Asian stocks up ahead of US 'fiscal cliff' talks

A woman walks by an electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Asian markets have risen amid optimism that Japan?s new leaders will stimulate its sluggish economy. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

A woman walks by an electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Asian markets have risen amid optimism that Japan?s new leaders will stimulate its sluggish economy. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

People walk by an electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Asian markets have risen amid optimism that Japan?s new leaders will stimulate its sluggish economy. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

A businessman walks by an electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. Asian markets have risen amid optimism that Japan?s new leaders will stimulate its sluggish economy. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

BANGKOK (AP) ? Asian stock markets rose Friday, hours before President Barack Obama and key lawmakers were to meet at the White House to try to hammer out an 11th-hour budget compromise to avert the so-called fiscal cliff.

Lawmakers have until Monday night to reach a deal before hundreds of billions of dollars in automatic tax increases and deep cuts to government spending kick in. Such a drastic reshuffling of money could throw the U.S. into another recession, economists have warned.

However, failure to avoid the fiscal cliff doesn't necessarily mean tax increases and spending cuts would become permanent, since the new Congress could pass legislation canceling them retroactively after it begins its work next year.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index marched higher, hitting its highest level since March 20, 2011. The Tokyo benchmark rose 1 percent to 10,428.36. Export shares posted big gains as the country's currency continued to recoil against the dollar. Mazda Motor Corp. jumped 4.2 percent and Isuzu Motors Ltd. surged 4.3 percent. Nintendo Co. advanced 3.4 percent.

Investors have been cheering newly named Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his calls for more public works spending to reinvigorate the economy. He also wants the Bank of Japan to raise its inflation target from 1 to 2 percent to drag the country out of two decades of deflation, or steadily declining prices that have deadened economic activity.

But Francis Lun, managing director of Lyncean Holdings in Hong Kong, said he was skeptical that the new government's roadmap would prove effective in the long run.

"He will increase the deficit, print more money and try to spend out of the recession. If you print or borrow money, you give the economy a sense of false hope," he said. "It's like taking opium. You feel good but eventually you have to come down."

Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose less than 0.1 percent to 22,637.91, while South Korea's Kospi added 0.6 percent to 1,999. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.5 percent to 4,671.30.

"The fiscal cliff seems to have lost its negative influence on global markets," said Lun. "Even if it falls into the fiscal cliff, you will only reduce the deficit by about $100 billion. In Chinese terms, it's like trying to douse a fire with a cup of water. They should do what Europe has done and try to impose austerity."

Markets got some lift from optimistic data out of the U.S. on Thursday and a statement from the German finance minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble, who said in an interview that the worst of the debt crisis in the 17 European Union countries that use the euro appears to be over.

In the U.S., the average number of people seeking unemployment benefits over the past month fell to the lowest level since March 2008, a sign that the job market is healing.

Worries over U.S. budget negotiations sent Wall Street slightly lower on Thursday. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.1 percent to 13,096.31. The Standard & Poor's 500 fell 0.1 percent to 1,418.10, and the Nasdaq composite index fell 0.1 percent to 2,985.91.

Benchmark oil for February delivery rose 41 cents to $91.28 in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 11 cents to finish at $90.87 per barrel.

In currencies, the euro fell slightly to $1.3239 from $1.3240 late Thursday in New York. The dollar gained to 86.45 yen from 86.02 yen.

___

Follow Pamela Sampson on Twitter at http://twitter.com/pamelasampson.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-12-28-World%20Markets/id-d89d1968108a4dbdabc2baf2945c634a

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US cancer screening rates decline over the last 10 years, finds new study

Dec. 27, 2012 ? The rate of people who seek preventive cancer screenings has fallen over the last ten years in the United States with wide variations between white-collar and blue-collar workers, according to a University of Miami Miller School of Medicine study published on December 27 in the open-access journal Frontiers in Cancer Epidemiology.

While earlier diagnoses and improved treatments have increased the number of survivors, cancer remains one of the most prominent chronic diseases and, last year alone, claimed the lives of more than 570,000 people in the U.S.

"There is a great need for increased cancer prevention efforts in the U.S., especially for screening as it is considered one of the most important preventive behaviors and helps decrease the burden of this disease on society in terms of quality of life, the number of lives lost and insurance costs," said lead author Tainya Clarke, M.P.H., research associate in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health.

"But despite this," Clarke continued, "our research has shown that adherence rates for cancer screenings have generally declined with severe implications for the health outlook of our society."

For their NIH-funded study, Clarke and her team evaluated the cancer screening behaviors of the general public and cancer survivors to see if government-recommended screenings goals were achieved.

The study looked at cancer screening adherence rates for colorectal, breast, cervical and prostate cancers and compared the screening rates among the general public to all cancer survivors and to the subpopulation of employed survivors.

Results showed that the general public did not meet government recommendations for cancer screenings for any cancer types except colorectal cancer. About 54 percent of the general public underwent colorectal screenings, exceeding the 50 percent goal of the government's "Healthy People 2010" national health promotion and disease prevention initiative.

By contrast, cancer survivors, who are at an increased risk of developing the disease, had higher screening rates and underwent the recommended cancer screenings for all types except cervical cancer, which decreased to 78 percent over the last decade. The study also showed a decline among cancers survivors who sought cancer screenings over the last three years.

The researchers used the recommended cancer screening rates set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and looked at data from the National Health Interview Survey between 1997 and 2010. In total, 174,393 people were included in the study analysis, with 7,528 employed cancer survivors and 119,374 people representing the general population.

In addition, the study showed that among survivors, white collar workers had higher screening rates than blue collar workers -- a crucial discovery that Clarke hopes will help change current job-related policies and overcome disparities within different professions of working cancer survivors.

The researchers speculated that ongoing disagreements among the United States Preventive Services Task Force, American Cancer Society and others over screening guidelines, as well as the decrease in worker insurance rates over the decade may have influenced the decline in screening rates.

Clarke hopes that more comprehensive research will assess the combined factors affecting screening rates and lead to more effective workplace interventions and increase screening within each occupational sector.

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

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

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Journal Reference:

1. Tainya C. Clarke, Hosanna Soler-Vila, Lora E. Fleming, Sharon L. Christ, David J. Lee, Kristopher L. Arheart. Trends in Adherence to Recommended Cancer Screening: The US Population and Working Cancer Survivors. Frontiers in Oncology, 2012; 2 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2012.00190

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

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

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_health/~3/0xGCgb7eTeM/121227080108.htm

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Hawaii lieutenant governor named to replace late U.S. Senator Inouye (reuters)

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PFT: 'Fail Mary' still looms over the postseason

Reuters

The day after multiple reports emerged that Jets quarterback Tim Tebow tapped out of the Wildcat package because he wasn?t picked to be the starter in Week 16, the effort continues to put the toothpaste back in the tube.

