Why the US is poised for off

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>Better smartphone choices and greater consumer awareness are two reasons to abandon the two-year tether.</p><br /><p><img src="http://asset1.cbsistatic.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2012/12/05/Jessica_Dolcourt_60x43.jpg" width="600"/> </p><br /><img src="http://asset3.cbsistatic.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim2/2013/11/04/nexus-5-35828372-6374_610x407.jpg" width="600"/><br /><p>For about as long as there have been cell phones, US carriers have had a stranglehold over the purchasing experience. The two-year contract has reigned supreme here in the States, with providers heavily subsidizing the cost of high-priced handsets. But for some buyers, times are changing.</p><br /><p>T-Mobile's brassy, vocal assault on the status quo is making the retail cost of smartphones more transparent, while Google's lower-cost Nexus is a sure to lure customers away from premium-priced phones.</p><br /><p>While the majority of phone customers are likely to stick with the contract formula, especially if they're on a family plan already, others are showing greater interest in no-contract commitments.</p><br /><p>Phone choice: A better spread If there's one poster phone for the no-contract experience, it's Google's Nexus 5. Made by LG, but sold off-contract in the US by Google through its Play Store and T-Mobile, the Nexus 5 loudly challenges the merits of higher-priced rivals with its high-end specs and affordable $350 cost.</p><br /><p>Sprint and AT&T also sell the Nexus 5 on contract, but here in the US, the Nexus 5's sub-$400 sticker price is a steal for a handset that has a more up-to-date processor and OS than the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Android front-runners, the latter of which has a full retail charge that costs hundreds of dollars more.</p><br /><p>Google's Nexus line has been a strong alternative for a few years now, but is picking up more momentum with this model, which delivers the LTE that Americans crave alongside robust features and that lower price. While it's too early to collect sales data quite yet, the Nexus 5 is in a strong position going into the holiday surge.</p><br /><p>Beyond the Nexus 5, second-tier carriers like MetroPCS (now owned by T-Mobile), Virgin and Boost Mobile, and Cricket carry a wider range of handsets, including pricey premium options like the iPhone 5S and Samsung Galaxy S4.</p><br /><p>Customers typically pay a lower monthly data rate, but a higher up-front cost for the phone, and can leave at any time without getting smacked by an early termination penalty.</p><br /><p>On the Windows Phone side of the house, Nokia has been chipping away at smartphone costs, driving down the full retail price of midrange models such as the $350 Lumia 1320 phablet. While that handset isn't expected to come to the US yet, it still could find a home with these prepaid carriers.</p><br /><p>There's also the Lumia 520, which costs $100 with a prepaid AT&T GoPhone plan, and the $120 T-Mobile variant, the Lumia 521. While both are low-end models that lack LTE, they do contain some software extras to help round out the experience.</p><br /><p>Fiercer competition T-Mobile deserves most of the credit for making the off-contract business model more appealing, after killing off contracts last March.</p><br /><p>Backed by CEO John Legere's war of words, with Verizon and AT&T especially, T-Mobile is taking on the role of innovator, while others react.</p><br /><img src="http://asset2.cbsistatic.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim2/2013/07/10/2_-_John_Legere_again_TMobile.jpg" width="600"/><br /><p>(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)</p><br /><p>We saw this when T-Mo introduced it's early upgrade program, Jump, and we see it to some extent with installment pricing as the route to phone ownership, which includes a lower up-front cost followed by monthly payments.</p><br /><p>So far, T-Mobile's tactics have been incredibly successful; the carrier gained 1 million customers in the third quarter, the most it's ushered in after beginning the contracts-are-evil campaign.</p><br /><p>If T-Mobile can keep interest piqued, it can pull even more subscribers away from Verizon and AT&T, its biggest rivals. Edicts like free international texts and data for travelers is almost guaranteed to make that happen.</p><br /><p>Although T-Mobile alone commands any changes in the tide so far, smaller prepaid carriers also have a chance to benefit as former contract subscribers become interested in other no-contract options.</p><br /><p>Midrange good enough? In mature markets like the US, contracts level the playing field of cost, making high-end smartphones seem more affordable and attainable. That often makes the choice to buy a premium handset simpler, since the off-contract difference is closer to $50 or $100, rather than a $200 or even $300 spread.</p><br /><img src="http://asset2.cbsistatic.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim2/2013/09/18/01iPhone5s_35781409_septimius_610x436.jpg" width="600"/><br /><p>(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)</p><br /><p>As in countries dominated by unlocked, off-contract phones, even a small step toward no-contract payments could see customers happy with midrange or upper-middle phones like the Nexus 5, iPhone 5C, and HTC One Mini (if the latter weren't a carrier exclusive here) -- models that come with features that are capable, but not cutting edge.</p><br /><p>Contract carriers retain the upper hand Despite T-Mobile's bold appeal, there are logical reasons to stay put with contract carriers.</p><br /><p>For instance, it takes no effort to stick around, but it does to calculate expenditures and cost savings with a new carrier home -- especially if you're thinking of moving the entire family over.</p><br /><p>Then there's the argument that the contract does little harm if you're the type of person who will probably stick with the same provider for far longer than the two-year minimum.</p><br /><p>There's also the handy subsidy, which gets you the phone at close to its manufacturing cost. For instance, IHS iSuppli's iPhone 5S teardown estimates the bill of materials at about $200, the same price you can buy the phone on contract. The counter-argument here, is that over the life span of two years, you'll likely spend more paying for pricier data with a contract carrier than you might with a no-contract competitor.</p><br /><p>What say you? T-Mobile's aspirations and agitations are clearly changing the way some US phone owners think about how they buy their phones, a position that's backed by a growing roster of robust phones that pack in a lot of robust features for a significantly lower cost. If we see a sustained step toward the no-contract option, these are two major reasons why.</p><br /><p>Why do you stick with your particular carrier, and are you thinking of making the switch? If you've recently moved from contract to off-contract, what prompted the change? I'd love to hear your stance in the comments below.</p><br /><img src="http://asset0.cbsistatic.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2013/01/04/SU_postheader_270x189.jpg" width="600"/><br /><p>(Credit: CNET)</p><br /><p>Smartphones Unlocked<i>is a monthly column that dives deep into the inner workings of your trusty smartphone.</i> </p><br /><p><img src="http://asset3.cbsistatic.com/cnwk.1d/html/news/clear.gif" width="600"/> </p><br /></div>

Technology Why the US is poised for off

Better smartphone choices and greater consumer awareness are two reasons to abandon the two-year tether. For about as long as there have be...

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How To Support The People And Animal Victims Of Typhoon Haiyan [ BeritaTerkini ]

<div id="attachment_33804" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img alt="A dog left in the Philipiines' ruins" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-33804" height="220" src="http://animalfair.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/doggyphillines-328x220.jpg" width="328"><p class="wp-caption-text">A dog left stranded in the Philippines' ruins.</p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p> <h3><span>Animal Fair Media sends our prayers and thoughts to the people and animals dealing with one of the most powerful storms recorded in history, super typhoon Haiyan. The monster storm has killed at least 10,000 people in the central Philippines, with huge waves devastating coastal villages and one of the main cities in the region. Haiyan destroyed about 70 to 80 percent of structures in its path as it swept through Leyte province on Friday. </span></h3> <p>The Philippine National Red Cross fears typhoon Haiyan caused a "very high number of fatalities" – and there search and rescue efforts have been deterred by looters. Philippines' President Benigno Aquino III said Sunday that he was considering declaring a state of emergency or martial law in the hard-hit city of Tacloban.</p> <p><img alt="Red Cross Dog" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-33805" height="199" src="http://animalfair.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Red-Cross-Dog.jpg" width="250"></p> <p>Please see how you can help the typhoon Haiyan people and animals through UNICEF and The Red Cross.</p> <p>In case of a catastrophe, the authorities will take care of the citizens, but sadly few people will take care of pets. This is why you need to get everything ready to care for your pet, should you have to face a natural disaster. Here are some useful tips to help you.</p> <ol start="1" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal">If a disaster leaves you and your pet trapped indoors, always make sure there is an emergency supply of your pet's favorite food on "paw". Just as important is a strong water supply. Always have many bottles of fresh water available, as running water may not work in your home.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Always keep your pet close in tornado season. Should there be an alert, you can grab your furry friend and take shelter with him.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">You may not be able to get in touch with your Veterinarian, so if your four-legged pal takes any medication, make sure you have enough to last at least a week.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">If you must leave your home, it is helpful to have a pet carrier available, but make sure it is one that your dog or cat is used to and will enter voluntarily. To ensure that your pet does not make a break for it, use a carrier that can be locked and is inescapable.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Bring some of your pet's favorite belongings, such as blankets, toys and treats. Chances are your pet will be frightened or confused, so it is a good idea to bring familiar things that will keep Fido or Fluffy at ease.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">In any emergency situation, people, as well as pets, will be frightened. Comfort your pet by remaining calm and speaking in a reassuring and soothing tone. Also pay attention to body language such as shaking and clinging.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Practice makes perfect. Having a well thought out escape plan can save your life and your pet's life. Every once in a while, try some evacuation exercises with your family and pooch or feline. This can help make an evacuation much more organized and calm for all involved.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">It is very important for your pet to always wear his or her collar with proper identification. This is similar to a human always having their driver's license with them. Pet parents can also have a tiny microchip implanted in their pet to help locate them in case they are separated. These precautions can ensure a happy reunion if you are separated from your furry friend!</li> <li class="MsoNormal">If you and your pet are separated, pay daily visits to local shelters, animal control facilities, veterinary offices and kennels until you have found it. You can also post photos of your lost pet. If your pet has tattoos, a microchip or other permanent identification, this will increase the chances of finding it. Be aware that collars and tags are sometimes lost.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Always have a pet first aid kit ready.</li> </ol><p><i>For the Best that Pet Lifestyle and Animal Welfare has to offer follow Wendy Diamond on </i><b><i>Facebook</i></b><b><i>,</i></b><i> </i><b><i>Twitter</i></b><b><i>, </i></b>and right here at <b><i>AnimalFair.com</i></b><b><i>!</i></b></p> <p><span> </span></p> <p><br><br></p><h3>Bark about it!</h3> <p> comments</p> <p class="tags">Tags: Animal Fair Media, animal rescue, disaster animal rescue, Leyte, Philippine National Red Cros, Philippine Typhoon Haiyan, President Benigno Aquino III, Super Typhoon, Tacloban, Typhoon Haiyan, UNICEF, wendy diamond</p> jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();});<br><br>

How To Support The People And Animal Victims Of Typhoon Haiyan [ BeritaTerkini ]

A dog left stranded in the Philippines' ruins.     Animal Fair Media sends our prayers and thoughts to the people and animals ...

