Video: Smog creates flight delays in Beijing

>>> we have been covering the smog in beijing, which has now grown so bad, it's causing flight delays because pilots just can't see. the u.s. embassy has warned all of its workers, "everyone should avoid all physical activity outdoors." the smog a result of virtually unregulated industry is finally being treated as an emergency by the government of china .

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/50632804/

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Correction: Davos Forum-Algeria story

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) ? In a story transmitted Jan. 25 and Jan. 26 about Algeria's deadly hostage crisis, The Associated Press mischaracterized Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci as acknowledging that security forces made mistakes in their handling of the standoff. The mischaracterization resulted from use of an incomplete quote. The AP initially quoted Medelci as saying, "We are in the process of assessing our mistakes. In that assessment we are leaning more towards establishing that the operation was a success." The full quote, translated from French, is: "I am not sure that today we are in the process of assessing our mistakes. We are more in the process of establishing that the operation succeeded."

A corrected version of the story is below:

AP Interview: Algeria needs international help

AP Interview: Algeria needs international help fighting terrorism

By MARTIN BENEDYK

Associated Press

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) ? Algeria's foreign minister said Algeria will need international help to fight terrorism in the wake of a hostage crisis at a Saharan gas plant in which dozens of foreign workers were killed.

Algeria's decision to refuse foreign offers of aid in handling the crisis, and to send the military to fire on vehicles full of hostages, drew widespread international criticism.

While defending his government's handling of the crisis, Mourad Medelci said Algeria can't face international terrorism alone.

"It absolutely needs support," Medelci told The Associated Press in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Friday.

"This is Algeria's message: Algeria faced internal terrorism alone but it can't continue to face international terrorism alone," he said. "It absolutely needs support and this is needed not just by Algeria, but all countries need to join into the fight against terrorism. "

The Jan. 16 attack, which an al-Qaida-affiliated organization has claimed responsibility for, sent scores of foreign energy workers fleeing across the desert for their lives. A four-day siege by Algerian forces on the complex followed. At least 37 hostages and 29 militants died.

Medelci defended the government's decision to attack instead of negotiating, pointing to its years of experience dealing with Islamist extremist violence.

"Faced with such an attitude (of terrorism), it's not just words that solve the problem. It's action," he said.

"I am not sure that today we are in the process of assessing our mistakes," Medelci said. "We are more in the process of establishing that the operation succeeded."

The minister said Algeria is likely to reinforce security measures at sites where multinationals operate in the oil- and gas-rich country. But he insisted that foreign workers in Algeria "will continue to work in Algeria and that is the best way to answer the terrorists."

He argued that Algeria wasn't the target of the attack. Instead, he said, the terrorists were targeting investors and the foreigners who work for them.

An international group of militants led by a Mali-based warlord staged the attack. The extremists demanded an end to the French-led military operation in neighboring Mali, where al-Qaida-linked groups have seized and expanded control over the past year.

___

AP correspondent Angela Charlton contributed from Davos.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/correction-davos-forum-algeria-story-180335408--finance.html

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Donation As An Estate Planning Tool (A Discussion on Donor's Tax)

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Real property, just like any other material possession, may not be brought to the afterlife. You need to transfer property sooner or later. Usually, however, the transfer of property prior to death is a taboo subject so many end up dealing with property transfer problems only after a person has died. It is always good to be prepared since we will all surely die ? there is simply no escaping it.

Read on to learn more about donor?s tax and how it can help you prepare for the inevitable.

Why donate your properties prior to death?

Donation may be considered as an estate planning tool because you are able to transfer your properties prior to death little by little every year and therefore you can take advantage of the graduated donor?s tax rates. If you have a lot of properties at the time of death, the estate tax would be higher because the total amount of the properties will probably fall under a higher tax rung.

On another note, it is usually the case that the family spends a lot for medical care prior to death, and because of this, the family?s cash reserves are depleted. If the family is not liquid and they need to pay the estate tax within six months from the time of death, many times the family is forced to sell their properties below market value because they are under time pressure. It is during these pressure points that many investors are able to buy good properties at a good price. I don?t want to view it as taking advantage of the misfortune of others ? rather, I want to think of it as the investors helping the family solve their cash problem. If no one bought the property, the family would be in a worse situation.

Another problem that may arise upon death is that the children or heirs will be fighting each other for their ?rightful? share of the deceased?s property. I don?t think any parent would want their loved ones to be fighting over money or property. If the properties are already distributed as agreed upon by all parties prior to death, then this problem may be alleviated.

Lastly, I believe that a person who already thought in advance of the transfer of properties prior to death, and actually had no more significant properties to transfer upon death, would be at peace upon death because he/she did not leave problems to his/her family. Dealing with grief is hard enough, it would be difficult to deal with the nitty-gritty taxes and what-not during a most stressful time.

Of course, there are downsides to donation too ? Who shall control the properties? Who gets the fruits/rental income? etc? etc? These may be answered by trusts and other legal documents. But for now, let?s deal with straightforward donation.

What is Donor?s Tax?

Donor?s tax?is imposed on tax on the transfer by any person, resident or non-resident, of a property by gift. For an overview on donor?s tax, please check the BIR website. The legal basis for donor?s tax may be found in Sec. 98 to Sec. 104 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) (aka the Tax Code). Check also the Donor?s and Estate Tax Regulations (BIR Revenue Regulations No. 2-2003) and Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 1-98.

What is the tax base?

The donor?s tax base shall be the total value of the net gifts during the taxable year. The value of the net gifts shall be based on the fair market value (FMV) of the gifts at the time of donation.? In case of real property, the tax base shall be the BIR Zonal Value or FMV per Tax Declaration, whichever is higher. If there is no Zonal Value, the tax base shall be the FMV based on the latest tax declaration. If there is an improvement (like a house or a building), the FMV of the improvement shall be the construction cost based on the building permit and/or occupancy permit plus 10% per year after the year of construction, or the FMV based on the latest tax declaration.

The term ?net gift?, for purposes of donor?s tax, pertains to the net economic benefit which the done gets from the transfer. Thus, if a property encumbered with a mortgage is transferred as a gift, but the? donee is required to pay the mortgage, then the net gift is computed by deducting the amount of mortgage assumed by the donee from the fair market value of the property given as a gift.

If you donate on different dates within a year, a donor?s tax return shall be filed for each date of donation, and the donor?s tax base shall be based on the accumulated donations for the current calendar year (January 1 to December 31). Thus, the more gifts you make within a calendar year, the higher the probability that the donor?s tax will fall on a higher tax bracket. Note though, that donor?s tax previously paid on previous donations shall be deducted from the donor?s tax payable. The good news here is that you will get a fresh start for each year, and effectively, you can donate P100,000 in cash or in kind at zero donor?s tax.

You may even donate cash which the donee can use to purchase property, so the property can be in the name of the donee. For example, a parent can donate cash for installment payments of property so that the property may be declared in their child?s name, since the child cannot purchase directly without a source of income.

Please note that in case of donation to relatives (not strangers), only one return shall be filed for several gifts/donations by the donor (the one giving the donation) to the different donees (those receiving the donation) on the same date. If the gift/donation involves conjugal or community property, each spouse shall file a separate return for their respective shares in the said property.

Deemed Gift

If you purchased a property below its fair market value (FMV), the difference between the FMV and the selling price shall be deemed a gift of the seller, subject to donor?s tax. This is also called a transfer for less than adequate consideration.

