Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Bloomberg: Dish offers $2 billion for LightSquared's wireless spectrum

The last few years have been a tumultuous time for LightSquared, with the company's LTE plans facing one hurdle after another that eventually led to a bankruptcy filing. It looks like at least one company is now looking to buy its most valuable asset, though, with Bloomberg reporting that Dish Network Chairman Charlie Ergen has put a $2 billion offer on the table for the company's wireless spectrum. That's yet to be confirmed by either party, and Bloomberg reports that the offer is a so-called stalking horse bid, which could still let others put in a higher offer of their own. As Bloomberg also notes, this all comes at the same time that Dish is looking to buy Sprint for over $25 billion, both of which would need regulatory approval before going through.

Filed under:

Comments

Source: Bloomberg

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/20/dish-lightsquared-wireless-spectrum-offer/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget

Eddie Murphy Dead Democratic National Convention 2012 myocardial infarction What Is Labor Day jersey shore Pasquale Rotella Michael Clark Duncan

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Majority of number combos picked for Powerball pot

A customer, right, waits for his Powerball lottery ticket at a convenience store in Chicago on Saturday, May 18, 2013. A little more than a year after three tickets split a world-record lottery prize, the jackpot for Saturday's Powerball drawing was nearing historic territory. Should nobody pick the correct six numbers, the prize money will roll over to next week's drawing and almost certainly eclipse the $656 million doled out to winners in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland in the Mega Millions game in March 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

A customer, right, waits for his Powerball lottery ticket at a convenience store in Chicago on Saturday, May 18, 2013. A little more than a year after three tickets split a world-record lottery prize, the jackpot for Saturday's Powerball drawing was nearing historic territory. Should nobody pick the correct six numbers, the prize money will roll over to next week's drawing and almost certainly eclipse the $656 million doled out to winners in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland in the Mega Millions game in March 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

A clerk dispenses a Powerball Lottery ticket in Oklahoma City, Friday, May 17, 2013. Powerball officials say the jackpot has climbed to an estimated $600 million, making it the largest prize in the game's history and the world's second largest lottery prize.(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

A Powerball lottery ticket is printed out of a lottery machine at a convenience store in Chicago on Saturday, May 18, 2013. A little more than a year after three tickets split a world-record lottery prize, the jackpot for Saturday's Powerball drawing was nearing historic territory. Should nobody pick the correct six numbers, the prize money will roll over to next week's drawing and almost certainly eclipse the $656 million doled out to winners in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland in the Mega Millions game in March 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

A sign at a store advertises the Powerball Lottery in Oklahoma City, Friday, May 17, 2013. Powerball officials say the jackpot has climbed to an estimated $600 million, making it the largest prize in the game's history and the world's second largest lottery prize. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) ? It's all about the odds.

With the majority of possible combinations of Powerball numbers in play, someone is almost sure to win the game's highest jackpot on Saturday night, a windfall of hundreds of millions of dollars ? and that's after taxes.

The problem, of course, is those same odds just about guarantee the lucky person won't be you. The chances of winning the $600 million prize remain astronomically high: 1 in 175.2 million. And lottery officials said Saturday that 80 percent of the possible combinations have been purchased.

"This would be the roll to get in on," said Iowa Lottery CEO Terry Rich. "Of course there's no guarantee, and that's the randomness of it, and the fun of it."

That hasn't deterred people cross the Powerball-playing states from lining up at gas stations and convenience stores Saturday for their chance at striking it filthy rich.

The latest jackpot is the world's second largest overall, just behind a $656 million Mega Millions jackpot in March 2012.

At Jimmy's Mart, a small convenience store in suburban Columbia, S.C., Armous Peterson spread out several Powerball tickets. About four dozen more were already filled out from weeks before and are stacked in a clear pouch beside him.

Peterson, 56, has a system ? although he is reluctant to share it ? and was trying to figure out his numbers for Saturday's drawing. He's well aware of the long odds, but he also knows the mantra of just about every person buying tickets this week.

"Somebody is going to win," he said. "Lots of people are going to lose, too. But if you buy a ticket, that winner might be you."

Benjamin Richardson, 56, plays every Powerball drawing, figuring spending a few bucks a week is no great loss ? and it keeps him in the running for the big jackpot.

He spends about as much on lottery tickets as he does for two of the hot dogs and chili that usually causes the long lines at Jimmy's Mart.

"If it happens, it happens. It's all luck anyway," he said. "What do they all say? If it is your time, it's your time."

___

Associated Press Writer Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, S.C., contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-05-18-US-Powerball-Jackpot/id-0279cfc340b146c9b191752ad3756e9e

daytona 500 start time ryan zimmerman oscars red carpet jennifer lopez wardrobe malfunction hugo hugo nfl combine

Friday, May 17, 2013

Auto Insurance Made Easy. Helpful Tips And Tricks! ? Nuhitz ...

Auto insurance is an incredibly important thing for all drivers to have. There are many insurance companies out there. Therefore, trying to find the best one for you can be quite overwhelming. Here are some things you should know about how to go about getting insurance.

Keeping your license clean is crucial when it comes to how much you pay for insurance. When accidents and tickets are on your driving record, your insurance costs can go through the roof. There are times when you can't avoid the accident or ticket, so you should check out traffic school to see if this will help clean your record and make your insurance premiums lower.

If you have a teen driver you should request two separate quotes, one with your child on your policy and one with your child on a stand-alone policy. Sometimes, getting your teenager their own policy might be less expensive.

Be sure of what coverage you need when it comes to buying car insurance. While auto insurance policies offer a lot of different coverage types, not every one is necessary for your situation. If you are prone to accidents, you might want to consider taking advantage of collision coverage.

You can purchase insurance that covers more than just the minimum requirements. In the end, the extra expense of some insurance policies may be worth it. Uninsured motorist coverage will protect you in the event that you are in an accident that involves either a hit-and-run or someone who is not carrying insurance.

Try to ride buses or take a carpool. Driving less is one great way to show responsibility as a consumer and impress your insurance company. Tell your insurance agent if you have been carpooling and using public transportation. They may be able to find you a discount based upon this information you provide.

You should trade in your car for a model that is less sporty. When you have a sports car, it will cost more to insure. You want to own a vehicle that is less flashy. Larger motors cost more in insurance premiums as well. Expensive vehicles are frequently targets of theft. This factors into your insurance cost.

It can be difficult to pinpoint the correct amount of auto insurance coverage for a specific situation. If you have a lot of assets, you should get enough liability insurance to secure them. If you are responsible for the accident, the other person could take you to court for their medical bills beyond what your insurance covers. You should play it safe and have enough coverage.

The best tip your can get to reduce your car insurance is to keep your driving record clean. A car accident will raise your rates quicker than almost anything else. Know your driving limits, and avoid risks that could cause accidents. For example, if you have a hard time seeing the road late at night, avoid driving during this time.

Tickets and points on your driving record can significantly increase the cost of your auto insurance. On the flip side, once these infractions expire or get taken care of, the cost you pay for insurance should drop. Once negative issues are removed, you may want to consider getting quotes for a new policy.

