China formally appoints top diplomats, defense minister

BEIJING (Reuters) - China formally appointed its two new top diplomats and defense minister on Saturday, positions which had already been flagged in advance as part of the new government of President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

Outgoing foreign minister Yang Jiechi, ambassador to Washington from 2001-2005 and a polished English speaker, was promoted to state councilor with responsibility for foreign policy.

China has only five such councilors and the post is senior to that of foreign minister.

Yang, 62, was replaced as foreign minister by Wang Yi, China's ambassador to Japan from 2004 to 2007 and a one-time pointman on North Korea.

Both were voted in by the ruling Communist Party's hand-picked delegates to the annual session of parliament, meeting in central Beijing's cavernous Great Hall of the People.

Reuters reported on February 27 that both men were likely to get their respective new jobs, signaling that China is keen to get on top of troubled ties with the United States, Japan and North Korea.

Chang Wanquan, who has overseen China's ambitious space program, was chosen as defense minister.

From a humble background, he has advocated the military's modernization, something which has jangled regional nerves, and was the frontrunner for the job.

While he sits on the powerful Central Military Commission, headed by President Xi, he is not one of its vice chairmen. The defense minister is more of a figurehead who will be the Chinese military establishment's face to the outside world.

Defense and foreign policy are both guided by the party's inner circle, the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee, rather than by their respective ministers.

Still, all three men face challenging jobs.

China has looked warily at the U.S. strategic "pivot" to Asia, fearing it is part of efforts to contain China's rising power, and both countries have fundamental disagreements about everything from human rights to trade.

China and Japan, the world's second-and third-largest economies respectively, have always had problematic ties due to Japan's occupation of parts of China until the end of World War Two. But the relationship deteriorated dramatically last year as a spat flared over ownership of a group of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea.

Despite the rhetoric and fears of a military escalation, China and Japan have been trying to set ties back on track, in an acknowledgement of how crucial economic and investment links are. Japanese-speaking Wang should be able to help in this regard.

The urbane Wang, 59, won plaudits for helping improve relations with Taiwan, the self-ruled island China claims as its own, as minister of China's Taiwan Affairs Office. The two sides have signed a series of economic agreements under his watch since 2008.

The other turbulent area Wang has dealt with close up is North Korea, as China's representative from 2007 to 2008 to six-party talks involving the two Koreas, the United States, Japan and Russia aimed at curbing Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

North Korea conducted a third nuclear test on February 12 and is ready to go ahead with a fourth and possibly fifth test. China is the isolated state's only major ally.

(Reporting by Sui-Lee Wee and Ben Blanchard; Editing by Benjamin Kang Lim and Nick Macfie)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/china-formally-appoints-top-diplomats-defense-minister-091852924.html

sherri shepherd sherri shepherd arkansas razorbacks trisomy 18 ozzie guillen ozzie guillen buster posey

Google's Tamar Yehoshua backstage at Expand (video)

Tamar Yehoshua has led Google's efforts to optimize Search across platforms, devices and languages and earlier this afternoon she took to the Expand stage to discuss how the discovery process has changed. Following her talk, Brian Heater caught up with Tamar to chat about the evolution of search and the company's focus on voice. Check out our video after break for the interview in its entirety.

Follow all of Engadget's Expand coverage live from San Francisco right here!

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Google

Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/16/googles-tamar-yehoshua-backstage-at-engadget-expand/

daylight savings time 2012 Where To Vote james harden breeders cup Mitch Lucker Red Cross CMA Awards 2012

International Food and Drink Fest 2013 for Everest : Kaieteur News

?

On Saturday, March 30, 2013, Easter Saturday, the Everest Cricket Ground at Carifesta and Camp Road in Thomas Lands, will become a beacon for gourmands looking to immerse themselves in an eclectic array of new and familiar cuisines and drinks.
This first annual ?International Food and Drink Fest? which is being held in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce of Guyana, and which has been organized by the Guyana Karate College, shall be a one-day gastronomic event filled with fun, authentic signature dishes, yummy treats and famous cocktails and other popular beverages of many countries from around the world, for patrons to feast on.
This Easter Weekend family event scheduled to commence from 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon and which is expected to go well into the night, will have in addition to the sale of international cuisines and drinks, a children?s activity area, live on stage performances by local cultural groups, Latin dance performances, the music of the countries represented at the Festival, a Chef?s cook-off, a Bartending contest, a Farmers? Market, and Beer, Wine and spirits tasting and sales.
For Beer Aficionados, there will be the top beers hailing from many different countries spanning the globe. The depth and breadth of the Festival?s beer stock shall be unsurpassed with a most comprehensive variety.
There will be some of the world?s best dark beer, flavoured beer, lager, pale beer, sour beer, specialty beer, stout & porter and wheat beer from Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Also very experienced Mixologists will be on hand and preparing the famous cocktails of the countries attending including the martinis, highballs, lowballs shooters and tropical drinks such as the Margarita, Mai Tai, White Russian, Caipirinha, Martini, Daiquiri, Mojito, Tom Collins, Pina Colada, Cuba Libre and Sea Breeze etc.
And for the children, young adults and adult teetotalers there will be the most extensive array of non alcoholic beverages available, including smoothies, spritzers, sodas and mocktails.
For Food Lovers, this festival is a celebration of both local and global food including slushes, cheeseburgers, kebabs, lasagna, seafood and spicy Indian curries which will all be a part of the spectacularly varied menu.

Source: http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2013/03/14/international-food-and-drink-fest-2013-for-everest/

aretha franklin stevie wonder new orleans weather new orleans weather sparkle sacagawea new hope baptist church

Mathematics, Seattle University

Position ID: 643-INSTRUCTOR [#4682]
Position Title: Instructor in Mathematics
Position Location: Seattle, Washington 98122, United States [map]
Subject Area: Mathematics
Application Deadline: 2013/04/15 (posted 2013/03/15, listed until 2013/06/13)
Position Description: ? Apply ? ?

The Department of Mathematics at Seattle University invites applications for two full-time instructor positions beginning September 2013. These positions are not on the tenure track, but successful candidates will be offered renewable multi-year contracts. Instructors are expected to teach a variety of undergraduate courses and provide departmental service, which may include advising. A Ph.D. in mathematics or closely related discipline, promise of teaching excellence, and a commitment to undergraduate education are essential. Seattle University, founded in 1891, is a Jesuit Catholic university located on 48 acres on Seattle?s Capitol Hill. More than 7,500 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within eight schools. U.S. News and World Report?s ?Best Colleges 2013? ranks Seattle University among the top 10 universities in the West that offer a full range of masters and undergraduate programs. Seattle University is an equal opportunity employer. Review of applications will begin April 15, 2013. Open until filled.

