning a ability. Be sure to describe how your character is doing the ability, the sounds one may hear if near, the environment effect it may have, etc.

Ex. Goku, begins screaming while crinching his fist. The pressure of wind increases around him as his aura intensifies. The earth begins to partially rise as his energy grow. Suddenly, his hair begins to brighten changing into a blonde color and his eyes go green. Suddenly his a explosions occurs and goku stands in anger looking towards Frieza (Super Saiyan).

(Wow... idk i feel like i explained that ok -- Goku's Supa Saiyan xD)

OK last thing I want to explain is changing areas. Know your character can't be in 2-3 different areas at once. Your character can only be in one area at a time. If through RP your character enters a different place, then state it please.

So say you got done with your full text. At the end put (Has left to The Valley Capital: Tyr)

this way people will know that your character no longer on this field.

***

Wave Gates/cities known...

The wave gates are a way to get from one city to another quickly. You must have explored and approached that cities wave gate to actually use it. For in-game purposes to use the gate you must touch the object and speak the name of the city completely.

For ex.

Para approached Heide's wave looking at it in thought before raising his hand up to it and speaking.

?The Highland Capital: Odin!?

He suddenly teleports before people's eyes disappearing his eyes suddenly close as he feels himself appearing before a different atmosphere and weather. His eyes suddenly open to Odin...

***

Monsters naturally I'd give a beastiary but I want to see your creativity and creating monsters in certain environments excluding the fact they can not be as strong as some of the monsters I have given in the area's explanation. The power of the monster is your choice but make the fight interesting, I did say you I wont be calculating the battle for you in battles you create, but I do expect you to be reasonable... like if you fight monster you will obviously take some damage... unless it's really just that low level without a benefit... Monsters in this RP hold no real benefit or meaning other then to be a limit breaker (to level you up) or for extra ideals. We may be Rping in a MMO but I want to see more roleplaying content then just x goes to kill x constantly... So depending on the level of the monster here is what you'll need.

Just multiply out each stat by level of the monster and you can make a fun fight with your ability.

Code: Select all
? ? Monster Name
? ? HP: Level x 30
? ? SP: Level x 10
? ? P.ATK/DEF Level x 2
? ? M.ATK/DEF: Level x 3

The monsters in dungeons will be generated by me so you wont need to worry about it.

***

Dungeons, when we're in a dungeon... this is where I will do some actual Gming and combat phases will occuring in a good orderly fashion. I will be giving monster's stats at the beginning and depending on what's going on I will control the monster. In addition to combat control, I will be explaining the environment, what we see , hear, smell etc. Until the boss is done and dead.

Each time we defeat a dungeon ? 1 week will go by granting EVERYONE who's currently in the RP 6 levels and 1000 gold to there character.

Now when this one week goes by everyone will do their own thing afterwards in the next post. You can do some actions that will leave you in the previous week at the start but after that paragraph or two, I expect you to transition into the next week.

I/we will eventually begin going to the next dungeon one way or another to keep with the story...

The max level for our characters will be 80

***

Your HP/SP does not regenerate during battle!

The only way it will regenerate is overtime by 4 post (May just make it 1-2 when we're in a dungeon).. each post gives you back 25%/(50-100%) of your HP/SP (Not during battles) so watch your HP and use your SP wisely!

PETS

Pets in the world can be used as basically an extra character. Know its not something like your pet dies its gone which I'll explain about the rules but the pets are often seen combat wise as extra dps. Pets get stronger as you do so they're never falling behind.

If you choose a pet as a skill here is the formula.

Code: Select all
? ? [b]Pet Name
? ? [b]Type:
? ? [b]Anime Picture:[/b]
? ? [b]Personality:[/b] Explain how it is with you and then with others.
? ? [b]HP:[/b]
? ? [b]P.ATK:[/b]
? ? [b]P.DEF:[/b]
? ? [b]M.DEF:[/b]
? ? [b]SPD:[/b]

First step: Choose your pet's type.

--Bear--
Bear pets are your natural tamed bears, they are strong pets, these pets often can take hits... They are the slowest types of pets. You can use bears if you have riding training as a land mount If it is big enough.

