Wounded vets offer advice to Boston Marathon victims

>> finally tonight our friday night making a difference report. for the worst possible reasons like two wars fought over the past decade we have a lot of americans in this country who can teach a lot to the surviving victims of the boston bombing. they are veterans anded to boston as if fo r duty. we get their story tonight from nbc's katy tur.

>> reporter: it started with tears and questions.

>> i feel like i can't do fig right now.

>> reporter: right now, yes. i'm telling you with all my heart you are going to be more independent than you ever were.

>> reporter: sergeant gabe martinez only just met celeste celeste corcoran. a double amputee gabe lost both legs to a roadside ied in afghanistan in 2010 . celeste lost her legs when the finish line of the boston marathon became a war zone .

>> we have the same injuries. just to be on that level with somebody, it really gave me, you know, the platform to speak from the heart and tell her how it's going to be.

>> reporter: these people lost their limbs from ieds. does that make it more personal?

>> it does.

>> reporter: sergeant b.j. ganam lost a leg to an ied. he, gabe and others are visiting the boston bomb survivors offering not just financial support but real life advice.

>> their whole lives are going to change. it's not just to get out of the hospital, heal and throw a prosthetic on, wham, bam, thank you ma'am and they're done. it's life.

>> reporter: roseann moved to a rehab center this week. her right leg was amputated above her knee. she calls semper fi an inspiration.

>> i'm lucky to be alive. what can you say? you can't go backwards. you can only move forwards. that's the direction i'm going.

>> this isn't the end. this is the beginning.

>> reporter: as for gabe and celeste, they spoke for only a few minutes. what started with tears and questions ended in laughter and a lifetime bond.

>> not only do they have strong accents, they have a strong spirit.

>> reporter: katy tur, nbc news, boston .

Source: http://feeds.nbcnews.com/c/35002/f/653381/s/2b3a2f43/l/0Lvideo0Bmsnbc0Bmsn0N0Cid0C5168220A7/story01.htm

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Could San Diego and Tijuana team up to host Olympics?

The U.S. Olympic Committee is talking to 10 cities about a possible bid for the 2024 Summer Games, including a joint proposal from San Diego and Mexican neighbor Tijuana.

Following failed bids for the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, the USOC sent out letters to 35 American cities in February to gauge interest in a potential run for 2024.

"We're in discussion with about 10 cities actively now," USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun said in an interview after speaking to the Associated Press Sports Editors in New York. "The process is really working the way it was supposed to."

Los Angeles and Philadelphia have publicly announced their interest, and Blackmun said San Diego and Tijuana have approached the USOC about a joint bid.

Blackmun declined to identify the other cities being considered as potential candidates, saying they preferred to keep it confidential for now. He said three cities have formally said they are not interested in bidding.

Blackmun said he would be surprised if any other cities came forward at this point.

"We don't want to submit a bid we don't think we can win," Blackmun told the APSE gathering.

The United States hasn't hosted a Summer Olympics since the 1996 Atlanta Games. New York mounted a failed bid for the 2012 Games, which went to London, and Chicago suffered a stinging first-round defeat in the IOC vote for the 2016 Olympics, which were awarded to Rio de Janeiro.

The USOC has since reached a revenue-sharing agreement with the IOC, ending a long-running dispute that contributed to the failed bids. With relations back on track and the USOC working to increase its international presence, the chances for a successful U.S. bid in 2024 are considered vastly improved.

"We've got plenty of time," Blackmun told the AP. "There are no specific deadlines on this process."

The USOC has said it plans to decide by the end of 2014 whether to bid. The International Olympic Committee will select the 2024 host city in 2017.

Blackmun said a joint bid can work in some geographical areas, citing the Bay Area and the cities of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose as a "natural" possibility.

As for San Diego and Tijuana, he said, "That would have its challenges. We haven't looked at it carefully. We just learned about it."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/usoc-10-cities-interested-hosting-2024-games-152432575.html

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Movie Reviews: Mark Wahlberg as a Bodybuilder Extortionist ...

Editor's Note: All reviews and information aggregated from?Moviefone?and?RottenTomatoes.

Want to catch a movie this weekend? Here is Patch's roundup of movies playing at theaters in the Minnetonka area, including?AMC Eden Prairie Mall 18,?Mann St. Louis Park Cinema?6?and?Kerasotes Showplace Icon Theatre at West End.

New this weekend:

Pain & Gain

One sentence plot: Based on the unbelievable true story of a group of personal trainers in 1990s Miami who, in pursuit of the American Dream, get caught up in a criminal enterprise that goes horribly wrong.

Rotten Tomatoes viewer score: 96

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 50

Reviews:

"It all leaves you pondering whether you have just seen a monumentally stupid movie or a brilliant movie about the nature and consequences of stupidity." The New York Times Full Review

"A badly constructed, blood-spattered caper that comes unglued early on." USA Today Full Review

"Bay's trademark theatrical flourishes and grandiloquent effects work don't overwhelm the engrossing story or some noteworthy performances. And for Bay, that's saying a lot." Film Racket Full Review

Oblivion

One sentence plot: On a spectacular future Earth that has evolved beyond recognition, one man's confrontation with the past will lead him on a journey of redemption and discovery as he battles to save mankind.