Exemptions from Donor?s Tax

1. Dowries or gifts made on account of marriage and before its celebration or within one year thereafter by parents to each of their legitimate, recognized natural, or adopted children to the extent of the first Ten thousand pesos (P10,000);
2. Gifts made to or for the use of the National Government or any entity created by any of its agencies which is not conducted for profit, or to any political subdivision of the said Government; and
3. Gifts in favor of an educational and/or charitable, religious, cultural or social welfare corporation, institution, accredited non-government organization, trust or philanthropic organization or research institution or organization, provided, however, That not more than thirty percent (30%) of said gifts shall be used by such donee for administration purposes.

Based on the BIR website, the following are likewise exempt from donor?s tax:

1. Encumbrances on the property donated if assumed by the donee in the deed of donation
2. Donations made to the following entities as exempted under special laws:

• Aquaculture Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center of the Philippines
• Development Academy of the Philippines
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines
• International Rice Research Institute
• National Social Action Council
• Ramon Magsaysay Foundation
• Philippine Inventor?s Commission
• Philippine American Cultural Foundation
• Task Force on Human Settlement on the donation of equipment, materials and services

What are the Donor?s Tax rates?

The donor?s tax rate will be based on the law prevailing at the time of donation.

For donations made on January 1, 1998 up to the present, if the donee is a stranger, the donor?s tax rate is thirty percent (30%).

A stranger is a person who is not a brother, sister (whether by whole or half-blood), spouse, ancestor and lineal descendant, or a relative by consanguinity in the collateral line within the fourth degree of relationship. This just means you are related by blood, and you count the degree by going up first to the person who ?connects? you then go down.

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For example, your first cousin is within the fourth degree. You go ?up? to your dad (1 degree), then ?up? to your lolo (1 degree), then go ?down? to your uncle who is your dad?s brother (1 degree), then ?down? to your first cousin (1 degree), so 4 degrees in all.

Note that a child who is legally adopted is not considered a stranger. Donations between corporations or from an individual to a corporation shall be considered as donations to a stranger.

If the donee is not a stranger, the donor?s tax rate, based on the net gifts, are as follows:

Over	But not over	The tax shall be	Plus	Of the excess over
0	100,000	Exempt
100,000	200,000	0	2%	100,000
200,000	500,000	2,000	4%	200,000
500,000	1,000,000	14,000	6%	500,000
1,000,000	3,000,000	44,000	8%	1,000,000
3,000,000	5,000,000	204,000	10%	3,000,000
5,000,000	10,000,000	404,000	12%	5,000,000
10,000,000		1,004,000	15%	10,000,000

?

Who should pay

The donor or the transferor for less than adequate consideration

When to pay

Within thirty (30) days after the date the gift is made. If more than one gift or donation is made within one year, a separate return should be filed for each gift/donation within thirty (30) days after the date the gift is made.

BIR Form to be used

BIR Form No. 1800 (Donor?s Tax Return)

Where to file and pay/ Filing procedure

Prepare three copies of the donor?s tax return (two copies shall be for the BIR and one copy shall be for the taxpayer) and file them with any Authorized Agent Bank (AAB) of the Revenue District Office (RDO) having jurisdiction over the place of the domicile of the donor (that is, where the donor lives) at the time of the transfer.

In places where there are no AAB, the return will be filed directly with the Revenue Collection Officer or duly Authorized City or Municipal Treasurer where the donor was domiciled at the time of the transfer. If the donor has no legal residence in the Philippines, file the return with Revenue District No. 39 ? South Quezon City (this is along Quezon Avenue, with a DBP branch at the ground floor).

In the case of gifts made by a non-resident alien (that is, not a Filipino citizen), the return may be filed with Revenue District No. 39 ? South Quezon City, or with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the country where donor is domiciled at the time of the transfer.

Penalties for late payment

Same as other taxes, 25% surcharge plus 20% interest per year (under Secs. 248 and 249 of the Tax Code, respectively). If there is fraud, the surcharge shall be 50%. You may also pay compromise penalties in lieu of imprisonment (click on the link for the schedule of compromise penalties).

Documentary requirements

Based on the BIR website, the following requirements must be submitted before the Tax Clearance Certificate/Certificate Authorizing Registration (that is, the document required for the title to be transferred) can be released:

1.	Deed of Donation
2.	Sworn Statement of the relationship of the donor to the donee
3.	Proof of tax credit, if applicable
4.	Certified true copy(ies) of the Original/Transfer/Condominium Certificate of Title (front and back ) of lot and/or improvement donated, if applicable
5.	Certified true copy(ies) of the latest Tax Declaration (front and back pages) of lot and/or improvement, if applicable
6.	?Certificate of No Improvement? issued by the Assessor?s office where the properties have no declared improvement, if applicable
7.	Proof of valuation of shares of stocks at the time of donation, if applicable
	?	For listed stocks ? newspaper clippings or certification issued by the Stock Exchange as to the par value per share
	?	For unlisted stocks ? latest audited Financial Statements of the issuing corporation with computation of the book value per share
8.	Proof of valuation of other types of personal properties, if applicable
9.	Proof of claimed deductions, if applicable
10.	Copy of Tax Debit Memo used as payment, if applicable

Additional requirements may be requested for presentation during audit of the tax case depending upon existing audit procedures.

Sample Computation

Please read BIR Revenue Regulations No. 2-2003 for a sample computation.

