Small businesses predict an increase in holiday sales

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Small business owners are expecting a slight bump in holiday sales this year and about 40 percent of them are expecting the majority of their sales to be done online.

The National Retail Federation is predicting a small increase of 4.1 percent in holiday sales. Meanwhile, about 43 percent of small business owners say they are more optimistic about the coming holiday season than they were at this time last year, according to a new survey from Manta, an online community dedicated to small business.

About 50 percent of small business owners surveyed expect customers to buy directly from the store this holiday season; and 41 percent anticipate the majority of their sales to come from online orders ? a 10 percent increase from last year?s results.

?The holiday season can bring both immense pressure and great rewards to local small business owners, so this is the most critical time for them to leverage online tools and the vast expertise of other business owners,? said Pamela Springer, CEO of Manta.

As small businesses predict online sales to increase this year, they are being selective when it comes to the online tools and methods they will adopt this holiday season.? For example, the majority ? 82 percent ? of small businesses have not, and will not, run promotions with Groupon or other ?daily deal? sites this year, according to the Manta survey results. About 3 percent of respondents said these types of promotion sites have brought them repeat business.

Many small businesses run online stores or promotions through sites like Etsy and Facebook. Some small businesses are critical of the sites especially as they relate to support for small businesses, according to the Manta survey.

Other survey results show: about 10 percent of small businesses will hire part-time employees for the holiday season; about 26 percent will advertise on their website and through social media; and about 53 percent say Generation X (ages 32-47) are their most crucial target market; and, about 42 percent of small businesses project to end the year profitable.

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Source: http://csbj.com/2012/10/30/small-businesses-predict-an-increase-in-holiday-sales/

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Q&A: Windows Phone VP Terry Myerson On Why WP8 is ?Special?

Wired sat down with Myerson at the Windows Phone 8 launch event to talk about this and why he thinks the latest OS will give Microsoft's smartphone platform momentum, how it fits in the competitive market, and where he sees ...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GearFactor/~3/O7rtybNVQ0U/

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Obama declares NY disaster; Sandy death toll rises

President Barack Obama declared a major disaster in the New York City area Tuesday as Superstorm Sandy pounded the Northeast, killing at least 27 people, sweeping homes into the ocean, flooding large swaths of coastal areas, crippling public transit, and leaving millions without power.

As the East Coast woke up, residents faced the prospect of up to a week without heat, light or refrigeration, while authorities tried to measure the full wrath of the once-in-a-generation hurricane.

The deaths included at least 10 people in New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Tuesday, adding "tragically, we expect that number to go up."

Details of the devastation were also becoming clear:

• More than 8.1 million homes and businesses were without power across 17 states, and nearly half of the outages were in New York and New Jersey, according to a tally by the federal government. NBC News meteorologist Bill Karins warned to "expect the cleanup and power outage restoration to continue right up through Election Day."
• A massive fire destroyed at least 50 homes in Breezy Point, a seaside community in Queens, N.Y. Firefighters had difficulty reaching the blaze due to the severe weather. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
• Seven subway tunnels under the East River in New York City were flooded, leading MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota to declare: "The New York City subway system is 108 years old, but it has never faced a disaster as devastating as what we experienced last night." Subway service was unlikely to resume for 4 to 5 days, Bloomberg said.
• PATH train service between Manhattan and New Jersey is likely to be suspended for 7-10 days, Gov. Chris Christie said Tuesday.
• Half of Hoboken, N.J., was underwater, preventing emergency crews from reaching areas of the city, according to Mayor Dawn Zimmer. "We want people to be aware that it's a very dangerous situation," she told MSNBC.
• At least four towns in north New Jersey ? Moonachie, Little Ferry, South Hackensack and Hackensack ? were submerged by up to 6 feet of water after a levee broke.
• New York University Medical Center evacuated 215 patients to other hospitals because its backup generator was out. Critical patients ? including infants in neonatal intensive care ? were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kettering and New York Presbyterian Hospital.
• The storm surge destroyed a number of houses on Fire Island, N.Y., where some people had decided to sit out Sandy.
• More than 15,000 flights have been canceled so far and New York City's airports remained closed Tuesday. Rail traffic was also heavily affected, with Amtrak canceling all of its Northeast Corridor service, in addition to some other lines.
• Rising waters sparked an alert at the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant in New Jersey Monday night, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said. The alert was the "second lowest of four NRC action levels," it added, and was "due to water exceeding certain high water level criteria in the plant?s water intake structure." Exelon said there was no danger to equipment and no threat to public health or safety.

The dollar value of Sandy's destruction was still unclear.

"I think the losses will be almost incalculable," New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie told NBC's TODAY show.

One disaster forecasting company predicted economic losses could ultimately reach $20 billion, Reuters said .

Get live coverage on the storm from Weather.com

The historic storm, which made landfall at 6:45 p.m. ET Monday, hurled a wall of water of up to 13 feet high at the Northeast coast.

Tuesday's disaster declaration for New York City means that federal funds will be available to people affected by the storm, according to a White House statement.

Seawater surged into lower Manhattan and areas of Brooklyn, submerging entire streets and parks Monday. An all-time record tide level of 13.88 feet was set at The Battery in Lower Manhattan, Monday night, breaking the previous record of 11.2 feet from 1821, as well as Sandy Hook, N.J., shattering the previous record from the Dec. 1992 Nor'easter and Hurricane Donna in 1960, according to weather.com.

New York City's major utility said damage to its power infrastructure was "unprecedented."

On Long Island, 90 percent of homes were without power, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday.

In New Jersey, two thirds of all utility customers, nearly 2.5 million homes and businesses, were without power.

Slideshow: Sandy slams into East Coast (on this page)

Rescuers headed to Fire Island, N.Y., where Joe Williams, the commissioner of Suffolk County, told NBC News that "we definitely lost some homes into the ocean."

"One community ... the count right now is about seven. We have numerous homes reported that have collapsed during the storm on Fire Island," he said.

Video: Surging water, winds hammer Long Island (on this page)

Williams said first responders were due to arrive on the island by 12 p.m. ET.

Helicopters have not been able to land there because the island "right now is covered in 4 feet of water," he said, "But we've been reassured that these people who stayed, most of them are year-round residents. They're pretty strong with this."

Weather.com warned that the high tide Tuesday would result in "additional coastal flooding" from the Delmarva Peninsula to southern New England.

