How Fox Searchlight made the biggest deal at Sundance $9.75 million on an egg sandwich

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - The biggest sale at Sundance this year - "The Way, Way Back" - began with a promise and ended with a fried egg sandwich.

Producer Kevin J. Walsh, a former assistant to Scott Rudin, told the agents selling his movie that he'd make everyone food if they closed a big deal. But before he could cook, a bidding war broke out that would pit the favored Fox Searchlight against a half-dozen other studios, including Lionsgate, Paramount, Magnolia, FilmDistrict and Open Road.

Fox Searchlight won out and paid one of the highest prices for a Sundance movie in recent years - $9.75 million - for the story of an alienated 14-year-old ("The Killing's" Liam James) on summer vacation.

The one big thing in their favor: Once "The Way, Way Back" premiered on Monday, everyone knew it would sell. The film not only drew a standing ovation, but almost every distributor stayed through the Q&A session with the filmmakers - a "rare" occasion, as one person close to the deal told TheWrap.

Fox Searchlight was an early starter out of the gate. It had already won an Oscar with Rash and Faxon, who co-wrote Alexander Payne's "The Descendants."

And at one point it was going to produce the film, back when Shawn Levy was going to direct and it was called "The Way Back." Rash and Faxon's script had charted on the 2007 Black List, which ranks the industry's favorite unproduced screenplays.

The project stalled. Levy moved on to other films, and the script bounced around until Walsh came aboard as producer and decided Faxon and Rash should direct.

In hopes of sealing the deal, Searchlight sent more than a dozen of its executives to the Sundance debut, many of whom began firing off ardent emails to the filmmakers after they had seen it.

"They came wanting to love that movie, and they were going overboard in an impressive way," a person with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap. "Multiple people at the company talked about how much they loved the film. It still didn't mean they'd get it. Sometimes you have a distributor who does all that to justify lowballing."

But Searchlight didn't have a clear field. As the filmmakers attended an after party at the Grey Goose Blue Door on Main Street, several other distributors circled. These ranged from the massive, Paramount and Warner Bros., to the very large Lionsgate, to the medium-sized FilmDistrict, Open Road and Magnolia.

Another factor was that rival agencies CAA and WME had to play nice. The movie was written and directed by CAA's Faxon and Rash and stars WME clients Steve Carell and Toni Collette.

Around 7 p.m., the dealmakers retired to the WME house, where the discussions began. Alexis Garcia, Deb McIntosh and Graham Taylor from WME would handle the deal with Laura Lewis and Dina Kuperstock from CAA.

"We had some in-person meetings, some phone calls and a lot of the offers were apples and oranges," Tom Rice of Sycamore Pictures, which produced and co-financed the movie with OddLot Entertainment, told TheWrap.

Fox Searchlight was an early starter out of the gate. It had already won an Oscar with Rash and Faxon, who co-wrote Alexander Payne's "The Descendants."

And at one point it was going to produce the film, back when Shawn Levy was going to direct and it was called "The Way Back." Rash and Faxon's script had charted on the 2007 Black List, which ranks the industry's favorite unproduced screenplays.

The project stalled. Levy moved on to other films, and the script bounced around until Walsh came aboard as producer and decided Faxon and Rash should direct.

In hopes of sealing the deal, Searchlight sent more than a dozen of its executives to the Sundance debut, many of whom began firing off ardent emails to the filmmakers after they had seen it.

"They came wanting to love that movie, and they were going overboard in an impressive way," a person with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap. "Multiple people at the company talked about how much they loved the film. It still didn't mean they'd get it. Sometimes you have a distributor who does all that to justify lowballing."

But Searchlight didn't have a clear field. As the filmmakers attended an after party at the Grey Goose Blue Door on Main Street, several other distributors circled. These ranged from the massive, Paramount and Warner Bros., to the very large Lionsgate, to the medium-sized FilmDistrict, Open Road and Magnolia.

Another factor was that rival agencies CAA and WME had to play nice. The movie was written and directed by CAA's Faxon and Rash and stars WME clients Steve Carell and Toni Collette.

Around 7 p.m., the dealmakers retired to the WME house, where the discussions began. Alexis Garcia, Deb McIntosh and Graham Taylor from WME would handle the deal with Laura Lewis and Dina Kuperstock from CAA.

"We had some in-person meetings, some phone calls and a lot of the offers were apples and oranges," Tom Rice of Sycamore Pictures, which produced and co-financed the movie with OddLot Entertainment, told TheWrap.

"When we went over there, we didn't tell them it was exclusive. But quickly getting there, it was clear they were intending to make it work as quickly as possible," an individual close to the deal said. "And it still dragged out for several hours."

As they haggled over numbers, the two sides moved in and out of the condo. The agents would move while Fox talked about it. The Fox team had to move when the agents wanted to call people back at the WME house.

Meanwhile, over the night, Searchlight increased its offer significantly. Making a big bet on the first-time directors, $9.75 million, at 4:30 a.m. it finally closed one of the richest deals in Sundance history.

"Fox Searchlight considers Jim and Nat a real part of their family," Rice said. "They made their interest known for a long time."

The deal done, the negotiating team headed back to the WME house to play pool, listen to music, drink champagne and down vodka. Whiskey would have been ideal given the frigid weather, but Utah's Byzantine liquor laws had dashed the hopes of a late-night liquor run. The local whiskey from High West Distillery would have to wait.

"We didn't plan ahead for celebrations, and it isn't too easy to improvise in Park City," one person there recalled.

With a couple hours until the papers would be signed, pre-planned improvisation would have to do.

And Walsh made good on his promise: Fried egg sandwiches with asparagus.

"We cracked a bottle of champagne at about 6 a.m.," he said. Good morning.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/fox-searchlight-made-biggest-deal-sundance-9-75-010308875.html

rueben randle mike trout ryan broyles jerel worthy alshon jeffery miami heat bulls

'Hansel & Gretel' & More Movies to See This Weekend!

From Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters to Parker, get the scoop on what's playing in theaters!

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/movie-reviews-what-see-weekend/1-b-415949?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Amovie-reviews-what-see-weekend-415949

amber rose drew peterson Art Modell Frank Ocean Gay bill clinton andy roddick Costa Rica Earthquake

Matt Damon takes over 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'

ABC

Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Jimmy Kimmel and Andy Garcia on "Jimmy Kimmel Sucks."

By Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter

Matt Damon finally got his revenge on Jimmy Kimmel. The actor took control of Kimmel's late-night show Thursday night, starting with the credits -- the ABC show's title was tweaked to "Jimmy Kimmel Sucks" and the host's face had been defaced -- and continuing through the monologue, guest interviews and conclusion of the show.

VIDEO: 5 best clips of "Jimmy Kimmel Live"

The show started out with the video that had been released earlier in the day of Damon with a bound and gagged Kimmel, whom he had kidnapped. After the credits rolled -- where all the guests, including the musical act, were announced as being "Matt Damon" -- the actor wheeled Kimmel out on stage, still tied up with duct tape and gagged with a necktie.

"Welcome to tonight's episode of 'Jimmy Kimmel Sucks.' I am your host, Matt Damon," he said. "Let me ask you this, as an audience is it weird to see a person with actual talent host this show?"

Damon went on to explain that Kimmel had bumped him from the show "1,205 times" -- a reference to when Kimmel first started his talk show and began signing off with the line "Apologies to Matt Damon, we ran out of time" -- the joke being that no guest that he had on air possessed the star power of Damon.