Documentation of the donation

Consult a lawyer with regard to the format of the Deed of Donation, and make sure that the donation is properly accepted and notarized during the lifetime of the donor.

~~~

To our success and financial freedom!

Cherry Vi M. Saldua-Castillo

Real Estate Broker, Lawyer, and CPA
PRC Real Estate Broker License No. 3187
PRC CPA License No. 0102054
Roll of?Attorneys?No. 55239

Text by Jay Castillo and Cherry Castillo. Copyright ? 2013 and onwards All rights reserved.

As always, our standard site disclaimer applies

Full disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Source: http://www.foreclosurephilippines.com/2013/01/donation-estate-planning-donors-tax.html

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ESPN signs with Ooyala's video embedding service to bake ...

Ooyala Delivers In-Stream Video Viewing on Twitter

Twitter Video Card solution creates new ways to discover, share and monetize video; ESPN first to adopt

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ooyala, the leading video streaming and monetization platform provider, today announced that it has developed a Twitter Video Card solution, in close collaboration with Twitter, that enables Ooyala customers a turnkey solution to embed videos directly into their Twitter streams for instant playback. Previously, users were only able to include a link to a video in Twitter. This solution inserts a thumbnail of the video directly into the stream so followers can click and play directly without leaving Twitter.

"Consumers today are at the intersection of social and mobile, and demanding easy and fast access to video content. Our ability to deliver video directly into the Twitter stream is a major step forward for publishers who want to drive viewer engagement in real-time."

First deployed by sports broadcaster ESPN to better serve its 24 million online video viewers, Ooyala's Twitter Card solution provides media companies, broadcasters and brands a new way to distribute and monetize video content delivered via Twitter across desktops and mobile devices. In addition, the solution can increase the discovery and sharing of video content and optimize engagement through social and mobile by eliminating the barriers to view content directly on Twitter.

"Twitter is a growing source of inbound referral traffic and outbound content distribution for online media publishers and broadcasters," said Jonathan Wilner, senior director, business product management at Ooyala. "Consumers today are at the intersection of social and mobile, and demanding easy and fast access to video content. Our ability to deliver video directly into the Twitter stream is a major step forward for publishers who want to drive viewer engagement in real-time."

As a result of the close collaboration with Twitter, the Ooyala solution has been certified by Twitter, meaning customers can quickly and easily integrate and distribute video content directly into their streams across all platforms -- including desktop, mobile web and native smartphone and tablet apps for both iOS and Android -- and trust that the player will work seamlessly within Twitter. The solution works via an Ooyala Twitter SDK and automatic hosting for Twitter Cards. The turnkey API from Ooyala automatically generates the necessary Twitter tags so that a video can be inserted onto a video landing page to enable Twitter Cards.

Powerful Solution when paired with Discovery

The technology works seamlessly with Ooyala Discovery, which enables video content providers to increase view-related revenue by algorithmically recommending highly relevant content within the Ooyala Player. For example, if a user watches a highlight from a football game within the ESPN Twitter stream, they could receive a recommendation to also watch highlights from the post-game press conference. Personalized content recommendations can further drive user engagement and monetization for each video share in Twitter.

Opening Revenue Streams

In addition to benefiting consumers, this technology opens up new revenue streams for Ooyala customers. It enables the distribution of ad-supported video content across client-owned and consumer Twitter properties, magnified by sharing tendencies of Twitter users. It also opens the door for video integration into Promoted Tweet advertising campaigns across Twitter.

Customers that take advantage of Ooyala analytics will also have extensive data on the performance of their videos through Twitter Video Cards, in addition to the data they already receive on their websites and/or apps, allowing them to further optimize their video content.

About Ooyala

Ooyala delivers personalized video experiences across all screens and is the leader in online video management, publishing, analytics and monetization. Our integrated suite of technologies and services give content owners the power to expand audiences through deep insights that drive increased viewer engagement and revenue from video.

Companies using Ooyala technology include Telstra, ESPN, Pac-12 Enterprises, Miramax, Bloomberg, Telegraph Media Group, Telefonica, The North Face, Rolling Stone, Dell, Sephora and Yahoo! Japan. Headquartered in Mountain View, California, Ooyala has offices in New York City, London, Sydney, Tokyo and Guadalajara, Mexico. The company works with premier reseller and technology partners throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information visit www.ooyala.com.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/23/espn-ooyala/

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How to write a good bio

Many good people write bad bios for themselves. We want you to sound as awesome as you are so please take our advice. These five simple rules make writing bios take less time, less effort and make everyone happy to learn something about you.

1. The more impressive you are, the shorter your bio should be.

For example, compare this:

Bob Smith won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry, twice. He?s currently the head of Amazingness at Wonderment University.

With this:

Bob Smith spent 2001-2004 developing yard waste in Atlantic City, NJ. Then the better part of the 90?s working on psoriasis in Libya. For kicks, he studied in 2002-2008 licensing regulations for circus clowns in West Palm Beach, FL. Garnered a second place industry award while merchandising mouse yogurt in Las Vegas, NV. Had some great experience consulting about near-UFO experiences among visitors to ?Ocean City, NJ. Spent two years licensing cannibalism for farmers, and recycling Pez dispensers.

Everyone wants your bio to be shorter. The shorter it is, the more people who will read it. If you have a great one sentence bio, people will be curious enough to find out more. On the other hand, if you have a bad and long bio they are certain never to want to learn anything about you. (The second example is a revised creation of the auto bio generator)

If you are asked for a bio because you are speaking somewhere, perhaps Ignite Seattle, shape your bio to best fit what you are speaking about. Your bio will be read by people at that event to help them understand what you?ll be talking about.

For example, if you are speaking on fly fishing, don?t do this:

Sally Shmeckes is a software developer and designer who has written code in every language known to mankind. ?She works mostly as a hired gun for startups in trouble, who need a superhero to help turn trainwreck projects around. She studied 3-D Film Theory and Anti-Nuclear Architecture at the University of?Ridiculousness, and has 3 children if you count her husband.

Do something like this instead:

Sally Schemkes is a veteran software developer and designer. Her Dad taught her to fly fish before she could walk and she has fished every day since he died. She?s on twitter at @sallyschemkes56.

3. Invert your pyramid

Put the important facts first. The fancy term for this is the Inverted Pyramid. Assume with each word in your bio that fewer and fewer people will keep reading.

This is good:

Bono is the lead singer for the rock band U2. He is an advocate for many important political and social causes. His real name is Paul Hewson.?He owns many interesting pairs of glasses.

Not this:

Bono likes the color red, especially on Tuesdays. He loves to drink whiskey (on all days). He learned to drink whisky from his childhood friend Zippo, when they went to school together at Mount Temple Comprehensive School. His real name is?Paul Hewson,?He is best known as the lead singer for the band U2.

4. Be clever only if you?re certain it?s actually clever

From the Department of Made up Facts:

• Percent of people who think they are clever: 64%
• Percept of people who are actually clever: 6%

If you think you are clever, and write what you think is a clever bio, get feedback on it from someone you know who is actually clever. If they approve, you have our blessing. One good joke in a bio is more than enough.

5. Watch the slashes Jack

A sad trend born of Twitter are bios where people self describe themselves by a dozen different traits. This makes you look like someone who sucks at everything. It?s fine to be a Jack of All Trades, but to insist on telling everyone you?re a Jack of All trades mostly makes you Jack of Many Annoyances. Our species has small brains: we need you to tell us the one or two of your trades that will be most relevant to us, or to what you will be talking about.

