Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/166795551?client_source=feed&format=rss
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Monday, 28 November 2011
Sunday, 27 November 2011
AUTOMOTIVE RETAIL SECTOR RECEIVES MAJOR BOOST | 3D ...
AUTOMOTIVE RETAIL SECTOR RECEIVES MAJOR BOOST AS IMI SECURES GOVERNMENT FUNDING
The Institute for the Motor Industry (IMI) has successfully secured over ?3 million of investment on behalf of the automotive retail sector, as part of phase 2 of the Government?s Employer Investment Fund (EIF), to deliver projects to boost enterprise, jobs and growth.
Following a competitive bid process, the IMI has secured investment for all 6 streams of work submitted for consideration by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES).? Today?s announcement is a great result for the automotive retail sector and further strengthens the Institute?s mandate to improve standards of professionalism across the industry through the qualification, development and recognition of individuals.
The automotive retailsector is a substantial generator of wealth for the UK, turning over ?146 billion and generating ?25 billion Gross Value Added (GVA) from vehicle sales, maintenance, repair, recovery, parts distribution, leasing and rental.
The IMI?s 6 ambitious development projects align with the core purpose of the EIF 2 funding to enable the IMI to develop a suitably qualified workforce to meet future demand and improve economic performance.? The news is a real boost for the automotive retail sector and demonstrates that it can compete successfully alongside other high priority employment sectors.
The EIF is a UK-wide fund that has been created by the UKCES to encourage employers across the UK to invest more in raising the skills of their workforce. This fund is open only to licensed Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) and enables them to run and pilot innovative solutions to raise skill levels and business performance.? This replaces Government strategic grant funding for all SSCs which ceases in March 2012.
Sarah Sillars OBE FIMI, Executive Chair said ?We are delighted that from a total of 109 bids across 21 SSCs all 6 requisitions we submitted will receive funding. This is a significant achievement for the Institute on behalf of the retail automotive industry and acknowledges the importance of the sector to the UK economy. We are grateful for the support of all the employers who have helped us to achieve this successful outcome.
Our strategic objectives at the IMI are designed to help the automotive industry improve its image, status, skills and productivity. With EIF phase 2 funding we will deliver initiatives that will engage employers and deliver long term commitment to skills investment.?
The successful bids are in line with the Institute?s Strategic Plan and are as follows:
- Making and winning the economic argument for employer investment in skills.
- Increasing current competence levels developing a new approach to up-skilling the automotive technician population.
- Develop an infrastructure to improve the levels of management and leadership capability in the sector.
- Expand and embed the automotive sector?s Professional Register as the voluntary license to practice.
- Attracting and retaining talent in the sector ? educate careers teachers and practitioners on opportunities in the modern automotive retail sector.
- Development of a 14-16 automotive vocational programme.
The funding further reinforces the value of the automotive professional register, launched in April 2011, which recognises individuals who have proven they have the right qualifications and knowledge to practice professionally within the automotive sector, abide by a code of ethical conduct and who continually maintain their professional standards through continuing professional development (CPD) and proving current competence.
Related posts:
- IMI SECURES GOVERNMENT FUNDING
- MANUFACTURING SECTOR CALLS FOR TAX REFORM TO BOOST R&D INVESTMENT AND JOBS IN THE UK
- FDI in Automotive sector to continue climbing
- Automotive Sector Continues to attract investment
- Automotive Industry Gears up for Auto Africa Expo 2004
Source: http://3d-car-shows.com/2011/automotive-retail-sector-receives-major-boost/
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Saturday, 26 November 2011
Russian wanted by Lithuania arrested in London (AP)
VILNIUS, Lithuania ? A Russian businessman who owns Portsmouth Football Club and has tried to invest in cash-strapped car maker Saab has been arrested in London in connection with a money laundering probe that has rocked Lithuania and Latvia, officials said Friday.
Vladimir Antonov, 36, and a Lithuanian partner, Raimondas Baranauskas, 53, were detained Thursday on an arrest warrant issued by investigators probing alleged fraud and money laundering at his banks in the Baltic states, Lithuanian prosecutor Tomas Krusna told reporters.
The Bank of Lithuania said late Thursday that his bank there, Snoras Bank, will be liquidated, calling it the best solution for country's financial system and economy, which were jolted after the bank was nationalized and its operations halted.
Lithuanian regulators claim that hundreds of millions of euros were siphoned from Snoras, the country's fifth-largest financial institution, while Latvian authorities have said that similar asset-stripping took place on a massive scale at Latvija Krajbanka, a subsidiary bank controlled by Snoras.
Lithuanian bank chief Vitas Vasiliauskas said the government was liquidating the bank rather than waste taxpayers' money trying to help "a plane that won't fly."
"There is no other way to solve this situation," he said.
The decision to liquidate Snoras means that Latvijas Krajbanka, which Snoras controls through a 68 percent stake, is almost certain to suffer the same fate given Latvia's meager financial resources as it emerges from one of the world's worst recessions.
When asked about Antonov's arrest, London police read a statement saying that two men ? age 36 and 53 ? were arrested in response to a Europe-wide arrest warrant in London's financial center. British officials do not name suspects until they have been charged.
Police said the two men remained in custody overnight and are due to appear in a London court later Friday.
Lithuanian prosecutors on Wednesday issued the warrant for Antonov, who owned over 60 percent of Snoras, and Baranauskas.
Antonov told the Lithuanian daily Respublika in a phone interview published Thursday that he feared for his life.
"I returned to London because I live and work here ? my family is here. Where else can I go? Russia? That would be a one-way ticket. I would have to stay there for safety, but this would be considered an escape attempt," he said.
"I am ready to testify...I understand that extradition is inevitable. I can say it openly ? I am scared that I may get killed," Antonov said.
Latvian officials had hoped that Lithuania's government might be able to salvage the banks, and Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis was due to travel to Lithuania on Friday on discuss the issue. However, once news of Snoras' liquidation broke, Dombrovskis canceled the trip.
Lithuania's Finance Ministry said Friday that they would pay out all guaranteed deposits ? up to euro100,000 ($132,000) ? at Snoras by Christmas ? requiring some 4 billion litas ($1.5 billion) in funds.
Latvia's government was due to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the fate of Latvijas Krajbanka.
Authorities in both Lithuania and Latvia say the two banks' collapse does not pose a systemic risk since they are mid-sized and the two states have ample reserves to guarantee deposits.
Latvijas Krajbanka was Latvia's 10th largest bank by assets after it was taken over by regulators on Monday.