Application Material Required:

Submit the following items online at this website:

And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:

http://www.seattleu.edu/scieng/math/

?

Department of Mathematics
901 12th Ave,
Seattle WA 98122

---

? 2013 MathJobs.Org, American Mathematical Society. All Rights Reserved.

Source: https://www.mathjobs.org/jobs/643/4682

Sandy Hook Elementary School Colors Cassadee Pope Victoria Soto nbc sports morgan freeman westboro baptist church Survivor Philippines

'Breaking Bad' brings tourists to Albuquerque

This image released by AMC shows Bryan Cranston as Walter White at the fictional restaurant "Los Pollos Hermanos" in a scene from season 2 of the AMC series "Breaking Bad." A Twisters burrito restaurant in Albuquerque that serves as the location for the restaurant has become an international tourist attraction as people come from all over the world to see the spot where a fictional drug trafficker runs his organization. (AP Photo/AMC)

This image released by AMC shows Bryan Cranston as Walter White at the fictional restaurant "Los Pollos Hermanos" in a scene from season 2 of the AMC series "Breaking Bad." A Twisters burrito restaurant in Albuquerque that serves as the location for the restaurant has become an international tourist attraction as people come from all over the world to see the spot where a fictional drug trafficker runs his organization. (AP Photo/AMC)

FILE - In this Aug. 20, 2012 file photo, Debbie Ball, 60, owner of The Candy Lady store in Albuquerque, N.M., displays her new line of "meth candy" made from sugar rock candy. The store supplied some of its "meth candy" to be used as a prop for the blue crystal meth on the TV hit series "Breaking Bad." As ?Breaking Bad? finishes filming its fifth and final season in Albuquerque, the popularity of the show is providing a boost to the economy and creating a dilemma for local tourism officials as they walk the fine line of profiting from a show that centers around drug trafficking, addiction and violence. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2013 file photo, statues of La Santa Muerte are shown at the Masks y Mas art store in Albuquerque, N.M. As ?Breaking Bad? finishes filming its fifth and final season in Albuquerque, the popularity of the show is providing a boost to the economy and creating a dilemma for local tourism officials as they walk the fine line of profiting from a show that centers around drug trafficking, addiction and violence. The store provided the statues used in the chilling opening scene of the show?s third season, in which a pair of cartel assassins crawl to the saint?s shrine in Mexico to request some divine help. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras, File)

FILE - This file image released by AMC shows Bryan Cranston as Walter White, left, and Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman in a scene from the season 5 premiere of "Breaking Bad." As ?Breaking Bad? finishes filming its fifth and final season in Albuquerque, the popularity of the show is providing a boost to the economy and creating a dilemma for local tourism officials as they walk the fine line of profiting from a show that centers around drug trafficking, addiction and violence. (AP Photo/AMC, Ursula Coyote)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) ? A fast-food burrito chain in Albuquerque has become an international tourist attraction as people come from all over the world to see the spot where a fictional drug trafficker runs his organization. A pastry shop sells doughnuts topped with blue candy designed to resemble crystal meth. A beauty store has a similar product ? crystal blue bathing salts.

As "Breaking Bad" finishes filming its fifth and final season in Albuquerque, the popularity of the show is providing a boost to the economy and creating a dilemma for local tourism officials as they walk the fine line of profiting from a show that centers around drug trafficking, addiction and violence. "Breaking Bad" follows the fictional character Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher turned meth lord.

Albuquerque has seen an unexpected jump in tourists visiting popular sites from the show and local businesses cashing in on its popularity. Tourists are also flocking to sites that before the show were unknown and unimportant: the suburban home of White, played by Bryan Cranston; a car wash that is a front for a money-laundering operation on the series; a rundown motel used frequently for filming; and the real-life burrito joint, which is a fast food chicken restaurant on the show. The Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau has even created a website of the show's most popular places around town to help tourists navigate, and ABQ Trolley Company sold out all its "BaD" tours last year at $60 a ticket.

"They ask if they can take pictures. They ask if Gus is here," said Rachel Johnson, 19, a shift manager at the Twisters burrito restaurant in Albuquerque's South Valley, referring to the show's character Gus Fring, played by actor Giancarlo Esposito. The eatery has served as the location for the "Los Pollos Hermanos" restaurant where Fring runs his drug operation on "Breaking Bad."

Other popular shows over the past decade like "Sex and the City" and "The Sopranos" have generated tours and widespread interest in the filming locations, but "Breaking Bad" has seen a unique twist with drug-themed products that have been springing up around Albuquerque.

Debbie Ball, owner of The Candy Lady store, recently capitalized on the show's popularity by selling blue "Breaking Bad" meth treats ? sugar rock candy that looks like the meth sold on the show. Ball provided her candy as props of the show in the first two seasons and said she has sold 20,000 bags of the stuff at $1 apiece. She also launched her own "Breaking Bad" limo tours this year with a driver dressed as Walter White.

"The show is amazing," said Ball. "I don't live too far from Walter White's house."

A pastry shop called the Rebel Donut has among its specialties "Blue Sky" Breaking Bad doughnuts, pieces decorated with blue rock candy. And the Great Face & Body shop recently developed a new line of blue bath salts called "Bathing Bad." (It's actually bath salt used to bathe, not the street drug also known as "bath salt.")

Meanwhile, Masks y Mas Mexican folk art store near the University of New Mexico sells papier mache statues of La Santa Muerte ? Mexico's folk Death Saint who counts drug traffickers among her devotees. During the chilling opening scene of the show's third season, a pair of cartel assassins is shown crawling to the saint's shrine in Mexico to request some divine help.

"We provided the Santa Muerte statues for that shrine in that episode," said store owner Kiko Torres. "The stuff now sells out all of the time."

Tania Armenta, a vice president for the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the city has seen positive benefits from the show's popularity, from demands for tours to inquiries from other production companies seeking to film in Albuquerque. The Legislature also passed what has been labeled the "Breaking Bad" bill this year that provides tax breaks to TV shows that film in New Mexico.

"It's raised the visibility of the city," said Armenta. "They are intrigued by the scenic images that they see."

Still, tourism officials and business owners are quick to point out that they are walking a fine line in trying not to promote the dark themes from "Breaking Bad." But their pride in the show taking place in Albuquerque ? and the money that it brings in ? is often enough to offset their concerns.

Ball said the show doesn't glorify the drug war but rather educates the public on its dangers.

"Watch it with your children. Yes, it's dark," said Ball. "It actually educates you about meth, about making it and what actually happens to you when you walk down that road."

The show's themes prompted Miguel Jaramillo, 28, and Kim Shay, 38, both of Albuquerque, to take their own tour of the "Breaking Bad" sites around town during a recent afternoon.

While at the Crossroads Motel, known on the show as a den for meth use and prostitution, Jaramillo took photos with a smartphone and uploaded them to his Instagram account. In a day's time, the pair had visited more than six sites and planned on seeing more.

