Israel eases building materials blockade on Gaza

JERUSALEM (AP) ? Israel has started allowing long-banned building materials into the Gaza Strip, its first key concession to the Palestinian territory's ruling Hamas movement under the cease-fire that ended eight days of fighting last month, the military said Monday.

The military says the shipments will continue so long as the border remains quiet. But a Hamas official said the amount sent so far is "cosmetic," and Gaza economists say it would take years of round-the-clock shipments to even make a dent in the gap left by five years of blockade.

Israel imposed a wide-ranging embargo on Gaza after Hamas seized it in 2007. Building materials like cement, gravel and metal rods were largely banned, as Israel argued they could be used to make fortifications and weapons to attack the Jewish state.

The military says it began allowing shipments of gravel to Gaza's private sector on Sunday because the Israeli attacks on Hamas' military operations in November cowed the militant group into quiet.

After the November hostilities, Israel and Hamas began indirect, Egyptian-led talks over new border arrangements. The militant group wants Israel to lift what remains of a sweeping land and naval embargo it imposed after the Hamas takeover. In return, Israel demands an end to arms smuggling into Gaza.

With limited exceptions, Israel had blocked construction materials from entering Gaza.

"Now we're talking about a permanent easing," said Maj. Guy Inbar, a military spokesman, adding that 20 truckloads a day could enter Gaza, depending on Palestinian demand. Other concessions could follow, he said.

"The longer the calm persists, the more we'll weigh additional easings of restrictions that will benefit the private sector," he said.

Israel recently authorized the entry of 60 trucks and buses for the first time since Hamas' 2007 Gaza takeover, though there are conflicting reports on whether vehicles have actually gone through.

Another major concession the Gazans seek would be a lifting of a near-ban on exports from the impoverished territory. Exports, especially to the West Bank, the Palestinian territory on the opposite side of Israel, once formed the backbone of Gaza's economy.

Exports might be expanded, Inbar said, "depending on the continuation of the calm."

Critics contend the export ban punishes ordinary Gazans instead of pressuring Hamas, hurting four in five Gaza factories and contributing heavily to an unemployment rate of about one-third of the work force. Eighty percent of Gaza's 1.6 million people rely on U.N. handouts.

Israel lifted its restrictions on consumer goods entering Gaza overland after a deadly Israeli naval raid on a blockade-busting flotilla in 2010 drew international attention to the Israeli embargo. But the blockade on construction materials remained intact, save for shipments used to build U.N. schools and a pilot project of shipments to the private sector a year ago.

"The Israelis promised to undertake further measures to alleviate the difficult economic situation in Gaza as a result of the calm," said Palestinian crossing official Raed Fattouh in Gaza, confirming that the Israelis had agreed to send in 20 trucks of gravel daily, five days a week. "This move had been expected as part of the deal."

Israel has not eased its naval blockade of the territory, which it says is imperative to keep weapons from being smuggled into Gaza by sea.

Egypt, which had joined the Israeli blockade, similarly eased its own restrictions on Saturday, allowing in 1,400 tons of gravel paid for by Qatar. The oil-rich emirate recently pledged $425 million to build housing, schools, a hospital and roads in Gaza as part of its attempt to build its influence in Palestinian politics and its power in the region, at the expense of regional rival Iran, Hamas' longtime patron.

Shipments from Egypt are expected to be ramped up to 4,000 tons daily, said Yassir al Shanti, Gaza's deputy minister of housing and public works. He estimated Gaza needs up to 3 million tons of gravel to build roads and that the Qatar-funded projects need more than 1 million tons.

The shipments from Egypt were launched following consultation with Israeli officials, who were in Cairo Thursday to discuss the cease-fire and other matters, an Egyptian official said last week.

Under former President Hosni Mubarak, Israel's longtime ally, Egypt had poor relations with Hamas, and teamed up with Israel to blockade Gaza. Egypt's new president, Mohammed Morsi, comes from Hamas' parent group, the Muslim Brotherhood, and has vowed not to abandon the Palestinians. But he is moving cautiously, in part to avoid alienating Cairo's biggest patron, the United States.

Palestinian economist Mouin Rajab said the new shipments would go only a small way to meet the needs Gaza has accumulated throughout six years of blockade, during which time Hamas and Israel warred twice.

"Gaza needs more than what Israel has allowed and what Egypt has promised to allow. We are talking about six years of blockade, no real economy and no projects in addition to what Gaza lost during two wars in 2009 and 2012."

"This amount which has been sent by the Israelis still is cosmetic," a Hamas government official in Gaza said. "Israel, according to the understanding, should allow more building materials into Gaza as part of the understandings reached by Cairo. We are waiting and we told the Egyptians that."

He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the understandings.

Reconstruction since the 2009 fighting has been slow, in large part because of the blockades. To make up the shortage, a bustling smuggling industry through underground tunnels along the Egyptian border has sprung up. While prices for key construction goods have come down, they still remain expensive for the majority of Gaza's 1.6 million people, 80 percent of whom rely on U.N. handouts.

Israel and Hamas shun each other, so Egypt is mediating the new border arrangements. A Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to disclose confidential contacts, said a Hamas delegation arrived Sunday night in Cairo to meet with Egyptian security officials for a second round of talks on the border arrangements.

-----------------

Barzak reported from Gaza City, Gaza Strip.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/israel-eases-building-materials-blockade-gaza-120221766.html

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Tribune Will Emerge From Bankruptcy Protection Today - Deadline ...

The biggest media industry bankruptcy ever will end today after four years with Tribune?s chief creditors ? Oaktree Capital Management, Angelo, Gordon & Co. and JPMorgan Chase & Co?? empowered to run the Chicago based broadcasting and newspaper power. The reorganization values the company at about $4.5B. The new management is expected to look for buyers for its assets which include?23 television stations and major metro dailies such as the?Los Angeles Times?and?Chicago Tribune. The company?will close on a $1.1B senior secured term loan, which will be used to pay off creditors, and a $300M asset based revolving credit facility to fund its operations. It also will have a new board that consists of CEO Eddy Hartenstein, Oaktree?s Bruce Karsh and Ken Liang, former Disney exec Peter Murphy, former Yahoo and News Corp exec Ross Levinsohn, lawyer Craig Jacobson, and former Fox and Discovery exec Peter Liguori. He?s widely believed to be in line to take the top job at Tribune. Today?s release says that the board will meet ?in the next several weeks? and Hartenstein ?will remain in his current role until that time.? The plan to emerge from bankruptcy ensures that creditors and vendors ?will be receiving payment in full?100% recovery of what they are owed,? Hartenstein says. ?These long-term relationships are very important to the company and we are pleased to be successfully resolving these obligations.? Tribune ran into trouble after 2007 when real estate mogul Sam Zell took on debt to finance his $8.2B acquisition. He found himself over his head the following year when the recession hit, and newspaper values plummeted.

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Source: http://www.deadline.com/2012/12/tribune-emerge-chapter-11-bankruptcy/

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Volunteer Sessions Begin For 2015 Canada Winter Games

Volunteer Sessions Begin For 2015 Canada Winter Games

By 250 News

Sunday, December 30, 2012 05:10 AM

Volunteer recruitment sessions have begun at Canada Games House on Quebec Street

Prince George, BC - 774 days and counting until Prince George hosts the 2015 Canada Winter Games...

With the countdown clock on the Games' webpage quietly ticking down, volunteer recruitment efforts are ramping up.? The Canada Games House on Quebec Street hosted a number of volunteer recruitment sessions earlier this month that saw more than 60 people attend.

More sessions are being held mid-January - the 14th, 15th, and 16th - with anyone interested being asked to RSVP by emailing volunteer@canadagames2015.ca, or phoning 250-596-2015 when the office re-opens on January 2nd.

It's expected that as many as 4500 volunteers will be needed to host the largest multi-sporting and cultural event ever held in our region, from February 13th until March 1st, 2015.

The 2015 Games Host Society is also seeking input from athletes from across the region who will be eligible to compete in a bid to meet its top priority of providing an 'exceptional athlete experience'.? Click here to submit an application for the Athlete Approved Advisory Group.