Janis Brazovskis, an official with Latvia's Finance and Capital Markets Commission who was appointed to oversee Krajbanka, said Wednesday that Antonov's failed attempt to acquire the troubled Swedish automaker Saab might have triggered the Baltic banks' downfall.
He said that approximately 100 million lats ($200 million) were siphoned from the bank to increase its charter capital and finance Antonov's investment projects ? including the unsuccessful takeover of Saab.
Deposit holders in both countries are now forced to wait in long lines to withdraw money from cash machines, while companies and municipalities have seen the working capital virtually disappear.
Baranauskas, who owned just over 25 percent in Snoras, said last week that Lithuania's decision to nationalize Snoras was "robbery" and an attack on Antonov.
___
Associated Press writers Cassandra Vinograd in London and Gary Peach in Riga, Latvia, contributed to this report.
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Black Friday crowds: 'It was insane ... it was crazy'
TVs, games, and gadgets were flying off store shelves across the country. NBC's Janel Klein and CNBC's Julia Boorstin report.
By msnbc.com staff and NBC News
Updated 5:55 p.m. ET: If you think the Black Friday crowds were big at your local stores, you should have tried shopping in New York City, where an estimated 10,000 people were waiting when the Macy's flagship store opened at midnight.
Many retailers opened early across the country to take advantage of buyers' pent-up demand for the annual deals, which NBC News' Janel Klein reported can make up to 40 percent of a store's profits for the entire year.
Black Friday mayhem: Shootings, pepper spray
"I thought I was going to get run over," Lindsay O'Rourke said after shopping at a Target store in Tulsa, Okla.
"I was holding onto my aunt so I wouldn't get run over," she told NBC station KJRH.
Thirty-two stores opened at midnight at NorthPark Mall in Davenport, Iowa, NBC station KWQC reported.
Michelle Mandell, an employee at Victoria's Secret in the mall, said people were shoving one other to get to their favorite merchandise.
"It was insane. I had people climbing my merchandise and throwing product through the store. It was crazy," she said.
PhotoBlog: Black Friday shopping starts on Thursday
Despite the down economy, the National Retail Federation predicts a 2.8 percent increase in holiday spending this year over last, with as many as 152 million people hitting the stores this weekend, up 10 percent from last year.
"The electronics are very big ? the tablets, the smartphones ? but clothing is very big, as well," Jon Hurst of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts told NBC station WHDH of Boston. "And you know, of course, toys always do well in any economy."
NYT: Friday's deals may not be the best
People began lining up early this week to keep their spot in line for Friday's sales at a Kohl's department store in Boise, Idaho. Some people planned out their shopping route, dividing up family members to cover the store faster.
"We have people all over. We have people in the kids department. We're in the linens department. We have an aunt that is down in the clothing department," Jess Huntington of Boise told NBC station KTVB.
"We've got it covered," he said:
Matt Lokay, general manager of a Best Buy store in Wichita, Kan., said it was "a lot busier than I expected."
"Our line actually went all the way down 21st Street by the apartments next door," Lokay told NBC station KSN.
"You get great deals and save a lot of money," said Jennifer Duda, who waited outside a Toys 'R Us store in Wichita, which opened at 9 p.m. Thursday.
"My mom is going to the left and I'm going to the right, and then we're going to meet in the electronics with a cart, hopefully," Duda said.
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Friday, 25 November 2011
Jared Bernstein: Pesky Brother-in-Law, Thanksgiving Edition
Ah, Thanksgiving. Savory food, family... and that pesky relative with a PhD in Fox News that keeps needling you to the point where you can't even enjoy Cousin Chrissy's carrot souffl?. [All references are to actual dishes at my family table! Also, usual disclaimer and Thanksgiving tidings to my bros-in-law -- Jim, Clint, Sean, Andy, Tom. Earlier editions of this series are here and here.]
Well, don't fret, and definitely don't let them throw you off your eating game. Here's a handy roundup of retorts to a few egregious arguments you're likely to hear. Master these, and you'll probably end up having thirds of Aunt Debbie's pecan pie.
Bro-in-Law: Poor people aren't even poor in this country -- they've got tons of stuff -- TVs, air-conditioning, even houses!
Well, one thing's for sure -- they don't have a lot of money. You know what the poverty threshold is in this country? For a single mom with a couple of kids, it's around $17,500 a year. Imagine raising kids on that kind of income today (look to your mom for support). And according to the official numbers, 20 million people -- about 7% of the population -- live in families with income below half that amount -- I don't care if you own 10 TVs -- good luck patching a life together on that kind of income.
But you're right bro, a lot of poor people have TVs and ACs... less than half own homes, by the way, and many of them are cash-poor elderlies. But you've got a point, up to a point. Once you take into account their government benefits, like food stamps, Medicaid benefits, and tax addons to their wages, it's true that a lot of poor people are not living in anything like a state of privation.
In fact, the wage credit for low-income workers kept over five million people, including three million kids, out of poverty last year. So some of the stuff we're doing is helping and that's something we might want to be a little bit proud of. Sure, government gets some stuff wrong, but helping to top off low-wage incomes to help families trying to do the right thing is a great policy. By the way, bro, your hero Ronnie Reagan expanded that wage subsidy program (the Earned Income Tax Credit), calling it the best antipoverty program we've got. (Let me know how he deals with that one.)
And here's the thing. While a lot of poor families may be getting by, it's awfully tough for them to get ahead. There's less income mobility here than in most other advanced economies, and there's also less mobility than they're used to be. While prices of a lot of things like TVs, ACs, and laptops have fallen a lot, helping today's poor to consume a lot more cool stuff than yesterday's, some other very important prices have gone up a lot faster than average, like college, or like access to better neighborhoods with better schools. That's how kids get a chance in this country, and precious few kids in families living on $20K or less are getting those chances.
Even if they've got a few TVs.
Bro-in-Law: Well, by now you've gotta admit it -- Obama's failed. Time to get on the [Mitt, Newt, etc.] bandwagon and give somebody else a chance to clean up the mess because your guy can't do it.
Now wait a minute, bro. I mean let's just think about that for a minute. Your man W turned a phat budget surplus into a deficit and left Obama with an economy contracting at the nightmarish rate of 9% (that real GDP in Bush's last quarter in office -- 2008q4), shedding hundreds of thousands of jobs per month.
This President takes office, gets the Recovery Act into the system, and by the second half of 2009, GDP's growing again. But early 2010, the private sector's adding jobs, as it's been doing ever since -- too slow, I grant you -- but there's no question he turned things around.
