Nokia slams India tax raid as ?excessive?

Nokia is a Finland-based company making forays into India

FINNISH phone giant Nokia said on Tuesday (February 12) it had protested to the Indian government over a tax raid at one of its factories in South India, slamming the action as ?excessive and unacceptable?.

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Officials last month raided one of Nokia?s manufacturing units in Chennai as part of an investigation into tax department suspicions that it may have evaded taxes totalling Rs30bn ($545m/?348.12m).

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Nokia, which strongly denies evading any taxes, said it had sent a ?letter of objection? to Indian tax authorities.

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?The actions of the income tax authorities in Chennai are excessive, unacceptable and inconsistent with Indian standards of fair play and governance,? Nokia said in a statement.

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India - one of the world?s fastest growing mobile phone markets - is Nokia?s second-largest market, with the Chennai factory producing over 20 different models for the company.

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Nokia said it has yet to receive ?any official information? on potential tax claims by the Indian government.

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?We do not see any merit in any of the claims, and are ready to defend ourselves vigorously,? the company said.

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Nokia is not the only multinational firm facing a tax probe in India whose tax policies have caused deep concern among international business investors.

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Last week, Anglo-Dutch oil major Royal Dutch Shell?s Indian unit announced it would contest a local tax claim on a share sale.

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British mobile network firm Vodafone is fighting a multi-billion-dollar tax bill from Indian tax authorities over its 2007 purchase of a stake in a domestic telecommunications company.

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Vodafone maintains it is not liable to pay any tax on the transaction.

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India?s finance minister P Chidambaram has vowed to clamp down on tax evasion to help to lower the country?s ballooning fiscal deficit.

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At the same time, he has said he wants India to have a ?stable tax regime with clarity on tax laws? and for authorities to have a ?non-adversarial? approach to tax collection.

Source: http://www.gg2.net/business/india-business/Nokia+slams+India+tax+raid+as+‘excessive’/4296

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New Lineup To the NCAA Concussion Litigation | NFL Concussion ...

Earlier this week, a new face was added to the NCAA Concussion Litigation: Kyle Solomon, a former hockey player for the University of Maine. As you may recall, the class action is not limited to football players. It also includes a female soccer player and now a hockey player.

Solomon?s career was cut short after suffering multiple concussions. According to this piece from The Maine Campus, Dr. Cantu told Solomon that he had to retire because ?another concussion could kill him.?

Apparently, Solomon played at a school that had a competent athletic trainer, Paul Culina. Culina recently told The Maine Campus,

?One of the things that scare me right now is the overall lack of knowledge amongst coaches, parents and even some medical professionals in terms of how to properly deal with a concussion,? he said. ?Sometimes a kid will go to the emergency room or see a doctor, and he or she will say to sit out a week and that?s it. Anybody who has ever given that advice ? it?s scary.?

However, the allegations in the Amended Complaint do not shine a very favorable light on the University of Maine?s trainer ? it is unclear if the Complaint is referring to Culina or a former ?trainer.?

According to the Complaint, after suffering a concussion, the ?trainer told Solomon that his eyes were dilated, Solomon was given seven stiches and returned to the game during the third period despite exhibiting concussive symptoms.? Moreover, after Dr. Cantu told Solomon ?another concussion could kill him? the trainers allegedly cleared Solomon to play.

In addition to adding Solomon, the plaintiffs also amended their Complaint by adding a touch of political persuasion.

The 104-page Complaint now begins by quoting President Obama?s recent statement about football and concussions, ??You read some of these stories about college players who undergo some of these same problems with concussions and so forth and then have noting to fall back on. That?s something that I?d like to see the NCAA think about.?

Portions of the Complaint, unfortunately, were filed under seal because the NCAA apparently does not want its dirty laundry put on blast.

It appears that the plaintiffs? lawyers are attempting to address some of the pitfalls that I have noted about this litigation ? specifically, the argument that the NCAA might not owe a legal duty to the student athletes.

The plaintiffs? lawyers attempt to cure this defect by borrowing multiple paragraphs from the NFL Concussion Litigation Master Complaint.

As an example of one such addition, ?The NCAA has held itself out as the guardian and authority on the issue of player safety and has unilaterally shouldered for itself a common law duty to provide players with rules, information and best practices that protect them as much as possible from.?

The plaintiffs? lawyers also cite to the NCAA?s founding purpose of protecting student athletes, and then lift a few more paragraphs from the NFL Concussion Litigation Master Complaint. I don?t blame them ? a lot of time and money went into the Master Complaint.

The voluminous number of documents produced to the plaintiffs is also apparent in the Amended Complaint. Although the sentence is redacted, there is a footnote referencing ?NCAA 10091830.? This is called a Bates Number, which identifies a document that was produced by the NCAA. In other words, this was Bates No. 10,091,830, meaning more than 10 million documents were produced.

The Amended Complaint, next, provides multiple examples of former student athletes suffering from career-ending concussions. It also cites to several representations made by the NCAA that purports to show the NCAA had a legal duty to protect the well being of student athletes.

The Complaint also spends a significant amount of time bashing the NCAA for failing to adopt the 2002 Vienna Protocol, the consensus statement from the 2004 Prague Conference and the guidelines created at the 2008 Zurich Conference.

The most intriguing thing about the fresh Complaint is the addition of three new counts: (1) breach of an express contract (2) breach of an implied contract and (3) breach of an express contract, where the plaintiffs are third-party beneficiaries.

They are certainly a legal stretch ? and that?s being nice. But who knows, maybe the lawyers consulted with a brilliant law professor who came up with this theory.

In essence, the plaintiffs allege that a contract was created when the student athletes signed a form that incorporated by reference all the NCAA regulations, the NCAA Division Manual, the NCAA Constitution, Operating Bylaws and Administrative Bylaws.

The plaintiffs point to multiple provisions within these manuals which purport to be ?promises to perform? a multitude of services. According to the plaintiffs, the NCAA failed to perform these services, and, as such, it constituted a breach.

I see several deficiencies here, including but not limited to, the fundamentals of a contract are wholly lacking 1) the ?terms? appear to be too indefinite; 2) there was no real offer by the NCAA; 3) as such, there can be no acceptance and 4) there is not any legal consideration, whatsoever. Simply put, there was no meeting of the minds, aka mutual intent to enter in a contract.

Moreover, these Counts will create individualized issues that will be fatal to class certification. Finally, there is probably a clause, somewhere in the relied upon documents, that clearly states, this is not to be construed as a contract.

Perhaps I need a few days to wrap my head around this, but on its face, these theories seem like losers. Here?s a copy of the Amended Complaint, let me know your thoughts:?NCAA Complaint.

Overall, the Amended Complaint has improved the plaintiffs? claims by addressing (1) how the NCAA may have ?shouldered? a legal duty and (2) how the NCAA allegedly breached this duty by failing to adopt changes, despite multiple studies that may have placed the NCAA on notice of the severity of concussions.