Numerous towns along the New Jersey shore, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, flooded with Monday's high tides.

Video: Roker: Thunderstorm watch issued for New England (on this page)

And "in a sign of how extraordinarily large Sandy is," weather.com said that lakeshore flood warnings had been issued for parts of the Great Lakes including Chicago.

Blizzard warnings have also been posted for the mountains of West Virginia, western Virginia and Garrett County, Md. The largest amount of snow reported as of Monday evening was 16 inches in Tucker County, W.Va.

Weather Channel coverage of Sandy
BreakingNews.com's coverage of Sandy
Share your images of Hurricane Sandy

The powerful storm flooded sections of Atlantic City and other areas of the New Jersey shore. Part of the Atlantic City boardwalk was washed away.

Christie sharply criticized Atlantic City Mayor Lorenzo Langford, whom he blamed for having "advised people to stay in shelters in the city."

"Despite my admonition to evacuate, he gave them comfort, for some reason, to stay," Christie said, NBCPhiladelphia.com reported.

Video: Hoboken mayor estimates 50% of city underwater (on this page)

NBC News has been able to confirm 27 deaths so far along the East Coast:

• New York City (10): A woman, 75, in Manhattan died when power to her oxygen machine failed, while a man, 55, was found dead in a flooded basement in Lower Manhattan and a girl, 14, was found dead near the shoreline in Staten Island, according to NBCNewYork.com. Two men, one in Queens and one on Long Island, were killed by falling trees, and a woman was electrocuted in Queens when she stepped into water that concealed a live wire. Details on the other deaths were not immediately available.
• New York state (5): Five people died in other parts of the state, Gov. Cuomo said Tuesday. Two boys were killed in North Salem, N.Y., when a tree crashed into the home they were in, NBCNewYork.com reported. Details on the other deaths were not available.
• New Jersey (3): Two people died when a tree fell on their car in northern New Jersey, authorities told NBCPhiladelphia.com. Christie told NBC that a third person died as well, but details were not available.
• Pennsylvania (2): A man, 62, and a boy, 8, were killed by falling trees, NBCPhiladelphia.com reported.
• Connecticut (2): A woman, 90, and a firefighter were killed by falling trees, NBCConnecticut.com reported.
• Virginia (2): Officials said two traffic deaths were tied to Sandy but no details were available.
• Maryland (1):? One person was killed when a car hydroplaned over high water in Montgomery County, Gov. Martin O'Malley told MSNBC.
• West Virginia (1): A woman died in an accident on snow-covered roads in Tucker County, NBC station WSAZ reported.
• At sea (1): One person died when a replica of the HMS Bounty sank 90 miles southeast of Hatteras, N.C. Fourteen others were rescued, but the captain was missing.

Before it made its way north, Sandy was blamed for the deaths of 65 people in the Caribbean.

More content from NBCNews.com:

Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook

NBC's Ian Johnston and M. Alex Johnson, as well as Reuters and The Associated Press, contributed to this report.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49605748/ns/weather/

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DACAAR Finance Advisor/Re-adevertisement ? Afghanistan ...

DACAAR is a non-governmental, humanitarian organization that supports sustainable development in Afghanistan through promoting the ability of local communities to decide upon and manage their own development process. Core thematic areas are: Water, Sanitation & Hygiene; Natural Resource Management; Women?s Empowerment; and Small Scale Enterprise Development. The organisation employs around 650 staff, of whom 11 are expatriates, with an annual budget of approximately USD 16 million.

DACAAR is now looking for a Financial Advisor to support the organisation in financial management and administration with regard to compliance, transparency and internal control. During the last few years DACAAR has transferred senior management responsibility, including the key position as Head of Finance and Administration to Afghan staff.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Advisor will oversee and ensure coherence between DACAAR?s contractual obligations and its financial and administrative procedures. Also, the Adviser will ensure adherence to established financial procedures. This includes review of all existing policies and procedures as well as advise on improvement of existing systems and a continued development and streamlining of regulations, procedures and systems in DACAAR. The Advisor will have a special focus on the financial management procedures and systems of the organisation and compliance with donors? rules and regulations.

The Advisor reports to the Director and will have strong advisory relationship towards the Heads of Departments (Strategy & Policy; Finance & Administration; Human Resource; and Programme) and senior staff in all matters relating to financial and administrative procedures. In addition the Advisor will maintain close collaboration with the Programme Coordinator in Denmark and provide input to the Governing Board as requested.The right candidate will have solid experience performing an advisory role and in liaising with senior management.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific responsibilities of the Advisor related to Departments include, but are not limited to, the following:

DIRECTORATE
??Provide strategic advice to the Director on all matters relating to finance and the financial sustainability of the organisation.
??Develop, implement and administer a system for internal control, detection of fraud and compliance with donor and internal regulations.

STRATEGY & POLICY DEPARTMENT
??Effectively stay abreast of donors? policies, procedures, rules and regulations and compile and update an applicable compliance manual and training program for DACAAR staff.
??Support use of and if needed identify internal potential synergies, e.g. between staff working with grants and finance to ensure efficient compliance.
??Provide targeted and on-going coaching and mentoring to staff dealing with donor compliance.
??Ensure implementation of systems and procedures are in compliance with donor regulations through access to contract information, particularly the contract management database.

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
??Assist and advise the Head of Finance & Administration in monitoring the financial management of DACAAR, including management of cash flow and bank accounts in several foreign currencies, in accordance with individual donor contracts.
??Assist and support the Head of Finance & Administration in establishing an improved budget and expenditure monitoring system as well as regular monitoring of the same.
??Together with the Head of Finance & Administration, ensure that adequate budgeting procedures and systems are documented and in place in all departments within DACAAR and that relevant staff? members receive sufficient support in implementation of such systems and procedures.
??Together with the Head of Finance & Administration, review and analyse annual budgets as well as proposal budgets prepared by the departments and compiled by the Finance Section.
??Together with the Head of Finance & Administration review and analyse Balance Sheet reconciliation and follow up on outstanding items with the Programme.
??Together with the Head of Finance & Administration, review financial reports prior to submission to the Director for approval before submission to donors.
??Provide the Head of Finance & Administration mentoring for further development of core financial and administrative functions and systems.
??Together with the Head of Finance and Administration ensure that principles and procedures for registration and control of stocks and stores are developed, documented, and applied consistently and as required
??Ensure orderly closure of completed projects in collaboration with relevant entities in DACAAR.
??Advise the Head of Finance and Administration in case of any modifications required to financial manual and other related documents.
??Support the Head of Finance & Administration to ensure that procurement personnel are improving the current procurement regulations and systems to ensure that supplies for programme activities are procured in a timely manner and in accordance with the principles established in donor contracts.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT
??Assist the Head of Human Resources in planning necessary recruitment, training and capacity building of Afghan finance and administration staff.
??Assist the Head of Human Resources in review and development of related finance training materials.
??Assist the Head of Human Resources in reviewing staff related financial benefits and ensuring consistency with the organisations human resource and finance strategy.

PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT
??Prepare procedures for the continued smooth monitoring of financial and administrative compliance for the proper and transparent implementation of DACAAR?s programme as required by established procedures and donor requirements.
??Interact regularly with the Head of Programme and the Managers of Services, Portfolio and Operations and key staff responsible for the Programme?s accounting functions. Identify and deliver on the job trainings as necessary.
??Assist with the development of standards and wherever possible simplify procedures to enhance communication of financial information.

QUALIFICATIONS
??Substantial experience with advisory relationships and documented ability to support senior management.
??Strong professional background (Master?s degree) in financial management and accounting.
??Strong professional experience and interest in management and administration of donor funds including compliance with donors? rules and regulations (e.g. DANIDA, SIDA, NORAD, EC, ECHO and CIDA).
??Strong coaching and mentoring skills and attitude.
??Experience with DACAAR?s financial system, Navision, is desirable.
??Work experience from and knowledge about Islamic culture in general and Afghanistan in particular is an advantage.
??Willingness to live, travel and work under difficult conditions.
??Fluency in written and spoken English.
??Cultural sensitivity and adaptability.

DACAAR welcomes applications from both women and men.

CONDITIONS
Duty station:?Kabul, Afghanistan. The work might require occasional travelling in rural areas in Afghanistan, subject to the security situation. For the time being, Kabul is classified as a non-family duty station.

Contract:?One year with the Danish Refugee Council (on behalf of DACAAR). Salary and conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council?s Terms of Employment for Expatriates. (See?www.drc.dk?under Vacancies). The position is classified as A9.

Availability:As soon as possible

FURTHER INFORMATION
You are welcome to contact Ms. Vibeke Falkenberg, Programme Coordinator (Copenhagen), phone+45 3373 5034 or e-mail?vibeke.falkenberg@drc.dk?and Mr Gerry Garvey, Director (Kabul), e-mail?gerry.garvey@dacaar.org?for further information on the position.

Please note that applications are not to be sent to Ms. Falkenberg or Mr Garvey.Applications sent directly to Ms. Falkenberg or Mr. Garvey Will Not Be Taken Into Consideration.

APPLICATION AND CV
Only motivated applications in English that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered. CV-only applications will not be considered.

We only accept applications sent online on?www.drc.dk?under Vacancies> Current vacancies >DACAAR Finance Advisor/Re-advertisment? ? Afghanistan (click on the vacancy, then on ?Apply? at the bottom of the window that opens).

Please send your application, in English and marked ?DACAAR Finance Advisor??no later than?18. November 2012.

Please contact Anne Oxholm,?job@drc.dk, if you experience problems with your online application.

18/11/2012

Source: http://www.organismes.org/dacaar-finance-advisorre-adevertisement-afghanistan/

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Fundamental analysis 30 October 2012 | Inside Forex trading

Monday session was marked by a weak volatility again. This time a nature took part amended the market events. Hurricane Sandy, threatening the East coast of the USA, became the reason of closing some sectors of financial market, and it caused an absence of activity at the currency markets. In these conditions investors preferred the dollar as a shelter- currency, which had strengthened a little against its all main opponents. Beside this, fear of the situations in Spain and Greece supported the dollar, and also representatives of the Bank of England, which by their hints increased the expectations of mitigation from BoE supported the dollar. The USD/JPY pair was trading in a narrow corridor with the expectations of the Bank of Japan decisions about the volume of economic stimulation, and it also caused strengthening of the dollar. The US economy statistics published yesterday showed good results, and it more likely made the American currency more popular. Consumer expenses increased by 0.8% m/m in September,? and incomes increased by 0.4% m/m, but forecasts had estimated increase only by 0.6% m/m and 0.4% m/m correspondingly. ?The information from regions showed improvement of business activity in the industry sphere of Texas. According to the report of the FRS of Dallas, the total index of business activity increased by 1.8 in October from -0.9 in September. But the index components which refer to the perspectives, showed negative results? ? new orders index fell to -4.5 from 5.3, and employment index decreased to 5.2from 5.9. Today there will be a little important news ? house price index from S&P/Case-Shiller in 20 US megalopolises is estimated to increase by 2.0% y/y in? August after? +1.2% y/y in July, consumer confidence index from Conference board is estimated to improve to 72.4 against 70.3 earlier.

EUR

Spain situation and the expectations of decisions in Greece are continuing to influence the unified currency causing decrease of interest in it. The rise of incomes from assets of outlying countries of the Eurozone and bad index of Spain economy caused the weakening of the euro at the fisrt session this week. Information, demonstrated by Madrid, showed the fall of retail trade in September, the index fixed -10.9% y/y in comparison with August ? only 2% y/y. There is still uncertainty concerning the aid to Greece, as Athens and international creditors are not agreed. The top-manager of Germany stated that the idea of Greek debt restructuring at the expense of government?s means will not be considered , and that the program of its bay-back can attract the attention, but it can cause the printing-press turn on in the Eurozone and it naturally increase the euro trading. Except Spain statistics, German inflation statistics was published ? here price pressure I October remained at the same level ?- preliminary consumer 0prices index showed? 0.0% m/m, 2.0% y/y. Today there are much more news. First, market?s attention will focus on German employment statistics. It is estimated the increase of number of unemployment allowance appeals by 10 thousands and increase of the level by 6.9% from 6.8% in September. Beside this, the report of the European committee for October about the mood in business will be of great interest. This information may cause the decrease of business conditions index by -1.40 from -1.34, decrease of economic expectations index to 84.2 after 85.0 earlier, decrease of the confidence index in industry sector to -17.0 after -16.1 in September. Consumer confidence index is expected to be at the level -25.6. It is natural that such dynamics of results don?t support the unified currency and the pressure on the euro may continue.

