PFT: SEC accounts for 63 picks ? a quarter of the draft

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After analyzing?the draft needs of all 32 teams, PFT will review how well each team addressed those needs. Up next: The Oakland Raiders.?

What?they?needed: Defensive line, quarterback, offensive line, cornerback, tight end, wide receiver.

Who they got:
Round 1: D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston.
Round 2: Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State.
Round 3: Sio Moore, LB, Connecticut.
Round 4: Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas.
Round 6: Nick Kasa, TE, Colorado.
Round 6: Latavius Murray, RB, UCF.
Round 6: Mychal Rivera, TE, Tennessee.
Round 6: Stacy McGee, DT, Oklahoma.
Round 7: Brice Butler, WR, San Diego State.
Round 7: David Bass, DE, Missouri Western.

Where they hit: Hayden, who survived a freakish life-threatening internal injury suffered in November, could be the Raiders? top cornerback in short order. With the second-rounder acquired from Miami, the Raiders added Watson, a tackle prospect with upside. Moore is a good scheme fit, and Wilson could prove a very good value if he plays to his best collegiate form.

Where they missed: The Raiders didn?t draft a defensive lineman until Round Six. There?s playing time to be had for ends Bass and Jack Crawford (2012 fifth-rounder) and tackles McGee and Christo Bilukidi (2012 sixth-rounder) behind the Raiders? veteran starters, but Oakland could use a little more help at both line positions. In McKenzie?s defense, the Raiders have numerous needs, and on first analysis, he did quite well to add talent and depth in this draft.

Impact rookies: Given the state of the Raiders? roster, all 10 drafted rookies have a chance to make the team, and several could earn game-day snaps of consequence in Year One, so we?re going to cast a slightly wider net than usual here.

Hayden has the best shot to start. He should compete with Tracy Porter and Mike Jenkins right off the bat. Moore is also a player to watch; the Raiders have revamped their LB corps this offseason but don?t have any standouts. A talented fresh face has a chance to make an impact early at this position. Watson?s best opportunity to start in 2013 is at right tackle, but that?s no sure thing, given his lack of experience.

Rivera is a potential sleeper, given the Raiders? lack of a clear-cut top target at tight end after the departure of Brandon Myers. And then we come to Wilson. Matt Flynn will get first run at the starting job. Wilson will have to be a quick study to challenge Flynn and Terrelle Pryor. However, it?s not out of the realm of possibility.

Long-term prospects: Give McKenzie credit ? this roster has improved at numerous positions compared to where it stood earlier in the spring. In the best-case scenario for the Raiders? Class of 2013, these three things happen: 1) Hayden is a starter-caliber player from the get-go; 2) Watson and Wilson build on their potential; 3) the Day Three picks other than Wilson provide solid depth, with one or two panning out better than Oakland expected.

Make no mistake: the Raiders have a lot of catching up to do in the AFC West. However, there?s vast opportunity for some young players to seize some key roles. The Raiders have to hope more than a few rise to the occasion.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/28/with-63-draft-picks-sec-produces-a-quarter-of-the-nfls-talent/related/

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Former Ms. magazine editor Mary Thom dies in N.Y. crash

YONKERS, N.Y. (AP) ? Prominent feminist Mary Thom, a writer and former editor of Ms. magazine who also was an avid motorcyclist, crashed while riding on a highway and was killed, her nephew said Saturday. She was 68.

Thom had a passion for riding motorcycles and died riding her 1996 Honda Magna 750 on Friday evening on the Saw Mill River Parkway in Yonkers, just north of New York City, nephew Thom Loubet said.

"The important thing to know about Mary is that she was a major leader of the 70's Feminist movement, but never desired the limelight," Loubet said in an email. "She stayed behind the scenes tirelessly crafting the message and simply making it better."

Thom was one of Ms. magazine's founding members and served as an editor there for about 20 years, leaving in 1992. She also was an author who wrote a book about the history of Ms. and was a co-author, with Suzanne Braun Levine, of an oral history of former congresswoman and activist Bella Abzug.

Most recently, Thom was the editor-in-chief of the Women's Media Center's features department, which produces reports and commentaries by national and international contributors.

Thom, an Akron, Ohio, native, lived for decades in New York City, where she became one of the women's movement's best editors, feminist icon Gloria Steinem said.

"She had a gift for helping people tell their own story, not for helping them sound like others, but helping them find their own voice," Steinem said.

Thom loved baseball, especially the Cleveland Indians, and adored watching Jon Stewart's hit Comedy Central program, "The Daily Show," Loubet said.

Thom is survived by her sister and other relatives.

Her death was first reported by The Journal News. Westchester County police did not immediately return calls seeking comment on the crash.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ex-ms-magazine-editor-mary-thom-dies-ny-011958281.html

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Ten Tips for Making Your Vancouver Home Greener | Your ...

Greener by Anita Hart

Are you committed to sustainable living but unsure where to start? Here is a small guide for you with 10 tips for a healthier, more ecological, and happier home. And the best part? You don?t need to undertake any major remodelling or reconstruction. You just need to take tiny steps that will contribute to a better environment ? because being a good global citizen starts at our doorsteps.

1. Greener Appliances

Did you know that getting rid of the old refrigerator standing in your garage would save you $150 a year?

Electrical appliances such as a vacuum cleaner, food processor, refrigerator, or washing machine account for about 18 per cent of a typical home?s total energy bill, and the fridge is one of the biggest energy hogs because it?s switched on 365 days a year. You should change your appliances every 10 years at most and always look for the A++ or ?Energy Star? labelled models. These appliances use from 10 to 50 per cent less energy and water than standard models. According to the Energy Star site, if just one in ten homes used energy-efficient appliances, this would be equivalent to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees ? and that is a big change!

Now that you have a new, energy-efficient fridge, think a little about what you put inside. Living green and eating green should be everybody?s priority, so next time you go grocery shopping, pick apples that are not placed on a polystyrene tray and wrapped up in plastic so that you minimize waste. The best way to buy produce is to support your local community by buying food at farmers markets. You will get healthier groceries, support local farmers and producers (and the local economy), and save the planet from burning fossil fuels to get food to you from the other side of the planet.

2. Heating and Cooling

Did you know that almost half a home?s energy consumption is spent heating and cooling?

Shades by Daniel Hsia

Energy saving is the topic right now, but what more can we do except switching off the light and TV? Thermoregulation is the answer. If you?re planning to have a new house built, consult the building company about wall and roof insulation, as this is the best way to minimize energy waste. If you, on the other hand, live in a house that won?t be reconstructed any time soon, don?t worry. There is a way to lower your energy bill as well.

