more akkad: May 2012

Thursday, May 31, 2012

10 Things to Know for Wednesday

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Romney unofficially clinches nomination (CNN)

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E.T. Is Coming to Blu-ray

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial will be released on Blu-ray for the first time on 12 November to mark its 30th anniversary. Rather than re-releasing the 20th anniversary version, though, director Steven Spielberg has opted for the 1982 theatrical cut.

This will please many fans as the 20th anniversary version, released in 2002, was infamous for replacing guns with walkie-talkies during the iconic scene where Elliot and his friends escape police by cycling into the sky.

The Blu-ray cut will be digitally re-mastered for viewing quality, at ?six times the resolution of DVD?, while at the same time seemingly avoiding the type of adjustments that, for many, marred the DVD and Blu-ray release of films like the original Star Wars trilogy.

It is unlikely that there will be any further CGI enhancements like those favoured by George Lucas. In 2011 Spielberg claimed that the he would not digitally enhance any of his films in the future, and that he would always refer people back to the 1982 cut of E.T. as the definitive version.

The 30th anniversary release includes new special features such as ?The E.T. Files?; a look at the making of the film and some new behind-the-scenes footage, as well as a cast reunion and a recent interview with Spielberg himself.

The film also returns to its PG rating, having been rated U in its 2002 release, further suggesting that the director wants this to be a genuine re-release of the original film.

The 30th Anniversary Blu-ray edition of E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial will be released on 12 November 2012.

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June 2012: Arts & Entertainment

Big Stage Productions Summer Extravaganza

Photo by David Roth Photography

Big Stage Productions? newest youth theater production, Seussical, The Musical, brings to life all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzi and Jojo. Opening June 1 at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, the story centers around Horton who finds himself faced with a double challenge: to protect his friend Jojo as well as guard an egg left in his care. Underscored with music and song, the power of friendship, loyalty, family and community emerges triumphant in a story that will make you laugh and cry. Produced by Kathy Kelley, directed by Laezer Schlomkowitz, with musical direction by Dauri Kennedy and choreography by Jessica Hambright and Mikie Caberra, the double-cast roles feature Danta Gonzalez and Brolin Parris as Horton; Ali Mikles and Jasmine Helman-Cubilla as Mayzie La Bird; Lana Kanen and Maddie Sokolove as Gertrude McFuzz; Reggie Evans and Spencer Glesby (pictured) as Cat in the Hat; and Makena Shlens and Tyler Dahnke as Jojo. Performances are Friday, June 1 at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 2 at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 3 at 3 p.m. For tickets, call the Lobero Theatre Box Office at 963-0761, purchase online at www.lobero.com or at the door. Got questions?? Call 708-8897.

Circle Bar B Dinner Theatre showcases a hilarious
modern day drawing room comedy

From left, Brain Harwell as Hank Hadley, Jenna Scanlon as Spencer McCullough, Jean Hall as the zany maid, and Kathy Marden as the ?insane? mother in Regrets Only. Photo courtesy of CBBT

Featuring witty banter and irreverent dialogue the likes of Hart and Moss and Noel Coward, the Circle Bar B Theatre production of Regrets Only opens June 1 with performances through July 15. Written by Paul Rudnick and directed by Joseph Beck, it?s a heartfelt story about love, family, friendship and marriage, both traditional and non-traditional. Hank Hadley (played by Brian Harwell and based on Bill Blass) is the world?s most famous fashion designer who has just lost his partner of 20 years to cancer. After six months of seclusion, he?s ready to again hit the Manhattan ?scene? with his best friend, Tibby McCullough (Susie Couch). As they prepare to leave, the McCullough?s daughter Spencer (Jenna Scanlon) runs in to announce she is engaged and is followed by her father, Jack McCullough (Ray Wallenthin), who has a surprise of his own. The President of the United States has asked him to research a constitutional amendment on gay marriage. Add a zany maid (Jean Hall), a ?clinically insane? mother (Kathy Marden), and great fashion, and watch as the chaos ensues as they all try to sort out their opinions and feelings and what is important in life. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. (dinner at 7 p.m.) and Sundays at 2 p.m. (brunch at 1 p.m.). For reservations and more information, call CBBT Box Office at 967-1962 or check online at www.circlebarbtheatre.com

Ensemble Theatre?s final 2011-12 production showcases the joyful story of an enduring friendship

Photo by Joseph Schuyler

Ensemble Theatre Company brings its 2011-12 season to a close with a limited run of Frank Higgins? new play Black Pearl Sings!, opening June 14 with performances through July 1. Set in 1935 Texas, Susannah, a Library of Congress song collector played by Jessica Wortham, discovers Pearl, an African-American woman played by Jannie Jones,( pictured) who is serving a life sentence in a Texas prison. In the process of recording the treasure trove of spirituals and African folk songs that only Pearl knows, a bond is formed that transcends race, class and culture. Directed by Patrick Mullins, it?s a soulful story filled with humor and gifted solo a capella renditions of musical treasures rooted in the African-American gospel tradition. ?Black Pearl not only sings, but soars,? exclaimed Broadway World. Performances are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m. and a Saturday, June 23 matinee at 4 p.m. at the Alhecama Theatre, 914 Santa Barbara St. For tickets and more information, call the ETC Box Office or purchase online at www.ensembletheatre.com

