Ag secretary sees common ground on gun control

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the Newtown school shootings have changed the gun control debate and that rural America is ready to be part of a national conversation that he believes could bring people together.

Vilsack says the debate has to start with respect for the Second Amendment right to bear arms and a recognition that hunting is a way of life for millions of Americans.

But Vilsack said that the nation has reached "a different circumstance" in the gun control debate. It will take time, but it's now "potentially a unifying conversation," he said. President Barack Obama recognizes that changes to gun laws can't just be decreed from Washington but must come from the "grassroots up."

Vilsack was interviewed Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-12-30-Gun%20Control-Vilsack/id-855cbbdf90934a4db7b2415548608251

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Crime rate surged during 2012 | Pakistan Today | Latest news ...

RAWALPINDI?-?The crime rate in Rawalpindi has surged this year despite sweeping claims regarding strict security arrangements by the authorities. According to statistics collected by APP in this regard, around 1,050 vehicles and 760 motorcycles were stolen in 2012, compared to 1,255 vehicles and 805 motorcycles stolen in 2011. However recovery of these vehicles remained very slow this year.

Statistics showed that despite the presence of 20 police check-posts at entry and exit points of the city, there was no let up in the crime rate and there were frequent reports of crimes including murders, attempted murders, kidnappings for ransom, robberies and street crimes. More than 4,500 similar cases were registered in the city this year while stolen items were recovered in 300 cases only.

The total number of cases recorded in 2012 was over 17,000. Around 255 murder cases were registered during the year while 12 persons were killed during robberies. A total of 490 attempted murder cases were also registered in 2012.

The Rawalpindi Police registered 3,127 cases against drug peddlers and liquor was recovered in 205 cases. Around 2,200 cases were also registered on the recovery of illegal weapons.

Several crimes in different areas also went unreported.

The Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer had shuffled several SHOs in response to the rise in crime but no significant improvement had been seen so far.

According to the City Police Officer (CPO) efforts were being made to control crime in the city. He said senior police officers had been directed to regularly monitor the situation and performance of police officials. ?All available resources are being utilised to control crime and foolproof security arrangements have been made in public places,? he added.

Solid steps to change the traditional ?thana? culture and improve the image of the police have also been taken, he said.

The CPO said ?Khuli Kutcharies? were being held regularly to address grievances.

Stressing the need for concerted efforts, he said people should come forward to play their due role as joint efforts by law enforcement agencies and the general public will have to be made to eliminate crime from the society.

It is the responsibility of police officers to act in accordance with the law and strict action is being taken against negligent police officials he said.

Source: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/12/31/city/islamabad/crime-rate-surged-during-2012-2/

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sharmajhon: The Financial Aid Handbook: Getting the Education ...

Dec 28, 2012

Nex Library ? Education & Reference ? Afford, Education, Financial, Getting, Handbook, Paperback, Price, Want ?

Carol Stack is the former Director of Admissions at Macalester College and Augsburg College. For the past 15 years, Stack has worked as a principal at Hardwick-Day, an enrollment consulting firm that works with the admissions and financial aid offices of private colleges and universities. Through Hardwick-Day, she has consulted on financial aid policy at dozens of colleges, including Whittier, Grinnell, Mills, Randolph-Macon, and Xavier University.Ruth Vedvik has held the position of Director of Admissions at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Ball State University, and Agnes Scott College. For the past 9 years, Vedvik has worked as a principal at Hardwick-Day, an enrollment consulting firm that works with the admissions and financial aid offices of private colleges and universities. Through Hardwick-Day, she has consulted on financial aid policy at dozens of colleges, including Whittier, Grinnell, Mills, Randolph-Macon, and Xavier University.

(Continue Reading >>>)

Source: http://www.nexlibrary.org/the-financial-aid-handbook-getting-the-education-you-want-for-the-price-you-can-afford-paperback/

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Source: http://sharmajhon56.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-financial-aid-handbook-getting.html

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Peterson, Vikings top Pack 37-34 to make playoffs

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ? Adrian Peterson picked up the Minnesota Vikings and gave them a thrilling ride to the playoffs, where the next stop on this improbable journey is, yes, Green Bay.

This game was so full of action, intrigue and tension they're going to stage it again next weekend.

Peterson finished 9 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record, but he still powered the Vikings past the Packers 37-34 Sunday with 199 yards to set up a rematch at Lambeau Field in a first-round playoff game.

"I told myself to come into this game focused on one thing, and that's winning," Peterson said.

Peterson rumbled around the left side of the line for a 27-yard gain in the closing seconds, his career-high 34th carry exactly one year after reconstructive surgery on his left knee. That set up Blair Walsh's 29-yard field goal as time expired and put the Vikings (10-6) in the postseason after consecutive last-place finishes.

"For our guys to be as resilient as they were, it has you swelling with pride," coach Leslie Frazier said.

The division champion Packers (11-5) dropped to the NFC's No. 3 seed. Their five-game winning streak against the Vikings ended.

"I had a feeling that we had the game in the bag the whole game," Vikings cornerback Chris Cook said. "It was just a vibe that I had on the sideline, in how we were carrying ourselves."

Aaron Rodgers completed 28 of 40 passes for 365 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions, connecting with Jordy Nelson from 2 yards to tie the game with 2:54 remaining. But Christian Ponder threw for three scores, including one to Peterson.

Ponder went 16 for 28 for 234 yards, including a 65-yard zinger in stride to Jarius Wright midway through the fourth quarter that set up Ponder's third touchdown toss.

"It's disappointing. A lot of us wanted that extra week," Rodgers said.

Peterson finished with 2,097 yards, becoming the seventh player in NFL history to reach the 2,000 mark. He had to work for it, pulling out all the cutbacks, stutter-steps and spins he could find in his exceptional skill set. His longest run was only 28 yards against a defense geared to slow him down, and the first contact often came at, near or behind the line of scrimmage.

"It wasn't meant to happen, or it would've happened. Not to say it doesn't hurt, because it does," Peterson said of Dickerson's 28-year-old record. "But we came in here tonight and accomplished the ultimate goal, and that was getting a win and punching our ticket to the playoffs."

The Packers cut the lead to 27-24 late in the third quarter on a touchdown reception by James Jones. The on-field ruling was a fumble at the goal line, triggering an automatic review. Because the Packers threw the challenge flag after the replay process began, however, they were only penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, not prevented from benefiting from the overturned call. That's what happened to Detroit infamously on Thanksgiving, when a disputed score by Houston was prevented from review.

After posting a 9-23 record over the last two years, the Vikings made so many strides in 2012 that the season was already a success. But no NFL team would ever be satisfied by finishing in defeat against a division rival, and the emotion and energy behind the quest was palpable all afternoon.

"It took us a little while to adjust to the crowd noise, and we didn't get going," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "That usually happens up here. This is a tough place to play, no doubt. We anticipated this being the loudest environment of the year. They pumped it in here pretty good today."

The NFC North was sewn up by the Packers two weeks earlier. Even though the bye remained in the balance the top seed didn't do the Packers any good last season. They went 15-1 and lost their opener at home to the eventual champion Giants.

Rodgers played without injured leading receiver Randall Cobb, so Greg Jennings was the main guy, grabbing eight passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. But the Vikings sacked Rodgers five times, recovering a fumble on one of them at midfield to set up a third-quarter touchdown.

Rodgers has 24 touchdowns, only four interceptions and a 70 percent completion rate over 10 career starts against the Vikings. His poise, arm strength and savvy came through clear against them as much as any other team. Plus, cornerback Antoine Winfield's aggravated hand injury kept him on the sideline for most of the game.

