Men's Basketball: St. Norbert Returns to NCAA Tournament With Rout of Carroll

Norbert of Xanten was a very rich man.
He sold all his wares and devised a new plan.

Accepting the Lord in a new faith endeavor,
He touched lives in ways that would change him forever.

So think like him now, as never before,
And make some good come from this error 404.

Like Norbert of Xanten, try on some new clothes;
Pick a new URL and see how that goes.

Source: http://www.snc.edu/athletics/pressrelease/?s=rss&i=2171

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Old Questions and Few Answers as Japan's Shinzo Abe Meets with President Obama

Toru Hanai / REUTERS

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives at his official residence Jan.19, 2013.

On Shinzo Abe?s first trip to the United States as Japan?s prime minister, the key issues included the rise of China, North Korea?s quest for nuclear weapons and whether Japan would revise its constitution to allow a standing military.?The year was 2007, the U.S. president was George W. Bush and the global economy had yet to begin its spectacular implosion. Since then Japan has had five prime ministers, but as Abe, who resumed his country?s top office in December, visited Washington again Friday, the agenda was remarkably similar to what he discussed with President Obama?s predecessor six years ago.

?Prime Minister Abe himself is no stranger to the United States. I think he and I studied in California around the same time, and this is not his first visit to the Oval Office,? Obama said Friday, before listing security issues and economic cooperation as some of the key topics of their meeting.?While many of the issues have remained the same, Abe?s approach has shown a dramatic shift, particularly when it comes to China. While Abe has long advocated a muscular Japanese foreign policy, he spent much of his first term in office trying to ease regional tensions. He made his first overseas trip as prime minister to China, and didn?t visit the Yasukuni Shrine, where millions of Japanese war dead?and most controversially 14 class-A war criminals?are enshrined. That helped ease tensions with China and South Korea, which were occupied by Japan during World War II and were infuriated by repeated visits to the shrine by Junichiro Koizumi during his 2001-2006 term as prime minister.

Sino-Japanese tensions are inflamed once again, this time over a group of uninhabited islets northeast of Taiwan known as the Senkaku in Japanese or the Diaoyu in Chinese. Japan?s annexed the islets in 1895, and following Japan?s defeat in World War II the U.S. administered them until 1972, when they were handed back to Japan. China argues that the Diaoyu were originally Chinese territory and should have been returned to its control. Last year, after Tokyo?s rightwing governor Shintaro Ishihara said he wanted the municipality to purchase the islands from the Japanese family that owned them for 40 years, Japan?s central government stepped in, buying three of the islands with the hope that it could manage them in a less provocative manner than the nationalist Ishihara.

China was furious that Japan?s purchase had changed the uneasy status quo that had existed for decades. Protests erupted in Beijing and other large Chinese cities, and China began near daily patrols by its civilian maritime and fisheries ships and aircraft in waters near the islets. Japan says that in January Chinese navy ships twice used targeting radar to lock onto Japanese defense forces craft in the East China Sea, moves that?can prelude an attack. Japan protested the use of targeting radar, and China strongly denied the incident.

The unstated goal of China?s escalating patrols is to force Japan to acknowledge the Diaoyu are disputed territory, which Tokyo has so far refused to officially admit. The U.S. government doesn?t take a position on the sovereignty dispute, but says that because the islands are presently administered by Japan, they fall under a defense treaty that could call for U.S. military involvement in the event of armed conflict.?Many Chinese observers have questioned the U.S. position, saying that by recognizing Japan?s administration and even using the Japanese pronunciation of the islands? name means it is hardly a neutral player. On Friday Abe argued that the alliance would help prevent tensions from worsening.??Concerning the South China Sea and the Senkaku Islands, we agree that the very existence of the Japan-U.S. alliance is a stabilizing factor, which contributes to peace and stability of the region,? he told reporters.

The escalating Sino-Japanese tensions have prompted some concerns that the Diaoyu dispute could, 100 years after World War I, set off a similar devastating armed conflict.?Certainly some parallels exist with the great conflagration that tore apart Europe. China, like Germany before, is a rising economic and military power that craves greater respect and global influence. It is engaged in disputes with several of its neighbors over islands that it says are rightly its territory. Japan?s defense treaty with the U.S. only increases the risk that a small incident at sea could, like the assassination of a little-known archiduke in 1914, lead to a broader war.

But just as there is a risk of ignoring history, there?s a risk at being trapped by it. While the Sino-Japanese conflict is very real and worrying, it does not necessarily mean a new world war. ?I don?t put much stock in the recent claims or arguments that the China-Japan dispute is somehow analogous to the start of World War I,? says M. Taylor Fravel, a China expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. ?I do believe the situation is dangerous, and such analogies may help bring attention to the dangers. ?Nevertheless, we are most likely not on the cusp of a war involving all the major powers of the world for dominance over a region. ?This is a conflict over rather limited aims.?

An all-out conflict would harm both sides, with both China and Japan?the world?s second and third largest economies?suffering significant economic loses, says Linda Jakobson, East Asia program director at the Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank. ?I fear a naval or air incident that leads to loss of life, which in today?s world could not be kept secret, would ignite national sentiments to a much higher degree than we?ve seen so far,? she says. ?That would really box in the leaders of each side and drastically curtail maneuvering room.??And while China?s military clout is growing rapidly?it?s posted double-digit budget increases for much of the past two decades and recently launched its first aircraft carrier?it hasn?t been tested in combat since a short, bloody border war with Vietnam in 1979. An unsuccessful military campaign could have serious repercussions for the Communist Party?s hold on power, its overriding priority.

In an interview with the Washington Post before his trip to meet Obama, Abe complained that Chinese schools teach a form of patriotism that promotes ?anti-Japanese sentiment.? A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Friday that China was ?strongly dissatisfied with the Japanese leader?s comments that distort facts, attack and defame China and stir up confrontations between the two countries.?

Meanwhile in the waters northeast of Taiwan the dispute over the islets continued this week, as a Japanese fishing boat captain said his ship was pursued by three Chinese maritime surveillance vessels on Feb. 18, according to reports from Japan?s?Asahi Shimbun?newspaper and Tomas Etzler, a Czech television correspondent who was on the Japanese vessel. On Friday, Japan?s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga complained that China?s State Maritime Administration had installed buoys near the islets, the New York Times reported. War may still be a distant prospect, but so too is a solution.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/time/topstories/~3/4PNY3w0ovsI/

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Nokia to fight rivals with cheaper models-sources

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Nokia is shifting the focus of its turnaround strategy to regaining domination of cheaper handsets after a stuttering campaign to catch up with Apple and Samsung in high-end smartphones.

Company sources said it would introduce cut-price basic phones to compete with the likes of Huawei and ZTE and a new, lower-price model of its Lumia smartphone on Monday at the Mobile World Congress convention in Barcelona.

Nokia, once the industry's undisputed leader, is struggling to close the yawning gap with Apple's iPhones and Samsung's Galaxy smartphones and is also losing share in the low-end market which still accounts for the bulk of its sales.