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16-Nov-2013 15:05

Libya: US Offers Rewards in Benghazi - New York Times :: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/africa/libya-us-offers-rewards-in-benghazi.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/africa/libya-us-offers-rewards-in-benghazi.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>China to ease one-child policy: state media - Hindustan Times :: <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-ease-one-child-policy-state-media/article1-1151604.aspx">http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-ease-one-child-policy-state-media/article1-1151604.aspx</a><br /><br><br /><br>Remains found in desert are California couple missing since 2010, police say - CNN :: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/us/california-bodies-found/">http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/us/california-bodies-found/</a><br /><br><br /><br>A man of contrasts, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford leads his 'nation' in controversy - CNN :: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/world/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-profile/">http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/world/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-profile/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Batkid takes on the Riddler in San Francisco - <a href="http://Telegraph.co.uk">Telegraph.co.uk</a> :: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10454048/Batkid-takes-on-the-Riddler-in-San-Francisco.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10454048/Batkid-takes-on-the-Riddler-in-San-Francisco.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Bomb hits Afghan capital before talks on US deal - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/11/16/bomb-kabul-afghanistan-loya-jirga/3613049/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/11/16/bomb-kabul-afghanistan-loya-jirga/3613049/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Philippines Expands Relief as Survivors Say Aid Remains Scarce - Businessweek :: <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-11-15/philippine-storm-survivor-aid-slowed-by-destroyed-infrastructure">http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-11-15/philippine-storm-survivor-aid-slowed-by-destroyed-infrastructure</a><br /><br><br /><br>Health care: Obama's fix for canceled plans throws insurers a curveball - Christian Science Monitor :: <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2013/1116/Health-care-Obama-s-fix-for-canceled-plans-throws-insurers-a-curveball">http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2013/1116/Health-care-Obama-s-fix-for-canceled-plans-throws-insurers-a-curveball</a><br /><br><br /><br>'Dallas 1963': dark days before the Kennedy assassination - The Seattle Times :: <a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/books/2022252621_dallas1963minutaglioxml.html">http://seattletimes.com/html/books/2022252621_dallas1963minutaglioxml.html</a><br /><br><br /><br>Clashes in Libya's Capital After Militia Attack - ABC News :: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/militias-attack-libyan-protesters-killing-13-20902703">http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/militias-attack-libyan-protesters-killing-13-20902703</a>

16-Nov-2013 15:05

Libya: US Offers Rewards in Benghazi - New York Times :: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/africa/libya-us-offers-rewards-in-benghazi...

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Matt Said, Jay Said...1.38

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Matt Coughs...Jay Sneezes...You reach for the Hand Sanitizer<br /><br />Jay:  Hola and hello.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Tm1T39e6OqQkCboUxpipB7aLLMP7d6uYUac0eSXABaPLJa1tYySvUx_N4UwghPJNAMqNAOly44JJGtb_WOZg2xF-t3EMAM0pwvyAFmohws4kA0LodsGqpAK3dYoq8aHFHShgGh43cbQz/s1600/Giada+Todd+Divorce.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Tm1T39e6OqQkCboUxpipB7aLLMP7d6uYUac0eSXABaPLJa1tYySvUx_N4UwghPJNAMqNAOly44JJGtb_WOZg2xF-t3EMAM0pwvyAFmohws4kA0LodsGqpAK3dYoq8aHFHShgGh43cbQz/s400/Giada+Todd+Divorce.JPG" width="400" /></a>Matt:  Dude, you sound awful.<br />Jay:  I would tell you that I feel awful, but I don’t like to burden my friends.<br />Matt:  Even drugged up and sick, you are still a selfless human being.<br />Jay:  I know right?<br /><br />Matt:  Hey I just checked BTR, last week’s show is now #3 in all of entertainment.<br />Jay:  I would be excited about that if I weren't on the death’s doorstep.<br />Matt:  Suck it up, man!!<br />Jay:  Alright, alright…so this Sunday? What’s the topic?<br />Matt:  Well…much like you next week, millions of Americans will gearing up for the holidays.<br /><br />Jay:  Yeah…I’ll be heading to Nebraska for a wonderful Thanksgiving week.<br />Matt:  Yep…Thanksgiving annnnd...Hanukkah begins on Thanksgiving this year.<br />Jay:  I wonder what, if anything, Jews eat when that happens.<br />Matt:  I dunno.  Turkey is kosher isn't it?<br />Jay:  I think so.  I’m pretty sure they serve it in the finer Jewish delis.<br />Matt:  A Jewish Thanksgiving, there has to be some yuks yuks talking about that.<br /><br />Jay:  True…And we could talk about personal prepping for all of the upcoming holidays.<br />Matt:  Sounds good…I bet Giada De Laurentiis turns turkey day into a Broadway type event.<br />Jay:  Maybe in most years, I thi---<br />Matt:  Most years?<br />Jay:  Yeah I hear she and hubby Todd are kinda on the outs.<br />Matt:  Really?<br />Jay:  Oh hell yeah and our staff has exclusive access to some pretty salacious audio of the couple.<br />Matt:  Sweet!!<br />Jay:  We’ll definitely debut that this Sunday.<br /><br />Matt:  Awesome.  I hear Buddy Acapella has a new holiday song out.<br />Jay:  He’s amazing.  Dixie Ozark is going to be on hand as well.<br />Matt:  Love Her!!  Stubby Stonehenge has some little known facts about Nebraska to share.<br />Jay:  I’ll need to know those before I get there.  And you know what else I’ll need?<br />Matt:  What’s that?<br />Jay:  Some Meditations by Martin to keep me calm during my travels.<br /><br />Matt:  Sounds as though this is going to be a laugh packed show.<br />Jay:  Made only funnier by the fact that we’ll be calling the Butterball Help Line.<br />Matt:  Along with Butterball we have a new seasonal sponsor as well.<br />Jay:  Holy Cow, this is HUGE!!<br /><br />Matt:  I know right?<br />Jay:  If folks don’t listen to<a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid/2013/11/17/food-family-festivity-the-holidays-are-coming" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: blue;"> IWS Radio LIVE tomorrow from Noon-2 PM ET</span></i></a> they’re wacko.<br />Matt:  And un-American.<br />Jay:  I think we’re ready.<br />Matt:  God Bless American and Green Bean Casserole!!<br />Jay:  Uuch, I think I’m feeling sick again.<br /><br />To listen to the IWS Radio Show LIVE tomorrow from Noon-2 PM ET, click <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid/2013/11/17/food-family-festivity-the-holidays-are-coming" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: blue;">HERE</span></i></a>.   </div>

Matt Said, Jay Said...1.38

Matt Coughs...Jay Sneezes...You reach for the Hand Sanitizer Jay:  Hola and hello. Matt:  Dude, you sound awful. Jay:  I would tell you that...

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Today's Teamster News 11.16.13