He said he'd been "waiting for this moment for a long, long time. This is like when I lost my virginity except this is gonna last way longer than one second."

Damon also likened himself to Luke Skywalker and Kimmel to the Death Star, saying of Kimmel: "He's big and round and easily destroyed through his garbage hole."

He continued: "Look at Jimmy over there, with a gag in his mouth. You've never been funnier, my friend. Jimmy Kimmel is to late-night talk show hosts what Magic Johnson is to ... late-night talk show hosts."

Damon also went on to make some changes at the show, including replacing sidekick Guillermo with Andy Garcia -- who came complete with heavy, Guillermo-like accent -- and bandleader Cleto Escobedo Jr. with Sheryl Crow (who later performed her new single, "Easy"). Ben Affleck also popped up as a cue-card holder who demonstrated his loyalty to Kimmel, while Robin Williams dropped by to do jokes during the monologue.

"This is unbelievable -- it took Jimmy 10 years to accomplish what I just accomplished in 90 seconds," Damon said of the show's changes.

He explained that the origin of all the "hatred and bitterness" is that Kimmel is an aspiring actor and Damon has beaten him out for every role he wanted. A video of Kimmel's "auditions" showed him trying out for roles in "Good Will Hunting," "Adjustment Bureau," "Happy Feet 2," "We Bought a Zoo," "Stuck on You" and "The Bourne Ultimatum," during which Kimmel was confused about who was playing Jason Bourne despite the fact that the movie was the third in the Damon-starring franchise.

VIDEO: Matt Damon kidnaps Jimmy Kimmel ahead of long-awaited "Live!" appearance

A slew of A-listers popped up as guests -- Nicole Kidman, Gary Oldman, Amy Adams, Reese Witherspoon and Demi Moore -- all of whom continued the joke, saying that Kimmel "f------ sucks" (Kidman), is a liar who once cooked DiGiorno's Pizza and passed it off as homemade (Moore) and slipped the tongue during an on-air kiss (Adams).

At one point, Damon quipped: "Jimmy is always complaining about how hard it is it book celebrities on this show. We're only halfway through and I've booked seven big celebrities -- and that's not even counting me!"

Several other famous faces -- along with Kimmel's parents -- also appeared in recorded videos to praise Damon. Said Don Cheadle: "Thank you for allowing America to laugh again." Kimmel's parents, meanwhile, told Damon that he was "the son we always wanted."

Damon also brought out Kimmel's ex, Sarah Silverman, with whom Damon shot the "I'm F------ Matt Damon" video that went viral in 2008 (Kimmel and Affleck later released a follow-up, "I'm F------ Ben Affleck"). Silverman described her relationship with Kimmel to the fill-in host.

"You know when you're in New York and you pass those hot dog vendors and you think, 'I'm not going to eat one, it's not for me,' and then the smell gets to you, and you pound two or three of them? And then later one, you're puking, 'Why did I put this inside of me?' And you think about the encasing and all the entrails that are probably in there? So I guess it's like that."

Kimmel, incidentally, barely uttered a word during the entire episode despite being onstage the entire time.

At the end of the show, Damon asked Kimmel: "Is there anything you want to say before we wrap things up? Wait, I'm sorry, we're out of time."

During the East Coast airing, Kimmel tweeted: "You win this round Matt Damon. But I will win the war."

Related content:

More in The Clicker:

Source: http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2013/01/25/16695361-matt-damon-kidnaps-jimmy-kimmel-hosts-jimmy-kimmel-sucks?lite

Richard Blanco The Following Anna Burns Welker Martin Luther King, Jr. Mlk Quotes Elder Scrolls Online joe biden

Top senators: Tentative deal to curb filibusters

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The Senate's top Democrat and Republican have reached a tentative agreement to clamp modest limits on delaying tactics called filibusters that minority parties use to bottle up legislation in the chamber.

If the deal is supported by rank-and-file senators, it would head off a threat by Senate Majority Harry Reid that Democrats would impose stricter curbs over GOP objections. That would be sure to heighten partisan animosity in the chamber.

Aides to both parties say Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will present the package to senators at separate party lunches Thursday.

If there is enough support, the Senate is expected to approve the changes later Thursday.

The deal would reduce ? but not eliminate ? the number of times senators could delay bills.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/top-senators-tentative-deal-curb-filibusters-170654880.html

kevin costner whitney houston whitney houston funeral live pat buchanan slither slither naacp glen campbell

Congress girds itself for March showdown: Taxes or cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The nation's sharp disagreements over taxes and spending are on a re-routed collision course, as Senate Democrats launch a plan that includes new taxes and House Republicans vow to speed up their plan to balance the federal budget with spending cuts alone.

The Republicans' new approach would require even deeper cuts in social programs than they pushed last year. Liberals denounced those earlier plans as severe and unfair, and they say the new version would be worse.

The new commitments by House and Senate members stem from the ongoing dispute over raising the federal debt ceiling. The House voted Wednesday to postpone any showdown over the borrowing limit for three months. The Democratic-led Senate plans to endorse the idea, which the White House also supports.

That means the next big budget clash will occur in March. That's when major, across-the-board spending cuts ? both parties dislike them ? are scheduled to begin unless they are replaced by a different deficit-cutting technique.

It's possible that both parties will continue to find ways to postpone and minimize tough decisions on taming the deficit. But the new House and Senate endeavors could make such dodges more difficult. Voters, meanwhile, may get a clearer picture of the unpleasant choices they face.

"The American people will have a chance to compare the two approaches," said Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., who wants deep spending cuts and no new taxes. The only way to shrink the government, he said, "is to choke the monster."

House Republicans now vow to balance the budget in 10 years without tax hikes. They say the methods might include reducing future benefits for Medicare, and possibly Social Security, for people now in their late 50s, rather than those 55 and younger.

The search for savings must "move over into entitlement spending" more so than before, said Rep. John Fleming, R-La.

Balancing the budget in 10 years without tax increases would require deep spending cuts, causing many analysts to view them as politically near-impossible. Such an effort would require cuts "that are a complete nonstarter for anybody ? probably even including House Republicans themselves," said Michael Ettlinger, an economist at the Democratic-leaning Center for American Progress.

But House conservatives say aiming for that goal is important. They demanded this week that GOP leaders agree to balance the budget in 10 years as the conservatives' price for supporting the three-month extension of federal borrowing powers.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called the new Republican goal "Ryan on steroids." She was referring to earlier Republican budgets drafted by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, the party's 2012 vice presidential nominee.

Ryan's earlier plans would have changed Medicare into a voucher-like program with limited government contributions to health care for seniors. His plans, endorsed by most House Republicans, also would have given states full responsibility for running Medicaid ? the health care program for the poor ? with a reduced federal contribution.

Even with those changes, Ryan's 2011 and 2012 plans would not have balanced the federal budget for decades.

As part of the deal putting off the debt limit showdown, the Democratic-run Senate made concessions of its own: It agreed to debate and pass a budget for the first time in three years. That exercise will force senators to commit themselves to politically distasteful spending cuts and tax increases that they previously had avoided.

Democrats, including President Barack Obama, say new tax revenues must be part of any eventual bipartisan budget accord.

"As we go forward to reduce the deficit, we need growth and job creation, we need spending cuts, we need revenue," Pelosi said during Wednesday's House debate.

Democrats say new limits on tax breaks that mostly go to high-income households could generate billions of dollars in revenue.

But Republican leaders, noting that Democrats achieved a 10-year, $600 billion revenue hike as part of the "fiscal cliff" compromise earlier this month, say further tax hikes are off the table.