Sales of basic phones fell over 20 percent in 2012 to 9.4 billion euros.

While some media reports have said that Nokia will announce a tablet in Barcelona, the company is not yet ready to unveil one, one of the sources said.

DOUBLE STRATEGY

"What they have to do is increase share in the growing smartphone part and also defend market share in the other," said Swedbank analyst Hakan Wranne.

He said a lower-priced Lumia would help boost its mid-tier offering, an increasingly important market as more consumers in developing markets demand access to Facebook and other social media sites from their mobile phones.

"In order to not continue to lose share in the overall market Nokia has to put forward competitive low-end smartphones.

"What's happening now is that the U.S. and Europe, the big smartphone markets, are really approaching saturation where customers will be upgrading to another smartphone or just replacing one that's broken. That's not a growth market."

Lumia smartphones, which use Windows software, were widely seen as make-or-break models for Nokia due to their high margins.

The company has concentrated on developing the range in the past two years, launching a top-of-the-range 920 model last November. But it has been slow to take off, and investors have said Nokia's dwindling cash position means it may soon need to change course if sales do not pick up in the coming quarters.

Most Lumia phones cost over $200, and the 920 can retail at over $600 without a carrier contract in the United States and some European markets.

By contrast, the average selling price of Nokia's mobile phones was 31 euros in 2012, down from 35 euros a year earlier.

SMARTPHONE SQUEEZE

Nokia's market share in the smartphone business is still only around 5 percent. According to Gartner, Apple and Samsung held a 52 percent share in the smartphone market in the fourth quarter.

Nokia sold 4.4 million Lumia devices in the fourth quarter, and analysts say it must more double those sales and offer more mid-range models to convince investors its smartphone strategy is working and it can survive.

Nokia has already been expanding its line-up of Asha models, which offer some access to the Internet but with fewer features than high-end smartphones, to bolster its share in developing markets such as China and India.

Customers of such mid-tier phones often upgrade to more advanced phones, while sticking with the same brand or operating system, analysts said.

(Editing by David Cowell)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/nokia-sell-cheaper-phones-counter-low-end-rivals-110732588--finance.html

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Mindy McCready's funeral set for Tuesday in Fla.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) ? Mindy McCready's funeral has been scheduled for Tuesday in her hometown of Fort Myers, Fla.

The funeral for the late country star will be held at Crossroads Church. A Friday news release says a Nashville memorial organized by friends and the music community is tentatively scheduled for March 6 at Cathedral of the Incarnation.

McCready committed suicide Sunday at her home in Heber Springs, Ark., days after leaving a court-ordered substance abuse treatment program. The 37-year-old mother of two died from a single gunshot to the head about a month after her longtime boyfriend David Wilson was believed to have killed himself in the same location.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mindy-mccreadys-funeral-set-tuesday-fla-155835651.html

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Administration warns of impact of broad budget cut

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Widespread flight delays and shuttered airports, off-limit seashores and unprotected parks.

The Obama administration is painting a dire portrait of the many ways the public will feel the effects of automatic federal spending cuts due to begin March 1.

The grim picture is emerging as the White House and lawmakers count down the days until the government is forced to trim $85 billion in domestic and defense spending with hardly any leeway to save some programs from the budget knife.

In detailing the costs of the cuts, President Barack Obama is seeking to raise the public's awareness while also applying pressure on congressional Republicans who oppose his blend of targeted savings and tax increases to tackle federal deficits.

"I've been very clear that these kinds of arbitrary, automatic cuts would have an adverse impact on families, on teachers, on parents who are reliant on Head Start programs, on our military readiness, on mental health services, on medical research," Obama said Friday. "This is not a smart way for us to reduce the deficit."

Just in case those consequences didn't capture the public's attention, the White House also had Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood spell out the impact on travelers, a frequent-flier nightmare of 90-minute airport waits, limited flights and closed regional airports.

LaHood said the cuts would require slicing more than $600 million from the Federal Aviation Administration, resulting in furloughs of one day per pay period for a majority of the agency's 47,000 employees.

"Once airlines see the potential impact of these furloughs, we expect that they will change their schedules and cancel flights," LaHood said.

Moreover, he said, the Transportation Department is looking "to likely close" air traffic control towers at 100 airports that have fewer than 150,000 flight operations per year.

"We're talking about places like Boca Raton, Fla.; Joplin, Mo.; Hilton Head, S.C.; and San Marcos, Texas," he said. All in all, nearly two-thirds of the airports are concentrated in three states ? California, Florida and Texas.

In a statement, Airlines for America, an industry group, said the organization, the FAA and airline carriers would be meeting soon to plan for potential cutbacks. "Air transportation is a key driver of our economy, and should not be used as a political football," the statement said.

Paul Rinaldi, the president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said the reductions will not just inconvenience passengers, it will also affect local economies and result in more lost jobs. "The fact that they will not just be furloughing critical FAA personnel but closing air traffic control towers means the system will be even more compromised than anticipated," he added.

Throughout the administration, agency heads have been depicting an onerous after-effect to the cuts. The federal government is required to spell out the consequences to federal workers, but the details are also designed to warn lawmakers that the cuts could have a fearsome result: angry constituents. Some of the warnings:

? Defense Secretary Leon Panetta last week said that automatic cuts, known in Washington budget language as a sequester, would harm the readiness of U.S. fighting forces and he said the "vast majority" of the Defense Department's 800,000 civilian workers would have to lose one day of work per week, or 20 percent of their pay, for up to 22 weeks, probably starting in late April. The biggest potential losses, in term of total civilian payroll dollars, would be in Virginia, California, Maryland, Texas and Georgia, according to figures provided by the Pentagon.

? On Friday, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said cuts of more than $300 million to his agency would mean less money to solve outbreaks, fight hospital infections and keep illnesses overseas from making their way here. For instance, Dr. Tom Frieden said, the cuts could limit the agency's investigation of a tuberculosis outbreak in Los Angeles.

? At the National Park Service, employees would be furloughed for more than a month, hours would be cut and sensitive areas would be blocked off to the public when there are staff shortages, according to a park service memo obtained by The Associated Press.

The giant sequoias at Yosemite National Park in California would go unprotected from visitors who might trample their shallow roots. At Cape Cod National Seashore, large sections of the Great Beach would close to keep eggs from being destroyed if natural resource managers are cut. Programs on the chopping block include invasive species eradication in Yosemite and comfort stations on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi.

Gettysburg would decrease by one-fifth the number of school children who learn about the historic battle that was a turning point in the Civil War. And in Yosemite, park administrators fear that less frequent trash pickup would potentially attract bears into campgrounds.

"We're planning for this to happen and hoping that it doesn't," said Park Service spokesman Jeffrey Olson.

Over the years, budget threats have inevitably resulted in grim warnings, no matter which administration, about calamitous consequences. Many have been avoided; others have been short-lived. But Obama administration officials say they are not exaggerating or bluffing.

The cuts, with few exceptions, are designed to hit all accounts equally. The law gives Obama little leeway to ease the pain.

