richardarmigety: June 2012

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Video: Friday's Market Roadmap

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Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/cnbc/48012685/

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What's the Worst Picture of You on Facebook? [Chatroom]

Click here to read What's the Worst Picture of You on Facebook?

For many of us, Facebook was around in college. Which means there are some awful, awful pictures of us circulating on the internet. I'm one of the guiltiest offenders. But that's all right. Because a lot of these images taken at bad angles, in weird costumes, and blind drunk are great memories and make for a laugh now. So I'm sharing a few of mine (sorry, mom!) and asking you, what's the worst photo of yourself on Facebook? More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/zeEGRFXKEl0/whats-the-worst-picture-of-you-on-facebook

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Pakistan's Texas-sized problems

Despite the some cultural overlaps, the American and Pakistani paths are parting ways.

By Scott Baldauf,?Staff writer / June 28, 2012

A Pashtun boy stands at the window of his family's mud house, looking at children playing nearby on the outskirts of Peshawar, Pakistan, last week.

Fayaz Aziz/Reuters

Enlarge

Years ago, before Sept. 11, when I first started traveling in South Asia, a Pakistani diplomat gave me a quick tutorial about how his people, Pashtuns, were not so very different from my own people, Texans.

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Friday, June 29, 2012

RIM shares fall in premarket on delay of key phone

[ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]

[ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/rim-shares-fall-premarket-delay-key-phone-123207586--finance.html

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China main money rate up, market awaits next bank reserve cut

By Reuters, , Updated: June-29-12 7:05 AM

Bank clerk counts Chinese yuan banknotes at a branch of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in Huaibei

By Lu Jianxin and John Ruwitch

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's main short-term lending rate rose 14 basis points on Friday as banks hoarded money to prepare for extra bank reserve payments due early next month while the market awaited a cut in bank reserve requirements.

The benchmark seven-day weighted-average bond repurchase rate rose to 4.1240 percent at midday from Thursday's close of 3.9832 percent.

The shortest overnight repo rate rose to 3.6038 percent from 3.5666 percent but tenors above 14-days fell on expectations that liquidity conditions may improve after July 5, traders said.

The market has recently suffered a liquidity crunch. It stemmed from the need by banks for more money to meet half-year regulatory requirements, such as loan-to-deposit ratios, and a large initial public offering that froze 31 billion yuan ($4.9 billion) from the market this week.

Also, Chinese banks are required to adjust their deposit reserves on the 5th, 15th and 25th of each month.

Traders said deposits recently have been rising sharply as banks are succeeding in attracting more savers to enhance their half-year financial statements. Higher deposits will increase the amount that banks must set aside as reserve payments on July 5, they said.

"Even major banks appear to have limited money to lend, keeping short-term funding costs at high levels," said a dealer at a Chinese commercial bank in Shanghai.

"But the central bank is acting to help the market, and the market expects it to cut bank reserve requirements in July," the dealer added.

WINDOW OPEN

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) injected a net 198 billion yuan into the market via regular open market operations this week, up sharply from a net injection of 55 billion yuan last week.

Facing a worse-than-expected economic slowdown, the PBOC has cut reserve requirement ratios (RRR) twice this year, in February and May, and it reduced benchmark interest rates once, in June.

The moves were made partly because the slowdown has hit capital inflows into China and reduced money supply in the system.

The PBOC said earlier this month that it and Chinese financial institutions bought a net 23.4 billion yuan worth of foreign exchange in May, following a net sale of 60.6 billion yuan in April.

Average monthly net forex purchases in the first five months of 2012 was just 50.7 billion yuan, down sharply from 2011's average of 231.6 billion yuan a month and the 2010's average of 272.4 billion yuan.

For about a decade, the PBOC's injection of base money into the system via its purchase of foreign currencies flowing into the country to keep the yuan stable was the single main source of base money supply in China's financial system.

The PBOC may await June's economic data, to be announced in mid-July, to decide the timing of another RRR cut, traders said.

"Judging from the acute liquidity shortfall in the market, an RRR cut in July appears to be inevitable, and the PBOC may just want to choose a right time," said a dealer at an Asian bank.

