LinkedIn Adds Pulse For News

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/990/LinkedIn-original-screen_birthday-hat_01_tn.jpg" width="600"/>(click image for larger view and for slideshow)</p><br /><p>LinkedIn: 10 Important Changes</p><br /><p>LinkedIn this week took a major step toward becoming more than just a site to visit when you're in the market for a new job. It announced that it integrated social newsreader app Pulse into mobile and desktop versions of the site. Pulse, which was acquired by LinkedIn in April for $90 million, replaces LinkedIn Today, the social network's former news curation feature that the company launched in 2011.</p><br /><p>'Pulse and LinkedIn technology have been fully integrated to offer a more relevant news experience with content tailored to your professional interests both on the Pulse app and on LinkedIn.com,' said Ankit Gupta, Pulse cofounder and product manager at LinkedIn. 'This is just the first step of many we will be taking to ensure you're getting a consistent and seamless content experience that is tailored to you.'</p><br />More Software Insights Webcasts White Papers Reports<br /><p>Integrating Pulse with its mobile and desktop versions highlights the social network's drive to provide users with a mix of original and outside content. A year ago, LinkedIn introduced the ability to follow hand-picked thought leaders such as Richard Branson, Craig Newmark, and President Obama, who publish columns to LinkedIn on various business and leadership topics. LinkedIn's revision of the Pulse app adds to its content repository by surfacing personalized posts from external news sources.</p><br /><p><strong>[ Learn how to keep your job search private. Read 5 LinkedIn Privacy Settings For Job Hunters. ]</strong> </p><br /><p>When you first open the Pulse app -- which is available to download for iOS and Android -- you'll be prompted to sign in using your LinkedIn profile. The app will then sync channels, influencers, and LinkedIn content you already follow, Gupta said. Pulse will also offer you personalized content recommendations that are customized based on your LinkedIn preferences and professional interests.</p><br /><p>Pulse also lets you comment on, like, or share news to your LinkedIn profile or Facebook and Twitter accounts from within the Pulse app. You'll find the sharing buttons at the top of your stream and at the top of articles you're browsing.</p><br /><p>Finally, LinkedIn revamped Pulse's search function, which now provides faster autocomplete suggestions, Gupta said. It's also made it easier for users to find 'What's New' across world events and to browse what's trending. Users can create lists in the 'My Lists' section for professional topics such as outsourcing, and browse suggested topics via recommendations or by scrolling to see the next article within a channel or publication.</p><br /><p>According to a LinkedIn spokesperson, Pulse will continue to stay the course with its own business goals by continuing to strike up content deals with third-party publishers. 'The relationships Pulse has will stay intact and a selection of these publishers will also be accessible now on LinkedIn.com,' she said.</p><br /><p>LinkedIn's Pulse integration is the latest in a number of improvements the social network has made to its user experience across desktop and mobile in the last year. Last month, the social network announced a number of changes to its mobile apps, which included a facelift for iOS 7 and new Pulse features, including swiping gestures.</p><br /><p><i>There's no single migration path to the next generation of enterprise communications and collaboration systems and services, and Enterprise Connect delivers what you need to evaluate all the options. Register today and learn about the full range of platforms, services and applications that comprise modern communications and collaboration systems. Register with code MPIWK and save $200 on the entire event and Tuesday-Thursday conference passes or for a Free Expo pass. It happens in Orlando, Fla., March 17-19.</i> </p><br /></div>

Technology LinkedIn Adds Pulse For News

(click image for larger view and for slideshow) LinkedIn: 10 Important Changes LinkedIn this week took a major step toward becoming more tha...

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Eye on 2013 Awards: How we would vote for NL/AL MVP

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/visual/whatshot/trout-cabrera-mvp-2013.jpg" width="600"/>In 'The Debate: Part II,' we go Trout, though Cabrera will likely win AL MVP. (USATSI)<br /><p><strong>Awards:</strong> Fernandez NL ROY | Myers AL ROY | Hurdle NL MGR | Francona AL MGR | Scherzer AL Cy Young | Kershaw NL Cy Young</p><br /><p>We're almost done with seeing the individual hardware handed out for the 2013 Major League Baseball season. The last one standing is the most prestigious by far. It's the Most Valuable Player for each league, and the winners will be revealed during a one-hour special on MLB Network beginning at 6 p.m. ET.</p><br /><p>Voting for the MVP was conducted by select members of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). For this award, each individual voter ranked a top 10. The points awarded (corresponding to 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 on the ballots) are: 14-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1.</p><br /><p>Now, a few things before we reveal how we would have voted:</p><br /><p>1. This is a regular season award. Ballots are turned in before the playoffs start, so you can't count the playoffs.</p><br /><p>2. Here are the specific rules given to voters:</p><br /><p>There is no clear-cut definition of what Most Valuable means. It is up to the individual voter to decide who was the Most Valuable Player in each league to his team. The MVP need not come from a division winner or other playoff qualifier.</p><br /><p>The rules of the voting remain the same as they were written on the first ballot in 1931:</p><br /><p>1. Actual value of a player to his team, that is, strength of offense and defense.</p><br /><p>2. Number of games played.</p><br /><p>3. General character, disposition, loyalty and effort.</p><br /><p>4. Former winners are eligible.</p><br /><p>5. Members of the committee may vote for more than one member of a team.</p><br /><p>You are also urged to give serious consideration to all your selections, from 1 to 10. A 10th-place vote can influence the outcome of an election. You must fill in all 10 places on your ballot. Only regular-season performances are to be taken into consideration.</p><br />Keep in mind that all players are eligible for MVP, including pitchers and designated hitters.<br /><p>Thus, this vote is subjective in that the word 'valuable' is open to interpretation. That means your opinion on what makes someone valuable is just that: An opinion. It's not a fact. I have no doubt, however, that it won't stop many from screaming at each other in the comments section. Respectful disagreement? Bah, that's for the birds ...</p><br /><p>Anywho, here's how we would have voted:</p><br /><strong>Matt Snyder</strong><br /><p>The McCutchen vs. Molina pick was a real tough one. There are great arguments for both, but McCutchen has the edge all-around offensively (baserunning, getting on base, hitting home runs, etc.) enough for me to make up for the gap in defense. I can see eyebrows raised over the Martin pick, but there isn't really a number or figure we can put on what he did for that Pirates pitching staff. I believe he deserves some love for that, as it was a major part of what they accomplished this season. He also led the majors in throwing out 36 would-be base stealers (second most was 28).</p><br /><strong>Dayn Perry</strong><br /><p>1. McCutchen2. Molina3. Kershaw4. Goldschmidt5. Carpenter6. Votto7. Gomez8. Werth9. Andrelton Simmons, Braves10. Hanley Ramirez, Dodgers</p><br /><p>Because I value catcher defense so much, this was a tough call for me. And if Molina had not hit the DL for two weeks, I may have flip-flopped spots one and two. Things as they are, though, McCutchen gets the nod for his broad-based excellence. Simmons is on there solely for his superlative defense, and Ramirez gets a spot at the back end for making the absolute most of his 336 plate appearances. The NL ballot was a crazy one to sort out, in a good way. Another day, and I'd probably make entirely different down-ballot selections.</p><br /><strong>Mike Axisa</strong><br /><p>The NL MVP field is really deep -- I think there are legitimate cases that any of the top five players on the top five of my ballot deserve the award. McCutchen was the best of the best though, a true five-tool monster who was dominant in all phases of the game. Kershaw's season was bordering on historic, and as long as the voting rules say pitchers are eligible, I'll give them a fair shake. Goldschmidt, Carpenter and Gomez all had ridiculously great breakout years both at the plate and in the field. They were a joy to watch.</p><br /><strong>Snyder</strong><br /><p>I would have voted for Cabrera last year out of respect for the Triple Crown and I would have done so again this year out of respect for back-to-back Triple Crowns. Even though I don't believe those three categories are the best judge of players, I respect the history of the game that much. Without the historical component, however, I'm back to where I usually am: Who is the best player? I don't care about how teammates perform. Thus, I don't care about the team's record. This is an individual award. If you really, honestly, believe the Tigers with Trout and not Cabrera this season fail to miss the playoffs while the Angels with Cabrera and without Trout make the playoffs this year, you have an argument. If not, to me, you really don't. Not a good one, at least.</p><br /><p>I will say this, though, Cabrera supports: Before you get angry, just realize Miggy's gonna win this thing. Probably with ease. So you still have the majority on your side.</p><br /><strong>Perry</strong><br /><p>I'm not a BBWAA voter, but the ballot instructions tell voters this: 'There is no clear-cut definition of what Most Valuable means. It is up to the individual voter to decide who was the Most Valuable Player in each league to his team.' Given that latitude, I define 'most valuable' as 'best.' Some years, the voting body -- speaking in general terms here -- decides that 'most valuable' means best, or best on the best team, or best on the second- or third-best team, or best on a team that narrowly made the playoffs, or best on a team that narrowly missed the playoffs. Or just best. I go with 'just best,' and that's why I go with Trout, who, once you consider all phases of the game and their relative value, was better than Cabrera this season. It's a close call, though.</p><br /><strong>Axisa</strong><br /><p>Trout over Cabrera was not a difficult decision for me and I don't think anything would have changed had Miggy been healthy in September either. He's the better hitter, sure, but Trout is the far better all-around player. The kid can really hit too, you know. I'm a simple man, the best player was the most valuable. Cabrera's teammates being better than Trout's (and helping the Tigers to the postseason) is irrelevant in my opinion. Davis, Donaldson, Machado and Kipnis are the 'new comers' here after breakout seasons. There's an overwhelming amount of exciting young talent in baseball these days. It's awesome.</p><br /></div>