Even if granted flexibility to apply the cuts with more discretion ? a legislative step Republicans say they might pursue ? White House officials say that would still require severe reductions.

"It's essentially rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic," Obama senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer said of such a proposal in a recent interview.

LaHood, in response to a question, denied that he was simply describing a worst-case scenario that would scare the public and put pressure on Republican lawmakers.

"What I'm trying to do," he said, "is wake up members of the Congress with the idea that they need to come to the table so we don't have to have this kind of calamity in air services in America."

The Democratic governors, after meeting with Obama, also kept up the drumbeat of opposition to the cuts, saying state economies would be hurt by the cuts.

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, said states have seen increased employment but that their prosperity is being hindered by "the games being played by the Republicans in Congress."

___

Cone reported from Sacramento, Calif. Associated Press writer Joan Lowy and AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report.

Follow Jim Kuhnhenn on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jkuhnhenn

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-02-22-Budget%20Battle-Impact/id-3bfeedeb78de4e1b8cf949a9f12454b3

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Maybe The PS4 Isn?t So Bad After All

Although I, like many of you, suffered through Sony's interminable and boring press conference last night, I came away less concerned about the PlayStation's future as a platform. What I saw, in short, was a company that has finally embraced the network to a degree that forces its competitors to play catch-up and, barring a horrible blunder on Sony's part, could guarantee some modicum of success for the platform.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/ejb4mDJ7VnM/

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Scientists unveil secrets of important natural antibiotic

Friday, February 22, 2013

An international team of scientists has discovered how an important natural antibiotic called dermcidin, produced by our skin when we sweat, is a highly efficient tool to fight tuberculosis germs and other dangerous bugs.

Their results could contribute to the development of new antibiotics that control multi-resistant bacteria.

Scientists have uncovered the atomic structure of the compound, enabling them to pinpoint for the first time what makes dermcidin such an efficient weapon in the battle against dangerous bugs.

Although about 1700 types of these natural antibiotics are known to exist, scientists did not until now have a detailed understanding of how they work.

The study, carried out by researchers from the University of Edinburgh and from Goettingen, Tuebingen and Strasbourg, is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Sweat spreads highly efficient antibiotics on to our skin, which protect us from dangerous bugs. If our skin becomes injured by a small cut, a scratch, or the sting of a mosquito, antibiotic agents secreted in sweat glands, such as dermcidin, rapidly and efficiently kill invaders.

These natural substances, known as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), are more effective in the long term than traditional antibiotics, because germs are not capable of quickly developing resistance against them.

The antimicrobials can attack the bugs' Achilles' heel ? their cell wall, which cannot be modified quickly to resist attack. Because of this, AMPs have great potential to form a new generation of antibiotics.

Scientists have known for some time that dermcidin is activated in salty, slightly acidic sweat. The molecule then forms tiny channels perforating the cell membrane of bugs, which are stabilised by charged particles of zinc present in sweat. As a consequence, water and charged particles flow uncontrollably across the membrane, eventually killing the harmful microbes.

Through a combination of techniques, scientists were able to determine the atomic structure of the molecular channel. They found that it is unusually long, permeable and adaptable, and so represents a new class of membrane protein.

The team also discovered that dermcidin can adapt to extremely variable types of membrane. Scientists say this could explain why active dermcidin is such an efficient broad-spectrum antibiotic, able to fend off bacteria and fungi at the same time.

The compound is active against many well-known pathogens such as tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, or Staphylococcus aureus. Multi-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, in particular, have become an increasing threat for hospital patients. They are insensitive towards conventional antibiotics and so are difficult to treat. Staphylococcus aureus infections can lead to life-threatening diseases such as sepsis and pneumonia. The international team of scientists hopes that their results can contribute to the development of a new class of antibiotics that is able to attack such dangerous germs.

Dr Ulrich Zachariae of the University of Edinburgh's School of Physics, who took part in the study, said: "Antibiotics are not only available on prescription. Our own bodies produce efficient substances to fend off bacteria, fungi and viruses. Now that we know in detail how these natural antibiotics work, we can use this to help develop infection-fighting drugs that are more effective than conventional antibiotics."

###

University of Edinburgh: http://www.ed.ac.uk

Thanks to University of Edinburgh for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

This press release has been viewed 51 time(s).

Source: http://www.labspaces.net/126963/Scientists_unveil_secrets_of_important_natural_antibiotic

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Win a FREE iPad mini in your choice of AnoStyle color!

Simply comment, like and/or follow for your chance to win a free AnoStyle colored iPad mini!

AnoStyle uses a brand new process that's anything but your typical color modification. It not only adds color to mobile devices but also provides an anodized finish with enhanced durability that actually meets military grade requirements. In the case of the iPad mini, it will greatly minimize the chances of scuffing and scratching in addition to providing fantastic new color options. Better still, according to the AnoStyle, it's now available internationally:

AnoStyle? is now available internationally in over 50 countries including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Italy, Spain, Russia, the United Kingdom, and several more.

Best of all, to celebrate their international launch, AnoStyle -- which includes our own Ally Kazmucha -- is teaming up with iMore to give one of you lucky readers a free iPad mini in your choice of AnoStyle color!

To enter, simply:

1. Follow @AnoStyleLLC and @iMore on Twitter
2. and/or like facebook.com/anostylepd and facebook.com/imorecom on Facebook
3. Then leave a comment below telling us which color you want (see options here) along with your Twitter or Facebook name/link so we can notify if you win!

The fine print:

One comment per person. If we find you trying to cheat and enter multiple times, you will be disqualified. The contest is open internationally. And the prize is just the iPad mini 16GB Wi-Fi, as is, any additions or accessories are the responsibility of the winners. As always, our regular contest rules apply. The contest begins now and ends Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 11:59pm PST.

Now, while we really do appreciate you reading through to the end, GO ENTER! Good luck!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/MYsCKPpE0Qo/story01.htm

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Bomb blasts rock southern Indian city; at least 11 dead

HYDERABAD, India (Reuters) - Two bombs placed on bicycles exploded in a crowded market-place in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad on Thursday, and the federal home minister said at least 11 people were killed and 50 wounded.

All major cities in the country were placed on high alert, television channels said, adding that as many as 15 people may have been killed in the explosions.

Hyderabad is a major IT center in India, only second to Bangalore. Microsoft and Google have major centers in the city.

"Both blasts took place within a radius of 150 meters," federal Home (Interior) Minister Sushil Shinde told reporters, adding the explosives were placed on bicycles parked in the crowded marketplace. "Eight people died at one place, three at the other."

The explosions come less than two weeks after India hanged a Kashmiri man for a militant attack on the country's parliament in 2001 that had sparked violent clashes.

Witnesses told Reuters they heard at least two explosions in the Dilsukh Nagar area of Hyderabad just after dusk but there could have been more.

TV showed debris and body parts strewn on the street in the area, a crowded neighborhood of cinema halls, shops, restaurants and a fruit and vegetable market.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called it a "dastardly attack".