Code: Select all
? ? [b]HP:[/b] 40 x Level
? ? [b]P.ATK:[/b] 2 x Level
? ? [b]P.DEF:[/b] 4 x Level
? ? [b]M.DEF:[/b] 3 x Level
? ? [b]SPD:[/b] 1 x Level

--Cat---
Cat pets are your speed pets, often they can be seen as being your fast DPS type. They can't take too much hits but often can dodge well. These pets as every pet can be used as a land mount. If you want a house cat... this wont work...

Code: Select all
? ? [b]HP:[/b] 20 x Level
? ? [b]P.ATK:[/b] 3 x Level
? ? [b]P.DEF:[/b] 2 x Level
? ? [b]M.DEF:[/b] 2 x Level
? ? [b]SPD:[/b] 3 x Level

--Wolf--
Wolf is your in between type, fast on their feet, balanced damage, and ok defense. They are dog types so take that in mind for roleplay. This goes for the other types too.

Code: Select all
? ? [b]HP:[/b]30 x Level
? ? [b]P.ATK:[/b] 2.5 x Level
? ? [b]P.DEF:[/b] 3 x Level
? ? [b]M.DEF:[/b] 2.5 x Level
? ? [b]SPD:[/b] 2 x Level

--Dragon--
Dragon's are a special type of pet which to get the full extent of what they want you'll have to buy a few Plainswalker perks only in the shop. This type has nearly all the above and one thing that it gets that other classes who buy mounts don't is flying... Now know Dragon types are expensive. This is no hidden fact.

Requirements:
Dragon Trainer ? This will take one of the skill slots of usage of level 20+
Riding Training ? To ride it as a land mount (This is a skill everyone needs to be able to ride a mount). Uses a skill slot of level 30+
Dragon Rider ? Able to use the dragon as a flying mount. Uses skill slot level 70+

This all comes in addition to you buying the skill slots too.. So in truth you're buying 4 items from the list. I may give a deducted price IF you give a good explanation of how training went in the roleplay (most likely doing it at the end of an arc when you explain what you were doing during those 1-2 weeks).

Code: Select all
? ? [b]HP:[/b] 50 x Level
? ? [b]P.ATK:[/b] 5 x Level
? ? [b]P.DEF:[/b] 4 x Level
? ? [b]M.DEF:[/b] 3 x Level
? ? [b]SPD:[/b] 3 x Level

Now the way combat works for pets... If you can ride them and you're a plainswalker with a range weapon, you can sit on its back and use it. However if you are hit by anything... You WILL fall off and take 2x that damage (3x if in the air)with no armor reductions and I will be looking to see if you god mod this, I will reduce your pet's power to very minimal or even completely take away the ability and won't give your gold back. Granted I will give a warning and ask you to watch out for that.. In addition to taking damage you will be stunned for a turn. This doesn't mean skip your post, basically its to recollect yourself in what just happened. Your pet on the other hand will take 4x the damage...

When it comes to attacking, your pet will attack every other post you make during combat basically its like it's taking turns. You can attack during it's turn if you're able to. You can get back on your pet but It will take a post during combat and this granted is only if it works... A monster can hit you off again while you get back on. This wont make you take extra damage.

If your pet HP reaches 0... It will not die... It just will not be able to be used for the rest of the battle... Your pet HP regenerates by 20% each Non combat round. Unless it's 50%+ you can't ride it... Unless it's 75% you can't fly it...

In combat, you can only fly the pet for 4 post and then it will descend. Granted this is only for the dragon type. I have not decided whether I'll let you get back into the air because I don't want this to make you godly.

In PVP fights, you can't ride your mount... they can aid you in battle but just not in mounting. Assistance wise, Pets can block attacks for you IF the post makes sense. If your pet is on the other side of the monster... no where near your character... and clearly unable to block the attack ? don't even attempt it... I will call you out and say its wrong and even then blocking for the player uses an attack action.

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/RolePlayGateway

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This Elegant Passive Humidifier Blooms Like a Flower

This Elegant Passive Humidifier Blooms Like a Flower

Japanese designers have a knack for creating the most adorable humidifiers, and the Chokotto Oasis paper humidifier is no exception. It doesn't need batteries?simply pour water into a small tank, and it blooms open like a tulip in spring.