(Editing by Richard Borsuk)

Source: http://money.ca.msn.com/investing/news/breaking-news/china-main-money-rate-up-market-awaits-next-bank-reserve-cut-1

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Michael Sokolski, creator of Scantron, dies at 85

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Thursday, June 28, 2012

States With the Most Social Small Businesses [INFOGRAPHIC]

As the November elections approach, politicians will likely focus on several key issues, including job creation, particularly for small business owners. The small business sector represents 65% of the economy ? and owners of these businesses are wise to the importance social media can play in promoting their businesses.

Radius, a company providing sales intelligence for the small business market, released a report ranking cities based on the social media usage of its small business owners.

San Francisco tops the list of places with the most socially connected small businesses, with Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., coming in second and third, respectively. Overall, West Coast cities ranked higher than those on the east coast, with New York coming in seventh and Boston not even making the top 20.

But some East Coast and Midwest cities are making strides to stand out on social media:

Grand Rapids, Mich., (29%) and Oklahoma, Okla., (28%) have the highest percentage of SMBs with Facebook pages.
Buffalo, N.Y. (20%) and Rochester, Minn., (20%) have the highest percentage of SMBs with Foursquare check-ins.

Small businesses in the top 85 U.S. cities are ranked according to the Radius Social Index, which is comprised of social media presence and daily deal activity. Radius monitors and collects information from more than 15 million small businesses in the U.S. and measure the activity of those businesses on major social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Yelp and daily deal activity.

?It?s important for small businesses to utilize social media to engage with customers, develop higher awareness, identify and attract new customers, which can all directly impact the growth of their business,? CEO and founder of Radius, Darian Shirazi tells Mashable. ?Being on the social graph also allows for other companies to be more efficient when working with them, since they will better understand the business and be able to offer a wider variety of services.?

Check out the infographic below and let us know what you think in the comments.

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weed eater, hedge trimmer, leaf blower - How to Tame a Yard ...

When planning to clean up the yard around a home that has been neglected due to vacancy or foreclosure, it can often feel like you're taming the wild. The grass is high. The bushes are very thick and have no shape. Some may have broken branches or twines woven throughout. The weeds may be so tall that they have seeded and flowered. While it may seem like a tall chore to return the yard to a well manicured property, it can be done with the proper tools and some patience. The best way to tackle a large overgrown yard is to use one power tool at a time, moving either front to back or right to left, depending on the layout of the property. If the property has weathered a number of storms, there may be several different layers of debris. While many local governments are strictly enforcing the zoning ordinances for tall grass and yard maintenance, there are still properties that need extra attention due to long periods of unchecked growth.

Dress Appropriately Be prepared for wildlife. Insects, birds, small animals and snakes may have made their home on the property and may be plentiful. Power equipment may make grass, leaves and branches fly, so be sure to wear long sleeves, work gloves, long pants, steel toed-shoes, safety glasses and a hat.

Getting Prepared Gather together all of the necessary tools. Plan to use trash bags, a bruschcutter, lawn mower, weed eater, hedge trimmer and leaf blower. Depending on the property and its condition, a chain saw may also be necessary. Be sure that there is enough fuel of the proper mixture for each piece of lawn maintenance equipment. Walk through the property and clean up any debris, trash, bottles or items that could damage or be damaged by the mower or other equipment. Keep a covered bottle of cold water handy to stay hydrated in hot weather.

Weed Eater Weed eaters are a good starting point for any border areas. Walk along the sidewalk, driveway and fence lines. Circle trees, lampposts, gardens and any yard protrusions. Be watchful of any downed power lines or hidden objects.

High Grass If the grass is too high to tackle with a lawn mower, use a bruschcutter or a weed eater to first cut down the grass to a manageable height. If there is significant length to the clippings from the bruschcutter, use a leaf blower or a rake to remove the debris before mowing. If the grass is low enough, use a lawn mower to cut it to a comfortable height. The first cut should be left a little higher than normal, since the grass roots may be long and have not seen the sun for quite some time. This will help it to grow back and fill in green and healthy.