• Turn down the thermostat during winter and keep it higher in summer. Each degree below 20?C during cold weather and above 25?C during summer saves from 3 to 5 per cent of your heating energy. If you don?t own a programmable thermostat, it?s a good idea to invest in one, and it will do the work for you automatically.
• Clean the filter on your furnace at least once a month during the period of heavy use. The same rule as with electrical appliances applies here: if your furnace is older than 10 years, consider replacing it with a newer model. Today?s furnaces are about 25 per cent more efficient than they were in the 1990s. Once again, don?t forget to look for the A++ or ?Energy Star? label.
• Keeping your house cooler during summer months is easy and very cost-efficient with shades or blinds (hardwood or textile). This is a trick used in the Caribbean: you close them at around 10:00 A.M. and open them again at around 4:00 P.M. when the sun starts to set. You will be surprised how nice and cool your rooms will be, even without air conditioning.
• Replace your air conditioning with a ceiling fan. Moving air feels cooler, and perhaps with a fan running, you won?t even have to think about switching the air conditioning on.

3. Shut Off the Tap

Did you know that turning the water off when you brush your teeth will save 17 litres each time?

Tap by Rickard B

The ?save water, drink wine? rule won?t really work here ? sorry! Canadian households use excessive amounts of water every day, and most of the time it wouldn?t hurt us if we shut off the tap.

• Stop washing dishes under running water. Some people find it uncomfortable to shut off the water completely, soap the dishes, and then rinse them all at once. If this is your case, shut off the water as you go. You don?t need a waterfall in your sink.
• Install a low-flow toilet. They use only 7 litres per flush, compared to 15 litres per flush for pre-1994 models. If you have an older model, adjust your float valve to admit less water into the toilet?s tank.
• Behavioural changes are the cheapest and most effective techniques. Next time you decide to clean the driveway, use a broom instead of the garden hose. It can save you 364 litres of water!

4. Clean Green

Did you know that last year, cleaning products were responsible for nearly 10 per cent of all toxic exposures?

No one knows how toxic household cleaners and detergents really are because manufacturers don?t need to list ingredients. What seems like a great stain remover may actually be disastrous for the environment. Every personal care or cleaning product we use is flushed down with our water, and many times nature can?t deal with the harsh chemicals that were used. Given our obsession with clean homes, the amount of hazardous chemicals entering the soil and water is alarming.

Household cleaners were produced during World War II for the first time as a soap substitute. How did people keep their homes clean before? Surprisingly easily. They used mixtures of hot water and soap, vinegar, or baking soda. Such cleaning products are nature-friendly, wallet-friendly, and definitely the enemy of all stains. Have a look here for homemade cleaning product recipes.

5. See the Light

Did you know that on average we have our lamps switched on for 2.7 hour per day and 1,000 hours per year?

Lamps by Chris Corwin

Replacing old light bulbs hurts those who love the warm, soft, bright light of old-fashioned bulbs. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs replace old incandescent bulbs in most cases. They use 66 per cent less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer. Replacing a 100-watt incandescent bulb with a 32-watt fluorescent can save $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb. The only disadvantage is their design and their neon blue light that couldn?t be further from the soft yellow we?ve come to prefer.

However, there is a remedy for this problem as well. For those of you who still hesitate, try to replace a halogen light bulb with a new LED bulb and you?ll be surprised. Philips has made the most eco-friendly LED light bulb to date. The 3W Econic spotlight is a direct replacement for the ubiquitous 35W halogen bulb and claims to have the same light output. Try it and see for yourself that Philips wasn?t exaggerating. This is brighter than any other LED on market.

The most amazing thing about LED light bulbs is that they contain absolutely no hazardous materials, and that makes them safe for any room and convenient to recycle.

6. Tree-Free

Did you know that recycling a four-foot stack of newspapers saves the equivalent of one 12-metre fir tree?

Stack of newspapers by Cas

It?s surprising that our paper consumption is rising despite the fact that we use tablets instead of restaurant menus, read books on ereaders, and write emails instead of letters. Where is the all the paper going then? Packaging and junk mail. While the offices and corporations pay close attention to their paper usage levels and they use recycled paper for draft prints, high-quality paper is wasted elsewhere. If you receive tons of junk mail every week, try to unsubscribe. Maybe you even forgot that once, five years ago, you ticked a box and agreed to be mailed a new catalog or list of products and services every now and then. If you automatically move the envelope to the bin, unsubscribing will save you time and bin space ? and in the long run you can save some trees as well.

• When you?re buying a new box of paper, go for the unbleached variety. Many paper products, including some made from recycled fibres, are bleached with chlorine. The bleaching process can create harmful byproducts, including dioxins, which accumulate in our air, water, and soil over time.
• Set up a paper bin or paper box where you will store all read newspapers and magazine and other paper waste. This box can then be taken directly back into newsprint recycling.

7. No Unnecessary Plastics

Did you know that each year, we throw away some 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags ? from grocery and trash bags to those convenient sandwich bags?

Plastic bag by zeevveez

Plastics are made from petroleum, the processing and burning of which is considered one of the main contributors to global warming, according to the EPA. Moreover, not-recycled plastics kept in landfills contribute to the increase of greenhouse gases.

How can we lower our dependance on plastics? Using other materials or no material at all is the key. Plastics used for packaging are the most harmful ? not because they are made differently but because people seldom recycle them. Next time you walk your dog, try to count how many plastic packages there are on the street and let me know in the comments below. It would be interesting to know.

Buying groceries directly from producers can decrease the amount of packaging you use dramatically. So does carrying your purchases home in your own canvas tote that can be used over and over, and when you decide to retire the tote, nature will take it back with much more enthusiasm than any plastic bag.

8. Hardwood Flooring

Did you know that about 2.5 acres of bamboo sequesters 62 tonnes of CO2 per year, compared with the same area of a young forest, which holds on to 15 tonnes of CO2?

Harwood flooring by Mitch Barrie

Bamboo flooring is beautiful and can replace your hardwood flooring with charm. Maybe you have heard of it and maybe you haven?t, but bamboo is considered an environmentally friendly flooring material mainly due to its high yield and the relatively fast rate at which it replenishes itself.

• Bamboo is technically a grass, not a tree, and once the young bamboo is planted, it takes anywhere from four to ten years for the useable ?wood? to mature. After that, the plant can grow new shoots each year. And the shoots grow quickly ? as many as 30 centimetres per day. Impressive, don?t you think?
• Bamboo starts with rhizomes ? stems that grow underground and send shoots and leaves above ground. Therefore the plant can be harvested regularly without killing it. Trees, on the other hand, can be used only once, and it takes decades for a tree to mature.
• Thanks to the rapid growth rate of bamboo, it absorbs more carbon and produces more oxygen. It generates around 35 per cent more oxygen than the equivalent number of trees.
• Beyond these advantages, high-quality bamboo is stronger than regular hardwood floors, partly due to the fact that it?s a grass that bends in the wind. Because of its flexibility, high-quality bamboo is as durable as most types of hardwood.