Photo courtesy of Los Pinguos

Launching the 2012 Chase Palm Park Summer Concert series on Thursday, June 28 is the South American sound of Los Pinguos (pictured) from cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, Argentian. A mixture of Latin rhythms performed with Spanish guitars, a Cuban Tres, Peruvian cajon (box-drum) and harmonizing vocals define this popular group. Vivacious and infectious, their sound has claimed fans worldwide from their hometowns to the streets of Los Angeles. Hosted by the Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation Department, the lineup for upcoming concerts on July 5, 12, 19, 26 and August 9 and 16 will showcase a broad spectrum of sound, including Caribbean, country, oldies-but-goodies, a special concert featuring the best of local youth bands, and more. Be sure to check next month?s July issue of Santa Barbara Family Life Magazine for previews of upcoming concerts. All concerts are Thursday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Chase Palm Park on Cabrillo Boulevard at Calle Cesar Chavez, and are free. Bring your friends, family, dancing shoes and even your dog ? if on a leash; and please, no blanket/chair setup prior to noon on the day of a concert. Questions? Call 897-1946 or check www.sbparksandrecreation.com

An Awesome Musical Gift for Dad ? and the Whole Family ? for Father?s Day

Courtesy photo

The Live Oak Music Festival, June 15 through 17, is rapidly becoming a traditiona; gift Dad looks forward to on his day, Father?s Day, which is Sunday, June 17. Nestled under the oak trees at Live Oak Camp in the Santa Ynez Valley, the three-day concert is highlighted by the Grammy award-winning Indigo Girls (pictured) along with more than 15 other main stage acts, including The Rebirth Brass Band?s New Orleans sound, the blues with Carolyn Wonderland, the guitarists/songwriters John Doe and? James McMurty, the Latin-jazz sounds of salsa pianist Oscar Hernandez, even a Chinese musical ensemble, Melody of China, and many more. There?ll be activities for kids ? including ongoing performances on a kid?s stage ? dances, arts and crafts vendors, and much more. For tickets and a complete cost breakdown of weekend, individual and day passes for adults and children (kids under 4 years old free), call 781-3030 or go online at www.liveoakfest.org

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Marriage to someone in foster care - Adoption.com Forums

if this person is in foster care, they are a ward of the state. the cw is not the legal guadian--at least not in my state.

this would mean that the court would need to become involved. i would have doubts about the judge agreeing just to get the child out of care. that's not the goal--sending a child home to family, reunification, is always the first goal.

my best advice would be to consult an attorney in your state who is well-versed in family law.

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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Hey, Khloe! Kourtney Kardashian's baby girl is no doll

Kourtney Kardashian

As Kourtney Kardashian's pregnancy days draw to a close, her sister Khloe is busily hatching plans to play dress-up with her firstborn niece. There's a whole lot of sparkles and tulle in the littlest Kardashian's future!

"I have bought Kourt's daughter so many tutus," Khloe Kardashian told Us Weekly at Kourtney's baby shower. "All I want to do is dip my niece in glitter and put a tutu on her!"

Though Kourtney Kardashian's baby shower was reportedly a joyous affair, filled with pink strawberry shakes and cotton candy, gossip is in the wind that not all is well in the pregnant star's family life.

Bruce Jenner: Father of the Year? Esquire says yes >>

Tuesday OK! magazine published claims Scott Disick, also father of their 2-year-old son Mason, has been booted from their family home. They report:

Scott, showed up for brunch bloodshot and wobbly. "He seemed tipsy to me, and it was only noon," a relative close to Kourtney tells OK!. "Kourtney pulled Scott aside and told him to move out."

And so he did, to an apartment rented last month in nearby Thousand Oaks, California. Scott has been staying there since then.

Though Disick's alcohol issues have been documented for all to see on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, this particular rumor doesn't appear to hold much water. A pregnant Kourtney Kardashian is pictured above with son Mason and Scott just last week happily enjoying the park all together!

Drama aside, Khloe Kardashian need not treat her sister's baby girl as a dress-up doll. Word has it the Kardashian doll line (rumored to be named "Dash Dolls") is a go! Leave that baby alone, Khloe, and dip your plastic self in glitter instead!

Image via WENN

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Be part of the unofficial Steve Jobs biopic, Craigslist ad seeks cast members

Rich King Casting has placed an ad on Craigslist seeking cast members for the upcoming unofficial Steve Jobs biopic. The movie which stars Ashton Kutcher, officially titled jOBS will start filming next week and needs cast members that look like they are from the seventies.

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Salvete omnes!