The Republicans' "no new taxes" mantra has clashed many times with Democrats' vows to protect government programs. The result, for years, has been deficit spending.

The latest House and Senate decisions will merely heighten that debate.

Democratic senators, no longer able to sidestep budget details, are certain to renew their push for tax increases to accompany further spending cuts. And House Republicans have made their deficit-reduction goals harder to achieve by promising to balance the budget in 10 years instead of, say, 30.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/congress-charts-collision-course-over-080304233.html

golden globes red carpet nfc championship game martin luther king jr i have a dream speech packers score ricky gervais napoleon dynamite michelle williams

Nokia makes a 2012 Q4 profit of $585 million, sells 4.4 million Lumia handsets

From somewhere atop a Finnish mountain, Stephen Elop is both bellowing and whispering Nokia's fourth quarter and full-year financials. The world's former number one has finally made a quarterly profit, with the final three months of the year raking in $585.7 million. However, the baggage for those previous losses weighed low on the annual report, pinning the company to a $3 billion loss for its overall performance in 2012.

A big chunk of the quarterly profit came from the Nokia Siemens Networks infrastructure business, which chipped in with an operating profit of $334 million, while Nokia's Device business contributed $367 million. Nokia confirmed that it shipped 4.4 million Lumia handsets and 2.2 million Symbian smartphones during this period and, while those numbers are still sliding, the higher margins on phones like the Lumia 920 have had a positive effect on the bottom line. America, however, still hasn't fallen in love with the company's phones, with sales increasing from 300,000 to 700,000 -- but as of yet that's hardly enough to say they've been a big hit.

On the upside, Nokia begins 2013 with a reasonably clean slate. It's cashed out another $250 million donation from Microsoft and has seen its net cash reserves increase for the first time in over a year -- up to $5.8 billion from $4.6 billion in the Autumn. The company has also decided not to grant a dividend to its shareholders for the first time in over a century as it hopes to keep adding to its corporate nest-egg.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia

Comments

Source: Nokia (PDF)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/24/nokia-q4-2012/

ncaa final game reba mcentire acm awards the killing april fools global payments eli young band

PST: Klinsmann calls out Donovan, Dempsey

You?re going to read a lot about Jurgen Klinsmann?s recent thoughts on Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, thoughts published today. The U.S. Men?s National Team boss touched on a myriad of topics in a lengthy interview with the Wall Street Journal, but two missives are going to be picked out, dissected, and used as fuel by national team fans trying to get inside the mind of their team?s head coach.

The most talked-about passage will be Klinsmann?s thoughts on Dempsey, a blunt assessment juxtaposing the attacker?s accomplishments against the U.S.?s aspirations:

My whole talk to Clint Dempsey for 18 months was [about how] he hasn?t made s?. You play for Fulham? Yeah, so? Show me you play for a Champions League team, and then you start on a Champions League team and that you may end up winning the Champions League. There is always another level. If you one day reach the highest level then you?ve got to confirm it, every year. Xavi, Iniesta, Messi. Confirm it to me. Show me that every year you deserve to play for Real Madrid, for Bayern Munich, for Manchester United. Show it to me.

I?m not comfortable completely dismissing Dempsey?s accomplishments as a Cottager, but as we?ve seen during Dempsey?s initial struggles (and recent, relative successes) at White Hart Lane, Tottenham is a different world. And that big move is only a few steps up the English table.

MORE: Better weekend? Dempsey? Or Altidore?

If the U.S. wants to meet Klinsmann?s goals, it?s worth noting that the Spains and Germanys of the world have rosters almost entirely full of players playing at the very top level. Places like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are not only more prestigious, they?re far a more competitive environments than Spurs?. While Klinsmann?s views may be excessively dismissive of somebody who has worked his way up from Furman University, the remarks are still a good reminder: There?s much more left to accomplish.

?Just because you won a game in the World Cup in the knockout stage, you haven?t won anything,? Klinsmann said, views on the States? World Cup 2002 run that could easily be applied to 1994 and 2010. In each of those years, the U.S. advanced to the second round, but by the time they were shown out of the tournament, they?d still failed to win more games than they?d lost. Winning a second game at the World Cup has been a problem.

It?s a glass half-empty view, one that makes you wonder?Why now? Why has Klinsmann picked now ? as opposed to a year ago (or months into the future) ? to send this message? He seems to want his players humbled before their trip to Honduras. Ahead of a tough trip to open qualifying, he doesn?t want any of his players thinking they?ve accomplished anything, yet.

One person that won?t be joining them in Honduras is Landon Donovan. The LA Galaxy star is still evaluating when to resume his career, but as Klinsmann tells it, that state left to an early decision Donovan would not take part in January camp or the U.S.?s first final round qualifier:

He made certain decisions throughout the last couple of years that are his decisions. I watch that. I evaluate that. I could have evaluated him a few times when he was with us, not that many times, but a few times. I will make the call at the end of the day if he fits into my plans or not. I told him in December he?s not part of the January camp, and I told him in December he?s not part of the Honduras game.

Klinsmann?s not closing any doors, and everything points to the coach wanting Donovan back. But he also doesn?t want to perpetuate an atmosphere defined by Donovan. For somebody for whom attitude and focus are paramount concerns, Donovan?s sojourn has to be confusing. At the same time, if you?re Jurgen Klinsmann, you see that, you make a decision, and (ultimately) you move on. You have no choice but to move on.

MORE: Donovan IS returning in 2013, just not yet

Contrast that with Bruce Arena?s attitude. It really illuminates the difference between the two coaches. While Klinsmann has elected to control what he can, momentarily crossing Donovan off the list for the sake of moving forward, Arena has let the game develop in front of him. He?s reacting to the world he?s given, and he will make the best of whatever he?s presented.

It?s the juxtaposition of an idealist and a pragmatist. Klinsmann?s been brought in to enact a vision. At this point, pragmatism leads to the type of short-term decisions that undermine that goal. Arena, be it now or in his time with the national team, has always reacted to his parts. He?s had favorites and preferences, but nothing was predetermined.

As today?s interviews show, Klinsmann?s predefined concepts demand much more of his players. The Clint Dempseys of the world still have work to do. And the team will not wait for its Landon Donovans.

MORE: Klinsmann talks Zusi, Bruin

More from the interview:

• On the schedule: ?In order to catch up with the rest of the world you need to have an 11-month calendar ??
• On the region: ???when you go through CONCACAF ? I see that as a huge learning opportunity. Inhale it, whatever the opportunity gives to you ? If the conditions are bad, it?s the conditions for both teams. As a really good player you always find ways to solve it.?
• On development: ???it would be great if our 18- or 19- or 20-year-olds would have an environment where they get pushed every day ??
• On attitude: ?There is a difference between arrogance and confidence.?
• On style: ?I can?t come with my German approach and say this is how I want to do it in the U.S., because in the U.S., it would fail.?
• On what?s missing in U.S. soccer: ?This is the problem we have because we are not socially so connected so deeply to soccer in the daily life.?
• On the down points: ?The inconsistency.?

Definitely go read more, both the long form interview and the accompanying piece.