Nonetheless, the rhetoric-filled Complaint may not be sufficient to survive judicial scrutiny.

Source: http://nflconcussionlitigation.com/?p=1364

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Kim Kardashian Lawyer on Kris Humphries: LIAR!

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SMARTPHONES ANDROID Pas plus tard qu?hier, nous vous disions que LG allait sorti...

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

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Texas sex offender allegedly recorded cheerleaders

Associated Press

Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:52 AM

Updated today at 2:05 PM

SAN ANTONIO (AP) ? A convicted sex offender in South Texas has been charged with videotaping girls at a cheerleading competition in San Antonio.

Bexar (bayr) County Jail records show 60-year-old Andrew Sanchez III of San Antonio was being held Monday on a charge of improper photography. Bond was set at $7,500 for Sanchez, who was arrested Sunday by an off-duty police officer.

Police say the officer was working security at the American Cheer Power Southern National Championships when he noticed Sanchez shooting video. The officer confronted Sanchez and determined he was a registered sex offender with no child in the competition at the Alamodome.

Online jail records don't list an attorney for Sanchez. He was convicted in 2008 of possession of child pornography and sentenced to three years in prison.

Source: http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/190661631.html

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Senator vows to delay Obama's nominees over Libya

A leading Republican senator said Sunday he would hold up Senate confirmation of President Barack Obama's nominees to head the Pentagon and the CIA until the White House provided more answers about the Sept. 11 attack against a U.S. installation in Benghazi, Libya.

The White House took aim at South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a persistent critic of Obama's response to the terrorist assault, by urging quick approval of the president's second-term national security team and scolding any lawmakers trying to "play politics" with critical nominations.

Graham accused the White House of "stonewalling" requests to release more information about the attack that killed four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador to Libya. "We're going to get to the bottom of Benghazi," he told CBS' "Face the Nation."

A Democratic colleague branded Graham's threat to stall the nominations of former Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., to be defense secretary and John Brennan, Obama's top counterterrorism adviser, to be CIA director as "unprecedented and unwarranted." Senators should have the chance to vote on the fate of those nominees, said Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island.

The White House did not address Graham's demand for more information, but did note that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified Thursday before Congress about the chaotic day of the Sept. 11 attack.

In January Graham had signaled he would delay Brennan's pick and told Fox News he would "absolutely" block Hagel unless Panetta and Dempsey testified about the Benghazi attack. The senator said he was "happy as a clam" when he learned the hearing with Panetta and Dempsey had been scheduled.

Republicans have accused the Obama administration of an election-year cover-up of the attack and at the hearing several suggested the commander in chief was disengaged as Americans died.

"We know nothing about what the president did on the night of September 11th during a time of national crisis, and the American people need to know what their commander in chief did, if anything, during this eight-hour attack," Graham said on CBS.

Graham contended that a six-person rescue team was delayed from leaving the Benghazi airport because of problems "with the militias releasing them and a lot of bureaucratic snafus," and he said he wants to know whether Obama called any Libyan officials to expedite their mission.

"I don't think we should allow Brennan to go forward for the CIA directorship, Hagel to be confirmed to secretary of defense until the White House gives us an accounting," Graham said, adding, "What did he do that night? That's not unfair. The families need to know, the American people need to know."

Tommy Vietor, a spokesman for the White House's National Security Council, said, "We believe the Senate should act swiftly to confirm John Brennan and Sen. Hagel. These are critical national security positions and individual members shouldn't play politics with their nominations."

Reed said that "to dwell on a tragic incident and use that to block people is not appropriate. To try to find information, to ask legitimate questions, as Senator Graham is doing is completely appropriate. But then to turn around and say, 'I'm going to disrupt, essentially, the nomination of two key members of the President's Cabinet,' I don't think that's appropriate, I don't think it's warranted, I think it is an overreaction that is not going to serve the best interest going forward of the national security of the United States."

Graham would have none of it.

"In a constitutional democracy, we need to know what our commander in chief was doing at a time of great crisis, and this White House has been stonewalling the Congress, and I'm going to do everything I can to get to the bottom of this so we'll learn from our mistakes and hold this president accountable for what I think is tremendous disengagement at a time of national security crisis," he said.

At the Senate hearing, Panetta testified that he and Dempsey were meeting with Obama when they first learned of the Libya assault. He said the president told them to deploy forces as quickly as possible. Graham asked whether Panetta spoke again to Obama after that first meeting. Panetta said no, but that the White House was in touch with military officials and aware of what was happening. At one point, Graham asked Panetta if he knew what time Obama went to sleep that night. The Pentagon chief said he did not.

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/senator-vows-delay-obamas-nominees-over-libya-160603738.html

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PortaSwitch helps Lightspeed Communications profit from surging ...

Lightspeed Communications, a subsidiary of Orange-France Telecom Group, is a major player in meeting Bahain's increasing demand for world-class telecommunications.

The company was Bahrain's first alternative fixed-line telecom operator and the first provider in the island nation to launch dual-play (Internet and voice) services.

Lightspeed is renowned for providing high-quality broadband services to the residential and small-to-medium business (SMB) markets, as well as a full range of high-performance corporate services including dedicated Internet, Virtual Private Networks, data hosting, Web hosting, and Orange's GMPLS network.

At the heart of Lightspeed's Bahrain infrastructure since 2011 is PortaOne's PortaSwitch softswitch/billing platform. "PortaSwitch is a great all-in-one solution," said Mr. Alain Groleau, Lightspeed Communications Business Development Director. "Not only does it give us a comprehensive, flexible voice implementation that meets the requirements of different classes of customers, but also it lets us deliver additional high-end services that add value and profit," he added.

PortaSwitch is a software-based communication services and subscriber management solution that lets telephony service providers deliver a wide variety of business models quickly and flexibly. Capable of handling all the call control, routing, proxying, and converged billing functions of any diversified digital services company, the platform consists of a real-time billing system, class 4 and 5 SIP softswitch, and applications servers that deliver converged billing and provisioning, SIP call control, unified messaging, IP Centrex and hosted IP PBX, callback management, IVRs, conferencing and more.

"One of the greatest advantages of PortaSwitch is its simplicity," noted Mr. Abdulrahman Ghazal, Lightspeed Communications Technical Manager. "It's easy to configure, which saves us time and effort. Moreover, PortaOne upgrades PortaSwitch frequently, which allows us to stay at the top in terms of technology and system capabilities," he added.

As Lightspeed Communications has increased its base of SMB and large corporate accounts, PortaSwitch has allowed the telecom to host and maintain a number of value-added services. "PortaSwitch supports a wide array of SIP Centrex services. Since installing PortaSwitch we've increased our business significantly by adding new customers who, for example, are looking for a VoIP hosted model with fax-over-IP capability," he concluded.

Other advantages PortaSwitch provides, Mr. Ghazal said, "Include postpaid/prepaid support, features like call waiting and voicemail, and the ability to support interconnection with new carriers. He also pointed to the need among Lightspeed customers to fax using their own equipment?a capability PortaSwitch supports."

