Hate it? An insider's guide to returning gifts

TODAY

The refund policies at most major retailers are the same as last year, with a few notable exceptions. But that doesn't mean it will always be easy to take back that unwanted item.

By By Herb Weisbaum, TODAY contributor

It happens. You get a gift and you want to return it. Maybe you don?t need another electric can opener or you're not fond of that bright pink necktie.

Good news: According to the annual survey by ConsumerWorld.org, the refund policies at most major retailers are the same as last year, with a few notable exceptions. But that doesn?t mean it will always be easy to take back that unwanted item.

?Many stores are still slicing and dicing their return policies, creating different rules for different categories of items,? noted Consumer World founder Edgar Dworsky. ?For example, electronics typically have a shorter return period than clothing.?

If you get something you don?t want, you?d better find out how long you have to take it back.

?We get so wrapped up in the holidays that by the time you think about returning something in mid-January, it may be too late,? noted Carey Rossi, editor-in-chief at ConsumerSearch.com. ?So there is a timeline as to when you need to return those unwanted gifts.?

Here are a few of the noteworthy return-policy changes from the Consumer World survey:

• Target tightened its return policy for the second time in two years. The return period for digital items, such as computers (tablet, netbook, notebook or eReader), video game consoles, GPS units and digital cameras is now 30 days instead of 45 days.

• Sears shortened its ?extended holiday return period? from 120 days across the board. Items that qualify for a 30-day and 60-day return can now be brought back until Jan. 24, and in some cases, later. Toys ?R" Us will now let you return an electronic product after the package has been opened.? In the past, they would not.

• Buy.com expanded its holiday return period from Jan. 31 to Feb. 15. ?

Remember: Some retailers won?t accept the return of an electronic item if the box has been opened, the product has been used, parts are missing or the original packaging is gone.

Or you may have to pay a restocking fee. Sears charges a 15 percent restocking fee if they determine the item is ?used? or has missing parts. At Overstock.com, you could pay as much as 60 percent of the purchase price to return something that?s been opened or used.

Know the rules
Retailers want to handle your return in a friendly and courteous manner. That?s why they have extended holiday return policies.

?Many however, keep it a secret,? Dworsky noted. ?Most don?t post big signs in the store, and managers may not even be aware of it.?

Whether they post it in plain sight or not, there are rules to follow.

?Receipts are the key to easy returns,? noted Judy Rohlena, senior editor at ShopSmart magazine. ?If you don?t have a receipt, you could be out of luck.?

Most stores won?t accept a return without a receipt. And with all the return fraud taking place, you can?t blame them.

If they do take back an item without a receipt, you may only get the lowest price that item sold for in the past 90 days.

While it?s important for gift-givers to include a ?gift receipt,? most stores won?t let you use that to get a refund, only an equal exchange, merchandise credit or gift card.

?If you want your money back, you?ll have to get the gift-giver to go back with the original receipt,? Dworsky said.

Note: The return policies for online purchases may be different. Don?t assume you can take an Internet purchase back to a company?s physical store.

• Sports Authority won?t take back any online purchases at its stores.

• Some items sold by OldNavy.com, Gap.com and BananaRepublic.com must be returned by mail.

• You will only get a merchandise credit it you take back something purchased at ToysRUs.com to a Toys ?R? Us store.

Remember: Some online retailers will cover the cost of that return. Others make you pay to send it back.

The bottom line
Be careful how you handle your gifts, especially those you think you might not want. Don?t wear clothing. Keep all the packaging. Don?t even open the box ? especially for electronic items ? if you know it?s going back.

Keep in mind: Many stores track returns to spot potential fraud.

?For honest consumers, this can cause problems, as some stores limit the amount of return activity to a certain number or value of annual merchandise,? noted Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League. ?So be prepared for the worst.?

If you follow the rules, you shouldn?t have many problems. Just remember, those rules vary from store to store. You need to understand that company?s policy before you head to the store or try to ship it back.

?If you?re asking for something that?s outside the rules, that means you?re asking for an accommodation,? Dworsky said. ?But if you?re asking for something that?s in the policy and they turn you down, then you can be more assertive.?

Have a problem with a return? Ask to speak to the store manager or contact the customer service department. If that doesn?t work file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, your state Attorney General?s office or local consumer protection agency.

More information:

Consumer World Survey: 2012 Return Policies

Consumer Reports: Hassle-Free Gift Returns

National Consumers League: Stress-Free Gift Returns

Herb Weisbaum is The ConsumerMan. Follow him on?Facebookand?Twitter?or visit?The ConsumerMan?website.

Source: http://lifeinc.today.com/_news/2012/12/24/16070672-hate-it-an-insiders-guide-to-returning-gifts?lite

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Tips To Help You Use Your Bank Cards Wisely | Investing Market ...

Many people have despised credit cards since they were first invented. Like many other aspects of life, it can be hard to deal with credit cards when you are not properly educated. This article contains lots of advice for anyone interested in learning more about charge cards.

When you open a credit card account, try to keep your account open for as long as possible. You do not want to switch to different accounts unless it is absolutely necessary. The length of your account history with an individual creditor is factored into your credit score. Keeping accounts open whenever possible is one element of building a good credit history.

Report any fraudulent charges on your credit cards right away. By doing so you give the credit card company the best chance of catching the thief. Doing this also helps ensure that you will not have to pay for such charges. A simple phone call is usually all it takes to report fraudulent charges or put a hold on a stolen card.

Do not get multiple credit card accounts, or if you must, keep it to two or three. The challenge that you will encounter in having many accounts, is being able to closely track your spending on each account. Maintaining a low card count will help you more easily monitor spending while you keep your debt amount low.

Don?t use the credit card for cash advances from the ATM or to purchase chips at your favorite casino. Card issuers typically charge exorbitant fees for such transactions. Because of this it is essential to use credit only for emergencies.

Late Payment

It is important to pay the payment on your charge cards by their due date. Missing only one payment can cause your interest rate to increase. As well, the missed or late payment will be reflected on your credit report, lowering your overall credit score. Think about doing automatic payments online to completely avoid a chance of a late payment.