Rotten Tomatoes viewer score: 98

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 59

Reviews:

"When you go to a futuristic, dystopian, post-apocalyptic barn dance starring Tom Cruise and his space guns, you expect a little zap with your thoughtful pauses." Chicago Tribune Full Review

"For all the bells and whistles?an electronic score by M83, a screen-busting Imax presentation and Cruise going full throttle?Oblivion feels arid and antiseptic, untouched by human hands." Rolling Stone Full Review

"You start wondering whether director Joseph Kosinski and screenwriters Karl Gajdusek and Michael DeBruyn have any original ideas of their own. And then you realize they don't." Seattle Times Full Review

----

42

One sentence plot: "42" tells the story of two men-the great Jackie Robinson and legendary Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey-whose brave stand against prejudice forever changed the world by changing the game of baseball.

Rotten Tomatoes viewer score: 97

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 68

Reviews:

"It's a sports film nonsports fans can love; it's a family film that never preaches; it's a biopic that also takes in the world and people around its subject." New York Daily News Full Review

"'42' can feel incomplete (the bland music and the filmmaker's obsession with dates and places are problematic), yet at the same time it offers a very good place to start. Seattle Times Full Review

"There are many less flattering things you could say about a movie than that it's enjoyable in a square, uncomplicated, stirringly old-fashioned way." Entertainment Weekly Full Review

----

Scary Movie 5

One sentence plot: The latest installment of the "Scary Movie" franchise includes send ups of "Paranormal Activity," "Mama," "Sinister," The Evil Dead," "Inception," and "Black Swan."

Rotten Tomatoes viewer score: 79

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 5

Review:

"It says a lot about the film that the only half-laughs to be had come from Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan." Filmink Full Review

----

Jurassic Park 3D

One sentence plot: The film follows two dinosaur experts?Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Dr. Ellie Sattler Laura Dern)?as they are invited by eccentric millionaire John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) to preview his new amusement park on an island off Costa Rica.

Rotten Tomatoes viewer score: 83

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 91

Reviews:

"The 3-D process adds not just dimension but depth - a technological extension of cinematographer Gregg Toland's deep-focus innovations in The Grapes of Wrath and Citizen Kane. The change in perspective creates greater intensity." Time Magazine Full Review

"Jurassic Park shows us a director in transition, and the film captures his transformation in its own kind of cinematic amber." Vulture Full Review

"I'm a fan of this movie. It is thrilling, and the 3-D treatment is a nice enhancement." Boston Globe Full Review

----

Evil Dead

One sentence plot: In the much anticipated remake of the 1981 cult-hit horror film, five twenty-something friends become holed up in a remote cabin.

Rotten Tomatoes viewer score: 76

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 63

Reviews:

"Five years from now, will you want to watch this bloody $14 million extravaganza or Raimi's shoestring original, which was Amateur Hour elevated to pop art? Evil Dead just bleeds money." Vulture Full Review

"A stylish and worthy homage: inventive even as it is derivative, never quite jokey but never taking itself too seriously, and clocking in at an entirely appropriate 91 minutes. Any longer would be unmerciful; any shorter, ungenerous." The Atlantic Full Review

----

G.I. Joe: Retaliation

One sentence plot: In this sequel, the G.I. Joes are not only fighting their mortal enemy Cobra; they are forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardize their very existence.

Rotten Tomatoes viewer score: 82

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 35

Reviews:

"Good luck recalling any other would-be set pieces a couple of days after you've seen Retaliation." Boston Globe Full Review

"A more sure-footed shoot-'em-up that finds some heart, wit and perhaps enough momentum to spawn a formidable action franchise." USA Today Full Review

"Movies like GI Joe: Retaliation want to give you the video-game equivalent of an itchy trigger-finger. It's an emotion-free zone." Orange County Register Full Review

----

The Host

One sentence plot: When an unseen enemy threatens mankind by taking over their bodies and erasing their memories, Melanie Stryder (Saoirse Ronan) will risk everything to protect the people she cares most about.

Rotten Tomatoes viewer score: 92

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 10

Reviews:

"Sci-fi hits the skids as bad melodrama rules, and we get such risible dialogue as, 'It's not really me you like, it's this body' and 'I'm still of two minds.' And how about this groaner: 'Kiss me like you want to get slapped." Toronto Star Full Review

"'The Host' is top-heavy with profound, sonorous conversations, all tending to sound like farewells." Chicago Sun-Times Full Review

"If nothing else, the movie serves as an excellent substitute for the book: better art direction and a quarter of the adjectives." Full Review

----

The Croods

One sentence plot: The Croods tells the story of the world's first family road trip: When their cave is destroyed, the Crood family must embark on a comedy adventure into strange and spectacular territory in search of a new home.