Shrubbery After the grass is a manageable height, the shrubs and trees should be trimmed. Begin by removing any damaged branches . Use a chain saw if necessary to make a clean cut of any dead branches or trees. Cut up the logs into smaller pieces for firewood or kindling. Trim all bushes into shape using hedge trimmers, moving from bottom to top. Take off small amounts at a time to avoid damage to the plant material and to ensure straight lines.

Once all of the trimming and cutting has been done for the first round, use a rake or leaf blower to clean up the debris. Compost or properly dispose of all yard waste.

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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

AVI-SPL, Cisco and TELUS Join Open Visual Communications ...

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Carly Rae Jepsen Talks 'Amazing' Owl City Duet 'Good Time'

'It just worked out, and I love the song,' she tells MTV News about collaborating with Adam Young on the just-released track.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Christina Garibaldi

Carly Rae Jepsen
Photo:

Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City's thumping summer anthem "Good Time" might already be stuck in your head even though it only made its official debut days ago. When Jepsen first heard the song, she knew that she wanted to be part of that kind of magic.

"Actually [I found out about the track] through [my manager] Scooter Braun. He sort of played me the song in one of the first weeks I came down to L.A. to meet him," she recalled to MTV News on Tuesday at the splashy "Katy Perry: Part of Me" premiere in Los Angeles. "I heard it and I was just like, 'This is amazing. I would love to sing on this.' "

Lucky for the "Call Me Maybe" singer, Owl City himself, Adam Young, felt the same way. She added, "[Braun was] like, 'Great, 'cause Adam wants you too.' So it just worked out, and I really ... love the song."

Young shared a similar excitement about the track, which will not only appear on Jepsen's September debut but also on his release, The Midsummer Station, due in August.

"It was this whole worlds-collide thing, and it was this kind of dream come true. I can't believe it happened," he told MTV News last week. "[It was] so kind to lend her talent to this song, so yeah, it worked out. ... I feel like it's one of those songs, it kind of always needed to be a duet. That was the initial idea from step one."

As for his desire to write a party track, he added that now was as good a time as any. "I feel like every artist is inherently granted one shot to sing about having a good time in his or her life, and six months ago, I realized I hadn't cashed in my chips yet," Young said. "So I thought, 'I'm gonna sit down and I'm gonna give this a shot ... and get my friend Carly to sing on it.' ... The final product rarely exceeds your expectations, and this thing just kind of happened."

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Government Refinance Applications More Than Double in Latest MBA

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 20, 2012)? Mortgage applications decreased 0.8 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association?s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending June 15, 2012.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 0.8 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index decreased more than 1 percent compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index increased 1 percent from the previous week. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index fell 9 percent from one week earlier. The unadjusted Purchase Index decreased more than 9 percent compared with the previous week and was 2 percent lower than the same week one year ago.

?Refinance volume increased again last week, but the composition of activity changed markedly. Despite rates remaining near all-time lows, conventional refinance application volume declined, and the HARP share of refinance activity dropped to 20 percent,? said Michael Fratantoni, MBA?s Vice President of Research and Economics. ?On the other hand, FHA refinance volume exploded to an all-time high, more than doubling over the week. New, lower FHA premiums on streamlined refinance loans came fully into effect, and borrowers seized the opportunity to lower their mortgage rates without increasing their FHA premiums. Purchase activity fell off last week, but this is likely only a recalibration following the Memorial Day holiday, as the level of activity remains within the narrow band seen for the past 3 years.?

The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 81 percent of total applications from 79 percent the previous week. The adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity decreased to 4 percent of total applications.

During the month of May, the investor share of applications for home purchase was at 6 percent, unchanged from the previous month, even though regions including East South Central and South Atlantic increased by 0.5 percent.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($417,500 or less) decreased to 3.87 percent, matching the lowest rate in the history of the survey, from 3.88 percent, with points increasing to 0.49 from 0.43 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio (LTV) loans. The effective rate increased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with jumbo loan balances (greater than $417,500) decreased to 4.06 percent, the lowest rate in the history of the survey, from 4.12 percent, with points decreasing to 0.38 from 0.41 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages backed by the FHA increased to 3.72 percent from 3.71 percent, with points decreasing to 0.47 from 0.59 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 3.25 percent from 3.23 percent, with points decreasing to 0.45 from 0.48 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 5/1 ARMs decreased to 2.75 percent, the lowest rate in the history of the survey, from 2.78 percent, with points decreasing to 0.33 from 0.49 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

If you would like to purchase a subscription of MBA?s Weekly Applications Survey, please visit www.mortgagebankers.org/WeeklyApps, contact mbaresearch@mortgagebankers.org or click here.

