mesothelioma mancini: October 2012

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Valpak? Announces Franchise Expansion In Memphis, TN

Leader in Local Print and Digital Coupons Expands in Tennessee, Arkansas & Mississippi

LARGO, Fla., Oct. 29, 2012 // PRNewswire // - Valpak, a leader in local print and digital coupons, announced today that it has signed a franchise agreement with Christi and Ed Eason to expand in the Greater Memphis area, including Western Tennessee, Eastern Arkansas and Northern Mississippi. This father and daughter duo became Valpak franchisees in April 2012 and mailed their first Valpak Blue Envelope? in Memphis and Shelby county in May with plans to expand mailings to outlying areas in the future.

"Our rapid growth is due to the company's successful business model, as well as Valpak's comprehensive suite of products that enable our customers to reach their targeted customer and grow their businesses," said Christi Eason, Valpak of Memphis and The Mid South franchisee. "Valpak provides every avenue for success for us as business owners, as well as those businesses we serve in our communities."

Prior to becoming a Valpak franchisee, Christi worked at Contemporary Media, Inc. in Memphis as an advertising sales representative. In 2011, she learned of Valpak and joined the company as a sales representative in Raleigh, N.C. Her father and business partner, Ed, is an experienced owner and operator of an Evening Shade franchise, as well as a long-time owner of the insurance firm, Nova Marketing. After Christi's initial sales career with Valpak proved successful, she encouraged her father to become a part of the growing coupon industry and the expanding family of successful Valpak franchisees.

"We are excited for Christi and Ed as they continue to expand their territories and provide much-needed Valpak products in the Greater Memphis communities," said Todd Leiser, Valpak's director of franchise sales. "Christi's sales experience and enthusiasm coupled with Ed's business experience and a solid sales and support team, give the Easons and Valpak a terrific opportunity to improve business in the area and pass along local savings to the Greater Memphis community."

A leader in cooperative direct mail, Valpak mails over 20 billion coupons to more than 40 million demographically-targeted households per month in more than 100 markets in 48 states and four Canadian provinces. Today, in addition to its flagship Blue Envelope?, the brand offers its business customers an impressive portfolio of digital advertising products including Smartphone apps, which are also integrated into the new Passbook, Valpak Deals?, QR codes, online coupons and SMS/text messaging to reach consumers at home and on-the-go.

Ideal candidates should possess a desire to join a trusted industry-leading brand, work within a proven franchise system, develop relationships with local businesses and have a comfort level with selling new, digital technologies. Franchisees should also possess a minimum liquidity of $75,000 and a minimum net worth of $150,000.

Valpak franchisees benefit from extensive training and support including more than 300 hours of classroom, in-field and online training. Additionally, the Valpak peer mentoring program pairs tenured Valpak franchisees with new franchisees for a two-year period. Valpak also handles all of the coupon design, printing, collation and postal logistics for its franchisees, allowing them to concentrate on selling branded direct marketing campaigns to advertising customers within their exclusive territory.

Since its launch in 1968, the Blue Envelope has been broadly recognized and trusted, which has contributed significantly to Valpak's current success. Valpak's state-of-the-art, 470,000-square-foot manufacturing center in St. Petersburg, Fla. makes it possible for the company to mail to more than 500 million homes in North America. Valpak is also backed by experienced leadership with Cox Enterprises, one of the largest media companies in North America, which acquired the brand in 1991. Recently, Cox Target Media also acquired Savings.com, a leading online source for savings and personalized deals. Working together, Valpak and Savings.com will offer consumers a more extensive selection of offers and rewarding shopping experience as content is shared across platforms.

For more information on advertising with Valpak of Memphis and The Mid South, please contact Christi Eason at christi_eason@valpak.com or (901) 385-0880. You also may visit http://advertise.valpak.com/memphis/.

For more information on Valpak and franchising, please contact Mike Squiteri at mike_squiteri@valpak.com or (727) 399-3695. You also may visit www.valpakfranchising.com.

About Valpak?

Valpak, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America, is owned and operated by Cox Target Media, along with Savings.com. With nearly 170 franchises across the United States and Canada, the signature Blue Envelope? delivers savings and value to nearly 40 million households each month. Annually, Valpak will distribute some 20 billion offers inserted in more than 500 million envelopes. Valpak also offers digital solutions with www.Valpak.com?, an online site for printable coupons, e-commerce and coupon codes, which has nearly 70 million offer views each month, as well as apps for smartphone platforms For more information about advertising with Valpak, please contact 1-800-676-6878.

About Cox Media Group

Cox Media Group is an integrated broadcasting, publishing, direct marketing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of Cox Reps. Additionally, CMG owns and operates Cox Target Media, providers of Valpak, a leading North American direct marketing company and Savings.com, a leading online coupon site and community. With $1.7 billion in revenue, the company operations include 15 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 86 radio stations, eight daily newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services. CMG operates in more than 30 media markets and reaches approximately 52 million Americans weekly, including 30 million TV viewers, more than 4 million print and online newspaper readers, and 18 million radio listeners. For more information about Cox Media Group, please check us out online at www.coxmediagroup.com.