"Hello all!" in Latin
When I'm not studying a dead language, I'm role playing and as such, I have discovered this website. I'm not new to role playing, but it has been a few years since my last role play. My previous experiences were when I was much younger, between the ages of fourteen and seventeen, but I'm twenty now and looking forward to a more advance type of role play. I usually dealt with sci-fi, fantasy, and metahuman type of role plays, but I'm open to just about anything and I plan to try some new things. In my spare time, I play videogames and I do college related things. I just recently got a PS3 and I love BioShock, Dead Space, Final Fantasy series and Legend of Zelda (I'm still a die-hard Nintendo fan, but I need more gore games in my life) I love old cars and one day I will own a 30's Oldsmobile, one day! Currently, I am enjoying my '03 Mustang, but it needs a little work.
I'm terrible at introducing myself, so feel free to say hello. : 3
You can call me King Tiephen or some variation of the name. I like nicknames, so have at it. : 3
I can't wait to start role playing with you all.

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Are real estate foreclosures as good a deal as they seem? | PIHL ...

The roller coaster real estate market has brought with it many ?non-traditional? deals for Realtors and buyers. Foreclosures have become more common (about 6% of LISTED properties in the OMREB, and much less common than in the United States) many people have asked questions about what happens during the sale of these distressed properties.

The first sign that a property may be in foreclosure (aside from the lawn sign!) is that a Certificate of Pending Litigation may appear on title.

The Steps in a Foreclosure action in British Columbia are as follows:

1. Default
2. Demand for Payment
3. Filing of Petition
4. Order Nisi (final order, usually with time for Redemption (~ 6 m)
5. After Redemption Period, either:
- Order for Conduct of Sale (special circumstances), OR
- Order Absolute of Foreclosure

A Buyer can make an Offer at any stage of this process and therefore it is important for parties to ensure they are dealing with the party (either the Seller or the Lender) with ?Conduct of Sale?.

In the event that a party wishes to submit a competing bid, the original contract of purchase and sale will be attached to the Lender?s affidavit and this is a public document that can be found by searching the Court Registry in BC.

Where a Lender has obtained an ?Order for Conduct of Sale? the Lender?s Realtor will be required to attached a Schedule ?A? to any proposed Contract of Purchase and Sale which generally states the following terms and conditions:

1. Court Approval of the Offer is required After Subject Removal
2. Court will have full discretion, the lender will not advocate for the buyer
3. Other Offers May be Entertained
4. Title Transfer by Vesting Order of Court
5. Lender makes no Warranties as to: Title, Condition of Premises, Environmental Condition

Buying a foreclosure in B.C. can be an unpredictable ride. For those investors familiar with the process, some ?deals? may be had but generally, as the Court often has fair market value property appraisals, foreclosures in B.C. are not a panacea of ?good bargains?.

First Time Home Buyers should not view the foreclosure market as a good way to buy their first home. The inherent uncertainty in the process, the ?as-is? nature of the home, and the higher acquisition costs mean that most First Time Home Buyers are better off buying non-distressed property on their first foray into home ownership.

The information provided above is for educational purposes only. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a lawyer or address specific situations. Your personal situation should be discussed with a lawyer. If you have any questions or concerns, contact a legal professional.

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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Drive Your Health and Fitness to Another Level with Turbulence ...

Posted by Emily U. Moccio on May 28th, 2012 | Categorized as Exercise | Tagged as Exercise, Fitness, training program, turbulence training, turbulence training review, turbulence training scam, workout

Turbulence Training offers to burn off fat as well as build muscle in as little as 45 minutes, Three days a week. I am going to execute a Turbulence Training assessment to see if it?s a successful exercise routine as it claims. After all, nobody desires to waste their own hard-earned cash and valuable time over a workout program that does not work.

Craig Ballantyne?s Turbulence Training diet and fitness plan has definitely caused some waves recently. But before you get distracted by the buzz and rush out and get Turbulence Training, listed here is a set of 3 questions that you should consider first. Don?t buy Turbulence Training till you can response yes to all of these queries.

Turbulence Training promises quick fat loss outcomes for women and men who don?t put on a lot of time for exercise. This can be a bold assurance, and the workout routines assure maximum results in just 3 workouts per week.

The Turbulence Training Idol levels of competition are another innovative weight loss as well as muscle building venture from the inventor of Turbulence Training, professional trainer Craig Ballantyne.

The actual Turbulence Training program, which was considered innovative and groundbreaking when it initially came out, is a plan meant specifically for active people. Individuals with families, careers, and rich lives do not keep much time to work out, lose weight as well as build muscle. However people still want to do everything, and that?s why Ballantyne came up with Turbulence Training ? in which the workout sessions are very intense, however last no more than Forty-five minutes. And for the most part can be carried out at home and save perhaps the time it requires to get to the gym.

Reducing your weight is tough, however deciding which weight-loss and fitness plan to adhere to is actually even harder. One such weight loss and fitness plan which has acquired plenty of interest in recent weeks is Turbulence Training. So what exactly is Turbulence Training, and should you rush out to buy right this moment? Well that?s the question that this Turbulence Training review is designed to reply to.

Most people these days are extremely hectic that it?s not feasible for them to maintain a healthy system. Luckily you will find free turbulence training routines to obtain the body of your dreams. You will only require about three days per week to dedicate to your new body. Actually, three 20 minute workouts per week are sufficient for you to see improvements in your body shape and shed your belly fat.

