Pushing genome data analysis one step forward

ScienceDaily (Oct. 28, 2012) ? Due to the exponential increase in sequencing capacity, efficient tools for data analysis are becoming essential to process the vast amount of biological data. The GEM project, led by Paolo Ribeca from the Centro Nacional de An?lisis Gen?mico (CNAG) and including scientists from this center and the Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), allowed the development of a tool for the interpretation of genomic data that is several times faster and much more accurate than other tools currently being used.

The study has been published in the journal Nature Methods.

If we use the well-known comparison of the genome with a book, then we can say without fear of being wrong that it is a very complicated book. It is thousands of times bigger than a regular book, with more than 3 billion letters in total, each one being an A, C, G or T, as per the four possible bases of the DNA code. One can see the genome as a sequence of millions of words without breaks between them nor capitalization nor punctuation. Most words occur only once in the genome, but some can be found thousands of times with small variations. And reading this book gets even more complicated when you can only see short sentences with few words, each one randomly extracted from the book.

Last generation sequencing techniques used at the CNAG and the CRG, involve breaking the genome into small pieces (alike to short sentences from the book), sequencing such pieces and trying to find them back in the genome. The next step, mandatory in most biological experiments, would be assigning the sentences to their correct original location. However, this can be an extremely difficult task: sentences might be misspelled (sequencing is not a perfect process, and introduces errors) or slightly different (the genome of the individual being sequenced usually contains small variations if compared to the reference one). In addition, each sequencing experiment produces billions of short sentences.

This is the starting point that led some researchers at the CRG and the CNAG to design a computer program that helps to find sequences in the reference genome, quickly and accurately: such tools, called 'mappers', are essential to interpret data in genomic studies, as they represent the first analysis step for many biological experiments. After 5 years of development the result is the GEM (Genomic Multitool) mapper.

The GEM mapper is several times faster than other reference programs in the field and delivers breathtaking performance, matching into the huge human genome of reference about 40 million sequences per hour on a single CPU core. As it uses algorithms that guarantee that it doesn?t miss matches, GEM is also much more accurate than other comparable programs. In addition, GEM allows the parameters of the search to be tuned to the specific requirements of the biological experiment being performed, offering a versatility that cannot be achieved with most existing tools.

The good performance profile of GEM will help to face a practical problem: the dramatic increase in the amount of sequencing data. As an example, the CNAG started operations in 2010 with a park of 12 second generation sequencers that generated roughly 50 Gbases per day. Thanks to the recent spectacular advances in sequencing technology, today, only 2 and a half years after, the CNAG generates almost 20 times more data with the same number of sequencing machines. However, it would have been impossible to increase the computing resources of the CNAG accordingly (and this is a problem common to biomedical research everywhere in the world). Hence, the development of more efficient analysis tools like GEM is essential to keep up with the increasing rate of production.

The GEM tools are a neat example of excellence research, and a world-class tool, entirely developed in Spain; although the project is lead by an Italian team member, the whole work has been carried out in Barcelona. This accomplishment was made possible by the very early adoption of next-generation sequencing machines at the CRG (in 2008), and the subsequent sustained investment in sequencing technologies by the Catalan and Spanish governments that culminated in the creation of the CNAG.

The research was funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Educaci?n y Ciencia (Consolider program), by the US National Institutes of Health/National Human Genome Research Institute, and by the European Union (READNA and ESGI programs).

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Centre for Genomic Regulation, via AlphaGalileo.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Marco-Sola S, Sammeth M, Guig? R and Ribeca P. The GEM mapper: fast, accurate and versatile alignment by filtration. Nat. Methods, 2012 DOI: 10.1038/NMETH.2221

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/L46guf0r71M/121028142215.htm

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Scientists deepen genetic understanding of multiple sclerosis

ScienceDaily (Oct. 25, 2012) ? Scientists have discovered that 30 per cent of our likelihood of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) can be explained by 475,806 genetic variants in our genome. Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS) commonly screen these variants, looking for genetic links to diseases.

Corey Watson, a recent Simon Fraser University doctoral graduate in biology, his thesis supervisor SFU biologist Felix Breden and three scientists in the United Kingdom have just had their findings published online in Scientific Reports. It's a sub-publication of the journal Nature.

An inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, MS is the most common neurological disorder among young adults. Canada has one of the highest MS rates in the world.

Watson and his colleagues recently helped quantify MS genetic susceptibility by taking a closer look at GWAS-identified variants in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region in 1,854 MS patients. The region has long been associated with MS susceptibility.

The MS patients' variants were compared to those of 5,164 controls, people without MS.

They noted that eight percent of our 30-per-cent genetic susceptibility to MS is linked to small DNA variations on chromosome 6, which have also long been associated with MS susceptibility.

The MHC encodes proteins that facilitate communication between certain cells in the immune system. Outside of the MHC, a good majority of genetic susceptibility can't be nailed down because current studies don't allow for all variants in our genome to be captured.

"Much of the liability is unaccounted for because current research methods don't enable us to fully interrogate our genome in the context of risk for MS or other diseases," says Watson.

The researchers believe that one place to look for additional genetic causes of MS may be in genes that have variants that are rare in the population. "The importance of rare gene variants in MS has been illustrated in two recent studies," notes Watson, now a postdoctoral researcher at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

"But these variants, too, are generally poorly represented by genetic markers captured in GWAS, like the one our study was based on."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Simon Fraser University.

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Journal Reference:

1. Corey T. Watson, Giulio Disanto, Felix Breden, Gavin Giovannoni, Sreeram V. Ramagopalan. Estimating the proportion of variation in susceptibility to multiple sclerosis captured by common SNPs. Scientific Reports, 2012; 2 DOI: 10.1038/srep00770

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/b_ASDX4kcmg/121025161757.htm

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Pandora, Clear Channel Join Lobby Group for Lower Web Radio ...

Pandora, Clear Channel, Others Form Lobby Group for Lower Web Radio Payments; MusicFirst Pushes Back

Pandora and Clear Channel are among the founding members of the Internet Radio Fairness Coalition, a collection of companies, trade associations and advocacy groups announced today that are throwing their weight behind bills that aim to lower the rates webcasters pay for the performance of sound recordings.

The group's namesake is the Internet Radio Fairness Act of 2012, legislation that seeks lower webcaster royalties by changing how the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) sets rates. The proposed legislation would replace the "willing buyer and willing seller" standard with the 801(b) guidelines used by satellite radio and cable. Using the 801(b) guidelines would allow the rates to be set using criteria that take into account the public interest, the return earned by copyright owners, the minimization of risk in the industry, and the interplay between creative contribution and capital investment.

Other founding members of the coalition include Consumer Electronics Association, terrestrial broadcaster Salem Communications, AccuRadio, Small Webcaster Alliance and Computer and Communications Industry Association.

Business Matters: The Truth About Pandora's Payments to Artists

Record labels and webcasters have different definitions of fairness. Record labels will be putting their support behind a bill, currently in draft form, by Congressman Jerrold Nadler that proposed to bring satellite radio and cable radio rates up to the level of webcasters.