On Sunday, Tebow was asked why he didn?t appear in the alternative offense, which instead saw receiver Jeremy Kerley taking snaps.? ?It just kind of happens,? Tebow said.

On Monday, after multiple sources said that Tebow had specifically asked for it to happen after he was told he wouldn?t be starting, Tebow didn?t address the question of whether he had asked to be left out of the Wildcat package in an interview with ESPN?s Adam Schefter.

Now, coach Rex Ryan has tackled the topic while evading the one key piece of information in which everyone is interested.? According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, Ryan chose not to share the details of his communications with Tebow.

And all that that implies.

?I?ve been transparent and all that stuff without question, but I?m not going to give you a private conversation that I would have with a player,? Ryan said in a conference call with reporters.? ?That?s between him and I.? If he wants to share whatever the conversation is ? Tim or anybody else ? that?s up to him.?

Ryan is treading on delicate ground, given that he and Tebow are both represented by the same agent, CAA?s Jimmy Sexton.? As a result, Ryan will say nothing publicly that damages Tebow?s carefully-cultivated team-first-team-only-thank-you-sir-may-I-have-another fa?ade.

?If I would have asked Tim to play in anything,? Ryan said.? ?Tim would have gone into the game and done that.?

Right.? If Ryan would have asked.? But that overlooks the question of whether Tebow had asked Ryan not to ask.

While some have suggested (including Peter King, in the video appearing below) that Tebow?s position was understandable given the manner in which he has been jerked around by the Jets, Tebow has tried for years to make us think that he?s the kind of guy who never would make such a request due to frustration regarding his role.? And for the Tebow skeptics out there who believe that much of who he is and what he is has been carefully orchestrated and manipulated, Sunday?s reports reflect the most significant and tangible proof that there?s a man behind the curtain who is far more flawed and far more human than the image that Tebow?s camp has been selling.

At this point, Tebow?s best move would be to admit it.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/24/fail-mary-still-looms-over-the-postseason/related/

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How to Buy Foreclosures ? Real Estate ? Property Investment | Raw ...

When you are looking for a safe, clear investment, that will give you a good return in the next five to ten years, then the best place to look for that investment is in real estate, and especially in foreclosures. This type of real estate offers several benefits. The most drawing of the advantages in investing is foreclosure is the ability to get property at up to a 50% discount, and purchase it with a low interest mortgage. Foreclosures are the easiest way to get an investment that will quickly appreciate, but you have to know what you are looking for and wher to find those foreclosures. This means you have to do diligent research.The safest ways to buy foreclosures

Slow moving economies create a perfect environment for the small investor to buy a foreclosure property to either reside in, rent or to resell. This means all types of properties go into foreclosure, and this includes upscale homes, and not only homes in poverty ridden areas. Realistically speaking, foreclosures can be found at discounts of 30 to 40%. But to get the best foreclosure deals, an investor needs to learn about the foreclosure process, and spend a few hours a week consulting, reading up on, and investigating foreclosures in your area.

Foreclosure happens when an owner falls behind in his payments, and because of this he is usually having financial difficulty and has probably been having difficulty for some time, so the home may also be in disrepair. These can be simple maintenance issues like missing light bulbs, paint needs, or can be something major. All of these aspects also need to be considered when you purchase foreclosure property.

How do real estate investors find foreclosure property to invest in? Well, there are actually two ways to get foreclosure listings. You can opt to find free foreclosures, and to do this you go to the county public records office and find out which properties are in foreclosure. The records office is helpful, but it will still take you some time to get the information. You will have to sort through the files and wait your turn. You can also search through the local newspapers because foreclosures must go in the notification section prior to being foreclosed on.

Although the above method is a viable way to find foreclosures it is not very practical, as it takes up a lot of time, so a better method is by purchasing one or more foreclosure listings in your area. You can find these online. Then you need to locate the ones in nice areas and see if they are worth investing in. When investing such a large amount of money you always want to protect that investment as much as possible so you really need to investigate the listings you may consider purchasing, and you also need to do a full inspection.

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Source: http://rawbusinesslaw.com/2012/12/24/how-to-buy-foreclosures-real-estate-property-investment/

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Temple upsets No. 3 Syracuse 83-79

NEW YORK (AP) ? Khalif Wyatt had never been in Madison Square Garden let alone played there.

The Philadelphia native left the building on Saturday after scoring a career-high 33 points and being the key to Temple beating No. 3 Syracuse 83-79 in the first Chevrolet Gotham Classic.

"I always wanted to play here because all the great players had a chance to play here," the 6-foot-4 senior said. "This was a chance for us to show everyone that Temple is a real program."

Anthony Lee had a career-high 21 points for the Owls (9-2), who were coming off a 10-point home loss to Canisius.

"I don't think we would have won today without the loss in the last game," Temple coach Fran Dunphy said. "Our guys did a great job today. I wish it was worth more than one victory."

This is the fifth straight season Temple has beaten a top 10 team while being unranked.

The latest win in that stretch game with the combination of Wyatt from the outside and Lee inside.

"We wanted to go inside and out and that meant me going up strong and fighting for rebounds," said Lee, who had nine rebounds, five offensive, and worked the baseline again and again against Syracuse's vaunted zone. "That's playing the Temple game."

Dunphy said Wyatt challenged himself after a poor game against Canisius.

"He made some really good plays when we were struggling to score and had to stay in the game," Dunphy said.

The Orange led by two at halftime but never took a lead in the second half even though there were four ties, the last at 59-59 with 10:23 to play.

C.J. Fair had a career-high 25 points for Syracuse (10-1), which had its 52-game regular-season nonconference winning streak snapped. Jim Boeheim remained at 900 wins, two behind Bob Knight for second place all-time among Division I men's coaches. Duke's Mike Krzyzewski has 938 wins.

Wyatt made all 15 of his free throw attempts and Lee was 11 of 14 as the Owls were 29 of 36 overall.

Syracuse was 19 of 34 from the line including missing four in the final 6 minutes when it was mostly a one-possession game and point guard Michael Carter-Williams finished 7 of 15.

"They made free throws, we didn't," Boeheim said. "You don't like to say it comes down to that, but when you miss 15 free throws it's tough to win any game."

Carter-Williams took the heat.

"If I make free throws we win the game," he said.

Temple hit three 3-pointers in an 11-3 run that gave it the lead for good. Scootie Randall started the run with a 3 that broke the 59-all tie. He closed the run with another 3, his only points of the game.