Since the beginning, Lightspeed Communications has also subscribed to PortaOne's PortaCare 24/7 technical support programme. In addition to technical assistance, the programme gives the telecom remote monitoring and basic maintenance of covered servers.

"Lightspeed provides a comprehensive platform and first-class customer care professionals, ready to assist with every aspect of our services," stated Mr. Groleau. "Our commitment to our customers, combined with our unbundled lineup of services and our all-in-one voice/Internet offering, is very attractive to a wide range of Bahraini market segments. PortaSwitch and PortaCare help us meet all these different customer requirements," he added.

Source: http://www.ameinfo.com/portaswitch-helps-lightspeed-communications-profit-surging-329070

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Life on the beach

A group of friends are going up north to a beach house let's see what happens

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Don?t Let Economists and Politicians Hack Your Math

Albert Einstein's office

Photo by Ralph Morse/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Imagine a world in which it is possible for an elite group of hackers to install a ?backdoor? not on a personal computer but on the entire U.S. economy. Imagine that they can use it to cryptically raise taxes and slash social benefits at will. Such a scenario may sound far-fetched, but replace ?backdoor? with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and you get a pretty accurate picture of how this arcane economics statistic has been used.

Tax brackets, Social Security, Medicare, and various indexed payments, together affecting tens of millions of Americans, are pegged to the CPI as a measure of inflation. The fiscal cliff deal that the White House and Congress reached a month ago was almost derailed by a proposal to change the formula for the CPI, which Matthew Yglesias characterized as ?a sneaky plan to cut Social Security and raise taxes by changing how inflation is calculated.? That plan was scrapped at the last minute. But what most people don?t realize is that something similar had already happened in the past. A new book, The Physics of Wall Street by James Weatherall, tells that story: In 1996, five economists, known as the Boskin Commission, were tasked with saving the government $1 trillion. They observed that if the CPI were lowered by 1.1 percent, then a $1 trillion could indeed be saved over the coming decade. So what did they do? They proposed a way to alter the formula that would lower the CPI by exactly that amount!

This raises a question: Is economics being used as science or as after-the-fact justification, much like economic statistics were manipulated in the Soviet Union? More importantly, is anyone paying attention? Are we willing to give government agents a free hand to keep changing this all-important formula whenever it suits their political needs, simply because they think we won?t get the math?

Ironically, in a recent op-ed in the New York Times, social scientist Andrew Hacker suggested eliminating algebra from the school curriculum as an ?onerous stumbling block,? and instead teaching students ?how the Consumer Price Index is computed.? What seems to be completely lost on Hacker and authors of similar proposals is that the calculation of the CPI, as well as other evidence-based statistics, is in fact a difficult mathematical problem, which requires deep knowledge of all major branches of mathematics including ? advanced algebra.

Whether we like it or not, calculating CPI necessarily involves some abstract, arcane body of math. If there were only one item being consumed, then we could easily measure inflation by dividing the unit price of this item today by the unit price a year ago. But if there are two or more items, then knowing their prices is not sufficient. We also need to know the levels of consumption today and a year ago; economists call these ?baskets.? Of course, we can easily find a typical consumer?s expenditure today by multiplying today?s consumption levels by the current prices and adding them up. But to what number from a year ago should we compare it? If the consumption levels were static, we would compute last year?s expenditure by multiplying the same consumption levels by last year?s prices and adding them up. We would then be able to measure inflation by dividing this year?s expenditure by last year?s. But consumption tends to change?in part because our tastes change, but also in response to price variations. The inflation index must account for this, so we have to find a way to compare the baskets today and a year ago. This turns out to be a hard mathematical problem that has perplexed economists for more than a century and still hasn?t been completely solved. But even to begin talking about this problem, we need a language that would enable us to operate with symbolic quantities representing baskets and prices?and that?s the language of algebra!

In fact, we need much more than that. As Weatherall explains in his book, to implement a true cost-of-living index, one actually has to use the so-called ?gauge theory.? This mathematics is at the foundation of a unified physical theory of three forces of nature: electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force, and the weak nuclear force. (Many Nobel Prizes have been awarded for the development of this unified theory; it was also used to predict the Higgs boson, the elusive elementary particle recently discovered at the Large Hadron Collider under Geneva.) The fact that gauge theory also underlies economics was a groundbreaking discovery made by the economist Pia Malaney and mathematical physicist Eric Weinstein around the time of the Boskin Commission. Malaney, who was at the time an economics Ph.D. student at Harvard, tried to convey the importance of this theory for the index problem to the Harvard professor Dale Jorgenson, one of the members of the Boskin Commission, but to no avail. In fact, Jorgenson responded by throwing her out of his office. Only recently, George Soros? Institute for New Economic Thinking finally gave Malaney and Weinstein long overdue recognition and is supporting their research. But their work still remains largely ignored by economists.

So that?s where we find ourselves today: Politicians are still eager to exploit backdoor mathematical formulas for their political needs, economists are still willing to play along, and no one seems to care about finding a scientifically sound solution to the inflation index problem using adequate mathematics. And the public?well, very few people are paying attention. And if we follow Hacker?s prescriptions and further dumb down our math education, there won?t be anyone left to understand what?s happening behind closed doors.

Irrespective of one?s political orientation, one thing should be clear: In this brave new world, in which formulas and equations play a much bigger role than ever before, our ignorance of mathematics is being abused by the powers that be, and this will continue until we start taking math seriously for what it is: a powerful weapon that can be used for good and for ill.

Alas, instead of recognizing this new reality, we keep giving forum to paragons of mathematical illiteracy.

In his book, Weatherall made an admirable effort to start a serious conversation about the need for a new mathematical theory of the CPI. But guess who reviewed this book in the New York Review of Books? Andrew ?we don?t need no algebra? Hacker! There is nothing wrong with healthy debate; it can only be encouraged. But something is wrong when an opinionated individual who has demonstrated total ignorance of a subject matter gets called on over and over again as an expert on that subject.

We have to break this vicious circle. As Richard Feynman eloquently said, ?People who wish to analyze nature without using mathematics must settle for a reduced understanding.? Now is the time not to reduce math curriculum at schools, but to expand it, taking advantage of new tools in education: computers, iPads, the wider dissemination of knowledge through the Internet. Kids become computer literate much earlier these days, and they can now learn mathematical concepts faster and more efficiently than any previous generation. But they have to be pointed in the right direction by teachers who inspire them to think big. This can only be achieved if math is not treated as a chore and teachers are not forced to spend countless hours in preparation for standardized tests. Math professionals also have a role to play: Schools should invite them to help teachers unlock the infinite possibilities of mathematics to students, to show how a mathematical formula can be useful in the real world and also be elegant and beautiful, like a painting, a poem, or a piece of music.

