China International Automotive Aftermarket Market Park was started ...

China Motor vehicle marketplace Industrial park site was started
5 eighteen JUNE AM, accompanied by bursts of drums plus the joyous sound of firecrackers, the China International Automotive Aftermarket Market Park begins celebration Funing Fiscal Progression Zone in Jiangsu was held.

China Automotive Market Association, vice president of guarantee products Guo-Hua Tian, China Automobile Servicing Any Market Association Deputy www.orange-jo.com Secretary-General Wang Ling, Funing committee secretary, Wang Jinsheng, director FuNing Standing Committee, the College Group Chairman Xu Lianguo, president wide, Xu Shi, executive vice president and Funing Committee, the Funing County government, Funing NPC, Funing Political Consultative Conference, the National Bank Financial Lease, Nanjing North (Group), Nanjing, Accor Firm, Shenzhen En-side investments, investment guarantees inside the United Guangtong Beijing Branch, auto upkeep and repair Journal, South Korea WINDBELL Firm, South Korea HESIBONHITECH firms, unit leaders to show up at.

wide primary opening statement, in recent years, the Chinese vehicle marketplace which has a considerable expand in car ownership and quick rise, however the vehicle marketplace Establishing Is simply not balanced, nowhere in the vicinity of the foreign car marketplace share subsequent to 40% share within the stage auto market place, most definitely vehicle ancillary services, car tradition facts, car financing and car instruction, the Chinese vehicle marketplace provides a much higher space for improvement. Against this qualifications, the China vehicle marketplace arrived into currently being in Yancheng Industrial Park.

China International Automotive Aftermarket Market Park groundbreaking ceremony was held guest speech
Tian Guohua within the China auto marketplace subsequent to the industrial park below building to get remarkably considerable, and its improvement prospective customers of large hopes. He says that China International Automotive Aftermarket Market Park is China?s greatest auto marketplace subsequent to assignments, government and enterprise useful resource integration crystallization within the national industrial and regional monetary improvement and powerful convergence benefits. The completion within the industrial park will promote the quick improvement of motor insurance coverage market place, maximize the overall power of motor insurance coverage market place. Counting on the maternal result within the industrial park, not only spawned a lot of with remarkably technical, large amount of creation services for SMEs, but additionally for that regional monetary building and improvement, human assets play a significant role in endorsing integration.

China International Automotive Aftermarket Market Park base project is Funing government, the big group, China International Automotive Aftermarket Market Park, sponsored jointly funded project. The project saundra set specialized manufacturing, distribution logistics, integrated services in a single, scheduling place of three,000 acres, a complete investment of one hundred billion program market place can be whole protection auto market place subsequent to the market?s 9 species, forming the foremost full industrial chain. Tasks adhere to the ?one-time scheduling, producing stage by step? putting together concepts, the complete building time period of three ages, advancing in 3 phases, the primary phase investment of 1.5 billion, program of 600 acres, will build up an yearly output of vehicles Paint home 5000, Raise 50,000 models, 20,000 plane frame correction, automatic Washer 5000, screening solutions, wheel alignment, balancing devices, changer, and a few 20 million sets within the creation plant 200 thousand sq. meters. Beginning to take shape by 2012, assignments are all accomplished to realize the yearly Promote A lot more than 35 billion yuan, yearly earnings of a lot more than 8.0 billion, led 50,000 personnel new careers.

Linked Reading through: China International Automotive Aftermarket Industrial Park Tasks

Source: http://www.co-next.net/china-international-automotive-aftermarket-market-park-was-started-out-upon-markets-automotive-indu/

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Rick Santorum cancels Sunday campaign plans to be with ill daughter Bella (Washington Post)

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Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/192969190?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Oil near $99 in Asia on Greece debt concern

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) ? Oil fell to nearly $99 a barrel Monday in Asia amid fresh concerns that the eurozone may refuse to grant Greece a fresh bailout.

Benchmark crude for March delivery was down 42 cents at $99.14 a barrel at midday Kuala Lumpur time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 14 cents to finish at $99.56 on Friday.

Victor Shum, an energy analyst with Purvin & Gertz in Singapore, said crude prices were volatile after Germany's finance minister warned that the eurozone might not give Greece a fresh bailout unless it can overhaul its state and economy. Analysts fear this could reignite the region's debt crisis.

European leaders were to meet later Monday in Brussels to discuss austerity measures and a tentative deal reached Saturday between Greece and its private investors to avert a disastrous Greek default on its debt.

Shum said supply concerns also weighed on the market although Iran has postponed plans to immediately cut the flow of crude oil to Europe in retaliation for EU sanctions over its nuclear program.

Iran also threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil passage, and the head of its national oil company warned Sunday that EU sanctions could push oil prices up to between $120 and $150 a barrel. The market is also awaiting report from an International Atomic Energy Agency team that is currently touring Tehran, Shum said.

"Trade has been flat. The geopolitical tension in Iran and concerns over Greece's debt default are driving oil in different directions. This has helped oil to hold steady," Shum added.

In other energy trading, heating oil rose 1 cent to $3.07 per gallon but gasoline futures were steady at $2.92 per gallon. Natural gas added 7 cents to $2.82 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-01-29-Oil-Prices/id-793803cd3b8d42c2a6090dc8523dc09d

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Clemson women lose 15th straight to No. 5 Duke (AP)

CLEMSON, S.C. ? Clemson coach Itoro Coleman doesn't expect to endure many more blowouts from No. 5 Duke.

In two seasons, the former Tiger standout guard has watched her program lose 92-37 and, on Friday night, 81-37. She swears better days are coming for Clemson women's basketball.

"We're not going to be this Clemson team forever," Coleman said. "I mean we have a lot of young kids on this team. We're in a unique situation where they're getting experience I don't think most kids around the world get."

The Tigers (5-13, 1-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) still have plenty to learn apparently after getting pounded by Duke (17-2, 8-0).

Clemson, trailing 25-22 with a little over five minutes left in the first half, were outscored 56-15 the rest of way. The Tigers couldn't score and couldn't stop the Blue Devils from scoring on the way to a 15th straight defeat in the series ? all but one of Duke's wins coming by fewer than 10 points.

Coleman remembers when she was a freshman for stellar coach Jim Davis on a Clemson team that was a regular contender for ACC titles. She gained her experience in practice against other, older standouts for the Tigers. Coleman's teams won five times against Duke during her four years. The Tigers have won only once since Coleman, then Itoro Umoh, left.