Instead of:

Nina Nana is a designer/juggler/smuggler/hellraiser/accountant/anti-ninja/metallurgist/snake charmer

Since this is a bio and not metadata listing for SEO purposes, have some courageous clarity:

Nina Nana is a designer who has mastered juggling, smuggling and many glorious pursuits?of diverse?ingenuity.

That?s all. Happy bio writing!

Source: http://www.igniteseattle.com/2013/01/how-to-write-a-good-bio/

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Comments - Free Business Listings in Australia

Homeland Security Careers

The Department of Homeland Security in the United States has been growing quite fast over the past decade, and there are numerous new career opportunities available to people who are currently seeking employment. The jobs available are for people with different levels of knowledge and backgrounds, therefore there is really something for everyone to look at these days.

You will find four main career paths to consider in the Department of Homeland Security, every path comes with a different area of expertise that is required to get started.

The first career path is mission support. Some examples of the types of openings available under this category include positions at the Military Advisor?s office, the Office of the Secretary and the National Cyber Security Center. There are a number of different positions to be found in this employment field, and the annual salary can vary from $35,000 to $120,000 per year.

The next career path someone can follow is the Law Enforcement arm of Homeland Security. They are basically the those who will be seen more often by the public. The US Secret Service falls under this category of Homeland Security, and US Customs and Border Protection are as well part of this field. You will need to follow specific trainings to get one of these jobs.

The next branch of Homeland Security has to do with travelling. Most job seekers know about the Transportation Security Administration because of the bad rep it has received ever since it was created, but US Citizenship and Immigration Services are as well part of this department. You?ll have to go through a training process if you want to work for the TSA any time soon.

The last branch of Homeland Security that you may wish to take a look at is the branch focused on prevention and response. FEMA and the US Coast Guard are involved with this branch of the Department of Homeland Security. There are many various types of vacancies available at these two branches, and various positions will come with different sets of requirements and prerequisites.

Employment911?s Federal resume services and free government job search tools will help you find a Federal job fast.

No comments yet.

Source: http://www.businesslistingnow.com/blog/homeland-security-careers/

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India's enigmatic Gandhi embraces politics in emotive speech

JAIPUR, India (Reuters) - Rahul Gandhi embraced his role as a leading contender for India's next prime minister in a speech on Sunday that spoke of his family's tragic history but yielded few clues about his views on politics and the economy.

Gandhi is heir to a dynasty that began with India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and is now headed by his mother, Sonia Gandhi, president of the ruling Congress party. His background and relative youth make him the party's main hope for elections due next year in the world's largest democracy.

His father Rajiv and grandmother Indira were both prime ministers and were both assassinated, which the 42-year-old Rahul suggested was a factor in his earlier reluctance to assume a big role in one of the world's oldest and largest political parties.

Sharing a stage with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the finance minister and other leading members of the cabinet, Gandhi told a packed auditorium of party workers about playing badminton with the men who shot his grandmother when he was eight years old.

"I was taught how to play in my grandmother's house by two policemen who protected my grandmother. They were my friends, then one day they killed my grandmother and took away the balance in my life," Gandhi told the rapt audience.

"Last night my mother came to my room and she cried," he said. "She cried because she understands the power that so many people seek is actually a poison. She can see it, what it does to people around and to the people they love," he said.

Late on Saturday at a weekend long brainstorming meeting, Gandhi was anointed vice-president of the party, which carried India to independence from the British and has ruled for much of the 66 years since, headed four times by his kin.

Congress won a second consecutive term leading the governing coalition in 2009 thanks to fast economic growth and welfare policies that helped the rural poor.

Since then it has disappointed voters, especially in the fast-growing cities, with a string of corruption scandals and a weaker economy. But it faces a divided opposition and still has a fair chance of returning to power in the next elections.

Scalded by spontaneous anti-rape and corruption protests near the seat of government in New Delhi, the party is scrambling to win over an angry and influential young urban population. Gandhi represents the party's youth wing, and his emergence as a new leader is an attempt to project a fresh face for the 127-year-old organization.

"SHY"

The speech was widely praised as "inspirational" by party members and analysts, but the previously reticent leader, who led two losing campaigns at state level, will now have to prove himself leading up to a general election due next year.

Gandhi has been silent for most of the past 12 months and is rarely heard in parliament where he was elected eight years ago.

At the weekend-long meeting in Jaipur where he spoke, he kept mostly out of sight, absent on stage even as the octogenarian prime minister sat cross-legged on a mattress listening to speech after speech praising the young Gandhi.

He is widely seen as a shy character who has entered politics because his party requires a unifying figure, more than from personal drive.

"He might give you the feeling that he is a little lost or something, that he's shy of words, but once he knows you he's as sharp as a whip," said one regional party spokesman who has met Gandhi.

"He becomes a little different once he's comfortable, and we have to appreciate ... that he had a sheltered kind of upbringing, through no fault of his, because of the security concerns."

Gandhi has so far said little about his views on how best to manage Asia's third-largest economy, which is headed for the slowest rate of growth in a decade this financial year.

In his speech, he called for an end to "red tape and outdated laws" that slow job creation. Along with his mother he has recently thrown his weight behind economic reforms that Prime Minister Singh has pushed in a bid to revive growth and stabilize the economy.

With no direct reference to his own hereditary ascent to prominence, Gandhi lashed out at entrenched elites he said stifled talent in India and fed discontent among the youth.

"Power is grossly centralized in our country, we only empower people at the top of a system," he said.

The theme of youth that dominated the three-day meeting, called to analyze challenges the party faces before the elections, echoed the 1980s era that brought his father Rajiv Gandhi into politics after the death of Indira Gandhi.

His father failed to overhaul the party but is widely credited with ushering in the telecoms and technology revolutions that have driven India's economic growth ever since.

Gandhi's address appeared to draw from U.S. President Barack Obama's narrative-driven rhetoric, with a repeated theme of hope and heartfelt anecdotes in the speech, breaking with a tradition of dry, technical speeches from Indian politicians.

"This is the Congress party's Obama moment," Jairam Ramesh, India's rural development minister told Reuters before the speech, predicting Gandhi's new prominence would energize the party's base.

But a cabinet minister close to the party leadership warned that the task ahead for Gandhi was not easy.

"The challenges are many, the expectations are many," said the minister. "He has his work cut out. Competition is intense. It will be baptism by fire."

(Additional reporting by Nigam Prusty in JAIPUR and Rajesh Kumar Singh in NEW DELHI; Editing by Jason Webb)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/indias-enigmatic-gandhi-embraces-politics-emotive-speech-185825506.html

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5 steps to giving effective feedback ? Business Management Daily ...

You give instructions, but people don?t follow your lead. The solution is to prepare so that you provide supportive, timely coaching.

Rushing to give feedback rarely pays off. Follow these five steps to pave the way for effective coaching:

1. Know what matters most. Isolate the most important issue and focus on it as you begin the conversation. Don?t let extraneous concerns interfere. In addition to defining what matters most, think through why it matters and what outcome you want to produce as a result of your coaching.