And let's be real here... your pals up there in DC have blocked every idea he's tried to move. And some of them, like Mitch McConnell, say they're doing so in order to defeat him. Imagine that-this guy proudly announced he"ll throw the President's plans to help the economy under the bus if that's what it take for his own political gain. I don't care how ambitious you are, that's just despicable and I don't get it.
(Looking around for support of basic fair play, say... ) So I really don't think that's a fair judgment of this president and what he's accomplished. Even with vicious, aggressive forces working 24 and seven against him, he's done great stuff.
And I gotta tell ya, listening to those guys and gals who want to take his place, I'm pretty much hearing the very playbook that lost the game-big time-the last time out. It's like they drove the car into the ditch, fought the President every step of the way as he got it out, blocked him from jump starting it, and now they want the keys back!
(Help yourself to Aunt Judy's cranberry pie -- and take that extra scoop of vanilla -- you earned it!)
Bro-in-Law: I can't stand the way you liberals go on about the rich not paying their fair share. You know as well as I do that half the country doesn't even pay taxes!
OK... put down that turkey drumstick and give him your best incredulous look. Then start by appealing to common sense.
Why, that can't be right. I mean, every time you buy gas you're paying a tax, right? And everybody who works pays payroll taxes, don't they? Heads should start nodding.
The fact is, virtually everyone pays taxes. Your beloved bro is talking about federal income taxes and that's just one of many kinds of taxes people pay. For most Americans, it isn't even the largest tax they pay-more than four in five working Americans pay more in the payroll taxes than they do in income taxes.
Let that sink in while you take a spoonful of Bubbi's cranberry sauce. Then, add that unlike Federal income taxes which rise with your income level, payroll and sales taxes -- the kinds of taxes that low-income people pay tend to be regressive in that they extract a larger share of income from low-income families than from the wealthier households.
Same with state and local taxes -- property taxes, sales and excise taxes, additional income taxes -- they also tend to be more regressive.
In fact, poor families -- those in the bottom fifth of the income scale -- pay 16% of their meager income in taxes of one sort of another.
And if we're talking about the federal income tax, more than eight of every ten people who owed no federal income taxes fall into one of two categories: working people who paid substantial payroll taxes, and seniors living largely or entirely on fixed incomes. The rest? Largely students, people with disabilities, the long-term unemployed, and others with very low incomes. Oh yeah -- and a bunch of corps with kickass tax lawyers (and, to be fair, often large capital losses which they can deduct from their tax liability).
How I ask you, my brother, are you saying we should raise taxes on seniors who depend on Social Security, on disability and veterans benefits? Is that where you want to take this, given that something like 4,000 millionaires will pay no income tax this year? I mean, remember Warren Buffet talkin' about how he paid less taxes than his staff -- now there's something that doesn't seem right at all... (more heads nodding -- let's land this argument with style):
I gotta tell ya bro, I'm not worried about the Buffets of the world. I'm worried about the working single mom trying to make ends meet, the young adult in community college, the senior living on her Social Security, the security guard workin' his butt off for the minimum wage. And all of 'em are paying payroll and sales taxes.
Jeez, if anything, bro, I can't imagine how families like that are getting by. I guess we've got a lot to be thankful for today...
Nuff said.
This post originally appeared at Jared Bernstein's On The Economy blog.
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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jared-bernstein/post_2687_b_1111223.html
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Thursday, 24 November 2011
Rachel A. Sussman, LCSW: Creating New Traditions for Thanksgiving and the Holidays
If there is one holiday that is universally celebrated in our country, it is Thanksgiving. Its meaning is simple yet profound. It kicks off our holiday season, and any religion, race or ethnicity is invited to attend. It is representative of the family unit, and it recalls memories from our childhoods. Yet, even with all its positive symbolism, enduring it during and after a breakup or divorce can be extremely challenging.
A therapist in private practice, I work double time during November and December as my divorced clients grapple with complex feelings and logistics surrounding the holidays. For instance, Steven* spent every Thanksgiving with his ex wife's family. His parents live across the country and due to his busy job, he only has Thanksgiving Day off. He's terrified of being alone and ashamed to ask any friends for an invite. My client Julie's children will be with her ex this year, and she is not close to her nuclear family. She fears that her recovery will be jeopardized if she visits them without the protection or distraction of her kids.
These are completely valid issues that thousands of divorced people struggle with at this time of year. Holidays can be difficult and stressful to begin with, but if you are trying to adjust to the end of a marriage, you will have some additional adapting to do. And because holidays are supposed to be joyful, one can really feel out of sorts or scrooge-like as they count the hours until New Year's Day when the festivities are over and normal life resumes.
If you have children try to remember that although your family and your holiday routines are different than they were when you were married, you are still a family and that will never change. Please try to take comfort in that fact. Still, modifications will need to be made. If your children are old enough to understand your divorce and the new complexities your family faces surrounding holidays, perhaps they can be part of the solution. Consider sitting with them and discussing what the holidays mean to all of you. Then make a commitment to create some new traditions that are representative of your new life together. My friend Jenna immediately set about making friends with other divorced women after her divorce, and she amassed a terrific group. One Thanksgiving she rented a house in Florida with three other divorced friends and their children. According to her it was loads of fun. In fact, she said it was the best Thanksgiving she ever had.
If you don't have children, try to remember that you are completely freed up to spend your Thanksgiving and other holidays in any way that you'd like. You have so many choices. If you are close to your family and feel they are supportive of your circumstances, perhaps you'd consider visiting them. If not, think friends and colleagues. Don't be shy to ask for an invitation. Try to remember that the spirit of the holidays is about humanity and compassion, and most people are overjoyed to include some new blood at their table. You also have the option to take a personal vacation or do a good deed such as taking a shift or two in a soup kitchen and helping those who are truly in need.
No matter what your circumstances, please consider thinking of this year's holiday season as an opportunity to create new traditions yourself and your family. Try to be creative and remember that there are many interesting and exciting things you can do. Don't be afraid to ask for support if you need it. Remember that people really do want to help. And if you feel up to it, consider branching out on your own and trying something different this year. Think of the confidence it will build when you bust through your sadness, fear, or even "set ways", and turn your holiday into an occasion that is adventurous and joyful.
*Please note that all names in this post have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.
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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-a-sussman-lcsw/creating-new-traditions-f_b_1106884.html
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Zairo Karate Dojo
Not so much an RP, But rather a training ground of sorts. Do battle, learn pre-made techniques and such from a personally developed fictional Martial Art, as if your character were going to a real martial arts school!
now, you may see some of the techniques the character of your choosing wants to learn be used in action. What's stopping you from using them without training??