Source: http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/23/jurgen-klinsmann-interview-clint-dempsey-landon-donovan/

justin tv justin tv Sarah Savage Jaimie Alexander Army Navy Game john lennon leann rimes

Video: Nasdaq: Focus on Tech Movers

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/cnbc/50551677/

resolute national enquirer whitney houston casket photo jk rowling qnexa kingdom of heaven national enquirer whitney houston arizona republican debate

Soulver Takes the Problem Out of Problem Solving

It's nigh impossible to avoid numbers in our daily lives. Whether it's preparing a household budget, doing a tax return, calculating travel expenses or divvying up a dinner tab, dealing with digits is inescapable. Necessity, however, doesn't make numbers any more interesting to many of us, especially those of us more comfortable with words.

Source: http://ectnews.com.feedsportal.com/c/34520/f/632000/s/27c71f09/l/0L0Stechnewsworld0N0Crsstory0C770A90A0Bhtml/story01.htm

david bowie elvis presley elvis presley alex jones the bachelor Google Docs Huell Howser

APNewsBreak: NYPD sued over Empire State shooting (Providence Journal)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/278732973?client_source=feed&format=rss

sarah palin today show dallas tornado video 1940 census instagram for android dallas news dallas fort worth dfw

Automobile Insurance Can Be Tricky So Understand The ... - Behnke

Some factors that are taken into account when environment the retail price to your coverage are repaired, among others are variable. An increased insurance deductible is an excellent method djhjhdhjdhjdhjdhjd to lower your insurance costs. This article will allow you to no in on the very best insurance policy for you and help you save money at the same time.

Take a look at vehicle?s insurance policies and appearance for errors. Maintaining your information present is vital. Is the residence address listed correctly? Can be your vehicle?s explanation precise? The amount of miles you set on your car each and every year has an impact on your top quality fees. For that reason, if your travel to operate is short, make certain this really is observed inside your plan.

You are going to serve your self better by getting different rates for auto insurance. Frequently, different firms will provide very different rates. As a way to pay the least amount for the very best insurance, make sure to get new rates at minimal once per year. While you are reviewing the quotes, find out that the quantity of insurance coverage is similar on every one of them.

When deciding on what insurance coverage to get, take into account the age group and price of your vehicle. Old cars do not require high-priced insurance plans, just as much as newer autos since they are not really worth as much. Also consider the vehicle?s burglary rate. Extensive protection might be a good idea should your car includes a higher burglary rate, even though it isn?t well worth a whole lot.

Improving the amount about the insurance deductible could help you save funds supplying you with will generate properly. This can be a high-risk transfer, but if you would like spend less monthly and enjoy the willpower to place cash away to pay a insurance deductible should you be within an crash, it can be a terrific way to cut costs Costs and insurance deductibles offer an inverse connection in this, generally speaking, the larger your deductible volume is, the more it can save you in high quality fees.

Get rates from numerous insurance companies prior to deciding to pick the right one particular for your car. You will likely need to talk with some companies prior to deciding to locate the best plan and price to meet your needs.

Consider using public transport or arranging a carpool. Insurance providers pay attention when policyholders respond in a responsible manner, and driving a vehicle less decreases their risk, hence they will lower your premiums. In the event you tell your representative that you have been driving the tour bus or carpooling, odds are they are able to get a lower price to lessen your premium.

As soon as your policy will almost certainly finish, this is the time to buy diverse charges. Make certain your data is present. If lately you have switched tasks and also have a quicker commute, you might find you could be spending less in your costs.

Make certain you vehicle insurance strategy pays off in advance for auto renting. You might need a supplement to the insurance plan in case your recent plan is not going to reimburse you for the rental automobile when your vehicle is with the go shopping. A hire-car clause in your auto insurance will help you protect the day-to-day fees of your leasing vehicle. When your car requires key fixes, you might be paying for a good although.

Many people believe that automobile insurance charges go down automatically for youthful individuals as soon as they attain 25. The truth is that they start to diminish after they achieve 18 so long the driver is liable and drives safely.

Cut off all needless individuals with your company?s insurance policy and will also be demonstrated via much lower costs. When you can eliminate a motorist who won?t be using your vehicle, your rates will drop in cost. Possessing a young motorist on your insurance coverage can increase the total amount you spend, so you might like to think about removing them from the policy.

This web site should have a long list of suppliers that satisfy client standards, as well as buyer complaints lodged regarding the organization. These stats consist of consumer problem ratios, which will supply you with a great idea of methods nicely the corporation will serve its clients.

You do not want a attorney except if you have a state above $25K. You must concentrate your efforts on working with the promises adjuster to come to an agreement agreement. It?s not often worth it to get an attorney because they are often a costly ally.

You ought to boost your deductible if you have to save on reduced. With regards to the price of your insurance policy, the level of your deductible definitely makes the most significant big difference in how much you spend. Remember, nevertheless, that should you get into a car accident, you may be in control of spending money on this increased deductible sum prior to the insurance is going to take over. A sensible practice it to get an crisis profile for that reason.

It may be tempting to minimize your top quality by wiped out accidents protection, but if you have a crash you will end up accountable for the complete fix monthly bill. You may find it tougher to get rid of fix charges in full, so paying out reduced might be much easier to handle.

Don?t pick a coverage prior to educating yourself on terms and choices. Individual suggests have different needs, but fundamental insurance plan vocabulary and concepts stay the same. Learning the basic principles will assist you to decide which policies really present you with excellent protection before you make one final selection.

Be sure you look at the distinct elements your vehicle policy must have with regards to protection. Even though many insurance policy choices available, some do not sound right. When you have a very high incident of accidents you need to get crash insurance to make sure your automobile will likely be mended in case of minimal accidents.

Property harm accountability is an extremely crucial thing to incorporate in your auto insurance plan. Any injury to residence created by you within an incident is covered through this measure of insurance. You can find only 3 suggests that do not require that you have this insurance coverage. When you are even involved in an accident, property damage culpability can protect you from losing a big amount of money.

As you have study, you may change your habits to spend less on car insurance. Your local area, your driving a vehicle habits, and exactly how responsibly you drive are under your manage. Once you take time to be a knowledgeable customer of auto insurance, you can get the information to take pleasure from decrease premiums.

Source: http://behnkelogistics.com/?p=526

shooting at chardon high school sasha baron cohen stacy keibler stacy keibler all star game oscar red carpet daytona 500 start time

Dad kills wife, self at daughter's 16th birthday party

By Mark Schnyder, NBCDFW.com

A father shot his estranged wife to death and then killed himself during his daughter's 16th birthday party, police said.?

The shootings happened outside the front door of the teen?s grandparents? house in Grapevine, Texas, late Saturday.

Kristi Suckla, 44, had moved to her parents? house with her teenage son and daughter after the couple separated.

Grapevine police said her husband Kelly Suckla, 43, came over to the house Saturday night for the birthday party.

An argument broke out and investigators said Suckla then shot and killed his estranged wife with a handgun before taking his own life.

The children and grandparents were inside the home and were not physically hurt.

The couple previously lived in Euless, Texas. Neighbor Donell Arseneau took the news with tears.

"They would just come over and we'd visit and I'd been over there a few times," Arseneau said.? "They'd have little parties on the weekends.? They had just recently separated.? Kristi hadn't been staying over there (at her parents) but for just a few weeks."

More news from NBCDFW.com

Arseneau said they had recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. ?

"They just got along so well so even when she moved to her parents, I just figured she'd be back in a little while,? she added.

Grapevine police detectives said they were continuing their investigation but called the deaths a murder-suicide.

