The 12 (Board)Games Of Christmas: Day One | Rock, Paper, Shotgun

By Robert Florence on December 12th, 2012 at 1:00 pm.

Ignoring the convention of Christmas?s 12 days, Rab Florence is bringing his twelve board game suggestions to you in time for them to appear in appropriate stockings. Here?s the first day:

Yes, on the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me an X-WING in a PEAR TREE. Okay, not a PEAR TREE but a BOX. A small box containing an X-WING and a couple of TIE Fighters. And some dice. And some templates. And some cards. And a lot of fucking awesome. (Sorry for the bad language, Santa!)

I?ve written about The X-Wing Miniatures Game before on RPS, and you can go take a look at it here, but this little update is to let you know that it?s STILL great, it STILL holds up and it?s probably only going to get better through 2013 as it gets expanded.

WHAT IS IT?

It?s a Star Wars space battle skirmish game where one player plays the Rebel Alliance and the other player The Empire. You move little plastic ships around on a table, planning your moves in secrecy, and rolling dice to blow the hell out of your opponent. It?s a THRILL.

WHO TO BUY IT FOR

A geek in your family who loves games and loves Star Wars.

Anyone who loves Star Wars but doesn?t realise they love games.

A parent with kids of 8 and up who love games. A love of Star Wars is not necessary. This game will create that love.

WHERE TO BUY IT

Any games shop ? there?s been a Christmas restock of this game. I saw it this very day, in fact. Here?s a handy site that lets you find a local game shop.

You can also find it online, of course. But try to support your independents.

WHAT TO BUY

The Core Set is plenty. It offers a lot of fun. If you?re SURE the person you?re buying for will love it, or you have a bit more money to spend, maybe pick up an extra X-Wing or an extra TIE for the card variance. Or buy an extra Core Set for a bigger battle, Or, you could pick up a Y-Wing and a TIE Interceptor so that you have some heavy ships moving around. Or all of the above if you are mad/rich/Santa.

FIRST DAY DOWN!

And it?s the X-Wing Miniatures Game. What will be next? And who will it be good for? Stay tuned to RPS!

Source: http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/12/12/the-12-boardgames-of-christmas-day-one/

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Who is a victim in Mexico's drug war violence?

A new, controversial memorial to victims of Mexico's drug war may prompt deeper wrestling with what has become a controversial topic.

By Lauren Villagran,?Correspondent / December 13, 2012

A man holds Mexico's flag during a protest against violence in Mexico City, in Nov. The writing on the flag reads in Spanish '100,000 lives: assassinated, disappeared and displaced. Have you not been touched in the last six years? What are you made of?'

Alexandre Meneghini/AP

Enlarge

The rusted steel slabs of a new memorial to victims of Mexico?s drug war bear no mark, not a single engraved name, of anyone among the estimated 60,000 killed in the past six years.

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As part of the concept, it will be up to the survivors to write in loved ones? names.

After all, there is no way to know exactly who the dead are, since the official death toll of the fight against organized crime was suspended last year. Nor is it possible to know the reason why many were killed given that more than 96 percent of crimes go unsolved and unpunished in Mexico. Mexican society is wrestling with exactly who is a victim and who isn?t, and the memorial could serve as a touchstone to bring victimhood to the forefront of the national conversation.

As if reflecting that uncertainty, the slabs serve as a blank slate: Names scrawled on can also later be erased.

?We truly need a dose of transparency,? says Daniel Gershenson, an activist for victims? rights. ?We don?t know how many victims there are.?

'Opportunity to name the victims'

The memorial ? yet to be opened to the public and shadowed by controversy arising from a rift among victims' groups over the monument ??rises like a forest of dark panels on a corner of the capital?s heavily trafficked Reforma Avenue. Former President Felipe Calder?n announced in November he would inaugurate the monument, but did not do so before leaving office Dec. 1. The slabs ??erected next to military field known as Campo Marte, a tribute to the Roman god of war ? tower above the white tarps, half collapsed, that currently enclose the memorial grounds covered with fallen leaves.?

A spokesman for President Enrique Pe?a Nieto said the new president will inaugurate the memorial, but no date is set.

An increasingly vocal victims? movement, although not always unified, has grown more demanding as the number of homicides continues to rise since Mr. Calder?n launched the fight on organized crime six years ago. Victims and their advocates want the broken justice system reformed and a law passed to recognize and protect them.

They also wanted a memorial.

But the monument currently awaiting its debut divided Mexico?s victims? groups, the most prominent of which are led by parents who have lost children to violent crime. Mexico S.O.S., founded by the gym and sportswear magnate Alejandro Mart?, and Stop the Kidnapping, founded by Isabel Miranda de Wallace, who ran unsuccessfully for Mexico City mayor in the recent election as part of Calder?n?s National Action Party, support the memorial. Each founder lost a son to brutal kidnappings by crime syndicates. But the Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity, founded by the poet Javier Sicilia, opposes it.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/vYlEzbub04c/Who-is-a-victim-in-Mexico-s-drug-war-violence

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Economists calculate true value of 'who' you know, rather than 'what' in US politics

Public release date: 12-Dec-2012
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Kelly Parkes-Harrison
k.e.parkes@warwick.ac.uk
44-024-761-50868
University of Warwick

Economists at the University of Warwick have calculated the true value of US political lobbyists, proving the old adage 'it is not what you know, but who you know'.

In a paper published this month in the American Economic Review Mirko Draca, from the University of Warwick's Department of Economics, looked at the role of lobbyists in the US. He found their revenue falls by 24% when their former employer leaves government office.

The study examined the so-called 'revolving door' of politics, which refers to the movement of people from government service into lobbying positions.

Mr Draca said: "We investigated how the revenues of lobbyists who had previously worked in the offices of a member of US Congress were affected when their former employers left office. This allowed us to look at the value of 'what' and 'who' because we evaluated situations in which knowledge did not change, but connections did."

The paper, co-authored by Jordi Blanes i Vidal, London School of Economics, and Christian Fons-Rosen from Universitat Pompeu Fabra, found the24% fall in revenue was immediate and long-lasting. The relative pay of lobbyists depends on the seniority and committee assignments of the congressional politicians they have worked for in the past.

Mr Draca said: "Our work quantifies, I believe for the first time, the value of personal connections to elected officials for lobbyists in Washington, rather than relying on anecdotal evidence."

The researchers used two public directories of government staffers, government salaries, lobbyists and lobbyists' revenues. Mr Draca said the study was only possible because of progressive US laws to constrain activity of lobbyists and increase transparency about the way they operate. By comparison, the UK still does not have compulsory disclosure of lobbying activity and proposed reforms are much weaker than in the US."