<a href="http://www.heraldstandard.com/news/local_news/supervisors-reach-agreement-with-teamsters/article_98ba8f1e-3080-501c-88aa-0c4eefbfd636.html" rel="nofollow">Supervisors reach agreement with Teamsters</a>  Herald-Standard   ... Supervisors say they "dodged the bullet" regarding a grievance filed with the US. Dept. of Labor and Industry by the Teamsters on behalf of a township employee...<br /><a href="http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2013/11/raritan_township_workers_get_f.html" rel="nofollow"> Raritan Township workers get four-year Teamsters contract </a> Hunterdon County Democrat   ...A four-year contract has been approved for the township’s 18 employees represented by the Teamsters Union. It covers 2012 through 2015... <br /><a href="http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/caught-video-dc-taxi-commission-discriminates-against-foreign-speakers-public" rel="nofollow">Caught On Video: DC Taxi Commission Discriminates Against Foreign Speakers at Public Meeting</a> AlterNet   ...Washington D.C. taxi drivers recently joined the Teamsters Union, and judging by this video released by the union, they’ll need all the help they can get considering the questionable practices of the city’s Taxicab Commission...<br /><a href="http://leftlaborreporter.wordpress.com/2013/11/12/international-unions-to-organize-support-for-locked-out-ikea-workers/" rel="nofollow">International Unions To Organize Support For Locked Out Ikea Workers</a>  Left Labor Reporter   ...After conducting a fact finding inquiry, a panel of international trade union representatives said that they would return home and organize support for more than 300 IKEA Teamster workers in Richmond, B.C. locked out since May...<br /><a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/11/15/12_year_old_children_are_working_and_dying_on_americas_farms/" rel="nofollow">12-year-old children are working — and dying — on America’s farms</a>  Salon   ...the Labor Department’s 2011 attempt to update child labor laws … fell through in the face of pressure from the Farm Bureau and other agricultural lobbies … Since the proposals were scrapped … four farmworkers under the age of 16 died, and 16 others were injured, doing jobs that would have been off-limits…<br /><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/11/is-ikea-the-new-model-for-the-conservative-movement.html" rel="nofollow">Is IKEA the New Model for the Conservative Movement </a> The New Yorker   ...In every state in the country, there is at least one ostensibly independent “free-market” think tank that is part of something called the State Policy Network— there are sixty-four in all, ranging from the Pelican Institute, in Louisiana, to the Freedom Foundation, in Washington State. ... the think tanks are less free actors than a coördinated collection of corporate front groups—branch stores, so to speak—funded and steered by cash from undisclosed conservative and corporate players...<br /><a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/11/15/ted_cruz_and_koch_brothers_embroiled_in_shadowy_tea_party_scheme/" rel="nofollow">Ted Cruz and Koch Brothers embroiled in shadowy Tea Party scheme</a>  Salon   ...Meet the right-wing group masquerading as a mainstream nonprofit -- but pushing extremist laws across the country...<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/13/walmart-workers-chicago_n_4267696.html?utm_hp_ref=business" rel="nofollow">Walmart Worker Strikes Reach Chicago</a>  The Huffington Post   ...Walmart workers from three separate stores in the Chicago area went on strike Wednesday. The walkouts are the latest in a series of worker demonstrations in protest of what associates describe as the retailer's low wages, unpredictable hours and unjust retaliation against workers...<br /><a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/11/Next-wave-of-walmart-low-wage-strikes-is-here.html" rel="nofollow">Next wave of Walmart, low-wage strikes is here</a>  TeamsterNation   ...<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px;">Another massive wave of low-wage worker strikes may be upon us as labor unrest is rising at the Port of Los Angeles and Walmart workers walked off the job in three cities over the past 10 days...</span><br /><a href="http://leftlaborreporter.wordpress.com/2013/11/14/columbian-union-activist-murdered-columbia-still-not-safe-for-union-members/" rel="nofollow">Colombian union activist murdered; Colombia still not safe for union members</a>  Left Labor Reporter   ...A 25-year employee at the Nestle food processing plant in Bugalagrande and a member of SINALTRAINAL, the Colombian food workers union, was gunned down on November 9 after receiving a death threat from a group described as “a violent drug-running and crime syndicate formed several years ago from disbanded right-wing paramilitary groups.”...<br /><a href="http://www.economicpopulist.org/content/secret-trade-treaty-exposed-5433" rel="nofollow">Secret Trade Treaty Exposed</a>  Economic Populist   ...Thank you WikiLeaks and we hope they obtain more parts of trade treaties being crafted in secret by large multinational corporations in future...<br /><a href="http://citizen.typepad.com/eyesontrade/2013/11/151-house-democrats-bloc-of-gop-announce-opposition-to-fast-track-trade-authority-.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+eyesontrade+%28Eyes+on+Trade%29" rel="nofollow">151 House Democrats, Bloc of GOP Announce Opposition to ‘Fast Track’ Trade Authority</a>  Public Citizen   ...A letter sent today to President Barack Obama opposing Fast Track authority, signed by 151 House Democrats, signals the end of a controversial Nixon-era procedure used to railroad contentious trade pacts through Congress. Obama has asked Congress to delegate to him its constitutional trade authority via Fast Track for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and other pacts...<br /><a href="http://citizen.typepad.com/eyesontrade/2013/11/this-weeks-government-release-of-trade-data-highlights-a-stunning-decline-in-us-exports-to-korea-a-rise-in-imports-and-a.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+eyesontrade+%28Eyes+on+Trade%29" rel="nofollow">Falling Exports under Korea FTA Likely to Bolster Fast Track Opposition</a>  Public Citizen   ...This week's government release of trade data highlights a stunning decline in U.S. exports to Korea, a rise in imports, and a ballooning of the U.S. trade deficit under the Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA)...<br /><a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/secrecy-spying-shouldn%E2%80%99t-be-associated-tpp" rel="nofollow">Secrecy, Spying Shouldn’t Be Associated With TPP</a>  teamster.org   ...There is no shortage of good reasons to oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)...<br /><a href="http://www.alternet.org/10-giant-corporations-have-taken-over-much-our-economy" rel="nofollow">The 10 Giant Corporations That Have Taken Over Much of Our Economy</a>  AlterNet   ...There was a time when there was competition in the American marketplace, when one corporation didn't own 200 other companies -- that time is long gone...<br /><a href="http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/11/13/a-banks-fruitful-ties-to-a-member-of-chinas-elite/?hp&_r=1&" rel="nofollow">JPMorgan Paid Daughter Of Ex-Chinese Prime Minister $75,000 A Month</a>  New York Times <br />To promote its standing in China, JPMorgan Chase turned to a seemingly obscure consulting firm run by a 32-year-old executive named Lily Chang...<br /><a href="http://www.enetenglish.gr/?i=news.en.home&id=1610" rel="nofollow">Unemployment in Greece remains over 27%</a>  EnetEnglish   ...A total of 6,557 people joined the dole queues in June, bringing the total number out of work to 1,365,406...<br /><a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-postal-service-loss-20131115,0,3697725.story#axzz2kkDF7156" rel="nofollow">U.S. Postal Service reports $5-billion yearly loss</a>  Los Angeles Times   ...The beleaguered <a href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/politics/u.s.-postal-service-ORGOV000000151.topic" rel="nofollow">U.S. Postal Service</a> on Friday reported a $5-billion loss in the last fiscal year and again urged Congress to take legislative action that would help the agency shore up its finances...<br /><a href="http://blog.wisdc.org/2013/11/walker-donations-undergo-sex-change.html" rel="nofollow">Walker Donations Undergo Sex Change</a>  Wisconsin Democracy Campaign   ...Governor Scott Walker recently amended his campaign finance report for the first six months of 2013 to lower contributions made by some of his high-end donors in order to protect them from being found in violation of campaign finance law...<br /><a href="http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/11/15/a-rare-win-for-labors-rank-and-file/" rel="nofollow">A Rare Win for Labor’s Rank and File </a> Counterpunch   ...Machinists at Boeing resoundingly voted down mid-contract concessions yesterday and then booed the union leaders who had pushed the proposal on a shocked membership...<br /><a href="http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2013/11/state_employee_unions_protest.html" rel="nofollow">Unionized state employees protest proposed labor contract as negotiations go to impasse panel</a>  Michigan Live   ...Dozens of state workers held a rally on Wednesday morning, demanding a fair contract as an impasse panel began hearings on disagreements over wages and benefits...<br /><a href="http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=26188#.UoZF-OJ8wcs" rel="nofollow">Port of Oakland wants court to stop truckers protesting over pay, CARB</a>  Land Line   ...The Port of Oakland wants a restraining order against truckers who have organized protests there to stay in place...

Today's Teamster News 11.16.13

Supervisors reach agreement with Teamsters   Herald-Standard   ... Supervisors say they "dodged the bullet" regarding a grievance ...

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Aid flows to typhoon survivors as Philippines struggles to rebuild [ 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 Aubrey Belford</p> <div class="body-slot-mod"> <div class="yom-remote"> <div class="yom-loading" id="mediacontentrelatedstory_container"></div> </div> </div> <p>TACLOBAN, Philippines (Reuters) – Survivors began rebuilding homes destroyed by one of the world’s most powerful typhoons and emergency supplies flowed into ravaged Philippine islands, as the United Nations more than doubled its estimate of people made homeless to nearly two million.</p> <p>But the aid effort was still patchy, and bodies still lay uncollected as rescuers tried to evacuate stricken communities on Saturday, more than a week after Typhoon Haiyan killed at least 3,633 with tree-snapping winds and tsunami-like waves.</p> <p>“We are very, very worried about millions of children,” U.N. Children’s Fund spokesman Marixie Mercado told reporters in Geneva. There are officially 1,179 people missing, according to the national count.</p> <p>Survivors and officials in Tacloban, which bore the brunt of the storm, have said the death toll could be many thousands just in the city as more bodies are discovered every hour.</p> <p>After long delays, hundreds of international aid workers set up makeshift hospitals and trucked in supplies on Saturday, while helicopters from a U.S. aircraft carrier ferried medicine and water to remote, battered areas where some families have gone without food and clean water for days.</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="Civilians exit a helicopter after being airlifted from …" class="body-related-thumb lzbg" height="200px" 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;">Civilians exit a Sea Hawk helicopter from the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron after …</div> </div> <p>Aid flown in to Tacloban’s congested airport finally trickled into ravaged neighborhoods. Work crews and heavy equipment cleared debris from roadsides, but side streets remained piled with the sodden, tangled remains of homes.</p> <p>In front of the San Fernando Elementary School, government workers distributed sacks of aid to a restless crowd of hundreds who had spent the last week camped in shattered wooden classrooms or in a main school building with floors covered in wet black sand. Nearby, about a dozen body bags were neatly lined up by the roadside.</p> <p>Survivors living in the school said they had received little help since the disaster.</p> <p>Rica Mobilla, an 18-year-old mother of one, said local authorities showed up two days after the disaster, handing out four kilograms of rice and a few packs of noodles for her family of thirteen. The family stretched this out with onions and garlic bought from the market.</p> <p>“For the first two days after Yolanda, we didn’t eat. After getting that packet, we eating once a day,” she said, using the Philippine name for Typhoon Haiyan.</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="Sailors and Philippine army soldiers help a woman onto …" class="body-related-thumb lzbg" height="200px" 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;">Sailors and Philippine army soldiers help a woman onto a Hercules from Marine Wing Support Squadron  …</div> </div> <p>“I’m upset. I’m not blaming anyone. If there’s aid there to give out we’ll receive it.”</p> <p>President Benigno Aquino, caught off guard by the scale of the disaster, is scheduled to visit typhoon-affected areas on Sunday. He has been criticized for the slow pace of aid distribution and unclear estimates of casualties, especially in Tacloban, capital of hardest-hit Leyte province.</p> <p>In Tacloban the death toll is written on a whiteboard at City Hall and bodies have been buried in mass graves since Thursday. Tacloban mayor Alfred Romualdez said people may have been swept out to sea after a tsunami-like wall of seawater slammed into coastal areas. One neighborhood with a population of between 10,000 and 12,000 was now deserted, he said.</p> <p>SURVIVORS START TO REBUILD, HOMELESS RISE</p> <p>Relief officials reported a surge in desperate, hungry survivors trying to leave the coastal city of Ormoc, 105 km (65 miles) west of Tacloban.</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="Sailors aboard USS George Washington load containers …" class="body-related-thumb lzbg" height="200px" 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;">Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington load containers of fresh water onto a Sea  …</div> </div> <p>“People are fleeing in mass numbers and coming to Ormoc, where they stand in line all day to get on a ferry only to be turned away,” said Arnaldo Arcadio, an emergency responder with the Catholic Relief Services group.</p> <p>“Ormoc is teeming with people who haven’t eaten in days. They’re hungry, thirsty and tired. They want to get out.”</p> <p>Across Tacloban, survivors have begun to rebuild. The sounds of hammers ring out. Men gather in groups to fix motorbikes or drag debris off splintered homes and wrecked streets. Most have given up searching for lost loved ones.</p> <p>The number of people made homeless by the storm rose to 1.9 million, up from 900,000, the United Nations’ humanitarian agency said. In Tacloban, at least 56,000 people face unsanitary conditions, according to the United Nations’ migration agency.</p> <p>Captain Victoriano Sambale, a military doctor who for the past week has treated patients in a room strewn with dirt and debris in Tacloban, said the pace of aid relief was rising.</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="USNS Mercy prepares for possible deployment to aid …" class="body-related-thumb lzbg" height="207px" 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;">San Diego-based hospital ship USNS Mercy prepares for possible deployment to aid the typhoon-stricke …</div> </div> <p>“I can see the international support coming here,” he said.</p> <p>But he is still overwhelmed. “Day one we treated 600-plus patients. Day two we had 700-plus patients. Day three we lost our count.”</p> <p>U.S. HELICOPTERS AID RELIEF EFFORT</p> <p>Massive logistical problems remain. Injured survivors waited in long lines under searing sun for treatment. Local authorities reported shortages of body bags, gasoline and staff to collect the dead.</p> <p>British Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday pledged 30 mln pounds for international aid agencies working in the Philippines.</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="Supplies arrive before they are loaded into the USNS …" class="body-related-thumb lzbg" height="196px" 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;">Supplies arrive before they are loaded into the San Diego-based hospital ship USNS Mercy as it prepa …</div> </div> <p>But the patchy initial aid response highlighted the need for international agencies and local governments to prepare for more frequent, more devastating natural disasters, said Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response.</p> <p>“This is a mindset change that must happen if we want to be able to stand up to this trend,” she told Reuters in Tacloban.</p> <p>U.S. military assistance has been pouring into the Philippines since Thursday when the USS George Washington aircraft carrier and accompanying ships arrived off eastern Samar province, carrying 5,000 crew and more than 80 aircraft.</p> <p>The Philippines is one of Washington’s closest allies in Asia and a crucial partner in President Barack Obama’s strategy of rebalancing U.S. military forces towards the region to counter the rising clout of China.</p> <p>The Pentagon said on Friday that U.S. Navy amphibious ships will leave Okinawa in Japan “in the coming hours” carrying an additional 1,000 marines and sailors who will provide engineering equipment, relief supplies, and medical support.</p> <p>U.S. sailors have brought food and water ashore in Tacloban and the town of Guiuan, whose airport was a U.S. naval air base in World War Two. The carrier is moored near where U.S. General Douglas MacArthur’s force landed on October 20, 1944, in one of the biggest Allied victories.</p> <p>The U.S. military estimates that it delivered some 623,000 pounds (283,000 kg) of U.S. relief supplies to the Philippines so far. The American military also estimated that it had moved nearly 1,200 relief workers into Tacloban and airlifted nearly 2,900 displaced people from affected areas so far.</p> <p>(Additional reporting by Rosemarie Francisco and Eric dela Cruz and Manuel Mogato in Manila, Michelle Nichols at the United Nations and Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva, Ranga Sirilal in Colombo; Writing by Jason Szep; Editing by John Mair and Michael Perry)</p> <ul id="topics" class="hidden"> <li>Disasters & Accidents</li> <li>Society & Culture</li> <li>United Nations</li> <li>Philippines</li> <li>Tacloban</li> </ul><p></p> //<!--[CDATA[ jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();}); //]]--> <br><br>