Working together, we should implement the 21^st century version of the Second Amendment: Everyone shall have the right to bear ?mathematical arms??to possess mathematical knowledge and tools needed to protect us from arbitrary decisions by the powerful few in the increasingly math-driven world. So that the next time someone wants to alter a formula that affects us all, we won?t be afraid to ask: ?Wait a minute, what does this formula mean and why are you changing it??

Source: http://feeds.slate.com/click.phdo?i=d19a3c0e1a3c3510288b4083eda1b458

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Payleven, The Samwer Square Clone, Surmounts Visa Hurdle With Chip And PIN Reader Now Sold In Europe

Payleven, the mobile payment company from the Samwer bothers' Rocket Internet incubator, is now taking orders for its chip-and-PIN readers, which it says makes it one of the first of the Square-style competitors in Europe to offer quick way to comply with Visa's card payment requirements in the region. The readers were first announced in October 2012; today Payleven starts to take orders -- at a price of ?49 ($65) each -- and will begin shipping them on February 18.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/uWglxYomEeo/

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150-foot asteroid will buzz Earth, no need to duck

This image provided by NASA/JPL-Caltech shows a simulation of asteroid 2012 DA14 approaching from the south as it passes through the Earth-moon system on Feb. 15, 2013. The 150-foot object will pass within 17,000 miles of the Earth. NASA scientists insist there is absolutely no chance of a collision as it passes. (AP Photo/NASA/JPL-Caltech)

This image provided by NASA/JPL-Caltech shows a simulation of asteroid 2012 DA14 approaching from the south as it passes through the Earth-moon system on Feb. 15, 2013. The 150-foot object will pass within 17,000 miles of the Earth. NASA scientists insist there is absolutely no chance of a collision as it passes. (AP Photo/NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Graphic shows details of a Feb. 15 asteroid that will come close to Earth.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) ? A 150-foot-wide asteroid will come remarkably close to Earth next week, even closer than high-flying communication and weather satellites. It will be the nearest known flyby for an object of this size.

But don't worry. Scientists promise the megarock will be at least 17,100 miles away when it zips past next Friday.

"No Earth impact is possible," Donald Yeomans, manager of NASA's Near-Earth Object program at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., said Thursday.

Even the chance of an asteroid-satellite run-in is extremely remote, Yeomans and other scientists noted. A few hundred satellites orbit at 22,300 miles, higher than the asteroid's path, although operators are being warned about the incoming object for tracking purposes.

"No one has raised a red flag, nor will they," Yeomans told reporters. "I certainly don't anticipate any problems whatsoever."

Impossible to see with the naked eye, the asteroid is considered small as these things go. By contrast, the one that took out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago was 6 miles wide.

Yet Asteroid 2012 DA14, as it's known for its discovery date, still could pack a wallop.

If it impacted Earth ? which it won't, scientists were quick to add Thursday ? it would release the energy equivalent of 2.4 million tons of TNT and wipe out 750 square miles. That's what happened in Siberia in 1908, when forest land around the Tunguska River was flattened by a slightly smaller asteroid that exploded about five miles above ground.

The likelihood of something this size striking Earth is once in every 1,200 years. A close, harmless encounter like this is thought to occur every 40 years.

The bulk of the solar system's asteroids are located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, and remain stable there for billions of years. Some occasionally pop out, though, into Earth's neighborhood

The closest approach of this one will occur next Friday afternoon, Eastern time, over Indonesia.

There won't be much of a show. The asteroid will zip by at 17,400 mph. That's roughly eight times faster than a bullet from a high-speed rifle.

The asteroid will be invisible to the naked eye and even with binoculars and telescopes will appear as a small point of light. The prime viewing locations will be in Asia, Australia and eastern Europe.

Observers in the U.S. can pretty much forget it. Astronomers using NASA's deep-space antenna in California's Mojave Desert will have to wait eight hours after the closest approach to capture radar images.

Scientists welcome whatever pictures they get. The asteroid offers a unique opportunity to observe something this big and close, and any new knowledge will help if and when another killer asteroid is headed Earth's way.

The close approach also highlights the need to keep track of what's out there, if for no other reason than to protect the planet.

NASA's current count of near-Earth objects: just short of 10,000, the result of a concentrated effort for the past 15 years. That's thought to represent less than 10 percent of the objects out there.

No one has ruled out a serious Earth impact, although the probability is said to be extremely low.

"We don't have all the money in the world to do this kind of work" for tracking and potentially deflecting asteroids, said Lindley Johnson, an executive with the Near-Earth Object observations program in Washington.

Indeed, when asked about NASA's plans to send astronauts to an asteroid in the decades ahead, as outlined a few years ago by President Barack Obama, Johnson said the space agency is looking at a number of options for human explorations.

One of the more immediate steps, planned for 2016, is the launch of a spacecraft to fly to a much bigger asteroid, collect samples and return them to Earth in 2023.

As for Asteroid 2012 DA14 ? discovered last year by astronomers in Spain ? scientists suspect it's made of silicate rock, but aren't sure. Its shape and precise size also are mysteries.

What they do know with certainty:

"This object's orbit is so well known that there's no chance of a collision," Yeomans repeated during Thursday's news conference.

Its close approach, in fact, will alter its orbit around the sun in such a way as to keep it out of Earth's neighborhood, at least in the foreseeable future, Yeomans said.

Johnson anticipates no "sky is falling thing" related to next week's flyby.

He and other scientists urged journalists to keep the close encounter in perspective.

"Space rocks hit the Earth's atmosphere on a daily basis. Basketball-size objects come in daily. Volkswagen-size objects come in every couple of weeks," Yeomans said.

The grand total of stuff hitting the atmosphere every day? "About 100 tons," according to Yeoman, though most of it arrives harmlessly as sand-sized particles.

___

Online:

NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/asteroidflyby.html

University of Arizona: http://osiris-rex.lpl.arizona.edu/

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-02-07-Closest%20Asteroid/id-cd4aa959c0874ad786d1a86c2518a697

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H.S. Winter Track: 'Cats' boys, Eagles' girls savor last titles - The ...

COMMONWEALTH DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS

BY TAFT COGHILL JR. / THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Dave Davis doesn?t typically discuss emotional reasons for his team to succeed.

The Mountain View track and field coach believes if his athletes train hard and focus, winning takes care of itself.

But prior to the Commonwealth District winter championships Thursday at Brooke Point, Davis briefly addressed his charges.

He told them it was the final meet in a storied district and he wanted them to capture it.

Mountain View?s boys did just that as they scored 133 points to earn the victory in the seven-team event.

Colonial Forge walked away with the girls title, and both schools were thrilled to capture the final Commonwealth meet.

?It feels good for me, but I think it feels a whole lot better for the kids to win the last one,? Davis said. ?It?s nice for me, but it?s more important for them.?

When the Virginia High School League adopts a six-classification system next school year, there will be no Commonwealth track meets.

The schools will compete against each other in smaller meets throughout the season, but will split for conference competition.

That?s why Colonial Forge coach Sean Leyh was feeling a bit sentimental, as well.

