Refresh Roundup: week of December 24th, 2012

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Continue reading Refresh Roundup: week of December 24th, 2012

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/30/refresh-roundup-week-of-december-24th-2012/

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Citrix/Microsoft Engineer / Synergis / Atlanta, GA

	Citrix/Microsoft Engineer Posted Dec 30 Synergis , Atlanta, GA ? Title: Citrix/Microsoft Engineer Type: Contract - 6 + months Location: Atlanta, GA 30329 Client Detail: As one of the leading healthcare providers in the Atlanta area, our client focuses on quality care for their patients and superior customer service with a personalized touch.? They have a reputation for discovering technological breakthroughs while providing daily services.? They recently received international recognition for their Citrix virtualization solutions, and are also known for their exceptional treatment of employees, which supports a comfortable learning environment creating a higher potential for success in your technology career. Our client has a very stable, growing group with currently 400-500 physical Servers and 700-800 virtual. They also just added 3,000 concurrent users. All 2003 and 2008 enterprise data centers are up to date with all the latest versions. They also have a lot of work with global patient records and buying other hospitals and outpatient clinics. ? Key Requirements: IT virtualization with Citrix Must be strong in MS technologies Must have strong skills in XenDesktop, XenApp, and XenServer Must have strong infrastructure skills VMware skills are desired if candidates have solid MS with VMware skills Must have solid, above-administrator level skills in the Windows-server family of operating systems including performance tuning, automation, and Scripting Proven experience architecting Multiple years of experience operating in a large enterprise environment (greater than 5 locations and 500+ users) At least 5 years experience implementing and supporting Active Directory 2000/2003 including services such as DHCP, DFS, DNS, and WINS At least 5 years experience implementing and supporting file systems in a clustered environment Must have a strong background in TCP/IP and related network protocols including functional understanding of network hardware Detailed knowledge of the Windows security model and processes Significant experience in the design and deployment of Group Policies Experience implementing Windows File and Print Clusters Proposes and implements system enhancements that will improve the performance and reliability of the Windows, Citrix, and SQL environments Comprehensive knowledge of Windows Resource Kit/Sysinternals tools Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills Must be able to troubleshoot network communication issues for Client Server applications Knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures Must demonstrate strong business acumen and ability to relate to business leaders' issues Ability to create automated processes using scripts, tools, etc. to streamline production support Ability to identify system improvements, plan and implementDesired Skills: MCSE (Windows 2003/Windows 2008) SQL 2005 Citrix Presentation Server XenServer/XenDesktop Citrix EdgeSight Microsoft SCCM/Operations Manager Microsoft SMS Veritas Storage FoundationPlease contact Denise Wicks. Synergis is a woman-owned company that serves a myriad of clients across nearly all industries, from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies.? The outcomes of these relationships are demonstrated in a growing list of more than 300 clients and industry recognitions by Inc. magazine and the Atlanta Business Chronicle. ? From its foundation in 1997, Synergis has been successfully recruiting and placing IT professionals in all areas of information technology.? Recently named the Best Place to Work in Atlanta by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Synergis has been successfully recruiting and placing IT professionals for over 10 years. For more information about Synergis, please visit the company website. Synergis is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Employment Type: Contract Duration: Contract- 6months + Note: Applicants must be eligible to work in the specified location. No sponsorship is available unless noted in the description above. TO APPLY Click here to apply - Please mention that you saw the job on Light Reading Share Only $49 for 30 Days ');
Please don't feed the monkey. Copyright ? 2011 TechWeb, A UBM Company, All rights reserved. Companies Alcatel-Lucent (6590), AT&T (3509), BellSouth (853), BT (1530), Cablevision (841), Cisco (6688), Comcast (2665), Cox Communications (1125), Deutsche Telekom (966), eBay (Skype) (369), Ericsson (2243), France Telecom (1134), Google (1293), Huawei (1597), Intel (1889), Juniper (2351), Microsoft (1832), Motorola (3314), Nokia Siemens Networks (3038), Nortel (4062), NTT (239), Siemens (1365), Sprint (2267), Telefonica (664), Time Warner Cable (1295), Verizon (4230), Vodafone (1976), Yahoo (358) 4G/LTE (Sponsored by Cisco) 3G Evolution (510), Broadcast (Mobile TV, etc.) (274), Carrier WiFi (2796), CDMA (3G) (3935), China Mobile (104), Core Network (880), EV-DO (308), Femtocells (692), Fixed Wireless (Microwave, etc.) (152), Fourth Generation (4G) Wireless (395), GSM/EDGE (2595), HSDPA/HSUPA (940), IMS Core (146), Long-Term Evolution (LTE) (1964), Messaging (160), Messaging (353), Mobile Advertising (262), Mobile location (123), Mobile Music (187), Mobile TV (467), Mobile Video (521), Mobile WiMax/WiBro (2277), Mobile/Wireless (8154), Municipal networks (124), Packet Core (226), Presence management (56), Radio Access Network (2997), Services (3293), TD-SCDMA (Chinese 3G) (159), Transmission (128), Ultra-Mobile Broadband (UMB) (89), UMTS(3G) (571), Video services (5023), Videophone (224), Vodafone (1976), Voice Core (111), VOIP software (778), WiMax (1264), Wireless Backhaul (704), Wireless LAN (447) Broadband Access devices (334), Access equipment (2436), Access technologies (2657), Access test & measurement equipment (143), Broadband loop carriers / multiservice access nodes (443), Cable Modems (920), Carrier WiFi (2796), Content/software downloads (268), Docsis (1523), DSL (2850), DSL chips (256), DSLAMs (724), Ethernet PONs (192), Femtocells (692), Free-space optics (43), FTTx (4822), Home gateways (775), Internet Video (1651), IPTV (4008), Media adapters (33), Microsoft (1832), PON (1769), Satellite (641), Video services (5023), VOD (3291), Yahoo (358) Cable (Sponsored by Cisco) Access equipment (2436), Access technologies (2657), Broadcast video equipment (including encoding) (832), Cable modem termination systems (CMTSs) (1278), Cable Modems (920), Cable/MSO equipment (3027), CableLabs (658), Cablevision (841), Comcast (2665), Compression (MPEG-2 and MPEG-4) (349), Cox Communications (1125), Digital content (1590), Digital rights management (474), Docsis (1523), DVRs (978), Embedded multimedia terminal adapters (E-MTAs) (277), FTTx (4822), Gaming consoles (90), Head-ends (298), Home gateways (775), IPTV (4008), Media adapters (33), Middleware & business support systems (1227), Network DVR (159), PacketCable (150), PON (1769), QAM (412), Residential (898), Set-top boxes (2165), Stored video servers (448), Time Warner Cable (1295), TV (4938), Video equipment (2785), Video services (5023), Video software (1676), VOD (3291), VOIP services (4104), Wavelength services (374) Ethernet (Sponsored by Cisco) 10-Gbit/s Ethernet switches 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Data Integrity (187), Denial-of-service attacks (77), Edge routers (1850), Element management systems (116), Encryption (187), Endpoint security (113), Enhanced voice (111), Enterprise (703), Fault management (154), Firewalls (148), Fixed/Mobile Convergence (859), GMPLS (84), IMS (1204), IMS Core (146), Interactive advertising (365), Internet Video (1651), Intrusion detection & prevention (134), Inventory management (250), IP equipment (1426), IP software (462), IPSec VPN (869), Layer 3 VPNs (255), Media gateways (405), Mediation systems (295), Messaging (160), Middleware (152), Mobile/Wireless (8154), MPLS (1873), Multicast (46), OSS (3732), OSS test & measurement (1170), Performance monitoring (512), Planning tools (123), Policy control (527), Presence management (56), Product Management (129), Provisioning (709), Pseudowire (Layer 2 tunnels) (139), QOS (377), Residential (898), Revenue assurance & fraud management (452), Security (2100), Service delivery platforms (SDPs) (425), Service management (393), Service-oriented architectures (376), Services (3293), Session border controllers (442), Signaling gateways (130), SIP (448), Softswitches (1152), SSL VPN (931), Telepresence (283), Traffic managers (902), URL filtering (84), User authentication (108), Video services (5023), Videophone (224), VOIP equipment (3608), VOIP services (4104), VOIP software (778), VOIP test & measurement equipment (150), VOIP VPNs (33), Web services (183), Wholesale (248), Wireless LAN (447), Wireline/Wireless (81), XML (57) Mobile Backhaul (Sponsored by Transition Networks) 10-Gbit/s Ethernet switches (1510), 100-Gbit/s Ethernet (474), Access devices (334), Cell/WLAN (92), China Mobile (104), Circuit emulation (20), Converged access (151), Core Network (880), Ethernet equipment (2629), Ethernet over copper (272), Ethernet PONs (192), Ethernet services (2266), Ethernet technologies (691), Fixed Wireless (Microwave, etc.) (152), Fixed/Mobile Convergence (859), Fourth Generation (4G) Wireless (395), IMS (1204), IMS Core (146), Mobile/Wireless (8154), Optical amplifiers (361), Packet Core (226), Point-to-point (207), QOS (377), Speciality fiber (126), Tellabs (45), Transceivers (1361), Transmission (128), Transmission fiber (436), Vodafone (1976), Voice Core (111), Wavelength services (374), WiMax (1264), Wireless Backhaul (704), Wireless LAN (447), Wireline/Wireless (81) Optical Networking (Sponsored by EXFO) 40-Gbit/s transmission (528), Alcatel-Lucent (6590), ATM switches (338), Core optical switches (801), CWDM (301), DWDM (1917), Ethernet technologies (691), Huawei (1597), Long-haul WDM equipment (796), Metro optical switches, ROADMs (1318), Metro WDM equipment (860), Multiservice edge equipment (162), Multiservice provisioning platforms (636), Multiservice provisioning platforms & add/drop muxes (387), Multiservice switches (409), Mux/demuxes (307), Optical amplifiers (361), Optical channel monitors (99), Optical components (3073), Optical components test & measurement equipment (136), Optical equipment (2640), Optical switches & crossconnects (413), Optical technologies (491), Optical test & measurement equipment (935), PBT (Provider Backbone Transport) (281), PON (1769), Resilient Packet Ring (177), Sonet/SDH (1087), Sonet/SDH chips (373), Sonet/SDH test & measurement equipment (1606), Switches & OADMs (457), Transmission fiber (436), Variable optical attenuators (146), Wavelength services (374) Service Provider IT Activation (455), Anti-virus (48), Application servers (217), Billing systems (939), Carrier managed (316), Cloud computing (527), Content/software downloads (268), Customer relationship management (426), Data Integrity (187), Denial-of-service attacks (77), Digital content (1590), Element management systems (116), Encryption (187), Endpoint security (113), Fault management (154), Firewalls (148), Grid networking (122), IMS (1204), IMS Control Layer (48), IMS Service Layer (48), Interactive advertising (365), Intrusion detection & prevention (134), Inventory management (250), IP software (462), IP technologies (1582), IPSec VPN (869), Managed Services (220), Media gateways (405), Mediation systems (295), Messaging (353), Middleware (152), MPLS (1873), MPLS (707), OSS (3732), OSS test & measurement (1170), Performance monitoring (512), Planning tools (123), Policy control (527), Product Management (129), Provisioning (709), QOS (377), Revenue assurance & fraud management (452), Security (2100), Service delivery platforms (SDPs) (425), Service management (393), Service-oriented architectures (376), Services (3293), SSL VPN (931), Telepresence (283), URL filtering (84), User authentication (108), Vendor managed (224), Web gateways (83), Web services (183), XML (57) Video Broadcast (Mobile TV, etc.) (274), Broadcast video equipment (including encoding) (832), Cable TV chips (405), Compression (MPEG-2 and MPEG-4) (349), Content protection (465), Digital rights management (474), DVRs (978), Gaming consoles (90), Internet Video (1651), IPTV (4008), Middleware & business support systems (1227), Mobile TV (467), Network DVR (159), P2P (285), Satellite (641), Set-top boxes (2165), Stored video servers (448), Telepresence (283), TV (4938), Video equipment (2785), Video services (5023), Video software (1676), Videophone (224), VOD (3291)