"I appeal to the public to remain calm and maintain peace," he said in a Twitter message.

In July 2011, three near-simultaneous blasts ripped through India's financial capital, Mumbai. At least 20 people were killed and over 100 wounded in the blasts set off by Muslim militants, authorities said.

Last year, four small explosions occurred in quick succession in a busy shopping area of the western Indian city of Pune.

(Reporting by Devidutta Tripathy, Mayank Bhardwaj and Satarupa Bhattacharjya; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Jeremy Laurence)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/explosions-rock-southern-indian-city-least-10-killed-145509258.html

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Woman, 104, forced to lie about age on Facebook

GROSSE POINTE SHORES, Mich. (AP) ? Facebook is apologizing for a problem that makes a 104-year-old Michigan woman lie about her age on the social media website.

Marguerite Joseph's granddaughter says Facebook won't let Joseph list her real age.

Gail Marlow says when she tries inputting her grandmother's birth year as 1908, Facebook changes it to 1928. So for the past two years, the Grosse Pointe Shores centenarian has remained 99 ? online, anyway.

Joseph is legally blind and can't hear well, but Marlow reads and responds to all her Facebook messages.

Marlow tells WDIV-TV (http://bit.ly/Y7HQM2 ) she'd "love to see" Joseph's real age posted and chalks it up to "a glitch in the system."

Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes told The Associated Press on Wednesday that it's working to fix a problem limiting used of pre-1910 birthdates.

___

Information from: WDIV-TV, http://www.clickondetroit.com

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/woman-104-forced-lie-age-facebook-173432640.html

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File your taxes for free with 4 software providers

By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com

Less than two months remain before the April 15 deadline to file your 2012 taxes. Before you spend $200 on professional tax preparation or even $75 for a software program, take a minute to peruse the Internal Revenue Service website. There you?ll find more than a dozen companies, including big names such as H&R Block, that provide free online software and free federal e-filing to taxpayers who made up to $57,000 last year. Some also offer free returns for participating states. About 70 percent of taxpayers qualify for this Free File program, according to the IRS. The companies peddle free software on their websites as well, without restrictions, but beware the upsell. While taxpayers with complicated returns may need pricier software and a bit more hand holding, the best free programs dispense helpful advice and support a wide array of forms and schedules.

Below are Cheapism?s top providers of free tax preparation software with state filing fees under $20.

• TaxAct ($14.95 for state returns) limits its IRS Free File edition to taxpayers 18 to 57 with adjusted gross income of $51,000 or less. Consumers can also find a free edition on the company?s website that lacks such eligibility criteria. Unlike most other providers of free online software, TaxAct supplies a free download/CD version as well. Reviewers point to this as a selling point for taxpayers wary of submitting personal and financial information over the web.
• H&R Block Free File (free for many states, $14.95 for others) is not to be confused with H&R Block At Home Free, which appears on the company?s website and charges $27.95 for each state return. Consumers must go through the IRS website to find the Free File version. H&R Block consistently earns high ratings in expert reviews and includes features such as audit support and live tax advice from a professional even with its free software.
• ESmart Tax customers who access the software through the IRS can prepare and file some state tax returns for free and most for $12.95, compared with $19.95 through the free Basic Edition on the eSmart Tax website. Reviews note approvingly that this online-only software is backed by a retail tax preparation provider, Liberty Tax Services, and includes free audit support and live chat. It also speeds up the process and minimizes errors by importing data from W-2 and 1099 forms, as well as last year?s return if you switch from a big-name competitor.
• FreeTaxUSA ($9.95 for state returns) is a bare-bones program with limited customer support but may be all many taxpayers need. It actually exceeds the capabilities of some fancier free software by accommodating homeowners, investors, self-employed professionals, and taxpayers claiming dependents. Reviewers say the simplicity can work in your favor by making it less likely you?ll overlook something or make a mistake.

Taxpayers with adjusted gross income up to $31,000, active military who made up to $57,000, and anyone eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit can also get their hands on free software from market leader TurboTax through the IRS. The TurboTax Freedom Edition includes free filing for qualifying states and charges $14.99 for other states, vs. $27.99 per state with the Free Edition on the TurboTax website. The Freedom Edition also supports additional forms such as Schedule C for taxpayers who are self-employed.

Whichever you choose, don?t wait: Software providers hike their fees as April approaches, so you can?t count on the current prices to last for long.

More from Cheapism:

Source: http://lifeinc.today.com/_news/2013/02/19/16968554-prepare-your-taxes-for-free-with-4-top-software-providers?lite

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PFT: Giants player says Coughlin entering last year

Getty Images

With the end of the lockout between the NFL and the referees association came the possibility of full-time officials for the first time in league history.

Former V.P. of officiating Carl Johnson stepped down from his role in December to return to the field and became the league?s first full-time referee. The league?s competition committee has been meeting this week in Indianapolis in advance of the NFL combine. New V.P. of officiating, Dean Blandino, said in an interview with Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network that the league is looking at increasing its stable of full-time officials.

?We?re looking at possibly going to seven full-time officials, one at each position, and they will work throughout the season and the off-season,? Blandino said. ?They?ll be able to go to OTAs, work practices, go to training camp, that type of thing ? put together guidelines, mechanics manuals, competition committees like this they could be a part of, so we?re excited about the possibility of full-time officials and what they can bring to the program.?

Johnson is expected to return to his prior role as a line judge for next season. If the league adds a full-time official at all seven position, they would also be adding a referee, umpire, head linesman, field judge, back judge and side judge. Blandino also said the league is looking at creating a developmental program for college officials that will be able to work the NFL during the off-season. Those officials will be able to work during off-season workouts and mini-camps to get a feel for being an NFL official and could even end up working preseason games to get a feel for the game environment before becoming a game official.

All the changes are pointed toward trying to improve the consistency of officiating across the league.

?My whole focus is striving for consistency. I think that?s what everybody wants,? Blandino said. ?Coaches, players, owners, officials, we want consistency. We want to be transparent. We?re going to communicate. Whether it?s clubs, whether it?s the media, if we make a mistake we?re going to admit but people have to understand it?s a fast game. It happens quickly and our officials do a tremendous job. Our officials are going to strive for consistency and that?s what everybody wants.?

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/19/terrell-thomas-thinks-coughlin-has-one-year-left/related/

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Syrian official says mortars explode near a presidential palace in Damascus

PRETORIA, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius put on his prosthetic legs, walked seven metres to a bathroom in his luxury Pretoria home and then opened fire on his girlfriend, who was behind a bathroom door, a prosecutor told a Pretoria court on Tuesday. Pistorius early broke down in tears at the bail hearing where he is facing a murder charge. (Reporting by David Dolan; Writing by Jon Herskovitz)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-official-says-mortars-explode-near-presidential-palace-141318212.html

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Source: http://www.sumotorrent.com//details/8529281/Sony%20Movie%20Studio%20Platinum%2012.0.576%20%20%20Keygen%20%20%20Reg.html

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Obama on buddies' golf weekend on Florida's Atlantic coast

PALM CITY, Florida (Reuters) - It's a buddies' weekend of golf for President Barack Obama at a private resort along Florida's Atlantic coast.