Now, it is time to check out the turbulence training scam.

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Tony Blair says he ducked fight with UK media

British police officers escort an man to a waiting police van after he heckled former British Prime Minister Tony Blair poses as he was giving evidence at the Leveson media inquiry at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London, Monday, May 28, 2012. The Leveson inquiry is Britain's media ethics probe that was set up in the wake of the scandal over phone hacking at Rupert Murdoch's News of the World, which was shut in July 2011 after it became clear that the tabloid had systematically broken the law. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair leaves his house in central London, Monday, May 28, 2012. Blair will later appear at the UK media ethics inquiry examining whether politicians and press barons traded favors in the run-up to the phone hacking scandal that brought down Rupert Murdoch's News of the World. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

In this image from video, former British Prime Minister between 1997 and 2007 Tony Blair is grilled on his relationship with the press and Rupert Murdoch at an inquiry into media ethics in central London Monday May 28 2012. Several senior politicians have appeared at the investigation set up last year in the wake of a phone hacking scandal when it emerged that reporters at the Murdoch-owned News of the World tabloid had routinely hacked into the phones of public figures. Blair is godfather to one of the powerful News Corp. chairman and CEO's children. (AP Photo/ pool)

RETRANSMISSION FOR ALTERNATIVE CROP In this image from video, Britain's former Prime Minister Tony Blair, left, looks on Monday May 28 2012 , as a protester, top centre in white shirt, is restrained by officials after he burst in through a secure corridor behind inquiry leader Lord Justice Brian Leveson, centre rear, shouting: "This man should be arrested for war crimes!" before being removed by security. Blair testified to the Leveson inquiry into media ethics Monday he never challenged the influential British press because doing so would have plunged his administration in a drawn-out and politically damaging fight. (AP Photo/ Pool)

British police officers escort a man to a waiting police van after he heckled former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as he was giving evidence at the Leveson media inquiry at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London, Monday, May 28, 2012. The Leveson inquiry is Britain's media ethics probe that was set up in the wake of the scandal over phone hacking at Rupert Murdoch's News of the World, which was shut in July 2011 after it became clear that the tabloid had systematically broken the law. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

LONDON (AP) ? Former Prime Minister Tony Blair said Monday that he couldn't stand up to the Britain's media tycoons while in power, telling an official media ethics inquiry that doing so could have dragged his administration into a political quagmire.

Blair's testimony, briefly interrupted by a heckler who burst into the courtroom to call him a war criminal, shed light on the canny media strategy used to create the "New Labour" image that repackaged his party as more mainstream and business friendly, bringing it back to power after 18 years in opposition.

Blair, who was premier from 1997 to 2007, enjoyed strong press support in his early years, including backing from media mogul Rupert Murdoch's influential newspapers. But he found himself isolated near the end of his decade in power due in large part to his unpopular decision to join the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

The greying ex-prime minister said he long had concerns about what he once described as the "feral beasts" of the media but had to tread carefully where press barons were concerned.

"I took a strategic decision to manage these people, not confront them," he told Lord Justice Brian Leveson, who is leading the inquiry. "I didn't say that I feared them ... (but) had you decided to confront them, everything would have been pushed to the side. It would have been a huge battle with no guarantee of winning."

Leveson's inquiry was set up following revelations of phone hacking at Murdoch's News of the World tabloid, a scandal which has rocked the British establishment and raised questions about whether top politicians helped shield Murdoch ? and the media in general ? from official scrutiny.

Blair's time at the top has come under particular scrutiny because of the unlikely ? and mutually beneficial ? alliance the media-savvy prime minister forged between his left-wing Labour Party and Murdoch's News Corp. ? a company whose holdings include the populist The Sun newspaper and the right-wing Fox News network.

Blair became so friendly with Murdoch that he was chosen to be the godfather to one of Murdoch's children. The Blair government's relationship with Murdoch has since been described by several former colleagues as having been too close for comfort.

The former prime minister made no apologies for courting Murdoch, saying he was just one of several media tycoons who could make life difficult if they weren't happy with a position he was taking.

He denied doing any kind of deal with Murdoch, "either express or implied" ? although he acknowledged calling the Australian-American tycoon ahead of elections to make sure that Labour could count on News Corp.'s support.

Blair's testimony was interrupted when a heckler burst in through a secure corridor behind Leveson, shouting: "This man should be arrested for war crimes!" before being removed by security. British media reported that the heckler, who identified himself as filmmaker David Lawley Wakelin, had previously heckled Blair over the 2003 invasion of Iraq at a televised question and answer session.

Such incidents ? a testament to the divisiveness of Blair's decision to go to war in Iraq ? are routine. Last week, a handful of protesters yelling out "warmonger" interrupted his speech at Colby College in Maine.

Blair, wearing a navy suit and sporting a tan, watched impassively. Leveson, looking ruffled, said he would investigate how the man managed to sneak in to the restricted area.

Wakelin ? who was released without charge ? later told London radio that he took advantage of an unguarded door in the maze-like Royal Courts of Justice, where the inquiry is being held.

Blair spent a considerable amount of time challenging the reputation his lieutenants built up for bullying, manipulation, and "spin" in his decade in office.

