Are you a San Francisco Bay Area teacher and using Apple technology in the class...

Are you a San Francisco Bay Area teacher and using Apple technology in the classroom to support learning? Tell us in 300 words about the creative ways you are teaching with Apple technology for a chance to win Macworld passes for your class. Please email submissions to MacworldiWorld@schwartzmsl.com by January 4, 2013. We appreciate your submission!

Source: http://www.facebook.com/MacworldiWorld/posts/10151314737481624

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Video: Proposals fly as fiscal cliff deadline looms

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Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/50325368/

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CSN: 49ers enter playoffs lacking momentum

BOX SCORE

UPDATE: (6:07 p.m.) The NFL has announced the 49ers will host their divisional round playoff game on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 5:00 PST. Their opponent is yet to be determined.

***

SAN FRANCISCO -- Candlestick Park disgorged its human contents slowly, which is the only way it ever does. Alex Smith had almost surely closed out his 49ers career with a kneel-down, David Akers remained a conundrum wrapped in an enigma encased in a kicking shoe, Justin Smith?s triceps tendon had not yet healed itself, and Jim Harbaugh was, well, Jim Harbaugh.

Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers flailed impotently against the tide that is Adrian Peterson, and here we must credit the 100 or so fans who stayed in the stadium to watch the scoreboard as it showed Blair Walsh?s game-winning field goal. The Vikings won 37-34, the 49ers got this weekend off, and host someone next week. They were thrilled with this development, as the locker room roar showed.

And yet the bye is a gift that is delivered with a mailed fist.

The 49ers need the week in hopes that J. Smith (as opposed to A.D. Smith) can make himself fully functional. And that Colin Kaepernick can advance his learning curve. And that David Akers can find the left foot he apparently left behind at the end of last season. Plus, who doesn?t want a break from running into other people repeatedly at great rates of speed?

On the other hand, teams with the bye win almost 54 percent of the time, making the 49ers a coin flip in the divisional round. An 11-4-1 coin flip.

And a coin flip with as many questions as answers. A coin flip without momentum, and as we surely know, December momentum more than any other commodity is what gets teams to the Super Bowl.

The 49ers didn?t get a lot of impetus from beating Arizona, 27-13. The Cardinals are awful as usual, one of the game?s enduring Jell-O punching bags. You hit it repeatedly, you feel good hitting it, but in the end it hasn?t given you the kind of test you need for the next steps.

But other than Michael Crabtree, who made a mockery of whatever passes for the Arizona secondary, no 49er offensive player excelled, and the defense was never challenged by a Cardinal team with no weapons whatsoever. It was a desultory performance made even less settling by Akers? latest field goal misses, giving the 49ers the most worrisome kicking of the postseason combatants.

Indeed, of the teams already in, only Green Bay (Mason Crosby) has a poorer percentage of field goal conversion, but they made up for it by scoring more TDs than any other NFC team. And Crosby is only bad beyond 50 yards, whereas Akers? issues are from 40 out.

In short, unless the 49ers want to concoct an injury to Akers out of his collision with Arizona?s Justin Bethel, they already have a disadvantage to go along with Smith?s questionable status, and the fact that they have only one go-to receiver, Crabtree.

They are not going into this postseason with the same gleeful trouble-free stride with which they entered last year?s playoffs. momentum, remember?

Not only that, the two NFC teams with the bye, San Francisco and Atlanta, are the only ones with two losses in December. Seattle (No. 5) went unbeaten, Minnesota (No. 6) won its last four after losing at Green Bay in Week 12, and Green Bay (No. 3) had won four straight before losing Sunday.

None of this makes them unqualified for Super Bowl status, mind you. In this field, there is no team that doesn?t have that quality to them, because everyone either backed into the postseason or rallied frantically to get there.

But these are not the 49ers of yore, as in last year. Things are coming harder, and the margin for error creates a tighter squeeze. Without Smith, that margin becomes almost prosciutto-thin.

So yes, Blair Walsh did the 49ers a great service on Sunday, and so did Adrian Peterson. But the real truth is that the 49ers are going to have a harder time making an impression this time than they did a year ago, and the key is, as ever, Justin Smith. With him, they are in play. Without him, who knows?

But this much is sure. Last year, the 49ers were playing with the casino?s money all year long. This year is going to be a pure white-knuckler ? starting now.

Source: http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/ray-ratto/49ers-enter-postseason-lacking-momentum

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The Symptoms Of Cervical Cancer | Cervical dysplasia - abnormal ...

December 29, 2012 Cervical dysplasia researcher Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is another form of uterine cancer. It begins in the cells on the surface of the cervix, either on the lower part, or in the upper part of the cervix. It is a slow-growing and malignant cancer. (Malignant simply means that it spreads). The cervix is the connector that connects the uterus to the birth canal, and is actually a part of the uterus.

Cervical cancer is usually the result of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread through sexual contact. The virus can survive in the body for many years before it causes cancer, and in some cases the cancer never develops.

A new vaccine is available to stop the virus, and medical professionals are encouraging young girls and women to get the vaccine. The claim is that by the year 2022 cervical cancers will be reduced due to the vaccine. But the vaccine is still to new, to know about all the possible long-term side-effects it will cause. The best way to be on guard against this cancer is to build up the immune system and eliminate as many risk factors as possible.

Those at highest risk for developing this cancer are young girls who became sexually active before the age of 18, and those who have, or have had numerous partners. Those who smoke, use birth control pill, condoms and tampons are also at a higher risk.

The symptoms of cervical cancer may not appear until the later stages of the cancer, but pre-cancerous cells can be detected with a pap test.

The following symptoms may occur in the more advanced stages of cervical cancer.

- Bleeding in between periods, or after menopause. This can be heavy or light bleeding.

- Pelvic pains which can be dull or sharp pains, and can last for hours.

- A vaginal discharge may also occur, and may be foul smelling, thick, and may contain mucus or blood.

- Leaking of urine or feces from vagina.

- Bleeding after intercourse.

- Pain during intercourse.

- Pain or heavy bleeding while menstruating.

- Pain during urinating can occur if cancer has spread to the bladder.

- Loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss.

Other symptoms may include fatigue, back pain, leg pain, a single swollen leg, and easy fracturing of the bones.

Treatments are available; one can choose either conventional treatments which consist of chemo, radiation and surgery, or, one can choose to be healed naturally using Chinese medicines, or herbs.

For more information on how to prevent disease and live a long and healthy life, visit LivingFood101.

http://www.livingfood101.com/diseases/cervicalcancer.html

Cancer, Cervical, Symptoms

Source: http://cervicaldysplasia.healthrisks.biz/the-symptoms-of-cervical-cancer/

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95% The Central Park Five

All Critics (58) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (55) | Rotten (3)

Expect your blood pressure to rise during The Central Park Five.