Just as Ponder capably complemented Peterson, DuJuan Harris came out of nowhere to provide Rodgers some help. Green Bay has been proving lately it's not a one-sided offense, either, and Harris rushed 14 times for 70 yards

But this was Peterson's show. Second-and-27? He surged off right tackle and bounced outside for 28 yards on a drive that ended with his second touchdown, a 2-yard reception that pushed the lead to 27-17 in the third quarter. The "MVP" chants from the crowd rang out in earnest after that.

NOTES: Cobb's absence meant the Packers went without a 1,000-yard receiver for the first time since 2003. Cobb finished with 954 yards. ... Vikings WR Jerome Simpson was woozy after an end-zone collision in the third quarter, falling back down after trying to get up the first time. He passed concussion tests and returned to the game.

___

Follow Dave Campbell on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DaveCampbellAP

___

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

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/peterson-vikings-top-pack-37-34-playoffs-005455789--spt.html

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SurModics Recruits New Finance Head - Zacks.com

SurModics, Inc. (SRDX - Analyst Report), a provider of surface modification and drug delivery technologies to the healthcare industry, recently revealed that it has appointed Andy LaFrence as the chief financial officer (CFO) and Vice President of finance. He will take over the reins effective February 12, 2013. LaFrence will replace Timothy Arens, the current interim CFO at SurModics.

Going forward, Timothy Arens will assume responsibility as the Vice President of corporate development and strategy. He will be responsible for framing strategies and assessing growth opportunities for the Medical Device and In Vitro Diagnostics segments at Surmodics. We note that SurModics currently operates through these two divisions.

The new CFO will be responsible for leading the entire financial activities at SurModics. His will be in charge of activities, such as controlling, financial planning and analysis, treasury, tax, audit and investor relations.

LaFrence, a certified public accountant, brings with him more than 20 years of experience to SurModics pertaining to finance and capital markets. LaFrence has donned many important roles in his illustrious career. Previously, he was the CFO of CNS Therapeutics (now a wholly owned subsidiary of Covidien plc (COV - Analyst Report)). Prior to that, he acted as an audit partner at KPMG, where he concentrated on supporting public and private, high-growth medical technology, pharmaceutical and biotechnology entities.

Taking into account LaFrence?s vast experience in the finance and capital markets, he can easily be labeled as a veteran in that field. LaFrence?s comprehensive sector know-how and expertise is expected to be beneficial to SurModics.

We have a long-term Neutral recommendation on SurModics. Also, it holds a short-term Zacks #3 Rank (Hold). However, Quidel Corporation (QDEL - Snapshot Report), which operates in the same industry as SurModics, appears to be better- positioned. The stock carries a Zacks #2 Rank (Buy).

Source: http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/89331/surmodics-recruits-new-finance-head

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Test your knowledge of the year's news events!

Clockwise from top left: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney during presidential debate; Felix Baumgartner; Lance Armstrong; Seal and Heidi Klum; Gen. David Petraeus; Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Test your memory of some of the year's most prominent newsmakers by matching each quote below with the person who said it.

How well do you think you'll do??Scroll down when you're ready to see the correct answers!

---

1. ?While I'm grateful for the freedom to express one's self, I've learned there are limits to what language is appropriate, and I'm deeply sorry for how these lyrics could be interpreted.??
a) Lady Gaga
b) Psy
c) Chris Brown

2.?"I tripped and found myself inside the lifeboat with a number of passengers."
a) ?Silvio Berlusconi
b) ?Antonin Scalia
c) ?Francesco Schettino

3. "After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair. Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours."
a) ?David Petraeus
b) ?Arnold Schwarzenegger
c) ?Rupert Sanders

4. "There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say, ?Enough is enough.? For me, that time is now."
a) ?Lance Armstrong
b) ?Paul Ryan
c) ?Tiger Woods

5. ?We screwed up, and we are putting the weight of the company behind correcting it.?
a) Rupert Murdoch
b) Tim Cook
c) Donald Trump

6. ?While I do not believe I did anything illegal or ever thought I was doing anything illegal, I did an awful, awful lot that was wrong, and there is no one else responsible for my sins.?
a) John Edwards
b) Peter Madoff
c) Roger Clemens

7. ?If it?s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.?
a) Richard Mourdock
b) Todd Akin
c) Michelle Bachmann

8. ?We want to keep matters affecting our family private and express our respect for each other's commitment to each of our respective beliefs and support each other?s roles as parents.?
a) Katy Perry and Russell Brand
b) Heidi Klum and Seal
c) Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

9.??Gold medals are made out of your sweat, blood and tears, and effort in the gym every day, and sacrificing a lot that you have to do.?
a) Gabby Douglas
b) Ryan Lochte
c) Sanya Richards-Ross

10.?"My maternity leave will be a few weeks long, and I'll work throughout it."
a) Reese Witherspoon
b) Kate Middleton
c) Marissa Mayer

11.??The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn?t be any more happy, comfortable with myself and proud.??
a) Ellen DeGeneres
b) Anderson Cooper
c)?Chely Wright

12.??Sometimes we have to get really high to see how small we are.??
a)?Sir Richard Branson
b)?Felix Baumgartner
c) Bill Maher

13. ?I was born in Harper Hospital. No one?s ever asked to see my birth certificate.??
a) Mitt Romney
b) Vice President Joe Biden
c) Paul Ryan

14.??The performance of the stock has obviously been disappointing.??
a) Tim Cook
b) Brian Dunn
c) Mark Zuckerberg

15.??Under current law, on January 1, 2013, there's going to be a massive fiscal cliff of large spending cuts and tax increases.??
a) Barack Obama
b) John Boehner
c) Ben Bernanke

FINISHED THE QUIZ? CHECK YOUR?ANSWERS HERE!?

Question 1: B, ?Gangnam Style? star Psy in a December apology for a 2004 song that called for killing Americans.

International rap sensation Psy took to the stage to perform for the president at a charity concert despite online videos showing some anti-U.S. performances he did less than a decade ago. NBC's Peter Alexander reports.

Question 2:?C, Francesco Schettino, captain of the sunken Costa Concordia, explaining in court why he didn?t go down with his ship in January.

The shifting ship is creating dangerous problems for the searchers who need to blast holes in the hull. NBC's Michelle Kosinski reports.

Question 3:?A, David Petraeus in a statement announcing his resignation as CIA director in November.

The respected West Point graduate led combat forces in Iraq and Afghanistan before retiring from the military and leading the CIA. On Friday, he made the startling admission that he had engaged in an extramarital affair, and announced he was resigning from his post. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.

Question 4: A, Cyclist Lance Armstrong, announcing in August that he was ending his fight against doping allegations.?

Top Talkers: Richard Haas joins a Morning Joe panel to discuss Lance Armstrong's refusal to pursue arbitration in the drug case brought against him. Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and his 2000 Olympic Games bronze medal and was banned from the sport.

Question 5:?B, Apple CEO Tim Cook, talking about the iPhone 5's glitchy maps application on ?Rock Center? in December.

Steve Jobs' hand-picked successor, current Apple CEO Tim Cook, talks to Rock Center Anchor and Managing Editor Brian Williams about Apple's battle with Samsung, glitches with its maps app, the prospect of Apple TV and the challenge of keeping Apple cutting edge.

Question 6: A, Former Sen. John Edwards after learning he would not be convicted of corruption charges in May.