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Posted on Sunday, December 30, 2012 05:10 AM in News by 250 News
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Source: http://www.250news.com/blog/view/26964/1/volunteer+sessions+begin+for+2015+canada+winter+games

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Ben And Henry Cleary FOUND: Missing Georgia Boys Located In Texas, Father George Arrested

Skylar Neese

Skylar Neese was last seen July 7th, 2012. The 16-year-old from Star City, West Virginia, was caught on surveillance footage from apartments near her home climbing out of her window around midnight. The tape shows her getting into a car, later determined to belong to one of her friends. The friend admitted to picking up Skylar, and says she dropped her off approximately an hour later, down the street to avoid waking the family, after a trip to a local Wendy's. There is no footage of Skylar returning. Skylar is 5'4" tall, 135 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Please call the Star City Police Dept. at 304-599-3550 with any information about her whereabouts. <a href="http://www.missingpersonsofamerica.com/2012/11/skylar-neese-missing-teen-from-w.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+MissingPersonsOfAmerica+(Missing+Persons+of+America)" target="_hplink">(Missing Persons Of America)</a>

Natasha Rymarczuk

Natash Rymarczuk has been missing since 10/12/12. She is 17, with blonde hair, brown eyes, and is 5' 7" tall. Natasha was last seen wearing a red Arby's polo shirt and black pants in the Largo, FL area. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/natashacomehome/posts/135304153285040" target="_hplink">(Facebook: Natasha Come Home)</a>

Ricky Dean Hamilton

Ricky Dean Hamilton, 15, has been missing from Flemingsburg in Fleming County, Kentucky since 4:30pm on Saturday, Nov. 17th. According to Fleming County Emergency Management Director Dwayne Price, Ricky and his father entered a wooded area to hunt at around 4:30pm, and separated with plans to meet up at a designated area at a later time, but Ricky never showed up. Ricky's uncle Bobby Hamilton said, "He's hunt this ground for quite a few years now. For him not to got back something must have happened to him. I don't see how, because he couldn't have gotten lost." Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Ricky Dean Hamilton or possible sightings should contact the Fleming County 911 Emergency Dispatch at 606-845-2121. <a href="http://www.missingpersonsofamerica.com/2012/11/ricky-hamilton-missing-in-kentucky.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MissingPersonsOfAmerica+%28Missing+Persons+of+America%29" target="_hplink">(Missing Persons Of America)</a>

Austin Deaton

Austin Deaton was reported missing on 11/19/12, from Hazard, Kentucky. His aunt says he was last seen on Sunday, November 12th in Hazard's backwoods area. He was visiting his mother near Hazard's Memorial Gym, when he told a relative he was going to visit his father's house in Walkertown. Austin was last seen wearing a Maroon Leslie County cut-off t-shirt and cargo pants. Please call the Hazard Police Department with any information at 606-436-2222 <a href="http://www.missingpersonsofamerica.com/2012/11/austin-deaton-missing-teen-kentucky.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MissingPersonsOfAmerica+%28Missing+Persons+of+America%29" target="_hplink">(Missing Persons Of America)</a>

Shawna Hansen

Shawna Hansen, 17, left her north Marysville, Washington home on October 2. Authorities said Hansen has the developmental age of a 10 or 11-year-old. Hansen is about 4-foot-6, 90 pounds, with short, brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing jeans, black jacket, and a pink and white T-shirt. She is possibly carrying a black, white and blue backpack and may be riding a pink and black "Next" BMX-style bike. Anyone with information on Shawna Hansen's whereabouts is asked to call Marysville police at 360-363-8350.

Austan Tyler Stone

Austan Tyler Stone, 16, was last seen in Post Falls, Idaho on Sept. 10, when he left for school. According to a Facebook page maintained by his family, his cellphone was briefly activated in Modesto, Calif. The Post Falls Police Department has Stone listed as a <a href="http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/sirens/2012/oct/03/family-seeks-information-missing-teen/" target="_hplink">runaway juvenile</a>. Stone is 5-foot-6 and 130 pounds with green eyes and brownish-blonde hair. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Post Falls Police Department at 208-773-3517 or the Kottenai County Sheriff's Department at 208-446-1300 and refer to Case Number: 12-23395.

Jamal Omar Briggs

Jamal Omar Briggs, 14, was last seen in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, on Sept. 26. Detectives with the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said they have no evidence of abduction or foul play. Briggs is described as a black male, 5-feet, 3-inches tall, weighing 135 pounds. He was last seen wearing a red heavy shirt, black jeans and black Jordan tennis shoes. Anyone with information regarding Briggs' whereabouts is asked to call the Roanoke Rapids Police Department at 252-326-3938.

Michael Suarez Jr.

Michael Suarez Jr., 19, was last seen on August 31, at his 61st St. home in Mapleton, New York. According to his aunt, Linda Suarez, her nephew is schizophrenic and he has not had his medication. Anyone with information in this case is asked to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577.

Ailene Lander

Lander (top center) went missing September 17, 2012. Police believe the 15-year-old was abducted by her <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/missing-alabama-teen-allegedly-kidnapped-mom-stepdad-subject/story?id=17271332#.UFop7qRYv31" target="_hplink">mother and stepfather.</a>

Christopher Milton Dansby

Christopher, who has been missing since May 18, 1989, was last seen in a park located on 114th Street and Lenox Avenue in Manhattan, New York. He has a birthmark shaped like a figure "8" on his neck. He was 2 years old when he went missing.

Kathryn Pratts

Kathryn, 16 of Staten Island, New York, has been missing since Nov. 24, 2010. Her tongue is pierced and she has a scar over her left eyebrow. Kathryn may go by the nickname Kat or Kathy.

Caelan Cyrus-Howard

Caelan, of Brooklyn, New York, was last seen with his non-custodial mother on 02/21/2002. He has a scar on his forehead and his hair is braided. Caelan was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue polo shirt and black "ACG" boots. He may be in need of medical attention. Mother and child may have traveled to Trinidad and Tobago.

Jassmyn Carr

Jassmyn, 17, is a runaway. She has been missing since Jan. 13, 2012 and was last seen wearing a white blouse, black pants, gray and purple high top sneakers and a red Old Navy pea coat with large black buttons. Jassmyn, from Queens, New York originally, may be traveling to Virginia

Jeremiah George Huger

Jeremiah George Huger, who has been missing since June of 1985, was playing in his yard in the Bronx, New York, with other children when an unknown black male called to the child and then grabbed him. Jeremiah, who was 4 when he disappeared, has a 1 1/2" scar on his left forearm. He was last seen wearing a light blue shirt, dark blue shorts, and white sneakers.

Shauntae Hope Marks

Shauntae Hope Marks, 15, was last seen on the evening of May 4, 2012, at the Mary Manor apartment complex in Ft. Thompson, South Dakota. According to Fort Thompson police, Marks was distraught over a recent relationship and had made comments threatening to harm herself. Marks is described as a Native American female who is 5-foot-7 and weighs about 170 pounds. She has black shoulder-length hair and brown eyes and wears glasses. Marks was last seen wearing blue jeans, a white shirt with stripes, a black and gray hoodie, and blue Etnies brand tennis shoes. Anyone with information on Shauntae Marks' whereabouts is asked to call Fort Thompson police at 605-245-2351 or 888-337-2388.

Timothy Pitzen

This image from Facebook shows missing 7-year-old Timothy Pitzen. Timothy is missing from Aurora, Ill., but was last seen at a water park in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. He was last known to be in the company of his mother, who has since been found deceased in Rockford, Ill.

Amir Jennings

Amir Jennings, 1, has been missing from Columbia, S.C., since Nov. 24, 2011. Family members originally filed a missing persons report for Amir and his mother, Zinah Jennings, when they could not locate them. On Christmas Eve, Zinah Jennings was involved in a car accident. The responding officer noticed that Jennings was considered a missing person. Police say that when Jennings was questioned about her son, she gave "false and inconsistent information." Police also believe Jennings has ties to the Atlanta, Ga. and Charlotte, N.C. areas. There is a $10,000 reward for the safe return of Amir. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

Madeleine McCann

A combination of two pictures released by Madeleine McCann's spokesperson on May 1, 2009, shows Maddie McCann at the age of 3 (L), and an 'age progression' image of what she would look like at the age of 6. Madeleine McCann disappeared on May 3, 2007, just days before her fourth birthday, from the family's holiday apartment at the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz. Her parents were dining with friends at a nearby restaurant when she went missing. The police force continues seraching the vanished little girl.