"This is part of my geekiness, I guess," said Jaramillo, who recently fell in love with the show before realizing how big of a role Albuquerque played in it. "I'm geeking out today."

___

Follow Russell Contreras on Twitter at http://twitter.com/russcontreras

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-03-15-Breaking%20Bad%20Tourism/id-43e7782ba9f74501afb389ddccede62e

devils dodgers rachel maddow gia la riots new jersey devils torn acl

CSN: Pats eye D, host Freeney, Abraham, Wilson

The Patriots will host former Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney on a free agent visit, according to a source.
?
Freeney and fellow Foxboro visitors John Abraham and Adrian Wilson,? have combined to play in 16 Pro Bowls and have earned six All-Pro selections. Their combined age is 100 (Freeney and Wilson are 33; Abraham is 34).
?
Freeney has also been in Denver, where the Broncos are trying to leverage Elvis Dumervil into a contract restructuring. The Broncos will remain in play for Freeney.
?
Abraham has drawn interest from the Seahawks, 49ers, Bucs and Titans. Wilson is making his first visit.
?
While Freeney and Abraham would be nice complements, Wilson could be the most necessary addition. After having a terrific season in 2011, his play fell off in 2012 and ? in November ? he was off the field in nickel situations for Arizona.
?
In New England, he could provide a nice blend between Devin McCourty and Tavon Wilson and be ? even at 34 ? an upgrade to what Patrick Chung brought the team in 2012. Even as the NFL moves away from big-hitting safeties, the threat of mayhem over the middle does not exist at the back end of the Patriots defense. Even though he?s technically perfect as a tackler, McCourty is built to be a free safety, not an enforcer supporting at the linebacker level.
?
Between Abraham and Freeney, the Patriots are clearly trying to tap one to be a situational pass rusher. If they can get production from that spot as they did in 2011 with Andre Carter, AND blend that with the promise of young Chandler Jones, the defense pass rush should improve from 2012.

Source: http://www.csnne.com/blog/patriots-talk/patriots-hosting-freeney-abraham-and-wilson-free-agent-visits

ncaa football CES russell wilson Pokemon nhl jillian michaels Freddy E

California governor Brown says state needs to look at "fracking"

By Rory Carroll

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California Governor Jerry Brown, a prominent environmentalist, said on Wednesday the state should consider the use of "fracking" technology to develop its massive shale oil reserves and reduce reliance on imported oil.

Brown, who led California's efforts to curb climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cautioned the state would develop rules to preserve the environment, and said many questions on the technology were still to be answered.

"We want to get the greenhouse gas emissions down, but we also want to keep our economy going. That's that balance that's required," he said at an event to announce the approval of three new renewable energy projects.

U.S. oil and natural gas production has soared on the back of technological advances based on fracking, which involves injecting water and chemicals to fracture rock formations and unlock deposits that are untappable by conventional means.

While most production so far is from deposits has come from states in the U.S. interior, California hosts the vast Monterey shale deposit, which the U.S. Energy Department has estimated could hold upward of 15 billion barrels of oil, about 64 percent of the nation's total shale oil resources.

Because of its geology, the Monterey shale is particularly deep and hard to reach, presenting challenges to oil companies hoping to extract its huge resources.

Environmental groups have also taken a hard line against fracking, saying it has the potential to pollute drinking water supplies.

Some groups have called for an outright ban on the practice in California, and state lawmakers have introduced a flurry of bills that seek to regulate the industry.

Brown said any decisions on fracking would be based on science and common sense, and on a process that "listens to people but also wants to take advantage of the great opportunities we have."

"The fossil fuel deposits in California are incredible, the potential is extraordinary," he said. "But between now and development lies a lot of questions that need to be answered."

Even if California cut its dependence on oil altogether, it could still make sense to continue producing oil if it can be sold elsewhere, he added.

If the Monterey deposit was fully developed, it could produce about 600,000 barrels of oil a day, doubling the state's current production levels and eliminating all foreign imports into California for 50 years, said Tupper Hull, a spokesman for the refiner group Western States Petroleum Association.

However, he added that such a level of production was unlikely to be reached quickly given the difficult geology of the Monterey shale.

(Reporting by Rory Carroll; Editing by Richard Pullin)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/california-governor-brown-says-state-needs-look-fracking-023347909.html

blunt amendment justin bieber birthday read across america vikings stadium breitbart dead db cooper fafsa

Vatican spokesman: Cardinals have gone into 'a retreat'

By Eun Kyung Kim, TODAY contributor

As the world watches for signs of whether its Catholic leaders have chosen a new pope, the conclave of cardinals making that decision feel no pressure to rush through the process, the Vatican spokesman said Wednesday.

The cardinals are aware of the urgency from outsiders, but among themselves, they?re more concerned about their key mission, spokesman Greg Burke told TODAY.

?They?re lopped off from television and from the newspapers and all the rest and, as of yesterday, the climate has really changed. They?ve gone into, essentially, a retreat,? where they spend most of their time praying, Burke said.

Story: More black smoke over Vatican: No decision on pope?

?They?re not too worried of getting it over in a day or two days or, as some people have said, getting back by Palm Sunday, but of really choosing the person they believe should lead the Catholic world,? he said.

The conclave of 115 cardinals eligible to select a new pope must reach a two-third majority ? or 77 votes ? to settle on a successor to Benedict XVI.

?If it had happened this morning, that would have been a great surprise,? Burke said.

The cardinals are keenly aware of how much social responsibility rests on the next pope, he said. Sexual scandals and financial crisis have rocked the Vatican in recent years, and Catholic cardinals and bishops have spent time openly addressing the topics over the past several weeks, Burke said.

?That?s part of it. One cardinal has said, too, ?It?s interesting that the media has one idea of what?s going on in there, and then there?s the real news, which is going on in there,?? he said. ?So I think it?s a part of it. I don?t think responsibility, accountability are perhaps the top thing. They are, in the end, looking for somebody they?re calling the vicar of Christ, and that is the key thing they?re looking for.?

The new pope will ultimately succeed Benedict XVI, who became the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years. He stepped down last month as the leader of the Roman Catholics, citing health reasons.

Media reports have described Benedict watching the proceedings, looking for black or white smoke to emerge from the Sistine Chapel chimney like thousands of others.

?I don?t think he?s watching every day,? Burke said. ?He watched the initial things yesterday, and I assume from now on, it will be the news, just like he watches every day.?