Consider closing out the accounts associated with charge cards that you don?t really use anymore. Closure of old accounts makes it less likely that they will be used fraudulently. You can close accounts that you don?t want anymore, even if you still have a balance, too. You can keep paying the balance until it?s paid in full.

Make sure the password and pin number of your credit card is difficult for anyone to guess. For instance, using a loved one?s birth date or your middle name could make it easy for someone to guess your password.

Before applying for a secured card, take time to read all of the small print and be sure that you fully understand the terms of the card. Most times, you?re told to deposit a small amount but you?re not aware that your money could be used up by fees that end up making you have a lower credit limit.

Actual Due Date

Know whether the payment due date on your credit card is the actual due date or a suggested one. Companies are beginning to suggest that customers pay their bills over two weeks before the actual due date. If your issuer uses suggested due dates, it is smart to make sure you know the real due date, should you require a few extra days to get your payment together.

If you submitted your credit card payment late, or if you missed your payment, you should consider asking your credit card company for lower interest rates or fees. If your payments are not timely, creditors will not hesitate to increase rates and add extra fees. If you contact the credit card provider, it is often possible to to get a reduction in these charges.

As you have read, charge cards are a complicated business that can frustrate almost anyone. Proper use of a credit card can increase your buying power, improve your credit rating and help you stay in control of your financial health. Implement the tips in this article and deal with your credit cards effectively.

An entire digital world with information pertaining to click this over here now is at the end of your fingertips. You need to take the time to learn more about it. Knowledge that you absorb today will be with you for today, tomorrow and many more years to come. Use what you are about to learn and take it with you.

Source: http://invetingmarketanalysis.com/2012/12/23/tips-to-help-you-use-your-bank-cards-wisely/

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I'm Convinced This Is My Online Gaming Team. Every. Single. Game.

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Source: http://lolsnaps.com/news/44787/0/

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92% Skyfall

All Critics (280) | Top Critics (45) | Fresh (257) | Rotten (23)

'Quantum of Solace,' was a dour, dire letdown. This picture's a substantial bounce back, and easily the best Craig Bond picture. Emotional depth and all.

Sam Mendes' 'Skyfall': sleek, slithery, sensual

The cool accomplishment of Skyfall, 23rd in the Broccoli franchise, is that it seems a necessary, rather than mandatory, addition to the year's popular culture.

Among the most ambitious imaginings of Bond to date: dark, supple, and punctuated with moments of unanticipated visual brilliance.

Mendes' approach to action is classical and elegant - no manic editing and blurry unintelligible images here - but what makes the movie special is the attention he pays his actors.

"Skyfall" is a different kind of Bond movie, one that works just fine on its own terms, but a steady diet of this might kill the franchise. One "Skyfall" is enough.

Skyfall isn't quite a throwback to the absurd thrills of the 007 films of old, but it does inject some fun back into the franchise.

As the saying goes, you've got to shake 22 Bond films, before the 23rd is stirred to perfection. Without a doubt, this is the best James Bond movie.

James Bond looks broken and weary, an embodiment of a traditional model of international spydom, the one premised on national borders, white-Western-wealthy entitlements, and excessive consumptions of alcohol, cars, and women.

I have no compulsion whatsoever in declaring Skyfall, in terms of cinematography, the best looking Bond film ever ... Action movies simply don't look like this - but ... this is no ordinary action movie.

Sentimental touches underscore the fun and frivolity of Bond's past while relishing the brutal landscape of the modern day super-spy.

This makes the list of truly great 007 films alongside the list of Goldfinger, Thunderball, Live And Let Die, Licence To Kill, Goldeneye and Casino Royale.

Worlds collide in this near-brilliant, meticulously refined 21st-century redefinition of James Bond.

Sam Mendes has done a magnificent job, creating both a relevant and timeless entry into the Bond canon, while deftly adding homages to the series' past.

...tough and grim but still spry ... feels like something of a rearguard action in the case of the British Empire.

Sometimes the old ways are the best. This is a theme and repeated line running throughout the new James Bond film Skyfall and never has it been more true.

Skyfall does what all of the best franchise entries do: it makes you want to see the next one immediately. Consider me (physically) shaken and (emotionally) stirred.

Not the best Bond movie ever but a very good one; a little darker but still unsettled as to what type overall it wants to be.

Too often this martini is sloppy, not smooth.

This is one of the 50-year-old series' most exciting and commandingly compelling entries. Yes, James Bond is back to being James Bond.

Seen against the ineffectual backdrop of 2008's Quantum of Solace, this is a return to form but it doesn't exceed Craig's impressive debut as Bond in 2006's Casino Royale.

Skyfall is not, of course, ''darker'' or more serious than previous Bond films, but it's more knowing about its own conventions.

Breathes fresh life into the genre.

A lot of critics are claiming this to be the best Bond film ever made; they may well be right-to some degree. It's certainly the most poignant-which, in what is ostensibly an action film, is a feather in Mendes' cap to be sure.

James Bond's 23rd official feature film gives the iconic secret agent something to stew over: an existential crisis.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/skyfall/

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Florida governor asks Obama to block possible ports strike

MIAMI (Reuters) - Florida's Republican governor wants President Barack Obama to invoke federal law and order a cooling-off period if nearly 15,000 longshoremen walk off the job in a looming strike that would be a big blow to the state's economy, according to a letter he sent the president this week.

The International Longshoremen's Association union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance grouping of shippers and ports have been bargaining since March but reportedly remain far from a deal covering cargo handling at 15 ports on the U.S. Gulf and eastern coasts.

In October, when a previous contract expired, the sides agreed to a 90-day extension of terms that runs out on December 29.

Florida ports in Miami and Fort Lauderdale would be directly hit by a strike or lockout but a stoppage would also rattle overall transport and trade, which accounts for 550,000 jobs in the state and $66 billion in economic activity, Florida Governor Rick Scott said in a letter dated Thursday.

"The threat to national safety and security that would result from mass closure of ports cannot be overstated," Scott told Obama.

Scott said Obama had the power under 1947's Taft-Hartley Act to prevent or interrupt a work stoppage at the ports. Presidents Richard Nixon and George W. Bush both used Taft-Hartley, which calls for 80-day cooling-off periods and mediation, Scott said.