The survey covers over 75 percent of all U.S. retail residential mortgage applications, and has been conducted weekly since 1990. Respondents include mortgage bankers, commercial banks and thrifts. Base period and value for all indexes is March 16, 1990=100.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is the national association representing the real estate finance industry, an industry that employs more than 280,000 people in virtually every community in the country. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the association works to ensure the continued strength of the nation?s residential and commercial real estate markets; to expand homeownership and extend access to affordable housing to all Americans. MBA promotes fair and ethical lending practices and fosters professional excellence among real estate finance employees through a wide range of educational programs and a variety of publications. Its membership of over 2,200 companies includes all elements of real estate finance: mortgage companies, mortgage brokers, commercial banks, thrifts, Wall Street conduits, life insurance companies and others in the mortgage lending field. For additional information, visit MBA?s Web site: www.mortgagebankers.org.

Source: http://www.mbaa.org/NewsandMedia/PressCenter/81060.htm

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Crown Plastics: Creating Brand Awareness for Automotive Engineers

Crown Plastics Co., Harrison, Ohio, continues to create DuraSurf? brand awareness among automotive manufacturers. Crown?s recently published Transportation Brochure for automotive engineers highlights key usages for its DuraSurf? BSR and ETA tapes in automotive design. DuraSurf? UHMW polyethylene offers high abrasion resistance, durability, and low coefficient of friction, excellent qualities in materials designed to reduce noise and vibration. BSR (buzz-squeak-rattle) thin-gauge and ETA (easy-to-apply) thick-gauge tapes stick to almost any surface and are easily die cut. The brochure identifies numerous interior and exterior locations where DuraSurf? tapes are already in use. Click here for a copy of the Transportation Brochure.

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Selling Your House - FSBO or Real estate agent - Lines Hub

We always feel relaxed in our own house. Like they say, there is no place like home. Without a doubt, that may be true. However what if you wish to promote your own house? Selling your home can be challenging, because you cannot see your house as being a property to sell. You are used to the way the house looks and operates and there is no problem with in which. But buyers observe things in a different way, for example is the house still suitable to live in?, may be the home neat and tidy?, will the home have a huge area for the entire loved ones?, is it in a secure and safe neighborhood? etc.

Offering your own house could be exciting or even a stressful task because you need to prepare your house and restore the problems of your house. You?ll be able to choose on your own no matter whether you wish to sell your home or you might want to use a realtor to sell your house. Every option has its own positives and negatives. Because it is your property, you can create a decision on your own.

If you don?t wish to be bothered together with selling your house, then use a realtor to trade your property immediately with an affordable price that you simply or the agent advise. The realtor will handle all the paperwork and hang up the meetings among you and the buyer. The actual agent also works on the open house if you don?t have time to get it done. Even if you will lose some money with the realtor, at least your house will get sold in the price that you desire and also you do not need to think about the forms and the permits possibly. Everything is organized along with handled by the agent.

But what if you wish to sell your own house all on your own? It is still possible, actually, you can save more money since you do not have to waste your dollars on a realtor. Nevertheless, selling your own house on your own requires extra work and further time. The fun facts are that you can stress your own house?s greatest items to the buyers as well as negotiate the purchase price directly with them without any third-party just like the realtor. You will find details about selling your own house online or in a newspapers. You need to be wise in selling your own house.

chicago fsbo can be a way to help you save money. More detail you can find at chicago for sale by owner internet site, check it out!

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Product Review: Flag Frenzy Card Game (Ages 6+) ? Momma's Bacon

by mommasbacon on June 26, 2012

Product Review:? Flag Frenzy Card Game (Ages 6+)

At GeoToys, Our Goal is Simple: To Make Geography Fun.