Are you hooked on bamboo yet? If so, don?t forget to use formaldehyde-free glue to finish off your nature-friendly floor with style.

9. I Paint, You Paint, Healthy Paint

Did you know that conventional paints contain solvents, toxic metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can cause smog, ozone pollution, and indoor air quality problems with negative health effects?

The problems with most commonly available paints is their ingredient list. Besides VOCs, you can find fungicides and biocides as well. Toxic fungicides prevent mildew growth, and biocides acts as preservatives to extend shelf life. Toxic biocides can be detected in the air five years after the paint containing the chemicals is applied.

What should you look for when buying an indoor paint? Ideally you will want to use paint that meets all three health requirements: low VOCs (the Environmental Protection Agency?s minimum requirements are 250 grams per litre of VOCs in ?low-VOC? latex paints and no more than 380 grams per litre for ?low-VOC? oil-based paints), low fungicides and low biocides, and natural pigments.

Use pigments that come from a plant and are not made in a plant. Milk paint and natural paints are the most widely used interior paints. Natural paints derive from substances such as citrus and balsam, as well as minerals. Although these paints are made with natural materials and are petroleum-free, they often contain terpenes, which are VOCs derived from plants. However, they don?t usually contain fungicides and biocides. Milk paint, which is made with milk protein (called ?casein?) and lime is excellent for interiors and also gives wood a rich, deep colour.

10. Garden Green

Did you know that compost provides a full complement of soil organisms and the balance of nutrients needed to maintain soil?s well-being without the chemicals of synthetic fertilizers?

Perennial plants by InAweofGodsCreation

Have you decided to take up gardening? Great choice! Nothing beats the feeling of topping your yoghurt with fresh, home-grown strawberries. Gardening is not difficult when you choose the right combinations of plants and fertilizers.

• Try to use native plants as much as possible. Ask your neighbour for sprouts of plants that are obviously growing happily and without problems. Local plants have adapted over time to the environment and support native animals. They also use less water and require less of your attention.
• Make perennial plants at least 70 per cent of your home garden. Perennials live more than one year, and that means you don?t have to pay for new plants every spring. It also saves the resources required for growing annuals.
• Don?t use chemical pesticides, and set up a compost at the furthest corner of your garden. You can then proudly call your fruit and veggies organic.

While there are many other tips to help you save energy and be more nature-friendly, our list of the top 10 should be viewed as a solid starting point. If you?re hungry for one last eco tip, here it is: dig up the old-fashioned push mover from the back of your garage and start using. The only energy it uses is your own.

If you have a great energy-saving idea, please share it with us in a comment below!

Source: http://yourvancouverrealestate.ca/vancouver-life/2013/04/make-your-home-green/

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House passes Senate plan to ease air traffic delays (reuters)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories Stories, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

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AirDroid 2.0 update adds phone finder, camera access and cellular data use

If you're an Android user with a pressing need to transfer files from your phone to your computer (and vice versa), there's a good chance you've heard of AirDroid. The remote access tool, which has been widely available on the Play Store for ages, has finally received an update that makes it even more useful. First, a primer: AirDroid gives you the ability to access all of the files on your phone -- APKs, music, photos, videos and plenty more -- directly in a web app on your browser, which offers an Android-like user interface. You can view or download videos, pull up your contact lists and even send and receive messages, just as if you were using the phone itself.

Version 2.0, which has been in the works for several months, adds even more useful functionality. The update now gives you the ability to access your phone with a cellular data connection, whereas WiFi was the only option previously. It also throws in a "Find my Phone" feature, a remote wipe and a camera option that will let you see your phone's front or rear camera views -- as well as snap pictures remotely and store them directly on your computer -- without activating the display (a very useful feature in case your prized possession gets stolen). It also supports incoming call notifications, as well as the opportunity to initiate outgoing ones. Not bad for a free (ad-supported) app, so head to the link below to check it out.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile

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Tax-free Internet shopping jeopardized by bill

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2010 file photo, an Amazon.com package is prepared for shipment by a United Parcel Service (UPS) driver in Palo Alto, Calif. States could force Internet retailers to collect sales taxes under a bill that overwhelmingly passed a test vote in the Senate Monday, April 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2010 file photo, an Amazon.com package is prepared for shipment by a United Parcel Service (UPS) driver in Palo Alto, Calif. States could force Internet retailers to collect sales taxes under a bill that overwhelmingly passed a test vote in the Senate Monday, April 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Tax-free shopping on the Internet could be in jeopardy under a bill making its way through the Senate.

The bill would empower states to require online retailers to collect state and local sales taxes for purchases made over the Internet. The sales taxes would be sent to the states where a shopper lives.

Under current law, states can only require stores to collect sales taxes if the store has a physical presence in the state. As a result, many online sales are essentially tax-free, giving Internet retailers a big advantage over brick-and-mortar stores.

The Senate voted 74 to 20 Monday to take up the bill. If that level of support continues, the Senate could pass the bill as early as this week.

Supporters say the bill is about fairness for businesses and lost revenue for states. Opponents say it would impose complicated regulations on retailers and doesn't have enough protections for small businesses. Businesses with less than $1 million a year in online sales would be exempt.

"While local, community-based stores and shops compete for customers on many levels, including service and selection, they cannot compete on sales tax," said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation. "Congress needs to address this disparity."

And, he added, "Despite what the opponents say this is not a new tax."

In many states, shoppers are required to pay unpaid sales tax when they file their state income tax returns. However, states complain that few people comply.

"I do know about three people that comply with that," said Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., the bill's main sponsor.

President Barack Obama supports the bill. His administration says it would help restore needed funding for education, police and firefighters, roads and bridges and health care.

But the bill's fate is uncertain in the House, where some Republicans regard it as a tax increase. Heritage Action for America, the activist arm of the conservative Heritage Foundation, opposes the bill and will count the vote in its legislative scorecard.

"It is going to make online businesses the tax collectors for the nation," said Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H. "It really tramples on the decision New Hampshire has made not to have a sales tax."

Many of the nation's governors ? Republicans and Democrats ? have been lobbying the federal government for years for the authority to collect sales taxes from online sales, said Dan Crippen, executive director of the National Governors Association. Those efforts intensified when state tax revenues took a hit from the recession and the slow economic recovery.

"It's a matter of equity for businesses," Crippen said. "It's a matter of revenue for states."

The issue is getting bigger for states as more people make purchases online. Last year, Internet sales in the U.S. totaled $226 billion, up nearly 16 percent from the previous year, according to Commerce Department estimates.