Still, he acknowledged that politics and media had become "far more rude and brutal ? and in a sense crude ? in its interaction."

Blair's appearance kicked off an important week at the judge-led inquiry. Current ministers, including Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Education Minister Michael Gove and Home Secretary Theresa May, are due to testify in the coming days.

Prime Minister David Cameron is also expected to testify before Leveson, whose inquiry was set up last year after it emerged that reporters at the Murdoch-owned News of the World tabloid had routinely hacked into the phones of public figure and crime victims.

The scandal has rocked Britain's establishment, leading to the arrest or resignation of dozens of journalists, media executives, political operatives and police, prison and military officials. It's also exposed a pattern of wrongdoing across the British press, from bribery to blackmail.

The investigation continues: As Blair was testifying, police said they'd arrested a 42-year-old woman who was not identified on suspicion of money laundering offenses linked to the hacking scandal. She was later released on bail.

Associated Press

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Discover A new Hobby And Enhance your Home

Doing a top quality job in your house improvement venture is perfect! But, that?s not the sole thing which you need to consider. Make sure the function is completed with safety in mind to start with! Unsure where to start with house improvement? Don?t be concerned; this article has useful house enhancement tips to get you started. By the way, do you want to learn more about Lighting? If so, I suggest you check pendant lighting.

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Smart Building Technology from IBM to Enhance Energy Efficiency of U.S Federal Buildings

By Will Soutter

Under the latest technology building management systems will be connected to a central cloud-based platform resulting in savings of up to $15 million for taxpayers.

Around 40% of the total energy usage of the US comes from commercial buildings out of which GSA accounts for 182 million sq.ft of office space across the country. This contract is part of GSA?s efforts to adhere to President Obama?s orders of reducing energy usage in federal buildings by 30% by the year 2015. As per the contract IBM will be responsible for the development and implementation of a building monitoring system which will feed data to a central location. Further analysis will be done on this data, based on which decisions will be taken. The smart building technology will integrate prominent building controls in real-time after which GSA will use fresh data feed for its analysis and decisions.

After complete integration, tenants of the building that are part of this network will be able to view the energy performance of their buildings in real time metrics and dashboards. This will further provide information on the amount of energy savings achieved which will help them to come up with more suggestions to reduce cost and increase savings.

Source: http://www.ibm.com

Posted 23rd May 2012

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Texas: Students Will Be Tracked Via Chips in IDs

May 25th, 2012

Via: My San Antonio:

Northside Independent School District plans to track students next year on two of its campuses using technology implanted in their student identification cards in a trial that could eventually include all 112 of its schools and all of its nearly 100,000 students.

District officials said the Radio Frequency Identification System (RFID) tags would improve safety by allowing them to locate students ? and count them more accurately at the beginning of the school day to help offset cuts in state funding, which is partly based on attendance.

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 27th, 2012 and is filed under News, Police State, RFID. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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US slammed from both sides of Bahrain's divide

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) ? During one of the nightly clashes with Bahrain's security forces, a new chant broke out among opposition protesters: "The U.S. is the great Satan." A few days later, pro-government marchers also waved their fists against Washington.

In a place with almost no common ground left after more than 15 months of Arab Spring-inspired unrest, both sides in the Bahrain meltdown are finding a shared target in the United States.

Their gripes are vastly different ? protesters claiming the U.S. has ignored them, government backers expecting full loyalty from their longtime allies ? but the across-the-board potshots at Washington's policies point to the deep complexities of U.S. attempts to navigate the crisis in the tiny Gulf kingdom.

Bahrain tugs at just about every critical Gulf issue for Washington. Atop the list: America's relations with Saudi Arabia as the main patron for the embattled Bahraini monarchy, and the stability of the Bahrain-based headquarters of the Navy's 5th Fleet, which is one of the Pentagon's main counterweights to Iranian military influence in the Gulf.

At the same time, the nonstop clashes in Bahrain ? and at least 50 deaths since February 2011 ? have brought critical remarks from Washington about alleged human rights abuses and claims of heavy-handed police tactics.

"But there's really only so much Washington can say," said Toby Jones, an expert on Bahraini affairs at Rutgers University. "There's just too much at stake for U.S. interests."

This is the slow-drip anger building up among the protesters led by Bahrain's Shiite majority.

Their demands began last year with calls for a greater say in the country's affairs, which are tightly run by the ruling Sunni dynasty. The protest cries gradually sharpened to urge for the downfall of the Western-backed king and his inner circle.

In a similar way, the demonstrations once reached out to America for the same moral support given to uprisings in Egypt and elsewhere. In recent weeks, however, the tone toward the U.S. has darkened as protesters feel abandoned by President Barack Obama.

Banners at anti-government rally earlier this month denounced America's "double standard."

"Obama supports the killers, not democracy and freedom," said one message. Another carried a picture of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton with the lines: "U.S. interests comes before our freedom." Some protesters burned handmade Stars and Stripes.

"Obama is the one who had people chanting about change and to fight for what's right," said Naba Ali, a 35-year-old woman who works as a sales clerk. "We Bahrainis were inspired by him. And now he has turned his back on us."