It's pretty small (just 3.5 ounces), so when you need it you can simply set it on your desk, and when you don't, you can just shut it and throw it in your bag or your drawer. JapanTrendShop sells the cute little contraption for $22. It's sort of like investing in an bouquet of flowers?that bloom anytime you want. [JapanTrendShop via HomeCrux]

This Elegant Passive Humidifier Blooms Like a Flower

This Elegant Passive Humidifier Blooms Like a Flower

Source: http://gizmodo.com/this-elegant-passive-humidifier-blooms-like-a-flower-510164512

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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

'Crack baby' scare overblown, teen research says

CHICAGO (AP) ? Research in teens adds fresh evidence that the 1980s "crack baby" scare was overblown, finding little proof of any major long-term ill effects in children whose mothers used cocaine during pregnancy.

Some studies have linked pregnant women's cocaine use with children's behavior difficulties, attention problems, anxiety and worse school performance. But the effects were mostly small and may have resulted from other factors including family problems or violence, parents' continued drug use and poverty, the researchers said.

They reviewed 27 studies involving more than 5,000 11- to 17-year-olds whose mothers had used cocaine while pregnant. The studies all involved low-income, mostly black and urban families.

The review, led by University of Maryland pediatrics researcher Maureen Black, was released online Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

Widespread use of crack cocaine in the 1980s led to the "crack baby" scare, when babies born to crack users sometimes had worrisome symptoms including jitteriness and smaller heads. Studies at the time blamed prenatal drug use, suggested affected children had irreversible brain damage and predicted dire futures for them. These reports led to widespread media coverage featuring breathless headlines and heart-rending images of tiny sick newborns hooked up to hospital machines.

"The field of prenatal cocaine exposure has advanced significantly since the misleading 'crack baby' scare of the 1980s," the review authors said.

In recent years experts have mostly discounted any link, noting that so-called crack babies often were born prematurely, which could account for many of their early symptoms. Studies that tracked children beyond infancy have failed to find any severe outcomes.

In some studies included in the new review, crack-exposed teens had lower scores on developmental tests than other children but their scores were still within normal limits. Many studies found that the children's family environment or violence were directly related to the teen's performance regardless of whether their mothers had used cocaine during pregnancy, the researchers said.

The government's National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that it's tough to evaluate how drug use during pregnancy affects children's development because so many other factors play a role, including prenatal care, mothers' health and family environment.

____

Online:

Pediatrics: http://www.pediatrics.org

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/crack-baby-scare-overblown-teen-research-says-050533110.html

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Disputes over arms for Syria cloud U.S.-Russian peace drive

By Alissa de Carbonnel

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Disputes between Russia and the West over arming warring sides in Syria on Tuesday dimmed prospects for peace talks that were also clouded by disarray among President Bashar al-Assad's political foes.

As Western nations debate what action, if any, they should take on Syria, Assad's main allies - Russia, Iran and Lebanon's Shi'ite Hezbollah group - have been closing ranks behind him.

Russia, which has protected Assad diplomatically since the Syrian uprising erupted in March 2011, said it would deliver an advanced S-300 air defense system to Damascus despite U.S., French and Israeli objections, arguing that it would help deter "hotheads" intent on intervention in the conflict.

Moscow also accused the European Union of "throwing fuel on the fire" and "undermining" the chances of holding a peace conference at Geneva by letting an arms embargo on Syria expire.

France and Britain, the EU's strongest military powers and most ardent advocates of scrapping the embargo, said they had not yet decided to arm Syrian rebels, but wanted to put Assad under pressure to negotiate.

"Our focus in the coming weeks is the Geneva conference," said British Foreign Secretary William Hague. "What this is doing is sending that signal loud and clear to the regime and ... being very clear about the flexibility that we have if it refuses to negotiate."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Western powers were putting the very idea of a conference at risk while his deputy, Sergei Ryabkov, defended Moscow's missile shipment.

"We think this delivery is a stabilizing factor and that such steps in many ways restrain some hotheads," he said.

The S-300s can intercept manned aircraft and guided missiles and their delivery could improve Assad's chances of retaining power. Western nations criticize such arms deliveries in much the same terms as Moscow assails weapons supplies to rebels.

Israel's defense minister said the air defense missiles had not yet left Russia, but hinted at military action if they were delivered: "I hope they will not leave, and if, God forbid, they reach Syria, we will know what to do," Moshe Yaalon said.

Despite their differences, the United States and Russia are trying to convene an international conference next month to end a 26-month-old conflict that has killed more than 80,000 people and threatens to ignite wider Middle Eastern confrontations.

But the opposing sides remain far apart on whether Assad should play any role in any political transition - and the main Western-backed opposition has not even said if it will attend.