Contact:

Rachel Tabacnic
Fish Consulting
954-893-9150
rtabacnic@fish-consulting.com

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Source: http://www.franchising.com/news/20121030_valpakreg_announces_franchise_expansion_in_memphis.html

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Ex-players reply to NFL's motion to dismiss cases

Arguing that "football has become the site of perhaps the gravest health crisis in the history of sports," lawyers for thousands of former NFL players asked a judge to reject the league's bid to dismiss their lawsuits about concussions.

In a brief filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, the players dispute the league's framing of the cases as a labor issue that should be governed by the sport's collective bargaining agreements instead of the legal system.

Among the players' arguments: Relevant CBAs did not address long-term brain injuries, the NFL committed fraud by concealing risks of repeated head trauma, and the league has a common-law duty to protect players.

"The NFL knew that players were exposed to risks of severe neurological injuries, yet did nothing to prevent them," the brief says, adding that the league "failed to warn players about the dangers of concussive and sub-concussive impacts," did not advocate preventative rule changes and did not "implement equipment standards adapted for head trauma."

The league filed its motion to dismiss the lawsuits in August and now will have the chance to respond to the players' reply. The NFL repeatedly has stated publicly it did not intentionally mislead players and has tried to better protect their health.

More than 100 concussion lawsuits against the NFL have been brought together before U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody. Unless Brody agrees to dismiss them, or an umbrella settlement is reached, she probably would decide what evidence can be used at trial, whether a class can be certified for medical monitoring and other pretrial issues. The cases might then return to their home districts for trial.

In its motion two months ago, the NFL argued that the CBAs cover safety and health rules ? while delegating to individual teams and their doctors the decisions about players' conditions and when they should return to play. The league also said the former players' suits lack specific proof that medical links between concussions and brain disease were concealed.

The players' response Wednesday says "a party cannot shirk its own duty by pointing to the duties of others" and that the "NFL deceived club doctors (as well as players) by insisting repeatedly that head trauma carried little long-term risk for football players."

Wednesday's brief argues that the NFL "orchestrated a disinformation campaign" and says: "On the NFL's watch, football has become the site of perhaps the gravest health crisis in the history of sports."

According to an Associated Press analysis, a total of more than 3,500 former players ? including at least 26 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame ? have sued the NFL, saying not enough was done to inform them about the dangers of concussions in the past, and not enough is being done today to take care of them. The complete number of plaintiffs in those cases tops 5,000, counting spouses and other relatives or representatives.

The lead plaintiff in one of the earliest concussion lawsuits filed against the NFL last year, former Atlanta Falcons safety Ray Easterling, committed suicide in April at age 62. An autopsy found he had the degenerative brain disease CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy. His widow remains a plaintiff.

Other players have told the AP they returned to play after hits that left them with concussions and regularly were given painkillers by team doctors before games.

___

Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich

___

Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-10-31-NFL-Concussion%20Lawsuits/id-52f1e1e65f0942a38420aeab2b912136

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Kiwi Boys II Men ? ASC - Around the World?Your Action Sports ...

October 31st, 2012 at 1:40 pm - by admin

Courtesy of Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International

Alex Dive (NZL) taking one of the waves of the day at Rangiroa, French Polynesia last April. Pic ASP/Will H-S

COOLANGATTA, QLD/Australia (Wednesday, October 31, 2012) ? Two of New Zealand?s finest junior surfers Alex Dive and Johnny Hicks graduate from the pro juniors and prepare to embark on a qualifying mission.

New Zealand professional surfing is a golden era, aside from when Maz Quinn qualified for the ASP World Championship Tour back in 2001, right now is the most exciting time to be a Kiwi surfing fan. Paige Hareb is preparing for her fourth year on the women?s WCT. And now, these two up-and-comers, Dive and Hicks are setting their sights on lighting up the world stage with their unique brand of surfing all while representing the land of the long white cloud.

On the men?s side of things NZ has a tight knit crew including; Jay Quinn, Billy Stairmand, and Richard Christie, all talented surfers trotting the globe posting results at the ASP Prime and 6-Star events and it?s only a matter of time before one of them cracks the elite Top 34. Divey and Johnny, will soon join their countrymen and will no doubt benefit from the knowledge and experience of travelling with this more experienced group.

?I really think New Zealand has a lot of talent right now,? Dive said. ?Kiwi?s are known for being laid back sort of people, but I also think we?re getting known for being pretty competitive too. The guys doing the qualifying events are getting good results all over the place, and there are a lot of exciting young kids coming up in NZ. It?s not going to be long before we have a Kiwi on the Men?s WCT.?

In April Dive and Hicks ventured to Rangiroa, French Polynesia for the final event of their junior careers. The island is remote and only 16 kilometers long and only 50 meters wide at some points. It is paradise. The only downside of this place is that there?s only one wave on the island, but oh boy what a wave it is.

?It was an awesome trip,? explained Dive. ?It was great to have a competition in great waves at a remote location like that. It didn?t really feel like a junior event because we were treated to such a unique surf spot.?

On the western tip of the long/skinny isle is a reef-pass capable of producing perfect Pacific right-hand pits. Depending on the tide you may be sitting up or down the reef, both sections offer open dredging barrels, but beware ? this place is shallow and sharp.