Mr Draca added: "It seems in the UK lobbying is only considered when a possible scandal pushes the topic into the limelight. Last year UK Defence Secretary Liam Fox resigned in the wake of controversy over the dealings of his friend Adam Werritty.

"These financial relationships need to be a matter of public record here in the UK, as they are now in the US, rather than leaving them in the back wings of the political theatre."

###

Notes to editors: The paper, 'Revolving Door Lobbyists' by Jordi Blanes i Vidal, Mirko Draca, Christian Fons-Rosen, is published in the December issue of the American Economic Review. To speak to Mirko Draca, contact him on 07810 857559. Alternatively please contact Kelly Parkes-Harrison, k.e.parkes@warwick.ac.uk, +44 2476 150868, +44 7824 540863.

Broadcasters we have a remote camera on campus for TV interviews (Globelynx TVReady network) and an ISDN line for radio interviews. Details available here http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/facilities

---

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 12-Dec-2012
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Kelly Parkes-Harrison
k.e.parkes@warwick.ac.uk
44-024-761-50868
University of Warwick

Economists at the University of Warwick have calculated the true value of US political lobbyists, proving the old adage 'it is not what you know, but who you know'.

In a paper published this month in the American Economic Review Mirko Draca, from the University of Warwick's Department of Economics, looked at the role of lobbyists in the US. He found their revenue falls by 24% when their former employer leaves government office.

The study examined the so-called 'revolving door' of politics, which refers to the movement of people from government service into lobbying positions.

Mr Draca said: "We investigated how the revenues of lobbyists who had previously worked in the offices of a member of US Congress were affected when their former employers left office. This allowed us to look at the value of 'what' and 'who' because we evaluated situations in which knowledge did not change, but connections did."

The paper, co-authored by Jordi Blanes i Vidal, London School of Economics, and Christian Fons-Rosen from Universitat Pompeu Fabra, found the24% fall in revenue was immediate and long-lasting. The relative pay of lobbyists depends on the seniority and committee assignments of the congressional politicians they have worked for in the past.

Mr Draca said: "Our work quantifies, I believe for the first time, the value of personal connections to elected officials for lobbyists in Washington, rather than relying on anecdotal evidence."

The researchers used two public directories of government staffers, government salaries, lobbyists and lobbyists' revenues. Mr Draca said the study was only possible because of progressive US laws to constrain activity of lobbyists and increase transparency about the way they operate. By comparison, the UK still does not have compulsory disclosure of lobbying activity and proposed reforms are much weaker than in the US."

Mr Draca added: "It seems in the UK lobbying is only considered when a possible scandal pushes the topic into the limelight. Last year UK Defence Secretary Liam Fox resigned in the wake of controversy over the dealings of his friend Adam Werritty.

"These financial relationships need to be a matter of public record here in the UK, as they are now in the US, rather than leaving them in the back wings of the political theatre."

###

Notes to editors: The paper, 'Revolving Door Lobbyists' by Jordi Blanes i Vidal, Mirko Draca, Christian Fons-Rosen, is published in the December issue of the American Economic Review. To speak to Mirko Draca, contact him on 07810 857559. Alternatively please contact Kelly Parkes-Harrison, k.e.parkes@warwick.ac.uk, +44 2476 150868, +44 7824 540863.

Broadcasters we have a remote camera on campus for TV interviews (Globelynx TVReady network) and an ISDN line for radio interviews. Details available here http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/facilities

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-12/uow-ect121212.php

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Protesters to march on Michigan capitol over "right-to-work" vote

LANSING, Michigan (Reuters) - As many as 10,000 labor union workers from throughout Michigan and the U.S. Midwest are expected to march on the Michigan Capitol building in freezing temperatures on Tuesday to protest likely passage of a "right-to-work" law.

The Republican-controlled Michigan House of Representatives will consider two and perhaps three bills on Tuesday that would prohibit unions from compelling private sector workers and government employees to pay union dues.

The right-to-work movement has been growing in the country since Wisconsin fought a similar battle with unions over two years ago.

Michigan would become the 24th state to enact right-to-work provisions and passage of the legislation would deal a stunning blow to the power of organized labor in the United States.

Michigan is home of the heavily unionized U.S. auto industry, with some 700 manufacturing plants in the state. It is also the birthplace of the United Auto Workers, the richest U.S. labor union.

While the new laws are not expected to have much immediate impact because existing union contracts would be preserved, they could, over time, further weaken the UAW, which has already seen its influence wane in negotiating with the major automakers.

Right-to-work laws typically allow workers to hold a job without being forced to join a union or pay union dues.

Last Thursday, when the senate passed two bills and the House also considered right-to-work legislation, protesters converged on Lansing. Several people were arrested and officials sealed the Capitol from the public.

"We support people exercising their constitutional rights to protest," said Inspector Gene Adamczyk of the Michigan State Police. "But we need them to do it in an orderly manner."

President Barack Obama waded into the debate during a visit to the Daimler Detroit Diesel plant in Redford, Michigan on Monday, criticizing the Republican right-to-work effort.

"What they're really talking about is giving you the right to work for less money," Obama said.

School teachers are among those expected to march on the Capitol on Tuesday. Several school districts will not hold classes on Tuesday due to teacher and staff absences, Detroit newspapers and television stations reported.

Labor leaders such as UAW President Bob King say they were blindsided by Republican Governor Rick Snyder, who last Thursday announced he was supporting right-to-work after nearly two years of saying the issue was too divisive.

King was unsuccessful in more than a week of talks with Snyder and his staff in staving off the right-to-work push by the Republicans, who will lose several seats when newly elected members take their seats in the state house and senate in January.

Michigan has the fifth highest percentage of unionized workers in the United States at 17.5 percent and the Detroit area is headquarters for General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co and Chrysler, which is majority owned by Fiat SpA.

