Georgia nuclear power plant could be Solyndra redux, report says

A report by two energy-consulting firms says the US government has not protected US taxpayers well enough against the risks of federal loan guarantees to a new nuclear power project.

By Mark Clayton,?Staff writer / January 30, 2013

An earth mover works on a new nuclear reactor at the Vogtle nuclear power plant in Augusta, Ga., late last year. A new report criticizes federal loan guarantees to the project.

John Bazemore/AP/File

Enlarge

Construction of the first newly licensed US nuclear power plant in decades could become a "Solyndra-like" debacle thanks to billions in federal loan guarantees whose terms appear too weak to protect taxpayers, according to one group?s analysis of internal documents released by the US Department of Energy.?

Skip to next paragraph

' + google_ads[0].line2 + '
' + google_ads[0].line3 + '

'; } else if (google_ads.length > 1) { ad_unit += ''; } } document.getElementById("ad_unit").innerHTML += ad_unit; google_adnum += google_ads.length; return; } var google_adnum = 0; google_ad_client = "pub-6743622525202572"; google_ad_output = 'js'; google_max_num_ads = '1'; google_feedback = "on"; google_ad_type = "text"; google_adtest = "on"; google_image_size = '230x105'; google_skip = '0'; // -->

Subscribe Today to the Monitor

Click Here for your FREE 30 DAYS of
The Christian Science Monitor
Weekly Digital Edition

The two-reactor $14 billion Vogtle plant being built in Georgia is seen as a test of the US nuclear industry's planned "renaissance" with a new nuclear reactor design and updated construction processes all aimed at cutting time and costs.?

But two Massachusetts-based energy-consulting firms, Earth Track and Synapse Energy Economics, say the $8.3 billion in federal loan guarantees backing the project were crafted with excessively favorable financial terms for the recipient companies, weak federal oversight, and possible political interference in the loan-guarantee process. ??? ?

The two firms analyzed hundreds of Energy Department e-mails and financial documents released earlier this month to the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), a green-energy watchdog group that won access to them in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.?

Officials for the Obama administration and Southern Company, the company that will operate the plants, say there's nothing improper going on.?

In their report, Earth Track and Synapse say the documents reveal:

• "Potentially troubling" conversations between political appointees and borrowers over loan terms and getting the deal done.
• Credit subsidy payments, the amount that companies pay in compensation for the government loan guarantees, that appear far too low to offer adequate protection to taxpayers in the event of a default.?
• An "over-reliance on external contractors" for key risk evaluations.?
• Continued tinkering with credit subsidy assessment tools even after credit subsidy estimate letters were sent to borrowers, leaving taxpayers with more risk than necessary.??

?Despite widespread redactions, the documents released indicate significant problems with the DOE?s loan guarantee process," said Doug Koplow, report author and founder of Earth Track in a statement.??

Under the category of "political interference," the report cites one e-mail from DOE staff revealed tight timelines to ?move our first nuclear power deal forward.? Other e-mails showed direct contact between Vogtle project borrowers and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. And a 2010 e-mail from Jonathan Silver, then-executive director of loan programs at the US Department of Energy, noted that ?We didn't deal with shaw" ?? the company slated to do much of the reactor construction ? "The white house did.???

The discussions represent "a potentially troubling blurring of financial risk review, political discussion, and potential modification of loan terms," the report says.?

In a conference call, Mr. Koplow said there is no evidence of wrongdoing or any "smoking gun." But the e-mails do suggest, they say, that high level figures in the administration were in a position to exert political influence.??

The Department of Energy was unable to respond by press time to a request for comment. But one administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press, said there's no impropriety in the documents.?

"These are people who just don't like nuclear power," he says. "What they're doing is throwing out a buzz word, Solyndra, to get attention. Let's just throw out that word. They're throwing accusations out there, but these decisions were made on the merits by career officials. The idea that Secretary Chu would want to be monitoring this deal ? there's nothing wrong with that."?

Southern Company officials say the process is routine.?

"Loan guarantees were developed to provide an incentive for new nuclear development in the U.S.," writes Tim Leljedal, a Southern Company spokesman in an e-mailed statement. "There continues to be constructive dialogue in the Vogtle 3&4 loan guarantee negotiations between the company and the Department of Energy. We are committed to financing options that will serve the best interests of our customers, and ? as long as the terms and conditions of DOE loan guarantees serve those interests ? we will continue pursue that option."?

"Details of the ongoing negotiations remain confidential," he adds.??

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/zg2Dy50RR2U/Georgia-nuclear-power-plant-could-be-Solyndra-redux-report-says

boxing news Coptic Christian saturday night live julio cesar chavez jr Topless Kate university of texas UT Austin

Behind the scenes at MacBreak Weekly and TWiT

Thanks to Leo Laport, Alex Lindsay, and the teams at TWiT and Pixel Corps, I was able to take a look behind the scenes of MacBreak Weekly yesterday. I've already posted about the experience, so here's the video and photos, shot by Martin Reisch.

You can also watch how the final show turned out in between all the meta.

Thanks again, Leo, Alex, Chad, Lisa, and everyone at TWiT!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/BuL5EqKXWvY/story01.htm

dantoni gillian anderson leah remini desean jackson kyle orton kyle orton ncaa tournament schedule

Surface Pro comes out of the box two-thirds full

8 hrs.

Devin Coldewey , NBC News

Microsoft's highly?anticipated Surface Pro tablet, which runs the full version of Windows 8 rather than the poorly?received Windows RT, will come out of the box with nearly two-thirds of its 64 GB of storage filled up. The 128 GB version will likewise boot up with far less room?than many users expect to see.

Microsoft, which confirmed the information to NBC News,?was quick to add that much of this space can be reclaimed, although the method is not one?that tech novices will likely?understand or undertake. Nor are the reasons for the reduced space particularly easy to grasp without some explanation:

First, the gigabytes listed on any gadget's box don't actually correspond to the way computers think about data. The result is that 64 GB shown?on the box (whether the device?runs Windows, Android, or iOS) really translates to 59?of what the computer actually uses ("gibibytes," if you must know).

Second, Windows is a much larger and more complex piece of software than what you find on an Android tablet or iPad. It is, after all, a full-on desktop operating system ? it can do more, run programs from years back, and so on. So naturally, it takes up more space.

Third, because it's a "real" OS, it takes backup very seriously, keeping a "recovery partition," or backup of itself right there on the device ? which takes up even more space. And then you have the built-in apps and the trial version of Office 2013. The end result is that the 64 GB Surface comes out of the box with just 23 GB of usable space, and the 128 GB version is reduced to 83 GB.

The new Apple iPad with 128 GB of space, on the other hand, will likely have about 115 GB out of the box.

The Windows RT tablet had a similar problem, shipping with about half its?space full, resulting in a consumer?backlash, despite Microsoft's insistence that the space crunch was unavoidable.