?It?s been nice for our girls to win the last Commonwealth District winter track title and the last cross country title,? Leyh said. ?They?re on a nice little roll. I?m proud of what they?ve done, and they should be proud of themselves.?

The Colonial Forge girls received a boost from junior Megan Rebholz, who won the 1,000 meters, the 1,600 and anchored the winning 1,600 relay team.

Sophomore Crystal Jones had a standout meet, as well.

Jones won the high jump, placed second in the triple jump, third in the long jump and ran a leg on the second-place 800 relay unit.

Rebholz said the Eagles? success is a carryover from last season when they won the district in cross country, as well as winter and spring track.

They?ve now completed two-thirds of another sweep.

?I?m definitely hoping we?ll sweep all three again, and I think we can do it,? Rebholz said. ?It?s a great feeling. Everybody?s attitude is up. We?re all positive. Once you win one, you?re on a high.?

Andre Bernhard (high jump), Josh Brunson (pole vault) and Ben Sorensen (3,200) earned individual titles for Mountain View?s boys.

Sorensen also finished second in the 1,600, as he was undeterred by the chilly weather.

?It would?ve been nice if it was a little warmer. I think you would?ve saw faster times,? Sorensen said. ?But that?s what you get in championship season. Everyone wants to win. No one is looking for a time.?

What the Wildcats lacked in champions Tuesday, they made up for with depth.

They received an unexpected lift from junior sprinter Robert Finley, who placed third in the 55 and fourth in the 300.

Davis said Finley?s performance was ?a big surprise? and it ?kind of got us started in the sprint races.?

?Bringing in the big points for the first time,? Finley said, ?feels amazing.?

Mountain View girls Meshala Morton and Jeanne Rouse put forth strong individual efforts Thursday.

Morton won the 55, the 300 and placed second in the long jump and 500.

Rouse won the 500 and placed second in the 55 and 300. On the boys side, Brooke Point?s Alec Brodeur captured titles in the 55 and the 300.

The Northwest Region meet will be held Wednesday at the Prince George?s Sports and Learning Complex in Landover, Md.

GIRLS MEET

Team scores: 1. Colonial Forge 167; 2. Mountain View 131; 3. Albemarle 125; 4. North Stafford 70; 5. Stafford 47; 6. Brooke Point 26; 7. Orange 10.

Long jump: 1. Miah Perch (A) 15?9; 2. Meshala Morton (MV) 15?1; 3. Crystal Jones (CF) 15?0; 4. Brieona Booker (A) 14?7; 5. Tnaja Briscoe (CF) 14; 6. Jami Lewis (NS) 13?9; 7. Kaitlynn Beaulieu (CF) 13?6; 8. Mickella Tanner?Wood (A) 13?3.

High jump: 1. Jones (CF) 5?4; 2. Sydnei Foster (NS) 5?2; 3. Amiaya Carey (St) 5?2; 4 (tie). Kailah Boateng (BP) and Lauren Lieske (CF) 4?10; 6. Minna McFarland (CF) 4?10; 7. Perch (A) 4?8; 8. Kebreyona Acker (NS) 4?6.

Triple jump: 1. Perch (A) 35?10; 2. Jones (CF) 35?1; 3. Booker (A) 33?6; 4. Briscoe (CF) 31?6; 5. Lewis (NS) 30?8; 6. Lieske (CF) 29?9; 7. Tieona Booker (A) 29?5; 8. Jeanne Rouse (MV) 29?3.

Shot put: 1. India Kitchcart (St) 36?7; 2. Sabrina Johnson (St) 34?11; 3. Ebony Pennant (St) 31?8; 4. Abi Leonard (A) 29?9; 5. Quaneisha Banks (O) 29?4; 6. Klaire Herndon (O) 28?5; 7. Aliyah Cox (CF) 28; 8. Audre Braxton (St) 27?11.

Pole vault: 1. Casey Russell (A) 10?0; 2. Jessica Lupi (CF) 10?0; 3. Ciera Ulan (A) 7?6; 4. Katie Pilkington (NS) 7?0; 5. Emily Reinwald (MV) 7?0; 6 (tie). Beaulieu (CF) and Christina Dittmer (MV) 6?6.

55 meters: 1. Morton (MV) 7.34; 2. Rouse (MV) 7.63; 3. Foster (NS) 7.73; 4. Perch (A) 7.77; 5. Lewis (NS) 7.83; 6. Kiera Walton (MV) 7.95; 7. Demetria Barrow (MV) 7.98; 8. Shanice Golston (St) 7.99.

55 hurdles: 1. Boateng (BP) 9.18; 2. Jones (CF) 9.19; 3. Kayla Morris (A) 9.74; 4. Cox (CF) 10.10; 5. McFarland (CF) 10.11; 6. Raelyn Fines (St) 10.43; 7. Katherine Mulder (MV) 11.18; 8. Shaquan Cook (BP) 11.22.

300: 1. Morton (MV) 42.43; 2. Rouse (MV) 43.06; 3. Lewis (NS) 44.62; 4. Foster (NS) 45.25; 5. Christina Hill (CF) 45.65; 6. Courtney Williams (CF) 45.83; 7. Perch (A) 45.85; 8. Sharon Okaah (A) 45.92.

500: 1. Rouse (MV) 1:18.47; 2. Morton (MV) 1:21.87; 3. Hill (CF) 1:22.55; 4. Briscoe (CF) 1:24.49; 5. Sheila Ford (A) 1:25.43; 6. Lieske (CF) 1:26.10; 7. Maggie Tubridy (A) 1:27.81; 8. Reinwald (MV) 1:32.45.

1,000: 1. Megan Rebholz (CF) 3:11.38; 2. Kirsten Smith (A) 3:16.80; 3. Maddie Biddle (MV) 3:17.48; 4. Ulan (A) 3:20.21; 5. Mai Toms (A) 3:22.65; 6. Nicole Meservey (CF) 3:23.46; 7. Annie Davis (MV) 3:25.97; 8. Beaulieu (CF) 3:27.09.

1,600: 1. Rebholz (CF) 5:20.34; 2. Jordan Angers (MV) 5:26.16; 3. Allison Huschke (A) 5:29.24; 4. Smith (A) 5:30.01; 5. Megan Brady (MV) 5:31.03; 6. Biddle (MV) 5:32.19; 7. Ulan (A) 5:40.18; 8. Bridget Abbatiello (St) 5:49.26.

3,200: 1. Angers (MV) 11:42.25; 2. Allison Taylor (CF) 11:46.22; 3. Kelsey Peace (CF) 11:59.71; 4. Lilly Moore (CF) 12:09.31; 5. Brady (MV) 12:23.94; 6. Erin Quinn (NS) 12:25.60; 7. Hannah Field (NS) 12:31.19; 8. Carolyn Pugh (A) 13:04.24.