The doc is rife with smart or wrenching or shameful moments. The fresh interviews with the accused, now men, are invaluable.

As grim a portrait of the criminal justice system as can be imagined.

How could this second crime have occurred? The film asks that question but only partly answers it, and in the process it raises an even more troubling one.

"The Central Park Five" is worth seeing, both for the ways it's timeless and for the ways it encapsulates an era.

What's amazing about listening to them speak now, often through tears, is the absence of bitterness.

Puts the crime and the times in sharp perspective.

Burns and company conduct a thorough, riveting investigation that does a far better job of assessing the tragedy than the justice system did two decades before. Of course, hindsight is an advantage we all take for granted.

It's a gripping story that comes in a well-crafted package.

A heartbreaking expose' about a rush to judgment which ruined five, innocent young lives.

Exclusive interviews with former heads of Israel's counter terrorism agency reveal insiders' analysis about the country's policies. Fascinating. Frightening.

"The Central Park Five" is a sobering indictment of racism and vigilante justice, yet it is constrained by a PBS-style deference to the very system it critiques.

You can't help but wonder why this film wasn't made 20 years ago, when it could have saved these men some time behind bars.

What keeps the film from being an impossible downer is the guts and spirit and smart words of the Central Park Five, four of whom, now freed, are interviewed at length.

A miscarriage of justice on this scale would have been tragic had it resulted from an honest mistake - but, as this meticulously researched movie makes clear, honesty had little to do with it.

The [documentary] team builds a solid story from the time of the crime through the release from prison those wrongly accused and railroaded into confessing to a crime they did not commit.

The result is both compelling and infuriating.

The Central Park Five provides background drawn from contemporary media images, including crime scene footage accompanied by a detective's grisly description, as well as reflections by those involved.

Not only gripping and heartbreaking, but terrifying.

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Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_central_park_five_2012/

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Black Galaxy Note 2 spotted, reportedly coming in early 2013

Rumors of new Samsung Galaxy Note 2 colors are nothing new, and nothing particularly surprising, given the diverse palette of Galaxy S3 colors now available. Since the phone's launch, though, many have to been hankering for a Galaxy Note 2 in classic black. If the latest rumors are to be believed, that's exactly what'll be coming in early 2013.

Swiss blog AndroidSlash has today come across a high-res press render of a Note 2 in black. And, well, it's a Galaxy Note 2. In black. Interesting to note is that the black Note 2 seems to retain its faux-metal texture, whereas the black Galaxy S3 lost this effect in favor of glossy plastic effect.

There's speculation that this, and other Note 2 color variants, will be shown at Mobile World Congress in February. But remember Samsung's also going to be at CES in just over a week, so there's a chance we might see the Note 2's new coat of paint sooner than expected. Lucky for you we'll be reporting live from both shows in the new year.

Anyone want to place bets on when the inevitable berry pink version will appear?

Source: AndroidSlash; via: SamMobile

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

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Shopping And Product Reviews

Shopping and Product Reviews are twins, they must go together. Going Shopping without the assist of Product reviews can direct you to a preferably fatal purchasing experience. When buying items either Online or on a genuine shop, it is great if you already know what you are aiming in line with the product you want to spend your money with. Other than, spend a minute or two to execute Product review before flinging your money on Shopping.

Some might think that buying leather briefcases or luxury briefcases are not as refined as it is. All you should do is go to the Shop, pick the one you want, or mind the proffers from the salesperson or from your dear friend. Wrong. Everything you like to purchase should to be double-checked first. Without prior knowledge on things that you would like to purchase, you might be slanged by fake retailers.

It is a fact that fakes are all over the place. Everybody knows that. What you do not know is how to find out whether what you are purchasing is an reliable leather hence worthy of its skyrocketing cost (leathers are really expensive). But as you found time to explore the net of what you are searching for, together with the info of how heavy is it, of the marks that can be determined on its body etc at least you have the knowledge of what to appear for when purchasing the item.

Imagine not knowing all of the information. You went home with the package on your hands, thinking that you have in your self control something that is little expensive when really what you had is near to a clone. Same endures with the price. Other stores take vantage of the lack of knowledge of their clients and would give a price way too costly than the actual one.
With reviews, former buyers comments can make you to decide whether your selected product is worth it or would you instead choose a distinct one just because most of those people who had it

Pages: 1 2

Source: http://bestof52ndst.pwcdirectories.com/blog/2012/12/28/shopping-and-product-reviews/

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Clippers, Celtics Blowout: LA Beats Boston 106-77, Increases Winning Streak To 15 In A Row

LOS ANGELES ? The Clippers came roaring out of the opening tip and kept on going to their 15th consecutive victory.

Boosted by an early 24-9 lead their starters provided, Los Angeles beat Boston 106-77 on Thursday night to become the first team to win that many in a row since the Celtics four years ago.

Matt Barnes tied his season high with 21 points off the bench, fellow reserve Jamal Crawford added 17 points and Chris Paul had 11 assists as the Clippers scored their sixth straight blowout victory. They haven't had a close win during the streak since Nov. 28, when they beat Minnesota by six points.

"Shows we have a lot of depth. I've probably sat out more fourth quarters this season than any of my previous seven seasons," Paul said. "It's a really good feeling now, a good vibe because everyone is enjoying it."

Blake Griffin had 15 points, Caron Butler added 14 and Lamar Odom 13 rebounds to help the Clippers improve the NBA's best record to 23-6.

"Some people may be impressed by the record, but we can't be," Paul said. "We're not measured by our regular-season wins."

Griffin agreed, saying, "We want to be winning in April, May and June."

Kevin Garnett scored 16 points for Boston, which committed 18 turnovers and never led in dropping to .500 at 14-14 with its fifth loss in seven games. Paul Pierce and Jeff Green added 12 points each to go with 10 apiece from Jason Terry and Rajon Rondo.

Boston's winning streak extended to 19 games in 2008-09.

"Every individual on our team wanted to beat them and every individual tried to do it by themselves instead of just playing our game," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.

It was the Clippers' largest-ever win against Boston, coming six years to the day of their previous largest, a 100-77 win on Dec. 27, 2006.

"I thought we came out with too much respect. We wanted to back off some of their bigs and Blake hit some shots that he doesn't usually hit," Garnett said. "They came out with a lot of confidence and they packed the paint and that is the reason why have won 15 in a row. They had us on our heels all night."