Users can delete installed apps and move the recovery partition to external storage or delete it entirely, but these tasks aren't exactly simple, especially for less-experienced users.

The capabilities of the Surface Pro tablets are in many ways far beyond those of competing tablets and even many laptops. Microsoft made sure to mention the fact that the device's USB 3.0 interface,?SDXC card slot?and free SkyDrive storage allow for lots of extra storage. But users simply may not be able to get over the fact that their premium device came out of the box with nowhere near the amount of free space they expected.

The Surface Pro will be out in the U.S. on February 9th. The 64 GB version will retail for $899; the 128 GB model, $999.

Devin Coldewey is a contributing writer for NBC News Digital. His personal website is coldewey.cc.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/gadgetbox/surface-pro-comes-out-box-two-thirds-full-1B8169731

green book some like it hot duke university whale shark whale shark platypus platypus

Volvo to Acquire Stake in Largest Chinese Truck Builder

AB Volvo will acquire a 45-percent stake in China?s Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles (DFCV), manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. The deal will make the Volvo Group the world?s largest manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks, Volvo says. DFCV is part of Dongfeng Motor Group (DMG), the largest heavy- and medium-duty building in China, according to Volvo.

?This is a very exciting venture that will combine the best of two worlds, strengthening the positions of the Volvo Group and Dongfeng and offering excellent opportunities to both parties,? says Volvo president/ CEO Olof Persson. ?Combining Dongfeng?s strong domestic position and know-how with the Volvo Group?s technological expertise and global presence will offer DFCV excellent potential for growth and profitability in and outside China.?

Completion of the transaction is subject to certain conditions, including the approval of relevant anti-trust agencies and Chinese authorities. The purchase consideration amounts to RMB 5.6 billion. The ambition is to complete the transaction as soon as possible and completion is expected to take place within approximately 12 months from today.

The transaction with DFG follows the recent agreement between DFG and Nissan Motors, in which DFG purchased the medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicle operation from the joint venture DFL (owned jointly by DFG and Nissan Motors). The major part of the re-purchased commercial vehicle operation will be included in the new company, Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles (DFCV).

In 2011, DFCV reported net sales of approximately RMB 39 billion (pro forma) and operating income of approximately RMB 1.2 billion (pro forma). DFCV has approximately 28,000 employees and sold 142,000 heavy-duty trucks and 49,000 medium-duty trucks in 2011 (pro forma).

For the first three quarters of 2012, DFCV?s net sales amounted to approximately RMB 22 billion (pro forma) and operating income to approximately RMB 0.3 billion (pro forma). During the same period, 81,000 heavy-duty trucks and 35,000 medium-duty trucks were sold by DFCV (pro forma). At the end of the third quarter of 2012, DFCV had net financial debt of approximately RMB 500 million (pro forma). The AB Volvo holding in DFCV is expected to be reported as an associated company and consolidated in accordance with the equity method, one-line consolidation, within the Trucks segment.

??China is the world?s largest truck market with a total market for heavy trucks equivalent to the European and North American markets combined,? says Persson. ?The partnership between the Volvo Group and DFG will strengthen DFCV?s already strong position in China and provide the company with the right conditions for successful international expansion.?

The partnership with DFG also offers excellent opportunities to achieve economies of scale in terms of sourcing, development and production for the Group?s truck operations. There are a number of areas in which cooperation is planned between DFCV and Volvo, such as engines and powertrain components, product platforms and purchasing.

?In Dongfeng, we have a partner that we know well, having worked together for several years, and with a management team and a product range that we really appreciate,? says Persson. ?Joining forces will provide clear benefits for both parties and the right conditions to develop DFCV into a competitive and successful international truck manufacturer with healthy profitability.?

The DFCV management team will consist of eight members, with Volvo nominating four of the eight members and Dongfeng the remaining four. Dongfeng will nominate the company?s Managing Director, while Volvo will be responsible for nominating the Chief Financial Officer. The Board of DFCV will comprise seven board members and it has been agreed that the Volvo Group will account for three places and DFG four.

Source: Volvo Group

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/constructionequipment/news/~3/y82vLF6ezsA/volvo-acquire-stake-largest-chinese-truck-builder

exton kurt warner kurt warner ricky williams missouri primary minnesota caucus knowshon moreno

Shiftgig Applauds Exceptional Service at Chicago Restaurant Week ...

90 Participating Restaurants Have Used Shiftgig to Recruit Great Staff

?

Chicago, IL ? January 30, 2013 ? Shiftgig, the professional networking and employment community for the hospitality industry, announced today that 90 of the participating restaurants of Chicago Restaurant Week have used Shiftgig to recruit great staff since the Chicago startup launched in January 2012.

As Chicago takes its place as a leader in the rapidly evolving culinary scene with chefs who have become some of the hottest in the nation, Shiftgig has become the service industry?s resource to recruit the best talent to their businesses. More than 2,000 Chicago businesses, including most of the city?s finest restaurants, now use Shiftgig to hire smarter.

?While Chicago Restaurant Week is a time to celebrate the incredible choices Chicagoans have when dining in the city, it?s not all about the food.? said Eddie Lou, CEO of Shiftgig. ?Chicago is home to some of the best service in the country. At Shiftgig, we?re proud to be a part of the movement to provide better service and a better dining experience for everyone.?

Among the many outstanding restaurants who have used Shiftgig to recruit exceptional staff, the following establishments are also participating in Chicago Restaurant Week:

Adobo Grill	Grange Hall Burger Bar	Park Tavern
Ai Japanese Restaurant	GT Fish & Oyster	Pelago Ristorante
Aquitaine	Hash House a Go Go	Porkchop
Argent	Hearty	Prasino
Balena	III Forks Prime Steakhouse	Primebar
Bar Toma	Indian Restaurant	Quay Restaurant and Bar
Baume & Brix	Japonais Chicago	Quince Restaurant
bellyQ	John Barleycorn	Red Door
Berghoff Restaurant	Keefer?s Restaurant	Rockit Bar and Grill
Bistro Bordeaux	Kinzie Chophouse	Roka Akor
Blackbird	La Madia	Rosebud Trattoria
Boka	Lawry?s The Prime Rib	Ruth?s Chris Steak House
BOKA Restaurant Group	Le Colonial Restaurant	Saigon Sisters Restaurant
Bread and Wine	LM Restaurant	Salpicon
Carriage House	Lou Malnati?s ? Gold Coast	Spiaggia Restaurant
Catch 35 Chicago	M Bar	Sunda
Chicago q	Macello Ristorante	SUSHISAMBA
City Winery	Masaki	Tavern at the Park
Ditka?s Restaurant	Melting Pot	Tavernita
Dragon Ranch	Mercadito	The Melting Pot
DS Tequila Co.	Michael Jordan Steak House	Townhouse
Embeya	N9NE Steakhouse	Trattoria No. 10
EPIC	Naha	Untitled 111
Fiorentino?s Cucina Italiana	Nando Milano Trattoria	Vermilion
Fleming?s Prime Steakhouse	Nellc?te	Vinci
Flo and Santos	Nick?s Fishmarket Grill	Vivere
Fulton?s On the River	Nightwood	Vivo
Goose Island Clybourn Brewpub	Old Town Social	Wave
Graham Elliot	One North	Yusho Restaurant
	Park Grill	Zapatista South Loop

Businesses interested in learning more about Shiftgig should visit www.shiftgig.com/employers. Posting jobs is free.