Source: http://jobs.lightreading.com/job/citrix-microsoft-engineer-atlanta-ga-synergis-754185797d/?d=1&source=rss_page

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LaCie Porsche Design P'9223 Slim

The LaCie Porsche Design P'9223 Slim ($149 list) is a sleekly designed external solid-state drive (SSD), and it's quite speedy while transferring data to your slim laptop or ultrabook. If you bought your laptop for portability, as well as making a design statement, this is the drive to consider. It's pricey on a dollar per gigabyte basis, but it won't keep you waiting for the HD videos you store on it. It can also kick-start a conversation about design with the folks next you in the coffee shop, if you're into that sort of thing.

Design and Features
The P'9223 Slim essentially looks like a sleek block of aluminum with black plastic plugs on opposite sides. The solid aluminum protects the SSD chips inside, while the plastic houses the USB 3.0 connector and some of the drive's branding. At about 0.4 by 5 by 3 inches (HWD), it's one of the slimmest external drives we've reviewed in a pocket drive form factor, infinitesimally smaller than the G-Technology G-Drive Slim. It's a smidge longer (but thinner) than the Western Digital My Passport Edge (500GB) . While the G-Drive Slim and WD My Passport Edge are rounded and have a sandwich construction, the P'9223 Slim sports a unibody construction with sharp edges. A slit cut into the P'9223 Slim's body lets a drive light shine through.

The drive has a 120GB capacity, which is much smaller than the spinning drives in the G-Drive Slim (500GB), the Seagate Backup Plus Portable Drive for Mac (1TB) , and WD My Passport Edge. The 120GB is enough to back up 128GB and 64GB Apple MacBook Air laptops, as well as some SSD-equipped ultrabooks and tablets. However, the drive is a little short of capacity if your laptop has a spinning hard drive, which tend to run to higher capacities?think 320GB or more. In all these cases, you could use the P'9223 Slim as supplemental storage.

The drive starts by auto-loading the LaCie Setup program when you first plug it in. It asks you to partition the drive FAT32 or HFS+ with a sliding scale so you can either use it with PCs, Macs, or a combination of both. We set the drive as an HFS+ drive (Mac format) for our testing. LaCie also prompts you to install an optional simple backup program, encryption software, and a link to LaCie's Wuala online storage service (10GB is included). You can choose to use LaCie's automatic backup program, or use the backup included with Windows 8 or Mac OS X. Like most Mac-oriented drives, OS X asks you if you want to use the drive with Time Machine automatically.

Performance
The P'9223 Slim returned speedy read speeds using the AJA System Test, with a 435 MBps read speed, and a 198 MBps write speed over USB 3.0. These speeds are very close to the Editors' Choice-winning LaCie Rugged USB 3.0 Thunderbolt Series. The P'9223 Slim was very fast in our drag and drop copy test, taking only 13 seconds to transfer our 1.22 GB test folder. This makes the drive a great companion to an SSD-equipped laptop, as you won't be waiting for your data for any significant period of time. Short of a dual-drive Thunderbolt external SSD, the P'9223 Slim is one of the fastest external drives available, much faster than a USB key or spinning hard drive.

If you must have your data transferred now, the LaCie Porsche Design P'9223 Slim is an ?ber-portable way to transport data to and from your MacBook Air or Windows ultrabook. It's very stylish, and will appeal to anyone who enjoys seeing the Porsche Design brand on his or her stuff. That said, the P'9223 Slim's more expensive LaCie Rugged brother is more flexible, with both Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 ports, and can take the bumps and drops of real life better. This is really the drive for those who follow Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier's Modernist design aesthetic.

COMPARISON TABLE
Compare the LaCie Porsche Design P'9223 Slim with several other hard drives side by side.

More hard drive reviews:
??? Western Digital My Book Studio (4TB)
??? LaCie Porsche Design P'9223 Slim
??? Apricorn Velocity Solo X2
??? OCZ Vector Series VTR1-25SAT3-256G
??? Western Digital My Book (4TB)
?? more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/ACF_Z5NhyGw/0,2817,2413696,00.asp

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Miley Cyrus: I love that my gay fans can be open in London

The singer is standing up for gay rights

Miley Cyrus is a well-known advocate for gay rights in the US, and apparently one of her favourite things about performing in London and across Europe is the freedom her fans have to be who they are.

Not afraid to have her say, Miley has openly campaigned for equal rights and liberties for everyone, no matter whether you're gay, straight or somewhere in between. Heck, she's even got a gay rights tattoo on her finger.

But despite all that, she still reckons things are better for her fans outside the USA, and spoke to Bang Showbiz, saying : ''My favourite place to perform is London, because I have never seen more gay people in my whole life."

''When I go to London that's what it is. I feel like they are so much more open, much more than here in the US where they're feeling trapped, where it's like, 'Can I even say I believe in gay marriage? Can I say that my favourite fans are my gay fans?' Am I allowed to say that, because half of America is still against it?

''It's like, I just feel like when I go to Europe, I feel very free with my fan base'," she added.

Whatever you think about Miley, you've got to admit that she's a pretty kick ass person to have supporting your cause. Plus it's nice to see her doing something that doesn't involve posting pictures of her dogs.

What do you think about all this?

Miley Cyrus quite likes it when you call her a lesbian actually

Miley Cyrus speaks out about her gay rights tattoo

Miley Cyrus: 'People who call me a sl*t are idiots'

Images: Twitter

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sugarscape/~3/_oUzbbuAHgc/miley-cyrus-i-love-london-because-my-gay-fans-can-be-open

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Pro-marijuana campaign looks ahead after 2012 victories

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - After a decades-long campaign to legalize marijuana hit a high mark in 2012 with victories in Washington state and Colorado, its energized and deep-pocketed backers are mapping out a strategy for the next round of ballot-box battles.

They have their sights set on ballot measures in 2014 or 2016 in states such as California and Oregon, which were among the first in the country to allow marijuana for medical use. Although those states more recently rejected broader legalization, drug-law reform groups remain undeterred.

"Legalization is more or less repeating the history of medical marijuana," said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance. "If you want to know which states are most likely to legalize marijuana, then look at the states that were the first to legalize medical marijuana."

The passage of the ballot measures in Colorado and Washington state in November allowed personal possession of the drug for people 21 and older. That same age group will be allowed to buy the drug at special marijuana stores under rules set to be finalized next year.

No other states have legalized marijuana, America's most widely used illicit drug, for recreational use. The drug remains illegal under federal law. Connecticut and Massachusetts also approved medical marijuana in 2012.

The efforts in Washington and Colorado demonstrated significant funding might.

The Drug Policy Alliance spent more than $1.6 million as one of the main funders of the Washington state campaign. Peter Lewis, chairman of insurance company Progressive Corp, gave $2.5 million to the Washington campaign, and travel guide author Rick Steves chipped in another $350,000, according to records.

Ahead of the Colorado vote, the Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project, which has been active in campaigns around the country, gave about $1 million to the effort, state records show.