Rotten Tomatoes viewer score: 95

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 79

Reviews:

"Despite a few too many mother-in-law jokes, "The Croods" nicely makes it clear that even before they had fire, families understood how important it was to cherish and protect each other." Chicago Sun-Times Full Review

"'The Croods' is both brisk and beautiful, and should be sufficiently entertaining for family audiences for whom few such options exist these days." The Associated Press Full Review

"The familiarity of the characters and their dynamics do make the movie feel comfy. You'll probably go into the prehistoric animated comedy thinking you know what it's going to be, and you'll be right." The Pioneer Press Full Review

----

Oz the Great and Powerful

One sentence plot: When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he's hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking-that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced?he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting.

Rotten Tomatoes viewer score: 99

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 58

Reviews:

"Oz the Great and Powerful" isn't a masterpiece for the ages, but an agreeable family film that pleasantly reminds us of something greater - of a land that we heard of, once in a lullaby." Seattle Times Full Review

"The 3-D effects are plentiful - hats, lions, and baboons jump off the screen and into your lap - but the characters rarely lodge in the moviegoer's heart." Time Magazine Full Review?

"Though Oz has some of the same narrative issues and effects-heavy bloat as that highly personal fantasy film, every frame is infused with a deep-rooted, impassioned understanding of the cinema's magical power to captivate and inspire." Time Out New York Full Review

Do you plan on seeing any of these movies? Have you seen them already? Leave a review of the films with a comment below.

Source: http://minnetonka.patch.com/articles/movie-reviews-mark-wahlberg-as-a-bodybuilder-extortionist-6e247726

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Montreal Limousines Livery With A Touch Of Class - ArticleSnatch.com

Livery services form an integral piece of the corporate world. Class, elegance, grace and style are few of the terms that spring up to mind when one thinks of Livery services. Whether its a business trip, convention, meeting, airport trip or a special occasion like a wedding livery services offer the convenience that entails all of them. Montreal Limousines is the most prominent name in terms of Livery Services in the city of Montreal, in Canada. With world class services at disposal, scarcely anyone ceases to be obsessed with their Limos. Continually serving business magnates of global influence has helped them secure a status amongst Canadas elite. The dexterous and professional chauffeurs will most certainly steer you to your destination, leaving you pleased and wanting for more.
Get acquainted with
Coined about three decades back, in the year 1981, Montreal Limousines quickly found feet in the tourist and executive carriages scene. And yet, the escalation to prominence ceases to give in, going from strength to strength every year. Montreal Dorval is the first name that stems into mind when one talks of livery services in Quebec and Ontario. And they cover quite literally every yard in the province of Quebec, offering carriages for various purposes across various verticals of businesses. On offer is a wide assortment of vehicles providing with various services, albeit the occasion. Be it a corporate meeting, an airport service or a group outing a convention or a cruise Montreal are the maestros in livery services. Take pleasure in turning your Limo into an office, a board room, a bar or a leisure room. You propose, we provide.
Fleets An incredible range
The services are not confined to Limousines and Taxis by any means of imagination. Sedans Mercedes Benz and Town cars along with SUVs, Vans, Elite Class Vans and stretched limousines are all on offer, allowing as many as 14 commuters to commute together. All the vehicles are incorporated with state-of-the-art Leisure equipments, Supple Leather seating, dual air conditioning, complimentary bar and what not.
The Panel Adroit and Professional
The team of chauffeurs and the accommodating support staff ensure sheer satisfaction in whatever the endeavor is. The classy and professional chauffeurs not only steer through the most troublesome of corridors, but also tender to the commuters abiding by corporate etiquettes. The backroom support staff, on the other hand, helps you through all your queries and renders the most germane tariff for you, tailored to your requirements. It is a principal at Montreal Limousines to oversee the clients and their comfort throughout the course of the trip. Therefore, backroom staff is always kept posted of the journeys progress and ensures maximum delight to the clients.
Montreal Limousines is one of the pioneers in Livery services in Montreal. An unremitting service of the highest caliber has ensured that sundry corporate gurus settle for no one else for all kinds of convenience needs, and keep coming back each subsequent time. Customizable tariffs, special rewards and a top-notch range of luxury vehicles just add to the already overwhelming profile.

About the Author:
Montreal Limousine Service has developed a proud tradition of reliability and convenience that has made us the leading livery service in Montreal. We at Montreal Limousine think that our customers are unique and deserve a service that is tailored to their needs, a service that will fit them best as an individual.

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Montreal-Limousines-----Livery-With-A-Touch-Of-Class/4572395

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2 dead, a100 injured in marathon explosion

At least 105 people are injured and two dead after two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon Monday afternoon. The injuries include dismemberment, witnesses said, and local hospitals say they are treating shrapnel wounds, open fractures and limb injuries. An eight-year-old boy is one of the two known dead, multiple news outlets reported, and several of the injured are also children.

Authorities are telling Boston residents to stay home and avoid crowds as they try to "stabilize" the situation.

"We recommend to people that they stay home," Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis said at a brief press conference Monday afternoon. "We want to make sure that we completely stabilize the situation."

"We are asking that people ... calmly make their way home," Gov. Deval Patrick said.

Davis said Boston police were not aware of any specific threat to the marathon before it began. Police have no one in custody, but are questioning many people.