Joshua Davis

Joshua Davis, 2, was last seen at his New Braunfels, Texas, home on Feb. 4, 2011. He was watching the movie "Toy Story" with his mother when he left the room and vanished. The toddler's mother believes her son was abducted. Anyone with information on Joshua's whereabouts is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

Sarah Kinslow

Sarah Elizabeth Kinslow, 14, was last seen by her parents on May 1, 2001, when her dad dropped her off at Greenville Middle School in her hometown of Greenville, Texas, at approximately 7:20 a.m. It was not until after the school day ended that the Kinslows were notified their daughter had not attended any of her classes. According to Louise Kinslow, her daughter had never run away in the past and was unprepared to be gone for an extended period of time when she went to school that day. Sarah Kinslow would be 25 years old today. At the time of her disappearance, she was 5-foot-4-inches tall, weighed 105 lbs., and had blonde hair and blue eyes. Her teeth were crooked and she had several ear piercings, a tattoo of the letter "I" on the inside of her ankle, a chicken pox scar on her left temple, and two chicken pox scars on her left cheek. Anyone with information is asked to call the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST) or the Greenville Police Department at 903-457-2900.

Khaniya Margarett Roberts

Khaniya Margarett Roberts, A.K.A. "Kiki," age 10, was last seen in Miami, Fla., on Dec. 3, 2011. She may be in the company of her mother. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

Brittanee Drexel

Brittanee Drexel, of Rochester, N.Y., was 17 years old in April 2009, when she went to Myrtle Beach, S.C., on spring break. The teen was last seen by friends on April 25 of that year, when she left the Bar Harbor Hotel in Myrtle Beach to meet friends at the nearby BlueWater Resort. Surveillance footage shows Drexel arriving at the resort, then leaving roughly 10 minutes later. What happened to her after that remains a mystery. Her cell phone gave off its last signal the day after she went missing. Investigators narrowed the phone location to an area near the South Santee River in Georgetown County. To date, no sign of Drexel has been found. At the time of her disappearance, Drexel was 5 feet tall and 103 pounds. She had blue eyes and blond highlights in her hair. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Myrtle Beach Police at 843-918-1382.

Trenton Duckett

In this photo released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is a portrait of Trenton Duckett, a 2-year-old boy who was reported missing on Aug. 27, 2006, from his home in Leesburg, Fla. The boy's mother Melinda Duckett, 21, was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Friday, Sept. 8, 2006, at her grandparents' central Florida home, police said. Trenton's disappearance remains a mystery.

Sky Metalwala

An undated photo provided by the police in Bellvue, Wash. shows Sky Metalwala, 2, who has been missing since Sunday, Nov. 6. He disappeared after his mother says she left him alone in an unlocked car after it ran out of gas. She says she took her 4-year-old daughter with her and when she came back about an hour later, the boy was gone. (Bellevue Police / Seattle Times / AP)

Dwight Stallings

Dwight Stallings, 1, has been missing from Elk Grove, Calif., since April 2011. Authorities say the child has not been seen by family members and his mother, Tanisha Edwards, 35, has been unable or unwilling to reveal what happened to him. A $3,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the whereabouts of Dwight Stallings. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

Etan Patz

Etan Patz, 6, who went missing on May 25, 1979, near his home in New York's SoHo neighborhood, appears in this undated file photo. In June 2001, a New York State judge declared Etan legally dead, clearing the way for his parents, Stanley and Julie Patz, to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Jose Antonio Ramos, a Pennsylvania inmate whom the family believes sexually molested and then killed Etan. His parents were eventually awarded a "symbolic" sum of $2 million. Ramos is presently serving a 20-year sentence for child molestation and is scheduled to be released in November 7, 2012.

Malikah Beeks

Malikah Beeks, 17, of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, was last seen on April 11, 2012. Beeks is a possible runaway and may be with her 14-month-old son, Logan Beeks. Anyone with information on Beeks' whereabouts is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

Ayla Reynolds

This undated photo obtained from a Facebook page shows missing toddler Ayla Reynolds. Police in Maine are appealing to the public for help in locating the 20-month-old girl who was last seen Friday night. Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey held a news conference this afternoon to ask anyone with information about Ayla Reynolds to call police. Ayla's father called police yesterday morning to report that his daughter was not in her bed and couldn't be found. She was last seen sleeping at about 10 p.m. Friday by a family member.

Nadaysia McWhite

Nadaysia McWhite, 16, was last seen leaving her home in Queens Village, N.Y., on Feb. 19, 2012. McWhite never returned home and her whereabouts remain unknown. She was last seen wearing black pants, a black hooded coat and black boots. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

Kyron Horman

Kyron Horman was 7 years old when he disappeared on June 4, 2010. His stepmother, Terri Moulton Horman, told police she last saw the little boy walking to his classroom at Skyline Elementary School in Portland, Ore. The search for Kyron has become one of the most intense in recent Oregon history and has attracted national attention. His parents have held countless vigils, passed out thousands of fliers and issued numerous public pleas, all to no avail.

Reyna Guadarrama

Reyna Guadarrama, 9, was last seen in Grayslake, Ill., on Nov. 02, 2007. She may be in the company of her non-custodial mother and an adult male. They may travel to Mexico. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

Hailey Dunn

Hailey Dunn, a cheerleader, was last seen in Colorado City, Texas, just after Christmas Day in 2010. Dunn's mother, Billie Dunn, 34, reported her 13-year-old daughter missing on the morning of Dec. 28, 2010. The Colorado City Middle School student had been last seen the previous afternoon. Billie Dunn's then-boyfriend, Shawn Adkins, 25, told police that the teen was going to spend the night with a friend. That friend later told police that she had not made any plans for Hailey Dunn to spend the night and was unaware that the girl was coming over. Billie Dunn later told police she had fought with her daughter before she went missing. Colorado City Police, along with the Texas Rangers, the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement departments in the region, conducted several searches for Dunn but found no sign of her.

Maayimuna Nyeeleni Njayi N'Diaye

Maayimuna Nyeeleni Njayi N'Diaye, 4, was last seen in Morehead, Ky., on Jan. 1, 2012. Maayimuna was allegedly abducted by her father, Ibrahim N'Diaye. A felony warrant was issued for him on Jan. 13, 2012. They are believed to be in Mali.

Haleigh Cummings

This photo released by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office shows Haleigh Cummings, 5, of Satsuma, Fla. Haleigh was last seen at home in the early-morning hours of Feb. 10, 2009. She was reported missing about 3:45 a.m. by Misty Croslin, the then-girlfriend of Haleigh's father, Ronald Cummings. Croslin told police she discovered Haleigh was missing when she woke up to use the bathroom. Law enforcement as well as private search-and-recovery groups have conducted multiple searches for Haleigh, but no sign of her has been found. Authorities have not named any suspects in the case; however, they say they have not ruled anyone out.

Kaylee Melara

Kaylee Melara, 17, was last seen in Braintree, Mass., on Jan. 14, 2011. Melara is biracial and has a tattoo on her upper right arm. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/30/ben-and-henry-cleary-found-dad-arrested_n_2384090.html

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At least three al Qaeda-linked militants killed in Yemen: sources

SANAA (Reuters) - At least three al Qaeda-linked militants were killed in the southern Yemeni province of al-Bayda late on Saturday in an apparent drone strike, government and tribal sources said.

Dozens of suspected militants including al Qaeda members have been killed in recent months, many in strikes by pilotless aircraft, as the Yemeni government pursues a U.S.-backed effort to counter Islamist fighters mostly operating in the south.

"Their bodies were charred and the car was completely obliterated," a tribesman who rushed to the scene told Reuters. "Their bodies were not recognizable, but the government says they're from al Qaeda."

The state news agency, Saba, reported that the militants were "elements of al Qaeda." A defense ministry website said the slain militants included a man it described as a senior al Qaeda operative named Saleh Mohammed al-Ameri.

Yemen's stability is a leading security concern of the United States and Gulf Arab allies because of its strategic position next to top oil exporter Saudi Arabia and shipping lanes, and because it is home to one of the most active wings of the al Qaeda network.