800 relay: 1. North Stafford (Deyona Harris, Lewis, Bennie Dadzie, Acker) 1:50.72; 2. Colonial Forge 1:51.89; 3. Mountain View 1:52.66; 4. Albemarle 1:55.74; 5. Brooke Point 2:01.51; 6. Orange 2:02.45; 7. Stafford 2:08.14.

1,600 relay: 1. Colonial Forge (Briscoe, Hill, Jenna Walker, Rebholz) 4:16.20; 2. Albemarle 4:23.18; 3. Mountain View 4:35.56; 4. North Stafford 4:48.83; 5. Brooke Point 4:55.02; 6. Stafford 5:02.65.

3,200 relay: 1. Colonial Forge (Moore, Peace, Taylor, Beaulieu) 10:21.99; 2. North Stafford 10:37.68; 3. Stafford 10:40.37; 4. Mountain View 10:55.38; 5. Albemarle 11:11.53; 6. Brooke Point 11:29.06.

BOYS MEET

Team scores: 1. Mountain View 133; 2. North Stafford 98; 3 (tie) Brooke Point and Albemarle 93; 5. Colonial Forge 81; 6. Stafford 73; 7. Orange 3.

Long jump: 1. Daniel Ezeagwu (CF) 18?5; 2. Andre Bernhard (MV) 18?3; 3. Manasseh Bowles (NS) 18?0; 4. Nicholas Troche (A) 17?8; 5. Vincent Hunter (MV) 17?3; 6. Kevin Hasenecz (MV) 17?1; 7. Darin Council (NS) 16?10; 8. Richard Nicolas (CF) 16?8.

High jump: 1. Bernhard (MV) 5?8; 2. Matt Hottle (BP) 5?6; 3. Sam Francis (NS) 5?4; 4. Latroy Smalls (NS) 5?4; 5. Desmond Weinberg?Jones (CF) 5?4; 6. Ripken Smith (St) 5?4; 7. Ludovic Delisle (A) 5?2.

Triple jump: 1. Bowles (NS) 40?5; 2. Council (NS) 40?4; 3. Bernhard (MV) 40?4; 4. Donald Osafo (MV) 39?7; 5. Nicolas (CF) 38?7; 6. Hottle (BP) 37?10; 7. Sage Corbin (A) 37?6; 8. Cameron Green (A) 36?11.

Shot put: 1. Joe Cline (BP) 48?2; 2. Chris Lansford (St) 45?0; 3. Council (NS) 44?7; 4. Isaac Nichols (MV) 41?8; 5. Jeremy Joseph (CF) 41?7; 6. Cullen Guthrie (NS) 40?3; 7. Kyle Robinson (MV) 37?8; 8. Rhett Teaster (St) 35?5.

Pole vault: 1. Josh Brunson (MV) 11?0; 2. Krister Briehl (A) 10?6; 3. Liam Davis (ST) 9?0; 4. Jacob Butt (NS) 9?0; 5. Guthrie (NS) 8?6; 6. Brandon Donahue (NS) 7?0.

55 meters: 1. Alec Brodeur (BP) 6.76; 2. Ezeagwu (CF) 6.82; 3. Robert Finley (MV) 6.84; 4. Tony Kemp (St) 6.94; 5. Travis Geris (MV) 6.95; 6. Kevin McCarthy (A) 6.99; 7. Jeramey Manuel (BP) 7.14; 8. Moses Boamah (A) 7.16.

55 hurdles: 1. Rasheed Powers (BP) 7.97; 2. Weinberg?Jones (CF) 8.05; 3. Hasenecz (MV) 8.44; 4. Hottle (BP) 8.45; 5. Odera Okani (CF) 8.46; 6. Hunter (MV) 8.55; 7. Preston Thomas (BP) 8.56; 8. Justin Carey (A) 10.30.

300: 1. Brodeur (BP) 36.63; 2. Del?Quan Campbell (NS) 37.15; 3. Ezeagwu (CF) 37.19; 4. Finley (MV) 37.74; 5. McCarthy (A) 37.82; 6. Jeremiah Fletcher (St) 38.21; 7. Hunter (MV) 38.49; 8. Jairus Hudson (MV) 39.02.

500: 1. Ryan Thomas (A) 1:08.37; 2. Weinberg?Jones (CF) 1:08.91; 3. Mouad Rais (NS) 1:09.25; 4. Mykal Dawkins (NS) 1:09.69; 5. Luke Lysher (St) 1:09.71; 6. Nelson Whitney (St) 1:10.14; 7. Geris (MV) 1:10.50; 8. Matt Garlington (BP) 1:12.01.

1,000: 1. Thomas (A) 2:39.53; 2. Joey Abbatiello (St) 2:40.54; 3. Sam Gillespie (A) 2:41.72; 4. Alex Bukovich (MV) 2:42.98; 5. Michael Knaus (BP) 2:43; 6. Ben Gersbach (A) 2:47.28; 7. Isaiah Klimek (CF) 2:48.73; 8. Ryan Clark (CF) 2:50.06.

1,600: 1. Thomas (A) 4:31.03; 2. Ben Sorensen (MV) 4:32.24; 3. Aaron Elder (A) 4:34.34; 4. Zachary Batt (NS) 4:37.88; 5. Kevin Watts (MV) 4:38.04; 6. Robert Walker (BP) 4:40.27; 7. Zach Gentry (A) 4:41.46; 8. Knaus (BP) 4:42.30.

3,200: 1. Sorensen (MV) 9:57.61; 2. Walker (BP) 10:05.11; 3. Ian Macleod (St) 10:06.13; 4. Ryan Glavy (MV) 10:06.39; 5. Gentry (A) 10:13.60; 6. Elder (A) 10:18.16; 7. Matt Nielsen (CF) 10:23.89; 8. Colin Doescher (CF) 10:24.75.

800 relay: 1. Brooke Point 1:33.97; 2. Mountain View 1:34.51; 3. North Stafford 1:36.55; 4. Stafford 1:38.71; 5. Albemarle 1:39.56; 6. Orange 1:45.40; 7. Colonial Forge 1:45.49.

1,600 relay: 1. North Stafford (Francis, Solomon Herring?Cowan, Bowles, Rais) 3:33.81; 2. Stafford 3:35.15; 3. Colonial Forge 3:37.82; 4. Mountain View 3:38.90; 5. Albemarle 3:42.56; 6. Brooke Point 3:53.81.

3,200 relay: 1. Colonial Forge (Cullen Monahan, Klimek, Clark, Makenzie Bach) 8:32.43; 2. Stafford 8:32.46; 3. Mountain View 8:40.87; 4. North Stafford 8:57.24; 5. Albemarle 9:00.37; 6. Brooke Point 9:26.64.

Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
tcoghill@freelancestar.com

Permalink: http://news.fredericksburg.com/sports/2013/02/08/h-s-winter-track-cats-boys-eagles-girls-savor-last-titles/

Source: http://news.fredericksburg.com/sports/2013/02/08/h-s-winter-track-cats-boys-eagles-girls-savor-last-titles/

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Turning repulsive feelings into desires

Feb. 6, 2013 ? Hunger, thirst, stress and drugs can create a change in the brain that transforms a repulsive feeling into a strong positive "wanting," a new University of Michigan study indicates.