Source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/21/16619375-dad-kills-estranged-wife-then-self-at-daughters-16th-birthday-party?lite

neville neville new hampshire primary hue jackson coachella 2012 line up lsu crimson tide

U.S. military wants to hide drones under the sea

Hollywood films often show alien ships or giant monsters rising from the ocean depths to threaten humanity's existence. The U.S. military envisions a more realistic scenario of hiding robotic drones, sensors or decoys on the ocean floor so that they can rise to the occasion when needed.

The idea of hiding sneaky spy technologies beneath the waves comes from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.? The agency described its Upward Falling Payloads program as an effort to hide underwater capsules that could be triggered remotely to activate, float to the surface and release their payloads of sensor buoys or even flying drones.

"The concealment of the sea also provides opportunity to surprise maritime targets from below, while its vastness provides opportunity to simultaneously operate across great distances," DARPA said in a broad agency announcement on Jan. 11.

Earth's oceans provide plenty of hiding places for robots to engage in some "cheap stealth" ? about 50 percent of the oceans reach depths deeper than 2.5 miles (4 kilometers). DARPA's ideal payload would fit within a spherical capsule 17 inches in diameter or a cylinder about 5 inches in diameter and 36 inches in length.

The idea of deploying robots from beneath the waves has some precedent, given how the Navy has tested the launch of flying drones from a submarine's trash chute. By comparison, the Upwards Falling Payloads effort faces the additional challenges of ensuring robotic technologies can hibernate for years under deep-ocean pressure and still obey instantly when the order comes down to activate.

DARPA emphasized that the new program is "specifically not a weapons program" and would have "non-lethal" intent. "But other countries may have a different opinion on the definition of "non-lethal" for robots or drones deployed to carry out surveillance or jam communications."

The new program highlights the U.S. Navy's turn to a growing swarm of robotic ships and flying drones that can supplement traditional warships and aircraft. Recent experiments have included firing missiles from robot boats, deploying drone helicopters such as the MQ-8 Fire Scout to help track pirates or smugglers, and testing the X-47 robot warplane from the deck of an aircraft carrier.

DARPA has also funded development of larger robot ships, such as a submarine hunter called the Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel, which can stay out at sea for up to 90 days.

This story was provided by TechNewsDaily, a sister site to LiveScience. You can follow TechNewsDaily Senior Writer Jeremy Hsu on Twitter @jeremyhsu. Follow TechNewsDaily on Twitter @TechNewsDaily. We're also on?Facebook?&?Google+.

Copyright 2013 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/us-military-wants-hide-drones-under-sea-165327160.html

Endeavor shaun white carolina panthers amanda bynes Revolution TV Show bankofamerica revolution

Ron Fraser Dead: Former Miami Baseball Coach Dies

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Ron Fraser coached the national teams from two different countries, is a member of 10 different Halls of Fame, won two NCAA baseball championships and never had a losing record in a 30-year career with the Miami Hurricanes.

He'll be remembered for so many other reasons.

The longtime Miami coach ? dubbed "the wizard of college baseball" ? died Sunday morning after fighting Alzheimer's disease for many years, family spokesman Tony Segreto said. University officials said Fraser was 79, though a statement issued by his family did not divulge his age or other private matters, including a cause of death.

"The impact he had on our university, on college baseball and on the game itself worldwide is immeasurable," acting Miami athletic director Blake James said.

Fraser's legacy will be, as he once said, his penchant for "doing crazy things out there." He raffled car batteries, hosted bikini nights, threw nine-course gourmet dinners on the Hurricanes' infield, even is credited for helping bring batgirls into the college game. If any idea to drum up interest or money for his program came his way, Fraser wanted to make it happen.

"No one did it better," said Texas' Augie Garrido, the NCAA Division I coaching-wins leader.

But Fraser's finest moment may have come at the College World Series in 1982.

A few Hurricanes stuck fingers in their ears, the signal for the hidden-ball trick, known to this day as "The Grand Illusion." Miami was leading 4-3 in the sixth inning of a winner's bracket game in Omaha, Neb., and Wichita State's Phil Stephenson was on first base. With his team down by a run, Stephenson was going to try to steal; everyone in the stadium knew this, especially since he already had swiped 86 bases that season.

So the play, which was installed in 15 minutes the day before, was called. Skip Bertman, Fraser's associate coach at the time who went on to become a great at LSU, gave the signal. Mike Kasprzak was the Miami pitcher, and made a few throws over to first to get Stephenson's attention.

Then came the moment. Kasprzak made another "throw" to first, one where Hurricanes' first baseman Steve Lusby dove for the supposedly errant ball and, as the story goes, swore to further sell his displeasure. Several Hurricanes started chasing the "ball" along the right-field line, and others in the dugout pointed up the line excitedly, getting in on the act.

And what an act it was.

"He would teach the bat girls to scramble as if they were getting out of the way of it," Florida State coach Mike Martin said Sunday. "They were sitting on a chair. He also had the bullpen and had a guy call it, `There's the ball! Get out of the way!' It was theatrics at its best."

Sure was. Kasprzak tossed the ball ? he had it the whole time ? to second base, a stunned Stephenson was tagged out trying to advance, Miami won the game and went on to capture the national championship.

When the play was called, Kasprzak remembers exactly what was going through his head: "What if this doesn't work?"

"I'm not sure if every coach would have allowed their teams to attempt something like that," Kasprzak said Sunday in a telephone interview. "He was always the showman type. Doing something like that on a stage as big as the College World Series was something that maybe only he would have attempted. That worked right into his personality and his approach to the game and putting on a good show."

Fraser took Miami to another national title in 1985, and wound up leading the Hurricanes to the College World Series 12 times over his 30 years at the school. He retired in 1992 with 1,271 wins.

But his biggest victories came through his promotion of the college game.

"I was more interested in getting the people in the stands," Fraser once said, "because I knew we'd never be really successful unless we made money."

Fraser also played a key role in getting baseball on national television. And now, the College World Series ? the entire NCAA tournament, really ? is a mainstay on TV, as are hundreds of regular-season games annually.

"Coach Fraser is the most influential person in my career and the man who put college baseball on the map," current Miami coach Jim Morris said last year. "He is like a father to me."

Ronald George Fraser was born and raised in New Jersey, then attended Florida State, where he's a member of the Seminoles' Hall of Fame.

His induction there really had very little to do with his athletic achievements in Tallahassee.

"Florida State University is proud to honor a former athlete who more recently has become a distinguished opponent," read the text of his induction into that Hall of Fame in 1981. "A brilliant promoter and coach, he has advanced collegiate baseball at the University of Miami, across Florida and across the nation."

That's how well thought of Fraser was: The Seminoles put an arch rival in their Hall of Fame.

"Heck, he used to wash the baseballs in milk because he didn't have enough money to buy the dozen or so baseballs he needed," Martin said. "So, he'd wash them in milk and use it as a cleaner. ... He was a character. And, he really was a guy who shared his knowledge with younger coaches.

"I'm going to miss him. He was a good man."

After a stint leading the Dutch national team, Fraser took over at Miami in 1963 with a $2,200 salary, a converted shower for an office and a cow pasture for a field. He got the school's attention in most unconventional way ? which seemed fitting for him. University officials said Sunday that Miami first noticed Fraser by his appearances on the television game show, "What's My Line?"

"He was the person who put college baseball on the map ? not only in the crowds and the entertainment we see today, but in the competitiveness of the game itself," Miami trustee Paul DiMare said. "It was all him."

College baseball was not a revenue generating sport, even for successful programs, so Fraser got creative.

Giveaways, parachutists, whatever he could think of, it all was part of Fraser's plan to entice more people to come see his team.