There has been an uptick in the past week in aerial attacks on al Qaeda in southern provinces, where the group exploited anti-government protests last year to seize swathes of territory before being driven out by a military offensive in June.

Two suspected al Qaeda-linked insurgents were killed in a drone strike in eastern Hadramout province on Friday, a local security official said. On December 24, at least five people were killed in two drone strikes in Hadramout and al Bayda provinces in the first such strikes in almost two months.

(Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari; Writing by Mahmoud Habboush and William Maclean; Editing by Will Dunham)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/least-three-al-qaeda-linked-militants-killed-yemen-062249061.html

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Nook Media Takes $89.5M From Pearson, Says Holiday Sales Fell Below Expectations

Nook Media, the Barnes & Noble subsidiary that handles Nook e-readers and digital content, announced today that education publisher Pearson has invested $89.5 million, giving it a 5 percent stake in the company. Nook Media spun out from Barnes & Noble?earlier this.?B&N owns 78.2 percent , while Microsoft (which made a big investment aimed at ?bringing Nook content to Windows 8 devices) owns 16.8 percent, according to the press release. The deal gives the company a post-money valuation of $1.789 billion.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/UVgzOCpG-4s/

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Amazon's board loses Silicon Valley entrepreneur Krikorian

When Mommy is away, Dad and son will play. And if your dad works in the video production business, that playtime gets filmed, turned into a time-lapse video and instantly goes viral. Emio Tomeoni, 30, of Kansas City, Mo., works odd hours and often finds...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/amazons-board-loses-silicon-valley-entrepreneur-krikorian-222510256--sector.html

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Kanye West Spouts Cold Confessions In Atlantic City

Alone onstage, Yeezy gets intimate in first of three casino concerts.
By Mary J. DiMeglio

Kanye West [file]
Photo:

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699494/kanye-west-revel-atlantic-city.jhtml

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Losing baby weight the EASY way with self-hypnosis | Health and ...

Click Image For Info!As a mom, I know how having a new baby can bring a bit of extra weight. ?That?s why I developed this self-hypnosis program specifically to help you get your pre-baby body back.

If you answered ?Yes? to any of these questions, then the New Mom, Great Body! Self-Hypnosis Weightloss program is just what you?re looking for.

Mia has a thorough understanding of how limiting beliefs and negative mental patterns affect your ability to achieve your goals, including your goal to shed the excess weight you may have gained during pregnancy.

Mia also has a background in Shiatsu and Traditional Chinese Medicine, with excellent knowledge in nutrition and health.

She works predominantly with new parents helping them to live their dreams and become living inspirations for their kids.

The self-hypnosis audio track is a?high-quality MP3?that you can download today and use on any player.

White noise is a sound that contains all audible frequencies, and has been?proven to help the mind relax and focus more easily.? This, combined with a?powerful NLP technique, will ensure that you receive the full benefits of the self-hypnosis.

That is because?problems with weight-gain lie at a very deep unconscious level,?with beliefs and habits that are almost entrenched in your view of yourself and the world, and prevent you from reaching your goal easily.

Both NLP and hypnosis can?clear these blockages in your unconscious?making success easy and inevitable.

??The trance ?state? in hypnotherapy is nothing more than a deep state of relaxation.?If you?ve ever been for a full-body massage and felt completely ?zoned out? at the end of it, you?ll already know what this feels like.

When we are deeply relaxed it is easier to suggest ideas directly to the unconscious mind (the part that is running our lives) as we have allowed our conscious, analytical part to take a break.

During hypnosis you are still in control and will only accept suggestions that are for your benefit.?For example, if I said to you ?close your eyes? you most likely would, but if I said to you ?go rob a bank? you wouldn?t (well hopefully not!) as this is against your moral code, whether under hypnosis or not.

Your moral system is still in place no matter how relaxed you are. And just to make sure that you are comfortable with this I always include the pre-cursor ?if this is for your benefit? to any suggestion made during the hypnotic track.

This means that losing baby weight will become much easier, because hypnosis can?remove the self-sabotage, habits and beliefs?that are preventing you from making the right choices.

Have you ever been very relaxed? That is essentially what hypnosis is ??a deep state of relaxation. It is a normal, natural state and we all go in and out of different levels of hypnosis all the time. Have you ever been? Read more?

Source: http://healthandfitness.fxvortex.com/2012/12/losing-baby-weight-the-easy-way-with-self-hypnosis/

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Health And Fitness | Herbs for Penis Health :: By John Dugan ...

When experiencing problems with penis health and sexual dysfunction many men turn towards plant medicines and alternative health supplements. But how is one to know what works and what is bogus? Many herbal medicines contain penis-specific vitamins and active chemicals and others do not so one would do well to do a little research before purchasing any herbal product. If this important step is omitted then a man can run the risk of wasting money on pills marketed to improve male hormone balance and penis health - but actually do nothing. If you are on prescription medication always check with your healthcare provider before using any form of herbal medication.

Damiana
Damiana is a remedy used to treat impotence and low level libido throughout Mexico and South America. The top of the herb as well as the leaves of the damiana plant are a source of essential oils, flavonoids and small amounts of caffeine. Herbalists have long theorized that the effects of damiana on libido may be due to a direct action on the nervous system as the plant is also known as an anti-depressant. Researchers from the University of Mississippi, USA discovered that damiana also has a significant impact on male hormones and neurotransmitters. During animal testing the damiana extract showed to have an inhibiting action on aromatase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen in the body. By inhibiting aromatase by up to 50%, damiana may increase total testosterone levels.

Ginseng
Ginseng is one of the most popular and well known plant medicines in the world. Traditional systems of medicine in Asia, India, Europe and North America have harvested the roots of the ginseng plant for its ability to reduce stress and fatigue and to promote virility. In a study funded by Southern Illinois University, USA, scientists found that ginseng had a significant effect on several factors influencing sexual function in men. Ginseng and its active constituents, ginsengosides, have a direct impact on nitric oxide levels, enzymes that control blood flow to the penis during arousal. Ginseng also effects neurotransmitters in the brain and has a beneficial effect on physical performance, fatigue, mood and testosterone balance. These findings support the worldwide use of ginseng root for the successful the treatment low libido and sexual dysfunction.

Horny Goat Weed
Horny Goat Weed is an Asian herbal medicine that has been used for libido and impotence for centuries. Modern studies have confirmed that horny goat weed has a range of active constituents, but the best researched is the chemical known as icariin. In a review of several year?s worth of research published in "The Journal of Ethno pharmacology" scientists from Lanzhou University, China confirmed that both icariin and horny goat weed have a wide range of benefits for both general health and sexual function in men. Icariin works on a range of levels, similar to the drug sildenafil. When taken in high enough doses, icariin reduces depression, increases testosterone, stimulates nitric oxide production and supports blood circulation. In a double-blind clinical trial, 38 male volunteers were either given sildenafil or horny goat weed. And it was found that both these treatments were more effective than placebo in improving sexual dysfunction, but men taking horny goat weed reported a higher level of sexual satisfaction than the men taking sildenafil.

Shea Nut
Shea nuts are harvested in Africa for their use in topical products, as the butter extracted from the shea nut contains large quantities of vitamin E. This makes shea nuts and shea nut butter very effective as a topical treatment for penis health problems. Vitamin E is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, heals skin, prevents scarring, and may support erectile function. In a Brazilian study published in "BJU International", scientists discovered that vitamin E had a potent stimulatory effect on nitric oxide. By increasing nitric oxide levels naturally, shea nut butter may work in similar ways as sildenafil, ginseng and horny goat weed. While oral supplements are absorbed to varying degrees, specialist health cr?mes (most professionals recommend Man1Man Oil) contain a range of active ingredients and nutrients that work with vitamin enriched shea nut butter to promote penis health, tissue integrity and male hormone balance.

About Author John Dugan : For additional information on most common penis health issues, tips on improving penis sensitivity, and what to do to maintain a healthy penis, visit: http://www.penishealth101.com. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men's health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous online web sites.