A big question mark hangs over whether the pro-legalization momentum could be slowed if the federal government takes an aggressive stance against the new laws.

The U.S. Department of Justice has been mostly silent on the issue. President Barack Obama said in a TV interview this month it did not make sense for the federal government to "focus on recreational drug users in a state that has already said that, under state law, that's legal."

CHANGING TIDE?

In 1996, California became the first state to allow medical marijuana by a popular vote, and Oregon and Washington state were part of a second wave in 1998. But Oregon rejected a marijuana legalization ballot measure in November, while California voters did the same in 1972 and 2010.

The 2010 ballot measure in California failed to sway voters because it would have left regulation to a hodgepodge of local governments, instead of a uniform set of state rules, said Dale Gieringer, director of the California branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

This month, California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom became one of America's top state officials to call for reform of marijuana laws when he told the New York Times that laws against the drug "just don't make sense anymore."

Activists say they see demographic changes as giving them an advantage.

"We know that the younger generation is more supportive and the opposition really comes from the older generation. And as time goes on there's more of the younger generation and less of the older generation," Gieringer said.

"The second factor is we have these results in Colorado and Washington under our belt, so that sort of fertilizes the ground," he added.

One key point marijuana advocates are thrashing out is whether to pursue any ballot initiative in 2014, or wait until the presidential election of 2016, when the turnout of their reliable base of youth voters will likely be higher.

Regardless of when a ballot initiative might come to California, the nation's most populous state, groups opposing legalization vow to defeat it.

One of those is the California Police Chiefs Association.

"I have yet to hear a legalization proponent talk about how society will be enhanced, how the real social problems facing our country will be improved by legalizing yet another substance that compromises people's five senses," said John Lovell, government relations manager for the group.

A number of addiction specialists say that where marijuana is legalized, teenagers will come to believe the drug is harmless and more will use it.

Medical marijuana is already big business in California. The state Board of Equalization in its most recent analysis from 2009 estimated medical cannabis dispensaries ring up sales of $1.3 billion a year and pay sales taxes of $105 million.

(Reporting By Alex Dobuzinskis; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Edith Honan, David Brunnstrom and Steve Orlofsky)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/pro-marijuana-campaign-looks-widen-scope-2012-victories-200853192.html

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Experts: New shale fields to help stabilise global oil prices

ENERGY

Oil prices are expected to be fluctuate less in 2013, remaining on a par with or even softening slightly from 2012 levels, say energy experts.

Suthep Liumsirijarern, director-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office, said North America's new oil shale field will come on stream next year with production of about 500,000 barrels of oil equivalent, causing crude oil imports to the US to drop.

Globally, oil demand will go up slightly from 89 million barrels per day this year to 90 million bpd.

Meanwhile, the economic crisis in Europe and the US economy will not fully recover, resulting in easing oil prices in 2013, he said.

Dubai crude is targeted to trade in a range of US$108-113 a barrel compared with an average of $109.50 this year.

In Thailand, the government's first-time car buyer scheme will drive up petrol demand by 4.9% next year to an average of 21.7 million litres a day from 20 million this year.

Diesel demand will grow by 2.6% to 57.7 million litres a day, while electricity consumption will increase by 6.13% from 161 billion megawatt-hours this year.

"We must prepare for energy-price restructuring after it has been delayed for a long time, involving liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG)," said Mr Suthep.

LPG and CNG prices have been subsidised by the state-owned Oil Fund since 2008, costing about 200 billion baht to date.

Anon Sirisaengtaksin, the chief executive of PTT Global Chemicals Plc, said the petrochemicals industry is unlikely to bottom out next year like analysts estimated since the global economy has remained slow.

Petrochemical demand will come mainly from Asia, where economies remain largely sound, according to Mr Anon.

"We have to wait until the US and European economies bounce back. Then signs [of petrochemical prices] bottoming out will emerge," he said.

Phichai Tinsuntisuk, head of the alternative energy industry club of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said ethanol demand will grow by more than 50% from 1.2 million litres a day this year to 2 million litres a day in 2013.

Major automotive manufacturers have launched vehicles that are compatible with E85 and E20.

Meanwhile, the FTI has called on the government to proceed cautiously with the One Tambon One Power Plant scheme to ensure the success of the plan.

Under the programme, the government will introduce biomass projects for communities in remote areas by offering grants, investment privileges and project financing.

"The government should come up with good planing of this project, as local communities lack the expertise to operate power plants," said Mr Phichai.

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Ouya releases SDK for $99 game console, shows off developer ...

Now that Ouya is shipping the first developer kits?of its upcoming $99 Android-based video game console, the company has opened a software developer portal, launched a software developer kit, and shown off an early preview of the user interface.

The Ouya team has also posted an unboxing video, giving us a good look at the first developer consoles.

What we?re looking at isn?t the finished hardware. While the developer kits have the same basic specs as the units that will ship to customers in April (including an NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of storage), these special edition models have clear plastic cases.

That means you can see the guts of the Ouya game console without even opening it up ? and the same goes for the 2 wireless controllers that come with the kits.

Unfortunately the game controllers are still works in progress, and the team is still working out some of the kinks.

The developer kits also include microUSB ports that let you connect the system to a computer for Android programming and debugging. It?s not clear if the final product will have that port ? but one of the key goals of the Ouya project is to create an open platform, so I can?t see why the consumer device would ship without a microUSB port.

Meanwhile, folks interested in developing games for the Ouya who haven?t been able to snag one of the limited edition developer kits can check out the Developer Portal for details on coding for the Ouya using off-the-shelf hardware to test their games.

The Ouya is available for pre-order for $99 plus shipping, and it?s expected to ship in April, 2013.

via Hacker News

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• key specs
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• Game formatDownloadable
• Drive capacity8 GB
• Controller typeWireless
• Video outputsHDMI
• Released04/01/2013

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Source: http://liliputing.com/2012/12/ouya-releases-sdk-for-99-game-console-shows-off-developer-edition-hardware.html

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CAR appeals for French help against rebels, Paris balks

BANGUI (Reuters) - The president of the Central African Republic appealed on Thursday for France and the United States to help push back rebels threatening his government and the capital, but Paris said its troops were only ready to protect French nationals.

The exchanges came as regional African leaders tried to broker a ceasefire deal and as rebels said they had temporarily halted their advance on Bangui, the capital, to allow talks to take place.