(Reporting by Bernie Woodall; Editing by Greg McCune and Lisa Shumaker)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/protesters-march-michigan-capitol-over-vote-054656984.html

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Google is selling off Motorola?s TV unit, deal likely to be announced by the end of the year

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Cheryl Cole, who was originally hired as a judge for the American version of "The X Factor" but was replaced by Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger before the show premiered, is now suing the producers of the show for $2.3 million dollars, according to court papers obtained by TheWrap. In the complaint against Blue Orbit Productions, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Girls Aloud singer Cole claims that she entered a pay-or-play agreement with Blue Orbit Productions in April 22, 2011, that guaranteed her $1. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/google-selling-off-motorola-tv-unit-deal-likely-033032312.html

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Sitting At Number 3, Yahoo! Says Speed Enhancements For Mail Saves Users Over 36M Minutes A Day

Oh, Yahoo! Mail. It’s one of those products that many of us used at one point, and it either stuck or didn’t. For a lot of users it did stick, as it currently sits at the #3 mail product on the web, behind Microsoft and Google’s products, of course. Today, the company announced a redesign across all platforms: iOS, Android, Windows Phone and web. Internally, the company called it the “Cuatro” release, for obvious reasons. I had a chance to speak with Adam Cahan, SVP, Emerging Products & Tech, at Yahoo!, who is in a role that’s just a month old, set up by its CEO Marissa Mayer. We talked about today’s release, and how Yahoo! is entering a shift into iterative product design and maintenance, letting user feedback and usage patterns guide their way. This is nothing new as far as products go, but for Yahoo!, this might be a complete cultural shift. ——— TechCrunch: Can you tell us a bit about this launch? Adam Cahan: I think the most important piece is that we’re really focusing on the user behaviors and what users are here to do with email. The funny line we’re using internally is “we want to re-imagine email to be email.” When it comes to email, what you want is fast and easy, anywhere access. What we learned is that speed and simplicity are features, and thats what users are trusting us with. We spent a lot of time not only on the details of the performance here, but also watching how it impacts everyone. We do a lot of bucket testing to see what happens. It takes a tiny bit of time for users to re-adapt, then we observe behavior. What we’ve found is that we’re getting more of their time. In terms of mobile, people expect that their products and providers are available anywhere they go. For email, it’s important for our users to have access to that. TechCrunch: Tell us about the cross-platform approach to your products, specifically something like Mail Adam Cahan: There’s a tremendous amount of nuance on every platform. Folks have been using webmail, so they come to expect certain things from Yahoo! and expect consistently. Each platform has its own subtlety. Nobody wants Mail on iOS and Android to act the same way. Our principles carry across though. For iPhone, infinite scroll is something that’s there. In the

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/jxHuCAzzuuU/

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Fiscal Cliff Negotiations Lead To Voter Disdain

HOOKSETT, N.H. ? Fear and frustration course through the lunch crowd at Robie's Country Store and Deli, a popular outpost 500 miles from where Washington is again locked in tense negotiations over taxes and spending as a critical deadline looms.

"I'm worried," Lorraine Cadren of nearby Manchester says between bites of her chicken sandwich. Her doubt in the nation's elected leaders is palpable: "I'm not sure what's going to come out of Washington next." Not that she has the time to pay much attention; the 64-year-old is unemployed and preoccupied with finding a new job as Christmas approaches.

A few tables away, John Pfeifle shares Cadren's angst while trying to enjoy his $6.99 chicken parmesan special.

"Somebody's gotta have some smarts," says the 63-year-old business owner, complaining that both President Barack Obama and House Republicans seem willing to allow the nation to go over the "fiscal cliff," triggering broad tax increases and massive spending cuts that economists warn could lead to another recession.

"I have no faith at all they'll do the right thing," Pfeifle said of Congress.

And why would these voters have confidence in Washington?

The scene playing out on Capitol Hill is a familiar one as lawmakers with competing ideologies wage an 11th-hour battle to avert a predictable crisis. This one comes just a year after an equally divided Washington nearly let the country default on its loan obligations ? a debt-ceiling debate that contributed to the electorate's deep lack of faith in their elected leaders and a drop in the nation's credit rating.

Evidence of Congress' plummeting popularity is everywhere.

From New Hampshire diners to Colorado coffee shops, weary residents report widespread concern. They relate the debate in Washington over their tax dollars with their own lives: average Americans who are struggling every day to make ends meet. And already distracted by the holidays and tired of politics after a bitter presidential campaign, they are calling on Washington to get its act together.

"It's pathetic. Nobody's doing their job," said Laura Hager, a retiree from Lancaster, Pa. "The rest of the country is being held hostage to this entire situation."

She said the uncertainty makes it difficult to shape a personal financial plan; she can't imagine what business leaders must be going through. "Nobody can plan. Nobody knows what they'll do," she said.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., warned that the public's disgust with Congress would reach new heights if lawmakers and the White House fail to reach an accord before the year-end deadline.

"Ninety percent disapproval rating is going to go up to 99 percent disapproval," the senator said at a panel discussion last week in Washington on the fiscal cliff's impact on businesses.

Warner overstated Congress' unpopularity, although not by much.

A recent Associated Press-GfK poll found that 74 percent of Americans disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job; just 23 percent approve. The figures are virtually unchanged from June and slightly above Congress' recent low point of 12 percent approval during the debt ceiling debate in August 2011.

Some voters are trying to ignore the debate altogether, although near-constant news coverage is making that difficult, especially as Obama and his Republican opponents work to rally their supporters.

In a campaign-style event Monday in Michigan, the heart of industrial America, Obama warned that he "won't compromise" on his demand that the wealthiest Americans pay more in taxes. Polls find that most voters agree with the president's deficit-cutting plan to raise tax rates on income over $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples, although House Republicans are reluctant to agree.

The conservative group Crossroads GPS is running television ads across the country describing Obama's solution as "a huge tax increase" with "no real spending reforms." "Call President Obama and tell him it's time to show us a balanced plan," the ad says.

Most voters interviewed in recent days are calling for an immediate compromise and seem willing to raise taxes on the wealthy so long as the middle class is protected.

There is a vague sense that the "fiscal cliff" is more serious than other recent Capitol Hill clashes. But barely a month after the presidential contest ended, most people say they're not following the daily developments that consume Washington.

In a Denver coffee shop, interior designer Roxann Lloyd, 42, is mystified by the sound and fury out of Washington over the cliff.

"I don't think they have any idea what a big deal is to an average person," she said. "I'm just ignoring it."

Lloyd said she isn't surprised by the partisan bickering over the issue. "I don't feel like they are really looking out for us," she said of Congress.

John Baker, 65, a Denver psychologist, said he had little faith in Congress' ability to fix the problem: "I don't think Congress can fix a flat tire."

"It's a typical Washington, `Let's hit the panic button and keep people scared so they will let us do what we want to do,'" Baker said in a downtown Denver Starbucks. "Ultimately, it will be fixed but not until a lot of pockets are lined."

It's unclear whether members of Congress are hearing the message.

Rep. Charlie Bass, a New Hampshire Republican who lost his re-election bid last month, says it's unclear whether his GOP colleagues will "face the reality that the president, at least at this point, is not going to accept anything other than a tax rate increase."

A stalemate would result in "painful uncertainty," Bass said, offering his caucus a bit of advice: "We best get on with it ? get it done."

Back at Robie's, store owner Debbie Chouinard says she's burned out from election season and "tired of all the bull."

"I honestly haven't been paying attention," she said while feeding her 2-year-old granddaughter lunch during a brief lull. "People should be working together to get this country going."