?We got there a day or two before the comp and it was pumping,? said Dive. ?The only problem was that our boards didn?t arrive. The planes are small and normally it wouldn?t be a problem, but with 60-something junior surfers all travelling with three or four boards each, some boards got left behind. It was just lucky for us Kiwis that Ratso (Ian Buchanan) was the head judge and he leant us all boards.?

The day before the competition started the surf was a near perfect six foot, with the occasional bigger set. On borrowed equipment Dive and Johnny were two of the standouts, catching all the bombs and threading the tube with ease.

?It?s great travelling with Johnny,? Dive said. ?He?s real easy going and a lot of fun to be around. We travelled to most of the pro juniors together this year and it was great. It gave us a taste of what it?s going to be like next year when we enter the ASP Star events around the world.?

Dive has been using the back half of 2012 to get some study time under his belt at University, but plans on hitting the ASP Prime and Star events next year.

Follow his progress and results via aspaustralasia.com
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Source: http://actionsportsconnection.com/water/surf/kiwi-boys-ii-men/

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PST: Who's MLS MVP? That's an easy one

Three soccer brains are clearly better than one. So Richard Farley, Noah Davis and I huddled virtually to sort out our ProSoccerTalk picks for Major League Soccer awards.

(MORE: Coach of the Year conversation and choice)

(MORE: Rookie of the Year conversation and choice)

(MORE: Defender of the Year conversation and choice)

(MORE: Goalkeeper of the Year conversation and choice)

Steve Davis: Best for last, eh, boys? But I sense a short conversation coming on. I mean, a guy scores 27 goals and matches the all-time MLS season scoring record ? So if we can all quickly agree on Chris Wondolowski, I?ve got the last ep of Homeland on DVR that I?m dying to watch. I?m going to pour some Jose Cuervo Especial and do a shot every time Claire Danes cries. Man, no one does tears like she does!

Noah Davis: Don?t tell me anything! I?m on the fifth episode of season one. Hopefully this hurricane will give me a chance to catch up with the rest of the world. Or the power will go out, and I?ll sit in the dark for the next 48 hours. I may need some of that Jose Cuervo, Steve.

Oh, and yes, Mr. Smiley for MVP. Couldn?t happen to a nicer dude.

Steve Davis:?He is a good fellow, isn?t he?

Richard Farley: Two spots on the ballot, Steve. Who ya? got No. 2?

Steve Davis:??I?ve got Robbie Keane?next. Not a lot of talk about the guy, but his movement off the ball near goal makes so much happen for Bruce and Becks and the boys. And his numbers [16 goals, 9 assists] are sure bumping into MVP territory.

By the way, according to Alexi Lalas and that famous MVP criteria of his, Kenny Cooper is No. 2. Kenny Cooper, yo! Noah, who is your Dos?

Noah Davis:?Thierry Henry, the man who handed KC all those goals.

Steve Davis: Wait a minute ? I guess I got too distracted by Claire Danes? quivering lip; I don?t understand your (most certainly brilliant and over my head) Henry-KC reference.

Noah Davis: KC is secret code for Kenny Cooper.

Steve Davis: D?oh! Of course. I was thinking ?Kansas City.? And did we get a MVP Dos from Farley? Somebody wake that guy up. He does love a good nap.

Richard Farley: I?m nothing if not predictable.

I put Osvaldo Alonso number two on my ballot, a difficult decision over Thierry Henry. Let me just offer this defense to those who don?t get to watch a lot of Sounders games: People think of Alonso as just a destroyer, but he?s the person that manages Seattle?s game in transition, especially as the Sounders have gone away from using Fredy Montero as much as a number 10 and relied more on Mauro Rosales coming in from the right. Alonso?s the man who makes that connection, and until Christian Tiffert adjusted to MLS over the last month, Alonso was a one man show in the middle.

Also, ever wonder how Seattle ? with a decent but average defensive back five ? finished with the league?s second fewest goals allowed? Ozzie Alonso.

Steve Davis: Hmmm. I?ve got Dax McCarty over Alonso as holding mid on my Best XI.? I sure hope I don?t sit next to Richard at the next ProSoccerTalk pancake breakfast. Talk about tense!

So, we?re all good on Chris ?Wonder Wondo? Wondolowski as our MVP? ?I?ve got to get the engraving going.

Our choice: San Jose?s Chris Wondolowski

Source: http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/30/prosoccertalks-award-conversations-most-valuable-player/related/

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Romney, Obama, talk of Sandy week before election

President Barack Obama, accompanied by American Red Cross President and CEO Gail J. McGovern, gestures while speaking during the his visit to the Disaster Operation Center of the Red Cross National Headquarter to discuss superstorm Sandy, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney shakes hands with a supporter while collecting donations at a storm relief event, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, at James S. Trent Arena in Kettering, Ohio. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

President Barack Obama receives applauds by workers during the his visit to the Disaster Operation Center of the Red Cross National Headquarter to discuss superstorm Sandy, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney lifts bottles of water to load into a truck as he participates in a campaign event collecting supplies from residents and local relief organizations for victims of superstorm Sandy,Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, at the James S. Trent Arena in Kettering, Ohio. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney edged back into active campaigning on Tuesday while President Barack Obama stayed close to the White House, rival candidates calibrating their responses to superstorm Sandy and the misery it inflicted on millions.