The 3-point line also hurt the Orange, who were 2 of 12 from behind the arc while Temple was 8 of 24.

"It was one of those nights when it wouldn't fall," said Fair, whose only 3-point attempt of the game brought the Orange within 74-72 with 3:01 left but the Owls went 11 of 15 from the free throw line over the final 2:30.

Temple's last field goal was an offensive rebound by Quenton DeCosey with 5:41 left that gave the Owls a 72-66 lead.

Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson had four points and 10 rebounds for the Owls.

Brandon Triche had 17 points for Syracuse. Baye Moussa Keita added 12 and Carter-Williams, who leads the nation in assists at 10.7 per game, had 13 points and six assists.

"Wyatt was able to create a lot of contact and that got him to the free throw line," Carter-Williams said. "They didn't play off me and I have to get used to that. We have to learn from this. It's a long season."

Temple missed 10 of its first 12 shots in falling behind 19-10. The Owls, behind Wyatt who had 20 points in the first half, started hitting shots against the Orange's zone defense and they made nine of their next 14 shots and tied the game at 35. Syracuse scored five straight points but Wyatt capped his big half with a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left and Temple was within 40-38 at halftime.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/temple-upsets-no-3-syracuse-83-79-193908060--spt.html

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Guide for the Development of Language | Book,Education ...

Analyzes of current policies on language teaching in Europe (common characteristics of Member States? policies and presentation of the principles of the Council of Europe). Information required for the formulation of language education policies (methodologies for design, aspects / factors to consider in the decision), the implementation of language education policies (guiding principles and policy options for decision makers by providing diversification in the choice of languages learned and in promoting the development of plurilingual competence; inventory of technical means and description of each ?solution? with indicators of cost, lead time, the means, the consequences of teacher training, the administration, etc.). It is in fact a revised version of a previous Council of Europe document originally known as ?Guide for Examiners (1996), who was one of several users guides user controlled by the Council of Europe to accompany the first draft of the CEFR in 1996/7.

It presents approaches to policy rather than policy as such, and is designed to meet the needs of different educational contexts. Its purpose is to provide a response to the need to formulate language policies for plurilingualism and diversification in an organized manner, so that decisions are linked. Accordingly, the Guide does not promote any particular language education policy but attempts to identify the challenges and possible responses in the light of common principles. To ensure that the reference levels in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) are interpreted the same way by all the professionals of the language, the Language Policy Division is currently developing these documents illustrating levels in a number of languages.

The main objective of this manual is to help test developers to develop, apply and report transparent procedures, practices in a cumulative process of continuous improvement in order to situate their examination (s) in relation to the CEFR. As indicated in Chapter 4 (section 4.3.1.) From Manual, forms and related tables are provided for each of communicative language activities (CEFR Chapter 4) and aspects of communicative language proficiency (CEFR Chapter 5). Forms are tools to provide a detailed analysis of the examination or test in question and link the examination / test subscales relevant CEFR. In most forms, a brief description, reference and / or justification is required. The document is intended for those who influence formulates and implement policy language teaching at all levels.

While making these forms freely available, the Language Policy Division said that it is not the role of the Council of Europe in order to verify and validate the quality of the relationship between language examinations and skill levels of the CEFR and Member States are responsible for ensuring the quality and fairness of tests and evaluations based on the guidelines issued by the Council of Europe, rather than vis-?-vis the Council of Europe, c is to its own students and its European partners that we have a responsibility to coherent, realistic use of the CEFR. This Supplement Reference Manual to accompany ?Linking Language Examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR).? Its aim is to provide users with additional information handbook that will help in efforts to relate their certificates and diplomas to the CEFR.

Source: http://www.hotsbiz.com/2012/12/guide-for-the-development-of-language/

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SAMA to establish real estate price indexReal Estate - Zawya

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency ( SAMA ) intends to establish an index for real estate prices, said Mohammed Al-Shaya, the general manager of a financial supervisory company. "This index will be a benchmark and reference, similar to the stock market index. Such precautions help in avoiding a real estate crisis in the future," said Al-Shaya in a seminar organized by the faculty of economics and commerce in Qassim University.

Experts participating in the seminar said that land prices are high, constituting almost 60 percent of the total cost for building a house, which therefore leads to a real problem in the real estate sector.

Seven institutions discussed mortgage issues and drew out important points for legislators to take into account when establishing laws for the mortgage sector.

"This seminar comes in response to the regulations issued by the Cabinet on 12/8/1433 regarding finance and mortgages. Its importance stems from the pivotal and essential role of real estate in the Kingdom, as it is the second largest sector," said Khalid Al-Hamoudi, president of Qassim University.

Al-Hamoudi stressed the fact that the real estate sector is the second largest in the nation's economy; its volume is more than a trillion riyals with a growth of 6 percent per year. It contributes to 9.5 percent of the country's GDP.

SAMA announced earlier on its website the codes for the regulation of mortgage finance, refinance companies, lease finance and rent contracts.

Obaid Al-Mutairi, dean of the faculty of economics and commerce, said the seminar aimed to serve the business community and raise awareness about the real estate market mechanisms from the perspective of borrowers and lenders.

The main spokesman at the seminar, former member of Shoura Council Falah Subaie, said the codes contain rules for organizing the activity of mortgage finance, organizing government support and mechanisms of repayment and registering the contracts of lease finance, as well as controlling and reviewing prices.

On the other hand, Rashid Al-Olaiwi, Islamic economic professor in Qassim University, discussed the relation between mortgage and lease finance and Islamic law (Shariah). "Islamic laws in this regard are not constrained. They serve the best interests of everybody, so that mortgage problems can be avoided," he said.

Al-Olaiwi suggested that these codes and regulations be submitted to a panel of senior scholars so that all parties can accept them.

A number of speakers highlighted the problems and obstacles facing the real estate sector and its development. One of the issues tackled during the seminar revolved around the fact that the real estate market in the Kingdom is still fledgling, lacks organization and the number of developers is limited, according to Abdulelah Al-Shaikh, CEO of Saudi Home Loans.

Other issues discussed included the wide gap between the cost of building a house and income levels.

Most Saudi families and individuals are already constrained by consumer loans. These loans, in addition to credit card loans, amounted to SR 285 billion in the last half of 2012, exceeding public debt by SR 57 billion.

Participants said that the catalyst for any change in the sector would be the speculative activity, which in turn will affect price levels.

There are several gaps in the real estate market system, mainly the gap between supply and demand, the high prices of houses accompanied by the poor financial status of citizens and other regulatory and developmental factors.

? Arab News 2012

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? Copyright Zawya. All Rights Reserved.