The bill pits brick-and-mortar stores like Wal-Mart against online services such as eBay. Amazon.com, which initially fought efforts in some states to make it collect sales taxes, supports it too. Amazon and Best Buy have joined a group of retailers called the Marketplace Fairness Coalition to lobby on behalf of the bill.

"Amazon.com has long supported a simplified nationwide approach that is evenhandedly applied and applicable to all but the smallest-volume sellers," Paul Misener, Amazon's vice president of global public policy, said in a recent letter to senators.

On the other side, eBay has been rallying customers to oppose the bill.

"I hope you agree that imposing unnecessary tax burdens on small online businesses is a bad idea," eBay President and CEO John Donahoe said in a letter to customers. "Join us in letting your members of Congress know they should protect small online businesses, not potentially put them out of business."

The bill is also opposed by senators from states that have no sales tax, including Sens. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

Baucus said the bill would require relatively small Internet retailers to comply with sales tax laws in thousands of jurisdictions.

"This legislation doesn't help businesses expand and grow and hire more employees," Baucus said. "Instead, it forces small businesses to hire expensive lawyers and accountants to deal with the burdensome paperwork and added complexity of tax rules and filings across multiple states."

But Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said the bill requires participating states to make it relatively easy for Internet retailers to comply. States must provide free computer software to help retailers calculate sales taxes, based on where shoppers live. States must also establish a single entity to receive Internet sales tax revenue, so retailers don't have to send them to individual counties or cities.

"We're way beyond the quill pen and ledger days," Durbin said. "Thanks to computers and thanks to software it is not that complex."

___

Follow Stephen Ohlemacher on Twitter: http://twitter.com/stephenatap

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-04-23-US-Internet-Sales-Tax/id-5e078236a99f40a3be1bbb629dcd56ba

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Apple Passes 45B Total Unique App Downloads At A Rate Of 800 Per Second With Over $9B Paid To Devs

Apple took time to update investors on the status of its ecosystem on today's call, revealing that it has crossed the 45 billion total app download mark, just over four months after it crossed the 40 billion download mark back in January. Apps are being downloaded at a rate of 800 per second, from a total pool of 850,000 iOS apps in total, with 350,000 apps designed for iPad alone.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/GGte6oKr7Uc/

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CA-BUSINESS Summary

Wall Street Week Ahead: In earnings frenzy, will Apple get crushed?

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Apple may have lost nearly half of its value since its peak in September, but it's still the talk of the town. Only this time, it's all about how low can it go? Wall Street would normally be set for a technical rebound after a drop of more than 2 percent, the worst weekly decline so far this year. But that could easily change by the time the iPhone maker reports its earnings, which are due on Tuesday after the closing bell.

Exclusive: In rarity, Bernanke to skip Jackson Hole due to scheduling conflict

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will miss the annual Jackson Hole monetary policy symposium this year due to a scheduling conflict, skipping the prestigious event for the first time since taking the helm of the central bank in 2006. The conference, held in late August in the splendor of the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, draws top central bankers from around the world. Bernanke's absence would mark the first time in 25 years that a Fed chairman has not attended.

Japan wins approval from member countries to join Trans-Pacific trade talks

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan won approval from participating countries to join talks on a U.S.-led Asia Pacific free trade agreement, central to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's plans to open the economy to more competition and revive growth. The formal invitation for Tokyo to join the negotiations was extended at a meeting of members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on Saturday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering in Surabaya, Indonesia, according to a joint statement.

Action needed to boost confidence in global economy, IMF says

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Global finance officials on Saturday said monetary policy alone was not enough to restore confidence in the shaky global economy as they urged countries to take other steps to reinvigorate growth and create jobs. "We need to act decisively to nurture a sustainable recovery and restore the resilience of the global economy," the International Monetary Fund's steering committee said at the conclusion of the world lender's spring meeting.

FAA approves Boeing Dreamliner battery system design

(Reuters) - U.S. regulators approved on Friday a revamped battery system for Boeing Co's 787 Dreamliner, a crucial step in returning the high-tech jet to service after it was grounded in January because its lithium-ion batteries overheated. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval of design changes allows Boeing to immediately begin making repairs to the fleet of 50 planes owned by airlines around the world.

Banks, gold shares drive TSX gains as sentiment improves

TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index climbed on Friday, as improved investor sentiment and a rise in the price of some commodities fueled gains in financial and material shares, offsetting a decline in energy companies. The gains failed to stem a 2.2 percent fall in the index this week, its second-biggest weekly decline of the year, triggered by a giant commodities selloff on Monday, when the price of gold posted its biggest ever drop.

Most EU bank union work can be done without law change: Eurogroup head

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The euro zone's top project to boost economic growth - banking union - will not be delayed for now by a row over whether it needs EU law changed because most of the work can be done before this is settled, a senior euro zone official said on Saturday. Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the Dutch finance minister who chairs the monthly meetings of his euro zone colleagues, said the dispute on the legal requirements of the banking union can go in parallel with more technical work on how it would function.

GM's Opel returns to Shanghai auto show with limited ambitions

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - General Motors' troubled Opel division is returning to China's main auto show after a five-year absence, with three new cars at the center of a long-promised push into the world's largest market. In Germany, where Opel employs around 20,000 workers, the move may please unions and politicians anxious to preserve jobs in an election year.

GM to add four more plants in China by 2015: executive

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - General Motors Co will add four new plants in the next three years in China to bring its production capacity to 5 million vehicles a year, the head of GM China said on Saturday at the Shanghai auto show. Bob Socia, head of GM China, said that the company and its joint venture partners will invest $11 billion in China by 2016, but did not break out the cost of the new plants.

Austrians say end bank secrecy for foreigners: polls

VIENNA (Reuters) - Most Austrians are in favor of relaxing the strict banking secrecy rules that have isolated the Alpine republic from its European peers, according to two polls published on Saturday. Only 18 percent want to keep banking secrecy in its current form, a Gallup poll for daily tabloid Oesterreich found, while a second poll for news weekly profil found only 14 percent would be opposed to Austria's sharing details of foreigners' accounts.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ca-business-summary-000601497--finance.html

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Eye Shadow Sticks, Creams, Gels, Pencils, Pressed Powders ...

Related eBooks

Explaining what different forms of eye shadow are used for what type of skin. Basic eyeshadow applications. 5 tips to have brilliant looking eyes.

Source:Eye Shadow Sticks, Creams, Gels, Pencils, Pressed Powders? What's the Difference?