Insurgents on motorbikes and in pickup trucks have driven to within 75 km (47 miles) of Bangui after weeks of fighting, threatening to end President Francois Bozize's nearly 10-year-stint in charge of the turbulent, resource-rich country.

French nuclear energy group Areva mines the Bakouma uranium deposit in the CAR's south - France's biggest commercial interest in its former colony.

The rebel advance has highlighted the instability of a country that has remained poor since independence from Paris in 1960 despite rich deposits of uranium, gold and diamonds. Average income is barely over $2 a day.

Bozize on Thursday appealed for French and U.S. military support to stop the SELEKA rebel coalition, which has promised to overthrow him unless he implements a previous peace deal in full.

He told a crowd of anti-rebel protesters in the riverside capital that he had asked Paris and Washington to help move the rebels away from the capital to clear the way for peace talks which regional leaders say could be held soon in Libreville, Gabon.

"We are asking our cousins the French and the United States, which are major powers, to help us push back the rebels to their initial positions in a way that will permit talks in Libreville to resolve this crisis," Bozize said.

France has 250 soldiers in its landlocked former colony as part of a peacekeeping mission and Paris in the past has ousted or propped up governments - including by using air strikes to defend Bozize against rebels in 2006.

But French President Francois Hollande poured cold water on the latest request for help.

"If we have a presence, it's not to protect a regime, it's to protect our nationals and our interests and in no way to intervene in the internal business of a country, in this case the Central African Republic," Hollande said on the sidelines of a visit to a wholesale food market outside Paris.

"Those days are over," he said.

Some 1,200 French nationals live in the CAR, mostly in the capital, according to the French Foreign Ministry, where they typically work for mining firms or aid groups.

CEASEFIRE TALKS

The U.N. Security Council issued a statement saying its members "condemn the continued attacks on several towns perpetrated by the 'SELEKA' coalition of armed groups which gravely undermine the Libreville Comprehensive Peace Agreement and threaten the civilian population."

U.S. State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said the U.S. embassy had temporarily suspended operations and the U.S. ambassador and other embassy personnel had left the country.

Officials from around central Africa are due to meet in Bangui later on Thursday to open initial talks with the government and rebels.

A rebel spokesman said fighters had temporarily halted their advance to allow dialogue.

"We will not enter Bangui," Colonel Djouma Narkoyo, the rebel spokesman, told Reuters by telephone.

Previous rebel promises to stop advancing have been broken, and a diplomatic source said rebels had taken up positions around Bangui on Thursday, effectively surrounding it.

The atmosphere remained tense in the city the day after anti-rebel protests broke out, and residents were stocking up on food and water.

Government soldiers deployed at strategic sites and French troops reinforced security at the French embassy after protesters threw rocks at the building on Wednesday.

In Paris, the French Foreign Ministry said protecting foreigners and embassies was the responsibility of the CAR authorities.

"This message will once again be stressed to the CAR's charge d'affaires in Paris, who has been summoned this afternoon," a ministry spokesman said.

He also said France condemned the rebels for pursuing hostilities and urged all sides to commit to talks.

Bozize came to power in a 2003 rebellion that overthrew President Ange-Felix Patasse.

However, France is increasingly reluctant to directly intervene in conflicts in its former colonies. Since coming to power in May, Hollande has promised to end its shadowy relations with former colonies and put ties on a healthier footing.

A military source and an aid worker said the rebels had got as far as Damara, 75 km (47 miles) from Bangui, by late afternoon on Wednesday, having skirted Sibut, where some 150 Chadian soldiers had earlier been deployed to try and block a push south by a rebel coalition.

With a government that holds little sway outside the capital, some parts of the country have long endured the consequences of conflicts in troubled neighbors Chad, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo spilling over.

The Central African Republic is one of a number of nations in the region where U.S. Special Forces are helping local forces try to track down the Lords Resistance Army, a rebel group responsible for killing thousands of civilians across four African nations.

(Additional reporting by Leigh Thomas and Louis Charbonneau; Writing by Richard Valdmanis; Editing by Andrew Osborn and Paul Simao)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/car-appeals-french-help-against-rebels-paris-balks-014758850.html

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Utah teachers get free gun training in response to Newtown shooting

(Reuters) - Kasey Hansen, a special education teacher from Salt Lake City, Utah, says she would take a bullet for any of her students, but if faced with a gunman threatening her class, she would rather be able to shoot back.

On Thursday, she was one of 200 Utah teachers who flocked to an indoor sports arena for free instruction in the handling of firearms by gun activists who say armed educators might have a chance at thwarting deadly shooting rampages in their schools.

The event was organized by the Utah Shooting Sports Council in response to the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, this month that killed 20 children and six staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

The council said it has typically attracted about 16 teachers each year to its concealed carry training courses. But Thursday's event near Salt Lake City, organized especially for educators in the aftermath of Newtown, drew interest from hundreds, and the class was capped at 200 for space limitations.

"I feel like I would take a bullet for any student in the school district," Hansen, a special education teacher in a Salt Lake City school district, told Reuters after the training session.

"If we should ever face a shooter like the one in Connecticut, I'm fully prepared to respond with my firearm," she said, adding that she planned to buy a weapon soon and take it to work.

The Newtown massacre reignited a national debate over gun safety. President Barack Obama signaled his support for reinstating a national ban on assault-style rifles and urged Congress to act. The National Rifle Association has called for posting armed guards at schools and rejected new gun-control measures.

'HOW DO I KEEP A GUN SAFE?'

The National Education Association and a number of school officials criticized the NRA's stance, but it got a warmer reception in some parts of the West, where hunting and guns are prevalent.

Utah is one of a handful of states that allows people with concealed-carry licenses to take their weapons onto school property, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In Arizona, Attorney General Tom Horne on Wednesday jumped into the debate over school security with a proposal to allow any school to train and arm its principal or another staff member.

The plan, which was backed by at least three sheriffs, would require approval by the legislature and the state's Republican governor, Jan Brewer.

Clark Aposhian, head of the Utah Shooting Sports Council and a certified firearms instructor, organized the event on Thursday to provide teachers with permits to allow them to carry concealed handguns in the classroom. He waived the usual $50 fee for the course.

"I genuinely felt depressed at how helpless those teachers were and those children were in Newtown," Aposhian said. "It doesn't have to be that way."

Utah teacher Kerrie Anderson was not about to participate. She is a choir and math instructor at a junior high school near Salt Lake City, and said her family is "pro-gun" and uses firearms for sports such as target shooting. But she balks at the notion of carrying a weapon into her classroom.