SPORTS Eye on 2013 Awards: How we would vote for NL/AL MVP

In 'The Debate: Part II,' we go Trout, though Cabrera will likely win AL MVP. (USATSI) Awards: Fernandez NL ROY | Myers AL ROY | Hu...

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Google: Govt Requests for User Data Up 100+ Percent Since 2010

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><img src="http://www4.pcmag.com/media/images/407321-google-transparency-report.jpg?thumb=y" width="600"/> </p><br /><p>Google today released its latest transparency report with details about government requests for user data, which the search giant said have increased by more than 100 percent since it started releasing these reports in 2010.</p><br /><p>'This comes as usage of our services continues to grow, but also as more governments have made requests than ever before,' Google said in a blog post. 'And these numbers only include the requests we're allowed to publish.'</p><br /><p>Google and its rivals are not allowed to publish specific details about national security-related requests. In the wake of the Edward Snowden leaks, Google and others pushed the government for permission to publish this data. Thus far, the feds have only allowed for data to be published in ranges of 1,000 but Google today reiterated that it believes it should be able to publish more accurate data.</p><br /><img src="http://www6.pcmag.com/media/images/407320-google-transparency-report.jpg?thumb=y" width="600"/><br /><p>'Our promise to you is to continue to make this report robust, to defend your information from overly broad government requests, and to push for greater transparency around the world,' Google said.</p><br /><p>Today's report, meanwhile, covers data requests made in the first six months of 2013. In total, Google fielded 25,879 requests for user data from law enforcement officials around the world. U.S. officials accounted for 10,918 of those requests, 83 percent of which were honored.</p><br /><p>This report - the search giant's eighth - includes additional information about legal process for U.S. criminal requests: breaking out emergency disclosures, wiretap orders, pen register orders, and other court orders. About 68 percent of U.S. requests were subpoenas, 22 percent were warrants, 6 percent were other court orders, 2 percent were pen register orders, and 1 percent were emergency disclosure requests.</p><br /><p>Coming in at No. 2 was India with 2,691 requests, followed by Germany with 2,311 and France with 2,011. The U.K. and Brazil also had about 1,200.</p><br /></div>

Technology Google: Govt Requests for User Data Up 100+ Percent Since 2010

Google today released its latest transparency report with details about government requests for user data, which the search giant said have...

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14-Nov-2013 16:19

Florida State QB Jameis Winston Investigated for Sexual Assault - TMZ.com :: <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2013/11/13/jameis-winston-florida-state-quarterback-investigated-sexual-assault/">http://www.tmz.com/2013/11/13/jameis-winston-florida-state-quarterback-investigated-sexual-assault/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Boeing machinists reject labor contract proposal - Fox News :: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/14/boeing-machinists-reject-labor-contract-proposal/">http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/14/boeing-machinists-reject-labor-contract-proposal/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Dunedin home collapses into massive sinkhole - MyFox Atlanta :: <a href="http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/23966096/2013/11/14/crews-investigating-possible-sinkhole-in-dunedin">http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/23966096/2013/11/14/crews-investigating-possible-sinkhole-in-dunedin</a><br /><br><br /><br>Marine Corps officials: 4 Marines killed in accident at Camp Pendleton in ... - Washington Post :: <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/marine-corps-officials-4-marines-killed-in-training-accident-at-camp-pendleton-in-california/2013/11/13/5f7423a8-4cb6-11e3-bf60-c1ca136ae14a_story.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/marine-corps-officials-4-marines-killed-in-training-accident-at-camp-pendleton-in-california/2013/11/13/5f7423a8-4cb6-11e3-bf60-c1ca136ae14a_story.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Sandy Hook group asks parents for gun solutions - San Francisco Chronicle :: <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Sandy-Hook-group-asks-parents-for-gun-solutions-4982563.php">http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Sandy-Hook-group-asks-parents-for-gun-solutions-4982563.php</a><br /><br><br /><br>Whitey Bulger to be sentenced, faces life behind bars - CBS News :: <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57612298/whitey-bulger-to-be-sentenced-faces-life-behind-bars/">http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57612298/whitey-bulger-to-be-sentenced-faces-life-behind-bars/</a><br /><br><br /><br>2 Secret Service supervisors under investigation in misconduct probe - CNN :: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/14/politics/secret-service-misconduct/">http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/14/politics/secret-service-misconduct/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Ohio jury convicts ex-fugitive in $100M fraud case - Record-Searchlight :: <a href="http://www.redding.com/news/2013/nov/14/ohio-jury-convicts-ex-fugitive-100m-fraud-case/">http://www.redding.com/news/2013/nov/14/ohio-jury-convicts-ex-fugitive-100m-fraud-case/</a><br /><br><br /><br>5 things to watch for at Janet Yellen's hearing - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/11/13/5-questions-yellen-confirmation-hearing/3515053/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/11/13/5-questions-yellen-confirmation-hearing/3515053/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Administration: 106000 enrolled in health insurance in first month of HealthCare ... - Washington Post :: <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/house-committee-hears-from-technology-officials-on-health-care-exchanges/2013/11/13/91d0bc5a-4c6e-11e3-9890-a1e0997fb0c0_story.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/house-committee-hears-from-technology-officials-on-health-care-exchanges/2013/11/13/91d0bc5a-4c6e-11e3-9890-a1e0997fb0c0_story.html</a>

14-Nov-2013 16:19

Florida State QB Jameis Winston Investigated for Sexual Assault - TMZ.com :: http://www.tmz.com/2013/11/13/jameis-winston-florida-state-qua...