Related Reading:

The Beauty Detox Foods: Discover the Top 50 Beauty Foods That Will Transform Your Body and Reveal a More Beautiful YouIn her bestselling book, The Beauty Detox Solution, Kimberly Snyder?one of Hollywood's top celebrity nutritionists and beauty experts?shared the groundbreaking program that keeps her A-list clientele in red-carpet shape. Now you can get the star treatment with this guide to the top 50 beauty foods that will make you more beautiful from the inside out. Stop wasting your money on fancy, expensive beauty products and get real results, while spending less at your neighborhood grocery.

? Enjoy avocados and sweet potatoes for youthful, glowing skin

? Snack on pumpkin seeds for lustrous hair

? Eat bananas and celery to diminish under-eye circles

With over 85 recipes that taste as good as they make you look, you can finally take charge of your health and beauty?one delicious bite at a time.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Making Natural Beauty ProductsA natural treasure for every body.

Whether it's about saving money, living greener, or treating sensitive skin, The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to Making Natural Beauty Products has everything the hobbyist will need to create organic, natural beauty products.

?Includes everything from face creams to mineral makeup to shampoo and more

?Each formula is clearly presented in recipe style, with notes on prep time, storage, and uses

?All products are made from natural ingredients which will appeal to people going green as well as to people with sensitive skin

Feed Your Face: Over 80 Natural Skin Care Recipes for Homemade Facial Masks for All Skin Types. (Natural Beauty Recipes)"Natural Beauty Recipes: Over 80 Easy Natural Skin Care Recipes for Homemade Facial Masks for All Skin Types".

This book will teach you to make your own organic and natural skincare products.

Natural Beauty Recipes contains more than 80 recipes and step-by-step techniques used by the author to create her own organic skincare products.

In this book readers will learn:

• how to care for different types of skin
• how to determine your skin type
• about ingredients for the masks and their properties
• secrets of making your own organic and natural skincare products (more than 80 recipes).

After reading this book, you will be able to create your own natural face masks. Natural Beauty Basics : Create Your Own Cosmetics and Body Care ProductsTaking care of yourself means making healthy choices. We are inundated with ads that tell us we cannot have naturally beautiful skin and hair without buying and using expensive brand name products. The fact is, we can attain a radiant, healthy appearance by making our own skin and hair care products out of all-natural ingredients.

Dorie Byers, a registered nurse, master gardener and herb enthusiast, describes the properties and characteristics of dozens of herbs, essential oils, and other natural ingredients, and provides a wealth of recipes for every skin type. These alternatives to commercial preparations will save you money and put you in control of the healthy ingredients you apply to your body.

Tags: beauty products

Source: http://www.jackiesbazaar.com/womensinterests/beauty-products/eye-shadow-sticks-creams-gels-pencils-pressed-powders-whats-the-difference

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Gene sequencing project finds new mutations to blame for a majority of brain tumor subtype

Apr. 14, 2013 ? The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital -- Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project has identified mutations responsible for more than half of a subtype of childhood brain tumor that takes a high toll on patients. Researchers also found evidence the tumors are susceptible to drugs already in development.

The study focused on a family of brain tumors known as low-grade gliomas (LGGs). These slow-growing cancers are found in about 700 children annually in the U.S., making them the most common childhood tumors of the brain and spinal cord. For patients whose tumors cannot be surgically removed, the long-term outlook remains bleak due to complications from the disease and its ongoing treatment. Nationwide, surgery alone cures only about one-third of patients.

Using whole genome sequencing, researchers identified genetic alterations in two genes that occurred almost exclusively in a subtype of LGG termed diffuse LGG. This subtype cannot be cured surgically because the tumor cells invade the healthy brain. Together, the mutations accounted for 53 percent of the diffuse LGG in this study. Researchers also demonstrated that one of the mutations, which had not previously been linked to brain tumors, caused tumors when introduced into the glial brain cells of mice.

The findings appear in the April 14 advance online edition of the scientific journal Nature Genetics.

"This subtype of low-grade glioma can be a nasty chronic disease, yet prior to this study we knew almost nothing about its genetic alterations," said David Ellison, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the St. Jude Department of Pathology and the study's corresponding author. The first author is Jinghui Zhang, Ph.D., an associate member of the St. Jude Department of Computational Biology.

The Pediatric Cancer Genome Project is using next-generation whole genome sequencing to determine the complete normal and cancer genomes of children and adolescents with some of the least understood and most difficult to treat cancers. Scientists believe that studying differences in the 3 billion chemical bases that make up the human genome will provide the scientific foundation for the next generation of cancer care.

"We were surprised to find that many of these tumors could be traced to a single genetic alteration," said co-author Richard K. Wilson, Ph.D., director of The Genome Institute at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. "This is a major pathway through which low-grade gliomas develop and it provides new clues to explore as we search for better treatments."

The study involved whole genome sequencing of 39 paired tumor and normal tissue samples from 38 children and adolescents with different subtypes of LGG and related tumors called low-grade glioneuronal tumors (LGGNTs). Although many cancers develop following multiple genetic abnormalities, 62 percent of the 39 tumors in this study stemmed from a single genetic alteration.

Previous studies have linked LGGs to abnormal activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway. The pathway is involved in regulating cell division and other processes that are often disrupted in cancer. Until now, however, the genetic alterations involved in driving this pathway were unknown for some types of LGG and LGGNT.

This study linked activation in the pathway to duplication of a key segment of the FGFR1 gene, which investigators discovered in brain tumors for the first time. The segment is called a tyrosine kinase domain. It functions like an on-off switch for several cell signaling pathways, including the MAPK/ERK pathway. Investigators also demonstrated that experimental drugs designed to block activity along two altered pathways worked in cells with theFGFR1 tyrosine kinase domain duplication. "The finding suggests a potential opportunity for using targeted therapies in patients whose tumors cannot be surgically removed," Ellison said.

Researchers also showed that the FGFR1 abnormality triggered an aggressive brain tumor in glial cells from mice that lacked the tumor suppressor gene Trp53.

Whole-genome sequencing found previously undiscovered rearrangements in the MYB and MYBL1 genes in diffuse LGGs. These newly identified abnormalities were also implicated in switching on the MAPK/ERK pathway.

Researchers checked an additional 100 LGGs and LGGNTs for the same FGFR1, MYB and MYBL1 mutations. Overall, MYB was altered in 25 percent of the diffuse LGGs, and 24 percent had alterations in FGFR1. Researchers also turned up numerous other mutations that occurred in just a few tumors. The affected genes included BRAF, RAF1, H3F3A, ATRX, EP300, WHSC1 and CHD2.

"The Pediatric Cancer Genome Project has provided a remarkable opportunity to look at the genomic landscape of this disease and really put the alterations responsible on the map. We can now account for the genetic errors responsible for more than 90 percent of low-grade gliomas," Ellison said. "The discovery that FGFR1 and MYB play a central role in childhood diffuse LGG also serves to distinguish the pediatric and adult forms of the disease."

