THE RESET: Both sides now see spending cuts likely

New Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel speaks to service members and civilian employees at the Pentagon, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, after being sworn-in. Hagel took charge of the Defense Department Wednesday after a bruising confirmation fight _ and two days before billions in budget cuts are scheduled to hit the military. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

New Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel speaks to service members and civilian employees at the Pentagon, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, after being sworn-in. Hagel took charge of the Defense Department Wednesday after a bruising confirmation fight _ and two days before billions in budget cuts are scheduled to hit the military. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, file photo, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio wraps up a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, where he and GOP leaders challenged President Obama and the Senate to avoid the automatic spending cuts set to take effect in four days. The scheduled cuts in defense spending, unemployment benefits and other programs could slow an already struggling economy. And. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

President Barack Obama is waiting until after deep automatic spending cuts actually kick in before meeting with congressional leaders to search for ways out of the nation's latest fiscal crunch. The timing says a lot about the nature and timing of the crisis.

He'll meet at the White House with the four top House and Senate leaders on Friday. The "sequester" cuts begin midnight Thursday.

The scheduling reflects the growing consensus on both sides that they're still too far apart to block the cuts, a recognition that most of the reductions won't hit right away and the knowledge that there's another month to find a better fix.

But panic may rise as March 27 approaches. That's when the current stopgap government budget expires and Congress must pass a new one for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.

Individual cuts can be modified or eliminated during that budget process.

While the sequester will slash government spending authority by $85 billion, the actual spending cuts will be about $44 billion, says the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Both parties have been heatedly blaming each other for the impasse as Obama makes campaign-like trips to spotlight the impact on various sectors of the economy.

The maneuvering comes as polls show a divided nation over the looming spending cuts.

A new Wall Street Journal-NBC News poll shows about half of Americans call the cuts too severe and a slightly smaller percentage say they're necessary to reduce the deficit. Other recent polls show similar findings.

Former Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, freshly confirmed by the Senate as defense secretary, mentioned the latest fiscal crisis ? which hits defense accounts particularly hard ? in his first remarks on the job on Wednesday.

"We're dealing with less dollars coming down," Hagel told Pentagon workers. He said he's particularly troubled by "the uncertainty" that lies ahead.

"Now, I've got to go to work," he said.

___

Follow Tom Raum on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tomraum

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-02-27-US-The-Reset/id-fdfa2796b6604401987693a771d07f23

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Why not make your own energy drink? | MNN - Mother Nature Network

Health concerns about the typical energy drink?are everywhere, so?you may not want to depend on them for energy. After all, not only can they be extremely high in caffeine, but they also tend to be full of sugar, artificial colorings and other unnatural ingredients. They don?t exactly fit my whole food, traditional diet criteria. The question is, how do you replace them?

?

?

But having an afternoon pick-me-up can be helpful, which is why I wanted to share a few recipes for simple homemade, energy drinks.

?

Chia Pomegranate Green Tea Cooler

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Why it works: Tea is a natural source of caffeine, however it also contains an amino acid called ?theanine? which is a natural relaxer with anti-anxiety properties. It helps energize you without making you jittery. When you are stressed, both the energy boost from the caffeine and the relaxing effect of the theanine can be helpful. Pomegranate juice is full of nutrients, flavonoids, and antioxidants and is low in sugar. This healthy juice can help give you a boost from nutrition alone. (It?s also worth noting that according to Bowden, it is called the ?natural Viagra? and has been traditionally associated with love and sexual vitality.) The chia seeds were traditionally used as a support for long journeys. The gel-like substance they form when put in liquid absorbs slowly into the body, for a slow release of nutrients and energy. Chia seeds are high in vitamins and minerals, making them a favorite with many nutritionists.

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Homemade Chocolate Milk

Directions: In a blender, mix 1 cup of whole milk with 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of fair trade cocoa powder, a dash of vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or honey. Blend until combined.

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Why it works: Milk gives you good source of both protein and fat for sustained energy. Milk also contains some natural sugar that gives a boost of energy. Use grade B maple syrup for a higher nutrient content, and you will add both more natural sugars for a more instant energy boost. The cocoa powder gives some caffeine, as well as more antioxidants and nutrients (such as magnesium). I prefer raw, pastured milk.

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Green Drink

Directions: The darling of the raw foodie and many health conscience people, the green drink trend shows no sign of slowing down and there are many green drink mixtures available online. Make according to the package directions, or add a scoop to a smoothie.

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Why it works: Green drinks work because they are high in nutrients, very alkalizing (which makes you feel refreshed and energized). Plus, some mixes contain herbs known for their energizing attributes. Mix them with a pomegranate, noni, or other antioxidant-rich juice, or combine with a high protein snack like nuts or canned fish for sustained energy.

?

The above recipes are gentle, natural options for an energy boost and are perfect for a mid-day drink. Being more natural, and not as high in caffeine, they may not keep you in a working frenzy all night long when you need it, but on the plus side, they offer many health benefits.?

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Related stories & drink recipes on MNN:

Source: http://www.mnn.com/food/recipes/blogs/why-not-make-your-own-energy-drink

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In historic first, Mars Curiosity rover drills into Martian rock

NASA's Mars Curiosity rover has sent home photos of samples that it gathered from deep inside a rock on Mars. It is the first time a robot has ever drilled into a rock on any planet other than Earth.?

By Mike Wall,?SPACE.com / February 21, 2013

This image from NASA's Curiosity rover shows the first sample of powdered rock extracted by the rover's drill. The image was obtained by Curiosity's Mast Camera on Wednesday, on Curiosity's 193rd Martian day of operations.

NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

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NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has beamed home photos confirming that it recovered samples from deep within a Red Planet rock, cementing the robot's place in?exploration history.

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The?Curiosity rover?drilled 2.5 inches (6.4 centimeters) into a Martian outcrop on Feb. 8, and today (Feb. 20) mission scientists first set eyes on images showing drill tailings sitting in Curiosity's scoop, waiting to be transferred to analytical instruments on the robot's body.

The photos confirm that Curiosity has pulled off an historic achievement, scientists said.

"This is the first time any robot, fixed or mobile, has drilled into a rock to collect a sample on?Mars," Louise Jandura, sample system chief engineer for Curiosity at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif., told reporters today.

"In fact, this is the first time any rover has drilled into a rock to collect a sample anywhere but on Earth," Jandura added. "In the five-decade history of the space age, this is indeed a rare event." [Curiosity's First Drilling on Mars (Photos)]

Breaking open a time capsule

Curiosity landed inside Mars' huge?Gale Crater?on the night of Aug. 5, kicking off a two-year prime mission to determine if the area has ever been capable of supporting microbial life.

Along with its 10 science instruments and 17 cameras,?Curiosity's hammering drill?is considered key to this quest, for it allows scientists to peer deep into Martian rocks for evidence of past habitability ? something no other Red Planet robot has been able to do.

The arm-mounted drill "allows us to go beyond the surface layer of the rock, unlocking a kind of time capsule of evidence about the state of Mars going back three or four billion years," Jandura said.

The first drilling location is an intriguing time capsule indeed, scientists say. Curiosity bored into part of an outcrop called "John Klein," which is shot through with light-colored mineral veins and other evidence of long-ago?exposure to liquid water.

"All of these features tell us that the rocks in this area have a really rich geological history, and they have the potential to give us information about multiple interactions between water and rock at this location," said JPL's Joel Hurowitz, sampling system scientist for Curiosity.

Mission scientists will learn more about that history when the drilled sample is transferred to two of Curiosity's key instruments, CheMin (short for Chemistry and Mineralogy) and SAM (Sample Analysis at Mars).

"That'll play out over the next few days here," said JPL's Daniel Limonadi, lead systems engineer for Curiosity's surface sampling and science system.

A few glitches

The recovered powder has already been used to clean out Curiosity's sample-handling system, to help ensure that the system is scrubbed free of potential contaminants from Earth. A minor software glitch has delayed the delivery of the sample to CheMin and SAM, but the team found a workaround, researchers said.

The Curiosity team has also become aware of another potential issue with the the sample-handling hardware. Engineers built two models of this hardware to run tests here on Earth, and the sieve ? which screens out particles more than 0.006 inches (150 microns) wide ? has begun to detach on one of them.

But this only happened after extensive use, and the sieve remained functional, rover team members said. And they stressed that there is no sign of any problem with the sample-handling gear Curiosity toted to Mars, though they'll take some measures to lessen the sieve's workload on the Red Planet (such as sieving samples for 20 minutes rather than 60 minutes, which Curiosity had done previously with soil samples).

"Based on the test results to date, and based on how we expect to use the hardware on Mars, we really have pretty good confidence that we're going to be able to use this hardware through the prime mission and beyond," Limonadi said.

Follow SPACE.com senior writer Mike Wall on Twitter?@michaeldwall?or SPACE.com?@Spacedotcom. We're also onFacebook?and?Google+.?

Copyright 2013?SPACE.com, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/science/~3/d7q46B3ebKA/In-historic-first-Mars-Curiosity-rover-drills-into-Martian-rock

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The Art and Science Behind Small Business Advertising | Leomoo.com

As the head of a small ad agency, I always find that getting small business owners to embrace a balanced approach to marketing is somewhat difficult. Some entrepreneurs are all about the biggest and loudest marketing ideas. Others are fixated on the practical aspects of communications.? I happen to believe that impactful campaigns are born by striking a balance between creativity and practicality.

For today?s piece, I?d like to walk you through both sides of the equation.? If you find that you gravitate to one side, focus on embracing the points from the other.? At times, this process can be difficult for business owners to do, as you?ve likely arrived at this stage in your business by doing things your way ?(that of course, is not all bad).? However, if you?ve plateaued a bit and are looking to take your operation to the next tier, it may be time to give both sides of your marketing campaign a second look.

Creative Side
Move Outside Norms ? allow yourself the freedom to change things up a bit.? If you find that you are falling prey to template-advertising, force yourself to do new things. More specifically, if you are following step 1, 2, and so on to draft your messages, you?re being formulaic. Change the order; surprise your audience and yourself, for a change

Look

We recommend you visit the following site for more complete information and related topics. Article source: http://smallbusiness.foxbusiness.com/marketing-sales/2013/02/20/art-and-science-behind-small-business-advertising/

Source: http://leomoo.com/2013/02/the-art-and-science-behind-small-business-advertising/

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In fight against cancer, a closer look at nuclear blebbing

Feb. 18, 2013 ? Misshapen cell nuclei are frequently observed in the cells of people with cancer and other diseases, but what causes the abnormality -- and why it is associated with certain disorders -- has remained unclear.

Researchers at Northwestern University have recently developed a mathematical model that sheds light on the defect by clarifying the mechanisms that cause bulges known as "blebs" in cells' nuclear membranes. The research -- a collaboration between experts at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Feinberg School of Medicine -- could be a step toward bleb prevention, which may ultimately provide potential therapies for related diseases.