Her players ? Coleman starts three freshmen in Nikki Dixon, Chelsea Lindsay and Kelly Gramlich who each played 30 or more minutes ? don't have the luxury of watching and waiting. "They're kind of learning on job and that's just the reality of our team," she said. "We've got to continue to grow."

There are signs of improvement. Earlier this month, Clemson defeated North Carolina 52-47 to break a nine-year, 53-game streak of losses to top 25 opponents.

Tricia Liston scored 16 points and Elizabeth Williams 14 to lead Duke.

The Blue Devils will put their 34-game home winning streak on the line Monday when they host No. 3 Connecticut. The Huskies were the last team to beat Duke at home two seasons ago.

Duke made sure most shots by the Tigers didn't go in. Clemson finished 14 of 51 from the floor for 27.5 percent shooting, its second poorest performance this season. The Blue Devils had 12 steals and nine blocks, five of them by Williams.

Clemson didn't have a field goal over the last 13 minutes and didn't have a point in the final eight as Duke won its 15th straight over the Tigers (5-13, 1-6) and 11th straight this season.

"When they work really, really hard to get certain things done, then you feel pretty good about what you're doing out there," Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie said. "I think that was exactly the case tonight."

Duke used a 15-2 run the last five minutes of the opening half to gain control and continued the surge after the break. It was the eighth straight game they've defeated Clemson by 24 points or more.

Williams, the 6-foot-3 freshman, said the Blue Devils' surge got the team going and possibly shook Clemson out of rhythm. "That's when we started playing our game," she said.

Quinyotta Pettaway had 12 points to lead the Tigers, who scored just 13 points in the second half.

Richa Jackson finished with 13 points and Haley Peters 12 for Duke, which finished 34 of 65 shooting from the field (52.7 percent) ? the third straight game it shot 50 percent or better.

The Tigers succumbed to Duke's defense in the second half. They didn't hit a field goal in the final 13:09 of the game and didn't have a point the last 7:51.

Duke came in the only undefeated team in ACC play this season. Clemson, though, did what it could to make Littlejohn as crazy Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Tigers called it "Pack The House" night, offering $1 tickets and giving away bobble-head dolls of second-year coach Itoro Coleman, who won five games against Duke when she was a star guard for the Tigers from 1996-1999.

Duke's only lost once to Clemson in the 13 seasons since.

Clemson's pep band and students wore red and yellow flashing glasses. Yet, as you might expect from a program that won its 300th game all-time in the ACC over No. 8 Maryland, the Blue Devils weren't fazed by any of it.

Duke, which had made more than 55 percent of its shots the previous two games, kept up the hot shooting against Clemson in the opening half. The Blue Devils finished the period 18 of 32 from floor (56.2 percent) and made seven of their final nine shots as they closed the half on 15-2 run and continually beat the Tigers back on defense for several easy layups.

Williams led the way for Duke on offense and defense. She made 5 of 7 shots for 11 points and added five blocks in the opening half, surpassing her average of 4.7 blocks per game during ACC play.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120128/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/bkw_t25_clemson

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Man charged in beheading plot to appear in court (AP)

WILMINGTON, N.C. ? A Raleigh man accused of paying a hit man to behead three witnesses in a North Carolina terrorism case will make his first appearance Friday in federal court.

Shkumbin Sherifi was arrested last weekend after FBI agents tracked him to a meeting in Wilmington with a government informant posing as a hit man. Agents say the 21-year-old paid the informant $4,250 in cash toward the first killing.

Officials say the plot was masterminded by Sherifi's imprisoned older brother Hysen Sherifi, who was sentenced to 45 years earlier this month in what prosecutors described as a conspiracy to attack the Marine base at Quantico, Va., and targets abroad.

Also arrested was Nevine Aly Elshiekh, a 46-year-old school teacher from Raleigh. Her first appearance is scheduled for Feb. 3.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/crime/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120127/ap_on_re_us/us_nc_terror_arrests

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As Sears Plans Closings, Cities Fight To Keep Stores

Sears Holdings Corp., the iconic company that sold millions of families their first appliances and christened America's tallest building, finally succumbed to shabby sales late December, announcing that it would close 100 to 120 of its of its Sears and Kmart stores. Many of the 81 store closings announced thus far are in small towns, where Sears is one of only a handful of retailers.

Now, at least four of the places affected -- Jackson, Miss., Cleveland, Tenn., New Smyrna Beach, Fla., and Harper Woods, Mich. -- are fighting the company's decision. Local governments, afraid of the economic impact of the closures, are appealing to Sears Holdings with petitions, rallies and even tax incentives, so far to no avail.

"We would like for a major store to remain in the Jackson area," pleaded Mary Garner on the online petition started by Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. "Please do not desert us." The petition had 3,251 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon.

Without a replacement store -- unlikely to emerge in this economy -- the departure of a Sears or Kmart means fewer jobs, less tax revenue and another ugly vacancy for already struggling cities. It also means a loss of pride. Even as affluent Americans protest the spread of chains like Walmart and shoppers look online for good deals, big box stores remain important symbols of prosperity for many small towns.

Once America's largest retailer -- and still one of its most ubiquitous, with almost as many store locations as Walmart -- Sears Holdings has struggled in recent years to refresh its staid brand and aging retail stores. After seeing same-store sales decline 5.2 percent in the eight weeks before Christmas (traditionally the most profitable time of the year), the company announced the closures.

"We appreciate the community support and in fact have seen an increase in traffic to these stores since the petitions have started," Tom Aiello, a Sears spokesperson, wrote in an email. "Unfortunately these stores have lost money for several years and Sears Holdings, as a company, cannot continue to support underperforming stores."

RALLIES AND INCENTIVES

Mayors Harvey Johnson Jr. of Jackson, Miss., and Tom Rowland, of Cleveland, Tenn., say that Sears Holdings didn't contact them before making the announcement and that their cities are in the midst of economic development projects that they had hoped would eventually bring more business to struggling stores like Sears'.

"I would hate to see us lose the Sears brand," Rowland said, noting that Cleveland, with a population of 41,285, is also the place where many of the Kenmore ranges -- a brand of ovens exclusive to Sears -- are manufactured. He cited a recently completed luxury apartment complex and a soon-to-open branch of the Whirlpool plant as examples of his city's vibrancy. While Cleveland has other big stores in the area, including branches of Home Depot and Kmart, the loss of one of its oldest department stores would hurt, he said.

