Thursday, January 31, 2013

Hotel for pets, and people too - Travel - Macleans.ca

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Photo Illustration by Taylor Shute

Finding a pet-friendly hotel isn?t the hassle it once was. A lot of hotels do accept pets. The gamble is, what will the room be like? Sometimes, it feels like pet owners are the new smokers. You can check in, but you?ll be sleeping in the smelly room across from the ice machine on the ground floor. In Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., for instance, our pet-friendly hotel room had tufts of fur on the pillowcase when I turned down the bedspread. I called the front desk to complain, and we got moved to a new room where our cat disappeared into a hole in the drywall behind the toilet.

So it was nice last week to check into a dog-friendly hotel that had none of these problems. Retired veterinarian Dr. Paula Terifaj owns and operates the DogSpa Resort and Wellness Center in Desert Hot Springs, Calif. The DogSpa isn?t a spa for dogs, as the name suggests, but rather a hotel where dogs of all sizes and breeds may stay unattended in the room, run in the private off-leash dog park or roam the main lounge while their humans eat breakfast. But what had enticed me there were the website photos. In one shot, a cute dog is paddling in the hotel pool. In another, a woman luxuriates with a glass of wine while a large hunting dog nuzzles her in the hot tub.

Two days later, we arrived with our golden retriever. ?You have the place to yourself,? said innkeeper Bob, who offered us our choice of rooms. We picked a corner suite with a comfy king-size bed, a cozy kitchenette and a door leading out to the swimming pool.

The pool was a big draw because Desert Hot Springs is legendary for its soothing mineral waters. The city sits on a branch of the San Andreas Fault, and is one of few places known to have both hot and cold subterranean water basins. Its cold spring water wins international tasting contests for best tap water. The mineral-rich hot water and allure of a desert hideaway attracted Al Capone to the area in the 1920s, and continues to be a magnet for celebrities from Los Angeles, an hour and 45 minutes away. The naturally heated water in the hotel?s hot tub is pumped from a backyard well, and maintains a year-round temperature of 40? C.

In our room, we watched the TV news: orange farmers were worried that the cold snap would ruin crops. In spite of the freezing wind, I stepped outside in bare feet and bathing suit with the dog behind me. ?Jump in,? I told her. At home on Vancouver Island, our dog?s favourite pastime is fetching balls from the ocean. Now, though, she looked at me nervously, tucked her tail between her legs and cowered at the water?s edge, staring at the steam, the bubbles, the flashing lights.

The next morning, I expressed my disappointment to Terifaj that our waterdog wouldn?t go in the water. ?Oh, that?s a myth that dogs want to go in the swimming pool,? she said. After breakfast, she joined me in the lounge, where I met her rescued pit bull mix named Brad Pitt. Like any other dog at DogSpa, the mild-mannered Brad Pitt was off-leash, hopping about freely on three legs due to a bad knee.

Terifaj said that her frustration with other hotels led her to open DogSpa: ?Here, pet-friendly means you don?t pay anything extra for your dog, and you?re not relegated to certain rooms.? She didn?t like being judged by other guests. ?Have you ever been there when people are giving you the eye because your dog is peeing and pooing? I thought we needed a place where we could just go relax with our dogs, and not feel like an outsider.?

She?s certainly in the right spot. In nearby Palm Springs, hotel guidebooks provide lists of dog-friendly restaurants. And when a waitress at Davey?s Hideaway Restaurant saw me stop to read the menu outside, she invited me to bring my dog in for dinner. When we showed up later without the dog, she scolded me, ?Why didn?t you bring your dog? I told you to bring the dog!?

Back at the hotel, I thought dog lovers should know about this place. The owner might consider changing the name, though. It?s not a spa for dogs. She should find something that says ?People spa, dogs welcome, vet on site.?

Source: http://www2.macleans.ca/2013/01/30/hotel-for-pets-and-people-too/

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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Texas to Mexico Daily Livestock Exports

AL_LS600???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Las?Cruces,?NM????Wed?Jan?30,?2013????USDA?Market?News?????????????????????????
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Texas?to?Mexico?Daily?Livestock?Exports????????????????????????????????????????
Species????????????????????Exports??????Current???Current???Previous???????????
??????????????????????????1/29/2013????Week-T-D????Y-T-D??????Y-T-D????????????
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Dairy?totals?include?113?head?of?Canadian?Dairy.???????????????????????????????
Hog?totals?include?92?head?of?Canadian?Hogs.???????????????????????????????????

Beef?Cattle????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
???Slaughter?????????????????????0???????????0????????0???????????0????????????
???Breeding?Males????????????????0???????????0???????20??????????25????????????
???Breeding?Females??????????????0???????????0???????33??????????40????????????
???Total?Beef?Cattle?????????????0???????????0???????53??????????65????????????

Hogs???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
???Slaughter?????????????????????0???????????0????????0???????????0????????????
???Breeding?Males????????????????0???????????0???????92??????????74????????????
???Breeding?Females??????????????0???????????0???????43?????????237????????????
???Total?Hogs????????????????????0???????????0??????135?????????311????????????

Sheep??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
???Slaughter?Lambs???????????????0???????????0????????0???????????0????????????
???Slaughter?Ewes????????????????0?????????277??????277???????????0????????????
???Breeding?Males????????????????0???????????0????????0???????????0????????????
???Breeding?Females??????????????0???????????0????????0???????????0????????????
???Total?Sheep???????????????????0?????????277??????277???????????0????????????

Dairy?Cattle???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
???Breeding?Males????????????????0???????????0????????2???????????0????????????
???Breeding?Females??????????????0???????????0??????569?????????473????????????
???Total?Dairy?Cattle????????????0???????????0??????571?????????473????????????

Goats??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
???Angora????????????????????????0???????????0????????0???????????0????????????
???Spanish???????????????????????0???????????0????????0???????????0????????????
???Other?????????????????????????0???????????0????????0???????????0????????????
???Total?Goats???????????????????0???????????0????????0???????????0????????????

Horses?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
???Slaughter???????????????????258?????????396????9,035???????6,169????????????
???Breeding?Males????????????????1??????????13???????88?????????132????????????
???Breeding?Females??????????????4??????????22??????111?????????214????????????
???Geldings??????????????????????0???????????6???????26??????????25????????????
???Burro/Mule/Pony???????????????0???????????2???????19???????????0????????????
???Total?Horses????????????????263?????????439????9,279???????6,540????????????

Exotics??????????????????????????0???????????0????????0???????????0????????????

Grand?Total?All?Species????????263?????????716???10,315???????7,389????????????

Source:???USDA?Market?News?Service,?Las?Cruces,?NM???????????????????
??????????John?Langenegger?(575)527-6861?FAX(575)527-6868????????????
??????????LasCruces.LGMN@ams.usda.gov????????????????????????????????
??????????www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/AL_LS600.txt????????

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Source: http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-news/markets/feeder-cattle/Texas-to-Mexico-Daily-Livestock-Exports-187560-189035131.html

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Architect, Principal - Corporate Research & Development - Microsoft - Redmond, WA

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Major Media Fails To Fact-Check iPhone Joke

from the egg-on-face dept

Since some folks in traditional media still love to pretend that they are part of a select group of information filters that can provide fact-checked news items and that their internet counterparts cannot, I'm going to keep driving this point home: internet news groups and blogs are no more susceptible to hoaxes than major news media. We saw a wonderful example of it recently with the Manti Te'o story, in which major news not only bought the BS hook, line and sinker, but through their inaction, actually perpetuated the story. Still, while that was a story that was, at best, a very sad case of someone lying their tail off, some examples can provide a little more levity.