Two large explosions, just 50 yards apart, went off shortly before 3 p.m. ET, more than four hours into the race. One of the explosions happened near the entrance of the Fairmont Copley Hotel in Copley Square. The blast scattered hundreds of onlookers and runners, and left a bloody scene of injured spectators, including children. Local news reporter Jackie Bruno wrote that she saw some people with their limbs blown off. The Boston Police Department said it is looking for video footage taken from the finish line as part of its investigation.

Boston Medical Center took in 20 patients, including two children, most of whom are being treated for "lower leg injuries," a spokeswoman said. A spokeswoman for Tufts Medical Center said the hospital is treating nine patients for conditions such as shrapnel wounds, ruptured ear drums, and "serious orthopedic and neuromuscular trauma to the lower legs."

President Barack Obama warned Americans in a brief statement Monday evening not to jump to conclusions before authorities find out who committed the act. "We will find out who did this," Obama said. "Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice." A White House official said the incident is being treated as an act of terror.

NBC News, citing anonymous law enforcement sources, reported Monday that a "small homemade bomb" is believed to be responsible for the explosion. Authorities found and dismantled at least two more explosive devices. The FAA has created a no-fly zone around the area, and the Boston subway was shut down. Cell phone service was shut down in the area, the AP reported, to prevent any remote detonations. Family and friends of marathon runners or spectators can call 617-635-4500 for information.

This video from the Boston Globe shows the moment the bomb went off, and the paper has also pulled together dramatic photos from the aftermath. According to marathon officials, several thousand runners had not finished the race when the explosions detonated.

Police have evacuated the area on Boylston Street to continue sweeping for more devices. Runners who had not yet finished the race were stopped at mile 25 and directed to Boston Common. The Boston Police Department is calling in all off duty officers in the city. This New York Times map shows where on the route the explosions took place.

Patrick called it a "horrific day in Boston" in a statement.

The New York Police Department is stepping up security around the city in response to the explosion. At the White House, yellow police tape was used to block off Pennsylvania Avenue from pedestrians in front of the White House's north gates and secret service were positioned along the perimeter. Credentialed pass holders continued to be permitted entry and exit from both the White House and the Executive Office Building.

A photo of the apparent explosion posted on Twitter (photo via Boston to A T)

--The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/dozens-people-injured-explosion-boston-marathon-190955311.html

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Selena Gomez Performs New Single at MTV Movie Awards

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/04/selena-gomez-performs-new-single-at-mtv-movie-awards/

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Natural Holistic Health Blog

Are you having problems with your digestion? If it involves the lower half of the digestive tract it could be irritable bowel syndrome. Here are some facts to help you decide.

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a condition involving the intestines. There are no clear-cut causes of the condition but it can lead to very painful situations for those affected.

In the intestinal tract, different triggers cause bowels to move differently than they did before. There are usually no visible signs such as inflammation, polyps or tumors that signal that irritable bowel is going on. Those who suffer from IBS often experience abdominal cramping, diarrhea, pain in the abdomen and constipation.

Those who have this condition also deal with bloating and gas. The symptoms may swing from diarrhea to constipation at different times. Doctors can help diagnose it from your description of your symptoms and a physical exam.

Who is at risk for irritable bowel syndrome? Those who have a family history won?t necessarily develop the condition but the odds are not in their favor. It usually occurs in women more than men and young people more so than older adults.

People with certain mental disorders (like depression and psychological trauma) are at risk. Also, those who have experienced abuse in their past, have a greater risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome than others. Fibromyalgia is also a risk factor because it affects the muscles throughout the body.

Once you develop irritable bowel syndrome, you will always have it. Managing the pain involves knowing your triggers and treating the symptoms. Your doctor may perform an endoscopic procedure to look at your intestine and see if something else is going on there that could be causing similar symptoms.

How can you treat the symptoms of IBS? First examine your lifestyle. While there is no direct correlation between food and irritable bowel syndrome, people often experience attacks after they eat. Learning food triggers is one step.

Stress can cause all types of reactions in the body. When it is unmanaged, it can cause gastrointestinal problems. Learning to handle situations in your life that are leading to stress, can reduce its part in the problem.

Exercise helps to bring the body back into optimal health. When the body is receiving proper nutrition and maintains a healthy weight, it is easier for the immune system to fight against illness. Regular physical activity may alleviate some of the symptoms of IBS.

Do you have gastrointestinal problems? See your doctor because you may be suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. While it affects the colon, your symptoms can be controlled through lifestyle changes and medication.

Your doctor may also prescribe medication if diet and exercise don?t make any significant change.

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About Dee Braun

Dee is an Adv. Certified Aromatherapist, Reiki Master, Adv. Color/Crystal Therapist, Herbalist, Dr. of Reflexology and single mom who is dedicated to helping others any way she can. One way she chooses to help is by offering information on the benefits and uses of natural health and healing methods for the well-being of both people and pets. Dee also teaches Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Color/Crystal Therapy at the Alternative Healing Academy

Source: http://www.natural-holistic-health.com/irritable-bowel-syndrome/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=irritable-bowel-syndrome

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Google's Android target of new antitrust complaint

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2010 file photo, the Google logo is displayed outside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. Google executives and Texas Gov. Rick Perry are expected Tuesday, April 9, 2013 to name tech-savvy Austin as the second city where the search giant will offer its ultra-fast home Internet service. Last summer, Kansas City became the first metro area in the U.S. to receive Google Fiber. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2010 file photo, the Google logo is displayed outside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. Google executives and Texas Gov. Rick Perry are expected Tuesday, April 9, 2013 to name tech-savvy Austin as the second city where the search giant will offer its ultra-fast home Internet service. Last summer, Kansas City became the first metro area in the U.S. to receive Google Fiber. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

BRUSSELS (AP) ? A group of companies led by Microsoft have called on European authorities to launch an antitrust investigation into Google's dominance of mobile Internet usage on smartphones.