A paper describing the research, titled "Mechanical Model of Blebbing in Nuclear Lamin Meshworks," was published Feb. 11 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (PNAS).

"Changes in the shape of the nucleus are indicative of a range of pathologies, including the premature aging disorder Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and some cancers," said Monica Olvera de la Cruz, the corresponding author of the paper. "Our research suggests that blebbing may be the result of an imbalance between the various proteins that constitute the nuclear lamina."

She is a Lawyer Taylor Professor, professor of materials science and engineering in the McCormick School and professor of chemistry in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.

The nucleus -- the control center of the cell, the keeper of genetic material and overseer of cell growth and reproduction -- is covered by a nuclear envelope consisting of a double membrane and an underlying structure called the nuclear lamina that surrounds the surface of the nucleus and gives it shape. In addition to its mechanical support, the lamina helps regulate cell division and organize genetic material.

In the majority of healthy cells, the nucleus appears smooth and maintains an overall spherical shape, but abnormal nuclear shapes characterized by blebs have been observed in the cells of people suffering from some forms of cancer and other diseases.

In mammals, the lamin meshworks that make up the nuclear lamina consist of mainly two types of lamin proteins, known as types A and B, which are wrapped like two nets around the nucleus. Under normal conditions, the A-type and B-type lamins co-exist throughout the sphere, creating a healthy lamina of approximately even thickness throughout.

But when one of the B-type lamins is depleted, researchers found the A-type and B-type lamins begin to segregate from one another, resulting in an uneven mesh layer with altered mechanical properties. In some regions, the lamina's fibers begin to gap and separate, giving rise to nuclear blebs, bulges in the cell's nuclear envelope.

The nuclear lamins, especially the A-type lamins, are now considered to be major building blocks of nuclear architecture and are thus involved in numerous important nuclear functions. Much of the recent information on the functions of the nuclear lamins comes from findings demonstrating that many different human diseases are caused by hundreds of mutations in the nuclear lamin A gene. Many of these diseases are accompanied by changes in nuclear shape and altered lamin organization.

"This study helps us to begin to understand how these abnormal shapes are formed," said Robert D. Goldman, the Stephen Walter Ranson Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology, chair of the department of cell and molecular biology at the Feinberg School, and one of the paper's authors. "Collaborations between physicists and cell biologists are beginning to reveal new insights into these normal and abnormal cells."

Enabling some of those new insights, the Northwestern researchers designed an energy-minimizing continuum elastic model that enabled them to produce structures with comparable shapes and patterns as those found in naturally occurring pathological nuclei.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Northwestern University, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

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

---

Journal Reference:

1. C. M. Funkhouser, R. Sknepnek, T. Shimi, A. E. Goldman, R. D. Goldman, M. Olvera de la Cruz. Mechanical model of blebbing in nuclear lamin meshworks. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2013; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1300215110

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/health_medicine/genes/~3/SLr8Cc3HrUc/130219121606.htm

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Hamas accuses Egypt of flooding Gaza tunnels

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) ? The Gaza Strip's Hamas government and local smugglers are accusing Egypt of flooding cross-border tunnels with sewage water in order to halt a thriving smuggling trade.

Abu Saker, a smuggler on the Egyptian side of the border, says he saw the Egyptian army digging new water wells and pumping wastewater toward the smuggling area on Tuesday. He said he had to halt operations and rush his workers out after his tunnel filled with 1.5 meters (yards) of sewage.

An AP photographer at the scene says at least 15 tunnels filled with wastewater.

Yousef Rizka, an adviser to Hamas' prime minister, urged Egypt to halt "any acts against the tunnels" until official ground crossings are opened.

Egypt had no comment. Israel and Hamas have been negotiating the fate of the tunnels.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/hamas-accuses-egypt-flooding-gaza-tunnels-132142173.html

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On crippled cruise ship, icky jobs fell to 'amazing' crew

Moments from aboard the ship

Moments from aboard the ship

Moments from aboard the ship

Moments from aboard the ship

Moments from aboard the ship

Moments from aboard the ship

Moments from aboard the ship

Moments from aboard the ship

Moments from aboard the ship

Moments from aboard the ship

Moments from aboard the ship

Moments from aboard the ship

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Triumph passengers praised crew members for keeping calm
• Crew had nasty job of picking up bags filled with human waste
• "It's a part of the job," one crew member says

(CNN) -- The crew aboard Carnival Triumph didn't hesitate when a fire broke out and power was lost, an emergency that turned the cruise liner into a bobbing Porta-Potty.

From blackjack dealers to chefs to dishwashers, the disparate crew, from about 60 countries, did "things I wouldn't do," one passenger said.

The scene that unfolded aboard the Triumph has been well-documented: Sewage spilled into rooms and halls, steak and lobster rotted when freezers went out, and swimming pool decks turned into a tent city.

"I just wanted to vomit, like every second probably," said 12-year-old passenger Allie Taylor.

But most passengers said the one thing that kept their sanity was the professionalism of the crew.

Tears and big hugs as passengers reunite with families

Built in 1999, the Triumph spans three football fields, weighs 102,000 tons and covers 13 decks, complete with four swimming pools, seven whirlpools, a giant casino and a relaxing spa. Passengers could dine at an array of restaurants, from the South Beach Club to the Paris Dining Room. They could lap up drinks in many of the ship's bars, including the Big Easy.