In a close race with one week to run, both men appealed for donations ? for relief agencies rather than their own campaign treasuries.

"This is a tough time for millions of people ... But America is tougher," the president said during a brief visit to the American Red Cross, where he warned of more storm damage to come yet sought to reassure victims. He said he wanted "no bureaucracy, no red tape" to interfere with recovery, and suggested the military might be able to help in view of the enormity of the damage.

Romney, too, spoke of concern for storm victims. "A lot of people hurting this morning," he told several hundred supporters who were collecting supplies for victims of the storm that ravaged parts of the Eastern Seaboard on Monday before moving inland overnight. "We're looking for all the help we can get for all the families that need."

The race for the White House was hardly on hold.

Both campaigns pushed their supporters to vote early, and millions of them did.

In Florida, election officials said more than 2.2 million ballots had been cast by absentee mail-in ballots or in person as of Monday night, a total approaching 20 percent of the electorate.

Ubiquitous polls offered little clarity. Many showed a statistically insignificant 1 or 2 percentage-point margin for one candidate or the other, and individual battleground state surveys were close.

That made the storm-driven interlude even more delicate as the two campaigns sought to execute late-campaign strategies without appearing insensitive to the enormity of the loss in New York, New Jersey and elsewhere.

With the incumbency at his disposal, Obama received a briefing on the storm, presided over a telephone conference call with governors and mayors from affected areas and arranged a trip Wednesday to New Jersey, where Republican Gov. Chris Christie has praised his management of the storm disaster.

Obama's limousine ride to the Red Cross took him only a few blocks from the White House, but he was assured of national news coverage when he spoke.

Romney, too, was in public during the day, although his appearance was a blend of the political and the nonpartisan.

He didn't mention Obama in his brief remarks, but aides showed a campaign video on large screens inside the arena before he arrived. "I will devote every waking hour of my energy to getting America strong again. That's what an American president has to do," he says in it.

Standing in front of tables where campaign volunteers had neatly lined up toothpaste, diapers, canned food and fleece blankets, he said: "We have heavy hearts as you know with all the suffering going on in a major part of our country," he said, referring to the storm. Afterwards, he loaded relief supplies into a waiting truck.

Romney has said he believes state and local governments should have primary responsibility for emergency cleanup, and he refused Tuesday to answer repeated questions from reporters about how he would run the Federal Emergency Management Agency if he wins the election.

Asked about federal aid to help recover and rebuild from Sandy, Romney spokeswoman Amanda Henneberg said: "A Romney-Ryan administration will always ensure that disaster funding is there for those in need. Period."

Romney later flew to Florida, where he is slated to appear at three campaign rallies on Wednesday before moving on to other battleground states in the final days of the campaign.

___

Associated Press writers Gary Fineout in Florida, and Steve Peoples and Kasie Hunt in Ohio contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-10-30-Presidential%20Campaign-Superstorm/id-33f9d4e492b8442c81e79f82fbafe3f2

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New way to prevent recurrent ear infections?

ScienceDaily (Oct. 30, 2012) ? Eliminating bacteria's DNA and boosting antimicrobial proteins that already exist may help prevent middle ear infections from reoccurring. These are the findings from a Nationwide Children's Hospital study that examined how an immune defense protein common in the middle ear interacts with a structure meant to protect a colony of bacteria.

The bacterium nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) causes a wide range of diseases of both the lower and upper airways, including middle ear infection. NTHI, like most other bacteria, can form a biofilm, a robust community of bacteria that allows the bacteria to evade the host's immune system and protects the bacteria from antibiotics and other therapies designed to kill them.

Human beta-defensin-3 is an antimicrobial defense protein expressed in the middle ear of humans and other mammals that kills both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Previous research has shown that if expression of beta-defensin is disrupted, the host's ability to control the bacteria in the upper airway is altered and infection worsens.

Investigators in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital hypothesized that human beta-defensin-3 might lose its power to kill NTHI if it got caught up within the extracellular DNA that makes up a biofilm's outer layer, thus preventing its contact with bacteria within the biofilm.

"Antimicrobial host defense proteins, like human beta-defensin-3, have been shown to bind to non-host DNA," says Lauren O. Bakaletz, PhD director of the Center for Microbial Pathogenesis "This interaction has an impact on the defense protein's ability to function."

Upon examining their animal model of middle ear infection, Dr. Bakaletz' team found that bacterial DNA and the animal's defense peptides were detected together in biofilms that developed during infection. Also, the defense peptide was predominantly co-localized with the biofilm's extracellular DNA.

When the team exposed the bacteria that cause ear infections to a concentration of human-beta defensin-3 that is typically detected in the a middle ear of a child with active infection, the peptide was able to kill 100 percent of the NTHI, but the killing stopped when extracellular DNA was introduced to the reaction.

"These data support the conclusion that the killing activity of the antimicrobial defense protein was decreased in an NTHI-induced biofilm due to its interaction with eDNA," says Dr. Bakaletz, who is the lead study author and professor of Pediatrics and Otolaryngology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

When they removed extracellular DNA from the biofilm, the killing activity of the defense peptide was rescued.

