1. Portland Looks To Keep Up Winning Ways

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>NEW YORK -- Referring to the coaches' handbook and praising the opponent, plus employing several NBA decades of perspective, Portland Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts confidently predicted the significantly underachieving Brooklyn Nets would be just fine in the long run.</p><br /><p>'They're extremely talented and they'll probably have home court in the first round [of the playoffs],' Stotts said.</p><br /><p>When it comes to his team, though, Stotts is not so willing to make such pronouncements. Right now the Blazers are falling off the other end of the achievement scale, having been one of the league's most pleasant surprises. In fact, they might even be surprising themselves.</p><br /><img src="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/1118/nba_a_mathews_gb1x400_288x162.jpg" width="600"/><br /><p>'You want me to give my team a ceiling? Stotts said with a smile after the Blazers' 108-98 victory over the Nets Monday night, not wanting to say something that could be used against him later. Im pleased with what were doing but we have to get better.</p><br /><p>Truth is, it's pretty hard to see the extended future of either team.</p><br /><p>The Nets are rather banged up; Brook Lopez and Deron Williams missed the game with ankle injuries and Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett both played while hurting. How bad they were hurting Monday when they combined to shoot 10-of-29 will stay private for now, because neither chose to discuss their 3-7 record afterward.</p><br /><p>All you need to know about how things are going for rookie coach Jason Kidd is that he's been forced to publicly evaluate how often he's supposed stand and sit during the games. The YES Network, which broadcasts Nets games, and the in-house scoreboard operator do him no favors when they constantly show the team huddles and how assistants Lawrence Frank and John Welch are usually the ones in the middle drawing up plays.</p><br /><p>Meanwhile, Stotts, who's in his sixth year as a head coach with his third franchise, is enjoying his first-ever seven-game winning streak. Now at 9-2, the Blazers are the league's hottest team and off to their best start since the 1999-2000 season.</p><br /><p>It's hard to imagine the Nets continuing down this path, just as it's hard to justify how the Blazers are this good. These sorts of runs, positive and negative, are not uncommon in November and often are long forgotten by the All-Star break. Portland, which has set its sights on breaking its two-year playoff absence, obviously wants to believe its situation will continue.</p><br /><p>The Blazers have some hallmarks of a team that's overachieving. They're shooting rather wild numbers from 3-point range so far -- fourth in the league in makes per game (10) and in percentage (.422). Wes Matthews, a career 40 percent 3-point shooter himself, is making a remarkable 53 percent of his 3-pointers so far. That included his first five attempts on Monday.</p><br /><p>Portland came into the week ranked an unsavory 17th in defensive rating and so far has only beaten two teams with a winning record. Catching the Nets when so much of their team was beaten up could've been considered another positive turn of fortune.</p><br /><p>This isn't lost on the Blazers, who are aware that some will dismiss their strong start as circumstantial.</p><br /><p>'I'm sure there's people who are waiting for us to go on a five- or six-game losing skid and for us to go back to how we were,' Matthews said. 'They'll say we're taking too many shots, were taking too many 3s, we're too aggressive and all that other stuff. That's cool. But we're going to keep going at it.'</p><br /><p>To be fair, there's also a lot to like about what they've been doing. They have five players averaging double figures, with LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard putting up All-Star-style numbers in the early going, a quality mix of star power and depth.</p><br /><p>After taxing their starters with huge minutes last season, Stotts is still relying heavily on his starting five but a bench revamped over the summer is more potent. The addition of veteran guard Mo Williams is making a difference in that regard, especially when he comes in the game and plays alongside Lillard as the Blazers essentially operate with two point guards who can also shoot.</p><br /><p>'The NBA game is getting more and more about having playmakers on the court,' Stotts said. 'So when you have two guys who can make plays for other people and themselves it makes our offense more effective.'</p><br /><p>It's part of the reason they routinely generate excellent ball movement. That and their hot shooting have them averaging 108 points per 100 possessions, which is good for third in the league at this point. Last season, by comparison, they ranked 16th in scoring.</p><br /><p>And while you can pick at their schedule, they are the only team to have beaten the San Antonio Spurs, and they're already 5-1 on the road. They didn't win their fifth road game last season until January and went 11-30 on the road all season.</p><br /><p>This early run of success also seems to have the Blazers building a little swagger. They were down 11 points in the first half against the Nets while playing on the second night of a back-to-back. Yet they flipped the scoreboard during the second half when they attacked the Nets' pick-and-rolls and disrupted their offense, allowing just 35 points. It was the type of execution a confident team plays with -- one that believes in itself.</p><br /><p>Then there's a classic underdog role, which is currently being championed by Matthews. Left off the All-Star ballot, Matthews has responded by perhaps the greatest shooting stretch of his career. In the locker room they're playfully calling him Ballot these days.</p><br /><p>'He's playing angry right now; he's upset about the ballot,' Aldridge said. 'He's next-level angry.'</p><br /><p>Most likely, the Blazers are going to find their level a little. They won't keep shooting so well and their opponents, who are currently dead last in 3-point shooting, figure on picking it up. Over the next two weeks they face the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder as the schedule turns on them a little.</p><br /><p>But the Blazers' level still might put them as one of the Western Conference's better teams and that would be an achievement. Leaving Brooklyn with the second-best record in the league, they were feeling pretty good about themselves.</p><br /><p>'You feed off that positive energy, when your hard work is rewarded with wins it kind of snowballs,' Stotts said. 'There's so much confidence involved and it's reassuring.'</p><br /><img src="http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2fi%2fcolumnists%2fwindhorst_brian_m.jpg&w=35&h=48" width="600"/><br /><p>ESPN.com</p><br /></div>

SPORTS 1. Portland Looks To Keep Up Winning Ways

NEW YORK -- Referring to the coaches' handbook and praising the opponent, plus employing several NBA decades of perspective, Portland Tr...

Read more »

Insight: Health site woes show Washington misses out on cutting edge technology [ BeritaTerkini ]

<div id="yom-ad-LREC" class="yom-ad yom-ad-LREC"> <center> <div id="yom-ad-LREC-iframe" class="yom-ad"></div> </center> </div> <p><br></p> <p>By Andy Sullivan</p> <div class="body-slot-mod"> <div class="yom-remote"> <div class="yom-loading" id="mediacontentrelatedstory_container"></div> </div> </div> <p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) – One part of the Obama administration’s technically flawed HealthCare.gov website is actually working as promised. Unfortunately, the company that built it does not intend to seek more government business.</p> <p>Working out of a garage a few blocks north of the White House, a 12-person software shop called Development Seed built a customer interface praised for its elegance and stability, a bright spot in the rollout of a website that has been an embarrassment for President Barack Obama.</p> <p>But chief executive Eric Gundersen said his company will not seek another slice of the $ 82 billion the U.S. government will spend on technology this year because of the paperwork and regulatory hurdles.</p> <p>“We don’t have proposal writers and lawyers. We have developers,” Gundersen said.</p> <p>The technical problems since the October 1 debut of the website have cast a harsh light on the federal government’s tangled procurement process, a system that favors incumbents with long track records but leaves little room for innovation.</p> <p>As a result, the government struggles to deliver the sophisticated digital services that tech-savvy consumers have come to expect.</p> <p>Obama has apologized repeatedly for the performance of the website that is central to his healthcare overhaul. But he and other officials also have pointed fingers at the project’s contractors, who have been paid at least $ 174 million for their work so far. Contractors say the administration is ultimately to blame.</p> <p>The site has been plagued by timeouts, errors and slow responses, although an emergency effort to get the site running smoothly for most visitors has resulted in some improvements.</p> <p>Fewer than 27,000 people signed up for private health insurance plans through the federal marketplace in October, a tiny fraction of the millions ultimately needed to make it financially viable.</p> <p>Technology projects have never been easy for the federal government. One problem, say former administration officials, is that agencies too often rely on established contractors. Those contractors feel little pressure to innovate because there is no competition from cutting edge companies, which are deterred by government red tape.</p> <p>More nimble tech firms such as Development Seed find it hard to overcome hurdles that surround competitive bidding or dealing with risk-averse bureaucrats. All but one of the 47 companies that worked on HealthCare.gov had done previous government work, according to the Sunlight Foundation, a watchdog group.</p> <p>Obama himself says government too often gets it wrong.</p> <p>“How we purchase technology in the federal government is cumbersome, complicated and outdated,” he said last week.</p> <p>“We might have done more to make sure that we were breaking the mold on how we were gonna be setting this up,” he said. “But that doesn’t help us now.”</p> <p>POOR RECORD</p> <p>Government has a poor track record in tackling large technology projects. The Standish Group, a research firm, found that 40 percent of large federal, state and local tech projects are canceled or abandoned, while only 5 percent are completed on time and on budget. The research firm did not provide reasons.</p> <p>Perhaps the only thing that makes HealthCare.gov exceptional is its high visibility.</p> <p>“It’s not an unusual screw-up,” said Charlene Frizzera, a former acting head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency overseeing implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which passed in 2010.</p> <p>Even an effort to streamline the way the government buys goods and services came in years late, at twice the anticipated cost. That website, SAM.gov, crashed shortly after going live in 2012 and is still riddled with glitches.</p> <p>The HealthCare.gov site illustrates the divide between companies specializing in government work and the freewheeling start-up culture that flourishes in Silicon Valley and other tech hubs.</p> <p>Development Seed did not bid on the healthcare project. It was brought in as a subcontractor by a top official at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) who admired its emphasis on simplicity and “open source” design, the practice of releasing software code to the public so outsiders can spot flaws and suggest fixes.</p> <p>“This is cutting edge, sort of where things are going,” HHS chief technical officer Bryan Sivak said of Development Seed at a conference in March.</p> <p>Development Seed reduced the number of computer servers involved in its part of the website from 32 to two, minimizing potential failure points, and finished work in June.</p> <p>Gundersen said officials like Sivak, a former tech officer for the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia, ultimately had limited control.</p> <p>“We’ve probably got one of the most visionary guys, that actually gets code, from a tech background, being the chief technology officer,” Gundersen said of Sivak. “And still he can’t turn the battleship?”</p> <p>INSIDE TRACK</p> <p>As Development Seed finished its work on the front page of HealthCare.gov this spring, a much larger company called CGI Federal scrambled to assemble the back end.</p> <p>CGI Federal is a division of Montreal-based tech services provider CGI Group Inc, which globally employs 68,000 people. Roughly a quarter of its $ 1.3 billion revenue last fiscal year came from the U.S. government.</p> <p>Like many large federal contractors, CGI spends handsomely to influence Washington. It spent $ 200,000 on lobbying last year, and its employees donated $ 128,500 in last year’s election to federal candidates from both parties.</p> <p>CGI ultimately could earn as much as $ 292 million under the HealthCare.gov contract, which it won over three other companies in 2011.</p> <p>Even if it had wanted to, a small company like Development Seed would have been unable to bid on the main HealthCare.gov contract – CMS limited the competition to 16 companies already selected as primary technology providers under an open-ended contract in 2007.</p> <p>CMS shaved months off the bidding process by limiting competition to those pre-screened companies. The website needed to be up and running by October 1, 2013.</p> <p>A large company like CGI handles other complex projects for CMS, and it had the resources to build the site’s complicated health exchange, said several people familiar with the process.</p> <p>The company declined to comment for this story.</p> <p>“Companies that compete for government business every day have to use the latest technologies to be successful,” said contracting expert Larry Allen, who said CMS had ensured an adequate level of competition when awarding the contract.</p> <p>But companies with the ability to bid for big government projects often rely on technology that is years out of date, several former Obama administration officials said.</p> <p>“This is a stagnant community – they do not have to keep up with the latest technology,” said Clay Johnson, a onetime Presidential Innovation Fellow who developed a tool that made it easier for small technology firms to bid on government work.</p> <p>Merici Vinton, a former assistant to the chief information officer at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, said agency employees were better informed about technology than some vendors who competed to build its ConsumerFinance.gov site in 2010.</p> <p>“I was shocked at the quality of the projects they were promising,” Vinton said in an email.</p> <p>COMPLEX TASK</p> <p>With HealthCare.gov, CGI took on a task of enormous complexity.</p> <p>An insurance applicant’s identity and income must be verified through computer systems at the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Homeland Security. Then, the system checks databases from more than 170 insurance carriers to find the best plans.</p> <p>The Obama administration has acknowledged it did not leave CGI and other contractors enough time to test the system before it went live.</p> <p>But administration officials also have said CGI failed to meet certain development goals. A top CMS official, Henry Chao, worried three months before the site’s launch that quality problems could “crash the plane at take-off,” according to government documents obtained by Reuters.</p> <p>CGI has blamed other contractors for site problems and the administration for last-minute design changes.</p> <p>It is unclear whether the government would have gotten a better result if it had recruited more companies like Development Seed, rather than relying on established contractors like CGI.</p> <p>Gundersen said his company lacks the scale to tackle such complex projects, and other contracting experts say it is often more cost-effective to go with a larger company that already has the engineers and other resources needed to tackle the job.</p> <p>But the administration may have ended up with a better website if it had gone with a company that used some of the more current techniques now commonplace in companies that serve the private sector, former Obama administration officials say. Open source development, for example, could have enabled engineers to spot possible flaws sooner and keep the complexity of the site to a minimum.</p> <p>“Government could benefit from that dynamic, but it has saddled itself with a procurement and contracting model that makes it off-limits,” said Andrew McLaughlin, a former White House deputy chief technology officer.</p> <p>(Editing by David Lindsey, Ross Colvin and Grant McCool)</p> <ul id="topics" class="hidden"> <li>Politics & Government</li> <li>President Barack Obama</li> <li>Obama administration</li> <li>technology</li> </ul><p></p> //<!--[CDATA[ jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();}); //]]--> <br><br>