"The Taft-Hartley Act provides your administration with tools that can help avoid this threat," Scott said. "On behalf of the State of Florida, I respectfully request that you invoke the act when the contract ... expires at the end of the month."

(Reporting By Michael Connor in Miami; Editing by Cynthia Johnston)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/florida-governor-asks-obama-block-possible-ports-strike-225639458.html

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What is the different between Gore's human resource management ...

People involves in any organization as human resource. No matter of the bigness of the firm, its abilities and performance is depends on its people. In 2000, Gibbs emphasized human resources as the most valuable and unique assets for any organization. Human resource management is the management of people within an organization. The aim of human resource management is to maximize the prolificacy of an organization by optimizing the effectiveness of its employees. As Edward L. Gubman observed in the Journal of Business Strategy, ?the basic mission of human resources will always be to acquire, develop, and retain talent; align the workforce with the business; and be an excellent contributor to the business. Those three challenges will never change.? It is impossible that a business can be successful without managing human resource effectively. Michael Armstrong articulated his book ?A Handbook of Human Resource Management? that a successful business is most likely to be achieved if the personnel policies and procedures of the enterprise are closely linked with, and make a major contribution to, the achievement of corporate objectives and strategic plans. In the past few decades, many human resource management studies and researches had done by the professional, they were trying to develop a new school of human resource management to manage human resource more effective and efficient to achieve higher organizational performance. W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) is a global organization with a history of more than 50 years. According to Steward and Brown (2009), Gore is benefited from their taking a job design strategy to replace formal planning and role assignment with a process in which roles are evolved. The strategy is successful because it fits with the overall strategy of differentiation through innovation. In doing so, Gore hires creative employees and then facilitating them to use their unique talents by encouraging new ideas from them.

What is the different between Gore?s human resource management and traditional human resource management?

Gore?s human resource management has used the strategic human resource management instead of traditional human resource management, it emphasized the human resource management integrated into the business strategy and improving the productivity of employees to make the business success. It can avoid some typical problems of the traditional human resource management.

Human resource management is the administrative actions related to the issues related to human resource. Human resource management generally focuses on the functional activities like planning, staffing, training, appraisal, orientation and communication. Human resource management also focuses on supervision, monitoring, employee motivation, compensation and skills management. Those approaches aimed to improve employee performance, ensure employees compliance?to the procedures and achieve the goals of the organization. Unfortunately, the employees always complain that the traditional activities of human resource management is inflexible, not emphasizing to achieve the organizational goal, different form the employees expectations, lack of responsiveness and lack of line management experience.

?

The reason of the employees complains on the traditional human resource management activities are the business world keeps changing but the organizations are still using the old method to manage their human resource.? The world has changed, the demographic has changed, the living standard increased, the educational level enhanced, it is impossible to use the traditional management to manage the modern reality. Therefore, a new school of human resource management has been developed in the last two decade, named ?Strategic Human Resource Management?.

Strategic human resource management is about the integration of human resource management strategies with the organization strategic goals and objectives.

Tags: free essay, human resource management

Category: Free Essays, Human Resources

Source: http://writepass.co.uk/journal/2012/12/what-is-the-different-between-gores-human-resource-management-and-traditional-human-resource-management/

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Hyundai Heavy Ind. Group wins orders worth $1.05 billion

SEOUL (Reuters) - Hyundai Heavy Industries announced on Sunday that the company and its affiliated shipyard have obtained orders totaling $1.05 billion to build five liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.

Hyundai Heavy said in a statement it had won an order for one 155,000-cubic-metre LNG carrier worth $210 million from Brunei Gas on Friday.

The company's affiliated shipyard, Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, also won a contract for four 174,000-cubic-metre LNG carriers valued at $840 million from Greece's Maran Gas on Thursday. The contract included an option exercisable by the owner for two additional same-class LNG carriers, Hyundai added.

The LNG carriers, scheduled to be delivered between 2015 and 2016, will feature the so-called dual fuel diesel engine system (DFDE) which allows the ships to run either on diesel fuel or natural gas, according to the company.

Since its first LNG carrier order in 1991, Hyundai Heavy Industries has built 40 such carriers while Hyundai Samho Heavy has won orders for 10 LNG vessels since 2011.

(Reporting by Sung-won Shim; Editing by Nick Macfie)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/hyundai-heavy-ind-group-wins-orders-worth-1-020742578--sector.html

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Drivers of Green Marketing in the European Construction Industry ...

Aarkstore.com announces, a new market research report is available in its vast collection:

Drivers of Green Marketing in the European Construction Industry: Survey Snapshot

http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/Drivers-of-Green-Marketing-in-the-European-Construction-Industry-Survey-Snapshot-237433.html

Synopsis

? The report is based on primary surveys conducted by Timetric accessing its B2B panels comprised of senior business decision makers from the European construction industry. The opinions and forward looking statements on sustainability management of 140 industry executives are captured in our in-depth survey

? The geographical scope of the research is European ? drawing on the activity and expectations of leading industry players across the region

? The report analyzes the drivers of green marketing in the European construction industry

Summary

?Drivers of Green Marketing in the European Construction Industry: Survey Snapshot? is the result of an extensive survey drawn from Timetric?s exclusive panel of leading construction industry companies. As sustainability emerges as a strong theme in the business environment, this report provides the reader with a definitive analysis of drivers of green marketing in the European construction industry.