Aid flows to typhoon survivors as Philippines struggles to rebuild [ BeritaTerkini ]

By Aubrey Belford TACLOBAN, Philippines (Reuters) – Survivors began rebuilding homes destroyed by one of the world’s...

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16-Nov-2013 14:04

US offering $10 mln reward to find Benghazi attackers - AFP :: <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iWhXFNk_xMpWerg0PZG8CrqHHjlQ?docId%3D50d2a3f8-bb2d-40bd-8f7d-0342beb6a73a">http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iWhXFNk_xMpWerg0PZG8CrqHHjlQ?docId%3D50d2a3f8-bb2d-40bd-8f7d-0342beb6a73a</a><br /><br><br /><br>China to ease one-child policy: state media - Hindustan Times :: <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-ease-one-child-policy-state-media/article1-1151604.aspx">http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-ease-one-child-policy-state-media/article1-1151604.aspx</a><br /><br><br /><br>Charges Filed in Michigan Porch Shooting - TIME :: <a href="http://nation.time.com/2013/11/15/second-degree-murder-charges-for-alleged-renisha-mcbride-shooter/">http://nation.time.com/2013/11/15/second-degree-murder-charges-for-alleged-renisha-mcbride-shooter/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Remains found in desert are California couple missing since 2010, police say - CNN :: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/us/california-bodies-found/">http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/us/california-bodies-found/</a><br /><br><br /><br>A man of contrasts, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford leads his 'nation' in controversy - CNN :: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/world/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-profile/">http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/world/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-profile/</a><br /><br><br /><br>From 'Seinfeld' to 'Call of Duty': Unexpected places where JFK appears - NBCNews.com :: <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/entertainment/seinfeld-call-duty-unexpected-places-where-jfk-appears-2D11591064">http://www.nbcnews.com/entertainment/seinfeld-call-duty-unexpected-places-where-jfk-appears-2D11591064</a><br /><br><br /><br>As health deadlines loom, Obama's credibility on the line - CBS News :: <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57612650/as-health-deadlines-loom-obamas-credibility-on-the-line/">http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57612650/as-health-deadlines-loom-obamas-credibility-on-the-line/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Calif. Boy With Leukemia Wows Crowds as 'Batkid' - ABC News :: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/san-francisco-calling-batkid-fight-crime-20901893">http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/san-francisco-calling-batkid-fight-crime-20901893</a><br /><br><br /><br>Bomb hits Afghan capital before talks on US deal - USA TODAY :: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/11/16/bomb-kabul-afghanistan-loya-jirga/3613049/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/11/16/bomb-kabul-afghanistan-loya-jirga/3613049/</a><br /><br><br /><br>News Analysis: Slower growth, more poverty feared in Philippines after super ... - Xinhua :: <a href="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/indepth/2013-11/16/c_132893325.htm">http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/indepth/2013-11/16/c_132893325.htm</a>

16-Nov-2013 14:04

US offering $10 mln reward to find Benghazi attackers - AFP :: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iWhXFNk_xMpWerg0PZG8CrqHH...

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Brownies computer badge gets reboot [ 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">The Brownies computer badge is to be rebooted to teach Guides about the perils of online sharing.</p> <p>The badge was first introduced in 1990 and awarded to girls who could successfully clean a CD-ROM or shut down a desktop PC.</p> <p>More than 20 years later, it has been redesigned by TalkTalk, the mobile phone carrier, to instill the importance of internet safety.</p> <p>To qualify for the new emblem, Brownies must now learn how to protect their “digital footprint”, safely use social networking platforms and guard against age-restricted websites.</p> <p>Girls will also be taught handy tips for blogging, using apps and a condensed history of the world wide web since its invention by Sir Tim Berners-Lee in 1991.</p> <p>Julie Bentley, Girlguiding chief executive, said: “The computer badge resource is packed full of fun and challenging activities designed to give Brownies basic computer skills and the confidence to embrace new technology, whilst ensuring that internet safety is always at the front of their minds.</p> <p>“Our research shows that many girls dismiss entire industries such as science, technology, engineering and maths-based (STEM) careers.</p> <p>“This resource inspires girls to think of a career in a STEM industry as a varied and rewarding option for them.”</p> <p>The updated badge follows a sustained Government effort to enhance safety provisions for young children exposed to the web.</p> <p>The Prime Minister announced last month that key internet service providers had signed up to a “one-click” filter that would restrict access to adult material.</p> <p>He said yesterday that the family friendly filter would be automatically activated when a user created a new broadband account, to be switched off at a parent’s discretion.</p> <p>Dido Harding, TalkTalk CEO, said of the Brownies’ new computer badge: “In many respects children are leading the way in technology with their intuitive understanding of digital tools.</p> <p>“However, they also need to be educated on the application of these tools to ensure they use them safely.</p> <p>“The work Girlguiding does in helping girls build their life skills is already invaluable, so helping them update their computer badge is the perfect opportunity to ensure these skills are extended into the online world.”</p> <p></p> </div> </div> //<!--[CDATA[ jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();}); //]]--> <br><br>

Brownies computer badge gets reboot [ BeritaTerkini ]

Press Association  –  The Brownies computer badge is to be rebooted to teach Guides about the perils of online sharing. The badge wa...

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Investor Suits May by Limited by Top Court Halliburton Case (1)

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>Bloomberg News</p><br /><img src="http://www.bloomberg.com/image/iefOfVnqtiPk.jpg" width="600"/><br /><p>The U.S. Supreme Court accepted a case with the potential to transform securities litigation, agreeing to reconsider a precedent that has served as the foundation for shareholder suits for the past 25 years.</p><br /><p>The appeal asks the court to overturn a 1988 ruling that created what four former Securities and Exchange Commission members called 'the most powerful engine of civil liability ever established in American law.' The ruling, Basic v. Levinson, made it easier for shareholders to band together in class actions.</p><br /><p>Halliburton contends the decision's premise -- that corporate misrepresentations are reflected in a company's stock price -- has proven to be flawed.</p><br /><p>'Real-world experience has crippled the theoretical underpinnings of Basic,' argued Halliburton, which is battling a suit accusing the company of distorting its financial condition.</p><br /><p>Four justices -- Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, Anthony Kennedy and Samuel Alito -- suggested in a ruling in February that they might jettison the 'Basic presumption,' as it has become known. The outcome of the case may be in the hands of Chief Justice John Roberts, who usually joins that group in ideologically divisive cases.</p><br /><p>The shareholders suing Halliburton urged the court not to hear the case, arguing that the presumption 'is crucial to private securities actions' and has been repeatedly endorsed by Congress, the SEC and the Justice Department.</p><br />'Radical Change'<br /><p>'A reversal of Basic v. Levinson would represent the most radical change in the private enforcement of the federal securities law in a generation and would be a severe blow to investors' rights,' said Daniel Sommers, a Washington securities lawyer at Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, which focuses on pressing class action litigation.</p><br /><p>The importance of the issue stems from two separate requirements for such claims: that shareholders show they made investment decisions in reliance on a company misstatement and that class action litigants show their claims have enough similarities to warrant a group lawsuit.</p><br /><p>Under the Basic decision, judges now presume that investors will take any publicized, significant misstatements into account before buying shares. That approach, also known as the fraud-on-the-market presumption, 'springs from the very concept of market efficiency,' Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said for the majority in the February ruling.</p><br />Less Efficient<br /><p>Halliburton's appeal contends that research in recent years has shown the market to be much less efficient than the court thought in the Basic case. The company points to the 2008 economic crisis and the technology bubble a decade earlier as examples.</p><br /><p>Houston-based Halliburton, the world's largest provider of hydraulic-fracturing services, is also making a narrower argument. The company says it at least should have a chance to rebut the presumption by proving that the alleged misrepresentations didn't distort the market price of the stock.</p><br /><p>The case marks the second time the Supreme Court has intervened in the Halliburton litigation. The court ruled in favor of the shareholders on a separate issue in 2011.</p><br /><p>The shareholders, led by the Erica P. John Fund, contend that Halliburton from 1999 to 2001 falsified earnings reports, played down estimated asbestos liability and overstated the benefits of a merger. Dick Cheney, later the U.S. vice president, served as chairman and chief executive officer of the oilfield-services provider during part of the disputed period.</p><br />Backing Halliburton<br /><p>The former SEC commissioners backing Halliburton are Paul Atkins, Edward Fleischman, Joseph Grundfest and Laura Unger. In a brief filed along with scholars and other former SEC officials, they said the Basic presumption 'revolutionized private securities litigation and made it the massive multibillion-dollar industry that it is today.'</p><br /><p>The court will hear arguments early next year and rule by July.</p><br /><p>The case is Halliburton v. Erica P. John Fund, 13-317.</p><br /><p>To contact the reporter on this story: Greg Stohr in Washington at gstohr@bloomberg.net</p><br /><p>To contact the editor responsible for this story: Steven Komarow at skomarow1@bloomberg.net</p><br /></div>

Business Investor Suits May by Limited by Top Court Halliburton Case (1)

Bloomberg News The U.S. Supreme Court accepted a case with the potential to transform securities litigation, agreeing to reconsider a preced...