On such a massive ship, the jobs of the 1,086-member crew vary widely. But when emergency calls, their duties shift to make the best of a bad situation. At least two passengers were evacuated, including one for dialysis treatment.

The ship had reached its destination of Cozumel, Mexico, and was en route back home when a fire broke out in the engine room early Sunday, and then power was lost. Every time the boat tilted with the wind, toilets overflowed and spilled into halls, seeping through walls to floors below.

Without functioning toilets, passengers were given red biohazard bags to use -- and it became the crew's duty to pick up the used ones.

Some passengers shared the bags; others lined baskets with them and turned them into makeshift outhouses.

"At first, nobody wants to use it. But, I mean, after a while, you have no choice," said Darryl Malone, a student at Texas A&M who was vacationing. "It got so bad, I was walking through the ship, and this little girl was like, 'I need a red bag; I need a red bag.' "

Lawsuit filed over 'floating hell' cruise

The crew tried to keep passengers calm as they slept on decks and waited in food lines, sometimes for as long as four hours. At times, the only food was stale vegetables.

The crew figured out one way to appease guests: "Free beer and wine for everybody," said chilled-out passenger Ed Buck.

The crew worked around the clock to try to make the situation somewhat bearable. They constantly checked on passengers, often with smiles on their faces.

"The people onboard the ship, the crew, has been amazing," said Trey Love, who was celebrating his 40th birthday on Triumph.

"They did the dirtiest work," said Dee Tucker, "doing things I wouldn't do."

"We've had our breaking moments. We've had our panic attacks. But it is what it is," Bethany Nutt said while the boat was still being tugged toward shore.

Once the ship docked late Thursday and passengers disembarked, the crew members were shuttled to hotels in Mobile. Carnival employees work on a contract basis, often on the same ship, for months at a time.

The Triumph workers will receive full and normal compensation and be sent to other ships or offered vacation if they had some scheduled soon, said Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen.

Crew member Sachin Sharma of India said workers had no problems with being thrust into the icky job of handling the red bags filled with human waste.

"It's very simple," he said, "because we are used to it. That's why we make the best effort for them. ... It's a part of the job."

He will enjoy three days off.

Then, it's off to the next ship.

My celebration trip on the Carnival Triumph: From joy to misery

CNN's Victor Blackwell contributed to this story.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/15/travel/triumph-cruise-crew/index.html?eref=rss_mostpopular

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Camera comparison: Sony Xperia Z vs Samsung Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note II, iPhone 5, Nokia Lumia 920

Introduction

Ladies and gents, it is time for another camera comparison between the top smartphones in existence. And without a doubt, all eyes are on the Sony Xperia Z, which is equipped with the company's new Exmor RS camera sensor. With 13 million pixels and perks like HDR video mode, Sony's top-of-the-line handset should be a great performer, but will it manage to beat the fierce competition?

Well, it won't be an easy battle. Today we're comparing the Sony Xperia Z with the Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung Galaxy Note II, iPhone 5 and the Nokia Lumia 920, all of which have proven their photographic capabilities. We're also throwing a 12MP point-and-shoot camera as a reference - the Canon PowerShot SD780 IS, which is now a model several years old.

For the purposes of this testing, all smartphones are set to their maximum resolutions for both images and video. We have to let them show their best after all. Also, we have not altered their settings for any of the test scenes. All smartphones are shooting in automatic mode. Shall we begin?

Details

With its 13MP camera, the Sony Xperia Z can capture photos at higher resolution than what the other competitors are capable of. However, despite that advantage, the details in its photos are smudged and a weird purple tint is present around edges. The Nokia Lumia 920 produces equally disappointing results as the details in its photos are too soft for our taste. The Samsung Galaxy S III and Samsung Galaxy Note 2 produce noticeably sharper, more detailed images, but the iPhone 5 captures even better photos, although it leads only by a hair.

Yeah, some digital noise is indeed present in the iPhone 5's photos, which isn't surprising considering the far-from-ideal lighting conditions. As a matter of fact, it was pretty gloomy when we took our outdoor sample shots. But the noise level is tolerable, just as it is on the images taken with the Galaxy S III and Note II. The Nokia Lumia 920 and Sony Xperia Z suppress noise through software algorithms, but the downside to it are the aforementioned muddy details seen in their photos.

1. iPhone 5
2. Samsung Galaxy S3 and Note 2
3. Nokia Lumia 920 and Sony Xperia Z

Source: http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Camera-comparison-Sony-Xperia-Z-vs-Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-Galaxy-Note-II-iPhone-5-Nokia-Lumia-920_id3251

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Valentine's Day tips to avoid office lawsuits | office, employers ...

The workplace is a natural place for people to strike up a romance with co-workers. But office romances can create legal issues for employers, says James J. McDonald Jr., managing partner of Fisher & Phillips, which has an office in Irvine.

"Office romances can often lead to lawsuits, particularly if they end badly," he says. "Employers can protect themselves from litigation by taking some precautions."

The workplace is a natural place for people to strike up a romance with co-workers. But office romances can create legal issues for employers, says James J. McDonald Jr., managing partner of Fisher & Phillips, which has an office in Irvine.

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

ADVERTISEMENT

Here are McDonald's four Valentine's Day tips:

? A policy against fraternization should be in the employee handbook, but employers can only go so far toward legislating who can fall in love and who can't. Employers must decide what the consequences for noncompliance with company policy will be and enforce them without bias.

? Employers should implement a policy that prohibits managers and subordinates from engaging in romantic relationships. The risk is that supervisors who have office affairs with subordinates may become the subject of a sexual harassment lawsuit if the subordinate later claims to have been coerced or pressured into the relationship for fear of his or her job.