Insight: Health site woes show Washington misses out on cutting edge technology [ BeritaTerkini ]

By Andy Sullivan WASHINGTON (Reuters) – One part of the Obama administration’s technically flawed HealthCare.gov web...

Read more »

19-Nov-2013 08:09

Paris shooting is close to home for former Mexico correspondent (+video) - Christian Science Monitor :: <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2013/1118/Paris-shooting-is-close-to-home-for-former-Mexico-correspondent-video">http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2013/1118/Paris-shooting-is-close-to-home-for-former-Mexico-correspondent-video</a><br /><br><br /><br>Obama's sudden 'fix' gives states another headache from health care - Washington Times :: <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/18/obamas-sudden-fix-gives-states-another-headache-fr/?page%3D2">http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/18/obamas-sudden-fix-gives-states-another-headache-fr/?page%3D2</a><br /><br><br /><br>United Methodist jury convicts Pa. pastor who performed son's same-sex marriage - Fox News :: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/18/united-methodist-jury-convicts-pa-pastor-who-performed-son-same-sex-marriage/">http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/18/united-methodist-jury-convicts-pa-pastor-who-performed-son-same-sex-marriage/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Historic autumn storms killed 8 and left many more homeless - Chicago Tribune :: <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-illinois-tornadoes-met-1119-20131119,0,1894733.story">http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-illinois-tornadoes-met-1119-20131119,0,1894733.story</a><br /><br><br /><br>Indonesia's President Slams Australia's Abbott over Spying Claims - Voice of America :: <a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/indonesias-president-slams-australias-abbott-over-spying-claims/1792932.html">http://www.voanews.com/content/indonesias-president-slams-australias-abbott-over-spying-claims/1792932.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>More enroll, but Web glitches still plague health-care site - The Seattle Times :: <a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2022288224_obamacareupdatexml.html">http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2022288224_obamacareupdatexml.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>His Honor? Toronto's Mayor Rampages On, to City's Shame - New York Times :: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/world/americas/his-honor-torontos-mayor-rampages-on-to-citys-shame.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/world/americas/his-honor-torontos-mayor-rampages-on-to-citys-shame.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Official releasing what appears to be original court file authorizing NSA to ... - Washington Post :: <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/official-releases-what-appears-to-be-original-court-file-authorizing-nsa-to-conduct-sweeps/2013/11/18/194522b6-50a7-11e3-9e2c-e1d01116fd98_story.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/official-releases-what-appears-to-be-original-court-file-authorizing-nsa-to-conduct-sweeps/2013/11/18/194522b6-50a7-11e3-9e2c-e1d01116fd98_story.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>George Zimmerman 'pointed a shotgun at his girlfriend' - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24995459">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24995459</a><br /><br><br /><br>Couple and infant sons found dead in Arlington, Mass. - UPI.com :: <a href="http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/11/19/Couple-and-infant-sons-found-dead-in-Arlington-Mass/UPI-74931384840454/">http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/11/19/Couple-and-infant-sons-found-dead-in-Arlington-Mass/UPI-74931384840454/</a>

19-Nov-2013 08:09

Paris shooting is close to home for former Mexico correspondent (+video) - Christian Science Monitor :: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Euro...

Read more »

Grizzlies give Clippers their first home loss

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><img src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-528b0152/turbine/lat-clippers-grizzlies-wre0012514238-20131118/600" width="600"/> </p><br /><p>Clippers power forward Blake Griffin steals the ball from Grizzlies forward Tayshaun Prince in the first half. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press / )</p><br /><p>Zach Randolph had 26 points and 15 rebounds, Mike Conley scored eight of his 15 points during a four-minute span of the fourth quarter, and the Memphis Grizzlies overcame the first-quarter ejection of shooting guard Tony Allen to beat the Los Angeles Clippers, 106-102, on Monday night in a rematch of their first-round playoff series.</p><br /><p>Marc Gasol had 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to help put the Grizzlies (6-5) over .500 for the first time this season. They are 5-0 when Randolph leads them in scoring.</p><br /><p>Blake Griffin had 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers, who were beaten at home for the first time this season.</p><br /><p>Chris Paul had 18 points and 11 assists for his 11th consecutive double-double, the most by any player from the start of a season since Magic Johnson in 1990-91.</p><br /></div>

SPORTS Grizzlies give Clippers their first home loss

Clippers power forward Blake Griffin steals the ball from Grizzlies forward Tayshaun Prince in the first half. (Chris Carlson / Associated ...

Read more »

The $98 32-Inch Flat-Screen TV

<b>November 18, 2013</b><br /><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-19/wal-mart-touts-98-tv-as-holiday-seen-weakest-since-2009-retail.html?cmpid=yhoo">Wal-Mart Touts $98 TV as Holiday Seen Weakest Since 2009: Retail</a><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i>Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) is dangling a 32-inch flat-screen TV for $98, down from $148 last year.</i></div><br />When can we expect the Fed to lower interest rates to help spur the economy again?

The $98 32-Inch Flat-Screen TV

November 18, 2013 Wal-Mart Touts $98 TV as Holiday Seen Weakest Since 2009: Retail Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) is dangling a 32-inch flat-scr...

Read more »

Still Stuck in ZIRP?

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4J7_qBmDKRwAKD0vIrQn9YApB68Rkyo6Xeky8HFX2FUK7ToKQpgvRPbsCuuc9gQWFudDf70TV2MnfvGnpl0tPqeDksYE7YACntuwe6W9wFs808F2VYrWaF90QSBj98Q6ak0WfKpMESo/s1600/Fed+Funds+Trend.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4J7_qBmDKRwAKD0vIrQn9YApB68Rkyo6Xeky8HFX2FUK7ToKQpgvRPbsCuuc9gQWFudDf70TV2MnfvGnpl0tPqeDksYE7YACntuwe6W9wFs808F2VYrWaF90QSBj98Q6ak0WfKpMESo/s320/Fed+Funds+Trend.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br /><b>Still stuck in ZIRP.</b><br /><br /><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/04/wrong-way-siegel-strikes-again-v2.html">Big shocker.</a> Where does the time go?<br /><br />The good news is that we're making good progress on getting back to the trend line and that the Japanese have been studying this monetary problem for more than two decades (ever since their epic housing bust).<br /><br />The bad news is that the trend line continues to come down to meet us, the Japanese are still stuck, and we are too more than likely. Even if we were to miraculously temporarily extract ourselves, then we'd probably just get stuck even more severely in the aftermath of the next recession.<br /><br />Many talk about how Janet Yellen will offer easy money in an attempt to solve our long-term structural problems. They aren't factoring in the difficulty of the job though. We need someone who can wake up with a positive attitude each and every morning and exclaim with the utmost confidence, "Let's keep interest rates at zero and see what happens next!"<br /><br />Nothing but good things from here! I assure you!<br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?id=FF">St. Louis Fed: Effective Federal Funds Rate</a>

Still Stuck in ZIRP?

Click to enlarge. Still stuck in ZIRP. Big shocker. Where does the time go? The good news is that we're making good progress on getting...