About Shiftgig

Shiftgig is the professional networking and employment community for the hospitality industry, facilitating connections between employers and candidates. It simplifies the hiring process by matching meaningful candidate profiles with job openings so both sides get better results quickly. Shiftgig also provides the latest information on industry news, events and deals. The company currently operates in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York and is quickly expanding to Atlanta. Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Shiftgig was named one of the 25 coolest new businesses in Chicago by Business Insider in October 2012. For more information about Shiftgig, visit www.shiftgig.com.

Source: http://blog.shiftgig.com/2013/01/shiftgig-applauds-exceptional-service-at-chicago-restaurant-week/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=shiftgig-applauds-exceptional-service-at-chicago-restaurant-week

jan brewer independent spirit awards 2012 oscar predictions jim jones tony stewart kurt busch kurt busch

Scientists trick iron-eating bacteria into breathing electrons instead

Jan. 29, 2013 ? Scientists have developed a way to grow iron-oxidizing bacteria using electricity instead of iron, an advance that will allow them to better study the organisms and could one day be used to turn electricity into fuel. The study will be published on January 29 in mBio?, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

The method, called electrochemical cultivation, supplies these bacteria with a steady supply of electrons that the bacteria use to respire, or "breathe." It opens the possibility that one day electricity generated from renewable sources like wind or solar could be funneled to iron oxidizing bacteria that combine it with carbon dioxide to create biofuels, capturing the energy as a useful, storable substance.

"It's a new way to cultivate a microorganism that's been very difficult to study. But the fact that these organisms can synthesize everything they need using only electricity makes us very interested in their abilities," says Daniel Bond of the BioTechnology Institute at the University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities, who co-authored the paper with Zarath Summers and Jeffrey Gralnick.

To "breathe," iron oxidizers take electrons off of dissolved iron, called Fe(II) -- a process that produces copious amounts of rust, called Fe(III). Iron-oxidizing bacteria are found around the world, almost anywhere an aerobic environment (with plenty of oxygen) meets an anaerobic environment (which lacks oxygen). They play a big role in the global cycling of iron and contribute to the corrosion of steel pipelines, bridges, piers, and ships, but their lifestyle at the interface of two very different habitats and the accumulation of cell-trapping Fe(III) makes iron oxidizers difficult to grow and study in the lab.

Scientists think these bacteria must carry out the iron oxidation step on their surfaces. If that's true, Bond reasoned, the outsides of the organisms should be covered with proteins that interact with Fe(II), so you should be able to provide a stream of pure electrons to the outsides of the bacteria and get them to grow.

Bond and his colleagues added the marine iron oxidizer Mariprofundus ferrooxydans PV-1, along with some nutrient medium, to an electrode carefully tuned to provide electrons at the same energy level, or potential, as Fe(II) would provide. The idea, says Bond, was to "fool the bacteria into thinking they're at the world's best buffet of Fe(II) atoms."

It worked. The bacteria multiplied and formed a film on the electrode, Bond says, and eventually they were able to grow M. ferrooxydans with no iron in the medium, proof that the bacteria were living off the electrons they absorbed from the electrode to capture carbon dioxide and replicate. And since the electron donor is a solid surface, say the authors, it's pretty likely that the bacterial electron-harvesting machinery is exposed on the outer membrane of the cell.

It's this capture of carbon dioxide that could enable electrochemical cultivation to create biofuels or other useful products one day, Bond says.

"Bacteria are experts at the capture of carbon dioxide. They build cells and compounds" with the carbon, he says. They might one day be exploited as microscopic energy packagers: bacteria like M. ferrooxydans could capture electricity from an electrode, combine it with carbon dioxide, and package it as a carbon-rich compound we could use as fuel. This would take the energy in electricity, which is ephemeral, and convert it into a tangible product that could be stored in a tank. But that kind of work is a long way off, cautions Bond.

"If there are 100 steps to making this work -- this is step one," he says.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

---

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by American Society for Microbiology, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

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

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/Z3uhBddjgok/130129080624.htm

grand jury ozzie guillen fidel castro darvish george zimmerman website edmund fitzgerald uss enterprise white house easter egg roll 2012

Ted Cruz Has 'Deep Concerns' With Immigration Reform Deal | TPM ...

Igor Bobic

6:31 PM EST, Monday January 28, 2013

Newly elected Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said on Monday that he has "deep concerns" with a newly announced bipartisan deal in the Senate to reform the nation's immigration system. Cruz took particular issue with a proposed path to citizenship:

?I appreciate the good work that senators in both parties have put into trying to fix our broken immigration system," said Cruz in a statement. "There are some good elements in this proposal, especially increasing the resources and manpower to secure our border and also improving and streamlining legal immigration. However, I have deep concerns with the proposed path to citizenship.?To allow those who came here illegally to be placed on such a path is both inconsistent with rule of law and profoundly unfair to the millions of legal immigrants who waited years, if not decades, to come to America legally.?

Source: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/ted-cruz-has-deep-concerns-with-immigration-reform

marie colvin cm punk cm punk lint buenos aires train crash argentina train crash nancy pelosi

Execution of woman in Texas postponed, lawyers to argue jury discrimination

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - The execution of Kimberly McCarthy was postponed by a Texas judge on Tuesday, the day she was to die, to give her lawyers time to argue that racial discrimination played a role in choosing the jury that convicted her.

It was rescheduled for April 3 and, if carried out, McCarthy will be the first woman to be put to death in the United States in nearly three years.

Dallas County District Court Judge Larry Mitchell delayed the execution, which was scheduled to take place after 6 p.m. local time.

"Of the twelve jurors seated at trial, all were white, except one, and eligible non-white jurors were excluded from serving by the State," said Maurie Levin, a University of Texas adjunct law professor who assisted in representing McCarthy.

McCarthy is African-American.

The predominantly white jury contrasted with an African-American population in Dallas County of 22.5 percent, lawyers said in their request for the delay of execution.

Dallas County, Texas, has previously been accused of racial discrimination in jury selection. In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a black death row inmate convicted in the county was entitled to a new trial because of strong evidence of racial bias in jury selection during his 1986 trial.

"Race played an undeniable role in the selection of the jury that convicted and sentenced Ms. McCarthy," her lawyers said in their request.

Women are rarely executed in the United States. Only 12 female inmates have been put to death since capital punishment was reinstated by the Supreme Court in 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

The last woman executed was Teresa Lewis in Virginia on September 23, 2010, the center said.