? When co-workers fall in love and have legitimate relationships, a growing number of companies require them to sign consensual relationship agreements, which state that the relationship is voluntary, thus reducing the employer's exposure to harassment claims.

? If the boss is dating an employee, the boss must not manage the subordinate when it comes to promotions, raises or evaluations. In these cases, bosses are advised to request that another manager take those roles to eliminate the perception of favoritism.

--Jan Norman

Source: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/office-495885-employers-relationship.html

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New Market Report: Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. (ABAT) - Alternative Energy - Deals and Alliances Profile

2013-02-14 17:01:45 - Fast Market Research recommends "Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. (ABAT) - Alternative Energy - Deals and Alliances Profile" from GlobalData, now available

Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc (ABAT) is a battery management company, based in the US. The company develops, manufactures and distributes rechargeable Polymer Lithium-Ion (PLI) batteries. It provides solutions for different facets of battery back-up systems and battery-powered electric vehicles. ABAT?s products include rechargeable PLI batteries for electric automobiles, motorcycles, mine-use lamps, notebook computers, walkie-talkies and other electronic devices. The company?s batteries are manufactured by combining energy chemistry with polymer technology. It also owns a 49% interest in Beyond E-Tech, Inc., that distributes cellular telephones in the US. The company has an office in New York and manufacturing facilities in China. ABAT is headquartered in New York City, New York, the US.

Full Report Details at
- www.fastmr.com/prod/538367_advanced_battery_technologies_inc_aba ..

Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc.

(ABAT) - Alternative Energy - Deals and Alliances Profile provides you comprehensive data and trend analysis of the company's Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As), partnerships and financings. The report provides detailed information on Mergers and Acquisitions, Equity/Debt Offerings, Private Equity, Venture Financing and Partnership transactions recorded by the company over a five year period. The report offers detailed comparative data on the number of deals and their value categorized into deal types, sub-sector and regions.

GlobalData derived the data presented in this report from proprietary in-house Alternative Energy eTrack deals database, and primary and secondary research.

Scope

* Financial Deals - Analysis of the company's financial deals including M&A, Equity/Debt Offerings, Private Equity, Venture Financing and Partnerships.
* Deals by Year - Chart and table displaying information encompassing the number of deals and value reported by the company by year, for a five year period.
* Deals by Type - Chart and table depicting information including the number of deals and value reported by the company by type such as M&A, Equity/Debt Offering etc.
* Deals by Region - Chart and table presenting information on the number of deals and value reported by the company by region, which includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa and South and Central America.
* Deals by Sub-sector - Chart and table showing information on the number of deals and value reported by the company, by sub-sector.
* Major Deals - Information on the company's major financial deals. Each such deal has a brief summary, deal type, deal rationale; and deal financials and target Company?s (major public companies) key financial metrics and ratios.
* Business Description - A brief description of the company's operations.
* Key Employees - A list of the key executives of the company.
* Important Locations and Subsidiaries - A list and contact details of key centers of operation and subsidiaries of the company.
* Key Competitors - A list of the key competitors of the company.
* Key Recent Developments - A brief on recent news about the company.

Reasons to Buy

Get detailed information on the company's financial deals that enable you to understand the company's expansion/divestiture and fund requirements

* The profile enables you to analyze the company's financial deals by region, by year, by business segments and by type, for a five year period.

Understand the company's business segments' expansion / divestiture strategy

* The profile presents deals from the company's core business segments' perspective to help you understand its corporate strategy.

Access elaborate information on the company's recent financial deals that enable you to understand the key deals which have shaped the company

* Detailed information on major recent deals includes a summary of each deal, deal type, deal rationale, deal financials and Target Company's key financial metrics and ratios.

Equip yourself with detailed information about the company?s operations to identify potential customers and suppliers.

* The profile analyzes the company's business structure, locations and subsidiaries, key executives and key competitors.

Stay up-to-date on the major developments affecting the company

* Recent developments concerning the company presented in the profile help you track important events.

Gain key insights into the company for academic or business research

* Key elements such as break up of deals into categories and information on detailed major deals are incorporated into the profile to assist your academic or business research needs.

Note*: Some sections may be missing if data is unavailable for the company.

Companies Mentioned in this Report: Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. (ABAT)

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Source: http://reports.pr-inside.com/new-market-report-advanced-battery-technologies-r3585140.htm

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Mukesh Ambani: Solar power focus of future energy shift for Reliance Industries

According to reports, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, owner of world?s largest oil refinery, on Sunday said solar power will be at the core of the shift in future source of energy needs ? from hydrocarbons to renewables.

?We will transit from hydrocarbon presence which is coal, oil and natural gas over the next many decades into a fully renewable, sustainable future and the solar really will be at the heart of it,? Ambani said in an interviewto CNN International.

Reliance has a solar division that was established to bring solar energy systems and solutions primarily to remote and rural areas.

Asked about the probable impact on the oil prices in the event of a military strike on Iran, he said, ?Today there is enough spare capacity in the system to take care of eventualities.?

But, at the same time, he was full praise for the United States for moving towards self-reliance on energy with a ?fundamental transformation? that has taken place in the country.

?There has been a fundamental transformation in the energy scene in the US. For many decades, we have heard that the US will be independent of foreign imports of energy. Realistically, I can now tell you that this is my judgement that this will happen in the next 5 or 7 years,? he said.