Read more »

Obama administration was warned of Obamacare risks in March: report [ BeritaTerkini ]

<div id="yom-ad-LREC" class="yom-ad yom-ad-LREC"> <center> <div id="yom-ad-LREC-iframe" class="yom-ad"></div> </center> </div> <p><br></p> <p>By David Morgan</p> <div class="body-slot-mod"> <div class="yom-remote"> <div class="yom-loading" id="mediacontentrelatedstory_container"></div> </div> </div> <p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Obama administration officials, including senior White House staff, were warned last spring of risks to the rollout of President Barack Obama’s healthcare law, including the danger of scant testing, according to a report released by congressional investigators.</p> <p>In a 14-part slide presentation, consulting firm McKinsey & Co said a compressed testing window could inhibit the administration’s ability to resolve problems with the website, HealthCare.gov, that could occur after the October 1 launch.</p> <p>It also found that the project lacked comprehensive testing, noted many functions were dependent on contractors and warned against taking risks to meet deadlines.</p> <p>The presentation was given to officials at the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House, including Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, in four presentations between March 28 and April 8.</p> <p>The U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, which released the report on Monday, said Sebelius testified at a panel hearing that the project was on track two weeks after seeing the presentation.</p> <p>But the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, the HHS agency responsible for the rollout, said concrete action was taken to address potential risks highlighted. A McKinsey spokeswoman declined comment, saying its work for clients was confidential.</p> <p>“As we have said, CMS has continually evaluated progress and has taken steps to prioritize and address concerns, and mitigate risk,” the agency said in a statement.</p> <p>HealthCare.gov, the federal government’s website for providing subsidized health coverage to millions of uninsured people in 36 states, crashed soon after its launch on October 1 and has been plagued by technical problems since.</p> <p>Administration officials have blamed the troubles on unexpectedly high volumes, acknowledged that more testing was needed before the launch and have named a contractor to oversee the repair project.</p> <p>The McKinsey report also said there was a risk of problems with the federal call center for potential applications and the federal data hub, which serves as a high-tech bridge between the marketplace, states and federal agencies. But those segments of the system have been relatively problem-free.</p> <p>(Editing by Peter Cooney)</p> <ul id="topics" class="hidden"> <li>Politics & Government</li> <li>Government</li> <li>Obama</li> <li>Kathleen Sebelius</li> <li>White House</li> </ul><p></p> //<!--[CDATA[ jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();}); //]]--> <br><br>

Obama administration was warned of Obamacare risks in March: report [ BeritaTerkini ]

By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Obama administration officials, including senior White House staff, were warn...

Read more »

19-Nov-2013 07:08

Off to the races: Christie vs. the Keans - NBCNews.com :: <a href="http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/11/15/21476171-off-to-the-races-christie-vs-the-keans">http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/11/15/21476171-off-to-the-races-christie-vs-the-keans</a><br /><br><br /><br>Vote Lands Albuquerque at Center of Abortion Battle - TIME :: <a href="http://nation.time.com/2013/11/18/vote-lands-albuquerque-at-center-of-abortion-battle/?iid%3Dent-main-mostpop2">http://nation.time.com/2013/11/18/vote-lands-albuquerque-at-center-of-abortion-battle/?iid%3Dent-main-mostpop2</a><br /><br><br /><br>Methodist jury convicts pastor for officiating his son's gay marriage - Christian Science Monitor :: <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2013/1118/Methodist-jury-convicts-pastor-for-officiating-his-son-s-gay-marriage">http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2013/1118/Methodist-jury-convicts-pastor-for-officiating-his-son-s-gay-marriage</a><br /><br><br /><br>Historic autumn storms killed 8 and left many more homeless - Chicago Tribune :: <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-illinois-tornadoes-met-1119-20131119,0,1894733.story">http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-illinois-tornadoes-met-1119-20131119,0,1894733.story</a><br /><br><br /><br>George Zimmerman 'pointed a shotgun at his girlfriend' - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24995459">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24995459</a><br /><br><br /><br>Bitcoin Gaining Validity Fuels Rally in Virtual Currency: Tech - Businessweek :: <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-11-19/bitcoin-gaining-validity-fuels-rally-in-virtual-currency-tech">http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-11-19/bitcoin-gaining-validity-fuels-rally-in-virtual-currency-tech</a><br /><br><br /><br>His Honor? Toronto's Mayor Rampages On, to City's Shame - New York Times :: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/world/americas/his-honor-torontos-mayor-rampages-on-to-citys-shame.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/world/americas/his-honor-torontos-mayor-rampages-on-to-citys-shame.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Family of 4 dies violently in Arlington - Boston Globe :: <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/11/18/four-people-found-dead-arlington-home/BCIlKtB8Ia5j3NHjMWWR4J/story.html">http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/11/18/four-people-found-dead-arlington-home/BCIlKtB8Ia5j3NHjMWWR4J/story.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Paris shootings: Liberation photographer shot 'on first day' - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24989762">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24989762</a><br /><br><br /><br>JPMorgan, Justice Department near $13B settlement - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/11/18/jpmorgan-justice-dept-near-settlement/3633575/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/11/18/jpmorgan-justice-dept-near-settlement/3633575/</a>

19-Nov-2013 07:08

Off to the races: Christie vs. the Keans - NBCNews.com :: http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/11/15/21476171-off-to-the-races-christie-...

Read more »

Check kids’ mobiles, parents warned [ BeritaTerkini ]

<p><cite class="byline vcard"><span class="provider org">Press Association</span> – </cite></p> <div class="yom-mod yom-art-content" id="mediaarticlebody"> <div class="bd"> <p class="first">Parents are putting their children at risk of sexual abuse by failing to carry out basic checks on their mobile phones, a report has warned.</p> <p>The study into child sexual exploitation found a lack of understanding among families that paedophiles often try to contact children through the mobile devices.</p> <p>Smartphones are now a “key tool” used by sex offenders targeting children, according to Pace (Parents Against Child Exploitation), which commissioned the study along with Virtual College’s Safeguarding Children e-academy.</p> <p>The report, Are Parents In The Picture?, found more than half (56%) of parents thought it was “most intrusive” to check text messages sent and received by children aged nine to 14.</p> <p>This is despite agreement from nine out of 10 safeguarding professionals that mobile phones were a key tool for perpetrators of child sexual exploitation, Pace said.</p> <p>Seven out of 10 professionals believed a lack of knowledge and engagement among parents was the most significant barrier in the fight against child sexual exploitation, the report found.</p> <p>The study was based on two YouGov surveys of 945 professional staff, including more than 200 police officers, 226 social workers and 510 teachers, and 750 parents with at least one child aged nine to 17.</p> <p>It follows a crackdown announced by Microsoft and Google on internet searches for horrific photographs and videos, which Prime Minister David Cameron hailed as “real progress against the absolute evil of child abuse”.</p> <p>Half (51%) of professionals believed parents do not have the right information needed to keep their children safe from sexual exploitation, while 53% thought families did not understand what child sexual exploitation entails.</p> <p>Nearly nine out of 10 parents (87%) said that there had been no education about child sex abuse at their children’s school</p> <p>One in 10 parents admitted they did not know enough about child sexual exploitation, while four out of 10 said they were not confident they would recognise the difference between normal adolescent behaviour and key indicators that a child is being sexually exploited.</p> <p>Pace chief executive Gill Gibbons said: ” It’s time to bring parents out of the shadows and into the centre of the picture. We need to build more awareness across all communities, with a stronger statutory focus on working with parents.”</p> <p>Former children’s minister Tim Loughton said: “It is particularly crucial that parents are better educated and better engaged in protecting their own children.</p> <p>“The huge attention given to the prolific crimes of celebrities such as Jimmy Savile should not detract from the fact that most child sexual exploitation happens at the hands of ordinary criminals targeting ordinary children from all sorts of backgrounds and mostly living at home.</p> <p>“Schools must redouble their efforts to include parents in the battle against the perpetrators of CSE at an early stage and no one must be under any illusion that this could never happen to their children.”</p> <p>The study comes ahead of Pace’s conference in central London tomorrow to discuss the wider impact of child sexual exploitation on families, and a week before the release of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner’s (OCC) two-year inquiry into child sexual exploitation in groups and gangs.</p> <p>Yesterday Mr Cameron said the expertise of eavesdropping agency GCHQ will be used to “go after” paedophiles that exploit hidden parts of the internet.</p> <p>New software will be introduced to automatically block 100,000 “unambiguous” search terms which lead to illegal content on the two search engines, and Britain’s National Crime Agency will join forces with America’s FBI in a new transatlantic task force to target paedophiles who use encrypted networks online.</p> <p></p> </div> </div> //<!--[CDATA[ jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();}); //]]--> <br><br>

Check kids’ mobiles, parents warned [ BeritaTerkini ]

Press Association  –  Parents are putting their children at risk of sexual abuse by failing to carry out basic checks on their mobile ...

Read more »

19-Nov-2013 06:07

Third time not the charm: Senate GOP rejects another Obama judicial nominee - Kansas City Star :: <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2013/11/18/4632364/third-time-not-the-charm-senate.html">http://www.kansascity.com/2013/11/18/4632364/third-time-not-the-charm-senate.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Former Raiders LB Howard dies in crash - Fox News :: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/11/18/former-raiders-lb-howard-dies-in-crash/">http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/11/18/former-raiders-lb-howard-dies-in-crash/</a><br /><br><br /><br>US Poised to Announce $13 Billion JPMorgan Settlement - New York Times :: <a href="http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/11/18/justice-department-poised-to-announce-mortgage-deal-with-jpmorgan/">http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/11/18/justice-department-poised-to-announce-mortgage-deal-with-jpmorgan/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Parents, infant twin sons found dead in Mass. home - Corvallis Gazette Times :: <a href="http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/national/parents-infant-twin-sons-found-dead-in-mass-home/article_000c6a76-02bf-5be1-8e15-8518e978caa7.html">http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/national/parents-infant-twin-sons-found-dead-in-mass-home/article_000c6a76-02bf-5be1-8e15-8518e978caa7.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>JFK: The moments before the moment everything changed - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/18/jfk-assassination-the-moments-before/3634611/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/18/jfk-assassination-the-moments-before/3634611/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Paris shootings: Liberation photographer shot 'on first day' - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24989762">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24989762</a><br /><br><br /><br>George Zimmerman arrested on domestic violence charges in Florida: report - New York Daily News :: <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/george-zimmerman-arrested-florida-report-article-1.1520840">http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/george-zimmerman-arrested-florida-report-article-1.1520840</a><br /><br><br /><br>Deadly storms spawn more than 80 reports of tornadoes in Midwest - Chicago Tribune :: <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-tornado-disaster-area-20131118,0,5469499.story">http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-tornado-disaster-area-20131118,0,5469499.story</a><br /><br><br /><br>Dallas Zoo lion killed by fellow big cat - WRAL.com :: <a href="http://www.wral.com/dallas-zoo-lion-killed-by-fellow-big-cat/13128296/">http://www.wral.com/dallas-zoo-lion-killed-by-fellow-big-cat/13128296/</a><br /><br><br /><br>His Honor? Toronto's Mayor Rampages on, to City's Shame - New York Times :: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/world/americas/his-honor-torontos-mayor-rampages-on-to-citys-shame.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/world/americas/his-honor-torontos-mayor-rampages-on-to-citys-shame.html</a>

19-Nov-2013 06:07

Third time not the charm: Senate GOP rejects another Obama judicial nominee - Kansas City Star :: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/11/18/4632...