The research used salt appetite to show how powerful natural mechanisms of brain desires can instantly transform a cue that always predicted a repulsive Dead Sea Salt solution into an eagerly wanted beacon or motivational magnet.

Mike Robinson, a research fellow in the U-M Department of Psychology and the study's lead author, said the findings help explain how related brain activations in people could cause them to avidly want something that has been always disliked.

This instant transformation of motivation, he said, lies in the ability of events to activate particular brain circuitry -- a structure called the nucleus accumbens, which sits near the base of the front of the brain and is also activated by addictive drugs.

Cues for rewards often trigger intense motivation. The smell of food can make a person suddenly feel hungry when this wasn't the case earlier. Drug cues may prompt relapse in addicts trying to quit. In some cases, desires may be triggered even for a relatively unpleasant event.

Researchers studied how rats responded to metal objects that represented either pleasant sugar or disgustingly intense Dead Sea saltiness. The rats quickly learned to jump on and nibble the sweetness cue, but turned away from and avoided the saltiness cue.

But one day the rats suddenly woke up in a new state of sodium appetite induced by drugs given the night before. On their first re-encounter with the saltiness cue in the new appetite state, their brain systems became activated and the rats instantly jumped on and nibbled the saltiness cue as though it were the sugar cue.

"The cue becomes avidly 'wanted' despite knowledge the salt always tasted disgusting," Robinson said.

The sudden brain changes help explain how an event, such as taking an addictive drug, could become "wanted" despite a person's knowledge of the negative and unpleasant consequences of the drug.

"Our findings highlight what it means to say that drugs hijack our natural reward system," said Robinson, who authored the new study with Kent Berridge, James Olds Collegiate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Michigan, via Newswise.

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

---

Journal Reference:

1. Mike?J.F. Robinson, Kent?C. Berridge. Instant Transformation of Learned Repulsion into Motivational ?Wanting?. Current Biology, 2013; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.01.016

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

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

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/ubtWqeNqUOw/130206162127.htm

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'Last of Us' video game undeterred by violence

This undated publicity photo provided by Naughty Dog/Sony Computer Entertainment America shows a scene from the video game, "The Last of Us." (AP Photo/Naughty Dog/Sony Computer Entertainment America)

This undated publicity photo provided by Naughty Dog/Sony Computer Entertainment America shows a scene from the video game, "The Last of Us." (AP Photo/Naughty Dog/Sony Computer Entertainment America)

This undated publicity photo provided by Naughty Dog/Sony Computer Entertainment America shows a scene from the video game, "The Last of Us." (AP Photo/Naughty Dog/Sony Computer Entertainment America)

This undated publicity photo provided by Naughty Dog/Sony Computer Entertainment America shows a scene from the video game, "The Last of Us." (AP Photo/Naughty Dog/Sony Computer Entertainment America)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? The creators of "The Last of Us" aren't planning to tone down the post-apocalyptic video game's violent content, including a young, knife- and gun-wielding girl.

Neil Druckmann, the game's creative director, said the developers at Naughty Dog in Santa Monica, Calif., won't alter "The Last of Us," which features 14-year-old Ellie as one of the protagonists, in light of recent real-world violence, including the elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn.

The PlayStation 3 survival-adventure game casts players such as Joel, a gruff middle-aged survivor of a worldwide outbreak, who's tasked with protecting Ellie. Throughout "The Last of Us," the girl serves as a shrewd accomplice who guides Joel through abandoned buildings, gathers supplies and assists him in thwarting enemies.

"For us, everything in the game is necessary for the story," said Druckmann in a recent interview. "The reason Ellie is that age and the violence is that brutal is because of what we're saying with the story. You have to buy into the conflict and desperation these characters live under. If you remove any of those elements, the story suffers, and that's why we would never do it."

Some critics argued "The Last of Us" was glorifying violence after early footage of the game showed Ellie stabbing a hostile human survivor in the back, followed by Joel shooting him in the face with a shotgun. The cover for "The Last of Us," which is scheduled for release May 7, features both Ellie and Joel armed with guns.

"For someone like Ellie, because this is the only world she's ever known, things we would find horrific and that would probably scar us for life are just everyday occurrences for her," said Druckmann. "She can still, in a way, keep some of her innocence because of that. She pulls the humanity out of Joel, and this is really a coming-of-age story for Ellie."

___

Online:

http://thelastofus.com/

___

Follow AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-02-04-Games-The%20Last%20of%20Us/id-8942cb07e33944c1a8b5618b3b5863d3

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SHUAA launches Sharia compliant installment and lease financing ...

His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Al Maktoum, Executive Chairman of SHUAA Capital and Chairman of Gulf Finance, said, "We are excited about the establishment of Gulf Installments in Saudi Arabia. This is an important strategic milestone for our Credit business that we announced in October 2012, and represents an enormous opportunity for SHUAA to build out a successful business in the largest regional economy. Our investment in Gulf Installments is an investment in the success story of Saudi Arabia, and underscores our confidence in the growing private sector in the Kingdom."

Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the GCC, with a nominal GDP of $435bn, and is expected to grow by 4.5% in 2013. Even though Saudi SMEs account for 90% of Saudi businesses and 24.7% of total employment, they represent only 2% of the Saudi banks' lending market. With over 220,000 SMEs in the Kingdom, many of which are underserved, credit demand outpaces supply.

Dr Sabah al-Binali, Chairman of Gulf Installments, and Vice Chairman of its operator Gulf Finance, said, "Our move into Saudi Arabia is a perfect opportunity to extend SHUAA's reach into a new and dynamic market place. We have exceptional expertise within the SME space and through Gulf Installments, we are now able to offer the Saudi business community a wide range of credit solutions. These solutions are in demand by a large number of clients which paves the way for building significant market share."

David Hunt is appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Installments in Saudi Arabia. An experienced Managing Director with over 24 years financial services experience in emerging markets and extensive regional knowledge, Mr Hunt is perfectly placed to lead the company's operation as it expands into the Kingdom. Prior to joining Gulf Installments, David held various senior and Director-level positions at the HSBC Group.

He was Managing Director and Chairman of the Executive Committee of SABB Takaful, a Saudi publicly quoted insurance company, and most recently Head of Regional Insurance at HSBC Bank Middle East. He will lead a team of seasoned bankers, financial veterans and credit professionals.

Mr Hunt said, "Gulf Installments aims to finance SMEs across a variety of sectors, from contracting and construction, to healthcare and education; whether they need to establish their business or expand it by purchasing assets such as heavy plant and machinery, medical equipment, or contracting and constructing equipment."

"There is a strong demand for our proposition as Gulf Installments will deliver Sharia compliant financing solutions to the Saudi market. Our installment and lease financing solutions offer an alternate source of funding to existing bank facilities, provide increased affordability and purchasing power, and allow our customers to enjoy long term stability for asset purchases. Furthermore, they release working capital and improve cash flow for businesses," he added.