Article Source:?http://www.bharatbhasha.net
Article Url: http://www.bharatbhasha.net/health.php/402908

Article Added on Thursday, December 27, 2012
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Other Articles by John Dugan

?Many Benefits From Using a Penis Health Cream All men can benefit from a high-quality penis health cream that contains penis specific vitamins and minerals. Using a penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) can help reduce common penis problems like dry penis skin, itching, minor infection and soreness. And a good penis health cream can also increase penis sensitivity. Who needs a penis health cream? Many men, at one time or another, suffer from a variety of penis discomforts like soreness, dryness and... ?How to increase penis sensitivity Many men believe their penis is less sensitive than it previously was or less sensitive than they believe it should be. Frequently men believe there???s a direct connection between penis sensitivity and ease of ejaculation. Men often report that the head of the penis is not as sensitive as it should be, or they report they simply feel minimal sensation at the penis head. Penis sensitivity is a personal thing, to be sure, but many men notice, at some point, that their penis sensitivity has... ?Penis Concerns When to See Your Doctor and When Not Visiting the Doctor Men can often feel embarrassed about common penis issues and can be reluctant to speak to their spouse or partner about any penis problem they are experiencing. Going to the doctor can be an important step in familiarizing a physician with the health of your penis. However a lot of men end up going to the doctor simply because they do not know how to adequately take care of their penis health or have insufficient knowledge of their penis problem keeping a penis clean and... ?Dry Penis Skin How to Treat it How to Prevent It One of the most common penis problems men experience is dry penis skin, which can include itchiness and, when penis is erect, a slight sense of pain. . There are a number of factors that can cause this problem but fortunately there are a variety of options to treat dry penile skin and steps to prevent penile skin from becoming dry . It is probably best to use a penis health creme on a regular basis to avoid the chances of developing dry penis skin in the first place. What is dry penis... ?Penis Size and Shape What Is Normal and What Is Not Just like every part of the body, the penis is unique. It comes in all shapes, sizes and colors, and can be the source of either a man's pride or his embarrassment. While many men everywhere feel some degree of angst over their penis shape and size, it is important to know what is normal and healthy, and what is not. With good nutrition, penis specific vitamins, regular washing, and good self-care, a penis should remain healthy and functional throughout a man's life. Size Over the years... ?Penis Health Creme Why Does It Appeal to Women Women generally love to pamper their bodies with vitamin supplements, moisturizers, lotions and cremes to keep their bodies healthy, clean and looking great. This ingrained habit has proven effective in helping women maintain their general well-being as well as increase their life expectancy. Men are catching up with women in terms of using health products to improve their looks and well being. This is because there are now various products in the market which are specially made to maintain... ?A Bent or Curved Erect Penis May Be Sign of Health Problem A curved or bent erect penis can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. While this problem generally affects men over 35 years of age, younger men may develop similar symptoms. A bent penis is not a life-threatening problem, but this condition can worsen without treatment and lead to permanent penile deformity. Erectile dysfunction, difficulty having intercourse, pain during intercourse, and loss of self-esteem are common side effects of a severely bent or curved penis. Treating the male organ... ?My Erect Penis has a Slight Curve or Bend Is This Serious Many men encounter common penis problems. These include dry, itchy, rough or red penis' skin, diminished or loss of penis sensitivity, and an erect penis that is bent or curved. To avoid these common penis problems, men are advised to observe healthy sexual practices and use a daily penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) which provides the vitamins, minerals and nutrients necessary to maintain penis health. Of these penis health issues, men are especially bothered... ?Penis 101 Penis Facts and Helpful Hints When Things Go Wrong For most men, the penis is of utmost importance ? it definitely gets a lot of attention, and when things aren?t working right, it is a cause for a great deal of concern. But in spite of this, few guys know how the penis really works or how to take care of it properly, and they are not aware of the most common penis problems that can affect its appearance, function and sensitivity. Men who want to know more about the penis and how to treat it right should take the time to learn about the... ?Sore Penis Top 5 Causes and Treating Common Penis Health Problems What many men don???t realize is that, while some penis problems are serious and should be treated by a medical professional, many common penis issues can be treated, or even prevented, by knowing penile health tips, using care, cleanliness and, in some cases, applying a penis crème containing penis vitamins and minerals. Most health reports indicate that men are often uncomfortable talking with their doctors about penis health problems, electing to deal with pain or discomfort rather than...

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Source: http://www.bharatbhasha.net/health.php/402908

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Enjoying the Small Things: CHRISTMAS

Writing posts at the end of the year, after precious days of close family moments, feels a bit like filling a time capsule with the last special things you want to remember before closing the cap. As Brett and I fulfilled our Christmas morning parent duties, satisfyingly smiling at their squeals of delight, there were seconds where we caught each other's eyes.? We didn't need to say anything; it was understood.? Did you see that?? Wasn't that precious? How funny is she?? Oh God, she's getting so big.?

My friend Colette expressed the perfect explanation to me earlier this year of why supporting Down syndrome cognition and memory research is so important to her?for her son,?Dex.? "All my memories--the things that make me laugh, moments with family, holidays, vacations--it's?a scrapbook in my brain, something I always have to go back to later in life," she explained.? "If I'm ever sad or want to?smile, I can remember?all those?times, like flipping through snapshots in a scrapbook.? I want Dex to have a scrapbook too."

Yeah, that.?

That's what these pictures are.? And what these stored images in my brain are that keep making me smile every time I think of them.

Those long swishy nightgowns that were perfectly too big enough to make?my girls?look smaller.

And crayon-drawn letters with big spaces between them.? High pitched "How do you spell Santa?" pleas because it's probably the last year she'll ask.? And another year of reindeer food and watching the sky and staring at two sisters sound asleep together on the night before Christmas.

Installing the Reindeer Runway

Nella steals some of Santa's milk

Our Christmas Scrapbook:

Brandyn fed Nella blueberries at the rate of one blueberry? per milisecond.? Any slower, she'd go nuts.

Late Christmas Eve, my dad and Gary installed this amazing fairy garden in our front landscaping. It is just as much a gift for me as it was for my girls. There's even a hand-painted castle with flags for each of my?babies.?

And then morning. Being awakened by a soft little tap-tap-tap on my back. An excited whisper. Can we go see if Santa was here?? Lainey knows the Christmas drill now.? She waits patiently in bed with Daddy while I go turn on the tree lights and make a pot of coffee and turn on Nat King Cole and light candles and make just enough noise to wake Nella and Poppa, and?the boys quickly follow.

North Pole money

Boots on dogs?? Very funny.? Lainey fell on the ?floor laughing.? Latte gets weirded out and paddles her feet across the floor all frantic.? Thank you, Poppa.

I love how teenage brotherly entertainment means random wrestling matches.? They both laugh while they pretend to beat the crap out of each other, out of nowhere.? Apparently, it's very funny.

She spots the fairy garden.

I'll share deets on fairy garden later. Gary's a horticulturist and has a nice list of plants that work good in fairy gardens as well as some resources where you can find materials to build your own.

My favorite part of Christmas? When the morning spills over into complete calm. Everyone finds a different corner of the house, kids play with new toys, adults?rest on couches, the mess on the living room floor dissolves into the setting and everything is quiet and happy and good. I collapsed on the couch late morning, not intending to sleep, but I fell into one of those half awake naps where my eyes were closed and my brain was off duty but I was very aware that I was smiling and listening to the girls' chatter while they tested out new toys.?

Likewise, the afternoon delivered with more grandparents and more love. More scrapbook pages.? And a honey baked ham.

Two people are texting.? Can you find them?

We're still in vacation mode. And feeling so thankful for family and home.

To?scrapbooks?being filled with much love.? Chin-Chin.

Source: http://www.kellehampton.com/2012/12/christmas.html

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Can Teresa Giudice Turn Things Around? Here's How!

At the end of the most recent season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, the cast was divided into two very uneven teams: Caroline Manzo, Jacqueline Laurita, Melissa Gorga and Kathy Wakile versus Teresa Giudice. Teresa, the Italian cookbook author and mother of four little girls, was the obvious villain of season 4. She was accused of spreading malicious gossip about her family, selling out her friends to the tabloid press, and covering up her husband Joe Giudice's bankruptcy, possible illegal activities and probable infidelity. By the time the three-part reunion show rolled around, Teresa looked anything but "fabulicious."