___

Associated Press writers Nicholas Riccardi in Denver and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.

Also on HuffPost:

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/11/fiscal-cliff_n_2276502.html

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S & C Family: Crazy Couple of Days

Thursday evening was book club at my house.? We are not normally a wine-drinking group, but I broke out a bottle Thursday evening.? I needed it.? And 2 others joined in with me.? Book club was lovely.? And it was even better since Nana and Papa let the girls stay the night with them.? And they were asleep by 7:15....so I'm sure we would have kept them awake had they been here.?

With the girls at my parents' house Friday morning, I was able to finish baking for the baby shower without the "help."? I was so ready for the shower that I took a nap Friday afternoon.? I figured it was the only way I was going to get Edee to nap.? So all 3 of us girls slept in my bed together.? It was great!?

Friday evening I went to see the best show I've seen in awhile....Les Mis.? After having season tickets to Theater League and Starlight for over 10 years, I'm seen about 100 shows.? And this was one of the best!? The entire cast was amazing!? Normally I don't like 1 actor, but love another.? Not so with this cast.? They were all wonderful!? I had really high expectations going in, so I was worried.? But it did not disappoint.?

Saturday morning was the baby shower.? Everything turned out lovely.? I over-baked, but I always seem to do that.? I want to have variety, but that just gives us too much.

While I was away, Steve managed to get Edee to nap.? He said she went down easily too.? What am I doing wrong!?!

The rest of Saturday I spent recovering.? We really didn't do much. ?

Sunday Steve stayed home with Edee from church.? She actually had a bit of temperature late Saturday.? And with the lack of a nap last Sunday, we decided they would stay home.? After church, Mallory and I went to Gardner Lake for a family gathering.? There were way too many people in my Aunt Darlene's house.? But it was nice.? Mallory had fun playing with my cousins' kids.?

Steve managed to get Edee to take a nap on Sunday as well.? So we decided to head to Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake.? It was great!? We timed it just right.? We left our house at 4:30, arrived there just before 5.? The lights don't open until 5:30.? So we hung out for a bit while the sun went down.? We were actually 12th in line.? Perfect!? It only took us 20 minutes to drive through the lights and we were heading back home before 6:00.?

Source: http://scfam.blogspot.com/2012/12/crazy-couple-of-days.html

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Drug helps women who stop smoking keep weight off

Public release date: 10-Dec-2012
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Contact: John Easton
john.easton@uchospitals.edu
773-795-5225
University of Chicago Medical Center

A medication being tested to help smokers kick the habit also may help avoid the weight gain that is common after quitting but only in women, according to a study published in the December issue of Biological Psychiatry. This is the first medication shown to reduce weight gain for up to one year in women smokers who quit.

Naltrexone an opioid blocker that can dampen the desire for alcohol, heroin and nicotine, as well as the pleasures of eating helped men quit smoking. It improved their quit rates after three months of treatment in a large controlled trial, from 17 percent for those who did not get the drug up to 30 percent for those who did.

The drug did not improve quit rates for women beyond that of the placebo. But for the women who successfully quit smoking, their weight gain was reduced by more than half. After three months, those who took naltrexone gained an average of 2.3 pounds while those who took a placebo gained 5.1 pounds.

"When trying to stop smoking, women tend to gain more weight than men and to be more concerned about gaining that weight," said study author Andrea King, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Chicago Medicine. "Women who try to quit may be so worried about putting on weight in the process that they soon give up, and this is less commonly found in men. Adding naltrexone to standard treatment might help women get through that difficult early period."

While tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, obesity is the second leading cause. Ironically, more than 80 percent of those who are able to stop smoking put on at least five pounds in the year after quitting. Up to 25 percent of those who quit gain more than 15 pounds.

For this study, researchers combined data from the two largest trials using naltrexone to help volunteers stop smoking. The trial included 700 participants, 315 from the University of Chicago and 385 from Yale University. For six to 12 weeks after their quit date, participants took either naltrexone or a placebo. They also used a nicotine patch and attended smoking-cessation counseling for the first month.

After six months, 159 of the 700 participants (23 percent), including 77 women, remained verifiably smoke-free. After 12 months, that number fell to 115 (16 percent), including 57 women.

Over the first 12 months after quitting, weight gain continued to increase for successful quitters, but the benefits of the early treatment with naltrexone persisted. The effect was diminished, however. From a 50-percent reduction in weight gain for those taking the drug when measured at three months, the difference decreased to 40 percent (7.3 vs. 12.1 pounds) at six months, and to 20 percent (13 vs. 16.3 pounds) at 12 months.

"Naltrexone has produced the most promising results to date for helping women who quit smoking gain less weight," King said. "It is possible that the opioid blocker reduces women's tendency to eat high fat and sweet foods when they quit smoking."

But the available tools to help people stop smoking "are not satisfactory," King added. Smoking remains "a huge health problem and most adults in the United States are either overweight or obese. Our study demonstrates that naltrexone may be a promising medication to treat tobacco dependence and unlike the other approved medications, appears to help reduce weight gain for many."

###

Additional authors of the study include Lingjiao Zhang of the University of Chicago, Dingcai Cao of the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Stephanie O'Malley of Yale University. The National Institutes of Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supported this research. The paper is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.09.025

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 10-Dec-2012
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: John Easton
john.easton@uchospitals.edu
773-795-5225
University of Chicago Medical Center

A medication being tested to help smokers kick the habit also may help avoid the weight gain that is common after quitting but only in women, according to a study published in the December issue of Biological Psychiatry. This is the first medication shown to reduce weight gain for up to one year in women smokers who quit.

Naltrexone an opioid blocker that can dampen the desire for alcohol, heroin and nicotine, as well as the pleasures of eating helped men quit smoking. It improved their quit rates after three months of treatment in a large controlled trial, from 17 percent for those who did not get the drug up to 30 percent for those who did.

The drug did not improve quit rates for women beyond that of the placebo. But for the women who successfully quit smoking, their weight gain was reduced by more than half. After three months, those who took naltrexone gained an average of 2.3 pounds while those who took a placebo gained 5.1 pounds.

"When trying to stop smoking, women tend to gain more weight than men and to be more concerned about gaining that weight," said study author Andrea King, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Chicago Medicine. "Women who try to quit may be so worried about putting on weight in the process that they soon give up, and this is less commonly found in men. Adding naltrexone to standard treatment might help women get through that difficult early period."

While tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, obesity is the second leading cause. Ironically, more than 80 percent of those who are able to stop smoking put on at least five pounds in the year after quitting. Up to 25 percent of those who quit gain more than 15 pounds.