Scope

The report features the opinions of European construction industry respondents related to the following:

? Drivers of green marketing by turnover

Reasons To Buy

? Understand the drivers of green marketing in the European construction industry

Table of Contents :

1 Introduction

1.1 What is this Report About?

1.2 Definitions

1.3 Methodology

1.4 Profile of European Construction Industry Survey Respondents

1.4.1 Profile of buyer respondents

1.4.2 Profile of supplier respondents

2 Drivers of Green Marketing

2.1 Drivers of green marketing by turnover

3 Appendix

3.1 Full Survey Results

3.2 Methodology

3.3 Contact Us

3.4 About Timetric

3.5 Disclaimer

List of Tables

Table 1: Europe Construction Industry Survey Respondents by Company Type, 2012

Table 2: Buyer Respondents by Job Role in the European Construction Industry (%), 2012

More Related Reports :

Perception of Sustainability in the European Construction Industry: Survey Snapshot

Sustainability in Business Functions in the European Construction Industry: Survey Snapshot

Key Drivers of Sustainability in the European Construction Industry: Survey Snapshot

Major Barriers to Sustainability in the European Construction Industry: Survey Snapshot

Key Markets for Growth in the European Construction Industry: Survey Snapshot

Organizational Pre-requisites for Sustainability in the European Construction Industry: Survey Snapshot

Implementation of Sustainable Measures in the European Construction Industry: Survey Snapshot

Key Energy Efficiency Measures in the European Construction Industry: Survey Snapshot

Effective Monitoring Tools of Sustainability in the European Construction Industry: Survey Snapshot

Cost Saving Expectations by Sustainability in the European Construction Industry: Survey Snapshot

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Source: http://www.briefingwire.com/pr/drivers-of-green-marketing-in-the-european-construction-industry-survey-snapshot

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Lecturer (NTT) - Professional Communications - HigherEdJobs

General Summary of Position: The Robert J. Manning School of Business, University of Massachusetts Lowell invites applications for the position of Non-tenure-track Lecturer. The instructional field is Professional Communications and the position involves teaching and service. Professional Communications is a multi-section "hands-on" required sophomore-level course in the School's undergraduate program designed to strengthen student oral and written communication skills in small and large groups. Undergraduate courses are generally taught during the day but evening teaching is also expected. The service component of the position includes leading periodic course reviews, ongoing course development, participation in the assessment of student learning, student recruiting, advising, retention and other related administrative responsibilities. This is a full-time benefited renewable position with the possibility of promotion to the rank of Senior Lecturer.

How to Apply:
For additional information and to submit an application go to https://jobs.uml.edu. The application should include: (1) a current curriculum vitae; (2) a letter detailing professional interests, background, teaching experience and accomplishments; (3) evidence of teaching effectiveness and (4) the names and contact information for three references (including position title, employing organization, and mailing and e-mail addresses) (do not send recommendation letters). Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The starting date is September 2013.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is committed to increasing diversity in its faculty, staff, and student populations, as well as curriculum and support programs, while promoting an inclusive environment. We seek candidates who can contribute to that goal and encourage you to apply and to identify your strengths in this area.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A doctorate in Communications or closely related field (must have doctorate by the time of appointment, September 2013)
• Previous College-level teaching experience with evidence of teaching effectiveness
• Current or recent corporate or industrial experience in a field directly related to Professional Communications
• The ability to work effectively with diverse groups

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Experience in using the Blackboard online course platform
• Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, industry, and diverse populations

Special Instructions: **Cover letter should include detailed professional interests, background, teaching experience and accomplishments
**Evidence of teaching may consist of student course evaluations, course syllabi, results of classroom observations, etc.
**Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications are received.

Please contact the University of Massachusetts Lowell Human Resources Department at 978-934-3560 if you have any question about the position.

The University of Massachusetts is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Title IX, H/V, ADA 1990 Employer and Executive Order 11246, 41 CFR60-741 4, 41 CRF60-250 4, 41CRF60-1 40 and 41 CFR60-1,4 are hereby incorporated.

Source: http://www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?JobCode=175704888

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Travelers hope to be on their way after snowstorm

CHICAGO (AP) ? Travelers facing canceled flights and closed roads were hoping to finally head to their holiday destinations Friday as a widespread snowstorm that dumped more than a foot of snow in parts of the Midwest moved across the Great Lakes toward Canada.

The storm, part of a system that began in the Rockies earlier in the week, led airlines to cancel more than 1,000 flights Thursday and caused whiteout conditions that left roads dangerous to drive on. It was blamed for deaths in at least five states, with parts of Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan hit with more than a foot of snow.

While some people went to work on digging themselves out, others were stuck waiting for word of new flight times.

In Chicago, aviation officials said more than 350 flights were called off at O'Hare International Airport on Thursday and more than 150 at Midway International Airport.

But on Friday, as the storm continued its crawl eastward, only about 50 flights were canceled and a similar number faced delays of up to two hours at the Chicago airports.

Chicago Department of Aviation spokeswoman Karen Pride said Friday would be the busiest air travel day of the holiday period, with 200,000 passengers passing through O'Hare and another 66,000 at Midway, based on airline estimates.

High winds were blamed for lingering airport delays further east, with three-hour waits anticipated at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and La Guardia Airport in New York.

The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for New York City and Long Island, forecasting gusts of up to 60 miles per hour. Winter storm warnings and advisories were issued for Pennsylvania, where snow was forecast starting late morning and through the day.

Southwest Airlines, which canceled all of its flights out of its Midway hub after 4:30 p.m. Thursday, was running its full schedule Friday. United Airlines also planned to operate a full schedule, though spokeswomen for both airlines cautioned travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

Erin Henderson was among those hoping to fly from O'Hare on Friday morning. The 20-year-old college student was trying to return home to Kansas City after five months of studying in Italy. She arrived in Chicago early Thursday evening to learn that the last leg of her flight had been canceled.

Exhausted and teary-eyed, Henderson said she planned to get some sleep at a nearby hotel before trying to catch a flight to St Louis early Friday. She said her father planned to drive across Missouri to collect her.

"It was the closest I can get," Henderson said.

The storm made travel difficult from Kansas to Wisconsin, forcing road closures, including a 120-mile stretch of Interstate 35 from Ames, Iowa, through Albert Lea, Minn. Iowa and Wisconsin activated National Guard troops to help rescue stranded drivers.

In Iowa, two people were killed and seven injured in a 25-vehicle pileup. Drivers were blinded by blowing snow and didn't see vehicles that had slowed or stopped on Interstate 35 about 60 miles north of Des Moines, state police said. A chain reaction of crashes involving semitrailers and passenger cars closed down a section of the highway.

The storm was blamed for traffic deaths in four other states. There were at least two deaths each in Nebraska and Wisconsin, and one each in Kansas and Indiana.

In southeastern Utah, a woman who tried to walk for help after her car became stuck in snow died Tuesday night.

On the southern edge of the storm system, tornadoes destroyed several homes in Arkansas and peeled the roofs from buildings, toppled trucks and blew down oak trees and limbs in Alabama.