The "FairSearch" initiative of 17 companies ? which includes Microsoft, Nokia, and Oracle ? claims Google is acting unfairly by giving away its Android operating system to mobile device companies on the condition that the U.S. online giant's own software applications like YouTube and Google Maps are installed and prominently displayed.

"Google is using its Android mobile operating system as a Trojan horse to deceive partners, monopolize the mobile marketplace, and control consumer data," said Thomas Vinje, the group's Brussels-based lawyer.

Android operating systems are installed on about 70 percent of new smartphones, according to analyst estimates, handing Google the largest market share worldwide, followed by Apple's iOS platform. Systems from BlackBerry, Microsoft and others trail far behind.

"Google's predatory distribution of Android at below-cost makes it difficult for other providers of operating systems to recoup investments in competing with Google's dominant mobile platform," FairSearch said in a statement.

The European Commission, the 27-nation bloc's executive arm and antitrust authority, must at some point decide whether to take up the case or drop it. A spokesman confirmed the complaint had been received.

Google Inc., based in Mountain View, Calif., did not address the complaint's charges in detail. "We continue to work cooperatively with the European Commission," said Google spokesman, Al Verney.

The U.S. company is already under investigation by Brussels for practices related to its dominance of online search and advertising markets.

That complaint, launched in 2010, alleges Google unfairly favors its own services in its Internet search results, which enjoy a near-monopoly in Europe. Google has proposed a list of remedies to address the Commission's concerns to achieve a settlement. The Commission is currently examining the proposed changes.

"We have received some proposals by Google and we will soon launch a market test" of the proposed remedies, said Antoine Colombani, a spokesman for EU Competition Comissioner Joaquin Almunia. He declined to speculate on when the investigation would be concluded.

The EU Commission has often taken a harder line with U.S. tech companies than its American counterpart, the Federal Trade Commission.

Google settled a similar antitrust complaint on its search business with the FTC in January without making any major concessions on how it runs its search engine, the world's most influential gateway to digital information and commerce.

Microsoft Corp., which has been a leading player in the complaints against Google, has had its own protracted run-ins with the EU Commission. It has paid 2.2 billion euros in various fines since a first investigation was launched in 1998.

Google's new privacy rules, meanwhile, are also attracting European authorities' scrutiny. Several data privacy regulators have launched an investigation, alleging the company is creating a data goldmine at the expense of unwitting users.

Last year, the company merged 60 separate privacy policies from around the world into one universal procedure. The European authorities complain that the new policy doesn't allow users to figure out which information is kept, how it is combined by Google services or how long the company retains it.

The policy allows Google to combine data collected from one person as they use Google's services, from Gmail to YouTube, giving it a powerful tool for targeting users with advertising based on their interests and search history. Advertising is the main way the company makes its money.

___

Toby Sterling in Amsterdam contributed reporting.

___

Follow Juergen Baetz on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jbaetz

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2013-04-09-Europe-Google/id-1160895582b54572a7ca1512d0a2e7ec

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Obama calls Thatcher a great champion of "freedom and liberty" (Washington Bureau)

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

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Sony announces pricing for 55- and 65-inch 4K TVs, shipping April 21st

Think $25,000 for an 84-inch 4K TV is a bit tough to swallow? You're certainly not alone, but if you're willing to compromise on a few viewable inches, you could very well save yourself quite a bit of cash. At Sony's NAB press conference today here in Las Vegas, the company finally shared pricing for its smaller 4K models, the Bravia XBR-55X900A and the XBR-65X900A, which ring in at 55 and 65 inches, respectively. That first flavor will retail for a mere $5,000, with its larger sibling due in stores for just two grand more. As we learned at CES, both models offer Triluminous displays with X-Reality PRO and Motionflow XR960 technology, WiFi and NFC one-touch screen mirroring, not to mention native support for displaying 3,840 x 2,160 pixels images. The more budget-friendly duo will hit stores on April 21st -- they'll also be available to order online in just two weeks' time.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Sony

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China's bird flu outbreak not cause for panic: WHO

By Michael Martina

BEIJING (Reuters) - A strain of bird flu that has been found in humans for the first time in eastern China is not a cause for panic, the World Health Organization said on Monday, as the number of people infected rose to 21, with six deaths.

The WHO praised China for mobilizing resources nationwide to combat the H7N9 flu strain by culling tens of thousands of birds and monitoring hundreds of people close to those infected.

"So far, we really only have sporadic cases of a rare disease, and perhaps it will remain that way. So this is not a time for over-reaction or panic," said the WHO's representative to China, Michael O'Leary.