Such as, for instance, when the L.A. Times and UPI write up very real accounts of a very fake iPhone case that includes a retractable cup-holder. The kicker being that Network World's blog dismissed it as a prank days earlier. Writer Paul McNamara didn't miss the chance to point this out.

Hate to say I told you so ... No, wait, I'm fine with saying I told you so: That combination cup holder/iPhone case (right) that was mocked here on Friday is indeed a joke, or a publicity stunt if you prefer (and I do), according to the Dutch marketing firm that pitched it to reporters and the crowdsourcing site Indiegogo.
Yet, despite their forewarning, and despite the pure ridiculousness of a case for a phone where the largest part of the equipment holds a Starbucks coffee cup, the L.A. Times wrote about it in all seriousness.
In a video that can go toe to toe with any of the best infomercials ever made, Natwerk shows off its "Uppercup." The case is more than two inches thick, but it has a slide out cup holder that iPhone owners can use while they text with two hands or play a video game. Natwerk says the Uppercup will hold any size cup.
They go on to note that the Dutch company has thus far only raised $765 of their $25k goal, which probably should have been a sign that something might be off. They note that it might be something of a publicity stunt, but it wasn't. It was completely made up. That did not stop UPI from writing up their own piece, based entirely off of the L.A. Times article. UPI does not note anywhere that it might be a hoax or a publicity stunt.

So how much fact-checking would have been required to find out that this was all a joke? Apparently one email from McNamara, asking the marketing company responsible for this if it was a joke. Their response?

Yes, pretty much. For instance, the fact that we've made the whole thing about 3 times as thick as necessary we hoped would give away we weren't all that serious. Nevertheless, we really think it is a cool device and we would really want to have it produced so we can walk around and be cool with it attached to our iPhones.
It was a joke. So, it would appear, were the fact-checking abilities of two writers for major news media. Good thing there are blogs around to filter out their nonsense.

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Source: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130128/06174321807/major-media-fails-to-fact-check-iphone-joke.shtml

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Canada's Metro reports higher profit on sales gain

(Reuters) - Canada's Metro Inc reported higher earnings on Tuesday, a day after boosting its quarterly dividend by more than 16 percent, as sales at its supermarket chain rose in the three months to December 22.

Net earnings rose to C$121.4 million ($120.9 million), or C$1.23 a share, from C$103.7 million, or C$1.01, a year earlier. Sales rose 2.7 percent to C$2.70 billion.

Sales at established stores, an important indicator for retailers, rose 1.5 percent in the fiscal first quarter.

Late on Monday, the Montreal-based firm declared a dividend of 25 Canadian cents a share, up from 21.5 Canadian cents last quarter.

Last week, Metro said it would sell nearly half of its stake in Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc , a convenience store and gasoline station operator, for nearly C$479 million.

Metro, along with rivals such as Loblaw Cos Ltd , are facing rising competition as Wal-Mart Stores Inc expands its grocery offerings in Canada. Target Corp , the No. 2 U.S. discounter, is opening its first Canadian stores this spring, and it will also sell groceries.

($1 = $1.00 Canadian)

(Reporting by Allison Martell; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick and Leslie Gevirtz)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/canadas-metro-reports-higher-profit-sales-gain-165639918--finance.html

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Video: Closing Bell Exchange: Tracking Investors' Action

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Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/cnbc/50618873/

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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Inventory: Only Challenge to the Real Estate Recovery

Chart going through the floorThe real estate market is in the midst of a major comeback. Sales are greater than any time since 2007. Consumer confidence is increasing. Economists are now saying housing is the major tailwind to our nation?s overall economic recovery.

However, there is one major challenge that could stall the housing market: a lack of inventory.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) latest Existing Home Sales Report:

?Total housing inventory at the end of December fell 8.5 percent to 1.82 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 4.4-month supply at the current sales pace, down from 4.8 months in November, and is the lowest housing supply since May of 2005 when it was 4.3 months, which was near the peak of the housing boom.

Listed inventory is 21.6 percent below a year ago when there was a 6.4-month supply. Raw unsold inventory is at the lowest level since January 2001 when there were 1.78 million homes on the market.?

A recent survey by Redfin reveals that the challenge seems to be continuing into 2013. New listings taken in the first 14 days of the year decreased by 30% as compared to the first two weeks of 2012.

A lack of supply will be good news for prices in the short term. However, for a long term recovery in housing, an increase in current inventory is crucial.

The KCM Crew

About The Author


We at The KCM Crew are pursuing our mission of building a home for real estate information. We are truly dedicated to helping real estate professionals by supplying all the tools and resources they need to be seen as industry leaders in their marketplace. See how we can help you become an industry leader in your marketplace, and be sure to check out our page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Source: http://www.kcmblog.com/2013/01/29/housing-inventory-only-challenge-to-the-real-estate-recovery/

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Monday, January 28, 2013

Researchers break million-core supercomputer barrier

Jan. 28, 2013 ? Stanford Engineering's Center for Turbulence Research (CTR) has set a new record in computational science by successfully using a supercomputer with more than one million computing cores to solve a complex fluid dynamics problem -- the prediction of noise generated by a supersonic jet engine.

Joseph Nichols, a research associate in the center, worked on the newly installed Sequoia IBM Bluegene/Q system at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories (LLNL) funded by the Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) Program of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Sequoia once topped list of the world's most powerful supercomputers, boasting 1,572,864 compute cores (processors) and 1.6 petabytes of memory connected by a high-speed five-dimensional torus interconnect.

Because of Sequoia's impressive numbers of cores, Nichols was able to show for the first time that million-core fluid dynamics simulations are possible -- and also to contribute to research aimed at designing quieter aircraft engines.

The physics of noise

The exhausts of high-performance aircraft at takeoff and landing are among the most powerful human-made sources of noise. For ground crews, even for those wearing the most advanced hearing protection available, this creates an acoustically hazardous environment. To the communities surrounding airports, such noise is a major annoyance and a drag on property values.

Understandably, engineers are keen to design new and better aircraft engines that are quieter than their predecessors. New nozzle shapes, for instance, can reduce jet noise at its source, resulting in quieter aircraft.

Predictive simulations -- advanced computer models -- aid in such designs. These complex simulations allow scientists to peer inside and measure processes occurring within the harsh exhaust environment that is otherwise inaccessible to experimental equipment. The data gleaned from these simulations are driving computation-based scientific discovery as researchers uncover the physics of noise.

More cores, more challenges

"Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, like the one Nichols solved, are incredibly complex. Only recently, with the advent of massive supercomputers boasting hundreds of thousands of computing cores, have engineers been able to model jet engines and the noise they produce with accuracy and speed," said Parviz Moin, the Franklin M. and Caroline P. Johnson Professor in the School of Engineering and Director of CTR.