Even if your teenager begs, absolutely do not buy the teen a car. You can save money by sharing a family car. You'll save money by adding a teenage driver to your current insurance policy. They may even earn you a discount, if they keep their grades high or earn honor roll status.

Try getting rates from multiple companies before picking one for your car. You will have to do some legwork to find a policy with a good reputation and a low premium.

Different insurance companies use different methods for determining insurance premiums. Check with several other insurance companies if you are given a quote you don't like, since they will probably offer different prices.

You should be able to obtain a substantial discount from your insurance company, if your total miles driven is less than 7500 each year. This makes cutting back on your driving a great option for anyone who wants to save money on car insurance.

One of the things that you can do in lowering your monthly car insurance payments is to remove unnecessary drivers from your insurance policy. If you can remove a driver who won't be using your car, your premiums will drop in cost. Premiums for young drivers are usually more expensive, so you can save a great deal of money on premiums by removing them from your policy.

Learn about the safety features of your vehicle to save some money on your insurance bill. Features such as car alarms and extra air bags can help add discounts to your insurance due to their safety features. If you have an older car, you can equip it with safety features yourself if you are seeking more discounts.

These tips apply to almost everyone, including you! Take the advice provided here, and use it for your auto insurance needs. The necessary coverage at the best price is what you are looking for. These tips will help you find it.

If you're ready to check out more information on one day car insurance visit http://cheapcarinsurancerus.co.uk/one_day_car_insu...

Source: http://www.nuhitz.com/blog/37933/auto-insurance-made-easy-helpful-tips-and-tricks/

sabu franchise tag lesotho a wrinkle in time benjamin netanyahu storm shelters nick lachey

High-testosterone competitors more likely to choose red

May 16, 2013 ? Why do so many sports players and athletes choose to wear the color red when they compete? A new study to be published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, suggests that it may have to do with their testosterone levels.

The new study, conducted by psychological scientist Daniel Farrelly of the University of Sunderland and colleagues, demonstrated that males who chose red as their color in a competitive task had higher testosterone levels than other males who chose blue.

"The research shows that there is something special about the color red in competition, and that it is associated with our underlying biological systems," says Farrelly.

The researchers believe that the link may explain why many sports stars wear red clothing -- Tiger Woods, for example, famously chooses to wear a red shirt on the last day of a major competition.

Choosing to wear red "may, unconsciously, signal something about their competitive nature, and it may well be something that affects how their opponents respond," Farrelly explains.

Farrelly and colleagues recruited 73 men to participate in the study, and they were unaware of the study's aims. The men were told that they would be performing a competitive task and that their performances would be placed on a leaderboard. The participants then chose either a red or blue symbol to represent them in the table and completed the competitive tasks. They also answered questionnaires aimed at gauging whether various personal reasons may have affected their color choice.

To determine participants' testosterone levels, the researchers took saliva samples at the start of the study, before the participants knew about the competitive task, and again at the end.

The data revealed that men who chose red had higher baseline testosterone levels, and they rated their color as having higher levels of characteristics such as dominance and aggression, than men who chose blue.

Color choice did not, however, seem to be related to actual performance in the competitive task. The researchers believe that direct competition, in which opponents can be seen wearing red or appearing red, may be necessary for the red advantage to occur. Along these lines, previous research has shown that wearing red can be advantageous through its influence on opponents' perceptions, leading them to view red competitors as being "high quality" competitors.

Co-authors on the research include Rebecca Slater of the University of Sunderland, Hannah Elliott and Hannah Walden of Newcastle University, and Mark Wetherell of Northumbria University.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/living_well/~3/T8VcbX9Pjc4/130516105655.htm

netflix george h w bush Belk Led Zeppelin Ned Rocknroll Norman Schwarzkopf Avery Johnson

Rumor Alert: Yahoo Is Buying Tumblr for a Billion?

Yahoo has a problem: it has no idea what it's doing, or how it's going to do it (outside of teenage dream hires). Some people who claim intimate knowledge say the company is going to do it by throwing a serious Hail Mary: buying Tumblr for $1,000,000,000. That's one billion.

Read more...

    


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/e9fuEq2LTYU/rumor-alert-yahoo-is-buying-tumblr-for-a-billion-507915558

joba chamberlain new york mega millions jetblue jetblue michelle malkin october baby sugarland

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Sheriff: Ex-NASCAR driver Dick Trickle dead at 71

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) ? There is that lasting image of Dick Trickle in the Winston 500 lighting up a cigarette while driving his stock car with his knees during a caution lap.

He places the cigarette through a hole he carved in his helmet for a quick toke and exhales.

The green flag hits and out the window goes the cigarette butt and back to racing goes Trickle.

"Dick always had a cigarette lighter in his car," said fellow NASCAR driver Geoff Bodine.

Trickle was unique driver with a unique name that found cult-like status before his death Thursday.

Trickle, whose larger-than-life personality and penchant for fun won him legions of fans despite a lack of success beyond the nation's small tracks, died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. He was 71.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office said authorities received a call believed to be from Trickle, who said "there would be a dead body and it would be his." Authorities tried to call the number back, but no one answered.

Trickle's body was found near his pickup truck at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Boger City, N.C., about 40 miles northwest of Charlotte. Sheriff's Lieutenant Tim Johnson said foul play was not suspected.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Dick Trickle on his passing today," NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said. "Dick was a legend in the short-track racing community, particularly in his home state of Wisconsin, and he was a true fan favorite. Personalities like Dick Trickle helped shape our sport. He will be missed."

Trickle earned his reputation as a successful short track driver before joining the Winston Cup series and earning rookie of the year in 1989 at age 48.

He competed in more than 300 Cup races. Although he never won a Cup race and won just two Busch Series races, Trickle earned cult status.

His unique name earned him a cult following in the 1990s.

Former ESPN anchor Keith Olbermann would regularly mention where Trickle finished after talking about each NASCAR race. It caught on and drew snickers from race fans around the country.

Bodine said there was only one way to describe Trickle, a native of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.

"Fun," Bodine said. "Just plain fun."

Trickle was never one to be told how to live his life.

"It's all just sad," Bodine said in a telephone interview. "We don't understand why he would do this. Hopefully we will all learn why he would do that. There was something that triggered him to take his own life. We are all really saddened by this in the racing community."

NASCAR does not keep track of short-track records, but according to the (Milwaukee) Journal-Sentinel, Trickle won more than 1,000 short-track races throughout the country during his prime. He was a seven-time winner in the regional ARTGO Challenge Series in the late 1970s and mid '80s. Trickle also captured the ASA AC-Delco Challenge Series in back-to-back years in 1984-85 before turning to Cup racing.

"Dick Trickle was one of the best race drivers of the '80s, no one knew how many races he won," said Humpy Wheeler, the former president of Charlotte Motor Speedway. "He was right there with Red Farmer and other short track drivers ? the wins kind of got so big that they blended into each other. He was a product of the rich Wisconsin soil, where they race eight races a week in the season, and he could win all of them."

Wheeler said he asked Trickle to try NASCAR in the 1980s, but Trickle initially declined because he was so successful on the short track circuit.