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/once-villain-always-villain-how-teresa-giudice-can-turn-things-around/1-a-511227?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Aonce-villain-always-villain-how-teresa-giudice-can-turn-things-around-511227

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Stanford Students And Professors Are Bridging The CS Gender Gap One Student At A Time

At Stanford, just under 21 percent of undergraduate CS majors, the school?s most popular major, are women. Surrounding the school, Silicon Valley is starved for talented engineers, with companies aggressively recruiting Stanford undergrads with coding skills for high paying internships and full time jobs. ?Getting more girls involved in CS is probably the most impactful thing we can do to address the talent shortage,? Sequoia Capital?s Jim Goetz tells me.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/r3xbgqeCJrE/

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Get Loki'd All Over Again With After Hours Outtakes

Looking back on the After Hours of 2012, Tom Hiddleston's series of poorly planned pranks sticks out as one of the many highlights. "Loki'd" went on to inspire an internet fan culture around Hiddleston and his mustache, Wendy, so as a year-end bonus, we present never-before-seen footage from the shoot. These outtakes, if nothing else, [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/12/27/loki-outtakes-tom-hiddleston/

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Inside Snapchat, The Little Photo-Sharing App That Launched A Sexting Scare

It started with an assumption, really. Snapchat, a photo-sharing application that auto-destroys images seconds after being opened, launched in September 2011 with zero media coverage. A homegrown product, built by two Stanford guys, grew to now see over 50 million snaps per day today. In fact, Facebook launched a clone of the app just Friday. It wasn't until the company made its first milestone announcement, nine months after launch, that the media picked up the story. The New York Times' Nick Bilton whipped out all this cute PEW research on sexting in adults and teens, and referenced "suggestive" marketing materials and even pointed out the app's ?mild sexual content or nudity? warning. From that moment on, whether in milestone achievements, feature and expansion announcements, or stories about Facebook's new Snapchat clone, Snapchat was branded a sexting app.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/LMV5xuL6UpI/

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Urban baby blog: Bad toddler gifts

Tis better to give than to receive.

Picture this: you?re at a familial holiday gathering with your two year old, and relatives start giving out gifts. Your toddler is so excited?by every gift she receives. Her little face lights up with every box she unwraps. She wants to immediately start playing with everything single thing she gets.

Now picture this: maybe half of the stuff she gets is completely inappropriate for a child her age. What do you do? You say thank you, of course, but then what?

What do you do when a well meaning friend or relative hands your two year old daughter a gift bag full of choking hazards?

When a toy says ?for ages three and up? it?s for a reason. Reasons like choking. And getting injured on fast closing things. And getting poked with pointy things.

You could take that person aside, and explain how his (very thoughtful) gift is not appropriate for someone under three. You could offer to give it back so he can give it to an older child, or donate it to a charity. But even if he takes it well (he probably won?t), you would then be tasked with ripping said recreational toddler death trap away from an excited teething child and breaking her (about to be impaled with a lawn dart) heart. ?It?s not worth it.

I let Adi play with her new ?big kid? toys until we got home. The bracelet she got of course broke right away sending chokey beads everywhere and the weird rubber band things that were trendy in 2008 also look like a fun snack. Soon after we got home I realized that all the dangerous stuff had to go. I just got to the point where I can leave Adi alone in her room playing for long periods of time and I?m not giving that up. I can?t hover over her to make sure she doesn?t die of tiny Lego induced asphyxiation (seriously, they make big toddler sized ones ? ?buy those instead!) I decided to rebox and rewrap any inappropriate gifts and donate them. To children who don?t have any urges to gnaw on those little Lego guys.

So now that the gift giving holiday season is ending, and you?re faced with having to hide or otherwise make disappear inappropriate gifts, remember the kindness of the people who thought to buy something for your child. Then tell your child that the bag of shiny esophagus sized marbles from her cousin went to go live on a farm, along with the old hamster who also suddenly disappeared.

RIP Hammy

When writing thank you notes, try not to be snarky. Say, thank you for the very thoughtful set of jacks. Leave out the part where your child tried to relieve her incoming molar pain by trying to chew on the bouncy ball. Then resist the urge to buy his child a Red Ryder BB Gun. He?ll shoot his eye out.

It?s the thought that counts. Please put some thought into the next gift you buy for a toddler. Her mom would appreciate it.

Rachel Figueroa-Levin is a soapmaker,?cofounder and educator at Urban Babywearing, a?hyperlocal Inwood blogger and organizer, a?political/life/religion/parenting satirist, and all around trouble maker.? She is also the creator of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg?s Spanish-speaking alter ego @elbloombito.? You can reach her via twitter @Jewyorican.?

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Source: http://nbclatino.com/2012/12/26/urban-baby-blog-tis-better-to-give-than-to-receive/

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Deforestation in the Amazon equals net losses of diversity for microbial communities

Dec. 24, 2012 ? Research from an international team of microbiologists has revealed a new concern about deforestation in the Amazon rainforest -- a troubling net loss in the diversity among the microbial organisms responsible for a functioning ecosystem.

The group, which includes professors from The University of Texas at Arlington, University of Oregon, University of Massachusetts, Michigan State University and University of Sao Paulo, sampled a 100 square kilometer area, about 38 square miles, in the Fazenda Nova Vida site in Rond?nia, Brazil, a location where rainforest has been converted to agricultural use. Their findings in part validated previous research showing that bacteria in the soil became more diverse over the years, as it was converted to pasture.

But their findings contradicted prior thinking by showing that the loss of restricted ranges for different kinds of bacteria communities resulted in a biotic homogenization and net loss of diversity overall. Scientists worry that the loss of genetic variation in bacteria across a converted forest could reduce ecosystem resilience.

"We have known for a long time that conversion of rainforest land in the Amazon for agriculture results in a loss of biodiversity in plants and animals. Now we know that microbial communities which are so important to the ecosystem also suffer significant losses," said Jorge Rodrigues, the University of Texas at Arlington assistant biology professor who was part of the research team and is first author on a recent publication of the findings.

The new research is described in a paper appearing online the week of Dec. 24-28 in advance of publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The paper is called "Conversion of the Amazon rainforest to agriculture results in biotic homogenization of soil bacterial communities."

Klaus N?sslein, project director for the published research and associate professor of microbiology at the University of Massachusetts, said the team found important differences between the pasture and forest soil. For example, the number of bacterial species in the pasture soil was higher, but those species were also less related to one another than species in the forest soil.

"The combination of loss of forest species and the homogenization of pasture communities together signal that this ecosystem is now a lot less capable to deal with additional outside stress," N?sslein said.

In addition to Rodrigues and N?sslein, co-authors of the paper include: Babur Mirza, UT Arlington; Vivian Pellizari, Siu Mui Tsai, Brigitte Feigl and Fabiana Paula, the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil); Rebecca Mueller and Brendan Bohannan, University of Oregon; Kyunghwa Baek and George Hamaoui, University of Massachusetts; Ederson da C. Jesus, Embrapa-Agrobiologia (Brazil) and James Tiedje, Michigan State University.

"Our findings are especially important because they support the idea that microbes are impacted by human-caused environmental change," said Bohannan, director of the University of Oregon's Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. This knowledge is important because microbes are responsible for critical environmental processes, such as the recycling of nutrients, the production of clean water and the removal of pollutants, Bohannan said.

Tiedje said the unique study was conducted on a scale that had not been attempted before.

"The systematic and large-scale sampling design of this study gave us the power to see the homogenization," he said.

Scientists on the research team hope their work will provide valuable data to those making decisions about the future of the Amazon rainforest.

"The Amazon represents half of the world's rainforest and is home to one-third of Earth's species, yet the Amazon has one of the highest rates of deforestation," co-authors Pellizari, Tsai and Feigl said in a joint statement. "Agriculture is one of the largest and most dynamic parts of Brazil's economy, so dealing with standing rainforests in the tropics will be tricky, but nevertheless, it is vital that the issue is tackled." Rodrigues said the research team is currently compiling findings about the potential for recovery of the microbial diversity after pastureland is abandoned and returned to "secondary forest."

"Whether bacterial diversity will completely recover from ecosystem conversion will depend in part on whether the taxa lost due to conversion are truly locally extinct or whether they are present in the pasture sites but of such low abundance that they are undetectable in our study," the paper said.