The jury delivered a unanimous verdict on one of the six felony counts and found him not guilty of receiving illegal campaign contributions from heiress Rachel "Bunny" Mellon. The judge declared a mistrial on the five other counts. Edwards later told reporters that he knew he had not done anything illegal but that he was accountable for his behavior. NBC's Lisa Myers reports.

Question 7:?B, Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., in an August interview on his opposition to abortion in rape cases.

In a statement and a tweet, conservative U.S. Rep. Todd Akin says he "misspoke" during a local TV interview in which he made comments about "legitimate rape" and abortion. NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports.

Question 8:?C, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes announcing their divorce agreement in July.

The Hollywood couple, whose five-year marriage was the subject of much speculation, issued a joint statement saying they were moving forward with daughter Suri's best interests in mind. NBC's Kristen Dahlgren reports.

Question 9:?A, Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas after her win in the individual all-around in August.

Fresh from her historic gold medal win in the gymnastics individual all-around, Gabby Douglas said "it's so meaningful" to be the first African-American woman to win the title and shares details of her phone call with President Obama.

Question 10: C,?Marissa Mayer, revealing her pregnancy soon after being named Yahoo CEO in July.

The former Google executive was named CEO of Yahoo on Monday and made headlines for the fact that she is also pregnant, turning her into a test case of whether women can really have it all. TODAY's Natalie Morales reports, and Ivanka Trump and Rachel Campos-Duffy, author and wife of a congressman, discuss the motherhood balancing act.

Question 11: B,?CNN anchor Anderson Cooper in a coming-out email, in July.

In an email published by the Daily Beast website, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper ends years of speculation about his sexuality, acknowledging that he is "gay" and "proud." NBC's Mara Schiavocampo reports.

Question 12: B,?Daredevil Felix Baumgartner after his 24-mile fall to earth in October.

Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner makes a record-breaking jump from 24 miles above Earth, leaping from the edge of space to the New Mexico desert at speeds up to 833.9 mph. NBC's Tom Costello reports.

Question 13: A,?Mitt Romney at an August rally in Michigan.

Msnbc's Mark Halperin talks about GOP candidate Mitt Romney's apparent ad-lib reference to President Barack Obama's birth certificate.

Question 14: C,?Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg at a September conference, discussing his company?s May IPO.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says, "The performance of the stock is obviously disappointing," during a "fireside chat" at the San Francisco Disrupt conference organized by technology blog TechCrunch. Watch the entire interview.

Question 15: C,?Ben Bernanke at a House Financial Services Committee hearing in February.?

Top Talkers: A decade after the Sept. 11 attacks, two former senators -- Bob Graham of Florida and Bob Kerrey of Nebraska -- say they believe the Saudi government may have played a role in the attacks. The Morning Joe panel ? including financier Steven Rattner and Donny Deutsch ? discusses. The panel also discusses Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's warning about the economy.

Source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/28/16167670-2012-quotes-quiz-test-your-knowledge-of-the-years-news-events?lite

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Idaho Sen. Crapo won't fight DUI charge (cbsnews)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories Stories, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

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Woodrow Wilson: 'All big men are dreamers' ? Business ...

With his famous optimism, risk-taking and hatred of compromise, President Woodrow Wilson went for maximum outcomes. He failed big and won big. Welcome, Woodrow Wilson.

EL: Mr. President, in your view, what is the mark of a leader?

Wilson: The willingness to dream. We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a winter?s night. Some of us let these dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they come true.

EL: How do you achieve your dreams?

Wilson: I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow.

EL: In your early years, as president of Princeton University, you undertook reforms that strengthened the faculty and improved academic standards, but as time went on, you lost a series of battles, including one that came to be known as ?The Battle of Princeton.? Why didn?t you consult with anyone before you acted?

Wilson: Because I was right. Those battles strengthened me immensely. I proceeded to become governor of New Jersey and president of the United States.

EL: You harshly attacked those who disagreed with you. For example, one professor named Mark Baldwin.

Wilson: Well, and he lived to regret having suggested that I was wrong. If you want to make enemies, try to change something.

EL: What would you say to young leaders who look for the highest-paying career?

Wilson: You are not here merely to make a living. You are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you im??pov?erish yourself if you forget the errand.

EL: After the war ended in 1918, you decided to attend the Paris Peace Con??ference, making you the first sitting president to set foot in Europe. The European public adored your idealism, and 2 million fans mobbed you, so you used your popularity to create a League of Nations in the hope of stopping wars. Why don?t Ameri?cans better appreciate what you accomplished?

Wilson: We are citizens of the world. The tragedy of our times is that we do not know it.

EL: Any regrets?

Wilson: Yes. The Federal Reserve Act, which I signed, allowed our system of credit to become too concentrated. The growth of the nation and all our activities are in the hands of a few men who, even if their action be honest and intended for the public interest, are necessarily concentrated upon the great undertakings in which their own money is involved. We have restricted credit, we have restricted opportunity, we have controlled development, and we have come to be one of the worst ruled, controlled and dominated governments in the civilized world?a ?government run by the opinion of small groups of dominant men.

EL: What sustains you, then?

Wilson: I believe in Divine Providence. If I did not, I would go crazy.

______________________________________________________________________________

Sources: Indispensable, Gautam Mukunda, Harvard Business Review Press; GoodReads.com; Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum.

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NYC homicides, shootings at modern record lows

Seth Wenig / AP

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left, and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly speak to reporters after a Police Academy graduation ceremony Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, in New York.

By M. Alex Johnson, NBC News

Homicides and shootings in New York are at their lowest in a half-century, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday.

Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly credited stepped-up policing for the 19.6 percent drop in homicides (from 515 last year to 414 through Friday) and the 15.9 percent decline in overall shootings (from 1,608 last year to 1,353).

That's the fewest homicides since the city started keeping such statistics in 1963, and it's dramatically lower than the record high of 2,245 set in 1990.

The most recent FBI figures show that homicides have been falling in most major cities in recent years, but the drop in New York far outpaces the national average decline of 4 percent from 2010 to 2011, the last full year for which federal figures are available.

---

Kelly said officers had taken 8,000 weapons "out of the hands of people we stop, 800 of them illegal handguns," while Bloomberg singled out the city's participation in Operation Impact, a 2003 state initiative that pairs new police recruits with veteran officers in specific high-crime areas, as a particular success.

"The fact that the safest big city in America is safer than ever is a testament to the hard work and determination of the men and women who put their lives on the line for us every day ? and it also reflects our commitment to doing everything possible to stop gun violence," Bloomberg said in a statement.

Watch US News crime videos on NBCNews.com

Neither man specifically mentioned the city's controversial stop-and-frisk policy, which allows officers to search someone as he or she leaves a private building if they have a "reasonable suspicion" that the person is likely to commit a crime.

The policy is under legal challenge from civil liberties groups, which contend that police use it as a pretext to stop and search anyone without cause and contend in court documents that three-quarters of all New Yorkers searched under it are African-American or Latino. A trial is set for March.

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Source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/28/16216779-new-york-city-homicides-shootings-at-modern-record-lows?lite

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Jobless claims fall to lowest in almost 4-1/2 years

17 hrs.

Reuters

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment aid fell last week to nearly its lowest level in 4 1/2 years, a sign that the labor market is healing.?

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 12,000 to a seasonally adjusted 350,000, the Labor Department said on Thursday. The prior week's figure was revised to show 1,000 more applications than previously reported.?