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Source: http://www.zawya.com/story/SAMA_to_establish_real_estate_price_index-ZAWYA20121216031938/

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RockfordLink.com Blog: LEARN TO SKATE OR PLAY HOCKEY

Rockford Park District wants to help you learn to ice skate, improve your skating skills, or learn to play hockey! The Learn to Skate and Jr. IceHogs/Learn to Play Hockey programs offer people ages three through adult of all abilities the opportunity to learn the skills to enjoy ice sports recreation for a lifetime. Six-week group sessions are offered for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skill levels, and meet at Carlson Ice Arena in Loves Park once a week for 30-50 minutes (depending on lesson type), with skates provided;?the next sessions begin January 3-5, 2013 for hockey, and January 29, 2013 for figure skating.

For skaters interested in additional advanced training,?private lessons?are also available from the professional figure skating and hockey coaching staff of the Park District's ice facilities.

Registration is underway?for skating and hockey programs, and will continue until capacity is reached. Fee assistance for group lessons may be available to those meeting program qualifications. Registrations are taken online at?www.rockfordparkdistrict.org?(click Register Now), by mail, fax, or at Customer Service locations in downtown Rockford, or at Carlson Ice Arena, Riverside and Perryville, Loves Park. Registration information and class descriptions, schedules, and fees are available online?at?www.rockfordparkdistrict.org?(click Register Now),?in the Park District's Fall/Winter 2012/2013 Program Guide (www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/programbrochures), at Park District Customer Service and facilities, or by calling?815-969-4069?or?815-987-8800. For information on support and adapted sports programs for skaters and hockey players with disabilities, call?815-987-8800.

Source: http://rockfordlink.blogspot.com/2012/12/learn-to-skate-or-play-hockey.html

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ANALYSIS: As Egypt votes, what is at stake?

Daniel Berehulak / Getty Images

A man holds up a Quran as supporters of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood chant slogans during a rally on Friday in Cairo, Egypt.

By Ayman Mohyeldin, NBC News

News analysis

CAIRO -- On Saturday, millions of Egyptians are expected to vote in the first round of a national referendum to determine whether the country adapts a new and controversial constitution.

The voting will take place over two days, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22. Ten out of the country's 27 governorates, comprising 26 million voters, will be allowed to vote on Saturday. The remaining 17 governorates and their 25 million voters will be allowed to vote the following Saturday.

Egyptians grapple with political future in controversial vote

Seven thousand judges will supervise the more than 6,000 polling stations on each voting day. The government was required to split the voting over two days because thousands of other judges boycotted supervising the referendum. Officials say voting will also be supervised by observers from civil society, human rights organizations and foreign and domestic media. The U.S.-based Carter Center, however, says it was not able to send an observer to witness the voting process because the regulations required by the Egyptian government were not clarified ahead of the vote.?

Why does the referendum matter to Egypt, the region and the world?
If approved, the referendum would pave the way for a new social contract between the Egyptian state and its citizens. It would replace Egypt's 1971 constitution that had been amended by previous Egyptian presidents to bolster the authoritarian rule that devastated citizens' individual rights.

Keeping options open: Egypt's military maintains watchful eye on politics

Some, however, say the draft constitution changes nothing to curb the powers of the state, and instead opens the door for Shariah law to be strictly imposed. Others say this constitution is groundbreaking because it curbs the powers of the president, limiting his time in office to two terms and upholding the spirit of the 2011 revolution.

Egypt is the largest country in the Arab world, with a population of more than 80 million and great clout over the region. At the same time, Egypt is a vital U.S. ally. The Suez Canal, one of the world's most strategic waterways that connects Asia and East Africa to Europe, lies in Egypt, a country that is also essential to regional stability and is one of only two Arab countries that has a peace treaty with Israel.?

NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin is outside the presidential palace in Cairo where hundreds of thousands are protesting what they say is an unjust constitution. They want to delay a vote on the current draft of the constitution now scheduled for December 15.?

Here's what is at stake in the referendum and what Egypt's draft constitution says about some of the most pressing issues facing the country:

On Islamic law and the role of religion
Egypt's draft constitution states that Islam is the official religion of the state. Supporters of the constitution say the draft allows for the freedom of religion. Article 43 states: "The State shall guarantee the freedom to practice religious rites and to establish places of worship for the divine religions."

Egypt is rapidly approaching its own 'cliff'

Supporters also argue that for the first time, cannons for Christians and Jews will serve as the principals for their personal laws. Opponents of the constitution say the document curbs the rights of religious minorities, including believers of non-monotheistic religions, because it states that the "principles of Shariah Law are the principal source of legislation."

The constitution then proceeds to narrowly define Shariah law as the exclusive interpretation of religious scholars belonging to Al Azhar University, the center of religious and academic learning for Sunnis in the Islamic world. Opponents are also worried about excerpts such as Article 11, which states: "The State shall safeguard ethics, public morality and public order and foster a high level of education and of religious and patriotic values." Critics say that opens the door for a religious take over of civil society and social affairs.?

On the role of the military
The proposed constitution has not changed much in terms of the military's role and function in society. The constitution preserves the role of the Minister of Defense as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and maintains that the position be filled from within the institution's officer ranks.

Google+ Hangout from Cairo with NBC News' Ayman Mohyeldin

As such, Egypt's military is headed by a military officer, rather than a civilian. Critics warn this will allow the military to remain powerful and shielded from civilian oversight. The president is the supreme commander of the armed forces, but he heads the National Defense Council. The military's budget remains a state secret and there are no stipulations to force the military to disclose its vast economic empire. Perhaps most troubling, critics say, is that the military would still be allowed to try civilians in military trials.?

On the role of the president
Unlike previous presidents who served for decades at a time, Article 133 in the proposed constitution stipulates that the president will serve for a four-year term with a limit of two terms. Critics contend the new draft constitution preserves "dictatorial powers" for the president, including the ability to appoint judges.

PhotoBlog: Egypt vote sparks violent clashes between Islamists and opponents

The president is also not required by the constitution to appoint a vice-president, which makes the issue of succession somewhat vague. The new draft also prohibits the president from holding any "partisan position" for the duration of the presidency, which supporters say means that once an individual is elected, he must resign from any political party they belonged to.

On women
In the preamble, the draft constitution states that, "equality and equal opportunities are established for all citizens, men and women, without discrimination or nepotism or preferential treatment, in both rights and duties." Supporters of the constitution say the draft gives women new benefits, including support from the state for "widows and breadwinners" and will "ensure maternal and child health services free of charge."

'Men don't have to worry about being caught': Sex mobs target Egypt's women

Critics, however, contend that women's rights are too narrowly defined within the framework of religion and family affairs. They also argue that the strict interpretation of Islamic law could pave the way for limiting the rights of women.?