The research team's work was supported by grants from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) and the Funda??o de Amparo ? Pesquisa do Estado de S?o Paulo (FAPESP).

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

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8WlyAHvdX2M/121226081100.htm

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Knowing How You Hear May Help Interpret a Hearing Test ...

Posted by Andrea Avery on 12/21/12 ? Categorized as Health and Fitness

Understanding how the ear works may be helpful so that you can understand the results of your hearing test. The intricacies of the ear are amazing as is the process that takes place in order for an individual to finally get a message. There are three main steps that the sound goes through in order to give a message to the hearer.

You could get very philosophical when it comes to sound. The old question of whether a tree made a noise when it fell in the woods if no one was there to hear it is an example. Most people would agree that the tree did make a sound. The sound produced by the tree falling would produce a vibration. The rate at which the vibration would take place is called a frequency. The amplitude of that tree falling is how loud the sound was when it fell. It would have done this whether or not someone was there listening.

In order for someone to hear, a sound must first of all take place. Once a sound takes place it goes into the ear and causes the eardrum to vibrate.

From that initial step, the vibrations of the eardrum cause the middle ear bones to vibrate. At this point the sound gets louder and travels to the inner ear.

It is in the inner ear and onward that the most exciting intricacies of the ear take place. The Labyrinth of the inner ear has fluid in it. In that fluid area is the Cochlea. The cochlea is filled with tiny hairs called cilia. These hairs move as sound causes the fluid in the inner ear to move. The movement of the cilia causes a nerve impulse to the auditory nerve, which is where the final step in hearing takes place.

It is a very involved process. So you can see why there are a few reasons why a hearing test might be failed. The problem could be with the anatomy of the ear. There could be parts missing or malformations. You could have also damaged the ear. An individual could have too much fluid in the ear, or someone could be lacking in cilia that would also cause problems. Another scenario includes a problem with the auditory nerve. It could be missing, weakened, or paralyzed.

Having a hearing test is very important if you do not believe you hear as well as you should. After you have a full test, an audiologist should be able to explain to some degree what is going on with your ears. Further testing may also be necessary. Hopefully, knowing in advance how the ear works will help you to understand what is going on in your own ears.

Learn how well your hearing is. Find out more about Fresno, CA hearing test at: http://www.miracle-ear-fresno-visalia.com.

Source: http://www.articlesrx.com/knowing-how-you-hear-may-help-interpret-a-hearing-test/9932

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Afghanistan: Woman who killed American is Iranian

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) ? The policewoman who killed an American contractor in Kabul is a native Iranian who came to Afghanistan and displayed "unstable behavior" but no known links to militants, an Interior Ministry spokesman said Tuesday.

The policewoman, identified as Sgt. Nargas, shot 49-year-old Joseph Griffin, of Mansfield, Georgia, on Monday, in the first such shooting by a woman in a spate of insider attacks by Afghans against their foreign allies. Nargas walked into a heavily-guarded compound in the heart of Kabul, confronted Griffin and gunned him down with a single pistol bullet.

The U.S-based security firm DynCorp International said on its website that Griffin was a U.S. military veteran who earlier worked with law enforcement agencies in the United States. In Kabul, he was under contract to the NATO military command to advise the Afghan police force.

Insider killings have eroded the trust between the foreign contingent and the Afghan government, just a year before most NATO troops are set to withdraw and turn security responsibility over to local forces.

The ministry spokesman, Sediq Sediqi, told a news conference that Nargas, who uses one name like many in the country, was born in Tehran, where she married an Afghan. She moved to the country 10 years ago after her husband obtained fake documents enabling her to live and work there.

A mother of four in her early 30s, she joined the police five years ago, held various positions and had a clean record, he said. Sediqi produced an Iranian passport which he said was found at her home.

"Her mental condition is not good," he said, describing her behavior as "unstable." He said that after she attended a recent training course in Egypt a "foreign government" ? a clear reference to Egypt ? informed Afghan authorities that she did not appear to be "normal."

On Monday, senior Afghan officials said the policewoman was licensed to carry the weapon into the compound and was well known there. On Tuesday, however, the chief investigator, Gen. Mohammad Zahir, told reporters that she was not authorized to carry weapons into the compound but managed to pass through security checks with a hidden pistol. Zahir said the lapse of security was also being investigated, as well as whether she had connections with foreign or local militant groups.

No militant group has claimed responsibility for the killing.

Zahir said that during interrogation, the policewoman said she had plans to kill either the Kabul governor, city police chief or Zahir himself, but when she realized that penetrating the last security cordons to reach them would be too difficult, she saw "a foreigner" and turned her weapon on him.

On Monday, NATO said that "some temporary, prudent measures" might be put into place to lessen exposure of NATO personnel to insider attacks, but the training of Afghan police would not be stopped. The NATO command had no additional comment on the case Tuesday.

There have been 60 insider attacks this year against foreign military and civilian personnel, compared to 21 in 2011. This surge presents another looming security issue as NATO prepares to pull out almost all of its forces by 2014, turning the war against the Taliban and other militant groups largely in the hands of the Afghans.

More than 50 Afghan members of the government's security forces also have died this year in attacks by their own colleagues. The Taliban claims such incidents reflect a growing popular opposition to the foreign military presence and the Kabul government.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/afghanistan-woman-killed-american-iranian-122754343.html

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Video: NRA head: ?Crazy? not to put armed guards in schools

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Source: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/50288483/

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Huawei shows off 6.1-inch Android phablet ahead of CES [video]

On Sunday morning, Wayne LaPierre, CEO of the National Rifle Association, told the world that armed guards stopped school shootings in Israel. Israel begs to differ. "Israel had a whole lot of school shootings until they did one thing," LaPierre said sitting calmly on Meet the Press. "They said, 'We're going to stop it,' and they put armed security in every school, and they have not had a problem since then."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/huawei-shows-off-6-1-inch-android-phablet-130534021.html

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21 Holiday Health Mistakes

1. You Brush Your Teeth After A Glass Of Wine

Do you rush to the bathroom at parties to scrub away red wine stains? You could actually be raising your risk for permanent staining, says dentist Gigi Meinecke, a spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry. Wine's acidity (red or white) can dissolve tooth enamel, and brushing right away can contribute to erosion. Instead, she says, neutralize the acid by rinsing with a glass of water -- and avoid staining in the first place by sipping and immediately swallowing your wine, rather than swishing it in your mouth.

2. You Eat Creamed Spinach

Creamed spinach, green bean casserole, and candied yams are veggies so they must be good for you, right? Not exactly: While antioxidant-rich produce makes up the main components of these dishes, they are overwhelmed with high-fat and/or high-sugar add-ons. Creamed spinach can contain up to 75% of your saturated fat for the day; green bean casserole -- made with butter, cheese, salt, and fried onions -- can have up to 800 calories a batch; and candied yams have up to 38 grams of sugar per serving! (Stay away from fruitcake, while you're at it: One slice can have more than 400 calories!)

3. You 'Eyeball' The Meat To Tell When It?s Done

Some people think that it's possible to judge whether meat is cooked through by checking its color or the juices dripping out of it. "Old cookbooks say to ?cook until there's no pink meat remaining, or until the juices run clear,'" says Ben Chapman, PhD food safety specialist at North Carolina State University. "But there's been quite a bit of research done on both poultry and meat that shows that these are not good indicators of whether they have reached a temperature that's considered safe." Instead, to reduce your risk of foodborne illnesses that can linger on uncooked food, you should use a meat thermometer and make sure you're cooking poultry to 165, and red meat to 160.

You Wash Bagged Lettuce ... Again

You need a salad first course for your holiday feast, so you pick up a ready-to-serve bag of greens at the market. The package says they're twice washed -- but it can't hurt to give them one more wash, right? Actually it can, says Chapman. "A national microbiological safety panel looked at those bags and they concluded that even if you wash them again, you're unlikely to remove any type of pathogens that are still hanging on." By touching the lettuce with your hands and tossing it in a colander, however, you do run the risk of introducing new pathogens, he adds, especially if you've recently been handling raw meat, as well. "The best thing you can do is open the bag and dump it right in a salad bowl, ready to eat."