After spiking in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which ravaged the East Coast in late October, the weekly levels of new claims have now dropped to their lowest levels since the early days of the 2007-09 recession. The four-week moving average fell 11,250 last week to 356,750, the lowest since March 2008.?

That suggests the surge in layoffs since the recession may have run its course, although companies still are adding to their payrolls at a lackluster pace.?

The report included a caveat, at least for the latest week. President Barack Obama declared Monday a holiday for federal workers and many state offices followed suit and were unable to provide complete data for last week's jobless claims. Data for 19 states was estimated, a Labor Department official said. Fourteen of those states submitted their own estimates, which tend to be fairly accurate because the state officials work with a significant amount of data, the Labor Department official said.?

Besides the federal holiday, there were no special factors influencing week's claims data, the department official said.?

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/economywatch/jobless-claims-fall-lowest-almost-4-1-2-years-1C7657760

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Stress in the Legal System | Psychology Today

As I have written previously, jury duty can be stressful. Even in mundane cases, jurors are asked to perform a difficult, unfamiliar task in which they receive little guidance; and performing their civic duty disrupts their lives. Having been ?summoned,? they also have little choice in the matter, and there are potential penalties for failing to appear, though such penalties are rarely enforced. On the other hand, the vast majority of jurors who do serve find the process rewarding, and the stress and disruption they experience is relatively minor in all but the most extreme cases.

Other participants in the legal system are not so lucky. Many are there involuntarily?even less voluntarily than jurors?such as crime victims, civil and criminal defendants, those involved in family court, and witnesses. On top of the circumstances that gave rise to these individuals? involvement in the criminal or civil justice system, the process of investigation and adjudication can be an additional stressor. This is especially true for vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and those with mental illness. For example, there are concerns that testifying in court can be every bit as traumatic for victims, especially child victims, as the crime itself.

Those who do choose to be involved?such as civil plaintiffs, attorneys, judges, law enforcement officers, and community supervision officers (i.e., probation and parole officers)?are also not immune from stress. Telltale symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, absenteeism, and cardiovascular disease, are prevalent in all of these populations. Because these individuals choose to be a part of the justice system, either for professional reasons or as a means to resolve a dispute, they might be said to have ?assumed the risk.? Nonetheless, for the system to work effectively and efficiently, it is imperative that it not create or add stress unnecessarily.

This is not to say that all stress can, or even should, be removed from the legal system. The courts make weighty, consequential decisions, and an awareness of that fact, along with the moderate level of stress that typically accompanies that awareness, is appropriate. But legal actors can still strive to maximize the positive physical, psychological, and social outcomes for all parties involved, while minimizing the negative outcomes. Doing so is the hallmark of therapeutic jurisprudence, which focuses on the legal system?s role as a therapeutic agent. It is the guiding principle behind the majority of ?specialty? or ?problem-solving? courts, which have been on the rise in recent years, such as special courts devoted to drug offenders, veterans, juveniles, and domestic violence. Although little data exist on the effectiveness of such courts, and what data do exist are mixed, their overarching goal of seeing that justice is served while simultaneously improving the situation of those involved?including offenders?is well worth pursuing. Therapeutic jurisprudence also informs efforts to accommodate vulnerable populations caught up in the justice system, such as children and the elderly (e.g., by using innovative techniques to make it easier for children to testify).

Stress is an unavoidable component of the legal system. The system poses a threat to participants? wellbeing, whether they are there by choice or not. It is incumbent on those who set legal policy to do what they can to minimize that stress, and thereby to foster the wellbeing of the myriad individuals who play a part, whether they are there as ?one-time players? (e.g., witnesses, jurors) or regular performers (e.g., judges, attorneys). To do otherwise would be, in a very real sense, unjust.

Recommended Reading

Miller, M.K., & Bornstein, B.H. (2013). Stress, trauma, and wellbeing in the legal system.Oxford,UK:OxfordUniversity Press.

Wexler, D.B., & Winick, B.J. (1996). Law in a therapeutic key: Developments in therapeutic jurisprudence.Durham,NC:Carolina Academic Press.

Source: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-jurys-trials/201212/stress-in-the-legal-system

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In 2013, possibilities for stability from Somalia to South China Sea

Policymakers in many of the world's hot spots have a common New Year's wish: for unity to usher in and consolidate political and economic stability.

By Sara Miller Llana,?Staff writer / December 27, 2012

Students read Koranic verses at a madrasa, or Koranic school, in Dhusamareeb, central Somalia, December 16.

Feisal Omar/Reuters

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The international news of any year is a disparate affair, a global chronicle of courage, calamity, and close calls. The interconnectedness of events is not always clear.

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But looking ahead to 2013, whether in Syria, South America, or the South China Sea, policymakers have a common New Year's wish: for unity to usher in and consolidate political and economic stability.

Europe turns toward integration

After another year in the depths of a debt crisis that has tested the viability of the European Union, leaders made a major step forward at the end of the year: agreeing to give the European Central Bank oversight of the biggest banks in the Union.

Skeptics dismiss the agreement as a watered-down initiative of common-denominator compromises and delays. But it paves the way for an eventual banking union, and caps off a year of expressed commitments to deeper integration.

"The decision of European heads of state to create a banking union and a fiscal union still needs to be implemented. But that was a genuine game changer in a sense," says Jan Techau, director of Carnegie Europe at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Brussels. "It is by no means perfect and is not seen in action yet; but if this comes, that will create momentum for more political integration."

In Somalia, Al Qaeda was on the run in 2012 after four years in control of the country's south, pushed out of all of its major urban strongholds by African Union military offensives.

Somalia's Western allies ? also its financiers ? have begun proclaiming a new dawn. International commercial flights now land regularly at Mogadishu's refurbished airport. Investors from the large Somali diaspora are returning home. Aid workers have ever-greater access to the millions of people still in grave need.

But analysts are wary. A large number of rank-and-file fighters may have deserted Al Shabab, but hard-line commanders remain. Many of them, trained in Pakistan with Al Qaeda, are regrouping in Somalia's north.

"The Somali government is going to need very quickly to show that it brings dividends, health, education, road repairs, to the population, or they may well turn back to supporting Shabab," one Western diplomat focused on Somalia says in an e-mail. "There is a very narrow window to prove the government is the better option. Probably less than nine months. The early part of 2013 will be crucial."

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/rDuOL8EYEdk/In-2013-possibilities-for-stability-from-Somalia-to-South-China-Sea

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Only son of Pakistan's murdered Bhutto launches political career

LARKANA, Pakistan (Reuters) - The only son of assassinated former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto told hundreds of thousands of supporters on Thursday, the fifth anniversary of his mother's death, that he would carry forward her legacy, an appearance designed to anoint him as a political heir.

"I am the heir to the martyr," Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, 24, told the crowd in the southern province of Sindh, referring to his mother and to his grandfather, the founder of the current ruling party who was hanged by a former military ruler.

"If you kill one Bhutto, there will be a Bhutto in every house."

Bhutto was joined by hundreds of high-ranking officials, including the current president, his father Asif Zardari, to commemorate his mother's killing in a gun and suicide attack during a 2007 political campaign rally.

Making his first address to a mass rally televised live, he said: "Bhutto is not a name, it is an obsession, a passion, a love. You can chain our feet to the ground but we will still keep moving."

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf told followers waving the Pakistan People's Party's green, black and red flag that the Oxford-educated Bhutto "will prove to be an important turning point for democracy and politics".

Bhutto was named party chairman after his mother's death, but his father was named co-chair due to his youth.