Other issues stipulated in the draft constitution have also polarized the country, including articles that deal with the freedoms of speech, association and the media.

Supporters and opponents of the constitution have launched massive public awareness campaigns to persuade voters, but come Saturday, it will be the people who will have the final say.?

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Source: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/15/15913197-egypt-votes-on-its-constitution-whats-at-stake-and-what-does-it-mean-for-the-future?lite

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What Storage Shed Can Give Your House the ... - Our Home Tools

Storage sheds offer a lot of benefits to people who want to keep some items or equipment in their house in an organized manner. In the absence of this space, a house can be too chaotic with a lot of things placed just everywhere. Things in the house that homeowners don?t often use can be placed in the shed and use them every time they need them. Storage sheds can be made in different shapes and sizes based on the requirement of a homeowner.

Storage sheds are often built outdoors to store items like unwanted and old appliances, firewood, books and clothes. The space can also be utilized to store yard equipment and tool kits. Often, these sheds are durable and protect stored materials from different kinds of weather.

When it comes to choosing the right storage, you will have a lot of options. You need to choose the right materials they are made of to find the most suitable one which will enhance the appearance of your home. Here are the different types of storage sheds.

Traditional Wood Storage Shed

Storage sheds serve as extensions of a home. A wood-based one is the traditional kind. These sheds are durable and can last for the several years. Wooden sheds are quite attractive for a lot of homeowners because of the simplicity of their look. But they can be costly depending on the kind of wood used to make them. Also they require proper maintenance to protect them from termites and other insects which may destroy them completely.

Metal Storage Sheds

Metal storage sheds are rarely a breeding ground for termites which makes them more attractive than their wood counterparts. These sheds are less expensive, more durable and require less maintenance. A regular cleaning process is good enough for them to look pleasant all the time. These sheds are available with pre-baked enamel paint. They can easily be shipped and assembled as per requirements. They have sound structures; thus, they cannot be easily damaged during natural disasters like heavy storms.

Vinyl Storage Sheds

These days, vinyl storage sheds have occupied a special place in the market because they are lightweight. This is because vinyl is much lighter than the metal and wood alternatives. This makes the assembly process much easier than others. Apart from that, a vinyl shed is cheaper than other types of storage sheds. People consider it as one of the best options these days because it helps them saves them money, time and effort for the assembly.

Plastic Storage Sheds

Plastic storage sheds have many advantages over the other types of sheds. They can easily be assembled in one or two hours only. People who are always busy prefer this type of shed because of this reason. Most importantly, these sheds do not require any screws and the pieces can be snapped together easily. The durability offered? is the same with what is expected from other storage sheds.

Depending on the requirements and budget, you would be able to choose the best product that suits your requirements. It is highly recommended to contact a professional who can check the space available in your home and install the shed for you. This storage shed can help you in many years throughout your lifetime while they improve the look of your home.

Author Bio

Charles has written various blogs and articles on home improvement. His areas of expertise lie in storage sheds and the garden. He has offered valuable suggestions about how to improve the appearance of your home.

Source: http://www.ourhometools.com/what-storage-shed-can-give-your-house-the-best-benefits

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Small Business Marketing Seminar gets straight ?To the Point? in the ...

Sponsored by Old Mutual, the inaugural?tothePOINT Small Business Marketing Seminar took place on the 10th of December 2012 in what was described by one of the delegates as a ?highly informative, inspiring and challenging day of discussion?.

Speakers from across various online marketing disciplines engaged the audience with enlightening keynote presentations on four key topics including Search Engine Marketing, Email Marketing, Social Media and Conversion Optimization.

First up on the speakers? panel was CEO of Synergize, Shaune Jordaan, with his topic ?Search Engine Marketing?. Shaun delivered great insights on the power of the internet and how to target customers using this online tool. Below are a few key points that he highlighted:

• ?60% of South Africans made online purchases in the last year, 77% believe that online shopping is the future, and 2/3 of online shoppers discover new sites on search engines ? Therefore it is imperative to be visible online. Make sure that your content is being found by continuously updating and uploading information on your sites.?
• ?Mobile is massive in SA ? We are the 5th largest users in the world, so your sites need to be mobile-friendly ? this is where your customers are communicating and searching for information.?
• ??It?s important to audit your site. Here are some tips: Register for Google webmaster tools, install analytics, download tools such as Firefox + SEO doctor and SEO tool apps, check your site?s back links in Google, check your rankings on Google preview tool, and always work with reputable agencies.?

Shaune Jordaan

Following Shaun was Suzanne Little, Head of Social Media at Quirk, with her presentation on Social Media. Her opening statement was one that was true to its description: ?Most of us are like little toddlers when it comes to Social Media?. It seems apparent that many small business owners do not understand the value of social media neither do they know where to start. Suzanne re-iterated the importance of engaging with customers in a digitally-connected world as the emerging generation expect online communication. Below are a few points she highlighted:

• ??Social customers are more knowledgeable, more empowered and more connected than ever before. They have a public megaphone and aren?t afraid to use it, and they conduct extensive research online before making purchase decisions.?
• ??The most powerful form of advertising is word of mouth, driven by ?influencers? then ultimately leveraging ?brand advocates?. It?s all about getting others to push your advertising and marketing for you.?
• ??Three important aspects of social include emotion, utility and entertainment. This involves developing a story and taking people on a journey, creating a hook that will engage an audience, finding all possible avenues where the user can be engaged and capturing as much content as possible.?

Su Little

The third presentation on Email Marketing was delivered by Barbara Ulmi, Marketing Director of Graphic Mail. She highlighted best-practice tips, pointing out that email marketing is still the primary and most effective source of lead generation, as studies have shown that 77% of people prefer ?permission-based? communication via email verses other means. She further underlined how email marketing is applied and further advised that there is more to consider, including the following:

• ?One-for-all blasts are no longer as effective ? it?s important to segment your audience and tailor the content in your newsletters for different customers (e.g. those who click and view vs. those who don?t).?
• ??In terms of mobile devices, the following aspects need to be considered: Time ? (create a clear call to action); Bandwidth ? (go easy on images, include alt tags); Light ? (use string contrasts); and Ergonomics ? (use big buttons that are far enough apart).?
• ?Best practice tips: Practise opt-in email marketing; Keep it short; Set expectancy (what, how often, from whom); Add a welcome autoresponder; Add footer address and unsubscribe link; Balance the use of images and text; Embed image vs. download link; Do a list clean regularly, update data and analyse reports.?

Barbara Ulmi

The final speaker for the day was Leon Lategan who rounded off the seminar with a challenging and though-provoking presentation on Conversion Optimization. Leon?s presentation was thoroughly engaging as he integrated the audience in his case studies.