The president played with some Democratic donors and got instructional tips on Saturday from one of pro golf's best instructors, Butch Harmon, during his mini-vacation from the White House. Harmon once helped golf star Tiger Woods work on his game.

With his wife, Michelle, and daughters Malia and Sasha away on a Colorado ski trip, Obama was in warmer climes after a week devoted to promoting the proposals he offered in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday.

On a breezy day, Obama golfed at the Floridian Yacht and Golf Club that runs along the St. Lucie River. Harmon rode along with him for a few holes to provide tips, a White House aide said.

Obama was joined for his round by the resort owner, Jim Crane, who owns the Houston Astros baseball team and is a Democratic donor. Also playing was lawyer Tony Chase of Houston, who hosted a campaign fundraiser at his home for Obama last year.

Others who played in the presidential group were U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, close Chicago friend Eric Whitaker and utility executive Milton Carroll, who has donated to Obama's presidential campaigns.

The resort has a golf course designed by golf great Gary Player and later redesigned by Tom Fazio. The Floridian was purchased in 2010 by Crane, who was the host of Obama's visit.

The president was staying at one of the resort's cottages. He is to return to Washington on Monday, which is the Presidents Day holiday.

Before his visit with the president, Harmon told Tim Rosaforte, a Golf Channel analyst who writes for Golf Digest, that Obama had requested a lesson through an aide.

"I've played golf with Ike, Nixon, Ford and President Bush 41," Harmon told Rosaforte, referring to former Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush. "I never played with President (Bill) Clinton. I met him in the Oval Office. It'll be interesting. I know the president is a real keen golfer. I'm looking forward to it."

Like many of his predecessors, Obama is an avid golfer. He frequently tees up at the courses at Joint Base Andrews near Washington with a group of friends.

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Will Dunham and Peter Cooney)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-buddies-golf-weekend-along-floridas-atlantic-coast-155443520--golf.html

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A baseball player?s dad forced him to hit lefty, and that helped him set a baseball record! Learn more

Prince Fielder was born in Ontario, California in 1983 and it was during that time that his father, Cecil, was in the minor leagues playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. Prince grew up at the baseball diamonds. Prince, his mother, and sibling were on the road following Cecil everywhere his career took him. Prince began playing baseball as soon as he could walk and he was a natural right handed hitter. When Prince was five, his dad forced him to start hitting left handed.

Cecil told Prince he?d thank him for it later. He was right. As Prince got older he became a strong hitter and batting lefty gave him an edge. Currently Prince Fielder plays for the Detroit Tigers number 28. He is a four time All-Star and he still throws right. His first seven years in the Major League Baseball team was with the Milwaukee Brewers. He is the league?s youngest player to hit 50 home runs in a season.

(Source)

Source: http://www.omg-facts.com/Sports/A-Baseball-Player-s-Dad-Forced-Him-To-Hi/55897

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Britain signs off on Mariner oil field

Published: Feb. 15, 2013 at 8:04 AM

LONDON, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- The British government said Friday it expects the Mariner offshore oil field could account for 5 percent of the country's daily production.

British Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said Friday that Norwegian energy major Statoil was given consent to drill in the Mariner heavy oil field in the North Sea.

"Mariner will be one of the biggest projects ever in the North Sea and the $7.1 billion commitment over 40 years from Statoil is a vote of confidence in the future of UK oil and gas," Davey said in a statement. "Importantly, unlocking heavy oil production marks a new chapter in development, opening the potential for 5 percent of our oil reserves."

Discovered in the early 1980s, production at Mariner was delayed because of technological limitations in extracting the denser type of oil.

The British government expects the field to eventually produce around 55,000 barrels of oil per day, about 5 percent of the country's current production.

Statoil said it aims to start production in 2017. Peak production should be achieved by 2020.

"The North Sea is a core area for Statoil and we look forward to taking a leading role in further developing also the U.K. part of this basin," Statoil President and Chief Executive Officer Helge Lund said in a statement.

Source: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2013/02/15/Britain-signs-off-on-Mariner-oil-field/UPI-55391360933486/

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Cancer-stricken Chavez smiles with daughters in first photo for weeks

Venezuelan Ministry of Information/Reuters

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez holds Cuba's Gramma newspaper as his daughters, Rosa Virginia (right) and Maria look on.

By Daniel Wallis and Marianna Parraga, Reuters

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuela published the first photos of cancer-stricken President Hugo Chavez since his surgery in Cuba more than two months ago, showing him smiling while lying in bed reading a newspaper, flanked by his two daughters.

The government said on Friday that the 58-year-old president was still suffering respiratory problems after a lung infection, and that he was breathing through a tracheal tube.

Chavez had not been seen in public, and has still not been heard from, since the operation on Dec. 11, his fourth surgery for a cancer in his pelvic region first diagnosed in mid-2011.

Chavez's face looked swollen in the two images, where he appeared alongside his daughters, Maria Gabriela and Rosa Virginia.

He was lying in a hospital bed, and in one of the photographs they were reading Cuban state newspaper Granma.

The government said the photos were taken on Thursday night.

"The post-operative respiratory infection was controlled, but there is still some insufficiency," Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said in the latest communique on Chavez's health. "Under these circumstances, which are being treated, the commander is currently breathing through a tracheal tube."

Chavez has never said what type of cancer he has been treated for, and in his absence critics have accused the government of secrecy over his condition.

Last October the socialist leader was re-elected to a new six-year term in office. But he was too ill to return to Venezuela for his inauguration ceremony last month.

On Wednesday, Vice President Nicolas Maduro -- Chavez's preferred successor -- said the socialist leader was undergoing "complex" alternative treatments but did not give details.

Related:

Chavez undergoing 'complex' cancer treatment, says VP

Hugo Chavez's disappearing act fuels speculation about Venezuela's future

Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

Source: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/15/16975075-cancer-stricken-chavez-smiles-with-daughters-in-first-photo-for-weeks?lite

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Beckham must wait before making PSG debut

SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, France (AP) ? David Beckham will have to wait at least one more week to make his debut for Paris Saint-Germain because his coach says he needs to get in better shape.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti ruled out the 37-year-old former England captain for Sunday's match against Sochaux in the French league.

"He will stay here and work," Ancelotti said Saturday. "He will stay here and improve his physical condition. He still needs to work, and with a week's work he will be ready the following week against Marseille."

PSG hosts title rival Marseille on Feb. 24 and again three days later in the French Cup.

"I think he can play easily against Marseille after one week more training, no problem," Ancelotti said. "I will make the decision whether he starts or not."

Beckham, looking to win a league championship in a fourth country, started full training with PSG this week and has not played since his last appearance for the Los Angeles Galaxy on Dec. 1. He worked out last week in London with personal fitness trainers.

"The level of French football is high, there is a lot of rhythm, a lot of intensity," Ancelotti said, adding he plans to use Beckham either in a defensive central midfield role or out wide on the right.