McCarthy, 51, was convicted of stabbing her 71-year-old neighbor Dorothy Booth on July 21, 1997.

According to the Texas attorney general's summary of the case she also cut off Booth's left ring finger to take her diamond ring, which she later pawned.

McCarthy also was believed to be responsible for the murders of two other elderly women, according to the case summary.

McCarthy was found guilty in 1998 by a Dallas County jury of murdering Booth and she was sentenced to death. Her conviction was overturned by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 2001 because no attorney was present when she was questioned after the crime, even though she had requested a lawyer, court documents showed. She was tried a second time in 2002, found guilty by a Dallas County jury, and again sentenced to death.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 2004 agreed with the second conviction.

McCarthy would have been the second person executed in the United States so far this year. Forty-three inmates were put to death in 2012.

(Reporting by Corrie MacLaggan; Writing by Greg McCune)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/texas-judge-postpones-scheduled-execution-woman-205221119.html

numerology the game george lucas sag awards brazil rajon rondo

Brazil detains band, club owners after nightclub fire

SANTA MARIA, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazilian police on Monday detained the owners of the nightclub where a fire killed 231 people as well as two band members whose pyrotechnics they say triggered the blaze as the focus turned to finding those responsible for the tragedy.

No charges were filed against the four men, but prosecutors said they could be held for up to five days as police pressed them for clues as to how the fire early Sunday morning could have caused so many deaths.

Stunned residents in the southern city of Santa Maria began attending a marathon of funerals in the pre-dawn hours of Monday. Many of the dead were university students who knew each other.

Coffins, many draped with flags of the victims' favorite soccer teams, lined a gymnasium that has been used as a makeshift morgue.

Most of the dead were suffocated by toxic fumes that rapidly filled the Kiss nightclub after the band set off a flare at about 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, authorities said.

The club's operating license was in the process of being renewed after expiring last year, and witnesses said bouncers initially blocked the only functioning exit because they believed fleeing customers were trying to skip out on their bar tabs.

Tarso Genro, governor of the prosperous southern state of Rio Grande do Sul where the disaster occurred, said police had taken the men into custody to ensure "this will never happen again."

Genro said authorities' focus had shifted from rescue and taking care of the wounded to investigating the scene. "We're going to find out who was responsible," he vowed.

The death toll was revised down to 231 from 233 as officials said some names had been counted twice. Eighty-two people remained hospitalized, at least 30 of them in serious condition.

The tragedy came as Brazil prepares to host the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament and 2016 Olympics, putting its safety standards and emergency response capabilities in the international spotlight. President Dilma Rousseff visited the scene, visibly upset, on Sunday.

Relatives and friends of the dead demanded accountability, signaling the start of a wave of police probes, lawsuits and recriminations that could drag on for months or even years.

"We can't trust in the ability of city hall, or the police, or anybody who permits a party with more a thousand people under these conditions," said Erica Weber, who was accompanying her daughter to a funeral for one of her classmates.

Based on testimony from more than 20 witnesses, investigators are now certain that the band's pyrotechnics show triggered the blaze, said police official Sandro Meinerz. He added that initial reports that the club was operating beyond its capacity of 1,000 people were likely false.

"Witnesses said the club wasn't as full as it had been in previous weeks, which surely avoided an even greater tragedy," Meinerz said.

The band's guitarist, Rodrigo Lemos Martins, 32, said he doubted the band was responsible for the blaze. "There were lots of wires (in the ceiling), maybe it was a short circuit," Folha de S.Paulo newspaper quoted him as saying.

The band's accordion player, Danilo Jaques, 30, was among those killed but the other five members survived. Vocalist Marcelo de Jesus dos Santos and production engineer Luciano Bonilha, who police believed were responsible for firing the flare, were taken into custody, according to Brazilian media.

LAWSUITS COMING

It seems certain others will share the blame for Brazil's second-deadliest fire ever. The use of a flare inside the club was a clear breach of security regulations, fire officials said.

Some details may never be known. Meinerz said the club's internal video surveillance system had stopped working three months ago, according to the club owner.

Clubs and restaurants in Brazil are generally subject to a web of overlapping safety regulations, but enforcement is uneven and owners sometimes pay bribes to continue operating.

The investigation of the Kiss fire could drag on for years. After a similar fire at an Argentine nightclub in 2004 killed 194 people, more than six years passed before a court found members of a band criminally responsible for starting the blaze and causing the deaths.

That tragedy also provoked a massive backlash against politicians and led to the removal of the mayor of Buenos Aires.

Civil lawsuits stemming from the Brazil fire are likely to be directed at the government because the owners of the nightclub probably don't have much money, said Claudio Castello de Campos, a Brazilian lawyer who has handled big cases including the crash of a TAM Airlines jet in Sao Paulo in 2007.

Castello de Campos disputed some local officials' claims that the Kiss nightclub could have continued operating legally while it was waiting for its license to be renewed. "If the license was expired, that's an irregular situation," he said.

Valdeci Oliveira, a legislator in Rio Grande do Sul state, said he and his colleagues would seek to ban pyrotechnics displays in closed spaces such as nightclubs.

"It won't bring anybody back but we're going to introduce the bill," Oliveira said on his Twitter feed.

The Brazil fire is the worst to hit an entertainment venue since a fire on Christmas Day in 2000 engulfed a mall in Luoyang, China, killing 309 people.

(This story corrects lawyer's name in 22nd paragraph to Claudio, not Carlos)

(Additional reporting by Eduardo Sim?es in Sao Paulo; Writing by Brian Winter; Editing by Todd Benson, Kieran Murray and Doina Chiacu)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/grief-turns-anger-brazil-club-fire-band-custody-141430117.html

gisele bundchen tom brady randy travis arrested dickens greg kelly cujo karen handel hangout

Pioneer of physics books

Public release date: 28-Jan-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jeffrey Hangst
jeffrey.hangst@cern.ch
41-764-874-589
Aarhus University

Aarhus University physicist Jeffrey Hangst has been awarded an ERC Advanced Grant to carry out precision measurements of antihydrogen

Everything around us is made of matter. This is an obvious truth at the same time as being a fact that is one of the great mysteries in the world of physics, because the universe should not consist exclusively of matter if the rules of physics apply. There should also be antimatter until recently a mystical antimass that closely resembles matter, apart from having the reverse electrical charge. The mystery of the apparently missing antimatter has been haunting physicists for many years, but this can now change.

"After two decades of targeted work to develop methods and equipment, our group now has a unique opportunity to make a start on the ultimate research in antimatter physics. The aim is to investigate whether matter and antimatter obey the same physical laws. All the laws state that the two should behave identically. If it turns out that there's asymmetry in their structures then you could say that we've found the Holy Grail of antiparticle physics. And then we'll have to rewrite a large part of the modern theory book," explains Jeffrey Hangst, professor with special responsibilities (MSO), Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University.