More:?TODAY Tech: Vatican publishes Pope Benedict XVI e-book
Roman tailor is ready to clothe new pope (whatever his size)
Sunday Mass protest: Priest burns pope?s picture?
Producer's notebook: Looking back at the election of Pope Benedict XVI

Source: http://todaynews.today.com/_news/2013/03/13/17295599-vatican-spokesman-cardinals-have-gone-into-a-retreat?lite

Alexis Wright presidential debates Felix Baumgartner Little Nemo gawker Romney Bosses Day 2012

The best number for Democrats in the Washington Post-ABC poll (Washington Post)

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

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/291194546?client_source=feed&format=rss

whitney houston cause of death marquette university marquette city creek center hilary duff michigan state michigan state

Towns Consider Mandatory Gun Ownership in Homes

Should every homeowner in America be required to own a firearm? A few towns across the country have considered measures to determine just that.

On Monday night, voters in the small town of Byron, Maine, home to about 150 people, struck down a proposal that would require all homeowners to own a gun. The proposed article said, "Shall the town require all households to have firearms and ammunition to protect its citizens?"

Over 50 voters gathered at the town's annual meeting and voted nearly unanimously against the proposal. Anne Simmons-Edmunds, head selectman for Byron, said the measure failed because it was billed as a requirement, not a suggestion or recommendation.

"I think really people got hung up on the word 'required' and there are some people in town that even though they have guns, they didn't want it mandated to them that they had to be ready to protect its citizens," Simmons-Edmunds told ABC News. "For me, it was to make a statement. For me, I'm very much in favor of our Second Amendment rights and they've worked for so long. I really don't want to see them changed."

In Nelson, Ga., a town about 50 miles north of Atlanta, the town council gave initial approval last week to a similar ordinance, which includes exceptions for convicted felons, the physically disabled, mentally ill, conscientious objectors, and people who the council describes as "paupers." Councilwoman Edith Portillo said she expects it to become law at the council's meeting next April, though it will likely not be enforced because it allows people to refuse to have guns, based on their beliefs or religion.

"We thought that for the city of Nelson this would be a good thing. It's a preventative measure so our citizens could feel safe if, God forbid, anything should happen and they had to use their firearms that they would be protected by law in the city of Nelson," Portillo told ABC News. "We have been called big government, which is laughable? I am totally against big government infringing in our lives, this is not the case."

"Whoever wants a gun can have one in their homes, and if they don't, God bless," she added.

While these measures have sprung up in a few towns since Congress has started considering new gun proposals in the wake of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary, one town enacted such a rule over 30 years ago.

In 1982, the town of Kennesaw, Ga., passed an ordinance requiring "every head of household to maintain a firearm together with ammunition." Kennesaw acted in response to a law passed in Morton Grove, Ill., which banned guns in its city limits.

While the law still exists today, the town of Kennesaw says on its website that the law "has never been enforced and many current residents are probably unaware of it."

Laurence Tribe, a professor of constitutional law at Harvard Law School, said that such measures would be of "doubtful constitutionality."

"Although Congress in the 1790s required all able-bodied men to purchase and keep a firearm for militia purposes, state or local laws forcing every homeowner to own a gun would be of doubtful constitutionality today," Tribe told ABC News.

"The reason, ironically, is the Supreme Court's Second Amendment holding in Heller and McDonald [two Supreme Court cases], grounding the right to keep and bear arms in each individual's right to self-defense as a core facet of personal liberty," he said. "Especially given the ample data that guns in the home are most often turned against the homeowner herself, the right to self-defense probably includes a right to rid one's home of firearms if that is one's choice - just as the right to speak one's mind includes a right not to express a view one does not hold."

A Pew Research Center poll released Tuesday found that 48 percent of gun owners cite protection as their primary concern for obtaining a firearm, but nearly six in ten of those who did not own guns in their homes said they would be uncomfortable with the presence of a firearm in their household

42 percent of adults reported that they or someone in their home owns a gun, according to an ABC News/Washington Post poll released Tuesday.

Also Read

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/towns-consider-mandatory-gun-ownership-homes-100805782--abc-news-politics.html

Susan Rice American Airlines the Who jon bon jovi jon bon jovi Kliff Kingsbury Amish Mafia

Ben Heck combines PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U into one console to rule them all (video)

Most TV stands don't have the space for the litany of home entertainment equipment we have these days, much less three different gaming consoles. Well, Ben Heck has decided to do something about it in a special three-part series: by cobbling together a PlayStation 3, an Xbox 360 and a Wii U and housing them in an all-in-one custom enclosure that would set any gamer's heart aflutter. The first step to this "Ultimate Combo Gaming System" is to tear everything apart, which is what Heck does in part one of the series, available to view downstairs. Let's just hope he'll repeat the process once he finally gets his hands on that mythical PS4...

Filed under: Gaming

Comments

Source: element14

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/UOzKuYwIH5w/

ricky martin chauncey billups caucus results exton ricky williams kurt warner kurt warner

February 2013 Sales - Nantucket Real Estate

23 Morey Lane

There were?22 sales on Nantucket for the?month of February 2013,?down from?30 in February 2012.? The decrease is due to the large number of closings (71 sales) that occurred in?December 2012, largely because of the proposed changes in estate planning and tax regulations.? The total dollars represented by the?22 sales was $27 million+;? in 2012 it was $41 million+.

The average price of a Nantucket property is now $1,633,000, up 20.24% from one year ago.? The average selling price of a Nantucket property as of the end of 2012 was just over $1,200,000.

The least expensive?residential sale in?February was of a condominium unit at 23A West Chester, selling for $435,000.? The least expensive land sale was the sale of 11A Gray Avenue, a .39 acre?vacant lot in the Mid-Island area, selling for $375,000.? The most expensive sale in February was the sale of 23 Morey Lane in Sconset.? The property had been listed at $8,495,000 and sold for $7,200,000.? It was a grand old shingle-style home with cottage, completely renovated and on a large piece of land in the village.

Year to Date

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 at 1:13 pm and is filed under Nantucket Real Estate News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Source: http://www.nantucketrealestate.com/NantucketRealEstate/?p=6690

London 2012 shot put London 2012 Track And Field Jordyn Wieber michael phelps Kerri Strug Ledecky Nadia Comaneci

Gaming Stocks on the Rise with Passage of Internet Gambling Bills ...

Approval of Internet gaming bills in Nevada and New Jersey less than a week apart helped fuel investors? interest in the gaming industry during the last half of February.

The largest beneficiary was Caesars Entertainment Corp.

Nevada and New Jersey began implementing online gaming websites directed at customers gambling on computers or mobile devices within state borders.

Gov. Brian Sandoval signed Nevada?s interactive gaming bill Feb. 21 after less than one day of debate. Not to be outdone, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed his state?s online gaming bill Tuesday after state lawmakers approved changes suggested by the governor when he vetoed the initial legislation.

Caesars owns four of Atlantic City?s 12 casinos. In Las Vegas, Caesars operates 10 casinos on or near the Strip.