"He could not make enough money then as he could on those Midwest tracks, so he deferred," Wheeler recalled. "For a guy who really won at least 700 races, I could see why. In those days, unless you were a top Cup driver, you couldn't win enough money to overcompensate for that."

Trickle eventually did move to NASCAR, settling into Iron Station, N.C., where he lived for more than 20 years. Bodine said Trickle was full of stories and popular because of it.

"People everywhere knew his name," Bodine said. "That's why they used his likeness in that movie 'Days of Thunder.' He was such a character."

The main character in that popular niche racing movie, played by Tom Cruise, was named Cole Trickle.

Bodine said that a few years ago he had to back out of a celebrity cruise for patients who were on kidney dialysis. He asked Trickle to fill in.

"He made such an impression on people on that ship that everyone wanted to know when Dick was coming back," Bodine said. "They loved him. They tell me he was the last man to leave most of the bars on the ship and I believe it."

Bodine also recalled inviting Trickle to compete in one of his bobsled events in 2004 at Lake Placid, N.Y.

He said Trickle went down the first time and crashed. After being cleared by doctors to continue, Trickle tried again and crashed in the same place.

"They were doing interviews with him on TV and he was like, 'I don't know what happened, I did the exact same thing I did the first time,'" Bodine said. "And we're all looking at him like, hey Dick, maybe that was the problem."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/sheriff-ex-nascar-driver-dick-trickle-dead-71-225300565.html

pebble beach golf beverly hilton roland martin whitney houston dead at 48 whitney houston dead 2012 whitney houston passed away heartbreak hotel

More sleep may decrease the risk of suicide in people with insomnia

More sleep may decrease the risk of suicide in people with insomnia [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 15-May-2013
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Lynn Celmer
lcelmer@aasmnet.org
630-737-9700
American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Increased sleep duration is associated with lower likelihood of moderate or high suicide risk versus low risk

DARIEN, IL A new study found a relationship between sleep duration and suicidal thoughts in people with insomnia.

Results show that every one-hour increase in sleep duration was associated with a 72 percent decrease in the likelihood of moderate or high suicide risk, in comparison with low risk. Data were adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education and age of onset of sleep difficulties.

"We were surprised by the strength of the association between sleep duration and suicide risk," said primary author Linden Oliver, MA, clinical research coordinator for the University of Pennsylvania Behavioral Sleep Medicine Research Program in Philadelphia, Pa. "A 72 percent decrease in the likelihood of moderate or high suicide risk with a one-hour increase in sleep is interesting given the small sample size."

The research abstract was published recently in an online supplement of the journal Sleep, and Oliver will present the findings Tuesday, June 4, in Baltimore, Md., at SLEEP 2013, the 27th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC.

Data from two studies of insomnia were merged for the present analysis. Of the 471 total subjects, 73 indicated suicide risk using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview; 55 were classified as low suicide risk and 18 were classified as moderate or high risk. Subjects without any suicide risk were excluded, as the parent studies were still enrolling subjects

According to the authors, sleep loss is associated with depression, executive dysfunction and poor decision making. However, few studies have investigated the role of short sleep duration in suicidal ideation.

"These results further highlight the importance of obtaining adequate amounts of sleep," said Oliver.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reports that about 10 to 15 percent of adults have an insomnia disorder with distress or daytime impairment. According to the CDC, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for more than 38,000 deaths each year.

###

For a copy of the abstract, "Sleep duration as a predictor of moderate/high (vs low) suicide risk in insomnia," to schedule an interview with Ms. Oliver or an AASM spokesperson, or to register for a press pass to attend SLEEP 2013, please contact AASM Communications Coordinator Lynn Celmer at 630-737-9700, ext. 9364, or lcelmer@aasmnet.org.

A joint venture of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, the annual SLEEP meeting brings together an international body of more than 5,500 leading clinicians and scientists in the fields of sleep medicine and sleep research. At SLEEP 2013, more than 1,300 research abstract presentations will showcase new findings that contribute to the understanding of sleep and the effective diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnea.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine considers sleep disorders an illness that has reached epidemic proportions. Board-certified sleep medicine physicians in an AASM-accredited sleep center provide effective treatment. AASM encourages patients to talk to their doctors about sleep problems or visit http://www.sleepeducation.com for a searchable directory of sleep centers.


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


More sleep may decrease the risk of suicide in people with insomnia [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 15-May-2013
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Lynn Celmer
lcelmer@aasmnet.org
630-737-9700
American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Increased sleep duration is associated with lower likelihood of moderate or high suicide risk versus low risk

DARIEN, IL A new study found a relationship between sleep duration and suicidal thoughts in people with insomnia.

Results show that every one-hour increase in sleep duration was associated with a 72 percent decrease in the likelihood of moderate or high suicide risk, in comparison with low risk. Data were adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education and age of onset of sleep difficulties.

"We were surprised by the strength of the association between sleep duration and suicide risk," said primary author Linden Oliver, MA, clinical research coordinator for the University of Pennsylvania Behavioral Sleep Medicine Research Program in Philadelphia, Pa. "A 72 percent decrease in the likelihood of moderate or high suicide risk with a one-hour increase in sleep is interesting given the small sample size."

The research abstract was published recently in an online supplement of the journal Sleep, and Oliver will present the findings Tuesday, June 4, in Baltimore, Md., at SLEEP 2013, the 27th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC.

Data from two studies of insomnia were merged for the present analysis. Of the 471 total subjects, 73 indicated suicide risk using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview; 55 were classified as low suicide risk and 18 were classified as moderate or high risk. Subjects without any suicide risk were excluded, as the parent studies were still enrolling subjects

According to the authors, sleep loss is associated with depression, executive dysfunction and poor decision making. However, few studies have investigated the role of short sleep duration in suicidal ideation.

"These results further highlight the importance of obtaining adequate amounts of sleep," said Oliver.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reports that about 10 to 15 percent of adults have an insomnia disorder with distress or daytime impairment. According to the CDC, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for more than 38,000 deaths each year.

###

For a copy of the abstract, "Sleep duration as a predictor of moderate/high (vs low) suicide risk in insomnia," to schedule an interview with Ms. Oliver or an AASM spokesperson, or to register for a press pass to attend SLEEP 2013, please contact AASM Communications Coordinator Lynn Celmer at 630-737-9700, ext. 9364, or lcelmer@aasmnet.org.

A joint venture of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, the annual SLEEP meeting brings together an international body of more than 5,500 leading clinicians and scientists in the fields of sleep medicine and sleep research. At SLEEP 2013, more than 1,300 research abstract presentations will showcase new findings that contribute to the understanding of sleep and the effective diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnea.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine considers sleep disorders an illness that has reached epidemic proportions. Board-certified sleep medicine physicians in an AASM-accredited sleep center provide effective treatment. AASM encourages patients to talk to their doctors about sleep problems or visit http://www.sleepeducation.com for a searchable directory of sleep centers.