Jackson, meanwhile, stands to lose much more: Sears is one of only two remaining anchor stores in the largest mall in Mississippi. City officials are considering offering the company an incentive package to keep it in the Metrocenter Mall, according to Chris Mims, director of communications for the mayor's office.

Jackson, the state's capital, has seen its population drop 5.8 percent since 2000, and the Metrocenter Mall has not fared well either. Since the mall's opening in 1978, it has declined along with the surrounding neighborhood as newer, nicer shopping centers opened in the northern part of the city. In 2010, the mall owners narrowly avoided foreclosure, and today only two of four anchor spaces are filled. That number will dwindle to one if Sears leaves.

Jackson city officials, working to fight the flight of retail from the area, are planning to move 200 to 300 employees from various government offices into one former anchor space in the mall, which they hope will bring new customers to stores like Sears, Mims said.

Any incentive package would most likely be made up of tax abatements, according to Mims. Jackson will lose $129,000 in property taxes annually should the store close. While proposing incentives for private companies is a bold move in a state currently considering cutting its public health budget, Sears is enough of a fixture in Jackson that public support (and petition signatures) are mounting for the plan.

'SEARS HELPED US'

So far, Sears Holdings has yet to respond publicly to the cities' efforts. It's not clear yet whether things will change before Sears Holdings completes the liquidation process for its stores in the next few months.

For cities, giving incentives to retailers doesn't always work out as planned. In 2002, when Kmart (then a separate company) announced store closings en masse, city officials in Buffalo, N.Y., presented the company with a $400,000 incentive package, including six months' worth of free rent, to keep its local store. While the company initially accepted the offer, a few months later it decided to close the Kmart anyway. The building remains vacant to this day, with Buffalo green-lighting plans for an Aldi discount supermarket to take over the space only this past summer.

In New Smyrna Beach, Fla., the petition drive to save Kmart hit a standstill last week when organizers failed to gain the support of the city commission and mayor, even though roughly 6,000 people had signed on. While there is a brand-new Super Walmart a few miles away, unlike Kmart, that store isn't accessible by public transportation. Some worry that those who don't have cars will be out of luck once Kmart is gone. "Poor and elderly people will be especially hurt," said Ellen Weller, 70, the retired nurse who launched the petition.

Dottie, a Kmart employee who asked to remain anonymous for fear of losing her last set of paychecks, is one of those people. "I've worked here for 17 years and now I'm looking for another job," she said. "I'm 72 and I live on my own on a very tight budget. It's very scary."

Whether or not the stores will stay afloat, the news of their closing has generated one strange by-product: nostalgia. Since shoppers learned of the closures, there has been more effusive praise for the iconic glory of Sears than any other time in recent history (and certainly more than was ever generated by the company's own advertising campaigns).

"I would like to see the Sears at Metrocenter in Jackson MS remain open because of the great values on the everyday products that working class people need and want," wrote Anthony Clay on the Jackson petition. Below him, many others pledged earnestly to do all of their shopping at Sears until the store decided to remain open.

"Sears helped us, I believe we can and will help Sears," wrote Jim Watford.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/26/sears-closes-cities_n_1231326.html

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50 Cent Challenges Birdman To Million-Dollar Super Bowl Bet

Fif already won half a million betting on his hometown New York Giants in the playoffs.
By Rob Markman

50 Cent
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage

is ready to double down. After winning half a million dollars betting on the New York Giants to beat the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL playoffs last week, Fif wants to bet $1 million in next week's Super Bowl. And it's not just any old bet — 50 specifically challenged Cash Money boss Birdman via Twitter on Wednesday night.

"I'm up 500,000 off the last one. F--- it ill bet it back Ill put a 1,000,000 on my G MEN. STUNNER you got the # hit me if you want it," 50 wrote Wednesday night in support of his hometown team. "I just check the spread Hold up the M casino in vegas said patriots-3 I'm have to bet over there unless STUNNTER giving up points. Get at me."

Fif's tweets came in response to the general challenge that Birdman threw out into the world on Monday after the 2012 Super Bowl matchup between the Giants and the New England Patriots was made official. "I like New ENGLaNd. my nephew play RB #42.

I'm Bet 5 million 2 any ni----. like tha Giants YMCMB. BabyMoney anybody kan Getit," he wrote.

The "#42" Birdman referenced in his tweet is New England running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. On Wednesday, the #1 Stunna issued another general challenge when he wrote: "New England ni---. #42 ... 5 Million is like 5 racks New york standup Giants. BabyMoney. YMCMB."

50 followed Birdman's tweet by directly calling out Baby. No word as to whether or not the Cash Money CEO accepted the G-Unit general's bet.

Last year Birdman bet $1 million on the Green Bay Packers — Lil Wayne's favorite team — who managed to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers. Super Bowl XLVI will be held in Indianapolis on February 5.

Related Artists

• Birdman
• 50 Cent

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1677950/50-cent-birdman-super-bowl.jhtml

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Corruption scandal shakes Vatican as internal letters leaked (Reuters)

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) ? The Vatican was shaken by a corruption scandal Thursday after an Italian television investigation said a former top official had been transferred against his will after complaining about irregularities in awarding contracts.

The show "The Untouchables" on the respected private television network La 7 Wednesday night showed what it said were several letters that Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, who was then deputy-governor of Vatican City, sent to superiors, including Pope Benedict, in 2011 about the corruption.

The Vatican issued a statement Thursday criticizing the "methods" used in the journalistic investigation. But it confirmed that the letters were authentic by expressing "sadness over the publication of reserved documents."

As deputy governor of the Vatican City for two years from 2009 to 2011, Vigano was the number two official in a department responsible for maintaining the tiny city-state's gardens, buildings, streets, museums and other infrastructure.

Vigano, currently the Vatican's ambassador in Washington, said in the letters that when he took the job in 2009 he discovered a web of corruption, nepotism and cronyism linked to the awarding of contracts to outside companies at inflated prices.

In one letter, Vigano tells the pope of a smear campaign against him (Vigano) by other Vatican officials who wanted him transferred because they were upset that he had taken drastic steps to save the Vatican money by cleaning up its procedures.