"How would I keep that gun safe?" she said. "I wouldn't carry (it) on my person while teaching, where a disgruntled student could overpower me and take it. And if I have it secured in my office, it might not be a viable form of protection."

Gun-control activists have decried moves to arm teachers and said efforts at curbing gun violence in schools should be tied to tightening firearms laws.

"We think it makes a lot more sense to prevent a school shooter from getting the gun in the first place," said Kristen Rand, legislative director for the Violence Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary ranks as the second most deadly school shooting in U.S. history. Police say Adam Lanza, 20, killed his mother before going to the school, where he committed the massacre and shot himself to death.

(Reporting and writing by Laura Zuckerman; Additional reporting by Tim Gaynor; Editing by Alex Dobuzinskis and Steve Gorman)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/utah-teachers-free-gun-training-response-newtown-shooting-025210116.html

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8 Tips to Navigate Slippery Winter Conditions Safely | Health content ...

An expert from the Loyola University Health System offers tips to help everyone ? but especially those over 50 years old ? retain their balance when stepping outside in slippery winter weather to prevent injuries from falls.

About a million people experience falls every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and approximately 20,000 people die annually due to fall-related injuries. Now that winter weather has arrived in full force and many parts of the country are experiencing snowy and icy conditions, play it safe when stepping outside to avoid painful and dangerous falls.

Mike Ross, author of The Balance Manual and exercise physiologist at Gottlieb Center for Fitness, part of Loyola University Health System, explained that some of the unavoidable bodily changes that occur as we age may affect personal safety. As we grow older, our balance deteriorates due to the weakening of muscles and change in sensory perception, especially in the ear structure. Equilibrium, or balance, is largely determined by the inner ear and the brain.

?As we age, our eardrums often thicken and the bones of the middle ear and other structures are affected. It often becomes increasingly difficult to maintain balance,? Ross said. ?Aging also breaks down cells in the nervous system, which can often result in a delay in reflexes that can lead to susceptibility to injury.?

Ross offers the following eight tips to navigate slippery winter conditions safely this year:

1. Check your footwear. Examine your shoes and boots for traction and determine whether it?s time for a new pair. Better traction can help keep you more stable on icy surfaces.
2. Keep a shovel and salt in your house. Don?t keep these useful tools in the garage or other out-of-the-way spot ? you want them close at hand so you can clear your sidewalk, porch and steps.
3. Check the railings. Examine the railings leading up to your front door to ensure they're sturdy and capable of supporting you if you slip.
4. Bring a cell phone when you leave the house. If you fall, it may be hard to get up. Carrying a cell phone whenever you go out can bring peace of mind.
5. Slow down. Allow extra time if it's slippery out. When you rush, you end up pushing the limits of your sense of balance. And remember: It?s better to be a little late than rushing and causing a fall.
6. Ask for help. If you have to walk across an icy sidewalk or parking lot, try to find a steady arm to lean on. Most people are happy to help someone navigate a slippery walkway, so you just have to ask.
7. Have a plan. When you are going out, ask yourself, "If I slipped and fell here, what would I do?"
8. Strengthen your legs. Strong leg muscles can help you steady yourself if you slip. And if you do fall, they make it a lot easier to get back up. You should exercise your legs regularly to keep them strong. Try walking up and down your stairs repeatedly or do a set of 10 squats out of a chair a couple of times per week.

?Many falls can be successfully avoided or the impact minimized by applying a few basic strategies,? Ross concluded.

Source: http://ehstoday.com/health/8-tips-navigate-slippery-winter-conditions-safely

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layanau: writ trig: Bodybuilding Basics | Sports n Recreation Info ...

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Source: http://gerladina-personalized.blogspot.com/2012/12/layanau-writ-trig-bodybuilding-basics.html

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Source: http://kdiarfu.posterous.com/layanau-writ-trig-bodybuilding-basics-sports

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Source: http://oynmyd.posterous.com/layanau-writ-trig-bodybuilding-basics-sports

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Greek ex-finance minister caught up in scandal

FILE - In this July 5, 2010 file photo, Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou speaks during a news conference in Athens. Three relatives of a Greek former Cabinet minister are missing from a list of Greeks with Swiss bank accounts that authorities are using to investigate possible tax evasion, court officials said Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. The ex-minister was not formally identified, but Greek media widely reported it to be former finance minister George Papaconstantinou, who had originally obtained the list from France in 2010. According to the leaks, two of his cousins and their husbands were involved in the accounts. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis, File)

FILE - In this July 5, 2010 file photo, Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou speaks during a news conference in Athens. Three relatives of a Greek former Cabinet minister are missing from a list of Greeks with Swiss bank accounts that authorities are using to investigate possible tax evasion, court officials said Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. The ex-minister was not formally identified, but Greek media widely reported it to be former finance minister George Papaconstantinou, who had originally obtained the list from France in 2010. According to the leaks, two of his cousins and their husbands were involved in the accounts. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis, File)

ATHENS, Greece (AP) ? Greece's former finance minister is at the center of an escalating political scandal after three of his relatives were allegedly found missing from a list of Greeks with Swiss banks accounts that authorities are using to investigate possible tax evasion.

George Papaconstantinou, who was the main architect of debt-ridden Greece's first austerity program, was expelled from his Socialist party after the allegations came to light Friday. The party said he had "handled the list in the worst possible way."

Prosecutors had cross-checked the list originally handed over to the Finance Ministry by French authorities in 2010 ? while Papaconstantinou was minister ? with another copy supplied by France last week.

The prosecutors said three people related to a former minister were not on the first list. Although they did not identify the ex-minister, his party swiftly did.

"It is regrettable that according to the judicial investigation, there are clear indications that the list was tampered with, with respect to family members of the former finance minister George Papaconstantinou," the Socialist PASOK party said in a statement.

"Obviously, Mr. Papaconstantinou no longer belongs to PASOK," it said, adding that "there is an obvious and huge issue of responsibility of Mr. George Papaconstantinou."

The list of about 2,000 Greek individuals and companies was provided by French authorities and is based on data concerning 24,000 HSBC customers in Switzerland that the bank reported stolen. Although Greece's Socialist government at the time received the list in 2010, no action was taken on the information until several weeks ago ? drawing heavy criticism amid the country's deepening financial crisis.