But the company also owns the popular World Series of Poker.

During February, the average daily price per share of Caesars Entertainment rose 46 percent, based primarily on the speculation surrounding Internet gaming in Nevada and New Jersey.

?(Caesars) already has ? experience operating online gaming internationally,? Moody?s gaming analyst Peggy Holloway said. ?Additionally, Caesars has a relationship with 888 Holdings, a popular online gaming entertainment and solutions provider.?

Only four casino operators of the 12 publicly traded gaming companies followed by Las Vegas-based investment firm Applied Analysis experienced a decrease in their average daily stock prices during February.

Slot machine manufacturer WMS Industries saw its average daily stock price jump almost 40 percent in February, but that was because of the company?s announced $1.5 billion buyout by lottery equipment provider Scientific Games.

The anticipation over Internet gaming drew the attention of investors.

?While there are still a number of regulatory and logistical issues to be addressed, it is clear the industry is well positioned to take advantage of increased technological capabilities of this emerging sector,? Applied Analysis principal Brian Gordon told the firm?s clients in a research report Thursday.

The Applied Analysis Gaming Index, which takes into account more than 300 market variables, fell 2 points to 457.78. A 1.2 percent decline in the average price per share of Wynn Resorts was a primary contribution to the Index?s loss.

Also Thursday, MGM Resorts International announced its MGM China subsidiary will make semiannual dividend payments not to exceed 35 percent of the businesses? anticipated annual profits.

MGM Resorts owns 51 percent of MGM China . MGM China?s board announced a special dividend of $500 million, to be paid to shareholders March 18 .

Deutsche Bank gaming analyst Carlo Santarelli said the dividend would be viewed positively by shareholders because it provides MGM Resorts with a stable stream of cash that would further bolster the company?s balance sheet.

Contact reporter Howard Stutz at hstutz@reviewjournal .com or?702-477-3871. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.
________________________________________________________________
Copyright 2013 Stephens Media Interactive GamingWire.
All rights reserved.

Source: http://pokerati.com/2013/03/gaming-stocks-on-the-rise-with-passage-of-internet-gambling-bills/

2012 nfl draft grades young justice nfl draft d rose iman shumpert mayweather vs cotto shumpert

Syria used local militias for mass killings

GENEVA (Reuters) - The Syrian government is reportedly using local militias known as Popular Committees to commit mass killings which are at times sectarian in nature, U.N. human rights investigators said on Monday.

The uprising in Syria erupted two years ago with largely peaceful protests but escalated into a civil war pitting mainly Sunni Muslim rebels against President Bashar al-Assad, whose Alawite faith is an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam.

"In a disturbing and dangerous trend, mass killings allegedly perpetrated by Popular Committees have at times taken on sectarian overtones," the U.N. commission of inquiry on Syria, led by Brazilian Paulo Pinheiro, said in its latest report to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.

"Some appear to have been trained and armed by the government," they said.

The independent investigators, who cited accounts from witnesses and victims, said people were being harassed or arrested by government-allied militia because they came from regions perceived as being supportive of the revolt.

Popular Committees have been documented as operating across Syria, "where at times they are alleged to be participating in house-to-house searches, identity checks, mass arrests, looting and acting as informants," they said in a 10-page report.

The conflict is mired in a "destructive stalemate" amid heavy shelling and air raids by government forces, they said.

Both sides have committed violations against civilians, the U.N. investigators said. They were pursuing probes into about 20 cases of massacres, including three in Homs at the start of the year, despite their lack of access to the country.

The bodies of some of those killed in massacres have been burned or dumped in rivers, they said.

"TIDAL WAVE" OF DISPLACEMENT

"Indiscriminate and widespread shelling, the regular bombardment of cities, mass killing and the deliberate firing on civilian targets have come to characterize the daily lives of civilians in Syria," Pinheiro said.

Hospitals have been targeted and medical staff arrested, he said, denouncing the use of medical care "as a tactic of war".

Pinheiro called for a political solution to the crisis which he said had set off a "tidal wave" of displacement.

More than 1 million Syrian refugees have fled abroad and 2.5 million are uprooted within the country, while more than 70,000 people have been killed, according to the United Nations.

Rebel forces often execute captured Syrian soldiers and militiamen, and have established detention centers in Homs and Aleppo, the report said.

Rebels have also taken up positions in or near densely populated areas, in violation of international law, it said.

Syrian warplanes bombed the shattered Baba Amr district in the central city of Homs on Monday, a day after rebels made a surprise push into their former bastion, which had been in army hands for a year.

Syria's ambassador Faysal Khabbaz dismissed the U.N. report as based on "partial information from untrustworthy sources" and accused Qatar and Turkey of "supporting terrorism" in Syria.

"There is a conspiracy against Syria. Qatar has financed and armed tens of thousands of mercenaries from 30 countries. Turkey has provided the military bases and sent them into Syria on their jihad," Khabbaz Hamoui said.

Russia called the report "unbalanced" and said there was much evidence to show that the armed opposition was using sexual violence as a weapon and training child soldiers in camps.

The European Union and United States denounced continuing crimes and said that those responsible must be held accountable.

"If concerns about war crimes and crimes against humanity are not adequately addressed on a national level, the International Criminal Court should deal with the situation," said EU ambassador Maria Angela Zappia.

U.S. ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe condemned the "regime's brutality" and said: "We are also deeply concerned by reports of abuses by opposition-affiliated forces and the presence of foreign forces and violent extremists who are attempting to hijack the legitimate struggle of the Syrian people."

(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; additional reporting by Robert Evans; Editing by Pravin Char)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-government-uses-militias-mass-killings-u-n-122744276.html

azerbaijan ryan howard ps i love you ray charles cheney heart transplant weather san diego unitarian

AP source: Google to pay $7M to settle Wi-Fi case

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ? Google will pay a $7 million penalty to settle a multistate investigation into the Internet search leader's collection of emails, passwords and other sensitive information sent over wireless networks several years ago in neighborhoods scattered around the world.

The resolution will close a joint investigation by attorneys general in about 30 states, according to a person familiar with the matter. The person asked not to be identified because the settlement isn't expected to be announced until early next week.

The $7 million will be shared among all the states, the person said. Google's revenue this year is expected to surpass $61 billion. At that pace, Google brings in an average of $7 million in revenue per hour.

The case dates back to 2010 when Google Inc. revealed that company cars taking street-level photos for its online mapping service also had been vacuuming up personal data transmitted over wireless networks that weren't protected by passwords. Google blamed the snooping, which started in 2007, on an overzealous engineer who installed an intrusive piece of software on equipment that the company said was only supposed to detect the location of wireless networks.

That explanation didn't placate outraged privacy watchdogs or government regulators in the U.S. and other countries who opened investigations into the company's surveillance of Wi-Fi networks that were operating mostly in homes and small businesses.