"The ability to restore antimicrobial defense protein activity is encouraging, since biofilms are resistant to most treatments, including traditional antibiotics," says Dr. Bakaletz.

Dr. Bakaletz says this study provides evidence for a new treatment regimen to target biofilms formed by NTHI during middle ear infection. One approach would be to deliver a therapeutic agent that can disrupt bacterial DNA, in conjunction with human beta-defensin-3 to the middle ear of a child with chronic, recurrent infection. Physicians could follow the same pathway used to target the middle ear during ear tube surgery, a common treatment for chronic ear infections.

"This approach would likely bolster the ability of the innate immune system to manage NTHI-induced biofilms, avoiding the need for antibiotics or empowering the use of antibiotics we already have in our arsenal," says Dr. Bakaletz. "Doing so could help diminish the recurrent nature of middle ear infection."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Nationwide Children's Hospital, via Newswise.

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

Journal Reference:

Eric A. Jones, Glen McGillivary, Lauren O. Bakaletz. Extracellular DNA within a Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae-Induced Biofilm Binds Human Beta Defensin-3 and Reduces Its Antimicrobial Activity. Journal of Innate Immunity, 2012; DOI: 10.1159/000339961

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/most_popular/~3/8r4rBgRgauc/121030101340.htm

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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Labour increases pressure on Cameron before EU talks

LONDON (Reuters) - Labour party piled pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday by pushing for an even tougher line on the European Union budget than that proposed by his Conservative Party.

Cameron is promising to take a tough line at what are shaping up to be fraught talks next month to agree the EU's next seven-year budget in the face of growing anti-EU sentiment in Britain.

Last week he reiterated a threat to veto any budget deal seen as detrimental to British taxpayers, and demanded a real-terms freeze in EU spending given the financial constraints and budget cuts faced by many European governments.

Now left-leaning Labour has raised the stakes by demanding a cut in real terms.

Many Britons regard the EU as an ineffectual and spendthrift source of bureaucracy and Britain's ties with the 27-member bloc are likely to be a key theme in a national election set for 2015.

The centre-right Conservative vote is already under threat from the UK Independence Party, which has surged in popularity in recent months on a pledge to withdraw Britain from the EU.

"Labour will argue against the proposed increase in EU spending and instead support a real-terms cut in the budget," Labour finance spokesman Ed Balls and foreign affairs spokesman Douglas Alexander said in a joint opinion piece in the right-leaning Times newspaper.

Labour has moved clear of the Conservatives in opinion polls since Cameron's party came to power at the head of a coalition government in 2010.

David Lidington, a Conservative and the government's minister for Europe, said Labour had "zero credibility on standing up for Britain in Europe".

"They waved through above inflation increases for both of the multi-year budgets they approved ... We won't take any lessons from them about budget negotiation," Lidington said in a statement.

Cameron wants to remain within the EU given that it accounts for about half of British trade. But he has pledged to negotiate a new settlement with Brussels then seek the public's "fresh consent" for the deal, giving no timeline.

Making negotiations more difficult for Cameron are signs of growing irritation in Europe over what some EU leaders regard as British isolationism and opportunist demands at a time when governments are trying to fix the euro zone debt crisis.

In December, Cameron vetoed a European economic and fiscal pact to help the EU's euro zone countries recover from sovereign debt crises that had cast doubt on the 17-member single currency.

"As a result of David Cameron's behaviour, those we used to call friends now ridicule the prime minister in meetings, shut him out of negotiations and bad-mouth him to the press," the Labour spokesmen said in their article.

Prominent Conservative commentator and activist Tim Montgomerie wrote on his ConservativeHome website that Labour's move was "clever politics" because it created a "headache" for Cameron by appealing to euro sceptic newspapers and voters.

(Additional reporting by Matt Falloon; editing by Robert Woodward)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/opposition-labour-increases-pressure-cameron-eu-talks-134149665.html

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Shawn Johnson: Derek is smartest 'DWTS' pro

By Michael Maloney, TODAY contributor

Todd Wawrychuk / ABC

"Dancing" pro Derek Hough is the brightest in the ballroom when it comes to strategy, according to all-star Shawn Johnson.

Each week, Olympian and season eight "Dancing With the Stars" champ Shawn Johnson will be sharing her experiences on "All-Stars" with The Clicker! Look for Q&As, exclusive photos and more from the gold medalist throughout the season as she competes to win her second mirror ball trophy, this time alongside pro Derek Hough.

You can follow us on Twitter?@TODAY_Clicker to get all the latest updates on Shawn's quest for ballroom glory. Shawn is also on Twitter @ShawnJohnson.

The Clicker: How?s your injured knee?
Shawn: It?s okay. I?m doing therapy each day trying to make it a little better.

The Clicker: It looked so scary when we saw it all swollen. Has the swelling gone down?
Shawn: Yeah. I?ve dealt with injuries for the last two years on and off. I?ve been through it all. I think I was more emotionally distraught than physically. I felt better once I got the pass from the doctor that it was just a sprain and I needed therapy.