Each side should have a chance to speak on the record soon enough. Sources say a Congressional hearing is likely in either late November or early December.

Clear Channel has already found some market-based solutions. The company has negotiated direct licenses with Big Machine Label Group and Glassnote Entertainment that cover both terrestrial and webcasting royalties. Terms of those deals have not been disclosed.

"We believe that market-based solutions are the way to go," said Bob Pittman, CEO of Clear Channel. "But in the absence of these agreements, the CRB needs to have and consider more relevant information so they are better? able to develop a rate structure that will lead to a healthy, sustainable Internet radio marketplace."

musicFIRST quickly came out against the creation of the coalition. Executive Director Ted Kalo said in a statement that supporters of the bill were trying create momentum where none exists. "This bill is now commonly known as the 'Screw Artists Act' because it would produce a windfall to millionaires, mandate a pay cut for artists, and provide no benefits to subscribers."

The organization says artists, music creators and other people wrote over 11,000 letters to Congress opposing the Internet Radio Fairness Act last weekend.

Source: http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/legal-and-management/pandora-clear-channel-join-lobby-group-for-1007990962.story

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Israel keeps silent on mysterious Sudan airstrike

A Sudanese man shows damage in his home caused by an artillery shell in Khartoum, Sudan, in this Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012 photo following an explosion and fire at a military factory south of the capital, Khartoum, killing at least two people as ammunition flew through the air. Senior Israeli officials on Thursday Oct 25 accused Sudan of playing a key role in an Iranian-backed network of arms shipments to hostile Arab militant groups across the Middle East. The tough comments are likely to fuel Sudanese allegations that Israel carried out the airstrike in the North African country's capital (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)

A Sudanese man shows damage in his home caused by an artillery shell in Khartoum, Sudan, in this Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012 photo following an explosion and fire at a military factory south of the capital, Khartoum, killing at least two people as ammunition flew through the air. Senior Israeli officials on Thursday Oct 25 accused Sudan of playing a key role in an Iranian-backed network of arms shipments to hostile Arab militant groups across the Middle East. The tough comments are likely to fuel Sudanese allegations that Israel carried out the airstrike in the North African country's capital (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)

JERUSALEM (AP) ? Senior Israeli officials accused Sudan on Thursday of playing a key role in an Iranian-backed network of arms shipments to hostile Arab militant groups across the Middle East, a day after a mysterious explosion rocked a weapons factory near the North African country's capital.

The tough words were likely to add to Sudanese suspicions that an Israeli airstrike was behind the blast. Israel has both the motive and means to carry out such an airstrike, and Sudan has accused Israel in the past of operating on its territory.

Israel considers Iran to be a grave threat, citing Iranian calls for Israel's destruction, suspicions that Iran is developing a nuclear bomb, and Iran's support for militant groups on Israel's southern and northern borders. Israeli officials have long contended that Sudan is a central player in Iranian efforts to funnel weapons to Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.

Sudan claimed Wednesday that Israeli airstrikes caused an explosion and fire at a military factory south of the capital, Khartoum, killing two people. It said four aircraft hit the Yarmouk complex, setting off a huge blast that rocked the capital before dawn.

"They used sophisticated technology," Sudan's information minister, Ahmed Belal Osman, said without elaborating. There was no word on the identities of the two people who were killed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to comment on the incident at a news conference with the visiting Italian premier, Mario Monti.

But Netanyahu's vice premier, Moshe Yaalon, said Israel had "nothing to cry about."

Speaking to Israel Radio, Yaalon described Sudan as an important base for both Iranian and al-Qaida militants to carry out mayhem.

"It's used as a base to disseminate terror, in Africa and in our direction too," he said. "There's no doubt that there is an axis of weapons from Iran via Sudan that reaches us, and not just us. It shows Iran continues to be a rogue state stirring up not a few conflicts in the region."

Sudan has been engaged in various armed conflicts for many years. Its government has been at war with rebels in the western region of Darfur and with its neighbors in South Sudan, which broke away to become Africa's newest country in 2011.

Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir, has been indicted by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Sudan was a major hub for al-Qaida militants and remains a transit for weapon smugglers and African migrant traffickers.

The U.S. imposed economic, trade and financial sanctions against Sudan in 1997, citing the Sudanese government's support for terrorism, including its sheltering of al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden in the mid-1990s. In 1998, American cruise missiles bombed a Khartoum pharmaceutical factory suspected of links to al-Qaida.

Jonah Leff, who monitors Sudan for the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey, said it remained unclear what caused Wednesday's blast. Although the U.S. also maintains warplanes in the region, he said Israel was the likely culprit if it turned out to be an airstrike.

"I can't think of anyone other than Israel that would have conducted it," he said, noting the Iranian ties with Sudan, the past reports of Israeli airstrikes in Sudan and Israel's emerging alliance with South Sudan.

Israel has grown increasingly concerned about the arms flow to both Hezbollah and Hamas. Israel believes that both groups possess tens of thousands of rockets, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles and other advanced weapons.

These concerns have been illustrated by a pair of incidents in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Israel shot down an unmanned Iranian-made aircraft launched by Hezbollah. This week, Hamas fired dozens of rockets into southern Israel during a brief flare-up of violence.

Israeli officials believe many of these weapons follow a circuitous route that begins in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, stretch through Dubai and on to Sudan, before crossing Egypt's lawless Sinai desert and into Gaza through underground tunnels. The Israeli air force periodically targets these tunnels in an attempt to halt the flow of weapons.

A number of other operations over the years have also been attributed to Israel. In 2009, Sudan accused Israel of carrying out an airstrike on an arms convoy near the Red Sea in eastern Sudan.

The following year, Hamas accused Israel of assassinating a top militant in a Dubai hotel room. Israel never confirmed involvement, but claimed the militant, Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, had worked in Sudan and played a critical role in shipping advanced Iranian rockets to Gaza.

Israel possesses a sophisticated air force of U.S.-made F-15 and F-16 warplanes, and has a record of carrying out daring air raids over enemy skies. In 1981, Israel destroyed an unfinished nuclear reactor being built in Saddam Hussein's Iraq. In 2007, it destroyed what the U.S. has said was a nearly finished nuclear reactor in neighboring Syria.

In recent months, Israel has hinted that it is ready to use its air force against Iran as well. Israel believes Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons ? a scenario that it considers a threat to its very existence. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but Israel and many Western countries dismiss this.

Israel has threatened to strike Iranian nuclear facilities if it concludes that international sanctions fail to stop the Iranians.

Some Israeli commentators said that if Israel had indeed carried out an airstrike that caused Wednesday's blast in Sudan, it might have been a dress rehearsal of sorts for an operation in Iran. Both countries are roughly 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) away from Israel, and an air operation would require careful planning and in-flight refueling.