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Insight: Profit bonanza eludes companies chasing obesity business [ 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 Ben Hirschler and Martinne Geller</p> <div class="body-slot-mod"> <div class="yom-remote"> <div class="yom-loading" id="mediacontentrelatedstory_container"></div> </div> </div> <p>KALUNDBORG, Denmark (Reuters) – Steam rises from pipes at a giant industrial complex on the edge of the Baltic Sea whose success is a testament to the world’s diabetes and obesity epidemic.</p> <p>Novo Nordisk’s Kalundborg factory, 100 km west of Copenhagen, makes half the planet’s insulin for diabetics, putting it on a list of global sites the United States sees as vital to its interests, according to a WikiLeaks cable in 2010.</p> <p>Soaring diabetes rates, driven by increasing obesity, have fuelled profits at the Danish company for two decades.</p> <p>But now the company wants to tackle obesity head on by launching a treatment specifically to help patients lose weight.</p> <p>It would seem to be a no-brainer. Obesity rates suggest a booming market. Yet it is proving surprisingly difficult for both drugmakers and food companies to develop businesses directly addressing the problem.</p> <p>In a global economic downturn, modestly effective weight-loss drugs and special diet foods are turning out to be a tough sell when a cheaper alternative is to eat less – or do nothing.</p> <p>The first new prescription diet drugs to hit the U.S. market in more than a decade, from Vivus and Arena Pharmaceuticals, have registered disappointing sales and food companies’ diet lines are struggling.</p> <p>Switzerland’s Nestle has all but given up on the diet business, agreeing to sell the bulk of its Jenny Craig weight-loss unit last week to U.S. private equity firm North Castle Partners.</p> <p>And as Unilever reviews its portfolio of underperforming food assets, analysts say its Slim-Fast brand is one that could come up for sale. Bernstein Research estimates Slim-Fast had 2012 sales of 300 million euros ($ 402 million), 34 percent lower than when Unilever agreed to buy it in 2000 for $ 2.3 billion.</p> <p>“The need for the services is increasing, unfortunately, but there are a lot of companies that have not done well,” said Jon Canarick of North Castle, which also bought the firm behind the Atkins diet from its post-bankruptcy lenders in 2007. “I credit most of that to a combination of the economy and the influx of competition.”</p> <p>Weak economies have curbed demand for pricey, specialist dieting schemes just as competition has exploded from a host of electronic apps that count calories for free – and securing insurance reimbursement has been an uphill fight for new drugs that cost around $ 160-$ 200 a month in the United States.</p> <p>BURDEN OF DISEASE</p> <p>Obesity prevalence has increased by more than 40 percent across the OECD industrialized countries and half of U.S. adults are now forecast to be obese by 2030 unless Americans change their ways.</p> <p>The condition is a major risk factor for heart disease, certain cancers and diabetes, with the latter alone expected to kill more than 5 million people this year.</p> <p>Lars Sorensen, Novo Nordisk’s veteran chief executive, hopes the clear medical need will help his firm’s move into obesity, although he acknowledges it will not be easy.</p> <p>“It is going to be challenging. We need to convince employers and insurers in the United States, which is the biggest market, that this is a problem that can be addressed,” he said in an interview.</p> <p>“It’s been very disappointing in terms of pharmaceutical interventions up to now, but I see that changing.”</p> <p>Certainly, the medical community is taking more notice.</p> <p>The American Medical Association classified obesity as a disease for the first time this year, while new guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association back more aggressive therapy.</p> <p>Binge eating disorder, a related problem, has also entered the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the reference book for psychiatry, opening a new opportunity for a drug from Shire.</p> <p>Europe, however, is lagging behind in recognizing obesity and approving new drugs, according to Euan Woodward, executive director of the European Association for the Study of Obesity.</p> <p>“The U.S. is way ahead. We haven’t had the same discussion in Europe yet,” he said.</p> <p>Yet U.S.-approved diet drugs like Vivus’ Qsymia and Arena’s Belviq are being held back by cost and the modest weight loss they can offer, with safety problems linked to earlier products also making doctors cautious.</p> <p>The popular fen-phen drug combination was taken off the market in 1997 for causing heart damage, while Sanofi’s Acomplia was withdrawn in Europe in 2008 after being linked to suicidal thoughts – it never won U.S. approval – and Abbott’s Meridia was pulled in 2010 on heart worries.</p> <p>As a result, global sales of obesity drugs have halved in the last five years, and even though they are expected to climb again they will remain dwarfed by therapies to treat diabetes, as rates of type 2 disease – the kind linked to obesity – soar.</p> <p>Consensus analysts forecasts suggest obesity drug sales may grow from $ 300 million to $ 3.8 billion by 2018, while the diabetes market, worth some $ 37 billion at present, will reach more than $ 57 billion, according to Thomson Reuters Pharma.</p> <p>Novo Nordisk hopes a high dose of its injectable medicine liraglutide – the active ingredient in its diabetes treatment Victoza – will take pharmacological interventions to a new level, by mimicking the action of a natural hormone.</p> <p>So far, though, clinical trials have underwhelmed analysts and Matthias Tschoep, head of the Institute for Diabetes and Obesity at the Helmholtz Zentrum in Munich, believes a truly effective medicine will need to combine the effects of multiple hormones to achieve reductions in body weight beyond the 5-10 percent seen with current drugs. That could be a long haul.</p> <p>“We need to close the gap between existing drug treatments and a gastric bypass surgery, which makes you lose 35 percent of body weight,” he said. “I firmly believe that within the next 10 to 20 years, we will have very efficient drugs.”</p> <p>The big problem for dieters and drug designers alike is the fact that human evolution makes it very hard for people to curb their appetite and cut calorie consumption.</p> <p>A predisposition to gain weight is hard-wired, with animal experiments showing that consumption of sugary food triggers the brain to release dopamine, a neurotransmitter also linked to drug addiction.</p> <p>THREATENED BY BROCCOLI, MOBILE APPS</p> <p>Weight Watchers, the leading weight loss company in the United States, is finding the going increasingly tough. Revenue has been roughly flat or down during six of the last seven quarters and the outlook for the next four is even worse.</p> <p>Last month, the company said that despite progress on cost-cutting, it expected full-year revenue to fall at a low double-digit percentage rate if recruitment trends failed to improve.</p> <p>Weight Watchers is battling a declining membership base, growing membership at rivals, and the rise of cheap or free smartphone applications and activity monitors such as MyFitnessPal and the Jawbone UP wristband.</p> <p>There are nearly 2,000 weight-loss apps now available on the iPhone, and Berlin-based market research firm research2guidance estimates that by 2015, 500 million people will be using mobile health applications which cost much less than the packaged meal plans sold by Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem and Medifast that usually cost hundreds of dollars a month in up-front purchases.</p> <p>Analysts say the lion’s share of the world’s dieters use a “do-it-yourself” approach.</p> <p>“Broccoli and lettuce are good competition for weight-loss shakes,” said Imperial Capital analyst Mitchell Pinheiro. “Dieting is fickle to begin with and trends are fleeting. While the addressable market is enormous and continues to grow, how dieters choose to diet is not consistent and it’s not sustainable.”</p> <p>Meanwhile, the retail market for meal replacement products such as Slim-Fast bars and Herbalife shakes, is estimated at $ 7.76 billion worldwide, according to data tracker Euromonitor, up from $ 5.51 billion in 2008.</p> <p>In a very competitive market, Euromonitor analyst Ildiko Szalai sees the key to success as transcending the natural stigma and impermanence of dieting. She cited Kellogg’s Special K cereal bars, protein shakes and diet plan, which has briskly moved in as Slim-Fast has retreated.</p> <p>“They made it very successful, positioning the product as a lifestyle and not just something for six weeks so you lose weight,” Szalai said. “You eat it forever.”</p> <p>(Ben Hirschler reported from Denmark and Martinne Geller from London; editing by Anna Willard)</p> <ul id="topics" class="hidden"> <li>Health</li> <li>Diet & Weight Loss</li> <li>Novo Nordisk</li> <li>United States</li> <li>obesity</li> </ul><p></p> //<!--[CDATA[ jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();}); //]]--> <br><br>

Insight: Profit bonanza eludes companies chasing obesity business [ BeritaTerkini ]

By Ben Hirschler and Martinne Geller KALUNDBORG, Denmark (Reuters) – Steam rises from pipes at a giant industrial co...

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The Best Man Holiday Reviews Roundup: Critics Enjoy a Healthy Dose of ...