CFD simulations test all aspects of a supercomputer. The waves propagating throughout the simulation require a carefully orchestrated balance between computation, memory and communication. Supercomputers like Sequoia divvy up the complex math into smaller parts so they can be computed simultaneously. The more cores you have, the faster and more complex the calculations can be.

And yet, despite the additional computing horsepower, the difficulty of the calculations only becomes more challenging with more cores. At the one-million-core level, previously innocuous parts of the computer code can suddenly become bottlenecks.

Ironing out the wrinkles

Over the past few weeks, Stanford researchers and LLNL computing staff have been working closely to iron out these last few wrinkles. This week, they were glued to their terminals during the first "full-system scaling" to see whether initial runs would achieve stable run-time performance. They watched eagerly as the first CFD simulation passed through initialization then thrilled as the code performance continued to scale up to and beyond the all-important one-million-core threshold, and as the time-to-solution declined dramatically.

"These runs represent at least an order-of-magnitude increase in computational power over the largest simulations performed at the Center for Turbulence Research previously," said Nichols "The implications for predictive science are mind-boggling."

A homecoming

The current simulations were a homecoming of sorts for Nichols. He was inspired to pursue a career in supercomputing as a high-school student when he attended a two-week summer program at Lawrence Livermore computing facility in 1994 sponsored by the Department of Energy. Back then he worked on the Cray Y-MP, one of the fastest supercomputers of its time.

"Sequoia is approximately 10 million times more powerful than that machine," Nichols noted.

The Stanford ties go deeper still. The computer code used in this study is named CharLES and was developed by former Stanford senior research associate, Frank Ham. This code utilizes unstructured meshes to simulate turbulent flow in the presence of complicated geometry.

In addition to jet noise simulations, Stanford researchers in the Predictive Science Academic Alliance Program (PSAAP), sponsored by the Department of Energy, are using the CharLES code to investigate advanced-concept scramjet propulsion systems used in hypersonic flight (with video) -- flight at many times the speed of sound -- and to simulate the turbulent flow over an entire airplane wing.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Stanford School of Engineering. The original article was written by Andrew Myers.

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Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_science/~3/ms7cX5a1IAs/130128104628.htm

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FACT CHECK: The stretched case against Chuck Hagel

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Republican-leaning groups opposing President Barack Obama's choice of Chuck Hagel to head the Defense Department have let loose a barrage of claims about the former GOP senator.

They say he endorses automatic cuts to the defense budget, that he wants to decimate the nation's nuclear arsenal, that his membership on the board of a major company that had a Pentagon contract is a conflict of interest that he's ignoring.

A look at Hagel's record suggests many of the contentions are overblown.

In statements and attack ads, the groups have sought to undermine Hagel's nomination in the weeks leading up to his confirmation hearing on Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee. His opponents face a tough challenge as Democrats have begun to rally around the president's choice, and the party has the majority votes to confirm the former two-term Nebraska senator, barring surprises.

Here's a look at the validity of some of the criticism of Hagel.

___

THE CLAIM: "We live in a dangerous world. Iran, North Korea, even Russia. But Barack Obama's nominee for secretary of defense wants America to back down. An end to our nuclear program. Devastating defense cuts. A weaker country."? An ad being run by Americans for a Stronger Defense in the home states of five Democratic senators up for re-election next year ? Alaska's Mark Begich, Arkansas' Mark Pryor, Louisiana's Mary Landrieu, Colorado's Mark Udall and North Carolina's Kay Hagan.

THE FACTS: Hagel has not proposed ending the nuclear weapons program, though he has supported deep cuts.

Hagel was co-author of a May 2012 study by the advocacy group Global Zero that called for an 80 percent reduction of U.S. nuclear weapons and elimination of all nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The group argued that with the Cold War over, the United States needs no more than 900 total nuclear weapons. Currently, the U.S. and Russia have about 5,000 each, either deployed or in reserve. Both countries are on track to reduce the deployed strategic warheads to 1,550 by 2018, the number set in the New START treaty that the Senate ratified in December 2010.

The study said: "These steps could be taken with Russia in unison through reciprocal presidential directives, negotiated in another round of bilateral arms reduction talks or implemented unilaterally." The report was by Hagel, former ambassadors Richard Burt and Thomas Pickering, retired Gen. James Cartwright, a former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and retired Gen. John J. Sheehan.

An arsenal of 900 nuclear weapons would not be an "end" to the U.S. nuclear program, but Hagel and the organization did raise the possibility of unilateral reductions. In a statement Monday, Burt and others defended Hagel and dismissed suggestions that they were "unilateralists."

The group running this anti-Hagel ad was formed recently and offers little information about itself on its website. Board member Mauricio Claver-Carone also is director of the US Cuba Democracy Advocates in Washington and favors tighter restrictions on the Castro government.

___

THE CLAIM: "Opposition is growing even more due to his support for sequestration of the military: huge budget cuts that the Joints Chiefs have already warned the Senate Armed Forces Committee would result in a 'hollow force.'" ? A Jan. 22 statement from Move America Forward, a California-based group founded by conservatives in 2004 to show support for U.S. troops.

THE FACTS: The group offered no evidence Hagel supports sequestration, the budget mechanism that will mean automatic, across-the-board spending cuts March 1 if Congress does not act to avert them. The White House says he opposes the mechanism, which came into play after Hagel left the Senate.

To be sure, Hagel has spoken about cutting Pentagon spending. In a 2011 interview with the Financial Times, Hagel said, "the Defense Department, I think in many ways, has been bloated" and "has gotten everything it's wanted the last 10 years and more."

The base defense budget has nearly doubled over 10 years, to about $528 billion this year. That doesn't include the billions spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Obama and congressional Republicans agreed in August 2011 on a deficit-cutting plan that would cut $487 billion from projected defense spending over 10 years. Democrats and Republicans also voted for automatic cuts of $55 billion this year if a special congressional panel can't come up with a sweeping deficit-cutting plan.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has warned against the approach of across-the-board cuts, and Hagel has given no sign that he has a different view.

___

THE CLAIM: "Now Hagel sits on the board of Chevron, which receives hundreds of millions in Pentagon contracts. ... How can Chuck Hagel run the Pentagon with so many ethical questions about his own record?" ? Ad by the American Future Fund, which is running a "Hagel No" campaign. The group describes itself as advocating conservative, free-market ideals.

THE FACTS: It's widely assumed that Hagel will be leaving the Chevron board, a move common for nominees who face the prospect of such ethical conflicts. The Senate Armed Services Committee has some of the most stringent rules for nominees for senior civilian positions in the Defense Department. The panel requires nominees to divest all financial interests in companies doing business with the department. Stepping down from any board would certainly be required.

The committee bases its decisions on the Defense Department list of companies with contracts valued at $25,000 or more. The list is 330 pages long and includes Chevron.

EDITOR'S NOTE _ An occasional look at political claims that take shortcuts with the facts or don't tell the full story

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/fact-check-stretched-case-against-chuck-hagel-202223347--politics.html

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Canadian car parts suppliers set for high gear

TORONTO (Reuters) - All systems are go for Canada's auto parts sector. A gradual economic recovery, pent-up demand for new cars and a push for more fuel-efficient components portend strong growth for the country's biggest suppliers.

The fortunes of Magna International Inc , Linamar Corp and Martinrea International Inc are tightly tied to the Detroit Three and the health of the U.S. vehicle market. The outlook for both is reason for optimism.