He is still not old enough to contest the elections scheduled for spring - the minimum age is 25. Bhutto, who has his mother's good looks, will only turn 25 in September.

Zardari, locking arms with his son and waving to the crowd, said: "Bilawal has completed his studies, but the time has now come to complete his political training, to stay in Pakistan among its people and learn from them."

Benazir Bhutto's killer has never been caught and a U.N. inquiry found that Pakistani authorities had failed to protect her or properly investigate her death. The U.N. also said that high-ranking Pakistani officials had tried to block its investigation.

In a 30-minute address delivered alongside his mother's onion-domed tomb, Bhutto denounced the courts for what he said was the slow pace of the trial of her alleged killers. He also touched on women's rights, insurgent violence, and the economy.

POWERFUL SYMBOL

Benazir Bhutto has become a powerful symbol for the ruling party, which often refers to her as a martyr. The capital's airport and a scheme to give cash to poor families have been named after her. Officials hang her portraits on walls.

The Bhuttos championed the rights of the poor in a country where feudal landlords owned vast tracts of land and agricultural workers often live in deep poverty. Many rally participants waved portraits of Benazir Bhutto wearing her trademark white headscarf.

Her husband, elected following her death, is less popular. Zardari was jailed on corruption charges from 1996 to 2004 that he says were politically motivated.

The president is locked in a power struggle with the Supreme Court, which has been battling to reopen corruption cases against him. Zardari's aides say he has immunity.

Many Pakistanis are angry that Zardari's government has failed to tackle pervasive corruption or end the daily power cuts that have brought its industrial sector to its knees.

The elections should mark the first time in Pakistan's history that one elected civilian government hands power to another.

The nuclear-armed country of 180 million people has a history of military coups. After one such coup, the new military ruler hanged Benazir Bhutto's father in prison in 1979.

Benazir Bhutto served civilian governments as prime minister twice but was dismissed on corruption charges both times.

(Writing By Katharine Houreld; Editing by Ron Popeski)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/only-son-pakistans-murdered-bhutto-launches-political-career-143557194.html

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binusingh: SCRAPBOOKING AND CHRISTMAS ? A MATCH MADE ...

By Administrator on Dec 24, 2012 in Home and Family

Handmade cards are always extra special ? so why not show off your scrapbooking skills this Christmas with some beautiful and unique creations for friends and family?

Giving a handmade card is a wonderful way of expressing your personal thoughts and demonstrating to people how much they mean to you.? Card making is rewarding in more ways than one?you can save money too.

And you don?t have to be a scrapbooking expert either when it comes to card making.? ??There are thousands and thousands of websites with a huge range of ideas and illustrations for paper crafts and Christmas ideas, from the craft supplies stores to scrapbooking blogs ? and many of these also have really easy-to-follow tutorials demonstrating how to make cards etc.

Many of the craft store websites and scrapbooking blogs will also have templates for card-making to get you started.

For those who already do scrapbooking, making Christmas cards is a wonderful way of using up all those bits and pieces that you?ve accumulated during the year.? Don?t just think about patterned paper?you can use just about anything for card making and crafting?.lace, ribbon, felt, magazine cuttings, cotton wool, ice cream sticks, fabric scraps, stencils, glitter, marker pens, aluminium foil?the only limit is your imagination.

But don?t forget to match your card to an envelope before you get creative!

Card making can also be a fun way of entertaining kids after all the hullabaloo of Christmas is over?they can make their own ?thank you? cards from your craft supply box in appreciation of their gifts

So, with Christmas around the corner, don?t cut corners when it comes to spreading festive cheer and goodwill?jump online to the craft supply websites and start making your own personalised cards for friends and family to treasure.

Source: http://www.mylife-coach.net/6625/scrapbooking-and-christmas-a-match-made-in-heaven/

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Source: http://binusingh258.blogspot.com/2012/12/scrapbooking-and-christmas-match-made-in.html

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Rihanna and Chris Brown Wish You a Merry Thug Life Christmas

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/12/rihanna-and-chris-brown-wish-you-a-merry-thug-life-christmas/

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Newtown Officials Ask Gift-Givers To Stop Sending Packages

Charlotte Bacon, 6

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html?utm_hp_ref=crime">From the AP:</a> They were supposed to be for the holidays, but finally on Friday, after hearing much begging, Charlotte Bacon's mother relented and let her wear the new pink dress and boots to school. It was the last outfit the outgoing redhead would ever pick out. Charlotte's older brother, Guy, was also in the school but was not shot. Her parents, JoAnn and Joel, had lived in Newtown for four or five years, JoAnn's brother John Hagen, of Nisswa, Minn., told Newsday. "She was going to go some places in this world," Hagen told the newspaper. "This little girl could light up the room for anyone."

Daniel Barden, 7

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html?utm_hp_ref=crime">From the AP:</a> Daniel's family says he was "fearless in the pursuit of happiness in life." He was the youngest of three children and in a statement to the media, his family said Daniel earned his missing two front teeth and ripped jeans. "Words really cannot express what a special boy Daniel was. Such a light. Always smiling, unfailingly polite, incredibly affectionate, fair and so thoughtful towards others, imaginative in play, both intelligent and articulate in conversation: in all, a constant source of laughter and joy," the family said.

Rachel D'avino, 29

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html">From the AP: </a>Days before the Connecticut shooting rampage, the boyfriend of Rachel D'Avino had asked her parents for permission to marry her. D'Avino was a behavioral therapist who had only recently started working at the school where she was killed, according to Lissa Lovetere Stone, a friend who is handling her funeral planned for Friday. D'Avino's boyfriend, Anthony Cerritelli, planned to ask her to marry him on Christmas Eve, Lovetere Stone said.

Olivia Engel, 6

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html?utm_hp_ref=crime">From the AP:</a> Images of Olivia Rose Engel show a happy child, one with a great sense of humor, as her family said in a statement. There she is, visiting with Santa Claus, or feasting on a slice of birthday cake. Or swinging a pink baseball bat, posing on a boat, or making a silly face. Olivia loved school, did very well in math and reading, and was "insightful for her age," said the statement released by her uncle, John Engel. She was a child who "lit up a room and the people around her." Creative with drawing and designing, she was also a tennis and soccer player and took art classes, swimming, and dance lessons in ballet and hip hop. A Daisy Girl Scout, she enjoyed musical theater.

Josephine Gay, 7

Josephine Gay was nicknamed "Boo" because she looked so much like the character of the same name in the movie "Monsters, Inc.," the <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/ci_22201501/sandy-hook-shooting-victim-josephine-gay-profile">Denver Post reported.</a> She would set up lemonade stands in the summer, enjoyed riding her bike in the street, and celebrated her 7th birthday only three days before the shooting.

Dawn Hochsprung, 47

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html?utm_hp_ref=crime">From the AP: </a> Dawn Hochsprung's pride in Sandy Hook Elementary was clear. She regularly tweeted photos from her time as principal there, giving indelible glimpses of life at a place now known for tragedy. Just this week, it was an image of fourth-graders rehearsing for their winter concert; days before that, the tiny hands of kindergartners exchanging play money at their makeshift grocery store. She viewed her school as a model, telling The Newtown Bee in 2010 that "I don't think you could find a more positive place to bring students to every day." She had worked to make Sandy Hook a place of safety, too, and in October, the 47-year-old Hochsprung shared a picture of the school's evacuation drill with the message "safety first." When the unthinkable came, she was ready to defend. Officials said she died while lunging at the gunman in an attempt to overtake him.