But there are key differences as well. Iran has a far more advanced air-defense system than Sudan, and its nuclear facilities are scattered across the country in heavily fortified sites.

"The Iranians ought to be worried by Israel's ability to deceive and achieve surprise at such a vast distance from home ? if it was Israel that carried out the attack," wrote Alex Fishman, a military affairs commentator with the Yediot Ahronot daily. But, he noted, "a flight over Iran or to Iran is a more complicated effort."

Isaac Ben-Israel, a retired Israeli air force general and a former head of the Israeli space agency, said he had no idea what caused the explosion but that anyone with an advanced air force could pull it off.

He noted that Arab countries tend to blame Israel for any attack that takes place on their soil. In the case of the explosion in Sudan, he said Israel had no interest in confirming or denying its involvement.

"Even if it wasn't us," he said, "there's no damage in letting them think it was."

___

Follow Federman at www.twitter.com/joseffederman .

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-10-25-Israel-Sudan/id-1aa47be533e04c66b92e22b9a2ce02c1

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iPad mini coming to Verizon, AT&T and Sprint in mid-November starting at $459

Today, Apple finally announced its highly anticipated iPad mini. This 7.9-inch "little tablet that could" will be available from Verizon, AT&T and Sprint with shipping starting "a couple of weeks after" WiFi models go on sale on November 2nd. Available in black and white for $459 (16GB), $559 (32GB) and $659 (64GB), the company will begin accepting pre-orders on October 26th. So, if you plan on calling dibs on one of these little guys, we suggest that you plan accordingly.

Continue reading iPad mini coming to Verizon, AT&T and Sprint in mid-November starting at $459

Filed under: Misc, Apple, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T

iPad mini coming to Verizon, AT&T and Sprint in mid-November starting at $459 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/23/ipad-mini-coming-to-verizon-att-and-sprint/

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See how your favorite school ranked in the Cardinal Newman Society's 2013 college guide, hot off the presses...

The Cardinal Newman Society today released the 2012-2013 edition of The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College with significant new features, as well as a new companion magazine for Catholic high school students and their parents titled My Future, My Faith. Both publications are available free online or can be ordered in print at TheNewmanGuide.com.

Together these unique resources for Catholic families recommend 28 colleges, universities and online programs for fidelity and excellence and help families navigate the college search and the transition from high school to college life.

?It?s not enough that our Catholic sons and daughters survive college with their faith intact,? said Patrick J. Reilly, president of The Cardinal Newman Society. ?Catholic college graduates should be wise, pure, and ready to serve with distinction in any career and vocation. The colleges and universities in The Newman Guide provide this preparation for life.?

The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College is now in full color and features profiles of the 28 recommended institutions including information on academics, residence life, student activities and spiritual life. The profiles are completely updated after extensive campus visits and/or interviews with faculty, staff, administrators, students and alumni.

Each profile has a ?Quick Facts? box that notes the number of undergraduate students, median SAT scores and high school GPAs of admitted students, the number of majors offered, the percentage of students who are Catholic, and the cost of the college. The profiles also include a letter to parents and students from the college president and information on financial aid opportunities.

My Future, My Faith is a new, full-color magazine that features more than a dozen articles to help students and parents with the search for a Catholic college and to navigate the sometimes difficult transition to college education and campus life. Whereas a smaller set of articles was included in previous editions of The Newman Guide, The Cardinal Newman Society launched the companion magazine because families said the valuable advice was getting lost when paired with the college profiles.

Among the magazine?s features are ?Why Choose a Catholic College? by Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, ?A Checklist for Growing Your Faith? by Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay, ??Fidelity Matters: Catholic Colleges Are Not All the Same? by Father C. John McCloskey, and ?How to Know Which College Is Right for You.?

Other topics include keys for getting into a good college, how to write an exceptional application essay, tips for making a campus visit, and how to pay for college. For the first time The Cardinal Newman Society provides strategies for sustaining and growing your faith on campus, suggested rules for campus dating, and an article from FOCUS on why successful and happy students pursue chastity, sobriety and excellence.

The brand new website at TheNewmanGuide.com is a content-rich, easy-to-navigate online resource that includes all of the content contained in The Newman Guide and My Future, My Faith, plus promotional videos from the colleges, links to campus photo tours, a contact form for the admissions office of each recommended college, and social media links.

In addition, each recommended college has completed a comprehensive questionnaire on academics, student life and institutional governance, and their answers are published online. The questionnaire was developed in response to families? requests for information about everything from accreditation to majors, and from Mass times to student clubs.

The content available at TheNewmanGuide.com is equivalent to more than 400 pages of additional material for readers to use to help them find the right faithful college for their unique situation.

The 28 recommended institutions include 22 four-year colleges and universities in the United States, four institutions providing English-language instruction in other countries (Canada, Italy and Australia) and two online programs:

U.S. Colleges and Universities??????????????

Aquinas College (Nashville, Tenn.)

Ave Maria University (Ave Maria, Fla.)

Belmont Abbey College (Belmont, N.C.)

Benedictine College (Atchison, Kan.)

The Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.)

Christendom College (Front Royal, Va.)

The College of Saint Mary Magdalen (Warner, N.H.)

The College of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More (Fort Worth, Tex.)

DeSales University (Center Valley, Penn.)

Franciscan University of Steubenville (Steubenville, Ohio)

Holy Apostles College (Cromwell, Conn.)

Holy Spirit College (Atlanta, Ga.)

John Paul the Great Catholic University (San Diego, Calif.)

Mount St. Mary?s Univerity (Emmitsburg, Md.)

St. Gregory?s University (Shawnee, Ok.)

Thomas Aquinas College (Santa Paula, Calif.)

The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, N.H.)

University of Dallas (Irving, Tex.)

University of Mary (Bismarck, N.D.)

University of St. Thomas (Houston, Tex.)

Walsh University (North Canton, Ohio)

Wyoming Catholic College (Lander, Wyo.)

International and Online Institutions

Campion College (Old Toongabbie, Australia)

Catholic Distance University (online)

Ignatius-Angelicum Liberal Studies Program (online)

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy (Barry?s Bay, Ontario, Canada)

Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Rome, Italy)

Redeemer Pacific College (Langley, British Columbia, Canada)

About the Cardinal Newman Society

Founded in 1993, The Cardinal Newman Society is dedicated to promoting and defending faithful Catholic education. The Society is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization.

In addition to publishing The Newman Guide, the Society administers the Catholic High School Honor Roll, which recognizes high schools across America for excellence in Catholic identity, academics and civics education.

The Cardinal Newman Society?s Center for the Advancement of Catholic Higher Education works to support and foster collaboration among those presidents, faculty and staff interested in strengthening and protecting their colleges? Catholic identity.

The Society?s online publication and regular e-mail service, Campus Notes, reports on developments on Catholic campuses and works to defend Catholic identity by shining a light on scandal.

Additionally, the Society promotes Eucharistic Adoration and for The Real Presence Association is the national coordinator of the Vatican?s International Exposition ?The Eucharistic Miracles of the World? on college campuses.