?The fact that this is an in-character experience and it would ruin the story? :D
That's right. When you have progressed in training, you shall have your character given cool shit thousand year old techniques, ranks/level ups, etc etc.
I prefer you use existing characters. However, if you make an all new character for another RP, they too can join. I will not accept characters made entirely from scratch. Romance is perfectly acceptable, but please don't publicly show us any sex scenes or anything.
Now, Onto more pressing matters:
- Zairo Karate isn't really a traditional Karate style: In fact, it's a freeform art roughly meaning (Super Diverse Way Of the Empty Hand).
- Fighting is full contact. Little to no protective gear is used.
-You shall cultivate great energy. For most, especially humans, you can take control of your Ki, the life energy found in all things, to accomplish great feats.
- Uniforms For Boys and Girls
Girls: gi top with choice of sleeveless/tight sleeve leotard?.For improved flexibility. Really!
Boys: Uniforms are simple. Sleeves or no sleeves on gi top.
-
Character Sheet Requirements:
Original Sheet: (sheet from an RP your character has previously been in?)
Name
Gender
Species
Age
Appearance
History
Items
Weapons (If Any)
Optional:
Fun Facts
Quote(s)
Theme Song
Extra
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/sXL64D8mhFg/viewtopic.php
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Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Defense lining up witnesses for WikiLeaks hearing (AP)
HAGERSTOWN, Md. ? Supporters of an Army intelligence analyst suspected of leaking classified material to WikiLeaks say the defense hopes to call as many as 50 witnesses at his military hearing next month.
Jeff Paterson of the Bradley Manning Support Network told reporters Tuesday that prospective witnesses would include people who can talk about the public benefits of whistleblowers. Manning is suspected of obtaining hundreds of thousands of classified documents while serving in Iraq and providing them to the anti-secrecy website.
Paterson says his information was based on contacts with defense attorney David Coombs. Coombs didn't immediately respond to queries from The Associated Press.
The Army said Monday that a so-called Article 32 hearing will begin Dec. 16 at Fort Meade, near Baltimore, to determine whether Pfc. Manning will stand trial.
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Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Gingrich pitches 'growth and opportunity' in NH
Republican presidential candidates Texas Gov. Rick Perry, left, former CEO of Godfather's Pizza Herman Cain, center, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich participate in the Thanksgiving Family Forum sponsored by The Family Leader, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Republican presidential candidates Texas Gov. Rick Perry, left, former CEO of Godfather's Pizza Herman Cain, center, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich participate in the Thanksgiving Family Forum sponsored by The Family Leader, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) ? Republican presidential contender Newt Gingrich is set to introduce a "growth and innovation" plan that would offer younger workers an alternative to Social Security.
The former House speaker, whose political comeback has seen his political fortunes improving in recent weeks, planned to tell students at St. Anselm College Monday that he would allow some members of the U.S. workforce to choose private retirement accounts and end the expectations that Social Security will be a safety net for older workers.
Gingrich's plan would also let the markets determine retirees' income.
"Growth and innovation means securing and strengthening Social Security by empowering Americans with the option to invest in personal savings accounts," Gingrich said in remarks prepared for delivery. "This gives Americans ownership over their retirement and the opportunity to unleash the power of the market to enjoy prosperous retirements beyond their most optimistic expectations, while also wiping out all future liabilities in the Social Security system."
Gingrich said his plan would reduce the inequality between workers who paid into Social Security as their sole retirement account and higher income workers who benefit from private funds. Gingrich aides said their plan would make retirees' more secure and level the field among all workers.
President George W. Bush offered some similar proposals for Social Security soon after winning re-election in 2004, but ran into stiff resistance from Democrats and from some within his own party about proposing changes to the popular program.
Gingrich, who left office in 1999 under a cloud of ethics violations, has rehabilitated his political image as a one-man think-tank during the last decade. Recently, Gingrich has seen his standing in the polls rise as the GOP electorate has shifted from one candidate to another.
Hoping to capture Republicans' imaginations again, Gingrich was set to unveil his proposals to students Monday afternoon in a state that could help him build momentum toward the nomination.
Although still trailing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in most polls, Gingrich has attracted grassroots leaders to his campaign as he looks to pitch himself as the leading alternative to Romney. As the fickle GOP electorate has moved from one candidate to another ? while Romney has remained steady in the polls ? Gingrich is hoping his late rise puts him in a strong position with just six weeks to go until the first of the nominating contests take place in Iowa.
Gingrich also planned to again call for returning welfare programs to the states, as well as offering states alternatives to Medicare and introducing private options.
"Growth and innovation means rejecting the centralized control and rationing of Obamacare and creating a broad Patient Power system," Gingrich said. "When patients are empowered and information is transparent, the cost of healthcare will go down for all, while the quality will go up."
However, Gingrich's plan would allow seniors in Medicare now to stay, but others would be eligible for subsidies toward traditional insurance plans.
"Unleashing competition will dramatically increase options for American seniors, while also lowering costs," he said.
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USC holds off No. 4 Oregon 38-35
Oregon running back LaMichael James finds room to run during the first half of their NCAA college football game against Southern California in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)
Oregon running back LaMichael James finds room to run during the first half of their NCAA college football game against Southern California in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)
Southern California wide receiver Marqise Lee, left, evades Oregon defender Troy Hill during the first half of their NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)
Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley, left, throws on the run as tailback Curtis McNeal, right, blocks Oregon defender Dewitt Stuckey during the first half of their NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) ? Matt Barkley threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns and No. 18 USC held off No. 4 Oregon 38-35 on Saturday night when Alejandro Maldonado missed a 37-yard field goal to tie the game with five seconds left.
Trailing 24-7 in the third quarter, Oregon mounted a furious comeback and narrowed it to 38-35 with 7:05 left in the fourth quarter. Barkley led his team to the Oregon 15, but Marc Tyler fumbled and the ball was recovered by the Ducks with 2:54 to go.
Oregon marched down the field but Maldondado's kick, which was brought five yards closer because of a USC penalty, went wide left.
The loss snaps a 21-game winning streak for the Ducks (9-2, 7-1 Pac-12) at Autzen Stadium, which was the longest in the nation. It also stopped Oregon's winning streak in conference games at 19.