Auto sales in the United States, still Canada's most important parts market despite boom times in China and South America, rose 13.5 percent in 2012 to nearly 14.5 million vehicles. This year, U.S. sales will reach 15.3 million vehicles, estimates Polk, a Southfield, Michigan-based research firm.

Polk cites low interest rates, a healthier housing sector and a wave of new vehicles introduced by major automakers as reasons for the growth. Consumers are eager to trade in their worn-out vehicles after delaying purchases during tough times.

"They're facing the best decade in their history," said Dennis DesRosiers, an industry consultant in Richmond Hill, Ontario. "No later than two years from now, we're going to have a record level of production in North America, and if you produce record numbers of vehicles, you're going to have record (parts) supply."

The steady recovery by Ford Motor Co , General Motors Co and Fiat SpA's Chrysler from their recession-induced slump is just one factor that suggests better times lie ahead.

As part of the Detroit Three's restructuring, supplier lists are being reduced by up to half, giving survivors a bigger piece of the pie, said BMO Capital Markets auto-parts analyst Peter Sklar. Further buoying Canadian suppliers is growing demand for global parts supply as automakers increasingly build vehicles on shared platforms to cut costs and use common parts.

"We think this is a good entry point for investors, in terms of valuation," he said. "They're at the low end of the range of where they're going to trade. For this year, for 2013, we think they're all going to have good earnings growth, so the stocks are going to go up."

In the last market cycle, torpedoed by the 2008-09 auto sector meltdown, Canadian parts suppliers generally traded at 4 to 6 times enterprise value to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), Sklar said.

He forecasts valuations of 5 to 7 times that ratio. But Magna is now trading at about 5 times trailing EBITDA, Martinrea 5.2 times, Linamar 5.9 times, with smaller Exco Technologies Ltd at 5.2 times, he said.

Canadian supplier stocks are also cheaper than those of blue-chip U.S. rivals such as Johnson Controls Inc and BorgWarner Inc , Sklar said.

CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY

To capitalize on favorable conditions, the country's biggest suppliers must develop cutting-edge components, experts say.

Tougher fuel economy standards and a hyper-competitive auto market that is hungry for consumer-appealing electronics will require advanced parts, said Steve Rodgers, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association.

"It's going to be absolutely crucial for them to continue to drive their R&D capabilities," he said in a phone interview from the recent Detroit auto show.

Fuel efficiency standards for U.S. cars and light trucks will soar to 54.5 miles a gallon in 2025, building on a rule raising fuel economy to 35.5 mpg for 2011 to 2016 model year vehicles.

That is "changing a lot of directions in technology," Rodgers said. Alongside increased interest in diesel systems, there is a push for advances ranging from lighter, alternative and composite materials to higher-speed transmissions, he said.

Ford, whose F-150 pickup is the best-selling vehicle in the United States, recently gave a sneak peek at its lighter, more fuel-thrifty truck. A new turbocharged engine and a more aerodynamic grill and wheels will help wring more miles per gallon.

Canada recently committed C$250 million ($250 million) to an extended auto R&D fund, matching the money in its initial 2008 program, but critics say that's insufficient to draw new assembly plants, the lifeline of parts suppliers.

Tony Faria, an auto industry expert at the University of Windsor in Ontario, argues such subsidies are imperative. Even if the funds don't lure new plants, they help germinate research and technology crucial to existing manufacturing and suppliers.

CHINA ASSEMBLY HOT SPOT

To be sure, Canada's top suppliers must also keep opening plants close to automakers that are expanding in hot-house markets outside North America.

Magna, one of the world's largest parts suppliers, had 305 manufacturing plants in 27 countries as of last quarter.

"If you're going to be a major player in the auto parts industry, you've got to be where production is occurring," Faria said. "For the last 10 years now, we've seen the bulk of new vehicle assembly going to China, India, Brazil, Russia."

Fully 50 percent of new auto assembly investment went to China in the last two years, he said.

China, the world's biggest auto market, is expanding its reach. Shareholders of Wescast Industries Inc vote Feb 21 on a drawn-out C$145.6-million takeover bid by China's Sichuan Bohong Industry Co Ltd.

($1=$1.00 Canadian)

(Editing by Frank McGurty, Jeffrey Hodgson and Peter Galloway)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/canadian-car-parts-suppliers-set-high-gear-153613479--sector.html

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In New Orleans, an unwelcome mat for Goodell

(AP) ? New Orleans Saints fans are celebrating the return of coach Sean Payton from his suspension following last year's "bountygate" scandal.

But NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who will present the NFL championship trophy when the Super Bowl is played in New Orleans on Feb. 3, is getting a less-than-warm welcome in some quarters.

Some hold a grudge over the suspension of Payton and key players and coaches. Signs saying Goodell won't be served are posted at some bars and eateries. And Goodell's image adorns the dart board at one lounge.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu is among city leaders reminding residents to mind their manners. Landrieu says Goodell played a big part in keeping the Saints in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and in bringing the Super Bowl back to the city.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-01-26-US-FBN-Super-Bowl-Bashing-Goodell/id-114934569ab44d1a85fc8fdb71947754

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Sunday, January 27, 2013

Trent Williams Hurt in Nightclub Assault, To Miss Pro Bowl

Source:

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UFC On FOX 6 Results: Rampage Jackson Falls To Glover Teixeira (VIDEO/PHOTOS)

CHICAGO -- In possibly Rampage Jackson's last UFC fight, the former champion was visibly exhausted.

It also was easy to see that Glover Teixeira was well on his way to a unanimous decision Saturday night in front of a capacity crowd at the United Center.

Jackson, the 34-year-old former light heavyweight champion was taken down in all three rounds, but Teixeira (20-2) couldn't finish him. Jackson (32-11) got back to his feet every time. Late in the second round, Jackson tried to shrug off Teixeira's punches, but fatigue appeared to be setting in.

"I really wanted to win that fight," Jackson said. "I kind of wish I fought smart and didn't get hit so much, but I always said I would rather lose a good fight than win a boring one and the fans are telling me that was an exciting fight. So I guess I'm sad but not so sad. I fought like Rampage tonight."

The fight was scored 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.

Jackson, who fought his last fight under his current UFC contract, has been critical of the UFC and how he perceives the organization treats its fighters. He insists the fight was his last in the UFC, but plans on continuing his MMA career.

"He just walked out right now and screamed, `You are going to miss me,'" White said. "I said, `I miss you already buddy.' ... Rampage's biggest problem is that he doesn't always train. He doesn't always stay in shape. If he took this sport 100 percent, hardcore, serious, God knows what that guy would be able to accomplish, but he doesn't."

Demetrious Johnson successfully defended his flyweight title in the main event, unanimously outpointing John Dodson.

Dodson, fighting at 125 pounds, landed left hands twice in the second round, sending Johnson to the ground. In the third round, Johnson had a takedown and landed a knee to get back in the fight. Johnson was warned after two illegal knees, a low blow in the first round and an illegal knee in the fourth round.

Johnson (17-2-1) started taking control late in fourth land, landing a series of knees to Dodson's head and a series of punches as Dodson (15-6) tired. It continued in the fifth and final round, as Dodson couldn't defend repeated knees to his head.