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-05/aaos-msm051513.php

Chuck Hagel ncaa football CES russell wilson Pokemon nhl jillian michaels

Two mayors in South Florida set to face off in MMA bout for charity

Mayors in competing cities often place bets when there sports teams face off. Quite often, they offer the city's signature foods and gifts. For this year's Super Bowl, the San Francisco mayor spent a day in service in Baltimore after the Ravens won. But two mayors in south Florida are upending that tradition. They'll be the ones competing.

Carlos Hernandez, the mayor of Hialeah, and Michael Pizzi, the mayor of Miami Lakes, plan to square off for charity. It started as a discussion over dinner -- and a few drinks -- over who could beat each other up. It snowballed from there.

Hernandez, 52, says he has trained with the Gracies, one of MMA's most important families. Pizzi has another plan.

"Carlos is an athlete into aerobics," Pizzi said to MMA Junkie. "I'm of the Tank Abbott (and) Roy Nelson school of training, which is have a six-pack of beer, get off a bar stool and knock the guy out in the first three punches."

While Nelson does like to show off his belly, he's in a bit better shape than Pizzi says.

The two mayors haven't set a date for the bout yet as they are still looking for a promoter. The Miami Herald reports the fight will take place in Hernandez's home turf of Hialeah. Money they raise from the bout will go to programs benefiting children in each mayor's city.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/two-mayors-south-florida-set-face-off-mma-150241953.html

Neverwinter George Jones tim tebow Farrah Abraham Tape farrah abraham amber heard act

Houston Area Real Estate Market Update: May 2013

HAR?(Houston Association of Realtors) has released their March numbers.

Please contact me for additional information or if you have any questions.

The Highlights are:

?

?? Single-family homes sales or up for the 22nd consecutive monthly increase, 17% higher than a year ago

?

?? The median price of existing single-family homes increased to $172,000 up 6.5% vs Mar-12.

?

?? The Average single-family home price reached the second all-time highest level of $236,195

?

?? Inventories (or homes on the market) are extremely low. While this is accounting for the higher sales, median, and average price increases, the appraisals are not caught up to market yet. This means that buyers may not qualify for a home mortgage or have to pay the difference out of pocket.

Still great signs that the market?is becoming a sellers? market; this just goes to show, that even more, you need a qualified Real Estate Consultant on your side.

Contact me directly for more information:

Jodie ?Queen Bee? Collins

832-858-3134

jodiecollins@kw.com

jodiecollins.com

?

Source: http://jodiecollins.com/wordpress/?p=696

Adam Lanza cnbc dexter dexter paul mccartney Sandy Hook Victims columbine

A Small Business Owner Explains the Hard Facts of Obamacare to ...

CaduceusPublic DomainThere's been a lot of discussion about the challenges faced by businesses large and small in managing health care costs, especially as those costs escalate and as employers' options are increasingly limited by the strictures imposed by Obamacare. An even clearer picture of the dilemma small firms face is offered by a peek inside their internal deliberations, including the trade-offs that companies have to offer their employees in order to keep them reasonably content, as well as control costs and comply with the law. The following memo was sent to employees of Capterra, a Virginia-based firm that serves as a marketplace for business software, by Michael Ortner, the company's president. Capterra has just 23 employees, so it's subject to fewer restrictions than larger employers (especially those with more than 50 employees) but has fewer resources and less bargaining power than larger companies, too.

Ortner is no stranger to political debate, having written on health care issues for public consumption, and this memo includes some (informed) policy discussion. But the memo also outlines the hard choices the company has to make as it decides what (and whether) to offer employees in the way of health coverage. With permission, I've included the whole memo including political discussion, with one name excised, so you get everything in context.

Hey everyone,

Following up on [N]'s email, I wanted to give to give some more background as to why we are considering a switch. ?In fact, I will take this as an opportunity to dive deeper into the health insurance world. Unfortunately, given the times we live in, we can no longer afford to be in the dark on this stuff. ?We have some tough choices ahead of us, if not now, then likely in a year or two. ?First, the short answer...

We're considering a switch from CareFirst to United because CareFirst is increasing their rates by 28%. ?We may be able to switch to United without any increase in our premiums for the next year; our insurance guy will confirm this over the next couple weeks. ?The last time I checked, CareFirst and United are the two largest health insurance providers in the country. ?We would be moving from CareFirst's best plan (zero deductible in network and no need to see your primary physician before seeing a specialist) to United's best plan (also zero deductible in network and no need to to see your primary physician before seeing a specialist) and maintaining the same arrangement where Capterra pays 100% of premiums for individuals and 75% for families. ?

I know that some of us use doctors that do not take CareFirst and my guess is that some of your doctors do not take United. ?In fact, I know of some doctors who have dropped all insurance over the last 12 months so whatever program we go with will not be perfect. ?That said, I am happy to look at other insurance providers if your doctor does not take United. ?Please ask them what insurance plans they do accept and I will have our guy look into those plans. ?If we hear a common theme, then that would certainly increase the likelihood that we would go with that insurance plan if the price is right. ?If you would like more time to investigate then we can extend our deadline a month. ?We have the option of switching over on June 1 or July 1.

And now the long answer, but please keep reading. ?:-)

Health benefits are our third highest cost, after payroll and search ads, but now more than our rent. ?A 28% increase is significant. ?We essentially have four options:

1) Keep the exact same CareFirst plan, and have Capterra swallow the cost. ?Individuals currently pay 0% of their premiums (which are around $500/month) but families pay 25% (of their $1500 monthly premiums). ?So the families would also pay more for their 25% share. ?The higher cost for Capterra would reduce our ability to hire, give raises, etc.

2) Keep the exact same CareFirst plan, and start charging both individuals and families 25% of the premiums. ?(Most companies, yes even Google, that provide health insurance benefits to their employees have them pay 25-50% of their monthly premiums.)

3) Keep CareFirst but subscribe to a cheaper plan that includes an in-network deductible. ?This basically means if you ever visit your doctor, you will be paying the first 1k or whatever the deductible is in expenses that year.

4) Switch to a different top tier plan from a a different insurance provider such as United that for whatever reason has not increased their premiums yet and not change anything (yet) about how we pay for everyone's insurance.?

5) Stop paying heath care benefits, pay people cash instead and encourage everyone to do health savings accounts (they are not taxed!) and buy catastrophic plans with part of the cash. ?More on this later.

#4 seems like the least painful solution for everyone here. ?Again, please let me know what other insurance plans your doctors take if they do not take United and I can have our insurance guy research it. ?Also, if you have any input regarding the other options I mentioned I'd love hear it.

You may be wondering how the health insurance industry got to be so convoluted. ?Let me explain why and it requires going back in history a bit:

Back in the 1940s, our federal government enacted wage controls that restricted what some businesses could pay their employees. ?(There were smart people who spoke out against this terrible idea but unfortunately not enough.) ?This resulted in businesses looking for other ways to compensate their employees and the IRS decided that it would not treat benefits such as health insurance as taxable wages. ?Until then people generally paid medical fees out of pocket in the same way they paid for virtually anything else out of pocket. ?The fees up until were relatively small for two reasons: ?1) medicine was not very advanced so when something catastophric happened there was not often much that could be done to help the patient and therefore no huge expenses were incurred and 2) since people were paying their doctors directly it was a very efficient and fair market.?