2. Check your motivation. Ideally, you want to coach from a position of support with a genuine eagerness to enhance a staffer?s performance. If you feel angry or resentful?or you lack confidence and that makes you defensive?then you may alienate the person you?re trying to instruct.
3. Support your main point. Before you make an assertion about an em??ployee?s performance, be ready to cite an example or two. That allows you to begin the coaching session by identifying the core issue and adding, ?Here?s an example.?
4. Pick the best time. Attempting to coach when either you or the employee is tired, distracted or aggrieved can sabotage your success. Confirm that the listener is receptive to your message?and that you can concentrate on delivering it without interruption.
5. Establish a back-and-forth rhythm. To avoid talking too much, stop after every few sentences and let the em??ployee chime in. This helps you monitor whether your comments hit the mark.

? Adapted from ?Having Those Difficult Con?ver??sations with Ease,? Monika Jensen.

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Savvy Space Saving Techniques: How to Furnish a Small Living Room

How big is your living room? Regardless of its room size, you can still achieve a stylish, functional living space.

The average size of a living room has been decreasing over the years, with builders and proprietors decreasing the space to make room for studies, utility rooms and en-suite bathrooms. Dimensions Guide estimates that the typical living room is around 16-by-16-foot square.

How can you make the most of the space that you have and maximise its potential to ensure it is comfortable and chic? Fret not my friend. With this guide, you don?t need to worry about the sofa not fitting in, or where your TV will be placed.

1.????? Make use of the walls

Too many people forget that the walls of the living room are excellent storage opportunities for shelves.

But over the past couple of years, there has been an increase in the number of homeowners installing their televisions on the wall to save space.

This is an excellent idea because it means everyone can see the screen, wherever they are sat. Ideally, install the TV on a feature wall and hide the wires behind the wall.

Make sure it is firmly fixed with heavy-duty brackets for health and safety. The last thing anyone wants is to see their ?500 television crashing to the floor in the middle of Coronation Street or EastEnders.

2.????? Choose your sofa wisely

A large sofa can dominate a living room and make it appear smaller than it actually is.

The key to sofa buying is to purchase a number that is still functional but appropriate for the space available.

We recommend corner sofas and 2-seater sofas because they can fit nicely into the room without dwarfing over the d?cor. Footstools are great as extra chairs to sit on!

3.????? Choose dual purpose furniture

The living room can become clustered with the TV unit, coffee table, table stand, and DVD unit. Before you know it, there will be zero floor space to move from one end to the other.

Instead, why not make the most of dual purpose furniture? Use a low shelf unit as a table stand and purchase a coffee table that has storage, so you don?t need an extra unit to store the DVDs.

4.????? Be sneaky

Last but certainly not least, there are a number of sneaky techniques that can make the space appear larger than it actually is. The colour of your living room can play a big part as well as simply using mirrors.

It is an old-fashioned trick but it works wonders- hang a mirror on one wall and it will instantly make the room seem bigger.

?

There you have it; four tactics to help you furnish a small living room. Follow the points mentioned above, take advantage of every single inch in the room, and enjoy a stylish, comfortable home.

(All images courtesy of AHF and Shutterstock)

This article was written by Lauren Grice on behalf of AHF; a leading furniture and carpet chain in the UK. To find the nearest store to you, check out the store finder on the website. The experts have stores across the UK including AHF Coventry, Skegness, Rochdale, Harrogate, and more.

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Source: http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/savvy-space-saving-techniques-how-to-furnish-a-small-living-room/

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To the Ends of the Earth: The Heroic Age of Polar Exploration

Image: Scientific American

Editor?s note: On January 20, 2013, an expedition called the Shackleton Epic will begin an attempt to be the first team to authentically re-create Sir Ernest Shackleton?s voyage of survival crossing 800 nautical miles of the treacherous southern ocean, from Elephant Island to South Georgia, and the climb over it. You can follow the group?s exploits online.

You can get a sense of the danger involved to the first explorers to the poles a century ago from the Scientific American Classics special digital edition, Tragedy and Triumph: The Heroic Age of Polar Exploration (July 2012). The following, originally published with the title ?To the Ends of the Earth,? is the introduction to the edition, which compiles articles from our archive. See other special digital editions on our Classics page.

?

An era of breathless anticipation came to an end on March 7, 1912, when Roald Amundsen landed in Tasmania and sent telegrams announcing that he and his team of Antarctic explorers had reached the South Pole on December 14, 1911. Just weeks after that historic announcement?on or about March 29, 1912?Amundsen?s one-time rival for this feat of geographic primacy, Robert Falcon Scott, and the last surviving members of his five-man team perished on the windswept snow of the Ross Ice Shelf, although news of Scott?s death did not reach the outside world until months later.

Robert E. Peary and Frederick Cook had already reported success in reaching the North Pole a few years earlier, although Cook?s report was later discredited. The poles had been conquered at long last, after decades of exploration during which humans repeatedly tried, failed and finally succeeded in reaching each of these most remote corners of our world. In this special volume commemorating the passage of a century since the world learned that the South Pole had been attained, Scientific American takes a look back at its coverage of that remarkable era and the events leading up to it.

The age of polar exploration provided a wealth of information for science to sift, while at the same time fulfilling the aspirations of nations to compete with others and even to stake potential territorial claims, with all the attendant allure of financial gain. It is easy to see why the pursuit of science was a goal to be cherished and emphasized in this mix of motivations: there were many reasons to be skittish of the potential for conflict and colonialism, but little could be more noble than knowledge.

At the turn of the 20th century, all eyes turned to the poles as it became clear that these two grand prizes of exploration lay within human grasp. Polar expeditions enjoyed the interest and support of the public, governments and academies of science alike. Today?s polar scientist frequently marvels as she or he looks back at what these early scientist-explorers accomplished, as they laid the foundations that remain firm to this day in fields ranging across geology, meteorology, biology, glaciology, and more.

It was a time dubbed the ?Heroic Age? of polar exploration?who could not be moved to admire the men who set out to explore these desolate, frigid and forbidding lands? It was also an era when the simple act of going to places never before trod on by human feet would inevitably lead to scientific as well as geographic insights. The articles contained in this collection remind us of an epoch when experts debated whether the North Pole was surrounded by an inland sea that could be sailed; a thick, smooth ice sheet that could be easily traversed by a sleigh; or?as proved to be the case, to the dismay of explorers and the fascination of scientists?devastatingly unstable stretches of open water within fields of shifting sea ice. This volume takes us back to a time when educated people wondered whether the Arctic was colder than the Antarctic and whether the southern continent would be inhabited. The news columns and articles of Scientific American from that time are replete with the rich rewards that exploration brought back to the scientific world by answering these and a host of other questions.

These pages offer a window into the worlds of Amundsen, Scott, Cook, Peary and other explorers at a time when readers were also following the progress in developing flying machines and the question of whether it would cost a nickel or a dime to ride the New York subway. This was also an era of technological advance and innovation in the tools of exploration, including ships to brave the Arctic ice, early attempts to build motorized sledges, and photography capable of withstanding the extreme cold and capturing polar vistas that were sure to inspire and motivate any scientifically- minded American reader. As you read the original accounts of this extraordinary age of polar exploration, written a century or more ago, you may be reminded of the common character of exploration, science and technology, each of which celebrate the opening of new frontiers, the discovery of unknown facts and the advancement of human endeavors.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A Century after Scott and Amundsen, the Antarctic Still Beckons