Read more »

Zimmerman, Cheney and Walmart: Scumbags Gone Wild

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Holaaaaaa y’all! There is one thing that is completely and totally obvious to me and should be to everyone else: <b><i>The Scumbags Always Win</i></b>. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Yup, people who are pieces of shit always win. Everything always works out for them and when it doesn’t, someone (or the government) steps in and saves them. Let’s take a look at today’s scumbags … <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- <b>George Zimmerman!</b>Oh look! If it’s a day that ends in “y” then George Zimmerman must be in jail for a domestic dispute. Oh I know, it’s not his fault. It’s NEVER HIS FAULT! Sure he’s been arrested five times for domestic violence in his life and twice he has pointed or threatened his wife/girlfriend with a gun, but it wasn’t his fault. He’s a sweet, innocent victim of all these horrible people. And that unarmed teenager he shot and killed? He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Today’s incident has resulted in George being charged assault and battery after pointing a shotgun at his girlfriend. Don’t worry though, he’ll skate like always. People like George always go free. The NRA and other right wing organizations will be there to pay for everything again too. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I have seen a few women say things like “George Zimmerman has a girlfriend? How???” Isn’t that cute how they do that? Women are so naïve like that. Let me tell ya folks, behind every scumbag woman abusing murdering piece of shit guy is a long line of women wanting to get with him. I’ll never understand it either. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXkKe6nzuwu-wYl0n3qeQc0VDVjJZtRvJNoUwmqAuy4Vsc939hdrHm8p1WnkMrmD_awIoA0ofyx-DQyjHqwM7SKzbavt_SgOBKWU8L5Ka2g93NotQFjwDz7nIXTAUUqjrjzs8rlf3mTXp/s1600/George+Zimmerman+Mug+Shot+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXkKe6nzuwu-wYl0n3qeQc0VDVjJZtRvJNoUwmqAuy4Vsc939hdrHm8p1WnkMrmD_awIoA0ofyx-DQyjHqwM7SKzbavt_SgOBKWU8L5Ka2g93NotQFjwDz7nIXTAUUqjrjzs8rlf3mTXp/s1600/George+Zimmerman+Mug+Shot+2013.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>- Liz Cheney!</b> Man, what a fun time it’s gonna be at the Cheney’s on Thanksgiving! Seems as though a little family tiff has blown wide open and in public no less! Liz Cheney is seeking the republican nomination for the US Senate in Wyoming (a state she may or may not live in) and to win the republican nomination she has be the most extreme hate-filled bigot imaginable. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So she has decided to publicly condemn her sister Mary who is in a same sex marriage with her longtime partner. Needless to say Mary isn’t all that impressed with Liz’s public pandering to scumbags and decided to let her know it publicly. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">For their part Mommy and Daddy Cheney put out a statement today that basically says “politics first girls.” What a beautiful family they are huh? I can feel the warmth and love from here. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">You know, I never really gave Liz Cheney much chance to oust sitting senator, far right-wing crazy Mike Enzi, but now I think she might. This kind of public scumbaggery probably gives her an advantage. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bHB8YBZdiXpDKDO0zesG7JQU-8AevSop2JCWEvr-tCHa5kEz3a8og_oPZyJ8MZzajXeTIMnlhkiT-oEeTIU5oYeJHcgXKY-3361HSCZtxM4bihirSLst8Ma17kttXmmIlwkfwDq4s11v/s1600/Dick+Cheney+Asshole+Scumbag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bHB8YBZdiXpDKDO0zesG7JQU-8AevSop2JCWEvr-tCHa5kEz3a8og_oPZyJ8MZzajXeTIMnlhkiT-oEeTIU5oYeJHcgXKY-3361HSCZtxM4bihirSLst8Ma17kttXmmIlwkfwDq4s11v/s320/Dick+Cheney+Asshole+Scumbag.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>- Walmart!</b> There is a Walmart in the Cleveland, OH area that is holding a food drive. Isn’t that a nice thing to do? A big, extremely profitable corporation is giving back to the community by holding a food drive for people who can’t afford to have a decent meal this Thanksgiving. That just makes me feel so good and frankly helps to restore my faith in humanity. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What? OHHHHHHHHHHHHH! They’re holding the food drive so Walmart employees can have a decent meal this Thanksgiving? One of the most profitable companies in the world pays its employees so little that they have to hold food drive for them? And that corporation is asking its customers “Hey, buy some extra groceries here at Walmart and then on your way out, put some food items in these bins for OUR EMPLOYEES!!!??? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeYcR-qT3S0w78QR54b1ilkDTp9a1C4n9tcD0uboTmMAn1JSRLrnSi5g6ujLGNPOrXRsFIog90UBu_eFY0kcd1-sVvgd9RSZAh68rr0TQjFOBAlZaKrzoxleNEpe8VVzfBwI0NsDZDcBb/s1600/walmart+food+drive+for+employees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeYcR-qT3S0w78QR54b1ilkDTp9a1C4n9tcD0uboTmMAn1JSRLrnSi5g6ujLGNPOrXRsFIog90UBu_eFY0kcd1-sVvgd9RSZAh68rr0TQjFOBAlZaKrzoxleNEpe8VVzfBwI0NsDZDcBb/s320/walmart+food+drive+for+employees.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I fucking give up! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com">Jayman3768@gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/jayman68" target="_blank">My Facebook</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/jayman_iws" target="_blank">@Jayman_IWS </a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

Zimmerman, Cheney and Walmart: Scumbags Gone Wild

Holaaaaaa y’all! There is one thing that is completely and totally obvious to me and should be to everyone else: The Scumbags Always Win . Y...

Read more »

Available For Today Only: Two Shirts, Twelve Doctors!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFhigATfVq_mjDwp63xkv3vCHEnfY3zTRsloEzidcFQ-t5BI2ON9KSeTSKoaHoDgbGZoP4ndYrpPlRlgPbVtxAGzf9axp9I2BWW9P8qFyvdAJEnY4ibqTI-NGzZXVnt3kt9KlYIB_djk/s1600/teef1911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFhigATfVq_mjDwp63xkv3vCHEnfY3zTRsloEzidcFQ-t5BI2ON9KSeTSKoaHoDgbGZoP4ndYrpPlRlgPbVtxAGzf9axp9I2BWW9P8qFyvdAJEnY4ibqTI-NGzZXVnt3kt9KlYIB_djk/s640/teef1911.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two shirts ..twelve Doctors... It's an epic TwoFury battle!</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Both designs ar available for the next 24 hours and is JUST $11!  DELIVERY IS AVAILABLE WORLDIDE!</span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fafafa; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="text-align: justify;"></span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=310481&u=744749&m=32833&urllink=&afftrack=" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #660000; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">Click here to order</a></b><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"> </span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmnaNPJzww02m4T1cdAPmv-CVM756wnfNdDNpOAmw7ZulBR7dmmz5qbmg9fykZKaM7_1Xkq67zBGIFwiPi7dAHlUFRQMmaUjVcbkqdwGfEGPKTp3HB7zbF_RAS9jmFEYHtyFyU9wgRts/s1600/teef1911a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmnaNPJzww02m4T1cdAPmv-CVM756wnfNdDNpOAmw7ZulBR7dmmz5qbmg9fykZKaM7_1Xkq67zBGIFwiPi7dAHlUFRQMmaUjVcbkqdwGfEGPKTp3HB7zbF_RAS9jmFEYHtyFyU9wgRts/s640/teef1911a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></div>

Doctor Who Merchandise Tee Fury Available For Today Only: Two Shirts, Twelve Doctors!

Two shirts ..twelve Doctors... It's an epic TwoFury battle! Both designs ar available for the next 24 hours and is JUST $11!  DELIVERY I...

Read more »

Toronto council curbs Mayor Ford’s powers after chaotic debate [ BeritaTerkini ]

<div id="yom-ad-LREC" class="yom-ad yom-ad-LREC"> <center> <div id="yom-ad-LREC-iframe" class="yom-ad"></div> </center> </div> <p><br></p> <p>By Allison Martell and Cameron French</p> <div class="body-slot-mod"> <div class="yom-remote"> <div class="yom-loading" id="mediacontentrelatedstory_container"></div> </div> </div> <p>TORONTO (Reuters) – Toronto’s City Council voted overwhelmingly at a raucous meeting on Monday to strip embattled Mayor Rob Ford of more of his authority in a move Ford denounced as a coup d’etat while promising political foes election battle next year to rival the Gulf War.</p> <p>Ford, who has been under fire for his drug use and drinking, as well as the way he has handled the accusations, vowed in an interview to give up alcohol and lose weight.</p> <p>Earlier at a tumultuous City Council meeting, members voted to slash Ford’s office budget and transfer some of his powers to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, among other limitations, by a vote of 36-5.</p> <p>“This is a coup d’etat,” Ford told council, denouncing the motion.</p> <p>Ford intends to seek re-election next year and warned councilors that the campaign would rival the 1991 Gulf War.</p> <p>“This, folks, reminds of when I was watching with my brother when Saddam (Hussein) attacked Kuwait. And President Bush said, ‘I warn you, I warn you, do not (attack Kuwait).’ Well, folks, if you think American-style politics is nasty, you guys have just attacked Kuwait.”</p> <p>On Friday, the council had suspended Ford’s authority to dismiss the deputy mayor and the heads of council committees and removed his powers to act during emergencies.</p> <p>Ford has admitted to smoking crack cocaine, buying illegal drugs and driving after drinking alcohol but has ignored calls to resign.</p> <div class="body-related"> <div class="img-wrap"> <div class="cta-overlay"> <span class="cta-text xsmall">View gallery</span><span class="icon-slideshow icon-white-slideshow-xsmall">.”</span> </div> <p><img alt="Toronto Mayor Rob Ford reacts after walking around …" class="body-related-thumb lzbg" height="204px" src="http://l.yimg.com/os/mit/media/m/base/images/transparent-1093278.png" style="" title="" width="300px"></p> </div> <div class="body-related-title photo-caption" style="width: 300px;">Toronto Mayor Rob Ford (C) reacts after walking around council chambers while an unidentified member …</div> </div> <p>In an interview with CBC on Monday after the City Council action, Ford said he had not had a drop of alcohol in three weeks and vowed to stop drinking completely.</p> <p>“Finished,” he said when asked by host Peter Mansbridge about his drinking. “I’ve had a ‘come to Jesus moment’ if you want to call it that.”</p> <p>Ford also said he planned to lose 30 pounds within five months.</p> <p>Monday’s City Council meeting turned into a spectacle as Ford stalked around the meeting room, getting into an angry verbal exchange with gallery spectators, some of whom shouted “Shame! Shame!” at him. At one point, while running across the room, he collided with Councilor Pam McConnell, almost knocking her over. He later apologized.</p> <p>Ford also mimed drinking and driving – apparently a jab at a councilor whose license was briefly suspended after a roadside breathalyzer test. A video clip spread quickly on social media.</p> <p>APPEAL TO DEPUTY MAYOR</p> <p>The council had been looking for ways to neutralize Ford since he will not quit and the council cannot remove him or strip him of roles laid out in provincial law, such as representing the city at events.</p> <p>“What we’re doing is saying to our deputy mayor, please represent our city until 2014, because we trust you more than we trust the mayor,” Councilor Karen Stintz told reporters before the vote. Stintz, once a Ford ally, now plans to run against him in the October 2014 election.</p> <p>Ford’s lawyer, George Rust-D’Eye, told Reuters ahead of Monday’s vote that if the mayor cannot carry out roles mandated by provincial law because of the council’s decisions, a court could intervene. He reiterated his position to reporters after the vote.</p> <p>Ford, who told Fox News that he hopes to run for prime minister one day, recently admitted he has driven after consuming alcohol. And in 1999 he was arrested for impaired driving while on vacation in Florida and pleaded no contest.</p> <p>The mayor’s brother, Doug Ford, – who is also a city councilor, meanwhile, brought a motion that was later ruled out of order that would have called a snap mayoral election, something the mayor also has sought.</p> <p>The revelations about Ford, which started in May when two media outlets said they had seen video of him smoking from what appeared to be a crack pipe, have thrust Toronto into the international spotlight.</p> <p>A new television show featuring the mayor and his brother debuted on Monday evening on Canada’s right-wing Sun News Network.</p> <p>During the one-hour show, the mayor and his brother took recorded questions from viewers and defended his recent performance as mayor, but revealed nothing new about the scandal.</p> <p>(Reporting by Allison Martell, additional reporting by Cameron French; Editing by Janet Guttsman, Jeffrey Benkoe, Peter Galloway, Bill Trott and Cynthia Osterman)</p> <ul id="topics" class="hidden"> <li>Politics & Government</li> <li>Government</li> <li>Rob Ford</li> <li>City Council</li> </ul><p></p> //<!--[CDATA[ jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();}); //]]--> <br><br>