His opening line to introduce his topic was ?Don?t make me think?, which basically sums up the way in which we should engage with our customers from their perspective by keeping our websites simple, user friendly and straight to the point. In his view, the customer?s browsing experience should be pleasant and effortless. Below are a few points he made which stood out:

• ?The average conversion rate for business websites worldwide is 2-3% with the top performing site reaching around 40% ? Even the biggest of brands make fundamental errors that prevent customer conversion. It?s all about having a clear and concise call to action to satisfy customers? needs. Match content to desire!?
• ??Understand the importance of landing page optimisation, i.e. making sure that your website not only generates traffic, but that viewers stay on your page ? this is where webpage design and site architecture comes in. The smallest detail can deter your viewer?s focus.?
• ?It?s not about having a site that ?looks pretty?- it?s about functionality and effectiveness. If a visitor arrives on one of your landing pages and doesn?t immediately find the information they?re looking for, they will leave and look elsewhere. Get your content right throughout the site.?

Leon Lategan

Feedback from delegates has been extremely positive throughout as many found the speakers to be interesting and engaging, delivering relevant content that can be practically implemented.

?I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and the whole Living Your Brand team for an amazing seminar. I thought the information was spot on helpful, and the quality of the speakers was mind blowing. I would definitely recommend you to friends, family and business relations. Keep up the good work.? ? AC Goodger, Creative at Willow Creek.

A massive thanks to all who were involved, including our outstanding speakers, attendees and organisers who contributed to the successful execution of the inaugural tothePOINT Small Business Marketing Seminar. 2013 will see tothePOINT making its mark in major cities across the country.

Source: http://www.bandwidthblog.com/2012/12/14/small-business-marketing-seminar-gets-straight-to-the-point-in-the-mother-city/

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Inspector general criticizes New Orleans' workers' compensation ...

New Orleans needs to do a better job of managing its workers' compensation program, the office of the inspector general said in a report released Thursday. In response, Mayor Mitch Landrieu's administration said?it has made significant changes to the program this year and will take or consider other measures to improve its performance.

The OIG report examined the city's management and oversight of its self-insured workers' compensation program between 2008 and 2011. During that period the city spent an average of $16 million on workers' compensation expenses per year.

The analysis found that the city did not effectively manage the?program and did not exercise oversight?commensurate with its financial impact, Inspector General Ed Quatrevaux said.?"If the city is going to self-insure,"?he said, "it needs to behave like an insurance company and reduce risk by implementing a comprehensive safety program designed to prevent employee injuries."

Employees who are injured on the job are entitled to payment of their medical bills, compensation for lost wages and, when necessary, death benefits for their survivors.

New Orleans self-insures itself for such claims, and the report says this approach is typical for large employers because it allows them to avoid paying significant premiums to insurance companies. By definition, however, self-insured entities "assume financial liability for any losses resulting from employee accidents," the report notes.

Rather than managing the program itself, the city contracts with an outside firm to administer it. From 2000 to February 2012, that firm was Cannon Cochran Management Services Inc. Hammerman & Gainer Inc. has administered the program since March. In addition, the city has transferred its entire risk management office from the Law Department to the Chief Administrative Office, and in May the former risk manager was terminated and replaced.?

The OIG report said it identified numerous problems with the?workers' compensation program in recent years, including:

• The city gradually discontinued several of its safety and loss-control initiatives and did not have a citywide operational safety plan in place as required by state law.
• The city did not select outside legal counsel and vendors through an open and competitive procurement process.
• The city did not have adequate internal controls in place to oversee vendors and ensure that all incurred charges were necessary and accurate.
• The city did not have adequate metrics in place to manage its compensation program effectively and evaluate the third party administrator's performance.

"We concluded that the city did not effectively manage its workers' compensation program commensurate with its financial impact and did not take sufficient measures to prevent employee injuries," the report says.

The report notes that the city "has made efforts to make improvements to its workers' compensation program during the course of this evaluation. However, additional actions are needed to remedy problems identified in the findings."

During 2008-11, the report says, the city paid $67.4 million in workers' compensation claims, with $37.3 million in payments going to Fire Department personnel and $22.9 million to police officers. Under state law, it notes, firefighters with at least five years of service who develop heart or lung disease are automatically eligible for workers' compensation benefits, without having to show that the disease resulted from their work.

In responding to the OIG report, Chief Administrative Officer Andy Kopplin disputed the finding that the city does not have useful metrics in place to monitor the compensation program, saying that the city is working closely with?the third-party administrator?on that. He agreed that an outside audit of the compensation claims is long overdue and said one will take place soon.

Although the city has not had a safety engineer since 2008, Kopplin said, "it is incorrect to assume that those responsibilities are currently going unfulfilled," and he said the city is developing an operational safety plan that will cover all departments, not just police and fire.

Source: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/12/post_507.html

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Dead guts spill history of extinct microbes: Fecal samples from archeological sites reveal evolution of human gut microbes

Dec. 12, 2012 ? Extinct microbes in fecal samples from archaeological sites across the world resemble those found in present-day rural African communities more than they resemble the microbes found in the gut of cosmopolitan US adults, according to research published December 12 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Cecil Lewis and colleagues from the University of Oklahoma.

The researchers analyzed 1400-8000-year-old fecal samples preserved at three archaeological sites: natural mummies from Caserones in northern Chile, and samples from Hinds Cave in the southern US and Rio Zape in northern Mexico. They also used samples from Otzi the Iceman and a soldier frozen on a glacier for nearly a century. They compared the now-extinct microbes in these samples to microbes present in current-day soil and compost, as well as the microbes present in mouths, gut and skin of people in rural African communities and cosmopolitan US adults.

The authors discovered that the extinct human microbes from natural mummies closely resembled compost samples, while one sample from Mexico was found to match that from a rural African child. Overall, the extinct microbial communities were more similar to those from present rural populations than those from cosmopolitan ones. The study concludes, "These results suggest that the modern cosmopolitan lifestyle resulted in a dramatic change to the human gut microbiome."

As Lewis explains, "It is becoming accepted that modern aseptic and antibiotic practices, are often beneficial but come with a price, such as compromising the natural development of our immune system through changing the relationship we had with microbes ancestrally. What is unclear is what that ancestral state looked like. This paper demonstrates that we can use ancient human biological samples to learn about these ancestral relationships, despite the challenges of subsequent events like degradation and contamination."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Public Library of Science.