Johnson struggled in the first two rounds.

"I got dazed a little bit, but I am in good shape," Johnson said. "It is going to happen. You are going to get hit."

In a lightweight bout, Anthony Pettis (14-2) landed a left kick to Donald Cerrone's body and followed with a left jab in the second round, knocking Cerrone (19-5) to the ground and winning his third straight fight.

"Shutting that guy up was the biggest thing for me," Pettis said. "Now I never need to hear about that guy again. He's done. He got beat in one round. Goodbye."

Pettis put himself in a position for the lightweight UFC title and asked the question to UFC President Dana White.

"I am not scared to fight anybody. I want the champ ASAP," Pettis said. "Dana White what do I have to do for this title fight?"

Pettis came off an 11-month layoff after shoulder surgery.

In another main card fight, 30-year-old Chicago native Ricardo Lamas (13-2) dropped a series of elbows and punches on 24-year-old Erik Koch (13-2) before the featherweight bout was stopped by referee John McCarthy. Lamas had Koch pinned to the ground and went to work on Koch's bloodied face.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/27/ufc-fox-6-results-rampage-jackson_n_2560473.html

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Cool socks, Chicago pride and Pop Rocks at the UFC on Fox 6 weigh-ins

CHICAGO -- The UFC on Fox 6 weigh-ins featured a large, raucous, possibly liquored up crowd of Chicago fight fans, plenty of cool socks, and every fighter making weight. The only fighter who came close to not making weight was Clay Guida. He walked to the scale wearing a custom shirt with the Chicago flag on it and a Chicago flag wristband. He jumped on the scale and was 147, too heavy for featherweight in his first fight at that weight class. He then took off his Chicago Bulls socks and jewelry, and made weight. The only other bit of drama was some jawing between Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Glover Teixiera.

Read on for a complete list of weights and more pictures from the weigh-in.

MAIN CARD (FOX, 8 p.m. ET)
? Champ Demetrious Johnson (125) vs. John Dodson (124)
? Quinton Jackson (204) vs. Glover Teixeira (206)
? Donald Cerrone (155) vs. Anthony Pettis (155)
? Erik Koch (145) vs. Ricardo Lamas (145)
PRELIMINARY CARD (FX, 5 p.m. ET)
? T.J. Grant (155) vs. Matt Wiman (156)
? Clay Guida (146) vs. Hatsu Hioki (146)
? Pascal Krauss (171) vs. Mike Stumpf (170)
? Ryan Bader (205) vs. Vladimir Matyushenko (205)
? Shawn Jordan (251) vs. Mike Russow (256)
? Rafael Natal (185) vs. Sean Spencer (186)
PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook, 4:30 p.m. ET)
? David Mitchell (171) vs. Simeon Thoresen (171)

At left, Clay Guida and his Chicago Bulls socks. Donald Cerrone's cowboy boots and Superman socks are at right.

Guida's family had their guy's head on a stick and Guida buttons at weigh-ins. They were loud and supportive of Guida on Thursday, so you can bet they'll be out in numbers at the fights Saturday.

Dodson had Pop Rocks as his post weigh-in snack.

Thanks to Combat Lifestyle for the pictures.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/cool-socks-chicago-pride-pop-rocks-ufc-fox-013831605--mma.html

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Dozens reported killed in Venezuela prison riot

Relatives of inmates react outside the Uribana prison in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. A bloody riot erupted at the Uribana prison in the central Venezuelan city of Barquisimeto Friday when National Guard troops clashed with inmates. Venezuelan media reported that dozens were killed. It was the latest in a series of bloody riots in the country's prisons.(AP Photo/Rafael Rodriguez/El Informador)

Relatives of inmates react outside the Uribana prison in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. A bloody riot erupted at the Uribana prison in the central Venezuelan city of Barquisimeto Friday when National Guard troops clashed with inmates. Venezuelan media reported that dozens were killed. It was the latest in a series of bloody riots in the country's prisons.(AP Photo/Rafael Rodriguez/El Informador)

Relatives of inmates react outside the Uribana prison in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. A bloody riot erupted at the Uribana prison in the central Venezuelan city of Barquisimeto Friday when National Guard troops clashed with inmates. Venezuelan media reported that dozens were killed. It was the latest in a series of bloody riots in the country's prisons.(AP Photo/Rafael Rodriguez/El Informador)

Injured prison inmates arrive to the hospital in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. A bloody riot erupted at the Uribana prison in the central Venezuelan city of Barquisimeto Friday when National Guard troops clashed with inmates. Venezuelan media reported that dozens were killed. It was the latest in a series of bloody riots in the country's prisons.(AP Photo/Alexander Sanchez/El Informador)

An injured prison inmate is carried into the hospital in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. A bloody riot erupted at the Uribana prison in the central Venezuelan city of Barquisimeto Friday when National Guard troops clashed with inmates. Venezuelan media reported that dozens were killed. It was the latest in a series of bloody riots in the country's prisons.(AP Photo/Rafael Rodriguez/El Informador)

An injured prison inmate is carried into the hospital in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. A bloody riot erupted at the Uribana prison in the central Venezuelan city of Barquisimeto Friday when National Guard troops clashed with inmates. Venezuelan media reported that dozens were killed. It was the latest in a series of bloody riots in the country's prisons.(AP Photo/Rafael Rodriguez/El Informador)

(AP) ? Venezuelan authorities promised a high-level investigation Saturday into a deadly prison riot that reportedly left dozens of people dead when National Guard soldiers clashed with armed inmates.

Vice President Nicolas Maduro called the violence tragic while speaking on television early Saturday and said Prosecutor General Luisa Ortega Diaz and National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello would lead the investigation. He and other officials didn't give a death toll from the riot Friday at Uribana prison in the central Venezuelan city of Barquisimeto.

"The prisons have to be governed by law," Maduro said.

Humberto Prado, an activist who leads the watchdog group Venezuelan Prisons Observatory, said inmates' relatives and media accounts put the toll at 55 killed and 88 injured.

The Venezuelan newspaper Ultimas Noticias and the television channel Globovision reported more than 50 killed, both citing Ruy Medina, the director of Central Hospital in the city.

Relatives wept outside the prison during the violence, and cried at the morgue Saturday as they waited to identify bodies.

Penitentiary Service Minister Iris Varela said Friday that the riot broke out when groups of inmates attacked National Guard troops who were attempting to carry out an inspection.

Varela said the violence had affected a number of prisoners and officials, but said the authorities would hold off until control had been re-established at the prison to confirm the toll. She said the government decided to send troops to search the prison after receiving reports of clashes between groups of inmates during the past two days.

The death toll provided by Medina rose late Friday after he had initially reported four killed and dozens injured. Ultimas Noticias reported that the victims included a Protestant pastor and a member of the National Guard, as well as inmates.

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles condemned the government's handling of the country's overcrowded and violent prisons.

"Our country's prisons are an example of the incapacity of this government and its leaders. They never solved the problem," Capriles said on his Twitter account. "How many more deaths do there have to be in the prisons for the government to acknowledge its failure and make changes?"

The Venezuelan Prisons Observatory said in a statement that in 2007 the Costa Rica-based Inter-American Court of Human Rights had ordered the government to seize weapons that inmates had in their possession at Uribana prison and to take measures to avoid deaths in the facility. The group called for the government to release a list with the names of the dead and wounded in Friday's violence, as well as details about weapons seized in the search.