PASOK is now part of Greece's conservative-led three-party coalition government. Papaconstantinou, 51, was a prominent party member who served as finance minister from October 2009 to June 2011, and then as environment minister in the next government. He currently holds no government position and is not a member of parliament.

Late Friday, a spokesman for the coalition government said it would back any initiative to hold a parliamentary investigation into Papaconstantinou's handling of the list.

Papaconstantinou, meanwhile, angrily denied any allegation of wrongdoing.

"I have made absolutely no intervention into the data which I asked for and received from the French authorities," he said in a statement, adding that he was "not going to accept the fabrication of guilt where none exists, nor become the scapegoat in this case."

A court official said two of Papaconstantinou's cousins and their husbands ? of whom three had been on the list ? were involved in two accounts in a Swiss HSBC branch. One of the accounts was closed, while the other contains $1.2 million, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give details of the case publicly.

Court officials have sent the new list to Parliament so the legislature can look into whether there has been any wrongdoing by active politicians.

____

Derek Gatopoulos and Elena Becatoros in Athens contributed.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-12-28-Greece-Swiss%20Accounts/id-ea1eafaed61d44339d08b7f4f76e3550

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Setting Goals And Self Improvement, Tips That Can Help | Stumble ...

You should work to improve your life if you are not satisfied. The following tips can help make transitioning to the new you a little easier.

Decide what you think is the very best and place a value or reward on that thought. Therefore, you have to know what you value, and make it a priority for you.

Spend time with people who are like-minded to you. They?ll help you stay on track by being good role models for positive behavior, and you?ll better balance any negative energy you get from people who aren?t as supportive of your self-improvement goals.

Maximize work time. Some say there is a trick that involves taking frequent breaks throughout the work day. This may seem wrong, but the truth is that more breaks give you a chance to relax and recharge yourself; when you return the work at hand, you can be more focused and get many things accomplished.

Talking with a counselor or a pastor can be beneficial. These people are experienced and will know what to do in your situation. Counselors and pastors are ready and willing to listen to you and help you work on your problems. By speaking with a professional about your problems, you can lead a much healthier and enjoyable life.

Wisdom and modesty are two integral components of life. There are lessons to be learned from everyday situations; learn to accept the things you have no control over in your life. You will be less likely to bit off more than you can chew if you remain modest. Your past experiences, plus a bit of wisdom, means a brighter future.

It doesn?t have to be a difficult task to become happier. If you take the initiative to make your life better, think of all joy and great things that you?ll be giving yourself.

Source: http://stumblepeach.com/setting-goals-and-self-improvement-tips-that-can-help/

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US May Expand Mortgage Refinance Program: Report

The U.S. government is considering expanding its mortgage refinancing program to include borrowers whose mortgages are not backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the discussions.

The refinancing program now being considered also seeks to include "underwater" borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth, the Journal said.

The proposal would also transfer potentially riskier loans held by private investors to the government-sponsored mortgage entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the paper said.

Such a move would require congressional authorization to temporarily change the charters of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, according to the Journal.

About 22 percent of all homes with a mortgage, or around 10.8 million homes, down from 12.1 million last year, were worth less than the outstanding balance at the end of June, the Journal said, citing data from CoreLogic.

Under the proposal, Fannie and Freddie would be allowed to charge higher rates to borrowers in order to compensate for the risk of guaranteeing refinanced loans that are underwater and more likely to result in default.

The U.S. Treasury declined to comment.

Combined with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which buy loans and repackage them as securities for investors, Washington's footprint in the market has grown to account for nearly nine of every 10 mortgages.

Source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100339374

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Undersea jewelry (and sparkling diamonds) from Tiffany & Co ...

If any readers out there want to spoil the ladies of DSN with some diamonds, we will gladly accept any of these lovely pieces from Tiffany & Co. (my favourite shop, of course). I just stumbled upon this fabulous collection designed by?Jean Schlumberger, who presents a delicious array of jeweled ocean creatures.

For a cool $125,000, you could be the belle of your next scientific conference ball, strutting in with this gorgeous ?Jellyfish clip? attached to your LBD or BCD. Who wouldn?t want to be dripping in 2.97 carats of diamonds?

Jean Schlumberger ?Jellyfish clip? ? Tiffany & Co.

If shapeless invertebrates aren?t your thing, consider splurging on this ?Two-fish clip? ($105,000), featuring 19th-century-inspired paillonn? enamel fins:

Jean Schlumberger ?Two-fish clip? ? Tiffany & Co.

Or perhaps the ?Seahorse Clip?, where diamonds, amethyst, periodot and pink sapphire are nestled within an 18k gold and platinum lattice ($54,000):

Jean Schlumberger ?Seahorse clip? ? Tiffany & Co.

And finally, at only $4,500 these diamond and green enamel ?Shell ear clips? are are absolute bargain ? why, they?re so glamorous they nearly pay for themselves!

Jean Schlumberger ?Shell ear clips? ? Tiffany & Co.

?

If any readers out there want to spoil the ladies of DSN with some diamonds, we will gladly accept any of these lovely pieces from Tiffany & Co. (my favourite...

Source: http://deepseanews.com/2012/12/undersea-jewelry-and-sparkling-diamonds-from-tiffany-co/

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KBank to focus corporate loans on medium-sized enterprises - The ...

Home ? business ? KBank to focus corporate loans on medium-sized enterprises

KBank

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation
December 26, 2012 1:00 am

KBank targets corporate loans in 2013 to grow by 4-6 per cent from the outstanding loans of Bt388 billion as at the end of this year, with a key driver being trade finance in line with a rebound in export volumes, he said.

KBank expects export growth in 2013 will recover to 12.5 per cent from 4 per cent this year.

The proportion of trade finance/ working capital loans in 2013 will be increased from 60 per cent currently, he said.

Companies that require funds for investment are expected to mobilise them from the capital market, which is an opportunity for financial advisory services and non-interest income.

KBank has three strategies for its corporate business, focusing on fund-raising advisory, financial advisory for corporate restructuring, and cash-management |solutions.

Non-interest income in 2013 |is projected to expand by more |than 17 per cent, increasing its |proportion of overall income to |2.9 per cent from 2.62 per cent in 2012.

Thai traders have become more active in emerging markets, but these have high risk because those countries have few regulations to protect foreign investors, unlike the European and US markets. Risk-protection services, therefore, are another focus of KBank, Vasin said.