So 70 years later, even though the wage controls thankfully disappeared, the IRS treatment of health insurance did not. ?Health insurance benefits continue to not be taxed as income. ?At first glance by the uninformed citizen (such as me until a few years ago), this appears to be a good thing. ?But in reality it is actually a terrible thing. ?Here is why. ?

First, let's look at the first obvious and intended consequence: ?while our total compensation remains the same whether we are getting salary plus health benefits or all of it in the form of salary, our freedom to decide how much of our salary to spend on health benefits is lost. ?And many of us would and should spend less than we do on health benefits. ?For example, there is no way most 23 year old single people should be spending $500/month on health insurance. ?That's a bad deal for most 23 years olds and if given the choice most should take atleast half of that in cash and save it/invest it. ?23 year olds are already getting stuck with higher premiums on auto insurance since they are higher risk drivers; by the same principle, they should be paying much lower premiums since they are generally less at risk health-wise.

But that's just the start. ?Other unintended consequences that have gradually worsened over the last 70 years:

1) Irrespective of much we decide to spend, we lack freedom in choosing the specific plan that is right for us when we receive it as a benefit from our employer.

2) If we decide to buy health insurance directly (10% of Americans do), we are discriminated against since we do not receive the same treatment from the IRS. ?We have to use post tax dollars to purchase it. ?This is completely unjust and should be the first thing on an political leader's agenda when it comes to solving the healthcare problem. ?Either everyone should pay taxes on them or noone should.

3) When we develop a treatable medical condition, we are out of luck if we leave our employer since our insurance was tied to that employer and we now have a pre-existing condition.

4) The worst of all...because most of us receive our heathcare as a benefit, we are completely separated from any real knowledge of our actual expenses. ?This is the major reason why our healthcare expenses are now through the roof.

The beginning of a solution is relatively simple:

1) Allow individuals to deduct their health insurance from their taxes (just like they essentially can if they receive them as a benefit)

2) Have employers get out of healthcare as a benefit and instead kick that money into the salaries of their employees

3) Allow people to buy health insurance from any provider across the country (also not currently allowed)

4) Allow insurance companies to offer plans that are primarily catastrophic in nature (also not currently allowed due to over-regulation)

Oh yes, and elect principled political leaders who have the guts to to offer real solutions like this instead of the misery that is happening now. ?It was bad prior to the most recent healthcare legislation; it is now way worse. ?For example, one big reason that our rates are skyrocketing is that it is becoming illegal for CareFirst and all other health insurance companies to deny someone with a preexisting condition. ?What insurance provider in their right mind would cover someone new who say, just contracted flesh eating bacteria, for example? ?It's the equivalent of a home insurance provider accepting a new customer whose house was already burning down. ?People can now pay a small fine/tax, and not get insurance until they get a major health problem and then the insurance provider has to accept them at the same rate that everyone else is paying. ?This is just plain stupid; it violates the entire point of insurance and will result in people gaming the system. ?It tries to solve a problem by dealing with the symptom. ?Anyone who has a preexisting condition (exclude the poor - 15% of population - who are covered by Medicaid) should be on their own insurance plan that they have been purchasing since they rolled off their parents plan. ?(It's slightly more complicated than that but I'm trying to be brief.)

Anyway, why am I saying all this? ?Everyone needs to be educated on this stuff because it is impacting all of us. ?And more to the point, assuming United works for this coming year, my guess is that rates will go up next year, and we'll go through this again. ?And I think we should seriously consider #5 next year or atleast do #2.

In the meantime, we need to decide whether to do #4 and switch to United or #2 which means sticking with CareFirst and having all employees start paying 25% of premiums. ?Guessing most of you would pick #4, but please let me know.

I'm simply trying to be fully transparent and help everyone be more informed! ?Anyway...please let me know if you have any questions. ?Happy to host a roundtable or discuss individually if you have questions. ?Sorry if this seemed convoluted. ?:-)

- Mike

Michael Ortner
Capterra, Inc.

By the way, you've probably already heard that calculating the size of a company for the purposes of Obamacare compliance isn't as simple as counting the names on the payroll, but rather is a matter of "full-time equivalent" employees. as Businessweek explained in March, "[t]he FTE calculation considers full-time any employee who is scheduled or has worked more than 40 hours per week, averaged over a month. So if you have two part-timers who work 20 hours a week, they would count as one FTE." *

Where things get interesting is with companies that have fluctuating staff needs, depending on short-term jobs and shifting contracts. As that same article explained to a business owner whose staff varied from 37-53:

A business like yours, which employs variable-hour workers who may work 40 hours one week and not at all other weeks, must add up the total hours those employees worked in a year. Divide that number by 2,080 (which represents 40 hours/week times 52 weeks in a year) and you?ll get the number of FTEs your company employs.

Got it? So figure out how many employees you have, and start parsing your options, just like the folks at Capterra.

* Jonathan Ingram, Director of Research at the Florida Foundation for Government Accountability, tweets to me that this is wrong. Says he, "BusinessWeek is wrong. FTE not 40 hrs. All part-time hours are added together and the total is divided by 120 hours per month. ... See 26 U.S.C. ?4980H(c)(2)(E) for the exact language. Hope no small businesses are misled by the BusinessWeek article!"

Now imagine small businesses wading through this crap ...

Source: http://reason.com/blog/2013/05/14/a-small-business-owner-explains-the-hard

Amy Poehler Australian Open Girls Hbo Golden Globes homeland homeland Miss America 2013

96% Blancanieves

All Critics (48) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (45) | Rotten (2)

Most films are experiences to be ignored or at best forgotten. "Blancanieves" is a little classic to be treasured.

It is a full-bodied silent film of the sort that might have been made by the greatest directors of the 1920s, if such details as the kinky sadomasochism of this film's evil stepmother could have been slipped past the censors.

Blancanieves, which won 10 Goyas (Spain's equivalent of the Oscars) and was a smash hit in its native Spain, has traces of a kinky undertone and an uncommon willingness to embrace the darkness inherent in this fairy tale.

As if bewitched, the legend of Snow White is transferred to Seville in the early twentieth century and transformed into high melodrama.

Sensuous, mischievous, hotblooded retelling of the old Teutonic fairy tale.

This gorgeous silent film is an unexpected gift from the gods of pure cinema.

The story might be familiar, but Berger's film is so beautifully shot and so wonderfully scored - and so distinctively Spanish - that it stands as its own film.

Blancanieves holds to the structure, but not strictures, of the source fairy tale.

A new, purely silent movie from Spain that never once speaks and doesn't need to speak. What's more, it seems to get the infinite possibilities of silence, and how much passion can come from it.

Berger's film doesn't show loyalty to any traditional version of Snow White. Berger's Blancanieves takes a darker approach, which seems appropriate.

A completely enchanting fairy tale about the vicissitudes of fate, in live action and glorious black and white.

The fun in the Spanish "Blancanieves" is the way it plays with our expectations.