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://www.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/20131014/rs_560x415-131114061614-560-bestmanholiday-jc.jpg" width="600"/><br /><p>We've seen this picture before-but it's still a merry good time.</p><br /><p>So say the critics, the majority of whom embraced the Christmas spirit embodied by The Best Man Holiday, director <strong>Malcolm D.</strong> <strong>Lee</strong>'s sequel to his 1999 African-American rom-com hit, The Best Man.</p><br /><p>Despite taking issue with its many story contrivances, what stood out for most reviewers were the winning performances of its reunited cast including , <strong>Sanaa Lathan</strong>, <strong>Nia Long</strong>, <strong>Morris Chestnut</strong>, <strong>Melissa De Sousa</strong>, <strong>Harold Perrineau</strong>, <strong>Regina Hall</strong> and <strong>Terrence Howard</strong>.</p><br /><strong>NEWS: Early Catching Fire reviews are in</strong><br /><p>A Big Chill-like reunion filled with humor and heart, the comedy-drama also offers up a big dollop of mawkishness, a boy band number (!), and a soundtrack slew of Christmas classics that strikes just the right sentimental note and should make The Best Man Holiday a stocking stuffer for years to come.</p><br /><p>Here's a roundup of the mostly positive reviews:</p><br /><strong>NEWS: The critics are mixed on Thor: The Dark World</strong><br /><p>* 'It's shamelessly manipulative. It's about 15 minutes too long, having, by my count, three separate endings. And yet despite all that, The Best Man Holiday is disarmingly heartwarming,' praises The Seattle Times. 'The key to the picture's appeal is the sincerity of the performances. The actors play their characters with such depth of feeling that they make even the most clichéd and hokum-drenched situations resonate with unexpected levels of emotional authenticity.'</p><br /><p>* 'The conclusions are familiar-friendship provides support, death makes squabbles seem petty, what's past is past-but far from meaningless,' observes The A.V. Club.</p><br /><p>* ' The Best Man Holiday...will probably be fun and pleasant for those who saw the first film. Those who didn't may feel like they've been dragged to someone else's reunion,' opined the Associated Press.</p><br /><p>* 'All of the cast members deliver smooth, capable performances, but this sequel clarifies why Howard has become the biggest star from the original ensemble...And although the movie turns too sentimental in the final third, there's no denying that there are some emotionally affecting moments to bolster the comedy,' wrote The Hollywood Reporter.</p><br /><strong>NEWS: Take a look back at the reviews for Don Jon</strong><br /><p>* 'Lee manages the cross currents of their many relationships more artfully than the first time out, but the more profound change is how much his actors, and his skills in managing them, have grown. The script's sporadic silliness makes every plot turn questionable; how the talent deftly negotiates such goofiness makes the film near-impossible to resist,' offered Time Out New York.</p><br /><p>* 'The Best Man Holiday reunites the characters for a Christmas-weekend house party, and what ensues is like a better-written <strong>Tyler Perry</strong> movie: too many life crises rooted in too much recycled backstory...[It's] an eggnog that's sticky-sweet and heavy at the same time,' declared Entertainment Weekly.</p><br /><p>On the other hand, was a bit of a scrooge in its pan of the film, noting: 'The ending couldn't be more contrived, but again, it's a Christmas movie, and we all have our favorite flavors of seasonal schmaltz. The kind that The Best Man Holiday serves up was...too hard to swallow.'</p><br /><p>The Best Man Holiday hits theaters on Friday, Nov. 15.</p><br /><strong>PHOTOS: Movies from the future!</strong></div>

ENTERTAINMENT The Best Man Holiday Reviews Roundup: Critics Enjoy a Healthy Dose of ...

We've seen this picture before-but it's still a merry good time. So say the critics, the majority of whom embraced the Christmas spi...

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From Washington to Washington ... U.S. Capitol Christmas tree connects west coast with east

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRXoqxKUYv3Ge9ZrbxGVREInAYwTUl4nCETFjKxfXdh8a_kJdTlKcJ8Mkxl6BZi-pDYp99FvPnz3pKvPeJVb0PmI9Ao4Tv9ASfsawAT2ltBoXEyRNciU6m-VJkrhgFwMt4y8eLaOlxm-K/s1600/U.S.+Capitol+Christmas+tree.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRXoqxKUYv3Ge9ZrbxGVREInAYwTUl4nCETFjKxfXdh8a_kJdTlKcJ8Mkxl6BZi-pDYp99FvPnz3pKvPeJVb0PmI9Ao4Tv9ASfsawAT2ltBoXEyRNciU6m-VJkrhgFwMt4y8eLaOlxm-K/s320/U.S.+Capitol+Christmas+tree.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Save the date! The lighting of the <a href="http://capitolchristmastree.com/history-of-the-tree/" target="_blank">U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree</a> will be held on December 3, 2013, in Washington, D.C. on the grounds of the Capitol. America is invited.<br /><br />The tree, a gift from the people of Washington State from the Colville National Forest that was harvested on November 1, is on its long journey to the nation's Capital, making stops along the way at towns and cities as Americans send it on its way. It will arrive in Washington, D.C., by Thanksgiving.<br /><br />The people of Washington State were invited to create ornaments for the Capitol Christmas tree with 5,000 handmade creations traveling along with the tree on its journey. On December 3, House Speaker John Boehner will host a tree lighting ceremony, and the tree will be lit nightly from dust to 11:00 for the holiday season.<br /><br />Follow the tree's progress on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/TracktheTree" target="_blank">@TracktheTree</a>.<br /><br />The <a href="http://capitolchristmastree.com/tree-route-schedule/" target="_blank">route across America is here</a>. It's track will take it through Nashville, Tennessee, on November 20 (heads up, SWAC Daughter), then Knoxville, and on to it's only Virginia stop that will be in downtown Roanoke for their holiday celebration. Afterward, it will hit Hagerstown, Maryland, then on to Allentown, Pennsylvania, and back to Andrews Air Force Base before arriving in D.C. on November 25 to prepare for its lighting on December 3, 2013.<br /><br />Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> Just talked with SWAC Daughter who said the Nashville stop will be at Cool Springs Mall in Franklin (just south of Nashville), where she lives, so she if she goes she will get photos to pass along. Country musicians Diamond Rio and others are scheduled to be part of the celebration....

From Washington to Washington ... U.S. Capitol Christmas tree connects west coast with east

Save the date! The lighting of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be held on December 3, 2013, in Washington, D.C. on the grounds of the ...

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14-Nov-2013 15:18

Two Secret Service officers yanked from President Obama's detail over misconduct - New York Daily News :: <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/secret-service-agents-yanked-obama-detail-investigation-article-1.1516341">http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/secret-service-agents-yanked-obama-detail-investigation-article-1.1516341</a><br /><br><br /><br>Officials say 4 Marines killed in accident at Camp Pendleton - Fox News :: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/14/officials-say-4-marines-killed-in-training-accident-at-camp-pendleton/">http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/14/officials-say-4-marines-killed-in-training-accident-at-camp-pendleton/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Attacks against Shias in Iraq kill at least 41 - The Hindu :: <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/attacks-against-shias-in-iraq-kill-at-least-41/article5351331.ece">http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/attacks-against-shias-in-iraq-kill-at-least-41/article5351331.ece</a><br /><br><br /><br>CANADA STOCKS-TSX may open higher, Yellen's comments support - Reuters :: <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/14/markets-canada-stocks-idUSL4N0IZ3VM20131114">http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/14/markets-canada-stocks-idUSL4N0IZ3VM20131114</a><br /><br><br /><br>Jameis Winston Investigated For Alleged Sexual Assault, Heisman Candidacy In ... - Sports World News :: <a href="http://www.sportsworldnews.com/articles/6625/20131114/jameis-winston-investigated-for-alleged-sexual-assault-heisman-candidacy-in-danger-video.htm">http://www.sportsworldnews.com/articles/6625/20131114/jameis-winston-investigated-for-alleged-sexual-assault-heisman-candidacy-in-danger-video.htm</a><br /><br><br /><br>Obamacare numbers are finally out, and they're low. Time to panic? (+video) - Christian Science Monitor :: <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/2013/1113/Obamacare-numbers-are-finally-out-and-they-re-low.-Time-to-panic-video">http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/2013/1113/Obamacare-numbers-are-finally-out-and-they-re-low.-Time-to-panic-video</a><br /><br><br /><br>Sandy Hook Group Asks Parents for Gun Solutions - ABC News :: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/sandy-hook-group-asks-parents-gun-solutions-20886613">http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/sandy-hook-group-asks-parents-gun-solutions-20886613</a><br /><br><br /><br>Court documents add detail to shooting near Pittsburgh Brashear High School - Pittsburgh Post Gazette :: <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/local/2013/11/14/Court-documents-add-detail-to-Pittsburgh-Brashear-High-School-shooting/stories/201311140277">http://www.post-gazette.com/local/2013/11/14/Court-documents-add-detail-to-Pittsburgh-Brashear-High-School-shooting/stories/201311140277</a><br /><br><br /><br>Boeing Workers Reject Plan Linked to 777X - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/videos/money/business/2013/11/14/3524269/">http://www.usatoday.com/videos/money/business/2013/11/14/3524269/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Sinkhole reported in yard in Florida - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/14/florida-sinkhole-dunedin-homes/3524877/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/14/florida-sinkhole-dunedin-homes/3524877/</a>

14-Nov-2013 15:18

Two Secret Service officers yanked from President Obama's detail over misconduct - New York Daily News :: http://www.nydailynews.com/ne...