"Holy Father, my transfer right now would provoke much disorientation and discouragement in those who have believed it was possible to clean up so many situations of corruption and abuse of power that have been rooted in the management of so many departments," Vigano wrote to the pope on March 27, 2011.

In another letter to the pope on April 4, 2011, Vigano says he discovered the management of some Vatican City investments was entrusted to two funds managed by a committee of Italian bankers "who looked after their own interests more than ours."

LOSS OF $2.5 MILLION, 550,000 EURO NATIVITY SCENE

Vigano says in the same letter that in one single financial transaction in December, 2009, "they made us lose two and a half million dollars."

The program interviewed a man it identified as a member of the bankers' committee who said Vigano had developed a reputation as a "ballbreaker" among companies that had contracts with the Vatican, because of his insistence on transparency and competition.

The man's face was blurred on the transmission and his voice was distorted in order to conceal his identity.

In one of the letters to the pope, Vigano said Vatican-employed maintenance workers were demoralized because "work was always given to the same companies at costs at least double compared to those charged outside the Vatican."

For example, when Vigano discovered that the cost of the Vatican's larger than life nativity scene in St Peter's Square was 550,000 euros in 2009, he chopped 200,000 euros off the cost for the next Christmas, the program said.

Even though, Vigano's cost-cutting and transparency campaign helped turned Vatican City's budget from deficit to surplus during his tenure, in 2011 unsigned articles criticizing him as inefficient appeared in the Italian newspaper Il Giornale.

On March 22, 2011, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone informed Vigano that he was being removed from his position, even though it was to have lasted until 2014.

Five days later he wrote to Bertone complaining that he was left "dumbfounded" by the ouster and because Bertone's motives for his removal were identical to those published in an anonymous article published against him in Il Giornale that month.

In early April, Vigano went over Bertone's head again and wrote directly to the pope, telling him that he had worked hard to "eliminate corruption, private interests and dysfunction that are widespread in various departments."

He also tells the pope in the same letter that "no-one should be surprised about the press campaign against me" because he tried to root out corruption and had made enemies.

Despite his appeals to the pope that a transfer, even if it meant a promotion, "would be a defeat difficult for me to accept," Vigano was named ambassador to Washington in October of last year after the sudden death of the previous envoy to the United States.

In its statement, the Vatican said the journalistic investigation had treated complicated subjects in a "partial and banal way" and could take steps to defend the "honor of morally upright people" who loyally serve the Church.

The statement said that today's administration was a continuation of the "correct and transparent management that inspired Monsignor Vigano."

(Reporting By Philip Pullella)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120126/wl_nm/us_vatican_corruption

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Groups sue over Navy sonar use, effect on whales

FILE - A beached pilot whale is seen in this Jan. 15, 2005 file photo taken near Oregon Inlet on North Carolina's Outer Banks by the U.S. Coast Guard. In a lawsuit being filed Thursday Jan. 26, 2012 by the environmental law firm Earthjustice, the Natural Resources Defense Council and other groups claim the National Marine Fisheries Service was wrong to approve the Navy?s plan for the expanded training in the Pacific Northwest. Regulators determined that while sonar use by navies has been associated with the deaths of whales around the world _ including the beachings of 37 whales on North Carolina?s Outer Banks in 2005 _ there was little chance of that happening in the Northwest. (AP Photo/U.S. Coast Guard, File)

FILE - A beached pilot whale is seen in this Jan. 15, 2005 file photo taken near Oregon Inlet on North Carolina's Outer Banks by the U.S. Coast Guard. In a lawsuit being filed Thursday Jan. 26, 2012 by the environmental law firm Earthjustice, the Natural Resources Defense Council and other groups claim the National Marine Fisheries Service was wrong to approve the Navy?s plan for the expanded training in the Pacific Northwest. Regulators determined that while sonar use by navies has been associated with the deaths of whales around the world _ including the beachings of 37 whales on North Carolina?s Outer Banks in 2005 _ there was little chance of that happening in the Northwest. (AP Photo/U.S. Coast Guard, File)

SEATTLE (AP) ? A group of conservationists and American Indian tribes is suing over the U.S. Navy's expanded use of sonar in training exercises off the country's west coast, saying the noise can harass and kill whales and other marine life.

In a lawsuit being filed Thursday, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Earthjustice and other groups claim the National Marine Fisheries Service was wrong to approve the Navy's plan for the expanded training. They say the regulators should have considered the effects repeated sonar use can have on species over many years.

They want certain restrictions on where and when the Navy can conduct sonar and other loud activities to protect orcas, humpbacks and other marine mammals.

The Navy is only required to look around and see if whales are present before they conduct the training.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/b2f0ca3a594644ee9e50a8ec4ce2d6de/Article_2012-01-26-Navy-Whales/id-10d04de30bf54e2e905b422f04046558

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Judges weigh HIV-infected man's fight to get job (AP)

ATLANTA ? A panel of federal judges appeared skeptical Wednesday of the Atlanta police department's decision to reject a job application from an HIV-infected man.

The 40-year-old man sued the city in 2010, claiming he was denied a police officer job solely because he has the virus. Atlanta attorneys argued there are other officers on the force with HIV, and said the police department does not have a blanket policy disqualifying candidates with the virus. Gay rights groups and police agencies are closely following the case.

One of the three judges signaled the lawsuit would likely be sent back to a lower judge to reconsider.

"I don't see how we can avoid a remand in this case," Circuit Judge R. Lanier Anderson said.

The judges will issue a ruling later.

The man sued under the pseudonym Richard Roe and has requested anonymity because he believes his medical condition could prevent him from other job opportunities. He said in an interview he was a former criminal investigator with the city of Los Angeles who discovered he had HIV in 1997, but that it didn't hinder his ability to perform his duties.

Roe moved to Atlanta to find a better job and joined the city's taxicab enforcement unit. In January 2006, he decided he wanted to join the police force. He passed a series of tests, but hit a snag when a blood test revealed he had the virus that causes AIDS.

The doctor didn't do any more tests, according to records, and recommended to the city that he have "no physical contact or involvement with individuals."

Atlanta attorneys said the city follows the recommendation of the physicians who examine candidates, and in this case, the doctor advised the department to limit Roe's interaction with the public.

"We're told that he can't do the job," said Robert Godfrey, a city attorney. "We have to assume when a doctor tells us this, he can't perform the essential duties."