Source: http://feeds.newadvent.org/~r/bestoftheweb/~3/xzeY14OmaSI/

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Anthony May appointed as new Interception of Communications ...

My all-time favourite regulator is to get a new head from 1 January 2013. Downing Street has announced that The Right Honourable Sir Anthony May will be the new Interception of Communications Commissioner.

As his full title suggests, this is hardly the appointment of an outsider to the post. His background may be very, very establishment but at least it is also rather distinguished:

He was appointed to the High Court in 1991 and to the Court of Appeal in 1997. He was the Vice-President of the Queen?s Bench Division from 2002-08 and the Deputy Head of Civil Justice 2000-03, and a member of the Civil Procedure Rule Committee (2000-03). He was the President of the Queen?s Bench Division from 2008 to his retirement in July 2011.

Let?s hope that means he brings a rather more critical eye to the job than his predecessors.

?

Keep up with the latest news and analysis
about the Liberal Democrats with my
free monthly email newsletter.

I scour hundreds of blogs and dozens of media outlets for the best news and analysis - so you don't have to. It's completely free and you can leave the list at any time. So why not give it a try today?

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Source: http://www.markpack.org.uk/36131/anthony-may-appointed-as-new-interception-of-communications-commissioner/

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Nokia's Latest Lumia Is Certainly Cheap, But Not Too Cheerful

This is Nokia's latest budget Lumia, the 510. Slotting in between the Lumia 610 and the Asha feature phone range, it's certainly budget-friendly—but that's not always a good thing. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/YjwH71p5cUk/nokias-latest-lumia-is-certainly-cheap-but-not-too-cheerful

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US Wealthy Will Increase or Continue Charitable Donations ...

US Wealthy Will Increase or Continue Charitable Donations According to New Study

-

Article posted on Reuters.com?By Jessica Toonkel 3 october?

(Reuters) ? Wealthy U.S. investors plan to donate more to charity in the next three to five years or continue giving at current levels, and about half contributed to political campaigns last year, according to survey results released on Wednesday.

The findings appear to indicate that wealthy investors are optimistic about the stock market and their financial well-being, said Una Osili, director of research for the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, which conducts the biennial study.

?We have more than 50 years of data to show that charitable giving is affected when the stock market is uncertain,? she said.

In periods of recession, such as 2001-2002 and 2008-2009, the number of gifts per quarter is less than half that in more prosperous periods, according to a 2011 study by Indiana University.

Twenty-four percent of the 700 high-net-worth investors surveyed said they planned to give more to charities in the next three to five years, while 52 percent said they would give as much as they do now, according to the study sponsored by Bank of America Corp. Nine percent said they planned to give less in that time.

Wealthy investors are making donations to political campaigns as well as charities.

Fifty-two percent of respondents said they had given to political causes in 2011 for purpose of electing or defeating a candidate. That is much higher than the average 10 percent to 12 percent of mainstream investors who do so, Osili said.

The high percentage of wealthy investors who said they were had contributed to political campaigns ?is really significant given that 2011 was not an election year,? said Claire Costello, philanthropic practice executive for U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management.

This was the first time that Bank of America asked the question, so could not provide historical context.

The political donations by wealthy investors are unlikely to interfere with their charitable giving, said Ken Nopar, a consultant to financial advisers.

?It?s usually above and beyond what they give to charity,? he said.

The nationwide survey was conducted by mail from April to August. It is based on responses from 700 U.S. households with a net worth of more than $1 million, excluding the value of their home, and/or annual income of more than $200,000.

Sixty percent of the wealthy investors surveyed said education was the among the top social issues that mattered to them, while 45 percent said health care, 38 percent said the economy and 34 percent said poverty.

Regardless, 36 percent of wealthy donors directed their largest gifts in 2011 to religion, while 25 percent donated to educational institutions and 8 percent to healthcare organizations.

(Reporting by Jessica Toonkel in New York; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)

Source: http://www.charitystar.org/?p=2779

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Netanyahu says doesn't know of any U.S.-Iran talks

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he didn't know about any U.S. plans to talk bilaterally with Iran, saying tougher sanctions and a "credible military option" were the best ways to peacefully halt Tehran's nuclear program.

The White House had earlier denied a New York Times report that Washington and Tehran had agreed in principle to hold bilateral negotiations to halt what the West fears is a plan by the Islamic Republic to develop nuclear weapons.

Addressing reporters at a civil defense drill to rehearse for a possible earthquake, Netanyahu accused Iran of having used talks with world powers in the past as a ruse "to drag its feet and to gain time to advance its nuclear weapons program."

"Israel doesn't know about these contacts and I can't confirm that they actually have taken place," Netanyahu said of the report about possible direct contacts between Washington and Tehran.

The New York Times said Iran had insisted that talks with Washington not begin until after a November 6 presidential election determines whether President Barack Obama will serve a second term or if challenger Mitt Romney will succeed him.

Netanyahu said he thought "the best way to resolve peacefully the question of Iran's nuclear program is through even tougher sanctions and a credible military option."

He said that "in the last year alone" Iran had enriched thousands of kilograms of uranium. "I don't see any reason why they wouldn't continue in that same way if they open up talks with the U.S.," Netanyahu said.

ISRAEL SAYS BELIEVES U.S. DENIAL

Israel has said in the past it could use military force to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and has disagreed with Washington about when Tehran might cross the "red line" and acquire such a capability.

Netanyahu told the United Nations last month that Tehran would arrive at that point only next spring or summer, in what appeared to be an Israeli signal that any military action could wait.

Israeli Vice Prime Minister Moshe Yaalon had suggested in earlier remarks that Israel would not object to any U.S. talks with Iran on the nuclear issue.

"(Israel) doesn't oppose this," said Yaalon. "If Iran stops its military nuclear project as a result of direct contacts with the United States, we will be the first to welcome this."

But he said that as far as Israel was aware, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, opposed direct talks with Washington.

"I believe the White House denial," Yaalon said.

Iran also denied any involvement in talks with the U.S. "We don't have any discussions or negotiations with America," Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said.

Tehran rejects U.S. and Western accusations it is developing nuclear weapons and says it is enriching uranium for purely peaceful purposes.

Last week, Netanyahu praised the European Union for tightening sanctions on Iran, saying such measures were having a strong impact on the Iranian economy.

(Writing by Allyn Fisher-Ilan; Editing by Andrew Osborn)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/netanyahu-says-doesnt-know-u-iran-talks-203911974.html

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Top 5 Strategies to Avoid Being Duped By Clever Fitness Marketers ...

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A Strategy Guide to Help You Avoid Being Tricked, Scammed, or Swindled By Clever Marketers and Be Able to Spot a Phony Fitness or Weight Loss Product From a Mile Away to Save You Time, Money, and Endless Frustration

Not too long ago, I had a FIRST in my career. I actually wrote and published a?negative product review online. And this wasn?t just any ?ol negative product review either. I literally tore this program to pieces, and there wasn?t much left of it when I was finally done. You might be thinking, ?big deal, there?s a ton of junk out there.? But here?s the thing. This program is currently a number ONE best-seller in the online health and fitness market, and has been a best-seller for years. This company does millions in sales each month ? millions.