Madeline Hsu

<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324481204578181244231543014.html">Madeline Hsu was "very upbeat and kind," </a>a neighbor told the Wall Street Journal, remembering the young girl's love of bright, flowery dresses.<a href="http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/12/18/massacre-victim-madeleine-hsu-lit-up-around-dogs/"> Hsu's face would "light up" </a>when she got off the bus and saw the neighbor's golden retriever each day, the woman told CBS.

Catherine V. Hubbard, 6

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html">From the AP:</a> Catherine V. Hubbard, aged six, one of the victims at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, United States, who was shot by Adam Lanza, 20, and died in hospital. Catherine's parents released a statement expressing gratitude to emergency responders and for the support of the community. "We are greatly saddened by the loss of our beautiful daughter, Catherine Violet and our thoughts and prayers are with the other families who have been affected by this tragedy," Jennifer and Matthew Hubbard said. "We ask that you continue to pray for us and the other families who have experienced loss in this tragedy."

Chase Kowalski, 7

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html?utm_hp_ref=crime">From the AP:</a> Chase Kowalski was always outside, playing in the backyard, riding his bicycle. Just last week, he was visiting neighbor Kevin Grimes, telling him about completing ? and winning ? his first mini-triathlon. "You couldn't think of a better child," Grimes said.

Nancy Lanza, 52

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html?utm_hp_ref=crime">From the AP: </a>She once was known simply for the game nights she hosted and the holiday decorations she put up at her house. Now Nancy Lanza is known as her son's first victim. Authorities say her 20-year-old son Adam gunned her down before killing 26 others at Sandy Hook. The two shared a home in a well-to-do Newtown neighborhood, but details were slow to emerge of who she was and what might have led her son to carry out such horror. Kingston, N.H., Police Chief Donald Briggs Jr. said Nancy Lanza once lived in the community and was a kind, considerate and loving person. The former stockbroker at John Hancock in Boston was well-respected, Briggs said.

Jesse Lewis, 6

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html">From the AP:</a> Six-year-old Jesse Lewis had hot chocolate with his favorite breakfast sandwich ? sausage, egg and cheese ? at the neighborhood deli before going to school Friday morning. Jesse and his parents were regulars at the Misty Vale Deli in Sandy Hook, Conn., owner Angel Salazar told The Wall Street Journal. "He was always friendly; he always liked to talk," Salazar said. Jesse's family has a collection of animals he enjoyed playing with, and he was learning to ride horseback. Family friend Barbara McSperrin told the Journal that Jesse was "a typical 6-year-old little boy, full of life."

Ana Marquez-Greene, 6

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html">From the AP:</a> A year ago, 6-year-old Ana Marquez-Greene was reveling in holiday celebrations with her extended family on her first trip to Puerto Rico. This year will be heartbreakingly different. The girl's grandmother, Elba Marquez, said the family moved to Connecticut just two months ago, drawn from Canada, in part, by Sandy Hook's sterling reputation. The grandmother's brother, Jorge Marquez, is mayor of a Puerto Rican town and said the child's 9-year-old brother also was at the school but escaped safely.

James Mattioli, 6

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html">From the AP:</a> James Mattioli especially loved recess and math, and his family described him as a "numbers guy" who came up with insights beyond his years to explain the relationship between numbers. He particularly loved the concept of googolplex, which a friend taught him. He was born four weeks before his due date, and his family often joked that he came into the world early because he was hungry. They wrote in his obituary that 6-year-old James, fondly called `J,' loved hamburgers with ketchup, his Dad's egg omelets with bacon, and his Mom's french toast. He often asked to stop at Subway and wanted to know how old he needed to be to order a footlong sandwich. He loved sports and wore shorts and T-shirts no matter the weather. He was a loud and enthusiastic singer and once asked, "How old do I have to be to sing on a stage?"

Grace Audrey McDonnell, 7

Grace McDonnell, 7, was a "girly girl" who loved playing dress-up and wearing pink, her grandmother Mary Ann McDonnell told <a href="http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Little-angel-Grace-McDonnell-remembered-by-family-after-Newtown-massacre-183767921.html"> Irish Central.</a> "Grace was like a little doll. She was utterly adorable," said neighbor Dorothy Werden.

Anne Marie Murphy, 52

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html">From the AP: </a>A happy soul. A good mother, wife and daughter. Artistic, fun-loving, witty and hardworking. Remembering their daughter, Anne Marie Murphy, her parents had no shortage of adjectives to offer Newsday. When news of the shooting broke, Hugh and Alice McGowan waited for word of their daughter as hours ticked by. And then it came. Authorities told the couple their daughter was a hero who helped shield some of her students from the rain of bullets. As the grim news arrived, the victim's mother reached for her rosary. "You don't expect your daughter to be murdered," her father told the newspaper. "It happens on TV. It happens elsewhere."

Emilie Parker, 6

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html">From the AP: </a>Quick to cheer up those in need of a smile, Emilie Parker never missed a chance to draw a picture or make a card. Her father, Robbie Parker, fought back tears as he described the beautiful, blond, always-smiling girl who loved to try new things, except foods. Parker, one of the first parents to publicly talk about his loss, expressed no animosity for the gunman, even as he struggled to explain the death to his other two children, ages 3 and 4. He's sustained by the fact that the world is better for having had Emilie in it. "I'm so blessed to be her dad," he said.

Jack Pinto, 6

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html">From the AP:</a> Jack Pinto was a huge New York Giants fan. New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz said he talked to Pinto's family, which is considering burying the 6-year-old boy in Cruz's No. 80 jersey. Cruz honored Jack Sunday on his cleats, writing on them the words "Jack Pinto, My Hero" and "R.I.P. Jack Pinto." "I also spoke to an older brother and he was distraught as well. I told him to stay strong and I was going to do whatever I can to honor him," Cruz said after the Giant's game with the Atlanta Falcons. "He was fighting tears and could barely speak to me." Cruz said he plans to give the gloves he wore during the game to the boy's family, and spend some time with them. "There's no words that can describe the type of feeling that you get when a kid idolizes you so much that unfortunately they want to put him in the casket with your jersey on," he said. "I can't even explain it." Jack's funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Monday at the Honan Funeral Home in Newtown, followed by burial at the Newtown Village Cemetery.

Noah Pozner, 6

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html?utm_hp_ref=crime">From the AP:</a> Noah was "smart as a whip," gentle but with a rambunctious streak, said his uncle, Alexis Haller of Woodinville, Wash. Noah's twin sister Arielle, assigned to a different classroom, survived the shooting. He called her his best friend, and with their 8-year-old sister, Sophia, they were inseparable. "They were always playing together, they loved to do things together," Haller said. When his mother, a nurse, would tell him she loved him, he would answer, "Not as much as I love you, Mom." Haller said Noah loved to read and liked to figure out how things worked mechanically. For his birthday two weeks ago, he got a new Wii. "He was just a really lively, smart kid," Haller said. "He would have become a great man, I think. He would have grown up to be a great dad."

Caroline Previdi, 6

Caroline Previdi is remembered as a "sweet" and "precious" girl, <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/ci_22204448/sandy-hook-shooting-victim-caroline-previdi-profile">the Denver Post reported.</a> She loved to draw and dance, and her smile brought happiness to everyone around her, according to her <a href="http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newstimes/obituary.aspx?n=caroline-previdi&pid=161771763#fbLoggedOut">obituary.</a>

Jessica Rekos, 6

"Jessica loved everything about horses," her family said in a statement, <a href="http://tv.msnbc.com/2012/12/16/meet-jessica-rekos/">MSNBC reported,</a> adding that they planned on getting their daughter her own horse when she turned 10. "She was a creative, beautiful little girl who loved playing with her little brothers, Travis and Shane," the statement reads. She spent time writing in her journals, making up stories, and doing ?research? on orca whales ? one of her passions after seeing the movie Free Willy last year. She said her dream was to see a real orca. Thankfully her dream was realized in October when she went to SeaWorld.