Growing up I loved going to my mom?s mother?s house outside of large family events because I knew my grandma and I would be able to play card games one-on-one.? My grandma is a person of few words, but is a skilled gameaholic whose love of family games rubbed off on me. ?One of my favorite card games that I reserved playing only with my grandma was called Touring that dealt with driving and speed limits and was originally produced in 1906.? I still own a battered version that I plan to play with Brooke when she is older and I have great memories of trying to get a faster speed limit or repair card to win the game.? The great thing about my grandma is that she has a competitive streak without being a sore loser and it made it fun to play with her.? I especially enjoyed playing games, like trivia, where you could read the cards and learn something new.? When I read about the fast-paced card game about matching flags to countries around the world through GeoTOYS, I knew I wanted to give Flag Frenzy a try!

Flag Frenzy card game is a fast and fun matching card game where players have the objective to match flags with their countries from around the world.? This is a ?shredding? type card game which means, like the game Crazy-Eights or UNO, each player wants to get rid of their cards first while simultaneously preventing other players from getting rid of their own hand.? The deck comes with 49 flag cards, eight continent cards and a world map that shows all the world flags and locations from each country.? Each flag card has eight flags and all flag cards in the deck have one flag in common.? The game starts when two cards are placed face up and the rest of the deck is distributed to each player.? Each player tries to match their cards against the face up cards and must give their matching country?s name or (with one of the eight continent cards) the continent being played.? The first player to match all of their cards wins this game. This visually appealing game provides a fast pace that will keep a child as young as six?s attention while simultaneously teaching families the world?s flags.? What a great adventure for the family!

Bonus!? GeoTOYS offers FREE geographical Parent/Teacher Resource Guides on their website that can be reproduced.

Flag Frenzy Card Game (Ages 6+)

www.geotoystore.com

List Price: $13.99

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iRobot Roomba 790 with Wireless Command Center hands-on (video)

What to get the homeowner who has everything? Perhaps a robotic vacuum styled in the fashion of an RC toy will fit the bill. Here at a gdgt event in New York City we happened upon iRobot's Roomba 790, which comes with a touchscreen remote for manually controlling where the bot goes. The controller -- make that the "Wireless Command Center" -- has an interface matching the one on the 790 itself, so there's no second set of menus to master here. In addition to deciding where it moves, you can also schedule daily cleanings or tap a "Clean" button to push the robot into action.Though this isn't the first time iRobot's dabbled in remote-controlled vacuum cleaners, all previous models relied on infrared sensors, meaning you could only control the Roomba if it was in your line of sight. This guy, though, uses a proprietary technology that allows you to program that 4pm scrubbing from up to 25 meters away.

As for battery life, it runs on four AA cells, and is rated for three to six months of runtime, depending on how compulsively you plan on cleaning. Interestingly, despite the change in wireless standards, the 790 is compatible with older 700-series Roombas, though it's not as is the controller would be sold separately. If you happen to be the kind of fabulously wealthy family who can afford (and has a need) for multiple Roomba cleaners, you can only pair the remote with one robot at a time anyway. Don't have the budget for a $700 robotic vacuum kit? We've got hands-on photos below and a demo video after the break.

Gallery: iRobot Roomba 790 with Wireless Command Center hands-on

Continue reading iRobot Roomba 790 with Wireless Command Center hands-on (video)

iRobot Roomba 790 with Wireless Command Center hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 18:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, June 25, 2012

Plenty of compelling stories beyond Phelps, Lochte

Katelyn Sowinski stretches during practice at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, Sunday, June 24, 2012, in Omaha, Neb. The trials are scheduled to start on Monday. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Jessica Hardy arrives at a news conference at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials on Sunday, June 24, 2012, in Omaha, Neb. The trials are to start on Monday. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Water drips from the face of Lindsey Horejsi, 14, of Fairbault, Minn., as she takes a position on a starting block during practice at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials on Sunday, June 24, 2012, in Omaha, Neb. The trials are to start on Monday. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

An unidentified swimmer dives during practice at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, Sunday, June 24, 2012, in Omaha, Neb. The trials are scheduled to start on Monday. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Missy Franklin speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials on Sunday, June 24, 2012, in Omaha, Neb. The trials are to start on Monday. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) ? Forty-somethings and teen phenoms.