GBP

British pound also fell against the dollar at Monday trading, and its weakening was more noticeable than the euro weakening. Maybe investor?s pound trading was caused by the announcement of the representative of the Bank of England, which strengthened the fear concerning a volume increase of the program of mitigation from ???, which has decreased after the announcement of the Head of this institute M. King last week and good GDP index of ?islands? for the 3^rd quarter. Yesterday the member of Monetary and Credit Policy Committee? of the Bank Of England S. Deil announced that British economy will more likely slow down suddenly in the last quarter of the year, and inflation will more likely increase by 2.5% in the nearest months. Such situation is not good for the British regulator, as on the one hand stimulus is needed, but such action may bring negative results in the conditions of high inflation. Home market statistics published yesterday also didn?t support the pound ? Hometrack report announced house price index in October didn?t have positive results, the index fixed -0.1%m?/m, -0.4% y/y after -0.1% m/m,-0.4% y/y? earlier. Information of the Bank of England about crediting was positive ?- the total consumer crediting increased by 1.7 milliard pounds in September, this index beat summer 2008 maximum, forecasts had estimated worse results ? only +0.2 milliard pounds. Nevertheless, non-financial companies debts continued to decrease, it testifies a business unconfidence and may influence the dynamics of money supply., which had decreased in September -? M4 aggregate showed? -4.0% y/y from ?-3.5% y/y in August. Today there are a little news about ?islands? economy, retail trade index from the Confederation of British Manufacturers (CBI) is expected to increase to +7 ? +6 for October. It is scarcely probable that it has changed a market mood. It is more likely that the pound will be under a little pressure or will be in trade on the current session.

JPY

The expectations of the Bank of Japan decision on the monetary policy caused the fluctuations of the Japanese currency in narrow corridors against all main opponents on Monday session. Today this long-awaited decision is made and its announcement disappointed the market ? the yen strengthened on all fronts. The Bank of Japan decided to increase the program of assets buying by 11 trillion yens, it coincided with the forecast, but it didn?t come up to the investors? expectations of more aggressive stimulation. The Land of the Rising Sun economy statistics demonstrated today shows that the situation in Japanese economy worsens ?- households expenses decreased in September by -0.9% y/y after 1.8% y/y, but it was expected ?0.8% y/y, the level of unemployment remained at the same level ?4.2%, and the preliminary estimation of the volume of industry production in September fixed bigger decrease than it was in the previous month and then the forecasts expected,? -4.1% m/m, -8.1% y/y after -1.6% m/m,? -4.6% y/y, it was expected -3.1% m/m, -7.1% y/y.? Concerning the nearest perspectives of the yen, its pressure may weaken as the bank of Japan may mitigate more ?- the manager of the Bank of Japan M. Sirakova has already announced that? widening of the stimulation program will continue.

Source: http://blog.forex4you.com/fundamental-analysis-30-october-2012/

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This Gorgeous Carbon Fiber Sled Could Be Your Perfect Post-Frankenstorm Ride

If hurricane Sandy turns into a blizzard and dumps snow everywhere, the best way to get around Northeastern hills might be this lovely Snolo carbon fiber alpine sled. It's lightweight, it folds down for easy transport, and it looks like a Ferrari suited to six feet of snow. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/y2ZwOUe0NmI/this-gorgeous-carbon-fiber-sled-could-be-your-perfect-post+frankenstorm-ride

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Actress Melissa Joan Hart balances acting with motherhood, talks ...

Melissa Joan Hart is known for her TV personalities, playing a PG version of Carrie Bradshaw in ?Clarissa Explains it All? and a 16-year-old who finds out she has magical powers in ?Sabrina, The Teenage Witch?. She?s now starring in the ABC Family series ?Melissa and Joey?, where her character hires a male nanny, played by fellow '90s television heartthrob Joey Lawrence, to look after the niece and nephew she?s in charge of raising.

Off-screen, Hart?s own family and career continues to grow. She just gave birth to her third son with husband Mark Wilkerson, and is now partnering with Merck and their ?Once Upon a Birth? campaign. Hart comes to ?Starting Point? to explain it all.

Hart was only a teenager while filming ?Clarissa Explains It All?.

?That?s 20 years ago,? Hart says, ?long time ago.? She was balancing high school, the show in Orlando, and her family back home in New York. She?s pulling much the same weight now, managing her family in Connecticut and shooting ?Melissa and Joey? in Los Angeles, a show she also executive produces. She was also an executive producer on in ?Sabrina, The Teenage Witch?. ?

?You get to have some fun,? she says about the benefits of producing to playing the lead actress. ?You get to have some creative control,? like working with the talent of your choice. ?So I really enjoy that.?

A mother to three healthy kids, Hart?s paid partnership with Merck is rooted in her wish to empower women with more access to prenatal care. Her own birth story is on Merck for Mothers? Facebook page as a part of its ?Once Upon a Birth? initiative.

?For every story shared, they will make a donation to Join My Village,? an empowerment program for women around the world, Hart says, ?because 800 women die everyday in child birth.? Hart feels blessed to have proper healthcare and healthy children.

?Anything related to mothers and babies is where my heart is,? Hart says.

Source: http://startingpoint.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/25/actress-melissa-joan-hart-on-balancing-acting-with-motherhood-talks-about-work-promoting-prenatal-care/

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Cartoonist Ali Farzat says fear defeated in Syria

CAIRO (Reuters) - Cartoonist Ali Farzat's hand glides over the paper, once more creating the images of defiance he says have helped mobilize Syrians to revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

Just over 12 months ago, the Syrian was kidnapped, beaten and burned in an attack he blamed on Syrian security police trying to silence him and stop him drawing the caricatures that protesters have waved aloft as they took to the streets.

His hands were smashed and he suffered facial burns, temporary loss of his eyesight and multiple broken bones.

One of Syria's most famous artists, Farzat earned recognition in the Arab world and beyond for stinging cartoons of Arab leaders such as Libya's Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq's Saddam Hussein and finally, Assad.

Farzat, 60, escaped to Kuwait to recuperate. Now in Egypt, which overthrew its own president in an 18 day uprising in 2011, Farzat told Reuters he was determined to continue his work and support those still seeking to topple Assad 19 months after they began.