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US Trade Gap Widens More Than Forecast to $41.8 Billion

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>Bloomberg News</p><br /><img src="http://www.bloomberg.com/image/iSQJGJFEMg9c.jpg" width="600"/><br /><p>The trade deficit in the U.S. widened more than forecast in September to a four-month high, reflecting a pickup in imports of consumer goods and capital equipment. Exports declined for a third month.</p><br /><p>The gap in goods and services trade increased 8 percent to $41.8 billion from a revised $38.7 billion in August, the Commerce Department reported today in Washington. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of 72 economists called for a $39 billion deficit.</p><br /><p>The U.S. imported more mobile phones and automobiles from overseas producers reached a record, indicating American companies were confident domestic demand would be sustained. Limited progress in foreign markets has held back demand for U.S.-made goods, indicating it will take time for the economy to get a bigger boost from trade.</p><br /><p>'Over the next year, faster global growth and the potential for increased U.S. exports in energy products' will help narrow the deficit, Tim Quinlan, an economist at Wells Fargo Securities LLC in Charlotte, North Carolina, said before the report. 'I'd expect over the next three or four quarters or so the trade deficit to get smaller.'</p><br /><p>Estimates in the Bloomberg survey ranged from deficits of $37 billion to $41.6 billion after a previously reported $38.8 billion shortfall in August. The report, initially scheduled for Nov. 5, was delayed by a 16-day partial shutdown of the federal government.</p><br />Jobless Claims<br /><p>Jobless claims in the week ended Nov. 9 declined 2,000 to 339,000 from a revised 341,000 the week before that was higher than initially reported, the Labor Department said today in Washington. The median forecast of 51 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a drop to 330,000. Applications for five states were estimated because of the Veterans Day holiday-shortened week, the Labor Department said.</p><br /><p>Stock-index futures rose, indicating the Standard & Poor's 500 Index will extend an all-time high, as Janet Yellen signaled she plans to continue the Federal Reserve's monetary stimulus. The contract on the S&P 500 expiring next month climbed 0.2 percent to 1,782.7 at 8:35 a.m. in New York.</p><br /><p>Exports decreased 0.2 percent to $188.9 billion, today's trade data showed. Overseas demand has eased each month after reaching a record $190.5 billion in June. American companies shipped less fuel oil, chemicals and coal to foreign customers.</p><br />Imports Increase<br /><p>Imports climbed 1.2 percent to $230.7 billion, the highest since November 2012. Inbound shipments of mobile phones such as Apple Inc.'s iPhone, rose $915 million in September. Imports of civilian aircraft, semiconductors and computer accessories also increased.</p><br /><p>Demand for imported autos climbed $887 million to a record $27.1 billion in September.</p><br /><p>After eliminating the influence of prices, the trade deficit in September widened to $50.4 billion from $47.4 billion. The Commerce Department's Nov. 7 report on gross domestic product showed trade contributed 0.3 percentage point to the growth in the third quarter.</p><br /><p>The world's largest economy expanded at a 2.8 percent annualized pace in the three months ended in September after a 2.5 percent in the second quarter.</p><br />European Economy<br /><p>In Europe, the economy is struggling to gain momentum after recovering from a record-long recession, helping explain European Central Bank President Mario Draghi's case for an interest-rate cut. Gross domestic product in the 17-nation euro area increased 0.1 percent in the third quarter a advancing 0.3 percent in the prior three months, according to the European Union's statistics office in Luxembourg.</p><br /><p>The European Commission last week cut its forecast for euro-zone growth in 2014, anticipating 1.1 percent expansion rather than the 1.2 percent forecast in May.</p><br /><p>China's economy entered the fourth quarter with a pickup in manufacturing and exports. Standard Chartered Plc last month raised its estimate for 2013 growth in China to 7.6 percent from 7.5 percent and revised next year's forecast to 7.4 percent from 7.2 percent.</p><br /><p>'Despite a number of positive underlying market fundamentals, political uncertainties in key regions continue to hinder economic recovery,' said Andrew N. Liveris, chief executive officer at Midland, Michigan-based Dow Chemical Co., said on an Oct. 24 conference call.</p><br />Overseas Demand<br /><p>'China is stabilizing,' he said. 'And looking ahead, we see fundamentals improving for stronger growth in 2014. However, heading into the fourth quarter, we have yet to see a clear uptick in holiday export demand.'</p><br /><p>The U.S. posted a record $30.5 billion deficit with China in September, today's trade figures showed.</p><br /><p>Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew is in Asia this week as part of a White House effort to improve economic ties with the region and discourage trading partners from manipulating their currencies to promote exports. President Barack Obama announced an initiative in 2010 to double U.S. exports between 2009 to 2014, to $3.14 trillion. They totaled $2.2 trillion last year.</p><br /><p>World GDP is projected to grow 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter after an estimated 2.3 percent in the previous three months, based on the median economist forecast in a Bloomberg survey.</p><br /><p>To contact the reporter on this story: Jeanna Smialek in Washington at jsmialek1@bloomberg.net</p><br /><p>To contact the editor responsible for this story: Christopher Wellisz at cwellisz@bloomberg.net</p><br /></div>

Business US Trade Gap Widens More Than Forecast to $41.8 Billion

Bloomberg News The trade deficit in the U.S. widened more than forecast in September to a four-month high, reflecting a pickup in imports of...

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US jobless see setback; trade imbalance widens unexpectedly

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://fm.cnbc.com/applications/cnbc.com/resources/img/editorial/2013/11/08/101183085-187265988r.240x160.jpg?v=1383928539" width="600"/><br /><p><strong>This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.</strong> </p><br /><p>Economists polled in a consensus survey expected weekly claims for state unemployment benefits to dip by 5,000 to 331,000. Meanwhile, in separate reports, the September U.S. trade deficit was seen unchanged at $38.8 billion, while third quarter productivity was seen rising to 2.4 percent, from 2.3 percent in the prior period.</p><br /><p>(Click here to track the U.S. stock market following these economic reports.)</p><br /></div>

Business US jobless see setback; trade imbalance widens unexpectedly

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates. Economists polled in a consensus survey expected weekly claims for state unem...

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Tim Tebow Foundation helping Philippines victims

A good man continues to do good works, as reported in the <i><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/13/tim-tebow-launches-effort-help-philippines-storm-v/#ixzz2kcyrzi89">Washington Times</a>:</i><br /><blockquote>Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, who was born in the Philippines while his parents served as missionaries, is stepping up to help victims in the country devastated by Typhoon Haiyan.<br /><br />The Tim Tebow Foundation has activated a donation link so people can help those in need. Mr. Tebow has also made the Philippines one of the primary beneficiaries of his outreach programs, First Coast News reported.</blockquote>The humanitarian relief is in coordination with Tebow's father's foundation, the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association, that builds churches and cares for orphaned children in the Philippines.<br /><br />The Tebows ... a family giving back.

Bob Tebow devastation First Coast News National Football League NFL Philippines Tim Tebow Typhoon Haiyan Washington Times world outreach Tim Tebow Foundation helping Philippines victims

A good man continues to do good works, as reported in the Washington Times : Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, who was born in the Philippin...