Roe's attorney, Scott Schoettes of gay rights group Lambda Legal, said there was no evidence that Roe posed a threat to the health and safety of others. The city violated the federal Americans with Disabilities Act by not fully vetting his client, Schoettes said.

Roe's advocates said the city's position perpetuates myths about HIV that have persisted for three decades. Modern medical advances have made the disease a manageable condition that in many cases won't affect job performance even in the most demanding fields, they said.

"I really see an opportunity for the city of Atlanta to make some drastic changes and move forward," Roe said. "I think that's what this whole case is about."

___

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Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/aids/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120125/ap_on_re_us/us_police_hiv_lawsuit

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'Kourtney And Kim Take New York': John Edwards Brings Girls Message From Beyond (VIDEO)

Celebrity psychic medium John Edward appeared on "Kourtney & Kim Take New York" (Sun., 10 p.m. EST on E!) after Kim Kardashian realized she could perhaps find some closure regarding the death of her father Robert. She convinced sister Kourtney to join here, where both women were ultimately moved and touched by the experience.

Edward touched on pregnancies in the family, and even spoke of Robert's role in Kim's divorce to her first husband. He told Kim that as long as she learned from that first experience, then everything is fine now. It was at this point that Kim started crying, but not completely because of the experience with Edward. It was what it started making her realize about her current marriage.

After Edward left, she opened up to Kourtney about her emotions, perhaps verbalizing a definitive realization of her feelings for the first time. "The divorce stuff, that's why I started to cry because I honestly feel like I can't do this anymore with Kris," she said. "I don't want to be married anymore."

The episode, of course, ended with those words. But certainly they'll be hanging over both women as they return home and interact with Scott and Kris over the next few episodes. Expect tension to increase and look for even more awkward moments between the not-so-happily married couple.

The saga unfolds on "Kourtney & Kim Take New York," every Sunday at 10 p.m. EST on E!

TV Replay scours the vast television landscape to find the most interesting, amusing, and, on a good day, amazing moments, and delivers them right to your browser.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 23: "Gossip Girl"

1? of ?19

"Gossip Girl" (8 p.m. EST, The CW) "Clueless" writer/director Amy Heckerling makes her first foray into TV directing since 2005 for Blair's bachelorette party, as others scheme behind Queen B's back to make it a night to remember. After discovering the truth behind Chuck and Blair's car accident, Nate joins forces with a surprising ally to gather the evidence, while Serena and Dan pretend to be dating again to protect Blair's secret. "Gossip Girl" (8 p.m. EST, The CW)
"Clueless" writer/director Amy Heckerling makes her first foray into TV directing since 2005 for Blair's bachelorette party, as others scheme behind Queen B's back to make it a night to remember. After discovering the truth behind Chuck and Blair's car accident, Nate joins forces with a surprising ally to gather the evidence, while Serena and Dan pretend to be dating again to protect Blair's secret.

MORE SLIDESHOWS NEXT?> ??|?? <?PREV

MONDAY, JANUARY 23: "Gossip Girl"

"Gossip Girl" (8 p.m. EST, The CW) "Clueless" writer/director Amy Heckerling makes her first foray into TV directing since 2005 for Blair's bachelorette party, as others scheme behind Queen B's back to make it a night to remember. After discovering the truth behind Chuck and Blair's car accident, Nate joins forces with a surprising ally to gather the evidence, while Serena and Dan pretend to be dating again to protect Blair's secret. "; var coords = [-5, -72]; // display fb-bubble FloatingPrompt.embed(this, html, undefined, 'top', {fp_intersects:1, timeout_remove:2000,ignore_arrow: true, width:236, add_xy:coords, class_name: 'clear-overlay'}); });

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/23/kourtney-and-kim-take-new-york-john-edwards-video_n_1222857.html

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Giffords' decision to resign sets up Ariz. race (AP)

PHOENIX ? The race to replace Rep. Gabrielle Giffords begins in earnest Monday as the Arizona congresswoman's planned resignation sets up a free-for-all in a competitive district.

The three-term Democrat announced Sunday that she intends to resign from Congress this week to concentrate on recovering from a gunshot wound to the head just over a year ago in an assassination attempt that shook the country.

Giffords could have stayed in office for another year even without seeking re-election, but her decision to resign scrambles the political landscape. Arizona must hold a special primary and general election to find someone to finish out her term, as well as hold the regular primary and general election later this year.

Giffords would have been heavily favored to win re-election, since she gained immense public support as she recovered from the shooting. She was elected to her third term just two months before she was shot, winning by only about 1 percent over a tea party Republican.

Several Republicans and Democrats have been mentioned as possible candidates for her seat, with some in the GOP already forming official exploratory committees. Republicans who have expressed interest include state Sen. Frank Antenori and sports broadcaster Dave Sitton, among others.

Democratic state lawmakers have been mentioned as possible candidates, as has the name of Giffords' husband, Mark Kelly, although he has publically quashed such speculation.

"That's the great `mentioner' out there, and there are going to be a lot of people mentioned," said Arizona Democratic Party chairman Andrei Cherny. "I think the best rule in situations like this is, `The folks who are talking don't know, and the folks who know aren't talking.'"

Giffords' office said she will complete the meet-and-greet political event in Tucson on Monday that erupted in the shooting last year. Among those attending the private event will be some of the wounded, those who helped them and those who subdued the gunman. She will also visit a food bank set up after she was shot, and event billed as her final act as a congresswoman in her district.

"I don't remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice," she said on a video announcing her decision.

Interspersed with photos, the video showed a close-up of Giffords gazing directly at the camera and speaking in a voice that is both firm and halting.

"I have more work to do on my recovery," the congresswoman said at the end of the two-minute-long "A Message from Gabby," appearing to strain with all of her will to communicate. "So to do what's best for Arizona, I will step down this week."

Giffords was shot in the head in January 2011 as she was meeting with constituents outside a supermarket in Tucson, Ariz. Six people died and Giffords and 12 others were injured. Her progress had seemed remarkable, to the point that she was able to walk into the House chamber last August to cast a vote.

Gov. Jan Brewer will call the special primary election for the 8th Congressional District likely in April, followed by a general election in June. Before the cycle begins for the regular election, the district will be remapped and renumbered as the 2nd Congressional District.

The regular primary for the new district, which will cover most of the current district's territory, was scheduled for August.