Records and rivalries.

Comebacks and farewells.

While Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte are getting much of the attention, there's no shortage of compelling stories heading into the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, which begin Monday at a temporary pool in America's heartland.

"This is not a swim meet anymore," said Chuck Wielgus, the executive director of USA Swimming. "This is a major sporting spectacle."

With eight straight nights of primetime television coverage from the 13,200-seat CenturyLink Center Omaha, where pyrotechnics and high-tech videoboards are as much a part of the show as the pool, swimming will solidify its position as one of the glamour sports heading into London. Much of that attention can be attributed to Phelps, who won a record eight golds medals in Beijing and is the winningest Olympian ever with a total of 14 golds.

"His importance to the sport is immeasurable," said Gregg Troy, head coach of the men's team.

Phelps made more news Sunday, passing on a chance to scratch from the 400-meter individual medley, a grueling event he dropped after Beijing but brought back over the past year. That could set up a showdown with Lochte on the very first night of what Phelps says will be his final Olympic trials. He plans to retire after the London Games.

"We would like to see what he can do in the event," Phelps' coach, Bob Bowman, said in a text message to The Associated Press. "He's done a few decent ones in season, so we are taking a shot and seeing how it goes."

But the Americans have plenty of star power beyond Phelps and Lochte, who won five golds at last year's world championships ? including a sweep of both head-to-head races with Phelps.

Start with Natalie Coughlin, who's two medals away from becoming this country's most decorated female Olympic swimmer. Move on to Missy Franklin, just 17 years old but already touted as the sport's next big star. Savor the return of 40-year-old Janet Evans, now a mom with two kids attempting an improbable comeback after a decade-and-a-half retirement. Throw in Dara Torres, going for her sixth Olympic team at age 45.

"I'm so excited to be here," Franklin said Sunday. "I feel ready. I feel so prepared. I just want to get started."

She's not the only one. Brendan Hansen, one of America's greatest breaststrokers, called it a career after disappointing at the last two Olympics. But the tug of the water was just too strong, so the 30-year-old is back to try again for a more fitting capper to his career.

"My main purpose and goal for coming back was to make the Olympic team and go to the Olympics and show the world and my country what I can do," Hansen said. "The two Olympics I was in, I didn't do that."

Jessica Hardy is another swimmer with something to prove. She qualified for the Olympic team four years ago in Omaha, but had to drop out after she failed a doping test. She faced a two-year suspension and possible banishment from the London Games, but an arbitration panel ruled the positive result wasn't her fault. Her suspension was cut in half and she was cleared to swim in the Olympics if she makes the team.

"Obviously, I have a lot of traumatic feelings about being back. I'm working through those and trying to calm down," said Hardy, a world-record holder in the breaststroke. "I know a lot of people have strong opinions about me and my career. But really, I just swim for myself. I have high goals for myself and if I get close to those, I'll be happy.

One of the most intriguing figures at the trials is Anthony Ervin, who won a gold medal in the 50-meter freestyle at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, then mysteriously walked away from the sport before the next games in Athens. He sold off his gold medal to raise money for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami, lost the relay silver he won in Australia, and generally just roamed around the country, working odd jobs, finishing college and searching for a deeper meaning to life.

Then, out of nowhere, he returned to the deck last year. Now 31, he's already put up times that stamp him as one of the top contenders in the 50 free, a chaotic dash from one end of the pool to the other.

"It's been quite a journey," Ervin said. "However the dice fall, it's been great. I'm glad I've been able to come back. There was never any intention to return to what I was."

Franklin is just getting started on her journey. She's still very much a kid, which is obvious from her excessive use of the word "awesome" and boundless enthusiasm for, well, just about everything.

"I can't wait to shave!" she proclaimed.