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Weight Loss Motivation (Part3)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sometimes you feel surrender, so you need <a href="http://waysforweightloss.blogspot.com/2013/11/weight-loss-motivation-part2.html" target="_blank">MOTIVATION</a> for losing weight .. No motivation no success !<br />We give you 5 "Quotes Sayings" for stay motivated with your weight loss plan: </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Weight Loss Motivation:</span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">100% CAPABLE..</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="capable of changing your entire life" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKuKkxHkppW9fiVSvVF-74l3u93ofvc9eajdlBXNyNAnKe1sMs3Y-nfdbKwupVKbOTHXjL_-1Q85BMOauK9Qe89BLsXPcbZTwwETz5NTm0n59TNkL0bnSDRaELC1ZCdocQCK48kAJj-0/s640/capable+of+changing+your+entire+life.png" title="capable of changing your entire life" width="465" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">DO IT NOW.. </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="DO IT NOW BECAUSE LATER BECOMES NEVER" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqJJs7aZV2_RKkK2j7v567nSd19qZjLpenA-DjazkRmieGsxWclyTK2ZicWtgcLbuXLrmLSGSv3aS1JhrPKF8pBDynNh2i9tEn8kpEYg4yIuX1QsAkr-vl1DYW2eeuDtQvSX4HuRANl8/s400/DO+IT+NOW++BECAUSE+LATER%0A+BECOMES+NEVER.png" title="DO IT NOW BECAUSE LATER BECOMES NEVER" width="380" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Eat well and exercise.. </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Forget about getting skinny" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2uAcmLAm2RUvQvVlj6Qu5cb5hYqRPKGLver28Q51wUaMRlviEWVZGSTUSQFt9HCd5ulE9q5WFEzpJL2GOye5Rz6jdiR500zm4_d3SBXC0FzkIgt6s2W03jlGTkUcZdtL3P90N23AExk/s400/Forget+about%0Agetting+skinny.png" title="Forget about getting skinny" width="380" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">it's about how HARD.. </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="it's not about how bad you want" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyED0oPjfhaaErJRuD0V0KNLqBER0AsRl8R_Y8KDnJsjHESOEs69Nobtkt9Ctf_maEXZdZlQcCi5cZdtlhhDF-QruG34YT6Twst3Opz-7YCerFoEvBbdg6ejrsdxCCQ99QKWQZYquqxhk/s400/it's+not+about+how+bad+you+want.png" title="it's not about how bad you want" width="400" /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">You can.. But you cannot.. </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="you can but not you cannot" border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsFFbJVJksXXiYRx_d_y97jqokqPsvw6YBrNjr7qsXzWzxMx11mjmJywZWuQJHh__vMKEEF3wE_PiPBK91jiyEdtMobdM1jL4nx0p_wHlqoPSnflu1gZAUcSt8jvnmtEbZEtnN-hUVvY/s400/you+can+but+not+you+cannot.jpg" title="you can but not you cannot" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- inPost_waysforweightloss_336-280 --><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-5028478688240504" data-ad-slot="6975892477" style="display: inline-block; height: 280px; width: 336px;"></ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></center><br /><center><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- LargeInPost_waysforweightloss_2 --><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-5028478688240504" data-ad-slot="7474757677" style="display: inline-block; height: 600px; width: 300px;"></ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></center></div>

Motivation Weight Loss Motivation Weight Loss Motivation (Part3)

Sometimes you feel surrender, so you need MOTIVATION for losing weight .. No motivation no success ! We give you 5 "Quotes Sayings&quo...

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Apple iPad mini With Retina Display

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>The new Apple iPad mini With Retina display ($399 to $829) is just a shrunken iPad Air. It's so similar to Apple's flagship tablet that your decision will pretty much be completely based on size and price. Like the Air, this is one of the slimmest and best-built tablets you'll find anywhere. It's an absolute pleasure to use. But unlike the large-screen Air, the iPad mini has many viable small-tablet competitors that are much less expensive, making it less of a must-buy and more of a luxury purchase.</p><br /><p><img src="http://www.pcmag.com/img/compare_button.png" width="600"/> </p><br /><p>The mini is so similar to the Air, check out our iPad Air review for full details.</p><br /><p><strong>Physical Design and Wireless</strong> The new mini is superficially identical to the old one. If you look really closely, you'll find that it's ever so slightly thicker (.01 inch) and ever so slightly heavier (by less than an ounce) to accommodate a larger battery for the new high-res screen. At 7.87 by 5.3 by .29 inches (HWD) and 11.68 ounces, it'll still fit in old iPad mini cases.</p><br /><p>The difference between the mini and the Air is really now about size and price, not weight. I just held both tablets in my hands, and now that the Air is only four ounces more, the weight difference between the two tablets doesn't feel meaningful.</p><br /><p>The mini still has the 4:3 aspect ratio which makes it compatible with iPad apps, but noticeably thicker-and less usable one-handed-than the competing Google Nexus 7 and Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7'. Its metal-and-glass construction is still tightly elegant, with a shiny chamfered edge around the corner. The narrow side bezel echoes the iPad Air's, and like the Air, it comes in silver and space gray.</p><br /><p>The 7.9-inch, 2,048-by-1,536-pixel IPS LCD touch screen is bright and sharp. It's the exact same resolution as the iPad Air, but in a higher pixel density-324ppi to the Air's 253, almost the same density as the iPhone 5S. All of the screen elements are slightly smaller than they are on the Air, something you notice in productivity apps with lots of tiny screen elements like iPhoto. They're still usable, but you need slightly sharper eyes and fingers than you do on the big iPad.</p><br /><p>The mini comes in a dual-band, 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi version and a universal cellular version that works with all U.S. carriers. Every mini is unlocked, even if it comes with a SIM card installed, Apple told me. Wi-Fi performance was good, but not quite as good as the iPad Air. Testing against a Meraki MR16 router through a metal door, I saw 13-14Mbps down on the mini but 18-19Mbps down on the Air. Bluetooth 4.0 is also on board; the cellular version, but not the Wi-Fi-only version, has GPS.</p><br /><p>Battery life was 6 hours, 8 minutes playing video with the screen set to max brightness. That's better than the Kindle Fire, but not as good as the Nexus, and it's just about the same as the iPad Air.</p><br /><p><strong>Performance and Multimedia</strong> The iPad mini has a 1.3GHz Apple A7 processor, the same speed as the iPhone 5s and slightly slower than the Air's 1.4GHz. It scored slightly slower on the Geekbench and Sunspider benchmarks than the Air did, but matched the Air's result on the Browsermark browser test and on the GFXBench graphics test. Both tablets are faster than the Nexus 7. Although Amazon's Kindle Fire HDX outpaces the iPads on graphics and processor tests, the iPads' Safari browser showed superior results on the browser tests.</p><br /><p>The slight slowdown didn't visibly affect app performance, and both of the new iPads are much faster than previous models. High-end, accelerometer-based games like Asphalt 8: Airborne and Need for Speed: Most Wanted are actually more playable here than on the Air, because it's easier to handle and tilt the smaller device. iPhoto and iMovie also work smoothly.</p><br /><p>The M7 motion coprocessor also makes an appearance here. Apple showed me how diary app Day One, for instance, can monitor how much you walk or travel with the iPad in your bag.</p><br /><p>iOS is still a simple grid of icons that is passionately focused on touch. Read our in-depth iOS 7 review if you want the full details.</p><br /><p>The mini's 5-megapixel main camera and 1.2-megapixel front camera are almost exactly the same as the big iPad's. I noticed that when shooting side by side, the big iPad sometimes selected slightly higher ISOs-64 as opposed to 50, 500 as opposed to 400-making the big iPad's photos a little brighter, but just a touch noisier. The HDR mode also still doesn't do much; a bright sky will blow out in any image. I'm really splitting hairs here, though. These are very good cameras, for a tablet.</p><br /><p>Like the Air, the Mini has a pair of bottom-ported speakers. While the speaker grilles are smaller than the Air's, they generated almost exactly the same volume: 86 or 87 decibels at six inches. Also like on other iPads, if you want to play your video on a TV you can use a $49 HDMI adapter cable or Apple's proprietary wireless streaming system, AirPlay.</p><br /><p>Also like the Air, the mini comes in 16, 32, 64, and 128GB models, starting at $399 and adding $100 each time you double your capacity. The 128GB tablet has 115GB free for your files.</p><br /><p><strong>Comparisons and Conclusions</strong> If iPads were the only tablets, you'd be able to make your decision here completely based on size. I prefer the iPad Air to the mini because I think that once something isn't truly handheld or pocket-sized (in other words, wider than a Nexus 7 or a Kindle), a roomier view on the world and larger touch targets trump slightly better portability. But that's just a taste issue.</p><br /><p>The bigger concern is that the mini's small-tablet competitors all cost much less, and they're also great devices. The $199 Amazon Kindle Fire HDX is beautifully built, with a gorgeously sharp screen and a fast Web browser. The $229 Google Nexus 7 is even more portable than the mini and has a competitive app selection. The $359 Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 comes with a pressure-sensitive stylus; an equivalent stylus for the iPad costs at least $80 extra.</p><br /><p>Yes, I made the same argument last year. It gets a little tougher this year because this year's mini is much nicer than last year's; the processor and screen are both much, much better. But the competition's gotten better, too.</p><br /><p>So you're paying $170 extra here (up from last year's $120 difference) to get iOS apps rather than Android apps. If you're an iPhone user, or you're attracted by unique iOS exclusives like the Infinity Blade series of games, Toca Boca kids' apps, or the iWork office suite, that investment will probably be worth it. But I think all of those apps play even better on the big iPad. If you're looking for cross-platform applications like Kindle book reading, comics reading, casual games, or Web browsing, you can get them on a great tablet that costs a lot less. That makes the iPad mini a very highly rated tablet, but still not quite our Editors' Choice.</p><br /></div>