If you?ve spent any time on the internet, you?ve probably seen the ads because they?re everywhere. And yet, after an extensive product review where I looked at everything, I only rated it at 2 out of 5 stars (and even that was a stretch). And if you?re one of my long-time readers, you know that my reviews are not just thorough, they?re brutally honest. I don?t beat around the bush, and I?always tell the truth.

So, how is it that a number one best-selling program that does millions in sales each month can turn out to be such a bunch of garbage?

The answer to that question is contained in just one word: marketing.

You see, the evolution of marketing has enabled even the companies that sell complete garbage to succeed. And the internet has made this oh-so-much harder for honest people to tell the good apples from the bad ones.

Case in point, when I first decided to review that particular product, I decided to do a little research first. I always do. This product was in the weight loss market, which is chock-full of outright scams. So, naturally, I?m accustomed (ie conditioned) to taking everything with a grain of salt and just accepting that most weight loss products/services will raise some red flags no matter what they are. It just comes with the territory. So, I wasn?t too offset by the larger-than-life claims and over-the-top promises ? that bordered on the outrageous ? that I found in the sales presentation.

Then I went online to check out what other people have said about this program. To my surprise, there was absolutely no negative criticism that I could find via a Google search. Quite the opposite, in fact. I found dozens of articles and videos that all spoke very highly of this particular program. In fact, most of them were praising it with gusto. So, after my interest was piqued and my expectations raised, I got the product for myself to take a look.

And what I found utterly shocked me. It wasn?t so much that this particular program was a downright scam. It was just that the product was so poorly put together, that I was almost embarrassed to even take a serious look at it.

It?s true. I, John Sifferman, who has written and published dozens of product reviews for a variety of fitness and weight loss products and services, had been officially duped.

Nevertheless, I had made a commitment beforehand that I would fully and completely review this product ? so help me God. And that?s just what I did. It was painful, yes. Truth be told, I didn?t even want to do it. But needless to say, I?ve learned a few things from this whole experience ? and from being a fitness product reviewer, in general ? that I wanted to pass on to you to (hopefully) help you avoid the same fate.

Top 5 Strategies to Avoid Being Duped By Clever Fitness Marketers

I think the first step to avoid being tricked or scammed in the first place is that we all need to remember that we?re on the internet. It?s a (mostly) free international market ? and most organizations, especially non-mainstream ones ? can get away with saying practically anything they want (at least for long enough to fool everybody ? but they never last). And this is where you run into the myths, half-truths, and lies that are so rampant in fitness marketing. These marketers have been doing this type of work for long enough that they know exactly how to push our buttons and influence our behavior, whether we realize it or not.

So, we need to be skeptical. This should be our default when buying anything online (or off), and especially anything health, fitness, or weight loss related. Denis Diderot was onto something when he said that ?skepticism is the first step toward truth,? and I think we all need to keep this in mind when evaluating any product online or off. So, make skepticism your status quo. Suspicion, your new norm. Which leads into the next point.

We need to look for the proof. And not just look for it, but demand proof. And not just proof that the product does what it claims (that should be a given), but proof that it works for people like you. And when no proof is available, simply look elsewhere. Seriously, if I had a nickel for every time I ran across a product/service online that presented absolutely zero proof that it could even fulfill what it claimed, I?d have a whole lotta nickels. It?s absolutely rampant in this industry!

In the same breath, if there are big claims, which is oh-so-common in the weight loss market (e.g. lose 30 lbs in 30 days), then there?d better be big proof. And if it?s a best-seller, then there?d better be lots of proof to be found ? and it shouldn?t be hard to find.

?Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.? ? Carl Sagan

We need to listen to our gut instincts. There?s no better indication of a problem than an uneasy feeling. If you?ve ?got a bad feeling about this,? then just hold off. You?ve got a gut for a reason (hopefully, not that kind of gut!). So, deny it at your peril. Speaking of holding off?

And when all else fails, we need to be patient. That?s another way of yelling ?WAIT!? If you?re looking to buy anything at all fitness or weight loss related, then don?t go out and buy something the first time you?ve heard of it. You NEED to do research, and check up on it ? even if it appears to be mainstream, is a best-seller, and especially if it sounds too good to be true. Do your own due diligence. Research the company and owners background.?Contact them with a question and see what kind of response you get (and response time). Seek out authentic reviews and testimonials.

The bottom line is that you need to find out if it?s legitimate and will work for you BEFORE you spend your money because once you?ve spent it ? even with a 100% money-back guarantee ? it?s usually much harder to get it back.

If you?re one of my long-time readers, then you know that I?ve reviewed a lot of products over the years. Combine that with a background in marketing and you?d think that I?d be impervious to all the scams and hoaxes out there, but that?s not entirely true. I still do get fooled from time to time. Suffice to say, something needs to be done about the all the deception that is overwhelming this industry. If you think about it, it really?is maddening, and I?m getting pretty sick of it. And that?s exactly why I went forward and published that negative review anyways ? even if it was for a number-one best-selling weight loss program that has received dozens, if not hundreds, of highly-positive, rave reviews already.

In fact, I wouldn?t be surprised if my critique is the only negative product review of this program online. I certainly couldn?t find another one. It feels a little funny being an outcast, in that regard, but I?m not going to lose sleep over it. So, if you?re a sucker for pain and want to witness the absolute destruction of a highly-acclaimed weight loss program, check out my Truth About Abs Review. That?s exactly the type of the hold-nothing-back ANARCHY that happens when John Sifferman becomes unplugged for too long, which fortunately doesn?t happen very often.

And if you click that link RIGHT NOW, you?ll be entered into a random drawing for an all-expenses paid trip to Hawaii ? complete with a personal chef named Guido.

If you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends and tweeps:

CST Coach, CST-KS
Health-First Fitness Coach

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P.P.S. Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amrosario/

P.P.P.S. That last part about the free trip was a joke. I?m not really sending anyone to Hawaii. I know. You were really excited.

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Source: http://physicalliving.com/top-5-strategies-to-avoid-being-scammed-by-clever-fitness-marketers/

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Drag racer hits family's car head on, killing dad, son

By Karen Franklin and Donna Rapado, NBCMiami.com

MIAMI -- Three people were killed early Saturday when a driver racing two other cars crashed his vehicle into oncoming traffic, police say.

The accident occurred just before 2 a.m. on Flagler Street and 58th Avenue, according to authorities. Miami Police spokesman Willie Moreno said a Toyota Scion, racing westbound with two other vehicles, lost control and crashed head on with a family of four in a Ford Expedition.

"I knew what kind of car it was because I know about that," said onlooker Antonio Hernandez. "But it was, my impression was I have to stop to see that because I need to stop racing."