Diplomats in Geneva said a meeting could be held at the U.N. there on June 15-16 just before the U.S., Russian and EU leaders meet at a Group of Eight summit in Northern Ireland on June 17.

"CHASE THEM TO HELL"

Fighting in Syria has intensified on several fronts in recent weeks and is spilling dangerously into Lebanon, whose Hezbollah guerrillas now openly fight alongside Assad's forces.

In a weekend speech, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah promised victory for his Iranian-backed group, saying the battle in Syria was vital for its primary struggle against Israel.

On the ever more volatile Lebanese-Syrian border, gunmen killed three Lebanese soldiers at a checkpoint in the Bekaa Valley before fleeing toward Syria, Lebanese officials said.

Hours earlier a rocket fired into the mainly Shi'ite town of Hermel in the Bekaa killed a woman and wounded two people.

A Syrian rebel leader threatened reprisals against Hezbollah unless the Arab League and the United Nations acted within 24 hours to halt the militant group's intervention in Syria.

"We will chase them all the way to hell if a decision is not taken to stop Hezbollah's attack on Syrian land," Brigadier-General Salem Idris told Al-Arabiya television channel.

Idris, a defector from Assad's military, is a favored channel for Western aid to rebels, although his control over diverse armed factions is thought to be limited.

Violence in Syria is gradually spreading to Lebanon, raising fears for the fate of a small nation that lost anywhere between 100,000 and 150,000 dead in its own 1975-90 civil war.

Syria's civil war has divided Lebanon, with most Lebanese Shi'ites supporting Assad, whose minority Alawite sect is rooted in Shi'ite Islam. Many Lebanese Sunnis back the mostly Sunni Syrian rebels, putting the Lebanese army under extra pressure to keep a lid on sectarian tensions.

Assad's government, whose forces have been staging fierce offensives on rebel strongholds around Damascus and the border town of Qusair, has named representatives for the peace talks Washington and Moscow hope to convene in Geneva in June.

But opposition political factions, not to mention the rebel combatants over whom they wield scant control, remain riven by internal divisions even after six days of talks in Istanbul.

The 60-member Syrian National Coalition has failed to agree to include more liberals in its ranks to the dismay of Western and some Arab backers keen to reduce the influence of Islamists.

The disarray raises questions about the opposition's ability to agree any sort of inclusive transitional government and could strengthen Assad's hand before any peace talks.

Western and Arab envoys sought to break the opposition deadlock which could even scupper the U.S.-Russian initiative.

"Effectively, without an opposition overhaul there will not be a Geneva," a frustrated regional official in Istanbul said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/disputes-over-arms-syria-cloud-u-russian-peace-144805377.html

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Military medals being stored at state treasury

  • Officer shoots man in Winton Terrace

    Officer shoots man in Winton Terrace

    Tuesday, May 28 2013 7:00 AM EDT2013-05-28 11:00:50 GMT

    WINTON TERRACE - Cincinnati Police tell us they are working a shooting in Winton Terrace. Officers were called to the 5000 block of Winneste around 3:30am for a shooting. Scanner traffic indicates anFull Story >Cincinnati Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Winton Terrace.
    Full Story >
  • Electrical fire damages Green Twp. home

    Electrical fire damages Green Twp. home

    Tuesday, May 28 2013 6:55 AM EDT2013-05-28 10:55:40 GMT

    An electrical fire damaged a Green Township home on Monday. Crews were called to the 900 block of Four Mile Road for smoke coming from the roof of a residence. The fire was located just behind the frontFull Story >An electrical fire damaged a Green Township home on Monday.Full Story >
  • 3 hurt in Pierce Twp. crash

    3 hurt in Pierce Twp. crash

    Tuesday, May 28 2013 6:49 AM EDT2013-05-28 10:49:40 GMT

    Three people were taken to the hospital after a crash in Pierce Township. It happened just before 2:30 a.m. Tuesday on SR 125 just east of SR 132. Preliminary investigation reveals that a 2005 DodgeFull Story >Three people were taken to the hospital after a crash in Pierce Township.Full Story >

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Veterans missing their medals or discharge papers could find them at the state treasury.

Treasurer Todd Hollenbach said his office has hundreds of unclaimed military items in the vault and he wants to return them to the veterans or their families.

Among the items in the vault are a bronze star, seven navy medals, two purple hearts, numerous battle ribbons and campaign pins, dog tags and dozens of discharge papers, including one from the Civil War.