Lauren Rousseau, 30

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html?utm_hp_ref=crime">From the AP: </a>Lauren Rousseau had spent years working as a substitute teacher and doing other jobs. So she was thrilled when she finally realized her goal this fall to become a full-time teacher at Sandy Hook. Her mother, Teresa Rousseau, a copy editor at the Danbury News-Times, released a statement Saturday that said state police told them just after midnight that she was among the victims. "Lauren wanted to be a teacher from before she even went to kindergarten," she said. "We will miss her terribly and will take comfort knowing that she had achieved that dream." Her mother said she was thrilled to get the job. "It was the best year of her life," she told the newspaper.

Mary Sherlach, 56

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html">From the AP:</a> When the shots rang out, Mary Sherlach threw herself into the danger. Janet Robinson, the superintendent of Newtown Public Schools, said Sherlach and the school's principal ran toward the shooter. They lost their own lives, rushing toward him. Even as Sherlach neared retirement, her job at Sandy Hook was one she loved. Those who knew her called her a wonderful neighbor, a beautiful person, a dedicated educator. Her son-in-law, Eric Schwartz, told the South Jersey Times that Sherlach rooted on the Miami Dolphins, enjoyed visiting the Finger Lakes, relished helping children overcome their problems. She had planned to leave work early on Friday, he said, but never had the chance. In a news conference Saturday, he told reporters the loss was devastating, but that Sherlach was doing what she loved. "Mary felt like she was doing God's work," he said, "working with the children."

Victoria Soto, 27

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html">From the AP:</a> She beams in snapshots. Her enthusiasm and cheer was evident. She was doing, those who knew her say, what she loved. And now, Victoria Soto is being called a hero. Though details of the 27-year-old teacher's death remained fuzzy, her name has been invoked again and again as a portrait of selflessness and humanity among unfathomable evil. Those who knew her said they weren't surprised by reports she shielded her first-graders from danger. "She put those children first. That's all she ever talked about," said a friend, Andrea Crowell. "She wanted to do her best for them, to teach them something new every day." Photos of Soto show her always with a wide smile, in pictures of her at her college graduation and in mundane daily life. She looks so young, barely an adult herself. Her goal was simply to be a teacher. "You have a teacher who cared more about her students than herself," said Mayor John Harkins of Stratford, the town Soto hailed from and where more than 300 people gathered for a memorial service Saturday night. "That speaks volumes to her character, and her commitment and dedication."

Benjamin Wheeler, 6

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/connecticut-shooting-victims_n_2308463.html">From the AP:</a> Music surrounded Benjamin Wheeler as he grew up in a household where both his mother and father were performers. They left behind stage careers in New York City when they moved to Newtown with Benjamin and his older brother Nate. "We knew we wanted a piece of lawn, somewhere quiet, somewhere with good schools," Francine Wheeler told the Newtown Bee in a profile. She is a music educator and singer-songwriter. Sometimes the musical mother would try out tunes on her own children, with some tunes that she made up for Ben as a baby eventually finding their way onto a CD, she told the newspaper. In writing songs for children, melodies needn't be simplified, she said. "I try to make it my mission to always present good music to kids." Benjamin's father, David, a former film and television actor, writes and performs still, according to a profile on the website of the Flagpole Radio Cafe theater, with which he's performed in Newtown. The family are members of Trinity Episcopal Church, whose website noted that Nate, also a student at Sandy Hook Elementary School, was not harmed in Friday's shooting.

Allison Wyatt, 6

<a href="http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Allison-Wyatt-Made-the-World-a-Better-Place--184002071.html">Allison Wyatt "loved to laugh</a> and was developing her own wonderful sense of humor that ranged from just being a silly six-year old to coming up with observations that more than once had us crying with laughter,? her family wrote in a statement obtained by NBC. She was talented and wanted to be an artist, and would often "surprise [her family] with random acts of kindness -- once even offering snacks to a complete stranger on a plane."

Victoria Soto's Sister, Jillian

Jillian Soto uses a phone to get information about her sister, Victoria Soto, a teacher at the Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Conn. Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 after a gunman killed over two dozen people, including 20 children. Victoria Soto, 27, was among those killed. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Emilie Parker, 6

This photo posted to the Emilie Parker Fund Facebook page shows Emilie Parker and her father Robbie Parker. Fighting back tears and struggling to catch his breath, Robbie Parker the father of 6-year-old Emile Parker who was gunned down in Friday's school shooting in Connecticut told the world about a little girl who loved to draw and was always smiling, and he also reserved surprising words of sympathy for the gunman. (AP Photo/Emilie Parker Fund)

Robbie Parker

Robbie Parker, the father of six-year-old Emilie who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, fights back tears as he speaks during a news conference, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, in Newtown, Conn. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Victoria Soto's Mother, Donna

STRATFORD, CT - DECEMBER 15: Donna Soto (R), mother of Victoria Soto, the first-grade teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School who was shot and killed while protecting her students, leans on her son Matthew while mourning their loss at a candlelight vigil in honor of Victoria at Stratford High School on December 15, 2012 in Stratford, Connecticut. Twenty-six people were shot dead, including twenty children, after a gunman identified as Adam Lanza opened fire in the school. Lanza also reportedly had committed suicide at the scene. A 28th person, believed to be Nancy Lanza was found dead in a house in town, was also believed to have been shot by Adam Lanza. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Emilie Parker, 6

This photo posted to the Emilie Parker Fund Facebook page shows Emilie Parker and her father Robbie Parker. Fighting back tears and struggling to catch his breath, Robbie Parker the father of 6-year-old Emile Parker who was gunned down in Friday's school shooting in Connecticut told the world about a little girl who loved to draw and was always smiling, and he also reserved surprising words of sympathy for the gunman. (AP Photo/Emilie Parker Fund)

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/26/newtown-gifts_n_2366658.html

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Home Based Business Success | ABA United

December 27th, 2012 by admin Leave a reply ?

Building a successful home business IS possible, if the recipe for success contains the right ingredients!

With so many opportunities available for the home business entrepreneur, it?s hard to decide where to start.

It takes a few key ingredients to be successful with your home based business, these ingredients will make your income rise?

1. You must have a solid company, a lucrative pay plan with no hurdles to jump each month so that you are not restricted in compensation in any way.

2. A product that is consumable, that will be used each and every month so that you have repeat business, a long term customer base will produce a long term residual income.

3. A mentor or coach, who can support you both Online and Offline to grow your business quickly and efficiently.

4. A team of like minded individuals to support you during your first few months of learning how to build your business. Friendly support and encouragement from others who are also building the business will help you as you initially grow your business until you become a mentor yourself.

5. Marketing tools, such as a free online marketing system to market to your potential customers, working for you 24 hours 7 days a week. Online training resource center, with information about your business that will help you grow.

6. Training Calls, either teleconferencing or online conferencing where you can connect with your team for support or bring new prospects to grow your business.

All these key ingredients are required to build a successful home business, however, the most important ingredient is you!

Posted in Business

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Source: http://www.abaunited.com/home-based-business-success.html

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Tips to Stay Healthy this Festive Season | Interesting Facts & Current ...