Robert Woods, who was held out of some practices this week with ankle and shoulder injuries, caught seven passes for 53 yards and two scores. With the victory, USC (9-2, 6-2) kept the Ducks from clinching a spot in the inaugural Pac-12 championship game.
The loss had greater implications for Oregon after No. 2 Oklahoma State lost to Iowa State 37-31on Friday night, which is sure to shake up the BCS standings. The Ducks had jumped to fourth in those rankings after a decisive 53-30 victory over then-No. 3 Stanford last week.
But against USC, they were playing catch up from the start.
The Trojans scored first on Barkley's 59-yard touchdown pass to Marqise Lee in the first quarter, then added Barkley's 12-yard scoring pass to Woods early in the second to go up 14-0.
The Ducks didn't' look like themselves until an efficient scoring drive midway through the second quarter. Darron Thomas hit true freshman Colt Lyerla with a 35-yard pass before striking fellow frosh De'Anthony Thomas with a 29-yarder for the touchdown. The seven-play drive covered 88 yards in just 2:15.
But USC answered with Barkley's 4-yard touchdown pass to Woods. The TD, Barkley's 73rd, moved him past Carson Palmer for second on Southern California's career touchdown list. Matt Leinart had 99 for the Trojans.
The Ducks had a chance to narrow it before the half, but De'Anthony Thomas was out of bounds when he pulled down a Darron Thomas pass to the end zone. On the next play, James fumbled and the ball was recovered by USC.
James, who dislocated his elbow earlier in the season and missed two games, was hit in the arm on the play, and was holding the elbow as he was helped up by trainers.
The Trojans opened the second half with Andre Heidari's 26-yard field goal to make it 24-7, but Oregon again showed a flash of its usual speedy offense with a quick drive capped by Kenjon Barner's 10-yard touchdown run.
The Ducks, known for their second half adjustments, couldn't slow USC's momentum and the Trojans scored on the subsequent series with Marc Tyler's 3-yard run. Barkley added a 5-yard scoring pass to Randall Telfer to make it 38-14.
De'Anthony Thomas narrowed it again for the Ducks with a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and the Autzen Stadium crowd got back into the game with 3:28 left in the third quarter.
Barner had an 8-yard touchdown run to close the Ducks to within 38-27 with 12:44 left in the game. The Trojans ate a lot of time up with their next series, but Barkley was intercepted by John Boyett, putting the Ducks in business on their own 40. Oregon scored on James' 1-yard run, and the 2-point conversion was ruled good after review to make it 38-35.
Darron Thomas threw for 265 yards and a touchdown for the Ducks. Barner ran for 123 yards and two scores.
But USC still got its first victory in the state of Oregon since 2005.
The Trojans cannot play in the postseason because of NCAA sanctions. The league's southern representative is still up for grabs between Arizona State, Utah and UCLA.
There were cheers before the game started when NBA stars LeBron James, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony and several others showed up on the sidelines. James and Anthony even tossed around a football.
The players were have been working out at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., just outside of Portland.
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Monday, 21 November 2011
Researchers develop 'super' yeast that turns pine into ethanol
Friday, November 18, 2011
Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a "super strain" of yeast that can efficiently ferment ethanol from pretreated pine -- one of the most common species of trees in Georgia and the U.S. Their research could help biofuels replace gasoline as a transportation fuel.
"Companies are interested in producing ethanol from woody biomass such as pine, but it is a notoriously difficult material for fermentations," said Joy Doran-Peterson, associate professor of microbiology in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
"The big plus for softwoods, including pine, is that they have a lot of sugar that yeast can use," she said. "Yeast are currently used in ethanol production from corn or sugarcane, which are much easier materials for fermentation; our process increases the amount of ethanol that can be obtained from pine."
Before the pinewood is fermented with yeast, however, it is pre-treated with heat and chemicals, which help open the wood for enzymes to break the cellulose down into sugars. Once sugars are released, the yeast will convert them to ethanol, but compounds produced during pretreatment tend to kill even the hardiest industrial strains of yeast, making ethanol production difficult.
Doran-Peterson, along with doctoral candidate G. Matt Hawkins, used directed evolution and adaptation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a species of yeast used commonly in industry for production of corn ethanol, to generate the "super" yeast.
Their research, published online in Biotechnology for Biofuels, shows that the pine fermented with the new yeast can successfully withstand the toxic compounds and produce ethanol from higher concentrations of pretreated pine than previously published.
"Others before us had suggested that Saccharomyces could adapt to harsh conditions. But no one had published softwood fermentation studies in which the yeast were pushed as hard as we pushed them," said Doran-Peterson.
During a two-year period, Doran-Peterson and Hawkins grew the yeast in increasingly inhospitable environments. The end result was a strain of yeast capable of producing ethanol in fermentations of pretreated wood containing as much as 17.5 percent solid biomass. Previously, researchers were only able to produce ethanol in the presence of 5 to 8 percent solids. Studies at 12 percent solids showed a substantial decrease in ethanol production.
This is important, said Doran-Peterson, because the greater the percentage of solids in wood, the more ethanol that can be produced. However, a high percentage of solids also places stress on the yeast.
"Couple that stress with the increase in toxic compounds, and the fermentation usually does not proceed very well," she said.
Pine is an ideal substrate for biofuels not only because of its high sugar content, but also because of its sustainability. While pine plantations account for only 15 percent of Georgia's trees, they provide 50 percent of harvested timber, according to Dale Greene, professor of forest operations in UGA's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. The loblolly pine that Doran-Peterson and Hawkins used for their research is among the fastest growing trees in the American South.
"We're talking about using forestry residues, waste and unsalable timber," said Peterson, "Alternatively, pine forests are managed for timber and paper manufacturing, so there is an existing infrastructure to handle tree-farming, harvest and transportation for processing.
"The basic idea is that we're trying to get the yeast to make as much ethanol as it can, as fast as it can, while minimizing costs associated with cleaning or washing the pretreated pine. With our process, no additional clean-up steps are required before the pine is fermented," she said.
###
University of Georgia: http://www.uga.edu
Thanks to University of Georgia for this article.
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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/115339/Researchers_develop__super__yeast_that_turns_pine_into_ethanol
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The Muppets take ?Saturday Night Live?
NBC
The Muppets joined host Jason Segel on "Saturday Night Live."
By Ree Hines
It seems the Muppets are everywhere lately, as the felt friends have been making the TV rounds to promote their upcoming, self-titled movie. Over the weekend, Kermit and the gang stormed yet another show ? ?Saturday Night Live.?