Technology Apple iPad mini With Retina Display

The new Apple iPad mini With Retina display ($399 to $829) is just a shrunken iPad Air. It's so similar to Apple's flagship tablet t...

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Walmart reports Q3 net income of $3.7 billion

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>Walmart today reported fiscal third quarter net earnings of $3.7 billion up a modest 2.8% from the quarter a year ago. Earnings per share were $1.14, up 6.5%.</p><br /><p>Consolidated net sales rose 1.6% to $ 114.9 billion and total revenue, including membership and other income, was $115.7 billion, up 1.7% from a year ago.</p><br /><p>Walmart U.S. sales at stores open at least a year declined .3% in the quarter from a year ago. Overall U.S. net sales were up 2.4% to $67.7 billion.</p><br /><p>Sam's Club comparable sales, excluding fuel sales,were $14.1 billion, up 1.1%. Walmart International net sales were $33.1 billion, up .2%.</p><br /><p>The company said it expects earnings per share in the fiscal fourth quarter to be $1.50 to $1.60.</p><br /><p>It said it expects Walmart comparable-store sales growth for the holiday quarter ending Jan. 31 to be 'relatively flat' and Sam's Club to 'range between flat and 2%.'</p><br />Looking for a Job? Looking for a job? Start here USA NOW <img src="http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/a34da9ccbcff09688bd4f8707be3302dfaf44191/r=x159&c=280x156/http/videos.usatoday.net/Brightcove2/29906170001/2013/11/29906170001_2835499051001_A01-CHENEY.jpg" width="600"/> Strange bedfellows: Cheney and Clinton | USA NOW</div>

Business Walmart reports Q3 net income of $3.7 billion

Walmart today reported fiscal third quarter net earnings of $3.7 billion up a modest 2.8% from the quarter a year ago. Earnings per share we...

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Europe Recovery Wanes as Germany Slows, France Contracts

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://www.bloomberg.com/image/indQstax2fCo.jpg" width="600"/><br /><p>The euro area's recovery came close to a halt in the third quarter as German growth slowed, France's economy unexpectedly shrank and Italy extended its record-long recession.</p><br /><p>Gross domestic product in the 17-nation euro area rose 0.1 percent in the three months through September, cooling from a 0.3 percent expansion in the second quarter, the European Union's statistics office in Luxembourg said today. That's in line with the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of 41 economists. Growth in Germany, the region's largest economy, eased to 0.3 percent from 0.7 percent.</p><br /><p>The slowdown comes as the currency bloc struggles with the legacy of a debt crisis now in its fifth year and just after it emerged from its longest-ever recession in the second quarter. Unemployment (UMRTEMU) stands at a record 12.2 percent and inflation slowed to the lowest level in four years in October, leading the European Central Bank to cut its benchmark rate to a record low last week.</p><br /><p>'The bleak GDP estimate shows just how fragile and hesitant the eurozone's recovery is -- so much so that it's questionable whether current economic conditions even qualify as a recovery,' said Nicholas Spiro, managing director of Spiro Sovereign Strategy in London. 'While the slowdown extends to Germany, it's the dire state of the French and Italian economies that looms large.'</p><br /><p>The euro weakened against the dollar today and was down 0.4 percent at $1.3435 as of 10:55 a.m. London time.</p><br />Italian Slump<br /><p>The growth in Germany was in line with the median forecast in a Bloomberg survey. The French and Italian economies shrank 0.1 percent, with the latter suffering a ninth straight quarterly slump, extending its longest stretch of decreasing GDP since the creation of the euro. Spanish GDP rose 0.1 percent and Portugal's increased 0.2 percent.</p><br /><p>With the second and third-biggest economies contracting, Germany continues to drive growth in the euro area, with help from its neighbors in northern Europe. Data today showed Austrian GDP increased 0.2 percent, while the Netherlands exited recession with a 0.1 percent gain.</p><br /><p>As the euro-area economy struggles to gather strength and inflation cools, the European Central Bank cut its benchmark interest rate to a record-low 0.25 percent last week. President Mario Draghi repeated his pledge that support from monetary policy will remain in place for as long as necessary.</p><br /><p>'We are seeing a painfully slow recovery,' said Frederik Ducrozet, senior euro-area economist at Credit Agricole CIB in Paris. 'I wouldn't expect any positive surprises for next year either. The good news is that the economy will grow, but definitely too slowly to significantly reduce unemployment.'</p><br />'True Nightmare'<br /><p>The euro-region jobless rate of 24.1 percent among those under 25 years caused European leaders meeting in Paris this week to boost funds to tackle the issue.</p><br /><p>'Youth unemployment is the true nightmare of our country,' Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta said on Oct. 21 in Rome, referring to more than 40 percent of those aged between 15 and 24 searching for work in Italy.</p><br /><p>Adidas AG, the world's second-biggest maker of sporting goods, this month reported a drop in third-quarter profit and a decline in sales in Western Europe. It said this was partly due to 'ongoing macroeconomic challenges in the region.'</p><br /><p>As the recovery weakens, inflation in the euro zone slowed to 0.7 percent in October, the lowest in four years. Draghi said last week it may remain low for a 'prolonged period.' He will present new economic forecasts in December.</p><br />ECB Survey<br /><p>In a prelude to that, the ECB today released its quarterly survey of professional forecasters. Economists cut their outlook for inflation in 2015 to 1.6 percent from 1.8 percent, suggesting an undershoot of the institution's mandate for price stability of just below 2 percent.</p><br /><p>'The recovery certainly does not look strong enough to get inflation back close to the ECB's price stability goal in the foreseeable future,' said Nick Kounis, head of macro research at ABN Amro Bank NV in Amsterdam. 'The weak growth figures therefore keep further ECB action very much on the table.'</p><br /><p>To contact the reporter on this story: Stefan Riecher in Frankfurt at sriecher@bloomberg.net</p><br /><p>To contact the editor responsible for this story: Craig Stirling at cstirling1@bloomberg.net</p><br /><p><img src="http://www.bloomberg.com/image/izm7oVZuQIzc.jpg" width="600"/> </p><br /><p><img src="http://www.bloomberg.com/image/idL0oQaoguk8.jpg" width="600"/> </p><br /></div>

Business Europe Recovery Wanes as Germany Slows, France Contracts

The euro area's recovery came close to a halt in the third quarter as German growth slowed, France's economy unexpectedly shrank and...