6. You Plan Your Post Holiday Cleanse

Advertisements for New Year's cleanses and detox diets will promise to rid you of your holiday weight gain. The problem is, severe calorie restrictions and juice-only plans can keep you from getting the vitamins and nutrients your body needs, and, because they cause the body to burn large amounts of fat, they even have the potential to create new toxins. If you're looking forward to a fresh and clean start in the new year, consider a diet full of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains instead.

5. You Don't Eat Before A Party

If you know there's going to food and drinks at the office party tonight, you may think it's best to skip your healthy afternoon snack beforehand. Another bad idea, says J.J. Virgin, certified nutrition specialist and author of <em>Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy</em>. "It makes sense to arrive at a party a little hungry, but to come starving means a glass of wine and appetizers will lead to one big caloric nightmare," she says. "Besides, parties never start when they're supposed to, and you know there's going to be some gooey, crunchy appetizer that will be your undoing." Solution: Taper your appetite by popping a handful of raw almonds before you leave your desk.

7. You Skip Red Meat, But Scarf Down Chicken And Fish

"Red meat has the most saturated fat, but skinless chicken breasts are not far behind -- and actually have more cholesterol than red meat," says Dana Simpler, M.D., internal medicine doctor at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. Watch out for salmon, as well, which is full of healthy fats, but fats nonetheless. Even though they're healthy choices, they don't give you a pass to pig out. With all sources of animal protein, keep serving sizes in mind.

8. You Stick With Your Regular Workout

This may seem like a great way to combat excess holiday pounds, says Jessica Smith, coauthor of <em>The Thin in 10 Weight-Loss Plan</em>. "But it could backfire if you find yourself running ragged trying to get everything done and then getting to the gym on top of it all," she adds. "If your to-do list is already overflowing, don't add stress by forcing in a long workout that may interrupt more important health habits like getting enough sleep." Instead, Smith advises, consider breaking up your usual 45-60 minute workout into split sessions -- try a 15-minute strength routine in the morning before you hit the shower, a 15-minute walk at lunch and a 15-minute yoga flow to help relax you at the end of the day. You may find you are less stressed and still burning as many (if not more) calories than with your usual routine.

9. You Join A Gym In January

The new year is a time for personal reflection and setting goals for self-improvement. It also happens to be when gyms are most crowded, and the staff is busiest signing up new members. If you've been thinking about joining a fitness club, why not use a few of your days off in December to shop around? "It is always wise to visit a gym to make sure it will work for you," says Randy Crawford, an exercise physiology technician at The Ohio State University Center for Wellness and Prevention, and you may get a better feel for the facilities during quieter hours, when you're not rushed to make a decision. "Make sure the hours work with your schedule and the facility has the amenities -- like child care, a family discount, a pool, or personal trainers -- that you desire," he says.

You Give Yourself A Cheat Day ... Or Days

Maybe it starts with doughnuts at your breakfast meeting, or a cookie swap among coworkers. Then comes the holiday luncheon. By the time dinner rolls around, you figure you've already done enough damage -- might as well finish the day off with the richest item on the menu, plus dessert. "It's not just the calories that are the problem here," says Virgin. "You're also psychologically allowing yourself future food deviations and setting yourself up for failure." Letting yourself splurge at truly special events -- like enjoying your sister's stuffing and your mom's pies at Christmas dinner -- is one thing, but don't allow yourself to make excuses for each and every mini holiday celebration. "Have a plan and don't deviate," says Virgin. "If you absolutely must have a dessert, follow my three polite-bite rule: three bites and step away from the cookies."

11. You Go Crazy With The Olive Oil

Olive oil is full of healthy fats, and has no cholesterol and saturated fat the way butter does, so it can certainly be a healthier alternative in many holiday recipes. But before you dip another piece of bread or help yourself to another serving of olive oil-tossed potatoes, remember that it has just as many calories (120 per tablespoon) as any other kind of fat, says Dr. Simpler. Two tablespoons a day may lower your risk for heart disease, but more than that could contribute to weight gain.

12. You Cook (And Eat) Lots Of ?Light? Recipes

If you can stick with a single serving, using lower fat or sugar can be a good way to keep your calories and fat count low when enjoying holiday treats, says Smith. "The trouble is, many people think to themselves, 'It's healthier or lower calorie, so I can have two or three ... or five of these.' They often end up eating as many calories as they would have if they had stuck with a smaller serving of the real deal." Knowing that piece of pie is rich and full of calories may make you more likely to enjoy every bite of a smaller serving, Smith suggest, instead of going with a much larger portion of the 'lighter' version.

13. You Buy An "All Natural" Ham Or Turkey

There may be nothing wrong with meat labeled "all natural" -- but unlike "organic" or "antibiotic-free," all natural simply means that your turkey, for example, doesn't contain artificial ingredients or colors, and has been "minimally processed." This term is open for interpretation; for example, poultry can be injected with sodium and water, and still be labeled "natural." (Check the fine print.)

14. You Swear You'll Have "Just One."

You know the scenario: Your favorite coworker brings in fresh-baked gingerbread cookies and, to be polite, you have one. An hour later, as your blood sugar crashes, you visit the copy machine ? and have another cookie. And the pattern continues, all. day. long. "The commercial had it right," says Virgin: "You can't eat just one. But if you do breakfast and lunch right, you won't get those mid-morning or mid-afternoon cravings. If you need something to munch on mid-day, keep little baggies of raw almonds or apple slices with almond butter at your desk."

15. You Obsess Over (Or Avoid) The Scale All Month

So much food over the holidays may cause you to step on the scale several times a day -- or to slide it under the bed and swear off until the New Year. Both policies can be detrimental to your weight and to your emotional wellbeing, studies show: If daily weigh-ins give you anxiety, consider cutting back to once a week. And to make sure your results are consistent, try to weigh yourself on the same scale and at the same time of day.

16. You Overbook And Stay Up Late

Parties, shopping, baking, and travel add on to our already packed schedules during the holidays, so it?s easy for active, healthy go-getters to fill up their calendars -- and then some. Staying up late and waking up early may help you get everything done, but missing out on sleep can lower your immunity and affect your mood and energy levels. Plus, exposure to bright light at night can raise your risk of depression.

17. You Skip Breakfast Or Lunch

Banking your calories by skipping (or skimping) on meals so that you can eat more at a holiday dinner won't do your waistline any good; in fact, it's a great way to trigger overeating, says Smith. Focus on eating filling, higher fiber foods at regular mealtimes -- a fruit smoothie with spinach and protein powder for breakfast, for example, and a veggie-filled salad with lean protein for lunch -- so you'll still be able to enjoy holiday meal (and treats!) later without going overboard.

18. You Use Antibacterial Soap

It's a good idea to shore up your cold and flu defenses during the winter, especially when you're in close social contact with so many friends, coworkers, and relatives who may be sick. But rushing off to wash your hands with antibacterial soap after every handshake may not protect you the way you think: Unless you're at a hospital or doctor's office, there's no need for such extreme protection -- and studies show that the ingredient triclosan, in many antibacterial products, can contribute to drug-resistant bacteria. Stick with regular soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, instead.

You Get Too Much Sleep

Sleeping in is one of the great pleasures of vacation, and if you have a few days off for the holidays it may be tempting to take advantage of unlimited snoozing. A day or two spent catching up on sleep debt is one thing -- but disrupting your normal sleep patterns for longer than that has the potential to cause chronic sleep problems. Plus, staying in bed for too much of the day, especially during the wintertime, can be a sign of depression.

20. You Save Leftovers, But Don't Check The Temp

You may know the rule about getting leftovers in the refrigerator no more than two hours after they come out of the oven, but do you know the temperature inside your refrigerator? Your milk may taste cold, says Chapman, but many people's fridges aren't kept cold enough to keep bacteria away. Make sure you have a thermometer visible, and that it's kept below 41 degrees.

21. You Decorate With Nature

Everyone loves an arrangement of holly berries and pine cones, or a bunch of mistletoe -- everyone except for the small children and pets who can choke on or be poisoned by the all-natural ornaments. Display these plants with care, and make sure they (and anything that can fall off of them) are out of reach of anyone or anything that might try to eat them. Watch out for real Christmas trees, too, which can be a dangerous fire hazard if they're not treated with care.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/22/holiday-health-mistakes_n_2339932.html

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