Barnes had the Clippers' first five points in a 9-0 run that opened the fourth quarter and boosted their lead to 90-67. Willie Green briefly played; otherwise the Clippers' other starters rested to close out the game.

The Celtics were held to 10 points in the final 12 minutes.

"We just want to continue to build good habits," Barnes said. "We jumped on them early and didn't let them have any breathing room."

The Clippers' starters and their bench played to a draw, scoring 53 points each one game after the reserves outscored the starters in a win over Denver on Christmas.

"It still feels like we can get better," said Ronny Turiaf, who had four points and five rebounds. "We're just having fun. We're in the now. We're just trying to ride the wave."

Garnett had six points in the third when the Celtics were narrowly outscored 22-20, but still trailed 82-67. The Clippers' 9-0 run pushed their lead to 21 points before Boston went on a 10-4 run, including 3-pointers by Courtney Lee and Rondo to end the quarter.

The game got chippy at times. In the third, Jared Sullinger was called for a flagrant-1 foul for grabbing the front of Griffin on his way up to dunk. Then Butler and Pierce emerged from a big mass both holding onto the ball, leading to a jump ball. In the first, Rondo was lying on the ball and Paul tried to take it out from under him on the sideline, leading to a testy moment.

The Celtics cut their deficit to four points early in the second quarter ? the closest they came after the opening quarter ? with consecutive 3-pointers by Terry and Lee before the Clippers' second unit rebuilt the double-digit lead the starters had created. Crawford scored 13 points for Los Angeles, highlighted by a fast-break floater and a rainbow 3. He scored the final four points to keep the Clippers ahead 60-47 heading into halftime.

NOTES: The Clippers are assured of finishing December as their best month ever with two games remaining, including the second half of a back-to-back at Utah. They've already surpassed the franchise record for most wins in a month, bettering the old mark of 12 shared by the 1974-75 Buffalo Braves and the 1991-92 Clippers (which included Celtics coach Doc Rivers). ... Boston fell to 5-9 on the road. ... The Clippers' last loss was on Nov. 26 at home against New Orleans. ... Justin Bieber (who had Paul's young son sitting on his lap), Billy Crystal and Olympic 200 sprint champion Allyson Felix were among the Clippers' 67th consecutive sellout crowd.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/28/clippers-celtics-blowout-106-77_n_2373554.html

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Video: Storm causes headaches for holiday travelers

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Source: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/50302894/

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ZTE Grand S should be just 6.9mm thick, wield a 13MP camera

ZTE has been more than willing to spill the beans about the Grand S ahead of CES, and it's not stopping with the mention that the phone exists. The Chinese phone maker has confirmed that its 5-inch smartphone measures just 6.9mm (0.27in) thick -- that's a sight slimmer than the Droid DNA and Nubia Z5. There's also mention of a 13-megapixel camera that explains a slightly visible rear hump. While we don't yet have confirmation of the rumored quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro and 2GB of RAM, ZTE has left clues that the flagship could undercut typical pricing with a ¥2,799 ($449) off-contract cost in China. We may only know the full details in Las Vegas, but there's every indication that the Grand S hardware could justify a boast or two.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Comments

Via: Engadget Chinese (translated)

Source: ZTE (Sina Weibo), MyDrivers (translated)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/27/zte-grand-s-should-be-just-6-9mm-inches-thick-wield-13mp-camera/

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Elizabeth Dosoretz: When Did Wedding Dress Shopping Become Such A Drag?

Some of my best memories are our girls' shopping weekends. These quick, yet significant getaways were always an opportunity to overindulge, eat, shop, laugh and laugh some more. These trips still happen, but with fianc?s, babies, husbands and work demands, it has been more difficult for the girls to get away alone.

So when my youngest sister sent out a girls-only group email, I couldn't help but smile at the dilemma she described. Abby spoke about her upcoming wedding in August 2013, and that she couldn't possibly pick a wedding dress unless we were all present and all agreed that the dress was "the one." The main issue was that the dress she had her eye on had a "schedule." It was part of a new collection, and thus was traveling to various bridal boutiques as part of a trunk show. (As if our lives aren't complicated enough, we were now trying to catch a glimpse of a traveling dress). In her email, Abby said that she has just found out the dress would be in Miami for a few days, right after Thanksgiving. Because we were all meeting for the holidays in Florida, she wondered if we could possibly sneak away for a quick girls-only day trip to give our opinion on said dress.

I'm not going to lie. I was happy at the thought of getting a break from my daily responsibilities as a wife and mother of three boys. In fact, I was probably the first to reply. We all agreed to go, and before our conscience could get the best of us, we were halfway to Miami.

We're a gregarious bunch, so we walked into the wedding boutique expecting to get somewhat rowdy. Of course, we were all focused on the dress mission, but we were also focused on enjoying our time together. But as soon as I set foot into the upscale boutique, I got a sense that our boisterous group may not be so welcome. First, we weren't exactly dressed the part (I was wearing comfy sneakers and black sweats). Immediately I was struck by the structure and order in the store. I'm not talking about the dresses being hung properly. No, the salesladies all looked, dressed and spoke in the same manner, in fact, I could barely tell them apart. It was like the Stepford Wives: Wedding Dress Edition.

As we waited for my sister to get settled in, we started to take a look around ourselves. I touched the dresses, and started to joke with my older sister and sister-in-law. Some of the dresses reminded me of prom circa 1995, yet others looked like they would be perfect for a cabaret (white feathers galore). The more we perused the wares, the louder our laughs and comments became.

Finally our consultant, Peggy, ushered us behind "the curtain." Almost immediately, we all gasped in unison. The showroom was more like a museum. The dresses were divided by style and craftsmanship, and they were all protected behind a glass door.

Like children, we followed Peggy in a single-file line. She pointed to a smallish couch, told us to sit down, and pulled Abby into a large dressing room. Maybe everyone who shops here follows the same diet routine, but we don't, and we were not able to all fit comfortably on the couch. I took the liberty of sitting on the floor. The showroom was dimly lit and the sales consultants all wore black clothing and stilettos, and their hair was tightly pulled back. Suffice it to say that my Nike sneakers didn't measure up.

Peggy came out first, and like a meal at a fancy restaurant, she began describing in detail each gown that Abby was trying on. I didn't hear a word she said. I was too busy peeking my head into the dressing room to see how Abby looked. We all stared at Abby and waited patiently until we could say what we thought. Even so, we were a bit intimidated by Peggy's description and opinion.

Usually, trying on clothes is a group effort in my family, but not in this instance. Peggy was the official dresser, undresser, hair dresser and apparently, she was the only one who could touch the dresses.