On Friday morning, hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan and Illinois remained without power and some schools canceled classes for a second day. The weather service said up to 20 inches of snow fell in the Madison area, and that high winds and drifting snow was making travel treacherous.

The flight cancellations were a concern during the traditionally busy holiday travel period, but Daniel Baker, CEO of flight tracking service FlightAware.com, called it "a relatively minor event in the overall scheme of things."

By comparison, airlines canceled more than 13,000 flights over a two-day period during a February 2011 snowstorm that hit the Midwest. And more than 20,000 flights were canceled during Superstorm Sandy.

___

Associated Press writers David Pitt in Des Moines, Iowa; Margery Beck in Omaha, Neb.; Jeff Baenen in Minneapolis; Scott Mayerowitz and Meghan Barr in New York City; David Runk in Detroit; Carrie Antlfinger in Milwaukee; Heather Hollingsworth in Kansas City, Mo.; Jason Keyser and Carla K. Johnson in Chicago; and Barbara Rodriguez in Des Moines contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/travelers-hope-way-snowstorm-084035270.html

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Elin Nordegren Bikini Photos: THG Hot Bodies Countdown #25!

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/12/elin-nordegren-bikini-photos-thg-hot-bodies-countdown-number-25/

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Holder to meet with first responders in Newtown

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Attorney General Eric Holder is heading to Newtown, Conn., to meet with first responders and law enforcement officials about last week's school shooting.

A Justice Department official says Holder is set to depart Washington after meeting with Vice President Joe Biden, who's leading an administration effort to develop ways for reducing gun violence.

The official requested anonymity because Holder's visit to Newtown has not been publicly announced.

The attorney general isn't expected to participate in any public events during the visit.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-12-20-School%20Shooting-Holder/id-63c89c1b3e3248e098839c69661807e0

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Sen. Brown's father, C. Bruce Brown, dies at 75 (cbsnews)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/272250037?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Pet Supermarket: Goldfish Get Top-Priority Treatment | How To Take ...

At the pet supermarket they are all about bringing a healthy smile to your pets? face. While it is true that they cater to animals of all shapes, sizes and species over at their unique online store, they have confessed to having a slight obsession for all things that swim.

Over the years, they have developed somewhat of an obsession with all types of fish, but especially goldfish. To them, goldfish and fish in general for that matter, require an extra special level of love and attention from their owners when compared to most other traditional pets.

Owning a fish isn?t like having a dog or a cat. A dog or a cat, or most other traditional kinds of pets for that matter, have certain ways that they can go about telling you if something is wrong with them, or if they need something. If your dog wants to go out for a walk for example, you?ll hear them scratching at the door. This is their way of telling you that there?s something they need from you.

But what does a fish do in that situation? Your fish are solely dependent upon you as their owner to keep them in good health and keep their tanks maintained to a high standard.

The point is then, that if your goldfish is unhappy, they really have no way of telling you. That?s why Pet Supermarket believe that the best fish owners are the people who are naturally extra vigilant; the kinds of people who will be able to pick up on the fish?s feelings, wants and needs. What may seem like small and seemingly insignificant details to us, can in fact have a huge effect on the happiness of your fish.

That?s why you will find such a huge array of fish care products for sale at the online pet supermarket store. It?s this love of the mysterious marine world that puts their fish care products head and shoulders about the rest. They pride themselves on always selecting only the best products to sell in their store, and there motto is simply never to sell anything that they would not buy themselves.

One of the biggest factors that is likely to have an effect on your fishes happiness is its general living environment. Now when we talk about the living environment, we?re not talking about the view out of his/her tank. In reality, your goldfish is fairly unlikely to care too much about your new sofa. No, what we are talking about here is the tank and the scenery and accessories that the fish has in there.

Accessories such as the classic plastic bridge or reef can have a dramatic effect on your animals? happiness. Having things like this around the tank is a great way to stimulate their minds and keep them happy and active for many years to come. One of the best places to acquire new toys and accessories which are guaranteed to keep your fish smiling, is at the online pet supermarket store which you will be able to find dotted around the internet.

Source: http://howtotakecareofgoldfish.com/pet-supermarket-where-your-goldfish-gets-top-priority-treatment

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Chicago Mayor Had ?Working Draft? of Closings

Chicago Mayor Had ?Working Draft? of Closings

Reprinted from the Chicago Tribune

An internal Chicago Public Schools document obtained by the Tribune shows for the first time that the Emanuel administration has weighed how many elementary and high schools to close in which neighborhoods and how to manage the public fallout.

Labeled a "working draft," the Sept. 10 document lays out the costs and benefits of specific scenarios ? revealing that the administration has gone further down the path of determining what schools to target than it has disclosed.

While schools are not listed by name, one section of the document contains a breakdown for closing or consolidating 95 schools, most on the West and South sides, as well as targeting other schools to be phased out gradually or to share their facilities with privately run charter schools.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his top school leaders have said they are in the early stages of making difficult decisions and that the city cannot afford to keep operating deteriorating schools with dwindling student populations in the face of a billion-dollar budget deficit. The document goes well beyond what the administration has outlined to the public.

Amid a September teachers strike, the Tribune reported that the Emanuel administration was considering plans to close 80 to 120 schools, most in poor minority neighborhoods. Administration officials have repeatedly denied they have such a figure.

See original article for more information.

Source: http://choicemedia.tv/2012/12/19/chicago-mayor-had-working-draft-of-closings/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chicago-mayor-had-working-draft-of-closings

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Make Smart Choices About Commercial Real Estate With These Tips

You can make a lot of money through commercial real estate investments. However, you have to be patient. Take the time to research each property you?re considering as well as studying general commercial real estate principles. A lot of people have found continued success in real estate investment with the helpful advice found in the following article, and you can use it also to see to your own business achievements.

Considering your potential rent is important when it comes to preparing a lease. Prior to talking with any prospective tenants, you should already have in mind the exact amount of rent you want from the tenant. Having this strategy determined upfront will assure you of meeting the benchmarks you established for accrual of your investment.

If inspections are part of the deal on your real estate, be sure to check all the credentials of the hired inspectors. There are many non-accredited people who work in such fields as insect removal. This helps avoid major post-sale problems.