The treasury collects all property surrendered to the state that is presumed lost or abandoned. The military medals and papers in the vault are among more than 50,000 unclaimed items taken from abandoned safe deposit boxes.

The treasury returns millions of dollars in unclaimed property to Kentucky residents each year.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.fox19.com/story/22433424/military-medals-being-stored-at-state-treasury

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Dos Santos : ?Hunt punches way harder than Cain?

Joe Rocha

During the UFC 160 post-fight press conference we learned many things, such as Dana White?s assurance that we will see a Velasquez vs. Dos Santos III trilogy. As the news emerged, questions flew in, asking both fighters their thoughts on a likely third meet. For Velasquez it makes sense, and quickly says he has no problem giving the former champ a chance, just as he was given. Dos Santos, of course elated to hear the news, was asked about the punching power comparison from Velasquez to Hunt, after facing both men.

?[Hunt's punches] was way harder than Cain?s punch, but he hits very hard. He?s got the heavy hands and I knew that. I respect that guy a lot, but like I said tonight I believe so much in myself and my striking skills I believe I can knock anyone out.?

And yet the ?Super-Samoan? could not put down the iron chin of JDS. Not too surprising of comments considering Hunt is a former K-1 Kickboxing champ and also holds wins over mixed martial arts legends Mirko CroCop and Wanderlei Silva. Velasquez may also have knockouts on his resume, but his specialty is wrestling, and when paired with viscous ground and pound it?s made a deadly gameplan. So much in fact that it has kept Cain to only one loss in his entire career (from Dos Santos). Question here ? will Cain be able to negate JDS?s knockout power again with the wrestling, or will one mistake lose him the title again?


Photographer: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Source: http://www.cagedinsider.com/ufc/dos-santos-hunt-punches-way-harder-than-cain/

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Monday, May 27, 2013

Difficult to Broach (talking-points-memo)

Share With Friends: Share on FacebookTweet ThisPost to Google-BuzzSend on GmailPost to Linked-InSubscribe to This Feed | Rss To Twitter | Politics - Top Stories Stories, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/308639661?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Confused Weather Drops Over 30 Inches Of Snow on Memorial Day Weekend

TOKYO (AP) ? An outspoken Japanese politician apologized Monday for saying U.S. troops should patronize adult entertainment businesses as a way to reduce rapes, but defended another controversial remark about Japan's use of sex slaves during World War II.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/confused-weather-drops-over-30-inches-snow-memorial-032633425.html

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All About the Xbox One, The World's Biggest Lego Model, And More

Hey guys. There was a new Xbox revealed this week. Oh you heard? We'll we've got some nice icing to put on that cake. And along with it we've got gems like the world's largest Lego model, the Subway worker who made a massive math innovation, how sunscreen actually works and much much more.

A completely unknown guy in the world of math has made a breakthrough discovery that will help us understand numbers better. Basically, a guy who once struggled to find a job and had to work at Subway, is helping math geniuses understand the twin prime conjecture, one of math's oldest problems.

It's been eight years and nine days since Microsoft showed the world the Xbox 360 on May 12th, 2005. Today, we see what's next. The Xbox One.

Your skin shouldn't look like a package of pork cracklins after spending the day outdoors; that's why we invented sunscreen. However, there's a right way and a wrong way to slather on your protection?screw it up and you could get burned.

The new Kinect is kind of awesome. Just by the numbers, it's a huge upgrade. You can see (most of) the full walkthrough we saw just a bit ago here at Microsoft's Redmond campus in the video above. Parts are jaw-dropping.

When I stepped off the plane in Mexico I got that sinking feeling. My iPhone wasn't going to work.

You saw the news yesterday. The Xbox One was everywhere, and everyone talked a lot about it. But when a new console hits, often we'll latch onto the biggest, shiniest new baubles. Now though, having slept on it, let's dig into the real nerd porn. It's worth a look.

This is truly unbelievable: Lego has built a 1:1 scale model of the X-Wing fighter using an astounding 5,335,200 bricks! It's as big as the real thing, capable of fitting the real Luke Skywalker?and Porkins.

Gamers seem to hate the Xbox One. If you wade into a comments section or ask a man-on-the-street at your local Mountain Dew distributer, you?ll hear a variety of reasons why the Xbox One is not for gamers?why it?s a horrible misstep, presumed dead on arrival. Some of these criticisms will ring a little truer than others, but none really tap into what?s really eating at the gaming elite. They?re mad that they?re not the center of attention.