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Wi-Fi Speakers with Apple AirPlay for iPad, iPhone and iPod Users: Logitech UE Air Speakers

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Logitech, shipping its latest and innovative technology speakers with in-built hide-away dock to charge your iPhone or iPad device. The dock is retractable means automatically disappears when you don’t need it. These speakers are based on Apple Airplay technology and home Wi-Fi network, that’s why one can switch from one device to another.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2hu0DS9vtBixjC5UWuapSQLg6gjmiCuAnJBHPYL9g3gKZMx83arEotn41ijEqSzpgd6hNVlN31DKNJ6Qk_TeWZlcNIVfKcXyAw2u48R8U2ESEgG1SyiUOL8PxgOBzq_Xkn_e9tV9gGQ/s1600/logitech-ue-air-speaker-ipad-ipod-iphone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Wi-Fi Speakers with Apple AirPlay for iPad, iPhone and iPod Users: Logitech UE Air Speakers" border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2hu0DS9vtBixjC5UWuapSQLg6gjmiCuAnJBHPYL9g3gKZMx83arEotn41ijEqSzpgd6hNVlN31DKNJ6Qk_TeWZlcNIVfKcXyAw2u48R8U2ESEgG1SyiUOL8PxgOBzq_Xkn_e9tV9gGQ/s1600/logitech-ue-air-speaker-ipad-ipod-iphone.jpg" title="Wi-Fi Speakers with Apple AirPlay for iPad, iPhone and iPod Users: Logitech UE Air Speakers" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Logitech</td></tr></tbody></table>According to Logitech, UE (Ultimate Ears) Air Speakers are driving constantly innovate using the latest audio technology to sharpen our unmistakable UE sound signature. This sound signature provide pure, undiluted audio that’s rich, clear and perfectly tuned every time. These are 360 degree speakers that drops bold, immersive sound in every direction.<br /><br />Speakers are featured with some advanced technologies listed below:<br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>With Apple AirPlay provides uncompressed audio over home Wi-Fi from your device like iPad, iPod, iPhone or laptop.</li><li>No pairing required to connect devices. The speakers can be simply connected to your network and all your iOS devices.</li><li>Using Apple dock connector, you can easily charge your device or can play music from.</li><li>Sync your music with your movements around the house with add AirPlay speakers.</li><li>It look great in design, can be imagine from the above image.</li></ul><br />Logitech UE speakers, designing like a sleek piano-black finish, can be used as a showpiece in your house. UE speakers provides full and balanced sound, its dual performance pump out clear mids and vibrant highs.<br /><br />These speakers can be brought from the <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200970221428" target="_blank">eBay</a> official website at the lowest rate in the market i.e. $139. Amazon is also selling the same model in $176 with more rating in comparison of eBay.<br /><div><br /></div></div>

Apple Logitech Speakers Wi-Fi Speakers with Apple AirPlay for iPad, iPhone and iPod Users: Logitech UE Air Speakers

Logitech, shipping its latest and innovative technology speakers with in-built hide-away dock to charge your iPhone or iPad device. The dock...

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16-Nov-2013 13:03

US Quietly Offers Bounties for Benghazi Attackers - ABC News :: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/us-quietly-offers-rewards-benghazi-attackers-20902905">http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/us-quietly-offers-rewards-benghazi-attackers-20902905</a><br /><br><br /><br>China to ease one-child policy: state media - Hindustan Times :: <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-ease-one-child-policy-state-media/article1-1151604.aspx">http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-ease-one-child-policy-state-media/article1-1151604.aspx</a><br /><br><br /><br>Family Wants to Know Why Woman Was Shot on Porch - ABC News :: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/homeowner-charged-deadly-mich-porch-shooting-20903137">http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/homeowner-charged-deadly-mich-porch-shooting-20903137</a><br /><br><br /><br>A man of contrasts, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford leads his 'nation' in controversy - CNN :: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/world/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-profile/">http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/world/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-profile/</a><br /><br><br /><br>From 'Seinfeld' to 'Call of Duty': Unexpected places where JFK appears - NBCNews.com :: <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/entertainment/seinfeld-call-duty-unexpected-places-where-jfk-appears-2D11591064">http://www.nbcnews.com/entertainment/seinfeld-call-duty-unexpected-places-where-jfk-appears-2D11591064</a><br /><br><br /><br>Philippines Expands Relief as Survivors Say Aid Remains Scarce - Businessweek :: <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-11-15/philippine-storm-survivor-aid-slowed-by-destroyed-infrastructure">http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-11-15/philippine-storm-survivor-aid-slowed-by-destroyed-infrastructure</a><br /><br><br /><br>Bomb hits Afghan capital before talks on US deal - San Francisco Chronicle :: <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/Bomb-hits-Afghan-capital-before-talks-on-US-deal-4987291.php">http://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/Bomb-hits-Afghan-capital-before-talks-on-US-deal-4987291.php</a><br /><br><br /><br>Obama's fix for canceled insurance policies could raise costs, experts warn - Fox News :: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/11/16/obama-fix-for-canceled-insurance-policies-could-raise-costs/">http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/11/16/obama-fix-for-canceled-insurance-policies-could-raise-costs/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Calif. Boy With Leukemia Wows Crowds as 'Batkid' - ABC News :: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/san-francisco-calling-batkid-fight-crime-20901893">http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/san-francisco-calling-batkid-fight-crime-20901893</a><br /><br><br /><br>Missing California family 'found in shallow graves' - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24966693">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24966693</a>

16-Nov-2013 13:03

US Quietly Offers Bounties for Benghazi Attackers - ABC News :: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/us-quietly-offers-rewards-benghazi...

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PlayStation 4, Your Ticket to Internet Superstardom

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>New game machines are supposed to have The Game, the killer app that justifies dropping a few hundred bucks on a new machine. The transformational <cite>Super Mario 64</cite> on the Nintendo 64. The first <cite>Halo</cite> on the first Xbox.</p><br /><p>But that's not always the case anymore. Sony's shiny new $400 PlayStation 4 just hit the shelves on Friday, and what's it got? The action game <cite>Knack</cite> is getting middling reviews, and . Outside of Sony's own studios, software makers like Electronic Arts are mostly cranking out slightly prettier versions of games that are also available on the machines you already own.</p><br /><p>Now add to that the fact that over the last year, Sony has released a slew of gorgeous games for PlayStation 3. When you look at <cite>The Last of Us</cite> and <cite>Beyond: Two Souls</cite>, PS4 almost looks like a downgrade in comparison. Taken by themselves, the lineup of games is not screaming 'the next generation is here!'</p><br /><p>But the next generation is here. It's not in the games, it's everything around them.</p><br /><p>Among other neato whiz-bang features, PlayStation 4 lets you stream your gameplay via the websites Twitch and Ustream. So you can turn your private gameplay session into a public broadcast. This isn't online multiplayer gameplay, this is as if the whole world could sit on your couch with you and watch you play through <cite>Killzone</cite>, or <cite>Knack</cite>, or anything. They can see your face, hear your voice and type chat messages to you that pop up on your TV underneath the gameplay.</p><br /><p>You can already do this with your current game consoles - but you need to hook them up to a PC and run all the feeds through specialized hardware and software first. It's expensive and requires some technical skill and willingness to futz around with settings until everything looks good. In other words, it's a total nerd thing.</p><br /><p>PlayStation 4 handles it all with a single button press. Hit the 'Share' button on the new DualShock 4 controller and you are on the air. There's some setup at first, of course; you have to create an account on Twitch or Ustream and enter the details into your PlayStation profile. But that part is quick and painless. (And free: Even though Sony will charge for online multiplayer gaming on PS4, requiring a $50 per year subscription to PlayStation Plus, streaming is available to all PS4 owners.)</p><br /><p>Did it change the way I played? Absolutely it did. Since I was streaming my gameplay of <cite>Knack</cite> before PlayStation 4 had actually hit shelves, I had lots of viewers who had never seen the game before and who had lots of questions about PS4 in general. But I also had lots of viewers talking with me about each part of the game as I approached it, and we discussed the design and the graphics.</p><br /><p>When I accidentally walked past a hidden item, viewers told me to go back and get it. When I finally defeated a certain enemy that had caused me some consternation, they text-cheered for me.</p><br /><p>I honestly don't think I'd have played <cite>Knack</cite> as long as I did if I wasn't streaming. Not only did I feel some obligation to keep going to keep entertaining people, but it took what was turning out to be kind of a repetitive game and turned it into a fun communal activity.</p><br /><p>PlayStation 4 also features some hardware accessories that make streaming much better. The PlayStation Camera is an optional $59.99 accessory (unlike the Kinect camera, which is bundled in with each Xbox One). Among other uses, you can use the camera during streaming by pointing it at your face (or whatever), and this video feed will be displayed in the upper right corner of the screen. If you don't have a microphone, you can use the Camera device as a room mic, and it will broadcast your audio on the stream along with the game's soundtrack.</p><br /><p>However, you do have a microphone, since each PS4 does include a small headset in the box. It looks like a single earbud, but it has a microphone. It plugs directly into the PS4 controller, and you can clip it to your clothing. So basically if you don't use the earbud and just clip the wire to your clothes, it's like having a lavalier microphone - my viewers said it sounded much better, and also prevented the TV audio from going into the mic.</p><br /><p>I'll be the first to admit that I doubted Sony would really pull this off. Historically, the PlayStation division has been the kings of overpromising and underdelivering; the features that sound the coolest are either missing or only half functional at launch. But this actually works, right out of the box, and it's awesome.</p><br /><p>Does it need to be upgraded? Yes. Right now, when you start a stream, you can automatically update your Facebook wall with a link to the stream. This is about as relevant to me as if the PS4 offered to automatically update my MySpace blog. Nobody's checking Facebook for up-to-the-second updates on what their friends are doing right this second. That's what Twitter is for, and it seems like it should be trivial to have the streaming app auto-generate a Tweet, too.</p><br /><p>And not just one tweet. If you're streaming for hours, and you want more viewers, you have to alert people multiple times. So there should be a function that lets you either schedule tweets or send out another one with the push of a few buttons, without having to stop gaming. Hey, the PS Camera does voice commands, so how about 'PlayStation, send a tweet'?</p><br /><p>Also - and this is something Sony says it will fix - the streams on Twitch and Ustream can't be archived, like every other broadcast. So my performances? Gone forever. This is a big deal; if you want to build up more audience members you've got to be able to let them see your past streams and decide whether you're a player worth following, right?</p><br /><p>Microsoft's $500 Xbox One, to be released on November 22, will also have a Twitch app that is supposed to allow game broadcasting - but we haven't seen it in use yet, and it's not looking like it'll be available at launch.</p><br /><p>PlayStation 4′s other big hardware features are generally themed around taking the work out of play. We didn't really understand, going into the last console generation in 2005, how games and consoles these days would be fluid, changing things. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners know that you have to constantly update your firmware, install games, download patches, and a million other little annoyances.</p><br /><p>Like Xbox One, PS4 doesn't get rid of those processes, but it does automate them. As soon as I got my machine online, it started downloading the latest firmware. When I put in a game disc, it starts installing it. The background downloading feature will, upon the release of the next firmware update, pull it down overnight so it's ready to be installed when I wake up.</p><br /><p>In other words, don't get hung up on waiting for the next generation of gaming hardware to play totally new types of games. Maybe those will come later, but for now, it's a significant enough upgrade to get to play the same old games with a more convenient wrapper. That's your next generation experience (even if you'd rather have another <cite>Super Mario 64</cite> moment).</p><br /><img src="http://www.wired.com/gamelife/wp-content/gallery/biopics/kohler200.jpg" width="600"/></div>