The head of China's National Health and Family Planning Commission Li Bin said on Sunday she was confident authorities could contain the virus.

"These are a relatively small number of serious cases with personal health, medical implications, but not at this stage known public health implications," O'Leary told reporters at a joint press briefing with the Chinese government.

But he warned that information on the virus was still incomplete.

"We really can't rely on information from other viruses. H7N9 is a new virus in humans and the pattern that it follows cannot be predicted by the patterns that we have from other influenza viruses," O'Leary said.

No cases have yet been reported outside of China, he said.

In total, 621 close contacts of the 21 people known to have been infected are being closely monitored and have yet to show symptoms of infection, the director of China's H7N9 prevention and control office, Liang Wannian, said.

"In recent years, there have been huge changes in our national epidemic system, especially our health emergency response ability," Liang said.

The bird flu outbreak has caused global concern and some Chinese internet users and newspapers have questioned why it took so long for the government to announce the new cases, especially as two of the victims fell ill in February.

Airline shares have fallen in Europe and in Hong Kong over fears that the new virus could be lead to an epidemic like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which emerged in China in 2002 and killed about 10 percent of the 8,000 people it infected worldwide.

Chinese authorities initially tried to cover up the outbreak of SARS.

In the H7N9 case, it has said it needed time to correctly identify the virus, with cases spread between Shanghai and eastern Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces.

Other strains of bird flu, such as H5N1, have been circulating for many years and can be transmitted from bird to bird, and bird to human, but not generally from human to human.

(Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/chinas-bird-flu-outbreak-not-cause-panic-060513422.html

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What It Would Look Like If You Connected Every Subway in North America

From Vancouver all the way down to Mexico City, if every subway system in North America were connected, it would be quite lovely. At least on paper in this clever visualization. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/H4Nbb7rAnmw/what-it-would-look-like-if-you-connected-every-subway-in-north-america

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'Jurassic Park 4': The Dinosaurs We Want To See

By Eddie Wright On the eve of the 3-D release of "Jurassic Park," dinosaur expert, and consultant on the film, Jack Horner ? and inspiration for Sam Neil's character ? teased a tiny detail about the an as-of-yet-unseen dinosaur that'll make an appearance in the upcoming Colin Trevorrow-directed "Jurassic Park 4." He said: "I can't [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2013/04/05/jurassic-park-4-dinosaurs/

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Jordan aid to rebels raises tensions with Syria

This image taken from video obtained from Ugarit News, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows a man holding a scarf in the colors of the Syrian revolutionary flag after rebels seized a military base in Daraa, Syria, on Wednesday, April 3, 2013. Syrian rebels captured a military base in the country's south on Wednesday after days of heavy fighting, activists said, in the latest advance by opposition fighters near the strategic border area with Jordan. (AP Photo/Ugarit News via AP video)

This image taken from video obtained from Ugarit News, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows a man holding a scarf in the colors of the Syrian revolutionary flag after rebels seized a military base in Daraa, Syria, on Wednesday, April 3, 2013. Syrian rebels captured a military base in the country's south on Wednesday after days of heavy fighting, activists said, in the latest advance by opposition fighters near the strategic border area with Jordan. (AP Photo/Ugarit News via AP video)

FILE - In this Thursday March 28, 2013 file image taken from video obtained from the Ugarit News, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows fighters from the Syrian Free Army fire on a Syrian army position in Deal less than 15 kilometers (10 miles) from the Jordanian border in Daraa province, Syria. Syrian rebels captured a military base in the south and may be poised to seize control a strategically important region along the border with Jordan, something that would give them a critical gateway to attempt an attack on the capital Damascus. With foreign aid and training of rebels in Jordan ramping up, the opposition fighters have recaptured momentum and may also soon control Syria's side of the Golan Heights along a sensitive border with Israel. (AP Photo/Ugarit News via AP video, File)

FILE - In this Monday March 18, 2013 file image taken from video obtained from the Shaam News Network, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows free Syrian Army fighters fire at Syrian army soldiers during a fierce firefight in Daraa al-Balad, Syria. Syrian rebels captured a military base in the south and may be poised to seize control a strategically important region along the border with Jordan, something that would give them a critical gateway to attempt an attack on the capital Damascus. With foreign aid and training of rebels in Jordan ramping up, the opposition fighters have recaptured momentum and may also soon control Syria's side of the Golan Heights along a sensitive border with Israel. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video, File)

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) ? Jordan tightened security along its border with Syria, doubling the number of soldiers as President Bashar Assad's regime warned Thursday the kingdom is "playing with fire" by allowing the U.S and other countries to train and arm Syrian rebels on its territory.

The warning, coinciding with significant rebel advances near the border, plays into Jordanian fears that its larger neighbor might try to retaliate for its support of the opposition fighters.

The stepped up security also reflects the kingdom's fears that the chaos from Syria's 2-year-old civil war could lead to a failed state on its doorstep where Islamic militants have a free hand.

The Syrian warnings followed statements from U.S. and other Western and Arab officials that Jordan has been facilitating arms shipments and hosting training camps for Syrian rebels since last October.