But Franklin, who just finished her junior year of high school, is a grown-up in the water. She won three golds and five medals overall at the 2011 worlds in Shanghai, establishing herself as America's top female hope.

Of course, Coughlin might have something to say about that. She won 11 medals over the last two Olympics, leaving her one shy of Jenny Thompson's career record, and is still a formidable force in a wide range of strokes as she approaches her 30th birthday. She's not ready for a changing of the guard just yet, even though there are teenagers coming at her from all directions.

Franklin and 18-year-old Rachel Bootsma will challenge Coughlin in the 100 backstroke, an event the veteran won at the last two Olympics. Franklin also will try to knock off Coughlin in another of her signature events, the 100 free. Nineteen-year-old Elizabeth Beisel is a serious challenger in the 200 individual medley.

"I don't think Natalie looks at it like she's going head-to-head with Missy or anybody else," said Teri McKeever, who is both Coughlin's coach and head coach of the U.S. women's team. "She's going head-to-head with Natalie. That's what the challenge is for the next eight days, for her be at her best and work on where she is now compared to 2008 or 2004. She and I have absolutely no control over what Missy or anybody else does. I don't think she spends too much time thinking about that."

___

Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963

Associated Press

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Sunday, June 24, 2012

Yankees won't play chicken with Mets' Francisco

By HOWIE RUMBERG

AP Sports Writer

Associated Press Sports

updated 11:19 p.m. ET June 22, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) - Derek Jeter looked at the front page of a tabloid, the one that had a composite photo of his smiling face atop a chicken's body and the headline "Cluck You!"

He just shook his head.

"What happened?" Jeter asked.

What happened was that Mets closer Frank Francisco told the New York Post this week, "I can't wait to face those chickens" before his team hosted the crosstown rival Yankees in a three-game series starting Friday night at Citi Field.

Jeter and his teammates were more confused by the comment than upset by it.

"I can't be insulted by something I don't understand," Jeter said.

With a big grin, teammate Nick Swisher added: "I don't even know what it means. ... I don't even know what to say."

Alex Rodriguez wanted to know what kind of chicken: "I like mine grilled."

Francisco did not chicken out Friday afternoon, explaining what he meant by his odd comment. He said he thinks the Yankees often protest the umpires' calls.

"I (made) a simple comment because they complain a lot for everything," Francisco said.

In his first season with the Mets, the closer did not pitch when the Yankees swept the Subway Series in the Bronx from June 8-10. But he told the Post he is excited to have a chance to strike out the side in the final series of the regular season between the teams.

Francisco has done it before, whiffing Jeter, Rodriguez and Jason Giambi in the seventh inning on May, 21, 2004, for the Texas Rangers.

Yankees catcher Russell Martin, who hit a game-ending homer off Mets reliever Jon Rauch on June 10, dismissed the comments.

"We'll see if we're chicken when he gets in the game," Martin said.

Francisco got his shot at the Yankees in the ninth. And although he didn't strike out the side, he still got the job done. The right-hander worked a scoreless inning to close out the Mets' 6-4 victory, retiring Mark Teixeira on a game-ending popup with two runners aboard for his 18th save in 21 chances.

Never has chicken played so prominent a role in a Yankees story line since the fake George Steinbrenner agreed to trade George Costanza to Tyler Chicken for a fermented chicken drink and other poultry products on an episode of "Seinfeld."

On Friday, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said three chicken companies inquired about sponsoring the Subway Series this weekend.

Mets manager Terry Collins isn't about to start disciplining his players for speaking their minds.

"I'm not going to hang out in the clubhouse and watch what guys say," Collins said. "We're grown men. Frank, if that's the way he feels - I don't think he meant to stir the pot when we played these guys. They're good enough already. It is what it is."

Girardi doesn't think his team needs extra motivation.

"It doesn't really mean anything," Girardi said. "What means something is what you do on the field."

More news

Mets get a helping hand

Ike Davis received a bit of help from the New York Yankees on his three-run homer and Frank Francisco closed out the Mets' 6-4 victory Friday night after calling their crosstown rivals "chickens.''

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Teaching Natural Sciences To Social Science Students?