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Also on NBCMiami.com: Police seek driver in deadly hit-and-run

The impact killed father Jose Serrano, 43, and his son, German Serrano, 15. The mother, 42-year-old Carmen Orta and the second child, 12-year-old Gabriel Serrano, remain in extremely critical condition at a hospital.

Also killed was 20-year-old Ivan Rodriquez Jr., the passenger in the Scion, who was ejected and pronounced dead on the scene.

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?You can see that the impact is so massive that it tossed this SUV, just tossed it around,? Moreno said. ?The vehicle continued to rotate an additional three times before coming to a resting point. Also so massive the impact that the entire engine was dislodged from this vehicle.?

Police said that the Scion was traveling at an ?excessive high rate of speed,? possibly 100 mph.

Watch US News crime videos on NBCNews.com

Moreno said authorities believe one of the other cars involved is a black Chevrolet Impala, but police are looking for accident footage from local businesses.

The driver of the Scion, identified as 19-year-old Alejandro Hernandez, who was also ejected from the vehicle, is in critical condition.

More content from NBCNews.com:

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Source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/20/14587087-drag-racer-hits-familys-car-head-on-killing-father-and-son-injuring-mom-child?lite

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Has the proper to reside - Fitness equipment Classifieds

Free Classifieds Health & Fitness Fitness Equipment

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Source: http://www.adjingo.com/fitness-equipment/free-ads-123813.html

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Enhancing Your Internet Business ? Learn How to St | Information

One of the biggest hurdles that Internet marketers face these days is managing their time when working online and getting more done in less time. There is so much to do when you are first getting started and so much that needs to be thought about that it isn?t uncommon for people new to the field to get frustrated and confused. This is precisely why you need to focus on reducing the things that are going to distract you and better organizing your tasks so that you won?t have to put so many hours into a task that can be accomplished in far less time.

Every Internet marketer faces a thing called information overload at some point in his or her career and this can cause your productivity to wane and that is why it is important that you address it in the beginning. Start off by putting filters wherever you can, like in your email, your RSS reader and more. This can help you filter anything that might wind up being time consuming and not of any real use. Besides this, focus only on those informational sources that you trust to deliver the right kind of knowledge at your desk. When you subscribe to mailing lists that are mostly promotional and not value filled, unsubscribe to them. Learn how to skim through the content you find on the web when you do your research or when you need to solve a problem. It is really easy to lose yourself in the huge amount of content that is found on blogs, in forums and elsewhere on the net. This is why it is important to scan through the content so that you can spend quite a lot less time reading and quite a lot more time doing. If there?s something that catches your attention and you feel would be worth going into deeper, only then spend some time working out the details, otherwise, activate your skimming skills.

Cut out all the distractions on your computer ? anything that is distractive can slow you down. The worst part about virtual distractions is that they can make you feel like you?re actually working and then at the end of the day, you have absolutely nothing done. So shut down all of your distractions: no instant messaging, no RSS reader, no e-mail client; these can all get in the way of your accomplishing anything real; focus on the things that can keep you moving forward.

So identify what exactly is not contributing to your work and if you see that it?s slowing down your progress, get rid of it (at least for the time being).

Improving your productivity levels isn?t just about making quick to-do lists; it is about finding a simple approach so that you won?t have to deal with any slowing down of your work as you keep moving ahead. It?s easy to run out of motivation when you work in IM and that?s why you need to focus on getting as much as possible done without wasting even a minute of your time. violin lessons

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Source: http://gosselinfiat.com/advertising/enhancing-your-internet-business-learn-how-to-st-2/

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Taxes go up next year, no matter who's president

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, The Associated Press

President Barack Obama isn't talking about it and neither is Mitt Romney. But come January, 163 million workers can expect to feel the pinch of a big tax increase regardless of who wins the election.

A temporary reduction in Social Security payroll taxes is due to expire at the end of the year and hardly anyone in Washington is pushing to extend it. Neither Obama nor Romney has proposed an extension, and it probably wouldn't get through Congress anyway, with lawmakers in both parties down on the idea.

Even Republicans who have sworn off tax increases have little appetite to prevent one that will cost a typical worker about $1,000 a year, and two-earner family with six-figure incomes as much as $4,500.

Why are so many politicians sour on continuing the payroll tax break?

Republicans question whether reducing the tax two years ago has done much to stimulate the sluggish economy. Politicians from both parties say they are concerned that it threatens the independent revenue stream that funds Social Security.

They are backed by powerful advocates for seniors, including AARP, who adamantly oppose any extension.

"The payroll tax holiday was intended to be temporary and there is strong bipartisan support to let that tax provision expire," said Sen. Orrin of Utah, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee. "The continued extension of a temporary payroll tax holiday has serious long-term implications for Social Security and, frankly, it's not even clear that it has helped to boost our ailing economy."

The question of renewing the payroll tax cut has been overshadowed by the expiration of a much bigger package of tax cuts first enacted under President George W. Bush. The Bush-era tax cuts also expire at the end of the year, and Congress is expected to try to address them after the election, in a lame-duck session.

The payroll tax cut could become part of the mix in negotiations that could go in many directions. But lawmakers in both political parties say they doubt it.

"I think there's a growing consensus that Congress and the president can't continue to divert such a critical revenue stream from Social Security," said Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, a senior Republican on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee. "I think more and more Americans understand that that payroll tax cut, while politically appealing, is endangering Social Security."

Before he was named as Romney's running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., disparaged the payroll tax cut, calling it "sugar-high economics" that wouldn't promote long-term growth.

Social Security is funded by a 12.4 percent tax on wages up to $110,100, rising to $113,700 in 2013. Half is paid by employers and the other half is paid by workers. For 2011 and 2012, Congress and Obama cut the share paid by workers from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent.

A worker making $50,000 saved $1,000 a year, or a little more than $19 a week. A worker making $100,000 saved $2,000 a year.

The beauty of the tax cut is that is shows up in weekly paychecks, giving workers more money to spend or save. The downside is that some workers may not notice a $19-a-week increase in pay, making them unlikely to credit the politicians who made it happen.

Under the law, Congress is reimbursing Social Security for the lost revenue, estimated at $103 billion in 2011 and $112 billion in 2012. But Congress didn't cut spending or raise other taxes to offset the lost revenue, so the payroll tax cut is being financed with borrowed money, adding to the national debt.

Democrats are more willing to defend the tax cut, saying it helped prop up the economy during a rough stretch while providing what amounted to a 2 percent pay increase to millions of middle-income workers. But they, too, are concerned about maintaining Social Security's source of revenue.

"I think people realize that was a temporary thing," said Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska.

Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, a senior Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, said he thinks there is evidence that the tax cut helped the economy. But, he added, "I'm not sure that it met expectations."

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California said she, too, wants to let the tax cut expire.

Larry Summers, Obama's former economic adviser, is a lonely voice in Washington calling to extend the payroll tax cut. He said in a recent speech that the economy is too fragile to reduce workers' incomes.