May not have much depth to its characters or particular surprise, but its lovely depiction of family's ability to harm and mend has the flair of flamenco and the sorrow of opera.

No, "Blancanieves" isn't subtle, but it's an unforgettable time at the movies.

Inspired filmmaking steeped in the imagery of silent film history, a dark Iberian strain of Roman Catholicism and the magic of fairy tales.

... lusty and heartfelt, fiery flamenco and spirited country jig. Don't go expecting a Disney-fied fable. Berger seasons with S&M and the kind of macabre touches you'd expect in vintage Browning or Bunuel.

If not for some faintly disturbing imagery and a pleasingly feminist heroine, you could mistake this for a movie actually made in the 1920s (and even those two factors weren't utterly unknown then).

A loving tribute to European silent films of the 1920s; a reminder that cinema need not be constrained by words.

By the time the film arrives at its grand theatrical finale, you're almost prepared for Berger's last great twist. Almost.

this beautifully shot and imaginatively told fairy tale should be seen my many, but only a few will likely get to enjoy it. This is a shame for the audience it is intended for.

This film is simply gorgeous, pure beauty on film, a vision that leaves you breathless and reeling.

Much of the film's emotion is conveyed by Alfonso de Vilallonga's music, which celebrates Spain with uptempo guitar and flamenco when it isn't tipping its hat to Bernard Herrmann during a scene inspired by Hitchcock.

No quotes approved yet for Blancanieves. Logged in users can submit quotes.

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

sean young juan pablo montoya free pancakes at ihop martina navratilova high school shooting ohio school shooting sean young arrested

Significant improvement in performance of solar-powered hydrogen generation

May 15, 2013 ? Using a powerful combination of microanalytic techniques that simultaneously image photoelectric current and chemical reaction rates across a surface on a micrometer scale, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have shed new light on what may become a cost-effective way to generate hydrogen gas directly from water and sunlight.

Their quarry is a potentially efficient, cost-effective, photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell -- essentially a solar cell that produces hydrogen gas instead of electric current. "A major challenge with solar energy is dealing with solar intermittency," says NIST chemical engineer Daniel Esposito. "We demand energy constantly, but the sun's not always going to be shining, so there's an important need to convert solar energy into a form we can use when the sun's not out. For large-scale energy storage or transportation, hydrogen has a lot of benefits."

At its simplest, a PEC cell contains a semiconducting photoelectrode that absorbs photons and converts them into energetic electrons, which are used to facilitate chemical reactions that split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen gases. It's not that easy. The best PEC cell has been demonstrated with an efficiency around 12.5 percent,* says Esposito. But, "it's been estimated that such a cell would be extremely expensive -- thousands of dollars per square meter -- and they also had issues with stability," he says. One big problem is that the semiconductors used to achieve the best conversion efficiency also tend to be highly susceptible to corrosion by the cell's water-based electrolyte. A PEC electrode that is efficient, stable and economical to produce has been elusive.

The NIST team's proposed solution is a silicon-based device using a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) design that can overcome the efficiency/stability trade-off. The key is to deposit a very thin, but very uniform, layer of silicon dioxide -- an insulator -- on top of the semiconductor -- silicon -- that is well-suited for doing the photon-gathering work. On top of that is a polka-dot array of tiny electrodes consisting of platinum-covered titanium. The stable oxide layer protects the semiconductor from the electrolyte, but it's thin enough and transparent enough that the photons will travel through it to the semiconductor, and the photo-generated electrons will "tunnel" in the opposite direction to reach the electrodes, where the platinum catalyzes the reaction that produces hydrogen.

The MIS device requires good production controls -- the oxide layer in particular has to be deposited precisely -- but Esposito notes that they used fabrication techniques that are standard in the electronics industry, which has decades of experience in building low-cost, silicon-based devices.

To study the system in detail, the NIST team scanned the surface of the device with a laser beam, illuminating only a small portion at a time to record photocurrent with micrometer resolution. In tandem with the beam, they also tracked an "ultramicroelectrode" across the surface to measure the rate of molecular hydrogen generation, the chemical half of the reaction.** The combination allowed them to observe two bonus effects of the MIS photoelectrode design: a secondary mechanism for hydrogen generation caused by the channeling of electrons through the oxide layer, and a more efficient transport of electrons to the reaction site than predicted.

The NIST team calculates an efficiency of 2.9 percent for their device, which also exhibits excellent stability during operation. While this efficiency is far lower than more costly designs, they note that it is 15 times better than previously reported results for similar silicon-based MIS devices, and the new data from their microanalysis of the system points towards several potential routes to improving performance. The detailed results are found in Nature Materials.

Notes:

* In the 90s by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

** Technically, scanning photocurrent microscopy (SPCM) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM).

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/matter_energy/electronics/~3/vxDHSsxLN4Q/130515125118.htm

USA VS Mexico Alexis DeJoria Marshall Henderson Tubby Smith Marriage Equality opm passover

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Potentially explosive devices found in L.A. apartment

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? A police bomb squad searched an apartment Wednesday afternoon after finding explosive material in a man's car and potentially explosive devices in his apartment.

The bomb squad went to the apartment complex in the Palms neighborhood of an area of the city known as Westside after officers stopped a man for improper vehicle registration Tuesday night and spotted a clear liquid that was concerning, said Los Angeles police Sgt. Rudy Lopez. They also found a gun and narcotics, and the man was arrested.

An analysis of the liquid determined there was "an explosive component" to it, Lopez said.

That discovery led to Wednesday's search of the man's apartment, where multiple homemade devices were found that might be explosive. No search warrant was involved because the man gave consent and the situation was urgent, Lopez said.

Four buildings were evacuated and several blocks sealed off.

"There are items out there that are highly concerning," Lopez said. "We don't know exactly what's in them at this time, but we're going to play it safe, assess it, remove it."

Lt. Andrew Neiman said the bomb squad was in the process of rendering safe several devices found in the building.

The man has not yet been formally booked because investigators are still determining the extent of the alleged crimes, Lopez said. He said it's likely he will be booked for felony possession of a destructive device.

Police are withholding the man's name until the investigation has concluded.

"He's not going anywhere," Lopez said.

LAPD spokesman Sgt. Frank Preciado said there was "no terrorist connection whatsoever."

"This appears to be an individual who was just very curious with explosive devices and then manufactured them," Preciado said.

During the evacuation, residents were directed to a nearby shelter being managed by the Red Cross.

Los Angeles firefighters and Culver City police are assisting the department. The LAPD's criminal conspiracy unit and Hazmat team are also investigating.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/los-angeles-apartment-evacuated-devices-found-195803788.html

kentucky jayhawks wwe wrestlemania oakland shooting mega millions winning numbers autism speaks ubaldo jimenez

Reds top?Marlins? |? Cardinals dismiss Mets

By STEVEN WINE

AP Sports Writer

Associated Press Sports

updated 10:35 p.m. ET May 14, 2013

MIAMI (AP) - One pitch from being pulled, and one strike from victory, Homer Bailey unleashed a 97 mph fastball to finish off the Marlins.