The Clicker: How does it feel to be in fourth place with 84.5 points? Do you feel safe going into tonight?
Shawn: I know that I was happy with the dance. I think that for a ?country cha cha? we did pretty well. Derek was struggling with his neck today. I was struggling with my knee. I was happy we got through.

The Clicker: Derek said he was going to do next week?s dance especially for judge Len Goodman instead of tailoring it to what the viewers might like to see, but that?s also the week there are no fan votes! The judges? feelings will be even more vital.
Shawn: Yes, but I think any couple would do that.

The Clicker: Oh, yes. It?s a very smart, strategic move.
Shawn: Yes, strategically, Derek?s the smartest one out there.

The Clicker: Len doesn?t care for all the extras, but when your song has the word ?tractor? in the title ? well, you bring a tractor! ?
Shawn: Yes, I thought bringing a tractor suited our dance (on Monday). It?s country week. The song is ?She Thinks My Tractor?s Sexy.? If we?d gone for just a traditional cha cha I don?t think that it would have gone over well. We had to spice it up and have fun?and we did!

The Clicker: The video segments featuring the dancers and the stars have been less about doing activities and more about just showing you guys talk. Which do you prefer?
Shawn: They packages capture the genuine moments we have during conversations where we just talk about things. It?s more real than if something is staged, but we are still going places. This week, we?re going to the CMAs. I?m presenting the award to best vocal group of the year. It?s a dream come true!

Catch more from Shawn on Tuesday night's "Dancing With the Stars: All-Stars" results show at 8 p.m. on ABC. And see her at the CMA Awards Thursday night at 8p.m. on the same network.

Join us on Tuesday at 3:30 ET to chat about who you think might be going home on "Dancing"!

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Source: http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2012/10/30/14803318-shawn-johnson-strategically-dereks-the-smartest-pro-on-dancing-with-the-stars?lite

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Ukraine's ruling party leads in vote called biased

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) ? The Ukrainian president's party will retain its strong grip on power, according to returns Monday from a parliamentary election that was criticized by Western observers as unfair and biased against the opposition.

The West was paying close attention to Sunday's vote in the strategic ex-Soviet state of 46 million people, which lies between Russia and the European Union and serves as a key transit nation for Russian energy supplies to many EU countries.

Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe called the vote a setback to Ukraine's democratic and European aspirations. That assessment could lead to a further freeze in Kiev's ties with the West and push it closer to Russia.

Monitors said the election was marred by the absence of jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and another opposition leader, the ruling party's use of government funding for the campaign and the skewed media coverage that favored the ruling party. While the voting process got positive ratings at most polling stations observed, the vote tallying lacked transparency, the group said.

"Considering the abuse of power and the excessive role of money in this election, democratic progress appears to have reversed in Ukraine," said Walburga Habsburg Douglas, the special coordinator who led the OSCE election observation mission. "We do not think that this election was fair because it was not level."

"Ukrainians deserved better from these elections," said Andreas Gross, the Head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe delegation. "Unfortunately, the great democratic potential of Ukrainian society was not realized in yesterday's vote."

President Viktor Yanukovych's Russia-friendly Party of Regions was leading in the count with 34 percent of the vote. Tymoshenko's pro-Western party was second with 23 percent, trailed by the Communists, Yanukovych's traditional allies, with 15 percent. Another liberal party, Udar (Punch), led by world boxing champion Vitali Klitschko had 13 percent and the far-right Svoboda (Freedom) party had 9 percent.

Yanukovych's party benefited strongly from an electoral change last year that replaced the strictly proportional electoral system with a mixed one, in which half of parliament's seats are elected based on party lists and the other half in individual races.

Despite a combined strong showing of opposition parties, Yanukovych's party was poised to retain its parliamentary majority as its candidates were expected to take the lead in individual races, benefitting from greater access to government funds and the opposition's fielding of multiple candidates.

Tymoshenko's party alleged widespread violations such as vote-buying and multiple voting. Tymoshenko, who was sentenced last year to seven years in prison for abuse of office in a trial condemned by the West as politically motivated, launched a hunger strike to protest the vote violations.

The Party of Regions defended Sunday's election, saying it reflected the people's will.

"We received a great credit of trust from the voters who said that we are moving down the right path," said Yanukovych adviser Hanna Herman.

The opposition tapped into the anger over Tymoshenko's jailing, the country's rampant corruption and a stagnant economy to make a strong showing in the proportional section of the vote. It remains to be seen whether Tymoshenko's group, Klitschko's party and the radical Svoboda can form a strong alliance.

"The Party of Regions won by the number of points, but the opposition scored a moral victory," said Kiev-based political expert Volodymyr Fesenko. "The monopoly on power will be harder to maintain."

Experts say while Yanukovych's supporters seem poised to retain their parliament majority, they will fall short of winning the two-thirds of seats needed to change the constitution.

Political analyst Vadym Karasyov said the new parliament will be "turbulent" and the opposition will seek to block some of the undemocratic initiatives the president may launch.

"Yanukovych can get a simple majority, but it doesn't mean anything, because without a constitutional majority in parliament he cannot radically change anything," Karasyov said.