The other authors are Gang Wu, Ruth Tatevossian, James Dalton, Bo Tang, Wilda Orisme, Chandanamali Punchihewa, Ibrahim Qaddoumi, Frederick Boop, Matthew Parker, Ryan Lee, Robert Huether, Xiang Chen, Erin Hedlund, Panduka Nagahawatte, Michael Rusch, Kristy Boggs, Jinjun Cheng, Jared Becksfort, Jing Ma, Guangchun Song, Yongjin Li, Lei Wei, Jianmin Wang, Sheila Shurtleff, John Easton, David Zhao, Bhavin Vadodaria, Heather Mulder, Chunlao Tang, Charles Mullighan, Amar Gajjar, Richard Kriwacki, Richard Gilbertson, James Downing and Suzanne Baker, all of St. Jude; Claudia Miller, formerly of St. Jude; Charles Lu, Cyriac Kandoth, Li Ding, Robert Fulton, Lucinda Fulton, David Dooling, Kerri Ochoa and Elaine Mardis, all of Washington University; and Denise Sheer of Queen Mary University of London.

The research was funded in part by the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project, including Kay Jewelers, a lead partner; a grant (CA096832) from the National Institutes of Health; and ALSAC.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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

---

Journal Reference:

1. Jinghui Zhang, Gang Wu, Claudia P Miller, Ruth G Tatevossian, James D Dalton, Bo Tang, Wilda Orisme, Chandanamali Punchihewa, Matthew Parker, Ibrahim Qaddoumi, Fredrick A Boop, Charles Lu, Cyriac Kandoth, Li Ding, Ryan Lee, Robert Huether, Xiang Chen, Erin Hedlund, Panduka Nagahawatte, Michael Rusch, Kristy Boggs, Jinjun Cheng, Jared Becksfort, Jing Ma, Guangchun Song, Yongjin Li, Lei Wei, Jianmin Wang, Sheila Shurtleff, John Easton, David Zhao, Robert S Fulton, Lucinda L Fulton, David J Dooling, Bhavin Vadodaria, Heather L Mulder, Chunlao Tang, Kerri Ochoa, Charles G Mullighan, Amar Gajjar, Richard Kriwacki, Denise Sheer, Richard J Gilbertson, Elaine R Mardis, Richard K Wilson, James R Downing, Suzanne J Baker, David W Ellison. Whole-genome sequencing identifies genetic alterations in pediatric low-grade gliomas. Nature Genetics, 2013; DOI: 10.1038/ng.2611

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/IGPZQlj-GAo/130414193148.htm

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Libya arrests 20 after attack on southern police compound

TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Libyan authorities have arrested 20 people after an attack on a police vehicle compound in the desert south in which one person was killed, the army chief said on Saturday.

The attack on the compound took place on Thursday in the southern town of Sabha, some 800 km (500 miles) south of the capital Tripoli.

"They arrived by car, armed with guns and starting shooting. They stole some cars and escaped," Yusef al-Mangoush, army chief of staff, told Reuters.

"One person died from injuries sustained in the attack. Those arrested have been transferred to Tripoli. We cannot say who they are yet as the investigation is still ongoing," he said, adding the stolen cars had been retrieved.

In the chaos since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya's vast desert south has become a smuggling route for weapons which have reached al Qaeda militants deeper in the Sahara.

Libya's national congress declared the south a military zone in December and ordered the temporary closure of borders with Algeria, Niger, Chad and Sudan.

Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Ali Zeidan met Mangoush, members of the ruling national congress and other officials to discuss improving security in the region.

"There are plans for developing the area - with better military and police," Zeidan told reporters.

Last month, two Libyan military officers were killed and three soldiers injured when unknown assailants forced their way into a military camp near Sabha.

(Reporting by Ali Shuaib; Writing by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by Jason Webb)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/libya-arrests-20-attack-southern-police-compound-210239876.html

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Rebel Wilson prepares to open MTV Awards with song

CULVER CITY, Calif. (AP) ? Rebel Wilson sings, dances and summons laughs ? and that's just in the opening moments of this weekend's MTV Movie Awards.

The Australian actress is hosting the show, and she's set to start the ceremony by singing solo.

Wilson and her co-stars from "Pitch Perfect" rehearsed a multi-genre opening medley Friday that features Wilson spoofing last year's films and spinning nunchucks.

Brittany Snow, Anna Camp and Skylar Astin, along with a troupe of gymnastic dancers, joined the first-time host at Sony Pictures Studios to run through four songs not featured in the film. MTV insists on keeping the titles a surprise until Sunday's show.

When the group finished rehearsing, Wilson thrust her fist toward the sky and shouted, "'Pitch Perfect' two!"

A sequel to the musical comedy has not been announced.

Wilson will be joined at the MTV Movie Awards by presenters such as Brad Pitt, Melissa McCarthy, Seth Rogen and Kerry Washington and performers including Selena Gomez. Jamie Foxx, Will Ferrell and Emma Watson will receive special awards at the ceremony, which will be broadcast live Sunday on MTV from 9-11 p.m. EDT.

___

Follow AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen on Twitter at www.twitter.com/APSandy.

___

Online:

http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2013/

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/rebel-wilson-prepares-open-mtv-awards-song-142313037.html

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Mutations found in individuals with autism interfere with endocannabinoid signaling in the brain

Mutations found in individuals with autism interfere with endocannabinoid signaling in the brain

Friday, April 12, 2013

Mutations found in individuals with autism block the action of molecules made by the brain that act on the same receptors that marijuana's active chemical acts on, according to new research reported online April 11 in the Cell Press journal Neuron. The findings implicate specific molecules, called endocannabinoids, in the development of some autism cases and point to potential treatment strategies.

"Endocannabinoids are molecules that are critical regulators of normal neuronal activity and are important for many brain functions," says first author Dr. Csaba F?ldy, of Stanford University Medical School. "By conducting studies in mice, we found that neuroligin-3, a protein that is mutated in some individuals with autism, is important for relaying endocannabinoid signals that tone down communication between neurons."

When the researchers introduced different autism-associated mutations in neuroligin-3 into mice, this signaling was blocked and the overall excitability of the brain was changed.

"These findings point out an unexpected link between a protein implicated in autism and a signaling system that previously had not been considered to be particularly important for autism," says senior author Dr. Thomas S?dhof, also of Stanford. "Thus, the findings open up a new area of research and may suggest novel strategies for understanding the underlying causes of complex brain disorders."

The results also indicate that targeting components of the endocannabinoid signaling system may help reverse autism symptoms.

The study's findings resulted from a research collaboration between the Stanford laboratories of Dr. S?dhof and Dr. Robert Malenka, who is also an author on the paper.