Gulf Installments offers lease financing for a wide range of fixed assets. Lease periods are available from 1 to 4 years and can be tailored to suit the needs of each individual client based on the term, down payment and rental plan. Strategic alliances have already been negotiated with two of the top five heavy equipment vendors in the Kingdom, which will underpin the business and ensure immediate traction.

This in turn will capitalise on the significant growth within Saudi Arabia's construction industry which awarded SR270bn of contracts in 2011 up 155% on 2010. Gulf Installments is based in Jeddah and will be expanding across the Kingdom over the course of the next few years.

Source: http://www.ameinfo.com/shuaa-launches-sharia-compliant-installment-lease-328131

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Tournament of THG Couples: Last Chance to Vote in Second-Round Matchups!

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/02/tournament-of-thg-couples-last-chance-to-vote-in-second-round-ma/

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Eliteratur-Blog ? Blog Archive ? Home Based Business ? Start a ...

2 Februar 2013 AUTOR:

With the Newest Year comes the full time to re-evaluate your life and decide what?s not and what is working. These types of issues are work related and whether you are getting any satisfaction from your work and whether you?ve the proper work/life balance. In addition, with the difficult economic times, lots of individuals are considering beginning a property based business to supplement their income or change it. This short article examines steps to start a wallet party business and become master of your destiny.If you?re dissatisfied together with your career, starting your house based business might be the answer that you need. If you start the right home based business, it will not just allow you to accomplish very well economically furthermore to giving job satisfaction, but you will be able to really have the time to pay along with your family or on other pursuits that will enrich your life.Purse parties are among the most successful home based businesses and are continuing to achieve reputation as a great income generating opportunity for manner caring women or men. The majority of women enjoy their handbags and can not get enough. They are usually looking for the following fabulous handbag to add to their series. This provides a great income generating opportunity for wallet party consultants.Purse events usually are in a house the place where a group of women bond not to just network and partake in various cultural activities, but it addittionally provides a great location to supply for sale various modern and stylish bags. This peaceful atmosphere makes a great money to these parties making opportunity. Purse parties can also be kept in an office conference room throughout a meal break or different office get-togethers such as bridal or infant showers for colleagues.It is very important to have the right suppliers for your purses that you?ll show at a bag party to make certain that your merchandise wil attract to the girls and that you present wonderful rates that will prompt purchase of the purses by the people at these parties. High quality purses are very essential to ensure that your bag party is a resounding success.The not enough stress in this atmosphere with well exhibited purses at good prices will most likely induce selling. You must provide lots of finger food and beverages to ensure everybody who attends includes an excellent time and is comfortable.This environment will allow the ladies to read the purses at their very own leisure. They?ll manage to experience, maintain and try the handbags along with get the opinion of the other girls at the bag party. As a purse party guide, you range from different activities to promote buying such as keeping a mini fashion present, a game to break the ice which could perhaps not be necessary since the picture of amazing handbags is often enough to break the ice and cause the women to go crazy.Holding a productive purse party can provide great recommendations referrals for you to further expand you business so you need to effectively approach each party to make sure that it?s a success. You also can use each party you host to generate an attendee to host the next party in the region by offering them a free purse or a percentage of the revenue on the purses sold at the party.There are many other approaches to promote your services besides recommendations. You can use social media marketing such as for example facebook and twitter, on the web press releases a few of which might be free, mail, craigslist, pamphlets, etc. The functions that might use a purse party are countless and contain baby showers, housewarming parties, Christmas parties, bridal showers or bachelorette parties, etc.You can determine how large your organization expands by hosting purse parties along with recruiting purse party hosts in your area that are trying to start their own home based businesses. There are various organizations offering small business loans and provide lots of help for small business, to start out your business and you may want to think about using these various possibilities. They can also provide assistance to you with registering your corporations and controlling any tax dilemmas. Your local Chamber of Commerce should be able help you with the facts of those various companies.

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Source: http://www.eliteratur-blog.de/2013/02/home-based-business-start-a-purse-party-organization-and-become-master-of-your-destiny/

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Twitter says hackers compromise 250K accounts

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ? The social media giant Twitter acknowledged that it has become the latest victim in a number of cyber-attacks against media companies, saying hackers may have gained access to information on 250,000 of its more than 200 million active users.

The company said a blog post on Friday it detected attempts to gain access to its user data earlier in the week. It shut down one attack moments after it was detected.

But Twitter discovered that the attackers may have stolen user names, email addresses and encrypted passwords belonging to 250,000 users they describe as 'a very small percentage of our users."

Nonetheless, the company reset the pilfered passwords and sent emails advising the affected users.

The online attack comes on the heels of recent hacks into the computer systems of U.S. media and technology companies, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Both American newspapers reported this week that their computer systems had been infiltrated by China-based hackers, likely to monitor media coverage the Chinese government deems important.

China has been accused of mounting a widespread, aggressive cyber-spying campaign for several years, trying to steal classified information and corporate secrets and to intimidate critics. The Chinese foreign ministry could not be reached for comment Saturday, but the Chinese government has said those accusations are baseless and that China itself is a victim of cyber-attacks.

"Chinese law forbids hacking and any other actions that damage Internet security," the Chinese Defense Ministry recently said. "The Chinese military has never supported any hacking activities."

Although Bob Lord, Twitter's director of information security said in the blog that the attack "was not the work of amateurs, and we do not believe it was an isolated incident."

"The attackers were extremely sophisticated, and we believe other companies and organizations have also been recently similarly attacked," Lord said. "For that reason we felt that it was important to publicize this attack while we still gather information, and we are helping government and federal law enforcement in their effort to find and prosecute these attackers to make the Internet safer for all users."

One expert said that the Twitter hack probably happened after an employee's home or work computer was compromised through vulnerabilities in Java, a commonly used computing language whose weaknesses have been well publicized.

Ashkan Soltani, an independent privacy and security researcher, said such a move would give attackers "a toehold" in Twitter's internal network, potentially allowing them either to sniff out user information as it traveled across the company's system or break into specific areas, such as the authentication servers that process users' passwords.

In a telephone interview Friday, Soltani said that the relatively small number of users affected suggested either that attackers weren't on the network long or that they were only able to compromise a subset of the company's servers.

Twitter is generally used to broadcast messages to the public, so the hacking might not immediately have yielded any important secrets. But the stolen credentials could be used to eavesdrop on private messages or track which Internet address a user is posting from.

That might be useful, for example, for an authoritarian regime trying to keep tabs on a journalist's movements.

"More realistically, someone could use that as an entry point into another service," Soltani said, noting that since few people bother using different passwords for different services, a password stolen from Twitter might be just as handy for reading a journalist's emails.

___

AP reporters Raphael Satter in London and Didi Tang in Beijing contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/twitter-says-hackers-compromise-250k-accounts-011810359--finance.html

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