By John Horgan

THE NORTH POLE

The North Pole and Its Seekers
October 28, 1868

New Expeditions to the Arctic Regions
June 24, 1871

The Latest Arctic Explorations?The Remarkable Escape of the Polaris Party
June 7, 1873

Rescue of the Remaining Survivors of the Polaris
October 4, 1873

The Latest Polar Expedition
December 26, 1874

Work for Arctic Explorers
July 17, 1875

The British Arctic Expedition

The Coming Arctic Expeditions
May 22, 1875

The British Arctic Expedition
August 28, 1975

July 3, 1876
The Search for the Pole

The British Arctic Expedition
December 23 and 30, 1876

The Recent Arctic Expedition
January 20, 1877

Another Approach: Balloons and Airships

Some Suggestions for Future Polar Expeditions
February 13, 1877

Proposed New British Polar Expedition
September 20, 1879

To the North Pole by Balloon
July 13, 1895

Wellman?s Airship for His North Polar Expedition
By the Paris Correspondent of the Scientific American
July 7, 1906

The Wellman Polar Airship Expedition
By the Paris Correspondent of the Scientific American
June 22, 1907

Farther North

The American Arctic Expedition
September 14, 1878

The Peary Arctic Expedition
July 15, 1893

Nansen?s Polar Expedition
March 14, 1896

The Recent Failures of Arctic Expeditions
August 29, 1896

The Return of Lieut. Peary
September 27, 1902

The Polar Regions
June 11, 1904

Peary?s New Ship for Work in Arctic Seas
October 8, 1904

Peary and the North Pole
July 15, 1905

Peary?s Arctic Ship, The ?Roosevelt?
July 15, 1905

Peary?s ?Farthest North?
November 17, 1906

Race to the Finish: Peary and Cook

Peary?s Quest of the North Pole
July 18, 1908

Peary and? the North Pole
August 21, 1909

Dr. Cook and the North Pole
September 11, 1909

Dr. Cook?s Discovery of the North Pole
September 11, 1909

Honor to Whom Honor is Due
September 18, 1909

Commander Peary?s Discovery of the North Pole
September 18, 1909

Retrospect of the Year 1909: Exploration
January 1, 1910

?Investigating? Peary
April 22, 1911

THE SOUTH POLE

Exploring Antarctica

Antarctic Exploration
January 23, 1897

To South Polar Lands
February 13, 1897

The Voyage of the ?Discovery?
February 3, 1906

Antarctic Expeditions, Past and Present
Some Heroes of Exploration
November 11, 1911

Dr. Charcot?s Antarctic Expedition
November 30, 1907

Motoring Toward the Pole

By Motor Car to the South Pole
By J. S. Dunnet
October 19, 1907

The Shackleton Antarctic Expedition
By John Plummer
August 29, 1908

Lieut. Shackleton?s Antarctic Expedition
April 3, 1909

Lieut. Shackleton
April 9, 1910

Two Novel Motor Sleds
By Walter Langford
May 14, 1910

Race to the Finish: Amundsen and Scott

The Antarctic Expeditions
January 13, 1912

The Discovery of the South Pole
March 16, 1912

Amundsen?s Attainment of the South Pole
Progress of Antarctic Exploration
By G. W. Littlehales, Hydrographic Office, United States Navy
March 23, 1912

Capt. Scott at the South Pole
April 13, 1912

Shadows at the South Pole
June 15, 1912

The Scott Expedition and its Tragic End
A Sacrifice Made for Scientific Ideals
February 22, 1913

Achievements and Lessons of the Scott Expedition
March 1, 1913

To the South Pole with the Cinematograph
Film Records of Scott?s Ill-Fated Expedition
June 21, 1913

Science in the Heroic Age

The Height of the Antarctic Continent
By Walter Langford
June 4, 1910

The Renewed Siege of the Antarctic
January 17, 1914

Shackleton?s South Polar Expedition
The Value of His Scientific Observations
By Henryk Arctowski
June 17, 1916

Thawing Scott?s Legacy
A pioneer in atmosphere ozone studies, Susan Solomon rewrites the history of a fatal polar expedition
By Sarah Simpson
December 2001

Greater Glory
In the race to the South Pole, explorer Robert F. Scott refused to sacrifice his ambitious science agenda
By Edward J. Larson
June 2011

Source: http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=2a58a7784e61d5c85696256fbda11ea2

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Helicopter Crash In Central London (Updating)

A helicopter has crashed into a crane in Vauxhall, London, after it failed to see the structure do thick fog. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/tkzMU9R1f0A/helicopter-crash-in-central-london-updating

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Virtually Speaking Science

About the Author: Bora Zivkovic is the Blog Editor at Scientific American, chronobiologist, biology teacher, organizer of ScienceOnline conferences and editor of Open Laboratory anthologies of best science writing on the Web. Follow on Twitter @boraz.

More??

The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Scientific American.

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Faces In Space: Planets, Celestial Formations That Look Like Visages (PHOTOS)

When you stare up into space, some things stare back. No, not aliens. But these "faces in space" are formations on planets, stars or clouds of gas that look uncannily like visages.

Scroll down for photos.

You've probably heard of the "Man in the Moon" or the face on Mars, but what about the Cookie Monster on Mercury or the eyelike Helix Nebula?

Psychologists have a name for the phenomenon that makes people see faces on inanimate objects. It's called pareidolia, and it's helped people identify patterns in space for millennia -- the constellations are a particularly old example.

They may not be the evidence of alien life that UFOlogists are looking for, but even the most skeptical among us can agree that these faces in space are fascinating fixtures of our universe.

Check out the slideshow below for 10 "faces in space," and next time you're staring out into the sky, give 'em a wink.

• Mars Face

  Taken in 1976 by the Viking 1 probe, this photo caused a stir until later, higher-resolution photos showed that the "face" was actually just a consequence of shadows falling in a particular way.

• Mickey On Mercury

  NASA's Messenger orbiter spotted <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/18/mickey-mercury-nasa-crater-messenger-orbiter_n_1605610.html">this jolly little set of craters</a> in Mercury's southern hemisphere in June, 2012.

• Cookie Monster On Mercury

  NASA's Messenger mission also snapped <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/12/cookie-monster-craters-mercury-nasa-photo_n_1962053.html">this set of craters that resemble the Sesame Street character</a>. The photo, taken in October, 2012.

• Mars Smiley Face

  The 'smiley face' on the right of this photo is Mars' Galle Crater, as photographed by the Mars Global Surveyor in 1999.

• Phantom Of The Opera Neutron Star

  The Vela pulsar, here captured by NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/09/vela-pulsar-phantom-opera-mask-video_n_2435297.html?utm_hp_ref=science">bears a striking resemblance to a masquerade mask.</a> The pulsar, located about 1,000 light years from Earth, was photographed in January, 2013.

• Libya Montes 'Face'

  Unlike the more famous Martian face (slide 1), this pattern is visible from multiple angles. The photo was taken by Mars Global Surveyor in 2000.

• Helix Nebula 'Eye'

  It may look like the Eye of Sauron, but it's actually <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/06/helix-nebula-photo-giant-eye-space-nasa-telescopes_n_1943656.html">a dying star (nebula) in the constellation Aquarius</a>. This 2004 image of the nebula was captured by the Hubble Telescope.

• Man In The Moon

  People have been seeing faces in lunar craters for millennia, and this 2012 diagram is just one possible interpretation of the moon's facial features.

• Moon Rabbit

  The Moon Rabbit, a fixture of Aztec and East Asian myth, appears with its traditional mortar and pestle in this 2005 diagram. In Chinese folklore, the rabbit is said to be pounding out the ingredients of the elixir of life for moon goddess Chang'e.

• A Trip To The Moon

  This is a still from what is widely considered the first science fiction film, the 1902 silent classic, "A Trip To The Moon."

Also on HuffPost:

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Joint church services for Florence/Van Brocklin on Jan. 20

FREEPORT? Florence United Methodist Church and Van Brocklin United Methodist Church, 3582 S. Bolton Road, Freeport, will have a combined worship service at 9 a.m. on Jan. 20.

Following the service there will be a carry-in/open house at Pastor Kathleen and Kyle's house; guests are asked to bring a dish to pass. There will be no church at Florence that day. For more information, call 815-235-1101.

Source: http://www.journalstandard.com/news/x1926907578/Joint-church-services-for-Florence-Van-Brocklin-on-Jan-20

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Set of Wedding Invitation cards design vector 05

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Tom Cruise says making movies is still fun

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) ? Even though he's been a Hollywood star for three decades, Tom Cruise says he still has fun making movies.

Cruise was in Seoul on Thursday to promote "Jack Reacher," a thriller adapting Lee Child's novel "One Shot," part of the best-selling series about a mysterious ex-military investigator.