"My whole thing was to entertain the people. People said it was the winning, but I was trying to entertain the people so they would come back," Fraser said around the time his coaching career ended. "I did a lot of crazy things and it worked."

Attendance at Miami grew over a seven-year span from 33,000 a season to 90,000. And in 1981, the Hurricanes set a record with 163,261 fans ? over 3,200 per game. Attendance dipped below 100,000 only once for the remainder of Fraser's tenure.

After eight straight winning seasons to start off his tenure at Miami, the Hurricanes finally broke through with the school's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1971. In 1982, the Hurricanes swept through five games in Omaha, clinching the school's first national title with a 9-3 win over Wichita State.

Three seasons later, the Hurricanes won their second championship, beating Texas twice in three days for the 1985 crown. That team finished with a school record 64 wins.

And to think ? Fraser's run at Miami almost didn't get started.

With the athletic department in dire straits in the early 1970s, the school elected to cut one program. Football was lousy, basketball was worse and baseball ? though far more successful than the others ? didn't make money.

"We were going to have to let one of them go," Fraser said.

He fully expected baseball to be the program that got cut. So in a last-ditch effort, Fraser called in some favors. Baseball Hall of Famer Stan Musial (who died at 92 on Saturday, one day before Fraser), major league broadcaster Joe Garagiola and other notables showed up at a beach benefit banquet that impressed the school. In 1972, the university dropped basketball instead of baseball.

Fraser made the move pay off, finally leading Miami to its first College World Series appearance in 1974.

"Coach Fraser had a tremendous impact on the baseball program at the University of Miami at a pivotal time in our history," Miami President Donna Shalala said. "His love of the sport and the program can still be felt, years after this legendary tenure at `The U.'"

Fraser is a former NCAA coach of the year and coached numerous U.S. national teams ? including the 1992 Olympic team, and went on to work with many community and charity organizations in his retirement.

Miami officials said he had three children and five grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

"On the field and off, Ron Fraser showed how one man can make a difference," James said. "The University of Miami, South Florida and college baseball are all better because of him."

___

AP Baseball Writer Ben Walker, AP Sports Writer Dennis Waszak Jr. and former Associated Press Writer Jeff Price contributed to this report.

"; var coords = [-5, -72]; // display fb-bubble FloatingPrompt.embed(this, html, undefined, 'top', {fp_intersects:1, timeout_remove:2000,ignore_arrow: true, width:236, add_xy:coords, class_name: 'clear-overlay'}); });

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/20/ron-fraser-dead-miami-baseball-coach_n_2517401.html

best picture 2012 oscar winners channel 3 news j lo j lo sacha baron cohen ryan seacrest octavia spencer

NYC memorial set for information activist Swartz

NEW YORK (AP) -- Friends and supporters of Aaron Swartz planned to pay tribute Saturday to the free-information activist and online prodigy, who killed himself last week as he faced trial on hacking charges.

A hero to data-access advocates but a thief in the eyes of prosecutors, Swartz was to be remembered at a public memorial late Saturday afternoon. He was found dead Jan. 11 in a suicide that has intensified debate over how authorities should treat hackers whose goal is to expand public knowledge, not make personal profits.

Swartz, 26, hanged himself in his apartment the month before he was to go on trial in Boston. Federal prosecutors accused him of breaking into a computer wiring closet at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2010 and tapping into the university's computer network to get millions of paid-access scholarly articles, which he planned to make available for free.

Whatever he aimed to do with the data, "stealing is stealing, whether you use a computer command or a crowbar," Boston U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz said before Swartz' death.

But his family, admirers and some legal experts blasted the case as overreaching that drove Swartz to his death. His father, Robert Swartz, has said his son "was killed by the government."

The digital archive that holds the articles, JSTOR, has said it regretted being drawn into the criminal case and didn't pursue any claims against Swartz after he returned the data in 2011. Days before his death, the nonprofit JSTOR announced that it planned to make more than 4.5 million articles available for free.

Swartz had pleaded not guilty to some 13 felony charges. They carried the potential for decades in prison and enormous fines, though prosecutors have said they never intended to seek the maximum penalties.

A shaken Ortiz said this week she was "terribly upset about what happened," appearing near tears at one point as she spoke about the case. But she said her office handled it fairly and appropriately.

Swartz was a young teenager when he helped create RSS, technology for gathering updates from blogs, news sites and elsewhere on the Web. He later co-founded the social news site Reddit and Demand Progress, a group that campaigns against online censorship.

___

Follow Jennifer Peltz at http://twitter.com/jennpeltz

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/nyc-memorial-set-information-activist-184541299.html

jennifer love hewitt secret service prostitution 4 20 george zimmerman sheree whitfield weather dallas pat summitt

A second life for the West's secondhand clothing ? in Uganda

American and European thrift store rejects are making their way in bulk to markets in the developing world, but in Uganda they are threatening the local textile industry.

By Amy Fallon,?Contributor / January 19, 2013

?Come here, cheap dresses!? Yiga Yokana yells to potential customers from his stall at Kampala?s Owino market, one of Africa?s largest outdoor shopping hubs.

Skip to next paragraph

' + google_ads[0].line2 + '
' + google_ads[0].line3 + '

'; } else if (google_ads.length > 1) { ad_unit += ''; } } document.getElementById("ad_unit").innerHTML += ad_unit; google_adnum += google_ads.length; return; } var google_adnum = 0; google_ad_client = "pub-6743622525202572"; google_ad_output = 'js'; google_max_num_ads = '1'; google_feedback = "on"; google_ad_type = "text"; google_adtest = "on"; google_image_size = '230x105'; google_skip = '0'; // -->

Subscribe Today to the Monitor

Click Here for your FREE 30 DAYS of
The Christian Science Monitor
Weekly Digital Edition

The Christmas and New Year period have been a busy time for Mr. Yokana, who normally earns around 1 million Ugandan shillings ($372 dollars) a month selling used clothing imported from the United States and Europe ? known locally as mivumba.

?The people were buying so [many] clothes over the festive season,? he says in Luganda, a local language.

Besides dresses, the bargains Yokana is hawking today include a pale blue and white flower-patterned blouse from the British brand Double Two.

His price? $0.75. A green tag from an Oxfam charity shop ? Britain?s equivalent of a secondhand store ? with ?3.99 ($6.43) written on it is still attached.

Uganda, along with nations across Africa, rely on this used apparel ? exported in bulk from Western thrift store surpluses ? as a major source for local clothing markets. In fact, about a third of the clothing donated to charity worldwide eventually makes its way to sub-Saharan Africa, according to the Guardian newspaper.?

But with textile recycling mushrooming into a billion dollar industry, many local clothing manufacturers complain they are unable to compete with the flood of cheap Western hand-me-downs. And secondhand hawkers themselves face another rising challenge ? Chinese imports.

A transcontinental journey

The blouse Yokana was selling in Kampala likely began its journey to East Africa at Wastesaver, Oxfam Great Britain?s clothing plant. There, 80 tons of donated clothes are sorted weekly into about a hundred different grades depending on garment type, condition, style, and material. The goal, Oxfam officials say, is to ?maximize revenue? for the charity while minimizing landfill.

Many items that cannot be sold domestically are sent to overseas wholesalers.

According to the US International Trade Commission (ITC), about 1,589 tons of used clothing worth $1.3 million was shipped from the US to Uganda between January and October 2012.?

Houston-based American Textile Recycling Service (ATRS) is one of the suppliers for these bulk exports of used clothing. ATRS purchases donations gathered by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), and other organizations through neighborhood recycling bins.