Technology PlayStation 4, Your Ticket to Internet Superstardom

New game machines are supposed to have The Game, the killer app that justifies dropping a few hundred bucks on a new machine. The transforma...

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10 –Inch Windows RT 8.1 Tablet Launch on November 22: Nokia Lumia 2520

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Nokia’s first window based tablet is ready to launch and Microsoft declared its released date as 22nd November. The device will be available on the AT&T network for $399 with contract and if you want to buy the tablet without contract, you must pay $584.99. The tablet comes with 10.1-inch full HD screen, running on Windows 8.1 and have some exclusive apps. The tablets comes with the tag of “Nokia Lumia 2520”.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tablet’s display is made from Corning Gorilla Glass 2 with 1080p display. Its full HD Display have peak brightness of 650 and comes with the 180 degree viewing angles. Lumia 2520 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. The device have in-built high speed LTE connectivity. Tablet contained 32GB  of internal memory and have a micro SD card slot.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AxnWKZV_H38/UodYIZQPgpI/AAAAAAAAAho/ZoRc8cjORHY/s1600/lumia2520tablet_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="10 –Inch Windows RT 8.1 Tablet Launch on November 22: Nokia Lumia 2520" border="0" height="243" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AxnWKZV_H38/UodYIZQPgpI/AAAAAAAAAho/ZoRc8cjORHY/s1600/lumia2520tablet_1.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Device have a rear camera with the 6.7 MP and a front facing camera of 2 MP. Device comes with some pre-installed apps like Microsoft Office 2013 and outlook. Some exclusive apps like Nokia Storyteller, Nokia Video Director and Nokia Music with Mix Radio also installed inside the device. Here is also new and exclusive Maps for user.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to Microsoft on an official blog post “The Nokia Lumia 2520 tablet will be available starting on November 22nd. You will be able to purchase the Lumia 2520 (in black) from AT&T for $399.99 with a two-year agreement, or for $199.99 with a two-year agreement when bundled with a Lumia 925, Lumia 1020, or Lumia 1520 Windows Phone”.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Technical specifications:</span></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Display: 10.1-inch with 1080p</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Storage: 32GB in-built and expand up to 64GB through micro SD card</li><li style="text-align: justify;">RAM: 1GB</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Camera: 6.7 megapixel rear camera with ZEISS optics and 2 megapixel front facing</li><li style="text-align: justify;">OS: Window 8.1</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Price: $399 with contract and $548.99</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Availability: November 22nd</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/100638775997274345522" rel="author">Anil Swami</a></div></div>

lumia Microsoft Nokia 10 –Inch Windows RT 8.1 Tablet Launch on November 22: Nokia Lumia 2520

Nokia’s first window based tablet is ready to launch and Microsoft declared its released date as 22nd November. The device will be available...

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Facebook Reasserts Posts Can Be Used to Advertise

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2013/11/16/business/16privacy/16privacy-articleLarge.jpg" width="600"/><br /><p>SAN FRANCISCO - If you post something on Facebook, let there be no doubt that it can end up as an ad shown to your friends and acquaintances.</p><br /><p>Facebook pressed forward on Friday with official changes to its privacy policies, first proposed in August, that make the terms of using Facebook more clear than ever: By having an account on the service, its 1.2 billion global users are allowing the company to use their postings and other personal data for advertising.</p><br /><p>And teenagers are no exception. Although the company deleted language that said parents were implicitly consenting to ads featuring their children's posts by letting them use Facebook, the company said it was already getting that permission when teenagers sign up to use the service.</p><br /><p>After the proposed changes were originally announced, they drew an outcry from many users, some privacy groups and members of Congress, and prompted the Federal Trade Commission to scrutinize the company's plans.</p><br /><p>'Your feedback was clear - we can do better - and it led to a number of clarifying edits,' the company wrote in a blog post on Friday announcing the final version of the policies, which went into effect immediately.</p><br /><p>But in the end, the edits didn't add up to anything major, according to both the company and its critics.</p><br /><p>The new terms of use do not affect a separate change that the company announced last month that allows teenagers to post status updates, videos and images that can be seen by anyone, not just their friends or people who know their friends.</p><br /><p>However, Friday's change does fit into a broader pattern: Facebook is pushing its users to share more data while also making that information easier to find. That is raising public awareness of just what it means to post content on the service.</p><br /><p>'Every day, people post billions of pieces of content and connections into the graph and in doing this, they're helping to build the clearest model of everything there is to know in the world,' Facebook's chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, told Wall Street analysts in a conference call last month. 'This has the potential to be really powerful, but right now, we actually do very little to utilize the knowledge that people have shared to benefit everyone in our community.'</p><br /><p>Facebook is promoting sharing mostly as a way to make the service more useful. The company's graph search tool, for example, mines user posts to help people find, say, restaurant recommendations posted by a friend. Public posts by teenagers let them spread their views to a wide audience.</p><br /><p>But Facebook also has big business motivations for finding ways to show the 1.2 trillion posts on its service more frequently and to more people: The more time people spend on Facebook, the more advertising they see and the better targeted those ads can be.</p><br /><p>One of its most important advertising products, called sponsored stories, involves rebroadcasting user posts praising a company's product to their friends. Advertisers find such endorsement ads very appealing because people tend to trust recommendations from friends over other types of ads.</p><br /><p>So if someone posted 'Just had a great seafood feast at Red Lobster' or even just hit the like button on the chain's Facebook page, the restaurant company might pay to make sure that post, or sponsored story, showed up high in the Facebook feeds of that person's friends.</p><br /><p>Facebook has maintained that its previous terms of use granted it the right to use a person's name, face and posts in ads sent to other people in that user's social network. But with the new policy, the company has replaced vaguer language with more specific wording that clarifies its policies.</p><br /><p>A coalition of privacy groups and Senator Edward J. Markey, Democrat of Massachusetts, had complained about the language, saying the new terms could violate a 2011 consent decree between Facebook and the F.T.C. requiring the company to clearly inform users before exposing their data to new audiences.</p><br /><p>The F.T.C. began an inquiry into the most recent changes, but apparently raised no strong objections.</p><br /><p>'Commission investigations and deliberations are nonpublic, therefore we cannot comment on any particular case,' said Jay Mayfield, an agency spokesman, in a statement. 'However, the F.T.C. rigorously monitors compliance with all of its orders, and that includes reviewing any material changes to the privacy policy of a company that is under a privacy order.'</p><br /><p>Senator Markey, who joined several other lawmakers in introducing a 'Do Not Track Kids' bill on Thursday, said in a statement that Facebook's decision not to shield teenagers from advertising underscored the need for Congress to act. Currently, the law only restricts advertising to children under age 13.</p><br /><p>Facebook said it changed the language in its terms of use partly in response to a class-action lawsuit against the company, settled in August, that contended it had not properly disclosed to users how their comments about products and other personal information would show up in ads.</p><br /><p>While Facebook has clarified its disclosures, it has not yet put into effect two other important provisions of the settlement that would give users more control over how their information is used in sponsored stories.</p><br /><p>One provision requires the company to give parents the ability to prevent their children's information from being used in such advertising.</p><br /><p>The other would allow all users to see if Facebook had turned any comments they had made on the service into a sponsored story ad and allow them to opt out of future broadcasting of that ad.</p><br /><p>'The innovative controls we agreed to in connection with the settlement take time to build,' said Jodi Seth, a Facebook spokeswoman. She offered no timetable for introducing them.</p><br /></div>

Technology Facebook Reasserts Posts Can Be Used to Advertise

SAN FRANCISCO - If you post something on Facebook, let there be no doubt that it can end up as an ad shown to your friends and acquaintances...