###

Cell Press: http://www.cellpress.com

Thanks to Cell Press 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.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/127717/Mutations_found_in_individuals_with_autism_interfere_with_endocannabinoid_signaling_in_the_brain

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Bialik happy with 'nonsexual' 'Big Bang' romance

CBS

Sheldon tries to nurse a sick Amy back to health on "The Big Bang Theory."

By Drusilla Moorhouse, TODAY contributor

Are Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler ever going to get past second base on "The Big Bang Theory"? Not if Mayim Bialik, who plays the nerdy neurobiologist on the CBS hit, has any say.

"I kind of like us the way we are," she told TODAY.com.

"Sheldon made a comment that he could picture the two of them having coitus (and) honestly, I was surprised that the producers were ready to have his character say that," shared the former "Blossom" star.

"I think it's really sweet that we depict an as-yet nonsexual romantic intimate relationship that is very sweet. But anything can happen on our show."

That includes some kinky spanking, the unforgettable moment that fans can enjoy (or cringe about) again on Thursday's rebroadcast of "The Fish Guts Displacement."

Originally, viewers weren't intended to actually see Sheldon deliver the corporal punishment to his "very bad girl" girlfriend.

"The naughty was (originally) supposed to be off-camera," Jim Parsons revealed at PaleyFest last month, adding: "It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do -- because I found it tremendously amusing."

But Bialik paid the price for the her co-star's repeated attempts "to get the sound we wanted": "There was some redness," she admitted.

"One thing I like about Amy is that she's very honest almost to a fault" -- except when she's tricking Sheldon, Bialik told us. "She's not afraid to bend the rules in terms of what's expected of her, or what people think she should act like, dress like, be like (or) have a relationship like."

Unfortunately, Bialik didn't share any screen time with legendary comedian Bob Newhart, who is guesting on the show May 2.

"I'm not in (the) episode sadly, so I did not get to meet him," said the chagrined actress. "It's really a bummer. I've been a huge 'Newhart' fan and spent many -- I don't know if they were lonely teenage years, but many appropriate teenage years watching ''Newhart' late at night."

When we asked Bialik what other series she'd like to guest on herself, she confessed, "I don't watch television. I've heard of shows. I was a huge fan of 'Northern Exposure' 20 years ago. I actually was seated next to (its star) Rob Morrow at this Alzheimer's benefit the other night and I was geeking out in my head the whole time. I've heard that 'Downton Abbey' is a good show and I sometimes look good in period pieces, so that might be fun."

(Maybe Lady Edith can interview famous scientist Marie Curie for her newspaper column?)

As to where "Big Bang" is headed, Bialik is completely in the dark.

"We know nothing" about the upcoming sixth-season finale, she told us. "(The writers) sort of go where their passion takes them!"

Do you hope Amy and Sheldon find passion on "Big Bang"? Tell us on our Facebook page!

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Source: http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2013/04/11/17689849-big-bang-theory-star-mayim-bialiks-surprising-stance-on-sheldon-amy-romance?lite

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Eric Church takes early lead at ACM Awards

LAS VEGAS (AP) ? Eric Church's nickname is "Chief," and early on at the Academy of Country Music Awards that title was spot-on.

This year's top nominee won album of the year for his breakthrough "Chief" on Sunday night, giving him two trophies and a tie for the early lead with Little Big Town. He also performed, singing his somber but powerful song "Like Jesus Does" with only an acoustic guitar and a backup singer.

"I can't believe I just met John Fogerty," Church said as he accepted the award from the Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman and Miranda Lambert. "We should hang out later."

Little Big Town had two wins for vocal group and video of the year, Florida Georgia Line won for new artist and husband and wife Shawna and Keifer Thompson continued their feel-good story as Thompson Square won its second straight vocal duo of the year award.

Shawna Thompson gave a shoutout to her mother from stage.

Tears came to her eyes backstage as she explained that her father had recently passed away and she wanted to acknowledge her mother during her acceptance speech to support her.

"She's just having a really hard time," she said.

Blake Shelton kicked the show off with his new single "Boys 'Round Here," a hip-hop-flavored ode to redneck swag. He was joined by Bryan, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow and Pistol Annies, a trio that includes his wife Miranda Lambert.

George Strait made his first appearance of the night, singing "Give It All We Got Tonight." Lady Antebellum debuted new song "Downtown" and Charles Kelley finished off the song by rubbing pregnant trio-mate Hillary Scott's belly. Carrie Underwood stepped out of a black Cadillac parked on stage as she started her song, "Two Black Cadillacs."

Co-hosts Shelton and Bryan ? who have given themselves the celebrity couple name "Bluke" ? immediately took it off-color as they insulted each other during their monologue.

"How about a shout out to the Sherwin-Williams company for spray-painting Luke's jeans on," Shelton joked as the camera zoomed in on Bryan's, ahem, mid-section.

Bryan took his turn: "Blake's jeans are like buying something on credit ? nothing up front. I mean, what size are those, extra empty?"

The focus of this year's ACM Awards is on the men of country, and it's not just Shelton and Bryan taking the spotlight.

Church started the night with an award before he even hit the red carpet, winning vocal event of the year for his collaboration with Bryan and Jason Aldean on "The Only Way I Know."

"It's still kinda strange to me," Church said on the red carpet. "It's been a long journey, a long path. I can't control what I'm nominated for. I really have nothing to do with win or lose. We could win all seven, lose all seven. I promise you it won't affect anything. We're going to make the same kind of music, the same kind of show. Whatever happens happens."

The night was a showcase for country's men of the moment ? and for its two dominant male stars of the last two decades, the marquee meeting of Brooks and Strait. They are two of music's top-selling artists regardless of genre, but have never performed together.

They will help honor the show's longtime producer Dick Clark, who passed away last year. The academy is naming its artist of the decade award for Clark, whose tenure with the show began in 1979.

The moment will be special ? and not just for the millions watching at home. It has country's biggest stars abuzz as well.

"Having George and Garth on stage together at one time on an awards show will become one of the most important pieces of tape in country music history," Dierks Bentley said.

Shelton, Bryan and Aldean are up for the fan-voted entertainer of the year award ? though they're facing off against academy favorite Miranda Lambert, who is Shelton's wife, and two-time winner Swift, a heavy favorite to three-peat given her relationship with fans.

Kelley of Lady Antebellum said the best of country would be on display during the show, and urged country newbies to tune in.

"It'll give you a broad spectrum of what country music is all about. There are so many styles that kind of fall under the same umbrella, so it's a good representation of the genre," he said.

Shelton is arguably country's most visible male today. "The Voice" coach has a weekly presence on national television, was the recent winner of the rival Country Music Association's entertainer of the year award and has risen to platinum status again after a mid-career lull that's a distant memory.