?Secondhand clothing buyers in East Africa have a strong appetite for American fashion brands, particularly denim and active wear,? says Debra Stevenson-Peganyee, the chief marketing officer for ATRS.

Local industry struggles to keep up

Ugandan fashion designer Stella Atal says she loves trawling for inspiration in the stalls at Owino and the dusty roadside metal containers where these secondhand clothes are also sold.

?The styles are really unique,? says Ms. Atal, who makes skirts and dresses using old ties in her studio in Kamwokya, Kampala. ?Anything latest you find downtown.?

Although Atal?s designs, which retail for upwards of $70 each, don?t compete directly with the secondhand clothing markets, she says she couldn?t make clothes on such a large scale even if she wanted to.

?We cannot afford industrial machines because the electricity [cost] is so high,? she says.

And she is not the only local clothing maker who struggles with the idea of expansion.

Grace Kirabo manages the Textile Development Agency (TEXDA) in Kampala, which weaves clothes using handlooms. Their biggest challenge is simply getting cotton, she says, as the yarn produced by Ugandan factories isn?t suitable. ?

?The only alternative is to import it from Kenya,? says Ms. Kirabo. ?This importation of yarn makes the TEXDA products expensive for the average Ugandan.?

The rise of a new competitor?

But secondhand clothes are not the Ugandan textile industry?s only obstacle. In fact, Atal says she?d rather the government deal with Chinese clothing imports before used clothes from the West, and Kirabo calls the Chinese her ?biggest competitor and copycat.?

Ms. Stevenson-Peganyee, of ATRS, who has visited East Africa, says that secondhand sellers there tell her that their trade may also be threatened by low-quality imports from China, which often sell for less?than the West's used clothing. "Stall vendors tell us the Chinese products are cheaper but locals know they don't last," she says.?

Twelve African countries are among 31 worldwide that have banned imports of secondhand clothing, the Guardian reports.

Uganda is not one of them, although the country?s 2009 National Textiles Policy proposes phasing out secondhand clothes by 2015. But last week Joshua Mutambi, a senior official with the Department of Industry and Technology, acknowledged that the government realized for this plan to work it must try ?to encourage investment? in the local sector first.?

?It?s not easy for a country like ours to ban secondhand clothes,? without first developing local production that can meet the needs of those who can only afford the secondhand import price-point, he concedes.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/TSyFxXaktec/A-second-life-for-the-West-s-secondhand-clothing-in-Uganda

twin towers gizmodo cnet iPhone 5 9-11 Chris Brown Tattoo Innocence of Muslims

Green Blog: Q. and A.: Dances With Cranes

George Archibald is fondly known as ?The Man who Dances with Cranes.? After helping to found the International Crane Foundation?in Baraboo Wis., in 1973, Dr. Archibald earned his reputation for innovative captive breeding through his work with a young whooping crane named Tex in the late 70s.

Tex, who? was born in a zoo, had an irreversible identification with humans and showed no interest in her own endangered species. To persuade this rare bird to lay an egg, Dr. Archibald spent every day over the course of? four springs creating a pair bond with Tex, dancing with her? when she displayed and staying close to her throughout the day.? With the help of artificial insemination and her human bond, Tex laid a fertile egg in 1981.

On Thursday, Dr. Archibald was honored by the National Audubon Society??at the Plaza Hotel in New York as the first recipient of the group?s $100,000 Dan W. Lufkin Prize for Environmental Leadership.

Recently we spoke with? him about his continuing love affair with cranes and his foundation?s conservation efforts around the world. Following are excerpts, edited for brevity and clarity.

Q.

You have devoted your life to the conservation of cranes, but why cranes? What is their fascination for you?

A.

Well, for as long as I can remember, I?ve always been drawn to birds and cranes as sort of like super-birds. They are just magnificent, almost magical birds. They are the tallest flying birds in the world and have complicated and beautiful behaviors ? they dance and duet and have all kinds of vocal and visual languages in ways that seem to be human-like. They are devoted to a single mate for life and?rear just one or two chicks at a time. Because of this and other factors, they are also one of the most endangered groups of birds.

Q.

What are the top threats to crane survival?

A.

One of the biggest threats to cranes is the decline of wetlands around the world. Wetlands are drained to make more agricultural land or to accommodate expanding cities. In China, for example, there are plans to dam?the outflow of? the country?s biggest lake, Lake Poyang.?

During the summer monsoons, the lake fills with water, but in the winter the water levels fall, creating a mosaic of mud flats and ponds and grasslands, and the aquatic birds ? cranes, geese, swans, storks, hornbills ? they come in the hundreds of thousands. The dam would keep 19 meters of water [62 feet] in the lake year round and destroy the bird?s habitat.

And this is all exacerbated by climate change, which has led to new and irregular precipitation patterns. Even undisturbed wetlands are threatened by dwindling streams and receding flood plains.

In the Middle East, especially Afghanistan and Pakistan, there is still a lot of uncontrolled sport hunting of cranes. And all over Africa, the most endangered species of crane, the crowned crane, is being trapped and sold to wealthy customers in the Middle East and China.

Crowned cranes are the cranes with that big, flamboyant headdress of feathers. They are the national bird of Uganda, but their numbers have declined by eighty percent there because of this trade.

Q.

What international crane conservation projects are you involved in right now?

A.

Right now. I?m working a lot in North Korea. There used to be a lot of cranes in North Korea, but during the food shortages of the 1990s, they all left and showed up at the D.M.Z. [demilitarized zone] between North and South Korea. But now there is a lot of development in South Korea, so we are trying to prepare a place for them to return to in North Korea. I go there every year ? as a Canadian, I can get a visa and go in through Beijing.

Our project site is on the coast, this huge valley known as the Ambyon Plain. We are helping local people to develop organic farming techniques to increase their food production and restoring wetlands by flooding the rice fields after the harvest. All the aquatic life in the mud comes alive when the fields are flooded, a feast of snails and mud fish for the cranes.

We have a pair of decoy captive red-crowned cranes that are in a big fenced area in the middle of the valley, and they call the wild birds down as they fly south from the breeding grounds.? There are less then 3,000 red-crowned cranes in the world, so any addition to their habitat and range is huge.

Q.

Do you have a favorite species of crane?

A.

Whatever crane I am looking at. I don?t even mean that facetiously.

Q.

And your most memorable interaction with a crane?

A.

Once, when I was in Bhutan,? there was a very young crane that wandered away from its parents and joined a different group of cranes. Those cranes had decided to fly over the mountains and began circling and circling so they could get over this very high range. The parents of the little crane watched the scene.

The male crane then took off and flew like an arrow toward the flock of other cranes, calling to his mate on the ground, who remained with the other chick. The father crane went into the ascending flock and got his chick back. The family was reunited. I was just so touched by that devotion. Also, there is nothing quite like seeing cranes flying over the tops of the Himalayas. I?m just dumbstruck by it, and we still don?t even know how they do it with so little oxygen up there.

I was also very touched by a crane who lost its mate in the D.M.Z. and refused to leave the dead bird?s side even though there was no food and the bird was getting weaker and weaker. That bird was rescued by soldiers, nursed back to health and eventually released back in Siberia on the breeding grounds. But I will never forget that bird mourning its mate.

Q.

Is there any part of the world that you long to visit to see cranes?

A.

Absolutely. I?m not done yet. Every day I read about this war that has broken out in Mali. One of the world?s greatest wetlands is in that region, the Inner Niger Delta. It?s a huge flood plain of the Niger River with spectacular aquatic birds.