The Republican governor acknowledged that the twin election cycles were going to create a mess, especially for potential candidates.

"I think that it's putting a lot of pressure on a lot of people awfully quick, given the fact that they're going to be filling that continuing seat that expires this year, and then we have elections coming (along) new congressional lines," Brewer said. "So there's going to be a lot of confusion in that congressional district."

Those who decide to throw their hat into the ring will face yet another quirk in the race: the deadline to turn in nominating signatures for the general election comes before the special general election.

"I'm sure both parties and candidates of all stripes will in the days to come be thinking wide and hard about this district, and I'm sure there's going to be a very vigorous contest," Arizona Democratic Party chairman Andrei Cherny said Sunday. "But today's about thinking about a member of Congress who's going to be irreplaceable no matter who wins that seat."

Giffords planned to attend President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. And her political career may not be over, said a state Democratic party official who was among a group that met with her Sunday.

Jim Woodbrey, a senior vice chairman of the state party, said at the meeting, Giffords strongly implied she would run again for office someday. He said the decision to resign came after much thought.

"It was Gabby's individual decision, and she was not in any condition to make that decision five months ago," he said. "So I think waiting so that she could make an informed decision on her own was the right thing to do."

___

AP Special Correspondent David Espo contributed to this story from Washington, D.C.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/topstories/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120123/ap_on_el_ho/us_giffords

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US stocks edge up as Greece negotiates to cut debt (AP)

NEW YORK ? U.S. stocks are slightly higher, following a rise in European markets on hopes that Greece will reach a deal with private creditors on lowering its debt.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 42 points to 12,764 a half-hour after the opening bell Monday. That's a gain of 0.3 percent. Bank of America Corp is the Dow's leading stock, rising 4 percent.

If those early gains hold, the Dow would close at its highest level since last April.

Creditors are in negotiations with the Greek government to reduce that country's debt burden so it can avoid default. European finance ministers are expected to give new momentum to a Greek debt relief deal. One proposal would have Greece's private creditors, which include banks and other investors, swap their bonds for news ones at a 50 percent discount. That would cut the country's debts by some $129 billion.

In other trading, the Standard & Poor's 500 index edged up 7 points to 1,322, a gain of 0.5 percent. The Nasdaq composite is up 17 points to 2,804.

Energy companies are making large moves in early trading. Chesapeake Energy Corp. jumped 6 percent after the country's second-largest natural gas producer said it plans to cut production. Other natural gas producers shot higher. Southwestern Energy Co. rose 7.5 percent and Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. 7.6 percent.

Apache Corp. climbed 2 percent after the oil and gas producer said it plans on buying Cordillera Energy Partners in a $2.85 billion deal.

Research In Motion Ltd., the maker of BlackBerry mobile devices, sank 7 percent after its new chief executive said no drastic changes are needed. The company's founders announced they were stepping down as co-CEOs late Sunday.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/eurobiz/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120123/ap_on_bi_st_ma_re/us_wall_street

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Ali Shields Raps, Kisses, Dances on American Idol

Ali Shields is off to Hollywood, but it took one of the more unusual American Idol auditions to get her there.

This aspiring singer has actually been featured on national television before, posting a video online that eventually landed her a spot on Ellen. She proceeded to attend a red carpet event through the talk shot host and kiss Usher. No, really!

Last night in San Diego, meanwhile, Ali at first rapped for the Idol panel; and then broke down into a dance at Randy Jackson's request; only to finally conclude with an actual song that landed her a Golden Ticket. Watch for yourself:

Ali Shields American Idol Audition

While enjoyable, Ali's audition was not our favorite of the night. That honor belongs to Aubree Dieckmeyer.

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/01/ali-shields-raps-kisses-dances-on-american-idol/

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Mitt Romney not committing to Florida debates (Washington Post)

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Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/189105292?client_source=feed&format=rss

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NASA still not hiding aliens: Triangular 'UFO' debunked (+video)

Footage captured by NASA shows Venus, Earth and, on the opposite side of the field-of-view, a?briefly?mysterious triangular object headed our way.

Once again, alien conspiracy theorists have attempted to use publicly available NASA images to prove that the space agency must be engaging in an elaborate UFO cover-up. And, once again, they've been foiled by the laws of physics.

Skip to next paragraph

This time, they called attention to?peculiar new footage?captured by a telescope onboard NASA's STEREO-B spacecraft ? one of a pair of probes parked on either side of the sun which, together, provide a 360-degree view of the inner solar system. The footage shows Venus, Earth and, on the opposite side of the field-of-view, a mysterious triangular object headed our way.

"Comparing it for size to the planetary objects that are seen in this telescope, if my calculations are correct, that thing is enormous," said YouTube user "BeePeeOilDisaster" in his video commentary on the footage, which was captured Dec. 27 -29. Talk of a cover-up quickly followed when, a few days later, NASA scientists updated the STEREO website to display newer images.?

This is not the first time?alien hunters?have found what they believe to be enormous UFOs in images captured by the STEREO probes. [Mysterious Planet-Size Object Spotted Near Mercury]

But this time, the team of scientists who work with data from the probes decided to address the claim directly. In?a post on the STEREO website, the researchers offered up an explanation of the triangular feature in the December footage. The researchers say it's no more than a trick of the light.

"The answer lies on the exact opposite side of the image," the scientists wrote. "At the same time as this strange-looking feature starts being visible, the very bright planet Venus enters the [telescopic camera's] field-of-view from the lower left."

The scientists note that Venus and the triangle, opposite each other across the middle of the camera plane, stay in step as they move. "This is not a coincidence. The strange-looking geometrical 'object' is actually an internal reflection of?the planet Venus?within the telescope optics. This effect has been seen many times before."

In this optical effect, incoming light reflects back and forth off lenses and mirrors inside the telescope; the shape of artifacts produced by this scattered light ? usually triangles and circles of various sizes ? depends on the relative orientations of those lenses and mirrors.?

Another example of internal reflection, this time of light from planet Earth, can be seen in?a STEREO-B image from May 2007. More examples of internal reflection and other optical and data-processing artifacts are displayed on the scientists' "Image Artifacts" Web page, along with explanations of the various effects.