Toronto council curbs Mayor Ford’s powers after chaotic debate [ BeritaTerkini ]

By Allison Martell and Cameron French TORONTO (Reuters) – Toronto’s City Council voted overwhelmingly at a raucous m...

Read more »

Bulls squeak past Bobcats

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><img src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-528ab946/turbine/ct-spt-1119-bulls-bobcats-chicago-20131119-001/525" width="600"/> </p><br /><p>Derrick Rose tied his career-high with six 3-pointers in his last outing.</p><br /><p>With the Bulls vying for their first five-game win streak since March 2012, coach Tom Thibodeau said Rose's right hamstring is healthy enough that defenses will have to respect both his outside shot and drive.</p><br /><p>'In the Cleveland game, I thought in the third quarter he got into a nice rhythm,' Thibodeau said. 'And then he tweaked his hamstring at the end of that game. It wasn't anything major but it was enough to give us pause. I felt in that game he was close to breaking through. The defense is going to tell him what's there. If they're going under and sagging and he's open and it's off movement and he has rhythm then that's a good shot.'</p><br /><p>The Bulls are playing their last home game until Dec. 2. They are 4-0 at the United Center.</p><br /><p>Al Jefferson remains out for the Bobcats, who are 3-2 on the road and rank fourth in points per game allowed.</p><br />kcjohnson@tribune.com<br /><p>Twitter @kcjhoop</p><br /></div>

SPORTS Bulls squeak past Bobcats

Derrick Rose tied his career-high with six 3-pointers in his last outing. With the Bulls vying for their first five-game win streak since M...

Read more »

Dancing With the Stars' OMG Elimination: Find Out Who Survived the Semi

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://www.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/20131018/rs_560x373-131118155953-1024.dwts-group-shot-111813.jpg" width="600"/><img src="http://www.eonline.com/static/columnists/bricks/watch_with_kristin.jpg" width="600"/><br /><p>There's barely anyone left in the ballroom!</p><br /><p>The competition was fierce on tonight's episode of Dancing With the Stars, as the remaining contestants danced for their lives in the semi-finales. After a grueling night of shimmies, shakes, and sharp critiques from the judges, the five celebrities also had to say goodbye to an extremely talented competitor.</p><br /><p>This week, the couples were tasked with dancing two performances this evening, but here was the catch: They had to use the same song twice. With injuries, illnesses, and exhaustion plaguing our week ten hopefuls, this week's dreaded elimination was a difficult one.</p><br /><p>So which celebrity was left sobbing into their sequins? Say goodbye to...</p><br /><strong>MORE: DWTS Elimination: Find Out Which Talented Lady Was Sent Home Last Week!</strong> <img src="http://www.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/20131018/rs_560x415-131118145435-560.DWTS-1-WWK-jmd-111413.jpg" width="600"/><br /><p>ABC/Adam Taylor</p><br /><p><strong>Leah Remini</strong>!</p><br /><p>Can you believe it?! This means that after ten weeks of subpar dancing and low judges' scores, <strong>Bill Engvall</strong> and his dancing partner <strong>Emma Slater</strong>, have made it to the finals. Wow. Just, wow.</p><br /><p>Even though we're sad to see Leah go, (and absolutely baffled that Bill is still here!) we are excited with the remaining season 17 finalists: <strong>Corbin Bleu</strong>, <strong>Amber Riley</strong> and <strong>Jack Osbourne</strong>. These four couples will battle it out in not one, but two nights next week in order to win the coveted Dancing With the Stars mirror ball trophy.</p><br /><p>Are you sad to see Leah go? Who do you think will take the top spot in next week's DWTS finale? Shout out your thoughts in the comments below!</p><br /><strong>PHOTOS: Dancing With the Stars: Special Guests!</strong></div>

ENTERTAINMENT Dancing With the Stars' OMG Elimination: Find Out Who Survived the Semi

There's barely anyone left in the ballroom! The competition was fierce on tonight's episode of Dancing With the Stars, as the remain...

Read more »

19-Nov-2013 05:06

US Poised to Announce $13 Billion JPMorgan Settlement - New York Times :: <a href="http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/11/18/justice-department-poised-to-announce-mortgage-deal-with-jpmorgan/">http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/11/18/justice-department-poised-to-announce-mortgage-deal-with-jpmorgan/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Parents, infant twin sons found dead in Mass. home - Imperial Valley Press :: <a href="http://www.ivpressonline.com/news/nation/parents-twin-sons-found-dead-in-mass-home-id-d/article_6d032c3e-244d-5647-ae69-34f5f55f9bab.html">http://www.ivpressonline.com/news/nation/parents-twin-sons-found-dead-in-mass-home-id-d/article_6d032c3e-244d-5647-ae69-34f5f55f9bab.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>How Liz Cheney Became the Black Sheep of the Family - The Atlantic :: <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/11/how-liz-cheney-became-the-black-sheep-of-the-family/281602/">http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/11/how-liz-cheney-became-the-black-sheep-of-the-family/281602/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Disasters declared in seven Illinois counties after rare, late-season storms - PBS :: <a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/nation/july-dec13/storm1_11-18.html">http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/nation/july-dec13/storm1_11-18.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>George Zimmerman arrested after his girlfriend alleges he threatened her with a ... - CBS News :: <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57612861-504083/george-zimmerman-arrested-after-his-girlfriend-alleges-he-threatened-her-with-a-shotgun/">http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57612861-504083/george-zimmerman-arrested-after-his-girlfriend-alleges-he-threatened-her-with-a-shotgun/</a><br /><br><br /><br>United Methodists Try Pa. Pastor Over Gay Marriage - MyFox Philadelphia :: <a href="http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/24004869/united-methodists-try-pa-pastor-over-gay-marriage">http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/24004869/united-methodists-try-pa-pastor-over-gay-marriage</a><br /><br><br /><br>The Martin Agency, Tool Again Team On JFK Presidential Library Initiative - SHOOT Online :: <a href="http://www.shootonline.com/go/news-view.rs-web4-2917319-1384831237-2.The-Martin-Agency--Tool-Again-Team-On-JFK-Presidential-Library-Initiative.html">http://www.shootonline.com/go/news-view.rs-web4-2917319-1384831237-2.The-Martin-Agency--Tool-Again-Team-On-JFK-Presidential-Library-Initiative.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>His Honor? Toronto's Mayor Rampages on, to City's Shame - New York Times :: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/world/americas/his-honor-torontos-mayor-rampages-on-to-citys-shame.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/world/americas/his-honor-torontos-mayor-rampages-on-to-citys-shame.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Gunman at Large in Paris - Wall Street Journal :: <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304439804579205483257662884">http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304439804579205483257662884</a><br /><br><br /><br>US Senate blocks Robert Wilkins' nomination to top court - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24997062">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24997062</a>

19-Nov-2013 05:06

US Poised to Announce $13 Billion JPMorgan Settlement - New York Times :: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/11/18/justice-department-poised-...

Read more »

'Selfie' named by Oxford Dictionaries as word of 2013

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>'Selfie' has been named as word of the year by Oxford Dictionaries.</p><br /><p>The word has evolved from a niche social media tag into a mainstream term for a self-portrait photograph, the editors said.</p><br /><p>Research suggested its frequency in the English language had increased by 17,000% in the last year, they added.</p><br /><p>Other shortlisted words included 'twerk' - a raunchy dance move performed by Miley Cyrus - and 'binge-watch' - meaning watching lots of TV.</p><br /><p>'Schmeat', meaning a form of meat synthetically produced from biological tissue, was also a contender.</p><br /><p>'Inventiveness'</p><br /><p>The word of the year award celebrates the inventiveness of English speakers when confronted with social, political or technological change.</p><br /><p>In 2004, the word of the year was 'chav', in 2008 it was credit crunch and last year it was 'omnishambles'.</p><br /><p>To qualify, a word need not have been coined within the past 12 months, but it does need to have become prominent or notable in that time.</p><br /><p>Selfie is defined by Oxford Dictionaries as 'a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website'.</p><br /><p>Its increase in use is calculated by Oxford Dictionaries using a research programme that collects around 150 million English words currently in use from around the web each month.</p><br /><img src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/71193000/jpg/_71193970_obama-girls.jpg" width="600"/><br /><p>This software can be used to track the emergence of new words and monitor changes in geography, register, and frequency of use.</p><br /><p>Papal power</p><br /><p>Selfie can be traced back to 2002 when it was used in an Australian online forum, according to Oxford Dictionaries.</p><br /><p>A man posted a picture of injuries to his face sustained when he tripped over some steps. He apologised for the fact that it was out of focus, saying that it was not because he was drunk but because it was a selfie.</p><br /><p>This year, selfie has gained momentum throughout the English-speaking world, helped by pictures such as one of the Pope with teenagers that went viral.</p><br /><p>Judy Pearsall, editorial director for Oxford Dictionaries, said: 'Social media sites helped to popularise the term, with the hashtag #selfie appearing on the photo-sharing website Flickr as early as 2004, but usage wasn't widespread until around 2012, when selfie was being used commonly in mainstream media sources.'</p><br /><p>Selfie was added to the Oxford Dictionaries Online in August, but is not yet in the Oxford English Dictionary, although it is being considered for future use.</p><br /><p>Other words that were shortlisted included 'showrooming' - examining a product at a shop before buying it online at a lower price - and bitcoin - a digital currency in which transactions can be performed without the need for a central bank.</p><br /></div>

ENTERTAINMENT 'Selfie' named by Oxford Dictionaries as word of 2013

'Selfie' has been named as word of the year by Oxford Dictionaries. The word has evolved from a niche social media tag into a mainst...