Retain an attorney who is experienced in commercial real estate law before you purchase your first property. If something happens out of the ordinary with your endeavors, you?ll want the best lawyer working on your side.

There are different types of commercial real estate brokers. You have a full service broker who works on behalf of both the tenant and landlord, then you have brokers who only work with tenants. Your needs will be served better if you choose the right broker for your own personal needs. If you are looking for one who knows the issues that are relevant to tenants, then choose a broker who has the most experience dealing with tenants.

Square Footage

Make sure you are completely aware of the available square footage. Commercial real estate may be measured by its usable square footage, which is where business would occur. Other measurements could involve uninhabitable spaces and walls. Knowing the amount of square feet you can do for both can make your process smoother.

Look into investing and buying bigger when you are thinking about buying commercial real estate. Taking care of more units does not cost much more and this will bring down the price of every individual unit.

Before placing your commercial property on the market, you should take the time to have it inspected by a professional inspector. Any problems or necessary repair identified by a professional inspector should be addressed and fixed as soon as possible.

Real Estate

One question you must ask potential real estate broker is that person?s definition of failure and success. You need to know how they will measure results. You should be on board with their techniques and strategies. If you disagree with the real estate agent?s methods, continue looking for the right broker for you.

Carefully peruse the disclosure statements issued by the real estate agency you intend to hire. Understand the meaning of dual agency. Dual agency means the real estate company is representing both the seller and the buyer in a property transaction. Dual agency occurs when the landlord and the tenant hire the same agent. When it comes to dual agencies, both parties should actually agree to it and it should be disclosed.

Make sure you have everything together for your business when you are going to buy commercial real estate. Make sure you have an idea of the type of office space that you want to work in. If you think your business will get bigger, consider purchasing more space than is currently required; doing this may save you money down the road.

Ensure that you have a singular investment focus at any given time. Pick a specific niche, such as retail or residential, and look only for that. Each type of investment requires individual attention. Start out with only one type of investment, and you will soon master it. This is much more profitable then having just a little experience with many types of real estate.

Put the tips in this article into practice to begin making money by investing in commercial real estate. By following the advice in this article, you can join the ranks of those who are reaping the benefits of this lucrative field.

Did you know there was so much blue widget information to learn? With this information available to you, begin using it. Once you begin putting this information to good use, you will see just how far a little bit of knowledge can take you. You can also learn more about the subject.

Source: http://www.optionstradinganalysis.com/2012/12/20/make-smart-choices-about-commercial-real-estate-with-these-tips/

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Wedding Band Covers Metallica During Set: http://www.break.com/video/wedding-ba...

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Source: http://www.facebook.com/Break/posts/10151373508072792

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India clears way for bigger foreign investment in banks

By Manoj Kumar and Nigam Prusty

NEW DELHI | Tue Dec 18, 2012 10:45pm IST

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The Lok Sabha cleared a path for more foreign investment in the banking sector by approving a bill to increase shareholders' voting rights, after dropping a controversial clause allowing banks to trade in commodity futures.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government is racing against the clock to pass reforms economists say are needed to breathe life into Asia's third-largest economy, which is headed for the worst year of growth in a decade.

Progress so far has been slow.

The banking bill is the only piece of major reform legislation to be passed in a parliament session again disrupted by protests and shouting matches. The session ends on Thursday.

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram told parliament the government was abandoning efforts to pass a bill this session to open India's cash-strapped insurance sector to foreign investment - a move eagerly watched by investors.

Another bill aimed at easing land acquisition for infrastructure and mining projects was also deferred to next year.

The banking bill will increase shareholders' voting rights to 26 percent from 10 percent in private sector banks, making investment more attractive to foreign players.

The bill will now move to the upper house of parliament for voting on Thursday, where it is also likely to be passed as it is backed by India's two biggest parties.

The legislation clears the way for more corporate houses to run banks by enabling the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to issue new bank licences. That will boost the government's drive to expand access to financial services in a country where more than half the 1.2 billion population is without a bank account.

"The raising of voting cap will have a positive impact in attracting funds as it will help foreign investors to have more say in banks," said Jagannadham Thunguntla, head of research at brokerage firm SMC Global Securities.

The main opposition party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) threw its weight behind the bill after the government dropped a clause allowing banks to trade commodities futures amid fears it could lead to risky, speculative trading.

"It will lead to better investor interest in the smaller private sector banks. It is also a sentiment booster, and it will pave the way for the Reserve Bank of India to issue new banking licences," said Sujan Hajra, chief economist at Anand Rathi Securities in Mumbai.

HAVING MORE SAY

India has struggled for years to reform and liberalise state-dominated sectors such as banking, insurance and pensions due to political opposition, including from within the ruling Congress party.

The banking bill will give the RBI greater regulatory oversight over local banks and the ability to overrule boards when the banks are facing financial difficulties. The RBI had demanded more oversight as a precondition to issuing new banking licences.

The bill also enables the government to raise voting rights in state banks such as the State Bank of India (SBI.NS) to 10 percent from just 1 percent now, acceding partially to foreign investors' demands to have more say in Indian banking.

The bank employees unions, reluctant that any control is ceded, have strongly opposed this move for years and are set to strike on Thursday in protest.

The bill will allow foreign banks to convert their Indian operations into local subsidiaries or transfer shareholding to a holding company of the bank without paying stamp duty.

Foreign banks have long sought these changes to the law which they say would encourage them to expand their operations in India. Under current laws, foreign banks such as Citibank (C.N) and Standard Chartered Plc (STAN.L) have to pay 20-30 percent tax as capital gains and stamp duty when transferring branches to a new legal entity.

(Additional reporting by Swati Pandey, Abhishek Vishnoi and Shamik Paul; writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by Ross Colvin and David Cowell)

Source: http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/INbusinessNews/~3/2PWD7L7_wLY/india-reforms-bankbill-lok-sabha-idINDEE8BH0AT20121218

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WWII vet who helped liberate Nazi train dies in Florida

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) ? Carrol Walsh, a retired state judge whose account of liberating Holocaust victims from a Nazi train led to reunions with the survivors 60 years later, has died. He was 91.