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Almost Human May Feel Similar to Fringe, But It's a Very Different Future

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://www.tvguide.com/images/headshots/natalie-abrams.jpg" width="600"/><img src="http://static.phx2.tvgcdn.net/MediaBin/Content/131111/News/5_fri/thumbs/131115almost-human1_300x206.jpg" width="600"/><br /><p>Where 's old sets in Vancouver once housed a fake cow named Gene and rows of jars filled with red vines and other assorted candy, now stands Almost Human's space-age-looking police precinct. But using the same sound stage isn't the only thing the two Fox shows have in common.</p><br /><p>Like Fringe, Almost Human (Sunday, 8/7c) also comes fromproducers J.J. Abrams and J.H. Wyman and is set in the not too distant future. Police officers are partnered with androids as they tackle cases with futuristic elements that border on the fringe. Sound familiar? But apart from those glaring similarities, Abrams insists that the shows are fundamentally different.</p><br />Almost Human tackles the dangers of robots in the future<br /><p>'The Venn diagram of these two [shows] might be that they're pushing the edge of technology and what might be possible in that regard,' he says. '[ Almost Human is] much more of a cop show that you might feel is familiar with a huge wrench thrown into that. It feels very distinct and different from the world of Fringe, which, at its core was a much more serialized show about this dysfunctional father-son [relationship] and romance that went over not just years, but different worlds. This is a show that doesn't quite get into that level of serialized storytelling.'</p><br /><p>On the series, Detective John Kennex ( Karl Urban) wakes from a two-year coma after an incident that claimed the lives of several officers, making him a pariah upon his return to the precinct. Making his transition more difficult is the mandate that officers now must ride with an android. Kennex quickly dispatches his robo-partner because '[he] has always been a little bit reserved when it comes to relying on technology to do a man's job,' Urban explains. As a replacement, he gets a defunct and flawed model named Dorian ( Michael Ealy) that exhibits compassion - something Kennex will not be happy about. Urban notes, 'The wonderful thing about the partnership with Dorian is that it engineers somewhat of a paradigm shift.'</p><br /><p>Kennex and Dorian's partnership highlights another big difference the series has from Fringe in the exploitation of and dependence the future has on technology. Where the former series focused on a desperate group trying to hold on to a semblance of family, Almost Human takes a look at those trying to hold on to humanity. ' Almost Human is about finding your place in a world that is rapidly changing,' Wyman says. 'It's about connection in a time when connection in undervalued. It's about the facility of technology to make us forget what it's like to be human in a moment and connect. It's about people trying to hold on to a humanity that is quickly being left behind. It's about people who deeply care about others who are willing to put their lives on the line in order to maintain peace and order in a world where not all the time do they get the proper credit for.'</p><br />Fringe's J.H. Wyman discusses series finale, teases new series Almost Human<br /><p>It's that desperate need to be human that's actually one of Dorian's biggest flaws because he can never achieve that goal. 'It's one of his more charming qualities, but it's also one of his biggest flaws because he's not happy with who he is,' Ealy says. 'Anyone who's not happy with who they are, obviously that can create problems.'</p><br /><p>In a way, Kennex can relate, which is why they make the perfect partners, even if they don't know it just yet. Following the incident - caused by a mysterious organization called Insyndicate - Kennex has been struggling to find his own way back to normalcy. 'This guy is coming out of a coma and he's been out for two years,' Urban says. 'In that regard, he's kind of like a dinosaur. He's waking to a world that's quite different. It's recognizable, but it's different even in two years. Not only is he trying to find his place in the society, he's also trying to deal with the baggage of the past.'</p><br /><p>The mostly case-of-the-week show will evolve into that of a buddy cop drama, of sorts, once Kennex does finally let himself trust Dorian. Both Ealy and Urban liken their characters' relationship evolution to the one in Midnight Run. 'That's a really good touchstone for the ballpark we want to be in,' Urban says. 'Two characters thrown into a situation that neither of them want to be in. Well, Dorian wants to be in this situation, but Kennex doesn't. Through the course of them spending time, there develops a bond and a friendship and the respect. But they're still getting under each other's skin.'</p><br /><p>But Almost Human will have some serialized aspects, namely in Insyndicate, the aforementioned organization that will cause Kennex and the police department much strife. 'There are many groups that are actually taking advantage of the fact that the [technology] genie is out of the bottle and taking advantage of the fact that they can make money in new ways and they can use people in new ways and they can destroy the world because they want to see it burned in new ways,' Wyman says. 'Insyndicate is one of these many faces that are terrifying.'</p><br /><p>Almost Human debuts with a two-night event starting Sunday at 8/7c on Fox.</p><br /><p>Will you tune in for Almost Human?</p><br /></div>

ENTERTAINMENT Almost Human May Feel Similar to Fringe, But It's a Very Different Future

Where 's old sets in Vancouver once housed a fake cow named Gene and rows of jars filled with red vines and other assorted candy, now st...

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Broadband firms in web safety drive [ 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">The UK’s largest broadband companies have joined forces to help families stay safe online by funding a new multimillion-pound campaign.</p> <p>BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media are supporting the drive to raise awareness of how to tackle issues including cyber-bullying and access to adult content on the internet.</p> <p>Aimed at parents, it will encourage and support them in talking to their children about how they can stay safe when surfing the net.</p> <p>The nationwide campaign will inform people about whole-home and device-level parental controls, helping them make the right choices for their household.</p> <p>The broadband companies said they were committed to ensuring this is a sustained effort by supporting it for a minimum of three years, and will be forming a new joint venture to lead the campaign. The cost of next year’s marketing and advertising alone will be in excess of £25 million.</p> <p>Research conducted for the campaign found that while more than four out of five (83%) parents have talked to their children about how to stay safe online, nearly as many again (81%) are unsure where to go to get good advice. The campaign will guide parents to expert help and recommendations about how to stay safe on the web.</p> <p>The four companies together supply broadband to around 90% of households in the UK.</p> <p>BT chief executive Gavin Patterson said: “We are very pleased to be a part of this joint effort across the broadband industry to help families to get the best advice and support about online safety. We’ve been focused on the issue of online safety since we developed the world’s first Cleanfeed filter to block child abuse images and made the technology available free to other ISPs (internet service providers) across the world a decade ago.</p> <p>“BT will be launching a whole-home filter shortly to add to the tools we already make available for free to our customers, but awareness, expert advice and support are crucial in making sure that parents feel confident in using the protections that are offered by ISPs.”</p> <p>Sky chief executive Jeremy Darroch said: “We are pleased to be supporting this industry-wide initiative to help families enjoy the best of the internet in a safe and secure environment. Protecting children from inappropriate content in the digital world is something Sky has led the way on.</p> <p>“Sky Broadband Shield is now available to all of our five million broadband customers, offering family friendly filters that help parents choose which websites can be accessed in the home. This builds on the leadership position we have taken through our TV and public Wi-Fi platforms.”</p> <p>TalkTalk chief executive Dido Harding said: “This is a major step forward for internet safety in the UK, with the four leading internet providers coming together to lead the way. HomeSafe, our whole-home parental controls service, has been in place for over two years now and we are proud that now, as an industry, we can build on this progress and help parents be properly informed and equipped to help their children stay safe online.”</p> <p>Virgin Media chief executive Tom Mockridge said: “Being online opens up huge opportunities for us all and we believe technology helps make good things happen. But there are also questions and challenges we need to tackle and, with significant support from across the broadband industry, this nationwide campaign will help ensure all our customers make the most of the parental controls, tools and information we provide to help them stay safe online.”</p> <p></p> </div> </div> //<!--[CDATA[ jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();}); //]]--> <br><br>

Broadband firms in web safety drive [ BeritaTerkini ]

Press Association  –  The UK’s largest broadband companies have joined forces to help families stay safe online by funding a new multi...

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Acer Rolls Out Sub

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><img src="http://www4.pcmag.com/media/images/407549-acer-c720-2848.jpg?thumb=y" width="600"/> </p><br /><p>Acer on Friday announced the availability in the United States of the sub-$200, 11.6-inch C720 Chromebook powered by a Haswell-class Celeron processor from Intel and offering up to 8.5 hours of battery life.</p><br /><p>The C720 Chromebook, which the computer maker is billing as a 'great holiday gift,' is now available for $199.99 at Best Buy retail stores and through Amazon, Acer said. The 2.76-pound laptop features a 1366-by-768 resolution display and runs Google's Chrome operating system, offering instant access to Internet-based applications like Google Docs.</p><br /><p>The laptop was originally priced at $249.99 but an Acer spokesperson said the company slashed that figure to appeal to more consumers ahead of the holiday gift-buying rush.</p><br /><p>'Since the Acer C720 debuted last month, it's been acclaimed for delivering industry-leading performance and long battery life to mobile savvy computer users. Our new $199.99 model delivers an incredible value proposition for this level of performance at a time of year when so many people are shopping for gifts for loved ones,' Acer chief technology officer Arif Maskatia said in a statement.</p><br /><p>With Intel's Celeron 2955U processor under the hood, the C720 sports a solid state drive (SSD) providing 16GB of onboard storage and has 2GB of DDR3 memory. The display utilizes Acer's ComfyView technology to support HD video playback and 'crisp and clear' image viewing, the company said.</p><br /><p>The laptop also has an integrated HD webcam, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, and an HDMI port which can connect to external displays and HDTVs. The C720 is Wi-Fi capable on the 802.11a/b/g/n format.</p><br /><p>Acer said buyers of the C720 Chromebook will have access to 100GB of free Google Drive cloud storage for two years after their purchase, as well as pre-installed Google apps and services like Search, Gmail, YouTube, and Google+ Hangouts.</p><br /><p>The computer maker said it will also make the C720 available for purchase in the Acer online store beginning in December.</p><br /><p><img src="http://www7.pcmag.com/media/images/407548-acer-c720-2848.jpg?thumb=y" width="600"/> </p><br /></div>

Technology Acer Rolls Out Sub

Acer on Friday announced the availability in the United States of the sub-$200, 11.6-inch C720 Chromebook powered by a Haswell-class Celero...