Read more »

Spider

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://s1.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20131119&t=2&i=813029229&w=460&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&r=CBRE9AI04OZ00" width="600"/><br /><p>Credit: Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi</p><br /><p>Cast member Reeve Carney (L) is kissed by fellow cast member Jennifer Damiano (C) during the curtain call for the Broadway opening of ''Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark'' in New York June 14, 2011.</p><br /><p>The production will announce its closure this week, the Journal's report said.</p><br /><p>'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,' the most expensive show staged on Broadway, had a rocky start with cast injuries during high-wire stunts and opening night delays.</p><br /><p>The show has been running below its breakeven point for weeks, even though it is among the top shows in attendance figures, the report said.</p><br /><p>A spokesman for the show did not immediately comment on the report.</p><br /><p>(Reporting by Lewis Krauskopf; Editing by Mohammad Zargham)</p><br /></div>

ENTERTAINMENT Spider

Credit: Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi Cast member Reeve Carney (L) is kissed by fellow cast member Jennifer Damiano (C) during the curtain call fo...

Read more »

19-Nov-2013 04:05

ObamaCare's Union Favor - Wall Street Journal :: <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303309504579182061106839366">http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303309504579182061106839366</a><br /><br><br /><br>Toronto council strips power from embattled Mayor Rob Ford - CNN International :: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/18/world/canada-toronto-mayor/">http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/18/world/canada-toronto-mayor/</a><br /><br><br /><br>George Zimmerman charged with assault and battery after disturbance call - Fox News :: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/18/george-zimmerman-arrested-in-florida-after-disturbance-call/">http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/18/george-zimmerman-arrested-in-florida-after-disturbance-call/</a><br /><br><br /><br>'Off the charts' November storms led to record-breaking tornadoes - Los Angeles Times :: <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-midwest-weather-20131118,0,511760.story">http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-midwest-weather-20131118,0,511760.story</a><br /><br><br /><br>JP Morgan Chase, feds agree to $13 billion settlement - CBS News :: <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57612888/jp-morgan-chase-feds-agree-to-$13-billion-settlement/">http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57612888/jp-morgan-chase-feds-agree-to-$13-billion-settlement/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Paris police launches manhunt to nab suspect - Xinhua :: <a href="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/video/2013-11/19/c_132899664.htm">http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/video/2013-11/19/c_132899664.htm</a><br /><br><br /><br>Parents, twin sons found dead in Mass. home ID'd - Helena Independent Record :: <a href="http://helenair.com/news/national/parents-twin-sons-found-dead-in-mass-home-id-d/article_6f9048b7-4725-5750-b706-248adc311452.html">http://helenair.com/news/national/parents-twin-sons-found-dead-in-mass-home-id-d/article_6f9048b7-4725-5750-b706-248adc311452.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Obama slams Senate GOP for blocking judge vote - Politico :: <a href="http://www.politico.com/politico44/2013/11/obama-slams-senate-gop-for-blocking-judge-vote-177799.html?hp%3Dl1_b1">http://www.politico.com/politico44/2013/11/obama-slams-senate-gop-for-blocking-judge-vote-177799.html?hp%3Dl1_b1</a><br /><br><br /><br>How Liz Cheney Became the Black Sheep of the Family - The Atlantic :: <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/11/how-liz-cheney-became-the-black-sheep-of-the-family/281602/">http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/11/how-liz-cheney-became-the-black-sheep-of-the-family/281602/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Former NFL linebacker Thomas Howard killed in car crash - York Daily Record :: <a href="http://www.ydr.com/sports/ci_24550703/former-nfl-linebacker-thomas-howard-killed-car-crash">http://www.ydr.com/sports/ci_24550703/former-nfl-linebacker-thomas-howard-killed-car-crash</a>

19-Nov-2013 04:05

ObamaCare's Union Favor - Wall Street Journal :: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303309504579182061106839366 Toront...

Read more »

Monday, Monday

<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.archidose.org/wp/">A Weekly Dose of Architecture</a> Updates:</span><br /><br />This week's dose features the <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2013/11/18/taipei-sales-center/">Taipei Sales Center</a> in Taipei, Taiwan, by Oyler Wu Collaborative:<br /><a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2013/11/18/taipei-sales-center/"><img alt="this week's dose" src="http://www.archidose.org/Nov13/18/image10.jpg" title="This week's dose" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The featured past dose is the <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2011/10/03/sci-arc-graduation-pavilion/">SCI-Arc Graduation Pavilion</a> in Los Angeles, California by Oyler Wu Collaborative:<br /><a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2011/10/03/sci-arc-graduation-pavilion/"><img border="0" src="http://archidose.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Oct11-03.jpg" title="The featured past dose" width="640" /></a><br /><br />This week's book review is <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2013/11/18/design-for-an-empathic-world/"><i>Design for an Empathic World: Reconecting People, Nature and Self</i></a> by Sim Van der Ryn (L):<br /><a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2013/11/18/design-for-an-empathic-world/"><img alt="this week's book review" height="300" src="http://archidose.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/empathic.jpg" title="This week's book review" /></a> <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2012/08/13/the-shape-of-green/"><img alt="this week's book review" height="300" src="http://archidose.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/hosey.jpg" title="This week's book review" /></a><br />(R): The featured past book review is <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2012/08/13/the-shape-of-green/"><i>The Shape of Green: Aesthetics, Ecology, and Design</i></a> by Lance Hosey.<br /><br />: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">American-Architects <a href="http://www.american-architects.com/en/pages/50x50">Building of the Week</a>:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.world-architects.com/en/projects/project-review-detail/43356_Smith_Creek_Pedestrian_Bridge">Smith Creek Pedestrian Bridge</a> in Clifton Forge, Virginia, by design/buildLAB:<br /><a href="http://www.world-architects.com/en/projects/project-review-detail/43356_Smith_Creek_Pedestrian_Bridge"><img alt="this week's Building of the Week" src="http://www.world-architects.com/files/projects/43356/images/2013JG16619_S.jpg" title="Current Building of the Week on american-architects.com" width="640" /></a>

Monday, Monday

A Weekly Dose of Architecture Updates: This week's dose features the Taipei Sales Center in Taipei, Taiwan, by Oyler Wu Collaborative:...

Read more »

U.S. Senate votes to extend worldwide anti-AIDS program [ BeritaTerkini ]

<div id="yom-ad-LREC" class="yom-ad yom-ad-LREC"> <center> <div id="yom-ad-LREC-iframe" class="yom-ad"></div> </center> </div> <p><br></p> <p>By Patricia Zengerle</p> <div class="body-slot-mod"> <div class="yom-remote"> <div class="yom-loading" id="mediacontentrelatedstory_container"></div> </div> </div> <p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate passed legislation on Monday to extend for another five years a successful and popular program to combat AIDS worldwide started 10 years ago by former President George W. Bush.</p> <p>The 100-member Senate approved the measure by unanimous voice vote. It is expected to be considered – and passed – by the House of Representatives as soon as Tuesday before going to President Barack Obama for his signature.</p> <p>The bill features several provisions to increase oversight of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR. The widely praised program is considered a catalyst for advancing HIV treatment, particularly in Africa.</p> <p>It supports almost 6 million people worldwide who are receiving anti-retroviral drugs, and has provided care and support to nearly 15 million people, including more than 4.5 million orphans and vulnerable children.</p> <p>Among other things, the legislation passed on Monday extends existing funding requirements for treatment of orphans and vulnerable children.</p> <p>The measure was introduced in the Senate and House by Senators Robert Menendez, Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Bob Corker, its top Republican; and Representative Eliot Engel, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Ed Royce, the panel’s Republican chairman.</p> <p>Aides said they expected it would pass the House because of this bipartisan support. Although the program is considered one of the most successful U.S. foreign policy efforts in history, its reauthorization in 2008 was marked by fights over social issues like birth control and abortion rights.</p> <p>“Extending this vital program will bolster our efforts to combat HIV/AIDS as PEPFAR transitions from an emergency response to a sustainable effort that embraces greater partner country ownership,” Menendez said in a statement.</p> <p>PEPFAR funding has fallen 12 percent since 2010. Critics have accused Obama, a Democrat, of failing to show the same level of commitment to fighting AIDS as his Republican predecessor, Bush, who poured $ 15 billion into the program to combat AIDS worldwide.</p> <p>Obama has argued that his administration has expanded the program’s scope without increasing spending.</p> <p>(Editing by Bill Trott)</p> <ul id="topics" class="hidden"> <li>Government</li> <li>Politics & Government</li> <li>Barack Obama</li> <li>PEPFAR</li> <li>Robert Menendez</li> </ul><p></p> //<!--[CDATA[ jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();}); //]]--> <br><br>

U.S. Senate votes to extend worldwide anti-AIDS program [ BeritaTerkini ]

By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate passed legislation on Monday to extend for another five ...

Read more »

LaTroy Hawkins signs with Rockies

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><cite>By Adam Rubin | ESPNNewYork.com</cite> </p><br /><p>NEW YORK -- LaTroy Hawkins has signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal to close for the Colorado Rockies, USA Today reports, pending a physical.</p><br /><p>Hawkins, who turns 41 on Dec. 21, had a solid season for the New York Mets in 2013. He had a 3-2 record and 2.93 ERA in 72 relief appearances. He also notched 13 saves during the season's final two months, once closer Bobby Parnell began suffering from a herniated disk in his neck.</p><br /><p>Hawkins will undergo a physical Thursday.</p><br /><p>Hawkins made news last month while headed for a vacation to go dove hunting in South America. He helped subdue then escort a troublesome passenger off a plane after the Boeing 777-200 made an unscheduled landing in Lima, Peru.</p><br /><p>Hawkins also pitched for the Rockies in 2007.</p><br /><img src="http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2fi%2fcolumnists%2frubin_adam_m.jpg&w=35&h=48" width="600"/><br /><p>ESPNNewYork.com</p><br /></div>

SPORTS LaTroy Hawkins signs with Rockies

By Adam Rubin | ESPNNewYork.com NEW YORK -- LaTroy Hawkins has signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal to close for the Colorado Rockies, USA ...