Walsh died Monday at his home in Sarasota, Fla., from heart failure, his daughter, Sharon Salluzzo of Pittsford, N.Y., told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Walsh and other American soldiers liberated 2,500 Jewish concentration camp prisoners from a Nazi train at the end of World War II. About a decade ago, his story was posted on a website his friend Matthew Rozell created for the history class he teaches at Hudson Falls High School, 45 miles north of Albany.

That led to a series of reunions involving veterans and train survivors in New York, South Carolina and Tennessee.

"He's the catalyst for everything," Rozell told the AP. "He was blessed to have been able to meet with a lot of these people."

It wasn't until the end of two-hour interview with Rozell in July 2001 in Hudson Falls that Walsh, at his daughter Elizabeth's urging, got around to mentioning the train. Walsh explained how his detachment of the 743rd Tank Battalion of the 30th Infantry Division came upon hundreds of bedraggled people standing around a long line of box cars stopped on a rail line near Magdeburg, Germany, in April 1945.

The soldiers learned that the train was packed with Jewish prisoners, mostly Hungarians, who were being transported from the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp to another camp. The train's crew and guards had fled when the American tanks approached. Walsh and his comrades provided protection and alerted U.S. military authorities, who sent food and aid to the liberated prisoners, some as young as 5.

Rozell posted Walsh's account and photos another soldier took that day on the website he had created for the World War II project his history class had launched. It took several years before train survivors and their relatives began finding the site on the Internet, but once that occurred, the contacts started rolling in, Rozell said.

So far, some 230 survivors of the Nazi train have come forward, thanks in large part to Walsh's willingness to share his story, Rozell said.

Walsh was reunited with some of the survivors during gatherings held near his upstate home in 2007 and again two years later. Other train survivors met their liberators during 30th Division reunions held in North Charleston, S.C., in 2007 and Nashville, Tenn., in 2010.

Since those first reunions, several of the survivors, now in their 70s and 80s, kept regular contact with Walsh, including a nearby Florida resident who had monthly luncheons with the veteran, according to Tom Walsh, a son.

"All of these people, men, women, children, jam-packed in those boxcars, I couldn't believe my eyes," Walsh said in the 2001 interview. "And there they were. So, now they knew they were free, they were liberated. That was a nice, nice thing."

Walsh's family said he will be cremated in Florida and a memorial service will be held at a later date in Johnstown, his Mohawk Valley hometown.

In addition to Dorothy, his wife of 68 years, Walsh is survived by his two sons and two daughters.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Source: http://www.sent-trib.com/ap-news/wwii-vet-who-helped-liberate-nazi-train-dies-in-florida

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Research Your Family Tree and Find Your Essex Roots

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An Example of an Old Family Tree

Creating family trees and researching a family history has been a?hobby?for many people for years. The recent popularity of the TV series Who Do You Think You Are? (BBC One) in which celebrities uncover their ancestral past has inspired many people to research their own family history.

This has resulted in an increase in demand for historical records at public libraries across Essex. Some libraries have started running Family Tree workshops to help guide people with their own research. In addition to public libraries, the public records offices also provide?invaluable?information. So, how is the best way to start building your own family tree? How do you find out who your ancestors were, or where they were born and what their occupation was?

There are several websites which will help you to trace your family history. Some are free and provide a voluntary service as well as advice on how to do it yourself, and others provide premium services. One of the leading websites in the UK at the moment is Ancestry.co.uk. They offer a 14 day free trial at the moment (Dec 2012). Through the site you can create a family tree and search a wide variety of documents including census and?electoral?rolls, birth,?marriage?and death certificates, wills and probates, military records and immigration records. They run forums where you can get advice from volunteers and moderators.

How To Start Your Family Tree

The first step in starting your family tree is to simply write down as much as you already know, that is the names of your parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents, and their DOBs (date of births) if known. And then speak to your older relatives, as they may know a lot more than they have told you so far! Write all this down too. As soon as your surviving?relatives?can?provide?no more information, it is time to approach the registry office, or a website, for guidance.

Actually, back one step. Search Google for all names that you currently know, include in your search villages and town where they were born or lived (and possibly died). If you have a large, extended family, then someone may have already started the task and a quick search of Google may reveal some research has already been done.

Nationalarchives.gov.uk

The Nationalarchives.gov.uk?is the UK government?s official archive, from Domesday Book to websites. Birth, marraige and death certificates cannot be obtained online. For this you need to visit your local?General Register Office.

SEAX ? Essex Archives Online

SEAX (seax.essexcc.gov.uk)?is provided by the Essex Record Office. It has a useful search tool that will allow you to search for many items that are on the digital records, but this is mostly restricted to planning etc.. To search for people you need to search in the?Essex Ancestors section. It is free to search in the?Essex Record Office searchroom, which is in Chelmsford. To search online you have to pay, current feeds are ?5 per day, ?15 a week, ?25 a month, ?50 for 6 months or ?75 for a whole year. Essex County Council provide some information on Using Seax.

Rootschat.com

Rootschat.com?is a forum run by some family history experts for anyone looking for information on their family tree. With over 200,000 members and over 4 millions messages, it provides a huge opportunity for you to discover something about your past. On every page it states ?Census information Crown Copyright, from?www.nationalarchives.gov.uk? and judging by the expert answers given, some of the forum managers must have professional accounts with the National Archives and other services.

Genukie.org.uk

This is another online service which we have not actually tested yet. The description on the site says ?GENUKI provides a virtual reference library of genealogical information of particular relevance to the UK and Ireland. It is a non-commercial service, maintained by a charitable trust and a group of volunteers.? It sounds very promising. Genuki is sited (as in the computer it runs on) at Manchester University and it is funded by the community. Volunteers run the?forums?and discussions.

To confuse matters, the site is spread over various domains. For example, the Essex page is actually on?www.nivek-systems.co.uk. A quick review shows that it mostly seems to link to other useful websites, including the?FreeCEN section on Rootschat.com, Ancestry.co.uk and the Essex Record Office (often shortened to the ERO). In may be better to use these services individually actually.

Go to your Library

Libraries are a great place to get started if you do not wish to conduct your search online.

Further Help and Reading

Research your family history using the General Register Office ? this page from Gov.uk provides some excellent advice on researching your family tree.