"No one doubts that inspections are necessary procedures to guarantee prison conditions in line with international standards, but they can't be carried out with the warlike attitude as (authorities) have done it," Prado told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "It's clear that the inspection wasn't coordinated or put into practice as it should have been. It was evidently a disproportionate use of force."

Prado's group says Uribana prison was built to hold up to 850 inmates but currently has about 1,400.

It was the latest in a series of bloody riots in the country's severely overcrowded prisons where inmates often freely obtain weapons and drugs with the help of corrupt guards. Venezuela currently has 33 prisons built to hold about 12,000 inmates, but officials have said the prisons' population is about 47,000.

In April and May, a prison uprising in La Planta prison in Caracas blocked authorities from going inside for nearly three weeks. One prisoner was killed and five people were wounded, including two National Guard soldiers and three inmates.

Two months later, another riot broke out at a prison in Merida, and the Venezuelan Prisons Observatory reported 30 killed.

In August, 25 people were killed and 43 wounded when two groups of inmates fought a gunbattle inside Yare I prison south of Caracas.

Chavez's government has previous pledged improvements to the prison system, but opponents and activists say the government hasn't made progress.

Varela, the prisons minister, said news media including Globovision and a local newspaper had done reports on the inspections, which she said had in fact been a "trigger for the violence."

Prado denied that, saying: "The problem isn't the work of the media. The problem is that the government hasn't disarmed the prison population."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-01-26-LT-Venezuela-Prison-Violence/id-0e2b85611034437fbae6ec1f158ca05f

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Saturday, January 26, 2013

Mobile Miscellany: week of January 21st, 2013

Mobile Miscellany week of January 21st, 2013

If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought a new smartphone from Xolo to India, HTC's crackdown on a custom ROM distributor and the UK's largest mobile spectrum auction to date. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of January 21st, 2013.

Xolo A500 debuts in India with Android 4.0

Mobile Miscellany week of January 21st, 2013

A new Android 4.0 smartphone known as the Xolo A500 became available within India this week, and from all appearances, it's entirely run of the mill. That said, with a price of ?6,999 ($130), it may just turn a few heads. The Xolo A500 sports a 4-inch WVGA (800 x 480) display, along with a dual-core 1GHz CPU (Snapdragon S4 Play) and dual-SIM functionality. You'll also find a 5-megapixel rear camera, along with a front-facing VGA shooter. The device includes a 1,500mAh battery, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of built-in storage and supports microSD cards up to 32GB in size. [Fone Arena]

Ofcom kicks off 4G spectrum auction in UK

The largest mobile spectrum auction to date in the UK began this week, which is set to nearly double the wireless resources available to Britons. In all, 28 lots of spectrum are available across the 800MHz and 2600MHz bands, which will add 250MHz of spectrum to the 333MHz in use today. Telefonica (O2), Vodafone, EE, Hutchison (Three), Niche Spectrum Ventures (BT), HKT and MLL are participants in the auction, which carries a total reserve price of £1.36 billion. According to UK regulator Ofcom, the auction will take place in several rounds over the coming weeks. [Android Central]

AT&T CEO reveals interest in smartphone financing

Mobile Miscellany week of January 21st, 2013

Verizon's Lowell McAdam now has some company. During this week's earnings call, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson revealed that AT&T is similarly monitoring T-Mobile's shift to drop the subsidized business model and instead provide customers the ability to finance their new smartphone purchase. While Stephenson may lack grace with his words, the intent is clear: "We expect there to be some dynamics in the marketplace that -- and we'll have to respond to some of it -- we find interesting, like the handset financing that they're doing." Curiously, Stephenson admitted that AT&T has considered the approach in the past, but like Verizon, much of how his company responds will depend on consumers' reception of T-Mobile's new approach. [FierceWireless]

US Cellular now offers carrier billing for online shopping

Mobile Miscellany week of January 21st, 2013

US Cellular announced this week that it now supports carrier billing for online purchases. The system was launched in partnership with Boku, and subscribers may pay for goods at participating merchants by entering their mobile number at checkout and then confirming the purchase with a text message. From there, customers will find the total amount of the purchase added to their wireless bill. [PhoneScoop]

AT&T working to integrate Data Sense for Windows Phone 8

Data Sense is one of the more unique features of Windows Phone 8, which allows users to monitor their data usage and squeeze more from their data plan through the magic of server-side compression. Verizon is the only carrier to support the feature within the US, but that may soon change, as AT&T has revealed that it's "exploring Data Sense and how to optimize the experience" for its subscribers. About damn time, right? [FierceWireless]

HTC forces shutdown of custom ROM site

Mobile Miscellany week of January 21st, 2013

A provider of many popular Sense-based ROMs is no more. This week, HTCRUU closed its doors and took its repositories offline in acquiescence to legal threats from HTC. Historically, HTC has taken an admirably lax approach to distribution of customized Sense ROMs, which are popular among enthusiasts of the company's smartphones. Naturally, many other sources exist for custom Sense blends, which raises the question of whether this move was but a one-off showing of legal force, or whether HTC will take a more active approach to ending the underground custom ROM community. Those interested can learn more of the situation on Reddit. [Android Police]

Other random tidbits

  • Following in the footsteps of Android and iOS, Microsoft has upped the mobile data cap of app downloads and updates for Windows Phone to 50MB. [WPCentral]
  • The Meizu MX2 is now available as a subsidized handset for customers of China Unicom. The smartphone can be gotten for free with all two-year plans of ¥226 or more per month, or with all three-year plans of ¥156 or more per month. [GSM Arena]
  • Colombia's state-owned telecom, UNE EPM, announced that it would invest $2.5 million to bring LTE services to Barranquilla -- the country's fourth most populous city -- which sports a population of approximately 1.8 million. [RCR Wireless]
  • An internal leak has revealed that the HTC 8S will become available at Bell Mobility on February 1st. [MobileSyrup]
  • Videotron has announced that it'll begin selling the Nexus 4 on January 30th. Similarly, Fido is accepting reservations (and a requisite $40 deposit) for the smartphone, which it's targeting for an early February arrival. [MobileSyrup 1, 2]

[Buy More Stuff photo credit: jbhthescots / Flickr]

[Mobile Miscellany photo credit: Thristian / Flickr]

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/gNL-tIay86I/

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Friday, January 25, 2013

Lisa Arends: Planning a Marriage

I visited my local Starbucks the other day to enjoy some coffee and free Wi-Fi. I was engaged in relatively simple research, so I let my ears wander to the conversations around me. One in particular caught my attention, as it pertained to my current status as a bride-to-be. There was a large group at the table across from me -- a young engaged couple, parents, wedding planners (yes, plural) and a priest. The plans they were making were as detailed and complex as those made for a presidential inauguration.

We hear so much about wedding planning. There are entire industries built around helping the couple carry out their "perfect day." It's easy to get carried away in the romance and the idea that a single ceremony represents the entirety of a relationship. It's easy to confuse the ability to control the details of a day with the potential for controlling an entire life. It may be easy, but like the eyes of the audience at a magic show, it is attention focused in the wrong direction. Wedding days should be special; it is a time to celebrate your bond and make a public declaration of your relationship. However, don't be so busy planning your wedding that you neglect to plan your marriage. Here are a few things to keep in mind for your Big Day, and the days (and years) after you say "I do."