For this study, researchers combined data from the two largest trials using naltrexone to help volunteers stop smoking. The trial included 700 participants, 315 from the University of Chicago and 385 from Yale University. For six to 12 weeks after their quit date, participants took either naltrexone or a placebo. They also used a nicotine patch and attended smoking-cessation counseling for the first month.

After six months, 159 of the 700 participants (23 percent), including 77 women, remained verifiably smoke-free. After 12 months, that number fell to 115 (16 percent), including 57 women.

Over the first 12 months after quitting, weight gain continued to increase for successful quitters, but the benefits of the early treatment with naltrexone persisted. The effect was diminished, however. From a 50-percent reduction in weight gain for those taking the drug when measured at three months, the difference decreased to 40 percent (7.3 vs. 12.1 pounds) at six months, and to 20 percent (13 vs. 16.3 pounds) at 12 months.

"Naltrexone has produced the most promising results to date for helping women who quit smoking gain less weight," King said. "It is possible that the opioid blocker reduces women's tendency to eat high fat and sweet foods when they quit smoking."

But the available tools to help people stop smoking "are not satisfactory," King added. Smoking remains "a huge health problem and most adults in the United States are either overweight or obese. Our study demonstrates that naltrexone may be a promising medication to treat tobacco dependence and unlike the other approved medications, appears to help reduce weight gain for many."

###

Additional authors of the study include Lingjiao Zhang of the University of Chicago, Dingcai Cao of the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Stephanie O'Malley of Yale University. The National Institutes of Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supported this research. The paper is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.09.025

---

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Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-12/uocm-dhw121012.php

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fingermark annam: Tips for Step Family Success ? Lavelda Naylor ...

When biological parents split, these parents often move on to other relationships. These partners are most commonly referred to as step parents if they live in the home and/or assume some care giving responsibilities. ?Almost every day there are stepparents and their step kids who are at their wits end with one another. They argue and even violently fight because each does not understand what role they are to play in the family.

Many times the stepchild may feel betrayed by their parent replacing the other parent with this strange person. The new stepparent, who may pickup on the negative emotions of the child, does not know what role they can play with their spouses? child.

Yet, contrary to myth, stepfamilies have a high rate of success in raising healthy children. Eighty percent of the kids come out fine.

What trips step kids up has little to do with stepfamilies per se. The biggest source of problems for kids in stepfamilies is parental conflict and lack of a plan to integrate. Here are some tips to help create a plan and integrate a new parent more smoothly:

?

1. Understand the differences between stepfamilies and first families.

Stepfamilies are formed out of a loss, resulting in the dissolution of the first family. Children, at any age, may assume their stepfamily will be a re-creation of their first family, often resulting in expectations impossible to fulfill. The key to re-defining ?family? is to develop an identity as a group. Hobbies and interests encourage bonding. Whether it is rock collecting, traveling, or Sunday get-togethers, develop a unique identity for your group.

2. Don?t expect an instant relationship.

While you cannot expect instant attachment or love, you can expect to be treated respectfully. Model respectful behavior towards your stepchildren and let them see you set the example. Encourage trust by never making negative comments about the biological parent or siblings around your stepchildren.

3. Discipline by the biology book.

When it comes to discipline for stepchildren, biology is the key!! Once you and your spouse have set the rules in your home, let the biological parent take the lead, especially with older children. If the biological parent is absent and the stepparent must discipline, take the position of ?adult in charge,? or mentor, not parent.

4. Get the ?You?re Not My Parent? conversation out of the way quick!

No matter the age, this topic is inevitable. When it happens, be confident and clear about who you ARE. You may consider actually saying: ?You?re right; I?m not your parent. You have a mom and a dad and I do not intend to replace them.? If the child has overstepped one of the rules and the biological parent is unavailable to handle the situation, you may need to add, ?At the moment, I am the adult in charge. Here is the rule you are expected to keep in this house.?

5. Keep a united front.

When problems arise the kids need to see you and your co- or stepparent as a team in agreement. This helps prevent splitting. Develop an expected code of behavior for the entire household that applies to ALL children present, no matter who the bioparents may be. If you and your spouse are having a disagreement over discipline, go for a walk and air your differences. But when the kids are watching?you two are one!!

6. Recognize the kids may do things differently at other parent?s houses.

Sooner or later, probably sooner, you will hear ?But at my dad?s house?? and this is a good time to take a deep breath and pull out the handy phrase, ?You may be able to do that at your other parent?s house but you can?t do that here.? Period. No disparaging comments about the other parent, and no changing the rules on the spur of the moment. To avoid splitting, you will need to decide later if you want to change the rules. Most importantly, empathize with your child about how confusing this may be sometimes, particularly if they appear to be having a hard time emotionally with the transitions

7. Carve out one-on-one time with each child.

While creating a group identity is key to becoming a family, one-on-one time is key for developing a good relationship with your stepchild. Find time to spend alone together. Where possible, get yourself into their world. Consider volunteering on your stepchild?s sports team or rearrange your schedule to drive to or from school. Drive time in the car can be a good time to communicate.

8. Avoid creating competition.

Your biological children crave your undivided attention and it is important to spend special time with them. Help your stepchildren to avoid feeling left out by keeping your special times with biological children low key. Don?t make a big deal out of what you do when the step kids are away. And find out everybody?s love language so you can really make expressions of love count for each individual (www.5love languages.com)

9. Make a daily attitude check.

When it comes to your step kids, become the poster person for a positive attitude!! Every day, make a conscious effort to forgive the small hurts that eventually add up to a big grudge. No matter how stressful the situation gets, never resort to criticism or sarcasm when communicating with your stepchildren. Perhaps a dinner round where everyone expresses sunshines (good stuff) and clouds (bad stuff) of the day.

10. Avoid the split personality approach to step parenting!

Scheduling step life can be brutal. Two days here, one night there; the whole family can end up with a spilt personality! Remember, your kids may be important members of two households. When schedules clash, put the child?s needs first even if it means extra driving, inconvenient timing, or a missed opportunity for you. Your child will remember your cooperative attitude more than anything else.

(Adapted from Gigi Cook)

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Source: http://laveldanaylor.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/tips-for-step-family-success/

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Opel sees no alternative to closing Bochum plant

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - General Motors Co's Opel unit came a major step nearer to closing its Bochum plant in Germany, telling the roughly 3,000 workers it had not changed its mind about ending vehicle production in 2016.

Opel said it had made rigorous efforts to rescue car manufacturing at the plant but these had come to nothing. "The main reasons are the dramatic declines in the European car market and the enormous overcapacity in the entire European auto industry," it said in a statement.

Although the crisis in Europe's auto industry has already prompted Ford and Peugeot to announce this year plans to each close a passenger car plant, Bochum would be the first to close in Germany in decades.