"Everyday the revolution inches a step forward. I am very optimistic. Do you see anyone turning back?," he said, proudly gesturing with his hands to show they were back in action.

"Fear has been defeated in Syria when the people marched 19 months ago against tyranny.

"I began to directly draw people in power including Assad and his government officials, to break the barrier of fear, that chronic fear that Syrians suffered from for 50 years."

One of his first cartoons portraying Assad - long a taboo in Syria - showed the president reluctantly ripping a page off a calendar on Thursday, knowing that Friday would bring another wave of popular protests to the streets of Syria.

In another, Assad tries to hitch a lift with Gaddafi, and a third shows Assad beside a large armchair, unable to sit down because the springs have broken.

Demonstrators carried banners of his work as new-found expressions of resistance. Farzat, who works for Kuwait's al-Watan newspaper, has been denied entry into Iraq, Libya, Jordan and Oman because of his work.

TANK SKETCH

The uprising against Assad, whose family has ruled Syria in autocratic fashion for four decades, began as a peaceful protest but now has degenerated into civil war. More than 32,000 Syrians have been killed.

A temporary ceasefire is due to come into effect on Friday.

Farzat said Assad initially tried to get him and other Syrian artists on his side, promising reforms to all but, he said, setting up a system of patronage to win the loyalty of some and exclude those who resisted him.

"On a personal level we found Assad contradictory. One day, we would speak and agree on a specific issue. The next day we would find out he had changed his mind," said Farzat, recalling the day he decided to take on Assad in his work.

"Satirizing a dictator empowers the masses. It strengthens them and undermines their enemy," he said.

Assad says he is pursing reforms, including a parliamentary election held in May, but the opposition says they are meaningless without genuine participation.

Sitting on his desk in a building overlooking Tahrir square, the heart of the uprising in Egypt, Farzat sketches on white paper. A tiny bird emerges, chipping and breaking off the head of an axe that sticks out of a Syrian military fatigues, a symbol of Assad's power.

He quickly draws a tank unable to roll over a flower, blocking the tank from moving forward. These sketches and others will be showcased in his independent magazine Al-Domari, meaning the Lamp Lighter, which he plans to relaunch in Egypt.

The magazine, which was founded in 2000 during a brief period of media freedom, was forced to shut down by Assad's government in 2003.

"The magazine's purpose is gradually remove the darkness that befell our Arab world," said Farzat.

He hopes to form a symposium with young artists and cartoonists in Egypt to support the art movement that grew out of Egypt's uprising.

"These cartoons stem from the sorrows of people. They give them courage and determination," said Farzat.

(Editing by Alison Williams)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/cartoonist-ali-farzat-says-fear-defeated-syria-155821155.html

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Basically, ejaculation pills are the most effective supplements in treating rapid climax. However, not so fast! No time for these supplements to work optimally.

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Source: http://thyramizz.blogspot.com/2012/10/best-penis-enlargement-pills-overcome.html

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Nuance Dragon Mobile Assistant launches on Android, but only on ICS for now

Dragon Go! has been given the elbow, with the slightly more professional sounding Dragon Mobile Assistant taking its place. Nuance has expanded on its predecessor's verbal commands, with new functionality for maps (you'll be able to bark direction requests at the new app and it'll plan the route), alongside a hands-free wake-up feature activated by saying "Hi Dragon" -- we hope you have a high embarrassment threshold. Other Siri-esque features include weather updates and dictated SMS and email responses. The beta app can be downloaded below, although compatibility is limited to Android Ice Cream Sandwich and above for now. Nuance is promising more features and increased availability later this year.

Continue reading Nuance Dragon Mobile Assistant launches on Android, but only on ICS for now

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile

Nuance Dragon Mobile Assistant launches on Android, but only on ICS for now originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Dragon mobile app, Dragon Mobile Assistant (Google Play)  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/8gojy4Hguw8/

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West Nile virus still popping up, 219 deaths this year

DALLAS (Reuters) - The U.S. outbreak of West Nile virus has killed 219 people this year, after another 36 deaths from the mosquito-borne disease were reported last week, government figures showed Wednesday.

In what is the second-worst year on record for the disease, the total number of cases of West Nile virus across the United States grew to 4,725, with 194 new cases reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Although the pace of new cases has slowed since the outbreak's peak in the late summer, new cases continue to be reported, particularly in states where warm temperatures persist. This year's outbreak has trailed only 2003 in total cases.

Just over half of the cases reported to the CDC this year have been of the severe neuroinvasive form of the disease, which can cause meningitis and encephalitis.

The death toll from West Nile is now the highest since 2003, when 264 deaths were reported. The highest number of deaths from West Nile was 284 in 2002.

CDC officials have said deaths often lag weeks to months from the time of infection because of lingering illness.

Almost 70 percent of the cases have been reported in eight states: Texas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Illinois, South Dakota, Michigan and Oklahoma.

More than a third of all cases have been reported in Texas, with Dallas-Fort Worth at the center of the outbreak.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported 1,683 cases and 77 deaths, including 915 cases and 36 deaths in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

(Editing by Paul Thomasch and Vicki Allen)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/death-toll-west-nile-virus-tops-200-government-174439723.html

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SEE IT: Jessica Biel, Justin Timberlake's wedding photo

People

The first photo of Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake?s wedding.

This just in ? Jessica Biel didn't wear white.

The beaming newlywed poses in a cotton candy pink Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown in the first photo of her wedding with singer Justin Timberlake, published in People magazine.

MARRYING JESSICA WAS 'MAGICAL,' JUSTIN SAYS

PHOTOS: SECRET CELEBRITY WEDDINGS

Meanwhile, Timberlake jumps for joy in a black Tom Ford tuxedo he helped design.

"It was a total fantasy experience," Biel told the magazine.

Giambattista Valli, a close friend of Biel's, also designed the bridesmaids' dresses and a gown for the actress' mother, Marie Claire UK reported.

Biel, 30, is often spotted in the Italian's designs.

The couple wed Friday during a week-long bash in southern Italy, surrounded by family and friends, including fellow A-listers Jimmy Fallon, Andy Samberg, Timbaland and Beverly Mitchell.

The ceremony was held at the Borgo Egnazia resort in Puglia.

"It was a lot to ask of them to travel, so we figured we'd give our guests a good party!" Timberlake, 31, told People.

The former boy band star played the guitar and serenade Biel as she walked the aisle.