The State Department has issued many statements critical of Bahrain's crackdowns, such as arrest sweeps and job purges, and use of temporary martial law-style rule last year to convict activists in a special security court. Clinton warned Bahrain it was on the "wrong track" by bringing in Saudi-led forces last year as reinforcements.

Bahrain, in turn, has taken some steps toward reform, including ordering retrials in civilian courts and giving the elected parliament more sway to question and oversee the king's hand-picked government.

Last week in Geneva, Bahraini envoys told the U.N.'s top human rights body that the country would consider recommendations to release political prisoners, outlaw torture and join the International Criminal Court, a move that could open it to international prosecutions of alleged abuses.

Opposition groups immediately dismissed the pledges as smoke screens. But it highlighted the shifting positions for U.S. policymakers on Bahrain.

Earlier this month, the U.S. said it would resume some military sales to Bahrain after suspending shipments amid the crackdowns. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland described Bahrain's ability to ride out the unrest as a "a critical component of our commitment to Gulf security."

Yet she also cited U.S. concerns about "serious unresolved human rights issues" in Bahrain and reports of "excessive use of force" by riot police, which has been accused by rights groups of using birdshot at close range and firing tear gas into homes.

The U.S. decision brought backlash from both sides.

Anti-government protesters chanted against Washington for the planned shipments, even though U.S. official say they do not include crowd control weapons. Hard-line government supporters, meanwhile, blasted the U.S. for its remarks about rights issues.

At one pro-government rally last week, people mocked "Ayatollah Obama" for U.S. comments they claimed as supportive of the Shiite opposition ? which Bahrain authorities say is encouraged by Shiite power Iran.

Banners in Sunni neighborhoods often portray the U.S. as turning its back on Bahrain.

A court Sunday sentenced six people to prison terms of up to 15 years after they were accused of plotting with suspected Iranian agents to topple the kingdom's ruling system, a defense lawyer said.

The convictions ? which include three activists put on trial in absentia ? reflect mounting claims by Gulf Arab states that Iran has links to the Shiite-led uprising against Bahrain's Sunni dynasty. Iranian leaders have denounced crackdowns against protesters in Bahrain, but deny any active aid to the demonstrations.

The group was accused of plotting with a "foreign country" ? a clear reference to Iran ? to bring down Bahrain's Western-allied monarchy. They also were suspected of planning possible attacks on high-profile targets such as the Interior Ministry headquarters and the causeway connecting Bahrain with Saudi Arabia, which is Iran's main regional rival.

They denied the charges.

The defense lawyer, Mohsin al-Alawi, said the court sentenced six people to 15 years in prison. Three of those were sentenced in absentia, including the son of jailed activist Hassan Mushaima, who is trying to overturn a life sentence imposed last year because of links to the protests. His son, Ali Mushaima, was arrested last month in London after occupying the rooftop of the Bahraini Embassy with other activists.

Al-Alawi says two others received lesser sentences Sunday and were freed because they had already spent six months in detention.

___

Murphy reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

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Lady Gaga Fears Terrorist Attack, Cancels Indonesian Concert

Lady Gaga is so terrified that Islamic terrorists might attack her and/or her mega-concert in Indonesia, she cancelled the upcoming show, her reps confirmed.

Gaga's management team announced today there were major security concerns regarding the June 3 gig in Jakarta, the nation's capital city.

Extremists were calling to ban Gaga, fearing that her risque costumes, song lyrics and embrace of homosexuality would corrupt Muslim youths.

The Indonesian Council of Ulema chairman, Cholil Ridwan, fervently urged a boycott, saying Gaga "intends to destroy the nation's morality."

Security concerns for the concert skyrocketed from such beliefs, so much so the Jakarta police refused to issue the star's tour a permit.

This in spite of the fact that 52,000 tickets had already been sold.

Given the current lack of permit, and the rising security threats, Gaga's team threw in the towel and decided to officially cancel today.

Gaga then released a statement Sunday via Twitter saying, "I'm so very sorry to the fans and just as devastated as you if not more."

"You are everything to me. I promise I will try to put together something special for you. My love for Indonesia has only grown."

The 26-year-old has courted controversy everywhere in Asia.

South Korean critics also called for a boycott; She sang in the Philippines amid death threats, and most recently performed and shopped for a fake Rolex in Bangkok.

[Photo: Fame/Flynet]

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12 Month Loans: Easy Availability Of Finances Article - Finance ...

When a person faces cash shortage he should apply for 12 month loans not just because it is easy to apply but also it gets approved instantly without much trouble.
Author: Johns Smith

If a person is not satisfied with his monthly salary and he thinks it is not sufficient to meet his financial requirements he can apply for 12 month loans which is a low risk, hassle free option for all types of customers. This financial plan does not include any exhausting and extended formalities and people can use the amount for anything they want as there are no restrictions on the way the money is used. These loans are designed for all type of borrowers which means people with good credit score or bad credit can apply for these loans without any complications and trouble. 12 month loans are an extremely well designed and beneficial financial scheme available in the market.