"Lending is likely not expanding much because the bank wants to help customers, especially medium-size corporates with annual sales of [about] Bt400 million, prepare themselves at home before going abroad," he said. "Hence we give importance to helping corporates improve efficiencies in terms of operations, strategies and risk protection."

The picture of Thai enterprise today is unlike in the past because Thailand is no longer a cheap-labour country, he noted. Meanwhile, many emerging markets are becoming attractive places to invest, so Thai firms should not wait for foreign direct investment as in the past - they must expand their businesses themselves.

Latest stories in this category

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/KBank-to-focus-corporate-loans-on-medium-sized-ent-30196809.html

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Overwhelmed Newtown officials seek temporary halt to gifts

NEWTOWN, Conn. - Officials in Newtown, Conn., are asking people to stop sending gifts to the grief-stricken community following the deadly school shooting, saying they're deeply grateful but can't handle the donation deluge.

The town's first selectman, police chief and schools superintendent made the request Wednesday through an editor at The Newtown Bee newspaper.

They say since a gunman killed 20 first-graders and six educators Dec. 14, gifts from school supplies to artwork have arrived in such numbers they've overwhelmed the small community's ability to process them.

The officials are asking people to temporarily stop sending gifts. They say once they process the "warehouses full of items," they'll detail the best ways to help.

Meanwhile, the United Way of Western Connecticut announced Wednesday that a fund established after the shooting to support Newtown has grown to $3.5 million.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/overwhelmed-officials-newtown-conn-seek-temporary-halt-gifts-003017199.html

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Pope decries slaughter of 'defenseless' Syrians

VATICAN CITY (AP) ? Pope Benedict XVI wished Christmas peace to the world Tuesday, decrying the slaughter of the "defenseless" in Syria and urging Israelis and Palestinians to find the courage to negotiate.

Delivering the Vatican's traditional Christmas day message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Benedict also encouraged Arab spring nations, especially Egypt, to build just and respectful societies.

He prayed that China's new leaders respect religion, a reference to persecution Chinese Roman Catholics have at times endured under communism.

As the 85-year-old pontiff, bundled up in an ermine-trimmed red cape, gingerly stepped foot on the balcony, the pilgrims, tourists and Romans below backing St. Peter's Square erupted in cheers.

Less than 12 hours earlier, Benedict had led a two-hour long Christmas Eve ceremony in the basilica. He sounded hoarse and looked weary as he read his Christmas message and then holiday greetings in 65 languages.

In his "Urbi et Orbi" speech, which traditionally reviews world events and global challenges, Benedict prayed that "peace spring up for the people of Syria, deeply wounded and divided by a conflict that does not spare even the defenseless and reaps innocent victims."

He called for easier access to help refugees and for "dialogue in the pursuit of a political solution to the conflict."

Benedict prayed that God "grant Israelis and Palestinians courage to end long years of conflict and division, and to embark resolutely on the path to negotiation."

Israel, backed by the United States, opposed the Palestinian statehood bid, saying it was a ploy to bypass negotiations, something the Palestinians deny. Talks stalled four years ago.

Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said that in a meeting with the pope last week, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "emphasized our total readiness to resume negotiations." The Palestinians have not dropped their demand that Israel first stop settlement activities before returning to the negotiating table.

Hours earlier, in the ancient Bethlehem church built over the site where tradition holds Jesus was born, candles illuminated the sacred site and the joyous sound of prayer filled its overflowing halls.

Overcast skies and a cold wind in the Holy Land didn't dampen the spirits of worshippers in the biblical West Bank town. Bells pealed and long lines formed inside the fourth-century Church of the Nativity complex as Christian faithful waited to see the grotto that is Jesus' traditional birthplace.

Duncan Hardock, 24, a writer from MacLean, Va., traveled to Bethlehem from the republic of Georgia, where he had been teaching English. After passing through the separation barrier Israel built to ward off West Bank attackers, he walked to Bethlehem's Manger Square where the church stands.

"I feel we got to see both sides of Bethlehem in a really short period of time," Hardock said. "On our walk from the wall, we got to see the lonesome, closed side of Bethlehem ... But the moment we got into town, we're suddenly in the middle of the party."

Bethlehem lies 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Jerusalem. Entry to the city is controlled by Israel, which occupied the West Bank in 1967.

For those who couldn't fit into the cavernous Bethlehem church, a loudspeaker outside broadcast the Christmas day service to hundreds of faithful in the square.

Their Palestinian hosts, who welcome this holiday as the high point of their city's year, were especially joyous this season, proud of the United Nations' recognition of an independent state of Palestine just last month.

"From this holy place, I invite politicians and men of good will to work with determination for peace and reconciliation that encompasses Palestine and Israel in the midst of all the suffering in the Middle East," said the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal in his annual address.

Back at the Vatican, Benedict offered encouragement to countries after the Arab spring of democracy protests. He had a special word for Egypt, "blessed by the childhood of Jesus."

Without citing the tumultuous politics and clashes in the region, he urged the North African region to build societies "founded on justice and respect for the dignity of every person."

Benedict prayed for the return of peace in Mali and harmony in Nigeria, where, he recalled "savage acts of terrorism continue to reap victims, particularly among Christians."

The Vatican for decades has been worried about the well-being of its flock in China, who are loyal to the pope in defiance of the communist's government support of an officially sponsored church, and relations between Beijing and the Holy See are often tense.

Speaking about China's newly installed regime leaders, Benedict expressed hope that "they will esteem the contribution of the religions, in respect for each other, in such a way that they can help to build a fraternal society for the benefit of that noble people and of the whole world."

Acknowledging Latin America's predominant Christian population, he urged government leaders to carry out commitments to development and to fighting organized crime.

In Britain, the royal family was attending Christmas Day church services at St. Mary Magdelene Church on Queen Elizabeth II's sprawling Sandringham estate, though there were a few notable absences. Prince William is spending the holiday with his pregnant wife Kate and his in-laws in the southern England village of Bucklebury, while Prince Harry is serving with British troops in Afghanistan.

Later Tuesday, the queen will deliver her traditional, pre-recorded Christmas message, which for the first time will be broadcast in 3D.

At Canterbury cathedral, Anglican leader Rowan Williams delivered his final Christmas day sermon as archbishop of Canterbury. He acknowledged how the church's General Synod's vote against allowing women to become bishops had cost credibility and said the faithful felt a "real sense of loss" over the decision.

_____

Dalia Nammari in Bethlehem and Cassandra Vinograd in London contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/pope-decries-slaughter-defenseless-syrians-111207075.html

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