Professor Hangst is the head of ALPHA (Antihydrogen Laser PHysics Apparatus) the international research group that now has an opportunity to open the door to the unknown world. This year, the European Research Council (ERC) has awarded Professor Hangst a prestigious Advanced Grant valued at EUR 2.1 million so that he and the group can develop methods to provide answers to one of the most fundamental questions remaining in physics.

'Anti-heroes'

In brief, antimatter is the diametrical opposite of the matter that makes up the universe we know. Where a hydrogen atom is built up of a nucleus of a positively charged proton with a negatively charged electron, antimatter consists of a negatively charged antiproton with a positive positron. This is 'negativity', so to speak.

The European Organization for Nuclear Research known as CERN is currently the only place in the world with the capacity to produce antiprotons. Antimatter and matter cannot exist at the same place. It was therefore an extremely major challenge to set up an experiment where it was possible to trap antihydrogen long enough to study its properties.

In 2011, Professor Hangst and the ALPHA group spectacularly succeeded in storing antihydrogen for sixteen minutes in a trap. With the aid of magnets, extreme vacuum and ultracold conditions, they were able to separate it from any form of matter.

And if that was not enough they also managed to carry out the first measurement ever, because the antimatter reached its natural ground state within the time frame. This means that the world was able for the first time to observe an antihydrogen atom in its 'natural' form.

"The fact is that our research group is the first in the world to develop methods for producing, storing and studying antihydrogen. We'd now like to develop a new branch of physics. Thanks to the ERC grant, we can now try to see if we can find evidence of what's missing in the structure of antihydrogen," says Professor Hangst.

History in the making

The result can unashamedly be called historic because this breakthrough now makes it possible to carry out the first focused precision measurements ever on pure antimatter atoms.

With the ERC Advanced Grant, the group can now develop an apparatus that can actually enable the physicists to observe a matter that, up until a few years ago, primarily existed in Dan Brown novels and space films.

"But whatever the outcome, we'll find out some fundamental new things about the universe. As the first in the history of the world, we'll get to carry out these precise measurements on pure antimatter. It's a fantastic honour to be part of this," explains Professor Hangst.

###

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

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

Public release date: 28-Jan-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jeffrey Hangst
jeffrey.hangst@cern.ch
41-764-874-589
Aarhus University

Aarhus University physicist Jeffrey Hangst has been awarded an ERC Advanced Grant to carry out precision measurements of antihydrogen

Everything around us is made of matter. This is an obvious truth at the same time as being a fact that is one of the great mysteries in the world of physics, because the universe should not consist exclusively of matter if the rules of physics apply. There should also be antimatter until recently a mystical antimass that closely resembles matter, apart from having the reverse electrical charge. The mystery of the apparently missing antimatter has been haunting physicists for many years, but this can now change.

"After two decades of targeted work to develop methods and equipment, our group now has a unique opportunity to make a start on the ultimate research in antimatter physics. The aim is to investigate whether matter and antimatter obey the same physical laws. All the laws state that the two should behave identically. If it turns out that there's asymmetry in their structures then you could say that we've found the Holy Grail of antiparticle physics. And then we'll have to rewrite a large part of the modern theory book," explains Jeffrey Hangst, professor with special responsibilities (MSO), Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University.

Professor Hangst is the head of ALPHA (Antihydrogen Laser PHysics Apparatus) the international research group that now has an opportunity to open the door to the unknown world. This year, the European Research Council (ERC) has awarded Professor Hangst a prestigious Advanced Grant valued at EUR 2.1 million so that he and the group can develop methods to provide answers to one of the most fundamental questions remaining in physics.

'Anti-heroes'

In brief, antimatter is the diametrical opposite of the matter that makes up the universe we know. Where a hydrogen atom is built up of a nucleus of a positively charged proton with a negatively charged electron, antimatter consists of a negatively charged antiproton with a positive positron. This is 'negativity', so to speak.

The European Organization for Nuclear Research known as CERN is currently the only place in the world with the capacity to produce antiprotons. Antimatter and matter cannot exist at the same place. It was therefore an extremely major challenge to set up an experiment where it was possible to trap antihydrogen long enough to study its properties.

In 2011, Professor Hangst and the ALPHA group spectacularly succeeded in storing antihydrogen for sixteen minutes in a trap. With the aid of magnets, extreme vacuum and ultracold conditions, they were able to separate it from any form of matter.

And if that was not enough they also managed to carry out the first measurement ever, because the antimatter reached its natural ground state within the time frame. This means that the world was able for the first time to observe an antihydrogen atom in its 'natural' form.

"The fact is that our research group is the first in the world to develop methods for producing, storing and studying antihydrogen. We'd now like to develop a new branch of physics. Thanks to the ERC grant, we can now try to see if we can find evidence of what's missing in the structure of antihydrogen," says Professor Hangst.

History in the making

The result can unashamedly be called historic because this breakthrough now makes it possible to carry out the first focused precision measurements ever on pure antimatter atoms.

With the ERC Advanced Grant, the group can now develop an apparatus that can actually enable the physicists to observe a matter that, up until a few years ago, primarily existed in Dan Brown novels and space films.

"But whatever the outcome, we'll find out some fundamental new things about the universe. As the first in the history of the world, we'll get to carry out these precise measurements on pure antimatter. It's a fantastic honour to be part of this," explains Professor Hangst.

###

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

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

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-01/au-pop012813.php

mlk memorial mlk memorial heather locklear hospitalized joplin tornado extreme makeover home edition coachella 2012 constitution day

Video: Obama, Hillary Clinton: Rivalry is ?ancient history?

>> chuck todd , good morning to you.

>> good morning.

>> since we are incorrigible, let's take it one step further. what did we watch last night, an incoming president give a warm farewell to an outgoing secretary of state or did we watch a president pass the baton now?

>> reporter: had hillary clinton not taken his invitation, the possibility of a democratic party that was split in two, senator hillary clinton sort of being the arbiter of any policy proposal the president was going to put out there, it would have been reminiscent, negatively in democratic party circles of the jimmy carter , ted kennedy years, which hurt the party for nearly a decade. this really was a thank you. because getting her to come in and the fact that she was such a team player once she went in, this was really the president doing that. i'm with you, matt. i think the picture speaks louder than any words can say and there is this running joke of whether joe biden is still being peeled off the ceiling when he found out about this interview.

>> no major headline coming out of the interview. however, headlines were made about the time we were watching that interview by a bipartisan group of senators who put together an immigration reform . this ahead of the president's plan that he will lay out.

>> it's an agreement in principle. the players are just as interesting as the proposal itself. republicans that are coming to this agreement are john mccain , marco rubio , jeff flake , lindsey graham , the democrats, chuck schumer , dick durbin , michael benn bennet, robert menendez . probably the most controversial part will be all of these folks here in this country illegally under this proposal, should it pass, would not be asked to leave the country. they would have a path to citizenship, a path to being legal and that, of course, the devil is going to be in the details on this. but that is going to be the test, whether conservative republicans who have been against this for a long time, whether they can sign on to it.