JUSTIN SERENADES JESSICA AT ITALY WEDDING

"It was an original piece I wrote specifically for the evening and for her," he said.

"It was a really special evening," Justin said, despite reports he was under the weather on his wedding day.

rmurra@nydailynews.com

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nydnrss/home/~3/ddMQRQ52cu4/story01.htm

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State officials find problems at Mass. pharmacy

BOSTON (AP) ? Water from a leaking boiler collected just outside a room that was supposed to be sterile. Floor mats used by technicians were filled with dirt and debris. Drugs were shipped out before the company even confirmed they were sterile.

State officials said Tuesday that they found these and other problems at the New England Compounding Center during a preliminary investigation into the company, linked to a deadly outbreak of meningitis.

The probe can't yet conclusively prove what caused the outbreak, a top health official said. In the meantime, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said he wants to tighten oversight at similar companies, including with surprise inspections ? the first of which happened Tuesday.

The state has also moved to permanently revoke the company's operating license, as well as the licenses of its top three pharmacists.

"Those whose laboratory practices caused this outbreak should never practice pharmacy or manufacture in Massachusetts again," Patrick said.

The outbreak of fungal meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, has sickened 308 people, including 23 who have died, in 17 states. The outbreak has been linked to a steroid made by the NECC and taken mainly for back pain. Compounding pharmacies like NECC custom mix solutions in doses or forms generally not commercially available.

The federal government is conducting a criminal investigation.

The state said Tuesday that its preliminary investigation, which began last month after the company was first suspected in the growing outbreak, found batches of drugs ready for general distribution but not labeled for specific patients.

Its state license permits the company to fill out only specific prescriptions for specific patients, and distributing drugs in batches like a manufacturer would violate that, said Dr. Madeleine Biondolillo, director of the state Department of Public Health's Bureau of Healthcare Safety.

But company attorney Paul Cirel said it's "hard to imagine" state regulators weren't previously aware of the scale of its operations because they've worked so closely together. The state Board of Registration in Pharmacy has always had complete access to the facility, and board members were there as recently as last summer, he said.

"NECC's transparency in dealing with the board since inception in 1998 demonstrates its good-faith intention to operate in compliance with the requirements of its license," Cirel said.

Besides possible state license violations, Biondolillo said the inspections also revealed "several health and safety deficiencies" at the NECC facility in Framingham, just west of Boston.

Three lots of steroids produced by the company are suspected in the outbreak, and the company shipped orders from those lots 13 times before receiving the results of its own tests to confirm those lots were sterile, Biondolillo said. Some medication was shipped as many as 11 days before the company received test results, she said.

Biondolillo also detailed signs of flawed sterilization procedures, including black specks of fungus in sealed vials of the steroids, which were returned to the company during a recall.

Investigators found the company didn't sterilize its products long enough and didn't adequately test whether its sterilization equipment was working, she said.

In addition, mats on which people wiped their shoes to remove contamination before entering a sterile environment were "visibly dirty and soiled with assorted debris," she said. And a leaking boiler adjacent to a pharmacy clean room left an unsanitary pool of water around it and the adjacent walls, she said.

As the investigation continues, Patrick's moves to increase oversight at the state's 25 compounding pharmacies have started.

The first of the unannounced inspections, to take place at least annually, was done on Tuesday, health department spokesman Alec Loftus said. He wouldn't give the inspected facility's name and said the results are being reviewed.

Patrick also said compounding pharmacies will now be required to file annual compliance reports that could help regulators determine if they are acting as manufacturers.

____

Associated Press reporter Bob Salsberg contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/state-officials-problems-mass-pharmacy-063320265--finance.html

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Taliban leader says insider attacks will increase

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/taliban-leader-says-insider-attacks-increase-170535713.html

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iPad Mini vs. the new (and newer) iPad: what's different?

We've all known that iPad prototypes of every shape and size reside inside Apple's design lab, but few of us believed we'd ever see one on store shelves. Of course, when the rumor machine leapt into top gear, it seemed that Apple had relaxed its legendary stance on "tweener tablets." Now Tim Cook and chums have whipped the covers from the iPad Mini, it's time to delve inside.

Given that this is an entirely new product from the company, we thought we'd stack it up against the third and fourth generation iPads -- the latter coming out just seven months after we threw down cash on the former. That way, we can identify what compromises and concessions have been made to squeeze the iPad experience into a smaller body. Join us after the break to to take part in the stats extravaganza, but excuse us if we're a little distracted -- we're still suffering from concussion where Apple kicked all of us third-generation iPad owners in the teeth.

For more coverage, visit our Apple Special Event hub!

Continue reading iPad Mini vs. the new (and newer) iPad: what's different?

Filed under: Tablets, Apple

iPad Mini vs. the new (and newer) iPad: what's different? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

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

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Video: So, about last night?

Surface RT review: Microsoft tablet mixed blessing

??Surface RT, Microsoft's first foray into personal computing, is a hardware success, and the company should be proud. Windows RT, the operating system that runs on it, is less of a reason for self-back-patting, however.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/vp/49525944#49525944

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Video: Markets Sell-Off on Earnings & Spain

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Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/cnbc/49519378/

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Square mobile payment service comes to Canada

Square's mobile point of purchase system has expanded beyond the U.S. into Canada today, marking their first step into international markets. Though Square didn't advertise any particular launch partners up north, they do have free headphone jack fobs available for small businesses to start accepting credit card payments on whatever Android devices they happen to be using. Transaction fees are 2.75% per MasterCard or Visa swipe, which is apparently pretty competitive. 

Unfortunately, Square Wallet isn't available to Canada just yet, but will be arriving in 2013. The app will enable users to pay for goods, use loyalty cards, get receipts, and leave reviews for businesses.  Although Square tends to be lumped in with iOS, their Android app has been available for a couple of years now. I'm interested in seeing if Square hops on the NFC bandwagon at some point, but for the time being, I'm sure they do reasonably well just dealing with Visa and Mastercard. It would be great to see some Interac support eventually, too.

Hey Americans, how often do you see Square in use in businesses? Should we feel screwed that Square Wallet isn't available right out of the gate? Keep in mind that we still don't have Google Wallet up here, or even anything like Isis, so this may be the best thing we can get for mobile payments for the immediate future. Any Canadian business owners interested in giving this a shot? You can sign up over here. 