12 month loans are available in two forms secured and unsecured form. The cash one can borrow in both the forms is quite decent and it is given for twelve months. The repayment terms and conditions are also quite flexible and the amount which a person borrows depends on his financial needs and repayment capability. In order to borrow 12 month loans applicant need to satisfy certain eligibility conditions. According to these eligibility norms, applicant must be 18 years of age or more and a citizen of UK. Applicant must have a valid and active bank account. A permanent employment is mandatory and he must be earning at least ?1000 per month from the respective job. If applicant fulfills all the above mentioned conditions he can easily apply and get approved for this unique financial scheme.

One can utilize the amount gained from 12 month loans to fulfill several expenses like credit card dues, school fees, grocery expenses etc. Adverse credit scores such as missed payment, late payment, payment overdue, IVA, CCJs, insolvency, bankruptcy, insolvency are not a matter of concern in case of these finances. Therefore, any kind of borrower whether good or bad can get these loans. There is no need for arranging any document in order to avail 12 month loans because the mode of application as well as evaluations for these loans is online. The process of application is very simple because as applicant is required to simply fill an online form with his personal information like age, name, home address, monthly income and submit it with the lender. Once the verification process is over, applicant?s loan gets approved and the loan amount is transferred into his bank account within 24 hours or even less than that.

About Author

Johns Smith is a prolific author who has penned several articles on finance and has quite a few years of experience as the chief consultant to financial consultancies. To find 12 month loans, 12 month cash loans, 12 months loans and cash loans 12 month that best site's you need visit http://www.cashloans12month.co.uk

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-johns-smith-51276.html

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Monday, May 28, 2012

Control his mouth less than the weight-loss purposes magic slim ...

Eat would like to lose weight?Tell you to reduce the appetite of the tips a few people able to reject the temptation of food, especially greedy girls. Control his mouth less than the weight-loss purposes, so we must first solve is how to control their appetite.

General, appetite good girls usually have a feature that is the speed of eating fast and like to eat salty sour sweet flavors of food. Such a diet will not only cause our bodies long-term edema, but also make their own appetite is getting better and better, the stomach more support to the greater, has been a vicious cycle down. Therefore, the following several small way to reduce the appetite we must ?write it down.

Have the urge to want to eat? It is to drink a large glass of water, so that the stomach is full of a sense of fullness, reducing its space, which can effectively reduce the desire to eat, and drink plenty of water can also help the body rid itself of toxins. How it is to eat something, then the selection of some of the nutritional value is relatively high, and low calorie food. But remember to eat anything as much as possible slowly satiety, which would allow the emergence of as soon as possible, but also improve the digestion of food. Yogurt is a very good diet drink, for to resolve constipation and elimination of the lower abdomen are very helpful.

We try to make every meal to eat seven Bacheng best brush your teeth immediately after dinner, so there is no reason to eat other food, and brushing process can also reduce appetite. So from now on, try to make the diet becomes some light, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, or try our weight loss health products magic slim. Appetite naturally greatly reduced.

Too much pressure and lack of sleep can lead to overeating, so you want to know how to ease the pressure appropriate for themselves, to maintain good habits and positive attitude, he always goes to rest when the body feel tired, otherwise not only will increase the risk of appetite, fatigue can also reduce the body?s metabolism.

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Cisco to discontinue its Android powered Cius tablet

Cisco is announcing that it will be shutting down its Android-based Cius tablet project. OJ Winge, Senior Vice President of Cisco's TelePresence Technology Group, said that the company will no longer invest in the Cisco Cius tablet and that no further enhancements will be made to it. The Cius tablet was first revealed in 2010 as a business tablet running on Android OS. Last year, the company announced that the tablet will be arriving on Verizon's network but clearly it wasn't doing so well.
Winge said that findings from the Cisco IBSG Horizons Study on virtualization and BYOD? shows that 95% of organizations surveyed allow employee-owned devices in some way, and 36% of surveyed enterprises provide full support for employee-owned devices. ?Based on these market transitions, Cisco will no longer invest in the Cisco Cius tablet form factor, and no further enhancements will be made to the current Cius endpoint beyond what's available today,? Winge said.
Albeit we might not be seeing any more of Cisco's tablet around, Winge said that the company will continue to offer the tablet in a limited way, particularly to customers with specific needs. Of course, Cisco's decision to discontinue the Cius tablet isn't shocking. After all, there are other options, most of them are even better and cheaper.

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Perform Billiards-How To Boost Your Nike Air Max Ability Set ? Free ...

There are numerous great suggestions when finding out Nike Air Max the best way to play billiards and enhance your recreation right now. As the game of billiards grows in recognition all over the world, a lot of people are looking for solutions to give them the edge and beat their competitors.

In billiards, even the littlest distinction in ability degree could make an enormous difference, since billiards truly is really a sport of inches. Skip your shot by even the slightest quantity, along with the recreation could be misplaced in a heartbeat.

To begin out with, right here is some simple info around the recreation of billiards, and soon thereafter, tips on Air Max the best way to boost your skills speedily and effectively. Billiards refers to the video game that is performed on a table with 6 pockets during which to get the balls into. Most usually, you perform with 15 balls that are known as item balls, and also the major white ball you hit, known as the cue ball.