Opel interim Chief Executive Thomas Sedran told a meeting of Bochum's workforce at the RuhrCongress convention center on Monday that management saw no alternative to ending car making.

The planned measures at Bochum, coinciding with the end of the lifecycle of the Zafira Tourer MPV model, were first announced in mid-June, when management and unions agreed to negotiations over Opel's German operations that employ 20,800.

Some jobs will still be saved at the site.

"We have the clear intention to secure a significant number of Opel jobs (in Bochum), in the warehouse and possibly in component manufacturing," said GM Vice Chairman Steve Girsky in the statement.

About 430 people are employed in Bochum's warehousing operations in a joint venture with partner CAT Logistics, now called Neovia Logistics Services and minority owned by Caterpillar .

An Opel spokesman at the brand's headquarters in Ruesselsheim said this number could grow to 600 or more as a result of negotiations.

A drop in demand for the Zafira Tourer is already hurting Bochum, which is in talks with its workers to stop the assembly line for 10 days in January and cut production by about half.

Next year could also see the loss of the night shift completely, according to the local works council.

Opel's top labor leader Wolfgang Schaefer-Klug said the announcement by Sedran did not mean the closure was definite.

"They just told the workforce in Bochum what the initial starting point of the negotiations is," he told Reuters. "From my point of view, there is nothing new."

(Editing by David Holmes)

(This story was refiled to add preposition in the first paragraph)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/opel-sees-no-alternative-closing-bochum-plant-125659096--sector.html

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The Solihull Police are Officially my Favorite Twitter Account, Ever

About JD Rucker

+JD Rucker is Editor at Soshable, a Social Media Marketing Blog. He is a Christian, a husband, a father, and Director of New Media for KPA. He drinks a lot of coffee, usually in the form of a 5-shot espresso over ice. Find him on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. [Read More ?]

View My Blog Posts

Source: http://soshable.com/the-solihull-police-are-officially-my-favorite-twitter-account-ever/

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No contact between sides in hockey fight

NEW YORK (AP) ? NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Friday that he is out of ideas how to get negotiations back on track to save the hockey season.

Talks fell apart Thursday night amid back-and-forth accusations, and the fallout was still being felt Friday. The two sides had no contact with each other on the 83rd day of the owners' lockout of players.

"I have no reason, nor any intention, of reaching out to the union right now," Daly said in an email to The Associated Press. "I have no new ideas. Maybe they do. We are happy to listen."

If the players do have a suggestion, they haven't offered it yet. Their most recent proposal was turned down quickly on Thursday by the NHL, which wanted a yes or no answer on three specific conditions the league said were non-negotiable. When the union tried to bargain the points, the meeting ended abruptly.

That has left the NHL's labor situation in limbo.

"We spent much of Thursday evening and Friday updating players on what happened the last few days," players' association special counsel Steve Fehr said Friday. "The differences between us have been narrowed significantly and hopefully we will find a way to bridge the remaining gap very soon."

All games have been canceled through Dec. 14, which is only a week away, so more games will surely be wiped off the schedule soon. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Thursday that he won't allow a season to be played that contains fewer than 48 games per team ? the length of the season that was played after a lockout ended in January 1995.

If there isn't a resolution soon, Sidney Crosby appears ready to find a place to play elsewhere.

The Pittsburgh Penguins star wants to get back to work. He said Friday the prospect of lacing up his skates in Europe is growing more appealing as the lockout nears the three-month mark. The breakdown in negotiations left Crosby "disappointed" and considering other opportunities.

"I just want to play hockey," Crosby told reporters after an informal workout with some of his teammates on Friday morning. "As far as whatever option is best there, I'll start thinking of it a lot more because this stuff is getting ridiculous."

Crosby was part of the players' negotiating team over three days in New York until the talks fell apart Thursday.

With no deal in the works, Crosby took a late-night flight back to Pittsburgh wondering what else the players could have done to move things along.

The lockout has become another setback in a maddening two years for the game's most popular player. The 2007 NHL MVP and 2010 Olympic gold medalist has been limited to just 28 games since January 2011 due to a series of debilitating concussions. He is healthy now and signed a 12-year contract extension last summer that would keep him in Pittsburgh until his late-30s.

Yet instead of focusing on getting the Penguins back to the Stanley Cup finals, Crosby has spent the last three months trying to help salvage at least part of the season. The last NHL lockout resulted in the 2004-05 season getting wiped out.

"The foundation (for a deal) is there and I don't think we can move any more," Crosby said. "We've done everything from our side to make this work"

Though any foreign team that signs Crosby also would have to take out an expensive insurance policy, Crosby maintains playing overseas ? where dozens of NHL players are keeping sharp, including Penguins teammate Evgeni Malkin ? is a "practical" alternative.

"I think I've tried to be optimistic and things like that and given it every chance possible," Crosby said. "But I've got make sure I keep playing hockey. I haven't played for a while."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/no-contact-between-sides-hockey-fight-234111316--nhl.html

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AP Exclusive: Snow may have slowed NKorea launch

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) ? New satellite images indicate that snow may have slowed North Korea's rocket launch preparations, but that Pyongyang could still be ready for liftoff starting Monday.

South Korean media reports this week quoted unnamed officials in Seoul as saying North Korea had mounted all three stages of the Unha rocket on the launch pad by Wednesday. But snow may have prevented Pyongyang from finishing its work by then, according to GeoEye satellite images from Tuesday that were scrutinized by analysts for the websites 38 North and North Korea Tech and shared Friday with The Associated Press.

The analysis and images provide an unusually detailed public look at North Korea's cloaked preparations for a launch that the United Nations, Washington, Seoul and others say is a cover for a test of technology for a missile that could be used to target the United States.

The launch preparations have been magnified as an issue because of their timing: Both Japan and South Korea hold elections this month, and President Barack Obama will be inaugurated for his second term in office in January.

North Korea, for its part, says it has a right to pursue a peaceful space program and will launch a satellite into orbit sometime between Monday and Dec. 22. That launch window comes as North Korea marks the Dec. 17 death of leader Kim Jong Un's father, Kim Jong Il. North Korea is also celebrating the centennial of the birth of Kim Jong Un's grandfather, national founder Kim Il Sung.

Images from Dec. 1 showed no rocket at the launch pad, but by Tuesday North Koreans were seen working under a dark canvas, according to the analysis by 38 North, the website for the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and the North Korea Tech website, which collaborated with 38 North on the report.

The analysis contradicts South Korean media reports that the rocket stages were set up by Wednesday. Since the launch pad was empty Dec. 1, and it had taken North Korea four days to erect a similar rocket before a failed launch attempt in April, it should have taken longer for North Korea to prepare the rocket, the websites said.