>> we'll get a chance to listen to what the president has to say on this, as i mentioned, tomorrow in las vegas . chuck todd in washington. thank you very much.

Source: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/50613681/

aspirin 21 jump street illinois primary results acapulco mexico hines ward alex smith alex smith

Death toll rises to 31 in Egypt violence

PORT SAID, Egypt (AP) ? The death toll from rioting in the Egyptian city of Port Said has risen to 31, health officials said Sunday, as army troops backed by tanks and armored vehicles staked out positions at key government facilities to try to restore order.

The violence erupted Saturday after a court handed down death sentences to almost two dozen local fans involved in a deadly melee at a Port Said soccer game last year. Immediately after the ruling was announced, angry residents and young men went on a rampage in the city, attacking the prison where the defendants were being held and trying to storm police stations and government offices.

The street clashes in Port Said were the latest in a bout of unrest that has left a total of 42 people dead in two days, including 11 killed in clashes between police and protesters marking Friday's second anniversary of the uprising that overthrew longtime leader Hosni Mubarak. On Sunday, clashes continued for the fourth successive between protesters and police near Cairo's central Tahrir square, birthplace of the 2011 uprising. Police used tear gas, while the protesters pelted them with rocks.

The bloodshed highlights the challenges facing President Mohammed Morsi, who took office nearly seven months ago following the uprising that ousted Mubarak. Critics say Morsi has failed to carry out promised reforms in the country's judiciary and police force, and claim little has improved in the two years after the uprising against Mubarak.

As the situation spiraled out of control Saturday, police disappeared from Port Said's streets, residents and security officials said.

The military then dispatched troops to the city, which is located on the northern tip of the Suez Canal. Soldiers took up positions at vital state facilities, including the local power and water stations, the city's main courthouse, the local government building and the city prison. Navy sailors were guarding the local offices of the Suez Canal company.

Navy vessels were escorting merchant ships sailing through the international waterway, and army helicopters were flying over the canal to ensure the safety of shipping, according to Suez Canal spokesman Tareq Hassanein.

Residents said Port Said was quiet overnight except for the intermittent bursts of gunfire. The city was still on edge Sunday, although a degree of calm had returned. Streets were largely deserted, stores were closed for the second successive day, and some hotels asked guests to leave, fearing more violence.

Funerals for those killed on Saturday were to be held later Sunday, and residents said they expected more street clashes after the city buries its dead.

The officials and residents spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Saturday's riot in Port Said mostly stemmed from animosity between police and die-hard soccer fans know as Ultras, who also were part of the uprising that toppled Mubarak's regime.

The Ultras were at the forefront of protests against the military generals who took over from Mubarak and are now again on the frontlines of protests against the rule of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.

Survivors and witnesses of the Feb. 1 soccer melee in Port Said say Mubarak loyalists had a hand in instigating the killings, which began after Port Said's home team Al-Masry beat Cairo's Al-Ahly 3-1. Some say "hired thugs" wearing green T-shirts posing as Al-Masry fans led the attacks.

Others say, at the very least, police were responsible for gross negligence in the soccer violence, which killed 74 people, most of them Al-Ahly fans.

Anger at police was evident in Port Said, home to most of the 73 men accused of involvement in the bloodshed, although the trial was held outside Cairo.

Judge Sobhi Abdel-Maguid did not give his reasoning when he handed down the sentences for 21 defendants on Saturday. Executions in Egypt are usually carried out by hanging.

Verdicts for the remaining 52 defendants, including nine security officials, are scheduled to be delivered March 9. Some have been charged with murder and others with assisting the attackers. All the defendants ? who were not present in the courtroom Saturday for security reasons ? can appeal the verdict.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/death-toll-rises-31-egypt-violence-075745391.html

coolio ricky rubio day light savings time peter paul and mary edgar rice burroughs dallas clark litter

How To Stick To Your Health Commitments | Leisure Fitness ...

Article by wholelivingblog.com, Recommended by Jessica Loeser, Wellness Outreach Team

We read something about green smoothies, see pictures of the glowing skin and toned bodies that are achieved as a result of treating our body like a temple, and get really excited about filling our fridges with greens and our pantries with quinoa. But then after a couple of weeks of choosing dandelion tea over coffee and stevia over sugar, things can go a little pear shaped. It?s inevitable that old habits may rear their alluring head, but this doesn?t mean that you are failing at carving out your new healthy lifestyle. You are just getting started.

Here are some ways to stay on track and keep motivated when you?re transitioning to the healthy life.

1. Add stuff in rather than take stuff out: Rather than imposing strict rules on yourself, the easiest way to introduce new healthy habits is to add in healthy habits in order to crowd out the bad.

2. Know that it doesn?t have to be all or nothing: If you?ve been doing a brilliant job of eating clean, but then have a moment of weakness, this does not mean that you are back to square one. Health is like a muscle that will get stronger and stronger the more you work on it. If you fall off the wagon, just get back on without making yourself feel guilty.

hilario melisenda: Education & Reference 2020: The Best American ...

Buy on the merchant's website looking and scan reviews. If you are trying to seek out The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2012 with special deal. This is the most effective deal for you. Where you may realize these item is by on-line shopping stores? Read the review on The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2012 Now, it's the simplest deals. Therefore do not lose it.

The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2012
Dan Ariely (Editor), Tim Folger (Editor)
2 days in the top 100
(10)

Download: $8.52 (as of 01/25/2013 16:11 PST)
2 Used! | New! from $8.52 (as of 01/25/2013 16:11 PST)

Education & Reference

The Best American Series?
First, Best, and Best-Selling

The Best American series is the premier annual showcase for the country?s finest short fiction and nonfiction. Each volume?s series editor selects notable works from hundreds of magazines, journals, and websites. A special guest editor, a leading writer in the field, then chooses the best twenty or so pieces to publish. This unique system has made the Best American series the most respected ? and most popular ? of its kind.