With the release of iOS7 just around the corner, clamor over the changes Jony Ive will institute is growing. The general consensus?on this site and elsewhere?is that Apple is about to get a flat makeover. But for the uninitiated, ?flat design? can be a confusing term. So let's talk it out, shall we?

Source: http://gizmodo.com/all-about-the-xbox-one-the-worlds-biggest-lego-model-509795382

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PFT: Jones wants everything from $100M Romo

Norv Turner, Josh GordonAP

With coach Rob Chudzinski and offensive coordinator Norv Turner installing a new system in Cleveland, Browns receiver Josh Gordon is excited.

Gordon, a speedy receiver who averaged 16.1 yards a catch as a rookie, says he expects to make even more big plays in his second season because the Browns? offense will be perfectly suited for his talents.

?Defenses will be shocked to say the least with how much we?re running down field,? Gordon told the Akron Beacon Journal. ?I?ve never ran this much as a wide receiver ever in my life, and that?s a good thing. And not just me, everyone from the slot guys to running backs, everyone?s got passing plays in the system.?

Last year Gordon didn?t have much time to get ready for the NFL after arriving in July in the supplemental draft, but he still managed to play in all 16 games, starting 13, and catch 50 passes while leading the Browns with 805 receiving yards and five touchdown catches. This year, being with the team from Day One and participating in Organized Team Activities, Gordon believes he?s going to be even better.

?You?re a head up on the game,? he said. ?For guys, veterans and rookies, to have all this leading up until [the fall], I was way behind the 8-ball coming into last year. Now it?s a huge advantage for me to learn the offense, get in shape, get in more of a rhythm with whatever you?re doing out there, so you don?t feel as stressed or as new to everything. It?s definitely slowed down a lot.?

Last year, Gordon had a good year despite missing most of the offseason and playing in a bad offense that wasn?t well suited to his skills. This year, Gordon has every reason to believe he?ll be even better.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/25/jerry-jones-i-paid-romo-100-million-so-i-want-everything/related/

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Your Internet Marketing Plan and Your Business Future ? Hot Article ...

Internet marketing can turn out to be very difficult to do. The outcome that you expect is not really important when it comes to your online business, but you should not start your business without a plan. The kinds of internet marketing strategies that you want to use is not important. Be certain that you have a plan for all of your techniques. However, there may be a question that you want to ask. So what do you need to do to plan the internet marketing for your business? How do you see to it that you?re headed in the right direction? The following article talks about three useful tips that you can use right away to improve your online marketing plan.

There are several Internet marketing strategies that you can work with. However, when you create a personal IM plan, make sure that it is something that you don?t have a problem doing. You have to select your methods according to the things that you want to happen in the end. Also, base your decision on the time you have on hand and the goals you have to achieve. For example, think about using PPC marketing if you have to have a fast outcome. However, if you can put a lot of effort into it, then you should consider use SEO as your key strategy.

If your business is typical, then there will come a time when you have to improvise so do not worry about it.

Anytime something comes up that is different in some way, then you just have to assess it and make your choices. Later on you will add marketing and advertising that you were not aware of when first creating your plan. Once completed, then immediately begin working on implementing what you want to do according to the plan. Even if something has to be changed, then you can do that on the fly and move forward.

Do not leave out your website from your IM plan. You will need this for your total IM plan. So, see to it that it?s got all the important elements in it. Plan the design, content and placement of your subscription box, etc. Be certain that your website does not have any overlooked components. The only way that you can accomplish this is by using a good plan. Also, jot down what type of software is needed. This lets your plan and stay on track. It is hard to beat the benefits of building your business plan based on your own specific goals. As you move ahead and work your way up the ladder, you will achieve this much needed clarity. But without everything planned out well in advance, it?s really not possible to reach the heights of Internet marketing success. The most important thing is to have something to work from and follow in the very beginning.

James Steele is a well-known blogger who writes informative articles on different topics such as marketing, online business, home business, network marketing etc. Checkout his article on My Video Talk review and on Ambit review

Source: http://hotarticledepot.com/your-internet-marketing-plan-and-your-business-future/

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Sunday, May 26, 2013

Renan Barao, John Cholish and Cain Velasquez: See where they fell on Cagewriter?s Hot or Not list

As another week of MMA comes to a close, let's take a look at what was hot and what was not so hot.