Appearing at a news conference with director Christopher McQuarrie and co-star Rosamund Pike, Cruise said, "It was so much fun making the film."

He said the wit of the movie and the charm of his character were elements that made the film fun.

Pike, who played James Bond girl Miranda Frost in "Die Another Day" in 2002, said she and Cruise enjoyed good on-screen chemistry ? something she said she "never thought" she'd say.

"You can even like a guy very much, like an actor very much, and there isn't any chemistry," she said but added, "It was a great relationship to play. It was a lot of fun."

Cruise was making his fifth trip to South Korea and received honorary citizenship in the city of Busan on Thursday evening. "Jack Reacher" opens in South Korea next Thursday. The 50-year-old actor was in Tokyo on Wednesday for the film's Japan premiere.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/tom-cruise-says-making-movies-still-fun-070627245.html

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Philips showcases its 2013 Fidelio audio lineup at CES, we go eyes ...

January 7, 2013

Philips Fidelio Wireless Hi-Fi effortlessly connects you to a universe of music
Award-winning high fidelity sound from smartphones, tablets, laptops or streamed from the Internet

LAS VEGAS - Today at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Philips launches the ultimate solution for high definition wireless music at home: the Philips Fidelio Wireless Hi-Fi range. Including the EISA award-winning flagship A9 speakers that feature a solid wood finish and six Hi-Fi transducers, it's a range that's designed to appeal to the most discerning music lovers.

"The way we listen to music is changing, and so is the technology we use for enjoying music at home," said Edouard Petit, marketing manager Audio at Philips. "We are now living in a connected world. Our music is stored on smartphones, tablets and laptops, and we are increasingly enjoying a stream of unlimited music from the Internet. Delivering on strong heritage in sound, the new Philips Fidelio Wireless Hi-Fi range gives you access to a whole universe of music at your fingertips."

Demonstrating the strength of the new range, the flagship Philips Fidelio Wireless Hi-Fi speakers A9000 were recently awarded 'European Wireless Speakers of the Year 2012-13' by the European Imaging and Sound Association. While the A3000 was honored by the Consumer Electronics Association by receiving a 2013 CES Innovations Award.

The Philips Fidelio Wireless Hi-Fi range gives you access to a whole universe of music without moving an inch. You can stream and enjoy music from your smartphone or tablet, whether it is an Android or an Apple device. You can also enjoy your entire music library stored on your PC or Mac, as well as from online music services such Napster, along with over 30,000 Internet radio stations from TuneIn.

Napster, one of the most recognizable digital music brands in the world, offers more than 15 million titles from all genres, as well as a wide range of audio books. Furthermore, Napster provides personally tailored recommendations and playlists, channels and music features pre-programmed by their team of music experts.

High-Fidelity sound With an 80 year heritage in acoustics, Philips has always been, and continues to be driven by its obsession with sound. Fidelio is Philips' premium range of high fidelity audio products and the latest evolution of this obsession. The Fidelio Wireless Hi-Fi speakers range has been built with professional grade Hi-Fi drivers, Class-D digital amplifiers, gold plated connectors and lossless audio support so you can hear every detail in pristine quality. The distinctive diamond-shape cabinets provide high rigidity for tight and deep bass reproduction, and cater for a very wide sweet-spot, filling even large rooms with music from these impressive compact speakers.

Control from anywhere
Enjoying wireless control of your music is easy. To set your speakers up you just need to download the Philips AirStudio app for Apple and Android. It will guide you through a few steps to connect your speakers to your home network. It's a simple, automated process in which you just need to enter your Wi-Fi password and assign a name to your speakers. The app features a simple drag and drop interface making it easy to connect any music source to the speaker of your choice.

Fill more rooms with sound
Bring high fidelity sound to any room at home with the extensive range of Fidelio Wireless Hi-Fi. Whether you're looking for a whole new audio system or prefer to upgrade your existing setup, the Fidelio range comprises of different audio solutions, from all-in-one speaker systems such as the Fidelio AW9000, AW5000 or AW3000, to a receiver like the Fidelio AW1000, which connect to your existing speakers and/or amplifier. For a completely immersive home audio experience, Philips AirStudio can control multiple speakers so you can enjoy different music in different rooms.

Introducing the Philips Fidelio Wireless Hi-Fi range
The leader of the range is the Philips Fidelio Wireless Hi-Fi speakers AW9000. Built for true sound enthusiasts, it delivers excellent stereo imaging throughout the whole listening room thanks to its unique shape. Crafted with solid wood, this set of two loudspeakers features six Hi-Fi transducers and is at ease with any type of music, with a sound that is wide, clear and impressively deep. Digital and analog inputs allow for a wide range of connectivity to your TV/AV equipment. The AW9000 speakers will be available in January with a suggested retail price of $549.99.

The Philips Fidelio Wireless Hi-Fi speaker AW5000 is a single stereo unit, featuring two high quality soft dome tweeters and two 4.25" mid-woofers in a bass-reflex enclosure. Large woofers and high power output mean the A5 provides an immersive listening experience even in large rooms, thanks to a generous 5.5 liters of acoustic volume. A universal speaker mounting system adds versatility to the design. The AW5000 will be available in January with a suggested retail price of $349.99.

The Philips Fidelio Wireless Hi-Fi speaker AW3000 is a compact speaker that produces a powerful and detailed sound. This sleekly designed cube was honored by the Consumer Electronics Association with a 2013 CES Innovations Award. The stereo unit is built around a two-way system featuring a soft dome tweeter and a powerful compact woofer loaded by a passive radiator, for each channel. The A3 is also wall-mountable, and like all models in the range, it features five discreet, direct keys to your favorite Internet radio stations for instant access to your music. The AW3000 will be available in January and have a suggested retail price of $249.99.

The Philips Fidelio Wireless Hi-Fi Link AW1000 lets you upgrade your existing stereo or home theatre system into a wireless Hi-Fi system. The AW1000 will be available in January and have a suggested retail price of $149.99.

Philips' AirStudio app is available free from the App store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at HYPERLINK "http://www.iTunes.com/appstore" www.iTunes.com/appstore. Android? users can download the AirStudio app via the Google Play store.

###

Philips Party Machine
FWP3200D

Unleash superior sound and start the ultimate party with the Philips Mini System Party Machine (FWP3200) announced today at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This mini system features dual rotating docks that function as "turntables", allowing users to be the DJ and play, mix and/or scratch their music. Channel faders make it simple to switch between tracks or blend the music together in a true DJ fashion. A customizable built-in light show adds a fun element to the party. A durable and hip design makes the Philips Party machine the perfect addition to kick any event up a notch.

Enjoy the Music from Multiple Sources
Channel faders for swapping playback between 2 devices
USB Direct for easy MP3 playback
MP3 link for portable music playback
Headphone connection
Play and charge iPod?/ iPhone in the dock simulataneously
Compatible with iPhone, iPhone3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone4, iPhone4S

Enrich Your Sound Experience
MAX sound for instant power boost
Digital sound control for optimized music style settings
300W RMS total output power

Enhance the Party with Club-like Features
Simple setup allows you to connect other Philips Party Machine speakers to enhance the sound
Lightwight with built-in handles ensuring you can move the party from room to room easily
Dynamic lighting for dancing to the beat
Optional DJ app for mixing and scratching iPhone music

Available: January 2013
Suggested Retail Price: $349.99

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January 7, 2013

The toughest headphone Philips | O'Neill have ever made

LAS VEGAS - While only two years into their dynamic partnership, today Philips | O'Neill unveiled at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) a new headphone that takes the definition of durability to the next level. "THE CRASH" can withstand almost anything thrown into its path and offers an unmatched superior sound quality in a tough package. Finally, after months of tests, Philips | O'Neill can now officially spread the word that they developed the toughest headphone they have ever made: "THE CRASH"