Follow Life's Little Mysteries on Twitter @llmysteries, then join us on?Facebook.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/science/~3/LbY_7SaN6ow/NASA-still-not-hiding-aliens-Triangular-UFO-debunked-video

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8 Ways to Finance Your Startup with Debt: Part 1

There?s good and bad news to share about startup financing for a small business.? Keep in mind, we are only looking at debt options so think of loans and lines of credit that you pay back to a lender.? We are not looking at any equity solutions such as angel investors, venture capital, etc.? The good news is that there are options.? The bad news is that nothing is easy nowadays and if you have damaged credit or you?re looking for several hundred thousand dollars it?s much less likely to happen purely with debt.

I have split these 8 solutions into two parts based on the likelihood and value factors.? Simply put, likelihood just asks the question, ?How likely is it that this type of financing can be obtained by a higher percentage of people??? Value is all about how much value would each form of financing bring to business owners who utilized this form of financing.? So let?s get started.

Here are the 4 most likely forms of debt financing for small business startups:

Credit Cards
This is absolutely, positively, without doubt the most common form of financing for small business startups.? Additionally, credit card financing ? when it is done right ? is arguably the least expensive form of financing.? From a benefit perspective they also do not require collateral like many other forms of financing.? The problem is that when credit card financing is not done correctly ? and normally it is not ? you will hurt your credit profile, pay too much in interest, you will not properly separate your personal & business credit, and you?ll likely miss out on some good tax benefits.

ROB?s
Technically known as Rollovers as Business Startups ? are only an option for people who have saved up some adequate retirement funds.? It?s also much more risky than most other forms of financing.? This is a very popular form of financing for new franchisees.? The downside is you?re risking your future basically since you?re tapping your retirement savings.? The upside is that you can access a sizeable amount of capital if you have a nice nest egg waiting for you.

Trade Credit
Maybe it?s not as popular but it is very common.? Examples of trade credit ? which is also referred to as vendor credit ? would be a line of credit at Staples, or Dell, or any other company where you need to purchase their goods or services for your business.? There are many forms of trade credit where you can obtain loans and lines of credit that are revolving in nature?meaning the balances are not due in full and can be spread out over several months or several years.? However, the most common ?terms? attached to trade credit are Net 30.? So there is not the same value or ability to finance nearly as much since you?re only delaying the purchase by a month or maybe two.

Equipment Financing
Most startup companies need some type of equipment.? Ideally, if the goal is to use your capital in the best way possible, you wouldn?t use a working capital loan or line of credit to purchase equipment.? Sometimes it is necessary but, often times, you can get a loan or lease specifically for your equipment and then leave your cash, working capital loans, and credit cards available for other uses.

With over 15 years of small business lending experience, Kris Roglieri is the Founder of Commercial Capital Training Group and President of a national commercial finance company.? According to Roglieri:

?In the last 4 years, the number one characteristic of defaulted loans or leases in a lenders portfolio were companies that had less than 2 years time in business so most lenders only finance companies that are more than two years in business or their underwriting requirements are very tough and stringent.? If you?re seeking to finance equipment as a startup you should have good personal credit, some experience in your industry, and hopefully at least 6-12 months of liquidity.?

In Part 2 we?ll discuss the other 4 most common debt solutions for startups.

Credit Card Photo via Shutterstock

About the Author

Tom Gazaway is President of Hawkeye Management, a firm that specializes in unsecured business credit lines for small business owners. Through their pre-qualification process and detailed analytics, they match small business owners with lenders who will issue business credit without collateral. Tom also blogs at The Small Business Lending Blog.

Connect with Tom Gazaway:

?

Source: http://smallbiztrends.com/2012/01/8-ways-to-finance-your-startup-with-debt-part-1.html

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NFL Communications - St. Louis Rams to Host Regular-Season ...

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Source: http://nflcommunications.com/2012/01/20/st-louis-rams-to-host-regular-season-game-in-united-kingdom-in-each-of-next-three-years/

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Christie to Romney: Release tax return immediately (The Arizona Republic)

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Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/188311227?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Building a Business is Worth the Time

Make no mistake. Creating your own small business is hard work. But as you?ll see, there are rewards. Here are some tips, tools and trends to think about while taking the time you need to build your small business.

Small Biz Success

It takes time to build a business! Rachel Strella can attest to that. Over the last 18 months, she admits to spending many 60 hour days building her social media marketing firm based in Camp Hill, PA, but she often finds that people still ask her, What do you do all day? Strella Social Media

Living the dream after layoffs. Some people might think of a layoff as the ultimate bad news, but for Carolyn Higgins it was the first step on the path to helping small businesses think and market the way larger companies do. What can?Carolyn teach you about marketing your business today??BizSugar Blog

Tips & Trends

Even celebrities want to be entrepreneurs. Nowadays becoming a small business owner is so popular, even the stars want to get into the act. Take Jessica Alba, star of TV?s ?Dark Angel? and The Fantastic Four movies, who recently announced a new e-commerce biz selling eco-friendly products. CNN Small Business

Elections worth their weight in gold. It?s election season again and the dredging up of numerous public issues can mean good opportunities for PR if your business happens to touch upon any of these. Here are nine top ideas to get you started. Understanding Marketing

Self-improvement

Don?t over-organize. It?s official! A clean desk may indeed be the sign of a sick mind. One expert says you aren?t doing yourself any favors with endless organizational chores. It?s something to remember in small business and in life. Inc.com

Marketing

How do you showcase your expertise? Promoting your knowledge and experience in the area where you have expertise is a huge part of building your brand. And though many Web tools, particularly social media sites, have been created to make this easier, there are basic techniques you must observe. Search Engine People

Transforming Leads Into Sales. It can be a tricky thing to turn leads or prospects into paying customers, but?e-mail can be an important tool in this effort, if used correctly. How are you using your e-mail efforts to nurture potential prospects and transform them into?customers in the future??HubSpot Blog

Startup

Guide to an ?enchanting? business plan. Guy Kawasaki, author of Enchantment, gives this brief overview that may have you looking at business plans a bit differently in the future. There are?also some downloads to help you get started. How to Change the World

7 Tips for Startup Companies. Though the following suggestions are made by a research scientist and clearly aimed more at the tech startup, the fact is that these tips can apply to almost any business you can think of. Do they apply to your idea? On Startups

Infographics

Infographics for your small business. They?re everywhere and super-popular, and if you don?t yet use infographics as a marketing tool for your business, maybe you should. Here are some basic examples of what the medium can do to transmit your message. Small Business Trends

Source: http://smallbiztrends.com/2012/01/building-a-business-is-worth-the-time.html

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Experimental Drug Might Help Some a Bit With Colon Cancer (HealthDay)

TUESDAY, Jan. 17 (HealthDay News) -- The experimental cancer drug regorafenib appears to extend survival slightly in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, a new trial indicates.