There are a number of distinct types of this game, but regular billiards is undoubtedly one of the most common, so that?s what I?ll focus on in this post. Apart from this, you will need the same skill set for any game, so this data applies regardless of whether you will be playing standard billiards, perform 8 ball pool, or it really is popular counterparts, snooker or carom billiards.

Remember, similar to any sport are any ability set Air Max you?re desiring to get, the top method to increase at billiards is usually to get available, start taking part in and making errors, and understanding from them. In anything, completely the one way to enhance is by making plenty of blunders and studying the best way to correct them in order that you do it in a different way the next time. Regardless of natural talent, everybody tends to make blunders in this sport, and also the only approach to improve is by revising your approach to ensure that you do not make the same mistake the next time.

Almost certainly one of the most important skill to have at billiards, besides the obvious hand eye coordination necessary to hit the ball where you would like it, Air Max could be the capability to plan out your shots in advance of time. Don?t simply strategy out one particular shot in advance; to really grasp the sport, it?s required which you map out your course several photographs beforehand to ensure that you set your self up in very good position immediately after the preliminary shot.

Also many billiards players get so focused on executing one shot that, when they end with that, they understand they have left by themselves no shot for his or her subsequent perform. Some simple preparing might have alleviated this method.

Try and discover greater gamers than your self to play towards, due to the fact it will pressure you to boost your sport to their level to be able to comet with them. Also, they?ll often times be able to see factors you?re doing wrong that you?d by no means spot yourself, and may consequently allow you to boost your ability set extremely swiftly. Do not be shy in asking them for aid, due to the fact much more than likely, they will don?t forget becoming within your shoes at 1 point, and will give you some advice on enhancing your sport.

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HBT: Moyer, 49, may be nearing end of Rockies tenure

One wonders how much longer the Rockies will stick with Jamie Moyer after the 49-year-old left-hander gave up four homers and seven runs in five innings Sunday versus the Reds.

It was the fifth time in his last six starts that Moyer failed to complete six innings. Aided by a weak schedule, he had a 2.28 ERA after four starts this season. However, he?s given up 28 runs in 30 innings since, taking his ERA up to 5.70.

For what it?s worth, Moyer is striking out 6.04 batters per nine innings this year, giving him his highest rate since 1998 and the third-highest of his career. He might yet be an adequate fifth starter, at least for a team in a more forgiving ballpark. There just isn?t much upside here, though, and the Rockies may soon want to give Drew Pomeranz another look. Things will get particularly crowded if both Jorge De La Rosa (elbow) and Jhoulys Chacin (shoulder) can return in the second half of next month.

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Sunday, May 27, 2012

Champion swimmer Kopelev wins historic gold for Israel

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Climate change allows once-rare British butterfly to thrive

Although it's well known that climate change can prompt plants and animals to shift the ranges in which they live, the brown argus (Aricia agestis) has widened its living quarters with unusual speed, according to an analysis of decades of data collected by British volunteers.

By Wynne Parry,?LiveScience Senior Writer / May 25, 2012

Warming has allowed the brown argus butterfly to rapidly expand its range in England and Wales.

Louise Mair

Enlarge

Warming in Great Britain appears to have given a little brown and orange butterfly an edge. The brown argus butterfly has spread about 49 miles (79 kilometers) northward on the island over 20 years, observations indicate.

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Although it's well known that?climate change can prompt plants and animals?to shift the ranges in which they live, the brown argus (Aricia agestis) has widened its living quarters with unusual speed, according to an analysis of decades of data collected by British volunteers.

The butterfly's secret??A new host plant to feed its larvae.

In cooler periods, the larvae feed on the rockroses growing in warm spots, mostly on southerly facing, chalky hillsides, said study researcher Jane Hill, an ecologist at the University of York.

The same butterflies living on continental Europe also feed on geraniums, but, historically, the British brown argus larvae rarely lived on these plants. Now observations collected by volunteers indicate this changed in the 1990s, when average summer temperatures reached unprecedented warmth.

Then, the brown argus butterflies began to show up more often at sites where all potential host plants were geraniums. [Butterfly Gallery: Beautiful Wings Take Flight]

A genetic mutation or physiological change in the butterflies is unlikely, Hill said, rather it appears that warmer temperatures simply allowed them to incorporate a new host plant. (The butterflies have continued using rockroses).

Once the brown argus butterflies can establish populations on their favorite geranium, called dove's-foot cranesbill, they can spread quickly among these common plants. Other dynamics, such an escape from parasites at rockrose sites, helped out, the researchers write in an article published in Friday's (May 25) issue of the journal Science.

"It is a bit of a good news story, and we don't get many of those," Hill said. The caveat, she added, is that the butterfly's range may well be retracting in parts of its range outside of England and Wales, where the observations used in this study were collected.

You can follow?LiveScience?writer Wynne Parry on Twitter?@Wynne_Parry.?Follow LiveScience for the latest in science news and discoveries on Twitter?@livescience?and onFacebook.

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