Hot -- Bryan Pedersen: Many legislators have talked about the economic benefits of MMA when the sport is legalized. Few have gone the extra mile to find out what it feels like to be in a cage to fight. Pedersen will do that in Cheyenne, Wyo., this weekend. No matter the result, it's admirable that he has even gone the distance to train and join the first fights to take place in Wyoming's capitol.

Not -- Renan Barao: The interim bantamweight men's champ was injured and had to pull out of his main event bout with Eddie Wineland at UFC 161. Dan Henderson and Rashad Evans' fight is now the main event, and Roy Nelson vs. Stipe Miocic was added.

Hot -- John Cholish: After losing to Gleison Tibau at UFC on FX 8, Cholish decided to hang up his fighting gloves. Before he left, he decided to give his fight purse to Oklahoma tornado survivors.

Kudos to Cholish.

Not -- Brett Atchley: The manager who specializes in female fighters has been accused of bad behavior by several fighters separately. His alleged improprieties include accosting fighters, telling them he would "blackball them" from Invicta though president Shannon Knapp has denied anyone has the power to do this, and sharing the confidential details of a client's contract. His response?

"It's really easy for women to play the victim, especially when they make their mind up that they're going to do it. Because everyone will believe them," Atchley said to MMA Junkie.

Stereotyping women is not a smart thing to do, particularly by someone who makes his living off of them.

Still taking temperature -- Cain Velasquez: He lost the UFC heavyweight championship belt once, and managed to get it back. Will he defend it on Saturday night against Antonio Silva at UFC 160?

Thanks for reading Cagewriter this week. Check us out on Twitter and Facebook for bonus UFC 160 coverage.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/renan-barao-john-cholish-cain-velasquez-see-where-190725524.html

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'Jersey Shore' cast on real Shore: 'It's amazing!'

TV

13 hours ago

For those who grew up in the surrounding areas, the Jersey Shore is a strip filled with decades of sweet summer memories. But many people across the country got their first up-close look at the boardwalk when it served as the backdrop for MTV's reality TV bash with the same name.

Last fall, Superstorm Sandy brought devastation to the famous stretch. Now the Shore is back in the spotlight again -- for a much better reason.

Friday morning the attraction officially reopened. To mark the occasion, the cast of "Jersey Shore" joined TODAY on the all-new boardwalk.

"We were here right after the storm," Vinny Guadagnino recalled. "We were doing a big relief effort with MTV. You know, we got to interview real-life people that were here during the storm, and we saw all the devastation. And I can't believe how much it's recovered since (we were) here a couple of months ago. It's amazing!"

It was a sentiment echoed by Vinny's former castmates.

"This is known to be a happy place," Paul "Pauly D" DelVecchio said. "Everybody's always happy, laughing, smiling, having a good time. We came after the storm (and) it was the exact opposite. It was dead -- silence. It was awful. So to see this being rebuilt and us being back? It makes me happy."

And why wouldn't it? The Shore is back to being the place to be.

"It's a summer place," said Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, who was well known for the parties she had on boardwalk when "Jersey Shore" was still on the air. "You come with your family, your friends. It's just a good time."

Jennifer "JWoww" Farley, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Sam Giancola and Deena Cortese were also on hand to kick off the fun again. When asked which traditional Shore treats they were looking forward to the most, they just couldn't decide between the cheese balls and the fried Oreos. And if those seem like tame choices for the gang that had more than one brush with New Jersey's finest thanks to their past party days, well, Vinny explained why.

"The governor's here," he said with a glance off-screen toward Gov. Chris Christie. "We've got to behave."

"Jersey Shore" fans can see more from Vinny on his new MTV effort, aptly titled "The Show With Vinny," Thursdays at 10 p.m.

Source: http://www.today.com/entertainment/jersey-shore-cast-return-real-shore-its-amazing-6C10062277

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Saturday, May 25, 2013

Peter Mutharika attacks Malawi govt. for ignoring 'Ndata' University ...


By Nyasa Times Reporter

May 25, 2013 ????? 0 Comments

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President of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Peter Mutharika says he is very disappointed with government?s lack of reference to centers of higher learning and Nsanje inland port in the 2013/14 national budget which finance minister Ken Lipenga presented in parliament?on Friday.