I?d also love to go to southern Sudan, to the Sudd,? the upper region of the White Nile River, which originates in Lake Victoria. This region has been unstable for years, but someday I would like to go and see how the cranes are faring. Conflict doesn?t usually bode well for wildlife. Unless of course there is the creation of a D.M.Z.!

Q.

Do you see a role for cranes internationally?

A.

Cranes are ambassadors for the world?s wetlands. Everyone who loves cranes ? and there are so many crane lovers around the world ?? understands that in order to save the cranes, we must save their homes.? So many other species are thus saved by saving wetlands.

They are also ambassadors for international good will. Scientists from North Korea want to work with scientists from South Korea on crane conservation. Cranes create unlikely allies, and I think can bring out the best in people.

Source: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/18/q-and-a-dances-with-cranes/?partner=rss&emc=rss

wilt chamberlain joe arpaio cat in the hat green eggs and ham wiz khalifa and amber rose oh the places you ll go blunt amendment

Analysis: Budget woes could hurt outreach to Asia

WASHINGTON (AP) ? President Barack Obama wants Asia to be a growing focus of his foreign policy, but as his second terms starts, success could hinge on his ability to manage hot spots elsewhere in the world and avert a fiscal crisis at home.

Within two weeks of winning re-election, Obama became the first U.S. president to visit Myanmar, signaling his intent to sustain his administration's commitment to the region following the decade-long entanglement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

That's a reflection of Asia's growing economic and strategic importance. In the past three years, Washington has embroiled itself in diplomacy over the disputed South China Sea, deployed more military assets to the Asia-Pacific and pushed forward a regional trade pact. It has also put a lot of effort into managing ties with emerging rival China.

Those moves have been broadly welcomed in Asia, but governments question the U.S. ability to sustain its policy.

While Sen. John Kerry, the nominee to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state, is expected to continue the policy, the Middle East looks destined to demand the lion's share of his attention. There's no end in sight to the civil war in Syria and pressure could mount to take military action over Iran's nuclear program.

And it will be tough to enhance the U.S. profile in Asia in an age of austerity. In contrast to China, the U.S. can little afford more aid for its allies or to expand its military presence.

But perhaps most critical to U.S. stature in the region will be how it manages its deep political divisions at home. Failure to resolve the long-running standoff between Obama and Republicans over how to manage America's $16.4 trillion national debt weighs on global financial markets. The Republican-controlled House is set to vote on a temporary measure next week that would permit the government to borrow more money to meet its debt obligations for about three months, although it wouldn't tackle how to reduce the debt.

Without an extension in the debt ceiling, the world's largest economy could default as soon as mid-February. That would likely prompt a downgrade in the U.S. credit rating, leading to higher borrowing costs in the U.S. and elsewhere. It would alarm creditor governments, such as China and Japan, which both hold more than $1 trillion in U.S. Treasury securities. It could undermine America's position as a safe haven for investors and trigger economic turmoil.

Australia's foreign minister, Bob Carr, warned after a last-gasp deal at the new year ? staving off an immediate tax hike and budget cuts ? that the massive U.S. debt has raised questions about the United States' ability to provide world leadership. But the trusted ally put a positive spin on things: "America is one budget deal away from resolving the issue of American decline," he said.

The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia agrees. Kurt Campbell, who is expected to stand down soon, said last week how the U.S. conducts itself domestically and handles its budget problems "will be at the heart of how Asia views our enduring role in the Asia-Pacific region."

That standoff looms large as Obama takes the oath of office in the White House for his second term Sunday, ahead of a grand swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol on Monday.

Yet for all the divisiveness in Washington, Asia policy remains an area of broad agreement.

Both parties have supported efforts to build stronger ties with Asia to position the U.S. to benefit from the region's rapid economic growth: cementing alliances in South Korea and Japan, building a strategic partnership with India and expanding ties in Southeast Asia. Most notably, Republicans and Democrats have shown rare unity in backing the administration's ambitious outreach to former pariah state Myanmar.

But the Asia policy initiatives of Obama's first term could bring with them messy responsibilities in the second term.

The U.S. declaration in 2010 of its national interest in the peaceful resolution of maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea has boosted Washington's standing among nations intimidated by China's assertive behavior in the resource-rich region. But the Southeast Asian bloc that the U.S. wants to tackle the disputes appears ill-suited to cope. It is at risk of fracturing between those nations that want collective negotiations advocated by the U.S. and those opposing such diplomacy in deference to China.

Doubts remain over the commitment of Myanmar's military to democratic reform. Despite a shift away from authoritarian rule that has been rewarded by the relaxation of U.S. sanctions, the military has waged an offensive against ethnic rebels in the country's north.

If confirmed as secretary of state, an immediate concern for Kerry will be the rising tension in Northeast Asia, where China, Japan and South Korea all are ushering in new leaders.

China's spat with Japan over contested islands threatens to embroil the U.S. if it escalates. While Washington will reaffirm its alliance with Japan, it also wants deeper ties with Beijing to dilute the risk of conflict breaking out. The U.S. will encourage Japan and South Korea ? which both host American forces ? to patch up relations strained over Tokyo's attitude toward its colonial past.

On North Korea, Kerry's arrival could herald a new approach.

As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he was critical of the Obama administration's reluctance to negotiate with Pyongyang on its nuclear program, and held informal talks last year with visiting North Korean officials in New York. But he'll also be aware of the pitfalls of such engagement. Within a week of the meeting in New York, the North dashed hopes of rapprochement by announcing a long-range rocket launch.

____

EDITOR'S NOTE ? Matthew Pennington covers U.S.-Asian affairs for Associated Press in Washington.

An AP News Analysis

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/analysis-budget-woes-could-hurt-outreach-asia-085555837--politics.html

ray lewis quentin tarantino jessica chastain jessica chastain hugh jackman Amy Poehler Colin Kaepernick

Eva Longoria's Next Role: Hispanic Activist (WSJ)

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

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/278068107?client_source=feed&format=rss

Pasquale Rotella Michael Clark Duncan michael jackson courtney stodden Ncaa Football Scores Plaquemines Parish michigan football

Nike+ opens up its APIs, lets developers see what NikeFuel really is

It looks like Nike+ is making moves to get more people playing with its gear. The Next Web reports that Nike has opened up its APIs on the company developer site today, which means devs now have a way to hook into the data all those FuelBands and SportWatches generate. Among these streams of info is access to a chronological list of user activities, GPS data, and the amount of NikeFuel earned both in total and on an individual activity basis. If that's got you dreaming up fitness apps and games, head on over to the source armed with your Nike+ login info, and that treasure trove of data can be yours to play with, too.

TNW goes on to point out that the APIs were freed in conjunction with Nike's Accelerator startup program, just in case any of those apps are part of a worthy business plan. In case you weren't aware, the Accelerator startup incubator's run by TechStars, the same folks who also provide seed money and business guidance to aspiring Kinect devs. So, idea-men and women should feel free to embrace the Xbox collaboration possibilities knowing their angel funding's coming from folks who'll understand such ideas. Sound like something you're into? The deadline to apply is February 3rd, so those applying best be ready to hit the ground running when the Accelerator starts a month later.

Filed under: Wearables

Comments

Via: The Next Web

Source: Nike Developer Site, Nike+ Accelerator

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/18/nike-plus-api-developers/

censored jerry yang stop sopa justified southland sopa blackout protect ip act