Abby did find her perfect dress and veil. She looked amazing in it, and even though it was probably forbidden, I took many pictures. Then we left and started to unwind from the very stressful shopping excursion we had just experienced. Upon toasting our girls' day with champagne, we vowed to never ever take ourselves or our shopping too seriously.

Want more? Be sure to check out HuffPost Style on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram at @HuffPostStyle.
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Do you have a style story idea or tip? Email us at stylesubmissions@huffingtonpost.com. (PR pitches sent to this address will be ignored.)

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elizabeth-dosoretz/wedding-dress-shopping_b_2239389.html

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Fees undermine fliers' ability to compare fares

WASHINGTON (AP) ? For many passengers, air travel is only about finding the cheapest fare.

But as airlines offer a proliferating list of add-on services, from early boarding to premium seating and baggage fees, the ability to comparison-shop for the lowest total fare is eroding.

Global distribution systems that supply flight and fare data to travel agents and online ticketing services like Orbitz and Expedia, accounting for half of all U.S. airline tickets, complain that airlines won't provide fee information in a way that lets them make it handy for consumers trying to find the best deal.

"What other industry can you think of where a person buying a product doesn't know how much it's going to cost even after he's done at the checkout counter?" said Simon Gros, chairman of the Travel Technology Association, which represents the global distribution services and online travel industries.

The harder airlines make it for consumers to compare, "the greater opportunity you have to get to higher prices," said Kevin Mitchell, chairman of the Business Travel Coalition, whose members include corporate travel managers.

Now the Obama administration is wading into the issue. The Department of Transportation is considering whether to require airlines to provide fee information to everyone with whom they have agreements to sell their tickets. A decision originally scheduled for next month has been postponed to May, as regulators struggle with a deluge of information from airlines opposed to regulating fee information, and from the travel industry and consumer groups that support such a requirement.

Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Air and Southwest Airlines ? with backing from industry trade associations ? are asking the Supreme Court to reverse an appeals court ruling forcing them to include taxes in their advertised fares. The appeals court upheld a Transportation Department rule that went in effect nearly a year ago that ended airlines' leeway to advertise a base airfare and show the taxes separately, often in smaller print. Airlines say the regulations violate their free-speech rights.

At the heart of the debate is a desire by airlines to move to a new marketing model in which customers don't buy tickets based on price alone. Instead, following the well-worn path of other consumer companies, airlines want to mine personal data about customers in order to sell them tailored services. You like to sit on the aisle and to ski, so how would you like to fly to Aspen with an aisle seat and a movie, no extra baggage charge for your skis, and have a hotel room and a pair of lift tickets waiting for you, all for one price? You're a frequent business traveler. How about priority boarding, extra legroom, Internet access and a rental car when you arrive?

"Technology is changing rapidly. We are going to be part of the change," said Sharon Pinkerton, vice president of Airlines for America, which represents most U.S. carriers. "We want to be able to offer our customers a product that's useful to them, that's customized to meet their needs, and we don't think (the Transportation Department) needs to step in."

If airlines have their way, passengers looking for ticket prices may have to reveal a lot more information about themselves, such as their age, marital status, gender, nationality, travel history and whether they're flying for business or leisure. The International Air Transport Association, whose 240 member airlines cover 84 percent of global airline traffic, adopted standards at a meeting earlier this month in Geneva for such information gathering by airlines as well as by travel agents and ticketing services that would relay the data to airlines and receive customized fares in return.

"Airlines want, and expect, their (ticket) distribution partners to offer passengers helpful contextual information to make well-informed purchase decisions, reducing the number of reservations made based primarily or exclusively on price," said a study commissioned by the association.

Consumer advocates question how airlines would safeguard the personal information they gather, and they worry that comparison shopping for the cheapest air fares will no longer be feasible.

"It's like going to a supermarket where before you get the price, they ask you to swipe your driver's license that shows them you live in a rich zip code, you drive a BMW, et cetera," Mitchell said. "All this personal information on you is going out to all these carriers with no controls over what they do with it, who sees it and so on."

The airline association said consumers who choose not to supply personal information would still be able to see fares and purchase tickets, though consumer advocates said those fares would probably be at the "rack rate" ? the travel industry's term for full price, before any discounts.

It's up to individual airlines whether they price fares differently for travelers who don't provide personal information, said Perry Flint, a spokesman for the international airline association.

The stakes, of course, are enormous. Since 2000, U.S. airlines have lost money for more years than they've made profits. Fee revenue has made a big difference in their bottom lines. Globally, airlines raked in an estimated $36 billion this year in ancillary revenue, which includes baggage fees and other a la carte services as well as sales of frequent flyer points and commissions on hotel bookings, according to a study by Amadeus, a global distribution service, and the IdeaWorksCompany, a U.S. firm that helps airlines raise ancillary revenue. U.S. airlines reported collecting nearly $3.4 billion in baggage fees alone in 2011.

One expense airlines would like to eliminate is the $7 billion a year they pay global distribution systems to supply flight and fare information to travel agents and online booking agents like Expedia. Airlines want to deal more directly with online ticket sellers and travel agents, who dominate the lucrative business travel market. Justice Department officials have acknowledged an investigation is underway into possible anti-trust violations by distribution companies.

Airlines also have been cracking down on websites that help travelers manage their frequent flier accounts. The sites use travelers' frequent flier passwords to obtain balances and mileage expiration dates, and then display the information in a way that makes it easier for travelers to figure out when it makes more sense to buy a ticket or to use miles.

"What the airlines are trying to do right now is reinvent the wheel so they can hold all their information close to their chest," said Charles Leocha, founder of the Consumer Travel Alliance. "As we move forward in a world of IT, the ownership of passenger data is like gold to these people."

By withholding information like fee prices, he said, "we are forced to go see them, and then we are spoon-fed what they want to feed us."

___

Airlines for America http://www.airlines.org

Travel Technology Association http://www.traveltechnologyassociation.org

Business Travel Coalition http://businesstravelcoalition.com/

___

Follow Joan Lowy at http://www.twitter.com/AP_Joan_Lowy

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/fees-undermine-fliers-ability-compare-fares-162700594.html

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Preparing adopted kids to adopt again - Adoption.com Forums

We recently adopted a second time. I was surprised on the morning of the big day my AD (9yo) said, "Now I'm not special anymore". It took me by surprise... so we've been talking about that.
I know she loves him and is glad he is here (most of the time).
She has always been sympathetic towards our foster children and has shared with them her connection and how she relates to them. We never tell her story (including that she is adopted) to other kids - it is hers to tell... One time she told my then FS, now AS, that she too had a birth mom who couldn't take care of her and that she didn't see anymore but she still thought about her and that he could always talk about his birthmom in our house because we were good listeners.
When we were making the decision whether to adopt this time soon after the TPR I talked to the kids and told them the options; they both agreed it had been hard but he was part of our family and we loved him and he should stay forever. I told them that things might be hard at times in the future but we would all be in it together to help each other.
Tonight as I was tucking my AS into bed my AD brought his vitamin in for me and when he took it she skipped out of his room singing, "I'm a big sister" (already was but now 2x over), "he looks up to me".