Jason Segel, one of the flesh and blood stars of ?The Muppets,? served as the evening?s host. At least he tried to. It seemed the Muppets were under the impression they were all hosting the show, and they weren?t happy to learn otherwise.
?No, no, no, it makes perfect sense that they?d pick Jason, Piggy,? Kermit said with plenty of sarcasm. ?I mean, when people go to a Muppet movie, they say, ?Gee, I can?t wait to see the human!?
Segal tried to defend the casting decision.
?There?s a perfectly good reason why I?m hosting and not you,? he explained. ?Namely, well for one, half you guys aren?t even wearing pants.?
?Hey, that?s below the belt!? Rowlf the Dog shot back.
Despite the fact that Kermit wasn?t really a host, he did manage to make one more appearance during the show when he joined Seth Meyers for the latest edition of ?Really!?!?
What were your favorite "SNL" skits of the night? Tell us on our Facebook page.
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Source: http://theclicker.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/21/8931429-the-muppets-take-saturday-night-live
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Sunday, 20 November 2011
Art exhibit draws attention to filthy Indian river (AP)
NEW DELHI ? The fetid, sewage-filled Yamuna River is an unlikely setting for a large-scale art installation.
But organizers of Project Y are hoping their works will attract art lovers who rarely venture onto its filthy banks and draw attention to the chronic pollution of a river worshiped as holy by Hindus.
The public art initiative, with works by four Indian artists and five Germans, aims to raise awareness of the sad state of the Yamuna by linking it with Germany's far cleaner Elbe ? where a similar exhibition is being mounted.
"Everyone here knows the river is polluted and dirty, but I want to re-awaken the idea of ecology for it. We want people to come and see what the river is all about for themselves," said Ravi Agarwal, a co-curator of the project.
So near the rusting Loha Pul Bridge, where locals wash their clothes, floats a sculpture of the female form from the waist down. Its legs act as a trap for the Yamuna's bounty, plastic bottles discarded by litterers, striking marigold garlands thrown in the river by worshipers and the floating carcass of a dead pig.
Among other installations are Gigi Searia's Fountain of Purification, which pumps water from the river through five levels of a tower before spurting "pure water" from the top. Even that purified water is still brown and putrid.
Despite a Supreme Court ruling ordering the cleanup of a river that supplies 70 percent of New Delhi's water, the Yamuna remains filthy. Billions of dollars in government spending have had little effect and environmentalists blame the haphazard placement of sewage treatment plants as well as fights over water management between different states.
Artist Asim Waqif has installed a long stretch of plastic bottles down the middle of the Yamuna, which he says expresses the river goddess' anger at the pollution.
"The goddess of the river has always been here to wash away people's sins," Waqif said. She was never supposed to wash away sewage, he said.
A few people wandered the banks one recent afternoon to see the art; organizers estimate between 150 to 200 come every day.
"Some of it is OK, but I don't understand it," said Shamiba Seth, who came to see the exhibit.
As for a river cleanup?
"I would like to see it happen, but don't think it will as it is such a mess," she said.
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FDA Revokes Approval of Avastin for Breast Cancer (HealthDay)
FRIDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Saying the risks outweigh the benefits in patients with advanced breast cancer, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg said on Friday that the agency has rescinded its approval of the cancer drug Avastin for that use.
Avastin (bevacizumab), however, will remain available for treating some types of colon, lung, kidney and brain cancer.
"Today, I am revoking the FDA's approval of the breast cancer indication for Avastin after concluding that the drug has not been shown to be safe and effective for that use," Hamburg said during a late morning press conference.
"Sometimes, despite the hopes of investigators, patients, industry, and even the FDA, the results of rigorous testing can be disappointing," she said. "This is the case with Avastin when used for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer."
The risks of Avastin include severe high blood pressure, bleeding, heart attack or heart failure and the development of perforations in different parts of the body such as the nose, stomach and intestines.
"These are considerable risks from taking Avastin, and can be justified only if there is good evidence that the use of the drug will benefit the patient," Hamburg said. "In breast cancer, it was clear that there was no proof of benefits that would justify the risks."
The FDA's decision was based on an expert panel's unanimous recommendation in June that the drug was not safe or effective when used for women with metastatic breast cancer. The drug had been approved for use along with the cancer drug Taxol (paclitaxel) for an aggressive type of breast cancer called HER2-negative breast cancer.
In 2008, Avastin was approved to treat metastatic breast cancer under the FDA's accelerated approval program, Hamburg said. Under this program, a drug can gain approval before final data on its safety and effectiveness is complete if its use appears promising in treating serious and life-threatening conditions, she explained.
Avastin's approval was based on results from one study that suggested it extended the lives of certain breast cancer patients.
After its approval for this use, Avastin's maker Genentech completed two clinical trials that found only a small effect on tumor growth without evidence that patients lived any longer or had a better quality of life compared with standard chemotherapy alone.
Some said Friday that they thought the FDA's decision was a sound one.
In a statement, the National Breast Cancer Coalition said it "applauds the FDA and Commissioner Margaret Hamburg for the decision to revoke the approval of Avastin in the first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer. We understand the devastation of metastatic breast cancer and the fact that we do not know how to prevent or cure it. We remain committed to and focused on finding those answers."
However, Genentech took issue with the agency's decision.
"We are disappointed with the outcome," Dr. Hal Barron, Genentech's chief medical officer, said in a statement. "Despite today's action, we will start a new phase III study of Avastin in combination with paclitaxel in previously untreated metastatic breast cancer, and will evaluate a potential biomarker that may help identify which people might derive a more substantial benefit from Avastin."
Several experts also questioned the FDA's decision.
"I can only say it's not good," said Dr. Stefan Gluck, an oncologist at the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. "They have been agonizing over it, and they still made the wrong decision."
Avastin gives a subset of patients a large advantage over chemotherapy alone, Gluck said. "In metastatic breast cancer, we give therapy to improve symptoms and improve quality of life and occasionally to improve quantity of life," he explained.
Avastin should only be used in late-stage breast cancer where the disease has spread to other organs such as the lungs, liver, bone or kidneys, Gluck said.
"I would not use Avastin in an older woman with small tumors in the lung without symptoms," Gluck said. "But in a young woman with huge lung masticates, then I need a quick response and a long-lasting response, and this is only available if you add chemotherapy and Avastin together," he said.
In these cases, "the cancer is worse than the side effects," Gluck said. "I need to weigh what is worse at the moment, the side effects, which may not happen, or the cancer. Eventually, the cancer kills the patient, but until the cancer kills the patient I want to give her the best quality of life."