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Typhoon survivors struggling for water

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src="http://media.spokesman.com/photos/2013/11/16/1116journey-pineda_t210.jpg?74a72ef94756bccc16ea1c78066b52f96b62dbc7" width="600"/><br /><p>TACLOBAN, Philippines - Since the typhoon hit, Danny Estember has been hiking three hours round-trip into the mountains each day to obtain what he can only hope is clean water for his five daughters and two sons.</p><br /><p>The exhausting journey is necessary because safe water is desperately scarce in this storm-ravaged portion of the Philippines. Without it, people struggling to rebuild and even survive risk catching intestinal and other diseases that can spread if they're unable to wash properly.</p><br /><p>While aid agencies work to provide a steady supply, survivors have resorted to scooping from streams, catching rainwater in buckets and smashing open pipes to obtain what is left from disabled pumping stations. With at least 600,000 people homeless, the demand is massive.</p><br /><p>'I'm thirsty and hungry. I'm worried - no food, no house, no water, no money,' said Estember, a 50-year-old ambulance driver.</p><br /><p>Thousands of other people who sought shelter under the solid roof of the Tacloban City Astrodome also must improvise, taking water from wherever they can - a broken water pipe or a crumpled tarp. The water is salty and foul tasting but it is all many have had for days.</p><br /><p>Providing clean, safe drinking water is key to preventing the toll of dead and injured from rising in the weeks after a major natural disaster. Not only do survivors need to stay hydrated, they also need to be protected from waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.</p><br /><p>Haiti's devastating 2010 earthquake was followed by a cholera outbreak that health officials say has killed more than 8,000 people and sickened nearly 600,000. Some studies have shown that cholera may have been introduced in Haiti by U.N. troops from Nepal, where the disease is endemic.</p><br /><p>Washing regularly, using latrines and boiling drinking water are the best ways to avoid contracting diarrhea and other ailments that could burden already stressed health services.</p><br /><p>It took several days for aid groups to bring large quantities of water to Tacloban, the eastern Philippine city where the typhoon wreaked its worst destruction. By Friday, tankers were arriving. Philippine Red Cross workers sluiced water into enormous plastic bladders attached to faucets from which people fill jerry cans, buckets, bottles and whatever other containers they might have.</p><br /><p>Water provisioning should get a big boost with the recent arrival of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS George Washington, a virtual floating city with a distillation plant that can produce 400,000 gallons of fresh water per day.</p><br />© Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.</div>

ENTERTAINMENT Typhoon survivors struggling for water

TACLOBAN, Philippines - Since the typhoon hit, Danny Estember has been hiking three hours round-trip into the mountains each day to obtain w...

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16-Nov-2013 12:02

China to ease one-child policy: state media - Hindustan Times :: <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-ease-one-child-policy-state-media/article1-1151604.aspx">http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-ease-one-child-policy-state-media/article1-1151604.aspx</a><br /><br><br /><br>Name of 1991 'Baby Hope' murder victim added to headstone - Fox News :: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/16/name-11-baby-hope-murder-victim-added-to-headstone/">http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/16/name-11-baby-hope-murder-victim-added-to-headstone/</a><br /><br><br /><br>Theodore Wafer charged in Detroit death of Renisha McBride - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24959898">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24959898</a><br /><br><br /><br>Remains found in desert are California couple missing since 2010, police say - CNN :: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/us/california-bodies-found/">http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/us/california-bodies-found/</a><br /><br><br /><br>A man of contrasts, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford leads his 'nation' in controversy - CNN :: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/world/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-profile/">http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/world/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-profile/</a><br /><br><br /><br>San Francisco rallies for 'Batkid' - BBC News :: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24964100">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24964100</a><br /><br><br /><br>From 'Seinfeld' to 'Call of Duty': Unexpected places where JFK appears - NBCNews.com :: <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/entertainment/seinfeld-call-duty-unexpected-places-where-jfk-appears-2D11591064">http://www.nbcnews.com/entertainment/seinfeld-call-duty-unexpected-places-where-jfk-appears-2D11591064</a><br /><br><br /><br>Patchy aid reaches typhoon survivors as Philippines struggles to rebuild - Reuters :: <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/16/us-philippines-typhoon-idUSBRE9A603Q20131116">http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/16/us-philippines-typhoon-idUSBRE9A603Q20131116</a><br /><br><br /><br>Britain's Cameron calls for international rights probe in Sri Lanka - Reuters :: <a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/11/16/srilanka-cameron-idINL4N0J105E20131116">http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/11/16/srilanka-cameron-idINL4N0J105E20131116</a><br /><br><br /><br>Obama Seeks Insurers' Health-Law Help as Democrats Waver - Bloomberg :: <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-16/obama-seeks-insurers-health-law-help-as-democrats-waver.html">http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-16/obama-seeks-insurers-health-law-help-as-democrats-waver.html</a>

16-Nov-2013 12:02

China to ease one-child policy: state media - Hindustan Times :: http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-to-ease-one-child-policy-st...

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Date night in Dillingers

Through an Irish Times reader offer (a bit like Living Social/Groupon deals) I got a voucher for Dillinger's in Ranelagh.<div><br></div><div>The voucher consisted of €120 worth of food for €68.  </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNQE8nPWRKVQiGRVmWm44cn644UUyLM6sZNb87pCtWvpHgfXzwQBIjF7AhUsGFUfREbnXrccseR_jZJIHzdx_sTypbDy1o1PrOeI6SmCYR0_XnNKpZG7o77FrswW1mjc0zQj6nfQwJmIB/s640/blogger-image--318778552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNQE8nPWRKVQiGRVmWm44cn644UUyLM6sZNb87pCtWvpHgfXzwQBIjF7AhUsGFUfREbnXrccseR_jZJIHzdx_sTypbDy1o1PrOeI6SmCYR0_XnNKpZG7o77FrswW1mjc0zQj6nfQwJmIB/s640/blogger-image--318778552.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We booked a place at the bar and when we arrived we were presented with a special menu because we were using the voucher.</div><div><br></div><div>Here is the menu which I thought there was plenty to choose from</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgoIAyHsbgBNhAqInMd2groxZ4r6QODbEx6sIKyzC40G9ImbSW1lgFPKZ5L-vdL6XSv67bOsAHXPO5-l0eFxaQP9umqynh6jUzuX0bJDBlpZkHcfsiYVM_beBsDapDeOKsOhKYbZtQbq8/s640/blogger-image--1330562469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgoIAyHsbgBNhAqInMd2groxZ4r6QODbEx6sIKyzC40G9ImbSW1lgFPKZ5L-vdL6XSv67bOsAHXPO5-l0eFxaQP9umqynh6jUzuX0bJDBlpZkHcfsiYVM_beBsDapDeOKsOhKYbZtQbq8/s640/blogger-image--1330562469.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We chose to drink red wine - a Cotes du Rhone (Gonnet La Julia) which was very drinkable!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KFB2wn9_BDxQQ1T69drKybJtdV0UwMjZfBh6mvtD1FSrw89NvEXycv9kvZyJEUlWfRiacBEBWzc5uG8X4l1MvXcCunhr3Dc0bJfRv4X-Z48EUr0a3iplZcPB04eFytZtOFO0Td48lsv5/s640/blogger-image--627234786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KFB2wn9_BDxQQ1T69drKybJtdV0UwMjZfBh6mvtD1FSrw89NvEXycv9kvZyJEUlWfRiacBEBWzc5uG8X4l1MvXcCunhr3Dc0bJfRv4X-Z48EUr0a3iplZcPB04eFytZtOFO0Td48lsv5/s640/blogger-image--627234786.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>For starter I had the quail while Ciaran had the alphabet soup (how fun!).  The soup was great but the quail (as always) was hard to get meat from.  I saw a lady pick it up and eat it with her hands (eeek) but I ate with my knife and fork.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJO0r09hONdAHUIvm3pWUPTmo15gB2GTUBnvX3DLnYWr93BXubLZqRHsPtx4TejyCVJBD2U06thXPXWvwa0HXzfwOO5hy9i8BNfNyAo8eHrP94akRC2wTuV3VxRvOpLtUyFdLfrk1g6TI/s640/blogger-image-1603339420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJO0r09hONdAHUIvm3pWUPTmo15gB2GTUBnvX3DLnYWr93BXubLZqRHsPtx4TejyCVJBD2U06thXPXWvwa0HXzfwOO5hy9i8BNfNyAo8eHrP94akRC2wTuV3VxRvOpLtUyFdLfrk1g6TI/s640/blogger-image-1603339420.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FjWpzeDMXnWzQaCB-xxKvofdVeqedANjICGK0tEy5f98EUogQ8p3Htm72TruJCEMA7kuNul1X9PLFpHPZYhp64pbiHw3GgX2yhoID1noENizEO2lNDiBfF1KnOsWVtUja00UZ-je7TeW/s640/blogger-image--604493838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FjWpzeDMXnWzQaCB-xxKvofdVeqedANjICGK0tEy5f98EUogQ8p3Htm72TruJCEMA7kuNul1X9PLFpHPZYhp64pbiHw3GgX2yhoID1noENizEO2lNDiBfF1KnOsWVtUja00UZ-je7TeW/s640/blogger-image--604493838.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For main, I chose duck while Ciaran has the steak cooked rare.  Both were very good - my dish was a very tasty and sweet concoction.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAznG_Xgx5x-Qs6C9YxXekD4UCmJuA7UPdw19pauFuR9xQ8xxSosZTOb2CRbloENDUkFoYV_BRk5LQC9-lhhhohlgxYYky3w-Sey38FkA3smO6iKII6iJsw-J-MO63Z9pPLbwHJiBWoZyM/s640/blogger-image--1124701155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAznG_Xgx5x-Qs6C9YxXekD4UCmJuA7UPdw19pauFuR9xQ8xxSosZTOb2CRbloENDUkFoYV_BRk5LQC9-lhhhohlgxYYky3w-Sey38FkA3smO6iKII6iJsw-J-MO63Z9pPLbwHJiBWoZyM/s640/blogger-image--1124701155.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek5ekzIc056Uua_T89oB5_7khGy70EQ6ttuZ_V2SlAqq17D98kb3AQIT1ql6BR6aGcXw18M8f9xsNWDbjQdd3jKetL-VfopcjT8cqF8LV9q7AvGti-YT7vnQkQDqLYTAVO8rga0-4Biod/s640/blogger-image-284422760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek5ekzIc056Uua_T89oB5_7khGy70EQ6ttuZ_V2SlAqq17D98kb3AQIT1ql6BR6aGcXw18M8f9xsNWDbjQdd3jKetL-VfopcjT8cqF8LV9q7AvGti-YT7vnQkQDqLYTAVO8rga0-4Biod/s640/blogger-image-284422760.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There were 4 choices of dessert including cheesecake and bread and butter pudding. We chose chocolate mousse.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalPpbQE5SgMu84UlCTWdqYyu-Ttf5hoVIURPa3Tbc-YQmMGJ5vy74zC_kj1w0iAhUNW-acL8-K2mi_1GB8hG4FLn0MFNz8MLqsv70UxzTLkpi7Cp1dRDfaEJ-h0xO0vtTItq-wDvq1SQy/s640/blogger-image-2136479377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalPpbQE5SgMu84UlCTWdqYyu-Ttf5hoVIURPa3Tbc-YQmMGJ5vy74zC_kj1w0iAhUNW-acL8-K2mi_1GB8hG4FLn0MFNz8MLqsv70UxzTLkpi7Cp1dRDfaEJ-h0xO0vtTItq-wDvq1SQy/s640/blogger-image-2136479377.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>

Date night in Dillingers

Through an Irish Times reader offer (a bit like Living Social/Groupon deals) I got a voucher for Dillinger's in Ranelagh. The voucher co...

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