The TR90 headband of "THE CRASH" will counteract all the force you put it through, resulting in a virtually indestructible headphone. Surviving forces up to an earth shattering 1500 kg of static force is the proof that "THE CRASH" punches well above its weight. If this wasn't enough, "THE CRASH" has a pro level sound produced by the speaker drivers that are completely protected with an ultra-strong, metal cabinet. This power combination ensures that the unprecedented sound quality survives your battle through the elements.

Philips | O'Neill team riders, Jeremy Jones and Mark Mathews chuck their boardbags into planes all over the world as they head to some of the toughest climates on the planet. Where Jeremy rides near vertical, previously untracked lines into the Alaskan backcountry, Mark surfs waves of a bone crushing height that scare most. Whatever the circumstances, they demand headphones that will withstand and endure all the abuse that they throw at them. And for this job ""THE CRASH" is the only fit.

Unrivaled strength doesn't have to mean uncomfortable though. Far from it in fact as "THE CRASH" features an Active and Chill mode, which offers a perfect fit whether "THE CRASH" is blasting tunes through your ears or left around the neck for when you want to chill.

Set for release in early 2013, "THE CRASH" headphone by Philips | O'Neill is Tested on Animals and is ready for your abuse.
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January 7, 2013

Philips Soundbar integrates subwoofer and wireless music playback in stunning design

LAS VEGAS - Today at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Philips announces the release of the Philips Soundbar speaker with integrated subwoofer and Bluetooth (HTL5120), the first intelligent soundbar to feature an orientation sensor and a built-in subwoofer. Available in black, the stylish design is Philips' most compact soundbar. It includes Bluetooth connectivity, so you can stream all your music directly from your smartphone, tablet or any other Bluetooth-enabled device.

"With this Soundbar we wanted to create a stylish and integrated solution that would look great in any home", said Todd Richardson, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for P&F, exclusive licensee for Philips consumer televisions and home theaters in North America. "We know that many people are looking for a home cinema sound solution that looks great but that doesn't take up too much space. Our big innovation with this product is that we've been able to integrate the subwoofer into the soundbar without compromising on the sound experience it delivers."

Traditionally, Soundbars are accompanied by a separate subwoofer that takes up space on the floor of the room and requires an additional cable to connect it. By integrating the subwoofer into the Soundbar itself, the overall effect is an elegant shape reminiscent of a plane's wing.

The Philips Soundbar includes intelligent technology that enables it to recognize if it's lying horizontally on a shelf or TV cabinet or if it's been mounted on a wall. Using smart equalization, it automatically adjusts to deliver the best sound performance in either position.

The sound experience is further enhanced by Philips' Virtual Surround Sound technology and advanced spatial algorithms that produce a rich and immersive audio experience from one source.

The Philips Soundbar also includes a second HDMI port that allows you to easily link your media system or games console. For music playback it connects wirelessly to any Bluetooth-enabled device, so the only wires needed are for power and a link to the TV, ensuring the design stays as striking as possible. The HTL5120 will be available in May with a suggested retail price of $249.99.

###

January 7, 2013

Philips Fidelio Portable Speaker allows you to listen to crystal clear music wherever
you go

LAS VEGAS - To enjoy your music wherever you are, Philips has released the first Fidelio
Portable Speaker, the P8. This new speaker offers high fidelity sound that stays true to the original
recording and offers an elegant design that makes it perfect for home and travel. You can now say
goodbye to tinny music from your smartphone or tablet.

The Fidelio Portable Speaker range merges high-quality sound with superior style. The P8 packs a
full range of woofer drivers and wOOx technology, delivering clear sound and surprisingly deep base
that brings your music collection to life. Sleekly designed with premium materials and a compact size,
the P8 features a touch sensor, which activates to show how much battery is remaining. To protect
the P8 when traveling a protective pouch is included

The Philips Fidelio Portable Speaker works with Bluetooth, so it is easy to wirelessly stream your
music from any Bluetooth-enabled device. To make sure it is universally connectable, an audio-in
makes connecting any device simple and the Li-ion battery ensures
that no matter where you go you can play your music loudly and
proudly for up to eight hours. You can also charge your smartphone
with the built-in USB port. The P8 will be available in March with a
suggested retail price of $199.99.

Philips Fidelio Portable Speaker P8

Quality drivers deliver natural sound with deep bass.
High performance amplifier for great loudness and dynamics
Wireless music streaming via Bluetooth
USB port for charging any mobile device
Built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery for playback anywhere
Battery level shows automatically when speaker is touched

###

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/07/philips-fidelio-ces-audio-lineup/

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U.S. stocks slip before earnings; oil dips

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock prices fell on Monday on worries about disappointing company results while world oil prices dipped on profit-taking, but signs of improvement in the global economy capped the losses.

The dollar fell against the yen after rallying to a 2-1/2- year high last week, which some traders reckoned was overdone. But it strengthened against the euro on speculation over whether the European Central Bank might signal future interest rate cuts when ECB officials meet on Thursday.

After a jolt of confidence from last week's budget deal in Washington, investors turned their focus to corporate profits in the last three months of 2012, when growth in American holiday spending and corporate investments were tepid.

"We have a cautious market entering fourth-quarter earnings season," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Rockwell Global Capital in New York. "I think it's going to be a disappointing one this time around."

Uneasiness about weak corporate results emerged even as data on Friday showed U.S. employers kept up a steady pace of hiring in December and the vast services sector had expanded.

The three major U.S. stock indexes opened lower. The Dow Jones industrial average was last down 39.87 points, or 0.30 percent, at 13,395.34. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 4.78 points, or 0.33 percent, at 1,461.69. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 4.93 points, or 0.16 percent, at 3,096.73.

After touching a 22-month peak last week, the FTSE Eurofirst index of top European shares was down 0.44 percent at 1,162.

MSCI's broad world equity index fell 0.28 percent but was still not far from an 18-month peak scaled when investors returned to the market after the immediate U.S. fiscal crisis was averted by a political deal in Washington.

The pullback in equities also spurred selling in oil, gold and other risky assets.

Brent crude futures slipped 38 cents or 0.31 percent to $110.93 per barrel after rising 0.6 percent last week, while U.S. oil futures dipped 8 cents or 0.1 percent to $93.01.

Spot gold was down 0.6 percent at $1,646.44 an ounce, though above Friday's $1,625.79, its lowest price since August.

In the currency market, the euro was little changed against the dollar at $1.3076, erasing early losses. It held above a three-week low of $1.2998 hit on Friday.

Analysts predicted it would stay around those levels until after the ECB meeting. Some expect the ECB to point to the prospect of easier rates early this year, contrasting with signals from Federal Reserve policymakers that the U.S. central bank it may pursue less-accommodative policies in the future.

The Bank of Japan is also expected to take major steps to stimulate that country's economy later this month as the new government aims to end deflation and recession.

The yen was weaker against the greenback, last down 0.4 percent at 87.83 yen.

Expectations of less-easy monetary policy from the Fed later this year underpinned weakness in U.S. government debt. The yield on benchmark Treasury 10-year notes ticked up to 1.915 percent, which was 6 basis points below the eight-month high set last Friday.

(Writing by Richard Leong; Additional reporting by Rodrigo Campos in New York; Richard Hubbard, Blaise Robinson, Anooja Debnath and David Brough in London; Editing by Dan Grebler)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/u-stocks-slip-earnings-oil-dips-155208716--finance.html

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