?The US has truly found non-conventional energy in shale oil and gas which is really bringing benefit not only to the population in the US, but to across the world,? Ambani added.

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Source: http://panchabuta.com/2013/02/11/mukesh-ambani-solar-power-focus-of-future-energy-shift-for-reliance-industries/

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MEPs back major EU fishing reform

6 February 2013 Last updated at 10:02 ET

The European Parliament has voted for sweeping reforms of the controversial EU Common Fisheries Policy.

The package includes measures to protect endangered stocks and end discards - the practice of throwing unwanted dead fish into the sea.

Wasteful discards are reckoned to account for a quarter of total catches under the current quota system.

There are hopes that the changes can become law by next year, after more talks with the 27 EU governments.

The MEPs voted for the package by 502 votes to 137.

The Greens in parliament called the vote "historic". Spokeswoman Isabella Lovin said it would "finally put the EU's fisheries policy on a sustainable footing".

A fishing alliance, Europeche, says the reforms are too sudden and too radical.

With an estimated 75% of Europe?s stocks overfished, there has been enormous public and media pressure over this latest attempt to shake up the CFP.

The BBC's environment analyst Roger Harrabin says the vote is something of a victory for citizen power, following organised lobbying of MEPs by ordinary people, as well as by high-profile celebrity chefs and environmentalists.

The reform package was presented to the full parliament in Strasbourg by the German Social Democrat MEP Ulrike Rodust.

She said the reforms ?will bring an end to the December ritual of fisheries ministers negotiating until 4am, neglecting scientific advice and setting too high fishing quotas.

?As of 2015, the principle of maximum sustainable yield shall apply, which means that each year we do not harvest more fish than a stock can reproduce. Our objective is that depleted fish stocks recover by 2020. Not only nature will benefit, but also fishermen: bigger stocks produce higher yields.?

She said fishermen had to be helped through a transitional period as fishing capacity shrank to allow stocks to recover.

Parliamentary clout

MEPs are sharing power with the Council - the EU governments - on fisheries policy for the first time. There is still some dispute about the amount of influence MEPs can exert over fishing quotas.

Continue reading the main story

Analysis

This historic vote is something of a victory for citizen power over a policy that has brought the EU into disrepute.

MEPs were bombarded with complaints, following high-profile campaigns from celebrity chefs and environmentalists.

The scale of the vote is significant.

The parliament will now speak with a unified voice in the endgame of negotiations with fisheries ministers and the Commission - which already urges sustainable fishing.

Ministers from nations with large fleets. like France and Spain, may attempt to weaken the resolutions, but they will find themselves swimming against a powerful tide.

MEPs have made some tough choices. For instance, they had an option to vote for maximum sustainable yield - that is taking as much fish as the sea can reproduce annually. They demanded instead that fisheries should be allowed to grow, rather than to stay at their current depleted level.

This argument is not over yet. There will be debate over how far to help small boats; how to cushion fishermen while stocks are recovering; and how much fisheries shall be allowed to recuperate (one UK fishery was reduced by 94% over 118 years of commercial fishing).

But today's votes will surely lead in the direction of the change the public have been demanding.

Follow Roger on Twitter @rharrabin

Under the new proposals, the EU will shift from the current bargaining over quotas - a system often attacked by environmental groups - to fishing based on "maximum sustainable yield" (MSY).

The phasing in of MSY depends on collecting more scientific data about the rate at which different marine species reproduce.

The environmental group Greenpeace welcomed the MEPs' vote on Wednesday, saying the reforms would help to promote small-scale and low-impact fishing methods.

Greenpeace says small-scale fishing vessels measuring 12m (40ft) or less make up about 80% of the European fishing sector and usually cause less environmental harm.

The group's spokesperson on EU fisheries policy, Saskia Richartz, called it "a momentous shift away from overfishing".

"National governments that stand in the way of reform, like Spain and France, will find it increasingly hard to act as proxies for a handful of powerful companies, with no concern for the long-term wellbeing of the oceans or the majority of fishermen," she said.

Atlantic bluefin tuna is the most overfished species in European waters.

But the environmental group WWF says EU fisheries have also faced a 32% decline in stocks of cod, plaice and sole since 1993.

The fish catch in the North Sea has slumped from 3.5m tonnes in 1995 to 1.5m tonnes in 2007, WWF reports.

The UK Conservatives' fisheries spokesman, Struan Stevenson MEP, said "these reforms will be wresting control away from the micro-managers in Brussels who have made such an absolute mess of fisheries policy for the past 30 years".

"We will also see an urgent timetable set for an absolute ban on the scandal of dumping and discards."

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21352617#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

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Alabama hostage crisis over: Boy safe, captor dead

Federal and Alabama law enforcement officials discuss deteriorating negotiations with a kidnapper and the decision to storm an underground bunker and rescue a 5-year-old boy being held captive.

By Isolde Raftery, Staff Writer, NBC News

A 5-year-old boy held captive for seven days in an underground bunker in southern Alabama is alive and his kidnapper, Jimmy Lee Dykes, is dead, FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen Richardson said at a press briefing on Monday afternoon.

?Within the past 24 hours negotiations deteriorated and Mr. Dykes was observed holding a gun," Richardson, of the Mobile, Ala., office, said in a brief statement. "At this point, FBI agents, fearing the child was in imminent danger, entered the bunker and rescued the child.??

The child was recovered at 3:12 p.m. CT and appears physically unharmed, Richardson said. He is being treated at a local hospital.