The multistate inquiry in the U.S. initially was being led by Connecticut, which is now part of an executive committee overseeing the matter.

A spokeswoman for Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen declined to say whether Google had agreed to a settlement. The investigation is still "active and ongoing," Jepsen spokeswoman Susan Kinsman said Friday.

Google has maintained it didn't break any U.S. laws by grabbing information sent over open networks, but has repeatedly apologized for a breach of online etiquette. The company, which is based in Mountain View, Calif., issued another note of contrition when contacted Friday.

"We work hard to get privacy right at Google," the company said. "But in this case we didn't, which is why we quickly tightened up our systems to address the issue."

The $7 million will represent the largest sum that the Google has paid so far in the various U.S. investigations into the so-called "Wi-Spy" matter. Last year, the Federal Communications Commission fined Google $25,000 for impeding its investigation. The Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission both decided not to penalize Google after looking into the Wi-Fi data-gathering.

Google has committed other privacy gaffes that have gotten it into trouble with the FTC. In the most expensive episode so far, Google last year faced allegations that it had been secretly tracking the online activities of Web surfers using Apple Inc.'s Safari browser. Without acknowledging any wrongdoing, Google paid a $22.5 million fine to the FTC in that case.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/495d344a0d10421e9baa8ee77029cfbd/Article_2013-03-08-Google-Wi-Fi%20Investigation/id-460f587a5a5c40289f0d408120ad46c4

bagpipes aspirin aspirin 21 jump street illinois primary results acapulco mexico hines ward

Newt Gingrich interested in joining 'Apprentice'

AP, EPA file

Donald Trump and Newt Gingrich.

By The Hollywood Reporter

Newt Gingrich won't rule out competing on a reality show. The former Republican presidential candidate told conservative radio host Laura Ingraham that he would compete on Donald Trump's NBC reality show "The Celebrity Apprentice" if asked.

PHOTOS: Actors who've played politicians

"Sure, why not?" Gingrich said on Wednesday's show, as quoted by Politico. "I've known the Donald, we've done fundraisers together. But look, I think Republicans would be so much better off and relaxed (to) go on shows like that and be interesting."

Trump has drawn ire over some of his more controversial comments, including his criticism of Barack Obama and long-running public questioning of whether the president is really a U.S. citizen.

But Gingrich and Ingraham -- who also said she'd go on the show -- had nothing but praise for Trump, who both hosts and executive produces "Celebrity Apprentice," and the way he's able brand himself and make headlines.

PHOTOS: "All-Star Celebrity Apprentice": Meet the contestants (again)

"Donald Trump is a phenomenon," Gingrich said. "Donald Trump has no meaning in American politics except that he is a billionaire who is interesting and who is very clever at getting in the news."

Incidentally, Gingrich wouldn't be the first politician to appear on "Celebrity Apprentice." Disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich also competed in 2010 but was fired in episode four.

The first-ever all-star edition of "Celebrity Apprentice" is currently airing at 9 p.m. Sundays on NBC.

Related content:

More in The Clicker:

Source: http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2013/03/11/17268701-newt-gingrich-says-hed-join-celebrity-apprentice-if-asked?lite

david choe national wear red day gunner kiel gunner kiel groundhog soulja boy punxsutawney phil

PST: Chelsea rally, force FA Cup replay vs. United

Who would have possibly imagined seeing an Manchester United side so enfeebled? Looking suddenly so fragile and emotional spent? At home, no less!

Chelsea fully earned an FA Cup replay in the coming days at Stamford Bridge, utterly standing on Manchester United in the second half of Sunday?s highly entertaining contest at Old Trafford. In fact, while Chelsea will feel OK in the big picture about the 2-2 draw that brings the clash of EPL giants back to London, the cast from Stamford Bridge will rightly feel they should have finished this one.

The Red Devils could still rally, shuffle past Chelsea in FA Cup redemption and go on to a 2013 double, writing yet another chapter in the storied Alex Ferguson opus. Yes, it could happen.

Still, there is no escaping the dark-and-storminess that has been Manchester United?s week. First came the Champions League crash-out to Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho may have proclaimed that the best team lost. Fair enough. But lose the Red Devils did.

But to have a 2-0 lead at home into the second half ? and now face a replay against Chelsea just days later? That is the stuff of nightmares, Manchester United?s version of pychos and chainsaws.

They looked so shaky, particularly in the back, as John Obi Mikel made the difference in midfield, and as Juan Mata and Eden Hazard rode in on waves of late attacking menace.

If not for David de Gea, the goalkeeper who has surely answered questions about his ability and worthiness to guard the fabled Old Trafford goal, this would be worse yet. (As Juan Mata cut inside with the silkiest, most skill touch late in this one, winding up to shoot from point-blank range, who among us watching weren?t saying ?goal? as if it were sure as water running downhill?)

And this is without mentioning the sideshow, the ridiculously premature obituary-writing of Wayne Rooney?s career.

Presumably, Ferguson?s men can hang onto their league lead. They?ll bounce back enough for that. Past that, however ? it?s fair to wonder about just how much this gut-punch of a week will take out of Ferguson?s men.

Source: http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/10/manchester-united-nothing-decided-but-what-was-revealed/related/

ides of march elizabeth smart nick young south dakota state long beach state beasley trailblazers

YouTube Co-Founder to Launch Rival Video Site

YouTube already has its fair share of rivals on all sides, from Vimeo to Hulu. Now, though, one of YouTube's co-founders, Chris Hurley, is planning to create a rival of his own. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/rBjrHu_849E/youtube-co+founder-to-launch-rival-video-site

Shakira iOS 6 bank of america Yunel Escobar Eye Black Cruel Summer Endeavor shaun white

Jifiti Lets You Teleport Products To Your Friends?Sorta

The idea for Jifiti came about because Shaul Weisband ? one of the creators of the app and company behind it ? wanted to ?teleport? gifts to friends. While teleportation is still not really possible, the team at Jifiti has done the next best thing and is aiming to incorporate this into a new way of shopping. And I think retailers are going to like it.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/Fzse6Xf4HIA/

james farentino somali pirates navy seals navy seal team 6 tim gunn tim gunn built to last

TV Week in Review: Who's Knocked Up?

Source:

ron paul maine safe house jay z and beyonce baby cpac powell the last lecture kim jong un

Heavy snowfall blankets Colorado

DENVER (Reuters) - A powerful Pacific storm dumped heavy snow across Colorado on Saturday, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights at Denver International Airport and the postponement of a Major League Soccer game.

No part of Colorado was spared from the fast-moving storm, which triggered blizzard conditions on the state's eastern plains, the National Weather Service said.