I wish I had talked to her more about her special place and how family love works - don't share love, just have more - before we got so close to the adoption. I should have known her emotions would be high and I wish I had helped process prior.
I am glad I let them be part of the discussion and the decision; we made a commitment as a family.
And my kids set a limit - they said they didnt want 10 kids "3 or 4 is probably good". Well at least I know their hearts are open for maybe one more...

Source: http://forums.adoption.com/foster-care-adoption-what-like/411295-preparing-adopted-kids-adopt-again.html

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AP: Veteran character actor Charles Durning dies

Mark J. Terrill / AP

By Bob Thomas, The Associated Press

Charles Durning grew up in poverty, lost five of his nine siblings to disease, barely lived through D-Day and was taken prisoner at the Battle of the Bulge.

His hard life and wartime trauma provided the basis for a prolific 50-year career as a consummate Oscar-nominated character actor, playing everyone from a Nazi colonel to the pope to Dustin Hoffman's would-be suitor in "Tootsie."

Durning, who died Monday at age 89 in New York, got his start as an usher at a burlesque theater in Buffalo, N.Y. When one of the comedians showed up too drunk to go on, Durning took his place. He would recall years later that he was hooked as soon as heard the audience laughing.?

He told The Associated Press in 2008 that he had no plans to stop working. "They're going to carry me out, if I go," he said.

Durning's longtime agent and friend, Judith Moss, told The Associated Press that he died of natural causes in his home in the borough of Manhattan.

Although he portrayed everyone from blustery public officials to comic foils to put-upon everymen, Durning may be best remembered by movie audiences for his Oscar-nominated, over-the-top role as a comically corrupt governor in 1982's "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas."?

Many critics marveled that such a heavyset man could be so nimble in the film's show-stopping song-and-dance number, not realizing Durning had been a dance instructor early in his career. Indeed, he had met his first wife, Carol, when both worked at a dance studio.?

The year after "Best Little Whorehouse," Durning received another Oscar nomination, for his portrayal of a bumbling Nazi officer in Mel Brooks' "To Be or Not to Be." He was also nominated for a Golden Globe as the harried police lieutenant in 1975's "Dog Day Afternoon."?

He won a Golden Globe as best supporting TV actor in 1991 for his portrayal of John "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald in the TV film "The Kennedys of Massachusetts" and a Tony in 1990 as Big Daddy in the Broadway revival of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."

Durning had begun his career on stage, getting his first big break when theatrical producer Joseph Papp hired him for the New York Shakespeare Festival.?

He went on to work regularly, if fairly anonymously, through the 1960s until his breakout role as a small town mayor in the Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning play "That Championship Season" in 1972.?

He quickly made an impression on movie audiences the following year as the crooked cop stalking con men Paul Newman and Robert Redford in the Oscar-winning comedy "The Sting."?

Dozens of notable portrayals followed. He was the would-be suitor of Dustin Hoffman, posing as a female soap opera star in "Tootsie;" the infamous seller of frog legs in "The Muppet Movie;" and Chief Brandon in Warren Beatty's "Dick Tracy." He played Santa Claus in four different movies made for television and was the pope in the TV film "I Would be Called John: Pope John XXIII."

"I never turned down anything and never argued with any producer or director," Durning told The Associated Press in 2008, when he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.?

Other films included "The Front Page," "The Hindenburg," "Breakheart Pass," "North Dallas Forty," "Starting Over," "Tough Guys," "Home for the Holidays," "Spy Hard" and 'O Brother Where Art Thou?"?

Durning also did well in television as a featured performer as well as a guest star. He appeared in the short-lived series "The Cop and the Kid" (1975), "Eye to Eye" (1985) and "First Monday" (2002) as well as the four-season "Evening Shade" in the 1990s.

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"If I'm not in a part, I drive my wife crazy," he acknowledged during a 1997 interview. "I'll go downstairs to get the mail, and when I come back I'll say, 'Any calls for me?'"

Durning's rugged early life provided ample material on which to base his later portrayals. He was born into an Irish family of 10 children in 1923, in Highland Falls, N.Y., a town near West Point. His father was unable to work, having lost a leg and been gassed during World War I, so his mother supported the family by washing the uniforms of West Point cadets.?

The younger Durning himself would barely survive World War II.?

He was among the first wave of U.S. soldiers to land at Normandy during the D-Day invasion and the only member of his Army unit to survive. He killed several Germans and was wounded in the leg. Later he was bayoneted by a young German soldier whom he killed with a rock. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and survived a massacre of prisoners.?

In later years, he refused to discuss the military service for which he was awarded the Silver Star and three Purple Hearts.

"Too many bad memories," he told an interviewer in 1997. "I don't want you to see me crying."

Tragedy also stalked other members of his family. Durning was 12 when his father died, and five of his sisters lost their lives to smallpox and scarlet fever.?

A high school counselor told him he had no talent for art, languages or math and should learn office skills. But after seeing "King Kong" and some of James Cagney's films, Durning knew what he wanted to do.

Leaving home at 16, he worked in a munitions factory, on a slag heap and in a barbed-wire factory.

Durning and his first wife had three children before divorcing in 1972. In 1974, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann Amelio.

He is survived by his children, Michele, Douglas and Jeannine. The family planned to have a private family service and burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Source: http://todayentertainment.today.com/_news/2012/12/25/16143700-ap-charles-durning-veteran-character-actor-dies-in-new-york-at-89?lite

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Video: NFL coaching carousel starts spinning Monday

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'Les Miserables': The Reviews Are In!

Most expect recognition for 'Les Mis' come Oscar time, like it or not.
By Ryan J. Downey

Anne Hathaway in "Les Miserables"
Photo: Universal

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699373/les-miserables-the-reviews-are-in.jhtml

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Happy Birthday, Ryan Seacrest! See The 'American Idol' Host's Rise To Success (PHOTOS)

www.celebuzz.com:

Does the busiest man in Hollywood even have time to celebrate his birthday?

Ryan Seacrest is turning 38 on Monday, and he's still filling his plate with project after project. Among his accomplishments, Seacreast is a radio personality, the host of American Idol, a wildly successful TV producer and the new Dick Clark.