"He brings his experience, his quality, his professionalism. These are the things we need from David," said Ancelotti, who is close to Beckham after coaching him at AC Milan. "I'm not just keeping him for the Cup or the Champions League. He can play in every match."

Entering this weekend's matches, PSG leads Lyon by six points and Marseille by eight.

"We are in very good form at the moment," Ancelotti said, referring to PSG's unbeaten start to the year.

PSG took a step toward reaching the Champions League quarterfinals by winning 2-1 at Valencia this week.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/beckham-must-wait-making-psg-debut-150714438--sow.html

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Trestman: 'Premature' to discuss Urlacher's future

AP

From September through December, we see Jon Gruden every Monday night.? But we never see his acid-tongued alter ego, Chucky.

Fortunately, Chucky makes an appearance every Spring, in the weeks preceding the draft.? Chucky returns in 2013, with the fourth installment of Jon Gruden?s QB Camp.

This year, with a thinner-than-usual crop of elite quarterbacks, Gruden will go beyond the most important position on the field, sitting down with Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel, South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore, and ? yes ? Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te?o.

The quarterbacks who?ll get the Gruden treatment include USC?s Matt Barkley, Tyler Bray of Tennessee, Miami (Ohio) product Zac Dysert, N.C. State?s Mike Glennon, Landry Jones of Oklahoma, Florida State Seminole E.J. Manuel, Ryan Nassib of Syracuse, West Virginia?s Geno Smith,and Tyler Wilson of Arkansas.

Air dates and times have not yet been determined.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/14/trestman-premature-to-talk-about-urlachers-future/related/

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Solid Energy Sells Biofuel Arm To Management | Stuff.co.nz

JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON/Fairfax NZ

MANAGEMENT BUYOUT: Karl Hatton, left, and Martin Johnson are the Green Fuels team.

Solid Energy's biofuel company has been sold to its management, two Christchurch men who are confident of making a profit with the business that stumped the state.

Biodiesel New Zealand has been sold for an undisclosed sum to former fuel business manager Martin Johnson and former production manager Karl Hatton along with long-time customer Stark Bros and another silent partner.

The Middleton-based business has been renamed Green Fuels while its diesel brand, Biogold, remains the same.

The biofuel refinery converts used cooking oil into environmentally friendly biodiesel.

It will be run by Johnson and Hatton alone compared with under state-owned Solid Energy when about six people were based at the Marylands Place refinery.

Johnson, Green Fuels managing director, said the company's overheads had dropped significantly given the company was now two-strong.

Production had dropped to about 600,000 litres a year, but Johnson hoped to build up to 1 million litres annually.

Green Fuels will make small deliveries itself and contract out delivery of larger volumes. Previously the company used its own dedicated drivers.

Johnson was confident the business would be profitable, competitive with mineral diesel and that customers would see the benefits in ecological responsibility.

"Both Karl and I are passionate about making and supplying environmentally friendly fuels and when the opportunity came to purchase the business both of us jumped for it."

Stark Bros managing director Andrew Stark said he had looked hard at the business plan put by Johnson and found it compelling.

"It's made locally in Christchurch, it would otherwise be a waste product. It's the whole story that goes with it: It's New Zealand at its best."

He believed the business, of which Stark Bros owned a third, would be better suited to private ownership with a smaller team.

"It's always difficult with a corporate structure. Certainly we would be looking at doing things at a lower cost structure than is possible with a corporate entity. There will be some things that the corporates can do better - a bit flashier with more money sloshing round - but Martin will run it as a fairly tight ship."

Now-resigned Solid Energy chief executive Don Elder has said Biodiesel was not profitable without government subsidies, which have finished. "Biodiesel is a business we no longer believe we should be in and we want out as soon as possible. Nobody knows better than us, coming from the industry, how hard it has been to make renewables economic."

Solid Energy could not immediately answer how much money it had pumped into the business.

It said they would regard the query as an Official Information Act request and would investigate.

Green Fuels production engineer Hatton has worked at the factory for more than seven years. He was hired by company founder Paul Quinn who sold to Solid Energy in 2007.

Hatton has set up storage tanks at the factory after the existing tanks were taken out and sold by Solid Energy. He cleaned and reconnected old tanks that Solid Energy had written off as past their useful life. He converted one of the tanks into a backyard pool for his home.

- ? Fairfax NZ News

Comments

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/8307941/Solid-Energy-sells-its-biofuel-arm-to-management

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Courtyard Washington, DC/Foggy Bottom Opens

Courtyard Washington, DC/Foggy Bottom Hotel Features an Intuitive Lobby Design With High-Tech GoBoard? 4.0, Flexible Work and Social Spaces, and 24/7 Food and Beverage Market

Courtyard by Marriott hotel is rolling out its innovative lobby and room design in Washington, DC. This is one of the latest Foggy Bottom hotels featuring a Refreshing Business lobby environment, where guests can enjoy an open and flexible space. Along with media pods, Wi-Fi and a variety of seating zones, the redefined space is ideal for everything from pop-up meetings to social gatherings.

Scheduled to open in February, the 149-room Courtyard Washington, DC Foggy Bottom/GWU also offers a refreshing and stylish room design that helps guests stay connected, productive and comfortable. Thoughtfully planned, each room features plush bedding, a functional work space, spacious bathrooms, a separate seating area and complimentary in-room high-speed Internet.

Located at 515 20^th Street NW, the hotel is owned by Allstates, LLC and managed by Marriott International, Inc. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, this Washington, DC Foggy Bottom hotel near the Metro offers guests convenient access to George Washington University, the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, IMF and World Bank headquarters, and the White House.

Courtyard understands business travelers, and, through extensive research, the brand continues to evolve to meet guests' changing needs. Combining innovative technology with style and comfort, the adaptable lobby space offers options so guests can make the most of their time on the road.

"From day one, Courtyard has prided itself as a brand that listens to what business travelers want from a hotel," said Janis Milham, vice president and global brand manager, Courtyard. "Guests want more control and choice with services and amenities that create a healthy balance between working and relaxing. The Courtyard lobby invites guests to get out of their rooms to work, socialize or be entertained, whether traveling alone or with colleagues."

The open, bright and contemporary Courtyard DC hotel, near George Washington University, welcomes guests in their lobby with vivid contrasting colors, including blue, green, orange and red. The traditional front desk is replaced with separate welcome pedestals to create more personal and private interactions when guests check in and allow staff to show guests the lobby features and provide assistance. Flexible seating options range from a communal table in the middle of the action, to more private media booths with high-definition televisions, to a more intimate, semi-enclosed lounge area.

Dining has also been completely redesigned with The Bistro - Eat. Drink. Connect.^?, offering casual, flexible seating; easier access to food and higher quality, healthier menu options for breakfast; and light evening fare, including snacks, cocktails, wine and beer so guests can unwind. Coffee lovers can also enjoy freshly brewed Starbucks coffee. The Market?, a 24/7 shop for snacks, beverages and sundries, is always open for late-night cravings or the toothpaste guests may have forgotten to pack.