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

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Journal Reference:

1. Raul Y. Tito, Dan Knights, Jessica Metcalf, Alexandra J. Obregon-Tito, Lauren Cleeland, Fares Najar, Bruce Roe, Karl Reinhard, Kristin Sobolik, Samuel Belknap, Morris Foster, Paul Spicer, Rob Knight, Cecil M. Lewis. Insights from Characterizing Extinct Human Gut Microbiomes. PLoS ONE, 2012; 7 (12): e51146 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051146

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

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

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/~3/_1nGoYpDQdQ/121212205609.htm

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Marvel's young heroes face conflict, dire choices

PHILADELPHIA (AP) ? Marvel's younger heroes have dealt with life-threatening challenges before in the pages of "Young Avengers" and "Avengers Academy" from foes earthbound and beyond.

Now, in "Avengers Arena" they're squaring off against each other, costume-clad pawns in a decidedly deadlier game they've no control over and no hope of escaping from in the series from Marvel Comics that came out Wednesday.

Writer Dennis Hopeless called the series ? which sees 16 characters from Marvel Entertainment awake on an island run by the villain Arcade ? as a chance to look at the individual characters, including Mettle, X-23 and Darkhawk, among others, and glean what type of heroes they could be, provided they survive.

And if comparisons to "The Hunger Games" or the film "Battle Royale" or even William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" arise, that's OK, he said, but ultimately the series is about individuals learning who they are and what they're willing to do to survive.

"That's the interesting thing about the concept of fighting for your life or being in a death match; it gets down to the core of who a person is. They're making decisions that are going to shape who they are as adults," said Hopeless, whose writing credits at Marvel include "Legion of Monsters" and "X-Men: Season One."

Bill Rosemann, who edits the title illustrated by artist Kev Walker, said "Avengers Arena" centers on conflict and strife between friends, and foes alike, but it also explores the deeper topic of how one generation is willing to sacrifice another.

"Go back to the myth of the minotaur and sending in the young people to sacrifice them and fight him," Rosemann said. "Look at the wars: Who do we send to fight? Our youngest generation. Reality shows? It's all young people competing. And we, as a culture, are obsessed with that."

That issue is paramount in "Avengers Arena," he said.

"Who's going to rebel, who's going to give in? Who's going to sacrifice their morals to survive? How far will people go to save their friends?" Rosemann asked. "It's young adults who are walking a fine line and we're going to find out if they're going to become the next generation of greatest heroes or the next generation of the Masters of Evil."

___

Follow Matt Moore at www.twitter.com/mattmooreap

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Marvel Entertainment is owned by The Walt Disney Co.

___

Online:

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/marvels-young-heroes-face-conflict-dire-choices-205616375.html

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Tokyoflash Kisai Spider watch goes from concept to wrist-flaunting product (video)

Tokyoflash threw a transparent LED timepiece with a web-like display against the proverbial concept wall earlier this year, and danged if the Kisai Spider didn't stick. The new watch lets you inspect your wrist while attempting to decipher the time or date, which are read from the outside-in through a highly geometrical display of digits -- the above image showing 09:58, for instance. You'll be able to score the dapper device in black and silver brushed stainless steel with a black, blue, green or red display for $159 until this Friday, after which time it'll run an extra twenty bills. For the oh-so-vital instructions on how to to read it, along with ordering info, check the source or video after the break.

Continue reading Tokyoflash Kisai Spider watch goes from concept to wrist-flaunting product (video)

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

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Mandela's fading moral compass worries S Africa

JOHANNESBURG (AP) ? As South Africa's governing party moves closer to picking its next leader, it will do so without the man widely viewed as the country's moral compass.

Nelson Mandela, who remains hospitalized with a lung infection, led the African National Congress political party to victory in the nation's first truly democratic election in 1994 through a principled show of magnanimity toward the country's racist former rulers, despite spending nearly three decades in prison.

Today, his party appears grounded by corruption allegations, as current President Jacob Zuma has faced rape charges and questions about enriching himself through his public office.

The more Mandela fades, the more some in South Africa worry the ANC is ceding the higher moral ground it once held.

"We know that even though the dream of a just, nonracial and prospering democracy is temporarily in eclipse ? being throttled by the actions (or lack of it) of a generation of leaders that seems to have largely lost its moral compass," a recent letter that religious leaders sent to Zuma reads. "The people of South Africa are capable of rising to reclaim their future."

Mandela, 94, was admitted Saturday to 1 Military Hospital near South Africa's capital, Pretoria, for tests. Government officials later said he was suffering from a chronic lung infection. He had an acute respiratory infection in January 2011 and the chaos surrounding Mandela's stay at a public hospital saw the South African military take charge of his care and the government control the information about his health.

On Wednesday, presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj issued a short statement confirming Mandela remained hospitalized for a fifth day.

"Doctors attending to former President Mandela have reported that he has made progress during the past 24 hours and they are satisfied with the way he is responding to treatment," Maharaj said in the statement. It offered no other details, nor any suggestion of when Mandela could be released.

Mandela has a history of lung problems. He fell ill with tuberculosis in 1988 toward the tail-end of his prison years. While doctors said at the time the disease caused no permanent damage to his lungs, medical experts say tuberculosis can cause problems years later for those infected.

Each day Mandela is hospitalized causes growing concern in South Africa, a nation of 50 million people that reveres the aged leader for being the nation's first democratically elected president who sought to bring the country together after centuries of racial division.

Mandela largely retired from public life after serving one five-year term as president, and lived a private life, although he did campaign against HIV/AIDS. He last made a public appearance when his country hosted the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament. The Nobel laureate has also grown more frail in recent years, with his grip on politics in the nation ever slackening.

In Mandela's place, Zuma, 70, now leads the ANC. Next week, the party will hold a convention in Mangaung that will see it elect its next leader. Whoever is picked likely will have an automatic ticket to South Africa's presidency in the 2014 election as the ANC faces no strong challenge from any of the country's opposition parties.

Zuma probably will hold onto his position, despite his falling popularity in the nation. Many have grown angry recently over the millions of dollars of government-paid improvements made at his private homestead. Zuma also was fired as the country's deputy president in 2005 after his financial adviser was convicted of trying to elicit a bribe for Zuma to deflect investigations into the arms deal.

Local newspapers also repeatedly raise claims about Zuma being unable to manage his personal finances and relying on friends to bail him out. That includes, allegedly, a payment of 1 million rand ($145,000) from Mandela himself days after he was fired as deputy president.

Zuma also previously faced intense criticism over his sexual activity, including being acquitted of raping a family friend. He also outraged AIDS activists by testifying that he had unprotected, consensual sex with the HIV-positive woman and then took a shower in the belief that it would protect him from AIDS.

After that, Zuma later publicly announced the results of his own HIV test and has pushed for a strong response to the AIDS epidemic in South Africa.