Gluck noted that doctors can still use Avastin for breast cancer patients on an off-label basis. However, the FDA decision may mean that the drug will no longer be covered by insurance companies for use in treating breast cancer.
Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society, said in a statement: "The full impact of this decision is difficult to determine at this time. This decision will obviously lead insurance companies to review their payment policies regarding Avastin in breast cancer. Other experts have made their opinions known that in their experience Avastin has proven beneficial for breast cancer patients. Whether those opinions will provide sufficient reason for insurers and government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid to pay for this treatment remains unknown."
"At the least, we would hope that insurers will continue to cover treatment with Avastin in those women with metastatic breast cancer who are currently on the drug and who are showing a benefit from its use," he added. "Ultimately, as noted by the Commissioner, this was a difficult decision to make, but one that had to be made based on the science."
Elizabeth Thompson, president of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, said in a statement that "as a patient advocacy organization, we want to ensure that women who are successfully using Avastin today continue to have access to the drug, and that their treatment be covered by third-party payers."
"This decision underscores the need for aggressive research to develop treatments that will allow women to live full, high-quality lives even with advanced and metastatic breast cancers. At the same time, we encourage continued research into biomarkers that will help identify which patients will or will not benefit from certain treatments," she said.
More information
For more information on breast cancer, visit the American Cancer Society.
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Saturday, 19 November 2011
?American Horror Story? Star Connie Britton Adopts Little Boy! (VIDEO)
“American Horror Story” Star Connie Britton Adopts Little Boy! (VIDEO)
Connie Britton, the actress from my new favorite show “American Horror Story” on FX, has adopted a little nine-month-old boy from Ethiopia. The actress, who [...]
“American Horror Story” Star Connie Britton Adopts Little Boy! (VIDEO) Stupid Celebrities Gossip Stupid Celebrities Gossip News
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Friday, 18 November 2011
Fiat CEO looking for Italian economic stability
Chrysler Group LLC Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne speaks during a news conference at the Chrysler Toledo Assembly complex, in Toledo, Ohio Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011. Chrysler said Wednesday, it will add 1,100 jobs at an Ohio assembly complex as part of a $1.7 billion investment to build a new Jeep sport utility vehicle. (AP Photo/Madalyn Ruggiero)
Chrysler Group LLC Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne speaks during a news conference at the Chrysler Toledo Assembly complex, in Toledo, Ohio Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011. Chrysler said Wednesday, it will add 1,100 jobs at an Ohio assembly complex as part of a $1.7 billion investment to build a new Jeep sport utility vehicle. (AP Photo/Madalyn Ruggiero)
Chrysler employees listen during a news conference at the Chrysler Toledo Assembly complex, in Toledo, Ohio Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011. Chrysler said Wednesday, it will add 1,100 jobs at an Ohio assembly complex as part of a $1.7 billion investment to build a new Jeep sport utility vehicle. (AP Photo/Madalyn Ruggiero)
Chrysler Group LLC Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne smiles during a news conference at the Chrysler Toledo Assembly complex, in Toledo, Ohio Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011. Chrysler said Wednesday, it will add 1,100 jobs at an Ohio assembly complex as part of a $1.7 billion investment to build a new Jeep sport utility vehicle. (AP Photo/Madalyn Ruggiero)
Pam Bialecki works on a 2012 Jeep Wrangler at the Chrysler Toledo Assembly complex, in Toledo, Ohio Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011. Chrysler said Wednesday, it will add 1,100 jobs at an Ohio assembly complex as part of a $1.7 billion investment to build a new Jeep sport utility vehicle. (AP Photo/Madalyn Ruggiero)
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) ? Chrysler's chief executive says the economic instability in Italy could affect where it puts its headquarters when the automaker combines with Fiat in the coming years.
Chrysler is now run by Italian automaker Fiat SpA. Sergio Marchionne is CEO of both companies and already working toward bringing the two automakers together.
Marchionne says the economic situation in Italy bears watching. He says that Fiat will remain committed to Italy's industrial backbone. It's now Italy's largest employer.
He addressed the company's future Wednesday after announcing plans to add 1,100 jobs at a Chrysler Group LLC assembly plant in Toledo, Ohio, by late 2013.
The expansion is part of a $1.7 billion investment to build a new Jeep sport utility vehicle.
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Chu: Solyndra loan based on merits, not politics (AP)
WASHINGTON ? An unapologetic Energy Secretary Steven Chu defended a half-billion-dollar federal loan to a solar-panel manufacturer that went belly up, even as he told a House committee Thursday he was unaware of dozens of key details that led to the debacle over Solyndra Inc.
Under hours of hostile questioning from Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Chu declined several opportunities to say he was sorry, but acknowledged that in hindsight the deal was "extremely unfortunate" and "regrettable."
"Certainly knowing what I know now, we'd say `no,'" Chu said during a daylong hearing before the energy panel's subcommittee on investigations. "But you don't make decisions fast-forwarding two years in the future and then go back. I wish I could do that."
Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., chairman of the subcommittee, said after the hearing that Chu should be fired.
"I just think he has failed the test. The fact that he's unaware of so many things makes me think that he's not the best person for the position," Stearns said.
Chu insisted that politics played no role in his department's decision to loan Solyndra Inc., $528 million before it went bankrupt and laid off 1,100 workers.
Testifying under oath on a widening controversy, Chu took responsibility for the disastrous 2009 loan, but said he was unaware of many details about the loan or financial problems that Solyndra faced ? including predictions by Energy Department staff two years ago that the company was likely to face severe cash-flow problems.
Chu repeatedly said he didn't know until recently of problems with Solyndra or suggestions of political interference on the company's behalf by the White House or Energy Department officials.
"I am aware of it now," he said at least five times.
Chu refused to apologize for the loan debacle, calling it "extremely unfortunate" but based on factors beyond his control. He blamed the company's demise on "totally unexpected" market changes ? including an influx of cheap imports from China and the collapse of the European market for solar panels ? that led to a steep decline in the price of Solyndra's product.
Solyndra, of Fremont, Calif., was the first renewable-energy company to receive a loan guarantee under the 2009 stimulus law, and the Obama administration frequently touted it as a model for its clean energy program. Chu attended a 2009 groundbreaking when the loan was announced, and President Barack Obama visited the company's headquarters last year.
Since then, the company's implosion and revelations that the administration hurried a review of the loan in time for the groundbreaking has become an embarrassment for Chu and Obama and a rallying cry for GOP critics of the administration's green energy program.