A key component of the Courtyard lobby is the newly enhanced GoBoard^? 4.0, which presents local information, maps, weather, and headline news on a 55-inch LCD touch screen. Designed with today's busy traveler in mind, the award-winning GoBoard^? features mobile integration, enabling guests to send directions from the GoBoard? directly to their smartphones. Guests can also touch the screen for immediate access to detailed flight information for local airports, popular entertainment and local event information, as well as walking directions.

Throughout this Foggy Bottom hotel near the National Mall, guests can connect to complimentary Wi-Fi, and there are ample electrical outlets in the lobby to power digital devices. The business library features several computer terminals, along with a printer and separate computer stations dedicated solely to printing airline boarding passes and checking flight status.

Green has been Courtyard's signature color since Marriott launched the brand 25 years ago. Now it is even greener with the introduction of a guest recycling program for the environment. Receptacles for paper, glass, plastic and metal are conveniently located by side exits.

The nine-story hotel features an indoor swimming pool, fitness center and guest laundry, and offers three meeting rooms with 1,300 square feet of meeting space to accommodate functions of up to 65 people.

Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HotelDevelopmentNewsampTrends/~3/yzOvZAFMwpY/article69348Courtyard_Washington__DC_Foggy_Bottom_Opens.html

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How I Met Your Mother: Barney & Robin?s Wedding Playlist

After eight seasons of the slow-burning romantic roller-coaster between the womanizing Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) and former Canadian teen pop queen Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders), How I Met Your Mother will culminate in TV?s most anticipated marriage since Ross finally tied the knot with Rachel. Following years of Barney?s rampant skirt-chasing and Robin swearing she?d never get married or have kids, the show?s two unlikeliest suspects will exchange vows in what ?Future Ted? called ?a wedding day that went horribly wrong? towards the end of Season 7 (although show producers swear the couple will indeed make it official).

In honor of this hallowed occasion, this playlist reflects 10 songs that would be most appropriate to soundtrack the big day. From emotional ballads to dance-floor workouts to the stars of Canadian music, this playlist will bring out the latent romantic in even the most jaded of hearts. If Barney and Robin can find love, anything is possible.

Bryan Adams, ?Heaven?

Frank Ocean, ?Thinkin Bout You?

Flaming Lips, ?Do You Realize??

Grizzly Bear, ?Two Weeks?

Beyonce, ?Halo?

White Stripes, ?Fell in Love with a Girl?

Sade, ?By Your Side?

Bruno Mars, ?Just the Way You Are?

Cheap Trick, ?Voices?

Calvin Harris, ?Feel So Close?

- Scott T. Sterling, CBS Local

---

Read More On 923NOW.com:

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/923now/~3/6Mh86gWE-nY/

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Real Estate Investors Flock To Multi-Unit Homes

Mortgage rates and markets change constantly. Stay 100% current by taking The Mortgage Reports by email each day. Click here to get free email alerts, or subscribe to the RSS feed in your browser.

Real estate investors made the most of Q4 2012.

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), originations of multi-family and commercial mortgages increased nearly 50 percent during October, November and December 2012 as compared to the 3 months prior.

Low mortgage rates and a recovering U.S. housing market sparked a real estate investment frenzy which appears to have carried over into 2013.

Demand for home loans remains high across all loan and buyer types.

Click here for today's mortgage rates.

Multi-Unit Homes In High Demand

Multifamily and commercial mortgage originations surged between Q3 2012 and Q4 2012, climbing by close one-half. Furthermore, as compared to Q4 2011, as the housing market was renewing off its bottom, originations were up 50 percent as well.

Using investment in real estate as a proxy, then, this year's housing market looks decidedly stronger than last. Multi-family and commercial mortgage lending has climbed to its highest point in five years, and 2013 is expected to remain similarly strong.

It's notable, too, that multi-family homes accounted for a huge portion of the year-end gains.

With residential mortgage rates ending the year below 3.5% and rents rising more than 6% annually, real estate investors snapped up homes for purposes of building a portfolio.

According to real estate web company Trulia, several cities in which rents made large year-over-year gains include :

• Houston, Texas : 15.8% average rent increase for most recent 12 months
• Miami, Florida : 9.1%?average rent increase for most recent 12 months
• Boston, Massachusetts : 6.0% average rent increase for most recent 12 months

Rents in Oakland climbed 10.0% percent year-over-year.

Click here for today's mortgage rates.

Mortgage Applications Also Increasing

The MBA also recently released its weekly Mortgage Applications Survey which showed, for the week ending February 1, mortgage applications climbed 3.4 percent as compared to the week prior.

Despite persistently rising mortgage rates, refinance activity has remained high. Mortgage rates have climbed from a New Year's Day rate of 3.31 percent to today's average rate of 3.53 percent for borrowers willing to pay 0.8 discount points plus a full set of closing cost.

Mortgage rates for a zero-closing cost mortgage are slightly higher.

78% of last week's mortgage applications were for home refinances, comprised of?FHA Streamline Refinances,?VA Streamline Refinance, HARP loans, and rate-and-term refinancing, among others.

Purchase mortgage applications account for the remaining 22 percent of applications.

Click here for today's mortgage rates.

Renting An Owner-Occupied 3- or 4-Unit Home

Demand for multi-unit homes was supported by more than just experienced real estate investors -- everyday home buyers bought them, too. Sometimes, to live in one unit and to rent the remaining ones.

This real estate investment strategy is allowable via the FHA or via conventional financing means. You can buy a 2- unit, 3-unit or 4-unit home, live in one of the "For Rent" units, then find tenants for the others. It's a savvy way to offset monthly homeownership costs.

The FHA will allow for its standard 3.5% downpayment on a multi-unit home. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will require 20% downpayment for a 3- or 4-unit home. Ask your lender for how much home you'll qualify.

Click here for today's mortgage rates.

Source: http://themortgagereports.com/12444/real-estate-investors-flock-to-multi-unit-homes

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Lions defensive backs coach Tim Walton interviews for job with Rams

The Lions may have another coaching position to fill this offseason.

Defensive backs coach Tim Walton is interviewing for the Rams' defensive coordinator opening, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The Rams interviewed Walton last year to be an assistant defensive coordinator/passing game coach, but he chose to stay with the Lions.

Could a coordinator position be enough for head coach Jeff Fisher to lure him to St. Louis?

Walton has coached the Lions secondary since 2009, his first NFL job after more than a decade coaching in college.

Although he's had a dearth of talented defensive backs, Walton has had success developing players in Detroit, most notably turning cornerback Chris Houston into a solid No. 1 option. And last season, the Lions secondary exceeded expectations early in the year despite several injuries and constant lineup shuffling, though the group struggled significantly during a season-ending eight-game losing streak.

Walton, who was reportedly in St. Louis on Monday, would be the fifth Lions assistant to leave this offseason after the team chose not to re-sign three others and special teams coordinator Danny Crossman left for Buffalo.