The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2012 includes

JEROME GROOPMAN, SY MONTGOMERY, MICHAEL BEHAR, DEBORAH BLUM, THOMAS GOETZ, DAVID EAGLEMAN, RIVKA GALCHEN, DAVID KIRBY, and others

• Rank: #10 in eBooks
• Published on: 2012-10-02
• Released on: 2012-10-02
• Format: Kindle eBook
• Number of items: 1

Source: http://greateducationreference609.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-best-american-science-and-nature.html

World Ending 2012 gossip girl channing tatum Ink Master Jenni Rivera Funeral aspergers Richard Engel

Source: http://deandrefranco.typepad.com/blog/2013/01/education-reference-2020-the-best-american-science-and.html

zappos john elway john elway i have a dream speech fox news debate school closures mlk

Source: http://clubbed-internuclear.blogspot.com/2013/01/education-reference-2020-best-american.html

Frank Ocean Gay bill clinton andy roddick Costa Rica Earthquake sandra fluke kellie pickler costa rica

Source: http://hilario-melisenda.blogspot.com/2013/01/education-reference-2020-best-american.html

rosh hashanah boardwalk empire iOS 6 Release Date Canelo Alvarez Chavez vs Martinez Yunel Escobar Irish Daily Star

S&P closes above 1,500 for 1st time since 2007

Trader Peter Tuchman, center, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. Stocks are opening higher on Wall Street ahead of what is expected to be more upbeat data on housing from the government. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Trader Peter Tuchman, center, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. Stocks are opening higher on Wall Street ahead of what is expected to be more upbeat data on housing from the government. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Trader Michael Zicchinolfi, center, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. Stocks are opening higher on Wall Street ahead of what is expected to be more upbeat data on housing from the government. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. Stocks are opening higher on Wall Street ahead of what is expected to be more upbeat data on housing from the government. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

NEW YORK (AP) ? Passing another milestone on the nation's long journey back from the Great Recession, the Standard and Poor's 500 index closed above 1,500 for the first time in more than five years Friday after a wave of good earnings reports.

It took scores of incremental gains, several stalled rallies and a few sickening falls, but the widely watched S&P, one of the broadest measures of the American stock market, finished at 1,502.96, up 8.14 points. The index had not closed above 1,500 since December 2007, the start of the worst economic downturn since the 1930s.

The news came on top of other hopeful signs that the economy is slowly recovering. Housing is rebounding. Companies are hiring again, albeit slowly, and their earnings, a big driver of stock prices, are at record levels.

"The bottom line is that corporate America is doing exceptionally well," said Joe Tanious, a global market strategist at JPMorgan.

The breakthrough happened on an eighth straight daily gain for stocks, itself a remarkable performance. That is the longest winning streak since November 2004.

Stocks have surged this month, with the S&P advancing 5.4 percent. It jumped at the start of the year when lawmakers reached a last-minute deal to avoid the "fiscal cliff." Signs that Europe has avoided financial collapse also helped.

Stocks fell sharply during the Great Recession. By March 2009, the S&P was 57 percent below its October 2007 peak, a harrowing plunge that scarred a generation of small investors and, some Wall Street experts believe, will keep them away from stocks for years to come.

Since that fall, the market has climbed sharply, though it has endured several big declines. In May 2010, a trading glitch set off a so-called flash crash that sent stocks plummeting. And in August 2011, stocks gyrated like a roller coaster for several days as fears mounted that the U.S. would default on its debts.

On Friday, stocks were helped by earnings from two big companies. Procter & Gamble, the world's largest consumer products maker, rose $2.83 to $73.25 after reporting that its quarterly income more than doubled. P&G also raised its profit forecast for its full fiscal year. Starbucks climbed $2.24 to $56.81 after reporting a 13 percent increase in profits.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed at 13,895.98, up 70.65 points. The Dow is up 6 percent on the year.

The Nasdaq composite gained 19.33 points to 3,149.71.

The Dow is now just 268 points below its record high of 14,165, reached on Oct. 9, 2007, two month before the recession began. The Dow has more than doubled since its recession low of 6,547 on March 9, 2009.

The S&P 500 is 62 points shy of its record of 1,565, reached on the same day the Dow hit its peak. The S&P has also more than doubled from its low of 676, which happened on the same day the Dow bottomed out in 2009.

JPMorgan's Tanious expects stocks to go even higher. He says corporate earnings should grow at about 5 percent over the next year or two, and stock valuations will rise. Currently, the S&P 500 is trading at an average price-to-earnings ratio of 14, below an average of 15.1 for the last decade, according to FactSet data.

On Friday, Apple continued to decline, allowing Exxon Mobil to once again surpass the electronics giant as the world's most valuable publicly traded company. Apple fell 2.4 percent to $439.88, following a 12 percent drop on Thursday, the biggest one-day percentage decline for the company since 2008, after Apple forecast slower sales. The stock is now 37 percent below the record high of $702.10 it reached Sept. 19.

Apple first surpassed Exxon in market value in the summer of 2011, grabbing a title Exxon had held since 2005. The two traded places through that fall, until Apple surpassed Exxon in early 2012.

Not everyone on Wall Street thought the S&P milestone was worth celebrating. Some noted the stock market is more a reflection of how traders feel than a reflection of underlying fundamentals.

"It's not a landmark that we really follow or that we really care about," said Derrick Irwin, portfolio manager for Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. "Focusing on the benchmarks can end up shooting you in the foot, as we've seen."

Some of the rise may also be due to investing stock market momentum. A rule of thumb is that when a stock price or an overall index gets tantalizingly close to a milestone, as the S&P has been for days now, it's almost certain to cross that milestone, at least temporarily.

"Sure, it's a good thing," said Christian Bertelsen, chief investment officer of Global Financial Private Capital in Sarasota, Fla. "But I wouldn't read too much into it."

Still, Deutsche Bank analysts raised their year-end target for the index to 1,600 from 1,575.

Companies will be able to maintain their earnings even if lawmakers in Washington decide to implement wide-ranging spending cuts to narrow the budget deficit, the analysts said in a note sent to clients late Thursday.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to its price, climbed 11 basis points to 1.95 percent.

Among other stocks making big moves.

? Halliburton gained $1.91 to $39.72 after posting a loss that was smaller than analysts had expected. The oilfield-services company said fourth-quarter profits declined 26 percent to $669 million on increasing pricing pressure in the North American market and one-time charges from the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Wall Street had expected worse.

? Hasbro fell $1.14 to $37.31 after the toy maker said its fourth-quarter revenue failed to meet expectations because of poor demand over the holidays. The company plans to cut about 10 percent of its workforce and consolidate facilities to cut expenses.

? Green Mountain Coffee Roasters rose $2.53 to $46.31 after an analyst noted that sales of a competing coffee brewer introduced by Starbucks were getting off to a weak start.

__

AP Business Writer Christina Rexrode contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-01-25-Wall%20Street/id-679aaf00b9074b199b332f1723a1fb06

Red Bull Stratos Redbull Stratos steve mcnair vice presidential debate Martha Raddatz Chris Lighty JJ Watt

Britain introduces same-sex marriage bill

LONDON (AP) ? The British government has introduced a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, and says lawmakers will get their first vote on it in Parliament next month.

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, published Friday, extends marriage to gay couples but excludes clergy in the Church of England ? the country's official faith ? from having to carry out the ceremonies.

That is intended to placate religious opponents of same-sex unions ? though it has not stopped criticism of the bill from religious leaders.

The bill is likely to become law because it is supported by Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron, many of his Cabinet and most Liberal Democrat and Labour lawmakers.