Read the whole story at www.celebuzz.com

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/24/happy-birthday-ryan-seacrest-career-photos_n_2359662.html

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Firefighters Gunned Down in Western New York (Little green footballs)

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Bene Raia From 'Market Warriors' On Vintage Kids Toys And Collectibles

This holiday season, Market Warriors antiques pro (and mom of four kids under 10!) Benedicta ?Bene? Raia weighs in on buying vintage gifts for her children, the contemporary toys that they collect, and what she wishes that she had held onto from her own childhood.

Raia?s favorite collectibles, and area of expertise, include antique dolls and toys. According to Raia, ?Anything that relates to how children lived and played 100 years ago is very interesting for me. I tend to compare those children with mine and I find the similarities amusing and the differences thought-provoking.? Raia adds, ?It?s fun for me to see that my kids want to do what mommy does. I love that they are thinking like true collectors.?

We interviewed Raia to learn more:

The Huffington Post: If you were buying your kids only vintage gifts what would you purchase?

Bene Raia: I would buy the girls Renwal dollhouse furniture. It?s vintage and made of hard plastic. It can be played with and still retain its value. The scale is just right for some of the small scale ?play? dolls that are available now, such as Polly Pockets.

For the boys, I would buy mechanical tin toy robots and cars. I would focus on the Japanese made ones that are meant to be played with. The wind-up toys are also colorful and can be easily displayed.

HP: What are some things that parents are buying today that you could see becoming the collectible of tomorrow?

BR: Toys made today are very durable and mass produced words. You might think would negatively impact their collectability, but that is not the case. Some contemporary toys are very collectible. I think that toys based on popular television shows and movies will be collectible in the future. I remember when Star Wars came out. We loved the series and now Star Wars toys are very collectible. I see the Harry Potter series going in the same direction. My son is just finishing the books and we just watched the movies. I can see him collecting toys based on the characters and holding onto them in the years to come.

HP: Knowing that parents are balancing sentimentality with overcrowded playrooms, what would you advise parents to hold on to and what would you encourage them to give away?

BR: My advice is to let the children lead the way. I watch my kids play and if they love a certain doll or toy, we focus on those items for their collection. The girls are now into American Girl dolls. The dolls are big (18?) and they take up a lot of room. To keep things fair, each girl can have dolls that fill a certain area (in our house it?s the top of each girl?s dresser). If the area is filled then there?s no more room for a big doll but there?s room for the doll?s purse or pet etc.

HP: What are some of the things that your kids collect?

BR: My girls collect dolls ? American Girl dolls, Polly pockets, Barbie and stuffed dogs. My boys collect toy cars, Thomas trains and baseball cards.

HP: What do you wish you had held on to from your own childhood?

BR: I have held on to my favorite teddy bear but I wish I had my doll. She was a black 36" Patti Playpal type doll. In addition to the sentimental attachment, if I were to buy this same doll today she would retail for close to $300.

HP: What have been some of your favorite Market Warriors finds that fit into this category?

BR: My favorite flea market find would have to be the dollhouse that came with rooms of furniture that I purchased in for our first auction with eBay (airing on PBS, Monday, February 25th at 9pm). The dollhouse was Marx and the plastic furniture was Renwal. I?ve bought and sold similar dollhouses and each time I?m amazed at the quality and detail depicted in each room. I?ve also purchased miniature furniture (small scale chest of drawers) and again the workmanship is evident. I really like that a lot of thought went into how children would play and interact with these toys.

You can get to know Bene on Monday, January 7th at 9pm/8C on PBS when she has her Market Warriors debut. For a sneak preview of what she will be bringing to Market Warriors and her thoughts on being a working mom, watch the video below and see more of what kids have collected over the years on the Market Warriors Pinterest gallery.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/24/bene-raia-market-warriors_n_2352197.html

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Health And Fitness | Ease Irritation With Allergy Free Earrings :: By ...

Anyone with constantly swollen, itchy, red and irritated earlobes could be allergic to nickel, and the solution may be as simple as allergy free earrings.

Nickel is a natural white metal that is often mixed with gold to create a less-expensive alloy. It is used in jewelry, such as earring posts, and in many other common items. Metal allergies are a type of skin reaction called contact dermatitis. Dermatologists are seeing more and more cases of metal allergies as body piercings have become more common. After poison ivy, metal allergies are the most common cause of contact dermatitis.

Most people won't have a problem the first time they wear earrings with nickel posts, but repeated exposure may provoke a reaction. Some individuals, however, are highly sensitive to nickel and will have an allergic reaction after just brief contact. An allergy sufferer may not realize which pair of earrings is causing the discomfort since it often takes a few days for the reaction to show up.

People of any age can suddenly get nickel allergies. Symptoms include swelling, itching and redness. In severe cases, blisters may form and eventually break, leaving ugly painful crusts on the earlobes. The skin can become leathery, cracked and dark. A doctor should be consulted if this happens; there is a risk of infection. Usually the reaction is confined to the earlobe, but some people are so sensitive that they can spread the reaction to another part of their body simply by touching it with fingers that touched the nickel. Sweating can make the allergy worse since moisture can provoke an electrochemical reaction between the metals in an alloy.

People who suspect they have a nickel allergy should consult a skin doctor, called a dermatologist. The dermatologist can confirm the allergy by performing a painless skin patch test. The doctor will apply several allergens to a small patch of skin on the back, using hypoallergenic tape. The patient must leave the tape in place for about two days, then return to the dermatologist. The doctor will remove the tape and check for a reaction. If the area is irritated, then the person is allergic to the substance the doctor applied there. There's no cure for a nickel allergy, but there are some things that will ease the pain. The dermatologist may prescribe a corticosteroid cream to be applied on the affected area to ease the itching and swelling.

Of course, the best route is to avoid exposure to nickel. Earrings with 14-carat gold, sterling silver or stainless steel posts are available. There are also plastic sheaths that cover the nickel alloy posts on earrings, as well as earrings with plastic posts. Earrings with titanium posts are another option. Avoid nickel in other objects, too. Some people have allergic reactions to the nickel in snaps and zippers on their clothing. Others have trouble with metal eyeglasses and sunglasses frames. People who are very sensitive should avoid eating foods that are rich in nickel, such as chocolate, grains and nuts.

About Author Mark Bingaman : To visit a site jam-packed with many styles of allergy free earrings to choose from, please surf on over to http://www.sensitively-yours.com today.