The Rams have also interviewed former Cleveland defensive coordinator Dick Jauron (a onetime interim head coach for the Lions) and Mike Singletary, Minnesota linebackers coach/special assistant to the head coach, for the vacancy.

jkatzenstein@detnews.com

twitter.com/jkatzenstein

Source: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130211/SPORTS0101/302110430/1126/rss14

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China walks fine line on nuclear North Korea

Early readings of North Korea's nuclear test Monday show it was three to six times more powerful than any tests from that country before. President Obama is calling it "a highly provocative act." NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports.

By Ed Flanagan, Producer, NBC News

News analysis

SEOUL, South Korea ? As North Korea's biggest political ally and benefactor, China would appear to hold all the cards when it comes to reining in Kim Jong Un's regime.

However, its response to?Pyongyang's latest nuclear test was rather muted Tuesday.

Beijing's foreign minister summoned North Korea's ambassador for a dressing down and sternly expressed "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition" to the test.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Beijing will also join in a meeting set for?later this week to discuss how best to respond to the?nuclear test. But it remains unclear if Beijing will support tougher new sanctions, or that any new round of UN sanctions or resolutions will have much impact on the reclusive nation's actions.

Since the 1950-1953 Korean War,?North Korea has been subjected to an array?of multinational and unilateral sanctions by the international community. The country's leaders have responded to the isolation by focusing even more intently on developing sophisticated weapons and rocket programs that have simultaneously infuriated regional neighbors and drawn them to the negotiating table.

White House: North Korea nuclear test 'highly provocative'

Many regional observers have suggested that international sanctions are doomed to failure as long as Beijing continues to prop up and sustain its neighbor through aid and investment.

Chinatopix via AP

North Korean soldiers stand guard on the river bank of the North Korean town of Sinuiju, opposite the Chinese border city of Dandong on Tuesday.

Indeed, over the years China has staunchly supported?North Korea on the international field, arguing that individual countries have the right to develop rocket programs that were scientific in nature and helping to derail stiffer sanctions against North Korea by the UN.

Last month's surprise announcement that China had joined in with the rest of the UN Security Council in condemning North Korea's latest rocket test seemed to represent a shift in its way of engaging with its?neighbor, and long-time Communist comrade. However, it later emerged that China had worked hard to block any new sanctions.

The Associated Press noted:

Despite being the North's biggest source of aid and diplomatic support, Beijing has been reluctant to back more severe measures that could destabilize the North's hardline regime, which serves as a buffer between China and democratic South Korea backed by U.S. forces.?

In the weeks leading up to Tuesday's nuclear test, it has been widely reported that China had been working behind the scenes with North Korea to halt the test and suspend their nuclear program.

Officially, China's Foreign Ministry has maintained steady support for North Korea by lamely calling for peace on the Korean peninsula and greater engagement by all parties.

Ambassador Susan Rice tells reporters at the United Nations that North Korea's latest, "highly-provocative" and "regrettable" act of testing a nuclear weapon "directly violates" security council resolution and threatens international peace, "vowing a swift, credible and strong response."

But in China's state-run media, the frustration towards North Korea has become obvious.

A strongly worded opinion piece last week in the typically nationalistic Chinese newspaper, Global Times, called on China's ruling Communist Party to take a tougher stance on North Korea provocations.

"If North Korea insists on a third nuclear test despite attempts to dissuade it, it must pay a heavy price," the paper said, effectively calling for an end to Chinese economic aid to the struggling country as punishment.

The Global Times certainly does not reflect official Chinese policy; state censors tend to give greater latitude to papers like the Global Times, using such media as a spigot from which to turn nationalist sentiment on and off while also gauging popular opinion. But it could indicate the direction China may be prepared to go to ensure stability on its borders.

Although tougher economic sanctions backed by China might cause Kim and his generals to reconsider their drive for more sophisticated nuclear devices, the move could also alienate Pyongyang and create a nuclear-armed rival on its doorstep.

Ed Jones / AFP-Getty Images

A North Korean flag flies above the North Korean Embassy in Beijing on Tuesday.

It is for this reason ? and the fact that China's leadership transition?is not yet complete, with Xi Jinping still not formally president until June ?that Beijing's reaction to North Korea transgressions will likely remain subdued.

It appears likely that China will join the Security Council this week in condemning the North Koreans for this nuclear test, but it remains unclear which way Beijing will fall on stronger sanctions.

Their decision could finally shed some light on the opaque political calculus that Beijing uses in dealing with its wayward old ally North Korea.

Related:

North Korea propaganda video shows US city in flames

China state media: N. Korea would pay 'heavy price' for nuclear test

Show of force: US, South Korea hold naval drills

Source: http://behindthewall.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/12/16938472-north-korea-crisis-china-speaks-softly-to-avoid-alienating-nuclear-armed-neighbor?lite&ocid=msnhp&pos=1

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Cloud Adoption Increases as More Educators Use Cloud Services

Educators and government workers help drive cloud adoption in their organizations, a 2013 State of the Cloud Report shows.

In a CDW-G survey of 1,242 IT professionals across six sectors, 73 percent say their employees' personal use of cloud apps has somewhat or significantly influenced their organizations' decisions to move toward cloud computing.?On top of that, 68 percent of IT professionals said employee requests for cloud services have increased over the last two years.

These professionals answered the survey questions in August and September 2012, and the results were released on Monday, Feb. 11. The whole survey sample has a margin of error of ?2.7 percent, while industry sub-groups have a margin of error of ?7.9 percent.

Because employees have been using cloud services personally, they're influencing their organizations to start using cloud, implement it quickly, and bring it to their business units. Higher education and K-12 cloud adoption and maintenance jumped significantly in 2012 from the previous year. But according to this survey, state and local government is much slower to adopt.

Cloud Computing Adoption and Maintenance	Higher Education	K-12 Education	State and Local Government
2012	43%	42%	27%
2011	34%	27%	23%
Percent Change	+9%	+15%	+4%

These three industries all cite the same top two barriers to cloud adoption: concerns with security of proprietary data or applications and performance of cloud services. But the third barrier is unique to each sector.

In higher education, the third barrier is understanding who's responsible for what when it comes to service level agreements with vendors. These agreements don't always make that clear.

In K-12 education, integrating cloud apps or infrastructure with legacy systems is the third largest barrier.

In state and local government, senior-level managers who aren't in IT are holding the organization back from adopting cloud services. This concern could explain in part why state and local government is moving to the cloud much more slowly than schools and universities.?

Overall, storage, and conferencing and collaboration are the top two services or applications that are moving to the cloud. Forty percent of K-12 IT professionals alone have their storage in the cloud, compared to 31 percent in higher education and 19 percent in state and local government.

Following the money trail, IT leaders across industries say they're currently saving 13 percent of their budget by using cloud resources and applications. And over four years, they project to see savings of 25 percent.

Main image courtesy of Shutterstock

This story was originally published at the Center for Digital Education

Source: http://www.govtech.com/e-government/Cloud-Adoption-Increases-as-More-Educators-Use-Cloud-Services.html

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