Contradicting assertions by several committee Republicans, Chu said no one from the White House ever contacted him to make a political decision on the loan.
"I want to be clear: Over the course of Solyndra's loan guarantee, I did not make any decision based on political considerations," he said.
Still, Chu acknowledged mistakes and said that if he had the chance to do it again, he would not have approved the $528 million loan.
Chu also said he doesn't expect taxpayers will recover much of the money lost in the transaction.
Again and again, Chu expressed ignorance of issues related to the loan or the Obama administration's handling of it. For instance, Chu said he did not know until this week that some unidentified DOE officials had urged Solyndra to delay an early round of layoffs until after 2010 midterm elections.
"I was not part of that decision, and I certainly would not have been in favor of that decision," he said.
Rep. John Sullivan, R-Okla., asked Chu how closely he was involved in the loan process.
He has to approve the loans and be briefed on them, Chu replied, "and I ask questions about the loans as they come up."
Chu also denied he was influenced by a major Obama campaign donor, George Kaiser, an Oklahoma billionaire who invested $400 million in the solar company through an investment vehicle connected to a family foundation. Kaiser has said he played no part in helping Solyndra win the 2009 loan, but emails released last week show he discussed Solyndra with the White House on at least one occasion. Kaiser also directed business associates on how to approach the White House and Energy Department to help Solyndra deal with its financial problems.
Chu told lawmakers he did not know who Kaiser was when the loan was approved. He says he is aware of Kaiser now, in the wake of media reports about Kaiser's investment in Solyndra.
Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, said he found that hard to believe, since Kaiser was an Obama financial "bundler" who visited the White House frequently in 2009, while the Solyndra loan was being considered.
"Everybody and their dog at DOE knew who he was and what he was involved in," Barton said of Kaiser. "We have on the record that he was around the White House at least 16 times in the time period the Solyndra loan program was being reviewed."
Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., chairman of the energy panel, said he was astonished at how many red flags about Solyndra ? including many from the Energy Department itself ? were either ignored or minimized by the Obama administration.
"At every opportunity, Solyndra and DOE officials, including Secretary Chu, publicly assured the American people that Solyndra was on track and would eventually thrive, right up until the time that Solyndra declared bankruptcy," Upton said.
Rep. Martin Griffith, R-Va., said he had a hard time believing that Chu, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, was as out of the loop as he claimed.
"I know you didn't leave your brains at the door," he told Chu.
Chu said his decision to approve the loan was based on the analysis of experienced professionals and on the strength of the information they had available to them at the time.
Chu also took responsibility for a later decision to approve a restructuring of Solyndra's debt that allowed Kaiser and another investor to move ahead of taxpayers for repayment in case of default.
The Energy Department faced a difficult decision in late 2010 and early this year, Chu said: Force Solyndra into immediate bankruptcy or restructure the loan guarantee to allow the company to accept emergency financing that would be paid back first if the company was still unable to recover.
Chu said it was worth noting that U.S. taxpayers remain first in line for repayment of the initial loan and noted that private groups invested nearly $1 billion in Solyndra.
Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., was unimpressed.
"I've heard a lot of talk about politics, I've seen a lot of emails from within the administration about politics," he told Chu. "I don't see any chain of emails looking out for the taxpayer money. That's what stinks the most about this."
Democrats accused Republicans of hypocrisy on the loan guarantee program, noting that Upton and other Republicans have sought support for projects in their districts even while slamming Chu and Solyndra. Upton and other Michigan lawmakers tried to get federal support in 2009 for United Solar Ovonic, a struggling manufacturer in their state.
United Solar did not receive a loan and its parent company, Energy Conversion Devices Inc., said last week it was suspending manufacturing and laying off 500 workers.
___
Associated Press writer Alicia A. Caldwell contributed to this report.
___
Matthew Daly can be followed at http://twitter.com/MatthewDalyWDC
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Thursday, 17 November 2011
Video: A reminder of Dan Henderson?s last stop in the Octagon
The last time Dan Henderson was in the UFC, he scored a knockout to remember. After coaching "The Ultimate Fighter" against Michael Bisping, Henderson was matched up with the Brit at UFC 100. Bisping circled towards Henderson's power hand, and Hendo made him pay for it.
After going 3-1 and winning the light heavyweight belt in Strikeforce, he's back in the UFC. Will he be able to stiffen Mauricio "Shogun" Rua like he did Bisping? Tell us in the comments or on Facebook.
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'Breaking Dawn' Sex-Scene Song Inspired By Edward
Sleeping At Last's Ryan O'Neal calls submitting 'Turning Page' for the soundtrack a 'shot in the dark,' in 'Twilight' Tuesday.
By Kara Warner
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in "Breaking Dawn"
Photo: Summit
We're back again for another "Twilight" Tuesday, our recently resurrected weekly column dedicated to anything and everything popping in the house that Stephenie Meyer built.
Not that we've been lacking content this month, since "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 1" opens this week, but there's always something to spotlight. This week's special subject: the lucky artists on the soundtrack.
When you're associated with any of the "Twilight" films, no matter in what capacity, it's kind of a big deal — particularly if you are an emerging artist on the music scene and one of your songs is selected to be part of the "Breaking Dawn" soundtrack. That dream recently came true for singer/songwriter Ryan O'Neal from Sleeping At Last when he found out his song "Turning Page" made the final cut.
"I wrote 'Turning Page' about six months ago, and it was something I felt I really wanted to be from Edward's perspective," he told MTV News recently, after a special concert performance for the fans camped out before the premiere in "tent city." "I thought, 'That makes sense,' and things just kind of layered on itself. And after the first few piano chords, I felt like that was where I wanted to go with it. So then I sent it in, which was a total shot in the dark. I hadn't heard anything [for a while], so I was pretty sure it was a no-go. And then a couple months ago, I got a call and was told it was in some of the parts of the film."
In exactly what parts of the film does his song appear? When Bella is walking down the aisle and during the highly anticipated sex scene. Can you imagine sending in a song as a "shot in the dark" and then finding out that it is featured in not one, but two scenes? And not only that, but those two scenes happen to be two of the most important in the movie? O'Neal is a lucky duck. A hugely talented and deserving one, that is, and very appreciative.
"I'm still kind of wrapping my head around the whole thing," O'Neal said. "I'm so, so privileged. I can't even believe it."
What would you like to see on "Twilight" Tuesdays? Hit me up @KaraWarner on Twitter to make your voice heard!
Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1674450/twilight-breaking-dawn-soundtrack.jhtml
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