The Dothan Eagle newspaper reported hearing two loud bangs from the scene shortly before 3:30 p.m. According to the report, an ambulance then drove up the private dirt road where Dykes? homes is located and then left a short time later.

Dykes, described by his neighbors as a paranoid survivalist, grabbed the boy from a school bus in Midland City, Ala., just after 3:30 p.m. CT last Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Dykes boarded the bus and demanded that the bus driver, Charles Poland, 66, turn over two young children. When Poland refused, Dykes then fatally shot him and took the boy identified by only his first name, Ethan.

Dykes, a decorated Vietnam veteran, then took Ethan to an underground bunker that neighbors had seen him digging. The bunker is believed to be roughly 8 feet by 6 feet and to be stocked with supplies. The bunker has a ventilation pipe that authorities used to deliver items. Authorities have not said how long they believe Dykes could have lasted underground, or discussed a motive for the kidnapping.

Over the last week, hostage negotiators delivered a red Hot Wheels car, Cheez-Its crackers and other food and medicine to the boy, who has a mild form of autism. The FBI said Sunday that the boy?s captor ?continues to make the environment as comfortable as possible for the child.?

The boy has Asperger?s syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a state representative said last week.

Law enforcement officials remained largely mum about the details of the case, possibly because it was believed that Dykes kept a television set in the bunker. Early on in the negotiations, they moved reporters farther from the scene. Throughout the week, they canceled press conferences, saying that nothing had changed.

Many of the law enforcement press conferences appeared to have been directed more at Dykes than at reporters. Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson went so far as to thank Dykes ?for taking care of our child.?

?That?s very important,? Olson said.

Before the standoff ended on Monday, Olson told reporters that Dykes "feels like he has a story that?s important to him. ... Although it?s very complex, we?re trying to make a safe environment.?

Some media reports suggested that Dykes had wanted to speak with a reporter.

Former FBI hostage negotiator Clint Van Zandt said on the TODAY show that patience is key in hostage situations.

?Eighty-five percent or more of standoff situations like this end nonviolently,? Van Zandt said on Saturday.??Law enforcement doesn?t want to do anything precipitously that could cause anybody to be hurt at this time when the talking cure will likely work in this situation.?

Following the end of the hostage situation, Alabama Gov. Robert J. Bentley released a statement, hailing the efforts to save the boy but mourning the death of the bus driver:

"I am thankful that the child who was abducted is now safe. I am so happy this little boy can now be reunited with his family and friends. We will all continue to pray for the little boy and his family as they recover from the trauma of the last several days."

Those close to bus driver Charles Poland paid their respects at his funeral Sunday evening, just days after he was killed by Jimmy Lee Dykes who boarded his bus demanding children. Meanwhile, Ethan, 5, who was taken hostage by Dykes, is entering his second week of captivity. NBC's Gabe Gutierrez reports.

NBC staff writers Gabe Gutierrez, Erin McClam and Matthew DeLuca and Jeff Black contributed reporting.?

Related:

Son says bus driver in Alabama hostage crisis gave life for 'his children'

Sheriff to Alabama hostage-taker: 'I want to thank him for taking care of our child'

Source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/04/16836632-alabama-hostage-crisis-over-boy-safe-kidnapper-dead?lite

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Lizzie and Steven's Garden Wedding ?

Some say home is where your heart is. Others say its where you lay your hat. You might say its where your family ?gathers. Others still may say that home is where your true love is. ?For Lizzie and Steven its all of the above. ? Currently living in?Ipswich?Australia (house is high and dry ? phew!) and both from Canterbury ? well sort of ? Lizzie and her family have a long list of places they have called home ?- they decided to come home ?to Swananoa and marry in Lizzie?s parent?s beautiful garden.

As?the?families gathered ? one thing I learnt very quickly was that these families are close and it ?wasn?t long before I felt like a family member too as I was surrounded by these fun-loving and?beautiful?people.

This is the smile that says ?I?m getting married!?

Rowena still looks as glam today as the day she got married.

First looks are so special ? especially between fathers and daughters.

Next door we were able to use a historic homestead for photos ? a private residence and absolutely breath-taking. An perfect place for bridal portraits and in between skipping happily between rooms and making photographer sounds about the light ? Lizzie was effortlessly beautiful .

Originally Steven was going to wait until Lizzie?s 21st to propose ? however on a prior visit home last year, the time was simply right. ?Lizzie?s 21st is actually on Wednesday ? so looks like they?ll have more than a birthday to celebrate!
Steven ? looking pretty smart.

Brother Scott almost didn?t make it to the wedding as he too is based in Queensland?and?was delayed with the?floodwaters.

The ceremony was choc full of love, emotion and one or two tear-drops.

After the ceremony, Steven?s parents arranged for the release of bright balloons.

Like seriously ? how totally gorgeous are these two?!!! ?
The closeness and love of these two families was again evident with the speeches ? plenty of laughter and tears and heart-felt words.

Lizzie and Steve ? your day was fabulous! ?The two of you were so much fun and I wish you both a safe trip back to Oz, and Lizzie ? a Super Happy 21st on Wednesday!!!! ?Hopefully we will see you back home in a few months time.

?

Hair: Hinks Hair ? Kaiapoi

Cake: ?Kids Cakes

Videography - IDO Films?

Flowers: Fi?s Flowers?

Catering: Kiwi Cuisine?

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Source: http://kimhamblinphotography.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/lizzie-and-stevens-garden-wedding/

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Lady Gaga F-Bombs Former Assistant

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/02/lady-gaga-f-bombs-former-assistant/

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10 Instagram Tips For Business Owners and Online Entrepreneurs ...