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14-Nov-2013 14:17

Facebook's Reported Bid for Snapchat and Other Fascinating News on the Web - TIME :: <a href="http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/11/13/snapchat-facebook-wars-and-other-fascinating-news-on-the-web/">http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/11/13/snapchat-facebook-wars-and-other-fascinating-news-on-the-web/</a><br /><br><br /><br>4 Marines killed in Camp Pendleton accident - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/11/13/fatal-accident-at-pendleton/3520193/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/11/13/fatal-accident-at-pendleton/3520193/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Boeing Workers Reject Plan Linked to 777X - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/videos/money/business/2013/11/14/3524269/">http://www.usatoday.com/videos/money/business/2013/11/14/3524269/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Three wounded, 16-year-old arrested after shooting near Pittsburgh school - Reuters :: <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/14/us-usa-shooting-pittsburgh-idUSBRE9AD0KY20131114">http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/14/us-usa-shooting-pittsburgh-idUSBRE9AD0KY20131114</a><br /><br><br /><br>5 things to watch for at Janet Yellen's hearing - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/11/13/5-questions-yellen-confirmation-hearing/3515053/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/11/13/5-questions-yellen-confirmation-hearing/3515053/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Possible sinkhole causes house to collapse in Florida; 6 homes in Dunedin area ... - 10News :: <a href="http://www.10news.com/news/possible-sinkhole-causes-house-to-collapse-in-florida-6-homes-in-dunedin-area-evacuated11142013">http://www.10news.com/news/possible-sinkhole-causes-house-to-collapse-in-florida-6-homes-in-dunedin-area-evacuated11142013</a><br /><br><br /><br>Newtown parents re-set gun-safety debate - MSNBC :: <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/embargoed-until-thursday-noon">http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/embargoed-until-thursday-noon</a><br /><br><br /><br>President Obama's trust gap - Politico :: <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/11/obamacare-enrollment-numbers-99833.html">http://www.politico.com/story/2013/11/obamacare-enrollment-numbers-99833.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Two Secret Service officers yanked from President Obama's detail over misconduct - New York Daily News :: <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/secret-service-agents-yanked-obama-detail-investigation-article-1.1516341">http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/secret-service-agents-yanked-obama-detail-investigation-article-1.1516341</a><br /><br><br /><br>Toronto Mayor Rob Ford admits buying drugs - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24933947">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24933947</a>

14-Nov-2013 14:17

Facebook's Reported Bid for Snapchat and Other Fascinating News on the Web - TIME :: http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/11/13/snapchat-faceb...

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Lilly to pump in $700 million to boost insulin making capacity [ 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> <div class="body-slot-container"> <div class="body-slot-mod"> <div class="yom-remote"> <div class="yom-loading" id="mediacontentrelatedstory_container"></div> </div> </div> </div> <p>(Reuters) – Eli Lilly and Co said it will invest more than $ 700 million to boost its insulin manufacturing capacity in Puerto Rico, France, China and the United States.</p> <p>The company’s traditional stronghold has been its diabetes treatments, but the sales of its drugs have been suffering due to increasing competition from companies including Denmark’s Novo Nordisk.</p> <p>Diabetes is increasingly becoming a hard-to-win battle globally and, according to the International Diabetes Federation, the number of people estimated to be living with the disease soared to a new record of 382 million this year.</p> <p>Lilly said on Thursday it will invest $ 350 million in China, which already has the most diabetics globally and where the number is expected to rise to 142.7 million in 2035 from 98.4 million.</p> <p>Lilly also said it plans to invest $ 120 million in France and $ 245 million in Puerto Rico and Indianapolis, Indiana to expand its insulin-active-ingredient and delivery device manufacturing.</p> <p>The Indianapolis-based company has been cutting costs as some of its top-selling medicines lost patent protection and a slowing growth in emerging markets hurt results.</p> <p>Shares of the company closed at $ 50.55 Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange.</p> <p>(Reporting by Esha Dey in Bangalore; Editing by Savio D’Souza)</p> <ul id="topics" class="hidden"> <li>Investment & Company Information</li> </ul><p></p> //<!--[CDATA[ jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();}); //]]--> <br><br>

Lilly to pump in $700 million to boost insulin making capacity [ BeritaTerkini ]

(Reuters) – Eli Lilly and Co said it will invest more than $ 700 million to boost its insulin manufacturing capaci...

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U.S. House schedule for Thursday, November 14, 2013

<i><a href="http://majorityleader.gov/" target="_blank">From Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office....</a></i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH </b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_471103557" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">On Thursday</span></span>, the House will meet at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_471103558" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">10:00 a.m.</span></span> for morning hour and <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_471103559" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">noon</span></span> for legislative business. First and last votes expected: <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_471103560" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">2:30 - 3:30 p.m.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>One Minute Speeches</b><br /><br /> <b>Motion to go to Conference on </b><b><a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=379839-6846703" target="_blank">H.R. 3080</a></b> - Water Resources Development Act of 2013 and <b>Democratic Motion to Instruct Conferees</b><br /><br /> <a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=379840-6846703" target="_blank"><b>H.R. 2655</b></a> - Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2013 (Closed Rule, One Hour of Debate)<i> (Sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith / Judiciary Committee)</i><br /><br /> <b>Special Order Speeches</b><br /><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>COMMUNITY ACTIVITY OF THE DAY </b></u><br /> Education and The Workforce Committee hearing on “<a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=379841-6846703" target="_blank">The Effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on Schools, Colleges, and Universities”</a> <br /> (Thursday, November 14th, at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_471103561" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">10:00 a.m.</span></span>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=379842-6846703" target="_blank">Printable PDF</a>

Eric Cantor U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House schedule for Thursday, November 14, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office.... THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH On Thursday , the House will meet ...

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Watch The Night Of The Doctor On BBC iPlayer Now

<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnavuS373uUA0zym4GIz0dYro_hx0s-KtppJ8w_WMh7L3RGmAFaCBEF6dZ_wBagCmb9kmiDjplQp-kbBUsTFjQ72vCONMB9NeVxQcEYXu-bX1NZ1l7nTtia0Wx7da6IqnYxxEdEPaUNfIz/s640/blogger-image-926747904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnavuS373uUA0zym4GIz0dYro_hx0s-KtppJ8w_WMh7L3RGmAFaCBEF6dZ_wBagCmb9kmiDjplQp-kbBUsTFjQ72vCONMB9NeVxQcEYXu-bX1NZ1l7nTtia0Wx7da6IqnYxxEdEPaUNfIz/s640/blogger-image-926747904.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The BBC have released the Doctor Who anniversary minimise The Night Of The Doctor via iPlayer<br /><div><br /></div><div>Watch it here - and be in for a big surprise!</div><div><br /><iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/-U3jrS-uhuo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Doctor Who Doctor Who 50th Anniversary The Night Of The Doctor Watch The Night Of The Doctor On BBC iPlayer Now

The BBC have released the Doctor Who anniversary minimise The Night Of The Doctor via iPlayer Watch it here - and be in for a big surprise!

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Serbia to miss Janko Tipsarevic in Davis Cup final

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>Janko Tipsarevic, the world number 36, has been ruled out by a heel injury</p><br /><p><img src="http://assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" width="600"/> </p><br /><p>Belgrade: <img src="http://sports.ndtv.com/images/stories/janko_tipsarevic_ferrero300.jpg" width="600"/>Serbia will be without injured number-two player Janko Tipsarevic for the Davis Cup final against holders the Czech Republic starting here on Friday, the Serbian Tennis Federation said before Thursday's draw.Tipsarevic, the world number 36, has been ruled out by a heel injury, federation spokeswoman Neda Miletic told AFP.Led by world number two Novak Djokovic, Serbia, the 2010 champions, have picked 117th-ranked Dusan Lajovic to replace Tipsarevic.The draw is due at 1200 GMT on Thursday.</p><br /></div>

SPORTS Serbia to miss Janko Tipsarevic in Davis Cup final

Janko Tipsarevic, the world number 36, has been ruled out by a heel injury Belgrade: Serbia will be without injured number-two player Janko...

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