The showing of the far-right Svoboda party, which had been expected to barely pass the 5 percent vote threshold, emerged as a big surprise.

Svoboda, which campaigns for the preservation of the Ukrainian language and culture and strongly attacks Yanukovych, is also known for xenophobic and anti-Semitic rhetoric. Analysts said the party's popularity was due more to many Ukrainians' anger with the ruling party than vehemently nationalist views.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ukraines-ruling-party-leads-vote-called-biased-181521275--finance.html

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Customer Service Representative ? 60 Years in Business ...

Customer Service Representative ? 60 Years in Business ? Edmonton, AB | Recruitment Agency | The Personnel Department ? 2012:1980 Galt Western Personnel Ltd. The Personnel Department is the registered trademark of Galt Western Personnel Ltd.

Source: http://www.goodstaff.com/job-opportunities/customer-service-representative-60-years-in-business-edmonton-ab/

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Monday, October 29, 2012

More Work - More Money - Prompt Payment - Only Native English ...

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5

Avg Bid (USD)
$40

Project Budget (USD)

$30-$250

Prepaid Milestone Payment

$ USD

Project ID:
2602493
Project Type:
Fixed

Project Description:

I need content of different niches.
Each content only 355 words (excluding title and keywords)
Am willing to pay $ 1.25 per 355 words. Hence this project is for 24 Article.

Writers must write articles one by one. the flow goes like this,

We assign article 1 - > Write the article - > We check the article (with Copyscape check ) - > Assign article 2 - > ....
Deadline for each article would be 40 minutes to 1 hour.

Interested Writers can contact me immediately. (Milestone will be uploaded)
********* Strictly no Writers from India / Pakistan / Dubai / Srilanka / Bangladesh and other non English speaking countries. ***********

Note: Bidders stay online, so that we communicate with you in next 30 mins to 1 hour. and Hire you NOW ITSELF

Skills required:

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Total Projects

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Communication

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Source: http://www.freelancer.com/projects/Copywriting-Technical-Writing/More-Work-More-Money-Prompt.html

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Do you want to experience the lifestyle and time-freedom of working for yourself?

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A lucrative compensation plan
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HOWEVER WE ARE VERY SELECTIVE ? THIS IS?NOT?A?JOB!

This is not a golden internet promise, but an?opportunity?for you to become an entrepreneur, acquire the skills and support to make your time worthwhile and profitable. All from the comfort of your own home, or any business place that you choose throughout the world!

A Simple 3-step system. It?s not easy though ? being successful requires dedication and commitment. So, do you have what it takes?

TAKE THE FIRST STEP ? EXPLORE THIS OPPORTUNITY TODAY! ?No obligation so do your reasearch here

?Don?t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.??Mark Victor Hansen

Source: http://www.lifestylecareers.com.au/jobs/p113_action/displayjob/jobid/64775

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Health and Wellness in Whistler ? 17233th Edition | Health Blog

Nestled about two hours north of much popular Vancouver in British Columbia, Whistler is perhaps the North America?s most sought after vacation spot. Apart from being a favorite ski and golf destination, Whistler also boasts of a well-earned reputation of being one of the most popular health and wellness destinations in Whistler.

With fresh mountainous air, soothing surroundings, and magnificent views, Whistler provides wonderful retreat for health and wellness getaways. Further, Whistler is home to one of the premier wellness festivals in North America, namely, Whistler Wellness Week ? an annual event featuring more than 50 innovative wellness workshops, demonstrations, and informative seminars throughout a week, all of which are focused on a variety of fitness and health-related topics, from yoga and meditation to diet supplements and nutrition.

A plethora of other events and celebrations are conducted here in order to promote a healthy lifestyle. In short, Whistler is truly a mecca for health and wellness, with a variety of alpine spa facilities, physiotherapy centers, chiropractic service providers, yoga studios, and Pilates classes.

After a day or two of adventurous as well as tiring skiing or snowmobiling activities, pamper yourself with a superb, rejuvenating spa treatment in any of the many spa facilities located within the backdrop of breathtaking alpine vistas. Usually, the treatments provided by these spa facilities are limitless, ranging from soothing massages and beauty treatments to professional waxing and facials. Among the different types of massages are Swedish massage, sports massage, deep tissue massage, traditional Thai massages, Shiatsu massage, and Lava stone massage.

Specialized massages are also available. For instance, if you are a to-be mom, then relax and sooth your as well as your baby?s mind and body with a prenatal massage. Likewise, for those who want to share the pampering spa experience with their other half, friend, or lover, then one of the best choices would be to take specialized spa massages such as couples massage. There are also some spa facilities in Whistler, specializing in providing integrative healing by blending ancient Eastern therapeutics and modern western medicine.

If you want to give professional care for your injuries or fracture that occurred while skiing or snowboarding in Whistler, then head to one of the reputable physiotherapy centers in the region. Many of the physiotherapy clinics here provide services of registered physiotherapists to offer manual therapies to care and heal pain and inflammation. In some instance, if your injury is complex, then a combined treatment of both manual and neuromuscular techniques are adopted in order to alleviate and heal pain and injuries. Besides, these clinics render extensive recovery programs for dealing with a myriad of problems such as back aches, knee sprains, and soft tissue injuries.