Read more »

19-Nov-2013 03:04

White House: 1 in 5 won't make it through website - Morning Times :: <a href="http://www.morning-times.com/national_news/article_4105d128-c9d0-5510-904f-c989effdb7f4.html">http://www.morning-times.com/national_news/article_4105d128-c9d0-5510-904f-c989effdb7f4.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>California Says Obama's About-Face on Insurers May Hurt Law - San Francisco Chronicle :: <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/business/bloomberg/article/California-Says-Obama-s-About-Face-on-Insurers-4991755.php">http://www.sfgate.com/business/bloomberg/article/California-Says-Obama-s-About-Face-on-Insurers-4991755.php</a><br /><br><br /><br>Senate Republicans Block Third Obama US Appeals Court Nominee - Businessweek :: <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-11-18/senate-republicans-block-third-obama-u-dot-s-dot-appeals-court-nominee">http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-11-18/senate-republicans-block-third-obama-u-dot-s-dot-appeals-court-nominee</a><br /><br><br /><br>Toronto council strips power from embattled Mayor Rob Ford - CNN International :: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/18/world/canada-toronto-mayor/">http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/18/world/canada-toronto-mayor/</a><br /><br><br /><br>'There's nothing left' after storm blasts Illinois town - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/18/weather-tornadoes-twister-midwest-illinois/3625235/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/18/weather-tornadoes-twister-midwest-illinois/3625235/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Girlfriend to deputies: George Zimmerman pointed a shotgun at me - Orlando Sentinel :: <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/trayvon-martin/os-george-zimmerman-arrested-20131118,0,1837318.story">http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/trayvon-martin/os-george-zimmerman-arrested-20131118,0,1837318.story</a><br /><br><br /><br>Cheney Parents Weigh In On Daughters' Gay-Marriage Feud - TIME :: <a href="http://swampland.time.com/2013/11/18/cheney-parents-weigh-in-on-daughters-gay-marriage-feud/">http://swampland.time.com/2013/11/18/cheney-parents-weigh-in-on-daughters-gay-marriage-feud/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Parents, twin sons found dead in Mass. home ID'd - Houston Chronicle :: <a href="http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Parents-twin-sons-found-dead-in-Mass-home-ID-d-4991268.php">http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Parents-twin-sons-found-dead-in-Mass-home-ID-d-4991268.php</a><br /><br><br /><br>Former NFL linebacker Thomas Howard dies in car crash - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/11/18/thomas-howard-fatal-car-crash-oakland-raiders-cincinnati-bengals-atlanta-falcons/3633761/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/11/18/thomas-howard-fatal-car-crash-oakland-raiders-cincinnati-bengals-atlanta-falcons/3633761/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Shooter on the run in Paris after attack on newspaper - Times of India :: <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Shooter-on-the-run-in-Paris-after-attack-on-newspaper/articleshow/25995740.cms">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Shooter-on-the-run-in-Paris-after-attack-on-newspaper/articleshow/25995740.cms</a>

19-Nov-2013 03:04

White House: 1 in 5 won't make it through website - Morning Times :: http://www.morning-times.com/national_news/article_4105d128-c9d0-5...

Read more »

Sony studio under investor pressure, hires Bain for cost review: source

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://s1.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20131119&t=2&i=813022219&w=460&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&r=CBRE9AI02RU00" width="600"/><br /><p>Credit: Reuters/Fred Prouser</p><br /><p>An entrance gate to Sony Pictures Entertainment at the Sony Pictures lot is pictured in Culver City, California April 14, 2013.</p><br /><p>Bain's hiring is expected to be announced at a Sony investor meeting scheduled at the company's Culver City, California studio lot on Thursday, according to the source.</p><br /><p>'As part of a nearly four year process of increasing fiscal discipline, Sony Pictures is conducting a review of its business to identify further efficiencies,' Sony spokesman Charles Sipkins said in a statement.</p><br /><p>'Our objective is, and always has been, to operate an efficient studio that is uniquely positioned to capitalize on future growth opportunities.'</p><br /><p>Bain's engagement was first reported by the New York Times.</p><br /><p>Loeb, an activist investor who owns about 7 percent of the Japanese electronics and entertainment conglomerate through his Third Point hedge fund, wrote to Sony Corp CEO Kazuo Hirai in May to encourage 'a more disciplined management approach to Sony Entertainment.'</p><br /><p>The studio has since replaced its film marketing chief and reduced film marketing costs.</p><br /><p>In October, Sony reported that its Pictures unit, which includes the movie studio as well as TV production and TV networks, had a second quarter operating loss of $181 million, due in part to the underperformance of summer film 'White House Down.'</p><br /><p>The company's box office performance has improved lately with hits like 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.'</p><br /><p>(Reporting by Ronald Grover; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)</p><br /></div>

ENTERTAINMENT Sony studio under investor pressure, hires Bain for cost review: source

Credit: Reuters/Fred Prouser An entrance gate to Sony Pictures Entertainment at the Sony Pictures lot is pictured in Culver City, California...

Read more »

NBA: Jazz hope for different result tonight against Golden State

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>In the NBA's version of a doubleheader, the Utah Jazz play Golden State on Monday night at EnergySolutions Arena.</p><br /><p>Tipoff is 7 p.m. The game will be televised on ROOT Sports.</p><br /><p><img src="http://www.sltrib.com/csp/cms/sites/sltrib/assets/images/newsite/button_print.png" width="600"/> </p><br /><p>The Jazz and Warriors play each other only 48 hours after they battled at Oracle Arena in Oakland on Saturday night.</p><br /><p>In the first quarter of that game, Utah made only six of its 22 shots and committed five turnovers as Golden State built a 27-13 lead.</p><br /><p>For the Jazz, the game was a back-to-back affair. They lost to reigning Western Conference champion San Antonio in Salt Lake City on Friday night, 91-82.</p><br /><p>According to veteran forward Richard Jefferson, Utah's slow start at Golden State could have been partly attributed to the emotional effort against the Spurs.</p><br /><p>'I think we'll have some more legs tonight than we did going into that game,' Jefferson said at the morning shootaround. 'We had a great battle with San Antonio that went down to the final quarter. Then you go in against this team and we got off to a slow start.'</p><br /><p>Golden State is 7-3 and tied with the Los Angeles Clippers for the early lead in the Pacific Division.</p><br /><p>The Warriors, who shoot 45 percent from the 3-point line, are led by guards Klay Thompson (20.9) and Stephen Curry (19.3). They combined for 40 points, seven rebounds and 13 assists in the Warriors' 12-point win over the Jazz just two nights ago.</p><br /><p>Utah is 1-10 so far this season and, after playing Golden State, hits the road for three games at New Orleans, Dallas and Oklahoma City.</p><br />About Reader Comments<br /><p>Reader comments on sltrib.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Salt Lake Tribune. We will delete comments containing obscenities, personal attacks and inappropriate or offensive remarks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. If you see an objectionable comment, please alert us by clicking the arrow on the upper right side of the comment and selecting 'Flag comment as inappropriate'. If you've recently registered with Disqus or aren't seeing your comments immediately, you may need to verify your email address. To do so, visit disqus.com/account. See more about comments here.</p><br /></div>

SPORTS NBA: Jazz hope for different result tonight against Golden State

In the NBA's version of a doubleheader, the Utah Jazz play Golden State on Monday night at EnergySolutions Arena. Tipoff is 7 p.m. The g...

Read more »

George Zimmerman charged with felony after allegedly pointing gun at girlfriend

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- 3 --><br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-4973891917352186" data-ad-slot="2995338919" style="display: inline-block; height: 250px; width: 300px;"></ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script><br /><div><h1 style="border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 30px; line-height: 33px; margin: 15px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px;">George Zimmerman charged with felony after allegedly pointing gun at girlfriend</h1></div><div><a href="http://www.cnn.com/">http://www.cnn.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="Watch this video" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/131118162640-zimmerman-1118-story-top.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(CNN)</strong> -- George Zimmerman was charged Monday with felony aggravated assault after allegedly pointing a shotgun at his girlfriend, according to Dennis Lemma, chief deputy with the Seminole County, Florida, Sheriff's Office.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph2" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;">Zimmerman, who was acquitted earlier this year of murdering teenager Trayvon Martin, was arrested after the incident at the home of Samantha Scheibe, Lemma said. He also was charged with two misdemeanors -- domestic violence battery and criminal mischief -- in connection with the same incident, Lemma said.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph3" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;">Zimmerman is being held in jail without bail and will make his first appearance in front of a judge Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. ET.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph4" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Differing 911 calls</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph4" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">According to a police report on the incident, Scheibe said that after an argument Zimmerman broke a table with a shotgun then pointed it at her "for a minute."</span></strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph4" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph6" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Scheibe called 911 at 12:30 E.T., Lemma said.</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph7" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">On a 911 call recording released by police, a woman can be heard telling authorities: "He's inside my house breaking all my (things) because I asked him to leave."</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph8" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The woman then says to someone at the house, "I'm doing this again? You just broke my glass table. You just broke my sunglasses and you put your gun in my freaking face and told me to get the (expletive) out."</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph9" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A man is heard telling her to calm down, but then she tells the dispatcher that the man just pushed her out of the house and locked the door.</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph10" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">On a separate 911 call, a man calls to report that his girlfriend was "for lack of a better term, going crazy on me" and throwing his things out. The caller says the woman is outside with police.</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph11" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When asked why he is calling, the man says, "I just want everyone to know the truth."</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph12" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He says he never pulled a firearm and that it is in a bag, locked. He claims she was the one who broke the table.</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph13" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When deputies arrived at the house, Scheibe gave them a key. When they pushed open the door -- which was blocked by several small pieces of furniture -- they found Zimmerman, who was sitting and unarmed, Lemma said. He was passive and cooperative, Lemma said.</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph14" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The sheriff's office was seeking a search warrant to look for two guns deputies believed were inside the home, he said. According to the police report, Zimmerman had locked up the guns before police arrived.</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph15" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recent contact with authorities</strong></strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph16" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This is one of several brushes that Zimmerman has had with law enforcement since he was acquitted this year of murder and manslaughter in the 2012 shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin.</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph17" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Earlier this month, police in Lake Mary, Florida, said no charges would result from an alleged domestic dispute in September between George Zimmerman and his estranged wife, Shellie Zimmerman.</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph18" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Shellie Zimmerman <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/26/justice/shellie-zimmerman-interview/" style="border: 0px; color: #004276; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">said in September</a> that she has doubts about his innocence in the Trayvon Martin case.</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph19" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Since his acquittal in the Martin case, Zimmerman also has been stopped for speeding twice. He was pulled over the first time in Forney, Texas, in July and told the police officer he had a concealed weapon permit and a gun in his glove compartment. The officer wrote on his incident report that he gave Zimmerman a verbal warning.</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph20" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Zimmerman was pulled over in early September going 60 mph in a 45-mph zone in Lake Mary and received a $256 ticket. He was not carrying a weapon at the time.</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph21" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">National headlines</strong></strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph22" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Zimmerman fatally shot Martin in the Sanford neighborhood where Zimmerman and Martin's father lived in February 2012. Zimmerman, who is Hispanic, had a confrontation with the unarmed African-American teen after calling police to report a suspicious person, and he said he shot Martin, 17, in self-defense.</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph23" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Zimmerman was acquitted by a six-person jury in July on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges.</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph24" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The high-profile case sparked a heated nationwide discussion of race as well as debate over Florida's "stand your ground" law.</strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph25" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">His attorney in the murder trial, Mark O'Mara, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/10/justice/zimmerman-lawyer/" style="border: 0px; color: #004276; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">no longer represents him.</a></strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph26" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/26/justice/shellie-zimmerman-interview/index.html" style="border: 0px; color: #004276; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Zimmerman's wife has doubts about his innocence</a></strong></div><br /><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph4" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></strong></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph4" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></strong></div></div></div>