December 25, 2012 | Health & Wellness

You can still enjoy the delicious foods during the festive season by just eating in moderation and balancing it out with the healthy choices.

It will make a big difference if you consider the portion sizes and the amount of calories you are consuming. Although our body gets its energy from calories, any excess or unused calories become fat which is not good to our health and well-being.

The average amount of required energy per day for each active person is 2,000 calories for women and 2,500 calories for men.

Here are some of the foods known to have high calories:

• Salad dressing ? One serving of a French salad dressing contains 631 calories or 88 calories per spoon.
• Junk food-? Snack food may contain 560 calories per 100 gram serving.
• Fried foods ? The most famous fried chicken contains 463 calories. ?French fries and onion rings contain 373 calories.
• Processed meat ? One chorizo can have 273 calories.
• Pasta ? Two ounces of pasta with meat sauce is equivalent to 75 calories.

Here are few things to remember to keep your weight goal during the festive season:

• Do and maintain your normal eating schedules. Start the day with a healthy breakfast and do not skip any other meal of the day. Try to have wholegrain/wholemeal breads or cereals combined with fruits.
• If you will attend a party make sure to eat a light snack prior the gathering for you not to fill up your plate and also to avoid binge eating.
• Decide what food you want to eat in a party. Fill up you plate with a small amount or serving of each food you want to taste.? It is recommended that you at least half of your plate is filled up with vegetables or salads.
• Have time to exercise even at least 30-45 minutes. You can try walking or strolling without hitting the gym to maintain your goal. Keep moving and be active to burn any excess calories in your body.
• Eat only when you are hungry. Do not binge in small eating like chocolates, pies, cakes when you feel stressed out during the holiday season. In short avoid sweets as much as possible.
• You do not have to say yes to all the foods served to you. Be smart and choose the healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meat and fishes. Stay away from fried foods.
• When eating salad choose a light dressing and have fruits for desserts.
• Drink lots of water to keep you well hydrated.

Try to remind yourself about self-control. The festive season is for you to enjoy by eating and drinking in moderation. Select healthy foods and have a time for physical exercise.? Always remember that it is easy to gain pounds than to lose them.

Recommended Articles:

Interesting Facts about Binge Eating

Health Benefits of Walking

Tags: calories, festive season, healthy food

Source: http://journalweek.com/tips-to-stay-healthy-this-festive-season/

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Hawaii lieutenant gov. picked to fill Senate seat

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz speaks the state Capitol in Honolulu on Wednesday, Dec. 26. 2012 after Gov. Neil Abercrombie, right, announced he was appointing Schatz to fill the seat vacated by the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. (AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy)

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz speaks the state Capitol in Honolulu on Wednesday, Dec. 26. 2012 after Gov. Neil Abercrombie, right, announced he was appointing Schatz to fill the seat vacated by the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. (AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy)

FILE- In this Nov. 3, 2010 file photo, a supporter congratulates then-Lt. governor-elect Brian Schatz, center, as his wife Linda looks on at the Neil Abercrombie-Brian Schatz Hawaii governor's post election party in Honolulu. Schatz was appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012 to succeed the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner, File)

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, left, shakes hands with Gov. Neil Abercrombie at the state Capitol in Honolulu on Wednesday, Dec. 26. 2012 after the governor announced he was appointing Schatz to fill the seat vacated by the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. (AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy)

HONOLULU (AP) ? Hawaii Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz on Wednesday was appointed the state's next U.S. senator, bucking the dying wishes of U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye to win the support of Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

Schatz, a 40-year-old former nonprofit CEO who ran with Abercrombie for the state's top two offices in 2010, beat out U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and Esther Kiaaina, a deputy director in the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. The three candidates were selected by state Democrats earlier in the day.

Four days after eulogizing Inouye in the courtyard of the Hawaii Capitol, Abercrombie said he had to consider more than just Inouye's wishes in filling his seat.

"Of course Sen. Inouye's views and his wishes were taken into account fully, but the charge of the central committee, and by extension then myself as governor, was to act in the best interests of the party ... the state and the nation," Abercrombie said.

"The law makes explicitly clear, as do the rules of the Democratic Party, that while everyone's voice is heard and everyone's view is taken into account, nonetheless, no one and nothing is preordained."

Under state law, the successor had to come from the same party as the prior incumbent.

Inouye, by far Hawaii's most influential politician and one of the most respected lawmakers in Washington after serving five decades in the Senate, died last week of respiratory complications at the age of 88. He sent Abercrombie a hand-signed letter dated the day he died, saying he would like Hanabusa to succeed him, calling it his "last wish."

"While we are very disappointed that it was not honored, it was the governor's decision to make," Jennifer Sabas, Inouye's chief of staff, said in a statement. "We wish Brian Schatz the best of luck."

Inouye would be "very happy" with the choice, Hawaii Democratic Party chairman Dante Carpenter said. Schatz has less experience than some older politicians in the Senate but he will be building seniority, which is "critical" to the state of Hawaii, he said.

"In the words of Sen. Dan Inouye ? invoked more than once ? seniority in the United States Congress is everything," Carpenter said.

Selecting Hanabusa, 61, would have required a special election in Hawaii's 1st Congressional District. Last time that happened, Hanabusa lost to Republican Charles Djou because of a winner-take-all format that split votes between Democrats.

Abercrombie said the possibility of a special election was a factor, as well as Hanabusa's "key position" on the House Armed Services Committee. The governor said she was on her way toward establishing a senior position on that panel, and it's important for Hawaii ? with its four-member delegation ? to establish seniority in both chambers.

Schatz will serve until an election is held in 2014. He said he will run for re-election to try to keep the Senate seat until 2016 ? the end of Inouye's original term ? and would run again for Senate in 2016 if given the chance.

"I can assure you this: I will give every fiber of my being to doing a good job for the state of Hawaii," Schatz said at a news conference. "We have a long and perhaps difficult road ahead of us, but we can succeed if we work together. I understand the magnitude of this obligation and this honor, and I won't let you down."

Hanabusa congratulated Schatz in a statement.

"Having served as chair of the Hawaii Senate Judiciary Committee when the succession law was passed, I fully respect the process and the governor's right to appoint a successor," she said.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had urged Abercrombie to name Inouye's successor before the end of the year. Schatz said he will leave Hawaii for Washington on Wednesday night and be prepared to be sworn in on Thursday. That would make him Hawaii's senior senator heading into the new Congress, which begins Jan. 3.

Sen. Daniel Akaka is retiring at the end of this Congress, after 22 years in the Senate. Democratic Rep. Mazie Hirono was elected in November to succeed him.

Schatz, 40, is a former state representative and a former chairman of the state Democratic Party. He also was a leader of President Barack Obama's campaign in Hawaii in 2008.

Even before winning the 2010 general election, Abercrombie expressed faith in Schatz, saying he would put him in charge of attracting more private and federal investment in Hawaii. Other responsibilities included leading the state's clean energy efforts and Asia-Pacific relations.

In making his case before the party's central committee earlier Wednesday, Schatz said that if he was appointed, he would strive to make serving in the Senate his life's work.

First in line to replace Schatz as lieutenant governor is Senate President Shan Tsutsui, who said he planned to discuss the prospect with his family before deciding.

___

Becky Bohrer can be reached on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bbohrerap .

___

Associated Press writer Audrey McAvoy contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2012-12-26-US%20Senate-Hawaii/id-899cd177e57a4cb29de672a3181d3e8b

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