Regorafenib is a so-called multikinase inhibitor, which targets several of the ways cancer develops and grows, researchers said.

"The drug was tested on patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who had progressed after standard therapies, meaning they had no treatment options available," lead researcher Dr. Axel Grothey, a professor of oncology at the Mayo Clinic, said during a noon press conference at the Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in San Francisco on Tuesday.

The drug is designed to stop tumor progression, both by preventing cancer cells from growing and by preventing these cells from developing the blood vessels needed to keep them alive, the researchers explained.

In the trial, more than 700 patients with metastatic colon cancer were randomly selected to receive regorafenib or placebo.

In addition, all patients received care to treat symptoms, but not to change the course of the disease, the researchers noted.

Treatment included antibiotics to fight infections, painkillers and corticosteroids.

The investigators found that patients taking regorafenib survived an average of 6.4 months, compared with five months for those receiving a placebo -- an increase in survival of 29 percent.

In addition, 44 percent of the patients taking regorafenib responded to the drug or had their cancer slowed, compared with 15 percent of the patients receiving placebo, they reported.

Based on these findings, the trial was stopped in October so that all patients could be offered the drug.

The trial was funded by the maker of regorafenib, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.

"The drug helped patients live longer," said Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society. "But you have to keep in mind that these patients had advanced disease."

And, the gains were modest, he added. "Patients who got the drug lived about one month longer. Unfortunately, the difference between the groups in the time it took for the disease to get worse was small -- about six days," he said.

Lichtenfeld thinks that using the drug earlier in treatment might have more impact. "But not every drug, when moved earlier in the course of the disease, is necessarily proven to be effective," he cautioned.

Grothey noted regorafenib is being tested in a phase 2 trial in patients with earlier stage colorectal cancer, in hopes that the results will be even more dramatic.

Research presented at medical meetings should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

More information

For more on colon cancer, visit the American Cancer Society.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/diseases/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20120119/hl_hsn/experimentaldrugmighthelpsomeabitwithcoloncancer

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World Bank slashes global GDP forecasts, outlook grim (Reuters)

BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) ? The World Bank warned developing countries on Wednesday to prepare for the "real" risk that an escalation in the euro area debt crisis could tip the world into a slump on a par with the global downturn in 2008/09.

In a report sharply cutting its world economic growth expectations, the World Bank said Europe was probably already in recession. If the euro area debt crisis deepened, global economic forecasts would be significantly lower.

"The sovereign debt crisis in the euro zone appears to be contained," Justin Lin, the chief economist for the World Bank, told reporters in Beijing on Wednesday.

"However, the risk of a global freezing-up of the markets and as well as a global crisis similar to what happened in September 2008 are real."

The World Bank predicted world economic growth of 2.5 percent in 2012 and 3.1 percent in 2013, well below the 3.6 percent growth for each year projected in June.

"We think it is now important to think through not only slower growth but sharp deteriorations, as a prudent measure," said Hans Timmer, director of development prospects at the bank.

The World Bank said if the euro area debt crisis escalates, global growth would be about 4 percentage points lower.

It forecast high-income economies would expand just 1.4 percent in 2012 as the euro area shrinks 0.3 percent, sharp downward revisions from growth forecasts last June of 2.7 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively.

It cut its forecast for growth in developing economies to 5.4 percent for 2012 from its previous forecast of 6.2 percent, saying expansion in Brazil and India and to a lesser extent Russia, South Africa and Turkey, had slowed already.

It saw a slight pick up in growth in developing economies in 2013 to 6 percent. But the report said threats to growth are still rising, suggesting the outlook remained highly uncertain.

"The downturn in Europe and weaker growth in developing countries raises the risk that the two developments reinforce one another, resulting in an even weaker outcome," it said.

It also cited failure so far to resolve high debts and deficits in Japan and the United States and slow growth in other high-income countries, and cautioned those could trigger sudden shocks.

On top of that, political tensions in the Middle East and North Africa could disrupt oil supplies and add another blow to global prospects.

It said that while Europe was moving toward a long-term solution to its debt problems, markets remained skittish.

On balance, the World Bank said global economic conditions were "fragile and there remains great uncertainty as to how markets will evolve over the medium term."

DEVELOPING COUNTRIES VULNERABLE

Against that backdrop, it said developing countries were even more vulnerable than they were in 2008 because they could find themselves facing reduced capital flows and softer trade.

In addition, many developing countries have weaker finances and wouldn't be able to respond to a new crisis as vigorously.

China's growth -- forecast in the report at 8.4 percent in 2012 -- could help bolster imports and gives it "big fiscal space" to respond to changing conditions, Lin said.

"No country and no region will escape the consequences of a serious downturn," the World Bank said, adding that now was the time for developing countries to plan how to soften the impact of a potential deep crisis.

A serious crisis would manifest itself in not just reduced trade flows, but also reversal of capital flows, making it hard for countries, especially in Eastern Europe and Latin America, who have debt coming due.

The World Bank pointed out that since last August risk aversion to Europe has shot up and "changed the game" for developing countries that have seen their borrowing costs escalate sharply and the flow of capital to them decrease.

High-income countries have prime responsibility for preventing a crisis, the World Bank said, but "developing countries have an obligation to support that process both through the G20 (Group of 20 rich and developing countries) and other international fora."

Among other things, developing countries "could help by avoiding entering into trade disputes and by allowing market prices to move freely."

It also said developing-country governments should start contingency planning to identify spending priorities and to try to shore up safety net programs. Those contingencies should take into account possible drops in commodity prices and a fall in capital inflows, the World Bank said.

The World Bank forecast is lower than ones from the International Monetary Fund and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, who last officially updated their numbers in September and November, respectively.

The IMF, which has said it expects to cut its forecasts had predicted world growth of 4.0 percent in 2012, while the OECD had penciled in 3.4 percent.

(Reporting By Glenn Somerville and Lucy Hornby; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Neil Fullick)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/economy/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120118/bs_nm/us_worldbank_outlook

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