A front-page editorial in the government daily al-Thawra accused Amman of adopting a policy of "ambiguity" by training the rebels while at the same time publicly insisting on a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

Jordan is "playing with fire," state radio said.

"Jordan's attempt to put out the flame from the leaked information will not help as it continues with its mysterious policy, which brings it closer to the volcanic crater," al-Thawra said.

Over the years, Syria has accused Jordan of being America's "puppet" because of its strong alliance with the United States and a "spy" for Israel, with which Amman maintains cordial ties under a peace treaty signed in 1994.

A Jordanian security official said the kingdom had tightened security along its 230-mile (370-kilometer) border with Syria, including doubling the number of soldiers in the last two days, though he declined to disclose the size of the force.

He said Jordan was also hoping to receive one or two Patriot missile batteries, which the U.S. might temporarily pull out of the Persian Gulf to station on Jordan's northern border. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give official statements to the media.

Jordan's chief of staff, Gen. Mishaal Zaben, said Jordan was installing more cameras, radar and sophisticated early detection equipment to help prevent smuggling and infiltrations across the border and assist Syrian refugees as they cross into Jordan. The equipment will "significantly bolster Jordan's defenses along the border with Syria," he said.

Still, Jordanian Information Minister Sameeh Maaytah said the political tension with Syria would not evolve into an all-out war.

"Syria must be aware that Jordan has no desire to meddle in its internal affairs whether by training rebel forces, or facilitating arms shipments to them," he added. "But Jordan must protect its interests, land, border and people."

The rebels being trained in Jordan are mainly secular Sunni Muslim tribesmen from central and southern Syria who once served in the army and police. The force is expected to fill a security vacuum by protecting the border with Jordan, assisting displaced Syrians and setting up a safe haven for refugees.

They are also envisioned as a counterbalance to the Islamic militant groups that have proven to be among the most effective of the myriad rebel factions fighting Assad's forces on the ground.

Chief among these is Jabhat al-Nusra or the Nusra Front, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist group and says is associated with al-Qaida.

"Jordan can't sit idle and watch al-Qaida and other militants seizing control of its common border with Syria," Maaytah said. "It must take proactive steps to arrive at a state of equilibrium in the security structure on the border."

Jordan has also long feared that the Assad regime could use chemical weapons against it, or that agents linked to the regime or its allied Lebanese militant group Hezbollah could attack the kingdom.

Israel and the United States also are concerned about militants potentially operating in the area near the Israeli frontier with Syria in the Golan Heights should Assad's regime collapse.

Though Jordan is supporting one segment of the disparate patchwork of rebel groups, it is concerned about the recent rebel advances in the south along its border.

One fear is that the fall of the area into rebel hands could unleash lawlessness on the border and provide a haven for Islamic extremist groups such as Nusra Front.

The Islamic militants, particularly Nusra, are complicating the battlefield by thwarting much-needed international aid from countries such as the U.S. that do not want to bolster extremist jihadi groups.

Activists reported more advances in the south on Thursday.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said opposition fighters seized most of the Karak neighborhood in the province of Daraa after several days of fighting.

Daraa province borders Jordan and its provincial capital of the same name was the birthplace of the uprising against Assad two years ago.

The Observatory also reported heavy clashes in the town of Sheik Maskeen, on the route from the Jordanian capital, Amman, to Damascus, and at a checkpoint outside a camp for displaced Syrians on the outskirts of Daraa. It said rockets fell inside the camp, but did not say who fired them, or how many people died.

On Wednesday, opposition fighters captured a military base outside Daraa. That victory followed the rebel takeover of Dael, one of the province's bigger towns, and another air defense base in the area late last month.

It is widely believed that the rebels are close to seizing control of the two border posts with Jordan ? a significant gain that would bolster arms shipments to the rebels.

In other violence, several people were killed and others buried under rubble when shells slammed into a residential area in the district of Barzeh in the capital's northeast, where rebels are known to operate. The opposition Barzeh media center said it was a surface-to-surface missile, which would be the first such attack in Damascus. The Observatory confirmed there were several deaths but said the nature of the attack was not immediately clear.

The Syrian revolt started with peaceful protests but has morphed into a civil war with increasingly sectarian overtones. Sunni Muslims dominate rebel ranks, while the Assad regime is composed mostly of Alawites, an offshoot Shiite group to which the president and his family belong. More than 70,000 people have died in the conflict, according to the U.N.

In comments distributed Thursday, Assad criticized the recent Arab League decision to give Syria's seat to the opposition, calling it "meaningless theater."

"This League needs legitimacy itself. It cannot grant legitimacy to others nor withdraw it," he said in an interview with Turkey's TV channel Ulusal Kanal.

___

Karam reported from Beirut. Associated Press writer Albert Aji contributed to this report from Damascus, Syria.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-04-04-Syria/id-2423a00765544be3b2aa351ff048c5b2

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Wildfire fears for golden eagle eggs

4 April 2013 Last updated at 13:29 ET

Dozens of golden eagle eggs and other rare bird nests may have been destroyed in Highland wildfires, experts warned.

RSPB Scotland said it was seriously concerned about the impact on the species, which nests in open moorland.