Compromise
Weddings begin with compromise. Perhaps she wants to elope and he wants a large, family-filled church ceremony. Hopefully, a middle ground is agreed upon where each partner feels listened to and has his or her critical needs met. Compromise only begins with the wedding day. As two lives become entwined, differing views and priorities are inevitable. Make sure you know how to navigate these differences in a balanced way.

Influence
Have you ever been to a wedding where you couldn't tell if it was a day for the bride or the bride's mom? Just as your wedding is your day and should be created in your image, your marriage is yours and yours alone. By all means, listen to the advice of those around you but remember that you make the ultimate decision of what your relationship will look like.

Invitations
Most people are very deliberate about the friends they invite to be a part of their wedding. They want to surround themselves with others who will be supportive, realistic, and share in their joy. Be just as deliberate in choosing the friends that surround your marriage. We are influenced by those we spend our time with; choose wisely.

Beauty
Much time and money is put into creating the d?cor and ambiance of a wedding day. Just because the day is over and the budget is back to reality does not mean that you have to forgo beauty. Find ways to incorporate items that make you smile into your daily life. Any table is brightened by even the simplest centerpiece.

Words
The focus of a wedding is on the words spoken between the spouses-to-be -- the promises and declarations to love, honor, and cherish. Even after the walk down the aisle, words, whether spoken or written, are still an important part of a marriage. Never assume that your spouse knows how you feel and never underestimate the power of a positive word or two. The best part? When you say how much you love or appreciate your partner, it fuels those positive feelings in you as well.

Balance
Many wedding traditions have a deliberate balance between the time spent as a couple and the time spent apart. Even when you married, it is important to spend time away from your partner, either alone or with other friends or family. Make sure you have discussed your needs and expectations for your balance of time; it's important to reach an agreement between the two of you so that no one feels smothered and no one feels abandoned.

Tradition
Some of the meaning in a wedding comes from tradition -- elements handed down through generations that create a sense of unity and belonging. Just because the ceremony has ended does not mean that there is not room for traditions in your marriage. Look to your families of origin for rituals that you can implement in your new union or seek to create your own traditions. These conventions will serve to strengthen the bond between you and your spouse and give you a foundation upon which to build lasting memories.

Money
It is the rare couple who marries without a budget. Just because the presents are unwrapped and put away and you have begun to get used to married life does not mean that the budget goes out the window. Make sure you and your new spouse continue to talk about money. Agree on common financial goals. Separate needs from wants. Don't let nickels and dimes create a wall between you and your betrothed.

Publicity
A wedding is a public vow, whether it be made in a private ceremony or in front of thousands, it is still declaring your commitment to the world. After the wedding, life settles down and it's easy to confine your marriage to your private life. Or, even worse, expose your frustrations with your spouse but keep mum about the joys. Even after the wedding, make a habit of speaking positively about your spouse and your marriage. Sharing this commitment publicly helps to keep it alive.

Fun
The best weddings are fun. They have a sense of levity and humor. Any mishaps are laughed about and the challenges are kept in perspective. That's pretty good advice for a marriage, as well. Not every day will be a party but you can strive to find humor and laughter in every situation. Find ways to bring excitement and fun into your marriage. The associated smiles are priceless.

I'm sure that the couple I overheard at Starbucks will have a lovely wedding. I just hope they have planned as thoroughly to have a lovely marriage.

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Follow Lisa Arends on Twitter: www.twitter.com/stilllearning2b

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-arends/planning-a-marriage_b_2520879.html

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'Hansel & Gretel' & More Movies to See This Weekend!

From Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters to Parker, get the scoop on what's playing in theaters!

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/movie-reviews-what-see-weekend/1-b-415949?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Amovie-reviews-what-see-weekend-415949

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What are the easiest ways to add panache to your Word documents ...

Question: "The reports we generate at work look as boring as can be, mostly because no one wants to take the time to spruce them up. What are some very fast, very simple ways to tweak a Word document so its appearance commands attention?? ? Lydon, Inventory Manager

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Wind, snow thwart search for plane in Antarctica

(AP) ? Hurricane-force winds and snow were preventing searchers Friday from reaching a plane believed to have crashed in an Antarctic mountain range while carrying three Canadians.

Its emergency locator started transmitting late Wednesday about 680 kilometers (420 miles) north of the South Pole, but the weather has prevented search planes overhead from seeing the presumed crash site itself.

Rescuers don't know if the men are alive. Their plane has survival gear including tents and food.

The locator stopped transmitting Thursday night and crews have been unable to establish radio contact. Rescuers say a break in the weather is forecast Saturday.

One man on the plane has been identified as Bob Heath from the Northwest Territories, an experienced pilot in both the Antarctic and Arctic. Rescuers say the other two men were also part of the flight crew and that no passengers were aboard.

The propeller-driven de Havilland Twin Otter, was flying from a U.S. station near the pole to an Italian research base in Terra Nova Bay. Rescuers believe it crashed in the Queen Alexandra mountain range at an elevation of about 3,900 meters (13,000 feet).

Winds of up to 90 knots (104 miles per hour) have been blowing Thursday and Friday.

Steve Rendle, a spokesman for New Zealand's Rescue Coordination Centre, said rescue planes circled the area on Thursday and Friday but have been unable to spot the downed plane due to poor visibility. He said the battery on the locator beacon may have run out but that rescuers have a good fix on its location.

He said that when the weather clears, crews hope to establish a forward base at the Beardmore Glacier about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the assumed crash site. He said there's a rudimentary runway and a fuel depot at the glacier.

For now, two helicopters and a small plane remain at McMurdo Station, the main U.S. base about four hours' flight away. He said the elevation provides extra challenges for helicopter crews.

Heath's wife, Lucy Heath, told the Calgary Sun newspaper that airline officials had told her her husband's plane was down, and she said she was just waiting for more news: "I'm so worried."

Bob Heath wrote on networking site LinkedIn that he typically spends this time of year coaching and mentoring other pilots in polar regions.

The missing plane is owned and operated by Kenn Borek Air Ltd., a Calgary firm that charters aircraft to the U.S. Antarctic program. In a release, the National Science Foundation said the plane was flying in support of the Italian Antarctic program.

Authorities from New Zealand, Canada, the U.S. and Italy are working on the rescue operation.

Antarctica has no permanent residents, but several thousand people live there in the Southern Hemisphere summer as a number of countries send scientists and other staff to research stations. The U.S. runs the largest program, with about 850 staff at its McMurdo Station and another 200 at its Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, where the Canadians' flight originated.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-01-24-Antarctica-Plane%20Missing/id-c2c1fbf5de5f43b69f3f1181b00427c4

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Thursday, January 24, 2013

Photo Bomb of the Day: Marriage Proposal Stuns Hilarious Onlooker

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/01/photo-bomb-of-the-day-marriage-proposal-stuns-hilarious-onlooker/

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Maldives' waste management hampered by local ... - Minivan News

Maldives? waste management hampered by local politics, lack of funding thumbnail

Government civil servants are still working to create functional waste management systems despite numerous failed projects nationwide and a lack of ministerial collaboration.