However, as the letter from religious leaders show, many view Zuma as merely the tip of the corruption running through the ANC, whose lower-level officials in government have been ensnared in a number of corruption and mismanagement allegations in recent years.

Confronted with the letter published across newspapers and discussed in television and radio broadcasts, Zuma's spokesman Maharaj issued a statement dodging the claims with a simple punch line: "Building a better society is the responsibility of every South African."

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Jon Gambrell can be reached at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP .

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mandelas-fading-moral-compass-worries-africa-162645641.html

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Syrian Rebels Don't Really Want Any Help from America Anymore

British military leaders are reportedly building a coalition to provide military help to the Syrian opposition, but the rebels are instead turning to an Islamist group that the U.S. says are terrorists ? and maybe rejecting American help outright. The United States is expected to declare this week that the rebel Jabhat al-Nusra is a?terrorist organization, prohibiting Americans from providing any financial support and allowing?authorities?to seize assets in the U.S.?In response, 29 opposition groups,?including?the?Free?Syrian Army, have signed a petition pledging their support to Nusra, saying "these are the heroes who belong to us in religion, in blood and in revolution." The group was formed in response to the Syrian revolution, but has used car bombings and other terrorist attacks against the government, and the U.S. says they are?merely?an offshoot of al-Qaeda in Iraq.?The statement?explicitly?rejects American?intervention in the Syrian civil war.

RELATED: Will the U.S. Send Weapons to Syria Now That the Rebels Have a President?

There has been growing concern in recent weeks that Assad's regime is on the brink of collapse, but that the end result would be a power?vacuum?in Syria and more chaos, as various disjointed rebel groups battle for control of the nation. Those groups include jihadists and other serious terrorist?organizations?that have contributed to the downfall of Assad and?explicitly?reject Western help. Since the powers of Europe and America have done very little bring Assad down, they will have little to no influence over the future of Syria. Even worse, they maybe find themselves considered an enemy that stood by while Syrians were butchered by a dictator. The move to support Jabhat al-Nusra suggests the chance to win friends in a new Syrian nation may already be gone.

RELATED: Video: Syrian Rebels Shoot Down an Army Helicopter Over Damascus

That's just one of the reasons we're now seeing a push for stronger Western action.?The British plan is reportedly being discussed, not in diplomatic circles, but among the military heads of several of the nations most likely to get involved, including France, Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. A three-star American general also reportedly took part in a secret meeting a few weeks ago, which was organized at the request of Prime Minister David Cameron. The plan would involve giving training and weapons to the rebels, and more?crucially, air and naval support?the one resource the Syrians lack, putting them at a major disadvantage against the government. While none of the countries are?discussing?putting their?soldiers?in Syria, coalition warplanes could easily tip the balance in favor of the rebels and possibly end the war.

RELATED: Syrian Government Hit By Suicide Car Bombings

At the moment, there's no diplomatic support for such a mission, but should the situation change the military would be ready to act. There are also concerns about securing Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles should the government collapse. But no matter the outcome, there are plenty of Syrians who feel the U.S. and other Western nations have done them no favors, and deserve none in return. As one revolutionary spokesperson put it, "You were watching us die, and now that we close to victory you want to intervene? You are not welcome."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-rebels-dont-really-want-help-america-anymore-145325977.html

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Resurrection of extinct enzymes reveals evolutionary strategy for the invention of new functions

Resurrection of extinct enzymes reveals evolutionary strategy for the invention of new functions

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

How does evolution innovate? We exist because our ancestors have had the ability to adapt successfully to changes in their environment; however, merely examining present-day organisms can limit our understanding of the actual evolutionary processes because the crucial events have been masked by the passage of aeons ? what we need is a time machine. Scientists from VIB, KU Leuven, University of Ghent and Harvard have done the next-best thing; by reconstructing DNA and proteins from prehistoric yeast cells, they were able to directly examine the evolutionary forces that have acted over the last 100 million years to shape modern-day enzymes ? biological catalysts that enable organisms to manipulate molecules to their will.

The scientists set out to explore how new genes emerge, how they contribute to the survival of the evolving organism, and how, after a humble start, evolution then refines the function of new genes and hones the efficiency of the enzymes that they encode. One of the richest sources of such new genes is the chance duplication of existing genes. One copy of the gene can then continue to encode the original enzyme, allowing it to perform its original task, while the other is free to change and to perhaps take on a new function; alternatively, the two new enzymes might sub-divide the original task.

Although this pattern of innovation is known to have happened many thousands of times during evolution, the way in which it occurs hasn't been clear. In a paper published December 11 in the online Open Access journal PLOS Biology, Karin Voordeckers, Chris Brown and Kevin Verstrepen from VIB in Leuven, together with Steven Maere from VIB and the University of Ghent, tackled this problem, focusing their attention on the evolution of enzymes that have allowed yeast to exploit changing food sources over the last 100 million years of evolution.

The scientists 'resuscitated' ancestral yeast genes, allowing them to examine the properties of enzymes that existed tens of millions of years ago. The original enzyme originally enabled the yeast cells to survive on a diet of maltose, a common sugar, but duplications of their genes gave rise to new enzymes which opened up the possibility of feeding off other types of sugar in the environment. The resurrection of these enzymes meant that the scientist could build up a detailed picture of their atomic structure and directly determine their ability to break down different types of sugars. Armed with this information, they could work out exactly how the enzymes had changed their specificity and how evolution drove their optimisation.

"We used sequence reconstruction algorithms to predict the DNA sequence of ancestral genes from dozens of present-day DNA sequences. This enabled us to rebuild the corresponding ancestral proteins and compare them with those present today", said Steven Maere.

"We searched very specifically for how the yeast adapted to break down various sources of sugar. We found that the primal gene that codes for the protein for the digestion of maltose ? a sugar in grain ? was copied a number of times during evolution. The DNA of some copies changed slightly, resulting in new proteins that could break down different sugars. By modeling these changes in the corresponding proteins, we now understand how just a few changes in the DNA can lead to the development of a completely new activity in the corresponding proteins", said Karin Voordeckers.

"New functional DNA does not appear out of thin air, but is built up gradually from a copy of an existing segment of functional DNA. By reconstructing a piece of prehistoric DNA that was copied several times during evolution, we were able to investigate in detail which changes occur in each of the copies and gradually lead to new functions. As such, our results provide a unique and detailed view into the molecular details of Darwinian evolution" says Kevin Verstrepen.

The scientists propose that the events observed here in the yeast cell's quest for sugar may reflect a general strategy widely used for innovation in evolution.

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Public Library of Science: http://www.plos.org

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/125883/Resurrection_of_extinct_enzymes_reveals_evolutionary_strategy_for_the_invention_of_new_functions_

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