But some traditionalist Conservative lawmakers say they will vote against it. The first debate and vote are scheduled for Feb 5.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-01-25-Britain-Gay%20Marriage/id-c26c81d84dc242928ba493997a37889d

frances bean cobain north korea missile launch modesto st louis weather guinea bissau google stock google stock

Waiter who refused service to customer becomes Web hero

Usually, when a waiter refuses to serve someone at a restaurant, customers complain. In this case, customers cheered.

The waiter in question, one Michael Garcia, has been receiving good will and friend requests on the restaurant?s Facebook page since word got out that he stood up for a special need?s child.

Garcia was waiting on a family at the Houston restaurant Laurenzo?s, regulars with a five-year-old child with Down syndrome named Milo.

The server said that another family at the restaurant commented on Milo?s behavior, which Garcia described as ?talking and making little noises.?

Garcia said the man moved his family to another table, but still complained, saying, "special needs children need to be special somewhere else."

The waiter then took a stand. He told FoxNews.com, "My personal feelings took over because that's ignorance in my opinion and I told him 'Sir, I won't be able to serve you.?

The family then left the restaurant, and that?s when the story got out. Since then, the eatery?s Facebook page has received praise from people in Texas and beyond.

Facebook user Tisha Baker wrote, "Thank you so much for speaking up when most just turn away."

Rick Park posted, "Thank you Mr. Garcia, I have a 17 year old son with Down syndrome and I love to hear about people like yourself standing up for people with disabilities.

Stephanie Painter added, "Thank you Michael for standing up for this beautiful little boy! Anyone who has ever come in contact with a child, or adult, with Down's knows how loving and happy they are. Milo is a precious gift from God and so is Michael!"

Outside of Texas, Garcia gained other fans. Sue Pusztai posted,
"I wish I lived in Texas so I could eat at your restaurant. I would loved to have met Mr. Garcia and thank him for his compassion and courage."

Grateful mom of Milo, Kim Castillo, added her thanks online. "Yay for people like Michael? who not only love (my son) Milo for who he is -- a customer and little boy with Down syndrome, but stand up for him no matter what.?

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/waiter-refused-customer-becomes-hero-144638357--finance.html

the game george lucas billy the kid neville neville new hampshire primary hue jackson

January 25, 2013 ? Weekly Real Estate Statistics in the Durango ...

January 25, 2013? ? Here are the weekly statistics for Durango Real Estate, sales, great deals, new listings, foreclosures and sold comparable sales. We appologize for the double branding with RE/MAX and Blue Ribbon Properties, just to clarify ? Claudia Williams and Stacy Engle are now with RE/MAX Pinnacle on 111 W. College Ave, Durango. We took this website with us and rebranded. Stay tuned and be patient with us for now.

?

Here are the weekly statistics.

24?properties sold in Durango, Colorado and area over the last week. That?s?5?more than?last week ? Check it out!

Click Here?for Sold?Listings

?

There are?38 new listings in Durango, Colorado and area over the last week. That?s?4?more than last week, we are on the rise!?- Check it out!

Click Here for New Listings

?

Bankowned Listings (REO):

Due to continuing interest we are including REO property, which means ?Real Estate Owned? in bank-lingo, in other words, bankowned properties, or foreclosed properties after the foreclosure process is completed. The bank/lender now owns the property. They are typically sold at a discount, hence the popularity! Please follow this link to our foreclosure page on our website. It shows all active bankowned and foreclosure listings in the area and is continually updated. Bookmark it and visit it often! Or email us, info@blueribbondurango.com to get set up for automatic email notifications on new bankowned listings!

Click here for distress listings, short sales, foreclosures & bankowned Homes in the Durango & Surrounding Areas

?

For a great market overview and to keep tabs on the value of your house consider getting a free email subscription to? the Market Snapshot ? Free and Instant Home Valuations! A cool map based comparable report that shows new listings and sales comparables to your house, for sellers or buyers. Sign up by clicking here. Or go to Durangohousevalues.com. You?ll love it!

If you?d like to see any listings or other statistics on Durango Real Estate that we are not covering please don?t hesitate to send an email or post a comment. Maybe you?d like to be alerted to new listings in a specific price range or type. Let us know, we?re here to help.

Sign up to receive automatic emails of new listings by sending me a quick email and letting me know what you?d like to see, claudia@blueribbondurango.com. Have a great weekend! Feel free to call or email me if you?d like to talk about real estate or go to look at properties ?

?

Claudia Williams Realtor/Ecobroker/Exchangor

RE/MAX Pinnacle

111 W. College Ave

Durango, CO 81301

970 259 2255 (office)

970 749 3555 (cell)

970 247 8360 (fax),

?

?

Check out the Market Snapshot to monitor the value of your Durango Colorado home and get current local market conditions

?

?-

Disclaimer ? these links and information are based on the Durango local multi listing service. While all information is deemed accurate there are no guarantees. Does not include for sale by owners or foreclosure properties that are not listed on the MLS!

Source: http://blueribbondurango.com/2013/01/january-25-2013-weekly-real-estate-statistics-durango-area-sold-listings/

virginia tech emancipation proclamation april 16 tornadoes mitch hedberg secret service scandal shea weber

Oops! Twitter's new video-sharing service lacks privacy settings

10 hrs.

Rosa Golijan , NBC News

Twitter's new video-sharing service Vine?feels a lot like Instagram for videos. It's neat, easy to use, and can produce fun clips. Just?one problem: There are no privacy settings whatsoever.

Right now, you can create and share Vine?videos using an iOS app?only. All you have to do is point your iPhone (or iPod Touch) at something and press your finger to the screen to record a clip up to six seconds in length (both sound and motion are captured, of course). Once satisfied with your final product, you can share it to Vine, Twitter and Facebook.?

Unfortunately as soon as you post?the clip to Vine, you've lost any control over who views it or interacts with it. There's no way to create a private Vine account nor can you choose who may follow you or view your profile on the video-sharing service. And while you can delete comments from your Vine posts, there's no way to block or report abusive users. (Though you can report videos as inappropriate.)

NBC News asked Twitter about the lack of privacy settings on Vine, and we were?pointed to the service's Help site, which confirms what we've experienced. ?"Profiles and videos on Vine are public, and anyone on the service can view them," a note declares before clarifying that?you can certainly?use Vine to create a video and save it to your Camera Roll rather than sharing it.?But this?isn't enough to?satisfy our need for actual privacy controls. We're instead left with the promise that the team?behind the service will "add more ways for you to control the visibility of your content in a future version of Vine."?

Want more tech news?or interesting?links? You'll get plenty of both if you keep up with Rosa Golijan, the writer of this post, by following her on?Twitter, subscribing to her?Facebook?posts,?or circling her?on?Google+.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/oops-twitters-new-video-sharing-service-lacks-privacy-settings-1B8101730

kourtney kardashian kourtney kardashian DNS Changer ernest borgnine ESPYs 2012 venus williams Freeh Report