Obama pushed for the tax cut in late 2010 as a way to increase workers' take-home pay to help boost consumer spending and provide a spark for the economy. Economists were divided on the economic benefits. Many said it probably helped increase consumer spending but there was no consensus on the magnitude.

The initial tax cut was for only a year, and many Republicans in Congress wanted to let it lapse at the end of 2011. But Obama and Democratic lawmakers successfully fought to extend it through 2012.

Obama, however, didn't include the tax cut in his 2013 budget proposal, and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told Congress this year that he saw no reason to extend it again.

White House spokeswoman Amy Brundage wouldn't rule out an extension but wouldn't commit to one, either.

"The president fought extremely hard last year in the face of Republican opposition to ensure that the payroll tax cut was extended," Brundage said. "There are a number of tax issues that Congress will have to deal with at the end of the year, this being one of them, and we will continue to evaluate all of the options available to us at that time."

Romney's campaign hammers Obama almost every day for proposing to let Bush-era tax cuts expire for individuals making more than $200,000 and married couples making more than $250,000. But Romney's tax plan would let the payroll tax cut expire, an issue he doesn't mention on the stump.

Romney's campaign declined to discuss the issue.

CNBC's Courtney Reagan reports House Democrat Chris Van Hollen is calling for extending the 2 percent payroll tax holiday; and NBC affiliate WOOD found workers at the Chevy Volt Battery's Grand Rapids plant of LG Chem may be getting paid to do nothing.

Source: http://economywatch.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/21/14596820-taxes-go-up-next-year-no-matter-whos-president?lite

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Help with financing/organizing debt? ? Debt Questions & Answers

Is there a particular company or type of person(s) for hire to help me organize my finances? I don?t own a home and I am not worried about investments which is what I?m finding when I search for something like this online. What I do have are a number of student loans that are getting way too confusing, credit card and car payments, and some questions on my credit reports (I just printed all 3 free annual reports). Is there someone who can help me consolidate as much as I can with the loans, possibly assist in refinancing my auto loan, and to answer some questions I have about the reports/my credit score/etc? That would be ideal ? I would like to sit down and discuss all this with someone. I?d like a well known/trusted company in Massachusetts.

Thank you!!

Asked by Stephen

Source: http://debtassistanceprogram.org/Debt-Q-A/help-with-financingorganizing-debt

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More gaming for a good cause - Extra Life starts Saturday, October ...

It?s going to be a long 24 hours, but I?m hoping it?ll be a rewarding 24 hours. Aside from August?s?annual GamesRadar Gaming Marathon?for charity, I?m participating in?Extra Life 2012. If you?re plugged into social networks, you might have noticed the numerous tweets and Facebook updates flying around over the past few days. My team is contributing to?Children's Hospital of Oakland?during this year's fundraiser.

I?m going to be starting a little earlier than others, who seem to be targeting the morning of Saturday, October 20th to start. For personal reasons involving party hats, I will be kicking things off a little earlier at midnight Pacific time (as of publish, why, that's six hours away!). What?s on my roster of games to play?

I?m looking at diving into:

FIFA 13?(PS3, maybe 360)
Borderlands 2?(PS3, maybe 360)?
Uncharted 3: Drake?s Deception?(PS3)

And probably, in the later hours of the marathon, as I begin to get loopy and lose my mind, I may hop onto Facebook for some quality time with You Don?t Know Jack.

If you want to participate in games with me, I?m setting up the following rules*: For FIFA, donate $3 (or more, if you want) for every time I beat you. For every draw, donate $1 (or more, if you want). And, if you see fit to make a donation, win, lose or draw, that?s fine, too. For the multiplayer games, I?m hoping for a donation between $10 and $20 for each level we advance playing together.

Look for PSN ID GSI_Sterling_M online!

Of course, if you don?t want to participate but want to contribute to a good cause, you can donate a flat amount. Also, if you want to help raise funds with me, sign up for my team, the?Own Goal Superstars!

Either way, Extra Life is all about contributing to a good cause. Do it for the kids!

*I may totally change the rules as I go along. Because I can.?Follow me on Twitter?to keep up!

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Sign up for the Newsletter

Here's What You'll Get:

• Exclusive access to the hottest gaming news
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• Cool contests and hot prizes

Source: http://www.gamesradar.com/more-gaming-good-cause-extra-life-starts-saturday-october-20/

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Tom Hanks Promises 'Red Buttocks Cheeks' To Poll-Skipping Voters

'If you're 18 and you can vote and you don't vote, bend over and drop them,' paddle-wielding 'Cloud Atlas' star says.
By Kevin P. Sullivan

Tom Hanks
Photo: MTV News

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1695904/tom-hanks-spanks-from-hanks-voters.jhtml

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Syria rebels carry fury born of marginalization

Zain Karam / Reuters

Free Syrian Army fighters hold their weapons as they look at a jet in the sky above Aleppo's Bustan al-Basha district on Wednesday.

By The Associated Press

ALEPPO, Syria -?Most of the rebels fighting government forces in the city of Aleppo fit a specific mold: They're poor, religiously conservative and usually come from the underdeveloped countryside nearby.?

They bring to the battle their fury over years of economic marginalization, fired by a pious fervor, and they say their fight in the civil war is not only against President Bashar Assad but also the elite merchants and industrialists who dominate the city and have stuck by the regime. The rebels regard this support for the government to be an act of betrayal.

The blend of poverty, religious piety and anger could define the future of Aleppo, and perhaps the rest of Syria, if the rebels take over the country's largest city, which is also its economic engine. They may be tempted to push their own version of Islam, which is more fundamentalist than what is found in the city. Their bitterness at the business class may prompt them to seek ways of redistributing the wealth.?

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"Those who have money in Aleppo only worry about their wealth and interests when we have long lived in poverty," said Osama Abu Mohammed, a rebel commander who was a car mechanic in the nearby town of Beyanon before he joined the fight.?

Syrian helicopter reportedly downed by rebels

"They have been breast-fed cowardice and their hearts are filled with fear. With their money, we could buy weapons that enable us to liberate the entire city in a week," he said.?

Rebels pelted
With neither side able to decide the battle after three months of fighting and with winter fast approaching, however, the rebels from the countryside in Aleppo province risk losing the popular good will they have enjoyed from their fellow impoverished Sunnis in the city.?

Fabio Bucciarelli / AFP - Getty Images

A look back at the violence that has overtaken the country

On Saturday, civilians pelted a group of rebels with broken glass as they headed to the front line because they feel the fighters' presence brings the regime's destruction down on them, according to an Associated Press photographer and cameraman who witnessed the incident.?

"The city of Aleppo has not really joined the revolution," acknowledged one 32-year-old fighter who goes by the name of Abu Ahmed and is from the nearby town of al-Bab. "All of us are from rural Aleppo."?

Like some other rebels, he spoke on condition he be identified only with that nickname ? by which he is widely known among his comrades ? fearing that use of his real name could bring retaliation on his family.?