Article Source:?http://www.bharatbhasha.net
Article Url: http://www.bharatbhasha.net/health.php/402687

Article Added on Monday, December 24, 2012
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Other Articles by Mark Bingaman

?Red Swollen Irritated Earlobes Sensitive Earrings Are For You Red, Swollen, Irritated Earlobes? Sensitive Earrings Are For You! If you are one of the nearly 50% of people who wear pierced earrings and suffer from allergy or irritation issues, there are options for you to consider. Allergic contact dermatitis is the term for a reaction or sensitivity to certain materials; in this case, it is frequently nickel metal. This article will make you aware of the sensitive earrings available as well as some measures to help alleviate this condition. You... ?Allergy Sufferers Find Relief With Sensitive Earrings Women and men enjoy wearing all types of jewelry including earrings, but it is estimated that a large percentage of the population is allergic to certain metal alloys found in earring studs. Those with sensitivity allergies find it difficult to wear many earrings found on the market today. They must search for sensitive earrings that are compatible with their individual skin type. Since skin sensitivity varies from person to person, one may find it necessary to experiment with different metal... ?Working Around Metal Allergies With Hypoallergenic Earrings Sensitivity or allergies to metal materials is not always convenient. When the skin reacts negatively to fashion jewelry, it can result in discomfort while wearing jewelry or it might result in giving up fashion jewelry completely. Anyone who has a metal sensitivity and still prefers wearing fashion jewelry can opt for hypoallergenic earrings and other jewelry pieces as an alternative to allergens. Understanding Metal Allergies: Allergies to earrings and other jewelry is primarily related... ?Are Nickel Free Earrings Fashionable ? Almost half of the population has at least a mild sensitivity or allergy to nickel. Nickel sensitivities can be lessened by wearing jewelry made out of fourteen or eighteen karat gold, but even those items contain small amounts of nickel. Stainless steel and metal alloys contain enough nickel to irritate sensitive ears as well. Surgical steel is the only affordable metal used to make nickel free earrings, as it contains absolutely no nickel and can still be plated with precious metals like... ?Earrings For Sensitive Ears It has been estimated that nearly fifty percent of the pierced population have a sensitivity to the nickel used in the creation of much of today's jewelry. With the addition of artificial alloys in jewelry and accessories, sensitive skin is becoming more and more common. If you, like much of the population, have sensitive ears, here are some ways you can still enjoy the beauty of earrings. 1. Hypoallergenic Earrings- While some people with extremely sensitive skin are still allergic to... ?Earrings For Sensitive Ears Choosing The Right Jewelry For You When you put on a new pair of earrings, do you always flinch? If you associate earrings with an unpleasant feeling of redness and itching, this type of jewelry might be a real pain for you! The problem is that there is a high portion of the population that has at least a slight nickel allergy, and nickel is one of the primary metals used in the mass production of earrings. If you have a nickel allergy, you need to look into earrings for sensitive ears. Choosing earrings for sensitive ears is... ?When To Choose Nickel Free Earrings Nickel is a common allergen that happens to be used often in making jewelry. One might expect it's only used in cheaper, costume jewelry. However, very expensive jewelry often harbors this offender as well. Considering that anywhere from 15 to 50 percent of people may be allergic to nickel, it's important to have alternatives. Nickel free earrings, necklaces, rings, and other jewelry can be a safer solution. Signs of allergic reaction usually appear on skin that has directly contacted the... ?Surgical Steel Is An Ideal Choice For Sensitive Ear Earrings Many women love to mix and match their earrings with their outfits. Earrings are a simple accessory that can make an ensemble look even more put together. Large, bold earrings can be worn to make a statement, while small studs keep the look simple and elegant. Although many women love these pieces of jewelry, others may have difficulty wearing them. Those with sensitive ears that react to many different types of metals may find that their ears become red, irritated, painful or even... ?High Quality And Inexpensive Surgical Steel Earrings People who wear earrings know that some types of metals may cause reactions to their skin. Many earrings contain nickel, which can cause some people to have an adverse reaction when they wear these types of earrings or other types of nickel jewelry. This can be in the form of a rash, pain where the jewelry is worn or even a painful lump that develops under the skin. Skin can even change color temporarily at the site of where the jewelry is worn, ranging from green to black. Because of...

Source: http://www.bharatbhasha.net/health.php/402687

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Shoppers found bigger sales, smaller crowds

NEW YORK (AP) ? Shoppers who waited until the final days before Christmas were rewarded with big bargains and thinner crowds. But their strategic deal hunting reflects why stores may not ring up the sales they want for the season.

Although fresh data on the holiday shopping season won't be out until Christmas, analysts expect growth from last year to be relatively modest. Several factors have dampened shoppers' spirits, including fears that the economy could fall off the "fiscal cliff," triggering tax increases and spending cuts early next year.

On Christmas Eve, Taubman Centers, which operates 28 malls across the country, reported a "very strong weekend," with shoppers taking advantage of all the sales. But many last-minute shoppers across the nation in cities such as New York, Atlanta and Indianapolis said they were spending less than they did last year and taking advantage of big discounts ranging from 30 to 70 percent off.

Kris Betzold, 40, of Carmel, Ind., was out at the Fashion Mall at Keystone in Indianapolis on Monday looking for deals on toys, and said she's noticed the sales are "even better now than they were at Thanksgiving." But she said the economy has prompted her and her husband to be more frugal this year.

"We under budgeted ourselves by $400 for Christmas because we just wanted to put that money back in savings," she said.

Dianne Ashford, 40, who works for a film production company and was at the Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Monday, said she was spending $500 on gifts this year, down from the $1,000 she normally spends.

"Times are hard," said Ashford, who was finishing up shopping on Christmas Eve because she's been working six days a week. The best deal she found this year was a guitar for her mother, half off at $79

Other last-minute shoppers said they were holding off as much as possible for even bigger post-holiday sales.

Chris Ailes, a 37-year-old TV producer, was at the Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta on Christmas Eve to pick up some last-minute gifts for his mom and grandmother. But with the economy so shaky in recent years, he and his family have talked about cutting back on spending, even though they all have jobs. Christmas hadn't yet arrived, but he was already thinking about the discounts that would soon follow.

"That's when the sales are going on," he said.

At Macy's in New York, shopper Maureen Whyte had a similar game plan in mind. Whyte, a 33-year-old who works for an insurance company, was picking up some last-minute stocking stuffers for her kids. For some toys, however, she was holding off for the post-Christmas sales and her kids understood why.

"I told them, 'Whatever Mommy didn't get you, you'll get after this week,'" she said, noting that her 5- and 10-year-old are fine waiting as long as they know they'll eventually get their toys.

That's grim news for retailers, with many counting on the holiday shopping season for as much as 40 percent of their annual sales. Although the week after Christmas is considered part of the season as well, by that time retailers are backed into a corner since it's their last chance to get rid of items that have been sitting on shelves for months. The steep discounts during that time mean sales are less profitable.