Researching Family History ? Essex County Council also provide some good advice, covering family history research, civil registration documents, Church of England registers,?Census?records and Information, the 1911 Census, Wills, Newspaper Archives and other records.

Essex Society for Family History?-?This is a registered charity which?aims to promote and encourage the public study of British Family History, genealogy, heraldry, and local history with particular reference to Essex. They have a research centre at the ERO.

Related News and Events:

Source: http://www.essexportal.co.uk/essex-information/research-your-family-tree-and-find-your-essex-roots

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Syrian rebels fight Palestinian pro-Assad group

BEIRUT (AP) ? Clashes between Syrian rebels and an armed Palestinian group loyal to President Bashar Assad raged inside a Damascus refugee camp Tuesday as opposition fighters pushed deeper into the capital, activists said.

The rebels fighting to topple Assad's regime have made significant tactical advances in the past weeks, capturing air bases and military installations in and around Damascus.

Their offensive in the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk in southern Damascus, which began Friday, is aimed at driving the pro-government Palestinian gunmen out of the camp, which would be another blow to Assad and his loyalists.

When the revolt against Assad's rule began in March 2011, the half-million-strong Palestinian community in Syria tried to stay on the sidelines of the conflict.

But as the civil war deepened, most Palestinians backed the rebels, though some groups ? such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command ? have been fighting on the government side.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the violence in Yarmouk is forcing an exodus of Palestinian refugees and Syrians who came to the camp in past weeks to escape violence elsewhere in the city. The Observatory relies on reports from activists on the ground.

Camp residents said several mortar rounds landed inside Yarmouk on Tuesday and gunfire has echoed around the area. The residents spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for their safety.

They said there were no Syrian government troops in the camp and that most of the fighting was between rebels and gunmen from the PFLP-GC. The group is led by Ahmed Jibril, Assad's longtime ally.

Syrian pro-government Al Watan newspaper said Tuesday the army could be preparing an operation "to cleanse the Yarmouk camp of gunmen."

On Monday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem claimed the clashes at the camp were triggered by the al-Qaida-linked Jabhat al-Nusra group, which was designated by the Obama administration a terrorist organization last week.

Al-Moallem warned Palestinians inside the camp not to harbor terrorist fighters.

The U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in Syria said it was "gravely concerned" for the Palestinian refugees in Yarmouk who "have experienced particularly intense armed engagements involving the use of heavy weapons and aircraft," UNRWA said in a statement.

There are also "waves of significant displacement" as about 150,000 Palestinian refugees in Yarmouk and thousands of Syrian residents of the camp "scramble to seek safety amid continued fighting," the agency said.

UNRWA is now housing over 2,600 displaced persons in its facilities and Damascus area schools, and the number is growing rapidly, the agency also said in a statement that was posted on its website late Monday.

Hundreds of Palestinians refugees from Yarmouk have also sought safety in neighboring Lebanon in the past days, according to UNRWA.

There were no immediate reports of casualties from Tuesday's fighting. At least eight people were killed in an airstrike on Yarmouk on Sunday, according to Syrian activists.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said Monday the United States is "deeply concerned" by reports that dozens of civilians were killed or wounded in Yarmouk as a result of aerial bombardment and fighting.

The U.N. humanitarian chief, Valerie Amos, who was just in Damascus meanwhile warned of a growing humanitarian crisis in Syria.

The 21-month battle to bring down the Assad regime has already forced some 3 million Syrians from their homes, according to a new estimate, and cold, wet winter weather is making life increasingly unbearable for the displaced. Among those who left their homes are more than 500,000 who fled to neighboring countries like Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

Amos told reporters Monday after briefing the U.N. Security Council on her trip that she asked the Syrian government to allow the U.N. to import fuel so the organization can move around Syria, and to allow 10 additional international humanitarian groups to work in the country to scale-up the U.N.'s work.

In related developments, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that two Russians were kidnapped alongside an Italian in Syria and that their captors have asked for a ransom for their release.

The three, who worked at a Syrian steel plant, were kidnapped late Monday on the road between Tartus, where Russia has a naval base, and Homs, the ministry said in a web-posted statement. It did not specify the amount.

The kidnapping of foreigners has been rare, but as Syria descends further into chaos the abduction of Syrians has become increasingly common across many parts of the country.

Most of those kidnappings appear to have sectarian motives, part of tit-for-tat attacks between rebels and pro-regime gunmen. But there have been many cases of gunmen capturing wealthy people for ransom or settling personal scores.

Russia has been the key international ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad whose embattled regime is fighting rebel forces since March 2010 in a civil war that killed an estimated 40,000 people.

___

Associated Press writer Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria, contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-rebels-fight-palestinian-pro-assad-group-080304442.html

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Samsung drops European patent lawsuits against Apple (update: maybe not completely)

Samsung has stated that it will withdraw from its patent battles with Apple that cover infringement issues in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. Halting its injunction requests was apparently "in the interest of protecting consumer choice " and comes soon after a recent update to the Apple-Samsung court battle in the US where the judge ruled that it wouldn't be banning the sale of over 20 Samsung devices. The company added: "We strongly believe it is better when companies compete fairly in the marketplace, rather than in court."

Update: Just in case you thought this saga would eventually die and be forgotten, Foss Patents has taken a slightly less optimistic perspective. He points out that although Samsung says it's dropping all its European injunction requests, such that it won't seek to ban the sale of Apple products, the company doesn't say that it'll stop pushing for financial compensation through the courts. Meanwhile, Bloomberg has updated its own article to reflect this.

Continue reading Samsung drops European patent lawsuits against Apple (update: maybe not completely)

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Apple, Samsung

Comments

Source: Bloomberg

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

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Halfbrick games free for today only!

The popular game development company Halfbrick has put their games on sale for one day only. Some of these titles includes Fruit Ninja, Jetpack Joyride, Age of Zombies, and more.

• Fruit Ninja - Download now
• Fruit Ninja HD - Download now
• Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots - Download now
• Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots HD - Download now
• Monster Dash - Download now
• Age of Zombies - Download now
• Age of Zombies: Anniversary - Download now
• Blast Off - Download now
• Jetpack Joyride - Download now

Anyone planning to pick any of these up? What's your favorite Halfbrick game?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/oxLZ1_dlsQo/story01.htm

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