With his 125th pitch - a career high - Bailey completed a six-hitter and helped the Cincinnati Reds extend their winning streak to four games by beating Miami 6-2 Tuesday night.

Bailey went to a full count on the final batter, Greg Dobbs, and wouldn't have faced another, manager Dusty Baker said.

"We were counting pitches in the ninth inning," Baker said. "We were like, `Come on, Homer. Quit fouling them off, Dobbs."'

Dobbs finally lined out weakly, and Bailey earned his first victory since April 5. The Reds climbed a season-best seven games above .500 as they began a nine-game trip.

The Marlins, who have the NL's worst record, lost their third game in a row and fell to 5-12 at home.

Bailey (2-3) tied a career high with 10 strikeouts and walked none in his fourth complete game. He was glad to give the Reds' relievers a break.

"They've been griping at me," he said. "The last couple of games I only went five or six. It's about time I gave them a day off."

The right-hander has endured spotty run support this season, but the Reds scored five times in the second inning to go ahead 6-1.

"With that kind of lead I was just trying to be really aggressive," Bailey said.

He retired his final eight batters and allowed only four hits over the final 8 2-3 innings.

"He worked with tremendous control," Miami's Adeiny Hechavarria said. "He located the pitches where he wanted and fooled us several times."

A brief, uncharacteristic bout of wildness proved costly for Ricky Nolasco (2-5), who gave up six runs in five innings. He hit a batter with a pitch and walked two - both with the bases loaded.

Xavier Paul hit a three-run double for the Reds. Brandon Phillips, who began the night tied for the NL lead in RBIs, drove in two runs.

Joey Votto drove in a run and had three hits to hike his average to .322. Ryan Hanigan added two hits to raise his average to .149.

Miami batted rookies Derek Dietrich and Marcell Ozuna third and fourth, but the strategy failed to jump-start an offense ranked last in the majors in runs, batting average and homers.

The Marlins have totaled three runs in Nolasco's past three starts. Manager Mike Redmond blamed the feeble attack for Nolasco's costly bases on balls.

"It kind of stems from our offense, with him going out there he knows he can't give up much," Redmond said. "He's trying to be perfect; he ends up walking a couple of guys."

Cincinnati broke the game open in the second inning, when they scored five times with two outs. Nolasco hit Shin-Soo Choo with a pitch and, after the Reds loaded the bases, walked Votto and Phillips to force in runs.

Nolasco then grooved a 3-1 pitch to Paul, who hit a three-run double.

"One out away - frustrating," Nolasco said. "I've been doing a good job of staying away from that big crooked inning all year but it got me today."

A five-run lead was plenty for Bailey.

"Homer to me has turned into one of those guys where you could maybe consider him the ace of your staff," Votto said. "He has consistently gotten better over his career, and it's really impressive to see him improve and grow."

NOTES: With a temperature of 77 degrees at game time, the retractable roof was open for the ninth time this season. It was open only eight times last year. ... Reds OF Chris Heisey, who is on the disabled list, aggravated a strained right hamstring Monday playing for Double-A Pensacola. His projected date to rejoin the team was pushed back to next week. ... Cincinnati LHP Manny Parra, on the DL with a strained left pectoral muscle, began a rehab assignment Monday with Pensacola and threw one scoreless inning. ... The Reds flipped RHP Mat Latos and LHP Tony Cingrani in the rotation to give the latter extra rest as he deals with shoulder soreness. Latos will now start the series finale Thursday, and Cingrani will pitch Friday in Philadelphia. ... Reds RF Jay Bruce, who had played in every game, was given the night off. ... The Marlins began the homestand averaging 18,865 fans per game, which ranked ahead of three other teams: Oakland, Tampa Bay and Cleveland.

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


advertisement

More newsGetty Images
Only the Yankees

Joe Posnanski: Vernon Wells is just the latest example of a seemingly washed-up or borderline player becoming a useful piece in pinstripes. How do the Yankees do it?

Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/51886008/ns/sports-baseball/

Butch Jones Star Trek Into Darkness Heisman watch John McAfee Jenny Rivera Pacquiao vs Marquez 4 pacquiao

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Retail sales edge up, show some strength in economy

By Lucia Mutikani

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Retail sales unexpectedly rose in April as households bought automobiles, building materials and a range of other goods, pointing to underlying strength in the economy in the face of government austerity.

The Commerce Department said on Monday retail sales edged up 0.1 percent after a 0.5 percent decline in March. Economists had expected retail sales, which account for about 30 percent of consumer spending, to drop 0.3 percent last month.

"The overall tone of this report was quite encouraging as it suggests that U.S. consumers are continuing to successfully navigate against the steady fiscal headwinds," said Millan Mulraine at TD Securities in New York.

The dollar rose against the yen and the euro, while prices for U.S. Treasury debt fell. U.S. stocks retreated from record highs in the previous session, but the retail sales data helped to limit losses.

So-called core sales, which strip out automobiles, gasoline and building materials and correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of gross domestic product, increased 0.5 percent after nudging up 0.1 percent in March.

The increase in core sales, coming on the heels of relatively strong job growth over the last three months, should help to ally fears of an abrupt slowdown in the economy early in the second quarter even as government budget cuts are starting to put a strain on manufacturing.

The gains prompted economists at JPMorgan to raise their second-quarter gross domestic product growth estimate by half a percentage point to 2 percent.

The economy grew at a modest 2.5 percent annual rate in the first three months of the year.

Second-quarter growth could also get a boost from inventories, after businesses kept lean stocks in the first three months of the year. A second report from the Commerce Department showed business inventories were flat in March for a second straight month.

FALLING GAS PRICES HELPING

Growth is being crimped by the end of a 2 percent payroll tax cut and higher tax rates for wealthy Americans, which kicked in on January 1. Across-the-board government spending cuts worth about $85 billion are also a drag.

But declining gasoline prices, which fell 14 cents in April, are helping to offset some of the drag on household income, freeing up money for discretionary spending.

"The message in today's numbers is that consumers are coming back to stores in the second quarter, in part because some of the price relief from lower gas prices is being spent elsewhere," said Chris Low, chief economist at FTN Financial in New York.

The tone of the retail sales report was mostly firm. Receipts at auto dealerships rose 1.0 percent after falling 0.6 percent in March. Excluding autos, sales dipped 0.1 percent after falling 0.4 percent in March.

Though falling gasoline prices pushed down receipts at gasoline stations, sales excluding gasoline recorded their largest increase since December.

Stripping out gasoline and autos, sales rose 0.6 percent.

Sales at building materials and garden equipment suppliers increased 1.5 percent, the largest rise since September. That reflects gains in homebuilding as the housing market recovery gains momentum.

Receipts at clothing stores rose 1.2 percent, the biggest increase since February last year.

Sales at sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores gained 0.5 percent. Receipts at electronics and appliances stores increased 0.8 percent, while sales at furniture stores were flat. Sales at restaurants and bars also increased.

However, receipts at grocery stores fell.