Snowfall earlier this week also may have temporarily stopped work at the site, according to the analysis written by Nick Hansen, a retired expert in imagery technology with more than 40 years of national intelligence experience.

North Korea has a long history of developing ballistic missiles, but in four attempts since 1998 it has not successfully completed the launch of a three-stage rocket. It has also conducted two nuclear tests, intensifying worry over how its rocket technology could be used in the future, particularly if it masters attaching a nuclear warhead to a missile.

A senior South Korean government official told foreign reporters in Seoul on Friday that North Korea has been making technical preparations for a nuclear test and could theoretically conduct one in a short period of time, but that it isn't clear when or if they will test. The official spoke on condition of anonymity, citing government rules.

Friday's analysis of the satellite images said North Korea can still be ready for liftoff Monday.

Based on its preparations for the April launch, which broke apart shortly after the rocket was fired, Pyongyang has to finish stacking its rocket stages only two to three days ahead of time ? meaning workers could finish by Saturday and still be ready for a launch on Monday, the analysis said.

North Korea may have chosen a 12-day launch period, which is more than twice as long as the April period, because it was worried about possible weather complications, the analysis said.

"Pyongyang's rocket scientists can't be happy about the increased technical risks of a wintertime test, but certainly appear to have taken every precaution necessary in order to launch the rocket on time," said Joel Wit, a former U.S. State Department official and editor of 38 North.

A rocket can be launched during snowfall, but lightning, strong wind and freezing temperatures could stall a liftoff, said Lee Chang-jin, an aerospace professor at Seoul's Konkuk University.

North Korea's launch plan is meant to show the world its capability to build missiles, U.S. Pacific forces commander Adm. Samuel Locklear said Thursday. The United States has moved extra ships with ballistic missile defense capabilities toward the region, officials said.

The launch, if successful, could prove that North Korea is capable of targeting the mainland United States with a missile. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Friday in a briefing that the planned launch is a threat that Washington takes "very seriously."

Choson Sinbo, a North Korean mouthpiece published in Japan, said that the Unha-3 rocket is only the first part of a five-year development space program that began this year and will lead to the production of "bigger rockets."

Two South Korean destroyers will be deployed in the Yellow Sea in the coming days to track the North Korean rocket, defense officials in Seoul said Friday. They spoke on condition of anonymity because ministry rules bar them from releasing information about defense movements over the phone.

The U.S., Japan and South Korea say they'll seek U.N. Security Council action if the launch goes ahead in defiance of existing resolutions. The council condemned April's launch and ordered seizure of assets of three North Korean state companies linked to financing, exporting and procuring weapons and missile technology.

On Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda visited a Tokyo military facility to inspect Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile interceptors being readied to intercept a North Korean rocket if it falls on Japanese territory.

___

Associated Press writers Matthew Pennington in Washington and Sam Kim in Seoul contributed to this report.

___

Online:

38 North: www.38north.org

North Korea Tech: www.northkoreatech.org

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ap-exclusive-snow-may-slowed-nkorea-launch-132019565.html

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Rome to host first Formula E Championship

By: Quentin Spurring on 12/07/2012

Formula E will make it's championship debut in Rome.

Rome, the historic capital of Italy, is the first European city to be announced as a host venue of the inaugural FIA Formula E Championship in 2014.

After a year of development and public demonstrations in 2013, the Formula E electric single-seaters will compete exclusively in urban environments the following year, taking in the centers of 10 major cities. In August, Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, was the first venue to be announced.

Alejandro Agag, the Spanish CEO of series promoter Formula E Holdings, intends to offer race promoters 20 cars, operated by 10 franchised teams. Formula E is being promoted as an 'open' championship, and Agag has been encouraging brand-name racecar manufacturers to build cars.

In August, however, Agag purchased the French 'Formulec' project that had been initiated in 2008 by Eric Barbaroux, Pierre Gosselin and Fr?d?ric Vasseur. Last month, he ordered 42 cars from Vasseur's newly formed Spark Racing Technology company. McLaren Electronic Systems has won the contract to design and produce the all-electric, lithium-battery powertrains.

The 42 Spark chassis will be sufficient to supply four to each of the registered teams, one for the FIA crash-test procedure, and one for track-testing. Formula 1 driver Lucas di Grassi has been hired to lead the test and development work.

Should any team choose to run another chassis make in the future, its Spark cars will return to the promoter's pool.

Agag said of the prestige Italian fixture: ?We are honored to have Rome on board as the first European city to host Formula E, since Italy is renowned for its motorsports passion, expertise and technical innovation. Clean urban mobility and sustainability are a priority for our championship, and Formula E wants to become a showcase for these advances through an entertaining and all-inclusive spectacle.?

FIA president Jean Todt added, ?The contrast between this innovative motorsport series and the rich, ancient history of Rome is one I am sure the public and the media will be intrigued and enriched by.?

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Autoweek loves passionate comments and debate, but remember that you're part of a diverse community. Above all: be respectful. Critique statements, not people; talk about the automotive world, but skip the political rhetoric, hate speech, and obscenities. While we can't read every post, this site is moderated and Autoweek will remove comments as we see fit. Questions? Read our Terms of Use or email moderator@autoweek.com.

Source: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121207/F1/121209877

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Tennessee introduces Jones as new football coach - Sat, 08 Dec 2012 PST

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Butch Jones was pondering whether to leave Cincinnati this week to coach Colorado when he received a text message that inadvertently foreshadowed his eventual?destination.

It was from Denver Broncos quarterback and Tennessee Volunteers great Peyton?Manning.

?He was selling me on Colorado,? Jones said. ?He said it was hard for a person from the University of Tennessee to be selling somebody to come to the University of Colorado. I wanted to text him back, ?Come on, I want to go to?Tennessee.???

That?s exactly where Jones ended?up.

Tennessee introduced Jones on Friday as its successor to Derek Dooley, who was fired Nov. 18 after going 15-21 in three seasons. Jones called Tennessee his dream job and said he was taking over ?the best college football program in?America.?

It hardly mattered to Jones that he wasn?t Tennessee?s first?choice.

?I think I was my wife?s third choice, and it?s worked for 20 years,? Jones?said.

Jones has a 50-27 record in six seasons as a head coach. He was 23-14 at Cincinnati the last three?years.

Army, Navy battle for prized?trophy

The 113th Army-Navy game is about more than bragging rights?today.

The Commander- in-Chief?s Trophy is up for grabs. The winning team leaves Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia with the prize that is awarded to the team with the best record in games among the three service academies. Army and Navy each beat Air Force, putting the prestigious trophy on the line in the regular-season finale for the first time since?2005.

Army (2-9) hasn?t hoisted the CIC trophy since 1996. Navy (7-4) won it a school-record seven straight seasons through 2009 until giving way to Air Force the last two?seasons.