Asmaa Waguih / Reuters

A man runs past a damaged bus at the front line between the Free Syrian Army and the pro-government forces in Aleppo on Wednesday.

The battle for Aleppo is a stark illustration of how Syria's conflict, now in its 19th month, is as much a revolt of the underclass as a rebellion against the regime's authoritarian grip.?

The countryside surrounding Aleppo is dotted with small farming towns where the population is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, with a social fabric built around strong family and clan ties, primarily guided by local customs and a conservative brand of Islam.?

NATO leaders discuss the volatile situation along the Turkish-Syrian border following last week's shelling of a village by forces loyal to Syria's government. NBC's Jim Maceda reports.

In contrast, Aleppo's estimated 3 million residents are a mix of Syria's main ethnic and religious groups ? Sunni and Shiite Muslims, Alawites, Christians, Kurds, Turkomen and Armenians ? with a relatively liberal lifestyle.?

The northern city is home to a powerful community of factory owners, manufacturers and merchants, mainly from prominent Sunni families, who were largely allowed to operate without government interference while the Assad family's Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam, kept its grip on political power.?

The battle for Aleppo: My 18 days with the Syrian rebels

The flashpoints of the uprising have been the poorest parts of the country.?

It began in March 2011 in the impoverished southern province of Daraa. A drought hitting parts of the country displaced tens of thousands of people from farming areas, putting more pressure on the economy. The city of Homs, which has been a main center of the rebellion, is known as "the mother of the poor" because the cost of living is lower and its population generally less well off. When Damascus saw its worst fighting yet in July, it was largely in the capital's poorer districts that the rebels operated.?

Gap between rich and poor
The gap between rich and poor across Syria grew in the more than a decade of free market economic policies initiated by the late Hafez Assad and accelerated by his son, Bashar, when he took power in 2000.?

Focused on the service sector, the new policy benefited a tiny segment of the country's 22 million people, particularly a clique of regime-linked businessmen and the mostly Sunni merchant class in Aleppo and Damascus, who have largely stuck by Assad. But the policies also triggered steep price increases that reduced many Syrians to poverty, particularly among the country's broader Sunni majority.?

NBC News

People resisting the army of President Bashar al-Assad in northern Syria cope with loss and prepare for fighting.

For much of the uprising, Aleppo largely remained on the regime's side, with little rebel activity. The city's businessmen could use their influence, threats and payoffs to make sure of that ? with tens of thousands on their payrolls and the countryside dependent on them.?
What few anti-Assad demonstrations that did take place early on came from the dormitories of the University of Aleppo, home to students from rural parts of the province.?

Then the rebels from the countryside launched their surprise attack on the city in July. They moved into its impoverished, mainly Sunni districts, where residents are mostly of rural origin. They have since used those areas as their base from which to wage their bid to take over the city. To this day, all of Aleppo's rebel-held areas are poor, while the city's affluent parts remain under government control, with life there reportedly continuing much as it had before.?

Once inside the city, the ranks of the rebels swelled with Aleppo volunteers bitter over their poverty.?
Mohammed Al-Ali, 25, is one of them.?

Syrian rebels use catapult to launch homemade bomb

Just back from a two-day stint on the front lines in Aleppo ? "the enemy was no more than 15 meters away from our position," he said ? Al-Ali is fighting as much for social justice as for freedom.?

In a blue tracksuit and tennis shoes, he spoke of a father with a meager pension of $200 and a family so poor he had to drop out of school and take various jobs in shops to make ends meet as prices skyrocketed across Syria in the past decade.?

"We sold everything in the house that we did not absolutely need," Al-Ali said.?

Besides being a fighter, he earns a monthly wage of $80 as a helper in a field hospital.?

"I am hoping that when this is over, I will go to university and study Arabic literature. This is my dream," he said.?

Fundamentalist outlook
The rural fighters also bring with them their more fundamentalist religious outlook, which the trauma of war has only deepened. Most rebels in Aleppo wear beards, a hallmark of piety, and their conversation is filled with verses from the Quran or sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad. They frame the fight in a religious context and speak of martyrdom as something they wish for.?

They often trade stories of miracles showing God's support for them.?

Andrea Mitchell talks to Ambassador Dennis Ross about the escalating tensions between Syria and Turkey, and what both presidential candidates are saying they'll do about the situation.

Waiting at a field hospital as one of his fighters was treated for shrapnel wounds, a rebel commander who goes by the nickname of Abu Ekrimah recounted one such tale to a comrade.?

The burly, bearded commander with piercing hazel eyes ? his vest full of ammunition magazines and an automatic rifle slung over his shoulder ? told how a long-bearded man with a reputation for piety once gave his brigade's fighters some homemade grenades. He instructed them to ritually wash themselves as if for prayers and then throw them while shouting, "God is great!"?

Civilians bear the brunt of Aleppo fighting

"We followed his instructions, and we could see that when we tossed them, they changed course in midair to score direct hits against the enemy," Abu Ekrimah said.?

"God is great!" his comrade exclaimed at hearing the story.?

For some of the Aleppo rebels, the war against the regime has inspired a turning point in their personal journey of faith.?

Who are the Syrian rebels?

The rebel Abu Ahmed has images stored on his mobile phone of party dresses he once designed as a tailor working in Egypt, Lebanon and Aleppo: low-cut, strapless, see-through in parts. He says designing such revealing dresses was part of a past he has now put behind him.?

He also has a picture of himself with a bruised forehead and a deep cut under his left eye ? what he said was the result of a beating from regime loyalists while taking part in a street protest in May 2011. He now is an ambulance driver for the rebels, who revere him for his seeming fearlessness in battle zones.

"Initially, I wanted it to be a peaceful revolution against the regime, but now it is a war fought in defense of our faith," according to the bearded Abu Ahmed.?

It is impossible to gauge the degree of support enjoyed by the rebels in the parts of Aleppo they control. The rebels acknowledge that many residents are fed up with the hardships they endure.?

Regime forces punish the city daily with artillery and airstrikes. Civilians are killed and wounded while standing on bread lines, walking the streets or watching TV at home. Snipers target civilians in areas where rebels have positions. The staff at the rebels' field hospital said 80 percent of the 100-120 cases they treat daily are civilians.?

Even in rural Aleppo, there is a degree of disgruntlement over the impact of the fighting on the local economy. State-supported farmers' associations that once sold fuel, seeds and fertilizers no longer do so. Black market prices for the items are so high it's not worth planting some crops when the season starts in December.?

The fighting also almost completely shut down markets that traditionally bought their produce of wheat, barley, chickpeas and olives.?

"Supplies were available for the last farming season, but this season will be a very difficult one," said Mazen Aleto, a local council member in Tel Rifaat, a village north of Aleppo. "There may not be a harvest this time."?

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Source: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/18/14529598-revolt-of-the-underclass-syria-rebels-carry-fury-born-of-marginalization?lite

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