George Zimmerman charged with felony after allegedly pointing gun at girlfriend

George Zimmerman charged with felony after allegedly pointing gun at girlfriend http://www.cnn.com (CNN)  -- George Zimmerman was charged Mo...

Read more »

Health law helpers finding more luck on HealthCare.gov [ BeritaTerkini ]

<div id="yom-ad-LREC" class="yom-ad yom-ad-LREC"> <center> <div id="yom-ad-LREC-iframe" class="yom-ad"></div> </center> </div> <p><br></p> <p>By Curtis Skinner</p> <div class="body-slot-mod"> <div class="yom-remote"> <div class="yom-loading" id="mediacontentrelatedstory_container"></div> </div> </div> <p>NEW YORK (Reuters) – Healthcare workers assisting people to sign up for insurance on the HealthCare.gov marketplace on Monday told Reuters they had noticed improvement in the problem-plagued website.</p> <p>Seven organizations funded through the health reform law that assist applicants, from Kansas to Pennsylvania, said that they’d seen successes enrolling people from start to finish in recent days.</p> <p>Another group of the workers, often called navigators, said problems persisted unchanged. None offered numbers.</p> <p>“Saturday was the first day that I was actually able to get someone through the entire process on the website. That was pretty exciting. And I know on Saturday that wasn’t the case for everyone on my team, but more and more consistently we’re having success with it,” said Rachel Udow, program director for MHP, a community-based organization focused on migrant issues in Weslaco, Texas.</p> <p>The Obama administration has pledged that the websites would be working smoothly by the end of November, just two weeks before the December 15 deadline to purchase health insurance that starts on Jan 1.</p> <p>“We’ve had more completed online enrollments in the last week or so than probably all the weeks before combined, and we’re pretty excited about that,” said Laura Line, corporate assistant director of healthcare at the Philadelphia-based Resources for Human Development.</p> <p>Others were more muted, but still encouraged by the improvements. Debbie Berndsen, navigator project director at the Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved, said that two of the group’s navigators were able to fully enroll applicants Monday morning.</p> <p>“It just gives me the sense that things are going in the right direction,” Berndsen said.</p> <p>(Reporting By Curtis Skinner; Editing by Bernard Orr)</p> <ul id="topics" class="hidden"></ul> //<!--[CDATA[ jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();}); //]]--> <br><br>

Health law helpers finding more luck on HealthCare.gov [ BeritaTerkini ]

By Curtis Skinner NEW YORK (Reuters) – Healthcare workers assisting people to sign up for insurance on the HealthCar...

Read more »

19-Nov-2013 02:03

4 found dead, including 2 infants, in Mass. home - Twin Falls Times-News :: <a href="http://magicvalley.com/news/national/found-dead-including-infants-in-mass-home/article_ca1c45ac-6326-5df9-a950-24b0dcec83e5.html">http://magicvalley.com/news/national/found-dead-including-infants-in-mass-home/article_ca1c45ac-6326-5df9-a950-24b0dcec83e5.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>California Says Obama's About-Face on Insurers May Hurt Law - San Francisco Chronicle :: <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/business/bloomberg/article/California-Says-Obama-s-About-Face-on-Insurers-4991755.php">http://www.sfgate.com/business/bloomberg/article/California-Says-Obama-s-About-Face-on-Insurers-4991755.php</a><br /><br><br /><br>Ex-Oakland Raider linebacker killed in high-speed crash - Los Angeles Times :: <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-thomas-howard-raiders-20131118,0,4964731.story">http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-thomas-howard-raiders-20131118,0,4964731.story</a><br /><br><br /><br>Toronto council slashes mayor's budget, curbs powers - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/11/18/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-city-council-powers/3626421/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/11/18/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-city-council-powers/3626421/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Zimmerman accused of pointing shotgun at girlfriend - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/18/zimmerman-trayvon-arrested/3628591/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/18/zimmerman-trayvon-arrested/3628591/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Global carbon emissions rise to new record in 2013: report - Chicago Tribune :: <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-global-carbon-emissions-20131118,0,2856137.story">http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-global-carbon-emissions-20131118,0,2856137.story</a><br /><br><br /><br>Cheneys Battle Over Gay Marriage - Wall Street Journal :: <a href="http://stream.wsj.com/story/campaign-2012-continuous-coverage/SS-2-9156/SS-2-385892/">http://stream.wsj.com/story/campaign-2012-continuous-coverage/SS-2-9156/SS-2-385892/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Justice Department Poised to Announce Mortgage Deal With JPMorgan - New York Times :: <a href="http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/11/18/justice-department-poised-to-announce-mortgage-deal-with-jpmorgan/">http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/11/18/justice-department-poised-to-announce-mortgage-deal-with-jpmorgan/</a><br /><br><br /><br>French appeal to public in manhunt for gunman - Sydney Morning Herald :: <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/world/french-appeal-to-public-in-manhunt-for-gunman-20131118-2xrkv.html">http://www.smh.com.au/world/french-appeal-to-public-in-manhunt-for-gunman-20131118-2xrkv.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>'There's nothing left' after storm blasts Illinois town - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/18/weather-tornadoes-twister-midwest-illinois/3625235/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/18/weather-tornadoes-twister-midwest-illinois/3625235/</a>

19-Nov-2013 02:03

4 found dead, including 2 infants, in Mass. home - Twin Falls Times-News :: http://magicvalley.com/news/national/found-dead-including-infan...

Read more »

Asian shares retreat from two

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://s1.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20131118&t=2&i=812703846&w=&fh=&fw=&ll=580&pl=378&r=CBRE9AE0JDX00" width="600"/><br /><p>Credit: Reuters/Toru Hanai</p><br /><p>1 of 8. An employee of a foreign exchange trading company looks at monitors in Tokyo November 15, 2013.</p><br /><p>A weaker yen helped Tokyo's Nikkei .N225 add another 0.2 percent to reach a six-month peak. The index amassed its biggest weekly rise in four years last week.</p><br /><p>MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS added 0.5 percent, having gained 1.3 percent on Friday for its best daily rise in almost two months.</p><br /><p>Singapore shares .FTSTI gained 0.3 percent as data showed exports beat forecasts in October.</p><br /><p>It is another important week for U.S. monetary policy as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke speaks on 'Communication and Monetary Policy' on Tuesday.</p><br /><p>The day after the central bank releases minutes from its October policy meeting, which will get trawled for hints on when it might start winding back its asset buying program.</p><br /><p>Last week, presumptive Fed chief Janet Yellen sounded in no rush to taper, reinforcing market speculation that any move was more likely in March than December.</p><br /><p>'If Fed officials think a December tapering is a realistic possibility, some hints to that effect would presumably make their way into the minutes this week,' said Michelle Girard, chief US economist at RBS.</p><br /><p>'Just making clear that policymakers were open to taking action in December if the economic data showed the impact of the government shutdown was limited would likely suffice to shift expectations.'</p><br /><p>Girard still believes March is the more likely window for a move, if only because bond markets are typically very thin in December so a taper then could risk major dislocation.</p><br /><p>Figures on consumer prices and retail sales are also due on Wednesday and are expected to show that both price pressures and spending were subdued in September.</p><br /><p>Speculation over the timing of stimulus tapering has buffeted markets since May when Bernanke first suggested a rollback of the bond-buying program was not far off.</p><br /><p>The Bank of Japan holds its policy meeting on Wednesday and Thursday and is expected to maintain its ultra-loose policy. The BOJ has been perhaps the most aggressive of any major central bank in its asset buying, putting downward pressure on the yen in the process.</p><br /><p>The U.S. dollar was trading up at 100.30 yen on Monday, near a two-month high of 100.43. The euro bought 135.20 yen not far from the Oct 22 peak of 135.52, a peak not seen since November 2009.</p><br /><p>The single currency drifted off on the U.S. dollar to $1.3478, having edged slowly higher for the past week or so as tapering talk weighed on the dollar. The dollar index .DXY edged up to 80.912.</p><br /><p>CHINA REFORM</p><br /><p>Supporting markets in Asia was cautious optimism about reform in China after the Communist Party unwrapped surprisingly bold reforms late last week.</p><br /><p>It pledged to let the market play a 'decisive' role in the economy and outlined changes designed to unleash new sources of growth.</p><br /><p>China's .CSI300 share index posted its biggest gain in two months on Friday, while the Shanghai Composite .SSEC climbed 1.7 percent.</p><br /><p>'Multiple growth-friendly measures were announced and represent the biggest freeing up of China's economic policy since the 1990s,' said analysts at ANZ in a note.</p><br /><p>'Our China economists think that if these reforms are implemented successfully it will substantially reduce the downside risks to China's economy.'</p><br /><p>In commodity markets, spot gold was steady at $1,287.05 an ounce, having crawled away from last week's trough of $1,260.89.</p><br /><p>Brent crude for January delivery eased 25 cents to $108.25 a barrel. U.S. crude for January also shed 25 cents to $94.24, having suffered their sixth weekly drop last week due to a larger-than-expected rise in inventories.</p><br /><p>(Editing by Shri Navaratnam)</p><br /></div>

Business Asian shares retreat from two

Credit: Reuters/Toru Hanai 1 of 8. An employee of a foreign exchange trading company looks at monitors in Tokyo November 15, 2013. A weaker ...

Read more »