ShopperTrak, which counts foot traffic and its own proprietary sales numbers from 40,000 retail outlets across the country, on Wednesday cut its forecast for holiday spending down to 2.5 percent growth to $257.7 billion, from prior expectations of a 3.3 percent rise.

Online, sales rose just 8.4 percent to $48 billion from Oct. 28 through Saturday, according to a measure by MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse. That is below the online sales growth of between 15 to 17 percent seen in the prior 18-month period, according to the data service, which tracks all spending across all forms of payment, including cash.

Marshall Cohen, chief research analyst at the market research firm NPD Inc., said retailers will have to be more aggressive than usual with discounts on the days after Christmas to get shoppers to spend. That could mean some stores will slash prices by as much as 80 percent to clear inventory in coming days and make shoppers believe sales are a "once in a lifetime opportunity."

"Consumers are going to be rewarded for waiting until after the holidays," he said.

___

Choi reported from New York and Anderson reported from Atlanta.

Tom Murphy contributed to this report from Indianapolis.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/shoppers-found-bigger-sales-smaller-crowds-190325606--finance.html

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Florida governor asks Obama to block possible ports strike

MIAMI (Reuters) - Florida's Republican governor wants President Barack Obama to invoke federal law and order a cooling-off period if nearly 15,000 longshoremen walk off the job in a looming strike that would be a big blow to the state's economy, according to a letter he sent the president this week.

The International Longshoremen's Association union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance grouping of shippers and ports have been bargaining since March but reportedly remain far from a deal covering cargo handling at 15 ports on the U.S. Gulf and eastern coasts.

In October, when a previous contract expired, the sides agreed to a 90-day extension of terms that runs out on December 29.

Florida ports in Miami and Fort Lauderdale would be directly hit by a strike or lockout but a stoppage would also rattle overall transport and trade, which accounts for 550,000 jobs in the state and $66 billion in economic activity, Florida Governor Rick Scott said in a letter dated Thursday.

"The threat to national safety and security that would result from mass closure of ports cannot be overstated," Scott told Obama.

Scott said Obama had the power under 1947's Taft-Hartley Act to prevent or interrupt a work stoppage at the ports. Presidents Richard Nixon and George W. Bush both used Taft-Hartley, which calls for 80-day cooling-off periods and mediation, Scott said.

"The Taft-Hartley Act provides your administration with tools that can help avoid this threat," Scott said. "On behalf of the State of Florida, I respectfully request that you invoke the act when the contract ... expires at the end of the month."

(Reporting By Michael Connor in Miami; Editing by Cynthia Johnston)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/florida-governor-asks-obama-block-possible-ports-strike-225639458.html

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Judge OKs settlement in BP class action suit

NEW ORLEANS (AP) ? A federal judge has given final approval to BP's settlement with businesses and individuals who lost money because of the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

BP PLC has estimated it will pay $7.8 billion to resolve economic and medical claims from more than 100,000 businesses and individuals hurt by the nation's worst offshore oil spill. The settlement has no cap; the company could end up paying more or less.

U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier, who gave his preliminary approval in May, made it final in a 125-page ruling released Friday evening.

"None of the objections, whether filed on the objections docket or elsewhere, have shown the Settlement to be anything other than fair, reasonable, and adequate," he wrote.

BP and attorneys for the plaintiffs said they were pleased.

"We believe the settlement, which avoids years of lengthy litigation, is good for the people, businesses and communities of the Gulf and is in the best interests of BP's stakeholders," company spokesman Scott Dean said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. "Today's decision by the Court is another important step forward for BP in meeting its commitment to economic and environmental restoration efforts in the Gulf and in eliminating legal risk facing the company."

A statement from plaintiffs' attorneys Steve Herman and Jim Roy praised the settlement program's administrator, Pat Juneau.

"This settlement has ? and will continue to ? bring the people and businesses of the Gulf the relief they deserve," the attorneys wrote.

The April 2010 blowout of BP's Macondo well triggered an explosion that killed 11 rig workers and spilled more than 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf, closing much of it for months to commercial and recreational fishing and shrimping.

There is still a lot of litigation left, including a trial to identify the causes of BP's blowout and assign percentages of fault to the companies involved, Barbier wrote. That trial is scheduled next year.

"This is a positive development, but my focus remains on holding BP and the other defendants accountable for the extraordinary economic and environmental damage inflicted on Alabama," said Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange in a statement. "I look forward to going to trial in February."

Barbier said the settlement averts worries that litigation could continue for 15 to 20 years, as it did after the Exxon Valdez and Amoco Cadiz oil spills, creating a secondary disaster for those affected.

Barbier has not ruled on a medical settlement for cleanup workers and others who say exposure to oil or dispersants made them sick.

The agreement covers people and businesses in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and some coastal counties in eastern Texas and western Florida, and in adjacent Gulf waters and bays.

BP has already begun paying claims before the law required it, and is doing so "in an impressive fashion," Barbier wrote. He said the claims center processed 4,500 claims a week in November and has authorized nearly $1.4 billion in payments, and BP also has paid about $405 million on nearly 16,000 claims during a transitional process that ended June 4.

Barbier noted that lawyers' fees won't come out of settlements: BP has agreed to pay them separately.

As part of the settlement, BP will pay $2.3 billion to cover seafood-related claims by commercial fishing vessel owners, captains and deckhands. That fund is the settlement's only limit, Barbier wrote. He said that it is about five times the average industry gross revenue from 2007 to 2009 and, according to evidence provided, more than 19 times the revenue the industry lost in 2010.

After Barbier's preliminary approval in May, thousands of people opted out of the settlement to pursue their cases individually. More than 1,700 changed their minds and asked to be added back in by a Dec. 15 deadline, Barbier said.

Still unresolved are environmental damage claims brought by the federal government and Gulf Coast states against BP and its partners on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, and claims against Switzerland-based rig owner Transocean Ltd. and Houston-based cement contractor Halliburton.

BP also has paid or agreed to pay settlements of:

?a record $4.5 billion in criminal penalties, including $1.3 million in fines. U.S District Judge Sarah Vance has scheduled a Jan. 29 hearing to accept or reject that plea agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, which also includes guilty pleas to criminal charges involving the workers' deaths and to lying about the amount of oil spilled from the blown-out well.

?$525 million to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which accused it of misleading investors by lowballing the size of the spill.

___

Associated Press reporter Michael Kunzelman in New Orleans contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/judge-oks-settlement-bp-class-action-suit-030430747.html

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