Soruce: Square

 

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/QpWRBzsZrlI/story01.htm

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Is Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) a Good Investment After The Miss? - Insider ...

Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) announced earnings yesterday that painted a very bleak picture for the company. The company saw earnings drop by 88% for 3Q on greater than expected international expansion costs, causing the stock to drop by over 15% in after market trading. Netflix?s net income came in at $7.7 million, compared to $62.5 million for the same quarter last year?see which hedge funds were killed by Netflix. The company did manage to grow international subscribers at a greater rate than expected, but spent way more money than expected to do so.

Key concerns noted by Netflix CEO, Reid Hastings, was that despite the company?s over 1 million subscribers in Latin America, it will take longer than expected to reach profitability in the country. As well, the company is now likely to carry a loss through the fourth quarter given its recent launch in Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden.

Netflix managed to continue to adding subscribers in 3Q, up 2 million to a total of 29 million subscribers, but a transition in consumer preference has allowed notable competitor Redbox to take market share for movies and films, as Netflix sees the majority of its viewers now preferring television shows. However, even as competition and cost concerns slam Netflix the company still trades above its closest competitors on a valuation basis.

Notable competitor, Coinstar, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSTR), is best known for its self-service movie rental kiosks, Redbox. Coinstar?s initiatives include the potential to place self-serve kiosks for photo printing and coffee. The company is said to have been in talks with private-equity firms to take the company private, but stock is now down 3% year to date, versus having been up as much as 50% earlier this year.

However, Coinstar has beat earnings for the past four quarters and is expected to grow earnings at over 18% annually over the next five years. These are impressive growth prospects that both Jim Simons and Ken Griffin believe in, as they upped their 1Q stake during 2Q by 70% and 290%, respectively.

DISH Network Corp. (NASDAQ:DISH) is expected to add over 100,000 net subscribers for both 2012 and 2013. The company is expected to see a rise in its average revenue per user based whole-home DVR services, streaming video and TV Everywhere?DISH?s streaming feature. It remains to be seem how much its streaming service will catch on, but its an interesting prospect nonetheless. Additionally, the company recently reached a settlement that will bring AMC back to DISH subscribers?the company has been up as much as 5% this week on the news. Earlier this month the company launched a satellite broadband offering that targets some 14.5 million rural U.S. residents that previously had no Internet available. Fund interest was positive for DISH in 2Q, with George Soros and Jim Simons upping their 1Q stakes 115% and 72%, respectively, yet insiders were selling over the past month in the range of? $33 to $35.70.

It is rumored that Time Warner Cable Inc (NYSE:TWC) and HBO will offer viewing services directly to consumers, versus being a pay-cable business. The company has been growing its core business, expecting revenues up 6.1% in 2012 and 4.7% in 2013 on the back of bundled high-speed data and voice penetration. Time Warner pays a 2.3% dividend and has seen a number of EPS revisions upwards over the last month, where earnings are now expected to grow 25% and 22% for 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Let us not forget the ever-popular e-commerce company that appears to be competing with various players across several industries, Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN). Amazon?s Instant Video offering takes a direct stab at Netflix. 2013 $2.75 EPS estimates put earnings at a huge increase from the expected $1.01 EPS for 2012.

While Amazon trades at a forward ratio of 90x, Netflix still manages to trade at a forward ratio of 67x. We believe that the growth prospects are much greater for Amazon, with the company getting into web services, hardware and digital content, which will help Amazon grow into its valuation. Additionally, by leveraging its leading Internet brand name to offer online video, the company can further expand its margins.

As Netflix?s DVD customers continue to decline, streaming growth will be left to mitigate churn. Netflix will be relying on its ability to enter global markets to spur future growth, but uncertainty around adoption and costs provide a cloudy outlook for the company. We believe that increasing content cost and a flood of competition into the Internet video streaming still poses key risks for Netflix.

While Amazon is a P/E ratio outlier, the other movie and TV providers trade with an average P/E of 14x. Even with Netflix?s recent stock slide, it still trades at over 30x. We would prefer to avoid Netflix for the time being given the rich amount of competition and uncertainty with international expansion. We do like Amazon?s prospects to grow market share in the streaming industry given its strong brand name, and would be even more interested should Amazon decide to take a look at buying competitors like Hulu.

This entry is filed under Stock Analysis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Source: http://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/is-netflix-inc-nflx-a-good-investment-after-the-miss-25404/

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More North Texas clinics may have received tainted medicine

by JANET ST. JAMES

WFAA

Posted on October 22, 2012 at 6:05 PM

Updated yesterday at 8:43 PM

News 8 has learned of additional facilities in North Texas that received pain medication from New England Compounding Pharmacy, the facility at the center of a nationwide meningitis outbreak.

The FDA on Monday made available the list of health care facilities that received recalled products from linked to tainted back pain injections.

A few hours later, the agency said it had "found some problems with the list" and the information was "inaccurate."

The FDA said it was working to correct the list.

Not every facility on the list initially provided by the agency received contaminated products, but all of them were sent some type of recalled medicine from the compounding pharmacy, including ? we are learning for the first time ? three facilities that treat children.

Here is the original list provided by the FDA, which is subject to revision:

The FDA admits its list may not be complete. News 8 knows of two other medical facilities in North Texas that have received medicine from the New England Compounding Pharmacy:

Texas Health Southlake is monitoring more than 100 patients who got potentially contaminated injections. Medical City Dallas confirms they got medicine from the pharmacy now under investigation, although none of it was the suspect injections.

The FDA said clinics on its list need to double-check their stocks and stop using any products from NECP.

There is no federal order that a clinic be in touch with patients who used products that were part of the voluntary recall, but this list certainly narrows the possibilities for patients who may be concerned about if they have been exposed.

E-mail jstjames@wfaa.com

?

Source: http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/necp-175318471.html

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Put on That $%*! Agency New Business Sales Hat! Chapter 11 - ANB

Post by RSW/US Owner & President Mark Sneider

For those of you following these posts, this is the Chapter 11 summary from our soon to be released, 17 chapter Agency New Business Handbook titled:

Put on that $%*! Sales Hat! The Hardest Part of Agency New Business.

The 17 Chapters talk about why you need to wear your sales hat at every step of the process, from pre-prospecting preparation to working opportunities to close.

The majority of the book focuses on elements that Agencies either often overlook, are too busy to consider, or are simply too lazy to pursue.

Chapter 11: Every Touch Point Counts!