A foot of heavy, wet snow is forecast to fall in the Denver metropolitan area, with higher totals expected in the foothills west of the city before the system moves out toward Kansas and Nebraska in the evening, said National Weather Service meteorologist Kari Bowen.

More than 500 flights in and out of Denver International Airport were canceled on Saturday, although the facility remains open, said airport spokesman Heath Montgomery.

"Many of the canceled flights are commuter flights that go to mountain towns," Montgomery said.

But air passengers can expect delays of up to 30 minutes as crews de-ice departing aircraft, he said.

The Colorado Rapids postponed their Major League Soccer game against the Philadelphia Union until Sunday, the team said on its website.

Blowing and drifting snow prompted the closure of a 180-mile (290-km) stretch of Interstate 70 in both directions between Denver and the Kansas state line, the Colorado Department of Transportation said in an alert.

Westbound lanes of Interstate 70 have also been closed at the Eisenhower Tunnel in the mountains 50 miles west of Denver. "Conditions are rapidly deteriorating in many areas of the state," the department warned.

The heaviest snow accumulations are forecast in the southwest mountains, with up to 2 feet of snow predicted, Bowen said.

Winds gusts up to 35 mph prompted the weather service to issue a blizzard warning for a dozen eastern Colorado counties, where travel is being discouraged.

The snowfall was good news for farmers in eastern Colorado, who have been in the grips of a multi-year drought.

(Editing by Alex Dobuzinskis; Editing by Peter Cooney)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/heavy-snow-blankets-colorado-prompts-flight-cancellations-221706612--sow.html

nigel barker 420 secret service fenway park philadelphia flyers 4/20 student loan forgiveness

North Carolina university faces federal probe of sexual assault cases

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Reuters) - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has less than three weeks to respond to a probe by federal education officials into allegations of wide-ranging problems with the way the school handles sexual assault cases.

A complaint filed in January by five women claims that reports of sexual harassment and assault have not been properly investigated by the state's flagship public university.

The women, who include current and former students and a former administrator, also accuse the school of suppressing information regarding the prevalence of such incidents.

In an open letter to the campus community on Friday, university Chancellor Holden Thorp said the school would cooperate with the investigation by the U.S. Department of Education.

"In fact, we welcome it," he said. "Our response will show how the university has made significant changes in the past 18 months about how sexual assault complaints are handled."

The allegations against the school have prompted campus rallies and drawn national attention, particularly since one of the women in the complaint said she was accused of violating the school's honor code after speaking out about her alleged rape.

University officials said they have no control over charges made by the student-run Honor Court and deny that the school was retaliating against the student for filing the complaint.

Another woman in the complaint, who has publicly identified herself as a victim of sexual assault, compiled the stories of dozens of students whose similar claims she says were dismissed or downplayed by university officials.

"I was hearing stories almost every day, and I was the only one listening to them," student Andrea Pino said in an interview broadcast by the WRAL television station.

The March 1 letter announcing the investigation by the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights was released by UNC officials this week. Administrators have been asked to provide a detailed listing of all sexual harassment complaints, university policies and training materials by March 21.

The department said its decision to investigate did not suggest that a determination has been made about the merits of the complaint.

Thorp, whose tenure has been marred by revelations of academic fraud related to student athletes, has pledged to improve the school's handling of sexual assault cases before he leaves for a new job at Washington University in St. Louis this summer.

The University of North Carolina has hired a nationally recognized expert in sexual assault issues to hold discussions with students, teachers and staff over the next several weeks.

"To make meaningful changes that will improve how sexual assault is addressed at Carolina, we must have an open and honest dialogue," Thorp wrote in his letter on Friday.

"Sexual assault is one of the greatest challenges facing campuses across the nation, including Carolina, and it is an issue that I am committed to addressing before I leave office," he said.

(Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Cynthia Johnston and Lisa Shumaker)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/north-carolina-university-faces-federal-probe-sexual-assault-012205823.html

barbra streisand hugh jackman Aly Raisman Dancing With the Stars 2013 Oscar Results Jennifer Lawrence Fall Ang Lee

Emotion-health connection not limited to industrialized nations

Mar. 7, 2013 ? Positive emotions are known to play a role in physical well-being, and stress is strongly linked to poor health, but is this strictly a "First World" phenomenon? In developing nations, is the fulfillment of basic needs more critical to health than how one feels? A UC Irvine researcher has found that emotions do affect health around the world and may, in fact, be more important to wellness in low-income countries.

The study, which appears online in Psychological Science, is the first to examine the emotion-health connection in a representative sample of 150,000 people in 142 countries. Previous research on the topic has been limited to industrialized nations.

"We wondered whether the fact that emotions make a difference in our health is simply because we have the luxury of letting them," said Sarah Pressman, assistant professor of psychology & social behavior and the study's lead author. "We wanted to assess the impact of emotions on health in places where people face famine, homelessness and serious safety concerns that might be more critical correlates of wellness."

Against expectations, researchers found that the link between positive emotions (enjoyment, love, happiness) and health is stronger in countries with a weaker gross domestic product. In fact, the association increased as GDP decreased, according to Pressman.

People in Malawi, which has a per capita GDP of $900, show a more robust connection between positive emotions and health than residents of the U.S., which has a per capita GDP of $49,800.

"A hostile American with hypertension can take blood pressure-lowering medication. A Malawian cannot," Pressman said. "Medical interventions might lower the impact of emotions on health."

Using data from the Gallup World Poll, researchers noted whether participants had reported experiencing enjoyment, love, happiness, worry, sadness, stress, boredom, depression or anger during the previous day. They also measured physical health and the degree to which subjects' basic needs were met. Security was assessed by asking if participants felt safe walking alone at night or whether they had been robbed, assaulted or mugged.

"We hope that by showing that this phenomenon is prevalent and stronger than some factors considered critical to wellness, more attention will be drawn to the importance of studying both positive and negative emotions," Pressman said.

She co-authored the study with Shane Lopez of the Gallup Organization and Matthew Gallagher of Boston University.

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 University of California - Irvine.

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

---

Journal Reference:

1. S. D. Pressman, M. W. Gallagher, S. J. Lopez. Is the Emotion-Health Connection a "First-World Problem"? Psychological Science, 2013; DOI: 10.1177/0956797612457382

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

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_health/~3/YxWzFvYcN6o/130308103421.htm

john edwards conocophillips octomom dan savage new world trade center kellen moore ryan braun

DIYRockets starts a challenge to build open source, 3D-printed rocket engines

DIYRockets believes that our chances of advancing space exploration improve when everyone can lend a hand. The company is putting its money where its mouth is by launching a competition to develop 3D-printed rocket motors using Sunglass' cloud design platform. Teams who sign up have to build an engine that could boost a nanosatellite-level payload into low Earth orbit using 3D-printed steel and other safe materials. The only major stipulations are that creators present a good business case and open-source their creations to help out other builders. DIYRockets' prize strategy reflects its for-the-greater-good ambitions: there's a $5,000 award for the best motor, but there are separate $2,500 prizes for both a student creation and the design that contributes the most to the industry. Registration officially starts on March 9th, and runs until April 6th, with the finished models due on June 1st. We'll be closer to a crowdsourced vision of space when the winners are revealed by July 1st.