There have been almost 200 wildfires in the Highlands over the past week, with fire crews still battling a large blaze in Wester Ross.

There are also concerns for thousands of migrant birds that are due to nest in the area in the next few weeks.

Continue reading the main story

?Start Quote

The loss of one nest is serious. The loss of double figures will potentially have a huge impact?

End Quote James Reynolds RSPB

There are thought to be about 400 golden eagles in Scotland, mainly in the Highlands.

James Reynolds, of the RSPB, said the loss of nests could have a devastating impact on the population.

"It is absolutely certain that we will have lost a number of golden eagle nests," he said. "How many we don't know, but for a population that small, even the loss of one nest is serious.

"The loss of double figures will potentially have a huge impact.

"Numbers are already very low, this will just hold them back further."

The RSPB has sent experts to the Highlands to try to assess the extent of the damage.

Mr Reynolds added that white-tailed eagle eggs may also be at risk, as well as those of migrant birds such as short-eared owls, dotterel, golden plover and wheatears, which are due to nest from mid April.

Battles continue

Fire crews have been battling hundreds of wildfires in the Highlands over the past week.

Continue reading the main story

GOLDEN EAGLES

• The golden eagle is one of Britain's largest birds of prey with a wingspan of more than two metres
• Almost all breeding golden eagles in Britain are in Scotland, where there are open, treeless areas down to sea level
• Golden eagles normally do not start breeding until they are about five-years-old, and lay between one and three eggs a year

A large fire in Wester Ross in the Highlands flared up again on Wednesday night.

Eight water pumps were sent to tackle the blaze at Achmore, which at one point threatened to engulf properties.

A fire service spokeswoman said more water had been dropped from a helicopter, and fire crews were making good progress.

The fire service has urged land owners and managers to stop controlled burning.

Landowners who fail to heed the advice could face prosecution.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has warned that conditions are "clearly unsuitable" for controlled burning, which is used to clear areas of land.

However, Scottish Land and Estates, which represents 2,500 landowners across Scotland, said its members were ready, willing and able to assist efforts to tackle wildfires and were being blamed unfairly for the blaze outbreaks.

Legal muir burning is carried out by hill farmers and landowners.

'Consolidate resources'

Fires are deliberately set to burn off long grasses and heather to encourage new grazing for sheep and grouse.

The fire service has issued a list of 17 potential criminal offences associated with setting fires of this kind.

They include leaving a fire unattended, being unable to control a fire or having not made provision for its proper control.

The service has issued a reminder that these laws determining when, where and how fires may be set, could result in prosecution if broken.

Group manager Fraser Nickson said: "The weather doesn't appear to be getting any wetter for the next few days and we would request that land owners and land managers stop all controlled burning immediately because we feel that the current conditions are unsuitable for muir burning.

"We are very stretched at the moment, it would assist us in getting on top of these incidents and ensuring that the fire and rescue service can try and consolidate our resources and give us a bit of respite from the wildfires."

The Wester Ross fire is currently burning on two fronts, and has destroyed an area of 14 sq km, the fire service said.

There are also reports of a new heath fire near Lochailort in Lochaber.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-22026768#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

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Gaming content is ?stultifyingly narrow?, says Spector | VG247

Thu, Apr 04, 2013 | 23:23 BST

Games are stuck on the same old material, Warren Spector has argued, and the industry needs individual role models to break free of action?s stranglehold on art.

In the first column of a monthly series on GamesIndustry, Spector said that the mainstream film world has produced a large number of role models ? actors who have transitioned from lighter fare to work with a social conscience, examining big issues and furthering the medium. Mainstream gaming, admittedly a much younger medium, doesn?t yet have these kinds of figures.

?I look around and, outside of a very few indie games and, of course, the self-styled and largely unheralded ?serious games? movement, I don?t see any mainstream developers or publishers offering this kind of serious fare. Ever,? he said.

?As a medium we remain mired in action and genre conventions. Even what passes for seriousness in mainstream gaming seems to require zombies, serial killers, aliens or demons to attract an audience. If I were to say I wanted to make a game about rescuing hostages in Iran ? without guns! ? assuming I could figure out how to make such a game, I?d get laughed out of the pitch meeting.?

Spector gave a few more examples of idea that simply wouldn?t be funded in today?s business environment, noting that core ideas are always made to serve war games of one kind or another.

?The breadth of content game developers are allowed to explore is stultifyingly narrow,? he said.

The designer gave a number of possible explanations for his observations, some of which he feels are either blatantly false or pretty poor excuses ? that he?s overlooking something; that games can?t do anything but violent action; that gaming is too young to have moved beyond spectacle; that games and gamers are inherently adolescent; that the business interests behind gaming are not keen on anything outside traditional action fare.

?Where, I wonder, are gaming?s grown-ups?? he concluded.

Spector is well known as one of the key members of Origin Systems, Looking Glass Studios and Ion Storm, playing an important role in the development of the Thief and especially Deus Ex properties. He later founded Junction Point, which produced two Epic Mickey games before closing last year. He is an outspoken opponent to the disproportionate representation of violence in games.

Source: http://www.vg247.com/2013/04/04/gaming-content-is-stultifyingly-narrow-says-spector/

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