Aldean is country's best-selling male artist at the moment and Church and Bryan have recently joined him as acts who can fill arenas and reach multiplatinum sales.

They're so prevalent at this year's awards, they've elbowed out traditional nominees like Brad Paisley, who was shut out of the nominations for the first time since 1999, and Kenny Chesney, a perennial entertainer of the year nominee who was left out of the category despite putting on 2012's most talked about event ? his stadium tour with Tim McGraw.

Hayes will be joined by another performer who got his start as a precocious teen ? Stevie Wonder, making his first appearance on the show.

___

AP Writer Hannah Dreier contributed to this report.

___

Online:

http://acmcountry.com

___

Follow AP Music Writer Chris Talbott: http://twitter.com/Chris_Talbott.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/eric-church-takes-early-lead-acm-awards-012303497.html

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Top 10 Ways to Cure Your Boredom at Work

Ever have days where you feel like you're just slogging through useless, boring work and time seems to stand still? We do too. Here are ten ways to jump-start your job and make your days a little more interesting.

10. Start Your Day Off Right with a Better Commute

For many of us, the boredom doesn't even start at work?it starts once we hit the road to get to work. Whether you're stuck in traffic or you just live far away, that drive or ride can be a bear. Luckily, we've got a guide that can help you outsmart the traffic and keep your mind busy in the car (we recommend podcasts, and we have one you can start with). If all else fails, you can try to convince your boss to let you work from home sometimes, too?that can cut down on that boring, time-wasting commute. Photo by kusuriuri (Shutterstock), Fontana (Shutterstock), Lilkar (Shutterstock), and Nelli Shuyskaya (Shutterstock).

9. Make Your Cubicle More Productive (and Less Boring)

Believe it or not, your surroundings can make a big difference in your mood?and a tiny, boring, grey cubicle is not exactly the most exciting work environment. Lighting can make a big difference, so a lamp or two can help out, as can better furniture?particularly furniture that is more ergonomic. Heck, even a few plants and other decorations can make you feel more comfortable. Check out our guide to improving your in-office workspace for more details. Photo remixed from originals by maraga (Shutterstock) and OCAL.

8. Fight Exhaustion and Get Back to Work

Maybe the problem isn't your work. Maybe you're just exhausted and you don't have the energy to do your work, so your boredom and your energy become a vicious cycle. Eating and sleeping right can help a lot, but performing a few quick exercises can help get your blood moving and wake you up, too. And, if your boss will let you, a standing desk can help energize you as well (not to mention a short power nap). Check out this guide for more tips on surviving the workday when you're exhausted. Photos by Korki.

7. Make Your Meetings Worthwhile

Meetings are easily one of the most boring parts of your workday. Half the time they're just wasting time you could be spending on real work. We've talked about how to make it through a boring meeting before, but the best thing you can do is attack the problem at its source and change how meetings are run. Talk to your manager and see if you can give your meetings some constraints to keep them moving, and make sure they have a very specific agenda. Heck, even going outside and taking a walking meeting can help keep everyone engaged. Photo by Andrew Magill.

6. Become an Overachiever and Get Some Bonus Points

If your work is dull and easy, it can't hurt to take some extra notes during that meeting, or taking some extra initiative on that new project. Not only will it keep you engaged, it'll get the attention of your boss and help you score some nice points. While you're at it, you might want to do a self-review and identify your own professional pain points?that'll give you something to do.

5. Get Some New Responsibilities

If becoming an unofficial overachiever isn't enough, you can actually talk to your boss and see if you can negotiate a change in your job description. That way, you can work on things that are more interesting to you. Alternatively, see if you can institute some kind of "20% time," or work on other projects that'll be beneficial to the company. Heck, you could even swap a few tasks with your coworkers to keep things interesting.

4. Learn a New Skill During Work

If you do get some new responsibilities, you can learn a lot of new things from that, but even if you're stuck to your boring grunt work, you can use that time to learn a new skill that's interesting to you. Perhaps you can listen to educational podcasts while you work, learn a new language by changing the language on your favorite web sites, or use your breaks to reinvigorate you with a personal project. Some personal projects may even integrate with your work?just make sure you know your company's policies about pursuing personal projects on work time. Have a question or suggestion for Ask Lifehacker? Send it to tips+asklh@lifehacker.com.

3. Take More Web Browsing Breaks (Seriously)

Chances are, when you're bored, you get tempted to browse the web and waste time. As long as you don't go overboard, it's okay to give into that urge! In fact, some studies have shown that the occasional web surfing break actually increases productivity. After all, it's really hard to stay focused for 8 hours straight. Use your breaks wisely, but don't feel too guilty about heading off to Facebook, Twitter, or your favorite tech- and productivity-oriented weblog during your workday. Photo remixed from lululemon athletica.

2. Embrace Your Boredom: It Fosters Creativity

If your job requires any kind of brainstorming or creative work, even once in awhile, use your boring spells to foster creativity during that time. Letting your mind wander can help boost creative ideas, so the next time you're feeling bored, give in to the urge (as long as nothing important is happening). In the end, boredom, distraction, and procrastination are vital to healthy living, so you don't want to fight against them 24/7. Title image remixed from Subbotina Anna (Shutterstock).

1. Quit

Sometimes, boredom is something we just have to deal with. Other times, it means you're at a soul crushing job and it's time to leave. If you aren't sure whether it's time to quit your job, watch for these signs and take the advice of an employer: let your boss know and part on good terms. Then, you can get back out there and find a career you actually like, and kick that boredom to the curb permanently. Photo by Daniel Schweinert (Shutterstock).

Photo by pixs4u (Shutterstock), Gabrieelh, MIT OpenCourseWare, Pertsaboy, and tuku.

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/nbgGtoArzAY/top-10-ways-to-cure-your-boredom-at-work

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What Could Be More Relaxing Than a Hot Tub Surrounded By Fire?

Combining the backyard pastimes of hot tubs and fire pits, Cal Spas has created the Cal Flame R-Elements: a hot tub that surrounds those inside with a series of small butane fire pits. Because as anyone who's ever escaped a burning building will tell you, there's nothing more exciting than being surrounded by fire. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/dVr1Nz9sJ9g/what-could-be-more-relaxing-than-a-hot-tub-surrounded-by-fire

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Purple Samsung Galaxy S III coming to Sprint on April 12th for $99

Last month, a purple Galaxy S III first reared its regal-hued exterior accompanied by claims that it would launch on Sprint sometime in April. Tonight, a tipster sent a screenshot our way that's pegged the aubergine handset for an April 12th release on the Now Network. With the help of a $50 mail-in rebate, you'll be able to pick up the 16GB variant of the smartphone for $99 on a two-year contract. Finally, a phone that'll match our impeccable taste in handheld gaming consoles.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

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