Key is NOT taking anything for granted.

What you have to do is assume that your prospect is evaluating you at each and every corner of the search.

You have to do this, because more often than not, THEY ARE.

We remind our agencies of this all the time ? both those we represent on the RSW/US side of our world as well as those that participate in agency searches on the RSW/AgencySearch side of our business.

When we manage searches for Marketers, we critically evaluate everything an agency does during the process?from how well prepared they seem to be at each phase, to how much time and thinking they put into responses, to the kinds of questions they ask.

I believe if an agency can?t perform well when the pressure isn?t really on, how are they going to perform when hired by a Marketer when the pressure cooker really heats up?

Even the simplest of activities, like a Q&A/Chemistry call can be an evaluative point for a Marketer.

We had an agency involved in a search and they made it past the RFI phase and the Marketer had every intent on moving all four agencies into the final pitch presentation?but at the end of the day, they only brought three forward.

A Job NOT Well Done

The fourth did such a poor job of handling the Q&A/Chemistry call that the Marketer walked out of it with very little confidence that they could do the job.? They didn?t seem prepared, their questions were very tactical, and the examples they provided had very little to do with the client?s business.

What you need to be thinking is how can you go into each round of a search, or a meeting, or a proposal submission and?

?GO OUT THERE AND DO AMAZING THINGS!?

If you?re in a Q&A/Chemistry call as an example ? or if you have a meeting upcoming..rather than just walking into these, precede them by firing some questions to the Marketer (or search consultant) prior to the call or meeting.

Show them that you are thinking about them ? often.

Maybe send them an agenda prior to the call.? Had two agencies just do this for a Q&A/Chemistry call I managed.? Says a lot about the preparedness of the agency.

Maybe surprise the Marketer with some insights or ideas you?ve picked up as you?ve been preparing for the call/meeting.

Maybe post meeting, send some additional questions or send them an idea or two to keep them thinking about you.

Remember, IT?S EASY TO DO THE BARE MINIMUM!

What?s hard is pushing yourself to make each touch point count.

Don?t be lazy?push yourself at every connect.

Add value at all stops.

Marketers will appreciate this, remember this, and hopefully reward you for this exceptional behavior.

It?s all about putting on the $%*! Sales Hat no matter where you are in the agency new business process.

Source: http://www.agencynewbusiness.com/2012/10/put-on-that-sales-hat-chapter-11-every-touch-point-counts.html

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?I made these lads? - X Factor?s Union J face lawsuit as former manager wants share of earnings

X FACTOR boy band Union J are facing a lawsuit after a former manager claimed he put the band together, and is therefore entitled to a share of their earnings.

Julian White claims that the original three members of the group, Josh, JJ and Jaymi, were part of the group ?Rewind? which he put together last year.

He claims he had already began to get record labels interested in them when they left him to audition for the ITV talent show.

After the band were initially eliminated at boot camp, Louis Walsh added George Shelley to the group and they became Union J ? making it to the live shows.

Their former manager told The Sun: ?I made these lads. We signed an agreement for a contract and next thing I know they?ve changed their name to Triple J and auditioned for the X Factor.

?They got all aggressive when I asked them why they?d gone ? But I?ve consulted my lawyer and as soon as they start earning I?m coming after them for fivepc of their earnings?.

White also added his lawyer believes he will have a strong case should it end up in the courtroom.

However sources close to the band have claimed they are not worried about any lawsuit, as since George Shelly joined the group they are a different band to the one White managed.

Apparently reponding to the story, Jaymi tweeted: "I do love it when sad people have to lie to hit the papers! #desperate! Jaymi x".

- Brian O'Reilly

Comments that are judged to be defamatory, abusive or in bad taste are not acceptable and contributors who consistently fall below certain criteria will be permanently blacklisted. Comments must be concise and to the point. The moderator will not enter into debate with individual contributors and the moderator's decision is final. The comment facility is removed after 48 hours.

Source: http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/i-made-these-lads-x-factors-union-j-face-lawsuit-as-former-manager-wants-share-of-earnings-3271086.html

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Americans use more efficient and renewable energy technologies

ScienceDaily (Oct. 24, 2012) ? Americans used less energy in 2011 than in the previous year due mainly to a shift to higher-efficiency energy technologies in the transportation and residential sectors. Meanwhile, less coal was used but more natural gas was consumed according to the most recent energy flow charts released by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Wind power saw the biggest jump from .92 quadrillion BTU, or quads, in 2010 up to 1.17 quads in 2011. (BTU or British Thermal Unit is a unit of measurement for energy and is equivalent to about 1.055 kilojoules).

"Wind energy jumped significantly because, as in previous years, many new wind farms came online," said A.J. Simon, an LLNL energy systems analyst who develops the flow charts using data provided by the Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration. "This is the result of sustained investment in wind power."

Hydroelectricity also saw an increase going from 2.51 quads in 2010 up to 3.17 quads in 2011.

Hydroelectricity jumped significantly in 2011 because 2011 saw large amounts of precipitation in the Western U.S. Hydroelectric dams were able to produce at their maximum levels while keeping reservoirs full. Similar levels of hydroelectric production were seen in 1997, 1998 and 1999 due to wet years.

Overall, U.S. energy use in 2011 equaled 97.3 quads compared to the 98 quads used in 2010. Most of the energy was tied to coal, natural gas and petroleum.

From 2010 to 2011, use of coal fell dramatically, use of oil (petroleum) fell slightly and use of natural gas increased slightly from 24.65 quads in 2010 to 26.9 quads in 2011.

"Sustained low natural gas prices have prompted a shift from coal to gas in the electricity generating sector," Simon said. "Sustained high oil prices have likely driven the decline in oil use over the past 5 years as people choose to drive less and purchase automobiles that get more miles per gallon."

The majority of energy use in 2011 was used for electricity generation (39.2 quads), followed by transportation, industrial, commercial and residential consumption. However, energy use in the residential, commercial and transportation sectors decreased while industrial energy use increased if only slightly.

"With the advent of shale gas, it appears that natural gas prices in the United States may remain lower than their historical averages for many years into the future," Simon said. "This has prompted many gas users in the industrial and electricity generating sector to switch from coal or oil to natural gas when it is technically possible, but might not have been economical at higher gas prices."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by DOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

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

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

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_technology/~3/dDtPaiV-U94/121024150805.htm

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