Filed under: Transportation, Science

Comments

Source: DIYRockets

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/C4xf8Bzk3gg/

Johnny Pesky spice girls justin theroux Bumbo recall USA Basketball taio cruz taio cruz

horse for sale - Aguilar - Pets For Sale, PT60021

| PT60021 | 08 Mar, 2013 |

?? Aguilar, Colorado

Features Reply to this Ad

frasian Are you looking for a healthy friendly zebra to add to your family? This is Stripes, he will be a year old in Feb. He has been a great zebra for us. We have used him in many print adds, photo shoots, commercials, and children events. He is easy to halter and catch. He loves to hop into a trailer and go to work. He will always greet you with a smile. He is still intact. This would make a great riding zebra he is easy to saddle and we have put kids on his back and started ground driving him. Or a zebra to cross to your horses or donkeys as he has been raised with both. He was not bottle fed. Just had the correct professional training as a youngster.

Source: http://aguilar-co.classi4us.com/ad/pets-for-sale-horse-for-sale-pid60021

david bowie elvis presley elvis presley Pretty Little Liars Rob Parker Comcast Pokemon X and Y

Forest Service may let more fires burn

FILE - In this file photo taken Saturday, June 9, 2012, smoke billows from the Little Bear fire in southeastern New Mexico near Ruidoso, NM. When lightning sparks a wildfire deep in remote wilderness, U.S. Forest Service firefighters in recent years have been under orders to respond immediately, often trekking miles through steep, dense terrain with heavy gear to extinguish the blaze as quickly as possible. The agency?s policy to kill all fires, no matter how small or remote, was meant to decrease the threat of a spreading catastrophe in an increasingly parched, drought-stricken Western landscape. But in 2012 the forest service spent hundreds of millions over its budget, leading to a new approach to wildfire management in 2013. (AP Photo/Roswell Daily Record, Mark Wilson, File)

FILE - In this file photo taken Saturday, June 9, 2012, smoke billows from the Little Bear fire in southeastern New Mexico near Ruidoso, NM. When lightning sparks a wildfire deep in remote wilderness, U.S. Forest Service firefighters in recent years have been under orders to respond immediately, often trekking miles through steep, dense terrain with heavy gear to extinguish the blaze as quickly as possible. The agency?s policy to kill all fires, no matter how small or remote, was meant to decrease the threat of a spreading catastrophe in an increasingly parched, drought-stricken Western landscape. But in 2012 the forest service spent hundreds of millions over its budget, leading to a new approach to wildfire management in 2013. (AP Photo/Roswell Daily Record, Mark Wilson, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2012 file photo, Tina Seidler of Redding, Calif., waters saplings planted at the Hat Creek Rim Overlook as smoke from the Reading Fire and other fires in the area obscure Lassen National Park. When lightning sparks a wildfire deep in remote wilderness, U.S. Forest Service firefighters in recent years have been under orders to respond immediately, often trekking miles through steep, dense terrain with heavy gear to extinguish the blaze as quickly as possible. The agency?s policy to kill all fires, no matter how small or remote, was meant to decrease the threat of a spreading catastrophe in an increasingly parched, drought-stricken Western landscape. But in 2012 the forest service spent hundreds of millions over its budget, leading to a new approach to wildfire management in 2013. (AP Photo/Record Searchlight, Andreas Fuhrmann, File)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ? After coming in $400 million over budget following last year's busy fire season, the Forest Service is altering its approach and may let more fires burn instead of attacking every one.

The move, quietly made in a letter late last month by Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, brings the agency more in line with the National Parks Service and back to what it had done until last year. It also answers critics who said the agency wasted money and endangered firefighters by battling fires in remote areas that posed little or no danger to property or critical habitat.

Tidwell played down the change, saying it's simply an "evolution of the science and the expertise" that has led to more emphasis on pre-fire planning and managed burns, which involve purposely setting fires to eliminate dead trees and other fuels that could help a wildfire quickly spread.

"We have to be able to structure (fire management) this way to help all of us," Tidwell told The Associated Press. "So that we're thinking about the right things when we make these decisions."

The more aggressive approach instituted last year was prompted by fears that fires left unchecked would quickly devour large swaths of the drought-stricken West, Tidwell said. New Mexico and Colorado reported record fire seasons in 2012, and with dry conditions remaining in much of the region 2013 could be another bad year in the West.

In all, the agency oversees about 193 million acres in 43 states.

But the "kill all fires" approach angered watchdog groups and environmentalists, who said it was expensive and ignored fire's natural ability to rid the landscape of dangerous fuels and bolster forest ecology.

"This new policy gives a lot more flexibility. It takes the blanket policy where every fire was treated the same and gives fire managers more options," said Timothy Ingalsbee, executive director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology.

"Chief Tidwell's move should restore the confidence of the fire management community that all the training and technology that's been invested to give fire crews the ability to work with fire to restore ecosystems will not be wasted by a return to yesteryear's all-out war on wildfires."

While all federal agencies operate from the same federal wildfire management policy, each has its own goals and ways of interpreting it. The National Parks Service, for example, allows more fires to burn on its lands.

But letting fires burn also has its dangers, even in remote areas.

Last year, the Parks Service allowed a fire to burn that started as a half-acre blaze in remote Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California. What became the Reading Fire eventually required firefighters and ended up charring 42 square miles of forestlands as it spread outside the park's boundaries to lands managed by the Forest Service and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The fire damaged the region's timber industry and cost an estimated $15 million to suppress. No structures were harmed.

While each agency involved had a different approach to managing fires, the confusion during the Reading fire hammered home the need for agencies with different approaches to talk more often about their expectations, a review of the incident found.

Knowing that the Forest Service is stepping back from 2012's more aggressive approach helps different agencies plan how they will respond to fires that have the potential to spread, said Eric Hensel, a National Parks Service fire management officer at the Lassen park.

"What we learned with the Reading fire is that, even with USFS going a little bit further toward (allowing fires to burn), we can't assume anything," Hensel said. "Now we've got some common ground here in terms of our approach, but let's be up front about where we are and work together."

___

Follow Jason Dearen on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/JHDearen

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-03-08-Wildfires-Let%20It%20Burn/id-0e1e0ac2ff4344239855d105dc12ede0

Tammy Baldwin house of representatives paul ryan michele bachmann donald trump Election 2012 map Election Results Map