Health and wellness facilities in Whistler also consist of a number of chiropractic clinics, which are focused to deal with the problems in connection with musculoskeletal as well as nervous system. Other complementary and alternative medicinal facilities here are acupuncture and herbal medicines.

For those seeking fitness and solace of mind, a great alternative would be take yoga classes. With a continuum of yoga health studios in the region, you can experience a relaxing Ashtanga, Hatha, Restorative, and Vinyasa yogas in the sun-lit yoga rooms. Many of these clinics render all that are required for a great Yoga experience, such as, bolsters, blankets, mats, straps, and towels. In addition, different types of yoga classes are available according to your level and requirement. For example, if you are a beginner seeking calming as well as therapeutic yoga classes, then basic or foundation classes would be most suitable for you. Likewise, for those with adequate experience in Yoga training, some of the best options are Yoga classes in the form of Power Vinyasa and Yoga Pilates inclusive of intensive Pilates exercise. Some excellent Yoga sessions are also available for stress management and for those with wounds.

In addition, in order to enhance your self confidence and inner as well as outer strength, a best choice would be to take martial arts classes with such facilities as Whistler Martial Arts Centre. Other health and wellness options available in Whistler include an array of nutrition outlets with the service of specialists, professional fitness training centers, aromatherapy clinics, and dental and other medical care establishments.

Lynxwhistler is a high-end luxury family property unit available for vacation rental in the premier ski resort of Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. The property is designed in a contemporary style, and boasts stunning views and a reserved underground parking stall right at the base of Blackcomb.

Article Source: Health and Wellness in Whistler

By articlespan.com
Yaab

Source: http://healthblog.agoodplace4all.com/health-and-wellness-in-whistler-17233th-edition/

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Page Not Found (404) - Salon.com

Source: http://feeds.salon.com/salon/index

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Sandy downgraded from hurricane to tropical storm

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/sandy-downgraded-hurricane-tropical-storm-091948349.htmltravis pastrana quinton coples a.j. jenkins riley reiff david decastro aj jenkins shea mcclellin

Sunday, October 28, 2012

More migration reform: Cuba opens door to many illegal emigres and defectors

Allowing more Cubans to return to Cuba will help accelerate the warming trend between the island and its diaspora, and could lead to a change in US policy toward the island.

By Anya Landau French,?Guest blogger / October 27, 2012

People queue for Spanish visas outside the embassy in Havana October 16. In addition to easing most Cubans' exit and return, the Cuban government said they will allow Cubans who have left the island return for visits. The changes are the communist island's first major immigration reform in half a century.

Desmond Boylan/Reuters

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? A version of this post ran on the author's blog, thehavananote.com. The views expressed are the author's own.

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Home Improvement for Busy Families | The New Home Ec

Life Vs Home Improvement Best Laid Plans: Life Vs Home Improvement We have been planning for over a month now to redo the stairs. I?ve searched for ideas, bought the supplies, and scheduled no less than 3 work days. It seemed like a fairly simple process ? pull up the carpet, paint the stairs, choose a decorating scheme.

Then, life happened.

At first, we had trouble finding a free weekend. There was volleyball, soccer, Girl Scouts, and school activities. Once we made it through the sports? seasons, we had a little more time on our hands. I thought for sure we?d be able to tackle the project in just a few hours. Yeah, I?m hilarious.

On our first planned work weekend, the tween was diagnosed with scarlet fever (no, seriously) so the weekend was spent hauling her to the doctor, then the urgent care center, and then to the pharmacy. We spent the rest of the weekend nursing her back to health and keeping the children separated.

I can?t even remember what happened the next weekend, but I know the work day disappeared before I even knew it. Finally, I just started ripping out the carpet. I thought I could at least see what it would take to make it happen. The next thing I knew, I had ripped all the carpet out and was pretty much locked into the project.

The Unfinished Stairs 224x300 Best Laid Plans: Life Vs Home Improvement I removed nails, pulled up carpet tack, and scraped old drywall mud. When the hubby arrived home and saw what I was doing, he didn?t even roll his eyes before pitching in and finishing the job. The stairs are clear ? and I already love it so much more than the old, ratty carpet.

That was when I realized the stairs needed a little trim work before they could be finished. There were a few gaps here and there, due to the builders not taking the time to finish them properly. After all, they probably never imagined an insane woman ripping out the carpet one random Saturday night.

By that point, Home Depot was closed so our project was on hold. And Sunday was already booked. The rest of the week was fall break, with family fun activities and kids underfoot all day. Today was supposed to be another work day, but I hadn?t considered the evening?s plans with this idea. The girls are having friends spend the night, which makes dealing with wet paint a little difficult.

Okay, so tomorrow, right? Except by the time all our visitors are home, we still have the problem of finishing the job and getting the paint dried before the girls need to go up stairs for bed. And, this is a problem every weekend ? the girls are around, the pets are in the way. How do we paint stairs in a busy house?

I think we?ll have to get started early one morning, right after the girls are at school. Even if the stairs are not dried before they get home, at least we?ll have a few more hours to bedtime. Now, who wants to keep 2 cats and a dog while we paint?