In his preliminary reaction to the budget statement, Mutharika said he was surprised and disappointed that nothing was said about universities which he said showed government?s lack of ?commitment towards institutions of higher learning in the country.

?I am surprised that nothing was said about universities. There was no reference to higher education. No reference to Malawi University of Science and Technology which is sitting there [Ndata Farm in Thyolo]. I was hoping that there would reference on when the university should be opened to our children. We understand that the existing universities have no spaces and I thought there will be a reference to that,? he said.

He emphasized this is another area that needed more attention.

Peter Mutharika: Why abandoning Nsanje port?

Peter Mutharika: Why abandoning Nsanje port?

?When I was the minister of education, for the first time in the history of Malawi I established the Council for Higher Education to make sure that there is quality control but??nothing has been mentioned about that and I was surprised about that,? said Mutharika a former minister of education and university lecturer in United States.

According to the budget on education, the government is expected to employ 10,500 primary and 1,975 secondary school teachers.

He added: ?Another thing is that I was surprised to that there was no reference to Nsanje port, this is another important project. To me there is a personal commitment to it but I am disappointed that the government decided to ignore that?.

Mutharika however said there are a number of things which he is happy with like government?s commitment to continue with some of social programs that the DPP started , citing the farm input subsidy and school feeding programs, saying ?these are extremely important programs.?

In the budget the government has maintained the fertilizer subsidy program with the allocation of K60.1 billion, at the same subsidized price of K500 per 50kg bag of both basal and top dressing fertilizers.

Lipenga said that it is expected that the fertilizers will have been bought from the suppliers by September 2013 and that distribution will start immediately.

?Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has already worked out the specific details on the distribution modalities and schedule which includes the participation of the private sector to ensure timely distribution and without regularities,? he said.

In the same budget government has totally removed import duty on bicycles and also reduced import duty on motorbikes as a way of providing cheaper and affordable modes of transport to the under-privileged.

?Import duty on motorbikes of engine capacity not exceeding 250cc has been reduced to 15 percent and exercise tax on these motorbikes has also widely been removed considering that this mode of transport is widely used especially in the rural market areas,? said Lipenga.

On taxation of buses, Lipenga said duty on motor vehicles of seating capacity of eleven to 31 persons including the driver had been reduced to 15 percent. This also includes motor vehicles of seating of 32 to 44 people including the driver depending on the year of make.

?Zero percent for new and used motor vehicles not exceeding eight years, 10 percent for used motor vehicles exceeding years but not exceeding 12 years and 25 percent for used motor vehicles exceeding 12 years.?

He then urged operators in the sector to ensure that the benefits trickle down to the consumer through reduced transport fares.

In order to make clean energy affordable to all Malawians, Lipenga said import duty payable on inverters has been removed considering that inverters are critical in the generation of solar power.

He added that exercise tax on products such as matches has been removed considering that it is a basic commodity and has no negative externality that could make it liable for tax.

?In addition, exercise tax in ball point pens has been removed,? said Lipenga.

Leader of Opposition in parliament, John Tembo described the budget as ?creative? as it was just a summary, did not contain full details and that it would not benefit the poor. ?Additional reporting by Malawi News Agency.

Source: http://www.nyasatimes.com/2013/05/25/peter-mutharika-attacks-malawi-govt-for-ignoring-ndata-university-nsanje-port-in-budget/

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Foursquare agrees to share check-in data with Gnip, promises it's anonymous

Foursquare is putting your check-in data to use through its new partnership with Gnip, a service that aggregates social media APIs. Gnip has similar deals with companies like Tumblr and Disqus, and it plans to provide Foursquare-sourced information to market and academic researchers. Blake Shaw, Foursquare's resident data scientist told Gnip, "I think this data can act almost like a microscope for cities." It's worth noting that this isn't the first time Foursquare's set out to share check-in data. A few months ago, the company took some flack for its data-sharing initiative allowing businesses to track their customers' activity -- despite the inclusion of an opt-out feature. This time, they're eager to clarify that the data accessible through Gnip is fully anonymized. Researchers will be able to see where and when check-ins were made, but the only user data attached will be a gender. So, Gnip will know that a female Foursquare user stopped by a specific Starbucks at 11:30AM, but that's all. Your data will remain as anonymous as it can be on a site devoted to broadcasting your every move.

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Source: Foursquare, Gnip

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/BiecBvl4xaQ/

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