An anonymous reader writes "As a calculus professor for a small undergraduate institution, I normally lecture students who are majoring in the natural (or 'hard') sciences, such as mathematics, physics, and computer science. In fact, I have done so for almost thirteen years. However, for the first time this fall semester, we have a shortage of professors on our hands. As a result of this, I have been asked to teach a general education statistics class. Such classes are a major requirement for the large psychology student body we have here. I have never lectured social science students in any mathematics-related classes. My question to the Slashdot community is as follows: What are your experiences with teaching natural science classes to social science students? How is the experience the same or different in comparison to natural science students who may be more adept to the nuances of mathematics and other similar fields?"

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Japan?s Economy Losing Momentum Amid Global, Domestic Pressures

Japan's economy appears to be weakening in the April-June quarter as business conditions deteriorate and exports flatten off, suggesting that the recovery may have lost momentum.

In May, Japan's merchandise trade deficit rose more than what had been expected. According to the Financial Ministry data released earlier this week, the trade deficit increased to 907 billion yen ($11.5 billion) in May from 522 billion yen in April.

Economists expect that the trade deficit will increase further with energy imports continuing to grow as the country remains reliant on imported fossil fuels. Meanwhile, exports are likely to struggle as the global economy remains weak and the yen stays strong.

"Continued growth in imports, in particular of fossil fuels, will be the main factor driving the trade deficit higher. The shutdown of the country's nuclear power plants has left Japan reliant on imported natural gas for energy. The scheduled restart of two of Japan's 54 reactors in July will do little to mitigate power shortages, leaving the country with around 20 percent less electricity generating capacity than last year," David Rea, an economist at Capital Economics, said.

The continuing crisis in Europe, the weakness in the U.S. market and the strengthening of the Japanese yen have hampered the growth of Japan's export-focused companies. With the increasing borrowing costs in Spain and Italy, the debt crisis in Europe has revived, consequently affecting Japan's market sentiments adversely. Investors have withdrawn from risky assets, leading to a stronger yen.

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Japan's industrial production declined in April from the previous month, according to the revised data released by the Trade Ministry earlier in June. The revised data reported that industrial output fell 0.2 percent in April, raising concerns about the country's faltering economic growth momentum.

A major worry for Japan is the fact that the country's electronic sector is seriously affected by the strengthening of the yen. Japanese electronics companies are finding that they are no longer able to keep the prices at competitive level in the international market.

Another concern is Japan's unemployment rate, which, according to the data released by internal affairs ministry, rose to 4.6 percent in April from 4.5 percent in March. Employment conditions in Japan do not seem to improve with major companies such as Sony Corp, NEC Corp and Renesas Electronics Corp announcing job cuts as they are attempting to trim expenses.

In May, the sovereign credit status of Japan was cut to A+ from AA by Fitch Ratings. It commented that the downgrades and negative outlooks reflected growing risks for Japan's sovereign credit profile as a result of high and rising public debt ratios.

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Saturday, June 23, 2012

Solyndra Not the Only Questionable Obama Loan to ?Green? Energy

BY VERONIQUE DE RUGY

The very public failure of energy company Solyndra has focused a lot of attention on the Department of Energy?s loan guarantee programs. Beyond Solyndra?s failure, it?s interesting to take a closer look at these programs.?The economic justification for any government-sponsored lending or loan guarantee program must rest on a well established failure of the private sector to allocate loans efficiently, meaning that deserving recipients could not have obtained capital on their own. Absent such a private sector deficiency, the Department of Energy?s activities would simply be a wasteful at best, politically motivated at worst, subsidy to this sector of the economy.

To measure the Department of Energy results, I looked at the flow of Department of Energy credits to evaluate who receives them and whether the department is meeting its stated policy objectives, such as promoting new start-ups or companies that have a hard time accessing capital, and encouraging the creation of green jobs.

Since 2009, Department of Energy has guaranteed $34.7 billion in loans, 46 percent through the 1705 loan program, 30 percent through the 1703 program, and 14 percent through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program.

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Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 15" 0319 - 15.6" - Core i3 380M - Windows 7 Professional 64-bit - 4 GB RAM - 500 GB HDD $569.99


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