Grizzlies double up on?coordinators

Montana Grizzlies football coach Mick Delaney said he will have co-offensive coordinators for the 2013?season.

Current assistants Scott Gragg and Kefense Hynson will be elevated to the shared position, with Gragg overseeing the running game and the offensive line while Hynson directs the passing game, tight ends and special?teams.

The two fill the position vacated by former Washington State quarterback Timm Rosenbach, who left after one season to become offensive coordinator at Weber?State.

WVA orders musket?control

The musket toted by West Virginia University?s Mountaineer isn?t just a prop ? it?s a bona fide weapon, and mascot Jonathan Kimble demonstrated that when he brought down a black bear with it in the?woods.

Now WVU has ordered Kimble to stop using his university-issued weapon on hunting trips after a video of this week?s kill was posted?online.

The 24-year-old Kimble accompanied more than a dozen friends and family on the trip in Pendleton County on Monday. In the video, Kimble is shown firing the musket at the bear in a tree. ?Let?s go Mountaineers!? Kimble yells?afterward.

? Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Source: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/dec/08/tennessee-introduces-jones-as-new-football-coach/

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Noonan: Beneath the Presidential Platitudes (WSJ)

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FCC clarifies set-top box IP interface requirement and extends deadline to 2013

You may have not noticed, but your cable box at home has a Firewire port on it, designed to serve up content to other devices in your home. This almost useless port -- thanks DRM -- is a result of an FCC mandate that has been enforced for almost ten years. Due to the lack of use, the cable industry asked that the rules be updated to require an IP interface instead. That request was granted in the fall of 2010 and was supposed to go into effect this very month.

Evidently two years wasn't long enough to find an acceptable industry standard stack to deliver video over IP, so TiVo and the cable industry requested an extension. The FCC let it be known last week in a Memorandum Opinion and Order that a single standard wasn't actually required, as long as the IP interface on the cable box used an industry standard -- the Commission did bless the DLNA Premium Video Profile as a suitable example. We'll have to wait and see if any other standards are in the mix, but regardless, TiVo and the rest of the cable industry now have until June of 2014 before every one of their boxes has to be able to deliver HD content to 3rd party devices like TVs, Blu-ray players and tablets via IP. In this particular context, TiVo is being treated as a cable company box supplier, although we're not sure how this will apply to its retail devices. Only time will tell if this mandate will bear fruit, but with any luck, the second time will be a charm.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Comments

Source: FCC

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/06/fcc-clarifies-ip-interface-requirement-and-extends-deadline-to-2/

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Verio Launches VerioVelocity to Empower Small Business Growth ...

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo.?(BUSINESS WIRE)?

Verio
Inc.,the leading provider of online business solutions to SMBs
worldwide, today announced VerioVelocity^?, a feature-rich
small business growth engine designed to help SMBs expand their new
business opportunities and increase online revenue.

Small Business Requirements

A wide variety of requirements and an even wider array of options plague
small business owners when it comes to their online presence and
promotional efforts. Many small business leaders have neither the time
nor expertise to evaluate, select and implement the most effective
website design and marketing technologies that will ultimately help them
to utilize their website as a business asset. They can easily spend
thousands of dollars to launch the technologies and more needed to
successfully market their business online, and this all before factoring
in the personal time spent as well. VerioVelocity changes that with
custom website design, copywriting, SEO, directory submissions, Google
placement, live chat, video conferencing and mobile web site development
all included in one cost-effective package. Small businesses now have
instant access to those resources that will enable them to successfully
compete in today?s ever-evolving, competitive online marketplace.

?With well over half of small businesses looking to grow revenue and a
third wanting to reduce costs and improve efficiencies, there is a clear
deficit in delivering cost-effective, high-impact technologies for the
small business market,? said Rob Howard, vice president of global sales
and marketing for Verio. ?The introduction of VerioVelocity quickly
changes the small business landscape.?

Introducing VerioVelocity

A small business growth engine that integrates custom web design and
professional marketing services, VerioVelocity delivers everything a
small business needs to find and be found by customers on the cloud.
VerioVelocity empowers small businesses to take control of their online
presence with an end-to-end managed solution.

Key benefits include:

• Individualized consulting to determine an SMB?s website design needs
  and the delivery of a custom site
• Personalized website development, copywriting services, hosting, logo
  design, mobile website development, SEO targeting and website
  statistics
• Business class technologies designed to help close sales and provide
  world class customer support including email, live chat and video
  conferencing
• Facebook page setup with company description
• Google Places^?, Google Maps^? and Internet
  Directory Submissions
• Cloud Hosting for unmatched flexibility and the only offering in this
  class of solutions hosted on the cloud

?Starting and managing your own small business is time intensive and can
be costly in today?s current climate,? said Howard. ?With VerioVelocity,
SMBs can streamline business activities while at the same time,
fundamentally change the way they market and promote their business to
increase online revenue.?

According to IDC, overall web presence and online promotional tools are
essential to small businesses with over 75% integrating some form of
online marketing into their current business strategy. Looking to
further expand in this area, almost half of those surveyed stated they
plan to increase their use of online promotional tools in the next 12
months.

?SMBs understand the value of promoting their business online and are
doubling down with more investment for the future,? said Ray Boggs, vice
president of small and medium business research for IDC. ?With the
availability of this new offering and access to resources such as SEO,
social media, custom web design and more, small business customers have
the opportunity to extend their online presence globally.?

AVAILABILTY

VerioVelocity is the first in a list of solutions Verio will be
introducing to assist small businesses in expanding their new business
opportunities.

Now available for a low monthly price of $159.99, visit www.veriovelocity.com
today for detailed plan options and product details or (877) 837-4688 to
speak with a Verio representative. For more information, you can also
visit Verio on Twitter at @Verio or via #VerioVelocity.

About Verio Inc.?(www.verio.com)

Verio is the leading provider in delivering innovative online business
solutions to SMBs worldwide. Verio?s solutions provide Cloud, web
hosting, managed services, application hosting and SaaS that enables
SMBs to drive online success. Verio is a subsidiary of NTT
Communications and supports its operations with their highly reliable
and scalable Global Tier-1 IP Network. Through this network, Verio
provides partners and customers with access to business solutions in
more than 120 datacenters worldwide. For more information, join us on Twitter
@Verio, Facebook
Verio or www.verio.com.

Verio, viaVerio and the Verio logo are registered trademarks and/or
service marks of Verio Inc. in the United States and other countries.
All other names are trademarks or registered marks of their respective
owners.

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/verio-launches-veriovelocity-empower-small-143000870.html

Source: http://www.newstonews.com/2012/12/06/verio-launches-veriovelocity-to-empower-small-business-growth/

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