(Editing by Andrea Ricci)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/retail-sales-edge-show-strength-economy-123207459.html

marianas trench camille grammer camille grammer us supreme court breaking dawn part 2 trailer mississippi state chris carpenter

GOP governors want special prosecutor in IRS case

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Two Republican governors are urging President Barack Obama to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the Internal Revenue Service's admission that it targeted conservative political groups.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker call the allegations "Big Brother come to life."

They want a special prosecutor to find out if any laws were broken and say Obama should fire any IRS employees responsible for the situation.

The IRS has apologized for what it calls "inappropriate" targeting of conservative political groups. The agency targeted groups during the 2010 congressional elections and the 2012 presidential election.

Jindal is the chairman of the Republican Governors Association and Walker is the group's vice chairman. Both are potential presidential candidates in 2016.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/gop-governors-want-special-prosecutor-irs-case-151532487.html

sasha baron cohen stacy keibler stacy keibler oscar red carpet daytona 500 start time ryan zimmerman oscars red carpet

Flipboard update lets you track the stats of your magazines, find content from friends faster

Flipboard update lets track the stats of your magazines, find content from friends faster

Flipboard has been updated, adding several improvements, with new profile pages, easier sharing, and the ability to save images directly to your Camera Roll. Profile pages now give you statistics on the magazines you create, such as how many articles you have, as well as the number of readers. They also show you your magazines and the articles in them, allowing you to manage your existing content directly from your page.

It?s also easier to discover content by the people you follow, not just on Flipboard but also the social networks connected to it. Open the Content Guide and under you name you?ll see a new section, Friends, which contains a new content section, Flips by Friends. This section contains not only content from magazines that you have subscribed to, but also content shared to Flipboard by those you follow through various social media outlets.

There were a number of smaller tweaks as well. Sharing has become a little easier with the redesigned sharing menu. The new menu allows easier access to sharing options, while now allowing users to share articles and magazines through SMS. You can now also save images to your Camera Roll. When viewing an image item, like something from Instagram, for example, tap the share menu and hit the 'Save to Camera Roll' button. Finally, Flipboard now has improved navigation for Google Reader folders.

The update is now available on the App Store.

    


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/7AfD9M8GaqE/story01.htm

Funny Valentines Chris Kyle Russian meteor Meteor Hits Russia Dorner Manifesto Valentines Day Quotes nerlens noel

Monday, May 13, 2013

Donations, lobbying by high-speed traders on the rise: report

By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - High-frequency trading firms increased their campaign contributions to federal lawmakers by 673 percent from the 2008 to the 2012 election cycle, according to a report that sheds light on their political connections in Washington and efforts to impact policymaking.

The report by the Washington-based nonprofit watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) comes as U.S. financial market regulators mull whether new rules should be adopted to rein in high-speed traders, whom some critics accuse of harming smaller investors.

It compiles the campaign and lobbying records for 48 different firms like Citadel Investments, Getco, Knight Capital , Virtu Financial LLC and Tradeworx which engage in high-speed trading, a strategy that uses lightning-fast computers to search for ways to take advantage of tiny price moves in the marketplace.

It also identifies lawmakers who raked in the most campaign dollars over the course of three election cycles from high-frequency traders, with some of the biggest recipients from New York and Illinois, home to the country's two largest financial hubs.

The increases in campaign and lobbying spending marks a shift from just a few short years ago, when high-speed traders still were not well-known to the public and did not have much of a presence on Capitol Hill.

The Futures Industry Association sought to change that in 2010 with the creation of the FIA Principal Traders Group, a trade association representing the interests of high-speed firms.

The biggest event that got Washington more focused on high-speed trading was the May 6, 2010 "flash crash," in which the Dow plunged roughly 700 points before sharply rebounding.

In the aftermath of the "flash crash," regulators determined the plunge was not due to high-speed traders. The way those firms behaved during the event itself, however, helped spark a dialogue about whether new regulations were needed for high-speed trading firms.

High-frequency traders have generally argued against many of the proposed regulations that have been publicly debated, such as charging them for generating excessive message traffic or taking steps to forcibly slow the trading down.

Proponents of the practice say it brings much-needed liquidity to the market.

Melanie Sloan, the executive director of CREW, said the report published on Monday, titled "Rise of the Machines," demonstrates a typical Washington trend.

"An industry that is not a big player in Washington suddenly sees potential regulatory action coming down the pipe, and low and behold, it starts to make campaign contributions and having lobbying expenditures," she said. "That is what we see here with the huge increases."

CREW's report does not draw any conclusions about what impact the ramp up in campaign and lobbying spending has had over the past five years.

U.S. regulators have still not taken any steps toward imposing new regulations on the firms, despite a string of high-profile market events over the past few years.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has said it is still collecting data on high-speed trading activities to help it formulate its policy views.

Last year, regulators shifted gears to focus more on how to keep technology errors from spiraling out of control after a glitch at Knight Capital led to a $440 million trading loss and nearly toppled the firm.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is expected sometime in the coming months to issue a broad release asking a series of questions about high-speed trading and whether new rules are needed.

BIG GIVERS

CREW's report found that since 2008 - the height of the financial crisis - the firms included in the study collectively spent $10 million to lobby Congress, the SEC and the CFTC.

Much of that spending occurred between 2009-2010, the period that includes both the "flash crash" and the time frame in which the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform law was debated, drafted and enacted.

For campaign contributions, the firms collectively went from spending just $2.1 million in the 2008 cycle, to $16.1 million in the 2012 cycle - a 673 percent increase.

The biggest single donor over the three election cycles reviewed, CREW said, was Renaissance Technologies - a New York-based hedge fund.

While the hedge fund is not considered a high-speed trading firm, CREW said it included the fund in its report because it is known to deploy some "high-frequency strategies."

Over the three election cycles reviewed, it gave $13.8 million in donations, CREW said.

A second high-speed trading firm, Quantab Financial, also ramped up its giving considerably.

The Texas-based firm, which employs Patton Boggs as one of its top lobbying shops, increased its campaign contributions from just $8,300 in the 2008 cycle to more than $1.1 million in the 2012 cycle, the report says.

BIG WINNERS?

It is not a shock that many of the recipients of the big high-speed trading bucks come from New York, home to Wall Street, or Illinois- the home to the CME Group and the Chicago Board Options Exchange .

Perhaps what is more surprising is that the largest single recipient of donations from high-speed trading is Illinois Republican Senator Mark Kirk.

While Kirk does hail from a state that is home to the CME Group and sits on the Senate Banking Committee in charge of overseeing the issue, he has publicly said very little if anything on the topic of high-speed trading compared with some of his other Senate colleagues.

By contrast, the lawmaker who has received the second-largest chunk of change from high-speed trading firms - New York Democratic Senator Charles Schumer - has been very vocal.

On several different occasions, Schumer has pushed for more regulation of high-speed firms, including a proposal that would force them to take on "market maker" obligations so they could not pull out of markets during a crisis the way they did in the flash crash.

The report by CREW can be found here: www.citizensforethics.org/hftraders

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; editing by Andrew Hay)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/donations-lobbying-high-speed-traders-rise-report-170239978.html

carlina white Sam Champion Engaged Infield fly rule Taken 2 Venezuela Elections Skyfall Chicago Marathon 2012