Instagram is no longer an option but a MUST for business owners and online entrepreneurs who are looking to expand their brand, attract new customers and increase their profits. With 8500 likes & 1000 comments per second, Instagram has not become a necessity! Boasting 90 million active users who upload 40 million photos a day, Instagram is growing like crazy!! In today?s post I am going to share with you 10 Instagram tips you can being implementing immediately to increase profits and brand awareness!

What is Instagram?

Instagram is a fun way to share your life, experiences and business through pictures. Downloadable as a mobile application, you can snap a photo with your mobile phone, then choose a filter to transform the image into a picture you can share with the world. Instagram in essence is the the world through pictures. Pretty cool huh?

But you may be wondering ? How exactly can I use this online platform to grow my business. Well I am glad you asked, because I am going to share with you 10 Instagram tips for business owners and online entrepreneurs!!

But before we start make sure to follow me at http://www.instagram.com/andreabolder?as?I share through photo the tips I am teaching you today!!!

10 Instagram Tips For Business Owners and Online Entrepreneurs

Instagram Tip #1:

Find out exactly what your customers like and don?t like. You have to be aware of what people are attracted to. Take note of likes, comments, and popular hashtags. This will provide for you a great jumping off point on what type of content you should be focusing on publishing!

Instagram Tip #2:

You always want to lead with content that inspires, uplifts, encourages, serves and praises others. You goal is to create action with your pictures. Share a tip, give some value, help someone feel better. Your Instagram feed should be one worth following! (This applies to Facebook, Twitter and all the other social networks as well). If you provide value, lead with a serving spirit and give people want they want, you will never have a shortage of followers. You want to be the Instgram user that others can?t wait to read, people are excited about your next post and proud to be able follow your updates. You want to be the diamond in their news feed, shiny bright and standing above the rest!

Instagram Tip #3:

Be unpredictable! Have fun! Be different! You want to show people who you are through your pictures. Don?t be afraid to express your personality and uniqueness. Nobody likes boring! So switch up your post. Keep it fresh and give your followers lots of variety so they never quite know what to expect. People want to connect with other people so open up and show them your life. Share all facets of your life not just the business side.

Instagram Tip #4:

Use hashtags # for followers. As we all know from Twitter hashtags are a powerful way to connect people to you. Search out popular # signs that go outside your product or service but align with who you are as a person and marketer. #laptopincome #winning #entrepreneurship, #business, #life, #family, etc expresses me and aligns with my biz philosophy! Instagram is a search engine, so remember to add # that other people are actively searching for. Your goal is to let people see you and what your lifestyle represents. Stay true to who you are and engage on a broader level with others.

Instagram Tip #5:

Share ALL of your interests and talents on Instagram. Just because you are a business owner, marketer or work from home mom doesn?t mean you can?t connect with others outside of your niche. Do not niche yourself so tightly that only a small group of people can relate to you. Your focus is to reach as many people as possible. Share examples of your work. Show stories of others. You want people to experience what you do through your pictures. Show that people can ?do it? and that what you are doing ?works?. The people who impact the most lives are those that others can look up to, be encouraged by and aspire to be like!

Instagram Tip #6:

Use Instagram just as you would use an email, tweet, or facebook post. Educate, Inform, and Entertain your prospects and clients, announce new events, send inspirational messages. Remember you pictures are worth 1000 words. You can to show people you care, you are here to help and support them. Share your expertise, share your knowledge and insights. Not only will people follow you they will tell their friends and network to do so as well. Your #1 goal is to get good as using Instagram and using it daily.

Instagram Tip #7:

SEO your Instagram posts. Hashtags have been the driving fore behind Twitter, they feed into Google and we even use them on Facebook. Hashtags will increase your following as well as drive organic traffic to your blog or website. Make sure you are using hashtags that relate the the content your ideal prospect is searching for on Google and in the search engines. Use hashtags exactly as you would on your blog or video uploads.? We teach you how to make money blogging. It?s free!! Be sure to drive your message and steer people? to you. This will create momentum and buzz in your business and you?ll be surprised by just how quickly things begin to grow!

Instagram Tip #8:

Keep your Instagram profile and bio in line with your other social networking sites. Your bio should be professional, keyword rich and include a link to your blog or lead capture page. Give people a central hub where they can connect and learn more about what you do online. If you present yourself professionally, with style and tact, it will automatically increase your results!

BTW you?ll want to make your profile NOT private as a business owner on InstaGram or others can?t see what you post! That won?t change the world!!

Instagram Tip #9:

Be consistent. This is a HUGE one. Posting regularly is what drives results. You can?t post 3 pictures today and none for the next 3 months. It will not do anything for your overall marketing strategy. Make time to post daily, it only takes a few seconds to do. Consistent marketers will always win rather than those who focus on sporadic impulses ad work on a whim. Be consistent!!

Instagram Tip #10:

Do not overly promote your services and products. One out of every ten picture posts (10%) should mention your product or service. But when you do want promote do it with eye-catching pictures that grab peoples attention. Take a picture of the products cover, the sales page, or a screenshot of the inside of the product. If you are promoting a launch, do a countdown with an ending date. It?s all about being creative, being fun, and engaging your audience to drive results.

So hopefully you have a better handle on how to use Instagram to boost your online presence and business.? Do you have any tips you want to share on how you use Instagram? Share them in the comments below.

Source: http://andreabolder.com/2013/10-instagram-tips-for-business-owners-and-online-entrepreneurs/

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