Establishing a national waste management system is dependent on the success of a US$6.5 million pilot program implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Environment.

Ahmed Nizam, Solid Waste Management Coordinator for the project, told Minivan News that construction of one system on the uninhabited island of Vandhoo in Raa Atoll will hopefully be completed by late 2013 and the system should be operational by the beginning of 2014.

Nizam explained, ?This differs from previous projects because it is holistic, sustainable, and state of the art. It is a regional waste management system that includes everything ? community awareness, equipment, infrastructure, transportation, and processing ? whereas previous projects lacked in one or more of these areas.?

The World Bank funded Maldives Environmental Management Project (MEMP) will cover four northern atolls ? Noonu, Raa, Baa, and Lhaviyani ? and plans to process 52 tons of waste daily for 45 inhabited islands (over 7000 households), 15 operational resorts, 15 resorts in development, and nine industrial islands.

?The Vandhoo processing system has been engineered by a German company and meets European standards. The World bank would only provide funds to a properly functioning facility,? Nizam stated.

The processing facility on Vandhoo differs from previous waste management endeavors in that it has learned from the horrific failures of Thilafushi. There will be controlled incineration and no open burning, mixed waste, or land reclamation using trash.

Instead, composting of organic waste ? which accounts for 70 percent of trash volume ? will be dealt with at the island level, while the incinerated ash that cannot be reused for making bricks will be landfilled in ?cells? that prevent chemical leaching into groundwater.

?Thilafushi is not what we want. The current conditions there pose serious health and safety threats to Bangladeshi workers living there and those toxins spread to Male? and Villingili as well.

?The citizens of Raa atoll have expressed concerns the Vandhoo site will be another Thilafushi and we have gone to great lengths to ensure that will not happen,? Nizam added.

Although recyclables will be separated, there will be no facilities on Vandhoo to process them. Currently, the only alternative is to sell to neighboring countries.

However, there are plans to convert heat produced from the incinerators using a ?donkey boiler? into electricity.

Nizam also explained to Minivan News that current government policy dictates waste must be brought to the nearest designated processing facility.

In practice, this ?proximity principle? means that waste from the northern atolls can be transported to Vandhoo instead of Thilafushi.

?With only two transport vessels for this regional system we lack the capacity to expand transportation to the northern-most atolls. However, there is a possibility the transportation network can expanded in the future,? Nizam stated.

Depending on the success of this pilot program and access to development funds, regional centers are planned to be built throughout the country. In the interim, transporting waste to Vandhoo island will serve as a stop-gap measure.

A waste tracking system is included in this regional system, which will monitor how much garbage is being sent by resorts and matching this against what is received on Vandhoo, to discourage dumping into the sea by rogue garbage contractors trying to avoid fuel bills.

To further ensure the project?s sustainability, island councils in the region as well as civil society organisations are partnering with the MEMP to educate islanders through community-based awareness programs.

?Resort fees and household fees will cover operational costs, so this regional system will not be dependent on government funds. However, the government has the option to subsidize fees for islanders,? Nizam said.

The newly created state utilities company Fenaka Corporation Ltd will run the Vandhoo operations.

MEMP is currently negotiating with civil works contractors to develop Vandhoo infrastructure.

Past failures and current shortcomings

Establishing waste management systems on the islands has been an ongoing struggle.

Most islands have waste areas that vary in quality and have no means of processing or removing trash from the garbage areas.

Nizam explained that after the 2004 tsunami the United Nations (UN), Canadian and Australian Red Cross built infrastructure and provided equipment for some islands, however no island level program plans or systems were put in place.

A more wide-scale failure was the European Union (EU)-supported Ari Atoll waste management program.

?All the studies were completed and islands were provided infrastructure and equipment, however funding was withdrawn [for a regional processing facility] because the government-proposed equipment was deemed too expensive and no regulations were established,? according to Nizam.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed?s government attempted to correct the problem but could not secure funds, or establish sustainable public private partnerships due to political polarisation fueling a lack of island council support, he added.

Currently, under the EU and Australia Aid funded Climate Change Trust Fund (CCTF), a pilot program is being launched to support waste management development on five Ari atoll islands and one waste transfer vessel that will bring garbage to Thilafushi, Nizam further explained.

Correcting the mismanagement of Thilafushi remains a work in progress.

The previous government under Nasheed had signed a waste management agreement with India-based Tatva Global Renewable Energy back in May 2011 to implement a system designed to generate power from recycling waste.

The contract has been undergoing renegotiation with the current government as part of efforts to provide what it has called a more ?mutually beneficial? agreement ? a move slammed by the Male? City Council (MCC), which accused authorities of trying to ?sabotage? the deal.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has pledged to take the ?lead? in addressing waste management issues in Male? should the city?s council and the Ministry of Environment and Energy fail to effectively deal with concerns about garbage.

There are no regulations or laws for waste management, only the?Environmental?Protection Act, however the Environmental Protection Agency is in the ?final stages? of completing regulations and should be releasing them within the next few weeks, according to Nizam.

Is civil society filling the gap?

The opinion of many islanders is that since there is no way to process or remove the waste, there is no point in not littering.

Imad Mohamed, Executive Director of Huvadhoo Aid (HAD), told Minivan News about some of the projects and related challenges this non-governmental organization (NGO) has encountered regarding waste management and environmental conservation.

Huvahdoo Aid?s main focus in this area is helping other NGOs throughout the region develop community-based waste management plans.

?However, last year HAD tried to construct waste management center on Hoadedhdhoo island in collaboration with the Male?-based NGO Community Aid, funded by the Mangroves for the Future (MMF) program. We also had a partnership agreement with a neighboring resort that was willing to donate an incinerator.

?However, the Hoadedhdhoo Island Council claimed that they did not want HAD to build the [waste management] centre, because it is ?mandated? that the island council should run the centre,? according to Imad.

A source from the partnering resort explained that they were excited to donate the incinerator to HAD, assist with installation, and even modify it to create hot water free of change.

?It had been sitting on our dock for five months rusting,? the source explained.

However, logistics to transport the incinerator could not be arranged.

The incinerator has now been given to a different island in the atoll.

The Hoadedhdhoo Island Council did not respond to calls at the time of press.

Resorts going it alone

Resorts are aiming for ?self-sufficiency? when it comes to waste management, since there are no regional centres in operation.

While there are tourism regulations that require certain waste management systems are constructed on resorts, they are only inspected once constructed, Nizam told Minivan News.

?Facilities are not properly used, are very costly, and some resorts claim tourists do not want to see waste burning,? he said.

Whether resorts adopt sustainable, environmentally-friendly practices is de facto voluntary.

Some are motivated by the need to maintain an eco-friendly reputation and sell the Maldives as a ?premium [vacation] destination? that is also ?environmentally sensitive,? a resort manager told Minivan News.

Their resort is ?trying to do the right thing? and has developed a waste management system that has reduced 70 percent of their waste.

?Thilafushi is just wrong. We have reduced our trips there from seven per week to one,? the source stated.

The resort also conducts training for staff and their Maldivian team has ?embraced? these environmentally friendly practices, the manager claimed.


Source: http://minivannews.com/politics/maldives-waste-management-hampered-by-local-politics-lack-of-funding-51680

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